Razer
Razer's Kishi Adds Full Game Controls to More Phones (Hands On)
Razer has introduced a new accessory that adds full-size physical game controls to a much wider range of phones than its previous Junglecat accessory. The Kishi comes in versions for both iOS and Android. The iOS version has a Lightning connector and is compatible with the iPhone 7 and newer. The Android version is designed to work with most phones that have a centered USB-C connector on the bottom. Kishi's controls are full-size and close to the ergonomics of a typical console game controller. The bottom of the right controller has a USB-C (or Lightning) connector for pass-through charging. The Kishi is powered directly by the phone, so it never needs charging. Kishi will be available in a few months for a price in roughly the same range as the Junglecat, which currently sells for $100. Read on for our hands-on impressions and notes.
Razer Intros Gaming Accessories for 3rd-Party Phones
Razer this week launched two new phone accessories focused on the gamer market: Hammerhead True Wireless earbuds and the Junglecat, a dual-sided gaming controller. Both are designed to work with the company's own Razer Phone 2, as well as other phones. The Junglecat includes cases to fit the Samsung Galaxy Note 9, Samsung Galaxy S10+, as well as the Razer Phone 2. The Junglecat can be used attached to one of those three phones, or attached to a dedicated controller grip and used with any Android phone or Windows PC. It uses Bluetooth LE and charges via USB-C. The Hammerhead earbuds use a customized Bluetooth 5.0 connection for ultra-low latency of just 60ms. The earbuds offer 3 hours of battery life by themselves, and 15 hours with the included charging case, which charges via USB-C. The buds also sport touch controls, voice assistant compatibility, and IPx4 water-resistance rating. They're compatible with both Android and iOS devices, with an app available for both platforms. Both the Junglecat and Hammerhead True Wireless earbuds are available now for $100 each.
AT&T to Get Its Game On with the Razer Phone 2 Starting Nov. 16
AT&T today announced that it will be the first U.S. carrier to sell the Razer Phone 2. The device will reach select stores on November 16 and will be available online the same day. The phone costs $799 and AT&T is looking for $26.67 per month for 30 months on an AT&T Next plan. The Razer Phone 2 is a dedicated gaming device. It has a 5.7-inch quad HD IGZO screen with a 120 Hz refresh rate and is powered by the Snapdragon 845 processor with 8 GB of RAM. The main camera features a wide field of view with a 12-megapixel sensor, while the secondary camera has a telephoto lens with a 12-megapixel sensor. It has an 8-megapixel front camera. Owners can adjust the illuminated Chroma on the rear of the phone however they wish. The Razer Phone 2 has a 4,000mAh battery that supports rapid charging and wireless charging. The chassis is rated IP67 for protection against water and dust, and a fingerprint reader is located on the right edge. Razer nixed the headphone jack, but it included a DAC-assisted USB-C-to-3.5mm adapter in the box and the phone includes Dolby stereo speakers. It runs Android 8.1 and has its own launcher styled after Razer's design language. The phone includes the Cortex Mobile app, where owners can find the latest games. The unlocked version of the Razer Phone 2 (with AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon compatibility) is already available online.
Razer Phone 2 Certified to Work on Verizon
Verizon Wireless today confirmed that the Razer Phone 2 has been certified on its network. This means the phone supports a base level of performance with respect to connecting to 3G/4G, connecting calls, and accessing data. Verizon doesn't actually sell the Razer Phone 2. Razer offers the device unlocked via Best Buy and it can be used on Verizon's network should the owner wish.
Razer Acknowledges Verizon Compatibility Bug
Razer took to its Twitter account to admit that an issue is preventing owners of the Razer Phone 2 from using their device on Verizon's network. "We're aware that Verizon is not enabled on the #RazerPhone 2 right now and are working to enable it ASAP — hang in there!" said the company. The $800 phone, which launched earlier this month, targets gamers with a high refresh rate display, powerful camera, stereo speakers, and boosted graphics. It is sold directly from Razer unlocked and supports a number of LTE bands for U.S. networks. Razer didn't say how quickly it might push a patch to enable the Razer 2 on Verizon.
Razer Phone 2 Makes Modest Improvements to the Original
Razer has announced the Razer Phone 2, a follow up to the gaming device it launched last year. This new phone carries forward the same basic design, but upgrades the specs and performance. Starting with the display, Razer stuck with the 5.7-inch quad HD IGZO screen with a 120 Hz refresh rate, but improved brightness by 50%. The phone is powered by the Snapdragon 845 processor at 2.8 GHz with 8 GB of RAM and what Razer calls "vapor cooling" to help control thermals. Keeping the heat down leads to improved performance. The phone adopts a pair of Sony IMX sensors for the camera. The main camera features a wide field of view with a 12-megapixel sensor at f/1.75 and OIS, while the secondary camera has a telephoto lens with a 12-megapixel sensor at f/2.6. The phone can capture full HD video and 120fps slow motion. The front camera has an 8-megapixel sensor at f/2. Razer added an illuminated Chroma to the rear of the phone, allowing owners to take advantage of presets or adjust the light however they wish. The phone has a 4,000mAh battery that supports rapid charging and wireless charging. The chassis is rated IP67 for protection against water and dust, and a fingerprint reader is located on the right edge. The front-facing stereo speakers are powered by a 24-bit DAC and support Dolby Atmos. Razer nixed the headphone jack, but it included a DAC-assisted USB-C-to-3.5mm adapter in the box. The phone runs Android 8.1 and has its own launcher styled after Razer's design language. It includes the Cortex Mobile app where owners can find the latest games. The Razer Phone 2 comes in either black satin or black mirror. It supports most U.S. LTE bands and can run on AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. The phone is available for preorder direct from Razer for $799.
