event
Permacomputing June: recycling smartphones
DATE: 25 Jun, 2025TIME: 11:00 AM - 04:30 PM
all times are in Irish time unless noted otherwise
Join Colm O'Neill at Leitrim Sculpture Centre for a permacomputing research session exploring ways to recycle smartphones.
Many households have a couple of abandoned yet functional devices, that may not be fit for every day use, but still have powerful hardware. The proposal here is to investigate methods for repurposing these devices, and testing project ideas with them.
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.
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 a laptop, these devices deserve to be used again!
One caveat is that the research so far only considers Android devices, not iOS. It is hopefully possible to repurpose old iPhones, but this session will focus 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.
So far, repurposed smartphone project ideas are:
- hosting a website (like remote.wilderland.ie), making an IP camera for wildlife observation, making a digital signage or digital display. These all use Termux.
- making a media streaming server, making a retrogaming console, make a portable web-radio broadcaster, or host a website. All these use PostmarketOS.
All welcome.
FREE event, but places are limited so please book your place on Eventbrite.
Please note:
- This session is part of Colm's PhD research, and will involve the capturing of contextual questions and answers. During this session, you will be also asked to join in these discussions, to discuss your own experience of the subjects covered in the session. Participant information sheets and consent forms will be shared on the day of the workshop. If you do not wish to participate in the research data collection, the practical content will be published on this website after the event.
- The research into repurposing smartphones has only included Android devices so far, not iOS.
It is hopefully possible to repurpose old iPhones, and ideas and information on repurposing Apple iOS devices are very welcome, but this session will focus on old Android devices.
Read more on the PhD research data collection process here.
About Permacomputing
A blend of the words permaculture and computing, permacomputing is a potential field of convergence between technology, cultural work, environmental research, and activism. In essence it aims to promote and experiment with a more sustainable relationship with computer and network technology. Find out more on our Permacomputing project page.
event artist(s):
related project(s) / collaboration(s):
event location:
Leitrim Sculpture Centre, New Line, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim, F91EAW7
