CES 2021 shows off new gear for gamers
Gaming vests, headsets and keyboards are among the innovating gear showcased at CES.
The 2021 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is underway now – online instead of its usual physical location in Las Vegas – giving eager tech enthusiasts a chance to see what’s on the cards for everything from appliances to personal health to autonomous vehicles to robots to video games and more. There are several items with solid gaming credentials too, and I’ve highlighted them here.
Asus ROG Falchion Portable Wireless Keyboard
The Asus ROG Falchion is a 65 per cent size wireless mechanical keyboard, designed for gaming on the go (or in cramped spaces).
Being 35 per cent smaller than a standard keyboard and measuring 305mm x 101mm x 38.5mm, it’s clearly designed for portability, with 68 keys (there is no numpad) using Cherry MX switches and an interactive touch panel. Connection is via a 2.4GHz wireless, and Asus says it will run for up to 450 hours of a single charge.
In true ‘gamer keyboard’ style, it also has RGB lighting and will be attractive to gamers looking for a portable gaming keyboard or somewhere that space is at a premium.
Units are expected to be available from computer retailers in Australia early next month for around AUD$299.
bHaptics TactSuit X40
Looking like something a superhero would don, the TactSuit X40 is a wireless haptic vest developed firm bHaptics Inc, and is designed to provide tactile feedback to the wear in VR and Augment Reality (AR) content – both on PC and console.
The idea is the vest simulates vibration/touch feedback effects from events in games and videos – I haven’t had a chance to try it out, but it seems reasonable to surmise these include events such as gunshots, characters grabbing you, and equipment shifting as you move.
It’s not just for gaming either, with bHaptics saying the vest’s software “automatically creates audio-based haptic feedback in real time” for “non-integrated content, including movie and music”.
There are 40 vibration motors in the vest, which is a one-size-fits-all affair with an internal battery running for about 15-18 hours.
The units are expected to ship from next month with a price of about AUD$729 including shipping to Australia.
HP Reverb G2 VR Headset
VR technology is slowly but steadily continuing develop and as it does so, paves the way for wider consumer acceptance for entertainment use. There’s a few VR headsets on the market but the latest offering from HP appears to be bring something new to the table, hence its inclusion as a CES Innovation Award honouree.
The HP Reverb G2 VR headset has been developed in conjunction with gaming heavyweights Valve Corporation and Microsoft to offer compatibility with SteamVR and Windows Mixed Reality.
The eye panels are both 2160 x 2160 LCDs and while the unit does need to be connected to a PC via an included 6m long cable, it doesn’t need external sensors as it has four tracking cameras fitted to it.
HP have enhanced the unit’s comfort with a removable face cushion and additional areas of adjustment for the headband and lenses, all of which appears to allow for a longer wear time and greater sense of VR immersion.
The units are available from HP in Australia with an RRP of AUD$1099.
WOWCube Entertainment System
The WOWCube Entertainment system is something totally unique in gaming, even though it’s not a traditional PC or console.
Described as “a mixed reality device with a tangible interface that combines classical 3D twisty puzzles and video games where virtual gameplay is controlled by physically tilting, twisting, and shaking the device”, it bears a strong similarity to a Rubik’s Cube but with screens instead of coloured plastic.
The device can be interacted with by twisting, tilting and shaking (although taking it apart is, obviously, likely to be frowned upon) and measuring 70mm x 70mm x 70mm, featuring 24 screens.
The device is designed to work with a range of games and puzzles designed specifically for it. The WOWCube’s uses go beyond gaming too, with applications for general desktop widgets and smart home features as well.
There is no ETA or cost for the units at this stage, although the official website sales are expected to start soon.
When it comes to TVs, is bigger always better?
As technology evolves, the majority of things have gotten smaller or at least more compact. But TVs have grown in the opposite direction, now as big as the walls in your home.
Big mother is watching…
This AI-equipped device is “the world’s smartest baby monitor”, CuboAI says. You’ll hardly believe some of the things it can do.