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Syrmo teaches you to skate better, captures your sick tricks
Skateboards have seen their share of electronic add-ons lately, but most are designed to take the effort out of cruising around. But leveraging some tech to conquer 360° kickflips and other tricks sounds far more interesting, especially when failed attempts pile up and you could use a helping hand. A trio of skaters armed with hardware and software skills have finally tackled the problem, and their solution is Syrmo. It's a device that fits under your board's trucks and adds motion tracking, Bluetooth and internal memory to your otherwise low-tech deck, so you can sync with the companion app. The software aims to capture 3D-rendered replays of tricks coupled with stats on height, air time and distance -- letting you see if that ollie was really as high as you thought. In addition to skimming through the day's progress, it plans to provide social, geo-location and automated video editing features. Those high-drama moments when the board's in mid-flight can be automatically enhanced with slow-motion effects and trimmed into easy-to-share video clips. The Kickstarter page is live if you want to cruise on over to show your support. Who knows, Syrmo may just take some of the pressure out of learning to land those flips.
Tony Hawk and Activision ride together again
Activision has confirmed the company is once again collaborating with pro skater Tony Hawk on a new video game. "Activision can confirm that they have something in the works with Tony Hawk, more info is coming soon," a statement provided to IGN reads. Hawk first revealed the collaboration during a segment on SiriusXM's Demolition Radio show (via IGN), stating, "We're working on a game, we are working on a game, it's pretty cool." No further information about the project was provided. The last game to bear the Hawk moniker, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD, was developed by Chicago studio Robomodo as a collection of fan-favorite levels from the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater series. That same studio also produced the faux-skateboard driven Tony Hawk: Ride in 2009 and its direct follow-up, Tony Hawk: Shred, in 2010. [Image: Activision]
The Onewheel self-balancing, single-wheeled skateboard comes to CES, we take it for a spin (video)
It's hard not to do a double-take when first laying eyes on the Onewheel. After all, it is a single-wheeled skateboard that uses an electric motor, accelerometers, gyros and a microcontroller to give riders a smooth, self-balancing ride. The contraption's creator, Kyle Doerksen, brought a prototype by the Engadget trailer here at CES, and we couldn't resist putting it through its paces. Although the unit we played with was a pre-production model that still needs refining, you can color us very impressed. If the sight of a metal frame, wooden deck and a chunky go-kart wheel didn't convey a sense of great build quality, laying hands on (and picking up) the 25-pound package drives home its heavy-duty nature. When it comes to speed, the deck can go as fast as 12 MPH, but Doerksen tells us its acceleration is software-limited to allow for better self-balancing (and maybe even to protect users from overdoing it). As for range, Onewheel can go from four to six miles on a single charge thanks to a lithium battery, and it can be juiced up in two hours -- or 20 minutes with an "ultra" charger. What's more, the gadget sports regenerative braking to recoup roughly 30 percent of expended energy. Unfortunately, the device only has about 20 minutes worth of ride time in its battery, though that changes with terrain and personal driving style.
Onewheel is a self-balancing single-wheeled electric skateboard (video)
If the idea of combining a Segway, a skateboard and a unicycle sounds like your idea of fun, you might want to check out the Onewheel. It uses gyros, accelerometers, proprietary algorithms and a single rubber tire to give its passengers a smooth, self-balancing ride that supposedly mimics surfing or snowboarding on dry land. Its direct-drive motor pairs with the aforementioned components to determine the board's speed based on a how you lean your body. Compared to something like the ZBoard, though, the Onewheel seems incredibly lithe; all of its components are stored within the billet-aluminum-and-maple plank, giving it a sleek aesthetic. With an estimated battery life of about 20 minutes per-charge though, the contraption comes off as more of a fancy toy than a means of transportation. Should you fancy taking a (short) ride for yourself, it won't be cheap: The minimum pledge required to claim a Onewheel as your own is $1,200. For that price, you could build about three of Gob Bluth's rides yourself.
OlliOlli setting up sick trick line to 2014
OlliOlli, the pixelated, Vita-exclusive skateboarder set in the hilliest town we've ever seen, has bailed from its planned November launch. Developer Roll 7 Games explained in a blog post that the delay stemmed from an issue that would have allowed players to submit multiple scores to the Daily Grind mode, a feature meant to provide one-and-done attempts at leaderboard fame. Now that a few extra layers of wax have smoothed out the issue, OlliOlli has been resubmitted to Sony for final quality assurance. Roll 7 will share a new launch date "as soon as possible."
