Razer is taking on the COVID-19 pandemic by launching its new Zephyr face masks, which are designed to keep gamers safe — if you’re brave enough to wear them in public.
Though the Razer Zephyr, originally announced as Project Hazel, has a similar black-clad aesthetic as most of the company’s gaming laptops, the gaming-forward, RGB-lit dual fans on your face could make the contraption seem a bit ostentatious as a face covering. Don’t expect to go incognito when you’re donning the Zephyr.
In terms of protection during the pandemic, the company claims that its mask has been registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and tested to filter out 99% of bacteria (BFE) by using replaceable N95 filters. The design, according to Razer, leads to 80% less waste than surgical masks.
In addition to the N95 protection, you are getting a pair of two-speed fans that help with circulation and cooling for better comfort. Other features include an anti-fog coating layer, interior lights for clear facial expressions, and a clear design to top off the mask’s aesthetics. On the outside, you’ll find Chroma RGB lighting adorning the exterior fans, and all the electrical components can be controlled with a smartphone app.
“Taking in comments and feedback from fans, the Razer Zephyr was designed to provide a smart, eco-friendly mask option,” the company said.
If you don’t mind looking like Bane from The Dark Knight Rises, the mask is available for $99 starting today on Razer’s website, and replacement N95 filters — available in a 10-pack — sell for $29. If the mask looks frightening enough to force people to keep a social distance from you, then perhaps that’s a bonus feature of the Zephyr.
You can also get a starter pack with the mask and three N95 filter packs for $149, which will net you 30 filters.
Razer says the demand has been huge, with the Zephyr selling out within just minutes of going up for sale.
In addition to the Zephyr, the company also launched its Enki gaming chair at its virtual RazerCon conference. Made for optimal weight distribution, the Enki features an ultrawide 21-inch seat base, 110-degree extended shoulder arches, and a 152-degree recline angle with built-in lumbar support.
The company claims that the chair influences your posture by relieving pressure and stress on your back and legs, which could lead to more comfortable — and longer — gaming sessions.
The chair itself is made with dual-textured, eco-friendly synthetic leather, which is said to be made to withstand wear and tear. The Enki is available in Razer Green, black, and Quartz Pink colors.
If you want something a bit more premium, the Razer Enki Pro comes with a carbon fiber finish on the exterior and premium Alcantara microsuede. The Enki series will start at $299 when it is available on Razer’s website and at select retailers.
Apple is less than a day away from launching its highly anticipated OLED MacBook Pro with a touch-sensitive screen. But it appears that the upgrade is going to cost a pretty penny. According to a report by Bloomberg, Apple is reportedly eyeing a starting price of $2,899 for the 14-inch MacBook Pro, while the 16-inch version could start at $3,399 in the US.
"At $2,899, the 14-inch model would mark the highest starting price for a new MacBook Pro model, surpassing the $2,799 Apple charged for a 17-inch version introduced in 2006," says the report. The report claims that Apple is targeting a minimum price hike of $400 for its upcoming redesigned 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models.
I've spent a good amount of time digging into the spec sheet of the new M6 MacBook Pro (14-inch), and for all intents and purposes, this is a classic Apple "chip and connectivity" refresh. It's not a full redesign. The chassis, Liquid Retina XDR panel, speakers, ports, and battery, all of them carry over unchanged.
However, the M6 brings more cores, stronger on-device AI, higher memory bandwidth on the larger configs, and modern wireless. Here’s the practical rundown of what actually improved, and whether those gains are worth your money.
Two new highly requested iCloud plugins just got added to ChatGPT, giving people who rely on Apple’s Mail and Calendar services a way to search emails, check appointments, and manage their schedules directly through the chatbot.
The integration is rolling out to all ChatGPT plans, including the free tier. You can access it on the web, desktop, and iOS.