Two new iPads are on the way. Here’s how to recycle the old one for your kids

[ad_1]

You can turn your old iPad into a smart home hub that works like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.

Karisa Langlo / CNET

It’s official: two new iPads will hit stores this Friday, September 24th.

Apple announced the iPad Mini and 10.2-inch iPad at its big event last week. Both iPads come with a new high-resolution camera that includes Center Stage (a new digital zoom feature) and some big updates we’ve been waiting for. The iPad Mini is available in four new colors, has a True Tone display and supports 5G connectivity. On the other hand, the ninth generation iPad works with the first generation Apple Pencil and other wireless keyboards. It greatly favors the eighth generation, but comes with a faster A13 bionic chip.

If you’re buying a new iPad, there’s no better time. But what does this mean for your old man? Maybe sell it for some extra cash to cover the cost of the shiny new iPad? Or you can keep it around for your kids and download iPadOS15 to give them some of the new iPad benefits for free. Even though the new iPad sounds a lot better, the old one can still come in handy. You can use it as a smart hub similar to an Echo Show or Google Nest Hub. Or you can turn it into a new baby monitor (more below). Interested? We will show you how.

Receive the CNET Now newsletter

Spice up your chat with the latest technology news, products and reviews. Delivered on weekdays.

We also have ideas on what you can do with your old Android phone (maybe turn it into a security camera). And here’s what else was unveiled at the Apple event. There is a new Apple Watch and the iPhone 13 has finally arrived with two new colors.

Turn it into a smart hub and use Apple’s HomeKit

You don’t need to buy Apple’s HomePod or HomePod Mini to put a smarter Apple speaker in your kid’s room.

You can turn your old iPad into a smart home hub that allows your kids to play music, turn lights on and off, and even control the temperature in their room with the tablet.

To turn your iPad into a smart home hub for your kid’s room:

1. On your iPad, go to Settings.

2. Scroll down, tap Home, and then turn on Use this iPad as a home hub.

If you want to give your kids control only over smart-home devices in their room and not anywhere in the house, you can set limits on what they have access to in the Home app.

A smart baby monitor for much cheaper

Most baby monitors make it easy to control your little one from your phone or computer. But they are not cheap. Turning your old iPad into a baby monitor can be a cheaper way to keep track of your baby.

Baby monitor apps like Cloud Baby Monitor can let you check your baby. You can also get motion and noise alerts, just like from popular baby monitors – the Owlet Smart Sock Plus is very popular. Note that if you’re looking for a monitor that keeps an eye on your baby’s oxygen levels, temperature, and sleep quality, an iPad won’t do it for you.

A relaxing night machine for lights and sounds

If your kids are starting to sleep alone and you want to create a peaceful sleep haven for them, your old iPad is up to the task. With an app like Baby Night Lite, you can set up a children’s room night light with a variety of small animals and colors along with a sound machine that comes with a variety of songs and white noises and ambient background sounds. And you can set a timer and create a playlist of quiet and relaxing music or lullabies. For older children who are beyond lullabies and dancing sheep, an app like Night Light Lite lets you choose from a variety of sounds, such as beach waves and flowing water, and night light colors. to help them fall asleep.

A new game console and feature with iPadOS 15

Sony’s PS5 or Nintendo Switch may be on your kids’ list for Christmas gifts. But iPadOS15 has some new widgets to enhance games, including a Keep Playing feature to pick up where you left off and a widget that lets you see what games your friends are playing.

And for fun and variety, it’s hard to beat an iPad paired with Apple Arcade games, like NBA 2K21 Arcade Edition or The Oregon Trail. And if you have more kids in the house than play devices, converting that old iPad into a play device might just be the ticket.

Also, the iPad gives your kids a bigger screen on which to play multiplayer games. And you can even add a PlayStation or Xbox wireless controller to the iPad for your kids to play without hogging the TV or phone.

You can download learning apps to allow your child to use your old tablet as an educational tool.

Sarah Tew / CNET An educational tool with learning games and apps

If your kids are starting to need the home computer for homework, turning an iPad into a dedicated educational tool could be the perfect use for your old Apple tablet. You can even pair it with a keyboard and mouse to make the iPad look more like a computer. Also, the new iPad update comes with a split view so you can take notes and watch a video or use an app, making the old iPad even more useful.

If you’re worried about your child being distracted by messages, games, alerts, and social media, you can use Apple’s parental controls to set limits and what they can and can’t do on the device. You can also use Focus Mode to silence any notifications, distractions, and create a screen that only shows the apps you choose.

To keep up with this school year, here are some apps that can help your kids study, track their day, and take notes.

If you’re still thinking about buying a new iPad, here’s our guide to the best iPads available right now and the big differences between them. And here are the big differences between the two new iPads if you’re debating which one to take.

[ad_2]