IR
Universal Remote from the Google Play Store to turn your device into a
remote control. If you have an Apple TV, you can use your old iPhone as an
alternate remote.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/remote/id284417350?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D8
Most of the newer Android devices from Samsung, LG, and HTC come with a
built-in infrared blaster, which works with your TV, DVR, cable box, or
DVD/Blu-ray player. You just need to download an app like
IR
Universal Remote from the Google Play Store to turn your device into a
remote control. If you have an Apple TV, you can use your old iPhone as an
alternate remote
for your set-top box.
If you have an older device or one that doesn’t have a built-in IR blaster,
there’s still hope. Some companies make external IR blasters
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JEMMD9Q/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1
944687462&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00OUWPW6Q&pf_rd_m=AT
VPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0WT2BYFFKHT8GCZ52RE6
If you have an older device or one that doesn’t have a built-in IR blaster,
there’s still hope. Some companies make
external IR blasters that allow
you to connect your phone via bluetooth, which then gets transmitted to the
TV via a special device.
2. A DIGITAL CAMERA
If your old smartphone has an 8-megapixel camera or higher on its rear, then
you have a decent enough sensor to turn it into a dedicated point-and-shoot
digital camera-one that can upload photos directly to your social media
accounts when you get to a Wi-Fi network. You can even buy lenses from
olloclip.com
https://www.olloclip.com/
or photojojo
https://photojojo.com/
to make your old iPhone’s photos crisper, wider, and more dynamic.
3. and 4. A BABY MONITOR AND A HOME SECURITY SYSTEM
Video baby monitors can get pretty pricey; put that cash toward diapers and
use your old smartphone instead. All you need to do is download an app like
Cloud Baby Monitor
https://cloudbabymonitor.com/
or Baby Monitor 3G
http://www.babymonitor3g.com/
(which both retail for $3.99), place your old phone so that it looks into
the crib, connect it to your home Wi-Fi network, and use another device or
computer to watch your child from afar.
The same thing goes for a security system in your home. If you want to keep
an eye on your house (or monitor what your cat or dog are up to) while
you’re at work, download an app like Presence
and buy a robotic viewing stand that can rotate a full 360 degrees. After
placing the phone in the stand and connecting it to your home Wi-Fi network,
you can use the app to turn the phone in any direction to ensure that all is
well.
5. A KITCHEN COMMAND CENTER
A kitchen can be a hazardous place for an expensive smartphone or tablet.
Keep your current device clean by using an old phone to store recipes and
search for cooking videos on YouTube
. There are a
number of recipe apps, including HotPot
and BigOven , that can help with a big
family dinner, while apps like How to Cook Everything
guide you through the process of
making fresh pasta. With note-taking apps like Evernote
and Google Keep ,
you can sync shopping lists across all of your smart devices. You can also
use Siri or Google Now to set timers.
6. A CAR GPS
As long as your device has GPS capabilities, it can be used as a
navigational device-even if you don’t have a data connection. Most of the
smartphones made within the last five years have GPS built-in, so all you
need are the proper apps to get the most out of your old iPhone or Android
device on your next road trip. TomTom USA
,
http://www.tomtom.com/en_us/?WT.tsrc=SEA
&WT.mc_id=Always+on+-+US+Brand_Brand+-+USA+%5Be%5D_EO_empty_USA_tomtom+usa&&
&gclid=Cj0KEQiAnJqzBRCW0rGWnKnckOIBEiQA6qDBasCpvEYTziyUwmg61u0Tlk8QWgfFWk-ug
fOOnu1_lbgaAjsG8P8HAQ
CoPilot GPS ,
https://copilotgps.com/us/
and NavFree USA
http://navmii.com/
all offer offline regional maps and turn-by-turn directions; you just need
to download the area map on your home Wi-Fi network before you hop into your
car. A map of the entire United States could take about 2 GB of space, so
make sure your old device has plenty of room or a microSD card slot for
additional storage. While these apps range in price from $10 to $40, Google
Maps offers the same offline capabilities for
free.
