The W-shaped beamz device, which allows anyone to create music by triggering pre-loaded samples by breaking the path of one of six laser beams, just got a whole lot cheaper. When we reviewed it, the beamz system cost $600 through Sharper Image.
With Sharper Image out of business, beamz has lowered the unit’s price to $400 — still a hefty sum for most casual music fans, but a more manageable price for music-inclined adventurers who want to amuse themselves and guests with music-making lasers (video).
The company also made good on its promise to incorporate popular music into the system, in addition to the original compositions that come pre-loaded with the device. Beamz sells fifteen such songs at this point, including U2’s "Vertigo," Billy Idol’s "White Wedding" and the Police’s "Every Breath You Take."
The concept is sort of like Guitar Hero, but more creative, in that the point isnot to replicate the original song note for note, but to reinterpret it through yourown timing and arrangement decisions (no musical experience required, although it helps).
Each of these bonus songs costs$3 to download to a computer, where the beamz device can access it viaits USB connection — the only cable that is involved with the system.
I enjoyed messing around with beamz while testing it out earlier this year. Atthis new, significantly lower price — and with hit songs now included — itcould make a decent high-end gift this holiday season (just keep the receipt, as people are likely to respond with varying levels of enthusiasm to such a unique gift).
Now that Sharper Image is out of the picture, Beamz is available on TheBeamz.com and in the Sharper Image-ish chains Brookstone and Hammacher Schlemmer.
