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New Wearable Tech? What are Wearables?

This is a guest post by Zoe Cohen.

Wearables, or wearable technology, is exactly what it sounds like. But while some people might think they’re gimmicky or only for fitness, they’re actually well worth knowing about. So set aside your skepticism for a moment, and we’ll answer the question “what are wearables?” in depth so you can be up to date on the latest tech!

In this day and age of ever-increasing technology use, it’s only natural that technology would make the leap from something we bear to something we wear. I’m sure you’ve heard of the Fitbit and the Apple watch, but you might not have heard of wearable tech jewelry and clothing. This article will get into all of that and some even crazier wearables you might not have heard of or even imagined.

New Wearable Tech

Just to clarify, when we say wearables, we’re not referring to headphones or Bluetooth devices that redirect calls. Though these are technically wearable technology, we are referring more to tech that picks up information about the wearer and transmits it outwards, usually to the wearer’s cell phone or the cloud. This isn’t a steadfast definition, and you’ll definitely see exceptions, but it’s the best we have to clarify between Bluetooth tech and wearable tech.

When answering the question of “what are wearables?” the first piece of tech that comes to mind are the ubiquitous fitness trackers. These accessories track your steps, activity level, heartrate, sleeping patterns, and more through the use of biosensors. Some just record results, but more and more are analyzing the collected data to illuminate your trends and recommend future courses of action. The most well-known trackers rest lightly around your wrist, but there is an increasing market for wearable jewelry, especially rings.

More and more wearables these days execute all of the above functions but then also connect with your cell phone to deliver notifications to you. The most famous example of this is the Apple watch. With these, you don’t have to fish around for your phone in order to see important information and notifications – they show up right on the tiny screen on your wrist. Text messages, e-mails, Twitter notifications, and a whole slew of customizable information will be displayed on your smartwatch, allowing you to keep your phone tucked conveniently away without missing out on information. Simpler wearables might just subtly vibrate to alert you to notifications without actually displaying them, allowing for even more discretion when you’re in a meeting or at lunch with a friend.

Future of Wearables

All of the above examples are fairly mainstream and widely accepted at this point. But you may not have heard of wearable tech clothing. The latest newsworthy example is a hat that measures the movement of truckers’ heads to determine whether they’re falling asleep on the road. Other companies are producing sports bras, yoga pants, and even denim jackets that measure all kinds of biological functions and/or allow you control over your devices. This is meant to be the latest trend, but so far the industry has been flagging a bit. We’ll see what the future holds.

An even deeper dive, however, takes us into the realm of implantables, which, again, are exactly what they sound like. Some are already well-known and have been around for years, such as cochlear implants for the hearing impaired or pacemakers for those with weak hearts. But even people without medical situations are getting implanted with microchips that allow them to pay for purchases without needing a wallet, log into accounts without passwords, and even open doors (in the case of one company that is offering to implant these chips in their employees).

Conclusion

To keep it short and sweet, we didn’t go into all of the implications that wearables bring with them, but hopefully you now have an answer to the question “what are wearables?” plus some ideas of what they are and what they may mean for the future. Looking for good wearable tech and don’t want to waste time, then check out: popular wearables for men & women.

December 12, 2023
What to Do With a Computer Before Selling It?

If you have plans to sell your computer, you know for sure that an important thing you should never forget to do is to wipe its hard drive. But, is this really everything to it?

Selling your old computer can be a bit scary. You invested long hours using it and it already contains tons of your personal data and stuff. However, at one point or another, you need to let it go.

Prior to selling it off, though, here are a few tips on what to do with a computer before selling it you need to keep in mind:

Back-Up Your Data

Before anything else, you have to make sure that you back up any or all important data on your computer that you would like to keep including important programs, documents, and photos. If you only got a small amount of data you wish to keep, there are cloud storage services you can use for backup.

You can also copy and paste files directly to a removable device. If your data is a bit large, you could set up the Windows integrated Backup and Restore utility for backing up your files in an external hard drive.

