video 5-Minute Projects

5-Minute Project Video: Parabolic Cookware Wi-Fi Antenna

Extend your range with some old-fashioned cookware


Here we have yours truly demonstrating a quick and easy way to greatly enhance your computer's ability to detect and connect to Wi-Fi networks both near and far with a piece of Asian parabolic cookware.

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PopSci 5-Minute Project Video: Disposable Cam-Belt

Make the world's coolest belt using a high-tech mash-up of leather straps and a disposable camera



Doug explains how to build perhaps the world's most fashionable high-tech belt using only leather straps, a disposable camera and some elbow grease. Oh, and a belt, of course.

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5-Minute Project Video: A Musical Stash For Your Cash

Jake builds a safe box out of an Altoids tin and a musical greeting card.



Jake demonstrates how to keep prying coworkers out of your secret stuff with this Altoids-tin storage box, complete with an "alarm" fashioned out of the guts of one of those musical greeting cards.

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5-Minute Project Video: Peephole Fisheye Lens

Use a standard peep hole and a bit of tape to shoot super-wide-angle fisheye shots with your digital point-and-shoot


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5-Minute Project Video: Snooper-Proof Wallet

Protect your RFID-equipped credit cards and identification documents from snoopers


As more and more credit cards and other documents come equipped with RFID tags—the tiny radio-frequency identification chips that beam your account or ID info to readers used by various services (public transportation, toll road fees, etc)—the more speculation has surfaced on how malicious ID thieves could potentially use similar readers to lift your personal data without your knowledge. Thankfully, it's pretty simple to keep your info protected right in your wallet. Web editor Megan Miller demonstrates above.

As always, our 5 Minute Projects are available in video podcast form—subscribe here. And check out the whole series at popsci.com/5minutes.

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5-Minute Project Video: The Coffee Can Cellphone Antenna

Boost your reception with little more than a coffee can


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Introducing the PopSci 5-Minute Project Videos: Bottle Cap Tripod

Make a tripod out of a soda bottle for pro night shots with your digital camera


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5-Minute Project Video: Naked Flash Drive

Trick out a flash drive by stripping it bare



A screwdriver, fan and a whole lotta spray-on plastic make for one sexy data storage device. In this week's edition, web editor Megan Miller demonstrates a foolproof technique for tricking out your flash drive by stripping it bare.

As always, our 5 Minute Projects are available in video podcast form—subscribe here. And check out the whole series at popsci.com/5minutes.

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PPX: The PopSci Predictions Exchange

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  • Android Phone By Fall

    Will the first cellphone equipped with Google's new open-source operating system, Android, go on sale by summer's end?

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  • Life on Mars

    Will the Phoenix lander find verifiable signs of life on the surface of Mars by January 1, 2009?

  • iPhone Killer Arrives

    Will the HTC Touch Diamond arrive in North America by September 31st?

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