Skins, wraps and covers
More customisation please
Limited edition consoles for high-profile games or brands are sort of a tradition. But not everyone can afford a new console. Hence, it’s great news that for the first time, Microsoft is now selling an Xbox Series X Console Wrap for its upcoming AAA game Starfield, along with two camo colours, Arctic Camo and Mineral Camo. This console wrap is basically a cover that folds around the Xbox console — while keeping clear of the vents — and is secured by a hook and loop enclosure. Unfortunately, these wraps seem to be limited to the US, Canada and Europe for now, but one can hope it’s the start of more such offerings from Microsoft.
Microsoft, though, is late to the game compared with Sony. PlayStation 5 owners have been able to buy official removable covers for their consoles since last year. And it’s not just the console makers. Last year, gaming chair maker Secretlab came up with Skins to let users refresh the appearance of their chairs, without having to buy a new one. And of course, there have always been unofficial custom covers and skins from the likes of Dbrand (and no, this post is not sponsored by Dbrand).
With tech firms heavily promoting sustainability these days, these removable skins and covers are definitely a cheaper, more eco-friendly way of satisfying users’ desire for customisation. Now if Sony would just sell its limited edition merch, such as this cool FFXVI bundle in more markets…
In other news, we tested DJI’s new action camera, Samsung’s latest smartwatch, and JBL’s earbuds, and the cool touchscreen on its charging case.
The new DJI Osmo Action 4 takes great low-light videos, thanks to a new sensor and DJI’s host of videography features. It uses the same magnetic mounting system that lets you attach it to a selfie stick, or a bike or helmet mount. Ideal for those looking to capture every moment of their adventures.
The rotating bezel that was omitted in last year’s Galaxy smartwatches is back with the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic. It also gets the largest display yet on a Samsung smartwatch, and comes with a bigger battery that can last up to two days on a single charge. A solid iteration, especially with its enhanced sleep tracking features.
JBL has put a touchscreen on the charging case of its new Tour Pro 2 true wireless earbuds. It’s the first of its kind, though the display probably adds to the cost. Overall, it’s a nice, but not an essential feature. I could see it gaining traction among brands looking for ways to increase their products’ selling prices.