GeekSugar

Karaoke Game Roundup: The Best Singing Games For Wii, PS3, Xbox 360

GeekSugar — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 09:05:22 -0700

If you tend to like games that are more belt-your-heart-out than shoot-'em-up, then you need a good Karaoke game for parties (and those nights alone when you've just got to sing and do jazz hands until you pass out). Check out my favorite leading Karaoke games for the big 3 of next-generation video game consoles.

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Say Bling: Xbox 360 Mics Bedazzled in Swarovski Crystals

GeekSugar — Fri, 15 May 2009 07:33:10 -0700

Considering I already feel like a superstar when I'm playing the Xbox 360 karaoke game Lips, a blinged out microphone could only be icing on the cake.

Oh and they are. The Crystallized Swarovski Lips Microphones are a pair of black and white crystal mics that will dazzle your fellow singers (after your voice does, natch). Of course, like most crazy fabulous things, they're limited edition and pretty pricey - $680.

Ridiculous, sure, but you have to remember - like Kelly Kapoor on a recent episode of The Office, you'll look like J. Lo.

Must Haves For January!

GeekSugar — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 04:00:42 -0800

Well we survived the holidays and are now embarking upon a new year. I've already made my predictions for what I think will be hot this year in terms of new gadgetry, but if you're looking for some fresh new items to add to your tech collection, here are five of my favorites which are sure to start your year off in the right direction!

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Lips Review: So Addictive Even the Neighbors Want to Play

GeekSugar — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 09:02:43 -0800

When I cracked open Lips for the first time, I had no idea what was about to happen to me. Honestly, I thought that it couldn't get any better than SingStar, and that this game probably wouldn't attract gobs of eager players like Rock Band does. . . but I was wrong. So wrong in fact, that after playing for a few hours with some of my pals, my friendly neighbor knocked on the door to see if she could get in on the action.

What makes Lips fun right out of the box isn't just the wireless LED lit mic (that makes you feel like a total rock star), or the fun gestures you make while singing to get extra points, but the selection of songs Lips comes packed with from the get-go. Offering up 40 tunes from Alicia Keys, and Peter Bjorn, to Nirvana and R.E.M., this game is a crowd pleaser.

Plus, did I mention the mics were wireless? You have no idea what kind of karaoke people are capable of until they are able to move effortlessly around a room. Trust me on this one.

But of course, with every plus comes a minus. Find out what I mean when you read more.

So the thing I love about SingStar and Rock Band is the constant flow of updated and downloadable songs to buy online - you never get bored, and the songs are cheap. At the time that I'm writing this, there is a lot to be desired in the Lips song store - last time I checked there were only 20 songs available to buy. I'm hoping that this is a temporary shortage, since the songs that come packed with the game are pretty current and desirable.

Also, I previously mentioned the gestures that you make while singing. Let me explain: the wireless mics are equipped with sensors, so when cued to do so, you can play air guitar, or raise the roof while you're jamming to earn additional points. Although I think its a fun way to integrate the technology, some people who played with me thought that the movements were distracting and sometimes impossible to find a way to work them in without messing up on the lyrics or timing. Either way, it's just another feature that SingStar doesn't offer.

Overall, I'm in love with Lips, mostly because of the amount of "stock" songs it comes with, and the wireless mics. Plus, you can even plug in your iPod or MP3 player and sing along to your own (DRM free) tunes. It's totally worth the $70 price tag (especially since there may be a hack that lets you use the Lips mics for Rock Band. Hello, awesome!), and any music gamer out there is sure to dig it. Lips is available now for your Xbox 360 online and in stores.

Totally Geeky or Geek Chic? LED Swarovski Crystal Lip Gloss

GeekSugar — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 08:00:17 -0800

Never get caught in the dark again! Well at least caught in the dark without super glossy lips again. With go light on my lips lip gloss, you can put your gloss on anywhere with its built in LED technology and handy mirror. Each one is custom designed with your initials written in Swarovski Crystal on the side of the container. Chic or not, for $38 plus shipping and handling this gloss is a little too bling bling for my liking. Available colors include invisible, chili spice, popping pink, red carpet, and brown sugar baby.

Your iPhone and iPod Touch Just Got a Little Classier

GeekSugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:10:24 -0800

Although you only get two options when choosing an iPhone (even less if you're picking up an iPod Touch), you can always express your individuality with a case. I've got plenty of options for you, but if you're looking for something with a little more sizzle, a little more class if you will, check out these slim-fitting Blink Cases ($20-$25).

