Category Archives: Accessories and Peripherals

Accessories and Peripherals, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics

4 Raspberry Pi Projects For Bicycle Riders

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Not the whole lot you do together with your Raspberry Pi must have a sensible function. If you simply take pleasure in leisure using, then you could wish to add one thing somewhat enjoyable to your bike. Take this projection system from the Make YouTube channel, as an illustration. It’s a bit elaborate, requiring a projector, a hefty USB battery, sensors, and a few wiring, however the finish outcome will make your bike the speak of the city.

The Raspberry Pi is used to generate a picture that is despatched by the projector and solid onto the bottom. True to the aim of Raspberry Pi, this challenge is stuffed with customization, since your projection could be just about something.

The largest downfall of the chaser projection is that it is a fairly ugly setup and requires a number of electrical tape and ties to maintain from flying off the bike. You’ll additionally want a motorbike with a rear rack to carry the parts.

Along with the entire bodily components, getting the projection to work may even require OpenFrameworks and Wiring Pi. The open-source C++ toolkit means that you can feed code to your Raspberry Pi, whereas Wiring Pi gives you control over the Pi’s pins.

If you need an alternate idea that shoots a projection ahead, Matt Richardson, the thoughts behind the chase projection, created a dynamic headlight that may present your present velocity.

Accessories and Peripherals, Components, Drones, Robotics

Arduino’s Wire Library: What It Is & How It Works

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The Arduino Wire library is a set of communication features used to learn and write information to and from different units. The library is crucial for DIY initiatives that contain controlling exterior elements akin to sensors, shows, and different microcontrollers. By utilizing a protocol referred to as Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C), the Wire library drastically reduces the variety of wires required to attach units. The protocol is supported on all Arduino boards, together with the newest Arduino Nano Every model.

The I2C protocol solely requires two wires to attach exterior units. One wire (referred to as serial information or SDA) is chargeable for transferring information, whereas the opposite wire (serial clock or SLC) is used to synchronize the information change through a pulsing sign. Combined, they permit two units to ship and obtain a message utilizing bits of knowledge. Some Arduino boards characteristic the I2C pins somewhere else, and you’ll take a look at the complete {hardware} necessities for all Arduino boards on the Wire Library Reference page.

Accessories and Peripherals

What Are Makey Makey Apps & What Devices Can You Run Them On?

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The most vital factor to remember when connecting your Makey Makey setup to your gadget is that Makey Makey capabilities on key presses. While this might not be a giant deal when utilizing a Makey Makey with a extra conventional pc, utilizing it with iPads or comparable cellular gadgets would require some extra support. 

According to the Makey Makey web site, its flagship product can work with any USB or mouse-supported gadget, corresponding to a Mac, a Windows gadget, a Linux gadget, and the surprisingly versatile Chromebook. With the discharge of the iPadOS 13.4 in early 2020, it was introduced that iPads would work with mouse, arrow key, and trackpad instructions. If you’ve gotten a Makey Makey v1.4 or above, it ought to work with an iPad, iPhone, or Android gadget.  

Users might want to buy a USB digital camera adapter to correctly join the Makey Makey to their iPad or iPhone. Users have additionally discovered success connecting Android gadgets to their Makey Makey by way of USB OTG. From there, the Makey Makey will work from the digital keyboard. The firm recommends customers check apps earlier than getting an adapter to see what keyboard inputs they take. 

Accessories and Peripherals, Wearables

How To Troubleshoot Step Counter Not Working For Apple Watch

fitness tracking smartwatch Raditya/Getty Images

The Apple Watch does loads, which can be a blessing and a curse. Perhaps its hottest options are its numerous health-tracking applied sciences which have turn out to be widespread in most trendy smartwatches. However, typically these options can run into issues.

If you have begun to note your steps aren’t being counted correctly, or are having hassle getting the step counter to work appropriately within the first place, don’t fret about it an excessive amount of. As irritating as the problem could also be, there’s in all probability a easy trigger behind it that is simple to repair.

Of course you first should slim down the chances, and that requires somewhat little bit of trial and error. If you believe you studied one thing specifically then by all means begin there first. Otherwise, we advocate following the checklist beneath. It’s organized with the only and quickest potential options first, adopted by the extra concerned, probably data-wiping strategies in the direction of the tip. Why spend a number of minutes restarting or recalibrating if it seems the issue is only a unfastened wristband, proper?

