Black box...

The 'memoto' is a very small, very simple camera that keeps a record of your day. The digital camera works with software to organize your photos automatically - keeping a record of what you've been up to. Wonderful and terrible.

Read more about it via Memoto:

memoto.com

It's not a knife...

The 'HEST' (Hostile Environment Survival Tool) made by DPx does a lot more than your average knife. The multitool includes surfaces for prying, wire stripping, a hex driver, bottle opener, and more. Cost: 250 USD Ma

Info and order via DPx:

www.dpxgear.com/hest-2.php

Uplifting...

Scientists have created a small scale 'tractor beam' in the lab - using something called 'bessel beams' to attract small bits of dust. It's a start. Read more about it via New Scientist:

www.newscientist.com

And one more thing...

Just a bit more than a year since Steve Jobs passed on - his yacht that he was working on the 'One more thing' made an appearance in the Dutch city of Aalsmeer. The sleek minimalist yacht features an interior co-designed with Phillipe Starck.

More info and video via The Verge:

www.theverge.com

Keep an eye on that car...

The 'Hamilton Scotts Apartment' in Singapore has a lot of amenities - but one of the most interesting is the garage / elevator that is controlled via biometrics. The garage then becomes a visible part of the apartment. Cost: about 9 Million USD.

Details and video via Huffington Post:

www.huffingtonpost.ca

Pest control...

The 'GloveShot Slingshot' by Montie Gear is another great choice for a mountain pack. The compact slingshot fits over the hand braced with paracord. Cost: 189 USD

GloveShot by Montie Gear:

www.montiegear.com/Slingshot_Gloveshot.html http://www.montiegear.com/Slingshot_Gloveshot.html

Past perfect...

The design wizards at ICON in Los Angeles are getting ready for the upcoming SEMA show. They will be showing off the 'new' ICON D200, based on the 1965 D200 Dodge truck. With a few improvements, of course.

Photos and info via HiConsumption:

hiconsumption.com

Turn off that TV...

UPDATE: The CHAMP project (counter-electronics High-powered Microwave Advanced Missile Project) was recently tested in the Utah dessert. As the non-leathal missile passed it's target, it jammed all electronic targets - including the camera recording it's test.

Read more about it via Boeing:

www.boeing.com

Details, details...

Often, the media portrays surveillance video as being incredibly detailed. While normally reality is a bit lacking - the JPEG2000 HD Pro from Aviglon lives up to the hype. The 29 megapixel camera records at a clarity most security folks only wish for.

Details and simulation via Avigilon:

avigilon.com

Hotel hacking...

Hackers have published how to break into hotel rooms with card key entry systems. Using a circuit hidden in a harmless looking dry marker, it's possible to pick the electronic entry system.

Hotel hacking instructions and video via 'Wonder how to':

null-byte.wonderhowto.com

You don't say...

If you are rather serious about keeping your conversations (and text, etc) private on your iPhone, you might check out the app 'Silent Circle'. The service provides NSA level encryption for your iPhone. Cost: 20 USD per month

Read more about it via BuzzFeed:

www.buzzfeed.com

All a buzz...

Scientists at Harvard have been working for a few years on robot bees - or, 'RoboBees'. The tiny, powered robots could be used to pollinate or for military applications in the future.

Details and video via Spectrum:

spectrum.ieee.org

More details from Harvard:

robobees.seas.harvard.edu

Gotta run...

With the upcoming release of the 007 Skyfall movie, there's been a flurry of promotions, endorsements, and marketing hijinks. Follow the link for the rather amusing stunt done in cooperation with a soft drink brand.

70 Seconds of Bond via YouTube:

youtu.be/RDiZOnzajNU

Neither fish nor motorcycle...

UPDATE: The 'Sports Amphibians' will finally be available in North America starting next month. The recreational vehicle converts from jetski to quad runner in seconds. Cost: 40,000 USD

More info from Gibbs Sports:

www.gibbssports.com com http://www.gibbssports.com

Riding the rails...

The ONR (Office of Naval Research) is currently evaluating a couple of prototype electromagnetic rail guns. Rather than explosives, projectiles slide along rails propelled by electromagnets - at nearly 5,000 mph.

Read more about it via the ONR's site:

www.onr.navy.mil

The art of spying...

Painter James Hart Dyke was invited to spend a year with MI6 a few years back - to celebrate their 100th anniversary. That time together yielded some interesting fine art.

