News
With Apple’s long-awaited AirPower charging mat potentially being scrapped, other companies are being given a chance to sell similar devices to those of us that are sick of waiting. There are quite a few products already on Amazon that set out to let you charge three devices wirelessly, but most of them have quirky designs, few reviews or are being manufactured by unknown brands. Those factors make placing your $1,000 iPhone on top of them questionable, at best. With the unveiling of Nomad’s Base Station: Hub Edition, we are given an option from a reputable brand that is well-designed, can charge two devices wirelessly, and two more via 7.5W USB-A and 18W USB-C Power Delivery-enabled ports.
Expand
Expanding
Close
Pad & Quill graced us with its new lineup of iPhone cases for Apple’s new handsets last week. This week, however, we are taking a closer look at its Apple Watch bands. More specifically the new Nato Apple Watch Sport Band.
Expand
Expanding
Close
There’s nothing like an advent calendar to get into the holiday spirit. LEGO’s annual releases are some of the company’s most eagerly awaited sets. And this year’s no different. A brand-new assortment of Star Wars, City, and Friends-themed builds headline LEGO’s catalog. All three of 2018’s calendars are now available for purchase as well. Head below to get a peek at what you’ll be unwrapping come December.
Pre-order!Update: Sony has now unveiled the official games list for PlayStation Classic. Head below for mow and pre-order at Amazon.
In a surprise move, this morning Sony is sharing details on its new PlayStation Classic console. This retro-remake includes 20 games. It will arrive on the 25th anniversary of the console’s initial release. Following the success of Nintendo’s NES Classic, it’s no surprise that Sony is looking to recreate that magic.
The new PlayStation Classic arrives with old favorites like Final Fantasy VII, Jumping Flash, Ridge Racer Type 4, Tekken 3, and Wild Arms. Pre-orders are available today. Head below for more details.
When it comes to truly wireless earbuds, everyone is getting into the game. Apple has their AirPods, Anker has the Zolo Liberty+, and then there’s Rowkin.
Rowkin started in the headphone game a few years ago and has been making leaps and bounds as the company progresses in wireless headphone technologies. The latest from Rowkin, the Ascent line, features new styling, and one feature lacking from AirPods that everyone is has been waiting for.
Finding the perfect bag to take on a trip has never been an easy task for me. I want to carry my camera gear, clothes, toiletries, and my laptop too; along with all of the necessary cables and cords I’ll need for that trip. I’ve used several bags over the past few years, from the TYLT Energi to Peak Design’s Everyday Backpack 30L, Messenger Bag 15, and even the WaterField’s Air Porter.
Each serves a purpose unique to itself: the Messenger Bag 15 is great for carrying one camera body and a few lenses along with a laptop, the Everyday Backpack 30L is an awesome bag to carry tons of stuff, though it’s not super comfy. The Air Porter is an awesome laptop bag with plenty of room to carry other tech items, like my Switch. But, in the past, I’ve always had to carry multiple bags when going on a weekend vacation or convention. That all changed with the Peak Design Travel Backpack.
Leaving the house with your baby means being prepared for everything that life has to throw at you. Plus, if you are planning on taking a road trip with your little one, you may want to think about what accessories to take with you. Luckily, the market for activities and accessories to choose from when it comes to items for kids is very large. That’s why today we are rounding up the best accessories to take with you in the car, that are all under $25.
Ever since consumers began cutting the cord, companies have been scrambling to come up with all kinds of devices that make it simple to stream content on your TV. Roku is one of the most popular, offering a range of devices like its Express, Streaming Stick, Ultra, and more recently TVs with Roku built-in. Building TVs with smart technology is something that is not new though, considering that companies like Samsung, Sony, and LG have been doing it for quite some time. These companies typically use their own proprietary software which can quite often lead to a frustrating user experience due to a lack of polish that makes navigation feel far from simple. With Logitech’s upcoming K600 TV Keyboard, the company aims to provide consumers with a better user experience.
Expand
Expanding
Close
Osmo is a well-known name when it comes to STEM smart-connected teaching tools. The company has made iPad-enabled learning games for kids ages 5 and up for some time now, but recently announced that these products will come to Amazon’s Fire line of tablets.
This is great because Amazon’s Fire tablet lineup is more affordable than Apple’s iPad, and makes it an easier entry point into homes to help kids learn and grow.
