# Ep 289: Tiny Games, Two Modern Modems, and the Next Big Thing

- Show: [Hackaday Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast)
- Published: 2024-09-20
- Length: 39m
- Episode: 289
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-09-20-ep-289-tiny-games-two-modern-modems-and-the-next-big-thing
- Listen: https://hackaday.libsyn.com/ep-289-tiny-games-two-modern-modems-and-the-next-big-thing

## Summary

Hosts Elliot Williams and Kristina Panos review the 2024 Tiny Games Contest winner, Alan Wilson’s subsurface Simon, and discuss two modern modem projects: a USB-to-RS232 adapter using Skyworks chips and a Wi-Fi Hayes modem clone for the John Conn badge. They explore non-planar ironing in 3D printing via the Curve Slicer software, data archiving on paper using QR codes and Optar, and the Cast 21 medical cast. The episode concludes with a deep dive into grounding USB-C shields and speculation on the 'next big thing' in hardware, such as ASICs and biohacking.

## Chapters

- [0:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-09-20-ep-289-tiny-games-two-modern-modems-and-the-next-big-thing#t=1) Introduction and Supercon Updates
- [3:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-09-20-ep-289-tiny-games-two-modern-modems-and-the-next-big-thing#t=182) Tiny Games Contest Winner: Subsurface Simon
- [5:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-09-20-ep-289-tiny-games-two-modern-modems-and-the-next-big-thing#t=324) Non-Planar Ironing and Curve Slicer
- [11:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-09-20-ep-289-tiny-games-two-modern-modems-and-the-next-big-thing#t=718) Modern Modems: USB Adapter and Hayes Clone
- [16:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-09-20-ep-289-tiny-games-two-modern-modems-and-the-next-big-thing#t=977) Cast 21 Medical Cast and Paper Data Archiving
- [21:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-09-20-ep-289-tiny-games-two-modern-modems-and-the-next-big-thing#t=1300) DIY Espresso Machine and Ferrite Chokes
- [30:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-09-20-ep-289-tiny-games-two-modern-modems-and-the-next-big-thing#t=1826) Grounding USB-C Shields and Ground Loops
- [34:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-09-20-ep-289-tiny-games-two-modern-modems-and-the-next-big-thing#t=2096) The Next Big Thing in Hardware

## Topics

- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Alan Wilson (other)
- DigiKey (company)
- Curve Slicer (tool)
- Marion (other)
- STM32G030F6 (chip)
- Skyworks (company)
- John Conn (company)
- ESP32 (chip)
- Cast 21 (product)
- Zach (other)
- Optar (product)
- DIY Espresso Group (company)
- HamRadio DX (other)
- Nano VNA (tool)
- Trung Tron (other)
- Vincent Strong (other)
- Zach Friedman (other)
- Arya Voranova (other)
- Matt Van (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [033 - All Over the Place](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2020-04-27-033-all-over-the-place) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)
- [MNT Pocket Reform, Apple E-Ink display, Pi Pico Midi Step Sequencer, and more!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2022-09-28-mnt-pocket-reform-apple-e-ink-display-pi-pico-midi-step-sequencer-and-more) (The Electromaker Show)
- [The Spark Gap - Episode 36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-07-04-the-spark-gap-episode-36) (The Spark Gap)
- [Space Difficulties and Lost Heroes - Wanzing Workshop Whemmle](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-11-06-space-difficulties-and-lost-heroes-wanzing-workshop-whemmle) (The Amp Hour)
- [498: To Consume Stickers](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-04-04-498-to-consume-stickers) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

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