Saturday, November 30, 2013

Nothing to see here...

The US Army has contracted for microdrones that look a little less like drones. The new hand launched Maverick drones look a bit more like birds while in flight, making them harder to identify or shoot down.
Read more about it via the DangerRoom at Wired:

www.wired.com/dangerroom/2013/11/army-maveric-microdrone

Friday, November 29, 2013

Booking travel...

Avoid clutter and losing accessories with the 'BookBook Travel Journal'. The handy case looks like a vintage leather book, but has enough space for an iPad, headphones, flash drives and miscellaneous cords. Cost: 99 USD
Info and order via TravelSouth:

www.twelvesouth.com/products/traveljournal

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Game of...

The 'Bruce Lee Playing Cards' from Dan & Dave feature inspirational quotes from the martial arts legend. Cost: 15 USD
Info and order via Dan & Dave:

shop.dananddave.com

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Eight is enough...

E-Volo is working on an electric helicopter with an array of smaller rotors - similar to a scaled up quadcopter, but with 18 rotors.
Read more about it via Wired:

www.wired.com/autopia/2013/11/e-volo-vc200

Monday, November 25, 2013

The Kevlar option...

The 'Full Metal Jacket Edition 2013 Jeep Wrangler' from Starwood Motors is ready for duty. Upgraded suspension, kevlar panels, additional armor, and a pumped up engine are wrapped in rather imposing chassis. Cost: 107,000 USD.
Info and order via Starwood Motors:

www.starwoodmotors.com

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Room with a view...

The Manta Resort off the coast of Tanzania is offering a three story floating island room, with the bedroom being underwater. Cost: 1,500 USD plus resort fees.
Read more about it via Manta Resort:

www.themantaresort.com/packages/underwater-room

Saturday, November 23, 2013

The right tool...

The 'Gladiator Chillerator' is a refrigerator that is purpose built for use in the garage. The energy efficient unit is on large, easy to move locking castors. Cost: 1,300 USD
Info and spec sheet via Gladiator:

www.gladiatorgarageworks.com

Friday, November 22, 2013

Card of cards...

The 'Coin Electronic Credit Card' is readying for launch this summer. The credit card can contain many other cards electronically, and switch via the controls on the front of the card. The card is programmed via an App that works with smart phones. Cost: 50 USD
Read more and watch a short video via TechCrunch:

techcrunch.com

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Place setting...

You can now complete your entire set with 'Butterfly Knife Cutlery' - forks and spoons made in the style of the famous switchblade. Cost: 12.99 USD
Available from ThinkGeek:

www.thinkgeek.com

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Fix-a-flat...

The 'Sportsman WV850 HO' from Polaris has a rather impressive set of specifications. The military inspired ATV features TerrainArmor non-pneumatic tires (bullet resistant), a steel exoskeleton, and all wheel drive. Cost: 15,000 USD
Learn all about it via Polaris:

www.polaris.com

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

A few bugs...

UPDATE: The makers of the T8 Robotic Spider are offering a discounted model. The 'T8X' robotic spider will be offered with an additional discount for early orders. You'll need to add your own lasers. Cost: 499 USD for early orders
Read more about it via Robugtix:

www.robugtix.com/t8x

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Critical monitoring...

The 'Elertus Wine Protection System' installs in your wine cooler or liquor cabinet. It can electronically monitor temperature, humidity, power outages, and vibration of unauthorized access. Alerts will be sent to your smart phone. Cost: 199 USD
Read more and order via Elertus:

www.elertus.com/buy/details/?product=elertus-wine-protection-system

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Light ordnance...

Scientists have developed a type of bullet made of light. Using a type of wave form that intensifies over distance, it maintains it's shape as a bullet of light.
Read more about it via Phys.org:

phys.org/news/2013-11-scientists-bullets-high-intensity-optical-applications.html

Friday, November 15, 2013

Today's selection...

The 'KS Cigar Case' is a simple, vegetable tanned leather case for carrying either cigars or other small items. Cost: 100 USD
Available from Kenton Sorenson:

www.kentonsorenson.com/collections/store/products/ks-cigar-case

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Covering your digital tracks...

