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[Pebble ties itself up in Twine: sounds so rustic, couldn't be any less (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/11/pebble-twine-connectivity/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/11/pebble-twine-connectivity/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/11/pebble-twine-connectivity/#comments Pebble ties itself up in Twine: sounds so rustic, couldn't be any less (video)

Take an e-ink e-paper smartwatch that's got plenty of willing customers, throw in a WiFi-connected sensor box and well, imagine the possibilities. The founders behind Pebble and Twine hope you are, because they have announced that the pair will be connectable through the latter's web-based interface. This means you'll be able to setup text notifications to your wrist when your laundry's done, when someone's at your door and plenty more mundane real-world tasks. A brief video explains how it should all go down, but try not to get too excited -- pre-orders are sadly sold out.

Continue reading Pebble ties itself up in Twine: sounds so rustic, couldn't be any less (video)

Pebble ties itself up in Twine: sounds so rustic, couldn't be any less (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 May 2012 16:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AccelerometerArduinoCrowdsourcingDIYHackHackingHTTPKickstarterminipostpebbleProgrammingSensorSmartWatchSupermechanicalThermometertwineTwittervideoWiFi SensorWifiSensorFri, 11 May 2012 16:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Matt Richardson turns Arduino, Twitter and lasers into art (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/26/matt-richardson-turns-arduino-twitter-and-lasers-into-art-vide/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/26/matt-richardson-turns-arduino-twitter-and-lasers-into-art-vide/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/26/matt-richardson-turns-arduino-twitter-and-lasers-into-art-vide/#comments Fade Away 1 Matt Richardson's genius has never really been in question. The Make Live host and compulsive hacker has built an impressive library of creations, ranging from a Google Reader pedal to an email-triggered Christmas tree. The man's works are definitely art, in their own way, but his new project, Fade Away 1, is the first that we could easily see taking up residence in a SoHo gallery. At the heart of the installation is an Arduino (of course) that pulls in posts from Twitter with the phrase "fade away" in them. The same AVR chip then "prints" those tweets on phosphorescent paper with a UV laser mounted on a servo -- as the energy dissipates, the messages slowly disappear. And, if you're wondering what the "1" at the end of the title means, Richardson plans to continuously improve the project. For some more details about the next iteration and to see the current one in action, check out the videos after the break.

Continue reading Matt Richardson turns Arduino, Twitter and lasers into art (video)

Matt Richardson turns Arduino, Twitter and lasers into art (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Dec 2011 11:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arduinoartDIYdo it yourselfDoItYourselffade awayfade away 1FadeAwayFadeAway1hacklaserlasersmake liveMakeLivematt richardsonMattRichardsontwittervideoMon, 26 Dec 2011 11:18:00 EST<![CDATA[eSleeper combines cats, Arduino and Twitter in an eMac shell (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/esleeper-combines-cats-arduino-and-twitter-in-an-emac-shell-vi/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/esleeper-combines-cats-arduino-and-twitter-in-an-emac-shell-vi/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/esleeper-combines-cats-arduino-and-twitter-in-an-emac-shell-vi/#comments eSleeper If we had to imagine our dream DIY project chances are it would involve Arduino, Twitter and, of course, cats. How we'd combine those things we're not sure, but we'll admit to being big fans of Samuel Cox's eSleeper, which turns a hollowed-out eMac into a bed for his feline. Inside the shell is an Arduino Ethernet connected to an IR sensor, some LEDs and a sound shield. When the cat breaks the infrared beam it triggers the iconic Mac chime and turns on a series color-shifting LEDs for a little mood lighting. From there the clock starts ticking. When little Fluffy (Captain Whiskers? Matlock? Penny? Greg?) decides she's had enough napping and leaves the white plastic cocoon, tripping the IR sensor again, a random phrase is tweeted, along with the length of the cat's siesta. Check out the video after the break to see the eSleeper in all its adorable DIY glory.

Continue reading eSleeper combines cats, Arduino and Twitter in an eMac shell (video)

eSleeper combines cats, Arduino and Twitter in an eMac shell (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 06:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applearduinoarduino ethernetArduinoEthernetcatcatsDIYdo it yourselfDoItYourselfemacmacsamuel coxSamuelCoxtwittervideoThu, 01 Dec 2011 06:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Insert Coin: Twine connects your whole world to the internet]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/24/insert-coin-twine-connects-your-whole-world-to-the-internet/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/24/insert-coin-twine-connects-your-whole-world-to-the-internet/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/24/insert-coin-twine-connects-your-whole-world-to-the-internet/#commentsIn Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line.

