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Teenage Engineering’s IKEA collection lands in stores next month
If IKEA's Sonos speakers are a little bland for your taste, you might be happy to know that the FREKVENS line, a collaboration between IKEA and Teenage Engineering, arrives in February. The collection is meant to get funky house parties started, and it includes everything from speakers to spotlights, spill-resistant furniture and a raincoat -- all with Teenage Engineering's signature colorful quirkiness.
PlayStation 4 update delivers 16-player parties and Android Remote Play for all
Sony has rolled out its latest Playstation 4 update, and as it teased earlier, it includes an improved Party function. You can now double up the number of participants to 16 from eight, making playing sessions more of a, well, party. On top of that, Sony has improved the feature's network connectivity and audio quality, while increasing accessibility with a new chat transcription feature. The latter converts all your Party chats to text, while text can be spoken by a robot on the PS4 Second Screen app.
The new Soundboks Bluetooth speaker is still massive and louder than ever
Portable Bluetooth speakers usually come in pint-sized pocketable versions or larger tabletop varieties that can push out decent sound to a group of people. The extra-large versions are rarely talked about or seen in the wild, but like exotic animals, they have a visceral impact by their very nature. The Soundboks speakers fall into the latter category for me. The second edition arrived two years ago, and while it costs a pretty penny, the product was a party-inducing powerhouse. Today, the company has announced its most recent upgrade with the new Soundboks. It's still a premium product, both in materials and price ($999). But as you'd expect, there are a few new features, including wireless daisy chaining for up to five units using the TeamUP function.
PlayStation Preview update brings 16-player parties and chat transcription
PlayStation 4 gamers could soon have access to bigger party sizes. In a blog post by Sony, the company announced it was testing a number of new updates to the Party function, including improved audio quality, better network connectivity and increased player party participants, jumping from eight to 16.
Party Bot decides who's on the guest list, what music to play
While most people in the tech business only roll into Austin once a year for SXSW, a handful of companies choose to call the city home. Fjord (formerly known as Chaotic Moon) is one of them. So, when the festival sets up around them, it uses the week as an opportunity to show of some of its proof-of-concept (and usually fun) ideas.
Spotify launches party playlists with exclusive tracks
Spotify wants to permanently cross out one entry in your perennial to-do list for parties: 1.) Prepare food, 2.) Set up location, 3.) Prepare a party playlist. The music streaming service has launched Spotify Party, a feature similar to Spotify Running, which delivers beat-matched music playlists. Of course, it's not as useful if you can afford to a hire a DJ, but it could be your new best friend if you're a frequent host and don't usually have time to scour the service for appropriate tunes.
Uber event service makes sure you get home from the party
If you're hosting a big shindig, you frequently need to find ways to get people home at the end of the night -- and a shuttle bus may be a waste if only some of your guests actually need it. This is where Uber might come to the rescue. It just announced the US rollout of UberEvents, a service that lets organizers pay for bulk rides to and from their venues. All you do is create an event and hand out codes to your attendees. You only pay when someone uses the code, and you can specify just when and where those codes apply so that there's no room for abuse. If you're determined to host the biggest party you can and don't want friends either paying for their own rides or crashing at your place, this might hit the spot.
Five-game Jackbox Party Pack drops today for PlayStation 4, PS3, Xbox One
Jackbox Games will launch a digital bundle that includes a new version of You Don't Know Jack alongside four additional party-ready games later today for the PlayStation 4, PS3, and Xbox One. You Don't Know Jack 2015 headlines the Jackbox Party Pack, offering 50 all-new episodes brimming with off-the-wall trivia and multiplayer shenanigans. Buyers will also receive Fibbage XL, an expanded version of this year's lie-detecting party game that features 50 percent more questions than the original release. The package also includes the new games Word Spud, Lie Swatter, and Drawful, all of which are optimized for multiple players and support tablet and smartphone input. A bundled Steam release for all five games is also in the works, though a release date is not yet known. [Video: Jackbox Games]
MakerBot, Martha Stewart decorate parties with 3D-printed goods
We've discussed the reasons for having a 3D printer handy at length, and now MakerBot is looking to help decorate for your next evening soirée. The company teamed up with Martha Stewart Living to create designs for the Trellis Collection of coasters, napkin rings and holders for both LED votives (don't try regular candles, obvs.) and place cards. In addition to the downloadable files for printing, the pair collaborated on three new pastel PLA filament colors: Jadeite, Robin's Egg and Lemon Drop. If nothing else, that trio will have you properly prepped for spring events. The requisite files for each item are priced at 99¢, while nabbing the full lot will set you back a whole $3.
