Justin is the Editor-in-Chief at 9to5Toys. For well-over a decade he has covered everything from video games and smart home devices to iPhone and MagSafe accessories, EDC gear, and just about everything in between. A professional audio engineer/producer, he also specializes in home recording, microphones, digital audio, and streaming gear. See something cool out there? Developing the next viral Apple gear accessory? Or just want to talk deals? Contact him directly at justin@9to5mac.com for tips, pitches, and more.
Back in September of last year rumors surfaced that Nintendo was readying some of its classic handheld games to appear on its current-generation console, and now new leaks seem to suggest a potential Nintendo Switch Online Game Boy service is still in the works. Last fall it looked as though Game Boy and Game Boy Color titles were headed to Nintendo’s Online service, but soon after that it announced the new Nintendo 64 and SEGA Genesis Expansion tier instead. And now, it appears the Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance titles you were waiting for might still be on the way. More details are below.
Square has unleashed a new Final Fantasy VII collectible in the form of Cloud Strife’s Buster Sword. Aligned much like it is on the iconic game’s title screen, this new Final Fantasy VII collectible alarm clock is designed to sit among your other Final Fantasy swag or on the nightstand and specifically takes the shape of Cloud’s main weapon from the more recent remake of the beloved Square Enix role-playing game. Head below for more details and a closer look at the launch video.
Human Things – the company responsible for the Genki Covert – is unveiling its new mini Switch dock alternative. Much like its larger, slightly more powerful, and more expensive predecessor, the Genki Covert Dock Mini delivers a compact solution to “docking” your Switch and enabling its HDMI output to the big screen without having to lug around the larger, included first-party variant. While there have been some horror stories of products like this bricking Switch consoles in the past, Human Things has proven itself in this space with the original version and is now ready to unleash its miniature variant with the Genki Covert Dock Mini. Head below for more details.
Catalyst – a brand known for its protective gear for smartphones and tech devices – launched its new AirPods 3 case in Apple Stores across the globe today. The new Special Edition case for AirPods 3 brings the brand’s waterproof tech to Apple’s latest-generation earbuds in several new colorways, including the Apple Store-exclusive Funfetti design. After seeing the brand’s latest solution for Beats Studio Buds at the tail end of last year, it is now time to dive into its latest AirPods cover. Head below for a closer look and more details.
A new AOC Porsche gaming monitor has surfaced. AOC is once again teaming up with the design department at Porsche for another high-end gaming monitor crossover project for the Agon Pro PD32M. The collaboration sees the two brands taking the Porsche aesthetic to the AOC Agon Pro 32-inch mini LED monitor with an almost industrial design approach, a few interesting accents to make it stand out from most gaming displays, and a high-end list of features on the spec sheet. Head below for more details and a closer look.
Incase is likely best known for its MacBook hardshell case products and iPhone 13 cases – the company has been featured in our best-of roundup for years. The brand claims to have released “the first hardshell case for MacBook,” and back in late February it unleashed its latest protection solutions for Apple’s 14- and 16-inch MacBooks with a sort of hard-plastic-dot, grid-textured model and the new Woolenex treatment on display in this review. We have recently had a chance to give the latter a run for its money, and now it’s time to weigh in as part of the latest Tested with 9to5Toys.
SANDMARC is unleashing its lineup of leather Apple gear accessories today. Aptly named The Leather Collection, SANDMARC specializes in products for photographers, filmmakers, and travelers, but as we found out in our recent hands-on review of its gorgeous leather iPhone 13 case, it can also make some wonderful accessories for Apple users. After quite a lengthy process in the design lab over the last nine months, the brand is finally ready to unleash its latest leather sheaths and bands for all of the latest-generation Apple kit. Head below for a closer look.
Last week Spigen unleashed its new ENZO iPhone 13 Italian leather case. Taking the company in an entirely new direction, the ENZO is a luxury-focused product looking to bring the brand’s protection tech into a high-end Italian leather-wrapped sheath for Apple’s latest flagship handsets. Add in some diamond-cut metal design elements with MagSafe charging, premium packaging, and a matching leather wrist strap, and you’re looking at the brand’s most elegant and luxurious offering to date, with a hefty price tag to match. Head below for our hands-on review of the new Spigen ENZO iPhone 13 Italian leather case as part of the latest entry in our Tested with 9to5Toys series.
