Look at that...

The endlessly useful iPhone can also be used as a low power microscope very inexpensively. The 'Mini Microscope' from ThinkGeek will give you a 60x magnification for the cost of only 30 USD. Quite a bargain.

The Mini Microscope from ThinkGeek:

www.thinkgeek.com/product/ee1d

Rugged pair...

The 'Gator Combo Ax' is a winning combination - a rugged stainless steel ax, paired with a utility knife. Both have textured rubber grips - and as an added bonus, the knife slides into the ax hilt to store it. Cost: 45 USD

Info and order via Gerber:

www.gerbergear.com

Proxy...

When you can't be there in person, you'll soon be able to send your robot proxy. The 'double' from Double Robotics is an iPad controlled system that can move about on a 'segway like' chassis. Cost: about 2000 USD

Video and order via Double Robotics:

http://www.doublerobotics.com

At the club...

The 'Atlanta Motorsports Park & Track' has now opened north of Atlanta. There are many amenities - but, the most notable is the course designed by famed F1 architect Hermann Tilke. Membership costs range from 2,500 to 50,000 USD.

Read mor about it via the Atlanta Motorsport Website:

http://www.atlantamotorsportspark.com

Just chill...

Bodum has added an iced coffee maker to it's arsenal of brewing machines. 'The Iced Coffee Maker' sits quietly in your fridge for 12-24 hours, producing a very smooth cup of cold coffee. Cost: 45 USD

Available from Bodum:

www.bodum.com

SPF 1 Million...

A breakthrough announced at the American Chemical Society describes a new camouflage face paint the doubles as protection from heat blasts. Future applications may include help for fire fighters and coating for products such as tents. Read more about it via the ACS website:

portal.acs.org

Off the beaten path...

The minimalist website 'The Common Pursuit' catalogs an excellent selection of hotel choices that may not immediately leap to mind.

Research more via 'The Common Pursuit':

www.thecommonpursuit.com

Speeder...

The Aerofex hover vehicle looks a bit like the 'Speeder' bikes from the Star Wars movies. Currently the test vehicle uses a pair of ducted fans for lift, and a combination of body weight and steer bars to maneuver.

Read more about it via Yahoo:

news.yahoo.com Or watch a test flight via YouTube:

youtu.be/akA-B64RACU

Enhanced...

The BMW Z4 is a beautiful car, now the Zagato Group has put their touch on it. The Zagato Roadster was unveiled at this year's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in California. BMW is taking some of the styling queues to heart.

Photos via AutoEvolution:

www.autoevolution.com

Flying solo...

The 'GEN H-4' is a one man helicopter invented by 75 year old Gennai Yanagisawa of Japan. The 165 pound craft uses two counter rotating blades in a tilting assembly.

Watch the GEN H-4 in flight via YouTube:

youtu.be/nh2Ym7ehb8k

Shaken...

'The Gentleman's Guide to Cocktails' will answer all your questions about classic cocktails. Written by Alfred Tong, this small hardback zeros in on those timeless retro drinks that will be a hit at your next party. Cost: about 18 USD

Available from Amazon in October:

www.amazon.com

Roll call...

There are plenty of drones filling the skies these days - the gents at the Danger Room have been kind enough to catalog the latest from the US, UK, India, Israel, and China.

Plenty of reading from The Danger Room:

www.wired.com

Sensor array...

Soon you will be able to have a variety of extremely sensitive sensors attached to your iPhone. The 'Lapka' set of sensors will probe for ions, humidity, nitrates, radiation, and many other environmental factors. The application will allow them to be mapped over time. All this is housed in a tiny, attractive package. Available this fall.

Read more about it via My Lapka:

http://mylapka.com

Tall ones...

'Spy the Lie' is a new book written by former CIA officers offering entertaining and practical advice on how to spot a liar. Cost: 16 USD

Available from Amazon (book and kindle versions):

amazon.com

Using the clone tool...

The Imagineers at Disney have been pondering the best way to make animatronic robots. Using a technique they call 'physical face cloning', it is possible to realistically recreate a person's facial attributes and movement on a robot.

Watch the video via Disney Research:

www.disneyresearch.com