Microsoft Research: Songsmith
Published by OneSwitch.org.uk Thursday, November 19, 2009 7:55 AM.
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Microsoft have a free to download 6 hour trial of their research project "Songsmith". Choose a style of music, set the tempo, hit record, then sing a song into your computer's microphone. When finished, hit the SPACE BAR (or switch set to that) and Songsmith will build a song around your performance in the style you chose.This is said to work with musical instruments too. I'm immediately thinking of accessible musical instruments such as The Skoog, The Magic Flute and these one-switch instruments. Play a solo then have the computer build the backing around your performance. Exciting stuff that should only get better in the future.
Link via LittleMaths Twitter feed.
A switch using student has created a lovely bit of autumnal coloured art using a switch adapted car. Read more over at the Exceptional Students in the Classroom Blog. Reminds me of some battery powered ink-guns I had adapted years ago that also created some great looking art. Messy fun for sure.Labels: Art, switch toys
XCM were the first to crack Microsoft's anti-choice circuitry enabling gamers to connect just about any Playstation compatible controller, PC mouse and/or keyboard to an Xbox 360 and PS3 with their XFPS adapters.The latest XFPS 4.0 takes with one hand (PS2 controller compatibility removed - boo), gives with the other (PC reconfiguration tool for remapping controls) and promises something very exciting for the future in "Magic Link". Cribbed straight from their site:
"When using with our new coming product (Magic link), the remote player can help you to pass the game level via the internet from his PC." I wonder...
Tip via ErigBurger with thanks!
Labels: Accessible Gaming Shop, adapters, PS3, Xbox360
Labels: music
Korg Kaossilator - Adapted for Improved Access
Published by OneSwitch.org.uk Friday, November 13, 2009 7:24 AM.
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The very fine performances above were made possible thanks to MyBreathMyMusic.com's natty adapted Korg Kaossilator. It features accessibility switch inputs alongside an adaptation for the rotary wheel control. Great to see.
Labels: music
One Switch Power Point Utility: "4Pete's Sake"
Published by OneSwitch.org.uk Wednesday, November 11, 2009 11:17 AM.
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William Pilgrim's 4Pete's Sake utility is designed to assist one-switch users to step through Power Point slideshows with more control. Hosted within the OneSwitch 4Noah Laboratory, it has two modes: Padlocked and Back and Forth.The Padlocked mode is aimed to assist users who are 'press-happy' or find it hard activate a single press. The Back and Forth mode aims to give one-switch users the power to step forwards and backwards through a slideshow at will.
There are a huge range of uses for Power Point, such as controlling a photo-album, performing a story to a group, triggering music and sound effects for a show and so on. I highly recommend taking a quick peek at Pete Wells excellent sensory stories for a starting point, then moving onto the TLWMSN Blog for more. D.I.Y. is probably the best bet for a lot of users though with support. Have fun!
Labels: 4Noah Lab, one-switch stories
One Switch Bowling One Day
Published by OneSwitch.org.uk Monday, November 09, 2009 8:33 PM.
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I've tracked down a few point-and-click bowling games that should also suit some one-switch gamers with help.First and me somewhat missing the boat is Halloween Bowling where you bowl a Pumpkin to knock down ghosts. Very similar but without the spooky theme is Wiicade Bowling. Finally, and perhaps the best bet for those with slower reactions is the 70's Disco themed Disco Bowling.
None are perfect accessibility wise, and none are a huge step up from 10th Frame Bowling that I remember setting up for semi one-switch play nearly 15 years ago. One day there'll be a Wii Bowling quality game with an option for gutter bumpers and for one-switch play. One day.
Labels: accessible sport, bowling
SY!NSO! (Xbox 360) - With One Switch Mode
Published by OneSwitch.org.uk Sunday, November 08, 2009 8:15 PM.
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About time! The Xbox 360 gets it's first game with a one-switch mode. Forza 3 promised it, Bayonetta may deliver it, but indie title SY!NSO! has it right here, right now in the Xbox Live Indie Arcade.SY!NSO! is a frenetic arena shoot-em-up where the aim of the game is to score as close to 9 as you can. I've managed 1 and a half so far in one-switch mode, and it was huge fun. The game has some great accessibility features, previously seen in the PC version, including: a practice mode where you are invincible, zoom options and auto-fire modes. Marvellous. You can read more over at the Daily Rodent.
The lovely thing about Xbox Live is that you can try before you buy. From this I spotted another one button playable game in Fishing Girl. This is a pleasant enough fishing game where you can cast off and reel in using a single switch. Best played with a friend nearby to assist with the occassional extra buttons needed. See XNPlay for easy to digest reviews of the huge number of indie games.
Whilst I'm on the Xbox 360, thought I'd quickly share that the Playstation to Xbox 360 joypad converter from Korea, the Xconverter 360, works very well. It still needs a wired Xbox 360 joypad attached, which in this case, becomes inactive. The main downside with this is that you won't be able to use two controllers at once for the same player as is the case with the Max Shooter for joint play.
Labels: adapters, one-switch games, Xbox360
