If there is even the remotest chance that someone in your life enjoys Lord of the Rings, then you owe it to them to indulge in a Lord of the Rings themed set of salt and pepper shakers. The sets are available at NeatoShop, and the entire fellowship appears to be flying off the shelf.

Summer is a season of erratic celebrations and gift giving (not unlike the sage of the Lord of the Rings). There are graduations, weddings, lawn parties, birthdays, and there seems to a set for almost every occasion.  It might even be the perfect gift for Father’s Day.

Of course, these terrifically-realized culinary spice cellars can do more than just remind fathers that their children do them much honor. The Gandalf and Saruman set can symbolize the conflict between just about any one, including rivaling co-workers. (And yes, You shall not PASS… the salt.)

Believe it or not, but the pairing of Frodo and Galadriel is the graduation gift to rule all graduation gifts. How better than to bind the graduate to a brilliant future?

For the more traditionally themed gift, perhaps for that upcoming summer wedding, there is the Aragon and Arwen set.

And who doesn’t like Gollum? While he (it?) may be paired with Samwise, I say you tell people that it’s really Smeagol or Deagol or Hobbit number 7, which ever you think makes the most sense.

Borimir, Gimli, and Legalos round out the offerings and, let’s face it, this is for when the one set of LOTR salt and pepper shakers just won’t do but rather you need to give the entire set. The recipient can then enjoy a different reminder of Middle-earth at each meal.

Just as every meal can use a dash of salt, every occasion can use the magnificence of the Lord of the Rings.  Bring on summer and pass the salt! Which one is your favorite?

Awesome Gifts: Lord of the Rings Salt & Pepper Shakers

After ten years, this is just the beginning.

SEGA’s ‘Yakuza’ series began life in the latter days of the PS2, and after ten years, ‘Yakuza 0’ brings the landmark series full circle. Focusing in on the beginning of this PS4 gem, (which releases in the West on January 24th, see here), and players get to be both a member of the Yakuza and a member of the Dojima family. We are talking dragons and back tattoos that are both stylish and mind-blowing.

Series’ fans know what to expect, but happily, newcomers can start right here on the PS4. And it’s here where players will learn how to walk the streets of Kamurocho (a very red light area of Tokyo). Forget modern day, this is 1988. It takes a mean mug to subsist on all the glitz and sleaze exuded by the desperate, drunk, mean and goofy types of people here, and that is where we find Kazuma Kiryu.

Just look at him.

Pretty mean looking, right? But now see him when he’s had a few and is relaxing with friends.

Kazuma has plenty of fun diversions, but he tends take his leisure pursuits a bit seriously. Of course, who can resist relaxing with a hot shower after a long day?

Right. So after carefully checking out the beginning of ‘Yakuza 0’ on the PS4, here are the top reasons why this is a can’t-miss game:

1. You Can Befriend a Mushroom Dealer

No really. Not just friends, but good friends. Even the best of friends.

2. All Cab Drivers Know Where the Crime Families Live

It really says something when the homes and HQs of all the crime families and their subsidiaries are requisite knowledge for cab drivers. Who needs a smart phone when cabbies are this capable?

3. You Can Break Up Burusera Rings… from the Inside

This is serious. Way before ‘Orange is the New Black,’ Kazuma came face to face with a mess of Burusera, and it’s up to the player to decide how to play it. (Fewer words and more punching makes for a strong statement.)

4. The Thrill of Defending Miracle Johnson from Zombies

Miracle Johnson has pop starred his way into town. Now just defend him from zombies while Stephen Spining directs the music video. (Yes, it’s that Stephen Spining.)

5. The Fashion of 1988

Just look at these guys. They mean business. And that business is looking damn good while they beat your ass Yakuza style. The mere sight of this trio alone would make ‘Final Fantasy XV’s Prompto delete all of his pictures.

Ok, so these select reasons highlight how the beginning chapters of ‘Yakuza 0’ are overflowing with undeniable swag. But here are a few more just for kicks.

Runners-Up

The Scary Clown Guy Gives You Stuff

Remember when ‘Dead Rising’ was cool?

There are Time Paradox Mega Drives With Legs

Just in time for the ’88 launch.

Learn Words Like Pseudanthium and Subotenuhigeukiro

And of course, Burusera.

Dabble in Real Estate

I really want to play a game called “Insane Cash War.” I think I may just be attracted to the action.

Collect Telephone Cards

Finally, something worth collecting (apparently). These cards so much better than those inventory-clogging tissue adverts.

Rob Mr. Shakedown

Funk this guy. Taking Mr. Shakedown down is one of life’s most just pleasures.

Space Harrier Forever

‘Space Harrier’ is hard, but it’s not ‘Out Run’ hard.

Order Yakuza 0 (PS4) at Amazon

The Top 5 Reasons ‘Yakuza 0’ on the PS4 is Can’t-Miss

Just wow: while many might say that the heyday of lunchboxes was some decades ago, there’s no doubt that the choices kids (and parents) have today tops all previous times.  The likely reason for this smorgasbord?  The Internet plus pop culture plus a willingness to buy the coolest darn thing that we can find.

