Months after publicizing plans to begin accepting the cryptocurrency bitcoin in exchange for movie tickets and concessions, the movie theater chain AMC announced on Wednesday that it would also will also soon begin accepting ether, bitcoin cash, litecoin, expired Bed Bath & Beyond coupons, and promises whispered…
This week’s nuptials for Polis and the first gentleman marked the first same-sex wedding of a sitting U.S. governor.
It’s an “apt and effective visual metaphor” of what the Fox News personality has become, said The New Republic’s editor.
Authorities discovered the key on state Rep. Jewell Jones (D-Inkster) when he was placed in jail Tuesday.
The latest build for Windows 11 was released this week with features that’ll likely appear AFTER the first public version of Windows 11. This version of the operating system can be found in the Windows Insider Program’s Dev channel. Microsoft made clear with this release that we’re now at the point at which they’re sending developers versions of Windows 11 … Continue reading
It’s been a long wait for the second chapter of Deltarune, the in-development game from Undertale creator Toby Fox. Deltarune: Chapter 1 was originally released on October 31st, 2018, and while there was some suggestion that Chapter 2 would launch last year, it very clearly missed that goal. Now we finally know when Deltarune: Chapter 2 will be released, and … Continue reading
Ford has begun preproduction of the 2022 F-150 Lightning, its first all-electric pickup, with reservations now passing 150,000 trucks. The automaker has announced today that it’ll boost production at three of its facilities in Michigan – investing another $250 million and adding 450 more jobs – in order to meet demand. The expansion will cover the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center, … Continue reading
You’ll now have a better choice of microphones if you’re eager to start livestreaming or record your first podcast. AKG has quietly released the Ara, a $99 USB condenser mic clearly aimed at streamers and others just upgrading from their earbuds and headsets. You only have two capture patterns (front-only and omnidirectional) versus the $155 Lyra’s four, and you’re limited to a 96kHz sample rate instead of the pricier model’s 192kHz. However, those might not be major issues if you’re compressing audio for streams and downloads.
You’ll still get some common perks like mounting options and a headphone output for monitoring. The mic works with any computer or mobile device that supports USB audio.
The Ara is available now. Whether or not it’s a better buy over its most obvious rival, Blue’s Yeti Nano, is a tougher call. You won’t have the Yeti Nano’s software effects or flashier design (an important consideration as a streamer), but you’ll also get a higher sampling rate than Blue’s 48kHz offering. It may just be a matter of priorities.
A simpler way to create has arrived! ✨🎙️✨
The all-new AKG Ara USB microphone delivers pro-quality sound to all of your creative projects. Simply select from two pickup patterns, plug in, and create content anywhere inspiration leads you. ➡ https://t.co/pi7NyG5VrW#AKGArapic.twitter.com/cBZTYnLxqs
— AKG by HARMAN (@AKGaudio) September 15, 2021
Well, well, well. We meet again, Razer Huntsman. The company’s first opto-mechanical keyboard was an interesting experiment, one I wasn’t too fond of thanks to its unpleasant key feel and noise. After three years (and a mini edition) later Razer is back with a new $190 version, and it does seem the designers finally nailed it.
First, a refresher: opto-mechanical keys have a small laser beam under each switch. When you press a key, it blocks the light path, sending a signal to the computer of what you just pressed. Because it doesn’t need to fully actuate (go up and down) on a physical level, it’s supposedly faster than traditional mechanical keyboards. In practice I didn’t really notice the difference and even now I can’t really distinguish the nanoseconds shaved off with each key press on the Huntsman V2.
However, what I can feel and hear is the layer of foam padding under the keys that mutes each stroke, which makes it a much more agreeable auditory experience — the first version had this annoying metallic echo that I could pick up even with my admittedly poor hearing. Granted, if you’re wearing a headset and listening to gunshots or music you probably won’t notice, but if you work in an office as I do, or share a small space with others, the comfort of those around you matters.
Now the keystrokes are still crisp but instead of hearing a metallic scratching sound it’s more a muffled thud. (You can choose clickier keys at checkout.) And the switches aren’t the only improvement Razer made toward comfort. There’s a larger, squishier wrist rest available at extra cost for those who like having one, which connects to the Huntsman v2 magnetically so you can easily pull it off when it gets in the way — the spacious rest adds another four inches to the 5.5-inch keyboard’s depth.
However, if you find yourself really crunched for space, Razer is also releasing a $130 tenkeyless version of the Huntsman V2. Same opto-mechanical switches, but no number pad or media buttons on the right side. It’s similar in feel to the 60-percent Huntsman Mini I used earlier this year, but the keys on the V2 feel slightly looser and require just a bit less effort to press. For most use cases the difference is negligible, but for people who take their gaming seriously, the effort you save — and the nanoseconds you shave off — matter.
It’s been a few years since the last Wipeout game, so fans may be pleased to hear there’s a new title on the way. However, Wipeout Rush is quite different from what long-term fans might expect. It’s a card-based mobile game in which you’ll manage a team of competitors instead of controlling any anti-gravity ships directly.
“If I want that visceral, immersive, intense racing experience, I’ll find it waiting on PlayStation,” Matt Casamassina, CEO of developer Rogue Games told IGN. “But at the same time, we’re delighted that we could rethink Wipeout for mobile with some fun new play mechanics and gorgeous visuals.”
Wipeout Rush features more than 60 ships from across the Wipeout series. The single-player campaign contains 12 championship cups that take place across five environments with unique tracks, as well as a story told through comic book-style visuals. There’s also an electronica soundtrack from long-standing Sony composer Alastair Lyndsay, while Rogue says you’ll be able to play at up to 60 frames per second.
It might not be the full-on Wipeout experience that veteran players might have been hoping for on, say, PS5, but it could kickstart the revival of a series that’s been part of PlayStation’s DNA for over a quarter of a century. Wipeout Rush will hit iOS and Android in early 2022.
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