Rikka Altland

High-end home theaters help us bring home our favorite movies, and there’s nothing like a massive 4K TV at the center of it to recreate the silver screen experience at home. OLED TV are some of the most widely acclaimed out there, and today LG unveiled the rest of its 2018 lineup of high-end models at an event in Seoul, Korea.

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Staples is currently offering the Logitech K375s Multi-device Wireless keyboard and Stand Combo for $29.99 shipped. That’s good for $20 off the regular going rate direct from Logitech, matches our previous mention for the all-time low and the best discount we’re seeing. Rated 3.8/5 stars.

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Since Amazon debuted Alexa, the digital assistant has taken on a variety of form-factors. At Mobile World Congress this week, Harman Kardon continued that trend by announcing its latest smart speaker. Deemed Astra, the device is said to boast high quality, room-filling audio alongside Alexa’s thousands of skills.

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February may be the shortest month of the year, but that didn’t stop LEGO from putting all 28 days to good use and packing in tons of noteworthy announcements. With our Ship in a Bottle Review and Toy Fair leading the way, we got a glimpse at new Star Wars, Harry Potter, Avengers kits and more. But that can’t entirely overshadow the progress over on LEGO Ideas, which included some awe-inspiring kits as well.

So now that February is in the rear-view mirror, we’re once again turning our attention towards our favorite LEGO Ideas kits of the month. Headlined by an adorable LEGO Stitch, this month also includes a potential new Architecture skyline kit and a detailed research sea vessel.

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Tackling limited battery life a problem that just about every eBike on the market faces. While we’re seen some novel attempts to combat this issue in the past, none address the issue at scale. Enter Kvaern, an eBike that charges thanks to an integrated a solar-powered battery pack to bolster your riding times.

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Wacom has been in the drawing tablet game for some time, and through the years has enabled artists, designers and engineers with first-class creative workstations. Now, the company is taking that a step further, and today unveiled its new Cintiq Pro Engine, a compact PC module that converts its Wacom tablets into standalone PCs. Packing high-end GPUs and more into its slim design, the Cintiq Pro Engine looks to change how digital artists create.

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Throughout 2017, the Google Pixel Buds alongside other headphones tried to dethrone AirPods as the go-to pair of truly wireless earbuds. Last spring we got a glimpse at the Xperia Ear Duo, but now Sony has fully taken the wraps off its latest pair of cans. With one-tap access to your preferred digital assistant, voice notifications and more, Sony’s new earbuds enters the market with a unique design to top it all off.

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If you rely on your bike to get to and from work every day, odds are you’re going to want to ride something stylish. eBikes are great for longer commutes, but that comes at the trade-off of bulky, mostly unappealing designs. Enter Focus Project Y, an eBike boasting a lightweight frame, 16mph top-speed and most importantly, a design that traditional cyclists will feel right at home with.

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Monoprice is currently taking up to $200 off select 3D Printers starting at $180 when item-specific promo codes are applied at checkout. Our top pick is the MP Select Mini 3D Printer V2 which drops to $179.99 shipped with code MINI40. That’s good for a $40 discount and is the lowest we’ve seen on the entry-level 3D printer. Reviews are solid across the board here, with just about all of Monoprice’s 3D printers receiving 4+ star ratings. Head below for more!

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Fitness trackers come in all kinds of form-factors these days. But if you can’t bear to slap a Fitbit on your wrist alongside your favorite watch, then Level may be the fitness tracking solution you’ve been searching for. The smartphone-enabled glasses offer just about all the functionality of a traditional wearable like step count, exercise time and more.

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Following early January’s unveil of the latest games DLC Nintendo would be bringing to its consoles, the company also launched a surprising new accessory to the Switch. Nintendo Labo — a series of cardboard add-ons meant to emphasize DIY creations — was debuted to a lot of skepticism, but after finally getting our hands on the unique new system, we can say it’s worth more than the cardboard it’s printed on.

