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Xing puts a Wii U at the heart of its costly karaoke machine
Sure, we've seen game consoles modified for use beyond their original purpose, but this apparatus turns things up a notch. Pictured above is the Joysound Festa, a mobile entertainment system powered by the Wii U's hardware and software. Built by Japanese karaoke machine maker Xing, this beastly console mod is controlled from the system's Gamepad and includes the gracelessly named Nintendo x Joysound Wii Karaoke U. Pre-loaded with 90,000 songs, this party starter also ships with a set of dance, exercise, yoga and brain training videos. Already reaching for your wallet? You should know that this unique setup is Japan-only, and headed to hotels and nursing homes at a hefty price of 1,580,000 yen (around $15,884). At that price, it may take around 25 years until we see one of these bad boys up for grabs on eBay.
Karaoke software kJams goes beta
If you're a karaoke fan, or it's a requirement for that nightclub you've always wanted to run, Kjams for Mac has reached the beta for version 1.0. The karaoke software has everything you need to get the party going, and what few reviews are out there say it's easy to use, extremely robust, and won't lock up your Mac. Development on kJams goes back to 2004, and reading the version history is a nice little stroll down memory lane to see software being developed in the days of OS X 10.3 Panther. After nearly nine years in development, the beta is moving along at a pretty quick clip. Kjams is a robust karaoke player already, and it's good to see it push toward an actual 1.0 release.
Xbox Live adding SkyDrive, CNET, Maxim, Karaoke apps in US today
A throng of new apps are coming to Xbox 360s worldwide, so if you've been feeling like your dash needs more squares with logos in them then today won't disappoint. Today sees the US launch of Maxim and CNET apps, with the latter also coming to Canada, while Karaoke and SkyDrive apps roll out worldwide (excluding Japan and United Arab Emirates for Karaoke).As shown above, SkyDrive lets you view pictures and videos stored on your Microsoft cloud, allowing Jenny to guffaw at memories of her sister's apparently hilarious wedding dress by watching the recording on her TV. Aww.Other Xbox 360 apps cropping up across the globe today include VEVO expanding to Spain, Italy, and France, and CinemaNow hopping over to Canada. Xbox spokesoldier Major Nelson also detailed a list of over 40 apps coming to various regions before spring 2013, including MTV, PBS, Flixster, and Vimeo apps for the US.
Karaoke for Xbox Live starts belting out hits
Attention all songbirds: your time to shine is almost here. Microsoft and Stingray Media's Karaoke will be hitting Xbox Live on December 11th. The game is free to download, but would-be vocalists will have to purchase playing sessions of two, six and 24 hours respectively priced at: 240, 400 and 800 Microsoft points. While this costly pay to play approach mirrors a traditional karaoke lounge's setup, you'll definitely save a few bucks on overpriced booze refreshments -- that's gotta count for something, right?
Karaoke for Xbox Live brings pay to play sing-alongs to your holiday parties
Further milking the cash cow that is Xbox Live, Microsoft and Stingray Digital Group this week announced Karaoke for Xbox 360. Equipped with a robust library of over 8,000 licensed songs ranging from oldies to Hip-Hop and R&B, this potential cheesefest likely has something for your entire family to sing along with. Set to arrive in time for the holiday season, Karaoke appears to be the gift that keeps on charging. Unlike most music themed games that let you purchase content outright, its odd business model charges to stream tracks in time blocks of two, six and 24 hours. Aside from a few glasses of liquid courage eggnog, you'll also need an Xbox 360 headset, wireless microphone, or a USB compatible mic to keep this party going. If you don't fancy the spotlight, you can play the role of karaoke master by queuing up tunes through your mobile device via SmartGlass. Either that, or you can just sit back and record incriminating videos of loved ones belting out embarrassing love ballads after having one too many. The choice is yours.
Karaoke streams sing-along songs on Xbox Live, pay-per-hour
Microsoft is giving Xbox Live subscribers Karaoke for the holidays, a pay-per-hour service that will stream songs through the console for the purposes of singing out loudly (and probably poorly). The service takes advantage of The Karaoke Channel's library to provide over 8,000 tunes for crooners to choose from.Instead of having you pay for individual songs, you can put down Microsoft Points for temporary access to Karaoke's full library, in blocks of 2, 6, and 24 hours. The songs are streamed rather than downloaded, with lyrics scrolling on the screen while your avatar does his or her best Barry Manilow or Tina Turner impression (at least that's our plan). SmartGlass intergration and achievements are included, with the service expected to arrive "in time for the holidays."
