How to Use the Monokai Theme in Terminal on Mac

howchoo   (467)

September 29, 2023

3 minutes

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Mac

mac • 24 guides

Terminal

terminal • 1 guides

As a big fan of Sublime Text, I was excited to find out that somebody made a port of the Monokai theme for macOS and OSX’s Terminal. Originally developed by Wimer Hazenberg, Monokai is a great color scheme available for a variety of text-based applications. This short guide will show you how to get Monokai into Terminal.

1 – Download monokai.terminal

Download Stephen Way’s monokai.terminal port from the project’s Github page. Unzip the file.

2 – Install monokai.terminal

Double-click Monokai.terminal to open it. This will automatically install the color scheme into Terminal.

3 – Allow installation from unidentified developers

You may see a message similar to this:

“Monokai.terminal” can’t be opened because it is from an unidentified developer

If you see this message, navigate to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General and ensure that the App store and identified developers option is checked.

Then, click “Open Anyway”.

4 – Make Monokai your default Terminal color scheme

With Terminal open, navigate to Terminal > Preferences. Select the Profiles tab (MacOS) or Settings tab (OS X) and then click Monokai in the side pane. Finally, click the Default button.

You’re all done!

How to Enable the “Popping” Sound When Adjusting the Volume on Your Mac

howchoo   (467)

December 13, 2023

How to Set Up Homebridge on a Raspberry Pi

howchoo   (467)

September 29, 2023

21 minutes

What you’ll need

Interests

Raspberry Pi 4 Model B x 1

Homebridge x 1

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Smart Home

smarthome • 1 guides

Home automation is growing in popularity, but one of the biggest hurdles is compatibility between devices. Many manufacturers insist on using a branded app to configure and control smart home tech, with patchy compatibility with voice-activated systems like Siri, Google Home, or Amazon Alexa.

Apple users are left behind, with Apple’s own automation system (Apple HomeKit) costing more and with more stringent requirements for hardware developers to consider implementing. With this in mind, enter Homebridge, an open-source, third-party solution for Apple HomeKit-friendly devices (as well as others), allowing you to control and operate them without another Apple device.

Combine Homebridge with the low-powered Raspberry Pi microcomputer and you’re free to build an Apple-friendly automated home at a fraction of the cost. If you want to set up Homebridge on a Raspberry Pi, here’s what you’ll need to do.

1 – Before you begin

What you’ll need

Raspberry Pi

Like all home automation setups, Homebridge needs to be ready to respond to queries and commands 24/7. A Raspberry Pi is perfect for the task, but we’d recommend using a Raspberry Pi 3 + or a Raspberry Pi 4 for the latest hardware.

While other Raspberry Pi models may work (including a Raspberry Pi Zero), this isn’t guaranteed, especially if you have many smart home devices in your home.

Optional: Monitor, keyboard, and mouse

You can run Homebridge headless (without a monitor, keyboard, or mouse connected), but make sure that SSH is enabled before you do this.

Raspberry Pi OS

It’s also recommended that you’re running the latest version of Raspberry Pi OS. The instructions below have been written with this in mind.

You’ll also need to open a terminal (or SSH connection) and run the following commands to ensure your Pi is up-to-date before you begin:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Restart your Raspberry Pi once the update process is complete.

2 – Installing Node

Homebridge uses Node.js, a platform for running Javascript apps on a local machine, so you’ll need to install it before you can install Homebridge. We also need to install a few other development environments first, such as Python or C++, as additional Homebridge plugins may require these to work properly.

Installing Node

To start, open a terminal window (or an SSH connection) and run the following command to begin configuring your Pi for Node:

curl -sL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_14.x | sudo bash -

Once this process is complete, you can begin the Node installation by running the following command:

sudo apt install -y nodejs gcc g++ make python net-tools

Update Node Package Manager

Allowing the process to complete. Once it’s done, you’ll need to update npm (the Node Package Manager) by running the following:

sudo npm install -g npm

You can begin the Homebridge installation process once Node is installed and fully updated.

3 – Installing Homebridge

At this point, we’re ready for the main act. Homebridge itself is actually a daemon, a service that runs in the background. To be able to configure it after it’s installed, you’ll need to install a web-based user interface, allowing you to easily configure and handle it while it’s running.

To install Homebridge with the web interface components, run the following command from a terminal window or over SSH:

sudo npm install -g --unsafe-perm homebridge homebridge-config-ui-x

Using the Node Package Manager (npm), Homebridge (along with the web interface module) will be installed. This could take some time to complete, as npm will fetch and install several dependencies needed by the main packages. You may also see a few warnings about deprecated packages, but don’t let them scare you, as Homebridge should still work correctly (and upcoming Homebridge releases should hopefully resolve the issue for Pi users).

At some point, the installer will output a “thanks for installing” message. Don’t panic—the installation isn’t frozen at this point. You’ll need to wait a few more minutes to allow the Homebridge installation to finish.

