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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Are you looking to elevate your workwear attire? On September 14th, Target is launching its new brand called Prologue that offers affordable and trendy pieces that are work appropriate. Even better, you can wear the majority of the pieces outside of work too. The new brand has prices ranging between $12.99 to $49.99 and comes in an extended range of sizes from petite to plus. Even though you can’t pick up the new items just yet, you can find all of them for pre-order now. Head below to find our top picks from the new brand.
It has been 10 years since the folks at Korg originally introduced its nano lineup of MIDI controllers. The family of products were then refreshed some years ago with the nanoPAD2, nanoKontrol2 and nanoKEY2 models. All three of the small footprint controllers are great for both Mac and iOS DAW setups providing hardware controls for your transport, mixer and more. They are easily some of the best portable options out there, providing you don’t require wireless transmission, and today Korg has announced a new limited edition run.
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Update 9/21 @ 3:35 PM: Now available for preorder at Amazon.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate may be getting all the attention from Nintendo as of late, but it’s not the only upcoming Switch title that has fans eagerly awaiting its release. Back in May we detailed how the first Pokémon titles would be coming to the Switch this fall, and today we’re getting a look at a new special edition console to go with the two releases.
Sporting a variety of Pikachu and Eevee insignia, the upcoming bundle includes two new Joy-Cons with fresh coats of paint alongside everything you need to catch them all. Head below for all the details.
This morning, Sphero introduced its latest smartphone-powered robot dubbed the BOLT. Laden with various sensors and LEDs, this model arrives with a familiar spherical design as seen on the previously released Mini. Sphero drops the colored casing for a clear look inside at all of the BOLT’s tech. More below.
Keyboards are something that many of us spend hours a day in front of. In fact, I spend the better part of 10+ hours a day with my fingers either on, or really close to my keyboard. It only makes sense that the less your fingers have to move, the more productive you are, right?
Well, that’s what Das Keyboard though with its latest X50Q RGB Smart Mechanical Gaming Keyboard (X50Q for short). According to Das, this is the “world’s first smart gaming keyboard” but what does that really mean, and could it actually benefit you in the long run?
(Update 9/14 11:48am): The Nintendo Switch version of Final Fantasy XV Pocket HD Edition is now available with launch pricing: $18 (Reg. $30).
Square Enix launched its latest entry in the storied Final Fantasy series in 2016 to critical praise (for the most part). That was followed up by a series of interesting DLC add-ons and then the Royal or complete Edition hit with loads of enhancements just before the iOS version dropped on the App Store. Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition for mobile was initially revealed in summer 2017 before going live at the top of the year. But now it looks like a somewhat confusing series of events that led to a cancelled Nintendo Direct presentation is pointing at a wider rollout for Square’s handheld version of the game.
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Microcomputers come in all shapes and sizes these days, but none have been as successful as the Raspberry Pi. Having released the even smaller Pi Zero back in 2016, today we’re getting a look at a new miniature computer that makes the Pi look like your run of the mill desktop. At just the size of a coin, the VoCore2 may be the one of the smallest, most versatile computers on the market.
Affordable travel trailers and tow-behind RVs are making a serious splash in 2018 as millenials and new retirees look for low-cost ways to escape for weekend trips. Just recently, Aerostream turned its attention to this sub-market with its first non-aluminum model and other brands are following suit. The latest that has caught our eye comes from Timberleaf, manufacturers of off-road friendly campers. Its new Pika Teardrop delivers a mix of rugged styling and affordability at under $12,000. More below.
Calling all Harry Potter fans, Pottery Barn has just launched three new collections across its brands that are as magical as the movies and books. With these collections, kids, teens, and even adults can add pieces of the beloved movies into their rooms. Not only is this great for back-to-school, but the new launch also has pieces including furniture and even dishes for your dining room table. Head below to see our favorite picks from the new collection.
