QuickFire Stealth is Latest Mechanical Keyboard from Cooler Master

Cooler Master has released a number of mechanical keyboards in the past few years, including the QuickFire Rapid Pro that I am currently typing on. The company has now added a new twist to that line with the QuickFire Stealth. The Stealth still lacks the 10 key number pad, but also removes the characters on the tops of the keys. For those users that might have to occasionally look at their keyboard while typing, the keys are still indicated by a smaller marking on the side of each key. The QuickFire Stealth will be available with four different mechanical switches from the Cherry MX line, red, blue, green, and brown and it carries an MSRP of $94.99.

Source: Cooler Master

Corsair Announces Vengeance K70 Keyboard

The Vengeance K70 is the newest addition from Corsair to its line of gaming accessories. The mechanical keyboard features Cherry MX Red switches, providing 20-key rollover and 100% anti-ghosting protection. The K70 will be available in two color schemes, silver with blue back lighting and black with red back lighting. Each key is individually backlit and can be turned off or have the intensity changed and settings can be saved to the onboard memory of the keyboard. The Vengeance K70 will be available next month at an MSRP of $129.99 and will make its debut at PAX East this weekend.

Source: Corsair

Logitech Updates PC Gaming Peripheral Line with New Products, Style, and Name

Earlier this year, Logitech announced it would discontinue its line of Harmony remotes and console gaming gear. The company's CEO, Bracken P. Darrell, said it'd still keep up with the PC gaming market, and today we find out just what he meant. Logitech G is the company's new line of PC gaming peripherals, with new technology and products in familiar Logitech shapes. Each product has a unique visual flair that sets it apart from its predecessors while including new parts. In total there are eight Logitech G products launching today, with four mice, two keyboards, and two headsets sure to appeal to just about anyone.

The G100s and G400s are optical mice and feature Delta Zero sensor technology for precise accuracy, and the G500s and G700s are laser, with that last one being of the wireless variety. Each mouse also includes new surface materials to keep your hands from sweating profusely during intense gaming sessions. Logitech's G510s and G19s keyboards feature programmable G-keys, custom-color backlighting, and GamePanel LCDs, with the G19s featuring a full-color LCD. Lastly, the G230 headset offers 3.5mm connections and stereo sound, while the G430 has a USB adapter to enable Dolby Headphone and 7.1 surround sound.

All of the new Logitech G products are up for pre-order on Logitech's website and due to arrive next month. For the mice, the G100s is priced at $39.99, the G400s at $59.99, the G500s at $69.99, and the G700s comes in at $99.99. The G510s keyboard will set you back $119.99 while the G19s is at $199.99. If you're looking for a new headset, well the G230 is set for $59.99 and the G430 at $79.99. Each product comes with a three-year worldwide warranty.

Source: Logitech

Leetgion EL'DRUIN Gaming Mouse Now Available

Thermalright, the maker of PC CPU coolers, has a separate gaming division called Leetgion, which has just released its RPG gaming mouse named the EL'DRUIN. It features a five-way thumb pad, called the Skill Power Actions D-Pad, or SPAD for short. For the RPG player, the programmable SPAD gives the user direct access to skills without having to resort to complex button placements. The new mouse also comes with Leetgion's Omni-Tuner wheel for on-the-fly switching between profiles and DPI settings that can be set to ranges of 100 to 5000. The EL’DRUIN addresses ergonomics through the use of removable palm plates, allowing you to choose between two sizes and two different textures. The EL’DRUIN mouse is available now at a suggested retail price of US$89.95.

Upcoming Mad Catz Controllers Features Multi-Platform Support

Early 2013 will showcase Mad Catz' GameSmart controllers which can be used across a wide range of multi-platform gaming devices. The latest gaming arsenal includes the C.T.R.L.R. wireless gamepad, the R.A.T.M. wireless gaming house, a F.R.E.Q.M. mobile headset and the M.O.U.S.9 wireless mouse, which are all designed to work seamlessly with PCs, Macs, game consoles, phones and tablets, and TVs. Utilizing what's dubbed as Bluetooth GameSmart technology, the compatibility of the contraptions are further enhanced with a Nano Dongle USB receiver. Details are yet unknown as to which game console will support the controllers, but judging by the screenshots, these new GameSmart additions will bear the unmistakable Mad Catz design. 

