вторник, 19 октября 2010 г.
Kristen Stewart Reveals She Was Offered Job At A Strip Club
'I went to a strip club [and] I was straight-up offered a job,' actress recalls of filming 'Welcome to the Rileys' in New Orleans.
Kristen Stewart plays a teen runaway-turned-stripper in her new flick "Welcome to the Rileys." And while fans will have to head to the theater on November 5 (or October 29 if you're in a city where it opens early in limited release) to find out whether James Gandolfini (Doug Riley) welcomes her to his dysfunctional family, Stewart, who sat down with MTV News on Monday, revealed some interesting details about filming the Jake Scott-directed flick.
Has Stewart ever felt comfortable enough to flaunt her sexuality the way her character, Mallory, does in the film? Well, if one job offer she got while in New Orleans filming the movie proves anything, it's that maybe she's got it and doesn't even have to flaunt it.
"Well, I mean, like, doing this movie ... one shocking thing was to find how easy it is [to flaunt your sexuality]," she explained. "Like, I went to a strip club with the director and the costume designer and it being an odd grouping of people going into a strip club in the middle of the afternoon, I was, like, straight-up offered a job."
It wasn't just when she went to strip clubs that she got hit on. It also happened just walking around the city, mostly scantily clad thanks to the film's wardrobe. "And then walking around New Orleans wearing the kind of stuff I was wearing literally could be like boom, boom, boom, done," she recalled. "But I would never do that."
Michael Jackson's Nephew Austin Brown Preps '85' Debut
But Brown contends he's unfazed by the inevitable comparisons. "A lot of people say I sound like the male version of my mother," he says during an interview at Rodney Jerkins' Darkchild studio in Los Angeles. "That sound is part of who I am. You know, I can't help where I come from, but I do love where I come from."
Now the singer/songwriter/musician is ready to see how much listeners will love his self-described "energetic groove and soul" sound. Preview track "Target Practice" is already up on AOL and Brown's website, AustinBrown.com. Coming in the next few weeks will be a video mash-up of three tracks from his debut album, "85." Directed by producer Tom DeSanto ("X-Men," "Transformers"), the video will be chock-full of video effects and, Brown adds, "a lot of throwback dancing."
Signifying the year Brown was born, "85" is slated for release next year under the artist's label, the Royal Factory. Onboard as primary producer is Jerkins (Lady Gaga, Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige), who met a then-13-year-old Brown when he was at Neverland working with Michael. "I saw the same look in his eyes that I did when I first met Michael," Jerkins recalls. "Austin is a triple threat who can sing, dance and play."
A "band geek" in high school, Brown -- whose father was a musician -- began piano lessons at age 4 and now also plays guitar, bass and drums. Tracks from the album mesh Brown's vibrant tenor with live instrumentation, melodic progressions and chord changes inspired by Motown, the Beach Boys and the Beatles.
"Multigenerational music that's fun and has a swing to it...that's the music I want to make," a foot-stomping Brown says as he snaps his fingers.
Eminem, Lady Antebellum Expected to Lead 2011 Grammy Nominations
According to our survey of record executives and industry observers, the 2011 Grammys will likely field its strongest and most competitive collection of record and song of the year nominees in recent memory. While this may lead to a Grammy night filled with memorable, over-the-top performances, it's bittersweet news for the industry, as it mirrors the shift in the marketplace away from albums and toward the less profitable commodity of singles.
Many experts project Eminem as this year's potential across-the-board winner, as his album sales remained strong in 2010. Here's a preview of possible nominees in the four main categories:
SONG AND RECORD OF THE YEAR
Nearly everyone surveyed agreed this was a superb year for singles, especially for pop. There was also consensus that four songs would face off on Feb. 13, 2011, for song and record of the year: Eminem and Rihanna's collaboration, "Love the Way You Lie"; Lady Antebellum's "Need You Now"; Jay-Z and Alicia Keys' "Empire State of Mind" and Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance." "These are all formidable singles," says Warner Bros. senior VP of digital Jack Isquith, who hailed them as "meaty, impressive, career-defining records."
