Here are 10 places to take your phones so they can be refurbished, reused, or recycled and diverted from the landfill.

1. EcoATM

EcoATM is an automated kiosk that collects your unwanted cell phones and tablets and gives you cash for them. It’s made by the same people that make CoinStar, so you’ll find them by the checkout lines at various grocery store chains. It accepts devices from any era or in any condition, and offers anywhere between a few bucks to a few hundred dollars in return. EcoATM partners with R2 certified e-waste reclamation facilities to ensure they are recycled, or gives the phones a second life.

2. Eco-Cell

Eco-Cell is a Louisville, Kentucky-based e-waste recycling company. It partners with nonprofits and organizations such as the Jane Goodall Institute. Bins are located in coffee shops and other businesses around the country, where the collected phones are shipped to Eco-Cell in Louisville. If the phones are reusable, they resell them and pass some of the money back to the owner. If they are not reusable, the phones are recycled and the owner is paid the money for the value of the recycled materials.

3. Best Buy

Best Buy has recycling kiosks in their stores in the US, as well as recycling in-store for no charge to you. They typically limit it to three items per family, per day. From there, they work with recycling companies to make sure the phones and other electronics don’t end up in landfills.

4. Hope Phones

The Hope Phones campaign was started in 2009 by Medic Mobile, which works to advance health care in 16 countries by using mobile technology. Individuals, nonprofits, groups, or businesses can host a Hope Phones campaign to donate old phones. They are recycled and valued so the nonprofit can get new technology for the field. Most old models are valued at $5, but newer smartphones are regularly valued at $80, according to the website.

5. Cell Phones for Soldiers

Cell Phones for Soldiers is a nonprofit that works to provide cost-free communication services to active-duty military and veterans. New or gently used mobile phones are accepted and each device valued at $5 turns into 2.5 hours of free talk time for the soldiers.

6. Gazelle

Gazelle is one of the most popular trade-in options for old cell phones. The company is headquartered in Boston, with locations in Louisville, Kentucky and in Texas. Pick your brand, model, carrier, and plug in what kind of shape it’s in, then get an offer. Ship it for free, and receive a check or gift card to Amazon.com or PayPal after they check it out and make sure it’s worth what you say it is.

7. Call2Recycle

Call2Recyle  is a no-cost recycling program for batteries and cell phones in the US and Canada. It has collection boxes that can be placed anywhere, which have shipping permits so mailing them is easy. They also have bulk shipping if there is a large amount of recyclables.

8. Your carrier

AT&T has a trade-in program for unwanted phones and accessories regardless of manufacturer or carrier. The owner gets a “promotion card” which can then be used to take money off a new phone or other purchase. Make sure you erase all your information before you turn them in, though.

Verizon also offers a trade-in program where the owner can receive an electronic gift card once they send in the phone and have it appraised.

9. Local places

Your city undoubtedly has places to recycle old phones. Most local government websites, like New York’s, have directions of where to go to recycle phones. A lot of cities usually have nonprofits that donate old phones as well. The EPA also has an option to find out what electronics you can recycle with mail-in options.

10. Recycling for Charities

This nonprofit features one charity at a time, for which they donate money from recycling old phones. All makes and models are welcome at Recycling for Charities, and the phone condition is not an issue. They make an attempt to refurbish it first, then find recycling centers to ensure the materials won’t go into landfills if the phones cannot be reused.

These 10 services are well-researched and well-known options, but make sure to research on your own where your phone is going to make sure it is going to a certified e-waste recycler, so it doesn’t end up in a landfill despite your efforts.

iPhone 5s

The iPhone 5S was launched with iOS7.  The updated camera with iPhone 5S has become popular against competitors. Also, the iOS 7 includes many new features including fingerprint identification on the home button, control center, multitasking, enhanced Siri and many more.

The iPhone 5S is available with all major carriers.  Contract prices are $199-399 or without Contract prices are $649-$849.

HTC One

The HTC One runs Android 4.3, a quad-core processor, 2 GB of RAM, 1080p LCD displays and an ultra mega pixel camera.  The most popular feature with HTC One is the front facing speakers and dual microphones.

The HTC One is available with all major carriers.  Contract prices are as low as $50 or without Contract price is $550.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is the most prevailing Android device on the market.  The Galaxy Note 3 includes many features, such as, the S Pen, 13 mega pixel camera (rear), microSD storage, a removable battery, LTE and many more.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is available with all major carriers.  Contract price is$299.99 or without Contract price is $699.99.

