Rikka Altland is the Editor-in-Chief of 9to5Toys. Having joined the team at the beginning of 2017, over the past six years she has gone on to specialize in being a mainstay in the LEGO news and rumors scene while also reviewing the latest iPhone accessories, earbuds, and home networking gear. Contact it directly at rikka@9to5mac.com for tips and pitches.
Sure, eBikes are great for making your commute more manageable, but they often times lack in the style department. The same can’t be said for the Pedego Airstream Electric Bike which offers similar comforts and features as other electric vehicles on the market but in packaged geared more towards style.
$60/$35
Amazon has the TP-Link AC1200 Dual Band 802.11ac Wi-Fi Range Extender for $39.76, but when the on-page coupon is clipped, it brings the total down to $34.76 shipped. That takes 41% off the list price, saves you $5 off the regular going rate, and is an Amazon all-time low. Ratings-wise, 66% of customers have left a 4+ star review.
If you’re looking for something to provide more coverage, the TP-Link AC2600 Dual Band Range Extender is available for $100 shipped.
BuyDig offers the LG SJ8 Sound Bar w/ 4.1ch High Resolution Audio, Wi-Fi & Bluetooth for $228.99 shipped when code CP1742345217 is applied at checkout. That takes 54% off the list MSRP, saves you $270 compared to other retailers like Best Buy and is the lowest offer we’ve tracked. Ratings are scarce, but LG sound bars typically receive high reviews.
$245/$128
Updated 6/13 to reflect a new price drop.
Amazon offers the Yale Touchscreen Z-Wave Deadbolt w/ Alexa control in Oil Rubbed Bronze for $120 shipped. That takes over 48% off the original list MSRP and is the lowest Amazon has ever offered it for. Rated 4.1/5 stars from nearly 400 customers.
If you’ve kept up with any of our past eBike coverage you’re probably well aware of the benefits they offer riders. Often times though, we don’t focus on the drawbacks of many eBike models. Most notably, heavy or bulky frames make it difficult to transport when not in use. Coming to us from Indiegogo, Smacircle S1 solves this annoyance with the ability to collapse and fit into a backpack with ease.
Pokemon fans have long been waiting for an official game to make its way to the App Store. Last week seemingly out of nowhere, the company announced it would be releasing a new game, titled Magikarp Jump. Having been released in select countries earlier this week, it is available now in the US and rest of the world.
Since the company’s launch, Sphero has grown to be a household name for many with its line of RC toys. From the standard model to interactive BB-8, Sphero has managed to capture a real sense of wonder and delight in its creations. With Cars 3 right around the corner, it only makes sense for the Disney-backed company to add yet another lovable character to its lineup. Today, Sphero has launched the Ultimate Lightning McQueen, which lets you drive, play games, and train for the next big race with the iOS-enabled racing star.
Walmart offers the Air Hogs Star Trek U.S.S Enterprise NCC-1701-A Remote Control Drone for $34.97. Shipping is free in orders over $35, or you can opt for free in-store pickup. That takes almost 50% off the regular going rate, saves you $42 compared to Target’s price and is the best offer currently available. It also is within $5 of our last mention. Rated at 3.8/5 stars.
Need something to help pad your cart? Add this 4 pack of Energizer AA batteries for $3.97, which you’ll need anyway to get flying.
Ensuring that all of our devices are charged is a never ending struggle. From your phone, computer, external battery packs, the list goes on. Depending on your home, you probably don’t have as many outlets as you’d like, which is where iClever’s new 12-port Surge Protector enters to lend a helping hand.
Google Play is offering new subscribers a 4-month trial of its music streaming service for free. This saves you the $40 that a 4 month subscription typically runs for, so you get to try out the service risk-free. Just make sure to cancel the subscription before the trial expires, or you’ll be charged $9.99 for the next month.
Google Play Music gives you access to ad-free listening of 35 million on-demand songs. Enjoy your favorite tunes on any device regardless of if you’re using the iOS and Android app, or streaming from the web. The subscription even includes access to YouTube Red which lets you to watch videos ad-free and save content for offline watching.
Spotify is also offering a 3-month trial of its streaming service for just $1.
$125/$70
Amazon offers the Philips Norelco Shaver 6400 with Click-On Beard Styler for $69.99 shipped. That takes $55 off the regular MSRP, is a few cents higher than the Amazon all-time low and the best offer currently available. Rated 4.2/5 stars from 4,165 customers.
