Samwise Makers' News
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Drop-In PCB Upgrade Transforms Casio G-Shock Into Multifunctional Computer
Hardware hacker David Volovskiy has designed a drop-in replacement PCB for the iconic Casio G-Shock watch, combining custom hardware with open source firmware to deliver capabilities far beyond the original. The board supports a pedometer, simplified versions of Blackjack and Wordle, moon phase display, sunrise and sunset calculations, and an internal thermometer readout. The project builds on Joey Castillo’s Sensor Watch — previously a replacement for the Casio F-91W — and extends the concept to the sturdier G-Shock platform. Volovskiy has created a web-based firmware emulator and an online LCD mapping tool. Production run boards can be ordered by joining the project’s Discord server.
Sources: Hackaday
BIOS-Like Runtime Layer Brought to Espressif ESP32-C6 Microcontroller
Developer Rompass has built a BIOS-like runtime layer for the ESP32-C6 microcontroller, providing a standard environment for dynamically loaded executables that run from RAM rather than being compiled directly into ROM. Unlike a traditional operating system kernel, this system functions as a combination bootloader and API, offering a set of standardized system calls so software can interact with hardware in a consistent way. Executables can be loaded over the network if needed. The project blurs the line between microcontrollers and microprocessors, applying concepts more often seen in desktop computing to the Espressif ESP32-C6 RISC-V chip. Source code and documentation are available on the project’s repository.
Sources: Hackaday
Large-Scale GPS Spoofing Attack Tests Navigation Infrastructure Resilience
A long-theorized vulnerability in GPS and GNSS satellite navigation has been exploited on a large scale, putting the global positioning infrastructure’s resilience to the test. Because GPS satellites orbit at around 20,000 kilometres altitude, the signals reaching the ground are inherently weak and susceptible to both jamming and spoofing. A recent wide-scale attack forced authorities and operators to assess the practicality of mitigation strategies. One emerging alternative is Xona Space Systems’ Pulsar-0, a low Earth orbit navigation satellite whose signals are approximately 100 times stronger than standard GNSS, making them significantly harder to jam or spoof. The incident has renewed interest in LEO-based positioning as a resilient backup.
Sources: Hackaday
Open Source Firmware Turns ESP32 Touchscreens Into Prusa Fleet Controllers
A maker known as Nomads Galaxy has released open source firmware for the BigTreeTech K-Touch and Panda Touch touchscreen displays that lets users with multiple Prusa printers monitor and control their entire fleet from a single dedicated interface. The firmware, originally designed for Klipper-controlled printers, now communicates with Prusa machines either directly over the local network or through the Prusa Connect cloud API, with a user interface that mirrors the aesthetic of Prusa’s official apps. Because both displays run an ESP32 under the hood, the firmware could also be adapted for non-printing applications. Precompiled flash images are available and can be installed via several methods including USB and OTA update.
Sources: Hackaday
Open Source Mod Drives Five Monitors From a Single Commodore 128
Hardware designer Joe Burks has released open source schematics that let you connect five monitors simultaneously to a Commodore 128 without modifying the computer itself. The project, documented by The 8-Bit Guy, works by splitting the Commodore’s colour signal to drive multiple monochrome displays via the C128’s RGBI port, with composite signals derived from the same sync source to power up to four additional screens. The result is a wall of vintage monitors each displaying the same content from different signal paths, an impressive demonstration of analogue video signal manipulation. All schematics are freely available on GitHub, making the project fully reproducible for anyone with access to period hardware.
Sources: Hackaday
Open Hardware Summit 2026 in Berlin Draws Global Maker Community
The Open Source Hardware Association’s Open Hardware Summit 2026 has drawn extensive coverage as a landmark gathering for hardware hackers, academics, and open source enthusiasts in Berlin. Held at TU Berlin’s mathematics building, the event featured a full day of workshops across up to six simultaneous tracks covering topics from knitting machine hacking and DIY DNA sequencing to agile methodologies in hardware design. OSHWA’s certification roundups throughout 2026 have documented hundreds of newly certified open hardware projects globally, and this year’s summit is considered among the most significant gatherings for open hardware advocates in the community’s history.
Sources: Hackster.io
Modular ESP32 HotKeys Build Offers Stackable Open Source Macro Controller
A maker has released a modular, ESP32-powered hotkeys controller built from dancing, stackable modules that combine into a custom peripheral for keyboards, macros, and automation workflows. The open source project uses the ESP32’s wireless connectivity and USB HID capabilities, allowing each module to be configured independently or chained for expanded functionality. The design emphasizes repairability — individual modules can be added or swapped without disassembling the full unit. Firmware and hardware design files are openly published, enabling makers to manufacture their own boards or adapt the project for different use cases. The build is featured on the Adafruit blog as an example of accessible, community-driven open hardware design.
Sources: Adafruit Blog
Top Crowdfunding
Kickstarter / Indiegogo
1. Revopoint POP 4 — 3D scanner (Kickstarter, June 2026)
2. CardputerZero — open-source micro computer (Kickstarter)
3. xTool WonderPress — desktop heat press (Kickstarter)
GitHub Trending
Makers & Hardware
1. davidmonterocrespo24/velxio — Arduino/ESP32/Pi browser emulator
2. atc1441/MiBand10-BES2700iMP-BEST1503-Hacking — Mi Band 10 custom firmware + Doom
3. None this week (no additional trending data available)
Upcoming Events
Maker Faire Bangkok — Jun 25–27, 2026, Thailand
Maker Faire Wuppertal — Jun 26, 2026, Germany
Maker Faire Bay Area (20th Anniversary) — Sep 25–27, 2026, Vallejo CA
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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