Hasta La Gadget!

I try not to toss around words like “genius” lightly, but I’m pretty sure that cartoonist Jim Woodring is one, a fact I’ve had independently by people who know the artist far more personally than I do. The Seattle-based artist is likely best know for his character, Frank, who has been around for roughly a decade and a half, including, most recently, Woodring’s 2010 Fantagraphics title, Weathercraft.

Woodring wears a lot of other hats, as well–he’s an accomplished painter, toy designer, and he’s looking to become the man behind the world’s largest steel dip pen. On Friday, the artist announced that the funding he requested from fans had been met.

“Well, I’m stunned,” Woodring wrote in a blog post. “The pen will go into production as soon as possible. I thank all of you who contributed from the very depths of my being and look forward to the day when the Giant Pen will live among us.”

Woodring first detailed the project in July, asking fans to donate $4,500 to help him fund the project (at the close of the drive, that number is at $4,801). Woodring describes the giant pen thusly,

The pen (nib) itself will be approximately 16 inches long, made of steel and fully functional. The holder will be six feet long and made of wood with a metal sleeve insert to hold the pen. Nib and holder will resemble as closely as possible the actual implements on which they are based.

Woodring plans to train himself on the giant pen and offer “public performances” using the device.

While it’s far from the most practical of ideas, people just can’t seem to stop trying to make their iPhones more SLR-like. Joining that illustrious group is one Aniebres who, typos aside, has built one of the most impressive contraptions to date. We’re still waiting to see what the end results look like, but the hardware side of things looks to be surprisingly solid, with the iPhone 4 slotting in with a satisfying click, while the entire lens mechanism has been shifted over to line up with the iPhone’s camera (and make room for an Apple sticker). Head on past the break for a quick video of the rig.

[Thanks, John]

Continue reading iPhone 4 gets stuffed inside Canon SLR body

iPhone 4 gets stuffed inside Canon SLR body originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 04 Sep 2010 12:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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I’ve long held that ROMs are the biggest selling point for Android phones that no one wants to talk about (or are at least neck and neck for those of you who absolutely need your porn on the go). If, after a few drinks, I start having a good natured debate about smartphones with an iPhone owning friend (which does indeed happen more often that I’d care to admit), I’ll usually break out my Droid and start playing a round of Super Mario 3.

However, the Droid QWERTY keyboard is okay–but not great–for such gaming. In fact, I’ve actually worn down some of the keys on the thing playing Super Mario Brothers. And, all things considered, I’ve actually got it good. There are plenty of Android handsets that rely entirely on the touchscreen for control–a pretty miserable way to play a console-formatted sidescroller.

Game Gripper offers a decent and intriguing answer–a controller that slips right over the keyboard of a number of handsets. But let’s be honest–you’re still not playing the way that god (and Shigeru Miyamoto) intended.

With that in mind, I submit to you my nominee for hack of the day. Using an HTC EVO 4G, a BlueSMiRF Bluetooth module, an Arduino board, and, of course, an original NES controller, this fellow designed what is quite possible the ultimate Android/Nintendo hack.

The final product ain’t all that pretty–and, let’s be honest, you’d look pretty dumb playing it on the subway (where most of my own handset gaming occurs)–but damn it if it doesn’t work like a charm

This is adorable: a tiny charcoal BBQ grill using an Altoids Sours tin, two metal computer fan guards, and some sheet metal screws for legs. It looks like it fits one regular-sized briquette. As one of the commentors notes, this is great for marshmallows, but you could also cook a shrimp at a time.

Making it doesn’t require tools more sophisticated than a Dremel – no soldering, no nothing. Release the GeekDads. You could probably bang this thing out and be eating S’Mores before your neighbor’s charcoal grill is hot enough to cook.

Instructables user Vmspionage’s mini-grill was inspired by the earlier eBQ, which uses a full-sized Altoids tin. He also writes that “the propane version is coming soon! ” Now we just need someone to make a MintyBoost-powered electric starter, and we’ll really have something cooking.

Altoids Sours BBQ Grill [Instructables] via Makezine.

See Also:

• DIY Friday: Charge Your iPhone With AAs or Solar Power
• 100 Essential Skills for Geeks (GeekDad Wayback Machine)
• Fire Up The Grill: GeekDad Field Tests A Trio Of Portables …

We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Calvin, who needs a replacement for his recently broken Switztool 6-piece screwdriver kit. If you’re looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

“I’ve always used a Switztool 6-piece screwdriver for my computer work. I love how it retracts all the bits into the screwdriver. But it just bit the dust after a very heavy fall. Just want to know from other fellow readers: what’s the best screwdriver (or kit) out there for DIY computer work and electronics hacking?”

Quite an interesting question, indeed. We’d probably recommend a kit with a 00-sized Philips screwdriver for getting those laptop bolts out from the casing, but desktop-specific ones are certainly allowed. And… go!

Ask Engadget: best screwdriver kit for DIY computer work? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 22:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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