News

The Steam Deck portable PC gaming system launches next month, and Valve is currently in the process of reviewing essentially every title on Steam for compatibility. A few days ago, some games were being updated with a “Steam Deck Compatibility” score ranging from one to four to determine whether the game is unpayable, barely playable, playable, or verified to work well. Some games like Death Stranding are verified, while others like Subnautica are just listed as “playable.” In all, SteamDB shows under 100 titles with this tag so far, but what does this mean for the Steam Deck?

Positive Grid – maker of the Spark hybrid smart guitar amp – has now introduced a new guitar USB interface. Officially known as the RIFF, it is once again a combo device for musicians integrated with a broad range of software and emulation options that also works as a typical USB interface for Mac, PC, and iOS-based recording rigs. The sleek guitar pedal-looking interface is designed for use in the home studio and elsewhere with what appears to be a durable metal chassis. Head below for a closer look. 

CASETiFY is launching its latest collection come the end of the month, giving Peanuts fans a chance to deck out their iPhone 13 with Snoopy cases and more. Spanning a wide range of Apple accessories, you’ll find the company’s popular cases imbued with all of the iconic comic strip characters alongside some unique plush covers, themed MagSafe wallets, 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.

• All-new Beats Fit Pro earbuds see first discount with Apple’s H1 chip at $153 (Reg. $200)
• Belkin’s 4-port 108W USB-C GaN Charger hits $76.50 alongside MagSafe gear and more
• Anker eufy HomeKit cameras, security systems, and smart locks now on sale from $34

Last summer, the LEGO Group issued a statement on its poorly-received VIDIYO theme, noting that it would be temporarily put on hiatus to reevaluate the future of the lineup. Now six months later, the company is back putting the final nail in the coffin for the augmented reality-driven sets.

Update: Nintendo took to its official Twitter feed late last night to unveil the February 25, 2022 Legend of Zelda Majora’s Mask Online release date. You can check out the announcement trailer below.

The Zelda Majora’s Mask Switch Online release is coming next month. While it was unclear how often Nintendo would update the somewhat controversial Expansion Pack tier of its Switch Online game library, the announcements are starting to hit. After adding five new titles to the SEGA Genesis side of things back in December, earlier this week it announced Banjo-Kazooie would be making its triumphant return to Nintendo platforms as part of its more expensive Expansion Pack (now available with more details right here). Quickly following that launch, Nintendo took to its official Twitter account to reveal the next game coming to the service, the beloved Legend of Zelda Majora’s Mask. More details below. 

Late last fall, the folks at Bowers & Wilkins resurrected one of the most iconic speakers in the company’s stable, or really any other brand’s for that matter. Fifteen years after its first introduction, the Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin is making a second debut with new modern features like AirPlay 2 – all in that classic and utterly novel design. But, is the Zeppelin’s signature look all it’s cracked up to be, even with some refreshed functionality?

Pottery Barn is helping get your home ready for Spring with a look book full of items that will give your space a refresh. There are three different sections to the look book, including Modern Farmhouse, Rustic Modern, and Costal Casual. Today, we will be covering our favorite pieces from each collection and diving into the hottest trends this season in home decor. Pottery Barn also just launched the latest Monique Lhuillier x Pottery Barn Spring Collection that’s absolutely beautiful. Head below the jump to find out all of the details throughout the collection and be sure to check out our latest guide to the adidas Valentine’s Day line here.

After being initially announced in 2019, and then delayed indefinitely on April 5 of last year, we finally have an official release date for LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga. The game will make its way to all Xbox One and newer platforms, PlayStation 4/5, Nintendo Switch, and PC on April 5 of 2022. What all can we expect from the latest LEGO Star Wars release? 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.

• A $100 M1 Mac mini discount makes now the perfect time to try out Apple Silicon
• Apple’s Magic Keyboard for 11-inch iPad Pro drops to $229 (Save $70)
• Anker Gold Box up to 40% off: MagSafe iPhone stand, wall chargers, USB-C cables, more

Will Call of Duty be an Xbox exclusive? And what about the rest of the Activision Blizzard titles that are now nestled in Microsoft’s growing stable? These are some of the biggest questions gamers are pondering after Microsoft announced it was going to be dishing out the cash equivalent of $68.7 billion to absorb the Activision Blizzard conglomerate earlier this week. After suggesting some of the big Bethesda franchises would soon be locked to its gaming platforms, Microsoft might very well do the same thing with Activision Blizzard’s most popular IP as well. Although, Sony has now taken to the airwaves to offer gamers less-than-confident assurance that won’t be the case. More details below. 

