Donna Enzmann

If you are looking for an alternative to Lightroom, AfterShot 2 is a great option for PC, Mac and Linux. It offers slick photo management and powerful editing features, and 9to5Toys Specials has AfterShot 2 Standard for $10.

Made by Corel, this app takes advantage of 64-bit architecture to handle large RAW files at speed. The library area offers a searchable home for your photos, with tagging options, a magnifying loupe, and a side-by-side view for comparison. The editing suite is impressive, with lens correction, Layers, selective Regions, automatic color correction, multi-version editing, and precision red-eye removal. Your finished photos can be exported in numerous formats, batch processed, and used in AfterShot’s web galleries creator. The app also provides a good backup solution, and you can choose where your photos should be stored.

You can grab AfterShot 2 Standard now to save 75% on the MSRP. Be sure to choose the correct operating system when you order.

The iPhone 6 is an amazing piece of hardware to own. Over at 9to5Toys Specials, you can pick up Apple’s handset with one year of Unlimited Talk-and-Text from FreedomPop for $550. That’s about $110 over the price ($439-539) of what it costs at Groupon but it comes with a year of service thrown in which makes the service an under $10/month affair. This is a great second/backup iPhone or gift for kids/parents/grandparents who should have access to technology AND cell service.

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Update (12/4 10:15am): TextExpander 3 + custom keyboard now available for $1.99 (Reg. $5) on iOS as well.

Typing out the same replies and contact details every day is the kind of time-sapping task that TextExpander cuts down on. 9to5Toys Specials has this award-winning Mac productivity app for $22.

This neat utility lets you save all the text snippets you use regularly, and assign a shortcut to them. For instance, instead of typing out your email signature, you could just write “eml” and TextExpander will do the rest. This works pretty much everywhere in OS X, and you can automatically fill in the current date and time. As you type, the app looks out for and fixes the typos you make most often, and it will automatically fill out forms with your details. The current version also intelligently suggests the shortcuts you might want to use, based on your usual style of doing things. It is an amazing time saver, and it comes in several different languages.

Order now to save 51% on the regular price for the app.

Get a jumpstart on your 2016 New Year’s resolution. The Pay What You Want: Learn to Code Bundle at 9to5Toys Specials offers nine beginner-friendly video courses.

The bundle is designed to provide a rounded education in all aspects of development and hacking. A good place to start is with the Become a Certified Web Developer, which eases you in with HTML, CSS, PHP, and MySQL. You learn these fundamental languages from scratch, with hands-on tasks to help you practice your skills. You can then take the course in HTML5 and CSS3, and further your knowledge of PHP and MySQL. Higher level programming is covered by the tracks teaching Ruby and Python, along with a look at the AngularJS framework. You can also learn how to write command-line code for Linux, host your apps with AWS, and upload your projects via Git.

You can pay whatever you like for the AWS and Git courses — just beat the average price paid to unlock the full bundle.

If you are in the mood for deals, the Black Friday Mac Bundle should catch your eye. It offers ten premium productivity apps (worth $533) for $34.99 via 9to5Toys Specials, just enter coupon code “9TO5BFMB” at checkout to drop the price.

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The lineup includes big names and little gems. DaisyDisk lets you identify which files are causing clutter, while the award-winning Drive Genius 4 helps you maintain and repair your system. The combination of PDF Pen 7 and Prizmo 3 allows you to author and scan documents with minimal fuss, and BusyContacts (from the team behind BusyCal) is a great little address book app. In terms of media, AfterShot Pro 2 offers high quality RAW conversion and photo editing, while MotionComposer is great for creating interactive HTML5 and Flash content for the web. Mixtape Pro is a powerful audio workstation, and MacX DVD Ripper can make your movies more accessible. Finally, Dropzone 3 offers quick drag-and-drop access to the folders and actions you use regularly.

To grab the deal, head for 9to5Toys Specials and save yourself 92% on this sweet setup — and get an extra $5 off with the exclusive coupon code “9TO5BFMB”.

Into other Bundles? Check out the MacHeist $15 Hall of Fame Bundle and the $20 BundleHunt 10/30 bundle.

Imagine if you could use your Guitar Hero instrument to shred — that is pretty much what the Jamstik lets you do, but with real strings and MIDI compatibility. 9to5Toys Specials has it now for $150 shipped.

You play this smart guitar with exactly the same technique as you would employ on an acoustic instrument, with a fingerboard for chords, and space to strum the strings below. By hooking up the Jamstik to your iOS device or Mac, you can convert every pluck into whatever sound you please, and edit the notes after you record your performance. The smart guitar itself is compact and durable, with volume controls on the side. It also has an infrared sensor, which allows you to visualize your hand movements on screen — a great tool if you’re learning to play. The internal battery lasts for eight hours of music making, and there are three Jamstik apps to download as a starting point.

You can grab the Jamstik at 40% off the regular price, with free shipping to the Continental US, plus a strap and two picks in the box.

Fancy getting into iOS app development? You can currently pay whatever you want for the Incredible iOS 9 Developer Bundle at 9to5Toys Specials, which includes five courses and over 100 app templates.

Designed to be accessible for beginners, this bundle kicks off with three courses teaching the fundamentals. This includes an introduction to object-oriented programming, followed by tutorials on coding with Swift 2 and working in XCode 7. You can then move on to the courses that focus on WatchOS (for Apple Watch apps) and tvOS (Apple TV apps). For your future projects, the bundle offers a pack of over 100 app templates, plus two extra ready-to-ship photo editors that you can customize with your own code.

The bundle totals over 96 hours of training and $948-worth of assets. With this deal, you can pay what you like for a course and a template; simply beat the average price paid to unlock the full bundle.

MiFi 500 & 1-YR of LTE Internet: $150 shipped (Orig. $680)

The MiFi 500 lets you enjoy an LTE connection on all your Wi-Fi devices. 9to5Toys Specials has it with a year of FreedomPop service for $150 shipped, along with other great deals on tech and apparel.

The deal includes the compact hotspot device, worth $99.99, which can share a fast connection with up to ten devices. It comes with 1GB of 4G data to use every month, as provided by FreedomPop ($119.88 value). You also get the Premier Service Bundle ($240), which offers data rollover, usage alerts, VPN protection, data compression, and other added features. You are not tied to any contract, so there are no termination fees, and you can purchase upgrades whenever you need them.

Order now to save 77% on the regular price for this setup.

Head below for an electric Toothbrush, Socks and a scooter…

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Space is always at a premium when you’re camping or hiking, so the RuggedTec FlashBang speaker offers impressive audio and a powerful flashlight in a compact form. 9to5Toys Specials has it now for $28 shipped (Amazon has it for $29 with Prime shipping).

On the outside, the FlashBang is very durable, with a rubbery skin which resists drops, water and dust. To start the music, you simply pair the speaker with your phone via Bluetooth, and the sound emanates from one end of the device. At the other end is the flashlight, which has three different illumination modes. These features are powered by an internal rechargeable battery, which can last for eight hours of audio playback. The controls are located on the side of the speaker, and the FlashBang is compact enough to be mounted on your handlebars if you head off cycling.

You can order the RuggedTec FlashBang now to get 64% off the regular price, with a choice of color (black or green) and free shipping.

The Crosley Ranchero speaker has classic looks, but it is actually new inside and out, with high quality audio components providing AM/FM/MP3 sound. 9to5Toys Specials has it now for $65 shipped.

Crosley has been making speakers since the 1920s, so the Ranchero has some serious heritage, which it wears with pride. The design is full-on retro, with the wood-style cabinet covered in a glossy red piano finish, and a durable aluminum speaker grille. The three-inch studio driver inside produces pleasing, rich sound. In addition to the built-in AM/FM tuner, there is an auxiliary input for bringing in audio from other devices. This also means that you can add Bluetooth for $10 by plugging in the Aukey Streaming Receiver. The other big advantage with this speaker is that it is fairly small — compact enough to move around your home, anyway.

You can pick up this stylish Crosley at 35% off the MSRP with this deal, and shipping to the Continental US is included in the price. (Amazon has it for $71 where ti gets solid 4 star reviews)

Introducing the Big Mac Bundle at 9to5Toys Specials for $18.

The lineup includes some big names, such as the website design studio, RapidWeaver, and the personal scrapbook that is Ember. Voila is also well known as a screen capture tool, while Kinemac lets you create 3D animations in real time. You get an affordable alternative to Adobe Illustrator in Candy Apple, and Picture Collage Maker provides what its name implies. The ability to schedule the sending of emails comes courtesy of SendLater, while Leawo Blu-ray Ripper lets you bring HD movies onto your hard drive. Then there are the killer utilities: Deliver Express lets you set up hot folders, MacPilot provides easy access to OS X’s hidden features, Concealer allows you to protect sensitive files with passwords and encryption, MacBooster is all about optimization, and WiFi Radar Pro lets you troubleshoot network issues.

In total, it is $802-worth of high-quality OS X apps. The bundle takes 97% off the price, with instant access.

You usually need plenty of space to enjoy piloting a drone, but not with the SKEYE Pico — it is under an inch square. 9to5Toys Specials offers it now for $35 shipped.

Being able to fly your drone indoors is an obvious advantage, and in this case, downsizing doesn’t mean compromising on performance. This tiny quadcopter has full six-axis gyroscopic stabilization on board, and three levels of sensitivity. Newbie pilots will appreciate the forgiving nature of the least sensitive setting, while veterans can switch to the highest sensitivity to put the Pico through rolls and flips. The drone actually fits into a circular compartment in the controller for convenient carriage, and it charges via the supplied USB cable. Flights last around 7-8 minutes on a full battery, and the drone has LED lights for night-time flying. There are also four extra rotor blades in the box in case of over-ambitious maneuvers.

You can currently save 28% on the standard price for this brilliant little drone, with free shipping to the Continental US thrown in.

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A microcomputer is the perfect platform for learning about code and electronics. For $115 shipped, the Complete Raspberry Pi 2 Starter Kit at 9to5Toys Specials supplies all the hardware plus five video courses.

The kit supplies you with a Raspberry Pi 2 Model B, which is the latest Pi to be released. It has 1GB of RAM assisting an upgraded ARMv7 chip, meaning it is up to six times faster than its predecessor. You also get a pack of essential accessories, including a power adapter, HDMI and USB cables, a Wi-Fi adapter, and an SD card with Raspbian OS pre-installed. The first of the courses in this kit shows you how to set up your Pi, and how to write basic programs. You can then learn to use more advanced python code, and get to grips with hardware projects — from robots, to general hardware, to the Internet of Things.

The contents of this kit would normally set you back $804, so the current deal represents great value. Grab it now to get 85% off plus free shipping to the Continental US.

Loot Crate subscribers receive a box of awesome nerdy stuff every month, including collectibles, art and apparel. Right now, you can try a three-month subscription with 9to5Toys Specials for $49.

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Every month, Loot Crate puts together a “crate” that should please anyone who truly loves comics and games. The variety of the items sent out is pretty remarkable; previous crates have included a Vulcan salute keyring, a replica Terminator skull, and a DIY robot. As a subscriber, you never know exactly what you’re going to get before it arrives, although a theme for each month is announced in advance. It means you get the kid-at-Christmas level of surprise, especially as much of the merchandise is exclusive to Loot Crate. Thousands of nerds around the world already enjoy this subscription service, and shipping is included in the price.

Order your first crate now to get 15% off the price of your subscription.

If regular portable speakers don’t appeal, try the Lyrix Axis. It levitates, charges wirelessly, and pumps out great sound. You can currently grab one for $140 shipped via 9to5Toys Specials.

The speaker part of the Lyrix is the floating orb, which is kept hovering by the electromagnetic base. The base also provides wireless power, although the orb has a rechargeable battery, meaning it can be used independently for hours of playback. Along with impressive Bluetooth audio quality, the orb has physical controls and an LED belt that provides a colorful display. The lack of sound distortion is particularly noticeable; because the orb is levitating, it does not make other surfaces vibrate. When the base isn’t being used to charge the speaker, it can also charge other USB devices via the in-built port.

If you are trying to find a gift for the person who has everything, this is definitely a good option. The current deal takes 30% off the regular price, and shipping is free to the Continental US.

No bunch of keys is very organized. In contrast, the KeySmart 2.0 keeps keys ordered and accessible at all times. 9to5Toys Specials has it now for $30 shipped.

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Just like a multitool, the KeySmart holds keys on pins at either end of the device. This keeps the keys flat, meaning they take up half the space they normally would, and makes them easy to flip out when you reach your front door. The organizer is primarily made from titanium, although the pins are stainless steel. Quite apart from the easy access, the KeySmart is considerably more comfortable than a bunch of keys in a tight jeans pocket, and it prevents other items getting scratched. It has a capacity of ten keys, and it is compatible with all standard flat designs up to 53mm. It also has a loop for your car fob, and it comes with an optional bottle opener. Surprisingly, it only weighs 0.73 ounces unloaded.

You can pick up a KeySmart 2.0 now at 31% off the MSRP, with free shipping to the Continental US.

Instead of stuffing clothes into your rucksack, the Rolo Travel Bag lets you keep your kit organized and dry. 9to5Toys Specials has it for $45 shipped.

This bag is essentially a roll-up wardrobe, with a waterproof nylon shell. Inside, you can pack your clothes into mesh compartments which are secured with zippers. There are two large pockets and two smaller ones, which are designed to keep folded garments as flat as possible. Once rolled up, the Rolo is secured with quick-release straps, and it is remarkably compact. You can either use the supplied shoulder strap, or strap it onto your backpack. When you need to access your clothes, you simply unwind the roll, and hang it by the integrated hook. This allows it to swing freely through 360 degrees, and the see-through pockets mean you can easily locate your clothes.

You can currently grab the Rolo at 25% off the standard price with free shipping to the Continental US.

Pandora is a music service which has perfected the art of building personalized playlists. 9to5Toys Specials has a 6-month subscription for $24.

Along with a vast catalog of tracks to stream, Pandora’s premium service offers beautiful audio quality at 192k bits per second. The music served up is specifically suited to your taste, and you can listen non-stop without ads. Pandora also occasionally throws in tracks from new artists that it thinks you might like, although you can skip any that miss the spot. You can listen on any desktop computer, most phones, tablets, and games consoles, along with many home entertainment devices and in-car systems.

This subscription normally costs $30, so the current deal takes 20% off the regular price. Grab it now to start enjoying your favorite tracks.

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Using a virtual private network maintains your online privacy, and proXPN offers unlimited, worldwide protection. 9to5Toys Specials offers premium lifetime subscriptions for $39.

This service uses lightning-fast servers around the world in order to mask your IP address, with minimal slowdown. In addition to securing your connections to public Wi-Fi, proXPN’s global spread means you can enjoy geo-locked content, such as Netflix and Skype, with no restriction on bandwidth. The security features are also impressive, with a virtually uncrackable 512-bit encryption tunnel, and a choice between the PPTP or OpenVPN protocols. The same level of protection applies when you are browsing on your mobile, and VPN Guard allows you to choose what should happen if your VPN connection drops. All of the above comes with great support, too.

You can grab premium lifetime service at 89% off the regular price with this deal.

If you’re serious about writing, Scrivener is a great investment. Used by many bestselling authors, this wordsmith’s toolbox is currently $19.50 for Mac, and $19.50 for PC via 9to5Toys Specials.

Unlike your regular office suite, Scrivener is set up for long-form and creative writing. Along with the “snapshots” feature — each major version of your draft can be restored — the app features a storyboard tool, and a database for collecting relevant notes.

An outliner tool is also included to help you shape your narrative, and you can place research documents in floating windows for easy reference. Scriptwriting is made smoother thanks to the custom formatting options, and the clean full-screen mode is great for staying focused. The desktop app syncs with the mobile versions of Scrivener, too.

The deal takes 57% off the regular price of the Mac version, while PC users get 51% off.

What better way to learn programming than with an Arduino-powered tank? 9to5Toys Specials is offering this experience with the Makeblock Arduino Starter Robot Kit for $80 shipped.

Along with a custom Arduino, this pack provides everything you could possibly need for building your own robot. Led by easy-to-follow instructions, you’ll get the necessary tools and an assortment of components to construct either a tank or a three-wheeled car, with the mainframe of each made from sturdy aluminum.

In the process, you’ll pick up key knowledge of electronics, as well as how to program your vehicle. This includes allocating specific maneuvers to buttons on the supplied remote control. It makes for a fun way to spend the weekend, and a great introduction to programming.

The current deal wipes 46% off the standard price of the Makeblock kit, and you get free shipping to the Continental US.

Lightning cables are notoriously prone to damage, but the Titan Loop is a shining exception. Encased in flexible, industrial-strength steel, the Titan is the reliable cable you’ve been wishing for – and you can now get one for $20 shipped via 9to5Toys Specials. You can also get the bigger version of the Titan for $25 shipped off of $35. 

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The solid-walnut Grain Audio OEHP On-Ear Headphones offer superb sound with a classy exterior. 9to5Toys Specials currently offers them for $149 shipped.

Inside the enclosures made from FSC-certified walnut, the OEHPs have proprietary drivers with impressive specs. The combination of neodymium magnets and CCAW voice coils in 40mm speakers makes for a rich, detailed listening experience. In particular, these headphones provide a nice natural bass without the need for digital enhancement. Despite the hand-oiled wood, the headset weighs just half a pound, and it features an easy-to-use inline remote. There is also a mic built in for taking phone calls.

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With the new version of iOS about to roll out, now is an exciting time to be a developer. The All-Inclusive iOS 9 and Swift Course Bundle teaches you from scratch, and 9to5Toys Specials has it for $49.

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Going paperless is easy with a scanner that fits in your bag and runs off battery, like the Doxie Go. 9to5Toys Specials has it for $175 shipped.

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Much as we love the iPhone 6, it is a power-thirsty handset. To keep yours going all day, grab the Slim Juicer 3100mAh Battery Case for $30 shipped at 9to5Toys Specials.

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App development is surprisingly easy with the right tuition. The Hot Java Android Coding Bundle teaches all the necessary skills through five beginner-friendly video courses. You can currently grab it for $29 at 9to5Toys Specials.

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Great speakers are a long-term investment. The Griffin Twenty Digital Audio Amplifier lets you add Bluetooth connectivity and extra decibels to durable sound for $120 shipped at 9to5Toys Specials.

Unlike amplifiers of old, the Twenty uses high quality AAC and aptX streaming codecs to pump up the volume without any sound degradation or distortion. The music is fed out through regular left and right audio outputs, and there’s an additional jack for connecting to a powered sub-woofer.

You can stream music from most Bluetooth-enabled phones, tablets and PCs, and a TOSLINK cable is included for bringing sound from an audio-visual device, such as a games console, or an Apple TV. The Twenty has a wireless range of 10 meters (approx. 32 feet), and it can kick out 20 watts per channel.

Order now to grab 20% off the Twenty plus free shipping (Continental US and Canada).

You can never have too many high quality apps, and the Supercharge Your Mac Bundle offers nine of the best for $40 at 9to5Toys Specials.

Between them, these apps cover website building, photo editing, task management, file organization, and plenty more. All of them are highly rated, and they take advantage of 64-bit architecture to complete tasks at speed. Here is the full line-up:

• Flux V5.5 ($109) – create beautiful HTML5 without code
• Pagico ($50) – task management with note keeping, contact organization, and more
• DeltaWalker Pro ($59.99) – save space and stay organized by deleting duplicates, merging files, and syncing folders
• Emulsion ($49.99) – manage photos and edit with advanced tools, e.g. filters, spot healing
• SpotDox Pro 3-year subscription ($72) – access files on your Mac remotely from any device
• HydraPro ($99) – control contrast with realistic HDR image processing
• MotionComposer ($29) – design interactive animations for desktop and mobile devices
• PulpMotion ($49) – elegant drag-and-drop slideshows from videos and photos
• DiscLabel ($36): easily create pro-quality CD/DVD labels

In total, these apps would normally cost $554, so this bundle takes 92% off. You also get instant access, so you can start downloading your way to a better Mac straight away.

The iPhone 6 is a brilliant phone, but quite a thirsty one. To help keep yours powered at all times and avoid those unpleasant batter-panic moments, 9to5Toys Specials is offering a bundle with a Dyconn Battery Case and two Charging Stands for $60 shipped.

The case triples the battery life of Apple’s handset, and adds plenty of protection. It is shock-resistant and grippy, while the curved shape makes it comfortable in the hand. It is also impressively lightweight, at only four ounces, and aesthetically pleasing. But the best part is that you can wirelessly charge this external battery by placing your phone on one of the two included stands. Your phone is held upright, which is great for using it while it refuels. The two-pack means you can keep one by your bed, and the other on your desk.

This Dyconn kit is normally priced at $115, so the deal takes 47% off, with free shipping to the Continental US.

The Twist World Charging Station replaces a suitcase full of travel adaptors and chargers. It is currently $35 shipped at 9to5Toys Specials.

This adaptor works with the wall sockets of 150 countries, and it outputs power via four USB ports. You select the required pin configuration for your location by twisting a dial, which also gives you easier access to the USB ports.

All the outlets are fused to protect your devices, with the Twist kicking out 4 amps for simultaneous charging of multiple devices. The adaptor itself is also surprisingly compact, measuring 3.41 inches on its longest edge, and weighing in at just 0.39 pounds.

The deal takes 33% off the regular price of the Twist, and throws in free shipping to the Continental US.