Get Your Product Keys

If your purpose for selling your computer is to use the money to buy a new one, you need to look for and back up product keys for Windows and software programs that are installed in the old computer at the moment before you sell it. This way, you will be able to install them again easily to your new computer.

In case you have never tried having a backup of these product keys or you cannot find them at all, your best option is to use the special product key finder program so you can find and backup product keys for Windows and all installed software.

Format the Hard Drive

Don’t forget to format your computer’s hard drive before you decide to sell it off. This actually offers benefits for you and the person who will buy it. It gives you the assurance that your personal data will be protected and won’t remain on the computer hard drive where the buyer can access and see them.

On the other hand, formatting the hard drive gives the buyer a completely clean and tidy environment from the get-go.

Reinstall the Operating System

After formatting, there won’t be anything on the hard drive. To show the computer better to the buyer and convince him to purchase it, you need to install its operating system again.

You can choose to install the newest system like Windows 10 or you can also install the operating system that the buyer likes or prefers.

Clean Your Computer

And one last step is to ensure that your computer is clean. Remove all your usernames and passwords that you used for locking the computer.

Also, wipe down the keyboard, screen, and other parts of the computer to make it look good and run better. Doing so can help you score a great price for it.

Conclusion

These are some of the most important tips on what to do with a computer before selling it. Try to do most of these tasks before selling any computer. Good luck!

Related: What to Do With an Old iPad

December 12, 2023
What to Do With Old Tablets

We all have old tablets sitting around the house. Do you find it cumbersome and annoying to use your old tablet as it has gotten too slow? Well, don’t worry as there are several ways for you to repurpose your tablet and make it more useful.

What To Do With Old Tablets

This is the question that everyone is asking these days. Well if you have a few tools or 3M stickies, then you can be creative with an old tablet.

Alarm Clock

Install an alarm clock app on your tablet. These apps will let you keep several alarms to schedule several alarms for every day of the week. You can keep your tablet beside your bed or attach it to the wall on another side of your room if you have the tendency to turn off the alarm just to go back to sleep.

Digital Cookbook

You can use your tablet as your digital cookbook where you can keep and store all of your favorite recipes in just one place. There are apps you can use to save online pages, take photos, and scan pictures of recipes in cookbooks saved from magazines, or those you wrote down on cards.

You could organize all of them easily so you can find them right away if you need them. You can then hang the tablet on the wall or place it under the counter so that food won’t splatter on it while you cook.

Baby Monitor

If you have an old tablet, you don’t have to buy a new monitoring system for your baby. Pair it with your smartphone and you can easily keep an eye on your little one.

There are also apps you can download and install on your tablet so you can use them as a camera in your baby’s room.

Movie Player

There are apps you can install on your tablet where you can preload videos on your device. Just attach your tablet to the back of your car seat to give ultimate entertainment for your little ones, especially during long trips.

Command Center

For families that are always on the go, it is all too easy to forget some errands or miss some appointments. Your old tablet can be used as a command center to avoid these issues. Install apps to make things easier and simpler for you.

With the help of these apps, your family can add important events for everyone to know what is coming up. You can use them to set reminders such as throwing the garbage, writing notes to one another, or adding essential items to the grocery list. You can keep your tablet on the wall in one central location so that every family member can see and use it.

Remote Control

Do you find it bothersome to use different remote controls for your TV and other devices? Just download a good app and keep the tablet handy for everyone to use as a remote. You see, there are a lot of different ways for you to reuse and repurpose your old tablet. All you need to do is to be a bit creative so you can put it to good use. As you now know what to do with old tablets, you can be sure that you can keep them out of the landfills where they can end up damaging the planet.

December 12, 2023
What to Do With an Old iPad?
The new generations of Apple iPad are now slimmer, lighter, and definitely faster than the older ones. So, it wouldn’t be a surprise if millions of iPad owners are now upgrading to new models.