So without further ado—and in no particular order—here are the choice lunchboxes for kids heading back-to-school this year:

The Avant Garde

Right off the bat, we have one of the classiest lunchboxes that helps to totally offset some more superhero-y selections.  The owner of this lunch box need never stop using it, and to compliment this lunch conveyance just grab a few cucumber sandwiches along with a copy of Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s Lunchbox at Amazon

A Lunchbox Not that Far Away

Several excellent examples of how much better lunchboxes are now than they were then.  You know what’s better than vintage Star Wars? Feast your eyes on these:

Star Wars R2-D2 Tin Tote Lunchbox at Amazon

Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back Lunchbox at Amazon

Star Wars Episode IV Lunchbox at Amazon

Star Wars Boba Fett Lunch Helmet at Amazon

The Caped Cuisine

I will just say it now, forget Affleck.  If there is one absolute, it that Batman’s inherent coolness is enduring.  It survived the ’60s, the Cold War, the Schumacher—it will survive the Affleck.

Classic Batman Dual Compartment Lunch Kit at Amazon

Batman Dual Compartment Lunch Kit at Amazon

Large Tin Batman Lunchbox at Amazon

Hello Lunchy

Nothing sows harmony like the tranquil effects of Hello Kitty, and these designs take it to the next level.  If the U.N. used lunchboxes like these, the world would be a better place.

The Studious Chalkboard Hello Kitty Nerd Lunchbox at Amazon

Fade to Black Hello Kitty Children’s Lunchbox at Amazon

Lunch with My Friend Bill

In contrast to some of the more serene and inviting lunchboxes on this list, here is one with some edge.  Everyone needs heroes, but some of us need antiheroes with our ham sandwich.

Kill Bill Lunchbox at Amazon

The Sweet Sound of Lunch

Some are blessed with gift of music, but for those with talent and inclination, this how you turn up their lunches to 11.

Aquarius Fender Amp Lunchbox at Amazon

The Building Blocks of Tomorrow, Today

Seriously, it’s a giant LEGO lunchbox.  Of course, there may be some trade-off in practicality, but again: it’s a giant LEGO lunchbox.

The LEGO Lunch Box at Amazon

A College of Monsters

Kids love Disney and kids love Pixar, so let the dream-invading, Billy Crystal-powered Monster’s University Mike shepherd the child on their way.

Monsters University Mike Wazowski Metal Tin Box  at Amazon

Lunch in a Half Shell

This lunchbox is so ridiculously cool, as in taught-to-me-by-a-giant-rat-sensei cool, if I had had this one… I might still be in elementary school protecting its sheer unadulterated awesome from the other children.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Lunchbox at Amazon

15 Killer Lunchboxes for Kids Heading Back to School

For as long as I have been alive, there has been a battle over consumers’ choice of drinks. No, I’m not referring directly to the Pepsi Challenge, but what I am getting to is that where others opt for coffee, tea, or rain water taken directly from the city streets, I’m firmly in the soda camp. My strong preference is for Coke products, but many soda flavors and brands have their occasional appeal and utility.

Once I became old enough to be a little discerning, I realized that the best soda options that were available, shy of going to the factory, were plastic bottles and cans. Those once classic 8 oz. glass bottles have almost entirely been displaced by cheap import stuff. Most modern soda fountains found in restaurants and so forth can’t even do as well as McDonald’s. (And I haven’t been to a McDonald’s in years.) Never mind the horrid soda gun they use in bars.

The practice of bringing home plastic bottles and aluminum cans of soda comes with some pretty obvious drawbacks. Plastic bottles are, in my opinion, notoriously difficult to get to the right temperature. I prefer cans, but I have to admit that the mettle taste is part of the package. Keeping cans cold and ready to drink means having a system, which consists of a small fridge just for cold drinks and a dedicated shelf space in the pantry for 12 packs. These considerations are pretty routine, and we do a good job of staying ahead of running out of cold or cased drinks. What’s more annoying though, is having the less popular stuff around. Our goddaughter came to visit for a few days, and when she left, we wound up with ten strawberry Fanta sodas.

She’ll visit again, but I don’t want those sodas hanging around eating shelf space in the meantime, so we took them to the office and after struggling to find a taker, gave them away.

I should mention that with the old lead pipes in our home, we don’t utilize the ice-maker in the fridge. It’s strictly bottled water for humans and animals. (Cases from Costco, and yes, it all goes in recycling.)

Of course, deep in my memory, I know that trying to have a soda fountain at home is a pretty hopeless endeavor. There’s CO2 cartridges and syrup bottles, and a lot of messy equipment.

Thus, when I met the Keurig KOLD, I took notice. The machine takes water, and a Keurig KOLD pod, and turns out wonderfully chilled and expertly finished soda.

In a way, I’m a good market match for the Keurig KOLD. I don’t do Starbucks, and I never had a pod-based drink prior to the Keurig KOLD. Plus, I often run headfirst into early adoption.

I was pretty sure that the actual drinks that the KOLD made were spot on before I had a machine in my home. (I expect no less from a partnership with Coca-Cola.) When I tasted me first Keurig KOLD Diet Coke at CES 2016, it really hit the spot. Now, after living with the KOLD for a while, I quickly learned of its quirks, but the product has stayed superb. I’ve gotten a kick out of showing off the machine.

We had people over for the AFC & NFC Championship games, and I was able to dish out perfectly cold Cokes, Diet Cokes, Dr. Peppers, Flynn’s Orange Cream and so on. Normally, I almost never manage to have Dr. Pepper around, and when I do, it’s gone flat or it’s not cold or some such. So even without the fun of showing Keurig KOLD do its mixing thing, my measure as a host went up.

