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