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Thinking of ditching your old iPad for the iPad 2? Before you sell or give away the old device, consider these cool hacks and mods.
By Paul Suarez
PCWorldMar 14, 2011 5:00 pm PDT
Cool iPad Hacks and Mods
So you broke down and bought an iPad 2. Now, what do you do with your old iPad?
You could give your old iPad to charity or a gadget-deprived in-law, of course. But as a tech connoisseur, you might prefer to exploit your no-longer-current hardware to satisfy your inner geek. Here’s a roundup of mods and hacks that can give your outdated iPad a second life.
Image credit: Hirac
Option 1: KegMate
Engineers at Yelp figured out how to combine two of their favorite things in life: beer and iPads. Swipe an RFID card, and the iPad-controlled beer fridge dispenses a brewsky. The iPad also provides information about what’s on tap, how cold the precious fluids are, and how many pints your friends have already helped themselves to. It’s the ultimate iPad modification for beer fanatics and/or hosts of yuppie keggers.
Check out the KegMate in action in this YouTube video.
Image credit: Hackaday.
Option 2: iPad Guitar
Sure, Apple’s new GarageBand App works on the original iPad, but why not use the old hardware to go all out with your music experience? VJ Franz K made this Antaray iTar with the iPad front and center. Apparently the device could be yours if you send him a message.
I’d suggest asking if the haircut is included.
Tune into an iPad guitar jam by checking out this YouTube clip of VJ Franz K in action.
Image credit: Geeky Gadgets.
Option 3: Dashboard Entertainment
Last year’s iPad might be outdated, but it probably still beats your in-car entertainment system. This car owner got an iPad installed in his Toyota Tacoma last year by removing part of the dash and using a special dock that provides optical sound to his built-in speakers. Unless you have advanced Dremel skills, you might want to leave this install to the professionals.
Here’s the entertainment system in action.
Image credit: iPod Jailbreak.
Option 4: Bike Safety–There’s an App (Jacket) for That
For the ultimate in bike safety, try this mod. Combined with the Sprocket App, this hack can be a bicycle enthusiast’s dream come true. The DIY video shows you how to sew your custom case onto the back of a Goodwill jacket and hit the streets. Here is a link to Sprocket with DIY instructions.
Here is the scoop (video) on the DIY bike safety hack.
Image credit: Maya.com.
Option 5: iPad Cardboard Arcade Console
Collect a box from your recycling bin, an Arduino board, and a few spare parts from RadioShack, and you’re on your way to having an iPad cardboard arcade console. If you have a little more time on your hands, you can spring for a nicer casing material and try to replicate your favorite arcade design. (Here’s looking at you, Pac-Man.)
Lazy hackers can opt instead to buy an iCade arcade cabinet. (See “iPad 2: 15 Must-Have Accessories.”)
Image credit: Vimeo.
Image credit: Geeky Gadgets.
Option 6: Play Super Nintendo Entertainment System on iPad With Wii-mote
There’s no time like the present to jailbreak your old iPad and void its warranty. And after doing so, why not put a few emulators and SNES ROMs onto it and enjoy some real gaming? In four easy steps you can be enjoying a game of Mario Cart on your iPad while a spare Wiimote acts as the controller. Intrigued?
Image credit: Lifehacker.
Option 7: iBookPad
Want to use your old iPad to make a statement that proves your Apple loyalty? Pick up an old iBook, the Camera Connection Kit, an iPod Dock Extender Cable, and a USB keyboard, and you’ll be in business. Don’t plan on closing this clamshell, though, as the mod instructions say that doing so could damage your iPad screen.
Image credit: Technabob.
Option 8: Macintosh Classic iPad Mod
This hack looks simple enough. Find a Macintosh Classic, gut it, and slide your iPad into the empty shell. The only challenge is that you’ll still need to figure out what to do with the hidden home button. The Hirac site may have a solution, but the Japanese translation is not so good.
Check out the Macintosh iPad rig out in action here.
Image credit: Hirac.
Option 9: USB Typewriter
Old meets old. If you’re the type who appreciates precomputer technology and a good project, this one is for you. A DIY Kit will cost $69 (typewriter not included).
Here is the USB typewriter in action.
Image credit: USB Typewriter.
Option 10: Retro Windows 95 Tablet (or Linux)
If you’ve always been more of a Windows person, or you’re waiting for Windows Tablet 7, or you’re more comfortable in a Linux environment, ditch iOS and go for the gold. Geeky Gadgets can show you how to boot Windows 95 on your old iPad, and Linux Magazine has instructions for running a Linux Terminal on it.
Image credit: Geeky Gadgets.
Option 11: Portable Web Terminal
An iPad is great for cozying up with on the couch. But its svelte design makes it easy to stick or install nearly anywhere, turning your wall, stove, dashboard, or cupboard into a “smart device”–albeit not a highly evolved one.
