Author: Cameron

Cutting-Edge Tech You Can’t Have Yet

If there’s anything we love, it’s new cutting-edge technology. Crowdfunding sites are a great place to look for new, up-and-coming gadgets that push the bar ever higher. If you’re like us, you love to check these cool new gadgets out. If you’re looking to stay ahead of the game in the world of tech, this article is for you. Today, we’re looking at the coolest cutting-edge tech you can’t have yet!

Coolest Cutting-Edge Tech You Can’t Have Yet

Masterkey 4.0

If you’ve ever watched hard science fiction films, you’re familiar with the concept of projection keyboards. In fact, they’re readily available in our own world. The idea is that the projector casts a keyboard onto your desk, and then uses sensors to tell what key you’ve pressed. The lack of tactile feedback and the presence of your fingers blocking the projection are stumbling blocks for the technology, however. That said, we’re still interested in Masterkey 4.0.

Instead of being simply a projection keyboard, the Masterkey 4.0 is a full projection computer. It uses its front lens to project the display onto a wall, while the back lens projects a keyboard. While it’s not the most practical thing ever, it’s decidedly cool. For those who need an extremely compact computer, this isn’t the worst solution. It can fit in a pocket and could be an answer for those who need a computer smaller than the smallest netbooks.

Viable Straw

Straws aren’t the sole culprit when it comes to environmental issues but reducing their usage will certainly cut back on plastic waste. Products like Viable Straw are a great alternative that can help reduce the impact we have on the environment. The nifty little straw is telescoping and fits in a handy carrying case. Even one of these straws can prevent hundreds of plastic straws from being thrown away. That’s a pretty big deal, and nothing to scoff at!

Vector

This tiny AI robot is really quite interesting. It promises to recognize the faces of distinct individuals and react to its environment. The tiny robot companion has tons of unique animations and can respond in ways that seem natural and endearing. It’s a charming little device that is not dissimilar from science fiction robots like the Droids of Star Wars. It even functions as a walking Amazon Echo-style smart speaker, responding to and answering questions. We’re very interested to see where this kind of technology goes.

August 14, 2018
Best Tabletop Games at Gen Con 2018

Gen Con is the annual celebration of all things related to traditional gaming. This year there was no shortage of awesome tabletop games to check out. We’ve gathered the ten best tabletop games seen at the show floor. If you missed Gen Con 2018, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with our favorite games from this year’s show!

Best Games at Gen Con 2018

Gizmos

Photo Credit: Board Game Geek

If you like marbles and big, flashy centerpieces, this game is for you. Players take the role of scientists trying to build perpetual energy machines. The marbles represent energy, and they’re dropped from a large central dispenser. Players are encouraged to create massive, sprawling chains of ridiculous combos. Essentially, everyone is trying to build a better Rube-Goldberg Machine. Who doesn’t love being a mad scientist?

Arkham Horror Third Edition

Photo Credit: Fantasy Flight

Believe it or not, the version of Arkham Horror released in 2005 was the second edition of the game. We didn’t even know that, and we love board games! However, Fantasy Flight Games seems poised to recapture the imaginations of Cthulhu fans the world over. The original scary, deadly board game in the Lovecraft mythos is here to try to kill you and your friends. Bad news, gang: it’ll probably succeed. You’ll need cunning and guts in equal measure to have any chance of surviving encounters with the Eldritch cults at play in this gripping game.

Reef

Photo Credit: Spiky Bits

Reef is a fun, family-style game that encourages planning ahead and rewards tactical moves. You spend your turn either drawing a card or playing a card. When you play a card, you get to place a piece of plastic coral depicted on that card. If you create the pattern on the bottom on the card with that placement, you score points. Whoever has the most points at the end wins! The game is deceptively simple and often leads to players having tough decisions and trade-offs. It’s the perfect balance of approachable and deep, just like a real reef!

Coimbra

Photo Credit: Brettspiel News

If you’re a fan of mechanics-heavy Eurogames, you’re probably accustomed to bland-looking boxes with emphasis on mechanics over appearance. Coimbra is here to scratch that mechanics-heavy itch while still looking good. The game is colorful and gorgeous, bucking the trend of ugly Eurogames. The mechanics are up to snuff, though, and the game is a fun, cerebral experience. Drafting dice and characters to gain influence is fun and thought-provoking. Every action has consequences, and only the most cunning players will come out on top.

