Sneaking around...

Do you enjoy poking around places where you're not supposed to be? You're not alone. Infiltration.org is here to help. It's an organization dedicated to the art of 'urban exploration'. In fact, they wrote the book -- and a rather funny one at that.
Tips and techniques for slunking around abandoned sites, underground tunnels, and all kinds of hidden wonders.

Lots of great info from the home page of Infiltration.org
www.infiltration.org


'Access All Areas' book also available via Amazon:
www.amazon.com

At your fingertips...

The last thing you need is to remember another password. The Sequiam Biometrics BioVault 2.0 Fingerprint Safe will keep your stuff secure using your fingertip for access. Designed for keeping small valuables and handguns - this NRA approved device can run on either AC or battery power. Available for about 400 USD.

Details from biosaf:
www.biosaf.com

Order info from SharperImage:
www.sharperimage.com

A closer look...

If you haven't taken a look at the magazine 'Monocle' - this might be a good month to do so. Described as a meeting between 'Foreign Policy' and 'Vanity Fair', it covers an incredibly diverse content. This month's printed issue includes their very subjective 'Travel Top 50' supplement. In the US, a copy at the news stand will cost about 10 USD, a subscription is about 150 USD - but includes enhanced web content.

The Home page of Monocle Magazine:
www.monocle.com


The podcast version of the Travel Top 50 from Monocle:
Travel Top 50

The Luxury Wing...

Coming soon, the Levi Ram Wing 100. This reverse tricycle hull design begins as a catamaran and terminates as a solid single hull - allowing it to reach speeds of up to 100 knots. Other planned amenities include a submarine, auto garage, a swimming pool, and a heliport.


Details from the Design Studio Levi:

www.designstudiolevi.com

Stash...

The luxury publisher Assouline has released a rather unique way for you to store your cigars. It's a humidor disguised as a book about Havana. It can be stored vertically or horizontally and features a humidity regulator and gauge. Available for about 1000 USD.


Details from the Assouline Book site:
www.assouline.com

Puzzling...

If your tastes run towards solving puzzles, you might like to take a look at this: The Isis. The Isis is considered one of the hardest to solve puzzles - and it would look great on your coffee table or desk. The puzzle is solved by aligning the bands of hieroglyphics. Hidden inside are codes for winning prizes from their website as well. Available for about 200 USD.

The Isis from ShaperImage:
www.sharperimage.com

Can you read this?

So, you've taken pictures of that secret document using your cell phone camera - and now you can't read it. Not to worry. Qipit is a free service on the internet that will take any photos of written or typed material and do a little math magic. Send the document photo to the service, and they'll send you back a cleaned up, easy to read, hi contrast version.


The homepage of qipit:
www.qipit.com

Car Wash...

Remember the James Bond Lotus that turned into a submarine in the movie 'The Spy Who Loved Me'? The Swiss company Rinspeed will be showing off a concept car that does exactly the same. At the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, they will be introducing the sQuba - which they say is able to submerge to 10 meters and has a self contained breathing system. Any missile launch system would most likely be an after market add on.


Article and translated press release via 'WindingRoad':
news.windingroad.com

Jetpack, the extended edition...

Most jetpacks will only give you about 30 seconds of fun. Next year, jetpack international will be introducing a new model that runs on jet fuel rather than hydrogen peroxide. Besides making it potentially dangerous - it will increase the flight time to 9 minutes. That would allow you to cover about 10 miles. And make your morning commute much more interesting.

The home page of jetpack international:
www.jetpackinternational.com


Video of the older H2O2 model in action:
www.youtube.com

Where on earth...

Have you ever done a big trek, taken a thousand pictures, then wondered later where exactly you took them? Apparently, someone at Sony has had the same problem. The Sony GPS-CS1KA is a device that will provide time and exact location of the photos you take - then map them electronically. About 150 USD.


Details and user comments via Amazon.com:
www.amazon.com

Ninja Shopping...

Having trouble finding good ninja gear? Talk to the gents at Gungfu.com. Sure, the name suggests chinese martial arts.. but they have an excellent selection of hard to find ninja kit - including (but not limited to) climbing claws, blow guns, throwing weapons of all varieties, and more...


Here are a couple of the relevant pages:
uniforms and such

blow guns

crossbows

throwing stars

Low profile...

At this year's Frankfurt autoshow, Lamborghini announced the 'Reventon'. This limited production redo of the Murcielago LP640 has taken it's stylistic queues from the F-22 Raptor jet. This is the most expensive car ever built by Lamborghini - weighing in at one million euro.


Lots of photos via the Autoblog:
www.autoblog.com

TV Mirrors...

There's no reason to miss your favorite television show, just because you are shaving. The folks at Seura are making bathroom mirrors with TV's embedded into them. When not in use, the TV disappears into the flat mounted mirror. Starting at around 3,000 USD, there are several styles to chose from.

