Most of us have a smartphone in our pocket, and most of us have been known to use it for work from time to time. The theory is that owning a smartphone makes us more connected and more productive, but studies have shown that always-on, always-connected mentality drains us and eventually makes us less productive. So we ask you: Does your smartphone help you be more productive and get more things done, or are you happy to set the “leash” to silent when you leave the office every day?
Dear Lifehacker, I’m getting a new phone this week, and I’ve been debating whether or not to get a case. Most of my friends have cases on their phones, but a few people are also telling me not to get one because it “ruins the phone”. I need an outside opinion. Convince me: Should I get a case or not?
Dear Lifehacker, I like to use my phone and laptop at night, but even with the brightness on the lowest setting, they still hurt my eyes. Are there any tricks to getting the brightness even lower?
Dear Lifehacker, Ever since I got a smartphone, I’m using it constantly. It dings, I respond. It entertains me in the car, in the shower, and even when I’m actually with other people. I feel like I’m extremely connected with technology and disconnected from reality. What can I do to use my phone without acting like an addict?
There are a number of gloves out there that are already designed to work with capacitive touchscreens (like the ones on your iPhone, iPad or Android device). But if you’re not in the mood to spend money on another pair of gloves, or you just already have a set that you really love, the 6 Stitch Kit can turn your pair into a set that works with your mobile device and keeps your hands warm at the same time.
Most of us are still waiting for Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich on our phones, nearly five months after the update was announced. Weblog Computerworld summarises which manufacturers are following through on their promises, and which ones aren’t.
Android: I’ve been known to just set my phone to vibrate because I don’t want the ringer going off in a silent room, and then I wind up missing a call if the phone is on my desk and I’m watching a movie. RingDimmer for Android is a new app that uses your phone’s microphone to automatically detect the noise level where you are, and sets the ringer appropriately so you never miss a call.
We’ve featured lots of ways to find your lost or stolen phone, but we’re wondering how many of you have actually gotten your phone back after losing it.
Dear Lifehacker, I just got a new smartphone and don’t need my old one. It isn’t worth much money, so I’d like to put it to good use. I’m just not sure what I can do with it. Got any ideas?
Happen to have an old FM Radio and a smartphone sitting around collecting dust? DIY electronics blog The Daily Life of a DIY Person shows how you can combine an HTC Hero phone with an old FM radio for a cheap and portable media centre.
