"American Idol" plans Children's Summer Camp - Idol Camp

LOS ANGELES - The blockbuster television show "American Idol" announced on Thursday its first children's summer camp for the performing arts.

The creators and producers of the TV reality search for the next pop star -- averaging some 30 million viewers per broadcast in its sixth season -- said the residential camp was aimed at 12- to 15-year-olds with a passion for the arts.

"Idol Camp" will take a total of 700 youngsters over four 10-day sessions at a private school in Massachusetts.

Celebrity artists, including former Idols, are expected to drop into classes on audition techniques, dancing, and music video production as well as traditional camp activities like swimming and sports.

"As in "American Idol," the goal for our kids is to soar beyond their expectations; however, because "Idol Camp" is not a competition; every kid goes home a winner," said Keith Hindle, executive vice president of the show's licensor FremantleMedia.

The cost of a stay is $2,900 but a limited number of scholarships will be available to reach a cross-section of eager performers.

Enrollment will not be based on auditions and the children will not be judged by the TV panel of Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson. Organizers said applicants would have to demonstrate "enthusiasm, dedication, a desire to perform and a passion for the arts."

"This has been in the works for some time. The brand has just exploded," said a spokeswoman, adding the camp might expand to other venues and other nations if the first year is a success.

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[tags : unusual wierd bizzare]

Skype to launch Web TV service

A broadband television service developed by the founders of Internet calling programme Skype is expected to be launched next year, the Financial Times reported on Monday.

Some 6,000 individuals were already testing the service, which was named The Venice Project, the newspaper said.

Janus Friis and Niklas Zennstrom invested part of the money they made from selling Skype to eBay last year in developing the new product, it said.

Friis told the FT that peer-to-peer technology used by the service, would make it possible to serve "tens of millions of users" while overcoming content owners' security fears.

"The overall picture is that this is happening. Video is moving online, and people have to find strategies for that," he said in an interview.

The service was able to display high-quality, full-screen video on a computer screen, according to the Financial Times.

Friis outlined his plans for the service to a Danish newspaper in October, predicting at the time that it would be out in the next one or two months. He said it would bring quality TV programmes for free to consumers who have a broadband Internet connection.

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IPOD Pillows - Actually plays music

These new pillows are fashioned similar to a portable music player. They are soft and durable, but wait! They are not just an ordinary pillow.

The MP3 pillows can actually play your favorite music. The pillows have hidden pockets to plug in your portable music player and you can also listen to built-in FM radio. My favorite feature of this pillow is that its button is actually working; you can change the volume, switch to the radio, scan stations and if you want to rest just shut it down.

ThinkGeek describes "The MP3 pillow is fuzzy on the front and shiny silver on the back. 9" x 15" x 6". 100% space-age polyester so it resists stains. AA batteries required, but not included. Since there are electronics inside, you shouldn¡¯t wash it - spot cleaning only."

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[tags : unusual wierd bizzare]