Adjust or clear

smartwatch with straps 1jewelry/Shutterstock

Sometimes your Apple Watch’s step counting troubles might be mounted with out the necessity to restart something and even delve into the Settings. So earlier than you dig into any menus, attempt these steps first:

  1. It’s attainable that your Apple Watch is not on “right.” Apple recommends positioning the watch slightly below your wrist (previous the wrist bone, in the direction of your elbow). The firm additionally recommends you retain the band comfortable sufficient that the sensors on the again of the watch are in fixed contact together with your pores and skin.
  2. If the Apple Watch is positioned round your wrist bone, slide it again in the direction of your elbow. If you shake your arm and flip it the other way up and the watch’s again sensors are not touching your pores and skin, tighten the strap somewhat extra. If you are utilizing one of many included bands and the match has gotten unfastened, bear in mind Apple has changed its return policy for bands like the Solo Loop through the years.
  3. Your watch’s sensors might also be what’s inflicting step-counting errors, wherein case you will want to wash them. Fortunately, it is easy to clean your Apple Watch with just a few simple steps.

If your Apple Watch is locked whereas in your wrist, that would additionally interrupt step counting. Open the Watch app in your paired iPhone and choose the watch, then select Passcode and toggle on the Unlock with iPhone swap.

Restart every thing

hand tapping smartwatch mpohodzhay/Shutterstock

If adjusting, cleansing, or unlocking the Apple Watch would not clear up the issue, it is time for the most typical repair even essentially the most superior techies have a tendency to make use of: Restarting.

  1. Restart your iPhone.

    For iPhones predating the iPhone X, press and maintain the ability button (this will probably be on prime for the iPhone 5, first technology SE, or older and on the aspect for the iPhone 6, 7, 8, and second and third technology SE) till the Power Off slider seems. Tap and drag the Power Off slider to the aspect and look ahead to the cellphone to show off, then press and maintain the ability button till you see the Apple brand.

    For an iPhone X and newer, press and maintain each the aspect button and one of many quantity buttons till the Power Off slider seems, then drag the slider to the aspect and look ahead to the cellphone to energy down. After which, press and maintain the aspect button till the Apple brand seems.

  2. After restarting the cellphone, restart the Apple Watch by urgent and holding the aspect button till the Power Off slider seems. Tap and drag the slider to show off the watch, wait till it is shut down, then press and maintain the aspect button once more till the Apple brand seems.

Be positive to restart the iPhone first, then restart the Apple Watch. Otherwise, the Watch app might have hassle connecting with the Watch, which might result in much more issues.

Check your settings

placing smartwatch on charger Prostock-studio/Shutterstock

There’s additionally an opportunity that your Apple Watch settings are getting in the best way of the step counter. Here’s what to verify:

  • Incorrect or outdated well being data may throw off well being monitoring (together with steps). Open the Watch app in your iPhone and choose My Watch > Health > Health Details. Look over your data, and if something is inaccurate faucet Edit to make the mandatory adjustments.
  • Apple Watches use Wrist Detection by default to lock the system as soon as it is taken off (for safety functions), however this might trigger the watch to lock itself by mistake if it thinks you are not carrying it. Open the Settings app on the Apple Watch > Passcode, then flip off the toggle for Wrist Detection to close the characteristic off.
  • If Location Services have been by accident turned off, that would additionally mess with the accuracy of the step counter. Open Settings on the paired iPhone > Privacy > Location Services and ensure the toggle is on.
  • While trying into Location Services in your iPhone, you may additionally need to take a look at your Motion Calibration settings. From the Location Services > System Services > Motion Calibration & Distance. If it is turned off, faucet the toggle subsequent to it to show it on.

More fundamental troubleshooting

smartwatch and smartphone displaying Activity screens Bombuscreative/Getty Images

If you have executed every thing above and nonetheless having hassle, then it is time to transfer on to different troubleshooting mainstays.

