Technabob » adafruit

Adafruit iNecklace: Open Source Jewelry

Range — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 11:30:06 +0000

Check out the iNecklace, which is actually a piece of jewelry that you could replicate if you really want to, but you can also buy one if you’d rather not make one yourself. The unique part of this piece is that it pulsates, kind of like what the LEDs on a Mac do.

It’s made out of CNC-machined aluminum with an LED inside which pulsates for up to 72 hours at a time. Each of the necklaces contains a tiny circuit board to make it work. The pendant is silver. It’s the perfect geek gift for yourself or your significant other.

Since it’s open-source, you can make it yourself. Through Adafruit, you can access all of the files necessary to duplicate it. Or you could simply buy a completed iNecklace for $75(USD) from Gizmine.

[via DesignYouTrust]

Intruderchron Space Invaders Clock: It’S Pixel Time!

Range — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:23:15 +0000

Modder Dataman recently got his hands on Adafruit’s Monochron Pong Clock and massaged it into this cool Space Invaders clock – nicknamed the Intruderchron. Even though originally, the video game Space Invaders came out 6 years after Pong, the Space Invaders clock uses the same hardware as the Pong clock.

Dataman upgraded the firmware, and we have to say that overall, the effect is pretty hypnotic. The Pong clock was also cool, but it would be best if Dataman’s next clock were able to switch between different classic games, so you don’t have to buy multiple Monochrons.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Dataman has shared his code, so if you can hack it or modify it to play different games if you want. You can get your own Monochron kit at Adafruit Industries’ online store for $80 (USD).

[via Hack A Day]

Monochron Pong Clock is a Lot Geekier Than It Looks Like

Lambert Varias — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 12:54:40 +0000

Sander Mulder made a Pong Clock way back in 2005, but Limor Fried of Adafruit Industries ups the ante with the Monochron, a Pong-themed clock for tinkerers. If you want to have one you better know how to solder, because the Monochron will be delivered to you unassembled, and by that I mean you’ll have to install all the resistors and capacitors yourself.

By default, the Monochron can not only display the time – and a game of Pong that will literally go on until the end of time – but the date and year as well. It can also be used as an alarm clock, and the contrast of the LCD is adjustable. If your modding and hacking skills go way beyond basic soldering, you’ll be happy to know that it’s made to be “easily hackable”.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

You can get the Monochron kit at Adafruit Industries’ online store for $80 (USD).

[via Retro Thing]

Fuzebox: Retro 8-Bit Gaming Goes Open Source

Technabob — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 12:00:29 +0000

Always thought you could improve on the gameplay of Tetris? Fancy yourself the creator of the next Super Mario Brothers? Thanks to this open source gaming system – if you’ve got the programming chops, you’ve got the chance to make the next great 8-bit video game.

The Fuzebox is a complete 8-bit gaming platform in a box that’s not much bigger than a pack of cigarettes.

Based on the open source Uzebox project, the Fuzebox is a ready-to-go kit from the folks over at Adafruit. The DIY 8-bit console is capable of cranking out 256 colors at a 240×224 resolution. The system has full video and audio capabilities on board, and can output to any monitor with an RCA or S-Video jack. You can play games with a standard NES or SNES controller.

Coding for Fuzebox/Uzebox requires knowledge of the C programming language. Just write your games on any computer, and transfer them via a USB-to-Serial cable to move them to the Fuzebox. There’s also a handy emulator available for you to test your programs before you move ‘em to your Fuzebox.

Curious to see what it can do? Here are a couple of demo videos running on an early prototype of the Uzebox platform:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

The basic Fuzebox kit (just the circuit board and parts) will run you $70 (USD), while a complete starter kit with a controller, power adapter and a custom enclosure for $100. You can get your hands on the kit along with schematics, programming instructions and some sample code over at Adafruit. A number of game examples and demos can be found on the Uzebox forums.

Drawdio Music Pencil Lets You Doodle Electronic Sounds

Technabob — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 12:45:22 +0000

Feeling musically inclined, but haven’t the time or knowledge to write sheet music? Now you can produce your own sonic creations simply by doodling on a piece of paper.

Designed by Adafruit (in collaboration with Jay Silver), Drawdio is an analog synthesizer circuit that straps to any soft-leaded pencil, and lets you crank out electronic sounds while you sketch. The kit takes advantage of the conductive properties of the graphite in the pencil lead, and produces a veritable cacophony of sounds as you put pencil to paper.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

So maybe you can’t call those otherworldly bleeps, beeps and squeaks “music”, but with enough practice you might be able to carry a basic tune… or you could give one of these a try the next time you have to fill in all those perfect little circles on your SAT or GMAT exam. I’m sure the test administrator would love that.

Adafruit sells the Drawdio kit for $19.50 (USD), including the circuit board, all necessary hardware and a 2B pencil. You’ll need basic soldering skills to put Drawdio together, so don’t expect it to work without some experience building electronic kits.

The Brain Machine Will Make Your Head Spin

Technabob — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 20:23:03 +0000

The guys over at MAKE recently showed visitors how to make a “Brain Machine”, a trippy looking device which reaches into your mind and helps you to chill out. Now, thanks to the miracle of modern science, you can buy one in kit form and try it on for yourself.

The Brain Machine Kit comes from the mind of Mitch Altman, the same guy responsible for the deliciously devious TV-B-Gone remote control.

Just slip on the Brain Machine’s meditation glasses and headphones, close your eyelids, tune in, turn on and drop out. A hacked version of Adafruit’s Mini-POV microcontroller kit pulses the Brain Machine’s LEDs and sound generators to sync your noggin up with beta, alpha, theta, and delta brainwaves.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

As the device and your brain get on the same page, you be lulled into a trance-like state. (or maybe an acid-trip-like state, depending on how you feel about these things). Ready to take a trip? The Brain Machine Kit is now available from the MakerSHED for $34.99.