How to use old mobile phones. What can be done with old phones. Emergency device

Smartphones and tablets have been around for years, which means that you could have changed several generations of devices. More and more obsolete models are collected in the drawers of the table, from which there is usually no use, they only take up space and collect dust.

However, a practical person will be able to find a use for them. An Android device, regardless of age, has considerable potential, so you can breathe new life into them. Tips on how to do this are below.

1. Wireless trackpad and joystick for computer

With the right software and a few minutes of setup, you can turn your old Android device into a controller to control Windows, Linux, or macOS computers.

You will need an app called Unified Remote and a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection. The free version of the application gives you the ability to control the mouse and keyboard, playback of multimedia content and power-related commands. The full version costs $4 and adds individual controls for each program and other advanced features.

You need to download the server software for your computer, after which the device will be ready to work as a wireless controller.

2. Remote computer terminal

If you want to access your home computer from other places, an old Android smartphone or tablet can help. Through its screen you will see the screen of your computer.

The easiest way to do this is to use the free Google Chrome Remote Desktop program, which works with Windows, Linux, Chrome OS and macOS systems. Install the Chrome Remote Desktop app in your browser on your computer and follow the instructions to establish a connection. You can only connect to devices that are signed in to the same Google account. For security, you will need to create a pin code.

When this is done, install the companion app on your Android device, through which, using a pin code, you can connect to your computer's desktop.

3. Universal remote control

Even the oldest Android devices have enough power to function as a remote control at home or at work. This will allow you to control various devices and multimedia components without special devices and free up the main smartphone, which is useful for other things.

First, download the necessary apps on your old smartphone or tablet, such as Nest, Hue, etc. Add tools to manage your audio and video streams. There are several ways:

• Pair your smartphone or tablet with the Google Chromecast keychain. After that, you can keep the old devices on your desk and use them as a hub for wireless content management, such as a YouTube video, which will be displayed on the TV screen.
• Install an app that turns your Android device into a remote control for your TV, set-top box or DVD player. If the mobile device has an infrared sensor, it may have its own programmable application or use the Smart IR Remote program. If there is no infrared sensor, search the Google Play Store for specific control software. Panasonic, Sony, DirectTV, Android TV, etc. have such programs.
• Build a complete media server with Plex, then use your old devices as a remote control to stream local content to your TV. The media server is free, although subscriptions are available for $5 per month, $40 per year, and $120 forever.

4. Scientific research

Old hulking Android devices can contribute to the world's science by helping to predict earthquakes and find cures for diseases. All this can be done within the framework of the program of the University of California at Berkeley called BOINC.

You need to download a free application, select the project you like and set up the device to work with it. As long as the device is turned on, connected to a power outlet and has access to Wi-Fi, scientists from different institutions will be able to use its computing power to analyze data. More information about BOINC projects can be found on Wikipedia. Keep in mind that electricity bills can go up.

5. Security camera

Who needs fancy security cameras when you have an old Android smartphone you don't need. With the help of third-party applications, the camera on your device will allow you to monitor your home, office and any other place. There may even be advanced features like video recording and motion detection.

Download the free IP Webcam app or Pro version for $3.99 and follow the instructions. After that, you will be able to watch through the device's camera and any compatible browser.

6. Video conferencing station

Customize your old Android device with a video chat app of your choice: Skype, Hangouts Meet, Google Duo, or more. Place it in the docking station on your desk and get a permanent hotspot for business meetings and with friends.

If you have enough old smartphones and tablets, you can create a video conferencing system for an entire office. Each device must be assigned to a separate account by cabinet name or username.

7. Kitchen Command Center

Old devices will come in handy not only in the office, but also in the kitchen. You need to use a third party launcher like Action Launcher or Nova Launcher to simplify the home screen and add simple gestures like double tap anywhere on the screen to launch Android voice search. This allows you to work with devices without hands. More modern devices support voice activation and Google Assistant.

