Take a look at this unique project that utilizes a few remote controlled Hex Bugs. By adding a computer, an IR Toy and also an Arduino Jim Choate has built a method to incorporate voice control to these awesome tiny bug toys. The voice instructions are recognized by customized software running on the computer that was created in C#. Should you be curious about taking a look at the code Jim has it available right here.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: http://hackedgadgets.com/2012/01/15/voice-controlled-hex-bugs/

You can find the schematic and code for this project (PDF) here.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: http://hackedgadgets.com/2012/01/07/frankenkindle/

Honestly, we’re surprised at how simple this particular hack is. [Kubbur87] sets the device into developer mode, enables SSH, and after that goes to work on the Linux shell within. It appears the only type of safeguard is the root password which he somehow obtained.

The following videos will teach you how to enable developer mode and how to execute this hack.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: http://hackaday.com/2012/01/05/custom-screensaver-on-the-non-touch-kindle-4/

[Instructables] member [Dimovi] shares this great  idea  using the following materials:

• An LCD monitor of course
• Single use 3D glasses from the movie theater (old sunglasses are just fine)
• Paint thinner (or some other solvent such as toluene, turpentine, acetone, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate etc)
• Box cutter (and CNC laser cutter)
• Screwdriver or a drill
• Paper towels
• Superglue

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: http://www.instructables.com/id/Privacy-monitor-made-from-an-old-LCD-Monitor/#step1

Yoonjo Choi has created a modernized typewriter by adding force sensors and monitor connectivity, so that her old photographs can now be flipped quickly through projection. A magical effect is shown every time the old photo displays on the monitor.

Whats amazing about this project is that you can only see the photo when you type at a certain rate. For example, if you type less than five letters within ten seconds you will only get a vague outline of the photo. If you type more than five and less than ten letters it gets a bit more crisp, and so forth.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: http://hackedgadgets.com/2011/12/21/hacked-typewriter-with-magical-effects/

The whole process shouldn’t take more then an hour or so. Most of the pages in these journals are sewn in place and [Kevin] started by cutting the strings with a hobby knife. Once removed, he used a utility knife to separate the pages that were glued to the cover; this leaves you in the state seen above.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: http://hackaday.com/2011/12/12/kindle-fire-cover-from-a-moleskine-journal/

Here’s a simple solution that fixes the problem: use scissors to cut a bit of protective material off the case.

Visit JP’s blog for more pictures and precise measurements.

Cutting a slit on the bottom of the case will allow the iPad to rest properly on the dock

[ link to JP's Blog ]

This time, he hacked a picture frame into a video monitor displaying the live image from a webcam.

Have a peek.

Ryan from New-Zealand send us a nice writeup about his custom-made kitchen computer that apparently made his wife real happy.

Check it out.

Usual disclaimer: Please remember that as with any project involving mains power, make sure you know what you’re doing and  do it safely, or don’t. Also respect your local laws and building code.

[ part 1 ] [ part 2 ] [ part 3 ] [ via ]

A few weeks ago, I swapped out the driver’s seat in my trusty Volvo 850 because it had an electrical problem. I definitely don’t want to throw out the old seat because it’s a super comfortable leather seat. It’s in my basement, waiting for me to make something with it.

Here’s something that I could do with it if I was a gamer and had some room: an arcade-style racing console.

Since I don’t nearly have enough room for something like that, I’ll probably just convert mine into an office chair.

[ link ]

This is a project that will surely please guitarists, singers, or any other musicians that play on stage. Basically, you gut out a USB keyboard, keeping only the electronics and you build a pedal that you map to specific keys. This allows you to either scroll down a document (partitions, tablatures, lyrics, etc.) or even control a slide show or audio software.

USB page turner pedal for musicians [link][via]

My white Intel iMac has been working great ever since I bought it. Then along came Leopard. After getting the upgrade and installing it, my iMac became instable. All of a suddain, it would hang. Or at least, the video card would freeze. I could still connect to my computer with ssh from my laptop, but all the unsaved work I had going was lost. That’s until I realized that Leopard changed something to the machine’s firmware to slow down the fans – either that or Leopard runs hotter.

Anyways, if you’re stuck in a similar situation, go ahead and download the excellent SMCFanControl application. It lets you speed up your fans individually (my computer has 3 different ones). Apple, in its constant quest for the thinnest and most silent device on the market, tend to design dangerously close to the edge of the cliff. The computer’s ventilation system’s efficiency drops below the acceptable threshold once it gets a bit dusty.

Go ahead and install this little gem of a program.

How to cool down your Mac by speeding up its fans [link]

I’ve never been a sys admin or a network technician, but I bet that when you need your punch down tool (a.k.a. Krone tool) the most is when it’s most likely gone missing. This clever hack is a useful one for anybody that does a lot of wire patching.

Don’t let the title fool you, I’m quite certain you can also do this with your Victorinox Cybertool or your trusty Wenger camping knife. Just make sure you measure carefully before cutting your tool.

Leatherman Punchdown Tool [link]

What to do when the global stock of instant film has been depleted? Turn your old Polaroid camera into a web cam! Re-purposing this cultural icon (is it the theme of the week?) is a great idea, bringing this classic design into the 21st century. A great gift idea too.

Long live the Polaroid Webcam [link]

I altered the time stamp so this post shows up yesterday, because I was out having a nice dinner with friends instead of writing this entry. Hope you won’t mind.

Turn a Nintendo NES controller into a retro USB flash drive that’s also a cultural icon. Now, why didn’t I think of this?

NES Controller USB Flash Drive [link]

A confusing title indeed. Is it Mario that is super, or is it the table? Either way, this is a pretty cool piece of DIY furniture. And one could inspire himself from that table to create other things.

No instructions are provided, but non are really needed. Just ask the person at your favorite tiling store.  They will explain how to lay out the glue and the grout, and everything else you need to know.

Super Mario Mosaic Table [link][via][via]

The Eee PC is a popular low-cost super-portable computer, which is perfect for sweet hacks and modifications. Here’s a bunch of mods you can do on your Eee PC. To name a few: USB Hub, GPS w/antenna, flash drive, FM transmitter, etc.

Giant collection of Eee PC internal upgrades [via][vial][link]

I added a Gallery of my Processing sketches to the site.

“Processing is an open source programming language and environment for people who want to program images, animation, and interactions. It is used by students, artists, designers, researchers, and hobbyists for learning, prototyping, and production. It is created to teach fundamentals of computer programming within a visual context and to serve as a software sketchbook and professional production tool. Processing is developed by artists and designers as an alternative to proprietary software tools in the same domain.

Processing is an open project initiated by Ben Fry and Casey Reas. It evolved from ideas explored in the Aesthetics and Computation Group at the MIT Media Lab.”

You can find the Gallery in the right-hand site menu. For the moment, I added a single sketch called Circle Packing, but more will follow, as I experiment further. I’ll keep you posted as I add more content.

Processing: Gallery [link]

The classic urban planning simulator SimCity’s sources have been released under the Gnu Public License.  Apart from a few modifications such as changing its title to Micropolis and removing the Airplane Crash disaster (9/11), the game is the same. You can dig in its code and roll out your own version of the ’80 gaming classic or you can peek under the hood to see how games were made back then.

Either way, this is a nice gift to the community, albeit perhaps a little late.

SimCity open sourced under GPL [link][via]