peripherals
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Razer made a dull keyboard and mouse for working from home
You could still play 'Microsoft Flight Simulator' with them, though.
Razer updates its BlackShark headset with THX spatial audio
BlackShark V2 and the entry-level V2 X are out now.
Apple's braided Thunderbolt 3 cable costs $129
Apple has started selling a high-end certified 40 Gbps Thunderbolt cable that’s either a real bargain or ridiculously expensive, depending on your point of view. The braided $129 Thunderbolt 3 Pro Cable supports not only Thunderbolt 3 connections, but also DisplayPort video, USB 3.1 Gen 2 data transfers up to 10 Gbps and 100 watt charging.
8BitDo is updating one of its Bluetooth gamepads for Project xCloud
Peripheral manufacturer 8BitDo is best known for making retro-inspired controllers, but for its latest act the company is doing something different. Instead of yet another Switch-focused controller, 8BitDo is releasing a new Bluetooth gamepad designed for use with Microsoft's Project xCloud game streaming service. The $45 SN30 Pro for Xbox adapts the same underlying design as the company's SN30 Pro+, symmetrical analog sticks and all, but won’t be out of place in your Xbox controller collection.
HP's latest monitors cut blue light levels to help you sleep
HP has unveiled a series of monitors that always cut back on blue light, potentially helping you sleep.
Razer's Mamba Elite is free when you buy a Huntsman keyboard at Best Buy
Best Buy is offering Razer's Mamba Elite mouse for free if you buy a Huntsman keyboard.
GameStop's PC gaming sale discounts ASUS monitors, Razer mice and more
GameStop is running a sale on PC gaming periperhals that includes an ASUS display, a Razer mouse and audio.
8BitDo is making a wireless controller for the TurboGrafx-16 mini
When Konami's TurboGrafx-16 mini becomes available sometime later this year, you'll be able to buy a wireless controller for the retro console courtesy of 8BitDo.
Logitech's latest iPad keyboard cases add trackpads to non-Pro tablets
If you turned pale at the thought of paying close to $1,000 to get the new iPad Pro and its trackpad-equipped keyboard cover, don't worry -- there will be a much more affordable alternative. Logitech has introduced a $150 Combo Touch keyboard case for the 2019 iPad, 2019 iPad Air and 2017 iPad Pro that includes a trackpad to take advantage of iPadOS 13.4's imminent mouse support. They all attach using Apple's Smart Connector and offer many perks similar to Apple's Magic Keyboard, including backlit keys and trackpad gestures.
Samsung's first Odyssey gaming monitors include a 240Hz ultra-wide
Samsung is now applying its Odyssey gaming badge to monitors, and it's marking the occasion with two displays that are clearly geared to enthusiasts. The 49-inch G9 (above) is billed as the first 5,120 x 1,440 ultra-wide display with a 240Hz refresh rate and a 1ms pixel response time. You won't have to choose between extra-smooth performance and expansive, high-res visuals. It's also one of the first Samsung screens with a 1000R curvature, and it can handle DisplayHDR 1000 brightness as well as AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA G-Sync. It should show up in the second quarter of the year.
LG's latest 4K monitors include a 32-inch model with a space-saving stand
LG is fond of unveiling monitors before CES, but its newest batch may be particularly interesting if you value every inch of free space on your desk. The headlining monitor for 2020 is the UltraFine Ergo (32UN880), a 32-inch 4K screen that floats on a post that clamps to your desk. It's like you're buying a VESA mount at the same time, in other words. This helps make room, of course, but it also lets the monitor swivel up to 280 degrees horizontally and tilt 25 degrees vertically. You can position the display right where you need it for your creative workflow, or spin it around to show a project to a colleague.
