News

If you’re an iPad power user and find yourself in need of more than a single USB-C port, the new StarTech USB-C Multiport Adapter could be an accessory that’s worth adding to your workflow. It not only replaces the sole USB-C port on the latest iPad Air or Pro devices but also adds AUX, dual USB-A, and HDMI. The HDMI port supports 4K with a 60Hz refresh rate, which is a feat that has also been accomplished by Anker. An up to 100W passthrough charging rate is where this StarTech hub manages to beat out many of its direct competitors, however. Continue reading to learn more.

No Man’s Sky just celebrated its five-year anniversary, and with it Hello Games released the title’s largest update yet. Frontiers, as it’s called, finally lets you run your own alien settlement and become an Overseer. That’s far from the only thing in this update, as there will be prebuilt planetary settlements, “breathtaking” nebulas in space, an all-new base-building grid menu, and much more. So, let’s take a closer look at everything in the No Man’s Sky Frontiers update.

After first reporting on the new alternative color schemes of sets at the start of last month, the LEGO Group is now rolling out the first of these refreshed sets. Entering as a limited-edition release, the new Creator Expert Fiat 500 now comes in a baby blue coat of paint with all of the same retro stylings as before. Head below for all of the details and how you can score one of the blue LEGO Fiat 500 for yourself.

Remember Big Brain Academy for Nintendo DS? Well, a new version is now coming to Nintendo Switch. Taking to its Twitter feed and official YouTube channel this morning, Nintendo has now unveiled the new Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain — it’s new brain-teasing puzzler party game for Switch. This one continues Nintendo’s support of more casual, family-oriented games on its flagship platform with a Mario Party-like experience that is specifically tailored toward brain teasers, puzzlers, and other challenges to get you thinking, just without the colorful Mushroom Kingdom characters. Head below for a closer look and the Big Brain Academy announcement trailer. 

Earlier this summer I picked up a set of Moment’s iPhone lenses alongside Nomad’s new companion MagSafe case. As cool as they were for taking photos around the house, I’ve been waiting for just the right opportunity to properly test out the iPhoneography upgrades. Last weekend I took a quick trip to the coast of Harpswell, Maine, and it was the perfect chance to put them to the test. Delivering a notable upgrade to my stock iPhone 12 Pro cameras, you can head below for a closer look at just what Moment’s lenses bring to the table.

With so many USB-C hubs and docking stations on the market, it can be difficult to find new releases with uncommon features. The new StarTech Quad Monitor USB-C Dock passes this test with flying colors, allowing Windows, macOS, Chrome OS users to drive up to four displays using just one Type-C port. All four monitors can run at 4K with a 60Hz refresh rate, which is an admirable feat, to say the least. If that wasn’t enough, you’ll also have access to three 5Gbps USB-A ports, one 10Gbps Type-C input, Gigabit Ethernet, AUX, and 100W passthrough charging over the host USB-C slot. Continue reading to learn more.

Today, iBUYPOWER announced a new sub-brand, HYTE. This brand’s first product is the Revolt 3 mini-ITX PC case, which was announced back at CES 2021. The Revolt 3 MK3 and Revolt 3 were designed “with careful consideration for DIY PC enthusiasts, gamers, and creators.” Packing a compact 18.4L form factor, these cases offer those with limited desk space the ability to utilize most RTX 30-series graphics cards and even up to a 280mm All-in-One liquid cooler. iBUYPOWER is offering this as both a DIY PC case, as well as a pre-built desktop, depending on what your needs are. So, what all does the HYTE Revolt 3 case deliver? Let’s take a closer look.

It looks like PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X Cyberpunk 2077 upgrades alongside the promised next-generation Witcher 3: Wild Hunt are still on pace to land in 2021. As per a recent CD Projekt financial report, the Polish-based game developer is still targeting a late 2021 release date for the proper next-generation versions of its two flagship titles. We already knew both upgrades were slated to launch this year, but with all of the delays hitting the industry still, it was becoming harder to believe CDPR could make it happen. However, it, at least, sounds as though both upgrades will hit before the year is out. More details are below. 

September is here along with an array of new reads to pick up. If you’ve already buzzed through August’s Reading Guide, September has an array of awesome reads for this month. Head below the jump to find all of our top picks for this September’s Reading list including thrillers, romance novels, and history reads as well.

To coincide with the new UCS-style LEGO Batman Tumbler, a new minifigure-scale version has just been announced to deliver a smaller version of the iconic vehicle. Assembling much of the same stylings in a smaller package, the LEGO Batman Tumbler showdown set packs two minifigures and will be launching later this fall. Now available for pre-order, you can get all of the details down below.

