Rival
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SteelSeries says it’s nailed 'true 1-to-1' mouse tracking
Gaming peripheral brand SteelSeries has expanded its mouse lineup with an offering that could prove to be the Holy Grail for serious esports gamers: true "1-to-1" tracking. The company's new TrueMove3 sensor means your mouse movement will match up exactly with movement on-screen, regardless of the CPI setting (counts per inch, or the number of pixels your mouse moves in a single inch). Engineered in partnership with PixArt -- the team behind the Wii Remote -- the sensor is the product of the company's 15-year quest to make the perfect gaming mouse and is available exclusively in the newly-designed Sensei 310 and Rival 310 models.
Nerf's higher-powered foam guns are meant for older fans
Nerf guns can be fun if you're a grown-up -- just ask the legions of people who modded the Maverick revolver. They're not really intended for an older audience, however, which is why Hasbro just unveiled a range of Nerf blasters meant for high schoolers (and adults) who take their plastic weapons seriously. The highlight is the Rival line you see above, which shoots foam balls at nearly 70MPH -- they won't sting like paintball rounds, but you're definitely going to feel the blow. You can get the $50 Zeus MXV-1200 if you insist on fast motorized reloads, or the $25 Apollo XV-700 if you're content with lever action.
The SteelSeries Rival is a serious gaming mouse without a serious rival
Gaming mice typically fall into one of two categories: Overly intricate, button-covered monstrosities designed for MMO players that need as many input options as physically possible, and more modest designs that cater to gamers who want comfort, ergonomics, and hopefully a headache-free experience. The SteelSeries Rival falls into the latter category, and while its black-on-black aesthetic isn't immediately the most eye-catching thing in the room, it has a few hidden talents that make it well worth checking out. Specifications Weight: 0.28lbs (128 g) Height: 1.8 in (45 mm) Width: 2.76 in (70 mm) Length: 5.23 in (133 mm) Price: US$59.99 Design The Rival is the latest completely new design from SteelSeries, so it won't feel like anything you've ever used before. On first touch, the middle and rear of the device feel surprisingly large, but after few hours of usage it becomes clear that the fat-bottom design makes the Rival much more comfortable to hold for long periods of time. Now, rather than the Rival feeling too large for its own good, it feels just right, and my other mice feel undersized and even inadequate. The sides of the Rival feature rubberized grips and, along with the matte finish of the top of the mouse, the entire thing has a great grip to it, with no thumb or finger slippage. Between the primary mouse buttons you'll find a familiar notched scroll wheel which, to my disappointment, isn't weighted. The only major non-traditional additions to the mouse are a pair buttons on the left side of the mouse that can be reached with your thumb. They're a little bit high for me when it comes to quick activation, but they're close enough to my thumb's natural range that it's not uncomfortable to reach for them. Before plugging it into your computer, the Rival is unassuming in looks, but once it's powered on you'll see a pair of colored LEDs lighting both the scroll wheel and the SteelSeries logo on the body of the mouse. These LEDs can be programed in a wide range of colors and behaviors. This is pure eye candy and I can't help but enjoy the colorful display on my desk even when I'm not using the Rival for gaming. There's even a small nameplate situated at the rear of the mouse that can be swapped out for a custom one if you happen to have access to a 3D printer. If not, the default one reads simply "Rival." Functionality The SteelSeries Rival has a 1ms response rate and is capable of sensitivity range from 50 CPI to 6500 CPI (counts per inch) so you'll never have a problem finding the perfect feel for whatever game or application you happen to be using. Using the SteelSeries Engine 3 software you can tweak these settings, set up special profiles for different users or applications, customize button inputs, and adjust the lighted accents. It's a very simple program that doesn't needlessly complicate the customization process. Conclusion I had zero issues with the mouse, either in terms of its fit and finish or its functionality and features. Setting it up was painless and the lighting options and luxurious design make it a treat to have on your desk. The customization software is as streamlined as you could ever hope for and it remains comfortable to use for even the longest marathon gaming sessions. I would have liked to see a weighted scroll wheel and slightly more generous placement of the bonus buttons on the left side of the mouse, but these are relatively minor gripes for what is overall a near perfect design. Rating 3.5 out of 4 stars
