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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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Review: LEGO’s Sanctum Sanctorum assembles the largest Marvel set of the year, but is it worth the cost?

Buy now

On August 1, the LEGO Group launched its largest Marvel set of the year with the new Sanctum Sanctorum modular finally hitting store shelves. Now a week later, we’ve fully assembled the kit and are going hands-on to look at the overall build, every inch of detail, and the nine minifigures.

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9to5Toys Daily: August 8, 2022 – iPad Air 4 $149 off, iPhone 13 cases $36, Anker gear, 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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Anker launches new laser-guided eufy RoboVac L35 Hybrid with optional dirt disposal unit [Deal]

eufy RoboVac L35 Hybrid
From $300/Launch deal

Last week saw Amazon acquire iRobot, and as robotic vacuum owners look to ditch Roombas in favor of more privacy-conscious alternatives, Anker is debuting a pair of new releases that couldn’t come at a better time. Arriving with a pair of launch discounts attached, the new eufy RoboVac L35 Hybrid/+ models balance flagship features with more affordable price tags.

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Anker starts the week with latest sale on USB-C chargers, ANC earbuds, more from $9

Save 40%/From $9

Anker is starting off the week today with a new sale via its official Amazon storefront across a wide range of smartphone accessories for iPhones and Android devices. Shipping is free for Prime members or in orders over $25. Leading the way this time around is the Anker Nano Pro 20W USB-C Charger at $14.39. Down from $20, this is a new all-time low at 28% off the usual going rate and $1 under our previous mention. With new iPhones slated to ship next month that won’t include a wall adapter in the box, grabbing one of Anker’s latest and most compact chargers is an ideal solution to be ready. The Nano Pro comes in one of five colors to complement your setup and sports 20W power output over the single USB-C PD port. Our hands-on review offers a better idea of what to expect. But then head below for more from $9.

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Call of Duty Next livestream set to show future of the franchise alongside September beta access

Call of Duty Next Beta access/Pre-order

Last we checked in with Call of Duty, the best teams in the competitive league were squaring off in Brooklyn with the Major IV tournament. Today, we’re now getting a teaser as to what’s next from the popular franchise, with the announcement of Call of Duty Next, a live event later this fall. Showcasing the future of the series including gameplay coverage of Modern Warfare II’s multiplayer modes and more, there’s also information on the first round of beta access for those who pre-ordered the game.

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Marshall’s new Motif ANC earbuds see rare discount to $180, Minor III at $110, more

Rare drops/$180

Amazon is now offering the Marshall Motif True Wireless ANC Headphones for $179.99 shipped. Normally fetching $200, this is one of the first discounts we’ve seen at $20 off, with today’s offer marking the second-best price to date. Packed into Marshall’s usual signature vinyl-wrapped design, the new Motif true wireless earbuds step up to deliver a flagship listening experience centered around active noise cancellation. The buds themselves pack 4.5 hours of playback, with the companion charging case delivering an extra 20. In our hands-on review, we walked away impressed and noted how Marshall has paired stylish designs with perfectly-balanced EQ settings.

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Hands-on: Are LEGO’s new personalized Minifigure Factory figs worth the $12 cost?

LEGO minifigure Factory Buy now

At the end of last month, the LEGO Group revealed a new online experience for customizing your own minifigs. Since the debut nearly two weeks ago, I’ve since had my very own brick-built rendition show up in the mail and today we’re taking a hands-on look at what spending $12 for the online LEGO Minifigure Factory experience gets you.

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9to5Toys Daily: August 5, 2022 – M2 MacBook Pro $200 off, Magic Keyboard $299, 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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Philips Hue’s new Gradient Signe Table Lamp hits $155 (Save 30%), more from $13

Extra 15% off/From $13

Amazon is currently taking an extra 15% off a selection of Philips Hue smart home lights and accessories right now when clipping on-page coupons, delivering new all-time lows across a collection of the brand’s popular devices. Our top pick is the new Philips Hue Gradient Signe Table Lamp at $155.54 shipped with the coupon. Normally fetching $220, you’re looking at a new all-time low that’s over $14 below our previous mention. Today’s 30% discount is still one of the first markdowns we’ve seen, too.

