Justin Kahn

IK Multimedia — one of our favorite affordable audio and video production gear makers — has now introduced its new wireless audio interface. iRig Pre 2 is a pocket-sized mic preamp and audio interface designed to allow folks to easily record proper XLR mics, phantom power included, on-the-go. Ideal for mobile content creators, the new wireless audio interface is now up for pre-order in the sub $50 price range. Head below for a closer look. 

Fall Guys for Xbox is official. Developer Mediatonic took to Twitter this morning to announce that its adorable party game would finally be making its way to Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. This news comes on the heels of the Fall Guys Nintendo Switch announcement during last night’s wide-ranging Nintendo Direct presentation. Head below for more details. 

Well, this is it, the latest Nintendo Direct presentation is here. After well over a year since the last full-length Nintendo Direct showcase, outside of those focused on indie games, single titles, and other Nintendo projects, the wait is finally over. Today’s lengthy 50-minute showcase was officially announced yesterday, seemingly out of nowhere, and it starts right now. Watch for yourself below or head back here shortly for up-to-the-minute updates. 

The next Nintendo Direct presentation has been announced, and it’s going to be a big one. It has been quite a long time since we have seen a full-on Nintendo Direct — it has been mostly Direct Minis, indie titles, and other Nintendo projects for over a year — but Nintendo has now scheduled a lengthy 50-minute presentation for tomorrow. Seemingly out of nowhere, the official Nintendo Twitter page, and subsequently the official Nintendo Direct site, now feature updates for what could be the most exciting Switch presentation in quite a long time. Head below for more details on what to expect and when to tune in. 

Free Metro Exodus upgrades are on the way for next-generation consoles, but we now have details on the complete upgrade the 4A Engine is getting to support them. Metro Exodus — a somewhat under-appreciated first person shooter with elements of survivalism, stealth, and post-apocalyptic crafting — is getting some serious visual upgrades on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X consoles along with the freshly-announced Metro Exodus PC Enhanced Edition. A game that was already oozing with atmosphere and even visual story-telling to some degree, 4A games is completely overhauling its game engine to realize “a fully Ray Traced experience on next-gen. consoles and high-end PC.” Head below for more details.

As we head into the President’s Day and Valentine’s Day weekend, we have a giant list of top-tier holiday iOS app deals to roundup. This week has seen plenty of big-time price drops on some of the App Store’s best titles including Stardew Valley (that just received a massive update on console), Samorost 3, Bloons TD 6, Pascal’s Wager, NBA 2K20, the brilliant Affinity imagine manipulation apps, and it just keeps going from there. Head below the fold for handy list of all of this weekend’s best holiday iOS app deals. 

DBrand’s new PlayStation 5 face plates are now up for sale. Designed to offer gamers an alternative to Sony’s techno-looking white exterior PS5 wings, the new Darkplates are basically precisely cut slabs of plastic created to replace the stark white stock shell. For how long Sony allows this to be the case is unknown — it previously took legal action against a company known as PlateStation that was selling a very similar product. Head below for more details. 

Amazon is offering the Cuisinart 4-Piece Mini Pizza Pan Set for $10.99 with free shipping for Prime members or in orders over $25. Regularly up to $22, today’s offer is as much as 50% off, within $1 of the all-time low, and the best we can find. This 4-piece set is great for making mini pizzas or flat breads in the oven and ships with a lifetime warranty. Made of “heavy-gauge steel” to provide even heating, they also sport a non-stick surface, a dishwasher-safe design, thick rolled edges to prevent warping, and measure out at 7-inches wide. Rated 4+ stars from over 500 Amazon customers. More details below. 

While the folks at CD Projekt Red might be busy with ransom demands for its stolen source code right now, a new Witcher game is on the way. Well, a board game to be exact. Made in conjunction with publisher Go on Board, CDPR is ready to bring its Witcher world of magic and monster slaying to board game night, once again. Head below for more details and The Witcher: Old World game announcement trailer.

A series of new IKEA gaming furniture, accessories, and gear is set for release later this year in the US. Designed in collaboration with ASUS’ gaming arm, Republic of Gamers (ROG), the new product lineup consists of gaming chairs and desks as well as unique headphone holders, ring lights, a gaming-focused drawer unit, neck pillows, and much more. All in all, there are more than 30 products here, most of which with particularly affordable pricing, spread across six different product families. Head below for a closer look at the new IKEA gaming furniture and accessories. 

After covering the launch of its new MagSafe covers and taking a hands-on look at its iPhone 12 case lineup, it’s time for Oakywood’s new felt AirPods cases. Today the brand is unveiling a pair of new covers for Apple’s AirPods and AirPods Pro models with wool construction and soft fiber lining in two different colorways and with handy metal clips. Head below for a closer look. 

