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Archive: Wireless
January 7, 2009
Installation controlled by Blackberry creates ambient sounds from incoming email
This installation called "BB_Write" employs a Blackberry and custom hardware to create four micro environments that correspond to the keywords: liberation, innovation, interaction, communication. The project attempts to build a spatial version of the "always on" experience as the Blackberry collects email constantly and generates ambient sounds based on incoming emails from visitors to the installation and from around the world.
Posted by Jonah Brucker-Cohen |
Jan 7, 2009 06:00 AM
Arts, Cellphones, Electronics, Wireless |
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January 6, 2009
Ready for digital TV?
In our house, we haven't had cable tv for about 6 years. When we moved in, there was an antenna on the roof and coax cable to a bunch of locations where tvs could go. In the basement is a signal amplifier that seems to help all the equipment find the signal. It took some getting used to, but most of what we watch is on over the air broadcast anyway. Free over the air broadcast is the way it should be. The 40ish year old antenna on the roof was recently replaced with a fresh one from the dump.
Most of what is on tv is useless, so why pay for the mind numb? Well, I am not the only video consumer in the manse, so when the big date for Analog to Digital broadcast comes along, I will have to do something.
At this writing, a few stations are dropping their analog signal. A football game here, morning cartoons there, public service announcements hinting at what is to come and eventually the screen will go blue.
So not everything can be watched online, though there are some great resources for watching.
Hulu, youtube, Vimeo, PBS and lots of other online outlets will help keep you up to speed with lots of good video based information.
Make:TV may be reason in itself to get a digital converter box for every tv in the house.
The most useful piece of information on the change from Analog to Digital I have seen is a show on PBS. They have a half hour segment where the hosts go through a neighborhood and help check out the houses' digital connectivity. Take a look at the show and see where you stand.
What is your plan for the great Analog to Digital changeover? Where do you get your information? What do you like about digital tv? How do you record tv shows now that video tape is just about extinct? What are your solutions to surviving and prospering in the digital tv age? Add your comments to the discussion and contribute your photos and video to the Make Flickr pool.
Posted by Chris Connors |
Jan 6, 2009 02:00 AM
DIY Projects, Electronics, Gadgets, Something I want to learn to do..., Telecommunications, Wireless |
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December 10, 2008
Skate Sonic: Skateboarding with sensors
This is a really interesting interactive project that uses skateboards and MAX/MSP along with Ableton Live to create some really cool audio. There is a lot more information about the hardware and software used on the website. Make sure to check out the videos, they are really amazing.
More about Skate Sonic: Skateboarding with sensors [Jason's Daily Blog]
Posted by Marc de Vinck |
Dec 10, 2008 02:00 AM
Electronics, Wireless |
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December 3, 2008
Robotic bugs become spy bugs
This video demonstrates several life-like "cyborg insects" that may potentially be future "spies" with onboard cameras and surveillance equipment. Check out the video to see how lifelike these "bugs" really are.
via New Scientist
Posted by Jonah Brucker-Cohen |
Dec 3, 2008 06:00 AM
Robotics, Science, Wireless |
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November 27, 2008
LEGO powered Bluetooth printer
This is a plotter-type printer that is powered by a LEGO NXT. The website has a bunch of pictures and some videos. There are even screen shots of the code, but that's about it. I hope there is more information posted soon.
A little More about the LEGO powered Bluetooth printer [Let's Make Robots]
Posted by Marc de Vinck |
Nov 27, 2008 03:00 AM
Electronics, Robotics, Wireless |
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November 19, 2008
Arduino & XBee wireless accelerometer
This is a good place to learn about wireless communications using an XBee and an Arduino. There are a lot of different sensors that could use this same code with only slight variations.
I managed to put together a wireless accelerometer the other night using my two new XBees, an Arduino XBee shield, an XBee Explorer USB, an ADXL330, and some Python. I struggled a bit with some of it, so here's what I learned.