And the mixing is a thing to behold. First the machine draws in some water from its 72 ounce reservoir, presumably around 8 ounces. The water goes into the chiller, and gets chilled. At the same time, some water is brought into the top of the pod, where the carbonation beads reside. The carbonation is released and combined with the chilled water to make chilled, carbonated water. This water is then poured into the waiting glass, and at measure the syrup is released to make for a precise mix. This all seems to happen in about a minute, and as I said before, the result in terms of nailing the soda flavors I know so well, is spot on.

One key that might be missed is that the syrup goes directly from the pod to the glass. This is important, because unlike what I understand can happen with coffee pods, there’s no residual flavor left over. Thus, a sugary Orange Cream and a Diet Coke can be made back to back without any troubling overlap.

With that happy little process and end product in mind, it’s time to get into the finicky details that can only come with regular use. While Keurig and coke put a lot of time into developing this product prior to launch, there are nevertheless plenty of early adopter issues to note.

Setting Up the Keurig KOLD

The chilling tech in the Keurig KOLD is unlike anything you’ve ever used… unless you’ve used a fridge. What this means is that right out of the box, or if it’s been disconnected from power, the Keurig KOLD is going to need some serious time to warm up/get cold. I’d recommend setting it up overnight. It can be plugged in from the box quickly (mainly it’s just removing the packing tape), but the machine will need plenty of hours to get cold. During this time, it’s like a loud fridge.

I have an old-fashioned kitchen that is mainly closed off, so a loud fridge-sounding machine on the counter isn’t a huge issue. Even so, I was glad when it reached its normal noise level. That normal level might bug me if it was next to my desk or in my home theater, especially in my dead quiet house, but in the kitchen, it hums along without much bother. I did come home from a road trip as the weather had suddenly changed from cold to warm (maybe 80 degrees inside) to find the Keurig KOLD getting a bit louder temporarily.

My review unit was a Keurig KOLD black, and happily it’s been designed to fit under cabinets, which is a major improvement compared with my wife’s just too tall KitchenAid mixer. The unit included the Keurig KOLD along with two Keurig KOLD Drinkmaker glasses. The glasses are a nice touch as they are perfect for 8 oz. drinks, with some room to spare. Also included with the machine was a primer piece. Basically, after setting up the machine and letting it get cold overnight, I needed to run some water through it. So instead of a KOLD pod, this little purple piece (primer pod) goes in, the water runs through and then, gets thrown out (by me). It’s not too much trouble, but here again is another reason to keep the machine plugged in and in-place.

Making a Drink

Now for actually making the drink. We are talking an 8oz. portion, which is going to throw some people. Another thing that can throw people is the foil seal on the bottom of the pods. It’s just a piece of foil that gets pulled off before the pod goes in the machine.

I’ve heard of people forgetting this and getting frustrated. On the one hand, that seems pretty silly since it’s so easy. On the other hand, I’ll admit that when chatting, I’ve wondered if I forgot it.

You see, when the pod compartment is closed, it punctures the top of the KOLD pod. A big no-no in the documentation is opening the pod compartment back up after closing it and before the drink is ready. (That would be premature.) Once closed and with glass/cup in place, the only button on the machine will flash. Press it, and the KOLD starts its thing.

This seems to take about minute, so it’s best not to stare at it like a toaster. There’s also a bit of noise from the carbonation and filling that might bother someone who is completely out of it. (Perhaps in a kitchen nap.)

Adding Water

I’ve had it happen where I put the pad in (after removing the foil) only to realize that I need to add some water to the machine. I add the water (again I use jug water from Costco), and then the machine is happy to have the water, but isn’t flashing ready. Remember how I said opening the pod compartment early is a big no-no? Well, in these cases, I open it the tiniest fraction, and immediately re-close it. That seems to set the machine right, and next thing you know, the drink is being made.

So yeah, it’s takes some good practice. It’s kind of like putting a disc in a vacuum drive or maybe just using home theater equipment in general. It seems pretty natural to me, and I’ve yet to waste a pod.

Recycling Pods

Speaking of the pods, while I was awaiting the Keurig KOLD, someone mentioned something to me about the how hard it is to recycle the HOT pods. This had me pretty concerned. As it turns out, the KOLD is a different animal. What I do, is I take a spoon, and I scrape some of the little carbonation beads out of the top of the used pod and put them into the trash. Then I can just flip the pod over and dump out rest of the beads. That leaves me with a pod that is marked Plastic #7, which is accepted as part of the local bi-weekly recycling program.

So yeah, instead of crushing aluminum cans, I’m scooping out carbonation beads. One thing I would like is for Keurig to develop a tool specific to this task. (I visualize a flat corkscrew design.)

Other Notes

One thing I noticed about the drinks though is they tend to lack foam. That’s foam and not carbonation. From what I can tell, the ingredients on the Coke products are identical to the can and bottled versions, except the pod-made drinks are meant not to foam. (I can’t say I miss it.) Meanwhile, the first time I made a Flynn’s Soda Shop Orange Cream, I thought it was going to foam over. Instead it stopped exactly in place.