ROCCAT Unveils the Ryos Mechanical Gaming Keyboard with Individual Key Lighting

ROCCAT, like Samsung, wants to show off some new gear before CES, and this product is something that should be very interesting to PC gamers. ROCCAT has unveiled its new Ryos mechanical gaming keyboard that features individual key lighting and two 32-bit ARM Cortex processors. Those two processors help "display key functions, macros, and even health and mana bars," which should help gamers of all kinds know exactly where their character stands. An SDK is included with the Ryos to custom tailor the keyboard to each gamer's exact specifications, and according to ROCCAT, gamers are limited only by their imagination. The keyboard features 2MB of internal Flash storage to store configurations, while two USB 2.0 ports and headphone and microphone jacks adorn either corner at the top. ROCCAT allows for Cherry MX Reds, Blues, Browns, and Blacks on the Ryos, so pretty much every mechanical switch is covered.

The ROCCAT Ryos is expected to be available in the first quarter of this year, though exact date and price is unknown.

Cooler Master Unveils the CM Storm QuickFire TK Keyboard

Cooler Master is welcoming a new keyboard to its growing family as it announced the CM Storm QuickFire TK. The QuickFire TK is a mechanical keyboard with your choice of Cherry MX Red, Blue, or Brown switches with laser-marked, grip-coated keycaps and a matte finish. Cooler Master has dropped the arrow and home key clusters in favor of a number pad; you get the small look of the QuickFire Rapid with the functionality of a full keyboard. N-Key Roll Over (NKRO) is implemented on the QuickFire TK, so any combination of keys you press will register. Multimedia shortcuts are available up top by way of the Function (FN) key. The Windows key can be disabled in GAME mode to prevent any accidental presses to get you killed.

The best part of the CM Storm QuickFire TK is the full backlighting, with the color dependent on the switch type. The Red switches have red lighting and a red steelplate, the Blues have blue lighting and steelplate, and the Browns have white lighting and a brown steelplate. There are three different lighting modes and five intensity levels to customize it however you want. A braided and detachable USB cable comes with the QuickFire TK and can be routed underneath the keyboard for minimal clutter.

Cooler Master's CM Storm QuickFire TK should be available now at your favorite (r)etailers for $99.99.

Razer Introduces Four New Mouse Pads

Razer is a company many gamers look to for all their peripherals, from mice and keyboards to mouse pads and even headsets. Recently, Razer introduced four new mouse pads to give gamers that little something extra, with three being of the hard variety and the last a hybrid pad. The new Invicta, Manticor, Destructor 2, and Megasoma 2 have been engineered with "an all-new surface coating" that is specially suited for different game types.

Razer's Invicta is a dual-sided pad that has a Speed coating on one and a Control coating on the other, the Manticor is single-sided with a Speed coating, and the Destructor 2 is single-sided with a Control coating. The Speed coating is a sensor-reflective one, meaning the mouse sensor has more light reflected back to it for quicker movements. The Control coating has small "crystalline specks" just below the top layer to "increase surface reflectivity" to the mouse sensors, ensuring your mouse is as precise as possible. Razer's Megasoma 2 is a new hybrid mouse pad that has the precision of a hard pad with the comfort of a soft one. It's surface is made of silicone for the perfect balance of control and support without compromising on either.

All three mouse pads are available to pre-order now from the Razer Store, with the Invicta priced at $59.99, the Manticor at $49.99, and the Destructor 2 and Megasoma 2 at $39.99 each. Razer expects the first three mouse pads to ship in the next two to four weeks, while the Megasoma 2 is expected later this year.

Logitech Announces G710+ Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

Logitech has announced a new mechanical keyboard targeted at gamers, the G710+. The keyboard uses Cherry MX Brown switches, and includes dampening rings to help further reduce noise over the louder Cherry MX Blue switches. It will also allow gamers to press nearly any number of keys with 26-key rollover and an anti-ghosting matrix. A white backlight will help to illuminate the keys for the gamers that prefer to play in the dark, and a dual-zone back lighting option will allow for extra light to come out of the WASD and arrow keys. The keyboard is rounded out with six programmable G-keys. The G710+ is available for pre-order at a price of $150, though I couldn't find a ship date. The product page was also removed from the time I started to type this post and the time I finished typing, so keep an eye out if you want to pre-order this keyboard.

