$300 Holiday Gift Idea: Singing Machine Home Karaoke Has Wireless, Bluetooth, And On Demand Capabilities
ByThe Singing Machine Home Karaoke system doesn't look that fun based on appearance, but its numerous capabilities ensure a good time for those tech savvy enough to use it, USA Today reported. The device is really just a portable speaker and a wireless remote that doubles as a microphone. Not a single button - not even a power button - exists on either of its two parts.
By day, as per the website (though surely this feature could come in handy at night), the device is merely a convenient way to amplify the music on one's cell phone or laptop -- an answer perhaps to the iHome, which seems to require constant tinkering between iPad and its connection point. Users of the Singing Machine need only to plug in the speaker, establish a Wi-Fi connection, and choose a song -- either saved or streamed (such as from YouTube).
At night, the unit is a bonafide home karaoke system. Once an HDMI cord is plugged into both the speaker and a TV (before the TV is powered on), budding singers gain access to over 8,000 songs (depending on what subscription they opt for) provided by the Singing Machine company. On the wireless mic, users scroll (by way of a rotating knob similar to the "mouse" on old laptops) through song choices, playlist options, and other features. Once a song or playlist is established, the mic is flipped and the party begins.
"With the Singing Machine Home, we've created a sleek Bluetooth speaker and karaoke machine in one that earns its place as a centerpiece in your home," said Singing Machine CEO Gary Atkinson in a press release. "This is the first karaoke machine to have a truly streamlined, grown-up style and versatile technology so that it is used every day. The Home is about experiencing music, delivering great sound and creating fun memories with friends and family."
The Singing Machine Karaoke costs $300, though customers must pay an additional fee for music. Once the physical device is purchased, buyers register an account through the Singing Machine website and begin selecting the songs they'd like to sing later that night. If users forget to set up a playlist before, they can also access songs and videos on demand. The device came out in late October.