In a world where technology advances at a breakneck pace, it's common for our mobile devices to become obsolete in a short time. The simplest answer seems to be to throw them in the trash or leave them forgotten in a drawer. However, before making that drastic decision, it's worth considering that this old companion may still have a lot to offer. There are several ways to give your old smartphone a second life, and one of the most interesting and simple is to turn it into a smart speaker with a screen thanks to Google's artificial intelligence, Gemini. Far from being a simple technological paperweight, your old Android phone can be transformed into a control center for your smart home, a personal assistant always ready to answer your questions, or a music and multimedia player. The key is to take advantage of the capabilities of Gemini, Google's AI, which can be integrated into devices with Android 9 Pie or higher. This process is not only an excellent way to recycle and reduce electronic waste, but it also allows you to enjoy the advantages of a smart device without having to spend money on a new one. The setup is surprisingly simple and doesn't require advanced technical knowledge. In just a few minutes, you can have your own speaker with a screen, ready to obey your voice commands, play your favorite playlists, or help you manage your schedule.

It's a practical and sustainable solution that demonstrates how artificial intelligence can extend the lifespan of our electronic devices, offering functionalities you may not have imagined for a phone you considered useless.

Transform your old Android into a command center with Gemini

The process of resurrecting your old Android phone and turning it into a voice assistant with a screen is easier than it seems. The first thing you need to do is make sure the device has, at a minimum,The Android 9 Pie operating system and the Google app installed are required. Once this requirement is met, the next step is to activate the voice assistant. To do this, open the Google app, go to your profile picture, then access Settings, Gemini, and finally Talk to Gemini using only your voice to turn on the "Hey Google" option. For a smooth experience and to avoid having to unlock your phone every time you want to use it, it's essential to enable it from the lock screen. Within the same Gemini settings section, you'll find the "Gemini on lock screen" option, which you should enable. As a final configuration step, it's recommended to remove any unlocking methods, such as PIN or pattern. You can do this from the Android security and privacy settings, in the "Device unlocking" section. It's important to do this only if you don't store sensitive information on your phone, as it allows for faster and more direct activation of the assistant. Once set up, all that's left is to find a good spot for it. Place your phone in a stand, keep it connected to its charger so the battery doesn't run out, and you have a new smart device at home. You can ask it to play music, control your home's lights if you have a home automation system, give you the weather forecast, or answer any question you can think of, thus giving a new and useful life to that smartphone you were thinking of throwing away. For now, this tool is mainly available to developers through the Gemini API, but it's a clear indication of the future that awaits us. We are facing a new generation of AI that not only understands our requests but can also act on our behalf in the digital world, simplifying tasks and opening up a range of possibilities that until now seemed like science fiction.It's important to do this only if you don't store sensitive information on your phone, as it allows for faster and more direct activation of the assistant. Once set up, all that's left is to find a good spot for it. Place your phone in a stand, keep it connected to its charger so the battery doesn't run out, and you have a new smart device at home. You can ask it to play music, control your home's lights if you have a home automation system, give you the weather forecast, or answer any question you can think of, thus giving a new and useful life to that smartphone you were thinking of throwing away. For now, this tool is mainly available to developers through the Gemini API, but it's a clear indication of the future that awaits us. We are facing a new generation of AI that not only understands our requests but can also act on our behalf in the digital world, simplifying tasks and opening up a range of possibilities that until now seemed like science fiction.It's important to do this only if you don't store sensitive information on your phone, as it allows for faster and more direct activation of the assistant. Once set up, all that's left is to find a good spot for it. Place your phone in a stand, keep it connected to its charger so the battery doesn't run out, and you have a new smart device at home. You can ask it to play music, control your home's lights if you have a home automation system, give you the weather forecast, or answer any question you can think of, thus giving a new and useful life to that smartphone you were thinking of throwing away. For now, this tool is mainly available to developers through the Gemini API, but it's a clear indication of the future that awaits us. We are facing a new generation of AI that not only understands our requests but can also act on our behalf in the digital world, simplifying tasks and opening up a range of possibilities that until now seemed like science fiction.