As part of its 20th anniversary celebrations, Square Enix has now unveiled Kingdom Hearts 4 and a new Kingdom Hearts mobile game known as Missing-Link. The beloved Disney and Square Enix crossover franchise is celebrating 20 years in the game this year the right way with a new entry in the mainline franchise and the upcoming iOS (and Android) title with an all-new original story. Head below for more details on the latest coming from the world of Kingdom Hearts and the debut trailers.
Today we are taking a look at the new Urbanears sustainable wireless earbuds – winner of “the Red Dot Best of the Best award for 2022.” As part of the audio brand’s focus on becoming climate neutral and just ahead of Earth day 2022, Urbanears is launching its new Boo and Boo Tip in-ear wireless buds hoping to “inspire the audio electronics industry to move towards a better sounding future and place development and sustainability at its core.” Head below for a closer look.
After bringing its composite fabric treatment to Apple’s latest 14- and 16-inch M1 MacBooks back in February, Incase is introducing its new Woolenex Case for AirPods 3 today. Coming alongside the new Reform Sport model, the Woolenex option is looking to bring something somewhat new to the table for Apple’s latest edition wireless earbuds with a weather-resistant almost knitted fabric approach. Head below for more details and a closer look.
Update: Mario Golf is now available on Nintendo Switch for Switch Online Expansion pack members. More details here.
Nintendo just recently took to its official Twitter feed to announce Mario Golf for Switch Online. After seeing it bring Earthworm Jim 2 and Dig Dug II to the SNES and NES library last week, Mario Golf is now scheduled to launch later this month for the Nintendo 64 Expansion Pack tier. This announcement comes on the heels of hover racer F-ZERO X making its debut on Nintendo’s N64 online library back in early March, and now joins the already available Mario Tennis and Mario Kart 64 as the next sports-related titles from the Mushroom Kingdom to hit the N64 library. More details below.
Grovemade – maker of fine desktop and Apple gear accessories – is introducing the latest generation of its new Desk Shelf. Not unlike the Oakywood model we reviewed previously, Grovemade is taking a higher-end approach to adding some additional storage space to your desktop. Available in a range of natural wood materials, the new Grovemade Desk Shelf is “designed to last a lifetime” and deliver a premium experience for a pair of monitors with additional storage space underneath and an integrated cable management system of sorts. Head below for a closer look.
We have now spotted a number of notable deals on Dash kitchenware from $10. Amazon is now offering the Dash Deluxe Compact Masticating Slow Juicer in all colorways for $79.99 shipped. Regularly $100, this is a solid 20% price drop, matching the 2022 low, and the best price we can find. We have only seen them go for any less twice in the last year or more. Featuring a slender form-factor that doesn’t take up much counter space and is far less cumbersome than some of the competitors out there, it will deliver easy homemade juice all spring and summer. It takes “fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, nuts, wheatgrass,” and more and separates the juice from the pulp for you alongside the ability to make sorbets when you’re up for a treat. It ships with the frozen attachment, pulp measuring cup, and cleaning brush. More deals below from $10.
Spigen is officially launching its new premium Italian leather iPhone 13 case today. The brand is well known around here for its affordable Apple gear accessories and cases that generally hit above their pay grade – its Mag Armor case landed in our Best iPhone 13 cases of the year 2021 Edition feature, but the brand is looking in an entirely new direction with today’s reveal of the “luxury without compromise” ENZO iPhone 13 case. Head below for more details.
Today, Novation is unveiling its brand-new FL Studio keyboard controller. The new FLkey MIDI keyboards now join the rest of Novation’s controllers for music creators and beat makers with a series of dedicated features for Imagine Line’s popular FL Studio DAW. While specifically tailored for FL Studio hip-hip and EDM producers, it essentially allows anyone to get hands-on with their beats and sounds without having to rely on a mouse, much like its Launchpad grid controllers we explored after full Logic Pro support was rolled out. Designed to put FL Studio’s wonderful sequencer-based music creation ecosystem directly beneath your fingertips and to deliver an all-round MIDI keyboard experience for just about any DAW, we had a chance to go hands-on with the new FLkey ahead of release today to see what it was capable of. Head below for a closer look at our impressions of the new FL Studio keyboard controller in the latest Tested with 9to5Toys.
