Latest news with #Govee
Android Authority
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Android Authority
The Govee Gaming Pixel Light is a creative fix of 8-bit goodness for any RGB-heavy desktop
Govee Gaming Pixel Light The Govee Pixel Gaming Light is a quirky display piece that will add fun retro flair to any gamer's desktop. Having fully embraced that I'm in the middle of a mid-life crisis that manifests explicitly as a need to buy excessive amounts of glowy RGB products for my desktop gaming setup, I've been quite excited to try Govee's Gaming Pixel Light panels ever since they were revealed at CES 2025. I'm also a sucker for nostalgia, so the 8-bit-styled animations they can conjure up via an LED array also had an instant appeal. Having tested both the larger, rectangular version and the square model (each sent over by Govee for review), I can tell you that they're wildly impractical and could use some fine-tuning on the software side, but they are overall a pretty fun way to add some flair to your PC or console setup. Pixel-tastic desktop flair Oliver Cragg / Android Authority The Gaming Pixel Light comes in two distinct sizes with the same individual LED dimensions on each — a compact square 32 x 32 pixel model (1,024 LEDs) and a wider 52 x 32 pixel rectangular version (1,664 LEDs). I personally prefer the square one as it's easy to fit on my cramped desk, but the wider option does make it more compatible with landscape images/clips you want it to show (more on that later), and separates it from most of its competitors, which are predominantly square. Because the LEDs are the same size on each model, you're not losing out on image quality. Each one comes with a little plastic stand to hold the display in place, and you can also choose to wall mount it with an included attachment. It also comes with an AC/DC adaptor, which has a fixed barrel jack cable. I sorely wish this were USB-powered — power adaptor space around my desktop is already at a premium, so occupying another plug with the Gaming Pixel Light was a pain. Here's hoping future versions can be run through a PC port or a desktop charger. The Gaming Pixel Light is outfitted with the same gamer-tastic border frame no matter which size you opt for, and this is the most contentious part of the design for me. I quite like a minimalist aesthetic (outside of all the bright lights, obviously), and these borders look like they've been awkwardly grafted on from spare parts of a knock-off Evangelion mecha. The angular sections, matte gray with green accents, and a few words in white (like 'Loading' and 'Game') are all far from offensive, but the frame's overall aesthetic does detract slightly from the real attraction: that display. With animations at 30 frames per second and impressive color vibrancy, the Govee Gaming Pixel Light certainly stands out. It comes pre-loaded with a library of over 150 scenes, many of which evoke retro gaming classics or other nerdy references (such as an obvious Spider-Man template). My daughter is obsessed with the colorful fish scene, but if you want something more low-key, there are effects like dynamic color shifts and other screensaver-type animations that are a little less distracting and a lot more moody, in a good way. With a library of over 150 pre-loaded scenes, sketching tools, and community sharing, the Gaming Pixel Light will never become boring. It also has real-time displays, which update automatically when connected to Wi-Fi (2.4GHz only). This includes a clock, weather, NBA/NFL scores (soccer next, Govee!), and even stocks and Bitcoin price tracking. You can access these with a quick tap of a physical button. I found the clock and weather relatively useful, but you might get more mileage out of the rest than I did. These and other scenes can also be accompanied by audio clips via the built-in 3W speaker. It's clear enough for 8-bit beeps and boops, and timers, but not much more than that. You can also upload your own musical snippets in .wav, .mp3, and .ogg formats, which is a nice touch for customization. The display animations can also dynamically match the audio, which can make for some cool ambient effects. Get creative (or cheat with AI) Setting up the Pixel Gaming Light was fairly painless via the Govee Home app, though it did take a couple of tries for the device to register. After that, you're ready to dig into all of the many, many customization options on offer. Aside from the pre-loaded scenes, you can upload your own images and GIFs or sketch new pixel art creations using the in-app tools. There's also a Share Space where you can show off these DIY images and animations to other users and download other people's creations. Again, Govee's broader ecosystem is a boon here, as it's likely this will fill out pretty quickly as more people get their hands on the Gaming Light and start creating. The only downside right now is the lack of useful filters; there's a search feature, but no way to rate submissions or view by popularity. The whole artistic process is aided by the feature Govee really wants you to use: the AI Lighting Bot. This lets you enter prompts, and Govee's chatbot will create something that tries to match your description (and with very little care for IP infringement in my experience — check out the Chelsea Football 'Clug' logo). I personally found this to be quite hit and miss, and I couldn't get it