Rikka Altland

MakerBot began producing entry-level 3D printers back in 2009. They were nothing like the company’s latest models, as the printers were targeted towards the growing maker community. Even so, the company was able to find massive success in tinkerers, DIY enthusiasts, and the like to grow one of the first consumer 3D printer lines.

A lot has changed in nearly a decade. And just like they did originally, MakerBot’s newest release is looking to shake up the 3D printer space. Today, MakerBot has unveiled its new Method Printer, which the company is touting as the “world’s first performance 3D printer.” Head below to see how this premium device stacks up.

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Earlier in the year, we got a first look at the Playstation Classic. And now that the miniature console is out and making some first impressions, Sony’s nostalgia-driven gaming device could use some improvements. Accessory maker 8Bitdo is no stranger to augmenting the features of the Classic consoles that have been popping recently. Today the company has unveiled its latest add-on, the USB Wireless Adapter for PS Classic. Head below for a closer look and when you’ll be able to bring one home for yourself.

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Earlier this year, LEGO announced that it would be bringing back a fan-favorite set after nearly a decade of retirement. To close out the year, LEGO has brought back the Vestas Wind Turbine, an 800-piece packing motorized features and more. As one of the tallest sets ever released, we had to get our hands on it. So head below to take an in-depth look at what LEGO’s most recent set has to offer.

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With tons of different products to chose from, building the best smart home that you can isn’t easy. If you have lots of different smart devices on your Wi-Fi network especially, you might be faced with slow or even unreliable control. Below you’ll find four different ways to improve your setup with the best smart home products out there.

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Throughout 2018, LEGO has been releasing new BrickHeadz as quickly as possible, with over 50 different figures having hit store shelves. But with the last debut in September, it has been months since we’ve gotten a look at any new brick-built characters. Today we’re getting a look at some of the figures we can expect in 2019, all of which center around seasonal events and holidays. Head below to get a look at all of the new seasonal BrickHeadz.

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Today Bose officially confirmed that it would be stepping into the wearable business with a pair of new Augmented Reality glasses fit for consumers. The new audio-based Frames sunglasses offer a different take on face-worn devices. Bose announced that it was working on a pair of AR wearables earlier in the year.

Back in March the audio company committed itself to releasing an AR-equipped wearable, but there wasn’t much in the way of details. Or even if the product would see a wide-spread release. Now to close out the year, Bose has debuted its new Frames.

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Each year, one of the most eagerly-awaited LEGO sets comes from the Creator Expert line. The yearly release of a new modular building excites fans looking to expand their cities with detailed new creations. The latest in LEGO’s series of Creator Expert buildings continues the theme of last year’s release. The 1950’s-style Downtown Diner set did a phenomenal job capturing the retro aesthetic, and LEGO is looking to keep that theme going this time around.

LEGO’s new release will be kicking off 2019 with the Creator Expert Corner Garage, a retro-themed kit stacking up to over 2,500 pieces. Head below for a closer look.

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It’s that time of year again; Christmas is quickly approaching and many are being filled with festive cheer as the winter holiday season is now in full swing. But if you’re bogged down by the chore of hunting down the perfect gift, we’ve got your back. At the top of the list, Alexa-enabled and HomeKit devices are an easy choice for tech enthusiasts. So you’ll want to head below to check out our top recommendations for must-have smart home gifts.

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Sonos is currently offering its new HAY Sonos One Limited Edition Speaker for $209 shipped. That’s good for a $20 discount, is the first price drop we’ve tracked and a new all-time low. Sonos’ new HAY One speakers come in five distinct colorways that standout from the company’s typical designs. Aside from their eye-catching designs, you’ll also get AirPlay 2 support and more. Amazon is also getting in on the discounts and offering the Sonos One in black or white for $179. Also at Sonos direct. That’s still good for a $20 discount and comes within $5 of our previous Black Friday mention. Just under 1,000 customers have left a 3.7/5 star rating. Head below for more.

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December 1st has finally arrived, which means for many that the winter holiday celebrations can truly begin. For us it means that it’s finally time to dive into unpacking this year’s LEGO Advent Calendars. Earlier in the year we took a look at all three new calendars for 2018. But rather than only count down to the holidays with one like last year, we’ll be assembling both the Star Wars and City kits. With 24 different builds to assemble for each set, it’ll be exciting to see what’s included this time around. Head below to see what today’s builds have stacked up to.

