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.
After getting an exclusive first look at the latest additions to the LEGO Star Wars helmet series earlier in the week, today the new builds are officially being revealed. Now available for pre-order ahead of the March 1 launch date, the new Commander Cody and Captain Rex Helmets expand the LEGO lineup at the $69.99 price points.
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At the start of the year, the LEGO Group released its latest version of Tony Stark’s Hulkbuster armor from the MCU. As a massive Iron Man fan and an even bigger enjoyer of the brick-built versions of the Golden Avenger, I finally picked up the kit to add to my collection. Comparing it to some of the previous versions, I go hands on below to see just why the new LEGO Hulkbuster is the best one yet.
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While we’ve been sharing lots of reports on what to expect from the LEGO Star Wars 2023 lineup as of late, this afternoon we can excitingly share a first look at some of the new sets. Releasing on March 1, the Star Wars Helmet series will be getting its very first creations from the Clone Wars. Assembling Commander Cody and Captain Rex, the two new LEGO helmets will be hitting the scene later this spring for $70 each.
As the LEGO Star Wars lineup for 2023 shifts into focus, today 9to5Toys can share a report confirming what one of the year’s more display-worthy sets will be. Arriving as one of the latest expansions to the LEGO diorama series, the upcoming Jabba’s Throne Room will depict an iconic scene from Return of the Jedi to celebrate the movie’s 40th anniversary.
Since the iconic Show About Nothing™️ ended 25 years ago, we’ve seen that Jerry, George, and the gang have found their way into all kinds of unique releases. From point-and-click adventure games to LEGO sets that capture the iconic New York style of the friend group, there has hardly been a shortage of collectibles and tributes to the series. Today, the folks at Fisher-Price are staking their claim to get in on all of the yada yada yada and are releasing a new set of Seinfeld figures.
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Apple’s just-revealed M2 Mac mini is slated to begin arriving tomorrow, Now for those who haven’t already locked in their order on Apple’s most compact macOS machine, Adorama is stepping in to deliver the first price cut on the new release thanks to a promo code we break down below the fold. Right now the just-announced Apple M2 Mac mini starts at $549 shipped with that code found below. It’s a $50 price cut from the usual $599 going rate and matches the price cut we saw available in Apple’s education store. Though this is the first readily-available chance to save to date. There are also two other configurations landing at $100 off, which we detail after the jump with the code you need to redeem the deals.
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 HDM 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, too.
Amazon now offers a rare chance to find the Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield Ultra-Premium Charizard Collection in stock, and with a discount attached no less. Dropping the price down to $100.99 shipped, this is down from the usual $120 MSRP that was just restocked direct from the Pokémon Center and arrives with $20 in savings. It’s also delivering a new all-time low, too. This Pokémon TCG box includes everything you need to get into the card game whether you’re looking to just collect or want to get in on the competitive side of gameplay. You’re mainly getting 16 TCG booster packs spread throughout the Sword and Shield series, as well as some themed Charizard add-ons. There’s three foil promo cards exclusive to the set, as well as a playmat, card sleeves, and some other gear. Head below for more.
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.
Secondipity via eBay’s official refurbished storefront now offers the recently-released Sony WH-1000XM5 ANC Headphones for $279 shipped in both black and silver. Normally fetching $398 in new condition at retailers like Amazon, you’re looking at the second-best price to date of $119 off. This comes within $26 of the all-time low, which was set just once before back in September. 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.
Zagg today, by way of Gear4, is launching a new Apple Watch band that takes on the Ultra series stylings for less. The new Highland strap arrives with a familiar design to one of Apple’s own in-house offerings, just without the usual premium price tag attached and all of the expected rugged build.
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.
After 9to5Toyslast reported that the LEGO Group would be officially relaunching BIONICLE as a gift with purchase, today actual photos of the upcoming kit have been revealed. Releasing next Friday, the freebie will be available as an add-on to other LEGO orders, delivering the first recreations of heroes Tahu and Takua in years.
Woot is now discounting nearly the entire lineup of Samsung’s latest Frame 2022 4K AirPlay 2 TVs. Shipping is free for Prime members, though you’ll have to pay a $6 delivery fee otherwise. Across the board, these are mostly down at all-time lows, if not sitting in at the second-best prices we’ve seen. Everything starts at $429.99 for the 32-inch Frame TV, which is down from its usual $598 going rate and matching the best we’ve ever seen. Also on sale are refurbished models with even steeper discounts attached, which we break down below the fold.
Unlike your average TV, Samsung’s Frame lineup mixes things up with a more aesthetically-pleasing design that ditches the usual black plastic bezels for a picture frame-inspired design. So living up to that Frame naming convention, the TVs sport 4K HDR QLED panels with 120Hz refresh rates up on the wall, while also taking advantage of the new Matte Display anti-glare screen so content looks great in any room. That also helps enable the unique design that blends in amongst the rest of your home decor and can even double as a digital picture frame for both personal photos and gallery-quality artwork. Get all the details in our launch coverage and head below for more.
