Friday, December 13, 2024

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Key Takeaways

  • Outdated tablets could be reworked into good house hubs with Google Assistant & widgets.
  • To ensure seamless performance of advanced home automation applications that utilize Android’s latest features, a device should meet the minimal requirement of running Android 9 or later.
  • Old tablets and outmoded phones can be repurposed to become excellent home displays.



Smart home devices continue to seamlessly integrate themselves into even the most ordinary aspects of your dwelling. Additionally, some individuals are simply acquiring extra space by incrementally addressing minor concerns, upgrading larger appliances such as vacuums, or transforming every aspect of their home. The convenience afforded by voice-controlled devices and user-friendly apps to manage household appliances is undeniable.

While a smartphone app may be just a few taps away, a media enthusiast still yearns for a central hub that seamlessly connects all their devices and serves as a centralized command center. You could install it in a readily accessible location, such as a hallway or another easily accessible room, allowing you to quickly turn devices on and off with ease.

Despite their affordability and versatility, nothing surpasses the thrill of discovering a free spectacle. Fortunately, if you have an old smart plug gathering dust somewhere, you can easily integrate it with your smart home system.


Five exceptional tablets catering to diverse consumer needs, boasting features such as razor-thin profiles, detachable keyboards, and innovative docking solutions.

Tablets are known for their remarkable durability, boasting a remarkably long shelf life. You might initially repurpose old tablets as multimedia devices for several years, as consuming content from platforms like YouTube, Netflix, and browsing internet pages doesn’t require the same level of performance as many tasks you’d typically run on your smartphone. Despite occasional slowness, these devices can still be easily integrated into your central control system with minimal additional components.


Getting began

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Samsung Galaxy-A9 plus tablet on a furry carpet.

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Discover how to transform your outdated Android tablet into a smart home hub with this informative guide. This enables integration with all your smart devices by including widgets for your gadgets and empowers Google Assistant’s voice recognition capabilities, allowing it to respond to all your inquiries. By repurposing the vintage camera into a photo frame, you can proudly display your favorite images when not utilizing your DIY smart home central command. Fortunately, the entire process takes just a few minutes to complete, requiring no prior expertise or knowledge.


Get an outdated pill prepared

Pixel Tablet 2560x1440 (9)

A crucial aspect of this setup is the pill itself; therefore, ensure it’s properly prepared for the duration of the course. Fortunately, it’s not a complex issue – simply logging in to your Google account and configuring a few apps resolves the matter.

Does your product meet the fundamental requirements?


Before selecting a pill, make sure it is compatible with the intended application. Will I likely leverage Google Photos, Google Assistant, Google Home, and Motion Blocks during this process? Therefore, please ensure that your system can satisfactorily accommodate these technologies’ minimum requirements. Fortunately, these apps are not resource-hungry, so as long as your device runs Android 9 or later, everything should work seamlessly. Let’s get started.

  1. Go to
  2. Find the tab by scrolling down.
  3. To guarantee that the device operates on Android 9 or a more recent version.

The production line requires a system-wide reboot to rectify current inefficiencies and optimize processes.

Man holding a tablet

Tyler Franta / Unsplash

While not crucial, this step can infuse some fresh vitality into an aging system, especially one that’s been operational for several years. If you’re sure you want to utilize it temporarily as a practical hub, having already transferred all vital files and images from it, consider performing a factory reset and installing a fresh operating system to potentially mitigate the device’s sluggishness. Here is the rewritten text in a different style:

Discover how to reset your Android device’s manufacturing unit, a comprehensive guide to help you understand the process from start to finish.


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Log in to your Google account and configure the necessary applications.

Google homepage and search bar.

Christian Wiediger / Unsplash

After a factory reset of your device, it’s now time to set everything up again. During the setup process, it’s crucial to link your device to the same Google account used for Google Home and Google Assistant, ensuring seamless integration with other smart devices.

Once the setup is complete, it’s essential to install all necessary good housekeeping software programs. The essentials listed below are Google Photos, Google Home, Google Assistant, and Motion Blocks. While installing proprietary apps for compatible devices is necessary to integrate them with Google Home, it’s still worth considering adding these essential tools to your smart home ecosystem.


After installing the apps, log in to your Google account and verify that everything is connected and functioning properly, ensuring that your smart home devices are accurately detected.

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Arrange Google Assistant

The subtle nuances of tone.

Smart Home Hub Tablet with Google Assistant

In today’s smart home era, a thoughtful homeowner would never opt for a hub that remains idle when paired with a voice assistant. Fortunately, your Android device comes equipped with advanced productivity tools straight out of the box. By simply permitting this feature, you can enhance its capabilities by activating voice recognition, thereby allowing it to accurately respond to commands, even when the screen is turned off.

