West Channel Rd. Designer on Her Morning-to-Midnight Knitwear Line
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Photograph: Henri Robbins
The 60HE v2’s simple internal design makes repairs easy, allowing the keyboard to be disassembled in seconds. Despite this ease of access, Wooting’s solid construction ensures everything stays securely in place. Inside, you will find a plate, switches, a silicone layer, a PCB with rubber feet on the underside, your choice of sound dampening layer, and the case.
Switch compatibility is often a weak point for analog keyboards, but the 60HE v2 easily outpaces competitors from Keychron, Razer, and ROG, which typically only support two or three options. By adopting the widely used KS-20 design, the 60HE v2 works with switches from Gateron, Geon, and several other manufacturers, giving users a constantly growing range of options.
My only real complaint is the adherence to the standard GH60 form factor, which places the USB-C port directly on the left side of the PCB. While I would prefer a centered port on a separate daughterboard for convenience and repairability, I understand the choice. The benefits of standardization for both consumers and manufacturers ultimately outweigh this minor design gripe.
I’m impressed by how well this keyboard performs across every metric. The build quality is robust, the switches are smooth and consistent, and nearly every aspect can be tailored to the individual player. Aside from the lack of wireless connectivity, it leaves nothing to be desired.
The 60HE v2 is easily one of the best gaming keyboards available today. While it is currently backordered, if you are willing to be patient, it is absolutely worth the $240 price tag.
The most controversial feature is Simultaneous Opposing Cardinal Direction (SOCD) customization. This allows one key to override another rather than registering both simultaneously, which is ideal for strafing in tactical shooters like Counter-Strike 2 and Valorant. The difference in reaction speed is immediately noticeable, making quick peeks far more consistent. However, because of the distinct advantage it provides, the feature has been banned in some competitive games because it reduces the delay between directional movement to near-zero levels without requiring any additional skills.
Testing these features across a variety of shooters and racing games, I was consistently impressed by the level of fine-tuning Wootility offers—something not possible on a traditional mechanical keyboard.
The gaming experience of this keyboard is simply impressive. The switches are incredibly smooth and consistent, offering granular control with near-instantaneous, low-latency inputs. While older Hall Effect keyboards from competitors like Keychron and Asus often lacked the tactile feel of traditional mechanical designs, Wooting’s Lekker switches easily bridge the gap.
The RGB lighting also looks great and is deeply customizable. Like most LEDs, it tends to lean slightly blue, but this is easily corrected in the software (I set mine to 203/192/180 for a true white). It is a minor quirk in an otherwise impressive lighting setup.
Photograph: Henri Robbins
The 60HE v2’s simple internal design makes repairs easy, allowing the keyboard to be disassembled in seconds. Despite this ease of access, Wooting’s solid construction ensures everything stays securely in place. Inside, you will find a plate, switches, a silicone layer, a PCB with rubber feet on the underside, your choice of sound dampening layer, and the case.
Switch compatibility is often a weak point for analog keyboards, but the 60HE v2 easily outpaces competitors from Keychron, Razer, and ROG, which typically only support two or three options. By adopting the widely used KS-20 design, the 60HE v2 works with switches from Gateron, Geon, and several other manufacturers, giving users a constantly growing range of options.
My only real complaint is the adherence to the standard GH60 form factor, which places the USB-C port directly on the left side of the PCB. While I would prefer a centered port on a separate daughterboard for convenience and repairability, I understand the choice. The benefits of standardization for both consumers and manufacturers ultimately outweigh this minor design gripe.
I’m impressed by how well this keyboard performs across every metric. The build quality is robust, the switches are smooth and consistent, and nearly every aspect can be tailored to the individual player. Aside from the lack of wireless connectivity, it leaves nothing to be desired.
The 60HE v2 is easily one of the best gaming keyboards available today. While it is currently backordered, if you are willing to be patient, it is absolutely worth the $240 price tag.
The most controversial feature is Simultaneous Opposing Cardinal Direction (SOCD) customization. This allows one key…
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I’ve spent months researching home batteries, chatting to folks who use them, and then having one installed myself, and I have tips for anyone interested in getting a home battery of their own.
