What can be done with the old smartphone? How to use an old phone?

Not so long ago, an article was published on the pages of the resource Mobilko.ru on how to use the old tablet after you bought a new one. We will develop this topic and talk about how to use the old smartphone. As a rule, such gadgets become obsolete faster. And we buy smartphones more often than tablet computers. But what can be done with those smartphones that we could not or did not want to sell and who accumulate useless load?

Unlike tablets, smartphones have more miniature sizes. On the one hand, this reduces the scope of the use of these devices after their obsolescence, and on the other, on the contrary, expands. So how to use the old smartphone?

Gadget for sports

If you are engaged in fitness, go to the gym, run, etc. You rarely use your new smartphone. With such active actions, it can be easily dropped. And due to the fact that the smartphones themselves are very fragile, then the fall of such a device can even instantly disable it.

The old smartphone in this regard has one important advantage. If you break it, then this will not become a tragedy for you. Install a fitness application on your old smartphone for which you do not need to go online, download music and go to the gym.

Desktop computer

And you know that your even the oldest smartphone is “smarter than any personal computer of 20 years ago. This can be used for their own purposes. Install a simple operating system on the smartphone, for example, DEBIAN distribution, connect the device to a personal computer monitor and use for surfing on the Internet, a set of texts and for other familiar cases.

On specialized forums on the Internet, you can learn about how to make a mini-PK in more detail from a smartphone. Moreover, for this you do not need to buy the latest models of devices on Windows 10 with the Continuum function or analogues on Android Nugat.

GPS navigator for a car

Of course, smartphones do not have the same large screen as tablets and use it as a GPS navigator is not so comfortable. But, and an old smartphone for this purpose can be needed. It is enough to install a special application and fix the device on the dashboard of the car. Moreover, in the case of an old smartphone, it can be left in a car on an ongoing basis.

DVR

Since it came to cars, the old smartphone can be used as a DVR. To do this, install a special application. For example, Dailyroads Voyage. Fix the smartphone on the windshield and remove what is happening on the roads.

Virtual reality headset

Google not so long ago presented a set of additional reality points for $ 20. This is surprising, but such a kit is made of cardboard, and its main element is a smartphone. But, why spend $ 20 if you make points of additional reality from cardboard at home. The main thing is to find a dense cardboard and fix the old smartphone on it.

Alarm

A clock or an alarm clock is the most banal thing that can be made from an old smartphone. But, if you need such a device, then why not. In Play Market you can find hundreds of applications with various functionality and melodies for creating an alarm.

One of the best free applications of this kind is Morning Routine. Perhaps this is the most beautiful alarm clock for the Android operating system. In addition, this application has a simple and understandable interface and all the necessary functionality.

The user can program after the alarm signal the automatic launch of the applications he needs. If you turn on the old smartphone with such an alarm clock in the smart house, then Morning Routine will not only be able to wake you up, but also turn on the light or make another “work” for a more comfortable morning.

Security camera

As in the case of the tablet, the old smartphone can be used as a screen for a security system. But, if you do not allow you to comfortably use such a device comfortably, then why not apply this gadget as an IP camera.

We download the IP Webcam application and launch it. We set the camera operation settings and set the device where the view is better. We synchronize the old smartphone with a device with a device on which the image will be broadcast and use such a camera for its intended purpose.

Radio or video tank

A smartphone can also be used as a radio tank. Why spend money on the purchase of a device that will be unnecessary after a while? It is enough to install the Dormi or Baby Monitor application on the old smartphone. Then we install the smartphone next to the crib and synchronize such a device with your smartphone, tablet or a role computer.

You need to use an old smartphone without a SIM card for these purposes. Otherwise, a call to him will be able to wake a sleeping child.

Children's toy

If your child is already dealing with electronic gadgets, install developing applications on the old smartphone, load cartoons or children's YouTube channels. For greater protection on such a device, you can install a children's launcher and “put it on” in a rubberized cover.

Phone protective

Perhaps the most practical way to use the old smartphone is to install it in a car to protect against theft. The device must be hidden where the attacker will not see him. In order for such a “secret” smartphone to be constantly turned on, you can periodically check the charge of its batteries. But, if you do not want to mess with him, then include it into the network of your car. There is nothing complicated in this. After that, the old smartphone, which usually does not differ in long autonomy, will constantly be charged. Now it is enough to register it in Google and track it using the services of this company. Apple has a similar service.

