Use the CAMERA for more than just photos.

(සිංහලෙන් කියවන්න මෙතැනින්.)

Smartphone cameras keep getting better and better, but they can do more than just taking photos and record videos in special moments.
Let's see what can we do with the camera instead of taking photos. This post includes few things you can do with your Android's camera.

1. Use as a QR Code scanner.

You may have seen this type of codes in books, instruments, websites etc. These codes include information about those things. With apps like QR code scanner, QR Code reader and QR Code generator etc.. and using your camera, you can easily find information about those products. Also you can read barcodes and create your own QR Codes easily.

2. Play games.

Some people are looking for smartphones which compatible for gaming. Most of you may don't know that you can use your camera for gaming. Here is an example for a game that can be played with camera and GPS.



Game: Spec-trek

This post is not about games and so this doesn't include a description about it. You can get an idea about the game with pictures.

3. Search for more.

With Google Goggles, you can get more information about things. Simply point your camera at what you want (famous place, logo etc...) and it will pull information relevant to it straight to your phone.

4. Identity the criminals (thieves).

This is a very important thing you can do with your camera (especially the front camera). Some apps in Google Playstore helps you to find If your phone is misplaced or stolen. You should install this type of app and set its security. When someone try to bypass your phone's security login screen, secretly it captures photos of him/her. Not only emails the picture to you instantly, but also tells you the thief's location, so this will help you to find your misplaced phone. "GotYa!" (Security & Safety) is an app you can use for your phone's security.

5. Save photo notes.

The app "Evernote" helps you for this. The most important thing is that anything you snap that contains text will be recognized by Evernote. You can scan a great article in a magazine, or important letter and save for later. So you don't need to capture every paragraph of a note or type them for a long time.

6. Use as a translator.

Not only you can recognize a paper note, but also you can translate a paper text with foreign language to your language instantly with the help of "Google Goggles". All you have to do is just hover your phone's camera over an image of some text, snap a photo. Google Goggles will automatically recognise if the text is in a foreign language and and translate the
image for you.

7. Text to PDF.

This is another great feature you can do with your camera. With the help of "Handy Scanner" app, you can snap a photograph and convert documents into printable PDF.

8. Check the battery status of your remote control.
You may have seen the Remote control's infrared (IR) light which is hard to see in a human eye. Most of you may not have seen that light through your smartphone's camera. It is hundred times powerful when we see that light through the camera. This can be used as a battery indicator. All you have to do is just see through the camera and you can compare with earlier times and decide (get an idea) when you want to replace the batteries.
Some smartphones which are introdused later, filter out infrared light and so you cannot use this option in less models. (Ex: iphone 5S)