News

Coming November 1, LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is gaining 30 new playable characters to the game with The Galactic Edition. This expansion delivers six new character packs to your game and offers players the choice to enjoy the game as Darth Maul, Asajj Ventress, and others. On top of that, there are going to be additions to existing characters like a holiday version of Obi-Wan Kenobi, Darth Vader, and more. Sound interesting? Keep reading for additional information.

Rode is a brand best known for its audio and recording gear, but today it is launching its new dedicated gamer division known as Rode X. Looking to deliver products custom-tailored to the gaming and game streaming community, the new Rode X lineup is launching today with a pair of new USB mic models and some dedicated software to better accommodate the streaming and recording process. Head below for a closer look at the new Rode X mics and more. 

BLUETTI is celebrating raising over $9 million dollars on Indiegogo for its recently announced AC500 and B300S power stations. Announced a few months ago, these power stations deliver “mind-blowing” capacity to keep your home running even when the grid goes down. Available for purchase through Indiegogo, BLUETTI is nearing its next stretch goal with more goals in sight. What all happens when BLUETTI hits these upcoming stretch goals? Let’s take a closer look below.

After launching its truly wireless LinkBuds S Noise Canceling Earbuds back in May, Sony is now adding a new colorway to the lineup, but this one is a little different than the rest. Made from recycled water bottle materials, the Earth Blue colorway creates a unique, one-of-a-kind marble pattern and is part of the Sony Group’s “Road to Zero” initiative to reduce the environmental footprint to zero by 2050. Alongside this new colorway, Sony is also launching a Microsoft Teams-certified LinkBuds based on the first-generation set. All LinkBuds series headsets other than the Teams model will receive a software update in November that will enable multipoint connection functionality. Keep reading below the fold to learn more.

Today, the LEGO Ideas team is announcing the results of its latest review round. In what is the final chance for a fan-made kit that previously hit the 10,000-supporter milestone to be approved by the LEGO Group, the results are finally in as nearly 40 models all fought to become an official creation.

Today, NZXT is introducing two new cases as well as the brand’s first air cooler. Refreshing the H510 lineup, the newly renamed NZXT H5 Flow and H5 Elite are entering the scene with a renewed design. On top of that, NZXT is now entering the air cooling space as well, whereas the company only used to focus on all-in-one closed-loop water coolers. What do the H5 Flow, H5 Elite, and T120 bring to the table? Let’s take a closer look.

SANDMARC is unveiling its new black Titanium Apple Watch band today. The brand has quickly become one of our favorite Apple gear accessory brands – its iPhone 13 leather case was my personal favorite of 2021 – and it has more recently stepped in to the Apple Watch space with 2022 model leather strap and previously unveiled silver metal variant. Today it is launching a “timeless” and sleek new metal link-style bracelet band for Apple’s wearable with the all new black Titanium Apple Watch band. Head below for a closer look and an exclusive discount for 9to5 readers. 

MUJJO has now unleashed its new leather MagSafe wallets. The brand revealed its 2022 collection of iPhone 14 cases shortly after the new handsets were unveiled and have since become one of the more popular options in the price range among 9to5 readers. The new MUJJO leather MagSafe wallets are now available for purchase, matching the latest iPhone 14 case collection perfectly with your choice of three colorways, but are also compatible with 12 and 13 series magnet-equipped handsets as well. Head below for a closer look and more details. 

Update: Pre-orders are now live directly from PlayStation. 

Today will mark the first chance to lock in your pre-order for the PlayStation DualSense Edge, Sony’s new pro-grade controller for PS5. First unveiled back in August, the new DualSense Edge is scheduled to go up for pre-order today at select retailers after Sony took to its official PlayStation Blog last week to finally unveil the official pricing, presale details, and release date. Considering how scarce its PlayStation 5 consoles still are, those looking to ensure they land one of the pro-grade DualSense controllers might want to lock one in as soon as possible. Head below for more details. 

After Amazon kicked off the early holiday shopping season with the fall Prime Day event earlier in the month, it’s now fair game for other retailers to start detailing their Black Friday plans. Costco is one of the first, with today seeing a first look at its Holiday Savings plans with the annual Costco Black Friday 2022 ad going live.

Today, B&H and ASUS are announcing the launch of the Zenbook 17 Fold OLED laptop. This unique laptop is “blurring the line between laptop and tablet,” according to the press release, as it’s essentially one massive 17.3-inch OLED touchscreen that folds down to 12.5-inches. So, what else does this unique laptop bring to the table beside one massive folding screen? Let’s take a closer look.

