Archives for September 2016

Gamdias ZEUS eSport Laser Gaming Mouse Review

09/30/2016 By Zach Can

Back in the old days of gaming, just before hardware-accelerated graphics took off, we had games that all ran on the build engine (Duke Nukem 3D, Blood, Shadow Warrior.) At the time, most gamers never used the mouse for aiming; it was all done with the keyboard. With today’s games, using the keyboard to target is nearly impossible. Games just aren’t designed that way anymore. Today, every game uses the mouse for aiming. The mouse has and always will be (in one form or another) one of the most integral parts of a PC. Whether it’s a standard or a gaming mouse, you’re going to need one. Let’s take a closer look at this Gamdias ZEUS eSport Laser Gaming Mouse review.

Gamdias ZEUS eSport Laser Gaming Mouse Review

Read: Gamdias HERMES RGB Keyboard Review

eSport Design

Right in the product title, you see the word “eSport.” If you’re one of the millions of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) players out there, this mouse is a solid choice for you. Upon unboxing, the mouse looks intimidating. I’m not going to exaggerate; unless you’re already using an MMO or MOBA gaming mouse, it has a very different design than most other mice. As soon as I put my fingers and palm on it, I understood the design choice; it is very flattering to the hand. What I immediately found different is the fact there is a separate ridge for your ring and pinky finger; this is an excellent design. Instead of having these two fingers competing for the same space, there’s separation.

The ZEUS eSport laser mouse has three adjustable “grip areas.” In addition to the two previously mentioned, there’s a third for your thumb. All three are adjustable using these little gears under the mouse. You can manipulate the grip to be closer or farther from the mouse, customizing it to your liking. From my perspective, this is what Gamdias seems to be all about. They want you to be happy with their products and want you to be able to fine-tune them to your heart’s desire. I respect that.

If the mouse feels too heavy for you, feel free to take some weight out from underneath the mouse. There’s a total of five 4.5 gram mini-weights, so play around with them to see what you like best.

Gamdias Zeus eSport Laser Gaming Mouse Review

Specifications courtesy of Gamdias, Inc.

Some reviews have complained about the mouse wheel, about how there are vertical “dips” instead of horizontal ones. They claim that it makes the mouse wheel very hard to grip. I haven’t had a single problem with the wheel; it works like every other mouse wheel should.

Unlike other mice, the ZEUS eSport laser has four additional buttons on it, two beside the “back” button on the side, and two more below the mouse wheel. It has a total of nine programmable keys, place a single command on there or a giant macro, a media player shortcut, or even a keyboard key.

Read: Gaming: Gamdias HERMES 7 Color Keyboard Review

eSport Performance

As with the HERMES RGB keyboard, the ZEUS eSport laser mouse comes with HERA support. As I’ve mentioned in previous reviews, I feel that the HERA software is a bit sluggish and in need of an upgrade. I also said it does get the job done.

The Gamdias ZEUS eSport laser mouse can be configured from a mere 300 DPI to a whopping 8200 DPI. If you do install HERA, you can control the cursor speed, enable acceleration, set the DPI level, set the polling rate, vertical scroll speed, double click speed, lift-off setting, and straight path correction.

Now for full disclosure, I want to mention something that happened with the mouse. While I was fine tuning the DPI, I found that as soon as I hit apply, it rendered the left and right clicks inoperable. I wasn’t 100% sure if the problem occurred due to the mouse or software. Regardless, I contacted customer support, and they responded without haste, and a new replacement arrived quickly. Once again I attempted to fine tune the DPI, and this time, it worked as advertised. With some common sense, I can say that the mouse was at fault, not the software.

Along with the HERMES RGB keyboard, you can set macro timers or sound timers and under the “Muscle Memory” tab. You can see a list of stats about your mouse, how many left clicks you’ve done, how far you’ve scrolled the wheel, and how far have you dragged that mouse around.

In our evaluation, the mouse goes perfectly with the HERMES 7-Color keyboard as you can change the color of the mouse wheel and the profile indicator lighting to red, orange, yellow, cyan, blue or purple. And they don’t have to be the same color so you can have the mouse wheel yellow, while the profile indicator blue. On the underside of the mouse, you can set the brightness level or to a pulsing mode. But there’s one downside, the color can only be set to red.

You can save all your macros, color choices, sounds, macro timers to any of the 6 profiles that are stored in the mouse itself. There’s 512KB of built-in memory.

Read: Gaming: Gamdias HEBE M1 RGB Headset Review

Conclusion

The mouse is quite responsive, works great, fits my hand, and the laser is highly accurate as it lights up alongside the HERMES 7-Color mechanical keyboard. If you’re just getting into gaming and unsure of what mouse to get, or you’ve finally decided to ditch your old standard mouse and buy a gaming mouse, this one’s a solid winner.

The list price of the ZEUS eSport laser mouse is $69.99. Fortunately, you can get it on Amazon for $44.99 on any given day. In the US, each gaming mouse comes with a 1 year warranty from date of purchase.

What do you think of this Gamdias ZEUS eSport Laser gaming mouse review? Do you agree or disagree with our analysis? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

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Don’t hesitate to head over to the Gamdias website to see their latest gaming hardware.

FTC Disclosure: Gamdias provided Beantown LLC with one (1) ZEUS eSport laser gaming mouse sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and is not a paid product ambassador.

All photographs are the © copyrighted property of Beantown LLC and Gamdias.

Read: Audio-Technica ATH-SR5BT Headphones Review

Audio-Technica ATH-SR5BT Headphones Review

09/28/2016 By Elliott Hall

Audio-Technica has released the latest evolution in their high-resolution audio headphones. Sound Reality Headphones are intended for the on-the-go music listener who wants the best in sound realism. Engineered with Closed-back Dynamic 45mm ‘True Motion Drivers,’ these on-ear headphones are designed to deliver the most detailed audio reproduction. With a smaller design and Bluetooth capability, these headphones are ideal for the everyday commuter. Let’s take a closer look at this Audio-Technica ATH-SR5BT Headphones Review.

