New hi-def player. There is a new player in the Hi-Definition format wars. New Medium Enterprises (“NME”) introduced the HD VMD player to America early last month as an alternative format to HD DVD and Blu-ray.

Keeps going and going . . . The Energizer bunny had better watch out. The new betavoltaic continuous power battery can go for 30 years without a single recharge. “Betavoltaic power cells are constructed from semiconductors and use radioisotopes as the energy source. As the radioactive material decays it emits beta particles that transform into electric power capable of fueling an electrical device like a laptop for years.” The batteries do not produce any radioactive or hazardous waste.

Ducks and drakes. Russell “Rock Bottom” Byars recently broke the world record for skipping stones. Byars’ stone traveled 250 feet and skipped 51 times beating the old world record of 40. Before declaring him a record-holder, Guinness World Records experts analyzed film of Byars’ toss, checking the concentric circles in the water by each skip. Here’s the video: