Most of us have a drawer full of old gadgets lying around. Letting them pile up and collect dust isn’t just a waste of money but also a missed opportunity. You’d be surprised by how many useful things your old phone is capable of. In this Komando DIY, we’ve got four things you can do with your old smartphones after you upgrade.
Best Prime Day deals for work AND play

Today’s the last day to snag these Prime Day steals. They should really rebrand it to Prime Days … I found these fabulous deals to help you work hard and play hard, at home or on the go.
Around the house
- Blended options: Smoothies for the whole fam (64 ounces) or single-serve? This Ninja blender works for pitchers or blending directly in to-go cups. It’s 27% off.
- Eyes everywhere: The Ring indoor camera is half off at $30.
- Healthier crispy food: Make wings or fries for your summer cookout and into football season with an air fryer, now 41% off.
- Get smart: Save on the Amazon Echo Show 5, on sale for $50. It’s a smart home hub, virtual photo gallery frame and streaming device, all in one. Or get a few more bells and whistles (and a bigger screen) with the Echo Show 8, now $85.
- Rosie 2.0: Leave the cleaning to the robot. This Shark Robot vacuum is more than half off at $250.
- Counter space saver: A roll-up drying rack over your sink saves space when you need it. This one is a steal at $8.
- Yes, filter: A Brita filter pitcher keeps your drinking water healthier and colder than from the tap. Different colors are 32% to 38% off.
- Really clean: This high-pressure washer works faster than a garden hose connection with its 15-inch surface cleaning power. It’s 40% off for Prime members.
On the go
- Add to cart suitcase: This women’s packable sun visor is stylish, fits in your luggage and keeps the sun off your face. It’s 29% off.
- Influencers love ‘em: These compression biker shorts are on sale for $20 and come in sizes from XS to 3XL.
- Echo buds: Amazon-brand Bluetooth earbuds are 50% off for Prime Day, making a pair $25.
- No hands: This airplane phone mount will save your neck and it’s only $14. A deal for in-flight amenities? Sign me up.
- In case of emergency: A first aid kit comes in handy. Pick one up for under $15 (42% off).
- Campsite cooking: For campers (or tailgaters), this portable butane-powered stove is an affordable upgrade, and it’s 34% off for Prime members.
Fun and games
- Type A: A gaming keyboard will level up your current setup, even if all you do is type emails. It’s 16% off.
- Roku in 4K: Improved picture quality from earlier models and voice commands will help you find where you put that darn remote. It’s 30% off.
- Better than a sale: A five-month free trial of Amazon Music Unlimited for streaming music and podcasts.
- Read and write: The Amazon Kindle Scribe is part digital notebook, part e‑reader. It’s 31% off.
- Listen up: These Sony over-ear wireless headphones have a mic and are a deal at $38. It’s a good lightweight, longer-lasting option if you don’t need noise cancellation.
- Attention, music snobs: This portable Marshall speaker is tops for sound quality and durability. Plus, it looks really cool. It’s 29% off.
Home office
- No slouch: An ergonomic office chair is a must if you’re sitting at a desk for long periods of time. This one is on sale for $150.
- Stop searching for pens: Load up on the essentials. Get these 144 everyday ballpoint pens for 40% off.
- High-powered surge protector: This power strip tower (48% off) has 16 outlets and five USB ports, so you can plug in up to 21 devices.
- Sleek extender option: Love this one from Anker with six outlets and two USB ports, too.
- Holy storage, Batman: A 20TB external hard drive that’s 46% off? You’ll never run out of room!
- Get creative: This set of 12 Sharpie markers is 67% off for all your color-coding or creative work.
- Quality sketch pads: A four-pack of small sketch pads is 15% off, a deal for artists of all ages.
🛒 If you’re still shoppin’ around, hit this link that takes you to the Prime Day sales. I’m sure you’ll find something for yourself or to give as a gift.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Amazon Prime Day: 30 can’t-miss deals live now

