Off course...

Students in Texas 'spoofed' GPS information to an 80 million dollar yacht, slowly leading it off course without the crew realizing what was happening. Sneaky.

Read more and watch a video of the process via Chron:

blog.chron.com

Space shot...

A project on Kickstarter is planning to use kinetic energy to inexpensively launch objects into low earth orbit. Think of it as a really big, fancy slingshot.

Watch the video and read more about it via Kickstarter:

www.kickstarter.com

Back to Le Mans...

In celebration of Porsche's return to Le Mans in 2014, they're offering the 'Steve McQueen Racing Jacket'. Excellent retro styling with a special lining. Cost: about 500 USD

Info and order via Porsche:

porsche.com

Remote control...

Soon, you'll be able to monitor your home remotely, with minimal hassle. The 'Canary Home Security Device' is a small, stylish device that connects wirelessly to your home network. A phone app lets you access the device and see how things are going. Cost: 200 USD no monthly service fees.

Read more about it via Canary:

canary.is

Backfired...

An attempted assassination took place in South Africa using a car modified into a firearm. The car had a dozen 'shotguns' fitted into it's rear bumper - which fired at a man going into his place of business.

Read more about it via AutoBlog:

www.autoblog.com

Paying with your good looks...

Uniqul Oy, a company based in Finland, has developed a payment system based on facial recognition. Using military grade algorithms, no identification is needed - just a facial scan.

Read more about it via The Vending Times:

www.vendingtimes.com

Take out...

A sleek, minimalist hotel module was designed for private jets landing in Qatar. Rather than leaving to go a hotel, the hotel comes to you.

Read more about it via Autopia at Wired:

www.wired.com/autopia/2013/07/private-jet-hotel

Unappetizing...

The wizards at SAMS - Shark Attack Mitigation Systems - have developed a wetsuit that makes swimmers invisible to sharks. Using careful analysis of how shark vision systems work, their designs can be used to interrupt the final stage of an attack.

Read more about it via Shark Mitigation:

www.sharkmitigation.com

It's for the best...

The '8oz Flask and Waxed Canvas Case' is a handsome way to stash your favorite beverage. The pewter flask fills easily with the provided funnel, and tucks into the waxed bag for safe transport. Cost: 148 USD

Info and order from 'Best Made Company':

www.bestmadeco.com

Up link...

Scientists are working towards 'Smart Neural Dust' - low energy, extremely small sensors that can be embedded into human brains. The constant link could produce an artificial type of telepathy or telekinesis.

Read more about it via Extreme Tech:

www.extremetech.com

Make that a triple...

Chiappa Firearms is manufacturing a triple barrel 12 gauge shotgun. Three full 18.5 barrels, two side by side, and one above. Cost: 1,700 USD

Specs and order via Chiappa Firearms:

www.chiappafirearms.com/product/2629

Boot up...

'Krav Maga' is the preferred martial art of the Israeli Defense Forces. The gents at 'The Art of Manliness' have kindly put together a primer on the art and science of self defense. A quick and worthwhile read.

Krav Maga via 'The Art of Manliness':

www.artofmanliness.com

The alarm is the key...

The 'hit' personal alarm works on two fronts, an extra loud personal alarm, and the key holder turns an average key into a capable defense weapon. Cost: 20 EUR

Order via Unika:

unikia.com/hit-personal-alarm.html

Atlas shrugged...

Boston Dynamics, the maker of a multitude of robots, has unveiled 'Atlas' - a six foot prototype rescue robot. Designed as part of DARPA's robotic challenge, the humanoid robot is intended for difficult rescue mission such as nuclear core meltdowns.

Read more and watch a demo video via ExtremeTech:

www.extremetech.com

Hot rocks...

Change up your serving style with 'Steak Stones' - fashionable slabs of lava rock that heat in the oven, then fit into a serving tray. Cost: 136 USD

Info and order via Steak Stones:

www.steakstones.com

Cuss like a sailor...

You never know when you'll need to cuss in a foreign language - for those times, there's 'Essential Foreign Swearwords'. This tiny book will have you up and swearing in no time. Cost: 5 USD

Available from Amazon:

www.amazon.com

Back to the future...

The Kremlin is considering moving more information to paper documents, in light of all the recent electronic hijinks. They've recently acquired some very old-school electric typewriters.

Read more about it via The Telegraph:

www.telegraph.co.uk

Rotary club...

The 'Eurocopter X3 Hybrid Helicopter' broke a speed record last month. The turbo-prop powered helicopter surpassed 255 knots (300 mph) during a 40 minute flight in Southern France.

Read more about it via Eurocopter:

www.eurocopter.com

Wingmen...

In the not too distant future, individual fighter jets may be supported by their own wing of helper robot/drones. Advances in small, lightweight drones make this a near future reality.

Read an Airforce paper describing the tactic via Scribd.com:

www.scribd.com/doc/151185226/F-Pietrucha-pdf

Shuffling...

Take a creative thinking break in a stylish way with the 'Shuffleboard Table' from District MFG. High quality woods and powder coated metal make this a welcome addition to any group area. Cost: 5,200 USD

Info and order via DistrictMFG:

districtmfg.com

Goo...

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a 3D printing technology that can make free standing structures of liquid metal at room temperature.

Read more and watch a demo video via Fox8:

myfox8.com

Heads up...

The 'Garmin Head-Up Display' will help you keep your eyes where they belong... on the road. The small cradle will project information onto the inside of windshield, using data from your favorite phone applications. Cost: 130 USD

Info via Garmin:

buy.garmin.com

Dig it...

The 'M48 Tactical Shovel' is light-weight, nearly indestructible, and doubles as a weapon. Cost: 75 USD

Available from United Cutlery:

www.unitedcutlery.com

Getting lit...

This unexpected bar is hidden inside a '1920's German Lightbulb Testing Machine'. The repurposed iron sphere is a dramatic addition to any lair. Cost: 1995 USD

Available from Restoration Hardware:

www.restorationhardware.com

Other matters...

At the University of Michigan, they've modified a tabletop super laser into an 'anti-matter gun'. It's similar to the energy emitted from a super collider used for physics testing - but in the convenient travel size.

Read more about it via Engadget:

www.engadget.com

Off-Road...

The 'Watercar Panther' is the fastest amphibious car. The modified jeep chassis can switch from land to water, and back to off road in the same afternoon. Cost: 135,000 USD

Details from Watercar:

www.watercar.com

Spider-bot...

The 'T8' Spider-bot from Robugtix is a biologically inspired robot. Motion is provided by 26 small motors. It's movements realistically mimic an actual spider. Creepy. Cost: 1,350 USD

Info, order, and demo video via Robugix:

www.robugtix.com/t8

Past perfect...

The Borgo Egnazia Resort is that perfect blend of old and new - located on coast in the Puglia area of southern Italy. Local touches and modern design are blended to create a sublime getaway.

See the details via their homesite:

www.borgoegnazia.com/?lang=en

Squid power...

A German company has a prototype of an underwater propulsion unit based on squid-like jets. If it can be scaled up, it might lead the way to silent, jet powered watercraft. The prototype was created using a single pass of a 3D printer.

Read more via Fraunhofer:

www.fraunhofer.de

Heads up...

Scientists have determined that all the technical hurdles have been overcome for the first human head transplant. What could possibly go wrong there.

More information via the Next Big Future:

nextbigfuture.com