Internet access is a necessity for many people. Users communicate on social networks, watch videos, and work. But what if you need to access the Internet from a computer, but don’t have a modem?

Can a smartphone be used as a modem? Yes, this option is possible, since it will serve to access the Global Network. The connection procedure is simple, just follow simple rules.

Using a smartphone as a modem via USB

How to use a smartphone as a USB modem? If there is a cable from the phone, then it is connected to the computer and used as an external modem. For the procedure to work, you must perform the following steps:

• You need to open the device settings, and then find the “Other networks” section.
• You should select "Modem and access point". You will be notified that a connection to your computer is required.
• The USB cable must be connected to the PC.
• Then the “USB modem” tab will appear, which you need to click on to activate.
• Then you need to open the browser and check the Internet.

This completes the procedure. If everything is done correctly, the device can work with the Internet. If there are any failures, the procedure must be completed again.

Using a smartphone as a modem via Wi-Fi

One of the functions needed in the Android OS is the distribution of the Internet using a hotspot. Wi-Fi access. How to use a smartphone as a modem for a computer? The phone will serve as an access point, and other devices can connect to access the Network. In this case, 3G and 4G work.

To configure traffic distribution from using Wi-Fi In your device, you need to visit the “Settings” section, select “Other networks”, and then click “Modem and access point”. Then you need to create an access point, specifying the necessary parameters: name, security level, password. After filling out, you need to save the data and turn on Wi-Fi.

To connect to the point from a computer or other device, you need to connect Wi-Fi, select an access point, and enter a password. It should be taken into account that you need to come up with control information yourself. Then it can be communicated to the person who will use the Internet.

How Easy Tether Lite works

How to use a smartphone as a modem if difficulties arise with other methods? In this case it will help Easy program Tether Lite, which is needed to turn a smartphone into a modem. It must be downloaded on both devices. After this, you need to connect the smartphone to the PC via a USB cable. The system requires installation of additional drivers. This is necessary for proper operation applications.

Then you need to enable the function on the device. Go to the “Settings” section, click “Applications”, “Development” and “ USB Debugging" You need to find the program on your computer and click on it. When the menu appears, you need to select “Connect Via “Android””. After a few seconds, the device will become operational, after which you can use the Internet.

Using a Samsung phone as a modem

How to use a smartphone as a modem if the equipment is Samsung? This company issues a CD with the product, which includes Samsung program Kies. If this application is not available, then it should be downloaded from the company’s official website. After installation, you need to visit the settings, turn off the “USB storage” function.

Then you need to connect the device using a USB cable, and also install the driver. In Windows 7 and other versions, installation is performed automatically. Then you need to go to “Settings”, select “ Wireless network" In the “Modem and access point” menu, you need to check the boxes next to the “USB modem” and “Mobile AP” items.

Then on your PC you need to enter the “Control Panel” and click “Connection”. This section will show network connections, from which you need to select your device. If it is present in the list, this means that the technique is working correctly. Then you can use the Internet. How to use Windows smartphone as a modem? You must use the same scheme.

Possible connection difficulties

In practice, users face many difficulties, even if they know how to use a smartphone as a modem. A common problem is the lack of access to 3G and 4G networks. In this case, you will not be able to use the Internet, because there is no access to wireless technologies. The way out of the situation is to move to another place, as well as check that the device is working correctly. You can call your telecom operator. There may be restrictions on transmitting and receiving data over the Internet.

Another problem is also likely - the equipment does not connect via USB. The phone does not appear on the computer, so it cannot be used as a modem. It is necessary to check your PC to see if there are viruses, and whether Windows updates. You can try using a different one USB port to connect the cable. Often, manual installation of the driver, which must be downloaded, helps. If such problems are solved, a smartphone can perfectly replace a modem.

Of course, a specialized device is always better than a universal one, and a good DVR will give any smartphone a run for its money. But if there are no demands on the quality of the recording high requirements or you want to save money, then using a smartphone as a DVR can be quite justified.

This is what you will encounter if you decide to undertake such an undertaking.

