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.
HBO’s Westworld TV series is starting to spread its wings and move into new content areas. Yesterday we got the official release date and additional gameplay details on the upcoming mobile title and now HBO and Amazon are ready to unveil the new Westworld Alexa game.
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This morning we got some interesting news out of Amazon as the online retail giant is making moves on condo lobbies. The new Amazon Hub will be rolling out across major US cities soon but for now it’s time for the company’s Best Books of 2018. The Amazon Editorial team is now ready to share its top 20 books of the year (so far) from “compelling memoirs and page-turning novels to unpredictable thrillers”.
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Based on the 1973 film and its subsequent sequel, HBO has struck gold with the Westworld TV series. Both the films and the TV run are perfect for a game adaption, so it was no surprise when Warner Bros. and HBO started teasing a new interactive experience. That was well over a year ago, but it looks like the release of the new Westworld iOS game is just around the corner now.
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The biggest gaming event of 2018 is mostly behind us now. Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo all had impressive showings this year with standout reveals from each of them. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is coming to Switch, we got our first look at the incredible Cyberpunk 2077 and the very first taste of gameplay from Sucker Punch’s open-world samurai game, Ghost of Tsushima. And it didn’t stop there as Sony also teased a new Kingdom Hearts 3 PS4 Pro, Ubisoft dropped a massive amount of footage for the new ancient Greece-set Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, more Fallout 76, Battletoads, Spider-Man, Death Stranding, The Last of Us Part II and well…it just goes on from there.
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It has been a big week in gaming after all of the biggest publishers in the industry showed off some of the most anticipated projects in development from Cyberpunk 2077, to Death Stranding and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. While much of the attention is spent on the AAA developers and studios during E3 week, news of the folks over at Telltale teaming up with Netflix on a couple new projects has caught our attention.
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This year’s E3 has been an exciting one despite the fact it feels like the big publishers might be keeping a little more under wraps regarding future titles than in the past. Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo all had big time showcases this year with the reveal of Smash Bros. Ultimate for Switch, Death Stranding and one of the most highly anticipated titles in development, Cyberpunk 2077.
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The highly anticipated Kingdom Hearts 3 got a few good looks across the big E3 2018 showcase events. Square Enix gave us more during its presentation and then it also appeared with a new trailer and a brand new special edition PS4 Pro during the Sony press event last night.
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Well, we have now seen just about all of this year’s major announcements from Cyberpunk 2077 to Fallout 76 and everything in between, but now it’s Nintendo time. The company typically rounds out E3 just head of the show floor opening to the public with a pre-recorded video and this year is no different. We expected Super Smash Bros. for Switch to dominate the presentation, much like Breath of the Wild last year, and we were right. But Nintendo had a lot more than its iconic character fighter on display this year….
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Well, usually Sony is the E3 press conference to wait for, and this year it did not disappoint. Game of the show might still be up in the air if you ask me, but we caught a heavy dose of what is up next for PlayStation gamers regardless. Sony was said to be focusing on 4 or 5 main titles this year, but we got much more than that. Open world samurai action, web-slinging traversal and the sequel everyone has been waiting for, all that and more down below.
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E3 2018 is already one to remember, and we’re still a few minutes away from Sony’s highly-anticipated presser. Microsoft, EA, Bethesda, Square Enix and Ubisoft have already hit the stage and tonight we will be seeing The Last of Us Part II, Ghost of Tsushima, Spider-Man and more. In the meantime, we are already noticing loads of notable pre-order deals on many of the biggest titles already announced at E3. With Best Buy’s coveted GCU program on the way out, now might be one of your last big chances to capitalize on it. In fact, Best Buy has added an extra $10 credit on a huge amount of new titles. Head below for everything.
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For those of you that still haven’t played Skyrim because they haven’t put it on enough platforms yet, don’t worry, it’s coming to an Etch-a-Sketch near you soon and it’s now available as a free Alexa skill on Amazon. Yes, most of this is a joke and you’ll definitely want to check out the trailer below before anything else. At last night’s major Bethesda E3 2018 showcase, the publisher/developer released a hilarious trailer starring Keegan-Michael Key for Skyrim: Very Special Edition. More details below.
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E3 2018 is in full swing now. We got huge announcements from Microsoft this afternoon on Cyberpunk 2077 and Forza Horizon 4 just after EA showcased Battlefield V battle royale, Anthem and so much more the night before. Well now it’s time for Bethesda. There has been serious excitement leading up to this evening’s presser after Fallout 76 and Rage 2 hit early, and let’s just say, Bethesda certainly didn’t disappoint. All of the details and world premiere footage is down below.
