Rikka Altland

Happy Saturday folks! Today we have some exciting news to share on the LEGO Marvel front, with the rest of the 2023 lineup beginning to solidify. Including movie tie-ins for the latest expansions to the MCU like Quantumania as well as display-worthy LEGO sets from No Way Home and a massive buildable Captain America Shield, we break down the LEGO Marvel summer 2023 sets below.

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.

• Apple Watch Series 8 fall to new all-time lows as $70 discounts now start from $329
• Save on Apple’s latest Mac Studio for the first time in months with rare $100 discount
• Outfit your iPhone 14 with official leather MagSafe cases from $43 (Reg. $59), more

Today, the LEGO Group is launching its latest double VIP points promotion on its entire catalog of sets. Giving builders a chance to score double the cash back on all-new creations from the start of the year including the latest from Ideas and other display-worthy models, you can also lock-in pre-orders and other upcoming builds with some added cash back attached. Head below for all the details on the new LEGO double points promotion and some of our top picks for getting the most out of the savings event.

Motorola’s wireless Android Auto car adapter has been one of the hottest smartphone accessories in the Android world since launching just under a year ago. Often times selling out completely or being met with lengthy backorder wait times, today we’re seeing a rare chance to save as several retailers step in to drop the usual $100 going rate. Courtesy of Amazon, the Motorola MA1 Wireless Adapter now sells for $89.99 shipped, which is also being matched at Best Buy. Marking only the second notable discount, this is also the second-best price at $10 off. It’s about as rare of a discount as they come, and finally a readily-available chance to save.

Motorola’s MA1 adapter upgrades your car and its existing entertainment unit’s Android Auto support with wireless connectivity. So instead of having to physically plug your smartphone in each time you get in the car, this add-on will let you pair wirelessly for a more seamless experience. It plugs into your ride via USB-A, and we cover what to expect from the experience in our hands-on review. Head below for more.

Lately across 9to5 we’ve been boasting about just how good of an experience Apple’s latest iPads make as a full-fledged computer. To help in elevating iPadOS from just a glorified mobile operating system, today we’re taking a look at the new Magnetic iPad Stand from elago. Arriving with an iMac-inspired design, the accessory magnetically holds your iPad Pro in place in order to give it a more desktop-worthy home at your workstation.

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.

• Apple’s latest 11-inch M2 iPad Pro 256GB comes within $1 of the all-time low at $69 off, more
• HomePod mini in all five colors hits $85 low alongside $75 cert. refurb sale (Reg. $99)
• Google Pixel 6a is an even better value with $150 discount to $299 all-time low

Zavvi is now discounting a series of LEGO Technic vehicles, delivering some of the first price cuts in months across the board with free shipping on everything. A favorite from the batch is the LEGO Technic Airbus H175 Rescue Helicopter, which drops down to $178.45 when code LEGO15 has been applied at checkout. Normally fetching $210, this set just launched last fall and arrives as one of 2022’s largest Technic creations. Now it’s sitting at the second-best price yet with $32 in savings attached. This is the first drop we’ve seen since back in September and still one of the very first chances to save period. Delivering a rare chance to assemble a LEGO Technic helicopter, this Airbus H175 comes outfitted with 2,001 pieces while sporting a red, yellow and white color scheme with yellow accenting. On top of its massive size, the build also features motorized functionality that spins the top rotor, alongside retractable landing gear and other authentic inclusions. Head below for more.

This week has seen the likes of all-new smartphones from Samsung and OnePlus go up for pre-order with some launch savings attached, 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 more affordable handset already clocks in with a more palletable $449 price tag on any other day, but now is dropping down to an all-time low. Now on sale for $299 shipped courtesy of Amazon, you’re looking at 33% in savings alongside a match of the best price to date. It’s the lowest we’ve seen since back over the holiday shopping season, and still marks one of the first times it has dropped this low.

