Peripherals News - Page 4

Looking for a dock for your Steam Deck that does it all and then some? Well, the new 6-in-1 USB-C Docking Station for Steam Deck from Syntech might be the answer, as it's packed with features and is currently available with a nice 10% discount over at Amazon, which goes up to 50% with a coupon (link at the end of the article).

Syntech's Docking Station for the Steam Deck, image credit: Syntech.

Syntech's Docking Station for the Steam Deck offers 4K@60Hz output over HDMI 2.0, a Gigabit Ethernet input for fast transfer, three USB-A 3.0 outputs, and USB-C 3.0 for full-speed charging. So yeah, it's stacked.

The dock also sports a minimal curved look that looks stylish and sleek in the product shots provided by Syntech, making it one of the best-looking Steam Deck docks currently available. The USB-C charging also means that it can double as a nice little charging stand for the Nintendo Switch or a smartphone.

The KEBOHUB EE01 is born from a collaboration between Whatgeek and affordable Apple peripheral specialists 3inus. The goal is to combine a mechanical keyboard's precision and tactile feel with the versatility of a device hub. Designed primarily for MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and iMacs from 2021 onward, the KEBOHUB is also compatible with Windows devices.

KEBOHUB EE01, a mechanical keyboard and hub combo.

For that, 3inus packs in replaceable Windows-specific keycaps to integrate correctly. Sporting a funky two-tone look with full support for dynamic RGB lighting, I had the chance to test the KEBOHUB EE01 before its Kickstarter crowdfunding debut this week. And even though my platform of choice has always been PC, it was fun to dip into the world of Apple with the KEBOHUB.

Of course, the main draw here is the hub, powered by the KEBOHUB EE01's dual USB-C cable, which connects to your Apple device. The hub features multiple USB 3 ports and USB-C for charging and connecting things like storage devices directly to the keyboard and an HDMI port capable of outputting a 4K 60 Hz signal for a secondary display.

The new Xbox Wireless Controller - Remix Special Edition is being released just in time for Earth Day, with recovered plastics from reclaimed materials making up a third of its physical design.

Xbox Wireless Controller - Remix Special Edition created from recycled plastics, image credit: Microsoft.

It also sports a stylish look with earth-tone colors and different texturing, with the reclaimed materials featuring subtle variations and markings to give each Remix Special Edition controller its unique look and feel.

In addition to reclaimed materials that include CDs, plastic water jugs, and even automotive headlight covers, it also uses "regrind." The team at Xbox describes "regrind" as the process of recycling leftover Xbox One controller parts into raw materials that can be used to create new controllers like the Remix Special Edition.

The Flux Keyboard is a fascinating new peripheral that has blasted through its Kickstarter goal of AUD 200,000, where it was funded in eight minutes and hit AUD 1 million in four hours. And it's not hard to see why, as this modular keyboard integrates a fully dynamic display with the feel of a mechanical keyboard.

Flux Keyboard, transparent keyboard with integrated display, image credit: Flux Group

The display allows any icon to be placed on any key, paving the way for multi-language support and application-specific layouts and styles. Created by the Australian-based Flux Group, the high-definition IPS display sits below a modular, transparent layer that can display any image or video and can even showcase reactive animations as part of a singular background.

How does this translate to the precision and tactile feel you get from a mechanical keyboard? On that front, the Flux Keyboard uses custom Maglev switches that rely on magnets to deliver a tactile or linear feel similar to what you get from the spring in a traditional mechanical key switch.

Razer's Focus Pro 30K Optical Sensor, created in collaboration with PixArt, is one of the most impressive currently out there - which we covered in our full review of the ultralight Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro.

The new Razer Atlas glass gaming mouse mat, image credit: Razer

One of the sensor's features that Razer clearly pointed out was that surface compatibility extended to glass. A surface we don't normally associate with a high-performance gaming mouse, but hey.

This brings us to the launch of the new Razer Atlas gaming mouse mat (which retails for USD 99.99), the company's first glass gaming pad optimized for optical sensors like the one found in the DeathAdder V3 Pro. A built-to-last gaming pad made up of "premium tempered glass" that delivers an ultra-smooth surface with little to no resistance - according to Razer.

