Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[The Engadget Interview: Ben Heck talks Raspberry Pi at Maker Faire (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/21/the-engadget-interview-ben-heck-talks-raspberry-pi-at-maker-fai/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/21/the-engadget-interview-ben-heck-talks-raspberry-pi-at-maker-fai/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/21/the-engadget-interview-ben-heck-talks-raspberry-pi-at-maker-fai/#comments The Engadget Interview: Ben Heck talks Raspberry Pi at Maker Faire (video)

It's really no surprise that we bumped into the legendary Ben Heck at Maker Faire Bay Area 2012. Still, he was kind enough to give us a few minutes of his time. We talked about the Raspberry Pi, robot luggage, portable 3D printers, pinball machines, pretzels and cheese curds -- oh my! Just take a look at our video interview and don't miss the outtakes at the end.

The Engadget Interview: Ben Heck talks Raspberry Pi at Maker Faire (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 May 2012 16:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3D printer3d printers3dPrinter3dPrintersBen HeckBen HeckendornBenHeckBenHeckendornBenjamin HeckendornBenjaminHeckendorncheese curdsCheeseCurdsinterviewMaker FaireMaker Faire 2012Maker Faire Bay AreaMaker Faire Bay Area 2012MakerFaireMakerFaire2012MakerFaireBayAreaMakerFaireBayArea2012Nilay PatelNilayPatelpinball machinepinball machinesPinballMachinePinballMachinesportable 3D printerPortable3dPrinterPretzelsRaspberry PiRaspberryPirobot luggageRobotLuggagevideoMon, 21 May 2012 16:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Ben Heck delivers holiday cheer to gamer with modded macro controller]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/21/ben-heck-delivers-holiday-cheer-to-gamer-with-modded-macro-contr/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/21/ben-heck-delivers-holiday-cheer-to-gamer-with-modded-macro-contr/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/21/ben-heck-delivers-holiday-cheer-to-gamer-with-modded-macro-contr/#comments Patrick Crowley Benjamin J. Heckendorn is no stranger to game pads designed for people with disabilities, but the macro controller he just whipped up for Patrick Crowley (pictured above) might be his most impressive accessibility hack yet. On the latest episode of his show the modding extraordinaire crafts a breakout box that allows a complex set of commands to be triggered with just the touch of a button or foot switch. The box at the heart of the project is powered by a PIC microcontroller that takes inputs from a series of modular switches (up to eight) and turns them into virtual button presses that are fed to an Xbox 360 through a standard controller. In addition to being able to swap in eight different inputs, each one can be programmed to perform a different macro. We won't ruin all of the fun -- check out the PR and full episode in the source link to watch everything from Ben Heck's holiday epiphany through the final testing.

Continue reading Ben Heck delivers holiday cheer to gamer with modded macro controller

Ben Heck delivers holiday cheer to gamer with modded macro controller originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Dec 2011 18:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessibilityaccessibility controllerAccessibilityControllerben heckBenHeckbenjamin heckendornbenjamin j. heckendornBenjaminHeckendornBenjaminJ.Heckendorncontrollerhackhacksmacro controllerMacroControllermodpatrick crowleyPatrickCrowleythe ben heck showTheBenHeckShowxboxxbox 360Xbox360Wed, 21 Dec 2011 18:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Ben Heck gets into the pinball business for real, pre-orders begin in January]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/25/ben-heck-gets-into-the-pinball-business-for-real-pre-orders-beg/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/25/ben-heck-gets-into-the-pinball-business-for-real-pre-orders-beg/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/25/ben-heck-gets-into-the-pinball-business-for-real-pre-orders-beg/#comments Ben Heck's Zombie Adventureland Benjamin J. Heckendorn, the name likely conjures images of shrunken gaming consoles and specially modified controllers. But the modder extraordinaire also has an unapologetic love for pinball. He completed his first flipper project in March of 2007, a Bill Paxton-themed machine loaded with classic quotes from the actor. Then in 2011, he undertook an amazingly complex game based on the beloved, meandering (and highly overrated) show Lost. Now he's teaming up with John Popadiuk, a renowned maker of limited run pinball machines, to offer his chrome-balled gaming visions to the public. The two are working together on a creation called Ben Heck's Zombie Adventureland. All the artwork will be hand-drawn and each machine hand-assembled. How many will be made and how much it'll cost for the privilege of putting one of these in your home or arcade (or home arcade) is still a mystery, but pre-orders begin in January and you can bet they'll sell out quickly.

