Cons: Needs a long over due face-lift and new sections - coming next month
The Bottom Line: If you are a technology-minded consumer, you'll enjoy the in-depth articles and exciting new products found in Popular Science. The magazine is educational, entertaining and interesting
glomarrone's Full Review: Popular Science Magazine
If you love being the first person in your crowd with the latest toy or product, then you will love Popular Science Magazine. This special interest men's magazine will appeal mainly to well-educated technology-minded males curious about new products, how they work and how they affect their lives. I'm a female who also loves Popular Science and have been reading it for 15 years. I love everything about the magazine. I love reading about exciting new products and up-to-the-minute advances in science and technology. I also love finding out what's in store for the future. I especially enjoy the well-researched articles that capture my interest. This magazine covers all these areas and more. Popular Science has been publishing for 128 years. It has 1.55 million readers. It is the world's largest science and technology magazine.
Popular Science has six regular departments, What's New, Letters, E-Life, FYI, Classifieds and Looking Back. My favorite department is What's New and it's the first one I read every month. In each issue, readers find six or seven pages filled with the latest new products, prototypes and exciting new information in the science and astronomy fields. Most products are just coming on the market, others are only at the production stage and the rest are still prototypes. Each short piece contains a concise description, price, if available and sources for information on each product or discovery. More information is available on the Website.
I like the wide variety of hot products highlighted. New products come from all different sectors. Popular Science picks the best and brightest ideas to highlight. Find exciting products for the home and office. There are kitchen gadgets, entertainment devices, computers, sports equipment, boats, cars, food products, phones, garden equipment, cameras, helicopters and lots more. Popular Science covers just under 25 exciting new products each month. They cost anywhere from less than $50 on up to many thousands of dollars. Read how they can enrich your life. Although this section is a subtle form of advertising, the products are exciting, worthwhile and cutting edge.
This month I liked, Sharp's portable LCD TV Aquos, Nestle's self warming coffee in a can and the Epson Perfection 2450 photo scanner. This new scanner yields very high quality higher quality scans and costs $399. There is also SeaDoo's GTX 4-TEC personal Watercraft that cut emissions and noise dramatically and a cybercized version of the Bose Radio. Diabetics will appreciate the first automatic non-invasive glucose monitor by Cygnus due out the end of this year. No price is listed but I hear elsewhere that it would be expensive.
New products I like from last month are, Swifter's WetJet, a battery operated mop, Wilson's Triad models of tennis rackets made with Iso.Zorb (rubber that cuts vibrations and reduces the shock that causes tennis elbow) and Digital Ink's prototype in-scribe pen that is like a ballpoint keyboard. I love reading about these products even if I never purchase most of them.
The readers' Letters are all interesting also; many give more information on previous articles and some disagree with statement from previous articles. This month several letters criticize the conclusions of an ADHD article from the June Issue. I agree with the letters. The Editor-in-Chief & Vice President surprisingly is a woman for this basically men's magazine. In fact, several other females also hold high-ranking positions on the staff. The Editor-in-Chief usually introduces the main topic of the month. Instead, this month she has some exciting news for readers.
The magazine will look very different next month. The logo will be more contemporary and the cover design will be modernized. The format will change so readers will be able to find their favorite sections more easily. New sections will also be added as well. The magazine used focus groups and surveys for ideas about the changes. One thing won't change, says the Editor; that's the magazine's "…commitment to quality journalism." So, if you get a chance, check out the magazine's "transformation, alteration, [and] modification." Let me know what you think of the new look debuting in the October issue. I feel the magazine is way over-due for a makeover.
Read the FYI department for excellent answers to readers' questions about a wide variety of subjects. The answers are comprehensive, well researched and to-the-point. Find out why flat monitors are so expensive, (I was VERY interested in this answer.) Read about deja vu, overflow sink drains and car performance above sea level. Other answers concern sneezing in sunlight, natural insect repellants, chickens and the chicken pox and the pineal gland. As you can see the topics vary widely and they are always interesting to read. I learn something new each month in this department. Also this month learn who the planets are named after in the chart accompanying the FYI department. The chart is printed on a black background and there are photos of each planet. The chart is easy to read with lots of interesting information.
