Tag Archive

Control your Canon DSLR with a Nintendo DS

After trying to find a way to remotely control their DSLRs, the clever hackers at HDRLabs couldn’t really find anything that would do what they wanted. So what did they do? Built a control of their own, using a Nintendo DS. HDRLabs went on to make the device available, for free. All you have to do is build one yourself.

DIY: Stereo Cooler

Here’s a clever yet simple DIY project for you, just in time for the weekend. You could probably even through this thing together before the next camping trip, even if you are heading out tonight. It’s that simple.

Make your Magic Mouse oh-so-ergonomic with this pasty silicone grip

While it’s hard to say if Apple’s Magic Mouse really needs “fixing” — it depends somewhat on your grip — it’s not a huge stretch to say that the slender multitouch device doesn’t quite fit in the palm of one’s hand. Sensing a market opportunity, Will of MMFixed.com recently decided to come to our collective rescue. For $10, he offers a simple silicone block that matches the mouse’s contoured surface nicely, with an integrated suction cup that keeps it securely fastened. While it’s not quite a one-size-fits-all solution, it’s certainly a lot cheaper than buying one of the new whacky, adjustable mice we’ve seen recently; and if the idea of ergonomics via marshmallow doesn’t appeal to you, you can always try the white bread variety. Video after the break.

Continue reading Make your Magic Mouse oh-so-ergonomic with this pasty silicone grip

Make your Magic Mouse oh-so-ergonomic with this pasty silicone grip originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 13 Mar 2010 01:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink 9 Computer Store  |  mmfixed.com  | Email this | Comments

DIY: A quick and dirty $20 projector ceiling mount

I had a problem. I was getting in a couple home theater projectors for review, but I didn’t want to just sit them on a table in the middle of my office. It’s already cluttered enough. The obvious solution was to mount them on my ceiling. However, I’m cheap and didn’t want to spend any [...]

PSA: Use your computer’s SPDIF connection if it has one

I’ll just come out and say it. I’m dumb. Clearly. I’ve been listening to music from my computer for ages. Longer than some of you have surfing the Internet, but I’ve never used a computer’s SPDIF connection before. It’s been on my last few primary computers, too. Instead, I’ve just been using a simple L/R [...]

NES harmonicas hit eBay, three lucky gamers cheer

Remember the HarmoNESica? A brief refresher, then: it’s what happens when you’ve got a copy of Super Tecmo Bowl, a Pocket Pal harmonica, and the desire to create a unique musical instrument. But if you don’t have any of the aforementioned ingredients and just want the end result, eBay’s got you covered as usual — three HarmoNESicas have been gathering bids at the online auction house this week. Whether your pleasure be Dick Tracy, Super Mario Bros. 3 or The Legend of Zelda, there’s a harmonica to match; and if (for some reason) you want to actually play one of the games, you’ll find the ROM guts tastefully included. But before you make your bid, remember: there’s more than one way to skin an NES cartridge.

NES harmonicas hit eBay, three lucky gamers cheer originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink GoNintendo  |  Dick Tracy, Mario 3, Zelda  | Email this | Comments

Steampunk sequencer generates audio from Lego blocks

In 2007, steampunk musician Yoshi Akai wrote his master’s thesis on how to turn color into sound, and he’s been dreaming up unorthodox ways of producing music ever since. Case in point: the Lego Sequencer MR II, a contraption that uses three-dimensional Lego structures to emulate a three-channel, eight-step sequencer, where each differently colored plastic brick produces a different sound and complex combinations (including tremolo and overdrive) are possible when the blocks are stacked. Akai tells us it works using resistors embedded in each and every block, with parallel networks of resistors formed as the bricks pile up, equalling lower resistance and thus a higher frequency sound generated by the contraption. While the result certainly won’t back a techno track — Akai says he’s “building sound more than playing sound” — it looks like a good step up from the lethargic phaser noise produced by his Wireless Catcher, a lot of fun to play with, and much less expensive than hiring a team of hot models. Video after the break.

Continue reading Steampunk sequencer generates audio from Lego blocks

Steampunk sequencer generates audio from Lego blocks originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink MAKE  |  Yoshi AKAI, Interactive Institute  | Email this | Comments

Does Android dream of DIY cushions?

With the estate of Philip K. Dick up in arms over the slightest commercial reference to his published works, we may come to regret the above headline. But it’s worth the risk to bring more attention to this lovely, handcrafted Android pillow. Covered in fleece and filled with fluffy polyester for a texture that creator Craftsquatch describes as “firm yet springy,” the cuddly 12-inch square, made-to-order cushion can be yours for $20 before shipping. If only it came with dessert.

Does Android dream of DIY cushions? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Technabob  |  Craftsquatch (Etsy)  | Email this | Comments

HyperSID brings 8-bit sound back to the 21st century

The MOS Technology sound interface device (SID) has been a favorite of electronic musicians for decades. Originally released within the Commodore CBM-II, 64, and 128 series of computers, this little chip could create 4 different waveforms on 3 analog channels. The guys over at HyperSynth have some custom SID synthesizers for sale, along with a [...]

iPhone stabilizer project

Have some time to kill on your hands and want to take the best possible images using your iPhone’s camera? Might we suggest this DIY iPhone Stabilizer – while the instructions themselves are in Japanese, there is always a handy online translating machine to do the dirty work for you, and you won’t need too detailed instructions to get this done since a picture speaks a thousand words.

Permalink: iPhone stabilizer project from Ubergizmo | RSS Sponsor: Win a Fellowes Microshred Paper Shredder!

LEDs on Ikea coffee table

Check out this ordinary Ikea coffee table which has been hacked to include a whole bunch of LEDs – we’re talking about 6,144 of these in total. Tobias, the brain and hands behind this mod, sourced a trio of display boards from Sure Electronics for a total of 96 8×8 modules. These boards rely on a serial interface to be addressed, where a quartet of serial lines are used for each board although a shared data bus for each of the row select pins and the data/latch/clock pins. Definitely worth checking out if you’re into DIY goodness to enhance the overall look of your home.

Permalink: LEDs on Ikea coffee table from Ubergizmo | RSS Sponsor: Win a Fellowes Microshred Paper Shredder!

For the programmer who has everything: Android pillows

Need a DIY gift for the phone programmer who has everything? Consider getting him or her some Android pillows. These pillows show the eventual move toward the iPhone OS – more fluff.
[via Technabob]