Even Karate-Mad Hermits Can't Resist Owning Cellphones In Japan

I thought hermits kept busy plastering windows with newspaper and collecting Pot Noodle cups. This Japanese hermit, while burying himself in the hills and practicing nunchuck skillz, has his own website and answers phonecalls—while being interviewed on TV.

At 68 years of age, the Japanese hermit moves faster and has better eyesight than any of us, probably due to the fact he is a former karate champ. 16 years ago he moved to the Aichi prefecture of Japan to become a hermit, but as shown in this crazy Japanese TV segment about him, he just can't give up communicating with the outside world. I feel his pain. [Heiseisennin via Japan Probe]

A Flip-Like Pocket Cam From Sanyo Does 1080p At 30FPS

Sanyo, long-time expert in making small but powerful dual cameras (video + still), just made its first Flip-type camera. Yes! It not only has Sanyo's expertise, it also has a 3X optical zoom and dual-mics that look like shoulder pads.

The price for the VPC-PD2BK is only $170 (right in line with the rest of the pocket cameras), and can do 1080P at 30FPS. It takes 10-megapixel photos, stereo sound recording, flash, SD/SDHC/SDXC card compatible, measures 2.48 x 0.87 x 4.36 and weighs 3.7 ounces. The 3X optical zoom also sets it apart, even if it does make the back look a bit unbalanced and cyborgy.

That Sanyo is getting into the cheaper camcorder space is exciting, even if the space is slowly being squeezed out by higher and higher quality smartphone video recording. Even still, it's going to be a while before you can get this level of quality on a smartphone. [Sanyo]