Rikka Altland

It’s officially Force Friday, and to celebrate, LEGO isn’t just launching its new The Rise of Skywalker kits, but also debuting two entirely new Star Wars BrickHeadz. On top of that, we see up to 20% off price cuts on several LEGO’s brand-new releases, as well as a notable Battle of Endor freebie. So be sure to head below for a first look at the new Kylo Ren and Sith Trooper figures, as well as the best ways to save.

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Last month saw some notable announcements for Wi-Fi 6. The new networking standard officially launched, and Apple included support for the spec for the first time with its latest iPhone 11 and Max/Pro smartphones. Whether getting a handset has you intrigued by Wi-Fi 6, or it’s just time for an upgrade, we’ve rounded up the best routers for every budget. Head below for a closer look and to check out our top picks from ARRIS, NETGEAR, and more.

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Back in February, Bandai announced a massive 1/5000th scale Imperial Star Destroyer model kit, but the company has been quiet since then on the Star Wars front. Now ahead of this Friday’s Triple Force Friday bonanza, we’re getting a look at six new model kits from Bandai to coincide with The Rise of Skywalker. Ranging from 1/12 scale figures to 1/144 recreations of famous Resistance starfighters, you’ll want to head below for a closer look.

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With Amazon’s home robot in the works and now the release of Boston Dynamics’ Spot, the writing is on the wall that voice assistant-enabled robots will soon be entering our homes. Sony may not initially come to mind, but they’ve been a player in the home robotics field for decades now thanks to the company’s lovable aibo. After spending some time with the latest generation of robot dogs, it’s easy to see how Sony and aibo have set the stage for what’s to come in the world of voice assistants and robots. Head below for my full hands-on review.

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Back in January, we first got word of Kano and Disney’s partnership to bring a coding kit from a galaxy far, far away to market sometime in 2019. Now today we are getting an official look at what the two companies have in store for us. Available later this week, the first Star Wars coding kit from Kano allows you to use the force for defeating the empire, learning foundational programming skills, and more. Head below for a closer look.

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Sunvalley Brands (99% positive all-time feedback from 424,000+) via Amazon offers the RAVPower 30W 3-Port USB Wall Charger for $6.79 Prime shipped when clipping the on-page coupon and applying code Q2RNU5LW at checkout. Normally selling for $12, today’s offer takes 44% off the going rate and marks a new Amazon low. Armed with three 2.4A USB ports, this wall charger can dish out up to 30W of power at once. This makes it a notable option for slimming down your travel setup, as three ports is perfect for refueling an iPhone, Apple Watch and a pair of earbuds. Rated 3.9/5 stars from over 160 customers.

More smartphone accessories:

• RAVPower 7.5/10W Qi Charger + Adapter: $11 (Reg. $28) | Amazon
  • w/ code S3UMT7IH
• AirPods start at $130 (Reg. $159+), today only while Powerbeats Pro are $200
• TaoTronics LED Desk Lamp with USB port: $20 (Reg. $29) | Amazon 
  • w/ on-page coupon + code S44TN5WE
• Anker’s new Lightning cables are on sale, plus USB-C adapters, more from $10
• Belkin 5,000mAh Power Bank: $15 (Reg. $30) | Amazon 
• ZAGG Invisible Shield Glass+ for iPhone XS Max: $29 (Reg. $40) | Amazon 
• CHOETECH 10W Qi Charging Pad: $9 (Reg. $16) | Amazon
  • w/ on-page coupon + code IUVYMALR
• Bose SoundLink Mini II Bluetooth Speaker is under $100 (Reg. $150+)

Deals still live from the weekend:

• Sony XB01 Compact Bluetooth Speaker: $18 (Reg. $24) | Amazon 
• Belkin BOOST UP 10W Qi Charging Pad: $30 (Reg. $40) | eBay
• Aukey 18W USB-C PD 10000mAh Power Bank: $25 (Reg. $32) | Amazon
  • w/ code WJ9I8272
• Rock Right-Angle USB-C Cable: $4 (Reg. $10) | Amazon
  • w/ on-page coupon + code EKHQ69YI

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Before the Switch Lite’s release, we saw nearly all of the popular accessory makers come out of the woodwork to debut cases and other gear for Nintendo’s latest console. Now that handheld is out, 8Bitdo is getting in on the action with the debut of its new Lite Bluetooth Gamepad. Featuring two stylings to match Switch Lite, these new controllers pack the usual selection of inputs into a small design. Head below for a closer look at what’s all offered by 8Bitdo’s latest, as well as how to lock-in your pre-order.

