News

Earlier this year, 2K Games, in partnership with the LEGO Group, announced that it would be taking a fresh crack at the brick-built racing title. Officially launching today, LEGO 2K Drive races onto the scene to deliver a thrilling open-world adventure game, competitive kart racer, and garage to customize your very own vehicle. Detailed below, we’re diving into see just how the new brick-built world stacks up as well as chat with the game’s art director for a behind the scenes look at the experience.

Memorial Day is just over a week away, and it’s now time to take a look at this year’s best grills and accessories with our favorites for you to pick up before one of 2023’s biggest outdoor cooking holidays rolls around. From pellet grills to thermometers and more, we’ll have everything you need to have a stellar outdoor BBQ in this year’s 9to5Toys Memorial Day Grilling Guide down below.

The latest Peak Design camera hand strap has surfaced. Peak Design is an accessory brand we have been featuring around here for a few years. It is the creator of the Everyday iPhone and Galaxy cases with the fabric-wrapped treatment, this fantastic all-metal MagSafe car mount we reviewed recently (it’s easily one of the best I’ve ever used), and more, but in many ways, it is best known for its photography accessories. Those include everything from its popular Anchor links, camera leashes, tripods, and more for DLSR models and the like. But it has just recently unveiled its latest piece of kit with the new Micro Clutch – “a beautiful, functional hand strap specially designed for mirrorless cameras.” Head below for a closer look at how to land one at a discount ahead of this summer’s launch.

Earlier in the week, we got a first look at some of the upcoming Star Wars summer 2023 sets in the form of new LEGO Mechs. Today, we’re getting a first look at three even more exciting creations launching on August 1. Including the massive new Yavin IV set and the upcoming Republic Swamp Speeder with 332nd Clone Troopers, we’re getting a look at some of the new LEGO sets ahead of an official reveal.

Just over a year ago, the folks over at Nomad launched the new Sport Slim Band for the first time for Apple Watch users. Delivering a more streamlined version of its signature silicone offering, the company is now back today to launch a new colorway. Now available in a sleek white style, there’s even some launch savings attached.

Some new Mario Switch Online games are on the way. While Switch gamers everywhere all still sky high in the latest Zelda release, Nintendo has now announced some new additions to its Game Boy Advance Switch Online library. After a series of more obscure and let’s call it, cult classic-status additions to its growing online library of retro games, it’s time for everyone’s favorite plumber to get in on the action. After the launch of its Game Boy titles back in February that already featured quite a notable catalogue of games, Nintendo is now set to add three new Mario adventures to the list. Head below for more details. 

After being announced back in March, today, LEGO 2K Drive officially races onto the scene. The game arrives on all consoles today, including PS5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch, delivering an open-world racing experience on top of its co-op action and robust customizable car experience.

Intro

Xbox controllers can get very expensive – just look at the line-up of some of our favorites. For those on a budget, though, PowerA has been a consistent source of more affordable options that go beyond the stock controller. Its latest, the PowerA Fusion Pro 3 is packed with features for the $80 price tag but can it compete with more expensive controllers? Be sure to hit the video to see all of the details.

Today, Razer is updating its Nommo PC speaker lineup with V2 models all around. With three new versions being announced today, you’ll find that these speakers offer full-range and there’s even models with wireless subwoofers and THX Spatial Audio support. In fact, Razer is also now building in rear projection RGB lighting that ties in with its Chroma software for added illumination of your setup. Ready to find out which Razer Nommo V2 speaker set is right for your desk? Head below for a full breakdown.

The new UGREEN Steam Deck hub is getting an official launch today. Known as the UGREEN 6-in-1 Docking Station for Steam Deck, it is designed to expand the connectivity options of Valve’s portable PC gaming rig significantly at a relatively affordable price (it is already marked down on Amazon for the launch), providing additional USB ports, Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI, and more. While the Steam Deck had some new competition enter the marketplace last week with the official launch of the new ASUS ROG Windows 11 Ally portable PC gaming handheld, folks sticking with the Valve machine will want to head below for a closer look at the new UGREEN Steam Deck hub.

