STUFF: News, Technology, the cool and the plain weird

[MIKA27]

Some People In Idaho Made Special Ammunition To Shoot Down Drones

Have you ever wanted to shoot a drone out of the sky but just didn’t have the right kind of bullets? You’re in luck, you violent-minded human, you. Snake River Shooting Products just started shipping its Drone Munition. “PREPARE FOR THE DRONE APOCALYPSE!”

The Idaho-based company says that the shotgun shells come with “high quality load that will effectively disable a drone encroaching your property’s airspace.” You should realise that shooting down a stranger’s drone might come with some legal consequences. That is, unless you do it in self defence. It’s unclear if what self defence will look like if the drone apocalypse does descend upon us in the near future. But maybe for new let’s not shoot robots out of the sky — unless you have a drone hunting licence, of course.

[MIKA27]

Here's A New Trailer For The Martian

There’s a new trailer out for The Martian, the Andy Weir sci-fi novel turned Matt Damon summer blockbuster. In it, we learn a lot more about astronaut Mark Watney’s plight on the red planet, and what everyone else in the solar system is doing to help him.

Just a quick note, by the way: to be honest, this is probably where you should stop watching trailers and teasers for this movie if you don’t want it spoiled for you. This particular trailer is pretty plot-heavy. Of course, if you’ve read the book or listened to the audiobook — which I highly recommend, by the way — then feel free to jump straight in.

[MIKA27]

'Holy Grail' Of Superconductors Could Revolutionise Electronics

The smell of rotten eggs may make you think of a nasty garbage can situation, but someday it could help power your high-speed trains. Hydrogen sulfide — the chemical compound that emits a powerful rotten egg smell — is a superconductor with enormous potential.

The compound conducts electricity with no resistance at temperatures as high as 203 kelvin ( — 70 °C), physicists reported in Nature this week.That means hydrogen sulfide is the highest-temperature superconductor known to man, besting the previous record-holder by about 40 ºC. And that matters because it’s a big step toward finding a room temperature superconductor, which could revolutionise electronics, making everyday electricity generation and transmission vastly more efficient.

Superconductors — materials that can channel electric current with no resistance — were first discovered in the early 20th century. They’re used in some of the most important technologies of the modern world, from MRI machines and particle accelerators to microwave ovens and mobile phones. But there’s one persistent problem: It takes extraordinarily low temperatures and lots of energy to form these magical materials. And some of the highest-temperature superconductors are unusual, expensive substances. An exotic, copper-containing class of compounds called “cuprates” can superconduct at 164 K ( — 109 °C) if first subjected to very high pressures.

Now, cuprates have to take a backseat to something much more pedestrian. When Mikhail Eremets and colleagues at the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry in Germany squeezed tiny amounts of hydrogen sulfide to almost 1.6 million times atmospheric pressure, the common material was transformed. It became superconductive at temperatures that actually exist (albeit in places no one would ever want to live) on the surface of the Earth. That’s a first, and it could mean that an entire class of perfectly natural, hydrogen-bearing compounds are good candidates for high-temperature superconductivity.

Some scientists are thrilled at the news: Igor Mazin of the Naval Research Laboratory, calls hydrogen sulfide “the holy grail of superconductors.” Others are keeping their shirts on until the find is independently confirmed. According to Nature News, a group at Osaka University has so far been able to reproduce the electrical but not the magnetic properties of a superconductor in hydrogen sulfide, while others groups have yet to confirm any superconductivity at all.

As for the room temperature superconductors that could propel our future high-speed trains and vastly improve MRI technology? “Theoretically they not forbidden,” Eremets told New Scientist. We’ll just have to wait and see.

[MIKA27]

A New Paint Made From Glass Reflects The Sun To Cool Down Cars And Homes

The sun’s harsh rays don’t just turn metal surfaces into flying pans, they can also accelerate deterioration and corrosion, and make it harder to keep structures cool. So researchers at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory created a new type of paint made of glass that reflects those rays away.

The sun is the enemy of traditional paints, which are made from polymers. The sun’s ultraviolet rays degrade polymers, which is why the paint on the side of a building will slowly fade over time. And while it degrades, it releases volatile compounds that can harm the environment.

But the paint developed by Jason J. Benkoski and his team at Johns Hopkins is resistant to the fading that affects traditional paints. Made from a mixture of silica (one the main ingredients of glass) and potassium silicate so it isn’t brittle, it starts off as a liquid so that it can be brushed or sprayed onto a surface. When it hardens in a few hours, it’s almost as hard as rock. Most outdoor paints will only last a few years in the sun, but this new type of glass paint could easily survive for centuries without fading or cracking, its creator claims.

