Almost all households have spare phones lying around, purposeless just waiting to be picked up again. If you get a new phone and you chose not to replace it for the new one, this article is for you. Your old phone might be more valuable than you think! We are here to help you evaluate your options.
Your old phone may be worth more to you at home than you think. According to Katie Connor at CNET, your old phone deserves a new life. It can replace or substitute another device you need. Your cell phones are more powerful than you know. In fact, the supercomputer that was used to launch Neil Armstrong into space had 32,768 bits of RAM memory. The latest cell phones today are 34,359,738,368 bits. “This is more than one million (1,048,576 to be exact) times more memory than the Apollo computer had in RAM” (source). Do you really want to throw away such a powerful device in your bedside table drawer?
Following are some of the uses:
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- Remote Control
We all know that Androids have a universal remote control option. Some have it in-built in the phone which is super-efficient, others can just download the app. Sync your device to the appliances you want – AC, Smart TV, or any compatible device, and use it as a secondary option. Sometimes our primary remotes mysteriously disappear, and looking for it is troublesome.
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- Android as Google Home
Google Home costs about $125 – $150. Why spend more when your Android can perform almost the same tasks? If your old phone is updated to the latest Android Operating System, so it responds to its calling “OK, Google”. Next, find a Bluetooth speaker (available for an affordable price at Miniso, or you can check Audionic or Ronin for more options). Once that’s settled, you have your very own “Android Home”. It can answer your queries, schedule for you, and make tasks easy for you.
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- Home Security Camera
We all know smartphones have brilliant camera resolution, so why not repurpose the camera for your safety? Download security camera apps like Alfred on your old phone, and place the phone in your living room, bedroom, nursery (if you have kids and babysitters), or porch (but make sure you have a plug-in adapter and charger available). These apps allow us to monitor and catch any suspicious activity or theft while you’re at work or away.
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- Baby Monitor
Baby Monitors are required by all new parents today. Though they are affordable, and someone might even gift you one on your baby shower, it is a bit noisy when you turn it on. Parents can use the old phone to monitor their new born baby noiselessly while mothers carry about housework or go to work. Fathers can use this option to stay in touch with their babies too.
Viber, Skype, Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp Video allows for video calling and picture-in-picture options. All smartphones have decent or good quality front cameras, it is free and easy to use. There are other apps available like Dormi for Android Smartphones and Cloud Baby Monitor for iPhones.
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- Music Players
This one is for the music lovers out there. Delete old apps and other useless data from your old phone, and use it only as a media player. Download multiple music apps that you like, or keep YouTube running if you like watching videos. Connect your phone to your Bluetooth Speaker or a surround-sound speaker. Call your friends over, or take these appliances to your friends’ birthday parties and play songs uninterrupted. You won’t have to worry about notifications, calls or text messages pouring in.
Instead of spending on another expensive device, be creative and turn your old phone into an electronic device you will use. Here are few ideas for you, and if you have more suggestion feel free to comment below.
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