Wouldn't it be great if your laundry emailed you when it had finished? You got a tweet every time the room got too cold, or your basement sent you a text if it began to flood? "Easy," says the Arduino expert in the peanut gallery, but what about those with neither the time nor inclination to solder and program it from scratch? Fortunately, the gentlemen who founded Supermechanical feel our pain and have just the tonic for our maladies -- head on past the break to find out more.

Continue reading Insert Coin: Twine connects your whole world to the internet

Insert Coin: Twine connects your whole world to the internet originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Nov 2011 12:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AccelerometerArduinoCrowdsourcingDIYFundingHackHackingHTTPInsert CoinInsertCoinKickstarterProgrammingSensorSupermechanicalThermometerTwineTwitterWiFi SensorWifiSensorThu, 24 Nov 2011 12:18:00 EST<![CDATA[Tweephone is a rotary phone Twitter client, even your grandma could love]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/01/tweephone-is-a-rotary-phone-twitter-client-even-your-grandma-co/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/01/tweephone-is-a-rotary-phone-twitter-client-even-your-grandma-co/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/01/tweephone-is-a-rotary-phone-twitter-client-even-your-grandma-co/#comments Tweephone The collectives behind the Tweephone, UP digital Bureau and Unteleported tech agency, claim that it's the first analog Twitter client. We find that hard to believe but, while we've seen rotary phone-based Twitter tools before and analog meters that measure microblogging activity, we couldn't come up with a single example of a client that lets you punch in messages through non-digital means. Even if it's not the first of its kind, the Tweephone is still a pretty neat hack. Inside the old-school chassis is the ubiquitous Arduino, which interprets your pulls of the dial as letters. Like a phone with only a dial pad, you'll have to ring up numbers multiple times to get the right letter (i.e. dial "2" three times to get a "c"). It definitely not the most efficient method for sending out 140-character missives, but certainly one of the more unique. Check out the video after the break to see it in action.

Continue reading Tweephone is a rotary phone Twitter client, even your grandma could love

Tweephone is a rotary phone Twitter client, even your grandma could love originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 19:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>analoganalog twitter clientAnalogTwitterClientarduinoDIYdo it yourselfDoItYourselfrotaryrotary phoneRotaryPhonetweephonetwitterunteleported tech agencyUnteleportedTechAgencyUP digital bureauUpDigitalBureauvideoTue, 01 Nov 2011 19:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Beeri: Siri's new best friend cracks open a cold one (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/21/beeri-siris-new-best-friend-cracks-open-a-cold-one-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/21/beeri-siris-new-best-friend-cracks-open-a-cold-one-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/21/beeri-siris-new-best-friend-cracks-open-a-cold-one-video/#comments Beeri We already know that Siri can send texts, check the weather or find you a restaurant, but did you know she can also fetch you a beer. Well, sort of... with a little hacking. The folks at Redpepper dreamed up Beeri, an RC truck that cracks open a can of brew whenever it receives a tweet instructing it to "pour." Since you can text updates to Twitter (40404) and Siri can text, that means it's perfectly simple to tell Beeri it's Miller time. Whenever the Arduino embedded in the truck detects a mention with the word "pour," it drives forward, slamming a beer can into a puncture wall that drips into a funnel, filling a cup beneath the table top. It's a pretty ingenious system, and you can see it in action after the break. We just hope Beeri has a day job -- looking at all that head, it's clear she wouldn't last a day as a bartender.

Continue reading Beeri: Siri's new best friend cracks open a cold one (video)

Beeri: Siri's new best friend cracks open a cold one (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Oct 2011 15:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apple iphone 4sAppleIphone4sarduinobeerbeeridiydo it yourselfDoItYourselfhackiphone 4sIphone4srobotrobotssirisiri virtual assistantSiriVirtualAssistanttwittervideovoice controlVoiceControlFri, 21 Oct 2011 15:39:00 EST<![CDATA[Web-controlled tweeting Roomba is a perfect storm of DIY magic]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/17/web-controlled-tweeting-roomba-is-a-perfect-storm-of-diy-magic/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/17/web-controlled-tweeting-roomba-is-a-perfect-storm-of-diy-magic/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/17/web-controlled-tweeting-roomba-is-a-perfect-storm-of-diy-magic/#comments Web-controlled tweeting Roomba There are three things that will guarantee your DIY project some attention: slap it on a Roomba, base it on Arduino, or make it tweet. Do all three and, well, you've got a nerdgasm-inducing bit of Make fodder. The creation you see above is a web-controlled tweeting Roomba whipped up by Instructables member matchlighter using a 500 series vacuum bot and the Sparkfun WiFly shield for Arduino. The autonomous cleaner can be triggered from anywhere there's an internet connection and updates Twitter to keep you abreast of its status (Ahh! Dock sweet dock). While Mr. matchlighter was kind enough provide directions for building your own, a lot of the actual coding is left up to you. (We're lazy, let us just copy and paste dammit!) If you think you've got the programming chops, hit up the source link for instructions and check out the original's Twitter feed at the more coverage link.

