News

Whether you’re ready or not, CES 2021 is just around the corner and various manufacturers are starting to share details about new products in the pipeline. The first of which is Samsung, which is now releasing its first look at a new massive 110-inch TV that is slated to go on sale in 2021. Based on the brand’s MicroLED technology, which it has shown off extensively at the last two CES events, this TV is set to be one of the biggest we’ve ever seen. Head below for full details on everything we know so far about the upcoming Samsung MicroLED TV.

SCUF, a brand known for its customized gaming controllers, just announced its first headset, the H1. True to its brand, the H1 will be fully customizable, wired, and based on the overall design and technology of CORSAIR’s VIRTUOSO headset. Offering a lightweight design, this headset is bound to have a home on your desk if you’re in the market for a new set of cans. Costing $130, let’s take a look at what makes the SCUF H1 different from other gaming headsets on the market.

Amazon has taken the wraps off an all-new Fire TV update. The company is touting the overhaul as a redesigned experience that aims to make usage “more personal, faster, and easier.” Overarching changes include a streamlined main menu with quick access to search, profile switching, and more. Amazon touts this update as its biggest yet, and best of all, it’s free and will be supported across new and many existing Fire TV devices. Continue reading to learn more.

John Legend has a new Holiday Edit partnered with Sperry featuring gift ideas for your feet. If you’re not familiar with John Legend, he’s a multi-platinum artist and Sperry’s 2020 Global Brand Ambassador. Inside the John Legend x Sperry Holiday Edit you can find gift ideas for everyone on your list. This includes timeless boat shoes, modern boots for winter, and more. Better yet, Sperry offers free delivery on all orders. Head below the jump to find all of John Legend’s top picks from Sperry and be sure to check out our guide to the best new perfumes to pick up this December that are great for gifting.

You’re reading Tested with 9to5Toys, where we explore everyday tech essentials that make life a bit easier. Browse through our entire guide for all of the latest reviews, and sound off in the comments below if there’s something you’d like to see featured.

While there are plenty of HomeKit accessories on the market that bring Siri control to your outlets, you’ll find fewer illumination options that feature an all-in-one design. Of course, Philips hue comes to mind, but its fully integrated lights tend to be on the pricey side. Enter meross. The affordable HomeKit accessory company has to come market with a slew of new products in recent months with Apple’s blessing. That includes its Smart Wi-Fi Ambient Light that packs compatibility with HomeKit, Google Assistant, and Alexa, all for under $40. Head below for a quick hands-on review and a few thoughts on this popular affordable lamp.

It’s now time for our 2020 roundup of the best gifts for musicians. After detailing our favorite options in the smart home category earlier this week, we turn our attention to some great gift ideas for musicians. Whether it seems like they already have everything out there or you’re having a hard time finding something affordable, we collected some particularly notable ideas just about any musician and home producer would appreciate under the tree this year. Hit the fold for a closer look at our picks for the best gifts for musicians this year. 

Meross is expanding its stable of smart home accessories today with its latest garage door opener remote. Armed with support for Siri, Alexa, and Assistant, Meross Collie enters with a refreshed design, improved Wi-Fi connectivity, and other new features. Head below for all of the details and a closer look at how the latest from Meross stands out from the competition.

Halo Infinite is no stranger to delays, as we saw back in August when 343 announced that it would be 2021 before we’d see the latest installment in the series. Many were saddened by this, but in a way, it was good, as it gave the development team more time to polish things up and get them ready for the big release. Well, we finally have a more detailed timeline as to when Halo Infinite will launch, as well as developmental updates and new screenshots to view. So, while we wait for Halo Infinite to launch in fall of 2021, let’s take a look at the latest information we have as of right now.

Bringing their technology from the popular Mobius gaming headset, Audeze delivers planar magnetic drivers to the console crowd with Penrose and Penrose X. While the wireless adapter and Bluetooth connectivity enable use with many different platforms, Penrose X brings premium audio to the Xbox Series X|S along with a premium price tag of $299.99. So how does the Audeze Penrose X perform for the price? Be sure to watch the video below and see all the details. 