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. The Amazon Prime Day sale is here! (Dumb name, since it’s today and tomorrow.)
You’ll need an Amazon Prime account to score the discounts. If you’re not a member, use this link to try it free for 30 days. Just remember to cancel if you don’t want to get charged.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Clever uses for your old phone: Security camera, alarm clock, emergency calling
Don’t miss these early Prime Day deals
Amazon Prime Day starts Tuesday, but you can get a jump-start on deals now.
- Don’t care about the latest and greatest Apple AirPods? Get a deal on an older model that works great (47% off, $69).
- Upgrade your home office with a single-serve Keurig coffee maker for 40% off. Comes in cute colors, like pink or light ocean blue.
- These leakproof bento box-style containers rarely go on sale, but they’re 30% off now in your kids’ or grandkids’ favorite colors. Hey, I want one for snacks …
- Upgrade your external storage with 44% off a five-star-reviewed 1TB portable SSD. It looks nice, too.
- Grab a quality digital meat thermometer for your summer grilling needs. It’s 52% off now — only $9.99.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
🤖 Try Apple Intelligence first: Test some of Apple’s AI features with the iOS 18.1 beta on an iPhone 15 Pro or 15 Pro Max. Go to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates > iOS 18 Developer Beta > Back. Then select Upgrade to iOS 18 and hit Update Now.
How old is too old for your phone
Is it time to upgrade? I’ve got a nifty rule of thumb in this quick one-minute podcast.
Time to pay up: Netflix is phasing out its cheapest ad-free plan. If you’re on it, you’ll get a notification saying your last day to watch is July 13 unless you upgrade. Options: $6.99 ad-supported, $15.49 ad-free or $22.99 ad-free 4K premium.
Fourth of July deals: Best I found on Amazon

If you’ve been around a while, you know I love a deal. I’m a bargain shopper through and through. And you can always count on me to share a good holiday sale.
Before you get to the flag-waving, hot dog grilling, pool splashing and sparkler lighting, browse this list. Happy shopping and happy Fourth!
3 reasons you shouldn't go another day without antivirus software

If you don’t have antivirus software, you’re putting every internet-connected gadget you own at risk. Something as simple as an unchanged router password can be an entry point for an invader to shut down your phone or even taunt your children through a security camera or smart speaker.
Steve Jobs' uncashed check, ChatGPT job heist & dead phone hacks
Plus, be careful with QR codes. Clever new scams are spreading fast. How much is $1,000 worth of Apple shares in 1998 worth today? (Hint: It’s a lot!). A heartwarming Facebook story, fun ChatGPT-powered tools, video game speedruns and how to upgrade your browser with an underrated feature.
🌈 Android weather app upgrade: The latest Google redesign is live on most Samsung, Pixel and OnePlus phones. Looks better and has smarter rain predictions, like the ol’ iPhone favorite, Dark Sky.
5 ways to improve your LinkedIn profile
If you’re trying to find a job on LinkedIn, you’re facing stiff competition. It’s estimated that around 40 million people look for jobs on the site weekly. That means you should do everything possible to stand out from the crowd.
5 smart, simple tech changes to make 2024 better

New year, same you. And that’s OK! You don’t need to makeover your entire life to have a good 2024.
But I can tell you firsthand it’s totally worth it to spend a few minutes cleaning up your tech life. Keep reading for steps to banish junk mail, make your phone less annoying and improve your cybersecurity. You got this!
iPhone 15 - 2 reasons to upgrade and 2 reasons not to
Want to drop some big bucks at the Apple Store? I tell you if the new phone is right for you, one minute.
Trade in your iPhone 8 and iPhone X now
When is it time to upgrade your phone? I’ll tell you why you should right now, in one minute.
AI marriage vows, AnyDesk scam alert & tools better than ChatGPT
Plus, are robots overworked? One tired bot faceplanted on the factory floor. Strangely, parrots love to gossip online. Find the best seat for your flight, upgrade your email management and new tricks to transform how you use Google Docs.
Small biz or side hustle tip: Manage appointments and rentals with these tips and tech tools
Running multiple small businesses can be overwhelming. You have to juggle scheduling, accounting and countless other duties. Talk about stressful.
Luckily, you can streamline your operations with a small business scheduling app like Google Calendar, Calendly or Acuity Scheduling.
It's tax time: 4 free and paid software options to file your return online

The deadline for filing federal tax returns for the 2022 tax year is Tuesday, April 18. You don’t have to wait until the deadline, however. You can start filing today.
Are you planning to file electronically? You have a few options, including IRS Free File or Fillable Forms, tax prep sites and commercial software. You can scan important documents into a digital format using your phone or tablet. Tap or click here for more tax filing tips.
Struggling with Excel? 3 tips and tutorials to help you out

Ah, Excel. It’s been around since the ’80s, yet it can still stump many of us. There’s a lot to learn, from creating complex formulas to navigating pivot tables.
So, where do you turn? You can buy a paid course, which will give you a lot of bang for your buck, but you can also start smaller — and free.
Ask Kim: 'Can you help me choose a new PC and printer?'

Every week, Kim is asked tech-related questions. Which organizers are best for home offices? What apps are the safest for kids to use? What are brands worth the cost?
Kim recently received one question that stood out. Marion from Tennessee explained she helps run two small companies. They want to upgrade two desktop computers and a printer since they have been very slow. She’d like to know what fast computers and printers Kim recommends.