GeekSugar

Wii Music Gets Ready For Class

GeekSugar — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 10:00:14 PST

Almost as heartwarming as the story about the senior citizens enjoying the Wii at retirement communities, Nintendo has just announced that it is partnering with The National Association for Music Education to bring Wii Music into the classroom.

Spanning across 51 cities, Nintendo will have music teachers use the game to help children get enthused about music and teach them about song structure, rhythm, and tempo.

I think as long as Wii Music is used in a manner that complements music lessons, then I'm all for it, but used solely on its own, not so much. That's like giving a class a Wii Fit to play with and calling it gym class.

Does the Wii Music Commercial Pique Your Interest in the Game?

GeekSugar — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:00:16 PST

After being given the chance to be a music-making kitty cat in Wii Music for the Wii, my first impressions of the game were pretty positive. But as much as strumming, stroking, and striking my Wiimote and Nunchuck to simulate instrumental music can be, I wasn't overly thrilled about the lack of competitive edge. I'm all about fun games without competition, but similar to the rest of you, it's rewarding when you get points (even if it is for getting a few keys correct). I just happened to catch this Wii Music commercial on TV last night and I couldn't help but have one of those moments where I thought - maybe it isn't so bad after all. What do you think? Did the commercial make you more interested in the game?

Do You Like That Wii Music Doesn't Have Scores?

GeekSugar — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 14:45:35 PST

When I took Wii Music for a test drive last month, I was trying to figure out what I liked more (and less) about it than Rock Band. What I still haven't decided about is how I feel about the lack of scoring. They want you to "create" music and interpret songs in different ways, but it's not easy to get used to the fact that at the end of your round, you have no way to measure how you did.

Amid reports that game sales are struggling, I wonder if this is what people don't "get" about the game, and if that's why Wii Music hasn't yet shown to be a threat to Rock Band yet. Aren't video games naturally about competition? Don't you get motivated to play a game by wanting to beat the next level or your own scores?

On the other hand, maybe eliminating competition is a healthy thing, teaching us to have fun for fun's sake instead of everything being a competition. What do you think about Wii Music?

Source

Wii Music: Don't Call It Rock Band

GeekSugar — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 09:00:41 PDT

After I got my party on with Raving Rabbids and had my fill with the Personal Trainer Chef Edition, it was time to rock out with the Wii!

Wii Music (coming out Oct. 20), is Nintendo's answer to Rock Band, but is only similar to it in the sense that you're standing-up and interactively making music. Elements of competition are removed, and replaced with the ability and encouragement to play songs any way you want.

Using the Wiimote and Nunchuk controls, you can choose among a ton of instruments like piano, violin, guitar and the cat and dog (you read that correctly), and then play with your friends to make stylized versions of classic songs. The music is a bit more midi-sounding than Rock Band or Guitar Hero, the avatars just Miis, and all the songs super family-friendly, which makes Wii Music a really great option if you want to expose kids to a music game, but aren't that comfortable with the graphics and songs that the other games provide.

Check out the video to see it in action and hear what "Material Girl" would have sounded like if Madonna were a kitteh cat!

Daily Tech: Wii Music Makes US Debut on Oct. 20

GeekSugar — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 12:30:27 PDT

Get your guitars, pianos, and flutes ready, because on Oct. 20, Wii Music will be hitting store shelves and with more than 60 instruments and 50 songs, you're guaranteed a rockin' good time. - Kotaku

Now you can get magazines like you get movies from Netflix thanks to a new service called Maghound, so you still get all your fave magazines but don't have to pay an annual subscription fee for them! - Lifehacker

Case Logic has just unveiled some sexy new laptop sleeves that are TSA approved and the prices are reasonable as well! - CrunchGear

A woman noticed a man taking intrusive pics of her on his cell phone so she took a picture of him and reported him to the police. Thanks to her pic, he was identified and charged. - The New York Times

It's giveaway time! Be sure to log in to your TeamSugar account for your chances to win geek-chic beach gadgets and accessories! - geeksugar

5 Fitness Games to Help You Burn Off Holiday Bulge

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 09:22:56 PST

The family binging events are over, so now it's time to talk resolutions and fighting off some of that bulge you may have picked up during the holiday season. Good news is there are plenty of ways to burn some calories without spending half an afternoon in the gym. Fire up your favorite gaming console and pop in one of these titles that will have you working up a sweat in no time.