Because the paint is almost like a liquid version of glass, in addition to being incredibly durable, it also won’t absorb sunlight — or heat. A surface coated with the paint will remain at air temperature even if the sun has been beating down on it for hours. In fact, the surface could actually be slightly cooler, because the paint will radiate heat from the other side as well.

So imagine sitting down for an afternoon baseball game in the cheap seats and not having your thighs scorched by a hot bleacher. Or your kids climbing on a metal jungle gym without the risk of burning their fingers. Benkoski and his team are developing their new glass paint for the Navy to use on ships operating in the direct sun all day, but painting a house with it could dramatically reduce its need for an air conditioner in the summer, or the need to re-paint it again in five years.

[MIKA27]

This Cool Christmas Tale Features Love, Spaceships, And Scary Meteors

Anomaly is an unusual Christmas tale, set in the late 60’s, which tells the story of a group of people connected by the same astrological event: A frightening meteor that will enter and exit the atmosphere. It is weird and sad and hopeful and just really interesting to watch.

Anomaly is an independent short film directed by Dan DiFelice & Salomon Lightelm. The film rose up to $US60,000 in its Kickstarter campaign but it looks as gorgeous as if they had spent two million. Great post production houses like The Mill and Framestore also collaborated in the project.

[MIKA27]

PODLIFE PROTEIN PODS

What if there were a system that takes the concept of Keurig and K-Cups and applies that idea to protein powders? Well, that’s exactly what Podlife is all about.

Podlife provides quality protein where and when you need it most by utilizing a single serve, pre-measured protein pod. The protein powder sits in the pod and injects into a specially designed water water, providing convenience and freshness to your protein consumption needs. The pods use grass fed whey protein, and come in a variety of flavors such as Berry Active, Vanilla and Chocolate. Each pod is filled with a minimum of 20g of protein, and the PODs are biodegradable. This means no more baggies filled with protein powder when traveling. A starter pack, which contains one shaker and 12 PODs, is available on Kickstarter to early backers for $25 [Purchase]

[MIKA27]

The Aperture Universal Wrench Is Inspired by a Camera Lens

There are a number of wrenches described as “universal.” Most of the time, that means you’re actually just getting a bunch of smaller wrenches or sockets built onto either side of a handle. Using the functionality of a camera aperture as his ideation starting point, Seattle-based designer Jordan Steranka has developed a conceptual wrench that could fit any size nut. Using a dial on the side of the wrench, you can change the size of the aperture to fit your nut before locking the aperture into place. There’s even a lighted ring around the aperture mechanism itself so you can see what you’re working on. Unfortunately, the wrench that’s as pretty as it is functional is only a concept at this point. [Purchase]

[MIKA27]

TEQBALL

Winner of multiple awards, Teqball is a new sport equipment and a new sport based on football. The fun game consists of a football, and a curved table similar to a ping pong table, challenging players to put their football skills to work. The idea is to volley the ball back and forth using only the parts of the body allowed in football, and besides being a fun, challenging game, it also works as a training tool, enhancing your skills and air-to-air ball handling.

[MIKA27]

Full-Contact, Armed And Armoured Combat Is Possible With Unified Weapons Master

Unified Weapons Master is a new sport that aims to combine traditional one-on-one combat disciplines like jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai with super-high-tech armour, registering impacts and marking the site of blows during fights. Oh, and there’s weapons, too.

We first saw UWM when it hit the scene in February last year, promising data-driven combat. And it’s this video that shows the concept closer to reality, with a (light-contact) fight between two trained warriors, each using a variety of weapons — as well as knees and knuckles — to score points and wear down their opponent’s health. It’s all very Street Fighter. Here’s the brief:

‘UWM Unleashed – The Final Cut’ is Unified Weapons Master as you’ve never seen it before. For the first time you can see the initial ​design of the UWM scoring system and broadcast graphics, combined with weapons combat commentary and our prototype Lorica armour​ in action. This video is an exciting glimpse into what UWM’s future ​might look like.

[MIKA27]

The Unlikely Quest To Build A Tower Tall Enough To Take Astronauts To Space

The space elevator is a glorious science fiction idea that’s never gotten past the concept stage, mostly because it’s impossible to build one right now. Recognising this, a Canadian space firm is hoping to test the waters with a slightly scaled-down version — a space tower, if you will, that only rises into the stratosphere. Only.

Thoth Technology, Inc has been granted US and UK patents for an inflatable structure that can take astronauts up into the stratosphere, 20 kilometres above the Earth. From there, they’d be launched into space. In theory, this sounds like a grand idea: If we didn’t have to bring our rockets back to ground on the regular, we’d skirt a good chunk of our planet’s gravity and save money on fuel. Here’s The Guardianon the idea:

Traditionally, regions above 50km in altitude can only be reached by rocket ships, where mass is expelled at a high velocity to achieve thrust in the opposite direction. Quine said in the patent that rocketry is “extremely inefficient” and that a space elevator would take less energy.

