Look at that...

The endlessly useful iPhone can also be used as a low power microscope very inexpensively. The 'Mini Microscope' from ThinkGeek will give you a 60x magnification for the cost of only 30 USD. Quite a bargain.

The Mini Microscope from ThinkGeek:

www.thinkgeek.com/product/ee1d

Rugged pair...

The 'Gator Combo Ax' is a winning combination - a rugged stainless steel ax, paired with a utility knife. Both have textured rubber grips - and as an added bonus, the knife slides into the ax hilt to store it. Cost: 45 USD

Info and order via Gerber:

www.gerbergear.com

Proxy...

When you can't be there in person, you'll soon be able to send your robot proxy. The 'double' from Double Robotics is an iPad controlled system that can move about on a 'segway like' chassis. Cost: about 2000 USD

Video and order via Double Robotics:

http://www.doublerobotics.com

At the club...

The 'Atlanta Motorsports Park & Track' has now opened north of Atlanta. There are many amenities - but, the most notable is the course designed by famed F1 architect Hermann Tilke. Membership costs range from 2,500 to 50,000 USD.

Read mor about it via the Atlanta Motorsport Website:

http://www.atlantamotorsportspark.com

Just chill...

Bodum has added an iced coffee maker to it's arsenal of brewing machines. 'The Iced Coffee Maker' sits quietly in your fridge for 12-24 hours, producing a very smooth cup of cold coffee. Cost: 45 USD

Available from Bodum:

www.bodum.com

SPF 1 Million...

A breakthrough announced at the American Chemical Society describes a new camouflage face paint the doubles as protection from heat blasts. Future applications may include help for fire fighters and coating for products such as tents. Read more about it via the ACS website:

portal.acs.org

Off the beaten path...

The minimalist website 'The Common Pursuit' catalogs an excellent selection of hotel choices that may not immediately leap to mind.

Research more via 'The Common Pursuit':

www.thecommonpursuit.com

Speeder...

The Aerofex hover vehicle looks a bit like the 'Speeder' bikes from the Star Wars movies. Currently the test vehicle uses a pair of ducted fans for lift, and a combination of body weight and steer bars to maneuver.

Read more about it via Yahoo:

news.yahoo.com Or watch a test flight via YouTube:

youtu.be/akA-B64RACU

Enhanced...

The BMW Z4 is a beautiful car, now the Zagato Group has put their touch on it. The Zagato Roadster was unveiled at this year's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in California. BMW is taking some of the styling queues to heart.

Photos via AutoEvolution:

www.autoevolution.com

Flying solo...

The 'GEN H-4' is a one man helicopter invented by 75 year old Gennai Yanagisawa of Japan. The 165 pound craft uses two counter rotating blades in a tilting assembly.

Watch the GEN H-4 in flight via YouTube:

youtu.be/nh2Ym7ehb8k

Shaken...

'The Gentleman's Guide to Cocktails' will answer all your questions about classic cocktails. Written by Alfred Tong, this small hardback zeros in on those timeless retro drinks that will be a hit at your next party. Cost: about 18 USD

Available from Amazon in October:

www.amazon.com

Roll call...

There are plenty of drones filling the skies these days - the gents at the Danger Room have been kind enough to catalog the latest from the US, UK, India, Israel, and China.

Plenty of reading from The Danger Room:

www.wired.com

Sensor array...

Soon you will be able to have a variety of extremely sensitive sensors attached to your iPhone. The 'Lapka' set of sensors will probe for ions, humidity, nitrates, radiation, and many other environmental factors. The application will allow them to be mapped over time. All this is housed in a tiny, attractive package. Available this fall.

Read more about it via My Lapka:

http://mylapka.com

Tall ones...

'Spy the Lie' is a new book written by former CIA officers offering entertaining and practical advice on how to spot a liar. Cost: 16 USD

Available from Amazon (book and kindle versions):

amazon.com

Using the clone tool...

The Imagineers at Disney have been pondering the best way to make animatronic robots. Using a technique they call 'physical face cloning', it is possible to realistically recreate a person's facial attributes and movement on a robot.

Watch the video via Disney Research:

www.disneyresearch.com

Water tanks...

