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.
Meet the latest addition to the Echo family. Today Amazon is expanding its stable of Alexa-enabled smart speakers with a new lower-cost offering in the form of the Echo Pop. This colorful new speaker arrives with all of the hands-free access to Alexa that you should expect from Amazon, just with a refreshed look that pairs colorful designs with a more sustainable construction that is now available for pre-order.
Amazon is currently discounting a collection of Samsung gaming monitors to some of the best prices yet. Across a series of different form-factors all starting at $160, shipping is free for everything in the sale. A top pick falls to Samsung’s flagship battlestation upgrade, with the Odyssey Ark Monitor falling to $1,999.99. Down from its usual $3,500 going rate, today’s offer lands with $1,500 in savings attached. It’s the second-best discount to date and lowest in over a month. We’ve only seen today’s price bested once before, which was in a 1-day sale at $117 less. As Samsung’s most impressive gaming monitor to date, the new Odyssey Ark stands apart from everything else on the market with a curved 55-inch 4K panel. It comes backed by mini-LED tech and a 165Hz refresh rate, with a rotating design that can position all of the pixels into a vertical orientation. It sports a unique Ark Dial control pad, and pairs with four HDMI ports, and four Dolby Atmos-backed corner speakers. Head below for more.
Skullcandy today is launching its latest pair of ANC headphones. The new Crusher ANC 2 deliver Skullcandy’s latest over-ear designs that on top of delivering stables like active noise cancellation, also come backed by some more standout inclusions. There’s up to 60-hour playback on a single charge, not to mention built-in Tile tracking and multipoint Bluetooth connectivity. But the real star of the show from my listening so far is the Crusher bass controls, making these headphones standout from the competition.
Listen to a recap of the best deals and news from 9to5Toys each day at noon. 9to5Toys Daily is available on iTunes and Apple Podcasts, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed. New episodes of 9to5Toys Daily are recorded every weekday. Subscribe to our podcast in iTunes/Apple Podcast or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they are available.
LEGO today is launching one of the largest Batman sets to date. Arriving next month, the new Batcave Shadowbox brings the Caped Crusader’s iconic lair into LEGO form in an entirely new way. The new LEGO Batcave Shadowbox arrives with nearly 4,000 pieces alongside some exclusive new minifigures, the Batmobile, and other details from Batman Returns.
Last fall, Segway teamed up with Hasbro to launch a lineup of Transformers-inspired electric vehicles. Now ahead of the latest film starring the Autobots, Amazon is discounting the lineup’s flagship EV. On sale for one of the first times, the new Segway Ninebot Bumblebee Electric GoKart PRO drops to $1,899.99 shipped. Typically fetching $2,299, you’re now looking at $399 in savings to go alongside the first price cut in months. It has sold for less, with the all-time low arriving back in March at $64 less. Today’s offer though is the second-best price we’ve seen to date.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a dedicated Transformers fan or not, the Ninebot GoKart PRO can handle zipping you or the kids around the block at up to 23 MPH top speeds with a 15-mile range. Its durable design can also be folded down for transportation, and pairs with other features like an electric brake, integrated headlights, and taillights. You can also detach the included Ninebot S MAX which powers the experience for a self-balancing scooter ride alongside the go kart fun. But of course this is the Transformers variant, which comes decked out in a vibrant yellow color scheme fitting for the Bumblebee inspiration. There’s also an Optimus Prime model worth a look for much of the same theming, too. Head below for more.
Google last week just revealed its latest slate of smartphones, delivering a new mid-range device alongside its very first flagship foldable. But for those who just want to skip the higher-end feature sets for something more affordable, the Google Pixel 6a has your back. This entry-level handset already clocks in with a more palatable $449 price tag on any other day, but now is dropping down to one of the best prices of the year. Now on sale for $349 shipped courtesy of Amazon, today’s offer amounts to $100 in savings and is the best we’ve seen since back in December.