Nokia Lumia 1520

The Nokia Lumia 1520 runs Windows Phone 8 OS.  The 1520 offers a larger display, faster processor, and lower resolution camera than the Lumia 1020.  Features of the Lumia 1520 include integrated Microsoft Office, 20 mega pixel camera, HD 1080p display and many more.

The Nokia Lumia is only available through AT&T.  Contract price is $199.99 or without Contract price  is$584.99.

Google Nexus 5

The Nexus 5 runs Android 4.4.  The Nexus 5 includes a Snapdragon 800 processor, 8 mega pixel camera, HDR+, wireless charging and many more.

The Nexus 5 prices are $349 (16GB) and $399 (32GB).

Moto X

The Moto X runs Android 4.4.  The Moto X includes many features, such as, 10 mega pixel camera with quick capture, touch-less control, face unlock and many more.

The Moto X is available with all major carriers. Contract price is $99 or without Contract price is $499.

LG G2

The LG G2 runs Android 4.2.2.  The LG G2 has 1080p IPS display, 13 mega pixel camera, power and volume rear keys , clip tray, knock on and many more features.

The LG G2 is available with all the major carriers.  Contract price is $199.99 or without Contract price is $603.99.

Samsung Galaxy S4

The Samsung Galaxy S4 runs Android 4.2.  The Galaxy S4 has a 13 mega pixel camera with Dual shot and Drama Shot, Air View that allows you to control your phone with hovering instead of touch, WatchON, S Health and many more.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 is available with all the major carriers.  Contract price is $199.99 or without Contract price is $627.99.

Motorola Droid Maxx

The Motorola Droid Maxx has outlasting power with a 3,500 mAh capacity battery.  The Droid Maxx features include active notifications, always-on listening, Command Center, wireless charging, 10 mega pixel camera and many more.

The Droid Maxx is only available at Verizon Wireless.  Contract price is $199.99 or without Contract price is $499.99.

Sony Xperia Z1

The Sony  Xperia Z1 is waterproof and dust resistant.  The Xperia Z1 has man features that include 20.7 mega pixel camera, full HD TRILUMINOUS display, quad-core processor, 2GB RAM, microSD card slot, and many more.

The Sony Xperia Z1 is available without a contract for $649.99.

Takeaway:  Before rushing out to buy the new iPhone 5s, take a look at the Nokia Lumia Specifications compared to the iPhone 5s.

Nokia Lumia 1020 is equipt with dynamic live tiles, Office Mobile, a 4.5 Puremotion HD+ AMOLED display and is the winner of the Best Smartphone Camera Award by Gizmodo for the 41-megapixel camera.

Apple’s iPhone 5s will be released on Today, September 20, 2013. The iPhone 5s is available in three colors and will run the recently released, iOS 7.

Compare the iPhone 5s to Nokia Lumia 1020:

Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) is permitting employees to bring personal devices (laptops, tablets, and smart phones) to their workplace, and use those devices to access company information and applications.

Create a Private App Store

Designing a private App Store provides the ability to manage custom and purchased apps.  Businesses can manage apps by pushing mandatory apps, approving recommended apps and blocking rouge or unrelated apps.

Policy Compliance

Policies ensure security, productivity, protection of resources and reduce risks.  Implementing a location-based service (LBS) such as Geo-Fencing and GPS will set limitations on access to data based on location.

Strong Security

There are many layers of security for a BYOD environment.  Device enrollment can be a one-time passcode and/or Active Directory credentials.  Applying user profiles will distribute policies, restrictions and Apps based on logical groups (department/location/device type).  Other types of security are tracking device locations, Remote Lock, Complete Wipe and Corporate Wipe.

Track Usage

Usage thresholds can be monitored based on talk, text, data and roaming for each user.  Setting up alerts and reports for misuse, excessive bandwidth, additional charges and security exposures will help track usage appropriately. 

Banning Rouge Devices

Compromised devices such as “jail broken” iPhone or a rooted Android should be restricted from accessing enterprise data and resources.  Compromised devices are susceptible to virus attacks.

For more information on Mobile Device Management

Contact us at 856-745-9990 or click here.

Microsoft has always been key player in the Technology world.  In 2009, Microsoft released Windows 7, for many users it became the best operating system yet.  Not too long after the release of Windows 7, Microsoft predicted that “touch-screens” were the future of technology and focused all of their resources in one place.

On October 26, 2012, Microsoft released their Windows 8 OS and their first tablet, the Surface RT.  Shortly thereafter, on February 9, 2013, Microsoft released the second tablet, the Surface Pro.  For more information regarding the Surface RT or the Surface Pro, click here. 

