t-pain
Latest
Smule launches AutoRap for iOS and Android, Engadget's editors drop some mad beats (video)
Sure, we're often mistaken for some of hip-hop's illest emcees in our day-to-day lives, but the sad truth is that Engadget's editorial team could use a little help with our flow. Thankfully, technology has come to the rescue, yet again -- this time in the form of AutoRap, the latest app from the people who brought you such mobile blockbusters as I am T-Pain and Songify. Those who've spent time with either of the aforementioned apps know what to expect from this latest addition to the Smule family: talk or rap into your iPhone or Android device, tap the button, and then wait for the magic. AutoRap will go to town, or as Smule puts it: "turn[ing] speech into rap and correct[ing] bad rapping." Talking and rapping are the two primary modes here. With the former, you simply speak into your phone, and the app chops your voice and buries it in a whole mess of autotuney goodness. There's a pretty broad handful of songs at present, including 30 premium tracks from the likes of Snoop Dog, the Beastie Boys, Outkast and Kid Cudi -- naturally, if you want access to those, you're gonna have to pony up some cash, or earn some credits doing things like watching instructional videos or filling out auto insurance quote forms. The free tracks mostly get the job done, however.
My top 3 iPhone apps: T-Pain
We're starting a new series at TUAW called "My top 3 iPhone apps" -- and to kick it off, we're starting with rapper T-Pain. We caught up with the Auto-Tune master himself at CES promoting the I Am T-pain microphone, based on the popular iPhone app. He let us know his top three iPhone apps; one of them is the Delta app, because the man is a true jet-setter (and has a crazy travel schedule). Look for more "My top 3 iPhone apps" video segments featuring other personalities and celebrities, each Saturday right here on TUAW.
T-Pain stops by CES 2011 to plug patently ridiculous, amazing I Am T-Pain microphone (video)
It's Vegas, so it's not completely unsurprising to see folks like Lady Gaga and T-Pain stopping by unannounced. But seeing the latter over at a Jakks Pacific booth at CES? Not exactly --- shall we say -- expected. Regardless, T-Pain was most definitely in the house, primarily to showcase his newest $39.99 accessory, the I Am T-Pain microphone. For all intents and purposes, this here mic is your dream come true, enabling you to sing into it and hear it emitted back with a "T-Pain Effect" embedded. In other words, it's your autotune instrument of choice. There's a bit of inbuilt memory as well, enabling users to record clips for future hysteria, while also giving them the chance to blend in T-Pain remarks as they rap and offload their favorite clips to their PC. It's absurd in every sense of the word, making it impossible to pass up. If that makes any sense. Head on past the break for an interview with the man himself, courtesy of our pals over at TUAW.
TUAW talks to T-Pain at CES ShowStoppers 2011
We stopped by the ShowStoppers event at CES 2011 this evening, a special event in the Wynn hotel in Las Vegas for a few CES exhibitors and select press, and there we found none other than the prince of Auto-Tune himself, rapper T-Pain. He was there shilling a brand new microphone gadget that will automatically Auto-Tune your voice, just like the iPhone app released a while back that bears his name. T-Pain (can we just call him Mr. Pain?) tells us a little bit about the making of his app, and why he's brought the technology into the microphone. Plus, we got to meet T-Pain (and he wasn't even on a boat). But you should definitely try that I Am T-Pain app out -- it's pretty great. The microphone will be available this fall for US$39.99, so look for it in stores then. Shawwty!
T-Pain tells Toshiba 'it ain't hardcore unless its hexacore' (video)
Judging by its most recent sales numbers, Toshiba's doing pretty well for itself in the US market, but you and we both know there are always more demographics waiting to be tapped up. Such as the hardcore hexacore lovers or those whose megagigabytes are terrorizing their... sorry, T-Pain, prosation isn't even a word. Anyway, it's a video, it's funny, and it's after the break.
Billboard nominates music app awards
Billboard has announced that it will be giving awards out for iOS music apps (of all things). At the Music App Summit on October 5th, Billboard will choose winning iOS apps in six different categories, from Best Artist App and Best Music Creation App to Best Branded Music App. You can find the full list of nominees after the break, and there are some recognizable names on there, including a Phish touring app, TUAW favorite I am T-Pain, and the now Disney-owned Tap Tap Revenge. Winners will be announced at the summit, and they will be selected by a panel of judges that includes (not kidding about this) MC Hammer and a bunch of CEOs and marketing folks. It seems silly (and let's face it... it is), but Billboard is a big deal in the music industry, and this means that the dinosaur-like recording giants are at least starting to notice the effect that apps have on artist profiles. Plus, it's good to see LaDiDa get a little more attention -- I liked that one.
Screen Grabs: Lil' Kim "Download" video features sampling of Acer products, samples Zapp
Oop, looks like whoever was in charge of product placement coordination at Acer forgot to double-check Lil' Kim's new video for "Download" -- is that iChat and an iPhone sneaking in there? Regardless, most of the primary action between Kimmy, T-Pain and Charlie Wilson seems to be going down on an Acer Aspire One, and there's a prominent shot of the Acer M900 smartphone at the beginning. Oh, and the entire song is built around a sample of Zapp's "Computer Love," so we'll forgive the lyrics. Both videos after the break.[Thanks, Anthony R]