Today we are taking a hands-on look at the new SANDMARC MagSafe-ready leather and metal iPhone 13 case. Designed to work alongside the brand’s range of iPhone lens attachments, the Pro leather case is also an eye-catching option on its own if you ask me. Wrapped in “top-grain leather” with a MagSafe-compatible design and a gunmetal aluminum machined camera protection rig, it delivers what could only be described as a more premium solution without getting up into the $50+ price range. We got a chance to go hands-on with the recent release and now it is time to weigh in with our SANDMARC leather and metal iPhone 13 case review as part of the Tested with 9to5Toys series.
Last month, Casely unveiled its new Power Pod – a MagSafe portable battery that snaps right onto the back of your iPhone 12 or 13. In usual Casely fashion, the magnetic portable battery pack is available in a number of wild colorways and patterns including everything from bright swirls and pastel matte finishes to one plastered in happy faces, the cow print you see on display here today, and several others. Along with the TikTok-worthy designs, it can also be used as a Qi charging pad of sorts for your other mobile kit including AirPods and other wireless earbud cases. Head below below for our hands-on review of the new Casely Power Pod MagSafe portable battery in the latest Tested with 9to5Toys.
After seeing a rare price drop on new condition OLED model Switch consoles this morning, Nintendo has now unveiled some NES and new SNES Switch Online games. Nintendo has been focused on adding value to its newer N64 and SEGA libraries as of late – we saw F-Zero X and some new Genesis titles this month after Legend of Zelda Majora’s Mask launched in February – but it is now ready to bring some new classics to the entry level tier for the rest of us. Head below for a closer look and more details.
Today, Traeger – well known for its wood pellet combo grills – is introducing the “future of outdoor cooking” with its high-end redesigned Timberline grill. Packed with high-tech enhancements around every corner and innovations in several of Traeger’s existing feature set, the Timberline grills are a real sight to behold with a serious price tag to match. It includes a built-in 360-degree Wi-Fi antenna for smartphone control, integrated thermometers for the perfect cook, a proprietary cleaning system, and a full-color touchscreen display. Even if you aren’t ready to dish out the $3,500 or more it’ll take to roll one out on the patio later this season, you’ll want to take a closer look at these marvels of grilling technology anyway. Head below for more details on the new Traeger Timberline Grill.
Today the folks at ROLI are finally introducing the new Seaboard – the next generation of its brilliant expressive 5D touch music controller known as the Seaboard Rise 2. These kinds of instruments, limited as they are, can be a real treat to play and are subsequently quite expensive. The ROLI Seaboard Blocks device that released way back in 2017– a personal favorite of mine we had a chance to go hands-on with for review and something I still use to this day – brought all of this into a price range for the rest of us and has since become very hard to get your hands on at retail. And now, after what feels like an eternity, it’s finally time for ROLI to unveil the next generation Seaboard, unfortunately this one isn’t nearly as affordable. Head below for a closer look and more details on the new Seaboard Rise 2.
Today we are taking a look at the new Bellroy Key Case and Tool. The brand, known for its EDC and tech accessories like the antimicrobial Tech Kit gear organizer we reviewed previously and its iPhone 13 cases, is introducing its new leather key holder and pocket multi-tool today. Featuring much of the design sensibilities found in the rest of its extensive lineup of carry kit and tech accessories, it has sourced hardened steel and “warm” eco-tanned leather for its new Key Case and Tool pocket gear. Head below for a closer look and more details.
The Nintendo Switch game lineup was primed to have one of its most exciting years to date, but it looks like the Zelda Breath of the Wild sequel release date is going to slip. Having already dropped Pokémon Legends: Arceus and with the Gen 9 Pokémon Scarlet and Violet titles on the way, among others, 2022 was set to be massive year for Nintendo’s biggest franchises. And while it will still be quite a notable lineup, arguably the most anticipated title of all has now been confirmed for a 2023 release. Head below for more details.
