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A gaming mouse is a luxury I don't need, but I still want one
A while ago I assembled a list of eight gaming mice worth buying. They ran the gamut in terms of design, customization and, of course, price. Though all of these mice are still available and I'd gladly recommend any of them, quite a few contenders for the crown have made their debut since I published my roundup. For the past few months I've been using the Cougar M550 and the SteelSeries Rival 100 and, while both have a lot to offer hardcore gamers, a "filthy casual" like me also found plenty to like.
Which gaming headsets are worth buying?
We may call them "video games," but audio plays a big part in the experience too. Good music and sound effects can set the mood, immerse us in the story and alert us to impending danger. But all of this could easily be hampered by crappy speakers or a surfeit of background noise, making a quality headset key to an ideal gaming experience. Do you need surround sound, or can stereo do the job just fine? And how much is good audio quality worth? We've scoured the market to find the best headsets available now to fit the needs of both hard-core and casual gamers.
The Rival 700 is a modular gaming mouse with an OLED screen
There are a lot of PC gaming peripherals out there -- so many, in fact, that it can be hard to tell them apart. What makes one keyboard better than another? What's the real difference between two gaming mice? Well, SteelSeries has an answer to one of those questions: its latest computer mouse, the Rival 700, has something no other pointer on the market has: a built-in OLED screen.
The best gaming headset (for most people)
By Dennis BurgerThis post was done in partnership with The Wirecutter, a buyer's guide to the best technology. Read the full article here.After more than 100 hours spent researching and testing 37 gaming headsets in all, plus more hours of long-term comfort testing than could reasonably be counted, we think the Kingston HyperX Cloud Gaming Headset is the best gaming headset for most people. It's beautifully built, comfortable on a wide variety of heads, and excellent in sound performance, especially for the price. In fact, you won't get find much improvement unless you spend more than double what the HyperX Cloud costs. This model is also incredibly comfortable—you can easily wear it for hours on end without any appreciable cranial distress. It's a clear winner.
Engadget UK giveaway: win a gaming gear bundle courtesy of SteelSeries
Bingeing on Vitamin D, footy in the park and lazy afternoons whiled away in pub beer gardens are what summer's all about. But sometimes, retreating to a cool, darkened room for a guilty gaming fix is just the ticket. And because we don't want your third-degree sunburns on our conscience, we've giving away a raft of gaming gear that should keep you glued to a screen and safely sheltered from those dastardly UV rays. Thanks to our friends at SteelSeries, we've got no less than three gaming goodybags up for grabs, which each include one of the company's Apex M800 programmable, mechanical keyboards, Rival optical mice, Siberia V3 LED-laden headsets and Stratus XL wireless controllers (compatible with iOS/OS X). Basically, every peripheral you might need to wait out the summer in gaming heaven. As always, UK readers can enter the competition up to three times via the Rafflecopter widget below, but before you inevitably start clicking, just breeze through the rules real quick, would ya?
Which gaming keyboards are worth buying?
The act of building a great gaming rig isn't just about finding the most powerful processor, a capable graphics card or massive amounts of RAM. It's also about what you use to interact with the machine itself -- the peripherals you bring to the table. A few months ago, we told you about the best gaming mice available. Now we take a look at some recent gaming keyboards to see which ones have the most to offer in terms of lighting, macros and, of course, how good they feel to type on.
