Tupac Live @ Coachella 2012 (Video)

This is nuts!

...so Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg brought Tupac out on stage at Coachella last night... in hologram form.

Expect all your favourite stars of the past to perform shows from beyond the grave in the near future.

Projection Mapping Onto Turntables

Kinda gimmicky, yet dope at the same time.

If they get the waveforms running on point and smoothly, it could make things pretty interesting (and easier) for complex beat juggle patterns!

Pioneer DJM-T1 Mixer (Video)

I'm still using both Scratch Live and Traktor in my DJ sets, but if I was to get this/get given this (one can wish!), then I'll be making the switch over. This looks sick!

More info can be found here

BONUS! Shiftee breaks down the Breakfast of Champions video:

Boston Dynamics BigDog (Video)

As much as I find robotics fascinating, this is seriously fucking creepy.

Q-Bert's Breakfast of Champions (Video)

Q-Bert, Shiftee & Rafik test out the latest offerings from Native Instruments.

Traktor Scratch Pro 2 looks dope!

Headcase “Etch A Sketch” iPad Case

Remember the Etch A Sketch? I swear everyone had one of those as a kid...

Well, they've collaborated with Headcase to being you a protective case that will give your precious Apple product that retro feel. While the Etch A Sketch buttons don't do anything, all iPad buttons, ports and switches are fully accessible with a retractable kickstand available for keyboard use and viewing. Cute, but pretty pointless at the same time.

Every time I think of the Etch A Sketch, this comic strip always comes to mind:

I need an iPhone 4...

Obviously that's not my handset...It's Stephen Fry's.

Rather than go on about how I need one of these, you can read his well-detailed review here instead. The fact that the handsets are available SIM-free is great. Now I need to justify spending £599 on a 32GB model just so I can floss....I think I can live with that.

Speaking of flossing, check out Just Blaze's video below. *dead* at all those other handsets...

Crooks & Castles Bullet Flash Drive

The latest offering from Crooks & Castles is a 2GB USB flash drive, which is concealed in a replica AK-47 bullet. At a price of $45, they're a tad steep, but look good nevertheless. I bet some bright spark will forget to leave this at home when travelling abroad!

Available now from their online store

DJ Sub Zero x Apple iPad (Video)

DJs are already using their iPhones as MIDI controllers to launch samples, loops and cue points...Here's a video of Miami's DJ Sub Zero using the Tonetable app, which is available for both the iPhone and iPad.

It looks pretty neat, and for those certain clubs where only one turntable works, this would be very handy indeed; not all DJs like to use the "instant doubles" in Scratch Live. Will it kill the turntable though? I doubt it.

The Sleepbox

Stuck in a foreign city without a hotel, or are you just simply knackered from walking around shopping and fancy a quick power-nap? Say hello to the Sleepbox

The blurb:

"Measuring 2m x 1m(d) 4m x 2m(w) 3m(h), the main functional element in it is a bed , which is equipped with an automatic system of change of bed linen. The bed is a soft, flexible strip of foamed polymer with the surface of the pulp tissue. Tape is rewound from one shaft to another, changing the bed. If a client wants to sleep in maximum comfort, he can use the normal set of bed linen for an extra fee. The Sleepbox is equipped with a ventilation system, sound alerts, built-in LCD TV, WiFi, sockets for a laptop, charging phones. Also under the lounges is a place for luggage. After the clients exit, automatic change of bed linen starts and quartz lamps turns on. Payment can be made on a shared terminal, which provides the client with an electronic key. It is possible to buy from 15 minutes to several hours."





Possible locations include:

Railroad stations
Airports
Expocentres
Public and shopping centers
Accommodation facilities


Apparently Dubai is going to be installing 50-70 of these badboys.






Via Trapstar

Playstation "Move"

Following in the footsteps of the Nintendo Wii, it looks like Sony are ready to tap into the motion controller market. Comprising of 1 main controller (which looks similar to Nintendo's in terms of layout and style), and a sub-controller that is to be used for intuitive navigation of in-game characters and objects, this will deliver an innovative and immersive gaming experience for PS3 owners.

