Robert Schneider of excellent psych-rock group Apples In Stereo hacked a Mattel MindFlex game, which measures brain waves, into a controller for his Moog analog synthesizer. He calls his mind-control interface The Teletron. If you'd like to make your own, here are Schneider's video instructions, "Teletron for the Populace."
Mind-controlled Moog from Apples In Stereo
New interface to control electronic devices with your teeth
TeethTap is a new interface to control electronic devices by clicking your teeth together. Fortunately, it doesn't go in your mouth. Unfortunately, it's probably terrible for my TMJ. Detailed in a new technical paper by researchers at Cornell's Smart Computer Interfaces for Future Interactions (SciFi) Lab, the 3D printed earpiece pushes "against the jawline just… READ THE REST
Watch the incredible sales video for Rockwell Automation's Retroencabulator
This 1997 pitch for Rockwell Automation's Retroencabulator makes me feel like an idiot for not already owning one. The technology improves upon a 1944 machine called the turboencabulator: The original machine had a base plate of prefabulated amulite, surmounted by a malleable logarithmic casing in such a way that the two main spurving bearings were… READ THE REST
Lou Ottens, inventor of the cassette tape, RIP
Lou Ottens, who in 1963 invented the cassette tape while an engineer at Philips, has died. He was 94. I'm glad that he lived to see the cassette resurgence of recent years. From NPR: The cassette tape was Ottens' answer to the large reel-to-reel tapes that provided high-quality sound but were seen as too clunky… READ THE REST
These speakers bring Dolby Atmos theater tech right into your home theater for $100
Even for home theater nerds, it's easy to get washed away in a sea of techno-jargon, special proprietary systems, and other labels and specs that can turn into a sea of audiophile white noise. But there are some audio buzz terms that should get your attention, one being Dolby Atmos. Because for those familiar with the… READ THE REST
Enjoy the outdoors this summer with these insect and mosquito repellents
Look…almost nobody really wants to kill anything. Even an insect. But bugs…well, bugs don't really give you much choice, do they? And if it was just the annoyance of the buzzing or the swarming or the landing and crawling on you…that would be one thing. But with the bites and stings? The days and days… READ THE REST
This dog DNA test will tell you more about your best friend than you ever realized
It probably comes as no surprise that if you're looking for a dog breed that your insurance company will approve, the best bet is to avoid Doberman Pinschers, pit bulls, and Rottweilers. Or maybe you want a Chihuahua, which is one of the smallest breeds and also the longest living major breed at around 17… READ THE REST