Apple Zombies around the world are awaiting the Big Day, July 11th. That’s the day when the new iPhone, the one that operates G3 and has other enhancements, makes its entry into the market. That day, people will line up to replace the iPhones they bought just months ago with the newest, shiniest object from Cupertino.
So, this begs the question, “what do I do with my old iPhone?” Excellent question! Up to now, there has been a bit of an aftermarket for those Apple gadgets. eBay is full of 8 and 16 gig units (I said “units!”) “loaded” with music and even a few movies. Sure, even when deactivated, the WiFi on the older phones will still work. It’ll still make a really nice (though slightly larger) iPod Touch. But, let’s face it – the old iPhones will be yesterday’s news – like used cigarette butts on the ash heap of history. And, who wants that?
So, maybe there are other things an Apple Zombie can do with the old unit (uh, there I go again). iPhone will make a lovely paperweight. Or, you can use it to steady that table or chair with that one leg slightly shorter than the other. You can even flip it over, and shine up the back; imagine how handy that would be for signaling planes or passing ships if your marooned on a desert island somewhere.
Getting ideas now?
The green-thinking iPod owner can let his imagination run wild for recycling their cast-off into something useful for the planet. How stylish would it be to maintain the compost pile in the backyard (and all Apple owners have a compost pile right?) by stirring that rich compost with your new Apple-branded hand trowel? Perhaps you could fashion a swanky new gas cap for the Prius? Or maybe just use it to cover that hole in the wall you put your fist through when you came to realize that you’ll be making these iPhone decisions every 18 months or so.
You know, speaking of recycling, I need to keep a copy of this post. I can use it again in late 2009, or so.
Or you could sell it on the secondary market to all the folks who a) live somewhere without 3G coverage, or b) still want to jailbreak/unlock it for use on other carriers.
AT&T’s new activation model means no more unlocking without getting stuck with a 2 year contract.
This means an even stronger secondary market for iPhone 1.0, just wait.
Better yet, give it to your son who will then tell everyone he has the coolest mother in the world.
This is rich. But not nearly as rich as my compost pile.
Seriously though, folks, I think the obvious answer is to convert it into a fun dog chew toy. It’s only a matter of time until my dog finds it and tears into it anyway. I figure if I give it a good charge first I can see the Apple logo projecting through his butt for a few hours. This doesn’t include talk time, of course.