News

Microsoft has now unveiled its plans for what is looking to be a massive summer Xbox games showcase. After acquiring Bethesda and its beloved development studios alongside being in the process of inking a deal to absorb the Blizzard Activision package, Microsoft’s summer Xbox games showcase is likely to be quite an exciting one. We already know the annual E3 festivities will be cancelled this year, but, as expected, the future of gaming will be on display nonetheless. Head below for more details. 

As the LEGO summer lineup begins solidifying, we’re now getting an official look at yet another creation due out in June. This time delivering the latest Creator 3-in-1, the LEGO Group is paying homage to one of its more old school themes with its new Viking Ship and the Midgard Serpent set.

Disney and Pixar games are teaming up with the folks at Gameloft for what sounds like a sort of Animal Crossing-style game set in the universe of the Magic Kingdom called Disney Dreamlight Valley. The debut announcement trailer hit the air waves today showcasing the new Disney Dreamlight Valley life-sim adventure game and starring just about all of your favorite Disney characters from Buzz Lightyear and Elsa to Goofy, Mickey, Simba, Moana, and even Wall-E. Set for release on PlayStation 5, PS4, PC, Xbox One, and Series X|S as well as Mac and Nintendo Switch, head below for more details and a closer look. 

Today, Blizzard is officially launching the Overwatch 2 beta, and while I am patiently waiting to gain access to the long-awaited sequel, it’s time to take a look at the companion LEGO set. This now-postponed creation has been shelved by the LEGO Group for the time being, but we managed to get our hands-on the LEGO Overwatch 2 set a bit early and are diving in to see how the Null Sector Titan stacks up.

ROCCAT’s all-new Burst Pro Air wireless ultralight gaming mouse is finally available to purchase. It’s symmetrical, making it usable by both left- and right-handed gamers, and also packs up to 100 hours of usage before it’s time to recharge. Speaking of recharging, it uses USB-C. (Which shouldn’t everything be using now?) The Burst Pro Air offers quite a few benefits for your gaming setup.

Listen to a recap of the best deals and news from 9to5Toys each day at noon. 9to5Toys Daily is available on iTunes and Apple Podcasts, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed. New episodes of 9to5Toys Daily are recorded every weekday. Subscribe to our podcast in iTunes/Apple Podcast or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they are available.

• Find My support headlines Apple’s new MagSafe Leather Wallet at $48 in several styles
• Apple Magic Keyboard sees first discount in over a year at $88.50, rare drops on Touch ID models
• Anker’s new MagGo MagSafe Power Bank sees rare discount in mid-week sale from $13

Trains are one aspect of the City and Creator lineups that don’t get enough love from the LEGO Group. So when a new kit does come around featuring a brick-built locomotive, it’s a big deal. In this case, builders have a new kit to look forward to with LEGO City Freight Train slated to launch later this summer.

Sennheiser is now announcing the latest addition to the MOMENTUM series, the MOMENTUM True Wireless 3. As Sennheiser puts it, “the earbuds offer a range of technologies and features that take the listening experience to a new level.” Pre-orders are open now with shipping set to begin May 10, 2022.

Today, Wyze is introducing another smart home upgrade that’s honestly somewhat overdue for the company: a smart garage door controller. It works in tandem with Wyze Cam v3 to know whether your garage is open or closed, provide you with a live view of the door, get notifications, and control it remotely. Plus, the system can be had fairly low-cost if you already own a Wyze Cam V3, and the bundle isn’t much more expensive. Want to learn more? Keep reading to find out everything we know about the all-new Wyze Garage Door Controller.

Listen to a recap of the best deals and news from 9to5Toys each day at noon. 9to5Toys Daily is available on iTunes and Apple Podcasts, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed. New episodes of 9to5Toys Daily are recorded every weekday. Subscribe to our podcast in iTunes/Apple Podcast or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they are available.

