Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

Transform your smartphone into the ultimate power tool with Ryobi Phone Works

Got a home improvement project coming up, but don’t want to spend a small fortune on the tools and equipment you need to get the job done? Check out this fresh new line of smart power tools from Ryobi. Each tool is designed to work with your smartphone and leverage the high-tech components it’s already got inside (high-resolution touchscreen display, motion processing, HD camera, motion processing, microphone, etc), so despite being incredibly powerful and easy to use, the tools themselves are fairly low tech and inexpensive.

The Phone Works line, as they call it, features a slew of different testing and measuring tools that plug into your Android or iOS phone via the headphone jack. There’s a laser level, laser distance finder, infrared thermometer, stud finder, moisture meter, inspection scope, and even a pair of noise-suppressing headphones — all of which work with Ryobi’s accompanying smartphone app to provide extra functionality.

Recommended Videos

RelatedBosch’s new laser rangefinder augments reality on your smartphoneryobi phone works

Take the laser level, for example. Plug this tool into your phone, and it’ll use your phone’s accelerometers and onboard motion processing abilities to project a perfectly level crosshair onto your wall. With the app, you can also use the Angle Finder function to set custom laser angles for when you’re dealing with an uneven playing field.

Similarly, the infrared thermometer clips onto your phone and works in conjunction with your phone’s existing camera to display a thermal map of whatever you’re pointing it at. In a lot of ways it’s similar to the Flir TG165 imaging thermometer and others like it, but Ryobi’s device uses a visual image – instead of IR – for targeting and measurement logging. And of course, since Ryobi leans on your smartphone and doesn’t have to build a big LCD screen and advanced image processing into the device, this little gizmo is drastically cheaper than most standalone infrared thermometers.

Another awesome addition to the Phone Works lineup is Ryobi’s noise-suppressing headphones. In addition to both active and passive noise canceling, these little earbuds can work with your phone’s microphone to selectively filter out certain noises (the whine of a circular saw, for example) and amplify other ones (other people’s voices and conversations).

Released just last week, the Phone Works line is currently available exclusively through Home Depot. Find out more here.

Drew Prindle
Former Senior Editor, Features
Drew Prindle is an award-winning writer, editor, and storyteller who currently serves as Senior Features Editor for Digital…
Topics
Get up to 26% off Dabbsson portable power solutions to light up your holidays
Dabbsson DBS2300 portable power station lifestyle image

Black Friday and Cyber Week deals are here, early or right on time, you decide. Joining in the fun is Dabbsson, a purveyor of reliable portable power solutions that just may change your holidays. How? Well, you'll be able to power up just about anything, even if there are winter outages. Right now, you can enjoy up to 26% off Dabbsson's best portable power stations and more. As always, your best option is going to be to head over and browse the sale yourself, but we've called out a few of the best deals below.

 
DBS2300 portable power station -- $1,179, was $1,599

Read more
Growatt Infinity 1500 is the ultimate power hub for all of your devices
Growatt Infinity 1500 up close and personal outdoors.

This content was produced in partnership with Growatt.
We might as well call this the age of the portable power station, and for good reason. With various weather events hitting what seems to be regularly, uncertain power sourcesĀ  that can lead to blackouts and outages, the rising costs of the average power bill, and cold winter weather on the way, there's a lot to be concerned about when it comes to securing energy. Portable power stations are an excellent way to ensure you have power if and when something happens, at least for your essentials. And it's always nice to see new players and new options hit the market, like Growatt's Infinity 1500 -- a newly launched portable power station.

Each new system unveiled by power makers purports to be bigger and better than the rest out there, and with the Infinity 1500 that indeed seems to be the case, particularly at its price point of $1,599. But the biggest draw is that this thing is packed with power and practicality. For starters, it features a 1,512-watt-hour battery capacity, with a 2,000-watt AC output, and 12 outlets total to plug in your many devices and electronics. It charges via AC in just two hours but supports 800-watt solar input so you can hook up solar panels at any time, and it takes just two and a half hours to charge that way. Growatt has over a decade of experience in the energy solutions field on the B2B side of things, and it shows. This is their first consumer-facing product, and you can learn more by visiting the dedicated page below, or simply by reading on.
Buy Now
 

Read more
Maximize your preparedness with EcoFlow’s new DELTA Max power station
EcoFlow Delta Max power station with expandable power battery.

As far as portable power solutions go, EcoFlow offers a ton of amazing options, and their lineup just keeps getting better. Now available on EcoFlow's website is the latest device, the .

It's an incredibly versatile power solution, for outdoor enthusiasts, DIY lovers, and, of course, disaster preparedness. By grabbing one of these high-capacity power stations -- with solar panel support -- you'll have plenty of emergency power to care for your family. Just $2,099 gets you this home backup power solution that packs a 2kWh capacity and can be expanded up to 6kWh by adding DELTA Max Smart Extra Batteries. Check it out, and read more, below!

Read more