Nike SB app is for skateboarding on a global scale
Nike has released a new app aimed at allowing skaters to compete against each other, no matter where they are in the world. Nike SB is a video-heavy app that teaches skaters new tricks by encouraging them to challenge each other through self-recorded videos, as well as check out video lessons and directions posted by Nike's SB team. The competition portion of the app lies in its S.K.A.T.E. game. To start, one skater will perform a move on his board and film it for 15 seconds. He'll then upload the clip where his competitor will be able to view it. The competitor must then perform and record the same trick. If one of the players fails to perform a trick, the player is given a letter. Once one player has accumulated all the letters spelling "skate" they have lost the game. Here's the full details from the app's description: Learn tricks, play games of S.K.A.T.E., take part in challenges with skaters around the planet, and chart your personal skate progress with the Nike SB App. Game of S.K.A.T.E.: Connect with skaters anywhere around the globe to play a game of S.K.A.T.E. through the app. Challenges: Step up to new challenges issued by Nike SB and our pro team to help you keep progressing. Share your footage and have the chance to get noticed by a worldwide audience. Trick Tree: Lose yourself in skateboarding's endless creative process with our extensive Trick Tree, further inspiring you to learn and expand your skills. Learn straight from the pros with never-been-done filming and playback techniques before helping expand the Trick Tree with your own footage. Badges: Earn special and limited badges for skating hard, meeting challenges, progressing and taking part in special events. My Progress: Use the Nike SB App to track your own evolution as you build your personal profile. Need help? Get support at nikesbapp.com/support Nike SB is a free download.
OlliOlli funded by Sony, but Roll7 retains rights
A single demo station for OlliOlli, a minimalist side-scrolling skateboarder with surprisingly deep systems at its core, was tucked in the corner of PlayStation's massive presence in E3's West Hall. The PS Vita game melds arcade-style gameplay with just a tinge of true skateboarding physics – not as ridiculous as the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater series, and not as much a simulation as the Skate series. Thomas Hegarty, company director at developer Roll7, gave me a quick primer before my demo. "We're a small team in London, UK – there's about seven of us. We've got a team of about four working on this game," Hegarty said. OlliOlli, though being funded by Sony, isn't a Pub Fund game, and Roll7 will publish and retain all rights.%Gallery-191461%
Microsoft turns Surface tablet into a skateboard, Windows chief Steven Sinofsky takes it for a spin
Gorilla Glass 2 and a chassis forged from magnesium lend Microsoft's Surface slates some durability, but the firm's decided to prove just how tough its tablets are by turning one into a skateboard. The wheeled slice of Windows 8 is said to have been rolled out during a tour of Redmond's Surface skunkworks, but Windows chief Steven Sinofksy couldn't resist hopping on the board today and tweeting a pair of photos. You can pre-order your deck now, though something tells us this mod isn't covered under Ballmer and Co.'s warranty.
Tony Hawk says Ride was 'a bit rushed,' still thinks critics didn't give his board a chance
Even after all this time, Tony Hawk's stance is firm regarding the poorly received Shred and Ride games. He thinks critics made up their mind before giving the games and associated peripheral an honest chance -- even in the case of Ride, which he admits "was a bit rushed" due to time spent prototyping the board.
Tony Hawk: New game coming next year
We fear that there may be no end in sight for Tony Hawk's long-troubled skateboarding series. Though Activision CEOs announced that 2011 would be the first year without a Tony Hawk game since the dawn of time, Hawk himself told PixelatedGeek in an impromptu interview that "We're actually right in the middle of making a whole new plan right now," when asked whether more Hawk-branded games were in the pipeline. "We're going to do something probably for next year, but I can't give too much away," Hawk continued. "But definitely we're going to make new games, yes." And just like that -- once again -- Tony Hawk has outed an unannounced game with his own name attached to it. Thanks for the help, Tony!
Activision: 'No new music or skateboarding games' this year
The grim fates of True Crime and whatever installment of the Guitar Hero series that was in development are known -- but what about Activision's other perennial franchises? A few (equally grim) details surfaced during Activision's investor's call today, during which COO Thomas Tippl explained, "We will release no new music or skateboarding games" during the current calendar year. Activision Publishing CEO Eric Hirshberg added some more insight into the company's shift away from the music genre, explaining that even though DJ Hero 2 and Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock were well-received, "demand for peripheral-based music games declined at a dramatic pace." He continued, "Given the considerable licensing and manufacturing costs associated with this genre, we simply cannot make these games profitably based on current economics and demand." However, Activision will continue to support its existing music games with DLC. We're still left with a lot of questions, though (and we're working on the answers). For instance, what does this mean for the 3DS-bound DJ Hero 3D? What about the Tony Hawk series at large? Activision's frequently spoken about its staying power -- and if no Hawk title drops in 2011, it would be the first calendar year in the franchise's history without a new entry since 1999.
