If the proverbial record just scratched for you, don’t worry, it did for me when I read about Canon’s CHDK, or Canon Hacker’s Development Kit.
What is it?
It’s a firmware update for your Canon camera. You install a few files to your Canon camera’s memory card and presto, you’ve got some kick ass options that you’d usually fined in high end prosumer cameras.
What are some of the options?
I think the coolest option is the ‘motion detecting’ feature, which means it won’t snap a photo until it detects movement. In addition to that, you can download ’scripts’ that will perform an action based on a set of criteria. I haven’t done this yet, so it’s hard for me to explain at this point, but the motion detecting feature is an example of a script.. The CHDK can also enhance image capture so you can snap photos in RAW format. You can also record movies up to 1 hour assuming you have a 2GB card (I do, and if you don’t get one, it’s worth it). You can also add some additional on screen info, but this, at least to me, is the least exciting of the options added through the CHDK. If you’ve ever wanted to increase exposure time to ridiculous amounts, now you can, up to 65 seconds and increase shutter speed to a mind numbing 1/25,000 of a second).
How dangerous is it to install on my camera?
Accordingto my source, it isn’t damaging at all and can be reversed by just deleting the files on your memory card. So NO, your camera won’t become ‘bricked’ like an iPhone.
What do I need to get started?
A brain (grin), a Canon digtal camera and an SD card. For complete install instruction go here.
This first thing that popped into my mind was “how’s the cornering on this thing”. What you see is a stretched 2000 Ferrari 360, which seats about 8 people. What’s really cool is its two giant electric gull wing doors that allow easy access for you and all your drunk friends - or perhaps the easy road side puke when you’re renting this bad boy for $1400/hour. Currently it’s on sale for $300,00.
What looked to be a Honda Sol (ya, remember those hideous things) is now an X-Wing fighter - or A-wing - minus the wings. The R2 unit and cockpit details are beyond geekdom.
“Are we there yet?” will soon be a forgotten kid nagging phrase thanks to the Jet Turbine Powered van. It’s a turbine which should mean the jet’s power is converted to the tires unlike a normal jet engine, which is thrust driven. There’s a multitude of videos, but be sure to check out the motorized rear glass window that lifts up to expose the protruding exhaust ports. It looks like the development has gone through multiple iterations as the engine port style has changed, and the soccer ball sticker moved from the left to the right side of the back door. According to Hackedgadgets it can do 1/8th of mile in 7.65 seconds at 96mph.
Getting the band back together has never been easier thanks to MooCowMusic. Why? Well, we’ve seen the iAno and the iPhone Guitar, and now there’s “Drummer”, the iPhone drum machine. It’ll require all that Jailbroken goodness (unless they’re waiting for the SDK to take it out of private beta), but you’ll be able to jam out to 15 different drum samples, play the ride and bass simultaneously (aka multitouch) and rock out to an MP3 if you’re buds aren’t available for a session.
Available here, but as mentioned it’s in private beta so you can look but no touchy.
This guy ‘paired’ his Wiimote to his PC (via Bluetooth), and slapped together some visual basics code to get it talking to his motorized curtains. Check out the above video to see it in action (riveting) and go to his site for tutorial info. This is gonna sound naive, but I didn’t know the Wii was Bluetooth.
Via Hacknmod
How so you ask? Start by purchasing an iSonTalk Microphone Headphone Adapter and a cassette-to-3.5mm adapter. Next, plug everything in into its respective receptacles. Crank your tunes and take a spin around town. When a call comes, simply click the mic’s answer button, the music stops, and the caller should be heard over the car’s stock speakers. I’m not sure on the feedback implications of the mic picking up the caller’s voice (it’s designed for headphone use), but if all goes right it’s a super cheap yet slick iPhone integration into any car with a cassette deck, and it’s only $20 (plus whatever the cassette adapter costs you).
Lifehacker has a complete ‘how to’ on turning your Wii into a media center. It’s not a hack and completely palatable for the nonpower user. Check out the full instructrutions here, but the short of it is that you’ll utilize Orb.com, your computer, and the Wii Opera browser.