Google Pixel 6a arrives as the brand’s now previous-generation budget-friendly handset, taking a much more affordable approach from its flagship Pixel 6/Pro counterparts. Powered by the original Google Tensor chip, everything from there branches out to deliver some capable specs in a more affordable form-factor. The 6.1-inch FHD+ 60Hz display is backed by 24-hour battery life, as well as 6GB of RAM and 128GB of onboard storage. All of the usual photography prowess from Google is packed into 12MP wide and 12MP ultrawide lenses around the back of the device, too. So if you’re not sold by the just-announced Pixel 7a, this slightly older model delivers even more savings. Our hands-on review offers a better idea of what to expect, as well.
After seeing the elevated M2 Pro model go up for sale last week at $100 off, Amazon is now rolling out the savings on Apple’s just-refreshed M2 Mac mini. The baseline configurations are some of the best values in all of macOS, and now they’re even better thanks to some all-time low discounts. Starting with the 256GB model, pricing starts at $499 shipped. That’s $99 off the going rate and landing at the all-time low for only the third time. It’s the best price in over a month, as well as the first price cut since back at the start of April. The 512GB capacity with double the SSD storage is also on sale, elevating the savings to $120 with a drop from $799 down to $679.
Apple’s all-new M2 Mac mini refreshes a beloved form-factor to feature its latest-generation of in-house silicon. There’s that same compact build that has made previous versions so popular amongst first-time Mac owners, as well as streamlined workstation users and homelabbers alike. The improved performance of the M2 chip also pairs with dual Thunderbolt 4 ports, a pair of USB-A slots, an HDMI output, and Gigabit Ethernet. You’ll also find Wi-Fi 6E, and at least an 8-core CPU backed by a 10-core GPU and 256GB of storage. Over at 9to5Mac, we detail what to expect from the experience in a recent hands-on review, too.
Listen to a recap of the best deals and news from 9to5Toys each day at noon. 9to5Toys Daily is available on iTunes and Apple Podcasts, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed. New episodes of 9to5Toys Daily are recorded every weekday. Subscribe to our podcast in iTunes/Apple Podcast or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they are available.
Tears of the Kingdom hit the world by storm starting on Friday, taking over the likes of Twitter, TikTok, and the rest of the web with wild clips of all the wacky and intense action from Hyrule. If you’re looking to dive into the fun yourself, Woot today is now offering an open-box Nintendo Switch for $246.99. Shipping is free for Prime members, with a flat rate $6 fee applying otherwise. Normally fetching $300, you’re looking at a rare chance to save on Nintendo’s hybrid console. It’s a perfectly-timed discount to get in on the action, with nearly enough savings to bring home the device and latest Zelda game for just about retail.
While not the all-new OLED version that offers some quality of life improvements over the original, this is the first Switch that Nintendo released. It still offers the same graphic performance as the newer counterpart, alongside all of the same hybrid action that lets you fight Ganondorf up on the big screen and then take Link on-the-go to explore Hyrule while away from home. The open-box status comes backed by a 30-day warranty, but otherwise are like-new. Head below for more.
Earlier in the spring we covered a discount on AirPods Max, to which readers chimed in that despite being $100 off, there are better options out there. One of the cited options at the top of everyone’s list is the Sennheiser Momentum 4, a recently-released pair of over ear headphones from one of the more beloved brands on the market. I’ve been daily driving these for the past month, and have to say that I agree. But just how well do they stack up against Apple’s flagship headphones?
Spring is the perfect time to finally join the micro mobility movement, and today we’re tracking just the discount to make sure scoring a new EV doesn’t empty your wallet. Courtesy of Rad Power Bikes and its popular lineup of eBikes, the RadRover 6 Plus is now dropping to its best price ever following a $700 discount. We also have a wide selection of Tesla and e-bike discounts in today’s New Green Deals, so you won’t want to miss that either.
Listen to a recap of the best deals and news from 9to5Toys each day at noon. 9to5Toys Daily is available on iTunes and Apple Podcasts, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed. New episodes of 9to5Toys Daily are recorded every weekday. Subscribe to our podcast in iTunes/Apple Podcast or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they are available.
