Breathing New Life into a Discontinued Smart Speaker
The Google Home Mini, launched in 2017, was once a staple in millions of households. While many units still function for basic voice commands, the aging hardware lacks modern features like local processing and customizability. Google has since discontinued both the Home Mini and its successor, the Nest Mini, leaving owners with a device that feels increasingly outdated. But a third-party solution now offers a second life: the MiciMike Home Mini PCB, an $85 drop-in replacement board that transforms the old speaker into a powerful local smart assistant.
This upgrade not only preserves the original hardware—including the speaker and mute button—but also adds cutting-edge capabilities aligned with 2026 standards. Let's explore how this small board brings big changes.
Core Specifications: Dual-Chip Power
The MiciMike PCB is a custom-designed 4-layer board measuring 72 x 70 mm, built with two specialized processors working in harmony.
Main Processor: Espressif ESP32-S3
At its heart lies the ESP32-S3, a dual-core Xtensa LX7 microcontroller clocked at 240 MHz. This chip handles all network connectivity, including Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n (2.4 GHz) and Bluetooth 5.0 LE. It comes equipped with 8 MB of PSRAM and 16 MB of flash memory, providing ample space for local voice processing and custom firmware. The ESP32-S3 runs microWakeWord, enabling wake-word detection entirely on-device—none of your voice data ever leaves the speaker.
Audio Co-Processor: XMOS XU316
For pristine audio quality, the board integrates an XMOS XU316 chip, dedicated exclusively to audio processing. This component manages noise reduction and echo cancellation by analyzing signals from two on-board MEMS microphones (placed in the same positions as the original Home Mini). The XU316 carries 4 MB of its own flash, ensuring real-time audio cleanup before any data reaches the main processor.
Together, these chips handle everything from voice command recognition to music streaming, all while maintaining local privacy.
Seamless Integration with Original Hardware
One of the most impressive aspects of the MiciMike PCB is how it leverages the existing Home Mini components. The original speaker can be reconnected using the included FPC cable, preserving the same audio output you're accustomed to. The mute button still works, making a physical disconnection at the hardware level when activated—just like the original design.
Visual feedback is provided by four SK6812 RGB LEDs, positioned identically to the original LEDs. These serve as status indicators, for example showing different colors for listening, processing, or idle states.
Software and Ecosystem: Ready for Home Automation
The MiciMike PCB comes with ESPHome preinstalled, a popular firmware platform for IoT devices. This makes the upgraded speaker immediately compatible with Home Assistant, the leading open-source smart home platform. Through ESPHome, you can integrate with Assist (for voice control), Music Assistant (for multi-room audio synchronization), and Snapcast (for synchronized audio streaming).
If desired, you can connect a cloud-based LLM (large language model) as the conversation agent, giving the speaker advanced AI capabilities—but the entire system works offline without it. This flexibility means you can enjoy a fully local smart assistant that respects your privacy.
Deep Dive into Home Assistant Integration
With ESPHome pre-configured, setting up the MiciMike in Home Assistant is a matter of a few clicks. The board exposes sensors, microphones, and audio outputs as entities that can be automated. For instance, you can create automations that trigger when the wake word is detected, or stream music to multiple upgraded Home Minis simultaneously using Snapcast.
Full Technical Specifications
For those who want the nitty-gritty details, here is a complete list of specifications for the MiciMike Home Mini PCB:
- Main processor: ESP32-S3 (dual-core Xtensa LX7, 240 MHz), 8 MB PSRAM, 16 MB flash.
- Audio processor: XMOS XU316, 4 MB flash.
- Microphones: 2× MEMS (placed in same locations as original Home Mini).
- LEDs: 4× SK6812 RGB.
- PCB: 4-layer, 72 × 70 mm, HASL lead-free.
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n (2.4 GHz) and Bluetooth 5.0 LE.
- License: CERN-OHL-S (open hardware license).
Why Upgrade Instead of Buying New?
Purchasing a new smart speaker often means dealing with planned obsolescence, limited repairability, and cloud-dependent features. The MiciMike PCB gives your existing hardware a new lease on life, reducing e-waste while delivering performance that rivals modern devices. For only $85, you gain local processing, enhanced privacy, and deep integration with open-source platforms—something no commercial speaker currently offers.
Whether you're a home automation enthusiast or simply want to avoid tossing a functional device, this upgrade is a smart investment. The board is available from the developer's project page, and the open-source nature ensures ongoing community support.
Conclusion: A Bright Future for Old Hardware
The MiciMike Home Mini PCB proves that aging technology can be revived with creativity and engineering. By combining an ESP32-S3 and XMOS XU316, while maintaining compatibility with original components, this upgrade brings your old Google Home Mini into the modern era. With ESPHome preinstalled and Home Assistant ready to go, you can build a fully local, customizable smart speaker that respects your privacy. If you have a first-gen Home Mini gathering dust, consider giving it a second life.