Build Smart Arduino LCD Battery Monitor with Custom Icon Using Arduino

Are you tired of your battery-powered projects dying unexpectedly? Do simple LED indicators leave you wondering if your battery is almost dead or just kinda low? If so, this project is for you! We'll build an intelligent battery monitor using an Arduino and a 20x4 LCD, complete with precise voltage and percentage readings, a custom graphical battery symbol, and a crucial blinking alert for low battery conditions.

Why This Project?

Traditional battery indicators often rely on just a few LEDs, giving you a very rough estimate of remaining power. This Arduino-based solution offers:

• Precision: Get actual voltage and a calculated percentage, giving you a clear picture of your battery's health.
• Intuitive Visuals: A custom-designed battery icon on the LCD changes its fill level to visually represent the charge.
• Early Warning System: The battery icon blinks frantically when power drops below 10%, ensuring you never miss a critical low battery alert.
• Educational Value: Learn about Analog-to-Digital Conversion (ADC), voltage dividers, LCD custom characters, and non-blocking timing with millis().

Components You'll Need:

• Arduino Board: Any compatible board (e.g., Uno, Nano, Mega) or even AT89S51 development board like the one I'm using
• 20x4 LCD Display: A standard 20 character, 4-line Liquid Crystal Display. (Our code assumes direct wiring as shown in the pin definitions, but you can adapt for I2C LCDs with minor library changes).
• 9V Battery: Or any DC battery you wish to monitor (adjust resistor values and EXPECTED_V_OUT accordingly).
• Resistors:
  • 1 x 21 kΩ (R1)
  • 1 x 5 kΩ (R2)
• Breadboard: For prototyping.
• Jumper Wires: For connections.
• Multimeter (Optional but Recommended): For verifying voltage divider output and your Arduino's ADC reference voltage.
• Download the arduino INO file here: Github Link
• Youtube Short: Link (optional)

The Circuit: Wiring Up Your Battery Monitor

The heart of voltage measurement is a simple voltage divider. Since Arduino's analog input (and its default ADC reference) usually operates around 5V, directly connecting a 9V battery would damage it. The voltage divider steps down the 9V to a safe, measurable level.

Here's how to connect everything:

1. LCD Connections (to Arduino Digital Pins):

   • RS (Register Select) to Digital Pin 0
   • EN (Enable) to Digital Pin 1
   • D4 to Digital Pin 2
   • D5 to Digital Pin 3
   • D6 to Digital Pin 4
   • D7 to Digital Pin 5
   • RW (Read/Write) to GND
   • VSS (Ground) to Arduino GND
   • VDD (Power) to Arduino 5V
   • V0 (Contrast) to a 10kΩ potentiometer (outer pins to 5V & GND, middle pin to V0) or directly to GND for full contrast.
   • Backlight A (Anode) to 5V via a 220Ω resistor (optional)
   • Backlight K (Cathode) to GND

2. Battery Voltage Divider (to Arduino Analog Pin A3):

   • Connect the positive terminal of your 9V battery to one end of the 21 kΩ resistor (R1).
   • Connect the other end of the 21 kΩ resistor to one end of the 5 kΩ resistor (R2).
   • Connect the other end of the 5 kΩ resistor to the GND of your Arduino and the negative terminal of your 9V battery (ensure common ground!).
   • Connect the junction point between the 21 kΩ and 5 kΩ resistors (where they meet) to Arduino Analog Pin A3 (BATTERY_LEVEL_IN).

   Critical Note on REFERENCE_VOLTAGE: In our specific setup, the Analog Reference Voltage (AREF) of the ATmega16 (which your previous code indicated you're using, possibly on a custom board) is set to 2.8V. This is crucial for accurate readings. If your Arduino board uses a different AREF (e.g., default 5V for Arduino Uno), you must adjust the #define REFERENCE_VOLTAGE line in the code accordingly. For example, if using an Uno's default 5V reference, change it to 5.0.

How It Works: Diving into the Code

1. Constants & Libraries:

   • LiquidCrystal.h: Standard library for interfacing with LCDs.
   • PIN_LCD_RS etc.: Defines the Arduino pins connected to your LCD.
   • BATTERY_LEVEL_IN A3: Specifies which analog pin the voltage divider output is connected to.
   • ANALOGIC_MAX_READING 1023.0: For a 10-bit ADC, the analogRead() function returns values from 0 to 1023. Using 1023.0 ensures accurate floating-point division.
   • REFERENCE_VOLTAGE 2.8: Crucial! This must match the actual analog reference voltage being used by your Arduino's ADC. If you're using a standard Arduino Uno, this is typically 5.0V. If you have an external reference or specific ATmega16 setup, measure it and set it here.
   • R1 and R2: Your voltage divider resistor values.
   • EXPECTED_V_OUT 9.45: This is the voltage you consider to be 100% full for your battery. Adjust this based on your battery's specifications. For a nominal 9V battery, 9.45V might be its peak charge.
   • lastBlinkTime, blinkInterval, blinkState: Variables for the non-blocking blinking feature.

2. Custom Characters (byte batteryEmpty[8] etc.):

   • These byte arrays define the pixel patterns for each of your battery fill levels. Each Bxxxx represents a 5-pixel row. B1 means the pixel is on, B0 means it's off.
   • In setup(), lcd.createChar(location, char_array); loads these patterns into the LCD's special Character Generator RAM (CGRAM). You can store up to 8 custom characters (locations 0-7).

3. Voltage Calculation (loop()):

   • value = analogRead(BATTERY_LEVEL_IN);: Reads the analog voltage from your voltage divider.
   • vOut = (value * REFERENCE_VOLTAGE) / ANALOGIC_MAX_READING;: Converts the raw ADC reading (value) into the actual voltage measured at the A3 pin (vOut).
   • vIn = vOut * ((R1 + R2) / R2);: Reverses the voltage divider formula to calculate the actual battery voltage (vIn). This is the magic that converts the low voltage at A3 back to your battery's full voltage.
   • percent = (int)(vIn * 100 / EXPECTED_V_OUT);: Calculates the battery percentage relative to your EXPECTED_V_OUT.

4. Display Logic & Blinking:

   • lcd.clear();: Clears the screen each time for a fresh display.
   • lcd.setCursor() and lcd.print(): Standard LCD functions to display text and numerical values.
   • batteryChar selection: An if-else if ladder checks the percent and selects the appropriate custom character ID (0-4).
   • Blinking (if (percent < 10) block):
     • It uses millis() to track time, allowing the Arduino to continue doing other tasks without freezing.
     • Every blinkInterval (500ms), blinkState is toggled.
     • If blinkState is true, the batteryChar (which will be the batteryEmpty symbol when less than 10%) is displayed using lcd.write(batteryChar);.
     • If blinkState is false, a blank space is printed, making the character disappear. This creates the blinking effect.
   • delay(100);: A short delay ensures the LCD updates are visible and the blinking is smooth.

Getting Started:

1. Assemble the Circuit: Follow the wiring instructions above carefully. Double-check all connections, especially the voltage divider and LCD pins.
2. Copy the Code: Paste the entire Arduino sketch into your Arduino IDE.
3. Adjust Constants:
   • Crucially, verify and set REFERENCE_VOLTAGE to the actual analog reference voltage of your Arduino. Use a multimeter on your Arduino's AREF pin or 5V pin (if default reference).
   • Adjust R1, R2, and EXPECTED_V_OUT if you are using different resistors or monitoring a battery with a different full voltage.
4. Upload: Select your Arduino board and port, then upload the code.
5. Observe! You should now see your battery's status displayed clearly on the LCD.

This project provides a robust and visually appealing way to keep an eye on your battery's health. Give it a try, and say goodbye to unexpected power outages in your projects!