• Apple’s 16-inch M1 Pro MacBook Pro hits new all-time low at $250 off
• iPhone 12 sees 1-day Woot refurbished discount to $480 (Orig. $799), more from $100
• OtterBox launches 20% off sitewide Mother’s Day sale: iPhone 13 cases, MagSafe gear, more

It’s time to take a hands-on look at Samsung’s brand new portable SSD. Unveiled to the world for the first time today, Samsung is refreshing its T7 portable solid-state drive lineup with the new Shield model. Wrapped in a ridged rubberized exterior for protection from the elements as well as accidental bumps and drops, Samsung is looking to take on the likes of SanDisk and others in the portable SSD space with its latest offering. The new USB-C drive rivals most already-available consumer-grade solutions in terms of transfer speeds and connectivity with a unique look and colorway options you don’t typically see from the competition. We have had a chance to go hands-on with the Samsung T7 Shield for a few weeks ahead of its official unveil today, and we are ready to dish out details on the user experience in the latest Tested with 9to5Toys. 

Today, iOttie is launching new additions to its Velox MagSafe accessory lineup. Having first launched last fall, the series is now growing with three accessories made for iPhone 12 and 13 series handsets. All sporting premium builds, we’re taking a hands-on look at the latest iOttie Velox MagSafe charger additions to see if they’re worth pre-ordering. Head below for more.

After being revealed back in March, the new LEGO Star Wars dioramas are now available for purchase. Assembling three different iconic scenes from the original trilogy, the latest creations for older builders are finally shipping ahead of May the 4th next week, including the new LEGO Dagobah Jedi Training, Death Star Trash Compactor, and more. You can check out all of the details on the new vignette-style sets below.

Sony is unleashing some new details on Variable Refresh Rate PS5 support today, and we have the latest update on the upcoming PlayStation Plus overhaul. Back at the tail end of March, Sony finally rolled out “Hey PlayStation” voice commands for PS5 owners in the U.S. and U.K., just before detailing a future update to its latest console with support for Variable Refresh Rate on HDMI 2.1-compatible TVs and PC monitors. The update is set to launch this week – head below for more information on PS5 VRR support as well as the latest on the new PlayStation Plus program. 

The brand behind the SwitchBot Curtains, Wonderlabs, has just released a new pan and tilt home security camera with a built-in Privacy Mask to deliver additional peace of mind to your smart home setup. The camera has two motors and can rotate 360-degrees to ensure whole-room viewing. With a 1080p sensor, 2-way audio, and more, this smart home camera could be a great choice for your setup. Head below for more information including pricing, availability, and additional details.

After being first revealed back at CES, Anker’s latest addition to its stable of chargers is finally available. Enter the new Nano II 100W, a USB-C power adapter centered around the brand’s GaN II charging technology. Sporting a three-port design with an ultra-compact build, it’s 30% smaller than Apple’s comparative wall adapter and is now available for purchase.

Listen to a recap of the best deals and news from 9to5Toys each day at noon. 9to5Toys Daily is available on iTunes and Apple Podcasts, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed. New episodes of 9to5Toys Daily are recorded every weekday. Subscribe to our podcast in iTunes/Apple Podcast or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they are available.

• Apple’s 12.9-inch M1 iPad Pro now up to $399 off with new all-time lows on cellular models
• Save on nearly all of Apple’s official iPhone 13 series cases for spring starting at $34
• Samsung’s latest Galaxy S22+/Ultra fall to new all-time lows at $200 off

Last year saw the LEGO Group expand its Architecture line to assemble a new Taj Mahal set. Now a year later, it’s looking like we’ll be seeing all seven of the Wonders of the World get the brick-built treatment. Slated to arrive in June, LEGO is journeying to Egypt to launch a new Pyramid of Giza (21058) set that is in the works with nearly 1,500 pieces. All of the details on what to expect are down below.

Update: Pre-orders are now live on the Xbox Series X Mini Fridge Thermoelectric Cooler at $99.99 via Best Buy. There’s no telling how long it might last so jump in now! 

Xbox Mini Fridge pre-orders are kicking off today! What was once a hilarious meme, has now shrunk down and become an actual collectible product for purchase. While we are expecting the new Xbox Mini Fridge to be hard to come by, and especially so during the first wave of pre-orders kicking off today, we are here to help the cause. You’ll find some quick links below to the exclusive US pre-order at Target, just make sure you get in there as soon as possible to ensure you score one during the first wave of pre-sales. Head below for more details on Xbox Mini Fridge pre-orders. 

Razer is stepping more into the streaming market with its latest products. We got to go hands-on with the new Razer Audio Mixer, Key Light Chroma, and Seiren BT mobile streaming microphone. And while they offer some handy features, all of these products come at a bit of a premium when compared to the competition. Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details. 

