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29
Dec

The Morning After: Friday, December 29th 2017


Hey, good morning! You look fabulous.

Apple’s apologizing to its customers, and we’re running down the best games from last year. Plus, the new season of Black Mirror is here.

Out-of-warranty battery replacements will now cost only $29.Apple apologizes for confusion over slowdowns with older iPhones

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Apple has been in hot water for the last few weeks after the company admitted that it sometimes reduced processor speeds on iPhones with aging batteries as a way to balance performance and battery life. Today, the company is apologizing for not being more transparent with its customers and released more details on how exactly iOS manages battery and performance. That, however, hasn’t stopped several lawsuits, from the US to France.

And what we’re most excited about in 2018.The best games of 2017

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Early 2017 brought us legitimate contenders for game of the year in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Horizon Zero Dawn and Persona 5 — and that’s not to mention Resident Evil’s return to form. Now the year is almost over, and we’ve had a stunning Mario game, another great Wolfenstein title and even an Assassin’s Creed game that exceeded all expectations. We pick out the best of this year, and also take a look at what’s just on the horizon.

Microsoft still has a lot of catching up to do.Xbox’s lack of compelling games won’t be fixed next year

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There’s a real lack of Xbox exclusive titles in our key picks from the last twelve months of games — and it’s not a problem that’s going to be fixed any time soon.

Could happen to anyone.Russia lost a satellite because of one small mistake

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According to Russian deputy prime minister Dmitry Rogozin, the Roscosmos agency lost a $45 million satellite last month because of an unfortunate error. On Russian TV, he said the Meteor M was set to launch from the Baikonur cosmodrome instead of where it actually launched, from Vostochny. Roscosmos has more generally blamed the loss on problems with an algorithms, but it’s still a reminder to always double check your settings.

But wait, there’s more…

  • Fire TV users lose access to the YouTube app earlier than expected
  • South Korea enacts new cryptocurrency regulations
  • Chrome OS will finally run Android apps in the background
  • Snapchat wants to help you relive your best 2017 memories
  • ‘Half-Life 3’ fan venture ‘Project Borealis’ is taking shape

The Morning After is a new daily newsletter from Engadget designed to help you fight off FOMO. Who knows what you’ll miss if you don’t Subscribe.

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29
Dec

Porsche’s electric Mission E will pack up to 670 horsepower


We’ve already noted that Porsche is gunning for Tesla with its Mission E sports car, and has even been spotted testing it against the Model X and Model S. Now we know more about what you’ll be able to buy when it goes on the market, reportedly in 2019. Automobile reports that it will likely release three all-wheel drive versions with 300 kW, 400 kW and 500 kW (402, 536 and 670 horsepower). It’ll have a two-speed transmission and, as we’ve noted earlier, will hit 0 to 60 mph in around 3.5 seconds with a top speed of 155 mph, and go around 300 miles on a charge.

Spies have previously caught Porsche testing a Mission E mule that vaguely resembles the auto show model (below). However, it had regular doors (rather than a suicide rear door), less bulgy fenders and a front end that’s not quite so dramatic.

However, Automobile tested a version that retains all of those features and looks exactly like the show car that first appeared in Frankfurt. Based on that, it’s hard to say exactly which Mission E we’ll get when it starts production, reportedly in 2020.

Comparisons against Tesla are tempting, but the Mission E will address a slightly different market. Thanks to the electric drivetrain, it’s bigger inside than it looks, but is still seats four and not five+2 folks like the Model S. “The production version is in essence a C-segment sedan with an almost D-size interior,” Mission E lead Stefan Weckbach told Automobile.

The concept also has a much more aggressive, nearly supercar-like profile, as well. Even if it’s relatively roomy inside, it’s more likely to attract buyers who want a roomy sports car. Tesla buyers, on the other hand, probably want things the other way around — a sedan that can go like hell if need be. Either way, you can no longer dismiss the Mission E as vaporware, as Porsche now seems to be on a mission (sorry) to get it into production.

