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Justin Kahn

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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.

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Pad & Quill’s New Leather MacBook Bags are over $115 off: Gladstone Briefcase and Duffle Bag

New leather MacBook bags arrive from Pad & Quill

Pad & Quill is unveiling a pair new leather MacBook bags for business professionals, or really just anyone looking to take it up a notch with a handcrafted full-grain leather carrier. The new Gladstone Leather Briefcase and Duffle Bag are the latest additions to the company’s growing lineup of leather carriers. While not the most affordable options out there, we are seeing launch price drops as well as an additional discount using the promo code you’ll find down below.
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Ten new titles for the Sega Genesis Mini console unveiled w/ rare Mega Man bundle & more

Sega Genesis Mini console - 10 more games get announced

The Sega Genesis Mini console has had a tumultuous unveiling after being announced back in 2016 and then delayed until late 2019. Pre-orders on Sega’s miniature gaming machine finally went live a couple months ago and today we are getting even more information. Up until this point, Sega had only divulged 20 of the 40 “legendary titles” that will be pre-loaded on the Genesis Mini, but all that changes today. Head below for all the details.
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Super Mario Maker 2 Nintendo Direct: Story mode, multiplayer, new enemies, more [Video]

Super Mario Maker 2 Direct Event 2019
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The scheduled Super Mario Maker 2 Nintendo Direct event just took place via the company’s social channels. The big N promised us nothing but SMM2 for 15 straight minutes and it certainly did not disappoint. While some of the info in today’s presentation already appeared in our previous details roundups, we now have a much better idea of what to expect come June when the game officially launches. Head below for all the details.
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Mortal Kombat movie scheduled to start filming this year w/ Aquaman producer

Mortal Kombat movie shooting this year

That Mortal Kombat movie we’ve been hearing about has now gotten the greenlight. We also have more details on who is attached to the project and when it will begin shooting. NeatherRealm boss Ed Boon has been teasing this film for quite some time now. But it looks like it’s actually going in to production nearly 25 years after the first Mortal Kombat movie hit the silver screen. All the details are down below.
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Red Dead Online role-playing systems on the way + poker, new co-op missions and more

Red Dead Online role-playing systems plus poker and much more

Rockstar has taken to its official blog to announce Red Dead Online role-playing systems, along with a long list of other enhancements. Most of the major updates will kick-off this summer while others will begin to appear by the end of the month. Last we heard from Rockstar on the matter it was focusing on balancing the experience and reducing griefing. While its efforts continue in that direction, we are also getting a series of cosmetic content, new co-op campaign missions and much more.  Head below for all the details.
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Snakeybus transforms the classic game formula into an epic (ridiculous) 3D bus sim

Snakeybus out now!

There are hundreds of versions of the classic Snake game formula out there, but none quite like Snakeybus. You know those little snake games where you have to navigate through a small grid as your character grows until you inevitably bump in to yourself and get a game over? Well, this is like that, but with drifting and serious air time and urban destruction…and a giant bus. Head below for all the details.
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Review: Sensel Morph Mac touch controller for content creators + new Buchla overlay

Today we are taking a closer look at the Sensel Morph Mac touch controller. Designed around haptic feedback technologies and advanced MIDI protocols (among other things), the Sensel Morph provides users with a transformable touch controller for just about any computer based application. The portable nature and immediacy of the machine has always caught our eye. So with the release of the new Buchla overlay we though it was time to take a hands-on look.
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IK unveils one of the most affordable drum machines out there w/ the new UNO Drum

UNO Drum is one most affordable drum machines out there

IK Multimedia is ready to unveil one of the most affordable drum machines out there today. The fully-featured UNO Drum is the second instrument in the company’s growing analog lineup. After deciding that the UNO Synth was one of the best starter analog instruments on the market in our hands-on review, we are excited to dive in to the new UNO Drum as soon as we can. Today’s announcement highlights a sub $250 combo analog/PCM drum machine with most of the feature set we find on more expensive offerings. Head below for all the details.
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New canvas MacBook bag from WaterField takes you from the office to the gym + free gear pouch

WaterField's new canvas MacBook bag cover

Today, WaterField is introducing its new canvas MacBook bag. The new Tech Rolltop Backpack is designed to eliminate the need to cary separate bags for work, travel and after-work activities. Along with a handy MacBook pouch it also sports ample space for all your work out gear and can easily double as a more business-oriented waxed canvas brief when the situation calls for it. Head below for more details and how to secure yourself a free Denier ballistic nylon or waxed canvas gear pouch.
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Urbanears unveils new wireless Pampas headphones w/ daisy chain music sharing

Urbanears Pampas headphones are here!

