Productivity mice are generally overlooked over their flashier gaming cousins, though their popularity has risen in recent years – and for good reason, especially in the case of Logitech. Known for their customisable functions and ergonomic comfort for maximum productivity, there’s plenty to love about the Logitech MX Master series, and the latest MX Master 4 only reinforces its position as the leader of the pack, with some sweet haptic upgrades creatives never knew they needed. 

A follow-up to the office favourite Logitech MX Master 3S, it returns with the same level of comfort and functionality that makes onboarding easy for newcomers and a smooth homecoming for existing users. The mouse comes with a USB-C Bolt receiver and eight buttons: left/right click, middle click, back/forward, App-Switch, Wheel mode-shift, side buttons, MagSpeed scroll, and the new Actions Ring, housed in a textured thumb rest alongside a motor that triggers haptic feedback.

There has also been an improvement to the mouse’s stain-resistant silicon surface, a departure from the soft rubber used previously, which has come in handy when a drip of coffee somehow ends up on it. Three colourways are available: Graphite, Black, and Pale Grey, but it works well enough that users don’t have to worry much about the lighter-coloured option – just don’t leave stains unattended for too long, of course. 

The base is identical to its predecessor, with a USB-C port that doubles as a receiver for a bolt receiver, an Easy Switch button that, well, switches between three paired devices and a power button that locks the haptic thumb rest in place when turned off. The starting DPI is set to 1,000 and can be adjusted in the Logi Options+ application in increments of 50. Besides the mouse sensitivity, you can also change the speed of its Magspeed wheel and the required force to activate the Actions Ring button, which is useful for preventing users with stronger grips from accidentally pressing against it.

The biggest change that sets this apart from the rest of the MX Master line is the introduction of haptic feedback, indicated by a pulse-like effect when the mouse is turned on. This feature has raised a great many eyebrows over its practical usage, but don’t be quick to judge – it gives more reassurance to users than you would think. 

With support for Adobe applications such as Premiere Pro and Photoshop, users will be able to feel the click of joining two clips together or aligning images to the guiding lines, which proves a lot more satisfying than it should, and inspires confidence in users that their elements are exactly where they need them to be. With the Adobe plug-ins available for the Actions Ring, Logitech claims you can save up to 33 percent of your time with the shortcuts, and there seems to be some truth to it once you get used to the process. 

The plug-ins serve as a great template for commonly used functions on the different Adobe apps, such as reducing a video clip’s speed to 50 per cent for slow motion, or navigating to the exposure slider to adjust the brightness of an image – all of which are helpful to get you started and are customisable in the Logi Options+ app. Out of the box, the base shortcuts found in the Actions Ring include opening up File Explorer or Finder, or clicking into Logi Options+ and accessing an AI bot, to name a few. It should be noted that while the Actions Ring is easy to set up, users should adapt it to their workflow and familiarise themselves with the ins and outs to get the most out of it, with the eventual goal to use available plug-ins or create their own profiles for an optimised day-to-day productivity experience. 

More notably, most creatives pack smaller form factor keyboards for their mobility, and having a mouse like the Logitech MX Master 4 makes up for the lack of macro keys and additional buttons, especially if they are working on the go. Given the versatility of its 8K DPI tracking, the device can be used on any kind of surface, from ultra-smooth glass mousepads to wood tables in hotel rooms, while consistently maintaining its accuracy throughout. 

Switching between an Apple Mac Studio M2 Ultra and ROG gaming PC daily for work on our end means frequently hitting the Easy-Switch button, located on the base of the mouse, to toggle between the two machines. Logitech’s workaround lets the cursor spill over to the other platform, albeit with a slight wait, since it uses the local network for communication between them, making it easy to send files by simply dragging them across the screen. 

When it comes to gaming, however, it’s best to set up a whole new profile that removes everything from the Actions Ring, as it will minimise the app window and cause disruptions to gameplay. Playing shooters like Battlefield 6 at default mouse settings wasn’t the best experience, interspersed with interruptions after accidentally setting off the Actions Ring, even though performance was decent with the right profile. While the MX Master 4 is far from gaming-focused, its ergonomics ensure comfort rarely offered by gaming mice, and can even shape up to be a formidable gaming mouse through some practice and patience with creating separate profiles for different games. 

The only caveat with the MX Master 4 is the lack of onboard memory, so you can’t plug it into a new device and dive right into the swing of things, which is a pity because the setup will take even more time – unless the Logi Options+ app is installed to load up profiles. It’s a missed opportunity, as longtime users have consistently requested that the feature be included in the MX Master series, particularly in light of the onboard memory support available in the classic Logitech G502 gaming mouse range. 

Besides that, its ergonomics, comfort and battery life are in its own league, promising up to 70 days on a full charge, similar to the MX Master 3S that has been tried and tested over the course of five working days and registered a 10 to 12 per cent drop each week while being used primarily for video and photo editing. The mouse can also be directly connected to your PC or Mac with a USB-C – there’s no cable included right out of the box, so you’ll have to use a spare one lying around. 

While the Logitech MX Master 4 is a step in the right direction, the $199 price tag is a bit steep, though the generous spread of features makes it easy to justify the price tag, even if MX Master enthusiasts have to hold onto the dream of onboard memory. Between the addition of game-changing haptic feedback and the Actions Ring, and the retention of the best bits from its predecessor, it signifies the start of next-gen productivity mice, and the experience itself is worth the price of admission. It is still the best wireless productivity mouse on the market, and it deserves your attention. 

Zinho De Costa

Abandon Reason Know Only War! Zinho is a shooter fanatic still waiting for direct sequels to Black (2006) and Star Wars: Republic Commandos. He also truly believes that the Warhammer 40K universe can take on any franchise and destroy them. To think any different is heresy and punishable by Exterminatus.

The post Logitech MX Master 4 Ergonomic Mouse – Review appeared first on Geek Culture.

Gaming monitors tend to get disregarded by most, as if it’s not a vital component in every gamer’s arsenal, as only gamers understand how important every item in their setup help shape their performance. From monster gaming rigs down to the force needed to input actions on a keyboard, everything plays a part in ensuring the best possible experience and few matter as much as monitors. 

With this in mind, gaming giant Gigabyte has introduced the gaming-centric MO27Q28G OLED monitor, sporting high refresh rates that can go up to 280Hz, white OLED (WOLED) that promises vibrant colours, deep blacks and reduced power consumption, alongside the now standard support for Nvidia G-Sync. And with a wallet-friendly S$899 price tag, this beauty sits comfortably between its more affordable and premium peers without compromising its performance.

Perhaps understanding the professional gaming scene better than anyone else, given its support for gaming events and esports over the last four decades, the 27-inch display comes with a four-sided borderless design to bring immersive gaming to the next level, supplemented by its already stealthy metallic black structure with a slim stem and 2mm-thin base. Its rear follows suit with a minimalist Gigabyte logo on the monitor and at the top of the stem – contrary to the usual flurry of RGB lights seen in other monitors – because the Gigabyte MO27Q28G was made for ‘no-frills, all performance’ gaming, showing it can get the job done in sleek fashion.

There are a good number of rear ports in a plastic housing that include a 3.5mm audio jack, two HDMI 2.1 ports, one DisplayPort 1.4, two USB 3.2 downstream ports, a USB 3.2 upstream port and a USB Type-C port that functions as an upstream port and delivers power of up to 18W with an alternate mode. There are more than enough ports to hook up your PC, Nintendo Switch 2, or other consoles at the same time for a one-stop gaming experience, as console players can also expect up to 120Hz refresh rate at 4K via HDMI. It also comes with two 5W speakers on the sides, which work nicely as a backup option, and a 100mm x 100mm VESA mount for all your monitor arm needs.

In terms of colour performance, the Gigabyte MO27Q28G performs exceptionally well in presenting vivid colours and deeper blacks thanks to its 4th-generation WOLED components that cover 99.5 percent of the DCI-P3 gamut. Great colour accuracy and contrast mean visually vivid environments, especially in games like Borderlands 4 and Apex Legends. Gigabyte says that this WOLED display decreases power consumption by 20 percent and increases peak brightness by 13 percent, so users are getting more performance for less. Although it’s not something we can test, the promise of ‘Perfect Black’ of up to 500 lux certainly delivers deep blacks and clear visuals in any lighting. 

The monitor works well in most environments you can think of, even when facing a studio light placed directly in front of it or from an angle, with hardly any light reflected, partly due to its matte display’s 99 percent anti-reflection nature. Having a matte display not only reduces the ‘pop’ that comes with glossy screens but also diffuses light more softly and gently on the eyes, making the Gigabyte MO27Q28G ideal for productivity and web scrolling aside from hours of gaming.

On top of the 1440p, 280Hz monitor’s exceptional colour accuracy, it also offers colour-accurate and consistent performance in its default HDR mode. The highlights may appear too bright at times, but the WOLED experience has proven to have a more consistent HDR performance compared to other OLED options. The only concern is OLED burn-in with prolonged use, a common cause of worry for monitors of its nature, though the likelihood of occurrence is low. 

