News

Update: The new Positive Grid Spark mini Bluetooth speaker and guitar amp is now up for pre-order with a notable launch discount at $185. Regularly $229, Positive Grid says the discounts will be changing throughout the day, but it might not get any better than this. 

Today, Positive Grid is unveiling its brand new Spark MINI smart guitar amp. The smaller, more compact little brother of the full-size Spark practice amp brings the brand’s usual smart features and doubles as a retro, guitar-amp-style Bluetooth speaker. The Spark MINI also provides audio interface capabilities for folks looking to record with its breadth of amp emulation and FX gear. We have been lucky enough to get an early run of the amp to test before it is unveiled today. Read all about the Spark MINI smart guitar amp in our latest Tested with 9to5Toys review below. 

Today we are getting our first look at the actual PlayStation VR2 headset. After Sony teased specs on its upcoming next-generation VR rig back in January alongside the Horizon Call of the Mountain launch title, it has taken to the official PlayStation Blog to unveil the actual hardware. Today’s reveal is described as the “reveal [of the] stunning new design of our next generation VR headset, PlayStation VR2, together with an updated and final design image of our PlayStation VR2 Sense controller.” Head below for a closer look. 

Today, the LEGO Group is announcing the winners of its latest Ideas review round. Picking from 34 potential creations to see which fan-made project would have the honor of making it onto store shelves as an official set, two new future builds have now been unveiled. Including the LEGO debut of BTS and an A-Frame Cabin creation, all the details are down below.

If the top-tier G915 from Logitech is outside of your budget, one of its latest keyboard offerings might be a better choice. Logitech’s new G413 SE comes in at $80 for the full-size layout and $70 for the TKL flavor but still packs the pedigree of one of the most well-known gaming brands. Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details. 

Earlier this month, CORSAIR launched its latest internal SSD which took aim at PS5 users looking to supplement the console’s storage. Now that Horizon Forbidden West launched this past weekend with nearly 90GB of required space to enjoy the highly-anticipated sequel, I put CORSAIR’s new MP600 PRO LPX SSD to the test for solving storage woes. Head below for the full scoop on what to expect from the process.

Cheating in Call of Duty Warzone has, at times, been at levels that not many other games have achieved at scale. After developing the RICOCHET Anti-Cheat kernel-level driver for Warzone and launching it, the game saw a drastic decrease in in-game cheat reporting, according to the company’s internal data. In fact, cheating in Warzone was at an all-time low during the holiday break. However, some cheat developers have gotten around RICOCHET, so the team has implemented and is testing a new feature called Damage Shield that does real-time anti-cheat as games are going on. What all does Damage Shield do, and can it affect non-cheating players? Let’s take a look.

Professional dancers Stephen “Twitch” Boss and Allison Holker are collaborating with Dick’s Sporting Goods for an exclusive collection. There are 28 new items throughout this collection for both men and women. The entire line was designed to be all about music, movement, and style with pricing starting at just $12. Dick’s Sporting Goods also offers free delivery on orders of $65 or more. Plus, one percent of all DSG sales benefit Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation Sports Matter program, which helps fund youth sports organizations in need across the country. Be sure to head below to find all of our top picks from the Dick’s Sporting Goods collaboration with Twitch and Allison. Also, you will want to check out our latest guide to the Draper James x Tretorn Sneaker collection here.

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 MagSafe Leather Wallet with Find My support drops to $48 in several styles
• Brydge’s 12.9 MAX+ aluminum iPad Pro Keyboard Case hits $200 (Save $50), more
• Eve Room delivers HomeKit-enabled air quality monitoring at new low of $58.50 (Save 42%)

The new Street Fighter game has been revealed. More accurately teased, but Capcom has now confirmed that development on Street Fighter 6 is in the works. It has been six long years since Street Fighter 5 made its debut back in 2016, and after several updates and DLC additions to the core experience, Capcom is ready to move on to the next numbered entry in the long-running fighting franchise. Head below for more details on the new Street Fighter game and a closer look at the brief teaser trailer. 

Today, the LEGO Group is giving builders a first official look at the new Thor: Love and Thunder set. Debuting as the first of two rumored creations from the upcoming MCU expansion, the new Goat Boat set stacks up to over 550 pieces while including a series of exclusive minifigures. Head below for all of the details on what to expect from the latest LEGO Marvel 2022 kit.

We featured the new CLCKR MagSafe Grip when it went up for sale last month, and now it’s time to take a closer look for review. The unique magnetic iPhone 12 and 13 accessory snaps onto the back of your device and offers a sort of full-hand strap to get a better grip on your device while also doubling as a viewing stand. Head below for more details on the CLCKR MagSafe Grip as part of our Tested with 9to5Toys series. 