Aakash put on notice as BSNL and Pantel pair up to produce T-Pad
The last thing that the Aakash project needed was a more handsome, similarly priced commercial rival swooping in and stealing all of its thunder. Sadly that's what's happened: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), itself currently under investigation for corruption allegations, has announced a similarly low priced tablet in partnership with Pantel International. The T-Pad IS701R costs Rs 3,250 ($66) compared to the Aakash's Rs 2,999 ($60) but this device has a faster 1GHz processor and runs Gingerbread on a 7-inch 800 x 600 resistive display. However it's not all sunshine and roses, unlike the Government-sponsored slate, there is no GPRS modem in this edition. If you want freedom from WiFi, it'll cost you Rs 10,999 (or $223). So how do the two tablets stack up? Head on past the break and we'll show you in a little more detail. [Thanks, Syed]
Stink Different with an Apple toilet
We've long heard jokes of the iCar, the iToilet, and other iCrap, but until now we'd never seen a real, working example of one of these things. Well, here's your iToilet, gang. It doesn't connect to the internet in less than three steps, but it does connect to a series of tubes. Tipster Mike Jones actually had this made for himself, but through Rival Toilets, makers of custom, printed potties. Yep, the owner of Rival, Fred, has figured out a way to get decals under a coat of specially-formulated finish (a trade secret), resulting in some glorious toilets you see in the gallery. They last, they are custom and they are really quite something to see. Rival's specialty? Sports team toilets with rival team logos in a "special" place on the bowl. I'm told the Apple version seen here has a similar "rival" logo in the bottom of the bowl. I'll leave the specifics to the reader's imagination. I don't think it's IBM, however. %Gallery-78192% Share
Motorola Rival launches on Verizon, LG Neon seen casting suspicious glares
The Casio Exilim was the big news out of Verizon this week, but it wasn't the only anticipated model to finally get announced for the carrier. The Motorola A455 Rival sorta reminds us of LG's Neon for AT&T, offering a touchscreen basically for the sole purpose of on-screen dialing so you don't need to slide out the keyboard or do anything crazy with the d-pad just to place a call; otherwise, you've got a 2 megapixel cam, EV-DO, VZ Navigator, and microSD expansion to 8GB. Even though the Neon's the doppelganger here, the Rival's priced more like the upmarket Xenon -- $99.99 on contract after rebate -- and is available now in your choice of silver and purple.Read - Tin SilverRead - Purple
Motorola Rival gets clearer ahead of Verizon launch
Last time we saw the Rival in action, Mr. Blurrycam was in full effect, so we're happy to see that someone with steadier hands decided to step in and do the deed this time around. The QWERTY side slider -- which could very well launch tomorrow on Verizon -- is a simple text-centric device, which seems to be about the most popular mobile meme going right now. It's really not a bad looking phone (we particularly like the white), and if it's dirt cheap on contract, we'd wager they'll sell a few, especially considering the EV-DO support and decent 2 megapixel cam resolution.
Samsung Alias 2 and Motorola Rival a445 appear in the wild
Got enough electronic ink yet this week? Hope not, cause here's the Samsung Alias 2 in the wild, complete with that segmented E Ink keypad. Apparently mode changes happen smoothly and quickly, so our usability fears now just boil down to feel -- those buttons do not look fun to press. We'll see when it launches on May 11. Oh, and teenyboppers on the V might want to check out the blurry pic of the Motorola Rival a445 / Rush 2 after the break -- it's not going to blow your mind, but we hear you're into the colorful QWERTY slider scene these days. You scamps.
