The latest DIY ideas, techniques and tools for digital gadgetry, open code, smart hacks, and more. Processing power to the people!
Ian Page writes: For the last 8 years, whenever my cell phone received a call or text it would vibrate in my pocket. ‘Bondage Happens’ is a device I wear on my head that is connected to my cell phone. Whenever I receive a call or text the phone will vibrate and the device will […]
This ad shows tech-savvy Nokia owners modding their phones, adding them to robots, and using them to control blinkenlights displays. Not sure if the N8 offers any concrete benefits for this sort of use, but it’s nice to see the maker culture reflected in a mainstream ad.
I like this concept design from German product designer Konstantin Slawinski that integrates the pieces of the classic three-piece “wooden knot” puzzle into a knife, a fork, and a spoon to make an interlocking set of cutlery. I don’t think there’s a deliberate nod to Bill Cutler (WOTD: “metagrobologist”) going on here, but I kinda wish there were. He calls it “Join.” [via Core77]
Nathan Patterson, aka Thingiverse user pattywac, has organized a pair of user-funded design contests and is soliciting entries and prize donations for each. The first, with a current prize pool of $100US, is to design the cleverest MakerBot-able object that incorporates a rubber band. Two of my favorite entries so far are shown above.
The second contest, to design the most useful improvement for the MakerBot itself, is also ongoing, and currently has a prize pool of $65US. Both contests end on Sunday, November 14. [Thanks, Nathan!]
Last week I posted about this cool twist-action irising jewelry box by Matt, from Seattle, WA, (aka Thingiverse user msruggles) and the first real prototype that user Linkreincarnate printed on his Up! personal 3D printer.
Since that time, Matthew LaBerge of Minneapolis, MN, (aka Thingiverse user labmat) has printed his own copy and posted a video showing off its mechanical action. Bonus points for the lovely blue color!
Matt’s printer–which he calls “IceBot One”–is a heavily customized rig using MakerBot electronics and components from what appears to be a salvaged CNC mill. Check out the deets in his Flickr stream.
It’s also worth noting that, since first posting his original design, msruggles has published a shortened version that will print faster and use less material.
While walking the show floor at the PayPal X Innovate 2010 developers conference today I came across this cool PayPal vending machine prototype. Ray Tanaka and his crew at PayPal Labs hacked together the multi-part system using a mechanical candy dispenser, a couple of Arduino Duemilanove, a WiShield, relay, proximity sensor, and LED display. The end result allows you to scan a QR code, make a payment, and acquire munchies using a smartphone. As you make your payment, the machine will tweet your purchase and notify a payment confirmation display.
The holiday buying season is around the corner. What do you get that certain someone who has everything? Why, grilled sausage scented iPhone soap, of course! Talk about a gift giving trifecta. Combine supernatural gadget lust with a cardiac inducing appreciation of grilled meats, through in a little improved personal hygiene, and you’ve got one heck of a stocking stuffer.
