At your fingertips...

The 'Titanium Utility Ring' has a couple of tiny tools that might just save your hide. The aerospace grade ring includes a bottle opener, straight blade, serrated blade, saw and a mustache comb. Cost: 385 USD

Available from Etsy:

www.etsy.com

Goo...

DARPA's plan for next generation spy gear includes electronics that dissolve when they're done being useful. The 'VAPR' or VAnishing Programmable Resources project seeks transient devices that can disappear later.

Read more about it from DARPA:

www.darpa.mil/NewsEvents/Releases/2013/01/28.aspx

Rearview mirror...

In the future, fighter jets will include laser systems as tail gunners. The future will begin in 2014, according to Lockheed Martin - as they've been contract to add the laser pods starting then.

Read more about it via Military Aerospace:

www.militaryaerospace.com

Jamming...

Sure, you could buy one of those fancy store-bought cell phone jamming devices - or you could just build one yourself.

Cell Phone Jamming Device DYI - via 'Howto' @ Wired:

howto.wired.com/wiki/Build_a_Homemade_Cell_Phone_Jammer

Flipper...

There might be a time when you need to flip your license plate quickly, and for legitimate reasons - and for those times, there's a kit available.

Info,video and order via licenseplateflipper.com:

licenseplateflipper.com

Tag! You're it!...

The 'SelectDNA' company has a novel product - the 'High Velocity DNA Tagging System'. The non-leathal air gun shoots pellets of synthetic DNA. The DNA can be used later to identify an individual as being at the location of the tagging up to two weeks later.

Read more about it via SelectDNA:

www.selectadna.co.uk/selectadna-high-velocity-dna-tagging-system.html

Enter through the rear...

Video Blogger Oggfaba demonstrates this rather unique hidden rear door.

Hidden exterior entrance via YouTube:

youtu.be/2da1DRLuo9o

Snow pants...

Suit up for inclement weather with the 'NanoTech Storm Suit'. Weather resistant features will keep you looking good even while the storm is raging. Cost: starts at 499 USD

Info and order via Indochino:

www.indochino.com

On standby...

'Black Jet' is a new North American flight service that promises to 'democratize' private jet travel. The idea is simple: the company books time on unused private jets to offer discounted private travel. Current routes are limited - but more will be added soon.

Read more about it via the Huffington Post:

www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/02/blackjet_n_2068023.html

Enjoy, with caution...

Arguably, one of the most dangerous (and interesting) sites on the internet is 'Information Unlimited'. Never mind the ho-hum interface, here you'll find an astounding collection of mad scientist kits and prototypes ranging from the mundane to the somewhat wicked.

The home site of 'Information Unlimited':

www.amazing1.com

Elementary...

'Master-Mind, How to Think Like Sherlock Holmes' is the latest book from author Maria Konnikova. The psychologist provides a variety of tools and strategies for upgrading your reasoning abilities. Cost: 15 USD Available online via Amazon.

Read more about it via Maria Konnikova's site:

www.mariakonnikova.com/book

Snow bored...

After a long winter, you might start getting a little weird. Take for instance the invention of 'parasledding' - it's what happens when you combine paragliding and a snowmobile.

Watch the fun via YouTube:

youtu.be/1zmD9ChQBkE

Cloaking device...

Designer Adam Harvey has been thinking about the not to distant future. Adam has been working on a line of clothing that can shield the owner from drones and other electronic probes - all while looking fashionable.

Read more about it via Slate:

www.slate.com

Just dropping off...

One of DARPA's strategies they're revisiting is dropping stuff onto the bottom of the sea for later. The idea is to leave unmanned assets that can just 'hang out' for a long time, having them surface later when needed. Creative.

Read more about it via DARPA's website.

www.darpa.mil/NewsEvents/Releases/2013/01/11.aspx

Knock three times...

Fans of the speakeasy will enjoy 'Secret Society: Modern Speakeasy Style and Design', by Christian Alexander. The lush volume describe 20 years of experience with the subject. Hundreds of photos. Cost: 120 USD

Details and order via Faramehmedia.com:

faramehmedia.com/books/secret-society

Ray's return...