Best Buy today is launching a new tier of its membership program. Better suited to take on the likes of Amazon Prime and Walmart+, the new My Best Buy Plus subscription focuses its benefits around free shipping, access to savings, and extended return times – all while managing to undercut the competition along the way.
Satechi is helping you score some new tech for mom, with the launch of its annual Mother’s Day sale now ushering in 20% in savings across the site. Just apply code MOTHER at checkout to lock-in the savings, which also includes free shipping across the board in orders over $40. Be sure to go shop the entire sale here, or just head below the fold as we break down all of our favorites. Satechi makes some of our favorite accessories for everything in Apple’s stable, be it the latest Macs, iPads, or iPhones, and all of it is on sale.
Listen to a recap of the best deals and news from 9to5Toys each day at noon. 9to5Toys Daily is available on iTunes and Apple Podcasts, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed. New episodes of 9to5Toys Daily are recorded every weekday. Subscribe to our podcast in iTunes/Apple Podcast or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they are available.
Late last year, Shargeek launched a new version of its popular Mac-themed USB-C charger. Stepping up to include even more power into much of the same classic Apple form-factor, the new release can refuel far more than just an iPhone. Having just launched, we’re taking a hands-on look to see if the new Shargeek Retro 67W GaN Charger and its iconic design are worth the $79 price tag.
Listen to a recap of the best deals and news from 9to5Toys each day at noon. 9to5Toys Daily is available on iTunes and Apple Podcasts, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed. New episodes of 9to5Toys Daily are recorded every weekday. Subscribe to our podcast in iTunes/Apple Podcast or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they are available.
Through the end of the day, Best Buy is offering some of the best prices to date across Apple’s entire collection of official iPhone 14 series cases. Shipping is free across the board. With almost everything landing at the second-best prices to date, you can just check out the landing page here for a look at all of the discounts. But below the fold, we broke down what to expect from all of the savings, including the popular and colorful silicone covers, premium clear cases, and even higher-end leather stylings. We’re also seeing some of the new styles on sale that haven’t been marked down yet before. Each of the offerings arrive with onboard MagSafe support, and pricing starts at $40 across the lineup.
After just getting a first look at 12 of the upcoming Ninjago 2023 summer sets due out this August, we’re now able to turn our attention over to the largest kit from that LEGO theme this year. A new thrilling addition to the very popular Ninjago City collection is finally here, delivering yet another expansion to the wave of futuristic modular buildings. The new LEGO Ninjago City Markets will be hitting store shelves in June, and now the theme’s largest creation of all time is being officially revealed.
The LEGO summer 2023 wave is closing in, and tonight we’re getting a first look at all 12 of the upcoming Ninjago creations. Entering its latest season, there’s a collection of all-new models set to hit the scene come August. Get a first look below the fold.
Belkin is gearing up to launch its latest earbuds, this time around packing some features we don’t normally see in such an affordable price point. The new SoundForm Pulse earbuds from Belkin not only arrive with ANC at $120, but also with 35-hour battery life and multipoint Bluetooth connectivity ahead of launching later this month.
Listen to a recap of the best deals and news from 9to5Toys each day at noon. 9to5Toys Daily is available on iTunes and Apple Podcasts, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed. New episodes of 9to5Toys Daily are recorded every weekday. Subscribe to our podcast in iTunes/Apple Podcast or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they are available.
Satechi’s official Amazon storefront is now offering its new 12-in-1 Thunderbolt 4 hub for $238.99 shipped. Down from the usual $300 going rate, today’s offer amounts to 20% in savings in order to match a sitewide sale we saw earlier in the spring. This clocks in at $1 under our previous mention, and comes within $39 of the all-time low from earlier in the year, too. Featuring Thunderbolt 4 tech, this 12-in-1 dock can turn a single port on your MacBook into a full desktop experience backed by a wide range of I/O. All packed into a metal enclosure are three Thunderbolt 4 ports, three USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 slots, Gigabit Ethernet, an SD card reader, and more. Not to mention 96W of power passthrough to your machine for a single cable setup. Head below for more.
Arc makes one of the most unique smartphone case alternatives on the market. Its unique Pulse bumper isn’t a case in the traditional sense, but still offers some protection against daily wear while delivering a minimalistic design made out of aluminum. Originally only making the accessory for iPhones, Arc is now bringing the Pulse bumper to Samsung’s flagship Galaxy smartphones thanks to new Galaxy S23 and S22 releases that are now up for pre-order.
As it tends to always do on May the 4th, the LEGO Group celebrated Star Wars Day with the launch of its latest collectible kit. Joining the Ultimate Collector Series for 2023, one of the most iconic vehicles in all of the galaxy is getting the display-worthy treatment. Not the first time we’ve seen a UCS version, we’re taking a hands-on look at the latest LEGO X-Wing Starfighter to see if it really was worth a third attempt.
Nomad today is partnering with 9to5Toys in order to offer our readers an exclusive chance to save on its latest in-house cases. If spring has you thinking it’s time to refresh the look and feel of your handset, Nomad is stepping in with just the sale. Right now, you can save an extra 20% on its entire collection of iPhone 14 and 14 Plus cases. Ranging from its signature Horween leather builds to some more slick sport cases fit for Apple’s latest, applying code 9to514 at checkout will deliver a match of the best prices this year on everything. Shipping varies per order and is free when spending over $150. We break down some of our favorite offerings below, or you can just shop the entire sale over on this landing page to check out the up to 33% in savings.
Listen to a recap of the best deals and news from 9to5Toys each day at noon. 9to5Toys Daily is available on iTunes and Apple Podcasts, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed. New episodes of 9to5Toys Daily are recorded every weekday. Subscribe to our podcast in iTunes/Apple Podcast or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they are available.
Amazon is now offering the Fossil Neutra Gen 6 Hybrid Smartwatch for $171.75 shipped in several styles. Down from $249, you’re looking at a new all-time low on some of the more premium offerings at 31% off. This is $4 under our previous mention, as well. Sporting a circular screen design, the Fossil Neutra takes on a different approach thanks to an e-ink panel that steps in over your usual color display. That lets it deliver on the hybrid naming scheme, pairing a traditional watch mechanism with the added smart features for showing off notifications and fitness metrics. Which speaking of, the Gen 6 smartwatch can monitor everything from workouts and heart rate to wellness, sleep, and SpO2. We just recently reviewed the Wellness edition of the latest Fossil wearable over at 9to5Google, too.
As the Star Wars Day excitement officially kicks off today for May the 4th, Amazon is set to announce its latest Echo accessories from a galaxy far, far away. Bringing the likes of Darth Vader, Din Djarin, and Stormtroopers to your Alexa speaker, these new Star Wars Echo Dot 5th stands add a bit of flair to your smart home with light up eyes and iconic designs.
Star Wars Day is now upon us, ushering in a whole galaxy’s worth of discounts. As per usual here at 9to5Toys, we will be wrapping up all of the best price cuts across every product carry for the 2023 May the 4th festivities. Like every other year, there is a vast array of discounts out there, ranging from LEGO, collectibles, and other toys to games, tech, and so much more. Head below for all of the Star Wars Day and May the 4th deals, which we’ll be updating over the next few days.
Yesterday saw the LEGO Group launch its own Star Wars Day sale ahead of May the 4th. But for those who want to bring home cash discounts instead of extra kits or points, other retailers are dishing out some savings for the big day. Storefronts like Amazon, Walmart, and Zavvi are known for offering competitive discounts on the latest from LEGO Star Wars and beyond, and now this week we’re seeing the biggest sale from a galaxy far, far away of the year. Shipping is free across the board for Prime members and Walmart+ subscribers, or in orders over $25. Including all-new 2023 sets, last year’s summer wave, and some older kits slated for retirement, all of the best LEGO Star Wars deals are below the fold for May the 4th.
Listen to a recap of the best deals and news from 9to5Toys each day at noon. 9to5Toys Daily is available on iTunes and Apple Podcasts, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed. New episodes of 9to5Toys Daily are recorded every weekday. Subscribe to our podcast in iTunes/Apple Podcast or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they are available.
One of our favorite USB-C chargers on the market, Amazon is now offering the best price yet on Case-Mate’s latest Fuel Brites Wall Adapter. Dropping this USB-C GaN II charger down to $15.40 for the Vivid Green style, shipping is free for Prime members or in orders over $25. Other colorways are also on sale. Normally fetching $30, you’re looking at nearly 50% in savings to go alongside the best price ever. It’s $3 under our previous mention from last month, too. Arriving in one of four different colors, Case-Mate’s latest charger arrives with some retro flair thanks to translucent designs straight out of the 1990s and early 2000s. It features a 30W output over the single USB-C port and comes backed by GaN technology. There’s notably a folding plug design to complete the package that you can read all about in our Tested with 9to5Toys review.
After getting a first look at the new LEGO Dreamzzz sets this morning, we’re now turning our attention to the Technic side of LEGO’s summer lineup. Arriving later this year in August, a pair of creations will be hitting the scene this summer. Thanks to German retailer JB Spielwaren, we’re getting a first look at the new LEGO Technic Mars Rover Perseverance and John Deere Skidder sets.
Today we’re getting a look at just about all of the sets from the LEGO Group’s latest in-house theme. Following in the footsteps of Ninjago, Friends, and Monkie Kid, the latest property from the company will be launching this summer with a collection of colorful and oh-so whimsical creations. LEGO Dreamzzz arrives with a lineup of builds that are just as surreal as they are fun, and we break down what to expect from the all-new theme below.
The LEGO Group just launched its Star Wars Day celebration, and at the top of all the fanfare is the new mini Death Star II set. This limited-edition creation not only arrives to pay homage to the 40th anniversary of Return of the Jedi but also arrives as an exciting new build that’s free on select orders. Today we’re taking a closer look at how the kit stacks up to see if it’s worth the entry fee.
LEGO today is launching its annual Star Wars Day sale ahead of May the 4th. The company just launched a whole host of new kits to celebrate the next month rolling around, and front and center in the collection are creations from a galaxy far, far away. But there’s more this month than just the latest from LEGO Star Wars, namely promotions that help builders make the most out of expanding their collections.
The LEGO Group today is back with a fresh new collection of sets for May! Headlined by a whole galaxy of just-released builds from the Star Wars theme, there’s also new LEGO sets from the 100th anniversay Disney fanfare, the latest LEGO Ideas model, Technic supercars, and much more. Head below for the full scoop on all of the new LEGO sets available for May 2023, which are now available for purchase.
UGREEN is currently marking down an assortment of its latest Nexode USB-C chargers, all of which are landing at some of the best prices yet. Its new flagship offering is the real star of the show, with the UGREEN Nexode 200W 6-port USB-C GaN II Charger now sitting at $139.99 shipped. Down from its usual $200 going rate, this is a new all-time low at $60 off. It beats our previous mention by an extra $30 and is $10 below the previous best discount. Ready to power your entire desk, this charger packs four individual USB-C ports as well as dual USB-A. On the USB-C side of things, you’ll find that it packs up to 200W of total output. This comes in the form of two 100W USB-C devices at one time, three at up to 65W each, or, when four are connected, two will be at 65W, one at 45W, and another at 20W, while still being able to run both USB-A ports at 4A each. Overall, if you’re looking for an all-in-one solution for charging all of your gear with a single wall outlet, this model is about as good as it gets. Learn more about what this charger has to offer in our announcement coverage. Head below for more from $30.
Listen to a recap of the best deals and news from 9to5Toys each day at noon. 9to5Toys Daily is available on iTunes and Apple Podcasts, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed. New episodes of 9to5Toys Daily are recorded every weekday. Subscribe to our podcast in iTunes/Apple Podcast or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they are available.
iOttie has been making some of our favorite iPhone car mounts for ages now, and today two new offerings have hit the scene for iPhone 14 owners. Expanding its more premium Velox lineup comes a pair of new accessories that land at either end of the spectrum. There’s the flagship Velox Pro mount clocking in at the top of its class, with the Velox Mini tapping in at a more affordable price point. Both of the new MagSafe chargers are now available for purchase ahead of shipping next week, too.