After rumors surfaced back in February of the new Sony Game Pass competitor, Sony has now unveiled the new PlayStation Plus. Taking to the official PlayStation Blog this morning, Sony has now confirmed much of what we saw last month with its new subscription service that essentially combines PS Plus with PS Now on-demand game streaming functionality. The new PlayStation Plus Game Pass competitor is set to launch in June 2022 with 700+ titles for subscribers. Head below for a closer look.
Today we are taking a closer look at PreSonus’ new affordable audio interface known as the AudioBox GO. After going hands-on with the brand’s new dynamic USB-C mic recently, we also had a chance to give the new AudioBox GO a run in the studio for a few weeks. Since it debuted last month as the recording brand’s entry-level recording I/O solution for your Mac, Windows and Chrome OS devices, as well as other Apple and Android gear (among other things), we thought it would be a good idea to give the inexpensive new audio interface a run for its money in the latest Tested with 9to5Toys entry. Head below for a closer look.
The new Little Founders children’s book, Little Steve, is looking to bring the story of Apple founder Steve Jobs to a whole new audience. The story of the late great Steve Jobs is an interesting one to say the least. While infamous to some, it’s hard to deny the value in entrepreneurship and nourishing of personal creativity he brought to millions the world over. However, instilling children with some of the positive values he championed and the idea of “thinking different” it’s not exactly the easiest thing to relay to kids sometimes, but the new Little Founders book islooking to help the cause. Head below for a closer look.
Happy Kirby and the Forgotten Land launch day folks! It has been a long time coming for Kirby to truly get the 3D AAA treatment on Nintendo hardware, but the wait is finally over. Forgotten Land does all that and more with positive reviews on the pink hero’s latest adventure hitting all over the net. You can still score a copy of the game on sale via Amazon, not to mention the FREE demo if you’re still on the fence. Or you can go full price with some extra goodies at Walmart and GameStop. We are also seeing some of the regularly hard-to-get Kirby amiibo collectibles (that also work in Forgotten Land) in stock and have rounded up some of the best and most adorable collectibles to celebrate Kirby’s latest. Head below for a closer look and a mouthful of adorable Kirby trinkets.
Just as the official TV show gets underway, Microsoft has teamed up with Wolverine on a new real-world pair of crossover Halo Master Chief boots. Wolverine – a brand known for its safety toe work boots and robust workwear – seems to be a perfect fit for a collaboration on the military-meets-construction Halo Master Chief footwear. Halo Infinite developer 343 Industries worked alongside the designers at Wolverine to come up with something truly inspired by the game and the results speak for themselves, but you’re going to have to get lucky scoring a pair of these limited collectible and very much wearable Halo Master Chief boots. Head below for a closer look and more details.
M-Audio is introducing some additions to its monitor lineup with the BX3BT and BX4BT Bluetooth studio speakers. The brand is well known in the content creation and home studio world for its generally affordable solutions. and it has now upgraded its previous-generation BX series monitors with an updated feature set, Kevlar woofers, and wireless audio streaming over Bluetooth. Both the BX3BT and BX4BT models are now available for purchase, and you’ll find all of the details down below.
The latest system update for Sony’s home gaming consoles has now been rolled out with the previously in-beta PlayStation voice commands, and more. There were several reports suggesting the update came along with some serious network issues – some folks were unable to access PlayStation Plus content as well as online services in games like Elden Ring and others – but it seems that has been corrected at this point, mostly. Head below for more details.
AKAI – one of our favorite MIDI and music gadget makers – has now introduced the new MPK Mini Play MK3 MIDI Keyboard Controller. An update to one of the more popular options on the market, the new MPK Mini Play MK3’s OLED display is joined by loads of built-in drum patches and sounds alongside an updated keybed, battery-powered wireless operation, and much more. Head below for a closer look at the now available AKAI MPK Mini Play MK3.
If you’ve ever wondered how to create folders on Switch, Nintendo has now finally made it possible. The latest Nintendo Switch system update has arrived with few nice quality-of-life features including the ability to finally organize your games and apps properly. Some five years after the release of the original hybrid console and six months after delivering proper Bluetooth support, Nintendo has now issued the latest Switch update that brings a groups organization feature to the UI alongside enhancements of the newfound wireless audio system. Head below the fold for a closer look at the update and how to create folders on Switch with the new “Groups” feature.
