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ASUS' Tinker Board S is a powerful platform for DIY types
Last year ASUS tried to win over DIYers with the Tinker Board. It tried to elbow in on Raspberry Pi's territory. And even made an attempt to upstage it by making the Tinkerboard incredibly powerful. It was capable of pushing out 4K video and 24-bit/192kHz audio. The pile of HDMI, gigabit Ethernet, quad core processor and 2GB of RAM made it better suited to build a media center around than turning into some sort of art project or prototype. The Tinker Board S is more of the same. It's powerful board for hacker types with a pile of maker-friendly features like 40 GPIO pins and robust Linux support. The S also has 16GB of eMMC storage and the same pile of USB ports. But its the same size and, most importantly for the DIY crowd, it has the same layout. So you don't have to tear your whole project apart just to upgrade its guts. The Tinker Board S will ship sometime in the first half of 2018, but ASUS isn't talking price just yet. But, considering the original Tinker Board cost a hefty $60, don't expect its sequel to compete with the Raspberry Pi on price. Click here to catch up on the latest news from CES 2018.
Raspberry Pi Zero W is a $10 computer with WiFi and Bluetooth
Although major Raspberry Pi announcements are very few and far between, you know that when there is one, it's worth paying attention. Take for example the Raspberry Pi Zero -- the $5 (£4) board that apparently came out of nowhere in October 2015 and offered 40 percent more computing power than the original Pi. It's been a year since the last major unveiling, when we met the Raspberry Pi 3, but the Foundation is back today with a brand new product that nestles neatly between its credit-card sized computer and its flagship board. It's called the Raspberry Pi Zero W.
Obama's legacy: The most tech-savvy president
When Barack Obama moved into the White House on January 20th, 2009, the federal government was in the digital dark ages. Even as late as 2011, he was complaining that the White House was 30 years behind. Among other things, Obama was the first president to carry a BlackBerry, and even so, it wasn't until 2016 that the leader of the free world was finally able to trade in his aging RIM device for a modern smartphone. And, as the president was quick to point out in an interview with Jimmy Fallon, the unnamed phone is so locked down, it's like one of those "play phones" you'd give to a 3-year-old. Despite these hurdles, Obama made it one of his priorities to modernize the federal government on everything from telecommunications policy to White House IT. He tackled infrastructure, STEM education, net neutrality and climate change in serious and substantive ways. Of course, the president's efforts weren't always a rousing success, and on issues involving privacy, spying and drone usage, he faces lingering criticism from both ends of the political spectrum. But, love him or hate him, for better or worse, when it comes to science and technology, Barack Obama has had a bigger impact than almost any president in history.
12 gifts for tireless tinkerers
They say the best gifts are the ones you make yourself. But that doesn't necessarily mean you, the gifter, needs to be doing the assembly. Sometimes the giftee will enjoy building their own present. Over the last several years the maker movement has really taken off. And whether you're shopping for an accomplished builder or someone just looking to get their toes wet, we've got a few suggestions. If there's someone in your life that's super into making everything themselves (and you love them enough to drop $1,000 on a gift for them) consider a 3D printer like the Replicator Mini+ from MakerBot. If a grand is a little extreme for you, consider a simple driver set, like 64-piece one from iFixIt. They'll be able to open up and (hopefully) put anything back together with it. If the creator in your life is more into coding than building, consider a tool like RPG Maker, or for the wee one in your life Ozobot's Evo is an excellent place to start teaching programming skills. For our full list of recommendations in all categories, don't forget to stop by our main Holiday Gift Guide hub.
Kickstarter Live lets project creators stream directly to backers
Thanks to sites like Kickstarter, creators all over the world have been able to bring their product visions to life via the medium of crowdfunding. Many of the website's successful projects utilize a formula of a nicely-produced pitch video, a bunch of glossy photos and (normally) a promise that its creator(s) won't run off into the night with your pledge. A new tool launching today called Kickstarter Live not only attempts to better connect creators with potential backers, but let them demonstrate their passion in a way that only live video possibly can.
