If your Android tablet can’t take it anymore, isn’t working, or you just want to get rid of it, it might be time to reset it. If, on the other hand, it works, don’t throw it away: recycle your tablet and give it a second life. Here you have a bunch of great ideas to squeeze your old android tablet that can give you a lot of joy.
Like a digital photo frame
A simple solution for take advantage of its large screen is to transform it into a digital photo frame. Granted, assuming it’s an old tablet, its screen resolution won’t be the best, but neither will cheap digital frames.
It’s as simple as set it to display a slideshow from Google Photos, Flickr or photo services in general. If you are looking for something more specific, Fotoo or Digital Photo Frame Slideshow serves precisely that. In the end, it’s having the photos you want within the application, placing a support there and giving it a privileged place.
like an alarm clock
Just like some smart speakers with screens are designed to sit on your bedside table, you can do the same with your old Android tablet. And it is that although the popular Timely has already closed, there are alternatives to start the day with joy.
In addition to Google Clock (which you can integrate with Spotify by the way), you can try Mornify which includes its own songs and sets them by day or Timy Alarm Clock for people who tend to turn off their alarm accident. Again, you will need support.
like a weather station
A support and an application are enough to transform your old tablet into a weather station in color to know the weather forecast for the next few days.
Although the color opti on is a pro, there are surely those who opt for a more classic aesthetic: for them the traditional appearance of Weather Station Free. If you prefer something more modern, WhatWeather (4.09 dollars) with many settings to customize the appearance and operation.
As an e-book reader
here yes, you will notice the difference compared to an e-reader screen to use (electronic ink), but hey, it can do the trick occasionally and it’s a way to save you buying another device.
Making the change is very simple, there is also something that works in your favor: most readers are based on android, apps for this purpose are therefore available (and often free). So you just have to download the app you like the most and configure your app to open the default app. Among them you can find Google Play Books for not leaving the great G interface, the very popular Amazon Kindle and its rival Kobo Books or the simple but effective (and ad-free) ReadEra.
as a security camera
While it’s true that phone cameras have evolved dramatically in recent years, that’s not exactly the hallmark of tablets in general and if it’s that old, even worse. However, a more modest goal can outperform in a monitoring scenario and surely it has nothing to envy to many CCTV surveillance devices.
It also has an advantage that works in its favor: being able to upload the content to the cloud immediately, which makes it possible to view from other devices what is happening, but it is not a question of leaving your tablet hidden and record (this can be something specific, but not the norm): there are specific apps like AltHome Camera, Manything, Alfred, Presence or Cawice, the general trend is that they are free but have some paid services (functions and/or storage).
like a baby monitor
And if what you want is keep an eye on your baby (or your pet), the scenario does not change much: there are specific applications to see it live, record and even send alerts in the event of incidents and problems. Some also have a loudspeaker function to be able to talk to them from a distance, ideal for calming down.
This is the case of Dormi – Baby Monitor, with a free version that offers four hours of use per month, Baby Monitor 3G (6.49 dollars) to be able to install it on two devices and use it as a walkie-talkie , the very complete Cloud Baby Monitor (4.99 dollars), Baby Cam free although with advertising, among them.
like a radio
EASY, SIMPLE AND FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY: If you love radio, listen to it anywhere by installing the TuneIn Radio app with a great advantage: you don’t stick to the FM/AM of the area, but instead you can find and listen to stations from all over the world. There is no doubt that if your favorite thing is podcasts or music in general, you can do the same by installing the best streaming apps.
A bonus over traditional radio that can come from movies if you’re going to listen while cooking or taking a bath: you can use Google Assistant voice commands.
As original iPod player
For Retro lovers who don’t marry Android or Apple: emulates the original iPod experience on your old tablet without having to install anything, since it’s a web player that brings the iconic bitten apple device back to life (yes, even with a substitute for his game ‘Brick’).
All you need is to have internet access, access the browser and visit the website with the player created by Tanner Villarete. From here you can load up your Spotify music library (also works for Apple Music) and enjoy the scroll wheel navigation system.
like a retro console
It’s likely that your console won’t be around to move the most ambitious titles from the Google Play Store, but it surely will be. space left for the great classics which will remind you of your youth. We are talking about must-haves like Tetris, Pac-Man or Prince of Persia.
For that you will only need a good emulator and in Google’s application store there is a good collection, such as Super Emulator – Retro Classic. The icing on the cake, you can connect a controller via Bluetooth (the Stadia one that raises dust is ideal) for a better experience.
Like a remote control for home automation
If you make your home a smart home, you can Turn your old Android tablet into a control station.
Beyond apps like Google Home or Amazon Alexa and the vast device ecosystem and compatibility of Google and Amazon respectively, there are others. third-party services that bring different platforms together. This is the case of SharpTools, useful for SmartThings, Hubitat or Home Assistant and free with the configuration of a 15-command card.
Like a universal remote
If you have an old tablet and a TV with Android TV, you have a remote control additional features and several ways to achieve this, some of them as simple as using Google TV or Google Home and searching for the “TV remote” option. To do this, we will first have to pair them.
There’s life beyond Android TV And if, for example, you have a TV with Fire TV or Roku, by installing the respective Amazon Fire TV or Roku apps, you can do the same once they are set up.
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