Rikka Altland

Amazon is currently discounting a selection of Ring smart home security gear headlined by the Spotlight Cam Battery at $159.99 shipped. Down from $200, today’s offer amounts to 20% in savings, matches our previous mention, and comes within $11 of the all-time low. Ring’s battery-powered 1080p Spotlight Cam can be mounted just about anywhere thanks to its untethered design that can go months before needing to be recharged. Its weather-resistant build also allows you to monitor package deliveries and other outdoor activity, and a built-in LED spotlight helps you illuminate the driveway, too. Plus, Ring just rolled out end-to-end encryption for this camera to help adjust privacy concerns. Rated 4.6/5 stars from over 18,900 customers. Head below for more from $85.

After taking an in-depth look at all of the gear in my current UniFi setup, I’m back today to delve into the equipment I’m hoping to change in 2021. From stepping up to Wi-Fi 6 and upgrading to one of Ubiquiti’s latest routers to expanding my storage pool and doubling down on UniFi Protect, there is a lot planned on the horizon for my homelab. Head below for all of the details.

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’re available.

Top deals:

• Apple TV 4K sees rare Amazon discounts starting at $150 (Save $29)
• Apple’s latest cellular 11-inch iPad Pro 512GB falls to best price in months at $62 off
• Latest Anker sale discounts iPhone, iPad, and Mac accessories from $11

Today, LEGO is announcing the results of its latest Ideas review round with two fan-inspired creations being confirmed. Bringing a classic video game character into brick-built form in partnership with SEGA, builders will soon be able to assemble a LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog kit alongside a version of the famous Starry Night painting by Vincent van Gogh. Head below for all of the details.

Amazon currently offers the LEGO Star Wars Armored Assault Tank for $32 shipped. Typically fetching $40, today’s offer amounts to 20% in savings and matches the all-time low set just a few times before. Since debuting in September, this 286-piece creation has been hard to find in-stock thanks to its inclusion of an all-new Clone Trooper, as well as a minifigure version of Ahsoka Tano. Alongside two Battle Droids, the main part of the kit here is an Armored Assault Tank straight out of the Clone Wars. Get a closer look in our launch coverage and then head below for more LEGO deals from $12.

Best Buy’s official Amazon storefront currently offers the Insignia 70-inch 4K Smart Fire TV Edition HDTV for $549.99 shipped. Usually selling for $650, today’s offer is good for a $100 discount, matches the second lowest price to date, and is the best we’ve seen since October. Upgrade your home theater with Insignia’s 70-inch 4K smart TV. Alongside its massive panel, there’s built-in Fire TV featues for watching all of your favorite streaming content and more. Plus, there’s Alexa control as well as three HDMI inputs. Over 9,100 customers have left a 4.6/5 star rating. Head below for more Fire TV deals from $100.

Amazon currently offers the LG 32UD60-B 27-inch 4K Monitor for $349.99 shipped. Having dropped from $500, today’s offer amounts to 30% in savings, marks the best we’ve seen in nearly a year, and comes within $3 of the low set last February. Delivering 27-inches of screen real estate, this 4K LG monitor also comes equipped with 95% of the DCI-P3 color range to ensure to can handle creative work. Plus, AMD FreeSync support also allows for it to upgrade your battlestation. Both HDMI and DisplayPort inputs round out the package. Over 370 customers have left a 4.5/5 star rating and you can head below for more from $227.

Amazon offers the V-MODA Crossfade 2 Wireless Headphones for $199.99 shipped in several styles. Saving you $100 from the usual $300 going rate, today’s offer is matching our previous mention for the all-time low and marks one of the first times we’ve seen the headphones at this price. Rocking the brand’s signature design with premium materials, V-MODA’s Crossfade 2 is comprised of lightweight steel frame with durable vegan leather accenting. There are dual 50mm drivers that achieve “an immersive 3D soundstage” alongside 14-hour battery life to complete the package. Over 510 customers have left a 4.3/5 star rating. Head below for more.

After seeing a pair of new Brick Sketches hit the scene yesterday, LEGO is jumping back over to its Technic lineup to debut a pair of new vehicles. Expanding the collection of builds we saw back at the beginning of the year, there are now two LEGO Technic 2-in-1 sets on the way, headlined by a Heavy-Duty Excavator and Rescue Hovercraft. Head below for a closer look at the new kits and for all the details on when they launch.

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’re available.