It seems as though we’ve seen more smartwatches than any other new product this year. Practically everyone from traditional watch makers to veteran tech companies have tried their hands at crafting a smart timepiece. This hasn’t stopped Haikara, a recently unveiled smartwatch that focuses its design on more fashion-based elements and customization, all without compromising on functionality.
Spotify is once again offering 3 months of its premium streaming service for just $0.99. New subscribers will save $29 compared to the typical 3 month rate. Note that you’ll have to cancel the subscription before the trial runs out, or else the price will rise to $9.99 a month.
Why go premium? You’ll get unlimited access to millions of songs (with unlimited skips!) so you can play your favorites, discover new tracks, and build the perfect curated collection.
Today is National Bike to work day! And while many of us are stuck at work, we can still hope that the weekend continues bringing us perfect cycling weather. Whether you’re a pro cyclist or just enjoy the ride, you’ll probably want to keep your bike safe. So in celebration, we’ll be taking a look at some locks to help secure your ride.
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One of the biggest struggles these days in terms of using technology is ensuring that all of our devices are fully charged. This can be quite the challenge though when disaster strikes or when something goes wrong and you lose power. Kicking old generators to the curb, a new home battery system named WATTS hopes to add ‘personal power plants’ to as many homes as possible.
Thanks to the prevalence of Amazon Echo, Siri and other internet connected gadgets, smart home tech seems to have finally hit the mainstream. Now with smart lights, outlets and even coffeemakers, there’s something for almost everyone. Falling into that first category, Nanoleaf has impressed us with its HomeKit-enabled Aurora smart lighting kits. Now the company has added a remote to the Aurora ecosystem.
$300/$150
Adorama offers the Polk Audio MagniFi One 240W Dialogue-Enhancing Sound Bar with Subwoofer for $149.99 shipped. That takes 50% the list price and is the best price currently available. Rated 4.2/5 stars.
For those serious about perfecting their home theater setups, the audio equipment that one selects is just as important as the TV model. If you’re looking for a simpler option than wired surround sound system, soundbars have grown to be a great solution. Polk, one of the largest contenders in the home audio market, has released the new MagniFi MAX SR soundbar, which offers high-end audio and is accompanied by supplemental wireless speakers and subwoofer.
Despite our best efforts, managing to keep our workspaces clean isn’t as easy of a feat as one may contend. A quick search on Amazon lists tons of cable organizers, containers or other ways to cut the clutter. But the fact that new products continue to come out means that the war against desk messes isn’t over. Brought to us from Kickstarter, Gather seeks to organize our desks with a stylish and customizable solution.
Groupon offers a Hulu 45-Day Trial for free. Hulu typically offers a free month long trial, so taking advantage of today’s deal earns you just over an extra two weeks. The streaming service regularly goes for $8 a month, so this saves you around $12 in total. Hulu offers a wide variety of shows from classics like Seinfeld, to exclusive content such as The Mindy Project. Note that at the end of your trial, it will automatically roll into a paid subscription, so you’ll want to cancel prior to the end of the 45 days.
Amazon offers the LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean Silent Mary 71042 for $168.69 shipped. Matched at Toys R Us, Newegg and Sears. The kit was released less than a month ago, so this is the first price drop we’ve seen. Today’s deal saves you over $30 on the regular list price. The Silent Mary comes with 2,294 pieces, 8 minifigures and everything you need to get ready for the upcoming film.
If pirates aren’t your thing, check out our other LEGO deals here, like the Angry Birds Piggy Pirate Ship for $35, Architecture Louvre Kit for $42 and even more.
As we learned in March, LEGO would be expanding its Star Wars Ultimate Collector Series lineup with the T-47 Snowspeeder. Following the set’s release on May 4th, we here at Toys got our hands on the iconic brick-built vehicle. While Star Wars fans know how important the ship was in Empire Strikes Back, we can certainly say that the LEGO model lives up to the iconic Rebel Speeder. Head below for an in depth look…
In honor of Mother’s Day, Sprint offers a free iPhone 7 when you lease a 32Gb model. So starting at just $27.09 per month, you can score Apple’s latest smartphones and even pick up one for Mom at $0 a month after $27.09 per month service credit. Keep in mind that you’ll be leasing the phones, which is paid over 18 months and require either 2 new lines of service or 1 new one paired 1 upgrade.