Logitech made a $200 webcam for Apple's $5,000 pro display
Apple's newly available Pro Display XDR promises exceptional image quality, but there's one glaring omission for some users: there's no webcam. You can edit video in grand style with your $5,000 monitor, but you can't use it to hold a video chat with the production team. Logitech has a remedy, though. It just released a 4K Pro Magnetic Webcam built with the Pro Display XDR in mind. As the name implies, it sticks to your display without clips or other mounts, even when you rotate the monitor into portrait mode.
8BitDo's tiny keychain Switch controller is now available
It feels like 8BitDo can barely let a month slip by without offering a new Nintendo Switch controller. This time around, it's putting its keychain-sized Zero 2 up for pre-order.
Razer's latest wireless mice promise low-lag gaming from $60
Razer is expanding its Basilisk mouse family with a pair of models that aim to make low-latency wireless mice both more accessible and more powerful. The most interesting model may be the affordable option, the six-button Basilisk X HyperSpeed (above). It packs a 16,000DPI sensor, Bluetooth support and its namesake low-lag HyperSpeed wireless (when you use a 2.4GHz USB dongle) for a reasonable $60. You may save money on batteries, too, as one AA cell will deliver about 12 days of use on 2.4GHz, or 19 days on Bluetooth.
Corsair's K95 Platinum mechanical keyboard is on sale for $130
If you're in the market for a mechanical keyboard, you might want to cast your eye in the direction of the Corsair K95 RGB Platinum. The peripheral can retail for $200, but it's on sale on Amazon now for $130.
Logitech unveils its first mouse and keyboard built for Chrome OS (updated)
Now that the Pixelbook Go is here, you might want a mouse and keyboard to go with it. Logitech, unsurprisingly, is happy to oblige -- the company has unveiled its first Made for Google devices, the M355 Portable Wireless Mouse (not shown to scale) and K580 Slim Multi-Device Wireless Keyboard, Chrome OS Edition. The K580 is the highlight, packing both a row of Chrome OS shortcut keys as well as a dedicated Google Assistant key for your voice queries. You'll also find a built-in cradle to rest your Pixel phone (or any phone, really) while you're getting work done, and a button lets you switch between three two different devices if you like to bring your keyboard around. A maximum three-year (!) battery life guarantees that you won't be swapping cells very often.
8BitDo's latest Switch controller ditches thumbsticks for dual D-pads
The latest controller from 8BitDo might pique your interest if you play a lot of 2D games on Nintendo Switch. The Lite for Switch peripheral has a striking look thanks to its dual D-pads. According to 8BitDo, it has full functionality for Switch with "all core buttons supported."
Razer built an RGB microphone that displays live stream emotes
If you're a livestreamer determined to stand out from the pack with flashy effects, Razer has your back. It's introducing a Seiren Emote microphone whose 8x8 LED screen displays (what else?) emotes in sync with Twitch and Mixer stream events, including through common tools like Streamlabs and XSplit. You can display a custom channel emote when someone subscribes, a puking rainbow emote when someone thanks you in chat, or seemingly anything in between. It'll even sync with Chroma-compatible gear, so your mic can go berserk alongside your Hue lights and headphones if you're so inclined.
Nintendo's SNES-style Switch controllers are now available
Been pining for Nintendo's SNES-styled Switch controller ever since it was announced alongside the arrival of SNES games on the platform? You now have the chance to get them. Nintendo has started taking orders for the retro $30 gamepad, with the first orders shipping on September 18th. As with the NES pads, you can't just buy one out of curiosity. You'll have to be a Switch Online member to even consider a purchase, and you're limited to four units per account.
Logitech's newest lag-free gaming mouse is loaded with thumb buttons
If you thought Logitech's G603 Lightspeed was light on thumb controls compared to its G602 predecessor, you can relax -- you'll be drowning in them this time around. The company has introduced a G604 Lightspeed mouse that packs six thumb buttons like the years-old G602 while offering modern creature comforts like a 16,000DPI HERO sensor, Bluetooth support and, of course, no-lag Lightspeed wireless. It's pitched as ideal for playing World of Warcraft Classic and other titles where you might have an abundance of commands that beg for faster access.