Arboretum

Photo Credit: Chits and Giggles

While this game technically released in 2015, it wasn’t very easy to pick up. For most people, this Gen Con was the first time they even saw the game in person. This game is an interesting contradiction: it appears beautiful and serene by its components. Or, its component: it’s composed of one 80 card deck. The gameplay, however, is brutal and intense. You’re trying to build a pretty path of trees from the ten suites of numbered cards. Managing your paths is complicated by the fact that your opponents can draw from your discard pile. As such, hand management and knowledge of your opponents’ game plans is critical.

Root

Photo Credit: Geek Dad

This wargame is asymmetrical and themed on woodland creatures. The artwork is gorgeous, and the concept is intriguing. The woodland map is home to a battle between four distinct factions of critters. Each faction has different goals, abilities and mechanics. Many who played Root at Gen Con described the game as four games that share a box. Depending on your faction, the way you interact with the game changes dramatically. The Cat faction, for instance, wins by building structures. The rebellious Woodland Alliance, however, wins by drumming up support to overthrow the kitty overlords.

Expancity

Photo Credit: Twitter

Expancity is a game about building a city. The buildings are represented by stacking plastic pieces that look like towering skyscrapers. As the game goes on, your city begins to develop a unique skyline and structure. You’re attempting to achieve goals, some known to the table and some secret to you. Zoning is important, and buildings that are nearby can affect your score, negative or positive. You build while your opponents try to achieve their own goals, so the counter-play opportunities are plentiful. If you love strategically disrupting your opponents, this is a game to watch for!

Nyctophobia

Photo Credit: Tabletop Gaming News

In an interesting twist, this new game has you play completely blind. That’s right, in this game, the players take the role of victims lost in a dark forest being stalked by a murderer. In order to survive, they need to find their way to a car and radio for help. Players wear blackout shades that completely obscure their vision and they have to use their sense of touch to navigate the maze. One player takes the role of murderer and keeps the action tense by harrying the victims. This interesting game really shows off how creative board games can be!

Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Champions

Photo Credit: Game Nerdz

A new game from Lightseekers creator PlayFusion, this game is set in the Age of Sigmar fantasy universe. The gameplay is straightforward: you use your unit and spell cards to try to reduce your opponent to zero hit points. You have four champions that give you powerful skills, as does your opponent. Smart timing is critical to victory. The game is also interesting for the same reason Lightseekers caught attention: every card can be scanned into the game’s app to be used in online play. As such, each physical card is also a digital card. That way, you can always use your collection to find a game and kick some butt!

Keyforge

Photo Credit: Polygon

Created by Magic the Gathering’s creator Richard Garfield, Keyforge is something exciting. Easily our favorite game on display this year, Keyforge is a procedurally generated card game. When you buy a pack of this game, that pack is a fully-functional deck. It is also completely unique to you in every way. The cardback is unique to you, as are the cards and combinations in the deck. And you can’t change your cards out, at all. This is your deck now.

If that’s not enough to excite you, the game’s unique mechanics will. You’re trying to acquire a resource called Amber in order to Forge Keys. The first player to Forge three Keys wins the game. We’re looking forward to seeing how this one from Garfield shapes up. Considering one of his games created the CCG model, we’re sure he’s got something going here.

August 14, 2018
Best Over the Counter and Natural Pain Remedies!

Sometimes you just need a bit of pain relief. Whether it’s sore muscles, a bad bruise, a killer headache or whatever else, you’d rather it just not hurt so bad.

Thankfully, there are plentiful over-the-counter remedies available as generics to help relieve your pain. There are also a few natural solutions that many people swear by when it comes to pain remedies. We’ll highlight a few of the most popular so you can make an informed choice!

Best Over the Counter (or Natural) Pain Remedies

OTC: Ibuprofen

The brand name versions of this drug are Advil or Motrin. It’s been clinically tested with a nearly 9 out of 10 rate of people feeling it’s worth taking. It could upset your stomach, so make sure you take it with food. Also, it could cause kidney damage, so don’t take it if you’ve got a history of kidney problems!

Natural: Turmeric

Many swear by the anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric. It’s been shown to help with upset stomach, indigestion, and even help as part of treatment for more serious conditions. It could even help with common aches and pains. If you’re the type who doesn’t tend to like taking pills, try this out the next time you’ve got a sore muscle!

OTC: aspirin

Aspirin is one of the most well-known pain relievers, often found in the brand-name Alka-Seltzer. In its various forms, it can be either a pain reliever or an indigestion aid. Children under 12 should avoid aspirin, though, as it could be harmful to the liver if taken too much. Keep in mind this is aspirin with a lower-case a, which is different from the version from Bayer with a capital A.

