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Pink Floyd, Sting release biography apps
Just coincidentally, I decided today to pull up some Sting on Spotify and listen to some old tracks. Turns out the musician released a big box set called Sting: 25 Years a few months ago, featuring three CDs worth of his songs, both old and remastered. And just recently, to go with that set, he's also released a companion iPad app, featuring concert footage, interviews, lyrics, handwritten notes from over the years, and lots of other biographical notes and info. You can even use AirPlay to send content to your TV while using the app, so that's pretty cool. Sting performed in New York to announce the app recently, and 9to5Mac says he performed "Fragile," dedicating the song to none other than Steve Jobs. The app looks pretty comprehensive, and thanks to some corporate sponsors, it's a free download, though a big one (442 MB). Pink Floyd also has an app out -- this one's a universal build called "This Day in Pink Floyd," and as you might imagine, it offers up news, song notes, and trivia about the classic band, with new content delivered every day. There's also an exclusive music video, some special Pink Floyd wallpapers, and even a "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" ringtone. That app is $2.99. Great to see some classic musicians like this really delivering some interesting content via the App Store. Neither app has any of the musicians' actual music in it for you to listen to (though they both allow you to play music directly from your own device's library), but as an ancillary reference, both of these are really solid.
Nick Jonas is Wizard101's mystery composer
The cat is out of the bag and the teenage girls are out of their minds: Wizard101 has announced that Nick Jonas of the Jonas Brothers is the "mystery composer" whom we've been trying to guess for the past couple of weeks. Jonas both wrote and produced the soundtrack for Wizard101's latest world of Wintertusk, which includes seven pieces of music. Apparently, the songwriter was psyched to be a part of a video game for the first time: "This was a first for me. I never produced or wrote music for a game or in this case, a whole world before. So I jumped at the chance to work with KingsIsle. It was very cool to be part of a project that allowed me to help create the mood for Wintertusk and interact with an audience in an entirely new way." Players can even meet Nick Jonas -- well, his virtual equivalent -- in the game and watch as his character conducts an orchestra. The world of Wintertusk with all of its "cool" music is currently open for all to experience.
Tengu Black ready to rock your world
Did you know that some pseudo-scientists pinpointed January 18 as this year's most depressing day? As we gaze out from the Engadget mansions at the leafless trees and listless mood outside, we can't help but agree that January's a bit of a downer. So to pep yourself up geeky style, why not grab an all-new Tengu Black? It seems a faithful reproduction (i.e. identical but for the color) of the white Tengu, a USB plug-in device that listens to your music and tries to lip sync to it with its LED array contorting into "over 14 different facial expressions." Let's face it, with the Robot Apocalypse all but assured, we should be practicing our love of inanimate objects as much as possible. A video reminder of how the older Tengu does its thing awaits after the break.
15 Minutes of Fame: Lights, camera, Death Grip
15 Minutes of Fame is WoW.com's look at World of Warcraft players of all shapes and sizes -- from the renowned to the relatively anonymous, the remarkable to the player next door. Tip us off to players you'd like to hear more about.WoW players are blubbery, pasty losers gorging on Cheetos in Mom's basement? Yeah, right -- that's about as far as it gets from diminutive Canadian songbird Lights. Yet make no mistake, this 22-year-old, Juno Award-winning singer is crazy about the WoW fighter's life -- so crazy, in fact, that she has a Twinblade of the Phoenix tattooed on her arm. She's peppered her web site and blog with declarations of geekdom, interspersed with observations on the synth-rich brand of "intergalactic electropop" she's building a career on. We visited with Lights (thanks for the tip, Chris!) about her WoW-playing ways during the crazy crunch leading up to today's U.S. release of her new album, The Listening.
Sega taps MiChi for official Bayonetta theme song
Having a sexed-up protagonist in a suit made of her own hair isn't enough to market Bayonetta to the Japanese public, apparently. Sega has enlisted the aid of popular Japanese vocalist MiChi to provide a theme song, titled "Something Missing," Andriasang points out that a commercial to introduce the song is currently in production and will be revealed prior to the game's October 29 release date in Japan.Supposedly, MiChi signed on for song duty after she had a chance to try out Bayonetta, a title she said is "more than just a game." She's right: Bayonetta isn't just any old game -- you can totally suplex dragons in it.
