Latest news with #SeanBooker
CNET
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CNET
Last-Minute Prime Day Deal: We're Big Fans of These Viture Pro XR/AR Glasses, and This Is Your Last Chance to Get Them for 30% Off
VR headsets are chunky, heavy, expensive and only tend to work with a few platforms. It would be pretty cool to squeeze something like that into something the size of a pair of sunglasses, which is exactly what Virture accomplished with its Viture Pro XR/AR Glasses. With these, you can connect them to just about anything and get a more immersive experience. For the remainder of Amazon Prime Day, you can score a pair of these glasses for 30% off, and the brand will even toss in a free item while they're at it. The deal works like most other Amazon Prime Day deals. You add the Viture Pro XR/AR Glasses to your cart alongside the brand's Ultimate C Bluetooth Controller. Once you get to checkout, the price of the controller will be removed from the total, giving you a nearly $40 controller entirely for free. Add to that the $150 in savings you get from the 30% discount, and you have a pretty decent deal in the works here, especially if you've been curious about XR experiences since that seems to be taking over the mixed reality space right now. These glasses are pretty slick. According to CNET video producer and hardware expert Sean Booker, the glasses have two 1080p micro-OLED displays that feature a 120 Hz refresh rate, and they get bright enough to make "everything look super clear in any settings, indoors and out." Despite their size, the displays are large enough to see small text. That means you can game or work with these things if you so choose. That is just the tip of the iceberg. They connect to virtually anything with an HDMI cable, including game consoles. Thus, you can hook your Xbox Series X up to these things and game through the displays while sitting on the couch with no TV required. It even works with the Nintendo Switch 2 over USB-C. We don't have any best lists for AR glasses just yet, but based on our reviews of other products, we liked the Viture Pro more than any of the others. With the controller, it's a pretty neat little rig. You can lay down in bed or on the couch and play with the Ultimate C controller and the Viture Pro in tandem, giving you the kinds of freedom of positioning you simply don't get with a TV or a computer monitor. Booker checked out the controller during his Viture Pro review and found it to be very similar to a Nintendo Switch controller, which is a good thing. Time is running out. Sign up for CNET Deals texts to get last-minute deals. They're quick, free, and easy. XR and AR glasses are somewhat new and there aren't a ton of them on the market. If you want to wait for the products to mature a little more, you can always check out the best VR headsets, which have had over a decade of iterations to increase refinement. Many of those are on sale, including the Meta Quest 3S, which is 17% off right now. Why this deal matters In the grand scheme of things, the Viture Pro glasses go on sale pretty often for this exact price, so this certainly won't be your last chance to pick up a pair at a steep discount. However, they don't always include the controller for free, and that's why this deal is worthy of consideration. It's $180 in total savings, and Bluetooth controllers are fairly universal, so you'll be able to use them even without the glasses. Even so, the whole XR/AR thing is new and exciting, and for someone who gets motion sick like I do, it's a viable way to try out mixed reality without suffering through a VR-induced stomach ache.
CNET
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CNET
The Switch 2 Pro Controller Makes a Comfortable Upgrade, but Still Falls a Bit Short
The Switch 2 Pro Controller is a standalone controller that pairs with the new Switch 2 and provides a more comfortable gaming experience than the standard Joy-Cons. While it might look similar to the old model, the second-gen controller has a number of new features to help it earn that "Pro" title. The 2 Pro retails for $85 -- a pretty significant jump over the original's $70. The good news is that, if you want to save some money, the Switch 1 Pro Controllers do work on the Switch 2. Since it's detached, it's really more useful when playing docked, connected to a TV. I really like the look and feel of it, but it's definitely an expensive, unnecessary accessory. Switch Pro Controller (left) next to Switch 2 Pro Controller (right) Sean Booker/CNET Both Pro controllers feel pretty similar, which is good since I always felt the original was very comfortable. They're the same size and shape, and the button layout is mostly the same, but the original has a subtle texture to its grip while the 2's is smooth. I actually find the new controller a bit more comfortable than the first. Just like the new Joy-Cons, there is a GameChat button near the bottom, a shortcut to screen-sharing gameplay and forming parties with your friends to video or voice chat together. Keep in mind that you can just pop back out to the Switch main menu and open GameChat manually without needing to hit the button. GR/GL back buttons Sean Booker/CNET Another new feature are back buttons on the underside of the handles, GL and GR. Back buttons -- programmable buttons that you can assign to act like other inputs -- are pretty standard on pro-style controllers but were absent on the first Switch Pro. For example, in shooters, players will often bind duck or jump so they can perform those actions without taking their thumb off the right stick. Mapping these buttons is super easy through the Switch 2's settings menu or by holding down the Home button and changing them there. These button maps are also saved on a per-game basis, which is great, allowing you to specify which actions you want available on different games instead of needing to adjust back and forth when you swap games. DualSense Edge (left), Switch 2 Pro Controller (middle), Xbox Elite 2 (right) Sean Booker/CNET The downside is that there are only two buttons, one on each side, like PlayStation's DualSense Edge pro controller. I would have liked more options, like the Xbox Elite controller's four programmable buttons. Both those controllers also allow you to swap the buttons' shapes. Nintendo doesn't. Another upgrade on the Switch 2 Pro Controller is a headphone jack on the bottom, which is useful if you're trying to play games quietly. Sean Booker/CNET Battery life remains the same as the first Pro Controller: Around 40 hours on a single charge, which is definitely on the higher side for controller batteries. In comparison, the DualSense Edge lasts only 5 to 6 hours. The new Pro Controller also charges faster. Nintendo says it takes about 3.5 hours for a full charge, whereas the original Pro Controller takes six hours. Now Playing: Review: The Switch 2 Pro Controller 04:26 The large face buttons and analog sticks feel the same, which is good since the original didn't need improvement. The D-pad, though, feels like it has more freedom of movement and accuracy. This makes hitting diagonal inputs easier to pull off, like in Street Fighter when a special move requires a quarter circle. I found it simply better for adjusting character movement in a 2D platformer, like Super Mario Wonder. One of my major complaints is that it still lacks analog triggers. This feature has been on Xbox and PlayStation controllers for years and allows games to sense when you partially press a trigger. It's important in racing games, for example, where pressing the trigger determines how much you'll accelerate. But nope, that's not a thing for the Switch 2 Pro Controller. Sean Booker/CNET Curiously, the new Pro Controller can't wirelessly connect it to a PC. Steam doesn't yet recognize it, though it took a while before the original was directly supported as well. While it's missing some key pro features compared to Xbox and PlayStation's offerings, those controllers also retail for around $200, so the price difference makes sense. The Switch 2 Pro Controller is best for someone who primarily games with the console connected to a TV. It's an overall improvement on the first one and brings Nintendo closer to what we expect from a pro-style design, but it becomes a harder sell if you already have the original Pro Controller. Many of the new features -- back buttons, a headphone jack, quick access to gamechat -- are pretty easy to live without, in my opinion.
