[NJTechDiv] smart ways to use your older smart phone

Mon Jul 8 20:43:39 UTC 2019

How is it going there my friend?

From: Linda Melendez via NJTechDiv
Sent: Monday, July 08, 2019 4:33 PM
To: New Jersey Technology Division List
Cc: Linda Melendez
Subject: Re: [NJTechDiv] smart ways to use your older smart phone

On Mon, Jul 8, 2019 at 12:51 PM Jane Degenshein via NJTechDiv 
<njtechdiv at nfbnet.org> wrote:

  I got this today from Rita’s  idevice advice
  and thought you may find it educational
  Smart Ways to Reuse Your Old iPhone:  Rita's iDevice Advice for July 9, 
2019

  There has been a lot of discussion on the list about older iPhones and 
older iOS Devices (Such as the iPhone 5 series and some iPhone 6 models) 
will not be able to be updated to the latest iOS software13.0.

  I found this information and thought it might be useful.  These are just a 
small number of suggestions of the ways that you could continue to use an 
older iDevice, even after you have purchased the latest model.

  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.

  A DIGITAL CAMERA:  If your old smartphone has an 8-megapixel camera or 
higher on the back, 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.

  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/>

  You could spend lots of money on a dedicated baby monitor, or you can use 
your old iPhone. Apps like Cloud Baby Monitor are specialized to the task, 
providing excellent live video, two-way communication, boosted audio, motion 
alerts, and more. Cloud Baby Monitor Cloud Baby Monitor works with all your 
Apple devices.

  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 <http://www.presencepro.com/> 
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.

  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 
<https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=cooking+videos> . There are a 
number of recipe apps, including HotPot 
<http://download.cnet.com/HotPot-Recipe-Manager/3000-2056_4-75702161.html> 
and BigOven <http://www.bigoven.com/mobile> , that can help with a big 
family dinner, while apps like How to Cook Everything 
<http://www.howtocookeverything.com/>  guide you through the process of 
making fresh pasta. With note-taking apps like Evernote 
<https://evernote.com/>  and Google Keep <https://www.google.com/keep/> , 
you can sync shopping lists across all of your smart devices. You can also 
use Siri or Google Now to set timers.

  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 device on 
your next road trip.

  Use it as a Skype station:  Wi-Fi and a desktop dock or stand to make 
video and voice calls to your family and friends. If you have an iPhone 5 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.

  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>

  to read books on your device. You can even download apps like Pocket 
<https://getpocket.com/>  or Instapaper <https://www.instapaper.com/>  to 
read articles you saved from your favorite websites to read later.

  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 
<https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/nite-time-simple-night-clock/id573922482?mt=8> 
and Night Clock 
<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=comneddashfox.nightclock&hl=en 
<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.neddashfox.nightclock&hl=en> 
 > , that are simple and reliable, while apps like WakeVoice 
<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=comadnfxmobile.wakevoice&hl=en 
<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.adnfxmobile.wakevoice&hl=en> 
 >  and Alarm Clock HD 
<https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/alarm-clock-hd/id441922503?mt=8>  can give 
you weather updates and the latest news when you awake.

  Sell or donate it:  Just because you did not trade in your old iPhone when 
you got a new one doesn't mean it has no value. Perhaps you should consider 
donating your old phone to a worthy cause? Cell Phones for Soldiers recycles 
and refurbishes phones and then uses the proceeds to buy prepaid 
international phone cards for active service members overseas. Secure the 
Call refurbishes old phones as 911 emergency-only devices for Domestic 
Violence Centers, Senior Citizen Centers, Police, and Sheriff departments. 
The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence works with Cellular 
Recycler to turn your old phone into cash that it uses to help prevent, and 
help victims of, domestic abuse. If you just don't want to use your old 
phone, don't let it go into a landfill or sit in a drawer when it could do 
some good in the world. These and many other charities have phone donation 
programs, and a quick web search will surely find a cause that appeals to 
you.

  Make it a dedicated music player:  You don't need an active cell 
connection to make use of your old iPhone. Just connect to Wi-Fi and use it 
as a dedicated music streamer for Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, or whatever 
else you like. Typical old phone problems like poor battery life, a 
disappointing camera, or a less-than-stunning display matter a lot less when 
your phone is plugged in at home, pumping out tunes over a Bluetooth 
speaker.

  Pop your SIM card out of your old iPhone and you've got a really nice iPod 
touch. Turn it into a kids entertainment device Similarly, kids are 
forgiving about not having the latest gadget. Download some kid-friendly 
games or episodes of their favorite shows or movies, and use it to keep your 
toddler transfixed. Without an active cell connection, you will want to make 
sure you pre-download anything you need to, and be sure to use Screen Time 
to set appropriate limits.

  Make it an Apple TV remote:  If you have an Apple TV, you may prefer using 
the TV remote (either via the Control Center, or Apple TV Remote app ) over 
the physical remote that came with the Apple TV. The larger swipe surface 
and expanded controls are preferred by some, and of course, it's sometimes 
easier to find content on your phone and use AirPlay thanks to a proper 
keyboard. Some people prefer the TV Remote app to the physical Apple TV 
remote. Consider leaving your iPhone in your living room as a permanent 
Apple TV remote. Just make sure you have an easy way to charge it, because 
the battery won't last for months like the Apple TV remote will.

  Make it a permanent car, bike, or kitchen fixture:  Lots of people mount 
their phone in the car to use map navigation or stream music. An old phone 
can be left in the car as a permanent car entertainment device just be sure 
you can easily hide it when you park somewhere public, so as not to entice 
thieves. If you always mount your phone in your car, maybe you should 
leaving your old one in there permanently. The same goes for mounting it to 
your bicycle handlebars, or making it an impromptu GoPro recorder for your 
bicycle helmet. You would be a lot less squeamish about risking your old 
phone in situations where it might bet banged up. Your phone can be a great 
kitchen companion, too. Timers, recipes, using Siri for conversions but it's 
not easy to keep it clean. Your old phone can be your permanent kitchen 
phone, one you won't mind getting a little sauce on. For the phone or bike 
applications, you might want to consider getting a data-only SIM for 
up-to-date mapping data and streaming music while you are on the go. 
Downloading everything ahead of time on your home Wi-Fi will only get you so 
far.

  Turn it into your bedside assistant:  Your old iPhone might find perch as 
a permanent resident of your nightstand. There are plenty of good 
nightstand-oriented clock apps on the App Store. Add in SIRI's simple 
alarm-setting capabilities and a noise generator app, and you will have a 
great bedside companion. Of course you can do all of this stuff with your 
new iPhone, but why clutter it with apps, constantly plug and unplug it, and 
set it up every single night when your old iPhone will do everything you 
need? The iPhone you keep on your bedside table won't require a SIM card, 
just Wi-Fi access. And since its plugged in all the time, you don't need to 
worry about battery life, either.

  _._,_._,_

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  _._,_._,_
  Keep Smiling,
  Janie Degenshein
  Happiness isn't having what you want, but wanting what you already have!
  Facilitator of ECHO (Eyes Closed Hearts Open)
  state affiliate board member
  President of the senior division of the National Federation of the Blind 
of New Jersey
  President of the Technology division of the National federation of the 
Blind of New Jersey
  NFBNJ Newsline co-ordinator
  jdegen16 at comcast.net

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-- 

With Warmest Appreciation

Linda Melendez, First Vice President
National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey
President, NFBNJ Sports and Recreation Division
732 421 7063
lindamelendez220 at gmail.com

The sky is the limit and you are stronger than you think you are. Come out 
of your comfort zone and become the best version of yourself possible – Live 
the life you want; you got this!

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