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Focuses on the cutlery used by airlines for in-flight meals. How use of metal flatware was discontinued following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks; Use of plastic cutlery, which is perceived by some as lacking class; Cost of metal utensils compared to plastic; Efforts of plastic makers to design aesthetically pleasing utensils for airlines.

Reports on the interest of Americans in 'smart' gadgets, which extends to the home. Finding that United States consumers want products that are simple and inexpensive; Discussion of several items, including toilets that can record blood pressure and refrigerators that track grocery lists; Information on products for the house of the future such as the ReX-10 barking dog alarm and the Cye Personal Robot.

Reports on people, especially executives, who have many hand-held gadgets, such as cellular telephones and hand-held computers. Lack of justification for having so many gadgets; Examples of executives who own many gadgets, including Lance Schneier and David Gang.

Evaluates several brand of barbecue grill available in the United States market. Features of the Portable Barbecue Grill of Hammacher Sclemmer company; Alsto's Handy Helpers company's Folding Gril; Cost of the Football Grill of American Tailgater Co.

Presents information on the technology sector in the Europe in relation to information appliances as reported on February 6, 1998. Views of Jean Philipe Dauvin, an economist at SGS-Thompson NV; Convergence of personal computers and cellular phones; Impact of high tax rates on the sector; Competition posed by the European technology sector to the United States.

Describes the features and working of various new appliances and gadgets as explained by Form + Function. New types of mailboxes; The baggage system at the Denver International Airport; Accessories for the Motorola Flip Phones; Introduction of a stool with a new design.

Features the Leatherman Pocket Survival Tool. How users of the implement, like Dave Scherer, a photographer, were saved by the gadget; Cost of the implement; Description; Invented in the late 1970s; Its cultlike following; Leatherman Tool Group Inc, of Portland, Oregon, the maker of the tool.