The Buzz

Copyright, the Video
Some concepts inherently lend themselves toward fun visuals. That’s not exactly the case when it comes to copyright law. Nevertheless, this video, created by the Copyright Clearance Center, is a lively production, animated in a retro style that makes you think you’re watching a ’50s-era commercial à la Mad Men—all the while absorbing the ins and outs of infringement and fair use. The 6.5-minute video, “Copyright Basics,” follows debonair “Jim T. Librarian” as he sets a colleague straight on how to deal with content. View or download it at bit.ly/18cvMI.

One Dreamy Little Camera
The latest digital shooter to take the photo world by storm? The Zumi. Created by Japanese toy camera maker Powershovel and distributed by Photojojo, the Zumi takes lo-fi snaps, with charming drop off at the corners and lens flare. Nostalgia ain’t cheap—$160 for the camera, $170 for the kit, including a 2GB mini-SD card and USB adapter. But the cute little thing, which sports a viewfinder, sold out quickly; fresh stock is expected to ship this month. The camera holds up to 1,600 high-res shots and two hours of video .

Long Live Your MacBook
MacBook users take note: the HyperMac external battery can power your laptop for up to 32 hours, accommodating those long flights, remote locations—and marathon conferences. It’s the first universal power solution that works with the entire Apple line of MacBooks, according to the company, and can power an iPhone or iPod, to boot. Available in four capacities, 60- to 222-watt hours, the HyperMac comes spliced with a MagSafe connector. Get one and your MacBook may outlast you. $200–500. www.hypermac.com.

High-def Webcam Reveals All
A cool, new gadget ramps up videoconferencing from a laptop. Designed for PC notebooks, the Hercules Dualpix HD720p webcam captures you in high-definition glory for a Web-conferencing experience that’s truly up close and personal. The Dualpix can be attached almost anywhere on your laptop, top or sides, and articulated for the best angle, while the onscreen image automatically corrects itself. A wide-angle lens with 3x zoom means they can see you head to toe during a chat. Oh boy! $59.99. www.hercules.com.

Record Kids’ Books
Ripple, a Web start-up that will enable users to make private audio recordings of picture books for the children in their lives, has signed Charlesbridge as its first publisher partner. Launching this fall, Ripple is offering schools and libraries two ways to earn $1 on each recording sent to a child: by adding a dedicated Ripple link to their Web site or securing a unique code, which patrons enter at checkout when making a recording on the Ripple site.

Picture Books on the iPhone
Children’s books are evolving in the digital age, but the representation of titles for the youngest readers has thus far been a bit of a challenge. Recently though, WingedChariot became the first publisher to release a children’s picture book, The Surprise, for the iPhone (pictured at right). Meanwhile, ScrollMotion is set to release a new ereader before Christmas. The device will feature customizable elements, including the ability for parents to enlarge text in a picture book, ScrollMotion cofounder Josh Koppel told Publisher’s Weekly. “These are things you’re going to see this year,” he said.