Pros:
• Comfortable Fit & Attractive Design
• Bluetooth Ready
• Battery Life of 38 Hours
• Hi-Res Audio w/Wired Jack
• 45mm True Motion Drivers
• Capable of Storing 8 Devices in Memory
• Auto Pairing w/NFC Functionality

Cons:
• Bass Light/Bright Sound Balance
• Bluetooth Volume does not link to iPhone 6s internal volume

Read: Here are the Audio-Technica Headphones set for release in 2017

Audio-Technica ATH-SR5BT Headphones Review

Hi-Res Audio / Sound Reality Design

These on-ear headphones have a well-executed design. These sleek headphones come in two colors: Black and White.

Since I recently reviewed the ATH-MSR7 hi-res audio headphones, I already had an idea of what these headphones might be like. Straight out of the box; they exceeded my expectations. In our previous review, we noted that the headband was a little bit too tight, and the over-ear cushions were slightly too shallow, causing your ear to rub up against the speaker occasionally – this was not at all the case with the ATH-SR5BT. Perhaps it is because these are on-ear headphones, as opposed to over-ear headphones. Regardless, I found the cushioning on these to be much thicker, softer and more comfortable.

The overall design of these headphones is much like a scaled down version the ATH-MSR7, but with the same 45mm True Motion Drivers. The headphones weigh in at 6.5 ounces, a bit more with the 3.9′ cable. The package contents include a soft cloth carrying case, a 3.9′ audio cable for wired use, and a 3.3′ USB cable.

There are several features on these headphones that allow for comprehensive functionality, without having to pull your phone out of your pocket. The left earphone features a condenser mic, a multi-function Play/Pause/Skip/Call switch, a micro-USB charging port, and a 3.5mm jack for wired use. On the right earphone, there is an On/Off button for Bluetooth pairing.

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Read: Speck Ruck Backpack Review

Hi-Res Audio Performance

When reviewing headphones, the most important performance factor is the quality of sound. Since the ATH-SR5BT are Bluetooth headphones, we have two sound profiles to consider: wired and wireless sound.

As wired headphones, the ATH-ST5BT sounded great. Much like the ATH-MSR7, there’s a bright sound balance. Consequently, I found myself slightly dissatisfied with the bass presence in certain genres, one being Hip-Hop. As noted in our ATH-MSR7 review, if you are a bass head, these are not the headphones for you. However, many audio companies drown their sound profile in the low-frequency (bass) range, making it hard to appreciate the finer parts of music. Audio-Technica cannot be faulted for their sound profile, which is overall very neutral and handles all music well. With wired use, the high-resolution audio offered high-quality detail – the type of detail that makes you hear a new layer of sound in a song that you have known forever.[Tweet “As wired headphones, the ATH-ST5BT sounded great. Much like the ATH-MSR7, there’s a bright sound balance.”]

The Bluetooth sound profile is satisfying. If you are an audiophile, you will notice that the sound is slightly thinner with Bluetooth than it is with wired use, but that is to be expected. As far as wireless music goes, these headphones perform very well, and I have to say, I enjoyed being cable-free during my commute.

With an iPhone 6s, the Bluetooth pairing works outstandingly well. After adding the “ATH-SR5BT” to your saved Bluetooth devices, and powering them on, the connection is instant. The only issue I found with the Bluetooth connectivity was that the headphones volume and the iPhone volume do not link together, so you will have to sync up the two volumes accordingly. More importantly, these headphones offer superb battery life, lasting up to 38 hours on a single charge courtesy of the 3.7V DC lithium polymer battery. Your mobile device’s battery will die quicker with Bluetooth enabled, but you won’t find the need charge these headphones frequently, even with heavy use. And when you do, it will take approximately four hours to recharge.

Read: Shoulderpod R2 Pocket Rig Review and More

Conclusion

At $199, these headphones are a good buy. They feature a classy and sleek design. They offer high-performance Bluetooth connectivity, battery longevity, and even the option of high-resolution audio for critical listening. It’s important to remember that Bluetooth is incapable of streaming audio at high-resolution quality. If you’re in it for the audio alone, check out a different pair of headphones like Audio-Technica’s MSR7 (you can find our review here). If you are looking for a high-value, on-ear headphone, with high-performance Bluetooth capability, look no further than the Audio-Technica SR5BT.

What do you think of this Audio-Technica ATH-SR5BT headphones review? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

Don’t hesitate to head over to the News page to see their latest announcements. The ATH-SR5BT wireless over-ear headphones come with a two-year limited warranty when purchased from an authorized Audio-Technica dealer (A.T.U.S.)

FTC Disclosure: Audio-Technica U.S., Inc. provided Beantown LLC with one ATH-SR5BTWH headphones sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

All photographs are the copyrighted property of Audio-Technica U.S., Inc.

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Read: The Strain Complete Series DVD Release Date Announced

JAM Audio Xterior Max Speaker Review

09/26/2016 By Jonathan Dery

Beat by Beat: JAM Audio Xterior Max Speaker Review

If a heart were augmented to transmit music and amplify the sound throughout two floors, it would be a close neighbor to the Xterior Max Portable Bluetooth Speaker from JAM Audio. From dynamic quality to refreshing sound clarity, JAM Audio has done it again. They stand as an underdog in a competitive field; with their newest device, they now have a beating heart. Let’s take a closer look in this JAM Audio Xterior Max Speaker Review.

If you’re about to make a purchase on a JAM Audio product, what I say next will be music to your ears. Right now, JAM Audio has a 30% off sale sitewide. Enter the code: CYBER during checkout.

Pros:
• Great Sound, Strong Bass
• Water-Resistant Protection
• Battery Life of 12 Hours
• Solid, Rugged Construction and Feel
• Attractive Price ~ $100

Cons:
• Lack of Color Options

Read: New Speck Apple iPhone 7 Case Designs Are Introduced

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Xterior Max Body: Design and Features

Black and gray are separated on a dense, ergonomic rubber. This material fulfills two functions: dexterity and desire. On one hand, the material sufficiently clings to the fingertips and is drop, dirt, and waterproof. On the other, it is the perfect balance of smooth with the slightest degree of friction, enticing touch, and satisfying fruition. The speaker has an IP67 rating with dimensions of 7.87 x 3.35 x 2.76 inches.