Chevrolet has confirmed that the 'Stingray' will be returning this year. The Corvette C7 Stingray was unveiled, promising a release for this fall.

All the details via Chevrolet:

www.chevrolet.com/new-2014-corvette

Pocket x-ray...

Soon, you may be able to carry an x-ray machine in your pocket. A breakthrough at the University of Missouri is promising a cell phone size device in the next couple of years.

Video and Read more about it via MUNews:

munews.missouri.edu

That's an old trick...

Here's another great selection of vintage spy gear from the 'Threat Level' group at Wired - including such classics as 'The Shoe Bug', 'The Pipe Pistol', and the 'Pigeon Spy Cam'.

Full article and pictures via Wired's 'Threat Level':

www.wired.com/threatlevel/2011/03/cia-spy-tools

Just add water...

'Concrete Canvas Shelters' can have your command post up and running in no time. Using an inflatable inner core, the shelters unfurl to expose a layer of concrete that can be wetted. Once dry - the shelter can be reinforced for additional security. Cost: 30,000 USD.

Read more about it via ConcreteCanvas:

concretecanvas.co.uk

Going rogue...

This year, you might notice henchmen looking a little more stylish with these - the 'Rogue Motorcycle Helmet'. These helmets include a magnetically attached muzzle for additional face protection. Cost: 249 USD

Read more about them via Bell:

www.bellhelmets.com/powersports/helmets/street/rogue

Chasing the green fairy...

Anyone seeking to explore the world of Absinthe would do well to order the kit - Absinthes.com is offering multiple tasting kits with test tubes of some of the best. Cost: ranges from 30-80 USD

Info and order via Absinthes.com:

www.absinthes.com/absinthexplore.php

Last call...

The 'SpareOnePlus' is a stripped down emergency phone. The newest version has location tracking, audio alerts, and will keep for 15 years on one AA battery. Perfect for an emergency kit. Cost: 100 USD (available in spring)

Read more about it via Engadget:

www.engadget.com/2013/01/07/spareoneplus

We're going to need a bigger blimp...

UPDATE: The US military is moving ahead with it's new generation blimp projects. Currently, the 'Pelican' prototype is being developed in Southern California. The airship is envisioned as an observation platform or transport for heavy gear.

Read more about it via Aviation Week:

www.aviationweek.com

Presto change-oh...

The nice people at 'Yo!Company' are using theatre set techniques to make tiny apartments very functional. The 'Bed Elevator' is particularly interesting.

Watch the exuberant video and read more via 'Yo! Home':

http://yo.co.uk

Robo-guard...

A Japanese company is developing a small, autonomous, flying robot for surveillance purposes. When trouble is afoot, it takes off and checks out the situation. When it's done, it docks and recharges.

Read more about it via TechOn:

techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20121227/258354

Project runway...

Now that the NASA Space Shuttle program has been mothballed, they're having a bit of a garage sale. NASA is selling off runways, launchpads, construction facilities and much more.

Read more from the Orlando Sentinel:

www.orlandosentinel.com

Post-Mayan...

That apocalypse never happened, but being ready for trouble is never a bad idea. The 'SEAL Survival Guide: A Navy SEAL's Secrets to Surviving Any Disaster' is a good start. Written by former SEAL Cade Courtley, you'll learn tons of tips for surviving most anything. Cost: 14 USD.

Available from Amazon:

www.amazon.com

Silent running...

If DARPA has it's way, the future will include small robotic ships running hunt patterns on the open sea. The robot ship's job: find and shadow the near silent submarines of tomorrow.

Read more and watch the concept video via 'The DangerRoom':

www.wired.com/dangerroom/2012/12/actuv

Easy pickings...

In an emergency, you might want one of the 'ITS Titanium Entry Card' in your wallet. The credit size titanium card has all the basic lock picks you might need. Cost: 50 USD.

Info and order via ItsTactical:

www.itstactical.com

Double barrelled...

German defense contractor Rheinmetall has been showing it's new two part laser system off. The combined 50Kw system can target and blast drones and mortar fire out of the air.

Read more about it via 'The Verge':

www.theverge.com