Mike Elgan has several useful suggestions to get more out of cell phones with a camera. I use several of them myself:
- Handheld scanner/screen capture: I frequently take picture of whiteboards and notes after meetings. I have a small notebook I use once in a while when thinking/design if I don't have access to a whiteboard, otherwise I run a completely paper free office. Documenting designs/desicions with a simple picture takes seconds but it is very, very useful.
- Photographic memory/reminders: I usually stop 10 seconds to record or write down details but snapping a picture of your parking lot etc or things you have to do works just as well.
- Contact enhancer: Many phones and contact organizers like Microsoft Outlook let you associate photos with contacts. It is a great way to jog your memory when someone calls.
Mike also has some more creative suggestions that I have not tried yet:
- Personal "City Guide" creator: take pictures of your favorite shops/restaurants/hotels
- Driving directions maker: I send links to maps.google.com or maps.live.com but Mike is right; directions with photos at critical points are a lot easier to follow than simple text instruction
- Personal security device: I never had the need to take pictures of people harassing me but I can see how it would scare them off
- Liability reducer: take pictures off everything in case of an accident or if something is broken when you rent it