We are set to kick off E3 2018 tomorrow with the EA showcase event, but as expected, the leaks and announcements are already coming fast. Walmart Canada listed loads of un-announced games a few months ago that led to the official reveal of Rage 2 and now it looks like another title in the accidental leak is a real thing as well.
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The start of E3 2018 is just days away now and the announcements are coming fast. We are set to kick off the big E3 showcases this Saturday with EA, followed by Microsoft and Bethesda the next day. However, that hasn’t stopped publishers from dropping Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Fallout 76, Pokemon for Switch and more. While we are expecting to hear more about what appears to be Hitman 2 in just a couple of hours, Avalanche Studios has now unveiled its new open-world shooter title.
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There are far too many options out there when it comes to headphones. Some prefer the stylish look of Beats where as others go for hardcore sound quality on say, something like a set from Beyerdynamics. One company that has always stood out from the pack is V-MODA. Its high-quality cans are made from premium materials and sit somewhere in between the fashionable headsets and a more audiophile-centric design. Today the company is ready to unveil its latest with an upgraded pair of the popular Crossfade 2 Wireless over-ear headphones.
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In today’s best iOS and Mac app/game deals, we have notable price drops on NBA 2K18, Atom Run, Civilization Revolution 2, XCOM: Enemy Within and more. You’ll find a complete list of today’s absolute best apps curated by hand down below:
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(Update 6/7 3:00pm): As expected, the leaks were true and Hitman 2 is now a real thing. There’s a new co-op Sniper Mode you’ll get access to right now with pre-orders. You’ll find the announcement trailers below.
E3 2018 is fast approaching with the first of many major showcases kicking off this Saturday. The game leaks have already forced developers into several early unveils including Rage 2, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and quite possibly the new Pokemon RPGs for Switch. And while it looks as though Warner Bros. was already planning a special announcement for this Thursday, leaks are now suggesting Hitman 2 is more than likely on its way.
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Amazon is offering the 231-piece LEGO Ideas Women of NASA Building Kit (21312) for $19.99. Shipping is free for Prime members or in orders over $25. Matched at Walmart. Regularly $25, this is matching the lowest we have tracked and the best around. It comes with Nancy Grace Roman, Margaret Hamilton, Sally Ride, and Mae Jemison minifigs. Find out more in our launch coverage and head below for more LEGO.
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With E3 less than a week away, excitement for the next year or more in gaming is building dramatically. With the Last of Us 2, Ghost of Tsushima and more all scheduled for big time appearances, we are set for a massive E3 2018. With the year’s biggest gaming event comes some of the year’s most notable discounts in gaming, and today we are getting the full details on Microsoft’s massive summer sale.
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It looks like two of the biggest things in gaming are about to come together if recent leaks hold any weight. Nintendo Switch has already absolutely destroyed sales numbers when comparing to both the Wii U and the Wii, not to mention Xbox One and PS4. Meanwhile, Fortnite has slowly taken the reigns in the battle royale space, seemingly leaving the originator, PUBG, in the dust. Well, now it looks Fortnite developer Epic Games may actually be bringing the most popular game out there to the most popular console.
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In today’s best game deals, GameStop is offering Yakuza 0 for $29.99 with free shipping in orders over $35. The game still fetches nearly full price at Amazon and this is matching he lowest we have tracked. “Kiryu and Majima can each switch between three brutal hand-to-hand combat styles on the fly to create the most fluid beatdowns ever experienced in a Yakuza game.”
More game/console deals:
ICYMI: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey confirmed, next game to be set in ancient Greece and we will Return to Pallet Town in Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu!, coming to the Switch this Fall [Video]
Down below you’ll find more console game deals and new products. Your daily iOS/Mac app sales are on the way!
WaterField, makers of some of our favorite Apple and device-specific accessories, are back today with a new option for your car. Just in time for Father’s Day, the new Transit Travel Case brings a touch of class to your glove compartment or trunk and is a great way to organize all your important travel documents and the like. Head below for more details.
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E3 2018 is fast approaching and we are now around two weeks away from the big announcements. But as expected, we are already starting to get some pre-show unveils and leaks. Rumors pointed at the new Pokémon: Let’s Go which has now been officially announced. Before that, Walmart Canada jumped the gun this year with a series of leaks likely forcing Bethesda to unveil Rage 2 a little earlier than it had planned. And now, after 24-hours of live streaming, Bethesda has now unveiled Fallout 76.
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(Update 6/21 3:00pm): The new Bose sleepbuds are now available for purchase at Amazon and Best Buy for $249.99. Amazon’s listing is going in and out of stock by the looks of it, but they are available at Best Buy and direct from Bose.
