News

Today, Amazon is refreshing its lineup of Echo Show Alexa displays with three new versions. Sporting upgraded cameras and new human detection capabilities for smart home automation, the Echo Show 8 arrives alongside a refined version of the smaller Show 5 and a new colorful Kids edition. Now available for pre-order ahead of the June launch, you’ll find all of the details on how Amazon has updated things this time around down below.

We’ve seen a lot of lightweight ambidextrous mice lately, both in the wired and wireless variant. But, for those who want a little more functionality out of their mouse with a durable design and some bright RGB, then the new Rival 5 from SteelSeries might tick all the boxes. With nine buttons, a seemingly durable ergonomic build, and weighing 85g, the SteelSeries Rival 5 comes in at a reasonable $60. Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details. 

Destiny 2 Season 14, Season of the Splicer, launched today. With it comes quite a bit of new content, but there’s one thing that’s working for some that we’ve been waiting for: cross-play. Now, it’s not in full swing, and it doesn’t work in every scenario, but multiple people have reported being able to cross-play with PC and Xbox in Season of the Splicer. This feature wasn’t set to roll out until Season 15, which launches this fall, but it’s awesome to see it already working. So, let’s take a closer look as to why cross-play is seemingly working, as well as the other changes that Destiny 2: Season of the Splicer brings to the table.

Razer is lifting the veil on its latest and arguably most popular portable gaming machine: the all-new Razer Blade 15 Advanced. Offering improved performance and decked out touchscreen capabilities, the Blade 15 Advanced also touts itself as the thinnest 15-inch RTX gaming laptop available. And lest we forget the unprecedented 360Hz 1080p display, or 4K60 quality for those who favor a lifelike picture quality. We’ll be going in-depth on all this and more, so hit the jump to find out how you can cop this zenith of gaming machinery.

Much like Apple AirTag, Apple Pencil was a product that came along and largely decimated much of the competition. Adonit is a company that has continued to deliver all sorts of Apple Pencil alternatives, but the latest takes things even further. Not only does Adonit AI-Vocal tap into iPad palm-rejection technology like Logitech Crayon and others, it sports a secondary mode that lets it also behave as an iPhone stylus. An even more notable addition is the built-in voice recorder, which has enough internal storage to hold nine hours of audio. Continue reading to learn more.

After launching its first AirTags accessories back when Apple first announced the item finders, Nomad is back today with the debut of two new ways to pair the accessories. The new Nomad AirTags Rugged Keychain enters with a waterproof design and can even be used as a pet tag thanks to an optional engraved stainless steel insert. Now available for pre-order, head below for all of the details and to lock in special launch pricing.

Backcountry’s Trail Running Guide has you covered with the best running shoes and gear to help you tackle those strenuous spring hikes. This guide features top-of-the-line footwear and apparel for the trail. Backcountry has a group of specialists that trained on over 10,000 tread-to-trail miles during their annual company adventure to create this specific guide. So if you like to trail run, be sure to head below the jump to find all of Backcountry’s buyers’ favorites shoe and apparel. Also, check out the new Cole Haan new Tennis Collection that just launched.

Oakywood — maker of a range of Apple gear accessories and the like — is introducing its new lineup of washpapa tech accessories with the new Felt MacBook Case and Felt iPad Case. Both options combine soft merino wool felt the brand is known for and the eco-friendly leather alternative, washpapa. We previously took a hands-on look at the felt wool AirPods cases, as well as its walnut and polycarbonate iPhone 12 Bumper Case, but it’s now time to take a look at the new washpapa felt MacBook and iPad cases. Head below for a closer look. 

Wyze has been fairly quiet with launches so far this year. After releasing several products at the end of 2020, the company is finally getting back in the swing of things. Essentially, we’ve got one product a month so far with the handheld vacuum, Bulb Color, and Floor Lamp. What’s new? Wyze is launching some in-ear earbuds with the Buds Pro. Featuring a Qi wireless charging case, 10mm drivers, Alexa built-in, and more, these earbuds could become a go-to choice for those who don’t want to drop over $100 on Apple’s AirPods. So, without further ado, let’s dive into what Wyze Buds Pro has to offer.

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 $149 and upgrade to Apple’s latest M1 MacBook Air at the best prices yet
• Score Apple Watch SE styles at $40 off, marking the best prices of the year
• Google’s new Nest Hub with Soli sleep tracking sees very first discount to $85

Update: Now available at $149.99 for LEGO VIP members.

