As someone who’s used a lot of gaming keyboards, I can tell you that the worst aspect of PC gaming accessories is often the software. Having to run an extra RAM-sucking program in the background is never fun, but the UI and basic functionality of these apps often leave a lot to be desired. Thankfully, Corsair is now making that optional—at least some of the time—with a brand-new web interface for firmware updates.
Corsair’s iCue program has long been its all-in-one solution for anything to do with mice, keyboards, controllers, headsets, cooling, lighting, and extra gadgets from acquisitions like Elgato. But as PCGamer reports, the new online firmware updater tool can make it obsolete, at least for the task of… well, updating firmware.
To use it, you simply go to the site on a standard web browser, you authorize it to access your hardware via the pop-up, and it can install the latest firmware. Super easy, barely an inconvenience.
Corsair
I happen to be using a Corsair keyboard—the K70 Pro TKL—as a review unit right now. The web tool was able to identify the correct model, discover that the firmware was outdated, and update it without a hitch.
Corsair isn’t the first company to do this. In fact, the update-via-browser method is pretty popular for smaller vendors who can’t afford to develop a robust independent application. Notably, companies like Keychron use a web-based tool for both standard key assignments and other customizations and updating device firmware.
This tool from Corsair isn’t quite there yet. It can only do firmware updates, not, say, a full key layout customization or other adjustments. So if you want to use your PC gaming gear to the fullest—or at least want to assign those settings to device memory before shutting the software down—you still need an installed version of iCue. It’s also basically impossible to set up specific profiles to launch on a per-game or per-program basis without some kind of tool running in the background, which means the most dedicated PC gamers will still lean on iCue.
iCue isn’t terrible, but it’s a hassle, even for someone who’s used to this sort of thing. I’m glad Corsair is offering options to let people avoid it.
Author: Michael Crider, Staff Writer, PCWorld
Michael is a 10-year veteran of technology journalism, covering everything from Apple to ZTE. On PCWorld he's the resident keyboard nut, always using a new one for a review and building a new mechanical board or expanding his desktop "battlestation" in his off hours. Michael's previous bylines include Android Police, Digital Trends, Wired, Lifehacker, and How-To Geek, and he's covered events like CES and Mobile World Congress live. Michael lives in Pennsylvania where he's always looking forward to his next kayaking trip.