Today Mackie is introducing its new all-in-one content creator and podcasting workstation known as the Mackie DLZ Creator Adaptive Digital Mixer. Delivering a complete podcasting and broadcasting recording rig, it features a large touchscreen display, a series of microphone inputs, a built-in sample/stinger trigger section, all of the headphone outputs you’ll need, and more – you can even record your work directly onto the machine with microSD support if you want. It essentially combines just about all of the most important elements of a good broadcast into a single unit and we have had a chance to give it a test run over the last couple weeks ahead of today’s official reveal. Head below for a closer look.

Update: Mortal Kombat 1 pre-orders are now live from $70:

• PS5 standard $70
• Xbox Series X/S standard $70
• Switch standard $70
• PS5 Premium Edition $110
• Xbox Series X/S Premium Edition $110
• Switch standard Premium Edition $110

After teasers surfaced yesterday, the brand new Mortal Kombat 1 has been officially unveiled. Set for releases in September, “a new era has begun.” The game will feature “a reborn Mortal Kombat Universe” to usher in a new era of the iconic fighting franchise with new battle mechanics, game modes, and an overhauled version of the infamous fatality system. Pre-orders on the new game are set to kick off tomorrow with with some special bonuses alongside details on early Beta access starting this summer. Head below for more and the debut trailer. 

Tonight we’re getting a first look at three new LEGO Star Wars sets due out this summer. Launching on August 1, the new LEGO Star Wars mechs will be assembling a fresh take on Darth Vader, Boba Fett, and a classic Stormtrooper.

Earlier this year, Satechi launched its most popualr charging station to date. Brimming with 200W of GaN power, its latest USB-C offering takes on a desktop form-factor that’s outfitted with enough ports and juice to power up your entire Apple kit. But with a $150 price tag, we’re checking out just what to expect from the experience.

Particula, makers of the GoCube connected Rubik’s Cube-like device, is introducing a new robotic chess board today. Officially known as GoChess and looking to capitalize on the “growing popularity” of chess in the wake of the Covid pandemic, the new smart chess board is looking to “revolutionize the way chess is played and learned, be it face-to-face, online, or with AI.” Head below for a closer look, more details, and a chance at landing a pre-order with a solid discount. 

In a slightly unexpected turn of events, Logitech has announced an official partnership with iFixit to make its peripheral lineup more repairable. Leading the way is the MX Master and MX Anywhere models of mice from Logitech, which include both part availability and repair guides. However, there are other guides being offered by Logitech and iFixit that expand to sub-brands like Ultimate Ears and others. This is something that peripheral owners have long asked for and will help to extend the life of many mice as the main failure seems to be batteries or feet, both of which are available here. Ready to learn how to repair your own Logitech MX Master or MX Anywhere mouse? Keep reading to find out more.

It looks as though the pseudo-PlayStation E3 showcase has now been announced, and it’s going to be a big one. Heads up, folks, E3 might have been officially canceled this year, but that doesn’t mean we won’t be getting some notable gaming showcases. Plus, they appear to be starting sooner than expected. While many of the annual presentations from the major publishers and developers tend to land in the summer months (June and beyond), it now looks as though things might be starting a little early on the PlayStation side of things. Sony has now taken to its official Twitter feed to announce a major “PlayStation Showcase,” set to stream next week. Head below for more details. 

On top of its colorful new addition to the Alexa speaker lineup, Amazon today is also showcasing its new version of its compact smart display. The Echo Show 5 brings the brand’s voice assistant to a 5.5-inch screen, and now with that there’s even better sounding internal speakers as well as a sustainable build crafted of recycled materials. Now available for pre-order, everything new about Amazon’s latest is detailed below.

Joining the launch of the Echo Pop smart speaker, Amazon is also expanding its lineup of earbuds today with the new 2023 Echo Buds. Joining the previously-released set with active noise cancellation, this new set is looking to step into the entry-level position with a paired down feature set while still delivering some new personal AI functionality, multipoint pairing, customizable tap controls, and best of all, a particularly low introductory price during the pre-order phase. Head below for more details and to land a set of Amazon’s brand new 2023 Echo Buds at $40. 

