3 Clever Ways to Repurpose an Old Amazon Kindle
Old Kindle e-readers can be turned into a Spotify controller, a smart home display, or a literary clock, with detailed instructions available online.
Amazon Kindles are known for displaying ebooks, but they are more versatile than you might think. If you’ve upgraded to a new model and are wondering what to do with the old one, or simply want to explore hacking these devices, here are three projects. They vary in difficulty and time required, but full instructions are available online.
First, turn your Kindle into a Spotify controller. Using the site Kindlify.co, you can connect your Spotify account and control playback from the Kindle. Open the site in the Kindle’s browser, log in, and you’ll see what’s currently playing. You can skip forward/backward, pause, and resume. This works via Spotify Connect and doesn’t store music on the device.
Second, repurpose your Kindle as a smart home display. Developer Matt Healy provides instructions to set up a custom website showing weather forecasts, calendar events, and to-do lists. This project involves hardware hacking and coding, ideal for those wanting to learn. The displayed data can be customized from platforms that allow third-party connections.
Third, turn your Kindle into a literary clock. Each minute displays a different quote from a book mentioning that time. This requires coding skills, but guides are online. You can also create a stand or frame, though it’s optional.
