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Archives for 2012

iPhone/Aux audio adapter

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I play some online multiplayer computer games with a friend (Portal 2, Starcraft, Diablo, etc) while talking over the phone with him. It’s generally easier than Skype/Teamspeak/etc since the cell call is free (same carrier), and doesn’t slow down either machine. After a year or so of playing while wearing my iPhone earbuds/headset, then over-the-ear headphones over the top of them, I realized what I needed was a dual input headset (like this), and that I could probably make something like this with some clever adapter use.

After buying what I thought would work (a 4 pin splitter, a combiner, and a mic), and finding out it did not, I decided to MAKE what it would take.

My first design, which I guess I would consider “version 1” is shown below (note: it seems this is improper, and should have some resistance inserted (see link below)). The parts were pretty simple. I salvaged the two cables needed, but if you wanted to buy all the parts, here’s a list:

  • 1 x Project box
  • 2 x 3.5mm Stereo jacks (female)
  • 1 x 3 pin TRS jack (male)
  • 1 x 4 pin TRRS jack (male)
  • Some wire

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Repeated Wrong Number Calls

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I have a long standing (going on a couple months now) issue with someone in Portland calling my cell phone when she actually means to be calling her mom or something. Anyway, she’s probably done this a couple dozen times in the last 2 months, and a bit ago, I decided to actually do something about it, since ATT doesn’t seem to have any free way to keep this from happening.

Turns out, I’m not the first one to have this issue. And after finding this post, I was easily able to add the silent ringtone, and then add the number to a contact with that custom “ring”. And now, if this happens any more with another number, you can just assign them to that contact as well, and they’re gone! Sure, you can still “see” the incoming call, but you don’t actually have to hear/feel it (with iOS 5+, you can assign no vibration to certain contacts as well).

Luckily the person isn’t dumb enough to leave me a message. =/

Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight

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After having my new Nook on hand for over a week now, I think I’m about ready to give it a basic review.

Largely, the design is untouched, and the interface remains the same. I do notice that the buttons (both for page turning, and the sleep/nook button) seem to feel better/less stiff than my first generation Simple Touch, but the biggest change is the light. It’s not a true backlight since the eInk display is opaque, but it does light the whole screen. It seems to just be a defuser over the screen, and LEDs shine from above and light the whole thing. It is, quite cool. I read most of the second book, and all of the 3rd book of The Hunger Games trilogy on the new Nook, and much of that was at night. Didn’t keep my wife awake at all. The biggest flaw I realized, which turns out to be false, is I thought you couldn’t turn on the backlight without unlocking the screen. Instead, you just press the nook button once to unlock, then hold it a second time (or just hold the button until the light comes on) for 3 seconds and it’ll light up.

This is really a short review since I already reviewed my previous simple touch, and this one really hasn’t changed in anyway besides some minor tweaks, and the awesome light.

I gave that one a 5 star rating, so really, this one should get over that. Alas…

[xrr rating=5/5]