Sennheiser has introduced the new SPORT True Wireless earbuds designed for fitness enthusiasts and athletes. The secure and customizable fit of the SPORT True Wireless means it’s ready for even the most active challenges. Pre-orders are now open.

Earlier this week, eBay rolled out the latest expansion to its Refurbished Program. Growing the cast of retailers and listings even further from last November’s refresh, we’re taking a hands-on look at just what to expect by buying a refurbished iPhone 12 from eBay. Detailing the unboxing experience, cosmetic conditions, and more, head below for a closer look.

Another week with great deals has come and gone. Below are some of my favorites from the week. I always try to look for products that I’ve gone hands-on with and can offer a little bit of insight into my experience with them. This week we have a headset and keyboard from HyperX as well as an easy-to-use portable projector from Anker’s Nebula line. Check them out below.

Today, Call of Duty announced a few upcoming updates to both Warzone and Vanguard in Season 3, including Operation Monarch as well as Classified Arms. Operation Monarch is a partnership with Godzilla vs King Kong, while Classified Arms ushers in new weaponry, bundles, Operators, new Gulag and POI, with much more in tow. So without further ado, let’s take a look at what’s coming to Call of Duty over the next few months.

Listen to a recap of the best deals and news from 9to5Toys each day at noon. 9to5Toys Daily is available on iTunes and Apple Podcasts, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed. New episodes of 9to5Toys Daily are recorded every weekday. Subscribe to our podcast in iTunes/Apple Podcast or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they are available.

• Apple’s MagSafe Battery Pack can now charge your iPhone 13 at 7.5W, sees rare discount to $90
• Samsung Galaxy S21 5G sees 1-day discount in Woot refurbished sale at $505 (Save $295)
• Greenworks 40V electric lawn tool sale takes up to 33% off for Earth Day (2022 lows)

After seeing the second round of Bricklink Designer Program kits go up for sale to close out last year, the LEGO Group is now officially announcing pricing on the next batch of fan-made kits. This time around, you’ll find nine different creations designed by previous near-successful LEGO Ideas designers ranging Classic Space-inspired builds to highly-detailed buildings and more.

Update: On the heels of today’s Splatoon 3 release date reveal, Nintendo has now taken to its official Twitter account to announce that all Nintendo Switch Expansion packs members can play the Splatoon 2 Octo Expansion DLC at no additional cost.

Back during February’s massive Direct presentation, Nintendo had the Splatoon 3 release date earmarked for summer 2022, but we now know the next entry in the squid shooter series is slated for September 2022 as per the tweet Nintendo just let loose on its official Twitter account. After surprisingly pushing the release date for Xenoblade Chronicles 3 ahead some three months, it would appear that Zelda Breath of the Wild 2’s delay into 2023 is shuffling the rest of the Switch lineup around a little bit. Nonetheless, we now know exactly when Splatoon 3 will hit store shelves. Head below for more details and a look at today’s new Turf War gameplay footage. 

Today Dell and Alienware launched three new AMD-based gaming laptops with the Alienware m17 R5, m15 R7, and Dell G15 (5525). Alongside these new laptops is a new Alienware Aurora Ryzen Edition R14 gaming desktop. All of these devices are now available for purchase.

Today, Razer introduced its latest sound bar with the Leviathan V2. This sound bar, which features THX Spatial Audio as well as Razer’s RGB Chroma coloring, allows you to “experience unrivaled immersion” when gaming. If you normally game with headphones, you should try speakers, as some games can really take advantage of the openness found in them. Razer is trying to push this with its multi-driver sound bar that also packs a dedicated down-firing subwoofer for an all-in-one experience. Sound interesting? Let’s take a closer look below.

Listen to a recap of the best deals and news from 9to5Toys each day at noon. 9to5Toys Daily is available on iTunes and Apple Podcasts, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed. New episodes of 9to5Toys Daily are recorded every weekday. Subscribe to our podcast in iTunes/Apple Podcast or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they are available.