The two wider sides, implanted with holed panels to disperse sound, are zigzagging grids. Not only does this addition enhance the speaker’s grip, but it also causes the aesthetic to be more dynamic, robust, and meticulously finessed. A creative multi-serving installment to not only reinforce the speakers but the consumer’s confidence in their purchase.

On the underside, there’s a screw mount to adapt the speaker to a bicycle rack or something more stationary such as a stand.

There are six buttons on top: Power, Skip Back, Play/Pause, Skip Forward, Decrease Volume, and Increase Volume.

In addition to the top button scheme, there’s an Aux, DC, and battery jack on the left flank, all ergonomically spaced, sized, and labeled. Happening upon a device both simple and versatile is rare. Charging time was approximately an hour.

Jam Xterior Max feels like a standalone device, not a rough stand-in version, built deficiently and disposable, to force consumers into purchasing the newest model the following year. A brave and noble act by a company swamped in a market of greed.

Also, there’s just something about its precise weight, 2.85 lbs to be accurate, that feels… masculating. (⇐ This is a word, just not familiar enough to be marked as one.)

Be careful with the Xterior Max. While it’s built and shaped like a brick, it too will sink like a brick if you drop it into a swimming pool. It’s not a floating speaker.

Read: The New Case Logic Urban Commuter Laptop Backpacks for Men and Women

What’s In The Box?

Xterior Max Speaker
USB Charging Cable
USB Adapter
Manual

The Pulse

JAM Xterior Max calls to your heart, or at least reverberates within your chest.

At the maximum volume setting, JAM Xterior Max confidently straddles the line between gorging and shattering the consumer’s eardrums. However, it may land the user in a bit more trouble if they cannot hear the police knocking at their door. In this writer’s case, the Emerson College Police.

Even at the highest volume setting, coupled with the quaking bass, it is still possible to discern each sound within a song. The power and clarity of JAM Xterior Max transcends sensory ingestion to produce one pure effect: palpability. It vibrates through you. From Kanye West to Beethoven, this speaker is just as versatile as it is powerful.

Playlist

Rap/Hip-Hop: Drake, Frank Ocean, Kayne West.
Indie Rock: Glass Animals, Oh Wonder, Simon and Garfunkel.
Classical: Beethoven and a few German-composed symphonies.

Read: Speck's New Back To School Backpacks for 2016

Overall

Decades ago, avid and casual listeners, alike, would click a record into their record player and listen to sensational songs through the device music deserved. Since then, there has been an apocalyptic decline in this listening format, as well as the quality of current speakers, in comparison. So far, it seems that the JAM Xterior Max portable Bluetooth is a welcome runner-up in this digital age.

Though the sound quality still cannot match that which is produced from record players, the device is compact and attractive, convenient and intuitive, and geared with such crisp, booming quality that it is clearly a formidable contender in the speaker market. JAM Xterior Max is not a generic forearm sized pill with a “b” slapped in the middle, along with a gross overprice. It is cost efficient, security efficient, and sound efficient to a degree far above its towering competition.

With appeal and quality like this, JAM Xterior Max just hit the perfect note, and hopefully, for its competitors, struck the wrong chord. It’s difficult not to get behind such an earnest heart.

The JAM Xterior Max speaker can be purchased directly from the JAM Audio website for $119.99, or from Amazon (see below) for $99.99.

What do you think of the Xterior Max portable speaker? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

Feel free to follow JAM Wireless Audio on Twitter and Facebook as well as this very blog on Twitter and Facebook.

FTC Disclosure: JAM Audio Inc. provided Beantown LLC with one (1) Xterior Max Bluetooth speaker sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

Read: Triby Review: Alexa Smart Speaker

Gaming: Gamdias HERMES 7 Color Keyboard Review

09/21/2016 By Zach Can

Review: Gamdias HERMES 7 Color Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

Gamdias, Gamdias, Gamdias. Does the name sound familiar? If it does congratulations, either you’re familiar with the brand or you’ve read our recently published HERMES RGB Keyboard review. If you haven’t heard the name, then shame on you! While rather new to the marketplace, Gamdias is a good, up-and-coming gaming company who stand by their motto of “Gaming Art in Motion.” Believe it, their HERMES keyboards and ZEUS mice look crazy all lit up with these zany lighting effects. In this review, we dive into one of their ‘art-pieces,’ the HERMES 7 Color mechanical gaming keyboard. So without any further delay. Welcome to our Gamdias HERMES 7 Color Keyboard review.

Introducing the HERMES 7 Color Keyboard

Read: Gamdias HERMES RGB Keyboard Review

Design Features

I’m going to start off on a bizarre note. It has to do with the seven colors of the HERMES 7 Color keyboard, so I’ll get right to it. Unless I’m color blind, and I’m fairly sure that I am not, there are only six colors on the HERMES 7 Color keyboard: green, blue, violet, pink, orange, and red. Look at the pictures here and on the Gamdias website. Can you spot all seven colors? I’ve looked everywhere, and the theory I have is that the Num-lock “panel” lights up a different shade of red than the red that lights up the bottom row. Like I said, it’s a weird note about the lighting, but an interesting observation as the packaging states “7 Color.”

Read: Gaming: Gamdias HERMES E1 Keyboard Combo Review

Moving on, the HERMES 7 Color keyboard has a pleasant aesthetic that I thoroughly enjoy; even more so than the HERMES RGB. The keys are raised, at which point you can see all the lights underneath them. The keys have metal plate stabilizers for added durability. I noticed some reviewers complained, but I believe metal plate stabilizers adds to the keyboard quite well. The HERMES 7 Color is not as compact as the HERMES RGB. The former’s exact dimensions are 18.03 x 8.66 x 1.73 inches. What it lacks in compactness, it makes up for in comfort. The former has a larger wrist plate.

The keys are a bit touchy; it doesn’t take much force at all (45cN) for it to register as a key press. Key presses are quite audible and might drive a few people mental if you’re in the same room with them. Aforementioned occurred with said reviewer using said keyboard while writing this review.