It’s 2022 and both AMD and NVIDIA are still releasing graphics cards, even though it’s nearly impossible to score a GPU at MSRP from any retailer. AMD’s latest release, the Radeon RX 6500 XT, has a few…tricks up its sleeve. To start, the 6500 XT has a measly 4GB of RAM. But, even with its limitations, AMD claims that its latest graphics card can game at over 60FPS in Call of Duty: Vanguard, nearly 80FPS in Halo Infinite, and over 100FPS in Fortnite. Should this graphics card even exist at this point? Let’s take a closer look below.

Today, Twelve South is launching a new version of its iconic BookBook Cover for iPad. This time around, you’ll find the same signature vintage stylings that we’ve come to expect, but with a refreshed color palette to fit in with the new white Magic Keyboard from Apple, as well as the latest M1 iPad Pros.

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.

• Save up to $232 on iPhone 12/mini with rare cert. refurb discounts to new lows, more
• Score DJI Mini SE with two batteries and $180 worth of accessories for $355
• OnePlus 9 Pro and its Hasselblad-backed camera array now $224 off at Amazon

Banjo-Kazooie is set to make a not so triumphant return to Nintendo hardware this week. While it has been years since we saw a proper Banjo title on a Nintendo system, this one will be coming as part of the arguably controversial Nintendo 64 Switch Online library that is locked behind the Expansion Pack paywall. While some gamers were a little bit salty over the more pricey online tier, Nintendo is indeed bringing Banjo-Kazooie to its N64 Switch Online this week. Head below for more details. 

As the LEGO Group’s plans for Star Wars in 2022 begin shaping up following the release of new sets to start the year, today we can report on what to expect from one of the theme’s upcoming creations. The long-rumored LEGO Boba Fett’s Palace 75326 will be launching come March, and it is slated to stack up to nearly 800 pieces while including seven minifigures. Head below for everything we know so far.

DJI might be best known for drones and camera stabilizers, but it is also branching out into audio. The DJI Mic kit has everything needed to get great wireless audio from up to two people at the same time. While it’s a great accessory for the recent DJI Action 2, the vast compatibility makes it a great choice for many applications. Be sure to hit the video below to see and hear all of the details. 

The SanDisk Extreme Portable Solid-State Drive lineup has been considered to be the best portable SSD products out there by many for at least a few years now. The latest-generation V2 iterations come in a standard and PRO configurations with the main differences landing, for the most part, in the data transfer speeds and build material categories. Nonetheless, both models are easily among the best portable SSD solutions for just about anyone’s EDC, whether you’re a photographer, video-based content creator, or just someone looking for a high-quality solution for speedy backups and on-person storage – some folks even use them to store PS5 games and the like. But with a chance to go hands-on with the SanDisk 2TB Extreme PRO Portable Solid-State Drive V2 recently, I just had to get a closer look and finally put the seemingly best-in-class portable SSD lineup to the test for myself.

adidas celebrates Valentine’s Day with a festive collection including running shoes, apparel, accessories, and more. This collection was designed to be “A celebration of love in all its forms”. Inside this line you will find exclusive clothing and footwear dropping just in time for Valentine’s Day. Better yet, it’s available for all budgets with pricing starting at just $10 and adidas Club Members (free to join) receive complimentary delivery. Head below the jump to find all of our top picks from the adidas Valentine’s Day line. Finally, you will want to check out our guide to the Target “Brightroom” collection that feature organizers, starting at just $1.

Today, Weber announced the first three new products of its 2022 grilling portfolio that are “designed to fuse the best in smart technology, high-quality materials, performance engineering, and craftsmanship.” There’s the 2022 GENESIS Smart Gas Grill, 2022 SMOKEFIRE Wood Fired Pellet Grill, and an all-new WEBER CRAFTED Outdoor Kitchen Collection that’s sure to bring your spring BBQs with friends and family to new heights. Keep reading to find out more about Weber’s 2022 grilling collection.