Nintendo Wii U unboxed alongside more details: Multiple users, 'karaoke' microphones and Wii U Chat (video)
Nintendo took to UStream again to announce even more details for its impending new console. The company's CEO was on hand to detail exactly what comes in the box with a very official-looking opening (Yep, Iwata-san just unboxed his own console.) It's some pretty familiar packaging, but we noted that the AC adapter appears to be a weighty block separate from the main console. Alongside the main unit and the GamePad, the process also gave us a glimpse at the rest of the premium package, including a charging stand for the Wii U GamePad, console stand, HDMI cable, more cable twists, packaging and a beta test for the new Dragon Quest title. White-gloved console handling aside, the CEO had plenty more to explain -- and some of it involved karaoke.
Daily iPhone App: Sing! shares music and voices around the world
Smule has released another musical app called Sing!. It's a Karaoke app that leverages Smule's technological know-how to make the act of singing a social activity on a global scale. As with Smule's other offerings, you can buy various songs with in-app purchase, and there are a few standards included for free. You can sing along solo, or open up your session for others to listen to and join. That's fun, but the social aspect of Sing! sets it apart. You can browse other people's performances on a global map, listen to karaoke sessions from around the world and comment on your favorites. You can even add your own track to someone else's recording (with songs you haven't yet purchased). For example, you can sing backup on someone else's tune, or just the verses of a rap song, leaving the chorus open for someone else. It's a fun time, and thanks to Smule's hard work on music sharing technology, it all works amazingly smoothly. Uploading and downloading songs and performances all happens in a snap. Smule has been at this for a few years now, and they've mastered this kind of sharing. Even if you're not interested in performing any karaoke, it's fun to hear what others are sharing. #next_pages_container { width: 5px; hight: 5px; position: absolute; top: -100px; left: -100px; z-index: 2147483647 !important; }
Sing announced for the Wii U, by DJ Hero devs
Reggie Fils-Aime just announced a music game called Sing for the Wii U. Developed by Freestyle Games, the developers behind DJ Hero, Sing will combine karaoke singing with lyrics on the Wii Pad with a dance running game on your television. The only track released for the game so far is Carly Rae Jepsen's shiny pop hit, "Call Me Maybe," but we'll wait for more info on the game later this week.
Hello Kitty pays a visit to CES 2012: If you want it, we got it in pink
An electronics show wouldn't be an electronics show without celebrity endorsements. But there was one icon who had more product tie-ins than anyone else. Yep, Kitty-chan was in attendance and she had plenty of pink paraphernalia to hawk to unsuspecting fans of all things kawaii. We've collated together all the gear spotted at CES and, fortunately, there was more than just a few phone cases and laptop bags. Merchandise spotted includes Kitty-themed karaoke machines, alarm clocks with mounted laser cannons projectors, cordless phones and more. A brief video tour of some of our favorite surprises is coming soon, but until then, enjoy all that the super-deformed cat had to offer in our gallery below.Sean Cooper and Sean Buckley contributed to this post.
Capcom invites you to pop a bottle, not a cap, with new bar in Japan
We've all been there -- you just owned C. Viper with Ryu and you think to yourself, "Dang. I could really pick up some drunk chicks with these awesome moves." Capcom just answered that thought with, "Wanna bet?" Capcom has partnered with Pasela, a karaoke-bar chain based in Japan, to open a Capcom-themed entertainment bar in Shinjuku, Tokyo, called Cap Bar. Cap Bar is scheduled to open in January on the first floor of Shinjuku's Pasela Resort and will have game-demo kiosks, merch, and Capcom-themed food and drink menus, as well as serving as the filming location for Capcom's webshow, Hagi Toko. Personally, we can't wait to sip on a "Chun-Li Chugger" and watch the carnage unfold. %Gallery-142395%
Rolling Start: Joystiq sings along with Daytona USA's karaoke mode
When we discovered that the Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network versions of Daytona USA contained a karaoke mode – including all the goofy vocals you remember – we knew that it was our duty to share it with you, the Joystiq biomass. Come join us, as we belt out some classic tunes and build a racetrack ... around your heart.
