Latest Gear Live Videos
Guitar Rockstar Makes Music Simplified
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Misc. Tech, Music, Toys,
We have had a lot of musical gadgets on Gear Live recently, but leave it to Tomy to come up with something that almost looks like what it is supposed to be. The Guitar Rockstar, at a size of 250 x 210 x 70mm, has numerous buttons to make music. There are all the basic chords, as well as those sharp, flat, major, and 7th. With both strum and free-play, would that a real guitar could be this easy for those of us that just don’t have the fingers for it. The musical toy will be available in randomly chosen black, blue, and red in June and needs 3 AAA batteries (not included) at a price of £14.99 (~$30.00.)
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| Drinkstuff
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American Idol Review: Top 10 Girls
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Music, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, American Idol, Editorial, Features,
So it seems that, largely, 70s week was a bust for the American Idol contestants. The theme of both the Tuesday and Wednesday performances seemed to be “pick a better song next time.” But for four of them, there will be no next time.
Carly Smithson ended last week’s performances, slating her in the first place position Wednesday night. I loved her black outfit and the power she put into “Crazy On You,” but there were times when everything didn’t quite sound in key. Randy Jackson called her performance “good toward the end,” but said that she “over-hit” some of the notes. Paula told Carly, “you are an amazing singer” which started off the tone of her mostly generic comments for the rest of the evening. Simon liked Carly’s performance better than last Wednesday’s, but thinks she hasn’t quite found the right song. He did give her one piece of praise, saying none of the other girls in the competition “can touch you vocally.”
Click to continue reading American Idol Review: Top 10 Girls
American Idol Official Site
Apple is Second in Music Sales
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Apple, Corporate News, Music,
Apple must be positively giddy at hearing the news that the iTunes Store is now the #2 retailer of music, second only to Wally World. The company claims that it sold 20 million tunes on Christmas Day alone. Based on an NPD Group survey, the top four also included Best Buy and Target. The study also concluded that about 29 million consumers, ages 36 to 50, acquired music legally. They were those that had recently purchased (or received) MP3 players. That was an increase of 5 mill over the year before. That’s a lot of assuaged guilt.
Read More | NPD Group
MP3 Player Looks Like a Toy, Sounds Like Music
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Accessories, USB, Music, Portable Audio / Video,
Homeloo has a slew of Lego-esque products. Their Homade MP3 Player has a rechargeable Li-ion battery and supports a 2GB microSD card. It features raised buttons for control and file managing. You can connect it to your USB port with the included cable. At a size of 24 x 3cm and a weight of about 400g, the player also comes with headphone and strap for $46.00. Homade also offers a Mini-iStereo Dock Speaker for $16.99 and an iStereo Speaker for $39.99.
Read More | Homeloo
American Idol: Why it’s No Good to Be Too Good
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Music, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, American Idol, Editorial,
It’s an incredibly bold idea. Start a reality show on the premise that somewhere out there, amazing singers are lurking and just waiting for their chance. Then, go out and find these incredible singers and let American decide which one gets to experience fame. But scratch the surface of American Idol, and there’s much more involved than just singing.
The best don’t always win. It’s just that simple. I mean - c’mon - Taylor Hicks? Really, was he the best singer? And Chris Daughtry - if he can’t win the show, you might as well throw the radio out the window. Jennifer Hudson got booted, then went on to sing her heart out in an Oscar-winning Dreamgirls performance. Last year’s winner Jordin Sparks had dismal first week record sales (the lowest in Idol history), though she beat out twenty-three other fantastic singers just to seal the deal. Listen, Clay Aiken didn’t even win his season - remember?
The best don’t always win.
Click to continue reading American Idol: Why it’s No Good to Be Too Good
American Idol Official Site
American Idol: Top 10 Guys Perform
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Music, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, American Idol, Editorial, Features,
It’s all about the 70’s this week on American Idol, and upon hearing this wonderful news I was instantly interested. There are many, many fabulous songs from this decade. Last week it was 60’s, now it’s 70’s…okay, I’m sensing a theme. This can only mean the 80’s are to follow, and if this is the case I must make a general plea: please, please, someone do a punk rock song. The 80’s! You can’t deny punk rock. That being said, we’ll get back to the Tuesday night performances. (Though I will say, here and now, that I’m thoroughly disappointed no one picked Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer” Tuesday).
Click to continue reading American Idol: Top 10 Guys Perform
American Idol Official Site
Ousted American Idols Speak Out
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Music, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, American Idol, Gossip,
They came, they sang, they got kicked out. It’s never easy to be eliminated from American Idol, but being sent home the very first week is the absolute worst. At least, for these early eliminations, the ousted contestants have some company. Recently, the first four to leave the stage shared their thoughts on being booted from the show.
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American Idol Official Site
EQ T-Shirt Keeps Time
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Wearables, Design, Music,
What do you wear when your T-Equalizer shirt is dirty? The latest in geekwear, the sound sensitive 4D Equalizer Tee which keeps the beat to the music, even if you can’t. Like most shirts of this type, the battery pack fits into a pocket and is removable for washing out the remnants of the night before. Made from cotton and available in four sizes, the t-shirt runs on 4 AAA batteries (not included) and will be in stock February 29 for £24.99 (~$49.00.)
Read More | Gadget Box
Dolphin MP3 Player Likes to Swim
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Music, Portable Audio / Video,
Next time you feel like a swim or simply want some tunes to sing to in the shower, you might want to take along the Century Limited waterproof Dolphin MP3 Player. Holding 1GB memory, it is made of silicone and its dimensions are 21 × 60mm with a weight of 25g. It records at 32 to 284 kbps and can connect to a USB 2.0 port for music downloading. Expect a charge time of 2 hours for 8 hours of playback. That’s one heck of a shower. Compatible with both Windows and Mac, the Dolphin comes with both earplugs and goggles for JPY12,800 (~$119.00.)
Read More | Century
The One Thing American Idol Lacks
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Music, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, American Idol, Editorial, Gossip,
There’s something a little malicious in the way American Idol gets rid of its contestants. You got voted off, no one likes you - now get on stage and remind everyone why they hate you just one last time. Already these young singers are standing there with the world collapsing around them - in front of a live audience, no less, on the most popular show on TV - and now they’ve got to sing their final song. And we love -or hate- every moment of it.
Time and again, the Idol voting process has been called into question. It’s obvious the judges and producers of the show have their special favorites - contestants who get more camera time, kinder comments and lots of positive reinforcement even when they sing badly. For favorites, having an off night is no big deal. For those who are meant to be voted off, having an off night is a true death knell. It’s voter influence, and it’s a time-honored tradition that’s been a part of every single Presidential election this country has ever held. So why not do it for reality TV?
Click to continue reading The One Thing American Idol Lacks
American Idol official site