You Don't Know Jack dev's 'Fibbage' now on Xbox One
Jackbox Games launched its party game, Fibbage, on Xbox One this week. The You Don't Know Jack developer launched the "humor-laden trivia party game" that emphasizes bluffing by its players on Amazon Fire TV in April. Up to eight players attempt to fool one another by using their mobile devices as controllers, logging in to the game's servers and plugging in a room code to play one another. It is hosted by Cookie Masterson, the iconic narrator of the humorous, often irreverent You Don't Know Jack games. Fibbage will arrive on PS4 and PS3 next month, and will be Cross-Buy compatible. The game costs $6.99 on Xbox One. [Image: Jackbox Games]
Parties for Secret users get you spilling the beans in real life
Part of the allure of Secret's app is supposed to be the anonymity; you can confess your innermost thoughts without facing any accusing fingers. However, people are now using Secret as a launching pad for parties where the very point is to confide in others you can see across the table. As Recode notes from first-hand experience, it's like seeing the app unfold in real life. Rather than make small talk, guests share their sincerest feelings about family and relationships -- you may find more about a stranger in a few hours than you would by following them on Facebook for a year. Even meeting up is dependent on revealing interesting tidbits, so you end up breaking the ice before you know anyone's names.
You Don't Know Jack dev brings two games to Amazon Fire TV
While the Amazon Fire TV is "absolutely not a game console," developers such as Telltale Games and now Jackbox Games are already supporting the media-streaming device. The Chicago-based developer launched both You Don't Know Jack Party and a new trivia party game Fibbage for free on the Fire TV today. You Don't Know Jack Party first arrived on iOS last fall. Fibbage, like You Don't Know Jack Party, uses smartphones and tablets as game controllers while linking up with the Fire TV for big-screen multiplayer sessions. In it, up to eight players trick one another by filling in the blanks of trivia statements with lies as they see fit. Each round of play lasts seven questions and includes special categories like "Celebrity Tweets" and "Road Trip." The free version of Fibbage offers a "handful" of questions, while the paid upgrade of Fibbage brings with it hundreds more. Jackbox didn't offer a price for the upgraded version, though it noted plans to launch DLC for the game in the future. Amazon just announced (and launched) the Fire TV today for $99. [Image: Jackbox Games]
EverQuest Next Landmark going into closed beta next week [Updated]
SOE announced today that EverQuest Next Landmark will be transitioning out of alpha next week and into closed beta on Wednesday, March 26th. During the transition, all progress on the alpha servers will be wiped except for saved templates, character names, and Founder's Pack purchases. Landmark also got an important update today, the biggest part of which is the addition of a party system. While there is no specific UI for it yet, players can invite friends to a group through slash commands, via a friends list, or by right-clicking on them in the world. Groups earn a 20% bonus to harvested loot. The update also added in-game email, social media integration, and the ability to teleport to the continent hub or to your friends. [Update: The Landmark team has also posted to explain the differences between time-limited beta keys and founder packs.]
Titanfall launch party at SXSW includes devs, Childish Gambino
Microsoft is hosting a launch party for Titanfall at SXSW in Austin, Texas, from 9PM CT on March 10 to 2AM CT on March 11, the moment that shall forever on be known as The Day The Titans Fell. Festivities will be held at Microsoft Studio on Congress Avenue and it's all first come, first served. Developers from Respawn, including founder Vince Zampella and Community Manager Abbie Heppe, will be hanging out, along with Xbox Corporate VP Yusuf Mehdi. Childish Gambino, the musical persona of Community writer and actor Donald Glover, will perform at the party. Get a taste of his style here (Warning: NSFW, witty lyrics). Twitch will stream the celebration live on the Xbox channel or through the Twitch app on Xbox from 10PM CT to 2AM CT, with scheduled appearances from Twitch's Jon Carnage, the Rooster Teeth team and Geoff Keighley, plus the Respawn and Microsoft folks.