Download the arduino INO file here: Github Link

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Exposing Google Maps 5-Star Rating Scam: How Scammers Exploit Trust

Beware of the Latest Google Maps 5-Star Rating Scam

In an era where online scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, a new scheme has emerged, targeting unsuspecting individuals through Google Maps reviews. This scam not only preys on people's trust but also exploits the allure of easy money. Here’s how it works and how you can protect yourself.

---

How the Scam Operates

1. Initial Contact via WhatsApp: The scam begins with a message on WhatsApp from someone posing as a representative of a legitimate company. They introduce themselves with what appears to be a genuine identity, complete with a business name and professional tone. 

   

2. The Tempting Offer: They claim to promote their business and offer you a quick and easy way to earn money. All you need to do is leave a 5-star rating for a specific location on Google Maps. In exchange, they promise to pay you ₹200 instantly.

   

3. Building Trust: Once you agree, they send you a list of places to review. They guide you to search for these locations on Google Maps and leave glowing reviews. True to their word, they transfer ₹200 to your account, solidifying your trust in them.

4. Transition to Telegram: After gaining your trust, they introduce you to their "manager" and provide a fake employee ID to make the operation seem credible. You’re then asked to contact this manager via a Telegram ID.

5. The Telegram Channel and Application: The manager adds you to a Telegram channel where other participants share their successes, creating a false sense of legitimacy. You’re told to complete a set of 20 tasks, which now involve downloading an app and making small investments to "earn" more money.

   

6. The Big Trap: The tasks escalate, requiring increasingly larger investments. By the time victims realize something is amiss, they may have already poured substantial amounts of money into the scam. Eventually, the scammers disappear, leaving victims with significant financial losses.

---

Why This Scam Works

• Trust-Building: By initially delivering on their promise of paying for reviews, scammers establish credibility.

• Social Proof: Telegram channels filled with fake participants and success stories make the scam appear legitimate.

• Gradual Escalation: The scam starts with small, harmless actions (writing reviews) and escalates to significant investments.

  

---

How to Protect Yourself

1. Be Skeptical of Easy Money: Offers that sound too good to be true usually are. Legitimate businesses don’t pay people to leave fake reviews.

2. Verify Identities: Always verify the identity of people contacting you, especially when they claim to represent a business. Look up the company independently and confirm their association with the individual.

3. Avoid Sharing Personal Information: Refrain from sharing sensitive details or installing unknown apps on your device.

4. Report Suspicious Activity: If you suspect a scam, report it to the relevant authorities and platforms (e.g., Google, Telegram, or WhatsApp).

5. Educate Others: Spread awareness about this scam to prevent others from falling victim.

---

Conclusion

The Google Maps 5-star rating scam is a stark reminder of how scammers adapt to exploit digital platforms. While the promise of easy money can be tempting, staying vigilant and cautious is crucial. Always remember: if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Protect yourself and help others by sharing this information widely.

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LCD library for 20x4 display in 4 Bit Mode

Below is the code for running 20x4 display LCD in 4 bit mode. You can copy the code and save it as a header file (.h) and then include the same in your main program.

Please don't forget to change the PINs according to your sketch.

Please leave a comment for any queries or feedback

/*

 * lcd_lib.h

 * Created By: Ramandeep Singh

 * Created date: 11-Sep-2023

 */

#include <inttypes.h>

//Defines your PINS accordingly to your configuration

#define LCD_CONTROL_DDR DDRC

#define LCD_CONTROL_PORT PORTC

#define LCD_RS_PIN 6

#define LCD_RW_PIN 5

#define LCD_ENABLE_PIN 4

//

#define LCD_DATA1_DDR DDRC

#define LCD_DATA1_PORT PORTC

#define LCD_DATA1_PIN PINC

#define LCD_D4 0

#define LCD_D5 1

#define LCD_D6 2

#define LCD_D7 3

 void lcd_cmd(uint8_t command)  //used to write instruction to LCD

 {

PORTC = command>>4;

