Author

Avatar for Rikka Altland

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.

Connect with Rikka Altland

LEGO’s new 3,700-piece Daily Bugle set stands 32 inches tall and includes 25 Marvel minifigs

Update: LEGO’s new 3,700-piece Daily Bugle set is now available for purchase for VIP members.

Today, we’re getting a first look at the latest expansions to the LEGO Marvel collection. If last week’s Infinity Saga sets weren’t enough of the superhero action, the upcoming LEGO Daily Bugle kit is sure to excite for fans of Spider-Man and other iconic characters. Stacking up to over 3,700 pieces, the new creation stacks up to over 32 inches tall, includes 25 minifigures, and will be launching at the end of the month. Head below for all of the details.

Expand Expanding Close

LEGO has five new BrickHeadz kits launching later this summer: Harry Potter, Duck Tales, more

After getting a first look at the upcoming LEGO Marvel wave, we’re now seeing a collection of new BrickHeadz due out later this year. Ranging from new Pets to Disney icons and characters from the Wizarding World, there are five brick-built figures on the horizon. Head below for a closer look at the upcoming LEGO Summer BrickHeadz releases and for all of the details on adding these to your collection.

Expand Expanding Close

Tested: Nomad’s stainless steel MagSafe Mount justifies its steep price with an unmatched build

Pre-order now

You’re reading Tested with 9to5Toys, where we explore everyday tech essentials that make life a bit easier. Browse through our entire guide for all of the latest reviews, and sound off in the comments below if there’s something you’d like to see featured.

Since the launch of MagSafe last fall, accessory makers have been jumping in on the magnetic wireless charging action to pair Apple’s first-party charger with various docks, stands, and mounts. We’ve previously taken a look at some more affordable models, but we’re turning our attention today to the opposite end of the spectrum. Nomad’s new MagSafe Mount arrives with a premium stainless steel build that stands out from just about every other option on the market. But is it worth pre-ordering at such a steep price tag? That’s what our latest Tested with 9to5Toys review aims to answer.

Expand Expanding Close

Three new limited-edition Mandalorian pinball machines arrive from a galaxy far, far away

Fans of the Mandalorian have had no shortage of merchandise from the popular Star Wars series to get their hands on as of late, but a popular pinball game maker is now joining the fray with the launch of some all-new arcade machines. Sporting three different designs straight out of a galaxy far, far away, these limited-edition cabinets pair the brand’s expertise with some unique Mandalorian-inspired designs. Head below for all of the details.

Expand Expanding Close

9to5Toys Daily: May 14, 2021 – Anker and Nomad Apple gear sales, 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’re available.

Expand Expanding Close

CASETiFY’s new One Piece collection sets sail with iPhone 12 MagSafe cases and more

CASETiFY is launching its latest collection of Apple accessories today, channeling the best-selling manga of all time into a series of iPhone 12 cases, AirPods covers, and more. Sporting a variety of designs from the popular series One Piece, the latest collection arrives later this month to protect your smartphone and other gadgets while adding some of the Straw Hat Crew’s signature stylings into the mix. Head below for all of the details.

Expand Expanding Close

9to5Toys Daily: May 13, 2021 – Save on iPhone 12 MagSafe cases, Apple TV 4K, 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’re available.

Expand Expanding Close

Here’s our first look at five all-new LEGO Marvel Infinity Saga sets launching this summer

After first receiving reports of what to expect from the LEGO summer Marvel lineup earlier in the year, we’re now getting a first look at five upcoming creations from the MCU – ranging from classic moments from Iron Man and Captain America’s origin stories to a brick-built version of the Infinity Gauntlet. Launching later this year on August 1, be sure to head below for our first look at the upcoming LEGO Infinity Saga lineup.

