DeskThing offers a unique combination of environmental responsibility, productivity enhancement, and technological flexibility. Whether you're looking to repurpose old devices, streamline your workflow, or develop custom applications, DeskThing provides a platform that adapts to your needs.
Modern smartphones have a relatively short shelf life, with most becoming obsolete within a few years. DeskThing gives new life to these devices that would otherwise end up as electronic waste, extending their useful lifespan and reducing environmental impact. As Christians are called to be good stewards of what we're given, DeskThing helps you recycle and add use to what you already own rather than contributing to more e-waste.
According to a SellCell survey, '80.2% of Americans and 80.5% of Brits have two or more unused devices lying around at home.' This highlights the significant number of devices that could be repurposed rather than sitting idle. For more details, you can visit the survey results.
For many users, especially in creative fields, managing multiple applications on a single screen can be overwhelming and inefficient. DeskThing transforms your desk with a customizable heads-up display that offloads non-essential applications to a secondary device, maintaining a clean desktop experience. From monitoring system resources to tracking stocks, weather, and sports scores, DeskThing complements your primary workstation without consuming valuable screen space.
Reduction in context switching
Main screen dedicated to primary tasks
Continuous access to important information
As an open-source platform, DeskThing benefits from community contributions, transparent development, and no hidden costs or data collection. The comprehensive SDK puts all the controls into developers' hands in an easy and intuitive way, with a low barrier to entry for full-stack web development. Whether you're looking to use existing apps or create your own, DeskThing's open ecosystem empowers both users and developers.
DeskThing is designed to be lightweight, using minimal system resources on both the server and client sides. The core engine manages system resources efficiently, handles app communication seamlessly, and provides the foundation for all functionality while using less than 100MB of RAM and minimal CPU when idle. This ensures smooth performance even on older hardware, making it accessible to a wide range of devices that might otherwise be considered obsolete.
CPU usage on client devices
RAM usage when idle
Simultaneous device connections
DeskThing works across multiple operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux) and can connect to any device with a browser. There's no need for specialized hardware or complex setup—simply install DeskThing on your computer, navigate to the provided URL on your device, and you're ready to go. This universal compatibility ensures a consistent experience regardless of your technology ecosystem.
DeskThing features a modular app system where both official and community-created apps can be installed to extend functionality. Apps are self-contained modules that provide specific functionality, communicating with the core through a secure API. They can be installed, updated, or removed without affecting the rest of the system, allowing you to customize your experience to match your specific needs and workflow.
DeskThing is a fantastic project that breathes new life into the Car Thing device. It's amazing to see the community come together to repurpose this hardware.
@JoshHendrickson
View on Ars Technica ForumI appreciate the effort behind DeskThing. It's great to see developers creating alternative uses for discontinued products, turning them into useful tools.
@rockbruno
View on Hacker NewsDeskThing is more than just an application—it's a platform that fosters responsibility and creativity while enhancing productivity.
By transforming unused devices into powerful tools, DeskThing not only reduces electronic waste but also empowers users and developers to create innovative solutions tailored to their specific needs.
Whether you're looking to maximize the potential of your old devices, build and deploy apps with ease, or simply find ways to streamline your digital life, DeskThing offers a flexible, accessible, and sustainable platform that adapts to you. The project's commitment to open-source principles ensures that it will continue to evolve based on community needs and contributions.
As Christians are called to be good stewards of what we're given, DeskThing embodies this principle by helping users make the most of existing technology rather than contributing to a culture of disposability. This approach not only benefits the environment but also promotes a mindset of resourcefulness and creativity that can extend beyond technology into other areas of life.
Join the growing community of DeskThing users and developers who are transforming their digital workspaces while giving new life to old devices. Whether you're a developer looking to create custom solutions or a user seeking to enhance your productivity, DeskThing provides the tools and flexibility you need.