Sunday, August 31, 2014

Taking a pole...

The Zap 'Hike N Strike' hiking cane is a good accessory for wandering the hills. The end of the cane is equipped with a 950,000 volt stun gun - more than enough to stop a large aggressor. Cost: 76 USD
Available from Sportsman's Guide:

www.sportsmansguide.com

Saturday, August 30, 2014

New and improved...

Seems like there's been a bit of construction out at Area 51 this year. Foxtrot Alpha at Jalopnik provides an excellent discussion of what could be housed in the mysterious new 'extra large' hangar. A little lengthy, but worth the read.
Area 51 Info via Foxtrotalpha/Jalopnik:

foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com

Friday, August 29, 2014

Made in Japan...

The sturdy 'Toyota Land Cruiser 70' has been a longtime staple for adventurers. For it's 30th Anniversary, Toyota is bringing it back for about a year. For sale in Japan only... for now. Cost: 35,000 USD
Read more about it via Toyota:

toyota.jp/landcruiser70

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Getting tanked...

The 'iSopod Tank' made by Trendir is an isolation tank with a little more elbow room. The tank is 50 percent larger than most isolation tanks, has integrated lighting and MP3 sound options. Cost: about 23,000 USD
Read more via Trendir:

www.trendir.com/archives/floatation-tank-isopod.html

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Key concern...

'Bump keys' are used to tease open locks by using a little finesse and key that 'sort of fits'. This technique is easier than ever using a 3D printed bump key.
Read more about it - and watch the video via Engadet:

www.engadget.com/2014/08/27/3d-printed-bump-keys

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Horsing around...

Ralph Lauren is entering the 'wearable tech' market with a new sport shirt. The 'Polo Tech Shirt' is outfitted with sensors that can relay biological and physiological information to your smart phone. All while looking great.
Read more about it via Ralph Lauren:

phx.corporate-ir.net

Sunday, August 24, 2014

Squidish...

Researchers at the University of Houston have devised a system that mimics a squid's camouflage technique. The prototype senses the area around it, and can manipulate a panel to blend in.
Read more about it via The University of Houston:

www.uh.edu/news-events/stories/2014/August/0818Cephalopods.php

Saturday, August 23, 2014

Cuff 'em...

The 'Q Design Bracelets' will give you a little power boost for your electronics. The discreet unisex bracelets convert movement to electrical charge. Cost: 79 USD (pre-order price) Available in multiple finishes.
Info and order via Q Designs:

www.qdesigns.co

Friday, August 22, 2014

Take the tube...

VSSL Supplies packages an entire survival gear set in one handy aluminum tube. Contents includes a flashlight, compass, fishing line, razors, wire saw, matches, fire starters, fishing gear, and much more Cost: 89 USD
Available from VSSL Gear:

www.vsslgear.com/collections/vssl/products/supplies

Thursday, August 21, 2014

All or nothing...

Aboard the IXION Windowless Jet, all the seats are window seats - or none of them are, depending on your point of view. The entire interior is converted to video screens that are connected to realtime exterior cameras giving the illusion of a transparent fuselage.
Read more about it and watch the video via Business Insider:

www.businessinsider.com/ixion-windowless-jet-concept-2014-8

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Special delivery...

Stealthy Nave Seals sometimes make their beach landings using an SDV (Seal Delivery Vehicle) - a tiny submarine launched from a larger submarine. Follow the link for photos and story.
Mini-Sub Navy Seals via Wired:

www.wired.com/2014/08/navy-seal-submarine

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Light makeup...

A team working in Japan has combined light projection and computerized tracking to alter facial appearance.
Watch the surprising video via Vimeo:

vimeo.com/103425574

Sunday, August 17, 2014

King for a day...

In Southern California, there's a new choice for 'occasional use' performance cars. The 'Fast Toys Club' will lend members high performance cars - delivered to your door - without the hassles of ownership. Cost: 3 month membership begins at 8,000 USD
Read more about it via the Fast Toys Club:

www.fasttoysclub.com/index.html

Saturday, August 16, 2014

Setting your sights...