Natural: Heat and Ice Application

The pain-relieving qualities of applying heat and/or ice to a sore area are well-document. However, be careful when applying hot or cold items to your body! Apply heat to an area if it is stiff or if your pain is arthritic. Conversely, ice can help reduce swelling and cut back on inflammation. Athletes swear by this pain-relieving method! Speak to a physician about how this natural remedy could be applied to your aches or pains if you’re hurt.

OTC: Aspirin

The brand name Aspirin, which is different from Alka-Seltzer’s version, is another well-known pain remedy. It can reduce fever, as well, and is even known to have helpful effects in those with heart disease. However, keep in mind that it is a blood-thinner. If you’re at risk for internal bleeding, stick with ibuprofen or one of the natural pain remedies!

Natural: Acupuncture

Seeking pain relief from an acupuncturist may seem silly at first, but it’s a well-documented and ancient practice. The Chinese art helps relieve pain through a process known as qi manipulation, altering the path of your body’s natural energies. Scientific study of the practice has found that the pain-relieving qualities are a result of the serotonin released by the sensation of the needles being driven into your skin. Either way, it’s been proven to help in some cases!

OTC: Acetaminophen

This medicine works by affecting the part of your brain that controls temperature and regulates pain messages. As such, it doesn’t alter the physical causes of your pain, but instead tricks you into not feeling the pain. While that might sound scary, it’s quite safe! Prolonged sessions of taking acetaminophen can lead to liver damage, though, so be aware! Just take enough to ease your pain, don’t overdo it.

Natural: Cryotherapy

There are a few ways to go about this, whether with a cryotherapy chamber or just an ice bath. The idea behind cryotherapy is that, by shocking your body with cold, you make your body produce special type of protein. These cold-shock proteins have anti-inflammatory properties that can help naturally fight pain!

OTC: Naproxen

Those with a history of heart disease may prefer naproxen over ibuprofen. Naproxen is good for treating general aches and pains, as it is an anti-inflammatory. It does run the same risk of upsetting the stomach that many other over-the-counter pain remedies, so take it with food!

Natural: Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy

The theory behind PEFT is that using electromagnetic fields to stimulate natural anti-inflammatory compounds. While it sounds high-tech, you can actually get the treatment for between $30 and $60 from a physical therapist or chiropractor. If you want a machine in your own home, they’re a bit pricey: they run around $1500 on the low end.

August 10, 2018
Need a Website Made? The Best Web Creation Tools for 2018

When it comes to making websites, it’s much easier today than it was 20 years ago. There was a time when you needed to have a great grasp on coding and web design to make a webpage. Now, however, that process has been made much easier by the existence of powerful web creation tools! If you’re looking to make a great website, look no further than these excellent resources. Here are our picks for the best web creation tools for 2018!

The Best Web Creation Tools for 2018

Wix

Wix is a cloud-based site building platform that is quite popular. It offers a lot of templates and tons of customization options. Their site builder is a drag-and-drop style, meaning it’s incredibly straightforward and easy-to-use. If you’re brand new to web design, it’s a great launching point. Their free version has limited bandwidth and storage, but you can use it to see if you like the style. If so, you can upgrade to premium and get to building more content for your site! The downsides are there, though: it’s unwieldy to move from Wix to another platform. That said, it’s still a good choice.

Shopify

A great resource for building online storefronts, Shopify is a fully-hosted site builder. All the data and backups are hosted on their servers. They’re a little on the pricey side, but they offer a great service. You can even integrate your Shopify page into WordPress! They also use a drag and drop style, meaning building your site is very straightforward. If you’re looking to open an online storefront, this is your way to do it.

Weebly

Weebly is another fully-hosted site, which is a pro and a con. While your data is backed up and safe, you also can’t change the site functionality. Their site builder is quick and intuitive, though, so you’ve got nothing to worry about there. They also have e-commerce integration, but they charge a 3% transaction fee. All said, they’re a good choice, but not the most popular.

Squarespace

Thanks in large part to aggressive advertising via YouTubers, Squarespace is a well-known name on the internet. The web-building tools are top-notch, and it’s easily one of the best out there. You don’t sacrifice a good-looking website for how easy it is to build with the platform. Many swear by the platform’s tools, and it’s rapidly gaining ground as a favorite of web-builders. The only downsides are the limited third-party integration. For instance, they only accept transactions through Apple Pay, PayPal or Stripe, so your options are limited.

