Quick sketch...

If you're a fan of plotting things out on good old fashioned paper, you're in luck. The 'Inkling' will help convert your drawings to computer files. A small clip on attachment works with a pen - to scan and store while you're working by hand. Later downloading supports many different file format options. Cost: 200 USD - available from WaCom






Details from WaCom:
www.wacom.com/en/Products/Inkling

Hanging with the Nymph...

Great news. If you're wanting to use Sir Richard Branson' submarine - you can. While on holiday at Necker Island, you can rent the mini-sub, 'The Nymph'. Cost: 2,500 USD per day.







Details via Virgin:
www.neckerbelle.virgin.com

Tough punch...

If you're looking for a cigar punch that will last for a very long time, you might like 'The TI Cigar Punch'. Machined from a single piece of titanium, it will take a great deal of punishment. Cost: 185 USD









Available from Artistry in Titanium:
artistryintitanium.com/Ti_Cigar_Punch.php

Treasure map...

The 'Earth Pendant' from Fluid Forms takes a location, and turns it's topological map into a piece of jewelry. A perfect gift for a Bond Girl. Cost: 330 EUR.









Info and Order via Fluid Forms:
www.fluid-forms.com

The eyes have it...

It's finally possible to get iris based biometric scanning in an inexpensive and portable way. The 'EyeLock' system is USB attachable, and will provide identification using the protein bars (the color area) of the eyes. Cost: about 100 USD.








Info and video via EyeLock:
www.eyelock.com

It's an old secret...

If you're a fan of mysterious history, you might want to check out the newest from Henry Steven - ' Dark Star'. It's an extremely well researched accounting of 'The Hidden History of German Secret Bases, Flying Disks, and U-boats'. You will be amazed.










Available from Amazon and Adventures Unlimited Press:
www.adventuresunlimitedpress.com

Night lights...

'The City Lights Globe' looks like a normal globe in daylight, but in dim light internal LEDs reveal the world's cities. The 10 inch globe rotates on a mirrored base. Cost: 90 USD







Available from Hammacher Schlemmer:
hammacher.com

Hooked on savings...

Tired of those fancy, expensive name brand grappling hook launchers? You can build your own using a fire extinguisher and gear from the local hardware store. Detail instructions and video via Instructables.







Building your own grappling hook launcher via Instructables:
www.instructables.com

Posting guards...

Send a subtle message to your neighbors with these 'Combat Garden Gnomes'. Available unpainted in either M-16 or AK47. Cost: 15-25 USD (depending on shipping location)







Available via Etsy:
www.etsy.com

Take a good look...

Available soon from Sony - the 'Dev-5 Digital Binoculars'. These high end binoculars will include 20x zoom, digital recording (2D and 3D), electronic stabilization, autofocus, and on board GPS. They're almost magical. Cost: about 2000 USD.







Read more via DesignBoom:
www.designboom.com

A bigger bang...

The United States Office of Naval Research has been working hard to make things explode in a much bigger way. They've developed a class of materials called HDRM - High Density Reactive Materials - making the entire structure of ordinance explode. That would give projectiles a boost of up to five times it's current 'explosiveness'.







Read more about it via The BBC:
www.bbc.co.uk

Your papers, please...

If you're looking for a stylish way to organize your travel documents, you might like the 'NDC Document Holder'. Handmade of Tuscan leather, there are marked tabs for all of your travel papers. Cost: 385 USD









Details and order via The Corner:
www.thecorner.com

Big plans...

This plan sounds vaguely familiar - a 500 Million dollar floating resort off the shore of Qatar. The 'Amphibious 1000' is an extremely ambitious plan of a futuristic semi-submerged floating resort. It should be ready in time for the World Cup. Fingers crossed.






Story and Renderings via Brosome:
brosome.com

Getting warmer...

If you're using a keypad for a security device, you might consider this: It's possible to glean the numbers using a thermal camera. Should someone come upon the device shortly after inputting the security code, you can check the heat signature and figure out the numbers, and if you're good, the sequence based on the heat signature.









Download the detailed PDF describing the process via UseNix:
www.usenix.org/events/woot11/tech/final_files/Mowery.pdf

New pets...

There's something beautiful and slightly menacing about jellyfish. Now you can enjoy them on your desktop with 'The Jellyfish Tank'. The handsome tank made by Jellyfish Art comes with filtration and interesting LED lighting. Cost: about 350 USD.






Read more via Jellyfish Art:
www.jellyfishart.com

Catching a ride...

If you've seen those movies where a car crashes through a security barrier, they we not using the 'Barrier1 Arrestor System'. The net based system can be quickly deployed and stops rather large vehicles in a very dramatic way.