We are diving into the new 10.9-inch Spigen iPad cases today. Last we heard from the brand, it was dishing out its collection of Pixel 7/Pro cases and its new AirPods Pro 2 case with the lanyard cutout and built-in MagSafe charging, but it’s time for the updated Liquid Air Folio, Rugged Armor Pro, and Ultra Hybrid Pro for Apple’s latest 10.9-inch tablet. These models are already available for purchase with a light discount live on the Air Folio model via the brand’s official Amazon storefront. Head below for more details on each of them. 

Update: We have now launched our new 2023 edition of the best MIDI keyboards for Mac and iPad ahead of the launch of Apple’s new Logic Pro for iPad.

AKAI has just unveiled a new MPK Mini Plus. While we did see a new Mini Play model earlier this year, the AKAI MPK Mini Plus MIDI keyboard controller is the next-generation model of the standard Mini MK3 that launched back in 2020. Shedding the onboard speaker and built-in sounds found on the more portable production suite-grade Play model, the new MPK Mini Plus is the latest-generation MIDI controller from the brand designed to offer a little bit of extra finger real-estate for beat makers and musicians alongside a series of modernized controls we are used to with music controllers like this. Now available for purchase, head below for a closer look at the details. 

Wonder Tech Lab, the creators of the SwitchBot brand, which focuses on retrofitting existing hardware to add smart functionality, is now launching its latest Kickstarter campaign. The SwitchBot Blind Tilt is a retrofit device that attaches to your blinds to add smart functionality to them with a solar panel providing essentially endless power. Even though this campaign launched today, and you can back the project through November 20, the campaign goal was met within one hour. Wonder Tech Lab expects this new smart home device to begin shipping out to backers by the end of the year with general availability coming shortly thereafter. Keep reading below the fold to learn more about this retrofit device.

This week, Turtle Beach is introducing its all-new VelocityOne Flightstick, which is a joystick for air and space combat simulation games. Made to work with the Xbox One and Series X|S lineup, as well as the PC, this gaming flight stick is designed to deliver “immersive, accurate controls for navigating air and space flight sim and combat games.” There are eight total axes including a contactless hall effect sensor on the main X and Y axis, making it a solid choice for all setups. Keep reading to find out more.

While it might not be the GoldenEye 007 update you were hoping for, Nintendo has now announced Mario Party for Switch Online. Now scheduled to land on Switch Online starting early next month, Nintendo is bringing both of the original Mushroom Kingdom party games to its membership service to enjoy with friends and family over the holidays. Head below for more details.

As the holidays approach, now is the time to step up your smart home lighting game, and GE Lighting is looking to help you out with its brand-new Dynamic Effects CYNC lights. The first additions to this new line are the CYNC Dynamic Effects Light Strips. With entertainment-backed features, these light strips can be controlled without a hub and integrated with your home assistant. The strips are available now, and future products will join the lineup in Spring 2023. Keep reading below the fold to learn more.

Today, Philips is announcing a new line of accessories and monitors to “reinvent the rules of gaming” with its Evnia lineup. Ranging from brand new monitors to audio gear, peripherals, and more, there’s a lot to unpack from the Philips Evnia event where we have our very own Jordan Swartzendruber on the ground. So, without further ado, let’s take a closer look at Philips Evnia.

Ubisoft’s long-awaited sequel to the Mario and Rabbids franchise, Sparks of Hope, is officially launching today. Delivering a fresh take on turn-based tactics gameplay that fuses in a compelling story with open-world exploration, the Game of the Year contender arrives as one of the most enjoyable Switch titles in a long time that is easily worth your consideration.

Speck has now unveiled its next-generation magnetic iPad cases for the new 12.9- and 11-inch pro models as well as the 10.9-inch variant. Apple took to the virtual stage this week to detail its new tablets, and Speck is here to ensure they stay safe and sound with drop protection, antimicrobial treatments, interesting magnetic flaps to guard the camera lens, and more. Now available for purchase in various colorways, you can get all of the details you need down below. 

Originally announced back toward the end of September, Intel’s latest 13th Generation processors are now officially here. We’ve spent the past few days with them, running both the i5-13600K and i9-13900K through its paces to see if they could best AMD’s Ryzen 7000 lineup to help you decide what your next system should be. While our testing is far from over, there are a lot of interesting tidbits that separate Intel and AMD this time around.

After Apple unleashed its next-generation tablets yesterday, Pad & Quill is now introducing its new leather iPad cases. Its latest folio covers once again employ the boutique handcrafted leather treatment the brand is known for with new slim and “Magic” designs coming to its Oxford lineup. The brand’s covers are usually available in three leather colorways, but this time it is introducing an additional lighter tan tobacco brown option as well. Swing below for more details and a closer look as well as a promo code to knock 15% off your order. 

