Are water-absorbing polymers worthwhile?

I'm a newspaper reporter doing a story about a local man marketing a water-absorbing polymer, pellets that are supposed to conserve water and cut watering (of house plants) in half.
Was wondering if there is an expert out there who can weigh in on whether these polymers are beneficial to plants. Do they work? Are they worth buying?

 

Have a look at this.

http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/~linda ..._files/Myths/magazine pdfs/MythsHydrogels.pdf

 

Thanks a lot.