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.
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.
Update: 8Bitdo has now introduced a new pink colorway of its latest Xbox controller. You’ll find the black and white models up for pre-order on Amazon and the pink option at $45 right here. The Amazon “Pre-order Price Guarantee” applies to all three, ensuring you get charged the lowest price between now and release no matter when you purchase it.
Today we are taking a look at the new 8Bitdo Xbox Controller. While we have seen 8Bitdo models that work nicely with Microsoft consoles, like the customizable Pro 2, this marks the first time the brand has specifically designed a gamepad with that traditional asymmetric Xbox look and feel. There are certainly more affordable wired options out there from brands like PowerA and the like, but some folks swear by the 8Bitdo gamepads and now there’s one specifically designed with Xbox diehards in mind. Now available for pre-order at Amazon, head below for a closer look at the new 8Bitdo Xbox Controller.
As Pixar ramps up marketing ahead of this summer’s Toy Story origin feature film debut, the official Woody and Buzz Lightyear Tamagotchi Nanos have surfaced. Now up for pre-order, the new Toy Story x Tamagotchis bring nostalgia from every angle with classic designs from the original trilogy of films and that usual pocket pet treatment we all know and love. The new Lightyear origin story film saw a new trailer release last month, and now the folks in charge on the Tamagotchi front have teamed up with Disney and friends to bring the cast to its tiny handheld and quite collectible new toys. Head below for a closer look at and more details on the Woody and Buzz Lightyear Tamagotchi Nanos.
A FREE Kirby and the Forgotten Land demo has arrived. While we await more of the 30th anniversary content from Nintendo and the official March 25, 2022 release date of Kirby’s next adventure, Nintendo Switch owners can now jump in to Kirby and the Forgotten Land for FREE as part of a just-released demo. The game is already up for pre-order in its complete form with a notable $5 price drop on Amazon, but this is great chance to get hands-on to see what all of the new copy and transform abilities have in-store. Head below for more details and look at today’s brand new overview trailer from Nintendo.
Today we are taking a look at the new LifeProof Eco-Friendly Apple Watch Case for the Series 7 wearables. These form-fitting new cases are designed to wrap your precious Apple Watch Series 7 with an “85% recycled ocean plastic” composite material that is as eco-friendly as it is protective against scratches, bumps, and bruises. They’re available in four colorways for both 41mm and 45mm sizes. You can get a closer look down below.
Today we are taking look at the new NES console meets synthesizer from artist Love Hultén. We have featured a number of Hultén’s wild designs over the year, not the least of which is this custom retro gaming coffee table, but today it’s all about the new NES-SY37. This is a one-off conceptual piece, and, much like the rest of the Hultén creations, is a sight to behold, combining retro aesthetics with clean lines to create a one-of-a-kind NES synthesizer and console. The wooden design takes cues from Nintendo’s storied home console as well as the Commodore SX-64 portable to deliver what only could be described as a must-see creation. Head below for more details and a closer look in the demo video.
A collection of private data from NVIDIA has hit the internet as part of a recent cyberattack suggesting Nintendo Switch 2 might already be in development in some way, shape or form. That Nintendo Switch Pro rumor that surfaced several times last year and even before that never quite came true, yet. The new OLED model of Nintendo’s hybrid console that was unveiled last summer before hitting store shelves in October brought with it an impressive new display alongside some other light enhancements over the base model, but it wasn’t quite the Pro model or Nintendo Switch 2 some gamers were hoping for. And while we don’t have direct confirmation at this time that a new machine is even in the works just yet, a recent NVIDIA data leak might suggest it is. Head below for more details.
PowerA’s new Xbox Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands controller is now up for pre-order ahead of this month’s release. It will begin shipping just one day before the launch of the game it is designed after, when the upcoming Borderlands spin-off, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, releases on March 25, 2022 for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Series S|X, and more. A perfect collector’s item for folks excited to jump into the new looter-shooter meets fantasy world Gearbox game, PowerA has delivered an eye-catching design to its new Enhanced Xbox Wired Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands controller. Head below for a closer look.
Today we are taking a hands-on look at the Peak Design canvas iPhone 13 case and the brand’s collection of accessories for it. After reviewing its latest travel gear recently, we thought it would be a good idea to see what it’s lineup of mobile accoutrements and Everyday canvas iPhone 13 cases had in store. The MagSafe-ready cover works alongside a series of additional add-ons and you’ll find all of the details you need in the latest Tested with 9to5Toys down below.
After seeing its new AudioBox GO interface at the top of the month, PreSonus is back at it again with the announcement of a dynamic USB-C microphone. Alongside the now available PreSonus Revelator Dynamic USB-C Microphone, the brand is also debuting a new desktop audio interface known as the Revelator io44 with a built-in streaming mixer. The new Revelator content creator audio gera is now available for purchase, and you can get more details on both down below.
