A couple of days ago we heard about a neat-o pepper grinder that held a sneaky secret: It could block WiFi signals, thus allowing you to finally have a peaceful family dinner without everyone tapping on their phones all the time. The big question most of us were left with was this: Where can I buy the Dolmio Pepper Hacker? Although this is exactly new information — Bustle's Sara Levine commented on it at the time — I have some bad news for you. As cool as the Dolmio Pepper Hacker is… we can't actually buy it. Curses!
There's a silver lining in this particularly sneaky cloud, though — more accurately, we can't buy it yet. According to Dolmio Pepper Hacker creator Brendan Forster, the gadget is still in the early development stages; as he told First We Feast, “At this time, it's a limited number of prototype devices that we've built just to basically experiment to see what happens when you remove tech from the family room.” With luck, though, Forster will eventually put the thing into production — because seriously: How cool is it?
(The answer is “super cool” — just in case you were wondering.)
In the meantime, though, here are a few other sneaky gadgets you actually can get your hands on right now instead. If you were planning on moonlighting as a secret agent… well, let's just say that stocking up on these items are a good place to begin. You may still be a long way from James Bond caliber espionage, but everyone's got to somewhere, right?
1. RFID-Blocking Wallet
Genuine Leather RFID Blocking Secure Wallet, $13, Amazon
I don't want to freak you out or anything, but if you have a credit or debit card or a US that's been issued within the last ten years or so, it's equipped with an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) chip — which, although convenient, are also easy to scan in unauthorized methods. If you've gotten your identity stolen recently, that's probably how it happened. But hey, guess what? All you need to do to protect yourself against this kind of security breach is to get yourself an RFID-blocking wallet. This one from Identity Stronghold ought to do the trick.
2. Rubik's Cube Fridge
Rubik's Cube Fridge, $150, Think Geek
OK, so maybe this one isn't super sneaky — after all, Rubik's cubes aren't nearly that big in reality — but I do kind of dig the idea of a fridge disguised as something else. You can also get one that looks like the Borg cube, although I would argue that one is even less subtle of a disguise.
3. Mobile Phone Signal Blocking Bag
Mobile Phone Signal Blocking Bag, $17, Open Sky
What if you don't want to block other people from getting phone calls? What if you want to block your own phone from getting them? That's what this little bag is for. Just stick your cell phone in it and no one will be able to reach you until you pull it out. Just tell whoever was trying to get a hold of you that you were stuck in an elevator for three hours or something.
4. Tampon Flasks
Tampon Flasks, $14, Amazon
I'm pretty sure someone for whom tampons have never been a regular part of life invented these; no one who actually has to use tampons likes to flash them around, which dramatically cuts down on a tampon flask's sneakiness. Still, though — a hidden flask isn't a bad idea. At least these here are slim enough to hide somewhere else, right?
5. Cell Phone Jammer Painting
Cell Phone Jammer Painting, $435, Rediff
Disclaimer: I don't know how reputable this e-retailer is, so bear that in mind if you're thinking about buying this sucker. At the same time, though, it's hard to resist the lure of a cell phone jammer disguised as a painting, isn't it? That's pretty cool
6. Spy Specs Video Glasses
Spy Gear Spy Specs, $48, Amazon
Admittedly, these are mostly a toy — their product description says they're suitable for ages eight and up — but apparently they can take up to 2000 photos or 15 minutes of video without anyone knowing. Just, y'know… don't use your powers for the forces of evil. Or even for the forces of mild no-nos. Taking photographs of people without their knowledge isn't very nice.
7. Hidden Scanner Book
OK, so technically you can't buy this one — but it's so cool I couldn't very well not include it, so here it is. Richard R. Nagy, who makes all sorts of custom steampunk keyboards and other gadgets over at Datamancer.com, first created the scanner book seen at the link as a personal project on his original website, Datamancer.net. Alas, the page of Datamancer.net featuring the scanner book—which hides a flatbed scanner within the covers of a beautiful hard cover book — isn't operational anymore; however, Nagy is in the process of turning the site into a blog, so with luck, he'll eventually post some DIY instructions. Head on over here to see some pictures of it.
Images: Meltsley/Flickr; courtesy brands; Giphy
