Hot Gadget Hacks Posts
How To: Make a sneaky USB battery
This Weekend Project is the USBattery from MAKE Magazine Volume 16. Conceal a flash drive in a AA battery! This is a way cool USB battery mod or hack project. It makes a cool secret storage space for your spy projects. Wear gloves, safety goggles and a non alkaline battery.
How To: Send secret messages with a laser
Secretly shoot your voice across the room in stealth mode on a laser beam in this fun and easy project! Make Magazine and Kipkay present this cool spy trick. Build a simple laser communicator that transmits your voice across a room. You need an amplifier, radio, laser pointer, battery pack and a solar cell.
How To: Get on a site that's been blocked by your employer
Don’t you just hate it when you try to go on a website while you’re at work—and find out your boss has blocked it? Here’s how to thwart The Man. With these tips, you'll be able to check your facebook or myspace at work (or whatever sites your employer may be blocked). All you need is access to google. Did you know? According to one survey, 78% of employers block employee access to pornography, 47% block gambling sites, 20% block shopping and auction sites, and 4% block news sites.
How To: Build a cereal box spectrometer
The Five Minute Project crew is back, and bringing you six fresh projects sponsored by Craftsman. Break out the tools and protective eyewear and brace yourself for the best how-to videos a DIY-er could ask for. Learn to make Geek-Chic Cuff Links, a Cereal Box Spectrometer and more, all in Five Minutes Time!
How To: Make integrated Arduino cuff links
Project 5 from Popular Science's 5 minute Projects with Craftsmen Tool is 'Integrated Circuit Cufflinks'.
How To: Hack a CCTV camera for your computer and television
See how to hack a wireless CCTV (closed circuit television) camera to show your Windows or Linux PC desktop on your 42-inch plasma television. This is a homemade hack that's easy with good quality picture. Doing this mod can save you money, unless you don't have a CCTV camera laying around.
How To: Avoid computer viruses
At least with a stomach virus you may drop a few pounds; a virtual virus just screws up your computer. Take these precautions to avoid problems. You will need anti-virus software, spyware, a firewall, and a healthy dose of skepticism. You can find free safety software on the internet.
How To: Make and upload widescreen videos to YouTube
Make the most of your YouTube videos! Watch this video tutorial to see how to make the most out of the YouTube player by uploading widescreen video. Here's how to prepare your videos for widescreen viewing:
How To: Obtain a cartoon avatar of yourself for online sites
Want a cartoon avatar of yourself to load onto all of those websites you belong to? Well, in this video, see how to obtain a cartoon avatar of yourself to display on Twitter, FriendFeed, your blog, and your corporate logo (if you want to go that far). The process is fairly simple. The first step is to take a good picture of yourself with decent lighting (try to do this alone as it will help). The next step is to visit cartoonme.com and submit the photo to the site. Pay them via PayPal (3.50 E...
How To: Upload, embed and watch 720p HD video on YouTube
You know YouTube is able to host high-defintion video content online now, right? Well, how do you watch it, or make it, or embed it? Well, this video tutorial will show you how to upload, embed and watch 720p HD video on YouTube. This YouTube hack will let you watch and embed videos in true 1280x720 high definition.
How To: Make a 200mw burning laser
Don't use a perfectly good DVD burner to get your laser that will pop balloons, light matches, and burn stuff. Just buy a laser diode at mfgcn.com and also a laser housing, and you won't be tearing a computer DVD player apart. This is the easy way to make a 200mW burning DVD laser. Use a Mini Maglite and some rechargeable batteries so you don't burn out the laser.
How To: SSH file share on your Apple iPhone or iPod Touch
This video tutorial will show you how to SSH file share on your Apple iPhone or iPod Touch, SSH meaning Secure Socket Shell. This is how you going to access your files on your iPhone or iPod, like videos and pictures. You will want to install the application OpenSSH in the system category on your device, and then download...