As one of the more recent additions to the Philips Hue stable, its new Gradient Signe Table Lamp can be placed pretty much anywhere to add some extra ambient lighting into the mix. The upright design can splash multiple colors at a time onto the wall or behind a TV with addressable LEDs that pair with the rest of your Hue setup over Bluetooth or Zigbee for the full HomeKit experience. Head below for more Philips Hue deals from $13.

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CASETiFY brings Woody, Buzz, and more to your iPhone 13 with new Toy Story case collection

CASETiFY Toy Story

CASETiFY today is launching its latest collection of iPhone cases, this time tapping the iconic characters of the Pixar flick that started it all. Off the big screen and hall of animated legends, Toy Story is joining the CASETiFY stable with a whole new series of covers for iPhone 13 alongside Apple Watch bands, iPad covers, and more.

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9to5Toys Daily: August 4, 2022 – M2 MacBook Air first discount, Pixel 6a $399, 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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Bundle Philips Hue 3-bulb color starter kits with Echo Dots from $100 (Save $50+)

Reg. $230/$180

Amazon currently offers the Philips Hue Smart Button Color Ambiance Starter Kit bundled with an Echo Dot 4th Gen for $179.99 shipped. Down from the combined $230 value, this is like getting the Alexa speaker for free and the best value to date at $50 off. Packed with three of the new medium lumen LED smart bulbs, this starter pack is centered around the Hue bridge for pairing everything with Siri, Alexa, and Assistant out of the box. The three lights all sport full color output at the equivalent of a 75W traditional bulb. Then a Hue Smart Button rounds out the package for family members who aren’t ready to fully adopt voice-enabled lights. You’re also getting the Alexa-enabled Echo Dot to take full advantage of the bulbs out of the box. Head below for more.

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9to5Toys Daily: August 3, 2022 – Save on Nomad 15W MagSafe chargers, AirPods Max, 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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Pokémon Presents livestream details Gen 9 Paldea region, latest from Scarlet and Violet, more

Pre-order

After last checking in with Pokémon Scarlet and Violet back in June for the official release dates and a first look at the new Legendaries, the Pokémon Company is back today with its latest Presents showcase. Detailing the latest news from Gen 9, we’re breaking down all of the announcements from today’s virtual event now that the upcoming games are available for pre-order.

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9to5Toys Daily: August 2, 2022 – Apple Watch Series 7 $280, HomePod mini $90, 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 reveals new 2022 Star Wars and Marvel Advent Calendars with festive minifigs and more

After seeing over 45 different LEGO creations hit store shelves at the start of the month for the summer wave, we’re now getting official looks at this year’s holiday sets. Every year the LEGO Group debuts some new festive kits to countdown to the holidays, and 2022 is no different. Today we’re checking out all of the details from the new Star Wars and Marvel LEGO Advent Calendars which will both be hitting shelves on September 1.

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Tested: Anker’s new GaNPrime 65W USB-C power bank is the Swiss Army knife of chargers

a hand holding a remote control Buy now

Anker’s latest releases take a step up from the usual iPhone-centric designs we’re used to, delivering even more capable form-factors backed by the latest GaNPrime charging tech. Its new PowerCore 65W takes that up yet another notch by delivering USB-C charging speeds alongside an internal power bank for topping off gear at-home or on-the-go. But does that versatility justify the price tag?

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9to5Toys Daily: August 1, 2022 – 10.2-inch iPad $300, Galaxy S22/+ $700, Beats from $120, 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’s annual Star Wars summer 2022 lineup now available with seven all-new sets

August 1 has finally arrived and the LEGO Group is excitingly launching the largest Star Wars collection of the year. As the company does every year, the 2022 summer lineup is now available with seven different kits from a galaxy far, far away. Spanning sets themed around the latest Disney+ shows to buildable droids right out of video games and more, here’s everything you need to know on the new LEGO Star Wars 2022 sets in this summer lineup for August.

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LEGO’s new Marvel Sanctum Sanctorum, Nano Gauntlet, and Groot sets now available

Alongside seeing a collection of Star Wars sets lead the way for the summer 2022 LEGO action, the Marvel theme is also getting in on all of the new creations. Including three display-worthy sets, a refreshed and highly-detailed Sanctum Sanctorum is joined by a Nano Gauntlet kit and buildable Groot to kick off the new LEGO Marvel sets for the summer 2022 lineup now live for August 1.

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Over 45 new LEGO sets debut for summer 2022: Star Wars, Marvel, 90th anniversary, more

New kits!/Shop now

Every summer the LEGO Group launches one of the largest collection of new sets of the year, and 2022 is no different. This time around we’re getting a collection of all-new LEGO Star Wars sets to go alongside the likes of display-worthy Marvel builds, celebratory 90th anniversary creations, latest from Nintendo, and so much more. Head below for a break down of all the new LEGO sets for summer 2022.

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Review: Analogue Pocket delivers a delightfully modern Game Boy experience well worth the wait

Pre-order

No company does retro gaming quite like the folks at Analogue, and today we’re taking a hands-on look at its latest debut. Bringing all of the old school vibes from 1989 into the modern age, the Analogue Pocket takes on a Game Boy inspired form-factor with plenty of quality of life changes in tow. Alongside the ability to play official Nintendo cartridges, as well. But with orders delayed until next year, is the refreshed handheld actually worth the price?

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9to5Toys Daily: July 29, 2022 – M2 MacBook Pro $250 off, M1 Pro MacBooks from $1,699, 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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Twelve South refreshes signature leather AirSnap case for AirPods 3 in several styles

Buy now/$35

Twelve South first launched its AirSnap case several years ago for the first pair of AirPods, and since then the cover has become one of the more popular premium options on the market. And with the most recent AirPods 3 just hitting the scene last fall, the accessory maker has finally refreshed its signature leather stylings for Apple’s latest in three different colorways.

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9to5Toys Daily: July 27, 2022 – Save on Sony XM5 ANC Headphones, Google Nest hubs, 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 confirms its upcoming Star Wars AT-TE has been delayed until later this fall

After being officially revealed at LEGO CON 2022, fans have been eagerly awaiting being able to get their hands on the upcoming Star Wars AT-TE. Unfortunately they’ll have to wait even longer, as today the LEGO Group has issued a statement noting that the latest Clone Wars creation won’t be arriving alongside the rest of the summer 2022 wave dropping in August.

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Meta raising the price on its Oculus Quest 2 VR headset by $100 in August

Today, Meta (formerly known as Oculus) has announced that it will be raising the cost of its popular Quest 2 VR headset. The standalone virtual reality helmet was first launched back in 2020 and since then has become one of the more fan-favorite ways to dive into VR. And with Meta set to finally remove the required Facebook account login, the company has now announced it will be raising the cost of its headset.

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Philips Hue Bridge FAQ: What features to expect from the HomeKit-enabled hub

Philips Hue is one of our favorite smart home brands here at 9to5toys, though there’s often times some confusion from new or potential adopters as to how the ecosystem works. The biggest source of this is the Philips Hue Bridge, which arrives as an extra piece of hardware in addition to the lights, sensors, and switches that the company makes. So how does it all work? We break it down after the jump.

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9to5Toys Daily: July 26, 2022 – M1 iPad Pro $382 off, Sonos Roam refurb $139, 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: Anker launches new GaNPrime lineup with six versatile USB-C chargers

Buy now

Today, Anker is launching an entirely new lineup of chargers, marking the first of its stable to arrive with the latest GaN charging tech. Packed into six different form factors, Anker is opting to forgo the new GaN III standard in favor of launching its own version of the tech known as GaNPrime. Delivering notable power stations for refueling your entire Apple kit, there’s everything from 150W multi-port chargers to Qi-enabled solutions and other USB-C power stations.

