Archive for the 'Gadgets' Category


DIY Lucid Dreaming Device Makes Your Dreams Come True, Just Not In Real Life

luciddreaming.jpgLucid dreaming is the ability to realize you’re dreaming and then actively control what you do, like flying naked into the president’s office or winning the ball game with a nuclear touchdown or whatever crazy crap you people fantasize about. It isn’t an easy thing to do, but there are people out there hell-bent on making their dreams enjoyable, I assume because their waking lives aren’t that exciting.

The best way to get yourself to lucid dream is to send yourself a signal while you’re in a deep sleep, generally via a flashing light of some sort. A dude who goes by “natetrue” went and built himself a mask that does just that, flashing you about 5 hours into your sleep cycle. The best part? He’s now selling kits so you can make your own for $30. Get your PJs ready, because I think there are some supermodels that need saving from a volcano… in your mind.

Product Page [via Neatorama]

DIY Hard Drive Clock

Hard%20Drive%20Clock.jpg Usually when I come across a spare hard drive I think, cool, more storage space for my “video collection,” but who needs more memory when you can turn that spare HDD into a wall-mountable clock. The creator of this clock claims all you need is a power drill, a clock movement, and about an hour or so of time. I gotta admit, it does look pretty cool hanging from the wall, but for the rest of us there’s always the alternative.

Harddrive Clock [via PCNews.ro]

Save power with a USB “Power Minder”

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We covered a similar DIY version of this device, it turns off something plugged in when it detects your PC is off -

“Many computer peripherals use power even when they are turned off. The Mini Power Minder communicates with your PC via USB so when you start up or shutdown your computer, power to the secondary outlet starts or terminates at the same time. You’ll control all your peripherals in one easy step! To control multiple devices, plug a power strip into the secondary socket and use it as an extension for several devices.” [via] - Link.

Related:

  • HOW TO - Peripheral power control with screen saver - Link.

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Russian Mouse Made of Space Technology

dsc01374.jpg I probably wouldn’t use one of these for my day-to-day mousing, but I gotta say, for a homemade mouse, these mice ain’t that bad looking. They’re wireless, they come with their own USB receiver, and you can even get them dressed up in leather. What I don’t get is what kind of space materials Russian designer Slava Tyukalov is using to make them as he proudly boasts the fact that his mice are made “from scratch from materials used by NASA and other space agencies.” Hit the jump for a look at Tyukalov’s full mice line.

Pricing isn’t disclosed on any of the models and apparently it takes a long time to make each one, but if you’re so inclined, you can hit Tyukalov up via his website and order one. Pics below.

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Slava Tyukalov

Use a Zune with Vista

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The new Microsoft Zune ships without being able to run on Vista (new version of Windows) - weird huh? Well, turns you can use the Zune with Vista, you just need to do a little extractory - Paul from MoDaCo.com says you can extract the installer from the MSI file, using a MSI tool from Microsoft (might need to edit something else, not sure). He tells me there will be a patched up installer soon, so stay tuned - I’ll update the post when there are more details.

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Stuff We Like: Laptop CushTop

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Man, there’s nothing worse than frying your thighs with a hot laptop in the middle of some very important web surfing. Although I don’t have one, this Belkin “CushTop” looks like a pretty comfy solution to that problem.

At fifty bucks that tired old lap desk I’ve been using may have to suffice for now, but this baby’s going on my holiday wishlist. What do you use to protect your lap whilst computing? Let us know in the comments.

MAKE & CRAFT picks on Amazon…

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Amazon asked the editors of a few magazines to put together a list of things we’re eyeing for the holidays, here were my picks… I’m pretty sure this is the first time Mitutoyo Digimatic calipers hit a gift guide :)

  • Weller WP35: Weller Fixed Temperature Soldering Iron with ST3 Tip, 35W
  • Leatherman 830005 Charge Ti Multi-Tool with Nylon Sheath
  • GB SE-92 8-22 AWG Strip-Easy Automatic Wire Stripper
  • PanaVise 301: Standard Base PanaVise
  • Fluke 110 Digital Multimeter, TRMS, 0.1 Ohms TO 40 MegOhms
  • Peltor H10A Professional Earmuff Hearing Protector (Noise Reduction Rating 30dB)
  • Xantrex 851-0400 XPower 400 Plus Compact Inverter
  • Bessey BGPKIT General Purpose Clamp Kit
  • Mitutoyo Digimatic calipers
  • Bonsai Tool 9-piece Set

More from the editors @ MAKE - Link.
More from the editors @ CRAFT - Link.

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Playstation 3 taken apart

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I’m sure we’ll see some fun hacks for the PS3 and a lot of maker-made projects doing things unheard of to void the warranty, but for now - here’s a fun gallery of a PS3 taken apart… [via] - Link.

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Gas mask collection (photos)

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Wow, here’s Boris Plotnikoff’s incredible gas mask collection, the photos and info are divided up by country… [via] - Link.

Pictured here, the Chinese M 65 Military mask (1956).

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PS3 (Playstation 3) controller & iPod shuffle 2.0 taken apart

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This is nice, even before the PS3 is out, folks are already dissecting and taking apart the new SIXAXIS controllers… [via] - Link.

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…And here’s a new iPod Shuffle taken apart too - Link.

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