More than 35 household and scientific gadgets can be operated by your Android phone

 More than 35 household and scientific gadgets can be operated by your Android phone

With the development of modern technology, smartphones are rapidly replacing our traditional hand tools and scientific instruments. Features like music player, camera, calculator and GPS navigator have already been installed in the phone.

However, today's modern Android smartphone is not limited to this. Using the many state-of-the-art sensors inside the phone - such as the accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, ambient light sensor, barometer and sophisticated camera system - it can handle more than 35 traditional measurements and tools alone.

This advancement in technology has freed the consumer from the hassle and expense of separately purchasing expensive tools for the home, workshop, garden and scientific laboratory. More than 35 tools and alternative apps that can be replaced by Android smartphones are discussed here.

1. Screen ruler

Apps that show the actual ruler scale next to the phone screen (such as Ruler or Ruler – Smart Tools) are very useful for measuring small objects. While these apps can have a typical variation of a few millimeters (about 1.6 millimeters or 1/16 inch in 5 inches), once calibrated with a real physical ruler, it can give 100 percent accurate measurements down to a millimeter.

2. Vernier Caliper (Vernier Caliper / Caliper Mode)

The 'Caliper Mode' available in Screen Ruler apps can be used to measure the exact diameter and length of small components, screws or connectors by moving the two handles or sliders visible on the screen.

3. AR Tape Measure (AR Tape Measure / AR Ruler)

The length and height of walls, doors, tables or rooms can be measured using augmented reality (AR) technology and the phone's camera. Third party apps like AR Ruler App are very popular on Android. It helps to measure the approximate length instantly when there is no real measuring tape.

4. 3D Plan Ruler (AR Plan 3D)

This technique is useful for room layout design and decoration. Such apps automatically prepare a 3D floor plan by scanning the length, width and height of the entire room through the camera view.

5. CamToPlan

This AR-based tool, used in the construction and real estate business, draws virtual lines on the floor with the help of a camera, giving an instant accurate description of the gross area and perimeter of a room.

6. Sonar Distance Meter

Phyphox, an open-source app developed by scientists at Aachen University in Germany, works as a 'sonar' device that measures the distance of objects by transmitting high-frequency sound waves from the phone's speaker and analyzing the echo returned to the microphone.

7. GPS Land Area Calculator

GPS-based area calculators can be used to measure the area of large plots of land, farms, gardens or construction sites. By selecting 3 or more points on a land map or by walking around the land, it gives an accurate estimate of the gross area, which has proved a boon to farmers and architects.

8. Odometer and distance logger

Using GPS data, it tracks the total distance traveled by you walking, driving or flying a drone and saves it in a logger.

9. Spirit Level / Bubble Level

The traditional spirit level used to check whether any surface is perfectly flat or vertical has been completely replaced by the phone's accelerometer sensor. Apps like Bubble Level or Makita Mobile Tools show the actual angle to the 10th of a degree (0.1), making it more accurate and reliable than traditional levels. When measuring, remove the cover of the phone and place it on a flat side surface where the buttons or camera are not raised.

10. Protractor / angle meter

Apps like Protractor & Angle Meter are useful for measuring angles of real-world objects by overlaying a degree scale on the camera's live view. It helps to give the right direction to the frames or supports to be connected at any angle.

11. Clinometer / Inclinometer

It is used as a pitch gauge to measure the inclination angle of roofs, ramps, mountain roads or camera rigs. It shows the slope of the surface in percentage or degrees.

12. Theodolite

By fusing the camera view, compass and accelerometer data, it helps to estimate the height of the building by measuring the angle (Elevation) and direction (Azimuth) above the horizon like the theodolite used in geographical survey.

13. Decibel Meter / Sound Level Meter

The phone's microphone can be used as a decibel meter to measure sound intensity. Apps like Decibel X or Sound Meter can measure sound levels and display minimum, maximum and average values.

During testing, its difference with standalone meter is found to be only 3 to 5 decibels. Which is enough to check normal household use or neighborhood noise (80-90 dB). For professional accuracy, the Dayton Audio iMM-6C Calibrated USB-C Microphone can be used, with a separate calibration file for each unit.

14. Frequency meter

It is used to measure the frequency of sound resonating in the environment and to analyze the frequency of voice or instrument.

15. Audio Spectrum Analyzer

Scientific apps like Phyphox or Physics Toolbox divide sound into different frequency components Can display graphs in real-time by dividing them into ents. It helps to analyze the peak frequency of the voice and the quality of the voice.

16. Musical Note Tuner

To tune guitar, flute or other instruments, it provides accurate measurement of frequency and musical notes (Musical Notes & Cents) in logarithmic units. Which eliminates the need to buy expensive tuners.

17. Oscilloscope

Oscilloscope-style apps that plot graphs of audio waveforms directly on the screen make it easy for physics students and audio engineers to visualize waveforms.

