Last Updated 11/21/09 1:25 PM
PM News
2011 Ferrari 458 Italia Supercar Test Drive
Ferarri's new lust-worthy 562-hp supercar hits 60 mph in 3.4 seconds. It's indisputably attractive, but it is also derivative, as though it had been concocted from the best parts of previous great Ferrari designs. Let's see what it can do on real roads. Click For More.
Fringe Is on the Right Track With Code-Cracking Science
The Fringe team encounters the Observers—strange men who keep a log of mysterious code that the agents must try to crack. PM spoke with etymologist Rex Curry about deciphering ancient codes and symbols to see how (and if) it can be done. Click For More.
Dwayne Johnson Promotes Space Exploration for NASA (Video!)
In Planet 51, Dwayne Johnson voices Chuck, an astronaut who lands on an extra-solar planet populated by aliens—so NASA felt he was the perfect person to spearhead the agency's new series of public service announcements. Click For More.
PM's Guide to the Ultimate DIY Thanksgiving: 30-Minute Apfelwein
Here at PM, straightforward holiday cooking is uncreative and, frankly, a bit boring—it's a project that needs a DIYer's touch. Here is a recipe and directions for one of the simplest alcoholic brews on the planet: the 30-minute hard-cider variant, apfelwein. Click For More.
PM's Guide to the Ultimate DIY Thanksgiving: Deep-Fried Turkey
For a moist (but not greasy!) bird, PM automotive editor Mike Allen recommends frying your Thanksgiving turkey from now on. Here's how to make the best turkey around without starting a neighborhood fire. Click For More.
Leonid Meteor Shower Dazzled, Impressed: Gallery
Did you see the Leonid meteor shower? Or was it just too cloudy to spot the shooting stars? Well, PM has the next best thing: images of the shower in full swing—as well as a calendar of North American meteor showers so that you don’t miss the next event. Click For More.
This Is Not Your Grade School Solar System: Gallery
In the last 30 years, new instruments and methods have acted together to form one giant, interdisciplinary zoom lens on our planetary companions. Here, planet by planet, is a quick guide to how our vision of the solar system has changed. Click For More.
Microsoft Launches Office 2010 Beta: First Impressions
Microsoft officially launched its Office 2010 public beta today. We've been playing with the software for about a week now. Here is what we think of the package so far. Click For More.
Hopes Stirring at NASA for Ares Engineering Vindication: Exclusive
When NASA released news of troubles surrounding the Ares I rocket's propensity to shake violently, critics were quick to jeer. But now engineers are optimistic that the fears have been overstated after reviewing early data from the Ares I-X's test flight. Click For More.
IBM Reveals the Biggest Artificial Brain of All Time
IBM has revealed the biggest artificial brain of all time, a simulation run by a 147,456-processor supercomputer. Will we ever get to truly capable artificial intelligence? PM reports from IBM's Almaden research center to find out. Click For More.
Viewtopia 11/17/09: Top 5 DVDs of the Week (With Video!)
This week, Star Trek and Evangleion: 1.01 boldly reimagine two classic sci-fi franchises, while the gang from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia celebrate the joys of Christmas in their own "unique" way. Click For More.
7 Small Drills Bore It Out: Tool Comparison Test
How much cordless drill do you need? Probably not as much as you think. We gathered seven drills with nearly identical features. Then we drilled holes with a 5/8-inch spade bit and drove 2-inch drywall screws until the batteries gave out. Here’s our report. Click For More.
Aptera's False Rumors: Founders Not "Ousted"—On Vacation
Recent reports claiming that Aptera motors founders were "ousted in a boardroom showdown" appear to be false. Click For More.
Five Body Parts You May Be Able to Regrow Soon(ish)
While humans may never be able to regenerate body parts they've lost, scientists are perfecting ways to create different types of replacement tissue using stem cells or techniques that kick-start regrowth and development. Click For More.
Why GM Might Repay Its Loans Early Despite Losses: Analysis:
General Motors has not yet turned profitable since emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy last July. That's no surprise. What is surprising is that the automaker is going to start repaying its government loans beginning in 2010, five years ahead of schedule. Click For More.
The Retirement of the Space Shuttle—And What's Next for NASA
At this pivotal moment in manned space flight history, PM looks back at our coverage of the technology behind the Constellation Program and the development of the International Space Station, as well as news surrounding the Space Shuttles. Click For More.
The Uncertain Future of the International Space Station: Analysis
At 2:28 pm EST, Space Shuttle Atlantis will launch, headed for the International Space Station (ISS). This decade-long, $100 billion project, has just 5 flights left to finish building and outfitting the station. Here's a look back at the uncertain future of the ISS. Click For More.
2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6 Test Drive
BMW's ActiveHybrid X6 is a forward-looking crossover with a hatchback SUV-style design. But does the performance-oriented hybrid pack enough efficiency to make it worth an extra 20 grand? Let's see. Click For More.
The Top 8 Dinosaur Discoveries of 2009
Paleontologists have had a good year, bringing a slew of new dinosaurs to the books. We pored through the many finds to bring you the best horned, bird-footed, feathered and, of course, ferocious new dinosaurs unveiled this year. Click For More.
NASA Confirms There Is Water on the Moon—But Where Did It Come From?
A month after it sent the LCROSS (Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite) probe hurtling into the Cabeus crater near the moon's south pole, NASA revealed today that it has uncovered irrefutable evidence of "significant quantities" of water. Click For More.
Is Fringe's Ritalin-Inspired Mind Control Cocktail Possible?
The latest episode of Fringe had us thinking about mind control theories. To sort the pseudo- from the science, we talked to Steven Novella, clinical neurologist at Yale University School of Medicine. Click For More.
Why NASA Should Bomb the Moon to Find Water: Analysis
NASA's LCROSS, which crash-landed into the moon on Oct. 9, 2009, has confirmed that there is water on the moon, silencing once and for all critics of this mission. Here's why we rooted for the mission to bombard the moon from the beginning. Click For More.
NASA’s LCROSS “Moon Bomb” Makes Lunar Impact: Video
NASA's Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite, which uses an empty fuel tank to kick up a plume in order to measure the amount of water ice on the moon, is no more. The spacecraft careened into a crater and the analysis is just starting. Click For More.