Other top tracks cited by multiple executives include Train's "Hey, Soul Sister" (eligible for record of the year but not for song), Katy Perry's "California Gurls," Usher's "OMG," Sade's "Soldier of Love," B.o.B's "Airplanes" and Florence & the Machine's "Dog Days Are Over."
Last year, Beyoncé's "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" won song of the year while Kings of Leon's "Use Somebody" took the record prize.
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
In the album of the year category, Eminem's "Recovery" is the clear favorite in a subpar field. "This is Eminem's year," says Billy Mann, who co-wrote and produced last year's showstopping Pink hit, "Glitter in the Air." "He brought his best game and then some. The public can feel it, and the industry can feel it." To date, "Recovery" has sold 2.7 million copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
Los Angeles Times chief pop critic Ann Powers says Eminem's comeback story, as well as the fact that his album was both commercially successful and critically acclaimed, will resonate with Grammy voters. "He's a major figure in pop history," she says, "and he seems to have really grown into himself."
Another leading contender is the Carole King/James Taylor album "Live at the Troubadour." While live sets traditionally fare poorly with voters (1994's "MTV Unplugged: Tony Bennett" is the last in-concert title to win the category), "I would watch out for that record," Glassnote Records head Daniel Glass says. The album has sold 453,000 copies since its May release.
Other albums cited include Sade's "Soldier of Love," Jay-Z's "The Blueprint 3," Lady Antebellum's "Need You Now," Arcade Fire's "The Suburbs," Usher's "Raymond v. Raymond" and two from recent Grammy winners: Herbie Hancock's "The Imagine Project" and Robert Plant's "Band of Joy."
Powers thinks Sade's album is a strong bet. "It's a gold-plated release," she says. "It sold well [1.3 million copies], it was well-received critically, and she's a classy artist."
Last year, Taylor Swift took home the statue for "Fearless."
BEST NEW ARTIST
Two breakout acts, B.o.B and Mumford & Sons, were mentioned on multiple occasions as strong contenders for best new artist, but most believe it'll be a battle between Drake and Justin Bieber, with Drake taking the award.
Emerging stars Nicki Minaj and Bruno Mars are ineligible for nomination this year, as their album release dates fall outside of the eligibility period (Sept. 1, 2009-Sept. 30, 2010); in Mars' case, by one week. Other possible nominees this year include Florence & the Machine, who got a big boost out of their MTV Video Music Awards appearance, and reality TV superstars Susan Boyle and Adam Lambert.
Despite the success of Swift and the Zac Brown Band at last year's ceremony, many country observers say this year's crop of new artists is unlikely to garner many nods. Luke Bryan and Chris Young were both mentioned as long shots.
Grammy voters didn't suffer from a lack of options when it came to nominees; according to Recording Academy president Neil Portnow, the academy received almost 20,000 submissions this year, a new record.
The nominees will be announced Dec. 1 during the third annual "GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!!: Countdown to Music's Biggest Night" concert. The ceremony will air on CBS on Feb. 13, 2011.
Lloyd Banks Preps 'Hunger for More' After Going Gold
Lloyd Banks recently claimed gold when his independent top 20 hit, "Beamer, Benz or Bentley," sold 523,000 digital copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan. And what better way to find out the news than through a good, old-fashioned prank staged by two hip-hop heavyweights?
The prank was documented in a video posted on ThisIs50.com. In it, 50 Cent gives Banks a hard time about not wanting Eminem to guest on his upcoming album, "The Hunger for More 2."
"Did you say something to somebody about not wanting [Eminem] on the record?" a serious 50 Cent asks. "He's the biggest rapper -- you can't get anything bigger." Before a dumbfounded Banks can state his case, Eminem jumps out of his seat with a plaque in his hands, saying, "Well, maybe this is pretty big right here...We want to tell you we're fucking proud of you!"
Video: Lloyd Banks Pranked by 50 Cent, Eminem
"Jesus," Banks replies as 50 Cent cackles. "Yeah, y'all got me good with that one."
Before the unexpected success of "Beamer," 50 Cent's G-Unit label was in the midst of signing a new distribution deal with EMI Label Services after its Interscope Records contract had ended. Now Banks is getting ready to release his long-awaited third studio album on G-Unit, due Nov. 23.
