electronic
Latest
Elektron's Model:Samples groovebox gets improved pitch control
Elektron has made a name for itself making complex and expensive electronic music gear, but over the last year or so it's made a serious bid for the entry-level market -- consumers that are keen to have a tinker around a newbie-friendly instrument rather than professional musicians. Its Model:Samples -- which launched for $449, but is now only $299 -- was designed to simplify Elektron's unique workflow for beginners, and now it's been given an update to give it even beefier features.
Hackers made a Detroit interstate billboard play a porn scene
Drivers in Auburn Hills, Michigan, got a heck of a surprise last Saturday night when an electronic billboard starting playing porn. The billboard, located alongside I-75 North between University Drive and highway M-59 in Auburn Hills, began playing the X-rated movie not long before midnight. It was shut down after 20 minutes, when police made contact with the sign's owner, Triple Communications.
Teach valuable STEM skills with electronic papercraft noisemakers
*Hitches up onion belt* Now back in my day, our papercraft activity books just folded up into something pretty. And we liked it that way. But you kids, with your Nintendoodads and Snapcharts, well that just isn't good enough, is it? No, your paper-based projects have to employ all sorts of electrical circuits, teach STEM skills, make music and ok this is actually pretty cool.
Georgia election server reportedly wiped in wake of lawsuit
There's something going on in Georgia. First, the state rejected help from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to inspect its voting equipment for potential hacker inroads. Strangely, the man responsible for this and a massive private data leak, Georgia's Secretary of State Brian Kemp, was placed on a DHS election cybersecurity panel. Now the Associated Press reports that a computer server important to a lawsuit against Georgia election officials has been wiped clean right after the suit was filed.
Animoog debuts DIY synth studio for iPhone 4, BYO talent (video)
Hey kids, if you never thought you'd live to see the day that Animoog offered up its wares for your iPhone, then prepare to be dazzled. Previously available only for the iPad, Moog has successfully re-tooled its impressive synthesizer software for the smaller screen and has maintained the same powerful features as before. Based on Moog's Anisotropic Synth Engine, the app leverages multitouch input, which allows users to play a chord and then modulate each note independently from one another. With a wide array of timbre styles, polyphonic modulation and pitch shifting, the software even supports MIDI input for those looking to link Animoog with a more traditional synth keyboard. Available right now in the App Store for 99¢, the software will leap to a full $9.99 after its introductory period. So, if you're rocking an iPhone 4 / 4S, it seems wise to jump on this deal while it's nice and cheap. There's a full video after the break, for those looking to see Animoog's recital performance.
Animoog takes the synth keyboard stylings to the iPad, DIY electronica lives to see another day
Mention music apps and our minds immediately conjure up images of a certain Icelandic songstress' interactive iPad album. Well, folks the high-art bleeps and bloops don't have to belong to the aurally experimental, as you, too, can make synthy music to doze off to. Fans of Moog's synthesizers looking to mobilize the analog noise art now have a 99¢ iOS option for the iPad. Dubbed Animoog, this virtual instrument shrinks the keyboard synth experience down to 10-inches, running on the company's Anisotropic Synth Engine and bringing with it polyphonic modulation and pitch shifting, various modules for effects, a timbre page and MIDI in / out. Fancy yourself a folktronic tablet technician? Then hit up the source to download the bargain-priced goods.
Apple puts PCs on free recycling party list, opens doors to iPads, iPhones
After being forced to pay off the door man to get into Apple's electronics recycling party for years now, PCs are finally getting in for free -- VIP style. Apple has revised its Reuse and Recycling Program and opened the gates to sheep from another shepherd's flock. The new rules are quite a departure from past protocol, which charged PC users 30 bones to recycle non-Apple computers and displays -- unless of course they agreed to purchase a Mac, in which case Apple would kindly do it for free. As part of the restructured program, ripe old iPads and iPhones are now eligible for Apple's exchange program as well, where you'll get a gift card if your device is actually worth anything. The company still recycles old iPods and mobile phones (regardless of manufacturer) for free, and offers 10% off a new iPod if you hand over an old one. With the revised plan it's safe to say the folks at Apple ditched the program's old theme song, "It's Not Easy Being Green," and are instead spinning a new track. Sparkly silver jacket not included.