At yesterday’s Behind the Sims Summit, we got our first look at what’s to be Sims 5, dubbed “Project Rene.” In the very early look at the game, we got to see quite a bit of unique features. The upcoming title, which likely won’t be out fully for a few years, will have new creative tools, solo and collaborative play styles, and cross-device support like we’ve never seen from a Sims game before. Sound intriguing? Let’s take a closer look at what we can expect from Project Rene below.

Today we are diving into the brand-new 8Bitdo Charging Dock. After featuring the brand’s new pro-grade multi-platform Ultimate controllers with charging docks of their own and the Lite SE Bluetooth gamepad before that, it’s time for its latest charging solution. Now available for pre-order ahead of the November launch date, the new 8Bitdo Charging Dock brings a few interesting features and a unique see-through design to your Xbox setup. Head below for a closer look. 

After its inaugural debut back in 2020, Walmart is returning today in order to announce the return of its latest Deals for Days sale. The now annual sale looks to celebrate Black Friday and the holiday shopping season at large with four weeks of savings events.

Football season is in full swing and the fan gear has taken off this year. There are new trendy vendors, such as Wrangler and LuluLemon, that are in the college licensing space that fans can get their hands on now. Be sure to show your support with your favorite college teams at tailgates, in the stadium, or at home. Head below to find all of our top picks this year, and you will also want to check out the new TAG Heuer Mario Kart watches to complete your game-day outfit. 

Amazon’s New World is getting a pretty big update today called Brimstone Stands. It adds a new ancient Egyptian-themed area to the game alongside more abilities, a new weapon, expedition, and even a “revamped starting experience.” However, Amazon wants to give existing players a way to start afresh with the latest update and will be launching “Fresh Start Worlds” on November 2. What all will the worlds deliver, and how does Brimstone Sands change the New World experience? Keep reading to find out.

Custom Elite Series 2 Controllers are now a thing after being fully integrated into Xbox Design Lab. Taking to its official Xbox Wire this morning, Microsoft has announced that its Elite Series 2 Controllers can now be customized via its online Xbox Design Lab editor – an option it says has been the number-one most popular request since the service launched. Head below for more details. 

The PlayStation DualSense Edge release date has now been confirmed. After being officially unveiled back in late August, Sony has now taken to its official PlayStation Blog to confirm the upcoming DualSense Edge release date alongside pre-order details and official pricing for its upcoming pro-grade controller. Head below for all of the specifics. 

While I might be new to the Minecraft realm, I’ve been readily waiting for the 1.20 update to be announced. Well, over the weekend at the 2022 Minecraft Live event, Mojang finally announced Minecraft 1.20, though it won’t officially launch until next year. The beta should be live “in the next few days,” and you’ll find that the upcoming update delivers an all-new mob, building block, and more. Sound interesting? Keep reading to find out all that we know about the Minecraft 1.20 update.

Update: Spigen’s next-generation Classic iPod Shuffle-style case for the new AirPods Pro 2nd Generation earbuds is now available for purchase. This one isn’t even available directly on the official Spigen site just yet, but you can land it via the brand’s Amazon storefront for $18.99. 

Update: Spigen’s brand new fabric-wrapped Urban Fit AirPods Pro 2nd Generation Case is now available for purchase via its official Amazon storefront at $29.99 shipped. Features include a “premium knit fabric” exterior with an included carabiner, microfiber lining, and a cut out for the new lanyard connector. 

After detailing the brand’s latest iPhone 14 case collection as well as its latest Pixel 7/Pro models, we are now taking a closer look at the recently released Spigen MagSafe AirPods Pro 2 case. Its standard edition covers for Apple’s latest earbuds arrived over the last couple weeks with the usual Rugged Armor polycarbonate treatment and the see-through clear variants, but Spigen has updated its MagFit lineup with a MagSafe AirPods Pro 2 case now as well. Head below for more details. 

In noisy gaming environments, ANC, or active noise cancellation, can help to knock out background noise and keep the focus on the game. I relied heavily on it during the heat of the past summer. And while we’ve seen plenty of high-end headsets with ANC come out this year, like Sony Inzone H9 and SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, the Alienware AW920H offers a similar spec sheet at a lower price. At $200 is the Alienware AW920H a good option for a more affordable ANC gaming headset? Be sure to hit the video below to see our dive into the good and the bad of this gaming headset. 

The 2022 LEGO lineup has all but been locked in before builders begin getting an official look at 2023 sets due out next year. Now as one of the final creations of the year, the LEGO Group will be heading back into the Marvel lineup to recreate Tony Stark’s iconic Hulkbuster out of over 4,000 pieces. Today, we’re getting a first look at set number 76210 down below, as well as a breakdown of what you can expect from the massive $550 price tag.

Totallee iPhone 14 MagSafe cases have arrived. For those unfamiliar, Totallee is a brand best known for its minimalist iPhone cases and is putting its latest design up for pre-order today. The initial collection of clear and color cases launched shortly after Apple’s latest handsets hit the scene in early September, but the new MagSafe Solid Black and Frosted Clear models have now arrived. Head below for a closer look.

