We’ve seen a LOT of new tool-related smartphone and tablet gadgets and apps emerging in recent years. Bluetooth radios and speakers are of a course a big category, but there’s also been Ryobi’s PhoneWorks smartphone-connected tools, Fluke’s Connect wireless test & measurement system, Flir’s ONE thermal imaging camera (and a new one just came out), Seek Thermal’s thermal imaging camera module, Bosch’s Bluetooth-connected laser measuring tool, and Dewalt even just came out with Bluetooth-connected batteries!
Don’t even get me talking about all of the very many apps that are available. Some are aimed at increasing worker productivity, others tap into your phone’s gyro sensors to turn it into a simple leveling device.
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A recent discussion with Benjamen, our awesome contributor who recently published his 51st ToolGuyd post – check out all of his posts here – focused on whether or not many professional users use any of these fancy shmancy gadgets and apps.
I’ve used Agilent/Keysight’s Benchvue software on my iPad, to stream realtime signals from my 34461A multimeters, and it worked great, except for a few unresolvable connection glitches. I still control these and other test equipment devices from my iPad from time to time, but mostly just use my desktop these days.
Tools are getting more sophisticated, and there are lots of new gadgets that can tap into your smartphone. Some, like the Seek Thermal and Flir ONE devices, take advantage of smartphones’ displays, cameras, and processing capabilities to create a richer user experience.
There are new gadgets, gizmos, and apps coming out all the time. But do you actually use any of them?
So the big question is this: do you use your smartphone or tablet in any part of your tool-related work or projects? If the answer is yes, please tell us about how they’re a part of your work! And if not, would you? What kind of new innovations would change your mind?
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Chance
I use DeWalt’s app quite a bit. I use the calculator in that app because it does fractions. I also use it to quickly figure volume, area, etc. I think it’s a nice app to use on the job. I also use an app called Paper that allows me to do quick sketches with customers to give them an idea of how something will look or to explain a design to them. I also frequently use Adobe Reader to show customers catalogs with different millwork profiles, railing parts, etc. I take my iPad with to the job every day.
Nathan
since my work is engineering I use my smartphone more for pictures of failures, etc. or to keep handy manual references in place when I’m out at an airplane.
with spreadsheet capability I keep a current copy of each aircraft types electrical load analysis on hand – so I can check and modify while at the airplane. this is actually why I bought a device like the note 3.
I’ve been eyeing these add-on inspection cameras. waiting to see something better than ryobi’s come out for use without it being super expensive. Thermal image cam – not something I feel a need for. However the laser measurement – with picture is something that could be very useful for me.
Needless to say I’m very intrigued. Also did you do a review of the connected multimeter? I might need to look at that again – I could see having smartphone connection on the to a meter (or meters) and having it log rest results for use in my spreadsheet.
jeff_williams
I’m a Project Manager at a masonry construction company. I use Plan Grid for construction plans, iAuditor for jobsite safety audits, and Skitch for image markup.
Like Chance I use Dewalt’s app quite a bit for the calculator and it’s fractional capabilities.
Dennis
I use a construction calculator app all the time, it’s very useful for fraction calculations. I also use the camera and take notes on my phone, Google Keep is pretty useful for notes. From time to time its also useful to have a PDF viewer to read things youve forgotten from tool manuals.
Drew M
I held off getting a smartphone for a long time because I wanted one that was rugged. I finally ended up getting a Kyocera Brigidier and it is okay but it still isn’t as powerful or rugged as I would like. The sapphire screen has proven to be very scratch resistant and there are other features about it that I appreciate.
I honestly, don’t have a lot of hope for a truely rugged smartphone in the US simply because the carriers see phones as disposable. I’d love to try out one of the CAT phones but they’re simply not available around here.
I mainly use my phone to view PDFs, photograph/document things and to look up component specifications in the field.
I recently installed the MS OneNote app and I love it. Keeping my notebooks on the cloud and having them synchronized to my laptop as well makes it extremely convenient. I wish the phone app was a bit more full featured like the PC version but at the same time, I understand there are technical limitations here.
Michael Quinlan
The only physical tool I have that ties in with my phone is a Fluke LinkSprinter 300. It’s great for verifying/troubleshooting network connectivity, and displays link and cable diagnostics on my phone.
