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Your iPhone is a smartphone, and if it isn't making you smarter as well then you just aren't using the devices included features to it's full potential. Here are three super simple tips that let your iPhone make you smarter, these will be perfect for educators, learners, students, or really, just about anyone – unless you're a human dictionary and encyclopedia, that is. There's no need to download any new apps or do anything that's not included in stock iOS.
1: Learn the Meaning of Words & Get Definitions Instantly
How many times have you been reading something and ran into a word you just don't know the meaning of? It happens to all of us, but now that iOS has a built-in dictionary all you need to do is use it to quickly find out the definition and meaning. Do this by tapping and holding on the word you don't know, then select "Define" from the pop-up menu to summon the instant dictionary right atop what you're currently doing. Once finished, tap "Done" and you'll be back to what you were reading originally.
2: Listen to & Learn Word Pronunciations
Just like we've all encountered words we don't know the meaning of, we also encounter words we just don't know how to pronounce. Even when we know what they mean, sometimes they just aren't heard often enough, if ever, to know how the words actually sound when spoken. Not to worry, because iOS does know how to say words, and the text-to-speech feature of iOS is smart enough to pronounce the vast majority of words that appears in dictionaries properly (though you certainly can't always say the same for peoples names or foreign languages). To get a words pronunciation, tap-and-hold on it within iOS and then select "Speak" to hear it spoken.
3: Ask Siri the Tough Questions
If you have a tough question or just a completely random thought and would like the answer to it, ask Siri! Because Siri is backed by the computational knowledge engine Wolfram Alpha, you'll be able to get information on tons of topics and the answers to a lot of questions just by asking. Just pose your inquiry to Siri as a question, like "What is the population of Anaheim, California?" or "How many minutes are in seven and a half years?", and you'll quickly get a response.
By the way, Siri can also get definitions for you, but if you don't know how to pronounce the word to ask then that likely won't be of much help.
We've focused on the iPhone because most people tend to have one with them at all times, but these tips are iOS wide nowadays, so they will work on an iPad or iPod touch too.
Got any other tips to become smarter using your iPhone? Let us know!
