Daft Punk's early album launch

French dance music group Daft Punk at one of their massive gigs. Picture: Publicity Mad Dog Source: Supplied

• Daft move - album live streams online before worldwide launch

DAFT Punk's hugely anticipated new album Random Access Memories was put up to stream on iTunes this morning days before its apparent exclusive Wee Waa launch.

The Australian release date which was set to be at midnight this Friday, the first worldwide, is now out the window as low quality pirated streams of the album hit the web in the past week.

The album can now be listened to in full which has been music to the ears of millions of the robot's fans worldwide, but they'll need to wait until the official release dates to purchase a copy.

Fellow French producer Madeon tweeted: "I feel so full and empty. This album is everything I wanted to hear. It's also so much of what I wanted to make."

Him and many others have been flooding the internet with their thoughts on the album which have traversed the spectrum from positive to negative.

Fans are expected to descend on the NSW town of Wee Waa for the launch of French electronic music duo Daft Punk's lates album but the superstars won't be there. Picture: Craig Greenhill

Billboard's review of 80 out of 100 encapsulated the love/hate relationship with the album describing it as a "messy album, filled with passages that can be trimmed and one or two too many plodding songs. But it's also fantastic to hear these masterminds trying again."

Leading up to today the French pop group have been brewing a hive of panic and hype in the tiny northern NSW town of Wee Waa – despite being some 17,000km away in their native Paris.

NSW police have been forced to issue a stern warning to fans after it was confirmed the French electro-pop duo would not be turning up at Wee Waa for the worldwide launch of their new album this weekend.

The ex parte ‘launch' coincides with the 79th annual Wee Waa show – expected to inflate the sleepy hamlet's 1,600-strong population by as many as 4,000.

Daft Punk's latest album launch is highly anticipated.

It is understood police are fearful of road fatalities as fans embark on huge treks from across the country for the three day celebration.

Mayhem is expected to descend on the rural township and police have established operation Hadrian to ensure the safety of fans and residents around Wee Waa.

The operation headed by Superintendent Jenny Hayes will include police dogs, the riot squad and PolAir.

"We are anticipating that most of the thousands of people heading to Wee Waa for the Daft Punk album launch will be travelling long distances, and we advise them to plan ahead and factor in rest breaks," Ms Hayes said.

"Also take the time to plan your celebrations. Make sure you have booked somewhere to stay, decide how you are getting to and from the launch party, and plan to be responsible.

"Officers will be out in force at the event and local licensed premises and there will be no hesitation in taking action for alcohol-and-drug-related offences.

"If you refuse to leave a licensed venue when asked, you will be fined $550. Know your limits – if you play up, you will be locked up."

The global launch party for Daft Punk's latest album Random Access Memories will take place this Friday night at the Wee Waa show and according to the town's website, the festivities will be manic despite the absence of the French stars.

"This event will see national media and many fans descend on the Wee Waa show to enjoy the spectacle," the website says.

The album launch kicks off at 8.30pm and will include a full ‘playback' of the album. Rumours are circulating that a live hologram of the Euro stars will be beamed onto the stage.

Daft Punk – consisting of French musicians Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter – are a hugely popular international act.

The new album has already enjoyed chart success with lead single ‘Get Lucky', featuring American singer Pharell Williams, climbing to number one in Australia as well as in the UK and Europe.

The duo has been diplomatic when pressed on their non-attendance in Wee Waa, describing the unconventional album launch as "poetic". 

"'It felt for us that this record has a certain aspect of random quality, and the idea of breaking the barriers between cities and the countryside, or between the musical genres or any sort of classification," they told Fairfax Media.

"The idea of launching music in a small town in Australia is by itself part of the fictional narrative that feels like it's a scene of the film."

As for fans wanting to hear the much-anticipated album for the first time, the cat was let out of the bag by Daft Punk themselves – streaming it live on their website early this morning.