September has now arrived, and with it are a collection of new LEGO creations spanning the latest Star Wars kit to massive recreations of iconic football stadiums. Packed with some enticing new minifigures, there’s quite a notable selection of builds this time around. Head below for the full scoop on all of the new LEGO sets available for September, which are now available for purchase.

August was quite the busy month on the LEGO Ideas front, with the launch of the eye-catching Sailboat gift with purchase going live ahead of our first report on the upcoming Home Alone set. But now we’re turning our attention to models that are still hoping to become an official set, headlined by a detailed rescue helicopter, old school camera, and more.

As the popularity of portable power stations grows, we’re seeing more offerings and competition from companies. The Aukey PowerZeus 500 packs a ton of features, and at just $407, it comes in at a more affordable price point than the wildly popular Jackery Explorer 500. Be sure to hit the video below and see all of the details of the Aukey PowerZeus 500.

Kensington has added a couple of new USB-C hubs to its portfolio this week, both of which offer passthrough charging and up to 4K 60Hz connectivity over HDMI. Each model has several features that distinguish it well when pitted against the other. For instance, one turns a single port into six, while the alternate model provides eight. Styling varies as well, with either aluminum or fabric shells to choose from. Both releases join a long list of Thunderbolt and USB-C docking stations that nicely fill out the Kensington lineup. Continue reading to learn more.

Polaroid is expanding its instant camera lineup with its “most creative” model yet: the Polaroid Now+. This new camera brings the analog and digital worlds together like never before. You’ll connect it to a phone with an app that unlocks new creative tools while remaining fully analog to capture anything life throws at you. What all is it capable of? Let’s take a closer look.

Update: The new LEGO Batman Tumbler is now available for pre-order for $229.99 and will be officially launching on November 1.

Marking the third installment of the UCS-style LEGO Batman set, this fall will give fans of the Dark Knight a new massive creation from Gotham City to assemble. Stacking up to over 2,000 pieces, a refreshed version of the LEGO Batman Tumbler will be cruising into the DC collection, complete with two exclusive minifigures and loads of display-worthy details. Head below for all of the details.

Today, SimpliSafe is expanding its arsenal of home security offerings with its very first water-resistant camera. Entering with 1080p recording and a 140-degree field of view, the new SimpliSafe Outdoor Cam arrives with a effortless setup, battery-powered design, and integration with the wider range of security offerings from the company. Head below for all of the details.

The new Twelve South StayGo mini is here. The latest USB-C hub from Twelve South is a smaller, more compact version of the original StayGo hub geared toward iPad and MacBook users with a trimmed-down I/O section “that fits anywhere, whether traveling, going from home to office or heading to and from class,” with a lighter price tag to match. Head below for a closer look and more details. 

After a batch of new LEGO sets launched as part of the summer lineup at the start of the month, we’ve been reviewing all of the new Star Wars sets throughout August. Now that the dust has settled on the collection, we’re looking at seven of the builds to see which stand above the others. Head below for a closer look at how all of the new LEGO Star Wars summer 2021 kits compare and to see which is the best of the batch.

Wi-Fi 6 has become the latest trend in networking, and after seeing just about every other player in the consumer and business space branch out to support the standard, Ubiquiti finally joined in on the action. But now that they’re actually available, is it worth the network upgrade? After putting the latest UniFi Wi-Fi 6 access points to the test, we’re answering that question in our latest UniFi Diary piece. Head below for all of the details.

Jurassic World Evolution 2 was shown off during the PC Gaming Show back at E3 2021 in June, but we now have a release date and more information on the title. Launching November 9 for Xbox One, as well as Series X|S, Jurassic World Evolution 2 is now available for pre-order with an additional bonus to those who purchase before it launches. Two editions are being released, with the Deluxe version including “many incredible extras like additional prehistoric species.” So, what all can we expect from Jurassic World Evolution 2, and will it be on Game Pass? Keep reading to find out more.

After Sony announced third-party SSD support and reports of a new PS5 SKU on the way, we now have new details on the not-so upgraded PlayStation 5. After the new SKU was spotted in Australia and elsewhere, select folks have now got their hands on the new PlayStation 5 model to tear the thing up and find out what’s really going inside. A few minor changes were made to the stand base and the like, but it was the drop in overall weight most gamers were interested in. We now know how Sony managed to bring the heft down, but it might not be the upgrade you were hoping for. 

Whenever Apple launches a new product, loads of third-party accessories tend to follow. This has certainly been the case with AirTags, with new offerings constantly popping up left and right. The most recent to come across our radar happens to be the Case-Mate Pelican Protector AirTag Stick-On Mount. This is not Case-Mate’s first attempt at making an AirTag sticker, with an earlier release having launched back in June. As the Protector name implies, this time around, Case-Mate has delivered a much more heavy-duty solution. Continue reading to learn more.

After getting a first look at the upcoming LEGO Camp Nou stadium earlier in the month, there’s now another football-themed set to look forward to. Arriving alongside the Creator Expert landmark later this fall, the upcoming LEGO FC Barcelona Celebration set includes four Barca jersey-wearing minifigures and a re-creation of an iconic location. Head below for all of the details.

Over the last several months, Amazon has banned several popular merchants from selling on its storefront. The move was a direct response to brands that would solicit good reviews from customers in exchange for gift cards, discounts, and more. This reaction affected many product categories, including a variety of innovating GaN adapter manufacturers. Thankfully, two new UGREEN 100W chargers have arrived at Amazon, a move that provides customers with some additional options to pick from. Both units distribute power across four ports, a majority of which are USB-C. Continue reading to learn more.

We first heard about Starfield back in 2018, and then it was really late 2020 before we heard much more about the upcoming title. At E3 2021, Bethesda, now owned by Microsoft, released another new trailer alongside the official release date for the game: November 11, 2022. Well, today, we got our first look at three worlds from Starfield, Bethesda’s first new universe in 25 years, and here’s what we know so far.

Today, Belkin is expanding its stable of MagSafe-compatible accessories with a new in-car offering. Delivering a more streamlined model of versions we’ve seen in the past, the new MagSafe Car Vent Mount arrives with the same iPhone 12 focus and an integrated cable holder. Head below for all of the details.

This month, Crate & Barrel released a new collection with Detroit-based Shinola. If you’re not familiar with the brand, it’s known for its high-quality leather and modern goods. There are 15 items throughout this collection, with furniture, pillows, mirrors, lighting, art, and even leather goods, such as luggage tags and a football. Pricing starts at just $24 and ranges up to $4,300 for the larger furniture items. Be sure to head below the jump to check out a few of our favorites from the Crate & Barrel x Shinola collection.

A new PUMA Nintendo collaboration has now been unveiled. PUMA has had a Nintendo license secured for a while now – we saw some Super Mario Sunshine and Galaxy shoes previously – but this time around, the sprinting and lifestyle brand is tapping into Nintendo’s super-popular island life simulator for its latest crossover collection. After Puma and Nintendo teased the new collaboration yesterday saying, “Something new is on the horizon,” images and details of the collection have now surfaced. Check everything out down below the fold. 

After first hearing about an updated LEGO Batman Tumbler being in the works back in May, new details have emerged ahead of the expected fall release. Stacking up to over 2,400 pieces, the UCS-style DC creation arrives at a lower price than we expected. That’s alongside the first information surrounding upcoming creations from The Batman, which will be launching at the start of next year. Head below for more.

Marketed as “earthproof” true wireless sport headphones, Jaybird Vista 2 takes some features and design from the first generation and adds even more for 2021. Now featuring ANC, a “surround sense” ambient audio mode, and a more robust IP68 weatherproof rating, the Jaybird Vista 2 has plenty of features on paper to make it a great pair of true wireless earbuds. But how does it fare in real-life use? Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details. 

You’re reading Tested with 9to5Toys, where we explore everyday tech essentials that make life a bit easier. Browse through our entire guide for all of the latest reviews, and sound off in the comments below if there’s something you’d like to see featured.

For someone who spends as much time typing as I do, chiclet-style keyboards have long been my preference. Recently, the folks at Das Keyboard reached out about changing that, which has led me to spend the past few weeks using the Das Keyboard 4 Professional for Mac. Walking away quite impressed with its German-engineered build, you can get all of the hands-on insight in our latest Tested with 9to5Toys review.

A new Otterbox power bank has surfaced, and this time around, it boasts a foldable design that props a smartphone up while it’s being refueled. The new OtterBox Folding Wireless Power Bank wields an integrated 10,000 mAh battery with Qi, USB-A, and Type-C outputs. The wireless charging portion has an “anti-slip, grippy surface” that holds your phone securely “at any angle as it charges.” Otterbox has opted for two charging coils instead of one, a move that allows this power bank to accommodate both landscape and portrait orientations. Continue reading to learn more.

Amazon’s first open world game, New World, is finally nearing its official release following multiple delays. First announced back in 2018, the game is finally getting ready to be officially released, though the current launch date is a full month after the previously set August 31. New World is slated to enter open beta on September 9 with a full release on September 28, which is just over a month away at this point. We have a new trailer to watch that showcases some gameplay as well as tells the unique story of the game, so head below for more details on the beta and the video.

