Hot Gadget Hacks Posts
How To: Activate Vacation Mode when selling on Etsy
Need some help figuring out how to turn on Vacation Mode when selling things on Etsy? This brief video tutorial from the folks at Butterscotch will teach you everything you need to know. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Set up payment and shipping options when selling on Etsy
Need some help figuring out how to create shipping profiles when selling on Etsy? This brief video tutorial from the folks at Butterscotch will teach you everything you need to know. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get learn more about setting up payment and shipping options as a seller on Etsy, take a look.
How To: Make a point contact transistor with germanium and phosphor bronze contacts
The transistor has changed the world since 1947, and the old point contact transistor isn't the scientific darling it's always been. It's still vital to the modern world though, and in this video you'll learn how to make your own point contact transistor with germanium and phosphor bronze contacts.
How To: Create a new widget for a WordPress 3.0 blog or website
Learn how to create a custom widget to use on your WordPress 3.0 blog or website. Every version of WordPress brings with it new features, new functions and new ways of doing things. Fortunately, the very same technology that allows an open-source blog publishing application like WordPress to exist in the first place also makes it easy for its users to share information about the abovesaid things through videos like this one. Take a look.
How To: Make a DIY tool to bend plexiglass at home
Plexiglass is great for all sorts of projects, but it is notoriously hard to work with at home. If you've got a plexiglass project in mind though and need an easy, cheap way to bend it, watch this video. It will teach you how to make a tool out of part of a blowdryer that will help you bend plexiglass into whatever form you want.
How To: Make a DIY phase-shift oscillator with a transistor, resistors and capacitors
The phase-shift oscillator is one of the most common electronic parts, used in all sorts of mostly noise-making devices. If you like electrical engineering and new a new project, watch this video to learn how to make a phase-shift oscillator out of a single transistor, resistors, and capacitors.
How To: Build a DIY laser cutter gas containment chamber
If you are the proud owner of a laser cutter, you had better be careful with your expensive new toy. Some materials can damage the optics in your laser or produce poisonous gas when you cut them, so you need to make a gas containment chamber to work in. Watch this video to find out how to do that out of silicon wafer, silicone sealant, and a metal cookie tin lid.
How To: Build an electroluminescent display with printed circuitboards and EL ink
Do you like the analog look of old handheld video games like Mr. Game and Watch or clock with 7 segment displays? It's pretty easy to simulate them nowadays by making an electroluminescent display on printed circuitboards with EL ink. You'll learn how to do just that in this video. It almost looks like Lite Brite.
How To: Create a direct digital synthesizer (DDS) with 74hc4060 and EPROM
For most synth players the goal is to acquire legendary pieces of 1980's gear with great amounts of money or luck. Why bother when you can make your own direct digital synthesizer (DDS) at home? Watch this video to learn how to make a DDS out of common electrical parts that will make a phat Theramin sound.
How To: Make Triboluminescent crystals that glow when you smash them
Triboluminescence is the quality that makes a substance emit light when you crush, smash, hit, or otherwise break it's molecular bonds. If you want some triboluminescent (smash-glow) crystals, watch this video to learn how to make some out of a battery, glowpaint, and fire.
How To: Make a DIY microphone from two razor blades and a pencil
Now this is a DIY microphone. It turns out all you need to make a quasi-functional mic is a pair of razor blades, a pencil, some tupperware, and clips to run the signal from the razor blades to a resistor. Watch this video to learn how to make this awesome DIY mic and never find yourself silenced again.
How To: Use a simplified method to calculate resistor dividers for circuits
Electrical engineering is a math-heavy business, and you're certainly not alone if you're studying it and having trouble with the math. Watch this video for a very cogent explanation of a simplified method for calculating resistor dividers in a circuit.
How To: Edit your public WordPress profile on WordPress.com
Learn how to make changes to your public profile on WordPress.com. Every version of WordPress brings with it new features, new functions and new ways of doing things. Fortunately, the very same technology that allows an open-source blog publishing application like WordPress to exist in the first place also makes it easy for its users to share information about the abovesaid things through videos like this one. Take a look.
