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Latest Gear Live Videos
Why Turntable.fm matters, and how it enhances music discovery
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Editorial, Features, Internet, Music,
Right now I'm at SXSW, sitting in on the Turntable.fm DJ Battle that's taking place over the next two hours. There are a few DJs on stage playing their best tracks in an attempt to rock the crowd, and as things are unfolding, I can see some real potential for Turntable.fm to bring something to the table that the Spotifys, Rdios, and Rhapsodys of the world just aren't able to deliver at the moment, especially now that Turntable has secured licensing rights from all four of the major record labels here in the U.S.
Click to continue reading Why Turntable.fm matters, and how it enhances music discovery
Gallery: Why Turntable.fm matters, and how it enhances music discovery
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Apple just updated GarageBand to version 6.0.5, bringing with it compatibility with the updated iOS version of the software, as well as squashing a few bugs. You can download the update now through Software Update or the Mac App Store!
Gallery: GarageBand updated to 6.0.5
Huge Giveaway: Enter to win the HyperSpeed HDMI Fan Cave and Big Game Bundle!
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Announcements, HDTV, Home Entertainment, Music, Portable Audio / Video,
As we've been teasing on the Gear Live Twitter, Facebook, and Google+ pages (this is why you should be following us on those services!), we are teaming up with Monster and Newegg this week to give away two huge prize packs. In anticipation of the Big Game in Indianapolis, we are co-sponsoring the Newegg Monster HyperSpeed HDMI Fan Cave Sweepstakes this week. Details on how you can win the Newegg Monster HyperSpeed HDMI Fan Cave (valued at $4,370) and the Monster Big Game Bundle (valued at $1,740) and what's included in each bundle are below. Enter once for a chance to win from January 27th through February 4th.
The HyperSpeed HDMI Fan Cave is a $4,370 value and includes:
- LG 47" 3D 1080p 240Hz LED HDTV (valued at $1900)
- 16' Monster M2000 HyperSpeed HDMI cable (valued at $350)
- Monster Clarity HD Model One speakers (valued at $750)
- Two Monster iSport In-Ear headphones (valued at $360)
- Monster HDP 1800 HD Power Center (valued at $350)
- Monster Flat Screen Articulating Wall Mount (valued at $400)
- Monster Digital Life PowerNet 300 (valued at $160)
- Newegg Gift Card (valued at $100)
The Big Game Bundle is a $1,740 value and includes:
- 8' Monster M2000 HyperSPeed HDMI Cable (valued at $250)
- Monster Clarity HD Model One speakers (valued at $750)
- Monster iSport In-Ear headphones (valued at $180)
- Monster HDP 1800 HD Power Center (valued at $350)
- Monster Digital Life PowerNet 300 (valued at $160)
- Newegg Gift Card (valued at $50)
So, how do you enter to win all this good stuff? To enter to win the Newegg Monster HyperSpeed HDMI Fan Cave, head on over to Monster's giveaway page on Newegg. You can enter there once for a change to win. To enter to win the Monster Big Game Bundle, you can enter using our widget below. We've got just one requirement for entry, but we are also offering you guys a bunch of extra ways to score bonus entries. Here's what's required:
- Follow the Gear Live Twitter account and post this tweet exactly as written: “Hey @GearLive hook me up with that @MonsterProducts Big Game Bundle! http://gear.lv/e-big-game” (Click here to tweet this now)
Let us know you did that, and grab your bonus entries, using the widget below!
EDIT: We are having trouble with the widget not loading - in the meantime, just head over to this page and enter using the widget at the bottom!
Gallery: Huge Giveaway: Enter to win the HyperSpeed HDMI Fan Cave and Big Game Bundle!
Monster teams up with Livestrong on latest iSport headphones
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Music, Portable Audio / Video,
It seems that most of Monster's headphone lineup for CES 2012 is based on multiple partnerships - we've already seen the Gratitude headphones (a collaboration with Earth, Wind & Fire), Diamond Tears - Edge (a collabo with J.Y. Parks), and the VEKTR headphones that are the result of a partnership with Diesel. Up next, the iSport Livestrong Edition headphones, aimed at athletes and sports enthusiasts. They obviously feature Livestrong's recognizable bright yellow color on both the cable and earbuds, and a portion of all sales will be donated to the Lance Armstrong Foundation. You can find them at RadioShack next month for $179.95, and in other retailers later this year.
Gallery: Monster teams up with Livestrong on latest iSport headphones
Monster ClarityHD Micro Bluetooth speaker to sell for $219 this March
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, CES, CES 2012, Music, Wireless / WiFi,
Monster is jumping into the high-quality Bluetooth loudspeaker game with the ClarityHD Micro, which they introduced at CES 2012. Similar to the Jawbone Jambox that's been so popular over the past couple of years, the ClarityHD Micro produces "higher definition sound" from your Bluetooth devices, and also allows you to take calls as well using its built-in omnidirectional microphone. So you can be streaming the latest from Justin Bieber from your iPhone, and when a call comes through, you can answer it and hold the conversation over the ClarityHD Micro as well. Convenient. Additionally, the speaker grills are magnetic and interchangeable, allowing the user to switch up the color and style. Expect to pay $219.95 when they ship worldwide this March.