Today, we are taking a look at the brand new official Numskull Halo Infinite merchandise line. After its Gamescom 2021 showcase, Microsoft unleashed the release date for its highly-anticipated shooter alongside a special edition Xbox Series X and Elite Series 2 controller, but now, it’s time for the official merchandise line from Numskull. In celebration of the franchises’ 20th anniversary, the brand is launching some official Halo Infinite merchandise, including a snapback, ceramic mug, and a CosCup depicting Master Chief. Head below for more details and pre-order information. 

Today, Spigen is expanding its collection of Apple accessories with a new offering for AirPods Pro that brings a unique feature into play. Delivering room for one of Apple’s AirTags, the new case arrives with all of the newfound item-finding features alongside a durable shell with built-in carabiner. Now available for purchase, you can head below for all of the details on the new Spigen AirPods Pro AirTag case.

Target has debuted a new collection with Christian Robinson, who is an award-winning children’s book illustrator. If you’re not familiar, two of his most popular books include “You Matter” and, of course, Meghan Markle’s “The Bench.” This extremely adorable collection offers most items under $25 and pricing starting at just $7, with pieces for your home, apparel and books for kids. Head below the jump to find even more details about this collection and all of our top picks.

After recently partnering up with Colonel Sanders for some finger-lickin’ good cases, CASETiFY is now back with the launch of its latest collaboration. Marking only the second time we’ve seen the popular accessory maker join forces with the popular beverage brand, the upcoming CASETiFY Coca-Cola 1971 collection will deck out your iPhone 12, as well as AirPods and Apple Watch, with some vintage designs inspired by a classic ad. Head below for all of the details.

The latest installment in the LG UltraGear lineup has arrived, and it’s one of few that wields a snappy 240Hz refresh rate. While resolution tops out at 1080p, a large number of seasoned gamers prefer a smoother gameplay experience as opposed to a higher resolution. This rings especially true in the realm of e-sports. Other notable features include a 27-inch display, two HDMI ports, a 1-millisecond response time, and support for both AMD FreeSync Premium and NVIDIA G-SYNC. In terms of appearance, LG sticks with the tried-and-true design that can be found across most of the company’s selection of monitors. Continue reading to learn more.

Turtle Beach recently announced that it’s bringing its best-selling console gaming headset, the Recon 200, back for next-generation platforms. The Recon 200 Gen 2 is made to work with Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch, as well as PC and mobile. This makes it a versatile headset and, at $60, will be a go-to for many budget-focused gamers. What all features will it have, and should you buy? Let’s take a closer look.

Today, GameSir is expanding its stable of smartphone controllers with its first iPhone-specific release. Delivering Lightning connector support for the first time from the brand, the new GameSir X2 works with the latest iPhone 12 devices and arrives at an affordable price point to boot. Head below for all of the details.

It looks like the official Halo Infinite release date has surfaced. After Microsoft’s Gamescom main event came and went yesterday without even a mention of Halo Infinite, folks have now spotted some Microsoft store listings suggesting the game will release in early December. An official announcement is expected later today during its Gamescom Opening Night live event. Head below for more details. 

It was June when we last heard anything about Xbox Cloud Gaming on previous-generation consoles, but today, during Gamescom 2021, Microsoft released the final details — and it’s better than we initially thought. While we originally heard about this feature coming to the Xbox One, which is really awesome, it’ll also launch on Xbox Series X|S. Why is that important? Well, some games are Cloud only, but the real bonus here is you won’t have to download or install any compatible game to play it, as long as you have a fast enough internet connection. That’s right — if the game is part of Xbox Cloud, you just hit “play” and are instantly launched in. Want to learn more? Keep reading as we break it all down.

Several months ago, Hisense held a press event where it unveiled several new products. One of the items mentioned was an 8K TV. Today we’ve spotted an official Amazon listing, and it surprisingly costs less than the company had originally planned. This Hisense 8K TV sports several notable features: a 74.5-inch panel, native 120Hz refresh rate, 7680 by 4320 resolution, and a peak brightness of 1,000 nits. There are also 180 local dimming zones, which should play a vital role in the visual accuracy when viewing dark scenes and content. Continue reading to learn more.

Today, the LEGO Group is expandings its collection of City kits with the first new wave of the year. Taking a more extreme approach compared to what we’ve seen in the past, the new LEGO City Stuntz lineup arrives with a series of new sets centered around pulling off sick tricks with fly-wheel motorbikes, ramps, and other brick-built obstacles. Head below for a look at the entire lineup before it launches later this fall.