Collaborative Post
What do you do
with your old mobile phone that’s been gathering dust in your drawer, storage
box or garage?
Good question.
Truth is, you can still use old smartphones that are way past their prime. Here
are 5 of the best ways to get started.
1. Put Your Phone Up For Sale
Turn your
smartphone into quick cash by listing it up for sale on the internet.
Test the device
first and see if it works. Hold the “on” button and see if it powers
up. Then, plug in the charger and any accessory. Your old cell phone can still
fetch a tidy sum if you have the box, manual and cables along with the unit.
Post your old tech
up for sale on Facebook, Craigslist or eBay. Upload a clear photo so interested
individuals can take a closer look. Include a helpful description regarding its
condition and hardware specifications, for example. Wait for the perfect offer
to come up and you’ll have your device exchanged for money.
Recycling sites
such as Plunc can give you a reasonable quote for used tech. Fill
up a form online, then send the gadget in. Once they receive the item, you’re
immediately given the payment.
2. For Backup Purposes
Smart phones are
usable as long as they can still make a call, download an app or browse the
internet. If your phone can do any of these, then you can use it as a sort of
backup when your primary device fails.
Power up your
phone, give it a full charge and activate its network. Keep it within easy
reach, such as your locker, glove compartment or bag and charge it up once or
twice a week. You’ll rest easier knowing that you have a backup phone that can
call, send a text or give you directions when your main smartphone’s battery is
dead.
Do you have a son
or daughter that doesn’t have a phone yet? Give them your old cell and you’ll
have a line between you at all times. If it’s an old model, teach them how to
initiate a call or how to send an SMS.
3. Turn It Into A Cool New Gadget
The beauty of
mobile phones is that they can be made into a specific device, for example a
radio, a remote control, a dedicated music player, eBook reader and others.
Music Player. Slot
in an expansion storage, add your favorite playlist and you can have a music
player. Download your preferred streaming app or music subscription service and
connect the phone to a speaker system. Plug it to a static charging dock or a 2-in-1
Bluetooth speaker and dock and turn it on for a wonderful acoustic experience.
eBook Reader.
Access the Play Store or App Store and download a suitable e-Reader app.
Sideload some books and open it up when you’re in the mood for some reading.
For added value, you can also download podcasts or audiobooks and listen to
them on the go.
VoIP Device. Do
you do a lot of Facetime or video calling for work? A dedicated VoIP device
will keep you from seeing a “low battery” phone at the end of the
day. Get your old smartphone and affix it to a nearby Wi-Fi area and a charger,
and your primary phone will never run out of power again.
Remote Control. TV
and set-top box manufacturers have apps that turn any smartphone into an extra
remote. You can go on Play Store or the App Store and get these for free (or
for a nominal price) so you won’t have to spend a long time searching for the remote.
4. Donate Your Old Phone
Donating your old
tech for a good cause is a great option if you have more than one old device.
Visit the local hospital, charity organization, school, library or goodwill
centers and hand your item as a gift. You can be sure they’ll put it to good
use.
5. Recycle And Help Reduce E-Waste
Recycling your old
gadgets is the most responsible thing you can do to save mother earth. Don’t
just throw it in the bin or it will end up in a landfill and pollute the
environment. Give it to recycling centers and they’ll be able to extract
valuable materials and dispose of it in a proper manner.
Remember, you can always sell your phone for cash, donate it to charity or re-purpose it into a new device. Be responsible and you’ll save the environment in your own special way.