If you are wondering what to do with an old iPad, below are some suggestions:

Use the Old iPad as a Kitchen TV

If you love spending time in your kitchen, you might have already considered getting a small television set for the room, especially if the living room is not connected to your kitchen and there is no way for you to watch your favorite shows on your expansive plasma TV.

Why not use your old iPad as a kitchen TV instead? In these times when video streaming services are the trend, you could launch your favorite streaming app and binge-watch all of your favorite series while you are busy preparing delicious meals for your family.

Use the Old iPad as a Cookbook

If you are not a big fan of watching TV while working in the kitchen, you can still make it a mainstay in the room by using it as a cookbook instead. Remove everything that doesn’t have anything to do with healthy living and cooking.

Put your iPad on a stand, connect this for good to a power source, and use this when cooking something creative. The best thing here is that you don’t have to worry that oil will splatter on its display. After all, gone are the days when you need to clean it every day.

Use the Old iPad as a Digital Photo Frame

You might initially think that turning your old iPad to a digital photo frame is impossible, especially since the device will use more energy compared to single-purpose devices that run on CR2 batteries and meant to show photos.

Well, the photo frame here doesn’t refer to the usual one you put on your bedside table that shows photos 24/7. Instead, you can use your old iPad during those times when you might think of buying a digital photo frame.

For example, when organizing your wedding anniversary party, the digital photo frame can be placed in the hallway to show your wedding photos as a way to welcome your guests. Digital frames tend to be a bit pricey so save yourself the expense and use your old iPad for this purpose instead.

Use the Old iPad as a Security Camera

And this is probably the most popular usage of an old iPad. If you have any type of security camera system such as the Ring, ADT, Blink, etc., there may be a compatible iPad app available to download.

After you change a few settings such as the brightness and auto sleep timer, you’ll have an iPad that works as a security camera monitor.

Other Uses for an Old iPad

There are many other uses for an old iPad these days thanks to some useful third-party apps. A few of the popular uses are below:
- Baby Monitor
- Music System
- WiFi Backup Storage
- Wireless Mouse or Controller
- Remote Computer Terminal
- Smart Remote
- Video Conference Station
- Always-On Live Streaming Cam
- Dedicated Reader
- Digital Calendar
- Kid-Friendly Learning Tool
- Mobile Gaming Device
Conclusion

These are just some of the creative ways on what to do with an old iPad. Give them a try and breathe new life to your old device.

Related: iPad Pro or Surface Pro X
December 12, 2023
What to Do With an Old Computer Monitor?

Unused and discarded electronics have become commonplace in today’s society. Gadgets that still work sit forgotten in the storage room, gathering dust. Old computer monitors are the best examples of these electronics.

Whether you have decided to switch to a laptop or you already got a new computer set, there are lots of recommendations on what to do with an old computer monitor to ensure that it doesn’t become completely useless.

Sell the Old Monitor

Selling your old computer monitor is one of the best ways to get the money you need to buy a better gadget in the future. Yes, you might not get the same amount as what you originally paid for it yet you will be surprised to know that there are lots of people bidding on a decent monitor.

There are many online websites where you can have your old monitor listed for sale. All you have to do is take clear, bright, and clear photos of it so you can increase your chances of asking a good price for it.

Donate the Old Monitor

One of the best uses for old devices is to make them available to people who can still put them to good use.

You might think of your old monitor as nothing but a forgotten memory but for someone looking for a working computer, this is an affordable way to make it happen.

Use the Old Monitor as a Second Monitor

With laptops now dominating the world, it is all too easy to forget how amazing it was to use two monitors. Having two computer monitors can take your experience to a whole new level as you can watch your favorite TV shows on one and beat your game enemies on the other.

On top of this, there are also some applications such as video editing where dual monitor setups unlock functionalities that are impossible on single screens.

Use the Old Monitor as a TV

Yes, old computer monitors can make decent TVs. That cable box from the local cable provider might be compatible with your monitor and all you have to do is connect it through HDMI or DVI to HDMI adapter.