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Apple 'to launch iTV this year'

A analyst report based on visits with Apple suppliers says the company will release an 'iTV' later thie year. Above, Apple CEO Tim Cook introduces the new iPad last year. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

IT'S no secret that Apple wants to get into the living room by making its own TV set, and there have been plenty of rumours and reports about how and when it's going to happen.

Now, an analyst says he's learned that the Apple iTV set will go on sale late this year, for $US1500 to $US2500 ($1435 to $2561).

In a research note on Wednesday, Brian White of Topeka Capital Markets says the "iTV" will be 60 inches (152 cm) on the diagonal, but could also come in 50- and 55-inch versions (127cm and 140cm)

Apple will also release a small "iRing" that fits on the viewer's finger, allowing the user to control the screen by pointing, Mr White says.

In addition, the set will come with tablet-like "mini iTVs" with 9.7-inch screens, the same as the full-size iPad, Mr White said. The "iTV" will be able to send video to the smaller screens wirelessly around the house.

The concept is similar to the way in which cable and satellite TV companies are starting to let their set-top boxes send video to iPads and other tablets.

Mr White says his report is based on gleanings from visits with unnamed Chinese and Taiwanese companies that supply Apple with components.

Apple doesn't comment on future products before its launch events, but late company co-founder Steve Jobs told biographer Walter Isaacson that he wanted to remake the TV and had figured out a way to do it. Last year, there were numerous analyst reports that said Apple would launch a TV set in 2012.

Apple does sell an "Apple TV," but it's small box that connects to a TV to display movies and shows from iTunes.

Apple shares rose $US4.91 ($4.70), or 1.1 per cent, to $US434.70 in midday trading, as the tech-dominated Nasdaq index fell 0.3 per cent. Apple's stock is still close to the 52-week low of $US419, which it hit a month ago.
 

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Apple 'to launch iTV this year'

A analyst report based on visits with Apple suppliers says the company will release an
"iTV" later this year. Above, Apple CEO Tim Cook introduces the new iPad last year. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

IT'S no secret that Apple wants to get into the living room by making its own TV set, and there have been plenty of rumours and reports about how and when it's going to happen.

Now, an analyst says he's learned that the Apple iTV set will go on sale late this year, for $US1500 to $US2500 ($1435 to $2561).

In a research note on Wednesday, Brian White of Topeka Capital Markets says the "iTV" will be 60 inches (152 cm) on the diagonal, but could also come in 50- and 55-inch versions (127cm and 140cm)

Apple will also release a small "iRing" that fits on the viewer's finger, allowing the user to control the screen by pointing, Mr White says.

In addition, the set will come with tablet-like "mini iTVs" with 9.7-inch screens, the same as the full-size iPad, Mr White said. The "iTV" will be able to send video to the smaller screens wirelessly around the house.

The concept is similar to the way in which cable and satellite TV companies are starting to let their set-top boxes send video to iPads and other tablets.

Mr White says his report is based on gleanings from visits with unnamed Chinese and Taiwanese companies that supply Apple with components.

Apple doesn't comment on future products before its launch events, but late company co-founder Steve Jobs told biographer Walter Isaacson that he wanted to remake the TV and had figured out a way to do it. Last year, there were numerous analyst reports that said Apple would launch a TV set in 2012.

Apple does sell an "Apple TV," but it's small box that connects to a TV to display movies and shows from iTunes.

Apple shares rose $US4.91 ($4.70), or 1.1 per cent, to $US434.70 in midday trading, as the tech-dominated Nasdaq index fell 0.3 per cent. Apple's stock is still close to the 52-week low of $US419, which it hit a month ago.
 

View the original article here

Apple 'to launch iTV this year'

A analyst report based on visits with Apple suppliers says the company will release an
"iTV" later this year. Above, Apple CEO Tim Cook introduces the new iPad last year. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

IT'S no secret that Apple wants to get into the living room by making its own TV set, and there have been plenty of rumours and reports about how and when it's going to happen.

Now, an analyst says he's learned that the Apple iTV set will go on sale late this year, for $US1500 to $US2500 ($1435 to $2561).