WildStar offers cross-realm play
Don't stress too much about what server you initially pick for WildStar, since the game will feature several cross-realm options to keep the larger community in touch with each other. Carbine Studios revealed a few details as to how this will work in this week's WildStar Wednesday. In the post, the studio talks about how it's supporting cross-realm play through three primary features. Players will have the ability to talk to anyone on any realm using the chat system, they'll be able to group up with friends through the party system, and they'll be able to meet random strangers through the group finder. The cross-realm play does have a big limitation, however. Cross-realm parties will not be able to hang out on the landscape, but can only enter instances, battlegrounds, or arenas, and these parties will not be able to trade items between each other. Players who are not interested in cross-realm play will also have the option to toggle their account to group with only members of their server.
iPad 101: No bottle opener? No problem
This handy tip first made the rounds in May of 2012, but it's worth reviving for a holiday weekend filled with barbecues, beer -- and probably a few missing bottle openers. According to Twitter's @EvaGiselle (and technique confirmed/photo thanks to TechHive's Susie Ochs), you can indeed pop the top on a frosty bottle of suds using nothing more than your bare hands and an iPad charger. Although CNET originally ran into some troubles (cracked adapters) with this approach, the Huffington Post was able to use it with ease given a little bit of care and finesse. Needless to say, if you break your adapter using it in a manner for which it was not designed, good luck getting it replaced at the Apple Store on Tuesday. (That's why the more expensive MagSafe laptop adapters are completely off-limits.) Even though Mophie's original Bevy bottle opener/iPod shuffle case is no longer sold, there are plenty of modern-day options to choose from, including the Opena case for both iPhone 4 and 5 models. Enjoy the weekend, and remember to charge responsibly -- always designate a sober friend to keep track of the iPads.
PAX Prime 2013: Guild Wars 2's anniversary bash
It seems that more and more studios at PAX are electing to avoid the convention hall altogether and go for off-site venues, especially when it comes to parties and fan events (I was told that even a small booth on the exhibit floor can cost a company $100,000). So while Guild Wars 2 was notably absent from the PAX Prime exhibit hall this year, it was quite a different story a few blocks away at the Renaissance Hotel in Seattle where ArenaNet set up camp for the title's anniversary bash. Players began lining up for the panels, playthroughs, and party hours in advance, all sharing the same glow of enthusiasm for the game they've enjoyed over the past year. By all accounts (I wasn't there a year ago), the launch party for Guild Wars 2 at last year's PAX was far more insane. Yet I think that this year there was a better feel to it. It wasn't about hype and anticipation for the fans but about experience and shared affection for the title they'd been enjoying since last August. So join me as I recap the anniversary bash, step by step, and perhaps we'll learn a thing or two about where this game is going in the near future.
WildStar primps for convention appearances
WildStar's dance card is quite full this month, as Carbine is heading to both Gamescom and PAX Prime for promotions, hobnobbing, and public demos. First up is Gamescom, where the devs will be present at the NCsoft booth (Hall 8, Booth #B030), showing off the Chua and Mordesh races and a couple of new zones. The team is throwing a party that Friday at the Marriott Koln that is first-come, first-served. Up next is PAX Prime, where the devs and demo will be at booth #642 for the curious and beta-envious. Carbine's hosting a panel at PAX on Saturday, August 31st, which will be livestreamed for those who can't attend. There will be a PAX party as well later that night at the Hard Rock Café, so Massively encourages those who attend to drink and demo responsibly.