Ricoh's new electronic paper promises greater brightness, enhanced color
Color E Ink technology still has some kinks to work out, but Ricoh thinks it may have just taken a big step forward with its latest display. The company's electronic paper, introduced at SID this week, promises to reproduce images that are 2.5 times brighter than competitors' offerings, while covering a color range that's four times wider. To achieve this, Ricoh used a simple lamination method, layering three strips of electrochromic material between two substrates. Unfortunately, however, there's no indication that the technology will be commercially available anytime soon, as Ricoh still needs to incorporate its e-paper onto more practical screen sizes, as well as enhance the display's durability -- both of which sound like pretty major hurdles to us. Full press release after the break.
Researchers enable tactile feedback for e-readers using real paper, just like the olden days (video)
Brainiacs from Osaka University have created what they've called the Paranga -- a device that fulfills the lack of tactile feedback of page turns when using an e-reader. It's got a built in sensor that detects when the book is being bent and will rotate a roll of paper strips against your thumb. The force exerted against the device will control the speed of the paper roll. Although it's not accurate enough to turn one page at a time, the researches believe that if foil is used instead of paper, the voltage will be discharged as soon as a page is turned, ensuring single-page accuracy. If you want to see a video of the Paranga imitate page-turning, press play on the embed below the break.
This looks like R-Type of iPhone shmup
It was last November when we first heard that DotEmu was at work porting Irem's classic 1987 arcade shmup R-Type to iPhone. Yesterday, EA Mobile made it official: it'll be publishing the game on the App Store "this summer," but couldn't get more specific due to the unpredictable nature of Apple's app approval process. We had a chance to get our hands on the game at EA yesterday and we've got to say, the port has turned out great, with three control schemes (touch to move and shoot, tilt to move / touch to shoot or an overlaid d-pad and buttons) plus options such as autofire and the ability to switch between full-screen and the original coin-op aspect ratio. Cleverly, DotEmu has created separate on-screen buttons for charged shots and launching the "Force" pod away from the player's R9 fighter. Check out the screens below and we'll let you know when the game hits Apple's virtual store shelves. %Gallery-97919%
Review: DeathSpank
"DeathSpank? What a ridiculous name!" I can hear you saying it now. Yes, it is a ridiculous name, for a ridiculous game which revels in the fact that it's ridiculous. Well, that and damned funny. Oh, and a super-fun, retail-caliber yet downloadable action-RPG. If you haven't been following all things 'Spank, know that it's the creation of Ron Gilbert (one of the mad geniuses who brought the world the Monkey Island series) and Hothead Games (makers of the delightful, and also downloadable, Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain Slick-Precipice of Darkness). Also know that it stars a hero, DeathSpank, who possesses enough machismo to fill a football stadium. His grasp on reality, on the other hand, would barely fill a football. %Gallery-71890%
Teenage Engineering's OP-1 pocket synth caught on video
The OP-1 is for real... and we've got the proof. It's an ambitious little project, to be sure -- a battery powered pocket synth / sampler / DAW controller / drum sequencer -- and one we're looking forward to getting our hands on when it finally becomes available. According to the heads behind Teenage Engineering, that day should come within 10-12 months. But don't take our word for it -- check out the video after the break.
Teenage Engineering's OP-1 synthesizer sure to entice Mark Mothersbaugh
We've been thinking about picking up our own little synth lately, so we were pretty stoked to see Teenage Engineering's OP-1 -- even if it's not near production yet. The pocket-sized synthesizer -- which will also double as a controller for a digital workstation -- is going to boast eight synth models and eight samplers, effects, a sequencer and an arpeggiator. There's a built-in mic, speaker, and, excitingly, an FM radio. On the controller side of the device, it's got transport controls, four rotary encoders, plus 16 quick keys. There's no word yet on when (if) this thing will hit the market, though they're taking volunteers for beta testing as of now. Sounds awesome, looks rad: sign us up! Update: Video of a display test of the OP-1 after the break![Via Music Radar]
EVE Online developer explains major new feature: Tech III
The dev blog many EVE Online players have been waiting for was published today. Tech III ships have been the subject of a great deal of excitement and no small amount of trepidation from the game's players. EVE developer CCP Nozh introduces the playerbase to "the dark delights of Tech 3 ships" in his dev blog "Strategic Cruisers: A New Breed." This moniker "Strategic Cruisers" is a fitting one, as they certainly are a new breed of ship, and one that requires some explanation. Nozh writes, "The elation of happening upon a unique fit, some fresh and clever setup, has always been a very appealing aspect of EVE. One of our primary goals for the Tech 3 ships was to bring this customization to a whole new level. The new ships are a fundamental departure from the tried and tested, offering such unparalleled customization that discussing them on the same terms as previous ships belies their true extent -- we're talking full-fledged, independent systems within the system. A little bit scary, really."
