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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.

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10 Most Brilliant Products of 2009: Honeywell Wind Turbine Most breakthrough innovations make their greatest contributions when they become products people can buy. Here, Popular Mechanics awards the top 10 most brilliant gadgets, tools and toys that you can buy in 2009. (Published in the November 2009 issue)
10 Most Brilliant Products of 2009: Palm Pre Most breakthrough innovations make their greatest contributions when they become products people can buy. Here, Popular Mechanics awards the top 10 most brilliant gadgets, tools and toys that you can buy in 2009. (Published in the November 2009 issue)
10 Most Brilliant Products of 2009: Andalay AC Solar PV Panel Most breakthrough innovations make their greatest contributions when they become products people can buy. Here, Popular Mechanics awards the top 10 most brilliant gadgets, tools and toys that you can buy in 2009. (Published in the November 2009 issue)
10 Most Brilliant Products of 2009: Nikon Coolpix S1000PJ Most breakthrough innovations make their greatest contributions when they become products people can buy. Here, Popular Mechanics awards the top 10 most brilliant gadgets, tools and toys that you can buy in 2009. (Published in the November 2009 issue)
10 Most Brilliant Products of 2009: Techcrunch Crunchpad Tablet Most breakthrough innovations make their greatest contributions when they become products people can buy. Here, Popular Mechanics awards the top 10 most brilliant gadgets, tools and toys that you can buy in 2009. (Published in the November 2009 issue)
10 Most Brilliant Innovators of 2009: Microsoft Natal XBox 360's Project Natal will allow gamers to control a computer like never before—with truly natural movements (Published in the November 2009 issue)
10 Most Brilliant Innovators of 2009: Sodium-Sulfur Home Battery To provide a home with reliable power, solar and wind technology must be coupled with an energy-storage system. For now, that means a bank of lead-acid batteries. But there’s a better way. (Published in the November 2009 issue)
In Defense of FM Radio on MP3 Players The new fifth-generation iPod Nano came out recently and since then, the once-rigid playlist of personal standards has suddenly been infiltrated by daily doses of NPR, college radio and the occasional classic rock riff. Yes, Apple has brought back FM radio.
11 High-Tech Gadgets for Your Pet Dogs and cats are man’s best friends—so why shouldn’t they have as many gadgets as you do to keep them entertained? Here are 10 fun but nonessential gadgets to keep you and your pet amused, comfortable and safe.
Next For Touchscreens: Temporary Pop-Up Buttons? The whole point of a beautiful touchscreen like the iPhone or Microsoft Surface is that it doesn't have buttons. But what if touchscreens could have temporary, pop-up buttons when needed, that could appear one moment and disappear the next? (Published in the August 2009 issue)
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Motorola's New Droid

Of course Droid will be a hit. The real question is does it represent a seismic shift for Motorola, or is it merely a stay of execution?

Solar Thermal Power May Make Sun-Powered Grid a Reality
It's solar's new dawn. Now new innovations are exiting the lab and plugging into the grid - turning sunlight into serious energy.

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