Costs

In an era of 4K TVs and Ultra HD 4K Blu-rays, it’s pretty easy to see how early adoption can feel pricey. As of this writing, a Keurig KOLD is about $280 on Amazon. Meanwhile, I buy the pods from either Bed, Bath and Beyond or Target for about $4.49 for a pack of four pods. These boxes of four are shaped in a way where six of them take up the same space as a twelve pack. So on top of saving crazy space in the fridge, there is space savings to be had on the shelves. The key here, however, is that a Keurig KOLD drink, such as a Coke, works as a special product. I might run around all day listing to streaming music and whatever else, but when I get home, and when I have downtime, then I can be choosy. I can set the lights, and I can sit and enjoy my best audio equipment with the best sources. Maybe I can even enjoy a whole album in either vinyl, flac, or whatever else suits this relaxing but discerning time. This is when having a Keurig KOLD drink, with its perfect temperature and mix, is the most appreciated.

Conclusion

Here I’ve gone on and on about soda, and about the machine, and I’ve left out things like iced tea and mojitos. The truth is these, that stuff is just a bonus. There’s nowhere else I know short of going to somewhere like the Dr. Pepper museum where fresh and expertly made soda is available to drink. The Keurig KOLD has some good and bad traits that early adopters will find familiar. For me, nothing comes close to overshadowing the actual drinks the Keurig KOLD makes

Check Price of Keurig KOLD on Amazon

Keurig KOLD Drinkmaker Review: For the Love of Soda

From precocious babies to precocious senior citizens, there isn’t anyone who doesn’t need a pair of headphones these days. There are phones, tablets, laptops and more that need a set of earphones to reach their true potential. Inevitably, that means grabbing a pair of corded headphones, or in some cases, carefully donning an expensive set of wireless headphones.

Sound Blaster Jam

There is a third option, or at least, Creative seems to think so. The Creative Sound Blaster Jam is an inexpensive Bluetooth headset ($49.99 MSRP) that promises support for iOS, Android, PC, and Mac. It’s got onboard controls for music and calls, and it’s got its own volume control and bass boost. That plus a 12 hour battery life and micro USB support, and the Sound Blaster Jam looks like it might have a few uses here and there.

Loving the Jam

Spoiler alert: I love the Sound Blaster Jam. It’s inexpensive and made out of plastic, and at first glance, I thought it would be entirely forgettable. I had assumed at the onset that the Jam was something good for the home office, but not much else. Wow, I was wrong. Turns out that the Jam is a great a headset to grab when heading out the door.

Not only does it make incredibly efficient use of its built-in rechargeable battery, but no matter how careless I was (like using the headset as I was going to sleep) I never managed to make the Jam run the battery down on its own. I kept thinking that at some point I’d reach to use it, and the battery would be finished. Eventually, it will emit a sad beep, but even if used regularly, it’s easy to forget that last time it needed to be charged. The battery just seems to last for days.

I never had trouble with the signal quality or had funkiness with the controls. (Actually, the Jam does better pausing/unpausing and answering and ending calls with Android 5.0 than my phone’s controls do.) I could even took calls in the wind, on foot, while walking between a busy parking lot and even busier street.

The lone issue I had during use involved a car wash. I was wearing the Jam while washing my car at one of those power wash places. (As I said, I became attached to the well-behaved Jam.) I accidentally dropped about a dollar in quarters and as I was reaching under the car to get the lastquarter, the Jam began to slip out of place. That’s really the end of the story. The Jam didn’t wind up in car wash water, but it’s important not to get so comfortable with the headset that it takes a bad plunge. (I also let the Jam get a little rained on, but you’d never know it.)

Back to the Future

There’s no escaping it; the Jam is like a headset the makers of ‘Back to the Future’ might have come up with back in the 80’s and 90’s.

Before I tear into the features, let me explain what I mean by this duality of 80’s retro and modern function. The Sound Blaster Jam is a fixed, on-ear design. We are talking the headphone shape that became iconic with Sony’s Walkman. Well, not quite. The Jam’s 32mm drivers that make up the ears are angled in, and the whole set is ultra-light. (It’s almost as though, gasp!, the headset is meant to fit comfortably on the ears.) Amazingly, the updated but classic design works well, and even the red printing of “Jam” on both the headset stalks feels like it’s been lifted from back when MTV had some style.

Of course, retro touches can only take it so far, and a headset’s got to function to be worthy of love. Usually, at this price point or even double this price point, there’s a particular Bluetooth headset design that just gets rebranded and passed back and forth. But fortunately for Creative, they have a stable of engineers and existing products to drawn from. The Jam can seem like a bunch of these engineers types started daring each other to the point that a challenge issued. The result being surprisingly good with a mess of tech packed into a tiny package.

The Jam’s right earphone has the Bluetooth and NFC module, the four control buttons, the invisible mic and the micro USB connector. Paired up with my 2nd Generation Android 5.1 Moto X, and the Jam sounds so much better than most anyone might expect. First of all, the NFC pairing is a joy to use. (It has a traditional hold down to pair function as well, which is good for my iPhone.) The Jam supports A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, all in a Bluetooth 4.1 profile, and that means a spry connection with a range that extends beyond a wall or two.

