The cell phone has come an incredibly long way in the last ten years! They went from clunky bricks with bad service to sleek, smart devices that can do just about everything your computer can do. From checking email to watching videos to playing games while you’re on the bus, smartphones have truly become a part of everyday life for most Americans.
Here are three interesting ways your phone can keep you connected (besides unlimited texting, of course!) and take you to unexpected places.
QR Codes
QR codes are popping up more and more these days! You can download an app to scan these weird little barcodes. They may take you somewhere surprising, online and off.
Companies have used QR codes to advertise restaurants, run contests, provide information, and more. Some enterprising musicians even use QR codes to share mixtapes – they can be posted anywhere, like graffiti, and accessed by anyone with the app who passes by.
Check out QR codes when you see them. They might show you music or a great new place to eat – the possibilities are endless.
Geocaching
Geocaching is a unique hobby that is getting more attention as GPS technology improves. Basically, you go on a treasure hunt. People post coordinates or directions to “caches” online, and you follow this “map” to find the cache.
Geocaching began with the improvement of GPS in 2000, so it is relatively new. The cache will contain something that is not necessarily worth a lot of money, but has value to the person that placed the cache.
This is a great idea for a date. Blow your date away by suggesting that you go on a treasure hunt together – you’re sure to charm them, and you might end up somewhere you’ve never been before.
Texting Fun
Just because you don’t have a smartphone doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the fun. Any phone that can text can use SMS to access information in a way similar to a QR code.
You’ve probably seen these around – messages on drink cups or posters that give you a number to text for more information, coupons, or even for jokes.
Some companies use these services to make your life easier. If you’re at the airport, an SMS code could give you all the information you need about your flight. Other companies may offer entry into a contest and the chance to win cool stuff!
Stay Connected
Cell phones are already ubiquitous in the United States, and smartphones are the second wave. This technology will just get better and more popular as time goes on. There are so many fun things you can do with your phone – explore all your options and see what the many possibilities are!