Top deals:

• iPhone 11/Pro/Max all discounted from $530, today only (Cert. Refurb)
• Apple’s M1 MacBook Pro returns to all-time low at $100 off
• elago’s MS2 MagSafe Charging Stand sees very first discount to $22

Today, LEGO is showcasing its latest pieces of brick-built art, bringing Mickey and Minnie Mouse to its collection of portraits. The two new LEGO Disney Brick Sketches debut with more affordable price tags than previous additions to the lineup and assemble the iconic animation icons to adorn your walls or desk with the fan-favorite characters. Head below for all of the details.

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’re available.

Top deals:

• Apple’s 13-inch M1 MacBook Air falls to new Amazon low at $929 (Save $70)
• Anker’s latest Amazon sale has Lightning cables, smart locks, and more from $11
• Save on Twelve South gear: BookArc $49, BookBook case $81, more from $35

Today, the new LEGO Ninjago City Gardens kit is officially available for purchase, and we’re going hands on with the latest creation. With a vibrant build bustling with detail, over 5,600 pieces, and stacking up to over 29 inches tall, is the latest expansion to the Ninjago City worth the cash? Head below for a closer look and all of our thoughts on the LEGO Ninjago City.

Today, Nike is unveiling an all new lineup of shoes centered around a hands-free experience and sleek, futuristic design. Go FlyEase arrives with a unique bi-stable hinge form factor that lets you put on and take off your shoes without ever having to let your hands touch them. Head below for a closer look at Nike Go FlyEase.

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’re available.

Top deals:

• Apple Watch SE Nike+ has dropped to its best price yet at $232 (Save 24%)
• New Beats Flex wireless earbuds deliver Apple’s W1 chip at a low of $40 (Save 20%)
• Anker Gold Box: Save 40% off charging accessories from $10, USB-C power strip: $25

Today, LEGO is expanding its collection of mosaics with a customizable set that lets you craft your very own piece of art. The over 6,000 piece set stands out from other art-focused builds we’ve seen in the past by letting you turn portraits and other photos into a unique work of brick-built art. Head below for a closer look at the new Personalised LEGO Mosaic Portrait. 

With January nearly in the books, today we’re taking a look at a handful of LEGO Ideas projects that may someday join the likes of the recent 975-piece Medieval Blacksmith set. This month is highlighted by a miniature LEGO symphony orchestra, medieval castle, and old-school arcade. Head below for a closer look at all of the best LEGO Ideas projects in January.

CASETiFY kicked off the year by partnering up with Disney on a collection of Mickey Mouse-themed accessories for your Apple setup, and is now back with yet another collaboration in tow. This time around, you’ll be able to outfit your iPhone and charging setup with a series of themed NBA cases and accessories that bring iconic imagery to your device. Head below for a closer look at the new CASETiFY iPhone NBA collection.

Update: Now available for purchase for $149.99.

LEGO is out with the latest addition to its brick-built garage today, bringing the iconic Porsche 911 sports car into its line of highly-detailed Creator vehicles. Stacking up to over 1,400 pieces, this model delivers plenty of authentic details alongside the ability to build one of two versions of the iconic ride. Head below for all of the details on the new LEGO Porsche 911.

Ahead of February, LEGO is detailing three upcoming promotional kits for builders to add to their collections for free. Headlined by its latest Chinese New Year set, builders will be able to assemble a Year of the Ox model alongside a Valentine’s Day-themed kit and more for free. Head below for a closer look at all three of the LEGO freebies available in February and all of the details on adding these to your collection. 

After announcing the rollout of end-to-end encryption for its Ring smart home security lineup earlier in the month, the company is back today with the unveil of its latest video doorbell. Entering as not only the smallest iteration yet but also the most affordable, the new wired Ring Video Doorbell arrives with 1080p feeds and all of the same Alexa features we’ve come to expect. You’ll also enjoy motion detection and more. Head below for a closer look.

Today, Polk is out with the latest addition to its stable of home theater products. As its most recent smart soundbar, the new React model delivers built-in Alexa features thanks to four microphones, alongside support for a 5.1-channel surround sound setup by pairing add-on accessories. Plus, there’s also a new pair of wireless speakers and a subwoofer to go alongside the new soundbar. Head below for a closer look at the new Polk React Soundbar.

Today, LEGO is announcing its latest theme that looks to blur the line between physical and digital play. This time around, LEGO is teaming up with Universal Music to debut an upcoming collection of kits centered around letting builders use their iPhones to create augmented reality-fueled music videos. Head below for a closer look at the new VIDIYO theme.

