Someone turned a vintage rotary phone into an AI assistant, and so can you

Credit: Ramazan Eren Arslan Published Oct 29, 2026, 8:44 PM EDT Simon is a Computer Science BSc graduate who has been writing about technology since 2014, and using Windows machines since 3.1. After working for an indie game studio and acting as the family's go-to technician for all computer issues, he found his passion for writing and decided to use his skill set to write about all things tech. Since beginning his writing career, he has written for many different publications such as WorldStart, Listverse, and MakeTechEasier. However, after finding his home at MakeUseOf in February 2019, he would eventually move on to its sister site, XDA, to bring the latest and greatest in Windows, Linux, and DIY electronics. Sign in to your XDA account Summary Cheap vintage rotary phones make great shells for DIY projects - easy to find at flea markets or online. Drop a Raspberry Pi and USB sound card inside to turn it into a voice AI using Google Gemini 3.8 Live. Pick up the receiver and dial 1/2/3 for German, English, or Turkish - works with other rotary phones. If you're a tinkerer and have never gotten into modifying retro hardware, you should give it a try. There are plenty of units out there selling for very cheap because nobody has a use for them, and they can act as the perfect shell for your next project. If you need some inspiration, someone scored a vintage rotary phone at a market and got to work turning it into an AI-powered assistant. This rotary phone got a new life as a Google Gemini assistant It has a dial tone and everything Credit: Ramazan Eren Arslan Over on Hackster.io, Ramazan Eren Arslan managed to get their hands on a Deutsche Bundespost FeTAp 791, a German rotary phone. The cool thing about these projects is that getting the phone itself is pretty cheap; Arslan says he got his off a flea market, but notes you can probably score one for even cheaper if you look hard enough online. Arslan pried the phone open and stuck a Raspberry Pi 3 Model B in there, alongside a USB sound card. When you pick up the receiver, you can dial 1 for German, 2 for English, or 3 for Turkish. Whichever number you pick, you'll be directed to Google Gemini 3.8 Live, which will answer your burning questions. It's sort of like those advice hotlines from back in the day, but without the really high calling rates. Arslan says that this project should work on other rotary phones, so if you have one sitting around (or you've spotted one for cheap in a nearby second-hand store), head over to the Vintage Phone AI Assistant Hackster page and give it a try.