PORTC &= (~(1<<LCD_RS_PIN)); //RS=0

PORTC &= (~(1<<LCD_RW_PIN));  //RW=0

PORTC |= (1<<LCD_ENABLE_PIN); //EN=1

_delay_ms(10); //10ms

PORTC &= (~(1<<LCD_ENABLE_PIN)); //EN=0

 

PORTC = (command & 0x0F);

PORTC &= (~(1<<LCD_RS_PIN)); //RS=0

PORTC &= (~(1<<LCD_RW_PIN));  //RW=0

PORTC |= (1<<LCD_ENABLE_PIN); //EN=1

_delay_ms(10); //10ms

PORTC &= (~(1<<LCD_ENABLE_PIN)); //EN=0

 

}

 

  void lcd_data(uint8_t data)  //for writing data to LCD

  {

  PORTC = data>>4 ;

  PORTC |=(1<<LCD_RS_PIN);  //RS=1

  PORTC &=(~(1<<LCD_RW_PIN));  //RW=0

  PORTC |=(1<<LCD_ENABLE_PIN);  //EN=1

  _delay_ms(10);  //10ms

  PORTC &=(~(1<<LCD_ENABLE_PIN)); //EN=0

  

  PORTC = (data & 0x0F);

  PORTC |=(1<<LCD_RS_PIN);  //RS=1

  PORTC &=(~(1<<LCD_RW_PIN));  //RW=0

  PORTC |=(1<<LCD_ENABLE_PIN);  //EN=1

  _delay_ms(10);  //10ms

  PORTC &=(~(1<<LCD_ENABLE_PIN)); //EN=0

  

  }

  

  void LCD_print(char *str) /* Send string to LCD function */

  {

  int i;

  for(i=0;str[i]!=0;i++) /* Send each char of string till the NULL */

  {

  lcd_data(str[i]);

  }

  }

void LCD_print_xy(uint8_t x, uint8_t y, char *str) {

uint8_t position = 0x80; // Starting address of the first line

if (y == 1) {

position = 0xC0; // Starting address of the second line

} else if (y == 2) {

position = 0x94; // Starting address of the third line

} else if (y == 3) {

position = 0xD4; // Starting address of the fourth line

}

position += x; // Add the x-coordinate to the position

lcd_cmd(position);  // Send the command to set the cursor position

LCD_print(str);

}

void LCD_goto_XY(uint8_t x, uint8_t y) {

// Define the starting addresses for each line of a 20x4 LCD

static const uint8_t line_offsets[] = {0x00, 0x40, 0x14, 0x54};

// Ensure x and y are within bounds

if (x >= 20 || y >= 4) {

return;  // Invalid coordinates

}

// Calculate the DDRAM address based on x and y

uint8_t position = line_offsets[y] + x;

// Set the cursor to the desired position

lcd_cmd(0x80 | position);

}

 void LCD_init()

 {

lcd_cmd(0x02);   //Set cursor to home position

lcd_cmd(0x28);  //4bit mode

lcd_cmd(0x06); //Entry Mode

lcd_cmd(0x0c); //display ON cursor OFF

lcd_cmd(0x01);   //clear the display

lcd_cmd(0x80);   //set cursor at line1

 }

 

void  LCD_clear()

{

lcd_cmd(0x01);

lcd_cmd (0x80);

}

//how to use:

//LCD_init();

//LCD_Print("My String");

//LCD_print_XY(0,0,"My String");

//LCD_goto_XY(16,3); LCD_print("My String");

//LCD_Clear();

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Facial Recognition Tech Is Ready for Its Post-Phone Future

Apple’s Face ID turned facial recognition into the iPhone’s hottest feature. A year later, the technology is ready to break through to new applications.

from Gear Latest https://ift.tt/2CEUNKC

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Delete Your Uber Account Instantly

Hi Friends,

As we all know, Uber is famous for taxi ride services mainly in India and outside. Now, not only Uber, there are many more ride services which are being offered by other competitors brands like OLA, Rapido, Shuttl, MyCar etc. much less price than the uber for the same route/service. 