Flaws

1. Shooting quality. Although smartphone optics have big amount megapixels, but is poorly adapted to shooting in the dark and under bright sun rays(highlights will be inevitable due to the location of the smartphone under the windshield). In addition, at mobile cameras a much smaller viewing angle, so the adjacent lane and side of the road may not fit into the frame.
2. Possible overheating. Active work with the camera loads the processor and causes the smartphone to heat up. In addition, the temperature is increased by constantly connected charging and the summer sun. Therefore, you will have to find a good place for the smartphone where it will be blown by air flows from the ventilation system or remove the case from it.
3. Inconvenience. During the day, the smartphone will need to be removed from the holder and put back frequently, as well as connecting the charging cable and launching recording applications. In addition, you deprive yourself of most of the functions of a smartphone if you use the main device as a recorder. You can still listen to music, but in a traffic jam you can no longer read the news or sit on social networks.

However, in addition to the disadvantages, using a smartphone video recorder also provides some advantages. Thanks to its powerful hardware, it will be able to outperform a traditional DVR on several counts.

Advantages

1. Detailed shooting. In good lighting, the smartphone camera will capture details in the frame with greater clarity and allow you to see the license plate number or road sign. Also a high resolution sensor will help you take better photos.
2. Image stabilization. Almost all modern smartphones have, if not optical, then software frame stabilization, which is very useful for smoothing out shaking when shooting in motion.
3. Multitasking. Most video recorder applications use the smartphone's capabilities to the maximum, which means that as a bonus to recording road conditions you will receive radar detector and .

How to secure a smartphone in a car

DVRs are equipped with standard mounts that allow you to center the frame and easily remove the device. The smartphone will also have to be secured somehow, preferably firmly and also with the ability to be adjusted. Not all holders are suitable for this purpose. Here are some recommendations for selection and installation:

1. The holder should be compact, with a minimum number of hinges and a swivel mount. A structure that is too bulky threatens to fall off at the most inopportune moment and will aggravate unnecessary shaking.
2. If you will be using your main smartphone, you should consider a mount that can be quickly removed. For example, clamps or magnets are suitable.
3. It is better to install the smartphone higher on the windshield, near the rearview mirror. When attached to the dashboard, the camera is very likely to be exposed to sunlight.

Compact holders with suction cups or adhesive bases work well, as well as options with fastening directly to the rearview mirror. All of them cost about 250–350 rubles on AliExpress. However, if you already have a holder that you use in your car, you can try to adapt it too.

How to install the lens

A small viewing angle suitable for normal photography will not be sufficient for recording road conditions. A removable wide-angle lens will allow you to get images that are not inferior to DVR cameras.

It is better to choose lenses with clothespins (100–200 rubles) or cases on which the lenses are screwed using a thread (500–600 rubles). This way the lens won’t fall off on the next bump.

It is better to take lenses from glass rather than plastic.

When installing, be sure to center the lens and check that it is securely attached to the smartphone. Glass and metal covers can cause lenses to slip off. In this case, a simple case made of silicone or soft plastic will help.

How to connect power

The smartphone discharges very quickly in recording mode, and operating only on the built-in battery is out of the question. Therefore, you will have to take care of connecting the charging. You will need a power adapter that runs from the cigarette lighter and a cable.

Since long-term operation is expected, both accessories must be of high quality. Don't skimp on a good 2 A adapter that won't fail or burn out at the most inopportune moment, ruining your smartphone.

The cable should also be good. If you are not bothered by hanging wires, then you can use the supplied one, but it is better to buy a two or three meter cable, which can be carefully laid along windshield, and then pass it under the glove compartment and lead it to the cigarette lighter.

A cable with a magnetic connector will do much more easier connection and turning off the power, which will be especially important for cases when recording is carried out on the main smartphone.

How to choose an application

There are a lot mobile applications, but almost all of them have similar capabilities. Lifehacker selected the three most popular DVRs for iOS and Android.

DVR

Despite the banal name, this application has many different settings. In addition to recording traffic conditions, it performs the functions of a navigator and radar detector, informing about stationary cameras. “Video Recorder” supports loop recording, automatically starts and stops, and can also save video both locally and to cloud storage. On Android you can record videos in background and even with a locked screen.

RoadAR

Another excellent universal application that combines a DVR and a radar detector. In addition, RoadAR can recognize road signs and warn about speeding, parking bans and other situations. The application automatically adjusts the exposure to avoid highlights, and on Android it can also launch itself when motion is detected or when rotated to a horizontal position.

SmartDriver

SmartDriver is more focused on the radar function, but also allows you to record traffic conditions and helps with route planning by displaying navigation tips. The application has a subscription that provides access to daily updates of the camera database and traffic police posts. IN free version they are updated once a week.

Smartphones have long taken over the entire market. mobile phones, however, there are still people who, for some reason, do not use even half of their rich functionality. Somehow it turned out that a large number of smartphone users, in general, do not need their smartphone essence. Just recently, one of my friends, the owner of a popular Android smartphone, lost all her money due to some kind of breakdown. phone book. Nowadays, this looks quite wild and impossible, because all modern smartphones are somehow connected to global network Internet and accounts of manufacturing companies, if not the devices themselves, then at least the operating systems. As it turned out, nothing is impossible. It is enough just not to enable contact synchronization in the phone settings or not to connect it to any accounts.

Judging by personal experience and reviews from colleagues, people who use smartphones as simple phones, indeed, a lot. Users do not link devices to accounts or create accounts when setting up their phone for the first time, do not visit software stores, and do not install modern applications. There are even people who are afraid to go into their phone settings to turn something on or off because they don’t want to ruin everything. After this, users lose all their contacts, cannot remember passwords and PIN codes, cannot find forgotten or lost smartphones, cannot get used to touch screens and keyboards, yearning for the old Nokia or BlackBerry keyboards. If you ask such a user why he bought a smartphone in the first place, if he doesn’t need all its features, then the answer will probably be something about the current fashion (“since everyone has a smartphone, then I need it too”) or the sudden need to exchange an outdated model for what something new.

It turned out that as of 2014, ordinary mobile phone buyers no longer have a choice. Whatever you want, most likely you will have to buy some kind of plastic touchscreen all-in-one, stuffed with a bunch of unnecessary functions and endless possibilities. I know people who would be happy to exchange their old “dialers” for almost the same, but more modern phones, and buy for the same 5-10 thousand rubles not something touch-sensitive and plastic with mediocre screens, cameras and sound from Samsung, Sony or Nokia, and time-tested, familiar bricks from the same manufacturers, but belonging to the highest class. With the usual T9 physical keyboard, 5-7 days battery and all basic capabilities communication via calls and SMS. A pleasant addition to these devices could be such modern things as good camera(5-8 megapixels would be enough), screen (about 3"), sound (at least no worse inexpensive smartphones), body materials (metal or high-quality plastic, polycarbonate). Unfortunately, the market has nothing to offer such buyers now. Modern devices Nobody produces such a plan nowadays (the only thing that comes to mind is the recent Nokia 515 made of metal and glass, which was just a little short of the title of an excellent modern simple phone). Not everyone will go with inexpensive dialers, because aggressive marketing of many brands suggests that without many cores, gigabytes random access memory and huge screens with incredible resolution, you will not enjoy life. Now smartphones can be bought starting from a couple of thousand rubles, but there are almost no good simple phones left, and their price is usually limited to just these two thousand.

What if things were different? What if the buyer had a chance to choose between mediocre a simple smartphone with a bunch of unnecessary features and a high-quality top-end simple phone for the same price? Manufacturers completely ignore such users, trying to flood the market with their inexpensive variations of iPhone killers (after all, it was after its release that simple push-button smartphones have suddenly become less relevant). As a result, many people are forced to buy something that they may not even want, because there are no other offers. Now there is nothing to replace many devices that were popular in the past (especially with form factors that are exotic for the present time). If previously a consumer could pay 25-30 thousand for a push-button phone with the most advanced functions at that time and use it for many years, then why is now he forced to buy a new sophisticated ultra-flagship in the “shovel” form factor for the same money and use it like a simple phone, including various simple desktop modes and disabling a lot of unnecessary features? Why not release modern push-button phones with powerful hardware, fast interface, good cameras and materials for a very affordable 5-10 thousand rubles? There wouldn’t be too many buyers, but there would definitely be more satisfied buyers. Very advanced simple phones are still being released in Japan, for example the docomo f-07f flip phone, and they do not in the least interfere with the sales of ordinary Android smartphones and iPhones.

