Write it down...

Planning a get away? Here's an excellent resource for choosing a place to stay - 'The Tablet Hotels'. With choices ranging from 'cool and hip' to 'traditional elegance', they will certainly find something to suite your requirements. Unlike many hotel search engines, you can specify the kind of experience you are looking to have from an outstanding list of worldwide properties.
Brilliant.

The very helpful homepage of Tablet Hotels:
www.tablethotels.com

Smooth running....

Pedrazzini is a small company located on the shores of Lake Zurich in Switzerland. They've been around for over a hundred years, specializing in the manufacture of wooden motor yachts. The Pedrazzini Vivale Runabout is powered by two eight liter engines and can attain speeds of up to 80 kilometers per hour. It's specially designed hull keeps it stable in rough waters and reduces spray, all while looking like a work of art.

Pictures and technical specifications via Yachtopolis:
www.yachtopolis.com

Buckle up...

XCOR, a small California based company, announced plans for a suborbital spaceship to be in use by 2010. The small two seat vehicle will be sort of a 'space sports car'. The 'Lynx' will be about the size of private plane and will make the suborbital journey several times a day. No information on what kind of stereo system is onboard.



The XCOR press release via their homepage:
www.xcor.com



Direct link to an animation of what a flight will look like:
www.xcor.com/animation

Like a mule...

One of life's nagging worries is that scientists will revive dinosaurs. You'll sleep better if you have one of these: the A-Square.577 Tyran Rifle. It's named after the fact that it could actually take down a Tyrannosaurus (well, theoretically for now). It is one of the most powerful sport rifles available, and can take down a charging rhino (not so theoretically).

Watch the dramatically scored video of people trying it out on a firing range:
www.youtube.com


More information via the rather spartan A Square website:
a-squareco.com

Resistance is not futile...

If you're looking to punch up your workout routine, and maybe take it the next level - you might check out the Sparq line of equipment from Nike. There's all manner of strange and wonderful equipment like resistance vests, speed ladders, portable timers, drag chutes and so on. Regular running will seem kind of boring after using these.


Details, equipment, and training DVDs via The Nike Sparq Store:
www.sparqstore.com

Around the garden...

Is your garden surreal enough? Have you considered a globe shaped pod for outdoor lounging? Here's one you might like: The Rotating Sphere Lounge from ornate garden. This 2.4 meter globe is the perfect place to have an outdoor meal, relax, or play a board game. Garden spheres are a little expensive, though. This one costs about 6,500 GBP.


Detail and order info via Ornate Garden:
www.ornategarden.com

Com-bats!

Well, this just sounds 'made up'. The US Army is funding a research project with the University of Michigan to investigate tiny, bat shaped sensors. You read that correctly. The six inch bat 'planes' would fly around urban combat locations, beaming information back to headquarters, while looking kind of scary and science-fiction-like.


Read about it via U of M news source:
www.ns.umich.edu

Goldfinger...

You can show off your favorite element with the Periodic Rings from 'its no name'. Currently available in 3 periodic table elements: gold, silver, and platinum. Not available in any of the radioactive elements, thankfully. Cost: 200-6,500 USD (depending on the element, of course)

Pictures and order information via 'its no name':
itsno.name

Small surprises...

Through the years, people have hidden firearms in some very surprising places. Below is a link to a photo gallery of historical hidden firearms - including such peculiarities as keys, rings, crucifixes, bullwhips, and so on. Very sneaky.


The gallery of odd firearms via Dark Roasted Blend:
www.darkroastedblend.com

Breathing easy...

What if you could have a portable oxygen bar in your home? The O2-B Portable Oxygen Bar makes that an option. This sleek, compact, user friendly oxygen bar puts out a surprising 40 percent oxygen enriched air supply to help with healing and recovery after a difficult workout. All without any danger of exploding. Cost: about 730 USD.



Details and order info via the O2-B homepage*:
www.02innovations.com


* as a public service, you will bypass the opening animation.

Thoroughly modern Rolli...

