FIVE THINGS YOU NEVER KNEW YOUR CELL PHONE CAN DO

Check Out These Things You Might Not Know About your Cell Phone.

 

1. EMERGENCY:  The emergency number worldwide for Mobile is 112. If you find yourself out of the coverage area of your provider, and there is an emergency, dial 112, and the mobile network will search any existing network to find an emergency number for you. This number can be dialed even if the keypad is locked.

2. UNLOCK YOUR CAR: If your car has a remote keyless entry, you can use your cell phone to call someone else who has the extra keyfob if you lock your keys in your car. Just have the other person hold the keyfob up to the phone and press unlock, while you point your cell phone about a foot from your car door. Amazingly, your car will unlock! It can save someone having to drive your spare keys to you. Distance between cell phones doesn't matter... it will work hundreds of miles away.

3. HIDDEN RESERVE BATTERY POWER: If your cell phone battery is low, you can press the keys *3370#, and your cell phone will restart with reserve power, and show a 50% increase in battery strength. This reserve will get recharged next time you charge your phone.

4. DISABLE A STOLEN PHONE: If you press *#06# your phone will display it's serial number. Write this number down and keep it somewhere safe. If your phone gets stolen, you can phone your service provider and give them this code, and they can then totally disable your stolen phone and make it useless to whoever stole it. If everyone does this, then there would be no point to anyone ever stealing a cell phone.

5. FREE DIRECTORY ASSISTANCE: Cell phone companies now charge $1.00 to $1.75 or more for 411 directory assistance calls. You can call (800)FREE411 or (800)373-3411 without having any charge at all. Program this number into your cell phone now, and save money.

 Feel free to recopy THIS post and keep it with you for information.

 
Post is included in group: Realtors®
Post is included in group: Gadgets, Tools, & Extras
Post is included in group: Services for Real Estate Professionals
Post is included in group: Home Inspectors across the country
Post is included in group: Home Inspector's Corner

25 Comments on FIVE THINGS YOU NEVER KNEW YOUR CELL PHONE CAN DO

#2 does not work, or at least it didn't for my wife when she was locked out and I was trying to open from 8 miles away.

05/13/2008 06:08 AM by Chip Jefferson (Carrion Builders)


Sorry for that... when I tried it yesterday, it worked for me.

05/13/2008 06:11 AM by H.I.S. Home Inspections (Kevin Corsa) NE Ohio Home Inspector (H.I.S. Home Inspections)


Those are all really cool things!  Thanks for sharing!

05/13/2008 06:24 AM by Tiffany Wilson (Shorewood Realtors)


You are most welcome Tiffany. Feel free to reprint a copy to keep with you.

05/13/2008 06:26 AM by H.I.S. Home Inspections (Kevin Corsa) NE Ohio Home Inspector (H.I.S. Home Inspections)


Useful information. Thanks for the tips.

05/13/2008 06:43 AM by Shaun Wren (Western & Southern Life)


Very helpful information. I do not need #2 as my doors have a combo on them, but I think it is great for others. I did not know about #3 ot #1. 

05/13/2008 06:53 AM by Linda Tremblay, Bucks County Real Estate (Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc, PA License #AB065488)


Kevin,

I love it when I learn something new.....today is no exception, I have bookmarked......thanks and have a great day...

05/13/2008 06:58 AM by Dan Brudnok - ePRO, ABR, CSP - Chester County, PA Real Estate Pro (Keller Williams - Exton - PA License Number #RS225179L )


Kevin, Nice list, thanks for posting and sharing.

05/13/2008 07:10 AM by Mary Strang, WI Real Estate (RE/MAX Hill Country)


Thanks for sharing this. We had no idea that there was a emergency number.

05/13/2008 08:00 AM by Patty & Scott Carroll - RE/MAX, Vancouver WA (RE/MAX Equity Group)


Thanks everyone.  I love to share useful information, and I'm glad that it helps.  

05/13/2008 08:30 AM by H.I.S. Home Inspections (Kevin Corsa) NE Ohio Home Inspector (H.I.S. Home Inspections)


Kevin:  Thanks for the info.  I'm going to program the directory assistance # into my phone.

05/13/2008 08:50 AM by Kathy Torline - Colorado Springs Realtor - An Expert You Can Trust (Prudential Professional REALTORS)


This was an old e-mail that circulated some good (and some not so good) information. The emergency number varies by country, remote car unlock is an urban legend, the hidden battery power is misusing specific Nokia commands (that don't increase but decrease battery life), and your cell phone provider can disable the phone with or with the serial number (they know it anyway).

