10 devices that you can upgrade, a little digging with electronics

Rule number 1 in DIY : never be satisfied with what you have been given. You can upgrade or improve anything with modest knowledge and a little effort, especially if you are a little familiar with electronics . Under the cat 10 household items that you can cool to pump using a drop of solder and a number of DIY know-how.

10. Your TV

You may have the coolest home theater in the area, but even that does not save you when your TV blasts with the latest gossip about celebrities you don’t want to hear. Tame your TV with the Enough Already device (Enough Already!) , A small DIY gadget that turns off the sound of your TV every time a word or phrase you programmed sounds - for example, Justin Bieber or Twilight. You can also use the Arduino to automatically reduce the volume if it rises above a certain level , for example, when a particularly loud advertisement starts.

9. Your security system

Maybe she will not have enough protection from fools, like a real security system, but you can make a lot of self-made security sensors for mere pennies. For only $ 2, you will receive a miniature motion sensor that emits a signal when moving, while for an extra couple of dollars you will receive a video camera recording the movement , or a sensor sending SMS . Why, you can even make your own anti-theft system for half the cost. And of course, you can do a lot of interesting things using just a few webcams and some free software .
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8. Your workplace

If your workplace begins to seem slightly cluttered with gadgets, give them compatibility with your desk. Instead of using another extension cable, make a power outlet in the desk itself or insert a USB hub for easy charging or connecting various devices. And if you want to go even further, you can add an inductive charger or even make a computer in a desktop drawer . And, when you do, add the final touch, making your desk lamp wireless for less than $ 20.

7. Your video games

What could be better than a couple of game consoles at home? Is that the ability to combine them into one megasystem , where you can play almost any game. If you like old toys, you can do something like this (using significantly less effort) by creating an all-in-one retro console inside an NES , inside a briefcase, or even inside a coffee table , in the manner of old slot machines that we love so much.

6. Your phone charger

If you want to stir up a really simple DIY project, try upgrading your wall outlets to charge USB devices . You can also build a very simple USB charger in a jar of mints . For an energy-saving solution, make it solar-powered or recharge your bike with energy . And, if you want to completely get rid of the wires, we offer a lot of opportunities to rework your phone for wireless charging without the use of time-consuming induction charger .

5. Your car

Many of us update the phones every year to keep up with the trend, but this is not easy in the case of cars. If your machine does not have a function that you need, just add it yourself. Make an additional audio input for as little as $ 3, or add Bluetooth for wireless connectivity wherever you are. If you frequently drive through a red light, you can also use this GPS hack, which will alert you if the recorder's camera is close . And, if you do not have a car, you can still pump your vehicle by upgrading your bike .

4. Your headphones

We love alterations of headphones and, if you are ready to dig into your DIY arsenal, you can update them in a variety of different ways. If you have earbud headphones, you can add a built-in remote control with a little effort (without having to break them). If you have big headphones, adding removable wires can be a really convenient solution, or you can also make them wireless by remaking them for Bluetooth . And of course, a pair of good old fur headphones can also be converted into a beautiful soundproofed headphone .

3. Your switches

Turn on the light manually sadly. Instead, get the light in your house to come in with a wave of your hand or an old-fashioned homemade pedal . Alternatively, control them with your voice or set them in the corridor to create simple guide lights that illuminate your way to the bathroom. And whatever you think, all this is quite possible.

2. Your chores

Households tire. Fortunately, Arduino and a couple of lines of code can automate a lot of chores for you: he can get the flowers to water himself , he can feed the cat for you, or even put your child to sleep . Just make sure your parents / wife / neighbors don't know what you are doing.

1. Your home

The house of the future is not so far from us, as fantastic films tell. Using a small electronic hack, you can automate your home to do almost anything: open the blinds when it is light , tell you who is behind the door , make you coffee on a message on Twitter , open your door by SMS and a whole lot more . Of course, this is not the flying machine of George Jetson, but you still feel like a cool guy from the future.