In a research note on Wednesday, Brian White of Topeka Capital Markets says the "iTV" will be 60 inches (152 cm) on the diagonal, but could also come in 50- and 55-inch versions (127cm and 140cm)

Apple will also release a small "iRing" that fits on the viewer's finger, allowing the user to control the screen by pointing, Mr White says.

In addition, the set will come with tablet-like "mini iTVs" with 9.7-inch screens, the same as the full-size iPad, Mr White said. The "iTV" will be able to send video to the smaller screens wirelessly around the house.

The concept is similar to the way in which cable and satellite TV companies are starting to let their set-top boxes send video to iPads and other tablets.

Mr White says his report is based on gleanings from visits with unnamed Chinese and Taiwanese companies that supply Apple with components.

Apple doesn't comment on future products before its launch events, but late company co-founder Steve Jobs told biographer Walter Isaacson that he wanted to remake the TV and had figured out a way to do it. Last year, there were numerous analyst reports that said Apple would launch a TV set in 2012.

Apple does sell an "Apple TV," but it's small box that connects to a TV to display movies and shows from iTunes.

Apple shares rose $US4.91 ($4.70), or 1.1 per cent, to $US434.70 in midday trading, as the tech-dominated Nasdaq index fell 0.3 per cent. Apple's stock is still close to the 52-week low of $US419, which it hit a month ago.
 

View the original article here

Apple 'to launch iTV this year'

A analyst report based on visits with Apple suppliers says the company will release an 'iTV' later thie year. Above, Apple CEO Tim Cook introduces the new iPad last year. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

IT'S no secret that Apple wants to get into the living room by making its own TV set, and there have been plenty of rumours and reports about how and when it's going to happen.

Now, an analyst says he's learned that the Apple iTV set will go on sale late this year, for $US1500 to $US2500 ($1435 to $2561).

In a research note on Wednesday, Brian White of Topeka Capital Markets says the "iTV" will be 60 inches (152 cm) on the diagonal, but could also come in 50- and 55-inch versions (127cm and 140cm)

Apple will also release a small "iRing" that fits on the viewer's finger, allowing the user to control the screen by pointing, Mr White says.

In addition, the set will come with tablet-like "mini iTVs" with 9.7-inch screens, the same as the full-size iPad, Mr White said. The "iTV" will be able to send video to the smaller screens wirelessly around the house.

The concept is similar to the way in which cable and satellite TV companies are starting to let their set-top boxes send video to iPads and other tablets.

Mr White says his report is based on gleanings from visits with unnamed Chinese and Taiwanese companies that supply Apple with components.

Apple doesn't comment on future products before its launch events, but late company co-founder Steve Jobs told biographer Walter Isaacson that he wanted to remake the TV and had figured out a way to do it. Last year, there were numerous analyst reports that said Apple would launch a TV set in 2012.

Apple does sell an "Apple TV," but it's small box that connects to a TV to display movies and shows from iTunes.

Apple shares rose $US4.91 ($4.70), or 1.1 per cent, to $US434.70 in midday trading, as the tech-dominated Nasdaq index fell 0.3 per cent. Apple's stock is still close to the 52-week low of $US419, which it hit a month ago.
 

View the original article here

Smartwatch launch plans surface

Screenshots purporting to give an idea of what Samsung's smartwatch will look like. Source: Supplied

The MetaWatch Strata has a customizable watch face and delivers smart phone notifications to your wrist. It has a 1-inch, 96-by-96-pixel display. Source: Supplied

Sony's Smart Watch has a multi-touch colour OLED display, Bluetooth and uses the Android platform. You can use it to read SMS, email and calendar reminders on the display, and to reject and mute calls. Source: Supplied

REPORTS have surfaced about plans for smartwatches from tech giants Apple, Samsung and Google, with launches possible later this year.

"I think we have reached a tipping point," said Avi Greengart, analyst on consumer devices at the research firm Current Analysis.

Greengart said 2013 may be the year for the smartwatch because "the components have gotten small enough and cheap enough" and a large number of consumers now have smartphones that can connect to a wearable device.