"The transition between labels gave me a lane to work by myself...to create freely," says the 28-year-old rapper, born Christopher Lloyde. "That's when I said, 'I'm going to release 'Beamer, Benz or Bentley.' The reaction to that track has changed everything. Up until that point, I wasn't thinking about an album. I was just thinking, 'Let me get the respect from my fans.' "
And respect he got. Released independently by Banks while G-Unit was in flux, "Beamer" (featuring Juelz Santana) not only went gold. It also rose to No. 19 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and to No. 14 on R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Songs.
Banks recently released the star-studded follow-up, "Start It Up." Featuring Kanye West, Ryan Leslie, Fabolous and Swizz Beatz, the track was produced by newcomer Cardiak. Additionally, Akon and Banks' G-Unit brethren 50 Cent -- who's said to be recording a new album as well -- and Tony Yayo are set to appear on "The Hunger for More 2." Banks' previous albums, 2004's "The Hunger for More" and 2006's "Rotten Apple," have sold 1.5 million and 351,000 units, respectively, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
"The 'Hunger for More' idea came from a book that tells a story about robbing a bank," Banks says, "and I'm basically taking what's mine. That's the statement I'm trying to make -- I'm hungrier than before, and this time I'm taking everything."
Usher, Alicia Keys Get Four Soul Train Nominations
The nominations were announced on Monday (Oct. 18) - four days after Keys gave birth to her first child, a son named Egypt.
Usher also got four nominations. Drake was another multiple nominee with three. Double nominees include Monica, Nicki Minaj, Janelle Monae, Erykah Badu and Sade.
A special legend award will be given to Ron Isley and Anita Baker. Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson will be the hosts.
Among those scheduled to perform are R. Kelly, Badu, Monae, Freddie Jackson, Cee Lo and more.
The Soul Train Awards will be filmed at Cobb Energy Center in Atlanta Nov. 10 and air on BET and Centric on Nov. 28.
A representative for the superstar singer said Monday that Dion is at St. Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach, Fla. The hospitalization was recommended to make sure she's near her doctors leading up to the babies' birth. She is due to deliver the twins early next month.
Dion announced earlier this year that she's pregnant with two boys. She had tried for years to have more children. She and her husband, Rene Angelil, are the parents of a 9-year-old son, Rene Charles.
Atomic Tom: iPhone Subway Concert Video 'Was Intentional
"Since this video launched, it immediately became the most intense thing this band has ever experienced press-wise," says lead singer Luke White. "The response has been incredible, and beyond our wildest expectations."
White says that guitarist Eric Espiritu's brother Ben originally came up with the idea for the performance over a month ago. Treating the project as another entry in the band's series of video blogs, Atomic Tom used four different iPhone applications (Shred, Drum Meister, Pocket Guitar and Microphone) to recreate their
respective instruments.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAllFWSl998&feature=player_embedded
After rehearsing for nearly a month, the group filmed the performance on three different iPhones on Oct. 8 as the B train crossed the Manhattan Bridge. "We were on the last take, and people started getting out of their seats and crowding around," says White.
Although White swears that the project was "completely top-secret," with no label or publicity involvement whatsoever, he has no problem admitting that the performance was a calculated publicity stunt. "We're a band that is trying to reach out to new fans," he says. "Of course it was intentional. Of course we rehearsed it. We're creating our own story and get ourselves out there."
The singer says that Atomic Tom's label, Universal Republic, was approached by Apple soon after the "Take Me Out" clip began earning thousands of YouTube views over the weekend, and a partnership is being discussed. The group's debut album, "The Moment," was featured on the iTunes Store home page and hit No. 11 on the iTunes albums chart.
"That's been so meaningful to us, to see that people actually appreciate the performance enough to go buy the record," says White. "The Moment" was released digitally in July, but White says that Universal Republic will give the album a physical release in the next few months.
Before the release, Atomic Tom will capitalize on the video's success by heading out on the road this fall. Although the group will play "Take Me Out," and the rest of "The Moment," using real instruments, White would not be opposed to the group performing on their iPhones in concert. "I'm sure we'll be requested to do so, and we'd be happy to oblige," says White.
