The first-generation Google Home Mini is nearly a decade old at this point, and with so many in circulation, there’s a decent chance you might have one sitting around unused. If you’re looking for something to do with a spare, an upcoming crowdfunded kit will let you swap the Home Mini’s guts to make it a fully local smart speaker that can control your gadgets without any data leaving your home.
The MiciMike Home Mini Drop-In PCB is made to install inside your existing first-generation Google Home Mini without much technical knowhow: there’s no soldering involved, and the kit comes with step-by-step instructions that include photos. The project has crushed its funding goal on Crowd Supply, having raised nearly $20,000 (to its initial goal of $8,000), with units expected to ship this year.
