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Focuses on innovations in agricultural equipment manufacturing which reinforces farmers production. Features of the Agri-Comp 2040 Dairy Management Computer designed by Bou-Matic Dairy Equipment Co; Usability of the Select-A-Shade system, designed by Ted Short, which deals with reducing plant stress; Capability of the Mobil-trac, manufactured by Caterpillar Inc.

The article focuses on the advancements in the development of GPS navigation, Internet mapping, and mobile data support as reflected to the launching of devices such as the Blackline GPS snitch. It notes discussions of the said development reflecting on the gadgets used in science fiction movies. It further highlights the features of the GPS snitch reflecting to its design and capability.

The article reports on the wireless connection for Amazon.com's kindle provided by Sprint Nextel. It states that Sprint Nextel produce a new business unit to discover more ways to resell its data network. Moreover, Sprint mentions that the customers will anticipate most of their gadgets to experience access on mobile data.

Reports on Vishay Intertechnology Inc.'s release of three low-voltage devices in miniature packages. Expansion of the company's surface-mount oscillator; Energy savings; Low-input-voltage.

Reports that appliances that appliances with embedded chips including VCRs, microwaves and programmable thermostats will malfunction when year 2000 arrives; Advices given by Y2K experts on buying a gadget.

The article announces that the recipient of the 2015 Gadget Freak of the Year is Drink Deliver Vehicle - Inverted Pendulum (DDV-IP).

The article discusses how engineering Web logs have narrowed the gap between the journal and readers, the contributions made by readers to a feature of the journal, and awards related to engineering design in 2007. It is discussed how the advent of Internet has spawned citizen journalism and certain engineering blogs have been named. Some gadgets made by readers which found place in the journal's Gadget Freak feature are discussed.

The article reports on Bill Bowden, who is a gadget freak. Bill has designed a 40-LED bicycle light. In order to generate a continuous on/off timing cycle to alternately flash two groups of 20 LEDs, Bill configured a 555 timer IC. The device operates on four AA batteries and keeps things bright for even the longest night rides. The battery life can be extended with a second circuit that uses a short duty cycle to flash a single group of 30 LEDs.

The article features the can crusher by gadget inventor Ed Nauman. His can crusher is microprocessor-controlled and pneumatic-actuated. It is great for parties and consists of a pneumatic ram, precision bore crushing cylinder with aluminum crushing piston, two pneumatic rams to control the loading of cans, and solenoid valves to control the rams.

The article announces that engineer Les Kelly has been selected by "Design News" readers as Gadget Freak for his remote control dog door opener. According to Kelly, he designed the remote control door opener out of perspiration. He said he was tired of letting his dog out of his cage in the middle of the night.

This article reports that Glasgow, Scotland, native and stage actor Clive Mitchell has recently launched a new electronic gadget, to be used for producing animated pictures. Mitchell has decided not to use microcontrollers and discrete oscillators he once used to produce highly animated art pieces. Designed to be displayed in a frame, his latest creation consists of a passive grid of low-intensity diffused LEDs that creates a form that's pleasing to look at without getting in your face. He wires the LEDs in series of circuits of four with a 33011 resistor for each circuit, powered by a cheap, unregulated power supply. He claims that this new gadget will also be suitable for framing.

Features the design of Eddie Edwards for a personal electric hovercraft in the U.S. Product offerings; Specifications of the hovercraft; Usability of the product.

Focuses on shovels as essential implements in society. Examples of neglectful or shoddy engineering in everyday life; Percentage of cardiac cases due to shoveling, according to the Kentucky-based ergonomics firm Ergonauts; Companies that focused on adding significant features to shovels.

Reports on the importance of having the correct gadget for small jobs around the house. Detailed information on some useful gadgets.

The article features the innovation of gadgets for raking and bagging leaves. One of the featured products is Allen and Allen Co. Product's Leaf Grabber Rake. A gadget is an insert for bags that holds the bag firm and wide-open. Another method of raking the leaves is with an electric or gas-powered blower and vacuum by Black & Decker Corp.

The article presents information on several electronic gadgets. According to the author, the goal of Automatic Water Computer developed by Gardenia, is to take some of the chore out of watering a garden. This item connects between an outdoor tap and a hose and can be programmed to automatically turn outdoor watering devices on and off up to six times a day. Another product, a pocket-sized electronic reference guide released by electronic gadget maker Franklin, helps the user in solving puzzles. This pocket-sized electronic reference guide prompts the user to type in the letters they know and a question mark for the ones they do not know. Then, the user is required to just press "enter," and in a matter of seconds the product provides possible solutions. INSET: HEAD WORK.

Presents a question and answer advisory on opening jars. Contention on the credibility of advertised power jar openers; Factors to look for in a jar opener; Price considerations. INSET: HEAD WORK.

The article presents the author's views about an infomercial related to an automatic juice extractor. As the host of the program made the infomercial interesting, so the author got inclined to the program. The increasing level of health-consciousness in people caused the market for juice-extractors to catch the momentum. Throughout the program, the host tried to convince viewers to make an attendance at a free seminar. Those who made their entry to the free seminar were shocked to discover high prices of the juicer extractors.

Focuses on the importance of Tirecheck Valve Caps, tiny precision instruments, designed to show if the tires lost air pressure. Procedure of the installation of the instrument; Ability of the instrument to signal the driver to check the pressure; Retail price of the instrument. INSET: HEAD WORK.

The article features bathroom gadgets. The Dispenser, a bath or shower wall-mounted fixture that serves as a container for liquid bathroom cosmetics such as liquid soap, shampoo, conditioner or lotion and features four large buttons, which when pressed would dispense its contents. The Hamilton Beach English Heated Towel Stand allows one to keep towels warm. Finally, there is the Bathroom Butler that lifts the toilet seat up by stepping on a pedal and automatically lowers it upon release.

The article introduces the Chip carrier tray from Akzo Engineering Plastics. These are the capabilities of the material: (1) permanent static dissipation; (2)non-humidity dependent protection; (3) Elimination of sloughing and blooming; (4) colorability; and (5) Processing and properties similar to unmodified resins.

The article informs about a quiz related to gadgets given to bosses as gifts. It suggests if one is working out some estimates for one's boss. One can come up with a very good package for one's nice little widgets, but the packaging may be too expensive. The cost of the widget and the packaging is $ 1.10, and the widget is $1,00 more than the package. It also seeks the answer to how much one will have to tell one's boss about the package for each widget's cost.

Features Microgripper from Microflex Technology Inc. Usefulness of the device in picking small particles; Description of the device; Force applied by the gripper in gripping.