Category Archives: Tech
Pax East 2016- PlayStation VR Impressions
I’ve heard a lot of people give their opinion on Virtual Reality. A lot of those people haven’t even experienced VR and say it is just a gimmick. I’ve had the pleasure of trying the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and most recently the PlayStation VR.
This was not only my first experience with PlayStation VR, but it was my first experience with PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Move. I have to say I was pretty impressed with the PlayStation VR. I figured the experience would be totally different then the other headsets due to less computing power of the PS4 versus a High-End PC. There were some noticeable differences and I will get into that below.
The demo I played was Until Dawn: Rush of Blood. It is a on-rails shooter based on Until Dawn. It is very similar to House of the Dead and Time Crisis. You ride in a cart on a track and go through the demo shooting enemies, ammo boxes, security cameras and other objects. There are a couple types of enemies and a few different weapons. Overall it was a fun demo and I was glad that was the demo I got to try out with PlayStation VR.
Comfort:
The PlayStation VR was pretty comfortable. I wore it for about 15-20 minutes and it didn’t feel heavy or that noticeable after a few minutes. I was able to wear the PlayStation VR over my glasses with it still being comfortable.
Visuals:
It looked good. It had a 1080p resolution, but is split vertically to have 960 x 1080p to each eye. It works all things considering, but there is a noticeable difference compared to HTC Vive and Oculus Rift. That being said this is VR for a console so it is understandable that it is not on par with PC just like console games don’t have as good of visuals as PC games do.
Experience:
It took some time getting use to using the PlayStation Move as the controller. You have to keep your hands in front of you in order to see the two guns you have in the game. You have to move it around to aim as well as shake the controllers to reload. I also had to force myself to actually look around and shoot enemies on my left or right instead of looking straight ahead and turning the camera in a regular game. Also there would be times where you had to dodge certain items or get hit and lose health. It ran smooth for the most part. I did have a couple moments when the game froze for a couple seconds. I am not sure if that was game related or the hardware side.
Final Thoughts: I enjoyed PlayStation VR. I think this really could be a system seller considering the higher cost for the other VR Headsets. I also think PS4 owners will have a great time with the PlayStation VR if more games take the time and create great experiences like Rush of Blood was for me. I am definitely thinking about getting a PS4 a lot more since experiencing the PlayStation VR.
SteelSeries IntroducesThe Siberia 200
SteelSeries Answers Siberia Headset Demand From Gamers Worldwide, Introducing The Siberia 200 and The Ambassadors Who Inspired The New Headset Colors
The Tournament-Darling and Award-Winning Headset is Back, Now in a Variety of Vibrant, Gamer-Inspired Colors
 
CHICAGO – October 20, 2015 – SteelSeries, the leading global manufacturer of gaming peripherals, brings back the most sought-after Siberia v2 gaming headset with refreshed features, an updated name, and in a variety of colors inspired by top-professional gamers. The SteelSeries Siberia 200 gaming headset brings next-level audio, microphone quality and unsurpassed comfort in a collection of colors that celebrate eSports.
The seven unique Siberia 200 headset color combinations are inspired by the passion and personal-style of top professional streamers and eSports athletes, hand-picked by SteelSeries. SteelSeries will release original videos about each of the ambassadors and the Siberia 200 color that was motivated by their profession, personality and individuality.
“After discontinuing the Siberia v2, gamers worldwide have demanded its return – we’re excited to announce that those demands have been answered with the Siberia 200. Refreshing and bringing this headset back to market celebrates a headset with a proven track record of success and delivers exactly what gamers really want,†said Ehtisham Rabbani, SteelSeries CEO. “The community played such an integral roll in this headset refresh, which meant the color choices we were going to offer needed to be deeply connected to influential gaming personalities – that’s where our Ambassadors came in. We’re thrilled to be able to bring meaningful color combinations and their stories to gamers.â€
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Gamer-Inspired Colors
While the decision to bring back the Siberia v2, now named the Siberia 200, was based on the feedback of eSports players, streamers and gamers from around the globe, SteelSeries wanted to deliver improvements and new choices as well. The 7 unique colors options were inspired by the personalities and styles of the new SteelSeries Ambassadors: Sumail “Suma1L” Hassan Syed, Eric “Snip3down†Wrona, Kevin “Broken†Georges, Kellsie “KayPea†Pelling, and Edwin “Castro†Castro. In the coming weeks, SteelSeries will release their stories, provide a glimpse into their worlds, and share what inspires the “true colors†behind this roster of talented and dedicated gamers.
Next-Level Audio Features
The acoustically tuned audio creates realistic immersive sound that pumps out of the headset’s 50mm speaker drivers. Gamers have volume and mic mute controls on a discreet, in-line remote. The durable, retractable unidirectional microphone outputs vibrant and clear voice audio so your teammates, opponents, streams and friends can hear every word. The included 3.5mm, 4-pole adapter provides compatibility for PC, Mac and mobile use.
