If you have been trying to tweet Michael Jackson over the last few weeks without even a squeak of success, might I sing you a song of hope?
A remarkably forward-thinking psychic has decided to hold a seance on Twitter. A "Tweance," if you will.
According to the Sun newspaper, Jayne Wallace, who claims to have been a psychic since she was (at least) 7 years old, will be available to every member of the world's tweeting population on October 30, between 10 a.m. and noon British Miserable Autumn Time (that's 3 a.m. to 5 a.m. PT).
Your rapt attention span and your rapid powers of cogitation will have noted that the date and time enjoy a chilling proximity to Halloween, the night when many dead people may rise from the grave and dance in unison to Michael Jackson's "Thriller."
You have the chance, on this suspiciously auspicious Halloween eve, of picking a deceased star and a question you would like to ask that person, then waiting for your reply from on high--or, who knows, perhaps even from the infernal below.
You will be excited to the point of cardiac incarceration to hear that the Tweance's Twitter page is already active. Be ready with a question the whole world will want answered.
Perhaps you would like to discover whether Guitar Hero 5 makes Kurt Cobain, well, turn over in his grave. Or whether Jeffrey Dahmer and Ted Bundy have philosophical disagreements.
Perhaps you might want a TwitPic submission of a smiling James Dean or a confirmation of your suspicion that Che Guevara is hanging with a rather conservative crowd these days.
Or you could be one of those strange people who wonders whether John Lennon and Florence Nightingale might occasionally make out when the afterlife authorities aren't looking.
Whatever your feelings about those who have famously left us, the Tweance is unquestionably your chance to confront your deepest curiosities.
Now that Halloween is reaching its socially networked nirvana, history may now enjoy a radical revision.
Note: this site is in private beta, although you can get an invite with the link at the bottom of the post.
In a time when most people spend eight hours a day (or more) with their fingers on a keyboard, a service called JamLegend wants you to spend a few more. It turns your average, everyday keyboard into a virtual electric guitar. Think of it as Guitar Hero, without the need for special hardware or software.
To play songs, you just hit the right note at the right time, which just like Guitar Hero or Rock Band requires holding the corresponding notes and strumming with the Enter key. The site suggests two ways to play--either a "chill" mode that looks like you're typing into an Excel spreadsheet (good for playing at work) or the "jam" style where you hold your keyboard like a guitar and use the function keys like you would frets.
The jam style takes some getting used to, but is a far more satisfying way to play, and Guitar Hero or Rock Band enthusiasts will feel right at home, although depending on your keyboard it's a little more cramped.
To play, you just hit the corresponding note at the right time. On the right it keeps track of your current score, high score, and the person who rocked it the most on that difficulty level.
(Credit: CNET Networks)The real power of the site is in the collection of songs and the integrated social experience that lets you play with and against your friends. Unlike the console titles that limit you to a selection of licensed music from big-name bands, the songs on JamLegend are indie. That doesn't mean they're bad though; in fact most of the songs I played would be far more fun to play than some of the B-side tracks that fill out the set list on the console games.
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Note: Article updated on 4/17/08 with new carrier information.
Guitar Hero Mobile (review) is now widely available on many U.S. carriers and cell phone platforms, though at the time of this taping, it was only offered on Verizon. Cozy up with the cell phone interface and keypad frets in the First Look video below, and don't miss experiencing the thrill of star power and the burning shame of getting booed off the stage.
Cell phones weren't the only items giving off heat on the CTIA conference showroom floor this week. There was also the sizzling of a virtual mobile world, a preview of Guitar Hero Mobile, and really neat motion-sensor games.
Take a look at what was new and interesting in the latest video.
Conference-goers flocked around the Guitar Hero station at Motorola's mammoth tent on the CTIA Wireless conference floor, but it was Hands-On Mobile's modest booth where Guitar Hero Mobile is best experienced. There the game's product manager, JJ Leichleiter, walked me through the mobile version of the popular console game.
Let me dispel all doubt by assuring you that this is the real thing, deputized by Activision, Guitar Hero's console publisher. Loosely based on Guitar Hero 3, the 3D mobile version offers two characters (Axel Steel and Judy Nails), four guitars, and 15 songs. Subscription holders will receive three more songs every month.
Playing virtual guitar has gotten easier with a reduction from five keys on the console game's peripheral guitar to three on the phone. Users can choose whichever keypad row feels best.
This game has a lot going for it--easy fretting, satisfying animation, and killer sound quality. Guitar Hero Mobile uses PMD audio for the BREW platform, which preserves the melody, harmony, vocals, and cacophonous ding every time you miss. Stay tuned for a video demonstration on this space and on CNET TV.
Guitar Hero Mobile will be available for purchase for Verizon Wireless users in December 2007. After that, more networks on the BREW platform will join the fray, followed by J2ME phones.
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