Via: Autoblog

Source: Automobile

29
Dec

Apple Patent Filing Describes Wireless Power Transfer System That Can Prioritize Devices


Two days ago, we reported that Energous had received FCC certification for the company’s first-generation WattUp Mid Field transmitter, which powers up devices at a distance of up to three feet away. As noted by VentureBeat, this week also saw two new Apple wireless power patent applications published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

While the patents don’t confirm anything on their own, rumors have floated since 2015 that Energous has been working with Apple on a truly wireless charging solution for future mobile devices, so they may offer an idea of what users can expect, should the rumors prove accurate.

The first patent, covered by Patently Apple, describes a way of creating custom schedules for a charger capable of sending power to multiple devices such as phones, laptops, tablets, and watches over a “wireless power transfer link”. The power profiler works so as to remember the order of priority for charging the devices – if the user wants their Apple Watch to be fully charged before their iPad, for instance.

In another example, the user can set more nuanced preferences for charging priority, by requesting, say, that their watch is charged first but only if their iPad has at least 25 percent battery power; or requesting that their iPhone takes charging priority over all else during the evening, but only if their calendar indicates that they will be out of the office the next morning.

The second patent is less detailed, but describes a wireless power transmitting device that can function as a standalone adaptor, or send power a wireless charging mat, and in some embodiments, can be hidden in furniture or incorporated into a vehicle interior, in order to charge a “wireless power receiving device”. The receiving device is described as being capable of pausing wireless power transmission and sending information back to the power source if necessary.

Both patents were filed in June of this year, have not yet been granted, and as with all Apple patents, may never appear as consumer devices, but the power scheduling systems described above may yet prove to be the link to Energous’ wire-free solutions. Whether Apple decides 2018 is the year to build upon the contact-based wireless charging capability it introduced with the iPhone 8 and iPhone X remains to be seen.

Related Roundups: iPhone 8, iPhone XTags: wireless charging, patentBuyer’s Guide: iPhone 8 (Buy Now), iPhone X (Buy Now)
Discuss this article in our forums

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29
Dec

Snapchat Copies Facebook Feature For Once With ‘A Look Back at 2017’


Snapchat today turned the tables on Facebook for once by mimicking one of the social media giant’s favorite features – your year in review, based on photos and videos posted in the last 12 months.

The feature can be accessed using the memories icon at the bottom of Snapchat’s home screen interface. Selecting “A Look Back at 2017” automatically generates a Story around your timeline of pictures, but the arrangement can be tweaked by selecting “Edit Story” and tapping the X on individual snaps to remove them from the collage. The Story can then be saved and shared with friends.

Image via The Verge
As The Verge notes, the “Look Back” feature may not appear if there isn’t enough media from the last 12 months to create a story, so only avid Snapchat users are likely to see it.

Facebook continued its seemingly relentless trend of copying Snapchat features last month, when it began testing a new feature that plays on the latter’s chat streak challenge, which encourages users to “keep your streak going” when messaging friends.

Prior to that, Facebook created a carbon copy of Snapchat’s day-long, vanishing post idea in Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and Instagram, which gained 100 million users following the update last year. The company also previously aped Snapchat’s face filters and rewinded video features for Instagram, which also proved a hit.

Today’s feature debut follows news yesterday that Snapchat is testing a feature which will let users share stories outside of the mobile app, in an effort to boost sign-ups to the app.

Tags: Facebook, Snapchat
Discuss this article in our forums

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29
Dec

Google Photos is choosing your happiest pics for a ‘Smiles of 2017’ video


As the curtain comes down on another year, you might be taking a moment to swipe through your photos from 2017, enjoying (hopefully) happy reminders of the friends you met, the places you went, and the things you did.

Looking back on the year has prompted Google to offer users of its Photos app a Smiles of 2017 video, which uses AI to pull together all your images featuring, you guessed it, smiles. Or at least, what its algorithm perceives to be a smile.

The slideshow video last around 50 seconds and features music from Google’s own library. Of course, if you like it you can save and share it, too.

First spotted by Android Police, the auto-generated Smiles of 2017 videos have so far been appearing in Photos for a limited number of users — it might depend on how many images you have with toothy grins!

Anyone receiving the Smiles of 2017 video from Google should get a notification. But in case you want to check for yourself, just tap on the “Assistant” tab in Photos at the bottom left of your smartphone display to see if it’s available. If it’s not, give it another look before the year’s out.