More about XBee & Arduino wireless accelerometer
In the Maker Shed:
Arduino Mini Board, fully assembled
Posted by Marc de Vinck |
Nov 19, 2008 01:00 AM
Arduino, DIY Projects, Electronics, Wireless |
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November 17, 2008
Breath bra records your daily breathing patterns
The "Breath Bra" was created as a simple excersize using a LilyPad Arduino to record its wearer's breath over the course of a day or week and transmit the data over a Bluetooth connection to their cellphone (in this case a Nokia N95). Check out the link below for code on this build.
Posted by Jonah Brucker-Cohen |
Nov 17, 2008 06:00 AM
Arduino, Arts, Wearables, Wireless |
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November 11, 2008
Redfly terminal, priced right for hacking?
JC sent in a link in response to 24 hours of Android. He was suggesting an adapter for the headphone, essentially usb to 1/8" stereo. The $6 purchase price indicates that there must be a simple way of doing it. While checking out some of the other accessories for HTC phones, I came upon this neat little terminal. Redfly is apparently a keyboard and screen to go with your smartphone. With no processor, memory or much else, it is likely pretty light. It looks to be about the size of the micro laptops or notebook computers running processors similar to the OLPC. It rides off the USB connection from the phone.
So what are the possibilities in these little computers and terminals when combined with the new, powerful phones on the market? Could I get my MSI Wind to be a terminal for my G1? That would have been handy last night, where I had ok coverage on the 2G network, but no wifi. Out here in the cellular fringe, 3G is not an option. The small screen and keyboard of the Wind would have been easier to use than the tiny screen and keyboard of the phone. Since both devices have USB ports, then it should be possible to program them to talk to each other.
If you have been poking around with this idea, then post up in the comments!
Posted by Chris Connors |
Nov 11, 2008 07:16 AM
Cellphones, Computers, Gadgets, Telecommunications, Wireless |
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October 28, 2008
LilyPad Arduino XBee mashup ready for prime-time
The inevitable mashup of the LilyPad Arduino and the XBee radio is in its final stages. Soon it will be easier than ever to integrate XBee communication in your wearbale projects. Look for these modules soon at your favorite physical coputing etailer soon.
LilyPad XBee Ready for Manufacture
Posted by Jonah Brucker-Cohen |
Oct 28, 2008 06:00 AM
Arduino, Wearables, Wireless |
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October 24, 2008
Electronic labels will remember your stuff so you don't have to
TouchCounters are interactive electronic labels consisting of modular electronic devices with an integrated communication and sensing system. They are attached to physical storage containers in order for someone to get a better idea of what is inside these objects. The project also has a Java component that will relay a container's status and contents to remote users over the Internet. I guess this proves that we don't have any excuse left for not cleaning out our closets.
Posted by Jonah Brucker-Cohen |
Oct 24, 2008 05:00 AM
Electronics, Furniture, Gadgets, Wireless |
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October 23, 2008
RFID flower will sense your environment
This RFID wearable flower is a nice way to integrate the technology in your clothing without making it seem too obvious that you are being mischevious. Well you might be mistaken for a magician instead.
Anab Jain Projects via NeoNomad
Posted by Jonah Brucker-Cohen |
Oct 23, 2008 06:00 AM
Arts, Science, Wearables, Wireless |
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October 6, 2008
New ZigBee sports ARM architecture
This ZigBee radio module has a 32-Bit ARM Processor and its architecture reduces component amounts on the PCB which ultimately reduces power consumption and the overall cost of these efficient modules. This package needs an external crystal and there's room for an optional 50 Ohm antenna as well. The two onboard ADCs and 8 general purpose I\O pins make this an even more handy interface than the current ZigBees to get started with wireless projects.
FreeStar Pro 32-Bit ARM-Based Radio Modules via Electronics Lab
Posted by Jonah Brucker-Cohen |
Oct 6, 2008 05:00 AM
Arduino, DIY Projects, Electronics, Wireless |
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October 3, 2008
A critique of ambient technology and the all-seeing network of RFID - The Internet of Things by Rob van Kranenburg (free PDF)
More RFID info & brainfood for you today, "The Internet of Things" by Rob van Kranenburg - A critique of ambient technology and the all-seeing network of RFID (free PDF) via Beyond the Beyond...
