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Giveaway: SteelSeries Apex M800 Mechanical Keyboard

SteelSeries Keyboard Giveaway

Last week, we reviewed the SteelSeries Apex M800 Mechanical Keyboard. The review was largely positive, citing the keyboard’s Mac-centric keycaps, individual LED lights and tactile key switches.

The SteelSeries Apex M800 is one of the more unique keyboards that we’ve tried, as each individual key can be customized with key bindings and LEDs. With SteelSeries’ Engine 3 software, customization is only a few clicks away.

We’re giving away this $170 keyboard to one of our fabulous readers. Check inside to learn how to win.
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Review: SteelSeries Apex M800 mechanical keyboard with individual key LED illumination

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SteelSeries Apex M800

SteelSeries is well known around Apple circles for its iOS and Apple TV gaming controllers, but the company specializes in other gaming-related hardware ventures as well, such as mice, headsets and keyboards.

After browsing SteelSeries’ site to find some information on its popular Nimbus controller, I stumbled upon its keyboard line. Anyone that knows me understands that I have a special affinity for mechanical keyboards, and that’s exactly what I found on the SteelSeries website.

The Danish hardware manufacturer’s marquee mechanical keyboard, the SteelSeries Apex M800, is not your ordinary mechanical keyboard. It’s a fully customizable, gaming-centric experience that lets you assign an overwhelming variety of functionality and colors to individual keys. While the Apex M800 ships configured for Windows, it’s fully compatible with the Mac, and even comes with OS X key cap replacements.
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Hands-on: SteelSeries’ Nimbus is the first Made For Apple TV game controller, but should you care?

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For the moment, the new Apple TV’s accessory compatibility can fairly be described as “confusing.” It’s confirmed that Bluetooth speakers and headphones — previously unsupported by older Apple TVs — work with the new model. On the other hand, Bluetooth keyboards, which previously worked with Apple TVs, do not. And Bluetooth game controllers… well, if they were Made For iPhone (or iPad), they work with the new Apple TV. But contrary to some erroneous early reports, if they were made for other devices (say, the PlayStation 4), they don’t.

So even though SteelSeries’ Nimbus ($50) has been pitched as the first “gamepad controller for Apple TV,” it’s kinda not. The company’s earlier Stratus (now only $40 refurbished) works with the Apple TV, as do Mad Catz’ nicer C.T.R.L.i and Micro C.T.R.L.i controllers. However, Nimbus is launching with newer technology at a not-insane price point. It has a Lightning connector built in for recharging an integrated 40-hour battery, a Bluetooth 4.1 wireless chip, and a design that was apparently — despite obvious similarities to many other controllers — co-developed by Apple itself. It also is the first accessory to ship with Apple’s new “Made for Apple TV” logo on the box. Here are some early thoughts on the Nimbus based on my hands-on experiences…


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9to5Toys Last Call: 11-inch MacBook Air $730, 3-ft. MFi Lightning Cables $5, Jawbone Mini Jambox $50, more

Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: TwitterRSS FeedFacebookGoogle+ and Safari push notifications.

Today’s can’t miss deals:

Last Call Updates:

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Apple 11-inch MacBook Air 1.6GHz/4GB/128GB (newest version): $730 shipped (Reg. $899)

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Ringke iPhone 6/Plus Cases from $5 shipped in multiple colors/styles, more

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Apple AirPort Express Dual-Band 802.11n Wireless Router (refurbished): $50 shipped (Orig. $99)

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Amazon Gold Box – up to 45% off gaming gear: SteelSeries iPhone controller $45, ViewSonic 28″ monitor $187, much more

All-Inclusive iOS 9 & Swift 2 Course Developer Bundle: $49 (Orig. $398)

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13-inch Retina MacBook Pro w/ Force Touch (newest) 2.7GHz/8GB/256GB: $1,280 shipped (Reg. $1,499)

13.3-inch MacBook Air (early 2014) 1.7GHz/8GB/512GB: $1,249 shipped (Orig. $1,849)

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Giveaway: $400 Belkin WeMo bundle including the new Lightify Starter Set, multiple winners

More new gear from today:

Healthkit-supported Bluetooth Smart Bathroom scale with BMI, more: $49 Shipped

  • Games/Apps: Borderlands Handsome Collection $35, 1TB Xbox One Halo bundle $360, more
  • Nintendo brings new smaller 3DS to North America, Zelda Tri Force 3DS, opens digital store on Amazon
  • Pandora celebrates its 10th anniversary by nixing ads for all listeners
  • D-Link PowerLine AV500 Mini Adapter Starter Kit: $20 shipped (Reg. $35+)
  • Fitbit Charge HR Activity Tracker in multiple sizes/colors: $120 shipped (Reg. $150)
  • Kindle First Books for September: The Prettiest One, Pale Queen Rising, Still Waters, more
  • Daily Deals: Logitech K350 Curved Wireless Keyboard $30, Urge Basics Bluetooth Speaker $19

