With all the Kinect hacks we’re seeing, it probably doesn’t matter whether gamers are leaving their motion-control sensors to gather dust or otherwise; there are enough DIY-addicts buying it to make the peripheral a success. Latest is Asura’s V-Sido remote app for the G-Robots GR-001 ‘bot, which can follow your movements for some aerobics-style mimicry.
Video demo after the cut
Usually the GR-001 is controlled via a PlayStation-style remote, but this new Kinect hack makes it a whole lot more direct than flailing your fingers around. No word on when – or if – they’ll be releasing the software publicly, but it’s just another sign of Kinect’s flexibility.
Sony has decided to voraciously go after the people that offer up hacks and mods for the PS3 console this week after some hacks have surfaced that render existing Sony security on the PS3 moot. The latest hack of the PS3 came from Geohot and landed him in hot water with Sony suing him for circumventing the security on the console despite the fact that bypassing security doesn’t mean the user is a pirate.
Some have speculated that if a user hacks their PS3 using the Geohot or other hacks to bypass security, as long as they don’t connect to the PSN Sony will have no way to know that the console has been hacked and therefore won’t be able to ban the console. As it turns out there is evidence that this is not the case.
A user going by the name NeoGAF has posted that when port sniffing his machine he found that the PS3 contacts Sony servers if there is a web connection as soon as the machine is turned on. That would allow Sony to know that the console has been hacked and ban the machine if wanted. There is also some speculation that Sony could push updates to all consoles as well. Sony has already said that it plans to fix the security breach these hacks take advantage of with a series of updates.
The leaked PS3 root key has spawned its first public hack, with instructions surfacing on how owners can create their own custom firmware. The handiwork of KaKaRoTo, the actual usefulness of the hack is questionable at this stage; there’s no support for running homebrew apps or backup copies of games, and according to the creator it’s all “really meant for future homebrew installation” and “will not allow piracy.”
That might come as some relief to Sony, who were facing the possibility of pirated games being run on PS3 consoles no matter which firmware version they were running, but it seems only a matter of time until someone less copyright-conscious comes along with an alternate hack.
Google’s Cr-48 notebook is intended to bring developers up to speed with Chrome OS, but those tricksy coders just won’t leave the ultraportable alone. Hexxeh has managed to get Android running on the Cr-48, after previously releasing instructions on how to install Windows 7, OS X or Ubuntu.
Exact details of the Android install are unknown, so we don’t know exactly what’s running and what isn’t at present. Since the Cr-48 lacks a touchscreen, control will have to be done via the trackpad; as we saw on the Toshiba AC100 that’s not ideal.
Lenovo has been courting PC modders in the run-up to CES 2011 this week, and some of the results of the “What’s Your Idea of Fun?” campaign are pretty striking. Taking regular Lenovo computers as their starting point, the modders variously came up with a desktop arcade cabinet, a beautiful Birdseye maple and teak gaming PC, and the bizarre MD-5 robot-themed touchscreen computer shown here.
The MD-5 is a little like a touchscreen coffee table, with an onboard power pack keeping the Lenovo IdeaCentre A700 running while you move it from room to room. Other mods are more subtle, like Alex Wiley’s luxury Lenovo IdeaPad U160 with a platinum-plated top cover and diamond-studded, backlit Lenovo logo.
Unfortunately we don’t think Lenovo is going to actually carry any of these ideas over into production models; instead the company will be showing off the modded PCs at CES this week. More details of all the mods pictured in the press release below.
Press Release:
PC MODDING – AN ART FORM UNTO ITSELF
Most people think of musicians, painters and photographers when it comes to art. As part of Lenovo’s recent “What’s Your Idea of Fun?” campaign, we wanted to shine the light on a very different kind of artist – one who uses soldering irons and dremels as their paint brushes. The kind of artists we’re talking about are called PC “modders,” extremely talented and imaginative people who modify and/or customize typical notebook and desktop PCs into technological works of art.
Lenovo recently approached several of the world’s top PC modders and asked them to transform Lenovo PCs into some of the wildest laptops and desktops ever created. The mods, described in further detail below, will be showcased at CES 2011 at Unveiled, Digital Experience and at Lenovo’s booth space in the Aquaknox restaurant at The Venetian Hotel.
