8 ways to use an iPhone again - CNET

You can teach an old iPhone new tricks.

Yutaka Tsutano CC / Flickr

The iPhone has been for about 10 years in total , that is, at some point you have upgraded a newer model. (Perhaps some newer models). And if you do with your old cell phone at the end and a question: What should I do?

The most common answer: sell. This is a good way to cover the cost of the upgrade.

However, this is not the only option, and not necessarily even the best. , On the contrary assessment, the reuse of the old iPhone. You might be surprised by some of the services that you can perform.

1. Make like a backup phone

It is a hard truth: The phones are lost, stolen or broken every day. I do not know, but I would in a very serious situation if something happened to my phone.

However, the road would be less serious if I can get my iPhone previous generation. always has access to my calendar, contacts, iMessages and similar (because they are all synchronized) and daily use applications like Facebook, Spotify , Twitter, my password - manager and so on. Really is no better way to save in the short term.

In fact, if you have your new phone (provided that it is not only broken, lost or stolen), you can probably remove the SIM card and back on the old phone, the restoration of voice and data above that repairs.

Of course, you should not keep your old phone in a drawer and leave there in case of a disaster; You can also keep it as low or no cost second line. For example, if there is an unlocked GSM - model, take a FreedomPop card (about $ 13) and returns the SIM level of the base . It offers 200 voice minutes, 500 SMS and 200 MB per month for 4G data - no cost.

For more information on this idea in my post, as put on a backup - phone .

2. Add to a video session more cameras

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CollabraCam

Whether you aim for a wedding, football game, a child, a music video or you-to-win-the-film-festival independent film, nothing better than multiple cameras. When the time to change this, you can mix images from different angles and positions to create an interesting video.

Needless to say, the old iPhone can make a great second camera. (Models from the dating iPhone 4S could record video resolution 1,920x1,080 pixels at 30 frames per second.) Clearly, the storage space as possible to make room for new images and you are good to go.

Better yet, spend $ 4 (AU $ 6, £ 4) in CollabraCam an iOS - application that multiple cameras iPhone / iPhone (up to six) for multi-camera - combines production - Live - Video. It's amazing. In fact, if you start with CollabraCam, I guarantee you start hunting would add to the mix iPhones for the elderly.

3. Used as a baby monitor

Speaking of video, iPhone can idle easily take baby listening service, and may exceed, in fact rival or autonomous products that cost a pretty face.

All you need the cloud Baby - Monitor , an application of $ 4 ($ 6 TO, £ 4) specifically designed for this purpose. In addition to audio and video surveillance (with alert options for both), the application can lullabies and white noise (or even your own playlist) plays to help the baby to sleep. There is a choice of night light (with brightness control!), Audio and more in both directions.

Needless to say, you can from anywhere, enjoy audio / video as long as the iPhone is connected via Wi-Fi. It is quite a return on an investment of $ fourth

4. Used as Video Doorbell

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The canary Flex is a security camera that can withstand the outside.

canary

Dont drown? Remember to put your iPhone on the service door in place. No, do not come to the phone itself; You need Wi-Fi, a webcam, either install outdoors or ringing . Then the phone can serve as a full-time monitor, a living example, a coffee table or night.

For example, can flex Canary is a versatile spirit surveillance camera almost anywhere - even outside. You can also use the video - such as doorbells see Bell Cam August , the video - door station Door Bird , doorbell video ringtone and Skybell video doorbell .

5. Enter the treatment GoPro

Meter old iPhone, which makes a GoPro normally.

speed clip

A final video option: Turn your old iPhone into a GoPro. Again, it's is a solid camera, so all you need is a way to start a video service action. the clip, for example, offers protection holder for your bike, chest and head, all the prices of around 40 to 50 $. Of course, an iPhone is a bit difficult, attached to the head, but still a lot cheaper than buying a separate GoPro treat when.

Whatever the option, which ends with the assembly, proposes eBay cheap for a trigger Bluetooth camera. (They are available for less than $ 03.02). In this way, you can start and stop video recording without having to play with the iPhone uphill.

6. Create a bad Amazon Eco

If you have used an echo of the Amazon, you know the joy of being able to say things like "Alexa, Steely Dan play on Spotify"

Many people forget that the iPhone has a "Alexa" and Siri . (And somehow a real Alexa Base IOS ). Therefore, you can convert your old iPhone in an echo of the classes; only leaves inserted into a space within earshot, then say, "Hey, Siri" invoke a command. (If you need a reminder, here is the complete list of Siri - commands . To this day)

To get even closer to the experience of eco, hold the phone with a high - Bluetooth - speakers . If you are an Apple Music user can use Siri songs, playlists, and the like (podcasts, if you have the Apple application podcasts). Unfortunately, while it can open for third-party applications such as Spotify, but you can not play them. The only exception is Pandora : say, "Hey, Siri, open Pandora" and the application starts to play, regardless of the final season.

7. Create dedicated a virtual reality device

Use buy any virtual reality device that does not have the lens shift dials.

Battop

For now, Apple seems content to Google (and to a lesser extent, Samsung) smartphone VR fly careful diet. But you may be surprised to learn that an iPhone can serve some fantastic virtual experiences. All you need is a headset and some applications.

Even more surprising: a helmet will not cost much. Amazon, for example, dozens of virtual reality goggles provides order compatible with the iPhone, with prices ranging from $ 20-35. Look for a model that better accommodate users with less than perfect vision fits the width and focal length.

In terms of applications, here is a summary of the best Virtual - Reality - applications for the iPhone and the best virtual - reality - games for the iPhone .

8. Let your bedside

An old iPhone could be the best thing to hit your bedside table and lamp. At this time only one that can serve many purposes:

Night: pm Night disappearance , AU $ 3 $ 5, £ 3) is an interesting option because the screen after a selected interval turns off, but reappears when you touch the screen or move your hand in front of him.

Alarm Clock: Departure iOS new alarm 10 , but the third - party - applications and must not ignore SpeakToSnooze with some interesting possibilities voice control.

Radio - Wake: Radio TuneIn is a good choice because it features alarm and sleep - has timer.

Dedicated E - Reader: iBooks, Kindle, overdrive ... You should not be limited to an application.

Meditation Player: I'm partial to Buddhify, but there are other tens.

Roku Remote - Parts: Released last to date .

white noise machine: not very popular; hits the App Store for many possibilities.

Any other suggestions for an iPhone next to the bed? Or anywhere else, for that matter? Let's hear your ideas for reuse leftovers from your phone.

Editor's note: This article was published on Jan. 28, 2017 and updated was there.

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