With technology becoming more and more advanced, our old gadgets end up collecting dust on shelves or in drawers. But what if there were ways to give them new life?
Unused technical gadgets: What to do with them
In every home, there are certain devices and appliances that we simply do not use as often as we used to. It could be a phone that has been replaced by a newer model or a tablet or old computer that has collected dust in a closet.
Of course you can sell them or give them away, but why not get a little more creative? There are plenty of ways to reuse your old technical gadgets and give them new life. Either way, you can easily use these old devices in a smart home.
Here are some great ways to reuse your unused technical gadgets and make your smart home even smarter.
Turn your old tablet into a digital photo frame
One of the best ways to recycle an unused tablet is to turn it into a digital photo frame. This is a great way to display pictures of your family and friends, as well as your own personal artwork.
To do this, simply find a photo album app that is compatible with your tablet’s operating system and start creating albums. Once you have set up your albums, you can set the app to display the photos in a slide show format.
Most tablet photo album apps also allow you to set the photo change interval. This way, you can change the images every few seconds or minutes, depending on your preferences.
If you want to be a little more creative, there are plenty of free apps to turn photos into art and paintings. This can add a personal touch to your digital photo frame and make it even more unique.
Turn your old phone or tablet into a security camera
Security cameras are a great way to keep an eye on your home, even when you are not there.
But if you’re looking for a more affordable option, you can turn your old phone or tablet into a security camera. There are lots of apps that allow you to do this and most of them are free to download. If you feel like a techie, you can even build your own security camera system to keep an eye on things.
To turn your phone or tablet into a security camera, simply download a compatible app and follow the instructions. Once the app is configured, you will be able to view the camera feed from your phone or tablet.
Most of these apps also allow you to record footage and even take pictures. This can be a great way to keep an eye on your home while you are away.
The only thing you need to invest in is a phone or tablet bracket. Once you have found a place to place your device so that it has a clear overview of the area you want to monitor, you are ready to keep an eye on your home from anywhere in the world.
3. Turn your old tablet into another monitor
If you often find yourself working at a desk with a laptop, you may want to consider converting your old tablet to another monitor. This can be a great way to increase your productivity and make multitasking easier.
There are plenty of apps that allow you to do this and most of them are very easy to set up. Once the app is installed, simply connect your tablet to your laptop via USB and follow the instructions.
Once the tablet is connected, you will be able to use it as an additional monitor. This can be useful when you need to reference documents or web pages while working on something else.
4. Turn your old phone or tablet into a Smart TV remote control
Tired of losing your TV remote? If you have an old phone or tablet lying around, you can turn it into a smart TV remote control. This can be a great way to keep track of your remote control, as well as add some extra features.
Most TV remote apps for Android and iPhone are very easy to configure. Simply download the app and follow the instructions. Once the app is configured, you will be able to control your TV with your phone or tablet.
Most TV remote apps allow you to control the volume, change channels and even browse your TV’s menu. This can be a great way to control your TV without having to search for the remote.
Use your old computer or laptop as a media streaming server
Streaming music and movies is a great way to entertain guests or relax after a long day. However, if you do not have a streaming device, you can use your old computer or laptop as a media streaming server.
Transforming your old laptop or PC into a Plex media server or any other streaming server is a great way to get more out of it. Not only will you be able to stream media, but you will also be able to easily store and organize your media files.
This can be a great way to get the most out of your old computer or laptop. And it’s a great way to entertain guests with your impressive media collection.
Use your old phone or tablet as a baby monitor
Babies can be a handful, but with a little help you can keep an eye on them while you get things done in the house. If you have an old phone or tablet lying around, you can turn it into a baby monitor.
With a little help from a baby monitor app, you can easily keep an eye on your little one. These apps allow you to view the camera feed from your phone or tablet. You can also use the app to listen to your baby’s crying and cooing.
Most baby monitor apps also allow you to record recordings and take pictures. This can be a great way to capture special moments or keep an eye on your baby while you are away.
Old devices are great smart gadgets for the home
With a little creativity, you can turn your old tech gadgets into smart home devices. These devices can be a great way to save money and get more out of your old devices.
So if you have some old technical gadgets lying around, do not throw them away. Use them well and make your home a little smarter.
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