iPhone/iPod touch: Freeware application Simplify Media streams music from any shared iTunes library over the internet, effectively giving your limited-space iPhone or iPod touch access to your entire music library—no matter what the size. To use it, you’ll need to install previously mentioned Simplify Media on your Windows or Mac desktop. Then, using a jailbroken iPhone, install the Simplify Media app for the iPhone from Installer.app. (Not yet jailbroken? Here’s how.) You’re limited to using Simplify Media to a Wi-Fi connection, and it’s a bit buggy in the beta version, but as you can see from the video, it’s got tons of potential. Ooh la la [Simplify Media Blog via Gizmodo]
Video DIYer extraordinaire Kipkay details 5 smart tips for the budding videographer in the video above. Some are better than others, but the tip that stands out for the cord organiser in me is the last, in which Kipkay details how he saves plastic bread clips and repurposes them as labels for his cords. It’s a very quick and simple tip, but the result is a great method for keeping your cords organised on-the-cheap—sort of like the power plug ID labels with a DIY flair. Kipkay’s Video Tips & Tricks 2 [Instructables]
There are a scant few features of the latest release of Safari for Windows and Mac OS X that you can’t recreate in Firefox with the help of a few add-ons and tweaks—except for Safari’s intuitive inline search. It’s not a direct port, but the CyberNet blog has put together a package that gives you the same darkened-screen highlighting that makes it easier to spot your key words on a page—and even gives them that little bounce in case you’re not sure where Firefox found the highlighted term. The download is three JavaScript files that you’ll drop into a profile folder and a single extension to install, and all of it should be pretty easily removed for most users. I tested it in the Firefox 3 beta in Linux, and it works as promised. Hit the link for the package and installation instructions. Safari 3 Style Inline Search in Firefox [CyberNet]
Google Docs is getting offline access baked in with Google Gears starting with a small number of users today, the Official Google Docs blog reports. We’re not seeing it yet (are you?), but when we all do, it’ll work the same way Gears works with Google Reader. Hit the play button above for a charmingly cheesy demonstration. (Bonus points to anyone who catches the Office Space reference in the video clip.) Bringing the cloud with you [Official Google Docs Blog]
DIY web site Instructables goes step-by-step on how to shave with old-timey style using a straight razor—you know, like Sweeney Todd but without the blood. The tutorial includes lots of photos and several videos (including the one above) demonstrating the straight razor methods. The video makes it seem daunting and a bit expensive, but you may be saving money in the long-run on disposable razors. Then again, my disposable razor turnover has slowed significantly ever since we highlighted how to extend the live of your razor blades. That said, if you’ve ever wanted to learn the art of straight razor shaving, this tutorial should have everything you need. Learn How To Shave With A Straight Razor [Instructables]
Readers are submitting their best life hack for a chance to win an autographed copy of our new book, Upgrade Your Life. Here’s our latest winner. Reader CK uses neat automation trick when there’s heavy-duty copy and pasting to be done: I have one very simple AutoHotkey script which I use when I need to do some massive copying and pasting work, which simplifies the task into just one keystroke: Win+C.
The Mac Tipper blog sings the praises of Finder’s column view, and schools the rest of us on how to navigate files and folders in a flash using the keyboard. Hit the play button to see it in action. How to Quickly Navigate Column View [MacTipper Blog]
The video above details how to quickly throw together your own DIY stud finder on the cheap with nothing but a magnet and string. In essence, you’re just using the magnet to find nails in the wall, which would indicate there’s a stud there. The narrator seems a little confused about the purpose of the stud finder (he appears to suggest you don’t want to drive nails into the stud), but the method would still work, and you can even go simpler if you don’t feel like using string. Granted, stud finders themselves aren’t that expensive, so this is more of a quick solution if you don’t feel like heading to the store, but it’s perhaps a bit more exacting than knocking on the wall. Cheapest Stud Finder [Metacafe via DIY Life]
For the next week and a half, readers are submitting their best life hack for a chance to win an autographed copy of our new book, Upgrade Your Life. Reader Beth writes in with her favourite trick for keeping track of info on the road and at the gym—using the previously mentioned PocketMod print-yourself notebook. Beth says:
Web site BookLamp analyzes books by writing style, recommending new books you might liked based on how closely they match your previously loved reads, very similar to how music web site Pandora suggests new music you may like based on style. Do you like Stephen King’s It, but thought it was too long? The technology behind BookLamp allows you to find books that are written with a similar tone, tense, perspective, action level, description level, and dialog level, while at the same time allowing you to specify details like… half the length.