Start Homebridge service

Once this is completed, you can start the Homebridge service. This takes a bit longer on Homebridge’s first run, as it needs to generate its initial configuration.

To do this, run the following command from a terminal or SSH window:

sudo hb-service install --user homebridge

Allow some time for this to complete. Once it’s done, you’ll see a list of IP addresses you can use to connect to the web interface, allowing you to add devices and configure them further. You’ll also see the default username and password (both admin) for use with the admin portal page.

4 – Configuring Homebridge and iOS 

If Homebridge is installed and set up to run correctly, you can configure it using the IP address output in the terminal window at the final set up stage above.

1. Open the address given in the previous step (i.e. your Pi’s address on port 8581, by default) in your web browser, and sign in using admin for both the username and the password. A screen like this will welcome you.

While it isn’t necessary to change the default username and password at this stage, it is highly recommended that you do once you’ve finished configuring your Homebridge set up. Otherwise, you may leave your smart devices at risk.

1. Next, open the Home app on a suitable iPhone or iPad device.
2. In the top right, tap the + (plus) button, then choose Add Accessory from the available options.

You’ll be given options to add a device (including scanning a QR code or manually typing in a code), but your Bridge device (your Raspberry Pi) should also appear (assuming you’re on the same local network).

1. Tap Add to Home to add this to your HomeKit setup.

1. Apple will warn you that you’re trying to add an uncertified accessory, but tap Add Anyway to ignore this.
2. Select a location, then give it a name (for instance, Homebridge Pi) to distinguish it from other HomeKit devices.

Accessories usually appear on the Home front page but, if it doesn’t, you should be able to see your Pi by pressing the Home icon in the top-left, then selecting Home Settings. You’ll see the device listed under the Hubs & Bridges section, confirming that it’s connected and ready to use.

5 – Setting up accessories

From this point on, the configuration will vary depending on what devices you actually plan on using with your Homebridge Pi. Regardless of brand and devices, however, you’ll generally need to install an appropriate plugin first to allow Homebridge to interface and control it. In the HomeKit/Homebridge environment, a device is called an “accessory.”

Our test system uses Tuya-branded devices, but other well-known brands (such as TP-Link and Homebridge) are available. To add appropriate plugins for these platforms, open the Homebridge web interface in your web browser, then search for the brand (for instance, Tuya) in the Plugins tab.

Various Tuya plugins are available for us to install, but only one is marked as verified (meaning that it’s been certified by the Homebridge developers), so that’s the one we’ll select.

After providing our account data (and a quick restart) during the configuration process, our connected Tuya smart home devices will appear in the web app (under the Accessories tab) and should be listed in the Home app on an iPhone and iPad, too.

Additional configuration may also be necessary. depending on your setup. For instance, if you need to recreate rooms in the Home app, you can do this by long-tapping the device in Home, then tapping the gear icon. This will allow you to make further changes to the individual devices you’ve connected to your HomeKit set up using Homebridge.

6 – Adding Scenes

Once your accessories (devices) are set up, you can create Scenes inside the Home app.

What is a scene?

Scenes allow you to change the status of multiple accessories with a single Siri command. The more accessories you have, the more scenes become useful in automating your home.

Add a new scene

To add a new Scene, tap Add Scenes in the Home app, then follow the on-screen instructions.

Example of a scene

For instance, you may say “Hey Siri, I’m home” to instruct Siri to automatically turn up the thermostat, switch the TV on, and configure the lights to a pleasant combination of color and intensity.

Alternatively, you may decide you want to sleep, telling Siri “Hey Siri, let’s head to bed.” Doing this could switch the lights off and set the house alarm for you automatically.

7 – Using Homebridge on a Raspberry Pi

Setting up Homebridge on a Raspberry Pi may require some extra configuration, but if you’re looking to expand your home automation without paying for pricy Apple products, a Raspberry Pi running Homebridge is a great option.

Homebridge doesn’t replicate all HomeKit’s features, but it should allow you to connect devices to the HomeKit ecosystem (so long as they’re supported and have relevant plugins).

Some home automation ideas

Homebridge isn’t the only home automation project you can try out with your Raspberry Pi, though. For instance, you could build a Raspberry Pi garage door opener to secure your garage, or use a PIR motion sensor on a Raspberry Pi to create a DIY home-alarm system.

Raspberry Pi Garage Door Opener: Control Your Garage Door from Your Phone Using a Raspberry Pi

How to Set Up a PIR Motion Sensor on the Raspberry Pi

Share your smart home!

If you have your own home automation projects to share, feel free to share them in the comments below!

How to Run a Minecraft Server on the Raspberry Pi

howchoo   (467)

December 7, 2023

How to Install SSHFS

howchoo   (467)

September 29, 2023

1 minutes

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Linux

linux • 12 guides

Mac

mac • 24 guides

This guide will show you how to install SSHFS on various operating systems.

1 – On macOS

Using brew, install FUSE.

brew cask install osxfuse

Now install SSHFS:

brew install sshfs

2 – On Ubuntu/Debian

sudo apt-get install sshfs

3 – On Windows

Find the desired version of win-sshfs from this page and download it.

