I’ll tell you what. Fill a city with these things, and I’ll move there. I can’t think of a greater source of childish delight than a playground full of these things, haphazardly zipping around the asphalt, attracting the attention of every bird, dog, and blogger that passes by.
The Powermats are pretty cool. They charge without eff’n wires. But they are all plastic and might not look right in some deco. So why not stuff the guts into something a little more pleasing like a block of wood. It seem to work fine and this Instructable will guide you through how to make one. I’m thinking that you’ll probably void your warranty though.
Apple’s charges of copyright infringement and DMCA violation against Psystar have stuck and, friends, things ain’t pretty for the two brothers in Miami. The problem with Psystar’s approach wasn’t that they were crazy for trying it. It’s that the were selling a counterfeit unit.
Apple contends that Psystar has violated its distribution right by offering and selling Mac OS X on Psystar computers to the public. Psystar admits that it has distributed Mac OS X (Chung Exh. 17 at 4).
But Psystar responds that its conduct is protected by the Section 109 first-sale doctrine. Section 109 provides that “the owner of a particular copy or phonorecord lawfully made under this title, or any person authorized by such owner, is entitled, without the authority of the copyright owner, to sell or otherwise dispose of the possession of that copy or phonorecord.” 17 U.S.C. 109. This provision is a limitation on the distribution right. It applies only to an owner of a copy.
Watching this video, it doesn’t seem very much more than a demo for a rather anonymous-looking little touchscreen device, a PMP prototype maybe. Then you find out that the whole thing is running an 8-bit processor with 4KB of RAM. Touchscreen tricks like scrolling momentum are implemented perfectly well, and there appears to be little or no lag. Pac-Man runs at 60fps, which is more than I can say for the version on my G1.
The iPhone is one sexy kit, but it generally doesn’t doesn’t stay that way for long. So if your chrome bezel is scratched up, why not give it the brushed metal look? All it takes is a two-sided kitchen sponge and a bit of work to give your iPhone a different look. [via Lifehacker]
Apparently Monday is DIY day here at CrunchGear, as we have another project for you. Battery powered USB chargers are nothing new — but building one yourself, that’s something different. Using a few components from your local electronics store and a 9v battery, you too can solder together your own little frankencharger.
It’s amusing to me how sometimes how I’ll be considering a particular subject and then randomly find a DIY project related to that subject. For example, I’m been considering getting a medium format film camera, just for the experience of shooting in that format. Apparently I’m not the only one, because Peter J at the Medium Format Camera Project has been building his very own camera.
I’m a sucker for clever desks and organization objects. Sometimes you don’t need a massive Pottery Barn desk to email your parents pics of the kids. All you need is a place to sit and two little shelves from Ikea. (and some handyman skills)
This fun little DIY device is labeled as a “crystal radio circuit in a jam-jar.” But that description doesn’t even to begin to do it justice. According to Tesla, this electronic wonder allows you to hear the disembodied, ethereal voices, of the, well, ether, I guess.
Way back in 2008, Microsoft wanted to add a feature to laptops that would allow them to become wireless access points when connected to Ethernet. The feature, which appeared on the Win7 roll-out list, is missing from the finished product but may be closer than we think. Read More
To repeat, do not upgrade your Apple TV to 3.0 if you’re running hacked ATV plugins like XBox Media Center or Boxee. I’m sure this will be fixed in a matter of days – if not hours – but as of right now it means a ride on the Failboat to Sad Trombone Town. That’s right: this update destroys the only thing that makes Apple TV usable and good.
Also, as an added bonus, Apple TV firmware 3.0 is insignificant. It adds Internet radio to the package and improves the UI. It also adds Genius playlists. My cup, as they say, runneth over. Read More
Tired of the hoodlums destroying your pumpkins? Looking for a little payback? Here’s a project that will allow you to get some vengeance. Plus, it’d be fun to shoot silly string at the older kids that show up on your front step this Halloween.
I know, I know. Water rocket. Whatever, right? Been there, done that, it’s cool and all, but it’s kinda like the diet coke & mentos thing. It’s been done to death. Well, this ain’t your daddy’s water rocket, let’s put it that way.
This is just too cool not to post. Look at that little thing. It’s genius. It’s just a bit of walnut or oak, carved into a shape that will keep your ear buds under control. I’m amazed at the sheer beauty and simplicity of the little thing. I don’t even know what to call it. Calling it a wire management device takes away from the sex appeal, but the product name of Wrap Wrap is lame. Idk, but I want one. $17. [via Gadget Lab]
Jeezum crow! This guy has made a fully functional (kind of) Proton Pack from Ghostbusters including a trap, ecto goggles, and some coveralls. He added a few lights controlled by an Arduino board.
The best part? He added lasers to the blasters. Now he just needs to remember not to cross the beams and that your halloween party can be a promotional expense so you should invite clients instead of friends.
Reader Anthony Le sent in his entry for the costume contest and I just had to share it with you guys. It’s an amazing replica of the Iron Man XD suit made of plastic and rivets. Anthony even goes to his local Children’s Hospital in it to cheer up the kids. Anthony is a truly geek who inspires awe.
I based the build from this picture from comic-con. The Costume is 100% home made, the build took approximately 2 weeks and 5 days. I’m a very busy person as well! Over 700+ rivets and rivet washer used. All items on the costume are 100% made from scratch. I’ve lso taken this costume to the children’s hospital to give them a sense of joy to know that a hero has come to wishes them a happy Halloween.
Well how do you like that? An old Sega SC-3000H from 1983 has been given new life as a fancy keyboard PC. An enterprising modder named Cuzza over in the TechPowerUp forums laid out $4 for the old-timey computer, rolled up his sleeves, and got to work.
So let’s say you need a new clock. Sure, you could go spend $19.99 (or less) and just go buy one, but wouldn’t it be more fun to bust out the CNC machine and build one yourself? Alan Parekh of Hacked Gadgets thought it would be, and he just happened to have a new CNC machine lying around.