Yes, that's very handy. Another use I have - sometimes I need to read a very small serial number or other kind of device number that's on the back or the bottom of something electronic in a poorly lit spot. Much easier to stick my phone nearby to capture an enlargeable photo, than using my head and a light to see it.

Costco has some good deals on clothes, but no dressing rooms and no mirrors. A woman was trying on coats and her daughter was trying to tell her how it looked. I suggested the daughter take a picture and a video. It worked!

You can also install a magnifier app.

Having gotten an appointment for a vaccination this week, it was simple to take a screen shot of the q code to show at check in. Zero paper work to fill out further, accurate info accepted. I felt sorry for those without a smart phone because the registration site suggested a smart phone would be the best and easiest way to register.

If I have a small lumpy thing on my back, it’s easy for my husband to take a picture of it and send to my dermatologist.

"You can also install a magnifier app."

Just my own superstition. I avoid apps as much as possible to avoid malware infection.

dcarch

I've used my camera for both D'Arch's reason and Elmer's. Actually, not being able to read the recommended dosage on children's tylenol was what prompted me to go to the optometrist years ago... I can't imagine how some elderly people cope with the ridiculously small type on OTC medication. There oughta be a law!

Elmer, I also use my phone and camera to see behind the dryer, or behind a cabinet we have that has a huge gap, and i need to see if a piece of trash fell back there causing the odor.

I take photos of things I want to remember.... like the specific product someone has recommended, so when I go to the store I can find the exact thing.

I like the idea of using it to read labels. Thanks for that tip.

When we find a wine we like or don’t like, we jot it on a list on the refrigerator. Then I snap a picture, and next time I’m buying wine I refer back to the list.

"You can also install a magnifier app."

"Just my own superstition. I avoid apps as much as possible to avoid malware infection."

There's a built-in magnifier on the iPhone. Go to Settings, then Control Center. You can choose which Controls you want to have active. Then, from your Home Screen, just swipe up from the bottom and you'll open the Control Center. The magnifier looks like (surprise) a magnifying glass. When using it, you can increase the size of the image, and even take a pic of it.

"When we find a wine we like or don’t like, we jot it on a list on the refrigerator. Then I snap a picture, and next time I’m buying wine I refer back to the list."

If you're using an iPhone, you could use the built-in Notes app. You can have LOTS of different lists in Notes at the same time.

While at Sam's I started to find a pen and paper to write down books I wanted to check for at the library and my husband said take a picture. I did.

I have a notes app, but we Scribble it down real quick and we are using some doodles as comments. So the photo is easier and, heck, more fun!

I just got an Echo Show, not thinking I'd have much use for it. I've changed my mind.

I can ask Alexa to add items to my shopping list:

and view the list (in the Alexa app) when I go to the store:

Not that I go to the store right now but... someday.

BTW, when I play that video, Alexa informs that I already have xxxxxx on my shopping list. :-)

Lindsey_CA, Very good tip. But not everyone has an iphone. Most mobile phone's camera allow you to magnify as you are viewing.

At large magnification, hand shaking can make reading difficult. Taking a picture allows you to magnify to read without shaking.

dcarch

Lindsey, I didn’t even know that! Thanks.

On the one hand I think it’s a good idea to clean the phone somewhat regularly, on the other hand I have a hard time believing that “objects” transmit covid much. Considering most people no longer wear gloves and disinfect/quarantine groceries, mail, etc. anymore, as bad of a shape as we’re in I’d have to believe it’d be far worse.

Taking pictures of things for any number of reasons has become a way of life. Just today my mom got a call from the hospital asking her about an antibiotic my father is on. They asked her to just send a picture. She was amused at how it was just assumed she could do that, which she couldn’t.

