Justin Kahn

Backbone’s new 2nd gen USB-C iPhone 15/Android controller officially launches today. The Backbone One was already considered by many to be one of, if not, the best mobile controller options out there, and the latest updated version is launching today. Ready to take your USB-C iPhone 15 or Android gaming experience to new heights, the latest version of the Backbone with a couple of key enhancements is launching today at Amazon and other retailers. Today’s new releases also come along with a new Backbone One Carrying Case to neatly and safely store your on-the-go gaming setup while out and about. Head below for more details on the new 2nd Gen USB-C iPhone and Android Backbone One controller and the new accessory.

After what feels like a lifetime of waiting in anticipation, the first official announcement for Grand Theft Auto 6 has arrived via an open letter on its official site. It’s not the trailer you were hoping for but it is coming “in early December.” Rockstar officially revealed the next crime drama in its (in)famous GTA series was underway back in February of 2022 and, outside of what feels like an endless string of both credible and mostly not-so-credible rumors and leaks, the game has indeed (almost) finally arrived in official form. Head below for more details on today’s Grand Theft Auto 6 announcement. 

Nintendo achieved wild success with its animated adaption of the world’s most famous plumbers with the 2023 silver screen release of The Mario Bros. Movie, but it’s now going big-time with plans to develop a live action Zelda film!?! Nintendo has now issued an open later on behalf of itself and Sony Pictures entertainment to announce “it will develop a live-action film of The Legend of Zelda.” This was not expected. Head below for more details. 

After Spigen unveiled and launched its new vintage iMac-inspired iPhone 15 cases (you can find our full review right here), it is now bringing some of those vibes to AirPods Pro 2. While you won’t find that Apple-style Bondi Blue treatment here, its new Ultra Hybrid Zero One MagSafe AirPods Pro 2 case does deliver on the black see-through tech treatment in much the same way. Now available for purchase on Amazon at well below the listing directly from Spigen, you’ll find more details on its new translucent-like Hybrid Zero One MagSafe AirPods Pro 2 case below. 

Today, we are taking a closer look at the new CASETiFY Disney Villains iPhone 15 cases. The brand has quickly become one of the biggest out there, and its Co-Lab crossover collaborations with major IP, from Spider-Man and Evangelion to Star Wars: The Mandalorian and now Disney’s most wicked villains, is just one of the major reasons. The brand has been developing wonderful, if not a little bit pricey, iPhone, Samsung, and Google handset cases for years, but there’s something about its officially licensed editions that stand out from the crowd. Head below for some hands-on impressions of the new CASETiFY Disney Villains iPhone 15 cases. 

The annual Nintendo Black Friday deals sneak peek has officially arrived. While we already featured some of the new upcoming hardware packages that are on the way starting as early as this week, it’s time to take a look at the entire breadth of the official Nintendo Black Friday deals that are on the way. While all of the usual major retail outlets will be featuring their own Nintendo deals, as is always the case, the official Nintendo Black Friday sneak peek gives us a good idea of the deals we are guaranteed to be seeing and they all start a whole lot sooner than Black Friday this year. Head below for all of the details. 

A new transparent Xbox controller from HyperX has arrived. We are no strangers to the HyperX Clutch Gladiate controllers around here – we called this year’s version a “budget gaming beast” after going hands-on – but now it’s time for the new see-through RGB edition. Today, HyperX is launching the new Clutch Gladiate RGB Gaming Controller for Xbox, officially licensed under the Designed for Xbox program and fully compatible with Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC to ensure “seamless use across all platforms.” Now available for purchase, you can get all of the details and a closer look down below.

Today, we are taking a hands-on look at the new Journey NEXA MacBook sleeve with MagSafe charging. Just recently unveiled by the brand as the “world’s first 4-in-1” MacBook sleeve, it not only charges two devices at once, but it also houses your laptop and doubles as a MacBook sleeve. The question is, does anyone actually need this sort of thing? Well, the short answer is yes, some folks might. But you’ll want to read on to see if you’re one of them.

The big Black Friday festivities are quickly approaching, with ads and early sales already live from Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Home Depot, and now it is time for the 2023 Kohl’s Black Friday ad. In fact, not only do we have the actual Black Friday ad from the retailer, but we also have the early event details that are now starting to go live. Head below for a closer look at both and all of the details on the 2023 Kohl’s Black Friday events.