Meet the latest addition to the Echo family. Today Amazon is expanding its stable of Alexa-enabled smart speakers with a new lower-cost offering in the form of the Echo Pop. This colorful new speaker arrives with all of the hands-free access to Alexa that you should expect from Amazon, just with a refreshed look that pairs colorful designs with a more sustainable construction that is now available for pre-order.

Audio-Technica is launching its latest USB mic today known as the AT2040USB. The brand has been in the transducer and microphone business for over 60 years now and has been delivering some of the best bang for your buck in both the USB and XLR space for nearly as long. Its XLR mics have been a staple in my personal home studio for years, as seen in my latest Behind the Screens feature, and the classic Audio-Technica AT2020+ is a favorite among USB mic users (it has since been superseded by the new AT2020USB-X). But today the brand is starting a new journey with its latest dynamic USB model and we have had a chance to test it out for a few weeks ahead of today’s official reveal. Head below for a closer look. 

Today, ANYCUBIC is introducing its all-new Photon Mono M5s Resin 3D Printer. Positioned as the “first consumer-grade 12K resin 3D printer,” the Photon Mono M5s has been designed to provide “unprecedented detail and convenience” for makers with the new leveling-free build plate, 3rd-gen release film, and intelligent monitoring system. This new release film will help decrease overall print times, and not having to level the build plate greatly simplifies the printing process. ANYCUBIC’s latest 3D printer is slated to launch on May 22 at 10 am EDT, with early bird pricing for the first three days. Ready to learn more about this 12K resin printer? Keep reading below the fold.

Skullcandy today is launching its latest pair of ANC headphones. The new Crusher ANC 2 deliver Skullcandy’s latest over-ear designs that on top of delivering stables like active noise cancellation, also come backed by some more standout inclusions. There’s up to 60-hour playback on a single charge, not to mention built-in Tile tracking and multipoint Bluetooth connectivity. But the real star of the show from my listening so far is the Crusher bass controls, making these headphones standout from the competition.

Today, PowerA is announcing its latest officially licensed gaming accessory with the MOGA XP-Ultra wireless controller. Uniquely designed and feature-packed, this is the “first” officially licensed wireless controller for Xbox Series X|S on the market that’s also made to be used for mobile gaming, PCs, and consoles interchangeably, according to the company. Ready to find out more about the brand-new PowerA MOGA XP-Ultra? Head below to uncover all that the controller has to offer.

LEGO today is launching one of the largest Batman sets to date. Arriving next month, the new Batcave Shadowbox brings the Caped Crusader’s iconic lair into LEGO form in an entirely new way. The new LEGO Batcave Shadowbox arrives with nearly 4,000 pieces alongside some exclusive new minifigures, the Batmobile, and other details from Batman Returns.

Today, TP-Link is introducing two brand-new Wi-Fi 7 routers with the Deco BE85 mesh system and the Archer BE800 dedicated router. Ready for true multi-gig networking, both units have 10Gb/s Ethernet/fiber combo jacks, so you can connect to the Internet an additional 10Gb/s WAN/LAN port, and multiple 2.5Gb/s Ethernet ports. If you’re ready to take your networking setup to the next level, then keep reading to find out all that TP-Link’s latest Wi-Fi 7 routers have to offer.

Today, Canon is introducing its first compact camera specifically designed for vlogging with the PowerShot V10. This lightweight and easy-to-use shooter weighs in at just over 211 grams and easily fits in your pocket. It records shake-free 4K video, has a vertical body, and even has a built-in stand for capturing content hands-free. Sound like something you’d be interested in picking up? Keep reading to find out more.

You might want to take a quick second to drop a Travel Medallion down and check out the official Nintendo Zelda Tears of the Kingdom collectible apparel and merch. In between creating makeshift planes, hot air balloons, and rail carts, you might want to glide over to the official Nintendo store and scoop up some of the official new Tears of the Kingdom tees, hoodies, and more. While there is what appears to be some official apparel for the game over on Amazon, the Nintendo-exclusive collection looks to be the nicest to me, and there’s no telling how long some of it might last. Check it out below.

