“The ad might read, ‘Percussionist wanted, preferably marimba player, for jazz-influenced band. Must be able to improvise, bob head and wear metal,” writes CNN Reporter Valerie Streit in her April 29, 2010 story. “And the perfect candidate? It may be Shimon, a marimba-playing robot that, despite having four arms, is remarkably human. It has a shiny aluminum-steel head that bobs with the music and acknowledges other people when they’re nearby.”
And, when the new ZOOZbeat app launched in October 2009, CNN Reporter John Sutter wrote: “The iPhone’s accelerometer, which allows users to control apps by titling the phone, makes the ZOOZbeat app possible, said [Dr.] Gil Weinberg, director of the Georgia Tech Center for Music Technology and founder of ZOOZbeat.”
Austin, TX – SXSW Music Conference– March 19, 2010 – A-B-C. Easy as 1-2-3. Starting today, Jackson 5 fans can remix five multi-platinum Jackson 5 songs and win over $6,000 in prizes. Universal Music Enterprises and EMI Music Publishing teamed up with ZOOZ Mobile, Inc., developers of the first mobile music studio, to launchZOOZbeat Jackson 5Remix for Apple iPhone and iPod Touch users. ZOOZbeat Jackson 5 Remix – the second in a series of custom branded ZOOZbeat music apps – features five Jackson 5 signature songs that helped sell more than 250 million albums worldwide in 40 years: Dancing Machine, ABC, I Want You Back,Mama’s Pearl and The Love You Save.ZOOZbeat Jackson 5 Remix transforms the Apple iPhone or iPod Touch into a mobile music studio, enabling anyone – with or without music training – to remix and re-create their own tracks with beats and samples from pop sensation Jackson 5featuring Michael Jackson and brothers Jermaine, Jackie, Tito and Marlon.
“The Jackson 5 international phenomenon started with their first four major label singles on Motown all reaching #1 on the pop charts and the next three years every single they released made the Billboard Top 20,” said ZOOZ Mobile CEO & President Scott Geller. “Now, the Jackson 5 will help change how fans experience the Jackson 5 music; by enabling their fans to actively participate in remixing the Jackson 5 music.The new ZOOZbeat Jackson 5Remix app gives a whole new generation of fans a way to express themselves musically and connect with the Jackson 5 in a personal, interactive music experience.”
Jackson 5 in 1970
The ZOOZbeat Jackson 5 Remix iPhone app works by shaking, tilting or tapping the iPhone screen to create and combine Michael Jackson’s amazing isolated vocals with funky rhythmic tracks, and soulful harmonies that can then be uploaded to the web for listening on ZOOZbeat.com and sharing with friends via Twitter, Facebook, and other social media. ZOOZbeat Jackson 5 Remix is accessible to the visually impaired using Apple’s VoiceOver feature (available on the iPhone 3GS).
“ZOOZbeat Jackson 5Remix iPhone app is also the next generation of ZOOZbeat,” says ZOOZ Mobile Founder and Chief Technology Officer Dr. Gil Weinberg. “As easy as ZOOZbeat (4.1) already is for anyone to remix music regardless of musical ability, ZOOZbeat Jackson 5 Remixhas new ways to make learning how to remix music easier. First, we added a step by step tutorial to show different ways the Jackson 5 beats can be remixed;, we also made the music recreation experience more intuitive and richer – including adding more loops and longer samples from the original Jackson 5 songs as well as reverb, filters and other music remixing tools.”