In E-Life, Chris O'Malley discusses topics related to the Web. They are always well written and fun to read. I enjoy his humor. This month Chris discusses how Americans fear the very science and technology that helps us all live longer. Mathematical probability and environmental factors-lifestyle issues rather than the physical environments really cause some of the illnesses, he says. Read more about the author on the Website. Although he makes some good points, not everyone will agree with him. He didn't really convince me. Last month he gave us his thoughts on high speed Internet access. Basically he says they stink. They just don't work. I really enjoy the hilarious illustration that accompanies his two-page column,
Classifieds is a Shop At Home section at the rear of the magazine that is just advertising. I have never bought anything advertised here and I just skip over this section. The very last department is Looking Back and it ends the magazine. It's a cute idea and it highlights events covered by the magazine over its long history. I briefly glance over the short pieces. This department is very popular with readers according to the Website
The rest of the magazine covers all that's new in the different areas of Aviation & Space, Computers & software, Home Technology, Electronics, Science & Technology, Medicine & Health and Automotive. Each section usually has a Newsfront section as well as other interesting in-dept articles.
There are some areas I am more interested in than others. I rarely read the automotive section but my husband loves this. It covers all the new advances in the automotive field such as new models, engines, headlights, steering and horsepower. Guys who love cars will love the section. I'm just not too excited about this stuff but I did find the short piece on headlights interesting enough to read it completely. I also enjoyed "Safety in Numbers." This article discusses the different safety ratings. Are you REALLY safe in that five-star car? It explains the stars and compares the different ratings. It also discuses which crashes are the most common causes of highway fatality. All drivers should read this informative five-page article.
I always enjoy the Medicine & Health section. There are always exciting new advances to report. I enjoy them so much because I know patients are actually benefiting from all the research. Six to ten newsworthy advances are covered each month on the two to three-page section. If you are in the medical field or just enjoy health articles, you'll enjoy this section. This month covers ear disorders, gene therapy, affects of flying on the brain, a new clot buster, computer and carpal tunnel, transfusions and smoking causing wrinkle. All you readers, who still smoke, the news only gets worse. Not only does smoking cause lung problems; it also gives you wrinkles. There is also exciting news for Diabetics and wound healing.
The Science & Technology section usually interests to me. This month the main cover story is on Trimaran Warships. I have to admit this holds little interest for me. My brother-in-law however, loves it. The story is a futuristic one on new hull designs that promise faster and deadlier warships that can operate in the roughest seas. Although the ships are still ten years away, the US Navy and the British Navy are studying them intensely. Four models are pictured with lots of specifications for those interested. The drawbacks are cost, weight and reduce interior space, which cuts fuel capacity. If you are in the navy or are fascinated by warships then you'll enjoy this article. I did enjoy last month's cover story on Nuclear Energy. All cover stories are well written and well researched.
I did enjoy the story on "Inside CSI" (Crime Scene Investigation.) Find out how accurately the TV show depicts crime scenes. Luckily for viewers the crime scenes on the show are not as gruesome as in real life. Also there some other details that are not quite accurate. If you enjoy the show, you'll love the article. It's also an interesting read even if you don't watch the show. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is very educational and entertaining at the same time. It gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the show.
I always enjoy the Aviation & Space section because I am fascinated by articles on Space and I love flying. Two great articles are in this month's issue. Read all about NASA's plans to send unmanned spacecrafts to Mercury and Pluto. The article is printed against a black background with a stunning photograph. The hardest part of the two missions is getting the necessary funding. NASA already has the approval for Messenger to spend a year in orbit around Mercury (2004). No spacecraft has been chosen for the visit to Pluto (hopefully, by 2006.) "Going to Extremes" is the article and it has lots of fun facts about these two planets and the NASA missions. These topics almost sound like science fiction.
The next article will interest everyone who flies the friendly (?) skies and that's just about all of us up until the events surrounding the World Trade Center disaster. There can be as many as 7,000 planes in the air on a busy weekday afternoon. Since one in four flights was delayed or canceling last year, this was a very timely article written before the disaster at the WTC. It has two large photos and an interesting map showing a traffic display at the FAA's command center. In addition, there's a diagram and a chart. Everything in the article is written in simple plain English. It mentions that the most hazardous part of a flight - besides the drive to and from the airport - is the taxing to and from the terminal. Read all about a new system that may correct that. Read about the five airports that have the most delays. Yup, my NY LaGuardia airport is listed as one of them. There is also a good Time Sheet listing airlines' on time record. I enjoyed the Travel Tips as well. I already try to follow all their recommendations and still my flights are often delayed. I do have some horror stories to tell but not in this epinion. I really liked this thorough article and find it very helpful to air travelers. In last month issue, this section has a fascination article on the spy satellites circling the earth. Big Brother is watching.
The Computers & Technology sector also is an exciting sector with lots of news breaking reports. Read about how a new supercomputer is helping meteorologists to more accurately predict weather changes. This will affect all of us in our daily lives. Find out how the law is affecting what Microsoft will build into its next operating system. No matter which side of the issue you are on, this article is an interesting read.