For more information visit WhatsYourIdeaofFun.com
MODDER: Dean Liou
MOD NAME: The Arcade Dock
WEBSITE: Envador.com
MOD DESCRIPTION: Dean Liou finished his first mod—a computer case made out of PVC pipes and Plexiglas—during the summer of 1998. For his Lenovo mod, Liou create a customized arcade cabinet that allows users to dock their Lenovo IdeaPad Y560 and use as a mini arcade. Liou’s goal with this mod was to create something that would enable users to mix work and play. Once you’re home from class or work, all you need to do is hook up the laptop in the dock and it’s time to play!
MODDER: James Fislar
MOD NAME: Lenovo Ice
WEBSITE: WhatsYourIdeaofFun.com
MOD DESCRIPTION: James Fislar enjoys working with epoxy, fiberglass and carbon fibers. For his mod, James created an IdeaCentre K320 that appears to be completely encased in ice. The K320 Ice is created from a custom acrylic mold, special lighting and a custom water cooling and reservoir to keep all the components cool while running. The mod also features an ATI Eyefinity System with custom Acrylic 3 Monitor Bracket.
MODDER: Jeffrey Stephenson
MOD NAME: Level 12
WEBSITE: SlipperySkip.com
MOD DESCRIPTION: Jeffrey Stephenson has been building custom computers as a hobby since 2002. This Lenovo build marked his twenty-ninth project. Jeffrey’s modding M.O. typically consists of creating smaller-sized computers that fit into the decor of executive offices or home living spaces. He does all of his work by hand with basic household tools such as cordless drills, a dremel and the occasional jigsaw.
The Level Twelve mod is a performance-upgraded Lenovo H320 micro tower-style computer embedded within a stylish wooden enclosure. The enclosure — made from Birdseye maple and teak and featuring chrome accents — is equipped with additional fans and supplemental vent ducting. It also features four front-mounted USB 3.0 ports via an internal USB 3.0 hub. The underlying H320 chassis is heavily modified for additional cooling capacity and is fully self-contained. The chassis can be withdrawn from the back of its wooden enclosure even while it is operating.
MODDER: Chris Blarsky
MOD NAME: MD-5
WEBSITE: AbsoluteExtremes.com
MOD DESCRIPTION: Chris Blarsky began modding in 1995 out of necessity; he wanted a computer case that held two working PCs. When he couldn’t find one, he created himself. This time around, Blarsky created a robot-inspired mod, the “MD-5”, from the IdeaCentre A700. The mod’s name is short for mobile desktop while the 5 is a tribute to “Johnny 5” from Short Circuit, a 1986 science fiction film. The MD-5 is able to move from room to room and has a battery pack for added mobility. Additionally, its multitouch screen is attached to an articulating arm that provides ample range of motion and use.
MODDER: Brian Carter
MOD NAME: Lenovo Sensei
WEBSITE: Bods-Mods.com
MOD DESCRIPTION: Inspired to help his son’s school receive a much needed technology upgrade, Brian Cater developed the “Lenovo Sensei” – a unique teaching aid that allows teachers to instruct their classes more dynamically. The Lenovo Sensei boasts an integrated HD DLP projector with 1280 x 800 resolution, hybrid laser technology and a HDMI connection between the A700 and projector. The A700 itself is touch screen controlled and the entire unit has been modified with a well-ventilated cooling system to keep internal components running smoothly. With the new device, teaching possibilities are virtually endless!
MODDER: Alex Wiley
MOD NAME: UberLux
WEBSITE: Computer-Choppers.com
MOD DESCRIPTION: Alex Wiley, owner of Computer Choppers, has been customizing computers since 1996. With more than a decade of modding experience under his belt, Wiley has created a unique niche developing luxury customizations, and the UberLux is a prime example. For this mod, Wiley outfitted a Lenovo IdeaPad U160 with a platinum-plated top cover and diamond-studded Lenovo logo that lights up from behind when the laptop is powered on.
MODDER: Peter Freudenberger
MOD NAME: Lenovo Slice
WEBSITE: http://sliceproject.wordpress.com
MOD DESCRIPTION: Peter Freudenberger is an IT engineer from the greater Boston area who restores vintage motorcycles in his spare time. Using an IdeaPad Y560, Peter created the Lenovo Slice – a desktop PC that combines cutting-edge performance with a form that is elegant and modern. In order to create the mod, Freudenberger used low-profile laptop components and passive cooling, quality construction without exposed edges and minimal aesthetic, including high quality glass and laser cut aluminum.