ASUS gets serious about R&D, plans ten HTC-rivaling handsets for 2009
Oftentimes, it's difficult to remember that ASUS is in the handset game at all, and don't think for a second that ASUS isn't well aware of that fact. According to undisclosed sources, said outfit is looking to ramp up its reputation and seriously take on the likes of HTC next year by pumping out no fewer than ten handsets, almost all of which will boast 3G and a touch user interface. There's no definitive word on what operating system(s) will be relied upon, but we'd say it'd do ASUS good to get an Android-based mobile out in the States if it wants to seriously roll with High Tech Computer. Oh, and three cheers for competition.
Royal Digital Media trots out 100GB-per-disc Blu-ray competitor
Look out HD VMD and CH-DVD -- an all new Blu-ray rival has just sashayed into town, and this one means business. By way of a random DreamStream press release, Royal Digital Media has introduced its bona fide Blu-ray rival... while casually forgetting to name it. These "high-definition discs" will be able to store up to 100GB and will boast military-grade encryption that an aimless hacker will surely destroy in a week or two. According to DreamStream's Chief Development Officer Ulf Diebel, RDM's format "will transform perceptions of high-definition," as it is able to "display the next generation of high-definition: 1920p." For whatever it's worth, this here tech is based around "inexpensive red laser technology," and RDM is hoping to "replace traditional DVD technologies with a comprehensive, next generation HD system." So, when can you buy into this sure-to-be-awesome format? Q1 2009, and for a price "equal" to that of traditional DVD players. Sold!
End of Season 3 reward requirements
Season 4 starts next week. As a result, this coming weekend is going to be a gladiatorial weekend for many folks, fighting to get their Arena rating high enough to score end of season rewards. Blizzard has posted (on both US and EU forums) a reiteration of the criteria to be considered for those rewards -- they look pretty much the same as they have before. The requirements for a team to be considered for end of season rewards are: The team must have played at least 20 games during the season. The team must have at least one player that has played in 20% or more of the total games for that team. Players on a team that qualifies for consideration, must do the below to be counted: The player must have played in 20% or more of the total games for that team The player must have a Personal Rating that is not more than 100 points lower than the Team Rating (your Personal Rating may be higher, however). So, there it is. If you want to be considered for one of the coveted Arena titles, you must meet the above criteria. Good luck!
Comcast flier all but confirms U-verse in Tennessee
Not even a full week after Tennessee's governor signed a particular cable franchising bill into law, along comes this mysterious flier from Comcast. Now, we know things can get pretty heated between rivals, but this just seems downright bizarre -- if it's not some sort of elaborate prank, of course. From what we can gather, Comcast has been circulating this here flier around, which clearly points out that AT&T "has been installing 52B Cabinets in Nashville and Middle Tennessee for the last several months." It also notes that said boxes are used for distributing its U-verse television service, in case there was any doubt. Apparently Comcast is hoping to create an internal map of all possible distribution points in order to bring the hurt where it matters most, but we must say this seems like quite the stretch to get a leg-up. Ah, the sweet smell of competition.[Thanks, Martian]
Games that could be MMOs: Pokmon
The Pokémon brand is one of the largest and most successful franchises the gaming world has ever spawned. There are no less than 10 videogames, 1 trading card game, 12 movies, an animated series, 10 soundtrack CDs, a bunch of manga -- but no official MMO.Why this hasn't already happened is beyond the imagination of this blogger. C'mon, a world in which thousands, if not millions of wanna-be Pokémon trainers are working hard to be number one, constantly pitting their captive critters against each other, and every iteration of the game franchise is only one-on-one? This isn't rocket science; it's not even science fair volcano science. But if we were to imagine a Pokémon MMO, it would look something like this:
The Art of War(craft): Planning for Season 4
Vims has already speculated on when Arena Season 4 will arrive, pegging it somewhere around early to mid-June. I tend to agree with that statement as Blizzard has noted on several occasions that Season 4 isn't coming anytime soon. Considering that none of servers worldwide have even opened the second gate in Sunwell Plateau, it means that equivalent level PvE items won't be cascading into the player base for quite some time. This gives players roughly around a month and two weeks to prepare for the next Arena season, if not longer.Banking aheadBecause Arena points are capped at 5,000, players with enough Arena gear can start banking points in preparation for the new season. If gear prices remain the same (which is likely as prices have been constant through Seasons 1-3), players can open the Arena week with 3/5 Brutal Gladiator pieces: the gloves, which are priced at 1,125 Arena points during the current season; and any two of the chestpiece, headpiece, or leg piece, which go for 1,875 points. It is also possible to purchase the 1,500 points worth shoulder piece on the first week if players manage to raise their personal rating to a highly restrictive 2200 if the speculated changes make it live. Because personal ratings are calculated directly after each game, it is possible to purchase the personal ratings-limited shoulder pieces or weapons provided the player has enough points during the first week.