The Anatomy of a Disaster Scene in the Movie 2012
Here, 2012 director Roland Emmerich and the film's visual-effects supervisors take us behind the scenes of the film to show PM how a team of 100 artists created the ultimate disaster sequence. Click For More.
3 Sci-Fi Worthy Technologies You Can Buy: Gift Guide
In our minds, the future is a place of technological wonder: a land free from cords, where all-in-one portable gadgets can stream HD and play 3D anywhere there’s a wall to project to. Here’s our look at three new types of sci-fi-worthy tech available now. Click For More.
How to Get Dust off a DSLR Sensor: Digital Clinic
If your digital SLR camera doesn't have a function that removes dust automatically, over time, you may notice intrusive dots in your photographs. Here's how to clean your camera's image sensor without damaging it (or spending a lot of money). Click For More.
5 Animal Genomes That May Hold Cures to Human Diseases
The Genome 10K project proposes decoding the genetic blueprints of 10,000 species of vertebrates—essentially, one member of each genus. Here are five species that have had their genomes sequenced—and what scientists expect they will contribute to human health. Click For More.
2009 Kawasaki ER-6n Test Ride: Sporty Standard Bike Under $7000
Newcomers to motorcycling frequently face a range of sportbikes that are simply beyond their capabilities. The ER-6n's styling suggests speed, yet its underpinnings are milder and more forgiving. We took a ride on this middleweight to see how it stacks up. Click For More.
4 High-Tech Surprises From the USS New York
The USS New York is the Navy's newest warship. The Navy integrated 7.5 tons of steel from the fallen World Trade Center towers into the bow. But that is not the only interesting detail of this new vessel's design. Click For More.
Viewtopia 11/10/09: Top 5 DVDs of the Week (With Video!)
This week, Pixar's UP uses tens of thousands of balloons to lift a house, and our spirits, while Zack Snyder's Watchmen, Bruce Timm's Justice League and the animated G.I. Joe series all get definitive DVD releases. Click For More.
High-Tech Sports Broadcast Technology Uses CG Players for ESPN Analysis (With Video!)
Researchers at the Innovation Lab at Disney World’s recently revamped ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex have developed an easy way for ESPN’s on-air basketball analysts to go over plays and interact with virtual versions of NBA players. Click For More.
Five of the Craziest Chinese Drywall Stories We've Heard
Almost a year after news began breaking about bizarre happenings related to Chinese drywall, numerous questions remain unanswered. Despite the lack of definitive answers, the investigation so far certainly hasn't come up short on strange anecdotes. Click For More.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Review—Heard Of It?
Analysts expect Modern Warfare 2's first week sales to breach $500 million. To provide perspective, The Dark Knight made $155.34 opening weekend. A movie ticket is cheaper than a video game, but half a billion dollars, any way you spin it, screams ... Click For More.
Oasis of the Seas Cruises Home to Ft. Lauderdale: Gallery
The 1,187-ft long Oasis of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, towers 213 feet above the water and carries four 7,500 horsepower bow thrusters. Here are pictures of the construction, test run and maiden voyage of the Oasis. Click For More.
How to Troubleshoot a Tire-Pressure Monitoring System
Are your tires really inflated properly? Don’t put too much faith in your tire-pressure monitoring system (TPMS)—it often won’t give a sign that they are low until it’s too late. Here’s how to set up your TPMS system so that you are never caught without enough air. Click For More.
GM Update: Lutz Will Take Reins of Opel
The fallout from General Motors' decision to keep its Opel brand could distract the automaker as it tries to fix its North American business. GM appointed its vice chairman Bob Lutz as Opel chairman following last week's resignation of CEO Carl-Peter Forster. Click For More.
Locking Pliers Comparison: Abusive Lab Test
The iconic Vise-Grip locking pliers quite literally aren’t what they used to be—in 2008, the manufacturer shuttered their Nebraska plant and moved production to China. How do the new Vise-Grips hold up to the no-longer-sold classic? Click For More.
How Better Place's Robotic Battery Swap Stations Work
The world's most ambitious electric car company, Better Place, will rely on robotic station attendants to change its EV cars' batteries. Here's how it will work. Click For More.
How to Build a Powerful Home Theater PC for Less Than $500
Building a dedicated home theater PC used to be expensive and time-consuming. But today, the process is a lot easier—and cheaper. Here's how to build a tiny, loaded HTPC for less than the price of most off-the-shelf Blu-Ray players. Click For More.
2010 Mercedes-Benz AMG SLS Test Drive
Despite its intimidating stance, this is one of the most civilized supercars around. Just don't forget that there's 563 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque available from the 6.2-liter V8, with all the performance you'd expect from a $200,000 aluminum spaceframe supercar. Click For More.
On Fringe, Radiation Ghoul is Pure Fiction
In this week's Fringe episode, "Earthling," the team searches for an explanation behind a string of murders in which victims turn to ash without explanation—the handy work of a space ghoul who's going after the radiation stored in human cancer patients. Click For More.
Hydrogen Gadgets at SEMA: Cars Still Can't Run on Water
This year's SEMA show is blissfully short on bogus gas-saving gadgets. Unfortunately, there are still some hydrogen-on-demand holdouts claiming dramatic improvements in fuel economy by burning water in your car. Click For More.
UFOlogy Hits a New Low With The Fourth Kind: Analysis
The Fourth Kind's unconvincing, irreverent UFOlogy gives this reviewer chills. The movie stumbles directly into the biggest problems facing the discussion and investigation of UFOs and alien abductions. Click For More.
Chrysler Reveals Its Turnaround Plan
Less than six months have passed since Chrysler emerged from bankruptcy with new owners and a new lease on life. Recently, the company gave a progress report during an unprecedented eight-hour briefing session. Here is the new future of Chrysler. Click For More.
12 X-Prize Contenders Show Off Their MPG Tech At SEMA 2009
The Progressive Automotive X-Prize held a technical summit of the participating 43 teams at the 2009 SEMA show in Las Vegas. Twelve of those teams brought along vehicles to display at the show, each one in varying degrees of completeness. Click For More.
How to Install a Plastic Laminate Backsplash
Installing plastic laminate countertops is different from making it into a backsplash. Here's how to cut, place and glue laminate or linoleum for the perfect kitchen backsplash. Click For More.
Cheating Gets High-Tech With the Remote-Controlled Bowling Ball
What do you get the sports fan who wants to bowl 300 without practicing? Try the RC900, a remote-control bowling ball invented by Texas-based 900 Global. The product is being marketed to children and those unable to bowl because of physical limitations. Click For More.
