CES 2012: SteelSeries Announces Range of Products – We’re in Love…..
During this year’s CES, SteelSeries announced a range of new products that are sure to impress gamers, as much as they have us. Check out the full range of announcements after the break.
The SteelSeries Flux
The Flux features new, on-ear mesh cloth cushions that pump out impressive sound levels via its 40mm driver units. The headset includes cable connections for an in-line, uni-directional microphone with mute controls that connect to PC as well as a connector with a single 3.5mm jack for Mac® and mobile devices. The multi-use headset was designed to be travel-friendly, the headset earcups to fold inward when wearing it around the neck, and collapse at the earcup hangers for quick and compact storage.
“We work with professional gamers that travel often to tournaments and events, but we also cater to users that want headset compatibility for more than just gaming, which is where the design of the Flux began,” said Bruce Hawver, SteelSeries CEO. “This headset is meant to be more about the user, versus just another audio option – we brought together color and plate design options with the versatility of being able to plug in and use the audio and microphone with any device. If you play games on your PC, you most likely also listen to music and make calls, and you want a headset that will allow you adapt.”
The SteelSeries Flux will be available in Q2, which is also when pricing will be released. More details about colors and design options will be released closer to product availability. For more information about the new SteelSeries Flux headset features, please visit http://steelseri.es/flux.
Ion Wireless Gaming Controller
Measuring only about the size of a standard deck of cards (approximately 108mm in length, 55.5mm in width and 18mm thick); the lightweight controller can be easily stored and carried. It connects through Bluetooth to your PC and/or your mobile device and includes a white LED light on the controller indicating a connection. The SteelSeries Ion includes a rechargeable, lithium battery that will provide up to 20 hours of wireless use and can be plugged into your device for charge and play use.
The SteelSeries Ion boasts a classic controller design that includes 2 mini-joysticks, a left side Dpad button, 2 trigger buttons one at each shoulder, and a four button layout on the right, similar to familiar Nintendo®, Xbox 360® and PlayStation® controllers. The buttons can be customized through an easy-to-use interface for both PC and mobile devices.
“For PC users, the SteelSeries Ion is a convenient alternative, especially if they want something other than their mouse or keyboard as their tool. And for consumers with tablets and Smartphone’s, it really is an ideal accessory” said Bruce Hawver, SteelSeries CEO. “Whether you’re sling shooting birds or playing a word game with friends, there are games that are ideal for touch screen. Those types of games however, are not the only games available; there are a number of first-person shooter and RTS games that aren’t downloaded or played as frequently as they could be, because the touch screen doesn’t provide an optimal experience. The SteelSeries Ion provides the advantage for those types of games.”
The SteelSeries Ion Wireless Controller will be available in Q3; pricing will be announced closer to its availability. For more information about the new SteelSeries Ion, please visit http://steelseri.es/ion.
Siberia V2 Frost Blue Headset
The super-bright, blue LED lights glow through the outer mesh grill on each earcup, the Siberia v2 Frost Blue’s lights and soundscape can be customized through SteelSeries Engine software. It has an incredibly lightweight, over-the-head suspension design with an active noise-cancelling microphone and circumaural earcups that feature 50mm driver units, covered by grey leather cushions for a noise-dampening sound.
“The Siberia v2 Frost Blue combine’s incredible sound with a style that is not only recognized, but is an original design that’s been optimized and improved,” said Jacob Wolff-Petersen, SteelSeries Founder. “This headset packs a loud and crisp soundscape with the expected luxury for the user to be able to adjust everything – from illumination options, equalizer settings to creating and assigning profiles for multiple game titles and players, all through the SteelSeries Engine software.”
he headset illumination offers 6 different modes and can be assigned to behavior and game specific profiles through the SteelSeries Engine, including: Active Mode (responsive pulsing to sound effects, music, and/or voice), Slow Pulse, Fast Pulse, High Bright, Low Bright and Off. The Siberia v2 Frost Blue will also features an active noise cancelling, “smart” microphone system that retracts when not in use. The microphones processor reduces the “noise” and focuses on the sound that is closer to the mic, your voice. Its in-line volume and mute controls are found on a durable, double-braided nylon cord with a USB connector.
