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Griffin StompBox pedal board brings authenticity to iPad rocking
Users of the iShred Live iOS app (no relation to this thing) now have a pedal board to do the job of, well, a pedal board. Up until recently, the app allowed players to connect their electric guitars to an iPhone or iPad, and use said device as an amplifier, with a near endless array of pedal effects at their fingertips. Looking for a way to make the experience more authentic, Griffin teamed with the folks at Frontier Design Group to create the StompBox, which, according to Griffin's website, "effectively recreates the experience of an actual pedal board." It features four separate foot switches, which can be assigned particular effects by the user, and connects to the iPad or iPhone with a 1-meter-long dock connector cable -- guitar connection cables are sold separately. Now the future Peter Framptons of the world can scale back on setup time and concentrate on making their guitars talk.
Fallout 3 tribute song now available on Rock Band Network
There's a lot of overlap between folks who love Fallout 3 and folks who love Rock Band. Here's some news that caters to the inner portion of that particular Venn Diagram: Nerd-rock duo Kirby Krackle's Fallout tribute song "Vault 101" is now available on the Xbox Live Rock Band Network Store.
Breakfast Topic: What little details do you hope make it into Cataclysm?
Cataclysm is so close! I can already taste the crisp corners of the box -- not that I eat cardboard or anything weird like that! Dawn looks bashful. Anyway, if you're a daily reader of WoW Insider, you've probably seen a ton of Cataclysm coverage over the past few months. You might even think you know everything the new expansion holds for us. But do you know about ... the Slap Rock? Yeah, I didn't think so. What about the Origami Rock? The Very Unlucky Rock? The Colorful Rock? It sure is a good thing I'm here to enlighten you, huh? As some of you know, I collect rocks. With each expansion, I've been able to expand my little collection, but Cataclysm held the most promise for me since the whole concept is about the earth shattering. (Surely there would be a lot of rocks involved in that, right?) When Cataclysm went into beta, I scoured the database for a sneak peek on the rock situation in the expansion, and I'm definitely excited -- but I'd still say the game needs a few more rocks before it's ready to ship. Maybe some sort of charred rock in the zones that Deathwing laid to waste? Or maybe Blizzard should go all out and design an encounter around rocks. You know, something like David and Goliath, where the players have to pick up rocks and sling them at the boss at the right time. I'm crossing my fingers! So what about you guys? Is there anything you haven't seen in any of the beta coverage yet that you're still hoping will sneak into the expansion? Let's hear your ideas!
Cydia merges with Rock, becomes your one-stop jailbroken iOS app shop
4.6 million installs later, Rock Your Phone is no more -- but over the next few days, it will join with rival Cydia to form what will surely be the largest alternative iOS app store. Not simply a merger of platforms, the deal will apparently see Cydia and Rock's software teams merge as well -- meaning not only should Rock users have all their software licenses transferred over, but that Rock-exclusive features (like backups) are now on the roadmap for Cydia, too. We'd recommend that jailbreakers the world over take to the streets to celebrate the joyous news, but sadly there's still some work to be done.
The Black Keys headed to Rock Band next week
"No duh, Joystiq -- it's called the Piano peripheral," you may scoff, but we're talking about the band The Black Keys, not the new Rock Band 3 peripheral. You'll soon be able to jam to their particular brand of blues-rock in Harmonix's Rock Band series, a missive on the band's official site details. Starting next week, you'll be able to access The Black Keys Pack 01 through your Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii, which contains "Strange Times," "I Got Mine" and the band's most recognized track, "Your Touch." Savvy readers will likely best know it as the theme song for the bulletproof tiger himself, Kenny Powers. Each track will be available as individual downloads on Xbox Live, PSN and Wii for 160 Microsoft Points, $1.99 on PSN and 200 Wii Points, respectively -- or you can download the entire pack for 440 Microsoft Points or $5.49.
U2 360° Tour Blu-ray actually makes compelling use of BD-Live
Normally, if asked to choose between living with or without gimmicky BD-Live enabled bonus features, we'd pick the latter. Musical preferences aside though, U2's use of the technology on their 360 Tour Blu-ray to share select performances from their 2011 tour is just the kind of cool use case we've been looking for. According to the disc's production company, it was also cheap to implement -- think less than a pair of Bono's sunglasses. That happens to fly directly in the face of arguments made by other studios who cite BD-Live's costs as the main reason for its limited integrations to date. So while we never thought the day would come, it looks like the same minds behind the special edition iPod have set a new precedent -- mainly that studios shouldn't get away with all that they leave behind. That's right you heard us movie companies, we want more free future content on discs -- and while you're up get us some Goobers too.
Breakfast Topic: Caught between a rock
For a while I wasn't sure if I'd continue playing World of Warcraft into the next expansion. I was by no means planning on giving up my gaming habit, but I really felt like I was ready for something new: either another MMO or one of the latest generation consoles. Many pros and cons were weighed, and I have decided to stick with WoW for at least one more expansion. It was a difficult decision for me but in the end it was the rocks that won me over. Yes, the rocks.
