The BBC's charity program "Children in Need" - benefiting disadvantaged children - has a new video online featuring Dan Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson speaking about the importance of supporting the charity.

You can watch it on YouTube right here. Thanks to RupertGrint.net!

In September we told you about a very cool remote control wand that was about to go on sale.

Since then, the creator of the wand offered to give Jamie a demonstration of the Kymera Magic Wand in the comfort of Jamie's own home using his own electronic equipment.

Jamie was blown away by the technology and wrote up a review for MuggleNet (the full review can be accessed by clicking the "Read More..." link at the bottom of this post):

It was roughly two minutes into my interview with Chris Barnardo, mastermind of the Kymera magic wand, that we got onto the topic of Arthur C. Clarke’s third law: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” Chris quoted it with such passion that I knew I was about to see some sorcery in action, and before I know it, I’m turning lights off with the flick of a wand and turning up the volume on my iPod dock with a majestic twizzle.

The Kymera magic wand is truly a puzzle piece of engineering. About halfway into the interview Chris laments that 300 years ago he’d have been burnt at the stake. If I’m being honest, I’m surprised he escapes that punishment today. I simply have no idea how the wand works (although he does explain it to me), but am infinitely impressed with it. The technology is clever. The wand is heavy-ish but not cumbersome, and fits comfortably in the palm. The styling is rustic, Victorian and sleek, but not overpowering. One gets the sense that this wasn’t made simply for aesthetics.

Several media outlets, including the official Harry Potter Twitter account earlier today, have picked up a story originating from The Daily Mail about a guy named Harry Potter. He isn't too happy about sharing the same name JK Rowling's main character holds:

Mr Potter said: 'When I got my job in the bank, they couldn't believe that I was telling the truth on my application form.

'I'm the only person in the building who doesn't have to use my full name when I'm talking on the phone.

'Beginning a phone conversation with the mention of my name is never a good start - it distracts people too much.'

And while the young stars of the film series have snapped up a string of multi-million properties, Mr Potter will be happy when he and girlfriend Philippa Hall, 18, manage to buy their first house together.

Is this guy just looking for attention, or is he really upset? Would it bother you if you were named Harry Potter?

Harry Melling--the actor who plays Dudley Dursley--discussed his recent weight loss and his career in an interview with the Telegraph.

On returning to the set of Deathly Hallows after his weight loss, Melling no longer looked like Dudley.

Dudley doesn't feature in the sixth Potter film, so there was a long gap between playing the butterball bully in the fifth, aged 16, and shooting the seventh film, this year. In the meantime, he had changed almost beyond recognition, to the producers' alarm. "They did this double-take, 'Oh my God, we are going to have to do something,' and I felt very guilty. They could have recast, but instead they padded me out."

Despite not being a lead in the movies, Melling is happy with his career.

"I can now shed the child-actor thing, like the fat, and start a new career, because no one sees me as Dudley."

Since the Potter fandom is Twitter-crazy over the news today that author JK Rowling has joined the social networking site (and hinted that she's busy writing.. something), we wanted to help you follow ALL the Potter stars who are on Twitter.

By clicking here and putting your Twitter username and password into the box provided, you will be able to follow JK Rowling, Tom Felton, Matthew Lewis, Oliver Phelps, James Phelps, and many other stars instantly! You'll also be able to add the official MuggleNet account (maintained by us) and the official Harry Potter account (maintained by WB).

A list of MuggleNet staffers on Twitter can be found here.

The Nintendo Wii made using a wand semi-realistic, but now engineers at the Wand Company have created a universal Kymera Magic Wand remote control.

Yet another way the wizarding world is coming to life! Will you check it out when it comes out Oct. 1 for $80?

Read the rest of the article here.

Thanks to Ashley for the tip!

In a speech to the schoolchildren of America, President Obama mentioned Harry Potter and J.K. Rowling to remind kids of the power of perseverance. As The Times Online reports:

Those who do hear what he has to say will be encouraged to aim almost as high as he has. Michael Jordan, the basketball star, “was cut from his high school team,” Mr Obama said, and “J.K. Rowling’s first Harry Potter book was rejected 12 times”.

The full transcript of the speech can be found here.

You may recall that the Sasha and Malia Obama are also big fans of Harry Potter and had the chance to visit the set this past summer.

We all know that there have been numerous attempts at a real life invisibility cloak in the Muggle world, but here's a new one: in the next issue of Entertainment Weekly, CBS will be publishing video ads within the printed magazine itself! Daily Prophet and/or moving portraits much? From the Financial Times:

The cost of the full-motion video ad was not disclosed, but it will be far more expensive than traditional print ads, according to executives familiar with the technology, developed by a US company called Americhip.

The willingness to spend on such a promotion highlights the radical means marketers are employing to reach consumers at a time when a growing number of people are using new technologies such as digital video recorders to avoid ads.

"It's part of the future - a way to engage consumers in new and surprising ways," said George Schweitzer, president of CBS marketing group. "How do you sample a drink? You give them a taste."

Unfortunately, the ads will only be issues delivered to New York and Los Angeles residents. If anyone can send in video of this impressive feat, please do send it in to us!

A giant crop circle that looks like an owl has been found in a field in Wiltshire, UK, and there are theories that it's a tribute to Hedwig.

Steve Killick, a Harry Potter fan, said: "It is very exciting to think that there are fans of Harry from other galaxies.

"Most of the world has fallen in love with Harry Potter so it makes sense that most of the universe will do eventually too."

Pattern expert Karen Alexander dismissed the claims: "The owl is an ancient symbol of wisdom, so perhaps it is a message to people that we should be thinking deeper about the world around us.