Mike Posner 'Won't Pull a Lauryn Hill' with His Next Album
"I'm experimenting with a lot of hip-hop producers," Posner tells Billboard.com. He's already worked with DJ Hi-Tek in Cincinnati and also plans to hunker down with Jake One and the Colorado electronic duo Pretty Lights and return to "31 Minutes to Takeoff" collaborator Benny Blanco.
"It'll be better than my first album...just 'cause I've grown as a writer and producer and a singer," Posner says. "I think sampling is a cool route that I want to experiment with going forward; a lot of people think that's a dirty word, but there's such a tradition in sampling now. It's been around long enough where I think it could be done in a really cool way as a singer, in a way that hasn't really been done before."
Posner won't guess when the album will be finished and out, but he promises that "it's not gonna be a situation where I keep people waiting 11 years. I'm not gonna pull a Lauryn Hill or anything." But he does predict that the result will "be better than my first album...just 'cause I've grown as a writer and producer and a singer. I know my best music is still ahead of me, so I can't wait. I just look forward to making music that sounds different than anything else out there, and that usually means doing the opposite of what people expect."
Meanwhile, Posner is busy hawking "Please Don't Go," the second single from "31 Minutes to Takeoff" that stands at No. 54 on the Hot 100, and is having an "awesome" time on the road with his six-piece band, which includes four instrumentalists and two backing singers. The sets are, naturally, heavy with "31 Minutes to Takeoff" material but also reach back to his two previous mixtapes with "Drug Dealer Girl" and "Speed of Sound" and include a cover of the Red Hot Chili Peppers "Snow (Hey Oh)."
"We tear it down every night," says Posner, who previously preformed as a solo act with keyboards, sequencers and samplers. "All the energy that's been a part of my show from the beginning, that's still there...Y'know, my dad was a Grateful Dead fan. He would always tell me, 'Mike, the music I listen to all sounds better live. The artists I listen to, they're much better when you go see 'em than their records. And the stuff you listen to, it all sounds way worse live than it does on the record.'
"So I always wanted to...be an artist that could take my songs to the next level live and not just regurgitate the record but have songs sound better than they do on the album," Posner says.
Posner finishes his North American tour Monday in Grand Rapids, Mich. He'll appear on the American Music Awards telecast Nov. 21 and play some radio station holiday concerts in December. He'll also be part of the Good Vibrations tour during February in Australia.
Ne-Yo Writing Songs for Justin Bieber, Carrie Underwood
Of the Bieber collaboration, Ne-Yo tells Billboard.com that he and the pop star are "just writing some songs," and that he wanted to emphasize the 16-year-old's more mature side. "I think he has the kind of talent that will carry. He just needs tangible records, the kind of records that will grow with him and allow his fans to grow with him," Ne-Yo says. "That's why they came to me and that's what I gave them... [The songs] are not so grown where it's like, 'He doesn't know anything about that stuff,' but it's not bubblegum kiddie stuff, either."
"I'm trying to expand, trying to do it all," Ne-Yo says, adding that he'll also hit the studio with Jennifer Hudson and Monica soon.
Ne-Yo Teams Up with Stan Lee at New York Comic Con
After initially being slated for a Sept. 21 release, Ne-Yo's "Libra Scale" will hit stores on Nov. 22 with three long-form music videos for singles "Beautiful Monster," "Champagne Life" and "One in a Million," accompanying its deluxe edition. The videos represent a stripped-down version of the 147-page script that Ne-Yo wrote as a possible feature film earlier this year, which was nixed due to a projected $40 million budget.
Ne-Yo's Five Favorite Comic Book Heroes
Although the script was eventually turned into the long-form videos and the "Libra Scale" comic series, Ne-Yo hopes to continue sharpening his screenwriting skills -- possibly on a comic book adaptation. "There's a book called 'The New Warriors,' about a group of rag-tag superheroes," says Ne-Yo, who appeared alongside former Marvel Comics president Stan Lee at New York Comic Con earlier this month. "It's just a cool story, it would be like today's superheroes. I want to write it and talk to some movie companies about getting it made, and maybe even play a role in it."
Lady Antebellum, Easton Corbin Lead ACM Nominations
Carrie Underwood is next with six nominations and Josh Turner has five.
Country music's newest awards show debuts Dec. 6 from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. All finalists will be determined by fan voting, which opened Monday.