Assistance to scientific research

This is fantastic, but the resources of their electronic devices can be “sacrificed” for science. There are several ways to do it. Most often, an open software platform of the Berkeley University is used for this purpose. By including your old smartphone in this program of distributed calculations, you can help humanity in the development of projects in the field of mathematics, molecular biology, medicine, astrophysics and climatology.

Do not ignore this opportunity. Install the official BoINC client or unofficial customers of NATIVEBOINC and AndroboINC on your old smartphone. Run the smartphone and turn it on to Wi-Fi. The capabilities and performance of even the oldest smartphone is higher than the performance of a personal computer 20 years ago.

Smart TV

If your TV does not have a Smart TV function - it does not matter. You can connect an old smartphone by HDMI or USB. A connected smartphone can be used as an external hard drive and viewed films and videos recorded on your device on the large TV screen.

But, with the help of a cheap MHL cable, you can take the desktop of your old smartphone onto the TV screen. Now you can activate the games on the smartphone, YouTube and other applications to view them on the big screen.

Unfortunately, not all smartphones support the display function on HDMI on the external screen, but if your old smartphone has such a function, then why not use it to expand the capabilities of your TV.

Universal remote control

You can make a simple and convenient universal TV control panel, air conditioning and other devices in your house using the ICONTROL application and IR receiver. TVs already have such a receiver, but for other devices you will have to buy it. But, it's worth it. After all, after that, your old smartphone will become a remote control for most devices in your home.

MP3 player

Love to listen to music, but your main smartphone is not enough to download all your favorite tracks? Use this old smartphone for this. Remove all applications from it except the musical player. Swear your favorite music and enjoy it.

This method of using an outdated gadget will help not only better use your music library, but also retain the charge of the main smartphone batteries.

You can expand your music collection due to the online radio Tunein. But, in order for this application to work, a mobile Internet or Wi-Fi network is needed.

And if you connect speakers to your obsolete smartphone, then it can be safely used as a sound system.

Home alarm

To protect your home, you can use the capabilities that the “Mobile Security System” application gives. By installing it on an old smartphone, you can always know what to happen in your house, even when, when you are not there.

This application will help to track everything that happens in the house within the reach of a smartphone. The device will report a dangerous situation with a strong noise or when fixing the movement of traffic in your house.

Using the “Mobile Security System” application about dangerous situations, the home owner will be able to find out by SMS or email.

Firmware testing device

Some users of smartphones on the Android operating system (iOS is not suitable in this regard) can expand the capabilities of their device the way they need it. Of course, you do not need to use a new smartphone for this purpose. Especially if you are a novice geek. In addition, when installing custom firmware on an old smartphone, you can not be afraid for the loss of data.

The Android operating system provides users with great opportunities. With the help of an old smartphone, you can better find out about this OS, configure it as you need and even write a simple application yourself. And in order not to “kill” your main smartphone, use the old one.

3G/4G modem

Almost all smartphones, even the oldest have the function of distributing the Internet on Wi-Fi. In order for your old smartphone to become a new mobile router for you, connect to the tariff of your mobile operator, which allows this opportunity. Unfortunately, today not all tariffs allow you to distribute the Internet to other devices.

It is especially useful to have such a gadget when you go to where there is no way to accept high -speed Internet. For this purpose, turn on the old smartphone, activate the distribution of the Internet on Wi-Fi and enjoy the Internet on the tablet, laptop or other device. It is useful to have such a modem in the country, fishing or during a suburban picnic.

Emulator or retro console

Probably, in childhood, everyone loved to play such prefixes as Dendy, Game Boy, Sega and Nintendo 64. The graphics of such games caused us delight and other positive emotions. Of course, today those games cause a smile and nostalgic feelings. But, if you want to pass the time and remember youth, then why not launch them on your old smartphone. Moreover, he is unlikely to pull the new high -performance games with you.

In order to make a retro console out of your old smartphone, it is enough to install a special emulator program in it.

Video. 5 ways to use the old smartphone