Left 4 Dead 2's Midnight Riders get a gloriously bearded teaser page
Zombie obliterators who've managed to survive Left 4 Dead 2's "Dark Carnival" campaign are probably familiar with the Southern rock outfit known as the Midnight Riders. While they're not exactly an enormous focus in the game's overarching story, a teaser page featuring the heavily bearded band (and a cryptic "Coming Soon") is leading some folks to believe that the Riders will soon play a much larger role in the game's proceedings. Given the number of facial hair-sporting members of the band (see: four), we're really hoping to get some form of DLC that turns them into playable characters. Perhaps even a new campaign, in which they cure the global zombie infection using nothing but the power of their rock music. How about it, Valve?
Verizon launches hardcore Casio G'zOne Rock
It doesn't sound as hardcore as its predecessor, the Boulder -- but Verizon's just-introduced Rock is actually the company's most functional Casio G'zOne model to date. Though it looks quite similar to the outgoing model, the Rock's headlining addition is the so-called Triple Sensor -- something certain G-Shock owners might already be familiar with -- which allows the phone to offer an integrated thermometer, compass, and pedometer. It also features touch-sensitive music controls, a 2 megapixel cam, and -- you guessed it -- mil-spec 810F compliance for resistance to the everyday ails of the world like water, dust, and sun exposure. It'll be available online starting tomorrow for $199.99 on contract after rebate, while stores pick it up a few days later on the 30th.
Dream Theater adding even more metal to God of War III soundtrack
Dream Theater, a heavy metal band best known for creating songs that are impossible to play in Rock Band -- and, based on the image above, for serving as the artistic inspiration for Metalocalypse's Dethklok -- has chosen to lend its potent rock powers to the soundtrack of God of War III. This announcement was made by Theater drummer Mike Portnoy, who mentioned on the band's blog, "we will then enter the studio right after New Year's to write and record a brand new instrumental track for inclusion on the upcoming Gods [sic] Of War 3 soundtrack." Between the inclusion of this track and the exclusive Trivium song (which was announced late last month), we appreciate the metallic infusion Sony's trying to introduce to the title. However, if it doesn't culminate in an unlockable electric guitar weapon, then you can expect us to be stricken with grief for a few months after the game's release. [Via VG247]
Cranberry DiamonDisc: the $35 DVD that'll last longer than your ghost
We've seen outfit after outfit trumpet their long-lasting optical storage wares before, but Cranberry seems different. Rather than promising that whatever miracle they've just unearthed will be available "in the very near future," this company is selling its wonder product right now. The so-called DiamonDisc -- which is reportedly constructed from "diamond-hard stone" -- is designed to store precious memories for 1,000 years or more, and it's even built to withstand "temperatures extending up to 176 degrees Fahrenheit as well as UV rays that would destroy conventional DVD discs." Unfortunately, each disc holds just 4.7GB of information, and each one will run you $34.95 if purchased individually. Oh, and it's only playable on "most" regular DVD drives, so across-the-board compatibility seems less than likely. The more we think about it, the more sense that whole "just carve it into stone for future generations to see" mantra makes. Kudos, cavemen.
Full Brutal Legend soundtrack released by EA Denmark
Fun fact: Heavy Metal was invented in Denmark in 1843 by Professor Garth Metallus in a horrible lab accident involving taut metal strings and a primitive electroacoustical transducer. The spirit of the rock music has innundated the nation ever since -- as such, we're not surprised that EA Denmark was the studio which recently revealed the 100-plus thrashing songs which will be included in Double Fine's upcoming epic rock story, Brütal Legend.The list has since been pulled from EA Denmark's site, but not before Kotaku snagged a screencap of a translated version of the page. We've got the whole kit n' caboodle posted after the jump. Unless EA makes some drastic changes to the final setlist, they're going to have to put a Surgeon General's warning on the game, telling players they're about to subject themselves to a terrible case of face melting.%Gallery-41208%
iPhone musicians invited to perform live with indie legends Good Night, States
Good Night, States, it seems, are a trusting lot. These indie rockers have not only supplied Noise.io soundbanks for their songs, but if you check 'em out at Mr. Small's in Pittsburgh this Friday you can plug your iPhone or iPod into the house sound system and jam along with the group. Noise.io, if you've not seen it before, bills itself as a "highly advanced sound synthesis workstation," with a unique touchscreen interface and all kinds of features sure to make softsynth fans positively giddy. Ready for your fifteen minutes of fame? Pick up your copy at the App Store for $8.99, and then proceed to the read link to get started -- but not before you peep the video demonstration after the break.[Via Speed of the Pittsburgh Sound]
Rock delivers BD / Core i7-equipped Xtreme 790 and Xtreme 840 gaming laptops
Can you believe it? It's been practically a year to the day since we've seen any new fragging machines from the lads over at Rock, but thankfully things are still moving after being rescued by a rolling Stone. The latest duo to take Europe by storm involves the Xtreme 790 and Xtreme 840, both of which can be outfitted with NVIDIA's 1GB GeForce GTX 280M (or two of 'em, if you're feeling froggy), Blu-ray drives, 6GB of DDR3 RAM, WiFi, four USB 2.0 sockets, an HDMI port, Windows Vista (with a gratis upgrade to Win7 this October), a 7-in-1 card reader, 3TB of HDD space and a 3-year on-site warranty. Heck, you can even toss a Core i7 in there if you think your legs are calloused enough to handle it. Both machines can be ordered up right now, with the 790 range starting at £1,999 ($3,258) and the less extravagant 840 line picking up at £1,699 ($2,769).