WordPress

One of the most popular web platforms, WordPress is a fantastic resource. In fact, the site you’re currently on is powered by WordPress! It’s a relatively inexpensive service, but it has a bit of a learning curve. That said, it’s a flexible and robust tool to create any kind of site you would like to make. If you want to exert maximum control, this is a great tool for you! Consider WordPress if a small learning curve doesn’t deter you from making whatever site you have in mind.

August 10, 2018
Top Apps for Travel Deals

Who doesn’t love to travel? Going on a fun adventure far from home is a great way to relax, recharge and energize! It can, however, be quite expensive. If you’re like me, you love traveling, but you also love saving money! With that in mind, today we’re going to try to do a bit of both. Let’s check out the tops apps for travel deals! Adventure awaits!

Skyscanner

Our first app is Skyscanner, a solid choice for travel deals. The notable functionality of this app is its ability to show you all the best deals on flights based on date and destination. The app will even alert you when better prices on flights become available.

You can schedule your travel around when the tickets will be the least expensive. You can even browse by top deals if you don’t have a destination in mind, seeing which flights from your local airport offer the best value.

Hopper

Much like Skyscanner, Hopper is an app that helps you find good prices on plane tickets. Unlike Skyscanner, Hopper’s gimmick is sending you push notifications for when to buy tickets.

You can save a ton of money through Hopper if you’re the kind of person who has plane ticket money just laying around. By striking while the iron is hot, you can snag crazy deals. Just be ready to fly (and buy) at some odd hours.

Hotel Tonight

Hotel Tonight lets you get a hotel room booked in seconds. The app offers some pretty fantastic deals, as it partners with hotels to get their empty rooms sold quickly. Hotels are an odd business, and they’re seeing increased competition from Airbnb.

As such, they’ve started to get a little more creative in how they encourage guests to stay. Using Hotel Tonight, you can snag rooms that were canceled and are otherwise going to go unsold. The hotel would rather sell it, and you’d rather save money, so it’s win-win!

Airbnb

If you don’t mind the prospect of sleeping in someone else’s house, you can get some pretty great savings through Airbnb. The app offers curated experiences called Trips that allow you to get a more authentic, genuine-feeling experience in your city of choice.

While some have raised concerns over the ethics of apps like Airbnb, it remains one of the best apps for travel deals. It’s hard to pass up some of the savings it offers! Just make sure it’s legal in the city you’re thinking of visiting: many localities have forbidden the divisive app. Safe travels!

August 9, 2018
Top AARP Benefits: Should You Join?

When you start to get past age 50 or so, the jokes start rolling in. Shouldn’t you get a discount here? Are you going to get the Early Bird special? Very fun, everyone; but, seriously, there are some good discounts for being older! Jokes aside, you might be considering joining AARP for a similar reason: the benefits! Today we’re looking at ten of the top AARP benefits you get for the modest $16 per year membership. Let’s see how it all stacks up!

Top AARP Benefits

You Can Join at 50

Most senior discount programs don’t start until you hit 55. AARP, however, lets you join when you’re fifty. That means you can start reaping the benefits sooner, rather than later! You’re more than entitled to the discounts and savings by the time you’re fifty. Don’t let pride or vanity stop you from hopping on: there’s no shame in being 50, 60, 70 or whatever age. All it brings is wisdom and perspective!

If You Are Married…

If you join AARP and you’re married, good news! Your spouse is a member for free. That means that married people get double the value from their membership! It’s like a buy-one, get-one free deal! If you’ve been on the fence about joining and you’re married, you can be assured it’s a good value, as it practically doubles your benefits.

If You Aren’t Married…

Maybe you don’t have a spouse to share your membership with, but no worries! Members can join the AARP dating site as part of their membership. The best part about it is that you know you’ll be matched with people in the same stage of their lives as you are! There’s nothing quite as exhausting as sifting through tons of profiles of people who are half your age. You can cut that whole process out with an AARP membership!

You Get AARP’s Magazine

Your membership also includes a subscription to AARP’s magazine. While it’s not the biggest perk in the world, it does contain a ton of helpful articles detailing the deals you can take advantage of. Nothing quite like saving money while you’re saving money, huh? The articles are also top-notch and well worth the low cost of the membership by themselves! There are articles on personal finance, travel and a ton more. What’s not to love?