More deals still alive:

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Brother All-in-One AirPrint Wireless InkJet Printer $50 shipped (Reg. $85+)

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Gift Cards up to 20% off: Sports Authority, Domino’s, Jiffy Lube, Steak ‘n Shake, TGI Fridays, Michaels, more

New products & more:

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Leica partners with an Italian auto designer to create a marvelous set of limited edition binoculars

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Microsoft details new Xbox One Elite Bundle w/ upgraded SSD, new special edition controller

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SteelSeries announces full-sized Made-for-iPhone/iPad bluetooth game controller

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We previously reviewed the first Made-for-iPhone/iPad “Stratus” controller launched by SteelSeries and today the company announced a full-sized version with the introduction of Stratus XL:

Steel-Series-XL-controller-01The Stratus XL Wireless Gaming Controller features a console-style layout with a pressure-sensitive directional pad (D-pad), 4 pressure-sensitive action buttons along with a total of 4 shoulder buttons – 2 pressure-sensitive top shoulder buttons and 2 analog trigger bottom shoulder buttons. In addition to dual analog sticks, Stratus XL includes a dedicated pairing button to connect to iOS devices via Bluetooth and a convenient on/off switch to save on power. The Stratus XL will deliver an estimated 40 hours of gameplay with two standard AA batteries; a battery life indicator is located on the underside of the device.

The controller also includes red LED indicator lights that show up to 4 controllers connected to a single device for multiplayer.

The Stratus XL controller is coming later this year but there is no word on pricing yet. Here’s to hoping the larger size improves on some of the issues we had with the last controller. You can see a size comparison of the two controllers to the right.

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Price war! Logitech drops iPhone MFi game controller to $70 in response to Steelseries’ $20 cut

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It appears that lukewarm reviews and less-than-stellar demand is creating fierce competition amongst early-entrants into the MFi game controller space. Just last week SteelSeries knocked $20 off its Stratus controller, and now Logitech is going even further and slashing $30 off its PowerShell controller. The news follows our in-depth look at the MFi game controller program where we talked to companies about complaints over pricing and the less than stellar reviews of the controllers.

Despite the well-documented shortcomings of the PowerShell, we didn’t hesitate to recommend it for casual gamers. The deal is only scheduled to last until February 1st, but something tells us other discounts and promotions can’t be too far off.

Review: SteelSeries ‘Stratus’ Made for iPhone/iPad/iPod Bluetooth game controller

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I previously reviewed the first two Apple authorized game controllers to hit the market under Apple’s new Made for iPhone/iPad/iPod touch program from Logitech and Moga. Both used Apple’s form-fitting design that docks an iPhone or iPod touch directly into the controller via a Lightning connector. However, Apple’s program also allows another breed of standalone controllers that connect over Bluetooth and therefore also work with iPad and Mac. Unveiled at CES, this week I’ve put one of the first Bluetooth, non-form-fitting designs to the test with the new Stratus wireless controller from SteelSeries.
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Signal announces first full-size MFi Bluetooth games controller

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iOS gamers are not going to be short of options when it comes to choosing a games controller for their iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. After earlier dock-based controllers from Logitech and Moga, and Monday’s announcement by SteelSeries of the first Bluetooth controller, Signal has just announced the first full-size Bluetooth controller in the shape of the RP One … 
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SteelSeries announces the first MFi Bluetooth game controller for iPhone, iPad, & iPod touch

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Today we get a look at the first Apple authorized Bluetooth game controller for iOS devices with the Stratus Wireless Controller announced today by SteelSeries.

We’ve already reviewed the first two Apple authorized game controllers to hit the market since it introduced its controller MFi program alongside iOS 7 earlier this year: Logitech’s PowerShell and Moga’s AcePower. Those two controllers used Apple’s form-fitting design, which lets an iOS device dock directly into a recess in the controller and connect via a built-in Lightning connector. The new controller from SteelSeries is the first standalone controller that connects to any iOS device over Bluetooth, which means it will also support iPads. It uses Apple’s extended layout, which gives you dual analog joysticks and an extra set of shoulder triggers on top of the d-pad, face buttons and single set of triggers on Apple’s standard layout.


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