The blurb:

The combination of the PS3 system and PlayStation Eye camera detects the precise movement, angle, and absolute position in 3D space of PlayStation Move motion controller, allowing users to intuitively play the game as if they themselves are within the game. PlayStation Move motion controller delivers unmatched accuracy through its advanced motion sensors, including a three-axis gyroscope, a three-axis accelerometer, and a terrestrial magnetic field sensor, as well as a color-changing sphere that is tracked by PlayStation Eye camera. Through PlayStation Move system, both fast and subtle motion can be detected, whether the user is swinging a tennis racket, or painting with a brush. With PlayStation Move motion controller, users can provide direct input through action buttons and an analog trigger, while receiving physical feedback from rumble functionality and visual feedback from the sphere’s ability to display a variety of different colors. Furthermore, PlayStation Eye camera can capture the player’s voice or image, enabling augmented reality experiences.

The newly announced PlayStation Move sub-controller is a one-handed controller, developed to further expand the game play options that PlayStation Move games can offer*2. PlayStation Move sub-controller features a sleek curved design that pairs with the motion controller and comes with an analog stick and directional buttons that allow users to easily control the game when moving characters or choosing a direction. Like all other Wireless Controllers for the PS3 system, it comes with a built in lithium-ion rechargeable battery as well as Bluetooth® technology, enabling the controller to transfer the input information wirelessly to the PS3 system without a cable. PlayStation Move motion controller and sub-controller will further broaden the gaming experience on the PS3 system for all genres, from games that use one motion controller to games that use both controllers.

Thank You, Native Instruments!

Massive thanks to Native Instruments for the hook up. I'm looking forward to getting to grips with this over the weekend.

Expect a video sometime soon!

Apple iPad (Video)

So Apple finally unveils the eagerly awaited iPad. At 64Gb, its going to cost approximately £500; Wi-Fi models shipping in March, and 3G models shipping in April.

Seeing as I already own a Blackberry (which is dying on me), an iPod Touch and a Macbook, I don't really have any need for the iPad. However it does look incredibly dope.

Via DJ Semtex

Blackberry Tour 9630

I love my Blackberry Bold, but I can see myself trading it in for this beast...However...I'm still toying with the idea of maybe getting an iPhone 3Gs, since they've recently sorted out the whole copy & paste issue, plus the web browsing is dope.

Although I'm highly addicted to Blackberry Messenger! (that sealed the deal for me when I first got one back in '07).

One of the main additions of the Blackberry Tour is the display, which at a 480 x 360 resolution at 245 ppi delivers the highest resolution available on any BlackBerry.

Other key features include:

* 3.2 MP camera with flash, variable zoom, image stabilization, autofocus and video recording(i)
* Full HTML web browser, including support for streaming audio and video (RTSP)
* Advanced media player for videos, pictures and music, a 3.5 mm stereo headset jack and support for the Bluetooth(R) Stereo Audio Profile (A2DP/AVCRP)
* 256MB Flash memory
* Expandable memory via hot swappable microSD/SDHC memory card slot, supporting cards of up to 16 GB today and expected to support next generation 32GB cards when available
* Built-in GPS with support for geotagging, BlackBerry(R) Maps and other location based applications and services
* BlackBerry(R) Media Sync allows customers to quickly and easily synch music from iTunes(R) and Windows Media Player with the smartphone(ii)
* Premium phone features including voice activated dialing, enhanced background noise cancellation, a low-distortion speakerphone, and Bluetooth (2.0) support for hands-free use with headsets, car kits, stereo headsets and other Bluetooth peripherals
* Preloaded DataViz(R) Documents to Go(R), allowing users to edit Microsoft(R) Word, Excel and PowerPoint files directly on the handset
* Easy mobile access to Facebook(R), MySpace and Flickr(R), as well as popular instant messaging services including BlackBerry(R) Messenger, Yahoo!(R) IM, AIM(R), Google Talk and Windows Live Messenger(TM)
* Support for BlackBerry App World(TM), featuring a broad and growing catalog of third-party mobile applications developed specifically for BlackBerry smartphones. Categories include travel, productivity, entertainment, games, social networking & sharing, news & weather, and more
* BlackBerry(R) Internet Service allows access to up to 10 supported personal and corporate email accounts, including most popular ISP email accounts
* BlackBerry(R) Enterprise Server provides advanced security and IT administration features within IBM(R) Lotus(R) Domino(R), Microsoft(R) Exchange and Novell(R) GroupWise(R) environments
* Removable and rechargeable 1400 mAhr battery for 5 hours of talk time and 14 days of standby time

Available from this summer in the US, with further releases worldwide.