Lady Antebellum was nominated for artist of the year, album of the year and single of the year. Easton was nominated for both artist and breakthrough artist of the year and single of the year. Underwood also was nominated for artist of the year.
Fans can vote for their favorites in each category on the award show's website through Nov. 8 except artist of the year. Voting closes in that category on Dec. 4.
'Viva Elvis' Album Marks a New Take on the King
"Suspicious Minds" is the first single off "Viva Elvis-The Album," set for mass release Nov. 9. The 12-track compilation is a companion piece to the Las Vegas show "Viva Elvis" by Cirque du Soleil, which began in February.
The new "Suspicious Minds" and the other reworked songs on the album could strike a dissonant chord with Elvis' older fans. But the minds behind the new album said the new tracks won't lose the qualities that made them hits in the 1950s and '60s.
Elvis Presley: A Tribute In Photos & Songs
"I can understand why the purist may be cautious and hesitant, but the new album is a unique way to bring Elvis' music to a whole new younger audience," said Tom Cording, vice president of media relations for Legacy Recordings, Sony Music Entertainment's catalog division.
The Elvis machine is relying on fans who never saw him in person to keep revenue pouring in. Last year, Elvis generated more than $60 million in revenue from royalties, licensing and Graceland's operations, according to Securities and Exchange Commission filings by CKx Inc., which owns Elvis Presley Enterprises.
Erich van Tourneau produced and arranged the new songs, fusing thousands of samples of Elvis' music and voice with more modern styles like punk, garage rock and hip-hop. Other tracks feature voice-overs and sound effects.
For instance, "Suspicious Minds" opens with Elvis' soulful, echoing voice and prominent piano notes, then shifts into a guitar introduction that evokes memories of U2's classic anthem "Bad." The song has a strong drum and guitar component without losing the sing-along quality of the original.
Other songs on the new album include "King Creole," "Burning Love," and "Love Me Tender," many sounding like they were released after Elvis died in August 1977. The danceable and energetic "Blue Suede Shoes" has elements of Kenny Loggins' 1984 hit "Footloose," and it features a blues harmonica and rhythmic, clapping backbeat.
Elvis Death Anniversary Marked by Graceland Vigil
"That's All Right," meanwhile, possesses the more frenetic style of Jet's 2003 rock 'n' roll anthem "Are You Gonna Be My Girl."
"Heartbreak Hotel" has traditional blues elements while incorporating rock guitar and a solid contribution from the horn section.
And Elvis sounds fine on "Love Me Tender," but female singer Dea Norberg's presence seems out of place. Still, Elvis' talents and the original material are the foundation for the new releases, even if some of them seem overwrought or overproduced.
The album's reception seems to be mixed. For instance, Miami oldies station WMXJ-FM plans to play the new version of "Suspicious Minds."
"That still has great legs," WMXJ program director Bill Stedman said of the song. "It wasn't an accident that they chose it as their first release."
But Jerry Dean, operations manager for Entercom Memphis' five radio stations, said he probably won't play it. Elvis - a native of Tupelo, Miss. - lived in Memphis and is still the city's most well-known figure.
"Elvis is so beloved that when you start changing his original music, then the die-hard fans don't like it," Dean said. "Some things just shouldn't be remade."
T.I. to Return to Federal Court Oct. 15
U.S. District Judge Charles Pannell Jr. has set the hearing for 2 p.m. on Oct. 15 for T.I., whose real name is Clifford Harris. The same judge sentenced Harris for firearms violations.
An earlier summons signed by Pannell lists three possible violations of his bond: possession of the drug ecstasy, testing positive for opiates and associating with a convicted felon.
Los Angeles County Sheriff's officials say the Grammy award-winning rapper was stopped Sept. 1 on a Hollywood street after making an illegal U-turn. Police say they found several pills confirmed to be a controlled substance.
