There is no doubt that tablets and smartphones have forever changed the world that we live in, but these devices may be even more impressive than we think. Companies from around the world are now releasing apps and accessories that take full advantage of these powerful products and open up new worlds in industries such as science, energy conservation, and healthcare. If you own a tablet or smartphone, take a look at these surprising feats that you may be missing out on.
Run a Weather Station
The newer generation of tablet PCs have come equipped with a number of unique sensors that were not on earlier models. While some of these sensors are designed to analyze hardware on the tablet itself, they can also be used to gauge the environment around them. A number of apps now allow tablet owners to unlock sensors and turn their tablet into a fully-functional weather station with temperature, humidity, and even barometric pressure sensors.
Augmented Reality
With the powerful cameras that are now being implemented in tablets, owners can now use them to augment reality. These cameras can be enhanced to work with apps that provide an “overlay” on the screen in real-time. This means owners can augment their reality with everything from instantaneous translations of written text and spoken words to map overlays of the city or even massive online games.
Mine Bitcoins
Bitcoins are a form of virtual currency that is “mined” by computers or groups of computers by solving complex algorithms. This virtual currency has quickly moved up in value and is now being traded by major investment companies. Tablet owners need to download nothing more than the Bitcoin program and an online wallet and can begin to start mining this virtual currency today using the processing power of their tablet.
Become a Microscope
Digital tablet microscopes are invaluable to those within the healthcare industry and a great gadget for any amateurs looking to take a closer look at the minuscule world around them. Purpose-built microscopes can now be connected to tablets and smartphones through an optional router, with a number of amazing features. These include the ability to record and share images for later analysis or to simply keep the information on file to share with colleagues and co-workers.
Control Your Home
One of the absolute best uses of a tablet PC is to turn an older home into an automated home of the future. The HVAC system is the biggest energy consumer within almost every home, and using a tablet PC to monitor and automate these systems can save residents quite a bit of money every month. With the correct hardware and software, these devices can also be used to carry out a number of other tasks such as locking doors, setting the alarm, and even setting timers for lights or other appliances.
Monitor Your Heart Rate and Blood Pressure
No one can ever be careful enough when it comes to their health or the health of their family, and what better way to utilize technology than to monitor one’s health. Simple cuffs, fitness watches, or bands can transmit information such as one’s heart rate and blood pressure directly to their tablet through a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection. This information can then be given to the doctor or used to make well-informed decisions about one’s health.
Anyone who is ready to take their mobile device to the next level needs to look no further than these six pieces of hardware and software that take advantage of the specs of their tablet PC. From the casual hobbyist to those looking to get into investing, these devices have practically no limit of features and tools.