After getting a first look at four new Kong characters making their debut into the LEGO collection earlier in the week, today we’re getting an official reveal of the first full LEGO Donkey Kong set. Due out later this summer in August, the upcoming Donkey Kong’s Tree House set continues the brick-built Nintendo action that Mario started a few years back. There’s also three other new Donkey Kong sets coming this summer, too.
Just in time for the warmer weather rolling in, Amazon is now offering the ecobee HomeKit SmartThermostat for $189.99 shipped. Dropping from the $220 price tag we’ve been tracking as of late, today’s offer arrives as it fell from the original $250 going rate last fall. Today’s offer amounts to $30 in savings and is matching the 2023 low, marking only the second discount of the year in the process. ecobee SmartThermostat automates your heating or cooling setup to ensure you’re comfortable throughout the tail end of winter and into the inconsistent spring weather. Replacing your existing unit, the SmartThermostat features a touchscreen display to control or monitor settings, and also arrives with HomeKit support out of the box as well as onboard access to Siri and Alexa. A bundled temperature sensor also lets you adjust settings based on hyperlocal readings. Dive into our hands-on review for a closer look and then head below for more.
Amazon is now offering a 2-pack of the all-new Wyze Cam Pan v3 Smart Camera for $68.16 shipped. Normally fetching $40 each, you’re looking at a combined bundle price of $80. Now dropping by 15%, this is the very first chance to save period, regardless of if you’re looking to score a single one or multiple. It’s also a new all-time low and the best value out there. Having just hit the scene back in February, the latest addition to the Wyze stable arrives with an entirely new design that still very much packs the brand’s signature stylings. Each of the two cameras feature 1080p streaming capabilities with direct connection right to your Wi-Fi. They can connect with Alexa and Assistant, while also featuring color night vision, two-way audio, and motion detection. Though the real star of the show is the pan and tilt functionality, which lets you surveil an entire room. Further explore how the features stack up in our hands-on review.
Listen to a recap of the best deals and news from 9to5Toys each day at noon. 9to5Toys Daily is available on iTunes and Apple Podcasts, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed. New episodes of 9to5Toys Daily are recorded every weekday. Subscribe to our podcast in iTunes/Apple Podcast or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they are available.
Amazon now offers the unlocked Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G 128GB Android Smartphone for $350.99 shipped in several colors. Typically fetching $600, you’re now looking at the best price we’ve ever seen thanks to only the second discount of the year. Today’s offer amounts to $249 in savings while beating our previous mention by $149. Samsung’s recent S21 FE arrived to deliver a series of the specs we typically see on the brand’s flagship handsets carried over to a more affordable package. To start, there’s a 6.4-inch AMOLED 1080p 120Hz display with an optical fingerprint sensor underneath and IP68 water-resistant coating. You can get a closer look in our hands-on review which details what to expect from the budget-friendly handset. Then head below for more.
Nomad today is launching a new Spring Cleaning sale that’s taking 15% off its entire collection of full price releases. Spread across its lineup of popular Apple accessories for iPhone, Apple Watch, and iPad, many of today’s discounts are the first offers of the year. Shipping is free in orders over $150, and you’ll need to apply code SpringCleaning15 at checkout to lock-in the savings. One of the more recent additions to the Nomad lineup is our top pick this time around, offering the new Base One Max for $127.50. That’s down from its $150 price tag and comes in one of three different styles at the best price of the year. It’s within $7.50 of the all-time low from back in December of last year during an end of 2022 sale.
Nomad’s latest multi-device charger takes on a more premium build than even some of its most popular leather-covered offerings from the past. Base One Max pairs a solid metal build with unique glass design that will fit right in with the rest of your Apple setup and provide a perfect spot for your new iPhone 14 or even existing iPhone 12 and 13 series handsets. On top of the 15W MagSafe charging tech, there’s also an integrated Apple Watch charger to complete the desk- or nightstand-friendly package. You can get a better idea of what to expect in our hands-on review.
Pre-order/$40
