Rikka Altland

Update @ 4/12 @ 11:15 AM: Now available for purchase from Target for REDCard Holders.

@ 3/22: We’ve been told it will sell for $39.99 and be available for Target REDCard holders as well as at Star Wars Celebration.

Back in January we first got a look at the upcoming LEGO Star Wars 20th Anniversary Sets. Today LEGO is expanding the lineup with a sixth impending release, this time capturing the likeness of an iconic Sith Lord. In preparation of the Star Wars Celebration next month, we’re now getting a glimpse at the new 330-piece LEGO Darth Vader Bust. Head below for a closer look.

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Ubiquiti has made a name for itself for prosumers, and is now further solidifying its relevance in the business space. The company has just unveiled the new UniFi LED Panels and Dimmer Switch. These devices launch as Ubiquiti’s newest network-managed accessories which bring flexible POE-powered lighting, energy manageable and more to your setup. Head below for all of the details on the latest devices to join the UniFi ecosystem.

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Update 4/9: LEGO has officially announced the three new Spider-Man kits which will retail for $29.99, $39.99 and $69.99. A release date still has yet to be specified, but we’ll be sure to update once more information is available.

This morning brought with it a new wave of collectible Disney minifigures from LEGO. Now we’re turning our attention to another Disney property, Marvel. LEGO Marvel Cinematic Universe-themed kits have been on a roll as of late, and today we’re getting a glimpse at a wave of upcoming Spider-Man releases. Packed with notable minifigures, the new builds offer a brick-built look at life after Avengers: Endgame. Head below to see all three of the upcoming LEGO Spider-Man: Far From Home sets.

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Today Amazon is expanding its line of Kindle E-Readers with a new, entry-level model that’s a more affordable way to enjoy digital titles. Amazon’s All New Kindle enters with a sub-$100 price tag and comes packed with a notable selection of features like a built-in adjustable front light, the usual multi-week-long battery life and a refreshed form-factor. Head below to see how it stacks up to the rest of the Amazon Kindle lineup.

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Following Monday’s unveiling of the new Steamboat Willie LEGO kit, we’re now getting a look at the next line of Collectible Minifigures. The latest in LEGO’s line of figures covers a wide range of fan-favorite characters from the Disney universe. You’ll find everyone from Elsa and Anna from Frozen to Frozone, Hercules and more. Head below for a look at all 18 of the new LEGO Collectible Disney Minifigures.

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It seems like home networking issues are something that pretty much everyone faces these days; despite there being a flood of devices which aim to solve our Wi-Fi woes. Recently I decided to opt for a UniFi setup over typical mesh system. And after living with the setup for a few months now, the verdict is in; it’s safe to say that adopting Ubiquiti gear into your home is a must for tech enthusiasts or anyone who needs break-neck performance. Head below for an in-depth guide on how you can upgrade your home network by getting started with UniFi.

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Today at its GPU Technology Conference, NVIDIA has unveiled the latest device in its line of machine learning-focused products. The new NVIDIA Jetson Nano launches as a low-cost way to experiment with AI computing. Launching with an extremely versatile design, it can deliver up to 472 GFLOPS of compute performance and more. Head below for an in-depth look at the latest from NVIDIA.

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Just last month we got word from LEGO that two new fan-made Ideas sets were on the way. Now exactly one month later, LEGO is taking the wraps off one of its latest Ideas releases. Capturing the vintage black and white animation style, the upcoming Steamboat Willie set is the result of a well-executed collaboration between LEGO and Disney which includes over 750 pieces, two exclusive new minifigures and more. Head below for a closer look at all-new kit.

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Towards the end of last year, we got our first look at the then-upcoming Captain Marvel LEGO kit. After some solid initial impressions, we’ve finally gotten our hands on the new Marvel film’s first and only set. So today we’ll be going hands-on with the LEGO Captain Marvel and The Skrull Attack to see how the recent 307-piece build stacks up. Hit the jump to check out our full hands-on review.

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Update: Now officially available from Ubiquiti.

Ubiquiti is well-known for its professional networking equipment, but has recently been branching out. Last fall we got a look at the AmpliFi Instant Mesh Wi-Fi System. Now the company has unveiled its latest Wi-Fi router, which brings a suite of pro-grade features to a more consumer-friendly design. The UniFi Dream Machine launches with an all-in-one design that touts up to 1000Mbps speeds, professional network management and much more.