This week, Microsoft announced an all-new Windows PC lineup with the Surface Pro 9, Surface Laptop 5, and Surface Studio 2+. All are available for pre-order for an October 24 release date, though the Surface Laptop 5 and Pro 9 can also be purchased at Amazon as well as Microsoft and other retailers. What do Microsoft’s latest releases bring to the table? Let’s take a closer look down below.

SANDMARC has quickly become one of our favorite Apple gear accessory makers, especially in the iPhoneography category, and today, its new Telephoto iPhone 14 Lens is going up for pre-order. We previously featured the brand’s iPhone 14 cases and gorgeous new Titanium Apple Watch band, but today, it’s all about its new 58mm lens that now sits alongside the previously released Cloud Diffusion iPhone filter. It’s now available for pre-order with a special exclusive 10% discount for 9to5 readers – head below for a closer look and the discount code.

After previously featuring its iPhone 14 case collection, we are now taking a closer look at the new Journey ALTI Wireless Charging Desk Mat. Featuring a unique magnetic modular design, the new ALTI is looking to reduce clutter, protect your desktop, and provide some built-in charging alongside a few other interesting tricks it has tucked under the leather surface. And much like the pre-order phase of its leather iPhone 14 cases, you can now land one at 20% off the going rate. Head below for a closer look and more details. 

For some folks the regular $100 to $300 earbuds just won’t cut it, and that’s where the new high-end Beyerdynamic XELENTO audiophile earbuds come in. The brand, well known the world over for its headphone lineup, is introducing its brand new second-generation audiophile Tesla in-ear headphones known as the XELENTO remote and XELENTO wireless. These hi-res audio certified earbuds feature touches of real 24ct gold, and as you’re likely imagining, are only for serious listeners with an exorbitant price tag in tow. Head below for a closer look. 

Amazon is rolling out its Early Access Prime Day sale today ahead of the holiday season, giving you a chance to take one more chore off the list by scoring a discounted robotic vacuum. One of the more notable offers live right now has the ILIFE A4s Max and all of its autonomous cleaning prowess discounted to the lowest price of the year, delivering up to 2,000Pa of suction power, smart app control, and other ways to make cleaning a bit more convenient.

While gaming headsets are getting better and more options are available, if you already have a good pair of headphones, there is another way to get clear communications with teammates. The ModMic lineup augments a pair of headphones by attaching a microphone on the earcup. We got our hands on every ModMic available. Be sure to hit the video below to see and hear how they perform. 

Over the past two days, we’ve been checking every nook and cranny across Amazon to showcase all of its best deals from the Prime Early Access event. While you’ll still find a collection of discounts live until the shopping event closes its virtual doors, we’ve highlighted the top 10 fall Prime Day deals still available to help cut to the chase. Including notable price drops on the latest from Apple and Google, to Amazon devices, storage, and TVs, these deals will likely be gone at 3:00 a.m. EST tomorrow.

In LEGO news we honestly never thought we would be covering, today 9to5Toys can report that the LEGO Group plans on squading up with the folks over at Epic Games in order to bring one of its most iconic titles into the brick-built world. There are any number of vehicles and builds from Fortnite that would deserve the LEGO treatment, but above all of them, the Battle Bus is one of the game’s most recognizable inclusions. And in April of 2023, we’ll be seeing a massive 2,700-piece version hit LEGO store shelves.

Today, the LEGO Group is launching its latest double VIP points promotion on its entire catalog of sets. Giving builders a chance to score double the cash back on all-new creations from the fall waves including the latest UCS creations, display-worthy models, and more, this is a rare chance to lock-in the points ahead of the upcoming holiday shopping season. Head below for all the details on the new LEGO double points promotion and some of our top picks for getting the most out of the savings event.

Alongside ongoing Amazon gift card offers on Google’s new handsets starting from $599, we have now spotted some notable offers on the Spigen Pixel 7 cases. Available for both the base model and the 7 Pro, the brand’s latest Pixel cases have now arrived and we are already tracking some notable price drops via its official Amazon storefront. Pricing on the Spigen Pixel 7 cases regularly ranges from $30 up to as much as $45, but you can now score some models starting as low as $15. Alongside listings far lower than the direct pricing, Amazon is also serving up on-page coupons to sweeten the deal even more. 

If you’ve wanted to get your hands on a Steam Deck but didn’t want to wait months, now is the time to place your order. Valve has announced that you can place an order without needing a reservation alongside two other big pieces of news. These include the official docking station now becoming available for order and lots of new software features to better round out the Deck experience. Head below the fold to learn more about these recent developments.