to create animated images, only static ones. I'd stick to your own sketches, or the image/animation uploads. The latter can also occasionally translate poorly, but that's only when you try to feed it complex images — it's an 8-bit-style LED array after all, so if you pick simple pictures and GIFs with bold colors and lines with good spacing, you'll get great results. Just be aware that I had to reload the app a few times when the device idled for the AI creations, sketching, and DIY modes. Hopefully those bugs get squashed soon. Oliver Cragg / Android Authority One thing I didn't get to test is the connection to Govee's HDMI 2.1 Sync Box, as I don't have one. If you are in the Govee ecosystem, that'll let you create real-time DreamView experiences and pair the effects with other Govee lights. Smart home users without the Sync Box can still connect the device(s) to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice commands/automations. It also supports IFTTT and Matter. Govee Gaming Pixel Light review: The verdict Oliver Cragg / Android Authority At $99.99 for the square model or $129 for the rectangular version (or $79.99/$103.99, respectively, for a limited time launch sale), the Govee Pixel Gaming Light is a quirky display piece that can give any gamer's desktop some funky retro flair. Is it a novelty? Absolutely, but sometimes you don't need a reason to get something beyond pure aesthetics. If there's ever a second-gen model, I'd love to see the gamer-fied border eliminated (or at least made optional) for something a little more unassuming, and I'd really want to see a USB power and/or charging option to save my desk management headaches. Before then, I hope Govee can iron out some of the software quirks on the first-gen models. The Govee Pixel Gaming Light is a quirky display piece that can give any gamer's desktop some fun retro flair. The most popular competitors to the Pixel Gaming Light come from Divoom, such as the Pixoo-Max and the Pixoo64. The former is another 32 x 32 LED panel, while the latter cranks the number of LEDs up to a whopping 4096 total for even more impressive designs. The Pixoo64 also costs almost double, while the Pixoo-Max is $30 more expensive than the square Pixel Gaming Light. Govee has an ecosystem advantage in this emerging category, and considering the reasonable pricing, it is definitely worth a look if you want to pixel-up your gaming space. Govee Gaming Pixel Light Bright and rich LED display • Pre-loaded with 150+ scenes and animations • Versatile customization tools MSRP: $99.99 LED display for creative gamers. The Govee Gaming Pixel Light lets users easily create and display their favorite pixel art and GIFs. With over 150 preset scene modes, a diverse range of DIY tools, and an AI Lighting Bot, this LED display (available in 32 x 32 or 52 x 32 pixel models) is a perfect desktop addition for 8-bit obsessives. See price at Amazon Positives Bright and rich LED display Bright and rich LED display Pre-loaded with 150+ scenes and animations Pre-loaded with 150+ scenes and animations Versatile customization tools Versatile customization tools Easy-to-use Govee app Easy-to-use Govee app Reasonable price Cons AI creations are hit and miss AI creations are hit and miss Share Space needs filters Share Space needs filters Not USB powered Not USB powered Divisive frame design Divisive frame design Some connection bugs
Tom's Guide
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
TV backlights take your movies and shows to the next level — here's my top picks
Adding some personality to a TV can amplify the immersion of your home entertainment setup. Whether it's improved surround sound with Dolby Atmos speakers or one of the best streaming devices for a sleeker interface, there's a variety of ways you can do it. But one of the best ways I've found to set the mood for my favorite shows and movies is by adding a TV RGB backlight. These LED lights, which attach to the back of your TV, can spruce up any and all experiences, especially if you get the kind that syncs to whatever is playing on the screen. Problem is, if you're not buying one of Philips' new 2025 Ambilight TVs — which you're probably not if you live in the US — you'll have to find the right one on your own, and it can get pretty confusing. With two major types in the market, you might not know which among them meets your specific needs. I went through the trouble of trying out two different TV RGB lighting kits for myself. Here's a few tips on picking the right one for your home setup and turning your display into one of the best TVs with a touch of backlit color. The first and arguably most expensive kinds of RGB backlighting are AI sync box kits. You can often buy these separately or in a bundle that includes LED lighting for your TV. As the name implies, these packages come equipped with a large box that houses a sophisticated AI program that reads incoming data from the connected devices to match the color output displayed on the LEDs behind your TV. Thus, you'll be connecting separate devices like the PS5 Pro or Sony's new 4K Blu-ray player so that on-screen content gets that extra kick of synced color. The best part is you don't need to do anything. It's pretty much all plug and play, minus affixing the lights to the TV. This can take anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes, depending the size of your TV, but it's not a very difficult task. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. In my testing, I tried out Govee's HDMI Sync Box 2 on a 65-inch Samsung S90D OLED TV, connecting it to my PS5. It gave games some serious pop, especially in Elden Ring Nightreign, and I didn't have to worry about any lost performance given that it supports HDMI 2.1 with 4K up to 144Hz. (The PS5 tops out at 4K/120Hz, but If I wanted to connect one of the best gaming PCs to the sync box I could, and still get serious performance to boot.) This AI sync box spices up your TV entertainment with an array of colors that splash on the wall behind the screen via LED strip lights. It uses a powerful AI model to match the colors from the connected devices with the backlighting for extra immersion. Listed above are the 55-inch to 65-inch configuration, but you can buy it in a 75-inch to 85-inch set, as well. As already mentioned, these can be pretty expensive. The high asking price is certainly worth it given the performance on offer, however. Govee's model worked wonders for me, though I'm sure the one made by Philips is just as good, if not better, given that it will run you back almost $500 bundled with the lighting kit. But there's one major downside for picking sync boxes like these: they don't cover everything displayed on the screen, just whatever's connected to them. For instance, streaming platforms available on most modern smart TVs would miss out on the colorful upgrade these boxes provide — unless you connected a streaming device directly to the AI sync box, like the Apple TV 4K. Despite the high cost, most people will likely want the convenience and performance gains provided by an external sync box. Despite the high cost, most people will likely want the convenience and performance gains provided by an external sync box. To be fair, the sync box definitely was the better buy, in my opinion, and it makes sense. But there's another option you could go with that might be more suitable for some buyers. The second kind of TV lighting is camera-based. This requires a camera to be attached to the top of the TV, which analyzes what's displayed on-screen to match the most accurate colors. Like the AI-based system, some camera-based systems can even be synced together with other lights around the home, so they all mirror each other for a unified visual experience. The problem is, not everyone wants a camera draped to the TV for a number of reasons, privacy and aesthetics being two major factors. To put camera-based lighting to the test, I used Govee's new TV Backlight 3 Lite. It's a pretty nifty TV lighting kit, but it's much more hands-on than the simple plug-and-play of the sync box. With the Govee TV Backlight 3 Lite you get colorful immersion at your fingertips. This backlighting setup combines the power of an LED strip with a camera to give your movie nights a pop of synced hues. It adds that pop of personality, and one you can customize on the fly using the Govee app or even via Google Home using voice controls. Setting up the lighting requires you to get accurate readings with the camera first. It comes with these foam boxes you need to attach to the TV, which the camera then reads for syncing capabilities. To make sure you get an accurate measurement, you need to ensure the surrounding lighting is adequate and there are no nearby RGB lights that could interfere with the camera. Because ambient lighting can cause some issues, you'll want to do the setup process at night. Even though it's a bit more involved, you get some stellar performance out of the camera-based lighting, as it can not only detect what's being played on external video sources but will sync with built-in streaming services, too. When you're not watching something, the light will work even when the TV is turned off. I'm not one to leave this on for too long, but it is pretty nifty having an extra light around even if my TV's powered down, adding a touch of personality to my living room without something like museum art or family photos playing on the screen. So which is the better buy and, generally speaking, are lighting kits worth it? This really comes down to your preferences. Are you willing to shell out to get enhanced color volume behind your TV, but only for your various connected devices? Or do you want a cheaper pick that casts the widest net that will sync with all on-screen content? Despite enjoying the plug-and-play performance of the AI sync box, I tended to use the camera option more. If you don't mind the extra work during the setup process, I think the former is the right one to go with if you're primarily gaming or watching content like Blu-ray DVDs. However, if I were shopping for myself, I'd just stick with the camera model, largely because it's cheaper but also because it covers everything on the TV. The best part about them is they're both Matter-compliant and work with Google Home. So, whichever you choose, you can turn either on using voice controls and customize them to your liking without ever pulling out your phone. TV backlighting is a luxury add-on to a TV setup, and therefore might not be the first purchase you make after buying a new TV, but it adds that splash of color where it counts. It's not the end-all-be-all approach to immersive content, but it definitely gives it some polish and life. If that's what you're looking for, backlighting kits are for you.
Gizmodo
4 days ago
- Business
- Gizmodo
Amazon Offers Govee LED Smart Touch Table Lamp at a Record Low to Clear Out Inventory
Set this lamp to display all your favorite colors and have some well-deserved relaxation time at home. Lighting has a bigger impact on your day than you might think. Setting the mood, creating a safe and warm space, and even boosting focus or winding down is all important. Whether you're curling up with a book, setting the scene for a dinner party, or just trying to get through your inbox in peace, the right light makes a difference. That's why, if you can, you should try a smart light to see how it can change up your home. Check out Amazon to get the Govee RGBIC Smart Table Lamp 2 for just $64, down from its usual price of $80. That's $16 off and a discount of 20%. It's a reliable brand that you've probably heard of before when it comes to strip lighting, and it's well worth adding to your home or wealth of smart products because it can change the way you move through your day, as well as the way you feel while doing it. See at Amazon A light for everywhere in your home This Govee lamp is vibrant, colorful, and easy to control. It's not just another white light or dimmable desk lamp. You can customize the color, brightness, and lighting effects to suit your mood or whatever you're doing. Want a soft warm glow for reading? Done. Something bold and dynamic to match your playlist? That's easily done too. And you can even sync the lights to the music if you like that effect. The lamp itself is a part of your decor once you've gotten it set up. It looks sleek and modern, with a minimalist design that blends into most spaces. That includes bedside tables, work desks, bookshelves, and even kitchen counters. And when it's all good to go, you can control the lamp through your phone, set timers or schedules, or use voice commands if you have a smart assistant. Its lighting is made possible by its RGBIC technology, which lets different colors to appear on the lamp at the same time. The result? Gradients, waves, and animations that actually make the lamp feel alive. There's even a music sync mode that reacts to sound, perfect for parties or just dancing around your apartment alone on a Tuesday night. It's time to go ahead and dive in if you've been looking for a reason to get a smart lamp. This one will do you well, it's at its lowest price now, and it comes from a brand that cares about giving you quality performance. You'll wonder why you didn't have one sooner. See at Amazon
Buzz Feed
25-05-2025
- Business
- Buzz Feed
This Purchase Can Help You Avoid A Disaster At Home
According to national statistics from 2023, one in 50 insured homes files a water damage claim each year and the average cost of a water damage claim is $10,000. Water damage isn't only costly; it can also ruin precious personal possessions. Currently, there are no requirements for homes to have any sort of water sensor — which means it's up to you to protect your house from this type of disaster on your own. Fortunately, it doesn't have to be costly. More than 9,000 Amazon shoppers have bought and given a 5-star rating to the Govee WiFi water sensor, which has a starting cost of under $30 — certainly a far cry from the cost of water damage. Plus, you can clip the on-page coupon for a discount applied at checkout. Here's how it works: First, you download the Govee water sensor app. Then, you plug the gateway into an outlet and place the sensors around your house. For example, you may choose to put sensors in the basement, bathrooms, laundry room, under the kitchen sink or in your garage. After the gateway is paired to your WiFi and you're all set up in the app, you're good to go. Any time one of the sensors detects any water, it will sound an alert and a notification will also pop up on your phone as well as in your email. That way, you'll know if a leak occurred even if you aren't home. Here's what else is cool: You'll be able to see through the app which sensor went off so you know where the leak is occurring. Being able to identify a leak as soon as possible (whether it's from heavy rain, a burst pipe or a leaking appliance) means you can take action before your home and belongings are ruined. Especially if you live in an area prone to flooding, having this sensor will allow you to leave town without worrying if your home is okay; you'll be able to monitor it using the app. Still not convinced you need one? Check out these reviews from people who bought the Govee water sensor: Get it from Amazon for $29.99.
Gizmodo
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
Govee Gaming Pixel Light Review: These Lights Make My Dumb Gamer Brain a Little Too Happy
The bare walls of my bedroom—bedecked as they are with sporadic small prints but devoid of lights—demand I add some flair to my usually nerdy living space. The Govee Gaming Pixel Light seemed to fit the bill a little too well when I saw it back at CES 2025. The specialized display doesn't support enough colors to show all my favorite 8- or 16-bit artwork at their best quality, and it won't produce strong enough audio for anything more complicated than classic chiptunes. If the digital art and speaker for my desk didn't sport cringey decals and a frame that would make visitors assume I chugged Mountain Dew Game Fuel for breakfast, it would be the perfect antidote to my dull apartment. Govee sent me a pair of pre-release Gaming Pixel Lights long before the company finally made them available on May 19. It sat on my desk for ages, showing me a 32-pixel version of Samus from Super Metroid. Her staunch, visored visage helped me get through the hectic days. Both the $120 32×32 and $140 52×32 pixel frames don't take much effort to set up, though the digital wall or desk art lacks a battery and needs to be plugged into an outlet. Once it's connected through the Govee Home app, you'll have a wide variety of default and user-made effects to add to the screen. Yes, you can stick a static image on the screen, but the real fun comes from displaying GIFs of scenes from your favorite 8-, 16-, or perhaps a few 32-bit retro games. Govee Gaming Pixel Light It does what it needs to do, but limited colors limits what it can show. Pros Bright enough to work in most environments Bright enough to work in most environments Wide variety of art in the app Wide variety of art in the app 30 fps on GIFs offers speedy 8-bit images Cons Gamer aesthetic isn't for everyone Gamer aesthetic isn't for everyone Low-fidelity speaker Low-fidelity speaker Limited color range for pixel art Depending on how complicated your image is, the pixel light may have a harder time displaying every pixel with perfect color accuracy. The smaller device contains 1,024 lights, while the 52×32 version sports 1,664. The $155 Divoom Pixoo-64—a competing pixel light with a 64×64 pixel field—supports 4,096. Considering the limited lights, a 32×32 pixel image of ET might look great on the smaller Pixel Light, but a fan-made 8-bit portrait of Arielle from The Little Mermaid that appears fine on my phone lacked the color definition necessary to show fine features on her nose or hair. The more stark the colors, the better each image or GIF will appear. The screen is bright enough on its highest settings, but you can set it to dim or turn off on a timer if you want to sleep without a rainbow of pixelated light shining at you. Images look marginally better on the larger display thanks to its wider range of colors, but you'll still need to try out various images until you find one that fits your style. You can also upload your own artwork to the Govee app, though any of your photos you take from your phone will turn out splotchy and incoherent on the Pixel Light. You may find that uploading your own pixel art could produce mixed results. I had to try several different versions of Samus before I found a Metroid image that didn't look half bad. The GIFs play at 30 fps, which made a GIF of Sonic's classic spinning leg running animation look extra smooth. Divoom's similar offering runs at 24 fps. The device includes a rear 3W DSP speaker made for pairing your favorite chiptunes with this artwork. The built-in speakers aren't enough to fill a room with sound, but even without much bass, it's just enough to offer a retro feel, as if I was listening to a game on the age-old mono Game Boy speaker. The device itself has a single button for controlling volume and no physical mute button, which means you're forced to load into the app just to adjust your sound. All this meant I was more likely to eschew music entirely. After all, if you're planning to use your Govee Pixel Light to spruce up your gaming room, you'll end up listening to the game you're playing anyway. If you're the type to pick up a brush, you could create your own art and animated GIFs with the sketch mode. It's certainly easier to use with a stylus, but I don't have the time, patience, or ability to sketch something that will look any nicer than the artists who do pixel art for a living. The device has almost too many modes, from a clock feature to a stock ticker. There's even a counter to tell you the current price of bitcoin, as if you really need to pay attention to crypto prices on your fun, cute pixel monitor. The Pixel Light seems to think gamers want a very specific aesthetic, one full of cyberpunk-esque hard-edged contours with decals reading 'loading' and 'game.' A black frame is all I really need. The art is the reason you buy Govee's first real gamer product. But damn me if I enjoy it blaring the Magmar Caverns theme from my desktop, as if my bedroom had any more need for even more Metroid artwork.