The HERMES 7-Color keyboard has its Windows key on the left side, not on the right side like that of the HERMES RGB keyboard. And now, the Fn key is on the right side of the keyboard, unlike the HERMES RGB, where it’s on the left. As someone who uses the left Windows key a lot, this design choice pleases me. If you like it on the right, like on the HERMES RGB, then great. What I’m saying is it comes down to personal preference.

Wondering about N-key rollover? There’s no need to. Here are the 21 keys: Q, W, E, R, U, I, O, P, \, 7, 8, 9, +, Enter, Backspace, F9, F10, F11, F12, Scroll, and Pause. (Yes, this took a bit of research.)

Read: Gaming: Gamdias HEBE M1 RGB Headset Review

Performance

When it comes to features, this keyboard is very similar to the HERMES RGB. It has the media player shortcuts, a keyboard lock, etc. There’s the “Gaming” lock/button which locks out the Windows key. There are options for brightness control, the ability to change the light pattern speed, and capacity to swap WASD to the arrow keys. The scroll lock notification is still missing from the Num-Lock panel while the key to right click on the keyboard is there. Each key has a 50 million button life cycle.

Both (HERMES 7 Color and RGB) keyboards have very stiff legs to pull up. The HERMES 7 Color legs aren’t as troublesome as the HERMES RGB, but still, I needed a flat head screwdriver to pull them up due to the lack of available finger space. Like the HERMES RGB, the HERMES 7 Color keyboard has Gamdias certified Kailh blue mechanical switches/TTC switches, and the whole thing is connected in with one USB.

They differ in lighting options, size, an extra feature on the HERMES 7 Color, the absence of any macro keys for the keyboard and the fact that the keyboard is not Hera-supported. The HERMES 7 Color keyboard has nine preset lighting modes, while the HERMES RGB has thirteen modes. A couple of these modes are the same on each keyboard. The nine lightning modes are as follows: Normal, Wave, Breathing, Circular Marquees, Marquee, Colored Ribbon, Rotation, Responsive Fade Out, and Ripple. My two favorites are the Colored Ribbon and Ripple as they have the most interesting patterns to them.

The keyboard also has five customizable profiles where you can choose which keys to light up. The HERMES RGB is the same way, but the HERMES 7 Color does this without the HERA software. One big difference is that each key on the HERMES RGB can light up with a unique color, while on the HERMES 7 Color, the color goes by row. As an example, the row containing the “Esc” key and “Pause Break” is green and only green.

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The extra feature on this HERMES 7 Color keyboard is the Consecutive Attack Mode which is activated as quickly as changing the lighting mode. Once it’s enabled, you just press and hold down whatever key you used to attack, and you won’t have to spam it anymore. The keyboard doesn’t have any special macro keys. Since I never use macros, it’s not a problem for me.

You can take the absence of the HERA software as a good or bad thing. Personally, I like its absence because I felt the software was a bit sluggish and buggy, though it got the job done.

Read: Gamdias ZEUS eSport Laser Gaming Mouse Review

Conclusion

I truly like this HERMES 7 Color mechanical gaming keyboard. I like the feel, the aesthetic, and all the color schemes. This keyboard is going to be my principal gaming keyboard until such time when something significantly better comes along.

I don’t have any huge complaints with this keyboard. If I had to pick one, it would be the design itself, not on the keys, just the outside of the keyboard, the outline if you will, is somewhat plain.

The list price of the HERMES 7 Color Keyboard is $99. Fortunately, you can get it for around $50 at Amazon (see link at the bottom of this post.) If you’re looking for a replacement or just tired of your old keyboard, we suggest you pick this one up. In the US, each gaming keyboard comes with a 1-year warranty from date of purchase.

If you’re looking for that entry-level or lower-priced mechanical gaming keyboard, we can definitively say the Hermes 7 Color is a great choice. We recommend you check out this product before making your next purchase.[soliloquy id=”6139″]

Do you agree or disagree with any part of this post? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

Feel free to follow Gamdias on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube as well as this very blog on Twitter and Facebook. And don’t hesitate to head over to the Gamdias website to see their latest gaming hardware.

FTC Disclosure: Gamdias provided Beantown LLC with one (1) HERMES 7 Color Keyboard sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and is not a paid product ambassador.

Read: 12 Monkeys Season 2 DVD/Blu-ray Release Date Announced

Gamdias HERMES RGB Keyboard Review

09/10/2016 By Zach Can

Gamdias, what’s that? My friends, Gamdias is a relatively new company into the gaming hardware and peripherals market. It’s only been four years since they arrived on the scene. On the Gamdias homepage, they showcase their lineup of gaming keyboards, mice, headphones, mouse pads and other accessories. How do we know if their gear is worth your hard-earned money? Well, that’s why you’re, here isn’t? Below, we answer these questions. So without any further delay. Welcome to our Gamdias HERMES RGB Keyboard review.

Review: Gamdias Hermes RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

Read: Gaming: Gamdias HERMES 7 Color Keyboard Review

Design Features

The HERMES RGB is mechanical gaming keyboard with a 50 million push button life cycle. It comes with 16.8 million colors and 13 different lighting effects to choose from. Of these 13, two in particular: “Wave” and “Rainbow Drops,” are very cool. You can change the brightness (4 levels) and speed of the effects to your liking. The brains of the keyboard lie in the ARM® Cortex®-M3 32-bit microprocessor. Unlike its sister keyboard, the HERMES 7 Color, this keyboard has a small, non-removable “wrist plate.” Again, in contrast to the HERMES 7 Color, this keyboard is more compact. Its exact dimensions are 17.3 x 6.7 x 1.46 inches. Personally speaking, while I don’t find the size of the keyboard uncomfortable, I think it would fare better with a slightly bigger “wrist plate.”

Flipping the keyboard over, you’ll notice three channels to direct the braided cable. While this is good design, the keyboard legs are not. Trying to raise the keyboard legs is not so easy as there’s hardly any space to insert a finger or thumb. The HERMES 7 Color is better in this regards. And unlike say the Logitech G710 series keyboard; the HERMES RGB has only one USB connector to plug into your desktop.