Methane Maps Step One for Energy Prospectors
A team of geologists recently found hundreds of plumes of methane gas—a potent greenhouse gas and potential energy source—in the Arctic Ocean, indicating there may be more methane being released from deep in the ocean than expected. Click For More.
The 10 Ugliest Cars at SEMA 2009
At the annual Specialty Equipment Market Association show in Las Vegas we've seen the usual assortment of high-tech gadgets, tricked-out speedsters and blinged out interiors. But alongside the glorious mods, there are plenty of strange, dumb and just plain ugly cars, trucks ... Click For More.
GM Keeps Opel for Scale and Innovation: Analysis
General Motors' board on Tuesday reversed course on an earlier decision to sell its European subsidiary Opel. Here's what it means for GM's future products and strategy. Click For More.
5 (Fake) Future Products From the Stanley Black & Decker Merger
Hand-tool maker Stanley acquired Black & Decker, the power tool manufacturer, in a $4.5-billion merger announced Monday. Here are several possible (although not necessarily probable) new products that we hope to see in stores soon. Click For More.
Recall Safety: How to Fix a Stuck Electronic Throttle
Last month, Toyota issued a recall for 3.8 million Toyota and Lexus models because the floor mats were said to restrict the throttle pedal's movement and cause the car to unintentionally accelerate. Now the company faces a media firestorm over the problem. Click For More.
Why the Hydrogen Feud Needs to End: Analysis
Hydrogen fuel cell research is in the midst of a tumultuous debate. Proponents continue to sink money into research and marketing while the opposition asks that researchers shift time and money to more promising technologies, like batteries. Click For More.
Viewtopia 11/03/09: Top 5 DVDs of the Week (With Video!)
Fans of G.I. Joe are served a double helping this week with the release of the live-action extravaganza G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra and the gritty animated feature G.I. Joe: Resolute written by comic book scribe Warren Ellis. Click For More.
The Trail Boss's Guide to Leaf-Cleaning at Home
Trail maintainers working for the national forest service know all about outdoor cleanup—including how, and when, to remove leaves. PM has come up with essential tips and tools for homeowners to tackle a chore that's tedious and often unnecessary. Click For More.
Car Industry Plans Shift to Low-Impact Refrigerant in A/C Systems
The auto industry is shifting to new, low-impact refrigerant for car air conditioning systems. Here's what that means for car companies—and for you. Click For More.
Zoo Veterinarian: This Is My Job
Pete Black works for the St. Louis Zoo, where his primary responsibility is to perform routine exams and surgeries and provide preventative care to the zoo's 5000 animals. Black makes house calls to animals' enclosures and works within the confines of the 17,000-square-foot ... Click For More.
2010 Honda Accord Crosstour Test Drive
It’s been precisely one year to the day since we first reviewed the 2009 Toyota Venza. Toyota’s cross-town rival Honda has been putting the final layer of polish on its own crossover wagon competitor over the past twelve months, and here it is: The Accord Crosstour. Click For More.
The World’s 18 Strangest Bridges: Gallery
Some bridges are engineered with nothing but utility in mind—for these, aesthetic design is secondary to safety and longevity. But advances in design software and construction materials have given bridge architects opportunities to focus on designs that impress, while ... Click For More.
Pro Tips For Installing Crown Molding
Crown molding is not easy to install, but the right trim can transform a room. Here are illustrated step-by-step guidelines that prove that a skillful layout and smart shortcuts can change any apprentice carpenter into a ceiling molding master. Click For More.
Ares' Continued Technical Problems and Money Troubles: Guest Analysis
Space analyst Rand Simberg argues here that last week's test flight of the Ares I-X rocket, NASA's planned, vaunted crew-launch system, did little to stem the controversy over the program. Click For More.
3 Cool Things About the World War II Museum's New Movie
The National World War II Museum in New Orleans recently debuted its newest attraction: an immersive film called Beyond all Boundaries, full of bells, whistles and warplanes, that goes to great lengths to make you feel as if you're in 1940's Europe. Click For More.
How to Use a Cyclotron Particle Accelerator to Fight Cancer
How do you you target radiation treatments to kill only cancer cells? First, build a particle accelerator. Second: Aim carefully. Here's how the University of Pennsylvania's $144 million "smart bomb" cyclotron works. Click For More.
How to Eject Discs from Mac Pro Towers: Digital Clinic
A reader who no longer uses his Apple keyboard is having trouble ejecting CDs and DVDs from his Mac Pro. Here are several workarounds for the eject button-less computers. Click For More.
Why Motorola's Droid Is a Sure-Fire Hit: Analysis
It is a good device. And, yes, it will sell well. The real question: Does the Droid represent a seismic shift for Motorola, or is it merely a stay of execution? Click For More.
California Searchers Scour for Survivors of Midair Crash
Aircraft and ships are scouring the ocean off San Diego for any signs of survivors of a nighttime collision of a Coast Guard C-130 airplane and a Marine Corps attack helicopter. Click For More.
Socket Wrench Design Wars
The hand-tool market is so competitive that any good idea is bound to breed copycats. Take the new Craftsman Dog Bone and Black & Decker ReadyWrench socket wrenches. Both tools feature essentially the same design—so how did the dueling doppelgängers make their simultaneous ... Click For More.
2010 Porsche 911 Turbo Test Drive: Super Porsche—and Everyday Driver?
Porsche is quick to point out that though the new 911 Turbo costs more than six figures, it consumes up to 16 percent less fuel than its predecessor, develops 20 more horsepower, delivers 22 lb-ft more torque, and accelerates up to 8 percent faster. Click For More.
7 Saber-Dueling, Phaser-Blasting Hollywood Laser Myths
Lightsabers, space weapons, high-tech security systems: Lasers—real-world, bad-ass technology—get nothing but the sci-fi treatment in Tinseltown. PM compiled 7 errors in laser technology, as portrayed in movies. And, yes, Star Wars is the primary offender. Click For More.
How Plane Technologies Affect the Titanium Market: Timeline
The prices of raw materials offer a barometer to measure the ebbs and flows of manufacturing—and, in that way, the titanium market is a mirror of the often erratic aerospace industry. Click For More.
