Environment Setup: The Lean, Mean, Android Machine
I wasn’t planning to build on a tablet. It just… happened. And surprisingly? It worked.
My Setup:
- Device: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9
- Keyboard: Snap-on (wasn’t mechanical, but didn’t kill my wrists)
- Python + Termux: Basically turned the tablet into a mini Linux box
- OpenCV: Because it’s the Swiss Army knife of computer vision
- Flask: Minimal and elegant—perfect for a quick web frontend
- Ngrok: Because friends love demos and I hate DevOps
If you’re asking “can Python + OpenCV run on a tablet?”—the answer is yes, if you treat your tablet like a Raspberry Pi and not a MacBook.
The Goal: Real-Time “How Packed Is This Place?” Dashboard
I wanted a simple system that:
- Captures a live video feed (via the tablet camera)
- Detects people using OpenCV
- Displays real-time crowd data on a Flask web page
It’s like Google Maps live traffic—but for humans instead of cars.
Why This Matters
Crowd data = useful data.
Whether it’s airports, malls, events, or metro stations—knowing how packed a place is helps with:
- Safety
- Planning
- Anxiety management (introverts)
OpenCV’s pre-trained people detectors weren’t perfect (backpacks were occasionally people), but for a weekend build? Good enough.
Flask streamed the processed feed to a browser. Ngrok exposed it so friends could check it live, and say things like:
“Wait, this actually works?!”
Yes, Karen. It does.
Performance on a Tablet? Surprisingly Decent
- No crashes
- Manageable latency
- Ran cool for about 30 minutes before needing juice
- Peak frame rate? Around 12-15 FPS (totally usable for real-time density insight)
It wasn’t buttery smooth, but it was stable. That’s a win in my book.
Best Practices (a.k.a. Lessons from the Trenches)
If you ever attempt this on a tablet—or any mobile-ish environment—keep these tips close:
- Stay Lightweight
Avoid bloat. Every library and dependency adds lag. Tablets don’t do bulk well. - Use Built-in Models
Don’t try training models on-device unless you enjoy watching your CPU cry. - Break Your Code Up
Modular code = easier debugging = less rage. Trust me. - Battery Watchdog Mode
Power bank nearby. Always. - Expect and Respect the Lag
It’s not a gaming laptop. Tune your expectations (and frame rate).
The Takeaway: You Don’t Need a Fancy Setup to Build Cool Stuff
This project was a reminder that constraints don’t kill creativity—they sharpen it.
Sure, I could’ve done this faster on a MacBook Pro. But building it on a tablet felt like a challenge to the norm:
Who says you can’t do “real” development without a desk, IDE, and thunderbolt dock?
Mobile tech in 2025 is powerful. Tablets aren’t just YouTube machines anymore—they’re capable development platforms if you’re curious enough to explore.
Read more about tech blogs . To know more about and to work with industry experts visit internboot.com .
Final Thoughts: Code Where You Are
To the builders, tinkerers, and digital misfits out there:
If you’ve got an idea and a screen, that’s enough. You don’t need a pristine setup.
You don’t even need a laptop. Just tools, grit, and maybe a good charger.
So next time you’re in a crowd thinking, “This could be better”—maybe build something that makes it better.
I did. On a tablet.
