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When I was asked in July if I wanted to check out the budget minded Momentum Meri smart thermostat, I didn’t think that it would almost five months until I posted the review. But, because of some issues with the original firmware and a new update that I wanted to test before posting, here we are. Check out the video for more on my time with this $100 budget-minded smart thermostat.
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Order Now!With smart home ecosystems largely funneling down to HomeKit, Alexa, and Assistant, it’s always good to see new products that natively support as many as possible. The new ConnectSense In-Wall Outlet thankfully supports all three, solidifying itself as a solid contender in the smart home space.
Unlike typical smart plugs, this unit replaces existing outlets. Going this route yields a clean look while also delivering desirable smart home functionality. “Ultra-precise power monitoring” is also a notable feature, delivering measurements that ConnectSense touts as accurate within a 0.1% margin of error.
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Needing a gift idea? Cologne is always a great gift option during the holiday season for the men in your life. Plus, loads of brands release new fragrances during the end of the year. You can find new fragrances from Vince Camuto, Jimmy Choo, Tom Ford, and many more. So be sure to keep scrolling to find all of our favorite options for holiday gifting.
Throughout 2019, Ubiquiti has been ramping up its home security efforts with continual enhances to the UniFi Protect product line. As of now, most of these upgrades have been software-focused, though it looks like there will be plenty in store on the hardware front from the company come 2020. Today we’re getting the first official look the upcoming Ubiquiti UniFi Protect Video Doorbell thanks to an FCC filing. Head below for a closer look.
The highly-anticipated Resident Evil 3 remake has now been made official. After leaks for the upcoming remake surfaced recently, Sony and Capcom have now dropped the debut trailer, an official release date, and a series of details about the return of Nemesis. You can get a closer look down below.
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Western Digital held out on entering the SSD market for quite some time, but the company has been spinning up with new products quite often. First, we had the WD Black NVMe SSD back in April of 2018, then the WD Black SN750 in January of this year. Then, we had the Blue SN500 a few months later, and now we’ve got the Blue SN550. Confused? Don’t be, keep reading and we’ll break down the difference of all drives below.
While Ring is well-known in the smart home security space thanks to its alarm system, floodlights, spotlights, doorbell, and indoor cameras, one area the company hasn’t yet ventured is to replaceable bulbs. Amazon bought Ring early last year and has since introduced several new products for home security. The latest FCC filing by Amazon under Ring, however, shows that the company might venture into an entirely new area.
IOGEAR has added yet another USB-C dock to its ever-growing lineup. In addition to support for desktop, laptops, tablets, and smartphones, IOGEAR Dock Pro shakes things up by giving a lot of love to Nintendo Switch. Thanks to what the company calls Game+ mode, users will more easily be able to hook the Switch up to a big screen and even play select titles with a keyboard and mouse.
We’ve already started rolling out our holiday gift guides here at 9to5Toys, having detailed everything from fashion and smart home essentials, to music must-haves and tech-enhancing gear. Now, it’s time to turn our attention to the coffee bean. If you follow me on Twitter, you know that I have a pension for sharing my latest brew and my rapidly expanding mug collection. I’ve shared my custom coffee bar setup here on 9to5Toys, but now wanted to give a broader glimpse into some java must-haves for the holiday season. Below you’ll find five different gifts, at different price points, to take someone’s coffee setup to the next level. Without further ado, here’s my coffee essentials gift guide for 2019.
With the holidays swiftly approaching its time to make some time for yourself with one of December’s new book releases. This month you will find an array of thrillers, romance novels, and history books. Keep scrolling to discover all of the best titles hitting shelves this December, and don’t forget to check out November’s Reading List, too.
A remastered version of Bayonetta for PS4 will be a reality soon as SEGA has just announced an upcoming re-release of sorts. Some ten years after initially hitting store shelves, the original Bayonetta and the game Vanquish are being bundled together in a new 10th Anniversary Bundle. Head below for more details and today’s announcement trailer.
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To close out the year, LEGO is following up its Black Friday festivities by kicking off two new promotions. The first gives Star Wars fans yet another minifigure to collect in the form of a 20th Anniversary LEGO Obi-Wan. You’ll also be able to score a nearly 500-piece gingerbread house miniature creation. Head below for a closer look and to find out how you can add them to your collection.
Razer’s latest additions to their line-up of popular mice are wireless variants of the FPS focused Basilisk. The Basilisk X Hyperspeed features wireless functionality with a long battery life while the Basilisk Ultimate packs all of Razer’s latest tech along with Chroma and a charging dock into an ergonomic gaming mouse. Head below for more details on the latest from Razer.