The new Zelda Tears of the Kingdom Split Pad Pro from HORI has arrived. As I’m sure you already know, The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom is officially out in the wild (and up in the skies), and HORI has now issued a new version of its wonderful Split Pad Pro Switch controller featuring an updated design straight from the epic new Nintendo release. The new themed controller attachment is launching alongside HORI’s latest Adventure Pack Switch sling bag, also adorned with Zelda artwork and accents. Head below for a closer look at the now available Tears of the Kingdom HORI accessories. 

Now just a few hours away from the official release of the year’s most highly-anticipated release, The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom, Nintendo is taking gamers sky high one last time before launch tonight. After a series of teasers and a brief trailer in the first Nintendo Direct of the year, series producer Eiji Aonuma finally demonstrated actual gameplay back in late March before the game’s final (and incredibly epic) pre-release trailer launched last month. And now Nintendo is ready to show off some brand new, never-before-seen gameplay of Tears of the Kingdom as part of this evening’s live launch stream. 

Did you see the Nikon Z 9 launch with all of its capabilities and features but want it in a more compact frame? Well, the brand has now done just that with the introduction of the all-new Z 8 full-frame mirrorless camera. You’ll find the same 45.7-MP stacked CMOS sensor paired with the EXSPEED 7 Imaging engine to capture pictures up to 120 frames per second and record N-RAW 8K60p video internally. Nikon is positioning the Z 8 as the true successor to the very popular D850 DSLR, with the compact frame measuring 15% smaller than the D850 and a massive 30% reduction compared to the Z 9. The new Z 8 camera is a powerhouse in both the photography and video recording departments and is available for pre-order today. Ready to learn more about what this camera has to offer and when you can get your hands on one? Keep reading below the fold.

Earlier in the spring we covered a discount on AirPods Max, to which readers chimed in that despite being $100 off, there are better options out there. One of the cited options at the top of everyone’s list is the Sennheiser Momentum 4, a recently-released pair of over ear headphones from one of the more beloved brands on the market. I’ve been daily driving these for the past month, and have to say that I agree. But just how well do they stack up against Apple’s flagship headphones?

After selling out and being unavailable for quite some time, Pad & Quill has now refreshed its lineup of handmade leather wallets. The new collection consists of four different models ranging from the Ultra Slim card carrier and the wallet/money clip combo to the Passport holder and the Camden Flip bi-fold, each of which are now available for pre-order in various leather colorways and with a solid 20% launch discount. Head below for a closer look. 

Best Buy today is launching a new tier of its membership program. Better suited to take on the likes of Amazon Prime and Walmart+, the new My Best Buy Plus subscription focuses its benefits around free shipping, access to savings, and extended return times – all while managing to undercut the competition along the way.

Update 6/22: As promised below, the Teenage Engineering TP–7 field recorder is now available for purchase in limited quantities. 

Update: Our 2023 edition of the best MIDI keyboards for Mac and iPad ahead of the launch of Apple’s new Logic Pro for iPad is now live.

Teenage Engineering has now unveiled its latest musical gadget known as the TP–7 field recorder. Just as the name implies, you’re looking at a miniature, standalone recording device with the usual Teenage Engineering design flare. After introducing the TX-6 mixer (check out our full review here) before the Field Desk and the new CM–15 Field Microphone were introduced, it seemed it was only a matter of time before TE delivered some way of actually making recordings on-the-go and it has now arrived in the form of the new TP–7 field recorder. Head below for a closer look. 

Update: ASUS will unveil the official specifications, features, details, release date, and price of the ROG ALLY today at 10am ET. Follow along with the stream below.

The new ASUS ROG Ally handheld gaming PC is set for its official launch today, with pre-orders expected to go live any time now. Some have already suggested it might end up being the best handheld PC gaming machine yet. Up until now, the Steam Deck has dominated the portable PC gaming space, at least in any official capacity, but it appears Valve’s on-the-go gaming rig might have some serious competition on the way with the new ASUS handheld gaming PC set to potentially go up for pre-order today (Update: likely after or during the launch stream below if it happens at all). Stock is likely to be limited by all accounts, so if you’re interested, you’ll want to lock one in as soon as possible. Head below for more details.

