News

After launching earlier in the year, the latest in augmented reality-enabled LEGO themes, VIDIYO, has had a tough time catching on amongst builders young and old. Now, a new report suggests that the theme may not even survive the year, as the LEGO Group is reportedly putting the theme on hiatus before potentially abandoning it altogether. Is all hope lost on the music video-making creations? Head below for all of the details on whether LEGO VIDIYO is canceled or not.

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.

• Best Buy Black Friday in July sale goes live with deep Apple discounts and more
• iPhone 12 mini sees up to $129 refurb discounts at new lows from $580
• Go on, give Apple’s official MagSafe Charger a try now that its down to $30 (Reg. $39)

Today, Nomad is launching its latest Apple accessory, bringing its usual leather stylings and premium materials to the recently released MagSafe Battery Pack. Arriving with a Horween leather build, the new add-on aims to elevate the look of the accessory while also making it more comfortable to wield. Head below for all of the details on the new Nomad Leather MagSafe Battery Pack cover.

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.

After featuring the new magnetic Cable Wrangler recently, it’s time to take a closer look at the Smartish MagSafe Gripmunk Case for iPhone 12. This new version of the Smartish classic carries the “super grippy” sides the brand’s previous-generation sheaths are known for as well as protective corners, an overall slim fit, and compatibility with Apple’s magnetic charging and accessory platform. Head below for our Smartish MagSafe Gripmunk Case review in the latest Tested with 9to5Toys feature. 

After seeing DSM 7 launch at the end of last month with a collection of new features, Synology is now rolling out another notable update to its lineup of popular NAS. Expanding its C2 storage program, the new Synology Password manager arrives with cloud sync, file sharing, and more. Head below for all of the details.

The Amazon Smart Soap Dispenser is the latest Alexa-compatible device to be released by the company. While it may not be exactly what anyone expected, it’s actually got quite a few tricks up its sleeve that could make it a worthwhile addition to your smart home. The device’s headlining feature is a group of LEDs along the top that serve as a 20-second countdown while you lather soap in your hands. Like other many other dispensers made by simplehuman and competing brands, this unit is automatic, so you won’t need to press any buttons. It can be paired with Echo devices and can even sense how far away your hand is in order to dispense more or less soap.

Today EA held its Play Live event that showcased some of its largest titles, including Apex Legends, Dead Space, and Battlefield 2042. From huge sandboxes where you can essentially create your own game to the reboot of a long-forgotten franchise, as well as additional information on the upcoming Legend entering the Apex Games, we have everything for you down below to read.

Back to school season is quickly approaching, and Nike just dropped its guide to the latest backpacks, apparel, and shoes to get a fresh start. Whether they’re heading down the hallway, going outside for recess, or stepping on the bus for the first time, Nike has great options for your kids. Nike Plus Members (free to sign-up) receive complimentary delivery. Head below the jump to find all of our top picks from the Nike Back to School Guide.

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.

• Best Buy clears out nearly all of Apple’s prev-gen. iPad Pro models at $199 off
• HomePod mini sees rare discounts for first time in months at $90
• Save $129 on a cellular Apple Watch Series 6 at a new Amazon all-time low of $370

While LEGO fans have plenty to look forward to come August thanks to a massive collection of new creations. But even before the latest hit store shelves, we’ve received a report detailing the next gift with purchase set which will be giving builders some additional incentives to pick up all-new creations come next month. Entering as the latest fan-voted LEGO Ideas promotional set, the upcoming Dream Holiday Sailboat will be setting sail come August. Head below for all of the details.

Continuing its line of products that step away from the battlestation, Razer’s new Opus X takes the ergonomic design of the older, more expensive Opus and simplifies the headphones while coming in at a more affordable price point. With a comfortable, lightweight design, low-latency Bluetooth, and ANC, the Razer Opus X is packed with features for the $100 price point. Be sure to hit the video below to check out all of the details.