Rob van Kranenburg, The Internet of Things. A critique of ambient technology and the all-seeing network of RFID. Report prepared by Rob van Kranenburg for the Institute of Network Cultures with contributions by Sean Dodson.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Oct 3, 2008 11:30 AM
News from the Future, Wireless |
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September 22, 2008
EMF bracelet will alert you when it's not safe
This "Electromagnetic Field Destector Bracelet" will alert you of the EMF affected areas that you inhabit daily. It reminds me of a project that I worked on in 2002, so it's nice to see the evolution of the device is getting smaller and more integrated into everyday clothing and accessories. The next step with this one would be how to integrate the mapping aspect, a problem that I never fully finished with my design.
Low cost wearable sensor for detecting Electromagnetic fields
Posted by Jonah Brucker-Cohen |
Sep 22, 2008 06:00 AM
Science, Wearables, Wireless |
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September 4, 2008
Wireless scooter lets you wardrive from the fast lane
This how-to shows building instructions for putting together a scooter that doubles as a roving wireless hotspot, GPS device, pirate radio station, and even has enough juice to amplify an electric guitar in order to play songs over the web. Lots of really nice build photos including laser cuts and pics of the motherboard at the link below.
Posted by Jonah Brucker-Cohen |
Sep 4, 2008 06:00 AM
Transportation, Wireless |
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September 3, 2008
Build a frequency generator on the cheap
This tutorial shows how to build a frequency generator out of parts found at your local Radioshack. Pretty simple construction and nice detail on the enclosure with a nice array of dip switches.
How to make a Frequency Generator
Posted by Jonah Brucker-Cohen |
Sep 3, 2008 06:00 AM
DIY Projects, Electronics, Wireless |
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August 17, 2008
HOW TO - Automated cell phone answering system
My pal Randy just published an instructable for making an auto-answerer for a cell phone. It puts your callers on hold, wastes your minutes, and helps you promote your own band, not to mention bugs out your friends and confuses others. He hacked a bluetooth headset with some other components to make this customer service parody. Via fatlab.
Posted by Becky Stern |
Aug 17, 2008 10:00 PM
Cellphones, Culture jamming, DIY Projects, Electronics, Instructables, Wireless |
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August 13, 2008
XBee Lilypad - first shots
Via Kate Hartman's flickr -
The XBee Lilypad project that Rob Faludi and Kate Hartman have been working on is looking great. They took the cc-licenced board design from Leah Buechley's Lilypad Arduino and made this sewable XBee radio.
More:
LilyPad Arduino meets XBee radios for a chat
Posted by Becky Stern |
Aug 13, 2008 07:02 PM
Electronics, Open source hardware, Wireless |
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August 11, 2008
Handbag project integrates live video and sound broadcasting
"Baglady 2.0" is a performance piece that integrates a normal handbag with an antenna and embedded board that enables live, wireless sound, text, and video broadcasting. The bag also integrates GPS to integrate the location of the broadcast into the mix. The intention of the project is to "explore how the mediations of public and private in the context of war are domesticated and inform developments in fashion, design and architecture."
Posted by Jonah Brucker-Cohen |
Aug 11, 2008 05:00 AM
Arts, Wearables, Wireless |
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July 31, 2008
How to: Wireless network printer
This project gives you step-by-step instructions on how to integrate a wireless hub into your existing printer. They rewired the LED's and the rest button so they are on the front panel of the printer. Everything else is stuffed inside the case. They could have just left the router sitting on top of the printer and it would have worked fine, but that's no fun!
Read more about making your own Wireless network printer [CircuitProjects]
Posted by Marc de Vinck |
Jul 31, 2008 01:00 AM
Computers, Wireless |
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The online premiere of Make: television is January 3rd 2009, visit makezine.tv or iTunes to see the entire first episode! The broadcast premiere will follow shortly after depending on when your local Public Television station airs it.
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Current Podcast
Maker Profile - Bicycle Rodeo
Introducing Cyclecide, an inventive band of Bay Area performance artists who make creations out of materials from the junkyard. These Makers create everything from amusement park rides to outrageous bicycle contraptions to found-object sculpture. Plus, we take a historical...
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