The Blackshark V2 Pro has been one of the best-reviewed gaming headsets that I can remember. The wired versions are an even better deal. Now, Razer is updating the beloved esports-focused headset with a new microphone, sound modes, and Bluetooth connectivity. Do these upgrades make the Blackshark V2 Pro 2023 worth the $200 price tag? Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details. 

ESR is launching its new magnetic lightweight iPad Pro case today with a notable launch discount via Amazon. The brand is easily one of the more popular options out there when it comes to Apple accessories, MagSafe gear, AirPods cases, and more in the budget-friendly category (especially if you score it in one of the many sales we track), but this time, it has turned its attention to Apple’s pro-grade tablet in the 11-inch form factor. The new lightweight case delivers some options for folks alongside various viewing angle options, Apple Pencil storage, and more. Head below for a closer look and a notable price drop on the latest ESR iPad Pro release. 

Today, Roku is introducing a smart home monitoring system that looks a lot like a budget brand we know and love here at 9to5Toys. The infamous smart TV/streaming media player brand Roku has joined forces with the budget-smart home brand Wyze to launch affordable gear. This time around, Roku and Wyze partnered on the 5-piece Roku Home Monitoring System SE, coming in at $100. Offering both self-monitoring or remote professional monitoring through Noonlight, this is one of the most affordable ways to secure your home before heading out on vacation this spring. Ready to learn more? We have all the details, including availability, down below.

Today, GE’s latest Cync LED rope light is finally available for purchase at Lowe’s. You’ll find that this unique light will add fun shapes and illumination to any space. Powered by LEDs, you’ll be able to essentially make any shape on the wall, thanks to how flexible the rope is. Sound like something you’d want to add to your space? Keep reading to find out all the features of the latest GE Cync RGB LED rope light.

Sony is now introducing its latest wireless speakers to level up your summer pool parties with the SRS-XB100 and SRS-XV800. On the smaller end, you’ll have an IP67-rated portable speaker that packs in quite the auditory punch, while the larger XV800 delivers Omni-Directional Party Sound so everyone around can easily listen to the music while enjoying the pool. Both of these new speakers from Sony are available for pre-order now. The larger XV800 model will begin shipping on May 15, and the smaller XB100 will start shipping a week later, on May 22. Ready to learn more about these new speaker models? Head below the fold for more.

SANDMARC has now expanded its lineup of accessories with a new navy blue leather Apple Watch band. Following the introduction of the brand’s latest 100mm Macro iPhone lens to upgrade your spring and summer photos this year, SANDMARC is now looking to do the same for your tech-laden wardrobe. The brand has been on a roll over the last year or so with its Apple Watch band offerings, and today, it is looking to deliver a new navy leather colorway to match its expanded selection of iPhone 14 leather cases. Head below for a closer look, more details, and our exclusive discount code.

Totallee is introducing its new AirPods cases today. The brand has been featured around here for years with its branding-free, ultra-thin iPhone cases that get refreshed each September for the latest Apple handsets as well as landing in our yearly roundup of the best options out there. Well today it has turned its attention to one of Apple’s other popular releases in the form of a pair of covers for the latest AirPods releases with a similar design approach. Head below for a closer look at the new Totallee AirPods cases. 

After just getting a first look at 12 of the upcoming Ninjago 2023 summer sets due out this August, we’re now able to turn our attention over to the largest kit from that LEGO theme this year. A new thrilling addition to the very popular Ninjago City collection is finally here, delivering yet another expansion to the wave of futuristic modular buildings. The new LEGO Ninjago City Markets will be hitting store shelves in June, and now the theme’s largest creation of all time is being officially revealed.

The LEGO summer 2023 wave is closing in, and tonight we’re getting a first look at all 12 of the upcoming Ninjago creations. Entering its latest season, there’s a collection of all-new models set to hit the scene come August. Get a first look below the fold.