Expand Expanding Close

Anker’s new PowerWave Pad Slim is its most compact MagSafe charger yet

Anker is back today with the launch of a new lineup of charging accessories for every room in your home. Alongside a new compact 25W USB-C wall adapter to throw behind the nightstand and a six-outlet power strip to tidy up the desk, there’s the latest addition to the Anker MagSafe charger lineup. Complete with the most compact build yet, the PowerWave Pad Slim lives up to its name to deliver a more streamlined magnetic wireless charging pad without having the pay for the official Apple model. Head below for all of the details.

Expand Expanding Close

9to5Toys Daily: May 12, 2021 – AirPods Max, Anker Gold Box, iPad Air, 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’re available.

Expand Expanding Close

Amazon launches refreshed Echo Show 8 and 5 Alexa displays alongside new Kids edition

Pre-order now

Today, Amazon is refreshing its lineup of Echo Show Alexa displays with three new versions. Sporting upgraded cameras and new human detection capabilities for smart home automation, the Echo Show 8 arrives alongside a refined version of the smaller Show 5 and a new colorful Kids edition. Now available for pre-order ahead of the June launch, you’ll find all of the details on how Amazon has updated things this time around down below.

Expand Expanding Close

Nomad expands AirTags accessory lineup with new Rugged Keychain and Pet Tag

After launching its first AirTags accessories back when Apple first announced the item finders, Nomad is back today with the debut of two new ways to pair the accessories. The new Nomad AirTags Rugged Keychain enters with a waterproof design and can even be used as a pet tag thanks to an optional engraved stainless steel insert. Now available for pre-order, head below for all of the details and to lock in special launch pricing.

Expand Expanding Close

9to5Toys Daily: May 11, 2021 – Save on M1 MacBook Air, Google Nest Hub, 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’re available.

Expand Expanding Close

LEGO’s new 2,000-piece ‘Friends’ set recreates Joey and Monica’s iconic apartments

LEGO Friends Apartment

Update: Now available at $149.99 for LEGO VIP members.

Today, the LEGO Group is returning to the sitcom world of Friends with the debut of its latest creation starring Joey, Rachel, Ross, Monica, and the rest of the gang. Stacking up to over 2,000 pieces, the new LEGO Friends Apartment set is packed with references to the popular series alongside brick-built recreations of some of the most iconic flats in all of New York City. Head below for all of the details.

Expand Expanding Close

LEGO UCS AT-AT rumored to release this fall, joins 9 other summer Star Wars sets

LEGO AT-AT review

Update: Since our initial coverage, we’ve received first look at several upcoming Mandaloran kits, as well as two Clone Wars creations.

Summer is quickly approaching, and all of the details on what to expect from the upcoming LEGO Star Wars lineup are falling into place. After getting a first look at the wave from last week’s Bad Batch Shuttle debut, we’ve now confirmed some reports that indicate we’ll see a new UCS AT-AT alongside a series of sets centered around the Mandalorian. Head below for all of the details.

Expand Expanding Close

9to5Toys Daily: May 10, 2021 – iPhone and Apple Watch sale, official cases, 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’re available.

Expand Expanding Close

LEGO teases upcoming Stranger Things set ahead of season 4 premier

The LEGO group is taking to Twitter today to tease what looks like will be one of its latest creations. Ahead of the Stranger Things season four premier sometime later this year, we’re getting a first look at what will likely be the latest addition to the LEGO Netflix theme. Head below for everything we know so far and what you can expect from the upcoming set. 

Expand Expanding Close

LEGO Batman Tumbler reportedly in the works – here’s everything we know so far

Read more

Every year, the LEGO Group has been heading into the holiday season with the launch of a collectible Batman creation ranging from models of the hero’s classic vehicles to detailed recreations of iconic locations throughout Gotham City. With reports starting to come out surrounding the summer LEGO set lineup and beyond, it’s looking like 2021 will see the debut of a refreshed Batman Tumbler from the Dark Knight trilogy. Head below for everything we know so far and what you can expect from the upcoming set. 