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The Microsoft Store offers HTC VIVE Virtual Reality System + VIVE Racket Sports Set with Tracker for $598 shipped. Picking up this bundle would typically run you over $750 when purchased separately and this is the lowest offer out there. Over at Amazon, the VIVE carries a 4.1/5 star rating from over 1,000 customers.

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Leading up to Toy Fair New York 2018 this past weekend, we had our eyes set on the latest and greatest from LEGO. And while we already had a glimpse at what to expect from the show, LEGO pulled out all the stops when showcasing the first half of its 2018 lineup.

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In this week’s Best of 9to5Toys: Best Buy’s 4-day President’s Day sale, discounts on MacBook, iPads, more and we get ready for New York Toy Fair…

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New York Toy Fair is right around the corner, meaning we’re just starting to get a glimpse at all new action figures, collectibles and other must-have memorabilia. Here at Toys, we’re most excited about what new LEGO sets the year will bring, and after yesterday’s Kessel Run Millennium Falcon unveil, we’re already seeing more. LEGO has now announced 6 new Avengers: Infinity War sets….

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Amazon offers the LEGO Ideas Women of NASA building kit for $20.44 with free shipping for Prime members or in orders over $25. Also available at Walmart with in-store pickup. That’s good for over $4 off the regular going rate, dropping the price to a new Amazon all-time low. The kit includes 231 pieces, 4 minifigures and 3 space-themed builds. 

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MP (99% positive feedback from 3,800+ all-time) via Amazon is currently offering its brown leather 42mm Apple Watch band for $7.99 when code KZAB2OG5 has been applied at checkout. You’ll score free shipping on orders over $25 or with a Prime membership. That’s good for a 50% discount, saving you $8. Today’s deal is the best around and $1 less than the all-time low. Rated 4.4/5 stars from over 1,900 shoppers.

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The latest tale in the Star Wars franchise is now just months away. We’ve already gotten a first glimpse at what Han and Chewbacca will be up to come May, and now LEGO has unveiled the first of its upcoming Solo: A Star Wars Story kits. And what better way to intro the new sets than with Han’s famous ship, the Millennium Falcon. Complete with a majorly overhauled design and exclusive new minifigures, LEGO’s 2018 Star Wars lineup is off to a great start.

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LEGO creations take builders’ imaginations to all kinds of places, from the high seas and space to our favorite fictional universes. But one fan has decided to turn his attention towards recreating the world’s largest wooden roller coaster out of the interlocking brick system. Stacking up to just under 90,000 pieces, this fan build is one of the most impressive creations we’ve seen.

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Car aficionados have turned their attention towards the Chicago Auto Show, looking to get a glimpse at the latest and greatest luxury rides and turbocharged engines. But in an unexpected twist, LEGO too has taken to the expo to reveal what will likely be the smallest debut. As the latest vehicle to get a brick-build rendition, today LEGO and Ford have teamed to announce the new 1968 Mustang Fastback.

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Fragmentation is an issue that just about every smart home platform on the market has taken a crack at. More mainstream systems like HomeKit, SmartThings and Wink have all worked to tackle it, alongside open-source solutions like HomeAssistant. Atmos is the latest attempt and looks to unify connected gadgets around a slick 7-inch touchscreen hub.

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The desire to keep tabs on our homes while away seems to have been on everyone’s minds throughout last year, with DIY home monitoring and security systems growing to fill the demand. Just about all of the solutions on the market are geared towards smart home owners, tinkerers and just all-around tech-savvy folks. But as we covered at the beginning of the January, Tabs is a new security solution with simplicity at the forefront of its design.

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Following months of testing and preparation, SpaceX just successfully launched its largest rocket yet, the Falcon Heavy. And while some fans are celebrating the impressive feat of space engineering, others have been busy recreating the new flagship rocket out of LEGO. Complete with detachable boosters, decals and more, the model is sure to be a huge hit with fans of LEGO and space alike.