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Proven Comfort
The Siberia headset line is synonymous lasting comfort – unmatched by any other gaming peripherals brand. For years, gamers around the world have trusted the comfort of Siberia headsets at competitive events, neighborhood LANs, to some of the largest eSports tournaments. The self-adjusting, over-the-head suspension system keeps the weight of the headset balanced, while the leather-like ear cushions softly rest around the ear.
The Siberia 200 Gaming Headset is available now – select colors options are available for pre-order as well on SteelSeries.com for $79.99 / €79.99 MSRP – http://steelseries.com/siberia200.
Show Your Colors Contest
The Siberia headset colors are designed to meet the unique tastes of different gamers. To celebrate the introduction of the Siberia 200, SteelSeries is launching a contest that embraces this diversity. Open to everyone around the globe on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, the Show Your Colors campaign asks gamers to show-off their true colors and share what makes them awesomely original. The three-week long event will award more than 75 winners including a grand prize; more details can be found at www.SteelSeries.com/ShowYourColors.
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About SteelSeries
SteelSeries is a gaming brand that leads the market in building peripherals with quality, innovation and purpose. The company’s passion has been the driving force behind many first-to-market innovations and technologies that continue to become the industry standard and have-to-have requirements of gamers. The global brand continues to support the growth of competitive gaming tournaments and electronic sports leagues through professional team sponsorships, partnerships and community support. The company surrounds itself with the passion and the commitment to being the best. It is with this mentality that SteelSeries chooses to partner with some of world’s most respected and recognized brands that work together to push the growth and evolution of the gaming industry into an even greater proposition http://SteelSeries.com.Follow SteelSeries on social media for the latest updates at http://facebook.com/steelseries and be a part of the conversation on Twitter @SteelSeries.
Turtle Beach Elite 800X Unboxing Video
William unboxes the Turtle Beach Elite 800X wireless headset. A big Thanks to Turtle Beach for sending the Headset for review. Review will be out in the coming days so stay tuned to the site for details!
PDP announces the Afterglow AG 7 True Wireless Headset for Xbox One.
Performance Designed Products or PDP has announced the first sub-$100 True Wireless Headset for Xbox One. Officially licensed by Microsoft it will be compatible for Xbox one and most mobile devices and will include a USB transmitter for hassle-free set up.
The Afterglow AG 7 will incluede two distinct audio modes and 50mm Neodymium drivers. It will also include game and audio controls. The noise-canceling, flexible microphone allows gamers to make adjustments depending on their preference and ensures crystal clear communication with other players. Users can enjoy up to 16 hours of battery life and a wireless range of up to 100 feet for an enhanced gaming experience.
The Afterglow AG 7 wireless headset will have an estimated SRP of $99.99 and is now available for pre-order at Best Buy, GameStop, Walmart, and on Amazon.
Google introduces Project Fi
Wireless Carriers have been competing hard these past few years. They will give you a free phone, pay your Early Termination Fees, or a variety of different incentives. Â Google is Jumping into the game and their incentive is fair pricing and better connection.
Google announced Project Fi. Project Fi is their new program that gives their users a better Wireless Carrier option. They are partnering with Sprint and T-Mobile for Project Fi. Project Fi will allow you to have the best connection and will route your communication to whichever is best. If Sprint’s coverage is best in your area then your phone will use Sprint. If T-Mobile is best it will use T-Mobile. And if you have WiFi access then it will use WiFi.
I mentioned Pricing and the price is pretty amazing. Project Fi will cost $20 for unlimited talk, text, Wi-Fi tethering and internation coverage in 120+ countries. The mobile data is $10 per GB. The best part is you only pay for what you use. Every 100MB you don’t use you will get $1 back. If you pay for 2GBs and only use 1.5 then you will get $5 back.
The only drawback is the Nexus 6 is the only phone right now that works with Project Fi and is available for $649Â on the Google Store website. If you are curious you can check to see if the coverage is in your area with their Coverage Map. And if you do have coverage you can sign up for an invite for there as well.
Source:Google Blog, Nexus 6, Project Fi Coverage Map
Turtle Beach Announces PC accessories for Pre-Order
Turtle Beach is mostly known for gaming headsets. They have headsets for every type of gamer. They have recently announced they are taking pre-orders for some Keyboards, Mice, and even Mousepads.  The breakdown for the keyboards and mice will be below as well as the source link that takes you to Turtle Beach’s website where you can pre-order any of these products.
IMPACT 700 Premium Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
Features:
MPACT 500 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
Features:
IMPACT 100 Gaming Keyboard
Features:
GRIP 500 Premium Laser Gaming Mouse
Features:
GRIP 300 Optical Gaming Mouse
Features:
TURTLE BEACH ELITE 800X out May 22nd
Turtle Beach has announced the pre-order of their latest gaming headset. The Elite 800X is the Xbox version of their Elite 800 series, and it is fully wireless for game audio and chat audio. This Gaming Headset seems to be one of the most impressive Headsets for Xbox One. Check out the Overview of the Elite 800X below and check out the source link at the bottom to check out even more features, and to pre-order if interested.