How To: Make a DIY electrical discharge machining machine with an old doorbell
Electical discharge machining is a techinque in which electricity is used to machine (cut, grind, etc.) metal. It usually invovles sophisticated tools and equipment, but not here! Watch this video for a guide to making a small electrical discharge machining machine with an old electric doorbell.
How To: Increase the range of a USB Bluetooth adapter with a high performance antenna
Watch this amazing USB Bluetooth adapter hack from Kipkay. It's easy and effective, plus it will work with other wireless devices, too. Bluetooth works on a 2.4GHz short wavelength radio frequency, but it's only effective over short distances. Well, Kipkay's going to show you how to increase the range by swapping out the antenna in the bluetooth adapter with a HyperGain 2.4GHz high performance antenna.
How To: Mod an ordinary webcam into a super spy scope
Now that most computers have internal webcams in them, what are you going to do with that external webcam eating up precious desktop space? Kipkay shows you the perfect hack— the "Super SpyScope".
How To: Make your own EL wire at home for Burning Man and other light-up festivities
Did you know that electroluminescent (EL) wire is considered by some to be the currency of Burning Man? If you're thinking of going and want to stock up before (smart) watch this video featuring EL whiz Jeri Ellsworth (smarter) teaching you how to make DIY EL wire.
How To: Build a power supply for electroluminescent (EL) wire and displays
Electroluminescent devices need electricity to light up, clearly, so if you're working on an EL project building a proper power supply is crucial. In this video you'll learn how to make a DIY power supply for your EL projects that is safe, effective, and cheap.
How To: Make electroluminescent (EL) wire by twisting enamel and bare wire
EL wire is known as the Currency of Burning Man, and it's potential to create beautiful light in all sorts of settings is amazing. If you're tired of buying it and want to stock up on some DIY EL wire (which is more in the spirit of Burning Man anyway right?) watch this video to learn how to twist enamel and bare wire together to make your EL wire.
How To: Apply layers of EL wire and circuitry to make flexible EL displays
Electroluminescent substances have become more and more popular lately in all kinds of projects, from toy glasses to EQ t-shirts. They allow you to create incredibly thin circuits that can be silkscreened onto a clear flat substance. Watch this video to learn how to layer circuits and EL wire and ink to make thin, flexible light-up displays like the one inthe video.
How To: Turn an LCD screen into a simple EL (electroluminescent) display
Electroluminescent (EL) materials light up when electricity passes through them, as opposed to more common incandescent lights that respond to heat. EL displays are becoming very popular in advertising and art,but getting them or the materials to make them can be expensive. Watch this video to learn how to turn an LCD into a simple EL display, and also how superglue can be used as a cheap dielectric in this sort of project.
News: Hacked Typewriter Has a Mind of Its Own AND Plays Video Games
Jonathan Guberman of Site 3 coLaboratory hackerspace in Toronto has created an Arduino-controlled mechanical typewriter that can type on its own, detect what is being typed on it, and run text-based interactive fiction games such as the classic (and to most, all but forgotten) Zork. Guberman says:
How To: Profile the execution time and memory usage of a web app in Google Chrome
In this brief, official guide from the Chromium team, we learn how to measure the execution time and memory usage of a web app with Google Chrome's built-in developer tools. For all of the details, and to get started profiling the efficiency of web apps for yourself, take a look.
How To: Debug JavaScript with the Google Chrome developer tools
Debug JavaScript from within the Google Chrome web browser! This brief, official guide from the Google Chrome team will show you how. For all of details, and to get started debugging JavaScript problems from within your web browser, watch this Chrome developer's guide.
How To: View web page elements and resources with the Google Chrome developer tools
In need of a quick orientation on how to use the elements and resources panel in the developer tools of the Google Chrome web browser? This brief, official video guide from the Google Chrome team will teach you everything you'll need to know.
How To: Get started using the Google Chrome developer tools
In need of quick primer on how to get started using the Google Chrome dev tools? This brief, official video guide from the Google Chrome team will teach you everything you'll need to know. For all of the details, and to get started using Chrome's developer tools yourself, watch the clip.
How To: Synchronize your bookmarks when using the Google Chrome web browser
Looking for a convenient way to, for example, keep the bookmarks on your work and home computers synchronized? With Google Chrome, it's a cinch! This brief, official video guide from the Google Chrome team will show you precisely how it's done.