Next, you need to place the right applications on the home screen. Netflix (relevant to the US) and other video streaming services will turn your tablet into a TV with a cooking channel. Recipe apps and cloud-connected note-taking services such as Google Keep, Evernote, or OneNote can come in handy. Through them, you can quickly view your own recipes and edit shopping lists with synchronization so that other family members can see.

8. Expanding the possibilities of cellular communication

When using Google Project Fi (which is irrelevant for Russia) as a wireless service for the current smartphone, you can take advantage of a small little-known bonus: get an additional SIM card with the ability to send traffic to other devices without overpayment.

You need to order a card on the Project Fi website, install it in an old smartphone or tablet, if there is a connector, and the device will get online access. You need to pay for the traffic used by the device per month, as in the usual Fi tariff plan, so the auxiliary device will complement the main one.

This opens up a number of interesting possibilities: the old smartphone can be used in case of loss, breakdown or discharge of the new one; you can make it an access point so as not to drain the battery of the main smartphone; give to children make and receive calls through the main or alternative number.

9. Window to the world

You do not have the best view from the window of your office or apartment? Make your old Android device show more interesting landscapes.

First, install the EarthCam Webcams app from the Play Store. It gives access to live broadcasts from cameras from around the world. Select the one you want and click on the full-screen broadcast icon.

There are quite a few cameras on the web specifically for mobile devices. Launch your browser and find the appropriate view.

10. Digital photo frame

Nobody wants to lose valuable memories. Buy an inexpensive stand, plug your tablet into a charger, and turn it into a cloud-enabled photo frame for your home or office.

If you're using Google Photos, open the app, click on any photo in your main library or album, and click on the three-dot button in the top right corner, then select Slideshow. The program will scroll through all available photos, so that in a free moment you can indulge in memories.

11. E-book

Turn off notifications from Gmail and other annoying apps; you can even switch to airplane mode and read without distraction.

12. Desk calendar

You can put the device on the table instead of a calendar. The pre-installed Google Calendar app with productivity-oriented elements will do, and Any.do's free Cal program with a rich GUI is also good.

13. Vehicle command center

Eliminate the need for smartphone distractions in the car by turning an old model into an always-on command center. Find a convenient holder and secure it in a safe place. Plug it into your car's jack and into your stereo speakers (via Bluetooth or 3.5mm headphone jack). Then you can use the main smartphone as an access point to the network, or download music and maps in advance to navigate to the device via Wi-Fi.

Install the Android Auto app and get a simple interface with big buttons and voice commands.

14. Learning tool for kids

An old tablet may look old to you, but by technological standards it is still not bad, so you can give it to children for learning and education.

Tablets running Android 4.3 and later have the Restricted Profile feature. Open Settings > Users > Add user.

Choose to add a restricted profile. You will be prompted to enable or disable access to each installed application, which will give you the opportunity to choose which programs children can use.

If your older device is running Android 7.0 or later (which is unlikely), Google Family Link gives you more control, including time limits and daily activity reports. The program is currently invite-only; you can try to get an invitation on the Family Link website.

15. Electronic clock

Do you want to know the time? An old smartphone in a dock can show a customizable clock on your desktop or nightstand. The Google Clock app is a great place to start, especially if you want to set an alarm. Look for the "Screensaver" option in the "Display" section of the operating system settings so that the clock is automatically shown when the device is plugged into a power outlet.

For even more visual appeal, install the free Timely app, which has been discontinued since it was bought by Google in 2014 but continues to offer quite a lot of advanced functionality.

16. Game device

Put your briefcase aside and take a break while playing. An old Android device is suitable for not the most demanding in terms of graphics and games.

To turn it into a gaming device, search the Play Store for the games you want, you can also download an emulator for game consoles and connect joysticks.

17. Device for emergency situations

Any smartphone is able to call the rescue service, even if it is not connected to the cellular network. Keep the old device charged in the car or in a bag; if something bad happens and a valid smartphone is dead or unavailable, you will still be able to call an ambulance, the police, etc.

