Hasta La Gadget!

When a product takes well over a full year to go from introduction to release, it’s natural for consumer expectations to amp themselves up a notch or two. Such is the case with Razer’s Chimaera, an Xbox 360-centric wireless gaming headset that was initially teased at CES 2010, and just started shipping to end users early this year. The company’s been in the gaming headset business for some time now — if you’ll recall, we thoroughly enjoyed our time with the (wired) Carcharias headset right around two years back. This 2.1 system promises to give Xbox Live yappers exactly what they’ve been waiting for, but is it really worth the $129.99 entry fee? Head on past the break for our take.

Continue reading Razer Chimaera wireless Xbox 360 headset review

Razer Chimaera wireless Xbox 360 headset review originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 12:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft will be updating the Xbox 360 disc format its forthcoming console. However, the company is looking for thousands of willing testers to test out the new format. Here is what was posted on one of the blogs ran by Microsoft.

We are doing a Xbox 360 System Update Preview program for our next release, and the opportunity to sign up is now available. We are conducting an open call for U.S. based participants for a public preview to help us prepare for an updated Xbox 360 disc format. This is an important update as we continually strive to improve our products […]. As part of the preview program, you will receive a copy of Halo: Reach along with other possible rewards

 Microsoft has not released much info about the beta testing or the upcoming changes.

Via Xbit Labs

Can the Xbox Kinect can help surgeons? A number of doctors in Canada thing so.They’ve been using the gesture-based peripheral to access photos, helping guide the surgery.

The doctors needed to access photos without having to touch anything. This allowed them to perform surgery more quickly, without having to stop to wash their hands. This may well be the first time ever that a hospital used a video game console as a guide in surgery.

The doctor has also claimed that he plans to use the Kinect more often in both surgeries, and other areas in the hospital.

Via TG Daily

Because modern console controllers are all wireless, keeping them constantly charged is as vital to the gaming experience as choosing the right controller. That’s why the original Nyko Charge Base was like my personal team doctor, making sure the guys were ready and charged for game time. But now could Nyko improve on something that’s near perfect? This is how. More »

Gadget Lab Notes is an eclectic roundup of gadget news briefs and intriguing products that catch our eye.

In the Future, Why Walk When You Can Wheel Around on the Peugeot XB1?
The XB1 is a cross between those hovercrafts from Wall-E, a robot, and a silver Honda Civic. The fully electric tri-wheeled concept vehicle would include GPS and smart phone integration, and top out at 35 km/hr. If the slew of recent concept bikes, trikes, and scooters are any indication, it looks like future humans won’t have much use for their legs.

Peugeot XB1 [Yanko Design]

Now That The iPad 2 Is Available, Let’s Move On To Some iPhone 5 Rumors
What would iPad 2 launch day be without some fresh iPhone 5 rumors? This time in the form of mold engineering diagrams. The images, from iDealsChina, show a slightly larger display (edge to edge) and essentially the same form factor as the iPhone 4. The design appears to match a photo of the bezel that they also released. Although the renders could be phony, it’s worth noting that the site has a track record: they previously leaked accurate renderings of the 4th gen iPod Nano before its release.

China’s Latest iPhone 5 Rumors [iDealsChina via Macrumors]

GroupMe Texting Service Is Poised to Get Big at SXSW
Group texting service GroupMe, which lets you easily send texts to a group of people regardless of carrier or phone model, looks like it may be a breakout hit of SXSWi. Having used it at this year’s CES, I can attest to its awesomeness. It’s an efficient way to deliver a message to a group of friends or colleagues. Watch out if you have a limited texting plan though—add a couple of drinks to the mix, and you could wake up to dozens of ah, colorful, messages just waiting to be read (that is, unless you were the sender).

GroupMe [GroupMe via FastCompany]

Get Your Race On With an iPhone Steering Wheel Speaker
Similar to the Wii steering wheel wiimote, this circular speaker has a place in the center where you pop in your iPhone 4. Two external speakers add some audio oomph to your game play, while the circular shape makes steering in racing games a bit more fun and realistic.

iPhone 4G Steering Wheel With Speakers [Focal Price via Ubergizmo]

This Is Not The Droid You’re Looking For: R2-D2 Hacked With an Xbox 360 and Projector
On second thought, this fun mod, which includes luminous blue LEDs, a speaker, and an Xbox 360 as a brain, might be the droid you’re looking for after all. The built-in projector displays images 15-50 inches away, and R2’s hull includes touch-sensitive buttons and auxiliary hookups for other input devices (like a Wii or Playstation) if you just want to use the projector. R2 also has HDMI out and optical audio out.

Star Wars R2-D2 Xbox 360 [Instructables via Dvice]

Don’t Arm Wrestle Your Opponent If They Are Wearing the x-Ar Exoskeleton Arm
The x-Ar Exoskeleton Arm is designed to provide arm support, particularly for those who constantly have to lift or transport heavy objects. The x-Ar attaches to the arm at the wrist with a cuff and uses steadicam-inspired technology so that arm movement is not hindered, just made more powerful. I hope these are available to rent before the next time I have to move.

x-AR [Equipois via Crunchgear]