If all of the recent summer LEGO action wasn’t enough, today 9to5Toys is able to confirm reports on what may very well be the biggest collaboration of 2022. Slated to team up with Hasbro, the LEGO Group will be bringing the very first brick-built Transformer to its collection with an Optimus Prime set come May. Head below for everything we know so far.

If you’ve been lucky enough over the past year or so to pick up a next-generation console, then you’re likely looking for the best way to visually experience 4K HDR 120Hz gaming at home. While many TVs offer this feature, Philips decided to enter the game with a monitor it built in partnership with Microsoft that’s specifically designed for Xbox consoles. With HDMI 2.1, 120Hz VRR support, HDR, and built-in backlighting, this monitor offers a premium experience, but is it worth the price? Let’s take a look at the Philips Momentum Made for Xbox monitor in our hands-on review.

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.

• Annual Best Buy Presidents’ Day sale now live with M1 Pro Macs, HomePod mini bundles, more
• Satechi takes 20% off its entire collection of Apple accessories in Presidents’ Day sale
• At 33% off, this Philips Hue color Bluetooth smart bulb has returned to the Amazon low of $30

After just seeing the new T. rex Breakout set debut earlier in the month, the LEGO Group is back today with a collection of upcoming Jurassic World: Dominion sets. The latest wave includes seven new kits packed with dinosaurs, new minifigures, and builds inspired by the upcoming release in the Jurassic franchise.

Elgato recently refreshed its Stream Deck with an MK.2 model, which caught my eye as a notable Twitch streaming companion. And then I started thinking how well it would work in my Mac workstation. Our latest Tested with 9to5Toys review dives in to just how this gaming accessory can upgrade your macOS productivity.

Bellroy has launched its new Samsung Galaxy S22 leather case. The just-unveiled S22 models (already on sale) are Samsung’s flagship handsets with new S Pen slots, a 6.8-inch SuperAMOLED panel, as well as Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip, and Bellroy has now unleashed its high-quality case to keep it all protected. You can get a closer look at the new Galaxy S22 series handsets in our hands-on review and more details on the latest Bellroy leather cases for them down below. 

The North Face is known for their epic collaborations and in 2022 the brand has made a statement by dropping a line with designer Kaws. If you’re not familiar with Kaws, the Brooklyn-based artist is known for pushing the limits with his one of a kind designs. The designs you will find in some of The North Face’s best-selling styles including the 1996 Nupste Jacket, Camp Duffel, and more. There are 24 new items throughout this line with pricing starting at $45. Be sure to head below the jump to find out even more details about The North Face x Kaws collaboration. Also, you will want to check out our latest guide to the Draper James x Tretorn Sneaker collection here.

We have spotted some Nintendo 3DS game deals alongside some eShop exclusives and freebies you might want to consider grabbing now. Nintendo will sadly be closing the 3DS eShop come March of next year, alongside disabling the ability to add funds to these accounts starting in May of 2022 (more details on that right here.) Not only does that leave a wealth of titles out in the cold only to be found in rare physical form across the interwebs and retail bargain bins, but that also means your 3DS library will soon be frozen in time, so to speak, with no way of adding new digital titles from Nintendo’s eShop. While there are third-party sellers that will carry the bigger name titles for what will likely go beyond the March 2023 cut off date, that could mean some of the standout eShop exclusives might be lost forever. So let’s take a look at some of the 3DS titles that are currently on sale via the eShop as well as some freebies and standout exclusives you might want to scoop up now. 

Sea of Thieves is getting its first-ever narrative-driven Adventure, dubbed Shrouded Islands. It’s only available from today through March 3, so you’ll need to play during the limited timeframe in order to meet Belle and “investigate the mysterious fog covering Golden Sands Outpost.” What does Shrouded Islands bring to the shores of Sea of Thieves? Let’s take a closer look below.

We’ve seen plenty of companies expanding into the podcasting and streaming audio space like NZXT, but today we’re taking a look at another player. The new Deity VO-7U is a dynamic broadcast microphone aimed directly at streamers and podcasters with RGB lighting built-in and some other handy features up its sleeve. Be sure to hit the video below to see and hear all of the details. 