It's all about the music: tunes from Apple's keynote presentations
I hope this post gets filed in the "I knew I wasn't the only one!" mental filing cabinets of many. Because if it doesn't, then it makes me the only one who really looks forward to the music Apple uses in its keynotes. Whether it's a song that leads up to Steve Jobs' entrance on stage, or one used in software or hardware demos, there's no denying that music is very much a part of Apple's DNA. Heck, the company's namesake reflects Steve's love for the Beatles. Apple occasionally invites some of music's biggest names to perform at its events because, as Steve says, "it's all about the music." And this post is all about the music. It's all about the music that Apple has used in one way, shape, or form at its keynote events. Although by no means a definitive list, it's certainly a fair sample.
WoW Moviewatch: All I Want for Christmas is a Blue
I've mentioned it before and I'll say it again. I have a soft spot for good WoW music, and really enjoy the idea that I can put together a great holiday album of WoW themed Christmas music. theavatards have posted a great submission to that album on YouTube with All I Want for Christmas is a Blue. It is a simple story of a woman who always gets greens, and never gets a blue. The video itself is fairly easy on the eyes. It's got the singer, of course, and some nice use of surreality when she inspects real-life items for WoW-like quality. There's a little bit of in-game animation to make sure we know what game we're talking about here. The music is really where the piece shines, however. The music is simple and uncomplex, lending all of the song's focus on the singer. The singer does a great job of vocals, performing in a traditional holiday tone and method. This is totally worth checking out, and is already now living on my iPod. If you have any suggestions for WoW Moviewatch, you can mail them to us at machinima AT wowinsider DOT com.Previously on Moviewatch ...
Kelly Rowland says no to boyfriend, yes to DS
Who needs a boyfriend when you've got a DS? Not singer Kelly Rowland. Apparently some pesky rumors have been plaguing the songstress about her purported relationship with a British footballer, she laughed and said: "The only thing I'm dating is my Nintendo DS. We have an amazing relationship and it's a great boyfriend." Now we know what she's really thinking about while she's singing.This blogger understands, Miz Rowland. Just don't tell the man of the house. He gets a little jealous sometimes over all the time the sleek, beautiful handheld spends cradled in our hands.[Via The Tanooki]
Lip syncing Tengu adds some merriment to your USB port
We know, you're probably on your third USB hub by now, but even if this forces you to purchase an entirely new machine in order to cram one more USB-powered whatchamacallit into it, it's simply a must. Meet Tengu, the USB lip syncer that politely sits beside your machine until it gets wind of nearby tunes, after which its face lights up and the digital mouth begins to try its best at matching the words coming from your speakers. Unsurprisingly, the design will reportedly be manufactured by none other than Solid Alliance, and while it's hard to realize how awe-inspiring this thing is in just the picture above, click on through for a video demonstration you won't soon forget.[Via EverythingUSB]
Five handheld accessories you should continue to live without
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gadgets/Five_of_the_worst_handheld_accessories_ever_PICS'; Portable game systems are completely self-contained. Unlike home systems, which require a TV, multiple outlets, and a separate controller unit, handhelds contain everything you need to play games, built right in to the unit. They are self-reliant. They are also-- and this goes without saying-- portable. They're designed to be small so you can carry them around.Why, then, do jackasses feel the need to make accessories for handhelds? Accessories needlessly add bulk to Game Boys, effectively exiling them from casual pocket-drops. Here are five of the most pointless things you could ever graft onto a handheld system. We're giving a lot of attention to the Game Boy Color, as it turned out to be a focal point for idiotic doodads. Hopefully, these companies are still tired from their furious crap-assembling, and will largely pass over the DS.
Final Fantasy IV: Vocalist wanted
The official website for the recently revealed DS remake of Final Fantasy IV is now online. There's the usual logo and intro music by Nobuo Uematsu. If you're in Japan this summer, you can audition for the chance to sing the game's vocal track. You need to be over eighteen and have a voice that can make a grown man weep like a baby. Any Fanboy readers feel like heading along?[Thanks, Zshadow; via Exophase]
Hilary Duff in the Sims 2: Pets
Hilary Duff is a pop star, actress, self appointed animal lover and is going to grace us with her presence in The Sims 2: Pets. Players will see Duff along with her treasured pet/accessory, Lola (not featured in picture). According to the press release, Duff was involved in each aspect of the game that features her and her Teacup Chihuahua -- everything from their overall design to the tricks the dogs can perform. Here is what she had to say about making her first video game appearance: "I've logged hundreds of hours playing The Sims games, so I jumped at the chance to be in The Sims 2: Pets," said Sims aficionado Hilary. "I love creating Sims characters and guiding them through life, designing their houses and then blinging them out with cool furniture. Now, in The Sims 2 Pets, EA has combined two things I really enjoy -- pets and The Sims!" Hmmmm ... we had no idea Hilary played games. We'll just have to go ask our 11-year-old sister .... [Via press release]
