The new monster...

The Ducati Monster 1100s is the newest member of the monster family. The 1100cc Desmodromic L-twin engine is strapped to a lightweight frame offering extreme performance. The fuel tank has removable outer skins which allows for changing the look of the bike. Cost: about 12,000 USD




The Ducati Monster site:
www.monster.ducati.com

Kid's Stuff...

A trivia question: Does the CIA website have a children's page? Of course they do. Hours of fun for the youngsters. The 'Aerial Analysis Challenge' is fun, though...





The Children's Area of the CIA Website:
www.cia.gov/kids-page

Badges?

Here's a rather sneaky hidden camera: 'The Pass Card Camera'. Hidden inside the holder for a security badge, this USB attachable camera can record audio, stills, and short videos. All while hidden in plain sight. Cost: about 179 USD.




The Pass Card Camera from Brando:
gadget.brando.com.hk

Another Zeppelin tour...

One of the airships from 'Airship Ventures' has a new home - in San Francisco. Starting in November, you'll be able to make a spectacular scenic view of the Bay Area by Zeppelin. The airship holds 12 passengers. A one hour flight will cost about 500 USD.




More info from Gadling:
www.gadling.com




The story of 'Airship Ventures':
www.airshipventures.com

Light drinks...

The iBar system makes it easy to find your drink while at a bar, and does other strange a glowing interactive stuff. Practical uses include flagging the bartender when you're empty, and using foreign objects to simulate fighter jet formations on the bar counter.








More info from the IBar site:
www.i-bar.ch/en

No Frills...

A company called Copenhagen Suborbitals has an idea of how to get you into space - in the nosecone of a missile. The somewhat claustrophobic plan calls for stuffing a single rider into a small capsule for a quick ride and return. Sounds simple. What could go wrong?







Read a bit more via Uberreview:
www.uberreview.com

East and West...

If your traveling to Hong Kong, you might like to check out the newly opened 'W Hotel'. This latest opening of the boutique hotel chain is located in West Kowloon - near the financial district. The rather amazing interior brings a bit of unexpected New York style to the region. The hotel also features a rooftop pool with panoramic city views.





Pictures and details from the W site:
www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels

3..2..1...

Fireworks can be a lot of fun - but they can be dangerous, too. Many people have spilled their drinks while running away from a lit fuse. That's where 'Launch Kontrol' can help. A remote control set of igniters to be attached to your standard fireworks. You can launch in sequence from the safety and comfort of your lawn chair. Cost: about 20 GBP.




'Launch Kontrol' via Maplin.com:
www.maplin.co.uk

Cold War Classics...

Here's a Cold War Classic: 'The Hollow Coin'. Coins that have been tooled to have a hollow space inside them - and a pinhole used to push the two sides apart. There's just enough space inside to put some microfilm (or now-a-days, a micro SD card). Cost: 20 to 70 USD.






Available from 'Spy Coins':
spy-coins.com

All in one...

Every now and again, it's fun to check in on how shrinking electronics are progressing. Here's a great example: a ping pong ball sized camera that is self contained, and includes a DVR - all in one package. It uses an SD card for storage and can be installed in seconds, to be retrieved later. On sale at the moment for 260 USD.





Ping Pong Ball camera from Spyville:
spyville.com

Dropping in...

Wondering how to get party supplies to a remote location? You may be interested in this: 'The Gigafly' delivery system. A robotic guided parachute system with the wingspan nearly the size of a jumbo jet. Equipment can be dropped from a high altitude and guided to targeted locations.






Read a bit more about it via 'The Register':
www.theregister.co.uk

Special edition...

The folks at Jaguar have cooked up a special edition of the XK model - the 'XKR-S'. Available only in Europe, this limited run of 200 sports package coupes have a few sporty extras to turn heads. Using a supercharged 4.2 Litre V8, this model can rocket from 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. Cost: about 90,000 USD.




More statistics and pictures via the Jaguar site:
www.jaguar.com

Meet Mr. Steele...

R. Don Steele has spent a long time thinking about women - more specifically, how men and women interact. There are a lot of hucksters out there purporting to help men figure out women and relationships. Mr. Steele is the real deal. He's written a few books on the subject, and offers online support to guys that need a little extra help.





The rather earthy website of R. Don Steele:
www.steelballs.com

At your finger tips...

If you're in a chilly environment, and need to use your tech toys, you might find these interesting: 'The Freehand Gloves'. The index finger and thumb tips pull off and fold back to allow for easy texting and delicate work. Small magnets keep the tips from flopping around while you're working. Cost: between 20 and 40 USD.




Details and Order from Freehands:
shop.freehands.com

Ask a deer...

There have been a lot of advances in hunting camouflage over the last couple of years. For the first time, someone has asked some of the deer what they think. A new camouflage designed has been tested by a panel of deer and designed more closely to how their eyes function.




Read a bit more about it via The New York Times Science page:
nytimes.com

Patched...

It's a rough and tumble world. When you get a minor injury, you could reach for a standard bandage... Or you could reach for one of these: 'A Duct Tape Bandage'. A little more rugged and in a pinch, it can double for car repairs. Cost: about 5 USD a box.



Nexcare Duct Tape Bandages via Amazon.com:
www.amazon.com

Mini Bar...

