If you're thinking of buying a new laptop, chances are that you think your current mobile computing machine is obsolete. However, there's still hope for your faithful laptop - it's possible to upgrade it, and you can do it yourself if you're not averse to the idea of taking electronics apart. Check out how in the full article.

The more the merrier, we say (unless it's dinner guests). For the readers who've been keeping up on the matter of iPhone hacks, we'll be reporting on two recently found methods of unlocking your mobile:

The first way is a Do-It-Yourself hardware hack by George Hotz, and will have iPhone owners opening up their mobile. Before you get cracking, remember to have these items handy before heading over to George's blog (here) for the full instructions:

• An iPhone
• Some trusty case opener tools
• A soldering iron
• Fine pitch wire
• An unlock switch

You will also need to download several programming binaries to go along with the hardware hack - we've provided for them here. The tools below include certain software that you might need from Steps 5-8 of the hack (again, check Hotz's site for specific instructions). Now, before you get all gung-ho about this, keep in mind that this hack involves plenty of soldering, and will most likely brick your iPhone if you're not absolutely careful. You have been warned. George is hoping to have a simplified hack method ready by next week - hopefully, it won't be hardware-based.

Download: iPhone Hack Binaries (George Hotz)

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The software-based hack is available for reading in the Full Article

Ever thought of going the DIY route when your mobile phone goes on the fritz? If you have - or if you're planning to do it soon - then we're sure you're going to like this.

Over at Repair4MobilePhones.org, there's a whole load of how-to guides for repairing, upgrading and disassembling a wide variety of mobile phones. They have guides for phones from Motorola, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, PalmOne, Samsung, and a lot more.

What really caught our eye though is the "Selfmade Mobile (Cell) Phones" category at the bottom of the list. Yes folks, they even have guides to making your own cellular phone! With this, our dreams of making a handset with a wooden casing just got one step closer to reality.

Check 'em all out by clicking on the 'read' link below.

Bored? Got nothing else to do? Don't think store-bought laptop cases aren't worth it? Guess what...this is your lucky day, as we have a little project for you, and it's a DYI laptop case.

Here are the materials that you'll be needing:

1) A nice pair of scissors (not those kiddie scissors that won't cut through anything)
2) A large piece of closed-cell foam (preferably 3/8 or 1 cm thick)
3) Self- Adhesive Velcro
4) Duct Tape
5) T-square with measuring units
6) A cutter or sharp knife
7) A ruler or triangle
8) Pen or Marker

Now, when you have all of these ready, grab your trusty laptop and take its measurements. Mark your foam accordingly. Leaving some extra room might help, but then it's your call. When you're done, cut it out and score along the corners. Here's how it's ideally done, and this is how your project should pretty much look like:

Cut some duct tape to bind the soon-to-be laptop case, then wrap it around the seams. Lastly, place the Velcro on the laptop case's cover. At this point your project should resemble a laptop cover, but you could design it with sequins, glitters, or whatever that tickles your fancy. Below is a picture of the final product, to give you an idea how it looks like:

Oh yeah, be careful with the sharp tools (don't say we didn't warn ya).  Ask for help, if necessary. And have fun.

You might not be overly ecstatic about the supposed "iPod Phone", but curiosity will always get the better of you, so you wait in line for the coming of Apple's mysterious device. Not to burst your iPod Phone bubbles, but you'd be surprised to know how phone-savvy your iPod is already.  Don't worry, that makes the two of us.

Brian of MacMerc.com has a tutorial on how to get phone messages on your iPod. So, how do you turn your iPod into a phone message hound? Well, you'll need an iPod with iTunes on a Mac, and a phone service that supports message-to-email, such as Vonage or Gizmo Project.

Step 1: Build a Scripted Message Folder

After you've set-up your phone messages to go to your inbox as attachments, you'd have to write an AppleScript (use Script Editor) and attach it to a folder where you'll save your messages. Don't worry, it's just a simple script, like this one:

Take it from here, Brian: Hit compile and save this as a script in your /Library/Scripts/Folder Action Scripts/ folder. Create a Messages playlist in iTunes (be sure this playlist is set to sync with your iPod) and a folder just for messages anywhere on your drive. The above script will try to add anything that falls into that folder to iTunes, so make a folder you won't be tempted to use for anything else.

Now, right-click the folder and select Enable Folder Actions, then Configure Folder Actions. Hit the plus on the left side and browse to your folder. Then hit the plus on the right side and select your script. Now we're ready to test.

Step 2: Download your Message Straight to your Pod

Here comes the best part. To test if what you've configured in Step 1 is actually working, call yourself and leave a message. Once the message comes in, right click and save the file to your scripted folder. If all went well, iTunes will fire up and you will find your message on your playlist (and iPod after the next sync). Great job!

Now, listening to your messages is just a sync away!