The BBC Micro:bit is going global
After a bit of a slow start, the BBC's mini computer, the Micro:bit, has now made its way to more than one million children across the UK. Designed to help bridge the computing skills gap and inspire more children to take up coding, the credit card-sized board has enjoyed support from some of the biggest names in technology including Samsung, Microsoft and ARM. With their help, the BBC confirmed today that the Micro:bit is going on a worldwide tour, thanks to the formation of a new non-profit called the Micro:bit Educational Foundation.
The best way to play 'Splatoon' is with a hacked water gun
Researchers and makers over at Kougaku Navi in Japan have been working hard on a playable Splatoon gun since March, and the latest model really looks the part. It combines a Wii U GamePad, controls transplanted inside a Splatoon-themed water pistol and Sony's head-mounted display to give you at least a little bit of movement freedom. It's not perfect, but if you really want to play the game with a gun, it possibly the closest we'll get.
ICYMI: Smashing bacteria, high-jumping roboroaches and more
try{document.getElementById("aol-cms-player-1").style.display="none";}catch(e){} Today on In Case You Missed It: Researchers from Seoul National University and UC Berkeley developed a robotic roach that jumps more than five feet high because people weren't scared enough of robots as it is. A team from Brigham Young University wants to figure out how hard you have to hit bacteria to kill it. Apparently smashing them into walls at 670 MPH isn't hard enough. And one enterprising maker spent more than two years building a fully functional Pong table -- complete with a cubical "ball."
These $70 DIY synthesizers are a hobbyist's dream
For me, one of the most interesting parts of Moogfest is the Circuit Bending Challenge. Sure, the performances and tech demos are great, but it's always a treat to see what a community of tinkerers can come up with on a tight budget of $70. I've seen everything from a wearable helmet instrument to creations that look more like a compact analog machine. This year's finalists offer some of the most polished exterior designs I've seen over the last few competitions and all three have unique sounds to match.
Inventor builds super creepy 'Scarlett Johansson' robot
Ricky Ma, an inventor and maker, has spent the last year and a half building a robotic starlet from scratch on the balcony of his Hong Kong apartment. He recently unveiled the Mark I, a $50,000 prototype modeled after... well, he wouldn't specify to Reuters but come on, that's obviously Scarlett Johansson. The robot is comprised of a 3D-printed skeleton supporting the various electronic and mechanical bits with everything wrapped in a pliable silicone skin.
You can build a life size BB-8 out of a beachball
It took just days after BB-8 was shown to the world for someone to build their own, with the first one coming 48 hours after Star Wars Celebration. We've seen 'em come in all shapes and sizes, from a customized Sphero (before the company made its own) through to thousand-dollar versions. Now, 17-year-old Angelo Casimiro thinks that he's found a way to craft a version for just $120, if you have the patience. Thankfully, almost all of the parts required are available from your local hardware store, including an Arduino Uno, some wheels and, best of all, a 20-inch beachball.
You can search for 'Mario Maker' levels on the web next week
Crafting truly brilliant Mario Maker levels isn't easy, but finding them soon will be. Nintendo just announced its "Super Mario Maker Bookmark" portal will go live on December 21 so you can search for levels to play from a computer or mobile device instead of just on your Wii U. Better yet, you'll be able to flag those primo levels from whatever device you're working with — they'll appear in the Course World tab so you don't have to worry about finding your favorite works all over again.
Pay Humble Bundle $15, get $276 worth of maker know-how
Humble Bundle unveiled its latest book pack on Wednesday and, hoo boy, is it a doozy. The pay-what-you-want charity is teaming up with Make for a huge book pack that teaches the basics of Arduino and Pi programming. Pay anything you want for six Maker handbooks geared towards amateur roboticists. Throw down more than the current $10 average and Humble Bundle will double that figure to include a full dozen titles as well as a $5 - $10 discount off a year of Maker Magazine. You can also round out the deal for $15 total and receive two more titles -- Make: Sensors and Making Things Talk. Proceeds from these sales will benefit Maker Ed.[Image Credit: Getty]
Maker Camp becomes the after-school program you wish you had as a kid
"One thing we can bet on is that 'making' engages kids," Dale Dougherty, Maker Media founder told Engadget. Anyone that's ever been to a Maker Faire knows that's a solid wager. Children routinely crowd around booths and attractions at the event peppering proprietors with questions about how their devices work. They drag their parents to the marketplace to buy Arduinos, soldering guns, and DIY kits. Getting littles ones excited about science and crafts is easy when it's right in their faces, but then what? That was the question on Dougherty's mind, "what happens on the Monday following a Faire?"