Staples is currently discounting a selection of Ubiquiti networking gear headlined by its UniFi Switch 8 60W for $89 shipped when code 17556 has been applied at checkout. Typically selling for $109, today’s offer is good for a $20 discount, marks the lowest we’ve seen in over eight months, and comes within $5 of the all-time low. Whether you’re just building out a Ubiquiti setup or need to expand, this managed 8-port Gigabit Ethernet switch brings four PoE slots into your network for powering access points, cameras, and more. It has a total 60W power output, making it a very capable option for kickstarting your setup. You’re looking at 8Gb/s of total throughput and other perks from the Ubiquiti ecosystem are built-in as well, including monitoring per-port traffic and more. Over 3,200 customers have left a 4.8/5 star rating. Head below for more Ubiquiti deals from $81.

Now that we’ve gone hands-on with all four of the new LEGO Star Wars builds for the winter of 2021, it’s time to take a look at the entire collection as a whole. With three creations from the Original Trilogy and a new build-out of The Mandalorian, we’re seeing which of the latest kits is most worth your cash and how everything stacks up. Head below for a closer look at how all of the new LEGO 2021 kits compare and to see which is the best of the batch.

Today, NERF is out with its latest collection of blasters, this time expanding the more competitive Rival lineup with a series of new foam arsenal upgrades. Introducing a new feature, the upcoming NERF Rival Curve Shot series lives up to its name with the ability to shoot around corners. Head below for a closer look at all three of the upcoming blasters and all of the details on when you can add them to your own NERF armament.

Today we’re getting a look at three upcoming creations from the LEGO Star Wars theme that’ll be expanding the current roster of 2021 sets. Due out later in March, LEGO has a pair of Original Trilogy models on the way, headlined by the latest version of the Imperial Shuttle. That’s on top of a new Microfighters pack and a Resistance X-Wing. Head below for a closer look.

With the news that Comcast would be implementing data caps shortly into 2021, in December I finally made the switch to Verizon Fios. That got the ball rolling for me to start thinking about the rest of my networking setup and what can be improved. Though before I get to renovating anything, I though I’d go through everything in my existing setup and highlight all of the gear that makes my server and smart home tick. Head below for a closer look at my entire setup, including all of the UniFi gear, my Mac mini cluster, and over 80TB Synology NAS storage pool.

Today, the Raspberry Pi foundation is out with the latest addition to its collection of miniature computers. Entering as the smallest release yet to the Raspberry Pi family, the new model departs from models with a new microcontroller-class design. Entering to take on Arduino, Raspberry Pi Pico stands out with a compact form factor and affordable $4 price tag. Head below for a closer look. 

Alongside letting fans vote on which of its classic themes to bring back for the 90th anniversary next year, LEGO has showcased a new lineup of collectible coins. With five versions to collect, the series commensurates classic themes like Castle, Space, and more as unique pieces of memorabilia. Head below for a closer look and all of the details on scoring these limited-edition collectible LEGO coins for yourself.

The Pokémon Company kicked off its 25th anniversary celebration earlier in the month with some announcements of its own, as well as details on upcoming collaborations to expect. We’re now getting a look at one of its first partnerships of the year, as Casio has just unveiled the latest edition to its BABY-G collection. Decked out in a unique Pokémon-inspired colorway, the new Casio Pokémon G-SHOCK Watch arrives next month. Head below for all of the details.

Smart plugs remain the best way to explore all of the perks of having a connected home, as well as versatile options to expand existing setups. But with an over-abundance of options to choose from at Amazon, finding the most ideal model for your Siri, Alexa, or Assistant kit can be tedious at best. So now, we’re back again for 2021 to showcase the best smart plugs on the market and highlight our favorite entries in various categories. Head below for all of the details.

Update: The new LEGO Ideas Medieval Blacksmith set is now available for purchase for $149.99 direct from LEGO.

Today, LEGO is officially taking the wraps off of its latest fan-inspired Ideas creation. Marking the first of the theme we’ve seen in 2021, fans will soon be able to head back to the Middle Ages and assemble a nearly 1,000-piece Blacksmith building complete with Medieval minifigures and more. Head below for all of the details on the new LEGO Ideas Medieval Blacksmith set.

