1. Practising English on a smartphone
Learning English no longer depends only on coaching or the classroom. With a smartphone’s language-learning apps, translation services and AI assistants, regular practice is possible at home. Skill can be built by learning new words every day, introducing yourself in English or holding short conversations. You can use AI as a partner for speaking English. Ask it to check your writing and mark the mistakes, and understand the reasons for them. Regular practice is what will help build confidence in learning a language.
2. AI can be a personal study aid
When a subject of study seems hard, the smartphone’s artificial intelligence assistant can be put to use. It can help by explaining complex ideas in simple language, making a study timetable, planning a piece of writing or setting out the steps for learning a new skill. Do not only collect answers; ask for an explanation with examples. Then ask it to set a few questions and test what you have learned. The information AI gives may not always be accurate, however, so it is essential to check important facts, statistics and quotations against reliable sources.
3. Copying and translating text in a picture
If you cannot understand the page of a book, a notice, a poster or an instruction written in a foreign language, the smartphone’s camera can be the answer. Services such as Google Lens and Google Translate can recognise, copy and translate the text in a picture. First take a photo of the text with the camera, then choose the language you need and view the translation. If certain language packs have been downloaded beforehand, some translation is available offline too. There is a risk of error, though, with blurred pictures, handwriting and complex sentences, so it is better to read the translation and check it.
4. Speak and the text is written
Voice typing is very useful for sending a quick message, writing a note or drafting an email. If you press the microphone symbol on the phone’s keyboard and speak, the words are turned into text automatically in supported languages. This saves time and reduces the effort of producing a long piece of writing. Speaking clearly and using short sentences usually gives good results. Once the text is made, check the spelling, people’s names, numbers and punctuation. Remember that the quality of Bengali voice typing is not the same on every phone and keyboard.
5. Keep important papers as digital files
There is no need to buy a separate scanner to keep certificates, application forms, bills or necessary receipts. With an app such as Google Drive, papers can be scanned with the smartphone’s camera and made into a PDF file. Several pages can be kept in one file. For this, lay the paper on a flat surface and photograph it in good light. Before saving, check that the writing is clear. Keep another safe copy of important documents. Refrain from uploading personal or sensitive papers to strangers or to insecure online services.
6. Listen in the phone’s voice instead of reading
If you are too busy to read a long text, or have difficulty reading by eye, you can use the text-to-speech feature. On some Android models the Select to Speak feature lets you listen to supported text on the screen. It is useful for study, language learning and understanding the content of long articles. You can look for features of this kind in the accessibility section of the phone’s settings, then select supported text and listen. Whether a voice service is available in Bengali depends on the phone’s model, its language settings and the service used.
7. Locating a lost phone
If a smartphone is lost, an attempt can be made to find it using another phone or a computer. Through Google’s Find Hub on Android and Apple’s Find My, it is possible in supported circumstances to see the device’s location, make it ring or lock it remotely. Where necessary, in some cases the phone’s data can also be erased. For this it is important to have the necessary account linked beforehand, the screen lock turned on and the device-finding feature active. If the phone is switched off, disconnected or not set up properly, locating it may be limited.
8. Use the SOS feature in an emergency
Many smartphones have an Emergency SOS system for calling for help quickly in danger. Depending on the type of phone and its settings, it may be possible through it to call an emergency number, send location information to chosen people or take other urgent steps. Check the feature beforehand in the phone’s Safety and Emergency section or its equivalent. Keep the necessary emergency contact numbers added and learn how to turn it on. The feature’s effectiveness may differ, though, by country, phone model and operating system. Avoid testing it in a way that sends an emergency call by mistake.
9. Extra security in managing passwords
Remembering the passwords of various websites and accounts is hard for many people. To solve this, a service such as Google Password Manager can create strong passwords, store them and fill them in automatically when needed. On supported accounts you can also sign in with a passkey in place of a conventional password. To increase security, use a separate password for every important account and keep two-step verification on. Check the security settings of your account regularly as well. Refrain from following unknown links and entering a password or verification code.
10. Cut screen time, raise concentration
Too many notifications from social media and looking at the phone again and again can disturb study, work and rest. Android’s Digital Wellbeing feature shows how much time is being spent in which app. You can also set time limits for particular apps and turn on Focus mode to try to hold your attention. In Focus mode chosen apps can be paused for a time. Keep unnecessary notifications off during study or work. Limit the habit of using the phone before sleep and review your daily screen time. Stay aware that technology should not be allowed to control your time and attention.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report