Slacker is a US only interactive Internet radio provider. It allows its users to create their own customizable music stations. In January, Slacker has reported that they contained a database with over 2 million songs divided into over 10000 artist stations, and an unlimited amount of personally created stations.
Now Slacker is the first internet radio service to come with a portable device, the Slacker G2. The device updates songs through WiFi, so that users can listen their personalized music station. On top of the device is the "Heart" and "Ban" buttons, that help lower the chance of listening to unwanted music. The more you listen, the better the music selections become.
The Slacker G2 does not necessarily require a WiFi connection because songs are stored into the device's library. You can also put in your own songs from your computer, but there is a limited amount of space. The two sizes, 4GB and the 8GB, can contain only 1GB and 3GB of personal music. The rest of the space is used for the music stations.
You might find that this is too good of a deal, for free music, but it does come for a small price. The music is sponsored by ads. You would most likely listen up to 3 minutes of ads in an hour of listening. For those of you who just can't stand ads, well there is another option. For just $7.95 a month, you can have unlimited skipping of songs and no ads. Oppose to the premium user, the regular user only gets 6 skips and bans per hour.
As for the abilities go for in the Slacker G2, there isn't much. It is only capable of playing audio files and have 10 preset equalizers. It does not support video or picture files. However, it does show the artist's name, the next artist, the song name, and the album picture. The targets of this product is for those who does not care not for their listening experience. The songs played from the WiFi connection are slightly worse than songs you would download. The batteries of the player lasts for 15 hours, but you need at least 50 percent of battery life to use the Wifi connection.
Overall, this product provides a very nice experience for slackers out there. It gives users a free music service, that helps them discover new music without doing much. There could be a couple of adjustments such as the volume function or the amount of personal music space, but other than that it is a great buy. At the official slacker website, slacker.com you can buy the 4Gb for $200 and the 8GB for $250.
Sony Computer Entertainment has announced the incoming of the new and improved PSP-3000. The PSP was first released in North America in 2005. It has sold approximately 41 million units since, and sales are still growing.
The PSP is a game machine with optical drive, a good sized screen, WiFi, Internet and other multimedia capabilities, and the ability to connect with other PSP's and the Playstation 3. Recently, about a year ago, PSP-2000 was launched with the "Slim and Light" concept. The weight reduced,while gaining USB charging, composite TV output, a brighter screen and 64MB of onboard memory.
So, what is so new and improved about the PSP-3000? There are two things that portray it all; an advanced high contrast LCD screen and a microphone.
According to Sony, the screen offers " the highest-level contrast ratio and better response time." It also allows the game player to play movies in a more natural and vibrant color. For those that uses the PSP outdoors, the new PSP adds anti-reflection technology.
The microphone concept can be seen in the PSP rival, the DS. Unlike the DS, the PSP brings in an Internet phone. Sony has made a agreement with Skype, which allows users to communicate with others with a Skype-compatible microphone. This also gives people a new experience with the PSP with games that are compatible with headsets.
Other than the upgraded screens and the installation of microphones, the PSP-3000 is not much different. Later in October, Sony will be releasing this new product along with 3 different colors to choose from. In addition to the original "Piano Black", there is also "Mystic Silver" and "Pearl White."
New 2008-2009 Comedy TV Shows
Fox's New TV Comedies:
Class Dismissed-
This series is about a group of teachers and staff that work at a high school in a small northeastern fishing town. The comedy is revolved around the failing education system and the sorry lives of the teachers and staff. The motto of the teachers is " Students ALWAYS come in second." This series will first premiere in Spring 2009 and will air on Sundays right after The Simpsons at 8:30.
Do Not Disturb-
Do Not Disturb is already airing as of September 10, 2008. Currently the show is going to be 13 episodes. It is about the happenings in a once popular New York City hotel through the eyes of the employees. It dwells upon the latest trends in the industry to continue its success.
The Cleveland Show-
Cleveland is the neighbor of Peter Griffin in Family Guy. After he loses feelings for his wife for sleeping with Quagmire, he was given a second chance in love with his high school sweetheart. This series follow Cleveland Brown and his life in Virginia living with his lover and her unruly kids.
CBS's New Comedies:
Worst Week-
This series is an American adaptation of British sitcom Worst Week of My Life. The show is about a soon-to-be married couple who goes on a family holiday with the in-laws for a week. Through the course of the week, the groom gets himself into all sorts of unexplainable embarrassment that causes the in-laws to hate him.
Gary Unmarried-
Gary Unmarried, first premieres in the fall of 2008. Gary Brooks, a painting contractor faces a challenge of parenthood and dating after being divorced from a 15 year marriage. He has to balance his new romance with single mom, Vanessa, while meeting the needs of his ex-wife. This show airs at 8:30 on Wednesdays.
Other New TV Comedies:
The Goode Family-
For those that like to watch King of the Hill or Beavis and Butt-head, The Goode Family could be a nice addition. It begins to premiere in the Spring of 2009. The Goode Family is a family who is obsessed with living a green and politically correct lifestyle. Their last names match them well, for they are always trying to do good. For example, they reuse shopping bags, drive hybrid cars, recycle, and are Vegans. The show follows how even the best of intentions can go wrong. Even Bliss, the daughter of the Goode Family criticizes the plans of her own family.
Rock Band 2 is soon to be officially released tomorrow, September 14, 2008 for XBox 360 as announced by EA and Harmonix. As for the other consoles, it will be released later in October. The new wireless drum set is also coming later into the week.
This game allows up to 4 players to play different instruments including the drums, guitar, bass guitar, and microphone. The new version of Rock Band have improved controllers for the drums and guitar, while allowing players to use old controllers. There are new features such different instrument training modes, allowing online capabilities for the " World Tour" mode, and merchandising opportunities for virtual bands.
Unlike Rock Band's two "Tour Modes", Rock Band 2's "Tour Mode" does not specify the amount of players. It allows any combination of any 1-4 players. Players can swap instruments, have a team logo, or name. After choosing the characters and such, you can either start your tour, take tour challenges, or even compete with other bands with the "Battle of the Bands" feature.On the week of the release, the game's retail price is $59.99. The wireless drum set is $89.99 and the wireless guitar is $69.99. Players can export tracks from Rock Band and you can also get 20 free songs, adding up to over a 100 songs. If you have a PS3 or a Wii, well you are going to have to wait. ( This also includes me unfortunately)