Today we are taking our first look at the new JLab Talk USB microphones. The brand is taking its expertise in the affordable audio gear space into the world of USB microphones with three new models known as Talk Go, Talk, and Talk Pro. Starting at $49, these new mics enter as a great choice for folks looking to up their recording quality from built-in solutions at an affordable rate. Head below for a closer look. 

Owners of the PlayStation 4 version will be able to upgrade to Final Fantasy 14 on PS5 for FREE alongside an upcoming open beta. As announced during the recent showcase, Square Enix’s ongoing Final Fantasy 14 title is about to see some major new updates as well as a current-generation console upgrade just ahead of the next mainline expansion known as Endwalker. Head below for more details. 

It appears as though Sony might be in the process of developing a new DualSense controller, or at least one with Wi-Fi built-in. A recently published Sony patent appears to show some sort of DualSense controller with dual Wi-Fi and Bluetooth transceivers, suggesting there could very well be a new model in the works, if not some kind of upgrade. Head below the fold for even more details.

Amazon is now offering Nintendo’s Ring Fit Adventure for $69.88 shipped. Also matched at Walmart and Best Buy. Regularly $80, this is nice $10 discount and one of the lowest prices we have tracked since release. Initially unveiled back in 2019, Nintendo’s fitness gaming bundle for Switch was difficult to get your hands-on at first, especially at a discount. But you can now bring the fun workout game home at one of its best prices to make staying in shape over the winter even more enjoyable. Rated 4+ stars from over 15,000 Amazon customers and you can get even more details on the experience in our hands-on review. More details below. 

You’re reading Tested with 9to5Toys, where we explore everyday tech essentials that make life a bit easier. Browse through our entire guide for all of the latest reviews, and sound off in the comments below if there’s something you’d like to see featured.

Today, we are taking a look at the wood iPhone 12 case from Oakywood. Known as the Oakywood Wooden iPhone 12 Bumper Case, it combines a real, hand-polished wood layer across a solid polycarbonate frame to offer a touch of natural protection and style to all of Apple’s latest handset models. As wood iPhone 12 cases go, it also falls into the more affordable category compared to brands like Pad & Quill and others. Head below for a closer look at the Oakywood Wooden iPhone 12 Bumper Case in the latest Tested with 9to5Toys review. 

MLB The Show 21 Xbox and PlayStation release dates have now been made official alongside the special editions and more. While we already knew the premier baseball simulator would be making its way to “additional consoles,” Sony has now made the release date official with both the PlayStation and Xbox One versions set for release later this spring. Head below for today’s new trailer and more details on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X upgrades. 

Sony has now confirmed it has tracked over 4.5 million PlayStation 5 sales. After early indications suggested Sony was already ahead in the now current-generation console war, the latest PlayStation 5 sales numbers have led Sony’s gaming business to one of its best fiscal quarters in history. While that might not make a whole lot of sense for the gamers out there still trying to get their hands on one of Sony’s latest home consoles, PS5 is clearly off to a running start here. More details below. 

The Mass Effect Legendary Edition has been officially unveiled. The new collection brings the entire Mass Effect trilogy (not that Andromeda one) into one epic and very much enhanced package. While the franchise might have had some missteps over the last few years, there’s no denying that the legions of Commander Shepard fans out there will be stoked for this one. The lauded science-fiction trilogy remaster from BioWare is now set for release this spring in glorious 4K. Head below to feast your eyes on today’s Mass Effect Legendary Edition reveal trailer and for more details. 

Today is the day you can score the free God of War update for PlayStation 5. While the 2018 God of War reboot was already backwards compatible with the new PS5 hardware, not to mention available inside of the new PlayStation Plus Collection package, the development team at Sony Santa Monica is ready to take it up a notch. The team has apparently been hard at work since the launch of PS5 to squeeze every last ounce of power out of Sony’s latest hardware and is now ready to dish out a free God of War update with new graphical modes. Head below for more details. 

It looks like a new Netflix Sonic show is on the way courtesy of Sega, Wild Brain Studio, and Man of Action Entertainment. Netflix has now taken to Twitter to confirm the existence of a new Sonic the Hedgehog series known as Sonic Prime. After a brief unveil was quickly deleted at the tail end of last year with no indication as to why, many correctly assumed the powers that be just weren’t quite ready to make the new Netflix Sonic show announcement. Fast-forward to this morning, and it appears as though the show is now full steam ahead with 24 episodes coming down the pipeline. Head below for more details. 

Developer Psyonix has now announced a series of upcoming Rocket League Super Bowl events. Not only is Champions Field being transformed, the upcoming NFL Super Bowl LV Celebration introduces a new game mode known as Gridiron, complete with its own set of rules and game tweaks, as well as a series of themed in-game goodies ranging from bonus XP to the return of the NFL Fan Pack. It all kicks off on February 2, 2021, some five days before Super Bowl LV. Head below for more details. 

Nintendo has unveiled a special edition Monster Hunter Rise Switch console. Now roughly two months away from the release of the next mainline Monster Hunter title, Nintendo is revealing the custom painted console bundle to go along with it. Head below for more details, information on the bonus in-game content, and a closer look at the special edition Monster Hunter Rise Switch console design. 

After getting our first look at the Tula mic in September, we have now had a chance to go hands-on with the new hybrid. Designed by the same team responsible for the professional Soyuz tube mics, Tula is a culmination of high-end recording expertise with a focus on affordability and standing out from the pack. It is specifically tailored to folks interested in field recordings, podcast discussions, and interviews, as well as musical recording and the like. It combines typical USB microphone features with a unique, retro-inspired design and some interesting tricks up its sleeve including built-in recording to its internal storage, noise cancellation, and the ability to connect another mic to it for 2-track recording. Head below for a closer look and our hands-on impressions of the new Tula mic. 

We now have details on the next free Animal Crossing update, courtesy of Nintendo. A trailer to highlight some of the upcoming events hit this morning alongside fresh new details on the upcoming Festivale and Valentine’s Day events, as well as all of the in-game goodies that come along with them. Head below for more information, launch dates, and to take a look at today’s trailer for yourself. 

The latest lineup of controllers from Alesis carries one of the more affordable mini MIDI keyboards out there alongside updated versions of its Q-series 49- and 88-key models. All compatible with Mac/PC as well as iOS devices, the new Q mini MIDI keyboard is the real highlight here, offering up a particularly capable package and even more affordable price tag. Head below for a closer look. 

Microsoft is announcing an Xbox Live Gold price increase for the first time in years. Taking to the official Xbox Wire, the Live Gold team is announcing the first major price jump in as many as 10 years today and they are quite significant in some cases. While they won’t immediately effect existing subscribers, it appears as though Microsoft is looking to push folks to convert Live Gold accounts over to the newer, all-encompassing Xbox Game Pass Ultimate tier. Head below for more details. 

Hironobu Sakaguchi —  the guy who conceived the first design documents for Final Fantasy — has a new RPG on the way known as Fantasian. The game was initially announced years ago alongside Apple Arcade and was featured as part of Apple’s “Meet the Creators” campaign for the service. Now, after 3-years or so in development, it sounds like Fantasian is finally nearing development completion and has its sights set on 2021. Head below for a closer look at the game and the physical dioramas it is being made of. 

Moog — one of the premier synth brands since the mid 1960s — just announced the Model 15 Modular synth for Mac. The brand has now updated its “award-winning” Model 15 Modular Synthesizer App with a number of new features and compatibility with macOS Big Sur. Originally developed as an emulation of the iconic 1973 hardware and an educational tool for modular synthesis, the Model 15 is also a wonderful creation tool for music producers/sound designers, and is now available on the big screen, inside your favorite DAW, and is free to existing owners of the iOS version. More details below. 

Oakywood is introducing its new wood MagSafe iPhone 12 cases today. We have seen our fair share of MagSafe iPhone 12 gear recently with the latest from Anker, Pad & Quill’s new leather options, and this morning’s elago iPhone and Apple Watch accessory launch, but for now we are turning our attention to the walnut and cherry wood options from Oakywood. Compatible with the full suite of Apple’s magnet-laden accessories, the new wood MagSafe iPhone 12 cases from Oakywood are now available for purchase. Head below for a closer look. 

There’s no denying how tough last year was, and it looks like there’s more of that to come still for many of us, but the 2020 Game is here to add a bit of levity. The online game folds some of last year’s biggest trends into a light-hearted and very much free side-scrolling experience you can enjoy on the browser — mobile or otherwise. Last year wasn’t a year many of us want to remember, so 2020 Game certainly isn’t for everyone, but for the rest of us, it is a creatively designed experience with some light-hearted humor that only takes around 10 minutes to complete, if you’re good at it anyway. More details below. 

Tascam is expanding its lineup with the new TM-70 podcast microphone. Just ahead of this month’s winter NAMM show, Tascam has now unveiled some of its latest offerings headlined by the TM-70, which is a “dynamic microphone specifically engineered for broadcasting, podcasting, and audio streaming.” Alongside its relatively affordable $100 price tag, Tascam is throwing in everything folks need to either upgrade or jump into the podcast/broadcast streaming game including a stand, cable, and more. Hit the jump for more details. 