Over $6,000 in Cash and Prizes Available to Contest Winners
ZOOZbeat Musicians will have until Saturday, May 1, 2010 to submit their contest entries, and voting will be open until Tuesday, June 1, 2010 on the ZOOZbeat.com website.Winners will be announced on or around Thursday, July 1, 2010.One Grand Prize Winner will receive a check for $1,500, a Jackson 5 “hoodie” sweatshirt, t-shirt and tote bag, and a premium 3-CD Michael Jackson Hello World: The Motown Solo Collection, three (3) Second Prize Winners will receive $250 checks and a Jackson 5 “hoodie” sweatshirt, t-shirt and tote bag; and thirty (30) Honorable Mention Prize Winners will receive a Jackson 5 “hoodie” sweatshirt, t-shirt and tote bag. Cash prizes courtesy of Zooz Mobile, apparel prizes courtesy of Swagger Like Us, and Michael Jackson CD collection courtesy of Universal Music Enterprises. Please see ZOOZbeat.comforOfficial Rules including eligibility.
Jackson 5 Prize Pack Tee
Featuring Five Jackson 5 Favorites:
I Want You Back – sold 6+ million copies worldwide; the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. It wasnumber one on Billboard Magazine’s Hot 100 single chart for the week ending January 31, 1970. Motown Records historian Don Waller called the song, “probably the best pop record every made.”
Dancing Machine – sold 3+ million records and received a Grammy nomination in 1975 for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. The song popularized the physically complicated robot dance technique (devised by Charles Washington) and immortalized by Michael Jackson.
Mama’s Pearl – it was one of six consecutive top 5 singles for the Jackson 5; reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.
The Love You Save – held the number one position on the Billboard Hot 100 single chart for two weeks in 1970; replacing The Long and Winding Road by The Beatles.
Remix Jackson 5 songs for your chance to win your share of $6,000 in cash and prizes.
ZOOZbeat Jackson 5 Remix is the second strategic alliance between ZOOZ Mobile and a major entertainment brand since it launched the new ZOOZbeat app in October 2009.ZOOZbeat Jackson 5 Remix follows the December release of ZOOZbeat Sprite®: the first iPhone app to be offered through Sprite’s ongoing ‘Under the Cap’ promotion where people enter Sprite cap codes via text message to unlock Artist beats from Dallas Austin, Khayree, Alex Christie, Sy Scott, Novel, Sheed, Laron Brant and Spree Wilson.
ZOOZbeat (4.1) features Artist beats from: Too $hort, Easy Star All-Stars, Kutiman, Richard Devine, Street Lotto, and Cato. ZOOZ Mobile is in negotiations with major and indie labels to provide beats from more artists as well as exploring other potential ZOOZbeat custom branded apps.
While November 7, 2009 officially marked the official 1-year anniversary of ZOOZbeat, we trace our beginning back ten years to the MIT Media Labs PhD thesis of ZOOZ Mobile, Inc. (parent company of the new ZOOZbeat and ZOOZbeat Lite) Founder and Chief Technology Officer Dr. Gil Weinberg.
In his thesis, Gil envisioned Beatbugs that would allow you to express yourself musically using gestures or movements with a hand held device; even if you are not musically inclined.
Ten years ago, Beatbugs would have cost $600 to manufacture.
Beatbugs
It was only when Gil saw the first SmartPhone that he realized he could bring his thesis to life as software. A year ago, Gil said: “My research focuses on developing algorithms that would allow musical instruments to analyze and interpret a player’s intentions” as quoted in the Georgia Tech Digital Lounge. Georgia Tech Venture Lab supported the commercialization of ZOOZbeat.
Added Gil: “With [ZOOZbeat], you don’t have to … know a lot of music theory to become musically creative. You can just use your own expressive, intuitive gestures to create music that you can relate.”
Three of Gil’s top graduate students at the Georgia Tech Center for Music Technology (which Gil also founded) joined the ZOOZ Mobile (ZOOZbeat) full-time. And, today, you are able to reCreate music with ZOOZbeat ($0.99 until 12/31/09: $2.99 effective 1/1/10) and ZOOZbeat Lite (free) on your iPhone or iPod Touch.
New ZOOZbeat Artists
By January 31, 2009, we anticipate that the new ZOOZbeat will have at least 33 songs or collections (albums) of songs from 15 Artists that you can either buy or redeem promo codes. Plus, we’re in discussions with many indie and major labels to add additional Artists.