In the patent, Quine explained that rocket ships expend more energy because they “must counter the gravitational force during the flight by carrying mass in the form of propellant and must overcome atmospheric drag”.

In contrast, by using an elevator system, “the work done is significantly less as no expulsion mass must be carried to do work against gravity, and lower ascent speeds in the lower atmosphere can virtually eliminate atmospheric drag”.

“Part of the limitation on space travel is the cost of getting to space,” Quine told the Guardian. “The tower could change space travel because professional rockets are very energy intensive and not very environmentally friendly.”

Sounds like a pretty solid argument for trying to build the world’s tallest tower. But is this idea more feasible than the sky-high, carbon nanofiber-reinforced designs science fiction writers and physicists have been wheeling out to conferences for decades?

Probably not.

There’s still the wee problem of finding a material that can support itself to these extreme heights. And while the stratosphere is a much less ambitious target than space itself, you’re still going to have to contend with some tremendously powerful air currents up there. The jet stream, which circles mid to high-latitudes of our planet at a height of approximately 9.6 to 14.5 kilometres, can reach blistering speeds of up to 442.5 kilometres per hour.

Still, given that we haven’t made any tangible progress on space elevators since Arthur C. Clarke was writing on the subject in the ’70s, I’m all for folks attempting to simplify the idea. And hey, I’d shell out good money to drink a beer in the world’s tallest sky-bar. Wouldn’t you?

[MIKA27]

This Is The Australian Defence Force's Take On Exoskeleton Technology

Exoskeleton technology — the use of an external wearable framework that augments a human’s natural physical ability — is one of the most interesting developments in modern military science. Like many other countries around the world, Australia is developing its own version.

I've previously covered exoskeletons that can help soldiers aim their guns better, assist firefighters in dangerous situations and even make anyone who wears them ten times stronger — but if these technologies exist, why we aren’t seeing platoons of Iron Man-style super soldiers being deployed already?

“Most [exoskeletons] are complex, require power and increase the user’s energy cost,” explains Australia’s Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO), While electromechanical exoskeletons are great toys for scientists and bored billionaires, the military has generally not been enthusiastic to commit resources to them.

First Steps

This is where DSTO’s Operations Exoskeleton (formerly known as the NoREx) comes in. It’s a a minimalist take on exoskeleton tech that could see action in the field within 2 years. Presenting the new design in Canberra this week, DSTO’s Tom Chapman explained his list of grievances with ‘traditional’ electro-mechanical exoskeletons, calling them “heavy, power hungry and awkward,” with joints that can never quite keep up with the complex range of motion for the human body. The way that most exoskeletons work today means that, while you may be able to lift ten times the weight you can normally lift, it also takes far more energy to do so.

DSTO’s solution to this problem is radically different — and not least because its take on the exoskeleton is entirely non-powered. Instead of augmenting the wearer’s physical capabilities, the Operations Exoskeleton instead aims to reduce physical strain and with it the likelihood of injury or fatigue. If other military exoskeletons bring to mind science fiction’s beloved power suit, the DSTO’s take on it is closer to fictional tech that can make heavy burdens weightless — even without the advantage of zero gravity.

The Operations Exoskeleton can’t bear 100% of the weight of a pack — yet. It’s currently closer to 66%. That’s till a huge improvement to carrying that weight on our relatively flimsy human frames. Especially for an exoskeleton that allows a soldier to retain much of their natural mobility, needs no external power to run and weighs barely 3kg.

Aussie soldiers can be required to carry more than 85kg into combat. Meanwhile, that suitcase you complain bitterly about lugging 500 metres to bag check at the airport is likely under 21kg, the standard weight limit for most airlines. This exoskeleton’s ability to ease more than 50kg of that weight is going to literally be a weight off our troop’s shoulders. The suit’s system of flexible cables work passively, transferring part of this carried weight directly to the ground.

It may not have the raw power of the Iron Man suit being developed by the US Army, but the Operations Exoskeleton still manages to achieve high tech results with low tech concepts.

Don’t be surprised if this technology finds a multitude of civilian applications as well — backpackers or hikers who can’t bring themselves to travel light might find it particularly useful. The Australian Defence Science and Technology Organisation only has a proof of concept at the moment and using it apparently feels “really weird”. The Operations Exoskeleton is one of the most functional exoskeleton designs currently being developed, so we’ll be watching the progress closely.

[MIKA27]

Australia's Treasurers Meet Today To Talk Cutting The $1000 GST-Free Threshold

“Lower, simpler, fairer” is the hue and cry going out across the country from the federal level of government on tax reform, and it seems like “lower” in this case means dropping the GST-free threshold significantly below its current $1000-plus level. But I can’t really see what is “simpler” or “fairer” about it.