Bose took to crowdfunding site Indiegogo late last year in a somewhat odd move for the iconic audio company. It was looking for testers on a new set of Noise-Masking Sleepbuds designed to help you, as the name suggests, get a better night’s rest. In fact, the company ended up selling about 3,000 pairs of prototypes to a lucky few, but now it looks like the Noise-Making Sleepbuds are going prime time.
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While industry analysts have suggested that Nintendo’s insanely popular hybrid Switch console has already started to cannibalize the company’s handheld sales, that hasn’t stopped it from dropping a few more special edition 2DS consoles. The Pikachu and Poké Ball Edition machines come to mind. While we just reported on the new, mobile-focused Nintendo Switch bundle releasing in Japan, a brand new Zelda inspired 2DS XL is also coming down the pipeline this summer.
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After PlayStation boss, John Kodera, recently announced that PS4 was nearing the end of its lifecycle we also got news on how valuable Sony’s PlayStation Plus membership has been for the company. After jumping more than 10 million users year-over-year to land at 80 million active subscribers, Sony wants to celebrate its gaming community with some serious price drops, a new limited edition PlayStation 4 console and much more.
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In today’s best iOS and Mac app/game deals, we have notable price drops on Mergimals, Auria – Music Production, Brushstroke, PicTapGo, Spite & Malice and more. You’ll find a complete list of today’s absolute best apps curated by hand down below:
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Rumors of the PlayStation 5 have already begun to hit the internet and Sony recently made it clear that PS4 is nearing the end of its days. While for many the nearly half-decade old machine is about ready to be replaced, others have just recently upgraded to PS4 Pro and are more than happy to see whatever is next take a couple more years. Head of PlayStation, John Kodera, recently stated that while the company expects solid sales numbers across 2018, PS4 has certainly entered the “end of its lifecycle.”
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Nintendo Switch has been an absolute rampage since the day it launched. It has been crushing all kinds of sales records in the United States and Japan. In fact, Nintendo said it sold more Switch consoles in the first year of sales than Wii U across its entire shelf life. We all knew Wii U sales were weak, but that is pretty impressive. According to reports, it is the fastest selling console in both markets and that’s including the legendary PlayStation 2 and the revolutionary Nintendo Wii.
Needless to say, we shouldn’t be expecting any official price drops any time soon, but it does look like Nintendo is readying a more affordable, slimmed down Switch bundle.
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Scosche has been creating high-quality audio gear for a while now and today it is ready to unveil its new Boom Bottle MM Bluetooth Speaker. The company is tapped in to the rugged design of its previous generation audio gear while enhancing the overall functionality with a new form factor.
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Leaked internal memos seem to indicate Best Buy is shuttering its Gamers Club Unlocked and free Gamers Club programs. The paid subscription was a favorite among avid gamers as it yielded some of the best deals on new releases, amiibo and more, not mention deeper trade-in values. And now it appears the whole thing is going away, making that coveted Amazon Prime membership even more valuable than it already is.
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Earlier this year, during one of its Direct presentations, Nintendo teased a series of remakes along with some DLC for its new Switch titles. After introducing us to Luigi in Super Mario Odyssey, Nintendo announced the next main DLC pack for Mario + Rabbids featuring Donkey Kong. We caught a brief story trailer back in January, and today we are getting the first major gameplay footage for Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle: Donkey Kong Adventure.
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When Microsoft unveiled the Xbox One Elite Controller at E3 2015, many felt that it was only a matter of time before Sony unleashed its own high-end gamepad. The Xbox Elite controller sports a steel construction along with interchangeable paddle-style buttons, among other things. While Sony is more likely to unveil PlayStation 5 before some kind of pro controller, the folks over at Scuf gaming have you covered.
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iOttie has gone from basically a no-name tech brand to what might be considered one of the most popular affordable accessory names out there. Its smartphone mounts (among other things) are incredibly popular among 9to5 readers and its iON charging solutions haven’t been far behind since Apple launched Qi compatible handsets last year.
While the original has been popular among consumers, iOttie is ready to release an upgraded model that should take up less space on your desk, get the job done safely and look pretty nice in the process.
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After the release of Resident Evil 6 back in October of 2012, many gamers began to feel both a fatigue on the series and were just generally unpleased with the direction it had been taking over the course of the last couple games. RE4 is easily one of the best games in the series and was able to strike a fantastic balance between horror, exploration and action. In an attempt to return the series to its roots and what made 4 so good, Capcom took RE7 in a new direction focusing almost solely on exploration, scares and immersion.
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard released early last year on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC to solid reviews. And now we are just days away from its first appearance on the Nintendo Switch, although the game doesn’t appear to be just your average port.
