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Avatar for Patrick Campanale

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

Take your videos up a notch with SANDMARC’s Film Rig for iPhone

Buy Now!

If you’ve ever tried to film a video with your iPhone, you know how hard it is to keep it stable. Plus, no matter how you hold your phone, it’s inevitable that your finger will get in the way at some point. That’s where SANDMARC’s Film Rig comes in. It’s designed to help stabilize your footage and give your hands a great place to hang onto. Plus, the mounting points further expand your options for accessories like lights or microphones.


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GameShell is a portable and modular DIY retro game console

$159

If you’ve always loved the GameBoy’s iconic design, but have wanted to make sure that it would be supported for years to come, the GameShell is for you. GameShell is an open source portable game console that’s built for the DIYers and indie game developers. It’s the “world’s first modular, portable game console” running a GNU/Linux operating system. You can easily play retro games from Atari, GameBoy, GameBoy Advance, Nintendo Entertainment System, and more on the GameShell. Or, create your own game entirely with Preset C, Python, Lua, Javascript, or LISP.


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MEATER Block is the all-in-one smart grilling thermometer you’ve been wanting

If you’ve ever had to grill or smoke meat outdoors, you know how crucial temperatures are. It’s a fine art to not overcook the outside and leave the inside raw, or just sear the entire piece of meat. Normal thermometers are great and all, but if you’re trying to keep track of temperatures inside, or even on-the-go, it’s nearly impossible. That’s where MEATER Block, a Wi-Fi-connected smart thermometer, comes in.


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Best Bluetooth and smart speakers for your summer vacations & day trips

WONDERBOOM 2 in tree

Now that summer weather is here, it’s time to start enjoying the great outdoors and leaving the comfort of your home office and speaker systems behind. If you’re planning any beach outings or maybe family vacations, you’ll need a good portable speaker to take with you. These are the best Bluetooth speakers to take with you this summer, whether you’re wanting ultra portability and budget-friendly or something that you’ll hear from blocks away.


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Flappy Bird goes battle royale in FlappyRoyale.io on the web, iOS, and Android

Flappy Bird is back…kinda. The game which took the world by storm was eventually removed from the App Store after becoming super popular. Now, it’s back, but in a completely new light. Just like Mario, Flappy Bird now has a battle royale game that pits you against 99 opponents to see who can flap the longest. This fun and addicting game is likely to become the talk of the town…or at least your online gaming friend groups.


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VIVE Cosmos is HTC’s latest headset with 6 degrees of freedom & more

HTC Vive Cosmos
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We first saw the VIVE Cosmos talked about back in January at CES 2019. HTC’s latest headset has all kinds of goodies packed into it. You’ll experience a six-camera system that allows you to negate the old method of using bases to track your movement, and new controllers will further immerse you into the game. The Cosmos also brings an 88% upgrade in screen resolution from the company’s first headset. What more does the HTC VIVE Cosmos bring? Keep reading to find out.


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Target Deal Days takes on Amazon Prime Day w/ membership-free deals

Target Plus
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With Amazon’s yearly Prime Day just around the corner, other retailers are getting in on the action. Just today, Target announced that it will debut Target Deal Days. This sale is set to take place on July 15th and 16th, which is the same exact dates that Amazon Prime Day will take place. Why should Target Deal Days excite you? There’s no membership required and you can even get your items the same day you order them with in-store pickup or same-day delivery.


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Hot Wheels and Nintendo bring Mario Kart to life with new toy line

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If you have ever played a Nintendo gaming system, you’ve likely enjoyed a round of Mario Kart. The crazy antics, fun kart designs, and iconic characters always made it an enjoyable experience. But, until now, Mario Kart was always relegated to being played on a gaming console with a controller. Hot Wheels and Nintendo recently teamed up to release Hot Wheels Mario Kart die-cast vehicle and track sets. At launch, you’ll find Mario, Yoshi, Luigi, and Bowser along with additional characters coming soon.


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Osmo’s latest iPad-based learning tool is aimed at preschoolers

Osmo is one of the go-to companies when it comes to helping kids learn through its tablet-based products. The company’s latest endeavor is for preschoolers ages 3 to 5 and is dubbed the Osmo Little Genius Starter Kit. Combining the AI technology harnessed by your iPad, you’ll enjoy a learning system for your preschooler using classic methods in an all-new way.


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Toys “R” Us could be making a comeback w/ smaller stores this holiday season

January of last year, Toys “R” Us declared that it would be closing 180 stores and selling off its remaining assets. In October of 2018, the company canceled its bankruptcy filing to rebrand itself as Geoffrey’s Toy Box. Now, it looks like one of the former Toys “R” Us executives who started Tru Kids Inc. wants to bring back Toys “R” Us. Could the finally be the comeback that Toys “R” Us needs to retake its spot back as the go-to toy store?


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Amazon & Best Buy bring Dolby Vision to Toshiba Fire TV Edition from $320

Around this time last year, Amazon, Toshiba, and Best Buy all teamed up to launch the Fire TV Edition. Offering Amazon’s Fire TV built-in, these TVs also brought 4K and HDR10 into the mix for a great experience out of the box. The only thing these TVs lacked was Dolby Vision, but that’s been fixed in the latest Toshiba Fire TV Editions. Today, Amazon announced a 43-inch, 50-inch, and 55-inch Toshiba Fire TV Editions available exclusively through Best Buy with prices starting at $320.


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Nintendo Switch mini seemingly leaked after various accessory listings emerge

While reports of a new Nintendo Switch have been swirling around the internet for a while, we finally have some concrete evidence of a new unit on the horizon. Chinese accessory website Honson recently listed several Nintendo Switch mini items. Though currently listed as out of stock, these are the first potential pictures of Nintendo’s next console that we’ve seen.


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Mario is the latest to join the battle royale craze with Mario Royale

If you’ve never heard of battle royale games, well, you’ve likely not paid attention to the gaming space the past few years. You’ve got Fortnite, Apex Legends, PlayerUnknowns Battlegrounds, Blackout, Firestorm…the list goes on. Well, Mario is the latest to join this genre in Mario Royale, a simple game in the style of Nintendo’s original Super Mario Bros. title.


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Sprint’s Tracker + Safe & Sound lets you keep tabs on your kids, pets, & more

You’ve likely heard of TrackR, a Bluetooth-enabled item finder that connects to your phone. Well, today, Sprint announced the Tracker + Safe & Found, an LTE-enabled item finder that offers a built-in GPS and Wi-Fi to make sure you can find anything, anywhere, anytime. Since it offers LTE and GPS, you won’t have to worry about a Bluetooth connection to your phone to locate the Tracker + Safe & Found. This is a great way for parents to keep tabs on kids who are playing outside, pets you let roam around or even just bikes or luggage that you don’t want to lose.


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Hot Wheels id brings iconic toy into 21st century, exclusive to Apple Stores

Hot Wheels id Apple App Shop now!

Update 8/21 @ 1:16 PM: Hot Wheels id is now available at Amazon!

Hot Wheels is likely a toy that you either played with as a kid or still have many of now. I still have quite the collection hidden somewhere in the attic, but enough about me. For the longest time, Hot Wheels have stayed just cars on a track (or in the air). Pieces of metal on wheels, nothing more, nothing less. Now, with Hot Wheels id, the iconic toy is entering the 21st century. Hot Wheels id is a new system that brings together both physical and digital play and is available exclusively from Apple.


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Eufy finally makes a video doorbell, and it’s on sale for nearly $50 off

$112

Eufy has been trying to make just about every area of your home smart without breaking the bank. Offering quality security cameras, plugs, and even health products, Eufy is in it for the long haul, thanks to its parent company Anker. The latest product from Eufy is the 2K Security Video Doorbell, which just so happens to be on sale for $112 with the code found below.


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Renogy Phoenix 100 Mini Power Station will be a must-have for summer trips

Renogy Phoenix 100

If you’ve ever found yourself needing power when on-the-go, you likely picked up a portable battery to keep your devices charged. Though this works great for iPhone or iPad, keeping larger things powered, like a MacBook or even a projector, just isn’t as easy. Though portable power stations exist, not many are actually portable. In comes Renogy’s Phoenix 100 Mini Power Station to save the day. Offering a built-in AC port to power your MacBook or other larger devices, you’ll also get a USB-C input/output port, microUSB input, and USB-A output.


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Nyko announces latest Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One accessories

Nyko, one of the world’s most well-known console gaming accessory manufacturers, just released a number of new items for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. You’ll find a new Sound Pad to give you sound effects when communicating with other gamers online, a mini wireless controller for Switch, and my personal favorite, the Nyko Retro Core Controller, which brings GameCube-styling to Nintendo’s latest console.


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Microsoft E3: Xbox compatibility porting ends, Gamertag name changes are here

At E3 2019, Microsoft has announced some good, and some not-so-good news for its Xbox gaming platform. The good? You can now change your Gamertag to just about anything you want. The bad? After the latest batch of backward compatible titles, marking the end of the Xbox compatibility porting efforts. What do these changes and releases completely entail? Keep reading to find out more.


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Destiny 2 New Light is a free-to-play entrance into the expansive universe

If you’ve never played Destiny or Destiny 2, you’re missing out. Though the game was plagued by day-1 bugs and other issues, over time it’s grown into one of my favorite games. I have many hours invested in the first installment and will be returning to the second in light of the new updates coming out soon. The latest announcement for the game is Destiny 2 New Light, launching on September 17th, designed to help introduce newcomers to the world of being a Guardian.


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Razer’s Kraken X is an affordable 7.1-Ch. headset built for all-day gaming

Razer’s Kraken headset has long been a go-to for intense gaming sessions. Offering high-quality audio, comfort, and a great microphone, the Kraken has it all. But, today, Razer announced the Kraken X, a budget-friendly headset designed for “all-day” gaming. Offering 7.1-Channel surround sound, cooling-gel cushions, and a retractable cardioid microphone, this headset will become a staple of many gaming battle stations.


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Nextbase launches new dash cameras w/ Alexa built-in, Emergency SOS mode, more

If you thought a dash camera just needed to record the road ahead (or behind), well, you’re mistaken. Nextbase, one of the world’s leading dash camera manufacturers, has just released a new line of its products dubbed Series 2 Range that are available in Best Buy starting June 9th. Sporting features like Alexa voice control, Emergency SOS, and high-quality 1440p recording, these dash cameras will become a staple in luxury automotive applications.


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Samsung’s latest Notebook 7 is one of the best MacBook clones we’ve seen

When it comes to MacBook clones, they come in all shapes and sizes. Huawei has the MateBook X Pro, which has the screen we wish the MacBook had. But, today, Samsung announced the Notebook 7 and Notebook 7 Force with an Apple-esque design. Available in 13-inch and 15-inch flavors, Samsung aims to take on the high-end laptop market with its latest products.


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Panasonic launches the S1H mirrorless camera w/ “world’s first” 6K24 sensor & 10-bit 4K60

Panasonic is generally on the cutting-edge of mirrorless technology when it comes to mirrorless cameras. Many years ago, the LUMIX GH1 was the “world’s first” mirrorless camera that included full HD recording, and the company’s brand-new LUMIX S1H is breaking records again. As the “world’s first” mirrorless camera to feature 6K 24FPS, the Panasonic LUMIX S1H packs a full-frame sensor, 10-bit recording, and more.


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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is back w/ all-new gameplay and no season pass, pre-order now

modern warfare multiplayer beta review

Last year, we got Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, but this year we’re not getting a “sequel”, at least, not in normal sorts. Published by Activision and developed by Infinity Ward, this year, we’ll be getting Call of Duty: Modern Warfare as an all-new title, not just a remaster. Featuring a unified narrative experience and progression, you’ll enjoy an epic single-player story, action-packed multiplayer, and a brand-new cooperative gameplay experience. Plus, there’s no waiting required, pre-orders are open now at your favorite retailers with a release slated for October 25th.


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The Mokacam Alpha3 action camera offers 4K60, 1080p120, flip-out display, and more from $159

From $159

As summer approaches, it seems that action cameras are beginning to get refreshed for new adventures. DJI just released the Osmo Action with dual displays and RockSteady image stabilization, Sony updated its RX0 lineup in March, and GoPro released its HERO7 late last year. In comes Mokacam, a company who has already funded a few of its action cameras, with a brand-new offering. The Mokacam Alpha3 is the “most advanced 4K action camera ever”, bringing 4K HDR with image stabilization (something that’s hard to find outside of DJI’s Osmo Action), 4K60 recording, and even 1080p240 for 8x super slow motion.


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Razer’s new 2019 Mercury Collection has upgraded peripherals for your entire gaming battlestation

Razer is among the best when it comes to gaming peripherals. From keyboards and mice to higher-end headsets and gaming mousepads, Razer has it all. The new Razer Mercury Collection includes upgraded mice, mousepads, keyboards, headsets, and more. Offering a matte white, silver, and grey finish, this line of computer gaming peripherals is a must-have for minimalist setups.


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Microsoft’s Project xCloud will run all 3,500+ Xbox One games, including backwards compatible titles

Xbox One S All Digital Edition console

Microsoft’s Project xCloud is something that I’m waiting to launch. Sony just announced that the PlayStation 5 will be cloud-based, but Microsoft has already been working on a solution. In fact, Microsoft and Sony are teaming up for an even better cloud gaming platform. But, today, Microsoft released news that its dedicated Project xCloud game streaming technology will support all Xbox One games, including backward compatible ports, for a total of 3,500 games (and counting).


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Scuf’s new Prestige Xbox Controller offers customizable triggers, rechargeable battery, more

If you have an Xbox One, then you’ve likely seen the Elite Controller. I have an Elite Controller and it’s one of my favorite ways to enjoy Microsoft’s console, but that might soon change. Scuf has been making controllers for a while now, and I’ve got just about every one of those, too. The Vantage for PS4 is a great way to enjoy Sony’s console with a lack of professional controllers there, but what about Xbox? Though Microsoft has the Elite Controller, the brand-new Scuf Prestige could dethrone it as the best way to interact with the Xbox One.


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Walmart’s ONN TV brand offers budget-friendly prices, including a 65-inch 4K model for under $500

If you’re still using a 1080p TV or maybe a smaller 4K unit, upgrading might seem daunting. While some 65-inch 4K TVs can be quite expensive, Walmart aims to bring 4K to the masses with its new ONN brand. Walmart isn’t just focusing on 4K here, the shopping mega giant has its hands in multiple areas from 24-inch 720p displays all the way to 65-inch 4K. Keep reading to find out more.


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Wyze Bulb takes on Philips Hue w/ Alexa & Assistant compatibility from just $7.50

If you’ve never heard of Wyze, you must be new around here. We loved them as a budget-friendly camera alternative to the higher-priced Arlo cameras, and the Wyze Sense is a great addition to any smart home. Now, the company is back with the Wyze Bulb, aiming to take down Philips Hue. The Wyze Bulb currently comes in a 4-pack for just $29.99, which is just $7.50 each. Keep reading to learn more.


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Hands-on: The Peak Design Travel Tripod is my new go-to for just about everything

Peak Design Travel Tripod

Tripods can be big, clunky, and heavy. I’ve owned my fair share and lugged around quite a few through different trade shows and on different vacations. Though I generally stick to my monopod these days when going for a more run-and-gun setup, nothing beats a sturdy tripod. In comes the Peak Design Travel Tripod, replacing quite a few of my old models with one super compact and versatile offering.


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Doctor Who: The Edge of Time VR teaser trailer released, to be released in September

Doctor Who The Edge of Time VR

Doctor Who fans rejoice! Though the twelfth season of Doctor Who is still a while away, you’ll soon be able to experience the cultural phenomena in stunning virtual reality. You’ll join a mission to save the universe in the fully-interactive Doctor Who: The Edge of Time virtual reality video game. Experience Weeping Angels, Daleks, and more in September on your favorite virtual reality platform.


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NuraLoop is now available for pre-order, offering portable personalized audio

nuraloop

Announced in January at CES 2019, NuraLoop is a new style of headphones that offer a unique take on your listening experience. I personally own NuraPhones, and they’re my go-to when it comes to listening to music through headphones now. NuraLoop provides the same great personalized sound that NuraPhones do but in a much smaller and more portable form factor.


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Keep up to four Xbox One controllers ready to go w/ Fosmon’s new Quad Pro Charging Station

Fosmon Quad Pro Controller Charging Station for Xbox One Buy now!

Fosmon just announced a brand-new upgrade to Xbox One controller charging. The Fosmon Quad Pro Charging Station for Xbox One features two docks for controllers and two additional battery slots, you’ll be able to always be ready for any length of gaming session that you decide to take. Offering up to 132 total hours of playtime, this is the ultimate power station for the die-hard Xbox One gamer.


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UAG’s Scout Series for iPad Pro offers enhanced protection & Smart Keyboard Folio compatibility

UAG, or Urban Armor Gear, is a company that we’ve followed for quite some time. I’ve used their products on my own devices, and now the company is back with a new case for the iPad Pro. Dubbed Scout Series for iPad Pro, this case is compatible with the Smart Keyboard Folio, meaning that you’ll be able to enjoy Apple’s best typing experience while still keeping your tablet save and protected.


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Wacom’s latest Intuos Pro Small offers a highly-sensitive portable Bluetooth drawing tablet

Buy now!

Wacom is probably one of the most well-known brands of drawing devices for computers. We have gone hands-on with the company’s products in the past, and Wacom is a well-rated company all around at retailers like Amazon. Today, Wacom introduced its latest product, the Intuos Pro Small. This tablet complete’s the company’s lineup of its most advanced creative pen tablets. Coming in at $250, this creative tablet could become a must-have accessory for entry-level designers looking for the best pen-based experience on a Mac or PC.


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