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Building a New Instrument a Day, Droid Gets Multitouch (in Google Maps)

There's a load of great tech news happening out there every day, and, unfortunately, we just can't cover it all. Here are a few of the other noteworthy things we saw today on our never-ending journey through the wild, wild Web.
  • DIY-er Ranjit Bhatnagar is building a new instrument from scratch every day during the month of February. Check out his progress, and pick up some tips. [From: Make]
  • Multitouch is spreading on Android! Earlier this week, Google's Nexus One received support for multi-finger input with a software update, and this afternoon the Moto Droid got its very own pinch-to-zoom capability in Google Maps. [From: Engadget]
  • 'One Button Bob,' a retro 8-bit styled flash game, is the perfect game to play while stuck on that two-hour conference call. You control Bob through a side-scrolling world with the simple click of a button. [From: ClockWorkMonster]
Got a tip? Want to talk to us? In need of more choice links like these? Drop us a line on Twitter and check out our Tumblr blog.

Audio/Video

'Cello Shirt' Makes Wearable Music With Movement

Recently, a group called Aeolia has been experimenting with stretch-sensing technology and its interaction with the body. As part of that research, Martha Glazzard at Nottingham Trent University knitted conductive yarn into the Cello Shirt, worn in the video below by cellist Peter Gregson. Placed at the shirt's elbows and underarms, the stretching fabric communicates with Max/MSP software that modulates the sounds emanating from the cello in real time. We can't really describe it further; it has to be seen (and heard) to be believed.

Designed specifically for Gregson, the Cello Shirt debuted last year at New Media Scotland's 10th anniversary event at the Centre for Contemporary Arts in Glasgow. As we wrote yesterday, we're enamored with experimental instruments that utilize input from unlikely sources. And from the sounds of this gizmo, we think that even wacky (read: awesome) old-school experimental electronic musicians like Pauline Oliveros would love to get their hands on this. [From: Make, via: Ubergizmo]

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Audio/Video, Web

High-Tech Winduino II Turns Breezes to Ballads, Backhands Windchimes

We're big fans of innovative electronic instruments, especially ones that look past the idea of human interaction and incorporate random input. Design outfit Fascination Workshop just unveiled its new prototype of the Winduino II, an electronic instrument that creates sound from wind. The company describes its creation as "a wireless, digital version of an Aeolian harp."

The Winduino II is solar-powered and Bluetooth-enabled via an Arduino motherboard, and can be hung either outside (weather permitting, we'd imagine) or indoors. Incorporating vellum fins equipped with piezo sensors, the Winduino II essentially measures pressure and acceleration, converts them into an electric signal, and makes nature-generated noise. The video below shows the Winduino II playing an atmospheric loop, but the installed 'Max for Live' software can generate any number of sounds. So, just kick back and let the zephyrs do the work.

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Audio/Video

Nerdy Guy Electrifies Aboriginal Didgeridoo

Ancient Aboriginal instrument, we'd like you to meet modern technology. Who can you thank for this introduction? A nerdy white guy, not even from Australia.

Musician and geek Kyle Evans took a didgeridoo, which is an Australian wind instrument, and modified it because he was interested in combining organic sound with modern technology. Evans can manipulate the noise that the custom-built instrument makes thanks to mounted modules. Data is sent via Bluetooth to a computer, which interprets the info using a software program that turns it into sound. Evans describes the process on his blog, and he even includes photos and videos, too. If you've never heard a didgeridoo, think of the sounds of the smoke monster on the television show 'Lost.'

Evans's invention won't change the music landscape like the electric guitar did, but it's pretty cool (and funny) to watch him play the instrument (video after the break). Honestly, we're just thankful Evans isn't wearing traditional Aboriginal garb while he plays. [From: Yaktronix, via Ubergizmo]

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Audio/Video

Maestro Guitar Attachment Lets You Shred With Lasers


The world needs another instructional guitar tool like it needs another hole in the ozone layer, but in all seriousness, this one is stupendous. Er, it exhibits remarkable potential, considering that it's not yet beyond the concept stage. Designer Eugene Cheong has dreamed up the Maestro, an attachment that can supposedly be adapted to work on any guitar (of the electric variety, we presume) and teach you what frets to mash in order to actually become a halfway decent player. Put simply, the device accepts MP3 files via SD card, and then it breaks down the tunes into tablature which can be displayed via lasers. Once you see the beams lighting up your fretboard, you mash / strum in order to keep up and "learn" the songs. We can only hope this thing adds a slowdown mode should it ever hit store shelves, 'cause even the amateur probably doesn't want to tackle select Dream Theater tracks at full speed
[Via DVICE]

Audio/Video

Belkin Debuts Breakaway Connector for Your Guitar Cable


From all the coffee shop musicians here at Switched and Engadget, we'd like to sincerely thank Belkin for producing this marvelous device. For the rest of us who run around on stage like madmen, we have our doubts about how well this will work.

Nevertheless, the BreakFree Connectors were designed to add a magnetic breakaway point in your 1/4-inch cable, meaning that things will simply snap away if too much pressure is applied. Sure, this could save you a mint in shredded cable costs, but we'd venture to say that only the calmer performers in attendance will really find it useful. Snatch (gently, of course) the BreakFree this September for $19.99 and grab a few extra tips for $9.99 per pair. [Via Coolest-Gadgets]

Audio/Video

Yamaha's Tenori-on Music Maker Goes on Sale in America



Thanks for keeping your promise, Yamaha. The almost unicorn-like Tenori-on music maker has at long last gone on sale here in America, offering USers willing to part with $1,200 the chance to get lost inside a cacophonic wilderness. Good luck finding one in stock. [Source: Tenori-On via CNET]

Computers

Meet the Trons, an all-Robot Rock Band


We'll admit, we reckoned we were coming along alright with our bar chords, but now we're teetering on the edge of just giving up. Yeah, we've seen robotic mechanisms programmed to make meaningful sounds before, but The Trons are a bona fide band, man. We hear they're going on tour as well -- talk about a guaranteed sell out. Totally killer Sister Robot video after the jump. [Source: YouTube]

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Audio/Video

Gibson's Robot Guitar Tunes Itself


This might be the most-lazy-behavior-inducing, and yet coolest, toy we've seen in a long time. Gibson's new self-tuning Gibson Robot Guitar launches on December 7th, just in time for the holidays.

Now, giving this newfangled instrument to a beginner guitar student is probably not a good idea, since learning to tune is one of the first skills that must be mastered. But the Robot Guitar has plenty of features that a seasoned guitarist will appreciate. For example, the guitar has alternate tuning pre-sets for those of us who can't remember how to tune to Open G. There is also an electronic intonation guide, an adjustment that would normally be done by a professional in a repair shop.

All of this is crammed in to that classic Les Paul body. Watch the video above for some really cool shots of the Robot Guitar doing its thing.

From Engadget

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