Orée's Hand-Crafted Maple or Walnut Keyboards Look Gorgeous

Getting tired of the usual plastic or aluminum-based keyboards? French-based Orée's exquisite hand-crafted keyboards might do the trick. It doesn't come cheap at $164, but what you'll be getting is a minimalist keyboard hand-carved out of either maple or walnut wood with components that are built to be durable and reliable, so splinters shouldn't be a problem. You'll also be able to customize the keyboard layout with font options for Fedra, Mrs Eaves or Didot, whichever strikes your font fancy. The Orée Board runs wirelessly on Bluetooth with a pair of AAA batteries, which should be enough to last for months of uninterrupted operation. 

The K310: Logitech's Washable Keyboard Unveiled

The keyboard is usually the grimiest piece of hardware on any PC, but Logitech is looking to improve on that dirty notion with its newly-announced product: a "keyboard that loves a wash." The K310 washable keyboard comes packaged in a waterproof shell designed for hand wash in up to 11 inches of soapy water, with drainage holes built in at the rear for quick drying. The keys are laser printed with UV coating, so constant scrubbing apparently won't be a problem. While the K310 isn't geared for gamers, most users who want an easy-to-clean keyboard will likely appreciate the extra shortcut keys for email, web-browsing, and media player. It's certainly a spotless PC investment when it comes out this later month for $40.

Razer Announces Deathstalker Gaming Keyboard

Razer CEO Min-Liang Tan revealed the new Deathstalker gaming keyboard today at Gamescom and the pictures of it make a great first impression. It will be available in both a Standard and Ultimate version, with the Ultimate version packing a notable extra feature. The standard edition looks similar to many other gaming keyboards currently available and features three backlight color options. The Ultimate edition brings the Switchblade UI from the Razer gaming laptop in place of the ten key numpad. The Switchblade UI features ten customizable LCD keys and a small touch screen customizable LCD display. The Standard edition will retail for $80 and the Ultimate edition will retail for $250, and both are expected to be available next month.

A Sweaty Palm is No Match for Thermaltake's Fan-Equipped Cyclone Mouse

Vigorous mouse clickers who suffer from clammy hands might find something to like in Thermaltake's Black Element Cyclone edition gaming mouse. Available sometime in August for $80, the mouse promises to keep sweat at a minimum by pushing cool air into the wet recesses of your palm with a removable 6,000 rpm 5V fan. The tiny fan manages 2.6 cubic feet per minute of airflow while achieving acceptable noise levels of 21.7dB. Powered by a tethered 1.8 meter USB cable, the fan-and-mouse amalgam looks a bit unusual but we'll know how it looks aesthetically once people actually get their slick hands on it. By itself, the mouse should keep most PC gamers content with a 6,500 dpi laser sensor and nine customizable macro keys with an adjustable weight of up to 22.5 grams. Is Thermaltake's Black Element Cyclone edition gaming mouse the perfect solution for sweltering hands? We'll find out soon enough. 

How to Clean Your Mechanical Keyboard

Mechanical keyboards have become increasingly popular these days, with major manufacturers such as Cooler Master and Corsair joining specialty companies like Das Keyboard and Razer in releasing the devices. Quantic Gaming, a top professional gaming team, has released a guide on how to properly care for you keyboard to ensure that it continues operating at peak performance. In addition to the obvious tip of not getting your keyboard dirty in the first place, full instructions on how to disassemble and properly clean the keyboard are included. The process is very simple and only requires a microfiber cloth, key cap puller, and canned air. Have a look if you have a mechanical keyboard that needs a good cleaning.

Razer Announces New Keyboards and Mouse

Every year brings new products to the market to cater to new needs or simply refresh an outdated version. Razer is a name many people go to for gaming gear, and recently the company has unveiled some new products. Razer has refreshed the BlackWidow line with the 2013 versions and also introduced a new member of the mechanical keyboard family, plus there is a brand new mouse that changes things up. First up are the 2013 versions of the BlackWidow and BlackWidow Ultimate mechanical gaming keyboards. The BlackWidow adds a USB port and analog audio jacks on the left side to better match its big brother, plus it was the most requested feature by the fans. The Ultimate changes the backlighting from blue to green to keep in line with Razer's recent switch to green lighting, while both versions drop the gloss finish for a matte black one to keep fingerprints and dust down. The Ultimate will also be available in a Stealth version to tone down the noise of the switches.