Insurance

Some people find that AARP’s car insurance policy is more affordable than other insurers’ plans. This could vary from person to person, but they are often the most affordable option for people over 50. It’s worth asking for a quote from AARP and making a decision based on that. If the switch would save you more than $16 per year, it’s sort of a no-brainer to get an AARP membership just for that!

AARP Travel Center

Between deals on flights, parking and more, the AARP Travel Center is a huge plus for members. Most people think of AARP members are boring older people, but that’s pretty far from the truth. Going on fun vacations and traveling are some of the perks of having an established nest egg! Why not save while you travel? The AARP Travel Center will make sure you’re taken care of.

Cruises

You’ll often find better rates on cruises from Norwegian, Grand European and Windstar through the AARP’s Travel Center. There’s nothing quite like sailing the high seas on a luxury cruise liner! And it’s hard to beat some of the deals you’ll find on them through the AARP discounts.

Rental Car Discounts

Most rental car companies offer discounts to AARP members. In fact, all AARP members get a 30 percent discount on a Zipcar membership. AARP is a great deal for those who love to travel! Not having to worry about what you’re going to drive on your vacation is a pretty big load off your shoulders!

Hotel Discounts

To round out the awesome travel deals, you’ll also get access to great deals on hotel rates. Between the flights, hotels and rental cars, the AARP pretty much has you completely covered on vacation discounts. If you travel often, it’s hard to find reasons not to have an AARP membership!

Other Discounts

You also get discounts on nearly any and everything you can think of. It’s hard to keep track of how many ways you can earn back your membership fee through saving. Angie’s List, Dunkin Donuts, Outback Steakhouse, Kohl’s, AMC Theaters, Verizon and many more places all offer discounts. Really, it’s harder to find places that won’t offer you a discount for being a member!

The Most Important Benefit

The biggest benefit for being an AARP member is knowing that you’re supporting an organization that lobbies lawmakers on your behalf. Rules and regulations that affect seniors are lobbied on by the AARP to help keep you safe. The quality of life of every member is made better by the legislation that the AARP helps to lobby. That’s a benefit that’s pretty hard to pass up!

August 9, 2018
Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 Feature Roundup: Android 2-in-1

Samsung’s Galaxy line has long been the very top of the line in terms of Android smartphones. However, their Galaxy Tab line has struggled to stay relevant as tablets themselves have fallen out of favor. Does the Galaxy Tab S4 have what it takes to put Galaxy Tab (and tablets) back on the radar of tech-lovers? The answer: sort of. It’s a step in the right direction, at least.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 Feature Roundup

Design and Peripherals

It’s a Galaxy device, that much is sure at a glance. Trademark Samsung design is all over this simple, straightforward tablet. The major selling point, however, is the two-in-one functionality that makes it into a laptop-like device. The keyboard cover is another $150 on top of the device’s $650 price tag, but it’s a solid add-on. It’s not as bad as typing on a block of wood, but it’s not going to replace your home keyboard. The S Pen helps a lot in this respect, and thankfully the Tab S4 comes with it packed in. Unfortunately, the two-in-one functionality isn’t quite what you’d expect for the price.

Two-in-One

The Galaxy Tab S4 manages to be both a superfluous tablet and a sub-par laptop! Okay, jokes aside, it’s not amazing in either mode. The tablet mode is fine, but you have a smartphone. Why would you seriously need a tablet? It’s expensive and it performs a role you already have covered. In laptop mode, or “Dex Mode,” the touch screen is unreliable and unresponsive. That would be one thing if this was actually a laptop, but we’re talking about a tablet. You have to actually, you know, touch the screen to navigate through the operating system.

It sounds like we really hated this tablet, and that’s not exactly true. It’s not a terrible device, it just doesn’t do anything to justify its steep price tag. Especially when you consider that the amount of money you spend on this tablet could also just be spent on an iPad, which is a far superior piece of technology. The iPad is gorgeous, fast and responsive; all the things the Galaxy Tab S4 isn’t.

Bottom Line

Unless you really, really love the idea of an Android two-in-one, skip this. Android is a passable operating system on phones, but it was made for phones. Nothing proves that more than this Galaxy Tab. If you love Android, that’s fine, and you’re certainly not alone. It’s a popular OS, due in large part to its open nature. However, you’d much rather work with a two-in-one running Windows or iOS, and if you disagree then you’re lying to yourself.

That said, maybe this is the first step for Android devices into the 2-in-1 space. Perhaps Samsung is opening the door for another device to come along and make me eat my words. Until that time comes, though, I’ll remain unconvinced.