PreSonus unleashed its new Revelator Dynamic USB mic last month just after its entry-level AudioBox Go interface was unveiled. Looking to provide users with a high-quality dynamic solution for broadcasting, streaming, and music recording in one, we have had a chance to go hands-on with its latest in the Revelator lineup to see what it was made of. So head below for a closer look at our Revelator Dynamic USB mic review in the latest entry to the Tested with 9to5Toys series.
CD Projekt Red took to its official Twitter page today to announce the new Witcher game. The original trilogy of games that started on PC years ago culminated in one of the best fantasy RPGs in history with the Witcher 3 Wild Hunt. Now, after a lengthy hiatus and what could only be described as a very rough launch with its follow-up project, Cyberpunk 2077, it is diving back into the world of The Witcher. More details below.
simplehuman – maker of some of the best trash cans and most gorgeous bathroom fixtures out there – is now introducing its all-new matte black lineup. Well known for the metallic finishes on its smart soap pumps, hands-free trash cans, and more, the brand is unveiling the “long-awaited upgrade to [its] popular black stainless steel” products today with sleek updated versions of its rectangular step cans, round step cans, and the liquid sensor pump. Head below for a closer look and pricing details.
Update 12/7: Nintendo has now unleashed Wave 3 of the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass bringing the current the total to 24 new tracks. You can “access the courses at no additional cost with a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership.” Find out more details below and right here.
Update 8/4: The Wave 2 Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass is now live including Kalimari Desert, Waluigi Pinball, Mushroom Gorge, and more. More details here.
Update 7/28: Nintendo has now taken to its official Twitter page to announced the Wave 2 Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass will arrive on August 4, 2022. “Available to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members at no additional cost, or on its own as paid DLC.” More details and video below.
Update 3/18: Wave 1 of the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass is now live starting today! All of the details you need on how to access them can be found below and on this Nintendo landing page.
Nintendo made some major announcements during yesterday’s Direct showcase, not the least of which were the 48 new Mario Kart courses coming to the latest iteration of its beloved kart racer. New FREE Metroid DLC, Earthbound coming to Switch Online, the new Mario Strikers Battle League, and the upcoming Switch Sports were all exciting to say the least, but Nintendo also announced a sizable new injection of content with the new Mario Kart courses that will run right through until the end of 2023. So it’s time to dive into the details, what this might mean for the rumored Mario Kart 9, and how to get the new Mario Kart courses to upgrade your existing Switch kart racing experience. Head below for a closer look.
The latest Apple handset was unveiled at its recent Peak Performance presentation and is set to launch today, so it’s time to look at the best iPhone SE 3 cases. Available in midnight, starlight, and PRODUCT Red with support for 5G connectivity and carrying the new A15 Bionic chip, the iPhone SE 2022 model is now out in the wild with pre-orders starting to ship out any minute now (and likely already have). If you’re looking to outfit your new SE 3 with a fancy new case, we have starting gathering our favorite options below, some of which have new colorways and designs available on the previous-generation SE case silhouettes. While you can just use the cover you had for the 2020 model in most cases, if you’re looking for a refresh you’ll find all of the best iPhone SE 3 cases down below.
It’s finally time to get our first look at Harry Potter gameplay from the upcoming Avalanche Software RPG. Sony announced earlier this week it would be dedicating an entire State of Play showcase event – not something we see very often – to the game for its first gameplay blowout, and it has finally arrived. The teaser trailer we got about a year ago got nearly 30 million views, so let’s hope the folks at Sony come through with an exciting demo this afternoon. Head below to follow along with today’s Harry Potter gameplay showcase for the upcoming Hogwarts Legacy.
Well it might not be the original Sonic or Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles, but Nintendo has just brought some new Genesis games to its Switch Online Expansion Pack. Last night Nintendo announced the three latest titles for the subscribers of its top-tier online suite, and while they certainly aren’t prime time games, there’s some great new stuff here. Nintendo continues to bring new titles to the Expansion Pack to sweeten the value proposition with the latest coming in the form of Alien Soldier, Super Fantasy Zone, and Light Crusader. Head below for more details and the launch trailer.
