Sooner or later, there comes a time when any gadget loses its relevance. Users often find themselves in a situation that a new device was given as a gift or the owner himself decided to purchase it. One way or another, the question arises - what to do with the old smartphone? Do not rush to throw it away or give it to buy for a penny, because you can find a lot of ways to use an old gadget!
The price segment of modern mobile devices is in a fairly wide range. This is especially true for devices running on Android OS. There are a lot of budget solutions on this OS. Because of this, the need to find a use for the old gadget among Android owners arises much more often. Therefore, we will focus on this OS, although similar solutions can be found for iOS.
Media player
Even the cheapest smartphone has such a set of functions that is by no means a cheap player: support for a memory card, reading almost any audio and video formats, Wi Fi, Bluetooth, and more. All that remains is to install a larger memory card and buy good headphones. Moreover, the headphones can also be used wireless, thanks to the presence of Bluetooth. Most devices come with an audio player already installed, although you can download the one you like. If a smartphone has a high-quality display, then it can be used as a portable video player.
Electronic book
For modern smartphones, there are a lot of reader applications, and in terms of their functionality, they are in no way inferior to an e-book. An old smartphone can be equipped with a collection of books and set up a smartphone for reading, removing all unnecessary programs and files from memory, as a result of which the device will work much more efficiently. But if you are very fond of reading, then it is better to buy a real e-book anyway. in it, screen technologies are aimed at reducing the burden on vision.
Wi-Fi router
Most Android smartphones are able to distribute mobile Internet via Wi-Fi. Devices with similar functions cost a lot for their purpose, so such use can be quite beneficial. Also, the latest versions of Android "taught" to act as a smartphone as a Wi-Fi modem: the Internet is received via Wi-fi and transmitted over a wire to a computer or laptop.
Web / IP camera
Using an old smartphone as a security camera is a great idea. There are many applications for these purposes, for example SmartCam: the program is cross-platform, it can connect to a computer via Bluetooth and IP. Moreover, the battery in the smartphone will allow you to use our camera even in those places where there is no power supply, and the portable battery will significantly increase the time of use. Of course, an old smartphone can completely replace a webcam if you don't have one. Moreover, you can communicate both from a computer by installing the same SmartCam, or from the smartphone itself, because it has a microphone and a front camera.
Room alarm clock
Basic room alarms, with the range of features your old smartphone has to offer, are often expensive. Unlike a standard system alarm clock, alarm programs such as AdyClock can display the time on the screen at all times. Moreover, it is possible to fine-tune the display: content, brightness, design, autostart when charging, and even save the screen from premature wear. And installing a program like DVBeep can teach a smartphone to say the time aloud.
Car Navigator / DVR
We buy a universal holder for a smartphone, install programs, plug it into the cigarette lighter and you're done. Moreover, the programs can automatically start when the charging is connected, which means when the ignition is turned on. You can choose the proven Navitel as navigation maps, and DailyRoads Voyager as a video recorder. Do not forget to set the screen timeout so that after the ignition is turned off, the screen does not just light up and does not drain the battery.
Travel gadget
If you are into extreme tourism, you can turn your old smartphone into an irreplaceable assistant. Maps, GPS, cameras, communications - all these are available in most devices and can help on the road, as well as keep a new gadget at home intact.
Experimental device
If you have a new smartphone, then the old one may be fine for experimentation. For example, you can try all kinds of new programs and firmware on it without fear of losing any data.
New device
If you have the skills, then you can completely assemble a new device based on an old smartphone, for example, a music center: find / make a case, install a power supply, an amplifier and bring the wires to the speakers. With the proper skill, the work is a little, but the result is excellent: your device will have a set of wireless modules, a touch screen, Internet access with the ability to stream playback, and read almost any format in digital form. An old smartphone can even be used in a homemade microscope with material recording and displaying on a large screen in HD.
Dividing tasks between devices according to their characteristics can greatly optimize your work. Do not limit your imagination, and your old smartphone can find a second life.