If you're serious about sim racing, mainly F1 and games like F1 22, you'll no doubt have looked into racing wheels, pedals, racing chairs, and even multi-screen setups powered by a high-end PC gaming rig. The new custom 2022 Oracle Red Bull Racing RB18 Show Car Simulator rigs are built on this idea, and they're also built using the "same processes as the real race cars." With realistic carbon molds that make them eye-wateringly expensive.

And with that, the Race Edition starts at a whopping USD 92,325, with a more high-end Champions Edition available for USD 123,100 - with shipments expected to commence in April 2023. So then, what does $92,000 get you in terms of an F1 racing simulation rig?

These rigs are essentially realistic shells of the Championship Winning RB18 created from "official Oracle Red Bull Racing CAD data," with Oracle Red Bull Racing involved in the development alongside Memento Exclusives (F1 Authentics). These simulators are similar to the ones used by the drivers themselves, and in terms of customization, both Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez driver liveries are available.

Regarding keyboard and mouse combos with funky designs, we often think of RGB-lit tanks with neon lights aimed at the gaming market. Of course, there are exceptions, like Logitech's stylish and retro typewriter-inspired Pop Keys range.

Samsung Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Mint Choco

The new Samsung Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Mint Choco combo take a different route - a road leading to sweet dessert delights.

You don't often want to bite into a PC mouse to see if it's full of ice cream, but that's precisely what happened when I first saw this new mint chocolate ice cream design. Chocolate chips sprinkled on top of a mint-colored keyboard and mouse combo, a new design currently listed on Samsung's Korean site. Here's hoping the design makes its way to the rest of the world because there's nothing quite as universal as chocolate and ice cream.

The new Alienware Tri-Mode Wireless Gaming Keyboard (AW920K) is the first wireless gaming keyboard from the hardware maker, with availability starting today in the US. It's a premium kit with mechanical CHERRY MX Red switches and programmable dials - called the Programmable Rocker Switch and Dial - to control media.

Alienware Tri-Mode Wireless Gaming Keyboard (AW920K)

The Tri-Mode in the naming refers to the connectivity options: high-speed 2.4 GHz wireless via a USB-C dongle, Bluetooth 5.1 that can store and switch between three separate devices, and good old-fashioned wired via USB.

The new keyboard from Alienware is joined by a suite of other products announced by the company, including two new headsets - the Alienware Dual Mode Wireless Gaming Headset (AW720H), available now in the US, and the Alienware Wired Gaming Headset (AW520H) arriving in Q2 2023.

The Sabrent USB Type-C to Dual HDMI and DisplayPort Adapter is designed for USB-C ports that support video via DP Alternate Mode. Based on its features, it sounds like the perfect accessory for laptops with USB-C video ports. With two HDMI 2.0b ports and a DisplayPort 1.4 port, it's versatile enough to support basically any display released in the last decade and opens the door to multi-screen support.

Sabrent USB Type-C to Dual HDMI and DisplayPort Adapter

As per the release notes, the Sabrent USB Type-C to Dual HDMI and DisplayPort Adapter supports the DP 1.4 spec of 8K at 30Hz, with the two HDMI ports supporting up to 4K at 60Hz. Naturally, when connecting multiple devices, bandwidth over full Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C 10 Gbps ports limits what you can put out display-wise - but even so, it's still impressive when you can get 4K over DisplayPort and 2K over two HDMI displays simultaneously - or, 4K 60Hz using DisplayPort and a single HDMI port.

There's even a panoramic mode via AMD Eyefinity, NVIDIA Surround, or Intel Collage. For those that use a single high-end laptop for work and play, it's something to consider.

The new EK-Loot Mousepad - Quantum is not the usual release from EK, a company known for creating custom water block solutions for various builds and setups. As a large 900 x 400 mm mousepad and desk mat, it's still related to custom water cooling as it features numerous visual touches to make the loop-building process easier.

EK-Loot Mousepad - Quantum

There are guides for tube bending and an explanation of the EK-Matrix7 system, which is behind what makes EK's CPU and GPU water blocks look as sleek and stylish as they do. There are even little diagrams and imagery for all the fittings, extenders, and screw types used in DIY water block construction.

The exact pressure amounts needed for loop testing are also readily available. If you're planning on putting together some custom water cooling or are already well-versed in the world of tubes, pipes, and liquid cooling, this is the mousepad for you.