Activate Google Assistant


To maximize functionality, consider enabling Google Assistant integration. To effectively learn how to do something, you must first understand the basics and then consistently practice what you’ve learned. This approach allows you to build upon your knowledge and develop a deeper comprehension of the subject matter.

  1. Launch the application on your Android device.
  2. Install the faucet securely into its designated position within the prime designated area.
  3. Faucet on
  4. Faucet on
  5. Click on the tab to access the desired option.
  6. Is the faucet ready to showcase its prime function?

With the emergence of Matter standards and forthcoming Google Home APIs, this integration becomes a viable possibility.

Allow “Hey Google” detection

Once Google Assistant is enabled, you can also opt to have it listen for voice commands even when the screen is turned off. How do you learn to flip? Perform on…

  1. Open the application on your Android device.
  2. Select a quiet, secluded spot to relax and unwind?
  3. Faucet on
  4. Then, faucet on tab.
  5. Select . At the pinnacle of our website’s homepage, we will proudly display this crucial message.
  6. Unleash the toggle’s potential


Frustrated with accidental voice commands on your phone, smart speaker, laptop, and smart home devices? Simply disable Google Assistant.

Google Pixel Tablet with widgets

Optimize widget placement on the primary visual interface.

Now that your Google Assistant is set up, it’s time to configure the main screen of your Home Hub, and one of the most effective methods to achieve this is by leveraging widgets. You may also utilise widgets from various proprietary apps or leverage the built-in Google Home Hub functionality within Android. Notwithstanding, I will be highlighting Motion Blocks for our purposes.

Arrange Motion Blocks


Google’s Motion Blocks app enables users to craft widget-based shortcuts for a wide range of Google Assistant actions. Here’s how the feature works: by issuing voice commands to your Google Assistant, you can seamlessly convert them into widgets that can be effortlessly placed on your Home screen. This innovative tool simplifies various tasks, serving as a game-changer for maintaining a well-organized smart home system by allowing users to transform voice commands into customizable buttons.

Discover how to craft a tailored motion using Motion Blocks, empowering you to design any widget you require.

  1. Open the app.
  2. On the backside of the display, tap.
  3. Select
  4. What’s the weather like today?
  5. To fully appreciate the effectiveness of this feature, we recommend having compatible smart devices at home connected to Google Home before attempting to use it.
  6. When you look at this succeed, tap to create a widget.
  7. What specific variables or parameters would you like to choose?
  8. To turn on the faucet, simply twist the handle clockwise until it stops.
  9. Return to the
  10. On the House display, you can customize it.
  11. Select the menu.
  12. Enhance the ambiance of your home with a captivating welcome display!
  13. for this specific widget.


You can potentially craft an infinite variety of actions and widgets in this way, opening up a vast realm of possibilities.

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Ending touches

Smart Home Hub Tablet

Ultimately, a smart home hub requires a thoughtful design that goes beyond simply displaying device status; it demands intuitive controls and meaningful visual cues to effectively integrate and manage your connected devices. To maximize utility, consider adding additional widgets to the main dashboard or designing a secondary display focused on showcasing various alternatives. Here are some of the most useful widgets you should employ:

  • Google’s At a Look widget
  • Climate widget
  • Calendar widget
  • Clock widget
  • Music streaming service controls
  • Your favourite social media widget
  • Notes app widget


Ultimately, these are merely initial suggestions; truly personalizing your setup by incorporating your favorite apps is an excellent way to build a highly effective self-made home hub.

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Use a photograph slideshow

As you step into your newly purchased home, you can’t help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. The walls, once blank, now adorn the walls with memories and personality. But as much as this place is yours, there’s something missing – a personal touch that screams “I’m here”.

A dog laying in a dog bed on a tablet.

While having a centralised home hub can be a significant advantage, it’s not always necessary to update every light fixture and device in each room simultaneously. When presenting that iconic spot to an audience, a photograph slideshow arrangement proves pivotal. You could still use the frame as a digital picture display and provide the room with a more personal touch by showcasing all the family photos. How to Flip a Photo in Google Photos?


  1. Open the app.
  2. Tap the icon within the faceted menu.
  3. How about we get started with this faucet?
  4. What’s within the faucet on the album?
  5. Therefore, choose the option that lies within the higher proper corner.
  6. Within the pop-up menu, select

What’s the best way to set up your new smart TV? For starters, you’ll need to determine whether you want to place it on a stand or mount it on the wall. A TV stand can provide a sleek and compact appearance, while a wall mount offers a more modern and minimalist look.

As the world becomes increasingly globalized and remote work gains popularity, the concept of a traditional headquarters (HQ) is evolving. With advances in technology and shifting workforce dynamics, organizations are now considering the benefits of having a transportable or virtual HQ.