While its size might not be the big screen you have always wanted, this can still serve as an extra TV in your bedroom or home. Just pair it with external speakers and you are good to go. The best thing about monitors as TVs is that they are less expensive, letting you enjoy great savings.

Decorate the Old Monitor

Another awesome feature of monitors is that most of them can be mounted on the wall. You can attach a relatively cheap mounting bracket to the wall and fasten the monitor securely to it.

With a bit of ingenuity, you can even keep the cables out of sight to create a really awesome digital picture frame that everyone will love.

Conclusion

Whatever you choose to do with your old computer monitor, make sure you don’t forget that nothing good will come from storing it for a long time.

Related: Best Gaming Monitor

December 12, 2023
What to Do With Your Old Computer?

We are completely certain that all of us, at some point in our lives, have either switched to a new computer or are willing to procure a new one, and there can be several reasons leading up to it.

Your old computer has been with you for too long and has consequentially lost its vitality, you are willing to upgrade to the latest version or, are simply in the mood to do away with it and host your daily activities on your phone henceforth onwards.

Regardless of the cause, a common question that you will be compelled to form in your mind is, “What to do with my old computer”, because the answer to this cannot be as simple as just disposing of it.

In order to make your task easier, we will be pointing a few things that you can do with your old computer.

Donate the old computer

First things first, if you can no more put your old computer to any use, the idea is to donate it. There are three essential places in which it can be donated, and they are a local school, hospital, and charity.

In the first case, that is the school, your computer can be capitalized upon to assemble and reassemble several parts to give the students an insight into the hardware and how their distinct parts and arrangement goes into securing the whole device.

Also, if you consider giving it away to a hospital, try to buy a pocket-friendly educational software and re-install it in the system; here, you must not forget to remove the other software or applications installed in it and were in use.

In case of charitable causes, you can donate the computer regardless of its present condition- even if it is not in a condition to be reused, they will most likely sell off its parts to derive funds for the charity.

Convert old computer to home server

If you are someone who has a wide home network capitalized by multiple users, turning the old computer into a NAS or home server can turn out as profitable.

Nevertheless, the process includes much more than just plugging in the computer into the system because they can end up consuming more power than usual. Apart from obtaining a sturdy power management system to run a few cooling fans around in the circuit, you will also have to set up the operating system altogether so that it doesn’t start malfunctioning at odd times and run in a low-power state when put in the “sleep” mode.

It would be better if you install a proper network operating system like Windows Home Server; acquire the one that costs low yet provides solid features. You can employ an open-source software that is outlined to convert a PC into network-attached storage; mostly, this software mostly allows you to store the previous OS on the hard drive until you have made your mind about the NAS to be utilized.

Related: Best NAS Devices For Home Server

Turn old computer into a dedicated game server

Using old computers to host multiplayer games is nothing but a brilliant idea.

If the server of the game can be hosted on a local computer. If yes, you continue with the installation because often a game, which is played online, supports all the dedicated servers.

The most intriguing component lies in the fact that these dedicated game servers use a negligible portion of the system horsepower to efficiently run.

Related: Best Gaming Desktop Computers

December 12, 2023
What to Do With Old Printers?

Where does your old printer go once its life cycle comes to an end? Should you just throw it away in the trash? Are there options for recycling?

Many people don’t really think what happens to their good old printer once a new one comes along. However, as the world sees a growing number of different types of waste, knowing what to do with old printers is very important now more than ever.

There are three choices here. You can sell, recycle, or donate them.

Sell Your Old Printers

For old printers that are still in good running conditions, you can make some cash out of them. There are now many places where you can sell your old printers, such as websites like Amazon, eBay, and Craigslist.

Besides the websites listed above, you can post about it on social media and join those buy and sell groups to sell off your printer locally. While these groups tend to be a bit crowded, you can get a good chance of making a sale in no time.

On the other hand, if your old printer doesn’t work anymore, you could still get back some of your investment if you sell it to repair shops and junk shops. Research about these shops in your area and call them beforehand to check the types and brands of printers they accept.