August 9, 2018
Top Ten Gaming Keyboards for 2018

There’s nothing quite like having a rock-solid keyboard for kicking butt online. If you’ve ever used a sub-par keyboard to try to play a fast-paced video game, you know how rough it can be. If you’re serious about PC gaming, you’re going to need a serious keyboard. The best keyboards are a little pricey, so today we’re not worrying too much about price. If you want the best, you’re going to need to pay top dollar. If that’s not your jam, we’re including a few budget options for you to consider. However, if you’re not afraid of spending some dough, check out the higher entries on the list! Here are our top ten gaming keyboards for 2018!

Top Ten Gaming Keyboards for 2018

Nixeus Moda Pro

Photo Credit: AnandTech

Our first entry is an interesting budget pick. It’s only $70, but it’s got a solid make. The tray is metal, and the keycaps are similar to those found on Mac keyboards. In fact, this keyboard works quite well with Mac: it even features Mac function keys. The Nixeus Moda Pro works great on Windows, too, so if you’re on that OS you don’t have to worry. This is a fine entry-level choice for Mac users or fans of their keyboards.

Roccat Horde AIMO

Photo Credit: Roccat

This one is inexpensive and feels okay. It’s not the best option out there, but it doesn’t set you back too much. The issues with this one are the flimsy-feeling wrist-rest and generally cheap make overall. The keys feel okay, and it performs fine in fast-paced scenarios. On the bright side, it only costs around $90. That said, if you spend just a bit more you can get a much better keyboard.

Havit HV-KB390L Low Profile Mechanical Keyboard

Photo Credit: Tech Addicts

What this Havit keyboard lacks in features it makes up for in affordability. It’s only $60, it’s portable and it even has backlighting. The backlighting is pretty simple, but it looks nice. The keys feel nice, and typing is easy, too. This is an all-around solid budget choice. The only downsides here are the relatively cheap-feeling deck and weak key quality.

Razer Chroma Ornata

Photo Credit: Razer

With an MSRP of $100 but often found on sale for $80, the Ornata is another great budget option. The coolest thing with this keyboard is the proprietary Razer Chroma software that powers the backlight. If you’re the type who wants to have a pimped-out desk, Chroma is your friend. You can sync your mouse, headset and keyboard all through Chroma.

The Ornata is also a solid keyboard with an interesting “mecha-mesh” action. The keys feel like a combination of a mechanical keyboard and a mesh keyboard. It takes a bit of getting used to, but it’s actually pretty nice when you get accustomed.

Alienware Pro Gaming Keyboard

Photo Credit: Dell

When you’re not gaming, your keyboard still has to be a keyboard. No gaming deck knows that better than the Alienware Pro. The switches in this keyboard are great for both gaming and typing. If you need to bang out an essay or spreadsheet, this keyboard works just as well as if you were blasting bad guys. This one is a bit on the premium side, running for $120 MSRP. It’s usually available on sale for around $100, though, and it’s a great find at that price.

Logitech G910 Orion Spectrum

Photo Credit: PC Mag

The first of our truly premium gaming keyboards, the Orion Spectrum is meant to go toe-to-toe with Corsair and Razer’s flagship keyboards. It does a passable impersonation of those two superior decks, but it does so at a comparable price to them. This keyboard is streamlined, and the keys feel fine, it’s just a bit “meh” when you see it’s $180 price tag. When you can get a better keyboard for less, it becomes hard to recommend this to anyone other than Logitech die-hards.

SteelSeries Apex M750

Photo Credit: Unilad

It’s hard to not love SteelSeries. Their peripherals are often high-quality and fairly priced compared to everyone else. This keyboard has lightning-fast switches and great action. You’ll never feel like your hardware is holding you back with this excellent keyboard. Not to mention, you’ll love the price: $140 for this solid keyboard. The only drawbacks? No adjustable feet and no media keys.

Roccat Vulcan 120 AIMO

Photo Credit: Best Buy

Fast action, quiet keys and comfortable typing make this a solid choice. Much better than the mediocre Horde form Roccat, the Vulcan impresses on a number of levels. The action is good, and the tactile feedback is satisfying. It’s hard to pass that up! That said, it’s a little pricey at $170. If you spend just a bit more, you can have an even better keyboard. Our next two, for instance, are absolutely killer.