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 upgraded 1TB 14-inch M1 Pro MacBook Pro sees $249 discount to new low
• 8Bitdo’s new Pro 2 Controller works with Switch, iPhone, more at $45 (Amazon low)
• Save up to 27% on Eve HomeKit sprinkler controllers with Thread, sensors, more from $58

As the latest iconic football stadium to get the brick-built treatment, today the LEGO Group is revealing the new Santiago Bernabéu set. Celebrating 120 years of the Real Madrid club’s domination on the pitch, the new 5,900-piece creation packs plenty of authentic details fit for any fan of football. Head below for all of the details and a closer look.

Update: Just after we published, the LEGO Group updated the listing with box art for the set. Unfortunately proving this isn’t a No Way Home kit.

Since releasing last November, Spider-Man fans have been waiting on some additional No Way Home-themed LEGO sets, and a new one may very well be arriving soon. Going up for pre-order today, the upcoming Spider-Man & Green Goblin Mech Battle kit will depict two of the iconic Marvel characters complete with some brick-built suits. While images are interestingly missing from the current LEGO Shop listing, all of the details on what to expect are outlined down below.

Finally launching back at the beginning of the month after being announced nearly two years ago, I’ve gotten my hands on the all-new LEGO Ideas Globe. But after such a long wait, does the last fan-inspired creation actually deliver a worthwhile build? Spoiler, it absolutely does! But you’ll want to head below for all of the details on the new set anyway.

No Man’s Sky originally released in August of 2016, which is almost six years ago. The game, which launched to many problems and was ridiculed by the community, has since redeemed itself through numerous updates, all at no cost to gamers who own the game. Well, the infamous space exploration title just got updated yet again, this time with a total overhaul of the weapons system, new lore and stories, new Sentinels, and…the ability to reprogram and adopt your own friendly AI drone? There’s a lot to unpack here, so keep reading to find out all the details for the No Man’s Sky Sentinel update.

Reese Witherspoon’s brand Draper James partnered with Tretorn for an exclusive collection. Reese Witherspoon has been wearing Tretorn sneakers since she was a child. “Growing up, I always loved a pair of new, fresh Tretorns,” she said when announcing the collaboration on Instagram. “So excited about this collab! Makes me feel like a kid again.” This collection features several pairs of sneakers and matching apparel and accessories. In addition to women’s shoes, the line includes matching versions for your mini-me. Find even more details about this collection by heading below. Finally, be sure to check out the Converse x Todd Snyder collection in our latest guide here.

Some brand new Universal Audio microphones have now been unveiled. An unrivaled brand with deep roots in the professional recording space and pioneers of pro-grade DSP audio processing is now stepping into the microphone game in a major way. Six new models have been unveiled ranging from pricey, professional large-diaphragm capacitor mics through to somewhat more attainable broadcast and podcasting variants. Starting from models based on legendary recording studio microphones like the Neumann U87, Neumann U67, and Telefunken ELA M 251 to the SD-1 dynamic model looking to rival Shure’s popular latest-model SM7 variant, head below for more details on the new Universal Audio microphones. 

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 latest 24-inch M1 iMac returns to Amazon lows at up to $150 off from $1,199
• Samsung’s all-new Galaxy Tab A8 goes on sale for the first time from $200 (Save up to $50)
• Anker’s new MagGo charging station doubles as a MagSafe Battery Pack at $84 (Save 30%)

It’s time to start thinking about shoring up your Wii U and 3DS game libraries. Nintendo’s beloved 3DS consoles still remain in the hearts and hands of gamers everywhere, despite the Switch taking over portable supremacy in the Mushroom Kingdom. But Nintendo has now announced the inevitable closure of its eShop Wii U and 3DS digital game stores and while it might not be until next year, it will all be gone before you know it. Head below for more details. 

Update: CASETiFY’s new SpongeBob collection is now available for purchase.

After January’s collection of Peanuts cases and accessories, CASETiFY is back with an all-new collection of covers and accessories for Apple’s latest smartphones. This time heading down to a pineapple under the sea, CASETiFY has joined forces with Nickelodeon to release a new wave of SpongeBob iPhone cases.

Have you ever wanted to see a proper BioShock movie? Well, Netflix is now on the job according to a couple official tweets it sent out today. After just recently readying the launch of the Cuphead Show, Netflix is dipping back into the world of gaming for what appears to be a new live-action BioShock movie. Netflix, 2K, and Take-Two Interactive announced today that it will be joining forces to, presumably, recreate the incredible underwater city of Rapture and the metropolis in the sky known as Columbia featured in the beloved BioShock series. There’s no word of series creator Ken Levine being attached to the protect as of yet, but it doesn’t look like that will be the case. Head below for more. 

