When the Time Is Up for Your Old Gadgets

When the Time Is Up for Your Old Gadgets

It is time for spring cleaning, or as I think of it, my yearly chance to shove old technology products to the back of my storage closet. Instead, this should be a chance to take advantage of companies’ stepped-up recycling efforts.

Phones, televisions, computers and other electronic devices can become obsolete fast. WSJ’s Katherine Boehret profiled eight companies to see how they’re going about recycling their old items.

Last year, 460 million pounds of electronics were collected and recycled in the U.S., a 53% increase from 2010, according to the Consumer Electronics Association.

People know they should recycle their old or unwanted technology products, but they don’t know where to begin. So this week, I did the dirty work, rounding up details from eight major companies about their recycling programs, including fees, drop-off locations, acceptable products, shipping options, haul-away services and personal-data-wiping solutions. Readers: Your days of pack-rat procrastinating are numbered.

Best Buy’s recycling program is made up of four categories: in-store kiosks for ink and toner cartridges, rechargeable batteries, wires, cords and cables; free removal and recycling of an appliance or TV when a new appliance or TV is delivered; home pickup of two appliances or two TVs for $ 100 with a $ 20 charge for additional units; and BestBuy.com/tradein for trading gently used electronics for Best Buy gift cards. The store’s Geek Squad offers services like removing a PC’s hard drive before handing it over to be recycled.

Apple invites its customers to bring all batteries and iPods into its 247 U.S. stores for recycling, and any iPod (except the iPod shuffle) can be turned in for a 10% discount on a new iPod. People also can opt to ship their old products off to be recycled free by filling out a form found at Apple.com/recycling; Apple contracts with a company called PowerON to do this recycling. Acceptable products include desktop or notebook Windows PCs and Macs, iPads, iPhones as well as any make or type of mobile phone. If the product is worth something, you’ll get an Apple gift card.

Amazon doesn’t charge people to recycle its Kindle e-readers or Kindle batteries, and this includes non-working and working units. People can print free UPS labels for shipping their old Kindles to be recycled on ecotakeback.com/kindle; they then simply drop the Kindles off at a UPS store. Amazon wipes all identifying marks or personal documents from these Kindles. Further details can be found at amzn.to/JkilQX. If Kindles are in good condition, customers can opt to trade them in for Amazon gift cards via the company’s Electronic Trade-In program.

HP’s new partnership with Staples offers a physical location where people can drop off HP and non-HP consumer products for recycling. The Staples stores will accept a variety of products, including laptops, monitors, mice, fax machines and GPS devices, though not televisions. People who recycle printer cartridges can earn Staples rewards points toward store merchandise. FedEx Office stores also serve as drop-off locations for products that will be shipped off for recycling: HP and Compaq products can be shipped using a free pre-printed voucher found at HP.com/recycling, but shipping vouchers for other brands of consumer products will cost $ 10 to $ 25.

Dell’s recycling program includes free home pickup and FedEx shipping options, but these are only for Dell products; details can be found at Dell.com/recycle. If a customer buys a new Dell product, the company will take the old one, even if it isn’t Dell-branded, though the buyer must remember to select “free recycling” when buying. Dell’s partnership with Goodwill helped the company create its Dell Reconnect program, which lets people drop off old computer electronics at Goodwill stores such as PCs, laptops, tablets and keyboards, but not mobile phones. At Goodwill, someone will inspect the products to decide whether they can be reused, refurbished or recycled. If the products are reused or refurbished, they’ll be sold at Goodwill.

People with Samsung products can use free mail-back shipping options via one of three links: Samsung.com/starus for toner cartridges, mobile.samsungusa.com/recycling for mobile products, or www.oemtakeback.com/samsung for all other Samsung products. Samsung and non-Samsung products also can be dropped off at more than 1,000 locations listed on this website: Samsung.com/recyclingdirect.

Sony accepts its brand of products for free recycling at about 850 drop-off centers; some of the centers also offer free recycling for other manufacturers’ products. Sony also offers free shipping and recycling only for Sony products as long as they weigh less than 25 pounds and the person shipping lives more than 25 miles away from a drop-off center. Sony and other brands of products can, if eligible, be traded in for purchasing new Sony products. Eligibility and details on Sony drop-off locations can be found at Sony.com/ecotrade.

Microsoft Stores, of which there are 16 nationwide, offer free in-store recycling of cellphones, rechargeable phone batteries and computers. If the item has value, which is determined by its age, condition and current market value, customers will receive Microsoft store gift cards; items eligible for this include all smartphones, computers and gaming consoles, including Xbox. Xbox owners can ship and recycle their Microsoft hardware using prepaid shipping forms at http://bit.ly/Kjk6xk. Microsoft stores offer services to wipe personal data from products before recycling, although there may be a cost for this depending on whether the customer is doing a trade-in, upgrade or just recycling.

