Flashing custom firmware onto a router? That’s pretty common 鈥?think DD-WRT, Tomato, or OpenWRT. But can a router actually run Android?
Droidifi makes it possible. This project, which aims to boost wireless router performance by developing a custom Android firmware, has already launched a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter. The team jokes:
“You may not want to play Angry Birds on your router, but you can.”
According to Android Police, Android’s customizability is so powerful that people are constantly exploring its limits. The fact that Droidifi has doubled its funding goal on Kickstarter is a testament to the confidence people have in this idea.
When a group of developers grew dissatisfied with the current state of wireless routers, they embraced their inner geek and decided to take matters into their own hands. The team set out to build a custom firmware, and given Android’s stability and performance, it was the natural first choice. The project is based on Android 4.2.2 鈥?so in the future, your router might just be running a newer version than your phone.
The team explains that Droidifi will significantly improve router performance. It can adjust Wi-Fi signal frequencies to achieve optimal power output and coverage. It also supports mesh networking, allowing different routers to connect to the original one to form a distributed wireless network.
Additionally, routers running Droidifi can access the Droidifi App Store, where other developers can upload their apps to enhance router functionality. The firmware itself is free, but accessing the app store will cost users $5 per quarter.
Droidifi is compatible with 802.11ac routers, including the Cisco/Linksys EA6500, Netgear R6300, and ASUS RT-AC66U. Support for more models will be rolled out later.
A router without a screen 鈥?what’s the point of installing Android? No worries. With the Droidifi upgrade, the router is tricked into thinking it has a display, effectively becoming an Android tablet. The web portal serves as its screen, functioning just like the Android home screen. However, the firmware upgrade doesn’t physically change your router’s hardware, so features like GPS, Bluetooth, or a microphone remain absent. That means you can’t turn your router into a phone.
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