Read: Gaming: Gamdias HERMES E1 Keyboard Combo Review

The HERMES RGB keyboard comes with your standard Num-Lock, Caps-Lock, and Scroll-Lock, but it has another lock which is appropriately titled “Gaming.” Enabling “Gaming” disables the Windows key preventing any accidental press of the Windows key fatal. One thing that’s a bit odd is in the top right corner where it shows locks are enabled, it only has three: Num-Lock, Caps-Lock, and Gaming. Scroll Lock isn’t shown at all. The key is there and still toggles, but you have to remember if you left it on or off because it isn’t displayed. Fortunately, I don’t know a single person that uses it.

You can also completely lock the keyboard out, for when you want to vacuum it or pull a key out. A key puller is supplied as part of the package contents. It has the now standard media player controls such as “Previous”, “Next”, “Pause/Play”, “Mute”, “Audio Down”, and “Audio Up”. You can switch “WASD” to the arrow keys and vice versa. Another strange quirk is on the lower left of the keyboard where the Windows Button would be. It’s missing. There’s no actual Windows key, having been replaced with the Fn key. Now, it turns out there is a Windows key, but it’s shared with a “Game” key with the Windows logo beneath it.

On the HERMES 7-Color keyboard, the Fn key and the Windows key are still there. I don’t know about you, but I’m used to the left Windows key. On the right of the keyboard is the only remaining Windows key next to a “right-click” button. It performs the action of right-clicking on the mouse. The icon is a little strange looking, kind of like a pair of headphones eating a string. Seriously.

Read: Gaming: Gamdias HEBE M1 RGB Headset Review

Performance

I had hoped to get through this Gamdias HERMES RGB keyboard review without mentioning anything bad, as the keyboard is quite good.

Speaking of that good, the keys press smoothly and evenly. And the sound they make when pressed it just right. They’re not loud, soft, or annoying. This keyboard utilizes ABS plastic key covers and Kailh blue switches. These switches require 45cN of pressure to actuate. These key covers are made of one plastic, while the lettering of another. You’re going to have to work very hard to get the lettering to come off.

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Sadly, and this is my personal take, HERA is a bit of a pain. This software has to be installed if you want to use all the keyboard features. These features include the following: macros, re-assigning keys, customizing the keyboard lights, setting up sounds and timer, editing the alarm sound for the timer, and setting macro timers. It’s a slow software, with some glitches. The problems with it are a bit larger than I would have liked.

I want to enforce the hardware is great, but the software is not up to par. The software saves every change into 1 of 6 profiles which are stored into the keyboard itself. The HERMES RGB keyboard comes with only two macro keys “G1” and “G2,” not as many as say the Logitech G710. You can trick the HERMES RGB keyboard and assign two macros into each of the six profiles for a total of 12 macros. You can assign the sounds to different keys to give yourself a makeshift soundboard. I found the timer function unnecessary for my needs.

Read: Gamdias ZEUS eSport Laser Gaming Mouse Review

Conclusion

The good thing is you don’t have to use the HERA software to enjoy the Gamdias HERMES RGB keyboard. You can still change the lighting effects using the shortcuts Gamdias placed on the keyboard. But, like I said earlier, you wouldn’t be able to customize them.

My biggest complaint on the HERMES RGB keyboard is the missing left Windows key; it bugs me. And hopefully, you can overlook the delays and bugs in the HERA software. The keyboard itself is beautiful and sturdy. The LED lights are bright and vibrant.

The list price of the HERMES RGB Keyboard is $129.99. Fortunately, you can get it for $85-90 on any given day at Amazon (see link at the bottom of this post.) Don’t hesitate to head over to the Gamdias homepage to see their current line-up of products. The Hermes P1 RGB Mechanical keyboard comes with a 1-year + 2-months warranty.

If you’re looking for a mid-priced mechanical gaming keyboard, we can definitively say the HERMES RGB is a good one. We recommend you check out this product before making your next purchase.[soliloquy id=”5868″]

What do you think of this Gamdias Hermes RGB keyboard review? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

• Follow Gamdias on Twitter
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• Follow Beantown on Twitter
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FTC Disclosure: Gamdias provided Beantown LLC with one (1) HERMES RGB keyboard sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and is not a paid product ambassador.

Read: Silicon Valley Season 3 Release Date Announced for Digital HD

New Speck Apple iPhone 7 Case Designs Are Introduced

09/09/2016 By Hakan Can

New Speck Apple iPhone 7 Case Models (and iPhone 7 Plus too)

Two days ago at the Apple Special Event in San Francisco, CA, the folks at Apple introduced what are arguably their greatest mobile phones created to date–the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. As soon as this event was over, dozens of case manufacturers followed suit and introduced new products of their own for use with Apple’s latest creations. Of these, we at Beantown have our favorites, and among them, comes the latest from Speck. We thought we would see additions to the CandyShell line. Instead we got a whole new line–Presidio. So without further adieu, we’d like to introduce the new Presidio line of Apple iPhone 7 & iPhone 7 Plus case designs from Speck Products.

Introducing Speck Presidio Apple iPhone 7 and 7 Plus Cases

Speck has introduced Presidio, and with it, seven new Apple iPhone 7 and six Apple iPhone 7 Plus case designs:

All new Speck Presidio case designs are available for both the Apple iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, with the exception of the Presidio Wallet. The latter is only available for use with the iPhone 7.

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The Presidio Clear, Clear + Glitter, and Clear + Print case designs are aimed at those who want a clean, clear, maybe even slightly colorful or patterned look. Although these Clear designs are now 8-foot drop tested, they take a minimalist design approach, which is fine for many of us. They also have a dual-layered design.

The Presidio Grip case design offers a slightly higher level of device protection over its Presidio Clear cousins. This model is 10-foot drop tested. And it comes with that famous Speck no-slip grip.

Like the Presidio Grip, the Presidio and Presidio Inked case designs are geared towards those who want a higher level of device protection. These two models come in a dual-layer design which offers better protection when your device hits the ground on one of its corners. This model is 10-foot drop tested.