The new BlackWidow member is the BlackWidow Tournament Edition, which drops the number pad and macro keys for an ultra portable design. There are some mechanical keyboards already available in this smaller size, so it is nice to see Razer shrink its BlackWidow to entice gamers who prefer a smaller keyboard. It also has a braided and detachable USB cable to make transport easier for LAN parties, and the cable can be stored in a protection sleeve during transport. It makes use of Cherry MX Blue switches or Cherry MX Browns in the Stealth version, but forgoes the extra USB and audio ports.

Razer's new mouse is a little different, not just in the name but in features. The Razer Ouroboros is an ambidextrous wireless gaming mouse that allows you to adjust its overall shape. Ouroboros is an ancient symbol of a dragon eating its own tail and stands for something constantly re-creating itself, which is exactly what Razer's Ouroboros mouse can do. You can adjust the palm rest and back arch, plus there are two interchangeable side panels to expand or contract the width of the mouse. There are eleven buttons on the Ouroboros and an 8200DPI 4G dual sensor system powering its movements, plus it can take one AA battery or an NiMH battery if you want to recharge it. It can also be plugged in if you do not feel like messing with batteries.

The BlackWidow Ultimate 2013 version will set you back $139.99, the BlackWidow 2013 at $99.99, and the BlackWidow Tournament Edition at $79.99. The BlackWidow Ultimate is available right now, the BlackWidow will be available in three to four weeks, and the Tournament Edition will be available in August. The Razer Ouroboros will launch at $129.99 and arrive in the fourth quarter of this year.

Logitech Introduces MMO Mouse

Logitech is one of the best known keyboard and mouse manufacturers in the world, and is also one of the best known for gaming gear. The company has keyboards and mice to suit almost any gamer, but MMO gamers have been left without a mouse. That all changes with the introduction of Logitech's G600 MMO Gaming Mouse, which features 20 buttons to suit any MMO. There are 12 buttons on the thumb panel that can be assigned any task, plus you can set the backlight from 16 million colors for the side buttons. The G600 features three primary buttons that are rated to 20 million clicks each, so you should not have any problems during an intense raid. There is a G-Shift key that will let you bind two commands to a single button to allow for even more configuration. The laser sensor can go from 200 to 8200DPI with five selectable levels for each of the three profiles.

The Logitech G600 is available to pre-order for $80. It is available in black or white and will ship in July.

Cougar Entering Gaming Keyboard Market

Cougar is looking to expand its hardware lineup and has its sights set on the gaming keyboard market. Already known for its cases, power supplies, and fans, Cougar wants to ensure gamers are taken care of with a keyboard. The Cougar Attack mechanical keyboard uses Cherry MX Red switches and features backlit keys. There are also key caps and a key puller bundled with every Attack keyboard, so you can switch out the keys you use most. A G-key will disable the Windows button and prevent accidental presses during a gaming session. There are eight macro keys on the Attack keyboard that will let you set up your most used actions with ease. The Cougar Attack keyboard has a removable braided USB cable for an easier time transporting it or to make sure you do not damage anything during a rage quit.

The Cougar Attack mechanical keyboard has no release date or price just yet, but once that information is released we will let you know. The video below has a look at the PTX Platinum PSU in addition to the keyboard.

Razer Taipan - Ambidextrous Mouse for Gamers

The right piece of hardware is key, as it can make or break the desired outcome. The same is true of gaming hardware, as having the proper tool ensures you get the result you want. Razer has been around a long time perfecting its craft, and knows what gamers need to get to that next level. The company has introduced the new Razer Taipan ambidextrous gaming mouse to give all gamers the competitive advantage. The Taipan's ambidextrous design means leftys and rightys will feel at ease with it, as the proper buttons will be in reach regardless. The Taipan has an 8200DPI 4G Dual Sensor System that will work on any surface and respond to your reflexes without issue. There is an anti-slip, anti-fingerprint matte finish and contoured rubber thumb grip on the mouse that will keep the Taipan within your grasp at all times.

