New Atlas

Computers Audio available

Kano partners with Microsoft for build-it-yourself laptop for kids

Paul Ridden June 21, 2019

Making and coding are important skills for future engineers and technicians to master. With this in mind, Kano has partnered with Microsoft to release the Kano PC – a DIY Windows 10 computer for kids that gets them making , coding and creating.

The Kano PC tasks students with building a tablet from a kit, and then learning to ...

Home Entertainment

Plynth scans album art to kick off Spotify playback

Paul Ridden June 18, 2019

Product developer Jono Matusky wanted a way to play his albums while working in his studio, without needing to keep popping into another room to change sides or set up multi-room streaming. The Plynth is the result.

Plynth's camera scans the album cover, searches for a match and then plays the music via ...

Around The Home

Accordion-like Elephant In A Box sofa packs small enough to come in the mail

Bridget Borgobello May 22, 2019

The Elephant In A Box collapsible sofa comes delivered in a compact box and, according to the creators, takes less than five minutes to assemble. Incorporating a honeycomb technology core, the sofa simply stretches out of the box and is secured into place before the cushions are placed on top.

Elephant in a Box sofas are able to expand and recover their shape after being unpacked

Computers

Arduino launches four member Nano maker board family

Paul Ridden May 20, 2019

The Arduino Nano has been at the heart of many projects over the years, including the captivating Edgytokei clock, a six-legged stinger and the retro-tastic Synth Bike. Now the Nano is getting a bunch of baby brothers in the shape of the Nano Family maker boards.

The Arduino Nano Family has been designed for makers looking for "affordable boards for everyday projects"

Around The Home

KwikPro turns the traditional cordless-tool format on its head

Matt Kennedy May 14, 2019

A British engineer with a long career in electric vehicles and hovercraft has created the KwikPro system, which he hopes will revolutionize the way tradespeople work, and get around. The 10-piece array of trade-worthy tools fits into just one case, because the motor is in the handle, not the head.

The KwikPro Gold Diamond set, with remote-control power handles

Smartwatches

DIY smartwatch has 3D-printed case, color display and custom charging cradle

Paul Ridden May 2, 2019

Electrical engineer and product designer Samson March decided to build his own smartwatch. The result is stylish wrist candy with a 3D-printed wood-like outer case, color LCD display, Bluetooth connectivity and its own matching charging cradle.

Automotive

Urban-escape Ford Transit camper van with mobile office surfs the waves and web

C.C. Weiss April 24, 2019

Tired of staring at the paper-littered wall of your off-white office cubicle? This work/play off-grid adventure van escapes that dismal 9-to-5, packing a multifunctional interior complete with an impressive productivity suite based around a foldaway office with integrated iMac.

The van already saw some mileage before the conversion, but it sure looks ready to add ...

Music

MPA Platform creates pro audio gear with Lego-like ease

Paul Ridden March 27, 2019

Lego is easy to use and allows creative types to build whatever is in their heads, or adapt something created earlier to fit new needs. The MPA Platform from MakeProAudio offers a similar experience for folks wanting to build custom audio gear – with nothing more than a screwdriver.

The MPA Platform allows musicians to build needs-specific audio gear

Games Audio available

VR comes to Nintendo Switch with new Labo kits

Michael Irving March 6, 2019

Almost 25 years after the ill-fated Virtual Boy, Nintendo has finally jumped back into the VR game with a new Labo Kit for the Switch console. The fourth of these DIY cardboard construction kits is built around a pair of VR goggles that slide into different contraptions to play a range of games.

Nintendo's newest Labo Kit adds VR to the versatile Switch console

Computers

Connectivity and speed at the core of latest Odroid maker board

Paul Ridden February 20, 2019

Though many alternatives are available, the Raspberry Pi computer boards are probably the most well known and widely used in the maker community. Hardkernel recognizes that there's a strong market for more powerful, more capable and more expensive boards. The Odroid N2 ticks all of those boxes.

The Hardkernel Odroid N2 is due for release at the end of March, 2019