GST is Australia’s third largest source of revenue, and in 2013-14 was responsible for $56 billion that was dispersed to the states and territories — for things like building roads, train lines, water treatment facilities, hospitals and the like. That apportion is the topic of some controversy itself, by the way — NSW gets the lion’s share of GST revenue, with Victoria and Queensland in close contention for second place and all other states and territories far behind.

But it’s generally agreed by all levels of government that more tax revenue is a very useful thing. And that’s why state treasurers, and Federal Government treasurer Joe Hockey, are effectively united in wanting to remove or lower the $1000 GST-free threshold.

But there’s a problem with lowering the threshold. Massive costs in putting a system to monitor purchases, impose a tax and collect it from Australian consumers, as well as the cost in manpower and technology of actually running that system at the scale that Aussies shop online, would mean that lowering the GST-free threshold could actually cost more than it earns. That was the conclusion of a 2009 Productivity Commission report on the topic.

Unless something has radically changed since then, revenue from policing online shopping wouldn’t be that significant, and the enforcement headache for consumers and postal services would be significant.

In the discussions today, Labor-held Victoria’s treasurer Tim Pallas wants the threshold to be as low as possible without it dropping below the point where collecting the tax would exceed the revenue gained — which sounds like a zero sum game. NSW treasurer Gladys Berejiklian also wants the threshold to encompass as many online purchases as possible.

The problem for businesses is that even after the GST-free threshold is dropped, even if it’s abolished, it will still be cheaper for Australians to buy some items, especially high-tech products like notebooks and smartphones and cameras and lenses, online. It’s not going to help out local businesses as much as the treasurers might think, and it’s not going to raise as much money as expected.

I recently bought a macro lens for my Samsung mirrorless camera through the B&H Photo Video website. B&H, based in New York, is a mainstay of Aussie camera geeks, because even after considerable shipping costs through DHL its prices are still almost always significantly less expensive than buying the same product from an Australian stockist. Not to take into account the fact that I couldn’t even find that particular lens in Australia, because it’s a niche product. This is exactly why I buy things online in the first place.

DHL’s Oceania chief executive says a GST-free threshold drop would “clog up” the system of deliveries, both for courier companies and Australia Post. Australia Post is struggling with the steep drop of letter deliveries, but the only thing keeping its head above water is the healthy up-tick in parcel deliveries — up 21 per cent year on year. Kick online purchases in the teeth and you may as well be kicking Australia Post.

The Federal Government’s Better Tax website called for submissions on tax reform earlier this year, and in March delivered a discussion paper that said that not only were physical deliveries of online purchases under scrutiny, but purely online transactions were also in the crosshairs:

“Imported goods (but not imported services) are generally subject to GST, unless the value is $1,000 or less. On the other hand, most imported services and intangibles purchased by consumers (primarily those purchased online, such as multimedia downloads) are not subject to GST.”

So once that GST-free threshold is gone and your online purchases start getting taxed heavily, your streaming services and eBooks are next. That particular slug — the ‘Netflix tax’ — kicks in from the start of July 2017.

[MIKA27]

The Android Wear Smartwatch Is About To Become A Personal Translator

Slowly but surely, smartwatches are becoming more useful. And this might be one of the most useful feature for a smartwatch yet: Google just announced it’s bringing Google Translate to Android Wear watches, letting you carry on a bilingual conversation with a literal flick of the wrist.

It’s part of a new Android Wear update, rolling out today and over the coming weeks, that also brings awesome new interactive watchfaces to the platform. You’ll soon be able to tap on a watch face to access data like unread email, your step count, and weather forecasts, depending which watch face you choose. The one at left is called Bits, and you can see a couple other examples at this Google’s blog post.

But that’s all stuff you could have done with smartwatches already — it just makes it a little more fun and accessible. If you ask me, the bigger deal here is Google Translate, which puts something new on your wrist, something that might make more sense there anyhow: if you’re trying to talk to someone who speaks another language, do you really want to have to fish around in a pocket and whip out a phone?

Plus, it looks super easy: just tap, talk, and flip your wrist towards the person you’re talking to to show them a translation of what you’ve said, then flip back your wrist after they say their piece to get a translation of their answer. “Google Translate will automatically recognise which of the two languages is being spoken, so once you tap to start the conversation, all you and your buddy need to do is keep talking naturally,” says Google. It supports 44 languages right now.

Here’s hoping it works well! I’m eagerly awaiting the moment my Android watch notifies me that the new Android Wear update is ready for download.