Via Hypebeast

DJ Hero in 2 Player Mode (Video)

When DJ Blakey told me about DJ Hero last year, I was excited. I'd seen a few pics here and there online regarding the game, but was still yet to see any footage of how the controller works, etc...

Luckily he posted a link on his Twitter to this video, which shows a two-player turntable and guitar mashup after the break that pits the Beastie Boys' "Sabotage" against the Foo Fighters' "Monkey Wrench."

I'm still yet to purchase Guitar Hero, although I'm sure I wouldn't get any work done if I did so...

Project Natal (Video)

This is some pretty mental technology right here!

Project Natal:
(pronounced "nuh-tall"[needs IPA]) is the code name for a "controller-free gaming and entertainment experience" by Microsoft for the Xbox 360 video game platform. Based on an add-on peripheral for the Xbox 360 console, Project Natal enables users to control and interact with the Xbox 360 without the need to touch a controller, such as through body gestures or spoken commands.

The project is aimed at broadening the Xbox 360's audience beyond its hardcore base of young males. Project Natal was first announced on June 1 at the 2009 Electronic Entertainment Expo. Release pricing and timing have not been announced, but the device is not expected to be available until at least 2010.

An approximately nine-inch wide horizontal bar connected to a circular base with a ball joint pivot, the Project Natal sensor is designed to be positioned lengthwise above or below the video display. The sensor features a "RGB camera, depth sensor, multi-array microphone, and custom processor running proprietary software," which provide full-body 3D motion capture, facial recognition, and voice recognition capabilities.

The "Project Natal" sensor's microphone array enables the Xbox 360 to conduct multi-directional voice location tracking and ambient noise suppression, allowing for things such as headset-free party chat over Xbox Live. The depth sensor consists of an infrared projector combined with a monochrome CMOS sensor, and allows the Project Natal sensor to see in 3D under any lighting conditions.

So I managed to install custom firmware on my PSP...

I can now run NES, SNES, N64, (even Amiga) emulators, and all kinds of other cool shit on this thing...Ahh yeah!



P.S. Poor picture quality/lighting, I know. Allow it...

Scratching on the VCI-300 (Video)

I knew you could rock simple juggles and stuff, but I didn't realise the fader & the platters were that good!

This may have to be added to the ever-growing list of purchases, although I get enough shit from drunk people about not being a "real DJ" for using Scratch Live... LOL

P.S. Those cuts are sick, btw.

SL 3 Interface for Serato Scratch Live

The latest product from the leaders of digital DJ-ing. An updated version of the original SL 1 interface, the SL 3 packs in a while load of new features, improving the sound quality, set-up time, and the overall performance...I'm pretty excited!

Features:

USB 2.0 high speed audio interface.
Improved dynamic range: 104 dB.
Maximum audio output: 3 Vrms (hotter output).
24-bit 44.1 or 48 kHz converters.
Aux Input for Live Mix Recording or LiveFeed.
Aux Output allows use of the Sample Player as a Virtual Deck.
Aux Output opens the door for future expansion and creative configurations.
High-grade phono preamps upgrade the performance of most mixers.
Software switchable Direct Thru connections: less cable required.
Independent Line / Phono-level selection for each input for greater flexibility.
Galvanic isolation prevents computer noise from interfering with audio path.
Soft carry case included.
Includes international power supply: best performance and easy transfer between DJs.

Gizmo from Skratchworx managed to corner Sam from Serato at the NAMM convention to give us a more detailed description.



The SL 3 is now available from all good retailers for the pricely sum of $699/€699/£749....Yeah, £749! I really need to befriend an American...

EDIT! It's available for the semi-pricely sum of £599. Maybe they'll give me discount for blogging about it, eh?

Cable's Macbook Dilemma

Apologies for the lack of postage up on here, but my beloved Macbook decided to cease functioning on Wednesday night, leaving me to run around like a headless chicken trying to get it sorted (read: buy another fucking laptop) for my gigs this weekend.

As soon as I'm back up online I'll give you the full rundown of my mini Macbook adventure...in the meantime, please pour out some liqour for the above laptop. Bad times!