Today, Hasbro is expanding its Star Wars Black Series and Vintage Collection figures with a series of new releases. Straight out of the fan-favorite 2D Clone Wars series, there are a handful of 6- and 3.75-inch collectibles, ranging from iconic Clone Trooper variants to Jedi knights and more. Head below for all of the details on six of the upcoming Hasbro 2D Clone Wars figures and our first look at three additional releases coming later on in the future.

Smart lighting has become a very competitive market. The number of options out there continues to increase rapidly, and a fresh partnership between Nokia and Smartlabs has led to five new products that now make up the Nokia Smart Lighting product lineup. These solutions include Paddle, Dial, Keypad, Outlet, and Bridge. Each offering features a minimalist aesthetic, touted as being able to “complement any style of home.” Continue reading to learn more.

Recently, LG announced the US rollout of its Eclair QP5 Dolby Atmos Sound Bar, its most compact model to date. Don’t let its small size fool you, as it does have full Dolby Atmos, as well as DTS:X support in a 3.1.2-channel setup. The wireless subwoofer delivers quality bass, and honestly, the entire setup looks killer as well. Should you pick up the LG Eclair QP5 Dolby Atmos Sound Bar? Let’s take a closer look.

After launching its latest Thunderbolt 4 dock last month, Anker is back today with the debut of its most recent addition to the PowerExpand lineup. Arriving with a 9-in-1 design, the latest USB-C offering from Anker arrives to retrofit your workstation with a bevy of ports alongside 60W charging output to Macs and other devices alike. Head below for all of the details on the new Anker PowerWave 9-in-1 USB-C Dock.

L.L. Bean has a new collaboration for Peanuts fans with a limited-edition collection. This new line has 23 items to help get you outside with Snoopy and Friends. Pricing in this collection starts at just $15 and there is something for everyone in the family. L.L. Bean offers free delivery on orders of $50 or more. Be sure to head below the jump to find all of our top picks from the L.L. Bean x Peanuts 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.

• Sonos Arc Dolby Atmos AirPlay 2 Sound Bar sees rare discount at $50 off, plus Move hits $349
• DJI Mavic Mini Combo drops to $399 just in time for summer aerial photography (Save $100)
• Save on nearly all of Apple’s official iPhone 11/Pro/Max cases from $23

It looks like we could be getting a new PlayStation 5 soon. Less than a year from its initial debut in November 2020, reports and new details from the official PlayStation site are pointing at what appears to be a new model revision of the all-digital PlayStation 5 with some slightly different specs. Details regarding the new PlayStation 5 were spotted in official documentation found on the Japanese PlayStation site alongside what appear to be official overseas retailer listings. Read on for more details. 

In today’s latest Xbox Wire post, we take a look at upcoming releases on Game Pass. While we’re still a week or so out from things like Flight Simulator 2020 launching on Xbox Game Pass, there are some titles available today as well. Whether you want to dive into Battlefield V through Xbox Cloud Gaming or take to the skies in Flight Simulator 2020, there are 12 total titles coming to Game Pass over the next week.

Today, Sony is launching its latest home theater upgrades, following up the folks at Klipsch who just unveiled its first Dolby Atmos offerings. Arriving as the new A7000 Sound Bar, Sony is also filling out its stable of home audio products with an even more immersive speaker system that delivers a new 360 spatial sound mapping technology. Head below for all of the details.

Sperry is getting you ready for back to school with the freshest kicks. Start the year off right with an array of sneakers, boat shoes, and loafers that are uniform-approved. There are 103 styles to choose from in the guide, and three different sections, too, including fall trends, uniform-approved, and a guide for K-5. Better yet, prices start at just $29 and Sperry offers free delivery on all orders. Be sure to head below the jump to find all of our top picks from the Sperry Back to School Guide.