Also of note: the LG G Watch R is getting Wi-Fi support in this latest release. And if you want to build some interactive watch faces for Android Wear, here’s the developer link you need.

[MIKA27]

Star Wars Battlefront Will Be Playable At PAX Australia

Star Wars Battlefront hit stores November 19 here in Australia, but if you want to play it a little earlier, roughly three weeks earlier, it will be available to play at PAX Australia down in Melbourne starting Fridat October 30, finishing on the Sunday.

What will you be playing? According to EA the Survival Mission, set on Tattoine, will be available either in single-player or co-op.

For reference, this is what you’ll be playing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKsXTIHfPzo

The demo will be running exclusively on Sony’s booth, so you’ll most likely be playing the demo on a PlayStation 4.

[MIKA27]

One Australian Took A Wine Barrel And Turned It Into An Arcade Cabinet

I’ve always wanted an arcade cabinet of my own, but I don’t have the materials, tools or the know-how to get started. Fortunately that’s no problem for Matt Shaw, an Adelaide gamer who has enjoyed a little bit of internet fame after he decided to transform an unloved wine barrel into something special.

The idea, Shaw told me, came from a post on the Arcade Controls forum where someone took an oak wine barrel of their own. “With a mind to do something like that I asked for a Wine Barrel for Christmas last year as we do a Kris Kringle thing,” he told me.

Shaw scored the 4:3 screens, which are perfect for arcade machines, for free from work. “They were getting rid of a bunch of monitors around at work they’re trying to get rid of (all about wide screen now, not much use for the old 4:3 monitors in my industry any more),” he explained.

The casing for the controls were built with medium-density fibreboard, an angle grinder, circular saw and a jigsaw, while the glass was picked up for free after a search of the local online classifieds.

The cabinet itself is running off a Raspberry Pi machine with PiPlay, a custom-build OS designed for gaming and emulation on the Pi’s low-end hardware. Interestingly, there isn’t a single soldered connection and wiring was relatively easy, with the configuration for the controller proving to be a more substantial (but not insurmountable) problem. “The guys at the PiPlay forum were an AMAZING help, and still help me out (and anyone else that asks it seems) today,” Shaw says.

The glass is mounted on some non-slip rubber edging and thanks to the weight — around 20kgs, Shaw says — there are no issues with it moving around. It’s also quite comfortable for someone sitting at a bar stool or standing (if you’re around 6 foot).

“I reckon its cost me $200 as I’ve only had to pay for the [Raspberry] Pi, buttons/sticks, paint, cables and I did recently grab a wireless keyboard that works with it,” Shaw explained. “It probably took me 6 months all in all as I have a 1 year old kiddo and work in the film industry so do long hours. I reckon I only found about 3-4 hours a week to spend on it.”

He added that while this is his first project building a custom cabinet or DIY gaming machine of any kind, he was formerly a boilermaker and welder and has always had a penchant for making things. “This was an opportunity to lean a bit more Python scripting (which i can use at work) and do some fun DIY stuff.”

Shaw says that old arcade games and the early versions of Street Fighter run perfectly fine on the Pi’s hardware, although newer versions have been a little problematic. But the effort has clearly been worth it: Shaw’s a massive fan of the older arcade games, which remind him of his childhood spending time in the arcades.

“Wonder Boy I love as its such fun and a long game … but the Street Fighter 2 series are the best, such epic battles with friends (which we’ve already done over many many beers).”

Something I’m sure he’ll continue doing for many, many weekends.

[MIKA27]

Mysterious Killer Sinkhole Opens Up Again in Florida

On February 28th, 2013, a massive sinkhole opened underneath a house in Tampa, Florida. The 30-foot-wide hole collapsed a part of the house where Jeffrey Bush was sleeping, pulling him into the abyss to his death. His body was never found. The house and those on either side were demolished, the hole filled and the area blocked off. On August 19th, 2015, the earth opened again in exactly the same spot. Is this ground dangerous?

The sinkhole that swallowed part of the house and killed Jeffrey Bush in 2013

This is not your typical sinkhole. This is a chasm that covers a great distance. They still have not been able to find the boundaries of the underground chasm.

That’s how Hillsborough County Administrator Mike Merrill described the sinkhole that killed Jeffrey Bush in 2013. His brother heard his screams and tried to rescue him but was nearly pulled to his death himself. The instability of the hole forced rescuers to end their search for Bush’s body and city officials determined the area too dangerous to repair and instead filled it with gravel and dirt and fenced it off.

Filling the original sinkhole in 2013

A woman walking her dog past the area on August 19th heard a rumble and saw the sinkhole reappear. Fortunately, neither she nor her dog nor anyone else was pulled into the 20-foot hole that opened in the same spot as before. Officials say heavy recent rainfall caused the sinkhole and there is no danger to the neighborhood.