Razer Phone Picks Up Android 8 Oreo Developer Preview
Razer is offering an early build of Android 8.1 Oreo to developers for the Razer Phone. The developer preview must be installed manually and will erase all data from the phone. This preview is not intended for owners of the device. Critically, Razer points out that the build does not include any carrier-specific features, meaning network connectivity, signal strength, enhanced voicemail, VoLTE support, and Wi-Fi calling support may not work with the developer preview. Further, there will be no over-the-air updates for the developer preview program and new builds will need to be manually installed each time. Developers interested in testing Android 8.1 on the Razer Phone can snag the preview from Razer's web site.
Best of CES 2018
CES is the world's big consumer tech show. Every year we head out to Vegas to check out everything in person. We honor the standouts with our Best of CES awards. This year, five products really caught our eye.
Hands On with Razer's Project Linda Laptop Concept
Razer had sort of a throw-back product on hand, the Project Linda Laptop Concept. This device merges the Razer smartphone with a laptop dock to create a single device that can do several things at once. Here is a quick look at the basic features of the Project Linda.
Razer Concept Would Pair Its Smartphone with a Laptop Dock
Razer today revealed Project Linda, a smartphone and laptop hybrid concept that would pair the Razer handset with a laptop shell to create a single device. The Linda itself features a 13.3-inch 120 Hz screen, full keyboard, customized buttons, an internal battery and storage, and several ports (USB-A, USB-C, 3.5mm). The Razer slides into the bottom half of Project Linda where the trackpad would be on a regular laptop. From there, the Razer and Project Linda work together to bring a Windows-style user interface that's based on Android. The Razer Phone, which has a Snapdragon 835 processor and 6 GB of RAM, has more than enough horsepower to drive the laptop accessory. The Razer's 5.7-inch display can be used as a touchpad, or as a second screen for access to apps, tools, and more. Specs and features have not been fully finalized. Razer said it will weigh feedback over the next few months before it settles on the shipping version the laptop dock.
Razer Updates Phone with Netflix HDR+ and 5.1 Surround Sound
Razer today said it has struck a deal with Netflix that will allow its Razer smartphone to stream Netflix content with HDR+ video and 5.1 surround sound. Razer claims its phone is the first to offer both these capabilities. One of the Razer's primary features is a display with a 120 Hz refresh rate. Moreover, the device has high-quality stereo speakers. In this case, the 5.1 surround sound will be created virtually using the stereo speakers (or headphones, if attached). The capabilities will be added through a software update planned for later this month.
Hands On with the Razer Phone
Razer's first phone is designed explicitly for gamers. Unlike some past efforts by other companies, this one looks like a normal phone. It packs high-end technology, including a display with a variable refresh rate that crank up to 120 Hz. A number of other high-tech features and thoughtful design touches make this one of the best gaming phones we've seen to date, at least on paper. What's it like in person? Read on for our first impressions.
Razer Fires Off Gaming-Focused Razer Phone
Razer today announced the Razer Phone, its first smartphone, with a focus on mobile gaming. The company bought NextBit, maker of the Robin phone, earlier this year and the Razer Phone was born from projects started at NextBit before the acquisition. The design is similar to the Robin in that it has a blocky shape and front-firing stereo speakers with independent amplifiers and a THX-certified DAC. The device boasts a number of firsts. To start, the 5.72-inch, wide-color gamut, IGZO LCD contains quad HD resolution and is the first display to refresh at a rate of 120 Hz (ideal for gaming). The Razer is also the first handset to ship with Qualcomm QuickCharge 4.0, an enhanced version of the rapid-charging technology. Razer is pushing the phone’s pixels and polygons with a Snapdragon 835 processor with a whopping 8 GB of RAM. The phone has 64 GB of storage and supports microSD memory cards up to 2 TB. As for the camera, the phone has twin 12-megapixel cameras with PDAF and a two-tone, dual-LED flash. One camera has a wide-angle lens with an aperture of f/1.75 and the other has a telephoto lens with an aperture of f/2.6. An 8-megapixel, fixed-focus camera is located on front. A 4,000mAh battery provides plenty of power to keep games running for as long as possible. The phone runs Android 7 Nougat. Preorders kick off immediately. The Razer Phone will go on sale in the U.S. on November 17.