Seshiria And Strato999
A shout-out to ZOOZbeat Musicians Cecilia “Seshiria” Diaz and John “strato999” Sheridan for showing us what’s possible with ZOOZbeat. Cecilia’s provided ZOOZbeat Musician with tips in the first issue of ZOOZbeat Update. John provides tip in the next edition of the ZOOZbeat Update. [John was interviewed about ZOOZbeat by CNN.com in October.]
And this …
Stay tuned for lots of exciting news in the months and years ahead as we mash up music, mobile and motion to create a new and unique interactive music experience for you using ZOOZbeat: your Music reCreation Studio.
If you have ZOOZbeat Lite, please consider upgrading to the new ZOOZbeat for an extended music reCreation experience. We have extended the introductory price of $0.99 through 12/31/09 because thousands and thousands purchased the new ZOOZbeat app when it was official re-launched on October 14th. ($2.99 effective 1/1/10).
The new ZOOZbeat extends the introductory price of $0.99 through December 31, 2009. ($2.99 effective 1/1/10)
ZOOZ Mobile CEO Scott Geller announced the extension of the introductory price for its new ZOOZbeat Music reCreation Studio iPhone app because thousands and thousands purchased the new app when it was officially re-launched on October 14, 2009. (See CNN/cnn.com ZOOZbeat Story)
ZOOZ Mobile wants to hold off the ZOOZbeat price increase until after the holidays; because this holiday season, every dollar counts! ZOOZbeat Lite continues to be free.
The new ZOOZbeat is ranked #27 in iTunes Store paid music apps. The new ZOOZbeat Lite is ranked #50 in iTunes Store free music apps (as of 11/9/09).
Upgrade your ZOOZbeat app now to either the new ZOOZbeat, or ZOOZbeat Lite: your Music reCreation Studio (TM) from ZOOZ Mobile, Inc.
Simple enough to immediately become musically expressive, if you are not a musician, and rich enough to push the envelope of mobile music creation if you are an accomplished musician or producer.
Just shake, tilt or tap your Apple iPhone or iPod Touch to create your own original multi-track songs, or reCreate, remix, modify and personalize downloadable commercial beats from your favorite Artists. There’s nothing else like it!
With ZOOZbeat and ZOOZbeat Lite, start reCreating with just a click or select among background beats in a variety of styles. Use shake and tilt movements or tap the screen to create, remix and modify rhythmic and melodic lines.
Sing or talk into your iPhone and ZOOZbeat and ZOOZbeatLite will fit your voice into the music. You can then replay, modify, and transform your input with fun effects.Synchronize your songs to the all-new ZOOZbeat.com where you can listen to, download and share your music with the world using Facebook and Twitter.
ZOOZbeat
If you previously purchased ZOOZbeat Classic, you will receive a free update to ZOOZbeat. If you don’t have ZOOZbeat Classic, you can buy ZOOZbeatat the introductory price of $0.99 now through Saturday, October 31, 2009.
The new ZOOZbeat includes all the features of ZOOZbeatPro, including:
Two Player Mode: ZOOZ with a friend using Bluetooth. Choose between two modes of multi-player interaction: 1) Freeform: you and your friend play at the same time; or 2) Hot Potato you and your friend each play one instrument at a time sending the beat back and fourth between phones.
Full Song Creation: Create long songs by stringing together up to 8 beat sequences. Play and listen to your songs in either Beat or Entire Song modes. Easily create new sequences with Copy and Paste for instrumental tracks, voice tracks, and complete beats. (Requires OS 3.0 or higher)
Single Note Editing:Turn your phone to landscape; then turn on Edit Mode, and you’ll be able to Drag, Stretch, Add, Delete and manipulate specific notes across multiple octaves to perfect your song! Uses ZOOZbeat unique piano-roll style.