The reopened sinkhole is at least 20 feet in diameter

Unless it’s haunted. In 1890 in the town of Chipley in southwestern Florida, two teenage girls drowned while swimming in a sinkhole that had filled with water. One body was found but divers were never able to locate the other. Attempts to drain the sinkhole failed as it mysteriously filled as fast as the water could be pumped out. Since then, local residents report seeing a young woman rise from the sinkhole and walk across the water.

[MIKA27]

THE 12 BEST APPLE WATCH BANDS FOR MEN

Whether you’re a bona fide Apple nerd who stands in line for hours every time there’s a new product launch (hey, we’re not judging) or you’re just a gadget guy, the Apple watch is one of the most talked about new pieces of technology on the market.

If you finally caved and bought one, it’s time to start accessorizing it. The Apple Watch is no different than your iPhone—you agonized over what case to get to put your own stamp on it, right? Well, you can make your Apple watch your own by adding your own watchband to it.

And while there aren’t a ton of good-looking options out there (yet), we’ve rounded up the 12 very best to make your Apple Watch look even cooler. Now you can answer the question, “Hey, do you know what time it is?” with supreme confidence.

CLOCKWORK SYNERGY BLACK & SILVER BAND

Think of this preppy striped nylon band as your watch’s weekend wardrobe—the military-style band adds a casual vibe to your wrist, it fits both Apple watch sizes, and you can customize the finish on the band’s hardware. [Purchase]

STRIPED NYLON BAND

Similar to the band showcased above, the navy and white Striped Nylon Band from Philadelphia-based Made by Kong is the ultimate casual watch. Made by Kong offers several color combinations in this style, and at this price point, you could buy a few and not feel like you broke the bank. Take note, though, this strap fits the 38mm version of the Apple Watch only. [Purchase]

CASE MATE SIGNATURE LEATHER BAND

When wearing an Apple Watch nowadays, you run the risk of looking too techy, like the guy who had a car phone in the 1980s before cell phones were a thing, or the guy who was extolling the virtues of his smartphone while everyone else was content with their flip phones. You can combat being that guy by pairing your Apple Watch with a classic leather band, like this one from Case Mate. It’s classic and timeless and says, “I’m still a regular guy, I just like getting text messages delivered to my wrist.” [Purchase]

MONOWEAR NYLON BAND

This rugged olive green nylon watchband harkens back to military-issued watches, which is why the juxtaposition of a classic, old school band and a high-tech watch piece will throw everyone for a loop. [Purchase]

ZENOK LEATHER BAND

Hand-stitched in Vancouver, the Zenok Band is made from Italian leather and has exposed stitching to add a little extra flair (you can customize the thread color, but we love the green stitching with the rich brown leather). The band will fit both Apple Watch sizes, and the style is timeless in a way that can easily transition from work to play. [Purchase]

BLACK FOREST ATELIER VINTAGE BAND

This classic band from Vietnam-based Black Forest Atelier is handmade from vintage Italian suede leather. It has rugged exposed stitching and the suede leather will develop a nice patina over time. [Purchase]

E3 SUPPLY CO. HORWEEN LEATHER BAND

This simple yet classic band is handmade in Brooklyn from Horween leather, featuring brushed stainless steel hardware. The band will fit both sizes of the Apple Watch, adding a bit of warmth to cool technology. [Purchase]

ARTISAN STRAP CO. CRIMSON GREY BAND

Made from 100% premium Herman Oak leather, Artisan Strap Co.’s Crimson Grey Band has a unique coloring to it, looking grey at one angle and brown at another angle. The rugged exposed stitching adds extra character, and can be customized to a color of your liking. [Purchase]

BEXAR GOODS CO. TAN LEATHER BAND

Texas-based Bexar Goods Co. (pronounced “bear” in honor of its home of Bexar County) makes incredible leather goods, and its Tan Leather Band is one of its best offerings. Made from American Bridle leather and stamped with Bexar’s well-designed crest, it’s one of the best-looking Apple Watch bands you’ll find. [Purchase]

APPLE LEATHER LOOP BAND

Sometimes you have to go straight to the source for the best products, and that’s the case with several of Apple-issued watchbands. While they offer over 20 bands to choose from (running the gamut from silicone sport bands to more formal stainless steel metal bracelets), the Black Leather Loop Band is hands down one of Apple’s best offerings. Handcrafted in Italy from Venezia leather (you can choose from black, grey, brown, and navy), the soft, quilted leather will ensure a comfortable fit, but perhaps the best part is that the band fastens together via magnets concealed within the leather. [Purchase]

