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THINGS YOU NEVER KNEW YOUR CELL PHONE COULD DO

By
Home Inspector with Pillar To Post
THINGS YOU NEVER KNEW YOUR CELL PHONE COULD DO
 

There are a few things that can be done in times of grave emergencies. Your mobile phone can actually be a life saver or an emergency tool for survival. Check out the things that you can do with it:

1.
Emergency

The Emergency Number worldwide for Mobile is 112. If you find yourself out of the coverage area of your mobile; network and there is an emergency, dial 112, and the mobile will search any existing network to establish the emergency number for you. Interestingly, this number, 112, can be dialed even if the keypad is locked. Try it out.

2.
Have you locked your keys in the car?

Does your car have remote keyless entry? This may come in handy someday. If you lock your keys in the car, and the spare keys are at home, call someone at home on their cell phone from your cell phone. Hold your cell phone about a foot from your car door and have the person at your home press the unlock button, holding it near the mobile phone on their end. Your car will unlock. Saves someone from having to drive your keys to you. Distance is no object. You could be hundreds of miles away, but if you can reach someone who has the other "remote" for your car, you can unlock the doors (or the trunk).

Editor's Note: It works fine! We tried it out, and it unlocked our car over a cell phone!"

3.
Hidden Battery Power

Imagine your cell battery is very low. To activate, press the keys *3370#

Your cell will restart with this reserve, and the instrument will show a 50% increase in battery. This reserve will get charged when you charge your cell the next time.

4.
How to disable a STOLEN mobile phone?

To check your Mobile phone's serial number, key in the following digits on your phone: *#06#

A 15 digit code will appear on the screen. This number is unique to your handset. Write it down and keep it somewhere safe. If your phone gets stolen, you can phone your service provider and give them this code. They will then be able to block your handset so even if the thief changes the SIM card, your phone will be totally useless.

You probably won't get your phone back, but at least you know that whoever stole it can't use/sell it either. If everybody does this, there would be no point in people stealing mobile phones.

5.
Free Information Calls

Cell phone companies are charging us $1.00 to $1.75 or more for 411 information calls when they don't have to.

Most of us do not carry a telephone directory in our vehicle, which makes this situation even more of a problem. When you need to use the 411 information option, simply dial: (800) FREE 411, or (800) 373-3411 without incurring any charge at all. Program this into your cell phone now.

Jim & Maria Hart
Brand Name Real Estate - Charleston, SC
Charleston, SC Real Estate

Hey, Thomas. I think I am going to try the cellphone/lost key trick just for the fun of it. Thanks for the awesome tips, Jim

Sep 16, 2008 07:58 AM
Michael Wayne Jackson
Coldwell Banker - Novato, CA
Broker - Seniors Real Estate Specialist Novato

This is great info Thomas. I already tried dialing 112 and it worked. I want to try unlocking my car too.

Sep 16, 2008 08:02 AM
Angela Lawrence
Noble Merit, REALTORS® - Winston-Salem, NC
Broker/Owner

Google has a free 411 for business, 800-466-411, it works great!  I will have to try the 800-373-3411.

Sep 16, 2008 08:03 AM
John Petrone
ERA Nalbandian - Saddle Brook, NJ
SFR

Wow. Thomas. I was like mesmerized reading that blog. Seriously, no joke. That's some great information. I'll be photocopying this for some friends!

 

Thanks!

Sep 16, 2008 08:05 AM
Cheryl Frei - Realtor® & e-Pro Certified Realtor®
Elite Realty - Absarokee, Montana and Billings, Montana - Absarokee, MT

Thomas - I didn't know about this with the cell phone.  But I am going to remember this.  There's have time when I am driving around and wonder how could I get help if my car stop running or whatever the problems is.  This is excellent information to know about.  Thank you for sharing this. 

Sep 16, 2008 08:40 AM
Carol Swain
Keller Williams Real Estate - Langhorne, PA
Realtor, -www.swainsells.com- Bucks County, Pa

Wow I did not know all of these little tricks.  Thanks.  The 411 trick would have came in handy last Friday for me.

Sep 16, 2008 09:41 PM
Steve Shatsky
Dallas, TX

With all these cool features I almost forgot that I can use it to make telephone calls too! :)

Sep 17, 2008 03:03 AM
Richard Ives
Chicago, IL

Great information Thomas.  Thanks for sharing.  Have a wonderful day!

Sep 17, 2008 07:38 AM
Donnie Bass
Only Way Realty - Inverness, FL

I love the 411 idea. my wife uses 411 all the time. I'll program it for her. Save us some money. Keep um comming!!!

Sep 17, 2008 12:03 PM
ama hender
Lone Tree, CO

My husband manages dealership where keys are always an issue, I will have to pass this on!

Oct 22, 2008 07:18 AM
Sandi Bishop
Prudential Nichols Real Estate - Daphne, AL

This info sounds great! Just so happen my cell battery is low. I tried the *3370#. I tried pressing send. It did not work. What is the next step after pressing the # button? Thanks.

Jul 23, 2010 04:39 AM