The Apple Watch arrived in 2015 and since then it has been regularly updated with design changes and new software bringing additional features, some of which you may not even know about. With several hundred million Apple Watches sold to date, many people probably have an old one gathering dust in a drawer somewhere. If this is your case, you could give it a new life with this cute tinyPod gadget. As the name suggests, the tinyPod turns your old Apple Watch into a useful wearable device dripping with iPod nostalgia. Compatible with Apple Watches 4 through 9 and all three Apple Watch Ultras, the tinyPod houses your Apple smart watch without a strap. The really cool part is the cleverly designed physical scroll wheel, which connects to the watch’s digital crown to make menu navigation easier.
The fun little gadget provides easy access to downloaded music, podcasts and other offline features, while an internet connection unlocks things like weather, messages and streaming music. Many Apple Watch features work without even needing your phone nearby. But remember: the watch isn’t on your wrist, so you’ll miss out on key health features like heart and sleep monitoring. Designed with a hard plastic case and a hole on the back for easy charging, the tinyPod costs $89. There’s also the tinyPod lite soft case for $39. This one doesn’t include the adorable scroll wheel but leaves the digital crown exposed for easy access. Both can be pre-ordered and are expected to ship in the fall. If you don’t want to wait, other companies have taken a similar approach to turning your smartwatch into something you carry around instead of wearing.
Cooler cases for an old Apple Watch
Like the tinyPod, the similarly sized RePod (pictured left) houses your Apple Watch and lets you navigate with a scroll wheel, although you can also select items via the touchscreen. The RePod is available in silver and space gray for the Apple Watch 4 through 12, as well as the SE, with prices ranging from $59 to $65. It also offers two models for the Apple Watch Ultra: a sleek, curved aluminum alloy case for $69 (ships in the fall) that fits in the palm of your hand, and another with a more rugged look. Made from zinc alloy and starting at $74.90, the latter is available in various colors, including gunmetal black, silver and titanium. Both have holes on the back, so there is no problem for loading.
Another great option is the Miniphone Ultra (pictured right), aimed at anyone who wants to spend less time on their full-size phone. The Apple Watch Ultra’s sleek case proved a hit when watch enthusiast Ed Jelley posted it on Instagram as part of a personal 3D printing project. Inspired by the positive response, he marketed it for $38. The plastic case with textured exterior surfaces is, according to New York-based Jelley, “large enough to feel good in your hand, but small enough that you won’t be distracted.” It doesn’t have a scroll wheel but leaves the digital crown exposed. It also has an open back for easy loading.
Other ways to put an old Apple Watch to good use
Trevor Mogg
If you have an Apple Watch that you no longer use, there’s still plenty you can do with it. For starters, you can turn it into a bedside clock by placing it on a charging stand and using Nightstand mode. You can also leave it in the kitchen and use the hands-free Siri feature to set cooking timers, or alarms and reminders for whatever comes to mind while you’re working on it. You can even convert it to Whoop Band.
An old Apple Watch can also be turned into a dedicated remote shutter for your iPhone, handy for group photos or selfies when you want a little more distance from the lens. When you open the watch’s Camera Remote app, it automatically connects to your phone and displays a live preview on your watch screen via the front or rear camera. To take a photo, press the watch shutter button or select the three-second timer.
Apple Watch is also a powerful tool for controlling smart home devices through the Apple Home app, including lights, fans, air purifiers, and shades. You can even use it to control your Apple TV, although such a small TV remote may mean you spend more time looking for it than actually using it. If you no longer want to keep your Apple Watch, you can give it to someone else, such as a parent, perhaps a young niece or nephew who might like a new gadget to play with. If none of these ideas appeal to you, you can always sell it on eBay or Craigslist, or trade it in at an electronics store that accepts these devices.