Ben Heck gets into the pinball business for real, pre-orders begin in January originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Oct 2011 13:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ben heckben hecks zombie adventurelandBenHeckBenHecksZombieAdventurelandbenjamin heckendornbenjamin j. heckendornBenjaminHeckendornBenjaminJ.Heckendorncustom pinballCustomPinballgamingjohn PopadiukJohnPopadiukpinballpinball inventorpinball machinepinball machinesPinballInventorPinballMachinePinballMachineszombie adventurelandZombieAdventurelandTue, 25 Oct 2011 13:38:00 EST<![CDATA[Anything your regular alarm clock can do, Ben Heck's can do better]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/11/anything-your-regular-alarm-clock-can-do-ben-hecks-can-do-bett/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/11/anything-your-regular-alarm-clock-can-do-ben-hecks-can-do-bett/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/11/anything-your-regular-alarm-clock-can-do-ben-hecks-can-do-bett/#comments
If it's a fight between any gadget, console or mode of transportation and Mr. Benjamin Heckendorn, your money should be on the latter every single time. To kick-start the second season of his eponymous show, the man they call Heck takes on difficult to program alarm clocks with their non-standard arrays of tiny buttons and annoying flashes. His solution? Build a universal model with a single rotary wheel control that's so easy to use a pensioner wearing oven mitts could do it. You can check out the episode in its full visual glory after the break.

Continue reading Anything your regular alarm clock can do, Ben Heck's can do better

Anything your regular alarm clock can do, Ben Heck's can do better originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Oct 2011 18:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alarm clockAlarmClockBen HeckBenHeckbenjamin heckendornBenjaminHeckendornthe ben heck showTheBenHeckShowvideoTue, 11 Oct 2011 18:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Growing Up Geek: Ben Heck]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/10/growing-up-geek-ben-heck/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/10/growing-up-geek-ben-heck/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/10/growing-up-geek-ben-heck/#comments Welcome to Growing Up Geek, an ongoing feature where we take a look back at our youth and tell stories of growing up to be the nerds that we are. Today we have Hacker Extraordinaire (and host of his own show), Benjamin J. Heckendorn!

As a kid growing up in Richland Center, WI, I sometimes had to be extra creative in finding things to occupy my time, and my creativity naturally gravitated toward all things technology. Soldering, erector sets and deconstructing toys were the epicenter of my young life. Taking things apart to find out how they worked was essentially a rite of passage for me to becoming the geeky man I am today.

I got my first taste of programming in elementary school on a collection of even-then old Apple II's, but I really got into it wholesale when, at age 11, I got my first computer - an Atari 800. While still ancient for the time, I did a lot of programming on it and learned a lot of fundamentals that are useful to this day.

Continue reading Growing Up Geek: Ben Heck

Growing Up Geek: Ben Heck originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Oct 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ben heckBenHeckbenjamin heckendornBenjaminHeckendorndiyhackhackerhackingMon, 10 Oct 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wooden Sega Saturn laptop sits nicely on your antique dresser]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/16/wooden-sega-saturn-laptop-sits-nicely-on-your-antique-dresser/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/16/wooden-sega-saturn-laptop-sits-nicely-on-your-antique-dresser/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/16/wooden-sega-saturn-laptop-sits-nicely-on-your-antique-dresser/#comments
If there's one thing better than a new Ben Heck mod, it's seeing something his army of apprentices has cooked up. This time, Turkish modder c_mon has produced a striking wooden Sega Saturn laptop. It's got a 5-inch LCD screen pulled from a Sony PSOne in the lid, built-in speakers and a fan to keep things cool in the enclosure. The case copies the mould lines from the original Saturn, with the natty addition of an electroluminescent wire that puts us in mind of Tron when the device is running. Keen-eyed visitors to our gallery below will notice that the laptop's lid actually bears the logo of Saturn automobiles -- it's deliberate as the modder couldn't get his CNC (Computer Numerical Control) cutter to play nicely with Sega's curved logo. Incorrect marque or not, we can all agree it's much more handsome than previous efforts.

