Razer's new suite of peripherals for 2015 include a Virtual Reality headset, an Android microconsole, and the Cortex: Stream app that permits streaming from a PC to any Android-powered set-top box.
The OSVR headset boasts compatibility with a wide variety of programs and controllers, positioning itself as a developer and hobbyist alternative. It is a virtual reality device and open-source software that enables programming for any variety of VR technology.
Razer is working with Sensics and other VR technology companies on the Open-Source Virtual Reality (OSVR) ecosystem, a new standard in VR gaming to push the VR gaming forward. Razer will support the venture with the OSVR Hacker Dev Kit.
OSVR provides both hardware and software support at every level of virtual reality gaming. Starting with some of the most popular game engines, including Unity 3D and Unreal 4 Engine, OSVR also works with device plugins from hardware market leaders like Bosch and Razer and the latest from Sixense and LeapMotion. Moreover, OSVR is designed to support all VR devices, including the Oculus DK 2 and Vrvana?s Totem headset.
To make software development easier, the OSVR HDK includes high-quality, low-distortion optics that practically eliminate the need for color and distortion correction, thus minimizing the amount of additional development work required for OSVR compared to other VR devices.
Set for release in June, specs for the headset will be made available for free, while the finished retail kit has a price tag of $199, equal to that of the Samsung Gear VR.
Razer's new Android-powered box, the Forge TV, comes in at $99 and enters a well populated market of similar devices such as the the Kindle Fire TV, Nexus Player, and Snail Games' OBox.
Forge TV is a high-performance Android TV micro-console to bring hardcore PC gaming and Android gaming into the living room. It lets users stream games from a more powerful PC to the Forge -- or any other Android microconsole -- and onto their TV screens.
Forge TV of the Razer Forge TV micro-console, Razer Cortex: Stream software and two Bluetooth peripherals, the Razer Serval and the magnetic mouse combo Razer Turret.
The Razer Serval, a console-style Bluetooth gaming controller, is able to navigate and play games on Razer Forge TV. With four action buttons, two thumb sticks, and trigger and bumper buttons, the Razer Serval enables play with any controller-ready Android TV game or Android mobile game on-the-go using the device?s phone clip.
Razer Forge TV offers performance with quad-core processing, gaming-grade graphics, wireless and network connectivity with 16 GB of internal storage, all packed in form factor.
Enter Razer Cortex: Stream, the latest feature to Razer?s gaming launcher software, launching into beta in spring 2015. It promises to provide ultra-low latency gaming and up to full-HD resolution with Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection. Razer Cortex: Stream is hardware agnostic and is compatible with Directx9 games and higher from any publisher.
Users can also interact with Razer Forge TV through their mobile devices, including iOS, Android, ChromeBook, Windows and more. A mobile remote control app is available for navigation and supports voice search functionality. Google Cast lets users send the Web, movies, shows and photos from Android or iOS mobile devices or laptops to televisions.
Entry-Level Smartband
Razer also announced the launch of Razer Nabu X, a wearable that delivers notifications from smartphones, tracks fitness data, and has social band-to-band capabilities. The Razer Nabu X will be priced at $19.99 to qualified fans at Razer?s Insider forums and start selling on Jan. 13. Retail units will be shipping in spring for $49.99.
The Razer Nabu X uses three colored LED indicators and vibrations to alert users of any notifications received on a paired smartphone, while the Razer Nabu features an OLED private message screen that displays short text previews of incoming notifications. Both the Razer Nabu X and Razer Nabu will work with the full suite of third-party developed applications available on the Nabu Marketplace.
The Nabu X?s sensor module houses an accelerometer, paired with algorithms to ensure the most accurate activity data is captured for its users. A vibration motor ensures users are discreetly notified of incoming notifications, and the three LEDs can be color-customized to indicate what type of notification is being received. The sensor module is also detachable to allow users to mix and match between three planned strap colors: black, white, and green.
The Nabu X features a soft-rubber finish, extensive water resistance, and one-size-fits-all watch-like strap.
Like the Razer Nabu, the Nabu X can be paired to connected apps on a user?s iOS or Android smartphone where collected data can be displayed and device settings can be finely tuned.
Specs
? Compatible with: iOS devices ? iPhone 5, 5S, 5C, 6; Android 4.3-and-up devices
? Lithium-polymer battery with 5 to 7 days of battery life
? IP67 water resistant up to 1m
? One-size-fits-all strap
? Detachable sensor module
Displays and sensors:
? 3 LEDs with customizable colors
? Accelerometer
? Cylindrical vibration motor
Software
? Pairing via Bluetooth Low Energy
? Nabu X Utility app for band customization, notifications, data, app discovery, and other settings
? Nabu Fitness app for activity logging and monitoring
? A growing collection of Nabu-connected third-party apps
Forge TV
Price: Razer Store - $99.99 / ?99.99
$149.99 / ?149.99 (Forge TV and Serval Controller Bundle)
Availability: Q1 2015
Product features:
- Android TV gaming and entertainment
- Supports up to four controllers
- Quad-Core gaming performance
- Google Cast Ready
- Content and apps
- Voice search via Remote App
Product specs:
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 805
- Quad-Core Krait 450 CPU - 2.5 GHz per core
- Adreno 420 GPU
- 2 GB RAM
- 16 GB storage
- Bluetooth 4.1 + HS
- Wireless 802.11ac 2X2
- Gigabit Ethernet
- USB 3.0
- HDMI 1.4 output
- DC Power
- 4.1 in. (105 mm) Width x 4.1 in. (105 mm) Depth x 0.7 in. (17 mm) Height
Razer Cortex: Stream
Price: Included free with:
- The Razer Forge TV and Serval Controller Bundle
- The Razer Serval controller
- The Razer Turret lapboard
Razer Store - $39.99 / ?34.99
Availability: Beta Release ? Q2 2015
Product features:
- Imports PC games library from PC via Razer Cortex
- Intelligently displays controller vs. mouse and keyboard games
- Quickly switch between host PCs
- Supports all Directx9 Games and above
- Streams to any Android TV device running Android 5.0 and higher
- Streams from PC with CPU: Dual-Core or higher, GPU: HD5000 series, GTX580 or higher
Razer Serval:
Price: Razer Store - $79.99 / ?79.99
Availability: Q1 2015
Product features:
- Designed for Android Gaming
- Wireless mode (Bluetooth 3.0)
- Wired mode (1.5 m micro USB to USB)
- 4 Hyperesponse action buttons
- Adjustable game clip
- Player LED indicator
- Android navigation buttons (back and home)
- Media buttons (play/pause, back, forward)
- Rechargeable battery pack (optional)
- 2 Analog stick rubber grip caps included
Razer Turret
Price: Razer Store - $129.99 / ?129.99
Availability: Q2 2015
Lapboard
- Anti-ghosting capability for up to 10 simultaneous key presses
- Chiclet styled keycaps
- Dedicated Android buttons
- Cortex quick launch button
- Battery life of up to four months - The life expectancy of this battery depends upon its usage
- Battery type: Li-Po (1500 mAh)
Mouse
- 3500 DPI laser sensor
- Ambidextrous form factor
- 40 hours battery life for continuous use - The life expectancy of this battery depends upon its usage
- Battery type: Li-Po (1000 mAh)