Skip to Content

Massively has the latest Warhammer Online news, guides and analysis!
AOL Tech

Posts with tag mod

Gigabyte M912X hack makes a smarter, cheaper Modbook

A fellow named Stuart Lowe installed Leopard on his Gigabyte M912X netbook / tablet hybrid, and we like the results. Though this isn't the first Mac tablet hack, it's a tightly wrapped little package: the interface seems smooth with either fingers or a stylus, and Inkwell's onscreen keyboard allows complete functionality when the computer is folded into its slate configuration. Much of the necessary software functionality existed in Leopard already, and since installing OS X on something other than a Mac isn't the challenge it used to be, we're envisioning a pretty smooth ride for other would-be-hackers. We've embedded a video on the other side of the jump -- take a look, and then cast your vote on what to call this niche category of netbook-like tablets.

[Via Slashgear]

Gigabyte M912: What's this thing called?

CinematographHD case mod conceals monster video editing rig


Oh sure, Stealth could've just phoned up NextComputing or ACME in order to acquire a beastly (albeit portable) LCD-infused desktop, but seriously, where's the joviality in that? Instead, this clearly skilled individual decided to concoct a custom rig of his own, complete with two 22-inch LCDs, lots (and lots) of diamond plate and "zero compromises." Dubbed the CinematographHD after a Lumière Brothers device from the 1980s, this massively potent video editing system also packs a Blu-ray drive, inbuilt speakers and a storage compartment for mice, keyboards and copious amounts of BAWLS. Check out the construction video just after the break.

[Thanks, Justin]

Dell Mini 9 gets snug little GPS hack

Word is that Dell's Mini 9 is a modder's paradise, rife with precious little alcoves in which to squeeze teeny-tiny new stuff. The confirmation: MyDellMini forum user Tom Beauchamp bought a USB GPS receiver (not much larger than a quarter) and snugly fit it inside his Mini's case. He's provided images and instructions so you, too, can illegally navigate with your notebook computer in the passenger's seat of your car. We can't recommend that sort of irresponsibility, but if you want to mod it just because you can, hit the read link for the instructions and images. Beware, of course, that a minimum amount of technical savvy is required to avoid breaking a perfectly good little laptop. Like that was ever going to stop you.

Acer Aspire One hacked into a UMPC for reasons unknown


We know that there are those of you who have been asking -- quite insistently -- "What does it take to get an Acer Aspire One UMPC around here?" Apparently, it doesn't take much: pop out the screen, replace it with an 8.9-inch touchscreen kit, flip the lid 'round so the display sits on top, toss out the keyboard and screw it all back together again. The specimen pictured above is running Ubuntu on top of the Aspire's 1.6GHz Atom CPU with 1.5GB RAM and an 8GB SSD (and quite happily, we might add). Hit that read link for details and plenty of pictures.

[Via SlashGear]

PlayStation Eye gets utility boost, hacked to work as webcam


Remember that PlayStation Eye you purchased way back when? You know, that PS peripheral you used for all of 12 minutes before shelving indefinitely? It's time to break that bad boy back out, as a detailed hack from the NUI Group shows how to convert it into a working webcam within Windows. Make no mistake, this isn't the simplest hack in the whole wide world, but the long-winded instructions ought to guide you right through. What are you waiting for? Head on down and get to work!

[Via PS3 Fanboy]

Sony VAIO UX490 gets Hulkified by U7600 mod


The last VAIO UMPC mod we saw swapped out the UX280 CPU for a 1.2GHz Core 2 Duo U7600, but this new UX490 tweak beats the pants off that by a long shot. According to "computercowboy," a forum member on Micro PC Talk, he's managed to push his handheld to a 45,999 score in Crystal Mark, easily besting the UX280's 30,069. The swap of this CPU into the UX280 results in radically higher FPU and ALU figures, making it the "fastest UX in the world" -- or so says the modder. Now it's only a matter of time before someone comes along and overclocks this thing, a move which will undoubtedly result in badly singed hands and a melted VAIO -- don't say we didn't warn you!

[Via UMPC Portal]

Atari Hero mod lets you rock out with ET

Atari Hero mod lets you rock out with ET
Those of us old enough to remember crap games like E.T. and Sssnake have every right to be thrilled by the relative quality of modern gems like Guitar Hero. We're guessing modder Conner Flynn over at SlipperyBrick feels that way too, melding the old with the new by inserting an Atari 2600 console into the body of a faux-Gibson from Guitar Hero. This meant adding two controllers to the body (an eight-way joystick plus a paddle-style controller for Breakout), wiring up the green button on the neck, and adding a small screen where the strum bar would normally reside. It's a layout that makes this axe best suited for play Jeff Healey-style, and with a pocketful of AA batteries you can game your Angel Eyes out wherever you like. No, it's not the most ergonomic portable 2600 we've ever seen, or most practical, but is certainly is the most badass.