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These sleek and shiny cases hug the curves of your iPhone or iPod Touch without adding bulk and weight to your pocket. And even though they look like a million bucks, they don't cost a fortune. Coming in four different shades to match your sophisticated taste, Blink cases also come correct with a mirrored face plate so you can touch up your lip gloss or smooth out those perfectly placed waves in your hair. Oh, behave.

Tengu Lip-Syncing USB Toy: Totally Geeky or Geek Chic?

GeekSugar — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:44:27 -0700

Although these little guys don't provide any sort of service, assistance, or overall use, they are pretty cute. The Tengu Lip-Syncing Toy ($40) sits on your desk and entertains you while you work by lip-syncing to the sounds around you. Even if you aren't blasting your iTunes, he'll still mime the sounds of your co-workers laughing, or the TV that's playing in the background of your home office - check out a demo on Tengu's website. Practical? No. Cute? Absolutely.

Do Celebs Get Preferential Twitter Treatment?

GeekSugar — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 03:50:30 -0700

A much publicized post on Slate asserts that Twitter is intentionally removing unflattering tweets to celebrities from search results. The author claims that he posted a tweet "teasing" the president of CNN (which he also describes as "as nasty an item as I thought I could write" without sounding like a complete jerk). Later, he tried to search for this "hostile" tweet, but it was nowhere to be found within Twitter search results. A few unofficial experiments later, he deduced that only positive comments directed at celebs were showing in search results.

The author references another article, speculating on the connection between celebrity publicists and Twitter. That article describes detailed processes that publicists go through to create a good image of their famous clients on Twitter.

To see what I think about the whole ordeal, just read more.

If you ask me, Twitter is still a bit like the wild west. Some celebs, like Ashton Kutcher have happily adopted the 140-characters-only platform as a means to communicate with fans. Others, like Miley Cyrus, have made very public departures from Twitter, citing privacy reasons.

So, the initial question remains: does Twitter suspend negative comments about celebrities from search results? We'll probably never know for sure, given Twitter's tight-lipped nature when it comes to revealing insider details. My question: does the Internet really need another dose of negativity?

Boombox Bags: Now Available in Peach and Blue

GeekSugar — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 09:05:47 -0700

The mini speaker wristlet bags are back! When I mentioned them way back when, most of you were digging their retro hip style. . . except they quickly sold out and only came in aqua. Well now the MoMA store is rocking them in peach and royal blue hues ($25). For newbies to the boombox bag, it holds all of the essentials - cell phone, lip gloss, keys - and you can even hook it up to your iPod for personal jam sessions. If you like these, be sure to have a peek at the Podblaster too.

Top 6 Tech Moments From the Melrose Place Premiere

GeekSugar — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 05:47:08 -0700

The series premiere of Melrose Place delivered an abounding dose of drama and some flashy tech toys and references. I was thrilled to see the show upgrade from the giant car phones of the original series (naturally - it's been a while), and make some legitimately geeky references. Could this be the new trendy tech show of the season?

To see my favorite tech moments from the show (spoilers ahead), just read more.

Textual tension: The premiere opened with David's phone ringing during a hot and heavy makeout scene. "Don't even think about it!" whispers the gal. "Oh course not, baby!" And then he looks down his iPhone and sees the message "In serious trouble. Come now!" Doesn't David know it is rude to text while on a date?
Geeky proposal: Jonah pretends to forget his fifth anniversary with Riley, casually pours himself a bowl of cereal and sits down at the TV. When he turns the flat screen on, it plays a video montage of cute couple moments, which ends in Jonah kneeling at Riley's side to propose to her. Of course, true to Melrose drama, they quickly hear a scream outside....
Twitter chatter: After he is questioned by police, David sneaks up on Ella at the police department, who admits she gave an alibi to cover his story. "5:30 in the morning?," asks David. "Everyone is going to think we hooked up!" Ella quips back, "So it gives them something to tweet about!"
Gadget love: Mr. Swarley recognizes Jonah's camera is a $10,000 EX3, which makes Jonah geek out. "Yeah! This thing is sick! You can choose 60 frames per second...swap this out for the film lenses...it's my dream camera! I love it!"
Geek dreamboat: Riley considers whether she should say "yes" to Jonah: "I love him more than anything...the guy has a box of Legos in the closet he still plays with...he watches Saturday morning cartoons before going off to play laser tag." If that's not a geeky guy, I don't know what is!
The camera doesn't lie: Jonah mistakenly catches Mr. Swarley locking lips with a much younger girl on his fancy camera, which makes Swarley spaz out. Jonah's reassurance? He says as soon as he is done editing the recording will be deleted and sent into the "digital ether." Oh, if only such a place existed. The camera never lies and files never die.

Photo courtesy of The CW