The one thing I have with me at all times isn't a notebook, or my laptop or underwear - it's my cell phone. It lives in my pocket at all times, and if I'm without it for more than about 10 minutes, I begin to slowly lose my mind.
My phone's not an iPhone or even a particularly cool smartphone; it's just a regular old phone. I have, though, learned a few cool tips and tricks for how to get the most out of my phone and I'm going to share a bunch of them with you. If you've got a phone that makes calls and sends text messages, these tips are for you.
If you text phrases like "Sushi Charlottesville" or "Score Yankees" to GOOGLE (466453), you can get all kinds of cool information back via text message. There are a ton of things you can check with a simple text, from weather to flight status to shopping price checks. My favorite? "Directions," followed by where you are and where you're going, to get you home in a pinch.
If you're a Google Calendar user - or use Google Calendar through U.Va. - you can set up your phone to add or retrieve events from Google by texting GVENT (48368). If you send a message to GVENT with "next," Google will text you back with the next thing on your calendar. Or text "lunch with Jim tomorrow 12:30" and it'll get added to your calendar.
If you're in the mood for a movie, text your zip code and a movie title to Fandango (36436), and you'll get a message back with today's move times. Some cell carriers even will let you buy tickets; try it next time you're standing in a long line at the theater.
Text messages are an awesome way to send quick e-mails as well. Text just like you normally would and enter an e-mail address instead of a phone number. You're still limited to the 160 characters of all text messages, but it's a great solution for the non text-savvy people in your life - also known as most people older than 30.
My favorite service that's just a text away though is ChaCha. ChaCha is essentially the arbitrator of all bar bets and the solver of all "oh man, what movie have I seen him in?" moments. Text just about any question to CHACHA (242242), and in a couple of minutes, you'll get the answer back from a real person.
If you're not a texter, there's hope for you yet. Using a service called Dial2Do (www.dial2do.com), you can do all kinds of useful things just by picking up the phone. By speaking a couple of commands and a few words or sentences, you can do everything from have The New York Times read to you to adding an event to your calendar. It's free, simple and intuitive to use, though you will look odd saying "Calendar. Lunch with Jim. 12. P.M. P.M.!"
This next tip is a little devious, but someday might just be your saving grace. Calling 267-759-3425 and then dialing a phone number connects you directly to that person's voicemail thanks to Slydial (www.slydial.com). Leave a message, and enjoy having a built-in excuse for not calling. Because you totally called; you even left a message!
While we're using our phones for evil, give Get MOOH! a look. Get MOOH (www.getmooh.com) stands for, "Get Me Out of Here!", and is a service that you can set up to automatically dial your phone at a certain time. It's a perfect way to have, say, Alec Baldwin's voice call you and give you a way out of a blind date, or even to get step-by-step instructions on how to sell the fact that you have to leave because the FBI is looking for you.
Whether you choose to use your cell phone for noble and productive purposes or just to mess with your friends by having Get MOOH call them at 3:30 a.m. every single day is up to you. But with a few clever tricks and numbers in your contact book, your phone can do a whole lot more than just call your friends.
David's column runs biweekly Wednesdays. He can be reached at d.pierce@cavalierdaily.com.
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