Techno Tweak
Tweak the Tech
iPhone Hacked to Run Google’s Android
Apr 25th
iPhone Hacked to Run Google’s Android
A member of the iPhone Dev Team (the hackers who jailbreak the iPad and iPhone) has successfully installed Google’s Android OS on an iPhone. It’s an early version of the hack, so it’s a little buggy, but it’s definitely working as you can see in the video below. Currently, it only runs on the original iPhone but it’s just a matter of time before it’s running on the 3G and 3Gs.
Oh, and did we mention that you can dual boot the iPhone OS and Android? You can! That means you’ll be able to use all of the 38,000 Android apps (some of which are banned from the iPhone) as well as your old iPhone apps.
How to Make your Own Ringtones
Apr 20th
How to Make your Own Ringtones
Are you one of those people who changes their ringtones frequently? If so, you may be surprised to learn that there are many online tools that allow you to create your own ringtones within a matter of minutes. To get started, visit one of the most popular online services that offer the ability below:
- Makeownringtone.com. With this site you have a variety of options when it comes to uploadable formats. You can choose from MP3, MP4, QCP, OGG, AAC, and MMF.
- Audiko.net. This is one of the most popular services for creating your own ringtone. Upload your song, take the excerpt that you want to act as your ringtone, and start the download process.
- Mobicious.com. By offering a free service, Mobicious.com has a leg up on the competition. All you have to do is upload your MP3, clip the portion that you want to use, and turn it into a ringtone that can be instantly sent to your cell phone.
Once you find a service you enjoy, you can create as many ringtones as you want while being assured that each one is 100 percent unique. If you want to learn to edit MP3, wav and other audio files, use audacity to create custom ringtones.
Screw with People Who Steal your WiFi
Apr 20th
Screw with People Who Steal your WiFi
My neighbors are stealing my wireless internet access. I could encrypt it or alternately I couldhave fun. With a few snippets of code here, a little copy and pasting there…and you can invert their browser, make the page blurry, and more.
Step 1: Split the Network – I’m starting here by splitting the network into two parts, the trusted half and the untrusted half. The trusted half has one netblock, the untrusted a different netblock. We use the DHCP server to identify mac addresses to give out the relevant addresses. I could definately have some fun with this…just think of the possibilities… Read more.
Wifi Detecting Bumper Sticker For the Geek on the Road
Apr 18th
Wifi Detecting Bumper Sticker For the Geek on the Road
By using electroluminescent parts from ThinkGeek’s epic Wifi-Detection shirt ($20), this modder created a sweet wifi-detecting bumper sticker. It’s a super simple project you can build yourself an EL bumper sticker in a few hours with outstanding results.
The Wi-Fi sensing T-Shirt is $20 at ThinkGeek and you can pick up some El-Wire and El-sheets fairly cheap on eBay.
The power for the display is provided by the car’s 12v supply using a USB 5v adapter. The power connectors go through the tail lights so it only lights up at night. All that’s left is attaching the whole EL display to the rear window with some fabric double stick tape.
Powerful AA Battery to USB Device Charger
Apr 17th
Powerful AA Battery to USB Device Charger
Need a highly portable USB power source that can be replenished with readily available, common batteries? Â Look no further my friends 
. Â Inspired by the original Minty Boost project, this modder managed to shove 4-AA batteries into an Altoids tin to charge any USBpowered device. Â So if you don’t have your laptop or PC nearby, simply pull out your Altiods tin and plug in your device!
Epic PSP Mod includes LEDs, Camera, Joystick + More
Apr 17th
Epic PSP Mod includes LEDs, Camera, Joystick + More
This modder began with a stock PSP Slim 2000 and transformed it into what it should have been the day it left the factory. The new model features an extra joystick, 32GB flash memory instead of UMD’s, a second port for charging, built in camera for taking pictures, and a superb emulator.