Converse debuted a new collection in collaboration with Todd Snyder. If you’re not familiar with Todd Snyder, he is a menswear designer and has put his own twist on this collection. Inside you will find new styles of the Jack Purcell and Chuck 70 as well as preppy apparel for men. Pricing in this collection starts at $50 and there are 16 unique items to choose from. Head below to find even more details from this collection or you can shop the entire line here. Finally, you will want to check out the Lilly Pulitzer x Pottery Barn Kids collection that debuts eye-catching prints including pajamas, decor, bedding, and more.

After seeing the Xbox-certified model go on sale this morning, Seagate is now readying a special Edition Horizon Forbidden West Game Drive for PlayStation gamers. The latest entry in the Horizon series is just days away from launching, and review scores already have it as one of the better PS5 titles in the library. Seagate is looking to jump on the bandwagon with a special edition version of its Game Drive – an external hard drive specially geared towards providing gamers with additional storage for their libraries. Head below for more details and a closer look. 

Today, CORSAIR introduced an all-new mid-tower case with the iCUE 5000T RGB. The 5000T RGB case is also joined by LC100 case accent lighting panels that are also launching today, delivering a fully customizable experience for your PC gaming setup. The case itself has a “unique contoured design” and offers 208 individually addressable RGB LEDs built-in, making it the “most integrated lighting ever built into a CORSAIR case.” You’ll also find high-airflow mesh panels, room for two 360mm radiators, and more here.

Today, Sony is revealing its latest generation of true wireless earbuds with a unique twist. Enter the new LinkBuds, which offer up a unique new open-style design geared towards letting in ambient audio. Now available for pre-order, you can get all of the details below on just what Sony is aiming for with its funky new LinkBuds.

The new FREE Cyberpunk 2077 upgrade features are now live alongside a FREE trial for folks looking to give the game another shot. Cyberpunk 2077 was one of the most highly-anticipated titles in years before disappointing gamers everywhere with what could only be described as a buggy and disastrous launch on previous generation machines. Well, developer CD Projekt Red hosted a live stream today with loads of new upgraded features for the game and presumably a more stable update to redeem itself. All things considered, folks that did get a chance to play the game at least somewhat bug-free were mostly impressed, so this is a great time to give the potentially-epic game another shot, or at least to dive into the free trial to see if it’s worth investing in. More details 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 new iPad mini 6 sees rare $50 discount to Amazon all-time low
• Outfit any of Apple’s latest iPads with the Logitech Crayon for $58.50 (Reg. $70)
• Philips Hue HomeKit Lightstrip Plus starter set falls to $92.50 (Reg. $129)

After taking a hands-on look at the brand’s new ATH-GL3 and ATH–GDL3 closed-back headsets, it’s time to dive into the new Audio-Technica spatial audio earbuds. Audio-Technica has been a major player in the audio game, both in and out of the recording studio, for many years now. Its new  ATH-CKS50TW wireless headphones bring extended cord-free listening time to the table alongside the companion charging case as well as support for 3D audio and the brand’s pedigree for high-quality audio reproduction. Head below to take a closer look. 

Today, Twelve South refreshed one of its more popular accessories, delivering an updated design for Apple’s new 24-inch M1 iMac. The new BackPack for iMac arrives to position everything from hard drives and USB-C hubs out of the way on your setup by resting right on the back of Apple’s latest deckstop Macs. Now available for purchase, you can get all of the details down below.

Today, the LEGO Group is officially announcing its latest creation in partnership with the likes of Sony. Right before the sequel’s release on Friday, one of Horizon Forbidden West’s iconic robotic animals is getting the LEGO treatment with a new 1,200-piece rendition. Complete with an all-new Aloy minifigure, you can get all of the details on the LEGO Tallneck down below.

One of my first dedicated PC “headsets” was a pair of Audio-Technica ATH-M50x’s that I used for editing with a mod mic attached to the side when gaming. Since then, Audio-Technica has come out with some dedicated gaming headset offerings like the wireless ATH-G1WL we reviewed. Today we’re taking a look at the latest headsets from Audio-Technica – the ATH-GL3 closed-back headset and its open-back variant the ATH–GDL3. Coming in at a much more affordable price point than gaming headsets of the past, how do they stack up? From my experience, it’s a mixed bag. Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details.

Update: Now available for pre-order for $59.99 at Amazon with a June 1 launch date.

If today’s unveil of the new Boba Fett’s Throne Room wasn’t enough LEGO Star Wars action, we’re now getting a first look at yet another new creation. Straight out of its recent appearance in The Book of Boba Fett, the new LEGO Mandalorian N-1 Starfighter stacks up to over 400 pieces and includes a series of exclusive figures.