Amazon is now offering its best price ever on the new Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless Bluetooth Noise Canceling Earbuds at $248 shipped. Slightly undercutting our previous mention, you’re looking at a solid $50 price drop and the best we can find. Today’s deal marks a new Amazon all-time low price in the process. We are huge fans of Sony’s latest XM5 offering and now’s your chance to land a set at the best price ever. Swing by our hands-on review for a complete breakdown of what to expect and down below for more. 

Today, we are taking a hands-on look at the new Peak Design Everyday fabric iPhone 15 cases. The brand is back again this year with an updated design of its Everyday case, this time with some new color options in the form of a nice Midnight Blue, a Sun yellow, and Redwood brown treatment. The MagSafe case also features a bonus SlimLink connector to integrate with the rest of the brand’s accessories alongside metal buttons, but you’ll most definitely want to head below for more details on those before dropping any cash down. Our hands-on review of the new Peak Design Everyday fabric iPhone 15 case awaits after the jump.

Today out of San Jose, California, Lexar is launching its new affordable heatsink SSDs. After the release of the standard issue NM790 models back in August, Lexar is ready to officially unleash its new NM790 Heatsink M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 4×4 NVMe SSD to the world. Much like the base model versions, the heatsink variants are delivering some relatively economical solutions to PC gamers and PS5 users with more than respectable specs at the ready alongside a series of launch deals courtesy of the official listings on Amazon. Head below for a closer look and more details on Lexar’s new affordable heatsink SSDs. 

After getting a look the early Best Buy event, Walmart’s holiday action, and details from Target, it’s time for the 2023 Home Depot Black Friday ad. Deals will be flying all month long at Home Depot culminating in its big-time Thanksgiving and Black Friday event in a few week’s time. And we now have a look at the 2023 ad alongside some early offers to give folks a better idea of what’s on the docket in terms of home improvement gear, power tools, and much more. Head below for more details and a look at the 2023 Home Depot Black Friday ad.

This morning has brought with it some notable deals on Apple’s now discontinued leather accessories, including the Find My MagSafe wallet and the Apple Watch Leather Link Band, but now it’s time for some AirTag gear. While the new AirTag FineWoven Key Rings are available at $35, Woot is now offering Apple’s Leather AirTag Loop at $12.99 a pop, or two for $19.99 in various colors. Prime members receive free shipping, but a $6 delivery fee will apply otherwise. Regularly up to $39 and currently closer to $34 on Amazon, this is up to 74% in savings and the lowest price we can find. Today’s deals are among the best we have ever tracked and come in as a match of our mentions from back in September. Head below for more details. 

We featured our favorite new options for the 15-inch MacBook Air and now it’s time to look at the best MacBook sleeves for Apple’s new M3 14- and 16-inch machines. Pre-orders are already live on Apple’s latest with delivery on your doorstep coming before you know it now, but it might be time to upgrade your sleeve to safeguard that Space Black finish and the powerful internals. Whether it’s an ultra-affordable solution, some high-end leather, something in between, or a more novel approach, you’ll find our favorite MacBook sleeves for 14- and 16-inch machines waiting down below, all of which we have tried out in person. 

Sony is ready to begin shipping its new PlayStation 5 slim as early as next Friday alongside the release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III and a new bundle featuring the game, if recent reports ring true. This new machine will indeed be replacing the existing PS5 machines altogether once the original run of consoles has sold out to deliver what Sony describes as a 30% smaller unit. And now, images have begun floating around the inter webs offering up a direct visual comparison between the PS5 slim and the standard models. Head below to take a look. 

The new ROLI Seaboard Block has finally arrived! The MIDI and music production community (myself included) have been waiting years for this announcement and it is finally here. The brand new Seaboard Block M is the next-generation multi-touch MIDI keyboard controller from the brand, delivering the ultra-expressive 5D MPE MIDI experience to the masses in a much more affordable package than most of the options on the market right now, including the brand’s flagship 2022 model Seaboard Rise that costs nearly $1,400. Head below for a closer look. 