The SteelSeries Siberia v2 Frost Blue will be available in Q2; pricing will be announced closer to availability. For more information about the new SteelSeries Siberia v2 Frost, please visit http://steelseri.es/frostblue
You can check out our review of the SteelSeries V2 PS3 headset here.
Kana, Kinzu V2 Pro, and Kinzu V2
Kicking off the mouse category for SteelSeries in 2012 is the SteelSeries Kana, also known as the Designed by Gamers mouse; and two editions of the new version of the SteelSeries Kinzu, the SteelSeries Kinzu v2 and SteelSeries Kinzu v2 Pro Edition. The SteelSeries Kana mouse was introduced to SteelSeries fans in the Designed by Gamers Campaign as Mouse 1.1, which gave more than 300,000 gamers the design choice and where 60,000 “Likes” determined the winning Black 1.1 design
“With the Designed by Gamers campaign, it was the first time we asked our fans and followers to choose a design for us, and we were incredibly proud to see the response from the community – it makes sense that consumers, specifically our consumers want to have a say in what we’re creating, said Kim Rom, SteelSeries CMO. “This new line-up of mice were each designed to fulfill the needs of different types of players, especially those who may not need all of the customization that can be found in the SteelSeries Sensei.”
The SteelSeries Kana, Kinzu v2 and Kinzu v2 Pro Edition are all powered by the SteelSeries Engine. It allows users to customize the mice with the ability for unlimited profiles, program buttons, set the polling rate, create macros, customize CPI settings, optimize your layout by recording movements and viewing a heat map of button usage and more.
The SteelSeries Kana features:
· Ambidextrous shape with an optimized 6-button layout
· Tournament grade optical sensor 3600 Frames Per Second and supports stable movement speeds at 130 Inches Per Second.
· Illuminated scroll wheel with LED intensity options that can be assigned to indicate the currently active CPI profile.
· DCPI is 1600-3200
· Two XL-sized side buttons (one on each side) for easy rapid-fire
· UPE Teflon mouse feet and a double-braided nylon cord with 2.0 USB connector
· Two color and illumination options, White 1.1 and Black 1.1
Available now on the SteelSeries Web Shop and select retailers, the SteelSeries Kana is $49.99 / €49.99 MSRP – http://steelseri.es/kana.
Rom adds that, “The Kinzu v2 and Kinzu v2 Pro Edition are for players who don’t want anything more than minimal buttons and functionality, but that recognize minimal still means quality and precision.”
SteelSeries Kinzu v2 Pro Edition features:
· Tournament-grade Omron button switches which are recognized by the industry and the community as reliable, high-end hardware components that deliver ‘best-in-class’ performance and feedback.
· Ambidextrous shape with 4-button layout including the CPI toggle
· Tournament grade optical sensor operating at 3600 Frames Per Second
· Supports stable movement speeds at 65 Inches Per Second.
· UPE Teflon glides and a double-braided nylon cord with 2.0 USB connector
· Three color options: Glossy Black, Metallic Silver and Red
Available now on the SteelSeries Web Shop and select retailers, the SteelSeries Kinzu v2 Pro Edition is $44.99 / €44.99 MSRP – http://steelseri.es/kinzuv2pro.
SteelSeries Kinzu v2 features:
· Identical features as the Kinzu v2 Pro Edition, with the exception of the Tournament-grade Omron button switches.
· Four color options including: Rubberized Black, White, Orange, and Yellow
Available now on the SteelSeries Web Shop and select retailers, the SteelSeries Kinzu v2 is $39.99 / €39.99 MSRP – http://steelseri.es.kinzuv2.
For more information about the new SteelSeries mice, as well as all the SteelSeries products launching during CES please visit, http://steelseri.es/ces2012.
What do you think of these announcements, let us know what you think in the comment section.