Despite a fair share of AirPod criticism out there, Apple’s truly wireless earbuds have been especially popular on 9to5Toys when they go on sale. Just about everyone from Sol Republic to Bose and Anker have jumped in to the entirely wireless space. And new second generation sets are coming down the pipeline on a steady basis. Speaking of which, Sol Republic is readying its latest solution with the announcement of the brand new Amps Air 2.0 Total Wireless Earbuds.
Expand
Expanding
Close
Update 9/25 @ 1:35 PM: You can now preorder the Nintendo Switch Fortnite Double Helix Bundle for $299.99 shipped at Amazon.
With the holiday season right around the corner, Nintendo is gearing up to sell as many Switch consoles as possible. From endlessly teasing Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and showcasing several new themed consoles to announcing Animal Crossing and more, the company is building up the hype to excite fans. Now Nintendo is changing things up with its latest reveal in an attempt to appeal to a different type of gamer.
Today the company announced its latest console bundle, which throws the Switch onto the Battle Bus. That’s right, a limited edition Fortnite bundle is on the way. See what kind of loot is included by heading below.
Today VIZIO has officially released its first Dolby Atmos-equipped soundbars and home theater systems. While other brands have been pumping out audio equipment with the latest spec from Dolby, VIZIO has been a curious exception. Earlier this year the brand teased that it would be bringing this technology to its popular audio lineup but details were still thin until today.
Unlike its previous offerings, VIZIO’s latest soundbars arrive today at a higher price-point than we’ve seen in recent years. The question is, are consumers willing to pay for the latest Dolby Atmos technology?
Amazon continues its march to be a member of every part of your house with its latest plans to release at least 8 new Alexa-enabled devices by the end of this year. The online shopping giant has been integrating itself more and more with our lives and has plans to do so even further with things like a possible checking account-style product launch and more.
We’re set to see devices like microwaves, amplifiers, subwoofers, and more come from Amazon sometime this year, according to a new report. What does this mean for those shopping with the company? Keep reading for more information.
Back in April we covered one creator’s efforts to combine their Nintendo Switch with LEGO bricks. Now the same tinkerer is back with another round of custom Switch accessories. This time, they’ve attempted to recreate Nintendo’s very own Labo Variety Kit. The results are just about as fantastic as can be, so you’ll want to head below for a closer look.
With Jet.com firing shots in Amazon’s direction just last week, Jeff Bezos’ company today introduced a new way to highlight small to medium-sized businesses that are owned and operated in the United States. The new portion of the online retail giant’s site is called Amazon Storefronts and offers over a million products provided by nearly 20,000 businesses from all 50 states. With categories such as Back to School, Pet Supplies, Kitchen, and more, Amazon Storefronts offers products that will appeal to many consumers.
Expand
Expanding
Close
There are still a couple big time Apple accessory makers that haven’t unveiled new gear for the latest products. But you can now scratch DODOcase off that list. We have already seen what Pad & Quill, OtterBox, Moshi and Nomad have to offer, but now it’s time to look at the new DODOcase covers.
Expand
Expanding
Close
Earlier this year, GE debuted its first capacitive touch Z-Wave Plus smart dimmer switch to a pretty warm welcome. Now Aeotec, another leading smart home accessory maker has released its latest Z-Wave Plus device. With a multi-touch glass panel, the ability to control a wide range of accessories and more, the new WallSwipe Dimmer may be the most feature-packed Z-Wave switch on the market.
Today, Amazon officially opened its first non-Seattle autonomous Go grocery store, this time setting up shop in Chicago. As we reported in the spring, Amazon has been hoping to aggressively roll out more storefronts over the last year. While the online giant is planning on introducing as many as six additional locations stateside over the next year. Today’s grand opening in Chicago marks the first location outside of Amazon’s Seattle headquarters and thus, a major step in expanding this project. More below.
Nintendo is bringing many classics back to life with its Switch console. Just yesterday the company announced NES-style controllers to use when playing original titles. Nintendo recently told the world of its latest plans for new titles, one of which has me very excited.
I used to play Luigi’s Mansion years ago, and it was one of my favorite Mario games. Back in 2001 when it came out, everyone loved it. Now, Nintendo is back with Luigi’s Mansion 3 (a working title) and just yesterday Nintendo showed the world a short 37 seconds of what’s to come.
