iPhone Flashlight App a Bright Spot on CSI
10:08 am, October 9th, 2009, Nicole Martinelli
If you’ve ever wondered what the point of those flashlight apps are, wonder no more: they are kick-butt investigation tools.
The next time you need to crawl down a 150-foot electrical conduit and don’t have a flashlight -- your iPhone can light the way, a recent episode of CSI reminds us.
In a cheesy bit of iProduct placement, the actor hands his iPhone-cum-flashlight over to the guy who will have to brave the crawl space saying “There’s an app for that.”
There are a bunch of these apps on iTunes, most are free, ranging from Funny Flashlight to myLite (also has strobe effects), with jokey descriptions like “Are you scared of the dark?”
Has anyone found the flashlight app handy — aside from helping solve heinous crimes?
Posted by Nicole Martinelli in Humor, News, iPhone, iPhone Apps | Comment on this article
A friend of mine uses one to pick up dog doo on night walks & to find the faucet handle to shut off his sprinkler at night.
Rafael, on October 9th, 2009 at 10:26 am
I use my iPhone as a flashlight all the time when digging around in racks of A/V equipment. I use a blank page in Safari, though. I never downloaded a flashlight app.
fractured, on October 9th, 2009 at 10:34 am
I use the flashlight app when walking on a street that has no sidewalks or streetlights..
Shaun, on October 9th, 2009 at 11:07 am
I install security panels, card access, fire, and CCTV. I have used my iPhone to light panels while I do the wiring. I don’t have to worry about my phone rolling out and landing on the phone.
Otto, on October 9th, 2009 at 11:18 am
Err landing on the floor
Otto, on October 9th, 2009 at 11:19 am
I find that going to bed with an iPhone running email (rather than a candlestick, bobble hat and a hot milky drink) means I don’t need to turn on any lights on the stairs, landing and bedroom.
John Keogh, on October 9th, 2009 at 11:20 am
I use my iPhone to navigate the dark hall to my bedroom every night. Handy little bugger.
JAYnLA, on October 9th, 2009 at 11:28 am
I find myLite great for checking the kids before bed, and I’ve used it to illuminate inside computers too. It is really handy!
MJ, on October 9th, 2009 at 11:29 am
My credit card accidentally fell to the floor one night in a dark bar. The flashlight app helped me find it.
Scott, on October 9th, 2009 at 11:34 am
One of my major clients is a radiation oncology facility. “The Vault” where people get treated is a sealed room with 8′thick concrete walls. A bit ago, a guy drove into a power pole and took out a whole city block, including our office. Unfortunately, the emergency lights in the vault did not work correctly and a patient, in the middle of her treatment was suddenly plunged into frightening, utter darkness. The technicians hit the button to release the 500lb solid lead door and pushed it open but had no flashlight… my iPhone and FiatLux to the rescue. Woman was relieved and retrieved from the vault.
perkiset, on October 9th, 2009 at 11:41 am
I use the flashlight apps all the time. My flashlight app of choice is myLite and works great for those times late at night when I have to use the can or remember that I left my phone in the living room and not on the charger. My family wakes easily at the slightest sign of light, but the myLite app is bright enough to see, yet dark enough to keep them sleeping. These apps also come in handy if you drop your keys trying to open the door in the dark or just trying to let someone know where you are in a crowd. I constantly use the strobe or police lights feature for this. Anyway, the apps are just as useful as any others in the app store.
Robert, on October 9th, 2009 at 11:42 am
Perkiset — that’s one hell of a story…
It sounds like there are many uses for the iPhone flashlight app — I’m just unimaginative…
Nicole Martinelli, on October 9th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
To see the menu in restaurants……… works like a charm
Shonky, on October 9th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
I tend not to use it much – I have plenty of lighting around here, and I don’t always have my iPod with me – but i’m also in Oklahoma, where the storms come frequently and the power lines are above ground. Last time the power went out, I couldn’t find my flashlight. Rather, my small keychain maglight flashlight had dead batteries, and I couldn’t find the camping lamp that would let me get my work done in the dark. iPod Touch to the rescue! A similar thing happened when I was trying to figure out why my car wouldn’t run right after dark.
I also use it for rewiring my computer setup. I have way too many Macs (and hard drives, and network equipment, and game consoles…) in way too small a space….
weatherguy, on October 10th, 2009 at 1:42 am