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Sonos' Roam speaker is still 20 percent off, plus the rest of the week's best tech deals
This week's best tech deals include 20 percent off Sonos speakers, the Apple Watch Series 7 for $329 and up to 43 percent off Solo Stove fire pits.
US regulators approve BMW-Daimler services merger
BMW and Daimler's plan to combine their transportation services, including car sharing, ride hailing and electric vehicle charging, is a step closer to reality after US antitrust officials approved the partnership. The companies hope to close the deal by January 31st, and plan to reveal more details of their joint venture by the end of March.
BMW and Daimler will combine their transportation services
If it seems ridiculous that virtually every major car manufacturer has its own suite of transportation services, you're not alone. BMW and Daimler have announced a plan to combine their mobility services in a 50/50 joint venture. Car2Go and DriveNow/ReachNow will unite their car sharing efforts, for example, while ChargeNow and Digital Charging Solutions would team up on EV power. Ride hailing, parking are also part of the proposed union.
Greece wants to force Uber into hiring full-time taxi drivers
Greece, a country with a lot of debt and an angry taxi lobby, is the latest to ponder anti-ride-sharing legislation. The country reportedly plans to force ride-sharing firms like Uber and Taxibeat to ink three-year contracts with licensed drivers, effectively turning them into full-time employees. Operators would need to buy taxi licenses be subject to stricter rules than currently allowed, according to Reuters.
Spotify brings its smart running playlists to Android
When Spotify announced its new Running feature, only iPhone users were able to utilize its beat-matching skills while out on the streets. It's taken a good few months (far longer than it probably should), but from today, Android device owners can get in on the action too. Spotify says that its latest update, which has already begun rolling out to users, will recommend "multiple-genre playlists" based on your previous music selections and offer ready-made running compositions.
Korg announces Volca analog synth series, we go eyes-on
Korg's love of the mini-analog synth clearly remains strong as it's added three more new ones to the fold -- the Volca Beat, Volca Bass and Volca Keys (the clue to what they do is in the names). While some firms take a pro product and work down, making cheaper versions, Korg seems to take a different approach. It did the stripping-back thing when it launched its popular Monotron synth. Since then, it's incrementally developed it back up into a whole category of its own, the latest iteration of which we apparently see before us here. The trio of mini-synths clearly take inspiration from the Monotribe groovebox that came before them, but are a step up in terms of design. Brushed metal finishes give them a vintage, almost Stylophone feel. The Volca Bass, in particular, looks almost too much like the legendary Roland TB-303 to be coincidence, and if we didn't know better, we'd say the color scheme of the Beat echoes the TR-808. As we happened to be in Frankfurt, we couldn't resist getting out hands on them, or as you'll see past the break, at least trying to. %Gallery-185299%
Fujifilm's flexible Beat speaker diaphragm lets us roll up the rhythm
While there's been no shortage of rollable displays, rollable speakers are rare -- the softness needed for a bendy design is the very thing that would usually neuter the sound. Fujifilm's new Beat diaphragm manages to reconcile those seemingly conflicting requirements. The surface depends on a polymer that stays soft when the surface is being curled or folded, but hardens when subjected to the 20Hz to 20kHz audio range we'd expect from a speaker. Piezoelectric ceramics, in turn, provide the sound itself. The Beat system doesn't have any known customers, but Fujifilm has already shown some creative possibilities such as a folding fan speaker or the portable, retractable unit shown above. If we ever see the day when we tuck a set of speakers into our pockets as neatly as we do our phones, we'll know who to thank.