Halloween Vandalism: How to Prevent It—And How to Clean It Up
Most trick-or-treaters are pleasant and creatively dressed children. But there are always some who take "tricks" several steps further—there's toilet paper, and then there's outright vandalism. Here are some tips for keeping your property trick-free this year. Click For More.
2010 Bentley Continental Supersports Test Drive
The 2010 Bentley Continental Supersports pounds out some 622 hp and comes with equipment you'd never expect to see in a Bentley. Lighter, faster and more focused than the standard Continental, the Supersports puts a razor edge on Bentley's rapier. Click For More.
Engineers Cite Vibrations, Wind in Bay Bridge Failure
Engineers working on San Francisco's ill-starred Bay Bridge have fingered a culprit in the repair job that went awry Tuesday evening, forcing the bridge's closure: metal fatigue caused by harmonic resonance. Click For More.
9 Wildest Exoplanets Ever Spotted
A team of European astronomers has discovered 32 new exoplanets, bringing the total of planets found outside our solar system to 403. Here, we've combed through the hundreds to pick the 9 hottest, biggest, most eccentric alien worlds ever found. Click For More.
Bay Bridge Closed After Repair Falls Apart
Three pieces of an emergency repair to the Bay Bridge made over Labor Day weekend snapped and crashed onto the upper deck of the span late Tuesday afternoon, striking three vehicles and forcing the indefinite closure of the region's busiest bridge. Click For More.
Two High-Tech Halloween Surveillance Pumpkin Mods (Step-by-Step Plans!)
PM's senior technology editor Glenn Derene is defending his property on mischief night by catching the ne'er-do-wells before they strike—with two high-tech video-capturing pumpkin mods. Click For More.
Rooting for NASA's Ares I Rockets: Analysis
This week, all eyes were on NASA as it conducted the first flight of the Ares I, the first launch vehicle the agency designed since the Space Shuttle. PM shows why NASA’s Constellation program remains important, and is exceedingly difficult to replace. Click For More.
2010 Automotive Excellence Awards
Each year, we gather our findings and debate, sometimes quite passionately, which 10 cars, trucks and technologies are the most significant. The winners are presented here—in the Automotive Excellence Awards for 2010. Click For More.
Viewtopia 10/27/09: Top 5 DVDs of the Week (With Video!)
This week, Number Six is not a number, but a man in The Prisoner: The Complete Series, while Night of the Creeps finally staggers onto DVD in time for Halloween. Also, the Dude abides The Achievers: The Story of Lebowski Fans. Click For More.
Critics and Proponents Wait Out NASA's Ares 1-X Rocket Delay
Severe winds and bad weather delayed NASA's first Ares 1-X rocket test today. The launch, which will culminate in a 6-minute flight to test the new hardware, will pick up again tomorrow. Click For More.
Obama Announces Winners of Smart-Grid Stimulus
Today, President Barack Obama spoke at Florida Power and Light’s new DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center about $3.4 billion in stimulus money going to smart-grid projects that will help link renewables to consumers. Click For More.
How to Build a Stone Garden Bench
Inspired by a 1938 stone fireplace project, PM decided to build an old-fashioned stone bench. We picked the stones, shaped them, mixed and trimmed the mortar and laid the foundation—the results are a simple and elegant outdoor bench. Click For More.
Hybrid Carmaker Fisker Takes Over GM Factory
Startup firm Fisker Automotive announced today that it will build its next-generation hybrid sedan, with a $528 million loan from the DOE, in a now-closed GM factory in Wilmington, Del. Is this the first step to a new and improved U.S. auto industry? Click For More.
How California's New Water Laws Inform the Coming National Crisis
California is also in the midst of one of the biggest water crises this nation has ever seen. Here are six of the most prescient fixes proposed by a water task force—problems and solutions that may be coming to a local assembly (or a courthouse) near you. Click For More.
Why Helicopter Missions in Afghanistan are Unusually Dangerous
A deadly day of helicopter accidents in Afghanistan highlights the risks rotorcraft crews face in and out of combat. Is the ride worth the risks? Click For More.
What to Expect From the Cash for Appliance Program
After the perceived success of the Cash for Clunkers program, the Department of Energy pledged that a similar rebate program would soon roll out for inefficient appliances. More than three months after that announcement, details still remain hazy. Here are three questions ... Click For More.
2010 Toyota 4Runner Trail Test Drive: Is This the Last 4X4?
The traditional mid-size SUV may have been the definitive vehicle of the 1990s, but it's an endangered species now. Whistling right past the SUV graveyard is the new, fifth-generation, 2010 Toyota 4Runner. It's a survivor—maybe the last of its kind. Click For More.
NASA's Orbiter Captures Strange Martian Tattoo Image
The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter captured an image of ornate markings on the surface of Mars. The markings were created by dust devils—spinning columns of rising air—which last just minutes, pick up the red dust on the surface and leave behind darker soil. Click For More.
How to Ditch Wi-Fi for a High-Speed, Ethernet-Wired Home
To take full advantage of your high speed Internet, you should hook up your networked appliances with Ethernet cables instead of slower Wi-Fi connections. PM shows you how to wire your home so that all your devices get real high-speed Internet. Click For More.
Night-Time High-Wire Act Becomes Tragic Helicopter Crash
An Army Black Hawk helicopter crashed on a Navy ship in Norfolk, Virginia during training, killing one service member and injuring eight. Click For More.
5 Surprising Passages From the Full Augustine Report
NASA recently released the full report by its Review of Human Spaceflight Plans Committee. The 157-page examination lacked an endorsement of an overall strategy, but there are a few passages of interest that were not included in the summary released in September. Click For More.
Wave Power Desalination Plant Coming Soon to Texas
This month, the state of Texas granted its first-ever offshore lease for a wave-powered energy system to Renew Blue's Seadog Pump. PM sat down with Mark Thomas, founder and CEO of Renew Blue, to talk about how this technology works. Click For More.
2010 Dodge Ram HD 2500/3500 Test Drive: Heavy Hauling Diesel Power
To play in the heavy-duty pickup truck segment, Ford, Chevy, GMC and Dodge know they have to deliver big capability and capacity anytime they come out with a new truck. And now, they need to meet tough new emissions regulations too. Click For More.
Do Dryer Balls Work? As Seen on TV Lab Test
The makers of Dryer Balls claim their product will soften your clothes and make them dry faster, without the use of chemicals. We ran a few loads of laundry through the dryer with and without Dryer Balls to find out if they really work, or if they're full of hot air. Click For More.
