Extra large...

Ah, The good old days - when planes were big... and nuclear. The XB-70 Valkyrie test plane was a bit ahead of it's time. Read more about this interesting oddity via The DangerRoom.






XB-70 Valkyrie Story and Vid via The DangerRoom at Wired:
www.wired.com

On sail...

Combine your fondness of sailing and napping with 'The Spinnaker Chair'. The comfortable nautical themed chair is backed with actual sails.





Details, design, and orders via Spinnaker of Norway:
www.spinnaker.no

Special formula...

Some things just go together. In 2011, Martell will release a Cohiba cigar branded version of their cognac. Aged 40-50 years, it should be the perfect accompaniment. The launch is in Hong Kong. Cost: about 5000 HK (around 650 USD)






Read more about it via 'A Cigar Smoker':
www.acigarsmoker.com

Steady on...

If you're feeling a little vulnerable after that skiing incident, you might want some support from 'The Zap Cane'. A functional cane that houses a 1 million volt stun weapon. It also includes a flashlight in the handle. Cost: about 90 USD





Available from BudK:
budk.com

Pinch hitter...

If you need to be in two places at one, check out the new 'Gostai Jazz Telepresence Robot'. The little mobile device can wander around and act on your behalf. Using a web based application, you can control the 4 foot high robot while watching thru it's camera. Cost: starts at 7900 EUR. Both a standard and security model are available.





Read more about it via IEEE;
spectrum.ieee.org

Heaven scent...

If you're looking for a gift - or something for yourself, Shanghai Tang's pocket size refillable atomizers are a great choice. They're available in a two capsule travel set (men's and women's). Cost: about 155 USD.








Info via World Luxury Store:
www.blog.worldluxurystore.com

Homesite for Shanghai Tang:
www.shanghaitang.com

Brought to you by...

Both the US military and NASA have been experimenting lately with electronic rail gun launch systems. Using a high charge of electricity - an object is pushed at high speeds down a track. And what secret military lab pioneered this technology? Disneyland. The same tech used for those scary rides.




Read more about it via Jalopnik:

jalopnik.com

Just in case...

On the off chance that you receive a Harrier Jump Jet as a gift, here is the recently de-classified pages of the operator's manual.







Linked via Jalopnik:
jalopnik.com

Rugged and ready...

If you're looking for a timepiece that's rugged and individual, you might want to check out the 'TSOVET SVT-AT76'. A high quality swiss movement encased in steel and PVD gunmetal. Oversize blue luminous markings. Limited edition of 25 will be made. Order now for del ivery in January. Cost: about 2000 USD.






Details via TSOVET:
tsovet.com

Cut up those cards...

People often advise to 'cut up' your credit cards - but, what if your credit card IS the knife? This small blade is the size and shape of credit card. Available in January. Estimated cost, about 23 USD.





Info via Lain Sinclair:
www.lainsinclair.com

Funding your fun...

Unless you have backing from a secret government agency, you're probably funding your own fun. 'How Rich People Think' is a peek inside the mind of some of the world's wealthiest people - based on 26 years of experience interviewing them. Simple changes in thinking can radically improve your financial life. Cost: about 17 USD





Available for download (and free preview) from the author:
howrichpeoplethinkbook.com


Also available from Amazon.com
www.amazon.com

User's manual...

If you have questions about how you're put together - you might like to check out the new 'Body Browser' from Google. An interactive tutorial that allows you to see the many layers of the human body. Kind of a 'google maps' for humans. Available now as a beta. Cost: free





Info via Google's blogspot:
googlesystem.blogspot.com/2010/12/google-body-browser.html


Download beta via Google:
bodybrowser.googlelabs.com

Sushi to go...

Now you can enjoy a piece of japanese Shun cutlery where ever you go with 'The Shun Higo Nokami Gentleman's Knife'. A folding pocket version of the famous blade. Cost: about 100 USD






Available from Williams Sonoma:
www.williams-sonoma.com

Just like magic..

The application 'Word Lens' for the iPhone combines optical character recognition with translation software - the result? Instant translation while looking at signs and printed material. Cost: 4.99 USD







Details via iTunes:
itunes.apple.com

Sake bombed..

If you need your sake set to look like a World War II vintage sea going mine, you'll enjoy 'The Sake Bomb'. This sake set stores and servers your favorite cold and hot sakes. Cost: about 100 USD




Available from 'The Sake Bomb Store':
www.sakebombstore.com

Hand cranked...

Here's a decidedly low-tech solution to an age old problem - 'The Hand Paper Shredder'. Just crank by hand and your old papers are shredded. Cost: about 24 USD.





Hand Shredder from ThinkGeek.com:
www.thinkgeek.com

The Classics...

'Barbour' has been making classic British casual clothing for over 75 years. It's really all about the details. They've just opened a store in New York. If you're not in the neighborhood, you can always order online.