Clothes shopping is an excellent time to take video. Back in October my daughter was going to a bat mitzvah and I took her shopping for an outfit. She’d look at herself in the mirror and think she looked good, then I’d take a video and she‘d see my point of view. I‘ve had service techs walk me through troubleshooting using pictures, saving a visit. If I’m taking something apart, I take pictures before and during, to help put it back together. Countless things I rely on my phone camera for.

You guys made my day!! I just installed a magnifier app with light.

If you don’t have a mirror handy and need to check your face for some reason, you can turn your phone camera to the selfie setting and use that.

For less than $50, (some $20), you can get a wireless mini camera that transmits video thru wifi to your cell phone.

You can see who is at the house door while you are cooking in the kitchen or traveling in another state/country.

dcarch

"FAOS ----on the other hand I have a hard time believing that “objects” transmit covid much.---"

The distancing between you and the phone is about an inch when you talk.

dcarch

Does the virus hop off? Regardless of how it may theoretically transmit, my point stands that if object to person transmission were much of an issue, it would seem many more would be sick than already are. Just my guess, nothing more.

FOAS---

"Does the virus hop off? ' No. People help to move virus around. Cell phone gets touched regularly.

"Regardless of how it may theoretically transmit, my point stands that if object to person transmission were much of an issue, it would seem many more would be sick than already are. " So far, over 2 million died, and 101 million got sick. That's a lot!

Google "using Phosphorescent Powder to test virus transmission" you will see how incredibly easy touch objects can transmit virus. That's why shopping for food in stores needs a lot of attention. How many people had squeezed the avocados before you?

dcarch

Everything I’ve read is that transmission through inanimate objects is quite unlikely and would require a perfect storm of events. Like you sneeze all over the phone, I grab it, rub by hands on it enough to pick up a viral load, then I pick my nose. That sort of thing.

Like I said, I think that cleaning the phone is good practice as is washing hands. But I’d have to believe there’s a reason there‘s so little focus on wearing gloves and sanitizing and quarantining everything. If you have evidence that virus on objects is a practical concern, not just a theoretical one, I’d certainly be open to listening.

"------Everything I’ve read is that transmission through inanimate objects is quite unlikely and would require a perfect storm of events. ----"

Still sanitizing everything is a common practice in public places, offices, toilets, trains, planes, door knobs, -------etc.

"--Like you sneeze all over the phone, I grab it, rub by hands on it enough to pick up a viral load, ---"

Based on Physics 101 (the butter gun theory) for inverse distance density. Every time you double the distance, you 1/4 the density, So when you talk one inch away from the phone, the virus load on the phone may be 4 thousand times more dense than from 6 foot distance.

"--- I grab it, rub by hands on it enough to pick up a viral load, then I pick my nose. That sort of thing.---"

If you watch the videos for "using Phosphorescent Powder to test virus transmission", you can see how easily you get virus all over your face by touching things normally.

dcarch

My officemate taught me that years ago. But it's a great tip! If it makes you feel any better, she's an MD/PhD, making her smarter than the average bear

;)

Based on Physics 101 (the butter gun theory) for inverse distance density. Every time you double the distance, you 1/4 the density, So when you talk one inch away from the phone, the virus load on the phone may be 4 thousand times more dense than from 6 foot distance.

But how is the virus getting on my phone in the first place? Most

likely from my hands. Which comes back to the perfect storm. Someone sneezes on the avocado. I touch the avocado, pick up a bunch of virus, smear it on my phone, enough of it lives on my phone such that at some point later, after I’ve washed my hands and can no longer blame it on the original freak coincidence, I get contaminated by my phone.

Surely of this is a real concern you can steer us to reputable scientists stressing the importance of sanitizing all that we touch

I'm like an 8 year old when it comes to cell phone tricks and hints. As well as key board screen saves and fast avoidances needing too many searches for a simple need. Every few weeks I use you tube for recent hidden useful additions to the bounty of valuable smart phone gems. I've used these functions like dcharch posted since available. I snap a pic before I fill the freezer after a delivery...or when any delivery comes it. I can reference what I have from my desktop. Zoom. in a shot if needed.