18. Test device

Android is a computer enthusiast's dream. Usually the system can be hacked (rooted) relatively easily to gain access to the full list of features. When this is done, you can install additional applications and completely change the firmware of the operating system with other functions and additional settings.

However, this increases the risk of breaking something. If you experiment like this with a basic smartphone or tablet, there is a chance of depriving them of their performance, and besides, rooting usually voids the device's warranty.

All this is not scary on the old device. Try your hacking skills on it; to learn how to root, search the Internet for information on the model name and version of the Android operating system. There is a huge community of Android enthusiasts on the global web, so you are sure to find useful guides for your device.

19. Sell it

The easiest option. What is old for you is new for someone else. For such sales in our country there is a popular Avito website. There you can see what devices other sellers offer and at what price.

Please reset your device to factory settings before selling. You also need to remove the memory cardif one is installed.

20. Gift it

Do you feel generous? You can give the device to friends, relatives or place an ad on the Internet. You can also search for a charitable organization, an orphanage, etc.

It happens that you get a new smartphone before the old one is broken. The reasons may be different - technomania, an increase in work, “I have long wanted a good camera”, “dad, it's my birthday” ... The question is different: where to put the old one? Submit for recycling? Sell? Gift to someone?

Let's say right away that in any case you should not throw away the phone: take pity on the environment, the insides of the mobile phone and the plastic for it. We bring you a list of tech, fun and weird ideas on how to put your old smartphone to good use.

game console

It's easy to connect your Android phone to your TV using the Chromecast streaming service or a USB to HDMI cable. Download an emulator with a selection of your favorite classic console games and enjoy! Apps exist for everything from Super Nitendo to Sega Genesis. As a joystick, any one that works via Bluetooth, for example, from PS3, is suitable.

For training

You can keep using your old smartphone at the gym or jogging. Remove all unnecessary applications, or rather, roll back to the factory settings and install the ones you need again. Pull out the SIM card and in no case log in through Facebook or Vkontakte - and no one will distract you. Download good workout programs and audio player, download your favorite music. And go for a run.

Desktop computer

Why not? Modern smartphones that are sold in Ukraine, for example, on y.ua, are significantly more productive than computers ten or fifteen years ago. In fact, the filling is not particularly different. You can install an operating system from the Linux family on your smartphone, connect a monitor, keyboard and mouse (via Bluetooth or a USB hub), and your computer is ready. Give it to your grandmother, give it to a child to be torn to pieces, or simply put it as a backup - it's up to you.

Navigator

And here's a way to save money: you don't have to buy a GPS navigator if you have an old smartphone. Just install a suitable application or several - MAPS.ME for offline maps, Yandex.Maps - for cases when there is Internet ... At the same time, such a navigator can function as a car radio.

A virtual reality

Have you heard of Google Cardboard? These are virtual reality glasses that are designed to be used with a smartphone as a screen and cost only $20. Well, or half an hour of fuss with an unnecessary cardboard box. Of course, most virtual reality applications are still in their infancy. But it's still very interesting. And you will definitely outrun most of your friends in the "technology race"!

A small note: for applications to work correctly, you need a good gyroscope. Or at least some kind of gyroscope. Before you slaughter your favorite laptop box, make sure your old phone has one.

Alarm

Seriously, who else uses an analog clock these days? And for smartphones, there are an almost endless number of applications with a variety of clocks and alarms. Just add a cheap docking station.

WIFI repeater

Is the signal from the router in the room not reaching the kitchen? Use your old phone as a repeater. You will need to install a special application, for example, fqrouter2 and root rights.

CCTV

A smartphone is not only a SIM card slot, but also a camera! How about a custom home security system? You will need WIFI, some patience and an appropriate application. By the way, the second application is equipped with a motion detector and can, upon noticing a suspicious movement, send you photos to email.

Digital photo frame

To turn your smartphone into a self-scrolling photo album, install an app such as Dayframe and place it anywhere you like. Does not work well on smartphones with small screens. We strongly do not recommend nailing such a photo frame with nails.