Google Pixel 6a arrives as the brand’s latest budget-friendly handset, taking a slightly more affordable approach from last year’s 7/Pro handsets. There’s still the same Google Tensor chipset at the center of the experience, with a 6.1-inch FHD+ 60Hz display being paired with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of onboard storage. You can also expect to enjoy 24-hour battery life, as well as all of the usual photograph features packed into the 12MP wide and 12MP ultrawide lenses around back. Our hands-on review offers a better idea of what to expect, as well.

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.

• Apple’s upgraded M2 MacBook Air with 16GB of RAM sees $200 discount to new $1,299 low
• Pre-order the just-revealed OnePlus 11 5G starting at $700 and score a $100 gift card, more
• Save 50% on Goal Zero’s popular Sherpa 100 AC/PD portable power banks starting at $100

Announcing the results of 2022’s LEGO Ideas campaigns, today we’re getting a first look at two new creations from the fan-driven community. Likely not launching until next year, builders can look forward to an upcoming LEGO Nightmare Before Christmas set alongside a red London Telephone Box kit.

Amazon is now offering the Apple Watch Series 8 45mm GPS + Cellualr style for $689.98 shipped. Normally fetching $799, you’re looking at a new all-time low of $109 off. This is $9 under our previous mention from back in November, and only the second notable chance to save on this elevated model with stainless steel casing and complementing Milanese loop band.

Apple Watch Series 8 arrives as the brand’s next-generation wearable that steps up to deliver Apple’s most comprehensive fitness tracking experience yet. Well, aside from the new Ultra model, that is. Sporting an always-on display, you’ll find a new S8 chip powering the experience which drives the improved gyroscope and accelerometer to enable crash detection. The onboard temperature sensor pairs with overnight sleep tracking, as well as the onboard heart rate sensor, ECG capabilities, and blood oxygen monitoring. And of course, all of these arrive with cellular connectivity. Go learn more over at 9to5Mac.

After seeing a collection of new LEGO sets hit the scene at the start of the year, today we’re catching wind of the first double VIP points promotion of 2023. Making for a great chance to get extra cash back on your purchases, the latest of these events will be going live later in the week to cover new releases, upcoming pre-orders, and other must-have kits.

Today, Twelve South is refreshing one of its more unique Mac accessories for Apple’s latest desktop monitor. The Studio Display first hit the scene last spring, and now one of 9to5Toys’ favorite accessories the company makes is being updated: the signature Backpack stand for the premium Mac companion.

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.

• Save $79 on Apple’s 10.2-inch iPad and score an all-time low of $250
• Amazon clears out Samsung Galaxy S22 5G with $170 discount to second-best price of $680
• ecobee’s new Smart Thermostat Enhanced uses HomeKit to heat your space at $160 (Save $30)

Serving as the perfect accessory to all three of the iPad discounts we’ve tracked so far to start the week, Twelve South is now offering a chance to save on its HoverBar Duo stand. Courtesy of the retailer’s official storefront, you can drop the accessory down to $39.99 shipped. Just make sure to use the dropdown mention to select the first-generation model to see the price change. Normally fetching $60, you’re looking at 33% in savings alongside the third-best price to date. It comes within $0.50 of our previous mention, and just $2 of the all-time low set once before. Ready to pair with everything from Apple’s flagship 12.9-inch M2 iPad Pro to the compact iPad mini 6, Twelve South HoverBar Duo arrives as quite the versatile tablet accessory. As we’ve come to expect from Twelve South, there’s a premium build that in this case pairs with three points of articulation to help adjust the viewing angle of your device. And living up to its name, HoverBar Duo also has a 2-in-1 design that props up an iPad on a desk or clamp underneath a cabinet. Get a closer look in our launch coverage and then head below for more.

After a teaser earlier in the week, today we’re getting an official look at the all-new LEGO Lord of the Rings Rivendell set. Stacking up to over 6,000 pieces, this massive display-worthy creation officially reboots the brick-built world of J. R. R. Tolkien complete with tons of intricate details, 10 minifigures, and so much more. Launching on March 6, we breakdown everything you need to know about the new set $500 set below.

We’ve seen a fair share of iPad discounts go on sale to start the new year, and now if you’ve been waiting for a chance to bring home Apple’s most compact iPadOS experience, several retailers are here to deliver. Right now, the latest iPad mini 6 Wi-Fi 64GB is now down to $399.99 shipped courtesy of Amazon and Best Buy. Available in several styles, you’re looking at a match of the second-best price to date at $99 off its usual $499 going rate. It’s the first discount we’ve seen in over a month and arrives as the best discount in months.

Apple’s latest compact iPadOS experience arrives as the latest iPad mini 6. It may be the smallest one in the lineup, but still delivers many of the signature features you’d expect like an edge-to-edge 8.3-inch Retina display and Apple Pencil 2 support. Throw in the A15 Bionic chip and Touch ID in the power button to complete the package. I’ve been a huge fan of the form-factor myself since picking one, though you don’t have to take just my word for it. Our hands-on review notes just how perfect its size is without sacrificing on performance, as well. Head below for more.

JBL just announced the new Pulse 5 speaker, a refreshed version of the brand’s flashiest way to listen to music. Much like its predecessors, this portable offering pairs battery-powered playback with integrated LED lights for a unique design that sets the JBL Pulse 5 apart from other speakers on the market.

Update: LEGO has officially revealed the new Lord of the Rings Rivendell set, which stacks up to 6,167 pieces and will be launching for VIP members on March 5. Go get the official details right here.

Today, the LEGO Group has taken to its official Twitter account to tease an upcoming set that fans have long been waiting for. Marking the return of the actual Lord of the Rings theme, the magical sanctuary Rivendell will be getting the brick-built treatment for only the second time ever.

After seeing its latest lineup of Fire tablets as well as Kindle e-readers go on sale to start the week, Amazon is now carrying over the savings to a collection of Echo smart displays. Shipping is free across the board. Headlining the sale is the Echo Show 15 for $194.99. Normally fetching $250, today’s offer amounts the third-best discount yet at $55 off. This is the first chance to save since back on Cyber Monday, as well.

Delivering Amazon’s largest screen-based Alexa experience yet, the Echo Show 15 is fittingly centered around a wall-mountable 15.6-inch screen. You’ll find all of the usual hands-free voice control access for commanding smart home devices and the like, as well as some more novel features allowed by the screen form-factor. The new Visual ID feature will automatically adjust content based on who’s in the room, and the larger display now supports a refreshed widget system for showing off family reminders, photos, and much more. Dive into our announcement coverage for a closer look. Head below for more.

Best Buy is now offering the recently-released Google Pixel Watch for $299.99 shipped in four different styles. Also matched over at Amazon. Dropping down from its usual $350 going rate, today’s offer amounts to $50 in savings while landing at the second-best price to date. It comes within $1 of the all-time low, is only the fourth time on sale since launching last fall, and the best we’ve seen in nearly 2 months.

Google Pixel Watch just hit the scene earlier this fall and arrives as the company’s first attempt at packing its usual tech into a wearable form-factor. Centered around a unique circular domed design, the watch is powered by the latest version of Wear OS and backed by all of the Fitbit prowess that Google has now come to own. Alongside being able to track workouts and other daily stats, there’s also sleep and heart rate monitoring to complement the heart rhythm assessment for detecting AFib with the built-in ECG tech. Our hands-on review explores just how all of that stacks up for daily use.

Joining in on the Pixel Buds discounts that went live this past weekend, Amazon is now offering a chance to save on both of Google’s latest Android smartphones. Leading the way, the unlocked Google Pixel 7 Pro now starts at $749 shipped in several styles for the 128GB capacity. Down from $899, this is delivering $150 in savings as well as a match of the second-best price. We haven’t seen it sell for less in over a month, and that was just $10 less than today’s markdown. You can also save $100 on both of the 256GB and 512GB elevated storage capacities.

Packed into a refreshed design that still delivers the same size 6.7-inch QHD+ 120Hz screen as before, Pixel 7 Pro arrives as Google’s most capable handset yet. The updated build also houses a new camera assembly on the back of the handset, which comes centered around a 50MP main sensor, 12MP ultrawide lens, and upgraded 48MP telephoto zoom capabilties. All of that comes powered by the new second-generation Tensor G2 chip which is complemented by 128GB of storage and 12GB of RAM. We break down all of the details in our launch coverage, as well.

Amazon and Sony are now teaming up to kick off the week with a notable assortment of price cuts across its latest lineup of headphones and earbuds. Everything starts at $28 and ships free across the board. Our top pick from the batch has the Sony WH-1000XM5 ANC Headphones for $348 in two different styles, which is down from the usual $398 going rate. This is a match of the all-time low at $50 off and still only the second time it has been at this price. 

Sony’s new XM5 headphones arrive as the latest addition to its series of popular cans backed by some of the best active noise cancellation on the market. This time around there’s a completely refreshed design that now arrives with 30-hour battery life to go alongside the new Integrated Processor V1 for improved playback. That new exterior is comprised of soft fit leather with a lightweight build rounding out the package alongside multipoint Bluetooth connectivity. Head below for more.

Super Bowl Sunday is right around the corner, but there’s still plenty of time to outfit your home theater ahead of the big game. While you’ll find plenty of TV discounts available already, Sonos today is stepping in to make sure your home audio is in check. Delivering some rare chances to save across the board, everything is marked down to the second-best prices to date, if not matching the all-time lows. Shipping is free across the board. Our top pick is the Sonos Arc Smart Soundbar, which drops to $799. Normally fetching $899, this one saw a price hike pretty early on in the pandemic and has only dropped lower than today’s price cut once before back over Black Friday. This $100 discount is also the first markdown since back in November, too.

Arriving as the brand’s most capable smart soundbar, Sonos Arc delivers eleven drivers in a sleek design for a streamlined home theater setup with Dolby Atmos alongside all of the other staples of the ecosystem. That includes AirPlay 2 support, Trueplay audio, surround sound support, and integration with the rest of the Sonos speaker lineup. Head below for all of the other Sonos deals.

Amazon is now offering the official Apple Smart Folio for iPad Mini 6 at $47 shipped in two styles. Normally fetching $59, much like you’ll pay for the other colorways right now, today’s offer marks an all-around rare chance to save on an essential for Apple’s latest and most compact iPadOS experience. It’s the second-best discounts to date at within $4 of the all-time low only set once before back in November. This is the first chance to save since, too. Wrapping your iPad mini 6 in one of Apple’s official cases, the Smart Folio protects both the front and back of your device. On top of doubling as a stand for watching videos or taking notes, the folding folio cover provides sleep and wake functionality. It also magnetically snaps to the back of your device and features a soft polyurethane material to round out the package. Head below for more.

In what has to be some of my favorite LEGO news in quite some time, today 9to5Toys can confirm that later this year we will see an expansion to the popular Ninjago City collection. These massive creations have been assembling a modular sci-fi city in much of the same manner that the Icons Buildings do, and now we’re getting a fourth installment in the series that is the lineup’s largest set to date. Enter the Ninjago City Markets launching in June with over 6,100 pieces …

Hot off the release of the new Samsung Galaxy S23 smartphone collection reveal this afternoon, Spigen is getting in on the announcements by showcasing its refreshed lineup of accessories. Arriving for Samsung’s latest, the new case collection comes in six different form-factors to protect the new Galaxy S23 devices.

Today, 9to5Toys can report on what may very well end up being one of the biggest LEGO leaks of all-time. A recent LEGO marketing survey saw the company questioning the viability of some massive display-worthy sets, including a potential UCS Jabba’s Sail Barge, Legend of Zelda Deku Tree, and more.

Today, Amazon is rolling out its latest selection of First Reads FREE eBooks now that a new month has arrived. Throughout all of February, anyone subscribed to Amazon’s Prime 2-day shipping service is now able to receive early access to new Kindle books for FREE (Reg. $6) before these titles are released. Head below for a look at this month’s freebies.

Amazon today is launching a pair of new styles for its latest Kindle Paperwhite 5. Adding some extra style to one of the most popular e-readers on the market, the new versions now come in Denim and Agave Green designs that add a pop of flair to the classic black release. Arriving with some launch discounts attached, all of the details are live down below.