Skateboard-inspired grip tape wrap for the iPhone 4
Most people I know are keen on keeping their precious iPhones smooth and scratch-free. They opt for ergonomic surfaces that will keep the device looking cool as it's protected, the smooth surface allowing for easy pocket removal when needed. Sometimes, though, that slick surface can cause the phone to get away from you when you least expect it. So, butterfingers, this may be the solution for you. SlickWraps has a US$20 skateboard-inspired adhesive wrap for the iPhone 4 that's complete with scratchy skateboard grip tape on the back and faux wood grain on the front and sides. All of the necessary cutouts are there, including one for the Apple logo in the back. Instead of it being scratched, the iPhone 4 will be doing the scratching. I imagine a phone with grip tape won't be all that easy to remove from a tight pocket, so think about that before slapping this on your device. [via iPhone Savior]
Tron: Legacy gets its very own interactive halfpipe (video)
Look, y'all know that Tron: Legacy comes out in just a few painful hours. You've probably seen those Daft Punk headphones, a blue-glowy Razer mouse, and the obligatory armchair, among other insane promotional items. But those earthly objects definitely weren't enough to fulfill the geeky capacity of the branding opportunities that such a cinematic event -- nay, spectacle -- creates. Melbourne-based interactive design company Eness went ahead and built an interactive projection-mapped skate ramp to commemorate the premiere. The Aussies who got to shred in this thing created and destroyed light trails, exploded through galaxies of color and shapes piped straight from the Grid, and had their airtime measured in real time and projected onto the ramp. It's not quite a real-life light cycle battle, but we'll take it. Must-see video after the jump.
DIY Ripstik underbody LED kit will make you look styley at night, still get heckled by skaters
The age of the underbody lighting craze on cars passed about as quickly as a bottle of N2O lasts on bracket night at the local strip, but that doesn't mean you can't still have some fun on your man-powered means of transportation. No, we're not talking a skateboard here, it's a Ripstik, featuring two narrow inline skate wheels and a weaving motion that will get you going where you're going without kicking -- so long as you aren't in a great hurry. Now modder metsfan1938 over at instructables is showing us how to add a little underbody bling, wiring up blue LEDs that are as practical as they are stylish if you tend to ride in an area that could see you getting run over at night. A little soldering and a bit of Dremel action is all that's required here, so if you live your life a wobbly quarter-mile at a time you'll want to click on through.
Shaun White Skateboarding review: Life as a grind
There's a popular story that goes something like this: A boy asks a punk singer, "How can I be punk?" The singer looks at the boy, bites on his cigarette and kicks over a trashcan, grumbling, "That's punk." "So if I kick over a trashcan, then I'll be a punk?" asks the boy. "No," says the singer. "You'll be a follower." Despite its best efforts to capture punk skateboard culture, Shaun White Skateboarding gets hung up on kicking over familiar trash cans and somehow feels more derivative than its straightforward snowboarding predecessor. %Gallery-93671%
Preview: Shaun White Skateboarding
What's happening in the screenshot above is one of the elements that makes Shaun White Skateboarding stand apart from the likes of Tony Hawk and EA's Skate 3. By doing tricks and generally skateboarding really well, you're transforming the game world from one that's monochromatic and lifeless into an eye-popping technicolor wonderland. Yes, it's pretty much like when Dorothy opens her front door after landing in Oz. This part of the game came into play the moment I picked up the controller for my recent (and our first) hands-on with SWS on HD consoles. Something as simple as performing an ollie sends out a shockwave that brings color back to the surrounding world. It's not just about changing the look of the world, though, but its design as well.%Gallery-99161%
DJ Hero and other Activision peripheral bundles discounted at Kmart
Kmart continues to prove how serious it is about awesome game deals, with temporary price drops on some of Activision's big-box games. If you've been waiting for the right time to buy DJ Hero, we can now confidently tell you exactly when that right time is: August 8 through 14, when Kmart will be selling it for $40 on PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii. In addition, you'll be able to get the Guitar Hero 5 guitar bundle on the same three systems for $50, the full Band Hero bundle for $80, and, for whatever reason, Tony Hawk Ride for $40. These deals will be available both in-store and online, so you don't have to live anywhere near a Kmart to take advantage.
Real life snowboarding meets old-school gaming in 'Gnarcade'
Our knowledge of the fast-paced, edgy world of extreme sports is limited to "standing on moving, thin slivers of wood is really difficult," though we don't need to know much more than that to appreciate the gaming-influenced video posted below.
Tony Hawk Ride mod actually rides (video)
Face it, you're not still using your plastic Tony Hawk Ride motion sensing game peripheral are you? So why not recoup some of your pride (and $120) by installing your own trucks and wheels and get to pushing some real pavement in the great out of doors? Or skip all that and let someone else explain to the cops that it's not real, "it's only a video game." See what we mean in the video embed after the break.
Review: Skate 3
Skate 3 has been touted as a social experience ever since it was announced, encouraging players to "team up" and "throw down," all in the name of being the best skateboard crew around. It's a new focus for the series, but if you're going to justify your sequel with a single feature, that feature had better work well. %Gallery-77563%