Sure, you could waste your time with those little tiny bottles in the mini bar while traveling - or you could bring this: 'The Evolution Mobile Bar'. A full bar in a suitcase along with all the trimmings. It can hold up to 10 full size bottles and 24 pieces of stemware - enough for a decent small party. Cost: about 1,900 USD




Details and order from KegWorks:
www.kegworks.com

It's a bird, it's a plane...

A staple in many science fiction movies, the combination submarine / aircraft is under review from the defense department. There are a lot of interesting engineering difficulties to overcome, but - if the research yields a product, it would be pretty interesting.




Read a bit more and avoid the longwinded video at NetworkWorld:
www.networkworld.com

Very persuasive...

There are lots of ways to convince people to do things... but the sneakiest ones are subliminal. Individuals use these techniques (as well as corporations) for a large variety of purposes. It''s a very good thing to be aware of -- to keep from having the wool pulled over your eyes. Or you can use them yourself to lower your golf score.





'How to Persuade People With Subconscious Techniques' via Wikihow:
www.wikihow.com

Box set...

The ski season is approaching in the Northern Hemisphere. If you're looking for a stylish set of new skis, you might like to check out the set being offered by the Courchevel resort designed by Lacroix. A pair of Lx Smatrack, carbon sticks, leathered gloves, a ski mask, and two empty leather pouches all housed in a case made by Pinel and Pinel. Only 10 sets will be offered. Cost: about 50,000 EUR.





More info via Joyce News release (French only):
www.joyce.fr



Details from the Lacroix Ski site (English available):
www.ski-lacroix.com

Streamline...

If you're looking for a very fast motorcycle with some straight forward design, you might like to check out this: 'The Confederate Limited Edition Fighter Motorcycle'. This stripped down carbon fiber, titanium, and aluminum chassis has a 1966cc engine and integrated braking system. Top speed is about 190 mph. A limited edition run of 45 of these will be made. Cost: about 110,000
USD.





Available from the Neiman Marcus catalog:
www.neimanmarcus.com

Safety Polo...

We've talked about Columbian body armor designer Miguel Caballero before... now it seems he's going mainstream -sort of...
His anti-ballistic polo shirt is now being carried at Harrod's of London. Cost: 12,000 USD.






Read a bit more about it via 'The Affluent Page':
www.affluentpageluxuryindex.com

Easy Wrap...

Did you ever wonder how the wine bottles are wrapped so neatly in restaurants? Here's a quick tutorial on how to do that in the safety and comfort of your own home....





Step by step instructions via Lifehacker:
www.lifehacker.com

How big is it?

Russian Billionaire Roman Abramovich is building a rather large yacht. 'The Eclipse' is big. So big it includes the following interesting features: a couple of helipads, a bay for smaller boats, a submarine for quick escapes, armor plating, bulletproof glass, a missile warning system, a disco, a theatre, a hospital... really... the list just goes on.




Read a bit more about it via 'The Daily Mail':
www.mailonsunday.co.uk

Loaded...

Slightly disturbing, but very cool. Ice cubes shaped like AK47 ammo. Cost: about 7 GBP.




Available from 'Find me a gift':
www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk

Zippo drive...

Here's a rather unique combination: a zippo like lighter that doubles as an 8 gig USB drive. Easy storage for hot emails and other data. Refillable. Cost: about 50 USD.




Available from 'Think Geek':
www.thinkgeek.com

The family Lambo...

Have you noticed there isn't a lot of room for a child's seat in a Lamborghini? That may not be true for long. At this week's Paris Motor Show, they revealed the first 4 door concept car - 'The Lamborghini Estoque'. Named after the sword a matador uses in a bullfight, this concept car is slated to show up as early as 2010. Specs are swirling as to the engine options that will be available.




High res pictures are available via Autoblog:
www.autoblog.com



Details and links via World Car Fans:
www.worldcarfans.com

Time for bad guys...

A lot of attention has be paid to what James Bond wears as a watch. But, what about the bad guys? The folks at Swatch have a collection of watches inspired by many of the notorious movie villains. Even Blofeld's cat. Cost: between 60 and 230 USD. Very fun.




The Villain Collection from Swatch:
store.swatch.com

Curves...

Desktop humidors don't need to be boring square boxes. Take a look at this: the 'Zino Platinum Cavern Humidor'. This modern rounded edge humidor is made of lacquered wood and comes in a couple of interesting colors. It will hold between 45 and 60 of your favorites in high style. Cost: about 3,700 USD.





Available from Davidoff Las Vegas:
www.davidofflv.com

Top dog...

Dogs are man's best friend...normally. Every once in a while, you run into an aggressive pooch. Now what? Here are some instructions from 'Ask Men' on how to deal with a dog attack.



'How to Defend Yourself Against A Dog' via AskMen.com:
www.askmen.com

You look angry...

Seems the US Department of Homeland Security is working on a new technology they call 'FAST' for 'Future Attribute Screening Technologies'. The combination of sensors and software can recognize people with hostile intent, just by looking at them. Seems like that would be particularly difficult in a long line at the airport. They're currently claiming a fairly high success rate, along with being able to detect deception. Hopefully they won't teach the system to play cards.



Read a bit more via 'The New Scientist' blog:
www.newscientist.com