Corsair K95 RGB Platinum

Photo Credit: Corsair

One of the very best keyboards out there, this Corsair is well worth its $185 price tag. If you’re a fan of customizable lighting, high build quality and great switch action, this is for you. There’s really nothing to knock this keyboard for: it’s excellent. The dedicated media keys and plentiful features make this a truly premium gaming keyboard. That said, it doesn’t snag our top spot because the competition is that much slicker and more impressive.

Our Top Pick: Razer Huntsman Elite

Photo Credit: Engadget

The newest premium keyboard from Razer blows us away. The Huntsman continues their deadly naming convention, and it ups the bar for mechanical keyboards. Optomechanical switches that use sensors to read when keystrokes fall up the game to crazy levels. Actuation is unprecedented with this keyboard: there’s simply nothing faster. It’s also absolutely covered in RGB and looks like something from Blade Runner. It’s awesome, it’s $200 and it’s the best keyboard in the world. All hail the king.

August 9, 2018
YouBionic Robot Arm: 3D-Printable Future of Prosthetics?

If you’re a fan of sci-fi or cyberpunk fiction, you’ve likely imagined the future as one full of robot arms and cool high-tech augmentations. As technology has become more and more awesome, this comes ever closer to being a reality. One company that is working hard to help people with their robotics is YouBionic. They’ve created a 3D-printable robot arm that has human-like actuation and movement! The fingers grip and close in realistic, practical ways. Could this be the future of prosthetics?

YouBionic Technology

The ambitious robotics company has promised the arm will be 3D-printable. That makes it much, much more accessible than most comparable devices. The arm functions in most ways just like a human hand. It grips, it turns, and it can even rotate on the wrist. As of now, it’s controllable via a remote. It also has a mirroring function, where it can mirror the actions of the wearer’s hand. This could be useful for individuals with one hand, as they could have the prosthetic mirror the action of their hand while trying to carry or manipulate objects.

The functionality YouBionic is most interested in bringing to bear, however, is electric signal control. That would allow for a user without one or both arms to control the prosthetics with signals from their brain. That would make the prosthetic essentially an extension of the user’s body and could revolutionize prosthetics.

Availability

While technology like this has been in the works for some time at various companies, this is the first with accessibility in mind. Similar technologies have been prohibitively expensive, and not mass-produced for consumers. Individuals in need of such prosthetics have largely been unable to access them. YouBionic’s prosthetic, however, will be 3D-printable, and thus widely available. This is a huge deal for those who could benefit from a better quality of life with such prosthetics!

With movement this precise, the promise of controlling it with one’s mind is amazing. For individuals who might not have access to such fine motor controls, this is a game changer. Activities like typing, making food and driving that people take for granted could open up for such people. If that’s not an awesome application of technology, I don’t know what is!

Photo Credit: YouTube

August 8, 2018
Top Ten DC Stories that Could Save the DCEU

The DCEU isn’t doing so hot with critics, although it manages to impress audiences. However, the recently-unveiled Shazam shows a side of DC that has been sorely missing from the big screen: humor. Zach Snyder’s half-baked attempts to create dark, edgy films on par with Christopher Nolan largely missed the nuance and subtleties of the fabled director. As such, films he helmed or executive produced have been heavy, boring and generally trying to hard to be taken seriously. Here are ten DC Stories that could save the DCEU from its dark, boring history and bring it into fresher, brighter territory.

Ten DC Stories that Could Save the DCEU

Kingdom Come

Photo Credit: Nerdist

The first major event that could help restore faith in the DCEU would be Kingdom Come. The comic was expertly illustrated by Alex Ross, his photorealistic style lending weight to the proceedings. The premise of this story is that a number of dark, edgy new vigilantes have taken the mantle from the older, more measured superheroes. This tale was largely a response to the dark heroes that had become the norm following Watchmen and comics like it. Frank Miller’s work, in particular, had a profound effect on DC and weighed many heroes down with dark and gritty tales. Kingdom Come, in movie form, could allow for a self-correcting commentary on the nature of heroes and villains in the DCEU.

The New Gods

Photo Credit: Syfy

Created by Jack Kirby to give the DC Universe its own unique mythology, the New Gods are epic and larger than life. A New Gods film based on some of the more epic Forever People tales penned by Kirby would be a great way to introduce audiences to DC’s cosmic characters. The deadliest force in the DC Universe, the powerful and dangerous Darkseid, is directly related to the titanic New Gods, hailing from the planet Apokolips.

If they were to follow this track, DC could follow a Kingdom Come film with a flashback New Gods film to set up Darkseid. This would keep the hype rolling for future Justice League films and lend legitimacy to the DCEU’s cosmic threats.

