Electronic Gadgets

"Gadget" is a catch-all word these days for nifty devices. We've covered the basics, such as clocks & watches, plus delved into the world of present-day and future high-tech gadgets, such as digital jewelry and restaurant pagers.

Topics to Explore

10 Sci-fi Gadgets We Wish Actually Existed

How the Ion Proton Sequencer Works

What's the technological singularity?

How Mug Warmers Work

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People Still Use Fax Machines, But, Um, Why?

With the advent of email and scanning, why would anyone want to bother with faxing? Actually, it's still going strong in medical, insurance and government circles. Here's why.

By Nathan Chandler Nov 21, 2019 Gadgets / Fax Machines

How Rolex Came to Rule the Wrist

The Rolex name is synonymous with luxury and cool. But how did this watch company become one of the most famous brands in the world?

By Carrie Whitney, Ph.D. Oct 23, 2019 Gadgets / Clocks and Watches

New MIT Headset Can 'Hear' Your Thoughts and Respond

MIT's AlterEgo allows you to control a computer and ask it questions without ever uttering one word. It could mean profound changes on how we communicate.

By John Perritano Apr 11, 2018 Gadgets / High-Tech Gadgets

March Madness: A High-stakes Game for Virtual Reality

No tickets to March Madness? No problem. Virtual reality can put you at the games — courtside.

By John Donovan Mar 22, 2018 Gadgets / High-Tech Gadgets

Our Apps Are Tracking Us 24 Hours a Day

A fitness tracking app that maps people's exercise habits exposed another lapse in our privacy — and critical risk for security of U.S. forces.

By John Donovan Jan 31, 2018 Gadgets / Fitness Gadgets

What3Words App Is Changing How We Map the Globe

Any address in just three words? Now it's possible.

By Kristen Hall-Geisler Jan 24, 2018 Gadgets / Automotive Gadgets

Virtual Reality Helps Distract Kids From Painful Medical Procedures

Virtual reality makes it easier — and a little more fun — for sick kids to deal with painful medical procedures.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky Oct 10, 2017 Gadgets / Other Gadgets

Is It Time for Civilians to Start Wearing Their Own Body Cameras?

In an effort to capture a wider market, the makers of a police body cam have adapted their product and introduced the Venture wearable camera. Will it catch on?

By Patrick J. Kiger Sep 18, 2017 Gadgets / High-Tech Gadgets

Should Smart Devices Be Able to Automatically Call the Cops?

Suppose a smart home device was programmed to call the police if it heard certain words or sounds? Good idea or bad?

By Dave Roos Jul 18, 2017 Gadgets / High-Tech Gadgets

A Breathalyzer for Drugs? We're Not There Yet

It's a lot harder to develop a breath test for marijuana and opioids than it is for alcohol. But that hasn't stopped a lot of people from trying.

By Alia Hoyt Jul 7, 2017 Gadgets / Automotive Gadgets

Here’s Something Else Your Smart Watch Can Do: Detect Irregular Heartbeat

Scientists have come up with an app that can detect atrial fibrillation.

By Alia Hoyt May 25, 2017 Gadgets / High-Tech Gadgets

Breast Is Best When It's Wireless

Nursing’s great, except when you’re stuck in one spot pumping for hours every single day. Several new breast pump models could change the pain of that scenario.

By Kate Kershner Jan 13, 2017 Gadgets / High-Tech Gadgets

Google Home Speakers Argue, Talk About Their Feelings on Twitch

And it's strangely entertaining.

By Jonathan Strickland Jan 9, 2017 Gadgets / Home Gadgets

Self-stabilizing 'Smart' Utensils Counteract Hand Tremors

What if you couldn't lift a spoon to your mouth without tipping out the contents? A robotic utensil may make this frustrating scenario a problem of the past.

By Laurie L. Dove Dec 8, 2016 Gadgets / Kitchen Gadgets

How Amazon Echo Works

Amazon Echo might look like a cylindrical Bluetooth speaker, but could it actually be the voice-controlled computer that will finally walk us into the future?

By Bernadette Johnson Gadgets / High-Tech Gadgets

Google Glass Can Teach You Morse Code in Four Hours

Light vibrations from the wearable make learning Morse code (and potentially many other tasks) a lot easier, according to new research.

By Jonathan Strickland Nov 1, 2016 Gadgets / Other Gadgets

Forget the Invisible TV: We Want the Invisible Cooktop!

Panasonic showed off some invisible products at an electronics show. How do they work?

By Melanie Radzicki McManus Oct 13, 2016 Gadgets / High-Tech Gadgets

Your Jeans Could Someday Power Your Phone

Chinese scientists have created the first fibers that can capture solar energy and survive the clothing manufacturing process.

By Melanie Radzicki McManus Oct 5, 2016 Gadgets / High-Tech Gadgets

Wearable Alcohol Sensor Could Text You if You're Too Drunk

Soon we might rely on flexible wearable monitors to replace breathalyzers and analyze sweat, notifying us if we've had one too many — or are near the limit.

By Laurie L. Dove Sep 29, 2016 Gadgets / Automotive Gadgets

Why Some People Are Refusing 'Smart' Utility Meters in Their Homes

The utility industry and environmentalists see smart utility meters as modernizing the nation, but some claim privacy and health risks. Is that just paranoia?

By Patrick J. Kiger Sep 27, 2016 Gadgets / Home Gadgets