Gallery: Modded Wooden Sega Saturn Laptop

Wooden Sega Saturn laptop sits nicely on your antique dresser originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Sep 2011 02:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Ben HeckBen Heck ForumBenHeckBenHeckForumBenjamin HeckendornBenjaminHeckendornCNCCNC CutCncCutc_monLCDModModdding CommunityModddingCommunityModderModdersModding-CommunityModsSaturnSegaSega SaturnSega Saturn LaptopSegaSaturnSegaSaturnLaptopSony PSOneSonyPsoneWooden LaptopWooden Sega Saturn LaptopWoodenLaptopWoodenSegaSaturnLaptopFri, 16 Sep 2011 02:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Ben Heck modifies Toshiba Satellite for cramped flights, throws TSA the peace sign (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/07/ben-heck-modifies-toshiba-satellite-for-cramped-flights-throws/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/07/ben-heck-modifies-toshiba-satellite-for-cramped-flights-throws/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/07/ben-heck-modifies-toshiba-satellite-for-cramped-flights-throws/#comments So what has technology modder extraordinaire Benjamin J. Heckendorn come up with for his Ben Heck Show this week? Why, a laptop designed to fit on a airplane tray table, thanks to a special swiveling screen. The Coach Section Laptop is a modified Toshiba Satellite with aluminum arms affixed to either side, with slots down the middle upon which the screen's pegs slide. Thumbscrews then tighten to keep the display in place in either of two modes: the standard laptop configuration, or the floating display-over-keyboard setup you see immediately above. Ben himself admits that we're looking at a rough proof of concept for now, but we imagine he'll have a seamless variant on eBay before long -- just as soon as he can figure out where to put that precariously dangling display cord. Video after the break.

Continue reading Ben Heck modifies Toshiba Satellite for cramped flights, throws TSA the peace sign (video)

Ben Heck modifies Toshiba Satellite for cramped flights, throws TSA the peace sign (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 07 Nov 2010 23:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Ben Heckben heck showBen HeckendornBenHeckBenHeckendornBenHeckShowbenjamin heckendornBenjaminHeckendorncoach section laptopCoachSectionLaptophackhackslaptopmodmoddedmodsvideoSun, 07 Nov 2010 23:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Leaked Xbox 360 'Valhalla' motherboard analyzed by Ben Heck]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/18/leaked-xbox-360-valhalla-motherboard-analyzed-by-ben-heck/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/18/leaked-xbox-360-valhalla-motherboard-analyzed-by-ben-heck/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/18/leaked-xbox-360-valhalla-motherboard-analyzed-by-ben-heck/#comments Sure, you might've seen the purported Xbox 360 Valhalla motherboard leaked yesterday... but have you ever really seen it? There's a subtle difference, one that requires you gaze through the ocular receptors of our dearest old friend (he hates when we call him that) Ben Heck. Joystiq sat down with him to deconstruct the pictures and get his take on all the hardware nuances. First and foremost, there appears to be no connectors that "look remotely like a Xbox 360 memory card reader," which lends credence to the thought process they might be going the way of the dinosaur. WiFi is still missing in action, and as for Project Natal integration, Heck's highly doubtful that's in the cards, though he shares our mindset that a bundle would make sense. The big question is size reduction, and to that our game console laptop guru suggests that, given the constraints due to a DVD drive, the best we can expect is a one-inch drop in height (standing console), 0.5 inches in depth, and just "slightly thinner." Sorry folks, looks like even in your wildest dreams, it'll still tower over the Nintendo Wii. A great read, don your thinking cap, give yourself 15 minutes, and hit up the source.

Leaked Xbox 360 'Valhalla' motherboard analyzed by Ben Heck originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Mar 2010 21:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>analysisben heckben heckendornBenHeckBenHeckendornbenjamin heckbenjamin heckendornBenjaminHeckBenjaminHeckendornheckheckendornmicrosoftmicrosoft xbox 360MicrosoftXbox360mobomother boardMotherBoardvalhallaxboxxbox 360Xbox360Thu, 18 Mar 2010 21:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Ben Heck completes the Bill Paxton Pinball machine, reasserts supremacy]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/17/ben-heck-completes-the-bill-paxton-pinball-machine-reasserts-su/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/17/ben-heck-completes-the-bill-paxton-pinball-machine-reasserts-su/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/17/ben-heck-completes-the-bill-paxton-pinball-machine-reasserts-su/#comments Just in case you thought Ben Heck was being caught up by his acolytes, our favorite superhero modder has come back today with the completed Bill Paxton Pinball machine. You might remember the rough version of this glorious homage to one of the world's most mediocre actors from that time we visited Ben at his home / lair. It has now been fully fleshed out, painted, spit-shined, tested, and slapped with a badge of completion. You want to see it in action? We've got video of that. You want to see how it was built? We've got video of that too. You'll find the moving pictures after the break, but don't neglect the source as it also contains photo galleries and a walkthrough of the design process.

