Okay, time for something that everybody wants to read about, the jet pack! Back when I was a kid, I longed for the day when everyone would have one of these. Considering that this is the new millennium, I am really disappointed that someone has not mass-marketed these by now.

I believe that we are well on our way to jet pack proliferation with designer Glenn Martin’s model. It isn’t really a jet pack, per se, because there are no jets involved. Martin uses two gasoline-fueled 200 horsepower fans, which make the jet pack louder than a jet plane.

I suppose the lack of flaming afterburners is why Martin says that his jetpack is the safest. Another reason is that it comes with a built-in parachute, which will hopefully be a standard safety feature for every jetpack.

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When AC/DC wrote their metal classic “Highway To Hell”, who could have ever predicted that the song would be taken so literally? Of course, what else are we supposed to do with all of those spare coffins we have lying around the house? I, for one, don’t plan on using them for anything productive anytime soon.

Get dressed in your finest suit and prepare for the ride of your life. This photo tutorial shows you how a simple coffin became much more than just a death trap. These Coffin Cars have all of the leg room you could ever need, not to mention it provides a nice place to sleep if you become stranded… forever. Muahahahah!

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Man, and I thought that bicycles are meant to make you break out in a sweat to help keep those pounds off as you attack uphills and slopes, but once again technology is here to make life easy with the Automatic Transmission Electric Bicycle.

This is the electric bicycle that uses automatic transmission to downshift into a lower gear when it senses a hill, upshifts for rapid acceleration up to 20 mph on flats, or allows you to pedal normally because the motor can be disengaged at your command. Powered by a 750-watt electric motor housed in the horizontal chain and motor assembly that provides 1 hp, the 8-speed automatic transmission is capable of four modes of operation, all controlled by a thumb toggle on the handlebars: a setting for rapid acceleration, a low gear setting for inclines (but slower acceleration), and a setting for manual gear shifting that disengages the motor to preserve battery life. Construction begins with a 12′ straight piece of 3/8-gauge, aircraft aluminum 6061 alloy that is roll-formed and annealed for uniform wall thickness into a complete 6′ diameter circular tube with a 4″ interior diameter (the NiMH batteries reside within the tube from the front fork to the seat), which is then bisected to make a 6′ long arc for the bicycles frame. The sturdy frame supports riders up to 300 lbs.

Of course, the Automatic Transmission Electric Bicycle might not burn a hole in the ozone layer but it will surely do a number on your pockets as it retails for a cool $5,500.

Last summer, we reported that Spider-man 3 broke the record for the most successful opening weekend. I’ve just heard that this record has been broken by The Dark Knight, which is on the verge of becoming the best superhero movie ever.

I’m sure a lot of you saw it over the weekend. Some of you might have been greatly impressed by the Batpod, director Christopher Nolan’s take on the classic bat-cycle, without the sidecar for Robin. The Batpod was designed by Nathan Crowley, the same man who designed the Tumbler from the Batman Begins.

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Have you seen those crazy parachute planes that combine a propeller driven engine with a chute and allows bored weekend warriors to kill themselves without a pilot’s license? Well, now there’s a company taking the next “logical” step by creating a flying dune buggy that does the same thing - kill a reckless driver and anyone else who is unfortunate enough to be on the ground when this 2,500 pound rock drops on their heads.

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Have you picked up a GPS navigation system for yourself yet? If you have not yet done so, make sure you shortlist the Knight Rider GPS navigation system from Mio. Yes, it has finally gone official. Inspired by the original Knight Industries Two Thousand (a.k.a. K.I.T.T.), you get to impress your lady friends and blokes (I suspect the latter group would be more excited at the sight) with some magic from the original TV series as you make your way across town to your destination within the shortest, most efficient route possible. Just in case you’re wondering what the level of authenticity is like, you’ll be pleased to know that the Knight Rider GPS comes with a Knight Industries-approved LED display and custom voice files for that added touch of realism.

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It goes without saying that the cost of living has just increased exponentially over the years, no thanks to inflation as well as rising energy costs. With oil surpassing the magical $100 a barrel mark and seemingly touching virtually new historical highs every day, it seems that the future economic picture is one of doom and gloom all over the world, never mind if you’re an economic giant or a dwarf at this point in time. Automaker Toyota wants to help us free ourselves from the addiction of oil when it comes to cars with their Prius, and they have done a commendable job in the past. Good thing they’re always forward thinking, which leads us to today’s story of new Prius models that will feature energy-catching solar panels on its roof. These new models are tipped to hit the streets come spring 2009.

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I know that most of us have already made the jump towards GPS navigation systems, but there are bound to be folks who have not yet taken that next step. Enter the Digital Talking Compass, a precursor to all things GPS.

This digital compass mounts on your dashboard to help get you where you want to go! A clear human voice gives accurate headings. The large, easy-to-read, backlit display also gives the time, date, and temperature. Plus, it’s an alarm clock and chronograph. Mounting tape included. Uses 3 AA batteries (not included).

The Digital Talking Compass drives home its point for $24.99.