You can use it as a security camera on the cheap.
this post was submitted on 20 Oct 2023
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SyncThing backup storage.
You can glue them together for double phones.
Ive seen people building whole houses from empty bottles. He could do the same with those phones. He would end up with true "smarthome"
Home assistant + fully kiosk browser
(Or root + termux + docker)
Something I was looking at the other day: you can use them as Streamdecks. (StReam, not Steam.) Basically they become external keyboards, each key being assigned to a function such as start a program, select a tool or whatever, with a graphic to suit.
Elgato (who make the Streamdeck) make an Android app to use a phone as a deck, and there are several other such apps.
Turn them into security cameras:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ivuu&hl=en_GB&gl=US&pli=1
You could also have a look at r/androidafterlife
Turn them into sms gateways
How would you do this? Any specific apps or methods that can be used?
r/androidafterlife is a good place to look
I used mine to monitor stats on my gaming PC with an app called Remote Systems Monitor. I think you have to pay a one time fee to unlock everything, but it was well worth it imo. The application on your PC sends the data to the app over your network locally.
I paired it with Automate app, so when my PC turned off the power to USB got cut, the phone would lock and dim the brightness down to 0 - just so I'm not frying the battery. Then it would do the opposite when I turned my PC back on, was a pretty fun little project to do.
Leave one in the car, for emergencies
If you do this, keep a cable and charger handy. An old unused phone battery will drain.
I don't know if it's still viable but few years back I used to use my old Android phone/phablet as extra monitor for my pc to monitor stats with Spacedesk. It runs on wifi and gives you the ability to add multi devices as monitors so potentially you can make all your old phones into many monitors for your pc as long as they are all on the same network.
Set it up as a smart display with a dashboard of some sort and hang it up somewhere?
A wifi web cam is something i’ve been using an old Nexus phone I still have. The picture is pretty good and I like that I can out it anywhere there is wifi.
If its not crazy old you could get a super cheap nvmo service and toss it in your car/emergency bag with a spare battery pack and cable
You could create an IP Webcam that could be used with a program like Frigate (I think that's what it called).
install moonlight and stream games from pc
Buy an Xbox controller with phone mount. Enjoy your steamdeck with geforce now.
Install DroidcamX and turn them into webcams or surveillance cams. It works over LAN and over USB. On LAN you can connect the phones to the server or the server to the phones, as you wish.
On Linux they're seen as regular V4L2 devices. You can use its custom kernel module (installs via DKMS) for additional customization options or the standard V4L2 kernel module.
I'm not really knowledgeable about recording and motion-detection (I've only used it as a webcam) but perhaps someone else can help with that.
Use it as a photo frame/ album
A lot of great ideas in this thread. Sadly, I don't have any spare phones that don't have a broken screen which is usually how they meet their demise. Just curious, how much of a concern is it to have the phone plugged in and charging all the time. A little bit worried about an exploding lithium ion battery.
That's my concern but I also know that most modern phones have battery monitoring software that stops the battery from charging once it reaches 100%
Write an AI bot to do Hinge swiping for you
Maybe as a central display for your home assistant? As a dashboard or switch panel
I have an old LG phone, placed horizontally that I rest on a phone stand and use as my bedside alarm clock
One of my first Android phones... (a Motorolla Droid X) became our digital clock, years ago. This all happened because the cable TV box we had at the time didn't have a clock on it. We used it for a few years that way.
I have one in the door peephole. Using Android ip webcam I can turn it on to see through the screen who's behind. Also i added it to home assistant so I can see through it anytime. If someone rings turn the screen on, so you know who is it without getting too close. Send a photo to your smartphone when somebody rings...
What if they dont ring but start to lockpick/bash your door right away? :D
Use the accelerometer as a break-in sensor.
Home security is to deter would-be criminals, not prevent determined criminals. Ultimately if someone wants to get into your house, and has the skills and tools to do so, you aren't going to stop them
The LockpickingLawyer consistently proves just how much security theatre we surround ourselves with.
Wifi based walkie talkies for the kids? hehe
Line them up using a stiff support and take 3d photo’s.
Currently using 4 android phones I got from friends/families "junk drawer" to use as a home security system.
That sounds really interesting. Can you share how you set this up and what software you used?
It's just an app from the play store. I've looked into self-hosted open source things but didn't find much. The app I use is called "Alfred". It has the basic features. Motion sensor People sensor Saves the motion clips to the cloud Continuous playback Two-way talk Auto-low light Etc...
You you keep the phones permanently plugged in or charge them periodically?
Plugged in all time,screen off, battery saver on 😊
Won't that be easily exploited when exposed to the Internet, considering the OS has not been updated for years?
No need to expose to the Internet. You can e.g. expose them to Home-Assistant/openHAB only, or VPN to your LAN then connect to them.