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Rikka Altland

rikkaaltland

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.

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LEGO slated to celebrate 100th Disney anniversary with new collectible minifigures

LEGO Disney 100th anniversary

Next year in 2023, Disney will be celebrating its 100-year anniversary. The year-long celebration will likely see an appropriate amount of fanfare from the company, but ahead of time we can now report that LEGO builders will have something to look forward to. Arriving as next year’s licensed collectible minifigure series, the LEGO Group and Disney will be teaming up once again for a celebratory 100-year anniversary collection (71038).

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9to5Toys Daily: August 29, 2022 – M1 Pro MacBook Pros $400 off, OnePlus 10 Pro, 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 PodcastsGoogle 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.

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Hands-on with Nintendo’s new Splatoon 3-themed Switch OLED

Buy now

Yesterday, Nintendo launched its all-new limited-edition Splatoon 3 Switch OLED console. Now shipments are beginning to arrive, and we’re going hands-on with the new release to see just how everything stacks up. Listings are still in stock now too, so if you like what you see with the neon designs and Inkling glyphs, you can still lock in your order.

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LEGO’s next Marvel creation slated to be $500 Black Panther set dropping in November

LEGO Marvel Black Panther 76210

After seeing the new Sanctum Sanctorum drop back at the start of the month, many builders thought that this would be the largest LEGO Marvel set of the year. Now, 9to5Toys can report some more confident findings as to what to expect from one of the year’s most detailed and expensive creations. Clocking in at a massive $500 price point, the upcoming LEGO Marvel Black Panther set 76210 will surely be one of the largest MCU-themed sets to ever hit store shelves.

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9to5Toys Daily: August 26, 2022 – iPhone 12 series from $370, 10.2-inch iPad $280, 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 PodcastsGoogle 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.

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Nintendo’s limited-edition Splatoon 3 Switch OLED now available ahead of Splatfest weekend

$360/Buy now

After first being revealed back in July, you can finally buy Nintendo’s new limited-edition Splatoon 3 Switch OLED. This special console is now available for purchase via several retailers, including Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop, and Walmart, and retails for $359.99 shipped in either case. While this bundle doesn’t include the game itself, this is your chance to score an entirely unique and inked out Nintendo Switch OLED complete with plenty of Inkling iconography. It’s likely to sell out, so be sure to score one while you can. But if you’re not sold just yet, we break down exactly what to expect from the console below, as well as all the info on diving into this week’s first Splatoon 3 Splatfest event.

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Review: Anker launches new Soundcore Space ANC Q45 headphones and A40 earbuds

Buy now

Today, Anker is expanding its collection of Soundcore headphones with an all-new sub lineup for the series. Arriving with two new offerings, the Space collection now sports a pair of true wireless earbuds to go alongside a set of over-ear headphones and both are equipped with ANC and more budget-conscious price points. We’re going hands-on with the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 and A40 offerings to see how these new debuts stack up.

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9to5Toys Daily: August 25, 2022 – Apple Watch Series 7 clearance, Galaxy Z Fold 4 deals, 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 PodcastsGoogle 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.

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9to5Toys Daily: August 24, 2022 – M1 Pro MacBook Pros $200 off, Galaxy S21 Ultra, 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 PodcastsGoogle 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.

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9to5Toys Daily: August 23, 2022 – Apple MagSafe Charger $30, DJI OM 5 $129, 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 PodcastsGoogle 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.

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Review: Logitech’s new Aurora gaming collection wows with adorable yet feature-packed builds

Buy now

Back at the end of July, Logitech released a new collection of gaming accessories geared toward being a bit more gender-inclusive than your average RGB peripheral. And as the certified gamer girl at 9to5, I, of course, had to go hands-on with the new Logitech Aurora collection to see just what the company has cooked up for its most welcoming gaming lineup yet.

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9to5Toys Daily: August 22, 2022 – Save on iPad mini 6 at $440, Pixel Buds Pro for $175, 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 PodcastsGoogle 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.

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CASETiFY’s latest iPhone case collection taps Chun-Li and Ryu for Street Fighter II collab

Coming soon

Hot off the heels of the Toy Story collaboration, CASETiFY today has announced the latest iconic imagery that’ll be getting the iPhone 13 case treatment. Celebrating the iconic fighting game’s 35th anniversary CASETiFY is tapping all of the iconic Street Fighter II visuals for a new Apple accessory collection spanning iPhone 13 cases, MagSafe chargers, and other gear.