The 35th anniversary of Super Mario brought plenty of new ways to enjoy the Nintendo action from a battle-royale style title to an official collaboration with LEGO. But one of the releases from earlier this fall that was overlooked by the limited-edition release of Mario All-Stars fell to Mario Kart Live. The remote-controlled car brought the wildly-popular racing game into the real world with an augmented reality experience to tie everything together. And today, we’re taking a hands-on look at what to expect from Nintendo’s latest out of the box idea, so head below for a closer look at everything in our Mario Kart Live review.

Folks intrigued by the thought of tiny homes have yet another option to choose from now that GoSun Dream is up for grabs. The new tiny house touts a solar-powered design that’s ready to go off-grid, hook up at an RV resort, become your permanent household, and the list goes on. It boasts a modern style that’s outfitted with many of GoSun’s tried-and-true essentials. Examples include GoSun Fusion Solar Oven and GoSun Chill, among many others. Continue reading to learn more.

After Apple recently brought back the MagSafe name to a new line of products with the latest iPhones, accessory makers have been rushing to bring new add-ons to market. The latest of which is Gear4, a subsidiary of ZAGG, which today is introducing a handful of cases for iPhone 12, 12 mini, and 12 Pro/Max. These new cases focus on a lightweight design that won’t add too much bulk while delivering compatibility with MagSafe functionality and the ability to quickly charge devices through the case itself. Head below for full details on today’s announcement and more.

Wyze is on a roll to close out 2020. After announcing the Wyze Watch, Sprinkler Controller, Vacuum, and several other products this year, the company is now entering the home security market. We got our first glimpse of this back in May when the company announced a partnership with Noonlight, offering a panic button of sorts to its camera lineup. But, now, Wyze is pushing that further with a full home monitoring solution, still partnered with Noonlight. Wyze Home Monitoring is built off the company’s all-new Sense v2 platform and will cost $5 per month. Equipment will run $60, though, if you pre-pay your first year (which is also $60), you’ll get the equipment included for free. What all does Wyze Home Monitoring cost? Well, let’s dive in.

Today, we’re getting another look at the latest LEGO creations due out in 2021 with a pair of Technic sets. In collaboration with Monster Jam, fans will be able to assemble either the iconic Grave Digger or Max-D monster trucks complete with pull-back features and plenty of authentic details. Head below for a closer look at the two new LEGO Technic Monster Jam sets.

The classic Star Wars KOTOR 2 is now scheduled for an official release on iOS and Android on the same date as The Mandalorian season 2. The original KOTOR game has been available on mobile platforms for quite some time now, but after fans asking for a mobile port of the sequel for “so long,” publisher Aspyr has now officially announced the mid-December launch date. Head below for more details and a look at today’s announcement trailer. 

Every year, Call of Duty gets a new iteration, and we’re coming off one of the best releases we’ve seen in many years. While Infinity Ward handled Modern Warfare quite well, this year, it’s Treyarch’s turn to take the helm, and with that comes Black Ops: Cold War. A familiar story to many, Black Ops: Cold War takes place in the ‘80s during the height of the Cold War, where you’ll play as various characters in the infamous time period. Sit with the president, fill him in on details, and make decisions along the way…be careful here, as they can change the outcome of the game. Without further ado, let’s take a deep dive into our hands-on review of Call of Duty Black Ops: Cold War.

With the new year on the horizon, we’re getting more and more of a complete picture of what to expect from LEGO once 2021 rolls around. Today, we’re getting another official look at what to expect, thanks to the very first LEGO catalog that’s been released. Head below for a closer look at the new creations in the first LEGO catalog for 2021.

HP has taken the wraps off its latest laptops today. PC shoppers will have several more options to choose from now that the HP EliteBook 800 series and ZBook Firefly G8 have debuted. All configurations are powered by Intel’s 11th generation processors. A couple of standout features happen to be support for up to 64GB or RAM and integrated Tile support. HP is aiming these new devices at remote workers, product designers, creative professionals, data scientists, and the list goes on. Continue reading to learn more.

Smart home tech has proven to be a great way to refresh your space with some ambient lighting or provide a more immersive home theater experience. Today, we’re rounding up some of our favorite accessories that would make great gifts this holiday season. Perfect for the people on your list who already pick up the latest and greatest tech for themselves, these next-level smart home upgrades are sure to excite once unwrapped at the end of the month. Head below for all of our top picks in this year’s smart home gift guide.

Disney is teaming up with NERF and Hasbro to release an all-new Amban Phase-Pulse Mandalorian NERF blaster replica. Inspired directly by Din Djarin’s primary weapon from the hit Disney+ show, Star Wars: The Mandalorian, the new NERF blaster is also one of the longest the company has ever produced. Head below for a closer look and pre-order details. 

Continuing their quest for the ultimate collectible retro line-up, New Wave Toys’ latest miniature replica arcade cabinet is the Dragon’s Lair x RepliCade. Officially licensed by Digital Leisure and Dragon’s Lair LLC, this new premium cab has the same incredible attention to detail that we’ve seen on all of New Wave Toys’ earlier offerings. Head below to watch the video and see all of the details. 

Today, LEGO is taking the wraps off its latest creation, giving us a better picture of what to expect from the upcoming 2021 wave of kits. Bringing the iconic Jeep Wrangler into LEGO form for the very first time, the new Technic model arrives as just the latest set to debut ahead of the new lineup of kits next year. Stacking up to over 660 pieces, you’ll find a working winch alongside other authentic details. Head below for all of the details on the upcoming LEGO Technic Jeep Wrangler.

With the holidays around the corner, LEGO is back to start the month here with its latest winter-themed creation. Stacking up to over 300 pieces, the new Ice Skating Rink brings some festive charm to your LEGO city complete with two minifigures and a working mechanism to actually let them skate. Head below for a closer look at the new LEGO Ice Skating Rink kit and to learn how it can be added to your collection for entirely free.

Despite a global pandemic, lagging economy, and overall uncertainty, Amazon is reporting today that it has returned one of the best Black Friday and Cyber Mondays ever. Calling it “record demand,” Amazon is detailing the news in a blog post today detailing how, despite being fresh off Prime Day, sales numbers continued to be very high through the month of November. There was quite a bit of uncertainty on the way in to the holiday shopping season, but it appears that Amazon largely came out unscathed. Head below for a full breakdown of the most popular items from Amazon’s holiday shopping events and more.

With a wireless dongle that enables use across Xbox as well as PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and Android Mobile devices, the SteelSeries Arctis 7X offers huge compatibility for next-gen consoles. Match that with 24-hour battery life and one of the most comfortable designs, and the 7X has a lot to offer for $149.99. Head below to watch the video and find out more. 

Today, LEGO is taking the wraps off its latest roster of collectible minifigures with 12 new characters. As one of its most diverse selections yet, this time around, fans will be able to expand their collections with everything from a centaur archer to beekeeper, Aztec warrior, violinist, and more. Head below the fold for more details and a closer look at all 12 of the new releases in the LEGO Collectible minifigure series 21 set.

Hot on the heels of the Wyze Sprinkler, Vacuum, Cam V3, Doorbell, Thermostat, Headphones, and more, the budget-focused smart gear company is entering the smartwatch game…again. Wyze released their first fitness tracker/wearable back in March, and we went hands-on with it a few months later. Designed more like a fitness tracker and less like a watch, Wyze Band, as it was called, cost $25. That in and of itself was a bargain, but Wyze decided that it was time to launch a true smartwatch, the Wyze Watch. This time, however, they decided to come in at an even more affordable price: $19.99. What all does Wyze Watch do? Well, there’s quite a bit packed into this budget-focused wearable, including blood oxygen tracking, so let’s dive in.

It’s officially Cyber Monday here at 9to5Toys and many of the mainstream retailers have already kicked up a number of promotions. With everything from the latest iPads and Apple Watches on sale to Android phones, smart home gear, and more, there’s a lot to check out this year. Down below you’ll find our Black Friday deal hub for the week, which will be constantly updated with all of the latest offers in one central location. Head below for all of the best Cyber Monday deals and more.

Today, LEGO is unveiling the latest expansion to its collection of modular Creator Expert buildings with what will likely be the very last creation showcased in 2020. Stacking up to over 2,900 pieces, the new LEGO Police Station pairs a New York City-style headquarters with donut shop and more to expect your brick-built city. Head below for a closer look at the new LEGO modular Creator Expert building and for all the details.

Today, we’re getting another look at what to expect from the LEGO 2021 lineup with a pair of new Creator Expert sets that stand out from anything we’ve seen from the existing brick-built catalog. Assembling two botanical creations, the new kits bring a buildable flower bouquet and bonsai to your collection. Head below for a closer look at the new LEGO Creator Expert 2021 lineup.

Today, LEGO is giving us an official first look at the upcoming 2021 lineup of Star Wars kits ahead of launching in January. With four new creations on the way on top of the previous-unveiled Mandalorion kit, builders will be able to assemble various models from the Original Trilogy including an X-Wing, Tie Fighter, and more. Head below for a closer look at all of the upcoming 2021 LEGO Star Wars sets. 

There’s no denying that the new Xbox Series X and S are fast. The Xbox boots up almost instantly, and the games load just as fast. One factor that plays a huge role in that is the speed of the internal storage. With about 802GB of usable storage on the Xbox Series X after system files and just 364GB on the Series S, though, you might be looking at external storage options since the latest titles keep getting bigger and bigger. The fastest option for expanding storage on the new Xbox is hands down the Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Series X|S, but there are other options if shelling out $220 isn’t possible at the time. Be sure to hit the video below to see more details. 

You’re reading Tested with 9to5Toys, where we explore everyday tech essentials that make life a bit easier. Browse through our entire guide for all of the latest reviews, and sound off in the comments below if there’s something you’d like to see featured.

First world problem, I know, but I often find myself running out of room on my iMac’s 27-inch 5K display. I like to have things like Twitter, messages, Discord, music, or Slack kind of running off to the side while I’m hammering away on articles or paperwork. Also, I wanted something to play games on when work time was over.

Enter the Monoprice 35-inch Zero-G Curved Ultra-Wide Gaming Monitor with 3440×1440 resolution and 100Hz refresh rate. And at a current sale price of $299.99, it ticks off all of the boxes and I’m now using that 5K iMac display as the side monitor. Head below for my hands-on review.

While Black Friday has just barely started in earnest, Amazon is already detailing its plans for Cyber Monday. But as you’d guess, it’s no longer a single day event. Amazon Cyber Monday 2020 will cover the entire weekend with a rotating cast of Gold Box deals along with discounts on first-party devices that continue from Black Friday. Head below for an overview of what to expect during Cyber Monday at Amazon this year.

After getting a look at the upcoming 2021 LEGO Star Wars and Mario sets earlier in the week, we’re now diving into what you can expect from the rest of the new year’s lineup. LEGO is taking the wraps off its upcoming wave of Art, Technic, Marvel, and other kits that’ll land starting on January 1. Head below the fold for a closer look at all of the new sets.

For quite a while now, we’ve seen loads of big technology brands target the home audio space, and this year is no exception. Amazon revamped a majority of its Echo lineup, Apple unveiled HomePod mini, and Samsung expanded its soundbar product category. With arguably the best time to shop nearly upon us, this guide aims to serve up the best Black Friday speaker deals we’ve come across. Below you’ll find a breakdown of home theater and smart solutions. Bear in mind that some deals are live now and other sale prices will launch sometime between now and Black Friday.

We’re officially one week away from Black Friday. But as we’ve told you before, this is shaping up to be unlike any Thanksgiving week we’ve ever seen before. In fact, many Black Friday sales are already underway. But as we look towards the best offer next week, it’s time for our annual tradition of naming the top 10 Black Friday deals coming down the pipeline over the next few days.

The gift guides keep rolling as we inch toward the holidays, and Mariah Carey’s New Must-Have List just debuted on Amazon. We recently covered Oprah’s Favorite Things, with an array of great gift ideas. Inside Mariah Carey’s Gift Guide, you can find gifts for the entire family, from tech to apparel and everything between. The guide also features budget-friendly options starting at $9. Be sure to head below the jump and shop our top picks for the best of Mariah’s Must Haves for 2020. Also, you will want to check out our guide to the Ulta Holiday Gift List here with hundreds of top brand items and Black Friday Hours, too.

We’re now officially a week away from Black Friday proper and on the eve of LEGO’s VIP Weekend sale, so now it’s time to take a look at all of the best LEGO deals out there this holiday shopping season. Ranging from some of the deepest cash discounts of the year on new creations to promotional credits and limited-edition freebie kits, there are going to be plenty of ways to save. Head below for a closer look at all of the best LEGO Black Friday deals.

Alongside getting a look at the latest Technic supercar today, LEGO is unveiling the latest creation straight out of The Mandalorian. As the first kit drawing inspiration from season two, the new LEGO Star Wars Trouble on Tatooine set packs nearly 300 pieces as well as a new Beskar armor of the iconic bounty hunter. Head below for a closer look at the upcoming LEGO Mandalorian Trouble on Tatooine set.

This year’s shopping extravaganza will be starting as early as tomorrow (and already has in many cases), so let’s dive into this year’s best Black Friday headphones deals. Many of this year’s best deals from Beats, Bose, Sony, and others have already started to go live at some of the biggest retailers out there, but there are a few notable advertised deals still to come. We have laid out all of the best options available right now along with the best Black Friday Headphones deals coming over the weekend and beyond down below.  

Today, we’re getting yet another official look at what to expect from the 2021 LEGO lineup with the unveiling of its new Technic McLaren Senna GTR. Stacking up to over 800 pieces, the new vehicle sports a slick blue color scheme and plenty of accurate details straight from the real deal. Head below for a closer look at the latest brick-built supercar to roll out of LEGO’s garage, the new Technic McLaren Senna GTR.

Black Friday 2020 just about here. It’s arguably the deal hunter’s favorite holiday. Here you’ll find our favorite 2020 Black Friday TV deals, making it a one-stop-shop for your big screen needs. As you would expect, retailers are very competitive with pricing that paves the way for a serious upgrade to whatever you may currently have. Continue reading to find our top picks this year.

As it does each year, Amazon has now unveiled its list of the Best Books of 2020. This time around, Amazon is highlighting 10 different titles that were announced within the calendar year, setting the stage for what will likely be some of the most popular gifts of the holiday season. We checked in at the halfway point of the year in June as Amazon noted a few top picks so far for 2020, but now we’re getting the full list. This year’s event feels different from previous renditions of the book list, given the number of people that are staying at home these days due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Head below for a look at Amazon’s top reads for 2020.

Black Friday is just over a week away but we’ve already learned through early ad leaks that this is shaping up to be a particularly notable shopping event. We’ve already highlighted some of the best deals coming down the pipeline from Amazon and Google, and now we’re turning our attention to Apple. With loads of new hardware announced this fall, it’s looking like the latest out of Cupertino will be taking center stage throughout Thanksgiving week. You’ll find our complete guide to the best Apple Black Friday deals down below for 2020.