The online shop for Barbour:
www.barbour.com

Bad day at the office..

Things are pretty tough at the office if you need one of these: 'The Bulletproof Ballistic Clipboard'. It will keep your papers in order and work as a small shield for small caliber rounds. Cost: about 40 USD






Available from ballistic systems:
www.ballisticsystemsco.com/products

Tanked hard drive...

If you tend to be a little hard on your electronic equipment, LaCie is trying to help. 'The Tank' enclosure promises military grade protection for transporting your hard drive. Cost: about 30 USD






Order via LaCie:
www.lacie.com

Short cut...

If you're a bit busy to work out there's good news: 'The Four Hour Body' is coming out next week. Smart-Guy Tim Ferris (author of 'The Four Hour Work Week') shares his insights on fitness with some surprising twists. Cost: about 15 USD






Available for pre-order from Amazon.com:
www.amazon.com

Filtered...

One thing you can't really live without is water. The 'Katadyn Pocket Water Filter' is a good way to make sure there's always clean water available. The ceramic based filtration system can hand pump up to a liter of water per minute. Cost: about 235 USD.

Available from Backcountry.com:

www.backcountry.com

Flasks of Steel...

Classic design comes together with function in Dalvey's Stainless Steel Flask. It includes a collapsable stainless cup that nests into the body of the flask. Cost: about 121 USD.




Available from Dalvey Online:
www.dalveyonline.com

Evolution of the suitcase...

Two years of research have yielded the 'Travelteq Trip'. It looks like a stylish suitcase, but it has some interesting features. The front opens as a kangaroo pouch for your electronics, it has it's own electrical system for either charging gadgets or powering it's speaker system. The case made of honeycombed aluminum converts into a chair that can hold up to 300 lbs. Cost: between 595 and 795 GPB (based on options)





Details, tech specifications, and order via Travelteq:
www.travelteq.com

Land yacht...

If you want your support vehicle to match the decor of your yacht, you might want to talk to German tuning company Startech. Their 'Land Rover Defender 90 - Yachting Edition' adds nautical styling queues to the classic off road vehicle. Touches include teak deck interior, illuminated running boards, and navy blue interior leather.







Details and photos via Autoblog:
www.autoblog.com

Suite...

In Paris,, the Seven Hotel is offering the '007 Suite'. Room features include a private turkish bath, mood fragrances, and retro chic styling. The hotel is located in the Latin Quarter. Cost: 485 EUR





The Seven Hotel homesite:
www.sevenhotelparis.com

Ex Libris...

Every Playboy from 1953 to 2010 - available in digital format on a branded hard drive. Really. Cost: 300 USD



Available from Playboy Archive:
www.playboyarchive.com

EBay...

If you're looking for an interesting holiday gift to bid on - consider this: 'The HMS Invincible'. For as little as 1.5 million, you could have your own aircraft carrier. Built for Harrier Jump Jets (not included), the original cost was in the billions. Houses 22 jets. Quite a bargain, really.



Details and bidding via Edisposals:
edisposals.com

Cutting corners...

If you're planning on skiing some difficult slopes this year, you might want to check out these: The 'Nezza' (blade) carbon fiber composite skis from Zai. Working out of an old monastery in Switzerland, the company has created a 173 centimeter ski that only weighs 3.1 pounds. Cost: about 7,000 USD.





Details from Zia;
zai.ch

A hole in the ground...

A Russian company has announced rather ambitious plans to dome over the abandoned Mir Diamond Mine in Siberia - creating a city for 100,000 people. 'Eco-city 2020' would be situated in the second largest man-made hole (a quarter mile wide, and over 1,700 feet deep)




Sketches from the designer AB Elise:
www.el-ab.ru/comp/comp1.php?lang=en#no

Drinking and driving...

'The Aston Martin Club Lounge' is newly opened in Singapore. A private club, it's theme is the history of the famed auto. For cocktails - Bollinger champagne and Macallan whiskey, of course.





Read more about it via luxury insider:
www.luxury-insider.com

Hardly...

Deflexion is a very interesting material. It's a textile that's soft and supple - normally - but when it's struck, it turns into 'armor'. Then it returns to being a fabric.





A quick primer on Deflexion via Core77:
www.core77.com

Remotely possible...

The 'Mega Hurtz' tactical robotic platform is available with many options - lasers, lethal and non-lethal weapons, night vision.. But really, the chassis itself is quite capable - it can tow a hummer or knock down a wall. The perfect holiday gift for the guy who has everything.




Details via 'InspectorBots':
inspectorbots.com

Going big...

The house of Buben & Zorweg has long been known as an excellent maker of mechanical clocks. Their latest project is a humidor - the 'Grand Connoiseur'. The giant cabinet stands 5 foot six inches tall, and store up to 1,000 cigars. High tech touches include a state of the art humidification system, automated anti-contamination measures, LED lighting, and a high tech locking system.