Expand Expanding Close

Seagate shuts down NAS remote access – here are the best alternatives: Synology, WD, more

Seagate recently announced that, as of mid-May, it will be removing the ability for users to remotely connect to its lineup of NAS by shutting down its Access program. Effectively relegating its NAS to nothing more than a standard hard drive, today, we’re taking a look at all of the best Seagate Access alternatives, ranging from Synology units to just upgrading your existing router with NAS capabilities. Head below for all of our recommendations.

Expand Expanding Close

9to5Toys Daily: May 7, 2021 – M1 iPad Pro $50 off, Best Buy Mother’s Day 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’re available.

Expand Expanding Close

Seagate refreshes One Touch USB-C SSD lineup with new designs, 1,030MB/s transfer speeds

Today, Seagate is refreshing its lineup of popular One Touch hard drives and solid-state storage with a new NVMe-based series of drives. Updating both the visuals and performance this time around, the new Seagate One Touch SSD arrives with a new compact form-factor alongside up to 1,030MB/s transfer speeds, USB-C connectivity, and up to 2TB capacities. Head below for all of the details.

Expand Expanding Close

Tested: Satechi’s Dock5 is the all-in-one Apple charging station I’ve been searching for

Buy now

You’re reading Tested with 9to5Toys, where we explore everyday tech essentials that make life a bit easier. Browse through our entire guide for all of the latest reviews, and sound off in the comments below if there’s something you’d like to see featured.

Satechi has long been in the market of supplying those in the Apple ecosystem with a variety of accessories that not only look great with matching aluminum finishes but also upgrade some aspect of your setup. Earlier this year, the brand launched its first charging station geared towards tackling the power requirements of five devices with its Satechi Dock5. Today, we’re taking a hands-on look at the unique charger to see if its versatile design is actually worthy of gracing your desk setup or nightstand. Head below for all of the details in our latest Tested with 9to5Toys review.

Expand Expanding Close

9to5Toys Daily: May 6, 2021 – Save on Apple Watch Series 6, iPhone 11 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’re available.

Expand Expanding Close

LEGO unveils 969-piece Bad Batch Shuttle with 5 exclusive Clone Force 99 minifigures

LEGO Bad Batch Shuttle Pre-order now

After airing on May the 4th, the LEGO Group now is now launching a new creation from The Bad Batch series in the form of the iconic Clone Force 99’s shuttle. The new 969-piece creation enters with five all-new and exclusive minifigures of the unique Clone troopers alongside two speeder bikes and the shuttle itself. Head below for all of the details.

Expand Expanding Close

Nintendo’s new Game Builder Garage lets Switch owners code their own experiences

Today, Nintendo is launching its latest way to get Switch owners in on the action of designing and programming their own games. Building off of Nintendo Labo’s momentum, the upcoming Game Builder Garage offers a suite of tools to code games and craft unique levels with an intuitive interface geared towards first-time developers. Head below for all of the details.

Expand Expanding Close

OtterBox announces new MagSafe Wallet and Folio for iPhone 12

Buy now

Today, OtterBox is expanding its collection of MagSafe iPhone 12 accessories with a series of wallet-focused releases. Headlined by a standalone magnetic wallet to take on Apple’s official offering, there’s also a new collection of folio cases for your iPhone 12 series device. Trading in the usual Apple stylings for more functional designs, you can get all of the details on the new OtterBox MagSafe wallets down below.

Expand Expanding Close

9to5Toys Daily: May 5, 2021 – iPad Pros $199 off, iPhone 12 cases $20, 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’re available.

Expand Expanding Close

Anker unveils new PowerWave Pad Lite at half of the price of Apple’s MagSafe charger

Buy now

Today, Anker is rolling out the latest addition to its stable of MagSafe charging accessories with the launch of its most compact offering yet. Entering with quite the fitting name, the new Anker PowerWave Pad Lite offers much of the same magnetic charging features as the official offerings, but with a 7.5W output and 5-foot USB-C cable. It also has a much more affordable price tag. Head below for all the details.