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The Raspberry Pi Foundation has shifted its focus towards the education market as of late. First opening a brick and mortar retail location to show off its miniature computers in a more friendly environment. Today we’re getting a look at a pair of new official accessories, which round out the company’s starter package. The new Raspberry Pi Keyboard and Mouse will be arriving later this week, so head below to get all of the details.

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When it comes to smart home lighting, Philips Hue has become synonymous with the gold standard. Color Accuracy? Check. Reliability? You got it. HomeKit support? Done. All of that comes with a higher barrier to entry; the Hue Hub, a dependency that drives many away from the ecosystem. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Enter the new Eve HomeKit Light Strip.

As one of the latest HomeKit-enabled smart home device from Eve, the Light Strip touts an improved color profile and more all in a Wi-Fi-centric package. Head below for our full hands-on review and to see how it stacks up to the competition. 

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With Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s successful launch, gaming companies are expanding their line of tie-in Nintendo Switch controllers and accessories. Today, PDP has unveiled new designs of its Fight Pad Pro Switch Gamepads centered around two characters from Mushroom Kingdom. This time Luigi and Princess Peach have made the cut, with new colorfully-designed controllers now available. Head below for all of the details.

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To coincide with the release of Captain Marvel this weekend, LEGO has kicked off its latest promotion. The company is hoping to bring in Avengers fans by offering a limited-edition collection minifigures. With exclusive new brick-built renditions of four iconic Marvel heroes, the new LEGO Avengers Minifigure pack will be a must-have for collectors and fans of the MCU. Head below to find out how you can add them to your collection.

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Corsair is well-known for its computer peripherals which cater to a more hardcore demographic of PC gamers. Today the company has announced an all-new keyboard which brings several premium features to the playing field in a couch-friendly design. Headlined by a built-in trackpad, shoulder bumpers and a joystick, the new Corsair K83 Wireless Keyboard looks to combine the best of both worlds from PC and console gaming. Head below for all of the details.

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Update 3/7 @ 8:00 PM: Now available for pre-order at Amazon.

One of most unexpected releases from Nintendo last year was Labo, its series of cardboard-based Switch accessories. Tonight, we’ve gotten our first look at the latest addition to the lineup, which brings virtual reality to the portable console for the first time. The new Nintendo Labo VR Kit will launch next month and offers the most ambitious expansion to the Switch thus far. Head below for a closer look.

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For the past five months, Nintendo has supplied retro gaming fans with a steady stream of re-releases. Today, we’re getting our first look at the two latest titles to join the expanding library of classic NES games. Both Kid Icarus and StarTropics will be arriving on Nintendo Switch Online later this month. Hit the jump for all the details on how you can play the two fan-favorites.

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One of the centerpieces for improving your home’s security is the smart lock. Not only do the deadbolts provide peace of mind, but also allow you to ditch a traditional key for pin codes, automated unlocking and more. But with so many options to choose from, which option is right for your smart home? Whether you fancy HomeKit, Alexa, Z-Wave or another ecosystem, we’ve highlighted the best smart locks for your smart home. Head below for the full report.

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Avengers: Endgame is one of the year’s most anticipated films. And with each addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe also comes a new batch of LEGO kits that tie in with the film. Today we’re getting a glimpse at what’s to come from LEGO and Disney’s latest collaboration before the new movie comes to theaters in April. Headlined by the upcoming Iron Man Hall of Armor kit, Quinjet and Avengers’ Headquarters, we’ve got a first look at what to expect from the LEGO Avengers Endgame sets.

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Despite the improvements in smart home tech we’ve seen as of late, in-home location tracking is still one feature that by and large has yet to be solved. Even with iBeacons and other low-power sensors having been on the market for quite some time now, we’re no closer to finding a compelling solution. But that’s what makes the unveil of Hiome Occupancy Sensors even more notable. With HomeKit and SmartThings support in tow, the devices offer a different approach to smart home presence detection.

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Back when the Amazon Dash Buttons launched in 2015, the idea of simply pressing a button to reorder routinely purchased home goods seemed novel. In the time since, the entire online shopping scheme has changed. The Echo lineup catapulted voice-based shopping into the norm and the social stigma against buying from online stores has largely gone faded. Now as the four-year anniversary of device’s launch approaches, Amazon has stopped selling its Dash Buttons.

