How To: Make a laser out of a lighter
Kipkay has a new cool project for you. In this video, you'll learn how to make a laser out of a lighter. All you need to do is a cheap butane lighter. Any one will do, including one bought from a convenience store. Just watch this how-to video, and you'll be playing with your laser pointer in no time at all!
How To: Hack someone's web cam or online security camera
This tutorial will let you hack into a wide selection of web cams and online security cameras. The hack is actually quite easy, and is best done with a browser like Mozilla Firefox. Navigate to Google in your browser, and then type in "inurl:viewerframe?mode+refresh". This piece of code will open up a list of active webcams. Then just surf through your choices and watch whatever you want. You can even change the camera angle and zoom in and out of the picture!
How To: Begin circuit bending
Looking to get into the weird world of circuit bending? In this four part video tutorial geared towards beginners, learn in thirty minutes how to circuit bend. Tools you will need include a soddering iron with innerchangeable tips (thin pencil preferred), thin sodder, hook-up wire, a wire cutter, a wire stripper, a drill with drill bits, plyers (needle nose included), and screw drivers of various small sizes. Other useful tools include cresent wrenches for toggle switches, jewelers files, & a...
How To: Clean a cassette player
Learn how to clean a cassette player. Cassette players may be outdated, but if you've still got tapes, you're going to want to keep them in good condition.
How To: Create a radiation detector using a digital camera and a plastic scintillator
If you're interested in creating a dosimeter using simple tools, take a look at this video. Using a digital camera, a plastic scintillator, and some tape a radiation dosimeter can be crafted allowing for radiation information to be collected with simple materials.
How To: Add Mic Input and Headphones Output to Samsung HMX-T10 Camcorder
This is the cheapest device to gather interviews as a small, easy-to-carry recorder. I started to use it for preproduction and film documentation after I bought it in a Polish discount shop for about 100 Euro. The only problem was very poor sound quality.
News: Copycat Apple Stores Emerge in China (Don't Let Them Fool You!)
It's no secret that Apple has retail stores in China, along with a large amount of Premium and Authorized Resellers. But a recent post by blogger BirdAbroad has caused quite a commotion in the world of all things Apple, claiming that in her home city of Kunming, there is another breed of Apple Store locations... "Un"Authorized ones.
News: Japan's Flying, Tumbling Reconnaissance Sphere Soars at 37 MPH
Flying orbs. At first, you might think of the Tall Man and his army of flying sentinel spheres, equipped with zombie brains and a mini-arsenal of saw blades, drill bits and shooting lasers. But these flying orbs weren't conceived from the evil mind of a superhuman mortician—they were designed by Fumiyuki Sato, a researcher at the Japanese Defense Ministry's Technical Research and Development Institute—for something other than deadly deeds.
How To: Replace ink cartridges in an Epson Artisan
We all know how frustrating it can be to replace ink cartridges in a printer. With the Epson Artisan printer, the task is simple and easy. The hardest part about replacing the cartridge is selecting the correct one. Even this job is made easy by the numbers on the cartridge casings. Simply pull off the tab before replacing, pop in the new one until it clicks, and you're ready to start printing whatever your heart desires. Exceed your vision!
News: FakeTV Keeps Burglars Away by Mimicking Television Light and Scene Changes
In the last decade, burglary rates in the United States have fluctuated little with over 2 million burglaries each year. In 2009, nearly three quarters of all burglaries were from residential properties, with over sixty percent being forcible entry. But we all know burglars don't like confrontation—they prefer breaking into apartments and houses when its owners are away. And that's why it's a must for apartment dwellers and homeowners to be on the defensive, even when they're not home.
Coming Soon: Spy Video Glasses with Real Time Streaming to... Facebook?
Lady Gaga and Polaroid's upcoming Grey Label Camera Glasses can record video and snap pictures, but who really wants to show the world what they're up too on those mini LCD screens? It's nothing more than a fancy gimmick between a pop star and a failing company. Isn't the intention of camera glasses to capture things around you as they are? Drawing attention to yourself with clunky video-displaying eyewear kind of defeats the purpose, but that's why they're "fashion" glasses and not practical...
News: The World's First Teensy, Weensy 3D Printed Bikini
For the hefty price of $200 and up, you can be the proud owner of the world's first 3D printed bikini. And not just the first bikini, but reportedly the first functional and affordable item of ready-to-wear 3D printed clothing on the market. Created by Continuum Fashion, the N12 3D printed bikini is revolutionary because it addresses the technical challenge of creating flexible "textiles" with 3D printed material. The bikini is made of a material called Nylon 12, which is entirely waterproof.
Tactile Communication: The Tickle-Me iPhone & Remote French Kissing
In recent years, communication has become more intimate with the advent of applications like Skype and FaceTime, but what about the longing for actual physical contact? What if you could feel a loved one's hand, or even exchange a kiss? Impossible, right?