Now if you want to switch from Uber to other ride platforms and wish to withdraw or disable uber account then you can simply do the same by following below steps.

Note: Any Outatanding Balance Must Be Cleared/To be Paid to remove Uber Account Permanently.
As you can see in below snaphsot that uber doesn't allow to delete the account if any outstanding amount is billed.

Snapshot:

Step to delete Uber account:

1. Navigate to below URL:

https://accounts.uber.com/privacy/deleteyouraccount

2. Tap on Sign in using any of the below options. Its good if you remember your password associated with Uber mobile.
3. Click Next and Confirm to proceed further.
4. Provide them a valid reason for leaving Uber.
5. Confirm your account deletion.


Hope this article help you, share like and comment below for any query.

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How To Trace Mobile Number With Name

SomeOne is disturbing you again and again with unknown number and you want to know about who's behind the number. Then this tutorial will help you a little bit, I'm here giving of explanation of three easy guides that lets help you to trace an unknown cell phone's location, network provider and NAME also (yes with name ☺).

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Unlock any BSNL 3G data card

Many of us have bought BSNL 3g data card but some time we want it to run/connect to any network other than BSNL. But its the major problem of BSNL data card. It could only connect to BSNL network. It doesn't support any other SIM card but only BSNL.

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{UPDATED} BCA Syllabus And Question Papers(Downloads)

Hello everyone I'm giving download link of BCA/B.Sc(IT) degree course syllabus along with question papers, mock papers, C programms etc as per KUMAUN UNIVERSITY guidlines. So here I'm giving you the direct download link to download the papers according to semesters.

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Amazing Facts You Probably Didn’t Know!

Hello everyone,

Ever stumbled upon a fact so fascinating that it completely blows your mind? Well, get ready, because I’ve compiled a list of some incredible and lesser-known facts that will surely amaze you. From unique world records to peculiar animal behaviors, here’s a collection of mind-boggling trivia you might not have heard before!

Fascinating Facts Around the World

1. The World’s First Undersea Restaurant: ITHAA, located in the Maldives, is the world’s first underwater restaurant. Imagine dining surrounded by panoramic views of the ocean’s marine life!

2. Hedgehog Heartbeat: On average, a hedgehog's heart beats a whopping 300 times per minute. That’s a lot of beating for such a small creature!

3. Clinophobia: Have you ever heard of Clinophobia? It’s the fear of going to bed. Yes, there are people who have a genuine fear of sleep!

4. Crocodile Teeth: Crocodiles have a unique ability to continuously grow new teeth throughout their lifetime to replace the old ones.

5. Origin of Tablecloths: Did you know that tablecloths were originally used as towels? Guests would wipe their hands and faces with them after a meal!

6. Continents' Naming Convention: All the continents end with the same letter that they start with. For example, Africa, Asia, Europe, and America.

7. Boeing 747 Fuel Capacity: A Boeing 747 airliner can hold up to 216,850 liters of fuel. That’s a massive amount to keep those long flights going!

8. Violin Construction: A violin is made up of around 70 separate pieces of wood. That’s a lot of craftsmanship for such a beautiful instrument!

9. Leonardo da Vinci's Inventions: Leonardo da Vinci, renowned for his artistic genius, also invented scissors. Who knew?

10. India's Wireless Growth: India is the fastest-growing country in terms of wireless connections.

11. Potato Production: India is the second-largest producer of potatoes in the world, with China being the largest.

12. Cloned Buffalo: Scientists in India produced the world’s first cloned buffalo, and Garima-II, the third cloned buffalo, has given birth to a healthy baby.

13. World's Largest Human Blood Droplet: 3,069 students from Kurukshetra University set a record by creating the world’s largest human blood droplet, all while dressed in red!

14. Tokyo Skytree: Tokyo Skytree holds the title for the tallest tower in the world, reaching an impressive height.

15. River of Five Colors: Cano Cristales in Colombia is known as the “River of Five Colors” due to its vibrant and colorful appearance.

