Did you know the average person checks their phone an average of 150 times per day?! While we may not all fit the average, many of us touch our phones frequently. However, phones have built in features that allow you to use them without the need to touch them at all. Utilizing hands-free features has many benefits, including convenience, safety, and cleanliness.
Your Digital Assistant
One of the easiest ways to use your phone hands-free is through the use of your digital assistant, or speech recognition software. Siri, Google and Alexa are commonly used digital assistance.
For example, Apple devices use Siri, and to make a request, all you need to do is say “hey Siri” and ask for what you want. Siri can send texts, search on the web, make phone calls, and more. Most smartphones come with voice recognition software already enabled or you can enable it in the settings on your phone. Many flip phones also use voice recognition, which can primarily be used to make calls to people in your contacts.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is another great way to utilize hands-free phone technology. This feature is especially helpful for using the phone while driving. Using a cell phone while driving can be a distraction and take your hands from the wheel. Connecting your phone to your car through Bluetooth allows you take calls, have your text messages read to you, and listen to your notifications without needing to touch your phone at all. Not every car is nor every phone is equipped with bluetooth, but if you have compatible devices it is typically quite easy to set up. Most car manuals have step-by-step instructions, and if not, a simple web search should do the trick!
Talk to Text
If you find that you’re all thumbs, another great hands-free feature for you is talk to text! Most smartphones and some flip phones can transcribe your spoken words into a text. You can enable this feature in the language and keyboard settings on your phone. And if you have a lot on your mind and want to put it into words, there are also many dictation apps for taking down longer notes.
Convenience
Convenience is one of the main benefits of going hands-free. As long as your phone is within range, you can ask it to make a call. If you are cooking with dirty hands and need to reference a recipe, Siri can search the web for you without the need to touch the phone. Texting sometimes takes a long time, and using a feature like talk to text makes it faster to communicate what you want. Using Bluetooth in the car is convenient for making phone calls or listening to notifications without needing to wait until you arrive at your destination.
Safety
Another great perk to hands-free technology is the safety it can provide. If you are in an emergency situation and can’t reach your phone or don’t have the ability to dial, using voice commands to call 911 could save your life. Learn how to set up your phone in our “Cell Phones for Emergencies” blog.
It is also dangerous to use your phone when driving or in other situations where it may be a distraction. Bluetooth helps to reduce this risk and gives you the ability to keep your hands on the wheel while still taking calls.
Cleanliness
Lastly, going hands-free allows you to touch your phone less, helping to prevent the spread of germs. Cell phones are one of the dirtiest objects we come into contact with during the day, and we touch them constantly. Studies found that there can be over 25,000 bacteria on your phone per square inch! The less we touch our phones, the less we are putting germs on our phone or spreading germs from our phones to ourselves or our belongings.
There are many ways to go hands-free when using your cell phone, and all provide useful ways to improve your everyday life. Consider making some simple switches to touch your phone less and make life a little easier!