  1. Try closing the apps on your Apple Watch. It’s attainable these apps could possibly be interfering with the step counter, notably if the app wasn’t made by Apple.
  2. You may recalibrate the Apple Watch by opening the Watch app in your iPhone > My Watch > Privacy > Reset Fitness Calibration Data.
  3. Another choice is to factory reset your Apple Watch, which removes all the info however retains it linked to your Apple account. Go to the Settings app in your Apple Watch, then General > Reset > Erase All Content And Settings > Enter your passcode. After it resets, look ahead to a immediate asking to arrange an Apple Watch (if you happen to do not see one, restart the iPhone). Then arrange your Apple Watch like regular.
  4. A final resort is to unpair the Apple Watch from your iPhone. You can do that within the Watch app by deciding on My Watch > All Watches (on the prime). Tap the Info (i) icon subsequent to your watch and choose Unpair Apple Watch, then affirm. After every thing restarts, pair the Apple Watch to your iPhone as regular.

If none of those strategies have resulted in a extra correct step depend, it could be time to get in contact with Apple Support.

Accessories and Peripherals

Harbor Freight Vs. Home Depot: Which Offers The Better Value For Chainsaws?

Harbor Freight sells six completely different chainsaws. Those saws may be divided into three classes: gas-powered, electric-powered, and battery-powered. Each software is well-rated by prospects and comes with an inexpensive price ticket. The Portland 42cc, 18 in. This is Harbor Freight’s solely gas-powered noticed. It prices $179.99 and has a mean of 4.7/5 stars primarily based on 43 person opinions. The software options an 18-inch bar and may lower timber and limbs as much as 36 inches in diameter. It weighs slightly below 17 kilos, has an ergonomic deal with, and makes use of a 50:1 fuel/oil gas combination. 

Harbor Freight sells two corded electrical chainsaws, together with the Bauer 14.5 Amp 16 in. Electric Chainsaw. It prices $79.99 and has a mean score of 4.5/5 stars primarily based on 993 opinions. The 16-inch Bauer noticed weighs about 9 kilos, has an automated chain brake for security, and has an on the spot electrical begin for comfort. 

Harbor Freight provides three completely different battery-powered saws. Each is extremely rated by prospects and ranges in value from $74.99 to $149.99. The Atlas 80V Brushless Cordless 18 in. Chainsaw is the best choice and prices $149.99. It has 4.5/5 stars with 789 opinions. It weighs slightly below 10 kilos, options an 18-inch bar that may lower logs as much as 32 inches in diameter, and boasts extra energy than a 50cc gas-powered noticed. The Atlas chainsaw additionally contains an automated chain oiler, an on the spot begin function, and an automated chain brake for security.

Accessories and Peripherals, Smartphones

5 Tips & Tricks For Using Your iPhone As A Field Recorder

The voice memo app that’s put in by default on each iPhone is a helpful fundamental instrument for recording conversations or audio notes, however there are a lot of of different apps on Apple’s App Store which have superior options like enhancing, totally different high quality recording functionality, and multi-track recording for musicians. Some of the Android ecosystem’s best audio recording apps are additionally obtainable for the iPhone, like Dolby On, which is free and has results, an enhancing interface, and the power to stream reside to Facebook and Twitch or add on to SoundCloud. There’s additionally the MOTIV app from Shure Audio, the audio machine producer. MOTIV has most of the similar options as Dolby On plus a high-resolution decibel meter.

If you plan to make use of your iPhone to file lectures, interviews, or conferences, you will wish to give the Otter app a shot. Otter makes use of AI to make a transcription of something you file, making it a helpful instrument for college students, journalists, or businesspeople. This app has a median ranking of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 35,000 reviewers on the Apple App Store, and a fast check session confirmed it to be fairly correct at transcribing spoken audio. For recording and mixing multi-track music information, take a look at Roland’s Zentracker or Apple’s personal GarageBand app. 

Accessories and Peripherals

What Is A DP Cable, And Is It Different From HDMI?

HDMI cables are additionally used to ship video and audio between two gadgets however are sometimes extra versatile than DP cables. The HDMI creators supposed for the cable to operate as a common software for connecting gadgets, serving as a one-size-fits-all answer for connecting gadgets. Since then, the HDMI cable has develop into ubiquitous within the tech world. While the commonest functions for HDMI cables embody connecting gadgets like gaming consoles, TVs, Blu-Ray gamers, computer systems, and displays. The cable’s makes use of are so huge, you’ll be able to even discover them in automotive and industrial functions.