Read about the Editor's Website Choice for September 2001, which is www.rainforest.org. If you are interested in saving the rainforest perhaps you have already visited it. If not, check it out. It has just about every bit of information you need on the topic. It also provides links to other site in case you still have more questions. Also check out Starmatt, Solarbuzz, VolcanoLive, and EarthPulse. My favorite is grin.hq.nasa.gov. This site has over 1,000 spectacular images from the NASA library. If you are a space buff like me, they will blow your mind away.
If you feel that the web is overwhelming with all the infinite amount of information on it, you'll be relieved to know that help is on the way. WebMap Technologies browser plug-in will give you a lot of information in a single glance. Read how it works in "Visualize This." One article I loved in last month's issue is on "Talking GPS? It tests a marriage." It's the only portable automotive GPS unit that offers turn-by-turn voice prompts. We just purchased an Acura with a navigation system installed and we love it. This is even better because it is portable. The drawback-it cost $999. If it saves a marriage, maybe it's worth it! Hot item!
As a woman, I love Home Technology. Find all the exciting new products for the home but remember it's a man's magazine. This month there is a new product by Whirlpool called Personal Valet. It costs a whopping $1,000 and it removes wrinkles and freshens up garments. It doesn't remove stains or visible dirt however. For that price, you'd think it would. The product is still being tested. There is also news of a simple idea call the Airwasher. This humidifier purifies the air and you can add oils to scent the air. You fill the device with water and add an anti-bacterial treatment every two weeks. It cost $499 and it is available at certain retailers. Home owners will appreciate the next device. It's a remote that lets you control all the lighting in your home and is called Z-Wave.
Electronics is the last remaining sector. In Newsfront read all the exciting new advances in wireless communication. For music lovers, there's an exciting article called "MP3-Just Press Pay." It covers the future of digital music and is a must read if you enjoy music.
Although I love the contents of the magazine, I am happy to hear that they are updating it. I don't feel that the covers entice readers to read the contents. It needs to be more progressive looking and modernized. I don't know what improvements will be made but I'm sure they will make the magazine look more high tech-at least I hope so. Only four cover articles are listed on the cover so the cover is relatively uncluttered, which I like. No page numbers are listed on the cover but the Table of Contents is just inside the cover.
Although there are ads, they don't over-run the issues or interfere with the flow of articles. Ads are for male-oriented products like hand tools, men's consumer products, automotive parts and computer products. The magazine is slim and usually runs about 90 pages. The magazine is jam-packed with information, though, in those few pages. Everything is concisely written. I especially appreciate that all features and articles are completed in succeeding pages. Readers don't have to flip to other pages to complete the reading of stories.
If I haven't convinced you to take a look at this magazine yet, perhaps I can convince you to check out their Website www.popsci.com. It is very innovative and interactive. If you are interested in space, check out their 5-Year Guide to Space Exploration. It's awesome. Take a short survey or quiz. Read the interesting and informative answers to ASK POPSCI. Find out What's New. Sign up for an E-Newsletter or join various discussions groups. Read Top Stories hot off the News Wire. Read some of the exciting articles from the current issue. Not all features are on the Website. There are, however lots of articles available exclusively on the Website. There is even a section for kids with space station information, Ask MC the Robot and fun quizzes. Using the Interactive Network, kids can receive homework help (fee), study tips and college search information. Take part in treasure hunts and read jokes. More details are on the site.
If you are interested in the environment, photography, space, science, electronics and home computers, you'll enjoy Popular Science. Popular Science magazine's in-depth articles are extremely well written. All information is backed up by thorough research that is documented. Photos, charts, diagrams and maps often accompany articles. The articles are timely, entertaining as well as educational. You'll learn something new in every issue. The products are exciting and new - some so new they are not currently available. Read about new & exciting research and technology that will affect your life in the near future. If you like keeping on top of all this new information, pick up a copy of Popular Science. Watch for magazine changes in the October issue.
Time 4 Media publishes the monthly Popular Science magazine. Popular Science also has editions for China, Israel, Korea and Mexico. Single copies cost $3.99 US, Canada $4.99. Get the best subscription deal right from the post card in the magazine. Receive 12 issues for $12.94. That's a 73% saving off the single copy price. An even better deal is to subscribe for 24 issues for only $19.95. That's a saving of 79% off the single copy price. Subscriptions on the Website aren't as good a deal. Here you'll have to pay $15.94 for 12 issues. This is unusual. Most Website offer better deals than found in print.
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