[Android Apps and Games] supermaxkato:
How to create your own ANDROID HOME NETWORK.

This network provides the following for FREE using your home wifi:

1)An intercom system between each floor of your home

2)A home phone number and way to make emergency calls

3)A limited video security system

4)A music player/radio on each floor of your home

5)An “alexa-like” internet search environment (AKA Amazon Echo) using “OK Google”

-Choose 1 phone for each floor of your home (could be those old androids you have lying around)

The phones we used were:

2x Samsung Galaxy Rush (Boost Mobile) ANDROID 4.1.2

1x LG Optimus Fuel (TracFone) ANDROID 4.4.2

I have not tried it with any other phones, but it should work with others.

*If you can choose phones that can be rooted, and are Android 4.4 or higher, it would be the best.

-Choose a location that’s appropriate to mount on each floor and a mounting system

I found a rubber webbing on ebay that allowed me to hang each one.

You can also decide if you want the screens to go off like normal, or always stay on.

I like always stay on because it gives a faster response for voice internet searches (although this will certainly shorten their screen life).

-Setup each phone with the apps needed

1)Zello is the app we use for our intercom. It is real-time (many others are not), and it allows for setting up group contact lists.

So when you intercom from one phone, all of the others broadcast what you say, and vice versa.

2)Hangouts app and Hangouts dialer allow you to use a free Google voice number (must be setup online first)

Then logging in to the same email address on all 3 phones makes them all ring at the same time whenever your Google voice number is called.

Remember to click the “incoming phone calls“ box in settings on all phones as well.

However, only 1 phone can answer, so this does not provide a party line, like the old landline systems had.

Use the Xposed module called Xhangouts to get a custom ringtone (the default is too quiet and Google doesn’t provide a native way to change it)

3)Perch is an app that allows you to remotely see what’s on the front camera of any phone, along with audio.

Your security “view” will be limited based on the position and viewing angle of each phone.

4)Tune-in radio is the internet option we chose, but any will do. We find ourselves listening a lot more now while saving the battery life on the phones in our pockets.

Of course you can also listen to playlists you’ve created with music stored on the device.

And using Google's play music app will allow you to turn on music hands-free with voice commands.

5)Setup “OK-Google”. To maximize this you really need phones with at least Android 4.4 on them (although google now launcher works on android 4.1). Otherwise this part of your network isn’t voice activated, or doesn't work as well, and thus, is not as cool. :)

In Google settings under search and ok-Google, choose “any screen” (you may have to retrain it’s voice recognition and it could be limited to just your voice). You can also use the xposed module to get Ok-google on any launchers home screen (Nova launcher has this built in).

6)As a finishing touch you can create a tasker profile to go back to the home screen every 2 minutes. If you won't set this up then the screen remains on the last used app. And if it's zello or something else, then older devices won't hear an ok google request. Plus it allows the live wallpaper to be visible for the majority of time.

*Here are several kid-specific finishing touches (since we have 2 little ones):

1)We use ADW launcher since it allows for password lock for both apps and the phone menu button

2)We use a status bar swipe down blocker to prevent system or setup changes

3)We leave the cellular radios on with a 911 shortcut for emergencies

4)We created a picture contact shortcut to both of our cell-phones, and made hangouts dialer the default dialer

5)We added an aquarium live wallpaper (the kids love making the fish move by tapping the screen)

That's it!

If you decide to setup your own Android Home Network, please post what you did here. I will gladly update this post (and my own setup) if you find ways to enhance this concept.

Hope you found this helpful, and a fun use for your old android phones.