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While moving into a new apartment at the beginning of the year, one of my computer’s hard drive suffered a casualty. Determined to never unintentionally lose data again in the future, I set out to find a reliable solution for hosting Time Machine backups. At the end of the journey enters the two-bay Synology DS218play NAS, an affordable yet powerful storage solution. Loaded with 20TB of storage, I’ve been using the NAS for a few days and am left with a great first impression. Head below for a closer look.

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In our on-going endeavor to show you how to make the most out of your smart home, today we’ll be checking out another way to add greater utility to your smartphone-enabled gadgets. Bolstering your home’s security not only offers peace of mind, but can bring real benefits like break-in notifications, remote monitoring and more. Head below for five of the best smart home security devices from August, Eve, Ring and more.

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As standalone virtual and mixed reality headsets gain higher resolution displays and become more ubiquitous, equally as capable cameras become more essential. Ricoh, who has been consistently unveiling plenty of consumer VR-ready recording devices over the years, has that need covered with its latest releasing. The new Ricoh Theta Z1 is the company’s next iteration of 360-degree cameras, touting a 23MP sensor, the ability to capture 7K stills, an enhanced processing algorithm and more.

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Back in September we covered LEGO Forma, the company’s first attempt to crowdfund an entire line of new kits. After facing shipping delays, the LEGO Forma Koi Fish has finally arrived. Stacking up to one of LEGO’s first kinetic sculptures, the kit is an enjoyable build that stands out from the entirety of the company’s lineup. Head to the depths below to check out our full hands-on review.

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Today LEGO is expanding its garage of iconic brick-built vehicles with the release of a 1960s’ classic. Making its debut, the LEGO Ford Mustang will be hitting store shelves later next week. The upcoming old school muscle car build stacks up to over 1,470 pieces and includes plenty of authentic details. Head below for a closer look and to see when you’ll be able to take it off the lot.

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Back in September of 2018, Oculus debuted its all-in-one Quest Virtual Reality Headset. Today one of the other major players in the space, HTC, has unveiled a new headset to match. The upcoming Vive Focus Plus looks to offer an equally compelling standalone virtual reality experience complete with six degrees of freedom tracking, an AMOLED display and more.

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Back in late 2017 we covered Replicade’s first release, a miniature Centipede arcade machine. In the past year and a half, more titles have been released and New Wave Toys’ has no plans of slowing down. This year at Toy Fair, the company showcased its past arcade machine collectors items and gave us our first look at its upcoming releases, including a Replicade Asteroids cabinet, token machine USB hub and more.

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The very first live action Pokémon film, Detective Pikachu, is slated to hit theater later in May. At New York Toy Fair this year, we got a look at a series of upcoming memorabilia that will be launching ahead of Pikachu’s latest silver screen debut. With a variety of apparel, accessories and more on the way, you’ll want to head below to see all of the upcoming Detective Pikachu merchandise.

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Over the past few years, Sphero has released a variety of smartphone-controlled robots geared towards Star Wars fans, those looking to get into coding and more. Today, Sphero is taking emphasizing the latter of those two, with the debut of a fully-programmable robot geared towards makers and the overall STEAM market. Sphero RVR is the company’s most customizable robot to date, featuring a suite of sensors, integrations and more to facilitate learning to program. Head below for a closer look.

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Fresh off the announcement that The Flintstones LEGO set would be hitting store shelves this week, today we’re getting a look at the two newest fan-made builds. The latest LEGO Ideas kits turn to pop culture for inspiration, with Steamboat Willie and Friends making their first brick-built debuts. Head below for a closer look at the latest from LEGO Ideas.

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Retro gaming is becoming more popular than ever, something that was clearly on display at this year’s New York Toy Fair. One of the companies leading the charge to bring nostalgia-fueled gaming back into our homes is Arcade1Up. With an expanded line of arcade cabinets, new retro collectibles and more, the company had a lot of eye-catching products to show off. Head below to check out everything that was on display at the Arcade1Up Toy Fair booth.