7. A SKYPE STATION
Skype
http://www.skype.com/en/
or other VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services, such as Vonage
http://www.vonage.com/?pca_ref
and Google Hangouts .
https://hangouts.google.com/
Just make sure you have steady Wi-Fi and a desktop dock or stand to make
video and voice calls to your family and friends. If you have an iPhone 4 or
iPad 2 or higher, you can still use your old iOS device for FaceTime
http://www.apple.com/mac/facetime/
with your loved ones over a good Wi-Fi connection.
8. AN E-READER
Why let a perfectly good screen go to waste? If your old smartphone’s screen
is still in good shape, turn it into a dedicated e-reader. Just download
apps like Amazon Kindle
,
https://www.amazon.com/gp/digital/fiona/kcp-landing-page?ie=UTF8
&ref_=kcp_pc_mkt_lnd
Barnes & Noble
Nook,
http://nook.barnesandnoble.com/u/nook-mobile-app/379003593
or Google Play Books
https://accounts.google.com/ServiceLogin?service=googleplay
&passive=1209600&continue=https://play.google.com/books&followup=https://pla
y.google.com/books#identifier
to read books on your device. You can even download apps like Pocket
or Instapaper to
read articles you saved from your favorite websites to read later.
9. AN ALARM CLOCK
It might not be the most exciting way to repurpose your old smartphone, but
turning it into a nightstand clock might get you out of bed on time. There
are a number of clock apps, like Nite Time
and Night Clock
, that are simple and reliable, while apps like WakeVoice
and Alarm Clock HD
can give
you weather updates and the latest news when you awake.
10. A TOY FOR YOUR KIDS
Your kids already can’t get enough of your smartphone, so when it’s time to
upgrade to something newer and shinier, give your old one to them. You’ll
give them endless ways to play games and watch videos, but be sure you take
some time to back up your data and wipe the phone back to factory settings
before you hand it over.
For iOS users , connect to your
home Wi-Fi network and then go to “Settings,” then “iCloud,” and then
“Backup.” Turn on “iCloud Backup,” select your device, then start the backup
process. Once that’s complete, connect your iOS device to your computer and
launch iTunes. In the “Summary” panel, click “Restore” and confirm factory
reset.
For Android
users, connect to your home Wi-Fi network, and then go to “Settings,” then
“Backup & Reset.” Make sure “Backup My Data” is set to “On.” Once it’s done
backing up all of your photos, passwords, and contacts to your Google
account, go to “Factory Data Reset” to restore your phone to its original
factory settings.
After you reset your device-but before you hand it over to your kid-set the
phone with parental control
or
restricted access , so your child
don’t spend hundreds of dollars on in-app purchases or access inappropriate
content or websites. Make sure you set up a password or PIN for every
download on your device, so that he or she has to ask for your permission
every time they want to download something or make an in-app purchase. After
you restrict access, download kid-friendly games, apps, and YouTube Kids
, which can only access videos suitable for children.
11. A TOOL FOR SCIENCE
Rudie Obias
filed under: Lists , tech
, technology
http://images.mentalfloss.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_640x430/pub
lic/tv-remote.png
Image credit:
istock
Like us on Facebook
Sure, you can sell back or donate your old phone when you upgrade-but you
can also keep that old smartphone and put it to other inventive uses around
your home. Here are a few of them.
1. A REMOTE CONTROL
Most of the newer Android devices from Samsung, LG, and HTC come with a
built-in infrared blaster, which works with your TV, DVR, cable box, or
DVD/Blu-ray player. You just need to download an app like IR Universal
Remote
from the Google Play Store to turn your device into a remote control. If you
have an Apple TV, you can use your old iPhone as an alternate remote
for your set-top
box.