After being delayed at the start of the month, the rest of the LEGO Star Wars January 2022 wave sets have been released. Well, almost. Delivering two of the final three sets yet to ship, both of the new Clone Wars LEGO builds are now available for purchase including the Clone Trooper Command Station and Ahsoka BrickHeadz.

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.

• Tim Cook is giving you another chance to save $60 on Apple Watch Series 7 from $339
• Apple’s latest 10.2-inch iPad 256GB returns to Amazon low at $30 off
• Twelve South ActionSleeve 2 delivers a fitness-ready Apple Watch band for $30 (Save 25%)

The upcoming Netflix Cuphead show has an official date alongside today’s new launch trailer. We previously featured details on the adorable 1930’s based cartoon series making its way from home game systems into Netflix form, but it looks like the wait is finally over with an official release date set for next month. The Cuphead Show follows the “unique misadventures of loveable, impulsive scamp Cuphead” along with “his cautious but easily swayed brother Mugman,” and you can get a closer look at today’s official debut trailer below. 

Microsoft is about to buy Activision Blizzard. In Microsoft’s continued attempt at global gaming domination, and after spending a small country’s fortune on Bethesda, it is about to fork out the equivalent in $68.7 billion to acquire Activision Blizzard. This transaction, according to today’s press release, will make Microsoft “the world’s third-largest gaming company by revenue, behind Tencent and Sony.” Activision Blizzard has had its fair share of issues in the press as of late, but Microsoft is looking at the bigger picture for gamers here and will now absorb what appears to be all of the company’s major gaming franchises in the process. More details below. 

After getting a first look at the very beginning of the month, the LEGO Group this morning is now announcing the latest addition to its Ideas stable. The all-new LEGO Ideas Globe is finally here, stacking up to nearly 2,600 pieces in order to deliver a display-worthy recreation of the planet. We’ve seen similar ideas like this $80 ROKR wood globe puzzle but head below for all of the details on LEGO’s latest creation.

Like many other console gamers through the past few years, the allure of switching over to a PC finally got the best of me. There’s just the problem of actually making the jump, considering just how hard things are with the ongoing stock shortages. Detailing the entire experience of building a PC for the first time, down below you can follow along as I go through all the components in my first rig and my thoughts on why I should have just gone for a pre-built in the first place.

The North Face has a new International Collection that offers limited-edition gear for your next adventure, featuring 15 items with pricing starting at just $25. Inside this line you can find the Nuptse Retro Jacket, Sherpa Half-Zip, Duffle Bag, Sweatshirt, T-Shirt, and more with the fun Geometric print for 2022. Head below the jump to find out more details about the North Face International Collection. Finally, you will want to check out our guide to the Target “Brightroom” collection that feature organizers, starting at just $1.

For the first time in 20 years, we’re getting a new Dune RTS game. Based around Frank Herbert’s Dune universe, Dune Spice Wars will be a real-time strategy game that has 4X elements. While we don’t know the exact pricing yet, nor the release date, the developers released an FAQ over the weekend to answer some questions that the community posed after the title was announced last month. So, what will Dune Spice Wars be? Let’s take a closer look.

We are getting another look at what will presumably be the soon-to-be officially announced Starfield Smartwatch. Starfield is the next big RPG from Bethesda – think Elder Scrolls in space, but likely even bigger – that’s set for release at the end of the year and now looks as though it might very well have a real-world companion smartwatch to go along with the experience. We seemingly caught a brief glimpse of the Starfield Smartwatch back in summer 2021 as part the “Into the Starfield: The Journey Begins” video Bethesda released to hype up its next open-world experience, but new details have recently surfaced with an even better look and more information on what is hopefully more than just a game-branded smartwatch. Head below for 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.

