Nathan Ladwig has got the ESP32 decoding SPDIF quite effectively, using an onboard peripheral outside its traditional remit. The project allows an ESP32 to work as a USB audio device or take an S/PDIF signal as input, and then transmitting that audio stream over RTP.
This article details a project to create a small desktop appliance with an E-Ink display that shows a user's GitHub activity graph. It uses an ESP32 and a 3D-printed case, configured via a web interface.
The vPlayer, from Kevin Darrah, combines a 1.69 inch touch screen with the ESP32-S3 to create a programmable network-connected display that can show various information including system stats, live images, and videos from the Internet.
An open-source device, kv4p HT, connects to an Android smartphone and turns it into a radio transceiver for about $35. It uses an ESP32 and transmits one watt, featuring APRS and scanning capabilities. The PCB is simple and affordable with a 3D-printed case.