How to Enable the “Popping” Sound When Adjusting the Volume on Your Mac

howchoo   (467)

December 13, 2023

Xfinity: How to Change Your WiFi Network Name

howchoo (467)

September 29, 2023

5 minutes

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Series

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Comcast

comcast • 7 guides

Networking

networking • 8 guides

Xfinity

xfinity • 2 guides

• 
  Reset Xfinity Router
• 
  Xfinity Router Login
• 
  Change Xfinity WiFi Password
• 
  Change Xfinity WiFi Network Name
• 
  Comcast Business Router Login

1 – With your router login

Xfinity Router Login: How to Log in to a Comcast Xfinity Router

1. Visit 10.0.0.1.
2. As long as you haven’t changed the credentials, you can use the username admin and the password password to log in.
3. Go to Gateway > Connection > WiFi.
4. Press EDIT next to your wireless network.
5. Edit the network name (SSID). (We recommend changing the password as well.)
6. Click SAVE SETTINGS.

2 – With the Xfinity “My Account” app

1. Make sure you have the Xfinity “My Account” app downloaded to your phone.
2. Open the “My Account” app.
3. Log in with your Xfinity username and password.
4. Select Internet.
5. Select Wireless Gateway.
6. Click Change WiFi settings.
7. Enter a new network name.
8. Click Save.

3 – With the Xfinity online website

1. Head over to the Xfinity “My Account” page.
2. Log in to your account with your Xfinity username and password.
3. Click on Settings.
4. Click Internet.
5. Click WiFi Credentials.
6. Select Edit on the right-hand side of the window.
7. Enter your desired WiFi network name and password.
8. Click Save.

How to Set Up a Raspberry Pi Network Monitor

howchoo (467)

September 21, 2023

Build your Own 3D-Printed Nintendo Switch Arcade Cabinet

howchoo   (467)

September 29, 2023

17 minutes

What you’ll need

Interests

3D printer (optional) x 1

Nintendo Switch x 1

LENTION 4-in-1 USB-C hub x 1

AC Infinity 80mm USB fan x 1

USB-C AC adapter, 3A x 1

USB-C extension, panel mount x 1

Dual USB extension cable, panel mount x 1

USB-C 90 degree adapter, male to female x 1

3D printing filament, PLA, gray x 1 spool

Super glue x 1 tube

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3D Printing

3dprinting • 36 guides

Nintendo

nintendo • 13 guides

Switch

switch • 1 guides

Today I’m going to show you how to build your own 3D-printed Nintendo Switch arcade cabinet!

Simply print all the parts, glue them together, and then install the optional electronics. These electrical bits will charge your Switch while you play, as well as provide additional cooling to help keep your Switch nice and chill.

You can even connect USB controllers to the front of the cabinet since all of these electronics connect directly to a powered USB hub. If you don’t want to install the electronics, that’s okay — this thing is still really great as a non-electronic device.

In either case, just remove the top of the cabinet, insert your Switch, and play!

Don’t have a 3D printer? No problem! Read on and I’ll show you some options for getting your parts printed.

Here’s a special shoutout to concavechest who designed this amazing arcade cabinet and uploaded it to Thingiverse. Thanks concavechest!

Watch the video:

I created a step-by-step video that will show you how to assemble your arcade cabinet and install all the electronics inside. The video does a bit more justice to the project than this written guide can. 🙂

The rest of this guide will focus on specific features of the build, so be sure to check it out too when you’re done with the video.

Obligatory disclaimer: As with anything DIY, certain risks are inherent. I’m not responsible if you damage or brick your Switch. 🙂 Since I wrote this guide in April 2019 (firmware 7.0.1), the arcade cabinet is still going strong! However, Nintendo updates their firmware all the time so anything can happen. If you’re concerned about this, you can also build the non-electronic version of the cabinet.

1 – The completed project

Just as the prophecy prophesied, first a final photo!

2 – And the back

Here’s a photo of the back of the arcade cabinet, showing the optional USB fan, fan speed controller, and power input.

3 – The completed electronics

These electronics are optional. 🙂 There are two ways to build the arcade cabinet:

1. Just 3D print it and drop your Switch in place.
2. Add some electronics that will charge your Switch while you play and allow you to connect USB controllers.

Because I love building things and this entire project can be done for about $50, I decided to go with option #2.

4 – Inserting the switch

After removing the Joy-Con controllers from your Switch, slide off the top of the arcade cabinet and slide your Switch into place. If you install the charging/data electronics into the cabinet, as I did, your Switch will also charge while in the cabinet — and you can even connect a USB controller!

5 – Printing the parts

First you’ll need to print all the parts. This will take a while. I think it took 18 hours of total printing on my old ANET A8, but I think this would be much faster on my new Creality Ender 3. This time can be reduced further by adjusting the print quality.

The models

There are two versions of the models available on Thingiverse: the “simple” version, which contains no openings/ports for the electronics, and the “electronic” version, which is what we’re building here.

