Band Releases Album as Location-Based App

Washington, D.C.-based band Bluebrain’s new album drops Friday, but not in the way one might think. It will be available on iTunes, but not in MP3 form — rather as a location-aware app that only works within the stretch of park in downtown D.C. called the Mall.

“The music changes and evolves based on your chosen path within the park,” says Ryan Holladay, one half of the band. (His brother, Hays, makes up the other half of the outfit.) “To do this, the app uses the phone’s built-in GPS capabilities.” The app features a map of the Mall that shows what locations are tagged with sound.


The album, titled The National Mall, contains about three hours of music that the brothers composed while traipsing around the area. “It was certainly the most amount of exercise I’ve ever gotten while making an album,” Holladay says.

The disc will not be available for standard download as a musical piece, since it will only work when one is standing in the Mall.

“Unlike a number of other music apps out there, this one isn’t a companion to a normal album or an app that gives you tour dates or things like that,” Holladay says. “It actually is the work itself. The music has been composed to work specifically in this landscape. So, for instance, at the Lincoln Memorial, as you ascend the steps up to the giant statue, the sound of bells increases to the point where, when you are standing at Lincoln’s feet, they are surrounding you.”

The music constantly changes as you wander around the park, Holladay tells us. Ascending the hill toward the Washington Monument, you’ll hear only a cello, then, gradually, violins, a choir, clapping, fireworks and drumbeats will come into the mix as you get closer to the obelisk.

At this point, you might be scratching your head (or pounding your fists, depending on your temperament) and inquiring: “Isn’t this some kind of stunt? How is this music?”

“We knew when we started working on the project that, in order for it be considered something more than just a novelty, we had to compose the best music we’ve ever made,” Holladay explains. “But more than that, it’s been exciting to compose music in a way that’s never been done before. We had to constantly think about everything we were writing, examining it from multiple angles asking ourselves ‘Does it work if a person is coming from this way? What about this way?’”

Granted, Bluebrain’s approach is original, but the idea of creating music in unconventional ways — made to be consumed in a specific manner — is hardly a new concept. Remember the Flaming Lips’s song “Two Blogs F**king,” which could only be listened to via 12 YouTube videos? And, before that, there was their albumZaireeka, which came in the form of four CDs to be played simultaneously. Music doesn’t always have to be a leanback, staid experience — sometimes it can be theatrical and kinetic and strange.

Sadly, many of us do not live in Washington, DC, so we won’t be able to check out the album as it should be heard (the app should be up on iTunes later tonight for anyone in the nation’s capital), but Holladay says that the band plans to compose similar apps in a variety of other locations as well.

“We’re actually starting work on Flushing Meadows in Queens, New York,” he says. “It’s the site of the 1964 Worlds Fair and has all these amazing, archaic looking structures that have been really a blast to compose to.”

Revolutionary Sygic Aura GPS navigation

Sygic Aura GPS navigation





Sygic Aura is the professional turn-by-turn offline car navigation app, that changes everything.

Maps and locations pre-loaded, eliminate data transfer



AURA comes with all data pre-loaded, so it will never let you down. Data storage is faster, more stable and cheaper than data transfer from an Internet connection. Wherever you are, use AURA to find your destination without any roaming costs. Places, addresses, maps, wiki information, city guides, navigation and voice guidance – all are pre-installed.

Enhanced maps make the difference



AURA transforms maps into a real 3D product with building and landmark details. City and elevation maps make your position easier to find.

Social networking




Connect with your friends *(only register buyer user have this connection)
Pinpoint where friends are on a map, their online activity and when they last connected. These details are visible from your contact list – go ahead and share your position and status with them if you like!

Book hotels, restaurants or movies



Looking to get a bite to eat in your area and then see a movie? Nothing makes it easier than AURA. See locations near you and call to book your seats – then hook up to enjoy your evening!

Search for any destination



Addresses, postcodes / zip codes, contacts, shopping, accommodation, restaurants, pubs, ATMs, social life activities, entertainment, transportation, post offices, and tourist attractions – all come pre-installed in AURA and are available without any data transfer. Locations are sorted by distance, category or name.

Find your way by car or on foot



Get door-to-door routing based on fastest or shortest path, and find your way to a destination. Never get lost again with all maps pre-installed, and eliminate fear of roaming costs or hefty fees on your data plan.

It comes with Intuitive design, easy to read as you drive, crystal-clear spoken voice instructions and route guidance. Advanced lane guidance with up-to-date signpost information.

User interface automatically fits in-car requirements by fonts and symbols increased

* Door-to-door navigation with voice-guided real-time driving instructions in more than 20 languages (”After one hundred meters, turn left, then immediately turn right”)
* Speed limits on roads and thousands of safety cameras pre-installed
* Real-time voice-guided manoeuvres with distance to direction or full junction list
* Distance to destination with estimated time of arrival
* Lane assistant to know which lane to take on roads
* Highway symbols to know which city and driving information to follow up on symbols ahead
* Community shared traffic and speed traps information (*only Connected)
* Real time traffic information shared by users or approved by traffic content providers

Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. Requires iOS 3.0 or later.

Compatible with Android 2.x



М-Тел придоби Спектър Нет и Мегалан Нетуърк

М-Тел финализира договорите за придобиване на Спектър Нет и Мегалан Нетуърк, след като днес главният изпълнителен директор на телекома Андреас Майерхофер подписа финалните договори със собствениците на двете компании.

„Изключително съм радостен, че днес приключихме успешно преговорите и детайлите по сделките за придобиване на Спектър Нет и Мегалан Нетуърк. Измина дълъг подготвителен процес, докато това стане факт, но вярвам, че клиентите ни ще останат доволни от крайния резултат” каза Андреас Майерхофер. Стартираните проекти за планиране и изграждане на оптични мрежи от най-ново поколение са напълно в график и оттук нататък предстоят множество иновативни предложения и пакетни услуги за потребителите.

Чрез стратегическата стъпка по придобиване на Спектър Нет и Мегалан Нетуърк, Мобилтел започна една от най-големите инвестиционни програми в страната и откри възможност за бързо развитие на оптичната инфраструктура в България. Тази стъпка е от полза не само за телеком сектора, но и за развитието на конкуретноспособността на цялата икономика, съобщава мобилния оператор.