The latest Urbanears Pampas headphones are here. These new headsets are the Swedish design/audio firm’s latest cans aimed at a more fashion-focused market. With a stylized, yet minimalistic design, and an oversized footprint, Urbanears’ latest is looking to take on some of the major players among younger, streetwear-centric customers. All the details are down below.
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Sonic The Hedgehog Movie to get a visual overhaul after negative internet reaction

Sonic The Hedgehog movie gets visual overhaul

The Sonic The Hedgehog movie trailer dropped earlier this week. As exciting as it was to see the upcoming blockbuster in action, let’s just say some (most) people weren’t exactly happy with Sonic’s design. Let’s face it, Jim Carrey’s just about every film he’s ever been in, so there’s no surprise there. But it was almost as if the people making this movie had never laid eyes on everyone’s favorite furry hero before spending millions on a Hollywood adaption. Fortunately, that’s all about to change.
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Castlevania spiritual successor gets an official release date on PS4, Xbox, PC and Switch

Castlevania spiritual successor gets a release date

We are finally getting more details and release dates for the upcoming Castlevania spiritual successor. After an extremely extended development cycle, ArtPlay and 505 Games now have definitive release dates for Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night. The game will be launching on all major platforms starting in mid-June. Plus we are getting a brand new trailer to mark the occasion. Get a closer look down below.
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New Xbox Game Pass content for May inbound: Wolfenstein II, Tacoma, LEGO Batman, more

New Xbox Game Pass content for May

Microsoft has now announced a list of new Xbox Game Pass content for May. The service provides over 100 titles on-demand and will now offer a series of new notable games throughout next month. LEGO superheroes, BJ Blazkowicz’s latest and the mysteries of Tacoma, among others, are all on the slate for May. Head below for all the details.
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New Super Mario Maker 2 details: Meowser, 8-bit jungles, new enemies/stages, more

New Super Mario Maker 2 Details emerge
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When Nintendo unveiled the sequel at a Direct event back in February, we weren’t left with very many new Super Mario Maker 2 details. We were essentially left to our own devices when it comes to pulling new information about the upcoming create-your-own Mario game. While eagle-eyed fans did pull a number of new features from the brief trailer and game art at the time, a recently released Japanese poster for the game is shedding a bit more light on what’s to come in Super Mario Maker 2.
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The next PlayStation console is still more than a year out, PS4 sales numbers slow down

Next PlayStation console details

After finally getting some concrete details on the next PlayStation console a couple weeks back from lead architect Mark Cerny, new information has emerged courtesy of today’s earnings call. As profit margins on Sony’s current generation machine are expected to dwindle quite significantly over the next year or so, the company is citing investment in PS5 as one reason. All that plus additional details on when we are expecting the next generation console to arrive are down below.
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Persona 5 Super Smash Bros. content is here + free stage builder, more

Persona 5 Super Smash Bros. content hits today

New Persona 5 Super Smash Bros. content is available starting today as part of the first DLC pack. On top of that, the version 3.0 update also hits today with some substantial in-game features and content. In fact, Nintendo has now dropped a brand new trailer for Persona 5’s Joker, his abilities and Final Smash. Head below for all the details.
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Octopath Traveler for Steam hits this summer, the Switch RPG is exclusive no more

Octopath Traveler for Steam is only two months out

Octopath Traveler for Steam is on its way. Square Enix’s throwback title released last summer for Nintendo Switch and has since received solid reviews for its old school-style RPG gameplay. The 2D-like visuals were only available on Nintendo’s hit hybrid console, but now it will finally open its arms to PC gamers in a couple months time.
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Marshall Bluetooth speakers get a refresh with new brown colorway

Marshall Bluetooth speakers go brown

Those gorgeous Marshall Bluetooth speakers are getting an update today. Closely designed after the iconic styling of its guitar amplifiers, these speakers feature a vintage-style look that tends to set them apart for most (if not all) of the competition out there. Today Marshall is introducing an updated versions of its ActonStanmore and Woburn II models with a new colorway and some additional enhancements. Head below for all the details.
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You can finally change your PSN Online ID starting today

Change your PSN Online ID later today

You’ll finally be able to change your PSN Online ID starting later today, according to the official PlayStation Blog. Back in October of 2018, Sony announced that it would soon be supporting online ID changes after a brief interim as part of the beta preview program. After well over a decade of waiting for the feature, PlayStation gamers can finally grab that shiny new online name they have been waiting for. Although there are a few caveats to keep in mind. Head below for all the details.
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New affordable MIDI keyboard controllers from Nektar start at just $50

New affordable MIDI keyboard controllers from Nektar start at $50

Nektar has now unveiled a pair of new affordable MIDI keyboard controllers. The new SE line is aimed at entry-level music producers while still providing more than enough controls to keep things interesting for years to come. Ready for your Mac or mobile setups right out of the box, Nektar’s latest are some of the most accessible and budget-friendly MIDI keyboards on the market right now. Head below for everything.
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Rode’s new recording solution is the world’s smallest wireless microphone system