Joystiq Giveaway: SteelSeries Stratus XL iOS controller times 2
So you're playing Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic on your iPhone and you're thinking, "Man, it sure would be a lot easier to slice this Dark Jedi directly in their stupid cowled faces if I was using a controller." Than you're playing BioShock on your iPad and you're all, "Stupid Big Daddy wouldn't have drilled a giant hole in my abdomen if I were using a controller." The thought comes again and again while you play Limbo, XCOM, and myriad other games. Don't worry about it! Joystiq has your back. We're giving away two, that's dos, SteelSeries Stratus XL iOS controllers. These babies work with any iOS device with a Lightning connector and running iOS 7 or higher. Here's how to get the prizes: Just use the Rafflecopter widget below between January 23 and January 30. Winners will be selected at random and contacted via email (so make double sure you use an email we can actually contact you at!) Full rules and details after the break. SteelSeries Stratus XL iOS controller times 2 [Images: SteelSeries]
SteelSeries Stratus XL is the only iOS gaming accessory you need
Of all the first-turn MFi game controllers, I preferred the original SteelSeries Stratus. Not only was it the only standalone control option at the time, but its analog sticks and and overall design seemed to work pretty much perfectly for me. That being said, it was extremely small, which is great if you're looking for portability but not so much if you want a console-quality gaming experience. The SteelSeries Stratus XL changes that in a big, big way. The most obvious difference here is that the XL is much larger than its predecessor. It's roughly as large as an Xbox One controller -- or the Wii U Pro Controller, if you have one of those lying around -- and as such it's immediately a good fit for anyone used to gaming on a console. It has a full compliment of both face and shoulder buttons, along with a pair of analog sticks and a directional pad. The on/off switch is located on the rear panel and there's sync and battery level buttons on the top of the controller. As far as design goes, it's a massive improvement over the original, and feels like the controller we should have had all along. My biggest complaint when reviewing the original Stratus was the fact that it felt cheap. The plastic housing, loose buttons and sticks, and lack of weight really made it feel like a toy. The XL is the exact opposite. It's heavy, solid, and everything stays firmly in place when you shake it. The analog sticks snap back upright with authority when you release them and I haven't noticed any of the issues that plagued the smaller version. In short, it's a ridiculous improvement. Like the first Stratus, the XL connects via Bluetooth which means connecting it to your iPhone or iPad is as simple as venturing into the settings menu and pairing them up. I'm not a big fan of Bluetooth in general, and in an application as sensitive as a game controller, it's a bit of a crapshoot when it comes to latency, but if there is indeed any lag between the controller and the action on screen, it wasn't noticeably worse than I've experienced with game controllers on consoles. If I'm going to really nitpick, I'd say that the shoulder buttons are a bit high to be super comfortable while reaching for them. The triggers, on the contrary, are perfect, but the shoulder buttons can be a bit of a stretch if you're in the heat of the moment. However, that's also an issue I've noticed with the Xbox One controller (I had no issues with the Xbox 360 controller, for what it's worth) so it may just be a personal preference. At US$69.95 -- $30 cheaper than price of the original Stratus at launch -- it's the first MFi controller that feels like it was designed for gamers, rather than iOS users who happen to play games from time to time. Once you've played with it, there's really no going back. Conclusion SteelSeries says that all the feedback from customers, developers, and reviews was taken into account when designing the Stratus XL, and I have to say that it definitely seems that way. It's head and shoulders above the original -- and any other MFi controller on the market -- and there's honestly no better accessory for iOS gaming, bar none. Rating: 4 out of 4 possible stars
Which gaming mice are worth buying?
The peripherals you play with can be just as important to your gaming success as actual skill. A suboptimal keyboard or sluggish mouse can open the door to defeat, which is why it's a good idea to pick up equipment specifically made for the job. But like a lot of specialized tools, gaming mice don't come cheap, and you wouldn't want to spend a pretty penny on one only to find it lacking in speed or features. We don't review mice very often here at Engadget, so we've consulted the opinions of trusted critics to find some recent options that can help pave a path to victory.
MSI's latest gaming laptop brings a more grown-up design, a couple big-ass fans
It seems like just yesterday we reviewed MSI's beastly GT70 Dominator gaming laptop. Indeed, that was only a month ago, but it seems MSI has already moved on: The company is now showing off the GT72, a redesigned version with a slightly thinner profile, an improved cooling system and a less dorky aesthetic. We'll get to that last bit in a minute, but first: the fans. MSI apparently took a lot of flak for the GT70's single-fan setup. Not effective enough, according to some hardcore users. Well, in case that wasn't heavy-duty enough for you, MSI has stepped up to two fans, with the vents taking up pretty much the entire bottom side of the notebook (have a look at the photo after the break if you don't believe us). Only time (and review-testing) will tell if the new setup is quieter, but MSI says if nothing else the heat management should be better this time around.
SteelSeries Stratus iOS 7 gamepad launches for $20 less than its pre-order price
SteelSeries' Stratus controller, the first wireless iOS 7 game pad, is now available at Apple stores and on Apple's online store. Since the Stratus went up for pre-order earlier this month, SteelSeries opted to change its price from $99.99 to $79.99 (79.99 euro). The peripheral manufacturer said it will honor the Stratus' new launch price for all pre-orders its taken. The Stratus has two analog sticks, four pressure-sensitive "A, B, X and Y" buttons, four shoulder buttons and a d-pad. SteelSeries claims the controller can withstand 10 hours of play on a single charge via USB. It is supported by games like GTA: San Andreas, Limbo, Call of Duty: Strike Team and Bastion.
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
SteelSeries Stratus MFi game controller price cut to $79.99, all $99.99 preorders will be honored at lower price
A representative from SteelSeries has let us know that the Stratus MFI game controller (which I tried and wrote about at length) will be launching for a cheaper price than initially planned. Instead of the US$99.99 price point that the company was using for pre-order customers, the Stratus will launch instead for $79.99, and it's available in Apple Stores and Apple's online store starting today. This makes the Stratus the least expensive MFi option out there, with its competitors from Logitech and Moga both priced at $99.99.
The SteelSeries H Wireless headset is the jack of all trades, and the master of them, too
Wireless gaming headsets are a product category with a lot of players and very few superstars. Some headsets make syncing a simple affair only to produce subpar audio, while others trade battery life for good looks. In short, there are very few products that hit half of the high notes, much less all of them. Then there's the SteelSeries H Wireless headset, which not only claims lag-free, 7.1 surround sound, but also works for Mac, PC, Apple TV, iOS and all home consoles. That's a bold claim, and not one to be taken lightly. Specifications Weight: 0.6 lbs. (297 g) Wireless Range: 40ft (recommended) Battery Life: 20 hours per battery pack MSRP: US$299.99 (Amazon) Design Both the headset and the wireless transmitter are slick looking, drenched in black with just a few accents to be seen. The earphones are surrounded by plush cushions that feel fantastic, and the headband over the top is likewise padded with what feels like a memory foam-type of material. This is the type of headset that you can forget you're actually wearing -- they're that comfortable. The transmitter itself is very tiny, about a quarter the size of a Mac mini. The back is covered in various ports for all the systems it supports, and the front features a clickable volume knob and a single additional button. The LCD readout on the transmitter is bright and clear, but not distracting, and it automatically dims when you haven't messed with it in a while. The battery compartment is hidden underneath one of the removable covers on the earphones and the batteries (two are included in the package) can be hot-swapped in just a few seconds. The batteries are actually charged by the transmitter itself, which has a small slot on the side to dock them in. It's actually a really convenient charging system since you'll always know exactly where both of your batteries are, and at least one of them will always be fully charged. Functionality Where do I begin? These things can really do it all. You can use optical audio for your computer or game console, but for many Mac users you'll be using either the USB option or the standard analog output. You can power the transmitter via USB or a wall outlet, which is a nice option and a huge bonus for people like me who are already staring at two full power strips with no other option. Setting up the transmitter was a breeze and there's no syncing or other hassle required. You quite literally set up the tiny box through a series of intuitive menus, turn on the headset and you're ready to go. It's a very Mac-like experience in that "it just works." Controlling the headset volume via the transmitter knob or volume wheel on the headset itself is a nice touch, and the range is pretty impressive. I was able to walk all over my apartment and even out to my patio (40 to 50 feet away) with zero interruptions. There's also a built-in Sound Share port so that a nearby friend can tap into your audio. The sound these headphones put out is quite remarkable, handling deep bass and crisp notes without issue. The built-in equalizer on the transmitter is a huge bonus here, too, letting you perfect the audio without messing with in-game settings or fiddling with your Mac or iOS menus. The 7.1 surround sound is phenomenal in games that support it, and even if your favorite game is a bit behind the times in the audio department, these headphones will make the best of an imperfect situation. It just doesn't get any better than this from an audio standpoint. Conclusion The SteelSeries H Wireless gaming headset is as close to cordless perfection as I've experienced, and I can't even really think of any worthy competitors. You may find some things you don't like about them -- if you're looking for something more flashy, that's understandable -- but from a functionality and fit-and-finish standpoint, they are essentially flawless. Rating: 4 out of a possible 4 stars
The SteelSeries Stratus is the most important iOS gaming peripheral yet