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In today’s best game deals, Amazon is offering Monster Hunter World on Xbox One and PS4 from $40 shipped. That’s a new Amazon all-time low and within a couple bucks of the all-time low, which was a brief offer for Best Buy GCU members.
ICYMI: Nintendo’s much sought-after NES Classic is returning, here’s what we know and No Man’s Sky getting full multiplayer this summer.
Down below you’ll find more console game deals and new products. Your daily iOS/Mac app sales are on the way!
A couple of months back we got word from developer Hello Games that its ambitious No Man’s Sky title would be getting some major new enhancements this summer. Just in time for the game’s launch on Xbox One, all of the previously released updates will ship with the new version of the game along with what looks to be actual multiplayer as well.
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After announcing new in-ears and the audiophile HD 820’s for $2,400 back at CES earlier this year, Sennheiser’s latest wireless sports set is now up for sale. While the company already has quite a large selection of sports and workout-oriented headsets available on the market, the latest entry in its CX-series in-ears are going up for sale starting today.
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E3 2018 is just around the corner now and game announcements, in most cases due to leaks, are already starting to hit. Just a few days ago Bethesda decided to pull back the curtain on Rage 2 likely due to the Walmart Canada leaks from a few weeks back. Well now, over the past few days new information has the Pokémon community stirring over what could be the next main-line monster-catching title for Nintendo’s latest hybrid hardware.
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Master & Dynamic is an audio company that focuses on premium materials for its range of headphones, speakers and accessories. Today the company is set to “reinterpret customization” with the launch of the new MW50+ headphones.
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Along with the unveil of its new Subharmonicon all-in-one modular-synth, Moog is continuing its push into the Eurorack space with a new semi-modular analog synthesizer known as Grandmother. After the DFAM garnered popularity among the synth/modular crowd, Moog is now offering the Moogfest 2018 Edition for pre-order at Guitar Center ahead of a full release.
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(Update 4/15 12:30pm): You’ll find the brand new Rage 2 gameplay trailer down below along with some additional story details.
With the world’s biggest gaming event of the year right around the corner now, excitement is raging for the next major releases. But that month before E3 can also be a precarious one for game devs and publishers as they fight back against leaks and the like. However, Bethesda has decided to play in to it this year after Walmart (accidentally) posted listings for the sequel to Rage 2 a couple of weeks back. Bethesda begun teasing the game on Twitter and elsewhere leaving an announcement all but imminent.
Well today is that day, Rage 2 is officially a thing and we have the announcement trailer for you below.
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Today, Nintendo and Mojang announced that an upcoming update for Minecraft will finally unify just about all of the major platforms the game supports. While Sony is still not playing nice with cross-platform multiplayer, the definitive version of the game for Switch will allow players to slay monsters together no matter which platform they are on starting next month.
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Nintendo and Sony have now announced that Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate will be hitting the Switch in just a few months time. While many felt the monster hunting on Nintendo’s hardware was gone for good after Capcom shifted to PS4 and Xbox One with its latest release, Generations Ultimate is coming back with a fresh coat of paint and more.
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We are in the midst of the re-release era. Whether it be the countless number of classic titles being re-launched for current generation hardware or the specialty consoles that have taken the retail world by storm over the last year or more, gaming nostalgia is at an all-time high. Nintendo’s miniature consoles have been insanely popular and now Sega is ready to jump on board along with Japanese gaming company SNK.
Last month the company teased what appeared to be some kind of mini console release loaded with its classics games, akin to the SNES Classic Edition. While that is not exactly the case, we are certainly getting a specialty console from SNK, it is miniature and we have the first pictures of it down below.
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This time around, WaterField is setting its sights on the business professional with its newest product. The company today has announced the release of its new Pro Executive Backpack and Folio.
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This month’s best game deals include some classic re-releases like the debut of Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze and the Mega Man Legacy Collections on the Switch. Quantic Dream’s cinematic interactive title Detroit: Become Human hits this month and we are also getting Demon Souls Remastered and much more. Head below for everything.
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After Fortnite went battle royale-style and more recently adding loads of new content in the way of both gaming changing events, new stories and more, it is easily one of the most popular titles out there right now. Developer Epic is constantly updating and enhancing the experience in order to stay a step ahead of competitors in the genre like PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, which doesn’t seem to have the infrastructure for continued evolution the way Fortnite does. These kinds of things weigh heavily on the success of a free-to-play MMO, and Epic Games has done a fantastic job of keeping interest at an all-time high.
And now the game is set to launch a limited cross over event that will team it up with the most popular thing in movies right now, Marvel superheroes. Or more specifically Marvel’s ultimate bad guy.
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