Robo-Sauce
This children’s picture book from Adam Rubin and Daniel Salmieri follows a young boy who tries a neon concoction called Robo-Sauce. It (predictably) turns him into a robot. Things go south when his parents and dog transform too. $19
Knock Knock
This app, available for iOS and Android, uses Beacon technology to share whatever contact information or social-media handles you choose by knocking on your phone. It also builds chat rooms of nearby users. Free
Bluesmart Luggage
Bluesmart is the Swiss Army knife of carry-on suitcases. Bluetooth location tracking ensures it won’t go missing. A built-in scale keeps you from maxing out weight limits, and USB chargers keep your phone alive. $495
Topo Coasters
Set your sweaty glass down on your favorite topographical regions with these cork coasters. The first set features Kentucky’s Red River Gorge. Map coordinates are engraved on the reverse side in case you want to see the real thing. $39 for four
M18 Fuel Braking Grinder
Milwaukee has the first grinder tool that lets you make cuts and grind edges on battery power alone. Releasing the trigger stops the spinning wheel within two seconds. Combined with a kickback reducer, it’s a safety perk, and it gives the tool a longer life. $219
Disney Playmation
Playmation outfits kids with superhero gear to explore and carry out missions as their favorite character. It’s made all the more realistic thanks to motion sensors and wireless tech. The first set released this month is based on The Avengers. $120
E1 4K Action Camera
Digital imaging startup Z created a tiny camera to give documentarians and athletic auteurs more control than your average action camera. It has interchangeable lenses, can film in 4K at 24 frames per second, and has a 3-D noise filter for low-light scenes. $699
Zolt Charger Plus
Laptops are great, but that brick you have to carry to plug it in and charge can be burdensome. Zolt packs power into a 3-ounce tube. Plus it has two extra USB ports that can charge other devices at the same time. $100
Lechal
Stop navigating a new city staring at a smartphone. Lechal’s shoes and insoles vibrate to guide wearers to their destination. Plus, each pair you purchase subsidizes a pair for someone who’s visually challenged. From $80
Steve Jobs
Danny Boyle’s new film riffs on Walter Isaacson’s biography of Apple’s co-founder (played by Michael Fassbender). Go behind the scenes of Apple’s product announcements, starting with the iMac. October 9
This article was originally published in the October 2015 issue of Popular Science, under the title “Obsessed.”