Jay Leno Builds a Turbine-Powered Biodiesel Supecar
A 1963 Chrysler turbine car and GM's 1950s Firebird jet cars inspired Jay Leno to build another high-tech supercar. This new turbine supercar runs on biodiesel and could theoretically top 245 MPH. Click For More.
Windows 7 Brings Much-Needed Closure for Microsoft Vista
Windows 7 officially hits the market today. It may come as a surprise to most users that it doesn't look that much different from Windows Vista at first glance. As you use Win 7, however, everything seems snappier and an order of magnitude more refined. Click For More.
The Case Against Magnetic Screwdrivers
A reader writes in wondering where he can find magnetic screwdrivers like the one his mechanic has. But PM senior automotive editor Mike Allen thinks that tool is unnecessary. Here is his case against magnetic screwdrivers. Click For More.
Tokyo's 8 Most MPG-Kicking Concept Cars
Compared to 2007, there were less than half as many exhibitors at this year's Tokyo Auto Show, thanks to the global economic slowdown. But the companies that were here made headlines with a compelling group of alt-fuel concepts and production debuts. Click For More.
New Drill Bit for F-35 Planes has Bonded Home-Grown Diamonds
The F-35 Lightning II airplane is made from composite fiber, which means that when to comes to working on it, regular tools just won't do. Here's one of the tools that AMAMCO Tool created to work with some of the world's most advanced airplanes. Click For More.
Astro Boy's Retrofuturistic World Has Hints of Real-Life Tech
When Dr. Tenma loses his son in a tragic accident, he creates a robot doppelganger that eventually goes on to save the denizens of Metro City. PM talks to director David Bowers about integrating real-life tech into Astro Boy's retrofuturistic world. Click For More.
2011 Lexus LFA Test Drive: Pushing the Limits of This 552-hp Supercar Prototype
Much in the way the aspiring Hollywood star needs to "do Shakespeare," Toyota felt it needed to "do supercar." Recently we had a chance to test drive a Lexus LFA prototype on the famed Nürburgring race track. Click For More.
4 Things the Barnes & Noble Nook Does Right, and 5 It Does Wrong
Today, Barnes & Noble announced the Nook—the book seller's debut e-book reader, and a direct assault on a market long dominated by arch-rival Amazon. So how does it stack up as an Kindle-killer? Click For More.
How to Get a More Connected, Intelligent Home Theater
HD was just the beginning. New screens, networked devices, remotes and video gear change what we watch and how we see it. Here is how to chase the ultimate home theater upgrade—and avoid buyer’s remorse. Click For More.
Viewtopia 10/20/09: Top 5 DVDs of the Week (With Video!)
Transformers fans get a double dose this week with the release of Michael Bay's Revenge of the Fallen and the massive "G1" Transformers: The Complete Series - 25th Anniversary Matrix Of Leadership Edition collection. Click For More.
The Key to the Battery-Powered House: Q&A With Ceramatec
Researchers have been looking for a small, safe and compact in-home battery capable of storing excess power for use during the renewable energy doldrums: Nighttime and calm winds. Ceramatec might finally have the solution. Click For More.
PM's Ultimate 5 Car MPG Comparison Test
We test America's most fuel-frugal cars. We took the Audi A3 TDI, Toyota Prius V, Smart Fortwo Passion, Honda Insight Ex Navi and Ford Fusion Hybrid on mileage tests to see which ones perform best on city streets, desert highways and twisty back roads. Click For More.
Exclusive Interview With Nintendo Gaming Mastermind Shigeru Miyamoto
We sat down with the creator of Mario, Zelda, Donkey Kong, and scores of other Nintendo games to play the New Super Mario Bros. Wii game, and to talk about the birth of Mario and the future of video games. Click For More.
2010 Volkswagen Golf Test Drive: Clean Diesel Hits 41 MPG
Using the heart of the current Jetta TDI Clean Diesel, the oil-burning Golf provides plenty of pep and fuel economy to boot. So are those additions enough to warrant a complete generation change or do they simply constitute a facelift? Read on to find out. Click For More.
EuroHawk UAV Finally Goes Global
Can a single unmanned aerial vehicle save the NATO alliance? The EuroHawk, a UAV that performs long-endurance signal intelligence missions at more than 50,000 feet, was recently unveiled. Why such high hopes for the limited purchase of this aircraft? Click For More.
Three-Wheelers Approved for DOE Funds
After months of debate, Congress has passed a bill that will pave the way for manufacturers of electric three-wheelers like the Aptera 2e to qualify for funding from the Department of Energy. Click For More.
14 Projects to Make the Ultimate DIY Haunted House
It's Halloween, the time of the year when it is acceptable—and even expected—to scare the living tar out of children in the neighborhood. PM compiled 14 projects from Instructables that will make your haunted home the envy of all others on the block. Click For More.
10 Scarecrows for the 21st-Century Farmer
Since ancient times, man has struggled to protect his crops from avian intruders. While a pumpkin-headed scarecrow may be an agricultural anachronism, it’s also a proven security system. In the spirit of Halloween, PM examined some upgrades on the old classic. Click For More.
2010 Suzuki Kizashi Test Drive: Is This Sporty Midsize Sedan the Best Suzuki Ever?
Suzuki clearly has lofty expectations for its new Kizashi sedan, which we recently drove on the roads around the Washington/Oregon border, as well as on Portland's eponymous international raceway. Click For More.
On Fringe, Brain-Computer Interface Chips Have Real-Life Inspiration
In Fringe's latest episode, a chip implanted in people's brains turns them into murderers. PM spoke with Dr. David Carley, direct of the Center for Narcolepsy, Sleep and Health Research at the University of Illinois Chicago to find out more. Click For More.
Test Drive: Volvo V70 and C30EV Show Battery-Powered Promise
In this rough economic climate, it's nice to see Volvo embracing the latest environmental technologies. The plug-in hybrid V70 wagon will be in European showrooms next year. Unfortunately, we're going to have to wait for the battery-electric C30EV coupe. Click For More.
Winners Announced in Solar Decathlon Competition
The Solar Decathlon competition, run by the Department of Energy (and sponsored in part by Popular Mechanics), pits 20 college teams against one another in a solar-paneled showdown of architecture and engineering. Here are the 20 teams competing. Click For More.
