News

After seeing the UCS AT-AT unveiled in its full glory yesterday, the LEGO Group is back today to answer one of the questions still surrounding the upcoming set. It was previously unknown how builders could get their hands on the LEGO Luke’s Lightsaber promotional set, and now we know that you’ll have to buy the latest collectible set to build the gift with purchase. Head below for all of the details.

Forza Horizon 5 is out today, and while some have had early access with premium packages, the majority of racers will be getting on today, thanks to Game Pass Ultimate. Microsoft and Xbox sent over a pretty unique press kit complete with a limited-edition Forza Horizon 5 controller, license plate frame, and a “road trip” candle that doesn’t smell like any road trip I’ve been on before. Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details.

MagSafe for iPhone is one of those features that just about every user can appreciate. It has paved the way for all sorts of accessories that range from wallets to power banks. While it is built into all iPhone 12 and 13 devices, folks that use a case have needed to find a MagSafe-friendly offering in order to keep the magnetic features alive. Thankfully, Spigen has launched a new accessory that allows users to add MagSafe compatibility to one of their existing cases. It’s called Spigen OneTap Ring, and it ships with an auto-alignment tool for “effortless installation.” The company has also unleashed an accessory that allows a smartphone to be attached to a lanyard.

We now have a good idea of what to expect from the Microsoft Store Black Friday 2021 sale. With the Microsoft Store’s Black Friday ad appearing a little less formal than year’s past, the retailer is highlighting nine or ten of its standout offers this year including gaming gear, laptops, PC games, Xbox Game Pass, and some of its staple software packages. Head below for a look at the upcoming Microsoft Store Black Friday sale. 

Today, Wyze is introducing an all-new product category: Cam Floodlight. Based around its Cam v3 platform, the Cam Floodlight delivers 2,600-lumens of brightness to your yard alongside full 1080p video streaming and color night vision. The Wyze Cam Floodlight is also wired into your home’s existing power source, meaning you won’t have to worry about finding a plug or changing batteries. What all can you expect from the latest Wyze product? Let’s take a closer look.

Today, we’re getting a first look at the Staples Black Friday 2021 ad. As just a teaser of the full catalog of holiday-caliber deals, the first two pages of the upcoming flier have been unveiled and certainly make up for the lack of quantity with some quality offers. Headlined by notable savings on Apple Watch SE, AirPods Pro, and M1 iPad Pro, you can get a closer look at what to expect down below.

After launching with eight kits earlier this summer, the LEGO Group is now back with its second round of BrickLink Designer Program sets. Spanning nine different creations from nine different builders, you can now pre-order the fan-made creations down below.

After originally launching its Certified Refurbished storefront last year, eBay is now heading into the holiday season by refreshing the program. Arriving with an expanded catalog of refurbished conditions, eBay is now introducing new gear from Apple, Samsung, and other top brands while continuing to deliver a Money Back Guarantee. Head below for all of the changes.

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’re available.

• Apple Pencil 2 falls to second-best price yet of $100 (Save $29), original model at $80
• Score two Google Nest Mini smart speakers for just $39 ($98 value)
• Herman Miller’s annual Black Friday sale now live with 15% off iconic designs

Caudabe – a mainstay in our yearly iPhone case roundups – has now expanded its lineup of Apple accessories with its new leather AirPods Pro case. Known as the Crescendo, it, much like some of the Cadaube iPhone 13 cases, wraps your precious Apple earbuds case in a protective shell with a supple leather finish. Unlike some of the high-quality leather leather AirPods Pro cases out there, this one sits with a digestible $35 price tag that just got even more affordable. Head below for a closer look. 

Today, Logitech is launching the latest and most colorful addition yet to its stable of peripherals. The new Pop Keyboard arrives with Bluetooth functionality out of the box, though its most notable features are all centered around the eye-catching design. Pairing retro-style keycaps with fresh colorways, you can get all of the details down below.

Update: The UCS AT-AT will be available for purchase right at midnight Eastern on November 26. It enters with a $799.99 price tag.

After our first look last week, the LEGO Group has now officially unveiled the new Star Wars UCS AT-AT. Showcasing the second-largest LEGO Star Wars set to date in its full glory, you can head below the fold for all of the details on the upcoming creation and where you’ll be able to add it to your collection.

Shure is out with a new pair of true wireless earphones that are said to deliver “big sound in a small package.” This release comes in the form of AONIC FREE and debuts not long after Shure’s second-generation AONIC 215 earbuds. According to the company’s official press release, this is its first take on true wireless earphones. AONIC FREE is headlined by a secure fit that “comfortably blocks up to 37 decibels” of external sound. This is thanks to a “foam sleeve and ergonomically angled design” that delivers a “distortion-free” listening experience. Continue reading to learn more.

Anker’s new MagGo Folding MagSafe Power Bank launched at the end of last month, refreshing its existing and quite popular model in the process with a built-in stand. But does the new version continue its predecessor’s reign of being a must-have iPhone 12 or iPhone 13 accessory? That’s what our latest Tested with 9to5Toys review dives in to answer.

Today, ZHIYUN announced its latest CRANE M3 gimbal that’s “ultra-versatile” and offers five different industry firsts. The CRANE M3 uses an all-new modern white chassis and is compatible with over 90% of mirrorless cameras on the market. The mounting system is easy to use, with a one-size-fits-all plate so you don’t have to worry about rebalancing the system after changing cameras. Plus, impromptu low-light shooting won’t be a problem any more thanks to the built-in dimmable variable color temperature light. It can output around 800-lumens and runs off the internal battery, something no other gimbal on the market can muster. What else can the ZHIYUN CRANE M3 do? Let’s take a closer look.

Today, the LEGO Group is showcasing its very first festive gift with purchase for the 2021 holiday season. Entering as the upcoming Santa’s Front Yard kit, this small build expands upon the same winter theming we’ve seen from other LEGO sets this year.

Black Friday in 2021 is shaping up to be different from past years, with stock shortages making for an uncertain shopping experience. Several retailers are looking to add some extra confidence to those who want to beat the rush, with various price guarantees rolling out to help ensure you’re getting the best rate of the Black Friday season without fighting out-of-stock listings or the crowds.

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’re available.

• Apple’s latest 13-inch M1 MacBook Air falls to best price in months at $199 off
• AirPods Max fall to new Amazon all-time low of $430 following $119 discount
• TP-Link’s Alexa- and Assistant-enabled smart home gear drops to new Amazon lows from $10

Today, we’re getting a first look at a series of new LEGO Super Mario sets due out in 2022. Packed with yet another expansion of new locations, enemies, and unique play features, the lineup includes three creations on top of a new series of Character Packs due out on January 1.

We now have a good idea of the official 2021 Nintendo Black Friday deals. As is customary, Nintendo has dropped a sneak peak at the upcoming official Nintendo Black Friday price drops, including games, the Black Friday console bundle, and more. The brand is hot on the heels of releasing its OLED-model console (be sure to enter our giveaway!) and announcing a shortage in console production through 2022, but now’s a great time to get a good idea of the Nintendo Black Friday deals set to go live starting later this month – just about all of which will be readily available at a number of major retailers come November 21, 2021, or sooner. Head below for more details on the official Nintendo Black Friday deals. 

DJI and Zhiyun might be two of the most well-known names for gimbals, but Manfrotto is joining the ranks with the MVG220 and MVG460. While it might be more well known for tripods and monopods, adding gimbal stabilization to its products portfolio is a natural move for Manfrotto. We got our hands on the smaller MVG220 and gave it a spin. Be sure to hit the video below and see it in action.

Update: LEGO’s new Lunar New Year Ice Festival and Lunar New Year Traditions sets are now available for purchase. A Year of the Tiger gift with purchase is also up for grabs.

Today, we’re getting a first look at two new LEGO Chinese New Year sets debuting for 2022. Arriving to celebrate the Year of the Tiger, there’s a pair of festive builds packed with festive elements, unique minifigures, and much more.

One of this holiday season’s most coveted gifts will certainly fall to the new Switch OLED. Refreshing the unique hybrid experience with a larger and and better looking display, just about every Nintendo fan is hoping to find this console under the tree come December. While finding one on store shelves as been a bit of a hassle, we’re giving 9to5Toys readers a chance to beat the holiday rush and score one for themselves. Head below to learn more about our Nintendo Switch OLED giveaway and how you can win.

Oakywood — makers of gorgeous wooden tech and desktop accessories — launched its OakyBlocks and wooden wireless charger just last month, and it’s time to take a closer look. The lineup consists of a range of walnut or oak wood desktop accessories including the Qi-enabled wireless charger on display today as well as the Large Tray seen in our recent Gunnar review, a pen tray, phone stand, sticky notes holder, and more with magnetic modular designs. You can learn more about the entire lineup in our launch coverage, but be sure to head below for our Oakywood wooden wireless charger review in the latest entry to the Tested with 9to5Toys series. 

Last year, we reviewed HORI Split Pad Pro. Back then, we dubbed it as “a portable Nintendo Switch Pro Controller,” an opinion that I still think holds true. Since its initial release, Split Pad Pro has received several coats of paint and even a Monster Hunter edition. While all of those look great, a new Mega Man-themed offering has arrived, and it may very well be the best-looking iteration yet. The HORI Nintendo Switch Gaming Headset Pro has also been unveiled. Continue reading to learn more.

As we continue to approach Black Friday, we’re keeping up to date on the latest ad leaks and release in our dedicated guide. We’ve already taken a look at the Kohl’s ad as well as what memberships you should have to save the most. Now, it’s time to dive into Lenovo’s Black Friday 2021 ad to see what computers, streaming gear, tablets, and more will be discounted.

As Black Friday 2021 inches closer, early discounts are beginning to pour in. While it used to be that the best offers were available to everyone, now retailers all compete with their own membership programs to lock Black Friday discounts behind their own programs. Be it Amazon Prime or Walmart+, you’ll want to head below for a breakdown on making the most of the holiday shopping season by signing up for these membership programs.

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’re available.

• Apple’s new iPhone 13 lineup now up to $200 off with this pre-paid promotion
• Apple’s iPad Pro Smart Keyboard Folios now on sale from $98 (Save up to $101)
• GoPro’s all-new HERO10 Black sees very first discount to $449 (Save $51)

We’re seeing yet another Black Friday 2021 ad arrive to close out the first week of November, with Kohl’s now getting in on the action. Detailing what to expect from the retailer, we’re getting a look at everything from tech deals on the latest from Amazon and Google to added Kohl’s Cash savings and more.

Whether for tailgates and camping or keeping gear online during an outage, portable power stations are becoming more valuable than ever. Today we’re taking a look at one of the latest offerings from Goal Zero, its new Yeti 1000 Core, which arrives with plenty of power to back up its versatile array of I/O. But is it a worthy addition to your kit? That’s what our latest Tested with 9to5Toys seeks to answer.

This week, Optoma has unleashed a new 4K laser projector. The company highlights “high brightness, brilliant color, rich blacks, and endless connectivity options” as some of its major selling points, but an up to 240Hz refresh rate when used in 1080p also makes it a viable solution for high-refresh-rate gaming. The latest Optoma 4K projector runs Android and emits just 26 decibels of noise. With three HDMI ports and several other connection types, the Optoma UHZ50 has plenty of I/O to accommodate game consoles, streaming media players, and more. Continue reading for additional details.

Originally announced in July, the Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flight Control System is finally available for pre-order and is slated to begin shipping on November 15. Designed to work with Windows and Xbox, this flight control system is a must-have for those who want a realistic experience in Microsoft Flight Simulator. With pre-orders opening today, the VelocityOne Flight became one of the company’s fastest-selling gaming accessories of all-time, selling out in just 15 minutes. What can the VelocityOne Flight Control System do now that we have more information? Let’s take a closer look.

Following our first look at the LEGO UCS AT-AT, Star Wars fans now have another way to bring a massive recreation from the Original Trilogy to their collections. This time courtesy of Hasbro, the Black Series is receiving its largest figure to date with the Rancor.

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’re available.

• B&H Holiday Start Sale takes $149 off 12.9-inch M1 iPad Pro, plus other early Black Friday deals
• Apple’s latest 24-inch M1 iMac returns to Amazon low at $49 off
• Samsung’s Galaxy Buds+ see early Black Friday discount to just $59 (Reg. $100)

As its early Black Friday deals begin to go live, Walmart is rolling out a look at what to expect from the hottest toys this year. In the latest installment of its annual holiday toy book, Walmart is rolling out its own list of curated gifts to go alongside early discounts on the season’s hottest gifts and more.

Have a look at the new Twelve South ActionBand for Apple Watch. A direct follow-up to the brand’s already available ActionSleeve, the new workout-focused action band combines a comfortable terry cotton wrist band with an Apple Watch carrier for what Twelve South calls “the world’s most comfortable, wrist-friendly way to work out with your Apple Watch.” Head below for a closer look and a nice launch deal. 

The 2022 LEGO reports are continuing to roll in, and today we’re getting something a of a first look at what to expect from a new Jurassic World set next year. Arriving as what will likely be the latest direct to consumer set for the theme, LEGO set 76944 is slated to launch at the $250 price tag next year. But what will it be? Head below for everything we know so far.

Today we are taking the Gunnar blue light glasses for a test drive. I thought it might be a good time to at least try some of these protective glasses out, considering how many hours per week I’m staring at a screen, and the Gunnar brand is an obvious place to start. The company makes use of patented blue light protection lens technology while offering up a wide range of frame styles to meet your personal tastes. After giving the Gunnar Menlo model blue light glasses a run for a few weeks now, it’s time to weigh in as part of the latest entry to the Tested with 9to5Toys series. 

Back in October, Xbox and Adidas announced a 20th anniversary Xbox footwear campaign. Xbox 20th Forum Tech was the first pair of shoes to be unveiled, but today another release has been announced. This time around, it’s Xbox 360 Forum Mid, with a classic Adidas look that’s paired with Xbox 360 branding. The news broke via Xbox Wire a few hours ago, and a listing for Xbox 360 Forum Mid is already live. To give average buyers a better chance at snatching up a pair before they go out of stock, Adidas will not begin selling the sneakers until tomorrow morning, and buyers will need to enter “the waiting room.” Continue reading to more 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’re available.

• Anker gets in on early Black Friday savings with 33% off chargers, smart cams, more from $14
• Nomad launches 20% off sitewide sale with leather iPhone 13 cases, MagSafe gear, more
• Save up to $315 on Hisense’s latest 4K Android TVs: QLED 120Hz, HDMI 2.1, more from $300

Today, Amazon is launching the latest expansion to its lineup of Echo smart home peripheral devices. Meant to supplement the experience of its Alexa devices, the new Air Quality Monitor arrives to bring some added metrics to your setup.

Anker is throwing their hat into the ring of smart eyewear with the Soundcore Frames. Featuring a unique design that allows for swapping frames out quickly, these new glasses use built-in speakers for an open-air listening experience. Following our announcement coverage, we got to go hands-on with the new shades and quite a few different frame styles. Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details. 

Update: The LEGO Group has now unveiled the UCS AT-AT, which you can read all about in our coverage of the official release.

We’ve been anticipating that the new UCS AT-AT would drop this month for quite some time, and now we’re getting a very first look. Ahead of what will likely be an official announcement next week, you can head below the fold for all of the details on the LEGO UCS AT-AT dropping as this year’s Black Friday set.