As a result, all those who have to carry useless (for them) mini-computers in their pockets, without feeling the desire to delve into the settings and disable unnecessary functions so that the phone just works; who has always needed only calls and messages from a mobile phone, and not all sorts of incomprehensible synchronizations (despite their convenience); who doesn’t need software stores, social networks and their clients (replacing real communication with virtual ones) and numerous Accounts- all they can do is walk around radio markets and tech wrecks in search of old, but good-looking or completely new, beloved and time-tested Nokia/Sony Ericsson/Motorola devices, replacing them every three years if one of these phones breaks.

For some users, a way out may be buying an iPhone, oddly enough, even if it is a smartphone with considerable capabilities. It so happens that the Apple phone is perceived by a large number of users primarily as a simple and convenient phone, and not as a mini-computer in their pocket. Without registering and using an Apple ID account, he really can only make calls, write SMS messages, look stylish in appearance, play music very well and take good photos and videos. I know some people who have switched from simple dialers (as well as expensive ones like the Nokia 8xxx series) to the iPhone, as a less complex and more suitable solution. Similarly, one could write about other smartphones on Android based or Windows Phone, however, in the case of Android, some people are afraid of the gigantic range of devices various quality and appearance, but not everyone can figure out and get comfortable with Windows Phone (the same settings menu in this system can be quite annoying with its illogicality and scattered items), although such devices are quite suitable only for calls and SMS. The other side of the Windows Phone coin is flashy and colorful appearance Nokia Lumia, suitable more for young people than for the former established user of a simple dialer. The main disadvantage of all these smart phones For many of these users, there will be a lack of a familiar physical keyboard and the need to get used to new virtual keys.

Bringing together the advantages touch screen Many manufacturers have tried to implement physical keyboards, but few have become successful. However, some companies don't give up trying. Now the latest such device is the BlackBerry Passport, whose release is scheduled for the fall. He received stylish design, powerful modern hardware (Snapdragon 800, 3 GB of RAM), interesting dimensions (the body is comparable to a Canadian passport) and an innovative hybrid keyboard that combines physical interaction with gesture control for scrolling, text prediction and navigation without the need to touch the touch display. It is possible that Passport is exactly what all keyboard defectors to modern touch phones have been waiting for for a long time.

Many people use smartphones to download torrents and watch movies, read and write documents, work with files, remote control computers and so on. Some people, on the contrary, make do only with clients social networks and a couple of programs for paying bills or navigating around the city. By and large, all this is not very necessary in a simple phone, because the phone, first of all, should remain convenient for communication and comfortable for everyday use. As a rule, one device is not capable of qualitatively replacing several other highly specialized devices at once. Not a single smartphone on this moment is not able to fully replace both a means of communication and game console, and a computer, and a TV, and a camera, and a high-end music player. In any case, some compromises always have to be made. Maybe we forgot too soon simple phones and would they still have a place in this world?

What do you use your smartphones for? Which models did you choose and why? Could you do without a smartphone if you had an up-to-date modern “dialer” with basic capabilities, but stylish body from good materials, with a good camera, sound and great battery life? Do you miss a physical keyboard and are you ready to try it again once a suitable, up-to-date device appears?

TAKE PART IN THE SURVEY AND DISCUSSION IN OUR GROUP!

Not long ago, the design duo Fyodor Golan presented the public with a fashionable outfit - the Nokia Lumia 1520 and 1020 models, which are notable not only for the material used, but also for the fact that the images on the phone screens change, imitating the movement of real fabric. The show took place as part of the Fashion Week event in London. In general, the idea is very interesting, but does not have much practical application in life.

Apparently, there are so many smartphones in the world that we have to look for new ways to use them. Some ways of using “smart phones” can hardly be called unusual, for example, they are widely used as navigators, as music and video players... How else can you use a smartphone in an unusual way and with maximum benefit? Read our review!

1. Smartphone – Universal remote remote control

Some time ago, many smartphone manufacturers decided to return the infrared port to their devices; for example, some models from LG, HTC and Sony are equipped with it.

Such a port allows you to transfer data at speeds of up to 115 Kbps with a short range of about 3-4 meters. Now a number of suppliers software offer applications that use this feature of smartphones in order to turn the device into a universal control panel.

2. The smartphone is the savior of the rainforest

Surely you couldn’t even think about this, but, nevertheless, smartphones can help save the resources of our planet! Non-profit organization Rainforest Connection implemented an unusual project.