Gallery: Monster ClarityHD Micro Bluetooth speaker to sell for $219 this March
Monster Inspiration is its first noise-canceling over-ear headphone
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, CES, CES 2012, Music, Portable Audio / Video,
The folks at Monster are on a roll with the CES 2012 announcements this morning, and we've got the scoop on another - feast your eyes on the Inspiration over-ear headphone. This is Monster Cable's first noise-cancelling over-ear headphone, and we're actually pretty surprised its taken the company this long to release something like this. These are ideal for frequent travelers, commuting, home use, or really anywhere you want the noise of the outside world to be drowned out. The Inspiration headphones are fashionable, and will be available in black, white, and a limited edition silver color. The headbands are interchangeable if you don't like any of those colors, with eight different style to choose from for $29 each. Expect to pay $279 for a pair of Inspiration over-ears when they begin shipping this spring. Also, the Inspiration Lite, an on-ear alternative, will be available in June for $229.
Gallery: Monster Inspiration is its first noise-canceling over-ear headphone
Gratitude in-ear headphones from Monster and Earth, Wind & Fire
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, CES, CES 2012, Music, Portable Audio / Video,
Today at CES 2012 Monster Cable unveiled its new Gratitude in-ear headphones. These earbuds were created in alliance with Earth, Wind & Fire, and are specifically tunes to reproduce the nuances of live music and bring out the details of each instrument being placed, with the end result being a more natural, immersive sound. The physical design of the Gratitude headphones features a rose gold finish, and a new design that allows the earpiece to to rest deeper in the ear canal without being uncomfortable. A custom carrying case is also included with each pair. Look for them to hit stores soon for $229.
Gallery: Gratitude in-ear headphones from Monster and Earth, Wind & Fire
Ask Andru: Eight last-minute ideas for cool tech gifts
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Cameras, Wearables, Design, Handhelds, Music,
[Editor's Note: Andru Edwards of Gear Live and the Ask Andru column joined us on this week's GeekWire radio show and podcast to share his top picks for technology gifts this holiday season. Here's a rundown of his choices, just in time your last-minute shopping.]
Kindle Fire: Amazon's $199 tablet is often compared to the iPad, but in many ways it's more appropriate to compare it to the iPod touch, based on the price and feature set. If you want a cheap tablet that can ship to you by Christmas, the Kindle Fire is it. There are some bugs. In terms of responsiveness and the accuracy of its touch interface, the Kindle Fire doesn't always live up to Apple iOS devices, but for $199 you're not going to find anything else that has this feature set, and many of the bugs will be fixed by software updates.
Crayola ColorStudio HD: This $29.99 accessory is a digital marker for the iPad, turning the Apple tablet into a virtual coloring book when used in conjunction with a companion app, with music and animations. With the digital marker, kids can do more with the iPad than just play games. They can be color, they can make their own coloring book pages. Input styles include crayons, markers and paint. Features include Facebook sharing and printing through Apple AirPrint.
Click to continue reading Ask Andru: Eight last-minute ideas for cool tech gifts
Gallery: Ask Andru: Eight last-minute ideas for cool tech gifts
The Internet radio market got another shot of disruption today as Spotify announced its new Spotify Radio, a music-streaming app that will function just like a normal radio station, with the added ability to skip songs you don't like.
During this week's LeWeb tech conference in Paris, which was live-streamed online, Spotify CEO Daniel Ek took to the stage to announce the launch of the new app. Outlining the merits of Spotify Radio, Ek said, "It's kind of like Pandora, but with unlimited skipping and unlimited stations... We think people will love playing around it and we'd love to see what developers will do on top of that."
To get started, users simply click the new "Start Artist Radio" at the top of an artist page and the app will automatically create a radio station and continue to insert new music based on its "intelligent recommendation engine."
Click to continue reading Spotify Radio set to take on Pandora
Gallery: Spotify Radio set to take on Pandora
Spotify launches its own app ecosystem in attempt to become a music platform
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Corporate News, Internet, Music, Software,
Spotify has opened its network up to developers, turning the music service into a music platform.
"We're launching truly integrated apps inside Spotify from the best and brightest," Spotify chief executive Daniel Ek said during a New York press event. "We really believe they'll deliver unique experiences tailored to you and your music tastes."
Third-party developers will be able to build HTML5 apps that access Spotify's music library via a JavaScript API. Spotify is "opening our platform in a way that lets you curate the apps you want and make Spotify yours," Ek said.
All app developers are invited to submit apps to Spotify "but we will approve the apps because we think the core here is the user experience," Ek said.
At this point, there are also no monetization possibilities; all apps will be free.
Gallery: Spotify launches its own app ecosystem in attempt to become a music platform
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