Even though there’s no aptX, the Jam does surprisingly well with music playback. Sure, the soundstage is a little flat and lossless playback doesn’t make the most sense here, but clarity isn’t at all an issue. The Bass Boost helps and the Jam can get pretty loud. The frequently quiet ‘Interstellar’ soundtrack still exhibits its power while something more active like The Neighborhood’s I Love You still brings its eclectic instrument mix without out a loss of note or line of synth. Considering the music performance, it’s possible that Creative has exactly targeted users that stream music.

The Jam’s volume buttons and bass boost button are strictly for the headset work great. It some cases, the volume buttons change the device’s volume directly and in others, they act as a second volume control.

The Bonus of USB

The Jam charges via micro USB. There’s even a snazzy red USB cable included with the headset. The surprise comes when realizing that in addition to being a Bluetooth headset, the Jam can be used with a PC via USB. As with other Jam features, this isn’t a limitation as it can be used with a PC via Bluetooth, but the idea is that what if the laptop say, doesn’t have Bluetooth, or after a half days nonstop use, the Jam needs to recharge? Then just connect the cable to a PC and it becomes a USB sound card. (There are also times when Windows 7 gets stubborn about using Bluetooth that the USB connection is a godsend.)

Creative even offers a free software bundle for this, but I like the idea of keeping it simple which is easy with USB even without the Creative software. This is especially true, once I realized that the Jam can be connected to a PC via USB while still being connected to a phone via Bluetooth. This dual functionality is just awesome. I can be connected to my laptop via USB and hearing the sounds of ‘South Park: The Stick of Truth’ or watching the new ‘Daredevil’ series, and if a call or text comes in, the Bluetooth connection takes over. When the call is over, the USB connection is right there, ready to go.

I spent a four day trip in Chicago walking, biking and training around with the Sound Blaster Jam. I listened to ‘Devil in the White City‘ and visited the famous Jackson Park, The Palace of Fine Arts, and other locales of the 1893 World’s Fair, and the Jam did everything I asked. It survived being in packed backpack, and being left on accidentally for hours on end. The Jam was occasionally drowned out when I was walking under the train, but that’s no big shock. (I recommend walking a block away from the train if listening to anything.) When I was on the return flight and the battery finally wore down (btw, the Bluetooth was grand on the plane) I plugged the Jam into a USB battery and kept going.

Conclusion

The Sound Blaster Jam is the best inexpensive Bluetooth headset I’ve used by a mile. Its plastic design belies its really rocking body. I fully expected to break it, but it kept on going. The USB PC connection is a major bonus that is only overshadowed by the battery life. For me, wearing the Jam feels a theft from an alternate timeline where no one would be caught dead using corded earbuds.

BUY NOW: Sound Blaster Jam

Sound Blaster Jam Ultra-light Wireless Headset Review

When it comes to speakers, amps, headphones and the like, the range in options is so broad. From brands that pop up overnight, crowd-funded Bluetooth speakers, and audio principles that predate cassettes, buyers are faced with sifting through more and more products year after year. No such segment could be considered more crowded than portable headphones. Like it or not, the rise of Beats by Dre and the presence of Bose has meant that premium portable headphones are more than just a practical consideration, they are also an accessory along the likes of jewelry.

Marshall Major II

Into this often gaudy segment comes the Marshall Major II. This corded, collapsible on-ear design is the new version of the five-year old Marshall Major design. Before getting into what this new design brings in terms of use and feel, durability and so forth, I want to cut right to the Major II’s most obvious asset. The design is drop dead sexy. After spending considerable time with the Marshall Major II using a variety of portable and fixed audio devices and media with an on-the-go emphasis, I’m still taken by the look.

The Looks

Normally, when I review headphones and headsets, I come to a point when I have to explain just how ridiculous the user might look wearing the headphone in a public place, like a subway or an airport, or a campus, or wherever. The Major II is another story altogether. Both from afar and down to the smallest of details, these headphones are some of the best looking ever made.

The design is deceptively simple. The medium sized (for portable) cans that bear the Marshall logo are obviously meant to suggest that familiar guitar amp look. These cans are joined together by way of two forks and one slim, stitch and leather headband.

The external look is nearly all black except for the small, white Marshall logo lettering. There is a touch of gold on the cable, and the detachable cable itself is well worth the description that I will come to presently.

First, it’s worth noting that there are several touches of style only visible when the headphones are in the user’s hands. The headband states Marshall and “EST. 1962” on its underside. Within the headsets black hinges are two spots of brass that read ‘LEFT’ and ‘RIGHT’ respectively, and again this is something only the owner would notice. Four other tiny spots of the gold brass can be found on the cans. The small earcups contain a hidden mesh overs the drivers, and the presentation is of a headset that looks better and better on closer inspection. (The packing hasn’t been neglected either, but I digress.)

Finally, there is the cable. The half coiled 3.5mm four conductor to three conductor is a microcosm of the Major II’s inarguable and (in my case) welcome style. The combo dangle mic/button includes a black on black raised Marshall logo. The three conductor side that plugs into the headset is straight with a rough gold surface for grip and looks, while the four conductor side is a 90 degree gold grip black plastic combo, complete with subtle little M on edge.

The Sound

Killer style is nice, but it wouldn’t count for much without quality sound. As headphones go, the Marshall Major IIs have a throaty sound that was clearly designed with the last 50 years of music in mind. Fair warning, these 40mm, 64 ohm drivers can get ridiculously loud, especially if combined with a powerful headphone amp. Assuming the user can hear at all, 100% volume is well beyond the painful danger level. That loudness may prove useful if trying to use the headphones for a portable speaker, but most users should find the Major IIs as loud as they want them to be.