Sony recently debuted the new PlayStation 5 slim at the beginning of last month with one crucial bit of information purposely omitted, the release date. But now, new reports originating from Call of Duty news outlets suggest it will be available on November 10 as part of a new Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III bundle. Head below for more details. 

After the launch of its new MacBook sleeve with built-in MagSafe charging, Journey is back again with its latest power solution and a solid 30% pre-order offer. This time around the brand is focused on the nightstand, desktop, or on-the-go setup with its new SWIV 3-in-1 Foldable Wireless Charging Station, combining a MagSafe landing pad for iPhone as well an integrated Apple Watch charger and space to juice up your AirPods as well. Best of all you can score 20% off your pre-order right now. Head below for more details. 

After debuting its new iPhone 15 sheaths, Harber London’s leather MacBook sleeves are now ready to protect and carry your Apple laptop in style, be it the new M3 models or an older machine (basically all 13-, 14-, 15-, and 16-inch models). Today we are focusing in on the Harber London Magnetic Envelope Sleeve for MacBook, as that is the model I have been testing out for a couple weeks here, but much of my impressions will apply to all of the designs in the brand’s leather MacBook sleeve lineup. The short form version here is that it is a gorgeous and luxurious option that, while indeed a bit pricey, could have been a lot more so. Head below for our hands-on impressions of the Harber London magnetic MacBook sleeve as part of our ongoing Tested with 9to5Toys series. 

Today, out of Chicago, SteelSeries is unleashing its new limited edition Ghost Edition Apex Pro Mini. In celebration of Halloween 2023 and for “those who want to showcase their style,” the “original esports brand” has decided to step away from the dark black color treatments in favor of a ghostly all-white limited edition model of its Apex Pro Mini gaming keyboard. But if you’re interested, you had better act fast, as this is a limited run with only 250 units in existence. Head below for a closer look. 

Update 2: Native Union has also added a new matching Slate Green Stow Lite Tech Organizer to its collection of accessories at $40 shipped. Get a closer look right here. 

Update: Native Union’s new cable solutions have also now appeared on Amazon with additional color options:

• 10-foot Native Union Anchor Cable $40
  • USB-C to USB-C Power Delivery 3.1
  • Supports up to 240W
  • Adjustable weighted Anchor
  • USB-IF certified
• 8-foot Native Union Type-C Belt Cable Pro $30
  • Durable nylon braided cable
  • USB-C to USB-C
  • Supports up to 240W
  • Includes leather strap 
  • Built-in LED light indicator

Native Union’s new plant-based leather Apple Watch bands are now available for purchase at Amazon. The brand unleashed its new MagSafe wallet and iPhone 15 cases shortly after the new handsets debuted in September made from the same materials as the new bands, and now the new matching straps have arrived in full force. Now live on Amazon in black and the brand’s distinct Kraft and Slate Green treatments, you can head below for a closer look and more details. 

Halloween 2023 here and so is a new classic Castlevania experience for Switch Online members. Just after the launch of Mario Party 3, the next influx of Nintendo Switch Online games are now at the ready. Nintendo has now taken to its official X (Twitter) feed and YouTube channel to debut the October 2023 Game Updates in the form of some classic GameBoy action and obscure NES titles that are now available to play for all base tier Switch Online members. Head below for all of the details. 

Today, we are heading out into the woods for our hands-on review of the new Alto wooden iPhone 15 cases. Complete with sustainably sourced natural wood treatments, customers can also make use of the brand’s unique laser-engraving technique to customize the wooden panel with one of the preset designs or one entirely unique to them by way of the online uploader tool. After adding some new wood types this year and landing in our roundup of the best iPhone 15 cases, it’s time to serve up some hands-on impressions of the new Alto wooden iPhone 15 cases as part of the latest Tested with 9to5Toys. 

While Spigen might be a brand better known for its iPhone cases like the new vintage iMac models and the rest of the lineup, not to mention gear like its StandBy ArcField MagSafe charging stand, and other Apple accessories, today we are featuring the brand’s new ArcPLAY Keyboard. Delivering some proprietary “Dynamic Pipeline Technology” alongside much of the amenities we have come to love from other battle station keyboards, the new ArcPLAY gaming keyboard is now available for purchase with a solid launch deal at nearly $50 off. Head below for a closer look and all of the details. 