The classic Rollieflex camera has been updated. A new dual lens digital Rollieflex is now available from specialty dealers. The 'minidigi' has a pop-up viewfinder and cleverly incorporates modern digital features into the old 'hand crank' and manual controls while retaining it's classic style. Cost: about 400 USD.


Review and specs via CameraTown:
www.cameratown.com

In flight snack...

What if you could turn a block of cucumber into a full strength martini? All you need is a vacuum machine. The air is pulled out of the 'pickle' and displaced with martini when the vacuum is finished. Isn't science fun?

Watch one being made - via a short NY Times video clip:
nytimes.com

Quiet conversation...

People talking loudly on their cellphones may soon be a thing of the past. The 'Audeo' is a new technology that traps nerve impulses to your vocal cords - and can translate them via a computer program.... allowing for silent communications. There are a lot of interesting implications - one future use could be silent two way communications with computers.

Video of a 'voiceless' cell phone conversation:
www.youtube.com


Details and technical info via 'The Audeo' homepage:
www.theaudeo.com

Pest removal...

Looking for an efficient way to chase those hedgehogs off your lawn? Behold the Sonic Devestator. This handheld, non-lethal weapon emits an ultrasonic blast that causes 'extreme discomfort' lasting up to an hour. Available as either construction plans (about 30 USD) or fully assembled (about 300 USD) from Future Horizons. Also available: a 'riot size' version for 690 USD.


Technical details and order info via Future Horizons:
www.futurehorizons.net

SIM-pull...

Do you ever need to back up a SIM card from a cell phone? And by 'back up', we mean 'snoop around in'. Check out the 'SIM card spy' from Brickhouse Security. This very easy to use tool will allow you to adapt a SIM card to your PC, downloading current and deleted information. All for about 150 USD.


Details, videoclip, and order info via Brickhouse Security:
www.brickhousesecurity.com

Bed up!

Need to maximize your space? The 'BedUp' from Decadrages might be just what you're looking for. This bed disappears into your ceiling when not in use - and is drawn down to your predefined height when needed.


Read a bit about it via Freshome:
www.freshome.com


Details (in french only) via he Decadrages homepage:
www.decadrages.com

Bespoke and bulletproof...

Miguel Caballero designs clothing. Bullet proof clothing. And lots of it. Based in Mexico, he has an extensive selection of custom and 'off the rack' clothing that sheds both water and bullets. He's run amok of some local permitting, so his Mexico City store is temporarily closed - but, the online store is still up and running. Feel free to browse, but please don't shoot at the samples.


Miguel Caballero online -- in English and Spanish:
www.miguelcaballero.com

Retro rocket gear...

Looking for the perfect crash helmet to go with your jet pack or vintage motorcycle? Check out the rather retro Ateliers Ruby Helmets. Beautifully made with high quality materials, they would make an excellent compliment to your dangerous past times.

Info and directory of vendors via the Ateliers Ruby homepage:
www.ateliersruby.com

Guess what's in my hand...

A British company called Thruvision has a new security camera that can see what's in your pockets from 80 feet ways. Using a technology based on terahertz (T-Rays), the camera operator can detect guns, bombs, drugs, and presumably snacks with high fat content. It works because all objects emit a low level electromagnetic signature - each is unique, so it can tell the difference between drugs and chewing gum.

Read all about it via the Thruvision homepage:
www.thruvision.com

No sun glasses...

Tag Heuer has announced they will be marketing 'low light' driving glasses. Originally designed for evening and dawn racing (like the Le Mans), the lenses are formulated to highlight contrast. But really, they just look cool.

Read the press release via Jalopnik:
www.jalopnik.com

Very handy...

There's nothing more awkward than needing a machine gun, but not having one. That's when the MagPul FMG9 9mm folding submachine gun would come in handy. Folding to a size that would fit in your back pocket, this glock based weapon snaps open in a second.

Watch the brief video from the 'SHOTSHOW' via Youtube:
www.youtube.com

Details and commentary via DefenseReview:
www.defensereview.com

Sommelier in a box...

If you were looking to sharpen your wine tasting skills, you might like to look at the "Le Nez Du Vin" tasting kit. Developed by Jean Lenoir, this kit includes 54 different aromas in small glass vials to hone your skills to a professional level. Currently on sale from Frontgate for about 2,000 USD.