iOS game developers have been swinging for the fences with massive, high-profile mobile games for years already, but they've been doing it without a physical control option. Touchscreen and tilt controls work fine for many genres, and these digital controller stand-ins have definitely gotten better over the years, but any seasoned gamer will tell you that it'll never be quite the same. The future? With the launch of the iOS 7, Apple finally took the step of including a built-in controller framework, allowing third party manufacturers the ability to create iOS game controllers. The iPhone was the immediate focus for these companies, with Logitech and Moga going head to head with the PowerShell and Ace Power, respectively. Having tested both of the these (keep an eye out for our head-to-head smackdown coming soon), I can say that they both work well, but they are hampered by the fact that they require a physical connection to the device itself. This isn't a deal breaker, but it means that if you have a case on your device you'll need to remove it before utilizing the controller. And, although this should be obvious, they work only with the iPhone, so if you happen to have an iPad as well you're out of luck. The SteelSeries Stratus is the first to dodge both of those issue by going completely wireless, using Bluetooth to connect to your iPhone or iPad. It features four face buttons, four shoulder buttons, twin analog sticks, a digital pad, and a pause button. It's also almost impossibly small. As someone with large hands, I laughed when I saw it, but it manages to be completely useable despite its petite form factor. You can put it in your pocket and bring it along without feeling like you have a huge bulge sticking out of your thigh, which is a first. The iPhone as a game console But believe it or not, these selling points aren't why I think the Stratus is truly the most important iOS gaming accessory yet; it's because of its ability to turn your iPhone or iPad into what is effectively an Apple game console. By using the Lightning AV adapter with HDMI output, you can hook your iDevice up to your TV and then sit back and use the Stratus controller to play the games on the big screen. That's pretty damn awesome. The only drawback right now is that in the switch to Lightning connectors, Apple's AV adapters are now a tad laggy compared to their 30-pin counterparts. You probably won't want to play a fast-paced shooter with this setup, but anything else works swimmingly, and it's one of the coolest things I've ever done with my iPhone. If (when?) Apple works out the mild lag issues and thereby making every game on the App Store a fine fit for an HDTV, this will be the single greatest reason to invest in a controller. I say that the Stratus is the most important gaming accessory for Apple's mobile devices because it is, but that doesn't necessarily mean that this particular controller will actually be a success. It's a harbinger of fantastic things to come, but there are a few things holding the Stratus back from bringing game-changing control to the masses. Price of entry For starters, it's the first attempt at an iOS controller for SteelSeries, which means the build quality isn't where it really should be. It's built entirely out of plastic, and it still feels like a toy. The button letters are painted on rather than indented, the clear plastic cover doesn't fit well (if you bother to use it), and the buttons and sticks rattle as though they're a bit loose. This first-run attempt wouldn't be such a turnoff if it weren't for the fact that the thing is so expensive. At a whopping US$99.99 -- currently available for pre-order -- it's not exactly priced for mass appeal. I hear gamers balk constantly at paying $60 for full-fledge console game controllers, and those have been fine tuned to perfection. The $100 price is mirrored by both of the alternatives from Logitech and Moga as well, so it's not like you have a "budget" option to choose from. For controller-based iOS gaming to take the next step and truly challenge other platforms -- like the 3DS and PS Vita -- it's going to have to be a lot more affordable. I think it will be, especially as we move into the next holiday season, but right now it's definitely an expensive niche. We're at an interesting cross roads in mobile gaming at the moment. We finally have some physical control options available to us, and we have fantastic titles like Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas that support them, but it's all still too expensive to really matter. If a mobile gaming revolution does eventually begin to burn within the iOS ranks, I think we'll be able to look back at the Stratus as the spark, but right now it's just as much in danger of being snuffed out completely. Rating: 3 stars (out of 4 stars)
First wireless iOS 7 game pad, the SteelSeries Stratus, up for pre-order
SteelSeries has introduced a new wireless controller, the Stratus. It's the first iOS 7-compatible wireless game pad, which connects to iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch via Bluetooth 2.1. The controller has four pressure-sensitive face buttons, dual analog sticks, four shoulder buttons and a four-direction d-pad. The controller charges via USB for up to 10 hours of gameplay and has LED lights for differentiating players during local multiplayer sessions. The Stratus, which will cost $99.99, isn't available right now, but SteelSeries has opened up a pre-order page. SteelSeries has not announced when the controller will begin shipping.
