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What to do with an Extra Smartphone?

by Joe Mobley
5 replies
  • OFF TOPIC
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You know the story...

Dropped my cellphone.

Everything works but the lens is cracked.

Replaced and moved the cell service to new phone.

Now, I have an extra Android phone that works and is not to old.

I want to "do" something with it, as in not give it away or sell it.

Per Tim Phelan's suggestion, I have loaded a running app. He is right, it is very motivational.

Here are notes after a quick Google search;

Backup device, other phones, PC.
Digital clock.
VOIP - Skype, etc.
Network sniffer.
Lollipop.
GPS with downloaded maps. ?Navfree
Dedicated server

[Comments from a website post.]

A few things to add:

1. Use your smartphone as a low end HTPC/home media streaming device (if it supports HDMI out/is an iPhone). Easy to set up, if on android, just search the market for a UPnP [see: lifehacker] or DLNA [see: lifehacker {also useful info for UPnP}] app. Once connected, load your computer with your favorite UPnP/DLNA server application (i use TVersity, but I've heard good things about PS3 Media Server as well. With android, you'll likely need a micro HDMI-to-HDMI cable, and with an iPhone, you'll need this or this, as well as an application that allows for video out, or, if you're jailbroken, TVOut2Mirror, TVOutTuner, TVOut, AirPlay Mirror, etc. ad nauseum.

2. Use your smartphone as a torrent box. For android, see this search (i prefer aDownloader), and for jailbroken iPhone, see this article (yes, there are others, but i am too lazy to find them at the moment).

3. Use your smartphone as a dedicated WiFi media streaming device (similar to 1, but with media from internet sources, not your own library). I use an old blackberry - which is hardly a smartphone - to simply stream pandora to a cheap speaker tower in my bedroom whenever i'm in there. Whenever i turn on the lightswitch, it sends power to the powerstrip connected to the speakers and blackberry charger. I have the battery removed from the blackberry, so that as soon as the power is turned off, it shuts down. When the power is turned on, the phone boots, and i have it set to auto-launch pandora. The phone is hidden underneath my bed, and if i want to edit the station, i simply log in on the computer and modify it to my liking. Instant (well, near instant) and free personal, customized radio at the flip of a lightswitch. For android or iOS, similar could be done...auto launching an application is easy on android (without any software, even! - but if you must, just search the market for autostarts of startup manager), but for iOS, i'm 97.62% positive you'd have to be jailbroken...even then i don't know exactly how to go about it (help?).



IPWebcam
Do you have any ideas? Thoughts?


Joe Mobley
  • Profile picture of the author Dan Riffle
    Use it as a remote control for your entertainment center? Depending on the model, it may have an infrared port. If not, there might be apps in the Play store for your specific models.

    Turn it into a security camera: https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...com.pas.webcam

    You know all of those back issues of Vintage House and Home on top of your toilet? Toss 'em out and leave the phone instead for entertainment while you do your business.

    Keep it in your car or travel bag in case of emergencies. You can still use it to call 911 and you'll have it as a back up in case your new phone unexpectedly gives up the ghost.
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    Raising a child is akin to knowing you're getting fired in 18 years and having to train your replacement without actively sabotaging them.

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    • Profile picture of the author AprilCT
      You sure are agonizing over what to do with the extra phone. It would save you a whole lot of trouble if you'd just send it to me and be done with it.
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      • Profile picture of the author Joe Mobley
        Originally Posted by AprilCT View Post

        You sure are agonizing over what to do with the extra phone. It would save you a whole lot of trouble if you'd just send it to me and be done with it.
        You need a cell phone?

        And what would you do with it?


        Joe Mobley
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        Follow Me on Twitter: @daVinciJoe
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        • Profile picture of the author AprilCT
          Originally Posted by Joe Mobley View Post

          You need a cell phone?

          And what would you do with it?


          Joe Mobley
          I'd call you to thank you and tell you some good Claude jokes.
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          • Profile picture of the author lanfear63
            Originally Posted by AprilCT View Post

            I'd call you to thank you and tell you some good Claude jokes.
            PM me some samples please. I do buy in bulk and can send cash via Western Union.
            Signature

            Feel The Power Of The Mark Side

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