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Back in July, LEGO showcased its very first The Rise of Skywalker set with the Sith Trooper Bust at Comic-Con. While that gave fans a taste of what was to come, today we’re getting an official look at five upcoming kits to debut with alongside the latest Star Wars film. That’s not all, as we’re also getting other kits from The Mandalorian Disney+ series, Original Trilogy and more. Head below for a closer look at all eight of the new creations that come packed with new minifigures, brick-built vehicles and more.
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Yesterday Amazon took to Seattle for its grand unveiling of Alexa-enabled hardware, with one such release one falling to the new Echo Buds. Without skipping a beat, Anker has now expanded its Soundcore lineup with six new pairs of Bluetooth earbuds. Headlined by its new Liberty 2 Pro, Anker has included something in its latest release for ever budget. Head below for a look at how all the new buds compare, as well as pre-order details and the like.

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The Xiaomi-backed Roborock may be one of the newer entries in the robotic vacuum world, but over the past few years, it has quickly vaulted itself into the spotlight. Offering Roomba-caliber features for less has been the name of the game, and now the brand is out with its latest automated cleaning solution. Enter Roborock S4, a hybrid vacuum and mop armed with laser navigation, and much more. Head below for all of the details, as well as a $40 off launch discount. 

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Nintendo’s Switch Lite has been on the mind of Nintendo fans for nearly a year now, long before it was adorned with its current miniature namesake. Since its official debut back in July, the console has drummed up quite a bit of fuss. Posits swirled on whether or not Switch Lite would live in its hybrid predecessor’s shadow, or if it’d shine as a standalone, even more portable alternative.

As for my take on the matter, several days of enjoying Nintendo’s latest release has left a great first impression. Switch Lite delivers a value proposition that’s hard to pass up on for first-time Switch adopters or on-the-go-focused gamers. Head below for a closer look.

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NERF is stepping up its game and bringing in the heavy artillery for its latest foam-centric weapon. Deemed the Ultra One Motorized Blaster, Hasbro’s newest arsenal upgrade can shoot darts up to 120 feet away, the longest of any unmodified NERF release so far. Featuring all-new darts, the new toy fire arm is now available for pre-order. Head below for a closer look.

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Today Arlo has officially announced its Pro 3, the latest addition to its expanding roster of home surveillance systems. Looking to lessen the gap between its Pro and Ultra cameras, this new release comes with some notable enhancements. Headlined by a wider field of view than its predecessors, Arlo’s latest brings automatic pan and zoom, HDR recording, and more to the Pro lineup. Hit the jump for additional details.

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Each year in the build-up to the holiday season, LEGO is known for releasing its annual Advent calendars and Winter Village kits. And while the brick-built festivities usually end there, this year the company has another creation in store for Christmas-loving collectors to assemble. The new LEGO Reindeer, Elf and Elfie BrickHeadz kit will be launching shortly complete with festive decorations. Be sure to head below for a closer look.

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With the holiday season quickly approaching, Roku is readying a refreshed lineup of streaming media players. Both its entry-level and top of the line devices have received enhancements today, with a slimmed-down Roku Express and more powerful Ultra being announced. The two updated models make a debut alongside a new version of Roku’s operating system. Head below for a closer look.

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After bringing its new UniFi FlexHD access point out of the early access store last week, Ubiquiti is back to debut another addition in its line of networking gear. The new EdgeRouter 12P is officially available today and steps up the company’s existing lineup of routers. Entering the scene with ten Gigabit Power over Ethernet-enabled ports and two fiber uplink connections, it can support for deployment in various networking configurations. Head below for more details on the latest from Ubiquiti.

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The folks at Skull and Co. have been ahead of the Switch accessory curve for quite some time. Over two years ago the brand launched the SwitchCase, beating the recent trend of grip-style cases for Nintendo’s hybrid console. Now Skull and Co. are back to tease its latest product, which looks to offer the same portable comfort for the Switch Lite with its GripCase. Head below for a closer look at the upcoming accessory.