Continue reading Ben Heck completes the Bill Paxton Pinball machine, reasserts supremacy

Ben Heck completes the Bill Paxton Pinball machine, reasserts supremacy originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 05:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ben heckben heckendornBenHeckBenHeckendornbenjamin heckendornBenjaminHeckendorndiyhomebrewhomemademodmoddingpinballpinball machinePinballMachinevideoWed, 17 Mar 2010 05:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Student-made Xbox 360 laptop channels the Heck out of... well, you know]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/17/student-made-xbox-360-laptop-channels-the-heck-out-of-well-y/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/17/student-made-xbox-360-laptop-channels-the-heck-out-of-well-y/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/17/student-made-xbox-360-laptop-channels-the-heck-out-of-well-y/#comments
 Few can build 'em like Benjamin Heckendorn. Fewer still bother to try. Two college kids managed to do a bang-up job anyhow building this fully loaded, Jasper-juiced Xbox 360 laptop. With a built-in 17-inch Gateway monitor, keyboard, functioning Xbox Live camera and Wireless Network Adapter, this brick hits all the right notes -- yet remains remarkably stylish for a learn-as-you-go student project. If you agree, you can read a remarkably detailed account of how they built it at the source link, see a proof-of-completion video after the break, or even further their education by purchasing the mean machine on eBay for your very own.

Continue reading Student-made Xbox 360 laptop channels the Heck out of... well, you know

Student-made Xbox 360 laptop channels the Heck out of... well, you know originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 03:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ben heckBen HeckendornBenHeckBenHeckendornbenjamin heckbenjamin heckendornBenjaminHeckBenjaminHeckendorncustomDIYgamesgaminghackhacksjasperjasper chipsetjasper motherboardJasperChipsetJasperMotherboardlaptopmicrosoft xboxmicrosoft xbox 360MicrosoftXboxMicrosoftXbox360modmoddedmodsportable xbox 360PortableXbox360projectprojectsstudent projectStudentProjectx-topxboxXbox 360Xbox 360 Elitexbox 360 elite laptopxbox 360 laptopxbox 360 modXbox laptopXbox360Xbox360EliteXbox360EliteLaptopXbox360LaptopXbox360ModXboxLaptopxtopWed, 17 Mar 2010 03:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Ben Heck's PS3 Slim laptop pops up for sale on Ebay]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/01/ben-hecks-ps3-slim-laptop-pops-up-for-sale-on-ebay/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/01/ben-hecks-ps3-slim-laptop-pops-up-for-sale-on-ebay/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/01/ben-hecks-ps3-slim-laptop-pops-up-for-sale-on-ebay/#comments You're probably already familiar with the work of modder / hacker extraordinaire, Benjamin Heckendorn... and if you're not, well, maybe it's time to familiarize yourself with his work. Regardless, some of his fantastic handiwork has shown up on Ebay for sale, and while we don't want to counsel you to foolishlessly spend loads of hard-earned cash, this is bound to be an heirloom one day. The listing here is for Ben's PS3 Slim laptop -- the one modded from a 17-inch Gateway 1775w LCD with a 1280 x 720 pixel resolution -- and its currently at around $1,075.00 with 16 bids on it and roughly 3 days remaining. So if this kind of thing strikes your fancy (and we know that it does) hop to it! Check out our segment of The Engadget Show we filmed at Ben's evil laboratory after the break.

Update: It looks like the auction has been pulled just recently, though we're not sure why. Thanks for the heads up, Wesley H.

Update 2: And it's back! Phew.

