Other Gadgets

Normally we love soap, the ultimate germ fighter, but after an oil spill, a whole lot of soap may be squirted into the environment and linger in the affected ecoystems. How does magnetic soap hightail it out of there?

By Nicholas Gerbis

Stories about electronic readers and tablets are all over the tech media these days. But what if you want a simple electronic device that lets you write down your thoughts? Perhaps you need an e-writer.

By Jonathan Strickland

Watching video still has its problems -- buffering, stuttering and proprietary software all conspire to make the experience less than ideal. Can DASH save the day and bring smooth playback to us all?

By Stephanie Crawford

Almost every household owns a toaster and this appliance have been used for many generations to toast your favorite foods like bread and waffles. Take a look inside this gadget to see how it works.

By Sharita Sykes

While practicing your swing, have you ever wondered how that tennis ball launcher could manage a perfect serve every time? Go to the next image to see how the tennis ball launcher looks on the inside.

By Sharita Sykes

When writing, you are making a visual recording of your thoughts. The Livescribe Pulse pen takes it a little bit further and makes a digital recording as well. See how this smartpen works.

By Sharita Sykes

10 ways to reuse or recycle floppy disks. Learn more about the 10 ways to reuse or recycle floppy disks.

By Josh Peterson, Planet Green

In all likelihood, there is at least one small box in the back of the closet full of cassette tapes that you just haven't gotten rid of. Learn more about these 8 great projects to resuse old cassette tapes.

By Jaymi Heimbuch

Want to put that brain to work with some DIY that will actually help you in your day-to-day grind? From cooking with the sun to protecting the screen on your smartphone, these projects will satisfy your crafty techie side.

By Nathan Chandler

If you have a lantern flashlight, you probably know about the enormous batteries they require. An you probably also know...they aren't rechargeable. Learn more about hacking your lantern flashlight to keep going and going.

By Jaymi Heimbuch

My laptop is a great little workhorse, but it overheats like nobody's business. Learn more about the 5 cheapest & easiest DIY laptop stands.

By Jaymi Heimbuch

Ever wonder what's inside a shaker flashlight? Take a look at this image gallery and take a look inside a shaker flashlight.

By Kaliyana Finney

Ever wonder what's inside a vending machine? Take a look at this vending machine image gallery to find out.

By Kaliyana Finney

Calculators may show up anywhere in our lives that numbers do -- from calculus class to restaurants -- but the technology that powers these devices is fairly recent. What made it possible, and how does it work?

By Jacob Clifton

Every year it seems like there's a bumper crop of new electronics on the market, and lots more on the way. So how did we pick our favorites for 2009? It wasn't easy.

By Nathan Chandler

The Taser can be used to subdue subjects at close range, but what happens when police need to stop large crowds at a distance? They use Taser shotgun shells.

By Jonathan Strickland

Millions of police officers, soldiers and ordinary citizens carry real-life stun weapons to protect against personal attacks. But what happens if one of those people accidentally stuns someone else?

By Katherine Neer

Love the pitter-patter of tiny robotic feet? Need a way to stash your cash? Check out some of the latest Discovery gifts and gadgets that are at the top of everyone's wish list this holiday season.

The demand for virtual reality gear is determined by its uses in the medical, military and entertainment markets. Learn about the advantages and disadvantages of devices like head-mounted displays.

By Jonathan Strickland

Virtual reality uses a computer to create a simulated three-dimensional world. Find out how virtual reality works and learn about the future of virtual reality.

By Jonathan Strickland

If you lived through the 1980s, then you know it was an amazing decade. It seemed like every month some cool new technology came onto the market. See the most popular consumer products that made their mark.

By Marshall Brain

Gadgets are all the rage in our digital age, so much so that you probably consider some of them essential to your daily life. Which devices have made their mark?

By Nathan Chandler

Like the usual setting on the phasers used by Kirk and Spock, stun guns fall into the category of non-lethal weaponry. See how they incapacitate without causing permanent damage.

By Tom Harris

Metal detectors can do more than just detect metal -- they can tell you the kind of metal it is and even how deep it's buried. Learn how these units pinpoint and identify their target.

By Jeff Tyson