For the electronic version, there are 8 parts to print:

1. Top
2. Simple Bottom and Front
3. Simple Cradle
4. Simple Back
5. Left Side
6. Right Side
7. Filler
8. The fan shroud

If your print bed is too small to print the sides, there’s also a “cut” version included so that you can print the sides as halves.

6 – Don’t have a 3D printer?

No problem. A lot of people don’t know there are tons of ways to get a 3D model printed without having a printer. Here are a few of the ways:

Use an online 3D printing service

Online services like Sculpteo will print your model and ship it to you for a fee.

Find your local hackerspace/makerspace

There’s a good chance you have a nearby Hackerspace, and most of them have some sort of “Open Make Night” where you can come in and use the equipment without needing a membership. You can find your local hackerspace using this tool, which lists over 2,000 hackerspaces.

Ask a friend

Post on Facebook; you might be surprised that someone you know has a 3D printer. And in true maker fashion, they’ll probably be happy to help you out while teaching you a bit about 3D printing.

Check your local library

Tons of libraries now have 3D printers available for their patrons to use. Additionally, if you’re a student your university can likely provide you with access to one. Call your university library’s information desk and they can direct you to the college/department that can give you access.

Check Craigslist

Many people advertise 3D printing services on Craigslist for a fee.

Buy a 3D printer

In the last few years, 3D printers have become extremely affordable. I picked up my Creality Ender 3 around $200 on GearBest. I also wrote a full Ender 3 review if you want to check it out!

Creality Ender 3 Review: The Best 3D Printer Under $200
Behold the Anet A8 slayer.

7 – Assembling the cabinet

The cabinet assembly itself is pretty self-explanatory: just use super glue or 2-part epoxy to put everything together. I used a few books to add weight to the parts while they set.

Do not glue the top into place! This is supposed to slide off so you can insert your Switch.

8 – Powering everything

Power and data for the Switch and cooling fan are provided by a powered USB-C hub. This small USB-C extension lives in the back of the unit, where a power adapter is plugged in. The hub I used connects to a 90-degree USB-C adapter which lives at the bottom of the cradle — so when you slide your Switch into place, it connects to the hub automatically.

The default Nintendo Switch AC adapter won’t work — when you use it, the Switch thinks it’s in its charging dock and the screen turns off. This is because Nintendo added an extra data pin/signal. Thus, you’ll need to use a separate AC adapter. I recommend one that provides at least 3A.

9 – Adding a fan for cooling

I added this 5V USB fan that draws power from the hub. The fan’s speed controls are accessible from the back of the cabinet. To be honest, I question whether the fan is necessary… It’s extremely inexpensive so I added it, but I don’t think the Switch will get that hot — especially considering all the natural ventilation that the case provides.

10 – Ready player two!

Because this project uses a powered data hub, you can connect any USB device that you’d normally connect to your Switch dock. This dual USB extension cable makes the power ports accessible on the front of the cabinet, which is super handy!

11 – All done

This has been a super fun, super easy project. I love having this thing on my desk so I can pop in to play a game or two when I need a break.

This cabinet is a testament to the spirit of the maker community, blending mainstream gaming with 3D printing and hobby electronics, and I’m very happy that it exists.

If you haven’t already, be sure to check out the build video for this project.

Questions? Comments?

Post in the comments section below, I’d love to hear from you!

How to Update Blender

howchoo   (467)

November 24, 2023

How do I connect my Raspberry Pi to my computer?

howchoo   (467)

September 29, 2023

7 minutes

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Raspberry Pi

pi • 92 guides

There are many reasons you may want to connect your Raspberry Pi to your computer, and there are a few methods of doing so. We’ll explore the various use cases for connecting your Pi to your computer.

Question

How do I connect my Raspberry Pi to my computer?

Answer

Connect using SSH

One of the more common ways of connecting to your Raspberry Pi is via SSH (Secure Shell). To connect to your Raspberry Pi using SSH, you’ll first need to enable SSH. Then with your Raspberry Pi connected to the same network as your computer, you can connect using the following command on your computer:

How to Enable SSH on Raspberry Pi OS Without a Screen
The SSH protocol is disabled by default.

ssh pi@raspberrypi

The default password for the pi user is “raspberry”.

If you’re having trouble connecting, please read the more detailed explanation of how to connect to your Raspberry Pi using SSH.

How to Connect to a Raspberry Pi Remotely via SSH
The preferred (and most common) method of connecting to your Pi to run commands.

Using SSH is one of the most general-purpose methods for connecting to your Pi. The downside is that it requires some comfort with operating on the command line. But it’s powerful. Using SSH you can do just about anything you need to do on your Pi.

Connect using VNC

If you’re running a graphical (GUI) version of Raspberry Pi OS, you can access your Raspberry Pi Desktop from your computer using VNC. To do this, you’ll need to install a package called tightvncserver on your Raspberry Pi, then use a VNC client to connect.

