Rock Band Can be Modified to Work With Those in Wheelchairs

GeekSugar — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 07:35:50 -0700

How awesome is this? A company called Kinetic Communications has created a mod for Rock Band so that people in wheelchairs can play.

Previously, the wheelchair-bound couldn't rock out because the game's kickpedal couldn't be disabled, but Kinetic's hack, which was created for one of their disabled clients who wanted to play, allows you to unplug it and bypass the kickpedal function.

For under $20, all you need to buy is a few supplies, and the directions sound achingly simple. Nice work, Kinetic!

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.

TouchSight: The Camera For the Blind

GeekSugar — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 13:00:34 -0700

It's wonderful that electronics designers are starting to take disabilities into consideration - even if they first start with a hack, like that Rock Band mod for wheelchairs.

This concept design is a camera - for the blind. Called the TouchSight, it would utilize Braille and the other senses to both take photos and then download them later.

While the TouchSight is only a concept now, it was designed by someone from Samsung China - a company that knows a few things about cameras, so there's actual hope for this idea to come to fruition.