Balloon Rescue 101: Airborne Lessons From A "Missing" Boy
Today, when it was thought that a child ascended in a homemade rig to over 10,000 ft with temperatures as low as 20 F, we saw first-hand the inherent dangers of DIY ballooning. Click For More.
Massive Recalls Jolt Toyota and Ford
In the past two weeks, Toyota and Ford have recalled almost 10 million vehicles for safety-related problems. Here's a description of the problems and what you should do if your car needs the fixes. Click For More.
X2 Helicopter Gurus Pay Homage to Engineering Inspirations
With the successful test flight of the X2 in August 2008, the team that created it proved that their stacked rotor design had solved the conundrum of dissymmetry of lift. The trick is a coaxial rotor system whose blades spin in opposite directions, generating constant lift. Click For More.
Are Backyard Hot-Air Blimps the Future of Low-and-Slow Aviation?
Innovators have been launching a new breed of backyard airships that continue to grow in popularity. Today, when a child ascended in a homemade rig to over 10,000 ft with temperatures as low as 20 F, we saw first-hand the dangers of DIY ballooning. Click For More.
Lone Star Energy: Why Texas Will Resist the Call for a Unified Grid
A recent proposal to link the eastern, western and Texas grids together to create a national, alt-energy-friendly supergrid has sparked the interest of utilities and energy insiders. Can a high-tech substation in New Mexico create a smarter, unified grid? Click For More.
2010 Nissan Altima Test Drive: Subtle Improvements for Nissan's Best Seller
The Nissan Altima battles head-to-head against giants like Toyota's Camry and Honda's Accord. But lest you suspect that Nissan's midsize sedan is overshadowed by its competitors, consider that Altima is the brand's most successful nameplate. Click For More.
Ohio State's Solar Decathlon Entry Is Entirely Home-Grown
Ohio State's Solar House 1 is net-zero in terms of energy—it produces as much power as it consumes. The facade is made of reclaimed wood from a barn in Southern Ohio. Louver window shades help residents control the interior climate. Click For More.
Why Saturn Owners Will Lose Out on Warranty Repairs: Analysis
Saturn is no more, but that doesn't mean that the 350 or so dealers and all their vehicles just disappear. Here are your options on keeping your old or brand-new Saturn up and running. Click For More.
Can the 2010 Corvette Grand Sport Dethrone the BMW M3? Comparison Test Drive
This unlikely duel pits what is arguably the world's best sports sedan, the BMW M3, against the Corvette Grand Sport. Under those hoods, both cars have V8s with over 400 hp. And more to the point, these two machines cost about the same price. Click For More.
Viewtopia 10/13/09: Top 5 DVDs of the Week (With Video!)
It's a good week for Futurama fans, as a new 19 (yes, 19) disk set hits stores. For those who prefer thrills to laughs, there's a new, uncut version of the '90s classic Hardware while a director's cut of Drag Me to Hell makes a timely DVD debut. Click For More.
University of Illinois Builds a Salvaged Solar Home: Solar Decathlon
The Gable Home doesn't just echo historic icons of the team's home state—it's actually constructed of them. For example, wood from the wall of an old grain elevator has become the decking. But there are lots of new materials in the home, too, like bamboo. Click For More.
5 Companies Making Fuel From Algae Now
Algae is now a burgeoning sector in biofuels with several high-profile start-ups, including Craig Venter’s Synthetic Genomics, and the interest of big-time investors like Bill Gates and ExxonMobil. Here are 5 projects leading the pack today. Click For More.
2009 Suzuki TU250X Test Ride: Bargain Retro Bike Generates Big Smiles
Modern motorcycles use all manner of technological trickery to extract maximum performance from minimum engine displacement. But every now and then a manufacturer goes against the grain and decides to keep it simple: the TU250X from Suzuki is one of those bikes. Click For More.
UW's Meltwater House is Inspired by Glaciers: Solar Decathlon
At Meltwater, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's 2009 Solar Decathlon house, undulating glacial shapes imitate the state's landscape. Click For More.
Which Kind of Fuel is Best for Lawn String Trimmers? PM Lab Test
Two new weed whackers recently ditched the traditional gas/oil fuel mixture. One switched to propane, the other to lithium-ion batteries. The new tools seem capable, but how do their cutting-edge designs compare to the veteran petroleum blend? Click For More.
8 Experts Weigh in on the Future of Human Spaceflight
The Review of U.S. Human Space Flight Planes Committee is getting ready to release its full report detailing the options for the future of manned missions into space. While the discussion over NASA's future continues, PM turned to the leading rocketeers, astronauts and ... Click For More.
Virginia Tech's Lumenhaus Sports Sliding Panels: Solar Decathlon
Popular Mechanics visited Virginia Tech's Solar Decathlon entry, the Lumenhaus, on the National Mall in Washington. The team was putting the finishing touches on the house, in anticipation of the event, which opened to the public yesterday morning. Click For More.
Innovators Share Ideas at 2009 Popular Mechanics Breakthrough Awards
Popular Mechanics held its fifth annual Breakthrough Awards Ceremony, bringing together scientists, engineers and inventors who are changing our world for the better. Senior tech editor Glenn Derene reports on some scenes from the all-day event. Click For More.
Can Worms Help Recover Memory? Fringe Fact vs Fiction
The latest episode of Fringe looks at brain function as Agent Dunham begins to piece together her memories from an alternate dimension. PM talked to Carmela Tartaglia of the University of California, San Francisco's Memory and Aging Center. Click For More.
Apocalypse Hollywood: Survival Lessons From the Stars
Hollywood doesn't always excel at realism, but, hey, if you're ever caught in a post-apocalyptic nuclear fallout crawling with zombies or run by apes, you'll thank your lucky stars you read the lessons here. Click For More.
PM Takes Project Natal For A Test Drive (With Video!)
Microsoft's next-generation, controller-free video game interface has only been shown in public a couple of times—and never before on the East Coast. Until now. Attendees at PM's Breakthrough Awards ceremony will get the chance to play with it first. Click For More.
The Trouble With In-Car GPS Systems
PM senior automotive editor Mike Allen loves GPS systems both in and out of automobiles. But he finds that portable GPS devices beat factory-installed car navigation systems almost every time in terms of price, flexibility and ease-of-use. Click For More.
