Trevor Daugherty is the Senior Editor of 9to5Toys. Since joining in 2014, he’s specialized in product reviews, exclusive discounts and 9to5’s New Toy of the Day. Contact him direct at trevor@9to5mac.com.
FaceTime has now become the standard for communicating with friends, loved ones and business associates as Apple has achieved greater saturation of the market. But sharing an experience over this medium can be hit-or-miss. Who hasn’t been in a video chat where the person on the other end forgets to keep their camera on the subject. A new Kickstarter project aims to end the days of, “hey can you move that?” or “I can’t see!”
The PadBot T1 looks straight out of the Jetsons. But it’s no Rosie, instead its a two-wheeled home for your device during video conference sessions. The main feature is its ability to follow a subject around, creating a first-person experience while using FaceTime or Skype. It’s a little bit creepy but also kind of useful…
It’s no surprise that this printer went on sale right as the school year is kicking up, it has everything you’ll need to crank out documents, scan images and more. AirPrint connectivity allows you to print directly from your Apple device. Brother has also included support for Amazon’s Dash Replenishment service, so you won’t have to worry about ordering ink when you run out. This printer is rated 4.2/5 stars by over 1,400 Amazon customers.
Grovemade makes some of our favorite Apple accessories and home goods from natural, sustainable materials. Based out of Portland, Oregon, its latest creation comes via a partnership with designer Joey Roth. Grovemade’s new Wood Speakers have a unique horn-shape design that are, of course, made from solid walnut and maple. The design fits in alongside the company’s gorgeous desk collection. But don’t be fooled, these speakers will look great alongside a turntable too.
Leveraging the capacity of the sun to power our gadgets, homes and just about any electronic has become much more commonplace in the last few years. Before that, hydropower found a home in North America as a viable source of renewable energy. This is evident in dams across the world.
Enomad is a startup based out of South Korea that is working to harness hydropower on a much smaller scale. It recently took to Kickstarter with a new product called the Estream that converts running water into usable energy for smartphones, batteries and more. Full details below.
Update (8/22 9:30am): @jakeolds is the winner of our giveaway. Thank you to everyone that participated. As always, be sure to follow @9to5Toys on twitter for the latest deals and new gear.
Jaybird makes some of our favorite active lifestyle headphones on the market. Thanks to Apple-friendly styling and a solid design, these wireless earbuds are perfect for the gym or at-home listening. Today, we’re kicking off a giveaway of Jaybird’s Freedom F5 Headphones. Head below to learn how you can win a pair!
Update (8/31 11:00am): The Battlefield 1 Beta is now open, you can download the game via your platform’s app store. It’s slated to run through September 8th although DICE could potentially extend it. As expected, in-game rewards from the beta period will not carry over to the final release.
Battlefield 1 was first announced back in May to much fanfare with pre-orders kicking off shortly after. Today, we’re getting our first glimpse at the upcoming beta schedule. EA has announced that it will be kicking things off on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Origin for PC on August 31st. You’ll want to be sure that you’re signed up by the 21st and have selected your platform preference on the Battlefield Insider Page prior to that date.
Today, Jabra announced new versions of its Sport Pulse and Sport Coach wireless headphones. This upgrade brings continuous VO2 Max monitoring amongst other features to the fitness tracker meets earbud product. It can even track your steps during use…
MLB.TV Premium is now available for free with the purchase of a Wendy’s Frosty. Kind of crazy, right? All you have to do is follow these simple steps:
Purchase a Wendy’s Frosty
Take a photo of your Frosty
Upload a photo of your Frosty to either Instagram or Twitter #50CENTFROSTYMLB (note: accounts must be public – private accounts are not eligible)
You will be direct messaged with steps on how to activate your MLB.TV Premium Subscription for the remainder of the 2016 regular season. (you will be contacted 24 – 48 hours after your photo has been uploaded by @mlbtv on twitter or @wendysmlb on instagram)
Chromebooks are a great buy for students this time of year. Aside from getting an all-in-one solution with Google Docs and Chrome OS, the price is much more attractive than many alternatives on the market. Google’s recent move to add Android apps to Chromebooks makes it even more attractive. This particularly model has a 14-inch display, Intel Celeron 2.16GHz processor, 2GB of RAM and a 16 internal solid-state drive. The built-in battery is rated for over nine hours of use and it also has 802.11ac wireless. Rated 4.2/5 stars by 222 Amazon customers.
Back in May, Grado Labs introduced the GS2000e over-ear headphones, the latest creation to come out of its unassuming Brooklyn factory. These new cans sit atop the Statement Series with a fresh design that marries two woods – mahogany and maple – with a hefty $1,400 price tag. But as they say, you get what you pay for…
Tern’s newest creation, the Electron e-Bike is powered by Bosch’s Active motor system. It is being touted as “the most powerful and smallest folding e-bike ever.” Lofty claims. So is it true? Head below to find out how Electron is bringing more power to an ever-expanding product category.
With football season just around the corner, Wilson is taking the opportunity to provide new details on its latest upcoming release. The X Connected Football will ship in a few weeks with eyes on improving accuracy, speed, distance and other key elements to throwing a top-grade pass. Of course, it works in conjunction with your iOS or Android device to provide stats and more. Head below for full details.
Sous Vide is arguably the best way to make some of the juiciest and well-flavored meals of your life. It uses “precision” temperature control to cook your food at just the right speed to ensure “restaurant quality results at home .” Anova’s latest model includes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, so you’ll be able to monitor your dinner at home or away with the free smartphone app. Rated 4.4/5 stars by over 1,200 Amazon customers.
Chromebooks are a great buy with the school year kicking off. Thanks to its affordable price and built-in Google Docs platform, this model will serve students well when it comes to writing papers and creating presentations. Features include an 11.6-inch display, 802.11ac wireless connectivity and up to 13 hours of battery life. Also, 4GB of RAM gives you a significant boost of other Chromebooks at this price point. Users will also receive 100GB of Google Drive storage for two-years with purchase. Rated 4.3/5 stars by 475 Amazon customers.
It’s tough to beat these all-in-one smart TVs at this price and screen size. Roku’s top-notch operating system brings “thousands of streaming channels” and support for 4K content make this a solid option for your living room, den or bedroom. This TCL Ultra HDTV has four HDMI inputs with HDCP 2.2 support, one USB port and built-in Wi-Fi. It has an effective refresh rate of 120Hz and Roku’s “easy to use” remote. It can also be controlled via the free iOS or Android app. Rated 4.1/5 stars by 152 Amazon customers.
ICYMI: We still have a pair 4K Smart Ultra HDTVs at low prices – Sony 43″ w/ Google Cast $550, Samsung 50″ $529.
After a rather muted holiday season with new releases, 2016 is shaping up to be the year of the TV. With nearly every brand imaginable offering 4K and smart functionality, manufacturers are working to stand out visually with fresh designs and wow-factor features. Bang & Olufsen has been a little late to the party without a fresh release in the last few cycles. Today, it’s making noise with its BeoVision 14. The successor to the previously released Avant and 11, this new model brings Ultra HD resolution, Android TV and B&O’s usual flair for design. And of course, the stomach churning price tag to match.
The official WORX eBay Store offers its WG163 20V GT 3.0 12-inch Cordless String Trimmer/Edger with two batteries for $79.99 shipped. For comparison, you’ll find this bundle online for around $100 at retailers like Home Depot. Features include a 20V rechargeable battery system that ditches the need for a gas can or mixing oil. This fume-free system has an adjustable shaft, 90-degree pivoting head and ships with a three-year limited warranty. Rated 4.2/5 stars.
Samsung’s Duo Flash Drives feature USB 3.0 and microUSB connectivity, making it a great purchase for Android users. It has a “slim and sophisticated” metal design with NAND flash technology for speeds up to 130MB/s. Additionally, these drives are built to be safe from water, shock, magnets, temperature and x-rays. A five-year warranty is included with purchase. Rated 4.5/5 stars by 470 Amazon customers.
We’ve found a number of LEGO Technic price drops this morning over at Amazon with price matches at Walmart. Free shipping is available for Prime members or in orders of $49+.
Amazon is discounting another round of HD movies down to just $4.99. As we’ve said before, this is a great opportunity to permanently add these flicks to your collection. Each movie typically rents for $5 or more by itself. You can enjoy your new films many different ways, including Kindle Fire, iOS, Android plus gaming consoles and smart TVs. Check out this list to see if you have an eligible device.
Back-to-school sales are popping up all over in preparation for the year ahead. The latest of which comes from Amazon: purchase any two eligible snacks from this page and you’ll save $5 off your entire order. Obviously, some of these deals may not be as good as your local supermarket, but you’re saving time and gas by ordering here. If you’re already using Prime Pantry or just stocking up on school supplies, why not throw in a few extra goodies for the kids?!
BuyDig’s official eBay Store offers the Sony 5.2-Ch. 725W 4K A/V Receiver (model STR-DH550) for $149.99 shipped. That’s a 25% off most online retailers, the best available price by $30 and a match of our previous mention. Sony’s 4K receiver has four HDMI inputs with one out, USB connectivity and support for 5.2-channel setups plus 725 watts of power. Rated 4.1/5 stars by 404 Amazon customers.
It’s that time of year when students are headed back to school and parents are scrambling to find all the necessary supplies. While Hewlett Packard isn’t necessarily the first name you’d think of when it comes to backpacks, the computer-maker is dabbling in a new area. The HP Powerup Backpack has a surprisingly nice design with a few neat tricks inside…
BuyDig’s official eBay Store offers the Samsung 65-inch 4K Curved Smart Ultra HDTV (model UN65KU6500) for $1,249 shipped. That’s down $200-$250 from the regular going rate at online retailers like Amazon and $80 less than our previous mention. This Ultra HDTV has a 65-inch curved display and a 120CMR refresh rate. Built-in Wi-Fi brings smart functionality alongside three HDMI inputs and two USB ports. Rated 4.5/5 stars.
This Harman Kardon 4K A/V receiver features eight HDMI inputs and is capable of supplying audio to a full 7.1-channel setup. It has AirPlay and DLNA capabilities via built-in Wi-Fi. Additional features include Logic 7 processing, a front HDMI input and 100W of power per channel. While reviews are slim on this model, Harman Kardon’s line of A/V receivers are generally well-rated.
Amazon offers the Greenes 4 x 8-foot Cedar Raised Garden Bed for $87.08 shipped. Matched at Walmart. Today’s deal is down from its regular price of $100 and the lowest that Amazon has ever sold it for. It is Made in the USA from natural “rot and insect-resistant” cedar wood. The easy-to-install boards slide into place and only require a screwdriver to complete the setup. Two can be stacked on top for a 21-inch total height, if needed. Rated 4.2/5 stars by 185 Amazon customers.
Today’s Top Green Deals:
CozyPony Solar Outdoor LED Spotlight: $9 (Reg. $14) | Amazon
w/ code LPVJHI9F
Philips 4-pack 60W A19 LED Light Bulbs: $11 (Reg. $15) | Home Depot
Snow Joe Electric 13-inch 10A Snow Blower: $44 (Reg. $75) | Amazon
Just in time for back to school shopping, Amazon offers its AmazonBasics Classic Backpack in Black or Blue for $12.59 Prime shipped. That’s a $5 savings off the regular price and the lowest that its ever been sold for. Although it doesn’t have many bells and whistles, this backpack will certainly get the job done. It has a “lightweight yet durable” design with designated storage spaces for all of your gear. It can fit a MacBook up to 13-inches in size. Rated 4.5/5 stars by 225 Amazon customers.
The official WORX eBay Store offers its WG720 19-inch 12A Electric Lawn Mower for $129.99 shipped. It usually sells for around $190 at retailers like Walmart. Features include a 19-inch cutting system, 13A electric motor, and a steel deck for “premium mulching capabilities”. It has a fold-up design for easy storage. Rated 4.5/5 stars.
Today’s Top Green Deals:
Greenes 4- x 8-foot Cedar Raised Garden: $87 (Reg. $100+) | Amazon
RockBirds Weatherproof Solar LED Spotlights: $12 (Reg. $16) | Amazon
Craftsman Electric 1700PSI 1.3G Power Washer:$117 (Reg. $140) | Sears
This morning, Philips announced a new line of personal health technology similar to Withings’ popular products. Today’s announcement isn’t just focused on one area either. Philips will be releasing a new Health Watch, scale, thermometer and blood press monitor. With fitness tracking dominating 2016, it’s no surprise that the Dutch brand is entering the fray. Full details on each release below.
Update: Chromecast users can get two months free of Spotify Premium. Just remember to have your Chromecast plugged in to redeem the deal and to cancel before the two months is up to avoid a full price subscription.
Groupon offers a free two-month subscription to Pandora One. This usually costs $4.99/month, so you’re saving around $10 with this deal. Of course, you’ll want to cancel prior to the two months concluding or it will roll over into a regular subscription.
Parrot’s stylish Bluetooth headphones offer noise cancellation technology and up to six hours of listening time on a single charge. The Smart Touch Panel allows users to change settings, volume and more thanks to a capacitive system on the side. A free smartphone app brings access to “fully customizable” listening experience. Rated 3.6/5 stars by 336 Amazon customers.
X-Chef LLC (100% positive feedback all-time) via Amazon offers its 1.2-Gallon Premium Stainless Steel Compost Basket for $15.99 Prime shipped after promo code 3A2CF6UB is applied during checkout. That’s a 20% savings off the regular price and the best available. Adding a composter in your kitchen takes the guesswork out of reusing your extra food to help your garden. This specific model is made from stainless steel and has an “airtight seal lid and odor reducing filter” to cut down on any stinky smells. Rated 4.8/5 stars.
Home brewing has seen a massive increase in interest over the last few years. Thanks to products like Beer Bar and MiniBrew, it’s easier than ever. A new product called the Hometap from popular San Francisco-based craft beer service Hopsy wants to bring the entire keg experience to your countertop. This might truly be the Keurig of brews…
NFL Training Camps are opening this week and that means the season is just over a month away. Every fan knows about Sunday Ticket, the service that lets you watch every live out-of-market game each week. Not as many are familiar with the subscription service’s discount for those with access to a .edu email address. Sunday Ticket typically goes for $49.99 per month but you can save 50% if you are a student (or know one kind enough to help you out). That drops the price down to $100 for the full season. You’ll be able to stream any out-of-market game on your Xbox One, Sony PlayStation 4, Roku, laptop, tablet or phone and now the 4th Generation Apple TV. Just head over to this landing page to lock-in your discounted pricing with an eligible .edu address.
It’s almost time to send the kids back to school or off to college, so you should be loading up on all the necessary gear to make this year a success. We’re not talking about pencils, folders or trapper keepers here but rather items to help keep your stuff organized, electronics charged and to just make life a little easier. Because we all know, the student grind is unlike any other…
The GoPro accessory market is littered with high-quality products, low-cost alternatives and everything in-between. After all, the popular action camera gains a massive amount of functionality when you introduce a few add-ons.
Kickstarter veteran MicroJib has returned to the crowdfunding site a year after it successfully launched its first generation pan and tilt extendable mount. The MicroJib 2 promises an upgraded design with the same buttery smooth “cinema-quality” movement. It is also available in two sizes now alongside another mount that it promises is unlike anything else on the market today…
Grab this stylish messenger bag for your commute or as a gift for the student in your life. It is made from canvas and “crazy horse” leather. There are multiple storage areas, including designated spaces for a MacBook up to 13-inches in size (or 14-inch PC), iPad, iPhone and documents. There is a leather handle on top and adjustable canvas shoulder strap for carrying. Rated 4.5/5 stars by 350 Amazon customers.
This morning, Best Buy kicked off a new shipping policy that rivals Amazon Prime. My Best Buy members now receive free two-day shipping on “thousands of items”, which is a change from its traditional standard delivery service that still applies to all other shoppers. Elite and Elite Plus subscribers will continue to enjoy no minimums on all purchases. It is free to sign up for a My Best Buy membership. If you do any shopping at the online and B&M retailer, it’s a no-brainer. Alongside this new shipping policy, you’ll have early access to Best Buy’s major annual events like last week’s Black Friday in July sale.
It’s also worth noting a change to the reward program’s point and gift card system. Starting August 28th, My Best Buy members will receive 0.5 points per $1 spent, which is a 50% decrease from the previous policy. For example, it will now take $500 worth of purchases to earn a $5 gift card. Elite members will continue to earn 1 per $1 spent and Elite Plus gets a bump to 1.25 for each $1. This is another move by Best Buy to make its higher tiers all the more attractive to consumers. The following minimums remain in place for achieving higher membership levels: $1,500 worth of purchase per calendar year for Elite status and $3,500 for Plus.
This isn’t your regular flash drive, Samsung’s Fit line is made of metal and is designed to sit nearly flush with your device thanks to its compact footprint. It also sports NAND technology for transfer speeds up to 130MB/s. The slim design also brings “water proof, shock proof, magnet proof, temp proof, and X-ray proof” protection. Samsung includes a five-year warranty with purchase. Over 525 Amazon customers have left a 4.6/5 star rating.
Sony has announced its selection of PlayStation Plus titles for August. All together, PS Plus members will be able to grab six free games. Head below for a full look at what’s coming down the pipeline.
Amazon offers a 16-pack of Philips 60W A19 LED Light Bulbs for $26.58 Prime shipped. That’s down from its regular price of $35 and the lowest that Amazon has ever offered it for. This is an excellent deal with enough LED bulbs to replace a number of the lights in your home. You can expect up to $62 worth of savings over the life of each individual bulb with roughly 10 years of use. Rated 4.6/5 stars by over 400 Amazon customers.
Amazon has announced that it is expanding its Launchpad store to include a new Kickstarter Collection featuring successful products from the crowdfunding site. Starting today, there will be over 300 items available for purchase from all kinds of categories. More details below…
These in-ear headphones from Inateck have a “genuine wooden design”, an in-line remote for controlling your iOS or Android device, and “dynamic” drivers. Inateck includes three different sized silicone earbuds to help find that ideal fit. Rated 4.3/5 stars.
Microsoft has announced two new bundles for its upcoming Xbox One S gaming console. Like years past, gamers will be able to pick up Madden 17 with special extras and an EA Access trial for $349. This bundle will include a 1TB console and is set to be released on August 23rd. Aside from a digital download of the latest Madden title, EA includes seven Ultimate Team Pro Packs, as well. You’ll also receive a 20% promo code for your next purchase at NFLShop.com.
Smartwatches and fitness trackers have enjoyed quite a bit of popularity over the last 18 months as manufacturers like Apple, Motorola, Huawei and others vie for the prime wrist real estate. By and large, you need to get into the $200+ category to really cash in on a full featured smartphone accessory. A new product called the Ticwatch 2 from Mobvoi hit Kickstarter today with a $99 price tag and big dreams. Its clean design is attractive, and with GPS plus heart rate monitoring built-in, it also checks all the boxes…
This Ultra HDTV has a 40-inch display capable of 4K resolutions, a 120Hz CMR refresh rate (60Hz native), built-in Wi-Fi that provides smart functionality and three HDMI inputs plus two USB ports. Rated 4.3/5 stars by nearly 200 Amazon customers.