Here's a brief but useful set of instructions on how to 'disappear' from the internet forever.
'How to Commit Internet Suicide and Disappear from the Web Forever' via Lifehacker:

lifehacker.com

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Documents to go...

The 'Doxie Flip' is a self contained, scanner that fits in your pocket. Perfect for capturing details of documents, photos and small objects. Cost: 150 USD
Read more and see samples via 'GetDoxie':

www.getdoxie.com/product/flip

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

The baby is listening...

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Fun fact: The 'Belkin Baby Monitor' can be hacked to be an iPhone controlled bugging device. Here are the details from Ars Technica.
Baby Monitor Bug via ArsTechnica:

arstechnica.com

Monday, November 11, 2013

Air, land, and sea...

Sandia Labs has a few interesting ideas for future military vehicles - perhaps the 'Multi-Modal Vehicle Concept' is the most versatile. The plan calls for a machine that can shed it's 'skin' and change from Air, to swim, then drive onto the land.
Info and entertaining video via Wired's DangerRoom:

www.wired.com/dangerroom/2013/11/transformer-drone

Sunday, November 10, 2013

At your fingertips...

BearTek gloves allow you to control your bluetooth enabled devices via a series of fingertip controls. Touching your thumb to each of the fingertips gives individual control of camera, video, phone, and music devices. Three models are available. Cost: 95, 120, or 145 USD.
Read more about it via BearTek:

www.beartekgloves.com

Saturday, November 9, 2013

Fire water...

The 'Safe Flame' project is building technology that literally makes fire out of water. A battery powered unit breaks water into hydrogen and oxygen, then recombines it as a torch for joining metal, making repairs and so on.
Read more about it via SafeFlame:

www.safeflameproject.eu

Friday, November 8, 2013

It's a solid concept...

After the first round of (mostly) plastic 3D printed guns, the gents at 'Solid Concepts' are showing off their 3D printed metal gun. Using a special printer that fuses each layer of metal, it's possible to create a functioning 1911 style pistol.
Read more and watch the video via Solid Concept:

blog.solidconcepts.com

Thursday, November 7, 2013

All terrain...

The Skyrunner is the lovechild of a dune buggy and a paraglider. Thanks to it's lightweight construction, it can manage 115 mph on land, and 55 mph in the air.
Read more about it via Skyrunner:

www.flyskyrunner.com

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Teflon...

Garrison Bespoke of Toronto is offering custom tailored bullet-resistant suits. The secret to their non-bulky suiting is a multiple layer of carbon nano-tubing, rather than the traditional kevlar. Cost: from 19,000 USD
Read more about it via Garrison:

garrisonbespoke.com

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Robo-copter...

UPDATE: The MQ-8C FireScout - a robotic helicopter - is finally making it's first real flight. Larger than the old 'B' version, the robotic copter will be used for surveillance, rescue and reconn missions.
Read more about it via CNet:

news.cnet.com

Monday, November 4, 2013

empreinte digitale...

A new product called 'Lumicyano' has been developed by a French company called Crime Scene Technology. The processing chemical allows for cheaper, faster, and easier collection of finger prints - all done without destroying any trace DNA that might be present. The FBI and Scotland Yard are currently testing the new technique.
Read more via the downloaded press release:

http://www2.cnrs.fr/en/2287.htm

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Desk toys...

Waterford Crystal has launched the 'London Contemporary Collection' - a modern set of crystal accessories for offices. Pieces include decanters, electronics chargers, and a full bar set.
Read more about it via JustLuxe:

www.justluxe.com

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Big and stealthy...

The USS Zumwalt launched this week - the largest, most expensive, and stealthiest destroyer ever. Among other features, the ship has an advanced electrical system for future implementations of lasers.
Read more about it via The CS Monitor:

www.csmoitor.com

Friday, November 1, 2013

Bye bye Blackbird...

Lockheed Martin has finally revealed it's plan for replacing the old SR-71 Blackbird. The planned SR-72 successor is to be a Mach 6 Hypersonic Spy Plane, that will use ScramJet technology.
Read more about it via BusinessInsider:

www.businessinsider.com