I dropped my Hisense Sero 7 Pro last night - again. Sadly, this rugged little tablet did not survive the fall this time around, leaving me with an otherwise functional tablet with a rather pretty but distracting fracture pattern between the LCD screen and touchscreen. The touchscreen still works, sure, so i could keep using this tablet. I could also simply junk it and use another. Or I could sell it on Ebay with an honest description and let someone do with it what they will. I'm going to replace the tablet, yes, but rather than throw it away I decided to find another use for it. The Hisense Sero 7 Pro has a fairly powerful quad-core CPU, decent camera, card slot, and an HDMI port. This opens up a number of possibilities, including turning the tablet into a media player by plugging it into a large screen TV, using it as a file server or web server, or adapting it to function as a security camera. So far I have come up with three possible uses. I haven't yet followed through on any of these plans, but I thought I would take a moment today and share what I had so far.

While I have found a couple useful ideas, I'm hoping that someone might come up with a better suggestion. The media player idea is probably the least practical because this tablet has storage limitations. It can only support a 32GB microSD card, and that's not really enough to store a large collection of video files. Update: But as a reader reminded me in the comments, a streaming media player might be more practical than a simple media player. The file server idea faces a similar limitation, but if I am going to be storing smaller files like ebooks and other documents then the problem won't be as severe. What's more, I could take this tablet with me to conferences and use it as a mobile file server.  I might even adapt the LibraryBox idea and make the files publicly available for download. I haven't followed through on this, but I did find instructions (link). And last but not least, I could repurpose the 5MP camera on the Sero 7 Pro as a networked security camera.

This task would be relatively simple to accomplish and could prove incredibly useful. Teak Patio Furniture Nova ScotiaAll I would need to do is install and configure a couple apps.Be Safe Car Seat Compatibility I found a couple different sets of instructions (link, link), and one would even let me monitor the camera over the internet. Car Tire Pump AmazonI could even set the camera to automatically take a photo when it detects motion, and then upload the image to Dropbox. I have thought up 3 uses for a broken tablet or smartphone; can you suggest another one? The comment section is open. images by 3dom, Patrick HoeslyCurrent hint: My Own DIY Work Please send me DIY links you know - but I don´t ! Cheap DIY macro lens

A cheap super-macro lens for a digital camera - this one in particular fits the olympys 2020-Z digital camera; although you can get by by just holding the maco in front of a camera lens. The assembly is simply a reversed standard 58mm lens off an old 35mm camera with suitable step-down rings and a back-to-back ring (i.e. thread at both ends) that enables the lens to be attached in reverse. Standard 58mm lens for a 35mm camera with 52mm filter thread at the end The back-to-back stepdown from 52mm to 46mm (original home-made one from two broken filters glued back-to-back and another step-down) 46mm to 43mm stepdown ring 43mm to 41mm step down and adaptor (from olympus to fit 43mm filters to a 2020 camera) Set the 58mm to infinity and wides aperature The subject need to be a few centermeters from the lens Get as much light onto the subject as possible to highest F-stop on the digital camera to maximise the depth of focus Zoom as much as possible to reduce vignetting

It's easy for the lens to cast a shadow onto the subject The depth of focus is narrow Why do I get a batteries exhausted error? My camera won't turn on, how do I fix it? Canon PowerShot SX120 IS Where can we get replacement parts? Lens error, restart camera - means what? Canon PowerShot SD870 IS Background and Identification ¶ Although digital photography is much more common these days, film cameras are still in use around the world. From antique plate-cameras, to simple point-and-shoots, to the costly DSLRs, cameras come in thousands of different shapes and sizes. Identifying exactly which camera you own can sometimes be a challenge. Usually it says right on the front which manufacturer/model it is, but you may have to look on the bottom or on the back of the camera to determine the specific model. Wikipedia: CameraCNET: Digital Camera Reviews and PricingWith the right parts, you can replace an iPhone 5 screen in under 10 minutes.

While a typical iPhone 5 DIY repair requires you to transfer all the small parts from the cracked display over to the new one, we can show you a way to replace your broken screen that will require a lot less work on your part. Not only will it save you lots of time, it will make this repair much more feasible for people with even the most modest DIY experience. And once you're done, your iPhone 5 will be as good as new again! The only difference between this version of the repair and our traditional method is the type of replacement display you will buy. Our friends over at eTech Parts now offer iPhone 5 displays with small parts already pre-installed. These are the additional components that are already in place so you don't have to transfer them: Front Camera with Induction Flex Cable Assembly Home Button with Rubber Gasket Using the traditional method, you'll have to transfer all of these things over. If you use the instructions and parts inside this particular guide, they'll all be pre-installed for you.

So make the decision on which guide is right for you based on how comfortable you are with DIY repair as a whole. The difference in price isn't tremendous but the difference in labor is. Discounted tools & parts There are lots of parts suppliers out there but not all of them are created equal, especially fly by night Amazon and eBay resellers. That's why we recommend always using a supplier that specializes in iPhone parts and offers a warranty of some kind. We highly recommend eTech Parts whose customer service and part quality just can't be matched. eTech offers shipping to many countries throughout the world. 30% off high quality parts and tools eTech has been kind enough to offer up a coupon code for all the iMore DIY'ers in tons of countries throughout the world that will give you 30% off your entire order. Just use the following coupon code when checking out: eTech coupon code: iMore Here's a complete list of parts and tools we recommend for this particular repair.

Clicking any of the buy links will take you directly to that item on eTech's site. iPhone 5 replacement screen, including small parts - Buy black screen now, Buy white screen now iPhone 5 tool kit Razor blade (not necessary, but recommended) - Buy Now Note: Some people have trouble getting the screen off with a suction cup if it is extremely spidered. This why we recommend picking up a razor blade. We will show you an alternate way of removing the display. Power off your iPhone 5 Before beginning any repair, always power your iPhone down completely using the Slide to power off option. Remove the old screen To begin, use your security screwdriver to remove the two screws in the bottom of your iPhone 5 that sit on either side of the dock. Now place your suction cup above the Home button and gently pry up from the bottom. Take care not to pull the entire screen off as the top of the screen is still attached by several cables. You only want to release the bottom portion.

Once the screen is free, swing up the display assembly so you can get to the shield that is holding the cables in place. Use your #000 screwdriver to remove the three screws holding the display shield down. Set the shield aside and remember not to mix up the screws. Now use your spudger tool to pry up the three cables that attach the display to the board. After you do so, the display should be free from the device. You can only see two of the cables (as marked in the photo below) and the third is underneath. Most of the time the third one simply pops up on its own when you remove the first two. If not, just use your spudger to pry it up. The second photo below shows its location on the board for reference. The display should now be free. If you're having issues pulling the screen up with a suction cup, you may insert a razor blade on the outer edge of either screw hold and pry upwards slightly. This method gives you enough clearance to stick your spudger tool underneath and release the screen.

I recommend this method if your hands aren't as steady or you're afraid you may pull too hard and damage a cable. Install the new screen Attach the three cables on the new display to the logic board. Replace the display shield and replace the three screws you removed previously using your #000 screwdriver. Carefully press down the display starting at the top (there are small grooves that fit on the inside of your iPhone 5's frame, so look for those). And remember, don't ever force the display down. If you have to force it, something is not lined up correctly. Replace the dock screws Use your security screwdriver to replace the two screws that sit on either side of the dock. Test the new screen After you have your iPhone 5 completely put back together, you can turn it on again. Make sure to test the following things to ensure the display and small components are functioning correctly: Place a test call and make sure the earpiece functions correctly