Ways to put your old smartphone to use

In the smart age of technology, the smartphone has come a long way.

Smartphones have evolved from the traditional handset with basic features of calling & texting, to so much more. Every year, the smartphone makers introduce new features & design that transforms the gadget forever.

As these smartphones evolve year on year, it leaves us with almost invalid phones in hand. As we upgrade to better smartphones, we wonder what we can do with the old ones.

Here are a few tricks that can keep your old smartphone alive and kicking:

VR Headset

Thanks to Google Cardboard & a multitude of third-party DIY Virtual Reality headsets, some costing as low as 500, you can convert your old smartphone device into VR device for videos & games.

Security Cam

 You can install your old smartphone as a security camera either at home or your office. There are a number of IP apps like IP Camera, TeamSpeak, iCamSpy & SalientEye that basically integrate your camera & your wi-fi connection & the live feed can be monitored from through the app on your new smartphone.

Dedicated VoIP Calling & Video-conferencing

 Just because you’ve removed your SIM from the old phone, doesn’t make it any less functional for calling or video-conferences. With Wi-Fi access, you can still use your old smartphone to make voice & video based calls. You can use Skype / Viber / Whatsapp / Facetime to get cracking.

Media Player

Your old smartphone can undoubtedly be used as an in-home media player. Link your phone to your Smart TV through an MHL adapter or a Chromecast dongle to play videos or browse the internet. You can connect to an audio player via Bluetooth & play music from your media card or stream it.

Universal Remote Control

Imagine converting your old smartphone into a TV remote, and not worry about those buttons going bad! Yes, you can download from a host of apps like Android TV Remote, Peel Smart Remote, Universal TV Remote, IR Universal Remote.

Gaming Controller

Convert your old smartphone into a dedicated gaming device. Expand the phone’s external memory capacity & begin downloading your favourite games. With some really awesome motion-controlled & high-resolution games available on mobiles markets, this turns out to be a cheaper alternative to the Playstation & the Xbox.

In-Car GPS Device

Get your car hooked with your old smartphone & download maps for offline use. You’re good to use your phone as a navigation device. Some of the best offline maps are available on apps like HERE & Google Maps. You can also use the phone for in-car entertainment.

Digital Photo Frame

 If your old phone has a big display screen, it can be efficiently reused as a digital photo frame. Load your favourite snaps & turn on the slideshow. You can use the native image viewer for images on your phone or you can download Dayframe and exhibit your pictures from your social media accounts by linking them. Now ain’t that an ambient experience?

Wireless Trackpad For Computer

Fancy sporting your tech-savvy side while presenting to your bosses? You can use your phone as a trackpad for your laptop by linking the both, your laptop and phone through the Wi-Fi connection. Download Gmote 2.0 on both your devices & link them. Go ahead.

Desk Calendar / Alarm Clock

You can use your old smartphone as an interactive alarm clock with timely alarm clock. Or you can turn it into a desk calendar-cum-organizer. You can use Google Calendar or try Any.do in which you store your to-do tasks & upcoming meetings where the entries are synced across devices.