Take Rock Band on the road: new iPhone app rocks

(NECN: Ted McEnroe) – You can finally take your Rock Band on the road. The iPhone version of the video game hit Rock Band has made its debut in the iPhone app store. The game, which was developed for gaming systems by Cambridge based Harmonix, can be bought for $9.99, including 20 songs to play and is designed so that people can play together via Bluetooth, or online. The basic concept is the same as the game, but uses the same in-game tapping interface for each instrument (guitar, bass, vocals and drums). Thankfully, while you can play with the vocal track, you don’t get to sing, which should make your neighbors on the T a little thankful. New tracks can be purchased from an in-game app store. I’m one of the five tech people on the planet without any kind of gaming console, but yes, I’m spending the $10 to try this out. And while we’re talking mobile, the mobile app Foursquare is getting some buzz – and now an article in the New York Times. The app lets you can score points for visiting new restaurants and other attractions, and see where your friends are or have been. In that way, it can actually serve as a city guide for people who want to find recommendations from friends, rather than random people. When you go to a place, you can check in, letting people you have noted as friends know where you are – they can stop by and find you there, or if you write a quick tip for people, they can follow your advice and try new things. The app is strangely addictive from a competitive standpoint – you unlock badges as you visit more places, and if you’re a regular at a particular hangout and check in a lot, you can be named mayor – although I don’t think that gives you legal powers, it might entitle you to specials from Foursquare-aware businesses, according to Foursquare. So what? Well, what gives the app potential compared with Yelp and other user-driven search engines is that it’s your friends who are giving you tips and ideas – rather than other random people. That and the competitive aspects of it could make Foursquare something that sticks. It’s built out in more than 30 cities now, including Boston – although you can add new venues from anywhere. Get out and have some fun