hardware-hacking raspberry-pi iot developer-tools

RIP software hackathons. Long live the hardware hackathon

blog.oscars.dev

June 9, 2026

3 min read

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61/100

Summary

A team at a hackathon in Vilnius integrated a Raspberry Pi into an old rotary phone, allowing it to communicate with a server via a websocket connection. This setup enabled two-way audio, control of the bell ringer with custom audio patterns, and operation of the hangup switch.

Key Takeaways

A team integrated a Raspberry Pi into an old rotary phone to create a device that could communicate via a websocket and control audio playback through the Spotify API.
The focus of hackathons has shifted from writing code to conceptualizing systems and interfacing with hardware.
There is an anticipated increase in hardware hackathons, emphasizing the use of old technology and creative project ideas.
The author advocates for hackathons to prioritize creativity and absurdity over practical business solutions.

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Coverage & discussions

Hacker News · blog.oscars.dev

RIP software hackathons. Long live the hardware hackathon ↗

Community discussions

Hacker News discussion ↗

Historical count: 5 · 5 saved in sample · Historical sample

Analysis ready

Community Sentiment

Mixed

Positives

The accessibility of software tools has empowered more creators, leading to innovative projects that can significantly benefit society.
The rise of affordable hardware like 3D printers is fostering a new wave of creativity, allowing individuals to transform ideas into tangible products.

Concerns

Hackathons have shifted from collaborative building to competitive showcases, diminishing their original spirit of community and shared learning.
Judging criteria in hackathons now prioritize polished presentations over functional ideas, which undermines the value of innovative concepts.