Home Gaming E3 2014 – Razer peripheral will make you a better human

E3 2014 – Razer peripheral will make you a better human

2 min read
43

Razer nabu

Razer had a few things to show off at E3 this year – some pretty new headsets and even a bunch of World of Tanks gear. However, the most interesting gadget has to be the Razer Nabu, and we all need it ASAP.

With the Razer Nabu, the company is entering into the “smart band” market, combining the smart watch approach with the sensors of a fitness band. Plus, it’s designed as an open device, giving developers an open Software Development Kit (SDK) so anyone can make new apps for it. But it’s the smart phone integration that I thought was genius, and should be required for all.

There is a small screen on the band, worn so that is sits on the inside of the wrist (not against your skin, but the underside so invisible when you rest your hand on a table). The screen shows notifications from your phone – texts, tweets, emails, etc. The band vibrates when you get a new notification so that you can discretely check your wrist, shaking off the notification if it doesn’t require your immediate attention. In this way, you can actually enjoy a social encounter with real live people without constantly checking your phone – no need to keep phones on the table in case of message, people can use the Nabu as their phone’s butler, subtly notifying you when someone is trying to contact you.

This seems like the smart band that I’ve been waiting for. I love that it can offer all the fitness things – pedometer, sleep monitor – as well as linking through to my phone. Plus, with the completely open SDK, there is plenty of room for development. I would love to see the cool apps that could emerge for the Nabu, and I really want one of these. Sure, it’s just a gadget, but this looks like the type of gadget that could improve my ability to relax during social engagements, and stop irritating people thanks to all the notifications that I get on my phone.

Are you keen for a gadget like this, or do you think Razer should still with the gaming related peripherals?

Last Updated: June 18, 2014

43 Comments

  1. Pieter Kruger

    June 18, 2014 at 14:35

    Dit laat jou beter boom klim ook!

    Reply

    • Rainman

      June 18, 2014 at 14:51

      Waarsku dit jou ook as jy boom rook?

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        June 18, 2014 at 14:55

        Of kan dit jou wys waar mens boom kan koop?

        Reply

        • HvR - THE Average GAmer

          June 18, 2014 at 14:56

          iBoom, kry dit nou!!!

          Reply

  2. Kensei Seraph

    June 18, 2014 at 14:41

    I want this, if only so that I actually notice when I receive a message.
    There are some gaming applications I can think of but most of those depend on whether this has a built-in GPS.

    Reply

    • Lourens Jordaan

      June 18, 2014 at 15:20

      I can think of at least one gaming application: You don’t have to put down your PS4 controller to see who’s trying to contact you. Not the application you were referring to but still. I like it.

      Reply

  3. Admiral Chief Cyber Commando

    June 18, 2014 at 14:45

    Seems cool, but just barely

    Reply

  4. DarthZA

    June 18, 2014 at 14:45

    This is actually something that I would welcome. Usually things like this I don’t really care for, but I can see myself picking this up.

    Reply

  5. Sageville

    June 18, 2014 at 14:48

    The more I read the review the more I’m convinced you are trying to sell me a repackaged one of these…

    Reply

    • Lourens Jordaan

      June 18, 2014 at 15:19

      What you say is true but for one simple thing…. You don’t have to put down your PS4 controller to see who’s trying to contact you. I like it.

      Reply

  6. Hammersteyn

    June 18, 2014 at 14:48

    What’s the hold up? Wristbands? Stop pussyfooting and stick microchips in my brain already. At least it doesn’t make you look like an ass when you have one of those Bluetooth devices sticking out of your ear

    Reply

  7. HvR - THE Average GAmer

    June 18, 2014 at 14:50

    ” stop irritating people thanks to all the notifications that I get on my phone.” I do not have this problem #SP_Forever

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      June 18, 2014 at 14:54

      Neither do I, I turn my phone off when I’m sleeping or don’t want to be disturbed. Shocking I know, cell phones can tun off O_o

      Reply

      • HvR - THE Average GAmer

        June 18, 2014 at 14:57

        Well since it is Xbone colours you will probably only have Pieter as a friend after a week.

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          June 18, 2014 at 14:59

          Hahahaha shame man. That green though. Still has me thinking of green cross shoes

          Reply

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        June 18, 2014 at 15:09

        lol. I’ve set my phone not to ring at all from like 8pm to 7am, and later on weekends. So it’s on, you can phone, I just won’t hear it. If you’re lucky I’ll see the little blue notification light. People can’t seem to understand it.

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          June 18, 2014 at 15:10

          I would do the same but I don’t want the people to think I’m ignoring them. Can’t lose any more friends as it is.

