Learn to repurpose old Android devices, giving them a second life with Colm O’Neill; old phones can become a camera for wildlife observation, be converted to digital signage or host a website.

In an age hyperscale data-centers, AI hype marketing, cloud metaphors, so called seamless interfacing, and narratives of AI inevitability, the need to reclaim our digital ways of doing back from multinational corporations is more urgent than ever. Computing infrastructure does not need to be the voracious consumer of water, energy and earth metals that we see all around Ireland today, in fact, the answer might have been in your pocket all this time.

The majority of the ecological impact of computation results from the manufacturing of electronic devices. Smartphones users are often forced to retire their devices because of one faulty component, or the device falling out of support from the manufacturer. Lengthening the life of our hardware becomes a clear way to reduce ecological impact and reclaim our computational means.

In this workshop, methods to repurpose Android devices are shared, giving them a second, different life. Our old phones may serve new purposes, such as: hosting a website, becoming an IP camera for wildlife observation or be converted to digital signage / digital display. Bring along any or all of the following: old (Android) smartphones, USB charging cables, sim and SD eject tools and laptops. These devices deserve to be used again!

This research so far only considers Android devices, not iOS. It is hopefully possible to repurpose old iPhones, but this session will focus only on old Android devices.

Two methods for repurposing Android devices will be shared: one relatively simple one using Termux ("terminal emulator app and a Linux environment for Android devices") and another more complex, but ultimately more flexible method flashing PostmarketOS.

No previous experience is required and this workshop is intended for adults, but those aged 16+ could join if they have an interest in the area.

Ages: Adults

The Sustainable Futures Summer School is kindly funded by Creative Ireland.