It’s been a while since we’ve checked in on everyone’s favorite archaeologist, but today 9to5Toys can share an update on the revival of the LEGO Indiana Jones series. With the new film on the horizon, the LEGO Group will be launching a new collection of sets to get in on the action, many of which we’ve already detailed. Headlined by the upcoming 1,500-piece LEGO Temple Escape Diorama, there will also be three other Indiana Jones sets landing on April 1.
As one of its final releases of the year, Satechi in December released its new Duo Wireless Charger Power Stand. This unique offering delivers a complete charging station for your Apple kit in a design that can fit right in the palm of your hand, while also delivering a premium metal build. But is the final package premium enough to warrant the $100 price tag? Our latest Tested with 9to5Toys is on the case.
Woot is now offering the unlocked Apple iPhone SE 3 64GB for $299.99 in Grade A certified refurbished condition. Shipping is free for Prime members, with a $6 delivery fee applying otherwise. While you’d more regularly pay $429 for a new condition model, this is delivering only the second chance that a refurbished model has gone on sale. The $129 in savings match the all-time low, and are complemented by markdowns on elevated storage capacities at up to $199 off.
Apple’s latest budget-friendly iPhone this time around arrives as the SE 3. Still sitting within the body of the iPhone 8, the refreshed handset has an updated array of components centered around the A15 Bionic chip. That enables plenty of firsts for the SE lineup, like all of the new photography functionality like Cinematic and Night modes on its dual 12MP camera with Deep Fusion. There’s still the Home Button design in lieu of Face ID, as well as a 4.7-inch LCD display that rests around it. Includes a 90-day warranty, and Woot also notes that these are in pristine with no visible scratches or blemishes. You can get a better idea of what to expect from the handset right here, too.
After being one of our favorite automotive accessory makers on the market for iPhone and Android devices, iOttie is now expanding into the Tesla space with a pair of new releases. Now available from Amazon, the brand’s very first car mount designed for Model 3 and Y vehicles debuts with an iPhone-first MagSafe design to join the new USB-C hub.
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.
CalDigit’s official Amazon store is currently offering its TS3 Plus Thunderbolt 3 Dock for $269.99 shippedafter the on-page coupon is clipped. Marking as rare of a discount as they come, we haven’t seen this accessory go on sale in well over a year. So while there’s only $30 in savings, this is the best price since back in 2021 on one of the most popular docking stations on the market. It’s also much more affordable than the newer TB4 version while still delivering much of the same features. Ideal for upgrading your work from home desktop setup, this Thunderbolt 3 dock delivers five USB-A ports, three TB3 outputs, DisplayPort, Gigabit Ethernet, and more. This dock not only expands your Mac’s I/O, but brings 87W USB-C charging to the equation, allowing you to connect to all of these inputs with a single cable while still powering up your MacBook. This has been a stable on my desktop for quite some time now and you can learn more about why in our hands-on review. Head below for more.
Jackery is now expanding its portable power station lineup with the new Explorer 1500 Pro. Much like we’ve seen from some of its other refreshes, the new flagship release packs an updated exterior to pair with some of the brand’s most capable off-grid charging tech on the inside. Launching with some discounts attached, the new Jackery Explorer 1500 Pro power station is now available.
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.
Amongst a series of other Google Assistant smart home devices, Best Buy now offers the Google Nest Hub Max for $189.99 shipped in two styles. Marked down from the usual $229 going rate, this is the second-best price to date at within $26 of the all-time low set first on Black Friday. The $39 in savings are also the best we’ve seen since the holiday shopping season. Google Nest Hub Max delivers the brand’s flagship Assistant package with a 10-inch display in tow alongside all of the other smart home control and features you’d expect. Standing out from other smart displays in the Google lineup, you’ll find a noteworthy feature called Face Match, which delivers personalized music recommendations, adjust what shows on the built-in display, and more based on who’s around. We “couldn’t recommend it enough” in our hands-on review and you can head below for more.
At the start of the year, 9to5Toys shared the latest report on what to expect from the highly anticipated LEGO collaboration with Disney for the animation studio’s 100th anniversary. Alongside a collection of themed creations, the two brands will also be joining forces to deliver an assortment of Collectible Minifigures looking to celebrate the century milestone. Head below for a breakdown of all 18 of the upcoming LEGO Disney 100th anniversary CMF minifigures.
With MagSafe at the center of the nightstand or desk upgrade, this 3-in-1 Belkin charging stand features a 15W magnetic stand perfect for topping off your upcoming iPhone 14, as well as existing iPhone 12 and 13 series devices. Off to the side is an Apple Watch charging puck that has been refreshed to support the new fast charging found on Series 7 and 8 models, as well as a 5W Qi pad underneath for AirPods and the like. Our launch coverage details what’s new, and you can get a closer look at the experience of the original in our hands-on review.
NYXI is looking to make a bigger name for itself in the gaming world with the reveal of its new Wizard Wireless Joy-Pad for Nintendo Switch. Delivering an ergonomic build for more comfortable gameplay sessions, the GameCube-inspired design not only sports a signature purple colorway, but also comes outfitted with drift-adverse, interchangeable joysticks and a split pad design that can convert between a standard gamepad and a pair of Joy-Cons.
After officially beginning to ship last month, Amazon is now discounting its all-new Echo Auto for the very first time. The new second-generation model now sells for $44.99 shipped, down from its usual $55 going rate. This is the very first chance to save on a just-released piece of Alexa kit, while delivering $10 in savings along the way. Amazon just refreshed its on-the-road Alexa device with an updated form-factor and all of the expected hands-free access to its voice assistant. Packed into the slim design is a dashboard companion that tethers to your smartphone’s cellular connection in order to do everything that your smart speakers at home can. On top of playing your favorite music, controlling smart home devices as you pull into the drive way, and answering whatever questions could pop into your head while driving, the Echo Auto has a new roadside assistance feature that lets you connect with local automotive services if ever in a pinch. We break down what to expect from the experience in our launch coverage, too. Head below for more.
As the LEGO 2023 lineup solidifies, today 9to5Toys can report on what to expect from the Marvel side of the lineup. We’ve already been sharing reports on some other Disney properties this month, including Star Wars and the 100th anniversary celebration sets due out later in the year. But now we’re diving into the MCU side of the lineup, including new LEGO sets from both Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and Ant-Man Quantumania.
UGREEN’s official Amazon storefront is now offering its latest 140W Nexode USB-C GaN Charger for $89.99 shipped. Normally fetching $120, you’re looking at a 25% price cut as well as only the third discount since launching late last fall. This matches the all-time low set only once before, and is the lowest we’ve seen in over a month. Capable of refueling your entire everyday carry from a handheld form-factor, this 140W charger from UGREEN comes centered around GaN technology. It notably sports a pair of USB-C ports, one of which can dish out the full 140W while the other is limited to a 100W max. Then there’s a typical USB-A slot that can of course still come in handy for topping off accessories and older devices in your kit. You’re also getting a braided nylon USB-C cable in the package to help streamline your setup. Head below for more.
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 now offers its just-released Thunderbolt 4 Slim Hub for $159.99 shipped when clipping the on-page coupon. Normally fetching $200, you’re looking at an extension of the launch discount that was exclusive to Satechi’s official storefront and a 20% discount. This is matching the all-time low and only the second chance to save $40. Sporting a 5-in-1 design, Satechi’s latest Thunderbolt 4 offering arrives with a compact design that really lets it live up to the slim naming scheme. The back of the device sports three full Thunderbolt 4 ports capable of driving a single 8K display or dual 4K monitors. Then on the front is the Thunderbolt 4 host connection that can dish out 60W of power to a connected MacBook, as well as a 10Gb/s USB 3.2 Gen 2 port to connect any other peripherals. We break down what to expect from the experience further in our launch coverage.
Today, the LEGO Group is showcasing its latest Ideas creations that arrives in the form of the A-Frame Cabin. This model has been in the works for years now, and is finally seeing the light of day as the latest kit to arrive on store shelves with over 2,080 pieces when it ships next month.
Amazon now offers the Fitbit Versa 4 Fitness Smartwatch for $155 shipped. Typically fetching $230, you’re looking at only the fourth chance to save and the second-best price to date at $75 off. It comes within $9 of the all-time low and is still a rare chance to save, having only been beaten once before. Delivering one of Fitbit’s latest wearables, the new Versa 4 arrives with its most recent regimen of fitness tracking features centered around all of the usual workout tracking tech as well as heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, SpO2 details, and a daily readiness score. Throw in a refreshed form-factor, as well as 6-day battery life, Google Wallet, and a 50-meter water-resistant level, and you’re looking at all the tech needed to monitor your fitness journey into the new year and beyond. You can get a better idea of what to expect from the new Google features as well in our launch coverage.
After seeing the latest LEGO sets hit store shelves at the start of the year, Amazon is now marking down last year’s assortment of Star Wars 2022 sets. Shipping is free across the board for Prime members or in orders over $25. Our top pick amongst the price cuts has LEGO Star Wars Boba Fett’s Throne Room for $79.99. Down from $100, this is one of the first chances to save at $20 off. It’s $10 under our previous mention and the second-best we’ve ever seen.
