So You Think Your Phone is Packing Heat? How to Check for a Built-in IR Blaster
Ah, the IR blaster. Once a mainstay of premium smartphones, these tiny titans of technology let you ditch the universal remote and turn your phone into a do-it-all gadget. But how do you know if your phone is this James Bond of channel changers? Fear not, fellow couch potato, for this guide will be your laser pointer through the murky world of IR blasters.
Signs Your Phone Might Be a Secret Agent (of the Remote Control Variety)
- Ancient Phone Commercials Referencing "Remote Control Functionality" : Remember those times when phone ads boasted about TVs magically responding to your phone? That, my friend, was the IR blaster flexing its invisible muscle.
- Your Phone Feels Strangely Heavy for Its Size : Okay, this one's a stretch. But hey, if your phone feels suspiciously dense, maybe it's packed with extra tech like a super-powered IR blaster! (Or maybe it's just a really beefy battery case.)
But seriously, here are the most reliable ways to check for an IR blaster:
The Camera Trick: Unveiling the Phone's Inner Light Show
This is where things get scientific (well, kind of). Here's what you'll need:
- Your phone (hopefully with an IR blaster in disguise)
- Another phone or a camera (because who wants to be the friend with the boring phone?)
- Open the camera app on your second device.
- Point the IR blaster (usually found at the top of your phone) directly at the camera lens.
- Press any button on your phone.
- Look at the camera screen. If you see a flickering purple light emanating from your phone's dark side, congratulations! You've got an IR blaster! If not, well, maybe your phone prefers a different genre of movie (like action instead of spy flicks).
Bonus points if you can convince your friends you're using a top-secret app to see into the infrared spectrum.
The App Approach: Less Disco, More Data
Not a fan of flashing lights and pretending to be a ghost hunter? There might be an app for that (of course there is!). Several apps claim to detect the presence of an IR blaster. While they might not be foolproof, they can be a handy alternative to the camera trick. Just search for "IR blaster check" in your app store and see what pops up.
Remember: Not all apps are created equal. Do a little research before downloading anything to make sure it's reputable and won't turn your phone into a disco ball with a vendetta.
So there you have it! With these simple steps, you can unmask the true potential of your phone. Now go forth and conquer your living room, wield the power of the IR blaster, and never lose the remote control ever again (unless you misplace your phone, that is).
