![\"Hand](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/hand-holding-orange-timer-1.jpg\")
\n Credit:\u00a0Joe Fedewa \/ How-To Geek<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s an app for that!\u201d We\u2019ve all heard this slogan before, and it\u2019s usually true. Apps have replaced many single-purpose products, but that doesn\u2019t always mean they\u2019re better. Some physical items are actually easier and more convenient than tapping a screen.<\/p>\n
Timer or Stopwatch<\/p>\n
No screen timeout or lock screens to mess with<\/p>\n
\n Credit:\u00a0Joe Fedewa \/ How-To Geek<\/p>\n
The idea for this article came about when my wife bought a six-pack of simple digital timers for only $12. She was tired of setting timers on her phone for her workout and stretching routine. The screen turns off, and then she has to wake it up to see the remaining time or fiddle with the lock screen to restart the timer. This isn\u2019t life-altering, but it\u2019s a layer of friction that doesn\u2019t exist outside of an app.<\/p>\n
These little timers have quickly become useful for other purposes around the house. They\u2019re very easy to set\u2014either as a timer or a stopwatch\u2014and the kickstand and magnet on the back make them easy to keep nearby. The time is always visible, and there\u2019s nothing between you and immediate access to the physical buttons.<\/p>\n
Flashlight<\/p>\n
Unsurprisingly better than an LED \u201cflash\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Flashlight](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/flashlight-next-to-pixel-10-1.jpg\"){kind=tracking}
\n Credit:\u00a0Joe Fedewa \/ How-To Geek<\/p>\n
In the early days of smartphones, everyone had to install a flashlight app. Those apps have been replaced by the Android Quick Settings and iPhone Control Center, but flashlights have changed, too. They used to be big and relatively expensive. Now, they can be purchased in cheap multi-packs<\/a> like USB cables.<\/p>\n A physical flashlight is also just flat out much better. The LED flash on most smartphones is only throwing out around 40-50 lumens of light. That\u2019s okay in a pinch, but not when real light is needed<\/a>. Here\u2019s an $8 flashlight that can be charged via USB-C and has over four times the lumens of a smartphone flash.<\/p>\n Kitchen Conversion Chart<\/p>\n Stop asking Google for measurements<\/p>\n \u201cHey Google, how many teaspoons in a tablespoon?\u201d \u201cHey Google, how many ounces in two cups?\u201d \u201cHey Google, is a quart bigger than a pint?\u201d If this sounds like you in the middle of following a recipe, let me introduce you to the humble conversion chart.<\/p>\n I don\u2019t remember where I got the conversion chart that lives on the side of my refrigerator, but I use it all the time. Sometimes the exact measuring apparatus I need is dirty, so I have to make do with smaller increments. Even if you\u2019ve committed many of the common conversions to memory, it\u2019s nice to have a quick reference when you\u2019re not sure. It\u2019s infinity easier\u2014and more trustworthy\u2014than a Google search.<\/p>\n Tape Measure or Ruler<\/p>\n Your phone is a ruler…but not like that<\/p>\n Smartphones have multiple methods for measuring items and distances in the real world. The iPhone uses a LiDAR scanner<\/a>, but most require pretty basic \u201cruler\u201d apps. I\u2019m on record<\/a> as saying these can be used in place of a tape measure, but there\u2019s also a third option: ruler stickers.<\/p>\n The idea is that phones are pretty big and with us most of the time. So, why not put all that empty space on the back of your phone to good use and slap a ruler on it? A Galaxy S26 Ultra, for example, can fit a full 6-inch ruler. There are cheap stickers available online, but there’s also nothing stopping you from printing one out and taping it on yourself.<\/p>\n Apps aren’t always the answer<\/p>\n I love an app that replaces a bulky item or a device I\u2019m never going to buy\u2014like a spirit level or decibel meter. I also love super simple \u201cdumb\u201d accessories that do only one thing, and they do it very well. Apps are better sometimes, dedicated devices are better other times. You can have the best of both worlds.<\/p>\n Related<\/p>\n![\"Magnetic](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/magnetic-conversion-chart-1.jpg\")
\n Credit:\u00a0Joe Fedewa \/ How-To Geek<\/p>\n![\"Ruler](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/ruler-on-galaxy-s24-ultra-1.jpg\")
\n Credit:\u00a0Joe Fedewa \/ How-To Geek<\/p>\n![\"pixel](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pixel-10-temp-sensor-2-1.jpg\"\/)
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