“A Windows 8-based PC is really a new kind of device, one that scales from touch-only small screens through to large screens, with or without a keyboard and mouse,” said Julie Larson-Green from Microsoft.

Apple and Android touchscreen devices have been very successful because they are useful on-the-go.  Trying to compete with Apple and Android, Microsoft developed Windows 8, a touch-oriented OS.  Many desktop and laptop users have had problems adjusting to the new OS.   Also, the Surface Tablet users are having trouble adjusting to this device and OS because it is a touch-enabled laptop.  Using the touchscreen features on a laptop is not convenient and very uncomfortable.

How long will it take for Microsoft to regain its position in the technology world?

Microsoft released Office Mobile in the Apple Store for free to all Office 365 users on June 14, 2013.  Office Mobile has a lot of stipulations and only provides the basic document editing capabilities.  Integrating Office Mobile with SkyDrive and Office 365 is a smooth process.

The first stipulation is Office Mobile is designed for iPhone.  The app is not optimized for iPad use; older iPad(s) receive errors.  The second stipulation is Office Mobile requires an Office 365 subscription.  A large percent of businesses have not switched to Office 365 which excludes potiential Office Mobile users.

For Office 365 subscribers, Office Mobile is a free app that provides the ability to view, edit and save Office documents.  All users that are not Office 365 subscribers can continue to use Office-compatible mobile apps that provide the same functionality.

Office Mobile has a similar interface to Windows phone.  After installing Office Mobile, users can view, edit and save Word, Excel and Powerpoint documents.  Users may be surprised with the limited editing abilities.  SkyDrive, SkyDrive Pro and SharePoint are ways to access documents.  ”Recent Documents” tracks the most recent documents that you viewed or changed and makes them easily accessible.

For more information on Hosted Services and Office 365

 please contact us 856-745-9990 or click here.

Takeaway:  How to use PC Remote App & Server software to control your PC with a Windows 8 Phone.

PC Remote App is an easy and secure way to remote into your PC from a Windows 8 Phone.  Two versions are available, PC Remote (free) and PC Remote Pro ($2.99).  

Step 1 – Install PC Remote Server

1.  Download the PC Remote Server from http://www.pcremoteserver.com/PCRemoteSetup.msi
2.  Run PCRemoteSetup.msi file
3.  After install, you can setup a password.  Select “Password” Tab.

5.  Check “Enable”
6.  Enter the password
7.  Select the “General” Tab and then Click “Update Server”.

Step 2 – Download PC Remote Mobile Client

1.  Open Windows Phone Store App.
2.  Search for “PCRemote” (Select Free version) and tap “Install”.
3.  Select “+” to add the IP address of the server machine.

4.  Insert the IP address of the server machine and password you selected in Step 1.
5.  Return to the main screen and select your machine.
6.  From the control menu you can choose multiple control options.

Takeaway:  Canalys’ Market Shares for Quarter 1 of 2013 showing that Android is dominating the Worldwide Smart Mobile Market.

After being released in 2007, this Linux-based operating system is the most used platform for smartphones. According to BBC News, Android has 900 million activations.

Android has 59.50% Market Share for the first quarter of 2013, according to Canalys.  Apple has 19.30% Market Share and Microsoft has 18.10%, together does not equal to the Android market.  The  Worldwide Smart Mobile Market includes Netbooks, Smarphones and Tablets

Takeaway:  Information for and against Windows Phone 8.

The second generation Windows Phone was release in October 2012.  Windows Phone 8 bundles essential functionality including navigation, storage, sharing and apps.

Windows Phone 8 runs Modern UI (Metro) which is typography-style layout also known as Swiss Style.  Microsoft added several new colors as additional options for users such as Cobalt, Olive, Amber, Steel and many others.

The apps collection does not include popular apps such as YouTube, Flash, HBOGO and several others.  Lastly, Windows Phone 8 does not have vocal turn-by-turn navigation.

Unlike iOS and Android, the core of social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, are built-in to the operating system.  Windows Phone 8 does not have a notification bar (Android) or disrupting notifications (iOS).  Checking social media updates, e-mail and weather will be a simple task after setting up your home screen by arranging live tiles.

Takeaway:  Specifications break down of the top four prominent smartphones.

In the United States the top four smartphones are Samsung Galaxy SIII, iPhone 5, Samsung Galaxy Note II and Motorola Razr Maxx HD.  The chart compares mobile carriers, platform, hardware, networks/ Wi-Fi, display, camera and battery for all four leading phones.

If you’re thinking about buying a new smartphone, the chart below will be a quick guide with the necessary feature-to-feature comparisons to make a worthy choice.