Located at the rear, the Tactical 2.0 switch can be programmed for various functions, from changing the monitor’s resolution to enabling built-in game-assisting tech like crosshairs. There are a slew of features for AI OLED care, including customising monitor profiles, as well as anti-flicker and ultra-clear options, accessible via the adjacent thumbstick for ease of access. Using preset profiles works just as well, and users are given a choice on how they want to approach the monitor through a host of tools. 

At S$899, the Gigabyte MO27Q28G​ is exactly what PC and console gamers need to get a competitive edge with quality to match and then some. With a focused 27-inch screen that runs at a hot 280Hz, an exceptionally performing WOLED monitor that provides all the colour accuracy and depth for an immersive gaming experience, the monitor was made with gamers’ needs in mind in a beautifully stealthy package. 

Zinho De Costa

Abandon Reason Know Only War! Zinho is a shooter fanatic still waiting for direct sequels to Black (2006) and Star Wars: Republic Commandos. He also truly believes that the Warhammer 40K universe can take on any franchise and destroy them. To think any different is heresy and punishable by Exterminatus.

The post Gigabyte MO27Q28G OLED Gaming Monitor — Review appeared first on Geek Culture.

Every company goes through firsts, and for UK-based consumer electronics manufacturer Nothing, the aptly named Nothing Headphone (1) – yes, that’s its name – marks its first foray into the headset audio space after six iterations of earbuds alongside smartphones and watches from both Nothing itself and sister company CMF.

With the arrival of the Nothing Headphone (1), the company brings its signature aesthetic that’s focused on transparency and minimalism in a fresh new light for audio enthusiasts. From first looks alone, the headset certainly makes an impact, decked out in that industrial design that fans have come to know and love and sporting unique square-shaped earcups not commonly seen, if ever, on a headset.

Weighing in at 329g, which is around 50g lighter than the Apple AirPods Max, the headset is designed to be form-fitting, and although its initial clamping force might cause discomfort during prolonged usage at first, it does gradually get more comfortable once broken in. Sound quality-wise, it’s built in collaboration with audio powerhouse KEF, boasting 40mm drivers, a 6-mic setup and real-time adaptive active noise cancelling (ANC).

The Nothing Headphone (1)’s biggest downside, however, lies in its build quality, as we had to swap out the units twice due to crackling and rumbling issues at certain frequencies during testing. While the issues faced might just be sheer bad luck and not representative of the experiences of a wider audience, it can still be quite a tough ask considering its relatively steep S$399 price, at least for Nothing’s standards.

Check out our full review and impressions in the video above.

Zinho De Costa

Abandon Reason Know Only War! Zinho is a shooter fanatic still waiting for direct sequels to Black (2006) and Star Wars: Republic Commandos. He also truly believes that the Warhammer 40K universe can take on any franchise and destroy them. To think any different is heresy and punishable by Exterminatus.

The post Nothing Headphone (1) — Review appeared first on Geek Culture.

Legacies that stand the test of time are few and far between, especially in the incredibly competitive world of gaming. Razer has proven time and again that its headphones will always have a place in the hearts of gamers from every generation, with some choosing the haptic Kraken headphones for a more immersive gaming experience, the Barracuda for multi-platform use with Razer’s signature aesthetic, or the Blackshark catered towards professional esports players. 

With four iterations over the last 13 years, the Razer Blackshark V3 Pro continues this legacy with key upgrades including Active Noise Cancellation and ultra-low latency audio, which do well with players looking for more ways to block out distractions, while listening out for accurate real-time audio cues that professional first-person shooter (FPS) players need to put numbers on the scoreboard. 

On the surface, it is difficult to tell the difference between the previous iterations of Blackshark headphones. Keeping in line with its predecessor’s all-black aesthetic, it’s devoid of RGB lighting but with a slight bit of gloss on the Razer logos on both sides of the headphones’ cans, reflecting how seriously it takes itself, especially as the headset of choice for esports professionals. What needs to be mentioned is the replaceable magnetic faceplates on either side of the headphones, which opens up possibilities for official or 3D printed designs to personalise your set of cans in the near future. 

The placement of the buttons hasn’t changed much from its predecessors, except for an additional customisable roller and the ANC, short for active noise cancellation, control button that cycles through its modes. Owners of previous headsets would feel right at home navigating around Blackshark V3 Pro, and the same thing can be said when it comes to adjusting the length of the headphones. 

Its dual-seal memory foam ear cushions use layers of fabric and leatherette that prove comfortable, together with 15-degree swivel joints to better conform the headphones to the angle of your ears, all working in tandem to provide a seal for the headphones’ ANC. The ear cushions are also lined with moisture-wicking properties that are made to absorb sweat during long hours of usage and ensure comfort throughout your session. The cushions are breathable, and our ears aren’t swimming in sweat after wearing them for four hours and longer in a room only equipped with a ceiling fan in sunny Singapore. 

However, what isn’t comfortable is the weight of the Blackshark V3 Pro and its crushing clamping force needed to keep it in place. At 367 grams, the Blackshark V3 Pro is the heaviest in its lineage and 103 grams heavier than the Blackshark V3 and Hyperspeed counterparts, which makes sense since there are more features packed into the Pro edition. However, the lack of weight distribution means that the majority of the weight would be pulling both of your ears down.

The clamping force needed to keep the cups on your ears should also feel proportional to the weight of the headphones, but here, it makes one feel like their head is being squashed, especially for folks with wider heads. The discomfort is felt immediately when putting the headset on as the clamping force pushes into the middle of the head, and when coupled with the weight of the headphones bearing down on you induces a headache, no matter how much you adjust the length of the headphones. It’s bad enough that the pressure forms a pulsation in your head the longer you keep them on.

These factors would be dealbreakers for many because the features and upgrades of the Blackshark V3 Pro cannot be fully enjoyed without the constant pressure on the head. One may argue that the headband would break into a more comfortable form over time, but it’s unclear how long it will take to reach that point. Add in the hybrid ANC’s pressure to the mix, and users are in for even more discomfort. 

Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation is a fresh feature for the Blackshark line, previously only seen in the Razer Barracuda Pro and Hammerhead True Wireless Pro products some years back, and there is a noticeable improvement here. The ANC is available in four levels and can be adjusted via the Razer Synapse software and the Razer Audio mobile app, though the level has to be set within the app and cannot be changed with the physical ANC button, which is the norm for most headphones. 

The lowest level of ANC does little to minimise ambient noise, with the highest improving slightly on voice and music reduction, such that users can hear the rumbling of its four microphones as it tries to fight against the ambient sound. The seal on the ear cushions isn’t as tight as expected, however, rendering its noise cancellation efforts a bit of a farce, and making us wonder how esports players would feel in a hall of screaming fans when the headphones can barely minimise the sound of a ceiling fan. 

When it comes to the audio performance, the Blackshark V3 Pro performs rather decently, and any gamer should be satisfied with its bass-heavy nature that drowns out the highs and mids, aligning with most gaming headphones Listening to Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” with the default EQ, you can tell that his vocals and the guitars are thin, while the basslines and the drum’s floor tom are prominent, they do not sound punchy at all. Imagery is somewhat accurate, although its soundstage is narrow even with Razer’s TriForce Bio-Cellulose 50mm drivers.

Granted, these headphones aren’t made for music, but given how long they have been in the business of making audio peripherals, you’d think Razer would’ve picked up a thing or two along the way. There are 12 custom EQ options tuned by professional esports players from popular FPS titles that act as templates for anyone unfamiliar with tweaking EQs for your game, and it’s a neat little feature that gets esports fans closer to their favourite players. You are able to save nine EQ profiles on the headset and cycle through them on the fly with the SmartSwitch button. 

Playing hardcore tactical shooter Ready or Not with the Razer Blackshark V3 Pro was a decent experience, with just enough accuracy to pick up the positions of suspects’ footsteps and chatter behind walls and doors. You can use the “Footsteps Scaling” function – which can be assigned to the additional roller on the right of the headset – to adjust the 125Hz and 250Hz bands specifically, to enhance audio cues that usually fall within those frequencies. This helps with intelligence gathering, especially in other games such as Valorant and Apex Legends that are heavy on audio cues.

The included THX Spatial Audio 7.1.4 experience is fun to use in immersive games like Elden Ring or Ready or Not to make them more atmospheric, but this is not suitable for every game and requires some trial and error to check if spatial audio is supported with the games you play. Surround sound options are dependent on the platform you are playing on, of course, and THX Spatial audio is only available on PC, while Windows Sonic and 3D Tempest audio are available on Xbox and PlayStation, respectively. 

Ultra-low latency is the name of the game with this particular Blackshark, and its cousin, the Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro Wireless Gaming Mouse, are leading the charge with the HyperSpeed Wireless Gen-2 dongle. On the audio front, this promises 2.5GHz latency rates of 10ms, delivering near-instantaneous audio that translates to larger reaction windows for esports professionals, as every in-game second could be the difference between life and death. Receiving information a millisecond quicker is the kind of edge gaming veterans will appreciate as the Blackshark V3 Pro is 5ms faster than some of its higher-end contemporaries from brands like HyperX and Logitech, which is impressive.