One trend that’s very popular for this fall is the backpack. Women all over the world are trading in their purses for chic backpacks. Not only are they highly fashionable, but they’re also functional and can be doubled as a modern diaper bag. They also pack the essential extras that women on-the-go need such as multiple large pockets to store essentials, comfortable carrying options and even extras such as stroller clips. Plus, this trend isn’t just for women, most bags are unisex and can even hold your MacBook. That’s why today we are sharing our favorite backpacks that are all under $75.
While you may not have heard of a keytar before, there is a good chance that you may have seen them in use before. In fact, if you’ve played Rock Band 3 back in the day, you may have jammed using the game’s Wireless Keyboard which is in fact the same kind of instrument. With instruments like the Yamaha SHS-10 having been around since the 1980s, keytars have been used for quite some time but have been called various names like ‘shoulder’ or ‘strap-on’ keyboards. Then there was a shift to adopt the keytar name a few years back when Alesis released its Vortex controller. With the unveiling of AX-Edge Keytar, Roland shows off its beautiful, high-end 49-key guitar/keyboard hybrid.
Expand
Expanding
Close
Now that Apple has officially unveiled the new iPhone Xs, Xs Max and XR, all of the best accessory makers are dropping their latest covers, cases and more. WaterField’s new suede sleeve is now available while the entire new lineup of leather Pad & Quill wallets and cases are all right here. If you’re looking for a simple leather case without breaking the bank, Nomad’s new family of cases is a great place to start and you’ll find a huge list of others starting from around $10 or so right here.
But now it’s time to get away from the fancy leather covers and start talking protection. These new handsets are insanely inexpensive so any one looking to take one on the job site, camping or any other outdoor adventure, should really look into the new OtterBox options.
Expand
Expanding
Close
Earlier this year Samsung released a new pair of Bluetooth sound bars in the first partnership with Harman Kardon. Now less than a month later, the company is turning to another industry-leading audio manufacturer, AKG, to debut a triad of new variably featured Bluetooth headphones. Head below to get the full scoop.
Amazon’s annual fall event is just around the corner and that means new devices for the holiday season. Last year we saw an expansion of its Alexa-enabled lineup with new Echo speakers. Over the last few months Amazon has refreshed its Fire HD lineup and introduced the new Fire TV Cube as well. So what can we expect at September’s event? Head below for our predictions.
Apple just announced its latest iPhone Xs, Xs Max, and XR devices and now it’s time to keep them protected. We’ve already seen cases from WaterField, Pad & Quill, Nomad, and others. Now it’s time to look at what Moshi has to offer.
These new cases come in many flavors for each device. From the Altra with its slim yet sleek style to StealthCover which is a 360-degree folio-style case that lets you see your phone and use FaceID without opening up the folio. Keep reading for more information on each case.
Ever since Amazon launched its Prime service back in 2005, it has been wreaking havoc on brick-and-mortar stores. With the ability to quickly find items, check reviews, and have most products delivered in two days or less, it is really not much of a surprise that Prime has surpassed 100 million subscribers. While many stores have tried to compete by launching better websites and offering free shipping on orders that exceed a certain threshold, Amazon is still king when it comes to online shopping. With Walmart’s acquisition of Jet.com back in 2016 and its major site refresh today, the company has shown that it is far from conceding to the online shopping giant.
Expand
Expanding
Close
Just in time for fall fashion, Madewell, one of my personal favorite stores for women, recently launched a menswear line and your closet will soon thank you. The new line is revamping everyday basics such as versatile denim in an array of styles, as well as wardrobe staples including hooded sweatshirts, t-shirts, jackets and even sneakers. Pricing for the men’s collection ranges from $40 to $158 for select denim. Plus, the entire line will also be available at Nordstrom’s online and in-store. Head below to find our top picks from the new launch.
Hampton has been in the security hardware business for nearly half a century now, first debuting its weather-resistant padlock back in 1973. While the company’s focus has been placed entirely on typical deadbolts and other door fixtures, Hampton is now turning to Wi-Fi control for its latest unveil. The new Array Smart Lock is backed by a full keypad, Alexa support and an integrated solar panel to recharge the battery.