Billboard Bits: T.I. May Lose AXE Sponsorship, Rihanna Strips for 'Only Girl' Cover
Following T.I.'s arrest for drug possession last week, AXE body spray is considering ending their partnership with the rapper, TMZ reports. A company rep has said that AXE is "troubled" by the arrest and is planning on "reviewing our promotional activities." After signing a deal with AXE earlier this year, T.I performed his first post-prison show on AXE's "One Night Only" music platform last month in New York City. (TMZ)
Rihanna Strips For 'Only Girl' Artwork
Rihanna appears sans clothes in the official artwork for new single "Only Girl (In the World)," Rap-Up reports. With flowing red hair, the pop star sits naked in a field while covering herself with a rose-colored dress. After premiering on Tuesday, "Only Girl" is set to iTunes on Sept. 21. (Rap-Up)
Metallica to Release 'Six Feet Down Under' Live EP
Metallica announced today that it will release "Six Feet Down Under," a new live EP, exclusively through its official website on Sept. 20. The release, which marks the end of Metallica's "World Magnetic" Tour, features eight tracks from Australian performances spanning 1989 to 2004. (NME)
John Legend Set for VH1 Save the Music Honor
VH1's Save the Music Foundation, now in its thirteenth year, will honor R&B singer John Legend at its 2010 gala, to be held in New York on Nov. 8. Legend, who recently collaborated with The Roots on an album titled "Wake Up!," is known for his philanthropic work with his own charity, the Show Me Campaign.
Scissor Sisters to Tour with Lady Gaga
The Scissor Sisters took to their official website yesterday to announce that they will be joining Lady Gaga's early 2011 "Monster Ball" Tour, with more details to follow this month. The pop band, who supposedly met Gaga at Elton John's White Tie and Tiara Ball earlier this summer, called Gaga a "kindred spirit" in their announcement.
Iron & Wine Announces New Album
Folk act Iron & Wine will release "Kiss Each Other Clean," the follow-up to 2007 album "The Shepherd's Dog," early next year, Pitchfork reports. Frontman Sam Beam plans to play a handful of solo U.S. shows after the band wraps its current European tour. ( Pitchfork)
Billboard Bits: Eve Announces New Album, Susan Boyle Stopping By 'Oprah'
After multiple delays, Eve's forthcoming album "Lip Lock," has been given a March 11 release date on EMI records. The rapper says that the album is "definitely coming" and features Akon, Swizz Beatz, and Chiddy Bang, among others. Eve also hinted that a possible Ruff Ryders reunion could make its way onto the set as well. ( RapRadar)
New R.E.M. Album, "Collapse Into Now," Due Next Spring
R.E.M. has confirmed that their 15th studio album will be called "Collapse Into Now" and will hit stores in spring 2011. Details of the Jacknife Lee-produced disc were revealed by the band's manager, Bertis Downs, during the In The City music conference in the U.K. last Thursday (Oct. 14). ( The Hollywood Reporter)
Susan Boyle, Jackie Evancho Stopping By 'Oprah'
In anticipation of sophomore album "The Gift," Susan Boyle will appear and perform on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" on Tuesday. "America's Got Talent" breakout Jackie Evancho and "You Light Up My Life" singer Debby Boone will also appear on the episode, which airs at 4 P.M. EST. ( Orlando Sentinel)
Eyedea, Minnesota Rap Artist, Dies at 28
Michael Larson, also known as the rap artist Eyedea, died in his sleep at 28 years old on Saturday (Oct. 16) due to unknown reasons. The Minnesota native recorded three albums alongside hip-hop artist Abilities on Rhymesayers Entertainment.
T.I./Chris Brown Track Hits the Web
"Get Back Up," an inspirational new track from T.I.'s forthcoming album "King Uncaged" featuring Chris Brown, has leaked online less than a week after the rapper was sentenced to 11 months in prison following a September drug arrest. "Apologies to my fans and my closest friends," T.I. rhymes over a somber beat. ( Spin)
Glastonbury 2012 Canceled Due To Toilet Shortage?
Glastonbury Festival will likely be suspended in 2012, partly due to an anticipated shortage of portaloo (porta-potty) toilets. The lack of bathrooms and police officers would result from the Olympic Games being hosted in London that summer. (NME)
21 Under 21: Music's Hottest Minors
They're young, they're on a white-hot winning streak, and most importantly, they're just getting started: These are Billboard.com's "21 Under 21," selected not only for their tender age but also for their potential to rule the pop culture zeitgeist over the next 12 months.Whether it's a country star whose every song lyric demands hours of analysis (Is she singing about Joe, Taylor or Kanye?!), a beloved breakout character on TV's hottest high school musical, or a newcomer who landed a record deal on the strength of one Lady Gaga cover, expect them all to to keep us watching -- and listening -- in the year to come. On to the countdown of our picks!