APPLE MILANESE LOOP BAND

Another official offering from Apple, the Milanese Loop Band draws is inspiration from a design created in Milan at the end of the 19th century (hence the name). Made from stainless steel woven on specialized machines in Italy, it’s a unique band that will pair elegantly with even your fanciest outfits. Like the Black Leather Loop Band, the Milanese Loop Band connects via magnets embedded in the band. [Purchase]

RESERVE STRAP BAND

Because we’re all slaves to technology, we’ve embraced accessories that give our phones extra juice while we’re out and about—chargers built into bags, Mophie Juice Packs, and the like. But how do you ensure your Apple Watch stays charged? Invest in a Reserve Strap Band, that’s how. Made from silicone (and available in white, black, grey, or red), the band is embedded with lithium polymer cells that allow for up to 30 hours of additional charge. It fits both Apple Watch sizes, has a built-in charge indicator, and is water-resistant. Once you’re addicted to using your Apple Watch (and you will be), you’ll never be able to imagine your life without your Reserve Strap Band. [Purchase]

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EMBASSY GARDENS SKY POOL IN LONDON

Looking to push the boundaries of both construction and engineering, plans have been unveiled to build an incredible sky pool connecting two apartment buildings in London.

Touting the title of the world’s first “sky pool,” this transparent swimming pool will be 90 feet long, connecting two of the structures within the Embassy Gardens apartment complex, all while being suspended 10 stories (about 115 feet) in the air. The glass-bottomed pool will be nearly 10 feet deep, 19 feet wide and allow residents the ability to swim back and forth (or use the walkway) to visit the building’s rooftop bar, spa and orangery – all while enjoying those beautiful views. Of course this much opulence doesn’t come cheap. Both apartments and penthouses are currently for sale, with a starting price within the complex hovering around the $950,000 mark.

[MIKA27]

POLER SANDWICH MAKER

You can now enjoy all kinds of warm and toasty variations out in the wild! such as grilled cheese sandwiches, tuna melts, croque monsieurs, grilled vegetable paninis, and more… with the awesome Poler Sandwich Maker. Simply put a sandwich inside the cast iron utensil and cook it on the open fire, then sit back and watch that mozzarella melt beautifully. The result is the perfect accompaniment to your favorite soup or salad.

[MIKA27]

2017 MERCEDES-AMG C63 COUPE

The new C-Class Coupe is impressive. And the 2017 Mercedes-AMG C63 Coupeshares very little with it. That's okay, though, because it improves on its lesser stablemate in a number of areas. Its exterior is longer and more expressive, with only the doors, roof, and trunk lid shared between the two, and the interior is upgraded with performance seats and sport-specific controls. But none of that will matter when you mash the accelerator and access the 503 hp coming from its AMG 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine — the same one used in the AMG GT S sports car — on your way to a sub-4-second 0-60 time and a top speed of up to 180 mph. Available in standard and S variants.

[MIKA27]

NASA: No, There Isn't A Deadly Asteroid Heading Right For Us

“EXCLUSIVE: Could this asteroid destroy Earth in just SIX weeks?“ According to NASA, the answer is “absolutely not, you imbeciles”.

NASA issued an official statement about the conspiracy-web theory that an asteroid is heading for the Atlantic with an impact on September 23. “That’s the rumour that has gone viral — now here are the facts,” the agency writes. “There is no scientific basis — not one shred of evidence — that an asteroid or any other celestial object will impact Earth on those dates,” says the manager of NASA’s Near-Earth Object office, Paul Chodas.

Who could be perpetrating such rumours? The theory has actually been around for years, but it’s picked up steam over the past month or two. Unsurprisingly, a major role has been played by InfoWars, which has built a business out of circulating conspiracy theories about the government, impending apocalypse, and the shadowy machinations of world powers. “We are simply taking a look at what has being said,” says InfoWars’ John Bowne in a video about the forthcoming asteroid strike. Just a simple look! So what’s being said?

• The reopening of CERN’s updated Large Hadron Collider. Its logo kind of looks like it says 666! And it may open a Ghostbuster-style “gate” to another world, probably one run by Zuul!
• Jade Helm proves the US military is preparing! And Canada’s Maple Resolve.
• Big box stores are closing left and right. Some say these abandoned stores are now being used by the military!
• The “elite are gradually disappearing into their cities underground”.
• Obama’s going to hang out with “the openly blatant cheerleader of The New World Order Pope Francis”.

Unfortunately, NASA’s denial won’t do much to convince anyone who believes this theory. “Of course NASA is denying this, but why would they tell us anything? They’re funded by our government,” says Bowne.

It’s pretty unbelievable that a federal agency has been forced to debunk this conspiracy theory, but there you have it: The power of, as NASA calls it in its statement, “the World Wide Web”.