As expected, all of the best Apple accessory makers are coming out of the woodwork with their latest and greatest. Apple’s yearly keynote event took place yesterday, as you likely know, with the new iPhone Xs, Xs Max and XR launching along with the brand new Series 4 Watches. WaterField and Pad & Quill have already launched some of their early new accessories and today we are taking a look at the new Nomad iPhone cases.
Expand
Expanding
Close
Kano first hit the scene back in 2015 as it rolled out STEM-focused coding kits centered around the popular Raspberry Pi computer. More recently, the kid-friendly brand has introduced its first kit with a display and even a Harry Potter wand. Fast forward to today, and Kano is taking the stage with a new build that centers around its first touchscreen display.
As iPads have filtered into schools, kids are more familiar with using their fingers as an input device. That makes Kano’s new release all the more suitable for STEM education and DIYers. More below.
Buy NowsEach fall we’re blessed with annual releases from some of the most popular video game series out there. In recent memory, no other franchise has enjoyed such a cult following like NBA 2K. Each year the series gets a fine tuning, along with updated rosters and varies tweaks that take the game to a new level.
NBA 2K19 hit the scene on Friday with more hype than I can recall in the last few years. Right out of the box it’s clear that 2K is set to shine again with buttery smooth gameplay and an exceptionally deep Career Mode that takes you on a journey from no-name to star. That’s not to say this year’s release isn’t without any issue as microtransactions continue to be a bother throughout. Despite that, NBA 2K19 continues to reign supreme as the best basketball simulation on the market today.
This afternoon, Apple took the stage at the Steve Jobs theater to introduce a host of new devices and wearables. This includes the new Apple Watch Series 4. Despite sporting a larger display and loads of new technology, the latest generation model still supports all previously released bands. That means you can ditch Apple’s pricey first-party alternatives for more budget-friendly options on a wide range of styles. Head below for all of the best third-party Apple Watch Series 4 bands on the market today.
WaterField already launched its first iPhone Xs, Xs Max and Xr case, and now Pad & Quill is up next. Known for its high-end materials, the new lineup of covers and wallet cases is no exception and we have a nice little discount for you as well. Head below for all the details.
Expand
Expanding
Close
Dyson, one of the biggest names in vacuums, launched its first robotic vacuum way back in 2015. Today, we’re getting a new peek at the latest offering from the vacuum company.
The Dyson 360 Heurist, which was announced in Beijing earlier today, with some nice upgrades. You’ll get a better processor and maneuvering, a LED light ring around the top camera, and more.
If you have any smart cameras in your home, you are probably aware of how wonderful and also how annoying motion alerts can be. While there are quite a few cases that you find yourself wanting alerts, the majority of the time a constant stream of notifications can be more distracting than the feature is worth. With the launch of SmartCam N1 and N2, Wisenet has set out to reduce the amount of notifications delivered to your smartphone by letting users limit notifications to only faces that they have not identified.
Expand
Expanding
Close
As we have been expecting for a while now, Apple has now unleashed this year’s latest iPhones. Three new models are up this year with the iPhone Xs, Xs Max and the Xr. We had the jump on most of these models ahead of today’s keynote event, but we hadn’t heard much from major accessory makers outside of a few. And now, one of our favorites is amongst the first out of the gate this year as WaterField is ready to introduce its newest cover for the 2018 iPhone lineup.
Head below for a closer look at the company’s Fused Suede Case for iPhone Xs, Xs Max and Xr.
Expand
Expanding
Close
If you’re a fan of Reese Witherspoon than you know that she loves to host. Her brand Draper James just released a new collaboration with Crate & Barrel and you’ll want everything in today’s announcement. This isn’t the first time Reese Witherspoon has collaborated with Crate and Barrel either. Last fall, she came out with a range of coffee mugs, coasters, a bar cart and more. With the new collection it’s all about tabletop and entertaining pieces. It’s called the Indigo Vine and features crisp floral designs that can be used for everyday or special occasions. Throughout the tabletop collection it features everything from serving trays to salad bowls as well as decorative trays all starting at $15. Keep scrolling to find out more about our favorite items from the new line.