Like the Presidio and Presidio Inked, the Presidio Wallet case has that higher level of device protection in a dual-layer design. The Wallet is so named as it can hold up to 3 credit cards or a bit of cash. It too is 10-foot drop tested.

Read: Speck's New Business Travel Laptop Backpack and Bag

Speck’s Presidio Case Design

What differentiates Presidio from the CandyShell model is this product they call IMPACTIUM™. It’s their new shock-absorbing material that disperses the load away from the impact site. The Presidio Clear case designs utilize a product called IMPACTIUM™ CLEAR.

According to Bryan Hynecek, Speck’s Design Chief, “Shrinking the bulk-to-protection ratio is the fundamental design challenge we face as we continue to innovative in our industry. Presidio represents a significant breakthrough for the Speck design team. It is the most protective case we’ve built, and adds 20 percent less bulk to your device than CandyShell, which is already the standard for slim impact protection.”

Presidio Clear, Clear + Glitter, and Clear + Print Cases

The new Presidio Clear, Clear + Glitter, and Clear + Print case designs are the perfect way to show off the factory finish of your new Apple iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus.

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These dual-layer cases offer twice the military-grade drop protection and are either completely clear, clear with a printed design, or offer shimmering glitter to display the new finish of your iPhone 7/7 Plus.

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If this isn’t enough, the Presidio Clear is resistant to scratches, ultraviolet light and many chemicals, and it resists yellowing.

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The Presidio Clear case is available in Clear or Onyx Black.

The Presidio Clear + Glitter case is available in Clear, Onyx, and Rose Pink all with Gold Glitter.

The Presidio Clear + Print case, one of our two favorites, is available in 9 designs, all shown above.

All three Speck Presidio Clear model lines come with IMPACTIUM™ CLEAR protection.

Read: Speck's New Back To School Backpacks for 2016

Presidio Grip iPhone 7 Cases

As we mentioned above, the Presidio Grip case designs offer more protection over its Presidio Clear cousins. And this case design is 10-foot drop tested, more then double the military standard MIL-STD-810F.

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The Presidio Grip case is available in 6 designs, all shown above.

Presidio and Presidio Inked iPhone 7 Cases

The Presidio and Presidio Inked have wraparound designs, printed with scratch-resistant technology. Between these two case designs, you’ve got 16 patterns to choose from for your Apple iPhone 7. These two designs offer some truly eye-catching patterns and color combinations that make protecting your phone more stylish than ever.

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The Presidio case is available in in 7 designs, all shown above.

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The Presidio Inked case, the second of our two favorites, is available in 9 designs, all shown above.

Presidio Wallet iPhone 7 Cases

The most intriguing of all the Speck Presidio line is the Presidio Wallet. Having the ability to secure up to 3 credit cards or some cash within the case puts everything within one pocket, minus your keys of course.

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The Presidio Wallet case is available in 3 designs: Black/Black, Mineral Teal/Jewel Teal, and Syrah Purple/Magenta Pink.

Speck’s Presidio, Presidio Inked, Presidio Grip, and Presidio Wallet model lines all come with IMPACTIUM™ shock barrier protection.

Read: The Best Speck CandyShell iPhone 6/6s Cases of 2016

Speckulations and Final Thoughts

As you’ve seen above, Speck has a lot more to offer than most case manufacturers when it comes to protecting your Apple iPhone 7 & iPhone 7 devices.

Speck continues to raise the bar on the competition with their Presidio series. Speck’s Presidio cases have a limited lifetime warranty with a 30-day guarantee.

Presidio Clear, Clear + Glitter, and Clear + Inked are available at SpeckProducts, Amazon (see below) and other online and brick-and-mortar retailers with list pricing of $39.95 and $44.95 (2), respectively.

Presidio and Presidio Grip are available with list pricing of $39.95.

Presidio Inked and Presidio Wallet are available with list pricing of $44.95.

Feel free to follow Speck on Twitter and Facebook as well as this very blog on Twitter and Facebook.

All photographs are the copyrighted property of Speck Products/Samsonite IP Holdings.

Read: New Speck Samsung Galaxy Note7 Case Models Are Introduced

New Trident Apple iPhone 7 Case Models Are Introduced

09/07/2016 By Hakan Can

At the Apple Special Event in San Francisco, CA, the folks at Apple introduced what is arguably their greatest mobile phones created to date–the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. As soon as this was over, dozens of case manufacturers followed suit and introduced new products of their own for use with Apple’s latest creations. Of these, we at Beantown have our favorites, and among them, comes the latest from Trident Case. So without further adieu, we’d like to introduce to you, the new Apple iPhone 7 & iPhone 7 Plus case designs from Trident Case.

Updated Dec 2016. As part of Trident Case’s holiday campaign, everything site wide is 40% off, plus free shipping with Coupon Code Holiday40. If interested, act quickly as this discount only lasts through December 31, 2016.

New Trident Apple iPhone 7 Case Models (as well as iPhone 7 Plus)

Today, Trident Case introduced four cases for the Apple iPhone 7: Aegis, Cyclops, Kraken AMS, and Krios, and three for the the iPhone 7 Plus: Aegis, Kraken AMS, and Krios. Each model is geared toward a different user.

The Krios dual case is aimed at those who like a clean, clear looking mobile phone. It takes a minimalist design approach to protection, which is just fine for many of us.

The Aegis series case is geared towards those who want (and likely need) a medium level of case protection. It also adds some color in the palm of your hand.

The Cyclops iPhone 7 case takes the level of protection a bit higher, but not quite to Kraken A.M.S. territory. This higher level of protection comes with 8 feet of drop protection.

The Kraken AMS series case is for those who need heavy-duty protection for their mobile phone. It’s ideal for those who work in rugged environments as well as those in the trades (construction, electrical, plumbing, etc.) It now has 10 feet of drop protection.

Read: Review: Adidas Sport Supernova In-Ear Headphones by Monster

The Heavy-Duty, Military-Tested Kraken A.M.S.