Today, the LEGO Group is returning to the sitcom world of Friends with the debut of its latest creation starring Joey, Rachel, Ross, Monica, and the rest of the gang. Stacking up to over 2,000 pieces, the new LEGO Friends Apartment set is packed with references to the popular series alongside brick-built recreations of some of the most iconic flats in all of New York City. Head below for all of the details.

RAM is a crucial aspect of any desktop, and with more and more cases featuring transparent side panels, how your memory looks is becoming just as important. Because of this, PNY’s latest XLR8 lineup of EPIC-X RGB RAM features a beautiful design as well as high-end specs, like a 4000MHz clock speed.

Today, MSI is releasing a number of gaming laptops that have some killer features. You’ll find the latest 11th generation Intel processors here alongside RTX 30-series graphics cards, Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 6E, 2.5GbE, and much more in MSI’s new computers. With a wide range of options available in all budgets, let’s take a look at the latest that MSI has to offer with 11th gen Intel processors and RTX 30-series graphics cards.

We first heard about Mass Effect: Legendary Edition back in February. With fresh information being released over the past few months, the game is set to launch on console and PC this Friday. Featuring brand-new 4K visuals, enhanced performance, and HDR, there’s quite a bit to explore in Mass Effect: Legendary Edition. So, without further ado, let’s take a closer look at the game and where you can pre-order it.

Reebok is delivering a bundle of Mother’s Day styles in collaboration with recent celebrity mama Cardi B. The “Mommy & Me” collection features an array of glitzy club sneakers, in keeping with the partnership’s earlier releases. And here’s the kicker, all of them will be available in adult, child, and toddler sizes so mom can share the glam with her little ones. This expansion marks only the latest in a closet-full of killer looks already on the market, so you’ll be covering these new releases and more right below the jump.

Just six months after the Samsung Smart Monitor portfolio made its original debut, the company appears to already have yet another model lined up for release. Not only does it come in a new size, but it also features some small, yet notable design changes. Until now, Samsung Smart Monitors were available in 27- and 32-inch sizes, but today’s discovery shows that the company will soon offer a smaller 24-inch solution. An image of the remote showcases that it will not only have a slightly different shape but also a dedicated microphone button. Continue reading to learn more.

Update: Since our initial coverage, we’ve received first look at several upcoming Mandaloran kits, as well as two Clone Wars creations.

Summer is quickly approaching, and all of the details on what to expect from the upcoming LEGO Star Wars lineup are falling into place. After getting a first look at the wave from last week’s Bad Batch Shuttle debut, we’ve now confirmed some reports that indicate we’ll see a new UCS AT-AT alongside a series of sets centered around the Mandalorian. Head below for all of the details.

Cole Haan, the popular shoe, outerwear, and accessory brand, is ready for tennis season. The brand recently just launched a new collection with options for both men and women to help boost your tennis game. The new shoe is called the ZERØGRAND Winner, and it joins running and golf as the third sports performance category offered by the brand. These shoes feature an ideal fit, steady traction, and responsive cushioning. There are four new styles to choose from for men and women alike, and they’re all priced at $130. Better yet, Cole Haan Members (free to sign-up) receive complimentary delivery on all orders. Be sure to hit the jump to find out even more details about the new Cole Haan tennis collection.

Grovemade is launching a new solid brass MagSafe stand for iPhone 12. After just recently taking a hands-on look at the very first MagSafe charging stand from Twelve South, it’s time to see what the latest from Grovemade has going for it. The higher-end Apple accessory brand unveiled its iPhone 12 Wood MagSafe Stand late last year but is now adding to the lineup with a brand new, solid brass variant and a particularly expensive price tag to match. Head below for 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.

• Woot’s 1-day Apple Watch and iPhone sale starts at $120 (Cert. Refurb)
• Save on nearly all of Apple’s official iPhone 11/Pro/Max cases from $15
• Apple’s official MagSafe Charger has dropped to a new all-time low at $30 (Save 23%)

The LEGO group is taking to Twitter today to tease what looks like will be one of its latest creations. Ahead of the Stranger Things season four premier sometime later this year, we’re getting a first look at what will likely be the latest addition to the LEGO Netflix theme. Head below for everything we know so far and what you can expect from the upcoming set. 

