Hand-held electronic gaming is not new. From the single game devices of the past, to game changing (pun intended) Nintendo Gameboy, to the now popular PSP (that's PlayStation Portable) and Nintendo DSi, mobile arcade-quality games are common place.
Many gamers could boast having a hand-held game device that allowed them to play some of the same games available on consoles like the Nintendo Wii, Sony PlayStation 3 (PS3) and the Microsoft Xbox. Some of these games even boasted wireless communications via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
Then came the iPhone. With a brilliant screen, an accelerometer, simple controls and premium game titles, the iPhone turned mobile gaming on its face. It was no longer necessary for game geeks to travel with multiple devices to make calls and enjoy a superior game experience. With the iPhone everything fits into one neat package.
You can save the world! Or a least a virtual version of it.
Despite all sorts of challenges, interest in video games is actually growing. Today's games are rich in graphics and storylines; I mean, truly engrossing. And, you don't need to be a geek to truly appreciate a good gaming experience.
There are three consoles that provide an awesome gaming experience. The other game console offerings are there, but don't rise to the title of awesome.
Sadly, I can't definitively say which is 'the best' because they are all really good. So, let's get right to it.
Earlier in the year, we explored the concept of having a TV in the palm of your hand. Sure, there have been micro TVs before that pick up a terrestrial signal. There have even been phones that pick up free-to-air broadcast TV via a built-in antenna. But if you've had experiences with these devices you know two things, your choice is limited and your reception is worse.
Utilising new technology that allows them to stream live broadcast TV to your phone, LIME introduced LIME TV mobile TV for your mobile phone.
Yes, you will need a special phone. Let's get that out of the way first. LIME is offering two handsets that I am aware of which can receive the DigitalVideo Broadcast -- Handheld (DVB-H) signal, a Nokia and a ZTE. I tested the Nokia 5330; it looks fairly modern looking and can play up to six hours of subscription or broadcast TV on a single full charge. Like other smartphone, you can watch videos, listen to music, shoot pictures or enjoy live FM radio on a handset that is both compact and powerful.
From declining record sales and piracy, to reduced production quality levels, to lack of access to mainstream media, to copying of the genre by other cultures, to reduced access to overseas markets by Jamaican performers to the anti-gay movement and more, reggae is under siege.
Some of the problems are beyond the control of the local music industry. Declining record sales and increased piracy is a worldwide problem affecting all genres with no obviously solution in site. Other problems are entirely the fault of the industry players whose shortsightedness has paid off in spades.
At the World Music Expo, WOMEX 10, European booking agents gathered hoping to "sell" the acts they represent to music buyers for concerts. WOMEX is arguably “the largest music trade fair on the planet,” as reported by The Guardian. The music market attracts thousands of delegates from nearly 100 countries to meet, greet, present, perform and make deals over the course of the five-day exhibition.
There were only six Caribbean nationals in attendance including four Jamaicans. The previous year, the Caribbean delegation was 25 persons strong with 12 persons representing Jamaica thanks to support from Caribbean Export and the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JARIA). Without the financial support of these two organizations, music managers, artistes, agents, industry practitioners were simply unable to make the trip to Copenhagen, Denmark.
The lack of representation at WOMEX is a significant loss of an industry that needs to remain relevant in a global music environment. Indigenous reggae is considered problematic for European buyers verses European reggae and other music genres. Jamaican reggae performances in Europe require a travel party to acquire visas, cross the Atlantic and hit the ground. Each step has its own set of challenges that simply does not apply to European based artistes singing reggae.
"There is no real central figure representing some artistes," noted Walter Laurer of GLP an Austrian based booking agency. This is a sentiment echoed by many European agents and buyers who have been burned by unscrupulous local representatives falsely claiming to represent artistes. In other related cases, two many people legitimately represent the same artiste and create confusion in the market that ultimately hampers bookings.