[MIKA27]

Men claim to have found Nazi train laden with treasure

A Nazi train loaded with gold, gems and valuable art that reportedly disappeared at the end of the second World War has been found in Poland, according to two men.

Marika Tokarska, an official in the city of Walbrzych, where the train was allegedly found, said authorities received letters from a law firm representing the men, a Pole and a German who are remaining anonymous, saying they are seeking a 10 per cent reward for revealing its location.

Ms Tokarska said authorities are taking the claim seriously and have convened a meeting of firefighters, police and other authorities to explore how they can safely handle the train if it is located. She said it could be protected by explosives.

The train is reputed to have vanished in the dying days of the war as the Germans fled advancing Soviet forces.

Conclusive proof

Historians say the existence of the train has never been conclusively proven, but authorities are not passing up the chance at possibly recovering treasures that have sparked the imaginations of local people for decades.

Ms Tokarska said that hiring a law firm gives credibility to the two men’s claims, as do indications that they are familiar with the train’s contents.

She said that not only could it be armed with explosives, but methane gas underground could add to the risk of an explosion, adding: “It could be dangerous.”

The train is said to have gone missing in May 1945. Legend says it was armed and loaded with treasure and disappeared after entering a complex of tunnels under the Owl Mountains, a secret project known as “Riese” – or Giant – which the Nazis never finished.

At the time the area belonged to Germany but it now lies in Poland.

[MIKA27]

Wolves Return To California

Researchers have confirmed that these five wolf pups — born this autumn — are the first born wild in California in over 100 years. Along with their mummy and daddy, they form the newly dubbed “Shasta Pack”. Wolves now call California home again.

The pups are thought to be four months old and, like their parents, all have black coats. They were capture using motion sensor trail cams in northern California’s Siskiyou County, which borders Oregon.

A wolf that was spotted roaming the area earlier this year, following on the heels of OR7, is believed to be their father. He dispersed south from a pack in Oregon’s Cascades. OR7 himself — the wolf that was the first to be spotted in California since 1924 and wandered thousands of miles through the state’s northern counties — had a litter just north of the border last year.

Oregon discovered its first breeding pair of wolves in 2008 and, by 2014, had a burgeoning population of 77. DNA tests using scat are being conducted to determine this family’s exact origins.

“We knew wolves would eventually return home to the state, and it appears now is the time,” states California Fish and Wildlife director Charlton Bonham. “This news is exciting for California.”

But, is California ready for wolves? While they’re a protected under the Endangered Species Act — killing one is a federal crime — the Wolf Management Plan begun by the state while OR7 was roaming here has languished unfinished. And now local ranchers fear the impact these wolves may have on their livestock

“If the public wants wolves, maybe they should support the people who are helping feed the wolves,” a Siskiyou County rancher told the Sacramento Bee. There are calls for reimbursement program to be put in place now to compensate farmers for potential future losses. The state hopes to have its management plan wrapped and available for public comment by the end of the year.

Are we right to be optimistic about the return of wolves to the state, with only a single pack calling it home? The species was first re-introduced to the American West in 1995, in Yellowstone National Park. There’s now close to 1700 of them living in the Northern Rockies — a stable population.

Karen Kovacs is monitoring wolves for California and plans to fit at least one of the Shasta Pack with a radio collar in order to monitor them. Her thoughts? “These are very resilient critters.”

[MIKA27]

Watch A Guy Jump Nearly 60m Off A Cliff And Plunge Straight Into The Water

Is jumping nearly 60m off a cliff considered flying? Or is it just straight insanity? Because Laso Schaller just basically cliff dived a jump (fell a distance?) that would be taller than the Leaning Tower of Pisa. You can watch multiple angles of the jump in which he reached a speed of 122km/h as he hit the water below.

The absolute scariest is when you get the POV angle of his jump. The rocks from the cliff look so damn close.

[MIKA27]

CAMP CENTURY: THE CITY UNDER ICE

Project Iceworm was a secret Cold War operation to create subterranean nuclear missile launch sites under the Greenland ice sheet – within close striking distance of the USSR. It was all done under the cover of Camp Century, a pretend US Government operation used as a cover story for the Danish government – who were none the wiser until decades later.

So far as the Danes knew, Camp Century was an experimental outpost developed to test quickly deployable communities under the ice cap and to experiment with the practical issues likely to be encountered when using a portable nuclear reactor.

The truth of the matter was that the portable nuclear reactor was being used as a way to explain the easily detectable radiation spikes in the location of the camp that would be caused by the addition of several hundred nuclear missiles.

The film above is the original cover story from the early 1960s, it’s a fascinating film and it’s well worth a watch. If you’d like to read more about Camp Century and Project Iceworm you can click here to visit Defence Tech, here to visit Damn Interesting or here to visit the Wikipedia entry.