Unsightly...

Having your TV screen disappear when not in use is always fun.. but, it's a little more difficult when it's a big screen. A really big screen. The guys at FlatLift and Corbel (Moscow) teamed up on a project to make a 103 inch Panasonic plasma screen retract into a cabinet using 24v servos. That's about 460 lbs. of TV screen. Very dramatic.




Details and contact info via FlatLift:
www.flatlift.net

Skills...

There are two skills that everyone is assumed to have: a) knowing how to 'hot wire' a car and b) knowing how to properly tap a telephone. Should your upbringing have missed those two, the folks at wired have them listed in their 'How To' section. You just never know.


How to hot wire a car:
howto.wired.com


How to tap a phone:
howto.wired.com

Clean fun...

Does your shower have enough psychedelic ambient light? If not, you might be interested in this - 'The Shower Lamp' by Christina Rubinetterie Containing 72 LED lamps, it can change colors to suit your mood.



Release info via Trendir:
www.trendir.com



Details (in English and Italian only):
www.cristinarubinetterie.com

Underground football...

Plans are on the drawing board for the world's first underground football stadium in Doha, Qatar. Called 'The Wall' -- or the more informal nickname 'the laptop' ... The plan is to be illuminated via lights embedded into architectural features. If all goes well, it could be open as early as 2010.




Drawings and details via the timesonline:
fantasyfootball.timesonline.co.uk

Carting around...

Austrian motorcycle maker KTM is making their first 'car' -- 'the KTM X Bow'. Not exactly street legal everywhere, it's a cross between a really big go-cart and a racing car. Made from a supercharged Audi TFSI engine - it will generate about 240 HP. With it's carbon fiber body, that will give it a 0-100 KPH in 3.9 seconds. Not bad for a go-cart. Cost: about 66,000 USD.


Info and specs via KTM:

www.ktm-x-bow.com

Racing lighters...

If your a big fan of both cigars and Italian sports cars, you might find these interesting: Tonino Lamborghini cigar lighters and cutters. Taking style cues from the car, these eye catching accessories are colorful and precision engineered. Cost: between 80 and 180 USD.



Info and order from LightersDirect:
www.lightersdirect.com

Very social...

Social networking sites are very popular, now the CIA, FBI and NSA have their own online virtual hangout. 'A-Space' is the YouTube / Facebook / MySpace of the spy guys. Hopefully with really good graphics.




Read a bit more from CNN (of all places):
www.cnn.com

Back to school...

College. James Bond College.

This site has hours of fun browsing on a wide variety of topics.
Movie triva, lifestyle tips, how to's, and an online store.




The online 'James Bond College':
www.jamesbondcollege.com

Quick drink...

The Veuve Clicquot folks have paired up again with Porsche Design. This time, to make a champagne bucket - but not an ordinary one... this has an 'emergency' button that will quickly chill a bottle for near immediate use. Still in prototype, the 'Icecube' - is expected to ship in 2009. Keep up the good work gentlemen.


Description and pictures via NOTCOT:
www.notcot.com

Dressed for mischief...

Here's a great multipurpose jacket: the 'Kitanica Mark IV'. Rugged construction includes a lot of pockets, a rifle pad for shooting, inserts for extra rib protection, and spine pads to help cushion falls. Comes in fashion colors: black, foliage, green, and digi-cammo. Cost: about 600 USD. Not dryer safe... because it might wreck the dryer.



Info and Order via Kitanica:
kitanica.com

Stick it...

Looking for a heavy duty OTF (out the front) knife? Check out the 'Benchmade Infidel OTF'. Dual internal springs make it extremely durable along with four heat treated locks to keep the blade in place when extended. The anodized handle has over sized controls making it easier to use while wearing gloves. Cost: about 380 USD.



The Infidel 3300 from Benchmade:
www.benchmade.com

Bubbles...

The Triton 1000 from US Submarines has quite a view. Since this two person sub's central feature is a large bowl, you get the full view of what's going on around you. The lightweight crafts aren't the most cost effective - they weigh in at about 1.6 million USD.




Technical specifications from US Submarines:
www.ussubs.com

Breathing faster...

You know how for some wines, it's important to let them breath? Well, you're a busy person - and you don't really have time for that. So, they've invented the 'Vinturi'. A wine Aerator that works using gravity and a 'pour through' spout. Problem solved. Cost: about 40 USD.




Read the physics behind it, and order via the Vinturi site:
www.vinturi.com

Fisticuffs...

Here's a cool option for workout gear - retro leather punching bag and old school boxing gloves from Seletti. They're good looking enough to leave laying around. Bag: about 350 USD - available from the stylish Conran Store.



The Conran Store online (USA site):

Punching Bag:
www.conranusa.com



Gloves:
www.conranusa.com

Taking a long shot...

Taking those tricky aerial videos has gotten a lot easier with the new Draganflyer X6. A carbon bodied platform with six rotors on three arms, it can be loaded with a variety of HD, low light, thermal, or night vision cameras. The whole thing tucks into military grade carrying case. Great for surveying, building fly thru videos, or just annoying the neighbor's cat.



Details and video from Draganfly:
www.draganfly.com