Technabob » peripherals

Final Fantasy Xiv Computer Peripherals Look as Stale as the Franchise

Lambert Varias — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 11:45:25 +0000

The PC version of Final Fantasy XIV will be released on September 30, so I wasn’t surprised when I learned that several FFXIV-themed peripherals were going to be released. But I was surprised by how ugly they look. What’s worse is that except for the keyboard, which has a special slot for…something, none of the items seem to offer anything that would be of particular benefit to an MMO player’s experience. In short, these seem to be nothing but vanilla items with Final Fantasy XIV branding.

With the exception of the router, which is made by Planex Communications, all of the peripherals are made by Elecom. What’s up with the designs, Elecom? Didn’t you guys make the Ninja Turtle mouse? Now you’re asked to make peripherals for a major, albeit recently disappointing video game franchise, and you come up with these? They look like knock offs for crying out loud. At least Planex tried. I still think the router is ugly, but at least they tried.

The keyboard, mouse, gamepad and speakers are already available for pre-order at GeekStuff4U. The keyboard is priced at about $26 (USD), the mouse $59, the gamepad, that abominable gamepad sells for about $46, and the speakers will set you back $61. The router, which was shown at TGS, will sell for about $116. If Final Fantasy XIV turns out to be a lemon then I guess Elecom just did the game justice.

[via GeekStuff4U, FFXIV Core and Engadget]

Going Commando With Modern Warfare 2 Peripherals

chris h. — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 20:08:56 +0000

I’m not sure if slouching back in a chair playing Modern Warfare 2 in front of a television or computer screen is the sort of activity that requires camouflage, but who am I to argue with the video game peripheral gurus at Mad Catz, who have taken it upon themselves to develop a full line of military chic Modern Warfare 2 accessories.

I’m not kidding when I say “full line” — Mad Catz is sparing no expense to capitalize on Modern Warfare 2′s inevitable success. Their peripherals lineup includes:

Gamepads for PC, PS3, and Xbox 360
A “sniper mouse” for PC FPS traditionalists
2 keyboards for PC, one “elite” and one standard
Faceplate and “Console Skinz” for Xbox 360
Controller faceplates for Xbox 360 and PS3 controllers
“Throat Communicator” for Xbox 360

I’m excited for Modern Warfare 2 as much as the next guy/gal (the first Modern Warfare sent First Person Shooter shivers up my spine like only Half-Life 2 has been able to) but I don’t think I’m ready to explain to my friends, family, and colleagues why I have a microphone choker for playing this game. I’ll just stick with the wireless headset, thank you.

[via MaxConsole]

Bamboo Keyboard and Mouse Give Your Computer Wood

Technabob — Tue, 26 May 2009 12:00:48 +0000

Tired of plain old plastic peripherals? Own this computer? Then you might want to check out this keyboard and mouse made out of wood.

Micro Innovations’ wooden keyboard and mouse are made primarily from eco-friendly bamboo, giving them a natural look that you don’t normally see sitting next to high-tech equipment. And while the keys themselves are made from plastic, the main enclosure is all wood.

The 104-key USB keyboard and scroll-wheel mouse work with PCs, Macs and Linux PCs, and are really not that much more expensive than other peripherals.

You can grab a set that includes both the bamboo keyboard and mouse over at Amazon for about $49 (USD).

Solid Wood Computer Peripherals

Technabob — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 17:28:48 +0000

While the rest of the world continues to become more and more plastic, the folks over at Wood Contour are interested in using natural materials in their products.

For starters, Wood Contour offers keyboards, mice and monitors constructed from solid hardwoods such as cherry, mahogany, beech, oak, ash, and maple. Each device is made entirely from a single, solid piece of wood. Even the key caps on the keyboards are made from wood. All this intricate labor does come at a price though, with 17″ monitors running about $400 bucks and mice around $150. I couldn’t even find a price for the keyboard, but I imagine they’re very expensive.

Now if they could only make the PC itself from wood, that would complete the picture. I guess an original Apple I would do the trick.

[via Digg]