Besides enabling its super low-latency audio delivery, the dongle can indicate either connection status or battery life status, with a blinking red warning informing users when the headphones are in dire need of a charge. If you wish to extend its 70 hours of battery life on PC, or 48 hours on Xbox or PlayStation consoles, you can disable the Ultra-Low Latency feature in Razer Synapse, extending both battery life and the headphones’ range without sacrificing latency.

Razer’s HyperClear Full Band 12mm microphone uses a larger capsule and sounds decent, with more than enough clarity to get your message across the voice chat. Working alongside Razer Synapse’s customisable EQ, you can adjust the bands as you wish, or choose from four available presets – all of which work decently, especially the full and warm-sounding Broadcaster option. The microphone on the Blackshark V3 Pro has no major issues, with its bells and whistles serving its main purpose of enhanced communication.

With a hefty price tag of US$249.99, the headphones might seem like a heavy investment for casual gamers, and in more ways than one. The combination of its weight and hardly bearable clamping force makes it difficult to fully recommend the Razer Black V3 Pro, because it compromises comfort for competent audio quality, customisation, and battery life. While fans may rejoice over an upgrade to a beloved headset series, the lack of an ergonomic experience right out of the box spells trouble for any gamer – you can’t win games if your headphones are squeezing your brain, after all. 

Zinho De Costa

Abandon Reason Know Only War! Zinho is a shooter fanatic still waiting for direct sequels to Black (2006) and Star Wars: Republic Commandos. He also truly believes that the Warhammer 40K universe can take on any franchise and destroy them. To think any different is heresy and punishable by Exterminatus.

The post Razer Blackshark V3 Pro Wireless Gaming Headset – Review appeared first on Geek Culture.

Young gamers may focus on a good keyboard and mouse for their gaming set-up, but it’s the pro players who understand that a pair of solid headphones also forms part of a formidable arsenal against others. From audio quality that can make the difference between victory and defeat, to the comfort and weight that affects players and their well-being, and of course, a crystal clear microphone pivotal in communicating strategies and crucial callouts, there’s more to a set of headphones than one might think. 

The Logitech G552 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Headset ticks off all the boxes, though, giving players a competitive edge from a company that has been playing the hardware game for quite a while. Keeping in line with the brand’s minimalist and sleek design, the G552 Lightspeed sports a matte black headband and earcups that, in the vein of gaming, sports a healthy dose of RGB along the outline of where the band meets the earcups, with colours and effects that can be customised within the Logitech G HUB application. 

The memory foam earcups come wrapped in a soft mesh fabric that elevates comfort levels further, and this solid addition to Logitech’s award-winning G5 series of gaming peripherals comes fitted with a comfortable adjustable fabric band that comes with two slots that can be used to accommodate the various head sizes of users.

What makes the Logitech G522 Lightspeed stand out is how lightweight it is, at 290g, making it feel almost featherlight on the head. While it may not be as light as the Logitech G435, at 165g, this headset doesn’t weigh your head down even after 10 hours of constant use. Combined with its light headband pressure that keeps the G552 Lightspeed in place, the unit has become our go-to headphones for long days at work and participating in the preservation of freedom across a variety of gaming titles. With up to 70 hours of battery life without the use of its RGB lighting and 30 hours with its default lighting turned on. It also has a 30-metre range that keeps you connected even as you roam around the home and away from your PC, as the unit offers you extensive portability and connectivity.

The controls are located at the rear of the left earcup, with a small bump to guide and orient your fingers. The closest control is the volume wheel located right next to the bump, alongside the Bluetooth and Power buttons, while located below the volume wheel is a textured microphone mute button, as well as a USB-C port for charging and for updating the headphone’s firmware. Despite its gaming pedigree, the headphones can only be used with the PlayStation 5, PC and mobile devices via wireless connection with the provided LIGHTSPEED dongle or Bluetooth, or via a wired USB connection with the included USB-A to USB-C cable.

There is a 3.5mm jack, but it is solely reserved for its removable and adjustable full bandwidth 48kHz 16-bit omnidirectional microphone, placed in a trapezoid port at the front of the left earcup. However, the fear is that the microphone feels elastic, so users may overestimate the angle at which it maxes out before getting damaged. This means a conservative amount of force is recommended while manipulating it. The quality of the audio output is impressive for an attached microphone, so if you don’t have a dedicated microphone, you can rely on it. 

Still, the lack of a dedicated 3.5mm audio jack, especially with plenty of real estate on the unit, seems like a wasted opportunity, especially if owners were to misplace their wireless dongle, damage the USB-C port or have the Bluetooth option simply refuse to work. 

Its design is both functional and aesthetically pleasing, though customers may have a gripe with how it has a mostly plastic build, which gives rise to questions as to how durable this pair of S$239 headset costs. Thankfully, the headphones are as sturdy as they are flexible, so only an inordinate amount of force could damage them. It also does away with the classic hinge at the earcups most gaming headsets are designed around, eliminating another concern for points susceptible to wear and tear. The plastic itself is made from 27 percent post-consumer plastic (PCR) and comes in all-paper packaging, displaying Logitech’s efforts in reducing environmental impact. 

When it comes to audio quality, the 40mm PRO G graphene drivers housed in Self-Contained Audio Modules work well, until you realise that the unfortunate acronym – S.C.A.M – seems counterintuitive, only made funnier with the knowledge that Logitech is actually aware of it. The drivers do a great job of delivering great bass and decent trebles within their SCAM housing, ensuring that the drivers do not run into any interference with other modules within the earcups. 

Beyond games, the headset works wonderfully with music, as listening to the jazz rendition of “I Am Better Off” by Wildson brought forth the singer’s warm and mellow solo vocals, with the bass from the full band accompaniment cutting nicely through the various percussion instruments, supported by the rounded piano music. How this translates to your gaming experience is that gunshots ring true while shotgun blasts pack a nice kick. Players can hear the rumble from a tank coursing through a field, providing covering fire in a game like Squad, and be comforted by the sound of the turret adjusting its angle and sending a High Explosive round to its target.

The G552 offers a wide soundstage that helps with properly identifying the spatial nuances in-game, setting it up for some accurate imaging. It is also accurate enough, as we were able to pick up the directions where sounds are coming from, which is important for players to know if the source of audio cues is at level with the player or at an elevation. Imagine playing tactical games like Rainbow Six Siege X, where audio cues from around the buildings become the best form of intel for what is coming at you.

The Logitech G Hub Application allows you to change up the EQ on the unit, and through the Blue VO!CE option, players are able to tweak how their voice sounds through the microphone, from emulating an FM radio, to offering a variety of options to adjust, to get the sound you’d want others to hear. 

One noticeable improvement over its predecessors is the larger earcups that make it suitable for folks sporting glasses or earrings, but more importantly, also give your ears more real estate to breathe, instead of having them clamped in and soaking up sweat from long hours of gaming. Thankfully, the earcups, with their breathable fabric, stay cool after long hours of usage.

There is one drawback to the G522 LIGHTSPEED headset, however, which is that it lacks simultaneous Bluetooth. What this means is that both the dongle and Bluetooth cannot be used at the same time, so users won’t be able to stay connected to the phone while maintaining its connection to a device using the dongle, and would have to manually switch between devices. 

All in all, these points of contention are mostly quelled by how solid the performance of the headphones is, from the quality of the microphone, its great sounding audio and comfortable overall design. The G552 LIGHTSPEED is the best gaming headset in its price range, offering so much value compared to other pricier options. This headset is an excellent pick for anyone looking for an upgrade.

Zinho De Costa

Abandon Reason Know Only War! Zinho is a shooter fanatic still waiting for direct sequels to Black (2006) and Star Wars: Republic Commandos. He also truly believes that the Warhammer 40K universe can take on any franchise and destroy them. To think any different is heresy and punishable by Exterminatus.

The post Logitech G522 LIGHTSPEED Wireless Gaming Headset — Review appeared first on Geek Culture.

This interview has been edited for clarity.

Team Rainbow made waves with the sleek announcement trailer in 2015, introducing the gritty and unpredictable nature of close-quarter combat that ended on a cliffhanger. The tactical first-person shooter has evolved greatly through its updates over the years, with new operators stepping up to the plate every season and changes made to certain kits, ensuring a more level playing field while being practical from an in-universe perspective. All of that culminates into Rainbow Six Siege X, the single biggest update the franchise has ever seen, and one that transforms the game to free-to-play from 10 June, barring a few caveats.

Fans of the franchise don’t have to worry about the long wait, as the beta is available now to 19 March on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Ubisoft Connect. This behemoth of an update boasts major graphical and audio upgrades, quality-of-life improvements, revamped gaming modes, and key features to blast Rainbow Six Siege into the spotlight once again, with game director Joshua Mills dedicating its newest evolution to one of the game’s pillars of support – the players. 