News: New Biometric Device Steals Fingerprints from 6 Feet Away
Dactyloscopy isn’t going anywhere. Forensic science has much relied on fingerprinting as a means of identification, largely because of the massive amount of fingerprints stored in the FBI’s biometric database (IAFIS), which houses over 150,000 million prints. And thanks to the departure of messy ink-stained fingertips, biometric analysis isn’t just for solving crimes anymore.
How To: Graph Mario on a TI-83 Calculator
When it comes to graphing and comparing functions, the TI-83 graphing calculator is the end-all device for math and science students. But one of the most entertaining aspects of Texas Instruments' powerful algebraic and trigonometric calculator is not the equations themselves, but rather the art that can be "equated" on them—just think of them as the mathematical equivalent of the Etch A Sketch.
How To: Use a metal detector to find gold and gold nuggets
This video will show you how to use a metal detector to look for gold. There are gold nuggets in rivers and hillsides all over the United States, waiting for you to find them. With the proper equipment and a little know how, you can strike gold!
Amazing Invention of the Day: The Fastidious Icky Goo Scooper
Outstanding advancements in medicine and super creepy Androids aren't the only jaw-dropping inventions out there. Every once in a while, an incredibly random—and at first glance, seemingly useless—device comes along and strikes a chord of strangely deep satisfaction. Behold, the SWITL, a mysterious goo-scraper robot hand created by factory equipment manufacturer Furukawa Kikou: From what I can glean from a very rough Google translation, it sounds like the SWITL was developed for food producti...
News: The Stupid Orchestra
How can an orchestra be stupid, one may ask? Well, when musically measuring a toaster next to a cello, one device certainly comes across as inherently… dumber. Think 200 vintage vacuum cleaners, blenders and washing machines assembled into a whirling, ringing, humming cacophony of daily function. It's not exactly music to the ears, but a kind of robotic harmony is formed.
How To: Transform Multiple Screens into One Big Virtual Display
The Junkyard Jumbotron is an amazing project that allows a collection of random web browser enabled displays—laptops, smartphones or tablets—to share a single image split across the group, creating one large virtual display. Created by Rick Borovoy at MIT's Center for Future Civic Media, the app is completely free and open, meaning you can do it yourself in a matter of minutes. It works like this:
News: Print Yourself in 3D
Since the early genesis of the brilliant Microsoft Kinect hack, inventive applications have been popping up nonstop. One of the most fascinating projects to surface recently falls within the realm of 3D printing. "Fabricate Yourself"—a hack presented at the Tangible, Embedded and Embodied Interaction Conference in January—allows users to pose in front of an Xbox Kinect, which then converts a captured image into a 3D printable file. What does this mean exactly? Think Han Solo trapped in carbon...
Size Matters: World's Largest Touchscreen Hacked Together with Ordinary Hardware
It's gigantic! It can handle over 100 simultaneous touch points! It has a curvature of 135 degrees! And best of all, it is not the newest, insanely expensive gadget to hit the market. Instead, this touchscreen was hacked together with a bunch of PCs, video cameras, projectors and cheap infrared illuminators at the University of Groningen, in the Netherlands. It works like this: "The cameras, illuminators and projectors are all placed behind a large, cylindrical screen (formally used as a 3D t...
News: The Anti-Cheater Hidden Camera Wall Hook
WonderHowTo loves gadgets. We also tend to enjoy getting our hands (just a little bit) dirty. So, naturally, Brando's Wall Hook Coat Hanger Camcorder is the latest gadget to excite. Disguised as a coat hanger, the device is actually a camera triggered by motion detection. And paired with the see-all glass doorknob, your significant other ain't getting away with nothing...
How To: Use Huluplus to watch movies and shows on the Roku Digital Video Player
The Roku Digital Video Player is one of the best of the net-video-streaming boxes to come out over the last few years, and now is partnered with Hulu to offer Huluplus on it's devices. This video will show you how to use Huluplus on a Roku to watch all your favorite Hulu content quickly and easily.
How To: Stream any video to your AppleTV with a jailbroken iOS 4.2 device
So you've got an AppleTV, but you can't watch half the stuff you want because it won't play it. Well, do you have a jailbroken iOS 4.2 device? Sweet! Just follow along with this video, and pretty soon you'll be watching any sort of video you want in no time at all.
News: When Will the iPad Be Paper Thin?
Below, designer Chris Woebken's Flicflex isn't a new concept (Woebken displayed it at MOMA in '08), but still amazingly cool. And still not on the consumer market. Watch his paper thin, magazine-like "page turning": "Opening a letter, unfolding it and feeling the texture of the paper is a very tactile experience compared to receiving an e-mail. On top of the content itself, the behavior and micro-interactions adds a level of engagement to the medium. Flicflex explores the possibilities of fut...
