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Permaduino makes your Arduino projects permanent (video)
Arduinos are fun to tinker with, but there's one problem. Once you've built something cool, you pretty much have to tear it down to use your board for another project. Sure, you can always buy multiple Arduino boards or proto shields, but what if you want to turn your creation into something a bit more permanent and a lot more compact? Say hello to Permaduino, a small battery-powered Arduino prototype board that just launched on Indiegogo. It features an Atmega328P (natch), two AAA battery holders with a 3 to 5V DC-DC converter (up to 180mA), a 25-column breadboard with VCC and ground, plus FTDI, AVR-ISP and USB interfaces. Best of all, Permanuino conveniently fits inside a standard 8mm videotape case (as long as you don't mount large components on that breadboard). Interested? Hit the break for the Indiegogo link and campaign video.
Video: Theremin-esque digital synth sure to get Brian Wilson up in arms
The theremin is just one of those instruments that nerds can't stop digging and modding. This newest iteration, the Squaremin, resembles the much-loved instrument in that you don't touch it to play it -- rather you move your hands about to control the octave and output of notes. The Squaremin was made using an ATmega168 chip, and boasts two infrared sensors to measure proximity -- one to control the note played, the other to control the octave which is played out of the front speaker of the instrument. Check out the video after the break.[Via Make]
Fuzebox 8-bit DIY game console, strictly for those who'd rather DIY
What do you give the person who has everything this holiday season? How about a game system without any games? Fuzebox is a homebrew, open source 8-bit game console kit based on an ATmega644 8-bit processor, with a whopping 4K RAM and four-channel MIDI sound. The console plays games written in C, accepts two SNES controllers and should come together in an hour and a half or so, as long as you have some skill with a soldering iron. Seventy bucks will get you a bare bones rig, or for an extra thirty you can go all out -- components, enclosures, a controller, necessary cables and one power adapter. If you're one of those people who like to give your kids educational toys that they'll never use, you're welcome. Even if you're not, there is an action packed video (with obligatory breakbeat soundtrack) of the prototype after the break.[Via Make]