Having been detailed earlier this year, Nintendo’s Switch Online Service’s debut is finally just around the corner. Officially launching on September 18th, today Nintendo has announced that it’ll be offering Switch owners a free one-week trial of the service. Head below for more details.
littleBits has long been adding some character to the world of learning to code, just recently debuting its Avengers Inventor Kit. Today they’re back with the unveil of their latest additions to their lineup of STEAM releases, this time forgoing any brand partnerships in favor of three original inventor kits. Taking the form of a remote-controlled rover, synth guitar and voice-activated grabber, you’ll want to head below for all the details.
For many, the tradition of buying a Christmas tree is long-seated and can go back generations. My family, however, has always used pre-lit offerings as the cleanup is generally easier and the tree can be reused for years.
Amazon is trying to become a part of many family traditions it seems, and the latest the online shopping giant seems to be entering is the large Christmas tree business. This holiday season, you’ll be able to order a 7-foot live Fraser fir from Amazon, among other festive plants.
When you think of development studio FromSoftware, the first things that come to mind are more than likely not PSVR and classic, mystery-adventure games. Something closer to the nightmarish-lovecraftian environments and punishingly brutal combat of the beloved Souls-series titles and Bloodborne come to mind. While FromSoftware fans were busy with the studio’s new title Sekiro, otherwise known as the destroy all my dreams of a new Tenchu ninja game, another, even more unique Miyazaki title slipped through the cracks.
Expand
Expanding
Close
In just the past few weeks LG has announced its upcoming 21:9 UltraGear gaming monitors and Samsung opened pre-orders for its new Thunderbolt 3 UltraWide offering. With new monitor releases coming out left and right, it can be hard to stay up-to-date and be sure that you have found the right fit for your setup. While all of the options can be overwhelming, hefty competition tends to lead to better pricing and typically means that more features tend to come standard. In this fierce climate, AOC has announced four new gaming monitors that pack a punch while also being fairly affordable.
Expand
Expanding
Close
If there is one trend that’s appearing everywhere this fall, it’s plaid. Whether it’s a gingham, houndstooth, tweed or flannel, we’re seeing these fabrics and designs in almost every store. When most people think of plaid, they think of the holidays, however we’re seeing styles for the entire family from dresses and skirts to flannel button-downs and puffer jackets. That’s why today, we’ve rounded up our favorite items for men, women and even kids that are all under $30.
While yesterday’s Apple event was littered with new devices, including both iPhone and Apple Watch, there was some disturbing news. Once again, Apple will be shipping its latest iPhones with the same old 5W charger. So we thought we’d lend a hand.
Rather than sit by idly with slow 1A charge speeds, we’ve rounded up the best alternatives under $30 to power up your new device. Head below for more.
Each year LEGO kicks off the winter holiday season with the release of an all-new festive set. In the past we’ve seen everything from a charming village market and bakery to a toy shop and more recently, the Winter Village Station. Now LEGO has debuted this year’s addition to the lineup, the Fire Station, which continues the Winter Village theming and comes complete with the usual assortment of minifigures, festive lights, decorations and more.
It seems Fortnite is here to stay, and the latest merchandise set to take the world by storm is Nerf guns. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen Nerf make a video game come to life, as earlier this year it was announced that Overwatch weapons would be making their way to store shelves in 2019.
It was recently announced that Fortnite Monopoly would be hitting shelves on October 1st, just in time for holiday shopping. Will Fortnite Nerf guns also find their into our homes soon enough?
It is highly likely that when you hear people talk about tracking keys or backpacks your mind instantly thinks of Tile. This is because Tile has been working on its trackers since 2012 and saw huge success when launching its crowdfunding campaign with pre-orders from over 50,000 backers by mid-2013. If you own a Tile tracker, you likely know that it has distance restrictions due the range of Bluetooth. In most cases this is fine when trying to find something nearby, but there would be a lot more use cases if the range could be extended. And that is exactly what Samsung has set out to do with its new SmartThings Tracker.
Expand
Expanding
Close
Today it’s all about IK Multimedia’s latest analog synth hardware. IK’s lineup of music production and live sound gear is largely considered to be for those with a budget in mind or as amazing beginner rigs for aspiring producers. The new UNO synth is designed to be just that with an extremely competitive price tag and wide platform compatibility with your existing recording environment. After having the chance to put the portable analog synthesizer to the test over the last couple weeks in some electronic-based music productions and more, it’s time to see what the new IK Multimedia UNO Synth is packing.
Expand
Expanding
Close