MP3 participant, sprint cam, and extra

It’s miles too straightforward to purchase a brand new gadget quite than repurpose those you have already got. I do know it as a result of I’ve achieved it. Within the spirit of decreasing waste and saving cash, although, think about what your outdated tech can do for you. Android phones, due to Google’s cellular working system and the {hardware} developments within the final 5 years, are surprisingly versatile instruments, and should you’ve obtained one mendacity round, it would be capable to be repurposed into one thing much more useful.

Whether or not it is a mid-range cellphone just like the Pixel 7a and even an outdated flagship, the openness of Android compared to iOS means that you will have extra distinctive app choices to select from and a a lot simpler time shifting recordsdata on and off your machine. These are the type of issues which are crucial for constructing your cellphone’s second life as an entire different type of gadget.

If you happen to’ve upgraded and don’t need your outdated Android cellphone to go to waste, otherwise you’d identical to slightly challenge that will not price you an excessive amount of to finish, listed below are some methods you should use your outdated cellphone.

1 Flip your Android cellphone right into a retro sport console

Emulation is straightforward

One of many best and most rewarding methods you should use an outdated smartphone is by changing it right into a sport console. The Google Play Retailer is filled with emulators masking all the most well-liked consoles, whether or not its Retroarch for traditional consoles or PPSSPP for the PSP, and getting sport ROMs onto an Android cellphone is normally simply so simple as plugging your cellphone into your laptop and dragging recordsdata over or doing the identical factor with its microSD card.

You won’t essentially have the ability play your whole favorites, however even the restricted processing energy of a mid-range Android cellphone must be sufficient to run loads of traditional Nintendo SNES or Sega Genesis video games. And for the very best expertise, you should buy a controller attachment for extra satisfying enter on the go or, if it helps it, connect your phone to your TV and play video games on the large display.

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2 Convert your Android cellphone right into a webcam

Put that digicam to make use of

Smartphone cameras are drastically higher than they was, and an excellent step above a budget webcams you will discover on most reasonably priced laptops or all-in-one computer systems. If you happen to’ve obtained an outdated cellphone mendacity round anyway, why not put it to work as a greater than ample substitute?

There are just a few methods to go about doing this, however the choice that ought to work with nearly all of Android smartphones on the market (operating android 7.0 and up) is an app referred to as Reincubate Camo. If you happen to obtain Camo in your Mac or Home windows machine and in your Android machine, after which join the 2, you will have a helpful 720p webcam prepared in minutes (making the most of different options like Portrait mode or 4K video prices further).

If you happen to personal a Pixel 6 and up, you may as well do one thing related without spending a dime. As of Android 14, Pixel gadgets related to a pc can be utilized as a webcam over a wired USB-C connection. You simply plug in your Pixel, faucet on the on-screen “Charging over USB“ immediate, then faucet on “Webcam,” and you have to be good to go. It is not as seamless as Continuity Digicam on the Mac, however you should use this Pixel model in additional locations.

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3 Use your Android cellphone as the final word distant

Forged video and management playback

In relation to streaming video in your front room, we’re spoiled for selection. Whether or not it is the built-in apps in your good TV or a slick new streaming box, you are certain to have a variety of your bases lined. However can you actually afford to place an $129 Apple TV 4K in each room that has a TV? Enter your outdated Android cellphone, which, due to the proliferation of the Google Forged protocol, is all of the streaming machine you actually need. Load up the cellphone along with your favourite subscription providers, be sure it is on the identical Wi-Fi community and begin casting all the pieces you need to watch. Most streaming apps will allow you to management playback in case you could fast-forward, too.

If you happen to’re searching for a extra conventional distant management expertise, your cellphone also can make for a helpful substitute in a pinch. Distant apps exist for telephones with IR blasters, and should you use a well-liked platform like Roku, you may normally download a companion app and get distant management over your streaming field or TV.