There are several reasons you might want to invest in a home battery, and they are not mutually exclusive:
Home batteries are a win-win, potentially benefiting power companies too, because battery storage is an essential part of grid balancing and can help manage and make the most of the intermittent power generated by renewables (solar, wind, waves).
Photograph: Simon Hill
A home battery is like a big power bank for your home. But rather than lithium-ion, they tend to be lithium iron phosphate (LFP or LiFePO4), because it is safer, more durable, and less prone to thermal runaway. In other words, less likely to overheat and burst into flames. There are a few manufacturers working with sodium-ion (Na-ion) batteries, which are potentially cheaper, more environmentally friendly (they don’t require lithium), and perform better in the cold, but they are also larger and don’t last as long.
Home battery technology is often the same as you’ll find in electric vehicles. Some folks have even suggested employing EV batteries as home batteries. But there are potential issues with that, not least finding your car battery drained in the morning. EVs are also driving the technology forward toward solid-state batteries, which are smaller for the same capacity, safer as they don’t have liquid electrolytes inside, and longer lasting.
Many home batteries come in modular systems, so you can add the capacity you want, but they require an inverter to convert the DC (direct current) power stored to AC (alternating current) power you can use. Folks with solar panels, or those who plan to add them in the future, should opt for a hybrid inverter, which can also convert the power from the panels for use or storage.
Inverters have different power ratings in kilowatts (kW) that dictate how much power you can draw at any given moment. Households with modest needs may get by with a 3.6-kW inverter, but that limits your continuous draw to 3.6 kW. They usually have a peak load capability that goes higher, enabling you to pull more for a brief period. If you have high-demand appliances like an EV charger or heat pump, you will want at least 5 kW, and folks with larger demands or larger batteries will want to go higher (6 to 10 kW).
There are several things to watch out for when buying a home battery:
EcoFlow via Simon Hill
It can be tricky to calculate how much battery capacity you need, and it depends on your use case. If you want to guard against outages or live off-grid, you must consider how much power you use over time and also the sum of your maximum power usage at any given moment to ensure your capacity in kWh and output in kW are enough. If the output is not high enough you may not be able to run power-hungry appliances at the same time, so you’ll have to think about how you use your power.
For folks like me, simply looking to buy at a cheaper rate to use when power is more expensive, any capacity will benefit you. But if you have a cheap six-hour rate overnight, for example, then you ideally want it to last for the other 18 hours. It makes sense to get as much as you can up-front because the installation costs are high. Even adding to modular systems later often requires professional installation to avoid voiding your warranty.
The home battery will connect to your main electrical panel via a cable, and it may require some upgrades. There was no room on my fuse board when I got a home battery installed, so they had to install a second breaker box.
Some inverters may require permission from your electric distribution utility or local distribution company. Here in Scotland, the distribution network operator must approve your inverter, but you can install and then notify up to 3.6 kW, whereas larger inverters require prior approval.
With electricity costs soaring, home batteries have never looked so attractive. Whether you want to store the excess generated by your solar panels or simply buy electricity at the cheapest possible rate to use later when power is most expensive, a home battery can help. It’s never been easier to get a home battery installed, but this rapidly expanding market can be confusing, and there are several things to consider before you buy.
I’ve spent months researching home batteries, chatting to folks who use them, and then having one installed myself, and I have tips for anyone interested in getting a home battery of their own.
There are several reasons you might want to invest in a home battery, and they are not mutually exclusive:
Home batteries are a win-win, potentially benefiting power companies too, because battery storage is an essential part of grid balancing and can help manage and make the most of the intermittent power generated by renewables (solar, wind, waves).
Photograph: Simon Hill
A home battery is like a big power bank for your home. But rather than lithium-ion, they tend to be lithium iron phosphate (LFP or LiFePO4), because it is safer, more durable, and less prone to thermal runaway. In other words, less likely to overheat and burst into flames. There are a few manufacturers working with sodium-ion (Na-ion) batteries, which are potentially cheaper, more environmentally friendly (they don’t require lithium), and perform better in the cold, but they are also larger and don’t last as long.
Home battery technology is often the same as you’ll find in electric vehicles. Some folks have even suggested employing EV batteries as home batteries. But there are potential issues with that, not least finding your car battery drained in the morning. EVs are also driving the technology forward toward solid-state batteries, which are smaller for the same capacity, safer as they don’t have liquid electrolytes inside, and longer lasting.