World's smallest wireless microphone system starts at $200

Rode has now introduced what it calls the world’s smallest wireless microphone system. The brand new audio recording setup provides broadcast quality audio with no wires needed. This system is an extremely compact recording solution ideal for those capturing performances or audio of just about any kind out in the field. Rode also claims that it carries a “price that will reset the marketplace”. Head below for more.
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Borderlands 3 release date unveiled alongside pre-order bonuses and a brand new trailer

Borderlands 3 release date unveiled

Take-Two and Gearbox announced the official Borderlands 3 release date today. While it will be a staggered launch to some degree, you can expect to be playing the latest entry in the Borderlands series this year. We are also getting details on the special editions, pre-order bonuses and most importantly, a brand new gameplay trailer. As always, everything is waiting for you down below.
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Best microphone isolation shields to make your vocal recordings stand out from the pack

Best microphone isolation shields out there
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Today we are going to be taking a look at the best microphone isolation shields. No matter what the budget might be on your upcoming/current production, unless you’re forking over serious cash to a professional studio space, you will want to read on. A good microphone isolation shield can make a massive difference on your vocal/music recordings and can be affordable enough to invest in before your channel/content is already making you money.
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Reg. $20/FREE

How to get a year of FREE Nintendo Switch Online access via Amazon Prime

Amazon is now offering up to 12 months of Nintendo Switch Online for FREE. You will need to be an Amazon Prime member, but providing you have that in order all you have to do is link your Prime account to your Twitch account right here. And then jump over to this landing page to redeem your FREE access. First you claim the 3 months and then after 60 days you can go claim the following 9 months of Switch Online. A year of Switch online is regularly $20. Just remember to manually cancel the subscription as it ends because it will convert into a paid subscription. More details below.
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Witcher 3 devs announce Gwent for iOS with a 2019 release date + more

Gwent for iOS coming this year

Today, the talented group of developers over at CD Projekt Red are finally announcing Gwent for iOS. In fact, the popular Witcher card game will also be making its way to Android, according to today’s press release. Despite its impressive production value, the game’s format is just asking for a mobile release and it is almost surprising it has taken this long to make its way to iOS. Head below for more details on Gwent mobile and some new expansion content.
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New Generation Zero trailer shows off the game’s robot infested open-world & 1980s setting

New Generation Zero trailer is now live

Set for release next week, a brand new Generation Zero trailer has emerged. Best known for titles like Mad Max and the Just Cause series, a small break-away faction of Avalanche Studios has been hard at work on its new open-world, third person shooter. Head below for a closer look at robot-infested 1980s Sweden and more details on the game.
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The next Red Dead Online update brings new Hostility System, passive mode, weapons, more

Next Red Dead Online update

Rockstar has unveiled information on the next Red Dead Online update. In its continued effort to maintain an exciting online open world while offering a balanced experience for all, some new gameplay options and loads more are being introduced. The new Hostility system, Defensive gameplay mode and a special new weapon are riding into town today. Head below for all the details. 
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Teenage Engineering 400 Pocket Operator Review: Is the poor man’s modular synth worth it?

Today we are diving in to our Teenage Engineering 400 Pocket Operator review. The boutique audio device maker has created some of the most unique little instruments (among other things) over the years and we couldn’t wait to get hands on with its latest. While stock of the Eurorack compatible synthesizer is still extremely tight, we managed to get and early run to experience TE’s new build-it-yourself Pocket Operator 400 synthesizer set. Head below the jump for our hands-on impressions of the building process and sound quality of the new IKEA meets modular synthesizer kit.
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Sekiro Shadows Die Twice gets new gameplay overview trailer ahead of this week’s release

Sekiro Shadows Die Twice coming soon

We are just days away from the release of the upcoming Sekiro Shadows Die Twice. Best known for its Dark Souls games and Bloodborne, Hidetaka Miyazaki and his development studio From Software are set to unleash the new ninja action title to eager PS4, Xbox One and PC gamers this Friday. Just ahead of this week’s launch, From Software has dropped a new gameplay overview trailer that will hopefully give gamers a better idea of how they are going to die over and over again on March 22nd. Head below for all the details.
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The Art of Super Mario Odyssey book featuring Bowsette comes to the US this year

The Art of Super Mario Odyssey releases this year

Dark Horse, well-known for its gaming-related publications, will bring The Art of Super Mario Odyssey to the US later this year. The hardcover art book was released in Japan in September of last year, but will now be arriving stateside courtesy of Dark Horse just ahead of the busy deal season this year. Head below for more details.
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The new DODOcase Smart Keyboard Folio wraps your entire iPad Pro setup in a book-style cover

A new DODOcase Smart Keyboard Folio Sleeve for iPad Pro is launching today. The new sleeve is put together with DODOcase’s usual attention to detail and is designed to solve a particular problem. We are also getting free shipping on this and everything else at DODOcase today as well as the ability to customize the new Smart Keyboard Folio Sleeve. Head below for the details.
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