News

Today, LEGO is rolling out a new double VIP points promotion, marking only the second time this year for builders to cash in on the additional credit. Eligible across the entire LEGO catalog, you’ll be able to pick up all of the just-released creations and lock in pre-orders on kits that haven’t been released yet. That’s alongside being able to score free mini adidas and Charles Dickens sets on select orders. Head below for all the details on the new LEGO double points promotion and some of our top picks for getting the most out of the savings event.

After getting a first look at the latest Star Wars Advent Calendar with the rest of the 2021 summer builds, all of the details on this year’s festive LEGO set have emerged. Continuing the same trend we’ve seen from previous years, the most recent addition to the lineup arrives with a series of builds from a galaxy far, far away for counting down to the holidays, but this time centered around The Mandalorian. Head below for a closer look at all 24 of the upcoming LEGO Advent Calendar 2021 creations and all of the details.

Marvel just unveiled a full trailer for its third Disney+ series, What If…?, launching next month. In the meantime until the premiere, we’re getting a better idea of what to expect from the latest in the LEGO side of the Marvel, specially the very first collectible minifigure series inspired by the MCU. With 15 figures from the various series, head below for an updated look at everything we know so far about the collection of upcoming LEGO Marvel minifigues.

Vilo Living is coming out of the woodworks with its new mesh router system. Ringing up at just $20 a unit, it’s giving less affordable models quite the run for their money. No, seriously, just $20 a pop will score you some surprisingly reliable Wi-Fi coverage if leading reviews are to be believed. We’ll be diving into all the details below. So hit the jump to find out how this freakishly affordable system saves you stress and some serious cash.

Satechi recently launched its latest iPad accessory, combining a desktop perch and a 6-in-1 USB-C dock with its new Stand and Hub. Looking to match the iPad Pro with a premium aluminum build, we’re taking a hands-on look at the recent release to see just how good of a desktop companion the hybrid accessory can offer. Head below for all of our first impressions on the Satechi Stand and Hub.

Seven new Funko POP! TMNT characters have joined Funko’s massive portfolio of pop culture-inspired collectibles. These models are inspired by Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Secret of The Ooze and are slated to officially launch later this year, but pre-orders are open now. Standouts include Super Shredder, Rahzar, and Tokka, but you’ll also find Leonardo, Michaelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael. These are perfect for both avid and passive fans of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle superheroes. Continue reading to see photos and learn more.

PC gaming seems to be all the rage these days. But, there’s this…stigma…around buying a pre-built PC. As you’ll see in our upcoming review, pre-built desktops can actually be pretty great, especially in this market. But, if you’re determined to get a custom-built PC and don’t know where to start or how to assemble one, Newegg has you covered. The company recently launched a professional build service that’s just $99 on top of parts, and honestly, it’s probably the best way to get your hands on next-generation GPUs right now. Keep reading to find out more and see why you’re able to get RTX 30-series and RX 6000-series graphics cards through Newegg’s new PC building service.

A new TAG Heuer Nintendo watch is on the way. We have covered our fair share of crossover watch collaborations, including the AP Black Panther timepiece and these TAG Heuer x Porsche models, but this will be essentially the first luxury Nintendo wearable yet. The upcoming TAG Heuer Nintendo watch looks to be some kind of Super Mario-based design, and you can get a closer look, more details, and a link for a shot at early access down below. 

New Wave Toys has just unveiled its latest 1/6th scale arcade cabinet, bringing Q*bert into its lineup of popular RepliCade releases. Stacking up to 12 inches, the retro release arrives with plenty of authentic details alongside being a fully playable version of the classic game despite its compact size. With pre-orders having just gone live, you’ll want to head below for all of the details on adding this one to your retro gaming collection.

Just in time for the heat of summer, Oakley has debuted its new Kato Prizm 24K sunglasses. In honor of the Olympic Games, Team Oakley finalists at the Summer Games will be outfitted with Oakley Kato with Prizm 24K lenses “to unlock their superpowers in the pursuit of winning gold,” states Oakley. These sunglasses were designed to be sleek and lightweight, which is perfect for outdoor sporting events. Athletes will love the new streamlined design and the on-trend gold coloring. Be sure to head below the jump to find out all of the new 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.

