This Atari 2600 Handheld Brings The Woodgrain

Woodgrain. There was a time when all of our coolest gadgets (and station wagons) were covered in this fake veneer. I for one, think it looks awesome and wish everything from our phones to our computers was still covered in the stuff. Sadly, no gadget maker seems to appreciate this look today, but the creator of this handheld RetroPie Atari 2600 console does.

This is what Atari’s Game Boy would have looked like had they released such a thing.

Modder Christian (“TheF00”) Doran’s  handheld looks appropriately retro in black and woodgrain. Inside, it packs a Pi Zero micro computer running RetroPie so it can play lots of emulated games. I’m not gonna lie; I just love the classic design of this thing. It’s simple and elegant. The body is black plastic, with red buttons and a D-pad for controls. The vinyl woodgrain applique around the screen completes the aesthetic. It makes me feel all warm and nostalgic. I may need to play some old games today like Space Invaders or Asteroids.

If you want to print your own so you can have one, you can find the files for the 3D-printed case on Thingiverse, and the creator of this handheld has also provided a basic guide to sourcing the other parts. It’s all easy to find stuff that’s available on eBay and other places online.

[via Hackaday]

This Handmade Jukebox Uses a Card Scanner to Select Tracks

Designer Chris Patty may have won Christmas. This year, his family decided all the gifts they gave each other had to be handmade. He decided to make his dad a fancy jukebox with some classic tunes inside.

This isn’t a jukebox like you’d see in a ’50s diner mind you, it’s more like a wooden cigar box with a computer inside. What makes it truly unique is the way that you select tunes to play on it. He connected a card reader to the Raspberry Pi, and programmed it to choose the song based on magnetic stripe information recorded on each card.

The system limits the listener to the specific songs that Chris has created cards for, but from the looks of it, there are lots of songs to enjoy. Patty has promised a tutorial for people wanting to build their own jukeboxes is coming, and is also working on a Kickstarter for a version you can buy for yourself. You can sign up for more information on the project here.

[via The Verge via Mashable]

These Classic Nintendo Consoles Play Thousands of Arcade and Other Systems’ Games

Do you love to play classic arcade games? Don’t have the space for a big arcade cabinet, or the time to futz about installing and configuring emulators along with all of their convoluted config files? Then check out NewAgeRetro, who makes cool Raspberry Pi-based game emulator systems, built into 3D-printed shells that look like classic Nintendo game consoles.

They build RetroPie-based systems, running on a Raspberry Pi 3 board, and come pre-loaded and ready to play. They’ve done all of the hard work, installing and configuring dozens of emulators, and thousands of games so you don’t have to. Currently, the systems come with 37 emulators, and over 12,000 games.

Best of all, these systems look cool, packed into miniature versions of NES, Super Nintendo, and N64 cases. They can even play games from the system that they look like.

The systems plug right into any display via HDMI, and have USB ports for connecting controllers. They can be optioned out with either the classic system’s controllers, or more modern PS3 controllers at no extra charge too. The systems sell for $249.99 in in classic console guise, or $299.99 in a more modern, custom built case. Check them all out in the NewAgeRetro Etsy shop.

These Briefcase Arcade Machines Let You Tote a Personal Arcade Everywhere

For those of you who have been following Technabob over the years, you know I love classic arcade games. I’ve even go so far as to have a custom-fabricated “Basement Invaders” arcade machine built for my man cave. But as awesome as that is, sometimes it would be nice to play the classics on the road. Fortunately, thanks to Jason Fernandez and his JFCADE arcade briefcases, it’s totally possible.

Jason takes old-school hard-sided briefcases, and kits them out with a full arcade emulator system. Each one is powered by a Raspberry Pi 3B processor and has a built-in arcade joystick (with a removable handle for travel), arcade quality backlit buttons, and an LCD screen built into the lid. There are also speakers inside, as well as a rechargeable battery pack, so you can really play anywhere without wires.