Considering that the list of smart home accessories keeps growing larger and larger, there always seem to be shiny, new options vying for our attention. Just last week we reported that Philips, a company probably best-known in the smart home world for its Hue light bulbs, has a hybrid switch in the works set to replace or join its current offerings. With options from Lutron, Wemo and others, there are certainly lots of switch products to consider, but with today’s release of Brilliant Control, things just got even more competitive.
Of all the options out there, Brilliant Control seems like it may have the chops to take the crown as being the most daring and innovative. Coming in with four models, Brilliant Control sports a built-in display, camera, controls for at least one light, and the promise that it ‘works with all smart home products’.
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Fresh off of this week’s release of the new Hogwarts Castle, LEGO is back with another round of Harry Potter-themed releases. This time though we’ll be getting two new BrickHeadz figures from the Fantastic Beasts series. Headlined by the daring protagonist Newt Scamander, he is joined by the fearsome Gellert Grindelwald. You’ll find all the details down below.
Pre-order!This morning Amazon has announced the latest generation of its popular Fire HD 8 tablet that features always-on access to Alexa. As its name suggests, it keeps the same eight-inch HD display that sports over one-million pixels that’s powered by a quad-core processor. A camera upgrade is one of the most notable new features we’re seeing today. Amazon is also making a handful of improvements under the hood, although battery life has taken a step backwards on today’s release. More below.
Native Instruments is one of the biggest names in the music production game these days. It produces some of the best software instruments and sound libraries for producers and sound designers along with a fleet of great hardware including everything from Traktor DJ controllers to the KOMPLETE keyboards and its drum pad oriented Maschine gear. All three of those product lineups are getting refreshed hardware today, but NI is also introducing completely overhauled versions of some of its most popular and groundbreaking instrument software as well as its behemoth KOMPLETE bundle.
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If there’s one thing photographers and videographers have been waiting on Canon for, it’s a decent 4K camera that won’t set them back thousands of dollars. Panasonic has several in the sub-$1,000 range, Sony has offerings in the low-$1,000 range, and Canon has two areas: under $1,000 with not great adoption, or over $3,000.
Today, Canon announced its EOS R Mirrorless System that packs 4K recording and a full frame sensor. Could this be the answer to a Canon shooter’s wishes? While this is a great camera, I don’t think it checks enough boxes to be considered the go-to Canon 4K camera just yet.
While last month’s release schedule was somewhat underwhelming outside of the yearly Madden release, this month we are seriously getting back on track. One of the most long-awaited JRPGs is finally here in Dragon Quest XI, the latest Tomb Raider game is on the way and Insomniac’s take on Spider-Man will release this week! All that and more is down below as part of September’s best console game releases.
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There’s nothing like a good old-fashioned cookbook to grab when looking for a recipe. A cookbook not only provides valuable information, but some also share memories and stories too. This fall, some of our favorite celebrities are coming out with their own cookbooks including Reese Witherspoon, Jessie James Decker, Tiffani Thiessen, Joanna Gaines, Chrissy Teigan and more. If you’re a fan of these celebrities they’re not only giving you a piece of their kitchen but also their everyday lives, stories and more. Keep scrolling to find out more about these books.
With theater subscription services from MoviePass coming along to get people in theaters, large entities like AMC have been pressured to step up to the plate with competing options. While competition is likely to get the theater on people’s minds, the heat dished by the latest home theater gear works to negate that by giving customers a plethora of ways to have top-notch experiences without the need to leave their house. To make home theater hardware even better, Denon and Marantz have both announced updates for some A/V receivers to provide support for IMAX Enhanced, a technology that was unveiled earlier today.
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Smart light bulbs from companies like Philips Hue come with a fairly high price tag compared to standard LEDs to just add smartphone and voice control into the mix for your home’s lighting. If you’ve been hesitant on pulling the trigger on some color bulbs or are looking for new ways to put the ones you already own to use, head below to see how take your smart home to the next level.
This morning, Snap unveiled its latest iteration of Spectacles glasses, the brand’s wearable camera that is fully integrated into various frames. Snap hasn’t exactly reinvented the wheel here but we are getting a fresh batch of designs that will be sold at a $40 markup over previous releases. Both models will be available “in limited quantities” with an exclusive launch in Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom stores stateside and online. More below.