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9to5Toys Daily: July 25, 2022 – M1 MacBook Air $199 off, DJI Action 2 Camera $279, 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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HP’s latest 14-inch Chromebook just launched in March, now down to $160 low (Save $130)

Reg. $290/$160

Amazon is now offering the latest HP Chromebook 14 14a-na0226nr for $159.99 shipped. Having just launched back in March, you’d more regularly pay $290 with today’s offer amounting to quite the steep 45% in savings. This is one of the first markdowns to date and a new all-time low at that. HP’s latest entry-level Chromebook arrives this time around with a 14-inch HD display and comes powered by an Intel Celeron chip. Its 64GB of onboard storage is then supplemented by 4GB of RAM to handle web browsing and some lighter workloads, with all-day battery life making this a notable option for back to school. Head below for more.

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New Wave Toys brings retro Coca-Cola vending machines into its 1/6 scale replica lineup

New Wave Toys Coca-Cola

New Wave Toys regualrly releases some of the more novel and downright adorable retro release on the market, and today we’re getting a look at what the newest takes on that will be. Moving away from the compact arcade cabinets that have made the company as popular as it is, New Wave Toys is launching a pair of new vintage Coca-Cola vending machines.

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Greenworks launches extra 25% off electric yard tool summer sale in New Green Deals

If you still haven’t made the switch away from gas or electric lawn tools, Greenworks is making things a lot more affordable thanks to a new summer sale it launched today. Taking an extra 25% off a selection of its popular electric mowers and other ways to ditch gas and oil from yard work through the rest of the season, these are the best prices of the summer across just about everything. We also have a wide selection of Tesla, Greenworks, and other e-bike discounts in today’s New Green Deals, so you won’t want to miss that either.

Head below for other New Green Deals that we’ve found today and of course Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

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Segway Ninebot electric Gokart PRO sees $300 summer discount to $1,900 in New Green Deals

Often times when we feature electric vehicles, they’re a bit more focused on committing to and from work or down to the grocery store than purely for joyriding around the neighborhood. Segway’s Ninebot Gokart PRO mixes that up with a notable $300 discount on the 4-wheeled and summer-ready EV with a 23MPH top speed. We also have a wide selection of Tesla, Greenworks, and other e-bike discounts in today’s New Green Deals, so you won’t want to miss that either.

Head below for other New Green Deals that we’ve found today and of course Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

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Greenworks electric 80V Hedge Trimmer hits $221 at Amazon (Save $58) in New Green Deals

While we often times feature notable discounts on electric mowers for ditching gas and oil from the lawn care routine, there are plenty of other tools worth making the switch over to something more environmentally-friendly. The Greenworks Pro 80V 26-inch Cordless Hedge Trimmer is one great example, and one that also happens to be on sale for one of the best prices of the year at $221. We also have a wide selection of Tesla, Greenworks, and other e-bike discounts in today’s New Green Deals, so you won’t want to miss that either.

Head below for other New Green Deals that we’ve found today and of course Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

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9to5Toys Daily: July 20, 2022 – Apple Watch Series 6 $250, Surface Duo 2 $500 off, 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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radrover 6 plus rad power bikes

Popular electric Rad Power Bikes now up to $350 off from $1,299 in New Green Deals

If you’re finally looking to make this summer the season you adopt an e-bike, today is seeing a pair of notable discounts go live on some commuter-worthy options from Rad Power Bikes. Right now its RadRover 6 Plus with cargo rack has been marked down to the best price of the year at $1,649 to go alongside the more affordable RadRunner 2. We also have a wide selection of Tesla, Greenworks, and other e-bike discounts in today’s New Green Deals, so you won’t want to miss that either.

Head below for other New Green Deals that we’ve found today and of course Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

Read More

9to5Toys Daily: July 19, 2022 – AirPods 3 hit $160, official Apple Watch bands from $25, 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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Twelve South refreshes HoverBar Duo iPad stand with more flexible build and new colorways

Buy now

Today, Twelve South is refreshing one of its more popular iPad accessories to deliver an even more versatile design. Originally launching over a year ago, the new and improved HoverBar Duo from Twelve South arrives with much of the same ergonomic iPad mounting features, just with a new QuickSwitch Tab that allows you to easily switch between desktop and mounted form-factors.

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