Great iPod hack from Fabienne Serriere “For this week’s Nano Hack we will cover how to get power off your iPod Nano’s battery. Power can be useful when you need to run other small low power devices in conjunction with the Nano. These devices can be small circuits, lights, etc. In next week’s installment we will use the power we draw to power a glowing sleeve for the iPod Nano.” Link.
Paul writes “You recently posted my article on how to ubuntu linux for novices, and now I’ve got another for you. In this how to I show you how to setup and tweak the latest AJAX webmail client that recently gained lots of buzz, RoundCube. It’s easy to use, fast UI will make it a threat to Gmail, Kahuna and other webmail clients as it goes from alpha to beta.” Link.
This kit is made of computer designed precision modern materials, but is as close to the original design as possible. The driving force of the original tea-carrying doll came from a spring made of whale whiskers (actually whale teeth). All the other components, such as its gears, body and escapement for speed adjustments, were made of wood. How does it work? When a tea cup is placed on the tray, the stopper is released by the whale spring attached to the doll’s arms; the spring forces the stopper to engage again when the cup is lifted from the tray. [via] Link.
Mr. Jou, a graduate student in language technologies at Carnegie Mellon University, was simply mouthing words in his native Mandarin Chinese. But 11 electrodes attached to his face and neck detected his muscle movements, enabling a computer program to figure out what he was trying to say and then translate his Mandarin into English. The result boomed out of a loudspeaker a few seconds later. [via] Link.
Brian Moore has taken their excellent iGuitar line of digitally-equipped guitars, and added class-compliant USB, via the new iGuitar.USB model. Plug it into a USB jack, and you have instant access to your sound in recording and effects software, no drivers required. Fully bus-powered, so you don’t even need a power brick. Unlike Gibson’s so-called “digital guitar,” what’s great about the iGuitar.USB is that you can connect a single USB cable between your guitar and your computer for audio: no breakout boxes or multiple cabling required. [via] Link.
The same technology found in Bluetooth headset or wireless LAN could be used to build a cheap, powerful transmitter for communicating with deep space probes. It could even illuminate planets and asteroids for radar astronomy. The proposal is to build an array of millions of small antennas printed on circuit boards, just like the antennas in consumer electronics such as wireless headsets and GPS receivers. [via] Link.
Instructions for Lei making for your next Hawaiian Luau party – If you can string beads, you can make a lei! If you’re lucky enough to live where plumerias grow, pick about 80 early in the morning. Otherwise you can use carnations, marigolds, orchids, roses or any other medium sized flower. Thanks Jason! Link.
