Social justice
fromWIRED
2 days agoMakers Are Building Back Against ICE
Community-built mesh networks, solar charging, and joyful DIY tactics provide resilient, private communication and empowerment tools for activists and disaster response.
Settling in for "just one more run" usually means your thumbs, wrists, or forearms start complaining long before the game is done. Most controllers are fixed objects that expect your body to adapt, which can lead to repetitive strain or numbness. You either push through the discomfort or take breaks that feel like interruptions, but rarely can you adjust the hardware itself to match how your hands actually feel in that moment.
Palmtops and UMPCs are experiencing a quiet resurgence among people who want something more focused than a laptop and more tactile than a phone. Compact e-ink devices and tiny Bluetooth keyboards have become affordable building blocks for exactly this kind of project, letting makers combine them into pocketable machines tailored to writing, reading, or just tinkering. The result is a small but growing wave of DIY cyberdecks and writerdecks that feel like modern reinterpretations of classic Psion palmtops.
Designer: Ollee Watch The upgrade process centers around replacing the F-91W's original circuit board with a custom-designed PCB packed with modern sensors and Bluetooth connectivity. You keep the lightweight resin case, the classic LCD display, and even the water resistance, but gain step tracking, smartphone notifications, and customizable features. The installation requires basic disassembly skills, making it accessible to most DIY enthusiasts.