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Meet the Blinkybugs

Meet the Blinkybugs

Img 2076 Obeyken writes “Electronic / kinetic bug art. I build these small, insect-like sculptures with simple motion-detecting “antennae” that respond to various stimulus such as movement, vibration, or air currents. When picked up, handled, or otherwise stimulated, the bug comes to life as its LED eyes blink rhythmically. I have one sitting on my monitor right now that blinks as I type. They’re constructed from LEDs, bits of wire, guitar strings, and coin-cell batteries (the PCB battery holder is the bug’s “body”). My original plan was to deploy them throughout San Francisco as a sort of “electronic graffiti” but thus far they haven’t survived too long in the wild…” Link. You could also make your own, the design is the how-to.

TuneBuds – Shuffle – USB audio

TuneBuds – Shuffle – USB audio

TunebudsGriffin has a nice new product hack, they tapped the USB on the iPod Shuffle and it’s now both the lanyard and headphones in one – nice work “TuneBuds keep both the earbuds and shuffle handy around the wearer’s neck. Just snap TuneBuds onto the shuffle’s USB connector, and you’re up and running (or dancing). TuneBuds’ audio cable, integrated into the lanyard, keeps you free of excess cords and tangled lines.” Link.

More wall art made from book text…

More wall art made from book text…

9Ee75413Ca3799C7A4Eafde9.ThumbMcWhizzleteeth has a follow up how-to on making two-tone text for wall posters made from the text of books – “The “Origin of the Species – wall hanging” project makes a nice use of opacity masks in Illustrator, embedding an image in a field of text by changing the opacity throughout. But pulling this off can be difficult to figure out. This guide will run you through the steps to embed an image in a field of text merely by changing the opacity of the text itself.” Link.

The Rocketeer’s Toolbox

The Rocketeer’s Toolbox

Pin Tube Ever wanted to know what’s in a Rocket Maker’s toolbox? Stefan shows you! “Estes Industries, the 44 year old model rocket company, is now publishing its newsletter, “Model Rocket News,” as a webzine. The current issue includes a piece I wrote called “The Rocketeer’s Toolbox.” It features numerous photos of well-used items from my own toolbox.” Link.

Modded Xbox 360

Modded Xbox 360

112905 118 SmallThat was quick, meet one of the first modd’ed Xbox 360s complete with – a window mod, 4″ cold cathode, 12V fan mod (increase air flow), Silver and blue paint scheme, Blue ring of light, 60GB laptop drive upgrade (this is in addition to the 20GB normal 360 drive both can be, accessed from the dashboard and the upgrade drive can be updated with media from a PC) [via] Link.

Video podcast tour of Squid Labs

Video podcast tour of Squid Labs

65783762 Cb6Dfc7C3A SThe MAKE team visited Squid Labs in Emeryville, CA – Squid Labs designs chips, electronics, robotics, materials, embedded systems, manufacturing processes as well as recently launching Instructables. Saul Griffith was kind enough to give us a tour of their work shop, fab lab and some of their projects. We’re trying this out as an iPod video podcast, check the comments for other versions too Link to M4V (iPod video). To get our videos and audio sent automatically to your PC/Mac with iTunes click here and click SUBSCRIBE.