How To: Take pictures and shoot video with a Pantech Crux cell phone
Whether you're the proud owner of a Pantech Crux phone or are merely considering picking one up, you're sure to benefit from this free video guide, which presents a general overview of how to set the phone up. For details, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to see what it takes to take photos and video on your own Pantech Crux, take a look.
How To: Read, write and send SMS text messages on a Pantech Crux cell phone
Whether you're the proud owner of a Pantech Crux phone or are merely considering picking one up, you're sure to benefit from this free video guide, which presents a general overview of how to set the phone up. For details, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to see what it takes to compose and read texts on a Pantech Crux, take a look.
How To: Jailbreak iPhone 4 iOS 4.1
Download Greenpois0n and firmware 4.1! You can download greenpois0n and firmware version 4.1 from JailbreakAndUnlock. If you didn't update to 4.1 you'll need to restore to 4.1 firmware. Don't update to firmware 4.1 if your iPhone is unlocked.
How To: Use a custom wallpaper or ringtone on a Verizon Pantech Crux phone
Whether you're the proud owner of a Pantech Crux phone or are merely considering picking one up, you're sure to benefit from this free video guide, which presents a general overview of how to set the phone up. For details, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to see what it takes to set custom wallpapers and ringtones (or ring tones) on your own Pantech Crux, take a look.
How To: Get started using a Verizon Pantech Crux mobile phone
Whether you're the proud owner of a Pantech Crust phone or are merely considering picking one up, you're sure to benefit from this free video guide, which presents a general overview of how to set the phone up. For details, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to see what it takes to set up a Crux yourself, take a look.
HowTo: Turn a Security Camera into a Lamp
The end of Daylight Saving Time means two things: a little less light and, as a result, a little less security. This CCTV lamp will give you more of both. And in the nick of time! We fall back to Standard Time at 2 AM on Sunday, November 7th. Better get building!
How To: Make Google Chrome open in Incognito Mode by default
Did you know that Google Chrome has a feature called Incognito Mode that allows you to browse the web without having your history recorded or any cookies downloaded? It's perfect for shared computers, but by default you have to turn it on every time you open the browser. Watch this video to learn how to make Google Chrome default to Incognito Mode, removing one step between you and anonymous browsing.
How To: Unlock any iPhone with a simple lock screen hack
Learn how to replicate the much-publicized iPhone lock-screen hack (before Apple patches it)! This hacker's how-to will teach you everything you need to know. For complete instructions, including a detailed, step-by-step overview, and to get started unlocking your friends iPhones, watch this video guide from Household Hacker.
How To: Use the new calling features in Skype 5.0 for Mac OS X (Beta)
The days of Skype 2.8 for Mac are over! Mac users can now rejoice and make calls with ease using the new beta version: Skype 5.0 for Mac OS X (available here). It was well worth the wait, with a revamped look and feel that simplifies navigation and provides a more Mac-like experience.
HowTo: Make 3D Video With Two iPod Nanos
The ZURBLog cleverly demonstrates how to make 3D video in 3 easy steps, using two iPod Nanos, some rubber bands and a yardstick.
How To: Use Silverlight to program a shuffleboard game for Windows Phone 7
Windows Phone 7 is just beyond the horizon, and is poised to be the finest mobile phone for gaming yet released. If you want to get a head start on making your own games for the Windows phone, watch this video for a walkthrough of making a shuffleboard game in Silverlight that will work on Windows Phone 7.
How To: Display your YouTube activity on your Facebook profile
Looking for an easy way to syndicate your YouTube activity on your Facebook profile? Well, you're in luck, as this video presents a complete guide. You'll find all of the details, including step-by-step instructions, in this video guide. Take a look.
How To: Prevent your Facebook cookies from being hijacked by Firesheep
Firesheep! It's a good reason to be cautious when using public Wi-Fi. But is it reason to stay off of open networks altogether? Certainly not! There are, in fact, a few simple steps you can take that will make you invulnerable to the malicious Firesheep Firefox addon. Learn how to protect yourself against Firesheep with this video guide.