Rikka Altland is the Editor-in-Chief of 9to5Toys. Having joined the team at the beginning of 2017, over the past six years she has gone on to specialize in being a mainstay in the LEGO news and rumors scene while also reviewing the latest iPhone accessories, earbuds, and home networking gear. Contact it directly at rikka@9to5mac.com for tips and pitches.
Today is national Teacher Appreciation Day and to celebrate all the hard work that educators put into shaping students, a variety of restaurants and retailers are offering freebies and discounts. So whether you’re looking to pick up a cup of coffee at a discount, score a free sandwich or save on classroom supplies, there is certainly a deal to take advantage of today.
Since the launch of the Switch, everyone has been wondering where Nintendo’s paid online service has been. In the past year and a half since the console’s release, the service had been delayed a few times and Nintendo has said little about what it would entail. Back in February, Nintendo finally confirmed that its online service would be coming by year’s end, and now tonight they’ve unveiled the full scoop of what’s in store. Headlined by 20 NES titles including Mario Bros., Donkey Kong and the Legend of Zelda, Switch Online brings cloud data storage and more.
Back in March, the LEGO Ideas team kicked off the year by introducing the latest addition to its lineup of crowdfunded kits. Following the release of the Ship in a Bottle, the Ideas program has already debuted two of the year’s most desired models. And today, we might have just gotten a glance at the next of the fan-made sets that may one day hit store shelves. Earlier today, LEGO Ideas unveiled several projects that managed to lock in 10,000 supporters and will be reviewed by the team.
This time around, ten new potential kits have made the cut and will be evaluated by the folks at LEGO Ideas. In today’s announcement there’s everything from the lovable Stitch, classic cartoons like the Flintstones and even a scaled down brick-built replica of a BMW Motorcycle. Head below for the full scoop.
Star Wars fans rejoice! May the 4th has finally arrived, which means that you can score notable savings on a wide range of merchandise from a galaxy far, far away. A variety of retailers are getting in on the sale, with everyone from Best Buy and ThinkGeek to Otterbox and Petco offering discounts on Star Wars gear. So whether you’re shopping for nifty accessories to outfit your home with, new collectibles to adorn your shelves or clothing to show off your love of Star Wars in style, you’ll be able to lock in some savings. Happy shopping and May the Force be with you!
Here at 9to5Toys, we get that making ends meet as a student can be tough. From student loans to just barely making enough at your on-campus job, finding spare cash to treat yourself can be tricky. Whether you’re just about to head off to university for the first time or are looking for ways to cash in on some savings before graduation, we have you covered with the best student deals around.
Regardless of if you’re looking to score some discounted tech, clothing and more, we’ll help give your wallet a break. So while there won’t be a final exam, you’ll want to take notes on how you can save money for being a student.
For the past few weeks, it seems like all anyone has been talking about has been the release of Infinity War. And if the latest assemblage of Avengers wasn’t enough for you, Marvel’s Ant-Man and the Wasp is slated to hit theaters come July. Today, LEGO announced that it would be getting in on the hype with the release of a new kit from the film.
As the latest kit to join Marvel’s Super Heroes line of LEGO sets, the Quantum Realm Explorers set stacks up to 200 pieces and includes three minifigures, one of which is exclusive to the build.
These days, it’s hard to look past just how big the Star Wars franchise has become. And as one of the most culturally-significant and beloved series of all-time, whenever props used in the original three films go up for auction, there’s a real cause for commotion. Last year, collectors went wild at the chance to add Luke Skywalker’s Lightsaber from Return of the Jedi to their personal collections, and now diehard fans will have another opportunity to bring home a prop from the film.
Just in time for May the Fourth festivities, Julien’s Auctions has announced that it will be putting Han Solo’s iconic DL–44 Blaster hero prop up for auction. With an expected top bid of up to $500,000, it looks like only the most dedicated Star Wars fans will be trying to get their hands on this piece of film history.
While AirPods and other truly wireless headphones have been taking the world by storm over the past year, some just aren’t ready to give up the high-end audio quality that wired earbuds bring to the table. And when it comes to manufacturing audiophile-grade headphones, one needs not look further than Shure. Today, the company has unveiled its latest pair of premium Sound Isolating electrostatic earphones, which pack high-end sound output alongside an extremely high price tag.
Somehow April is almost over, and looking back, LEGO really pulled out all the stops with this past month of releases. The company has bolstered its lineup of BrickHeadz with new DC and Back to the Future characters, released a new massive 4,100-piece functioning roller coaster and more. The past 30 days have been busy for other LEGO builders as well, with plenty of new, potential kits landing on LEGO Ideas.
