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Amp Up Your Cell Phone's Sound System with a Plastic Cup

Jun 25, 2012 05:37 PM
Hand using a utility knife to cut a red plastic cup.

Everyone loves using their cell phones for everything except actually making phone calls. Whether it's watching streaming video, listening to music or playing video games, it would seem that calling people is almost an afterthought to cell manufacturers in this day and age.

Unfortunately, one thing that seems to be a persistent problem with cell phones are the speakers. They are never loud enough. It especially stinks if you're trying to watch a movie or listen to a song when there are no headphones available.

Well, you don't have to worry anymore. I've thought up an easy way to amplify your phone's tiny speaker with items you probably already have in your house.

Materials

  • Plastic disposable cup
  • Bobby pins
  • Razor blade

Get Bobby Pins

Place two bobby pins on a flat surface.

Two thin sticks arranged parallel to each other.

Bend

Bend one half of each bobby pin up, to make two "L" shapes.

Metal wire hooks on a neutral background.

Bend... Again

Bend the bottom of the "L" shape upwards about 1/3 inch from the crook to form a "U" shape.

Metal clips on a white background.

Cut Speaker Hole

Using your razor blade, cut a rectangle the dimensions of your speaker in the cup, near the bottom.

Hand holding a utility knife near a red plastic cup.

Make Incisions for Bobby Pins

Make four horizontal incisions to hold the bobby pins in place around the speaker hole. Make the first one here:

Red plastic cup being cut with a utility knife.

Make the next one here:

Utility knife cutting through a red surface.

The next oner here:

Utility knife against a red container.

And the final one here:

Red plastic cup with a cutting tool positioned next to it.

Insert First Bobby Pin

Flip the cup over to make the next few steps easier. Slide the first bobby pin through the two slits on the right or left. Interweave it.

Red bucket with a metal handle.

Insert Other Bobby Pin

Insert the other bobby pin through the remaining slits the same way.

Red container with metal handles.

Add Support Pin

Slide another unbent bobby pin over the ends of the two bent pins that poke through the top slits. This is for support. Flip the cup back over.

Red plastic cup with a black band securing its shape.

Add Phone

Slide your phone in! Your amplifier is now done.

Smartphone resting on a red cup displaying a menu.

Here is a video of it in action!

Now, my plastic cup amplifier was built to work with my phone, which has the speaker on the lower back. You may have to change up the design a bit, depending on where your speaker is located on your cell phone.

How would you amplify your sound? Sound off below!

The next big software update for iPhone is coming sometime in April and will include a Food section in Apple News+, an easy-to-miss new Ambient Music app, Priority Notifications thanks to Apple Intelligence, and updates to apps like Mail, Photos, Podcasts, and Safari. See what else is coming to your iPhone with the iOS 18.4 update.

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