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The holidays are right around the corner and that means the shopping for loved ones has begun. Woman can be hard to buy for and that’s why today we are making your shopping easier with a convenient gift guide. Whether you’re looking for your mother, wife, girlfriend, sister, or friend, this list will help you get your shopping taken care of. Below you will find items from cozy essentials to hair tools that will make their everyday routine a breeze. So keep scrolling for some chic and affordable ideas in this fashion gift and who knows, you might even find something for yourself.
Alongside massive Star Wars vehicles, festive creations, and other fan favorite models, each year LEGO treats builders to a single modular city building kit. In year’s past, these kits took the form of the Corner Garage, a Downtown Diner, and more. Now for 2019, LEGO is finally giving us a first look at its latest Creator Expert set, the new modular Bookshop. This 2,500-piece edifice stands over 11-inches high, includes five minifigures, and is packed with the usual impressive techniques. Buy the LEGO Creator Expert Bookshop here or head below for a closer look and to learn when you’ll be able to add this one to your collection.
Most of what you see is shot here in my studio where I don’t need to carry anything around. But I do a fair bit of other freelance shooting and travel with equipment for events, so I wanted to take you through what’s in my camera backpack on some of these trips. Head below and check out the video for even more details.
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Here at 9to5Toys we annually create a series of gift guides that showcase our favorite gear in an attempt to make your holiday shopping a bit easier. This time around, I’ll be recommending items that have seriously enhanced the common tech that I already owned. So sit back, relax, and scroll down to find favorite tech gift recommendations that set out to make ordinary electronics better.
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Buying gifts for loved ones and co-workers can be about as rewarding as it is frustrating. And there’s no one more picky or hard to buy for than musicians and home music producers. This year’s musicians gift guide will provide you with some great ideas across all price ranges and for just about any kind of producer or instrumentalist. From guitar tools to build-it-yourself synthesizer kits and everything in between, head below for 2019’s best gifts for musicians.
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I have pretty fond memories of playing shooter games at the Arcade. House of the Dead was one of my favorites, and I even had it for my Xbox. So when PDP reached out about checking out their new Mars Lightcon Starter Pack for Xbox One and PS4, I was excited to see how they perform. Check out the video below to see some more of my thoughts.
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Each year here at 9to5Toys we debut a series of annual gift guides, and this year I’m focusing on the best smart home essentials. Gear for Alexa, Assistant, and Siri setups have already proven to be a massive hit throughout 2019. And if Black Friday has shown us one thing, it’s that more homes than ever are going to be welcoming a smart speaker come the holidays. So this year we’re diving into must-have accessories for those just getting started, as well as our favorites for other tech enthusiasts. So you’ll want to head below to check out our top recommendations for essential smart home gifts.
Wyze is both a fan and writer favorite here at 9to5. Originally launching with just a security camera, the company now has pan-and-tilt models, sensors, bulbs, smart plugs, and…now a smart lock! The latest announcement from the company is the Wyze Lock, and it brings quite a few interesting features to the table. Coming in at $89.99 plus shipping, it’s one of the more budget-friendly offerings out there. But, there’s one stand-out feature that sets it apart from the rest.
It’s been a huge weekend of deals with Black Friday kicking off earlier than ever before, and Cyber Monday followed up beautifully today with a number of new all-time lows. But the sun is setting on Cyber Monday 2019 and deals are starting to go out of stock. So if you’re trying to find the best offers still out there, then our roundup of the top ten Cyber Monday deals still available is for you. Head below for all of the best offers still available as of 5PM.
Peak Design is a fan-favorite just as much as it is a writer-favorite here at 9to5Toys. I’ve used their bags for years, taking them to CES, Israel, and everywhere in-between. The company just announced an updated Everyday Line V2 that packs multiple new designs and enhancements across the board. I’ve spent the last week or so with the brand-new Everyday Backpack V2 and Everyday Sling to bring you some first impressions, along with news on the rest of Peak Design’s Everyday Line updates.
We’re not even to Black Friday yet, but Amazon is already talking about Cyber Monday. Today the online giant announced a preview of its Cyber Monday deals, promising a “special day when customers can find incredible deals in every department, all day long.” So basically, a typical day here at 9to5Toys. Amazon will be running back some of its most-anticipated deals from Black Friday on Echo speakers, Fire TV streamers, and more. But there will also be expansive markdowns on home theater audio and TVs, alongside deals on Google Pixel, Adobe software, and SanDisk storage. You can find the full details on this year’s Amazon Cyber Monday event down below.
