All posts in: Editors Notes

CRT challenge looks for new ways to get rid of old picture tubes

Electronics
By Carl Laron on April 16, 2013 in

Recycling old TVs

The cathode-ray tube (CRT) is, for all intents and purposes, dead. Long the predominant technology for TVs, computer monitors, and more, CRTs have given way to beautiful flat-panel monitors, mostly LCDs.

But while the CRT is dead, it can't be forgotten -- not with somewhere around two billion pounds of obsolete TVs, computer monitors and other hardware that's reaching the end of its product lifecycle. What to do with all of that e-waste -- in particular, the lead-laden glass from old picture tubes -- has become a major headache that promises to only get bigger.

Stumped for answers, industry is turning to the public for help. If you think you have an innovative use for CRT glass, your idea can earn all or part of a $10,000 prize. Read more

Is it time to break the sippy cup habit?

Family & Pets
By Jenny Hartley on April 9, 2013 in

sippy cup

Sippy cups are a staple of the American family. While virtually all parents know that weaning baby from the bottle is inevitable, many assume that the sippy stage can go on well past babyhood for their spill-prone toddlers. However, speech pathologists warn that the leak-proof spouts that parents and tots love so much may be just as problematic for a child's dental health as bottles. Read more

4 multitasking baby products that save you money

Family & Pets
By Sandra Gordon on April 5, 2013 in

ABC Bottle

Those calming breaths you learned to do in childbirth class? They'll come in handy in the baby superstore aisle, too. That's because baby products are a $9.8 billion industry in the U.S. with hundreds of new products added to the line-up each year. To save money, it pays to buy products that do more than one thing or that can be converted to something non-baby-related later. Here are four baby products that can give you your money's worth. Read more

From iPod to iWatch: Apple's next big thing

Electronics
By Molly McLaughlin on April 2, 2013 in

NYC Apple Store

Apple is famous for its splashy press conferences, which typically involve a big product launch (and sometimes "one more thing.") From the iPod to the iPhone, many of their products have been technological game-changers that inspire fierce customer loyalty. Rumors abound about Apple's next big thing. Will it be a phone/tablet hybrid? An iWatch? Or something else? Here's a look at Apple's splashiest product launches from the past decade or so, as well as a glimpse into their future.

 

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How to build the perfect cookware set, one piece at a time

Kitchen & Food
By Amy Livingston on April 1, 2013 in

Best cookware set

In researching our recent report on cookware, we identified several top-rated sets. However, we kept coming across the same complaint: The cookware sets many consumers bought don't contain the pieces they need most. The editors of Cook's Illustrated magazine agree, saying manufacturers usually include cookware that isn't the right size or shape, while omitting must-have pots and pans. We set out to determine which pieces should be included in the ideal cookware collection. Read more

Buying a leftover TV

Electronics
By Carl Laron on March 25, 2013 in

Buying a TV for March Madness

It's March Madness time again. No, I'm not talking about the big college basketball tournament that started this past weekend. Rather I'm referring to that time of year when TV makers are willing to do what it takes -- for the most part -- to clear store shelves of their 2012 models before the 2013 sets go on sale. In addition, some trends in TV retailing make picking up a leftover set an even better deal than in years past. And if you need another excuse to pull the trigger, there is the thrill of following the bouncing basketballs on a brand new HDTV. Read more

Strollers and theme parks: A common sense guide

Family & Pets
By Kelly Burgess on March 18, 2013 in

theme parks and strollers

Making a trip to a theme park or amusement park is not as simple as just packing your car and showing up at the gate with a high-limit credit card. If you're bringing along a baby or toddler, you need to be sure they're going to be comfortable for a long day -- or multiple days -- of walking many miles around a large park. The best way to handle that is to bring or rent a stroller, but it's important to understand that the stroller isn't allowed everywhere that people are; including ride lines, restaurants and (unfolded) on park transport. Read more

3D printing at home

Electronics
By Isabel Eva Bohrer on March 15, 2013 in

Makerbot 3D printer: lamps

Makerbot has gotten a lot of buzz for its Replicator 3D printers, which can interpret designs and then build (print) objects while you watch. They're not the only player in town anymore - there are lots of options for anyone to start doodling or printing in 3D. Staples has announced that it will soon offer a 3D printing service in its stores, starting in Europe. But those of us in the U.S. and elsewhere can check out the following tools to use at home, in the meantime. The list of things you can create with 3D printers is practically endless: napkin rings, iPhone stands, poker chips, jewelry -- even the Eiffel Tower. 
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Top 5 trends of the 2013 Housewares Show

Home & Garden
By Malorie Sellers on March 8, 2013 in

IHHS experience

Ealier this week, I walked 13 miles of aisles among 60,000 other attendees to view tens of thousands of new products at the 2013 International Home + Housewares Show. Throughout the four-day experience, several trends emerged. Read on for my take on what's happening in the home, kitchen and garden world. Read more

Is salmonella lurking in your kitchen?

Health & Beauty
By Meghan McCoy, MD on March 8, 2013 in

Is salmonella lurking in your kitchen?

Most people have had food poisoning at some point in their lives. Maybe that hamburger you ate last night was a little too rare or you missed the note that your favorite peanut butter is being recalled. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimate that one in six people in the US get sick every year from some foodborne illness. Medscape and the CDC took a look at what foods these sneaky bacteria and viruses were lurking in last year. Some of the biggest offenders might surprise you!

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