All But the Tiniest Houses Need Big Internet Speeds Houses made of gingerbread, frosting, and candies can get by on their sweet looks alone. But the houses we actually live in are filled with all kinds of internet-connected devices requiring big internet speeds. To help determine if your house could use an internet speed upgrade, consider these factors: • Number of internet users - Include not only your family members but frequent visitors and house guests, if applicable. • Typical online activities - For each user, note their online activities such as streaming movies and TV shows, video calls, social media, online gaming, working or learning from home, and so on. How many of these activities occur simultaneously on an average day? • Number of devices - Add up the total number of computers, tablets, smartphones, gaming consoles, streaming devices, smart appliances, and smart home or security devices. If you’re like most households, this number has in- creased significantly in recent years. . After you’ve thought about your current internet usage, call us (641) 332-2000 for help selecting the right internet speed for your house. GUTHRIE CENTER COMMUNICATIONS • ( 641 ) 332-2000 • www.guthr i ecentercom. com 5 Ways to Repurpose Your Old Phone When it’s time to get a bright and shiny new phone, what will you do with your old one? You may decide to trade it in with your cellular carrier, give it to a family member, sell it online, or take it to an electronics recycling organization. But those aren’t your only options. Check out these great uses for old phones: #1: Security Camera Download a security camera app like AlfredCamera or Presence on your old and new phones, then mount the old phone where you want to keep an eye on your home. You can use something as simple as a suction cup mount for a car. Then use your current phone to log in and view the feed from your old phone. #2: Digital Photo Frame An old phone can easily be turned into a photo display. Simply get a phone stand and run your favorite photos through on a slideshow. #3: Child’s Device If you’re not yet ready to buy your child his/her own phone with a cellular plan, you can instead repurpose your old phone for more limited use. You don’t need cellular connectivity for the camera to work. Once the phone is secure, connect it to Wi-Fi and your child can send pics, search the internet, download apps, make VoIP calls, and play games. #4: Gaming System There are many different mobile games for iPhone and Android, and you only need a Wi-Fi connection to download. If you have an extra phone lying around, repurpose it as a dedicated gaming system. That way, you’ll never have to worry about storage space while you’re in the heat of a battle or the middle of an adventure. #5: Donation to a Good Cause If you don’t have a use for your old phone, think about donating it. For example, Cell Phones for Soldiers sells refurbished or recycled phones to buy troops prepaid international calling cards and provide emergency funding to veterans. (They’ll wipe your old phone clean of all your personal information first.) HopeLine from Verizon accepts devices in any condition from any service provider to benefit victims and survivors of domestic violence.
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