J.D. tells which companies are offering deals for your old gear and Pedro has an Old School Tech Term segment to share with the class. In the news, Verizon challenges the FCC’s Open Internet rule of 2010; Netflix keeps an eye on pirates to decide what to buy; Nokia prepares to roll out new product; Sandisk debuts a new 256GB memory card; Bing attempts to redefine search; Box takes on Google Docs; and Grand Theft Auto V appears to be on the road to billion dollar sales in less than one month.
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Trading Places
The Hot Fall Gadgets of 2013 are rolling out now and several companies are trying to make it easier for you to upgrade by offering deals for your old gear. Apple and Walmart have jumped into the trade-in game and Microsoft is even trying to get in on action.
So, you want to trade – where do you go? Here are some options:
Apple. The company has had a reuse and recycling program for a few years that offers Apple Store gift cards based on the value of your old device, or at least, responsible recycling to keep the stuff out of landfills. Last month, Apple started an iPhone Reuse and Recycling program and you can even do it on a walk-in basis if you live hear one of those fancy Apple Stores. As Wired explains it, you go to the Store, snag an employee who can tell you if your particular iPhone is worthy. If it passes muster, the Apple Store person will give you a price quote on the value of your model. If you agree and take the deal, your old phone goes to Anchorhead to get its memory erased right there and you go home with a new iPhone that cost you less than what it normally would. Don’t like what’s offered? You can walk and go try someplace else.
- Walmart. If a Walmart is closer than an Apple Store, you can trade in your old iPhone at one of Sam Walton’s mega-emporiums starting September 21st and get credit towards a new phone and wireless plan. According to a press release on the company’s site, you might be able to score $300 for a working iPhone 5 in good condition. Other phones are available for trade-in as well, and a Samsung Galaxy S3 might net you $175. Wal-Mart also takes other electronics for trade-in as well.
- Best Buy. The electronics superstore has taken old gear for responsible recycling for years and has a trade-in service for old computers, phones and other gear as well.
- Gazelle. Long a player in the recycle-for-cash game, Gazelle’s site can quickly tell you how much your old phone, tablet or computer is worth to them in cash. They also buy broken stuff.
- eleGreen. One of the newer players on the trade-in block, this California-based company buys old Android and iOS hardware (and Windows tablets) and reportedly pays out pretty well.
- Amazon. The site tries to sell you everything, so it’s only fair that it buys some of it back when you’re ready for new things. Smartphones, tablets, Blu-ray players, games, speakers and more can be traded back for Amazon gift cards.
- Microsoft. Still looking to get rid of all that Surface tablet overstock from last year’s flopped launch, Microsoft promises a $200 gift card to the Microsoft Store if you trade in your gently used iPad for oh, maybe a Surface tablet or other Windows gear.
- GameStop. The gaming shop accepts trades of phones, MP3 players and tablet computers from several manufacturers. You get in-store credit.
If it’s mostly Apple stuff you’re looking to offload for cash, check out AppleInsider’s price guides page for trading your iGear. And remember, you can always donate your old phones, computers and music players to a worthy cause, and get karma points instead of a gift card.