littleBits Gizmos and Gadgets Kit gives kids a range of DIY projects
Do you know an aspiring young maker? If so, littleBits is looking to lend a hand with its new Gadgets & Gizmos Kit. The collection of tech includes everything those young inventors will need to complete 12 different projects, learning about electronics, robots and more along the way. If you're not familiar, littleBits has been making Lego-like kits that allow kids (both young and old) to make a piece of tech in minutes. Previous boxes include projects for the smart home and a build your own synthesizer option. For the Gizmos & Gadgets Kit, the projects range from a bubble machine to a wirelessly-controlled robotic rover and games. If you're looking to get started, the Gizmos & Gadgets Kit includes a set of 15 electronic blocks and it'll be available this month for $200. While you wait, check out the Bitbot in action after the break.
Netflix actually made a Netflix and Chill button, and you can too
When they aren't stress-proofing servers and using playback data to pinpoint which episode made you binge-watch the rest of a show, Netflix engineers also like to build things. At the 2015 World Maker Faire this weekend, the company unveiled its prototype and instructions for a big button that it calls "The Switch." When you hit it, The Switch dims the lights, activates your phone's Do Not Disturb feature and gets Netflix ready for the streaming ahead. Think of it as a Netflix and Chill button, but with maybe less Chill.
#IStandwithAhmed supports teen arrested for making his own clock
Last night, the Dallas Morning News reported an odd story. A teenager in Irving, TX brought a homemade electronics project to school, and while his engineering teacher called it "really nice," after another teacher saw it the police got involved. He was arrested, handcuffed and potentially faced charges of making a hoax bomb, even though according to an Irving PD spokesman, he never told anyone the wires, circuits and LCD made anything other than a clock.
This Arduino Basic Kit has everything a newbie maker could ask for
It's easy to think about tinkering around with Arduino, but take more than 30 seconds to look at the platform, and suddenly it becomes daunting: not only do you need an Arduino itself, but to get started you need resisters, wires, LEDs, screens and a host of other components that are almost always sold separately. Have no fear, newbies: there's a new Arduino Basic Kit in town, and it has all the spare parts a beginner could want.
littleBits is opening its first retail location in NYC this month
If you've been itchin' for a chance to take littleBits' collection of electronic blocks for a spin before handing over funds, you'll soon get a chance. Well, so long as you're planning a trip to NYC. The company is opening its first retail shop on July 31st on West Broadway in SoHo, giving eager DIYers a chance to take a closer look during the week. littleBits is taking a different approach to the buying experience as well. Sure, you'll be able to test drive the pieces and kits before making a purchase, but you'll also be given the option of buying what you've made or leaving it for someone else to fiddle with. It sounds like you'll be charged for what you use rather than having to splurge for an entire kit. In addition to being able to create your own gadgets, there's a photo booth so you can remember your time as an inventor, too. There's no exact date for how long the location will remain open, but it's scheduled to stay through the holidays.
More ingenious hacks for problems you didn't know you had
It's the Fourth of July and while that light show in the sky honors US independence, why not shine a little light on our DIY perseverance? To help celebrate this holiday, we've put together a collection of (even more) ingenious hacks that incorporate party essentials: lights, nighttime, fireworks, music, drinks and a bit of wild imagination. Want to watch the celebrations on TV like it's still the '80s? Will pumping up the volume help you fight fires? And just how do you innovate something as simple as sliced bread? DIY fanatics and gadget hacker extraordinaires have already done the legwork. All you need to do is sit back, relax and enjoy the (slide)show. [Image: Styropyro / YouTube]
