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First Four Idol Castoffs Fail to Inspire Tears
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Music, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, American Idol, Editorial, Video,
Call me cold-hearted, but I did experience an element of delighted, albeit mean-spirited, glee during Thursday night’s American Idol elimination show. With the exception of one contestant, I was singularly pleased with the results. (America, so far you are choosing well.) Again, with the exception of one. But Thursday nights on FOX are less about eliminations and more about shameless self-promotions, as the strange show proved.
First, props to the producers for listening to me. After I pointed out the disgraceful lack of style and fashion sense among the males, some kind stylist got ahold of them all and put them in perfectly matched black suits. Even their white button-ups were identical. This is what I’ve been saying - if the contestants can’t dress themselves, please someone do it for them. Before they take the stage next time, mmkay?
Click to continue reading First Four Idol Castoffs Fail to Inspire Tears
Entertainment Weekly
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Jukefly Keeps Your Tunes for You
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Internet, Music,
Jukefly is a free streaming music service that you can use to access your music as well as dig new stuff from others’ suggestions. Sign up, create an account, and download its server. Select folders and stream the music. It will be there any time you want to throw a mini-music party. Jukefly supports WMAs, OGGs, MP3s, and DRM iTunes. Expect FLACs in the future. We can see this as a handy way to access your tunes without taking up space on your own computer and finding new music from those who have the same taste.
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| Jukefly
Music Simplified With Kaossilator
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Misc. Tech, Music, Portable Audio / Video, Videos,
One of your buds got a StompIO, but you are Mr./Ms. Keyboard. You might want to look into the Kaossilator Touchpad Music Synthesizer. With its innovative touchpad, you merely have to wiggle a finger to change pitch or move it up and down for a different sound. If you need a drummer, it has dozens of beats included or you can do it yourself. There are also sound effects to toss into the mix. All told it holds over 100 programs. The synthesizer runs on 4AA batteries (not included) for up to 5 hours and comes with a price of $199.99.
Read More | ThinkGeek
Apple Drops iPod shuffle Price to $49
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Apple, Corporate News, Hot Deals, Music, Portable Audio / Video,
Apple has lowered the price of its 1GB iPod shuffle. The musical mini-player has been reduced to $49.00 to make way for its soon to be released 2GB brother. At a size of about half a cubic inch in volume and a weight of about half an oz., the shuffle will come in silver, blue, green, purple, and a (Product) Red Special Edition, and will carry a price of $69.99. We like the idea that as more products are released, Apple has the sense to lower the old shuffle’s price, rather than charge more for the new one. Maybe they will do the same with their next iPhone.
Read More | Apple
American Idol 7: The Top 12 Women Perform
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Music, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, American Idol, Editorial,
I’ll go ahead and admit it: American Idol, while it’s my primary television obsession, has truly disappointed me. For weeks I listened to promos and comments that this was the best season ever, the most talented performers to date, blah blah blah. Then, I saw the Top 12 men perform. I was not blown away. Not even close.
So it was with great trepidation that I sat down to watch the women take the stage, fully expecting that Wednesday night’s performances surely would not disappoint. It started out pretty rocky, but the girls pulled it together at the end.
Click to continue reading American Idol 7: The Top 12 Women Perform
Baltimore Sun
American Idol 7: The Top 12 Men Perform
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Music, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, American Idol, Editorial,
American Idol predictably opened Tuesday night with a plug for iTunes, and more self-congratulatory talk about how this is the best season ever - with the most talent. Judge Randy Jackson quickly seconded this opinion, throwing out a bunch of jumbled slang as he gave this review. Host Ryan Seacrest became contentious with Simon Cowell right away, proving that all the same old clichés will still apply to the show. Thusly, another season of Idol - featuring the most talented performers ever on the show (Seriously, y’all think that?) - began.
Poor David Hernandez got the undesirable starting position, appearing on stage bug-eyed and tongue-tied. His version of “Midnight Hour” was so forgettable for me, the only reason I remember the impression is because I took notes. Simon Cowell said David looked nervous, but all in all the performance was “better than I thought it was going to be.” I’ll second that. I feel like this poor guy is just on the show to get voted off - soon.
Click to continue reading American Idol 7: The Top 12 Men Perform
Monty the Tengu Review
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Misc. Tech, Music, Product Reviews, Toys, Videos, USB,
Creator Crispin Jones was kind enough to send us a Tengu, knowing that no one can ever have enough friends, even if they are electronic ones. We nicknamed ours Monty, and from the time we plugged him into the USB port, he was instantly on, albeit asleep. No software is needed to get him to do his thing. We have a full review and video of our 2 3/4 x 1 3/4 x 1/2-inch buddy awake after the jump.
(Thanks, Crispin and Mike)
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Read More | Mr. Jones' Tengu
Albums Proliferate In USB Flash Drive
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Wearables, Music, Portable Audio / Video, USB,
Mars Volta’s latest album, “The Bedlam in Goliath,” was released last month in a USB drive that included extras for $29.98. They have already sold out. We have mentioned the practice before and it seems to be spreading in popularity. Barenaked Ladies released Barenaked on a Stick in 2005 and since then other artists, such as JLo, have followed suit.
All Access, which put out drives by Ringo Starr and Matchbox Twenty, has gotten together with EMI, Warner Music Group and Universal Music to make USB bracelets. These have previously been sold at concerts from such musicians as Willie Nelson and the Black Crowes. If you saw the last Grammys, you might have noticed that Ringo wore one of his own. We call that free advertising at its finest.
Read More | stuff
SoundBox Keeps iPod Water/Sand/Dust Free
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories:
Protect your iPod from the ocean, bathtub, or kitchen sink with the Hercules i-XPS SoundBox that doubles as a speaker. With NXT tech, the case is compatible with all iPods and MP3 players that utilize a 3.5mm headphone connector. It features a transparent window for menu access, runs on two AAA batteries, and also keeps your tunes safe against sand and dust. The SoundBox is available in Stone, Spray, and Splash (how fitting) for £17.99 (~$35.00) on Amazon UK.
Read More | talk 2 ny shirt
American Idol Finds New Ways to Make Money
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Music, Prime Time, Reality, FOX, American Idol, Gossip, News,
It’s the Number One rated series. It gets more press than any other program on TV. Product placement has totally gotten out of control on the show, and promos run almost all year long. How in the world could FOX possibly squeeze even more money out of American Idol?
Thank goodness for partner deals. Idol has inked a deal with Apple’s iTunes which will allow fans to buy performances from the Top 24 contestants, which will be whittled down to 20 later this week (so get them while you can). It will cost 99 cents for each song (already available), but for $1 more buyers can also have video of the Top 12 performers belting out tunes (this will be available March 11). You can even pre-order performances in anticipation.
Idol is already chock-full of sponsors, including Coca-Cola, Ford and AT&T (products from whom are featured every single episode). I’ve got an idea. Forget the show. Just show us sponsored products throughout, forget about pretending to offer entertainment and get on with the business of making as much loot as possible. The three existing big sponsors of the show, by the way, pay a cool $35 million a pop for commercial time.
Hollywood Reporter