Google has rolled out auto-generated videos for Photos before. First introduced in 2016, the so-called “creative concepts” have included Summer of Smiles and Special Day that also use algorithms to select the appropriate images.

If you can’t wait for a Smiles of 2017 video to appear in your Photos app and you’re keen on creating your own, then it’s simple to do. Just hit the “Assistant” tab, select “Movie” from the listed choices that appear, and then tap on as many as 50 of your favorite images. Once you’re done, tap “create” at the top right and let Google do the rest.

Hit the “play” button and enjoy the memories, though if you don’t like Google’s selection of music, you can choose something from your own library by hitting the music note icon bottom center. Likewise, if you want to remove any images, add news ones, or change the order in which they appear, tap the film strip icon bottom right and carry out the edits there.

Editors’ Recommendations

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  • Year in review: The best crowdfunding projects of 2017
  • Sony Xperia XZ Premium, XZs, XA1 Ultra, XA1: Our first take
  • These are the top 40 games we’re looking forward to in 2018
  • Apple adds more indoor maps for select airports and malls to iOS 11




29
Dec

Facebook apologizes for its moderation ‘mistakes’


With over 2 billion users and counting, policing Facebook is an increasingly difficult task. The unenviable job rests on the shoulders of a 7,500-strong team of content moderators (alongside the site’s algorithms), who scour through tons of unsightly posts, ranging from violent terrorist material to images of child abuse. Unsurprisingly, they don’t always get it right (in part due to Facebook’s ambiguous guidelines). And so, yet another report of hateful material slipping through the site’s cracks has emerged, this time from ProPublica.

The non-profit sent Facebook a sample of 49 items containing hate speech, and a few with legitimate expression (from its pool of 900 crowdsourced posts) and the social network admitted its reviewers made mistakes in 22 of the cases. In six cases, Facebook blamed users for not flagging the posts correctly, and in two additional incidents it said it didn’t have enough info to respond. The company defended 19 of its decisions. The posts included sexist, racist, and anti-muslim rhetoric.

“We’re sorry for the mistakes we have made,” said Facebook VP Justin Osofsky in a statement. “We must do better.” The exec revealed that the social network will up its safety and security team to 20,000 people next year in an effort to better implement its community standards. He added that Facebook deletes around 66,000 posts reported as hate speech each week.

On top of its fight against misinformation, Facebook has also been adding new tools to combat sensitive material. In April, it introduced a reporting mechanism for revenge porn, and earlier this month it launched features to help you block or ignore harassers.

Source: ProPublica

29
Dec

YouTube’s poor AI training led to rise of child exploitation videos


YouTube uses algorithms and human moderators, but it still couldn’t prevent the rise in disturbing, child-exploitative videos on the platform. Why? Well, it’s likely due to various reasons — one of them, according to a BuzzFeed report, is the confusing set of guidelines the company gives its contract workers for rating content. The publication interviewed search quality raters who help train the platform’s search AI to surface the best possible results for queries by rating videos. It found that the workers are usually instructed to give videos high ratings based mostly on production values.

As one rater said:

“Even if a video is disturbing or violent, we can flag it but still have to say it’s high quality [if the task calls for it].”

That means raters have to mark videos as “high quality” even if they have disturbing content, which can give those links a boost in search results. The problem? Child-exploitative videos found on the platform usually have good production values: they typically require some effort to create and are professionally edited.

After the media put the spotlight on the existence of disturbing videos aimed at children, YouTube started asking raters to decide if a video is suitable for 9-to-12-year-old viewers even when unsupervised. They were told to mark videos as “OK” if they think a child can watch it or “NOT OK” if it contains sexually explicit content, violence, crude language, drug use or actions that encourage bad behavior, such as pranks.

However, the rater BuzzFeed interviewed found the examples YouTube gave confusing, at best. Taylor Swift’s Bad Blood music video, for instance, is NOT OK, based on the examples the platform gave. But videos containing moderate animal violence are apparently OK.

Bart Selman, a Cornell University professor of artificial intelligence, told BuzzFeed:

“It’s an example of what I call ‘value misalignment.’ It’s a value misalignment in terms of what is best for the revenue of the company versus what is best for the broader social good of society. Controversial and extreme content — either video, text, or news — spreads better and therefore leads to more views, more use of the platform, and increased revenue.”

