It's time to upgrade to a new phone. So what do you do with your old one?
Why not use one of those old phones in my drawer? While my old Samsung Galaxy S3 may not be water-resistant or sand-proof, I'd rather risk getting my old phone wet, sandy or stolen than my brand new device. And because it has Wi-Fi, when I return to a hotspot, all my photos and video can be automatically synced to Google Photos, just like pics and video from the smartphone I'm currently using.
Second, they're perfect for displaying digital photos. There are tons of apps in iTunes and Google Play that turn your device into a digital photo frame.
Another great use for a phone on the nightstand is as a white noise machine. Again, there are too many apps to name, but there are several free apps in both the App Store and Google Play that will lull you to sleep with the sound of rolling waves, whirring fans, or falling rain.
And if your phone doesn't have an integrated IR blaster, your phone will still be able to control your Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV devices or connected TV via Wi-Fi.
Even though I rarely leave home without my current smartphone, I keep an older Moto X set up in my car to use as a GPS navigation device. All that's needed are some maps of my local area downloaded onto my phone from Google Maps. And voila, my old phone is a GPS device. It doesn't eat up my data plan either, because all the maps and navigation are already loaded in. The only downside is that this also means that I don't get updated traffic information or get rerouted when there's an accident.
There are also lots of great biking trails near our home, so my husband and I have used our "Google Maps" phone on local trails and to clock our speeds while biking. And if I wanted to, I could link this device via Bluetooth to a fitness tracking device to monitor my heart rate.
1. Camera/video recorder
I don't know about you, but I take a ton of photos and video on my phone. I don't even know where my DSLR is anymore. I have small kids and juggle all their gear, so my smartphone is super easy to carry and whip out for taking photos and videos. But one place I am reluctant to take my phone is to the beach. And yet I still want those adorable pics of the kids eating sand -- er, I mean building sand castles and frolicking in the waves.Why not use one of those old phones in my drawer? While my old Samsung Galaxy S3 may not be water-resistant or sand-proof, I'd rather risk getting my old phone wet, sandy or stolen than my brand new device. And because it has Wi-Fi, when I return to a hotspot, all my photos and video can be automatically synced to Google Photos, just like pics and video from the smartphone I'm currently using.
2. Bedside device/alarm clock/photo album/white noise machine
Phones are a great bedside gadget. Just set up a docking station charger and you're good to go. First they make fantastic alarm clocks. They're endlessly customizable. You can set multiple alarms and even get calendar alerts to remind you of an early meeting.Second, they're perfect for displaying digital photos. There are tons of apps in iTunes and Google Play that turn your device into a digital photo frame.
Another great use for a phone on the nightstand is as a white noise machine. Again, there are too many apps to name, but there are several free apps in both the App Store and Google Play that will lull you to sleep with the sound of rolling waves, whirring fans, or falling rain.
3. eReader
Whether you already have an e-reader or not, clear out all your other apps and storage on your old phone and load it with e-books and audiobooks. You can either leave it on your night stand or next to your favorite comfy chair. Apps like Amazon Kindle let you sync your reading position among multiple gadgets. You can also use apps like Pocket or Instapaper to queue up web articles you find throughout the day on your desktop or phone so you can read later.4. TV remote control
If your phone has an IR blaster, download a TV-remote app like AnyMote SmartRemote or Sure Universal TV Remote. These apps and the IR capability allow you to turn your old smartphone into a universal remote. It will also work to control other devices with an IR signal, such as DVD and Blu-ray players, cable set-top boxes, stereo equipment and even some air conditioners.And if your phone doesn't have an integrated IR blaster, your phone will still be able to control your Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV devices or connected TV via Wi-Fi.
5. GPS device for car
I moved to the suburbs of Philadelphia two years ago after 17 years of living in New York City. At first, I couldn't find my way out of the my neighborhood, let alone the best route to the grocery store. My phone and Google Maps were my savior. And even though I can now get to the store or my kids' school without GPS navigation, I still need it for any new destinations.Even though I rarely leave home without my current smartphone, I keep an older Moto X set up in my car to use as a GPS navigation device. All that's needed are some maps of my local area downloaded onto my phone from Google Maps. And voila, my old phone is a GPS device. It doesn't eat up my data plan either, because all the maps and navigation are already loaded in. The only downside is that this also means that I don't get updated traffic information or get rerouted when there's an accident.
There are also lots of great biking trails near our home, so my husband and I have used our "Google Maps" phone on local trails and to clock our speeds while biking. And if I wanted to, I could link this device via Bluetooth to a fitness tracking device to monitor my heart rate.
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