2008 Gadget Guide
ScientificAmerican.com presents some of this year's most exciting high-tech toys as well as gadgets to make the planet greener and inventions designed to deliver the most basic needs to developing countries
![2008 Gadget Guide: 33 Technology Innovations [Slide Show]](https://static.scientificamerican.com/sciam/cache/file/2B513B86-C281-490A-86A9D31D30856190_agenda.jpg?w=380&h=213&fit=crop)
2008 Gadget Guide: 33 Technology Innovations [Slide Show]
Holiday gift list: 13 high-tech toys, plus 20 green gadgets and socially responsible inventions
2008 Gadget Guide: 11 Socially Responsible Inventions to Save the World
Devices to pump and filter water, protect against disease-carrying insects, and more
![2008 Gadget Guide: 12 Ways to Go Green [Slide Show]](https://static.scientificamerican.com/sciam/cache/file/6448EB97-FAD0-458F-94B3F51A069A9D01_agenda.jpg?w=380&h=213&fit=crop)
2008 Gadget Guide: 12 Ways to Go Green [Slide Show]
Just in time for the holidays: an electricity monitor, a water-powered clock, a light made from textiles, and more
The Key to Smaller, More Powerful Gadgets
Current ways of storing information on PCs and cell phones won't cut it as memory demands grow and devices shrink
![Spying on the Spies [Slide Show]](https://static.scientificamerican.com/sciam/cache/file/9D6A237B-EA8D-4DA1-9A6BF60D8BDEEF2A_agenda.jpg?w=275&h=154&fit=crop)
Spying on the Spies [Slide Show]
State Department shows off Cold War-era electronic eavesdropping gadgets
With gadgets like these to work with, no wonder Julia Child quit the spy game
The National Archives' recent decision to open more than 35,000 official personnel files of men and women who served in the Office of Strategic Services (OSS)—the U.S.'s intelligence agency during World War II and the precursor to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)—has shed new light on the roles that chef Julia Child, actor Sterling Hayden, 1950 Nobel Peace Prize winner Ralph Bunche and others played during the early days of American espionage.
Tech award winners focus on putting gadgetry to good use worldwide
The Tech Museum of Innovation today named 25 laureates as winners of its 2008 Tech Award for using technology to "benefit humanity and spark global change." The awards are broken down into five categories (education, equality, environment, economic development and health); Tech Awards executive director Lee Wilkerson says that in November one winner in each category will receive a $50,000 cash prize during an awards ceremony in San Jose, Calif.
Water Filtration System in a Straw
LifeStraw makes previously contaminated water drinkable by removing bacteria and viruses
Gadget Calculates Carbon Footprint
A student competition-winning project automatically calculates your carbon footprint while traveling. Cynthia Graber reports.
Gadget Envy
All-in-one cell phones can do just about anything
20 Gadgets You Want
Popular applications of science and technology for you to give and get
20 Gadgets We Love
Objects of desire for folks who appreciate the application of science to the problem of cool
Buying Green: 7 Ecofriendly Products
SciAm takes a look at new products, from environmentally friendly suede jackets to biodegradable toilet paper