'A Year with MI6' via James Hart Dyke's site:

www.jameshartdyke.com

Heavily armed dolphins...

The Ukraine is restarting it's marine mammal training program - which is said to include attaching knives and pistols to the heads of dolphins. It's difficult to say which is more frightening - a shark, or an armed dolphin. Read more about it via The DangerRoom at Wired:

www.wired.com

Mission accomplished...

UPDATE: Starting a couple of years ago, the process for the Red Bull Stratos Jump from Outer Space began. Today, Felix Baumgartner jumped from the edge of space at 128,000 feet above the ground - breaking both the sound barrier and the world jump height record. Congratulations Felix.

Watch the jump via YouTube:

http://youtu.be/uGh64Xo4axc

The write cigar...

Omas and Habanos S.A. collaborated to produce a limited edition Cohiba fountain pen. The edition is limited to 1,966 pieces - 1,000 fountain pens, and 966 roller balls. Cost: from 1,300 USD

Read more via The Fountain Pen Network:

www.foutainpennetwork.com

Frank's place...

The former estate of Frank Sinatra in Palm Springs is available as a rental. The four bedroom, seven bathroom desert home has been restored to mid-century splendor - including the piano shaped swimming pool. Cost: 2,600 per night

Info via Beau Monde Villas:

beaumondevillas.com

You're being followed...

The 'Hop!' is a concept piece of luggage that will follow you around. The 'Hop!' will use a bluetooth connection to identify and stay in touch with the owner.

More info via UberGizmo:

www.ubergizmo.com

Concept video via CargoCollective:

cargocollective.com/ideactionary/hop

Read 'em like a book...

The 'Russian Criminal Tattoo Encyclopedia' (volume I and II) will have you reading ink in no time. The info was collected over years of being a 'prison attendant' by the author, Danzig Baldaev. Cost: 22 USD per volume.

Available from Amazon:

www.amazon.com

Antique saucers...

The US Air Force recently declassified documents describing plans for 1950's vintage flying saucers. 'Project 1794' was a vertical take off saucer shaped plane that anticipated speeds of up to mach 4. Of course, none of these ever existed...

Read more about it via The Danger Room:

www.wired.com

Ready kilowatt....

Boeing has been showing around their 'High Energy Laser Mobile Demonstrator' or HEL MD. The truck mounted 10 kilowatt laser system can be scaled up to even higher energy devices in the future.

Press release via Boeing:

boeing.mediaroom.com http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=2435

Fighting fire with...robots...

The 'Thermite RS1-T2' is a robot based on built on technology from the US Army. The compact robot can be used to fight fires in dangerous areas while sending information back to it's controllers. Cost: 98,000 USD

More info from Howe and Howe Technologies:

howeandhowe.com/thermite.php

Grand SLAM...

MIT continues to refine SLAM (simultaneous localization and mapping) by using a variety of hacked hardware and custom software. While passing through a building, the laser rangefinders and motion sensors can send information to a mapping program. Multiple passes of the building yields a more detailed map.

Read more and watch the video via MIT:

web.mit.edu

F is passing...

Last week, the Type F Jaguar was presented at the Paris Motor Show. The sleek update is the successor to the 'E' type, which was discontinued in 1974. Cost: 70,000 to 92,000 USD.

Photos and details via Wheels@ The New York Times:

wheels.blogs.nytimes.com

Mountain view....

Share your winter outdoor adventures with the 'Ion' googles. The embedded camera can capture a 170 degree view, recorded in HD at either 1080 or 720p. Cost: 400 USD

Available from Zeal Optics:

www.zealoptics.com/ion.html

That's rather gangster...

Paris fashion house Lanvin is offering the 'Gangster' briefcase. Styled after the money cases popular with casinos in the 60's, this version includes a few updates such as pouches for electronic gear. Cost: 1,595 EUR

Details via Lanvin:

www.lanvin.com

Under cover...

The Gents at 'Art of Manliness' have put together an excellent guide to 'Concealed Carry'. No unsightly bulges - just, well tailored hidden weapons.

The Stylish Man's Guide to Concealed Carry - via The Art of Manliness:

artofmanliness.com

Blocked call...

The 'Blokket Signal Blocking Phone Pocket' will keep your devices from talking to the outside world. The faraday cage pouch will block 99.7 percent of incoming radio waves. Cost: 24.95 USD.

Order via ThinkGeek:

www.thinkgeek.com