Update: The new PS5 Pulse Explore wireless buds and Elite headset are now available pre-order directly from PlayStation. 

After the initial official debut back in August alongside the new PS5 Portal Player, we now have new details and pre-order information on Sony’s upcoming Pulse Explore wireless earbuds, Pulse Elite wireless headset, and additional PlayStation Link USB adapters. Just after the launch of the new INZONE sets (full review here), Sony’s next-generation PlayStation headsets are now slated to go up for pre-order in just over a week’s time. Head below for more details.

Joining the ongoing deal on the 2TB model, we are now tracking the very first price drop on the new high-capacity 4TB Samsung T9 Portable Solid-State Drive. Regularly $440 and currently on sale for $400 directly from Samsung, a new on-page coupon Amazon is knocking it down to $249.99 shipped. This is $190 off the MSRP, the very first price drop, and a subsequent Amazon all-time low. Yes, this is a pricey endeavor for sure. But for professionals leveraging USB 3.2 2×2 ports, this is indeed the latest flagship Samsung model with a carbon fiber-style sheath reaching speeds up to 2,000MB/s that will run laps around the Samsung T7 Shield. If you don’t have the high end ports, today’s $200 sale price on the T7 Shield 1,050MB/s model might be a better bet. Check out our hands-on review and head below for more details. 

Today, we are serving up some hands-on impressions of the new UAG protective iPhone 15 cases. The brand’s military-grade solutions launched shortly after the iPhone 15 did for folks looking to add some extra protection to their shiny new Apple handset with designs coming straight out of Orange County, California. With several different models to choose from across various price ranges, starting at $40 shipped, anyone into the more armored military-like vibes will want to scope out our impressions of the new UAG protective iPhone 15 cases down below. 

We are now tracking some notable deals on the latest officially licensed WD_BLACK PS5 SSDs. You can now score the 2023 model WD_BLACK 4TB SN850P NVMe M.2 PS5 Solid-State Drive down at $299.99 shipped after clipping the on-page coupon. This one sold for closer to $530 at Amazon before starting to drop into the $350 range this past summer. Today’s deal is matching both our previous mention and the lowest we have tracked at Amazon, including the fall Prime Day event. It debuted for the first time a few months ago as the brand’s latest officially licensed solution, delivering speeds up to 7,300MB/s with an integrated heatsink and the M.2 form-factor optimized for use directly inside your flagship Sony console. You can “play directly from the drive and eliminate the need to transfer games or remove games from your console with this tested and officially approved PS5 storage expansion.” Get a closer look in our launch coverage and head below for a deal on the 2TB model. 

Today we are taking a hands-on look at the Longvadon leather crocodile Apple Watch bands known as the Caiman series, just in time for the sitewide Halloween sale to go live. The brand, a new one to us around here, just recently updated its croc-style leather strap collection with the new Double Tour wrap around-style strap so we thought we would give them a hands-on look to see if they are nice in person as they are in pictures. Looking to add a serious touch of elegance to any Apple wearable, dive in below for our hands-on impressions of the Longvadon leather crocodile Apple Watch bands. 

For 48 hours only, Journey is offering the best price ever on its unique ALTI MagSafe charging desk mat. Regularly $130, using code TAKE30 at checkout will knock your total down to $91 shipped. And that includes both the regular size model and Slim variant for folks with less desktop real estate. We have seen plenty of deals at 20% off for this model since its release in late 2022, including Black Friday and the Prime Day events, but today’s offer is a super rare chance to score it at the best price ever. We came away impressed after going hands-on (it is still sitting underneath my keyboard as we speak) with its modular design and built-in charging prowess. Not only are you looking at a typical reversible desk mat (vegan leather material on one side and felt on the other), but it also features a magnetic side piece that charges your gear by way of a MagSafe landing pad for iPhone and a Qi wireless pad for AirPods and the like. Take a deeper dive in our hands-on review and head below for more details. 