Update: The complete code is in step eight of the Instructable.

Web-controlled tweeting Roomba is a perfect storm of DIY magic originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Jun 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arduinoDIYdo it yourselfDoItYourselfinstructablesmatchlightrobotrobotsRoombaroomba 500 seriesRoomba500Seriessparkfunsparkfun wifly shieldSparkfunWiflyShieldtweeting roombaTweetingRoombatwitterweb-controlled roombaweb-controlled tweeting roombaWeb-controlledRoombaWeb-controlledTweetingRoombawifly shieldWiflyShieldFri, 17 Jun 2011 13:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Twitter-enabled LED table lets you get your Lite-Brite on from afar]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/27/twitter-enabled-led-table-lets-you-get-your-lite-brite-on-from-a/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/27/twitter-enabled-led-table-lets-you-get-your-lite-brite-on-from-a/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/27/twitter-enabled-led-table-lets-you-get-your-lite-brite-on-from-a/#comments
Well, here's a bit of a twist on the ever popular DIY Twitter gadget. Rather than controlling a device via Twitter, or having a device simply display or read tweets aloud, the folks behind this LED-stuffed table have taken a slightly more artistic approach by relying on the tweeting masses to generate patterns of light on the table. That's done with a combination of a hashtag and a specific format for entering colors and coordinates, which head first for a MacBook Pro before being transmitted to the table via Bluetooth. Not content to leave it there, the table's creators have even set up a live USTREAM feed to let you see the results of your tweet. Hit up the link below to try it out for yourself.

Twitter-enabled LED table lets you get your Lite-Brite on from afar originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 27 Feb 2010 05:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>diyhomebrewledled tableLedTablelive twitter tableLiveTwitterTabletabletwittertwitter led tableTwitterLedTableSat, 27 Feb 2010 05:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Twitter-powered robotic popcorn machine: media snacker deluxe]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/07/twitter-powered-robotic-popcorn-machine-media-snacker-deluxe/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/07/twitter-powered-robotic-popcorn-machine-media-snacker-deluxe/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/07/twitter-powered-robotic-popcorn-machine-media-snacker-deluxe/#comments Reading people's annoying "I'm eating such-and-such" tweets gets pretty tiring (though we're just as guilty as the next guy when we have a particularly impressive petit four). Someone with even more time on their hands than us had taken it upon themselves to make a little contraption that, it could be argued, increases Twitter's usefulness just a little. Popcorn Tweets (as it's called) was built using Lego's Mindstorm NXT and is powered by Labview software. Triggered by a #popcorn tweet, the machine's motor is driven by a belt which turns an Archimedes' screw, which in turn moves a kernal of unpopped corn from the hopper to the popper. Of course, you could always just get a bag of Orville Redenbacher's microwave corn, but then... where's the fun in that? The semi-annoying video is after the break.

Continue reading Twitter-powered robotic popcorn machine: media snacker deluxe

Twitter-powered robotic popcorn machine: media snacker deluxe originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 07 Feb 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>diyinternetmachinesmedia snackingMediaSnackingpopcornpopcorn tweetsPopcornTweetstweetstwittervideoSun, 07 Feb 2010 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Twittering Arduino-powered laser tripwire captures trespassers -- digitally (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/05/twittering-arduino-powered-laser-tripwire-captures-trespassers/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/05/twittering-arduino-powered-laser-tripwire-captures-trespassers/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/05/twittering-arduino-powered-laser-tripwire-captures-trespassers/#commentsTwittering Arduino-powered laser tripwire captures trespassers -- digitally (video)
Spare a thought for the modern thief. They have to face off against phones that can broadcast their location, laptops that lock themselves down, a LoJack service for iPods, and now a laser tripwire that can twitter pictures of unwanted visitors. It's a decidedly DIY Arduino-based project, but unlike many similarly powered offerings that we hit, this one is described as being very easy -- as far as Arduino-based projects go, anyway. Check out the instructions at the read link, or just enjoy the little demo video after the break if you're feeling lazy.