OVERVIEW
Eliminate unwanted distractions with active noise cancellation in console and mobile modes.
Crystal Clear Wireless
Intelligent channel-hopping for an interference-free wireless experience.
DTS Headphone:X 7.1 Surround Sound
Creates an amazing, 3D 360-degree sound stage with unmatched spatial accuracy.
Enhanced DTS Surround Sound Modes & Presets
Custom DTS Surround Sound modes combine with enhanced Turtle Beach genre-specific presets to further immerse you in your favorite games, movies and music.
Superhuman Hearing
From footsteps to reloads, Superhuman Hearing ensures you hear it all. The exclusive Turtle Beach preset gives you the competitive advantage.
Hidden, High-Quality Microphones
Dual hidden microphones, with environmental mic presets to ensure you are always heard – regardless of your surroundings.
Magnetic Charging Stand
Low profile magnetic charging stand keeps your Elite 800X fully charged without cables.
Bluetooth Versatility
Enjoy wireless Bluetooth connectivity with your mobile devices.
Never Miss a Text or Call
Pair your mobile phone to hear text notifications or take calls while gaming.
Rechargeable Battery
Built-in rechargeable battery delivers up to 10 hours of wireless gaming.
Companion App
Download the Ear Force Audio Hub app for Android to wirelessly change presets on the fly using your mobile phone or tablet.
Swappable Rocker Plates
Easy-to-use rocker plates can be swapped with new designs from turtlebeach.com/plates.
Separate Volume Controls
Set your mix of game and chat volume levels right on the headset.
Stop SHOUTING!
Mic Monitoring let’s you hear your own voice in the headset to avoid shouting.
Dynamic Chat Boostâ„¢
Even during loud gameplay spikes, chat volume automatically rises to ensure you never miss a command.
Easy Setup
Setup is easy through the USB and optical connections to the magnetic charging stand which doubles as the wireless transmitter.
Elite Membership with Purchase
You demand the ultimate in performance, so you should get the ultimate in benefits**:
•   2-year extended warranty
•   Concierge product support service
•   Free Twitch Turbo trial membership
•   Early access to Turtle Beach news and product information
•   Exclusive offers on TurtleBeach.com store and partner websites
•   Turtle Beach Elite Membership Card
•   Turtle Beach Elite T-Shirt
•   Two free sets of speaker plates
Samsung considering Avengers themed Galaxy S6
vThe Marvel Movies have been a huge hit for the last 7 years. According to rumors coming out of Korea, Samsung might be looking to grab that Marvel fan base by creating Avengers themed versions of their Galaxy S 6 Edge Android smartphone. Images below shows off different versions of the Galaxy S 6 Edge phones for Thor, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Nick Fury, Captain America, Hulk and Iron Man. The Galaxy S 6 Edge is a version of the Samsung phone that has a curved screen. It is also likely there will be Galaxy S 6 versions as well as the Edge if this does happen. There is also looks like clear covers for the Iron Man and Captain America phones in a couple images. What do you think of these phones? Would you be interested in buying one?
Black Widow
Hawkeye
Nick Fury
Captain America
Hulk
Thor
Iron Man
Clear Covers on Captain America and Iron Man phone
Captain America Clear Cover
Iron Man Clear Cover
Source:Â seeko.co.kr
Astro Interview at Pax South 2015
Larry aka Bluemanrule from Open Forum Radio and Prove Your Point talks with Bella Coladonato the Marketing Manager for Lifestyle Products. I (William McDonald) was the Camera man and editor of the video.
Kickstarter: Auris
The past few years the market has flooded with iPhone/iPod docks. You have alarm clock docs, stereo docks, docks in your car, and others I’m sure. The problem with Android and docks have been the different designs have made it tough to be able to create one that would fit a majority of Android phone. And with the recent iPhone 5 charger size change all these docks have become almost useless for buyers of the iPhone 5. Well the folks at Touchkraft have the Android and iPhone 5 covered with Auris.
Auris is a simple bluetooth device that docks in on any iPhone/iPod dock that is pre-iPhone 5. This allows the iPhone 5 and Android phones to simply connect to it using A2DP technology and play music over bluetooth. Â A2DP is a technology that is only found in certain bluetooth devices so not all bluetooths have this technology. Touchkraft has passed their goal of $40,000 and are about to hit $60,000. Â They have 19 days left of their Kickstarter. As of right now you can get 1 Auris pre-ordered for $30. They plan to retail at $40 so that is a 25% savings and you will help support a fantastic idea and soon to be product. Check out their Kickstarter at the source below as well as their video.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/428223606/auris-bluetooth-for-your-dock?ref=live
Source: Kickstarter
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