News

While the show proper doesn’t start until June 12, OtterBox is unofficially kicking off E3 2021 today with the announcement of its new Power Swap Controller Batteries. Officially part of the “Designed for Xbox program,” the OtterBox Power Swap Controller Batteries offer what the brand refers to as an “industry-first power solution for console and cloud gamers at E3” with uninterrupted gameplay time in a complete wire-free setup. Head below for a closer look. 

E3 2021 is scheduled to kick off on Saturday, June 12, but we will actually be getting some major presentations well before that, including today’s Summer Game Fest showcase. Hosted by video game personality Geoff Keighley, Summer Game Fest initially started last year as a sort of replacement for the cancelled E3 2020 event and has transformed into what will presumably be a yearly summer celebration of gaming. This year it’s showing up to E3 2021 with a host of its own special game reveals and announcements including Call of Duty: Black Ops – Cold War content, Among Us, gameplay world premieres, and some “other surprises and reveals.” It all starts now, and you can watch the live stream down below. 

Father’s Day is less than two weeks away, and if you haven’t picked up a gift yet, this guide is for you. With summer officially here as well, we’re rounding up the best new sunglasses for men in 2021. Whether you’re looking for a sport, casual, or business style, we’ve found several great styles for you. So be sure to head below the jump to find our top picks in new sunglasses this summer.

I’ve spent the past few weeks with the Cricut Maker 3, and I have to say it’s actually a fairly impressive upgrade. Coming from the original Maker, which was already quite impressive, the Maker 3 could very easily be an upgrade that many at-home crafters make. From the introduction of the new Smart Materials to other upgrades like faster cutting, the Maker 3 helps at-home crafting become much easier. So, should you buy or upgrade? Let’s take a closer look in our hands-on review of the Cricut Maker 3.

Incase is making its mark in the fight against climate change with its latest collaboration on bags with Bionic and WaterKeeper Alliance. The bags are made of recovered ocean plastic and are sturdy and stylish. They also help to reduce waste and clean up our planet’s precious coastal areas. We go over each of the four new recycled Incase bags in detail below, so hit the jump to find out more about these pollution-pummeling packs.

Today’s the day. Battlefield 2042 has been announced, and we got our first glimpse at the game during the reveal trailer. Battlefield is out of the early 20th century and is now solidly seated 21 years in the future, taking place in 2042. This time around, you’ll have to battle dynamic storms, environmental hazards, and “total combat freedom” to become the winning team in the up-to-128-player battles. So, what all did we learn today? Let’s take a closer look.

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.

Apple Watch bands come in just about every style imaginable at this point, but the folks at Twelve South are still managing to mix things up from the norm with the recent launch of its ActionSleeve 2. While the upper arm form-factor isn’t entirely new, the more durable materials and improved design look to make the brand’s latest debut an even more compelling exercise companion. But does the band actually deliver on that? We’re finding out in our latest Tested with 9to5Toys review.

Garmin is probably best-known for GPS units, but the company has diversified into a wide variety of other product categories. Examples include smartwatches, range finders, fitness equipment, and even backup cameras. Dash cameras is yet another arena that the company has been competing in, and today it has unveiled four upgraded models. Each unit can be controlled using voice, and saved videos are automatically saved to Garmin’s secure online Vault to simplify viewing and sharing your favorite clips. Continue reading to learn more.

After getting a first look at the latest LEGO Marvel creations last month, two of the all-new Infinity Saga kits are now seeing their very first discounts. Over at trusted retailer Zavvi, you’ll be able to bundle the upcoming Benatar Guardians’ Ship and Avengers: Endgame Final Battle sets for $214.99 shipped. While you’d typically pay $150 and $70 for each of the creations, this is not only your first chance to save on the new creations but a chance to score them ahead of launch. With a release date of August 1 here in the United States, Zavvi will ship the latest MCU-inspired creations to your door well before you’ll find them on store shelves. Get all of the details in our launch coverage, and then head below for more on the LEGO Infinity Saga set sale.

After unveiling its 12-in-1 Mortal Kombat Legacy Cabinet and seven others at CES earlier this year, Arcade1Up is now announcing a new Simpsons arcade machine. And by new we mean a sort of re-release of The Simpsons classic arcade in celebration of the original’s 30th anniversary. We still don’t have all of the details on the new 3/4 scale machine just yet, but we do have pre-order information and a closer look at the marquee art down 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.