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Latest Philips Hue Gradient Ambiance lightstrips and lamps on sale from $117 (Save $63+)

Reg. $180+/From $117

Amazon is currently offering the Philips Hue Gradient Ambiance Lightstrip for $117.29 shipped when clipping the on-page coupon. While you’d more regularly pay $180, today’s offer is delivering a new all-time low at $63 off. This is $28 under our previous mention and one of the first overall chances to save so far. As one of the latest additions to the Philips Hue ecosystem that launched back in October, the Gradient Ambiance Lightstrip enters as a long-awaited option for bringing addressable RGB lighting into your space. It measures 6 feet in length and on top of pairing with the greater Hue ecosystem over Zigbee for Siri, Alexa, or Assistant integration, works by itself thanks to Bluetooth connectivity. Get a closer look at the Hue Gradient Ambiance Lightstrip in our launch coverage and then head below for more.

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First info on LEGO Star Wars 2023 sets: 501st Battle Pack, Tie Bomber, Clone helmets, more

LEGO Star Wars 2023 sets

The 2022 LEGO Star Wars set lineup is just about wrapped up, with builders just waiting for an official look at the upcoming UCS Razor Crest. Ahead of that reveal, 9to5Toys can now report on what to expect from the 2023 side of the LEGO Star Wars sets. With 13 creations locked in so far for next year, we have all of the details on the next LEGO 501st Battle Pack, first Clone Wars helmets, a new Tie Bomber, and so much more.

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Hands-on: Pokémon Lost Origin expands the Sword and Shield TCG with gorgeous full-art cards

Pre-order

While Pokémon fans wait for more news on Scarlet and Violet titles dropping later this year, the TCG side of the franchice is recieving a new update today. Arriving as its latest expansion, the new Pokémon Lost Origin set packs plenty of new full-art trainer cards based around Sword and Shield, as well just-released Radiant Pokémon and nearly 250 new cards.

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LEGO’s all-new Technic Ferrari Daytona SP3 sees first discount to $360 (Save $90), plus more

LEGO Ferrari Daytona SP3
Reg. $450/$360

Zavvi is launching a rare LEGO sale today and discounting a selection of sets to some of the best prices of the year. Including all-new builds and creations that recently had their prices increase, you’ll need to apply the coupon listed for each item to lock-in the savings. Shipping is free across the board. Headlining is the just-released LEGO Technic Ferrari Daytona SP3 at $359.99 with code FERRARI at checkout. Down from the usual $450 price tag that this set launched with earlier in the summer, today’s offer amounts to $90 in savings, is the very first discount, and a new all-time low.

Arriving as the latest addition to the Technic Ultimate Car Concept series, the new Ferrari Daytona SP3 packs the usual 1:8-scale design that we usually see and all of the details that fit into the 23-inch long model. Everything stacks up to 3,778 pieces, which goes towards the authentic recreation and its interior 8-speed engine replica, working steering, and functioning butterfly doors. You can get a better idea of what to expect in our launch coverage, as well.

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9to5Toys Daily: August 18, 2022 – M1 Mac mini $570, iPad Air 5 $559, Moto Edge+ $500, 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 PodcastsGoogle 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.

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LEGO officially releases new 2,065-piece motorized Ideas Lighthouse

LEGO Lighthouse Coming soon

After we shared a first look at the all-new creation back on Friday, today the LEGO Group is officially taking the wraps off its latest Ideas creation. Stacking up to 2,065 pieces, the new kit packs more than just a detailed exterior, as there are entirely new LEGO elements to pull off the motorized lighting effects that gives the upcoming Lighthouse its distinct features.

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DJI Mini 2 sees cert. refurb discounts from $379 or with two extra batteries at $399 (Orig. $449+)

Orig. $449+/From $379

Dronesuperstore (a DJI Authorized seller) via eBay is now offering the DJI Mini 2 Drone with two extra batteries for $399 shipped in certified refurbished condition. Normally you’d pay $529 for this bundle, with today’s offer marking the lowest we’ve seen in over a month. This is a grand total of $130 in savings and also comes within $24 of the 2022 low. If you don’t need the added batteries, just the drone is down at $379, though doesn’t deliver quite as notable of a value at only $70 off.

