Top 11 iPhone projects for amateur and pro DIYers
There are truck loads of apps available for the iPhone in the app store, extending iPhone’s functionality a notch higher. But taking thing the DIY route can reap good results too, and only a handful of DIY’ers have ventured out on that route. Today I have compiled a list of DIY iPhone projects that range from high-end to the simplest ones. I’m sure you’ll find these DIY projects using the ever so popular Apple iPhone very interesting and venture out on making them.
# iPhone controlled coil gun
Built by Chris Farnell and Michael Helms (engineering students at University of Arkansas), the WiFi enabled four-stage coil gun DIY uses iPhone as its main controlling interface with video streaming. The DIY project is based around an Arduino microprocessor and it surely packs a punch.
# iPhone controlled solar-powered Arduino tank
It has got it all; iPhone, arduino, Wi-Fi, xBees, and on top of that it is solar powered. The tank’s brain is an arduino and the movements to the tank are provided using an iPhone app TouchOSC, which is connected to Processing (to convert Open Sound Control signals into serial commands). The converted signals are then ported over to an Xbee using a USB, and this drives the tank.
# DIY solar-powered iPhone charger
iPhone apps are so addictive that you just can’t get enough of them, and to keep your iPhone alive you need the battery life. This DIY activity shows you how to make a solar-powered iPhone charger so that you can charge your iPhone while on the run.
# Driving car with your iPhone
Dangerous, scatter-brained or complete idiocy whatever you may call it; guys over at Waterloo Labs have posted a DIY that completely controls a car using the iPhone. The steering is done using the accelerometer function in the iPhone, and the accelerator and brake pedal are actuated using slider controls; all this is done using some fancy hardware and a custom application.
# Make a regular USB charging rig for iPhone
Above demonstration shows you how to make an DIY iphone external battery charger.
There is also another easy DIY guide on how to charge your iPhone on a regular USB-charger with just one resistor.
# iPhone controlled RC car DIY
Another excellent project that uses the goodies of Arduino doubled-up with iPhone controller. Arduino sends commands to the remote control from iPhone input movements using the accelerometer sensor; thereby moving the RC car around.
# DIY iPhone 4 Steadicam
Spencer Watson has found a way for making an iPhone 4 steadicam that provides stability while shooting videos and taking pictures.
# DIY iPhone Macro lens for superb close-up photography
This DIY activity shows you how to make a macro lens attachment for your iPhone so that you can venture out on close-up photography session. The best thing about this DIY is that it’s made from simple household things and the adjustable clip helps you in attaching the macro lens to any phone you have.
Also check out this link for more info.
# Mount your iPhone on to your car’s dashboard
A very easy DIY that you can make for under $3 for using your iPhone as GPS navigation device inside your car. Instructables has done a very comprehensive post on this DIY make.
# iPhone as a video shooting device
Harold Smith and Graham Mcbain (OLEO team) have taken this iPhone mania a tad higher, with a DIY hack that allows the iPhone to make video clips that are close to what you’ll get with broadcast quality. They have figured out a way of connecting (through the 30-pin connector jack that is used to charge the iPhone) professional audio and video equipment (used by professional movie-makers) to the iPhone.
# Arduino controlling iPhone operations
Earlier there was a hack by rectona’s that allowed an Arduino talking to an iPhone, the hack was named Open Sound Controller (OSC) library for Arduino (ardOSC). The project used the OSC protocol and was quite impressive except for one shortcoming. Arduino and iPhone had to be connected manually by specifying the IP address of each device. Taking the ardOSC project with a bit of modifications and adding the Bonjour/Zerconf implementation (that runs on Ethernet-equipped Arduino board), the new project solved that problem.