"It is everyday a challenge working with Jamaica artistes," declared France based Gregory Jacqmain of Skinfama agency. In particular, he noted that the visa process is labourious, time consuming and expensive. Indeed, Jamaican artistes have faced difficulty in getting non-immigrant access to the Schengen states, a situation many hope will be helped with the proper implementation of the European Partnership Agreement (EPA). As it stands now, Jamaican artistes must apply for a visa for every entry into Europe.
The shear cost of the travel is another prohibitive factor. Jamaican artistes have responded by reducing the size of their entourages, but concerns abound regarding the impact the smaller crew size has on the quality of the performance. Especially in a market where "live" performances (with band) and preferred to "showcase" performances (on tracks).
While facing strong opposition and protests, several Jamaican artistes signed the Reggae Compassionate Act effectively promising to stripe their performances of all anti-gay lyrics. Then some acts broke that promise and continued to chant their pro-heterosexual position with conviction and occasionally violent references. This hurt the credibility of the genre. But the backlash against "murder music" may be more political than ideological according to Laurer. Booking agent Michel Jovanovic of Mediacom took the matter to court defending his rights to stage a show with Jamaican artistes regardless of the lyrical content of the performance. Not many buyers are willing to take the issue to that extent, instead opting for acts with far less controversy.
On island, dancehall is the dominant reggae sub-genre taking over from roots reggae. This evolution is natural - ska took over from mento, roots reggae took over from ska, and now dancehall reigns supreme. But in Europe, the evolution is still at the roots phase. The net effect is a disconnect between supply and demand. Jamaica is producing a glut of dancehall stars that are not simply salable in Europe. And, if there is a sale, fees are significantly lower than expected and therefore unsustainable.
Setting it all aside - the anti gay movement, the visa issues, the lack of demand and the access to cheaper European reggae - the artistes themselves add to the negative perception of reggae music with their behaviour. To some, unprofessional, is a word that is synonymous with reggae.
Despite the obvious challenges and even more complex landscape, reggae is still very popular in Europe. There is still a lucrative market for reggae. But do not take this for granted. Steps must be taken to maintain the rise of reggae and prevent the slide. Are you ready, to step up?
Reggae was a hot topic at the 2010 World Music Expo (WOMEX 10).
The market for reggae is complex. On the one hand, anti-gay and anti-immigration forces seek the quell the genre aided by undisciplined artistes. On the other hand, demand for the art form made famous by Marley and Cliff and sustained by Shaggy and Sean remains strong.
Reggae: Rise and Slide presents the complicated scenario as seen through European eyes as they gathered in Copenhagen, Denmark.
See the extended version with bonus footage and insights on media access (or lack of) for reggae music and reggae artistes at: http://gallery.me.com/ontheboom100103
There are certainly a lot of smartphone to choose from. First, you have to pick a platform (which is easer than saying OS) from the pool of options - Android, iOS, Blackberry, Symbian and now, Windows Phone 7.
Then you have to pic a manufacturer - Samsung, Motorola, RIM, Nokia, LG, Sony Ericson, Coral and others.
Then you have to pick a provider; for Jamaica we choose from Digicel, LIME and Claro.
That is a lot of choice. I can't tell you what the best choice is, but I can tell what my most recent choice has been. The Samsung Galaxy S.
I heard all the early reviews and expected to be impressed. The phone did not disappoint. We'll get to the technical specs later. First, let's look at the first impressions. In a word, my first impression was - light!
The recession has hit us all hard, so an iPad, Kinect or new Torch may not be on our holiday shopping list for 2010. But we can find lots of gear to make our old gad-gets and devices seem new again for a lot less than upgrading to the buzz toys of the season.
You probably already have a phone, but do you have a headset? Treat yourself (or someone you love) to a hands-free headset to complement the phone. Bluetooth options are many and varied; also there are non-phone specific meaning. No need to worry if the Bluetooth headset you buy today is compatible with the phone you bought last year.
Some people just don't like Bluetooth - perhaps because you look like a madman when talking into 'thin air' or because it causes headaches for some. But headset options are not limited to Bluetooth, a good pair of headphones makes a great phone accessory, especially since so many people also treat their phone as a portable MP3 player. Just make sure the headset comes with a microphone for phone calls.
