Gadgets

Printable iris-lid jewelry box, with video

Printable iris-lid jewelry box, with video

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.

Continue Reading Sean Michael Ragan2
PayPal vending machine

PayPal vending machine

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.

Continue Reading Adam Flaherty2

DIY Square reader keychain stash

Square, Inc. makes a magstripe reader that attaches to your smartphone’s minijack and allows you to process credit card transactions with their handy service. It’s a pretty cool setup if you’re interested in payment processing. When you’re not using it though, you’re stuck with this eraser-sized plastic fob that you really don’t know what to do with. It’s small enough to put in your pocket, but it’s a little too important to accidentally let go through the wash, yet you want to keep it handy for when you’ll need it.

MAKE subscriber Steve Cooley may be onto a suitable solution to this problem. Using a dab of Shapelock, a key ring, and a rubber band, he’s fashioned a custom key fob stash that fits the Square reader like a glove. It’s a little kludgy, but it’s a great proof of concept.

Continue Reading Adam Flaherty20