Upgrade opportunities abound these days, and according to recent statistics many people in the US have gotten used to upgrading their phones and other mobile devices on a yearly schedule. That probably isn’t surprising to anyone reading this. A new color option or a bigger screen is sometimes all it takes to make an otherwise perfectly good device feel totally lame.And while access to new technology is good, the potential for e-waste that is a natural consequence of our upgrade-obsessed culture is not. By some estimates, the amount of e-waste already being generated is substantial– the US is the world leader, but the EU and China aren’t far behind.
Chances are that when it’s contract renewal time, most people will opt for the inexpensive upgrade. But that doesn’t mean that older devices are doomed to be dumped. There are lots of very cool uses for old phones and tablets that not only keep gadgets out of landfills, but can also make your life that much better. Here are just a few ideas to get you started.
Media Hub and Controller
First, stop thinking of that tablet or phone as a multi-purpose device and start thinking about how it can specialize. You can turn pretty much any old mobile device into auniversal media hub/controller for video and music systems along with Netflix, Hulu, Pandora, Spotify and YouTube. Tablets and phablets can become portable media stations – add a stand for use on kitchen counters or an OtterBox if your device will end up in the playroom.
Media Servers, Gaming Gadgets
Plex can turn older mobile devices into functional media servers, and devices with advanced mobile GPUs can become handheld gaming gadgets. Thinking about buying an e-reader? Just wipe an older tablet clean of programs and games you no longer need and download the free Kindle app.
E-Reader and Photo Frame
Don’t waste money on digital photo frames when most tablets and phablets will have better screen resolution. Download the Dayframe app for Android or the Digital Photo Frame for Apple devices, add a frame and mount for a great photo display.
Home Automation
And if you’re excited about the smart home concept, now is your chance to get your feet wet. An old tablet can become a home automation dashboard with the addition of equipment and kits you can find at your local hardware store.Mount the tablet near your front door for a very cool sci-fi style control center that can do everything from control your lights to give you the day’s weather report.
Donate Your Device
Of course, maybe all of the aforementioned uses sound better in theory than in fact and you’d prefer to get your old device out of the house. In that case think about donating your outdated device to one of a number of charitable organizations that use old electronics to do good. Secure the Call and similar non-profits put free emergency-only mobile phones into the hands of the populations who need them most. Glyde Donate, on the other hand, lets you donate an old smartphone or tablet to benefit a wide range of non-profit organizations that sign up for their signature fundraiser. Or keep your device but let someone else use it – the free BOINC app lets scientists around the world harness its computing power.
With all of the incentives out there it’s hard to resist those regular upgrades. Carriers encourage them and having a shiny new device to play with is just plain fun. But as the above suggestions demonstrate, upgrading doesn’t have to mean contributing to a growing mountain of e-waste. Your old device still has a lot to give!
About the author:
Jennifer Thayer is a technology writer who enjoys writing about gadgets, apps and the latest tech news. Follow her on Twitter.