Back to the throaty sound characteristics, and what I’ve found is that stringed instruments are full of flavor. At the same time, vocals are pleasantly clear. That flavor presents a sense of powerful bass and treble (as though the notes really move the driver) but without any kind of overpowering or washed out bass characteristics that some headphones fall victim to. So for, it sounds awesome, right?

Well considering that this is done with an on-ear design, it can be intoxicating. Then again, there’s some trickery going on here. Using ‘Straight to Hell’ by the Clash for example, and the bass drum and percussion instruments are the restrained part of mix. It’s not like they’re not discernable, but the drivers power is clearly focused on that warmth I referenced earlier.

Flipping over to the theme track from ‘Sunshine’ (Adagio in D Minor) and the already powerful synthesizer notes become even more dominant, and overshadow both the beats and the piano notes.

Basically, the denser and more diverse the music, the more the Major IIs have trouble. The recent Trent Reznor/Atticus/Ross/Karen O version of ‘Immigrant Song’ is a good example of where this limitation can cause the greatest trouble.

Everything is there, but the soundstage is too narrow for everything to breathe in proportion. It’s important then to bear in mind that these are walking around headsets and not studio monitors, and such difficult fare is always going to have a problem when the listener is on the move.

One of the reasons that I can decipher so much about the sound characteristics is because the Major II has excellent passive noise cancellation. The outside world is turned way down whenever the headset is worn and music is on.

There is a very easy way to see this passive noise cancellation in action. By holding the Major IIs in hand and letting the earcups meet, whatever is being played will be inaudible, and it’s that same tight seal that keeps both sound in and out.

The Feel

Fair warning. For my decent sized head, the Marshall started off a seriously tight fit, the kind of tight fit that left my left ear in pain after just a few hours use. I resorted to wrapping the headset around a computer tower for a few nights on and off to help speed along the break-in time. It helped, but I suspect that the coil design may mean that it’s going to take a lot longer to really break in.

The Major II’s earcups have a hinge on each side, and the earcups fold into the band for transport. Tightness aside, I really like this design. Not only does it significantly reduce the footprint, but it does so in a way that protects the overall design. The folded size is good for cargo pockets and bags, and is further helped by the detachable cable.

That excellent passive noise cancellation I mentioned before is virtue of the closed design on the squareish earcups and the attached cushions. And it’s a tight feel, but it’s also very easy to zone out while the music plays, which is exactly what enthusiast headphones are meant to do.

The Build

I’ve made it this far without addressing just how the Major IIs are different from their predecessor, the Marshall Major. Certainly, some of the style notes have been adjusted, and more importantly, the sound has been revisited, but the most major differences can be found in the build. The original Majors had some durability problems that the Major IIs design has specifically tried to address.

The materials all around have been adjusted with areas like the hinges reworked for greater resilience. The two exposed wires on either side might raise an eyebrow for some buyers, but they are my preferred design as they prevent the typical headband disconnect that can affect some headsets, and they help the earcups have more travel without any extra concern.

As I mentioned before, the cable is detachable. Likewise, it can be plugged into either ear, which is great for a number of reasons. It lets the user choose which side to wire, and gives them a back-up jack in case one fails. It also offers another benefit that is popping up on some newer headsets, the ability to daisy chain in another headset.

The daisy chain lets the headset share music with another, even a 3.5mm four conductor set of earbuds. This is a nice feature when sitting near someone (like on a plane) and wanting to listen to the same thing but without using a splitter.

The Coil Cord

The coil cord is very pretty and very useful. At first, I didn’t regard the coiled part as all that useful, but in use it does a great job of mitigating the snags that normally ensnare corded headphone users as they move about. The cable has some extra thickness and a muted black which combine to make it look tough.

The dangle mic (which again is stylish) works well enough with any phone, and my conversations were always received well.

Sadly, the same can’t be said for the button. The single button, which ought to send and end calls, as well as pause, unpause, Fast Forward and Rewind audio tracks, only works on the iPhone. It’s completely useless on Android. I tried several workarounds and even attempted to contact Marshall on the issue (it’s not a limitation noted in the product documentation) without any luck. Subbing in another cable provides different results, and I consider this a pretty major flaw that ought to be corrected pronto.

Conclusion

The Marshall Major II really scores with its signature style, and the sound is a winner though it won’t be confused for monitor quality. The tight fit and button issue are all that hold it back from being a no-brainer recommendation. If Marshall can address these issues then the Marshall Major II will be a must-have in the corded on-ear segment.

Marshall Major II Headphones Review

Hate wires, but love gaming? Then it’s time to reconsider the wireless mouse option. Now you can have gaming performance without either wires or annoying rechargeable batteries. Logitech’s G602 promises both gaming grade performance and long battery life.

A Gaming Mouse Without Gimmicks

Typical gaming mice (wireless or otherwise) are packed with unnecessary features like adjustable LEDs, tiny interchangeable mouse weights, and vastly overblown dots per inch sensitivity. Some even have such extreme designs they look no better than a cheap sci-fi movie prop.

The G602, on the other hand, boasts 11 programmable (and accessible) buttons, useful and adjustable DPI up to 2500, AA battery power, and a toggleable power saving mode that serves as part of the mouse mobile friendly package.