• Apple’s 14-inch M1 Pro MacBook Pro on sale for first time in months at $49 off
• Best Buy’s latest 24-hour flash sale discounts AirTags, Apple Watch Series 7, more
• Anker discounts iPhone and Android essentials from $9 in latest sale

In the world of authentic Star Wars collectibles, Regal Robot has a reputation for releasing some of the most eye-catching display pieces. Now its new Rancor throne magnets bring that screen accuracy to an even more affordable price point. Straight out of the Book of Boba Fett, the new release brings some iconic imagery right out of Jabba’s palace and into your collection.

Cherry is probably most known for mechanical switches, but Cherry Americas also carries an impressive line-up of peripherals. One of the latest releases, the Cherry DW 9100 Slim, takes a slim and stylish approach to a keyboard and mouse combo with both a wireless dongle and Bluetooth connectivity. Coming in at $109, is this the best combo for the office? Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details. 

In the new year, we’ve been focusing on LEGO Star Wars reviews, but another 2022 kit caught my eye. Delivering plenty of anime callbacks in a value-packed build, the LEGO Ninja Ultra Combo Mech is one of my favorite kits in years.

Some Kirby 30th anniversary content is on the way from Nintendo. This year marks the adorable little guy’s 30th year as everyone’s favorite pink gaming mascot after debuting way back in 1992 with Kirby’s Dream Land on the Game Boy. After launching a slew of new content for Mario’s 35th anniversary back in September of 2020 (including a new Mario battle royale game, the Super Mario 3D All-Stars Collection, and a new Game & Watch-style handheld), Nintendo has already started the festivities for Kirby with some deals and freebies. Head below for a closer look. 

Ahead of Pokémon Legends: Arceus launching come the end of this month, the folks over at HORI are showcasing a new lineup of companion Switch accessories. Geared towards helping make the most of your journey through the Hisui region, there’s a refreshed Split Pad Pro alongside other add-ons for Nintendo Switch. All of which is now available for pre-order down below.

The HITMAN Trilogy is finally complete, and the team now wants everyone to have many different ways to explore the World of Assassination. The collection includes all three games in a single package, which makes it easier than ever before to become Agent 47. While the game is launching on PlayStation, the real ticket here is the fact that HITMAN Trilogy is coming to Xbox and PC through Game Pass, which means existing subscribers will be able to play without any additional purchases. What all does the HITMAN Trilogy include? Let’s take 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’s new AirPods 3 return to all-time low of $140 (Reg. $179)
• Apple’s official iPhone 12/Pro/Max/mini MagSafe cases see clearance sale from $10 (New lows)
• Apple’s white 12.9-inch iPad Pro Magic Keyboard falls to new low of $300 (Save $49)

Australian audio company and microphone maker Rode is introducing its new on-camera mic with the latest addition to its VideoMic line. The new VideoMic Go II is designed with universal compatibility for cameras, smartphones, tablets, and computers while being designed to support a broad range of users from filmmakers and live-streaming broadcasters to content creators on TikTok and elsewhere, all without spending a fortune. Head below the fold for a closer look.

Jabra’s new Elite 4 are finally available for purchase, delivering the brand’s latest pair of fitness earbuds. With new inclusions of active noise cancellation and improved water resistance, there’s also a steeper price tag to match.

We are getting refreshed and upgraded models in the Shure content creator headphones lineup with the new SRH840A and SRH440A. These new headphones are designed for home studios, content creators, and critical listening with a design that fits right in on the street. While the previous-generation models are seeing notable price drops on Amazon right now, both of the new models are now available directly from Shure. Head below for a closer look. 

The new CLCKR MagSafe grip accessory is now available to order. Officially known as the CLCKR MagSafe Stand & Grip, it magnetically attaches to iPhone 12 and 13 devices to offer up a unique full-hand grip around Apple’s latest handsets. It also, as the name suggests, doubles as a kickstand of sorts and now joins the rest of the brand’s available iPhone accessory lineup. Head below for a closer look at the new CLCKR MagSafe grip accessory. 

Forever Skies is an all-new first-person sci-fi action survival game from a team of ex AAA developers with “survival not guaranteed.” The team consists of 20 or more developers and the title has been secretly worked on for the past two years. In Forever Skies, you play as a scientist who returns to Earth after it was destroyed by a global ecological disaster, flying in a high-tech airship as you seek to expand, rebuild, and repair it. What else will you be doing in Forever Skies? Let’s take a closer look below.