“It comes from a respect to our current community, to make sure that we continue to invest in them because they’ve invested in us. We’ve been here for the last 10 years, and we wouldn’t be here without them. To be able to set that road map and set the runway for the next decade is the critical point here. So overhaul that, reset our foundation, and then move forward,” he shares.

Improving the sturdiness of the hammer is the Modernized 5v5 mode, the lifeline of the decade-old franchise, while the deep precise cuts of the scalpel that the new permanent 6v6 Dual Front mode brings will be the blade that shifts the tide of Siege forever. Rainbow Six Siege X gives its roots a fresh coat of paint with new lighting, shadows and 4K textures on the Clubhouse, Chalet, Border, Bank, and Kafe maps at launch, with developer and publisher Ubisoft committing to update three current maps at a time with each subsequent season.

Veteran players will be in for a treat, as besides the visual upgrade, the flow of a match now changes completely with the newly introduced destructible ingredients – interactive environment pieces that deal damage upon impact. Shooting a fire extinguisher, for instance, creates a plume of smoke to cover a player’s advance, whereas aiming at a gas pipe ejects a jet stream that takes out an unsuspecting operator first before exploding and killing another.

By highlighting them during the drone phase, these elements become a part of the game plan as players will be able to tag them in person, making each round more unpredictable than the last. The opportunities and subsequent threats that destructible ingredients bring to the field are a breath of fresh air for the already chaotic 5v5 mode.

The new 6v6 Dual Front mode, meanwhile, sees players picking from a curated lineup of 35 operators that includes both Attackers and Defenders, as they capture enemy sectors while defending their own, and completing objectives to give their team an upper hand. The map is now divided into three parts: yours, your opponents’ and a neutral sector where you can roam about and cause havoc on their side of the street, or keep things under control on yours.

With a mix of sabotaging or saving data centres, extracting hostages and other seasonal assignments in the neutral sector, handling the ever-changing Dual Fronts requires a good read of the situation and skills to pay the bills like any regular Siege match. However, if you were to be dishonourably discharged by a bullet, you would not only respawn after 30 seconds but also switch out to another operator (which can be done if alive in specific safe zones as well), offering solutions to counter any lineup issues your team may be facing. Additionally, health can be regenerated in small amounts within a team’s own zone, and an “out-of-bounds” message will pop up if you overstay your welcome in an enemy zone, killing you eventually. 

Like any match in Siege, situational awareness and good team communication are key to victory. Knowing when to hang back and defend the objective is equally as important as going in for the offensive, because enemy players aren’t the only ones to beat – every match is a fight against the clock and the size of the map. A hands-on preview held in Atlanta, USA, gave a first taste of the tension involved in a hostage extract assignment, where our team had to rush to the centre of the map and hastily put up defences to fend off the other squad until the extraction helicopter arrived.

In a way, Dual Fronts kills two birds with one stone, proving ideal for anyone who wants to either start or get back into the world of Siege, and offers a quick, non-ranked alternative for adrenaline seekers. Interestingly enough, the mode also has a role to play in fleshing out the narrative, as Mills highlights: 

“It’s always nice to blow off some steam, have some fun and jump into a mode that’s a little less intense with lower stakes. Granted, we all get very competitive in the new mode regardless, but [it’s also about] having some fun there and feeding other parts of our community while being able to express the narrative and push our actual canon story forward through play.”

The formula tweak is exactly what Rainbow Six Siege needed to make the game even more accessible to players of varying skill levels while keeping it fresh for experienced players. The roster for the 35 operators will be swapped around twice per season, with neutral zone assignments changing every season. Adding the extra player to a traditional team of five is certainly a huge change that guarantees added chaos, and while that may be an issue for many other competitive titles out there, Mills explains that doing so extends a player’s uptime in the game and lets them “live the experience of Siege”. 

Quality-of-life improvements are what keep old players happy and onboarding new players much more smoothly, especially in the anti-toxicity aspect of gameplay. In Rainbow Six Siege X, bad behaviour would reward you with the “Dishonorable” badge that translates to having every mode other than Quick Match locked out until you’ve learned and earned your way back into the good graces of the reputation gods. This keeps the community in check and provides comfort in the knowledge that you’ll hopefully never have to deal with terrible teammates for ranked games because they’re out of sight and mind. For visibility’s sake, reputable ranks can also be showcased, giving an idea of the green and red flags of the player base.

Boasting crisp graphical polish, destructible ingredients, and quality-of-life updates, the modernised 5v5 mode doesn’t differ much from the same core gameplay loop as before, but brings a fresh breath of air for the community and realises the version of Rainbow Six Siege that many have been wanting to play. It’s recommended that players learn the locations of the destructible ingredients coming into the update, but one thing’s for certain – the updated visuals will be a sight to behold for everyone, especially series veterans.

If you’re too shy to enter voice chat or are afraid that you’ll be heard way too much, the communication wheel has made its way into the game to relay instructions and information as quickly as possible. That’s hardly the only mechanic with a change in speed, however – the advanced rappelling system has been revamped, introducing sprinting and omnidirectional movement as players sling themselves around looking for angles or poking at defences. Meanwhile, changes to the Pick and Ban system mean teams can ban operators at the same time once per round, hastening the process without skimming on the experience, with the ban resetting when the roles of both teams are reversed.

Other improvements include weapon inspection, allowing operators to view the skins and charms they have worked hard for, the ability to disable metal detectors and prevent enemies from being alerted to their location, and audio enhancements that would better signal the location of enemies at different parts of the map through reworked propagation and reverberation. Simply put, they will be able to tell footsteps apart in a carpeted corridor or gunfire coming from the rooftop in finer detail, with Mills detailing how the soundscapes are designed relative to the size of a room or floor material.

“If your map awareness is very high, so say you’re on Bank, you can understand that someone’s in the lobby based on the scale of that room, because of the way the sounds reverberate to you. Additionally, there are carpets that will mute the sounds even more, which is another factor players need to take into account. The materials you’re walking on are going to influence the way that sounds,” he surmises.  

Still, there are some limitations to the free-to-play version of Rainbow Six Siege X. Ranked Play and the Siege Cup will be locked, and only 26 out of 50 operators are made available. The update won’t affect the progression and cosmetic inventory of existing players, rewarding them with exclusive badges showing the year they started playing, tie-in bonuses with each season of Siege, and more. 

10 years is a long time, and for a game like Rainbow Six Siege to remain competitive against the likes of many other first-person shooters – tactical or otherwise – for so long is monumental for the team at Ubisoft and even more so for the fans and their various communities, who have kept the game well and alive. Adopting a free-to-play approach opens up a new world of possibilities and fun for newcomers, while adding a whole new game mode, fresh features, and major revamps to the base game a season at a time is no mean feat. Team Rainbow is stronger than ever and virtual door-kicking has never been better, it seems.

Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege X, will launch as a free update on 10 June on Ubisoft+, Ubisoft’s subscription service, PS4, PS5, the Xbox One family of consoles, Xbox Series X | S, and Windows PC via Steam and Amazon Luna.

Zinho De Costa

Abandon Reason Know Only War! Zinho is a shooter fanatic still waiting for direct sequels to Black (2006) and Star Wars: Republic Commandos. He also truly believes that the Warhammer 40K universe can take on any franchise and destroy them. To think any different is heresy and punishable by Exterminatus.

The post (Almost) Free-to-Access ‘Rainbow Six Siege X’ Spices Up Tactical Action With Massive Update – Preview appeared first on Geek Culture.

Waking up in a familiar room consumed by the very vines and trees it laid its foundations on, the Roundtable hold had seen much better days, even as a place of sanctuary to fellow Tarnished warriors of whichever numbered fingers they pledged allegiance to. It had seen much worse as well, going up in flames as you receive an old friend’s dying wish to put an end to ethereal beings older than himself, whilst the charge he no longer recognises weeps across from him. The Roundtable hold’s rooms are filled with rolled-out rugs and tents for the weary, its walls broken down in certain sections that now lead to an outdoor training area, with candlelit hallways that illuminate doors to familiar rooms where you’d expect to meet familiar faces, but which are now otherwise unoccupied except for the storage of supplies and scrolls. 

This is now a Nightfarer’s home, as the Spectral Hawks await their call to fly into uncertain lands and embark on the hunt for the Night Lord. Geek Culture was granted a preview of Elden Ring Nightreign, the upcoming action role-playing spin-off from FromSoftware and Bandai Namco Entertainment’s award-winning original, and it continues to be a wonderfully anxiety-inducing time in the same Souls-like spirit that fans have come to love.

Marking a departure from before, it introduces a three-player experience that can only be explained as a boss-rush-meets-rogue-lite by way of player-versus-enemy (PvE) battle royale that has you and your friends strategising every little thing, from exploration to gear load-outs, in a race against time to prepare for nightfall. There’s a lot more emphasis on cooperative action here, with three players working together over three in-game days to face a boss at the end of the cycle, only for it to repeat two more times until the grand showdown – although a solo outing is also possible. 

