6. Customize alert vibration patterns
With your smartphone, you can not only customize the way your device rings when it's on normal mode - you can even customize the way it vibrates when it's on silent mode. You can do this by choosing specific vibration patterns through the setting provided by your phone.
iPhone instructions:
- Enter Settings. Go to Sounds, followed by Ringtone, then Vibration. Here, you can create patterns of vibration by tapping.
- You can even create a customized vibration pattern for specific contacts. To do this, select the contact you want from your list of contacts, tap Edit and select the Vibration option.
Android instructions:
- Go to your contact list and tap on a contact name. Under Vibration Pattern, tap Default and choose a preset pattern.
- If you want to create your own pattern, tap Create and tap on the screen to make it.
7. Camera LED flash for notifications
Instead of using vibrate, your smartphone gives you the option to set the camera's LED light to flash every time a notification comes in. This way, in silent places you can be notified of your phone calls, messages and app notifications efficiently without a sound.
iPhone instructions:
- Enter Settings, then tap General, followed by Accessibility. Turn on LED Flash for Alerts.
Android instructions:
- Enter Settings, then tap Accessibility. Turn on Flash notification.
8. More comfortable way of taking pictures
With now larger devices and touch screens, taking pictures can sometimes be a bit difficult if you're using the shutter button on the screen, especially when you're using the rear camera of the phone. Instead of tapping on the screen to capture the picture, iPhones and Android phones both have a much more comfortable way of doing this.
iPhone instructions:
- When you've opened the Camera app, press the Volume Up button to take a picture. This applies for both rear and front camera capturing.
Android instructions:
- Many Android phones come with the option of using the Volume buttons at the side of the device to capture a photo while on the Camera application. This applies both for rear and front camera capturing.
- Alternatively, open the Camera app and tap Settings. Scroll down to Voice Control and turn it on. You will now be able to take photos on saying the commands "Capture", "Shoot", "Smile" and "Cheese".
9. Take multiple photos at once
When you're taking photos of moving objects, such as kids, animals, cars, etc., you might find this feature to be useful. You can now take several photos at one go, to make sure you have a selection of photos to choose the best from.
iPhone (5 or later) instructions:
- Enter the Camera app. Tap and hold the capture button on the screen, or press and HOLD the Volume Up button on the side of the phone. The phone will keep on taking multiple photos for as long as you hold the button. (iPhones can take up to 10 photos per second)
- All the photos will be saved in Camera Roll. They will be grouped together automatically, so you can choose the best ones from the batch.
Android instructions:
- Enter the Camera app and tap Settings. Turn on Burst Shot. Now, you can tap and HOLD the capture button on the screen or the volume button from the side of the phone, to take multiple photos at one go. The phone will keep on doing this for as long as you hold the button, or depending on the preset limit for your phone, if there is one.
- All the photos will be saved in the Gallery, often grouped together.
10. Turn off music automatically
Some of us use our phone's music to accompany them while working on a task, or even in bed before going to sleep. The problem is, your phone's battery is bound to be drained quickly while playing, especially if it ends up unnecessarily playing for the rest of the night if you fall asleep. Avoid this from happening by setting a timer for your music player.
iPhone instructions:
- Enter the Clock app and tap Timer. Select When Timer Ends. Scroll to the bottom of the screen and tap Stop Playing. Here, you can set the settings for your timer.
Android instructions:
- Enter the music player and go to Settings. Tap Music Auto Off. Here you can set how long you want your music play for.
- You may even download apps such as Sleep Timer to customize this.