When Call of Duty: Modern Warfare was announced earlier this year, I have to say…I was extremely excited. Surely, you were too, which is why we’re giving away a few copies of the game, so keep scrolling to find out how to enter. The Modern Warfare series was a favorite of mine many years ago, and to see it brought back in its former glory made me super excited. Through many hours of gameplay over the past few weeks, I’ve dove deep into the campaign and online game modes. In our Call of Duty: Modern Warfare review that you’ll find below, there are some huge wins in my book, but also…a few ways that Activision and Infinity Ward need to improve if they want to see the player base for this game continue to grow instead of shrink.
Today we are taking a closer look at the new iRig Keys 2 from IK Multimedia. Known for its affordable music production gear, its recently released controller works with all of your favorite devices and has a few interesting tricks up its sleeve. Head below for our full iRig Keys 2 review.
With more and more home appliances smartening up, Weber is here with SmokeFire. The company’s first-ever pellet smart grill that’s got enough sensors to notify a smartphone when your dish is cooked and ready eat. Weber’s new smart grill sports easy temperature adjustments and a wide range that can vary from 200- to 600-degrees.
Throughout this week we’ve offered up our comprehensive coverage of the best Black Friday deals with guides covering just about every product category. So if you’re looking for Apple gear, Android phones, TVs, or smart home accessories, we have you covered. But now it’s time to turn our attention to Black Friday as a whole. Below you find the top 10 Black Friday deals for 2019 that we know of so far.
It’s almost the time to start opening daily advent calendars and the beauty options this year are incredible. Inside these advent calendars you can find lipsticks, perfume, lotions, and much more. These calendars would also make a wonderful early gift to any beauty lover. So skip the chocolate this year and treat yourself to a little pampering. Head below the jump to find our top picks this year in beauty advent calendars.
On top of getting a first look at a new wave of creations from just about every popular LEGO theme earlier in the week, today brings two new models from the Architecture world. Come 2020, LEGO will be expanding its popular micro-scale collection of builds with two new kits that fit into the Skyline series, Tokyo and Dubai. Packed with the usual high attention to detail and delightful part usage that we’ve come to expect, you’ll definitely want to head below for a closer look at LEGO’s new Tokyo and Dubai Skyline Architecture sets.
Update 3/23: Valve has officially released Half-Life Alyx on Steam. Download it here.
Half-Life 3 is finally here…sorta. If you’ve hung around the internet any length fo time, and you’re any sort of gamer, then you know the stigma that surrounds the Half-Life series. Gamers have been pressuring Valve to release a Half-Life 3 for as long as I can remember, and they’ve finally done it in the most Valve way possible. Half-Life: Alyx takes place between Half-Life and Half-Life 2, making it kinda a Half-Life 1.5? Half-Life 2.5? I digress, but now, let’s take a look at everything we know about Half-Life: Alyx, who’s “humanity’s only chance for survival.”
Recently we took a look at the Mini Soccer and Mini Activity Kit from Sphero. These fun programmable robots are a lot of fun and open a secure door to get into coding. So when Sphero reached out about taking a look at the larger, more capable and expandable robot, the RVR, we were excited to take it for a spin. Check out the video to see how easy it is to make a block program.
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Just when you thought you had seen all the possible audio hardware configurations out there, Quirky releases a modular speaker that can seamless convert from one into as many as five. The modular speaker is held together using magnets, making both separating and rejoining a breeze to do.
The fact that Quirky has brought such a neat product to market is not very surprising. This is because the company has made a name for itself when it comes to releasing unique products that few, if any, companies end up competing with. Continue reading to find out more about Quirky’s new modular speaker.
The Black Friday landscape is finally coming into focus as nearly every major ad, flier, and preview has been released ahead of next week. We’ve already featured the best Google, smart home, TV, and gaming console deals (amongst others), and now it’s time to turn our attention to Apple. It’s been a big year with recent hardware announcements and aggressive pricing at more retailers than ever before. Hit the jump for all of the best Apple Black Friday deals on MacBooks, Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad, and more.
UGG is getting in the holiday spirit with a gift guide that’s full of ideas for your entire family. These cozy gift ideas include items such as slippers, robes, boots, pajamas, and much more. They even have a list of items that are budget-friendly and priced at under $100. This list isn’t just full of apparel and shoes, but it also includes home items that will makes wonderful gifts. UGG offers free delivery on all orders too. Head below the jump to find all of our top picks from UGG’s Holiday Gift Guide.
While Google teased its official Black Friday offerings on first-party devices earlier in the week, just about every major retailer will be getting in on the action. With everything on the docket from Home Mini and Google’s latest Assistant speaker to Chromecasts, Pixel 4, and more, this year has something for everyone. Below you’ll find all of the best Black Friday deals on Google products, insight into where you can lock-in the most savings, and more.