The best piece of information is the reference to getting free DA. While other countries sometimes have an equivalent (0800 118 FREE in the UK), the number above is for the US only. However, I hate automation systems that don't let you talk to an operator, so while in the US I use 800-411-SAVE instead as they have real people answering the phones. They also handle Canadian requests as well.

Try it and see if you like it.

05/13/2008 10:04 AM by AlanM


Kevin, interesting. Didn't know about #4, going to have to try that one. Thanks.

05/13/2008 11:16 AM by Duane Marlink, Rate A Home (Rate A Home)


This is good information.  I did not know about the extra battery life on the cell phone, could come in very handy with my treo that does not have good battery life.

05/13/2008 12:53 PM by Carolyn Gjerde-Tu Davis Real Estate (Lyon Real Estate)


I'm sure I will be trying #3 soon as I regularly run mine down. Thansk for the tip.

05/13/2008 12:58 PM by Leslie Prest, Owner, Assoc. Broker, Prest Realty


Cool beans Kevin. I did not know this. I will have to book mark this and print it out later.

05/13/2008 07:15 PM by Michael Thornton - Nashville, TN area Home Inspector (Complete Home Inspections, Inc.)


Kevin,

This is great advise, makes you wonder why they don't tell you these things when you purchase your phone. My battery is currently low on my cell, so I thought I would try tip number 3, but didn't get anywhere with it, may be I am doing something wrong or maybe this only works on certain brands! I like the tip for 800-FREE411 too!  This tip is going to save me a fortune!  Thanks for sharing.

05/13/2008 08:26 PM by Michelle Pimentel ASP, IAHSP Empire Home Staging (Empire Home Staging Solutions)


Anytime you see "Claims" that seem too good to be true, Check out Snopes.com - it is the online source for urban myths and legends. Regarding the list - #2 about unlocking a car by cell phone is a myth. The rest of the items have varying degrees of truth see Snopes Cell Phone Functions for the skinny. 

05/13/2008 09:30 PM by Bo Buchanan-Blue60.com Directory For Real Estate Pro's (Blue60.com)


Kevin, I love the free directory assistance tip.  I will save some money on that one alone.

 

05/13/2008 10:07 PM by Atlanta's Home Inspector David Lelak - IHI Home Inspections (IHI Home Inspections)


Love the tips Kevin! However, the free Directory Assistance one is for automation. You get Free Live Agent 411 with 800-411-SAVE. Try it.

05/14/2008 03:24 PM by PPincher


Kevin, tried #3 today and no go. Maybe as someone else said, it only works on some brands.

05/14/2008 06:15 PM by Michael Thornton - Nashville, TN area Home Inspector (Complete Home Inspections, Inc.)


Wow!!!!!  I especially like #5. That one will save me money and time. Thank you!!!!

05/15/2008 11:04 AM by Tori Lynn Ross - Omaha's Premier Home Stager (Ross Designs, LLC)


Great advice Kevin

Just a heads up on the 1-800-FREE411 service, aside from the fact it provides both residential and business listings - which is why I have it on speed dial

FREE411 just began giving out directions ... so if your GPS-less, they will text you the directions to your cel phone.

Gotta love it when its FREE!

Maddie

05/15/2008 04:18 PM by Maddie Springstein (Independent Looking)


I love the one with opening the car door. I'm going to try it tomorrow. I'm sure I'll lose my keys by then....

I'll be reading you,

Lisa

06/10/2008 11:44 PM by Lisa Southern (Fonville Morisey)


Fvie things I didn't know either.  Great info Kevin, thanks! 

06/24/2008 08:45 AM by Denny McAuley (Home Check America)


Leave a response…

Name:
Notify me of new comments:
Comment:
What does the graphic say?
 
Inspector: H.I.S. Home Inspections (Kevin Corsa)  NE Ohio Home Inspector (H.I.S. Home Inspections)
H.I.S. Home Inspections (Kevin Corsa) NE Ohio Home Inspector
Canton, OH
More about me…
H.I.S. Home Inspections

Office Phone: (330) 644-3000
Email Me
Find OH real estate agents and Canton real estate here on ActiveRain.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
© 2007 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved