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Patrick Campanale

pcamp96

When I’m not working on building custom computers or fixing phones, I love to write about technology. I’m always looking out for the best deal on any tech I can get my hands on, so one day I decided, “Why not write about it?!” You can follow me on Twitter or Instagram @pcamp96, though I’m way more active on Twitter. If you’ve got a tip to an awesome deal, go ahead and drop me a line at patrick@9to5mac.com!

Connect with Patrick Campanale

Luigi’s Mansion 3 to get two paid multiplayer DLC expansions in 2020

Luigi’s Mansion 3 is likely one of the most anticipated released of 2019 on the Nintendo Switch. Luigi’s Mansion 3 brings classic gameplay back to life on Nintendo’s latest handheld like never before. We went hands-on with it last month, but today, the latest DLC for Luigi’s Mansion 3 was announced. Offering up two new expansions in 2020, this multiplayer pack includes both part 1 and part 2 for $9.99 on the Nintendo eShop.


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CORSAIR and SCUF join forces in company’s latest acquisition

CORSAIR buys SCUF Gaming

CORSAIR has been on a buying spree, it seems. After buying Elgato and ORIGIN PC, CORSAIR is expanding its reach into console gaming with its latest acquisition of SCUF, a high-end controller manufacturer. I’ve used SCUF for quite a while, and love the flexibility that it gives you on PlayStation, as there’s a distinct lack of Elite-level controllers available on that platform. What does CORSAIR’s purchase of SCUF mean for the company, and for gaming? Let’s find out.


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Hot Wheels id gets updated with Swift Playground support to teach kids coding

Challenge completed in Hot Wheels id app

Hot Wheels id, a smart system for one of the world’s most iconic toy lineups, launched earlier this year. Shortly after that, we went hands-on with the unique experience, loving every second of it. Now, Mattel and Hot Wheels have partnered with Swift Playgrounds, Apple’s easy-to-learn programming system, to bring things to an entirely new level.


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Amazon teams up with Citizen to make high-end Alexa-enabled smart clocks

The Echo Wall Clock was a first of its kind, but today, Amazon teamed up with Citizen to launch a few higher-end models for those who want Alexa in an analog form. The Citizen Smart Clock, as it’s called, offers multiple timers that are configurable with voice commands through an Amazon Echo. Simply tell your Echo, “Alexa, set a timer for 8 minutes” and the countdown begins. However, that’s not where it ends.


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AMD’s latest desktop software lets you play PC games anywhere on any device

AMD has been making waves in just about every area of computing over the past few years, making a comeback to rival Intel and NVIDIA in their respective platforms. However, the processing giant didn’t just announce new hardware that’ll shake the gaming world, but software. That’s right, the latest Radeon Adrenalin 2020 includes quite a few awesome features, but one sets it apart from the rest: the ability to play your PC games on any (yes, any) mobile device, wherever you are. Want to learn more? Head below the break to find out how to take advantage of this killer feature.


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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare’s first season offers many great updates

modern warfare season 1

We’re a little over a month into the latest Call of Duty: Modern Warfare release and a few weeks ago, we got the first big update: Season 1. If you’re wanting to find out our full thoughts on the entire Modern Warfare game, Spec Ops, campaign, and all, be sure to check our in-depth review. However, this post will focus on our hands-on with Season 1’s new content.


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9to5Toys Gift Guide: Patrick’s must-have cameras and accessories

Patrick Photography Gift Guide
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It’s that time of the year again, the time where we all share our must-haves for every area. Whether you’re in the market for new fashion and beauty tips, coffee essentials, smart home gear, tech-enhancing products, or music creation, we’ve got it all for you. However, this year I’m focusing on a slightly different area: cameras. If you’re someone who loves to take photos, or it’s something you’re wanting to get into, this photography gift guide is for you. From camera bodies to tripods, storage, and more, we’ve got it all in our photography gift guide.


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Western Digital announces WD Blue SN550 NVMe SSDs with 2.4GB/s speeds from $55

wd blue sn550 nvme ssd

Western Digital held out on entering the SSD market for quite some time, but the company has been spinning up with new products quite often. First, we had the WD Black NVMe SSD back in April of 2018, then the WD Black SN750 in January of this year. Then, we had the Blue SN500 a few months later, and now we’ve got the Blue SN550. Confused? Don’t be, keep reading and we’ll break down the difference of all drives below.


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Ring could be launching its first removable smart bulb soon

ring smart bulb

While Ring is well-known in the smart home security space thanks to its alarm system, floodlights, spotlights, doorbell, and indoor cameras, one area the company hasn’t yet ventured is to replaceable bulbs. Amazon bought Ring early last year and has since introduced several new products for home security. The latest FCC filing by Amazon under Ring, however, shows that the company might venture into an entirely new area.


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Wyze Lock is the company’s latest entry into smart home security

Wyze is both a fan and writer favorite here at 9to5. Originally launching with just a security camera, the company now has pan-and-tilt models, sensors, bulbs, smart plugs, and…now a smart lock! The latest announcement from the company is the Wyze Lock, and it brings quite a few interesting features to the table. Coming in at $89.99 plus shipping, it’s one of the more budget-friendly offerings out there. But, there’s one stand-out feature that sets it apart from the rest.


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Peak Design launches Everyday Line V2 with updates and new products from $80

Peak Design Everyday Line V2

Peak Design is a fan-favorite just as much as it is a writer-favorite here at 9to5Toys. I’ve used their bags for years, taking them to CES, Israel, and everywhere in-between. The company just announced an updated Everyday Line V2 that packs multiple new designs and enhancements across the board. I’ve spent the last week or so with the brand-new Everyday Backpack V2 and Everyday Sling to bring you some first impressions, along with news on the rest of Peak Design’s Everyday Line updates.


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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Review – The return of a classic is just what the series needed

Call of Duty Modern Warfare Review

When Call of Duty: Modern Warfare was announced earlier this year, I have to say…I was extremely excited. Surely, you were too, which is why we’re giving away a few copies of the game, so keep scrolling to find out how to enter. The Modern Warfare series was a favorite of mine many years ago, and to see it brought back in its former glory made me super excited. Through many hours of gameplay over the past few weeks, I’ve dove deep into the campaign and online game modes. In our Call of Duty: Modern Warfare review that you’ll find below, there are some huge wins in my book, but also…a few ways that Activision and Infinity Ward need to improve if they want to see the player base for this game continue to grow instead of shrink.


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Valve finally announces Half-Life…Alyx, a VR game coming in March 2020

Half Life Alyx

Update 3/23: Valve has officially released Half-Life Alyx on Steam. Download it here.

Half-Life 3 is finally here…sorta. If you’ve hung around the internet any length fo time, and you’re any sort of gamer, then you know the stigma that surrounds the Half-Life series. Gamers have been pressuring Valve to release a Half-Life 3 for as long as I can remember, and they’ve finally done it in the most Valve way possible. Half-Life: Alyx takes place between Half-Life and Half-Life 2, making it kinda a Half-Life 1.5? Half-Life 2.5? I digress, but now, let’s take a look at everything we know about Half-Life: Alyx, who’s “humanity’s only chance for survival.”


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Best of Black Friday 2019 – PC Gaming: $799 49-inch 144Hz monitor, $999 RTX 2070 PC, more

If you’re looking to build a custom PC, Black Friday is one of the main shopping holidays to look forward to. Building a computer is never low-cost, but saving a few bucks here or there on components can add up in the long run. While most people think to check Newegg for low-cost components, there are many other retailers to keep your eyes on. Here are the best Black Friday deals on PC gaming components for 2019.


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Groupon Black Friday Ad 2019: iPhone 7/8/Plus/X from $200, $84 Chromebook, more

Black Friday is just over a week away, and though we’ve seen just about every major retailer’s ad, there are still some stragglers out there. Groupon is one such straggler, though today, that all changes. We’re getting our first glimpse at what the online discount retailer will have to offer, and the deals are looking mighty fine. Keep reading to find our more about Groupon’s Black Friday 2019 sales.


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Best of Black Friday 2019 – Streaming Media Players: $20 Fire TV, $35 Chromecast bundle, more

We’ve seen just about every major Black Friday ad at this point. But, there are so many to comb through if you’re looking for a specific sale. We’ll do the hard work for you, making it easier to find specific deals. We’ve already taken a look at the best smart home deals, TV sales, and home good discounts. Now, it’s time to take a look at this year’s best Black Friday streaming media player sales.


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Enclave’s WiSA + THX-certified speakers offer a truly wireless experience

Enclave WiSA Speakers

Late last year, LG gave us a first look at its 2019 flagship TVs that offer built-in WiSA Hi-Fi wireless audio. Today, Enclave announced its THX and WISA certified home theater system that offers the “ultimate 5.1-channel surround sound experience.” No wires are required here with this “world’s first,” making Enclave’s CineHome II and CineHome PRO speaker systems a must-have home theater upgrade along with the CineHome wireless audio transmitter.


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Bass Pro + Cabela’s Black Friday Ad 2019: $100 ride-on toys, beanies, more

Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s is one of the nation’s largest outdoor retailers, selling a vast array of products from sporting goods to clothing, smart home gear, and more. During Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Black Friday 2019 sales, you’ll expect to find discounted grills, Wi-Fi-connected weather stations, play (and real) tents, bedding, and more. The deals all start early, so keep reading to find out more.


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X019 is now over, here’s what we know about Game Pass, xCloud on Windows, more

X019 is officially over and Microsoft announced quite a few things this year. From new gaming titles to expanded Game Pass selections, updated xCloud, and more, we’re going to take a look at it all. A personal favorite from X019? Everwild, a new game from Rare, with a “magical, natural world.” Another awesome announcement is the xCloud is coming to Windows 10, as well as getting quite a few new titles.


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Twitch Studio is designed to help gamers start streaming easier

Twitch Studio

Twitch Studio is a new beta program built for Windows that’s designed to help gamers get into streaming easier than ever before. It’s built “from the ground up” for new streamers, and it makes things super simple to run. From the guided setup to customizable templates, integrated alerts, and more, Twitch Studio is perfect for the brand-new streamer. Keep reading to find out more.


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You can now turn Echo devices into a full-fledged home theater system

Amazon recently released an update to Echo devices and the Alexa app that enables the ability to convert your smart speakers into a full home theater system. It’s quite simple and only requires you to have newer Amazon devices to do so. The only catch? This feature is limited to being used with Fire TV only, and can’t be used for general content. Keep reading to learn how to turn your Amazon Echo and Fire TV devices into a full home theater system.


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Call of Duty Modern Warfare gets two new maps, Hardpoint, patches, and more

Call of Duty Modern Warfare Shoot House

The latest version of Call of Duty Modern Warfare turns two weeks old today and just received its first major update…on all platforms, simultaneously. For previous releases, like Black Ops 4, most updates would hit PlayStation about a week before Xbox and PC, but that’s not the case with this Modern Warfare update. You’ll find the new Hardpoint mode and two new maps available to all as of today. But, that’s not all. There were also several things patched in the game, according to Infinity Ward, and this is “just the start” according to Activision.


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The Outer Worlds will be coming to Nintendo Switch before April 2020

The Outer Worlds is quickly becoming a sensational hit for many gamers. Bringing an open-ended RGB decision-making game into the sci-fi space was a great move by Obsidian Entertainment. While it has only been available for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox, the game officially has a sort-of release date for your favorite handheld console. The Outer Worlds will be available to play on Nintendo Switch sometime in early 2020, before March 31st.


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What to look for when shopping for home theater gear: Surround Sound

Focal Sib Evo 5.1.2 system
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Shopping for new home theater gear can be quite confusing. Whether you’re in the market for a new TV, sound system, speakers, or something entirely different, there are a lot of terms going around. Maybe you’re not quite sure what “Dolby Atmos Surround Sound” is, but your friend told you that you just had to have it over standard setups. Or, maybe you want the most immersive audio experience possible, but aren’t quite sure how to get it. In this series, we’ll go over everything you need to look for when shopping for new home theater gear.


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Razer’s latest wireless mice pack up to 450 hours of battery + more from $60

Razer Basilisk Ultimate Gaming Mouse

Razer just announced two brand-new gaming mice that are sure to bring your Call of Duty Modern Warfare K/D ratio up…Ok, well, maybe they’re not /that good (at least, not for me). But, these two new mice from Razer bring some unique and awesome features to the table. The Razer Basilisk Ultimate comes with the same Focus+ 20K DPI Optical Sensor that the Viper Ultimate ships with along with several other great features, like being entirely wireless. The Basilisk X HyperSpeed, on the other hand, packs both Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless, six programmable buttons, and more.


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Wyze Complete Motion Capture offers start-to-finish recordings for one low fee

Wyze is a fan-favorite around here when it comes to budget-friendly security cameras or smart home devices. While the cameras sport 24/7 on-board recording and free 14-day rolling online storage, the motion capture timeframe is currently limited to just 12 seconds when stored in the cloud. That means if something happens to trigger the motion recording, and an event happens more than 12 seconds later, it’s not stored. That’s where Wyze Complete Motion Capture comes into play, offering up start to finish recordings of any motion that’s detected.


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Sears Black Friday Ad 2019: Craftsman tools from $10, NordicTrack, more

It’s the time of the year where we get an early look at what retailers will be discounting during the largest shopping holiday around. We’ve already seen the Office Depot, Petco, CVS, and Kmart Black Friday ads today (with many more being found in our guide). But, now it’s time to take a look at what the Sears Black Friday ad has to offer. From jewelry to home fitness, clothing, tools, and at-home gaming, Sears has it all.


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What to look for when shopping for home theater gear: TV Panel + Resolution

Shopping for new home theater gear can be quite confusing. Whether you’re in the market for a new TV, sound system, speakers, or something entirely different, there are a lot of terms being thrown around. Maybe you’re not quite sure what “OLED” is, but your friend told you that you just had to have it vs LCD setups. Or, maybe you want the most immersive audio experience possible, but aren’t quite sure how to get it. In this series, we’ll go over everything you need to look for when shopping for new home theater gear, including HDR types, surround sound setups, as well as differences in TV panels and resolutions.


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Save at Amazon and more on Black Friday with Prime Rewards, Visa, and Discover

Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Card

Amazon’s Prime membership program is well-known amongst online shoppers for being one of the best ways to save at the online retailer. However, did you know that there are more ways you can cash in on savings at Amazon? Just by using your compatible credit card, or signing up for one of Amazon’s options, you can redeem redeem rewards, earn cash back, and enjoy interest-free purchases. Here are some of the best ways to save at Amazon through your favorite credit card.


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What to look for when shopping for home theater gear: HDR explained

Shopping for new home theater gear can be quite confusing. Whether you’re in the market for a new TV, sound system, speakers, or something entirely different, there are a lot of terms being thrown around. Maybe you’re not quite sure what “Dolby Vision HDR” is, but your friend told you that you just had to have it vs. HDR10. Or, maybe you want the most immersive audio experience possible, but aren’t quite sure how to get it. In this series, we’ll go over everything you need to look for when shopping for new home theater gear, including HDR types (this post), surround sound setups, as well as differences in TV panels and resolutions.


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Microsoft Black Friday 2019: Surface, Kano coding kits, Mixed Reality, more

Black Friday is under a month away, officially speaking, but it’s time to take a look at how to save at one of our favorite retailers here: Microsoft. Microsoft sells much more than just Surface laptops, as it’s the company behind Windows Mixed Reality, Xbox, and many other great products. Below, you’ll find some of the best ways to save at Microsoft Black Friday 2019.


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BentoStack PowerHub packs a Qi battery + USB-C hub for ultimate portability

BentoStack PowerHub

BentoStack is a favorite around 9to5, and a company that we have been following for quite a while. Today, BentoStack is announcing its latest product, the PowerHub. This new take on its original product offers a hidden USB-C hub designed to expand your Mac or iPad’s use by adding back many missing ports. However, the hub has another trick up its sleeve that makes it even more versatile. Keep reading to find out more.


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Lenovo Black Friday ad: $99 laptops, $40 Assistant-enabled Smart Clock, more

Black Friday is exactly one month from today, but we’re starting to see ads drop already. While we’re working on detailing all of the information you’ll need for your Black Friday shopping in our guides, it’s time to dive into Lenovo’s official ad. Like last year, Lenovo is offering a $99 laptop in limited quantities early on in the sale period, with many other great deals coming throughout the rest of the month.


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