Who Knew a Cell Phone Could Do All This?

I got a friendly email this morning with some "hidden" things your cell phone will do. They are all bogus, of course. I replied with my own list of hidden super-features. Which list might actually save your life some day? You be the judge.

My list:

#5 If you're ever trapped in an elevator with MacGyver and the power goes out, simply wire the battery from your cell phone to the elevator controls. It will provide enough power to open the doors so you can crawl out.

#6 If you find yourself stranded on a desert island with no food, remember that Blackberries are edible. The consonants can be eaten directly and provide much-needed protein. The vowels are somewhat bitter, but can be brewed into a more pleasant-tasting tea. (The battery itself is not edible, and should be saved in case of elevator emergency - see #5)

#7 Cell phone games can be used effectively to distract a 4-year-old who has to get a shot at the doctor's office.

#8 Your cell phone can be used to change the results of local elections. Suppose your local school district was trying to raise your already-too-high property taxes to pay for "much needed" infrastructure? Simply use your cell phone to call any like-minded voters and work them into an appropriate level of outrage. You can also call not-so-like-minded voters and tell them the election is a day later.

#9 Imagine the Government is on your case for opposing Much Needed Infrastructure and sends Jack-Booted Thugs to bring you in. Your cell phone can help! A carefully aimed throw at the nose of the lead Thug can distract him long enough for you to pick up his rifle and take out the remainder of the Gang. (An old-school "brick" type cell phone can actually be an advantage here!)

The Chain-Letter List:

5 Things You Never Knew Your Cell Phone Could Do
For all the folks with cell phones. (This should be printed and kept in your
car, purse, and wallet. Good information to have with you.)

There are a few things that can be don e in times of grave
emergencies.
Your mobile phone can actually be a life saver or an emergency tool for
survival. Check out the things that you can do with it:

FIRST
Emergency
The Emergency Number worldwide for Mobile is 112. If you find Yourself out of the coverage area of your mobile network and there is an Emergency, dial 112 and the mobile will search any existing network to Establish the emergency number for you, and interestingly, this number 112 can be dialed even if the keypad is
locked. Try it out.

SECOND
Have you locked your keys in the car?
Does your car have remote keyless entry? This may come in handy someday. Good
reason to own a cell phone: If you lock your keys In the car and the spare keys
are at home, call someone at home on their cell phone from your cell phone. Hold
your cell phone about a foot From your car door and have the person at your home
press the unlock button, holding it near the mobile phone on their end.. Your car
will unlock. Saves someone from having to drive your keys to you. Distance is no
object. You could be hundreds of miles away, and if you can reach someone who
has the other 'remote' for your car, you can unlock the doors (or the trunk).

Editor's Note: It works fine! We tried it out and it unlocked our car over a
cell phone!'

THIRD
Hidden Battery Power
Imagine your cell battery is very low.. To activate, press the keys *3370#. Your
cell phone will restart with this reserve and the instrument will show a 50%
increase in battery. This reserve will get charged when you charge your cell
phone next time.

FOURTH
How to disable a STOLEN mobile phone?
To check your Mobile phone's serial number, key in the following Digits on your
phone: *#06#. A 15-digit code will appear on the screen. This number is unique
to your handset. Write it down and keep it somewhere safe.

If your phone gets stolen, you can phone your service provider and give them
this code. They will then be able to block your handset so even if the thief
changes the SIM card, your phone will be totally useless. You probably won't get
your phone back, but at least you know that whoever stole it can't use/sell it
either. If everybody does this, there would be no point in people stealing
mobile phones.

And Finally.....

FIFTH
Free Directory Service for Cells

Cell phone companies are charging us $1.00 to $1.75 or more for 411 information
calls when they don 't have to. Most of us do not carry a telephone directory in
our vehicle, which makes this situation even more of a problem. When you need to
use the 411 information option, simply dial: (800)FREE411, or (800) 373-3411
without incurring any charge at all. Program this into your cell phone now.