Arriving with 732 pieces, this recreation of Boba Fett’s Palace is the largest Star Wars set of the year so far and recreates the scenary from the Book of Boba Fett. It features several different areas including the throne room itself, as well as guard tower and mower. Plus, there are a total of seven minifigures in the set headlined by Fett himself as well as Fennec Shand, Bib Fortuna, a Gamorrean Guard, Quarren, Qeequay guard, and Theelin dancer. Our hands-on review offers a better idea of what to expect from the set. Head below for more.
Synology is now officially launching its latest NAS, bringing some of the more prosumer features we’ve seen with previous high-end releases to an even more compact form-factor. Packed into a 2-bay design, the new Synology DS723+ arrives with an optional 10GbE NIC, dual M.2 NVMe slots, expansion unit support, and plenty of other functionality typically reserved for higher-end models.
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.
After first being revealed last month, today the LEGO Group is finally shipping its annual Lunar New Year sets. For 2023, we have a pair of festive builds which come packed with all of the fanfare and traditional Chinese designs we’ve come to expect from the yearly releases. This time around celebrating the Year of the Rabbit, we break down the new kits now that they’re available for purchase.
The official VOCOlinc Amazon storefront is now offering its new Smart LED HomeKit Floor Lamp for $41.99 shippedafter clipping the on-page coupon. Normally fetching $70, you’re looking at a 40% discount and one of the first chances to save. This is a new all-time low, as well. Bringing some multicolor ambiance to your smart home, this VOCOlinc smart light arrives with an upright lamp design that features addressable RGB lights to deliver various lighting scenes and settings. It’s compatible with the likes of Siri and HomeKit, as well as Alexa and Google Assistant. There’s also support for the companion app and music sync modes to round out the package. Head below for more.
Last year, an unexpected but extremely popular collaboration was announced with the Pokémon Company tapping the likes of Squishmallows to bring some of its iconic characters to the fun plushie medium. If you know anything about either brand, it’s that releases don’t stay on store shelves very long, and so anyone hoping to bring one of the Pokémon Squishmallows to their beds or collections has largely been out of luck. Today that changes, as GameStop has refreshed stock on both Pikachu and Gengar plushies.
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.
CASETiFY today is launching its latest collection of new iPhone cases – this time rejoining up with the likes of Disney. Marking the fourth time that the two brands have joined up to deliver some magical Apple accessories, this time around the collaboration is bringing Mickey and Friends to iPhone 14 for the very first time.
Amazon is now offering the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless Headphones for $275.28 shipped. Typically fetching $350, you’re looking at a 21% discount as well as one of the first chances to save. This is within $5 of the all-time low and one of the best markdowns otherwise since it launched late last fall. Refreshing the design of its flagship over-ear headphones from previous iterations, the new Momentum 4 make for a step forward from Sennheiser with improved sound quality and active noise cancellation. All of that comes packed into a premium build that’s a bit less stylized than we’ve seen before, but with the signature fabric accenting that has been a staple of its latest releases. You’re also looking at notable 60-hour battery life to go alongside the pair of internal 42mm drivers that are backed by both Bluetooth and wired USB-C audio. Our launch coverage breaks down the rest of the experience, too.
Over the past few months, I’ve started taking a look at transparent charging tech as the trend picks back up from the early 2000s. At the top of the list of accessories that embody those nostalgic design cues is one of the latest releases from Shargeek, with its Shargeek STORM2 Slim power bank. Delivering more than just a slick, transparent design, the portable charger also comes outfitted with an eye-catching 130W output to charge all of the gear in your Apple setup away from home.
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 Logitech K380 Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard for Mac at $29.99 shipped. Normally fetching $40, you’re now looking at one of the first price cuts in quite some time on the compact peripherial and a new all-time low on the refreshed blueberry style, too. It’s a 25% discount that hasn’t been beaten before on any of the three styles, either. Equipped with Bluetooth connectivity, this keyboard can switch between three different devices for streamlining your workstation. It’s ideal for pairing with an iPad, but can also handle typing on your Mac or even bridging the gap between macOS and Windows, the Logitech K380 also has FLOW support for copying and pasting between machines and 24-month battery life.
Amazon is now offering the new Acer Chromebook Spin 513 for $499.99 shipped. Normally fetching $600, you’re looking at $100 in savings alongside one of the first-ever discounts. On sale for only the fourth time, this is a new all-time low at $50 below the previous discounts. The new Acer Chromebook Spin 513 just launched mid last year and arrives with a folding 2-in-1 form-factor that can convert the 13.5-inch 2256×1504 display between tablet and laptop modes. All powered by a MediaTek Kmopanio 1380 processor, the build also comes backed by 128GB of storage and 8GB of RAM. All of that makes it a suitable option for casual web surfing from the couch, handling classwork in the winter semester, and more. We further break down the Chrome OS experience in our launch coverage.