How To: Use Hulu Plus on a Roku digital video player
Ever wish you could watch your favorite Hulu shows on your TV using your Roku media player? Before November 17th, 2010, you were out of luck — now, in most cases, it's as easy as running a software update! This clip will show you what to do you get Hulu Plus up and running on your own television using your Roku set-top box.
How To: Use a laser pointer without causing eye damage
Although laser pointers are the favored pointing tool of teachers at large college lecture halls and can be great for directing students to various signs or areas in the classroom, often times students and kids have these pointers as well and use them just for fun.
How To: Record your games on your Xbox 360 and PS3 using an HD PVR and EyeTV3
If you're running a Mac and have always wanted to be able to get the videos of your gameplay from your PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360 onto your computer to share with the world without video taping a tv screen, then check out this video! In it you'll learn how to capture your gameplay using an HD PVR and EyeTV3!
How To: Set up Google TV on Sony's Internet TV Blu-ray Disc Player
Sony's new Internet TV combines the power of Google TV and television into a neat and accessible package. And setting up your new Google TV is a cinch. This video walks you through the quick setup process for getting your Google TV system going. The player in this video is model NSZ-GT1.
How To: Start using Sony's new Internet TV Blu-ray Disc player with Google TV
Google TV is a revolutionary new way to enjoy your two favorite things in life— Internet and TV. And Sony just happens to be the first company to design television products powered by Google, like their Internet TV Blu-ray Disc Player (Model NSZ-GT1). If you're thinking of getting one, this video provides a hands on, showing you how to use the new Sony Internet TV, paired with practically any television.
How To: Set up and use the Sony Internet TV Blu-ray Disc player (NSZ-GT1 / Google TV)
If you've already gotten your hands on Sony's Internet TV Blu-ray Disc Player, powered by Google TV, then you know how powerful this thing is. But if you're thinking of getting one soon, this video series will help you learn what you'll be getting yourself into.
How To: Repair the Vivitar 285's Flash Foot
In this tutorial, we learn how to repair the Vivitar 285's Flash Foot. First, remove the flash foot using a soldering iron. Melt the solder just enough, don't ruin the wires or the backing. Now, set the iron down and then short the wires out, you will see the flash go off when you do this. Trim of the exposed wire from the end, then wrap a small amount of electrical tape around the wires. After this, you will repair the metal around where the wires were connected. Then, solder the wires back ...
How To: Make your own solar panel
In this video, we learn how to make your own solar panel.The amorphous solar glass is the cheapest but it's also the least efficient. You can do anything you want with these and they are durable. The hexagon cells are the most efficient and most expensive as well. The poly crystalline is almost 2 watts a piece and can be purchase in lots of any size. You have to tab these cells together and they are extremely fragile. Be careful when you work with these. To make these, you will solder tabbing...
How To: Use your Mac as a wireless adapter for XBox Live
In this video, we learn how to use your Mac as a wireless adapter for Xbox Live. You will need: a Mac, monitor, Xbox, and Ethernet cord. Start out by going to system preferences, then going to the sharing folder. Go to internet sharing and make sure the Ethernet box and internet is selected. Then, click the box next to internet sharing and click "start". Now, go to the network option and go to advanced, TCIP, and then write down your sub maps and router IP address. After this, plug the Ethern...
How To: Record a song demo with the PreSonus AudioBox USB audio interface
In this video tutorial, we learn how to record a song idea with an AudioBox USB digital audio interface. Whether you're new to PreSonus' DAW or new to digital recording more generally, you're sure to find much to take away from this free video software tutorial. Take a look.
How To: Use magnetic card readers and writers with your PC
Magnetic card readers can make e-transactions far simpler, especially for people who are running their own small business. You can also watch this video to learn about card writers, which can let you create your own magnetic cards (such as a membership card) to track your customers' activity.
How To: Record your PC screen with the free program Microsoft Expression Encoder 4
Want to start making your own tech how tos or play alongs? It's easy, and better yet, free! All you need is to download Microsoft Expression Encoder 4. Once you have installed this program, you can easily record both visual and audio off your computer screen.
How To: Load a roll of paper into your Epson Stylus Photo R2880 Photo printer
For someone used to working in reams or sheaves, a roll of printer paper can be confusing. However, replacing the paper in your printer which calls for rolls is not that hard. This tutorial shows you a very easy to follow process for loading paper into your printer. While this focuses on the Epson Stylus R2880 model, it will still work for other models.
How To: Load fine art paper into your Epson Stylus R1900 printer
While this video uses only a particular model of printer and only one style of paper, this tutorial will work for several different varieties of paper and printer. Just follow along with the tutorial to make sure you've loaded the paper properly for highest quality printing.
How To: Speed up a Logitech Harmony remote control
In this video tutorial, we learn a trick for speeding up a standard Logitech Harmony smart remote control. For more information, including a complete overview and detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this home-theatre how-to guide from the folks at CNET.