The article discusses five Raspberry Pi projects that can replace costly subscriptions: a DIY streaming box, a home NAS for cloud storage, a self-hosted password manager, a personal music server, and a game streaming device, all of which can save money and offer customization.
The article offers seven creative and practical ways to repurpose old USB flash drives, including turning them into portable gaming consoles, secure login keys, encrypted storage for sensitive data, PC maintenance kits, portable web servers, and bootable Windows 11 installers, highlighting their versatility beyond simple data storage.
Raspberry Pi has introduced a new 5-inch, $40 touchscreen display that supports 720p resolution and is compatible with Raspberry Pi OS, making it ideal for creating custom touchscreen projects.
The article explores innovative ways to repurpose old computer towers, including using them as spare parts, creating miniature aquariums, building custom gaming consoles, hiding valuables, and transforming them into artistic pieces, encouraging creativity and sustainability in tech reuse.
Inspired by Nanoleaf's glowing wall tiles, [Projects with Red] created their own gem-shaped wall panels using 3D printed housings, translucent acrylic sheets, and addressable LED strips connected to an ESP32 for control. The panels can function as a large clock and offer flexibility for reconfiguration, making them a cost-effective DIY alternative to Nanoleaf's products.
A DIY enthusiast demonstrates the construction of a nimble and fast 3D printed hovercraft using readily available components such as brushless motors, a speed controller, a receiver, and a servo. Despite initial challenges with the plastic bag skirt, the hovercraft performed well and received upgrades for improved performance, making it a cool and achievable project for beginners.
Lowe's has lowered its full-year sales outlook after experiencing a nearly 13% decline in fiscal third-quarter sales. The company now expects sales to total around $86 billion for the year, down from its previous range of $87 billion to $89 billion. Comparable sales are projected to drop by about 5%, worse than the previously anticipated decline of 2% to 4%. CEO Marvin Ellison attributed the decline to a "greater-than-expected pullback" by customers on discretionary projects and big-ticket purchases. However, sales to home professionals, which account for 25% of Lowe's business, increased during the quarter. Lowe's competitor, Home Depot, also reported a decline in sales but beat Wall Street's expectations.
Home Depot reported Q3 earnings that beat estimates, with sales down 3.10% YoY but higher than expected. Foot traffic dropped 2.4%, and the average ticket decreased less than expected. The company attributed the decline in earnings to customers opting for smaller projects and pressure in certain big-ticket categories. Home Depot's shares rose 1% in pre-market trading. For the full fiscal year, the company narrowed its guidance range, expecting a sales drop of 3% to 4% and adjusted earnings per share to decrease 9% to 11% YoY.