'Spy Party' is a new computer game. The object is to ascertain the spy at a party, and eliminate them. Here's the catch - you only have one shot. Currently in beta, the game is free.
Read more and download the beta via Spy Party:
Researchers at North Carolina State University have successfully modified a Kinect gaming system to 'drive' a wired insect. The 'biobot' receives input through a chip strapped to it's body while sending feedback to the gaming system.
Read more about it via NC State:
If earphones aren't your thing, you might check out the 'Cynaps' project - a baseball hat with an imbedded bone conduction headset. The set can be used for music, or communications. Cost: 80 USD
Read more about it via Max Virtual:
Strand Craft is working on a hydrofoil, hovercraft combination vehicle for use as a yacht tender. Cost: about 770,000 USD.
Concept drawings from Secret Projects:
The Walker Art Center has a project going to create difficult to read fonts - with the purpose of fooling optical character recognition. The idea being a person is able to read the message - but not a computer.
Read the story and watch the video via Walker Art:
Sabine Pearlman happened upon a trove of World War II ammunition - She has a photo exhibit of bisected ordinance, which is strangely mesmerizing.
View the gallery at Sabine Pearlman Photography:
The perfect driving gloves for your classic car might just be 'The Stringback Driving Gloves' from AutoDromo. Woven,open backs to keep you hands cool, while leather palms work perfectly with wooden steering wheels. Cost: 110 USD
Info and order from AutoDromo:
Clothing Arts makes a line of 'Pick Pocket Proof Pants'. Multiple layers of pockets, hidden zippers, and extra button flaps are enlisted to keeps your goods safe.
Info and order via Clothing Arts:
The 'T3 Tactical Auto Rescue Tool' can get you out of a car quickly. A window punch, seat belt cutter, and flashlight all in one small tool. Cost: 40 USD
Available from StatGear Tools:
Modern science has forged 'The Carbon Fiber Hammock Bathtub'. Perfect for hanging out. Available in several colors from SplinterWorks.
'The Vessel' from SplinterWorks:
The new 'BowMag' arrow head combines archery with shooting. The arrow head tip can contain either a .38 or a .357 casing.
Available from Rac-Em-Bac Arrowheads:
The watch making madmen at TokyoFlash have built 'The Kisai Intoxicated LCD Watch'. The LCD watch includes a breathalyzer. Cost: 99 USD.
Read more and order via TokyoFlash:
Researchers have discovered they can model the shape of a room by reading the minute echoes via a computer algorithm.
Read more about it via The BBC:
Italian design group Pininfarina has shaped many famous cars in the past. The 'Sergio' is a concept car that's been making the rounds at several auto shows lately. It seems they're going to build a few for sale. Five examples will be available at an estimated 2 Million USD.
Photos and info via Pinifarina:
Add a bit of gritty history to your favorite hangout with the '1940s Gymnasium Clock' Cost: 229 USD
Available from Restoration Hardware:
Switzerland's Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne has been thinking about the future of transport. Their 'Clip-Air' concept is for modular mass transit to be clipped into a large transit aircraft. Modules could include cargo, people carriers, or even train cars to be delivered remotely.
Read more about it and watch concept videos via Clip Air:
For many years, the 'Signals Intelligence Station' in Canada was the northern-most inhabited building. The 'weather station' was actually a joint listening post for Cold War intelligence gathering. The now declassified site has been documented in a film 'The Soniferous Aether'
Read more about it and watch the trailer via Wired:
Airbus is working on a prototype 'smart luggage' that can pair electronically with your smartphone. Alerts can be sent for locating, or intrusion detection.
Read more via The Verge:
Design firm 'Motion Code: Blue' has drawn up plans for a rather spectacular submarine yacht. The plan calls for a 377 foot (roughly the size of a Virginia Class Attack Sub) hull, and includes a few luxuries like a beach club, bar, bow patio, and so on.
Read more about it via Neatorama:
If the chaps at 'Top & Derby' are correct, canes are poised to make a big comeback. Useful as for self defense, climbing, or just as a fashion accessory, these updates of the classic walking stick certainly turn heads. Cost: 70 USD
Read more via IndieGoGo:
Anyone seeking some rest and relaxation while off the beaten path would do well to check out the 'Hotel Jested'. Located in the Czech Republic, this retro-future architectural wonder is the perfect place to get lost. Located in Liberic, just an hour or so from Prague.
Details from the Hotel Jested Site:
The 'Biltwell Gringo DOT Helmet' is a basic motorcycle helmet that gets the job done at a fair price, while looking good. Cost: 150 USD Available in flat black.
Info and order via BiltWell:
DARPA is having a hard time keeping up with technology, so they're enlisting a bit of 'off the shelf' help. Rather than develop everything from scratch, they're experimenting with using cell phone components as a part of their unattended ground sensors to reduce costs.
Read more about it via DARPA:
Sometimes speed is more important than comfort. The upcoming 'Saker S-1' is a personal two seater jet, based on military designs. The proposed top speed is .99 of Mach. Cost: 5-7 Million USD, Delivery in 2019
Read more about it via Saker:
Joint research teams at the University of Maryland and Stanford have put together a tiny drone that can land and 'stick' to walls.
Read more about it and watch a video of the drone in action via PopSci:
'Sonte Film' allows you to control a window's opacity with a smartphone. The film can be installed over existing windows, and controlled wirelessly via a simple application.
Read more about it via Sonte:
'Earl' is the first survival tablet designed to keep you out of trouble in the back country. Designed on an Android chassis - the table has an integrated solar charging system, uses E-Ink to keep power use down, and uses GPS/Sat-Nav to keep you on track. Cost: about 250 USD
Read more on the Earl site:
There's been a lot of buzz on the internet about 3D printing of guns - but, not much about ammo. Here's a story and video of a gent from Tennessee who's been printing up his own shotgun shells.
Read more about it via the DangerRoom:
Anyone looking for good single malts in the London area would do well to pop into 'The Vintage House' in Soho. Their impressive beverage offerings are accompanied by select cigars, as well. Cost: membership for the tasting den, 200 GBP
Info via Yelp:
