News

While we saw the latest Apex Legends season, Defiance, teased twice last week, we finally have detailed information on the new Control LTM as well as what Mad Maggie’s abilities will be. Control looks to be a very unique game mode that’s 9v9 and has infinite respawns. Mad Maggie is poised to be an interesting addition to the Apex Games as well, with some pretty powerful abilities. Curious to learn more? Head below to find out all the details we have on the upcoming Apex Legends Defiance season.

Crate & Barrel just debuted its Valentine’s Day collection with an array of gifts to spoil your loved one. There are 61 items throughout this collection with pricing starting at just $3. This gift guide was made to get the whole family in on the festivities, with ideas for both you and them. Find all of our top picks from the Crate & Barrel Valentine’s Day Gift Guide below. You will also want to check out Lululemon’s Valentine’s Day Gift Guide here.

A series of new JOBY camera mics for content creators and streamers have arrived. JOBY creates some of the best tripods and accessories for filmmakers out there and is now entering the pro-grade microphone market. The latest entries to its Wavo mic lineup are tuned for “pro-grade sound,” with the new flagship Wavo PRO and Wavo AIR leading the pack alongside podcasting desktop variants, streamlined shotguns, and even a lavalier design. Head below for a closer look at the new JOBY camera mics and more. 

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.

• iPhone 12 mini sees $231 discount in cert. refurb sale at $460, more from $128
• Apple’s official iPhone 13/Pro/mini MagSafe clear cases now on sale from $37.50 (Reg. $49)
• Anker discounts MagSafe chargers, portable speakers, and more from $13 in latest sale

January has been about as exciting as its gets for LEGO Ideas. We saw the new Sonic the Hedgehog set hit store shelves to start off the year, only to be followed up by the official unveil of the upcoming Globe. But in the meantime before tomorrow’s launch, we’re checking out three different creations from the fan-made Ideas platform including a pair of iconic brick-built sneakers, an instant camera, and even a LEGO PS5 model. Head below for a closer look at all of the best LEGO Ideas in January.

After yesterday’s first look at the new LEGO buildable Star Wars helmets launching in March, we’re getting some details on other upcoming sets due out come spring. Ranging from the very first Speed Champions sets of the year to the latest from LEGO Creator and more, you’ll want to head below for all of the new kits launching later in 2022.

Today, we’re getting our first look at two of the upcoming LEGO Star Wars buildable helmets. Delivering two iconic characters from a galaxy far, far away, fans will soon be able to assemble busts of the Mandalorian himself alongside Luke Skywalker’s signature Red Five X-Wing Pilot Helmet in LEGO form. Head below for all of the details.

New Wave Toys’ latest miniature retro arcade cabinet is the 1943 X RepliCade overhaul edition. Officially licensed by Capcam, this $170 1/6th scale cabinet features the same impeccable attention to detail that New Wave Toys has put into all of its cabinets in the past. We took a look at the 1942 X RepliCade most recently, but be sure to check out the video and see all of the attention to detail New Wave Toys has put on the 1943 X RepiCade cabinet. 

After seeing Ubiquiti launch its very first Wi-Fi 6 products over a year ago at the end of 2020, the company is back with its latest and greatest networking upgrades. The new UniFi Wi-Fi 6 Pro access point arrives with higher-end features over its predecessor, like 5.3Gb/s throughput, support for 300 devices, and a dual-band radio equipped with 160MHz channels. Head below for all of the details.

Today, the LEGO Group is officially unveiling its new first DC Art set. Delivering an over 4,100-piece brick-built mosaic, the new Batman set portrays the Dark Knight and other iconic Gotham City characters depicted by comic artist Jim Lee. Head below for all of the details.

Now that PCIe 5.0 computers are starting to gain a bit of traction with the latest Intel processor release, it’s time to start looking into compatible peripherals. TeamGroup is among the first brands to launch a PCIe 5.0 NVMe solid-state drive, and on paper, it offers impressive specs. While general consumers might not reap the benefits of PCIe 5.0 for years to come, we’re finally getting to a place where storage devices outpace processors and other PC components, which is something the gaming and content creation industry has desired for many years. What all does the TeamGroup PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSD bring to the table, and how is this new technology going to change computers as we know it? Let’s take a closer look below.

The latest model SanDisk Professional 2TB G-DRIVE ArmorATD protective hard drive is in the spotlight today. Solid-state portable solutions have become far more affordable than year’s past, but they still, for the most part, can’t quite compete with the per TB pricing on traditional hard drives. The G-DRIVE ArmorATD lineup offers up a rugged solution for content creators and more at a relatively affordable cost of entry, but are the far slower transfers speeds compared to that of its SSD brethren worth the savings? Are hard drives even still a worth while investment? Let’s see if the ArmorATD brings enough to the table in other aspects for it to be worth your time. Head below for our hands-on review of the latest-generation SanDisk Professional 2TB G-DRIVE ArmorATD protective hard drive

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.

• All-new Beats Fit Pro earbuds with Apple’s H1 chip include a $20 Amazon gift card at $200
• Anker’s new Nano Pro USB-C chargers in all colors on sale for the first time from $17
• Score a spare official Apple Watch charger at just $23.50 (Reg. $29)

Starting today, the LEGO Group is rolling out its latest promotional set in celebration of the 15th modular building anniversary. Stacking up to over 160 pieces, the new LEGO Vintage Taxi 40532 arrives with a cab driver minifigure and more. Head below for a closer look at the new LEGO gift with purchase and to learn how it can be added to your collection for free.

Your Pokémon Legends Arceus delivery is likely already (or about to be) on its way so you can jump into the Hisui region as soon as possible today. Pokémon Legends Arceus launch day orders will be arriving at homes across the US at any time now, so you can finally explore the Hisui area of the Sinnoh region like never before. While not all pre-orders of Pokémon Legends Arceus will arrive today, many of them will, especially the digital copies, and it won’t be long before you start building out the region’s very first Pokédex and lay eyes on the game’s legendary Arceus Pokémon for the first time on your own display. If you haven’t yet ordered your copy, you’ll find the best prices below, along with some of the game’s themed accessories and more waiting for you. 

OtterBox today is announcing a new collection of iPhone 13 cases that are its most environmentally-friendly offerings yet. Available for all of Apple’s latest handsets, the new MagSafe covers are made of 50% recycled materials and are now available for purchase direct from OtterBox and Apple.

Oakywood has now introduced a new wooden AirPods 3 case. The latest model AirPods 3 were introduced in the last quarter of 2021 and Oakywood – one of our favorite new accessory makers – now has a gorgeous wooden home for them. We have a had a chance to go hands-on with a number of its naturally-derived and handcrafted products thus far, from the iPhone 13 MagSafe case to the wooden Qi charger, among others, and now it’s time to take a quick look at the latest AirPods solution. Head below for more details. 

Announced earlier this week, Apex Legends Defiance is launching on February 8 with mad Maggie. We only really got a bit of backstory on why Mad Maggie was being sent to the Apex Games, but not a whole lot of information besides that. The Defiance launch trailer is finally here and it’s nearly three minutes long, filled with glimpses of Olympus, some peeks at what Mad Maggie’s abilities could be, and fun quips between the characters. Let’s take a closer look below.

Have you ever wanted to play a proper AAA Boba Fett game starring the bounty hunter himself? Us too, but after Star Wars 1313 was cancelled years ago our dreams drifted out in to a galaxy far, far away. Not only did we just recently get some light details on what Respawn is working on next – a new Jedi Fallen Order game alongside what sounds like an upcoming first-person shooter set in the world’s most famous sci-fi universe – some interesting footage of that unreleased Star Wars 1313 game you might remember has surfaced. Head below to take a look for yourself. 

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 Magic Keyboard for 11-inch iPad Pro drops to $229 at Amazon (Save $70)
• Beats Studio Buds deliver ‘Hey Siri’ in a workout-ready design at $110
• VIZIO’s latest 65-inch 4K AirPlay 2 TV sports 120Hz VRR, HDMI 2.1, more at $401 off (New low)

Earlier this week we took a hands-on look at the new LEGO Clone Command Station set, and today the second of its new Star Wars Accessory Packs is finally available for purchase after facing delays to start 2022. But nearly a month late, has all of this wait been worth it? To answer, we’re taking a hands-on look to see just how the Rebel garrison supplements stack up compared to their Imperial-focused counterparts.

Beyerdynamic’s most recent additions to its gaming lineup are the entry-level MMX 100 and MMX 150 headsets. With a simple feature set and coming in at $100 and $150 respectively, they have plenty of similar features with a few key differences. With Beyerdynamic’s rich heritage of premium audio, how do they stack up in their price range? Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details. 

Our Tested with 9to5Toys series has gone hands-on with other iPhoneography gear in the past, and JOBY’s new GripTight MagSafe Mounts are the latest to be thrown into the gauntlet. Centered around the headlining feature of MagSafe support for iPhone 13 handsets, we’re finding out if the new releases are worthy additions to your photography setup, or just the latest accessories to get in on the MagSafe fad.

Converse debuts a new Valentine’s Day Collection that features embroidered hearts, kisses, and more. There are 42 styles for men, women, and kids in this collection, and pricing starts at $40. Plus, Converse Members (free to sign-up) receive complimentary delivery. So be sure to get into the festive spirit or spoil someone you love this Valentine’s Day by heading below the jump and shopping our top picks from the new Converse collection. You will also want to check out Lululemon’s Valentine’s Day Gift Guide here.

Crysis is a franchise for the ages. Back in April 2020, we got our first glimpse at Crysis Remastered, a complete reimagining of the fabled title that originally was released 15 years ago. However, Crysis Remastered didn’t truly bring any new content, instead, it just refreshed what already was. The Crytek team is ready to change that up though, as a Crysis 4 is now under development. The current title is still a work-in-progress, but at the same time, it would remain in line with the other games that have been released. What all do we know about Crysis 4? Head below for more details.

It’s time to take a look at the new Sony soundbar. Today, Sony is introducing a new virtual surround sound solution known as the HT-S400 2.1-ch Soundbar. Complete with a wireless subwoofer, some interesting connectivity to its latest model TVs, and a nice little hidden OLED heads-up display, this one is clearly planted in the more affordable price range, unlike some of those behemoth high-end models that dropped over the last few months. Head below for more details and a closer look. 

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 Watch Series 6 sees $129 Grade-A refurb discount to $300, SE at $220, more from $160
• Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra now $508 off for today only, plus other refurb handsets from $152
• Samsung’s stylish 2021 Frame 4K AirPlay 2 TVs now up to $502 off at Amazon

Today, Amazon is giving shoppers a first look at its just-announced Renewed Premium condition items with the launch of a new Oculus Quest 2 bundle. Entering at the $249 price point, the VR headset itself normally sells for $299 in new condition and lacks all of the included goodies that Amazon has bundled in for this pre-order. This is also notably the 128GB model, which was recently refreshed by Meta to replace the previous entry-level configuration, which we’ve seen on sale in the past. Head below for more information on the Amazon Renewed Premium policy or for a closer look at the Oculus Quest 2 bundle offer.

Originally slated to launch at the start of 2022, the eagerly-awaited LEGO Clone Command Station pack is now available. But with so much fanfare and hype surrounding the first Star Wars accessory pack, is the $15 Clone Trooper Command Station actually worth adding to your collection in the first place, let alone buying multiple?

Lululemon has dropped a Valentine’s Day Gift Guide that offers high-performing gear that keeps you training, practicing, and moving together. There are hundreds of items to choose from, with gift ideas for her or him. Best of all, pricing in this guide starts at just $12, so there is something for every budget. Find all of our top picks from the Lululemon Valentine’s Day Gift Guide below. You will also want to check out our latest guide to the new Tom Brady “BRADY” athleisure line that’s now at Nordstrom.

Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order is probably one of the best story-based games released in the fictional universe in the past few years. I’ve enjoyed plenty of play time in the title, but it’s time for the next story to be worked on. Announced today, Respawn, the same team behind Jedi Fallen Order, is working on the next game in the franchise. On top of that, the team is also designing a Star Wars FPS as well as a strategy game – that’s three titles from a fan-favorite Respawn development team in partnership with EA and Lucasfilm. While we don’t know everything that these games will be, we have more details on today’s announcements 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.

• Latest Apple TV 4K with refreshed Siri Remote now down to $160 at Amazon
• Save up to 40% on WD and SanDisk USB-C SSDs, microSD cards, more in today’s Gold Box
• Beats Studio3 ANC headphones see Gold Box discount to $175, plus Solo3 at $135

Elgato – a leader in streaming hardware tech – is introducing a foot pedal controller today known as the Stream Deck Pedal. This floor pad provides foot pedal control over your streaming software and ecosystem alongside existing Elgato Stream Deck functionality, including the ability to switch scenes, engage audio FX, flip between camera angles, and much more. Head below for a closer look at the now available foot pedal controller from Elgato. 

After first being unveiled back at CES at the start of January, the latest addition to Anker’s suite of work from home gear is now available. Launching with a 2K sensor for taking video calls on top of an integrated LED light, the new AnkerWork B600 Video Bar is just as suited for anyone who lives in Zoom meetings as it is for streamers.

Just after getting in on the Peanuts action last week with a new series of Snoopified accessories, CASETiFY is back to start the week with a new series of iPhone 13 cases and add-ons. Delivering a new MagSafe-enabled version of its recycled iPhone 13 cases, there is also an all-new magnetic wireless charger and more from CASETiFY, outlined below.

It’s that time again. February will introduce a new season in Apex Legends, this time dubbed Defiance. “Madness takes control” is the tagline here, and that madness comes in the form of Mad Maggie. We’ve heard Mad Maggie’s voice lines throughout the Apex Games before, but it’s time for her to finally make a debut as a playable character. In addition to Mad Maggie, we’re also getting a new limited-time mode and refreshed Olympus map. What else is in store? Let’s take a closer look.

Tom Brady just launched his new athleisure line called BRADY, and now you can shop the top styles at Nordstrom – there have been two drops so far in this line called the “Train System” and the “Live System. The prices for BRADY clothing items range anywhere from $20 to $495, and the coloring of the line is highly neutral including black, grays, greens and blues. Best of all, Nordstrom offers free delivery on all orders. Find all of our top picks from the new BRADY line at Nordstrom below, and you will also want to check out our guide to the Target “Brightroom” collection that feature organizers, starting at just $1.

The new Pokémon game releases this week and Nintendo just dropped a lengthy six-minute overview trailer to go along with it. Pokémon Legends: Arceus has to be one of the most anticipated Switch titles of the year, and we are just days away from the official launch date this Friday. This is the next main line RPG in the series, and the first truly new Pokémon game we have seen since Sword and Shield released back in 2019 – the Shining Pearl and Brilliant Diamond remakes launched at the tail end of last year. Head below for a closer look at today’s new Pokémon Legends: Arceus – Overview Trailer. 

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 new AirPods Pro with MagSafe case at $69 off is as nice as it gets, more from $100
• Apple’s latest M1 MacBook Air beats holiday pricing following $149 discount
• Google Nest Hub Max is $10 below Black Friday following $60 discount to $169

Wyze is quickly becoming a household name in affordable home surveillance, and last year the company updated one of its popular cameras with the Wyze Cam Pan v2. Much like the Wyze Cam v3 that we reviewed, the Cam Pan v2 takes a similar design from its earlier version and upgrades it with a new sensor that can nearly see in color in the dark and the ability to pan 360°. Like many of Wyze’s products, it’s packed with features for the $39.99 price tag ($50 on Amazon). Be sure to check out the video below to see all of the details. 

While everyone is still digesting the Microsoft Activision acquisition – and whether or not Call of Duty will end up an Xbox exclusive – a new Lunar New Year Xbox console has been in the lab. Microsoft is celebrating the Year of the Tiger with a (very) limited edition Xbox Series S console decked out in special edition artwork for the Lunar New Year, but it will not be easy to get one. Nonetheless, you’ll still want to head below to check out the red and gold design.