X Factor winner takes all
Leona Lewis, who took the X Factor crown in 2006, takes 99% of listener traffic on Last.fm versus runner up of the same year - Ray Quinn. The contestants from 2007 paint a similar picture with the runner up Rhydian only getting 3% of listeners compared to Leon Jackson. But as time marches on, the second place getters begin to gain ground on the winners. In 2008, JLS, who came in second place, account for 43% of Last.fm listens against the 2008 winner, Alexandra Burke's 57%. 2009 brought similar results with winner Joe McElderry and runner up Olly Murs getting a 65/35 split in listens.
Matt Sheret, Data Griot at Last.fm commented, 'From the beginning of each series, right through to the final, the nation is gripped by all things X Factor. The show is now in its seventh year, and over time, actually winning the show has become less and less important. Runners up from the past few series are making it just as big, despite not making it to the finish line. So what does this mean for this year's winners? Only time can tell but watch this space to see if the names Diva Fever, Wagner or Treyc mean anything in twelve months time!'
Katy Perry to have two honeymoons
A source said: 't will be the perfect honeymoon ' Katy will be bowled over.'
Russell, 35, chose Mauritius after taking his mother Barbara to the islands for a break in 2006, and she has told him the 'Teenage Dream' singer would love the destination.
The source added to the Daily Mirror newspaper: 'He has been consulting his mum about the wedding and honeymoon and he decided that Mauritius ' where he took her ' would be perfect.
't's out of the way and they can just relax on the beach, enjoy each other's company and get massages with no other distractions.
'Russell fell in love with the place when he took his mum a few years back and he has wanted to go back ever since.'
Earlier this month, Russell joked he was going to scrap plans to marry Katy in India with his celebrity friends and instead head to the frozen North Pole to get wed.
He said: ''m hoping to hold it in the Arctic sometime in June. I might get a polar bear to conduct the ceremony.
"It's what I've always wanted. Every little girl grows up dreaming of that and I was no different."
New NEC monitors sense humans, possibly other things
(Credit: NEC)
Monitors with LED backlights are currently a pretty hot commodity and I've found that while most manufacturers hock their LED wares to the consumer market, some, like Samsung and with its BX2350, are beginning to see that people spend a lot of time staring at monitor screens while at work.
On Monday, NEC stepped on the business monitor bandwagon to introduce a new line of LED-based monitors that, according to the company, are "ideal for corporate users looking for increased productivity and sleek aesthetics."
The new series begins with the 23-inch MultiSync EX231W, an LED-backlit LCD monitor with both DisplayPort and DVI connections. The monitor also offers a 14.6mm-wide bezel, a 9.3-pound weight and a USB port. It also includes a fully adjustable stand with 110mm height adjust, pivot, swivel and tilt, as well as a built-in carrying handle and quick release stand.
The monitor also includes a "human sensor," which detects user activity in front of the monitor and goes into sleep mode when it notices no one is there. No word yet if this works on cats or vampires.
Check out the full list of features (or at least, ones worth mentioning) here: (my comments in parenthesis)
1920x1080-pixel resolution (expected)
250 candelas per square meter brightness (disappointingly low)
25,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio (how disturbing is it that I nearly commended NEC for having such a "conservative" number for its DCR compared with other vendor claims that tend to start in the multimillions? Quite disturbing.)
DisplayPort and DVI connectivity (HDMI would have been nice for those late night Halo: Reach office tournaments)
4-way ergonomic stand with 110mm height adjust, pivot, swivel and tilt (
Quick-release stand (sounds slightly dirty, but potentially useful)
Touch-sensitive On Screen Display (OSD) controls (alert the media!)
Human sensor (weird name, but an interesting extra--I guess NEC want you to be able to watch movies at work without your monitor falling to sleep)
Ambient light sensor (I've always liked the idea of these, but they'd annoy me in practical use)
The MultiSync EX231W will be available in November of 2010 at an estimated street price of $339 and ships with a three-year parts-and-labor limited warranty.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20019868-1.html
Speck A-Line Bag is functional and fashionable
All this and more fits into one compact bag.
