This article was originally published in the August 2015 issue of Popular Science, under the title “Obsessed.”
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DogTelligent’s Connected Collar quiets unruly pups–and trains them to stay that way. An ultrasonic speaker emits a sound that discourages barking, plus the collar works as a virtual fence and leash. $130
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SwimWays lets you flaunt your Star Wars fanaticism ahead of this year’s big-screen installment. It might not have planet-destroying lasers, but with embedded LEDs, you can use your imagination. $7
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Next time you reach for a cold one, the brewers at Rogue hope you’ll think of the disease that’s killing millions of starfish. The brewery teamed with the Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans to create this pale ale. Some proceeds will go toward researching sea star wasting syndrome. $6.75
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For backyard ecologists and curious travelers, Yale University’s app makes learning about nature simple. Using your location, it helps you identify, say, what species of frog or tree you’ve found, and can alert you to others likely nearby. Free
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Science journalist Anil Ananthaswamy’s new book explores quirks of the mind with stories about people who lose their sense
of self and believe they aren’t alive. $27
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Much of our lives is spent sleeping. So the Luna smart mattress cover uses sensors to track your sleep, and integrates with smart-home devices to control lights or a thermostat to create the optimal sleeping environment. $235
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Braun’s most efficient shaver yet isn’t just great at eliminating tough hairs that grow in strange directions. Its pivoting head and individually floating cutting elements can make a three-day beard disappear with fewer strokes. $350
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Get yourself out of any bind with these shoestrings. Inside the extra-strong paracord laces you’ll find fishing line, tinder, and a flint rod that can help start a fire. $15
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Dive deep into the ecosystem of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary with the BBC and PBS. Over the course of two weeks, they’ll air–on TV, streaming online, and through social media–a live show that takes viewers to the wilds of the West Coast to see humpback whales, sea otters, great white sharks, and other creatures up close. Aug. 31
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Brooklyn Tool & Craft’s short-bladed saw has a unique tooth design that can handle both rip and crosscut jobs. The blade’s diagonal scales and measuring tools help you convert to metric or check angles without reaching for the toolbox. $149
