ZDNET Author Turns $3.99 Old Phone Setup Into Android Auto Home Hub

1 articles · Updated · ZDNet · Jul 9

$3.99 was enough for the author to repurpose an old phone as an Android Auto receiver, creating a living-room dashboard for media, messages and AI without using a car.
Two apps make it work: one on the old device acts as the head unit, while the current phone projects Android Auto to it; the author used Headunit Revived after a tricky setup.
The payoff was fewer phone pickups during work, because the always-on, minimal interface lets the author check messages, control Spotify and ask Gemini quick questions with less distraction.
Older hardware is still viable since the spare phone mainly serves as a launcher and projection screen, making the setup a low-cost smart-home use for aging Android devices.