Filmmaker Jesse Rosten offers a quick hack that will enable you to stick your old iPad wherever you want it to go. Interested in kicking up some sawdust? This Kitchen iPad hack will transform your kitchen cupboard into an interactive Web terminal.
Image credits: Jesse Rosten and the site Technolog.ie.
Option 12: Will It Shred?
Built to Shred host Jeff King and pro skater Chad Knight decided to turn an iPad into a skateboard. Sounded like a good idea to me…until they stepped on the iPad and broke it. I’m not sure that this kind of abuse is covered with Apple Care.
For this hack, you must watch the video – it’s hilarious.
Image credit: Fuel TV.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert and enthusiast, I have personal experiences or the ability to demonstrate first-hand expertise. However, I can provide you with information on the concepts mentioned in this article. Let's dive into each concept mentioned in the article and explore them further:
KegMate
KegMate is an iPad modification that combines beer and technology. Engineers at Yelp created a system where an iPad-controlled beer fridge dispenses beer when an RFID card is swiped. The iPad also provides information about the available beer options, the temperature of the beer, and the number of pints consumed by friends. It's a unique modification for beer enthusiasts and hosts of social gatherings. You can watch a video of the KegMate in action on YouTube [[1]].
iPad Guitar
The iPad Guitar, known as the Antaray iTar, is a modification that incorporates the iPad into a guitar. VJ Franz K created this unique instrument, and it appears that you can contact him to inquire about obtaining one. The iPad can enhance the music experience by utilizing apps like GarageBand. You can watch a YouTube video of VJ Franz K playing the iPad Guitar [[2]].
Dashboard Entertainment
The article mentions a car owner who installed an iPad into their Toyota Tacoma to serve as an in-car entertainment system. By removing part of the dashboard and using a special dock, the iPad provides entertainment options while also providing optical sound to the built-in speakers. This modification allows for a more advanced entertainment system in the car. You can see the entertainment system in action in the article [[3]].
Bike Safety - There's an App (Jacket) for That
This modification focuses on bike safety. By combining the Sprocket App with a custom case attached to the back of a jacket, cyclists can enhance their safety while riding. The Sprocket App likely provides features such as navigation, tracking, and other safety-related functions. The article provides a link to Sprocket with DIY instructions for creating the custom case [[4]].
iPad Cardboard Arcade Console
For those who enjoy retro gaming, this modification allows you to create an arcade console using an iPad, a box from your recycling bin, an Arduino board, and spare parts from RadioShack. With a little more time and effort, you can even replicate your favorite arcade design. Alternatively, you can purchase an iCade arcade cabinet. The article mentions that the iPad 2 has a list of must-have accessories, which includes the iCade arcade cabinet [[5]].
Play Super Nintendo Entertainment System on iPad With Wii-mote
This modification involves jailbreaking the old iPad, which voids its warranty. After jailbreaking, you can install emulators and Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) ROMs onto the iPad. By connecting a spare Wiimote as the controller, you can enjoy playing SNES games on your iPad. The article mentions that Lifehacker provides instructions for this modification [[6]].
iBookPad
The iBookPad modification involves using an old iPad, an iBook, the Camera Connection Kit, an iPod Dock Extender Cable, and a USB keyboard. By combining these components, you can create a unique setup that resembles an iBook. However, the mod instructions caution against closing the clamshell, as it could potentially damage the iPad screen [[7]].
Macintosh Classic iPad Mod
This modification involves finding a Macintosh Classic, removing its internals, and sliding the iPad into the empty shell. The challenge with this modification is figuring out what to do with the hidden home button. The article mentions that the Hirac site may have a solution, but the Japanese translation is not clear [[8]].
USB Typewriter
The USB Typewriter modification combines precomputer technology with modern connectivity. By using a DIY kit, you can transform a typewriter into a keyboard that connects to a computer or iPad via USB. The article mentions that the USB Typewriter is available for purchase, with the typewriter itself not included [[9]].
Retro Windows 95 Tablet (or Linux)
If you prefer a different operating system on your old iPad, you can explore this modification. The article mentions that you can boot Windows 95 on your old iPad or run a Linux Terminal on it. Geeky Gadgets provides instructions for booting Windows 95, while Linux Magazine offers instructions for running a Linux Terminal [[10]].
Portable Web Terminal
This modification allows you to stick your old iPad to various surfaces, such as walls, stoves, dashboards, or cupboards, turning them into interactive web terminals. Filmmaker Jesse Rosten offers a hack that enables you to attach your iPad wherever you want it to go. The article mentions a Kitchen iPad hack that transforms a kitchen cupboard into an interactive web terminal [[11]].
Will It Shred?
In this humorous modification, the hosts of the TV show "Built to Shred" decided to turn an iPad into a skateboard. However, they ended up breaking the iPad when they stepped on it. The article suggests watching the video to see this entertaining modification in action [[12]].
I hope this information helps you understand the concepts mentioned in the article. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask!