Your Shape Fitness Evolved ($34) - Working with the Xbox 360 and Kinect sensor, this game provides a personalized fitness program based on your skill level, but the Kinect actually senses where your joints are to give you proper form tips while you're playing. Add in special martial arts and weight loss classes led by actual celebrity trainers, and you have yourself a pretty amazing fitness game that really isn't a game at all.
The Fight: Lights Out ($20) - I like The Fight (which works in conjunction with the PlayStation Move), and in comparison to other fitness specific video games it doesn't feel like a workout; it just feels like fun.
Get Fit With Mel B ($) - Another PlayStation Move title, Get Fit With Mel B seems like it would be a good alternative to the gym; mostly cause Mel B is ripped, and if this helps her stay fit, it's gotta work for me, right?
Just Dance 2 ($34) - Like DDR before it, the Wii-compatible Just Dance 2 lets you work up a sweat with some awesome moves, and sing along to popular music. It doesn't get any better than that!
EA Sports Active 2 ($45) - I'm already a big fan of the EA Sports Active titles, so pairing it with the Kinect system is sure to give me an even better, more engaging workout experience.

New Details About the Wii U: No DVDs, One Controller at a Time

Kristy Korcz — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 12:28:59 PDT

We went a little gaga over the Wii U after it debuted at the E3 conference last week, but new details are emerging about what the console is really capable of. Some of which will be music to gamers ears, and others . . . well, let's just say it may not make an upgrade worthwhile. Check out some of the new facts below.

It won't play DVDs or Blu-Rays - Nintendo's president recently confirmed that there will be no DVD or Blu-ray playback for the Wii U, stating that "enough people already have devices that are capable of playing" those formats while listing cost as another roadblock.
But it will be 1080p HD - Thankfully, the Wii U will be light years ahead of the old console, thanks to a better processing chip that will allow HD 1080p viewing.
It will connect with social networks - No word yet on exactly how the Wii U will connect with sites like Twitter and Facebook, but Nintendo admits that there are no two ways about it - the Wii U will be a social experience.
Only supports one Wii U controller - Though you can play the multitude of party games that are made for the Wii system with your friends, the Wii U can only support one Wii U controller at a time. Looks like you'll have to keep passing that touchscreen to the left-hand side. Share and share alike!

Daily Tech: Green VW Bus Concept Comes iPad Ready

GeekSugar — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 10:30:04 PDT

Green energy VW Bus comes with an iPad already integrated - Dvice
Enterprise space shuttle will dock in NYC - The Mary Sue
Digital finger painting with Photoshop - Unplggd
Will the Wii get a price cut in May? - CrunchGear
Man makes sweet music with a Game Boy - Urlesque

5 Reasons to Get an Apple TV (and 3 Reasons to Skip It)

GeekSugar — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 12:30:51 PST

Apple introduced the second-generation Apple TV in September, and although this new device may not be a suitable replacement for your cable subscription, consumers are buying in droves - Apple announced this morning that Apple TV sales will top a million this week, likely being one of the hottest holiday gifts for movie and TV fans alike. I got some hands-on time with the set-top box back in September and came up with five solid reasons you'll want to get an Apple TV as a gift (or grab one for yourself), and three reasons you may want to skip it. Check out the pro and con list below!

Get It

It's tiny - You can fit this new Apple TV anywhere! It's a quarter of the size of the last Apple TV and comes in a nice charcoal color.
The price - It will only cost you $99 to bring this baby home, which is substantially less than the last Apple TV's price point of $229.
Easy setup - Just plug in your Apple TV and go! You can then connect to iTunes via your television and start watching flicks right away.

See the rest of my reasons you need a new Apple TV, and the three reasons to skip it, after the jump.

geekSugar Preview: Get Geeky - Listen To Your iPod in Your Car

GeekSugar — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 09:17:14 PST

You have invested many hours and dollars in to getting just the right set of songs on your iPod, so wouldn't it be nice to listen to your awesome music collection in your car? Well, as it turns out there are many options available to make listening to your iPod while driving a piece of cake. Below are geekSugar's recommendations for the best ways to cruise with your tunes.

Good

Cassette adapter. If you’re still cruising in a car with a cassette player, you can get a tape adapter for $20 or less and connect it directly to the same port you stick your headphones in. The biggest drawback to this option is the wires, but it is a super easy and inexpensive alternative. The sound will be clearer than the transmitter option (below), but still a little tinny. Get one here for $19.99.

Two more options, so

Better

FM transmitter. Connect your iPod to the transmitter and broadcast your tunes over the air on an open FM frequency. Simply tune your car stereo to the FM station displayed on the device and you’re in business. This option is also inexpensive and easy and is wireless, but the sound isn’t ideal. Get one here for $57.98.

Best

Stereo system. If your car is new enough, you can connect your iPod directly into your stereo system, which means you will be able to control (and charge) your iPod via your regular stereo buttons. BMW, Volkswagen, Subaru, Volvo, Mercedes and Scion are among the first manufactures to offer the integration, although additional adaptors may cost $100-300.

Just in time to guide you through the holiday shopping season, geekSugar is coming! She will help you navigate the sea of HDTVs to find out which one is for you, tell you if waiting in line for the Nintendo Wii is worth it (it is!!) and show you how to best share all your holiday photos with friends and family.

geekSugar is coming soon. Sign up to receive an email notification as soon as we launch!