          Reply

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            June 18, 2014 at 15:16

            Well technically I’m not ignoring them, I don’t want to talk to them because I’m busy. Wait… that sounds worse O_o

          • Hammersteyn

            June 18, 2014 at 15:34

            LOL it does

  8. Sith JJ

    June 18, 2014 at 14:53

    But!!!
    Can it help you maintain your balance like those other bands?

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      June 18, 2014 at 14:54

      Yeah, if you buy one for each arm

      Reply

    • HvR - THE Average GAmer

      June 18, 2014 at 15:15

      That is extra $10 DLC loaded on the bands

      Reply

      • Sith JJ

        June 18, 2014 at 15:49

        LOL

        Reply

  9. Dutch Matrix

    June 18, 2014 at 15:01

    Dear Lazygamer writers:

    THIS is how you write an article: “…developers an open Software Development Kit (SDK)”
    Zoe, please keep up the good work.
    Much appreciated
    Dutch.

    Reply

    • Kensei Seraph

      June 18, 2014 at 15:05

      Q: But what does she mean by open SDK?
      A: It means it’s available for anyone who wants it, although you might have to create an account. *mutters*lazy bugger*mutters*

      Reply

      • Dutch Matrix

        June 18, 2014 at 15:20

        No, I kind of figured out, based on the sentence what an Open SDK is. My main gripe is with authors using acronyms like MOBA and GLQBBTTSSRRSSzz and not telling us what the flip it all means.

        Reply

        • Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim

          June 18, 2014 at 15:23

          That’s a great tip. Will keep that in mind.

          Reply

        • Kensei Seraph

          June 18, 2014 at 21:45

          Agreed, but not everyone knows what the ‘open’ part means so it might also need clarification.
          The problem with English (and other languages) is that a lot of words can be easily misunderstood or have a technical meaning that many don’t know of that the user assumes is common knowledge.

          Thus the “lazy bugger” part as if the person who doesn’t know Googled it they’d probably find out.
          Although with the technical terms it might be harder to find.

          Reply

  10. HisDivineOrder

    June 18, 2014 at 15:07

    Wrong color scheme. Should be Razer’s old black/blue, not their ugly black/green.

    Reply

  11. Alien Emperor Trevor

    June 18, 2014 at 15:10

    No thanks. I’m not so enamoured with my phone that I need to wear something that’ll make it bug me even more. Of course I’m pretending that people do try to phone or message me, but that’s besides the point.

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      June 18, 2014 at 15:11

      Imagine driving while this is on the highest vibrate setting.

      Reply

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        June 18, 2014 at 15:12

        I’d be pissed at getting a flat tyre.

        Reply

      • Rainman

        June 18, 2014 at 15:23

        You that bad at driving that you need it to vibrate as well?

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          June 18, 2014 at 15:34

          I drive worse than I drive in GTA

          Reply

  12. VampyreSquirrel

    June 18, 2014 at 15:16

    Oooo I’d get one of those… would be cool if it could integrate with your gaming, golf, and remind you of who you met and where 😛

    I’m terrible with names

    Reply

  13. Ross Woofels Mason

    June 18, 2014 at 15:20

    All these smart band and “smart wearable” items are a load of nonsense. None of these will stop the people who are on their phones 24/7 from still being on their phones 24/7.

    I am perfectly capable of going out and engaging in social activities with out the need to pull my phone out every 5 minutes.

    Only reason I would consider one of these is if I was a health nut or I wanted to replace an actual wrist watch.

    Reply

    • Dutch Matrix

      June 18, 2014 at 15:22

      You know what just gets my goat? When I am sitting in a restaurant and you see this couple at a table, BUSY TEXTING ON THEIR FRIGGING PHONES THE WHOLE BLOODY TIME!
      Why bother going out together if both of you are going to be lost in your own little world?

      Reply

      • HvR - THE Average GAmer

        June 18, 2014 at 15:24

        Probably posting two dozen pics of there food while it gets cold.

        Reply

  14. Alex Hicks

    June 18, 2014 at 16:59

    I love gadgets, so yes – but I probably don’t need it. Question though – how does it get powered? Is it yet ANOTHER thing I need to charge all the time.

    (I’m writing this comment with my phone connected to my PC via USB because, as usual, it had a mere 15% left at 2pm)

    Reply

  15. Tiaan Pat

    June 19, 2014 at 07:10

    This looks so cool… Razer = quality 🙂

    Reply

  16. Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

    June 19, 2014 at 09:51

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Check Also

Todd Howard describes Starfield as “Skyrim in space” because of course he does

One likes to think that at some point Bethesda will move on from Skyrim but we all know th…