Expand Expanding Close

LEGO Imperial Probe Droid review: One of the most unique Star Wars sets in years

Buy now

It’s May the 4th, and while LEGO’s Star Wars Day promotion rages on, we’re turning our attention to one of the latest creations from a galaxy far, far away. Debuting as the newest set inspired by Empire Strikes Back, the new Imperial Probe Droid stacks up to over 680 pieces while assembling the latest buildable character from the Star Wars universe. But does this kit stack up to a model that’s worth putting on display? Head below for all of the details on the LEGO Imperial Probe Droid.

Expand Expanding Close

9to5Toys Daily: May 4, 2021 – Star Wars Day sale, M1 MacBook Pro $199 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’re available.

Expand Expanding Close

Disney celebrates Star Wars Day by showcasing upcoming retractible Lightsaber

Disney is looking to outshine all of the other new unveils from a galaxy far, far away this Star Wars Day with the formal unveil of its upcoming retractible Lightsaber. While it won’t be able to slice and dice like in the films, the new prop features a light-up blade that can automatically extend from the hilt. As one of the most authentic recreations from the Star Wars icon, you’ll want to head below for all of the details.

Expand Expanding Close

Celebrate May the 4th with the best deals on Star Wars collectibles, games, more

Best May 4th deals
Star Wars savings/Shop now

Update: While May the 4th has come and gone, many of the offers are still live down below.

Each year on May the 4th, retailers celebrate the annual event known as Star Wars Day to give fans of the series a batch of new collectibles alongside plenty of discounts on all sorts of merchandise. This year is no different, and the festivities are already underway. With a vast galaxy of discounts out there, we’ve done the hard work for you, rounding up all of the best May the 4th deals on everything from LEGO and other toys to games, tech, and much more. Head below for all of the action, which we’ll be updating over the next few days.

Expand Expanding Close

LEGO’s spring Ideas review is packed with 57 potential creations: Zelda, Metroid, Ghibli, more

LEGO Metroid

After showcasing 25 creations in January that are still being reviewed by the LEGO Ideas team, we’re getting a look at the latest batch of fan-made models that hit the 10,000-supporter milestone. As the largest review round to date, there are an impressive 57 different sets all vying to get the seal of approval from the LEGO Group and become an official set. Head below for all of the details on the LEGO Ideas spring review round.

Expand Expanding Close

9to5Toys Daily: May 3, 2021 – Google Nest Mother’s Day sale, Apple Watch Nike Band, 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’re available.

Expand Expanding Close

LEGO unveils new summer 2021 sets: Botanical Garden, Architecture, Creator, Disney, more

With all of the winter releases already having hit store shelves, the LEGO Group now has its sights on the upcoming summer waves. After already getting the details on the latest Harry Potter and Super Mario kits, we’re getting a first look at a collection of new creations spanning everything from the new Botanical Gardens theme to Creator, City, Disney, Ninjago, and more. Head below for all of the details.

Expand Expanding Close

Review: Are LEGO’s new Darth Vader and Scout Trooper helmets worthy of your collection?

LEGO May the 4th
Buy now

Earlier this spring, LEGO showcased the latest additions to its lineup of brick-build re-creations from a galaxy far, far away. And now with Star Wars Day on the horizon, we’re checking out the new LEGO Darth Vader and Scout Trooper helmets to see if they’re worth the cash ahead of May the 4th promotions. Head below for a closer look and all of the details on the latest releases. 

Expand Expanding Close

April’s best LEGO Ideas include a playable mini-golf course, Women of Computing, more

April saw the launch of a series of new LEGO Star Wars kits amongst the first Looney Tunes minifigures and much more. But now, we’re turning our attention to all of the fan-made builds that are still vying for that official set status. This month, in particular, is headlined by the recreation of an iconic A-Frame cabin, as well as a playable mini-golf course and much more. Head below for a look at all of April’s best LEGO Ideas.

Expand Expanding Close

9to5Toys Daily: April 30, 2021 – Save on M1 iMacs, 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’re available.

Expand Expanding Close

Amazon tentatively sets Prime Day 2021 for June

Amazon Prime Day
Read more

During last night’s earnings call, Amazon detailed the company’s performance over the past quarter, beating out Wall Street’s expectations in the process. But alongside just boasting to shareholders how well Q1 2021 went, Amazon also looked ahead to the future, mentioning that Prime Day 2021 would return to its usual summer time slot this year. With an expected launch in June, head below for everything we know so far about the upcoming shopping event.

Expand Expanding Close

Linksys’ first Wi-Fi 6E routers tout 8.4Gb/s speeds, 9,000-square-foot coverage, more

While last year was defined by the rollout of Wi-Fi 6 in the networking space, 2021 is seeing some of the first readily available Wi-Fi 6E devices start to hit the market. Today, Linksys is entering the fray, debuting two new systems equipped with the spec in the form of a standalone Hydra Pro Gaming Router and Atlas Max 6E mesh package. Sporting premium price tags to go alongside the next step of at-home networking, the new Linksys Wi-Fi 6E devices are now available for purchase. Head below for all of the details.

Expand Expanding Close

9to5Toys Daily: April 29, 2021 – Save on Apple Watch Series 6, Sony XM4 Headphones, 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’re available.

Expand Expanding Close

Anker’s new Life Q35 headphones arrive with ANC, 40-hour battery, and a $130 price tag

Buy now

Anker is releasing its latest pair of ANC headphones today, delivering the brand’s most feature-packed pair of cans to date. Centered around 40-hour battery life, the new Anker Soundcore Life Q35 arrive with various noise cancellation modes on top of LDAC hi-fi audio support, and the usual in-depth EQ customization. Not to mention, an affordable price tag. Head below for all of the details.

Expand Expanding Close

9to5Toys Daily: April 28, 2021 – iPhone 12 Cases $42, Apple Watch Series 4, 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’re available.

Expand Expanding Close

9to5Toys Daily: April 27 , 2021 – Save on Apple Magic Keyboard, iPad 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’re available.

Expand Expanding Close

Amazon updates Fire HD 10 tablet lineup with sleeker, productivity-focused designs

Prime Day Fire HD 10 tablet deals

Today, Amazon is refreshing its lineup of Fire HD tablets with a slew of new options. Entering with improved under-the-hood performance as well as slimmer bezels, the latest Amazon Fire HD 10 devices arrive alongside a keyboard case and a new split-screen multitasking feature. That’s alongside an updated lineup of Fire HD Kids Pro tablets and additional accessories. Head below for all of the details.

Expand Expanding Close

Review: Nomad’s all-new Base Station Mini delivers 15W speeds and an elegant design

Buy now

Today, Nomad is expanding its stable of premium iPhone accessories with its most compact wireless charger to date. While the new Nomad Base Station Mini is certainly miniature in size, that’s hardly the case in the feature department as you’ll find 15W speeds, USB-C connectivity, and, of course, the usual premium metal and leather build that the brand is known for. And now we’re taking a hands-on look at new release to see if all of the polish and sophisticated design actually justifies its higher-end price tag. Head below for a closer look and all of the details.

Expand Expanding Close

Check out all of LEGO’s new April 2021 sets: Star Wars, Marvel, Looney Tunes, more

Following a jam-packed month of new unveils from the LEGO Group, a new collection of creations officially goes up for sale today. With a series of builds spanning everything from Star Wars and Marvel to DC, Minions, and more, there are plenty of new sets now available for purchase. Head below for the full scoop on all of the new LEGO sets available in April 2021 so far, as well as our top picks from the batch.

Expand Expanding Close

9to5Toys Daily: April 26, 2021 – Woot MacBook sale, Anker iPhone accessories, 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’re available.

Expand Expanding Close