We’ve reviewed all but one of the new LEGO Star Wars 2021 sets so far, with only the most affordable remaining. Now for today, we’re taking a look at the latest addition to LEGO’s collection of Microfighters, with a refreshed version of the Millennium Falcon. As the latest version of the fastest ship in the Star Wars universe, how does this compact model stack up? Head below for all of the details on the LEGO Millennium Falcon Microfighter.

Even though we just landed in 2021, LEGO is already thinking ahead to next year, which will mark the company’s 90th anniversary. And to celebrate, LEGO is getting fans in on the action a bit early to decide on which of its classic themes will be brought back in 2022. With fan favorites like Classic Space, Bionicle, Rock Raiders, and Castle, 30 different themes are vying to be released once again down the line. Head below for all of the details and information on how to cast your vote.

Now that we’ve taken a look at two of the larger builds from the new LEGO Star Wars 2021 lineup, we’re shifting gears to go hands-on with one of the more affordable creations from a galaxy far, far away. Finally giving fans the long-awaited Beskar-clad Mandalorian figure, the LEGO Trouble on Tatooine set offers the most affordable way yet to bring Baby Yoda to your collection on top of other notable builds. Head below for all of the details. 

Synology is closing out CES week with the debut of its latest NAS systems. It’s debuting as just some of the very first releases from the brand to be powered by AMD processors. Geared toward small businesses and homelab owners, the latest additions to the RackStation family pack plenty of value that’s sweetened by user-upgradable components, not to mention up to 2,300MB/s transfer speeds. Head below for a closer look at the new Synology RS1221 NAS series.

Now that the first batch of new LEGO sets have been released, we’re turning our attention to what to expect from later on in the year. 2021 is slated to be one of the biggest years for LEGO Star Wars in recent memory, and now we’re getting wind of some of the upcoming kits due out this summer and beyond. Starting with the upcoming UCS Republic Gunship, the year’s new LEGO kits will culminate in what will likely be one of the largest builds ever assembled. Head below for everything we know so far on the LEGO Summer 2021 Star Wars lineup.

After first being announced back in April of 2020, Amazon today is officially out with a way for Blink smart security owners to store recordings and footage without having to rely on the cloud. The new Blink Add-On Sync Module 2 allows you to store up to 256GB of footage locally on your network with a built-in USB port for connecting hard drives and the like. Head below for a closer look and details on locking in your pre-order.

Today, Denon is debuting the latest addition to its lineup of smart HEOS speakers with the introduction of a new sound bar. Entering as the first product geared towards the home theater in Denon’s Home collection, its new Sound Bar 550 arrives with AirPlay 2 support alongside Dolby Atmos audio, Alexa integration, and more. Head below for all of the details on the new Denon Sound Bar 550.

Today, Amazon announced that it’ll officially begin rolling out end-to-end encryption for a selection of its Ring devices. With several of its more recent or high-end video doorbells, as well as indoor and outdoor cameras eligible at launch, this marks the latest attempt for Amazon to bring added privacy and security to its devices. Head below for all of the details.

Kicking off its 25th anniversary, today The Pokémon Company is out with a bevy of new announcements on what to expect from its trading card game and beyond. Alongside reprinting some of its classic Pokémon cards, we’re getting wind of upcoming collaborations for life-sized replicas from the franchise, a new album thanks to a team up with Katy Perry, and more. Head below for all of the details.

Today, Razer is cluing gamers and tech enthusiasts alike in to its latest concept products, as the brand has a history of doing each year at CES. This time around, we’re getting a first look at a pair of potential releases headlined by a high-tech N95 mask imbued with RGB and other Razer flair as well as a state-of-the-art gaming chair featuring a wrap-around screen and haptic feedback. Head below for a closer look at both of the Razer concepts, including its RGB face mask

TP-Link is expanding its stable of Wi-Fi 6 routers at CES this week with four new models on the way. Marking the very first time the company is releasing Wi-Fi 6E routers, we’re seeing two new mesh systems alongside some single access point packages. With notable specs like up to 10Gb/s speeds and support for 200 devices, these are some of TP-Link’s most capable releases to date. Head below for all of the details on the new TP-Link Wi-Fi 6E routers.

Today, Plugable is launching its latest USB-C hub with an even more compact design than several of its past releases. Debuting with a 7-in-1 design, this portable hub brings a bevy of ports to your Mac, Chromebook, and more with a durable metal housing and more. Head below for a closer look at the new Plugable 7-in-1 USB-C Hub and for all of the details on scoring a launch discount.