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Ways for gamers to enjoy nostalgic titles have been in anything but short supply recently. No matter which company or publisher you look at, odds are that there will be a retro remake that will transport you back to your childhood or college years. The folks at Analogue have managed to stand out from the pack of releases by offering fresh takes on new versions of consoles from the 1980s and 90s. Now the company is back with its latest release, the Analogue DAC, which allows you to pair its modern console clones with a CRT TV and more.

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Xcentz (99% positive all-time feedback from 2,400+) via Amazon offers its Ten-Foot MFi Braided Nylon Lightning Cable for $9.99 Prime shipped when code XCENTZ236 has been used at checkout. Normally selling for $16, it just dropped to $12.50 today. Now the additional promo code knocks off an extra $2.50, saving you a total of 37% and marking a new all-time low. Adding a ten-foot Lightning cable into your charging arsenal makes it easy to stay powered up no matter where you are. It’s great for charging an iPhone while you use it in bed, or on the couch. The braided nylon exterior has a 30,000-bend rating, ensuring it’s built to last. Over 155 customers have left a 4.3/5 star rating.

More smartphone accessories:

• New iPhones ship this week, pick up the latest AirPods from $134 shipped
• Belkin Boost Up 10W Qi Stand: $40 (Reg. $50) | Amazon 
• Aukey Key Series B33 Bluetooth Earbuds: $40 (Reg. $80) | Amazon
  • w/ code 7Z67LPJC
• mophie 20,100mAh Encore Plus Power Bank: $25 (Reg. $40) | B&H
• Google Pixel USB-C to 3.5mm Adapter: $7 (Reg. $10) | Amazon
• harman/kardon Onyx Studio 4 Speaker: $100 (Reg. $150) | Best Buy

Deals still live from the weekend:

• OontZ Angle 3 Bluetooth Speaker: $22 (Reg. $30) | Amazon 
  • w/ on-page coupon
• Zendure 45W USB-C PD 20100mAh Power Bank: $44 (Reg. $70) | Amazon 
• Aukey 18W USB-C PD Car Charger: $12 (Reg. $16) | Amazon
  • w/ code INGAU36Y  
• AINOPE MagneticCar Mount: $4 (Reg. $12) | Amazon
  • w/ code J27N59FM

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In the world of portable drives, none stand out quite like the entires from LaCie. Over the years, the brand has cultivated quite an extensive roster of options, all known for their eye-catching orange rubber exteriors. Now the company is out with three new portable solid-state drives aimed at offering varying levels of professional performance. Headlined by the Rugged BOSS SSD, LaCie is pulling out all the stops for its latest and most significant releases. Head below for a closer look.

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Update 9/18 @ 9am: LEGO’s Winter Village Gingerbread House is now available for purchase for LEGO VIP members (it’s free to sign up). You’ll also lock in double VIP points.

There’s no better way to anticipate the holiday season than with a festive new LEGO set. And while the company has a tradition of ringing in the all the fanfare with a series of Advent calendars, the annual release of a new aptly-themed Creator Expert set steals the spotlight for many fans. LEGO’s latest entry in the Winter Village collection takes the delicious form of a gingerbread house complete with plenty of baked-in details. Head below for a closer look. 

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Ubiquiti is expanding its line of prosumer networking gear today with the debut of its latest access point. After getting an early look at the new Wi-Fi device back at the end of June as part of its Early Access program, the UniFi FlexHD is officially leaving the beta program. Now available for purchase, the new release is centered around a compact, water-resistant design with 802.11ac Wave 2 technology. But with plenty of other options available from the company, where exactly does the FlexHD fit? Head below for a closer look.

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Instant cameras have been making their way into the hands of hipsters, college students, and those reminiscent of the 1970s for quite some time. The trendy smartphone alternatives have seen their fair share of modern refreshes as of late, and today we’re getting yet another 21st-century twist on the product line. Polaroid Originals has just announced its new Lab accessory, which pairs with an iPhone to instantly print out previously-taken photos. Head below for a closer look.

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When you think of third-party gaming accessory makers, iPega won’t necessarily be the first that pops into your head. While PowerA, PDP, and HORI share most of the spotlight, that hasn’t stopped the brand from releasing a steady stream of controllers over the years for various consoles. Ahead of the HORI Grip’s launch this week, we’re now getting a competing grip controller for Nintendo Switch. Deemed the Tomahawk Palmer Grip, iPega’s release sports USB-C connectivity, an ergonomic design and more. Head below for a closer look.

