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ZDNET's key takeaways
It's possible to use Android Auto outside your car.
The minimalistic design is less distracting than a phone.
You can control media, check messages, ask AI, and more.
Do you have an old phone or tablet sitting around in your junk drawer? You may be able to turn it into the perfect distraction-free smart home hub -- with the help of Android Auto. Inspired by posts on XDA and How-To Geek, I recently installed Android Auto on an old phone. I'm enjoying it so much! It's not only useful, but it might actually be my new favorite use of Android Auto. Here's how it works.
How to use Android Auto outside your car
The premise is simple -- you install an app on your old device to serve as the receiver (or head unit) and another app on your current device to broadcast Android Auto to that receiver. When you're connected, you'll have a small Android Auto dashboard at your fingertips.
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