Razer worked with several professional gaming teams, like Quantic, Mousesports, and Frenetic Array, to design the Taipan to fit any gamer. The mouse has been customized with the optimal weight, shape, and balance for an ambidextrous design, plus the weight distribution is well suited to any type of grip. Razer Synapse 2.0 is also on board to make sure your Taipan is configured properly regardless of the computer you are using.

The Razer Taipan will be available this August for $79.99.

Steel Series Announces Several New Gaming Peripherals

Steel Series has long been making gaming peripherals and accessories that feature designs from popular games, including StarCraft 2 and Diablo 3. Yesterday it announced that it would be releasing several new designs for Guild Wars 2, Dota 2, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, World of Warcraft, and Major League Gaming. Steel Series partnered with ArenaNet to develop a Guild Wars 2 headset, mouse, mousepad, and keyboard. The headset is white with over the ear red ear cups. An in-line microphone is included on a red cable and can be plugged into either side of the headset. This will also allow for two headsets to be plugged in and listening to the game simultaneously. The mouse has a dragon design right where your hand will rest and also has red illumination options. The seven buttons can be used to create macros through the Steel Series Engine software. Several designs will be available on the QcK mousepad. A keyboard is currently being designed and will be released later this year. The headset has an MSRP of $99.99, the mouse will cost $69.99, and the mousepads will be $14.99 each.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive will also receive a headset design, adding a camouflage pattern to the Siberia v2 headset that is already available. Leather ear cushions ensure that the headset will be comfortable during extended periods of use, and a nearly ten foot cord allows room to move around. A retractable microphone will allow for easy communication with your teammates. A CS:GO mouse will also place a custom design on the Kana mouse which features six buttons and up to 3,200 CPI. A Dota 2 Kana mouse will also be available that features the Dota 2 logo, and it will be bundled with a Dota 2 QcK Mini mousepad. The headset will cost $99.99, the CS:GO mouse will retail for $59.99, and the Dota 2 bundle will cost $64.99.

A new wireless mouse was developed in conjunction with Blizzard Entertainment that will be targeted at World of Warcraft players. With 11 programmable buttons via the Steel Series Engine, this new mouse follows the industry trend of throwing more buttons at the MMO crowd. The included laser sensor is capable of up to 8,200 CPI and can be adjusted on the fly. A docking station doubles as a charger and receiver and features a design similar to that of the mouse. The Lithium Ion batteries will last up to 16 hours and take just one hour to fully charge. The mouse will be available in the third quarter of this year at the price of $129.99.

Major League Gaming will also be getting some love from Steel Series in the form of an MLG Edition Sensei Gaming Mouse, which will be the official mouse of MLG. This mouse will have an on board 32-bit ARM processor to allow the ExactTech calculations to be done on the mouse. The laser sensor goes up to 8,200 CPI with a Double CPI option that can take the CPI number up to 16,400. Steel Series CMO Kim Rom said “The professional gamers that compete in MLG tournaments and the competitive players who watch competition streams that are practicing towards getting to tournaments in person and ultimately play to win, are who we have built this co-branded mouse for.” Gamers will be able to get their first look at this mouse at the MLG Spring Championships this weekend in Anaheim. Preorders will be taken and the mouse will become available in August at a price of $99.99.

Thermaltake Premiers New Level 10 Products

Thermaltake is unveiling a pair of new products at Computex 2012 this week, both of which are members of the company's Level 10 product lineup. We have seen a pair of Level 10 chassis with the OCC review of the Thermaltake Level 10 GT and the Thermaltake Level 10 GTS Snow Edition. Thermaltake is announcing the Level 10 Silver Edition Gaming Station, the next chapter in the Level 10 story. As an offspring of the original Level 10 design introduced between Thermaltake and BMW Group DesignworksUSA, the Level 10 Silver Edition is restricted to 300 builds worldwide and each case is individually numbered and sport a limited badge to let everyone know this is a special edition.

Themaltake also announced the Level 10 M Mouse Series with the centerpiece being the Level 10 M Mouse Red Edition. The new series features such design innovations as 3D Steering Axis Movement, solid Aluminum base and air-Through Ventilation System. There are three additional colors : Diamond Black, Iron White, and Military Green that were introduced at CeBIT 2012 earlier this year.

