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