Continue reading Ben Heck's PS3 Slim laptop pops up for sale on Ebay

Ben Heck's PS3 Slim laptop pops up for sale on Ebay originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jan 2010 21:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ben heckbenheckbenjamin heckendornBenjaminHeckendornhackhacksmodmoddingmodsps3ps3 slimps3 slim laptopPs3SlimPs3SlimLaptopFri, 01 Jan 2010 21:28:00 EST<![CDATA[The Engadget Show: Inside Ben Heck's magic kingdom]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/the-engadget-show-inside-ben-hecks-magic-kingdom/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/the-engadget-show-inside-ben-hecks-magic-kingdom/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/19/the-engadget-show-inside-ben-hecks-magic-kingdom/#comments

If you're a reader of Engadget (and let's be honest -- you're reading this, right?) then you surely know Ben Heck's work. The master modder has been the source of some of our favorite tweaks, hacks, and flat-out crazy gadget manipulations over the years. We recently had a chance to take a peek inside his workshop and hear straight from Ben about what drives him to create the madness we've see on our pages. It's a phantasmagoric adventure you won't likely forget -- so sit back, crack a cold one, and enjoy the ride!

Note: Don't forget, our next full length Engadget Show is happening this Thursday, and our guest is Steve Ballmer!

Update: Video is now live! Sorry about that!

Host: Nilay Patel
Produced and Directed by: Chad Mumm
Edited by: Michael Slavens
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Titles by: Julien Nantiec

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The Engadget Show: Inside Ben Heck's magic kingdom originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ben heckBenHeckbenjamin heckendornBenjaminHeckendornengadget showEngadgetShowengadgetshowcastfeaturesthe engadget showTheEngadgetShowMon, 19 Oct 2009 12:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Ben Heck throws together one-handed Xbox 360 controller, probably with one hand]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/25/ben-heck-throws-together-one-handed-xbox-360-controller-probabl/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/25/ben-heck-throws-together-one-handed-xbox-360-controller-probabl/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/25/ben-heck-throws-together-one-handed-xbox-360-controller-probabl/#comments
Ben Heck. Just the mere mention of the name brings chills to the spines of all who mod, and if today's the first day you've ever come into contact with those seven letters, prepare to be changed. Forever. The Great Modder's latest gig involved the creation of a one-handed Xbox 360 controller, but the catch was that it required completion within a ridiculously short period of time. Essentially, the left analog stick was repositioned to fit on the underside of the controller, enabling the user to operate that with his / her leg while handling the right side of the pad as usual. Check out a video of the admittedly raw looking final product after the break, and feel free to grab some inspiration while you're there.

[Via HackADay]

Continue reading Ben Heck throws together one-handed Xbox 360 controller, probably with one hand

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Ben Heck throws together one-handed Xbox 360 controller, probably with one hand originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 Sep 2009 02:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ben heckBenHeckbenjamin heckendornBenjaminHeckendorncontrollergaminghacksmodsone-handedxbox 360Xbox360Fri, 25 Sep 2009 02:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Ben Heck realigns Xbox 360 pad for improved awesomeness]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/02/ben-heck-realigns-xbox-360-pad-for-improved-awesomeness/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/02/ben-heck-realigns-xbox-360-pad-for-improved-awesomeness/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/02/ben-heck-realigns-xbox-360-pad-for-improved-awesomeness/#comments If you've spent any time on Engadget before, you'll be aware that we're big fans of Ben Heck and his tireless modding, tweaking and hacking (or is it Hecking?) of console hardware. The latest feather to his cap comes in the form of a customized Xbox 360 controller, which sees its D-pad and action buttons swapping places in an effort to help a handicapped gamer get his proverbial groove on. The trigger buttons are also flipped, but the pièce de résistance is the inclusion of four extra action buttons along the bottom of the controller that make one-handed gaming totally feasible. Check 'em out after the break.

Continue reading Ben Heck realigns Xbox 360 pad for improved awesomeness

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Ben Heck realigns Xbox 360 pad for improved awesomeness originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Sep 2009 10:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Ben HeckBen HeckendornBenHeckBenHeckendornBenjamin HeckendornBenjaminHeckendorncontrollercontroller modControllerModgame padGamePadhackhacksmodmoddermoddingmodsXbox 360Xbox 360 controllerXbox360Xbox360ControllerWed, 02 Sep 2009 10:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Ben Heck's latest portable Xbox 360 adds sleek white finish, Jasper motherboard]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/05/ben-hecks-latest-portable-xbox-360-adds-sleek-white-finish-jas/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/05/ben-hecks-latest-portable-xbox-360-adds-sleek-white-finish-jas/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/05/ben-hecks-latest-portable-xbox-360-adds-sleek-white-finish-jas/#comments Even after five iterations, Ben Heck's portable Xbox 360 models are still a spectacle to behold -- he seems to keep outdoing himself every time, both in functionality and style. This latest model has the appearance of an oversized plastic polycarbonate Macbook when closed, and packs a 17-inch Gateway LCD panel. The big improvements here include the Jasper motherboard, a flush-mount DVD door and side panels, digital potentiometer / button volume controls, and an ethernet port in addition to WiFi. Not everything's been kept, as Heck says he ditched the camera, not seeing a point for it -- but hey, there's still two USB ports if any of his (already spoken for) customers want to add it. Impressive work, indeed. See it for yourself in the video after the break.

