Hardware Podcasts

Ep 364: Clocks, Cameras, and Free Will

Hackaday Podcast · 3 Apr 2026 · 48m · Episode 364

What this episode covers

Hackaday editors Elliot Williams and Kristina Panos review recent community hacks, including Mirko Pavlesky's PVC enclosures, Utani's Saturnix camera, and Andy Isaacson's mathematical clock. They also discuss Signal Snowboards' cardboard guitar, John's SMT tape counter, and the rapid adoption of solar balconies in Germany. The episode concludes with a critique of Microsoft Copilot's 'entertainment only' terms of service and a review of the Artemis moon launch coverage.

Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Signal Snowboards, Microsoft
Products
Saturnix, Momentous, Copilot
Chips
Raspberry Pi 0, RGCAM, ESP32, OV 3660
Also
Mirko Pavlesky, Utani, Andy Isaacson, John, Benedetto

Related episodes from other shows

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 14m

    Pneumatic Tubes, Straight To The Home

    Dave Jones and Chris Gammell discuss recent tech hype, including debunking viral claims about the 'Water Cube' dehumidifier and beta-voltaic 'nuclear diamond' batteries. They cover the merger of Evil Mad Scientist and Bantam Tools, a side-channel security vulnerability affecting ESP32 microcontrollers, and the acquisition of a used TVM pick-and-place machine. The conversation also touches on power grid issues, CAD software choices like Fusion 360 and Onshape, and the failure of solar roadways.

    Debugging & failure analysisMicrocontrollers & dev platforms
    8 chapters

  • Making It · 1h 09m

    469: It’s My Fault, But Also Your Fault

    Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss their recent projects, including Diresta’s accidental launch of a 3D-printed webcam mount, Clagett’s zinc casting of ‘steal apples’ and stained glass work, and Picciuto’s restoration of a Juno 106 synthesizer. The hosts also critique modern smart TVs, specifically LG models, for intrusive pop-ups and input switching, contrasting them with ‘dumb’ monitors. They explore the rapid iteration of small-batch manufacturing, from sourcing hardware to packaging, and share recommendations for YouTube channels like Veritasium and Dave’s Auto Center.

    Prototyping & iterationDirect-to-consumer & e-commerce
    9 chapters

  • Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast · 45m

    033 - All Over the Place

    Hosts Jen Castillo and Alvaro Prieto discuss their pandemic-era projects, including Alvaro's recreation of his father's 7400-series digital clock, a USB-C power adapter using a Cypress chip, and a t-shirt quilt. Jen details her reverse engineering of a greeting card chip, her exploration of Chinese manufacturing via Alibaba, and her choreography of a remote dance piece. They also cover the cancellation of hardware conferences like Hackaday Supercon and HackRF, and recommend movies such as 'Mood Indigo' and '3 Idiots'.

    Prototyping & iterationDebugging & failure analysis
    9 chapters

  • Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast · 36m

    030 - Supercon 2019

    Jen Castillo and Alvaro interview Emily Velasco, who created the 'Death Clock' using a repurposed 1980s vacuum fluorescent display and an Arduino driver, and Jasmine Brackett, who runs Tindie and organizes the hardware swap at Hackaday Supercon 2019. The conversation covers Velasco's talk on making 'ugly, weird, and annoying things' and Brackett's insights on the growth of the hardware community, including the RC2014 retro computer kit. They also discuss the future of hacking with AI, the regret of certain technologies like the internet and personal listening devices, and the specific challenges of the German startup ecosystem.

    Prototyping & iterationDirect-to-consumer & e-commerce
    5 chapters

  • Embedded.fm · 56m

    315: Trespassers William

    Hosts Elecia White and Christopher White discuss non-work activities, including Christopher's office rearrangement and the installation of a Waldorf Blofeld synthesizer and a 48-Point Balanced Patchbay to manage his music gear. They review the Solarbotics Squid Hunting CearouSol Kit, noting its clever solar-charging capacitor circuit, and discuss Chris's collaboration with his brother on music production and potential vinyl releases via Kickstarter. Elecia shares her progress in origami and the formation of a virtual book club, while both hosts reflect on their goals for 2020 and the negative impact of social media.

    Prototyping & iterationIndustrial & consumer product design
    6 chapters

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by Hackaday Podcast. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.