Old cell phones may eventually be destroyed, but old tablets (which don't leave the house much) can still bring us a lot of joy. Without going any further, they can become a pocket television and if we have a more or less intelligent home, in the nerve center of all our home automation.
Because even if they don't have the most modern screen or the most powerful processor, they can greatly simplify the process of controlling our light bulbs, robot vacuum cleaners, sockets and many other connected devices on a single panel. In short, create your own Google Nest Hub without having to buy additional speakers. You don't need more than a few apps and settings.
Before you start
As we already mentioned in the introduction, the idea is to make it a device to interact with the Google Assistant and control your smart gadgets or activate routines. While some smart speakers take a cautious approach to listening to what you say, that's usually not the case with your old tablet. In this sense, a tip for not despairing is leave the tablet in a central strategic location in your homefor example in the entrance, the kitchen or on a support in the living room.
It is also important have a socket nearby. Let me explain: the fact is that the screen is always on (there is also the possibility of touching it to activate it, but in this case you will have to get closer), for which you will need to have a power outlet nearby. proximity, so that it works connected to the mains.
Google Assistant is essential
While it's important to be able to touch basic automation on the screen, there will be times when you can't or won't get close to the device to manipulate it (or your hands will get dirty). so I have The Google Assistant is now operational, listening comes first..
All you have to do is open the Google app and in 'Settings' (tap your profile photo in the upper right corner) > 'Google Assistant'slide to activate'Ok Google'. During the setup process, you will need to test for it to recognize your voice.
Returning to the subject of have the screen always onyou can either do it from the screen settings, leaving it in the 'Forever' option or even more interesting: configure the ambient mode of Google Assistant, so that this new smart screen also becomes a digital photo frame with our images from Google Photos.
A simplified home screen
Having a Nova Launcher type launcher to simplify the interface is a good idea to have what we are going to use on the home screen, but there is no need to complicate it either: Google Home is the must-have app for this performance and this one is already on your mobile. The idea is to have it front and center in the bottom bar of fixed applications, being able to accompany it with others like the calendar, weather or Spotify.
In the Google Home app we will find quick access to talk to the assistant, our devices and our routines (being able to add, modify or delete them). However, it is nice to have the Google Assistant app, as well as brand applications for your devices clever. For example, I have the Philips Hue one or the iRobot one.
But for me the icing on the cake comes from Action Blocks, a free application available on the Google Play Store which allows you to configure Customizable widgets that act as a specific command for Google Assistantfor example to replace “Hey Google, turn on the lamp”. But there are many others, for example to listen to music or check the weather.
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