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With LEGO’s new Pop-Up Book kit rolling out over the past few weeks, we haven’t seen much on the Ideas front this month. LEGO has also been busy dominating the holiday shopping charts. And while those listings give us a good idea of what many will find under their trees come December 25th, Ideas gives a look at future LEGO releases.

November’s LEGO Ideas kits that really caught our eye include a brick-built classic computer, Sushi restaurant, and even an out-of-this-world NASA rover. Head below for a closer look.

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We’ve recently seen a multitude of new Alexa-enabled gadgets, from smart clocks to voice-controlled microwaves and more. Today we’re getting what is arguably the most unique addition to the lineup of Echo-compatible devices: a new Big Mouth Billy Bass. Amazon currently has it available for preorder for $39.99 and the Alexa-imbued talking fish will ship on December 1st. Big Mouth Billy Bass’s mouth moves in sync with a connected Echo device, reacts to different commands, and dances to music. Head below for additional details about the quirky new product. 

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Black Friday is now just days away. Leading up to the year’s largest sale, we’re getting a look at what promotions IKEA plans to offer shoppers. The Swedish furniture company will be offering a wide range of discounts across its line of seating, storage and other home decor options. Head below to see some of the most notable discounts as well as the full ad scan.

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Black Friday is officially just one week away. As of now, we already know most of what to expect during the next seven days. But sifting through each of the different retailers’ promotions in search of the most noteworthy deals can seem like madness. Fret not, as we’ve rounded up the best Black Friday Google deals.

Whether you’re looking to upgrade your smartphone, invest in smart home tech, or grab some new accessories, we have your back. Head below to catch all of the details on what you can expect on Black Friday when it comes to Google-friendly products.

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2018 has seen some pretty crazy advances in the world of tech. Somewhere on that list, and certainly nowhere near the top, we have Amazon’s latest connected gadget: an Alexa-enabled microwave. Having just been released, we brought the AmazonBasics Microwave into our kitchen and put it to the test. Head below to see if Amazon’s new kitchen appliance is made with the ingredients for success.

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Earlier in the year, the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ launched. Improving on everything that the miniature computer already excelled at, it featured a variety of eye-catching enhancements. Today the company has unveiled its latest Pi model. But rather than taking a leap forward in improved specs, the new Raspberry Pi 3 Model A+ features everything you loved about the B+ in a more compact form-factor with a more affordable price tag. Head below to see how it stacks up.

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Over the past week or so, we’ve seen Black Friday ads from just about every big name retailer out there. Trying to sort through the massive assortment of discounts is no trivial task. Which is why we’ve perused all of the ads in search for the cream of the crop. This year’s sale is highlighted by everything from half price smart speakers to smart lighting, security and more. Head below to find this year’s best Black Friday smart home deals.

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To compete with other big retailers like Amazon, Best Buy and Walmart, eBay has been pulling out all the stops ahead of Black Friday 2018. Following Amazon’s lead, today the online retailer has debuted a toy book of its own. But rather than focusing on this year’s hottest releases, eBay is turning its attention to retro favorites and rare toys. Head below to see the entire eBay 2018 Toy Book and get a does of nostalgia.

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Ahead of the year’s largest shopping event, Nintendo has officially announced its upcoming Switch and 2DS bundles. Each of the promotions will be the most affordable way to bring home the respective consoles this holiday season. Head below for a closer look at how the Nintendo Black Friday bundles stack up, and of course, how to save some coins before the holidays.

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With less than two weeks until the biggest shopping event of the year, just about every major retailer has gotten in on the Black Friday festivities. This morning following the Sam’s Club’s ad reveal, we’re getting a look at what Samsung plans to offer shoppers leading up to November 23rd. Head below for the top Samsung Black Friday ad offerings as well as the full ad scan.

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Update 11/12 @ 9:25 AM: The Super Mario Party bundle is now up for preorder at Best Buy for $99.99 shipped. GCU members will be able to lock it in for $79.99.

Mario Party is just one of those titles that seems like a must-have for the Switch. Nintendo finally realized many fans’ desire to go head-to-head with their friends for a board game-esque showdown. With the series’ latest having been on store shelves for a little over a month, Nintendo has unveiled its newest bundle. Not only will you be able to pick up the hit party game alongside a fresh pair of new Joy-Con colorways, but you’ll also score some savings. Head below for more details on the upcoming Super Mario Party bundle.

