All posts by Scott Meisner

Trailer: MacGruber

Movies, Video, , , , , ,

 

That’s right.  The infamous MacGyver spoof sketch from Saturday Night Live is coming to the silver screen.  MacGruber stars SNL’s Will Forte, Kristin Wiig, Bill Hader, and Maya Randolph along with Val Kilmer, Ryan Phillippe, Powers Boothe, and Rhys Coiro.  It’s written by Will Forte, John Soloman, and Jorma Taccone.  Taccone, a member of Andy Samberg’s Lonely Island crew, also directs the film.  MacGruber is due out in theatres April 23, 2010.  Embedded above is the red band trailer; look after the break for the standard trailer which is slightly different. 

Continue reading Trailer: MacGruber →

Apple invites us to see their “latest creation”

News, Technology, , , ,

Apple will be holding a special event Wednesday, January 27 at 10AM PST at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater in San Francisco.  I think we all know what the big announcement will be: the oft-rumored Apple Tablet (aka iSlate aka Magic Slate aka iPad).  The latest speculation believes Steve Jobs may announce one or more of the following: the tablet, a new iPhone, iPhone OS 4.0, and the next iLife suite.  Obviously I have my money on the tablet announcement.  The recent slew of rumors surrounding the tablet (including talks of Verizon and various book and magazine publishers involvement) has me really excited about this event.  Be sure to check back here Wednesday evening for full coverage and a rundown of all pertinent announcements.

PlayStation Motion Controller delayed until fall 2010

News, Technology, , , , , , , ,

Last we heard the tentitively titled PlayStation Motion Controller was due out this Spring.  But that was too good to be true, am I right?  Sony has gone ahead and delayed the mystical motion controller until “fall 2010” globally.  The delay affects the following countries: Japan, Asia, North America, and Europe.  Why the delay?  Kaz Hirai, President and Group CEO, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.: “We have decided to release the Motion Controller in fall 2010 when we will be able to offer an exciting and varied line-up of software titles that will deliver the new entertainment experience to PS3 users.”  They gotta pump out the games before the accessory is let out into the wild.  Makes sense.  With Microsoft’s Project Natal slated to release “Holiday 2010” the final quarter of this year looks like it’s going to be an exciting one for gamers.  Full press release after the break.

[Via Engadget]

Continue reading PlayStation Motion Controller delayed until fall 2010 →

Rock Band Network beta opens to Xbox 360 users, allows rockstars in training to show off their talent

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Rock Band Network to enter public beta testing. Gaming, Rock Band, Music, Music games, Harmonix, MIDI 0

Harmonix wants to breathe new life into its Rock Band series by allowing gamers to upload their own music to the game for others to play.  It’s being positioned as a way for unsigned artists to show off their talent in video game form.  All artists have to do is create a MIDI file of their song, record it with quality audio levels, and submit it for a peer review.  If a song is selected for the service, the artist will be prompted to pick a price point (ranging from $1 to $3) and then the song will be posted to the network for millions to download and play.  However, there is somewhat of a catch.  Artists must pay to place their songs on the network and the pricing is pretty steep, ranging from $999 for an entire track to $500 per minute of music.  This being said, it is likely that only serious artists will be willing to take the leap into the Network.  And if you ask me, this is a good thing; we shouldn’t run into showing-singing tweens.  So far many larger bands have expressed deep interest in lending some of their tracks to the service.  They include  Jonathan Coulton, The Shins, Ministry, Evanescense, The Stills, Creed and All That Remains.  Also, SubPop has announced that Nirvana, Sleater-Kinney, Flight of the Conchords, and the Postal Service will share tracks as well.  Harmonix stipulates that they will not enable the service  “until we accrue a good base of content.”  So you think you got what it takes?  Head on over to Rock Band’s official site to join the beta and get started!

[Via Pocket-lint; Engadget]

ESPN may stream live sporting events to an Xbox 360 near you

News, Sports, Technology, , , , , , , ,

According to the NY Times, Disney is in talks with Microsoft to bring ESPN to Xbox Live.  Sure, Live subscribers already have access to the large Netflix library to rent the latest movies and TV shows, but streaming live sporting events takes things to a whole new level.  ESPN on Xbox Live would be set up in a similar fashion to the ESPN 360 service that’s been widely available from a number of ISPs.  The Times reports that it would be based on a per-subscriber fee and include access to live sporting events and interactive games labeled with the ESPN brand.  Hulu on the PC, Netflix and ESPN on Xbox Live; this tidbit of news gives us yet another reason to cut the cord that is cable.

