5 unexpected but brilliant uses for a Raspberry Pi

Have you been wondering what you can do with your brand new Raspberry Pi? There are plenty of practical projects out there that you might not know where to begin. To make things easier, here are five brilliant ways to use this device which you may not have thought about. 

1. Print with your Raspberry Pi

You might believe that you no longer need your old USB printer. However, by using your Raspberry Pi you can transform it into a wireless printer. All you need to do is ensure a USB connection between the devices. Install Samba which is the open source file sharing software. Next, install the Common Unix Printing System which will provide drivers for your printer. Finally, configure your Raspberry Pi to ensu

re all devices in your home networks can access the printer. 

2. Control a robot

If you are a DIY enthusiast you might be interested in the possibility of starting a Raspberry Pi robotics project. You might prefer to create your own design using the parts you already own. Alternatively, you may want to choose a robot kit. For example, the CamJam EduKit series will allow you to make your own motorised buggy using the components and worksheets from the Pi Hut. 

3. Create a Time Lapse Video

Another great way you can take advantage of your Raspberry Pi is to make a time lapse video. This is achieved by taking single frames with a timed delay. To begin with, ensure you have a portable battery solution. In order to steady the device you may want to choose a smartphone tripod which fits with your Raspberry Pi’s case. The only thing left to do would be to select a location with beautiful scenery which you would like to film. 

4. Stream music or a YouTube video

You would probably be glad to find out that Airplay is another option for your Raspberry Pi. You can stream audio directly from the web using an appropriate speaker. This way you can enjoy all the songs directly from your favourite Spotify playlists. What is more, if you run a YouTube channel, you can easily live stream footage to your audience. All you need is a Raspberry Pi 3 or a more recent model and a Raspberry Pi Camera Module.

5. Create a stunning Raspberry Pi-powered digital frame

Finally, a simple yet very rewarding use of this device can include designing your own digital photo frame along with an inspiring message. This is a perfect project for anyone looking to display photos of their family, memorable moments, celebrations or anything else they would like to showcase.  You can use a Raspberry Pi touchscreen display or any other compatible LCD display.

These are some of the best examples which hopefully have inspired you to explore the countless possibilities offered to you by Raspberry Pi. So why not give a go to these suggestions? You might find that you have unlocked your creativity potential whilst improving different aspects of your life at the same time.