• Apple’s 13-inch M1 MacBook Air sees rare Amazon discount at $70 off
• Spring discounts arrive on Google’s latest Nest devices: Hub Max at $179, more from $65
• AirPods Pro see 1-day refurbished discount to $140 (Orig. $249), AirPods 3 hit $120

Teenage Engineering just introduced its latest creation, a portable audio interface and mixer known as the TX-6. The brand is well known for its quirky boutique tech products, not unlike the fantastic Pocket Operator synthesizers, the powerful OP-Z music maker and video sequencer, and the modular PO-series synths we reviewed previously. But its latest creation takes the wonderful Teenage Engineering creation prowess to a battery-powered portable sound mixer that doubles as an audio interface with six inputs, iOS compatibility, and loads of interesting tricks up its sleeve. Head below for a closer look. 

After getting a first look at what to expect from the new UCS Landspeeder, the LEGO Group has now officially revealed the new creation. Clocking in as the latest Ultimate Collectors Series set, the new X-34 Landspeeder arrives with nearly 1,900 pieces and is the most detailed LEGO version of the vehicle to date. Launching on May 1, you can get all of the details below.

After getting a first look at the upcoming May the 4th promo from the LEGO Group, today a sneak peak of the Star Wars Day Ultimate Collector Series set has been revealed, too. Releasing on May 1, you can now get an early look at what to expect from this year’s first LEGO UCS build, Luke’s Landspeeder.

Star Wars Day is just under two weeks away and brands are already getting in on the action from a galaxy far, far away. A favorite around these parts at 9to5Toys, CASETiFY is offering a first look at its upcoming Star Wars case collection. Packed with accessories for the latest iPhone 13 series handsets to AirPods covers, MagSafe wallets, and more, you can get all of the details down below.

Satechi just launched its new Pro Hub Max earlier in the year, delivering one of the first USB-C adapters made for Apple’s latest M1 Pro MacBooks. Now after putting it to the test with one of the new Apple Silicon machines, our latest Tested with 9to5Toys review reports on whether the Apple-friendly design is worth the cash.

Microsoft recently released the list of upcoming Game Pass titles, which includes several that we expected, but one that we weren’t quite prepared to see: Assassin’s Creed Origins. Why is AC Origins a surprise Game Pass inclusion? Well, it’s a Ubisoft title, and there aren’t many games from the famed company included with Game Pass… yet. In January, we saw that Ubisoft+ was making its way to Xbox and that Rainbow Six Siege would be a day-one title, but we’re now starting to see older games added to the service.

Listen to a recap of the best deals and news from 9to5Toys each day at noon. 9to5Toys Daily is available on iTunes and Apple Podcasts, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed. New episodes of 9to5Toys Daily are recorded every weekday. Subscribe to our podcast in iTunes/Apple Podcast or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they are available.

• iPad Air 4 now up to $149 off following Amazon all-time low clearance sale from $470
• Apple Watch Series 6 styles drop to new lows from $220 in 1-day Woot refurb sale
• Apple’s 24-inch M1 iMac now up to $150 off in multiple colorways via Amazon

The classic Sonic games are getting a fresh coat of paint as part of the upcoming Sonic Origins package. SEGA has now detailed its upcoming re-release bundle just in time for its mascot character’s 31st anniversary celebrations this summer (June 23, 2022). The package includes enhanced ports of Sonic The Hedgehog 1 and 2 as well as Sonic 3 & Knuckles and Sonic CD – a title that initially released in 1993 on on the SEGA CD (among being ported to other platforms thereafter). Head below for a closer look at the enhancements coming to these classic Sonic games in the Origins bundle. 

May the 4th, aka Star Wars Day, is right around the corner, and today we’re getting a first look at what to expect from the celebrations on the LEGO front. Most notably, there will be an all-new LEGO Lars Homestead Kitchen (40531) set joined by a pair of other polybag freebie promotions launching to celebrate May the 4th.

Anicorn Watches has teamed up with Jeff Staple, founder of Staple Pigeon, to create Project Artemis. This project is centered around a new timepiece called Artemis Time, which is built on Anicorn’s signature watch model K452. Although pre-orders are closed, you should still take the time to admire the elegant and sleek design of Artemis Time.

In a strange turn of events for the video game industry these days, the next big Nintendo Switch RPG is getting its release moved up. After the announcement trailer hit back during the massive February Direct presentation, Nintendo announced the next adventure in the Monolithsoft-developed Xenoblade saga would be arriving in September 2022.  But according to an official tweet from the Nintendo Twitter account today, the game will now be arriving this summer with a special edition package coming via the Nintendo Store. Head below for more details and a look at today’s new launch trailer.