"This is obviously a time of some upheaval in the world so perhaps this is a sign that we should be looking backwards for some wisdom in how to deal with today's problems, rather than anything to do with Harry Potter."

Karen Alexander is a party pooper. See the crop circle here, and thanks to Cassie for the tip.

Baylor University released an article today looking at the role Harry Potter may have on newspapers and journalism.

"The books present an unnecessarily pessimistic view of journalism today," says Dr. Amanda Sturgill, senior lecturer in journalism at Baylor and one of the study co-authors. "Since literature can play an important role in helping children learn and possibly empathize with situations experienced by the characters, the potential for influence on journalism is strong."

What do you think? Are Rita Skeeter and the Daily Prophet adding to the already declining credibility/opinion of newspapers and journalism?

Mediate matches 30 news anchors, talk show hosts, and other "media muggles" with their Harry Potter equivalents. It's like a Harry Potter edition of Totally Looks Like, except with personality included. Funny stuff:

Anderson Cooper: Fleur Delacour ("That silvery hair...those bewitching eyes...how could you not be transfixed?")

Chris Matthews: Mad-Eye Moody ("He barks. He blurts. He sometimes seems a
little nuts. Need we say more?")

Bill O'Reilly: Draco Malfoy

Martha Stewart: Molly Weasley

Brian Williams: Gilderoy Lockhart

Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert: Fred and George Weasley

Go read the rest!

ESPN.com recently featured a recent trend in colleges around the country--Muggle Quidditch. The article focuses on two crafty college students who figured out ways to play the game, despite the setbacks of being non-magical, and wrote a book entitled "Intercollegiate Quidditch Rules and Guide-Book."

"If you have opened this book, chances are you are least partly interested in playing Quidditch. And anyone who is at least partly interested can all too easily become as passionate about it as I am."

"Quidditch is something that makes people undeniably happy," the intro continues. "The childlike freedom that comes with playing and watching it is something unprecedented."

Check out the rest of the story here.

From the miscellaneous folder, many of you sent in this hilarious video of Jimmy Fallon mocking Dan Radcliffe and Robert Pattinson hating on each other's success. According to Jimmy, Rob was very upset about Dan's success with Half-Blood Prince and vise versa (note: not really. this is a parody).

There is some mature language in the video that may not be suitable for children, so please use caution! Thanks to everyone who e-mailed it in.

Variety is reporting that WB and Apple will collaborate to release a Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince iPhone application. WB is "positioning itself as a major distributor of applications for the iPhone and iPod Touch" with apps tied to Sherlock Homes and "Terminator Salvation" among others.

No official word on a release date for the Half-Blood Prince app yet, but we'll keep you updated!

The Hogwarts Express will be traveling on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway for eight days later this month, according to a new report coming out of Gloucestershire.

Fans will be able to ride the train while it makes an appearance at the Cotswold Festival of Steam, and later when it takes passengers between Cheltenham Racecourse and Toddington stations.

Our friends at Whimsic Alley have let us know that they're holding a special sale on Hogwarts House Dress Up Kits especially for the big Potter movie release and fan symposiums this summer.

For $149.99, you can get a Robe, Sweater, Tie, Wand and Pin from your favorite House. You can also get huge discounts on Skirts, Scarves, Patches, etc. to complete your School Uniform.

See all the details right here!

Big Brother UK host Davina McCall surprised a school in High Elms Lane last Wednesday during lessons to announce that they had raised a record number of money for Comic Relief. Twelve students and two teachers have been rewarded with a tour of the Harry Potter set at Leavesden Studios. The lucky guests will get to meet some of the stars and watch a bit of the filming.

BBC1 will air the surprise visit on Friday as part of their Comic Relief "Do something funny for money" Red Nose Day. Comic Relief aims to raise money by means of laughter and comedy.

All of us here at MuggleNet hope you have the most joyful of holidays, whether you celebrate Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, Eid, or you worship the Flying Spaghetti Monster (we believe in tolerance of all types here).

The Pickle Pack Reindeer has a personal message for all of you: 'ubbuuh hhaaww gauw auubaa aiuwh gnuhhh ahda' ... I don't speak reindeer (I speak whale) so I'll leave you to translate.

For those of you who were wondering, the Pickle Pack Reindeer's storied history goes way back to last Christmas when, moments before making my Christmas post, I decided Pickle Pack could use a reindeer after I found this ridiculous pic on Google.

The warm and fuzzy Christmas layout is a present from Dylan, our graphics designer. Don't you just want to dive in to that photo?

In celebration of Harry Potter's birthday, the official Potter store, Warner Bros. shop, is offering 15% off every item they sell. No coupon necessary, just shop and save. Hurry, though: offer expires at midnight August 4th.

Simply click here to visit the store.

We are very happy to break the news that Jim Dale, narrator of the US Potter books, will be presenting at HPEF's Portus 2008 this July! Portus representative Aziza Aba Butain talks about how excited they are to be hosting him:

"We've just confirmed that Jim Dale, the amazing "reader" of all the HP audio books for the US , Broadway icon and the narrator of ABC's new hit series "Pushing Daisies", will be presenting at Portus in July. This will be Jim Dale's first HP conference. We're all very excited and honored to have a guest so involved with the series be apart of Portus's Programming. Mr. Dale is quite the dynamic, accomplished speaker and we can't wait for Portus to arrive.

Portus's monthly newsletter, The Portal, will be updating soon with the latest on Jim's programming. This will, undoubtedly, be a must-see conference for Harry Potter fans. We cannot wait to find out what Portus and Jim Dale have to offer!

If you're interested in attending Portus, you must register! Visit Portus2008.org for more information. Don't forget, MuggleCast will also be hosting a podcast at the conference as part of their Podcast Palooza. This is one conference that you definitely will not want to miss!