Performance

When the mouse’s topside toggle, which is flush in line with the scroll wheel, is set to the (blue) Performance Mode, the mouse operates without any of the troubling lag associated with a typical wireless mouse. The DPI range allows for not one, but five quick DPI settings that can be accessed on the mouse itself, in the Logitech app, or even through game-specific profiles. The mouse can detect when switching from a sprawling desktop resolution into “StarCraft II,” and adjust on-the-fly. Then again, should you prefer one or more settings to also be in use, that preference can be stored in the mouse’s on-board memory, which will follow the mouse from laptop to desktop and even to USB-capable tablets.

Endurance

Switch the mouse’s topside toggle to (green) Endurance Mode, and the G602 becomes a lot more like a typical laggy wireless mouse. However, battery life increases from Performance Mode’s 250 hours to a staggering 1440 hours. So it goes without saying that Endurance is good for overnight stays at the airport or other such power-conservative situations.

Shapely

The G602 starts with the ergonomically pleasing shape of mice like the Logitech G5 or the excellent G500s, and takes it to the next level, perfectly accommodating the extra thumb buttons. The mouse has no less than six Teflon slick feet, which allows it to glide beautifully while keeping the laser at just the right height. The rubber coating on the palm rest works surprising well in one of the typical mouse trouble areas. This, of course, assumes the user is willing to hold the mouse with the right hand; lefties will find most of the buttons clumsily obscured.

In Practice

Compared with excellent Logitech G500s, the wireless G602 takes some adjustment. The G500s has Logitech’s smooth-as-silk scroll wheel, which the G602 must do without. The G602 even lacks the G700s’ tilt function for the scroll wheel. Of course, after tweaking a few settings and settling into the great new shape, the G602s becomes so natural, you may wonder how you ever lived without it or how you lived with wires or wireless lag.

Conclusion

Logitech has a winner. The G602 effectively combines the demands of gaming performance and capability, with all of the advantages of modern wireless mice. Even in Performance Mode, the batteries last and last. Little details, like being able to stash the tiny USB receiver in the AA battery compartment, make the G602 perfect for at home or on-the-go. Plus, the new shape does such a good job of allowing more buttons, it’s shocking this isn’t already the industry standard. With the G602, the term “wireless gaming mouse” is no longer a joke.

BUY NOW: Logitech G602 Wireless Gaming Mouse

Logitech G602 Wireless Mouse Review: Great for Work or Gaming

Many people, both gamers and office workers alike, spend their days toiling away on throw-in keyboards.  While the peripheral may lack the glamour of a 27-inch display or 3TB external drive, those who make the decision to seek out a better keyboard rarely look back. That’s where the Mad Catz S.T.R.I.K.E. line-up of keyboards comes into view.

Sense and Sensibility    

Whereas the S.T.R.I.K.E. 7 and S.T.R.I.K.E. 5 include lots of interchangeable pieces and some kind of mothership-controlling touchscreen, the S.T.R.I.K.E. 3 feature set is built around the features that matter most for a keyboard with just a side of gamer style.  In addition to the normal keyboard keys, the S.T.R.I.K.E. 3 has 12 programmable keys, a switch for locking the windows button lock, media keys, wrist rest and a gaming shell.  The standout feature, though, is the illuminated keyboard membrane, taken straight from the high-dollar S.T.R.I.K.E. 7.

At a price of $100, most buyers don’t care how many stickers come in the box. They want keys with flawless and reliable action and just maybe some unique style.  So it’s a good thing that Mad Catz must have had this notion in mind when creating the S.T.R.I.K.E. 3.

First Generation

The S.T.R.I.K.E. series is a new product line, and when looking at some of the secondary features, it’s clear this is a first generation product.  The software for the programmable keys is functional but there’s room for improvement.  The media keys seem to have been thrown in, and exist as six alternate F keys.  The overall shape of the keyboard hogs more desk space than necessary, and the wrist rest literally rests in place, giving it a cheap feel despite the slick look.

Keeps It Real

The keyboard’s membrane, the one lifted from the S.T.R.I.K.E. 7, by name means that the S.T.R.I.K.E. 3 isn’t mechanical. Mechanical keyboards use a switch for each key, an old, expensive design that many swear by. Whether typing or playing a shooter like Battlefield 4, the keys feel like they were dipped in solid awesome. When crouching in-game or clicking the trusty Control + C, Control + V, the concave left Control key feel is a guilty pleasure.  My sole gripe with the keys is the spacing around the backspace area, too close to the F keys and too far from the Insert, Home and Page Up keys.

While the keys feel like they traveled back in time from one of those sexy planets on Star Trek, Mad Catz has managed some things with illuminated keys that seem like a breakthrough.  Not only can you set one of 16 million colors for the backlights, but the result just beats the crap out of the range of many other illuminated keyboards in my possession from Razer to HP, and even white light leaking  Apple.

Combine the Cylon-looking backlighting with either the glossy black or glossy white, and the keyboard looks better than most “gaming” style products deserve to.  The red model, on the other hand, seems a lot more like the typical “gaming” product eyesore. (The Amazon sales availability seems to back up this opinion on the three color options.)

Build Quality

The keyboard seems like a great choice for fighting off a zombie; it’s light but strong.  The top has a loop that seems inspired by carrying handles, but is too small for human hands, including my own childlike mitts.

