11 useful uses for your old tablet

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Breathe new life into a device you don't want to throw away.

There is one problem with tablets: they quickly become obsolete. This mainly concerns devices on Android, but this nuisance is also not spared on the iPad. Until recently, you used your tablet to its fullest, but now you suddenly found out that the manufacturer does not intend to release a new version of the OS for it. Old programs stop updating, the device starts to slow down, clearly hinting that it's time to go to the store for a replacement.

At the same time, sometimes a paradoxical situation arises: your tablet is still powerful enough for new versions of Android, but there are no updates for it. At the same time, cheaper and less productive new devices work with fresh versions of Android.

Of course, Android tablet owners can try installing custom firmware. Provided that enthusiasts have ported LineageOS or AOSP to your device. If a miracle does not happen, buying a new tablet can not be avoided.

But what about the old one? If you're sorry to throw away your working iPad or Android tablet, here are some ways you can use it.

1. Media center

There are many music and video streaming apps for Android and iOS. In addition, many Android tablets, even quite old ones, are equipped with HDMI connectors for connecting to a TV and mini-jacks for audio transmission. Put it all together and you have a decent media center for those who don't own a SmartTV.

Connect your tablet to your TV, turn on YouTube, Pandora, any streaming service and listen to music, watch videos even on a TV that doesn't have an internet connection.

2. Torrent client

Why not? There are many torrent clients for Android and iOS. In addition, some Android devices allow you to connect external drives via an OTG adapter. Put a few torrents on the download, having previously connected the tablet to the power supply, and here's a ready-made torrent client. Make sure to turn off the battery saver feature, which turns off the internet connection when the screen is off in some versions of Android.

3. Remote control

Many smart TVs, media centers like Android TV, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, or media servers like Kodi or Plex allow them to be controlled via Android or iOS apps. Just install the appropriate app and make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. That's it, now you don't need a remote control.

In addition, there are many applications for remote control of your computer using commands from Android or iOS. So you can control not only your TV and media center, but also your desktop computer via Wi-Fi.

4. Desktop news source

Do you often minimize windows on your computer in the middle of the working day to watch social media feeds or news again? Forget about it. Set up your tablet to show you Gmail, RSS, Twitter, or Facebook all the time. Turn off screen dimming, place your tablet upright on a table using a docking station or bracket, and stare at it whenever you wonder what's happening on the web.

The tablet becomes especially useful if you need to look at something, but you cannot minimize the open window. Some hardcore gamers are adjusting their tablets to show them the temperature of the system using the appropriate application.

5. External monitor

An old tablet will come in handy if you want to get an external monitor, but you won't pay for it. Just install the Android or iOS app and connect your tablet via Wi-Fi or directly via USB to charge it at the same time. Now part of your desktop (albeit not very large) will be displayed on the tablet. Cheap and cheerful.

6. Guest device

When guests ask to connect to your Wi-Fi, that's all right, but what if they want to connect to the Internet and have forgotten all their gadgets? You don't have to give them your personal devices - save your old tablet for guests. He certainly won't feel sorry for him. In addition, most versions of Android and iOS have a "guest mode" specifically for this purpose.

7. Webcam

Except when you need a fancy camera that recognizes faces and facial expressions, you can easily get by with a tablet camera. For monitoring the apartment while you are not at home, or video communication is the very thing. Connect the device to the video server on your computer, for example, using this application and record the image from the camera. Feel like Sam Fisher.

You can also turn your old tablet into a video calling device by installing Skype or one of its alternatives. Such a thing can be useful to your retired parents if they do not want to buy a full-fledged laptop, but they want to be in touch.

8. Home weather station

Do you live in a private house outside the city? You can, of course, spend money on smart gadgets like a thermostat or a barometer with a Wi-Fi connection, but why if an old tablet can show you the weather, temperature, barometric pressure and moon phases?

Hang the gadget on the wall, connect the charger, turn off the dimming of the display and expand any weather application or widget to full screen. Fortunately, there are so many of them in Google Play and the App Store that there is nowhere to go.

At the same time, set up your "weather station" so that it beeps if it is going to rain - so you will have time to bring home the things left on the street. And in addition, it can be used as an alarm clock.

9. Game console

Even the oldest and lowest-powered Android tablets and iPads are still dozens of times more powerful than older consoles. So why not take advantage of this? Install any emulator of your choice and play the hits of your childhood.

And if you find a compatible gamepad for the tablet and connect the gadget to the TV, you can fall out of life for several hours.

10. Navigator for the car

On the way to work, you probably dock your smartphone in the car dock to listen to music or check which streets are better for getting around traffic jams. For the same purposes, you can adapt an old tablet, and you do not have to worry about leaving it in the car for the night. Tablets with small screen sizes, such as the Nexus 7, are best suited for this.

You just don't need to watch TV shows when you are driving. Please.

11. Alternative to a smart speaker

Your old tablet can do pretty much the same thing as a smart speaker. You can install Alice from Yandex or any other voice assistant of your choice and get a budget replacement for the acoustics. Yes, the tablet, unlike the speaker, does not have a 360-degree speaker or advanced microphones. But such a device costs less, because you already have it.