Brain for a robot

The fact that every smartphone is a computer in the soul, we have already decided. And the "brain" of the robot is also a computer! So if you were a fan of Asimov as a child, or you are haunted by the laurels of crazy inventors from YouTube, you have great scope for experimentation. By the way, ready-made sets are also sold, but it's not so interesting!

baby monitor

By the way, with the help of an old smartphone, you can watch not only the house during your absence, but also a small child. There are, again, a lot of baby monitor programs. Baby Monitor, for example, can broadcast video and audio, and contains instructions for using the baby. The only problem is that unlike regular baby monitors, the baby monitor is not shockproof and does not tolerate chewing on it, so secure the phone so that the child does not reach it.

Just in case

Get some kind of SIM card with a “calls only” tariff, put fifty hryvnias in it and put the phone, along with a spare battery, in the glove compartment and forget about it. Recharge the battery periodically. A great backup means of communication in case something went wrong or gas ran out at the same time as the money on the main phone.

Donate to Charities

In any city there are organizations that collect clothes and other useful things for children from orphanages. Smartphones in Ukraine fall into the category of "useful things" quite well.

Today we will make quite a working, albeit quite simple in terms of functionality, mobile phone.

Here is a list of the features that our phone will support:

• - Receive and make calls
• - Receive and send SMS
• - Keep a notebook
• - Show time
• - Wake up at the specified time

Why am I doing this project? Partly because it's fun, and partly because, although phones have become ubiquitous over the past 10-15 years, a very small percentage of people guess and understand how they work and how they work. On the surface, they seem complicated, but in fact they are assembled just like an electric kettle or microwave. And since phones are ubiquitous and popular, the world is full of companies that produce the components we need.

After spending a couple of evenings at the computer, I came across places where you could buy all the elements at fairly low prices in small quantities, and you didn’t need additional equipment to assemble them, only your, I hope, skillful hands. I may have oversimplified something, and of course it will take a little effort to assemble the phone, but trust me, assembling it is much easier than getting a degree in physics.

Over the past year, I have collected several versions of such a phone, and used them as my main device. Plus, I held classes with other electronics lovers, in which we also collected different variations of this phone. You do not need to have any special knowledge in electronics, but the ability to configure software, solder small components, have skills in laser cutting - all this will come in handy. Although if you haven’t done this before, try it anyway, but be prepared for the fact that it will be a little more difficult. Although, I would still advise starting a project only if you already have skills in soldering and working with things from Arduino, or you can find someone with experience.

Step 1: Materials and accessories

Well, it seems the device for dialing to the moon is ready :)

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An unfortunate side effect of our high-tech world is the amount of trash of the same name.

When you change mobile phones every two years, the house starts to fill up with old ones.

Here are five cost-effective and useful ways you can use your old phones. No technical knowledge required!

You can use them to call emergency services

Most people don't know this, but even old, disconnected phones are useful in an emergency.

Regardless of whether your smartphone has a SIM card, a call to emergency numbers will pass.

In fact, these calls will be made even in places where there is no cellular reception (because your phone will still "ping" the nearest tower).

You can take an old phone on a hike or vacation. You can take photos with it and contact emergency services in case of an emergency.

Turn your phone into a TV remote

Even if you're not obsessed with the latest technology, you probably have some kind of smart TV set-top box by now.

The use of such digital boxes is possible with the help of a telephone. It depends on the equipment used and the operator. To work, you need to download a mobile application.

With some extra investment, your phone will also be able to control appliances throughout the house.

Use your phone as a baby monitor

There are a number of free apps that turn your phone into a baby monitor.

Of course, you need two phones to apply this technology. This is where the "old man" comes in handy.

Turn it on by launching the appropriate app and you can access the camera anytime from your phone.

Depending on your budget, you can use the free app or paid versions with two-channel audio.

Some apps may also communicate with other gadgets such as motion sensors. It's an investment, but it's still less expensive than a conventional child restraint system.

Some apps will even play soothing music and lullabies.

Make a digital clock

Do you have a room at home where you can't afford to buy a watch?