YouTube will have to conjure up a more concrete set of guidelines and make rating less confusing for its human workers if it wants to clean up its platform. Otherwise, enlisting 10,000 employees for help in reviewing videos won’t make a significant impact at all. We reached out for YouTube’s response to BuzzFeed’s report and will update this post once we hear back.

Source: BuzzFeed

29
Dec

Google retires Pixel C tablet and wants you to buy the Pixelbook instead


Google’s Pixel C tablet failed to make an impact in a market dominated by Apple’s iPad, which goes some way to explaining why the company has quietly retired it.

That’s right, folks, the 10.2-inch Android tablet released by Google toward the end of 2015 is no more. It was removed from the company’s online store without any official announcement on Thursday, and leaves it without any standalone tablet for the first time since 2012 when it launched the Nexus 7.

When asked why it was bringing the curtain down on the $600, Android-powered Pixel C, Google said it was normal to stop production of a device after several years, but promised to continue supporting it with updates.

“As is common when a device has been out for a few years, we’re now retiring Pixel C and it is no longer available for sale,” the company said in a statement, adding, “However, we are committed to updating and supporting it, including the recent update to Android 8.0 so customers can continue to get the best out of their device.”

Pixel C reviews in the tech press were largely favorable when the tablet launched, though they didn’t come entirely without criticisms. Digital Trends, for one, noted how the powerful device, with its quad-core Nvidia Tegra X1 processor running the show, seemed too advanced for the Android OS that ran it, pointing out that, for example, you could only operate one app at a time while Apple’s iOS for iPad and Microsoft’s Windows 8 for tablet mode were already offering split-screen multitasking. The feature was, however, added to the Pixel C with a subsequent update.

We also criticized the physical snap-on keyboard that shipped with the device for being poorly designed, and expensive at $150.

Google’s statement this week also snuck in a plug for what it suggested could be a replacement for the Pixel C, its recently launched Pixelbook, which it claims “combines the best parts of a laptop and a tablet for those looking for a versatile device.”

The $1,000 2-in-1 has been described as Google’s best Chromebook to date. Our review also praised it for being “simple, fast, and versatile,” but pointed out that it also has “rough edges, bugs, and quirks.” Want to find out more? Then check out the full review.

Editors’ Recommendations

  • The best tablets you can buy
  • The best tablets for kids whatever their age or your budget
  • Best mobile gifts for the 2017 holiday season
  • The pen is mightier than the finger: The best stylus for all your needs
  • Acer Switch 3 review




29
Dec

Can’t see all of a sudden? Our quick guide on defogging your car windows


We’ve all been there. You’re driving along, probably through some sort of inclement of weather and then — bam — out of nowhere, your windows begin to fog up from variances in temperatures and humidity levels and you can no longer see.

While foggy car windows are not the end of the world, it creates an unsafe situation and can completely inhibit your exterior visibility while driving. There are several reasons as to why car windows and windshields might fog up and again, it’s all dependent on the weather conditions.

For instance, if you’re driving through a cold, wintry climate, windows fogging up from the inside might occur quite frequently as the cold ambient temperatures create the perfect breeding grounds for condensation while occupants keep warm on the inside. The result heats up the moisture inside the passenger cell along with the air. When that heated moisture hits the cold glass, condensation, or “fogging” occurs.

Alternatively, if you’re driving through humid, summery conditions, passengers might have the air conditioning engaged to keep the interior cool. This ultimately also cools the vehicle’s windows from the inside, causing them to fog up on the outside. But thankfully, this can easily be remedied through the use of windshield wipers or by simply rolling the windows down, and then back up.

If your windows fog up from the inside, don’t panic! Here are a few basic and easy steps that can help you defog your windows safely and while on the go.

At first instinct, it might seem like a good idea to simply wipe the condensation off your car windows as a temporary fix. While you can do that as a temporary measure just to be able to see again, particularly in front of you on the windshield, we actually don’t recommend you do that.

Wiping a foggy window with your bare hands can actually worsen the situation by smearing whatever oils and contaminants caught on your hand — such as skin oils and other dirt.  When the condensation returns, it will be harder to see than prior to wiping it with your hand.

So what do we recommend you do instead?