The Kraken A.M.S. case line has been around since August 2013 when it was first introduced for roughly 40 mobile products. Since then, it’s been available for an additional 40+ products and now, it makes its way onto the Apple iPhone 7 & 7 Plus. This is the toughest case Trident Case manufacturers. Need proof? Just look at the military standards the Kraken A.M.S. case has passed:

Drop (Mil-STD-810F, Method 516.5) – 26 drops onto concrete from 4 feet.
Vibration (Mil-STD-810F, Method 514.5) from 20-2000Hz across 3 different axes for a total of 18 hours.
Dust (Mil-STD-810F, Method 510.4) – blow dust for 3 hours at 29 ft/sec.
Sand (Mil-STD-810F, Method 510.4) – blow sand for 3 hours at 59 ft/sec.
Rain (Mil-STD-810F, Method 506.4) – 7.9 inches per hour of rain at 40 mph wind velocity for 1 hour.

(Information provided by Trident Case via independent testing.)

If you’ve got one of these cases on your Apple iPhone 6/6s, then you know how sturdy and reliable this case is. And if you’re looking for accessories for the Kraken A.M.S. series, look no further. There are more Kraken A.M.S. accessories than you can shake a stick at.

Trident Case Kraken AMS Series for Apple iPhone 7

Features of the Kraken A.M.S. Case include the following:

Drop protection per MIL-Standard.
Hardened bio-enhanced Polycarbonate shell construction.
Shock-absorbing Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) interior construction.
Dust filters via waterproof meshing.
Controls and ports protected.
Belt clip/holster provided.
Built-in screen protector.
Removable aluminum media stand.
Optional interchangeable accessories.
Quick and easy installation.
Eco-friendly design.
Recyclable, degradable and compostable.

The Kraken A.M.S. Series™ iPhone 7 cases are available September 19th. They come in 3 unique colors: black, crimson, and teal, and list for $44.99.

Read: New Trident Samsung Galaxy Note7 Case Models Are Introduced

The Well Protected Cyclops

Like the Kraken AMS, the Cyclops case line has been around since August 2013 when it was first introduced for roughly 125 mobile products. Since then, it’s been available for an additional 90 products and now, it makes its way onto the Apple iPhone 7 & 7 Plus.

The Cyclops case offers a superior amount of protection. It passes the same tough military standards listed for the Kraken A.M.S., but in a slimmer body.

If you’ve got one of these cases on your Microsoft Surface Pro 4, Samsung Galaxy S6, or Apple iPhone 5/5s/6/6s, then you know how sturdy and reliable this model is.

Trident Case Cyclops Series for Apple iPhone 7

Features of the Cyclops case include the following:

Drop protection per MIL-Standard.
Hardened bio-enhanced Polycarbonate shell construction.
Shock-absorbing Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) interior construction.
Dust filters via waterproof meshing.
Controls and ports protected.
Belt clip/holster provided.
Built-in screen protector.
Removable aluminum media stand.
Optional interchangeable accessories.
Quick and easy installation.
Eco-friendly design.
Recyclable, degradable and compostable.

The Cyclops Series Apple iPhone 7 cases are available now. They come in 3 unique colors: black, crimson, and navy blue, and list for $34.99.

Read: The New Case Logic Urban Commuter Laptop Backpacks for Men and Women

The Stylish and Durable Aegis

The Aegis case line has been around since August 2013 when it was first introduced for no less than 100 mobile products. Now, there are some 200+ models in the Aegis line including those for the Apple iPhone 7 & 7 Plus.

The construction of this Aegis case is very much like that for Apple’s iPhone 6/6S. The ruggedness is intact. The Military standards for drop and vibrations are intact. The polycarbonate and a thermoplastic elastomer construction are intact.

Trident Case Aegis Series for Apple iPhone 7

Features of the Aegis Case include the following:

Drop protection of 4′ per MIL-Standard.
Hardened bio-enhanced Polycarbonate shell construction.
Shock-absorbing Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) interior construction.
Textured and padded interior.
Controls and ports protected.
Quick and easy installation.
Eco-friendly design.
Recyclable, degradable and compostable.

The Aegis Series™ iPhone 7 cases are available now. They come in 3 unique colors: black, crimson, and navy blue, and list for $24.99.

Read: Trident Introduces New Samsung Galaxy S7 Cases

The Completely Transparent Dual Case Krios

The Krios case line has been around since November 2014 when it was first introduced for the Apple iPhone 6. It wasn’t until 5 months later in March 2015, when we started to see clear versions of the Krios case. A couple of dozen models later, it’s September 2016 and two more Krios models are introduced, this time for the Apple iPhone 7 & 7 Plus.

Upon examination of this new Krios Dual case you’ll notice the thin, lightweight design, and the use of Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) material. You’ll also notice differences such as the smooth surface on the Krios Dual case.

Trident Case Krios Series for Apple iPhone 7

Features of the Krios Dual Case include the following:

Impact-resistant outer body.
Clear, hardened bio-enhanced polycarbonate body.
Clear Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) shock-absorbing edges.
Quick and easy installation.
Lightweight protection.
Eco-friendly design.
Recyclable, degradable and compostable.

The Krios Series™ Dual iPhone 7 cases are available now. They come in 2 unique colors: black and clear, and list for $14.99.

Read: Game of Thrones Season 6 Release Date Announced for Blu-ray/DVD

Final Thoughts

As you’ve seen above, Trident Case has a bit of everything to offer to all you future Apple iPhone 7 & iPhone 7 Plus owners.

If Trident Case’s offering match your needs, you may want to order a case today. As mentioned above, they’re offering 40% off site wide, plus free shipping with Coupon Code Holiday40. If interested, act quickly as this discount only lasts through December 31, 2016.

To see the latest Trident Apple iPhone 7 case lines or Apple iPhone 7 Plus case lines, click on either link.

Feel free to follow Trident Case on Twitter and Facebook as well as this blog on Twitter and Facebook.

All photos and video are courtesy and property of Apple and Trident Case.

Read: Introducing the Targus Mobile ViP Collection - Premium Laptop Cases

Giveaways

09/05/2016 By Hakan Can

If you’re on this post, then you’re interested in one thing and one thing only–Free Stuff.

