A HACK A DAY: Season 13
We bring you hacks and tricks to make life easier with technology around you
Season 13 features the following hacks:
- How to multiply numbers in just a few seconds
- Make your own fire crackers with household items
- 10 hacks to boost mobile reception and save battery
- How to hack your Nikon DSLR for better videos
- How to make your own tilt shift DSLR lens
- How to make a night vision camera at home
- How to make a portable speaker at home
- How to make a simple air tank using a plastic soda bottle
- Make your own laser beam burglar alarm for your house
- How to fix a punctured tubeless tire on your own
- DIY special effects – cobwebs from styrofoam cups
- How to make a simple obstacle avoiding walking robot
- DIY steadycam stabilizer for your DSLR camera
- How to design smartphone cases at home
- Make a simple, mini alcohol stove for camping use
- Protect your car from theft with a simple DIY kill switch
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A HACK A DAY: Present running season
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How to multiply numbers in just a few seconds:
The video here is not actually a hack but more of a trick. It shows you how you can multiply numbers with single, double, triple and even more in just a few seconds and using simple lines. Follow the tutorial in the video and you will be surprised how simple and easy it is.
Each day we also bring you videos from around the Internet to show you how they make stuff. Check out ‘How do they make it’
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Make your own fire crackers with household items:
Diwali, the festival of lights, is just around the corner and everyone celebrates with sweets and fireworks. Speaking of fireworks, you would know that each year, the prices of crackers are going through the roof. So why not make your own crackers at home. Ingredients for making simple fire crackers are easily available and they are nothing but just plain household items. The video will show you how you can make sparklers and rockets using regular powdered sugar and one more item. Check it out. Disclaimer: playing with flammable materials can be hazardous and prove fatal. Make sure you are careful and take necessary precautions. Try this at your own risk.
Each day we also bring you videos from around the Internet to show you how they make stuff. Check out ‘How do they make it’
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10 hacks to boost mobile reception and save battery:
This video will show you how you can help get the best signal reception receptions for your smartphones and also save on battery life. The hacks are very simple and you can cut down on costs related to call drops and power too. Check out these 10 hacks for your smartphone.
Each day we also bring you videos from around the Internet to show you how they make stuff. Check out ‘How do they make it’
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All DSLR cameras come with a factory-installed firmware which is tuned for optimal results. However, those who own a Nikon DSLR camera can tweak the original firmware to help you get better video quality. As compared to the older 24mbps that make videos choppy, you need to simply enable the firmware to allow the sensor to capture videos with full HD resolution at 64mbps. The hack is very simple and can be done in less than 5 minutes. All you need is the original firmware and head to a website which tweak the firmware to enable the settings so that the camera can start using it. Try this hack at your own risk. Make sure you check the website for compatible cameras. Watch the video that shows you how you can do it in three simple steps.
Each day we also bring you videos from around the Internet to show you how they make stuff. Check out ‘How do they make it’
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Creating miniaturized effects in your photos is done using the tilt shift feature. Most cameras today have it because they are created using a software tweak with the onboard program. However, the original tilt shift photography is done using a moving or tilting camera lens. In this video, you will see how you can create your own tilt shift lens for your DSLR camera. The hack is cheap and safe and will cost you just around Rs 200.
Each day we also bring you videos from around the Internet to show you how they make stuff. Check out ‘How do they make it’
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How to make a night vision camera at home:
Taking photos and videos at night or in pitch darkness is almost impossible. The camera cannot record anything that does not reflect light back at it. In order for cameras to capture an image for stills or video, you need a light source. A flood light, flashlight or a flash is the only option you have for a good photo or video footage. But for stealth recording at night or in pitch darkness (such as CCTVs), you cannot flash a light on the subject. Fortunately, cameras are sensitive to infrared light and can record images without humans or animals knowing about it. Infrared light is out of the human visible spectrum and hence humans and animals cannot see infrared light. So how do you get infrared light and how do you make a camera that can record images in pitch darkness? Check it out -
Each day we also bring you videos from around the Internet to show you how they make stuff. Check out ‘How do they make it’
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How to make a portable speaker at home:
Portable speakers are very useful for people who want to enjoy their music on the go. These speakers come in very handy when you are going for a trip or travelling extensively. A good portable speaker in the market will cost you something between Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000. However, if you want do not want to invest that much money on buying it from the market, there is a very simple way to build similar quality portable speakers at home. Today’s hack will show you how you can build an efficient portable speaker at home in less than an hour. The hack is cheap and simple and you do not need not to be a certified engineer to build it.
