Survey reveals the toolbox item your phone is most likely to replace

As a childhood Trekkie, Captain Picard’s tricorder was second only to the holodeck as the technology I hoped to have when I grew up. Well, we’re basically there, and then some. Your smartphone might not be able to take vital signs in as much detail as the hallowed Starfleet tool, but then I don’t remember Geordi La Forge listening to Spotify or booking a hotel on the tricorder. But amazing as our devices already appear, you might not even realize all the tools your phone’s sensors can replace. After we laid some of them out, we were keen to find out which one you might actually consider using.

We recently looked at five examples of what your phone’s sensors can do, including using the device as a tape measure, a metal detector, a spirit level, or a sound/light meter. The fifth was a thermometer, but since it’s a Pixel-exclusive tool that’s been ditched on the Pixel 11, we left it out when we asked in a poll which of the other four jobs you’d actually use your phone for.