Filed under: iPod Family, Odds and ends
iRosary
Could this be the oddest iPod accessory ever? Shiny Shiny has discovered the iRosary concept design. It uses standard iPod earbuds and a single bead. The idea is this: Reciting the rosary is boring to young folk. The iPod is not boring to young folk. Combining the two can help bring piety back into vogue. The single bead moving along the cable creates a measurable pulse that can be translated to the sound of traditional beads on a string. "Due to technical possibilities, the new rosary can help a person to learn the prayer; the right mysteries are inserted automatically and there are various modes for choosing the degree of difficulty." Users can choose from "Infidel", "Believer" and "Shepherd" settings--playing back the matching MP3s as the bead is moved.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Alex Cormier said 9:06PM on 5-11-2007
I'm sorry but this is just idiotic. It's an embarrassment to the sacred prayer of the Rosary of our Blessed Mother.
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Terry Fenwick said 10:42PM on 5-11-2007
Well, I will be 75 this year and I love Macs and iPods (the Holy Father has one) and I am waiting for the iPhone - so this might be terrific. Think of nursing homes? I love to do the Rosary on EWTN (the Catholic Station) with Fr. Mitch Pacwa in Israel where each mystery is done at the place where Jesus would have been at the time and I also recently bought, but it is free online, Fr. Groeschel with the Rosary and wonderful music. Say, Catholics can have fun too and this looks great. Someone said they were kidding but I think they should do it. I will be the first to sign up for the iRosary. Terry
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MurphyMac said 10:54PM on 5-11-2007
Why is it an embarrassment? Where YOU draw the line with regard to technology and religion doesn't have to coincide with where others draw the line.
I'm sending the link to my uncle who's a priest in Ireland. Should he not listen to podcasts about religion on his iPod? Should the Vatican not let people take audio tours? Or maybe they should have audio tours - as long as the device is not stylish looking?
Take a step back and look at the big picture. If you're that religious shouldn't you just be happy that someone is praying?
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Alex Cormier said 10:59PM on 5-11-2007
Meh... I'm not saying that someone praying is bad, it's the fact that they make stupid stuff like "Infidel" and "Shepherd" difficulties. They treat it like it's a game!
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Infidel said 11:21PM on 5-11-2007
You don't have to look too far into the major religions to find "stupid stuff" in their own doctrine. Stuff far more stupid than this.
Religion on TUAW - or any comment thread - probably not a good idea. I'm out.
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Mat Lu said 2:21AM on 5-12-2007
As a serious Catholic I think this is ridiculous.
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The AntiChrist said 3:19AM on 5-12-2007
I wonder if they sell one with the cross upside down?
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Jonathan said 3:40AM on 5-12-2007
I saw this a few months ago, and I believe this is just a concept, made by a student (I believe in Germany).
Their assignement was to blend tech and religion.
To my knowledge this product is non-existing.
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nicolas said 3:56AM on 5-12-2007
here, thats the source: http://www.ifun.de/content/view/2451/2/
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Dachaz said 4:38AM on 5-12-2007
@The AntiChrist: I suppose that should be expected for the black iPod ;)
And it should definitively play Darkthrone and Dark Funeral by default :D
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Dan said 10:25AM on 5-12-2007
I think that this is an absolute embarrassment to the iPod. More than that toilet paper dispenser.
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Mike said 3:18PM on 5-12-2007
Pablo
Amen to that.
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blehh said 7:22PM on 5-12-2007
hail Mary!
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Matt Carrell said 10:38AM on 5-15-2007
Oh why oh why does everyone have to get so uppity whenever religion is involved with technology? I'm sure there are plenty of iPod owning Catholics who would buy such a thing just for the value of having a cross shaped headphone necklace.. You don't have to play with it for the game value. Well, it really is a moot point isn't it since it isn't a real product.
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fono said 5:33PM on 5-17-2007
Funny, in Germany we had the story about the iRosary back in January:
http://www.catholicism-wow.de/archives/archive_2007-m01.php#e237
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Pablo said 9:38PM on 5-20-2007
As a serious person, I think religion is ridiculous.
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