If you have an older device or one that doesn’t have a built-in IR blaster,
there’s still hope. Some companies make external IR blasters
that allow you to connect your
phone via bluetooth, which then gets transmitted to the TV via a special
device.
Advertisement
2. A DIGITAL CAMERA
If your old smartphone has an 8-megapixel camera or higher on its rear, then
you have a decent enough sensor to turn it into a dedicated point-and-shoot
digital camera-one that can upload photos directly to your social media
accounts when you get to a Wi-Fi network. You can even buy lenses from
olloclip.com or photojojo
to make your old iPhone’s photos crisper,
wider, and more dynamic.
3. and 4. A BABY MONITOR AND A HOME SECURITY SYSTEM
Video baby monitors can get pretty pricey; put that cash toward diapers and
use your old smartphone instead. All you need to do is download an app like
Cloud Baby Monitor or Baby Monitor 3G
(which both retail for $3.99), place your
old phone so that it looks into the crib, connect it to your home Wi-Fi
network, and use another device or computer to watch your child from afar.
The same thing goes for a security system in your home. If you want to keep
an eye on your house (or monitor what your cat or dog are up to) while
you’re at work, download an app like Presence
and buy a robotic viewing stand that can rotate a full 360 degrees. After
placing the phone in the stand and connecting it to your home Wi-Fi network,
you can use the app to turn the phone in any direction to ensure that all is
well.
5. A KITCHEN COMMAND CENTER
A kitchen can be a hazardous place for an expensive smartphone or tablet.
Keep your current device clean by using an old phone to store recipes and
search for cooking videos on YouTube
. There are a
number of recipe apps, including HotPot
and BigOven , that can help with a big
family dinner, while apps like How to Cook Everything
guide you through the process of
making fresh pasta. With note-taking apps like Evernote
and Google Keep ,
you can sync shopping lists across all of your smart devices. You can also
use Siri or Google Now to set timers.
6. A CAR GPS
As long as your device has GPS capabilities, it can be used as a
navigational device-even if you don’t have a data connection. Most of the
smartphones made within the last five years have GPS built-in, so all you
need are the proper apps to get the most out of your old iPhone or Android
device on your next road trip. TomTom USA
, CoPilot
GPS , and NavFree USA all
offer offline regional maps and turn-by-turn directions; you just need to
download the area map on your home Wi-Fi network before you hop into your
car. A map of the entire United States could take about 2 GB of space, so
make sure your old device has plenty of room or a microSD card slot for
additional storage. While these apps range in price from $10 to $40, Google
Maps offers the same offline capabilities for
free.
7. A SKYPE STATION
Set up your old iPhone or Android device as a dedicated webcam for Skype
or other VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
services, such as Vonage and Google Hangouts
. Just make sure you have steady Wi-Fi and a
desktop dock or stand to make video and voice calls to your family and
friends. If you have an iPhone 4 or iPad 2 or higher, you can still use your
old iOS device for FaceTime with your
loved ones over a good Wi-Fi connection.
8. AN E-READER
Why let a perfectly good screen go to waste? If your old smartphone’s screen
is still in good shape, turn it into a dedicated e-reader. Just download
apps like Amazon Kindle
, Barnes
& Noble Nook,
or Google Play Books to read books on your
device. You can even download apps like Pocket or
Instapaper to read articles you saved from
your favorite websites to read later.
9. AN ALARM CLOCK
It might not be the most exciting way to repurpose your old smartphone, but
turning it into a nightstand clock might get you out of bed on time. There
are a number of clock apps, like Nite Time
and Night Clock
, that are simple and reliable, while apps like WakeVoice
and Alarm Clock HD
can give
you weather updates and the latest news when you awake.
10. A TOY FOR YOUR KIDS
Your kids already can’t get enough of your smartphone, so when it’s time to
upgrade to something newer and shinier, give your old one to them. You’ll
give them endless ways to play games and watch videos, but be sure you take
some time to back up your data and wipe the phone back to factory settings
before you hand it over.