Details and photos via SuperYacht Design:
www.superyachtdesign.com

Graphic story...

If you're looking for a lively read, you might check out 'Ninja Attack! True Tales of Assassins, Samurai, and Outlaws'. Illustrated in a graphic style - it's a factual account of ninja lore and techniques. Authored by Hiroko Yoda - Cost: about 15 USD




Available from Amazon:
amazon.com

A bit of the bubbly...

Pierre Stephane Dumas has designed a series of 'bubble tents' - large, clear luxury tents for spending quality time in the forrest. The various sizes and shapes include a wide variety of amenities - including some that are frosted for the more modest. Rental and purchase options are available Cost: about 600 USD for rent, about 11,000 USD for purchase



Details and photos via 'Geekologie':
www.geekologie.com

Playing with fire...

'Horus' is the name of a collection of fireplaces by Fontana Forni. 'The Tetris' is fireplace comprised of interlocking pieces that double as furniture - re-stacking as needed for seating close to the flame.





Translated page via Giornoidea:
giornoidea.com

Boat house...

The 'Aquaminium' waterfront complex might be the perfect place to keep an eye on your yacht. Located in southern Thailand, the homes include a float in garage for storage. The berth is large enough for a 12 meter boat. Other household amenities include a home theatre, bar, waterfall jacuzzi, and hydrotherapy area. Fifteen units have been built on Phang Nga Bay.







Photos, details, and pricing via the Aquaminium site:
aquaminium.royalphuketmarina.com

Chemical free...

Scientists working at the University of South Carolina have discovered a way to detect blood without using chemicals. High speed pulses of infrared light are screened for different wavelengths and isolated. Saving time and no messy sprays.




Read more about it via New Scientist:
www.newscientist.com

Fizz...

If you're wondering what to do with the rather popular St Germaine Elderflower Liqueur that seems to be showing up everywhere - you might try this simple recipe for your Bond Girl:



St-Germain Cocktail

Ingredients:
2 parts champagne or dry sparkling white wine
1.5 parts St-Germain
2 parts club soda

Show us...

The 'Replay XD' is a tiny camera that is self contained - perfect for action extreme sports, or recording those conversations you'd like to review later. It will run for 110 minutes on a single charge. Extremely easy to use, and very rugged. Cost: 190 USD.






Details and Tech Specs from Replay:
replayxd.com

Cufflink Upgrade...

Earlier, USB cufflinks were announced. Now, we have Robert Graham fashion cufflinks - with more storage. That's right, 4 Gig of storage right at your fingertips - in fashion colors. Cost: 228 USD






Available from Cufflinks.com:
www.cufflinks.com

It never happened...

Scientists working at Johns Hopkins University have isolated a protein used to store memories of traumatic events in mice. The protein can be neutralized if intercepted quickly - effectively erasing the traumatic event.



Read more about it via Kurtzweil AI:
www.kurzweilai.net/how-to-erase-memory

On the drawing board...

Currently in design, the 'Beluga Yacht' is a pretty interesting concept. Designed by Pursang, the glass and steel superyacht is planned to have quite a list of features: a whiskey bar, extendable balconies, a turkish bath, a gym, greenhouse... really, the list just goes on.




Renderings via 'Funtasticus':
www.funtasticus.com

Spy shirt...

The 'spy shirt' that is actually... a spy shirt. This t-shirt has a built in, functioning spy camera - hidden in the camera of the artwork on the shirt. Genius? Silly? You make the call. Cost: 40 USD





'Spy Shirt' from ThinkGeek:
www.thinkgeek.com

Super saber...

With the holidays approaching, you might be wondering if your champagne sabering skills are up to par. Mumm's is offering a modern saber and a starter bottle of cordon rouge to get you started. Cost: 600 EUR.



Available from the stylish 'Colette' of Paris:
www.colette.fr

Extended edition...

A conversion kit for extending your pistol into a rifle. Coming soon from HERA Arms.






Additional pictures from HERA (English and German):
www.hera-arms.com

entrenched...

If you're looking for a new trench coat, you might check out the 2010 models from Aspesi. The Milanese designer has been making them since the 1990's - the newest models have some subtle military style built in. Cost: about 690 USD.



Info and order from 'the corner':
www.thecorner.com

Lighten up...

If you're backgammon set is weighing you down, you might consider the a full carbon fiber set from Carbofan. This limited edition (only 99 will be made) set is a high tech work of art. Cost: about 25,000 USD







Details and photos from Carbofan:
sh-engineering.eu/carbofan/#

Shoot off...

'Bang! Lights out!' is a design lamp from the Japanese design team bitplay. The lamp is accompanied by a pistol shaped control unit - when it's turned off - the lamp shade tilts as if it's been shot. So much cooler than a 'clapper'.





Details via 'The Daily What':
thedailywh.at