This method is useful if you don’t have enough peripherals for your Pi (or too many Raspberry Pi’s). The only downside is that the VNC connection is often a little bit slower than a direct connection. For detailed instructions, refer to our guide on installing and configuring VNC on your Raspberry Pi.

Raspberry Pi VNC: How to Install and Configure VNC

Connect via USB using Gadget Mode

A less common (but awesome) way to connect your computer to your Raspberry Pi is to enable gadget mode on your Pi and connect directly using USB. With gadget mode, you won’t even need a network connection or a power adapter. Just get a USB cable, connect your Pi to your computer, and log in using SSH. The computer provides the power and network connection.

This is one of the more complicated methods, but its especially useful if you’re intending to use your Pi as a USB gadget. To learn how to use this process, check out our guide on connecting to your Pi over USB using gadget mode.

Connect to Your Raspberry Pi Over USB Using Gadget Mode
Program your Pi without a keyboard, monitor, or network connection

For more Raspberry Pi questions and answers, check out our Raspberry Pi FAQ.

Raspberry Pi FAQ – Everything You Need To Know
New to the Raspberry Pi? Start here.

How to Run a Minecraft Server on the Raspberry Pi

howchoo   (467)

December 7, 2023

Apple AirPods Pro Review: Read Before You Buy!

howchoo   (467)

September 29, 2023

29 minutes

What you’ll need

Interests

Apple AirPods Pro x 1

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Apple

apple • 18 guides

Headphones

headphones • 3 guides

⭐⭐⭐⭐
OUR RATING: 4.0/5

Recently, Apple’s been pushing their AirPods Pro hard, offering steep discounts for the holiday season. This leaves many people wondering whether they are worth the investment for themselves or as a gift for someone else. In fact, I received the AirPods Pro as a gift and wanted to share my thoughts on them for anyone else considering purchasing these.

What I look for in a good review of a product like the AirPods Pro are honest ratings on the most important aspects of wireless headphones—things like:

• Sound quality
• Ease of use
• Features
• Battery life
• Workout use
• Etc.

So you can be sure that we’ll touch on those and other aspects in our comprehensive review of the Apple AirPods Pro. Note that we are not getting paid for this review and even purchased the AirPods Pro ourselves.

What are wireless Bluetooth earbuds like the AirPods Pro?

Just like traditional headphones, the AirPods Pro play music and sounds from a supported device, such as a laptop, phone, or tablet. Because they are Bluetooth headphones, the AirPods do not need to be plugged into the device to which they are connected (or “paired”). The AirPods Pro are completely wireless and do not even need to be connected to one another to operate as a whole pair.

How do we know about them?

I always like to include this in my reviews. I’ve been using the Apple AirPods Pro for a few weeks now, after switching over from the Beats Powerbeats Pro (the AirPods Pro closest competitor). So I can give you my take on the good and bad about the AirPods Pro, as well as help you make your decision between these and the Beats version.

1 – Verdict

Maybe you don’t want to read a lengthy review before making your decision on the AirPods Pro. If the only thing you read is this section, then you should have plenty of information on whether the latest Apple earbuds are worth the investment or not.

Pros

• Good sound quality (noticeably so)
• Noise cancellation (that isn’t bad)
• Size (easy to travel with)
• Fit (comfortable to wear)

Cons

• Price (though Apple has been offering sale prices on these of late)
• Awkward to learn for first-time owners
• Average battery life

Pick these up on sale

That’s where we’ve landed on the AirPods Pro. The next time Apple has a big sale on these, then definitely scoop them up. This seems to be the one Apple product that Apple is actually willing to discount during the holidays—so keep your eyes out. Otherwise, I’m just not sure they are worth the steep price over say the Amazon Echo Buds at half the cost — or over other comparable models. Of course, if you absolutely have to have the Apple products, then the AirPods Pro are a good wireless earbud that aspires to greatness at times.

2 – Specs

3 – What’s in the box?

Included when you buy the Apple AirPods Pro:

• AirPods Pro
• Wireless Charging Case
• Silicone ear tips (three sizes)
• Lightning to USB-C Cable
• Documentation

4 – Who are the AirPods Pro best for?

I wouldn’t recommend these to just everyone. But I would recommend the AirPods Pro for people who are looking for specific uses of the earbuds.

1. Exercisers

The AirPods Pro stay in your ear really well. This is important for those looking to do any kind of strenuous activity while wearing these. I’ve worn these lifting weights, running, and doing a variety of calisthenics. They never fell out of my ear, nor did the AirPods Pro get damaged by my sweat. And the relatively low battery life of 4-5 hours shouldn’t be an issue for most workout routines. (I mean…who has time to work out for 6 + hours at a time.)

2. Multitaskers

Okay. You know what I mean here. If you’re someone who calls your parents while also wanting to get some chores done, then these are perfect. They are just really comfortable to wear while taking on the phone—so much so that you’ll likely forget you’re wearing them at all. And no judgment if you multi-task while on the phone with your parents. (I only mention it because I do it myself!)

