The WAN Show: Backlit Cherry Switches, Amazon Drones and GUEST Barnacules - Dec 7, 2013

The WAN Show episode from December 7th, 2013 covers a mix of hardware announcements, product rumors, and guest commentary. The hosts begin with a recap of the weeks topics, noting the challenge of managing audio quality on the set and the addition of a compressor to keep levels balanced. They highlight Corsair and Cherry MX RGB backlit switches as a major new feature, with an emphasis on individual per-key backlighting that could allow more granular customization than traditional RGB keyboards. The discussion explores potential exclusivity for Corsair and whether other keyboard makers will adopt similar RGB implementations, as well as the impact on pricing and availability. The team then shifts to DisplayPort 1.3, outlining the anticipated bandwidth increase from roughly 5.4 Gbps to 8.1 Gbps, and the implications for 4K and 8K displays, as well as potential requirements for repeaters or new cabling strategies. Barnacules joins as a guest and the conversation broadens to monitor technology, including Dell’s new 4K monitors and their place in the market, with Linus expressing excitement about the potential for ultra-high-resolution displays and high-end gaming setups. The hosts touch on console sales figures, noting the PS4’s rapid UK sales performance and discussing the ongoing value proposition of consoles versus PC gaming in terms of graphics, price, and upgradeability. Enthusiasm is shown for CES coverage, where Corsair and other peripheral manufacturers will demonstrate new products, including refined keyboard bodies and regional variants that affect layout. The show also covers the growing interest in drone technology, including Amazon’s testing of drone deliveries and public interest in drone security and regulations. The segment named after Barnacules features a deeper dive into his background as a software developer and YouTuber, and his perspective on hardware, software development, and content creation. The crew debates the usefulness of HDMI versus DisplayPort, with opinions noting that DisplayPort has long offered higher bandwidth and more flexible features for PC enthusiasts, while HDMI remains more broadly compatible with consumer electronics. They discuss the realities of 4K monitor adoption, the costs involved, and how 4K and 8K will eventually push down prices and extend PC use cases such as software development and desktop real estate. A running joke about “frankenstein” keyboard builds and the intricacies of RGB SKUs recurs as Corsair multiple SKUs are considered, including differences in physical bodies, regional layouts, and the delights and dangers of combining many options. The crew smiles and ribbing continues about the sometimes cryptic and fragmented nature of early product marketing, while acknowledging how these innovations could influence future accessories and peripherals. In closing, the team emphasizes the ongoing evolution of display technologies, cables, and standards, and they speculate about the continued push toward higher resolutions, better color, and more adaptable hardware ecosystems for PC enthusiasts and content creators alike.

Topics · technology · computers · hardware · gaming