DIY scanner cuts out the hassle, keeps the fun of Super 8 film scanning

DIY scanner cuts out the hassle, keeps the fun of Super 8 film scanning originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Jan 2010 23:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Laser-based ‘clock’ shortens beam as wake-up time draws closer

It’s probably not the clock you need to build if being punctual is your modus operandi, but it’s sufficiently nerdy nonetheless. One Nirav Patel — which may or may not be related to our own Mr. Patel — decided to hand craft his own “sleep remaining indicator,” which utilizes a slowly rotating servo, a laser beam and a timer in order to work its magic. Put simply, the beam gets shorter and shorter as one’s wake-up time draws near, but oddly enough, you’ll never be able to see its awesomeness if you’re actually sleeping. Quite the conundrum, no?

Laser-based ‘clock’ shortens beam as wake-up time draws closer originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 24 Jan 2010 21:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Arduino and accelerometer harmoniously come together in DIY music controller

Look, Physical Computing can be a drain. Particularly when your Summa Cum Laude status is hinging on you acing the final. We’re guessing that one Ryan Raffa managed to pull off a pretty decent grade, as his final project is nothing short of delectable. In a (presumably successful) attempt to wow onlookers and professors alike, Ryan cooked up an audio controller that utilized an ADXL 335 accelerometer (for motion sensing) and an Arduino board that communicates serially with Max MSP. The controller itself boasts inputs for five tracks and the sixth button applies a delay to all of the tracks; he was even kind enough to host up the Max MSP and Arduino code (it’s there in the source link), and if you’re interested in hearing what all the fuss is about, be sure to hop past the break and mash play.

Continue reading Arduino and accelerometer harmoniously come together in DIY music controller

Arduino and accelerometer harmoniously come together in DIY music controller originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Jan 2010 03:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Misa Digital Guitar cuts the strings, brings the noise

The intersection of the classical instrument known as a guitar and the modernist urge to modify everything has resulted in plenty of nutty, zany, and just plain questionable products in its time. It’s quite a pleasure, therefore, to point you in the direction of a so-called Digital Guitar that keeps the axe looking refreshingly familiar, while turning it into something that poses a legitimate threat of actually being useful. Essentially a MIDI controller, the Misa guitar has 24 frets and a large multifunctional touchscreen, which you can use to interface with the appropriate software on your pc. We’ve got a video demonstration after the break, and you can hit up the source link for more info including details on how you might be able to buy one for yourself.

Continue reading Misa Digital Guitar cuts the strings, brings the noise

Misa Digital Guitar cuts the strings, brings the noise originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Jan 2010 02:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dell netbook modded into a rather large handset (video)

Continue reading Dell netbook modded into a rather large handset (video)

Dell netbook modded into a rather large handset (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 Dec 2009 13:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DIY arduino Christmas lights spectacular turns bad taste into… art

We’ll freely admit to having a love / hate relationship with Christmas lights and decorations. The sheer gaudiness of it all often turns our “bah humbug” nature inside out, revealing the awe struck “inner child” we hear so much about from people like Martha Stewart and Oprah. Regardless, an artful DIYer’s taken the outdoor Christmas lighting game to the next level. Making use of an ioBridge IO-204 module, an Arduino Wave Kit, an Arduino Duemilanove board, solid state relays, and the Oracle Application Express for connectivity, he was able to get his internet controlled light and music show on the road. Check out the final results — which feature 3,300 mini lights, 3 spotlights, an LED Rope, 4 LEDs, and one magical reindeer — in the video after the break. Hit the source link for full instructions if you want to get in on the holiday action yourself.

Continue reading DIY arduino Christmas lights spectacular turns bad taste into… art

DIY arduino Christmas lights spectacular turns bad taste into… art originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 02:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DIY Robolamps are part lamp, part robot, all awesome

While we’re mostly concerned with covering the latest in gadgets and technology, there’s occasionally some humble creations that spend months building up enough stream to finally break into the public’s consciousness, and we’d be remiss if we didn’t take notice. One such piece of magic is the Robolamp series of, well, robot lamps that Robert Matysiak has been working on for the past two years, and looks to have recently gone all out with in the last few months. As you can see for yourself in the gallery below, those consist of everything from some fairly recognizable lamp-shaped devices to more elaborate “robots” that can apparently be repositioned and accessorized. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like Matysiak is quite ready to part with them just yet, but he is looking for a place to exhibit the designs if there happens to be any adventuresome gallery owners out there.

