"iPhone/iPad Noiseless USB Karaoke Mic "
Based on the previous noiseless karaoke mic for Wii; here comes the
noiseless karaoke mic for iPhone/iPad. This microphone allows the shy
karaoke-singer to sing out loud without worrying about complaints from
neighbors or roomies. Simply by plugging in the mini-jack to your iPhone/iPad
and downloading the free application Segakara, you can enjoy your own private
concert. However, if you feel like you’re ready for a big concert, it is
possible to use the microphone like an ordinary microphone as well!
Karaoke is more popular in some cultures (e.g Asia) and I believe it will
be difficult for this product to make it to Europe. I also believe that karaoke
is made to be social, that is, not necessarily something you would do alone for
your own amusement. On the other hand, the silent mute for musical instruments
became very popular, and was truly appreciated of musicians’ neighbors and
spouses, so I believe a noiseless microphone for the karaoke-lover’s neighbor
would be appreciated as well. The retail price is set to $65, which I think is
a bit overpriced, considering their possible target audience and the fact that
it’s basically an ordinary microphone with a big cup around. I assume their
target audience would be children/teenagers and perhaps students, which all
have in common limited economy.
By comparing this product to other karaoke-products with big success, the
PlayStation 2 game “Singstar” is the first product that comes to my mind. What
made this game so popular? It brought people together, and their marketing
campaigns really captures the social aspect of karaoke. You wanted to be a part
of it. However, we all enjoy singing
along with a song sometimes, but I’m doubtful a $65 noiseless karaoke mic will
make the experience better. It’s easy to get carried away when your favorite
song comes on, but I believe singing into a plastic-cup takes away some of the
experience. Not because of the product itself, rather the concept. Even when
you are singing alone, it’s often because you’re happy or because you want to
express yourself. You may sing while you’re working, cleaning, showering, but
most of us rarely sing as an activity. And if we do sing as an activity, I
believe, as mentioned earlier, that singing into a plastic cup will take away
some of the experience. Although, I must point out that I don’t blame it on the
design, but I guess it would sell more if they would change target audience to
children, and change the design to fit a more childish audience, for instance
shape the cup like an animal or cartoon-figure. A lot of parents let their
children use their iPhone/iPad, and I believe a noiseless mic would make both parents
and child happy. Even with that change,
I doubt the concept of noiseless mic will be a big success, simply because I
don’t think the concept of singing with limitations attracts a big enough
audience. So, as a conclusion: Will it be adopted? I hardly think so.
By: Lise Lee Framstad
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