Update 4/26 @ 1PM: LEGO has noted that its VIP Members will be able to purchase the new Creator Expert Roller Coaster on May 16th.
Following yesterday’s release of an all-new hospital kit, LEGO is debuting yet another new set, this time focused on bringing some joy to your brick-built city. As an expansion of its line of Creator Expert kits, today LEGO has announced it’ll be releasing the very first roller coaster set. Comprised of 4,124 pieces, the kit packs extensive details alongside being a fully functional coaster replica.
LEGO has been pulling out all the stops as of late, releasing a variety of kits. But for fans of LEGO’s City theme, it has felt like the real-world kits haven’t been getting the same love as other sets. After months of rumors through the brick-built grape vine, LEGO has now announced it will be opening up a new three-story hospital to the citizens of your LEGO community.
Cardboard. It keeps our purchases safe during their commutes from Amazon warehouses, and lets you turn your smartphone into an affordable VR headset, among other practical uses throughout day-to-day life. And now it lets anyone build new controllers and accessories for their gaming consoles; well, at least that’s the way Nintendo sees it. Last Friday, Nintendo finally launched its Labo cardboard construction kits, and after a weekend of building and putting them to the test, we’ll be seeing if the company’s latest is a flop or a look into the future of console accessories and STEM-oriented toys.
For many audiophiles, music buffs and more, vinyl is the go-to way to rock out to your favorite tunes. And while cassette tapes, CDs, the iPod and other more modern devices for enjoying music have all but killed the century-old media storage medium. Or so we thought. A new startup company is looking to breathe some new life into vinyl by creating an all-new high-definition version.
To celebrate Superman’s 80th birthday, today LEGO has announced the two newest figures to join the BrickHeadz lineup: the brand new Tactical Batman and Superman. Joining a wide cast of other DC superheroes, the two new figures sport their iconic looks in LEGO’s blocky aesthetic. Stacking up to 209 pieces, the new combo pack is sure to be a hit with LEGO and DC fans alike.
Today in his annual shareholder letter, Jeff Bezos announced Amazon’s latest milestone, that the company’s Prime subscription service has managed to lock in over 100 million members. With everything that Prime offers, like free two day shipping, access to a thousands of songs, movies and TV shows, and more, it’s no wonder that Amazon has managed to amass so many members. Those looking to hear from Bezos himself can read the full shareholder letter here.
Apple’s latest generation of MacBook Pros have been some of the more contended releases from the company as of late. Ditching MagSafe, standard USB, HDMI and more in the 2015 redesign, some owners of the machine have lamented over the loss of their beloved ports.
In the past nearly three years, we’ve seen a variety of USB-C ready hubs and docking stations jumping to solve the dilemma. Now, StarTech is getting in on the action with two new Thunderbolt 3 Bus-powered hubs.
Tax Day is finally here, and to help make the burden of getting all your finances squared away, a variety of restaurants and other businesses are offering up some freebies. With everything from discounted meals, cocktails and more, you’ll have no problem putting your mind at ease with these deals. So be sure to head below and check out our top picks!
The folks over Anker make some of our favorite smartphone accessories on the market. And when the company launched its sister-brand Eufy last fall, the same quality we’ve come to expect from Anker carried over into its lineup of smart home accessories. Today, Eufy has announced the latest addition to its smartphone-enabled home gadgets in the form of the EverCam, a wireless security camera that touts 365-days of battery life and more.
After flying off the shelves during the Switch’s extremely successful first year, the portable system has gone on to win over the gaming market and become one of Nintendo’s most well-regarded systems. Looking to expedite the Switch’s development, Nintendo is now teaming up with Scrum Ventures to bolster the accessory lineup for its hit console.
With its silver screen debut back in 1985, Back to the Future quickly solidified itself as a fan-favorite science fiction flick. And while it took nearly three decades for the film’s time-traveling duo to make their way to the LEGO universe. LEGO has recently been bolstering its BrickHeadz lineup and today they add two more figures to the diverse cast of characters; Marty McFly and Doc Brown.
Getting that perfect shot with your smartphone has become immensely easier over the years as Apple, Google and other manufacturers have placed more emphasis on photo-capturing capabilities. Accessory makers have bolstered iPhone and Android phone cameras as well, with a variety of clip on lenses and more. But for those looking to take their photography arsenals to an even higher level, this upcoming adapter lets you connect just about any DSLR lens to your smartphone.
Living in a home crafted entirely from LEGO may be a dream for many fans of the interlocking brick system. And while brick-built real-estate may be a hope of the future, outfitting your home with LEGO bookshelves, drawers and other furniture may not be as far out there of an idea. At least that’s the intention behind the latest line of modular furniture from the Italian design studio Nine Associates.