I came across that study, I think Australia, in October 2020. Went viral, but in a lab setting. And yes it can live stuck on a frozen package....but is not airborne.

I'm still careful. Just so obvious that inhaling is the most transmitted means of transmission. Has been for years with colds and flu. Not surfaces. Phones are not shared. Wash hands and mask up. We have double masked since last March 2020.

300 hundred work force, maybe more, only two tested positive but they were jerky and probably careless out of the work zone. Paid for the duration of quarantine, but fired or let go being careless. (covid union contract). Absolutely no way you will contact covid if masked and careful. (one half a percent somehow maybe).

We have been double masked since the get go. Cases of boxes for free at the medic office. Tested three times a week.

it works, wear a mask, and double up in inclosed areas like groceries. It is only needed for a short time indoors. And cover the nose....use the wire frame.

My KN95 mask use routine:

KN95 masks are better than most other disposable masks , however at $1.00 a pop each use and dispose is too expensive in my opinion.

So I collect a few of my used once ones, then cook them in the oven at 185F for a few minutes and use them again.

dcarch

FOAS,

"----But how is the virus getting on my phone in the first place? ----"

How sure are you that you are not symptom-less covid-19 carrier?

"---Surely of this is a real concern you can steer us to reputable scientists stressing the importance of sanitizing all that we touch---"

Wash your hands! As often as you can. they say.

Sleeven, "----Phones are not shared.----"

Not often, but friends and families do use Zoom, FaceTime, etc. for group situations. Drones use cell phones, which are shared by a few players often.

dcarch

Masks will be more and more available. Whatever we need and want.

HERE

Put this one under your comfort favorite fabric. ...double up in enclosed areas.

Not one person touches my phone. It is my phone only. Not one person is close enough to sneeze on it. Masked and distance. I clean it every morning when I clean my glasses. Then into my back pocket. Weird to focus on a cell phone.

Maybe one half a tiny percent that someone contacted covid via sequestered without any outside contact. Just does not happen...via mail delivery, packages, food delivery...

“How sure are you that you are not symptom-less covid-19 carrier?”

Are you suggesting I’m going to give myself covid? Via my phone?

As of yesterday I’m happy to report:

Funny how these threads make me so much more aware of my actions. The egg cracking thread made me realize I use the edge of the bowl a lot more than I thought I did. This thread made me realize how much I use my phone for non-phone things. Just yesterday: apple pay multiple times, calculator, flashlight, and camera to take picture of an awkwardly located manufacturer label, forward insurance card from an app.... I’d be lost without it!

FOAS, I'm glad you are negative, at least for now.

See, that's why I don't have a smart phone, it's the germs. (grin) Actually, I don't have one because we have no cell service out here in the sticks, so it would be pointless. I do have wifi via my extremely unreliable internet connection, which I get through an antenna on my roof, but not reliably enough to justify hundreds of dollars for a smart phone.

So, I have an old flip type Tracfone that I carry in my purse only in case I get a flat tire or something.

We do have an Echo something-or-another that Elery set up to make a grocery list. But then I have to ask it for my grocery list and write it down to take to the store with me, so it's easier just to write it down in the first place. The grandkids love the Echo, though, they play "zookeeper" and make it roar like a lion or snort like a pig. It'll also tell them the joke of the day, but the only thing I've found it useful for yet is setting a timer for something baking in the oven. And any time I touch one of the kids' phones and try to make something bigger I make everything go away. I get a deep sigh and "give it to me, I'll fix it".

Of course, I was just told I need cataract surgery so maybe when I can actually SEE the phone, I'll be better at making it work, LOL.

Annie

I used the reverse camera setting today to find the reset button on the bottom of the Garbage Disposer. It was far better than crawling on the floor and trying to see the bottom with my own eyes.... and then there would have been the getting up part. So much better!!!!!!