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The Gadgets site didn't have enough activity during the beta, and has been closed. Tagged questions have been migrated to the Apple and Android sites. You can download the data dump of all questions here. See the blog for more information.

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Personally I would love to see this site replace: forceclose.com, phonehow.com, slidetoask.com and askaboutgadgets.com. If they have any developer questions they can go to Stack Overflow, but let the rest ALL come here. – Ivo Flipse May 27 '10 at 22:23

Anything you might see on engadget.com, gizmodo.com fits here ... including a lot of smartphone stuff. I think it's fine to have a relatively broad gadget site that includes everything from smartphones to ipods to universal remotes... we'll have tags to keep it orderly. – Joel Spolsky May 27 '10 at 23:42

I think we should disallow questions about cameras. (A loose definition): A camera is a gadget/device that you carry around whose primary function is to take photographs. One reason is that I think cameras and photography is a big enough to warrant a site of its own. The other reason is that I'm afraid this site will be swamped by camera enthusiasts (I know several) asking abut lenses, shutters, nicon, pentax, ISO numbers, filmtypes , and on and on and on.... The do love to bicker, compare hardware and thoroughly bore the rest. Not like us compyer geeks at all - * ;-) * – Nifle May 29 '10 at 18:57

show 14 more announcements

123 Example Questions (12 closed)

active newest votes

up vote 0 down vote

added by BenA, edited by WikiSpeedia hang-around Jun 2 '10 at 14:57

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added by Gelatin Jun 2 '10 at 18:48

closed as off topic by Jeff Atwood, Casebash, NickAldwin, Michael Todd, Simon Nickerson Jun 7 '10 at 20:36

This question does not relate to the topic of the proposal.
It was closed as part of an automated migration of off-topic to close votes on September 29, 2011.

up vote 0 down vote

added by Joshua Jun 3 '10 at 2:54

closed as off topic by Tall Jeff, David Barry, Helen, Mike Sherov, Alconja Jun 15 '10 at 2:42

This question does not relate to the topic of the proposal.
It was closed as part of an automated migration of off-topic to close votes on September 29, 2011.

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added by Nathan Osman Jun 4 '10 at 3:13

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added by gyurisc Jun 5 '10 at 6:43

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added by Dennis Williamson Jun 15 '10 at 6:44

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added by Gelatin Jun 15 '10 at 17:16

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added by desolat, edited by Robert Cartaino Jun 16 '10 at 18:18

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added by alfredozn Jun 16 '10 at 18:42

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added by Andrew Song May 27 '10 at 21:23

It is on topic, but "people recommend" makes it subjective. – Gnoupi May 27 '10 at 21:30

I agree with Gnoupi, but we're obviously in the minority. I would prefer it if the question read, What portable music devices support the OGG audio format?. – raven May 28 '10 at 13:30

@raven - agreed that would be the best form of the question. Voting "off-topic" just for the "people recommend". – ChrisF May 28 '10 at 14:28

off-topic because of reccomends – A Thing Jun 7 '10 at 9:52

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added by Gnoupi May 27 '10 at 21:38

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added by Kyle Cronin May 27 '10 at 21:39

Not really an "accept correct answer" type question - new cameras will be added cosntantly – Martin Beckett May 27 '10 at 22:58

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added by Ivo Flipse May 27 '10 at 22:24

Highly subjective and speculative. – Chris W. Rea May 27 '10 at 23:40

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added by debug May 27 '10 at 23:05

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added by gyurisc May 28 '10 at 5:32

Don't want to vote to delete your question @AskAboutGadgets, but I already posted that one. Yes: I stole all your good question! ;-) – Ivo Flipse May 28 '10 at 6:24

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added by gyurisc May 28 '10 at 5:33

What is the question here? :-) – Helen Jun 10 '10 at 19:24

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added by alex May 28 '10 at 7:05

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added by ChrisF May 28 '10 at 11:14