While the world of Limveld, which is the first open-world area in Elden Ring, might not be as vast as its precursor or the accompanying DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, the playable demo that we found ourselves in saw the return of many familiar locations, making it easier to navigate the map in its 15-minute day cycles, especially when a blue-tinted ring is just around the corner. A hallmark of the battle royale genre, it acts as a safe zone and damages any player beyond its boundaries, forcing them to be on the move and allowing for faster-paced gameplay.

Instead of a typical character creator system, you will choose from a pool of eight Nightfarers available during launch, of which four were presented to us during the preview: Wylder, Guardian, Duchess, and Recluse. Each resembles the archetype of Warrior, Vanguard, Rogue and Mage, respectively, but there isn’t a limit to the number of classes you can have in your party, so you and your buddies can roll into Limveld as a trio of Guardians, and rain absolute bird hell on the mobs. 

No matter the class, all characters possess a passive stat that would aid your character without any activation, a skill with a relatively short cooldown to dish out a character’s unique attack, and an ultimate art that unleashes either a ton of damage or greatly aids your team. Elden Ring Nightreign has plenty to offer on this front, offering a slew of options that includes a hook skill that breaks poise, an explosive stake ultimate art from Wylder that feels like a Sekiro and Armored Core mash-up, area-of-effect (AoE) attacks from literal fly boy Guardian, the squishy Recluse’s interesting Magic Cocktail skill which combines elements inflicted against enemies into lightning bolts and homing spell bombs depending on the concoction, the Duchess’ Bloodborne-esque sidestep, and more. 

To trigger a character’s skill and ultimate abilities, FromSoftware has incorporated an interesting button combination, where holding the “Y” or triangle button (by default) with the left trigger would activate the former, and the right trigger for the latter – a great preventative measure for premature activations. 

An example of a great combo we encountered in the preview saw a Wylder dealing damage with his explosive stake ultimate ability whenever an opportunity arose, as the Guardian bore the brunt of enemy attacks and used their AoE aerial ultimate skill to revive teammates. Holding the backline is the Recluse, who would use their ultimate to provide perks for teammates and share the effects of the consumables between teammates nearby through an equipped relic. Another great idea would be to have two Guardians soak up and dish out damage with their ultimates, allowing a flanking Duchess to trigger Restage, which repeats the most recently landed attack on a targeted enemy. 

The possibilities of team synergies are endless, which also means teamwork and communication are key to winning fights. Similar to the base game, every dodge, hit, and heal in Elden Ring Nightreign needs to be accounted for, with revive mechanics requiring players to damage their allies and reduce their night-fuelled bar (or the health bar, in simple terms), so the chains of death can be broken. This makes for some tense moments, as prioritising your stamina bar, the distance between your downed party members, and attention towards enemies are all part of the gameplay loop. 

If the effort is unsuccessful, the game punishes you by pushing you one level down. While regular enemies and bosses will likely feel slightly easier for veterans, since they mostly share the same attack patterns, they hit just as hard here if you’re not careful. The real threats are the mysterious Night Lord and final-stage bosses – any other foe can be easily defeated and used for levelling purposes. 

Once a session is completed, players won’t retain their levels and equipment. Relics, or crystals of differing qualities and effects, are the only items that can be held permanently, granting access to additional perks like boosting certain stats, applying bleed damage to one’s attacks, and more (think of them like the weapon sockets in usual role-playing titles). The rarity of weapons is denoted by a coloured system, adding variety and a value system that forces players to equip an unfamiliar weapon type and keeps things fresh on reruns. More importantly, the passive skill of a weapon will stack, so long as they are equipped in any of the six slots. 

The lack of a weight penalty also allows Nightfarers to pick up any gear regardless of level requirements, and pair them with passive abilities to complement equipped relics. Then, there are the slots with access to consumables like pickled feet, molasses, and more, offering perks that range from boosting physical attacks and increased immunity to status effects like poisoning. What’s cool here is the ability to recover randomised weapons of other fallen players – in the preview, picking up a “+2 Great Mace” of purple rarity proved extremely handy against the troublesome Centipede Demon from the first Dark Souls game as a Recluse casting spells from a distance. 

With 15-minute days, it’s important to prioritise the sequence of locations. Each location has a different icon of an Ashes of War – game speak for ‘weapon skill’ – that comes in useful for the initial planning stage. The next thing is to look out for Churches Of Marika to increase the charges of your default three-charge health flask and grab valuable consumables from throwing knives to boiled crabs. While navigating, players can sprint at a breakneck pace, fly high with jump pads called “Spirit Springs” and parkour up certain cliff sides that would put our trusty steed “Torrent” to shame. As fall damage is removed, it’s now possible to jump off heights without fear, which will be a strange feeling for returning players at the start.

Attacking locations as a party is important because experience points and runes are shared among nearby players. However, random encounters are something to fear, running the gamut from Giant Ants spilling out of a portal in overwhelming numbers to Margit, The Fell Omen – during the preview, the former seemingly spawned around player levels one to eight, whereas the latter would appear from level eight onwards. Working together and moving as a squad is always of great essence, unless someone has to break away to gather specific weapons, purchase items from a shop, or level up at a Site of Grace.

A single session in Elden Ring Nightreign spans three days, and defeating the bosses of the first two nights will advance players directly to the last and final day, so all the prep work and levelling up needs to be completed before the second boss. Although boss drops include powerful gear and useful passive skills, it wouldn’t be wise to rely on them solely; beginner and intermediate players will benefit greatly from a healthy inventory. 

It’s possible to get through the nights in Limveld with adequate communication and skill, but playing with friends comes highly recommended because there is much potential for triumphant moments, humorous beatdowns to revive each other, and overall great fun to navigate the world while watching the chaos unfold.

Elden Ring Nightreign releases in 2025 for PlayStation 5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, with the closed network test taking place from 14 to 17 February.  

Zinho De Costa

Abandon Reason Know Only War! Zinho is a shooter fanatic still waiting for direct sequels to Black (2006) and Star Wars: Republic Commandos. He also truly believes that the Warhammer 40K universe can take on any franchise and destroy them. To think any different is heresy and punishable by Exterminatus.

The post ‘Elden Ring Nightreign’ Is A FromSoftware First, Bringing PvE Battle Royale With A Souls-like Twist — Preview appeared first on Geek Culture.

From the early days of competitive gaming, players have shown that skills can get you so far, and that the right tools can provide that additional edge. Which means there will always be a demand for peripherals to aid the aspiring gaming professional, whether it’s for traversing the outskirts of an airport in a battle royale in Call of Duty: Warzone, or fighting off swarms of undemocratic bugs alongside your fellow super soldiers in Helldivers 2. The Razer Wolverine V3 Pro is Razer’s third entry into their peripheral lineup made for the Xbox, and it comes with improvements to level up your game, as well as a list of significant caveats that cannot be ignored.

What most gamers want out of a pro controller is customizability and Razer has done the bare minimum by providing 2 replaceable thumbstick caps – the tall concave and short convex, a USB type A to Type C cable, and a 2.4Ghz USB Type A dongle, all of which is presented in a nice carrying case. The limited accessories that come with the Wolverine V3 Pro will have gamers questioning its price point of S$299, especially when compared to the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, which comes packaged with more options and accessories, including an additional D-pad, four thumbsticks of different sizes, a charging dock with USB-C cable , a thumbstick adjustment tool and a sed of 4 pedals for the additional inputs at the back of the controller, all for the slightly cheaper price of S$254.90, Where it trumps the Elite is that the Wolverine V3 Pro comes with six additional input buttons, which is two more than the Elite Series 2. 

The Wolverine V3 Pro’s design follows the current Xbox controller button layout, with the Share Button and Function button further down, right between the 8 Mecha-Tactile 8-way floating D-pad, and with the Menu and View buttons placed in the same spot at that on the Xbox Wireless Controller. It also has six additional buttons, two are located at the top named  M1 and M2 while four more buttons, M3 through to M6, are located at the back of the controller. Similar to the Wolverine V2 Pro, the weight is concentrated on the centre of the unit and when coupled with its textured grips, the Wolverine V3 Pro feels extremely comfortable in hand. But you’re going to need to get used to the placement of the four additional programmable buttons at the back. In the middle of a frenetic battle, you may find yourself accidentally hitting one or several of the Multi-Function Mouse Click back paddles at the rear, because they don’t require much pressure to trigger an input. Having to develop the muscle memory to not hit those buttons will inevitably be part of your new gaming approach. 

Haptic feedback is always welcomed and here, it feels accurate and punchy irregardless of the game, weapon or action you’re inputting. Though similar to the haptic feedback found in your standard Xbox controller, one can rest easy that the Wolverine V3 Pro does not suffer the issue of inaccurate and off-timed haptic feedback issues that some other third-party controllers do.

Surprisingly enough, the joysticks do suffer from minimal to severe stick drift on 0 deadzone right out of the box, even though they are hall effect analog thumbsticks. In the review unit we had, the right thumbstick drifted slightly to the left and we had to find a way to manually recalibrate it, even though there is no official guide on how to manually recalibrate them. What there are, are community tips and fixes for it from YouTube. To enter manual calibration, you would need to plug in your controller into your PC and use a website like hardwaretester.com that could help you view the directional inputs of the controller and thumbsticks. Press Menu, View and the Xbox buttons together till the light at the centre of the controller flashes repeatedly. Hold the thumbstick exactly where you’d like the centre point to be and hit the Y input and Down on the D-pad to save that calibration option. The drawback of using hardwaretester.com is that it offers no visual cues for you to see exactly where you are setting your new centre-point, so some estimation is required.

