Jan 30

The iPhone never ceases to amaze. This time around, Apple’s wondertoy is busy solving a Rubik’s Cube as seen in the above video. You simply take a picture of your unsolved cube, the software, CubeCheater, analyzes the colors and then gives you step-by-step solutions on how to solve the cube. Quite amazing that you can just whip out a cellphone, take a picture and solve one of the most dynamic puzzles of all time all in a few minutes.

If it could solve one of these new Rubik’s Cubes, then I would really be impressed.

Source: Gearfuse.com
Jan 30

What could say “I really know how to dress myself” more than a nice big brass belt buckle. You know - the type that’s so huge that you dare not try to bend at the waist, lest you puncture an internal organ? Well at least this one has an excuse for its size; there’s a fully-functional MP3 player built into it.

SparkFun Electronic’s mechanical engineer Casey came across this oversize belt buckle and said to himself: “self, I bet we can cram that new MP3 player development board we’re working on inside that massive brass buckle, because I really want to wear one, because after all, chicks really dig guys in huge brass belt buckles.”

Turns out that their MP3 player development board didn’t exactly fit, so the guys at SparkFun set to creating a custom circuit board with the similar componentry, and fit it perfectly to the rectangular opening in the face of the buckle. Now why the buckle has a huge opening in the middle, who knows? Maybe it’s so you can put an engraved name plate on the front. Sweet.

mp3_belt_buckle_2

You’re probably asking yourself how you change tracks on this thing, right? Well thanks to an on-board accelerometer, you’ll just need to do a little pelvic thrust to jump to the next tune. And if you really get your groove on, a tri-color LED gets to blinking when you do your badass dance moves.

While you can’t find the belt buckle MP3 player in a store, you can make one for yourself. Just head on over to Spark Fun for the complete parts list, circuit schematic and source code.

Source: Technabob.com

Jan 30

There are two reasons why foot pedal based sewing machines are still so popular in India - first, they are relatively cheap and second, these machine are manual and can therefore work even without electricity current.

Easy Energy has applied the same logic to laptop chargers and created a foot pedal that produces enough power to charge a notebook computer or other electronic devices including cell phones and iPods.

Video Demo of Foot Laptop Charger

The advantage - you no longer have to hunt for free power points at the airport and this book-sized charger will work even in jungles and other remote areas where there’s no electricity.

You can charge the laptop battery and simultaneously work on the computer as well. Best of all, this device may also help you burn some extra calories while you charge the computer. The only problem is this is currently available only for distributors but should be available soon.

Source: Labnol.org
Jan 30

You could keep an actual toolbox around, with things like screwdrivers and hammers… or you could con your gadgets into performing double duty as home improvement devices. And sure, you may not want to pound nails with your iPhone, but I bet you have no objection to using your Wii remote as a level.

wii homebrew level tool

Leveltool is a homebrew application that turns that oh-so-versatile motion-sensing Wii controller into a level. As you might have guessed, the project was inspired by creator Alanceil’s lack of a spirit level. Necessity truly is the mother of invention!

In order to use Leveltool, you must have the Homebrew Channel on your Wii, as well as an SD card. You can find a tutorial for setup here.

Source: Technabob.com
Oct 29

This new mobile game lets you get some exercise on your iPhone - at least if you think stretching your fingers is a some kind of a workout.

iphone_finger_olympics

Produced by Solid Alliance and Appare Japan, Finger Olympics 100m lets you “run” a 100-meter dash using only your fingertips. Just place your index and middle finger on the touch screen of your iPhone or iPod touch, and start twiddling them as fast as you can.

It’s sort of like a modern take on the classic Konami Track and Field arcade game. You know, the one where you had to mash on the buttons so hard that your fingers bled if you wanted to be assured of a gold medal. There’s no guarantee that playing Finger Olympics might not leave you with blisters on your fingers either.

And the Finger Olympics are truly and international event since you can share your best run times with your neighbors across the planet thanks to a world high score board.

Finger Olympics 100m is available now over at the iTunes App Store for $1.99 (USD). Appare plans on releasing additional olympic events in the near future. One can only hope that shotput event doesn’t involve spinning around as fast as you can and throwing your iPhone across the room.

Source: Technabob.com