We took a brief look at the basic leather options as Spigen’s initial offerings surfaced, but today we are diving into the new CYRILL clear and glitter AirTag cases. CYRILL — self described as Spigen’s more feminine sister brand — offers the aforementioned basic leather cover for Apple’s item trackers as well as the newer Shine lineup with crystal clear and adorable glittery designs. Regularly listed at $20 direct, we’re also tracking an early discount on them as well. Head below for 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’re available.

• Apple’s new 12.9-inch M1 iPad Pro delivers a Liquid Retina XDR display at $100 off
• Save $199 on Apple’s 13-inch M1 MacBook Air at a new low from $800
• Samsung’s 32-inch M7 4K Smart Monitor has built-in AirPlay 2, Netflix, more at $350

Today, we’re getting the first official look at the upcoming Ubiquiti Dream Machine Pro SE, which expands the UniFi ecosystem with its latest router, NVP, and gateway. With added perks of 2.5Gb Ethernet, four PoE ports, and an internal 128GB solid-state drive, this arrives as Ubiquiti’s most versatile offering yet. Head below for all of the details so far.

If you have any experience playing on a console with a wireless controller, chances are you’ve had to do a quick battery swap at a time that isn’t quite ideal, and then you lose connection and have to reconnect your controller to your system. Well, Otterbox’s latest charging accessory, the Xbox Power Swap controller batteries, helps to remedy that by providing a continuous connection to your console, even when swapping batteries. Hit the video below to see a short hands-on demonstration.

Reebok is breaking the mold with a new sneaker collection inspired by Jurassic Park. Featuring a plethora of styles, this seven-piece collection takes inspiration from every corner of the park. Bold colors and daring patterns have been spliced from the vehicles, laboratory, security, flora, and some mega-sized fauna. We’ll be diving in deep on some of the clear standouts, so hit the jump and cue the theme song. Welcome to the Reebok Jurassic Park collection.

After announcing a new wave of Nintendo-themed creations launching next month headlined by the brick-built debut of Luigi, the LEGO Group seems to have yet another notable Mario set in the reserves. Due out this fall, the latest direct-to-consumer set will be assembling an icon of Mushroom Kingdom, finally depicting Peach’s Castle as a microscale build. Head below for everything we know about the upcoming LEGO Nintendo Peach’s Castle set.

Paravel luggage is now available at Banana Republic to help you travel in style this summer. This luggage is sure to elevate your travel look with an array of fashion-forward suitcases, duffel bags, and backpacks. They pride themselves on their high-quality materials and timeless designs. Banana Republic also put together a guide of travel outfit ideas as well.

Banana Republic also offers free delivery on orders over $50. Be sure to head below the jump to find all of our top picks from the Banana Republic Paravel designs.

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 $110 on Apple’s latest iPad Air models at new all-time lows from $500
• Anker Gold Box goes live with up to 35% off Qi chargers, Lightning cables, more from $12
• Nomad launches 30% off summer sale with iPhone 12 MagSafe gear, AirTags cases, more

Today, Klipsch is out with two new sound bars, entering at some of the higher tiers of its stable of home theater audio offerings. The new flagship Klipsch Cinema 1200 is joined by the slightly lower-end Cinema 800 to bring Dolby Atmos into your setup complete with wireless subwoofers and up to 5.1.4-channel packages. With home theaters having more value than ever, we’re taking a hands-on look at the new Cinema 1200 to see just how good of a movie night experience Klipsch can deliver with its latest sound bar. Head below for all of the details.

Today, Anker is expanding its stable of charging stations with a new 3-in-1 offering that can refuel all of the gear in your Apple setup. Entering with a desktop- and nightstand-friendly form-factor, the new Anker PowerWave Go delivers a unique design that lets you go from refueling gear at home to charging on-the-go thanks to a convertible 10,000mAh power bank with integrated Qi charger to go alongside the dock itself. Now we’re taking a hands-on look at the latest charger, so head below for all of the details and our thoughts.