However, Razer picked up on the stick drifting issues throughout the community and released a firmware update recently to alleviate that so it no longer suffers from any issues for now. It is good to know that Razer listens to its community and issues out fixes as and when they are needed, but having no issues out of the box will always be the best case scenario.

Once calibrated, the unit plays like a dream especially in games like Call Of Duty that require precise and quick crosshair placement in an extremely fast-paced environment.  If stick drift happens to occur in time or the dead zone is not within your preference you can recalibrate the joysticks via the Razer Controller Setup For Xbox app.

The LT and RT buttons also have the added option of changing input speeds via the Trigger stop switches, going from a full to half press for quicker inputs. We usually leave them locked because speed is the name of the game, and having the feel of a mouse’s click on a controller is truly the best of both worlds.

The 8 way floating D-pad on the Wolverine V3 Pro may feel stiff for people used to the more easily maneuverable D-pad on the V2, but this is up to user preference and there is no way to adjust the sensitivity and feel of it. However it is more than serviceable when calling down killstreaks and bringing up equipment wheels. 

Sadly, while the back paddles are extremely sensitive, and the M1 and M2 buttons require way too much effort to press down and register the input, whereas the M3 to M6 buttons require way too little, so it makes for a full hand workout of remembering how much pressure one should exert for different inputs. We found our hands feeling a lot more strained and tired after an hour of playing Helldivers 2 with programmed inputs, which is something that the basic Xbox Controller could only accomplish after several hours.

There is also a curious issue with the audio jack on the unit where if you were to plug in a headset, the default volume would be lowered for some unknown reason that we couldn’t identify, so unless you intend to game in lower volume, plugging your earphones into your PC or TV would be for the best. 

Through the Razer Controller Setup For Xbox application, you will be able to remap the entire controller to your liking, which includes adding the Sensitivity Clutch inputs that significantly reduces the DPI of your analog sticks. You can also adjust the sensitivity of the analog sticks by selecting three icons and adjusting it according to what you are comfortable with, similar to the Wolverine V2 Pro. 

Compared to other pro controllers out there, like the Nacon Revolution 5 Pro Controller and the Xbox Elite Series 2 Controller which provide more options and fewer issues, the Wolverine V3 Pro needs more work to achieve the level of serviceability and comfort, especially with its asking price. 

All in all, Razer’s latest is a great looking minimalist controller that seeks to improve the overall performance of its predecessor, excelling with its quick inputs and fast trigger responses, but only to be let down by certain design choices that would leave gamers looking elsewhere for their pro fix. 

Zinho De Costa

Abandon Reason Know Only War! Zinho is a shooter fanatic still waiting for direct sequels to Black (2006) and Star Wars: Republic Commandos. He also truly believes that the Warhammer 40K universe can take on any franchise and destroy them. To think any different is heresy and punishable by Exterminatus.

The post Razer Wolverine V3 Pro Wireless Controller – Review appeared first on Geek Culture.

When it comes to firing up the hit action role-playing game of 2024, Black Myth: Wukong, it’s best to not let it make a monkey out of you. Not only is the game made by Chinese game development company Game Science, one of the biggest hits of the year after selling 18 million copies globally in the first two weeks, it is also one of the most graphics-intensive titles available.

Sure, the game can run on game consoles, but if you want the most immersive visual experience inspired by the classical Chinese novel Journey to the West (西游记), the PC is your best bet and even then, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 is probably the only graphics card that can make this journey a high definition westward journey.

According to the developer, the game requires at least 16GB of RAM and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB GPU but nothing beats the coveted performance of the 4090, powered by the NVIDIA Ada Lovelace architecture, and comes with 24GB of G6X memory, all of which are responsible for transporting you into the realm of Chinese mythology.

And when it comes to gaming, there’s no better way than to show it, which is what we did by playing Black Myth: Wukong on an ultrawide monitor (3440×1440), to truly put the RTX 4090 to the test, with Full Ray Tracing, DLSS and RTX ON, along with the game’s Cinematic Settings. And as a reminder, DLSS 3 and Frame Generation can only run on the RTX40 series GPUs, which is also why they are best in class.

Check out the impressive graphics performance above when we played Black Myth: Wukong on our custom PC rig powered by an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 (GPU), along with the Intel 13th Gen I9 13900K (CPU) and 32GBS of LPDDR5 7200MT/S RAM.

Zinho De Costa

Abandon Reason Know Only War! Zinho is a shooter fanatic still waiting for direct sequels to Black (2006) and Star Wars: Republic Commandos. He also truly believes that the Warhammer 40K universe can take on any franchise and destroy them. To think any different is heresy and punishable by Exterminatus.

The post ‘Black Myth: Wukong’ Gives You Reason To Upgrade To NVIDIA GeForce RTX40 Series appeared first on Geek Culture.

Apple calls them the best selling earphones in the world, and since its debut in 2016, Apple has released three versions of the range – the entry-level AirPods with the latest AirPods 4, the AirPods Pro currently in their second generation, and the AirPods Max headphones.

What’s the difference between the AirPods and the AirPods Pro? The Pro models comes with Active Noise Cancellation or ANC, and are in-ear, while the AirPods are on ear, where there isn’t a snug fit and it’s design to rest on the crevice of your ear. Given Apple’s preferred terminology, they call it an open-ear design vs an in-ear design (with silicone tips).

At S$199, these are one of the most affordable earphones from Apple and not that much more expensive when you compare it to other similar brands. These are also wireless and in 2016, it basically introduced the design that all brands have since copied, of a monitor connected to a stem that hung from your ear hole. 

The AirPods 4 follows in that same design and comes in two versions – the regular and now, with ANC and the ANC model comes with a case that charges wirelessly, and both with a USB-C, and not a Lightning connector.

Apple has also used their latest H2 chip, current in its Pro models, on the AirPods 4, bringing greater adaptability to listening environments, while providing sharper audio while listening to music and taking calls. And all of it in a slightly smaller case ever, which not only charges faster but also lasts longer with up to 30 hours of listening time with the case, or put to 20 hours if you use it with ANC turned on. That’s 5 hours of listening time with the AirPods on a single charge, and 4 hours if ANC is turned on. 

So you’re thinking, ANC with an open-ear device? How does that work? ANC technology basically reduces unwanted sound by using a second sound to cancel out the first, and it works well in a sealed environment that an in-ear earphone provides, as the seal already limits unwanted external audio from getting into your ear. It’s that feeling of a vacuum in your ear, where external audio around you is naturally eliminated and further enhanced by ANC.

The thing about open-ear earphones is that the seal is pretty much dependent on genetic lottery, where your ear shape will either agree or disagree with the seemingly one-size fits all design of the AirPods. If you’re lucky and both sides fit well, then ANC here will work like a dream, as the fit means there are very little gaps for audio to leak into your ear when the AirPods are worn. 

In my case though, the right bud fits perfectly, but the left one is a bit loose. Which brings me to the ANC, where it was tested at an above ground train station and because one side didn’t have that desired fit, you can detect, feel and hear the ANC’s pressure from the counter soundwave fighting for its life because I couldn’t get a good fit. Again the way Active Noise Canceling works could be one of two methods, where either the microphones try to match external sounds in a method known as feedforward, or otherwise, it measures the sound heard through the earphones, and inverts and plays back the noise. The pressure you feel are those soundwaves from either of those two methods and while it’s not clear which method the AirPods are using, you’ll definitely feel and hear something that’s slightly present and somewhat uncomfortable.

While using them underground at 50 per cent volume and listening to easy stuff like TOTO’s I’ll Be Over You or Sabrina Carpenter’s Espresso, you’re still going to be able to hear train announcements and the sound of the train moving on the tracks, and sounds on the higher frequencies will cut through quite easily, including voices directly around you. However most other ambient sounds, like the train doors closing, people talking and the rustling of bags when people fiddle with them beside you are nicely canceled out. 

If you raise the volume past 50, to about 70 – 90 per cent, you can easily get everything drowned out (duh!) though in my case, the sensation and sound of the ANC cutting in and out was still there in my right ear (again depending on your fit). But other than that, they are comfortable to wear, and it’s likely that like Apple’s other Airpods, you’ll probably quickly forget you’re wearing them too. 

They’re not amazing at ANC because these aren’t in-ear devices that complement ANC, but Apple has done its best and those with a preference to not use in-ear earphones will find a lot of utility in this. Now, I may be going too hard on Apple for the one-size fits all design here, but it’s a genuine concern of mine and for many out there. My ears can also be an outlier and these would likely fit the majority of people out there so the recommendation is to visit and Apple Store and try it out if you can. Otherwise, it might be worth paying a little more, for the AirPods Pro Gen 2 and be on your way.  