DJI Mini 2 arrives as a solid mix between being an ultra-lightweight quadcopter and having notable features to back it up. Weighing in at 249 grams, it still manages to deliver a 3-axis gimbal backed by 4K/30FPS footage and a 31-minute runtime per each of the three included batteries. Includes the full 2-year warranty and you can read more about the eBay refurbished experience right here. Head below for more.

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Belkin’s latest USB-C hub mounts to the back of your M1 iMac with a detachable design

Belkin USB-C Hub Buy now

Belkin has recently lanuched a new USB-C hub that looks to be just as compelling of a solution for M1 iMacs as it is for taking with you in the everyday carry. The new Multiport Hub with Mount may look like a typical way to extend I/O, but features a novel design that can be attached to the back of your desktop machine and then unclamped for use on-the-go.

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9to5Toys Daily: August 17, 2022 – Apple Watch Series 7 from $270, OnePlus 10T $599, 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 PodcastsGoogle 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.

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CalDigit’s popular TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock is finally back in stock at Amazon

CalDigit Thunderbolt Dock TS4 In stock/$400

CalDigit has long made some of the best Mac accessories on the market, and the most recent debut to pick up the torch is now finally back in stock. After launching earlier in the year, the CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock is finally available for purchase again courtesy of Amazon. Now back in stock at $399.99 via the retailer, you’ll have been lucky to find this one on virtual shelves at all since initially launching several months ago.

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Roku Express 4K+ with AirPlay 2 and Apple TV+ button remote down to $30 (Reg. $40)

Reg. $40/$30

Amazon now offers the Roku Express 4K+ Streaming Media Player for $29.99 shipped. Typically fetching $40, today’s offer is notably delivering the third-best price of the year at 25% off. While we did see it go for $25 last month on Prime Day, this is the best we’ve seen since. Delivering one of the latest streaming experiences from Roku, its recent Express 4K+ arrives with all of the features you’d expect ranging from access to everything from Netflix and Hulu to Disney+ and more. This model also sports a refreshed remote that has a dedicated Apple TV+ button alongside other favorites, as well as both AirPlay 2 and HomeKit support. You can also get a closer look in our launch coverage. Head below for more.

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9to5Toys Daily: August 16, 2022 – AirPods 3 hit $110, 11-inch M1 iPad Pro from $700, 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 PodcastsGoogle 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.

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Review: Twelve South launches new Curve Flex MacBook stand with adjustable aluminum build

Buy now

Today, Twelve South is launching an all-new addition to its lineup of MacBook stands, and it just so happens to be the brand’s most versatile option yet. Meet the new Curve Flex, an adjustable way to prop up your machine at the desk with an aluminum design that can fold open to elevate your device up to 22 inches off the desktop. Head below as we take a hands-on look at what to expect from the new Twelve South Curve Flex.

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Review: Sony’s new X-Series rugged speakers deliver this summer’s best portable sound

Buy now

Earlier this summer, Sony launched a new series of portable Bluetooth speakers that arrived in the X-Series lineup. Today, we’re taking a hands-on look at what all three different portable offerings can deliver and just how the waterproof design stacks up with USB-C charging, X-Balanced drivers, and other signature Sony features.

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9to5Toys Daily: August 15, 2022 – M2 MacBook Air $100 off, Pixel 6/Pro from $499, 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 PodcastsGoogle 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.

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Samsung’s new Odyssey Ark monitor with 55-inch mini-LED panel finally goes up for pre-order

$300 off/Pre-order

After stealing the show back at CES in January, Samsung’s glorious new curved monitor is finally on the way. Deemed the Odyssey Ark, Samsung’s latest desktop offering arrives with an eye-catching mini-LED panel to complement the unique curved form-factor. Now available for pre-order at long last, there are $300 in savings attached for early adopters.

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9to5Toys Daily: August 12, 2022 – iPad mini 6 $99 off, M2 MacBook Pro from $1,149, 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 PodcastsGoogle 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.

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Apple launches $8 or less weekend movie sale alongside $5 road trip flicks

Reg. $10+/From $5

The weekend has arrived, and so too has the latest Apple movie sale courtesy of iTunes. Notably for this particular weekend, you’ll be able to save on a collection of popular titles at $8 or less, alongside a $5 road trip sale to help you end summer. Not to mention, all of the movies will become a permanent part of your collection, as well. Head below for all of our top picks from Apple’s latest promotion.