Unmanned Helicopter Hunts Drug Smugglers
The Fire Scout unmanned helicopter got its first job—hunting drug smugglers. MQ-8B became the first unmanned helo to deploy on a naval anti-narcotics mission when it left port in Florida recently aboard the USS McInerney. Click For More.
Exclusive Interview With Inventor and Innovator Dean Kamen
PM editor in chief Jim Meigs and deputy editor Jerry Beilinson sat down with inventor Dean Kamen, the winner of PM's 2009 Leadership Award, to discuss innovation, his hope for the future of America and his hands-down favorite piece of technology ever. Click For More.
5 Technologies Missing From the Clean Energy Bill
Sens. John Kerry and Barbara Boxer recently unveiled the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act, a bill that aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions 20 percent by 2020. The following weren't mentioned in the new bill, but they deserve attention. Click For More.
MythBusters Q&A: New Season Filled With Bullets, MPG Tests and Duct Tape
Fresh off of guest-editing PM's Sept. issue, Jamie and Adam get back to their day jobs: Busting and confirming myths on MythBusters. PM caught up with the duo to talk about their new season, airing Wednesdays at 9 pm on the Discovery Channel. Click For More.
The Backwater DIY Electric Boat Marathon
Who said water and electricity don't mix? At the Wye Island Marathon, the pairing of the two is celebrated as racers push more than 23 miles into 20 mph headwinds, 2 foot waves and rough chop, propelled only by DIY battery packs that can fail at any time. Click For More.
Viewtopia 10/06/09: Top 5 DVDs of the Week (With Video!)
Halloween has come early with the aptly titled Trick 'r Treat, but the rest of this week's offerings are no less horrific. Take for example Nip/Tuck's gruesome surgeries, Anvil: The Story of Anvil's dark lyrics and Man vs. Food's ... Click For More.
What Does a Beer Taste Like After the Singularity?
When a kooky-sounding technology theory gains enough intellectual momentum to have its own conference, with smart people discussing it and venture capitalists talking about investing in it—it's worth stopping by to listen. Click For More.
Earthquake Research Digs Deep to Find Timely Warning System
With no promising methods for short-term earthquake prediction, researchers are studying fault zones in several ways to develop a clearer picture of tectonic plate behavior. Click For More.
How to Use Less Energy in Your Home Theater
Surround sound systems are great for movies, but they can drain power and be overkill if you're just watching the weather report. Here's how to save money on your electricity bill without losing the immersive experience that your AV equipment provides. Click For More.
2010 Acura ZDX Test Drive: Sporty Hatchback Crossover Packs Style and Utility
But as the crossover segment has evolved, the genre has splintered into even more variations. The Acura ZDX takes an ambitious stab at a decidedly niche market. Click For More.
Fringe's Human Bomb Proposes Proximity Fuses, Strange Serums
This week on Fringe an evil military physician is creating bombs out of patients. PM sat down with a toxicologist to ask: Can explosives really stick around in a body? Click For More.
How to Install a Wood Pellet Stove
Pellet stoves are an easy-to-use, but sophisticated alternative to the traditional wood stove. Here’s what to look for and how to install a wood pellet stove in your home. Click For More.
The Flawed, Beautiful New Playstation: PSP Go Tech Test
Sony's new portable gaming device is elegant, feels great and has enviable form factor, along with plenty of power under the hood. But it's still a device that is haunted by the shadows of what it could have been. Click For More.
The Science Behind The Invention of Lying: Hollywood Fact vs. Fiction
What if humans had never evolved the ability to lie? That's the premise posed by The Invention of Lying, the new movie from Ricky Gervais, the creator and star of Extras and the original BBC version of The Office. Click For More.
Advanced Tactical Laser Blasts a Stationary Target (With Video!)
Recently, we've seen progress in Boeing's Advanced Tactical Laser program. Here is video of an in-flight aircraft precisely firing its laser at a stationary ground vehicle target during a test at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. The vehicle never stood a chance. Click For More.
Should the US Tax Mileage or Fuel?: Guest Analysis
The government's push to raise mpgs may have a disturbing, unintended consequence—deteriorating highways. Nick Chambers of Gas 2.0 takes a close look at some of the high-tech and low-tech ideas that are being talked about now. Click For More.
Global Aspirations for a Solar-Electric Plane
Electric airplanes are not being made just for joyrides. Swiss engineers have unveiled the prototype of an airplane they hope will become the first manned vehicle to fly around the world powered only by the sun. Click For More.
5 Blender Show-Down: Abusive Lab Test (With Video!)
PM’s last blender test had a clear winner, but it still wasn’t the blender of our dreams. This time around, we went in search of the top blender on the market, no matter what the price. Shouldn’t a blender be able to handle a whole fruit apple, orange or banana? Read on for ... Click For More.
What Went Wrong With Saturn?: Analysis
With the announcement that General Motors and the Penske Automotive Group have broken off negotiations to transfer ownership of the Saturn brand between them, it's an almost tragic end to one of GM's boldest experiments. Click For More.
Robotic Surgeons Take Over at a Hospital Near You
Once considered oddities, multiarmed robots are becoming mainstays in hospital operating rooms. The industry trailblazer is the da Vinci HD Surgical System, a multiarmed assistant that is directly controlled by a surgeon who sits at a nearby console. Click For More.
How to Make Biodiesel With a Commercial Kit
You can make biodiesel in a bucket with little more than some drain cleaner, gas-line de-icer and a wooden spoon. But it can be dangerous. With a wide variety of new biodiesel kits on the market, it's easier than ever to turn used fry-oil waste into diesel fuel. Click For More.
Viewtopia 09/29/09: Top 5 DVDs of the Week (With Video!)
When The Guild goes mainstream on DVD, you know the geeks are winning the culture war.This week's releases feature other epic battles, including Lex Luther against Superman and Batman and, of course, Monsters vs. Aliens. Click For More.
The Air Force's 4 Biggest Fears
The U.S. Air Force is the most capable, best trained and most expensively equipped in the world. But in the near future, every part of a USAF mission could be compromised by a foreign military using sophisticated gear or a guerrilla force employing clever strategies. Click For More.
Students Build the Solar Homes of the Future
For the Solar Decathlon, 20 teams of college students strive to build the most technologically savvy sun-powered house. For two weeks in October their homes go head to head in a contest to consume the least energy. Click For More.