The idea of the connected watch has been around for at least a decade: Microsoft had one in 2003. And some devices are already on the market including from Sony, the crowdfunded maker Pebble and Italian-based firm i'm.

Up to now, smartwatches have been able to connect to phones wirelessly to give users signals about new messages, and allow some limited Web access.

But analysts say once they gain traction, app developers can come up with new functions, possibly drawing on health and fitness monitoring devices now in use.

The likely entry of new heavyweight players like Apple "can catalyse the market," Greengart said, while noting that any new device has to prove its utility to consumers.

"This is a market that needs to be created."

Even though Apple has maintained its customary silence on the subject, that has not stopped speculation on the Internet, including a likely design of a curved glass "iWatch."

ABI Research predicts that smartwatches and other wearable computing devices will "explode in popularity over the next year" and grow to 485 million annual device shipments by 2018.

"The furor about wearable technologies, particularly smart watches and smart glasses is unsurprising," said ABI analyst Josh Flood.

"Apple's curved glass-based watch could prove to be a revelation in the wearable technologies market. The major question is whether the digital time piece will act as a complimentary device to the company's iPhone smartphones or as a standalone product with other functionalities like health or activity tracking capabilities."

Citi analyst Oliver Chen said the smartwatch segment, which now includes devices from Fossil and Movado, could easily evolve into a $6 billion annual business with "higher than average" profit margins.

"A successful smartwatch likely needs to create a completely new market and not compete on fashion or luxury brand prestige," Chen said.

Forrester Research analyst Sarah Rotman Epps noted that "the body is the next frontier for personal computing," and that "it seems like only a matter of time before Apple enters the market directly."

Epps said that this market could grow because "consumers love their smartphones, and there is some appeal in having an additional touchpoint," which could allow a user to check messages or use other smartphone apps from the wrist.

But she noted that there are several other potential types of competing wearable computing devices, including Google Glass and other "smart" eyeglasses.

"I'm not convinced the smartwatch is the killer form factor," Epps told AFP.

Danielle Levitas, analyst at the research firm IDC, said there is an opportunity for smartwatches and other wearable devices because consumers want to be connected without pulling out a phone, which might be impolite in some situations.

"It's less rude to glance at your wrist than to take your phone from your back pocket," she said.

But it will take some time for the market to sort out what consumers want.

"You could have a device with all the smarts embedded, or a device with lower costs that connects to a smartphone," Levitas said.

Pricing of a fully autonomous watch could be $300 or more, she noted, plus data charges, but a smartphone-linked device may cost as little as $100.

Levitas said manufacturers will have to find the right size of display - large enough to be useful without being cumbersome.

"It's going to be harder for women than men," she said.

"If it's big enough to be useful, it may look totally dorky. This may only appeal to certain segments."

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Empire of the Sun launch new album

Luke Steele and Nick Littlemore return with Empire of the Sun's long awaited second album Ice On The Dune. Source: Supplied

THE eccentric Australian electronic duo Empire Of The Sun have reunited for their long-awaited second album Ice On The Dune.

Empire of the Sun's 2008 debut record Walking On A Dream was championed by everyone from Jay-Z to Usher and helped to usher in the rise of electronic music worldwide, selling more than one million copies.

Video to song Walking On A Dream

While "Emperor'' Luke Steele and "Lord'' Nick Littlemore conducted much of their post-debut conversations via the media, the pair regrouped 18 months ago with their original collaborators, PNAU's Peter Mayes and Jono Sloan in New York.

The new record will be launched globally today at 9am (AEDT) by a "trailer'' filmed by the production company run by Hollywood heavyweight and new Stars Wars director JJ Abrams.

The American director and fan of the Australian musicians, invited Empire Of The Sun to hang out at his Los Angeles creative hub, resulting in his Bad Robot team creating the Raiders Of The Lost Ark-inspired trailer called Discovery.

"JJ is looking at working with various artists and it was amazing working with those guys to develop the back story and future story of the Empire - it's pretty exciting,'' Steele said.