How To: QuickPwn Jailbreak your Apple iPhone 3G and iPod Touch
Get out your iPhone or iPod and get ready for some jailbreaking! Watch this video to see how to QuickPwn Jailbreak your Apple iPhone 3G and iPod Touch. This jailbreak will work with the 2.0, 2.0.1 and 2.0.2 Apple firmware.
How To: Record video on your Apple iPhone 3G for free
This video will show you how to record video on your Apple iPhone 3G for free! This is a complete guide to installing the iPhone Video Recorder on your iPhone 3G, which also works on the First Generation iPhone.
How To: Jailbreak an iPhone or iPod and know the benefits
What are the benefits of jailbreaking an Apple iPhone or Apple iPod Touch? Well, here you will learn all about the jailbreak... what jailbreaking actually is, what it does, what it's about and what the pros and cons of it are. The first video will answer all of these questions about getting third party applications onto your iPod or iPhone.
How To: Put your Apple iPod or iPhone into DFU mode
If you own an Apple iPod or iPhone, and you want to unbrick it, you'll need to prepare the device first. This video will show you how to put your Apple iPod or iPhone into DFU mode, which means Device Firmware Update. You'll need to attach the Apple device to your computer for iTunes. If you're looking to jailbreak the iPod, this will help you get to that step.
How To: Insert a SIM Card in an iPhone
Learn how to insert a SIM card in an iPhone along with the other great features that come with it in this free computers and modern electronics video clip. This is important if you're trying to unlock it for other carriers or international plans. The SIM card also hold all of your information and can help to restore your phonebook if the iPhone is damaged.
How To: Sync contacts from computer (Outlook, etc) to iPhone
The best way to transfer contacts from a computer to an iPhone is to use Mobile Me, formerly known as Dot Mac, which automatically synchronizes Outlook or Entourage with the iPhone. Keep track of contact information, on both the computer and the iPhone, with tips from a digital technology specialist in this free video on the iPhone.
How To: Record video for free on iPhone 3G
This is a great tutorial on cracking the iphone to record more than 30 seconds on the iPhone 3G's video camera. This is a hack of the previously still camera that comes stock with all of Apple's phones. Enable your iPhone to shoot video instantly and free!
How To: Hail a cab with the Taxi Hold em iPhone app
Taxi Hold'em is the perfect app to use when trying to get hold of a cab. When you tilt your iPhone horizontally, it flashes a catching "TAXI" sign in black and yellow. Taxi Hold'em makes sure that cab stops just for you!
How To: Get 6 AAAA batteries from a 9V battery
Take apart a 9V battery and turn it in to Six AAA batteries. This way you save money. amazing science experiment trick. This is a simple battery deconstruction that results in a 9 volt battery's dissection into six AAAA batteries. They are not AA or AAA, but a kind you won't find at Radio Shack.
How To: Build a beer safe using RFID technology
Dave and Pat break down the basics of RFID technology and show you how to put it to use by building an RFID beer safe!
How To: Dial with iPhone Visual Dial (HQ)
Learn to setup a visual dial icon on your iphone. This one click application allows you to call anyone in your directory by clicking on a photo of them on your phones desktop.
How To: Make an LED floatie balloon
Light up your world with these beautiful and easy-to-make illuminated LED balloons. You will need:
News: Run USB through phone lines
One of the many reasons Circuit City should go out of business is their sale of ridiculously expensive cables, wire and cords. The secret to the industry of Monster Cables is that it is unnecessary and ineffective. Gold-plated or otherwise, Monster's $100 cables are not intrinsically better than the cheaper versions they're stocked next to. Don't believe us?
How To: Make simple homemade battery-driven motors
Learn how to build your very own motor, but not just one motor, three motors. These motors you will learn to make a very simple, and the materials needed are minimum. Just watch to see how to make simple homemade battery-driven motors.