2011 Kia Sorento Test Drive: Car-Like Crossover Hits 29 MPG
Not only is the 2011 Sorento a clean-sheet redesign—and a rather handsome one—but it also comes from Kia's sparkling new factory in West Point, Ga. What we've seen so far suggests that Kia's true success in America has only just begun. Click For More.
Is Qualcomm's Mirasol the Future of Low-Power Displays?
PM talks with James Cathey, Qualcomm QMT's vice president of Mirasol, about how the future of the e-reader marks the last major transition from analog to digital, and why he thinks their technology will beat the new crop of readers coming out this year. Click For More.
PM Takes the First Test Ride on a Jet-Powered Carousel (Video!)
Brooklyn-based arts collective The Madagascar Institute had tested its home-built jet-powered merry-go-round—but never with people on it. So PM's Seth Porges volunteered his life and limb. Here is his maiden voyage. Click For More.
Car Maintenance Quiz: How Do Your Automotive Skills Stack Up?
You may think you know how to change your oil, tires and oil filter, but are you really doing it the right way? Test your car expertise against Senior Popular Mechanics Automotive Editor Mike Allen--he might just teach you something new. Click For More.
The Bailout Blog: PM's Auto Experts Keep You Informed
UPDATED 12/19/08: President Bush has announced a $13.4 billion federal loan package for GM and Chrysler. Ford has said it doesn't need money at this time and was not included in the plan. Click For More.Featured Stories
The High-Tech Seas
The USS New York, the Navy's newest warship integrates 7.5 tons of steel salvaged from the World Trade Center as well as a host of high-tech surprises.
PM's Expert Tool Tips
We need tools to build, repair and maintain the mechanical world in which we live. With these handy tool tips, you’ll be ready for just about any project.
Long-Term Test Drives
How do trucks, minivans and sedans—the vehicles we drive every day—hold up as the miles accumulate? Our yearlong testing program provides real-world insights on mileage, performance and repair costs. Here are the latest results.Jay Leno’s Supecar
A '63 Chrysler turbine car and GM's 50's jet cars inspired Jay to build another high-tech supercar—one that runs on biodiesel and can top 245 MPH.
Beyond Duct Tape
Whether you’re refurbishing old furniture, fixing a broken patio paver or laying some caulk, PM has the answer. Here are hundreds of tips from the Popular Mechanics book When Duct Tape Just Isn't Enough.
Plug-in Test Drives
Popular Mechanics’ auto editors have put in many electric humming miles behind the wheel of new plug-ins. Here are driving impressions from all of their EV test drives—from the Aptera to a 100 mpg Hummer to the plug-in Prius.ADVERTISEMENT
For instructional tool demos and useful tips, check out this special home improvement section sponsored by Stanley.
Sweepstakes
Win A Modern Warfare 2 LE Xbox 360 Console
The Xbox 360 is more than a game system—it's a media powerhouse. Now it can be yours—for free. We're giving away one Limited Edition Modern Warfare 2 Xbox 360 console to a lucky reader. Enter now...
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Digital Hollywood
New Movie & TV Tech
From digital F/X to sci-fi reality checks and home theater gear, PM takes you inside Hollywood 2.0.Mythbusters
Jamie and Adam break down today's tech conundrums, from the moon landing to the state of science in the classroom and more!
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Mythbusters Central
Jamie and Adam break down today's tech conundrums, from the moon landing to the state of science in the classroom and more!As Seen On TV
As Seen On TV!
Hooks that Hold! Putty that Bonds! PM springs for shipping and handling to test the claims from As Seen on TV products. Check back every week for a new review!As Seen On TV
Billy Mays, 1958-2009
Billy Mays, king of the TV Pitchmen, died yesterday in his sleep. PM has spent the past six months testing many of the products he pitched. Check out all of our past reviews here!Drive Green
Solving the Fuel Crunch
From plug-in hybrids to biofuels, MPG legislation to far-out test drives, check out all our coverage on the gas-saving cars of the future.Drive Green
EV Test Drives
The auto editors from Popular Mechanics get behind these quiet wheels to bring you their thoughts on over a dozen EVs.Green Living
PM's Ultimate Guide to Sustainability
From trends in new energy to products for environmental efficiency to tons of tips you can use, the best of what's good.Future of Space
Space Travel: The Next 50 Years
Top experts, former astronauts and more on trips to the moon, water on Mars and beyond!Workshop
3D Workshop
With just one click of a mouse, you can rotate, animate and explode every joint and part of a dozen classic woodworking projects.9-11 Myths
Debunking 9/11 Myths
At the home for PM's investigation into 9/11 conspiracy theories, read excerpts from our full report with analysis from Sen. John McCain.PM Ad Partner Links
Sweepstakes
Win A Modern Warfare 2 LE Xbox 360 Console
The Xbox 360 is more than a game system—it's a media powerhouse. Now it can be yours—for free. We're giving away one Limited Edition Modern Warfare 2 Xbox 360 console to a lucky reader. Enter now...PM Sweeps
Win a Signed Cover!
We will be giving away signed covers of our special Mythbusters issue to 10 lucky PM readers. Enter now!PM Sweeps
Win This Telescope!
We’re giving away a Celestron NexStar 6 SE Computerized Telescope to one lucky winner. With an onboard computer and built-in motor, the NexStar 6 SE can automatically locate and slew to any heavenly body from its 40,000 object database.Current Issue
Out Now: Crash Course
In December, PM tackles plane crashes. What happened to Air France Flight 447, and what new technologies can help prevent similar disasters? Also look for 20 Macgyver repair tips, and our annual holiday gift guide.
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Got a DIY computer rig, souped-up gaming system or custom mobile device? Upload your project with photos and even video, then show off against other PM readers to win prizes!Automotive
PM Car of The Week
2010 Volkswagen Golf"As with the Jetta TDI Clean Diesel, the six-speed dual-clutch transmission is smooth and accurate, and the six-speed row-your-own is entertaining—despite the lower revs of a diesel engine."
Technology
PM Gadget of the Week
Powermat Home & Office Charger"Powermat purports to cut the cords—the charging mat uses magnetic induction to wirelessly power up to three devices that have been placed on the pad."
From UGO.com
UGO Game of the Week
Left 4 Dead 2"Valve infused the original L4D concept with humor and fun; you get big action set pieces, an arsenal of unconventional weapons and larger than life moments that would fit in perfectly in the frames of a comic book."