More details on Sony’s Game Pass competitor have surfaced. As reported by Bloomberg back in December, Sony is planning to rival Microsoft’s Game Pass ecosystem with a new service of its own that combines PlayStation Plus and PlayStation Now, which is internally known as Spartacus. The folks over at GamesBeat have now uncovered some particulars about the supposedly upcoming service including pricing and what each of the three subscription tiers will include.
We are taking a look at the new 14- and 16-inch MacBook cases from Incase. Today, the brand is announcing its latest all-new Hardshell Dots and Textured Hardshell with Woolenex cases for Apple’s latest notebooks with injection-molded construction to keep your precious new MacBook safe and scratch-free. Now available directly from Incase, you can get more details and a closer look down below.
Casely is launching its new iPhone 13 battery cases featuring loads of the wild and intricate designs the brand is known for. The TikTok-worthy case maker just released some Samsung S22 cases as well, but today we are taking a look at the now available Power 2.0 iPhone 13 battery cases. Ranging from animal prints and smiley faces to landscape imagery, floral patterns, and much more, there’s a little bit of something for anyone who likes a case that stands out from the pack. Head below for a closer look at the new Casely Power 2.0 iPhone 13 battery cases.
A new 1:10 scale R/C replica Batmobile from the upcoming film is on the way from Mattel. After the brand’s high-end $500 model sold out promptly upon release back in October, Mattel has decided to develop a more affordable version of the Robert Pattison-era Batmobile from Matt Reeves’ The Batman before it hits theaters in early March. Head below for more details and a closer look.
We are getting some new Pokémon Nintendo Switch accessories from PowerA with the now available Snorlax & Friends line. PowerA is well known around these parts for its popular Switch accessories and with Pokémon Legends: Arceus now out in the wild, it’s time to take a look at the new Snorlax & Friends controller and case for Nintendo’s current-generation consoles. Head below for more details and live pre-order links to the new Pokémon Nintendo Switch PowerA gear.
Update: The new Positive Grid Spark mini Bluetooth speaker and guitar amp is now up for pre-order with a notable launch discount at $185. Regularly $229, Positive Grid says the discounts will be changing throughout the day, but it might not get any better than this.
Today, Positive Grid is unveiling its brand new Spark MINI smart guitar amp. The smaller, more compact little brother of the full-size Spark practice amp brings the brand’s usual smart features and doubles as a retro, guitar-amp-style Bluetooth speaker. The Spark MINI also provides audio interface capabilities for folks looking to record with its breadth of amp emulation and FX gear. We have been lucky enough to get an early run of the amp to test before it is unveiled today. Read all about the Spark MINI smart guitar amp in our latest Tested with 9to5Toys review below.
Today we are getting our first look at the actual PlayStation VR2 headset. After Sony teased specs on its upcoming next-generation VR rig back in January alongside the Horizon Call of the Mountain launch title, it has taken to the official PlayStation Blog to unveil the actual hardware. Today’s reveal is described as the “reveal [of the] stunning new design of our next generation VR headset, PlayStation VR2, together with an updated and final design image of our PlayStation VR2 Sense controller.” Head below for a closer look.
The new Street Fighter game has been revealed. More accurately teased, but Capcom has now confirmed that development on Street Fighter 6 is in the works. It has been six long years since Street Fighter 5 made its debut back in 2016, and after several updates and DLC additions to the core experience, Capcom is ready to move on to the next numbered entry in the long-running fighting franchise. Head below for more details on the new Street Fighter game and a closer look at the brief teaser trailer.
We featured the new CLCKR MagSafe Grip when it went up for sale last month, and now it’s time to take a closer look for review. The unique magnetic iPhone 12 and 13 accessory snaps onto the back of your device and offers a sort of full-hand strap to get a better grip on your device while also doubling as a viewing stand. Head below for more details on the CLCKR MagSafe Grip as part of our Tested with 9to5Toys series.
Bellroy has launched its new Samsung Galaxy S22 leather case. The just-unveiled S22 models (already on sale) are Samsung’s flagship handsets with new S Pen slots, a 6.8-inch SuperAMOLED panel, as well as Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip, and Bellroy has now unleashed its high-quality case to keep it all protected. You can get a closer look at the new Galaxy S22 series handsets in our hands-on review and more details on the latest Bellroy leather cases for them down below.
We have spotted some Nintendo 3DS game deals alongside some eShop exclusives and freebies you might want to consider grabbing now. Nintendo will sadly be closing the 3DS eShop come March of next year, alongside disabling the ability to add funds to these accounts starting in May of 2022 (more details on that right here.) Not only does that leave a wealth of titles out in the cold only to be found in rare physical form across the interwebs and retail bargain bins, but that also means your 3DS library will soon be frozen in time, so to speak, with no way of adding new digital titles from Nintendo’s eShop. While there are third-party sellers that will carry the bigger name titles for what will likely go beyond the March 2023 cut off date, that could mean some of the standout eShop exclusives might be lost forever. So let’s take a look at some of the 3DS titles that are currently on sale via the eShop as well as some freebies and standout exclusives you might want to scoop up now.
