Originally designed for keeping in touch, today’s cellphones are nifty feature rich communication devices that not only come equipped with an incredible array of functions to increase your productivity and entertainment experiences but also with the ability to save your life. Hence, in this article we examine ways in which the modern cellphone can be used as a survival tool.

Bullet Protection
The metal casing found in today’s cellphones is not only great for keeping away scratches, but can also be used to deflect bullets. Take the case of Darren Prior, a jewelry attendant who credited his cellphone for saving his life during a botched robbery.

Flash Light
The bright display screen found in today’s cellphones not only makes it easy to use the device in the dark but also allows the cellphone to be used as a portable torch, like in the case of the two stranded hikers who had used their cellphone display screens as glow sticks to direct rescue helicopters to their location.

Personal Surveillance System
Many cellphones now come equipped with a camera which are not only good for snapping personal pictures but can also be used as a personal surveillance device to help protect you from unforeseen incidents, such as a pervert on the subway, a robbery suspect and a would be kidnapper.

Silent Alarm
Apart from keeping in touch, the text messaging ability is a great feature that is not only simple to use but also discrete. This is especially useful if you need to send out a silent alarm, like in the case of a kidnapped boy who secretly text messaged his parents.

Location Finder
Many new cellphones come with a built in GPS. Not only does this technology allow parents to spy on their kids but can also be used a GPS system to find your exact location. Like in the case of the standard couple whose cellphone GPS capabilities enabled Emergency 911 operators to relay their location to on ground rescuers.

Cellphones, for all practical purposes, have become a necessity in the modern world. Not only are they used as a communication device, they are now increasingly seen as a personal computer system with functionalities that were previously associated with the bulky desktop. Powerful as they may be, modern cellphones are limited by the fact that they rely on the batteries which do not hold a large amount of charge. Thus, in this article we will examine ways in which cellphone users can extend their cellphone’s battery life.

Turn Off The Vibrate Feature

One of the best techniques to increasing the battery life of a cellphone is by turning off the vibration mode ringer option. This is one most energy draining feature found in today’s cellphone, the energy required for turning the tiny motor which causes the phone to vibrate is almost double to that required for the same phone to ring.

Turn Off Back Light

Most people generally use their cellphones in areas with sufficient background light, hence in these places there is no real need to have the back light on. However, if you do require to use the back light then its best to keep your back light time out to no more than 3 seconds.

Use Cellphone Just For Talking

If you want to conserve your battery then its best to use the cellphone for what it was initially intended for and nothing else. This means that you should avoid playing games, using the built in camera feature, listening to music, instant messaging or surfing the web. Battery use is directly related to cpu use, so the more tasks you do with your cellphone the faster your battery will drain.

Reduce Volume Level

Another way to increase your cellphones batteries is by lowering down the volume for the ring tone and by turning of unnecessary sounds such as the button pressing clicks and key tones.

Turn Off Your Cellphone When Necessary

It is pointless to keep your cellphones on in situations that you know you will not be able to get a signal at such as on a plane, subway or in a library. Scared of missing a call, don’t. Many cellphone providers already have a system in place that would avoid you from missing a call. In this system, if a caller is not able to reach you then they are automatically forwarded to your voice mailbox where they can leave a voice mail for you to review later on.

Take Care Of Your Cellphones Battery

Battery are not very resistant to temperature changes, hence its vital you store your cellphone batteries in a place that is at room temperature and away from direct sunlight. If possible try to fully charge your batteries nightly at minimal once every three days. Over time the terminals on the battery may become oxidized, depending on the severity you may just need to clean the terminals with alcohol or need throw the battery altogether.

Over time cellphone batteries do begin to lose their charge capacity. This is due the general wear and tear and is to be expected. On average you can expect a modern cellphone battery to last for a couple of years before needing replacement.