Earlier this year, the LEGO Group released the latest version of the galaxy’s most lovable droid, R2D2, as the more detailed recreation yet. Now we’re finally getting to take a hands-on look, to see just how authentic the most recent iteration is. Complete with over 2,300 pieces, the build packs in plenty of details alongside some working features. Head below for a closer look and all of our thoughts on the new LEGO R2-D2.

Today is the launch date of the latest Zelda title on Switch, with Nintendo bringing the contentious Skyward Sword to its hybrid console for the first time. Even more interestingly for many Hyrule fans, Nintendo also took today as an opportunity to launch a pair of all-new Skyward Sword Joy-Cons, complete with a unique color scheme and plenty of details straight out of the series. We’re now taking a hands-on look at the latest Switch controllers, which you’ll find all of the details on down below.

IK Multimedia is introducing its new AmpliTube X-GEAR digital effects pedals. These DSP-based stomp boxes bring the award-winning suite of guitar effects and more found in the company’s Amplitube modeling software to a more portable, physical form factor but also double as an audio interface for your home recording rig. Each of the four new AmpliTube X-GEAR digital effects pedals focus on a suite of specific FX and are now up for pre-order ahead of next month’s launch. More details below. 

Alongside announcing its Facecam yesterday, Elgato also released the Wave XLR and updated Stream Decks to bolster its live streaming lineup. The Wave:1 and Wave:3 microphones set themselves apart from other USB microphones by offering extremely customizable software, and Elgato has now brought that same feature set to XLR mics for those who want higher-quality audio. The Stream Deck update isn’t quite as big, though you’ll find removable USB-C cables and a redesigned face there as well. So without further ado, let’s take a closer look at Elgato’s latest products.

Today, Goal Zero is expanding its lineup of portable power stations with an all-new Yeti offering. Arriving as one of the more capable offerings from the brand, the new Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Core delivers 1200W of power alongside a rugged design and several ports to keep all of your gear charged while camping or tailgating. Head below for 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’re available.

• Apple refurb event goes live at Woot with iPhone 11, AirPods Pro, Apple Watch, more from $70
• Apple’s MagSafe Duo Charger is finally more affordable at $80 (Open-box, Orig. $129)
• Anker’s new weekend sale discounts iPhone and Android essentials, more from $16

Today, the LEGO Group is announcing its latest BrickHeadz figure, this time unveiling yet another seasonal character. This time around, builders will be able to assemble La Catrina, the icon of Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. Complete with the same blocky design we’ve come to know and love from BrickHeadz, this set includes plenty of new printed pieces and a vibrant design to really match the theme. Head below for all of the details in the LEGO BrickHeadz La Catrina.

CASETiFY is celebrating nearly 85 years of magic with its new Disney princess collection. Six classic fairytale femmes are sharing the spotlight here, including Tiana, Cinderella, Mulan, Jasmine, Ariel, and Belle. Disney lovers will find plenty to gush over in this collection, with a wide array of phone cases, Apple Watch bands, wireless chargers, and more. Hit the jump to keep reading.

Today, ElevationLab is launching its latest Apple accessory, this time focusing its sights on the official MagSafe charger. In what is a seemingly simplistic add-on, the new MagBase arrives to tackle one of the more irritating parts of Apple’s in-house magnetic charger. Gripping to a desk or nightstand, the new ElevationLab MagBase allows you to take advantage of MagSafe refueling while still being able to remove your iPhone 12 from the charger with just one hand. More details below.

A couple of new Belkin Always-On Laptop Sleeves have surfaced both at Amazon and on the company’s website. One model targets 11- to 12-inch laptops, while the other will accommodate 13- to 14-inch devices. Instead of surrounding a notebook only when being taken from one place to another, these Belkin’s new sleeves hold MacBooks, Chromebooks, and other laptops in place, even when in use. Twelve South SuitCase takes a similar approach, but doesn’t physically hold the laptop in any way. Continue reading to learn more.