Your Old Smart Phone Can do Wonders: Phonvert
Do have a smartphone in your drawer which you un-friended long back? Do you feel that your current smart phone is going to attain an early retirement? Well think again if you are getting ready to throw away your “almost” working phone. Remember it may have a new life elsewhere — especially as a part of the Internet of Things!
Through this article we are taking you to Japan. Japan is the land of innovation and here is a company called Phonvert trying to convert your phones into useful Internet of things based gadget; while recycling your smart phone’s remaining potential.
Smartphone (s) of the World
If we look at the wastage, America alone trashes 130 million cell phones all by themselves. Adding to it, the number of smart phones wasted by rest of the world would run down to about 280 million. Most of them end up as road fills, mine fills or probably a memorabilia which can fetch a great auction price tag few decades from now.
Phonvert is a smart phone savior working towards salvaging the working components in the smart phones. Keeping all the commotions at bay, Team Phonvert wants to create a “cult movement“ and a sea change in the recycling sector.
Founded by Tomo Kihara, Keisuke Shiro, Kosuke Takahashi and Seibe Takahashi, Phonvert is developed on an open source software platform which encompasses other creative “Purposes” using its mobile app as mentioned below:
Cry Alert: A mother can monitor the baby and watch over her in case of a motion in cradle. The Camera in the smartphone can also get live video footage of the baby and her status for the concerned mom.
Fridge Cam: Install you old smartphone in your fridge and with every open/ closure of fridge door, the app triggers the phone to take a snap shot sensing movement. The snap shot from the cam can be used to know the status of the fridge and what needs to be purchased or missing.
Post cam: You can get an update in the phone when someone drops mail in your mail box. It even takes the snap shot of address mentioned on the mail.
Surveillance cams: Smart phones can be hid or easily installed in nooks and corners for surveillance purposes. Restaurants, bars, offices etc can make good use of the cell phones. If you are unlucky stick you phone with a duct tape and it works like a wonderful surveillance cam!
Readers Zone
The story continues as we require the audience to add your comments and let us know what you think about them. You are free to add in more suggestions and help Phonvert give you more creative solutions too.
Some ideas that readers have suggested at our Facebook page:
Smart Mirrors
Pet Watch
Candy vending machines