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Toy fans from all over the world headed to New York this weekend to get a glimpse at the latest and greatest that this year’s Toy Fair had to offer. At the top of our list of must-see toys, was LEGO as we were eager to check out its roster of new builds for 2019. With plenty of themes including Star Wars, Toy Story 4, and more, there’s something for everyone coming out this year. Head below to see all of the new kits and creations showcased at the LEGO Toy Fair booth this year.

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New York Toy Fair begins tomorrow, and ahead of the convention, LEGO is debuting another batch of all new sets. Earlier in the week we saw three upcoming LEGO Movie 2 builds and just yesterday, an entirely-new AR-focused series. But today, LEGO is expanding one of its previous themes, Jurassic World. With four kits on the horizon, the creations will give builders new ways to explore Isla Nublar, including a robotic T.rex and more.

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Ahead of New York Toy Fair this weekend, LEGO has unveiled an entirely new line of kits, Hidden Side. By pairing traditional brick-built creations with a companion smartphones app, the new theme introduces Augmented Reality to bridge the gap between physical and digital play. Centered around a series of haunted builds, LEGO Hidden Side will be launching later this year with eight kits.

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Bandai has been partnering with LucasArts for some time now to release scale recreations of characters, vehicles and more from the Star Wars universe. In the past we’ve seen detailed astromech droids and screen-accurate Sith Lords, but now we’re getting something a little different. The company has announced that it will be tackling its largest in-world starship yet; the Star Destroyer. Measuring over a foot long, Bandai’s Star Destroyer Model Kit aims to recreate the crux of the Imperial fleet. Head below for a more in-depth look.

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One of Alexa’s biggest strengths is its ever-growing number of user-created Skills. With over 80,000 as of publishing, the assistant’s capabilities are about as far-reaching as can be. But that’s not stopping Amazon from kickstarting a new initiative to bolster even more. Today the technology giant is launching new Alexa Skills Blueprints; a way to make it easier for creators and organizations who may not have backgrounds in coding to integrate their content into the voice assistant. Head below for more.

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Bringing the total count of corresponding sets up to 25, the LEGO Movie 2 is now getting three additional releases today. Many of 2019’s notable LEGO releases have been announced as a tie-in to the new film which is set hit theaters at the end of last week. Today that trend continues with three new movie-inspired builds due out later this spring. Head below to see how the kits stack up.

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Monoprice is known for its audio, networking and Mac accessories that hit the market with a lower cost than many of its competitors. The company’s latest release fits into the latter of the categories, and looks to bring the latest and greatest network connectivity to your machine over a USB-C interface. Monoprice’s new Thunderbolt 3 10G Ethernet Adapter launches with an aluminum, bus-powered design and more. Head below for the full scoop.

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The Raspberry Pi Foundation opened its doors back in 2012. And over the past seven years, it has managed to pull in a legion of tinkerers, students and fans with its widely popular credit card-sized computers. Having primarily relied on online storefronts to sell its devices, the company is now taking a different approach. In Cambridge, UK, the very first Raspberry Pi physical retail store has opened.

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Last year, the LEGO UCS Hogwarts Castle debuted with a massive 6,000-piece part count and oh so much glorious detail. Even though the design measures over two-feet long, it still only covered a portion of the fictional castle. One dedicated LEGO builder has taken it upon themselves to fix that. In what is one of the most impressive fan-made builds we’ve seen, the expanded Hogwarts Castle completes the campus’s layout by adding over 25,000 additional pieces into the mix. Head below for a closer look.

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Nintendo debuted its paid online service in the fall of 2018. Since then, the company has managed to keep up its end of the bargain to bring new digital titles to Nintendo Switch Online. And sure, some of them haven’t been the most memorable games. But soon, two of the most beloved retro classics will be coming to the digital library. That’s right, Super Mario Bros. 2 and Kirby’s Adventure will be joining the Switch’s retro library. Hit the jump for all the details.

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Being able to have just about anything delivered right to our doorsteps is the biggest perk of online shopping. But with the rise of porch pirates and other nefarious package thieves running amok, anxiety is replacing convenience in the minds of many online shoppers. Amazon has been waging war on the issue for some time now with its Key shipment service. But how do you actually take advantage of the in-home delivery? Below you’ll find all of the information needed on how to get started with Key by Amazon and keep your deliveries safe.

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