Thieves take off with $50,000 worth of cellphones
The anecdotal evidence for a spike in electronics robberies is piling up, with the latest high profile robbery netting the thieves $50,000 worth of cellphones from a T-Mobile store. Three armed men walked into the store in Fort Bend County in Texas on Thursday, and demanded the "good phones" from the store's safe and the tapes from the CCTV. Staff were tied up, and the thieves deposited the phones into black plastic bags and walked out. Unfortunately for the robbers, T-Mobile keeps a good track of its inventory, and can identify any of the phones if they turn up on the network (meaning that the $50,000 sticker value is much lower on the black market). Crime doesn't pay, especially when your stolen goods can be tracked.[Via textually]
Nintendo raining on EA's Mii Parade
One of our astute readers was just speculating in the My Sims DS comments thread about why EA didn't use Miis in My Sims, especially given that the Sims as they appear are very similar to Miis, and now we have an answer: Nintendo is being stingy! According to a quote in Next Generation from a producer at EA named Eric Chartrand, Nintendo hasn't let any of its third-party friends have development tools for integrating Miis into their software. Whether this means they haven't yet or they won't is still unknown.Nintendo not cooperating with third parties... this sounds familiar somehow. We hope this isn't an ominous portent for the future of non-Nintendo games.The Next-Gen article is not just about Miis, although they do figure into the whole idea about user-created avatars and content as a step into, and reaction to, the Web 2.0 participatory culture. It's a pretty good read.[Via NeoGAF]
First screens for Theme Park DS
EA has issued out the first screenshots for the upcoming Theme Park DS. A port of the PC game, there are few details still on the features this port will have. So, we're still in the dark on the game's features, but at least we now have some screens of the game to gawk at. We've included a hand full of them into the post, after the break.See also: EA announces Theme Park DS
NFS Carbon developer diary video
IGN has posted a video developer diary for EA's upcoming racer Need For Speed Carbon. Obviously, being the Nintendo version of the multi-platform game, we care most about the controls. Understanding such, that is the focal point for the majority of the video. IGN doesn't allow their videos to be embedded, so you're going to have to go over there the old-fashioned way.[Thanks Marc!]
New NFL Street 3 screens released
The only things certain in life are death, taxes and never-ending sequels from companies like Capcom and EA that mainly include little to no worthwhile upgrades other than a few more characters or new rosters. Having said that, I'm happy to tell you EA plans on bringing NFL Street 3 to the PSP Nov. 5, and Gamespot has just posted a cornucopia of new screens for you EA boys to drool over.Hopefully, EA has taken the time to fix the loading issues and the ridiculously over-powered running game that plagued NFL Street 2. (Via Gamespot)
EGM Rumor Mill: Wii Sports includes 30 games and Rez sequel coming
According to a post over on a blog at Jeux-France, the latest issue of EGM has some interesting rumors to share. The two of greatest concern to Wii Fanboys is the proposal of a Rez sequel releasing for the Wii, along with Nintendo's Wii Sports title including 30 total games. A sequel for Rez on the Wii is just about the greatest thing we've ever read. The problem with a rumor like this is that it sounds so good that it just can't be true. We want it, we want it bad, but likely could not survive the fall should it turn out to be fake. We'll remain as suspicious of this rumor as possible, for the time being.The idea of Wii Sports including over 30 different games is feasible and likely true. This could mean that Wii Sports would have a total of 24 games that we have yet to see (assuming that Wii Orchestra is included in the game and not a title in and of itself). Nintendo could get away with offering half as many games in Wii Sports and ask for full retail price, so the idea of 30 games being a part of the experience is wonderful. [Via Codename Revolution]