So do as I say, not as I do, and get to one of these online or physical recycling locations.

Write to Katherine Boehret at katie.boehret@wsj.com

The Point of Return

Here are recycling options from some major companies:

COMPANY (website)	SHIPPING/RECYCLING FEES	IN-STORE DROP-OFF
Apple (Apple.com/recycling)	Free with shipping form.	Batteries and iPods accepted at Apple stores.
HP (HP.com/recycling)	Free shipping via FedEx for HP and Compaq products with pre-printed voucher. Fee for other products is $ 10-$ 25.	Staples stores accept many HP and non-HP consumer products, except TVs.
Dell (www.dell.com/recycle)	Free shipping or pickup of Dell product. Free pickup of non-Dell item with purchase of Dell product.	Partnership with Goodwill for Dell Reconnect accepts any brand of electronics except mobile phones.
Amazon (http://amzn.to/JkilQX)	Free shipping for Kindles via UPS with pre-printed voucher.	Not available.
Samsung (Samsung.com/recyclingdirect)	Free mailback shipping for various Samsung products.	Drop Samsung and non-Samsung products at over 1,000 third-party locations.
Sony (Sony.com/ecotrade)	Free shipping for Sony products weighing less than 25 pounds.	Drop Sony products at about 850 third-party locations.
Best Buy (BestBuy.com/recycling)	Free appliance removal when purchasing new one. Or, $ 100 for home pickup of two items.	Recycling kiosks for ink cartridges, rechargeable batteries, cord, cables, etc.
Microsoft (http://bit.ly/roNymi)	Free shipping of Microsoft hardware, including Xbox. .	Cellphones, rechargeable phone batteries and computers accepted at Microsoft stores.

A version of this article appeared May 9, 2012, on page D2 in some U.S. editions of The Wall Street Journal, with the headline: When the Devices Are Done.

When the Time Is Up for Your Old Gadgets

Samsung Galaxy Tab (7-inch, 16GB, Wi-Fi)

Samsung’s WiFi Galaxy Tab

Enjoy a rich, brilliant viewing experience wherever you roam with the Android-powered Samsung Galaxy Tab mobile tablet--a powerful, entertainment device ideal for home or on the go. Weighing just 1 pound, it features a vibrant 7-inch touchscreen display with 3D-like graphics, speedy 1 GHz processor, and the Android 2.2 operating system--all in a sleek and compact form factor.

The exceptional 7-inch screen is designed for reading books and magazines, watching movies, playing games, and more (see larger image).

With integrated Google technology, the Galaxy Tab brings one-touch access to the popular Google mobile services mi llions use every day, including Google Search by voice, Google Maps with Street View, Gtalk, YouTube, Picasa, and contacts/calendar synchronization. And through Android Market, you'll get access to thousands of useful applications, widgets and fun games to download and install on your phone, with many more apps being added every day.

The Galaxy Tab offers full support for Adobe Flash Player 10.1 for accessing Flash-enabled websites, watching video and playing games, and with built-in support for ultra-fast Wireless-N Wi-Fi, the Galaxy Tab's portable screen is ideal for watching the latest movies and entertainment.

It's outfitted with a rear-facing camera for photo capture and sharing as well as a front-facing camera for video chat using the pre-loaded Qik voice and video app. The Galaxy Tab is also pre-loaded with the Kindle for Android app for reading your Kindle books on the go, Slacker Radio for listening to free, streaming personalized radio, and the Asphal t 5 HD driving game (learn more about these apps below).

Designed to fit in one hand, typing messages or notes is simple and easy with the Galaxy Tab's virtual QWERTY keyboard with Swype technology, which allows you to input text faster and in a more intuitive way with one continuous finger motion across the screen keyboard. Other features include Bluetooth 3.0 wireless connectivity for hands-free devices and stereo music streaming, microSD memory expansion, HDMI video output (via optional dock), and up to 8 hours of battery power.

Perfectly sized for your hand (see larger image).

Samsung Social Hub

Offering one-stop shopping for all your updates, the Samsun g Social Hub all your social networking services, messages, personal and business e-mail, calendars and contacts. It's built around Messaging and Contacts, both of which initiate the sending and receiving of information--whether it is e-mail, instant messaging, social network updates or SMS messages. Additionally, calendar information from portal calendars, such as Google Calendar, and social networking services are displayed together in one calendar with two-way synchronization.

The familiar text messaging experience is enhanced with group messaging and "reply all" functionality for up to 10 contacts, a threaded conversations format, a consolidated inbox, and enhanced multi-media display.

See larger image.