As solid as the keyboard, keys, and nylon-braided cable feel, the unit provided by Mad Catz for review had 10 dead keys right out of the box.  The plus side of getting a dead-on-arrival unit, though, was getting to test the 2-year warranty and Mad Catz support.  I submitted a support ticket online late on a Thursday,  got an email back the following Monday, which had a support phone number. I called in, and after a brief chat with a support person, they promised to send me a replacement, which arrived within a week.

That’s really it for the warranty.  While it won’t cover bashing an intruder, it covers manufacturer defects.  After weeks of use with the replacement in a dozen games, and some 40,000 words of typing, I expect it will last until the end of time or until it is run over by a bulldozer, whichever comes first.

In Conclusion

The Mad Catz S.T.R.I.K.E. 3 is roughly $97 on Amazon as of this writing, which I think is $17 too high.  As it is, the S.T.R.I.K.E. 3 takes the best part of the S.T.R.I.K.E. 7, the keys, while boiling off the more gimmicky fat, and most of the price. I defy anyone not in a mechanical keyboard cult to argue the with perfect feel of the keys or the impressive backlighting.  Still, if your idea of the perfect keyboard includes batteries and wireless functionality, the S.T.R.I.K.E. 3 likely isn’t for you.

BUY NOW: Mad Catz S.T.R.I.K.E. 3 Gaming Keyboard for PC – Gloss Black

BUY NOW: Mad Catz S.T.R.I.K.E. 3 Gaming Keyboard for PC –  White

BUY NOW: Mad Catz S.T.R.I.K.E. 3 Gaming Keyboard for PC – Red

Mad Catz S.T.R.I.K.E. 3 Gaming Keyboard Review: Step Up Your Keyboard Game

Look, it’s time to face facts; modern day movie posters are unbelievably lame.  Unless you just have a particular fetish for floating heads, you probably recognize that the occasional great movie deserves something better than just a collection of floating heads of the movie’s top-billed cast on its movie poster.  I know I think so, and by the looks of it, Matthew Chojnacki, author of more than one book about this kind of pop media art, thinks so as well.

He is so convinced, in fact, that he scoured the interwebz and put together more than two hundred independently created, unofficial movie posters for his upcoming book Alternative Movie Posters: Film Art from the Underground.  The biggest requirement for inclusion beyond being awesome was no official license from the subject studio—that is, the poster must come from the virtual underground of the internet.  And thanks to the The Verge, we have a few examples of some of the inclusions.

These examples favor some science fiction classics but have more than a few dramas in the mix.  The point is, that if you have not seen any one of these films, then you have a new homework assignment.   Put down your Miley Cyrus-Justin Beiber mash-up and sign up for a quick study on some of the more significant and enjoyable movies of modern times.

Now let’s start it off with Bambi, which understandably looks a lot like The Deer Hunter and understandably so.

Then we come to Beetlejuice, which does not read like home stereo instructions.  If only you could call in the ghostest with the mostest to fix Tim Burton…

Do you like the (artificial) owl?  If you can’t stay awake through one viewing of Blade Runner then you are (most) likely an empathy-lacking replicant and in need of retirement.

Chances are that you probably have seen at least one of The Avengers movies, and this poster makes Iron Man look like Master Mold.  Game. Set. Match.

Jennifer Connelly matches wits with David Bowie in a Jim Henson-powered near freak-out, make sure you channel your inner child so as to be properly warped by Labyrinth.

Jacque Cousteau has nothing on Steve Zissou, and this is your chance to become a junior member.

There is only one concept that knows no language barrier, and that is a dying Murphy turned RoboCop, so make sure that you don’t work for Dick Jones.

Awesome Movie Posters from the Underground are Awesome

For Conan O’Brien and Team COCO, playing Grand Theft Auto V seemed like a good idea.  And in fact, it started off well.  Through the sheer force of enthusiasm, Conan manages to steal a car in-game.  Sadly, what happens next can only be described as pushing an extremely difficult bolder up a hill, and that hill comes in the form of a car chase.  After failing to carefully capture a boat with a car, Conan then ponders whether or not characters like Franklin and Wade are really worth all of the bother. “Franklin died! You know what, I’ve known Franklin all of eight minutes… boo hoo, Franklin died.”  “Who needs Wade? Has he contributed anything so far?”

But as often happens, all of the ambition for conquering the world of Grand Theft Auto, and for building meaningful relationships with the characters that inhabit that world, is side tracked by one seemingly harmless trip to the one of the game’s strip clubs.

Now don’t misunderstand, while Conan is happy enough to hang around the virtual strip club and spend virtual money, his attempt to avoid a bouncer ends out on the sidewalk.  This rejection by force quickly incenses Conan, and all of the rage built up when failing to properly drive various vehicles throughout the game becomes focused on returning to the strip club.  The strip club denizens see Conan coming a mile away, and once again it all ends out on the sidewalk.

What comes next? Revenge!  How the heck does one exactly exact revenge on a video game strip club is a question that most people might not be ready to answer, but Conan knows how to play to win.  Paper beats rock, and rock beats scissor, but only an army attack chopper beats strip club.

But then again, power lines beat an army attack chopper…

Conan O’Brien Takes His Revenge on <i>Grand Theft Auto V</i>