Always remember to do the following with regards to each giveaway:

Read the rules. There are statements like “giveaway is open to U.S. citizens and legal residents only.” Occasionally we’ll open a giveaway to Canadians too.
Confirm your entry. After you’ve done what you’re supposed to do on the website, you’ll receive an email. This is where you confirm your entry.
If you’re a spammer or some clown at work, your entry will be removed ahead of the drawing.
You can also find our giveaways on social media, i.e. Reddit, Twitter, etc. under the hashtag #giveaway. Good Luck.

Current Giveaway

Expired Giveaways

From October 26 to November 6, 2018, we’re giving away one (1) copy of BlacKkKlansman on Blu-ray™ + Digital. You can read about the BlacKkKlansman 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray & DVD release on the link above.

If you would like to enter the BlacKkKlansman Giveaway, you can do so by clicking the preceding link.

Don’t forget to read the Rules and be in compliance with them. USA Only. Good Luck.

From June 8 to June 12, 2018, we’re giving away one (1) copy of Silicon Valley Season 5 on Digital HD. If you want to enter the giveaway, you can do so by clicking the preceding link. Don’t forget to read the Rules and be in compliance with them. Good Luck.

From April 17 to Noon on April 24, 2018, we’re giving away one (1) copy of Den of Thieves on Blu-ray™ + DVD + Digital HD. If you want to enter the giveaway, you can do so by clicking the preceding link. Don’t forget to read the Rules and be in compliance with them. Good Luck.

From Noon on Jan 6 to 11 PM on Jan 14, 2018, we’re giving away two (2) download codes for Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 9 on Digital HD. If you want to enter the giveaway, you can do so by clicking the preceding link. Don’t forget to read the Rules and be in compliance with them. And please read the accompanying posts. Good Luck.

Congratulations to our two winners.

From Dec 12 to 1 PM Dec 19, 2017, we’re giving away two (2) download codes for Vice Principals Season 2 on Digital HD. If you want to enter the giveaway, you can do so by clicking the preceding link. Don’t forget to read the Rules and be in compliance with them. And please read the accompanying products posts. Good luck.

Congratulations to our two winners: Andy and Geraldine.

From Noon Dec 1 to 10 PM Dec 11, 2017, we’re giving away one (1) download code for The Deuce Season 1 on Digital HD. If you want to enter the giveaway, you can do so by clicking the preceding link. Don’t forget to read the Rules and be in compliance with them. And please read the accompanying products posts. Good luck.

Congratulations to our winner Ashley.

From 11 PM Sept 27 to 11:45 PM October 3, 2017, we’re giving away two (2) download codes of Game of Thrones Season 7 on Digital HD. If you want to enter the giveaway, you can do so by clicking the preceding link. Don’t forget to read the Rules and be in compliance with them. And please read the accompanying products posts. Good luck.

Congratulations to our two winners: Andy and Mark.

From 5 PM Sept 10 to 9 PM September 22, 2017, we’re giving away one (1) ADATA 16GB USB 3.1 Type C UC350 Flash Drive, (1) Beyerdynamic Byron BT Wireless In-Ear Headphones, (1) Moshi IonBank 5K Battery Charger, (1) Targus Mobile ViP Slim Brief Bag, and (1) Water Bottle to One (1) Lucky Winner in our Grad School 2017 Giveaway. If you want to enter the giveaway, you can do so by clicking the preceding link. Don’t forget to read the rules. And please read the accompanying products posts. Good luck.

From 8:30 PM Aug 31 to 8 PM September 7, 2017, we’re giving away one (1) Speck Module Backpack, (1) ADATA 16GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive, (1) Monster iSport Wireless SuperSlim In-Ear Headphones, (1) Patriot Fuel+ 6000mAh Battery Charger, and (1) Water Bottle in our Back-to-school 2017 giveaway. If you want to enter the giveaway, you can do so by clicking the preceding link above. Don’t forget to read the rules first. Good luck.

From 3 PM July 24 to 7 PM August 1, 2017, we’re giving away one (1) Gamdias ZEUS P1 RGB Gaming Mouse. If you want to enter the giveaway, you can do so by clicking the link above. Don’t forget to read the rules first. Good luck.

From 4 PM April 12 to 10 PM April 23, 2017, we’re giving away one (1) Speck Velocity Backpack and (1) iPhone 7 Presidio Grip Case. The Velocity backpack comes in light blue/green and the Presidio Grip case comes in black. If you want to enter the giveaway, you can do so by clicking the link above. Good luck.

From 11 PM January 2 to Noon January 10, 2017, we’re giving away one (1) Triby Smart Portable Speaker with Alexa Voice Service from Invoxia. It comes with gray or orange bumpers, your choice. If you want to enter the giveaway, you can do so by clicking the link above. Good luck.

From 8 PM October 12 to 11:30 AM October 18, 2016, we’re giving away two (2) copies of Bad Moms on Digital HD. If you want to enter the giveaway, you can do so by clicking the link above. Good luck.

From 5 PM September 30 to 11:30 AM October 10, 2016, we’re giving away the item to the left, one (1) Beoplay Play H6 Headphones. Want to know more about it? You can read our Beoplay H6 headphones review here. If you just want to enter the giveaway, you can do so by clicking the first link above. Good luck.

From September 3rd to 11 AM September 12, 2016, we’re giving away the item to the left, one (1) Petzi Treat Cam courtesy of Petzila. Want to know more about it? You can read our Petzi Treat Cam Review here. If you just want to enter the giveaway, you can enter the Petzi Treat Cam giveaway here.

Congratulations to Jessica M (and her dog) on winning the giveaway.

From August 15 to 11:45 AM August 22, 2016, we’re giving away the item to the left, one (1) copy of The Huntsman: Winter’s War on Blu-ray™ courtesy of UPHE. Want to know more about it? You can read all about The Huntsman: Winter’s War Blu-ray™ here. If you just want to enter the giveaway, you can enter from the first link above.

Congratulations to Elizabeth S. on winning the giveaway.