Nokia 3310 LCD are still popular as they are simple to interface and you can find tons of software examples for various microcontrollers. But to push things further there is a nice instructable submitted by wkter. This time display is connected to AVR ATmega8 microcontroller that has software based USB (AVR-USB) that talks to PC.

This way you can easily send various messages or even graphics from any PC with libusb drivers installed. Anyway don’t expect much as USB is pretty slow, but ideal for displaying some information like feeds, tweets or other computer related information. Instructable is greatly explained and has all references needed to push forward.

Could you count how many passwords and usernames you have to remember? All these social networks, bank accounts, emails – it is easy to forget. Writing in paper and keeping them isn’t best idea. So you might need a password managing system that could securely keep track of all your passwords and usernames without worries to loose or forget.

The whole project is built around Atmel AVR ATmega168 microcontroller that is also equipped with LCD display and keypad. The device plugs to PC via USB port that is driven by software. The passwords are stored into Java Card smart card which is considered safe from cracking. The idea of USB interface is to emulate username and password keystrokes so like user would type them physically.

Have you ever wondered that you can express your emotion through a rock? Ok, it might sound a little bit ridiculous, but isn’t everything possible, especially in this bizarre 21^st century?

Well, some of you here might have heard this method before, but have you consider to build a magical Mood Rock?

It isn’t too hard to find the alabaster rock, where you can easily find it at the art stores.

The project is very simple. It’s fully based on the AVR-USB, it would be a cool experience to control the color from the PC with the AVR-USB microcontroller. The reason why AVR-USB is the best option, as it can easily handle the USB protocol in firmware and doesn’t need any additional ICs at all!

By the way, you should restore the bit-bang SPI, if you discovered that the SPI on the AVR were stop working. The cable is an ISP programming interface for the AVR.

In order to stick the AVR-USB microcontroller below the rock, you have to use a masonry bit to drill several holes in the bottom of the rock. Don’t forget to use a hammer and chisel to finish enlarging the space as well.

This is great idea that came up to Serasidis Vasilis. And for sure this is great solution when you share printer or other USB device from one computer to another. The problem is that sharing computer has to always on in order to be able to share the device.

So why not to use this USB switch that enables sharing USB devices when sharing computer is OFF. Device is quite simple – software based ATtiny2313 USB controller which communicates with one of two PC’s that have proper drivers installed and control programs started. USB switching is done via relays that won’t affect USB signal quality. Project description is in Greek language, so why not to use an online translator.

The idea of this universal IR remote transceiver (code name unzap) came from famous TV-B-Gone universal TV-off remote.

Remote control can be used to turn off any TV on your way. The board is small but includes an Atmega168, a USB port, a 2MB Atmel data flash (for storing all sorts of codes), a learning mechanism (which can detect the correct carrier frequency), four buttons (selecting transmitter and learning mode, enable USB, …) and four powerful IR LEDs.