[Walter] sent in his version of a PIC binary clock. It’s a nice alternative If you don’t want one that runs off TTL logic, This one runs on a PIC 16F628 (Microchip is great for samples) and displays hours in 5 bits and minutes in 6. His blog also features a decent looking programmer, and he shows off his version of the Suunto dive computer interface that’s been around for quite a while.
One Handed Xbox Controller
I’m going to have to poke Ben to tell me about these things when he finishes them. He’s released his one handed xbox controller. This one was built by request of a veteran of Iraq. He re-designed the layout and re-positioned the entire right half of the controls to make the controls available to a one handed user.
How do you get a SUMO bean bag, an iPod, and some sweet hardware to hack on? Submit a design to the Hack-A-Day Design Challenge. You’ve got 22 days to submit your design!
Wiimote Windows Drivers!
Just a quick update to yesterday’s Wiimote bluetooth hack. [steve] pointed out [CarlKenner]’s release of a windows driver. Let us know how this works. Looks like you have to use the slightly deprecated/abandoned PPjoy to get the joystick functions working.
So, if you have a HTPC, maybe the Wiimote could make an interesting home theater remote? (I use linux on mine these days. The windows display drivers kept breaking)
Defcon Bot Rules Announced
The DefconBots rules have been announced for Defcon 15. The reference design is actually pretty good on it’s own – I’m curious to see what sort of improvements the teams will come up with. The RD includes a full tutorial, so teams will definitely have a fighting chance. [via Midnight Research Labs]
The only rule is speed, so I wonder how many guns will feature multiple barrels. It seems that they don’t care how much ammuntion is used. (It does say no shotguns) Hrm, maybe a mini-gun that covers the 5×5 area with fine enough resolution to hit everything? Sure it lacks finesse, but firepower-a-plenty!
Now I can’t find his page but one of the Danger founders had built something similar using a Mac as the controller and a paintball gun. Of course, we’ve seen similar guns before.
Hacking Wiimote Bluetooth
[mo] sent me this video showing the latest on hacking the wiimote via bluetooth . They haven’t figured out all the values yet, but this is only the beginning. How long until we see some mac/pc games that can use the Wiimote?
Glasses Heads-up Display
[Ozan] sent in his first attempt at making his own heads up display. The optics are very simple in design, and he gutted a commercial heads up display (ICUITI) for the LCD panel and interface electronics. I haven’t played with many head mounted displays since the Nintendo virtual boy. I’m not up on my field of view calculations, so it’s difficult to equate this to a commercial headset.
Podcast 8
Here’s podcast 8. I walk through some of my favorite hacks and discuss the prizes for the design challenge. It’s back to mp3, so the rss feed should pick it up and keep people happy. Help me out and send in some questions for the podcast!