Soulo karaoke mic for iPad coming to a thin partition wall near you
We've just seen First Act's wireless karaoke kit for the iPad passing through the FCC, suggesting it may be on track for a fall launch. The hardware will count for nothing if the accompanying app from sister company Seven45 Studios hits a dud note, but we guess it looks functional enough. The receiver makes up for its dock-hogging ways by providing a video output so you can check your lyrics on a bigger screen. It should also register your wails, screeches and caterwauls at a distance of up to 20 feet from the AA-powered mic. No word on pricing or availability just yet, but you can warble your interest at the second source link below.
Sony Ericsson introduces Mix Walkman and txt pro feature phones, available in Q3
Congratulations -- you spent the last two weeks earning points on the latest 'ville, when you could've used your time on Facebook to win phones instead. That's what Sony Ericsson was offering, anyways, giving fans the chance to review and win one of two mystery devices. Now that these reviews are live, the manufacturer is ready to lift the curtain and show off the WiFi-enabled Mix Walkman and txt pro feature phones. The former, as you could probably derive from the name, is a music-centric handset that doubles as a karaoke player; the latter, in contrast, is focused on messaging, implementing a full slide-out QWERTY and 3-inch touchscreen display with 400 x 240 resolution. Let's be honest here -- you can't really hate a phone that plays karaoke, right? Unfortunately, these are feature phones only; no trace of Android can be found on either phone, but rather use an interface "inspired" from the Xperia Mini series. Aside from being available in select markets in Q3, we have no word on pricing or individual carrier availability. In the meantime, you have at least a few months to get prepared for it by belting out Dancing Queen in the car several times a day -- as if that's any departure from your usual routine. Full press release after the break.
Microsoft lands its largest ever Surface order... from a karaoke bar (update: new video)
There's not much to see right now, but it appears that Red MR is well on its way to becoming one of the most advanced (and probably the most amusing) karaoke bars in the world. Ahead of its Hong Kong debut this Saturday, said company has already installed six Surfaces in its two bars, and is aiming to fit more to fill up all 80 rooms -- and that number could go up to 300 in the near future -- once Microsoft has ramped up production. With Red MR's customized software (still under wraps), customers will be able to pick songs, order food, watch TV, and play games on the Surface while listening to a drunk rendition of My Heart Will Go On. Oh, and there'll also be a few Kinects dotted around the bars, but it's not exactly clear whether they'll be in the rooms as well. Anyhow, we'll be flying out to Hong Kong to check it out later this week, so stay tuned. For now, you can watch a demo of the Surface's Liar's Dice game after the break. Update: Our friends over at M.I.C Gadget found a video from Apple Daily that teases the karaoke UI. Have a look after the jump.
Glee's Karaoke Revolution comes to Wii November 9
Karaoke Revolution Glee welcomes everyone to New Directions this November 9 on Wii. The game will feature songs and scenes from the first season of the hit FOX TV series -- which means, sadly, no Brittany doing Britney. Check out 10 of the 30 songs to be included in the game after the break.