Amazon is now offering the VOCOlinc HomeKit Smart Plug for $8.49 when clipping the on-page coupon. Shipping is free for Prime members or in orders over $25. Normally fetching $13, you can now score a Siri-enabled smart plug for 35% off. This is the second-best we’ve seen to date at within $0.50 of the all-time low last set in September, and the best since. Delivering an affordable way to have Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant control lamps and appliances, this smart plug pairs right to your Wi-Fi, ditching the need for an external hub. It’s quite rare to see an offering anywhere in this price range with HomeKit out of the box, which can be used to schedule and automate the smart plug alongside controlling over voice commands. We’ve reviewed other VOCOlinc HomeKit gear in the past, for a better idea of what to expect from the brand, too.

Today Marvel fans and LEGO builders alike are getting the first official look at the latest buildable helmet to arrive from the Infinity Saga. Assembling the leader of the Guardians of the Galaxy before the squad hits theaters once again for Volume 3 later this year, the new LEGO Star-Lord Helmet stacks up to over 600 pieces and is now available for pre-order.

Marshall today is out with its latest speaker, bridging the gap between its usual room-filling at-home speakers and the more portable, battery-powered offerings. With a perfect name like the Middleton, Marshall’s latest speaker comes backed by the usual retro amp design, a build comprised of recycled plastics, over 20 hours of playback per charge, and the brand’s usual unmatched audio fidelity.

Amazon is now offering the Eve Room HomeKit Air Quality Monitor with Thread for $79.96 shipped after clipping the on-page coupon. Normally fetching $100, you’re looking at 20% in savings and a match of the third-best price. This comes within $10 of our previous mention, and is the first price cut in a month. Much the same as the original version, Eve Room delivers all of the same air quality monitoring and HomeKit support as before, just with Thread integration built in alongside Bluetooth connectivity. With an E-ink display packed into its aluminum frame, you’ll find temperature and humidity tracking on top of being able to keep tabs on airborne particle readings. Eve also just started rolling out Matter support last fall, too. Dive into our launch coverage for some additional info.

Plugable today is launching its latest USB-C docking station, this time designing it around Apple’s latest iPads, as well as other tablets for that matter. Sporting a build-in adjustable stand, the new hybrid accessory helps turn your iPadOS machine into a more desktop-caliber computer with 8-in-1 USB-C hub and more ergonomic screen position. Best of all, to celebrate the new release, we detail a launch promotion down below.

After seeing elago refresh another one of its classic Apple Watch accessories for the newer Ultra wearable, the company is back today to start the week with another updated release. The new version of elago W3 Stand arrives with an altered build to fit perfectly with Apple Watch Ultra alongside all of the classic Macintosh stylings.

For the past few months, 9to5Toys has been sharing what to expect from the 100th anniversary Disney collaboration, and today three new sets have leaked that get in on the celebration. Delivering three BrickHeadz character packs, a total of six iconic characters from throughout the Disney vault will be launching later this spring including the likes of WALL-E, Moana, and more.

At long last, BIONICLE is back! Well, sort of. Today the LEGO Group launched its latest gift with purchase, and we’re going hands-on to see just how the modern-day remakes of Tahu and Takua stack up. Available now as a free add-on to select orders over $100, the latest promotional set has been long-awaited by fans of the heroes from Mata Nui. Now to see if the promotion is worth your cash, I’m taking a closer look at BIONICLE and its 2023 comeback.

With a move on the horizon, I’ve been figuring out just what combination of chargers and power strips were going to help me streamine the family room setup. UGREEN’s recent DigiNest Pro has tapped in just in time to save the day, delivering seven ports for topping off everything from my own personal everyday carry to friend’s smartphones and more. Below, I see how the entire package stacks up in this latest edition of Tested with 9to5Toys.

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.

• Pair your new M2 Mac mini with an all-time low on Apple Studio Display at $1,300 (Save $299)
• Apple’s Magic Keyboard outfits your 12.9-inch M2 iPad Pro at $300 (Save $49)
• Apple’s 24-inch M1 iMac goes on sale for first time in months from $1,100 (Save $199)