11 things to do with your old iPhone
AP by by BARBARA ORTUTAY, 09/11/2012
NEW YORK -- In case you haven't heard by now, Apple is
unveiling its latest iPhone on Wednesday. That leaves the question: What should
you do with your old one?
The new phones will join some 244 million iPhones sold since
the first one launched in 2007. Some have been lost or stolen. Some of us are
still hanging on to our old gadgets in some futile attempt to resist the
constant upgrade cycle that technology companies are forcing on us.
But it's fair to say that millions of iPhones are
languishing in desk drawers or gathering dust. Here are a few things to do with
yours to keep it from meeting that fate once you buy the iPhone 5.
1. Give it to your kids so they stop taking yours
Every parent, aunt and uncle knows that no toy in the
history of toys has ever been as appealing to a kid as an iPhone. They are
shiny, they have games and grown-ups use them for important things. More
importantly, they are either off-limits or doled out in limited quantities as a
reward for, say, sitting still for a minute. Load up your old iPhone with games
and give it to a deserving child in your life.
2. Or to your mom so she can finally see the light
Alternately, if a Luddite adult has been thinking of taking
the plunge into the world of smartphones, your old iPhone may help him or her
get over the hump. If you have an iPhone 4 or 4S, you might also find someone
who's still hanging on to an earlier model and give them the gift of an
upgrade. You may just buy a friend for life (or at least until iPhone 6 comes
out).
3. Use it as a teeny-tiny iPad
You'll be able to watch videos, send email and search
Wikipedia for random facts to end cocktail-party disagreements with your
decommissioned iPhone - as long as you have a Wi-Fi connection. There's even a
camera, which means you can avoid being that guy (or gal) at the concert who's
turning heads for taking photos with an iPad.
4. Donate to charity
Several charities accept old phones for donation, though
it's worth remembering that these groups likely won't physically give your old
phones to people in need. Rather, they work with phone recyclers and sell your
donated phones to them.
A nonprofit group called Cell Phones for Soldiers will take
your "gently used" phone and sell it to recycling company ReCellular.
It will then use the proceeds to buy calling cards for soldiers.
The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence works with
another recycling group in a similar manner. About 60 percent of the phones it
collects are refurbished and resold. The money goes toward supporting the coalition.
The remaining 40 percent of the phones are recycled, according to the group's
website. It pays for shipping if you are mailing three or more phones.
There are a few more suggestions from New York's Department
of Environmental Conservation at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/8818.html
5. Alarm Clock
Do you still use that old radio alarm you bought for your
college dorm room in the 20th century? Join the 21st century by turning your
old iPhone into an alarm clock. Hide it in a different spot in your bed each
night for an added challenge.
6. Sell, sell, sell!
Join the eBay hordes and sell your phone for a few hundred
bucks if you can. There will likely be a flood of the gadgets soon after people
start getting their new phones, so it might make sense to wait a little.
A company called Gazelle, meanwhile, will make an offer for
your old phone based on its condition, your phone carrier and other
information. A 32 gigabyte iPhone 4S on Verizon Wireless, for example, was
recently going for $237 if it's in good condition and $90 if it's broken.
http://glyde.com/ also offers to help you resell your old phone.
A recent check showed the above 4S getting roughly $325 to $350 after fees are
deducted - provided there is a buyer. A "speed sale" that guarantees
to sell it in seven days will get the seller slightly less money.
7. Trade in at GameStop
The video game retailer offers cash or store credit for old
iPhones (along with iPods and iPads). The service is only available in stores
and not online. A 32 gigabyte iPhone 4S on Verizon will get you up to $335 in
store credit or up to $268 in cash.
8. Stream music
Stick that baby in a speaker dock, spring for a Pandora
subscription ($36 per year) or Spotify ($10 per month) and bam, you have a
stereo.
Or try SoundCloud. Although it's meant to let you create and
share music with people, it's also a good place to listen to DJs you like or
discover new ones. TuneIn, meanwhile, will let you listen to online radio
stations playing music, sports, news or talk shows.
9. Keep as a backup in case you lose your fancy new one.
Nearly one-third of cellphone owners have had their gadgets
lost or stolen, according to a recent survey from Pew Internet & Pew
Internet & American Life Project.
10. Use as a camera
At its core, a decommissioned iPhone is a hard drive with a
camera. Snap photos with it. No Canon needed. You can also use the iPhone to
move photos and other files from one computer to another.
11. Recycle with Apple
Apple Inc.'s own recycling program will give you an Apple
gift card if it is determined to have a "monetary value." A 32 gigabyte
iPhone 4S with some light scratches but in good working condition was recently
estimated at $280. That's higher than Gazelle, but you'll have to spend the
money at Apple. The company also accepts broken phones for recycling but you
won't get any money for them.
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