I’ve recently got a GoPro with a non-functioning touchscreen. I was hoping to use my smartphone to control the GoPro, but they removed a bunch of settings from their app, apparently due to an ongoing lawsuit. It’s possible to get them back though, here’s what I found.
Continue reading Changing GoPro settings from the smartphone app, getting Protune settings backCategory: Geek hardware
IDOBAO ID80 mechanical keyboard kit review
Yes, another keyboard. No it won’t be the last one, there’s no point on trying to fool myself. This kit is available on AliExpress and was also sold on Drop (previously Massdrop). The one I got was from Drop, 1st batch.
Continue reading IDOBAO ID80 mechanical keyboard kit reviewXD87 TKL Keyboard kit – QMK firmware
I already went through the customization of the XD87 (HS) keyboard via TMK using a layout from KLE in this blog post (along with general information about keyboard layout customization). The XD87 now has QMK support. That firmware is based on TMK, so it has the same principles but is a bit different in multiple aspects. Let’s look at them and see how to flash QMK on the XD87 (HS).
Continue reading XD87 TKL Keyboard kit – QMK firmware75% keyboard custom build – The parts
I told you I really wanted to build a new keyboard when I finished the previous one. Well here I am again, but with a different build in mind this time. First, I’m going for a smaller size. Second, I’m taking parts from different places (well, 2 different sellers…). Third, the RGB underglow is gonna be useful this time. Let’s dive in.
Continue reading 75% keyboard custom build – The partsXD87 TKL kit – Build log
In a first post, I went through the content of the kit. Taking pictures of all the parts was nice, but assembling the keyboard is even more fun! Again, I took quite a few pictures, I hope it’ll be useful somehow.
XD87 TKL Keyboard kit – how to customize the layout/firmware and flash the keyboard
One of the best feature of the XD87 PCB is that its firmware is fully customizable. Although this might sound complex and probably way too much, customizing the firmware allows you to create your own layout for the keyboard. Let’s dive in. Don’t know what I’m talking about? See this article first.
Continue reading XD87 TKL Keyboard kit – how to customize the layout/firmware and flash the keyboard
XD87 TKL keyboard kit – Kit content
Time has come for a new keyboard! Now that I know I will always use a mechanical keyboard from now on (the typing feeling ❤), I’ve decided to invest a bit more into something nice, beautiful and customizable. So I bought the new XD87 kit that came out not that long ago.
In this first article, I’ll just go through the parts that are included in the kit. I hope you like pictures, because I took quite a few.
DIY: Electric Skateboard / Longboard
I’ve been commuting by bike for more than 3 years now, and I like it, even if I live in a city where it rains quite a lot… During the last few years, I’ve seen electric skateboards becoming more and more popular and I really would like to try and see if it’s a good alternative to commuting by bike (plot twist, they can’t be used on public space where I live, but it’s tolerated). Unfortunately, the good models are above my budget, but I think I found a solution. (this post is under ongoing edit)
Updating my Nexus 5 from stock ROM to Lineage OS
It doesn’t seem like much, but it definitely requires some preparation and knowledge. I won’t detail all the steps in here, there are many tutorials on the internet. But it’s just a little recap with useful links and info.
I’ve mainly followed this guide (but it’s in french).
Backup your files
Many ways to do that. There are apps like Helium or Titanium Backup.
Google can save your data too.
You can also use the adb command to create backups from your computer (tutorial in french, easy to follow, it’s just command lines).
Connect your phone to USB and check all folders, especially the Pictures folder as everything will be wiped.
Unlock your phone
This will wipe the data of your phone. No other solution here, just do it. Tutorials are easy to find on the internet. I used this one.
I would recommend to reboot the device completely. It might have avoid my bootloop issue (see next part).
Install custom recovery
TWRP is the most famous one, so I chose this one. Go to the official page to download the img file (this is specific for the Nexus 5, the list of other devices is there). Instructions for the Nexus 5 are available on the site too.
I had an issue with the install, not sure if it’s because of the version (3.1.0 at that time) or my install file which was corrupted. But I ended up with a bootloop, but with fastboot still available.
After some research, it’s actually easy to fix that up. I found that thread in XDA forums, where a member says he followed that other guide to put his device back on the road (just replace stuff with Nexus 5 files and you’re all good).
Phew… I must say I was a bit stressed after seeing my Nexus 5 in a bootloop !
Boot to TWRP
Boot to fastboot (hold volume down + power buttons). Choose recovery with the volume button and press power to choose recovery.
Wipe those partitions:
- Dalvik / ART Cache
- System
- Data
- Cache
Install Lineage
Download the ROM file from the official Lineage OS site.
When in TWRP, the USB storage of your device should be available from your computer. You can copy the Lineage OS zip file to your phone.
I also put the md5 check file so TWRP can check the integrity of the file before installing it. If your rom filename is lineage-14.1-20170328-nightly-hammerhead-signed.zip, create a text file named lineage-14.1-20170328-nightly-hammerhead-signed.zip.md5, open it with a text editor and put the MD5 hash inside it. Be sure to copy it alongside the Lineage OS rom file on your phone.
Install it using the Install option in TWRP. Once done, wipe the cache as recommended by TWRP. Tap TWRP icon on the top left to go back to TWRP menu.
Install Google Apps via Open GApps
Go to http://opengapps.org/ to download the Google Apps package. The Nexus 5 is using an ARM processor. Note that I tried to install the Stock package, but it failed because of the size of the System partition being too small. I had to go down to the Micro package to be able to install the apps.
Same thing as above, put the zip file on your device, along with the md5 file (you can download that file directly from the open GApps site). Install it using TWRP, wipe the cache, and you’re done.
Reboot and enjoy
Reboot the phone and let LineageOS boot. It will take some time to boot at first.
Restore the files using whatever method you chose. I personally just restored things from my Google account. I don’t mind loosing some data as I didn’t have anything important.
DJI Phantom 3 Standard / 4K modding, hacking, improvements and advice
I’ve recently got a DJI Phantom 3 Standard mainly to get nice shots of places I visit.
I’ve made some research about how to improve the drone in order to get the best experience possible. Also, being a geek/dev, I checked out the software hack on the drone/controller which is quite interesting.
I’ve grouped all what I found in this post. Enjoy.
Continue reading DJI Phantom 3 Standard / 4K modding, hacking, improvements and advice