The new monster...

The Ducati Monster 1100s is the newest member of the monster family. The 1100cc Desmodromic L-twin engine is strapped to a lightweight frame offering extreme performance. The fuel tank has removable outer skins which allows for changing the look of the bike. Cost: about 12,000 USD




The Ducati Monster site:
www.monster.ducati.com

Kid's Stuff...

A trivia question: Does the CIA website have a children's page? Of course they do. Hours of fun for the youngsters. The 'Aerial Analysis Challenge' is fun, though...





The Children's Area of the CIA Website:
www.cia.gov/kids-page

Badges?

Here's a rather sneaky hidden camera: 'The Pass Card Camera'. Hidden inside the holder for a security badge, this USB attachable camera can record audio, stills, and short videos. All while hidden in plain sight. Cost: about 179 USD.




The Pass Card Camera from Brando:
gadget.brando.com.hk

Another Zeppelin tour...

One of the airships from 'Airship Ventures' has a new home - in San Francisco. Starting in November, you'll be able to make a spectacular scenic view of the Bay Area by Zeppelin. The airship holds 12 passengers. A one hour flight will cost about 500 USD.




More info from Gadling:
www.gadling.com




The story of 'Airship Ventures':
www.airshipventures.com

Light drinks...

The iBar system makes it easy to find your drink while at a bar, and does other strange a glowing interactive stuff. Practical uses include flagging the bartender when you're empty, and using foreign objects to simulate fighter jet formations on the bar counter.








More info from the IBar site:
www.i-bar.ch/en

No Frills...

A company called Copenhagen Suborbitals has an idea of how to get you into space - in the nosecone of a missile. The somewhat claustrophobic plan calls for stuffing a single rider into a small capsule for a quick ride and return. Sounds simple. What could go wrong?







Read a bit more via Uberreview:
www.uberreview.com

East and West...

If your traveling to Hong Kong, you might like to check out the newly opened 'W Hotel'. This latest opening of the boutique hotel chain is located in West Kowloon - near the financial district. The rather amazing interior brings a bit of unexpected New York style to the region. The hotel also features a rooftop pool with panoramic city views.





Pictures and details from the W site:
www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels

3..2..1...

Fireworks can be a lot of fun - but they can be dangerous, too. Many people have spilled their drinks while running away from a lit fuse. That's where 'Launch Kontrol' can help. A remote control set of igniters to be attached to your standard fireworks. You can launch in sequence from the safety and comfort of your lawn chair. Cost: about 20 GBP.




'Launch Kontrol' via Maplin.com:
www.maplin.co.uk

Cold War Classics...

Here's a Cold War Classic: 'The Hollow Coin'. Coins that have been tooled to have a hollow space inside them - and a pinhole used to push the two sides apart. There's just enough space inside to put some microfilm (or now-a-days, a micro SD card). Cost: 20 to 70 USD.






Available from 'Spy Coins':
spy-coins.com

All in one...

Every now and again, it's fun to check in on how shrinking electronics are progressing. Here's a great example: a ping pong ball sized camera that is self contained, and includes a DVR - all in one package. It uses an SD card for storage and can be installed in seconds, to be retrieved later. On sale at the moment for 260 USD.





Ping Pong Ball camera from Spyville:
spyville.com

Dropping in...

Wondering how to get party supplies to a remote location? You may be interested in this: 'The Gigafly' delivery system. A robotic guided parachute system with the wingspan nearly the size of a jumbo jet. Equipment can be dropped from a high altitude and guided to targeted locations.






Read a bit more about it via 'The Register':
www.theregister.co.uk

Special edition...

The folks at Jaguar have cooked up a special edition of the XK model - the 'XKR-S'. Available only in Europe, this limited run of 200 sports package coupes have a few sporty extras to turn heads. Using a supercharged 4.2 Litre V8, this model can rocket from 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. Cost: about 90,000 USD.




More statistics and pictures via the Jaguar site:
www.jaguar.com

Meet Mr. Steele...

R. Don Steele has spent a long time thinking about women - more specifically, how men and women interact. There are a lot of hucksters out there purporting to help men figure out women and relationships. Mr. Steele is the real deal. He's written a few books on the subject, and offers online support to guys that need a little extra help.





The rather earthy website of R. Don Steele:
www.steelballs.com

At your finger tips...

If you're in a chilly environment, and need to use your tech toys, you might find these interesting: 'The Freehand Gloves'. The index finger and thumb tips pull off and fold back to allow for easy texting and delicate work. Small magnets keep the tips from flopping around while you're working. Cost: between 20 and 40 USD.




Details and Order from Freehands:
shop.freehands.com

Ask a deer...

There have been a lot of advances in hunting camouflage over the last couple of years. For the first time, someone has asked some of the deer what they think. A new camouflage designed has been tested by a panel of deer and designed more closely to how their eyes function.




Read a bit more about it via The New York Times Science page:
nytimes.com