Beamz teams up with Virtual DJ on interactive music system, we go lasers-on (video)

Beamz has been firing lasers in the name of limb-flailing performance for a few years. Today, it's announced it's working with popular music-mixing software Virtual DJ to provide the aural filling in its laser sandwich. The controller is the same four-beamed multi-button affair we've seen before, but now with a custom version of the aforementioned DJ application to call its own, and make the set-up a cinch. On screen you'll see two representations of the Beamz controller (instead of decks) with instant visual feedback to let you know which beam is mapped to what. You can configure four different triggers at one time, controlling cue points, looping and so on. To add functionality, you can then use the large buttons at the base of the device to rotate through different mappings. The emphasis, of course, is on performance here with nary a rotary nor fader in sight (we imagine you'd be using your other controller for that, right?). The software and hardware combo are being bundled together as a deal, and if you want in, you can do so right away for $200. Not sure if it'll fit in your workflow? Perhaps head past the break, and see if that video doesn't change your mind.

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By: Unknown On 10:13 AM

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Dropbox for Teams adds an admin console for cloud storage overlords

Although Dropbox made a concerted push into pro-grade cloud storage with Dropbox for Teams more than a year ago, it didn't have a truly centralized place for a team's overseers to keep tabs on everyone involved. An update today brings in a console to make sense of it all. Along with providing a much simpler at-a-glance view of goings on across an entire group, the console lets administrators tighten access limits from user to user: they can prevent people from using their personal smartphones and tablets with the corporate account, for example, and can ask certain people to sign in with two-factor authentication if there's more of a risk. The refresh might rain on the parades of those who want to use their Teams accounts for both work and play, but it's good news for companies that would rather not risk malware or other rude surprises.

Via: TechCrunch

Source: Dropbox for Teams

More Coverage: AllThingsD

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By: Unknown On 2:22 PM

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Deezer teams up with LG, Samsung and Toshiba to bring its music service to smart TVs

We were already well aware of Deezer making its way toward some LG Smart TVs in the UK, but now the streaming service has announced it'll be coming to many, many more savvy television sets in the very near future. The digital tunes provider let it be know that it's struck a deal with Samsung, Toshiba and, yet again, LG, one that's bound to make the Deezer application available to a "potential audience of at least 600 million people across more than 150 countries." There's a slight caveat, however, as the recently announced deal comes with somewhat of a limited scope -- namely the fact Deezer's set to only be usable on Samsung smart TVs in Europe that were produced in 2011, while the same goes for LG's but with the exception of a worldwide availability. Toshiba, on the other hand, will be able to bring the music offering to its 2011-range in Europe, Middle East and Asia Pacific, as well as the company's new 2013 smart TV lineup to users all around the globe. This, naturally, excludes us folks in the good ol' US of A, since, as you may know, Deezer is still trying to figure things out this side of the pond.

Show full PR text DEEZER INVADES THE LIVING ROOM IN 2013 VIA SMART TV PARTNERSHIPS WITH SAMSUNG, LG AND TOSHIBA

Wednesday 6th February, 2013: Leading music subscription service Deezer today announced partnerships with big-name TV manufacturers Samsung, LG and Toshiba to give music lovers across the globe unlimited access to a catalogue of over 20 million tracks via state of the art smart TV sets.

Deezer's expansion has been faster than any other digital music service - it's now available in more than 180 countries and in every continent in the world - and these partnerships make Deezer the new dominant digital music service provider via smart TVs. In the last year alone, around 43 million smart TVs were sold, and it is predicted that this number will rise to 95 million by 2016[1]. That's a lot of television sets in a lot of homes.

Axel Dauchez, CEO of Deezer, said: "We are committed to delivering a music revolution. Deezer is already available directly via a number of hi-fis and in-car entertainment systems - and of course on most smartphones, tablets and PCs - but we believe that putting Deezer at the heart of the TV experience marks the next innovation for music. For many of us, the living room is the heart of the home, and we want Deezer to be a part of that."

"We're now one step closer to breaking down all barriers to music and helping to ensure that people can listen to Deezer anywhere on any device."

Deezer subscribers will have instant access to all their favourite playlists, tracks and Deezer recommendations via their smart TV. If you don't have a subscription, you can still enjoy Deezer's discovery mode, which offers unlimited access to Deezer's thousands of artist-based and themed radio channels, and allows music fans to browse the Deezer library and listen to 30-second clips of any of our 20 million tracks.

Richard Choi, Senior Vice President of the Smart Business Centre at LG Electronics, said: "We are providing our customers with a new on-demand content service that enables browsing, sharing, organizing and, of course, listening to songs from a huge range of international artists.

"LG was the first company to integrate Deezer – a service already available for PCs, tablets and smartphones – in its Smart TV lineup. Going forward, LG and Deezer will continue to explore ways to deliver innovative music experiences on Smart TVs and other media platforms."

This partnership comes one month after Deezer launched the first truly global free (ad-supported) music streaming service to a potential audience of at least 600 million people across more than 150 countries. Deezer currently has more than three million paying subscribers that listen to an average of 60 hours of music per month – all of whom can now access the full Deezer platform via their Samsung, LG and Toshiba smart TVs.

Deezer will be available on all Samsung smart TV models produced from 2011 (Europe only), and on all LG smart TV models produced from 2011 (available worldwide). It will also be available on all Toshiba smart TV models since 2011 (Europe and MEA/Asia, Pacific) and on smart all smart TV models produced from 2013 (worldwide).

Source: Deezer

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By: Unknown On 10:07 PM

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These boots were made for talkin': O2 teams up with artist for 'walkie talkie' footwear

Sorry, Ms. Sinatra, but the headline parody was all too obvious to ignore. As part of its mobile device Recycle program, which allows users to trade in old handsets for cash, British telco O2 has commissioned local designer Sean Miles to give discarded featurephones a new lease on life. The end result? Four footwear designs - made from the likes of Christian Louboutins, Nike Airs, Hunter Wellingtons and a classic Brogue men's shoe -- replete with a fully functional phone embedded in the sole. We know exactly what you're thinking: Why would anyone want to hold a shoe to their face? Whether it's for the love of the arts, a penchant for public ridicule or a closer whiff of the ground below, we can't say for sure. What we do know is that this truly "mobile" kit(sch) will be up for auction later in March at a planned exhibition. But that won't be the last you'll see of Miles' unholy meshing of tech and apparel -- the artist also plans to branch out into gloves and handbags as part of the fuller O2 Recycle Collection. You paying attention, Weird Al? This one's for you!

Via: The Sun

Source: PSFK

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By: Unknown On 9:30 PM

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