Some brand new Universal Audio microphones have now been unveiled. An unrivaled brand with deep roots in the professional recording space and pioneers of pro-grade DSP audio processing is now stepping into the microphone game in a major way. Six new models have been unveiled ranging from pricey, professional large-diaphragm capacitor mics through to somewhat more attainable broadcast and podcasting variants. Starting from models based on legendary recording studio microphones like the Neumann U87, Neumann U67, and Telefunken ELA M 251 to the SD-1 dynamic model looking to rival Shure’s popular latest-model SM7 variant, head below for more details on the new Universal Audio microphones.
It’s time to start thinking about shoring up your Wii U and 3DS game libraries. Nintendo’s beloved 3DS consoles still remain in the hearts and hands of gamers everywhere, despite the Switch taking over portable supremacy in the Mushroom Kingdom. But Nintendo has now announced the inevitable closure of its eShop Wii U and 3DS digital game stores and while it might not be until next year, it will all be gone before you know it. Head below for more details.
We are now tracking the first notable discount on physical copies of the new Kirby and the Forgotten Land. Everyone’s favorite transforming pink puff is set to make triumphant return in true AAA fashion on Nintendo Switch come March 25, 2022, and you can now lock-in a pre-order at Amazon for $54.99 shipped. Regularly $60, this is the lowest total we have tracked on upcoming 3D platforming adventure after seeing it on full display in the latest Nintendo Direct presentation. It also ships with Amazon’s pre-order price guarantee which ensures “you’ll receive the lowest price” it drops to between now and release anyway. More details below.
Have you ever wanted to see a proper BioShock movie? Well, Netflix is now on the job according to a couple official tweets it sent out today. After just recently readying the launch of the Cuphead Show, Netflix is dipping back into the world of gaming for what appears to be a new live-action BioShock movie. Netflix, 2K, and Take-Two Interactive announced today that it will be joining forces to, presumably, recreate the incredible underwater city of Rapture and the metropolis in the sky known as Columbia featured in the beloved BioShock series. There’s no word of series creator Ken Levine being attached to the protect as of yet, but it doesn’t look like that will be the case. Head below for more.
After seeing the Xbox-certified model go on sale this morning, Seagate is now readying a special Edition Horizon Forbidden West Game Drive for PlayStation gamers. The latest entry in the Horizon series is just days away from launching, and review scores already have it as one of the better PS5 titles in the library. Seagate is looking to jump on the bandwagon with a special edition version of its Game Drive – an external hard drive specially geared towards providing gamers with additional storage for their libraries. Head below for more details and a closer look.
The new FREE Cyberpunk 2077 upgrade features are now live alongside a FREE trial for folks looking to give the game another shot. Cyberpunk 2077 was one of the most highly-anticipated titles in years before disappointing gamers everywhere with what could only be described as a buggy and disastrous launch on previous generation machines. Well, developer CD Projekt Red hosted a live stream today with loads of new upgraded features for the game and presumably a more stable update to redeem itself. All things considered, folks that did get a chance to play the game at least somewhat bug-free were mostly impressed, so this is a great time to give the potentially-epic game another shot, or at least to dive into the free trial to see if it’s worth investing in. More details below.
After taking a hands-on look at the brand’s new ATH-GL3 and ATH–GDL3 closed-back headsets, it’s time to dive into the new Audio-Technica spatial audio earbuds. Audio-Technica has been a major player in the audio game, both in and out of the recording studio, for many years now. Its new ATH-CKS50TW wireless headphones bring extended cord-free listening time to the table alongside the companion charging case as well as support for 3D audio and the brand’s pedigree for high-quality audio reproduction. Head below to take a closer look.
Earlier this month Peak Design unveiled the latest additions to its travel lineup with the new 65L Travel Duffle, Wash Pouch, a 30L Travel Backpack, and packing cubes to go with them. The latest entries to the line expand the existing family of travel companions with organization options, larger sizes, and an enhanced feature set overall. After having a chance to go hands-on with the 65L Travel Duffle and some of the packing cubes, it’s time to weigh in as part of our Tested with 9to5Toys series. Head below for a closer look.
You can now download the official EarthBound Player’s Guide from Nintendo. While there’s still no Mother 3 to speak of, Nintendo did bring the beloved EarthBound and EarthBound Beginnings to its Switch SNES and NES Online libraries for subscribers. This was easily one of the most exciting bits from a Nintendo Direct filled with notable announcements – new Mario Kart 8 courses, Switch Sports, and more – and it has now made the legendary EarthBound Player’s Guide available to all. More details below.