Patrick Priebe like making exotic weapons - his latest upgrade is a semiautomatic laser sighted wrist bow. A small magazine contains 8 carbon fiber bolts.
Read more via Interesting Engineering:

interestingengineering.com

Friday, August 15, 2014

But still...

Everything you'd want to know about Whiskey is now available on your smartphone using the 'Distiller' app. Cost: Free Available for IOS and Android
Drink Distiller via the Web and the App stores:

drinkdistiller.com

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Scouting trip...

For 2015, The Indian Brand Motorcycle will be bringing back the 'Scout'. The cast aluminum body will echo the original triangular shape. Available in black, red, matte grey, or matte black. Cost: 11,000 USD
Info via Indian:

www.indianmotorcycle.com/en-us

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Sparky...

Flint lace tips for your boot laces to be used for starting a fire in a pinch. You never know. Cost: 14 USD
Available from Rattlerstrap:

rattlerstrap.com/?product_flintlaces=flint-laces

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Teamwork...

Researchers working at UCSB have developed a new wrinkle on using WiFi signals to look into rooms. Robots working in teams, use their own WiFi signals and wave propagation to analyze enclosed spaces.
Read more about it via UCSB:

www.ece.ucsb.edu/~ymostofi/SeeThroughImaging.html

Monday, August 11, 2014

Accomplice...

A security researcher enlisted the help of a cat to help hack neighborhood wifi systems. Attaching a homemade device he calls the 'Warkitteh', he let the cat sniff out insecure networks and report back.
Read more via Wired:

www.wired.com/2014/08/how-to-use-your-cat-to-hack-your-neighbors-wi-fi

Sunday, August 10, 2014

The low down...

Later this fall, the 'Polaris Slingshot Motorcycle' will be making it's debut. The reverse trike vehicle is configured more like a roadster, with side by side seating. Cost: 23,000 USD
Info and videos via Polaris:

www.polaris.com/en-us/slingshot

Friday, August 8, 2014

Finally...

Update: As reported long ago, the Icon A5 Aircraft is now available for purchase. The sport aircraft can fold for easy storage and transport. Production models are currently being shipped.
Info and details via Icon Aircraft:

www.iconaircraft.com

Thursday, August 7, 2014

The crisps have ears...

The smart people at MIT have built an algorithm to reconstruct audio information from subtle visual information. Think of this: if you had a film clip of people speaking in a car, with a snack bag in front of them - the vibrations of the bag could be interpreted as sound.
Read more about it from MIT:

newsoffice.mit.edu

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Kits the same....

In an interesting visualization, the Telegraph recently published 'Inventories of War: Soldier's kit from 1066 to 2014'.
Soldier's kit from 1066 to 2014 via The Telegraph:

www.telegraph.co.uk

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Stay frosty...

In 2017, you'll be able to get a great view of the Northern Lights from the Krystall Hotel, near Tromso, Norway. The 86 room floating hotel is planned as a large floating snowflake.
Read more via The Verge:

www.theverge.com/2014/8/4/5966067/krystall-floating-hotel-norway

Monday, August 4, 2014

Sneaky...

The 'Zero Military' is shaping up to be the stealthy choice for tactical travel. The small electric motorcycle is silent when idling, and can quickly accelerate.


www.zeromotorcycles.com/fleet/military

Sunday, August 3, 2014

Large amphibians...

China is beginning trial productions of the world's largest amphibious aircraft. If successful, the new Chinese TA600 will unseat Japan's Shin Maywa US2 as the largest.
Read more about it via India Today:

indiatoday.intoday.in

Saturday, August 2, 2014

Lighting options...

The 'Torch 250 Flashlight' will keep you from being in the dark. The low power usage device can be charged via built in solar, hand crank, or handy USB. Cost: 79 USD
Available from GoalZero:

www.goalzero.com