Where <X> is iPod, Zune, LG Cookie or whatever music device you are using. – ChrisF May 28 '10 at 11:15

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added by debug May 28 '10 at 16:19

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added by debug May 28 '10 at 16:20

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added by Jaydles May 28 '10 at 16:39

I think we should disallow questions about cameras. (A loose definition): A camera is a gadget/device that you carry around whose primary function is to take photographs. One reason is that I think cameras and photography is a big enough to warrant a site of its own. The other reason is that I'm afraid this site will be swamped by camera enthusiasts (I know several) asking abut lenses, shutters, nicon, pentax, ISO numbers, filmtypes , and on and on and on.... The do love to bicker, compare hardware and thoroughly bore the rest. Not like us compyer geeks at all - * ;-) * – Nifle May 29 '10 at 18:58

I'd agree that a dedicated photography site would be logical and a better fit. That said, if there weren't one, I think there is enough overlap with gadgeteers to make sense to allow it here, as long as its limited to the devices themselves (rather than general photography techniques, editing software, etc.) – Jaydles May 29 '10 at 19:02

I think photography would be a perfect topic for a SE site and this question belongs there, not here. – raven May 29 '10 at 20:18

Leica. OT. But look into Leica. – Jared Updike Jun 1 '10 at 4:47

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added by Good Person May 29 '10 at 17:31

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added by Good Person May 29 '10 at 17:32

subjective with no correct answer – A Thing May 29 '10 at 17:47

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added by Gelatin Jun 3 '10 at 1:04

can you change this to "How can I..." instead of "Is it possible to..."? – quack quixote Jun 3 '10 at 6:52

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added by IAbstract Jun 4 '10 at 0:48

I think this might fit better in "Electronics and Robotics" (less consumer-oriented, more diy-oriented): area51.stackexchange.com/proposals/2651/… – NickAldwin Jun 7 '10 at 6:00

@Nick, yeah when I found Electronics and Robotics I figured this would be better suited there. But I think this makes a great example of an off-topic question. – IAbstract Jun 7 '10 at 12:26

without the conditional clause on the end, it'd be fine. "where can I find a schematic for USB pinouts" might be someone asking in order to build their own USB cable for connecting some gadget. – quack quixote Jun 9 '10 at 16:42

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added by Jason Punyon Jun 15 '10 at 9:18

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added by Joel Spolsky May 27 '10 at 21:21

lol...I want to see this done. – IAbstract Jun 2 '10 at 17:00

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added by Kyle Cronin May 27 '10 at 21:39

isn't google tv a web app, basically? not a gadget per se. – Jeff Atwood May 27 '10 at 21:43

This is subjective – Ivo Flipse May 27 '10 at 21:44

Google TV is a version of Android OS for the TV. It is being build directly into TVs, satellite boxes, or available as a set-top box. Ivo is right, however, that this question is subjective and speculative and therefore off topic. – Kyle Cronin May 27 '10 at 21:46

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added by Nick Berardi Jun 1 '10 at 1:58

I'd love to know the answer to this, but it is off topic. – Jared Updike Jun 1 '10 at 4:44

Belongs on a photography site (and a little subjective) – A Thing Jun 7 '10 at 9:51

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added by Casebash Jun 2 '10 at 11:23

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added by Arvinje, edited by WikiSpeedia hang-around Jun 4 '10 at 15:24

Off topic, talking about Websites and not gadgets – spaetzel Jun 16 '10 at 17:26

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added by Gnoupi May 27 '10 at 21:23

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added by debug May 27 '10 at 23:03

	The question vague. – Kevin Panko Jun 2 '10 at 21:44
	this seems like something that might be a fairly common operation on these devices. presumably an actual question with this title would give more detail. maybe a better title for this example would make it truly a great example? – quack quixote Jun 9 '10 at 16:36

up vote -3 down vote

added by Jaydles May 28 '10 at 14:38

closed as off topic by Brant, balpha♦, Marc Gravell, BenA, spaetzel Jun 16 '10 at 17:27

This question does not relate to the topic of the proposal.
It was closed as part of an automated migration of off-topic to close votes on September 29, 2011.

I wish I could remote run my Nespresso from my Android phone – Ivo Flipse May 29 '10 at 12:57

@Ivo, If that were a question, it'd totally be on topic! – Jaydles May 29 '10 at 13:19

Any thoughts on why this isn't a boundary defining question? Seems like it's A) clearly not what we mean by a gadget, but B) still fairly close to the line? – Jaydles Jun 9 '10 at 17:19

A nespresso is more of an appliance than a gadget in my opinion. And with only 5 off-topic votes it just isn't good enough. – Nifle Jun 9 '10 at 17:56

@Nifle, you're clearly right, and I'm not that in love with it as a perfect "off-topic". I just keep trying to thing of something that's closer to the line, but not a gadget, and I'm surprised I can't do much better. Maybe Simon? Or a Leapfrog? Or a digital cooking thermometer? – Jaydles Jun 9 '10 at 18:57

up vote -4 down vote

added by Kyle Cronin May 27 '10 at 21:38

Too subjective. A comparison between the two would seem legitimate, though--e.g., "Other than Sprint v. Verizon, what are the differences between the Evo 4G and the Incredible?" – Benjamin Pollack May 27 '10 at 22:00

Agreed, comparison posts can be against anything and will start creating a lot of duplicate content. – Nick Berardi May 28 '10 at 12:56

up vote -4 down vote

added by Ivo Flipse May 27 '10 at 22:34

Subjective, but could be informative for potential buyers. Should be community wiki. – Chris W. Rea May 27 '10 at 23:41

more of a conversation topic than a genuine question – Joel Spolsky May 27 '10 at 23:46

This can provide a lot of information to the potential buyers – gyurisc May 28 '10 at 5:31

Then the question should be: What are the pros and cons of having 3G on your iPad? And people could state: double data plans vs internet everywhere. It might be subjective, but it's indeed quite useful. Make it CW and have people judge for themselves – Ivo Flipse May 28 '10 at 6:14

@Joel Off-topic? Not a good example? – Kensai Jun 5 '10 at 5:13

up vote -5 down vote

added by Joel Spolsky May 27 '10 at 21:22

not about gadgets... about personalities – Joel Spolsky May 27 '10 at 21:25

also, no way to answer that besides the day he actually reviews it. – Gnoupi May 27 '10 at 21:26

I sort of disagree with you Joel, because Walt Mossberg is closely tied to gadgets, so a question about his is probably relevant given the right context. This just isn't the right context. – Nick Berardi May 28 '10 at 12:57

up vote -5 down vote

added by Joel Spolsky May 27 '10 at 21:22

Garage door openers are too low-tech. Not cool enough. – Joel Spolsky May 27 '10 at 21:30

And what if you use your Android phone for it? ;-) – Ivo Flipse May 27 '10 at 22:12

The real device here is a machine that opens a door. The "gadget" is just its controller, more akin to a remote key fob for your car than a smartphone or e-reader, etc. – Jaydles May 29 '10 at 16:57

probably better asked in the DIY SE – Kyle Cronin May 29 '10 at 17:07

only On Topic if the garage door is being operated by software in a vehicle or network...??? – IAbstract Jun 2 '10 at 17:05

up vote -6 down vote

added by Kyle Cronin May 27 '10 at 21:41

Besides, it's been answered already: twitter.com/Microsoft/status/14850981422 – Benjamin Pollack May 27 '10 at 21:59

up vote -6 down vote

added by Nathan Osman Jun 3 '10 at 6:02

Is doohickey a generic term, @George? If you intend for this to be on-topic, What's a <some part or accessory>? might be better. – IAbstract Jun 7 '10 at 12:28