Panasonic’s new SDR-S7 camcorder was recently announced in Japan, and it remains to be seen whether it will make its way across the globe. Features of this 182g camcorder (with battery) include :-

• SD memory card slot
• Video recording in VGA resolution (MPEG-2 format)
• 0.6s Quick Start
• 10x optical zoom
• 2.7″ display

It will retail for approximately €270 when released at the end of this month in Japan, and will come in black and silver colors.

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The Internet lets us do all manner of things: send emails, write blogs and of course, run manufacturing businesses in conjunction with companies halfway across the world.

Wait, what was that last one again?

Wired reports that a growing number of entrepreneurs (who they cutely call “instapreneurs”) are using sites like Zazzle, which will make your design into a t-shirt for general retail, Blurb, which will knock you up a book and Ponoko, which will make up anything from a pair of earrings like the ones pictured above, to a large-scale item of furniture. And they will make as many or as few as you like.

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Lynda.com, which offers very affordable online training courses for learning software and Web design - for geeks as well as ordinary people - has introduced closed captioning to their learning library. Because Lynda.com courses require that you follow the instructor’s voice as he takes you through various pages on your computer screen, up until now, they weren’t accessible to the hearing impaired.

The other benefit of closed-captioning is that it enables users to search within specific lessons as well as across the Lynda.com website. As a user, I sometimes find that I want to go back to a very specific topic wthin a lesson, but don’t always remember which section contained that topic. The ability to search closed-captioning text would make this kind of review much simpler. Lynda tells us that the conversion to closed-captioning throughout the library is well underway and should be completed in a few months.

Check out their list of 412 lessons.

Related posts:
Learn to tokidoki at Lynda.com
Lynda.com online training library - not just for geeks

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Underwater Spa Lights

To create a completely new and exciting experience at bath time simply add water and the amazing Underwater Light Show. This amazing light emits a fantastic multi-coloured display turning your bath into a dazzling spectacle of colour.There are 5 different sequences which you can change between by pressing the button on the side. Each style is made up of different combinations of red, green and blue light each with different patterns and displays, some flashing and some still. Whatever your mood, there is a combination to complement. The effect of the unit on the water is truly beautiful. The dome shape means that the light reaches out expansively to illuminate the pool or room. A balancing cap is included so you can float it on top of the water. The underwater light show is also a great way to brighten up your swimming pool and jazz up your pool parties. Features:Red, green and blue lights; in 5 different display combinations Plastic casing is clear 100% waterproof Requires 3 x AAA batteries Suitable for all agesDimensions:Height - 8 cm Width - 8.5 cm Depth - 8.5 cm - AA   - A

Technorati Tags: Tech Toys

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Intel has officially unveiled their next-generation Classmate PC, or what is being called the Netbook. The updated line will feature a 9-inch display, an Intel Celeron M processor, 512MB of RAM, 30GB hard drive, built-in webcam, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g and is mesh network capable. The notebooks Netbook will also be able to run either Linux or Windows XP. Similar to the previous generation, these updated models will be a part of the Intel World Ahead Program.

Read [Intel] Via [Engadget]

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Calling something “theft-proof” is like calling something “hack-proof”. As the Blu-ray inventors found out, it’s an open invitation to be proved wrong. Hubris aside, the TheftProof bike looks like a very smart concept.

Many cyclists remove the saddle and lock it to the frame. The TheftProof makes a virtue of this normally tiresome task and integrates a cable and lock into the seat, which can be removed to secure the wheels to the frame. You won’t want to use the cable to lock-down the actual bike: cables are too susceptible to cutting, but as a neat two-in-one solution, we like it. So do the judges at Core77, who awarded the TheftProof first prize in their Theft Proof Bicycles contest .

Theft Proof Bike Designs an More [Bicycle Design]

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SoundID has announced its latest Bluetooth headset, the HD 300 with NoiseNavigation control. Boasting a narrow form and chic, high-gloss black finish, the SoundID HD300 Bluetooth headset was designed to complement the natural hearing process. NoiseNavigation is SoundID’s proprietary technology that optimizes speech intelligibility during conversation with two microphones that isolates speech and DSP algorithms. This is said to reduce wind and background noise when the Bluetooth headset is in used, in other words the person you are speaking with should not have any trouble hearing you.

Aside from NoiseNavigation, the HD300 also features PersonalSound, which lets users select from three listening modes based on the most common hearing preferences. But perhaps the best feature of the HD300 Bluetooth headset is the Automatic Volume Control. This feature eliminates the need for constant volume adjustments when noise condition in the environment varies.

Usage wise, the SoundID HD300 was designed with RealComfort EarLoops that should give users comfort during prolonged use but also channels the sound the most efficient way.

Finally, the SoundID HD300 comes with free downloadable application that allows users to control their HD300 through their mobile phones. The SoundID HD30 Bluetooth headset is expected to hit US stores in Q3 2008 and retail for $119.

Read [Business Wire]

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Panasonic ain’t too shabby when it comes to plasma displays - after all, they’re the ones with the monster 150″ display at this year’s CES.This time, they’re bringing a new iteration of its plasma technology to cell phones, aiming to take on OLEDs as well as other display technologies found in handheld and mobile devices. Surprisingly, this new small sized plasma display sips a mere 1.5 volts of power and is pretty close in terms of thickness and weight when compared against other portable displays. Panasonic also claims that this display boasts richer color and contrast ratios than most LCDs. The first plasma-enabled Panasonic cell phone will be made available in Japan sometime in the near future. I wonder how much more of a premium we’ll need to pay for such technology.

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Shure E4C Sound-Isolating Earphones

The E4cs cutting-edge design with high-definition drivers and tuned port technology allow you to enjoy professional-grade sound while youre on the go. These sound isolating earphones provide a secure in ear design with the help of a personal fit kit that includes different types and sizes of ear sleeves to ensure a comfortable fit.

Technorati Tags: Shure

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Now according to the product description, the 3-D IQ Sphere is supposed to train both your IQ and EQ, although I’m not too sure how the latter part is going to be trained. Will arranging a rounded Rubik’s Cube actually improve my EQ? At $9 a pop, I’d rather throw in an additional $10 to pick up Brain Age on my DS which offers me way more interactivity, and to be able to share the joys of Brain Age with friends and family will definitely increase my EQ no two ways about it

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