Samsung's Croix: yet another 'iPhone rival'
Honestly, we're getting a bit tired of all these so-called iPhone rival handsets, but Samsung's elusive Croix doesn't do a whole lot to shake the stereotype. The mobile, which happens to boast a very similar layout to Apple's darling (and Samsung's own F700), just won an iF Communication Design Award 2007, and while details are scant about the actual hardware, it sounds like Sammy is hoping to grab your attention with a sensationally sleek interface (seen in detail after the break). The name, which translates to "Cross" in French, supposedly symbolizes the phone's "progressive continuum, as opposed to discrete transmission from one item to another," and touts an "intuitive interface through on-screen touch input mapping which supports five different ways of interaction." Of course, only time will tell if this thing actually goes commercial (or proves real, to be honest), but it certainly has the look.[Via I4U News]Update: Indeed, "Croix" may actually be the branding Samsung has assigned to its SGH-700; they certainly look close enough, right down to the F700's trademark vertical stripes across its face. Then again, Croix may represent a different model or a touch-based platform for an entire range of models. We'll keep y'all updated when we know more.
Competitors pricing not caving to iPhone emergence
Considering that Verizon went way out of its way to get noticed on iDay, it follows logic to think that it, along with a handful of other rivals, would at least consider slashing prices temporarily in order to redirect attention from the oft-hyped iPhone. Interestingly, none of that actually proved true, as Verizon went so far as to raise the prices of a number of handsets, while neither T-Mobile nor Sprint introduced any huge discounts in order to garner attention. Reportedly, AT&T was the carrier that implemented the most price cuts, as the Pearl, KRZR, and N75 all saw lower prices surrounding the iPhone launch. Of course, it could be that competing carriers simply succumbed to the fact that those eying an iPhone weren't likely to be tempted by anything else, and for all intensive purposes, they'd be absolutely correct.
Microsoft lawyer whines about Apple's DRM complaints
The gloves have long since been removed in the battle war between Cupertino and Redmond, and while we wouldn't deem this a direct hit, it's a mighty blow to gut regardless. Microsoft's general counsel and executive vice president Brad Smith has apparently decided that whining about whiners is the best approach to garner public support, as he mouthed off to reporters and suggested that Apple should just shut its trap in regard to the limitations of DRM, and in a completely unrelated addition, claimed that sales of the iPod should be good enough for that oh-so-greedy corporation. More specifically, Mr. Smith claimed that he wasn't a "big believer in just blaming the music industry for Apple's inability to sell every conceivable iPod," but contradicted himself ever so slightly by insinuating that Apple should leave well enough alone and enjoy the profits the player is already pulling in. Is it just us, or do you sense this vibe of bitterness mixed in there somewhere, too?[Via GizmoNews, picture courtesy of Worth1000]
New Prince of Persia game confirmed for the DS
Ubisoft recently confirmed that they're working on a Prince of Persia title for the DS. Instead of being a sequel to the card-based game Battles of Prince of Persia, the next outing for the Prince on the dual-screened beauty looks to be based on the franchise's latest installment, with the game having a placeholder name of Prince of Persia: Rival Blades, a name that was previously scrapped as the title for Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones. [Via Joystiq]