Cooler Master Releases QuickFire Pro Keyboard

Cooler Master has announced the next keyboard in its line of mechanical keyboards, the QuickFire Pro. The laser-marked keycaps and non-glossy matte finish should allow for long lasting keys that look great. Extra keycaps are also included with a key puller to be able to easily swap out any keys you like. N Key Rollover will be enabled when connected to either USB or PS/2 ports, and a 1ms response time will ensure that you never miss a beat while gaming. The QuickFire Pro will be available with a wide variety of Cherry MX switches including red, black, brown, and blue. Red LED lighting rounds out this keyboard that will retail for $99.99.

Thermaltake Announces Level 10 M Mouse

Thermaltake has unveiled a new collaboration with BMW Group DesignworksUSA at CeBIT, resulting in a new mouse for the Tt eSPORTS line. The first time the two companies worked together, the Level 10 Gaming Chassis was the result. The new mouse, the Level 10 M has a very unique design, unlike any I have ever seen. It features a solid aluminum base, air-through ventilation system, and software for customizing a variety of parameters. The mouse is capable of going up to 8200 DPI though the customization, and has a default of 5000 DPI.

Razer Announces Mass Effect 3-Themed Gear

You can never have too many products showing your loyalty towards a particular brand, whether it is a favorite movie, video game, or music. In the case of video games, often times a keyboard or mouse will carry markings tying it to a specific franchise. Razer is a purveyor of fine computer (and console) peripherals, and BioWare has an upcoming RPG that will be pretty popular. Mass Effect 3-themed gear has been announced by Razer, and each piece carries a unique scheme based on Commander Shepard's armor. The BlackWidow Ultimate keyboard, Imperator mouse, Vespula mousepad, Onza TE 360 controller, Chimaera 5.1 headset, messenger bag, and iPhone case are all decked out in N7 paint, and each will have a code to unlock the Collector Assault Rifle and multiplayer item packs in Mass Effect 3.

The Razer Mass Effect 3 items are ready for you to pre-order now. Some carry a little premium over the regular versions, but you will be getting a unique item. All the items should be available to ship once Mass Effect 3 launches on March 6th.

Genius Releases DeathTaker Mouse

Genius has officially released its DeathTaker mouse, geared toward MMO and RTS gamers. We were able to get a quick look at the DeathTaker at the Genius booth at CES, and it looked promising. The mouse features nine buttons, and the Scorpion UI allows gamers to store macros for up to 55 keys in five profiles. The SCGii engine provides for independent adjustment of the X and Y axis from 100 to 5700 DPI. A removable weight system features six weights that each weight 4.5 grams. Gamers are also presented with cosmetic options, with a 16 million RGB backlighting system. The mouse will retail for $79.90.

Mad Catz Begins Cyborg M.M.O. 7 Gaming Mouse Pre-Orders

Mad Catz has begun pre-orders for its Cyborg M.M.O. gaming mouse. The new gaming mouse offers an adjustable DPI setting from 100DPI to 6400DPI (in 25DPI steps) to cater for all gaming uses. Other features include a dynamic 1000Hz polling rate, up to 50G of acceleration and a tracking speed of up to 6m/sec. Five six-gram weights allow gamers to customise the weight of the mouse, while Teflon feet provide a smooth tracking experience. As the name suggests, the Cyborg M.M.O 7 is aimed at MMO players. To do this the mouse features 13 programmable  buttons, a three-position MMO mode switch and a two-position MMO shift button providing gamers with up to 78 in-game commands. Other customization options include interchangeable pinkie grips/palm rests and the ability to change the length or width of the mouse. The Mad Catz Cyborg M.M.O. 7 gaming mouse can be pre-ordered now for US$129.99 here.