Not really tools, but a combination of USB OTG adapter, USB to Ethernet adapter, and USB to serial (DB9) adapter allow me to use various apps on my phone to connect to wired networks or serial devices.
My favorite work related (Android) apps include:
1. Time Recording Pro – keeps track of time worked, along with whatever details you want to add (job location, etc)
2. CallTrack – logs all calls to my calendar (I have call records going back 5+ years)
3. Google camera’s PhotoSphere capability
4. Fing – network scanning & monitoring (can work with USB OTG & USB to Ethernet)
5. Google Drive scan shortcut (scan pages and save PDF to specified folder in Google Drive
6. Invoice2go – create invoices and email to customer while on site
7. Point Inside – maps and directories of malls and other indoor spaces; great for figuring out where to park and where to walk to when doing retail service calls
8. Wi-Fi Analyzer – shows visible Wi-Fi networks, channels, signal strength
9. ConnectBot – can telnet or ssh over wireless or wired (USB OTG & USB to Ethernet), or connect to a router through a console port (USB OTG & USB to serial)
Drew M
I’m going to have to look into a few of those. My new employer has a system with a serial data interface so it would be convenient to use my phone instead of my laptop.
Jeremy
Ryobi stuff universally sucks. I bought the whole system for the shop. Headphones quit in a week, has to upgrade my phone to use them(not compatible with Sony). Laser measuring tool is glitch prone, laser level isn’t level and has no calibration, the box is just a box with no cutouts, stud finder almost works as well as my 9 dollar one, thermometer is slow.
Jason. W
Service master has an app I have to use. With it I accept jobs, get pictures, mark arrival times and start times. It’s a clumsy app that loads way to slow. But its required
Matt
I use my camera daily on projects I encounter. I also have various construction related apps as well. Their are some very useful electrical apps as well as a construction calculator. I honestly do not know what I would do w/out my smart phone.
ktash
When I make a sketchup plan, I export it as a pdf file with various scenes. I put it in dropbox to make it available on my iphone or tablet. This way, I have the dimensions and other information easily at hand. It would be nice if there were a viable sketchup reader for phones and tablets. I don’t want to make sketchup plans on there, I’d just like to be able to look at it easily.
I’ve used the dewalt calculator sometimes. That’s about it.
I’m leery of doing much on my Google nexus 7. Every time they “update” the software the tablet gets worse. Serious problems with the last one. It now freezes and shuts off unexpectedly. I fixed it some, but not willing to spend the time to do more. This is a story told with various other tablets and phones as well. I’m not just complaining, here, it’s that I don’t want to invest much time or money in something that ephemeral. That’s the problem with a lot of computer-related stuff, the feeling is you may be investing in an early obsolescence. Things that synch with them, not ready for prime time in my estimation. You are dealing with different systems.
I’m not sure they plan to make them better. The idea is you get rid of the old one and get a new one (with different instabilities and glitches). They are the polar opposite really usable tools that are often built to last a lifetime: planes, chisels, etc. Or the new products like the pliers-wrench and some of the great screwdrivers, etc.
Mahalo
The camera on the phone is probably the most invaluable tool for quick photos/videos during site visits, inspections, etc. Also, I sometimes use a sound meter tool to get an unofficial read on sound levels. The level function is also okay, along with the flashlight. These are all just basically for cursory, first-line measurements. Nothing official.
Nathan
if you’re on android – and do some electrical stuffs
electrodroid is a nice app to keep.
I also use smart tools but mostly for the decibel meter and the protractor – however the screw pitch chart is handy now.
Adam
The only app I use at the job site with regularity is Construction Master Pro. At $20, it was by far the most costly app I’ve ever purchased, but it has paid for itself many times over in convenience alone.
Rick
I use AutoCad 360 on my iPad to design some projects and generate a BOM for them. This way I can compare several versions of a potential project as well as simplify something I may be considering to make. I also use apps from both Lowes and Home Depot to look for tools and materials. I can compare different models of tolls both with specifications and user reviews. The apps tell me what is in the stores and what must be ordered online and they also give me physical locations of things in the stores. In the near future I will be using my iPad to store plans for toys that a local woodworkers club I joined make for needy kids at Christmas.
seraph
The number one absolutely indispensable app for electronic repair or projects is Electrodroid. It’s saved my a$$ many times. From resistor codes to pin out specs it’s awesome.