I wanted to share a project that I’m really proud of and that I hope might inspire others! I had an old Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 lying around, which initially seemed outdated since it ran an older version of Android. However, I decided to give it a new life by transforming it into a smart home control panel. This project has been incredibly rewarding and has significantly enhanced our daily lives.
First, I rooted the tablet and installed SlimRom6 to bring it up to Android version 6. This allowed me to install modern apps like Fully Kiosk Browser from the Google Play Store. Fully Kiosk Browser was perfect for my needs as it automatically goes full screen and hides all Android UI elements, providing a seamless experience. I set it up to load a SharpTools.io dashboard, which I designed to be more visually appealing than the default Hubitat interface.
To ensure the tablet remains functional and doesn’t drain unnecessary power, I integrated Pushover, Tasker, and AutoNotifications for Tasker. These tools allow me to control the tablet’s backlight settings based on our home’s modes (e.g., Night or Away). When in Away or Night mode, the backlight timeout is set to 1 second, turning the screen off to save power. In other modes, the screen stays on, providing constant access to our smart home controls.
The tablet now serves as a central hub for various smart home functions. We use it to monitor and control lighting scenes, check the status of our security system, manage our family calendar, and even track whether our cat has been fed. It’s also integrated with our Onkyo receiver and Harmony Hub, allowing us to control our entertainment systems seamlessly.
One of the most impactful features is the ability to set custom routines. For instance, my oldest daughter can now wake up to gradually increasing lights on school days without needing to interact with voice assistants. We’ve also set up a virtual door indicator that alerts us if any door in the house is left open, which is especially useful with a toddler in the house.
This project has been a testament to the power of community support. I wouldn’t have been able to figure out many of these integrations without the help of forums and the guidance from experienced users like @stephack and @ryan780. Their advice was invaluable in getting everything up and running smoothly.
If you’re looking for a way to repurpose old technology or enhance your smart home setup, I highly recommend considering a similar project. It’s a fantastic way to add functionality and convenience to your home while giving new life to older devices.