The Mog Log: The mandatory early dungeons of Final Fantasy XIV
You're going to be exploring at least three dungeons in Final Fantasy XIV no matter what, possibly more. Progression in the main story requires a trip through Sastasha Seagrot, the Tam-Tara Deepcroft, and Copperbell Mines. While I've talked a great deal about the ethics of including this grouping experience, what I haven't really discussed are the actual dungeons themselves, even though that's certainly a big deal. Let's be honest here: If this stuff isn't fun, all of the talk about the validity of forced grouping is kind of pointless. Even if you can, there are times when you shouldn't. Fortunately for the long-term viability of these dungeons, all three have more than just nice loot (which is apparently shared between them); they also offer a fun ride through regardless. So as you could probably infer from all of the text up to this point, let's take a gander at the first three dungeons in the game and the ones we know for a fact you have to clear right off.
kJams, karaoke software for the Mac, hits 1.0
kJams just went into proper beta this March, and now the venerable karaoke software has gone 1.0 as of June 21. The update brings some important features, especially if you are going beyond karaoke hobbyist and are considering a PC-based karaoke solution in a venue. Of particular note is a "ShowScreens" feature, which allows custom graphic overlays (venue logos, for example). There are also some welcome metadata tools, which is critical when you're dealing with hundreds of songs at a time. The 1.0 version adds some foreign language support as well. I have used kJams Pro quite a bit with friends, and it's a ton of fun. Even for people who are wary of karaoke, the home experience is a blast because unlike a karaoke bar, you're only making a fool of yourself in front of friends. In the past I've connected an older MacBook Pro to my Bravia TV using VGA, then plugged in the audio to a louder home stereo, and I've run Magic Window on the desktop for some visual flair. Now I keep all of my karaoke songs on my 11" MacBook Air, and use HDMI to plug into any modern HDTV. By bringing a simple USB mic from Rock Band 2 for Wii (or one from High School Musical, depending on how kitschy I want to be), I can set up karaoke in anyone's house within seconds. kJams is free to try, and comes in a Lite and Pro version, with some features limited or disabled until you pay (the app is shareware). There are several built-in song stores, although karaoke songs can get expensive. I recommend buying CD+G discs on eBay or Amazon, then ripping them in kJams. There's also an iOS companion app, iJams, which is only compatible with the Pro version of kJams. Full press release below, plus a photo of our own Mike Rose belting one out at the Beard Bash from WWDC 2013. Show full PR text Groundbreaking karaoke software comes of age SANTA CRUZ, CA – June 21, 2013 – Metamuse Media today announced the 1.0 release of its popular karaoke platform, kJams, which allows professional KJs and home users alike to create and run their own customized karaoke shows. Earning high praises for its ease of use, deep feature set, and enterpriselevel customer support, kJams has emerged as the most comprehensive karaoke application available for both Mac and Windows. As KJ Ethan Feldman remarked: "kJams... blows every other PC karaoke software out of the water!" Metamuse Media CEO and kJams creator, Dave Cotter, says he is "s00per siked" to have reached this milestone. "I started kJams in 2004 as a labor of love, because at the time there was no program that could play CD+Gs on the Mac; and actually kJams is still the only pro karaoke app available for Apple computers. But I really had no idea how much demand there would be, or how much joy kJams would bring to so many people! I just want the whole world to have the gift of happiness that comes with singing." Version 1.0 includes the following features: ● Familiar, easy to use interface ● Integrated Venue, Singer, and Rotation management ● Builtin music stores (100k+ songs) with optional online or offline streaming services (10k+ songs) ● Singers can search song book and manage their personal song lists from smartphone or web ● CD+G, VCD, and other Disc formats; QuickTime, Zipped MP3+G, LRC, and other file formats ● Independent 'onthefly' key change and tempo adjustment, AV resync ● 'ShowScreens' can show KJ or Venue logos / graphics and custom messages ● Powerful batch metadata editing and file name conforming ● Runs in English, French, German, Japanese, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Chinese, and Romanian Metamuse Media is a small, familyrun multimedia house dedicated to providing inspiring, creative entertainment. Contact: David M. Cotter Metamuse Media (425) 2470526 www.kjams.com
