How to make the most of your touch screen

Having touch screen devices has become so normal to us that we often take our phones and tablets for granted. Most people don’t realise the potential they hold when it comes to entertainment, creativity or even plain old productivity in the workplace. Here are some tips that will help you to really appreciate this undervalued and innovative piece of tech.

Tap into your creativity

For those interested in art, touch screens open up a whole world of possibility. In fact, artists have been mining this rich vein for a while now – a notable example is David Hockney’s exhibition A Bigger Picture at the Royal Academy of Arts back in 2012, which featured a series of works created on the iPad. A new generation of digital artists is continuing to develop this medium, from illustrators to graphic designers, pushing the boundaries of classic gallery installations. But you don’t have to be a professional; the tools are there for anyone to enjoy. Apps like Brushes enable you to create masterpieces with only your fingertip. And the best part? No paint all over your favourite trousers – not to mention there’s an “undo” option.

Take a shortcut

It’s amazing how many people aren’t even aware of the efficient features built into their devices. Many tablets and smartphones are so sensitive that they can distinguish between different movements and respond to taps, flicks and swipes in a variety of ways. This means there are probably loads of shortcuts on your gadget that you didn’t know were there. There are plenty of time-saving tricks worth looking out for if you have an Android device. Likewise, iOS 13 has many features like an edit bar which appears when you hold three fingers on the screen for a few seconds. On top of this, the technology is allowing companies to go paperless. The fact we can write out signatures so easily (disregarding the terrible attempts we can make with a mouse) means we can avoid printing off endless forms and create more sustainable, eco-friendly business models.

Get a hands-on gaming experience

There’s a reason why mobile gaming has taken off in such a big way: touch screen devices are intuitive and interactive in a way that a simple controller can’t be. Games such as Civilization V and Sims 3, in which you are following large maps with complex control panels, work much better on the touch screen: you can zoom in and out with ease and its an altogether more immersive experience. Card-based games naturally work better too; it’s as close as you can get to the real thing. Granted, some gamers complain that controls do not always translate well onto the touch screen, but with the right design, gameplay can be slick and seamless. Things have moved on a lot since the days of Fruit Ninja and Doodle Jump; many classic console games have been adapted for touch screen technology. Moreover, kids love the interactive element, and it’s a great way to keep them entertained.

The editorial unit