How To: Play Netflix & Hulu on XBOX 360, PS3 or Popcorn Hour
Just because your XBOX 360 account isn't linked to your Netflix or Hulu account doesn't mean you can't catch up with the latest episode of "Gossip Girl." In fact, you can stream movies and TV shows from either website by simply installing a program called PlayOn on your networked PC.
How To: Find the funniest weirdest Google Earth sighting ever
You simply have to see this to believe it. Is this lady stuck in her trunk?! Here's an easy step-by-step tutorial on how to find it! You need Google Earth and a sense of humor. This is a quick navigation to find an outrageous Big Brother sighting. Find the funniest weirdest Google Earth sighting ever.
How To: Get iPhone video recorder for free on version 2.0, 2.2
This shows you how to install an app for the Apple iPhone that records video. You have the capability to record video. The hardware is there. It's simply a deficit of software. Both the iPhone 3G and regular iPhone can record video with the right iPhone App. Here's what you need to get video captured with your phone.
How To: Record a screen capture on an iPhone
A quick trick to do a screen capture on iPhone. A great skill to have especially when your iPhone is misbehaving, so you can show the Genius Bar whats up. This will record a video of your screen. It's how people make tutorials on a PC. You can do this easily on your iPhone. This works on the 3G and regular iPhone. Record a screen capture on an iPhone.
How To: Circumvent an internet proxy or browser filters
Some governments and organizations employ proxy servers to filter web content, permitting access to some web sites while blocking others. Here are several ways to get around these censorship policies. This is employed in China with YouTube and many other voices of anti-goverment ideas.
How To: Make Arduino circuit boards for robotics
This week on Make Magazine is a project with parts from the Arduino Starter Kit. Skip over building the Proto Shield. Otherwise, it's a simple build that doesn't require any soldering. Arduino is a speaking control for robotics. It can be used in other Make kits or robotic projects. This is a circuit bending and circuit board project that involves basic circuitry and wiring.
How To: Use Google's Chrome browser
Just a really quick overview of Googles new browser, Chrome, and some of its features. you can get it at Google.com/chrome This goes over Opera, Firefox and Safari differences. Chrome automatically adds favorites to your tab. The incognito setting lets you browse in a porn-mode without any cookies, history or cache clearing.
News: Hack Google
Congratulations to the Best Hack of 2008 This InformationLeak tutorial gives you the skinny on searching at a whole other level.
How To: Solder wires like a professional
This is an instructional video featuring Doug Prime, founder of the Future Engineers Center at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Melt the solder to connect wires for switches and permanent circuits. Heat the surface before you put the solder on it. Don't drip the solder for it is too much and not necessary. Make sure you wash hands and have a ventilated room because solder sometimes has lead in it.
How To: Cut and strip wires safely
This is an instructional video featuring Doug Prime, founder of the Future Engineers Center at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Use wire strippers where they are like scissors. To cut off the wire's insulation and strip it you need to know the wire's gauge. Check the gauge on both the wire and the stripper.
How To: Solder to a metal strap
This is an instructional video featuring Doug Prime, founder of the Future Engineers Center at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. If you want to make a homemade switch watch this video on using solder to tie the wire. Use sandpaper to clean where you will solder.
How To: Make a laundry detergent lamp
A nifty step-by-step guide to making your very own laundry detergent lamp. Upcycle that recyclable detergent bottle and gain a swell lighting fixture for your home! This involves some basic circuitry and wiring of a cheap lamp fixture. You use the laundry detergent bottle as the base of the lamp. It's a bit arts & crafts project and a bit conservation! Help our mother nature with this nifty at-home craft decoration project!
News: Mod a Yo-Yo to Light up a Frisbee
Toy splicing is the hobby of combining to disassociated toys into a totally unique device.
How To: Build a Mini Hovercraft
Create a miniature hover craft from the fan, polystrene or Styrofoam plate, batteries and double-sided scotch tape. It really works. Powered by two 9 volt batteries you can use paper plates for the body of the hovercraft if need be. This is a cool cat toy or just a household hack.