Plus, ZOOZbeat is packed with exciting new features:
Also coming soon: beats that you can buy from major label artists and personalized your ZOOZbeat experience by buying new instrument packs in the ZOOZbeat Store.
Instrument Customization: SWAP out instruments to listen to your tracks in a variety of sounds. Create a personalized set of instruments for each beat. Coming soon: purchase new instrument packs in the ZOOZbeat Store.
Share: reCreate a song and share it with the world on the all-new ZOOZbeat.com. Upload your songs to the web. Listen and rate other Musicians’ songs. Maintain your own ZOOZbeat Artist page to showcase your work to the world, or send your song (.mp3 file) to a friend.
Library of Beats: ZOOZbeat includes a library of 11 beats, including: Hip-Hop, Pop, Techno, Rock, Glitch, Salsa and more!
Live Streaming: Listen to live streaming of your songs, friends’ songs as well as featured and recent songs shared by ZOOZbeat Musicians from around the world directly on your iPhone or iPod Touch.
New Design: new and improved design to enhance your Music reCreation Studio experience.
ZOOZbeat Lite
If you previously purchased ZOOZbeat Hip-Hop, you will receive a free update to ZOOZbeat Lite (which includes ZOOZbeat Classic, Hip-Hop, Rock and Latin, Pop, Glitch, Techno and more. Plus, new features.ZOOZbeat Lite is free.
Unlock your musical expression and creative potential with ZOOZbeat Lite:
SHARE: reCreate a song and share it with the world on the all new ZOOZbeat.com.Listen to and Rate other Musicians’ songs.Maintain your own Artist page to showcase your work to the world.
Synchronize: Synchronize your songs to ZOOZbeat.com, where you can listen to, download and share your music using Facebook and Twitter.
Live Streaming: Listen to live streaming of your songs, friends’ songs as well as featured and recent songs reCreated from around the world directly on your phone.
Library of Beasts:ZOOZbeat Lite: includes a library of 11 beats including: Hip-Hop, Pop, Techno, Rock, Glitch, Salsa and more.
With ZOOZbeat and ZOOZbeat Lite, you can:
Unlock your musical express and creative potential
Enter contests (coming soon) and share your music with the world on ZOOZbeat.com
Explore the music of other ZOOZbeat Musicians on your iPhone or iPod Touch and on the web
ZOOZbeat / ZOOZbeat Lite Tech Requirements
For iPhone 3G, 3GS and iPod Touch (iPod Touch requires headset with microphone and many features require OS 3.0 or higher).
New Version of ZOOZbeat Launches for 99 Cents with Ability to Download and reCreate Tracks from Major Artists Like TOO $HORT
ZOOZ also launches a new free version of its flagship Music reCreation Studio App, ZOOZbeat Lite
Atlanta, GA – October 14, 2009 – ZOOZ Mobile, Inc. today announced the new version of their top selling Music reCreation Studio™, ZOOZbeat that has reached one million downloads to date. Available at the introductory price of $0.99 through October 31, ZOOZbeat offers all iPhone and iPod Touch users a feature-rich mobile application for creative music creation on the go. A new version, ZOOZbeat Lite, is also available at no cost from the Apple App Store.
Within the $0.99 version of ZOOZbeat, users can access the ZOOZbeat store to instantaneously download free beats and purchase fresh hip-hop, reggae, funk and electronica beats from Indie and major label artists such as Too $hort, Easy Star All-Stars, Midnight Youth, Richard Devine, Kutiman, and up-and-coming artists like Cato and Street Lotto.
Based on music intelligence research at the Georgia Tech Center for Music Technology, ZOOZbeat is the only App that helps users create their own music by analyzing their gestures and fitting their expressive input to the music. ZOOZbeat works by shaking, tilting or tapping the screen to create original multi track songs as well as to remix, modify, and personalize downloadable commercial beats. The creations can be uploaded to the web for listening and streaming (or optionally sharing in mp3 format) with friends and other ZOOZbeat artists from around the world. The all new ZOOZbeat app has all the features of ZOOZbeat Pro (formerly $4.99), like Two Player Mode, Full Song Creation, Single Note Editing, and also showcases a new user interface, Instrument Customization, and the brand new ZOOZbeat Store.