CNET
06-06-2025
- Business
- CNET
Amazon Deals of the Day: Spoil Dad With a Rare $51 Discount on the PlayStation 5 Pro
Amazon sells a vast panoply of products, with new ones arriving daily. The retail giant carries everything from home essentials to tech gear and wellness items. As much as it loves adding new products, Amazon also loves cutting prices. Deciding which deals are worth grabbing (and which aren't) is a full-time job -- our job, specifically. That's why we scope out the top deals for you. Today, we spotted the PlayStation 5 Pro console at $50 for the first time ever, just in time for Father's Day. We also found the 75-inch Roku Smart TV down to it's record low of $800, saving you $300. And finally we found the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 down to it's record low of $230, saving you $100. The PlayStation 5 Pro released last November and just got it's first discount. This PlayStation 5 Pro has tons of features, such as some of the best console graphics out there. Compared to the previous models, the Playstation 5 and Slim, this console has a higher graphical fidelity and improved ray tracing at much higher and smoother frame rates, giving you the best experience possible. And there's no sacrifice and smoothness either. Our expert reviewer Sean Booker claims "Anyone buying a PS5 Pro is basically guaranteeing they'll be able to play the next decade of PlayStation games comfortably." It normally retails for $700 but you can score one today for $649, a $51 discount. Not to mention, it's the first discount we've seen on this console. Roku is a major player in the home entertainment space, with some of the best soundbars, streaming sticks and, of course, TVs on the market. If you're looking to upgrade your TV but don't need anything fancy, this Roku Smart TV is perfect, especially if it's for the home theater or living room spaces. This FHD TV gives a clear and crisp image and since it's a Roku TV, it's made to stream. You can stream content from tons of different apps and even free live TV from Roku. The remote is also voice-controlled, giving you a hands-free experience. Right now, you can snag the 75-inch Roku Smart TV for a large $200 off bringing the price down to $800, a record low. With so many smart wearables out there, picking what's right for you can be tricky. If you're an avid Android user, I recommend the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7. It's packed with features like built-in LTE, the latest version of WearOS 5 and, of course, a suite of health and fitness tools. These specs help set it apart from other Android smartwatches. We love that it has an improved heart rate accuracy compared to older Galaxy Watches. The sleep apnea detection is super helpful and easy to use, along with the energy score. The watch's always-on display lets you launch things without waking up the screen first, a feature not found in previous gen watches. It normally runs for $330 but a nice $100 discount has brought it down to a new record low of $230. With so many deals on Amazon, deciding which ones are worth your money can be difficult. But CNET combs through what the world's largest online retailer has to offer and gathers the best deals for you.
CNET
29-05-2025
- Business
- CNET
Gamers Can Score the Premium DualSense Edge PS5 Controller With 15% Off if You're Quick
PlayStation Days of Play is back again this year, and it's bringing with it a huge number of excellent deals on all things PlayStation. While it's easy to look towards consoles and games, we think that one of the best things you can do is treat yourself to something you'll use just as much as the console itself. Well, if you want to try and upgrade how you play games on your PS5, then the DualSense Edge is a great way to start. Thanks to a deal on Amazon right now, you can currently get this powerful controller for $169, which is 15% off the usual price. Act fast though, as it's not likely to last long. In his review of it, CNET expert Sean Booker said that, "The DualSense Edge fills a hole that was missing from PlayStation's portfolio. Small additions like the textured grip and the grooves on the triggers are appreciated. And being able to adjust deadzone and completely replace an analog stick gives this controller a much longer life." Booker didn't love the battery life though, so keep make sure you've got a decently long cable to help offset that. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. If you're happy you've got a new controller but don't know what to play next, then we recommend making the most of some really solid discounts with the best PlayStation Plus deals. The highest tier can be a little over 50% off, so it's definitely worth checking out. Why this deal matters The DualSense Edge is one heck of a controller, but there's no denying that the price tag is a hard thing to deal with for most people. So, a deal like this that makes it more affordable, albeit still pricey, is a good one to check out and make the most of if you can afford it.
