Hacks

Mar 6 2012

Old School Ingenuity Allows Split Screen iPhone Recording

One of the simplest and the lowest tech devices made for the iPhone is the new “Love Box” for the iPhone 4 / 4S.   The device is a grooved piece of wood with a sliding mirror allowing for both the back of the camera and the front view of the camera to be recorded at the same time, making The Love Box the first device to allow true split screen video mixing without all of the hassle.

The Love Box was created by an advertising agency in Barcelona, Spain, Honest&Smile, and is a truly hand made item harkening back to making cases for the Apple-1 computer.  The Love Box is priced at 40.68 Euros on Etsy.  While, it is such an item that anyone could make, the actual item is stamped and comes with a poster.  They will also email you tips on making your own Love Box.

The website for The Love Box is at:

http://www.thelovebox.com

By admin • Apple Computing, Cabinets, Do it yourself, Hacks, Hardware, iPhone • 0 • Tags: , ,

Jan 10 2012

New Mod Allows 12 Bit VGA Color Using Carte Blance

A new modification for the Carte Blanche Board allows the user to get 12 bit color output from the board. The creator of the modification for the board, posted the following in CSA2:

“I have made a little modification to the Carte Blanche to allow 12 bit color VGA output for the Apple IIgs. The modification is very simple to make. Its just a cable with some resistors and a bit-stream to send the video to the IDE connector instead of the on-board 6 bit video connector. No altering of the Carte Blanche itself. The new bitstream now allows the full 4096 colors, handles palettes correctly and works in both 640 and 320 SHR modes.”

According to a posting on the website, a board will be produced Garberstreet Enterprises should enough people be interested in it.    Currently, the mod is only available in instruction form and users must create their own cable.

The modification cable he talks about in the posting is shown in detail on the Charlies Stuff website at:

http://noboot.com/charlie/Charlie%27s%20Stuff.htm

By admin • Hacks, Hardware, Uncategorized • 0 • Tags: ,

Mar 16 2011

Brain Board to begin Shipping on 21 March 2011

Mike Willegal has announced that final beta testing on the Brain Boards has begun and that the kits will be $59.00.  Pre-built units will be available at some point for an additional fee.  Mike has also put  out a beta of the users guide for users to familiarize themselves with the board and created a website for the board at:

http://www.willegal.net/appleii/brainboard.htm

Orders for the Brain Board will begin to be taken on 19 March 2011 with the first units expected to ship on the 21st of March.  You can download the beta manual from the same website at:

http://www.willegal.net/appleii/bb-v0.26.pdf

There are other goodies offered of the website to familiarize users with the board including a video and information about the Wozanium Pack.  For more information about the Brain Board, check the website or write to Mike Willegal at:

mike@willegal.net

By billm • Apple ][, Apple-1, Hacks, Hardware • 0 • Tags: , , ,

Mar 3 2011

Brain Board photo posted

Mike Willegal has posted a photo of his fully assembled Brain Board for the Apple II. The Brain Board turns an ordinary Apple ][ computer into an Apple-1 allowing the user to perform all of the same functionality of the Apple-1 computer while utilizing the Apple ][ cassette interface and keyboard for I/O. For more on the brainboard, check out the post at:

http://www.willegal.net/blog/?p=1321

By billm • Apple ][, Apple-1, Hacks, Hardware • 0 • Tags: , , , , ,

Mar 1 2011

iPad Case Hacks

This week, we were thinking about the new iPad2 and the discussions of a holder for the machine came up.  So we started searching and came up with a number of case hacks or cases themselves that we thought were absolutely brilliant.   The funny thing is that in another few days, many of those hacks will have to change in order to accommodate the long awaited camera that is expected to be in the iPad2.  But in the mean time, here is our picks for the best hacks which utilize the older iPad thus eliminating any need to get rid of it.

Our favorite and number one pick for the best hack available today utilizes a Clam Shell iBook and is the best looking machine in our opinion. Now you too can look really cool by carrying around a 1990′s notebook computer that is so 2010.

Notice how everything fits into the case and how it nearly looks like it was built that way to start with. However, there are a fem minor issues such as the iPad is in there for good. The next hack also has the same issue. The number two hack in our selections is perfect for the person who never escapes their kitchen and must keep up on the latest in technology.

Notice how everything demoed in the video was perfect for the tech geek but really has some application in the kitchen. it almost reminds us of those old ideas of the Internet capable refrigerators that were supposed to take over our lives. That never happened but now your cabinets will be smarter than the average college flunkie. Quite frankly though, we doubt that much time could ever be spent in ones kitchen except for maybe by a step ford wife who had no life other than cooking.

Our number three choice has the flair for vintage tastes as well. Many of us children of the 70′s and 80′s got our first Mac in the mid ’80s when they were first released. This is a perfect solution for two pieces of old technology. (One obviously decades older than the other but both, just as out of date!)

Notice the commentary about the yellow machine. Guess it helps to know your old machine before you start trying to retrobrite it but the key here is the cool speaker solution provided with the machine making this old Mac on cool music machine. The case could have used a bit cleaner cuts but the slide troughs make putting the iPad in and pulling it out really simple.

Our number four solution is one that actually sint even a hack but a real commercial product. The Rocketfish™ Advanced Series iCapsule Keyboard for Apple™ iPad™ from rocketfish Products is by far one of the best real world solutions for the iPad we have seen. It’s $100 price also puts it in the affordable range and thus got our thumbs up. Unfortunately, it isn’t a hack and it actually was built for this machine.

Finally, probably the coolest in wow factor but number five on our list is the Fishman solution for his iPad enabled car. It is one of the more practical solutions we have seen in application of the iPad and is definitely a must have for the road warrior.

The push button rotation system for loading is not only simple and clean but the rotation is perfect to allow removal of the iPad to take it with you when you leave your car. And for those really on the go, our next solution goes right back to the hacking world with the iPad enabled airplane.

The only question you will need to ask next time you get in an airplane is whether there is a pilot or an iPad flying the plane.

By billm • Hacks, Hardware, iPad • 0

Jul 1 1978

Here’s an “OOPS FIXER!”

By J.A. BACKMAN

If you have dumped a program by hitting “RESET” when you meant to hit “RETURN” and Ctrl-C wouldn’t bring the program back – - I’ll bet the air was as blue around your APPLE II as it was around mine! – ! – ! A sweet little fix is a simple gadget that stops accidental keying “RESET” but does not stop its operation when it is needed. It does not hide the key, and doesn’t require lifting a lid to get to it. The gadget is made in a few minutes from an old – tired – empty cassette storage box lid. Just cut off 1-1/2″ from the left end of the cover, shorten the remaining length to 2-1/4″, soften the plastic over gentle heat and send the long flat side up about 15 1-1/8″ from the single edge.

Oops Fixer

Now, to use this gadget, press down slightly on tne lower right hand corner of the top cover of your· APPLE II, just above the -RESET” key. This will make a thin gap – just wide enough to slip the narrowest side under the keyboard housing and the top cover. If the bend angle is right, the plastic shield will cover, and just clear the “RESET” key. There is enough tension from the top cover to hold it in place. Wonder-of-wonders! ! ! The “RESET” key still works by pressing the cover, but, when you reach for the “RETURN” key – - your finger stubs. Voila ! ! No more unintentional program dumps.

By billm • Apple ][, Hacks, Hardware • 0 • Tags: , , ,