Hip-Hop Artist TOO $HORT
“We’ve been motivated by the amazing feedback from both our customers and the media, and we are extremely proud to introduce the new and improved version of ZOOZbeat,” said Scott Geller, CEO of ZOOZ Mobile. “Particularly, we’re pleased to introduce the ZOOZbeat Store, which provides an extended musical experience for our fans and a valuable revenue stream for the artist.”
“Inspiration doesn’t just come when you are in the studio: it can strike at any time. ZOOZbeat enables my fans to get creative on-the-go, with my music or their own, and preserve that inspiration that might otherwise go unrecorded, all through the iPhone,” said multi-platinum recording artist Too $hort.
ZOOZbeat is the ultimate mobile Music reCreation Studio allowing users to enter contests and share music with the world on Twitter, Facebook and at www.ZOOZbeat.com. For more information, please visit www.ZOOZbeat.com
About ZOOZ Mobile: Founded in 2008, ZOOZ Mobile’s mission is to enable everyone, anywhere, to express themselves musically. ZOOZ Mobile is the developer of ZOOZbeat, a Music reCreation Studio that is simple enough for non-musicians and children to immediately become musically expressive, yet rich enough for experienced musicians to push the envelope of mobile music creation. Since ZOOZbeat was first made available on the iTunes AppStore in November 2008, there have been over one million downloads of ZOOZbeat products. www.ZOOZbeat.com is the company’s platform for sharing music created on mobile devices with the world. For more information, visit www.ZOOZbeat.com, follow us on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/ZOOZbeat or go to www.facebook.com/ZOOZbeat to friend us on Facebook.
New ZOOZbeat and ZOOZbeat Lite Apps Now Available in iTunes Store
Less cash, more rock, says our friends at The Portable Gamer in TPG QuickHits for Tuesday (9/29/09). ZOOZbeat announces price changes in anticipation of the all new ZOOZbeat (coming soon/stay tuned):
Shortly after the price changes, we noticed these rankings in the iTunes Free Music Apps: ZOOZbeat Hip Hop at #27; ZOOZbeat Rock at #64; and ZOOZbeat Latin at #95. Thanks to you — and you, and you — ZOOZbeat has THREE apps in iTunes Top 100 Free Music Apps. Considering that the iTunes story has more than 85,000 apps, this ROCKS!
It’s time to share ZOOZbeat, your Music reCreation Studio (TM), with music and technology executives.
At the Digital Music West Forum, ZOOZ Mobile Chief Executive Office Scott Geller will be on the MOBILE APPS: The Next Frontier for the Music Industry? panel. More than 300 of the most influential decision makers in the music industry gather in Los Angeles for two days of deal-making at this Forum that kicks off on Wednesday, October 7, 2009 in Los Angeles.
Music leaders attending this annual event include: major label execs from Universal, Warner, EMI and SonyBMG. Also attending are top digital executives from MySpace, AOL, Rhapsody, MTV, Topspin, Yahoo!, iLike and more.
In October, Scott will also present ZOOZbeat at the Venture Atlanta conference: Georgia’s premier technology innovation event that brings together top-tier investors (venture capitalists, bankers, angel investors) with new, innovative and entrepreneurial technology companies. The conference is October 13-14th. If you’re attending, you may hear Scott say, “Show me the money!”
Please follow us on Twitter @ZOOZbeat for updates our ZOOZbeat at Digital Music West Forum and Venture Atlanta. (ZOOZ Mobile saves you a $100 off the Digital Music Form West registration Fee with this Promo Code: DMFWALUMNI.)