Corsair Vengeance Keyboards and Mice Now Available

It was not too long ago that Corsair announced its new line of Vengeance gaming keyboards and mice. Originally, Corsair was planning for the new products to be available in October, but that did not happen. Now, however, Corsair has announced the immediate availability of the new Vengeance gaming keyboards and mice. The K90 and M90 are designed for MMO and RTS players, while the K60 and M60 are designed with FPS gamers in mind. The K60 keyboard features Cherry MX Red switches, textured WASD keys, and a contoured left wrist rest. Those Cherry MX Red switches should help you frag the enemy quicker, as will the 1ms report rate and 20 key rollover. The M60 mouse features a 5700DPI Avago Technologies LaserStream gaming sensor, an aluminum unibody design with adjustable center of gravity, programmable lift detection, and a Sniper button that drops the DPI resolution when pressed to allow for more precise accuracy.

The K90 keyboard also features Cherry MX Red switches, 20 key rollover, 1ms report rate, and blue LED backlighting that can be set at three different intensities. There are also 18 macro keys on the left side that are fully programmable, plus you can toggle between three different profiles for up to 54 different macros. The M90 mouse has the same 5700DPI sensor, but it has 15 programmable buttons to store your macros for the latest MMO or RTS game. The macros can be stored in six profiles directly on the mouse, or you can use the Vengeance software to switch between even more profiles.

The Vengeance K90, K60, M90, and M60 keyboards and mice are available today. The K90 costs $129, the K60 at $109, the M90 at $79, and lastly the M60 at $69.

ROCCAT Products Coming to America

ROCCAT is a manufacturer of computer peripheral devices, such as mice and keyboards, based in Hamburg, Germany. The company has been around since 2007, but I haven't heard of them until very recently. Perhaps that will change soon, as ROCCAT is launching its gaming device line in the United States, with the big reveal coming up at CES in January. The devices already enjoy a great deal of popularity across the ocean in both Europe and Asia, and hopefully that will translate to the US. The company will be showing off the Isku Illuminated Keyboard and the Kone[+] mouse. Both of these devices look great, and with the ROCCAT Talk technology they can even interact with the other. Hopefully OCC can get a good look at these devices at CES this year, be on the lookout for whatever we have to report. For now, be sure to check out our review of the ROCCAT Kova[+] gaming mouse. The company is also sponsoring a contest on its Facebook page, so check it out to have a chance to win some cool prizes. 

Logitech Unveils Modern Warfare 3 Branded Gaming Keyboard and Mouse

Logitech has unveiled a special edition gaming keyboard and mouse to commemorate the upcoming launch of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. First up is the Logitech G105 gaming keyboard, the official keyboard of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. The G105 features green LED backlit keys and six programmable G-keys for macros, along with media keys for easy video/sound control. A gaming mode switch also disables the Windows and context menu keys for uninterrupted gaming sessions. Next up is the G9X gaming mouse, offering movement of up to 165 inches per second, up to 5700 DPI and a polling rate of 1000Hz. Other features include custom LED lighting and adjustable weights up to 28g. The Logitech G105 gaming keyboard and G9X gaming mouse should be available in time for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3's release, retailing for US$79.99 and $99.99 respectively.

Pad, Nail, Knuckle, Tip: Getting the Most Out of a Touchscreen with TapSense

Touchscreens, especially those with multitouch capabilities, open up interfaces to user control methods mouse and keyboard cannot duplicate, such as pinch-to-zoom. Now researchers at Carnegie Mellon University are taking touchscreens to another level by giving devices the abilities to distinguish between the different parts of the finger users can use to interact with TapSense. By then mapping certain commands to the different parts of the finger, such as right-click to the knuckle and backspace to the nail, onscreen controls can be removed, giving more room to the information of interest to the use. The researchers use a microphone for distinguishing the parts of the finger by the sounds they make when impacting the screen. Unfortunately the microphones on phones with touchscreens are not adequate for TapSense, as they are designed for voices and not what the software needs.

Cooler Master Introduces QuickFire Rapid Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

Cooler Master today introduced the latest member to its CM Storm range of gaming peripherals, the QuickFire Rapid mechanical gaming keyboard. The new keyboard features durable rubber-coated keycaps with laser-marked symbols, along with Cherry MX switches to ensure minimal lag. A choice of either Cherry MX Brown, Blue or Back switches will be available subject to regional availability. The Windows key is also disabled in game mode allowing uninterrupted gaming. Other features include a 1ms response time, a removable braided USB cable and cable-routing grooves for easy cable management. The QuickFire Rapid mechanical gaming keyboard will be available next month for around US$79.99, including an extra set of keycaps.