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Uses for a retired android phone?

Funky you always got something good to say! I use one as a server every time and again, and another as a security camera. Wish I could put a satellite into orbit with an old phone haha
 
not sure if it answers the question but i once got angry at a cheap Chinese Tablet (Emerson 4.3 Internet Tablet w/ ICS) when it gave me the 'encryption unsuccessful' error and basically forced me to wipe my device to use it again, i threw it into a concrete driveway expecting to smash it to bits, and all it did was pop off the back, battery fell out (still wired in though) and the screen was still intact and then displaying the 'dead android'. (how ironic, i killed it!) and i hit power and force booted and it booted up again, alas, my data was gone but heck it was a tough tablet!

what did finally kill the thing was when it went into a ANR loop (constantly displaying the same App Not Responding dialog over and over and over...) and i smacked the back onto a table only two inches away, basically slammed it down flat, and though the concrete driveway did nothing but pop the back off, the table shattered the screen. i got a couple more months use out of it before the screen got unusably hard to read.
 
If you guys have older android phones that run android 2.3 and up, and have a wifi connection, why not download an app called BOINC and donate your processor time to solving problems such as Malaria or exploring the galaxy (based on the projects you sign up to).
I have an old Samsung Galaxy Gio that runs it, a Sony Xperia Mini Pro, an older laptop, and an old desktop that all run the program 24/7.

Just plug the phone into the wall and leave it running and know you are helping the world in a small way.

I also run it on my i5 HP laptop and my current XT925 when idle (such as at night when i charge my phone). The laptop runs continuously all weekend as well when not on battery power.

Check it out.
 
^^ thats excellent.... if i had a spare smartphone id defo do that. Is there a way we can do that while we sleep with phone on charge?
 
You bet! I have my phone on airplane mode at night and the phone will receive the "packets" to process before I sleep and then it will process the jobs while it is charging in airplane mode and then send them once I take my phone off airplane mode.

I also set the program to compute on battery *warning* it's a huge battery drainer! But i told the program only to compute if the battery is 90% charged or higher, which leaves me ~90% left for my day of using my phone.

Probably sounds complicated but it is super easy... Self explanatory when you open the app.

Not sure if you attend University or anything but some Universities and companies have put together teams (depending on what project you sign up on). The bigger ones like SETI@home and world community grid have lots of teams to choose from and you can join the team and get recognition through the team for your work if your computations discover anything.

Ask away if you want any more information. I should add that I am not associated with BOINC in any way. Just trying to make the world a little better using this great piece of software
 
So far the only thing I've done was put it in the air duct in the room of one of our roommates. When I think he's too at peace, I ping it on Android Device Manager. :p
 
bjacks12 said:
So far the only thing I've done was put it in the air duct in the room of one of our roommates. When I think he's too at peace, I ping it on Android Device Manager. :p
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Set some eerie ghosty spooky ringtones. As in, realistic sounds that would freak him out. Then make random calls in the middle of the night from the appropriate phone numbers in order to make him think his room is haunted
 
RazrHD132 said:
You bet! I have my phone on airplane mode at night and the phone will receive the "packets" to process before I sleep and then it will process the jobs while it is charging in airplane mode and then send them once I take my phone off airplane mode.

I also set the program to compute on battery *warning* it's a huge battery drainer! But i told the program only to compute if the battery is 90% charged or higher, which leaves me ~90% left for my day of using my phone.

Probably sounds complicated but it is super easy... Self explanatory when you open the app.

Not sure if you attend University or anything but some Universities and companies have put together teams (depending on what project you sign up on). The bigger ones like SETI@home and world community grid have lots of teams to choose from and you can join the team and get recognition through the team for your work if your computations discover anything.

Ask away if you want any more information. I should add that I am not associated with BOINC in any way. Just trying to make the world a little better using this great piece of software
Click to expand...

Lol ive obviously heard of SETI :-) but no im not a student, im 38yo.
So would my phone have to be in a-plane mode while it computes this shite or what? i need my phone connected.
I know i could try the app but its better for everyone who reads if you describe/explain it on here bro :):beer:
 
I use one of my old Android phones as an MP3 player and a TV remote, there is a remote app I use on the market that allows me to use it as a universal remote :p

I can even have one android device plugged in and control music with my other device using the remote :D
 
Wish my phone had infrared!
Every phone ive owned thru java, symbian etc has had it until my 1st android :(
I can think of some nice applications for it now.

But WHY have TV remotes not became Bluetooth???
 
PADDs? i got enough leftover Androids both cheap and flagship that could pass for a shipload of LCARS PADDs if i wanted to go so far. at one time i pondered getting some tinted plexiglass and attaching the tablets/phones under it and making it pose as a functional LCARS panel in parts of my home, displaying things such as a clock and weather and so on. Funky, forget remotes. i'm impatiently waiting for true voice controls, eliminating the remotes entirely. i would love to do like Star Trek when one of those feminine hygiene adverts comes on while i'm eating dinner and saying 'Computer! Delete Audio!' to mute it. beats scrambling for the remote.
 
funkylogik said:
Wish my phone had infrared!
Every phone ive owned thru java, symbian etc has had it until my 1st android :(
I can think of some nice applications for it now.

But WHY have TV remotes not became Bluetooth???
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Yeah I was looking into that, it's weird, the app mostly runs through Wifi, there is an experimental bluetooth mode.

Otherwise, I think bluetooth might be more expensive for regular remotes than what they currently use.

It would make it mighty nice to have so you could pair a remote up with any TV
 
funkylogik said:
Lol ive obviously heard of SETI :-) but no im not a student, im 38yo.
So would my phone have to be in a-plane mode while it computes this shite or what? i need my phone connected.
I know i could try the app but its better for everyone who reads if you describe/explain it on here bro :):beer:
Click to expand...

No it definitely does not have to be in airplane mode. I was simply stating that you CAN still use it in airplane mode (which is good if you use airplane mode at night like I do).
If you run the program when you are connected to wifi, you will continue to receive packets and thus continue to compute if your phone is within the parameters you set in the app (i.e. Battery temp, battery level, cpu temp, etc.)
give it a try! Pretty neat little program
 
I use a retired LG Viper 4G as an app-machine. When at work, I use it to listen to MP3, streaming audio (WiFi), browsing the net on lunch, using a unit converter (which is EXTREMELY useful at my job)...... also good for playing chess and other low-yield games.


Yes, I do have to carry two devices to work, and it is mildly frustrating having that much stuff in your pockets. BUT, I don't cook my phone battery in the process.
 
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