Since each system is made from a recycled briefcase, complete with dents, dings, and scratches, they’re all one-of-a-kind and have unique character. I know I’d love to have one of these, so I can get my Donkey Kong on before sitting down to work for the day. I also like the idea of showing up to a business meeting with one of these, and setting up at the end of the conference table to play some Dig-Dug or Bubble Bobble.

If you like these as much as I do, you can buy your very own over at JFCADE’s Etsy shop for $1300.

These Raspberry Pi Cases Make Tiny Retro Computers

If you’re a fan of classic computer systems from the 1980s, then check this out. These custom-made cases let you build a working Raspberry Pi computer system that looks like a mini version of iconic retro systems.

RetroPiCases makes miniature cases based on the Commodore 64, VIC-20, Amiga 500, BBC Model B, and my personal favorite, the Atari ST – which was the last great computer system that didn’t run either Windows or Mac OS if you ask me.

Each 3D-printed case perfectly fits a Raspberry Pi board (be sure to read the descriptions on Etsy to see which board it requires), and provides proper access to its ports, and some cases include an LED power light as well.

The cases sell for about $20 to $35 (USD) each, not including the cost of the Raspberry Pi board itself. Naturally, I think these would be best when loaded up with Emulation Station and system appropriate software so you can use it to run classic computer software.

 

The rise of drone crime and how cops can stop it

It was supposed to be an easy $1,000 job. All 25-year-old Jorge Edwin Rivera had to do was pilot a drone, carrying a lunchbox filled with 13 pounds of methamphetamine, from one side of the US-Mexico border to the other where an accomplice could retri...

Learn Robotics by Building an Autonomous Car

Hands-on experience makes learning fun and more effective. And that’s what you’ll get with SunFounder PiCar-S Raspberry Pi Kits. Learn basic programming and robotics by getting this autonomous car up and running yourself.

The PiCar-S is an open source robot learning kit running on Raspberry Pi, and this deal includes everything you need, including your own Raspberry Pi 3 board. You’ll have to use the included Python code step-by-step in order to get the car to move. With three sensor modules including ultrasonic obstacle avoidance, light follower, and line follower, you can develop a better understanding of how to program the car’s controls.

Learn basic robotics in a way that’s memorable and engaging. Grab a SunFounder PiCar-S Raspberry Pi Kit for yourself for only $159.99(USD) in the Technabob Shop.

More deals from the Technabob shop: 

Zero to Hero Cyber Security Hacker Bundle

Mighty: The First On-The-Go Spotify Music Player

Stranger Things Poster

 

Learn to Build IoT Applications for Raspberry Pi

Interested in learning more about all the professional and personal possibilities Raspberry Pi can create in your life? The Raspberry Pi Mastery Bundle will teach you how this low-cost computer hardware is surprisingly versatile and capable.

This bundle of online courses is perfect for those who want to further explore Raspberry Pi, especially the recently launched Raspberry Pi Zero. As one of the most powerful Internet of Things (IoT) and home automation tools on the market today, Raspberry Pi programming is a valuable skill to have in today’s tech workplace.

After you learn the basics, you’ll learn about automation projects, how to display data on external devices, and how to use Raspberry Pi to control robots, among other things. You’ll even discover how to use Raspberry Pi to mine Bitcoin and possible make some spare change.

By the end of the course, you’ll be a Raspberry Pi pro, opening doors in your career and personal life. The complete series is yours for just $34(USD) in the Technabob Shop.

Learn to Build a Robot with This Raspberry Pi Robotics Kit

Learning the intricacies of robotics may sound like a major hill to climb, but these SunFounder Raspberry Pi Robot Kits change all that. They let your start exploring the wonderful world of robots for just $149.99 (USD).

The PiCar-V is an open source robot learning kit with a Raspberry Pi 3 board at its heart. The kit includes all the circuits, wiring, motors, and other hardware you need to build the car and it for a drive with your PC, phone, or tablet. Best of all, the simple wiring and provided Python code makes it a breeze to learn.

Whether you’re looking to make robotics your career or hobby, this is a great place to start. Get SunFounder Raspberry Pi Robot Kits for $149.99 in the Technabob Shop.