[Via Pocket-lint]

Filed under: Household, Robots

DIY Robolamps are part lamp, part robot, all awesome originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSP Go turned into a homebrewed Sega CD emulator (video)

At this point, there have been so many Sonic games on so many different platforms, that you don’t really need to run an old school Sega Genesis or Sega CD to play with the blue hedgehog. Need, however, is not what this is about. A fellow calling himself Neon (whose real name is presumably Thomas Andersonn) has put together a proof of concept video to show off a custom PSP Go firmware capable of running Sega CD images. Alas, he’s only keen to prove said concept for bragging rights alone, and there are no plans to unleash this unto the retro-loving world, but isn’t it enough to know that you can bring back all those memories of an insecure youth whiled away in a poorly lit room with a 12MHz console pushing about 200 pixels in total? Of course it is, check the video after the break.

Continue reading PSP Go turned into a homebrewed Sega CD emulator (video)

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds

PSP Go turned into a homebrewed Sega CD emulator (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RFiDJ: the coaster-controlled HTPC switches playlists while you switch drinks (video)

You know, RFID hasn’t done much for itself in the consumer market. To most average Joes and Janes, the tech is really only around for use in complex supply chains and warehouses that they’d rather block from their minds. Thanks to Roteno Labs, we now have at least one glorious example of just how awesome RFID tags truly are, as the RFiDJ project demonstrates how tagged coasters can be used to instantly switch playlists stored on an HTPC. You simply set a designated coaster on top of the machine, and within seconds a new playlist is activated. We hear that videos actually do speak louder than words, so we’ll just stop here and beg you to hop on past the break for a memorable encounter with splendiferousness.

[Via Hack a Day]

Continue reading RFiDJ: the coaster-controlled HTPC switches playlists while you switch drinks (video)

Filed under: Desktops, Home Entertainment, Media PCs

RFiDJ: the coaster-controlled HTPC switches playlists while you switch drinks (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Send your ‘Hiro P’ BUGbase back, get a BUGbase WiFi for $99

If you classify yourself as a hardcore DIYer, you probably sprung for Bug Labs’ ‘Hiro P’ BUGbase way back in the day. You’ve also likely been weeping since the entirely more awesome BUGbase WiFi was announced last month. Thankfully, you can now empty your current bucket of tears and stash it away for good, as a wicked good deal has just arrived to turn that frown upside-down. Bug Labs is offering the $449 BUGbase WiFi for just $99 if you send your original BUGbase back to the company before November ends. If you’d like to take advantage, feel free to hit up Bug and mention the offer being emailed out to existing users after the break.

Continue reading Send your ‘Hiro P’ BUGbase back, get a BUGbase WiFi for $99

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Send your ‘Hiro P’ BUGbase back, get a BUGbase WiFi for $99 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Print your own circuit boards with an Inkjet (and a modicum of skill)

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Print your own circuit boards with an Inkjet (and a modicum of skill) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Machined Gear Clock makes watching the time pass a true joy (video)

We’ve seen no shortage of homegrown clocks in our day, and while most are cute for their time, few are worthy of being lauded in this manner. Alan Parekh’s Gear Clock is a delightful mishmash of machined gears, thrown together in a fashion that resulted in an actual time-telling gizmo. Hop on past the break to watch this thing spin, but be sure to hold the mute button for the lead-in. Clearly ‘Sound Check’ wasn’t activated.

Continue reading Machined Gear Clock makes watching the time pass a true joy (video)

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Household

Machined Gear Clock makes watching the time pass a true joy (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 03:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DIYer concocts homegrown View-Master, relies on HTC Magic and Google Street View (video)

It’s been far, far too long since we broke out the View-Master from the admittedly dusty toy chest, but now we’re guessing it’ll be at least a score before we get the urge again. Why, you ask? The View-Master 2009. These homegrown virtual reality goggles are surprisingly impressive despite their ragged look, and by utilizing some form of cardboard enclosure, an HTC Magic and Google Street View, the designer was able to mimic that “immersive” environment we’ve grown to know and never forget. Don’t believe us? Have a look at the vid just past the break, and hang in there ’til the end if you’re scouting a how-to guide.

