Use old tablet: 5 crazy tricks

You don't necessarily have to throw away your old tablet PC. We show five creative ways you can continue using your old tablet.

1. For security fanatics: Android tablet as a surveillance camera

With the help of various apps, it is possible to produce a monitoring unit from the Android tablet.

• To do this, install one of the apps that the Google Play store shows you under the search term "surveillance camera", for example those with the meaningful name "cell phone as surveillance camera", on your discarded Android tablet.
• Then position the cell phone in the place where you want to fulfill your surveillance request. A possible place of use is the domestic kitchen to keep an eye on the sugar consumption of the youngsters. At the same time, it is also a good idea to place the camera near the front door during summer vacation in order to counter the actual danger.
• Now take your primary Android device at hand and install the same app on it.
• As soon as you have logged in with the same Google account on both devices, you can now call up the live recording of the camera from your preferred Android device and thus always follow all developments in front of the camera.
• Alternatively, other applications also offer the possibility of sending a notification to the mobile device declared as the "receiver" when the movements are recorded in front of the camera.
• Make sure that the tablet used as the camera is permanently connected to a power source so that the crucial video sequences are not recorded due to a lack of batteries.

2. For notorious space problems: Android tablet as an extension of the Windows desktop

13 ", 15", 17 ". Some even the largest display diagonals are not enough to keep an overview between tabs, windows, programs and files in their daily workflow on a Windows computer.

• Here, too, old Android tablets can help with the help of apps. So you can use the "iDisplay" software to use your Android tablet as a screen extension of the Windows desktop.
• Install the appropriate program for this both on the Android tablet and on the Windows computer.
• After the successful installation there is the possibility to choose between different transmission options, including the display extension.

3. For photo enthusiasts: Android tablet as a digital picture frame

A larger display, usually with a resolution of at least 720p - which use is closer than that of the picture presentation?

• All you need is a stand option for your tablet, either with an appropriate case or with a tablet stand.
• Then check whether your Android device comes with a slide / slideshow function, usually via the "Gallery" app. If this is not the case, install the "SlideShow Application" app.
• Select the pictures that should be part of the slide show and nothing stands in the way of unlimited and inexpensive photo enjoyment.

4. For rule-keepers: Android tablet as evidence on the street

• An app also provides the basis for this use of your old Android tablet: "DailyRoads Voyager". It records the course of the journey permanently via video, if something extraordinary happens, the video can easily be saved by simply touching the display. At the same time, all recorded videos are stored on a central server, which can also be accessed from a PC or smartphone. This enables you, for example, to check the weather and road conditions on the corresponding route before starting your journey.
• To do this, install the app on your discarded tablet.
• Then attach this to the windscreen of your car using a standard car holder.
• By starting the app and starting the recording, your ability to record traffic events is already functional.

5. For cloud-based: Android tablet as (media) server

In times of the increasingly restricted possibility of expanding the memory of your smartphone using an SD card, many users resort to cloud services such as Dropbox or OneDrive.

• At the same time, there is also the option of using the old, discarded Android tablet as a server for data and files.
• Ensure a permanent power supply for the tablet and install the "FTPServer" app. Following the name, this turns your Android tablet into an FTP server.
• In the event that you prefer WebDAV-Server, corresponding applications are also available in the Play Store.
• After successful installation, you have the option of creating data on the previously set up server and accessing it from other devices.
• The procedure is similar for setting up a media server on which you can digitally store your music, photos or videos. In this context, the "BubbleUPnP" app gives you the option of sending your multimedia files on the tablet to suitable DLNA and UPnP receivers and playing them back there.