To find out what time it is, you need to constantly check your phone or go to another room.

Try turning your old phone into a watch. For Android and iOS systems, there are special applications that display live wallpapers with treasured numbers.

And since all smartphones have built-in alarms, your old phone will do just fine with all the functions of a watch.

Use it like a stereo

Here is another cheap way to repurpose your old phone.

All you need is a pair of speakers that plug into it - big or small, depending on your budget.

Music can be played using streaming services.

And voila! Your old phone has become your personal jukebox with access to any song you can think of.

Turn your phone into a security camera

As with a number of previous ideas, this involves downloading a dedicated app - there are several that turn your phone into a video camera.

You will need to connect your phone and place it near the ceiling.

Just like baby monitor apps, many of them support two-channel audio.

You can use your new phone to check home from work.

The article was prepared based on www.shared.com materials.

Today I'm going to show you a cool idea on how to make an alarm out of an old flip phone! #idea#how to make#phone#alarm 00:26 Setting up the phone 00:42 To make an alarm 01:00 Disassembling the phone 02:27 Checking the alarm 02:43 Setting the alarm Dear friends! I think each of you has wondered how to earn more from your YouTube channel. If you want to earn good money on your videos, join the AIR affiliate program! Here is the link: https://goo.gl/Mirj0k http://ali.pub/7w0nx http://ali.pub/l9y0b Magnets: http://ali.pub/oq1u9 Soldering irons: http://ali.pub/bt9hp Group: http://vk.com/experimentshow Author Vkontakte: http://vk.com/elvind My Google+ : ... My Instagram: ... Aliexpress: https://ali.epn.bz/?id=c0b68- a convenient way to monetize traffic for site owners and communities in social networks. Make money online by recommending quality products to your users from one of the best marketplaces in the world! Dear friends! I think each of you has wondered how to earn more from your YouTube channel. If you want to earn good money on your videos, join the AIR affiliate program! Here is the link: https://goo.gl/Mirj0k. If something is not clear to you, please contact me, I will be happy to help. Reed switches: http://ali.pub/7w0nx The cheapest feature phones: http://ali.pub/l9y0b Magnets: http://ali.pub/oq1u9 Soldering irons: http://ali.pub/bt9hp Group: http://vk.com/experimentshow Author Vkontakte: http://vk.com/elvind My Google+ : https://plus.google.com/u/0/+PASLKARU... My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elvingebr...Aliexpress: https://ali.epn.bz/?id=c0b68- a convenient way to monetize traffic for site owners and communities in social networks. Make money online by recommending quality products to your users from one of the best marketplaces in the world! To shoot this video, we used: Sony camera, Samson C01UPRo microphone, ipnone7 phone, Sony Vegas13 video editor. Text: Today I will show you how to make a house alarm from an old phone! With the help of our alarm system, you will immediately know that someone is at your home without your knowledge. A simple security system will inform you by calling your mobile phone. By answering the call, you can even hear what is happening in the room. In most push-button phones, when the button is held down for a long time, the voice mail number is dialed. First you need to set up the phone, go to the settings and change the number. In order to make our alarm you will need an old phone, a reed switch, some wires and a magnet. A normally closed or switching reed switch is suitable for signaling, it is rather difficult to find such a reed switch in the city, so there is a link under the video where you can buy such a reed switch. First you need to disassemble the phone and solder two wires, to the button contact one, after which you need to solder the reed switch to the other end of the wire. Then put the phone back together, and our alarm is almost ready. This alarm can be installed in a closet in the door anywhere. Now I installed our system on the door, so that the magnet was on the door, and the reed switch on the turf opening should be as small as possible. If someone opens the door, then the reed switch will close and the mobile phone will dial. Let's if this video gets 300 likes, then I will completely redo it and make sure that the charge holds at least 3 months. If you liked this video, then share this video with your friends so that everyone can see this video! Tags:UNUSUAL IDEA,alarm, do-it-yourself,how to,iphone7. Music: Tobu - Hope