HTC’s HD2 has become something of a favorite among smartphone modders; we’ve already seen the Windows Mobile 6.5 device swap its Microsoft OS for Android and Windows Phone 7, and now it’s the turn of MeeGo 1.1. Steve Troughton-Smith spotted that, since the HD2 is relatively similar to the Nexus One in terms of core hardware, it should be possible to tweak the instructions for installing MeeGo on the Googlephone to suit the HTC.
With a borrowed kernel from the Ubuntu for HD2 project, Steve managed to get the HD2 booting into MeeGo 1.1. It’s not all plain sailing, however; so far the touchscreen doesn’t work, which certainly makes actually using it as a phone somewhat tricky, and the WiFi and graphics acceleration also need to be fixed.
By installing Android’s adb daemon, Steve was able to get a shell over USB and thus load some apps, and it sounds like he’ll be working on smoothing out the other wrinkles. MeeGo’s UI is different enough to be intriguing, and with the first official Nokia device running the OS not expected until sometime in 2011, this might be the best way to get your hands on a MeeGo smartphone until then.
With Gingerbread freely distributed to the open-source masses, it probably won’t surprise you to hear there already a custom ROM for Google’s darling Nexus One. But what if we told you Android 2.3 is now available for the HTC HD2 as well? That’s right, the Windows Mobile 6.5 powerhouse can now snap off a sugary piece of the same Android code, and from what we hear in the XDA-developers forums, it works pretty decently, too. Like the Samsung Galaxy S we saw getting the green tie treatment this morning, the HTC HD2 and Nexus One don’t exactly have stable, fully functional builds, but as long as you know what you’re doing and don’t need petty luxuries like cameras, GPS receivers and official Google apps, you’ll probably be just fine. Find files and a modicum of instruction at our source links below.
Update: While these cookies are half-baked, unconfirmed and potentially dangerous to those not well versed in the art of Android hackery, we’re hearing that the HTC EVO 4G, original Motorola Droid and HTC Desire are now sporting early Gingerbread ROMs too. It seems the source code is relatively easy to compile for other phones, so with any luck there’ll be a compatible build for your device soon.
After less than 24 hours on sale, Google’s Nexus S has been rooted. The Android 2.3 Gingerbread smartphone fell to the practiced hands of xda-community‘s Koush, taking a metaphorical screwdriver to the OS in the same way that we saw iFixit strip away the Samsung-made handset’s hardware.
The hack paves the way for various Nexus S modifications, and with early complaints including glitches over GPS performance it can only be a matter of time before the mod community is polishing Google’s rough edges. If you picked up a Nexus S yesterday and want to open up the handset to the world of unofficial ROMs and other tweaks, you can find step-by-step instructions to rooting the smartphone here.
GoldenEye: Source, the fan-made conversion modification of Half Life 2, has been knocking about for years, but the team responsible for the redressed retro multiplayer has finally ditched the beta label and released the fully optimized mod. Now up to v4.1, the conversion consists of 22 maps – both the classics from GoldenEye on the N64, and new revisions – and eleven characters, together with over 50 custom music tracks.
There are eight game modes and teamplay combinations, along with a total of 80 achievements. There’s no shortage of detail, either; among the changes made in 4.1 are resizings of the PPK bullet casings, which players had complained were slightly too small in the previous beta. Unfortunately for those with a particular fondness for the GoldenEye story mode, GoldenEye: Source is multiplayer-only. You can find the download torrent here.
Christmas lights can be gaudy and distracting, or they can be a force used for good; well, as long as by “good” you mean individually-programmable and capable of showing IM status. Microsoft .NET developer Andrej Kyselica discovered that, after some tinkering, he could get a FEZ embedded controller to individually manage each LED on a string of $60 Christmas lights from Costco.
Video demo after the cut
The lights themselves are the GE Color Effects GE-35, available in 36 or 50 bulb lengths. On their own, each bulb consists of three LEDs allowing for multiple color combinations, with 14 preset patterns to choose from; however, thanks to some judicious hacking of the LED data bus, they can also be addressed by your choice of microcontroller.
Unsurprisingly, Kyselica opted for .NET, and his lights now show the various statuses of each of his IM friends (complete with Post-It notes labelling each individual). Of course, that’s just one potential application.
