Tindie

We all enjoy science fiction that talks about the next steps for humanity. How can we leverage technology to make ourselves or our lives better? For some people, the idea of merging technology with our bodies may seem like a far-flung futuristic concept, but the reality is that it’s already happening.

The VivoKey Spark, manufactured by VivoKey Technologies, is a cryptobionic implant that performs cryptographic functions in vivo. It’s ISO15693 and NFC Type 5 compliant, so you can use it with NFC reader devices, smartphones, and USB readers that are compatible with ISO15693 chips.

It also works with the VivoKey mobile app to configure your scan behavior. Since this device is implanted into the webbing between the metacarpal bones of the index finger and thumb, you’ll need to locate an Authorized installation partner in your area. Everything that you need to have it installed in your hand is included.

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Gamers are more than likely familiar with the debug mode in game software. While it’s often not something intended for the end user, some games embrace it and others are cracked open to utilize it. The debug mode is typically used by developers to test features, look for bugs in the experience, or utilize a space where they can access all of the title’s components.

If you’re curious about trying out debugging for yourself, this Game Boy Debug Cart PCB gives you a foundation to make it happen. Simply solder a cartridge slot to the end and cut it to fit into the system.

This allows you to debug the game while it’s being played or simply look at how a reader/writer accesses the system. It’s a fun project to tackle, and one that offers a deeper look into how games are made.

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While you don’t see them as much anymore, arcades were an amazing place to go and experience games you couldn’t play anywhere else. It was here that people first discovered their collective love for fighting titles like Street Fighter and Soul Calibur. It’s also where fight sticks became the gold standard.

Many modern fighting games come with a large controller that includes a joystick and several buttons. This is the ideal way to play for accuracy and authenticity, but they can be quite expensive. Thankfully, the Drago Arcade 34B is a quick way to build your own!

This I/O controller has 34 inputs for interfacing hardware buttons or other inputs with a PC over a USB connection. A typical use for this board is to create your own arcade stick, as it allows for combinations of up to 4 inputs for triggering events.

Full specs and instructions can be found on the product page. Those who fondly remember the golden era of arcades should try their hand at building a piece of history themselves!

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For bands and touring musicians, a backing track is a useful addition to the live performance – to add depth and sounds which might not be feasible on stage. However, relying on the sound guy to play the right tracks at the right time is fraught with danger! The Stage Bro 1000 is a portable stomp box which stores and plays back your recordings from a USB stick, simply controlled by two foot switches – for immediate, controllable high-fidelity playback.

The Stage Bro 1000 plays back any stored files in MP3 or WAV format, which can be loaded onto a USB memory stick from your computer. Playback comes through a 1/8″ stereo jack socket, which will plug into an amp, or the mixing desk – with a small screen to display the track currently playing. It’s a useful tool for singers using backing tracks, guitarists needing a back beat, and any band which requires a full string section on stage!

It’s built to last in a durable enclosure for gigging, and bringing greater control over your live show without the need for laptops or computer playback. It ships from Canada by Krystal State who are sharing their first product – see what it can do for yourself:

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The Game Boy was the foundation for all modern handheld gaming devices, but it wasn’t perfect. Among other things, the speakers left a lot to be desired. Thankfully, the GBAmp3 is here to remedy that.

This Hi-Fi grade Class-D amplifier adds a boost to the Game Boy’s audio while also taking up less power. Thanks to this, your batteries will actually last longer than normal. The latest version of this mod improves on the mp2s by adding a mute function when headphones are inserted.

It also adds Game Boy Advance support, along with a sleek new black color. The mod supports the DMG, GBC, GBP, and GBA version of the system. Basic soldering skills are needed to install it, but you’ll only need to solder 8 wires in total before you can enjoy massively improved audio on your Game Boy.

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Futuristic robots, bright lights, shiny chrome. Sounds like the perfect combination for a badge, which is exactly what you’ll get with this Roll out pin badge. With a simple button press, you can trigger two ultra bright LEDs reverse mounted on the back of the badge.

The PCB is used as a light diffuser, and the microcontroller also offers steady LEDs or flashing patterns. Batteries are not included, so all you’ll need is a CR2032 to get started.

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I’ve always had this sinking suspicion that USB cables are not created equal. It’s the little things like, like my phone not charging as fast as I remember, or my connected device seeming more sluggish than usual. As it turns out, I was right!

Looking at a USB cable, you can’t tell the difference between a regular USB cable and one that’s made for charging only. When you’re programming a USB serial device, you might think there’s something wrong with the device when actually you’ve been trying to use a cable that’s damaged, or designed only for charging.  Is it me or is it USB can help you tell the difference.

This tester shows you which lines have continuity in the cable. All cables will light up the LED indicators for the V+ and GND lines, while the other two indicators show the data lines are also connected. There are also protection diodes in place to protect against the USB being plugged into a host post (which is not how it’s meant to work).

If you’re curious about some fictional use cases for such a tester, the product page has more than a few detailed scenarios to help you better understand how crucial this device is to your mental health. Trust me, it’s a good read.

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The small music-making devices on offer now have a huge range of ingenious functions and amazing sounds, capable of competing with the biggest super-synths and software programs. The Pocket Operators from Teenage Engineering are a superb example of these handy and affordable devices  – which is why a newly-available MIDI adapter makes them even more fun, powerful and accessible!

With the Pocket Operator MIDI Adapter attached, you can simulate button presses on your PO using MIDI notes – powered by the on-board Teensy! Sequencing your own beats and playing FX can now be stored in your DAW as part of a bigger musical picture. The adapter also acts as its own MIDI device which means you can control it directly from a computer, as well as old-school 5-Pin real-world MIDI messages.

It’s all held in place by a custom 3D printed attachment which requires no soldering or modification to the PO itself. The adapter features a MIDI Clock to Pocket Operator output and in addition to its MIDI capabilities, the adapter houses an on-board polyphonic synth which is outputted from the 3.5mm jack.

Seeing is believing! Check out what it can do in the video below:

Further information can be found in the manual or the product page at the Hanz Electrics Tindie store.

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The Dark Side Challenge is simple: build a DIY Arduino robot that can autonomously navigate terrain where radio contact is sporadic or non-existent. An example is piloting a rover on a distant planet, and losing connection mid-operation. It may sound tough, but you’d be surprised how many people are making it happen.

The goal is to balance machine intelligence and human input, which has led to some pretty incredible projects. Enter the Dark Side Rover, a robotic kit that teaches computational thinking while also meeting the aforementioned challenge head-on.

The kit comes with everything you need to build and program your rover, including sensors, a camera, connectors, and a custom Arduino UNO clone board. The only thing you need to provide are two 18650 batteries.

The rover connects to a server via WiFi to fetch sequences of commands that are entered through a static HTML file interfacing with the server’s REST end points.

Check out the Hackaday.io page for more details!

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The LPC810 is an ARM microcontroller that includes a Dual In-Line Package (DIP), making them a useful chip for prototyping. But alas, NXP retired this chip in 2018. Suppliers may still have them available, but its days are numbered.

Thankfully, a fellow Tindarian has stepped up to create something that is arguably even better (as is the maker way). This all-in-one LPC810 binary writer combines everything into one package. It includes both USB and a ZIF socket.

This allows you to simply connect your USB cable to your computer and execute the flash magic tool to write the binary onto your chip. There are even options to purchase it with or without the LPC810 chip if you prefer.

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