3. The video conference attendee

The AirPods Pro are actually perfect for use with video conferencing like Zoom or Meet. You won’t have the embarrassing wires hanging across your face while talking to your boss, and you’ll hear and speak clearly through the advanced microphone. And the low battery life shouldn’t be a problem for work uses like these.

Who are they not best for?

If you are the kind of person to leave Bluetooth earbuds in your ears for long periods of time, then these are decidedly not going to work for you. Maybe you like to listen to music with them while working all day? Or maybe you listen to Youtube with them for long stretches? Either way, you’re going to run out of juice and have to charge the AirPods Pro.

Also keep in mind that if you’re using the AirPods Pro on a long flight, you’ll likely run out of battery power after about 4-5 hours. If that’s an issue, then look elsewhere for your next pair of earbuds.

5 – How do the AirPods Pro work?

Great question! (I should know because I asked it.) It’s a good question because the actual functionality of the Apple AirPods Pro (how they work) tend to be the biggest hurdle to overcome with these. Seriously…for a while, I barely used these because I was so used to the simpler functionality of the PowerBeats Pro. I would simply choose not to deal with the complexity of using the AirPods Pro.

Luckily, I’m over that now and have a deeper understanding of how to use these.

Charging

The case itself holds a charge that can be used to charge the Apple AirPods Pro earbuds. You can either just charge the case, which can then be used to charge the earbuds—or you can charge the case with the earbuds inside. Apple claims that the case holds around 24 hours of battery life that can be transferred to the earbuds, which seems about right in our testing.

Syncing

I found this relatively easy. With the AirPods Pro earbuds in the case, you simply hold down on the back button of the case until the light flashes white. Then, you search for the AirPods Pro on your device—and connect the AirPods Pro to your Android phone or iPhone.

Listening

When you put the earbuds of the AirPods Pro into your ears, they will automatically connect to the last device that is nearby enough to use. If you need to, you’ll have to disconnect them from one device to move to another. I found this can be a hassle sometimes, and I wish that Apple would add just one more feature that allows these to be switched between devices.

We’ve written guides on using the audio features of the AirPods Pro, such as:

• skipping songs on the AirPods Pro
• pausing audio on the AirPods Pro
• changing the volume on the AirPods Pro

So check those out for further information on the functionality of the Apple AirPods Pro.

Phone calls

If you need to answer the phone with the AirPods Pro, you can do that by simply pressing the “force sensor” or small white button on the AirPods Pro themselves.

6 – Noise cancellation

The active noise cancellation feature in the Apple AirPods Pro are one of its biggest draws. So does it work?

Yes! When you have active noise cancellation activated, you will notice that the external sounds in your environment will be effectively neutralized. You’ll find yourself in a comfy, noiseless meadow listening to your music (even if that music is not so comfy).

I’ve tried a few different headphones and earbuds with active noise cancellation, and I can say that the AirPods Pro do a great job for earbuds of canceling external sound. The over-ear Bose headphones, for example, will certainly be noticeably better at this—but they are 10x the size of the AirPods Pro earbuds.

How does active noise cancellation work?

Essentially, a small external microphone on the earbuds of the AirPods Pro will detect the external sound waves around you. They will match that noise with active anti-noise to cancel your ability to hear the sound from those waves. In the above image, you can see how the combination of sound waves can result in a nearly neutralized wave.

7 – Sound Quality

Most of the best wireless earbuds on the market are actually using Apple’s H1 chip to power their audio, so Apple is setting the industry standard when comes to over sound quality for earbuds.

I know what you’re likely thinking…so are the AirPods Pro better than competitors when it comes to this? Yes. And No. What I mean is that they are a very pleasant earbud in terms of sound quality, which many (like me) actually prefer over the kind of raw sound quality you’ll get from say…Bose. But, honestly, the quality is good, and I found it better than the PowerBeats Pro.

Bud fitting

For one, Apple has worked hard to make sure that the earbuds of the AirPods Pro fit properly in your ear by adding dynamic earbud tips that adapt to the shape of your ears. You can even test to make sure that your earbuds aren’t improperly fit on your iPhone or Mac. This greatly affects sounds loss and quality.

Microphone quality

In our own testing with the microphone, the quality was really good for an earbud microphone. The AirPods Pro might not get the job done if you’re needing professional-level sound for videos or projects, but they’ll certainly be a nice upgrade for phone conversations and Zoom usage.

8 – Spatial Audio

Spatial Audio is Apple’s version of surround sound. I wanted to mention this feature of the AirPods Pro because it’s finally a thing now that Apple has released its Big Sur OS.

When you turn on Spatial Audio when viewing content that supports it, such as Netflix, Prime, or HBO shows, then you can feel like you’re right in the middle of the action. Apple actually did a pretty good job of simulating this in a pair of earbuds. As a runner, I’m interested in the ways that virtual running can be simulated…because when I’m virtually running in Paris, I’d love to be immersed in the sounds of the street!