[Via technabob]

Darth 64 mega-mod results in portable N64 that breathes funny


We wouldn't go so far as to say that the apprentice has become the teacher, but over three years after modder extraordinaire Benjamin Heckendorn crafted his very own portable Nintendo 64, along comes one of his dedicated followers with another take on things. The Darth 64 is easily one of the most convoluted console hacks we've ever seen, utilizing bits and pieces from an N64, PSOne, GameCube and a Lazer Doodle. Somehow or another, hailrazer was able to actually make those seemingly unrelated components work together to form a "handheld" N64 console -- one that's battery powered, no less. Tap the read link for lots more construction pics, and don't forget to bow down upon entering.

[Via NintendoWiiFanboy]

Toaster Computer is fine for email, useless for Pop Tarts


After discovering the Scan Toaster a few days ago (and who can forget the Nintoaster?) we had really high hopes for Gordon Johnson's Toaster Computer Project. Unfortunately, though it sounds exotic (like some sort of WiFi, dual-core, programmable toaster oven), the Toaster Computer turns out to be little more than a PC housed in the classic Black & Decker Toast-It-All 4-Slice Toaster enclosure. There are a plethora of photos -- and a YouTube video -- to take you through the process (complete with a stomach churning trance techno version of "The Final Countdown" on the soundtrack). According to Johnson, the next step will be to replace the machine's "regular cooling method" (also known as a "fan") with a thermoelectric cooling process he calls the "Passive Laxative Copper Cooler Concept." We look forward to seeing how that turns out. Video after the break.

[Via Hack A Day]

Custom Toyota MR2 carputer presents the ultimate distraction for drivers


This insanely kitted out Toyota MR2 is being put up for sale by its owner somewhere in Germany -- he's a highly motivated seller, provided you have the prerequisite electronics and programming (especially Visual Basic) skills. The standard gauges and indicators in the car have been removed, replaced with touch screens and a console mounted iDrive knob, offering the pilot of this machine control over almost every aspect of its operation: climate control, GPS, fuel consumption, mirrors, radar/laser, wireless transfer of music from a home computer, lights, fog lights... and the all-important VCD playback. Also listed on the original posting is something called the "police button" which "virtually controls the police." This might have been something that Google mistranslated, but we prefer to think otherwise.

[Via Autoblog]

Cythbot Guitar Hero robot uncomfortably demonstrated on video


Not that we haven't seen robotic Guitar Hero masters before, but Cyth Systems' egotistically named Cythbot is just a full cut above the rest. Boasting some of the most advanced, high-dollar equipment known to mankind (okay, so maybe that's a stretch, but just barely), the creation uses a highly sophisticated viewing method to determine which notes to hit, and it can even decide whether slamming the whammy bar is a good idea or not. Too bad you'll be entirely too distracted by the introverted hosts to even notice how awesome this thing is, but the video's in the read link if you care to try.

Nintoaster mod makes NES games tastier than ever


This toaster may only have one setting, but that setting is NES, and that's good enough for us. Created by the same console modder behind the monstrous Super Genintari, this project is certainly a good deal less ambitious than that endeavor, but it hits all the right marks nonetheless, including a functional front lever that acts as a power switch, and some red LEDs that light up your cart but probably won't do much for your toast. Be sure to hit up the link below for plenty more pics and a look at the complete build process.

PSP and 360 Chatpad are a match hacked in heaven


Some dedicated hackers have finally managed to get the PSP and Microsoft's Xbox 360 Chatpad typing. There are still a few kinks to smooth out, but the hard part seems over, with l0rdnic0 managing a tiny bit of soldiering using a PSP remote cable and some software from the Open Keyboard Project. It's all still pretty nerdy at the moment, and we're still miffed at that Logic 3 getting cancelled way back when, but we suppose this will have to do.

Modder shoves VIA EPIA-based PC into 15-inch LCD, calls her i-EPIA


Okay, so maybe those all-in-one PCs have their positives, but seriously, who really looks forward to paying good money for something that's so impossible to upgrade? Tim Schellekens sure doesn't, and rather than biting the bullet, he chose to snap up one of VIA's EPIA motherboards, an old school 15-inch LCD and a bit of fiberglass. The four pages waiting for you in the read link detail the transformation, and while we personally wouldn't have gone to such extremes (buying two monitors to get one?) just to craft our own web surfing desktop, we definitely admire the dedication. Behold, i-EPIA.

[Thanks, Ewan]

Dell's Mini 9 tear-down reveals a modders' playground

Here you go modders and Eee PC lovers: Dell Mini 9 tear-down gore courtesy of the boys from Round Rock themselves. The Dell service manual has been posted on-line and reveals the Mini 9 as a modders paradise. So go ahead, impress us, we'd like some extra memory and disk space by the end of next week, k thanks.

[Via jkkmobile]



AOL News

Other Weblogs Inc. Network blogs you might be interested in: