Ocean going supercars...

British shipbuilders XSMG are working on their first project - a luxury powerboat called the XSR48. Envisioned as a 'supercar made for the water', the XSR48 is powered by two diesel engines putting out 2000hp. This will allow the craft to cruise at speeds over 85 knots (158 kilometers per hour). The hull is made of a kevlar and carbon fiber combination.

Specifications and glamour photos via the XSMG homepage:
www.xsmgworld.com

Fast draw your tunes...

Where do you keep your gadgets? Here's an product to keep your pockets from bulging - the ipod holster. This gun holster type pouch is just the right size to hold your small electronics. About 129 USD.

Details and order page at ymylholster:
www.ymylholster.com

Bubbly vault...

Looking for a stylish way to store your champagne? Check out the 'Vertical Limit' storage system. It was designed by Porsche Design for the Veuve Clicquot champagne house. This 6 foot tall brushed stainless steel vault will keep a dozen magnums chilled at exactly 12C. Only 15 have been made so far. Cost: about 70,000 USD.

Article by the Appliancist:
www.appliancist.com

The home page of Veuve Clicquot:
www.veuve-clicquot.com

A little help...

It seems the exoskeleton project that started back in 2001 has been yielding some results. The SARCOS exoskeleton is a 'step into' rig that is designed to assist soldiers with menial tasks. No word on when the backyard chore helper version will be available.


Very interesting demonstration video via LiveLeak:
www.liveleak.com

Roughing it...

Need to spend some time off the beaten path, but an 'RV' just isn't going to cut it? You might like to talk to the folks at Unicat.
Unicat makes some very rugged vehicles for off road adventures. Configuration options include some very civilized amenities - and secondary vehicle storage.

Photo gallery of a Unicat:
www.unicat.net


and the homepage of Unicat:
www.unicat.net

Bounce houses in space...

The secretive billionaire Robert Bigelow is quietly planning to put inflatable 'bounce house' type modules into space. There are currently two prototypes orbiting the earth. His plan includes the first commercial launches as early as 2010 -- to create a series of leasable spaces for low gravity housing and manufacturing.

Read all about the elaborate current plans via Wired:
www.wired.com



Corporate details and photos of current missions via Bigelow Aerospace's homepage:
www.bigelowaerospace.com

Forget the Wii...

There are a lot of simulation systems for training, but what do the big guys use? Check out the 'Laser Shot' systems for professional live fire and laser simulation training. Their newest offering includes a containerized firing range, that can be delivered by a semi-truck. That virtual bowling game just isn't nearly as much fun...

Details from the Laser Shot site:
www.lasershot.com

Shortcut to the video of the mobile range:
www.lasershot-lawenforcement.com

Smile, you're not on camera...

Are there times you'd rather not be on camera? The 'LaserScan Hidden Camera Locator' can help. This little device can locate both wired and wireless hidden cameras from up to 50 feet way. Available for about 350 USD.


More details via SpyGadgets:
www.spygadgets.com

Watch the paint...

Car makers are readying a new feature for autos: the ability to change car color on demand. With the push of button, you would be able to vary the color of your car in less than a second, using paramagnetic paint. When the car is powered off, it would revert to a base neutral color. This feature will be available in the 2010 Nissans. 2010 could be a very bad year for valets.


Read about the technology via the Motor Authority:
www.motorauthority.com

Fun with faces...

Very often in the movies, you'll see those great 3D reconstructions of a person's face. How do they do that? Here's a piece of software from Eon Reality Inc. that can create a 3D image from a single picture as input. That's where the fun starts - from there you can alter it many different ways - including gender and race. Hours of fun.


A video demonstration via YouTube:
www.youtube.com

More details vie Eon Reality's page:
www.eonreality.com

Over due...

You never know when things might turn ugly while returning an overdue book at the library. So, a couple of concerned parents invented 'My Child's Pack', a bullet proof backpack. Stylish, bullet proof and knife resistant - they're a good accessory to have on the subway as well. About 195 USD.

Details and order information from the 'My Childs Pack' site:
mychildspack.com

Pass the marshmallows...

Looking for a new fireplace to finish off your pad? Check out these modern beauties available from Focus creations. They offer 50 types including free standing, suspended, and corner units. Excellent for burning documents or making s'mores.


Exlpore their tasteful website at Focus creations:

www.focus-creation.com

My watchstrap is too tight...

The 'Defenseband' is a watchstrap that is designed to choke people. (yes, you read that correctly) Oddly enough, a velcro extension will help you apply a sleeve choke - cutting off the blood supply to your opponent’s brain. You may not want one of these, but it’s good to know if the guy next to you is wearing one.

Instructions, warnings, and purchase of the 'Defenseband':
www.spiderti.com



Additional instructional videos:
www.spiderti.com/dband/DBvideo.mpg

Where do guns come from?

Here's a rather nifty article that identifies the major players in the gun market. Each is described with a short history and a few fun facts.

News from the BBC:
www.bbc.co.uk

Fish story...

Here's the set up: There's some guy in the bar, telling a story about how an adventure came about - and his lucky flask saved his life. Well - that guy could be you. The 'Lucky Flask' comes with an obvious 'indent' already built in. It's a limited run, so hopefully there won't be another guy there telling his version of the story. Available for 60 USD.


You can order it from 'Charles and Marie':
www.charlesandmarie.com

I made it myself...

Sometimes the best answer is to roll up your sleeves and make it yourself. Here are instructions for building an electronic spy stethescope - costing less than 25 USD, and using easy to find parts.

Step by step via 'Instructables.com':

www.instructables.com

Hang time...

If you go to all the trouble of jumping out of an airplane, you should really maximize your time in free fall. The 'Vampire 2' will help you do just that. The second generation wingsuit pressurizes faster - to shape the user into an airfoil. That will keep you floating around longer and travelling further during your jump. Available for about 1,250 USD from Phoenix-fly.


Specifications, pictures and videos via the Phoneix-fly website:


www.phoenix-fly.com

Quick as...

Looking for an electric car that looks more like a sports car and less like an appliance? Have a look at the 'Lightning'. The handcrafted electronic models are available for delivery in 2008.

Details and specifications from The Lightning Car Company:
www.lightningcarcompany.com

Maple cameras...

The Pentagon is working jointly with Lockheed to develop little cameras, based on the design of maple tree seeds. Basically, a cluster of these little cameras would work cooperatively to gather information as they floated over an area. And maybe they would smell a little like maple syrup.


More details and a link to the project specifications via 'The Raw Feed:
www.therawfeed.com

It's a secret...

Taryn Simon takes strange and beautiful photographs. Her latest books is entitled: 'An American Index of the Hidden and Unfamiliar'. Basically, anything that has a big 'Keep Out' sign on it has been photographed and catalogued in this book.
Examples include photos from a fully armed nuclear submarine, bodies in crygenic storage (see inset), pix from inside the CIA buildings, and so on. Fun, huh?

Some of the photographs are currently on tour in support of the book.


Info and exhibition schedule via Taryn's homepage:
www.tarynsimon.com

The coffe table book is available from Amazon:
www.amazon.com

Tag, you're it...

Tag Heuer makes some great watches. Usually, they're very sporty. For a short time, they'll be making the more dressy 'Monaco Sixty Nine'. Granted, it doesn't have a hidden laser, nor does it control your car - it just looks good. Cost: about 5,000 USD.


Details from the Tag Heuer homepage:
www.tagheuer.com

Do not disturb...

Cell phones in movie theatres are somewhat of a problem. IF it really bothers you, you might consider a cell phone jamming device. There are lots of excellent choices out there - here are two. The first is cleverly disguised as a pack of cigarettes. The second is a little more utilitarian (and a whole lot less expensive) Still searching for a device to remove that tall person in the front row...

Cell phone jammer via the very excellent supplier Advanced Intelligence:
www.advanced-intelligence.com


The more basic jammer via gadget brando:
gadget.brando.com.hk