For iOS users , connect to your
home Wi-Fi network and then go to “Settings,” then “iCloud,” and then
“Backup.” Turn on “iCloud Backup,” select your device, then start the backup
process. Once that’s complete, connect your iOS device to your computer and
launch iTunes. In the “Summary” panel, click “Restore” and confirm factory
reset.
For Android
users, connect to your home Wi-Fi network, and then go to “Settings,” then
“Backup & Reset.” Make sure “Backup My Data” is set to “On.” Once it’s done
backing up all of your photos, passwords, and contacts to your Google
account, go to “Factory Data Reset” to restore your phone to its original
factory settings.
After you reset your device-but before you hand it over to your kid-set the
phone with parental control
or
restricted access , so your child
don’t spend hundreds of dollars on in-app purchases or access inappropriate
content or websites. Make sure you set up a password or PIN for every
download on your device, so that he or she has to ask for your permission
every time they want to download something or make an in-app purchase. After
you restrict access, download kid-friendly games, apps, and YouTube Kids
, which can only access videos suitable for children.
11. A TOOL FOR SCIENCE
Rudie Obias
filed under: Lists , tech
, technology
http://images.mentalfloss.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_640x430/pub
lic/tv-remote.png
Image credit:
istock
Like us on Facebook
Sure, you can sell back or donate your old phone when you upgrade-but you
can also keep that old smartphone and put it to other inventive uses around
your home. Here are a few of them.
1. A REMOTE CONTROL
Most of the newer Android devices from Samsung, LG, and HTC come with a
built-in infrared blaster, which works with your TV, DVR, cable box, or
DVD/Blu-ray player. You just need to download an app like IR Universal
Remote
from the Google Play Store to turn your device into a remote control. If you
have an Apple TV, you can use your old iPhone as an alternate remote
for your set-top
box.
If you have an older device or one that doesn’t have a built-in IR blaster,
there’s still hope. Some companies make external IR blasters
that allow you to connect your
phone via bluetooth, which then gets transmitted to the TV via a special
device.
Advertisement
2. A DIGITAL CAMERA
If your old smartphone has an 8-megapixel camera or higher on its rear, then
you have a decent enough sensor to turn it into a dedicated point-and-shoot
digital camera-one that can upload photos directly to your social media
accounts when you get to a Wi-Fi network. You can even buy lenses from
olloclip.com or photojojo
to make your old iPhone’s photos crisper,
wider, and more dynamic.
3. and 4. A BABY MONITOR AND A HOME SECURITY SYSTEM
Video baby monitors can get pretty pricey; put that cash toward diapers and
use your old smartphone instead. All you need to do is download an app like
Cloud Baby Monitor or Baby Monitor 3G
(which both retail for $3.99), place your
old phone so that it looks into the crib, connect it to your home Wi-Fi
network, and use another device or computer to watch your child from afar.
The same thing goes for a security system in your home. If you want to keep
an eye on your house (or monitor what your cat or dog are up to) while
you’re at work, download an app like Presence
and buy a robotic viewing stand that can rotate a full 360 degrees. After
placing the phone in the stand and connecting it to your home Wi-Fi network,
you can use the app to turn the phone in any direction to ensure that all is
well.
5. A KITCHEN COMMAND CENTER
A kitchen can be a hazardous place for an expensive smartphone or tablet.
Keep your current device clean by using an old phone to store recipes and
search for cooking videos on YouTube
. There are a
number of recipe apps, including HotPot
and BigOven , that can help with a big
family dinner, while apps like How to Cook Everything
guide you through the process of
making fresh pasta. With note-taking apps like Evernote
and Google Keep ,
you can sync shopping lists across all of your smart devices. You can also
use Siri or Google Now to set timers.