This feature is still in its infancy on the AirPods Pro, so we’ll have to see how this develops.

9 – Battery life

True wireless earbuds, like the Apple AirPods Pro, will have noticeably less battery life than wired earbuds/earphones. Still, this has to be a major consideration when deciding to invest in a pair of earbuds. (It doesn’t make sense to use these if they run out of juice an hour after using them.)

4.5 hours of battery life when listening

That’s Apple’s figure. In practice, I found this to be a little closer to 4 hours. And if you’re using these to talk on the phone, then that number will be a little less still—closer to 3.5 hours. That’s not bad. Compare that to the PowerBeats Pro, however, which have around 9 hours of battery life—and it feels a little disappointing.

10 – Bottom line

Not for the budget-conscious

If you’re a budget-conscious consumer for whom spending more than $200 will be a huge investment, then I actually recommend you go with a less expensive alternative to the AirPods Pro that will give you plenty of sound quality at a far less expensive price. I mentioned the Amazon Echo Buds earlier as a nice alternative that cost only $79.

Good for those who are sound enthusiasts, movie watchers, and music lovers

The overall quality of the AirPods Pro is very high, and with the H1 chip, Apple can continue to offer updates to these to improve overall sound quality and add features. The sound itself is great, and I can imagine these being great for solo-watching a movie with surround sound or really wanting a great listening experience while checking out that new album.

They also would be a great gift for anyone in the hospital, as they will allow them to talk on the phone without needing to use their hands or have wires hanging down. (They’ll already have a bunch of those!)

Note the battery life

Note that the battery life of the Apple AirPods Pro is around 4-5 hours. So if you need them for extended periods, then you should definitely look to something like the PowerBeats Pro, which last almost 9 hours before needing to be charged.

How to Enable the “Popping” Sound When Adjusting the Volume on Your Mac

howchoo   (467)

December 13, 2023

How to Upgrade Your Ender 3 Power Supply to a MeanWell PSU

howchoo   (467)

September 29, 2023

10 minutes

What you’ll need

Interests

MeanWell LRS-350-24 PSU x 1

Screwdriver, flathead x 1

Screwdriver, Phillips x 1

Hex key, M3 x 1

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3D Printing

3dprinting • 36 guides

Ender 3

ender3 • 19 guides

Aside from upgrading your Ender 3 board, upgrading your stock PSU to a Mean Well PSU is one of the best upgrades to make your 3D printer quieter.

Creality Ender 3 Silent Mainboard Upgrade: Better Prints with Less Noise!
Make your Ender 3 quieter and improve your prints with this board upgrade.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to upgrade your Ender 3 to the MeanWell LRS-3500-25 PSU. This is the same power supply used on the Ender 3 Pro.

Why upgrade?

There are several reasons to upgrade your Ender 3’s PSU to a Mean Well:

• Noise: The PSU fan only runs when needed (usually <20% of the time), meaning a much quieter printer.
• Safety: MeanWell power supplies are more reliable and safer than the cheap stock unit. They use higher-quality components that provide consistent, clean power with fewer spikes and sags.
• Reduce bed-leveling issues: By providing consistent power the MeanWell reduces issues with EZABL and other bed-leveling kits related to power ripples and grounding.
• Compact form factor: The MeanWell PSU is noticeably thinner and more compact than the stock unit; this is especially handy if you’re using an enclosure and want to keep your setup as compact as possible.

1 – Set the correct input voltage

Use a flathead screwdriver to slide the input voltage switch to either 115V or 230V, depending on your country. I’m in the US so I switched it to 115V.

You probably know which mains voltage your country uses, but if for some reason you don’t, you can reference this “Mains electricity by country” Wikipedia article.

2 – Print a MeanWell PSU cover

Your MeanWell PSU probably didn’t come with a PSU cover, the bottom portion that holds the AC plug inlet and protects your terminal block from dangerous shorts (and fingers).

Since the MeanWell PSU is smaller than the stock one, the old cover won’t fit; therefore, you’ll need to print a new one. You can find tons of designs on Thingiverse, but I recommend this excellent model from TH3D Studio.

Download and print that model. I was able to print mine standing up without supports. My Ender 3 was more than capable of “bridging the gap” without stringing.

3 – Remove the old PSU

Unplug your printer’s power cable and disconnect the XT60 connector that connects the PSU to your printer.

Then, use an M3 hex key to remove the two front cap screws that secure the stock PSU to your printer’s right Z-axis vertical support.

Finally, set the old PSU aside.

4 – Transfer the AC inlet

We’ll need to disassemble the old PSU and transfer the AC inlet (plug) and wiring to the new MeanWell PSU.

Remove the two M3 screws from the bottom cover. Then, use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two inlet screws.

Take a photo of the wiring (or reference my photo in the step below). Then, unscrew each screw to remove the 5 wires from the PSU terminal block.

Finally, insert the AC plug inlet into the new PSU bottom cover and secure it using the two Phillips screws.

