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