Recycle Your Old Printers

Probably the easiest and fastest way to get rid of your old printer is to recycle it. There are retailers that have designated recycle bins in their shops where you can drop off your old printer. Some stores also have recycling programs.

Many areas also have e-waste collection centers. You can check the official website of your county or city to know the hours and drop off locations of these centers. Taking your old printer to a recycling center is the simplest option to solve your problem and do it in such a way that it won’t pose any harm to the environment. Aside from the printer itself, the toner cartridges can also be recycled.

If there are no e-waste collection centers around you, you can contact the manufacturer of the printer. Some of them have take-back and e-waste recycling programs. Just make sure you call them in advance to see if they will accept your old printer. These companies might only accept certain devices for such programs.

Donate Your Old Printers

What you already consider as trash might just be the best treasure for someone else. If your old printer is still working, most organizations will be more than happy to take it and put it to good use. Good examples of these organizations are schools, charities, nonprofits, community organizations, and recreation centers. Old printers can also be donated to organizations specializing in electronics outreach programs for people in need.

Conclusion

Now that you already know what to do with old printers, make sure you select the best option so you can be sure that you will get the best out of your good old device.

Related: What to Do With A Computer Before Selling It

December 12, 2023
What to Do With Old Cameras?

Is there an old camera occupying a significant space in your drawer? Have you purchased the latest camera model and you don’t know what to do with your old one?

There are several interesting ways to breathe new life into your old photo equipment. Here are some ideas on what to do with old cameras.

Sell Your Old Cameras

Selling your old camera is one of your best options, especially if you can still use some cash to buy new photo gear. You can drop it off at the nearest consignment shop in your area where a hoarder or collector can come across the camera and lenses you once loved.

You can also have it listed on auction websites or put an ad on online websites or in the classified section of your local newspaper.

Related: What to Do With Old Books

Donate Your Old Cameras

One of the options that are usually overlooked is donating your camera to a good cause. There is a high chance that you will find a local thrift store or charity that would never hesitate to take your old device off your hands.

You can also try to dig deeper to find more deserving outlets. Inquire at local schools to check if they offer photography lessons in their art program. Schools will be happy to take your old camera to loan out to a student in need.

And many charities would appreciate an old camera. There is probably a photography-related charity that will happily accept used equipment. All you need is to do some online search to look for charities where your old gear can be put to good use. Just like the schools, non-profits will be more than happy to have some donated camera equipment handy.

Repurpose Your Old Cameras

Getting something shinier, faster, and newer might be exactly what you need to use your old lenses and camera for something fun. Did you always want to give infrared photography a try? Or maybe you want to make a homemade lens amount yourself so you can attach lenses to the camera?

Having an old camera is your opportunity to try something outside the box. You can convert your old camera to a pinhole camera. You can also get affordable imported trinkets from the local home accessory shop to accessorize your old camera and turn it into a cool and unique living room décor.

Old Cameras Can Be Backup Cameras

A slower and older digital camera could be put to good use as a reliable backup for your new one. Mechanicals and electronics are not perfect and that sparkling new gear might no longer be as a trusty in the future.

Having a good backup camera accessible can save the day, whether you are on a remote vacation or an important commercial shoot.

Conclusion

The trash can is the last place where you would want your old camera to end up. You can sell it or give it to someone who might be able to use it. Of course, you can also just choose to keep it and then pass it on to the next generation.

As long as you know what to do with old cameras, you can be sure it won’t go to waste, so to speak.

Related: What to Do With Old Computer Parts

December 12, 2023
What to Do With an Old Laptop?

Your old laptop might no longer be as fast and reliable as it used to be but it doesn’t mean it no longer has a purpose.

After you salvage and transfer all the valuable data in it, there are several great ideas on what to do with an old laptop.

Save the Old Laptop Hardware

Remove any salvageable components from the laptop such as the SSDs, hard drives, and SO-DIMM RAM modules. You can repurpose these components into external drives to be used in another device.

