Arturia’s KeyStep is one of the most popular MIDI controllers ever made, especially with modular synth users and the DAWless crowd. It’s small, cheap, has an easy-to-use sequencer, and offers decent connectivity. But it was also released way back in January of 2016. The world of music gear moves more slowly than, say, smartphones, but […]
This weekend, I turned my home into a test lab for Google’s new Gemini for Home AI and subjected my family to 72 hours of surveillance as it watched, interpreted, and narrated our every move. My purpose? To find out if an AI that sees everything is actually helpful or just plain creepy. “R unpacking […]
Logitech’s Alto Keys K98M mechanical keyboard is now available in North America after its initial launch in China and other select markets. The $149.99 Alto Keys K98M is an almost full-size 1800-layout keyboard, offering a slightly compact design that maintains a number pad. But what makes the K98M special for a mass-market Logitech board is […]
Your Happy Hacking Keyboard can finally get fresh caps. While regular keyboards have an embarrassment of keycap options, Topre boards like the HHKB or Realforce R3 don’t. They’ve more or less been relegated to OEM-profile PBT keycaps with dye-sublimated legends, in light grey, charcoal, white, or (recently) a few more colorful options. Something as basic […]
It’s been nearly two weeks since Microsoft, a multi-trillion dollar company, shipped a $600 handheld “Xbox” that can’t be relied on to sleep, wake, or hold a charge while asleep in my tests. Neither Microsoft nor Asus would admit there’s a problem with the white Xbox Ally or offer a timeline to fix it after […]
Halo Studios has created something special for the 25th anniversary of Halo next year. Halo: Campaign Evolved is a full remake of the original Combat Evolved that launched alongside Microsoft’s first Xbox console in 2001. It has a fully rebuilt campaign with 4K visuals, new weapons and vehicles, a four-player online co-op mode, and brand-new […]
Watching the first few minutes of KPop Demon Hunters on Samsung’s Galaxy XR headset, I think Apple’s Vision Pro might be cooked. It’s not because the Galaxy XR – which Samsung formerly teased as Project Moohan – is that much better than the Vision Pro. It’s that the experience is comparable, but you get so […]
Last month, my colleague Liz Lopatto explained how a gummy bear battery bank was taking over the ultralight backpacking world. I’m talking full-grown, outdoorsy adults nerding out about gummy bear merch beating the battery pros at their own game! Liz and I quickly agreed: We should put it to the test. Could the gummy bear […]
The trick to understanding Opera’s Neon browser is recognizing that it’s not just a browser with an AI bot added to it, but a browser with three AI bots all living side by side. This is both a strength and a weakness, because while you don’t have to leave to do all the AI things […]
Handheld makers are throwing paint at the wall to see what sticks. They apparently can’t compete with the Steam Deck on price, so they’re trying giant handhelds, 3D handhelds, more familiar and comfortable handhelds, and premium handhelds with Switch-like detachable controllers that double as mice. Many now cost $1,000 or more. But boutique brand GPD […]