If you aren’t already a Sprint customer, Unlimited plans start at just $50 per month or you can get four lines for $30 each, and receive a fifth for free. Plans also include HD video streaming and a 10 GB Mobile Hotspot connection.
Personal security cameras have been a hot item recently. Whether you want to keep an eye on your kids or pets, monitor who may be at your front door, or as a smart home accessory, odds are you’ve debated adding one to your home. Unveiled today, the Lighthouse interactive assistant hopes to beat out competitors like Nest and Arlo with integrated deep learning, object recognition and other smart features.
Today, Logitech has unveiled its new K840 Mechanical Corded Keyboard, which targets a mainstream audience rather than focusing on gamers or programmers. Mechanical keyboards are typically fairly expensive and come with a bunch of extra bells and whistles that may deter some from adopting them. Logitech’s latest model shines by offering a simple but attractive design, custom mechanical switches and more.
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$300/$170
Adorama offers the Polk Audio TL150 5-piece Surround Speaker System for $169.99 shipped. That takes 43% off the regular list price, saves you $130 compared to other online retailers like Amazon, and is an all-time low. Rated 4.3/5 stars by Amazon customers.
Smart speakers have been extremely popular recently and it seems like a new model is released every day. Most have a similar array of features, so design plays a fairly large roll in standing out from the competition. Today, Como Audio has announced two new speakers, Amico and Musica, which both match the iconic style of other products in the company’s lineup.
Getting enough sleep to be well-rested is no easy feat for some. Whether you’re fighting insomnia, noisy neighbors, stress, or just bad sleeping habits, it may be difficult for you to feel your best each morning after waking up. The SNOOZ White Noise Machine offers a more modern take on helping you fall asleep with an integrated fan and iOS and Android smartphone control.
Amazon offers the Sony MDRXB650BT/B Extra Bass Bluetooth Headphones in three colors for $68 shipped. Also available at B&H. That saves you $62 off the original MSRP, is a match of the Amazon all-time low and the best offer currently available. Rated at 4.1/5 stars from 433 reviewers.
In case you missed it, B&H is also offering the Beats Tour2 Active In-Ear Headphones for $49.95 shipped, as well as the Jaybird X3 Sport Bluetooth Earphones for $100 shipped.
AnkerDirect via Amazon is offering a 2-Pack of Anker GlassGuard Premium Tempered Glass Screen Protector for Nintendo Switch for $6.99 when code BEST7475 is applied at checkout. That’s a match of both our previous offer and the all-time low. Shipping is free with Prime or in orders over $35. Rated at 4.9/5 stars.
$500+
Target is currently taking $100 off Apple’s 9.7-inch iPad Pro, dropping prices down to as low as $499.99. You’ll save on all four color options, as well as the three storage capacities. That matches our previous mention and is the best offer currently available. Free shipping is available on the entire lot.
B&H is also discounting the new 9.7-inch iPad 32GB in Silver, Gold or Space Gray for $299 shipped.
As the smart home industry grows, there continues to be a better selection of devices to automate our lives. But because most of these products lack native capabilities to interact with each other, we’re stuck with multiple hubs to control everything. Momo, brought to us by Kickstarter, seeks to unite various smart home accessories into a single hub, all while introducing facial recognition, gesture control, and other new features.
Walmart offers a refurbished Hisense 50-inch 4K Smart Ultra HDTV for $329.99 shipped, or $322.40 when opting for in-store pickup. That takes $170 off the regular going rate for non-refurb models and is the best offer currently available. Rated at 4.6/5 stars from nearly 900 Best Buy reviewers. Includes a 90-day warranty.
eBike continue to grow as a commuters’ preferred ride of choice, helping them ditch public transportation or giving a boost in longer daily rides. Often times though, the bulky designs of these vehicles make it difficult to store or transport when not riding, removing some of the convenience. A new Indiegogo campaign looks to change this by introducing a folding eBike that pairs speed with autonomy and efficiency. Designed by France-based electric vehicle maker Weebot, Aero is, at its core, built around a lightweight folding form-factor.
Incorporating colored mood lighting into one’s TV and home theater setup is becoming increasingly more popular, and for good reason too. Not only does it add ambiance and increase the level of immersion in your content, but also helps reduce eyestrain which stems from prolonged screen use. Dreamscreen differed from the traditional multi-color LED strips with its first lighting kit last year, and now returns with a new Kickstarter campaign to add 4K video pass through and even more functionality.
Apple Watch has pretty solid battery life and in most cases, has no issue lasting through an entire day. But for those who are always traveling, or who just need a little extra juice before a workout, the watch doesn’t always cut it. ElevationLab’s latest product, BatteryPro for iPhone and Apple Watch, hopes to solve these power issues stemming from an on-the-go lifestyle.
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Following the creation of HTC’s Vive X accelerator program last year, the company is ready to unveil the progress of one of the startups it has funded. Thanks to the Beijing-based 7invensun, the HTC Vive VR headset will be getting an upgrade kit which adds eye-tracking to the headset lineup. While this isn’t the first VR eye-tracking package, the integration with the Vive ecosystem will surely yield some worthy performance advantages.
We’ve covered 360-degree cameras in the past, and as VR content continues to grow, odds are we’ll continue seeing newly released gear to view and capture the content. While some of these cameras are standalone devices, others are accessories to enhance the video quality of your smartphone. Yi seeks to tackle the former category with its new 360 VR-ready camera.
$130/$90
Amazon offers the Ninja Nutri Bowl DUO with Auto-iQ Boost (NN102) for $89.99 shipped. That’s 35% off the regular going rate, $60 less than other retailers like Target and an Amazon all-time low. Rated at 4.7/5 stars from 127 customers.
While cases provide protection for our devices, many use the accessories as a means of personalizing their smartphones. A recently launched Indiegogo campaign brings us the NuAns Neo Reloaded which fully embodies this sentiment, and is built from the ground up with customization in mind. The phone seeks to stand out from the competition not by offering a superior camera or other specs, but by providing a distinct look and feel.
Vanskytek (99% positive feedback from 4,014 ratings) via Amazon offers the Vansky Amplified HDTV Antenna w/ 50 Mile Range for $16.99 when code IIJU86E9 is applied at checkout. Shipping is free with a Prime membership, or in orders over $35. That takes $7 off the regular going rate and is the lowest price we’ve tracked at Amazon. Rated at 4.2/5 stars from 831 reviewers. A transparent version is also available for $16.99 when applying the same code at checkout.
The standalone devices which house our digital assistants have only continued to rise in popularity. From the Amazon Echo lineup to Google Home, the devices offer benefits to our lives and homes alike. But for those who happen to speak a language unsupported by these devices, you’re pretty much out of luck. Dreamwave hopes to solve this with its recently launched Kickstarter campaign, Genie, a multi-lingual translator for your favorite digital assistant.
up to 60%
Thinkgeek has begun its yearly May the 4th Be With You Sale which takes up to 60% off select Star Wars merchandise. Shipping is free on orders over $75. The sale discounts prices on Star Wars themed lamps, clothing, chargers, figures and other products.
Technology that inconspicuously blends into its surrounds continues to impress us. From artwork-speaker hybrids, to those that blend with home decor, the combination of beautifully crafted and functional gadgets are something we’re on the lookout for. Mellow, a recently launched Kickstarter campaign, nails this aesthetic and offers a gorgeously designed table with high-tech functionality.
$160/$95
Amazon offers the Philips HF3520 Wake-Up Light With Colored Sunrise Simulation $90.17 shipped. That’s a savings of around $50 compared to other online retailers like BestBuy, 20% off the regular going rate and the lowest price this year. Rated at 4.3/5 stars across 3,131 reviewers.
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It’s often difficult to decide which case we should wrap our coveted smartphones in. When searching for that perfect accessory, many of us look for stylish ones that offer added protection, while still complementing the design of our device. For the past two weeks, I’ve been using the Yesgo iPhone 7 case, and can already say that it checks off all three of these points.
V-Moda has impressed us before with the release of its Crossfade 2 headphones as well as its Remix Bluetooth speaker. In both cases, the products sport 3D printed accent pieces which allow the devices to take on a variety of styles. With today’s introduction of the Forza Metallo Bluetooth earbuds, V-Moda offers the same classic style, customization and sound quality found in other products across its lineup.
Wireless speakers have been a hot item this year. It seems as though every company is unveiling a sound system or portable speaker with its own flair and functionality. Regardless of if you’re looking for something with a refreshing design, or rich and robust sound, there is most likely a speaker built to fit your needs. However in terms of the high-end market, there isn’t as much flexibility in style, which is where Master & Dynamic’s latest speaker shines.