Use the Old Laptop Monitor

This is for the computer hardware experts. You can detach the laptop monitor and use it as a standalone display provided that you no longer have any use for the entire device. This will definitely require a bit of DIY work yet it lets you use the screen of your laptop as a secondary desktop display.

Recycle Your Old Laptop

Don’t just dump your old laptop in the garbage bin and instead, look for any electronic collection program to help you in recycling the device. There are many organizations that accept these old laptops and you can easily find them online.

Related: Best Gaming Laptops

Donate The Old Laptop

There is always a high demand for used electronics to help someone who might be in need. Remove anything important in the hard drive then go to charities accepting old electronics like your laptop.

Trade-In The Old Laptop

There are also places that let you trade in your old laptop in exchange for gift cards. Whatever amount you receive will depend on the laptop’s current condition.

Sell The Old Laptop

If your device is still in good working condition, why not try selling it online? As there is a special market for electronics that are no longer functional, you can have your laptop listed on any of these sites as well.

Related: Best Teacher Laptops

Repair The Old Laptop

Another good idea on what to do with an old laptop is to format its drive and begin with a clean slate. As you know, long years of accumulated files and software can slow down your device. You can open the device and clear off the dust.

This boosts the performance of your device as cleaning can help improve ventilation and reduce thermal throttling. You can also install a lightweight operating system for your laptop to become more responsive.

Use the Old Laptop as a Media Station

If you have no plans to say goodbye to your old laptop any time soon, you can use this for playing movies or storing your favorite music provided that your device is still functioning obviously.

Use the Old Laptop as a Digital Photo Frame

Transform your old laptop into a photo frame. This is a cool project that also lets you save the hardware at the same time.
Never let your good old laptop gather dust in the corner. Society is already wasteful enough so try not to make the problem worse.

Use these tips on what to do with an old laptop to make the most out of your discarded device.

Related: Surface Laptop or MacBook Pro

December 12, 2023
What to Do With Old Hard Drives?

Hard drives do not last forever, especially the older models. Long years of wear and tear can take their toll on hard drives. Once this happens, you need to replace them sooner than later.

Most of us will simply destroy and get rid of the hard drive. But here are a few tips on what to do with old hard drives.

Recycle or Donate Old Hard Drives

Instead of letting your old hard drives rot in the landfill, check first if your area has some technology recycling or refurbishing programs. There are groups that could give new life to old devices then give them to people who need them the most.

For completely dead hard drives, you can recycle these instead. You can now find companies running services for e-waste reclamation. There are also places that give store credit for electronics surrendered to them for recycling. You can visit participating centers or check if pick-ups are allowed by the program.

While hard drives are accepted in most recycling programs, it is best if you check first the list of electronics they accept.

Related: Best SSD

Harvest the Old Hard Drive Parts

Harvesting the magnets is one of the easiest and simplest things to do with old hard drives. Hard drives contain some really powerful magnets that could be used for all kinds of things.

You can remove the magnets from your old hard drives then use these as ultra-strong ref magnets. You can also use them for temporarily magnetizing your tools when you work with some small parts.

Hard drives also have extremely polished platters that can be used as cool mirrors. Just combine the hard drive magnet with a platter and you will already have a geeky and unique mini mirror you can use for your gym or office locker or even for your home fridge.

If you don’t want to recycle the parts found inside the hard drive, an empty hard drive case can also be turned to a hidden safe. Thieves would never bother going through a bin filled with old drives nor will they be interested to steal and aged and useless-looking drive.

Be Crafty With Old Hard Drives

For the computer hardware experts, there are a few cool things that can be done with an old hard drive.

Don’t worry if your hard drives are no longer functioning because you can still use them in many ways. You can give them a second life as a desk clock or even a USB hub. With just a bit of fiddling with wires, you can surely think of artsy ways to make the most out of your old drives.

These are only some of the useful and fun ideas on what to do with old hard drives. For those who love taking things apart and tinkering with electronics, old hard drives are treasure troves of small bits and pieces you can play with.

Related: External Hard Drives

December 12, 2023