Continue reading Twittering Arduino-powered laser tripwire captures trespassers -- digitally (video)

Twittering Arduino-powered laser tripwire captures trespassers -- digitally (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jan 2010 03:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arduinoarduinotripwirediyinstructableslaser tripwireLaserTripwiresecuritytripwiretwittertwitteringTue, 05 Jan 2010 03:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Device judges your pulse and Tweets its findings to your parents and Ashton Kutcher]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/28/device-judges-your-pulse-and-shares-the-results-with-your-mom-an/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/28/device-judges-your-pulse-and-shares-the-results-with-your-mom-an/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/28/device-judges-your-pulse-and-shares-the-results-with-your-mom-an/#comments
What's creepier than automatically informing Twitter every time your unborn child kicks his mother's womb? Giving all your Twitter followers a live feed of your heartbeat, including canned messages to announce your death in case you cease pumping Cheeto-infused blood through your goth-nerdy veins. This Japanese DIY project has open source schematics and is designed to bypass a PC and send the news of your heart hiccups directly the internet. Check out the appropriately dramatic video after the break.

Continue reading Device judges your pulse and Tweets its findings to your parents and Ashton Kutcher

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Device judges your pulse and Tweets its findings to your parents and Ashton Kutcher originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 28 Jun 2009 11:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>diyhackheart beatHeartBeatpulsetwitterSun, 28 Jun 2009 11:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Intelligent cat door utilizes Twitter, RFID masterfully]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/09/intelligent-cat-door-utilizes-twitter-rfid-masterfully/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/09/intelligent-cat-door-utilizes-twitter-rfid-masterfully/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/09/intelligent-cat-door-utilizes-twitter-rfid-masterfully/#comments
What goes well with a communication-enabled water dish? Why, a Twitter / RFID-enabled kitty door, of course! The so-called Tweeting Cat Door is undoubtedly the most hilarious, insightful and useful DIY contraption we've ever seen to wed RFID, social networking and computer programming. Essentially, this homegrown cat door was crafted to only open when Gus or Penny walks up with their super special RFID tags; once they approach, a mounted camera snaps a picture and uploads it (along with a quip) to Twitter. Don't deny it -- your feline is steaming with envy from the corner of your desk right now.

[Via Switched]

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Intelligent cat door utilizes Twitter, RFID masterfully originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Apr 2009 00:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animalanimalscatcat doorCatDoordiyrfidsocial networkingSocialNetworkingtwitterThu, 09 Apr 2009 00:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Washing machine hacked to tweet when the load's done: @maytag, you listening?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/03/washing-machine-hacked-to-tweet-when-the-loads-done-maytag-y/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/03/washing-machine-hacked-to-tweet-when-the-loads-done-maytag-y/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/03/washing-machine-hacked-to-tweet-when-the-loads-done-maytag-y/#comments We're truthfully not sure what's cooler: the fact that the above pictured washing machine tweets when it's done, or the fact that the above pictured washing machine still works. We're guessing that the geeks in the crowd would argue that it's clearly the former, and for those interested in a little proof / explanation, you can head on past the break for a video demonstration. But just so you know, it's highly unlikely that your Twittering washer will have any diehard followers.

[Via technabob]

Continue reading Washing machine hacked to tweet when the load's done: @maytag, you listening?

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Washing machine hacked to tweet when the load's done: @maytag, you listening? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 03 Jan 2009 06:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>diyhackslaundrymodmodstwittervideowashing machineWashingMachineSat, 03 Jan 2009 06:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Ganzbot reads Twitter feeds aloud, looks fashionably low-rate]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/21/video-ganzbot-reads-twitter-feeds-aloud-looks-fashionably-low/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/21/video-ganzbot-reads-twitter-feeds-aloud-looks-fashionably-low/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/21/video-ganzbot-reads-twitter-feeds-aloud-looks-fashionably-low/#comments
We've seen methods for hooking house plants up with their own Twitter account, but there's hardly anything more satisfying that building a robot to read back all those feeds from the thousands of people you're undoubtedly following. Ganzbot is a decidedly low-budget robot that relies on an Arduino Decima to control the head actions and a USB cable to receive up-to-date status information. Have a look at the innards as well as a few words being spoken just after the jump.

[Via MAKE]

Continue reading Video: Ganzbot reads Twitter feeds aloud, looks fashionably low-rate

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Video: Ganzbot reads Twitter feeds aloud, looks fashionably low-rate originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Aug 2008 07:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ArduinoDecimadiyemotionemotionalemotional robotEmotionalRobotfeelingsGanzbotinteractionservosocial networkingSocialNetworkingtwitterusbvideoThu, 21 Aug 2008 07:33:00 EST