Gadgets

iRiver u10 – Plays Macromedia Flash…

iRiver u10 – Plays Macromedia Flash…

Clip Image004I’m really hoping this iRiver does well; it’s the first tiny MP3 player that you lets make your own games, applications and utilities using Macromedia Flash, then load them up on the device to use. Back in June of 2005 we posted about this. If it works out, I think we’ll see Sony and even Apple consider user-created content like Flash games as a potential new feature – or at least sell little Flash games via Sony Connect or iTunes. Here are a couple of videos of the device in action – Link and Link.

Essential Retro…

Essential Retro…

EsseJames from Retrothing has an excellent new book! “Many brilliant old machines are hidden away in attics and garages throughout the world – forgotten movie cameras lie on dusty shelves beside obsolete computers and clever mechanical toys, all crying out to be rediscovered and brought back to life. The wonderful contraptions on these pages will capture your imagination and encourage you to explore the world of classic technology…” Link.

Sony introducing a new “iPod of eBook readers…”

Book-1If you’ve seen any of the MAKE presentations at conferences or MAKE fairs one of themes is usually about ebooks and the need for a great ebook reader – I use a hacked up Sony Librie from Japan (see the how-to and book creation here). The device is stunning, uses e-Ink, but sadly Sony really screwed up the roll out, DRM’ed the heck out of the device and now it looks like they’re going to try it again, in the USA. Buzz sent me this fantastic article in Business week that has a bit about Sony’s new reader, including some information about an “iTunes for books”… Link.

HOW TO – Circuit Hijacking

HOW TO – Circuit Hijacking

TracesLeadingzero writes – “Several projects on this site involve the modding of consumer electronics for new and inventive purposes. The NES tv remote for example used an old remote control as the base of the whole project. However, the circuitry inside was diverted to the controls of an old NES controller. This process of redirecting the internal circuitry of a component is what I call “circuit hijacking” because essentially, the circuitry is “hijacked” to a new location and purpose. This method is by no means new, nor is it even difficult but in this article I will attempt to described the best ways that circuit hijacking is accomplished so you can begin hijacking your own circuits.” Link.

The 50 Greatest Gadgets of the Past 50 Years

The 50 Greatest Gadgets of the Past 50 Years

123950-Hp 122505 50GreatestPC World has their top 50 gadgets of the last 50 years – I’m pleased to say we’ve modded most of these, and they’re all still useful for new projects! – “After a lot of Web surfing, spreadsheet wrangling, and some near fistfights, we emerged with the following list. Some items in our Top 50 are innovative devices that appeared briefly and then were quickly consigned to museums and future appearances on eBay, but whose influence spread widely. Others are products we use every day–or wish we could.” [via] 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.