[cartoon copyright: Dilbert.com/UnitedMedia.com/Scripps.com.  Dilbert was created by Scott Adams] 

As I was browsing through various techie blogs including Mashable, I noticed that Singshot, a website in which streaming Flash videos are embedded with the lyrics to songs of various genres has become free to use.  Pete Cashmore of Mashable stated that “Previously, SingShot offered a two-week free trial, followed by a charge of $59.40 for an annual subscription, $23.85 for a quarterly subscription or a monthly fee of $9.95.”  Cashmore wrote that his previous review of Singshot could have been the reason why all of the services are now free.  If this is true, props to you, Cashmore.

Here is a rundown of Singshot:

Singshot is acclaimed as being a “premier online singing community that lets you choose from thousands of songs, record your own versions, and share them with the world for free! [source].”  Singshot is based in San Francisco, CA.  The founders of Singshot were assets to the formation of RealNetworks’ Rhapsody streaming music. 

The two main services offered by Singshot include the ability to record yourself singing popular songs and upload a video of your voice singing along with the lyrics.  Another service is that users are able to listen to the recordings of songs created by Singshot users and sing along (optional).

If you look to your left, you will notice that there are many genres of music that you can choose from.  The top users of Singshot are featured on the homepage.  The current top user of Singshot is 28 year old, babydollgoddess who has recorded 108 songs!  If you want to beat the babydollgoddess, you better get on Singshot and start recording away. 

If you’re not convinced that this website is a hit, then you obviously do not read Time Magazine that ranked this website as one of the Top 50 Coolest Websites of 2006.  “SingShot provides a superior way for singers of any age and any level of talent to easily express themselves and share their creations with the world,” stated Ranah Edelin, the CEO of SingShot. “We’re excited to let music fans begin playing around with SingShot, and hope it’s music to their ears [source].”

All I have to say that it is about time that Karaoke services have finally gone online.  Some of those Karaoke machines that you see at parties look far too expensive than what I would want to pay.  VocoPro Duet Karaoke Machine found on Froogle: $269, Humiliating yourself using Singshot for free: Priceless.