DIY Phone/Tablet Accessories
November 21, 2015 5:50 PM Subscribe
10 cellphone/tablet accessories you can DIY. 10. Car docks. 9. Styluses. 8. Rubber Cases 7. Touch Screen Gloves 6. Mini-Charging Tables 5. Headphones with Remote Controls 4. Portable USB Chargers 3. Screen Protectors 2. Portable Speakers 1. Stands and Docks.
for 1. Stands and Docks, the easiest and cheapest implementation is a plate holder! Costs a dollar off the shelf. Who knew. If you don't like the looks of that, there are a dozen more ideas to consider.
For 2. Portable Speakers, the best cheap option, believe it or not, is a paper cup.
For 4. Portable USB Chargers, there's a reference to a 9V charger - unfortunately the design can generate an uncomfortable amount of heat, so be wary. Use the AAA version instead.
For 7. Touch Screen gloves, sew conductive thread to your gloves.
for 1. Stands and Docks, the easiest and cheapest implementation is a plate holder! Costs a dollar off the shelf. Who knew. If you don't like the looks of that, there are a dozen more ideas to consider.
For 2. Portable Speakers, the best cheap option, believe it or not, is a paper cup.
For 4. Portable USB Chargers, there's a reference to a 9V charger - unfortunately the design can generate an uncomfortable amount of heat, so be wary. Use the AAA version instead.
For 7. Touch Screen gloves, sew conductive thread to your gloves.
For 7. Touch Screen gloves, sew conductive thread to your gloves.
That wouldn't have occurred to me, but as it's getting cold and my Ingress addiction isn't lessening, I'm definitely doing this.
posted by Pope Guilty at 9:01 PM on November 21, 2015
That wouldn't have occurred to me, but as it's getting cold and my Ingress addiction isn't lessening, I'm definitely doing this.
posted by Pope Guilty at 9:01 PM on November 21, 2015
What is conductive thread? I am going to a sewing store tomorrow. Chop chop.
posted by Oyéah at 9:33 PM on November 21, 2015
posted by Oyéah at 9:33 PM on November 21, 2015
It's thread which conducts electricity, allowing your finger and a capacitive touchscreen, such as the one used in virtually every mobile device manufactured since the first iPhone, to complete a circuit, thus allowing you to interact with the screen even though you are wearing gloves. The article suggests making a small contact point on the outside of the glove to increase accuracy (though not too small, as some devices ignore very small contacts) but throwing it all over the interior of the finger to ensure a good connection with your finger.
posted by Pope Guilty at 9:39 PM on November 21, 2015
posted by Pope Guilty at 9:39 PM on November 21, 2015
As much as Pinterest gets slagged off (often justly), there really are a million varieties of each of these to be found there.
(I also really like the one where you cut down a shampoo bottle to make a hanger that hangs your phone from its wall wart while charging.)
posted by wenestvedt at 7:45 AM on November 22, 2015
(I also really like the one where you cut down a shampoo bottle to make a hanger that hangs your phone from its wall wart while charging.)
posted by wenestvedt at 7:45 AM on November 22, 2015
I'm pretty sure if I attempted most of these, it would result in a conflagration of epic proportions.
posted by delight at 6:54 PM on November 22, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by delight at 6:54 PM on November 22, 2015 [1 favorite]
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posted by storybored at 5:51 PM on November 21, 2015