Each day we also bring you videos from around the Internet to show you how they make stuff. Check out ‘How do they make it’
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How to make a simple air tank using a plastic soda bottle:
Electronic circuits attract a lot of dust and you need a powerful air blower to clean them out. The conventional blower and vacuum cleaner could do the job well, but smaller electronic gadgets such as cameras, smartphones, computers, etc need a less powerful and portable air blower. Opting for a pressurized air can is the best solution, but they are not refillable and are pretty expensive. Today’s hack will show you how you can make a simple air tank using a plastic soda bottle. The hack is cheap and simple and you can build one for your home. You can use it to clean the duct from almost anything around your house or vehicle.
Each day we also bring you videos from around the Internet to show you how they make stuff. Check out ‘How do they make it’
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Make your own laser beam burglar alarm for your house:
Having a security alarm system is a must for every house. Each security system is build for different purposes. While some are basic alarms, others are equipped with lasers and sound/motion detectors. Nevertheless using a CCTV setup is the best option for proof of theft and helping the cops zero in on the thief. Each security system comes at a huge price and they all depend on the type of detection system they incorporate. In video today, we will show you how you can build a very simple and cheap laser beam burglar alarm system. The laser beam can be setup with tiny mirrors around your house/room/area and when the beam is interrupted or broken, the alarm will sound off immediately. The parts used for the project are cheap and you can build one in under Rs 1,000.
Each day we also bring you videos from around the Internet to show you how they make stuff. Check out ‘How do they make it’
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How to fix a punctured tubeless tire on your own:
Having tubeless tires for your car or bike is a best option. Tubeless tires have no internal tube that requires to be inflated. They are just a tire attached to the rim, or wheel, and air is filled inside, keeping it inflated. The main and only benefit of a tubeless tire is that when you encounter a puncture, the tire does not deflate immediately and allows you go carry on driving or riding till you get a service center to fix it. On the other hand, a tube-based tire would immediately deflate and you will need to fix the puncture immediately. Fixing a tubeless tire is far easier than a one with a tube. In most cases, you don’t need to remove the wheel to repair the tire and the puncture can be fixed within a few minutes. All you need is a puncture repair kit which costs you just Rs 250 to Rs 500. You can store it in your car boot or under your bike’s seat and use it instantly when you require it. Fixing a tubeless tire is very easy and simple. The video here demonstrates how you can fix a tubeless tire puncture in under 10 minutes and save on time and fixing costs.
Each day we also bring you videos from around the Internet to show you how they make stuff. Check out ‘How do they make it’
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How to make a simple obstacle avoiding walking robot:
Enthusiastic about robotics? Here is a very simple DIY for all you robot-crazy fans out there. The video shows you how you can make a super-simple walking robot which can detect obstacles and turn around. The project is fun and can be made at home with a few electronic components costing below Rs 500. Why not make one today?
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DIY steadycam stabilizer for your DSLR camera:
If you keep taking videos using your DLSR camera (or even your handycam), you will definitely know how your videos are ruined when you shoot videos while walking or running. Your camera does not remain stable and video shake is visible in your final cuts. The onboard image or video stabiliser can do very little and your final videos are not professional-looking anyways. Opting for a steadycam rig can be expensive, but the results are definitely stunning. Why not build your own steadycam rig for stabilising your videos? The rig can be built in under Rs 1,000 (or even cheaper). Check out the video which explains the entire tutorial.
Each day we also bring you videos from around the Internet to show you how they make stuff. Check out ‘How do they make it’
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How to design smartphone cases at home:
Like every weekend, we bring you some cool DIY today. The hack of the day are a few simple tricks to design your own smartphone cases. You can use your favourite colors and designs and make your smartphone look super snazzy over night.
Here’s how you can go about it. Watch and learn:
Each day we also bring you videos from around the Internet to show you how they make stuff. Check out ‘How do they make it’
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Make a simple, mini alcohol stove for camping use
If you are planning an outdoor trek or going camping, you will definitely need survival equipment. A stove or something to heat or cook your food is a necessity and a portable stove can come in handy. However, most portable stoves are either unnecessarily bulky or not as efficient as you need it to be. Why not make an efficient one for yourself? The video here will show you how you can make a burner with some soda cans and uses cheap alcohol as fuel.
Each day we also bring you videos from around the Internet to show you how they make stuff. Check out ‘How do they make it’
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Protect your car from theft with a simple DIY kill switch:
Even if your vehicle is protected by a car alarm kit, professional thieves can easily hotwire it and make a run. Thieves are well acquainted with almost all types of car alarm systems and know how to disable or get around it. The only best way protect your car from being stolen is probably take off your car battery or the steering wheel and cart it home or to office each day. Not a practical option right? So why not make a secret hidden kill switch for your car so that you can still have it protected from thieves? The video here shows you how you can make and install a kill switch for your vehicle and secretly hide it inside your car. This way, only you know where the switch is and only you can turn on your car.