The LA-based musician who plans to return to Australia to launch the record said he and Littlemore felt enormous pressure to match the success of Walking On A Dream.

"In the end what has driven us is the same as the first record which is music that makes people feel excited and want to get up in the morning,'' Steele said.

"But oh yeah, we felt the pressure. I had never experienced fame before, and I don't think in Australia, people realised how many places this record travelled.''

Littlemore will remain studio-based with Empire Of The Sun with Steele creating the live show to take Ice On The Dune around the world.

He plans to head home to launch the record before its release in June.

Video to song Standing On the Shore

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US band to launch new song into space

Thirty Seconds to Mars band members Tomo Milicebic, Jared Leto and Shannon Leto. Picture: Justin Lloyd Source: News Limited

AMERICAN rockers Thirty Seconds To Mars will get a little closer to their namesake when new single Up In The Air is launched into space tomorrow.

Jared Leto and his bandmates will be at the Cape Canaveral base in Florida when a Falcon 9 rocket laden with scientific equipment - and the first copy of their song - blasts off for the International Space Station.

The launch at 2.10am (AEDT) will be broadcast on NASA's website.

Fans have long been anticipating the band's fourth record, the follow-up to 2009's This is War, with #MARSisComing trending in the countdown to the lift-off.

But they won't be able to hear the first single until March 18 when Leto and his bandmates head to Mission Control Houston for a Q&A with ISS astronaut Tom Marshburn, whose review of Up In the Air should prove interesting.

Why are Thirty Seconds To Mars getting the out-of-this-world treatment from NASA? Only the heavens know.

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Sony set to launch PlayStation 4

The new Playstation 4 is expected to be unveiled today and details of game sharing are rumored despite Sony's attempt top keep key features under wraps

• Sony is believed to launch the PlayStation 4 today
• Details of the new gaming console have been closely guarded
• Watch the live stream here from 10am AEST today

THE new front in the gaming wars begins today, as Sony is expected to unveil the PlayStation 4 in New York.

8.55am: The big day is almost here. On Wednesday, February 20th (Thursday, February 21 here in Australia), Sony is holding an event in New York City to discuss “the future of PlayStation.” We’re pretty sure this means the PlayStation 4 – or Orbis or whatever it’s called – is getting announced.

But regardless of what’s going to happen in NYC, we will be covering it from all angles.

Despite leaked pictures of what is claimed to be the new controller, Sony has managed to keep details of what could be its most important launch for the next few years under tight wraps.

Even the name of PlayStation 4 has not been confirmed, with reports that Sony has labelled its new console with the codename Orbis.

Rumours this week of price points for Sony's new games console may not be confirmed today, with some gaming experts expecting that price details and even features of the PlayStation 4 to be announced later.

Some analysts are tipping the release of the PlayStation 4 to be before Christmas this year, although the PS3 was announced about 18 months before it hit the market.

WATCH THE LIVE STREAM HERE FROM 10AM (AEST) TODAY

Live video for mobile from Ustream

It's been more than seven years since Sony launched the PlayStation 3 and the games market has changed dramatically in that time along with game players expectations with the development of smart phones, tablets and cloud services in that time.

The leaked pictures of what could be the controller for the new PlayStation suggests there is little change in the unit but there are reports the new PlayStation 4 will come standard with a camera for body motion control of games.

The picture purporting to show a prototype of the new Playstation 4 controller.

There are also rumours that the controller with have a button for social media, so that gamers can share video clips of their gaming glory.

The Wall Street Journal reports cloud computing will be a key feature of the new console, perhaps allowing people to save a game on the PS4 and then continue playing that game from the same point using another Sony device such as the Vita handheld game console or perhaps a Sony smartphone or tablet.

The gaming industry gathered in New York for the launch are looking to Sony to announce not just pricing details of the game console, release dates and games titles but also an explanation of how the new PlayStation 4 will fit into a range of products.

With IGN.

Google Glasses now available to pre-order for $1500, if you are chosen

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