Over the last year, we’ve seen competition heat up in the home audio space. This means that Black Friday speaker deals are abundant with home theater and smart solutions ripe for the picking. In this guide we cover some of the most notable deals we’ve seen to date, making it easy for you to plan ahead and increase the likelihood that you score exactly what you had in mind.
Amazon officially unveiled its Black Friday plans for 2019 on Monday, offering a glimpse into what first-party discounts will be available throughout the holiday shopping season. Nearly everything Amazon makes, from Echo speakers to Fire TV streamers, Kindles, smart home accessories, and more, will all be on sale next week. Amazon’s line of in-house products has grown rapidly over the last year, with several fresh faces joining the family during September’s event. As we look ahead to Black Friday, it’s time to dive into the best Amazon Black Friday deals and identify where you should be spending your money and where to pass. Our in-depth guide below will walk you through every product category in Amazon’s stable of products, highlighting the best Black Friday deals along the way.
Now that we are just eight days away from the Black Friday deals, a lot of retailers have debuted their ads for the big day. This year you can expect 50% off storefronts, free delivery fees, doorbusters, and much more. Luckily, plenty of retailers are releasing their Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals ahead of time, so you can actually spend Thanksgiving weekend with family. Head below the jump to find the best fashion deals to score for Black Friday 2019.
Today Awair is introducing a new entry into its lineup of smart home air quality monitors. Awair Elements packs five sensors into a compact design complemented by a unique LED display for showcasing real-time status. Alongside just monitoring the air quality of your home, it’s able to command smart home devices for proactively fighting allergens and more. Head below for a closer look at the new release.
Just recently announced, we had the opportunity to go hands-on with the Razer Kraken Ultimate. This addition to the high-performing and affordable Kraken line delivers THX Spatial Audio, an active noise-canceling microphone, and an extremely customizable sound profile. Check out the video below for our hands-on review and more.
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Now that we have our hands on most of this year’s ads, it’s time to looks at the best Black Friday Instant Pot, KitchenAid, and Vitamix deals, among many others. This year is shaping up to be a memorable one in the kitchen and small appliance category with new all-time lows on some of the most popular gear out there. Head below for a closer look.
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As the holiday season rapidly closes in, discounted Black Friday TVs are one of the first pieces of tech that many think of scoring big savings on. Thankfully the some of the prices we are seeing are absolutely incredible, making Black Friday 2019 a great time to upgrade the big screens throughout your home.
Each year on Black Friday, Ulta has some amazing deals and that’s another reason why they curate such a great Holiday Gift Guide. Ulta hasn’t officially announced its Black Friday deals yet, but based on last year’s offerings, we can predict that they will offer up to 50% off top brands. During the sale and holiday season you can see discounts on Anastasia Beverly Hills, Tarte, MAC, Lancome, and many more. Overall, we’re expecting the same level of Black Friday discounts, if not better, this year. Head below the jump to find all of our favorite items from Ulta’s Holiday Gift Guide.
Following last week’s first look at the upcoming 2020 Hidden Side sets, LEGO is back with a collection of new kits due out next year. Ranging from some detailed Star Wars creations to a massive Technic crane and more, it’s looking like 2020 will have a plethora of sets to assemble. Head below for a look at all of the new 2020 Star Wars, Creator, City, and Technic LEGO sets.
Today Amazon is expanding its stable of Alexa-enabled devices with the Fire TV Blaster, a new infrared controller that integrates into the company’s smart home ecosystem. Aimed at controlling home theater appliances that may lack built-in smart capabilities, it’ll be launching next month with a $35 price tag. Head below for a closer look.
Late last year, LG gave us a first look at its 2019 flagship TVs that offer built-in WiSA Hi-Fi wireless audio. Today, Enclave announced its THX and WISA certified home theater system that offers the “ultimate 5.1-channel surround sound experience.” No wires are required here with this “world’s first,” making Enclave’s CineHome II and CineHome PRO speaker systems a must-have home theater upgrade along with the CineHome wireless audio transmitter.
Last Friday, Sword and Shield launched as the eighth generation title to the widely popular Pokémon franchise. Marking the first mainstream debut for the series on Nintendo Switch, the two new games have been some of the more controversial releases from Game Freak. So over the weekend, we dove into Pokémon Sword and Shield to review in order to see how the new titles stack up. Packed with enhancements that longterm fans will enjoy, some missteps and more, you’ll want to head below for all of the details.