JLA: Tower of Babel

Photo Credit: DC

Following a Kingdom Come film to establish a new tone and status quo, a soft reset of the Justice League could be just what the DCEU needs. This famous Justice League tale follows the villain Ra’s al Ghul’s attempt to destroy the League using intel stolen from Batman. This is the origin of the conceit that Batman has a plan to defeat all of the League members. Perhaps this story would work better as a subplot in a different JLA tale, like the next entry on this list. However, we feel this story is likely strong enough to stand on its own merits and help us get a good feel for what kind of person Batman is.

JLA: Rock of Ages

Photo Credit: Comics Bulletin

A natural conclusion to the arc that starts with Kingdom Come redefining the DCEU would be Rock of Ages. A Justice League tale that is as renowned as they come, this is a whirling sci-fi epic. The League faces off against the likes of Lex Luthor and Darkseid in this time-traveling, space-hopping romp. Seeing a massive conflict with Darkseid to cap off the first wave of DC films would be similar to Thanos’ awesome debut in the third Avengers film. This one is a no-brainer for the DCEU!

Flashpoint Paradox

Photo Credit: DC Animated Movie Wiki

The first entries on this list all assumed a linear path from a Kingdom Come-style reimagining of the universe. Another potential reimagining, one that could bring some major changes to the DC film universe, would be the Flashpoint Paradox. In the comics, the Flashpoint Paradox is a seminal Flash story that resulted in the creation of a new reality. That reality was referred to as the New 52, and it was a pretty major relaunch for DC.

Such a move could allow for a pretty major recasting of several characters that are in need of new actors. We would like to see characters like Batman, Joker, Lex Luthor and Alfred recast to fall more in line with their comics counterparts. It could also wash away the sub-par aspects of this universe’s Superman, bringing him more in line with the version we know and love.

Crisis on Infinite Earths

Photo Credit: DC Database

Another option, rather than using Flashpoint to reset the world, could be Crisis on Infinite Earths. This massive tale concerns the Anti-Monitor as it attempts to destroy all of reality. It largely succeeds, leaving but one Earth and simplifying the heck out of the DC Universe. A huge number of parallel dimensions are destroyed, streamlining the types of stories told in the comics from that point forward. It’s likely this story would be merged with a Flashpoint-like tale, allowing DC to re-sculpt and simplify their film universe.

All-Star Superman

Photo Credit: ComicsVerse

The Flashpoint or Crisis route would make All-Star Superman a natural fit for the DCEU. Grant Morrison’s iconic tale follows a dying Superman, exposed to far too much solar radiation. Superman attempts to make the world a better place before his time runs out. Such a farewell to the Henry Cavill superman would allow him to be a symbol of hope He could then be replaced in a new reality by a more positive, traditional Superman for later stories.

Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters

Photo Credit: Comic Book Realm

Green Arrow is one of DC’s coolest characters, and he deserves his own place on the big screen. His best story, by far, is the Longbow Hunters arc. A serious and weighty tale, it features Ollie at his very best. Green Lantern and Black Cat oppose street-level threats like drug dealers and gang members, as well as dangerous assassins. This would serve as a great way to introduce audiences to the street-level aspects of the DCEU. It would also be a great way to bring Green Arrow in after his successful TV series.

Batman: The Long Halloween

Photo Credit: Den of Geek

One of the best Batman tales ever told, the Long Halloween stands toe-to-toe with Knightfall and the Court of Owls. Long Halloween is a story about a younger, less-experienced Batman attempting to stop a serial killer who strikes on holiday. The story was incredibly well-received in its original run. It would work well as an introduction to a younger, more heroic Batman. This would be an excellent way to follow up on a cosmic reset of the DCEU, redefining Batman as a hero. Instead of, y’know, a scowling bully.

Blackest Night

Photo Credit: Comic Book Herald

Blackest Night would be a great way to bring Hal Jordan into the DCEU. Nekron, a force of pure death, brings a legion of undead heroes to Earth. They’re animated by the Black Lantern rings, and they’re a huge threat to all life on the planet. In order to repel him, the heroes of Earth all band together. They join with the Lantern Corps to weather Nekron’s attack in an epic clash.

This story would allow for a deeper exploration of the Lantern mythos. It could also serve as an awesome crossover, Justice League-style film. It might even wash the taste of the Ryan Reynolds Green Lantern from the mouths of disappointed fans. Well, if it’s done right, that is!

August 8, 2018