Old iPad Revival: 5 Smart Uses Around Your Home

Don't let your old iPad gather dust! I kept my old iPad Pro in my tech lineup, and it's proven incredibly useful around the house. Here are five practical and creative ways I've repurposed my old tablet, breathing new life into it and making my home smarter.

Old iPad Revival: 5 Smart Uses Around Your Home

Don't let your old iPad gather dust! I kept my old iPad Pro in my tech lineup, and it's proven incredibly useful around the house. Here are five practical and creative ways I've repurposed my old tablet, breathing new life into it and making my home smarter.

Introduction

We all have that drawer, or box, filled with old tech. Phones, tablets, and other gadgets that have been replaced by newer, shinier models. But before you resign your old iPad to a life of forgotten memories, consider this: it still has plenty to offer! Even if it's not your primary device anymore, an older iPad can be surprisingly useful around the house. It's all about finding the right niche and leveraging its remaining capabilities. The screen is still great for many tasks, the battery life is likely still decent, and the app ecosystem is vast. So, let's dive into some practical ways you can give your old iPad a new lease on life.

1. Dedicated Smart Home Hub

One of the best uses for an old iPad is as a dedicated smart home hub. Mount it on a wall in a central location, and use it to control all your smart devices.

Setting it up

• Download your smart home apps: Install apps for your smart lights (Philips Hue, LIFX), thermostats (Nest, Ecobee), smart plugs, and security cameras.
• Create a dedicated home screen: Organize these apps on a single home screen for easy access. Consider using widgets for quick control.
• Enable Guided Access: This feature locks the iPad to a single app, preventing accidental exits or tampering. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access.
• Keep it charged: Plug it into a wall outlet to ensure it's always powered on.

Practical Example

I use my old iPad as a control panel for my smart lights. With a simple tap, I can dim the lights for movie night, turn them all off before bed, or create custom lighting scenes. It's much more convenient than fumbling with my phone every time.

2. Kitchen Companion and Recipe Display

Turn your old iPad into the ultimate kitchen assistant. Its larger screen is perfect for displaying recipes, watching cooking videos, or even video chatting with friends and family while you cook.

Tips for Culinary Use

• Find a suitable stand: A kitchen stand or mount will keep the iPad clean and protected from spills. Look for one that's adjustable for optimal viewing angles.
• Download recipe apps: Apps like Paprika, Yummly, and Allrecipes offer vast libraries of recipes and helpful features like meal planning and grocery lists.
• Enable voice control: Use Siri to navigate recipes hands-free while cooking. "Hey Siri, next step!"
• Clean Regularly: Wipe down the screen and tablet regularly to prevent food buildup.

Real-World Scenario

I often use my iPad to follow along with cooking tutorials on YouTube. I can easily pause, rewind, and zoom in on specific steps. It's also great for displaying recipes from websites, eliminating the need for printed cookbooks.

3. Digital Photo Frame

Give your cherished memories a new home by turning your old iPad into a digital photo frame. It's a beautiful and personalized way to display your favorite photos.

Steps to Create a Digital Photo Frame

• Choose a photo app: Apps like Photos, Google Photos, or third-party photo frame apps offer slideshow features.
• Create an album: Select the photos you want to display and create a dedicated album.
• Configure slideshow settings: Adjust the slideshow speed, transition effects, and shuffle order to your liking.
• Place it in a prominent location: Position the iPad on a stand or mount in a living room, bedroom, or office.

Pro Tip

Use a cloud-based photo service like Google Photos to automatically sync new photos to your iPad. This way, your digital photo frame will always be up-to-date with your latest memories.

4. Portable Entertainment Center

An old iPad can still be a great source of entertainment, especially for travel or for kids. Load it up with movies, TV shows, games, and ebooks to keep yourself or your family entertained on the go.

Entertainment Essentials

• Download streaming apps: Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and other streaming services allow you to download content for offline viewing.
• Load up on games: Choose age-appropriate games for kids or download your favorite mobile games for yourself.
• Sync ebooks and audiobooks: Use the Kindle app, Apple Books, or Audible to access your digital library.
• Invest in a good pair of headphones: Noise-canceling headphones are a must for travel or shared spaces.

Example Use Case

When we go on road trips, my kids use the old iPad to watch movies and play games in the back seat. It keeps them entertained and prevents the dreaded "Are we there yet?" questions.

5. Dedicated Music Player

Transform your old iPad into a dedicated music player for your home. Connect it to a Bluetooth speaker or your home audio system and enjoy your favorite tunes without tying up your phone or computer.

Music Setup

• Choose a music streaming service: Spotify, Apple Music, or Pandora are great options.
• Create playlists: Organize your music into playlists for different moods and activities.
• Connect to a speaker: Pair the iPad with a Bluetooth speaker or connect it to your home audio system using an AUX cable.
• Use AirPlay: If you have Apple speakers or an Apple TV, you can use AirPlay to stream music wirelessly.

Practical Application

I keep my old iPad connected to a Bluetooth speaker in my kitchen. It's perfect for listening to music while I cook or clean. I can easily control the music with my voice using Siri.

Conclusion

Repurposing an old iPad is a fantastic way to extend its lifespan and get more value out of your technology. From smart home control to kitchen assistance and entertainment, there are countless ways to give your old tablet a new purpose. So, before you toss it in the recycling bin, consider these ideas and see how you can breathe new life into your old iPad. You might be surprised at how useful it can still be!