Alongside yesterday’s 25th anniversary announcement, Nintendo has now dropped the New Pokémon Snap release date. The sequel to the beloved Nintendo 64 original marks the first time the photography-based Pokémon title will make an appearance on Nintendo’s Switch hardware and is now set for release later this year in April. Head below for more new details on the experience and to take a look at today’s trailer. 

Just on the tail end of CES 2021 and ahead of this month’s winter NAMM show, IK Multimedia is introducing the new UNO Synth Pro. Available in two form factors with Mac/PC and mobile device connectivity, the new flagship synth expands just about every aspect of the previously released UNO Synth with a host of new features, routing possibilities, and more. Head below for a closer look. 

It now looks like Ubisoft will be responsible for the next big open-world Star Wars game. After nearly a decade of EA fumbling with the coveted Star Wars license, everyone’s favorite sci-fi fantasy franchise will finally be changing hands, with the folks at Ubisoft taking the helm for its next AAA experience. Head below for more details and everything we now know about the next open-world Star Wars game. 

Today we are taking a look at the new Pad & Quill iPhone 12 LeatherSafe Case. Inspired by “a historic coin purse and a tribute to unique artisan leatherwork,” the new iPhone 12 LeatherSafe Case brings the brand’s usual attention to detail to the forefront while offering users a handcrafted leather solution that is MagSafe compatible. Head below for a closer look and our promotion code that will knock a solid 15% off your order. 

A new Indiana Jones game has now been announced by Bethesda. This morning a brief teaser trailer and some light details hit the Bethesda social and YouTube accounts to make the game official. It has a been a long time coming for a new Indiana Jones game, and it looks like the newly rebranded Lucasarts has tapped Bethesda Softworks and team to handle the next iteration of the treasure hunter’s adventures. Head below for more details and a closer look. 

This morning Nintendo announced a new Switch colorway in the form of the Mario Red and Blue Edition. The new console, which is set to launch alongside the Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury, is slated to hit store shelves next month with a new colorful design inspired by the brand’s iconic mascot and with some extra goodies. Head below for more details. 

Samsung is showing off its latest home robotics technology at CES 2021 with an AI-laden model known as Bot Handy. Samsung is well-known for showcasing its advancement in home companion robotics at events like CES, and this year’s digital event is no exception. The Bot Handy is filled with camera and artificial intelligence technologies so it can help you tidy up the house, and then pour you a glass of wine when it’s time to wind down. Head below for a closer look at Bot Handy. 

V-Moda is showing off its brand new M-200 headphones for CES 2021. A brand well-known for its high-end, premium over-ear solutions, today the company is introducing its very first set of wireless Bluetooth headphones sporting active noise cancellation with the M-200 ANC. But along with the new noise-cancellation tech, V-Moda’s usual metal touches, and leather-covered cushioning comes quite a hefty price tag. Head below for more details. 

Today we are getting our first look at the new Pulse Red Xbox Controllers. After introducing the latest-edition wireless gamepad alongside the release of Xbox Series X/S in carbon black, robot white, and shock blue, Microsoft is expanding the lineup today with the new Pulse Red variant. With custom mapping, the new Share button, and the striking red colorway, this model sports the same enhancements the initial colorways carry and is set for release starting next month. Head below for more details. 

JLab is introducing its new JBuds Frames. Consisting of a pair of wireless speaker units, the new JBuds Frames attach to any existing eye or sunglasses to offer that open-ear design we have been starting to see more of lately. Unlike the latest Bose and Amazon frame headphone units we saw at the tail end of last year, JBuds Frames are a fraction of the price and will pair nicely with your existing frames of choice. Head below for a closer look. 

At today’s virtual HARMAN ExPLORE event, JBL is celebrating “75 years of pioneering acoustic, transducer and electronic design” with the announcement of its new SA750 Amplifier. The high-end, retro-inspired amp is inspired by vintage models produced in the 1960s and ’70s with a host of modern-day accouterments, including Apple and Google wireless streaming platforms and more. Head below for more details on the new JBL SA750 Amplifier. 

It appears as though a new Fumito Ueda game is being teased. Ueda — an iconic game designer responsible for absolute classics like Ico, Shadow of the Colossus, and The Last Guardian — recently posted some images in celebration of the new year by way of Twitter and his development team’s website that could very well be the first teasers for his next AAA experience. And when a new Fumito Ueda game is shown, just about all gamers stand at attention in anticipation. Head below for more details and a closer look.