Hasta La Gadget!

Razer’s Sixense electromagnetic orb threw around plenty of intradimensional portals at CES, but sadly the company wouldn’t let us play. Today at E3 2011, however, we were finally handed the reins. Those twin sticks are impressively responsive and accurate in the specially-made Sixense levels for Portal 2, and it’s a heck of a lot of fun to physically stretch out blocks, reposition portals with a twist of the wrist and physically throw objects through the air. However, we got the impression that outside of games particularly designed to work with the sticks, it might be a different story. Waving the right stick around works pretty adequately for controlling the mouse cursor, but when we exited out to Windows, the sticks didn’t work — apparently, controls have to be mapped separately in a desktop client to work with the OS and other games or programs. We don’t think many PC gamers will mind the six-foot range and wired tether here, but it does restrict those hoping to kick back with a game on the big screen.

We also got to try Razer’s new “4G” dual-sensor technology, which will be rolling out to new Mamba and Imperator gaming mice right away — it pairs a laser sensor and an optical sensor for more precision when lifting mice off a surface for advanced first-person shooter mousing techniques, not to mention 6400dpi tracking. We took it for a spin with a handy Razer Mamba, and we immediately fell in love — whether we flung the mouse around haphazardly, furiously swiped it across the mousepad or simply tried for a quick headshot, it kept up with us. The cursor does creep if you lift and drop very rapidly, though, and without an original Mamba to compare with, it’s hard to say just how much better it was. Thankfully, that won’t be much of a factor in your purchasing decision: you’ll pay the exact same $130 for the Mamba or $80 for the Imperator when they hit shelves this month. PR after the break.

Continue reading Razer totes Hydra sticks and 6400dpi dual-sensor mice to E3 2011, we go hands-on

Razer totes Hydra sticks and 6400dpi dual-sensor mice to E3 2011, we go hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 17:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A long time ago, in a boardroom far, far away… a designer (flanked by marketing execs) pitched an idea for a set of Star Wars: The Old Republic branded peripherals, and the CEO of Razer told his troopers to “make it so.” Or, at least that’s how we imagine it happened. In addition to mixing up his sci-fi references, whoever approved this gaming keyboard, mouse, and headset also abandoned any notion of subtlety. All three are slathered in interchangeable Sith or Jedi insignias, bright LEDs, and a texture not unlike the exterior of a Star Destroyer. The most ostentatious is easily the keyboard, which sports both a multitouch screen and two rows of adaptive buttons over an LCD (à la Switchblade). The keyboard will run you $200, while the mouse or headset will cost $130 when they launch alongside The Old Republic later this year. Check out the gallery below and the PR after the break.

Continue reading Star Wars: The Old Republic scores gaudy promotional peripherals from Razer

Star Wars: The Old Republic scores gaudy promotional peripherals from Razer originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 15:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Remember the Razer Switchblade? It’s that 7-inch multitouch gaming device with a fully tactile and adaptive keyboard. It first stole our attention as a Windows 7 concept on the way to wowing us with a hands-on in January. Well, we’ve now got the first official launch country: China, with the help of Tencent Holdings, China’s largest internet service portal. Unfortunately, we still don’t have final specs on the Oak Trail clamshell, a price, or even a date. Fear not rest of world — China’s just the first market announced in what appears to be an attempt to highlight a new partnership between Intel and Tencent. Today the two companies announced plans to staff a new research center with 60 engineers (expected to grow to 200, eventually) who’ll work together on products and services for tablets and gaming in the Chinese market. Good luck guys, we hear the Chintendo Vii is fiercely competitive.

Razer Switchblade headed to China with help from Intel and Tencent originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 Apr 2011 05:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ah, April 1st. It’s that time of the year again when the internet is rife with odd news and pranks. As before, news sites like us end up with a healthy stream of tips throughout April Fools’ Day (thanks, by the way), so let us round up some of the best findings for your comedic appetite. Contenders include the usual suspects like Google and ThinkGeek, the former of which dominating the gigglesphere this year with some new “features.” We also have some interesting submissions from Hulu, a font company, and probably plenty more to come as the day progresses, so keep watching this space as we add new entries to this post. Right, let the fun commence after the break.

Continue reading April Fools’ Day roundup: Google overload edition

April Fools’ Day roundup: Google overload edition originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 07:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We were told back at CES that Razer’s Chimaera 5.1 would soon be on sale, and sure enough, the company’s keeping its word with today’s launch. As of… oh, right about five minutes ago, the wireless Xbox 360 headset has been listed for pre-order, with $199.99 (or €199.99 in Europe) netting you a 5.1 channel Dolby surround sound headphone, 5.8GHz wireless technology, a docking base station (up to four are supported), adjustable circumaural ear cups, independent audio and microphone controls on the ear cups and a flexible microphone boom and detachable Xbox Live communication cable. We’re told that they’ll keep up the good fight for eight hours on a full charge, which should be plenty for even the hardest of hardcore single-session freaks. Word on the street has these shipping in April, but there’s no time like the present to commit.

Continue reading Razer’s Chimaera 5.1 wireless Xbox 360 surround sound headset up for pre-order, ships in April

Razer’s Chimaera 5.1 wireless Xbox 360 surround sound headset up for pre-order, ships in April originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 18:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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