5 – Wire up the new MeanWell PSU

Wire up the PSU the same as the old one. In addition to the photo I took, here’s a handy table I made to help you with your wiring:

MeanWell PSU wiring

6 – Secure the new cover

Route the XT60 cable through the back opening of the MeanWell PSU cover. Slide the cover into place, and secure it using the two M3 screws you removed from the old cover.

7 – Mount the new MeanWell PSU assembly

Mount your brand-new PSU to your Ender 3’s Z-axis support using the same screws that secured the old one.

Reconnect your cables and you’re good to go! Next, check out my Ender 3 mainboard upgrade guide—an upgraded mainboard gives you better prints while making your printer eerily silent.

Creality Ender 3 Silent Mainboard Upgrade: Better Prints with Less Noise!
Make your Ender 3 quieter and improve your prints with this board upgrade.

How to Update Blender

howchoo   (467)

November 24, 2023

How to Test Sendmail from the Shell

howchoo   (467)

September 29, 2023

1 minutes

Interests

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Bash

bash • 2 guides

Linux

linux • 12 guides

Sendmail is an open source smtp server. Many different languages and frameworks interface with sendmail, and when debugging it’s good to be able to quickly test whether or not sendmail is working.

The following is a quick way to verify that sendmail is working.

echo "Subject: test" | /usr/lib/sendmail -v [email protected]

How to Install SSHFS

howchoo   (467)

September 29, 2023

Power Your Raspberry Pi Zero with a Battery Using the JuiceBox Zero

howchoo   (467)

September 29, 2023

8 minutes

What you’ll need

Interests

JuiceBox Zero x 1

Raspberry Pi Zero x 1

Li-Ion Single Cell Battery x 1

Soldering Iron x 1

Solder x 1 tube

2×20-pin Extra Tall Female Stacking Header x 1

M2.5 Assorted Standoff Kit x 1

2×20-pin Male Header x 1

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DIY

diy • 17 guides

Raspberry Pi

pi • 92 guides

The Raspberry Pi Zero is an incredible tool for building a wide variety of IoT devices. And until lately, many projects I’ve worked on have been limited due to power supply constraints. Then I stumbled across the JuiceBox Zero, a battery management board for the Raspberry Pi Zero. This board provides portable power for your Pi Zero with a Li-Ion single cell battery, as well as charge the battery. In this guide, I’m going to show you how to assemble and use the JuiceBox Zero.

1 – Add GPIO header to your Pi Zero

You can find the full article on raspberrypi.org.

2 – Put the stacking header and standoffs on the Pi Zero

Start by placing the stacking header onto the Pi Zero, then place four standoffs. Make sure the standoffs you use are the same size as the stacking header.

3 – Place the JuiceBox Zero onto the header and secure with screws

Put the JuiceBox Zero in place, and fasten to the standoffs down with screws.

4 – Solder the header to the JuiceBox Zero

Again, refer to the raspberrypi.org video from Step 1 to learn how to solder.

5 – Plug the battery into the JuiceBox Zero

Make sure you use a JST‑compatible, single‑cell lithium‑ion battery.

6 – Cover the Micro USB port on the Pi Zero

When you’re using a JuiceBox Zero with your Pi, you need to stop using the micro usb port on the Pi. Trying to power the Pi Zero directly could damage the Pi Zero or the JuiceBox Zero. So place a USB cover (or kapton) tape over the USB charging port on the Pi.

7 – Turn the power switch on

Now you’re ready to test it out! The JuiceBox Zero comes with a slide switch to power the Pi on or off. Simply slide the switch into the ON position.

8 – Charge the battery

Connecting the JuiceBox Zero to a power supply will both power the Pi and charge the battery. This allows your project to run continuously.

9 – Perform a safe shutdown when the battery is low

The low battery LED will light up when the battery voltage reaches 3.2V. At this time, the GPIO16 pin will go HIGH. So in order to safely shutdown the Pi when the battery is low, we’ll run a script in the background that listens for a rising edge on pin 16, then shuts down the Pi.

So first, use your editor to create a new file called safeshutdown.py in the /home/pi directory. Add the following:

import os
import RPi.GPIO as GPIO

GPIO.setmode(GPIO.BCM)

shutdown_pin = 16 
GPIO.setup(shutdown_pin, GPIO.IN, pull_up_down=GPIO.PUD_DOWN)

def shutdown_callback_function( shutdown_pin ):
    os.system("shutdown -h now")

GPIO.add_event_detect(
    shutdown_pin, 
    GPIO.RISING,
    callback=shutdown_callback_function,
    )

Refer to the JuiceBox Zero Github Repository for more details.

Now, edit the crontab by typing the following in a shell:

sudo crontab -e

And add the following to the end of the file:

@reboot python /home/pi/safeshutdown.py &

This will cause the safeshutdown.py script to run in the background when the system boots. It will listen for a rising edge on pin 16, and then shutdown the Pi safely!

How to Run a Minecraft Server on the Raspberry Pi

howchoo   (467)

December 7, 2023