Turn on your air conditioning

Whether it be in the dead of winter when it’s cold outside or in the heat of the summer, your car’s air conditioner does more than just cool the interior air. Not only does it act as a method of cooling the passenger cabin, but it doubles as a dehumidifier. On most newer cars, interior HVAC systems with an “automatic” function typically keeps the AC compressor on by default for the most optimal interior comfort.

That said, just enable the window “defroster” mode, as depicted by the icon below.

If you don’t have automatic climate control, make sure the AC compressor is engaged by pressing the button or flicking the switch on your center console with “AC” labeled on it until it’s indicated as on. The “defroster” mode sets the blower fan to its max setting, vents actuate to channel the airflow to the outlets on the dashboard, aimed toward your windshield. In most cars with automatic climate control, the AC compressor automatically kicks in in this defroster mode. In cars with manual climate control, you often have to double check that the AC compressor is on.

As long as your car’s HVAC system and AC compressor are functioning, your windows should defog themselves in no time and on the go, with the help of the climate control system. No need to pull over and give all your windows a quick wipe-down.

What to do if your car’s AC is malfunctioning

Have an older car or drive one with a disabled AC compressor? No worries. We totally understand since AC system repairs can get costly real fast. You can still use the HVAC system and heating to clear your windows in the winter. But if you’re driving on a hot and humid day in the summer, this option sadly won’t work, especially if there’s no cool, dry air available from a malfunctioning AC compressor, which also prevents the evaporator from functioning.

That said, we recommend keeping a roll of paper towels, napkins, or a set of clean rags inside your car and within easy reach. That way, you can avoid using your dirty, oily hands on your windscreen and windows when wiping off condensation.

If you do need to exert some physical and manual labor to clear up your windows, it’s best to pull over on the side of the road to avoid any accidents.

And the best way to keep your windows from fogging up…?

Aside from just keeping the AC compressor running whenever using your car’s HVAC system to keep the interior air dry, always keep your windows extra clean. You can use a generic window cleaner, such as Windex. But if not wiped away properly, Windex can leave behind residue, which also causes smearing and streaks when windows fog up, making it even more difficult to clean and see through.

That said, we suggest using dedicated car window cleaner, such as Rain-X or Invisible Glass window cleaner. They’re specially formulated to prevent streaks and windows from fogging from leaving minimal residue. Those can easily be picked up at any of your local auto parts or department stores.

If you want to take an extra step, you can also treat your windows with a product like Rain-X glass cleaner and water repellent. This leaves behind a clear, thin film on your glass, preventing condensation from forming.

And that’s it! Fogging windows is a very frequent occurrence and thus hopefully, these quick tips should help you defog your windows in a safe manner with some extra advice on how to prevent it from happening while on the road.

For better edification, here’s an informative video by YouTuber Mark Rober, who explains some of the best methods to defogging your windows using science.

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  • Windows Mixed Reality news: Here’s everything you need to know




29
Dec

The best mechanical keyboards you can buy


No matter how hard they try, keyboards today aren’t the iconic, mechanical IBM Model M of the ’80s. Older keyboards used to rely on buckling spring mechanisms and mechanical switches under every key, many modern keyboards have taken a more affordable route to reduce keypress distance and optimize keystrokes. Somewhere along the way we lost the satisfying click and a few other things that were once the hallmark of the standard computer keyboard.

Mechanical keyboards are also known to feature more durable designs and components far easier to maintain than their rubberized, membrane-equipped counterparts. Even typos, the undeniable enemy of any affluent keyboardist, are reduced using mechanical keyboards thanks to the tactile feedback they offer, especially with new switch designs.

Below are five of the best mechanical keyboards, so you can resurrect the thrilling keyboard sensations of decades past.

The best

Logitech G Pro Gaming Keyboard ($130)

Although it might be marketed to gamers, the Logitech G Pro is a fantastic keyboard whether you’re fragging enemies or feverishly typing away. In fact, it received a near perfect score when we tested it in mid-2017.

Logitech has ditched the age-old Cherry MX switches for its own, lower-profile, fast-response Romer-G switches, and the result is a compact, high-performance mechanical keyboard that is hard to beat. The switches are rated to last for up to 70-million key presses and these keyboards go through rigorous testing to make sure.