"Le Nez Du Vin" available from Frontgate:
www.frontgate.com

Extended stay...

When scuba diving, it's usually time to surface when you've run out of air. Using 'rebreather' technology, it's possible to scrub the exhaled air, and recycle it. This allows the diver to stay down for a very long time. The Poseidon Mk IV Discovery is now available for non-military types to do exactly that. Now if someone could develop that anti-wrinkley finger technology, we'd be all set.

Details from Poseiden of Sweden:
www.poseidon.se

Checking for bugs...

That fly on the wall might actually be a bug. In a somewhat confusing turn of phrase, the US Defense Department (DARPA) is experimenting with cyborg implants on live insects - to create tiny live bugs, that are actually...er...bugs.


Read a bit about it via the Telegraph:
www.telegraph.co.uk

Framed!

Sometimes the best place to hide stuff is in plain sight. The 'picture frame box' is a functional, hollow picture frame - which is a perfect place to put flat objects such as documents and data discs. Made by Tim Parsons for Thorsten Van Elton, they're available in A3 and A4 sizes. Cost: between 55 and 65 GBP.


Order online via thorsten van elten:
www.thorstenvanelten.com

Very concentrated...

Multitasking is a good skill to have - but sometimes it's important to really focus. In the same way you can build your muscles, it's possible to develop your concentration. Here's a good article with 10 simple exercises for better focus and concentration.

Focus and concentration via egodevelopment.com:
www.egodevelopment.com

Snowboard utility belt...

If you're a snowboarder, you are usually looking for some very specific tools. The 686 Toolbelt gives you easy access to screwdrivers (number 2 phillips and flathead), wrenches (8, 10, and 11 mm), and the all important bottle opener. Available in brown, white and black - for about 35 USD.


More details from the 686 site:
www.686.com


Quick link for the hard to find black color via 'the house':
www.the-house.com

Hi Tech Legos...

It's very fun to make your own hi-tech gadgets - but sometimes it can get a little messy and time consuming. The folks at 'Bug Labs' are hard at work to make it a tidy process. They're building snap together, hackable modules that can be arranged into different configurations ... similar to legos, but with a lot more unix involved. Current modules include central processors, motion sensors, cameras, and so on. No word on a 'jet pack' or 'laser' module.

Details and module order info from 'Bug Labs':
buglabs.net

Extended edition...

Would you like to squeeze a little more fun and versatility out of your waverunner? In just 60 seconds, you can dock into a 'waveboat' -- which will convert your waverunner into a high speed jetboat for multiple passengers. Currently, only available for the Yamaha model, the company is looking to expand into other models. For sale soon from 'The Fun Factory' for about 8000 USD.

Technical specifications and video via 'The Fun Factory':
www.fun-f.com

The big cigar box...

If you really like cigars, those little portable humidors may not be quite up to the job of holding your collection. Michel Perrenoud S.A, of Switzerland have developed a compact walk-in humidor you might like to consider. Customizable, with features that can include liquor storage, flat screen TV, biometric entry, and storage for about 10,000 cigars - this should do the job nicely. Cost: about 82.000 USD.


A few details from Ballerhouse:
www.ballerhouse.com


If your french is up to snuff, the home page of Michel Perrenoud:
www.michel-perrenoud.ch

The new AA...

AA - American Absinthe. For many years, the drink Absinthe has been outlawed in the United States. This is due mainly to one of the main ingredients - which has a tendency to cause hallucinations. Many people have worked tirelessly to reformulate the beverage in order to keep the taste, but lose the side effects. Now, it's back on the US market.

Here's a bit of a primer on Absinthe:


First, a concise article from the folks at Wired:
www.wired.com

You'll need the right tools.

Old School absinthe fountains are available from Hammacher Schlemmer:
www.hammacher.com

Absinthe spoons and fountains are also available from the hip and trendy 'BBlessing' store in New York:
www.bblessing.com

Finally, if you're a bit of a 'do it yourself' person, you can find kits for making your own home brew at the Green Devil:
www.greendevil.com