As functions both as a preposition, as in your sentence 1, and
as a subordinating conjunction, as in your sentence 2.
The preposition as can introduce a noun or noun phrase that names
what someone/ something is or is thought to be, or what the function
of someone/ something is.
In your sentence 1, as introduces the noun phrase "a way to market
products."
Here are some other sentences with as as a preposition:
She has
worked for twenty years as a translator.
The news came as a complete surprise.
As a young man, George was surprisingly handsome.
The subordinating
conjunction as serves to introduce a dependent
clause. In the case of your sentence 2, as means the same as "while." The
sentence means "He can do it while he plays with computers."
Here are some other sentences with as as a subordinating conjunction:
I
pulled a muscle as I was lifting the suitcase off the baggage
carousel.
As you were sleeping, a terrible storm knocked over two of our
trees.
Just as the party began, all the electricity went out.
In these
two uses of as ?as preposition and as subordinating
conjunction ?the word "connector" does not describe either.
BTW, look at the number of times as is used as a preposition just
in this answer alone!