• Tim Cook really wants you to try MagSafe, Apple’s official iPhone 12 charger hits $33.50
• Apple’s latest iPad Air arrives at the second-best Amazon price to date of $50 off
• Nike’s popular Air Max sneakers plummet up to 56% off, styles for everyone from $27

Today, the LEGO Group is expanding its collection of fan-inspired creations with the latest Ideas set, a new life-sized typewriter. Delivering the signature design you’d expect from the classic typing instrument, this new 2,079-piece build sports a working typing mechanism to complement its display-worthy details. Head below for all of the details. 

As we add more and more devices to our daily lives, charging areas can start to become a cluttered eyesore. RapidX, which is no stranger to charging accessories, has recently released its latest clutter-cutter — the MyCharging Station. With four USB ports, a 10W wireless charging pad, a holder for an Apple Watch, and two standard outlets, it’s a great way to clean up a popular charging spot in your home. Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details.

Swatch’s latest collaboration looks beyond the stars. From jumpsuits to juggernauts, the Swiss watch company is partnering with NASA to deliver its new space collection. This five-piece series includes some NASA stylings that fans of the program are sure to love. We go over every inch of this final frontier in watchmaking, so hit the jump for more info.

We first looked at the wired version of the Model D back in March of last year and then the wireless Model O in February of this year. Well, it’s time to take a look at the Model D Wireless, a newcomer to the scene. With 71 hours of battery life and a price of just $80, it’s easy to say this could be the mouse that changes you, just like the Model O changed Jordan earlier this year. What all does the Glorious Model D Wireless bring to the table? Let’s take a closer look.

Earlier this month the LEGO Group released its largest Marvel creation to date in the form of a new 3,700-piece Daily Bugle build fit for J. Jonah Jameson himself. With an impressive attention to detail, plenty of callbacks to the Spider-Man universe, and a staggering 25 minifigures, we’ve assembled the all-new build to see just how amazing the mainstay in NYC really is. Hit the jump to find out if the largest LEGO Marvel set yet is worth all the attention.

Bad posture paves the way for all sorts of aches and pains. This is a large reason why there is an overwhelming list of competing ergonomic laptop, tablet, and monitor stands on the market. Their goal is to reduce neck and shoulder pain by bringing the top of your display up to eye level. While an ergonomic desk setup is very important, it will only help when working in your office. The new Upright GO S helps perfect your posture by simply tapping you on the back whenever you slide into a slouching position. Continue reading to learn more.

Today, Sony is expanding its lineup of popular headphones with its latest pair of true wireless offerings. As a successor to the brand’s fan-favorite ANC earbuds, the all-new Sony WF-1000XM4 earbuds arrive with improved active noise cancellation, thanks to the introduction of an Integrated Processor V1, alongside 24-hour battery life, a 40% smaller design, and other improvements. Head below for all of the details.

Thomas Rhett, an American award-winning country singer, debuted a collaboration with the footwear brand Chaco just in time for summer weather. The new collection features two limited-edition designs inspired by Rhett’s passion for the outdoors. Plus, 10% of proceeds from the sales of the Thomas Rhett Collection will be donated to Love One International. This organization provides medical care to children in Uganda, which is where his adopted daughter was born. Be sure to head below the jump to find out even more details about the Thomas Rhett x Chaco collaboration.

Today, out of San Diego, we are getting the announcement of new environmentally sustainable MagSafe cases from LifeProof. A well-known brand in the protective smartphone case world, LifeProof’s latest will be made from as much as 50% recycled materials alongside an iPhone 12 version packed with Apple’s magnetic charging and accessory system. The brand will even be donating on behalf of customers to help the cause. 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.

• Save $469 on Apple’s 2020 Intel MacBook Air at a new all-time low in this refurb Woot sale, more
• Upgrade to Apple Watch Series 6 ahead of watchOS 8 on sale from $329 (Save $70)
• Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro drop to $140 as a new all-time low arrives (Save 30%)

Amazon officially announced that Prime Day will be running from June 21-23, with a selection of non-stop discounts over the two-day event. There are plenty of ways to prepare for Amazon’s big event, and you should certainly consider reading through our guide so you’re ready to go. While you’ll be able to save on just about everything from the latest tech to home goods, fashion, and more, today we’re making a few predictions on what kinds of specific discounts might arrive from Amazon. Head below for five potential deals we might see and all of our other Prime Day 2021 expectations.