WaterField – maker of leather bags, Apple gear accessories, and more – is introducing its new Mac Studio case today. One of the more exciting announcements from the recent Peek Performance keynote, Apple unveiled the powerful new Mac Studio desktop machine. While the M1 Ultra-powered desktop might be right at home in your content creation rig, WaterField is introducing its new Mac Studio Shield case today in case you ever need to take it on-the-go to commercial studios or to meet up with collaborators. Head below for a closer look at the new handcrafted WaterField Mac Studio case.
We got some new details on the highly-anticipated next Bethesda RPG today. Starfield is primed to be the studio’s next massive role playing experience, taking the formula pioneered by Elder Scrolls and the post-apocalyptic Fallout series to the skies and beyond. Pending any unfortunate potential delays, the sci-fi game is set for release later this year despite being almost entirely hidden away in a cryo chamber somewhere. We are yet to see any major gameplay reveals or really anything at all outside of last year’s cinematic trailer, some interesting concept art, and a teaser for what appears to be the game’s companion real-world smartwatch. Today, director Todd Howard uploaded the next episode for its “Into the Starfield” video teaser series with some new details on the next Bethesda RPG. Head below for a look and more details.
Pad & Quill – maker of gorgeous handcrafted accessories – is introducing its new leather Apple Watch band today. The first new entry to its Apple Watch band lineup in over three years, the Pad & Quill Single Tour Leather Apple Watch Band brings the brand’s usual attention to detail alongside premium American hide and a vintage 1970’s-inspired design approach. Best of all, we have a nice promo code to drop the pre-order spend well below the asking price. Head below for a closer look and more details.
The new CASETiFY Harry Potter iPhone collection is being revealed today. Inspired by the Wizarding World, CASETiFY is teaming up with Warner Bros. to deliver a collection of Harry Potter iPhone and Samsung Galaxy gear including leather Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin cases as well as AirPods covers, Apple Watch bands, the new beaded phone strap, and more. Head below for a closer look and details on when you can actually score some of it for yourself.
After millions of views on the teaser reveal trailer, Sony and developer Avalanche are finally ready to showcase gameplay for the upcoming Harry Potter RPG, Hogwarts Legacy. We got a relatively quick look at the game during a PlayStation showcase back in September, but Sony took to its official blog today to announce an upcoming State of Play solely dedicated to Hogwarts Legacy. Head below for more details on this week’s presentation and the upcoming Harry Potter RPG.
Casely is now taking is fun and wild designs to the MagSafe power bank product category. After debuting its latest iPhone 13 battery cases last month, the brand is debuting its new Power Pod – a MagSafe power bank that connects directly to the back of your iPhone 12 or 13 while also being able to charge all other Qi-compatible gear. Now available for shipping directly from Casely, you can get a closer look and more details down below.
F-Zero for Switch Online is now available to subscribers. Nintendo announced the latest addition to its N64 Switch Online Expansion Pass earlier this week and gamers should see F-Zero available in their N64 library now. The classic futuristic racer comes by way of the pricier N64 tier some folks weren’t particularly happy about, but Nintendo has been regularly adding new titles like Legend of Zelda Majora’s Mask and Banjo-Kazooie to help sweeten the value proposition. More details below on F-Zero for Switch Online.
We just recently took a hands-on look at the 1/16 scale 1942 RepliCades from New Wave Toys, but now it’s time for the brand’s new mini arcade machines. Today out of Los Angeles, New Wave is announcing the latest additions to its growing lineup of collectible and very much playable mini arcade machines with the new Space Ace x RepliCade models and a special edition Dragon’s Lair cabinet. Now up for pre-order with special early discounts, head below for more details.
Update 3/22: The FREE co-op and endless challenge mode Returnal DLC launches today and is available now after downloading the sizable 3.0 update. More details below.
Sony is set to kick off the next State of Play showcase event right now with latest details on new PlayStation games. After taking to the official PlayStation Blog earlier this week, Sony is ready unleash the latest “reveals and eye-catching updates for PS5 and PS4 titles.” The show is set to clock in at around 20 minutes or so, and everything is going to kick off right now. Follow along with us on today’s State of Play showcase below for all of the latest new PlayStation games and more.