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As the latest wireless networking standard, Wi-Fi 6 routers have been trickling out from all the major brands. At IFA this year, NETGEAR is looking to stand out from the pack with its latest entry, the Orbi Wi-Fi 6 System. Budget-conscious shoppers are definitely going to want to shield their eyes, as this one enters with a whopping $700 price tag. Get a closer look at the new system below and to see how NETGEAR hopes justify such a steep asking price.

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PowerA is no stranger to the Nintendo accessory market, and today the company has showcased its new Mewtwo Pokémon Switch case. This upcoming add-on to the hybrid console is now available for pre-order at Amazon and will run you $24.99. This is one of the more unique cases that we’ve seen from third-party accessory makers and brings the 150th Pokémon alongside a slick black and purple colorway. It features a sturdy outer shell with rubberized handle and zips closed to keep accessories in their place while traveling. Head below for additional details, or swing by the Amazon listing to lock in your pre-order now.

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Update 9/18 @ 9am: LEGO’s new Imperial Star Destroyer is now available for purchase for LEGO VIP members (it’s free to sign up) alongside the Gingerbread House. You’ll also lock in double VIP points on both purchases.

Continuing with the 20th anniversary of LEGO’s Star Wars theme, today we’re getting a look at the latest kit from a galaxy far, far way. In what is a perfect follow up to this year’s Tanitive IV build, fans will be able to bring home a massive recreation of the iconic Star Destroyer. Measuring over 43-inches long, this time LEGO is pulling out all the stops here by including over 4,700 pieces for its third-largest Star Wars creation to date. Head below for a closer look, as you’ll definitely want to check out all the glorious detail on LEGO’s new Imperial Star Destroyer.

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Western Digital is expanding its lineup of portable hard drives, high-capacity storage and more today ahead of IFA 2019. Headlined by the brand’s thinnest 5TB drive, we’re getting a refreshed WD My Passport for Mac alongside a new 20TB internal HDD. Plus, over on the SanDisk front, we’re seeing new Lightning flash drives and more. Head below for a look at all of the announcements.

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LEGO and Blizzard’s collaboration began nearly one year ago with the debut of an exclusive Bastion kit. Shortly after that release, we got wind of even more kits on the horizon. Skip forward to the start of 2019 and fans could bring home six LEGO sets centering around the many heroes and maps from the Overwatch universe. 

Now that the kits have been on the market for quite some time, we’re taking a second look. Frequent discounts have made the theme much more eye-catching. So now we’re going hands-on with the lineup to see which are must-haves, which are our personal favorites and which aren’t worthy of your brick-built collections altogether. 

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If you’ve bought a console game over the past few years, you’ll know the pain of sitting through a massive install. Not only does it prevent you from diving into your new title right away, but it also consumes more and more of your system’s disk space. This digital emphasis is nothing new, but lately the trend has been taken to new lengths with Microsoft even going as far to release an all-digital Xbox One. Western Digital is looking to help combat this with its new WD Black Game Drives. Head below for a closer look.

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In a lot of ways, Kangaroo is to home security systems what Wyze is to smart cameras. You’re getting top-notch hardware that comes backed by feature-rich software, though without a premium price tag. But while Wyze rebrands existing cameras for their products, Kangaroo has developed a line of its own low-cost accessories. Today the company is officially launching its Siren + Keypad and Water + Climate Sensor alongside two new monitoring plans. Head below for a closer look at the new releases.

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Last week, PDP unveiled some of its first accessories specifically geared towards Nintendo’s upcoming Switch Lite. Now Hori is getting in on the action, with a new collection of cases and add-ons for the ultra-portable console. Alongside a charging playstand, Hori has a variety of Switch Lite cases arriving next month; all of which are now available for pre-order. Head below for a closer look.

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Back in 2018, we couldn’t go more than a month or so without LEGO debuting a new BrickHeadz character. It’s been a different story this year, as the brand has put out very few of the brick-built figures. Today LEGO is looking to change that with with the announcement of its newest BrickHeadz Scarecrow. Stacking up to 140 pieces, the company’s latest festive figure will be arriving just in time for fall. Hit the jump for more details.