Massively multiplayer online games (MMO for short) can be a load of fun. Sure, things like Apex Legends, Call of Duty, and many other titles are technically MMO, but nothing fits the category better than sims, I think. While I’m still waiting for proper multiplayer support in Sims 4, there’s a distinct lack of fun in online multiplayer sims that don’t have some form of heavy story to them. In comes Palia, a unique MMO that features an “enchanting world full of mystery.” You play as a newly re-emerged human in Palia, where you’ll have to find your place in the world. What all does it entail, and how does the game itself look? Well, the trailer has me intrigued for sure, so let’s take a closer look.

We’re getting closer to the summer and the inevitable launch of a collection of new LEGO creations. Today, the likes of Jurassic World are joining the handful of other themes that have been giving a new wave of models, with five upcoming creations inspired by the popular dino-packed franchise. Packed with everything from brick-built Carnotaurus and Baryonyx dinos to a unique new T. rex skeleton, you’ll want to head below for a look at all of the upcoming summer LEGO Jurassic World kits.

A new wave of consoles tends to lead to a bunch of new accessories, and a couple of new Hori offerings are now available for pre-order. There’s a new Hori DualSense Dual Charger and a 3D Surround Gaming Neckset that works with Xbox Series X|S. While the former tries to go head-to-head with Sony’s first-party DualSense charging dock, the same cannot be said about Hori’s gaming-focused Neckset. Wearable speakers have been made by Sony, Bose, and others, but none of those were specifically made with game consoles in mind. Continue reading to learn more.

The Stanley Quenchers are back. After seeing some notable deals on its classic gear for Father’s Day, Stanley is now announcing the rerelease of its best-selling Adventure Quencher Travel Tumbler. Constantly out of stock due to its popularity on social networking platforms, Stanley’s “Instagram-famous” tumbler is not only now available to order once again, but it’s also releasing with some new colorways today as well. Head below for more details on the new Stanley Quenchers. 

Father’s Day is quickly approaching, and a great way to spoil your dad this year is with a new cologne. Have him smelling his best with top brand colognes that just hit the market, including new scents from YSL, Acqua Di Gio, Givenchy, and more. So be sure to head below the jump where we’ve rounded up the top new cologne options for 2021. Plus, if you’re not on the hunt for cologne, be sure to check out our latest guide to the Columbia x Star Wars collection that just launched.

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 24-inch M1 iMac now up to $127 off
• Apple Watch deals start at just $125 in this 1-day refurbished sale: Series 5 and more
• Anker kicks off WWDC week with new iPhone accessory sale starting at $9

Prime Day is just a few weeks away now, and ahead of the 48-hour event, we’re helping you prepare with some essential tips and tricks so you don’t miss out on the best deals. Amazon’s summer sale is one of the more anticipated savings events of the year, and 2021 looks to be delivering on that with even more momentum than last year. Packed with deep discounts and non-stop Lightning deals, you’ll want to head below for all of the best ways to prepare for Amazon Prime Day 2021.

Over the past year or so, Ubiquiti has not only been bolstering it’s lineup of networking gear with new Wi-Fi 6 offerings and the like, but also stepping into the smart home world. The latest in these releases has manifested in an addition to the recent UniFi Access lineup, delivering the brand’s first smart lock. After getting some first look, it seems the release of Ubiquiti’s latest seems to be just around the corner. Head below for all of the details.

Mesh Wi-Fi systems are a great way to get seamless Wi-Fi throughout a large home. While they may sound difficult to understand and install, TP-Link makes it pretty easy with its Deco line of mesh systems. We took a look at the Amazon Choice for “Wif-Fi 6 mesh system,” the Deco X20 last year, and now have our hands on the $280 TP-Link Deco X68 — one of the latest systems. Rated at speeds up to 3600Mbps (though you’ll probably never see that) with enough range to cover a 5,500-sq.-ft. home, an easy-to-follow installation guide, and a robust app, it’s a great way to upgrade a home Wi-Fi system for better signal coverage. Be sure to hit the video below to check out all the details. 

While we’ve talked about network attached storage (NAS) devices many times, and we’ve taken an in-depth look at Blair’s massive 80 TB setup, we’ve never really looked at why you should pick different storage systems. Synology is quite popular, but so is TrueNAS and Unraid. If you’ve not heard of the latter two, however, nobody could blame you. However, in our guide today, we’re going to review Unraid vs. Synology vs. TrueNAS in the ultimate showdown to see which is the best for various different storage setups.

