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I use Logitech media server, installed on a NAS, to stream music. I like using my android tablet to control the server. And I would like to always see what track is playing. But I don't like to keep the tablet's screen on in the background for long periods of time, in order to conserve the battery. I could buy another, cheap, tablet and keep it always plugged in to the mains, but I would prefer that it wouldn't have a battery (out of concerns that it might overheat or explode).

So, is there a cheap, small device with a screen and wifi, that doesn't have a battery and runs connected to the mains? Something like a mounted wall display, I guess.

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  • Have you tried using apps that keep your Android screen alive? Such as: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.synetics.stay.alive One thing to be careful of however is damaging your screen/device as most devices (if not all) are not designed to stay on for extended period of times. – TheJulyPlot Aug 14 '19 at 9:14
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    there are many ways to keep android's screen awake. But I'd like to find a device that doesn't have a battery, so I don't have to think when to charge it and so on. I'm ok with a stationary device that is always plugged in. – mnd Aug 14 '19 at 9:49
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  1. Use any single-board minicomputer, for example, RaspberryPI, with an LCD screen
  2. Use the tablet with the battery removed. The circuit diagram depends on the tablet model and the type of battery. In most cases this works.
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  • Yes, I was considering the RaspberryPI approach. But was not sure if configuring it to work with an LCD screen would be easy enough. Also I asked in the Logitech Squeezebox forum, what other Logitech media server users use for this purpose, and came to a conclusion, that buying a used O2 Joggler (basically a tablet without a battery, which was released in 2009), would be the simplest way. So I have already bought one on ebay, and am waiting for it to arrive. It also has a 7" screen and came up cheaper than RaspberryPi with ~4" screen. So I'm looking forward to it. – mnd Aug 22 '19 at 5:15
  • Here are the links to the forum topic, I mentioned, and the Joggler wikipedia page, if anyone's interested: forums.slimdevices.com/… en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O2_Joggler – mnd Aug 22 '19 at 5:16
  • And about the tablets, which work without a battery - do you have any examples? I was considering using an old android phone and searched a bit if it's possible, but got the impression, that most android phones do not work without a battery, or some additional circuitry is needed to make the device think, that the battery is still there. – mnd Aug 22 '19 at 5:21
  • You won’t guess here. Different models work differently. It depends on which battery (2x, 3x or 4-wire), how the charge controller is arranged. In English - quite a few links (example - instructables.com/id/Power-an-Android-Phone-Without-Battery). You can find them yourself. In Russian - there is a big topic on 4pda - 4pda.ru/forum/index.php?showtopic=653649. It will be possible to deal with the google translate, if it is not clear - I will help. – Alex_Krug Aug 22 '19 at 17:34
  • Honestly, I think you hurried to buy a specific model. At first, I would try to comprehensively study all aspects of this task. Honestly, I think you hurried to buy a specific model. At first, I would try to comprehensively study all aspects of this task. Yes, and also, it is advisable to buy a tablet with a battery, even if it is completely dead. – Alex_Krug Aug 22 '19 at 18:02

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