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Supreme is no stranger to debuting unusual products that come clad in its iconic red and white logos. While the streetwear brand has garnered a pretty big name for itself with a line of must-have clothing, there’s more to its offerings than just fashionable hoodies. Dropping later this week as part of its fall and winter catalog, Supreme is debuting one of its weirdest releases yet, a burner phone. Hit the jump for a closer look.

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Smart home gear may have been popularized by assistants like Siri and Alexa, but there’s so much more to home automation than commanding devices with your voice. One of the most popular options for upgrading your connected setup falls to Z-Wave. It’s a standard that’s overflowing with benefits like local control, added security and a massive list of compatible devices.

To help kickstart your upgrades, we’ve taken a look at some of the more notable ways to get started. Head below for a dive into why you should adopt Z-Wave tech in the first place and the best hubs to get going with.

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Today Logitech is out with a pair of new mechanical keyboards aimed to take on the gaming market. Both the G915 and G815 models tout a host of premium features, headlined by the company’s new low-profile Romer GL switches and RGB lighting. Lightspeed connectivity also enters with the higher-end model to offer low-latency wireless capabilities. Both options will be launching later this month, with prices starting at $200. Head below for a closer look and to lock in your pre-orders.

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With the Switch Lite’s launch around the corner, PDP is gearing up for Nintendo’s latest console by debuting two new versions of traveling case. With a variety of styles available, there are six new variants to choose from including a Pikachu-themed option. Packed with plenty of storage capacity, these upcoming releases can fit up to 14 cartridges and even a Pro controller. PDP’s latest are now up for pre-order on Amazon starting at under $20. Head below for a closer look.

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Update: 8/21 10:40am: LEGO VIP members can now order the Disney Train and Station for $329.99 shipped. It’s free to sign up for those who aren’t already enrolled in the rewards program.

Look out Disney fans, today LEGO is growing its catalog of Mickey Mouse-infused sets with it all-new Train and Station kit. Stacking up to over 2,900 pieces, the latest creation is packed full of Disney charm and excellent parts usage. Plus to top it all off, you’ll find five new exclusive minifigures. Head below for a closer look at the latest Disney landmark to make it into LEGO form.

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Sure it may only be August, but LEGO is getting ready for the holidays by debuting its annual advent calendars for 2019. This year we’re getting a batch of four all-new kits, each of which pack 24 miniature creations and minifigures to help count down to the holidays. Head below for a closer look at the new additions for a look at what you’ll be unwrapping come winter.

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Anyone who’s logged some playtime on an NES has undoubtedly booted up hits like Mario, Donkey Kong or Zelda. With those titles having already been added to Switch Online, for August’s new additions, Nintendo is pulling out some NES deep cuts. For the first time in over a decade, you’ll be able to officially play Kung-Fu Heroes and Vice: Project Doom here in the United States. Head below for all the details and for when you’ll be able enjoy the obscure vintage releases.

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Now that the Ideas Tree House is now in stores, LEGO is wasting no time in moving onto the next fan-made creation. This morning, we’re getting our first official look at LEGO’s upcoming Friends Central Perk set. With over 1,000 pieces, this kit brings the famous coffee shop one of the most popular sitcoms of all-time to brick-built form. Head below for a closer look at all seven new minifigures of the show’s main cast and the rest of this highly-detailed creation.

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Following his theatrical debut earlier this year, Detective Pikachu will soon be making another first appearance, this time on the Switch. Hoping to find success on Nintendo’s latest system, Creatures Inc. is growing its team in preparation of bringing the electric investigator to a brand-new release. Head below for a look at some of the sequel’s characters, as well as additional details.

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Gaming monitors with 240Hz refresh rates are a must for those looking to get a competitive edge in esports-caliber titles, and now Acer is out with two new entires. The Nitro XF2 Series Monitors from Acer look to take on the competition with a suite of eye-catching features that will appeal to gamers like up to a sub 1ms response time and more. Head below for a closer look.

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Back at the beginning of July, CASETiFY launched the second installment of its Pokémon-themed iPhone accessories. Now the proprietor of Apple gear is back for its last collaboration with The Pokémon Company. Filled with Kanto-inspired designs, the latest collection is filled with Mac accessories, iPad covers and much more. Head below for a closer look at the new series of Pokémon gear.

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