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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

Epson announces its latest Moverio Smart Glasses w/ USB-C tethered AR viewing for under $500

Epson recently expanded its Moverio smart glasses lineup. The latest is the Moverio BT-30C, which offers USB-C tethered augmented reality viewing. With a high-resolution experience on larger displays in the wearer’s line of sight, the Moverio BT-30C uses USB-C to connect to Android or Windows devices, providing a plug-and-play solution for a wide range of content.


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Best Google Pixel 3a/XL pre-order deals + must-have accessories

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Google just announced its latest phones, the Pixel 3a and 3a XL at its yearly Google I/O developer conference. Google is now making its phones available on more carriers now, with availability now stretching to T-Mobile, Sprint, and more. But, you’re here to find the best deals available, right? Keep reading to find the best Pixel 3a/XL deals at major retailers plus some must-have accessories if you’re jumping head-first into Google’s ecosystem.


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Microsoft is making a braille controller for the visually impaired who want to game

xbox one braille controller

Last year, Microsoft announced its accessibility-focused Xbox one controller at E3 2018. Geared toward those who need help with fine motor skills, the Adaptive Controller was Microsoft’s first big push toward Xbox for all, including those who are normally forgotten by many tech companies. In an effort to get the company’s Xbox gaming platform into more hands, a patent was recently filed and made public that featured a Braille controller so those with visual impairments could easily enjoy Microsoft’s console.


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The Valve Index offers a “best-in-class” VR experience, off-ear audio, 120+Hz displays, more

Valve, the company behind the best-selling computer gaming store Steam, has launched its first standalone virtual reality headset dubbed the Valve Index. The company claims that it “pushed visual, audio, and ergonomic technologies to create the best-in-class VR experience.” Offering dual 1440×1600 LCDs which run at 120Hz (or offer an experimental 144Hz mode), this virtual reality headset could be the most technology-packed model that we’ve ever seen.


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SOUL Electronics launches its second-generation truly wireless earbuds w/ IPX7 waterproofing

If you’re in the market for some truly wireless earbuds, this week is the week for you. First, we saw the Drop + NuForce Move launch on Monday, then JLab Audio released three new models yesterday, and now SOUL Electronics is here with its very own update. The SOUL Electronics launched the ST-XS2 high-performance wireless earbuds coming in at a price point of $99.99, with some killer features.


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JLab Audio introduces three new truly wireless earbuds with up to 40-hours of battery

From $59

JLab Audio has been making waves with its truly wireless earbuds. We recently took the company’s JBuds Air and compared them to AirPods, coming to the conclusion that they were a great budget-friendly alternative to Apple’s higher-priced wireless earbuds. Now, JLab is back with three new truly wireless earbuds: JBuds Air Sport, JBuds Air Executive, and JBuds Air Icon.


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Massdrop becomes Drop, partners with Optoma NuForce for new truly wireless in-ear monitors

Drop NuForce Move Wireless In Ear Monitors Buy now!

For the uninitated, Massdrop is a community of enthusiasts from many walks of life. You’ll find people interested in audio, EDC, apparel, toys, gardening, and more on the site. The premise behind it is getting people together to bulk-buy products at discounts, and it’s taken off. Today, Massdrop rebranded to Drop. As part of its rebranding, and in partnership with Optoma, the company announced the Drop + NuForce Move wireless in-ear monitors.


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The best ways to save at the movies this summer

If you’re anything like me, this summer, you’ll spend a lot of time at the theater. I just came back from seeing Avengers: Endgame, and let me say: WOW! But, going to the movies can be quite expensive. $20 each for Dolby or IMAX tickets, $30 for popcorn and drinks, and bam, you just spent $100 to see a single movie that you could buy on Blu-ray in three months for $20. But it’s all about the experience of the theater, right? As a frequent film connoisseur myself, here are some of our best ways to save at the movies this summer.


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Amazon says they’re trying to make one-day shipping the norm for Prime members

Amazon One Day Shipping
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If you’re an Amazon Prime member near one of the company’s shipping hubs, it’s likely that you’ve experienced one-day or same-day delivery on some orders. Though not available on all products, a majority of the online retail giant’s offerings are offered with quicker shipping timeframes than the normal two-day delivery. But, in today’s earnings call, the company’s chief financial officer Brian Olsavsky said that Amazon is aiming at replacing Prime two-day delivery with Prime one-day as the default timeframe.


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Acer’s latest Predator 300, Nitro, and Aspire laptops offer both Intel + NVIDIA’s latest & greatest

Acer, one of the world leaders in gaming computers and peripherals, has recently refreshed several of its mobile platforms with the latest from Intel and NVIDIA. Sporting the latest NVIDIA GeForce GTX 16-series graphics cards and Intel’s latest 9th generation i7 processors, the new Predator Helios 300, Nitro 7, Nitro 5, and Aspire 7 laptops are great options for any mobile gamer.


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SteelSeries brings its Arctis 9X wireless headset w/ simultaneous Bluetooth to Xbox

Buy now!

If you’re an Xbox gamer like me, you’ve likely done some searching for the best gaming headset. I’ve tried quite a few, and haven’t really landed on one that I absolutely love. The SteelSeries Arctis 9X could be that headset, as it was just announced by the company.

I have an Arctis 7 for my PlayStation 4 Pro, but on the Xbox side, this could take the cake. With built-in Xbox Wireless technology, pairing is simple, and the simultaneous Bluetooth connection lets you mix audio from another device while also staying connected to your Xbox.


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Herman Miller-inspired wireless mouse concept brings mid-century design to your Mac

Technology, though an always-changing space still has many areas which have been unchanged throughout the years. Take the computer mouse, for instance. Though the form sometimes changes, generally, they hold the same design. Two buttons, a plastic top and bottom, and a scroll wheel. Designer Shane Chen recently released a newly-inspired wireless mouse concept that brings the mid-century design of Herman Miller’s Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman to your Mac with a uniquely-designed peripheral.


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Put a Porsche Design Timepiece on your wrist to show off your vehicle love

If you’re like me, then you likely love a good looking sports car. Porsche, owned by Volkswagen, has been coming out with some beautiful vehicles lately. The iconic sports car company’s design division is now making a new product for its vehicle lovers that you might just have to have, dubbed the Porsche Design Time. These watches are both beautiful and elegant while retaining a simplistic and timeless look.


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New Nintendo Switch reportedly in the works features a smaller build for better portability

The Switch has been a portable console hit, selling tens of millions of consoles worldwide. The thing to remember with it is this, though Nintendo has released many consoles prior to the Switch, this is a first-generation product. Reports started swirling around October of last year that a new Switch would be in development, and we now have a new report about a smaller, more portable Nintendo Switch that could be coming as soon as this fall.


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Protect the skies & more in Fortnite’s latest update w/ Air Royale, food fighting, & new pet interactions

Fortnite is still king of the hill when it comes to battle royale games. Just last week, Epic announced that there would be a new “Reboot Van” to bring downed players back into the game. Now, you’ll be able to go airborne and stay there in the new Air Royale Event. Not only is Air Royale here, but there’s also Food Fight – Deep Fried where two teams take either side of the map with a huge barrier down the middle. Learn more about both of these new game modes and more below.


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Nintendo Switch can now transfer single game saves between devices

If you’ve ever had to change which Nintendo Switch you’re using, you’ve likely run into having to move saves between devices. While you used to have to move everything, in its latest update, you can now move individual saved games between Nintendo Switch devices.

This is perfect for the person who shares a Switch with people, or if you just want to take your character to a friend’s house without bringing all of your data. That’s not the only addition in the Switch’s latest update, keep reading to learn more.


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Racing fans rejoice: Forza Street coming to Android and iOS this year, now available for Windows 10

Forza Street

I’m a huge racing fan. I’ve played racing games since Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit on the original PlayStation, which was the start of a lifelong passion of mine as I now work on old muscle cars to fix them up in my spare time. But, that’s not what you’re here to learn about. Turn 10, the gaming studio behind the ever-popular Forza series announced a new game today dubbed Forza Street.

This new experience is built to be played anytime, anywhere, and specifically for car lovers. It’s available on Windows 10 today and will be coming to both Android and iOS platforms in the coming months.


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Become engulfed in the dark side w/ Vader Immortal Episode 1 VR

Whether you’re a Star Wars fan or not, the series is making a comeback like none other. Not only are more movies on the way, but a virtual reality game is also in the pipeline to be released. Today, we got our first look at Lucasfilm’s ILMxLAB Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series — Episode I, a new virtual reality game set to be released on Oculus. This is just the first of three upcoming installments, but what all does this game have in store?


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Acer updates its Predator gaming lineup w/ desktops, 43″ 144Hz 4K monitor, peripherals, more

Acer Predator Orion 5000

Acer, one of the world’s leading computer manufacturers, announced new additions across its growing Predator lineup of gaming products. With updates to its Acer Predator Orion 5000 gaming desktop, a massive 43-inch Predator 144Hz 4K monitor, and new peripherals, these launches are sure to please just about every PC gamer out there.


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Sony announces a massive 63-foot by 17-foot 16K display

Sony 16K display

If you thought 8K TVs were crazy, Sony just one-upped Samsung with the announcement of a 16K display. Now, this isn’t something you’d put in your living room as it’s longer than the average house, but the technology is mind-blowing. At 16 times the horizontal pixels of a 4K television (which is 64 times the number of a 1080p TV), this display is built for bringing the digital world to life.


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Razer announces the Ripsaw HD capture card to further take over the gaming space

Razer is making waves in just about every area of gaming they can. Not only does the peripheral company now make much more than just mice, but now they’re getting into streaming. Razer has introduced the Razer Ripsaw HD capture card with 4K60 passthrough and the ability to stream 1080p60. This desktop accessory aims to take down the industry standard Elgato.


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Fortnite, the king of battle royale, is copying Apex Legend’s best feature with the “reboot van”

Though Fortnite reigned king for the past few years in the battle royale scene, the latest newcomer, Apex Legends, has taken the world by storm. One of the key features of Apex Legends is being able to respawn your teammates at a Respawn Beacon. Coming next week, Fortnite players will be able to be “rebooted” at a reboot van.


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The best AirPlay speakers that cost less than HomePod

Apple just dropped its high-end smart speaker, HomePod, to $299 today from its normal $349 price point. While it’s awesome to save in any way you can, especially on Apple products, there are still those who are looking for more budget-friendly alternatives while enjoying Apple’s ecosystem at the same time. These are the best AirPlay-enabled speaker and set up alternatives to Apple’s HomePod for under $299.


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$9

This stainless steel tumbler can keep cold drinks cool for up to 12 hours: $9 (Reg. $15)

Amazon offers the 24-ounce Bubba Straw Envy S Vacuum-Insulated Stainless Steel Tumbler with Island Teal Lid for $8.94 Prime shipped. Regularly around $15, this is a match of its all-time low and is the best available. Vacuum-insulated tumblers like this are perfect for being outside this summer, as it’ll keep your drink cool for hours on end. Bubba claims that this cup can keep drinks cold up to 12 hours and hot up to 6 hours, all without sweating. Rated a stellar 4.7/5 stars.


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HEX X Rory Kramer Cinema Backpack is built for the traveling videographer

HEX partnered with Rory Kramer, filmmaker and star of MTV’s “Dare to Live”, to make a unique backpack designed for the traveling videography. Built to carry all of the gear a cinematographer needs, this bag can even fit the massive Canon 1DX and lens, which is more than most bags on the market can do. The HEX X Rory Kramer Cinema Backpack is designed to meet the requirements of anyone traveling with a camera.


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The latest Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 Blackout map ‘Alcatraz’ has me interested in the game again

Blackout Alcatraz

When Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 originally came out last year, I called it the “My favorite CoD in years.” While that hasn’t changed, other games, like Apex Legends, have taken hold of my attention as of late. With the new ‘Alcatraz’ map for Blackout, however, my attention just might be shifting back toward Call of Duty.


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HDHomeRun sunsets its Premium TV streaming service, here are the best alternatives

cord cutting

If you own an HDHomeRun at-home DVR, you likely have heard of (or used) the company’s Premium TV streaming service. Well, over the next 30 days, HDHomeRun will be sunsetting this service. All customers currently subscribed to Premium TV will continue to have access to the service until their month ends, at which time the service will not be renewed. If you’re one of the customers suffering from this sunsetting, here are some of the best alternatives to HDHomeRun’s Premium TV.


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Canon introduces the IVY CLIQ and CLIQ+ instant cameras w/ built-in printers

When you think of an instant camera, likely your mind goes to Polaroid. People used to use the company’s name like crazy when throwing a party, “Do you have a Polaroid of us to show?” Well, Canon is wanting to get in on the instant camera game with its latest IVY CLIQ and CLIQ+ lineup. With prices starting at just $99, these instant cameras are bound to be a hit among millennials and photo enthusiasts alike.


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Angry Birds VR: Isle of Pigs launches to PSVR after landing on Steam, Oculus, and Vive for $15

If you don’t know the Angry Birds namesake, you likely didn’t have a smartphone 10 years ago. In Angry Birds VR: Isle of Pigs, you’ll enjoy the age-old classic in ways never-before-seen. Available on the Oculus Store, Steam, Vive, and now PlayStation VR, enjoy all the fun-filled destruction you’ve come to know and love in a glorious new first-person experience.


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Wyze introduces Wyze Sense, a new kind of smart home sensor for just $20

A company that we’ve all come to know around here is Wyze. They started out near the end of 2017 with the first Wyze Cam for $26 and introduced V2 only a few months later. In late 2018, Wyze launched the Pan, and now the company is back at it with its latest device: Wyze Sense. This new sensor brings all-new smarts to your Wyze system, converting it from just a monitoring setup, to a more full-fledged security system, and all at just $20.


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The best video doorbells to secure your smart home from $70

These days, there’s a lot more to worry about than just someone breaking into your home. Though a standard alarm system might feature door and window sensors, keeping an eye on the front porch isn’t quite as easy. That’s where video doorbells come in, and choosing the best isn’t always super easy. That’s why we have our favorite video doorbells listed right here from just $70.


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Fly from planet to planet in first-person view with No Man’s Sky Beyond VR coming this summer

No Man's Sky Virtual Reality

Though No Man’s Sky started a few years ago with much criticism, the game’s latest updates have offered quite an enjoyable experience. I was among the original pre-order customers and have loved what Sean Murray and the team at Hello Games have been bringing to the table. Earlier this month, Hello Games announced No Man’s Sky Beyond, and today there’s a new update to that which brings virtual reality into the mix.

This virtual reality update will allow it to be enjoyed on just about every VR headset from Playstation to Vive through either PS VR or Steam VR. There’s an additional exclusive physical edition for PlayStation shoppers, but the update itself will be free to all who already own the game.


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Green Deals: 2-pack LED emergency light bulbs w/ built-in rechargeable battery $17, more

Sengled USA (100% positive lifetime feedback) via Amazon offers its 2-pack of LED Emergency Light Bulbs with Built-in Rechargeable Battery for $16.79 Prime shipped when you clip the on-page coupon and use the code 34CZL18U at checkout. Regularly $30, this is nearly 50% off and is one of the best prices we’ve tracked historically. These LED bulbs will not only save you on energy but offer a built-in backup battery that’s recharged when the light is turned on. This means that if the power goes out, these bulbs will stay lit for you to help break through the darkness and keep you safe. Rated 4+ stars from 60% of shoppers.

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The ROCCAT Kova AIMO RGB gaming mouse offers 20 possible functions

When you think of a mouse, generally the only function you’re worried about is pointing and clicking. When it comes to gaming, you’ll generally want some extra customizable buttons, but ROCCAT takes it up a notch. The ROCCAT Kova AIMO RGB Gaming Mouse offers up to 20 potential functions and a gorgeous design, helping you take that final step to improve your game.


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Cuphead is coming to Nintendo Switch with…potential Xbox Live features?

Cuphead Nintendo Switch

Cuphead has taken the Xbox world by storm lately. Studio MDHR has recently announced that they’re going to be launching a free content update to the game on April 18th. What else is coming April 18th? Cuphead on Nintendo Switch, of course! That’s not all, however, as Studio MDHR is working with Microsoft to potentially bring Xbox Live features to its Nintendo Switch game in the future. Keep reading to find out more.


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Apple’s latest AirPods & wireless charging case are available at B&H from $79 w/ potential tax savings

From $79

This morning, Apple finally announced the release of its second-generation of AirPods. With “Hey Siri” capabilities, longer battery life, up to 50% faster device switching, and Qi wireless charging, these truly wireless earbuds are welcomed by many. B&H is now offering pre-orders for Apple’s latest AirPods with tax savings for select shoppers. Prices start at $79 for the wireless charging case if you already own a set of AirPods. You can get AirPods V2 for $159 or add the wireless charging case to your order for $199.


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Green Deals: 2-pack of solar landscaping spotlights for $20, more

StarTOP (100% positive lifetime feedback) via Amazon offers a 2-pack of LITOM 12 LED Solar Landscape Spotlights for $19.99 Prime shipped. Regularly around $25, this is a new all-time low that we’ve tracked and is the best available. If you’re looking to upgrade your outdoor areas, this is a great way to do so. Since these are solar powered, you’ll never have to worry about batteries or wires. Plus, these spotlights provide up to 600 lumens of light to illuminate your yard perfectly. Rated 4.4/5 stars.

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How to sign up for the Halo Insider program and help test The Master Chief Collection on PC

How to sign up for Halo Insider

Yesterday, we saw news that Halo: The Master Chief Collection wouldn’t be part of Xbox Play Anywhere, but that Microsoft would offer a Halo Insider program to beta test its upcoming game. Well, the company has now released more information regarding this beta, and we’re here to show you how to sign up for Halo Insider.


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