Continue reading DIYer concocts homegrown View-Master, relies on HTC Magic and Google Street View (video)

Filed under: Displays, Wearables

DIYer concocts homegrown View-Master, relies on HTC Magic and Google Street View (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Psystar releases Rebel EFI installer, further enrages Apple

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

Psystar releases Rebel EFI installer, further enrages Apple originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Homemade GPS puzzle box puts a modern spin on treasure hunts

We’ll readily admit that most Arduino mods tend to be exercises in creativity (and eccentricity) with little real world utility, which is why this one piqued our interest. A wedding present conceived of and built by Mikal Hart, the box you see above is set to only open in one particular geographic location, and the puzzle of it is to find out where that might be. You’re allowed 50 attempts at opening the box by hitting the button next to the LCD screen, which in turn gives you a distance from, but not direction to, your destination. What tickles us about this idea, aside from its ingenuity, is the potential to use it without the helpful hints in securing your own valuables. Check out the read link for a full shopping list of ingredients and the amusing reaction to the quirky gift.

[Via Slippery Brick]

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Homemade GPS puzzle box puts a modern spin on treasure hunts originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Android 1.6 retrofitted onto Samsung Q1 UMPC (video)

Continue reading Android 1.6 retrofitted onto Samsung Q1 UMPC (video)

Filed under: Handhelds, Software

Android 1.6 retrofitted onto Samsung Q1 UMPC (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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R2D2 turned into retro gaming shrine, includes head-mounted projector

We don’t know exactly how to say this without overloading your nerd subsystem, but this R2D2 unit packs eight consoles, an integrated sound system and a projector for throwing your Jet Grind Radio sessions onto a wall. The only extras you’ll need are the masses of controllers you see above and the steady constitution to not erupt into geek euphoria. Popular Science reader Brian De Vitis is the man you have to thank for this splicing of console goodness, and he’s been kind enough to also provide a picture of the R2’s mobo-laden innards. It awaits just past the break.

[Via Hack N Mod]

Continue reading R2D2 turned into retro gaming shrine, includes head-mounted projector

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

R2D2 turned into retro gaming shrine, includes head-mounted projector originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 05:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Papercraft Wall-E checks email, dances a jig when new message arrives

We’ve seen our fair share of Wall-E mods over the months, and yes, we’ve also seen an impressive papercraft creation or two. But frankly, we’ve never, ever seen a papercraft Wall-E, let alone a papercraft Wall-E that serves a purpose. TotoroYamada took the time to concoct what he describes as his own personal Mail-E, a servo-equipped paper robot that’s programed to check his inbox every few seconds and bust a move when a new message arrives. Cuteness overload is in full effect — just peek the videos after the break if you’ve any doubts.

Continue reading Papercraft Wall-E checks email, dances a jig when new message arrives

Filed under: Robots

Papercraft Wall-E checks email, dances a jig when new message arrives originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Joules robot rides shotgun, helps pedal on two-person bicycle

There’s “desperate for companionship,” and then there’s “just plain cool.” We’re going out on a limb here and suggesting that the scenario you see unfolding above is a case of the latter, with modder Carl developing a robotic partner that not only rides shotgun on this tandem bicycle, but also helps pedal. A PMG-132 electric motor is connected to Joules (that’s the robot, just so you know), and thanks to an array of nuts, bolts, joints and the promise of a better life in Carl’s garage, Joules has graciously agreed to help power the bike for as long as his owner decides to exercise. Trust us, there’s a truly touching video waiting for you after the break, and you’ll immediately lose five nerd points should you choose not to head down there and look.

Continue reading Video: Joules robot rides shotgun, helps pedal on two-person bicycle

Filed under: Transportation

Video: Joules robot rides shotgun, helps pedal on two-person bicycle originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 21:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DIY Eyewriter brings the joy of art, vandalism to those with ALS

You know, there are a slew of devices out there that’ll let you indulge in some graffiti action without sullying your hands (or breaking the law). Indeed, we’ve seen real time 3D paintings in galleries and something called the Wiispray, and now we have Eyewriter. An ongoing effort by a group of graffiti artists from around the world, this open source project has designed and built a low-cost eye-tracking system to enable people like Tony Quam (a.k.a. TEMPTONE), who is paralyzed, to create artwork moving only his eyes. But that ain’t all — the group also designed a “mobile broadcast unit,” which is essentially a low-powered, networked bicycle capable of projecting the business onto the side of a building (or street sign, or train). The kids responsible for this heartwarming example of “eye vandalism” promise that how-to materials, software, and the like will all be available soon, but in the meantime check a video of the thing in action after the break.

[Via Jailbreak]

Continue reading DIY Eyewriter brings the joy of art, vandalism to those with ALS

Filed under: Displays, Peripherals

DIY Eyewriter brings the joy of art, vandalism to those with ALS originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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