http://dvice.com/archives/2011/04/new-laser-will.php
Wow.. I bolded the part I found the most interesting.. "The hope is that a laser this powerful might actually be able to tear apart the vacuum of space-time itself" I have a feeling that quote might come back to bite someone in the ass when a rip in the fabric of space opens up to consume us all.

http://gizmodo.com/5843861/nasas-testing-laser-internet-in-space-laser-space-internet
Well, with a bunch of relays in place, once a Mars or space colony is created it will at least have earth internet!

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7S71mPJ0F0Q]YouTube- 12X Blu-Ray Star Trek Phaser - Featured on HacknMod.com[/ame]
Sweet.

http://dvice.com/archives/2010/02/shotgun-revolve.php
Click the link and look at the picture! Now thats a hand cannon!