Essentially, Synology is synonymous with simple, easy-to-use hardware and software that you can pick up at most major electronics retailers, plug in, and be up and running. However, TrueNAS and Unraid are software that you install on existing hardware that’s already sitting at your home or business, which makes entry much easier for many folks on lower budgets. Do any of these options sound interesting to you? If so, then let’s take a closer look at why you should have a NAS, and which you should choose down below in our head-to-head Unraid vs. Synology vs. TrueNAS review.

After getting a first look at five new Star Wars creations, the LEGO Group is now officially unveiling the two upcoming builds inspired by The Clone Wars. Complete with a collection of exclusive minifigures, the two new kits assemble the most accurate version of the Mandalorian Starfighter to date alongside an iconic face-off between Ashoka Tano and Darth Maul. Head below for all of the details.

For sweet summer styles from a galaxy far, far away, Columbia is kicking off the season with its new Star Wars Outer Rim Collection. Featuring five new pieces for your warm-weather closet, you’ll find something here for the whole family. And with Columbia’s element-defying materials, you can stay safe and stress-free no matter the adventure. There’s plenty to dive into, so hit the jump for all the details on these sizzling sci-fi looks.

There are plenty of streaming microphones on the market, but when it comes to premium solutions that look fantastic, the list shrinks considerably. Just last week we covered ROCCAT Torch, but now EPOS B20 tries to steal the spotlight with a solid aluminum shell, USB-C connectivity, studio-quality audio, and more. The product debuts after 115 years of experience in the audio engineering business. Continue reading to learn more.

Back at CES in 2020, we got a look at LIFX’s first in-wall switch, which eventually launched with a focus on markets abroad. Now, the popular smart home lighting brand is delivering a more suitable upgrade for those here in the states with the debut of the new LIFX 2-button Smart Switch. Arriving with HomeKit support alongside Alexa and Assistant, the new arrival delivers an affordable way to bring overhead lighting into the rest of your setup. Head below for all of the details.

REI has collaborated with West Elm for a limited-edition collection to help get you outdoors this summer. All of the items in this new collection are perfect for a weekend getaway. This could be just in your backyard or into the mountains for an adventure. There are 11 new items to choose from, and pricing starts at $15. So be sure to head below the jump to find all of our top picks from the West Elm x REI collection.

Remember that quirky little Playdate handheld gaming console we featured last year? Well, it’s finally ready to hit store shelves after a series of delays alongside a completely new slate of launch titles and internals. Made in collaboration with equally as unique boutique tech brand Teenage Engineering, the mini hand crank-laden handheld looks as though it’s actually about to see the light of day with a launch presentation scheduled for next week. 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.

• All-new Apple TV 4K/HD with Siri Remote on sale for one of the first times from $139
• B&H launches new Apple sale with $150 off prev-gen. iPad Pro, rare AirPods Max offer, more
• Anker’s best-selling 20W USB-C charger drops to $13 in iPhone and Android essentials sale

Yesterday, Amazon announced its annual Prime Day sale, with Walmart following suit earlier today. Well, Target is getting in on the festivities as well with its Deal Days, featuring three days of “spellbinding savings — no membership fee required.” That’s right, Target’s “biggest digital sale of the summer,” which is set to take on Amazon Prime Day, is coming June 20-22. So, what all can we expect from Target Deal Days? Let’s take a closer look.

Razer is kicking off the summer season with a new battlestation upgrade fit for a captain, the Iskur X Ergonomic Gaming Chair. Whether you’re an established eSports pro, up-and-coming Twitch streamer, or just have a love for the sport, this chair was made for you. The Iskur X is crafted from steel and plush, velvety smooth synthetic leather. And it’s ergonomically designed to keep you in command through hours of intense play. We’ll be going over all the details below, so hit the jump to see if this one-of-a-kind throne can lead you to victory down below.

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.

With Apple’s own MagSafe wallet being a bit of a sore subject among iPhone 12 owners, third-party brands have stepped up to deliver better value in the space for touting around cash and cards with your handset. One of the more premium options as of late comes from the folks over at Twelve South, which just recently unveiled its new Book Book Leather MagSafe Wallet case. Now we’re seeing if its higher-end $70 price tag is worth paying up for in our latest Tested with 9to5Toys review.