HDMI cables can be found in various types, styles, and capabilities. Basic HDMI cables can transmit audio and video at resolutions as much as 1080i and at speeds as much as 5 gigabits per second. Some HDMI cables are designed for prime speeds and resolutions as much as 8K, whereas others are constructed particularly for automotive use and have strengthened warmth shielding to guard them from harsh circumstances and excessive engine temperatures.

In distinction, there are two varieties of DisplayPort cables: customary and DisplayPort 2.1. The cables additionally are available customary and Mini DisplayPort sizes. DisplayPort 2.1 is the extra trendy model, able to increased bandwidth ranges and appropriate with superior displays and shows. The customary connections are irregular in form, whereas the mini variations look just like Thunderbolt cables. Regardless, each customary and mini DP cables have 20 pins and the identical capabilities.

Accessories and Peripherals, Artificial Intelligence, Cameras, Energy

5 Useful Raspberry Pi Projects For Your Backyard

This subsequent challenge is nice for many who take pleasure in firing up the grill on the weekends and cooking underneath the open sky. There are a couple of totally different Raspberry Pi-based automated BBQ controllers on the market. Tempiture and PitmasterPi are each fashionable choices, however one of many extra trusted working programs is named HeaterMeter.

HeaterMeter lets you monitor and management BBQ people who smoke and grills on the Raspberry Pi itself, or by means of web-based automation. HeaterMeter makes use of a PID algorithm to routinely management pit temperature, regulate blower pace, and monitor as much as 4 probes on the identical time. You in all probability do not want one thing like this to grill a couple of burgers and canine, nevertheless it may very well be an actual lifesaver for meals like brisket that may take hours to cook dinner.

The DIY strategy to creating one in all these controllers includes making a 3D-printed enclosure and attaching an LCD show, sensor inputs, energy adapter, SD card, wi-fi USB adapter (if the Pi you might have does not include built-in wi-fi connectivity), a management output, and several other different equipment. But those that do not have entry to a 3D printer or who merely do not need to construct their very own from scratch should buy totally assembled kits too.

Accessories and Peripherals, Audio

How To Set Up Spotify With Sonos Voice Control

The very first thing you need to do to make use of your Sonos speaker to play music from Spotify is about up its voice management performance. This will permit you to give vocal instructions to the system so you do not have to interrupt out your telephone each time you wish to hear a bit of music. It’s a comparatively easy course of, although you will want an Android or iOS system with the intention to do it.

The first step is to obtain the Sonos S2 app to your cellular system. This will permit you to make all the mandatory adjustments to the Sonos system’s settings with the intention to use voice controls to play music from Spotify. Before that although, you will wish to be sure that your Sonos system is up to date to the newest software program model. Open the app after which navigate to Settings > System Updates > Check for Updates. This might take a number of moments, however it’s an vital step for ensuring that the speaker has all the newest functionalities.

Once that is carried out, go into Settings as soon as once more — solely this time, you are going to navigate to Services & Voice. Press the Add a Voice Assistant button after which choose Sonos Voice Control. You will then have to observe the directions within the app to finish the setup. You can now use these voice controls to play music through Sonos Radio, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Deezer, Pandora, and Spotify.

Accessories and Peripherals

5 Chicago Electric Power Tools No Home Mechanic Should Be Without

Rotary instruments are easy gadgets with many makes use of. While rotary instruments are frequent for mechanics, they’ve varied different purposes, too, together with carpentry, metalworking, and quite a few crafts and hobbies. The instruments can buff, polish, sand, grind, engrave, and lower into totally different surfaces and supplies. They work utilizing a small motor and a spindle, and you may join attachments to the spindle to remodel the instrument primarily based in your wants. With regard to auto work, rotary instruments are mostly used to scrub grime and corrosion from parts like brake calipers or to take away previous gasket materials from components like oil pans.

Chicago Electric’s rotary tool kit contains a 1.3-amp electrical instrument with a variable pace set off for exact management from 8,000 to 35,000 RPM. Its thumbwheel pace adjuster can be utilized to take away rust and burrs, in addition to lower plastic, steel, and wooden. The equipment comes with 31 gadgets, together with the rotary instrument; varied slicing, buffing, and sharpening attachments; and a blow mould case.