iPod, iTunes, iPhone and more Gadgets

As we’re certain you know by now, there are fails, and then there are epic fails. This case most definitely falls into the latter category, as Sea Change’s shark-deterrent system (affectionately dubbed Shark Shield) was actually bit into by a great white when tested off the coast of South Africa. Reportedly, the device sends out electronic fields that are meant to deter sharks from coming near surfers, but according to the company’s CEO, the botched trial was “due to a problem with the electrode’s configuration.” Furthermore, he noted that the thing is only “guaranteed to work when it’s stationary, not when it’s surfing in the wave or paddling.” Needless to say, the effectiveness of these type devices have now been called into question, and regardless of whether this thing actually works as advertised, the lack of total protection — you know, while actually surfing — is enough to make us steer clear.

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The Rock Band drum kit continues to attract modders of all stripes, and we’re loving the crazy directions people are taking it — like this beatboxing kick drum mod from Kevin Child. It’s a simple hack — Kevin simply used a Thumper vocal-percussion mike to activate the pedal trigger — but it’s pretty sweet in action, responding to nearly any noise he makes. We’d love to see this thing filtered through a computer with the different pads assigned to various frequencies so you could straight up bust out like Rahzel in your living room, but we’ll take what we can get for now. Video after the break.

Continue reading Rock Band drum kit modded for beatbox control

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Man, Qtrax just can’t stop lying about those label deals, can it? The company’s trumpeting new deals today with EMI Publishing, Sony / ATV Music Publishing, and TVT Records, but of the three deals, only TVT will actually have music available for download. The deals with EMI and Sony / ATV are extensions of earlier deals, but since publishing companies only represent songwriters and don’t actually own the rights to the song recordings, Qtrax still can’t offer songs to consumers. If you’re keeping score at home, this is essentially the exact same half-truth Qtrax launched under — pretty ballsy of the company to try and pull it again, no? On the other hand, getting TVT on board is no small feat — TVT artists include Lil Jon, Ambulance LTD, Dude ‘N Em, The Polyphonic Spree, and The Cinematics, so it looks like Qtrax might be getting better at this whole “signing actual deals with labels” thing.

[Note: Post significantly revised; Via Tech Digest]

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