Best Buy is now offering the 2022 model Hisense 85-inch Class A7 Series 85A76H LED 4K UHD Google TV for $799.99 shipped. Originally $1,500 and now regularly fetching closer to $950, this is the lowest price we can find. You’ll find a very similar model going for $950 at Amazon and on sale for $848 via Walmart. While it might not be a brand new 2023 model, nor all of the highest-end specs, but this is a whole lot of 4K TV from a trusted brand for a price like this – a mid-tier, previous-generation Amazon 75-inch model sells for $860 on sale. This is a 4K display running on the Google TV platform with direct access to your streaming services and Assistant voice command action via the included voice remote. From there, you’ll find a Game Mode Plus – a “collection of technologies that come together to create a dynamic gaming experience” – as well as VRR support, built-in Chromecast streaming tech, Bluetooth, and four HDMI inputs. Head below for more details. 

After coming away impressed with some of the brand’s other carriers, when Aer launched its new Pro Kit tech organizer, I was keen to get my hands on it, and that is I have done. For the past few weeks, I have been putting the new tech accessory pouch to the test both on the road and at home to see if its price of entry is worth it or not. You can check out my hands-on impressions down below as part of the latest entry to the Tested with 9to5Toys series.

Xbox recently announced its next broadcast games showcase in the form of what it is calling its Xbox Partner Preview and it all kicks off shortly. It has been a quite a few months now since the big-time summer Xbox showcase and the dedicated Starfield show that hit about a week after PlayStation’s primetime event, and the folks at Xbox are back today with another round of reveals and announcements from its “incredible third-party publishing partners.” Head below for more details and to follow along with the show. 

The winter chill is starting to set in in many parts of the country and if the Dyson Hot+Cool setup we featured on sale this morning is a bit much for you, check out this deal on the new Govee Smart Space Heater. Regularly $50, you can now bring one home for $32.49 shipped after clipping the on-page coupon via the brand’s official Amazon storefront. This is a solid 35% price drop that comes in at $2.50 below the fall Prime Day price to deliver the lowest price we have tracked since launch earlier this year. This smart space heater will add that extra touch of warmth you might need through the winter and, after connecting to your Wi-Fi, will deliver smartphone temperature control as well as voice commands via Alexa and Google Assistant gear. It features an “energy-efficient” 1500W PTC ceramic heating technology that “rapidly heats a 200-square foot area” alongside a design that features “tip-over and overheating protection, safety plugs, and V-0 flame retardant to protect kids and pets.” Head below for more deals and details. 

Bellroy has now introduced its new iPad mini case known as the Tokyo Folio. Well known for everything from MacBook backpacks and Apple Watch bands to the new iPhone 15 cases we reviewed recently, and its antimicrobial Tech Kit gear organizer I’m still using to this day, Bellroy has now turned its attention to iPad mini users. Now available for purchase in two different colorways, you can get a better idea of what the new iPad Tokyo Folio can bring to your EDC down below. 

The latest addition to the Switch Online game library is on its way in the form of Mario Party 3. Members of Nintendo’s online service will be able to “punch, pound, and stampede right over” their opponents starting later this week. Today’s announcement comes on the heels of new Switch Online titles like the Metroidvania-style Kirby & The Amazing Mirror alongside previously Japan-only classics and the Pokémon Trading Card Game, but Nintendo has now turned its attention to one of its vintage family party games with the third-entry in Mario’s multiplayer experience. Head below for more details. 

Update: If the links below aren’t working for you, try heading straight to https://www.padandquill.com/

It’s the end of an era folks. Our friends at Pad & Quill will soon be moving on to bigger and better things and time is running out to grab some of its, frankly, amazing Apple gear accessories. Handmade with love right here in the US, it has been producing some of the nicest leather Apple accessories for many years and now’s your chance to score some at a huge discount before you won’t be able to ever again. We are talking about the kind of leather goods that last for more years than I can count – I’m still using its Roll Top leather MacBook backpack I reviewed way back in 2017 and it’s in perfect shape. The Adventure series leather Apple Watch band I tested out earlier this year is easily one of the nicest I have ever had a chance to use. While it all tends to fetch the kind of price an artisan, American-made piece of functional art deserves, you can score just about everything at over 60% off right now as part of its Going Out of Business sale. Head below for all of the details. 

