Hackaday Podcast

They cover micron-scale 3D printing and sub-micron fabrication progress. LEGO and typewriter hacks that turn old mechanisms into printable text and USB keyboards come up. Graph theory applied to LED sculptures and AC driving tricks gets attention. Display and power hacks include an iMac turned into a 5K screen and Raspberry Pi power-management. They also debate vibe coding's impact on open source communities.

They dig into a Wi‑Fi trick that detects people moving through a signal field. An open‑source smartphone design and its tradeoffs get a spirited review. DIY comms for cyclists and tiny voice recognition on low‑power MCUs are showcased. Creative hardware hacks include 3D‑printed PCBs, plaster smoothing tricks, a tensegrity bicycle wheel, and an art piece that visualizes Wi‑Fi traffic.

They debate technical and legal challenges around blocking 3D-printed firearm blueprints and whether detection tools can work. Builders showcase a 128-segment steerable mirror, continuous 3D-printing mods, and tiny actuator sourcing. Deep dives cover air traffic control history, skimming satellites and air-breathing electric propulsion. Listeners share dumpster-diving salvage stories and retro hacks like ordering pizza from a Wii.

Join Hackaday Editors Elliot Williams and Tom Nardi as they swap their favorite hacks and stories from the week. In this episode, they'll start off by marveling over the evolution of the "smart knob" and other open hardware input devices, then discuss a futuristic propulsion technology you can demo in your own kitchen sink, and a cheap handheld game system that get's a new lease on life thanks to the latest version of the ESP32 microcontroller. From there they'll cover spinning CRTs, creating custom GUIs on Android, and yet another thing you can build of out that old Ender 3 collecting dust in the basement. The episode wraps up with a discussion about putting Valve's Steam Deck to work and a look at the history-making medical evacuation of the International Space Station. Check out the links over on Hackaday if you want to follow along, and as always, tell us what you think about this episode in the comments!

This week, the hosts discuss innovative ways to visualize sound using Schlieren imaging and explore quirky hacks like painting on floppies. They delve into the performance of Windows releases on old hardware, revealing surprising benchmarks. A unique method for estimating caffeine content in drinks is presented, alongside discussions on device liberation and glitched JPEGs for artistic effects. Furthermore, the history of autopilots and time clocks adds depth to their tech-focused conversations.

Elliot was of at Europe's largest hacker convention: Chaos Communication Congress. He had an awesome time, saw more projects than you might think humanely possible, and got the flu. But he pulled through and put this audio tourbook for you. So if you've never been to CCC, give it a listen!

The entire Hackaday crew wishes you happy holidays and a fantastic 2026. You'll hear back from us then, so stay tuned.

This week's Hackaday Podcast sees Elliot Williams joined by Jenny List for an all-European take on the week, and have we got some hacks for you! In the news this week is NASA's Maven Mars Orbiter, which may sadly have been lost. A sad day for study of the red planet, but at the same time a chance to look back at what has been a long and successful mission. In the hacks of the week, we have a lo-fi camera, a very refined Commodore 64 laptop, and a MIDI slapophone to entertain you, as well as taking a detailed look at neutrino detectors. Then CYMK printing with laser cut stencils draws our attention, as well as the arrival of stable GPIB support for Linux. Finally both staffers let loose; Elliot with an epic rant about spreadsheets, and Jenny enthusiastically describing the Haiku operating system. Check out the links over on Hackaday if you want to follow along, and as always, tell us what you think about this episode in the comments!

This week, the hosts explore a fascinating range of hacks, including a typewriter that uses an ink pen and a unique illuminated reverse sundial that tracks the sun. They dive into the world of 3D printing, debating the merits of various printers, while also discussing Maya Posch's insights on the limitations of large language models compared to animal intelligence. A standout feature includes a volumetric display made from bubble-patterned glass, showcasing creative technological innovations.

Discover the surprising strength of a 50-gram 3D-printed hook that lifts a metric ton! Dive into the return of the Pebble smartwatch as it becomes fully open source. Uncover the fascinating Magnus effect with unconventional aircraft designs, including KFC bucket wings. Explore the innovative Freaknic badge made from e-waste and the potential of a new KiCad schematic repository. Plus, hear about the benefits of filling 3D prints with foam and learn about the WWII 'Pluto' pipelines that offer lessons in underwater engineering.