And, there are two reasons why I used my commute to test earbuds out, The first is that a majority of people use the train daily, and it’s an almost universal experience. Secondly, I can only experience pressure changes when underground and because I’m in Singapore, the deepest train line we have is the Downtown Line and parts of the Thomson East Line, and we’re talking like 30 to 45 meters underground. That’s around 98 to 147 ft, for those still on the Imperial System. 

As much as the small case makes this easy to bring around, there’s also the concern of the smaller AirPods and they are as slippery as ever when you try to take them out of the case. It’s always better to empty them onto an open palm, instead of trying to pick them out on by one, especially if you have big fingers.

But they do sound great, with both the regular and the ones with ANC offering a warm soundscape with great details. Now there is definitely a difference between on and in-ear earphones, and it wouldn’t be fair to say that one sounds better than the other, especially since both the AirPods and AirPods Pro are using the same H2 chip for their audio performance. While the AirPod 4’s lacks punch because they are on-ear, both handle calls effectively, with the ANC contributing to clearer dialogue on the AirPods. It all boils down to personal comfort levels and preference, and price.

Zinho De Costa

Abandon Reason Know Only War! Zinho is a shooter fanatic still waiting for direct sequels to Black (2006) and Star Wars: Republic Commandos. He also truly believes that the Warhammer 40K universe can take on any franchise and destroy them. To think any different is heresy and punishable by Exterminatus.

The post Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation – Review appeared first on Geek Culture.

Miqeulla’s arm hangs freely from the fleshy cocoon behind Mohg during the showdown with the Lord of Blood. Ripped from the Haligtree he embedded himself in, the late Mohg hoped to raise him to godhood but alas, ye Tarnished sealed off that path for good. Stepping into the darkness of his grotesque incubator, the veiled Realm of Shadow shows itself, where another of Marika’s children, Mesmer The Impaler, possesses ambitions unknown but one definitely larger than our own. 

Two years after the release of Elden Ring, the highly-anticipated Shadow of the Erdtree DLC is back to test the mettle of players. Death, overconfidence, and mistakes are all well-trodden paths for those who’ve previously thrown the gauntlet, but the painful combination makes victory all the more sweet and vindicating. It’s been the defining trait of developer FromSoftware’s Souls-like games since its inception, and this upcoming outing expectedly promises a glorious return to the comforting, masochistic formula – if a four-hour hands-on session is any indication. 

As the studio’s biggest expansion to date, there’s a lot of content laying in wait for players. The world, for one, is now much bigger, with the new area extending past the expanse of Limgrave, roughly the same size as the map for Dark Souls 3. A small part of the map was set aside for the preview, featuring two main dungeons, a couple of medium-to-small dungeons including the Western Nameless Mausoleum and Belurat Gaol housing Demi-Human Swordmaster Onze, and several unique enemies along the way. There will be familiar sights, such as crumbling gothic structures, castles in the distance, and ominous gates that can accommodate the largest of giants, shrouded in the literal shadow of the Erdtree, which serves as a nice little nod to its DLC namesake. 

On one end of the area that we were permitted to traverse, Castle Ensis – and home to Rellana, Twin Moon Knight – stands defiant of the light with impaled bodies. The streets are desolate with hostile forces patrolling them with dogs, as well as caves and rooms where light cannot reach, allowing mold and dread to set into the stones that make up the walls. Blue-tinted spells by familiar sorcerers and a lone Carian Knight stand in the path of an area guarded by the Twin Moon Knight: a classic dungeon that presents a more-than-adequate challenge for Veterans. 

Yet, something about the air feels more menacing than usual, and the new enemies are quick to dish out that reminder. After all, there’s a good reason why players have to defeat both Radahn and Mohg before venturing into the Realm of Shadow – they are more aggressive than before, with interesting, irregular attack patterns and timings that newcomers will likely struggle with. While regulars should be able to get into the groove of things fairly easily, it’d be prudent to not fall into the pitfall of complacency (business as usual), as the bosses are no walk in the park.

Enter the Divine Beast Dancing Lion, a menace in every sense of the word. Residing in Belurat, Tower Settlement, a once lively town that has become nothing but a shadow of its former glory, it will be a fight to remember. Without spoiling too much, its movements are similar to what Lion Dance troupes in East-Asian culture would execute, complete with the fluidity of the performers – or in this case, grafted hands and legs – moving as one with finesse. Going toe-to-toe against it as a Level 150 Warrior proved to be a challenging experience, even with an inventory of weapons at +25 enchantments and stacked with a number of Talismans to increase health capacity and negate physical damage, as the boss brings wide elemental area of effect (AoE) attacks to the battlefield.

As such, you would need to defeat the earlier mentioned Radahn and Mohg, and max out your weapon levels as much as possible before heading in. It’d also be ideal for returning players to build new characters from scratch in order to hone skills, re-familiarise themselves with their desired builds, and farm for runes to be sufficiently leveled for Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree. 

Spicing up the combat experience is the addition of around 100 new weapons and eight weapon types. Between fist wraps that allow players to execute palm strikes on horseback (yes, you read that right) and unleash Kung Fu Hustle-esque moves, a chinese-inspired sword that unleashes whirlwind attacks, and combat-viable throwing knives that conjure up in the hand, slaying enemies was an absolute joy. 

Four hours barely scratches the surface of Hidetaka Miyazaki and FromSoftware’s ingenuity, but Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is shaping up to be a glorious return to new plains and familiar pains. It packs something for different kinds of Tarnished, with combat enthusiasts taking delight in the new weapon additions and familiar rush of adrenaline, and scholars of the game’s lore looking forward to a new story. Meanwhile, the resident adventurer can expect to explore vast landscapes, discovering hidden secrets in every nook and cranny of the map. With all of this content, it’d be easy to mistake it as a whole sequel on its own, and not a companion narrative to the base title. 

Rise again ye Tarnished, and prepare to die.

Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree releases 21 June on all platforms.

Zinho De Costa

Abandon Reason Know Only War! Zinho is a shooter fanatic still waiting for direct sequels to Black (2006) and Star Wars: Republic Commandos. He also truly believes that the Warhammer 40K universe can take on any franchise and destroy them. To think any different is heresy and punishable by Exterminatus.

The post ‘Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree’ Returns With Glorious New Plains And Familiar Pains – Preview appeared first on Geek Culture.

Gaming comes in different forms, and for the Razer Kishi, the focus has always been on delivering the best experience on iOS and Android devices. The mobile gaming controller is far from a dedicated one-trick pony, however, packing a host of intuitive features that play into its all-rounder reputation.

Naturally, the Razer Kishi Ultra is no exception to the rule. The next-gen successor is now spruced up with some RGB lighting effects, sporting a full-sized form factor for both Android and iOS smartphones, as well as iPad Mini. More notably, it also doubles as a two-in-one controller for mobile and PC gaming, with the much-requested 3.5mm headphone jack added to the base.

Unlike some of its peers, the handheld won’t feature Hall Effect joysticks, but makes history as the first commercially available Razer product to feature the Sensa haptics. What this means is that users can expect haptic feedback on Android 12 or above and Windows (sorry iOS folks), alongside other new additions Virtual Controller Mode.

And while the upgrades look and sound fancy, performance is still key when the Razer Kishi Ultra demands a premium of S$239. Check out how it fares in the real world in the video above, which dives into design ergonomics, battery life, gameplay experience, and more.

Zinho De Costa

Abandon Reason Know Only War! Zinho is a shooter fanatic still waiting for direct sequels to Black (2006) and Star Wars: Republic Commandos. He also truly believes that the Warhammer 40K universe can take on any franchise and destroy them. To think any different is heresy and punishable by Exterminatus.

The post Geek Review: Razer Kishi Ultra Mobile Gaming Controller appeared first on Geek Culture.

The ROG Phone 8 Pro and REDMAGIC 9 Pro face off for the top gaming phone of the year! With both phones offering hardware specifications that are extremely similar, will the ROG Phone 8 Pro keep its cool, or will the REDMAGIC 9 Pro tear things up? Let’s find out!

The REDMAGIC 9 Pro starts at S$909 while the ROG Phone 8 Pro’s Singapore price is yet to be announced, though prices start at US$1,199 in the US.

Zinho De Costa

Abandon Reason Know Only War! Zinho is a shooter fanatic still waiting for direct sequels to Black (2006) and Star Wars: Republic Commandos. He also truly believes that the Warhammer 40K universe can take on any franchise and destroy them. To think any different is heresy and punishable by Exterminatus.

The post ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro Vs REDMAGIC 9 Pro: Which Is The Better Gaming Phone? appeared first on Geek Culture.

You know what’s behind every successful man, and despite what’s been said, there doesn’t need to be an entourage of equipment and preparation behind every amazing iPhone photo shoot. The best camera in the world is the one you have on you, but the right lighting equipment or accessories aren’t always on hand.

Luckily, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are amazing devices and must-haves for any budding or seasoned photographers and videographers looking to shoot at any time, without the need for any additional lighting or sound equipment. With the Lunar New Year rolling around the corner, there’s no better time to upgrade your photo and videography game with some tips to get the most out of your iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max.