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Today’s been one of the most exciting days for those preparing for Black Friday. Both Best Buy and Walmart’s ads have surfaced, showcasing what to expect from two of the most popular retailers. Now we’re getting a look at what Sears plans to offer during the year’s biggest shopping event. Complete with appliances, clothing, home goods and more, you’ll want to head below for a closer look as the Sears Black Friday 2018 ad.

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Ahead of any majorly refreshed or upgraded hardware, Sony has silently tweaked the PlayStation 4 Pro. Coming just two years after the console was initially launched, Sony has opted to address yet another of the PS4 Pro’s biggest issues: its noise output. In its latest hardware revision, the console was found to be noticeably quieter than the original. Head below for more details on this newer, quieter PS4 Pro.

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Now that we’re already a full week into November, details on what to expect for this year’s Black Friday festivities have already surfaced from a variety of retailers. While there’s the usual assortment of Apple products and other tech discounts, smart home items are some of the hottest deals out there. We have gotten an early look at Lowe’s Black Friday offerings, which are headlined by deals on Google Home, Nest and more.

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Regardless of your stance on Nintendo Switch Online, the service is now giving fans a few more incentives to lock in their subscriptions. Switch Online is getting three “new” retro NES titles later this month, headlined by Metroid. Head below for more details.

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Sotheby’s is known for auctioning off rare and utterly unique items. In the past they’ve showcased limited edition Bang & Olufsen speakers alongside other interesting collectibles. Its most recent auction, which just weeks away, will be drawing in space enthusiasts with its collection of distinct memorabilia. But most notably for Sotheby’s Space Exploration Auction, the organization is presenting arguably one of the rarest pieces of space memorabilia out there: a piece of the moon itself.

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In the past, Toys R Us would prepare shoppers for the holiday season with the release of its yearly toy catalog. But with Geoffrey’s demise and the nationwide closing of Toys R Us, the annual book is nowhere insight for 2018. Fortunately, Amazon is stepping up to fill the void with the release of its own catalog. The Amazon 2018 Toy Book arrives with an updated take on but in the same print format that shoppers have come to know and love. Head below for an in-depth look.

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LEGO has spent 2018 bringing back one of its most popular lines of kits from retirement. Having released a batch of new Harry Potter sets, including the massive Hogwarts Castle, LEGO has produced a new micro-scale kit. The 374-piece LEGO Diagon Alley set is the latest from the Wizarding World. Head below to find out how you can add it to your collection.

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The Nintendo Switch has shown that it’s the console everyone hoped it’d be back when it was first announced two years ago. The portable system has been directly competing with its predecessor for over a year now. But that doesn’t mean Nintendo is ready to retire its beloved handheld. The company reported its second quarter financial earnings on Wednesday. In its briefing, Nintendo noted that it was committed to keep the business going for the 3DS into the future.

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One of the latest trends in desktop computer peripherals is UltraWide monitors. The wider aspect ratios make them ideal for multitasking in a way that a traditionally-massive display fails to accomplish. Gamers seeking out a more immersive experience also fall back to UltraWide displays.

Catering to this demographic, ASUS has unveiled its latest monitor, a super-wide 49-inch ROG Swift XG49VQ Curved Gaming Monitor. Featuring what ASUS has deemed a “double Full HD” display, 144Hz refresh rate, and more, the company’s latest endeavor enters the market with a few questions left unanswered. Head below for a closer look.

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This morning a few new Black Friday ads dropped, including first looks at what’s to come from Target and Kohl’s. Now the Black Friday ad for Dell’s business counterpart is here. Dell Small Business will run a variety of doorbusters throughout the weeks leading up to the year’s biggest shopping day, with much more in store once the 23rd rolls around. Head below for a full look at what to expect from the Dell Small Business 2018 Black Friday Ad.

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Last month, LEGO kicked off the holiday season by releasing its annual Advent calendars. Just recently we got a look at its Holiday Toy Book and that’s now being followed up with a look at the LEGO 2018 Christmas Catalog. Stacking up to 80 pages, this year’s catalog is packed with the year’s most desired kits, new releases and more. Head below for a full look at what the upcoming catalog has to offer.

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It’s not often that we get a look at not just one, but two new LEGO Ideas kits in less than a month. While October gave us a first look at the upcoming Overwatch kits, LEGO also announced that it would be bringing the Flintstones into the brick-built world. Not to mention, the new Ideas Pop-Up Book is about to hit store shelves.

To close out October, we’ll be taking our usual look at the month’s most noteworthy up-and-coming LEGO Ideas builds. The most recent batch of kits are headlined by a functioning kinetic sculpture, quirky food stands, and a delightful take on one of America’s biggest monuments. Head below for a look at our favorite crowdfunded creations.

