Instead of running into your child's room every time you think you hear crying or a strange noise, check to see if your baby is OK by turning your old phone into a baby monitor.
You can set your old phone up in the room and access it from your current phone by installing Skype on both devices. You can also use a baby monitor app like Dormi (for Android) or Cloud Baby Monitor (for iPhone). We haven't tested them on real babies, but the customer ratings are excellent. You'll feel better knowing that you can be in any room and still see your baby.
Repurposing your Android phone to be a Google Home smart speaker is simple and requires no app downloads. Make sure your phone is updated to the latest Android OS so you have "OK, Google." Next, you'll need to find a Bluetooth speaker to pair your phone with. Make sure both devices stay plugged in and on at all times. You'll be ready to give Google commands in no time. Learn more about what you can do with a Google Home here.
Feel secure by turning your old phone into a home security camera. Download a security camera app, like Alfred (for iPhone or Android) to get started. Check on your house while you're at work to make sure all is well. Place the phone in the main room of the house in a spot where you have the best view.
When you're home, set it up outside (hidden, of course) to see who's knocking on your door or to see any suspicious activity.
Free up storage space on your new phone by using your old phone as a media player. If you have a new phone, you can wipe all the data off your old phone (except your music and music apps).
You'll be able to add as many songs as your old phone will allow without worrying about how much storage you're using. Hook it up to your surround-sound speaker if you're having a party and let the fun begin.
The great thing is you'll be able to leave it in one place and won't have to worry about incoming calls and messages interrupting your tunes.
If your router's wireless signal does not reach to every corner of your home you can end up with a patchy internet connection. It is possible to try boosting the signal to these black spots with a devices called repeaters or range extender.
You can of course go out and purchase such a device [they come in all shapes, sizes and expenses] but why not have a go at using an old phone to see if it can do the job and save a few bob.
Click here to read a NextPit article called "How to use your smartphone as a Wi-Fi repeater" that shows you four different ways that you can go about it.
If your wireless mouse dies on you with no warning you can turn your phone into a mouse in no time. You'll need to download an app, such as Remote Mouse for iPhone or Android, in order to do so.
Once you have the app, connect your phone and desktop to the same Wi-Fi network and say bye-bye to that old-school mouse.