Mobile apps for dancing. Cool!

Of all human activities, it would seem that dancing is the one that requires the least access to technology. After all, all it takes is a little music and moving to the beat, right? Yet our increasingly sedentary lifestyles—or simply a lack of confidence—are keeping us away from dance classes and dance floors.

In this regard, technology has helped make dancing more accessible to everyone. Video games, for example, have brought back the joy of dancing by combining it with the goal of achieving high scores to encourage replayability. While it all began with the Dance Dance Revolution mats—which consisted of four arrows you had to step on with your feet to match those appearing on the screen—motion-sensing technology has led to slightly more elaborate games that mimic real dance routines. Ubisoft’s “Just Dance” series for consoles has been a huge hit for several years.

Mobile

However, until very recently, you had to buy a home console to play these games. Now, smartphone owners can enjoy their own mobile version with Just Dance Now.

All you have to do is download the free app for Apple or Android devices. Then, on the website, players follow the instructions to connect their devices. They choose a song and can dance along by following the choreography displayed on their computer or TV screen. The phone acts as a controller that tracks movements and provides a final score. Of course, this version doesn’t include as many songs or game modes as the console versions, but it allows an unlimited number of players to join in—they just need to enter the same dance room with their phones.

Apps That Make You Want to Dance

Of course, Just Dance is fundamentally a video game. So you don’t need to have perfect form. All you need is a sense of rhythm and to follow the requested moves to some extent. But for serious amateur dancers who want to learn how to dance as a couple, there’s a very interesting Dutch creation.

This paid app, available on both types of smartphones, is designed to be a unique way to learn to dance as a couple. Inspired by ballet corps de ballet, Bouden asks users to move together to the rhythm of symphonic music while holding the device between them. The goal is to keep a ball in the center of the screen throughout a musical piece. This forces users to contort themselves and perform graceful movements together. It’s an exercise that can lead to hilarious positions while teaching the grace of classical dance.

Furthermore, smartphones can be tools for promoting dance, especially among young people who are constantly on their devices. 

References:

Bounden. Accessed April 22, 2015. http://playbounden.com/.

Dezordo, Marc. “An App for Learning to Dance as a Couple.” HelloBiz. Last updated: December 2, 2014. http://hellobiz.fr/une-application-pour-apprendre-a-danser-a-deux/.

Just Dance Now!. Accessed April 22, 2015. http://www.justdancenow.com/?lang=fr.

Lavertu, Luce. “The ‘Just Dance Now’ App to ‘Get Your Groove On.’” Expertisoft. Last updated: January 6, 2015. http://www.expertisoft.com/application-just-dance-now-pour-se-bouger-le-beigne/.