16. Tiger’s Swimming Ability: Tigers are powerful swimmers and can swim up to 6.5 kilometers in a single stretch!

17. Longest Word with Left Hand: “Stewardesses” is the longest word you can type using only your left hand.

18. Indiana University's Library: The main library at Indiana University, USA, sinks over an inch every year due to the weight of the books.

19. Most Common English Word: The most frequently used English word in writing around the world is “THE.”

20. India’s Sugar Consumption: As of 2013, India is the world’s largest consumer of sugar.

21. Sharps Catching: India ranks second after Indonesia in terms of the number of sharps caught each year.

22. Dried Beans Production: India is the largest producer of dried beans, such as kidney beans and chickpeas.

23. Smartphone Market: India surpassed Japan to become the third-largest global smartphone market, behind China and the USA.

24. Elephant Birth Weight: An elephant calf weighs about 120 kilograms at birth. That’s quite a hefty start in life!

25. Fish Production: The largest quantity of fish in the world is produced by Japan and Russia.

26. Swan Feathers: A swan has over 25,000 feathers in its body. That’s a lot of feathers to maintain!

27. The Quick Brown Fox: The sentence “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog” uses every letter in the English alphabet.

28. No Clocks in Casinos: Las Vegas gambling casinos are famously devoid of clocks to keep you playing without any sense of time.

I hope you enjoyed these amazing facts as much as I did! Feel free to share this post and let me know if you have any other interesting trivia to add.

Thanks for reading!

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How to Flash Nokia S40 Phones

Gyzzzz this is tutorial for flashing a Nokia phone via Phoenix..

Tools and Requirements:-

1. PC with Win XP or 7 installed.
2. Nokia USB cable. (came with the phone!)
3. Phoenix 2009 or 2010 or later Versions
4. Offline firmware for your Nokia type. (Size vary 30 MB - 300 MB).
Check your current firmware by pressing*#0000# in your mobile phone. Write down somewhere. Download latest firmware for your phone.

(Just Google for your Nokia s40 handset firmware files or just use NAVIFIRM software)
Preparation:-
1. In your PC. Create restore point through Start-All Programs-Accessories-System Tools-System Restore. Name it 'Before flashing' click create.
Remove Nokia PC Suite, Nokia Software Updater, Nokia Care Suite, Nokia Modem Drivers, Nokia Connectivity Drivers through Control Panel-Add/Remove Programs,

but DO NOT REMOVE PC Connectivity Solution and Windows - Nokia Modem.
Restart your PC.
Do not connect your phone before installing Phoenix software.
Disable all antivirus, firewall, anti-spyware.
Disable screen saver.
Check C:Program files/Nokia/Phoenix/Products If you have those folder in there delete all.
2. In your mobile phone :
Backup all your mobile phone content since all your data will be lost after flashing. (If you phone is dead, skip this step!)
If you protect your memory card with password then remove it.
Remove your memory card from your mobile phone. 

Uninstall your mobile antivirus. (if you have any)
Charge your phone battery to at least 70% and keep charging. (Although flashing takes only 7-10 minutes.)
Steps:-
Install pheonix Software 2009 or later.
Install the software. Be patient, it may take some minutes to install all the components.
Don't run Phoenix software after installation.
Connect your Nokia handset to your PC with USB cable in PC Suite mode.
Windows will start installing the connectivity drivers as soon as you connect the phone.
Let it install completely.- If this process failed then you must be remove PC Connectivity Solution. But don't worry we created restore point earlier remember.- Restore your system and start remove Nokia component again but do not remove PC Connectivity Solution.
Download ur phones firmware and install it in the default location C:Program files/Nokia/Phoenix/Products/RM-XXX where xxx is the number a specific number assigned to each type of nokia phone.

