Gadgety News

Here’s another cryptic release from those strange folks at Violet - you know, those that brought us Mir:ror and the interactive bunny Nabaztag.

I remember the original Dal Lamp that was released 4 or 5 years ago had a rather hefty price-tag so I’m hoping that this new version will be a little more wallet friendly.

The all new dal:dal lamp should be ready for release early next year and, just like the original, will change its colours to relay different information.

Violet says that it, converts the “world’s ebb & flow and endless stream of events into halos of living colours and audio micro-messages.”

No exact release date just yet but, according to GeekLifeBlog, it’ll set you back €59, or about $75 - so they’ve actually knocked off a zero from the end of the price!!!

GeekLifeBlog

By the sounds of things Apple are refusing to rest on their laurals as “No. 1 digital Music Retailer”.

There are plans afoot for a more interactive element to the digital albums.

The first artist to take advantage of this is Snow Patrol who are set to release their latest studio offering next month.

According to a Polydor production manager, the downloadable, “interactive” application (could this be why there’s going to be an iTunes 8?) will offer additional content such as artwork, behind-the-scenes images, and lyrics for iPhone and iPod touch owners.

“A digital booklet that will take you into the videos and content.”

This is very interesting indeed - especially if this is merely one of the new features that iTunes 8 is going to bring.

More news as I get it.

MacWord UK

Looking like the result of a love-triangle between a Segway, Rolly and a Miuro this is the new A.M.P. (Automated Music Personality or Ampbot) from Sega-Hasbro.

Ampbot stands 2.4-feet tall and features an MP3 player / iPod cradle on its back, stereo speakers, and the ability to follow, chase and interact with its owner.

Sound comes out via a 5-inch mid-range speaker in the chest and a pair of smaller tweeters in the shoulders for a total of 12 watts tunage.

Osamu Takeuchi of Sega Toys says,

“The owner can also enjoy being chased around the house by the robot.”

That’s a selling point? Sounds a tad ominous to me!

The Ampbot and controller requires 9 batteries (6x D and 3x AAA) for about 10-hours of continuous music.

Wouldn’t it have been better to have added a charging station? If a robotic hoover can have one why can’t a music-bot?

Ampbot will be out by the end of the year for around $500 in the US and Japan.

If you cast your mind back to my acrticle about iBand - 2iPhones and a DS yo! - pocket music makers should be taken seriously.

Now mini music makers can kick it with the new Korg-approved DS-10 synthesizer from AQ Interactive.

This synth is not a gimmicky toy; it boasts two patchable virtual synths with a pair of oscillators each, a drum machine, a sequencer, and a full range of effects - and more.

You’ll be able to hook-up wirelessly to several systems to play together or simply exchange sounds and songs, although you’ll apparently have to make do without MIDI support.

This wonderment hits Japan in July for ¥4,800, or around £25.

Via Create Digital Music