Yesterday, Apple announced the latest addition to its smartphone lineup, the (PRODUCT)RED iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, and now those looking to pick up the newest colorway can score up to $200 in savings when pre-ordering at Best Buy. In order to save you’ll need to activate the phone on a monthly payment plan, which start at $21.66 per month at AT&T and change depending on your preferred carrier, storage capacity and whether you’ll opt for the 8 or 8 Plus. Picking up the 256GB iPhone 8 will run you $699.99, while buying the 8 Plus at the same storage tier will cost $750. Check out Best Buy’s promotion to find a pricing plan and configuration that works for you.
One of the biggest trends in video games over the past few years has been the introduction of toys-to-life versions of popular franchises. Big players like Nintendo, LEGO and Disney have all tried their hands at bringing digitally interactive toys to the market, with mixed results. Microsoft’s latest endeavor, deemed Project Zanzibar, looks to further blur the line between the physical and digital worlds with a fully interactive NFC-based smart mat.
Back in September of last year, Amazon announced one of the latest additions to its line up of Alexa-Enabled devices, deemed the Echo Buttons. And after some short-lived fanfare following their release, the charming buttons seemed to fall out of the limelight. Now, Amazon is looking to breathe some new life into its game show-themed buttons by opening the API so developers can build their own skills and more.
Newegg is currently offering the EZVIZ Mini O 720p Wi-Fi Security Camera for $19.99 shipped when code EMCPTER74 has been applied at checkout. That’s good for a 50% discount from the going rate at Amazon and Best Buy, beats our previous mention by $20 and is the lowest offer we’ve seen historically. With iOS/Android app control and Alexa support, EZVIZ’s security camera is a budget-friendly way to monitor your home without sacrificing features. Rated 3.9/5 stars from over 100 shoppers.
Nintendo’s highly anticipated cardboard LABO kits for the Switch are slated to arrive at the end of the month. And with Switch owners having waited since January to build custom accessories for their beloved consoles, Youtuber vmln8r has crafted their own DIY controllers, steering wheel and more with the help of 3D-printed adapters and a tub full of LEGO bricks.
It often feels like many of the eBikes hitting the market these days are geared solely for commuters wishing to get from point A to B. For those looking to have some fun and get off the beaten path, finding a rugged yet well-designed electric ride isn’t as easy. Sporting a retro mini-bike design, Coast’s new Buzzraw E1000 is ready to take on the great outdoors with a 1,000-watt mid drive motor and more.
Amongst last year’s selection of massive LEGO kits, Star Wars fans were lucky enough to get two different models from a galaxy far, far away. With the Ultimate Collector’s Series Snowspeeder kicking off the year, the behemoth Millennium Falcon followed to close out 2017.
Today, LEGO announced the next addition to its Star Wars UCS line in the form of the Y-Wing Starfighter. Stacking up to just under 2,000 pieces, the rebellion’s trusty bomber sports an opening cockpit, wheel-activated rotating ion cannons and an exclusive new minifigure.
For many home cinema and audio enthusiasts, Denon makes some of the best-sounding and most reliable sound systems on the market. And for those invested in the company’s line of HEOS HomeCinema devices, Denon has finally taken the wraps off its latest and greatest soundbar to enter alongside the app-enabled sound systems. Touting Alexa support alongside high-resolution audio playback and more, Denon’s latest looks to give other soundbars a run for their money.
With another month in 2018 almost in the books, March has stacked up to be a big month for all things LEGO. Fans of the iconic sci-fi film Tron Legacy finally got a glimpse at the series’ first brick-built incarnation and we went hands-on with LEGO’s latest Go Brick Me set of ahead of its release come April 1st. The past 30 days have been busy for other LEGO builders as well, with plenty of new, potential kits landing on LEGO Ideas.
Since her debut back with the original Echo, Amazon’s Alexa has made her way to just about every device or appliance you can imagine. And with one of the voice assistant’s main skills being control of your smart lights, it’s only natural to combine the two devices. At least that’s what one of Amazon’s latest initiatives intends to do. By working with third-party manufacturers, Amazon hopes to bring more Alexa-packed smart lamps to the market.
LEGO has really been pushing BrickHeadz since the series’ debut back in 2017. While the company kicked off the lineup with some popular characters at first, LEGO has begun branching out into new areas like creating their figures own for holidays. Now with the Go Brick Me kit, builders will be able to create and customize their very own BrickHeadz figures. The kit will be hitting store shelves come April 1st, but be sure to hit the jump for our first impressions and hands-on review.
Yamaha has a rich history rooted in electric vehicles that began nearly 25 years ago with the introduction of its first electric power-assist bicycles. And since 1993, the company has gone on to bring its eBike drive systems to over 2 million riders across the globe. Today, Yamaha has announced that to celebrate two and a half decades of electric rides, it would be releasing four new differently-tailored eBikes come May.