The company has created a network of Android smartphones whose microphones respond to the sounds of a chainsaw and send a message with the coordinates of potential poachers to the authorities. Smartphones are powered using solar panels.

3. The smartphone is the nerve center of the space satellite

Power modern smartphones allows them to be used even for truly extraterrestrial tasks. On February 25, 2013, a satellite was launched into Earth orbit STRaND-1, which became the first satellite to be controlled using a smartphone. STRaND-1 is controlled by two computers: the first is a classic CubeSat computer and the second is a Google smartphone Nexus One" With operating system Android.

A smartphone that is an integral part CubeSat has cameras, several radio interfaces, accelerometers and a high-performance processor - everything except solar panels and engines. During the first phase of the mission, the satellite will use a number of experimental Linux-based data collection applications - computer with SSC system for satellite control. At the second stage, the developers will connect a smartphone to control the satellite and test the functionality of the smartphone and its components when operating in outer space.

4. Smartphone - medical laboratory

Modern smartphones have sufficiently high power and low cost to solve such problems. Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed an accessory for iPhone, which in its capabilities resembles a full-fledged laboratory.

With its help, the gadget's camera can detect the presence of toxins, protein fragments, bacteria, viruses and other organisms in drinking water. Moreover, the accessory costs only $200, while the laboratory equipment costs at least $50,000.

5. Smartphone - a toy for a cat

Not everyone modern man It is possible to devote enough time to your furry friend, but domestic cats have little entertainment and a caring owner simply needs to take care of the pet’s entertainment. A smartphone can also help with this! The developers have released a number of applications specifically for cats! For example, an application program Human-to-Cat Translator translates human speech into a variety of meows, and it is believed that the cat can understand this.

Another program PetSnap, can attract the animal’s attention with various sounds, and when the animal approaches, take photographs of it. And, of course, there are many toys for cats - the animal can “catch fish” in a pond, chase a drawn mouse or bug.

Screen brightness

The screen eats up the lion's share of the battery charge. First, turn on adaptive brightness control if your smartphone has such a function. If this feature is missing, manually set the brightness to the minimum level acceptable to you.

Wallpaper

Want your battery to last longer? Then firmly and forever say “no” to animated wallpapers.

If your smartphone has an OLED display, then installing black wallpaper will help extend the operating time. Read about why and how it works.

Time before display turns off

You can leave your smartphone on the table, and its screen will work in vain for a few more minutes, using up precious battery power. Reduce the time until the display turns off when not in use. Usually 15–30 seconds is enough. Experiment and find the optimal time for yourself.

Order in applications

When you pick up another smartphone, you can feel a strong sense of surprise at the amount of garbage in it. Remember correct sequence actions with applications:

• Option one: installed → didn’t like it → deleted.
• Option two: installed → not using → deleted.

The problem for users is that they often ignore the last point. As a result, the device turns into a real landfill. What's bad about it? Many applications like to take on a life of their own. They hang out in the background, launch their processes and eat up precious memory, which increases power consumption and reduces system performance.

Additionally, unused applications are updated and exchanged data, resulting in increased costs. mobile traffic and an even greater reduction in battery life.

Consider a monthly Smartphone Day. Spend a little time analyzing your current collection of applications, removing irrelevant ones, and looking on Lifehacker for more advanced analogues of existing ones.

Automation

Every day, a smartphone user faces a routine. Small, but necessary actions, if there are a lot of them, they take a lot of time and are annoying. Send something somewhere, copy it, send it, put it aside, and so on and so forth.

The problem is solved using the IFTTT (If This Then That) automation service. What can he do? All. At the moment, IFTTT has created and made available for free access more than a million applets (recipes) - ready-made tools for automating a particular action or task.

Physical protection

As smartphones become more and more sophisticated, they lose their durability. If an old Nokia 3310 can play football and hammer nails, then a brand new iPhone or Google Pixel much more tender. You need to take care of the safety of your expensive electronic assistant in advance and purchase a protective case. This is especially true during active recreation and travel.

Plan in case of loss

Losing a smartphone is a real tragedy. This situation is also accompanied by the loss of important and private information. In this case, Lifehacker advises using cloud storage. They are now perfectly optimized for mobile devices and implement everything necessary functions in automatic mode.

We hope these tips will help you use your smartphone more efficiently.