I try to check BoingBoing every day, but this one I nearly missed: H@cking the Mattel JuiceBox.

The Juicebox accepts media cards (with an MP3 adpater kit) and were at one time very popular with tweens. Now (still) they sit forgotten on the clearance asile at Target and the Wal-Marts for under $5 (check your local store, they aren’t this cheap online yet). One flickr user has hacked hers to be a digital picture frame. Now THAT looks like a fun project! I don’t know how she did it, and she doesn’t give a “How To” - but promises one eventually (thank goodness someone else did). This is what I love about the internet!

Another user has made it into an e-book reader.

I should note, this h@ck is over a year old. Joe has actually made a more recent post on this, with a spiffy new clear case (and a classic frame he did for his Mom). Nice!

This StreetTech article has more information, such as the linux version it uses, and other resources. Make Magazine’s blog has some more details as well.

If I were to Google, I am sure I would find more things you can do with a JuicBox. I’d wager there is a culture out there h@cking the VideoNow player too.

Also worth a look: the Audrey and the h@cking thereof. I love Do-It-yourself articles, though I have yet to attempt following one.

Since I am on the subject of old tech toys - the toy I really want is the PXL-2000.

(yes, this post is little more than a personal bookmark because I don’t have time to delve into this right now)

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