DARPA is working on a new mode of amphibious vehicle - the 'CAAT' Captive Air Amphibious Transporter. Using wide, air filled paddles, the tank like vehicle can walk over marshy areas even humans bog down in.

Read more about it via DARPA:

www.darpa.mil

Winter is coming...

Victorinox has an option for those wanting to keep warm, but look smart while doing so - the Leiden Insulated Blazer. The update to the standard blazer has a proprietary shell, insulation, and plenty of pockets to stash gear in. Cost: 395 USD.

Available from Victorinox:

www.swissarmy.com

Burley...

The 'Evade' is made by Conquest Vehicles - based on a based on a Ford F550 Super Duty Chassis. It offers a little less armored protection than it's sibling vehicles - but comes with a variety of interesting options (FLIR imaging systems, joystick controlled floodlights, etc) Cost: 579,000 USD.

Read more about it via Conquest:

www.conquestvehicles.com/evade.html

You've been burned...

'Burner' is a clever iPhone app that lets one temporarily use a redirected number - it's functional for forwarding SMS messages and phone calls, while protecting your real number - like a virtual burner phone. Cost: 2 USD for the App. Very sneaky.

Available from iTunes:

itunes.apple.com

Hanging with the roadies...

You can enjoy a guilt free drink off the 'Roadie' drink cart mini bar. The eco-friendly wooden cart is made by 'Tree' the first eco-friendly furniture house in Hong Kong.

Read more about it via Luxury Insider:

www.luxury-insider.com

Or visit Tree:

www.tree.com.hk

Charge it...

Coming soon, Bushnell will be launching their 'PowerSync' line of portable power units. The units will be able to be pre-charged, then refreshed using solar power. The recharge cycle is reported to be only a couple of hours. Available in January.

Read more via Outdoor Hub:

www.outdoorhub.com

It's the little things...

Fans of the classic Ray Ban Sunglasses can get a gentile upgrade with the new 'Justin' model. Similar to the classic, but with a rubberized finish, and a gradient lens treatment - there's just enough to make them modern while keeping the old school charm. Cost: 110 USD

Available from Ray Ban:

www.ray-ban.com/usa/sunglasses/rb4165/601-8g

Crush proof...

For those who'd rather backup to hardware, there's the 'RuggedKey'. The USB 3.0 Key can withstand a 100 meter drop, and supports AES 256 bit encryption. Cost: starts at 40 USD

Available from LaCie:

www.lacie.com

Pumped up...

Michael Mercier is rather enthusiastic about hovercrafts. He's working on a sporty prototype that could easily be put into production. If all goes well, he'll hand build you one of these very soon.

Read more about it via Mercier-Jones:

www.mercier-jones.com

Armed...

In need of a house warming gift for an underwater lair? Consider the 'Octo-labra'. The octopus shaped candle holder holds 4 tapers and is made of pewter. Cost: 785 USD. (and yes, there's a octopus punch bowl to match...)

Available from The Source Collection:

catalog.sourcecollection.com

A stunning phone call...

The 'Yellow Jacket' will be the first combination iPhone case and stun weapon. The case will be able to deliver 650Kv stuns, and the additional battery can be used to keep your phone powered up. Anticipated Cost: 125 USD

Pre-order via Yellow Jacket:

www.yellowjacketcase.com

Relentless...

If you're thinking of splashing out on a new helicopter soon, you might want to wait for the new 'Bell 525 Relentless'. Announced at this year's HeliExpo, the medium lift commercial helicopter will be sporting many new refinements.

Read more about it via Bell's press release:

www.bellhelicopter.com

Google mapping the deep...

The National Oceanography Centre's robot submarine, 'The Autosub6000', has been quietly mapping parts of the ocean for a while now. Eventually, the entire ocean floor will be mapped.

Read more about it via The Next Web:

thenextweb.com

Fizzy...

While it's not a danger to anything but small breakables, the 'RPG 7 PET Bottle Launcher' might be just the thing for some summer fun. It can launch a soft drink bottle up to 115 feet. Cost: 361 USD

RPG7 PET Bottle Launcher via Technabob:

technabob.com