Many home batteries come in modular systems, so you can add the capacity you want, but they require an inverter to convert the DC (direct current) power stored to AC (alternating current) power you can use. Folks with solar panels, or those who plan to add them in the future, should opt for a hybrid inverter, which can also convert the power from the panels for use or storage.
Inverters have different power ratings in kilowatts (kW) that dictate how much power you can draw at any given moment. Households with modest needs may get by with a 3.6-kW inverter, but that limits your continuous draw to 3.6 kW. They usually have a peak load capability that goes higher, enabling you to pull more for a brief period. If you have high-demand appliances like an EV charger or heat pump, you will want at least 5 kW, and folks with larger demands or larger batteries will want to go higher (6 to 10 kW).
There are several things to watch out for when buying a home battery:
EcoFlow via Simon Hill
It can be tricky to calculate how much battery capacity you need, and it depends on your use case. If you want to guard against outages or live off-grid, you must consider how much power you use over time and also the sum of your maximum power usage at any given moment to ensure your capacity in kWh and output in kW are enough. If the output is not high enough you may not be able to run power-hungry appliances at the same time, so you’ll have to think about how you use your power.
For folks like me, simply looking to buy at a cheaper rate to use when power is more expensive, any capacity will benefit you. But if you have a cheap six-hour rate overnight, for example, then you ideally want it to last for the other 18 hours. It makes sense to get as much as you can up-front because the installation costs are high. Even adding to modular systems later often requires professional installation to avoid voiding your warranty.
The home battery will connect to your main electrical panel via a cable, and it may require some upgrades. There was no room on my fuse board when I got a home battery installed, so they had to install a second breaker box.
Some inverters may require permission from your electric distribution utility or local distribution company. Here in Scotland, the distribution network operator must approve your inverter, but you can install and then notify up to 3.6 kW, whereas larger inverters require prior approval.
With electricity costs soaring, home batteries have never looked so attractive. Whether you want to…
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On the Netflix show Legends, AI processing was used to enhance a dimly lit office scene to bring up the contrast. I had a similar experience watching scenes from Awake on Netflix, which takes place mostly at night. I could still see the main characters even in darker areas of the scene. YouTube videos of WIRED interviews looked clear and colorful as well. In comparison, low-cost televisions seem more like a computer display with stark bright colors playing the same clips.
Samsung also leveraged AI to improve sound quality. In time for the World Cup, Samsung’s new AI audio feature helps enhance the volume of the broadcaster voices while lowering distracting crowd noises when watching soccer matches. For movies, the AI Sound Controller Pro sliders can help boost voices and reduce the volume of background music, but the experience is still buggy. While I could adjust the sliders, they’d always revert back to the default settings. Still, with Dolby Atmos support, I found myself immersed in the experience as audio emanated from around the room when watching Unbroken.
There were also several glitches I’ve noticed in testing. AirPlay worked fine, but when trying to use Google Cast to stream Alien: Romulus on HBO Max from my Android phone, an error occurred. Cloud gaming on GeForce NOW also presented with a bug that prevented me from authenticating with the service. Samsung reps are looking into these issues.
Despite the bugs, I’m convinced that The Frame Pro is a capable gaming display. Gamers looking to connect a console or gaming PC can use the Mini HDMI port on the rear of the television or the Wireless One Connect box. Both support refresh rates up to 240 Hz. I’m not a competitive gamer, so I stuck with the breakout box to connect my PC. I was amazed at Crimson Desert’s stutter-free performance. Everything looked rich and vibrant—there were also no delays using an Xbox controller.
I also tested the Aphelion using the Xbox Cloud Gaming app for console-free gaming. Other than slight stuttering due to lag, it all worked fine. Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, a game that typically looks washed out on some competing TVs and projectors, appears vibrant on the screen.
The Frame Pro 2026 is an exceptional art television, and it’s among the best I’ve tested. Improvements to the Tizen OS, matte finish with anti-glare coating, and AI enhancements make it even more appealing. My only slight pause is the price. The Amazon Ember Artline also looks stunning and costs about $900 less. But The Frame Pro is the one you want for absolute realism and vivid colors.
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