Outfitting your house with whole-home audio systems has never been easier thanks to the likes of Sonos, Chromecast devices and hopefully HomePod in the near future. But picking out your favorite music on the other hand, isn’t as novel or as simplistic as it could be. Now thanks to a custom multi-room audio jukebox based around RFID tags, there’s never been a cooler way to be serenaded by your go-to tunes.
Parrot is currently taking up to 24% off a selection of its BEBOP 2 Quadcopter bundles starting at $350. Our top pick from the sale is PARROT BEBOP 2 Power Adventurer Kit for $549.99 shipped. That’s good for a $150 discount and is the lowest offer out there. This bundle includes 2 batteries, FPV goggles and a backpack to get the most out of your flights. Check out the full list of discounts here.
In this week’s Best of 9to5Toys: Best Buy launches a 3-day sale, we go hands-on with new Clockwork Apple Watch bands and more, and show you how to build a gaming PC for under $1,000…
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MB&F makes some of the most elegant time pieces and functional pieces of home decor on the market. And here at Toys, we’re always big fans of intricate accessories to complete your desk or workspace, so the company’s latest has definitely caught our eye. The Fifth Element is a desktop weather station that sports a clock and barometer alongside other measurement instruments and is piloted a tiny little alien.
Coming off a jam-packed start to 2018, today LEGO has unveiled yet another new kit that is sure to excite. Last year the Ideas team had announced that Tron would be joining the lineup of licensed sets and now we’re finally getting our first look at what the latest LEGO themes entail. Stacking up to 230 pieces, the Tron Legacy set includes 2 brick-built Light Cycles and 3 all-new minifigures.
I may not have the nicest car on the block, but that doesn’t mean from time to time that I don’t worry about accidents. Even so, I’ve never been sold on dash cams and it wasn’t even until last week when I picked up an iPhone-enabled one from VAVA that I considered mounting one in my car. With a list of compelling features packed into a unique and stylish design, VAVA has made me question why I didn’t think to get one sooner.
Back in February we got a hands-on look at Nintendo’s newest venture, its STEM-focused cardboard accessory kits, Labo. While just about all of the details surrounding the kits were unveiled, Nintendo was still secretive with one of Labo’s most anticipated features, Toy-Con Garage, so we were only able to get a peak at what it would offer. Today, Nintendo has finally showcased what will be possible with Toy-Con Garage.
Anker has been in the smartphone accessory business for some time now, and not only are the company’s products some of our favorites, they’re also many of the most trusted and highly-rated gear for smartphones. Today, Anker has announced 2 new Qi accessories that are the first in its lineup to bring 7.5W charging to iPhone. And to celebrate, Anker is taking up to 20% off its newly-unviceld chargers.
Following announcements of new Star Wars, Marvel and Harry Potter sets, LEGO has kicked off 2018 with a bang. Having already celebrated the brick’s 60th anniversary, LEGO is now commemorating the 40th birthday of the Minifigure. So in order to get the party started, LEGO has launched its next lineup of Collectible Minifigures. Stacking up to 17 new characters, the series packs a variety of party-themed figures alongside a replica of the first minifigure from back in 1978.
Kaweco has been producing some of the most stylish writing utensils on the market since the 1880’s. Now the company is bringing its iconic German design to a new front with its first Apple product accessory. Kaweco’s new pen sleeve grip for Apple Pencil combines the company’s typical octagonal form-factor with Apple’s sleek design.
Garmin makes some of the most well-equipped timepieces to accompany you on your journey through the great outdoors. And now the company is iterating on its popular smartphone-enabled wearables with a more high-end model that packs features of both conventional and smart watches. In fact, Garmin is no stranger to connected-timepieces and with its latest release, the Tactix Charlie, hopes to blend its tactical and multipart features into a single wearable offering enhanced mapping, heart-rate monitoring and more.
Star Wars fans are some of the most committed and loyal collectors in the galaxy. They’ll spend over $100,000 on a Lightsaber prop straight from the films, purchase the largest and most expensive LEGO set to date, among other things. Now Hasbro is getting in on the insane collectibles with its largest recreation. The massive 4-foot-long, highly detailed model of Jabba’s Sail Barge packs all the details needed to cruise across the Dune Sea in style.
With the latest installment from the Marvel Cinematic Universe slated to hit theaters at the end April, we’ve seen a nearly endless supply of new merchandise unveiled. At Toy Fair, LEGO got in on the action and showcased 6 new sets to coincide with Avengers: Infinity War. But they aren’t stopping there. Today LEGO has announced 4 new Avengers BrickHeadz.