| Cherry Rolls Out a Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo Posted: 04 Dec 2014 01:27 PM PST  Back to basics
We fancy ourselves to be keyboard snobs these days, and Cherry is partially responsible for that. After all, Cherry's MX key switches are found on a number of mechanical keyboards, which helped revitalize a somewhat stagnant market for planks. So, it was with (short lived) interest when we saw Cherry introduce a new wireless keyboard and mouse combo (JD-0700EU-2) intended for the workplace. We imagine the company is taking aim at working professionals because it's a "whisper quiet" keyboard with wear-resistant laser key legends -- both good qualities to have in a working environment that sees a lot of keyboard pecking, and in this case, Cherry claims the keys are good for over 10 million actuations. Serious stuff folks, try not to wet yourself with excitement. That said, it looks like Cherry missed the boat here for something special. How so? It doesn't appear to use mechanical key switches, as the company is known for. Too bad, because a Cherry brand keyboard without wires and with Cherry MX key switches could have been rad. But hey, it does come with a consolation prize -- a three button ambidextrous mouse with a 1,200 DPI (and also wireless). It's like taking a free trip back in time! Well, minus the cost of the combo, which Cherry hasn't yet revealed. Check out the product page for more seat-of-your pants specs. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| GOG Winter Sale in Effect, Claim a Copy of Age of Wonders for Free Posted: 04 Dec 2014 11:48 AM PST  Free copies are limited and going fast
Assuming you're not yet exhausted from all the online shopping and holiday sales that have taken place the last couple of weeks, here's yet another one. GOG's 2014 DRM-Free Big Winter Sale is going on now, and as always, it's highlighted by big savings of up to 90 percent off tons of titles, and of course they're all DRM free. And if you're tired of spending money, head over to GOG anyway and claim your free copy of the classic Age of Wonders, assuming there are still copies left. GOG earmarked 250,000 copies of Age of Wonders to give away, and at the time of this writing, less than 142,000 were left (scroll down on GOG's homepage to see it). There's a real-time counter attached to the deal and you can watch as it steadily declines. In addition to all the marked down games, GOG cycles daily deals every 24 hours. Currently you can pick up S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 1-3 for $12.47, marked down from $49.97, The Ultimate D&D Collection (Planescape: Torment, Neverwinter Nights 1-2, Baldur's Gate 1-2, Icewind Dale 1-2, The Temple of Elemental Evil, Dragonshard, and Demonstone) for $21.10, down from $105.90, and several others. And of course there's the Frost Flash Frenzy -- 30 flash deals every hour. In any event, grab your wallet, click here, and happy gaming. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| Newegg Daily Deals: Corsair Carbide Series 200R Case, WD Blue 1TB HDD, and More! Posted: 04 Dec 2014 11:23 AM PST  
Top Deal: Every year, millions of PC parts go homeless. Sadly, they end up in a box tucked away in basements across the nation, forgotten and neglected for years on end. It's heartbreaking having all that untapped computing power go to waste, but if you want to help, there's something you can do. First, go dig up your collection of parts, and add to them as needed for a full build. Then, check out today's top deal for a Corsair Carbide Series 200R PC Case for $40 with free shipping (normally $60 - use coupon code: [EMCWHPF23] and $10 mail-in-rebate). This compact case will give your parts a home and, on a grander scale, a purpose. Don't they deserve that? Other Deals: Corsair Vengeance Pro 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory for $137 with free shipping Western Digital WD Blue 1TB 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive for $50 with free shipping (normally $55 - use coupon code: [ESCWHPF22]) Silicon Power S80 2.5-inch 240GB 7mm SATA III 6Gb/s Internal Solid State Drive for $90 Acer H6 Series 23-inch 5ms (GTG) HDMI Widescreen LED Backlight LED Backlit LCD Monitor for $130 (normally $140 - use coupon code: [EMCWHPF34]) |
| Razer's Limited Edition Classic Series are Popular Peripherals Retrofitted with Blue LEDs Posted: 04 Dec 2014 11:11 AM PST  Razer's feeling the blues