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Canon’s latest mirrorless camera is actually a robot in disguise thanks to Transformers collab

$170/Pre-order

After seeing the LEGO Group finally partner with Hasbro earlier in the delivering a brick-built Optimus Prime, all bets were off for crazy collaborations we’d like to see from Transformers. Canon is now the latest company to take on the task of bringing the robots in disguise into a new form-factor, with the camera company applying its usual mirrorless designs to the iconic Transformers brand.

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Save $100 on Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic LTE models with clearance discounts from $300

Reg. $400/From $300

Earlier this week, Samsung debuted the new Galaxy Watch 5/Pro models and now Amazon is looking to clear out previous-generation stock with some deep discounts attached. Those who don’t need the latest and greatest can now instead bring the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic to their wrist starting at $299.99 shipped for the 42mm LTE style. Normally fetching $400, this is $100 in savings and a new all-time low at $20 under the previous mention. The 46mm model is also on sale and sitting at the all-time low of $329.99, down from $430. Galaxy Watch 4 Classic delivers a more premium build than usual with a stylish stainless steel case. The fitness tracking experience is also well-equipped with all of the usual workout monitoring tech, heart rate and ECG readings, and much more. Dive into our hands-on review for a closer look.

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Amazon clears out Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro with $80 discount down to $120

Save $80/$120

After seeing the new Galaxy Buds Pro 2 debut earlier in the week, Amazon is now offering the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro for $119.99 shipped in two styles. Typically fetching $200, today’s clearance offer matches the Prime Day discount from last month and is $10 under our previous mention. This is also matching the all-time low at $80 off. Just as you’d expect from their pro designation, Samsung’s previous-generation earbuds arrive with improved active noise cancellation alongside an Ambient Mode. Other notable features enter as 28-hour battery life on a single charge, a workout-ready form-factor thanks to IPX7 water-resistance, and seamless pairing to your Galaxy handset. We noted that they are “simply excellent” in our hands-on review, as well. Head below for more.

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9to5Toys Daily: August 11, 2022 – Save on 11-inch iPad Pro from $728, Pixel 5 $430, 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 PodcastsGoogle 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.

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Save on Nanoleaf Essentials HomeKit gear with Thread: Lightstrip hits $40 and smart bulb $15

Save 20%/From $15

Nanoleaf’s official Amazon storefront currently offers its Essentials HomeKit Color Lightstrip with Thread for $39.99 shipped. While you’d more regularly pay $50, today’s offer is the second-best price of the year at 20% off. We last saw it go on sale during Prime Day for $5 less, which is the 2022 low. Equipped with both Bluetooth Thread and Wi-Fi, this Nanoleaf Essentials Lightstrip will pair with your Siri and HomeKit setup right out of the box. The 80-inch strip sports full color illumination for adding a bit of flare behind a TV or monitor, onto a shelf for some extra ambiance, or really anywhere else that could use a pop of color. We took a hands-on look at what to expect in a review last year, as well. Head below for more.

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Anker’s new PowerCore 24K power bank sports a 140W USB-C PD output for MacBook charging

Buy now

Just after seeing Anker launch its new GaNPrime series earlier in the summer, Anker is now back today with the debut of one of its most capable portable power banks to date. Arriving with an impressive 24,000mAh of capacity, the new fittingly-named PowerCore 24K packs an even more notable 140W charging output for topping off everything from iPhones to MacBooks.

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9to5Toys Daily: August 10, 2022 – Galaxy Z Fold 4 $450 off, AirPods Pro $180, 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 PodcastsGoogle 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.

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Tested: Jabra Elite 4 Active earbuds are well-rounded champs with ANC and Google Fast Pair

Jabra Elite 4 Active Buy now

Earlier this year, Jabra expanded its lineup of mid-range true wireless earbuds with a new pair of fitness-focused offerings. The new Jabra Elite 4 Active clock in with a $120 price tag, and notably deliver some pretty compelling features for the going rate like active noise cancellation, water-resistance, and even Google Fast Pair. But with frequent price cuts to $100 or below, we’re checking out just how good of a value these earbuds are.

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9to5Toys Daily: August 9, 2022 – M1 iMac $149 off, Satechi back to school sale, 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 PodcastsGoogle 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.

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