Key Features

• Integrated GPS for navigation and location-based services
• 7-inch multi-touch interface (1024 x 600-pixel resolution)
• Powered by the Android operating system (version 2.2) with deep integration of Google services, access to thousands of apps via the Android Market, and support for Adobe Flash 10.1.
• 1 GHz Samsung Hummingbird processor speeds up everything--from playing games to watching shows to opening files from work.
• Virtual keyboard
• Swype input system allows you to input text faster and easier by gliding your finger around the keyboard, moving from letter to letter in one continuous motion. The Swype technology then calculates what word you're intending to type (learn more below).
• Samsung Social Hub provides one stop for all your u pdates integrates all your social networking services, messages, personal and business e-mail, calendars and contacts.
• 3-megapixel rear-facing camera with flash captures still images and video that that can be edited, uploaded, and shared.
• 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera for video chat
• Multi-format media player compatible with MP3 and AAC music files plus DivX, XviD, MPEG4, H.263, and H.264 video files.
• Ultra-fast Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g/n) for accessing home and corporate networks as well as hotspots while on the go.
• Next-generation Bluetooth 3.0 connectivity provides faster throughput while minimizing on power requirements. It's compatible with new Bluetooth 3.0-enabled devices as well as backward compatible with older Bluetooth-enabled peripherals such as headsets and printers. It includes profiles for communicati on headset, hands-free car kits, and the A2DP Bluetooth profile--enabling you to wirelessly stream your music to a pair of compatible Bluetooth stereo headphones or speaker dock.
• Memory expansion via microSD card slot with support for optional cards up to 32 GB.

Vital Statistics
The Samsung Galaxy Tab weighs 13.4 ounces and measures 7.48 x 4.74 x 0.47 inches. Its 4000 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 7 hours of battery life. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies.

Pre-loaded Apps on the Samsung Galaxy Tab

• Kindle for Android: Pre-installed on the Galaxy Tab, the Kindle for Android application lets you shop for hundreds of thousands of books in the Kindle Store, including New York Tim es Best Sellers and new releases from .99. Use Amazon's Whispersync technology to automatically synchronize your last page read, bookmarks, annotations, and more across your various devices --- including Kindle, Kindle DX, PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, BlackBerry and Android phones.

• Slacker Radio: With millions of songs from thousands of artists, Slacker is the best way to discover new artists and hear your favorite music. Listening to Slacker is as easy as selecting one of over 120 DJ-programmed genre stations or searching for your favorite artist or song. As you listen, you can tell Slacker what you like and don't like with the click of a button. Get the ultimate in music discovery while you listen with detailed artist biographies, in-depth album reviews and more. Upgrade to Slacker Radio Plus for unlimited skips, ad-free listening, complete song lyrics and more for only .99/month.

• Asphalt 5 HD (Gameloft): Get in, start up and punch it in the fastest cars ever created by some of the most prestigious manufacturers. Everything you've ever dreamed of doing behind the wheel is here in stunning HD graphics that put you right in the driver's seat. Take a ride in over 30 of the fastest, most prestigious cars you've ever dreamed of, from manufacturers like Ferrari, Lamborghini, Audi and Ducati. Challenge yourself to 8 different racing events including Drift Contest, Cop Chase, Time Attack, Duel Mode, Last Man Standing and Escape

Swype Keyboard

An alternative to the Android virtual keyboard, the Swype virtual keyboard allows you to input text by swiping the finger with one continuous finger or stylus motion across the screen keyboard. Based on testing, speed and accuracy are equal to or better than the traditional keyboard-tapping method. You can activate the Swype keyboard by pressing and holding in a text field, wait for popup to appear, click Input Method, and then select Swype.

more detailed information and comparisons click here

[GALAXY Tab] Official Live Demo - HD

This is the first official hands-on video that contains a demonstration of every key feature and benefit of the Samsung GALAXY Tab. It also contains information of the most frequently asked features from social networking sites. Most importantly, it highlights the value proposition of the GALAXY Tab: Advanced Media, Productivity and Communication, and On the Go. This video doesn't contain any graphic effects.

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How to transfer apps between samsung galaxy and the tab?

Ive been told you can transfer apps between the samsung galaxy s and the samsung galaxy tab via bluetooth, but no ones too sure on how to actually do it. Is this even possible and if so can some one tell me how , thanks heaps

Answer by Android Core
get app "bump" on both devices... open on both devices... on your phone, select app to "bump".. then ummm like... bump... its pretty self explanitory. or, Market.android.com remembers everything you've downloaded, just re-download onto the tab.. or, if you get "bluetooth file transfer" app, find the *.apk file in your folder system... and transfer... to transfer apps, I prefer bump or the market

Answer by Realityhurts
I think you will need a computer to do the transfer, but i could be wrong.

How to transfer apps between samsung galaxy and the tab?, Add your own answer in the comments!

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