[Via TechEBlog]

Continue reading Ben Heck's latest portable Xbox 360 adds sleek white finish, Jasper motherboard

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Ben Heck's latest portable Xbox 360 adds sleek white finish, Jasper motherboard originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 05 Jul 2009 18:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ben heckben heckendornBenHeckBenHeckendornbenjamin heckbenjamin heckendornBenjaminHeckBenjaminHeckendorngamesgaminghacksheckjasperjasper chipsetjasper motherboardJasperChipsetJasperMotherboardmicrosoftmicrosoft xboxmicrosofto xbox 360MicrosoftoXbox360MicrosoftXboxmodmodsportableportable xbox 360PortableXbox360video gamesVideoGamesxboxxbox 360xbox 360 modXbox360Xbox360ModSun, 05 Jul 2009 18:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Ben Heck's Commodore 64 laptop mod: like 1982 without the feathered hair]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/ben-hecks-commodore-64-laptop-mod-like-1982-without-the-feathe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/ben-hecks-commodore-64-laptop-mod-like-1982-without-the-feathe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/06/ben-hecks-commodore-64-laptop-mod-like-1982-without-the-feathe/#comments Benjamin J. Heckendorn seems unusually enthused by his latest hack'n mod, calling the Commodore 64 laptop "probably one of, if not my favorite project I have done." That's saying something from the man who brought the "Benheck" finesse hammer down upon just about every modern and classic PC / game console and accessory you can think of. The C64 lappie features a C64C motherboard, a Gamecube power supply, and special 1541-III DTV device that emulates a floppy drive using a FAT-32 formatted SD card -- all while keeping true to the beige 8-bit spirit of the original. And if we're not mistaken, he's controlling it with an Atari joystick seen in the video posted after the break. Then again, there could be an Xbox 360 controller hiding in that joystick knowing Ben.

[Via Nowhereelse]

Continue reading Ben Heck's Commodore 64 laptop mod: like 1982 without the feathered hair

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Ben Heck's Commodore 64 laptop mod: like 1982 without the feathered hair originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Apr 2009 04:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ben heckBenHeckbenjamin heckendornBenjaminHeckendornc64c64ccommodorecommodore 64Commodore64hackhacksmodmodsvideoMon, 06 Apr 2009 04:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Ben Heck's Xbox 360 Controller Monitor lights up your latency]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/26/ben-hecks-xbox-360-controller-monitor-lights-up-your-latency/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/26/ben-hecks-xbox-360-controller-monitor-lights-up-your-latency/http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/26/ben-hecks-xbox-360-controller-monitor-lights-up-your-latency/#comments Ben Heck's latest device isn't gonna help you take your next-gen gaming on the go, nor will it let you play with one hand. Instead, the Xbox 360 Controller Monitor is designed to test gamepad latency using a data cable hooked up directly to each button and fed into a 8 x 8 inch display board. Each action lights up the corresponding indicator, and it includes three levels of sensitivity for each cardinal direction of the joysticks and shoulder triggers. At $600 (controller and AA batteries included), it's not exactly something for the hobbyists out there, but already this thing's got some major gaming street cred: it's currently being used for playtesting on Mass Effect 2, the new Wolfenstein, and the just announced Modern Warfare 2.