Voice Tutor puts vocal exercises in your pocket
Whether you fancy yourself the second coming of Pavarotti or just the best vocalist in your own shower, the truth isn't always pleasant to the ear: not everyone can sing. Everyone, however, can learn to sing better -- and that's the point of Voice Tutor, a sharp app from the experienced vocal coaches at IMPACK and Kimad Productions. For US$4.99, it lets your iPhone or iPod touch provide a full menu of workouts, fixes, and expert tools for polishing your voice and fixing the issues that may hamper your rock and roll nights. There's one important point about this app that may not be immediately obvious, and it's the source of some sour notes in the App Store reviews: it does not record your singing performances or do any direct analysis. This misperception isn't helped by the microphone-themed graphics in the app, unfortunately. The initial diagnostic pass on your personal vocal issues is done by manually comparing your sung scales by ear to four sample recordings from the app; it may help to have a trusted friend or straight-faced spouse listen to you and the samples to give an objective assessment. You self-assign a category of practice to your specific situation; whether you sing with tension, breathiness, cracking, or with a connected and smooth tone, there's a full set of exercises for you. A screencast of the app in action is watchable here. I consider myself a reasonably solid amateur singer, with musical improv training and performance experience (not to mention plenty of karaoke), so I was pleased to come up as "connected" on the diagnostic pass in Voice Tutor -- I had my children help classify me. The training philosophy of the app centers around mastering the "break," the transition between chest voice and head voice that tends to divide vocalists into the traditional SATB parts. In Voice Tutor's world, you work toward a "connected" voice to maintain a smooth and relaxed vocal style regardless of whether you're singing from your chest or head voice. Each vocal challenge area includes special workouts to help address the problems or issues you may have when singing, with almost 200 individual program segments in the Vocal Focus part of the tool. Once you graduate from your training session, you can head into the Give Me a Workout section anytime you need to warm up or "clear the pipes" before an audition or performance. The app's final section, Riff n' Run, is designed to give more experienced vocalists the tools they need to handle more complex phrasing and develop an individual style fingerprint. Even in a relatively brief pass with Voice Tutor, I can already feel the exercises and instructional content gently nudging my voice in a better direction; the workouts made me stretch without straining, and I noticed some rough spots starting to come around. It's not pretending to be a substitute for a qualified vocal coach and a tireless accompanist, but consider how much musical instruction is squeezed into the app and how often you might need a warm-up or workout on the go -- at five bucks, you can have it for a song.
Sony Walkman NWZ-E450 does karaoke, we go hands-on (video)
If you need any sort of self-confidence therapy, then consider this the poor man's portable solution. Sony's new NWZ-E450 entry-level Walkman may look rather ordinary on the outside, but it's got something unique wrapped underneath -- karaoke mode. Here's how it works: not only can you throw in .lrc files to get auto-scrolling lyrics for your songs, but the device can also automagically reduce the lead vocals and let you be the rock star. Of course, the latter feature may not work as well with your occasional dose of Slipknot, but as you can see in our hands-on video after the break, Leona Lewis' gorgeous voice is good to go. The rest of the spec sheet doesn't look too bad either: MP3 / WMA / AAC / MP4 / WMV playback, up to 50 hours of music battery juice, 2-inch QVGA LCD, voice recorder, FM radio, 4GB to 16GB of memory, and it comes in black, red, blue, pink and green. Available in August starting from £70 ($108).%Gallery-97610%
Disney Sing It: Family Hits -- finally, the right idea for a Disney singing game
Did you realize that the Disney Sing It franchise was now in its fifth iteration? We didn't realize it had been that prolific, but then, we don't always keep up with the Hannah Montanas and High School Musicals and other recent Disney Channel fare. However, the latest version of the karaoke game, due this summer for Wii and PS3, might be enough to turn the franchise from an unknown quantity to a guilty pleasure -- even if it's a pleasure so guilty that most of us wouldn't mention it. Disney Sing It: Family Hits is a collection of songs from Disney films like Aladdin, Sleeping Beauty, Mary Poppins, and Toy Story. It's designed with big gatherings in mind, with a "Family Mode" for passing the mic between up to 8 players. And if you're not ready to take on the classics, it also includes some vocal instruction and exercises led by The Princess and the Frog's Anika Noni Rose. Admit it: you started humming some Disney movie tune the second you learned what the game was about.
SingStar adds vibrato support, turns PSP into virtual remote
SingStar may have trained you to become a better singer by keeping you on pitch, but don't expect to make a successful run on American Idol just yet. Talented vocalists can add some flourishes to their performances through the use of vibrato. (For examples, listen to any Mariah Carey song from the 90s.) However, games like SingStar and Rock Band have traditionally penalized players for straying from the exact pitch notated on the screen. Thankfully, the upcoming June update will modify the SingStar game engine to account for vibrato. "We suggest honing your vibrato skill on Gold by Spandau Ballet, Street Spirit by Radiohead or one of the tracks from the Il Divo SongPack," London Studios' Chris Bruce told PlayStation.Blog readers. Another update included in the June patch is the ability to use your PSP as a "SingStar Remote." By connecting your PSP to the game, you'll be able to browse and queue up songs to play while others are singing -- essentially recreating the functionality of a high-end karaoke bar. This is definitely a feature that will help make our drunken SingStar parties go much smoother.