Enjoy the sample video at Barrier1:
www.barrier1.us

Beyond Panamara...

Here are a few design studies for a possible future electric Porsche 929. Designs by Julliana Cho retain the styling queues of current designs - but extend to future possibilities as well. The future looks interesting.






Porsche 929 designs via Yanko Designs:
www.yankodesign.com

Hasty retreat...

If you're looking for a quick get away, you might consider the slightly dangerous 'Scarpar e-PSB Model X-3000'. The all terrain electric skateboard hybrid can climb steep angles, produce up to 14nm of torque, and top end at 28 mph. Cost: 3,799 USD.




Details and pre-order via ScarPar:
www.scarpar.com

Squashed...

If you've ever wondered what the G-force feels like in an F1, you might visit 'Ferrari World' in Abu Dhabi. There, you could ride the Formula Rossa roller coaster - the world's fastest. The ride can generate up to 1.7 G's as it goes from 0 to 200 kph in 2 seconds. Fun and educational.








Read more about it (and other attractions) via Ferrari World:
www.ferrariworldabudhabi.com

Meet Yuki...

If you're looking for a little 'retro spy fun'.. Check out Yuki 7 and the Gadget Girls. Created by artist Kevin Dart, Yuki's animated antics combine action story lines with period soundtracks. The new book 'Looks That Kill' contains artwork and a dvd of animation. Cost: 30 USD







Order and view the video trailer via the Yuki 7 site:
www.yuki-7.com

Pod people...

The next time you're at Heathrow Airport, you might notice something a little different - autonomous robotic pods for instance. The ULTra PRT pods are moving passengers out to the business parking areas from terminal 5. They're 'called' from a kiosk - and work without a driver.






Read more about it via the New York Times:
wheels.blogs.nytimes.com

Drones at home...

Hacking is one thing, but drone assisted hacking is quite another. At a recent conference, hackers describe using a home made drone to 'sniff' wireless traffic using (more or less) off the shelf gear. Cost: about 6,000 USD.







Read more about it via Wired/Threat Level:
www.wired.com/threatlevel/2011/08/blackhat-drone

Finding a watering hole...

If you're looking for a good bar, you might check out 'The World's Best Bars' - a website dedicated to helping you find the best places to hang out around the world.








The homesite of 'The World's Best Bars':
www.worldsbestbars.com

Very disarming...

Very often, 'gun disarm' techniques are sketchy at best. Follow the below link for a Krav Maga disarm that is rather thoughtful.







www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1y7VZ9BQxY

Take the Moon...

If you'd like a little lunar inspiration in your home, you might like to chat with the folks at in-es artdesign. They have an entire collection of lunar themed lights in various configurations.








'The Luna Collection' via In Es ArtDesign (English and Italian)
www.in-es.com/collezioni.php

Ski patrol...

The US Navy has a little extra help these days, the 'BlackFish Robotic JetSki'. The robot built on top a JetSki chassis can be used for surveillance or an optional weapons package.






Read more about it via Discovery:
news.disovery.com

Combination rocks...

Here's a bit of a new spin on an old idea - 'The RocLok Hide A Key'. Similar to those old fake rocks with a hiding place in it - except this one has a combination lock built into it. Additionally, they're cast from actual rocks for a more realistic look. Cost: about 70 USD.







Info and order from RocLok:
www.roclok.com

Time for directions...

Coming soon from Porsche Design, the 'P6520 Compass Watch'. The upper part of the two part watch flips open to reveal a liquid filled compass. Cost: Still being determined.







News and details from Dexigner:
www.dexigner.com/news/23531

21 Gun salute...

If you're looking for a creative use of someone's ashes, you might consider packing them into bullets. The folks at 'Holy Smoke' will pack cremated ashes into shotgun shells (optionally, rifle or pistol cartridges). Cost: 1,250 USD







Read more about it via Helablog:
helablog.com

Thick skull...

Don't be surprised if you find one of these in the next evil lair that you visit: 'The Sensory Deprivation Skull Chair'. Made by Atelier van Lieshout, it would be the perfect place to hatch a plan.






Details from ChairBlog:
www.chairblog.eu

Downstairs...

If putting a wine cellar in your home was an afterthought, you might chat with the guys at 'Spiral Cellars'. Their prefabricated spiral wine cellars can be installed under a trap door in your home in 5 to 9 days. Storage for up to 1,900 bottles. Cost: about 22,000 dollars.





Details from Spiral Cellars:
www.spiralcellars.co.uk