Razer today unveiled its "Razer Classic" product line consisting of five exclusive products that can only be purchased from the company's website. These aren't new peripherals, but a collection of "tried and true" devices that have each been given retro blue backlighting as a throwback to Razer's early days in the gaming peripheral market. The goal is to offer "contemporary performance, but with a subtle nostalgic vibe," the company says. "In order to pay homage to our origins and the fans who've been through it all, our Razer Classic products with Blue LED backlighting commemorate a time when Razer first made its mark in the gaming world," says Min-Liang Tan, Razer co-founder and CEO. "These products are available exclusively via RazerStore and, together with the free add-ons we've bundled with each product, you will get a great deal." The Classic series consists of the Razer BlackWidow Ultimate keyboard, DeathAdder mouse, Kraken 7.1 headset, Naga MMO mouse, and Tartarus keypad. Each one is Synapse enabled to allow for saved profiles in the cloud, and each come with a bonus item -- Goliathus Medium Control mouse mat with the DeathAdder and Naga, Goliathus Extended Control with the Tartarus, keyboard bag with the BlackWidow Ultimate, and headset stand with the Kraken 7.1. You can find all these items here. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| Microsoft Wipes Hands of Nook Business, Sells Shares Back to Barnes and Noble Posted: 04 Dec 2014 10:25 AM PST  Software giant closes the book on Nook
Back in 2012, Microsoft invested $300 million into Barnes and Noble's Nook business, giving the Windows maker about a 17 percent share of Nook media. Things didn't turn out as planned for either side, and with B&N planning to spin off its Nook Media arm, Microsoft agreed to sell its stake back to the company, thus concluding a two-year partnership that never really went anywhere to begin with. Unfortunately for B&N, consumers flocked to rival Amazon and its Kindle/Fire line of tablets and e-readers in the low-cost arena, as well as Google's Nexus 7. Nook sales suffered as a result, with B&N posting Nook revenues of $64 million for its fiscal 2015 second quarter ended November 1, 2014, a decrease of 41.3 percent from a year ago. Device and accessories sales plummeted 63.7 percent year-over-year to just $18.7 million, while digital content dropped 21.2 percent to $45.2 million. According to Reuters, the cash and share deal between Microsoft and B&N is estimated at around $125 million. As part of the agreement, Microsoft will receive about 22.7 percent of the total proceeds from Nook's digital business (doesn't include college bookstores) if it's sold in the next three years. Looking ahead, B&N expects sales to continue to decline, though in the low single digits. The company's stock is down around 6 percent today, while Microsoft's is up around 2 percent. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| Mionix Smart Gaming Mouse Knows When You're Stressed Out Posted: 04 Dec 2014 08:54 AM PST  Aiming for the world's smart mouse
Mionix is thinking a bit outside the cage for its newest mouse, the Naos QG (Quantified Gaming), which is currently on Kickstarter seeking $100,000 in funding. Described as the world's first smart mouse, the Naos QG is equipped with various sensors that track body reactions in order to provide "deep insights into your gaming." It's a similar concept to tracking data on athletes, and then using that data to improve their abilities. Sounds idealistic, though it's certainly interesting. I'm a fan of Mionix's rodents, and the design of the Naos QG looks similar to other models I've played with. What's different, however, is that it has a heart rate sensor and two galvanic skin response sensors built into the palm area. If you use a claw grip, it doesn't look like the sensors will do you any good; otherwise, they'll keep track of your heart rate and body reactions. That information is relayed via an on-screen overlay while you're in-game (you can customize the location). And if your stress data is through the roof, it will suggest you take a break. "Review the game on your own or with your teammates to understand when and why you are stressed. Make use of the data for efficient training and become a real gaming hero! Are you cool as a cucumber or a mental wreck when gaming?," Mionix says. The Naos QG will retail for $129, though there are still a few spots left to back the project at $79 (not many), which will come with the rodent. If you miss out, there's an Early Bird $89 tier that also comes with the mouse. Check out the Kickstarter page for more information. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