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Coding, to those unfamiliar, can often seem like magic. Rather than have this mystery be a bad thing for newcomers to the world of programming, Kano’s latest release looks to use this mysticism to inspire. The Kano Harry Potter Coding Kit was showcased earlier this year, and now we’re finally getting our hands on it.

By pairing a buildable magic wand with an in-depth and intuitive companion app, Kano’s Harry Potter Coding Kit teaches first-time coders the fundamentals they need by reciting spells and more. Head below to get an in-depth look at the company’s latest, most-entertaining release yet.

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Throughout 2018, Amazon has been expanding its autonomous Go retail stores. In the past few months, it has brought the forward-thinking grocery stores to several new locations. Today, Sam’s Club is taking on Amazon’s cashier-less shopping experience with a new store of its own opening in Dallas. Sam’s Club Now will mainly focus on an automated shopping experience, all while offering the usual assortment of products its other locations are known for.

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Back in September we reported that Hasbro would be teaming up with Epic Games to recreate iconic weapons from Fortnite as Nerf blasters. Now we’re getting a first look at this upcoming line of foam-shooting weapons. Hasbro has unveiled the new Nerf Fortnite SCAR Blaster. Head below for more info on how it will help you win the next Nerf Battle Royale.

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Despite how popular home consoles are, PC gaming still has one notable exclusive to entice PS4 and Xbox owners. Highly immersive virtual reality still eludes both consoles and at the forefront of premium virtual reality, the eagerly awaited Pimax 8K VR headset is now available for pre-order. Head below for an in-depth look.

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With a plethora of new smartphones on the market, Black Friday will be one of the best chance to bring home the latest and greatest device. AT&T, being one of the biggest wireless carries, will be getting in on the savings and discounting a variety of their devices as well as offering service plan promotions. Head below for a rundown on how to best be prepared for this year’s AT&T Black Friday event.

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It may still be October, but Black Friday is getting closer and closer. We’ve already seen plenty of retailers get in on the action to excite shoppers before November 23rd rolls around. And as always, we’re expecting toys will be one of the stars of this year’s shopping event. Following Amazon and Target’s lead, eBay has now shared what it thinks this year’s top 50 toys will be.

With the typical top contenders of LEGO and Nerf, this year’s standings are also filled with plenty of newcomers. Head below to get a look at the full list.

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Update 11/2 @ 5:00 PM: LEGO and Blizzard have officially debuted all six of the upcoming Overwatch kits. They’ll be available on January 1st, with preorders now available direct from LEGO. The kits will sell for the prices that we announced before.

Since we first got wind of LEGO and Blizzard’s partnership to release official Overwatch sets, we’ve been eagerly-awaiting the full roster of kits. The two companies teased 2019’s lineup with the debut of an exclusive Omnic Bastion kit, but other details were nowhere to be see. That is until now. Thanks to Target jumping the gun, we’ve gotten a look at all six sets from the LEGO Overwatch line. Head below for a closer look.

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In past years, Staples has offered a variety of standout deals during its Black Friday sale despite being overlooked by some as a top destination for shoppers. For this year, you can expect notable discounts on everything from Apple devices to Mac accessories and more for both in-store and online shoppers. Head below for a rundown on how to best be prepared for this year’s Staples Black Friday event.

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Earlier this year, LEGO and Blizzard announced that the two companies would be joining forces to release a line of brick-built Overwatch sets. Since then, fans of both LEGO and the hit multiplayer game have been eagerly awaiting the release of these sets. Last week we got a first look at what the collaboration has in store, with the release of the Omnic Bastion 75987 set.

We’ve finally gotten our hands on the new release, so head below for an in-depth look at how the first LEGO Overwatch set stacks up.

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Raspberry Pi micro computers are one of the most versatile devices out there. The various models can be configured as everything from custom game systems to backup servers and more. Now you can add HDTV tuner to the list, as today Raspberry Pi has unveiled a new add-on to its line of popular computers. Head below for more details.

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In the past few years, some of our favorite kits have come from the crowdfunding campaigns carried out by various builders at LEGO Ideas. Today, Ideas is celebrating a decade of fan-designed kits by releasing its latest in the series, the LEGO Pop-Up Book. With nearly 860 pieces, the kit looks to bring two classic fairy tales to life with a brick-built, functioning pop-up book. Head below for more details.

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