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Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses: Revolutionary Tech or Privacy Nightmare?

The Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses are one of the most polarizing wearables of the last year. These sleek-looking sunglasses hide some seriously cutting edge tech that’s changing the way we capture moments and consume content—and possibly losing our privacy in the process. What Are Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses, Actually? - Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses, for the uninitiated: a partnership between Ray-Ban and Meta (formerly Facebook) that looks like a pair of Ray-Ban classics (think Wayfarers) but with built-in cameras, speakers and microphones that hook up to your smartphone. Unlike cumbersome AR headsets, they’re designed to be worn all day – they’re light, stylish and apart from slightly thicker temples look like normal sunglasses. The current generation (released in late 2023) weighs just 49 grams, 5 grams more than standard Ray-Bans. Discreet Photography and Video It’s the 12MP camera that’s used the most, taking photos and 1080p video at the touch of a finger (or a voice command). Unlike ho...
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Cool 3D Printed Treasures You Need to Make This Weekend

 There's something special about turning computer files into tangible objects in your own home. As my 3D printer has gone from fad to must-have workshop staple, I've printed hundreds of designs—some useful, some stunning, and some just for the fun of it. Today, I'm sharing my personal favorite prints that bring maximum payoff with minimal fuss. These designs nail the sweet spot: they're stunning to brag about, fun to play with, easy on the post-processing, and don't call for special materials or printer adjustments. Let's jump into six 3D printed treasures that always impress both printing pros and absolute beginners in turn. 1. The Flexi Rex: Not Just Another Dinosaur The Flexi Rex with Stronger Links is now somewhat of a 3D printing icon, and rightly so. This articulated dinosaur prints out in one piece without supports and is ready to flex and bend right out of your print bed. What is so great about this version is the strengthened links. Previous flexi print...

Enlighten Your Space: The Ultimate DIY Smart RGB Lighting System

Sick of shelling out top dollar for ambient lighting that lacks features? Want to build a completely customizable lighting system that integrates with your games, music, and mood? You're in the right place! Today, I'm taking you through building an utterly gorgeous smart RGB lighting system with budget-friendly components and open-source software that matches (and often surpasses) commercial offerings that cost 3-4 times as much. The Budget-Friendly Powerhouse Combo Let me introduce you to the magic trio that's making DIY lighting go mainstream: ESP8266: This little WiFi-capable microcontroller is priced at about $3-5 WS2811 LED Strip: These addressable RGB lights cost about $10-15 for 5 meters WLED & SignalRGB: Free, robust software to manage your new lighting empire For less than $25, you can light up a whole room with music-reactive, customizable lighting that commercial companies would price at $100+. The catch? Open-source innovation and community-driven developmen...

A revolution in open source AMS? or Just another company abandoning a dream?

Last month the world of 3D printing was sent reeling at news that long-awaited Chameleon Automated Material System (AMS) had shifted status to open source. Reactions from the makers community are passionately split. It is either a democratization of high-technology or the backing-out quietly of a firm in possession of a highly ambitious venture going bust?The Chameleon AMS: An Abridged History For the uninitiated, the Chameleon AMS was created as an answer to one of 3D printing's most long-standing issues: multi-material printing. Built to plug into the vast majority of FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) printers, the system was supposed to manage up to eight distinct filaments without so much as lifting a finger. The system was initially previewed at the 2023 Maker Faire with a prototype that generated a lot of buzz for its smart filament detection, heavy-duty material handling, and low filament waste relative to other AMS solutions. The firm behind it, PrintVision Technologies, had ...