Razer introduces Synapse 2.0

Razer also wants in on the cloud bandwagon with their latest release for gamers and gamers only – if you’re looking to stash all your extra files from your hard drive online, look somewhere else. We’re talking about the Razer Synapse 2.0 which is touted to be the world’s first application for storing your personalized peripheral settings in a cloud environment, so that your gaming settings are always accessible to you just about anywhere and anytime. This is clearly a vast improvement compared to the late 1990s when I carried around my Quake config file on a 3.5″ disk so that I need not re-bind all the relevant keys with each new computer I use.

Glad to know that the next iteration of Synapse is an improvement over its predecessor, where that proved to be the world’s first onboard memory feature for gaming peripherals which was introduced half a decade ago. Basically, with version 2.0, you are now able to store gaming macros, key binds, and profiles directly to the cloud – letting you gain full access to your entire repertoire of peripheral hardware settings. Just make sure that there is a decent Internet connection in the vicinity before you are able to harness the power of Synapse 2.0, of course.

You might not think much of Razer Synapse 2.0 at the moment, but to know that your entire Razer peripheral settings for any next generation Razer gaming device is automatically stored in a cloud server makes plenty of sense – imagine bringing your mouse to a LAN event, where you can right away synchronize your custom settings by logging into Razer Synapse 2.0. Heck, you can still access your custom settings even when gaming with Razer peripherals that are not yours but host provided, leaving you with more time to psyche yourself up for the next match instead of wasting time setting up controls.

In fact, Razer Synapse 2.0 does more than that, including automatically downloading drivers, game add-ons, and firmware updates the moment they are released by Razer so that your device remains updated at all times.

Sony has software update for Google TV platform

The Google TV platform that delivers a special kind of entertainment experience which can be found on Sony Internet TV, in addition to the Sony Internet TV Blu-ray Disc player. Just what does the latest version of Google TV deliver? For starters, it will not only deliver all that the current Google TV has, it will also throw into the mix the Android Market to satisfy your lust for more apps. At launch, you will be treated to hundreds of apps, where many of them have been specially designed and optimized for TV use.

This particularly exciting update will roll out to all connected Sony Internet TV devices as early as next week, so do keep a keen eye out if you fall under the “receiver” category.

This update is said to deliver a simpler and cleaner interface, alongside the mandatory “improved performance” which is often associated with any software update. Not only that, Google being Google has also injected this update with better search functionality to all currently installed Sony Internet TV and Sony Internet TV Blu-ray owners. Apart from that, future consumers of Sony Internet TVs and Blu-ray Disc players will also be on the receiving end of the update during the initial start-up installation.

Steve Haber, EVP, Sony Electronics says, “Connected experiences are a pillar of Sony’s value to TV consumers and Sony Internet Television powered by Google TV certainly brings ‘smart’ connectivity to the highest level. We very much look forward to the possibilities the Android Market will create for customers to personalize their experience. Users will enjoy the new features that this update brings to their interactive engagement with home entertainment programming, either through Sony Internet TVs or Bu-ray Disc players.”

During launch, original Sony applications will also sport TrackID that will be able to search and identify music heard on TV broadcasts, packaged media or streaming video. Not only that, Sony Select will also offer a curated collection, where it highlights featured applications to consumers in an easy-to-browse manner.