SteelSeries launches the Stratus, the first wireless iOS 7 gamepad
With its new gaming protocols in iOS 7, Apple opened the door for gamepads that make use of the iPhone's Lightning connector to bring an assortment of inputs to iOS titles. Recognizing that not all iOS gamers own an iPhone, accessory maker SteelSeries has unveiled its new Stratus controller, becoming the first wireless gamepad to support Apple's latest iOS platform in the process. Unlike Logitech's PowerShell and PowerA's MOGA Ace Power, the Stratus connects to an iPad, iPhone and the iPod touch via Bluetooth 2.1, putting four pressure-sensitive face buttons, four shoulder buttons, dual analog sticks and a four-way d-pad in a design that reminds us a little of Sega's Genesis/Mega Drive gamepad, at least in black. While you won't be able to attach your iOS device to the Stratus and play on the move, it does mean you can set it aside and play against up to three other players on the big screen via AirPlay. Without that additional clutter, the Stratus comes in significantly lighter than rival controllers, giving you around 10 hours playtime on a full (USB) charge. SteelSeries has already made the Stratus available for pre-order on its website for $99.99/€99.99, and you can find the link in the source below.
Eyes on with Tobii's gaming eye-tracking engine and SteelSeries prototype hardware (updated)
Tobii's getting serious about bringing eye tracking to gamers the world over. Days ago, the company announced a partnership with SteelSeries to build a new sensor bar (still in development) and its EyeX engine meant to bring eye tracking to more games in 2014. Today at CES, we got to see a non-functioning prototype of that SteelSeries the EyeX dev kit hardware (seen in our gallery below) and test out EyeX playing Deus Ex. As a bit of background, the EyeX engine was released a month ago, and using Tobii's SDK and APIs to implement it, devs can combine gaze controls with regular mouse, keyboard and touchpad inputs to provide new gaming user experiences. Our demo using the Tobii REX sensor, was a bit rough, given that the game was running at a startlingly low frame rate for some reason, and the device hadn't been calibrated to our eyeballs due to time constraints. Still, we could see the potential for the technology, as it allows for faster in-game navigation. For example, the EyeX middleware allows for developers to overlay quick menus on top of the game screen at a touch of a button, and you make your selection by merely looking at the icon you want. Additionally, the control for aiming down the sights simply required closing one eye, while squatting or looking around corners was accomplished by moving our head up and down or side to side. In practice, the menu selection was the smoothest and most accurate implementation, while the character movements were far less reliable -- they worked in about two out of three attempts. Of course, you don't have to take our word for it, you can see for yourself in the video after the break. Update: The sensor bar pictured below is not a product of the SteelSeries partnership, it's actually a prototype of the forthcoming EyeX developer kit sensor. Richard Lai contributed to this report.
Tobii and SteelSeries team up to launch eye-tracking game controller
After spending the better part of a year fine-tuning its technology for Windows 8 machines, eye-tracking specialist Tobii is looking to conquer new market: gaming. With CES just days away, the Swedish company announced today that it has partnered with gaming accessory maker SteelSeries to launch what both companies call "the world's first mass-market consumer eye-tracking device for gamers." SteelSeries doesn't have anything to show us just yet, but tells us that its new gaming gear will let players signal their intent, aim and express emotions inside supported games. In the meantime, we hope to catch up with Tobii when it takes to the CES floor with its EyeX Controller, giving us an insight into what its partner has in store when it launches its first eye-tracking gaming products in mid-2014.
Holiday gift ideas for World of Warcraft players
Tis the season for Winter Veil -- or for those of us out here in the real world, a variety of gift-giving holidays. While getting gifts may be as easy as waiting for them to arrive, giving clever gifts that show you care takes a little more thought. It's not too late to start picking out gifts for your loved ones -- and WoW Insider is here to help you out. Digital goods like pets and mounts may be all well and good, but there's a vast variety of real-world items that are sure to delight anyone on your shopping list as well. If you're a WoW-player looking for gifts for your WoW-playing friends, check out the list we've compiled of cool gift ideas for the holiday season. Alternatively, you can always slip this handy article to your friends and family that are wondering exactly what's on your wish list this season!