Expanding on their lineup of portable and durable thin and light laptops, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano hits a new low by coming in at just under two pounds. With an 11th Gen Intel processor, huge battery life, and a bright, sharp screen, it’s an easy-to-use portable option for on-the-go professionals. Be sure to hit the video below to check out all the details.

Turtle Beach just announced its latest headset, the Recon 500. While it’s an addition to the popular Recon lineup of headsets, there’s something that this specific model brings to the table that no other pair before it did: 60mm Eclipse Dual Drivers. These are a “first-of-their-kind” patented tech that offers “separate high and low frequencies” for “ultra-detailed gaming audio across a massive soundstage.” This is far from the only improvement being made here, so keep reading to find out more.

Every year, the LEGO Group has been heading into the holiday season with the launch of a collectible Batman creation ranging from models of the hero’s classic vehicles to detailed recreations of iconic locations throughout Gotham City. With reports starting to come out surrounding the summer LEGO set lineup and beyond, it’s looking like 2021 will see the debut of a refreshed Batman Tumbler from the Dark Knight trilogy. Head below for everything we know so far and what you can expect from the upcoming set. 

To me, nothing says spring like spending sunny days out on a bike trail and cool rainy evenings curled up with a comfort show. And thankfully, Toshiba is releasing a new line of upgraded Fire TVs that are built to accommodate anyone’s setup and routine. Starring the coveted 4K screen with color remastering, this instant home-theatre also features DTS Virtual X audio engineering and an Alexa voice remote. There’s a lot to unpack with this powerhouse TV, so hit the jump for more info.

Apple and many other players in the smartwatch industry tend to create solutions that appeal to the masses. Garmin does this too, but it’s also made a name for itself by developing a burgeoning list of tailor-made smartwatches that can handle specific hobbies that others cannot. The new Descent MK2S is made specifically with hardcore water-related activities in mind and can even handle scuba diving. While there’s no arguing that this Garmin diving smartwatch will ever lead the market, it’s one of the only options our there that can handle 100-meter depths. Continue reading to learn more.

Seagate recently announced that, as of mid-May, it will be removing the ability for users to remotely connect to its lineup of NAS by shutting down its Access program. Effectively relegating its NAS to nothing more than a standard hard drive, today, we’re taking a look at all of the best Seagate Access alternatives, ranging from Synology units to just upgrading your existing router with NAS capabilities. Head below for all of our recommendations.

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.

• Pre-order Apple’s new M1 11-inch iPad Pro with Thunderbolt and save $50
• Best Buy launches Mother’s Day weekend sale with HomePod mini bundles and more
• Nike adds new markdowns up to 40% off: FlyKnit, Dri-FIT, joggers, more

Today, Seagate is refreshing its lineup of popular One Touch hard drives and solid-state storage with a new NVMe-based series of drives. Updating both the visuals and performance this time around, the new Seagate One Touch SSD arrives with a new compact form-factor alongside up to 1,030MB/s transfer speeds, USB-C connectivity, and up to 2TB capacities. Head below for all of the details.

Oakley drops new sunglasses called “Kato” that are perfect for this summer. These shades feature a wraparound lens that partially covers the nose and are ready for your next bike ride, softball game, run, or golf outing. This new style literally conforms to the face and is a never-before-seen design. They come with three different fits, and the Prizm lens helps you to see clearly. Head below the jump to find even more details about the new Oakley Kato sunglasses. You will also want to check out the new Teva x Polaroid Collection that has new sandals and a vintage Polaroid camera to capture memories this summer.

Today we take a closer look at the Ukutune UKD90 Solid Flamed Koa Wood Ukulele — the brand’s high-end natural wood tenor model. Last time around, we went hands-on with the far more affordable UKA1 model, but today we’re stepping it up a notch with solid Koa wood construction, a walnut fingerboard, and classic detailing. This one looks great in pictures, easily standing next to the big-name brands, but let’s dive in to see how it sounds and actually feels in your hands. 

GIGABYTE, a leader in PC gaming hardware, just announced its first prebuilt desktop rigs. These new flagship computers offer the latest and highest-end parts from Intel, AMD, and NVIDIA built exclusively with GIGABYTE components. But that’s not the only thing that makes these computers stand out, as GIGABYTE has a unique function they’re doing with the latest AORUS desktops. So let’s dive in and take a look at what makes the new GIGABYTE AORUS gaming desktops unique.