The new Skullcandy Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles headphone collaboration is launching today. Featuring limited-edition ooze-covered designs, the brand is looking to take on Microsoft’s nearly-impossible to get TMNT peripherals with it latest releases, but don’t worry, the Skullcandy gear doesn’t smell like pizza. The new headphones come in the form of the Skullcandy x TMNT Push Active True Wireless Earbuds and Skullcandy x TMNT PLYR Multi-Platform Wireless Gaming Headset to celebrate the “fan-favorite franchise ahead of its 40th anniversary” with vibrant toxic green designs and nods to the crime fighting martial arts turtles around every corner. Head below for a closer look. 

The next-generation Samsung T9 Portable SSD was officially unleashed on the world at the beginning of the month. The previous-generation 1,050MB/s T7 and T7 Shield were among some of the most popular options among 9to5Toys readers, and Samsung has now updated the internals and specs to deliver its very first USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 and (potentially) much faster speeds. The question is, how many users out there have the gear to actually take advantage of this tech at this point? Head below for some hands-on impressions of the new Samsung T9 Portable SSD as part of our Tested with 9to5Toys series.

While the TCL S4 model might not have all of the bells and whistles as the more pricey options, it is a notable price for an oversized 2023 display that delivers 85-inches of 4K action to a living room near you. Amazon is now offering the TCL 85-inch S4 4K UHD Smart Google TV for $899.99 shipped, down from the regular $1,400 price tag. Today’s deal is not only the best price we can find. Today’s offer is $100 under the deal we featured earlier this year, matching our previous mention, and coming within $2 of the Amazon all-time low. It’s not the most feature-rich option out there, but if you’re looking for some serious size without spending around $1,500 (or potentially a whole lot more than that), it will deliver a solid 4K (2160p) panel with Dolby Vision, HDR 10, and Hybrid Log-Gamma to your setup at a reasonable price for a display this large. It also features Google Assistant voice command action, Chromecast streaming, three HDMI inputs, and Google’s TV ecosystem for direct access to apps and your streaming services. Head below for more details. 

Anticipation for the new Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 PlayStation 5 game has been ramping up all year, culminating in a record-breaking launch last Friday. After the reveal of the limited edition Spider-Man 2 PlayStation 5 console, matching PS5 console covers, and DualSense controller, what many expected to be the biggest PlayStation release of the year has certainly delivered. And after early sales number were shared this morning, Insomiac, Sony, and Marvel Games clearly have a serious hit on their hands. Head below for more details. 

DODOcase is launching its new leather Apple Watch band today. We have been featuring the brand and its Apple gear accessories since even before they were spotted on the desk in the Oval Office during President Obama’s tenure and, while our coverage has leaned more towards its iPhone and iPad cases, DODOcase also makes some gorgeous leather Apple Watch bands. The detailed stitching and Wickett & Craig premium leather on the previously-released model is a solid option if you ask me, but it is finally ready to expand its Apple wearable accessory lineup with new Chèvre Leather model. Head below for a closer look and more details. 

After the launch of its 2023 collection and the epic vintage iMac-style case (here’s our hands-on review), the latest edition to Spigen’s lineup is arriving in the form of the new Enzo bulletproof iPhone 15 case. Spigen landed in our roundup of the best iPhone 15 cases for its budget-friendly iPhone cases that actually hit above their pay grade, much like it has in year’s past. But its Enzo lineup is something different entirely – a higher-end approach for wrapping your precious Apple handset or strapping an Apple Watch to your wrist with more premium materials. And this year it is adding the new Enzo Aramid bulletproof iPhone 15 case to the lineup. Head below for a closer look and a notable launch deal. 

The official Spigen Amazon storefront is now offering some notable deals on a range of its GaN USB-C wall chargers to go along with your new iPhone 15 (or just about anything else that needs a charge). First up, we have the brand’s 2023 model GaN III 45W Dual USB-C Wall Charger at $33.74 shipped in all colorways. Be sure to clip the on-page coupon where applicable. Regularly $45, this is a straight up 25% price drop and the lowest we can find. Today’s deals also matches the lowest we have tracked on this model since they launched on Amazon this past summer. As the name suggests, you’re looking at GaN III tech allowing Spigen to pack in 45W of juice into these compact Power Delivery chargers, complete with a pair USB-C ports to power two devices at once – one 20W and one 25W port. This model also includes foldable prongs that make it easier to throw in your away kit too. Head below for more deals on Spigen GaN chargers.