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If you haven’t heard, smart homes are all the rage these days, with voice-activated speakers often at the center of them. But as concerns for privacy grow, devices like the Amazon Echo and Google Home become harder sells for some. Enter Mycroft Mark II, a smart speaker packing a digital assistant with a knack for privacy.

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Behind the Screens is a new weekly 9to5Toys series that takes you through our writers’ setups, be it mobile, desktop, gaming or home theater. Next up is Blair Altland, a 9to5Toys editor.

As a pretty much full-time student, I don’t have the luxury of a dedicated office or workplace that I’d ideally love to come home to. This makes my setup a bit unorthodox compared to most, and while it’s a bit cramped, the space that I do have is put to great use.

Like many other on-the-go-oriented folks, my workstation is centered around my trusty space gray 13-inch MacBook Pro. As someone who previously upgraded from a MacBook Air, I absolutely adore the slim form-factor and still can’t believe a pro-grade machine can fit in such a lightweight design with little compromise.

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It has been a big week for Nintendo and the Switch. Kicking off with an astounding sales report and details about its Switch Online service, now Nintendo has closed out the week by showing off some more details on one of its latest ventures. Back in January, Labo launched to a surprising reception. And with what may very well turn out to be one of the more creative uses, the newly teased Toy-Con Garage lets you create your very own cardboard accessories and more.

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If you somehow haven’t heard, the Nintendo Switch has launched to be one of the fastest selling and acclaimed consoles in recent years. But for all its feats, the Switch has lacked something that just about every other recent console shipped with, a robust online gaming network. While we’ve known one for the Nintendo’s latest was on the way, last night the company finally announced that its highly anticipated online service would finally be launching later this year in September.

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Adding smartphone control to all of the devices in our home doesn’t require replacing everything, at least not according to a new smart hub called Beak. Armed with an IR blaster, Z-Wave and a long list of compatible gadgets, the hub can turn just about any home appliance from air conditioners to home theaters into a smart devices.

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BuyDig offers the Yuneec Typhoon H RTF Hexacopter Drone with CGO3+ UHD 4K Camera for $699 shipped when code SOAR has been applied at checkout. That’s good for $200 off the regular going rate, is the lowest offer we’re seeing the a match of our previous mention. For comparison, it goes for just under $1,000 at Amazon. Over 200 customers have left a 3.9/5 star rating. 

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LEGO fans are always looking to get their hands on massive brick-built versions of their favorite buildings, cars and starships. And while LEGO has been trying to keep builders happy with even more expensive kits — I’m looking at you UCS Millennium Falcon — the company has more in store to kick of 2018. So in the same sentiment, today LEGO announced that it will be expanding its Technic line of detail-packed cars with the Bugatti Chiron.

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Over the weekend, the LEGO brick we all know and love celebrated its 60th birthday. And in typical LEGO fashion, the company isn’t going to let the date go unnoticed. So to celebrate this monumental occasion, LEGO has announced that it will be expanding its lineup of Classic kits with 6 brand new sets in honor of the past 60 years of models.

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In celebration of LEGO’s 60th anniversary, you’ll be able to score the Classic 60 Years of the LEGO Brick set for free on orders over $125. This exclusive set will only be around for a limited time and includes 421 pieces which stack up to create 4 mini-models of iconic LEGO kits over the years: Airport Shuttle, the Yellow Castle, the Black Seas Barracuda, and the Galaxy Explorer. This offer is the only way to add this kit to your collection. The only want to grab the kit is through this offer, so collectors should get on it while they can.

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If you’ve ever dreamed of cruising through the water and getting up close and personal with undersea life, then the AquaJet H2 Water Scooter may be the perfect addition to your next sea-bound vacation. With a design mimicking manta rays, the new underwater vehicle outputs 40 pounds of thrust and allows you to explore depths of 60 feet below the surface.