These days, retro seems to be making a comeback. We have people using typewriter-style keyboards, returning to tube-powered receivers, and vinyl is becoming the “in” thing to listen to music on.
Recently, Yamaha announced the MusicCast Vinyl 500, a Wi-Fi connected turntable that features AirPlay compatibility as well as many other features. With vinyl making a return, this could be the ultimate record player for high-end setups.
Football is back. We’re looking ahead to week two of the college football season here in America, and the NFL is quickly approaching. In the fall, I spend more time than I’d care to admit parked on the couch screaming at football games. It starts at 8:30 AM on Saturday and then ends on Sunday night with Sunday Night Football on NBC. Of course, tailgating is an essential part of football. Whether you are at the game or just in your backyard, having the right tailgating gear is a must-have for ensuring the best experience.
Ever since Hisense announced its $10,000 laser TV, the company has been working to expand its lineup to offer additional options to its customers. Just a few months back, Hisense released its $3,000 L5 laser TV, but we have not heard if that model will be making its way to the United States. Today’s announcement of two more laser TVs from the company gives us hope that we will start seeing laser TVs on display at stores and in homes willing to pay a premium to have the latest-and-greatest tech.
Whether we like it or not, summer 2018 is coming to an end and cool weather is on the horizon. Jackets can elevate an entire look and keep you warm in fall weather. Whether you’re looking for a style that you can wear to work or to the gym, there’s a jacket this season for everyone. That’s why today we are sharing our favorite jackets for both men and women. Plus, all of our top picks are under $50.
Recently I endeavored to create an overhead camera rig for unboxings, reviews, and everything in between. I’ve been wanting a rig like this for years, but only now decided to follow through with its creation.
I’m extremely satisfied with the end result, which allows for easy top down photos and videos, and has the flexibility to fit inside a small office or bedroom. The rig also works as a truss to mount additional cameras, lights, flags, microphones, and whatever else you need. Watch our hands-on video for a brief walkthrough that shows how to make a DIY overhead camera rig yourself.
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While the entire gaming world is still fixated on CD Projekt’s new Cyberpunk 2077 footage that finally released last week to the public for the first time, the franchise that put the studio on the map is making headlines today. The Witcher series, its main character Geralt and the world it all exists in has been the main bread and butter over at CD Projekt for many years. While the game series is taking a major hiatus, an upcoming Netflix series will attempt to give new life to the legendary monster slayer.
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It’s always exciting to get a peek at upcoming LEGO kits and with two-thirds of the year already behind us, LEGO has just unveiled the ten finalists for the fall Ideas review period. Two of this year’s most popular releases, the Ship in a Bottle and Voltron have come out of the crowd-funding platform, which means the recent news may be our first look at 2019’s next must-have release.
Buy now!When I first saw the announcement for the MX Vertical from Logitech, I was intrigued. I had seen vertical mice like this from other companies on Amazon before but was never quite sure if they “really” worked.
I came from the MX Master 2S (and MX Master before that, with a few MX Anywhere mice thrown in as well.) In my mind, nothing could be as good ergonomically as the MX Master. It felt better than other mice and had tons of features. My views were completely changed after using the MX Vertical for just over a week.
Japan-based company, JVC has announced 3 new projectors to be released in the near future. While two of its new projectors offer native 4K resolution, the one that takes the cake is what the company is calling the “world’s first” 8K e-shift home theater projector. There are a lot of 4K projectors from brands like ViewSonic, Optoma, Epson, and Sony available on Amazon, but you will be a hard-pressed to find similar options from JVC. While JVC is a brand that is fairly well-known by consumers, most of its products are no-where near as popular as the previously-mentioned competitors’ offerings in the US. With the unveiling of its new high-end consumer-focused projectors, the company may be able to pique the interest of folks looking to improve their home theater setup.
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It was just earlier this year that LEGO brought the Harry Potter line of kits back from a nearly decade-long hiatus. And just a few months after the initial announcement, LEGO returned to show off its second biggest set to date, the 71043 Hogwarts Castle.
Now with the 6,000-piece set’s release right around the corner, we’re ready to get down to the nitty gritty and take a hands-on look at this year’s largest LEGO kit. So be sure to head below and see what the Wizarding World of Hogwarts has to offer.
While Mega Man fans have largely been left in the dust over the years with a lack of high quality new releases in the series and any real innovation in the Blue Bomber’s arsenal. Having said that, Capcom has certainly made a concerted effort over the last year or more to bring supporters of the series loads of new content and even a brand new game. The Legacy Collections have brought much of the series’ nostalgic origins back to modern day consoles, Mega Man 11 is in the holster for release in a couple months time and Capcom just unveiled one of the most premium, high-end gaming collectibles we have ever seen.
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Now that IFA is officially underway, there are plenty of announcements to go around. We’re seeing some awesome new computers heading into the holidays from companies like Lenovo and Acer.
Lenovo is launching a number of products with new laptops, and Acer has several different offerings from laptops to chairs, Mixed Reality Headsets, and more.
Dash cameras are becoming a vital part of our society. From keeping a record of an accident, or just capturing a deer walking across the road as you cruise through the countryside, a dash cam can capture many different moments. Just a few weeks ago, my mother was in a car accident and the person who hit her fled the scene. A dash cam was easily capable of capturing the license plate and vehicle to help the police close the case.
When it comes to dash cameras, however, there are many different options. You have some that are on the lower end of the spectrum and some that can get up there in price, but which should you choose? This really depends on what you want, whether you want high-quality 1440p recording, dual cameras, or any number of other features. We took four popular dash camera models and compared them side-by-side so you can know exactly what camera to pick up.
Bang & Olufsen has used IFA Berlin (similar to CES in the United States) as a platform to announce some of its upcoming products. Just yesterday we covered the company’s new $3,500 Beosound Edge speaker that was also unveiled at this event. B&O’s Autumn/Winter 2018 collection brings colors inspired by the old city of Marrakesh to four of its products. The three colors found in the AW2018 collection are referenced by the company as Dark Plum, Terracotta, and Limestone. While the Beoplay E6, H9i, and Earset will be available in select shades of the new colors, the Beosound P6 is the only speaker that made the cut to receive a makeover.
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Whether we like it or not, cool weather will slowly be upon us and it’s time to start thinking of footwear. One of the biggest trends in fall fashion this year, especially for men is Chelsea Boots. Not only are they perfect for the fall, but they also look great with all of your attire. These boots features a pull-on style and have no laces. Not only are they stylish but they’re also very functional and most are waterproof, too. However, you can find prices for these boots to go all the way up to $750, such as the Ralph Lauren style. That’s why today were rounding up our favorite styles that are budget friendly and all under $50.
This morning, Ultimate Ears announced the follow-up to two of most popular Bluetooth Speakers with the BOOM 3 and MEGABOOM 3. The latest from UE delivers the same bright colors and in your face design, but this isn’t simply a re-branded version of the previous generation. Both speakers feature a new ‘Magic Button’ on top that allows for users to control music and instantly start pre-determined playlists. UE has also completely remodeled its iOS app to include a handful of new features.
I’ve been able to go hands-on with the latest BOOM speakers from UE over the last few weeks. Head below for a quick look and a few thoughts on today’s release.
The summer is slowly coming to a close and August has been one of the more noteworthy months for LEGO news this year. Fans of Star Wars, Disney and Harry Potter should all be happy after the new releases over the past 30 days and our highlight of the month was taking a hands-on look at the newest LEGO Ideas kit, Voltron. But the Ideas love doesn’t end there, as today we’ll be taking a look at some of our favorite crowdfunded builds hoping to someday become LEGO kits.
Straight from Berlin at IFA 2018, Sennheiser is showing off some of its latest and greatest including a closer look at the upcoming AMBEO Soundbar with a 5.1.4 home entertainment experience and the next generation entry to its MOMENTUM headphones lineup.
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