Be sure you install updated firmware. You cannot downgrade your phone's firmware in BB5 phones which includes all new Nokia phones including N-Series. (N82, N90, ....)
3. Flashing Procedure (Updating to latest firmware version):-
 

Open Phoenix Service Software by double click on the icon from your desktop.
Connect your phone in PC Suite Mode.
In Phoenix, click File-Manage Connections.
Now click New. Now select the type of cable you are using. If you are using DKE-2, CA-53 [N Series] cable, select usb. If already usb exists no need for this step.
Click Next. It will find your product and say FOUND. If it doesn't find any, you can try changing your cable type by clicking Back.
Click Next and then Finish.
Now your cable type (US appears in the connection list. Select it. Click APPLY and then CLOSE.
Now select File-OpenProduct.
A list of RM code will open. Select your phone's RM code. Like RM-133 for NokiaN73 or RM-84 for Nokia N70 and other nokia's with there corresponding RM Types but choose the one which corresponds to your phone! Click OK. At this steps if you receive an error its okay. Just ignore it.
Now select File-Scan Product.
Your phone's firmware info will appear at the extreme bottom of the Phoenix window. Now go to Flashing-Firmware Update. A window will open. On that window click Browse button (the one with three dots). Click Refurbish. Now your actual flashing has started. Don't touch your phone or press any button until the flashing has finished. Also don't touch your data cable and your computer system. Remember don't Touch! (Still touching?)- At the end Phoenix will tell you to remove your phone as the flashing has finished. Now wait for your phone to reboot into latest firmware. The flashing procedure takes 7-10 minutes.

NOTE: I'M NOT RESPONSIBLE IF YOUR DEVICE MAY BRICK..

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Unlock the Magic: How to See 3D Photos with Your Naked Eyes!

Hello Fellow Readers,

This article lets you how to see 3D without need of any special 3D spectes.
The point is to teach you how to see 3D photos on the web. There are many different ways to see 3D, with just as many gadgets to help. The technique I will be showing you requires no special equipment. All you need to do is train your eyes to look at these images in what you might call an “unnatural” way.

 What is crossed eyes?
When overlapping stereo pairs without special glasses, you can get the 3D effect by crossing your eyes or diverging your eyes. I prefer the crossed eye method. I find it easier to control, and it is possible to view larger 3D images than with the diverging technique.

How to do it

• Sit square in front of your monitor, with the image directly in front of you, at about arm’s length
• Sitting further back makes it easier – you don’t need to cross your eyes as much – but makes the image look smaller
• Make sure you keep your head level horizontally, tilting your head will prevent you from merging the images
• While keeping the stereo pair of images in the centre of your vision, slowly cross your eyes
• The stereo pair will go out of focus and you will seem to see four images, as shown in the animation above
• If you find it hard to cross your eyes, it can help to hold a pen in front of you and look at the tip with the stereo pair in the background
• Gradually cross your eyes more and more – if using a pen to assist, start it close to the monitor and move it towards your nose
• Continue crossing your eyes more, untill the centre two of the four images overlap and you see three blurry images, as in the animation above
• Try and hold the centre image together – it is possible to “lock” it in place and see it as one image
• The “locked” centre image should appear in 3D!
• Now the tricky part, focus – while holding the 3D image in place, relax your eyes – drop the pen from your field of view if you are using it
• If you can keep the 3D image locked and relax your eyes, it should eventually pop into focus, as in the last frame of the animation above

What you are doing here is causing your eyes to look at a space between you and the monitor, but focusing the lenses on the monitor. Our eyes never naturally need to do this, so it can be tricky to do at first.

Try it!

Try and see the 3D effect yourself with the stereo pair below.

 

How did you go? If you were able to see the effect, congratulations! It really is very striking isn’t it? If you couldn’t manage to do it after trying for a while, leave it aside and try again tomorrow. It can be tricky to get the first time, but the majority of people can do it. If you find you are unable to see the 3D effect no matter how many times you try, then it may be that you are one of the few who for whatever reason will never be able to do it.

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