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This year has already been off to a great start for LEGO news, with announcements from the Ideas team leading the way. Not only did we get a peek at the upcoming Ship in a Bottle kit earlier in the month, but also some info on which sets may be coming to stores throughout the year.

As January comes to a close, we’re once again be taking a look at our favorite potential kits to make their way onto LEGO Ideas. This month packs some delightful Dinos, a townhouse with more than meets the eye and more.

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While Bluetooth speakers are nothing special at this point, with just about every smartphone-wielder packing one in tow. But odds are your portable music player of choice has nowhere near as much charm as the Muzen OTR, a new radio and Bluetooth speaker fusion sporting a handmade wooden exterior.

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Staples is offering the Logitech K375s Multi-Device Wireless keyboard and Stand Combo for $29.99 shipped. Normally selling for $50, that’s good for a discount of $20 and is the best offer we’re seeing. For comparison, the combo still fetches $50 direct from Logitech. Rated 3.8/5 stars.

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Drones are one of the biggest gadgets on the market these days. No one knows this better than KFC apparently, as the fast-food chain has unveiled its very own smartphone-enabled drone. So if today’s DJI Mavic Air announcement wasn’t enough to sate your desire for drone news, then you’re in luck, as The Colonel himself has your back.

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The Millennium Falcon may just be the most well-known vehicle in all of science fiction and beyond. Making its big-screen debut in A New Hope just over 40 years ago, the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy has solidified itself as a cultural icon. And over the past few decades, has been commemorated through tons pop-culture references, collector’s items and even LEGO kits.

In fact, just about all of LEGO’s largest and display-worthy sets have come from a galaxy far, far away. So when it came time for LEGO to pay tribute to Star War’s 40th anniversary, it only made sense to recreate the iconic starship in what is the largest kit ever produced. With over 7,500 pieces, 10 Minifigures and 4 feet of details, LEGO’s UCS Millennium Falcon stacks up to be one of the most complex, well-designed and impressive sets ever released.

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Just twice a year, lucky LEGO builders have a chance for their creations to be reviewed by a team of actual LEGO designers in hopes of becoming the next kit to hit store shelves. And earlier today, LEGO unveiled its latest round of reviews for the second half of 2017. With 6 potential sets up for evaluation and on the cutting block, the LEGO Ideas review board unveiled some unexpected results.

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eBike innovations of the past were mainly geared towards minor quality of life changes like longer drive times, more stylish exteriors and lighter frames. And while the folks at Pragma Industries have still put thought into these areas, the company’s real focus has shifted towards a new front, ditching the conventional lithium-ion batteries in favor of hydrogen fuel cells. These efforts have resulted in Alpha, which is said to be the first commercially available eBike to boast such a feat.

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DJI’s official Newegg store is currently offering its Phantom 4 Quadcopter for $759 shipped. That’s good for $140 off the going rate at B&H, beats the Amazon all-time low by $110 and is the best offer out there. It holds a 4+ star rating from 65% of customers.

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Apple’s latest round of devices have been out for around 4 months now and have already caused somewhat of a boom in the wireless charging market. While CES brought us a wide array of Qi chargers, today the folks at Bourge Design have announced that they too will be trying their hand at what it hopes is the most elegant power station for your high-end iPhone X.

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Hori ended last year with the release of a new retro-themed PlayStation 4 controller. Now to kick off 2018, the company has unveiled yet another new gamepad for Sony’s console. In what is touted as the first officially licensed wireless third-party controller for the PS4, Onyx boasts a new Microsoft-inspired design and more.

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Tech savvy folks like myself often carry a variety of devices on a day-to-day basis. But why the need for both a smartphone and smartwatch when these devices could be one and the same? At least, that’s the mantra behind the upcoming Shell smartwatch. So if you’ve ever wished your watch could simply be your phone, then this may be the wrist-mounted device of your dreams.

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