(Credit: Josh Miller/CNET)
Despite the emphasis on convergence for certain tech categories, the sheer number of gadgets many of us continue to schlep around can be rather astounding. I can tell you from experience that carting devices around in bags specifically designed to organize and protect them makes the whole task less daunting (the Built Travel Organizer has saved my sanity on more than one trip). Plus, if you're a woman who has been using a standard purse to carry a vast array of heavy items, I'm sure you've had your fair share of visits to the cobbler.
But hey, I get it: Your purse is so cute, and many gadget bags are so...not. That's where the Speck A-Line Bag comes in. This lovely little accessory caught my eye at CTIA this fall and is definitely one of my top three favorite items from the show. Its gray wool-like exterior and deep purple contrast drew me in like a moth to a flame (two other color combos are also available). It's true: I'm a sucker for anything that is both tech-friendly and stylish.
I really like that the A-Line bag seems so durable. It features a single, thick-and-sturdy shoulder strap, a thick outer shell, and a double-stitched lining that practically dares me to carry something heavy enough to tear it. The bag also integrates several useful pockets and pouches to tuck away all of the tech I constantly tote: a padded interior slot for a Netbook or tablet; two fleece-lined pockets for a phone and an MP3 player; a back compartment for a wallet, checkbook, and pen; and a front interior pouch for extras like a mini notepad, keys, and lip gloss. Plus, the overall size of the bag isn't overwhelmingly large, and it keeps its shape when stuffed full.
Truly, the Speck A-Line Bag is one of the best designed bags I've come across. Of course, it's not big enough for a traditional laptop, and it's clearly made with a woman's taste in mind, so it's not for everyone. But for my money ($59.95 to be exact), this is one of the better options on the market--and it would make an excellent gift during the upcoming holidays.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20019900-1.html
Analyst: Netbook numbers, price still beat iPad
(Credit: Hewlett-Packard)
A new report from ABI Research estimates that over 11 million tablets--mostly iPads--will ship this year but also argues for a reality check on the iPad's popularity in the context of Netbook shipments.
That figure echoes an earlier report from ABI, but today's report doesn't offer the usual market-vanquishing assessment vis-a-vis the Netbook that other analysts are advancing.
Netbook shipments should reach 43 million worldwide this year, ABI said. "Apple has sold a few million iPads in its first quarter, which is great for creating a new market," wrote ABI Research principal analyst Jeff Orr in a note today. "But early adoption of media tablets is not outpacing Netbooks. The iPad average selling price above $650 isn't driving mass adoption. Competition, especially on price, is needed."
Orr said in a phone interview that the iPad's price points "make it a luxury item." And the holiday season? "Going into a holiday buying season there may be some surprises for media tablets, but I'm not seeing it," Orr said.
Historically, looking back to 2008--the first year that Netbooks really came into vogue--Orr puts Netbook shipments at 15 million, which is close to numbers cited by other market research firms. So, that would put the Netbook ahead of the iPad in the first year of mass adoption. And, similar to the iPad--which didn't ship until April of this year--the Netbook didn't really take hold until after the the first Atom processors were announced in March 2008. Later in 2008, Atom-based Netbooks finally began to trickle out from large PC makers such as Hewlett-Packard and Dell.
And this figure roughly doubled in 2009 to 30 million Netbooks shipped. The 43 million figure, if it proves to be accurate, means the market won't double in 2010 but it would still be a healthy increase. "43 million netbook shipments are good growth, just not the meteoric pace of the past couple of years," Orr wrote. And Intel executives expressed similar sentiment during this week's earnings conference call. "Netbooks today are primarily a mature market," said Stacy Smith, Intel chief financial officer, on Tuesday.
In a related news, a report today from DisplaySearch offers the more conventional view that the iPad may catapult Apple to a top five computer brand globally. "The iPad boom might change everything. Apple could not only surpass Asus, Toshiba and Lenovo by becoming a top 5 mobile PC brand--it could also threaten Dell's #3 position," the report said.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-20019618-64.html?tag=mncol;title
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