Here’s a cool LED HOWTO guide including how to power LEDs using DC or AC.

LED lights are extremely efficient compared to standard incandescent lighting. No other lighting source outputs as many lumens per watt. They are particularly efficient at producing a single color of light. Other light sources have to produce the entire spectrum and optically filter out unwanted colors. However, LEDs can be manufactured to produce only one wavelength of light. This makes them particularly useful in stop lights.

Another advantage to LEDs is their operating temperature. Most available today can be function for hours and remain cool to the touch. Directionality is another key property. They only emit light over a relatively small angle. This can be advantageous for reading lights, but hinders performance when attempting to light an entire room.

If the advantages of LED lighting interest you, Myths Busted, LED Lighting is an excellent article by a researcher in outdoor lighting solutions. (And the source of most my information.)

Here’s a little simple hack for making a mesh wire wireless LAN extender.
Check out the video they’ve got here.  It also includes elevator hack, which we thought was
kinda cool.

Ah, here’s a way I can call my parents overseas!
Update: There is also 712-945-1111 if the number below is busy.

Michael Gartenberg from Jupiter Research spotted this odd phone service for making free international calls, you call a number in Iowa (712-858-8883) and according to the site… “When the gateway answers, enter 011 then the country code and number you want to reach (mobile users, do not hit SEND - the call will go through on it’s own). Wait a few moments for your call to ring through and then enjoy your free call.”

via

Here’s a cool little tiny wireless motion sensor you can make for the spies in all of us.

The idea was to put together a movie spy-gadget grade device both on the cheap and very small. Usually the gadgets you see in movies are fictionally created by well-funded government agencies with top scientists. It’s not all Hollywood magic - you too can create fun spy gadgets without needing to break the bank!
Ah, my old friend, the TX433. As seen on my wireless color-changing abstract decoration writeup, the TX433 transmits any signal over the 433MHz unlicensed radio band to the receiver. It’s currently available at the Canadian QKits, or you can find similar modules on eBay (look for 433 transmitter). These things are wicked awesome - they pack a whole lot of usefulness into a tiny, tiny package.

In my implementation, since the motion sensor only puts out a logic high pulse, I needed to use an IC to generate a sound when the motion is detected. This was accomplished with the HT12E Remote Control Encoder IC, but you can use a simple oscillator or sound effect IC or whatever you want. The idea is to make something audible so the receiver can pick it up. Hookup is easy - the HT12E just needs power and a resistor for its oscillator. The pulse from the motion sensor powers the HT12E encoder and the transmitter. This way the transmitter and encoder aren’t powered when they don’t need to be, saving mondo battery life.

Here’s how you can snarf someone else’s cellphone using bluetooth.

In this Real Hustle segment, you’ll see just how easy it is for someone to take “control of your mobile phone and make premium rate phonecalls over Bluetooth without you even realising.

Video after the jump.

via

Continue reading ‘Bluetooth HACK - Bluetooth Snarfing and make free calls’

Here’s a cool master lock pick using some tooth brush thingee…

nice job guys! :0) and a happy new year!

don’t pick too many locks that’s illegal this year!

Often when it comes to true invention and discovery, crossing the line of ethics of the day leads to great discoveries. There seems to be several areas of humanity that create social boundaries preventing discoveries of all types. Lets all take a moment to reflect on the nature of humanity.. Ok that was enough of that! Supposed ethical boundaries have often stymied the progression of insight both to our surroundings, but also into our self’s. It is in one of these perceived dark recesses of humanity that I have felt like delving into with this project. Any type of project that effects perception of security and stability of life is never popular. While lock picking is nothing new, for those who know nothing about it, it often shocks and scares people with its ease and sharp reality.

Here’s a preview of the new HTC 4350. Looks nice but at 200Mhz,
I don’t if it will be fast enough…

“Pdagold” gives us a short hands-on preview of the HTC Herald aka 4350. This Smartphone features TI OMAP 800 (200-MHz) processor, 128MB ROM, 64MB RAM, 2.8-inch QVGA touchscreen display, Bluetooth 2.0, 802.11b/g Wi-Fi, and EDGE. Product page.

via

Here’s a cool binary clock DIY. Click here for Finished product and schematics.

via