Continue reading Ben Heck's Xbox 360 Controller Monitor lights up your latency

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Ben Heck's Xbox 360 Controller Monitor lights up your latency originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 19:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ben heckben heckendornBenHeckBenHeckendornbenjamin heckendornBenjaminHeckendorngame padGamePadhackhacksmodmodsmonitorxboxxbox 360xbox 360 controllerxbox 360 controller monitorxbox 360 gamepadXbox360Xbox360ControllerXbox360ControllerMonitorXbox360GamepadThu, 26 Mar 2009 19:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo Sixtyfree Lite-R elegantly crams N64 into a luscious handheld]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/27/nintendo-sixtyfree-lite-r-elegantly-crams-n64-into-a-luscious-ha/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/27/nintendo-sixtyfree-lite-r-elegantly-crams-n64-into-a-luscious-ha/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/27/nintendo-sixtyfree-lite-r-elegantly-crams-n64-into-a-luscious-ha/#comments
Ben Heck's apprentices are showing their true colors again, with modder SifuF churning out a real winner over the holidays. The Nintendo Sixtyfree Lite-R just might be the most elegant portable N64 that we've seen to date, with a clean, low-key design, beautifully integrated buttons and a cartridge slot that's about as non-cumbersome as possible. Of note, there are no internal batteries to speak of, thus it's forced to rely on an InfoLithium (or any 7.2v supply) clipped on the rear. Tap the read link for a pictorial look at the build and final product.

[Thanks, Adam]

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Nintendo Sixtyfree Lite-R elegantly crams N64 into a luscious handheld originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 27 Dec 2008 00:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Ben HeckBenHeckBenjamin heckendornBenjaminHeckendorndiyhackmodN64nintendo 64Nintendo64portable N64portable nintendo n64PortableN64PortableNintendoN64SifuFSixtyfree Lite-RSixtyfreeLite-rSat, 27 Dec 2008 00:10:00 EST<![CDATA[How-To: Build a 'Guitar Hero' foot pedal controller]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/11/how-to-build-a-guitar-hero-foot-pedal-controller/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/11/how-to-build-a-guitar-hero-foot-pedal-controller/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/11/how-to-build-a-guitar-hero-foot-pedal-controller/#comments
Benjamin J. Heckendorn returns from a vision quest of Xbox 360 laptop-building and Jasper-hunting to share a new how-to project with Engadget readers. In this episode, he'll describe how to build one of his Guitar Hero foot pedal controllers, which allows those with physical limitations to play their favorite guitar rhythm games using a foot pedal! Read on for the complete how-to.

Continue reading How-To: Build a 'Guitar Hero' foot pedal controller

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How-To: Build a 'Guitar Hero' foot pedal controller originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 17:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ben heckBenHeckbenjamin heckendornBenjaminHeckendorndiyfeaturesfoot pedalFootPedalguitar heroGuitar Hero Foot Pedal ControllerGuitarHeroGuitarHeroFootPedalControllerhackmodphysical limitationsPhysicalLimitationsThu, 11 Dec 2008 17:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Inside an Xbox 360 Jasper: Ben Heck dissects the mythical console, then tells you how to find one]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/inside-an-xbox-360-jasper-ben-heck-dissects-the-mythical-consol/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/inside-an-xbox-360-jasper-ben-heck-dissects-the-mythical-consol/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/inside-an-xbox-360-jasper-ben-heck-dissects-the-mythical-consol/#comments
"Gentlemen! I give you... JASPER!" [lightning crackles, thunder sound FX]

Ace modder Benjamin J Heckendorn (aka "Benheck") has found -- and immediately dissected -- an Xbox 360 Jasper. As widely reported, it was inside an Arcade unit. In the following story, he not only details what he finds inside, but will also clue you in on how you too can find this model on store shelves. Read on for the exclusive Engadget look at the guts and the glory!

Continue reading Inside an Xbox 360 Jasper: Ben Heck dissects the mythical console, then tells you how to find one

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Inside an Xbox 360 Jasper: Ben Heck dissects the mythical console, then tells you how to find one originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Seriously, how many spare Xbox 360s does Benjamin Heckendorn have laying around? By our count, this is the third instance where the modder extraordinaire has shoved Microsoft's latest console into something that's theoretically playable on one's lap, and obviously, this one is the best one evar. Dubbed the Xbox 360 Portable, the unit is said to weigh almost as much as his sister's cat, and it differs from most other on-the-go 360s by featuring a removable standard Xbox 360 hard drive, two accessible memory card slots, no keyboard (use the chatpad!), an internal WiFi module and beveled edges for extra safety. We'd ask what crazy mod he's planning with all the free time coming up over the holiday break, but honestly, we'd prefer to be surprised.