With 26-key-rollover, there is no chance of multiple key-presses going unrecognized, even if you happen to mush your palm into the board for some reason, and the back-end customization software is top notch. Whether you’re customizing the RGB LED backlighting or remapping the keys so that they do exactly what you want, the tools are intuitive and powerful. You can even create bespoke profiles for individual games so the Pro G responds exactly as you want as soon as the game starts.

Thanks to the combination of fast -and surprisingly quiet — switches, a compact and light package for LAN gaming, RGB backlighting, and a price tag that’s not exorbitant, the Logitech G Pro Gaming Keyboard is our favorite mechanical board in quite some time.

Buy one now at:

Amazon Logitech Store

The rest

Razer BlackWidow X Chroma ($150)

Razer might make all sorts of great hardware these days (like the Razer Blade) but never forget that its true pedigree is in creating some of the best peripherals in the world and that includes top-notch mechanical keyboards. Our recent favorite of its lineup is the BlackWidow X Chroma, a mechanical keyboard that prides itself on its RGB LED backlighting, multiple switch options and improved aesthetics over its predecessors.

The new look isn’t all about bragging rights though. The BlackWidow X Chroma’s new metallic facade is anything but, using “military grade” metal work to provide a sturdy frame for your typing and gaming experience. The layout does away with previous BlackWidow dedicated macro keys, but you can remap everything to anything you want using the Razer Synapse backend software, with full access to the Chroma suite so you can customize lighting to your heart’s content.

We admit the BlackWidow is likely overkill for the everyday typist, but for anyone who wants a top-notch typing and gaming experience, you can’t go wrong with this board. We have our qualms over a lack of detachable USB cable and not everyone will like the non-standard bottom key row, but it’s still an absolutely fantastic keyboard that is well worthy of being on this list.

Buy one now at:

Amazon Razer Store

Das Keyboard 4 Professional ($170)

American-made but German-engineered, the Das Keyboard 4 Professional is one of many in the Das lineup. It features a standard 104-key layout, but it’s added some multimedia keys in the top right for play/pause and track skips. They sit along an attractive dial that offers fine-tuning of your system volume with just a single hand — great for adjustments mid-game. It flaunts full n-key rollover, so you can press as many keys as you like without interruption — no need for retro PS/2 adaptors anymore.

Additionally, the 4 Professional’s gold-plated Cherry MX key switches are rated to endure more than 50 million keystrokes, which is now a mechanical keyboard standard. The key caps even feature a new Das Keyboard font for a more refined look and easier reading.

The ergonomics and aesthetics remain intact regardless of which keyswitches you choose, but the tactile feedback and active response rate are entirely up to you. We prefer the Cherry MX Blue keyswitches given that satisfying audible click, but check out the brown or red keyswitches if you’re looking for something a bit quieter with less action.

On the underside, you’ll find a unique footbar solution that raises the keyboard by an optimal four degrees for angled typing and it can even be detached and used as a precise ruler if needed.

Buy one now at: 

Amazon

Corsair K95 RGB Platinum ($200)

Corsair might be most well-known to some as a memory manufacturer, but in recent years it has taken the peripheral world by storm by producing some of the world’s best mechanical keyboards, for gamers and typists alike. Its K95 Platinum is the peak of that click-clacking mountain with some of the best features of any keyboard out there.

Available with a selection of Cherry MX switches — Brown or Speed (silver) —  and a choice of a black or gunmetal grey paintjob, the K95 includes RGB backlighting with deep customization options and a set of dedicated, textured macro keys. The frame is made from anodized, brushed aluminum and comes with a detachable wrist rest for comfort and ease of transport.

Arguably the best part of the whole package though, is that it’s all backed up by the Corsair Utility Engine. The backend software is hands-down the best available at the moment, offering deeper customization than most for backlighting and key remapping, as well as an easy to understand interface. The K95’s on board storage means you can keep your profiles with you wherever you go, which makes this a great choice for regular LAN goers who don’t want to bring their whole PC along with them.

The only downside to the Corsair K95 RGB Platinum is the price, but that $200 will be well spent.

Buy one now at:

Amazon Corsair Store

Updated on 12/28/2017 by Jon Martindale with Logitech G Pro and Corsair K95 Platinum.

Editors’ Recommendations

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