18. Lux Meter (Lux Meter / Light Meter)

Using the phone's Ambient Light Sensor (Ambient Light Sensor), the light intensity can be measured in Lux units. It is useful to check the standard of 500 to 750 lux light for eye protection in a study room or workshop and at least 100 lux in corridors for safe walking.

19. Photography Light Meter

With the help of ambient light sensor and camera, it can become a reliable tool for photographers to take the right decision of aperture and shutter speed (Exposure) required while taking photos.

20. Color Analyzer

It collects accurate color coordinates such as RGB (Red, Green, Blue) or HSV (Hue, Saturation, Value) values from the camera or any part of the photo. With its help, the exact code of the color required for the wall paint or branding of the house can be found.

21. Digital Compass

The magnetometer sensor in the phone works as a precise digital compass by detecting the magnetic field of the earth. Which has completely replaced the traditional compass to find the direction.

22. Metal Detector

This sensor can detect metals such as iron or steel that have magnetic properties. However, it cannot detect non-magnetic metals such as gold, silver or copper.

23. Stud Finder

A metal detector app on a phone can better identify where a strong wooden frame (stud) is by finding iron nails or screws hidden behind a wall than a cheap physical stud finder.

24. Magnetic Field Meter

It measures the strength of magnetic waves (Magnetron strength) coming out from microwave ovens, computers or power lines.

25. Guitar Pickup Strength Tester

Music lovers can use it to measure and compare the magnetic strength of different guitar pickups (Neck, Bridge & Center Pickups).

26. Thermometer

Common Android thermometer apps use the phone's internal components and battery temperature sensors, so there may be an error of 2 to 3 degrees Celsius. However, in phones like Google Pixel 8 Pro, 9 Pro or 10 Pro, a special infrared temperature sensor is placed at the back. which can accurately measure the actual temperature of the human body (FDA approved) and objects such as hot water or tea.

27. Barometer

If the phone has a barometric pressure sensor, it can measure the atmospheric pressure and predict the weather trends.

28. Altimeter

By combining atmospheric pressure and GPS data, this tool measures your actual altitude above sea level much more accurately than using GPS alone.

29. Speedometer

It can be used to measure your travel speed in real-time based on the change of GPS location while driving a bicycle or vehicle.

30. Pedometer / Step Counter

This tool is used to count the number of steps taken every day by tracking human movement and body vibration.

31. Pulse Rate Monitor (Pulse/Heartbeat Monitor)

It has the technology to measure the heartbeat by analyzing the subtle changes in the blood flow when the finger tip is placed over the phone's camera and flashlight.

32. Seismometer / Vibration Meter

Accelerometer can be used to record and analyze the vibration patterns of washing machines, moving vehicles or workshop power tools.

33. Rotation Meter / Angular Velocity

With the help of a gyroscope, it measures the speed (Raw Angular Velocity) of small motors, fans or spinners per second or per minute.

34. Acoustic Stopwatch

This is a special scientific stopwatch. Which automatically starts or stops when you hear the sound of clapping or hitting the ball.

35. Motion Stopwatch

It is a stopwatch that starts or stops recording the time when the phone's position or speed changes normally.

36. Optical Stopwatch

It is a tool that automatically records time based on changes in light intensity or shadows.

37. Proximity Stopwatch

This is a stopwatch that measures the time when an object comes close to the phone or moves away (through the Proximity Sensor).

38. Digital Magnifier

It is used to magnify small letters or small components of electronic equipment by using the optical and digital zoom of the camera.

39. Digital microscope

(Microscope Alternative)

With the help of the phone's macro lens and sophisticated software, it helps to check the fine welding (solder joints) of the electronic circuit board (PCB) and to read the small letters of transistors or resistors that are not visible to the naked eye.

Research and user feedback

A detailed scientific study conducted by researchers at the University of Malaysia Sabah in Malaysia among construction contractors, interior designers and plumbers has shown that the acceptability and usability of such Android-based measurer apps is very high. During the study, this technology achieved an excellent result of 78.08 percent in the System Usability Scale (SUS).

However, some challenges have been pointed out, such as the fact that furniture in the room can create obstructions when measuring the room, and that the height and measurement units (meters, centimeters or inches) of the phone camera must be set correctly at the beginning. Although Google discontinued its first Measure app in 2021, apps like Samsung's Quick Measure and Aachen University's open-source app Phyphox (whose code is available on GitHub) have taken the technology to new heights.

These digital technologies in smartphones are not a 100% substitute for professional engineering or industrial field proven devices, but they can be a wonderful digital tool for daily home maintenance (DIY), casual measurements, and students. Who can save additional expenses and time by doing the work of hundreds of dollars worth of equipment available in the market from the phone itself.