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Ask HN: Have you repurposed old iPads in an interesting way?

9 points by smarri 7y ago

I have a few older iPads that don't get much use. Interested to hear any of your innovative ideas on what to do with them. Have you repurposed old iPads in an interesting way?

deca6cda37d0 7y ago
Home controller mounted to the wall
- smarri 7y ago
  Did you write the software or use an app/similar to use it to control your home?
  - deca6cda37d0 7y ago
    I personally just use the default Home app to controle HomeKit enabled devices. It's luckily an old iPad that still runs the latest iOS version.
brudgers 7y ago
Donate them to a reputable charity with a thrift store. Sorry for not being interesting.
- smarri 7y ago
  It's a good idea no sorry required.
laken 7y ago
Depending on when they were released, you can use "Sidecar" which lets you use them as external wireless displays for MacOS https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210380 https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210380
- smarri 7y ago
  I wasn't aware of this thank you.
rapjr9 7y ago
I use them as dedicated control panels for music mixing consoles to be able to control the console from a remote location. The Behringer X32 for example has an iOS app that duplicates almost all of the functionality available at the hardware controls on the mixing board. Other digital mixers offer the same remote control by app capability. Others I use as dedicated music gear, for example running a few music synthesizers on one, and perhaps some graphics generators on others, or as an OSC control surface, or as a control panel for a complex effects device that has a corresponding iOS app (e.g., the Eventide H9). The best uses seem to make use of the touch interface, so any remote control operation might benefit from dedicating an old iPad to it. Getting a sturdy goose neck or other type of iPad holder helps keep the iPad where you need it. Dedicating an iPad to one use means you don't need to keep upgrading it and the software on it all the time also (if it's network connected keep it on a private network rather than connecting it to the internet, so that you don't need security updates.) Another application might be as data entry tablets. For example, when asking people to take a health survey you can run a simple app that asks questions and records answers and just hand it to anyone you ask to take the survey. (Not sure if iPad's can be easily sterilized for use in today's world. The touch pad might not like solvents.)
- smarri 7y ago
  Great ideas thanks

9 points by smarri 7y ago

I have a few older iPads that don't get much use. Interested to hear any of your innovative ideas on what to do with them. Have you repurposed old iPads in an interesting way?

deca6cda37d0 7y ago

Home controller mounted to the wall

smarri 7y ago
Did you write the software or use an app/similar to use it to control your home?
- deca6cda37d0 7y ago
  I personally just use the default Home app to controle HomeKit enabled devices. It's luckily an old iPad that still runs the latest iOS version.

brudgers 7y ago

Donate them to a reputable charity with a thrift store. Sorry for not being interesting.

smarri 7y ago
It's a good idea no sorry required.

laken 7y ago

Depending on when they were released, you can use "Sidecar" which lets you use them as external wireless displays for MacOS https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210380 https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210380

smarri 7y ago
I wasn't aware of this thank you.

rapjr9 7y ago

I use them as dedicated control panels for music mixing consoles to be able to control the console from a remote location. The Behringer X32 for example has an iOS app that duplicates almost all of the functionality available at the hardware controls on the mixing board. Other digital mixers offer the same remote control by app capability. Others I use as dedicated music gear, for example running a few music synthesizers on one, and perhaps some graphics generators on others, or as an OSC control surface, or as a control panel for a complex effects device that has a corresponding iOS app (e.g., the Eventide H9). The best uses seem to make use of the touch interface, so any remote control operation might benefit from dedicating an old iPad to it. Getting a sturdy goose neck or other type of iPad holder helps keep the iPad where you need it. Dedicating an iPad to one use means you don't need to keep upgrading it and the software on it all the time also (if it's network connected keep it on a private network rather than connecting it to the internet, so that you don't need security updates.) Another application might be as data entry tablets. For example, when asking people to take a health survey you can run a simple app that asks questions and records answers and just hand it to anyone you ask to take the survey. (Not sure if iPad's can be easily sterilized for use in today's world. The touch pad might not like solvents.)

smarri 7y ago
Great ideas thanks