Gwar headlines totally metal Brutal Legend concert
Notoriously noxious metal lords Gwar top the lineup of bands playing EA's "Brütal Legend Metal Meltdown" concert in San Diego, Calif., on the evening of July 23. (That's the first night of San Diego Comic-Con, which runs July 23 through 26 at the nearby San Diego Convention Center.) The costumed comedy shock-rockers will be joined by Canadian metal act 3 Inches of Blood, all-grrl thrashers Unholy Pink and Black Flag co-founder Keith Morris. Now, before you bellow, "That is so effing cool!" know that it gets better: the show is free. Well, at least for those lucky enough to be chosen from the concert's sign-up page. More deets can be found on the concert flyer after the break. [Image]
Birthday boy gets box of rocks instead of Nintendo DS
No, you're not being mercilessly attacked by an unyielding feeling of déjà vu for no good reason -- we really have seen something eerily similar to this happen before. This go 'round, we've got a totally innocent ten year old boy who was given Guitar Hero for DS prior to even owning a console; as the mother finally ended the tease, she handed him a shiny new DS handheld for him to unwrap. Unfortunately for everyone involved, all that was tucked inside was a couple of stones, a Chinese newspaper and boatloads of disappointment. After the Walmart store from which she purchased it referred her to the Big N, she furiously admitted the following: "They don't want to do nothing. They want me to keep the box of rocks. I'm not buying a box of rocks for $138." Thankfully, Wally World finally refunded her and threw in a $20 gift card for the trouble (after being hounded by a local news station, mind you), but the real damage -- losing all hope in humanity -- will never be undone. Ever.[Via plugged in]
Stone Neo 101 drops into the netbook pond, doesn't cause a ripple
We haven't heard much from Stone since it fulfilled its destiny and bought Rock Computers last year, but it looks like the company is now finally having a go at a netbook of its own, and blending right in with the masses with its just-announced Neo 101 model. As you can no doubt guess, this one packs a standard issue 10.1-inch 1,024 x 600 display and an unspecified Atom processor, along with built-in WiFi and optional 3G, a pair of USB ports and, somewhat notably, an ExpressCard slot for a bit of expansion. You'll also get a slightly better than usual three-year warranty, which apparently doesn't add much of a premium to the netbook's £275 price tag (or about $400). Look for this one to be available in the UK starting May 1st.
Anthropomorphic robot shows off its Rock, Paper, Scissors-playing skills
BERTI (built by a partnership of the Bristol Robotics Laboratory and Elumotion Ltd.) is a fully automated robotic torso designed to perform "credible conversational gestures." The robot is capable of quite complex hand movements, and, in the demonstration video above, plays a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors with a fine gentleman wearing a Goldfinger t-shirt, becoming another addition to the long line of gaming bots. Hit the read link to find out more info about BERTI and the project. [Via Robots.net]
ZTE Rock and Samsung Rugby now available at Rogers
Just as we'd heard, the oh-so-tough duo that is the completely unrelated ZTE Rock F165 (right) and Samsung Rugby A836 (left) are now available through Rogers Wireless. As for pricing, you'll be asked to part with $79.99 / $149.99 on contract for each in order of mention, though it seems the former is already on backorder. Guess that unbridled sex appeal just won Canucks over by the thousands, huh?[Via MobileInCanada]Read - ZTE RockRead - Samsung Rugby
ZTE Rock / Samsung Rugby to give Rogers that hardened edge it's been missing
Yeah, "cute" works for awhile, but eventually you've got to man up and prove that you're rough, tough and ready to withstand the elements. To that end, Boy Genius Report has it that the Samsung Rugby A836 and ZTE Rock F165 -- both handsets of the rugged variety -- are about to land on Rogers Wireless in Canada. The former will support 3G data and include a 1.3 megapixel camera and an enclosure strong enough to ward off impending rain drops, dust, short drops and humidity. The latter spices things up with HSPA support, video calling compatibility, a 2 megapixel camera, 128MB of onboard storage, a microSD card slot and a respectable amount of armor for the tumultuous days ahead. As for pricing, we're hearing $149.99 for the Rugby and $79.99 for the Rock, both on staggeringly long three year contracts.[Via UnwiredView]