In this context, a transportable HQ refers to an organization that can relocate its HQ to different locations, often using digital tools and infrastructure to facilitate collaboration and communication among team members. This approach offers several advantages, including:

* Enhanced flexibility: By not being tied to a specific location, organizations can adapt quickly to changing market conditions or respond to new business opportunities.
* Global accessibility: A transportable HQ allows for seamless connection with global teams and clients, fostering innovation and growth.

However, this setup also presents challenges, such as managing multiple locations and ensuring continuity of operations.

JUBOR tablet wall mount against a blue background

Amazon / JUBOR / Pocket-lint

Once your pill is prepared, it’s carefully positioned in the location of your choice, alongside the desired settings for optimal performance. Principally, you’ve two choices. To enhance your flexibility, consider setting up the display either as a fixed installation using a wall mount or opt for a more portable arrangement that allows you to easily move it between rooms, utilizing a tablet stand for added convenience.


Jubor tablet wall mount
JUBOR Pill Wall Mount

The pill wall mount boasts a robust steel foundation, allowing for a secure and semi-permanent installation on flat surfaces.

When opting for a wall mount, consider that using your tablet as a media player will become increasingly inconvenient, as you’ll need to remove it from the mount each time. Notwithstanding, this resolution boasts several distinctive advantages. You can mount the pill in the most convenient location, allowing for effortless management of all your appliances. This sleek design allows for effortless wall mounting, eliminating the need for a separate stand or surface to support its presence. It’s often a more practical decision to fully integrate your pill with a charger – simply connect the cable immediately, plug it in, and forget about it.

A Pixel Tablet in case folded into a stand in front of a Pixel Tablet in a closed trifold case next to a Pixel Tablet attaching to a dock.
What’s the perfect accessory for your Google Pixel phone? Look no further than MoKo’s slim trifold cowl case! This premium cover is designed to provide maximum protection and style for your device. Made from high-quality synthetic material, it features a sleek design that showcases your phone’s original finish while adding an extra layer of defense against scratches, drops, and daily wear.

The case’s unique trifold construction allows it to close securely when not in use, keeping your screen safe from accidental touches and dust. When you need to access your phone, the cover easily opens with a smooth, quiet hinge that won’t disturb you or others around you.

What sets MoKo apart is its commitment to quality and attention to detail. Each case undergoes rigorous testing to ensure it withstands real-world use, from rough handling to extreme temperatures. The result? A reliable partner for your Google Pixel phone that will keep up with your active lifestyle.

So why settle for an ordinary case when you can have an extraordinary one? Upgrade to MoKo’s slim trifold cowl case and experience the perfect blend of protection, style, and functionality.

This trifold case features adjustable viewing angles and is crafted from high-quality PU leather.

For instance, individuals who still want to leverage the multimedia capabilities of their pill might find it particularly advantageous to utilize a pill stand. The design of traditional pill stands usually relies on a straightforward insertion process, requiring no additional clamps; this allows for seamless portability and eliminates the need for fussy adjustments. In addition, several pill cases serve as stands, eliminating the need for an additional device if you already possess one with similar functionality. A versatile pill stand turns your home hub into a portable haven, allowing you to effortlessly move it around the house as needed, regardless of where life takes you in the moment.


Although your outdated Android phone may seem like it’s due for retirement, it still has plenty of life left – and no reason to collect dust either. By infusing it with fresh energy and vitality, one can breathe new life into an old concept, revitalizing its essence and relevance for a modern audience.

FAQ

Can you repurpose a Fireside Pill or an iPad as a practical smart home hub?

A fireplace tablet is a fantastic option for those seeking an affordable device that doubles as their smart home command center. Despite their affordability, these devices still feature an Android operating system, although it’s been heavily customized. To achieve your goals, consider leveraging similar applications as those previously recommended, or find alternative tools offering equivalent capabilities; accordingly, a Kindle Fire tablet should be suitable for this purpose.

The iPad presents a slightly greater challenge due to its unique operating system. Without the proprietary voice assistant, you’ll likely need to replace other compatible apps to maintain functionality. While all key features remain, the iPad still requires some fine-tuning to function effectively as a smart home hub; users may also need to consider integrating with other Apple products for seamless performance.


Can you turn a phone into a practical display?

Despite the rise of digital alternatives, almost everyone keeps at least one ancient phone stashed away “just in case” – often squirreled away in a dusty drawer. Can’t this smart speaker seamlessly integrate as a central control unit for your home automation, serving as a reliable substitute for cluttering up the space with various gadgets and devices?

The possibilities are endless so it really could accomplish that quite easily. Despite the smaller screen size, the performance may be slightly more restricted compared to a tablet, mainly because of the reduced display measurement; however, aside from fewer widgets appearing on the display, everything else on this app should function as intended for both an Android phone and an Android tablet. Prepare your phone and effectively manage your home with style.

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