Turn It Into an Android Alarm Clock
Put the old tablet in your bedroom and convert it into an Android alarm clock that also shows the weather. Download an alarm clock app if you don’t want to use the basic app that came with the old device. Customize the alarm to wake you up on workdays and let you sleep in on weekends. You could also install a weather alert app to wake you up if there’s an emergency. Such tools are especially important in regions prone to tornados, hurricanes, and other extreme weather events. A weather alert app can be a lifesaver if you don’t hear the outdoor weather sirens.
Display an Interactive Calendar and To-Do List
Put the old tablet in the living room and use it as a calendar or to-do list. Use Google Calendar or another task management app to keep household members up-to-date and on schedule.
Create a Digital Photo Frame
An old Android tablet works great as a digital photo frame. Set it up to display a slideshow from Google Photos, Flickr, or another photo-sharing service and display those photos around your home. Another option is to load the old tablet with photos and give it to a less tech-savvy loved one as a present. The old tablet also works great as a mirror if the tablet has a front-facing camera.
Get Help in the Kitchen
Mount the old tablet in your kitchen and use apps such as AllRecipes to display recipes while you cook. If you’re busy cleaning up, use the old tablet to entertain yourself with movies while you load the dishwasher. You could also stream radio from apps such as Pandora, or Slacker Radio. Radio apps work in the background, even on most older-model tablets, so you can look up that pecan pie recipe while dancing to your favorite tunes.
Control Home Automation
Android has been doing a lot of work on home automation and now supports apps to automate lights, thermostats, and other smart devices. You can use your old Android tablet as a central hub to control your home without having to find your phone or another device.
Use an Android Tablet as a Universal Streaming Remote
Many streaming devices come with a companion app that lets you control them from an Android or iOS device. There are also universal remote apps for Roku, Fire TV, and other devices in the Google Play Store. Repurpose your tablet as a universal remote that won’t get lost in the couch cushions. With an app-based tablet remote, you have a single remote for your streaming devices. The controls are more flexible and offer more options than a traditional remote. For example, you can control your media from any room because most of these remotes work over Wi-Fi.
Read E-Books
An old Android tablet can make a fantastic e-book reader, and it doesn’t require much setup to make the switch. Most e-book readers are based on Android, and the e-reader apps that power them are freely available from the Play Store. Download your favorite e-book reader and set up the tablet to launch the app by default.
Donate or Recycle It
You don’t necessarily need to keep your tablet to do something useful with it. Charities such as Cell Phones For Soldiers, Rainforest Connection, and Medic Mobile can put your tablet to work again while doing some good.
Android Tablet Mounting Tips
If you turn your tablet into a clock or a digital picture frame, get a stand for it or mount it on your wall. If you have a cradle for the tablet, place the tablet in the cradle and set it on a shelf. For a wall mount, use the same mounting hardware used to display collectible plates. Make sure there’s room to plug the device into the charger wherever you choose to put it.
