I know how Ham Radio works. I know how a phone works. But how do you make the link, or had you communicated on a forum?
Not a phone but a wifi tablet (Nexus 7).
Its done using an"Echolink" app that uses VOIP and t'internet to communicate with a VIOP/radio interface. As I no longer have a radio station I am reduced to this - not that I use it a lot.
It was a completely chance contact and I was amazed that its someone I have been talking to like I am talking to you.
You say the list of things you can do with your Google thingy is very long, but I really don't know (apart from films and music) what I'm going to do with it. It might have been more useful if she'd pair for a service and MOT on my old Yamaha.
OK I'll try and list some:
Calculator with really BIG buttons.
movies/music/emails (both personal and works)/internet as youd expect.
WIFI hacking.(less said the better
)
sat nav - several apps for many countries.
Electronics: 555 timer calc, Gerber viewer, circuit designer, pcb layout, electronic calcs, PCB track width calcs, oscilloscope, PCB thermal cals, microwave calcs, resistor colour code calc, signal generator, SMD component code base, parallel/series calc.
Ham radio: echolink, callsign database, repeater lists, frequency lists, morse decoders, radio controller etc.
Shopping - shopping lists, comparison sites, ebay bidders/sniper etc.
I no longer simply go and buy a fridge etc- instead when I have found a good offer I first check out reviews etc before purchasing.
(Out of milk is a superb shopping list app).
Cloud storage - I can access everything I have on the cloud with it.
Reading books - magazines, the law (keeping the RTA, TSRGD etc with you can be handy).
Newsreaders - I keep up with the news on it.
Unit converter - as I have to make exacting calculations between thou and mm often this is very useful.
Skype - of course - useful when i'm away with work.
DIY apps: Spirit levels, smart tools - length/angles/distance/sound/vibration measurement etc.
I have tinnitus so use "white noise" to produce various sounds to cancel it out when I feel the need for it.
Fishing knots - reminder app to show me how to tie them well.
Voice recorder - having a bad memory (Goldfish have better than me) and problem at work because I am forgetting stuff - this is now going to be used a heck of a lot. like a dictaphone.
I support a PCB CAD package at work and there is an app that allows me to control it.
Notepads - re the above memory issue - these are great - see something and note it.
Facebook access, twitter, an alarm system to ensure it doesnt go walkies.
Games, I have gigabytes of games available for it - from COD type warfare to freecell and get to choose which I want and can install it.
NFC/RFID tag reading. useful to start apps - I have an NFC tag on my vent mount that starts the satnav app after disabling all wifi etc.
Google everything - all google functions are available from the tube to the mail.
And so on.
Oh - my next use will be with an ODB reader.
I can keep my blog updated via it.
I can watch the iplayer, control my sky box, record programs tell whats coming on etc.
When I went to Norway last year it was a translator.
I can access here on it, also that stupid eco thing on the car.
First aid - it has plenty of first aid advice on it.
Geocaching - using the gps I can use some of the many geo apps to find the cache.
Passwords - I use it to access lastpass where I store all my passwords.
Raspberry pi - if I could be assed to do anything with them, this would control it with the apps.
Remote desktop - I can use teamviewer etc and take control of my home PC using the tablet.
Music - if I was musical I could use these drum/music apps to make music.
Drawings - I have autocad sketch programs so can make mechanical drawings - useful when designing PCB's, garden/kitchen layout etc.
wifi analysis - I can find the strongest wifi signal - where its best to sit etc for it.
Porn: yep - I can watch this on it too.
Do I get to do all this even if I have them installed?
Not always - but they are there should I need to.
But if you put your mind to it - there is little that you cannot do with them.