An open replacement board for the first-generation Google Home Mini has raised $132,614 against an $8,000 crowdfunding goal, according to the Open Home Foundation’s October newsletter. Imre Laszlo’s MiciMike replaces the board inside an existing speaker, giving owners a route to Home Assistant voice control while keeping the enclosure.
The newsletter also highlights distinct paths for Amazon hardware: LocalDot replaces a third-generation Echo Dot’s mainboard, while EchoMuse turns a second-generation Dot into a local voice assistant and music player. TECHO5 repurposes an Echo Show as a Home Assistant voice satellite with a touchscreen.
These are device-specific community projects, rather than one upgrade for every old assistant. LocalDot is preparing a crowdfunding launch; the newsletter points readers to an Echo project comparison tool to match their hardware to the features they need.