The custom firmware gives you the ability to emulate just about any retro gaming system from NES, DS, Sega Genesis and N64. You’ll playing your favorites in one hand-held piece of geek heaven. Check out the video below where the modder walking us through some of his upgrades to the PSP.
Simple LED Project: Illuminated Plexiglass Sign
Apr 17th
Simple LED Project: Illuminated Plexiglass Sign
This a great, minimalistic, LED name sign created using a simple setup of plexiglass, LEDs and some cool extra features. Â The author makes the project more complex by throwing in a microcontroller to the mix to change the colors, but you could easily wire up a simple LED circuit without the microcontroller.
Basically, he took a sheet of Plexiglass and mounted it on a rail of LEDs. The LEDs would normally shine straight through the Plexiglas and not create the glowing effect shown above but because the outer edges are scratched, the light is visible and the sign becomes illuminated the light was trapped in the engravings and thus illuminated.
Although he used a homemade CNC Machine to engrave his name, you can use a Dremel and a steady hand to accomplish the same thing. Â Or, send the plexiglass to be engraved professionally if you have extra cash. Â A simple, fun weekend project with beautiful results.
Run Ubuntu Linux from a Thumb Drive in Windows 7
Apr 17th
Run Ubuntu Linux from a Thumb Drive in Windows 7
Many of us who want to have dual operating systems simply split our hard drive and install both. Not exactly a complex procedure these days. WHowever, instead of hassling with partitions, simply install an entire Ubuntu OS on a thumb drive and carry it around in your pocket.
Then, each time you want to run Ubuntu on your Windows PC simply plug in the thumb drive and away you go. Its worth noting that youâre not actually running a separate OS per say. What youâre actually doing is running Ubuntu in Windows as though it was a program. So when you maximise it all you see is the Ubuntu interface.
Whats more, when you make changes or bring new programs into Ubuntu it saves itself. That means that when you plug in the Ubuntu thumb drive at a later date everything will be like you left it as if your PC was actually running Ubuntu. The guide is written in simple language and even contains the video below which will guide you through the whole deal. This doesn’t take a programming genius. All you need is a large thumb drive, the latest edition of Ubuntu.
The tutorial is here
Solar Energy Setup Tutorial = Free Electricity
Apr 17th
Solar Energy Setup Tutorial = Free Electricity
Here’s yet another outstanding tutorial to guide you through the build process. Al tough it may seem a little daunting, the setup is fairly simple and straightforward. If you generate enough energy to power your home, the local city power administration is actually obligated to purchase any extra power from you!
How to Restore an Abused iPhone (or any gadget)
Apr 17th
How to Restore an Abused iPhone (or any gadget)
After a few months of use, our gorgeous new gadgets incured a fair share of dings and scratches. However, all is not lost! Learn how one man bought a horribly abused iPhone on Ebay and polished it up to look brand new. It’s a superb tutorial including both case and screen refurbishing which you can apply to all of your neglected gadgets.
Steps to Resurrection:
- Buy a scratched iPhone on eBay
- Gently dry sand external scratches
- Add some water and wet sand
- Polish with a 3M Headlight Lens Restoration Kit (~$15)
Unfortunately, the Apple logo is erased in the process, but I’d say it’s a worthwhile sacrifice for the outstanding results. But we’re not finished yet! We still have to repair the front screen which was severely cracked.
LCD Repair:
The LCD repair is a slightly more delicate process since we have to remove the entire front of the device and expose its circuitry innards. Nonetheless, it’s not too complex and the image below walks you through the screw removal process.
Materials:
- Replacement iPhone LCD
- Compressed Air ( or bike pump)
- E-xacto blade ( or something flat and thin)
- Small Phillips screwdriver
- Suction cup
With this detailed tutorial, just about anyone can refurbish their scratched and damaged gadgets. It’s pretty cheap too, the 3M cleaning kit costs less than$15 and the screen replacement is less than $10. So what are you waiting for?
