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How to turn your old iPhone into a security camera

Have some old Apple devices hanging around? Time to put them to work. PresenceDo you always wonder what you are going to do with that old iPhone or iPad when you purchase the latest and greatest model? It seems so sad to just let them sit in a drawer.  Presence is a free app for Apple devices that can bring life back into your old iPhone or iPad and help you keep an eye on things in your home a

Have some old Apple devices hanging around? Time to put them to work. 

Presence

Do you always wonder what you are going to do with that old iPhone or iPad when you purchase the latest and greatest model? It seems so sad to just let them sit in a drawer.  

Presence is a free app for Apple devices that can bring life back into your old iPhone or iPad and help you keep an eye on things in your home at the same time. You simply install the app on the old device and it acts as your remote webcam via Wi-Fi. You then install the same app to your new device using the same email and password as your monitor. And voila! You can monitor whatever you want from anywhere in the world, and it's versatile. You can use it for security, as a nanny cam, baby monitor, or as a fun and free way to stay in touch with the ones you love.

Google Chromecast

This is an inexpensive and easy to use streaming device. Anyone can figure this out in minutes! For $35 this little device plugs right into your HDMI port on your TV and then allows you to view certain video content from your laptop, tablet or phone on your big (or little) screen TV. Imagine not having to crowd around a tiny screen to show people a video. And you don’t have to strain your own eyes either. As of now, the content is limited to channels like Netflix and YouTube. You can also use Google Play as well as stream video content through the Google web browser, Chrome. But don’t worry, more companies are said to be coming to Chromecast in the near future.

Kindle MatchBook

MatchBook is a new service from Amazon that is due to launch sometime in October. This service puts a new spin in the publishing world! MatchBook works like this: when you buy a print edition book from the MatchBook section of Amazon, it will allow you to also buy a copy of the same book as an e-book for either $2.99, $1.99, $.99 or free. The books have to be in the Matchbook program to qualify for this, and it will apply to thousands of books dating back to 1995 (when Amazon opened its online store). It not only applies to your present purchases, it also applies to your book purchasing history with Amazon. Did you know that Amazon has a list of every book you have ever purchased from them? 

For example, if you bought the book I Know This Much is True, by Wally Lamb, back in 1998 from Amazon (this book is part of the MatchBook service), and you would now like to re-read it on your e-reading device, you would be able to purchase the electronic version through MatchBook for anywhere between $2.99 and free. (By the way, the prices are determined by the publishers, and the titles that are available are determined by both the publishers and the authors.) I think this is really great for those of you who love your print version books, but who are slightly envious of the convenience offered with an e-book.