[Via NY Times; Gizmodo]

Single for Haiti relief: Lupe Fiasco & Kenna – “Resurrection”

Download link, Music, ,

I realize Lupe & Kenna ask you to download this free track to donate money for Haiti relief.  What they mean to say is download this track, share it with others, and donate money any way you can.  You want to know the fastest, most simplest way to give money to help the poor people in Haiti?  Send a text message.

  • Text HAITI to 90999 to donate $10 to the American Red Cross
  • Text HAITI to 25383 to donate $5 to International Rescue Committee
  • Text HAITI to 45678 to donate $5 to the Salvation Army in Canada
  • Text YELE to 501501 to donation $5 to Yele
  • Text RELIEF to 30644 to get automatically connected to Catholic Relief Services and donate money with your credit card
  • Text HAITI to 864833 to donate $5 to The United Way
  • Text CERF to 90999 to donate $5 to The United Nations Foundation
  • Text DISASTER to 90999 to donate $10 to Compassion International

    • So far text message donations to Haiti surpassed the $10 million mark.  If you haven’t contributed to this outstanding number please do so at your earliest convenience.  The people of Haiti need our support and this really is the easiest way to lend a helping hand.  Now listen to Lupe’s lastest creation (which happens to be really good), share it with others, and spread the word of text message donations.

    [audio: Lupe Fiasco & Kenna – Resurrection.mp3]

    [Via KanyeBlog]

    Kid Cudi x Bape collaboration hits stores and the web this week

    Fashion, Image cache, , , ,

    BAPE recently announced they are dropping yet another Kid Cudi x Milo t-shirt.  This time it reads “Take another shot or you’re soft!  Rage!”  What’s different about this release is that it may actually be possible to snag one of ’em.  You have two ways to purchase the $80 tee: you can wait in line at the NYC Soho BAPE store on Saturday, January 23 or you can order it online Wednesday, January 20 at noon.  UPDATE: You guessed it–all sold out online.  Good luck on Saturday!

    [Via DatNewCudi]

    Voice Band app turns your voice into a myriad of instruments (freakin’ awesome!)

    Music, Technology, Video, , , , , , ,

    From WaveMachineLabs comes a new innovative app for the iPhone called Voice Band.  Simply put, the app turns your voice into an instrument in real time.  Instruments include 2 guitars, a bass, sax, 2 synths, drums, and a mic.  Basically you make sounds with your voice and the app converts and records these sounds into instrument sounds, allowing you to layer them on top of each other to create a final product that may actually sound like an intricate, well thought out song.  In mic mode you can even top it all off with your own vocals; don’t worry, a built-in auto pitch helps you stay on key.  You also have the option to play your iPod library in the background and “play along with your favorite music.”  Songs can be saved and emailed to friends within the app.  Voice Band is available in the App Store today for $2.99.  It works with all iPhones and the 2nd gen iPod touch; you must have OS 3.0 or later installed.  One more stipulation–a pair of headphones (with a built-in mic) is required for iPod touch and original iPhone users.  See it in action in the video above.  Definitely one of the coolest apps I’ve come by in a while.

    [Via Gizmodo]

    Digital guitar doesn’t need strings

    Music, Technology, Video, , , , ,

    The Misa Digital Guitar is basically a MIDI controller hidden inside what appears to be a standard guitar.  It’s no so standard in that it doesn’t have any strings; instead it contains 144 note buttons and a large touch screen control pad.  Since it’s an open source Linux-powered MIDI controller at heart, it can play a variety of instrument packs you have installed on your computer.  Let the digital future of shredding commence!

    [Via Engadget]

    Student creates music controller with Arduino & an accelerometer

    Music, Technology, Video, , , , ,

    Parsons student Ryan Raffa crafted a do-it-yourself music controller with an ADXL 335 accelerometer and an Arduino board that communicates serially with Max MSP.  In simpler terms he created a small device that has five embedded tracks and a sixth button that applies a delay on those tracks; pushing the buttons plays the various tracks and moving the device around slows down and speeds up the beat thanks to the built-in accelerometer.  (An accelerometer is the device installed in iPhones and other gadgets that allows users to swap from vertical to landscape views just by changing the orientation of the device.)  Check out Ryan’s final product in the video above.  I think it’s safe to say he received an “A” for his final class project.

    [Via Engadget]