Bit.Trip Saga coming to 3DS eShop December 20 for $15
Aksys Games is bringing Bit.Trip Saga, the Gaijin Games 3DS compilation that hit retail last year, to Nintendo's eShop on December 20. What's more, the collection will cost $14.99, saving players a whole bunch of dollars in addition to the convenience of the compilation being downloadable.Bit.Trip Saga includes Bit.Trip Beat, Bit.Trip Core, Bit.Trip Void, Bit.Trip Runner, Bit.Trip Fate and Bit.Trip Flux. If our math is correct, that's only a couple dollars per game in the six-game bundle. What a deal! %Gallery-138323%
Humble Bundle for Android (and PC, Mac, and Linux) bundles Bit.Trip Beat, Fieldrunners and more
Haven't bought Bit.Trip Beat in a while? Now you can buy it again, this time on Android! It's part of the Humble Bundle for Android 3, along with Fieldrunners, SpaceChem, Uplink, and – for purchases above the average price – Spirits. Uplink and SpaceChem require tablets, but you can play the rest on your phone.You're not out of luck if you lack a tablet, or even if you're without an Android phone. Even though it's an Android bundle, you'll also get the games on Windows, Mac, and Linux as well, along with all their soundtracks.
The Potato Sack Reunion Tour kicks off on Steam today
Last April, Valve launched a guerrilla marketing effort for Portal 2 and promotion on select indie titles. This week Valve remembers its ARG campaign with the Potato Sack Reunion sale, which knocks half off the price of 13 individual indie titles.Games include Super Meat Boy, The Ball, Cogs, Amnesia: The Dark Descent and many more. You can either buy each individually for half-off, or grab the whole bundle for $20.
Akai releases MPC Fly for iPad, waits 'til you get the pun (video)
We already knew Akai was refreshing its legendary MPC range, but the newest member to the family -- the Fly -- has to be about the cutest. It kinda looks, initially, like a knock-off MPC novelty case, until you realize those pads are real, and that software on screen is legit. The case-and-device approach seems a smart idea, so it feels like one unit -- it even juices your slate when you charge its built-in battery. The trade-off is an extra two pounds of weight, and almost an inch of thickness. Somewhat lighter is the app which rocks effects, a sound library, sampling, supports WIST (Wireless Sync-Start Technology) and works on any iPad -- but you'll need a second-gen tab to use the hardware. Before you bemoan that this is some sort of cash-in, the whole idea is that you can lay down ideas on the (ahem) Fly, and pick them up later back in the studio. If you want to see more, drop some bass over the break for a video.
Bit.Trip Saga and Complete ride a Rising Star to Europe
Bit.Trip Saga for 3DS and Bit.Trip Complete for Wii came out in September here in North America, collecting all six WiiWare Bit.Trip games into convenient new formats and, in the case of Complete, adding new challenges. Not that there wasn't enough challenge to be found already. For those of you in Europe looking for a more portable, three-dimensional and/or expanded Bit.Trip experience, Rising Star Games has signed on to publish Saga and Complete in that region, in the first quarter of 2012. Complete on Wii will include a soundtrack sampler, just as it does in North America. It's a nice way to kick back and relax when not playing the games -- you certainly won't do any kicking back while playing them. Maybe some kicking.%Gallery-138323%%Gallery-138322%
Bit. Trip collections come to 3DS and Wii September 13
Bit. Trip Saga, the 3D-ized Bit.Trip compilation for 3DS, will arrive in stores on September 13. But if you'd rather play the games on the big screen -- and especially if you didn't buy all of them on Wii already -- there's another collection for you. Bit.Trip Complete collects all six WiiWare games on a single Wii disc, with a generous pile of extras. 120 new "challenges" have been added to the games in Bit.Trip Complete, along with new difficulty modes and leaderboards. In addition, there's an "audio gallery" of new songs, demo versions, and fan remixes of the series' signature sounds. Other bonuses include image and video galleries and a bundled soundtrack CD. It'll be up to you how you want to experience these games -- handheld and in 3D, or on your TV with bonuses. You could always buy both in order to have the most options as to how you want to be mesmerized and frustrated.
Bit. Trip Beat destroys Steam users' self-esteem tomorrow
Even if you don't have a Wii or an iPhone, chances are you still have a computer, which means that starting tomorrow you'll have very little excuse for never having tried Bit. Trip Beat. Gaijin Games announced that the first game in its six-part series, a sort of hypnotic rhythm/chiptunes Pong adventure (also an absurdly, wonderfully difficult game), will be released on Steam tomorrow for both Windows and Mac, with upgrades over the original including online leaderboards, easy mode, and achievements. You'll be able to play the Steam version using a keyboard, mouse, gamepad, or even (with a planned update) the Sixense TrueMotion thing. The regular price for the Steam release is $9.99, but it's a dollar off through November 9.