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Ben Heck outdoes himself with Xbox 360 Portable originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We think it's possible that the time has come to admit that Ben Heck (aka Benjamin Heckendorn) has officially taken it to the limit, put the pedal to the metal, and a large number of other cliches that suggest something has been pushed just about as far as you can take it. That's right folks -- it's the Xbox 360 Elite laptop. We're not even going to try and pretend to understand how an individual could go about creating this kind of extreme mod to the Microsoft console -- needless to say that if there was one man who could do it, Ben is that guy. Luckily for us lay-people, he's included a graphic breakdown of just about every step on the road to a portable Xbox 360, replete will all the case cracking, innards opening, wire splaying photos you could possibly want or need. Sorry NEStari and Atari 800 laptop -- there's a new boss in town.

Update: Be sure to check out the charming video after the break to see Ben showing off the mod -- we're sure you'll enjoy the intro as much as we did.

Continue reading The Xbox 360 Elite laptop: Ben Heck strikes again

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The Xbox 360 Elite laptop: Ben Heck strikes again originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 Feb 2008 00:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Engadget's favorite hardware hacker Benjamin Heckendorn is at it again, and his latest mutant mashup is the one-handed Access controller. The modular rig features five interchangeable pods -- one each for the analog sticks, d-pad, main buttons, and shoulder buttons -- that can be rearranged to make any control scheme one-hand-friendly. Ben says the Access is in pre-production with eDimensional, and will be hitting in PS2 / 3 versions first with a planned 360 version to follow -- although it certainly looks like a brave 360 controller was involved in making that prototype. More photos await you at the read link.

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Ben Heck unveils the Access one-handed controller originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Oct 2007 21:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yeah, we doubt that summary rolled off the average tongue, but regardless, modder extraordinaire Ben Heck has managed to stuff the guts of an Xbox 360 wireless controller into the frame of an original Xbox controller. Often dubbed "The Duke," the massive device actually proved rather hard to work with, though one may assume that you could actually cram the entire Xbox 360 into this beast with all that room. Nevertheless, the final product actually looks fairly unscathed, save for the tiny, recessed Sync button on the rear, the added Guide button on the front and the headset port at the base, but it sounds like this may be the only one to ever be created by the hands of Mr. Heck. You know what that means -- get your bid in or live with unimaginable regret.

[Via Coolest-Gadgets]

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Ben Heck crams wireless Xbox 360 controller into original Xbox controller originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Sep 2007 09:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You just can't put this guy down. Just when you think he's had his full share of soldering injuries and heatsink frustration, Benjamin Heckendorn goes and builds the NEStari, a flavorful combination of NES and Atari 2600 in a convenient, portable package. The story is half the fun, but short of it is Ben had a NES-on-a-chip lying around and a spare Atari Flashback 2 chip, but only a single 3.5-inch LCD, so he decided to make a nice, fat portable that can load both NES and Atari cartridges. Sure, the DS lite kids may laugh, but you can always bludgeon them with this monstrosity, while playing gaming classics that far surpass the Pokemons of today. Well, at least Ben can. He's not going to be making any more of these, since the hack wasn't exactly easy to pull off. Hit up the read link for the step-by-step and even some video of the NEStari in action -- if you can get it to load.

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Ben Heck's NEStari is twice the fun originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Aug 2007 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atariatari 2600Atari2600ben heckBenHeckbenjamin heckendornBenjaminHeckendornhandheldnesnestariThu, 23 Aug 2007 17:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Check out your Xbox 360's heatsink without voiding warranty]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/04/check-out-your-xbox-360s-heatsink-without-voiding-warranty/http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/04/check-out-your-xbox-360s-heatsink-without-voiding-warranty/http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/04/check-out-your-xbox-360s-heatsink-without-voiding-warranty/#comments
Leave it to Ben Heck -- warranty thrasher and modder extraordinaire -- to point out an incredibly simple (and warranty-friendly) method of checking out your Xbox 360's heatsink. Put simply, you invert your console, snap a photo (or three for good measure) through the mesh, and compare your image with the above picture in order to determine if your box is rockin' the beefed up heatsink we've been hearing about. Go on, give it a go yourself, and make sure you report back with details of your findings (and photos for extra street cred).

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

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Check out your Xbox 360's heatsink without voiding warranty originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 04 Aug 2007 13:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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