We got the help of some cool folks from the region – Vietnam-based Minh (Photographer), Quy (Director/Filmmaker),  Malaysian-based Jason Goh (YouTuber / Content Creator) and Singapore-based yk (Photographer / Content Creator) who have great tips on using the iPhone to its full potential

We met up in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City to capture the vibe of Tết Nguyên Đán while learning tips and habits to get the best workflow for our shots possible. Again, everything was shot entirely on the iPhone 15 Pro.

Studio Portrait Photography (by Minh & yk)

Portrait photography comes naturally to yk and Minh, having three different outfits and models dressed fittingly for Tết. In order to retain the details and color accuracy, learn to shoot in 48MP or Apple ProRAW as it allows you to capture the most amount of detail possible, with crisp images even after crops and edits. This way you get images popping with color and brimming with fine detail of all your Lunar New Year fits and fare.

“48MP is great for duplicating the images and re-cropping it. Essentially, you are doing a small little hack by multiplying the images and repurposing the frame, for your social media and also for magazines and editorial shoots.” says yk.

To enable 48MP on your iPhone:

• Go to Settings > Camera and choose Formats.
• Tap the toggle next to ProRAW & Resolution Control.
• Tap Pro Default and Choose ProRAW Max or HEIF Max if you’re trying to save on space. ProRAW Max files can go from 75MB and above while HEIF Max starts around 5MB and up.
• Open up the Camera app and tap on RAW Max. Ensure it is not crossed out and start shooting! You can also switch formats on the fly by tapping and holding HEIF Max or ProRAW Max.
• You need to keep to the default 1x focal length, changing that will switch the format back to 12MP.

Varying the lens options opens up fresh creative possibilities for different styles and approaches to taking your subject. Using the 0.5x focal length is all the rage these days, with top down no-look shots but there is so much more to it than taking shots of large groups or landscapes.

“I also love to use the Ultra Wide lens to go up close to the subject in the tunnel to create an extreme angle, to elongate her fingers and create a foreground to lead up to her face and background” shares yk.

Next-generation Portraits allow you to do amazing things in the editing phase of your workflow. 

The iPhone captures a whole bunch of information that allows for greater flexibility in choosing the focus of your subjects after the shoot. 

“Next-generation Portraits are so amazing because you can switch the focus in post, which means you can concentrate on the moment when capturing photos,” says Minh.

Want to raise the lighting of your subject without overexposing the background? You can enhance your portrait shots by editing the portrait light effects and choose from 6 different lighting options. On top of that, you can also change the background blur by hitting the “f” icon at the top of the screen and adjusting the depth control slider to get the right amount of blur you need.

“With next-generation Portraits, I also like shooting with Portrait Lighting. It is great because it can detect faces, cats and dogs when editing on-device. Of all the effects, my favourite is Contour Light.” mentions Minh.

Dance Video (by Quy and Jason Goh)

The iPhone 15’s incredible stabilizers make it an amazing tool to shoot everything from your school projects to entire music videos. Vietnam’s tlinh’s “don’t make it complicated” was entirely shot on iPhone 15 and we got to experience shooting a dance video using nothing but the iPhone 15 Pro. With the ability to shoot high resolution video of up to 4K , any filmmaker on the go would appreciate high quality footage.

“When it comes to videography, I love to shoot in 4K because with the high resolution, I can always crop during editing to focus on certain scenes or subjects.” says Jason.

Stability is the name of the game when shooting objects in motion and is exactly what the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max has on offer with its Action Mode that can be used with all the lenses available.

“The best thing from iPhone 15 Pro’s camera is Action mode across all lenses (0.5x – 5x). I love the way iPhone removes the shakes when we are in action. No mater how you move, you always get the perfect shot. And it’s available on all lenses, offering more flexibility and versatility for everyone. Especially when you’re in limited space, Action mode is still able to support. It’s so good to have this feature in iPhone and I really want everyone to try it,” shares Quy.

Using “Cinematic Mode” to create a depth of field and between the subject and background makes it easy for anyone to get in touch with their inner filmmaker. They can adjust the focus of subjects later on if needed. “For a more cinematic look, I would use Cinematic mode to focus on objects and faces so foreground and background is blurred, mimicking videos shot using cameras with portrait lenses. Another great thing is we can also adjust the focus later. iPhone is something that we can always rely on when speaking about shooting.” Jason commented 

Putting all of these features into play, we shot a whole dance choreography on two separate sets and edited everything on Final Cut Pro. A tip for editing music videos is to match the peaks in the audio waves in your clips with the music used in your timeline as it is a lot more precise than listening by ear.

Hopefully this article has given you some fresh ideas on how to make the best of your iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max in your content creation workflow. Happy shooting!

Zinho De Costa

Abandon Reason Know Only War! Zinho is a shooter fanatic still waiting for direct sequels to Black (2006) and Star Wars: Republic Commandos. He also truly believes that the Warhammer 40K universe can take on any franchise and destroy them. To think any different is heresy and punishable by Exterminatus.

The post Shoot On iPhone 15 With Ease Using These Photo & Video Tips appeared first on Geek Culture.

Ever look at those fancy adjustable height desks and wish you had the space to house those slender edges and sleek tabletops, only to realise they won’t fit in your home? The Omnidesk Classic presents a solution for smaller workspaces, packing productivity into a more compact form factor to prove that size is a state of mind. 

The Classic is meant for smaller rooms and is perfect to house a display, keyboard, mouse, and even a mini PC or Mac mini, and we tried out the Compact Large, which measures 153 cm long by 60 cm wide, compared to the standard Omnidesk Pro Large which comes in 153 cm by 76 cm. That additional 16cm does add to the broadness of the table, and what matters though, is aesthetics and while looking good might not be everyone’s top priority, the Singapore company has always married simplicity and functionality – and it’s no different here. An amalgamation of the size and style, the Classic has also been redesigned from the ground up to lean into smoother edges and a powder-coated medium-density fibreboard (MDF) desktop in either black or white. For those who are partial to Omnidesk’s Wildwood Collection, it also comes with a third Wildwood option to fulfill all aesthetic needs. 

The Omnidesk Classic is a different beast than that of its Pro counterparts that adorn our office space, and it all starts with the controls. Instead of physical buttons, users can adjust the height via a touchscreen; the standard USB-A port at the side of the tray is now replaced with a USB-C port, and the white colourway is a new addition as well, exclusive to the Classic model. 

On top of that, the display automatically turns off when not in use, and can be paired with the Omnidesk Life App using the QR Code found at the back. Apart from acting as a remote control, it also tracks whether users are standing or sitting, and allows them to set their own height presets on the fly. 

As part of the family, the Omnidesk Classic inherits all the features of its lineage, including anti-collision mechanics that prevents it from being lowered or raised if it hits an obstacle, a 4cm/s motorspeed, and a height range of 71 to 121cm. It still holds true to being very durable and sturdy, with hardly any wobble from forceful bumps or chair collisions. Upon impact, various collectibles and toys would remain upright without toppling, while beverages never spilled once. 

Similarly, the setup process continues to be a breeze, even for those who have never assembled anything before in their lives because it’s done for you! Omnidesk’s staff that delivered and built the desk were swift and efficient, they even helped to set up the tempered glass riser (Lift Classic Desk Riser) and power clamp and will ask you which side of the desk you would want it on before proceeding with its installation. In less than 20 minutes the set-up of the desk with the power clamp and 

Once the desk is all ready to go, it’s time to spruce it up. Accompanying our tabletop was a host of add-ons, including a Hestia Mini desktop organizer, along with an anchor beverage and headphone holder besides the power clamp and tempered glass riser. In order to shift everything around, the usual stubs at the base were replaced with castor wheels.

Being able to craft the desk’s ecosystem to suit your needs is one of the best parts of getting an Omnidesk, especially for users who want their essentials within arm’s reach. The Hestia Mini desktop organizer, for instance, affords them the space to hold stationery or hang their cables, whereas the anchor beverage and headphone holder ensures a safe spot to place beverages and rest their headphones when not in use. It should be noted, though, that these accessories come separate at their respective prices, and need to be specified during the ordering process. 

Don’t be fooled by the Omnidesk Classic’s size options, either. Despite its leaner, more compact form factor, it’s still able to withstand a maximum load of 130kg, so feel free to put pretty much anything and everything you want on it. 

This addition to the line-up continues to prove that Omnidesk reigns superior in offering the best range of smart standing desks for ever-changing needs in one’s home. At a starting price of S$649, the Omnidesk Classic promises good value for money, with options available for different demands, and premium features that further optimise productivity.

Zinho De Costa

Abandon Reason Know Only War! Zinho is a shooter fanatic still waiting for direct sequels to Black (2006) and Star Wars: Republic Commandos. He also truly believes that the Warhammer 40K universe can take on any franchise and destroy them. To think any different is heresy and punishable by Exterminatus.

The post Omnidesk Classic Standing Desk – Review appeared first on Geek Culture.