• Apple’s latest iPad Air arrives at the second-best prices to date of $60 off
• Anker heads into weekend with discounted iPhone and Android essentials from $11
• Clip Spigen’s Valentinus AirTags Case onto your keychain at $15 (Save 25%)

Chances are, if you’ve looked for budget earbuds in the past, you’ve probably heard about EarFun. We’ve reviewed many of its wallet-friendly offerings in the past, with one of my favorite being the Free Pro. Today, we’re talking about the new EarFun Free 2. Priced at just $50, the EarFun Free 2 sits right in line with other budget-minded wireless earbuds. Be sure to check out the video below to see all of the details. 

Who doesn’t want a live-in robot cleaning their home for them? And while robot vacuums are no longer some far-off fantasy, Samsung is bringing a new level of detail with its latest and greatest. Meet the Jet Bot AI+ with object recognition. This intelligent robot vacuum is meant to understand your home the way you do: in 3-dimensions. Armed with Samsung’s most advanced LiDAR mapping yet, it works around your life with intelligent 3D rendering. And that doesn’t even cover all of the upgraded cleaning functions. So head below to find out more.

Sony is back again today with its next State of Play presentation — a series of live streams that showcase new and upcoming PlayStation games — featuring new Deathloop gameplay, indie titles, and more. After the Horizon Forbidden West State of Play back in May, Sony has made it quite clear we won’t be seeing any more of Guerilla’s upcoming open world epic, nor will the next God of War or next-generation PS VR details make an appearance, but we are expecting quite a “lengthy gameplay segment” from Bethesda’s upcoming time-bending FPS, Deathloop, among other things. It all starts now, and you can follow along down below. 

Hasbro is now expanding its Black Series collection of life-sized props by recreating an iconic Star Wars character who made their grand return in The Mandalorian. Sporting an all-new coat of paint from his recent Disney+ appearance, the latest Boba Fett helmet arrives with plenty of authentic details. Head below for a closer look at the new release and all of the details on locking in your pre-order to add this one to your Star Wars collection.

If you can’t make it out to a golf course as frequently as you’d like, Garmin has your back. The all-new Garmin Approach R10 is touted as a device that can “bring the course to you.” The portable launch monitor is the latest addition to the company’s Approach lineup and can be used at home, the driving range, and more. There are over 42,000 courses that you and up to three other golfers can virtually play through, but an annual or monthly Garmin Golf membership will be required. Metrics ranging from club head speed to ball speed, spin, launch angle, launch direction, smash factor, and more are captured and reported for each shot you take. Continue reading to learn more.

EA PLAY Live 2021 The Future of FPS comes in full at the end of the month, but today, we got a spotlight showcase with a few notable announcements. For one, Chad Grenier, the game director of Apex Legends, announced that we’ll be getting a ranked version of Arenas starting in Season 10. Plus, the general manager of Ripple Effect Studios, the team behind Battlefield 2042, gave some additional insight into the Hazard Zone mode in the upcoming title. Ready to learn more? Let’s take a deeper dive below.

The LEGO Ninjago lineup has long been one of our favorites here at 9to5Toys, and headlining the theme are the City sets that tower above many of the other massive builds out there. Now, with the summer collection of sets having been announced after their launch next month, we’re getting the first report of a new LEGO Ninjago City expansion coming in 2022. Head below for everything we know so far and what you can expect from the upcoming set. 

Lululemon has a new tennis collection that will have you ready to serve, swing, and score in style. This new tennis collection was designed to up your game with stretch fabric that was made to move with you. This collection also features built-in storage and logos in spots to make you really stand out. You can find styles for both men and women alike and accessories to match. Plus, Lululemon offers free delivery on all orders. Head below the jump to find all of our top picks from Lululemon’s tennis collection.

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 prev-gen. iPad Pros are now even better bargains at up to $150 off
• iPhone 12 Pro/mini see rare cert. refurbished discounts at up to $139 off
• Apple’s latest Intel MacBook Air is now $399 off in Woot’s 1-day cert. refurb sale

Fossil is getting pumped for the release of Space Jam: A New Legacy with its own slam dunk collection. Featuring a lineup of new watches, bags, and more, all of these styles are inspired by the Looniest team in the multiverse. And for die-hard fans, we’re also getting word of a limited edition box set that brings all of the Tune Squad’s top players off the bench. So come on and slam that jump to find out everything we know about Fossil’s new Space Jam collection.

When it comes to UHD displays, Sceptre offers some of the most affordable on the market. This rings true for an all-new Sceptre 4K monitor that has recently surfaced at Amazon. It’s priced at just under $280 and boasts an up to 70Hz refresh rate. This beats out many of its UHD competitors with similar pricing, which have a tendency to top out at 60Hz when used in 4K. Other notable features include integrated speakers, four inputs, Blue Light Shift, and a VESA mount-ready design. Continue reading to learn more.

Today, Anker is expanding its stable of Soundcore offerings with a new pair of earbuds. Delivering many of the features we found to be enticing in its previous Liberty Air 2 Pro, the all-new Anker Soundcore Life P3 arrive with an even more affordable price tag. Complete with active noise cancellation alongside several bright colorways, you can get all of the details on the new earbuds down below.

Creality, a well-known name in the 3D printing space, recently announced the launch of its Ender-7, the company’s “fastest printer” yet. Compared to other FDM alternatives, Ender-7 prints at speeds of up to 250mm per second, while others only top out between 150-200mm per second. Slated to launch at $699, let’s take a closer look to see how the Ender-7 plans to change the game of 3D printing.

Today, the folks at Nomad are launching the brand’s latest accessory to pair with your iPhone 12. In what is one of its more unique offerings, the new Nomad Leather MagSafe Cover strays from being a companion accessory to Apple’s in-house charger itself and instead is designed to add some style to your magnetic charging setup. Comprised of genuine leather, you’ll want to head below for all of the details and some hands-on first impressions.

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.

• Rock out to a $60 discount on Apple’s AirPods Max at an Amazon all-time low
• Apple Watch Series 6 deals arrive just in time to try out the watchOS 8 public beta, now $100 off
• Score some stylish SSD storage with Seagate’s Ultra Touch USB-C drives from $77

The new Assassin’s Creed game almost always gets leaked, and it looks like it just happened again. Except this time, it’s not necessarily a new Assassin’s Creed game in the traditional sense, but rather some kind of live service experience that appears to be codenamed Assassin’s Creed Infinity. As opposed to the franchise’s usual (mostly) single-player experience that takes gamers to a particular point in history, it sounds like the franchise is moving over to more of a live service setup with multiple games smashed together and regular updates to keep the experience fresh. Head below for more details. 

Amazon has rolled out various changes, policies, and new programs over the course of the pandemic so far, but is now continuing that with its latest release. Launching its own brand of COVID-19 tests, Amazon will now ship at-home packages right to your door and then cover delivery back to one of its own lab work facilities. With 24-hour result turnaround times and no prescription needed, you can learn all about the new Amazon COVID-19 tests down below.

Have you been keeping up with Demon Slayer? As one of the hottest anime this year to sweep the United States and beyond, it’s about time this cultural phenomenon got the merch it deserves. Thankfully, UNIQLO is stepping up to bat with a new collection of Demon Slayer merch based on the popular anime adaptation. This 16-piece UT collection is packed with fresh styles and gorgeous artwork from the series. But what else would we expect from the iconic streetwear brand? Head below for more on UNIQLO’s new Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba UT collection.

You’re reading Tested with 9to5Toys, where we explore everyday tech essentials that make life a bit easier. Browse through our entire guide for all of the latest reviews, and sound off in the comments below if there’s something you’d like to see featured.

Earlier in the year, we took a hands-on look at one of Twelve South’s latest wallet cases, and our readers’ reaction was mixed, to say the least. While the BookBook stylings aren’t for everyone, the brand’s new SurfacePad for iPhone 12 looks to be a much less polarizing way to store ID cards, cash, and more with your handset. Sporting an ultra-thin design comprised of leather, our latest Tested with 9to5Toys review looks to see just how much more of a people-pleaser the new Twelve South MagSafe SurfacePad case can be.

The new Monopoly Animal Crossing game board is now up for pre-order. After quickly appearing at Walmart and GameStop before being taken down (it still appears in some GameStop stores by the sounds of it), Entertainment Earth is now offering pre-orders on the new special edition Monopoly set at $24.99. While we await pre-order listings for the new Switch OLED console model Nintendo announced this morning, it looks like fans of its adorable island-building game world are now able to (legitimately) order the new Monopoly Animal Crossing Edition board game. More details below. 

Update: Now available for pre-order at Amazon.

Sony is doubling down on the wearable speaker market by adding yet another release to its portfolio. In photos, it does not appear to be as bulky as its predecessor, which we reviewed early last year. Upward-firing speakers, 20-hour battery life, dual beamforming microphones, and what Sony touts as a comfortable design all work together to deliver what the company touts as the “ultimate work-from-home companion.” It’s pitched as great for taking conference calls and listening to music while being able to “walk around in total comfort.” Continue reading to learn more.

Following Nintendo’s announcement of the Switch (OLED Model), we’re now taking a look at two upcoming games, with one launching today and the other coming sometime next year. Ubitus K.K. is a “world-leading cloud gaming provider” and today announced the release of A Plague Tale: Innocence – Cloud Version, as well as the upcoming launch of A Plague Tale: Requiem – Cloud Version coming sometime in 2022 to Nintendo Switch. Given that we saw no actual performance increase for the Switch (OLED Model), it’s evident that more demanding games like A Plague Tale and Hitman before it will continue to be the solution for portable gamers. What all comes with this release? 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’re available.

• Apple just released its new M1 11-inch iPad Pro, and now you can already save $50
• Belkin’s Magnetic Wireless Charger lets you try out MagSafe for less at $25 (First discount)
• OnePlus 9 Pro sports five Hasselblad-backed cameras at a new Amazon low of $99 off

Today, we’re getting two new additions to the LEGO BrickHeadz lineup with the latest expansions to the Pets theme. Entering with two upcoming pairs of brick-built critters to assemble, everything is headlined by hamsters joining the lineup for the first time alongside new Ginger Tabby cats. Launching later this summer, you’ll want to head below for all of the details on the latest BrickHeadz Pets.

After years of speculation, Nintendo just took to its official Twitter feed to unveil the brand new Nintendo Switch OLED model. It is said to bring the “versatility of the Nintendo Switch experience with a vibrant 7-inch OLED screen, a wide adjustable stand, and more.” It is set for release on October 8, 2021. 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’re available.

• Save up to $549 on Apple’s previous-generation MacBook Pro, more (Refurb)
• OnePlus 9 falls to new Amazon all-time low following $80 discount
• Anker kicks off the week with deals on solar power banks, outdoor cameras, more from $14

Update: LEGO’s new 1,300-piece Seinfeld Jerry’s Apartment set is now available for purchase for LEGO VIP members.

Today, the LEGO Group is finally releasing one of its most highly anticipated sets, giving Seinfeld fans a chance to bring the famous comedian’s ionic NYC flat to their brick-built collections. Debuting as the latest LEGO Ideas set, the upcoming Jerry’s Apartment stacks up to over 1,300 pieces while including five brand-new minifigures of the cast. Complete with tons of authentic details, you’ll want to head below for more.

With much of the LEGO summer 2021 lineup already having been unveiled, we’re now beginning to get a better idea of what to expect from the remaining Star Wars kits. From the year’s latest Ultimate Collector Series releases to detail-packed recreations from The Mandalorian, head below for all of the details on what to expect from the five remaining LEGO Star Wars sets in 2021. 

You’re reading Tested with 9to5Toys, where we explore everyday tech essentials that make life a bit easier. Browse through our entire guide for all of the latest reviews, and sound off in the comments below if there’s something you’d like to see featured.

Earlier this year, Nomad launched its latest collection of Apple Watch bands to deliver a series of premium offerings. Comprised of either titanium or steel, the latest releases look to match Apple’s in-house styles at more affordable price tags. So does Nomad deliver? That’s what we’re finding out in our latest Tested with 9to5Toys. Head below for all of the details on Nomad’s Titanium Apple Watch Band.

Build-A-Bear Workshop is breaking out a new fan favorite from the Star Wars universe, and the cuteness overload is already leaving some itching for more. Adorable, fun-sized, and armed to the teeth, say hello to the new Build-A-Bear Jawa plushie. It comes complete with a 5-in-1 sound chip and a new blaster accessory. This menacing little scavenger features tons of design choice inspired by the original film. So hit the jump to find out more about this and other exciting Star Wars deals happening below.

Working from home has caused many of us to become very creative in the realm of productivity. Since clear audio and video is something everyone can appreciate, the last year has caused many folks to upgrade their webcam, microphone, and more. For anyone that has yet to do this, an upcoming 4K document camera from IPEVO could be the perfect way to address several issues. In addition to scanning documents, IPEVO V4K Pro also functions as a dedicated webcam with an onboard microphone. It is upheld by an adjustable aluminum arm, ensuring you can find a great viewing angle for meetings, document captures, and more.

Nikon’s latest mirrorless APS-C camera, dubbed the Z fc, features a 20.9MP sensor and is designed to be your retro 4K shooter. This time around, Nikon adopted an older styling for its new camera while still packing the latest-generation technology. What all can the Nikon Z fc do and when can you buy it? Let’s take a closer look.