The Hero’s kernel is the bottommost part of its software; it’s the part that manages basic functions like memory allocation, device drivers and the like. For modders to be able to access and compile this is great news for potential Hero modders, who’ll be able to drop this kernel into cooked ROMs with all manner of interfaces, app configurations, performance tweaks and the like. What this won’t do is help bring features like Sense to other handsets—though modders are doing pretty well with that on their own—because those components are distinct from the kernel.

While this might seem like a generous move on HTC’s part, it’s not: The Hero’s kernel is a modified Android kernel, which is in turn a heavily modified Linux kernel. In other words, parts of it are irreversibly open source, which means that HTC is legally required to release this code — they’re actually kinda late here. [HTC]

Nilay from Engadget took a little road trip to visit Benjamin Heckendorn, gadget modder extraordinaire, in his natural habitat: Suburban Madison, Wisconsin.

Ben, a graphic designer by training, gives plenty of insight into his design philosophy—he calls the process “whoring it up”—and there’s plenty of oddmod eye candy to longingly gaze at, but let’s cut straight to it: this is kind of disappointing. Why? Because for every interesting new fact we learn about Ben Heck, a myth is shattered. Fantastic myths, these were! For example:

• He doesn’t wear goggle at all time; in fact, I doubt he wears them almost ever
• He—Herr Benjamin Heckendorn—doesn’t have a German accent, at all
• He favours printed tees over stained labcoats.
• His house hasn’t been modded into something unlikely (unless his house was originally much bigger? Obvious question, Nilay!

At any rate, to quote the great [subject of any MTV Cribs episode], this is where the magic happens. [Engadget]

It’s a meticulous, charming mod, complete with woodwork, which is why we can forgive some of the larger omissions, like its lack of a touch display—the most outwardly distinctive feature of the original—and its lone, primitive VGA video output. What is does have is a 900MHz Intel Mobile Celeron processor, a 20GB SSD, 1GB of RAM and Wi-Fi.

It doesn’t look like he kept the battery, which would have been a nice touch, but hey! PC in a keyboard! [Eee-pc.ru via Liliputing]

Eddie Zarrick’s phenomenal LCD-within-a-logo MacBook mod was as technically impressive at it was gorgeous. Now he has posted a thorough how-to, which is fantastic for anyone who’s got a superabundance of MacBooks, cash and courage.

The materials list and building procedure actually appear somewhat manageable, and if you’re comfortable wielding a soldering iron you probably won’t be intimidated. The most surprising part of this, though, is the price: $US200 for a 4.3-inch LCD, and about $US10 for a clear MacBook logo replacement. It’s not peanuts, but $US210 isn’t bad for a mod that just a few weeks ago stole the hearts of Mac fanboys the world over. [Eddie Zarick]

Aside from the modified disc tray and 3.5 hour battery pack, the Dream Tablet also boasts external A/V connections, so you can always hook it up to a TV should you be so inclined. Sloppy Ben Heck apostles should take note, as this tablet follows the two core precepts of console modding:

1.) It is usable, and somehow better than the original
2.) It will not be confused for a homemade dirty bomb if you take it out in public

Know these, and you shall go far. [Mod of the Week via Kotaku]

Luckily, Wi-Fi internet radios have gotten a lot cheaper lately: That Aluratek I reviewed has fallen to $US120, from $US200. Internet radio in hand, you need a vintage shell to stuff the guts into. Then you need a thick coat of elbow grease: Gut the Wi-Fi radio, paint its buttons, get the vintage shell ready, mount the display and speakers, and if necessary, you might have to reshape the Wi-Fi radio’s motherboard.

It’s definitely more of a weekend project than an evening endeavor, but every nerd could afford to do a little more handicrafting. [Instructables via Lifehacker]

Just 3.4kg, the mighty pyramid pc’s frame was constructed from laser cut, black and silver aluminium before acrylic panelling sealed the system off to grave robbers and historians. Two 80mm fans keep things frosty with the assistance of liquid cooling. And, of course, a few extra LEDs have been added here and there to bring a little glam to the shabby old pyramids.

Specs:
CPU: Q6600 B3 OC @ 3.15 GHz (Max stable OC @ 3.4 GHz) – “water cooled”
Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3L
RAM: G-Skills 4GB PC2-8000 OC @ 1066 MHz
GPU: 512 MB 8800GT Zotac AMP Editions (700 MHz Core/ 2000 Mhz Memory)
HDD: 500 GB Cavier WD 300 SATA
PSU: 500 Watts Rosewill
Cooling: Thermaltake Tide water plus w/ Swiftech apogee GT CPU block

I do wish Dell/Alienware put out machines that were this bold in design. Because, why not? The world isn’t exactly short on tower PCs.[Power Up! via Geeky Gadgets]

The XIM 2 gives Xbox 360 owners the ability to use a plug-and-play keyboard and mouse with their console. It’s available from XIM’s site for a steep $US180, but then, the ability to shoot more things even faster and more accurately has to be priceless to somebody, right? It’s available to order from their website, though you’ll have to wait a bit for shipping. [Engadget]

Despite the PS3’s hefty stature, the fit was so tight that the modder had to slice down the actual cooling fan blades as to not disrupt other components. Oddly enough, the disc drive is still positioned on the left (a chunk was removed from the PS3 case so that the tray could extend) while the PS3’s own elegant drive components go unused. Both the PS3’s eject and power buttons still work, which was a nice touch.

If you’re interested in owning this PS360, it’s actually on eBay. We’ll pass until someone manages to fit both a 360 and PS3 into either system of choice. [eBay via N8bog Thanks Eric!]

The Sixtyfree Lite-R features a 5-inch screen, headphone jack, C-button stick, and the smallest case we’ve seen yet in a portable N64 mod. It’s got all the buttons on a traditional N64 controller, which is no small feat, and manages to evoke the same toy-like plasticky design aesthetic as the original console. The only caveat? No batteries. The case is too small to hold an internal battery, although SifuF notes that you can clip an InfoLithium battery onto the back in addition to the standard 7.2v supply it was designed for. TThis is one incredible job. [Ben Heck Forums]