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Epomaker’s RT85 Mechanical Keyboard Has A Massive Battery And A Programmable Display

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Mechanical keyboard brand Epomaker has launched the RT85, a versatile 75% wireless keyboard featuring a unique joystick and a customizable DIY screen. Sporting a massive 8000mAh battery, the keyboard supports Bluetooth, USB and 2.4GHz connectivity.

This latest keyboard from Epomaker features a hot-swappable PCB so you can use whatever switches you like. Epomaker offers a choice of Wisteria V2 linear or its Jade switches. If you want silent keys, you can have them, but if you prefer a clacky sound, you can have that too.

The keycaps that ship with the Epomaker RT85 are a durable PBT design and the keyboard’s gasket-mount structure is designed to deliver a comfortable typing feel that’s an ideal balance for both gaming and office use.

In producing the RT85, Epomaker has designed a mechanical keyboard that should appeal to a wide audience and many of the features have evolved as a result of feedback and suggestions from the company’s user base.

Unfading Retro Style

The overall styling of the RT85 harks back to the age of IBM PCs and the construction feels solid in that old keyboard way. There’s a choice of two colorways when ordering the RT85: a calming green and dark grey combo or a more retro white with grey and vibrant orange accents.

With its rounded corners, there’s the RT85 has a look of a classic gaming console, thanks to some rounded corners, the rectangular LCD and a joystick that can be used to alter volume levels or other settings. The keyboard has RGB backlights using south-facing LEDs, bringing a modern touch to the retro-inspired design.

Weighing a solid 1kg, the RT85 is heavy enough to stay put on a desk without wandering, an important feature for excitable gamers. The double-shot PBT keycaps should resist the build-up of shine with long-term use and the separately injected keycap legends mean they won’t rub off like printed symbols.

DIY Screen And Joystick

Designed with gamers and creatives in mind, the RT85 keyboard has 82 keys and a custom TFT screen plus a joystick. The 3-in-1 screen measures 1.47 inches and can serve as a smart watch, a control panel for the keyboard settings and a display center.

Users can sketch out their own pixel art for the screen or use a favorite animated GIF. It’s all part of an industry-wide trend to make keyboards more personalized, not a bad idea considering the amount of time most of us spend using them.

Because this new keyboard is designed for gaming as well as office use, Epomaker and given it a massive 8000mAh rechargeable battery so it can work wirelessly for 90 hours of continuous use with the backlights turned on.

With the backlights and screen turned off, that figure climbs to 320 hours. The keys have a 1000Hz polling rate in cable and 2.4GHz wireless mode, so there is very little latency when gaming, an important feature in elite gaming settings.

The sound of the RT85 is described by Epomaker as being deep and “Thocky”, that’s a technical term amongst keyboard aficionados. The RT85 has a sound-dampening system to produce a more satisfying sound. This is achieved using a sandwich of PORON foam, an IXPE switch pad, a PET sound enhancement pad, EPDM switch socket foam and a silicone base. All five layers are designed to work together and each of the standard linear switches is pre-lubed and tuned stabilizers ensure a smooth keystroke.

Ergonomic Typing Angles

Unlike some keyboards, the RT85 has an ergonomic design with a wrist-friendly design. The innovative gasket-structure and flex-cut PC plate work to create a softer and more cushioned tactile response that Epomaker claims reduces hand fatigue.

The ergonomic Cherry profile keycap design cradles fingertips for a natural and comfortable typing position. Finally, the adjustable kickstands offer typing angles of 5, 6.7 and 10 degrees, to match the user’s preference and seating arrangement, ensuring wrists are supported at an ideal height.

When connecting to its host device, the RT85 offers two types of wireless connectivity. There’s a choice of regular Bluetooth and up to three devices can be paired to the keyboard with fast switching between them. Alternatively, users can opt to use the supplied 2.4GHz wireless dongle, which has its own storage slot on the left side of the RT85.

The 2.4GHz wireless dongle offers a lag-free performance that is as fast and responsive as using a USB wired connection. The keyboard can connect with a wide range of devices and there’s a software switch to set the RT85 in either PC or macOS modes so that all the keys work properly.

Thanks to programmability, this keyboard can be programmed using the Epomaker 3.0 software. The software is fairly advanced although it has a small bug and reverts to Chinese language on launch. There is an English setting but the software doesn’t remember. I am assured there will be a fix for this soon. The software enables any key to be remapped or reassigned with a different symbol or function. There’s a feature to assign keystroke macros to individual keys and both backlight and sensitivity settings of the keys can be completely customized.

Pricing and Availability:
The Epomaker RT85 keyboard with display and joystick is available now from Epomaker’s website in a choice of White/Grey or Green White colorways. The price is $85.99.

Tech Specs:

  • Model: RT85 mechanical gaming keyboard.
  • Layout: 75% U.S. ANSI.
  • Number of keys: 82, joystick, screen.
  • Battery: 8000mAh.
  • Battery life: 320 hours of continuous use (RGB Off and Screen Off).
  • Connectivity: Wired, 2.4GHz Wireless, Bluetooth.
  • Compatibility: Mac/Windows/Android/iOS.
  • Dimensions: 360 x 138 x 40mm.
  • Weight: 1kg.
  • Front height: 20mm.
  • Back height: 31mm.
  • Typing angles: 5, 6.7 and 10 degrees.
  • Case material: Plastic.
  • Plate material: PC.
  • Stabilizers: Plate-mount stabilizer.
  • Mounting structure: PORON sandwich foam, IXPE switch pad, PET sound enhancement pad, EPDM switch socket foam, silicone bottom.
  • Keycaps profile: Cherry.
  • Keycaps material: PBT double shot.
  • Screen size: 1.47 inch.
  • Screen function: Info page displays Keyboard’s status of connection, OS mode, power percentage and date, the media page allows DIY pictures or GIFs, while custom mode allows users to customize RGB settings, volumes, etc.
  • Switch: 5-pin mechanical.
  • Hot swappable: Yes.
  • Backlights: Dynamic south-facing RGB LEDs.
  • Polling rate: 1000Hz in wired and 2.4GHz mode and 125Hz in Bluetooth mode.
  • Latency: 6ms (cable wired), 12ms (2.4GHz wireless), 18ms (Bluetooth).
  • Anti-ghosting: Yes, N-Key rollover.
  • Programming software: Supports EPOMAKER 4.0 software, which works on Windows and Mac systems.



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X Issues November 10 ‘Account Will Be Locked’ Twitter Security Warning

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Given the continuing popularity of Elon Musk’s X social network, and the swathing staffing cuts made when the world’s richest man bought what used to be (and still is in my mind) Twitter, it doesn’t make the cybersecurity headlines as much as you might have thought. With PayPal users currently warned of ongoing attacks, ditto WordPress website owners, and even LastPass password manager customers, all being in the threat actor crosshairs, this is a good thing. However, X users have now been warned that unless they make a change to a legacy Twitter security setting, they will be locked out of their accounts from November 10. Here’s what you need to know.

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The X Safety Team Issues Clarification After Warning Of Twitter Account Lockouts

Whatever you call it, X or Twitter, the social network isn’t immune to security threats. This year alone, I have reported on outages caused by a claimed DDoS attack and a warning for 650 million X users not to change their passwords. Sometimes, though, the perceived security threat comes from inside the building. Such was the case after the X safety team tweeted on October 24: “After November 10, if you haven’t re-enrolled a security key, your account will be locked until you: re-enroll; choose a different 2FA method; or elect not to use 2FA.”

This, rather unsurprisingly if you ask me, created a wave of concern amongst both ordinary users and security experts on the social media platform. One asked whether not using 2FA meant their account would remain active; another asked whether there had been a security breach; and another asked whether this only impacted passkey users?

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The confusion sat with X warning that “all accounts that use a security key as their two-factor authentication method to re-enroll their key to continue accessing X,” and adding that users could “re-enroll your existing security key, or enroll a new one.” A typical example of someone who knows what they are talking about but not how to communicate that in such a way to people who do not. Translating tech-speak into ordinary language is an essential skill and one that the X safety team appears to have misplaced on this occasion.

What X should have said, and ended up being forced into actually saying a day later, was: “To clarify: this change is not related to any security concern, and only impacts Yubikeys and passkeys – not other 2FA methods (such as authenticator apps). Security keys enrolled as a 2FA method are currently tied to the twitter.com domain. Re-enrolling your security key will associate them with x.com, allowing us to retire the Twitter domain. If this relates to you, you’ll be prompted automatically to re-enroll.”

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Google’s Pixel 10 Series Could Soon Receive A Significant Performance Boost

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Key Takeaways

  • Some Pixel 10 users have reported underperforming graphics and battery life.
  • Google has confirmed it will release driver updates, potentially addressing these issues and unlocking the Pixel 10’s full potential.
  • A new GPU driver update (version 25.2) is available that Google could deploy for significantly improved performance.

October 26 Update Below: A driver update may be essential for security reasons. This article was originally published on October 24

The Pixel 10 could soon receive a significant boost in performance, and potentially battery life, thanks to an upcoming graphics driver upgrade.

Reports indicate that the Pixel 10 series currently underperforms in graphics performance, notably scoring lower than the Pixel 9 Pro in some benchmark tests. The Pixel 10 series uses a PowerVR DXT-48-1536 GPU from Imagination Technologies, rather than the ARM Mali component found in previous models, which has led to complaints of poor performance, especially when playing popular, graphically intensive games such as Genshin Impact, and reduced battery life during video playback in apps like Netflix.

A primary cause of these performance issues appears to be an outdated GPU driver. The Pixel 10 shipped with driver version 24.3, lacking key features and optimizations necessary for the new GPU to reach its full potential. While it’s not unusual for a smartphone to ship with slightly older drivers, the switch from Mail to PowerVR appears to have exacerbated the issue.

A New GPU Driver Is Already Available

Fortunately, Imagination Technologies has since released driver version 25.2, adding official support for Android 16, along with significant performance enhancements, including support for the latest Vulkan 1.4 specification. That means this particular update could greatly benefit Pixel 10 users, and early indications suggest Google will most likely implement it.

A Google representative recently confirmed to Android Authority that the company plans to continue releasing GPU driver improvements in its regular system updates.

“We are continuing to improve driver quality in our monthly and quarterly system updates. For example, the most recent September and October patch releases included driver improvements. In future releases we are planning further GPU driver updates.”

Google has a strong track record in this area, having delivered a significant GPU performance boost for Pixel 8 Pro users in its December 2023 update, and several generations of Pixel smartphones received performance gains thanks to an updated GPU driver in the March 2025 Feature Drop. However, Google’s statement stops short of any commitment to any specific driver versions or performance benefits for the Pixel 10 range.

Google Pixel 10: Performance Upgrades Are Likely

If this pattern continues, Pixel 10 users can expect significant performance gains with future driver updates. Given that the new driver is already available from Imagination Technologies, we can hope it arrives sooner rather than later. For those currently experiencing graphics performance issues, a fix appears to be on the horizon.

October 26 Update: Existing vulnerabilities make a driver update extremely likely.

Driver updates typically offer not only performance improvements but also essential security patches, increasing the urgency of releasing updates.

The Pixel 10’s GPU driver is vulnerable, putting additional pressure on Google to provide an update.

According to Imagination Technologies’ published GPU Driver Vulnerabilities list, versions of the PowerVR GPU driver, up to and including version 24.3, currently deployed in the Pixel 10 series, contain critical vulnerabilities that could result in system instability, reboots and non-privileged access to secure data.

Addressing these vulnerabilities will be a high priority for Google, making a driver update urgent. Imagination Technologies doesn’t appear to have released any driver updates between versions 24.3 and 25.1, which fixes all of the listed vulnerabilities and adds most of the improvements listed in this article.

This means Google’s next Pixel 10 GPU driver update will likely be to least version 25.1, if not the latest version 25.2 released to partners on Oct 8. Pixel 10 Users can therefore expect significant improvements in performance, reliability and security once Google releases this update.

Follow @paul_monckton on Instagram.

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Edifier Unveils Upgraded S880DB MKII Active Speakers For Hi-Res Performance

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Edifier is a speaker brand that’s rapidly building a reputation for producing premium mid-range speakers that sell for very affordable prices. Edifier has just announced the launch of the S880DB MKII, its fully upgraded successor to the brand’s acclaimed S880DB model. This latest version features enhanced acoustic performance, redesigned circuitry and an improved user experience.

The S880DB MKII speakers now feature a completely upgraded driver system that can produce a richer and more precise sound. The tweeters have been upgraded to a 1.25-inch titanium dome model with a 25mm voice coil and neodymium magnet. The output through the tweeters is 12W per channel. The previous model used a 1-inch tweeter, so the improvements deliver clearer and more transparent highs that offer more accuracy and detail.

Complementing the upgraded tweeters are a pair of redesigned 3.75-inch mid-bass drivers with an output of 32W per channel for a clearer sound across the entire mid-range. The woofers also provide an extended low-frequency response that goes as low as 50Hz for a fuller and richer bass response. The overall sound of the upgraded drivers is a more solid and balanced soundstage.

High-Quality Sound

At the heart of the new S880DB MKII speakers are high-performance chipsets sourced from Texas Instruments. Edifier has used the powerful XMOS XU216 onboard processor, which provides advanced digital audio processing and can support high-resolution audio playback up to 24-bit/96kHz, for clearer sound and ultra-low distortion.

The S880DB MKII speakers are designed to meet and exceed the specifications required to gain Hi-Res Audio certification. The speaker’s digital interfaces support resolutions up to 24-bit/192kHz, while the Texas Instruments analog front end operates at 24-bit/96kHz, for precise signal handling and clarity across the entire frequency range.

At the rear of the S880DB MKII’s primary speaker unit are all the inputs for connecting the speakers to a digital or analog source. Users can choose from two RCA line-in connectors, a digital coax and optical inputs, plus a USB-C port, which is ideal for connecting these speakers to a computer so they can be used on a desk setup. There’s no 3.5mm input, but a cable is provided that goes from 3.5mm to RCA.

Bluetooth Connectivity

Finally, these speakers also include a Bluetooth 5.3 receiver for wireless input. The S880DB MKII speakers support the LDAC audio codec with transmission rates up to 990kbps, which means high-resolution wireless audio streaming up to 24-bit/96kHz.

Using the LDAC codec ensures audiophile-grade sound quality over Bluetooth from compatible Android devices running Android 8.0 and higher. Anyone using the speakers with a Mac or iPhone could use a Bluetooth dongle that supports LDAC. In addition, the speakers also support the vanilla SBC codec, but not AAC. The sound of these speakers can be shaped using the three rotary controls at the rear of the primary unit. The three knobs control volume, treble and bass.

The S880DB MKII also includes a dedicated SUB OUT port for the connection of an external subwoofer — like Edifier’s recently announced T5S model — and an even deeper bass response. This feature provides a fuller and more immersive low-end that’s suitable for music, movies and gaming. The one thing missing is a front-mounted headphone jack, which a lot of people use for private listening when seated at their computer.

User-Friendly Controls

Controlling the speakers is easy using the included puck-shaped remote control, which is just as well because those rear-mounted controls aren’t particularly convenient to reach. The S880DB MKII speakers come with a newly designed and rechargeable 2.4GHz remote control for quick access to playback and volume levels.

On the front of the primary speaker is an integrated OLED display featuring auto-dimming and providing clear and real-time feedback without too much glare. The speakers are also fully compatible with Edifier’s ConneX smartphone app, which can be used to fine-tune settings and manage the source inputs directly from a smartphone’s screen.

Pricing and Availability:

The Edifier S880DB MKII speakers are available now for $399.99 from Amazon.com.

Tech Specs:

  • Total output power (RMS): Treble: 12W x 2 / Mid-low: 32W x 2.
  • Drivers: 3.75″ long-throw aluminum diaphragm / 1.25″ titanium diaphragm dome tweeters.
  • Frequency response: 50Hz – 40kHz.
  • Signal-to-Noise ratio: ≥ 85dB(A).
  • Audio inputs: USB-C, Optical, Coaxial, Line In 1, Line In 2, Bluetooth.
  • Input sensitivity: USB-C: 500 ± 50mFFS OPT: 500 ± 50mFFS, COAX: 500 ± 50mFFS, Bluetooth: 500 ± 50mFFS, Line In 1: 500 ± 50mV, Line In 2: 700 ± 50mV.
  • Bluetooth: V5.3.
  • Supported audio codecs: SBC, LDAC.
  • Dimensions (W x H x D): 145 x 237 x 207mm (Primary speaker) /145 x 237 x 192mm (Passive speaker).
  • Weight: 6.27kg.



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