8 New Uses for an Old Smartphone

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Want a spiffy new media server? What about a fancy alarm clock? You may already have one stuffed in the junk drawer... an out-of-commission smartphone can be repurposed in surprising ways. Read our top story this week for some great ideas. --Kim Saccio-Kent, Newsletter Editor Top Story 8 More New Uses for Your Old Smartphone Give your old phone a new lease on life by converting it into a brainy TV remote, a GPS navigator, or a numpad companion for your keyboard. Top Tweets From @PCWPluggedIn Microsoft taking a closer look at "racy" apps on Marketplace: What a coincidence. So are the people buying them. Linux-based "Vivaldi" tablet is almost ready: We're hoping it will come with a four-season warranty. Facebook begins organ donor initiative: If someone "likes" your kidneys on Facebook, it's time to start worrying. Follow us every day on Twitter: @PCWPluggedIn Spotlight on Geek Tech This New Wind Turbine Produces Electricity and Water French company Eole Water reinvents the wind turbine to harvest wind energy and fresh water out of thin air. Browse this week's Geek Tech. Download of the Week MapMyRUN MapMyRUN lets you plan, create, and log your workouts online or on a smartphone. Fun & Games Top Geeky Watches: The Good, the Bad, and the Downright Strange These high-tech watches put some swagger into your inner geek. Why You Should Play The Walking Dead: Episode One Here's why you should play the first episode of The Walking Dead game from Telltale Games. No spoilers! Places for Fun Stuff on PCWorld.com Fun and Games Downloads Shop for Video Games and Hardware PC World videos Speed Matters Learn how to boost your PC's security without losing speed. Learn more here. Advertisement Lenovo ThinkPads & IdeaPads Click thru to shop the bestselling ThinkPads & IdeaPads! 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