Strange spherical musical instrument developed for some reason

The AlphaSphere looks sort of like a soccer ball. That is to say a soccer ball that emits a glow from its center and is covered with pressure sensitive, circular pads that, when touched, play a tone. As you press harder on a pad, the tone changes. Developers in in Bristol, England, say the AlphaSphere was designed with electronic musicians in mind – mostly the kind that want to get out from behind the laptop and squeeze a glowing soccer ball. Sure, that’s how it starts. But soon every band will have the standard lineup of vocals, guitar, bass, drums, AlphaSphere. Okay not every band. But totally Coldplay.