6. A CAR GPS
As long as your device has GPS capabilities, it can be used as a
navigational device-even if you don’t have a data connection. Most of the
smartphones made within the last five years have GPS built-in, so all you
need are the proper apps to get the most out of your old iPhone or Android
device on your next road trip. TomTom USA
, CoPilot
GPS , and NavFree USA all
offer offline regional maps and turn-by-turn directions; you just need to
download the area map on your home Wi-Fi network before you hop into your
car. A map of the entire United States could take about 2 GB of space, so
make sure your old device has plenty of room or a microSD card slot for
additional storage. While these apps range in price from $10 to $40, Google
Maps offers the same offline capabilities for
free.
7. A SKYPE STATION
Set up your old iPhone or Android device as a dedicated webcam for Skype
or other VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
services, such as Vonage and Google Hangouts
. Just make sure you have steady Wi-Fi and a
desktop dock or stand to make video and voice calls to your family and
friends. If you have an iPhone 4 or iPad 2 or higher, you can still use your
old iOS device for FaceTime with your
loved ones over a good Wi-Fi connection.
8. AN E-READER
Why let a perfectly good screen go to waste? If your old smartphone’s screen
is still in good shape, turn it into a dedicated e-reader. Just download
apps like Amazon Kindle
, Barnes
& Noble Nook,
or Google Play Books to read books on your
device. You can even download apps like Pocket or
Instapaper to read articles you saved from
your favorite websites to read later.
9. AN ALARM CLOCK
It might not be the most exciting way to repurpose your old smartphone, but
turning it into a nightstand clock might get you out of bed on time. There
are a number of clock apps, like Nite Time
and Night Clock
, that are simple and reliable, while apps like WakeVoice
and Alarm Clock HD
can give
you weather updates and the latest news when you awake.
10. A TOY FOR YOUR KIDS
Your kids already can’t get enough of your smartphone, so when it’s time to
upgrade to something newer and shinier, give your old one to them. You’ll
give them endless ways to play games and watch videos, but be sure you take
some time to back up your data and wipe the phone back to factory settings
before you hand it over.
For iOS users , connect to your
home Wi-Fi network and then go to “Settings,” then “iCloud,” and then
“Backup.” Turn on “iCloud Backup,” select your device, then start the backup
process. Once that’s complete, connect your iOS device to your computer and
launch iTunes. In the “Summary” panel, click “Restore” and confirm factory
reset.
For Android
users, connect to your home Wi-Fi network, and then go to “Settings,” then
“Backup & Reset.” Make sure “Backup My Data” is set to “On.” Once it’s done
backing up all of your photos, passwords, and contacts to your Google
account, go to “Factory Data Reset” to restore your phone to its original
factory settings.
After you reset your device-but before you hand it over to your kid-set the
phone with parental control
or
restricted access , so your child
don’t spend hundreds of dollars on in-app purchases or access inappropriate
content or websites. Make sure you set up a password or PIN for every
download on your device, so that he or she has to ask for your permission
every time they want to download something or make an in-app purchase. After
you restrict access, download kid-friendly games, apps, and YouTube Kids
, which can only access videos suitable for children.
11. A TOOL FOR SCIENCE
You can donate your old device’s idle computing power to advance scientific
research from around the world. The projects include everything from
exploring new medical therapies to the discovery of planets and stars.
Research scientists at UC Berkeley’s Space Sciences Laboratory developed an
Android app called BOINC.
(Berkeley Open Infrastructure for Network Computing), which allows the
researchers to tap unused processing power from smartphones and put it
toward analyzing data or running simulations that would otherwise be too
expensive and costly. BOINC users are volunteering their mobile phones’ By
default, BOINC taps into your smartphone’s computing power only when it’s
plugged in, charging, and not in use. The Max Planck Institute, National
Science Foundation, and Google Inc. have funded
projects, such as searching radio telescope data for pulsars and finding
more effective AIDS therapy and treatments. Currently, researchers and app
developers are working on bringing BOINC to IOS Devices.]]>
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