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4 Make your Android cellphone into an iPod substitute

Native media, streaming, and extra

As a lot as I might prefer it, we’re not more likely to get an MP3 renaissance anytime quickly. That does not imply you should not profit from the devoted media participant life-style, although. Having a tool you simply use for listening to music or audiobooks removes distractions and retains you from scrolling in your cellphone. Changing your Android cellphone into an iPod or Walkman requires eradicating or hiding all of the apps you do not want and downloading both music streaming apps, should you plan on with the ability to periodically connect with the web, or an area media participant like Musicolet in case you have a music library of your individual you need to put in your new MP3 participant.

You’ll be able to repeat the method in case you have an audiobook service you subscribe to, however as soon as you’ve got downloaded all the pieces you want, you actually needn’t have Wi-Fi on except you are downloading new songs or books. For further nostalgia, in case your cellphone has a headphone jack, you should use wired headphones.

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5 Mount your Android cellphone in your automobile as a touch cam

Seize the view out of your dashboard

In the identical method an outdated Android cellphone can work properly as a webcam, it may well additionally make for a fairly good sprint cam should you want further peace of thoughts whereas driving a rental automobile or taking an extended highway journey. There are dozens of sprint cam apps on the Google Play Retailer, however your only option shall be one like Droid Dashcam, which overlays particulars like your present pace on the movies you report. It requires an in-app buy to unlock all its options, however that is nonetheless cheaper than going out and shopping for a devoted sprint cam.

As soon as you’ve got picked out an app, you will desire a automobile mount that’ll allow you to place your cellphone with an excellent view of the highway and in a method that you would be able to nonetheless cost it whilst you’re driving. With each of these taken care of, in case your cellphone has expandable storage, you may need to put money into a microSD card so you are not recording to your cellphone’s built-in storage.

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6 Use your Android cellphone for work

Preserve enterprise calls separate

Your work may already allow you to use your private smartphone for easy duties like authentication and electronic mail, however there will be actual benefits to having a wholly separate cellphone for work. Not solely can you retain the distractions of your private life separate from the chaos of labor, however it may well additionally prevent the difficulty of coping with something associated to work once you’re achieved for the day.

Use your outdated Android cellphone as your new work cellphone. Load it up with Microsoft Groups or Slack. Log in to any of your work accounts. Possibly even join an affordable Google Fi Wireless plan should you assume you’d profit from having a piece quantity to provide to colleagues or enterprise companions. You’ll be able to take pleasure in all the advantages of separating enterprise and pleasure with out having to spend an additional dime.

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7 Flip your Android cellphone right into a devoted testing machine

Attempt beta software program and apps

Utilizing in-development software program will be dangerous for each your private data and your gadgets. Betas can crash, they’re extra susceptible from a safety perspective, and so they’re usually a lot tougher in your cellphone’s battery than remaining, public software program releases. However they’re additionally a variety of enjoyable to strive.

Relatively than run the most recent software program in your day by day driver, take a look at out the leading edge in your outdated Android cellphone. If it was not too long ago launched, it ought to be capable to run them, and you will get a glimpse into what new options are coming quickly.

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8 Convert your Android cellphone right into a devoted e-reader

Preserve your books in your pocket

It will not be as pleasing because the E Ink display and devoted web page flip buttons as a Boox Palma, however turning your outdated Android cellphone right into a devoted e-reader will not less than get you within the ballpark of the viral phone-shaped e-reader. Like turning your cellphone into an MP3 participant, the secret is being choosy along with your apps. In case your e-book library lives in Amazon or Rakuten’s ecosystem, there are Kindle or Kobo apps you may obtain (the Kindle app even permits you to use your cellphone’s quantity buttons to show pages), however the Libby app can get you fairly far too.

Libby is designed round trying out library e-books, nevertheless it’s a fairly strong e-reader and audiobook participant in its personal proper. If you happen to’re seeking to save articles for later and skim them, you may as well load up an app like Pocket or Readwise Reader in your Android cellphone for much more choices. The world is your oyster, so long as you allow the social media and messaging apps out of the image.

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