The inherent utility provided by the base-level functions of a smartphone are undeniable, but they can do so much more.
Some functions are available with an off-the-shelf device, while others are available using a specific application or attaching a peripheral.
Below is a partial listing of what you can do today using a combination of smartphone functions, specific applications, internet access and supporting peripherals:
- Mobile computer-aided dispatch (for CAD systems offering a mobile client, the smartphone becomes a fully functional, CAD-addressable device);
- Timely and mission-critical retrieval of relevant data from department databases;
- Camera for capturing images and videos of evidence;
- On-scene information collection, recording and note-taking using voice recognition;
- Improved situational awareness (location at a person level, position of team members, near-real-time alerting from public safety sensors);
- Electronic citation issuance;
- Basic language translator;
- Identify pills or medications;
- Access to department policies, legal resources, even training videos;
- Health and wellness programs;
- Heart rate, O2, even blood pressure;
- Sophisticated routing/mapping;
- Facial recognition;
- In-field fingerprint identification of suspects (using a Bluetoothed peripheral);
- Thermal imaging (requires a device that plugs into the USB port).
To learn more, read 9 steps to deploying smartphones in your agency.