Details and catalog via the Seura homepage:
www.seura.com

Not a theme park...

Touring America? You could do a theme park crawl and look at the standard monuments.. OR... you could check out a bunch of top secret locations. 'Top Secret Tourism' by Harry Helms catalogs many strange and interesting locations across the USA - including -- Germ warfare labs, secret airbases, nuclear test sites, and many others. Creepy and funny, it makes for an interesting read. Available for about 14 USD from all the usual suspects.

Top Secret Tourism via Amazon:
www.amazon.com

How extravagant...

Looking for some unfiltered feedback on top notch hotels, restaurants, and spas? Check out extravigator.com. The discussion forums are not very tidy - but full of excellent feedback from first hand experiences.

The home page of the extravigator:
extravigator.com

Martini machine...

Looking to avoid 'martini elbow' this busy party season? The Waring Martini Maker can shake and stir martinis at an industrial pace, effectively removing any exercise that might have happened during the cocktail process. Available in stainless steel and black, for about 100 USD.

The Waring Professional Martini Maker via Cooking.Com:
cooking.com

Key issues...

Need to make a copy of a key? Here are two instructional videos you might find interesting:

The first is to make a copy of standard key using tin snips and a beer can (no, seriously..)
www.instructables.com


And secondly, how to make a copy of one of those fancy perforated keys, using a popsicle stick.
www.instructables.com

Christmas jets!

Here's an excellent holiday gift for a pilot. Eight classic jet powered Dehavilland Venoms and Vampires are up for sale. Spare parts, extra engines, and ground handling equipment will be made available - but gift wrapping is not.

Details of the auction and more photos via ukmotornews:
ukmotornews.blogspot.com

Digital manhunting...

Finding people on the internet is a bit of an art. Here's a compact article to help you along. In just a few minutes, you could be finding people you haven't heard from in years. The jury is still out on if that's a good thing.


How to find people on the internet via LifeHacker:
www.lifehacker.com

Wicked Frisbees...

Paris: The wine, the cheese, the stun weapon equipped flying saucer drones..... A businessman caused quite a stir when he mentioned his company was working to build small flying saucer devices with TASERs for crowd control applications.

Read the scant details via the DangerRoom at Wired:
blog.wired.com

Warning pen...

Like many people, you may be a bit concerned that a shadowy organization might try to put radioactive materials into your beverages. If that's the case, then here's a helpful link - a pen sized polonium detector, using simple circuitry.


The polonium detector via Hack A Day:
www.hackaday.com

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

Booking Shangri-La...

Are you traveling to Asia, but looking for something a little off the beaten path? You might like to check out the 'Banyon Tree' hotels. Most famous for their Phuket (Thailand) location, they have been expanding through out Asia. Locations now include the Maldives, Indonesia, and their newest location in Lijiang (China).

See all the stunning locations via their homepage:
www.banyantree.com

The glass is half inside out...

Do you think stemware pieces are too delicate? Check out the inside out glasses from Alissimat. Besides looking great, they have a practical side too - the extra glass keeps them insulated and makes them sturdy. Available in a full range of sizes.


View the entire collection at Alissimat:
www.alissimat.com

Power pack...

Tired of lugging batteries around on your hiking trips? Researchers have figured out how to convert all that wobbling around of your backpack into energy - just by switching the straps out with a piezoelectric material. Not enough juice to run an air conditioner, but great for small electronics like a cell phone or an ipod.


Details from Medlaunches:
www.medlaunches.com

Energize...

Do you have a little trouble getting started in the morning? Or maybe you have an energy slump in the afternoon. Here are 12 helpful tips on how to keep your enegy level up and cranking all day long.


How to fight fatigue via the Ririan Project:
ririanproject.com

Bad aim...

If you weren't a particularly good shot, this might work for you. It's the M65 Nuclear Rifle. Developed during the cold war, it's the smallest of the field launched nuclear weapons. One of the weapon's large drawbacks: the projectile didn't clear a safe area for the person launching it, making it rather unpopular.


Watch the short video of the M65 in action via Youtube:
www.youtube.com

Auto Shrine...

Is your garage special enough for your car? Thinking of doing a little sprucing up? You might like to talk to the guys at Garage Mahals (yes, that's right... Garage plus Taj Mahal) They have services to design and implement a rather dramatic makeover for your beloved autos.

Contact info, pictures of their work, and floor sample swatches via Garage Mahal:
www.garagemahals.com

Sunk...

Who should design your semi submersible living space? If you're not sure, maybe you should talk to Italian marine architect Giancarlo Zema. Giancarlo has created many designs for underwater and semi submersible living spaces including floating habitats, cliff dwellings that plunge under the water, and floating hotels. Pictured is the 'Jellyfish', a floating platform with an underwater obervation deck.

Check out some of his very inventive ideas via the Giancarlo Zema design group's homesite:
www.giancarlozema.com