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iOS 18 Tips, Tricks, How-Tos, News

How To: Breadboard a DIY USB power supply

While breadboarding may seem like some odd combination of snowboarding and consuming the fluffy pastry at the same time, it's actually just the technical term for using a construction base to build a prototype electric circuit. Breadboards are solderless so they're great for circuit design and are reusable.

How To: Make an infrared home alarm system

Kip "Kipkay" Kedersha is known for his intriguing and clever how-to and prank videos, even when he teams up with MAKE Magazine. He will show you how to tweak, hack, mod, and bend any technology to your hacking needs. No electronic device, gadget, or household item can stand the test of Kipkay's hacks and mods.

How To: Extract a spy quality camera & mini-DVR from a Barbie Video Girl fashion doll

Barbie has joined the espionage community, in the form of Barbie Video Girl, and it's time for you to interrogate her to extract those military-grade secrets she has stored in her spy equipment. That's right, Barbie is now equipped with a fully functional digital camera and mini-DVR (digital video recorder), with 256MB of internal memory, which equals roughly 30 minutes or video recording time.

How To: Make a hard drive speaker system

Looking to make use—if not necessarily good use—of your old hard drives? This how-to presents instructions for creating a hard drive speaker system to use in conjunction with an MP3 player. To follow along, you'll need an MP3 player (e.g., the Samsung YP-S3), at least one spare hard disk, wire, a soldering iron, and a screwdriver. For step-by-step instructions on hacking together your own hard drive sound system, take a look.

How To: Make a rechargeable, solar-powered USB battery

An emergency battery charger for your mobile phone comes in handy, but it's not the ultimate solution; once it's dead it's useless (what a waste). If you want to really get off the metaphorical grid, you can follow the steps in this video to construct a more robust circuit that will not only bail you out of an inconvenient situation but also recharge in between uses. The simple addition of a low voltage solar panel and rechargeable batteries makes this possible. Enjoy!

How To: Make a pair of high-tech night vision sunglasses

In this video tutorial you will learn how to make a pair of high tech night vision sunglasses. You will first need a pair of 100% clear sunglasses with nothing but UV protection. Then two sheets of theatrical photo gels, one congo blue and one primary red. Using the gasses as a template, outline the lens shape and gently cut out one pair of each gel. Secure the red gels first using glue, and then apply the blue gels over the red ones. Now you're going to need 8 high intensity infrared LEDs. S...

How To: Build a Morse code telegraph

Keeping secrets out of the wrong hands warrants desperate measures—or maybe just sensical. If you have a secret, the best way to protect it is with a code—and the best way to transfer that secret message is via an electronic telegraph system. This video will show you how to make your own homemade electronic telegraph machine, so that you can send those encrypted Morse code messages to your friends without fear of prosecution.

How To: Convert a coaxial jack into a Ethernet jack

This video shows you how to use any coaxial jack in your home to convert into a ethernet connection. It's simpler than you might think. So simple, in fact, that this video guide can present a complete, step-by-step walkthrough of the process in just under five minutes' time. For instructions, and to get started converting your own cable jacks, take a look.

How To: Spin cotton candy in a bottle cap

This confectionery hacking how-to video demonstrates that, with an electric motor, juice lids, battery and sugar, you can make your own cotton candy machine. Don't wait for a carnival or fair to get your next taste of sweet, sweet cotton candy. Watch this video tutorial to see this hack in action and to learn how to build your own bottle-cap candy floss machine.

How To: Build a laser effects light show

A laser light show is possible to replicate with the diffraction grating effect. Different laser effects can be created using a variety of materials: small motors and diffraction grating pieces, and mirrors. It's possible to create searchlights, crystal balls, spring patterns, a Galvanometer effect, and a spider web. Watch this video circuitry tutorial series and learn how to replicate professional laser show techniques for recreational use at home, or as an accompaniment to music or any pseu...

How To: Hack a six volt lantern battery

Find out how to use a six volt lantern battery to really save you money. This is no con, or prank, or joke that involves 32 AA batteries; this is the real deal. Just watch this money saving video tutorial to see how to hack a six volt battery. You can easily replace a few of this cells, which are equal to 3 D batteries, which can be used inside of your Maglite flashlight. Don't let that 6 volt battery go to waste after buying it for the other false hack, use them in any way you can, like this...

How To: Make a DTV antenna & a steadicam

Learn how to make a DTV antenna & a steadicam. Digital converter box? Check! Great reception? Not so much. John Park shows how to take a fistful of wire coat hangers and make a TV antenna that gives great digital reception. While he’s at it, he also makes a video camera stabilizer using metal piping and counterbalance weight; great for at-home moviemaking.

How To: Make LED and basic sink tube lightsabers

Have you become a Jedi in your Star Wars delusional mind? If so, break out of the the asylum with a Jedi lightsaber. Oh, but you don't have a lightsaber yet, okay. Well, this video tutorial will show you how to make a very inexpensive LED light saber with the most basic parts you could find. Novastar will shares his Jedi wisdom on LED light sabers, so pay attention, or you could never get out of that loony bin.