New Harry Potter Book

J.K. Rowling’s Charity to Publish “Beedle the Bard” in December.

 Today, on J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter’s birthdays, JKR has announced that her children’s charity, Children’s High Level Group, will publish The Tales of Beedle the Bard on December 4, in an exclusive deal with Bloomsbury, Scholastic and Amazon. (You can pre-order from Amazon now.)

http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/2008/7/31/j-k-rowling-s-charity-to-publish-beedle-the-bard-in-december

Blu-Ray DVD player that also streams Netflix Movies

LG’s BD300 Network Blu-ray Disc Player will begin streaming Netflix movies in the US this September. The player will cost “well under $500″ and allow Netflix members to stream more than 12,000 standard definition TV and films through the device at no additional increase to their monthly paid subscriptions.

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/07/31/lgs-bd300-network-blu-ray-player-to-stream-netflix-in-september/

3-D Printing for the Masses (from MIT)

A new online service aims to bring customized manufacturing to the masses by allowing consumers to submit digital designs of products that are then printed, using 3-D printers, and shipped back.

http://www.technologyreview.com/Infotech/21152/?a=f

http://www.shapeways.com/login

(NGO) A beluga whale blows bubbles

Hamada, Japan, July 26, 2008—A beluga whale blows bubbles at an aquarium in Japan to the delight of visitors who have come by the thousands to view the spectacle.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/07/photogalleries/animal-photos-week2/index.html