Bit. Trip Beat descends to .99 price on iPhone and iPad this weekend
Bit. Trip Beat may not be easy, but this weekend, it's going to be really easy to buy. Publisher Namco has marked down both the iPhone and iPad versions of the WiiWare hit to 99 cents for the weekend. Sure, it's portable, but play it at home -- you don't want strangers to see you having a tantrum.
Bit.Trip Beat hits iPhone, iPad on Sept. 30
The long anticipated release of Gaijin Games' Bit.Trip Beat on the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch is this Thursday, September 30. The glowing-finger-enabled dev Alex Neuse (seen above) announced as much with a toothy grin via the Gaijin blog this afternoon -- he later told us via email that the game will run $4.99 on iPhone/iPod Touch and $6.99 on iPad. Additionally, DLC will be available on day one, as will Game Center support. Aside from new levels and an HD up-res of the graphics, the game will also be getting multiplayer support on iPhone/iPad. Take a peek at the gallery below and join us in rapt anticipation for Thursday morning, won't you?%Gallery-101131%
Gaijin Games: Bit.Trip Beat demo helped get sales 'on par with projections'
Try before you buy. It's a simple concept, and it's been a key element in marketing games this console generation -- at least on platforms that aren't WiiWare. But Nintendo did give demos a chance once upon a time ago and Gaijin Games' Bit.Trip Beat was one of five titles consumers could try free of cost. According to Gaijin Games, it helped. Alex Neuse, CEO of Gaijin Games, told Joystiq that when the "demo was active," his company "started to see sales more on par with our projections." We've heard the same WiiWare story over and over again from developers and publishers: Nintendo doesn't promote; many Wii consoles aren't hooked up to the internet; nobody is buying these games. It's interesting that something as small as a playable demo could affect sales in such a positive manner. "I think this is because Bit.Trip Beat is the type of game that people really have to play to understand," Neuse said in regards to the success of his demo. He went on to say that "a screenshot just doesn't do it justice" and that he's "sad to see that the demo program has ended." We are, too -- WiiWare developers work very hard to create games and support the platform. It's gotta be frustrating when there's no reciprocation.
Bit.Trip Beat iPad preview: move to keep the beat
The problem I've always had with Bit.Trip Beat is that you could only control it by twisting the Wiimote. It's not the most accurate control scheme and, since the game is largely built on the player's ability to quickly and precisely move from one place to another, it was one tough experience. However, on the iPad, it's far more responsive -- sporting both touch-based and tilt-based controls in the final product, it was quickly evident that this was the best way to play the game. %Gallery-101131%
Bit.Trip Beat DLC on iPhone/iPad will be Bit.Trip Void tracks
You know how we told you about DLC for the iPhone and iPad versions of Bit.Trip Beat a few days back? During an appointment with developer Gaijin Games here at PAX, CEO and designer Alex Neuse confirmed the exact nature of the DLC tracks: they're Bit.Trip Void songs! He informed Joystiq that the tracks weren't actually being developed by Gaijin Games, but were instead being crafted by the iPhone/iPad version's publisher, Namco-Bandai. Neuse is looking forward to trying the new tracks, as you'd imagine -- it's not every day you have an opportunity to be stumped by your own game, you know? %Gallery-101131%
iPhone Bit.Trip Beat has new levels, multiplayer
The iOS version of Bit.Trip Beat won't be a simple port of Gaijin Games' WiiWare debut. It has a couple of new features that may convince even the few people who completed the game to buy it again. A representative for publisher Namco Networks informed Joystiq that Bit.Trip Beat will have a multiplayer mode, for up to four players on either iPhones or iPads. Even more intriguing, the mobile version of the chiptuney rhythm-Pong game will have new downloadable levels. Namco Networks expects to release Bit.Trip Beat this fall. You can see what it looks like on iPad in our gallery. If you look at the images on an iPad, you'll really get the idea.%Gallery-101131%