Bosch has become a well-respected brand in the tool market. This tends to take some time, and with a founding date of 1886, the company has certainly put in the effort. The latest product to receive an upgrade is Bosch Blaze. So what features does then second generation have in store? It can capture 11 different types of measurements, including length, area, volume and more. Owners will also garner haptic feedback, a range of 165 feet, and 67% faster performance. Continue reading to learn more.

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.

Satechi has long been in the market of supplying those in the Apple ecosystem with a variety of accessories that not only look great with matching aluminum finishes but also upgrade some aspect of your setup. Earlier this year, the brand launched its first charging station geared towards tackling the power requirements of five devices with its Satechi Dock5. Today, we’re taking a hands-on look at the unique charger to see if its versatile design is actually worthy of gracing your desk setup or nightstand. Head below for all of the details in our latest Tested with 9to5Toys review.

Teva collaborates with Polaroid for a really fun summer collection. Inside this new line, you will find four different sandals options that are all gender-neutral and great for warm weather. Not only are the sandals going to make a statement this summer, but there’s also a Teva x Polaroid 600 camera with a total vintage vibe that’s very on-trend. The two brands celebrated for capturing life’s monumental moments, and the entire collection exhibits just that. Better yet, Teva offers free delivery on all orders. Be sure to head below the jump to find out all of the Teva x Polaroid collection 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 Watch Series 6 now up to $100 off with rare savings on Nike+, Cellular, more
• Woot launches prev-gen. iPhone sale from $125: 11 Pro/Max $349 off, much more
• Save $100 on Samsung’s Galaxy S20 FE Android Smartphone at $600

After airing on May the 4th, the LEGO Group now is now launching a new creation from The Bad Batch series in the form of the iconic Clone Force 99’s shuttle. The new 969-piece creation enters with five all-new and exclusive minifigures of the unique Clone troopers alongside two speeder bikes and the shuttle itself. Head below for all of the details.

The Movo UM700 Desktop Studio Microphone is an affordable mic aimed at podcasters and videographers doing voiceovers or to-camera pieces. At around $100, I found it delivers excellent bang for the buck to videographers.

My primary need for a USB mic is for video narration, but I found it also performed really well for other scenarios – even if it didn’t quite live up to all of its promises …

Today, Nintendo is launching its latest way to get Switch owners in on the action of designing and programming their own games. Building off of Nintendo Labo’s momentum, the upcoming Game Builder Garage offers a suite of tools to code games and craft unique levels with an intuitive interface geared towards first-time developers. Head below for all of the details.

Hardspace: Shipbreaker is in Early Access on Steam, allowing you to “experience daily life as a shipbreaker.” You’ll join the ranks of the Lynx corporation and “live the dream right away.” Though there were some aspects of a campaign at launch, the game will be getting updated tomorrow, May 6, with the first act of a fully voiced campaign. So, what will that include? Let’s take a closer look.

Anker is launching its latest in the eufy HomeVac lineup, and this time it’ll save you more than just space. The new HomeVac S11 Lite cordless stick vacuum weighs in at three and a half pounds. Armed with a 75AW motor for up to 35 minutes of battery life, it rounds out as one of Anker’s most affordable HomeVacs to date. All the info you need on this budget-friendly home tool is right below the jump.

It’s hard to beat NOMAD’s portable grill and smoker, but Cusinart is not going down without a fight. Unlike NOMAD, Cuisinart’s latest foldable grill has a built-in stand that elevates it to a comfortable cooking level. When compared with its previous model, this unit offers more cooking space, a higher BTU count, and trades many of the lower-quality materials for stainless steel throughout. Folks will be able to more easily grill on-the-go or simply free up space at home when it is not in use. Continue reading to learn more.

Under Armour has dropped a 25th Anniversary collection with shoes, gear, and accessories. Inside the collection you’ll find 77 new on-trend items. Plus, pricing in the Under Armour Anniversary collection starts at $14, and there are items available for men, women, and kids. Under Armour also offers free delivery on purchases of $60 or more. Head below the jump to find all of our top picks from the new line.

Also, be sure to check out our latest guide to to the new Nordstrom x Nike collection that also has pricing from just $14.