News

It looks like a new Netflix Sonic show is on the way courtesy of Sega, Wild Brain Studio, and Man of Action Entertainment. Netflix has now taken to Twitter to confirm the existence of a new Sonic the Hedgehog series known as Sonic Prime. After a brief unveil was quickly deleted at the tail end of last year with no indication as to why, many correctly assumed the powers that be just weren’t quite ready to make the new Netflix Sonic show announcement. Fast-forward to this morning, and it appears as though the show is now full steam ahead with 24 episodes coming down the pipeline. Head below for more details. 

Today, LEGO is expanding its collection of mosaics with a customizable set that lets you craft your very own piece of art. The over 6,000 piece set stands out from other art-focused builds we’ve seen in the past by letting you turn portraits and other photos into a unique work of brick-built art. Head below for a closer look at the new Personalised LEGO Mosaic Portrait. 

King’s Canyon is one of the most-loved maps in all of Apex Legends history. It is iconic, fun, and unique in ways that the other maps just can’t match up with. Apex Legends is enters Season 8 on February 2, and we already reported the initial changes coming to the game last week. Well, we now have more details as to what’s coming to King’s Canyon in Apex Legends Season 8, so keep reading to find out what all is changing on this iconic landscape.

With working from home and digital learning both becoming more common, companies are looking for ways to offer affordable tools to make both of those easier. ClearOne, who specializes in audio and visual communication devices, is out with a new entry-level webcam. With all of the features needed for quality video, the plug-and-play ClearOne Unite 10 makes staying connected easier and comes in at a very reasonable $70. Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details. 

While there are several smartwatches on the market that target a more feminine design, much of the time they are merely shrunk-down versions of their more masculine-focused comparisons. Additional colorways are also sprinkled in to help broaden appeal, but many would agree that something is still missing. Garmin Lily takes aim at this issue by being the “first-of-its-kind smartwatch” with a design that’s “feminine, sophisticated and rooted in fashion.” Continue reading to learn more.

With January nearly in the books, today we’re taking a look at a handful of LEGO Ideas projects that may someday join the likes of the recent 975-piece Medieval Blacksmith set. This month is highlighted by a miniature LEGO symphony orchestra, medieval castle, and old-school arcade. Head below for a closer look at all of the best LEGO Ideas projects in January.

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.

Top deals:

• Apple Watch Series 5 Nike+ from $299 (Up to $150 off)
• Save up to $150 on Apple’s latest 21-inch Retina 4K iMac at Amazon lows from $1,219
• Apple discounts sports films to $5 this weekend in latest movie sale

Developer Psyonix has now announced a series of upcoming Rocket League Super Bowl events. Not only is Champions Field being transformed, the upcoming NFL Super Bowl LV Celebration introduces a new game mode known as Gridiron, complete with its own set of rules and game tweaks, as well as a series of themed in-game goodies ranging from bonus XP to the return of the NFL Fan Pack. It all kicks off on February 2, 2021, some five days before Super Bowl LV. Head below for more details. 

CORSAIR is once again getting into the NVMe SSD game, this time with three new PCIe 4.0 drives. You’ll find the MP600 CORE, MP600 PRO, as well as a MP600 PRO Hydro X Edition that sports…water cooling? Yeah, that’s right, to keep its latest NVMe drive cool CORSAIR substituted the heat sink for a water cooling block. With speeds of up to 7GB/s, these drives are the perfect upgrade for your gaming rig.

CASETiFY kicked off the year by partnering up with Disney on a collection of Mickey Mouse-themed accessories for your Apple setup, and is now back with yet another collaboration in tow. This time around, you’ll be able to outfit your iPhone and charging setup with a series of themed NBA cases and accessories that bring iconic imagery to your device. Head below for a closer look at the new CASETiFY iPhone NBA collection.

Roughly two years ago Massive Entertainment and Ubisoft finalized and released The Division 2. It remains popular to this day, and next-generation console owners will soon have more of a reason to dive in. According to one of the game’s Community Developers, this title is slated to garner support for 4K resolution with 60fps performance next week. Considering that the number of compelling next-generation games remains small at the moment, this sort of update is arguably what will help drive enthusiasm and sales of both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Continue reading to learn more.

This morning popular accessory maker Razer has unveiled what it is calling “the world’s fastest gaming mouse.” The new Razer Viper 8KHz is a gaming and esports mouse that features a true 8000Hz polling rate, which allows it to react quicker than just about any mouse on the market to your movements during battle. To those that keep a keen eye on this product category, today’s news comes as no surprise. These days it’s a constant race to remain among the best and most cutting edge as gamers continue to spend money at a rapid pace. Leaving the question to be, will Razer’s latest become the newest must-have gaming accessory?

Update: Now available for purchase for $149.99.

LEGO is out with the latest addition to its brick-built garage today, bringing the iconic Porsche 911 sports car into its line of highly-detailed Creator vehicles. Stacking up to over 1,400 pieces, this model delivers plenty of authentic details alongside the ability to build one of two versions of the iconic ride. Head below for all of the details on the new LEGO Porsche 911.

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.

Top deals:

• Take $100 off Apple’s M1-powered 13-inch MacBook Pro
• iPad deals abound at Woot today from $70: 6th Gen. iPad $255, Pro, mini, more (Refurb)
• New Amazon lows hit Samsung’s PRO NVMe SSD storage from $48 (31% off) + more

Originally announced back in September, Amazon’s All-new Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen.) finally has a release date: February 25. That’s right, the all-new motorized Echo Show 5 launches next month, and we’re even seeing a pre-order deal. What all does Amazon’s new Echo Show 10 do? Well, for one, it’s motorized. But that’s far from where its features end, so keep reading to find out if this is the smart display for your home.

Ahead of February, LEGO is detailing three upcoming promotional kits for builders to add to their collections for free. Headlined by its latest Chinese New Year set, builders will be able to assemble a Year of the Ox model alongside a Valentine’s Day-themed kit and more for free. Head below for a closer look at all three of the LEGO freebies available in February and all of the details on adding these to your collection. 

Whether it be a board, console, or computer game, we all have a specific title that delivers a sense of nostalgia whenever mentioned. For many, Age of Empires is at or near the top of the list (myself included). Thankfully, a large fanbase has allowed Age of Empires II to still receive updates more than 21 years after the original version was released. A new Lords of the West expansion has dropped and it shakes up the game by adding two civilizations, three fully voiced campaigns, 16 new achievements, and the list goes on. Continue reading to learn more.

Today Fujifilm is out with a new selection of digital cameras today, expanding its footprint in the competitive space. Headlining today’s announcement is the mirrorless GFX100S, which features a compact design and a massive 102MP large format sensor. The GFX100S, in fact, delivers “the world’s highest” large-format sensor, making it a particularly notable release in this year’s product cycle. Fuji is also bringing is smaller mirrorless camera to market today with the X-E4, which features a compact design and fast autofocus design. Head below for full details on all of today’s Fuji announcements.

After announcing the rollout of end-to-end encryption for its Ring smart home security lineup earlier in the month, the company is back today with the unveil of its latest video doorbell. Entering as not only the smallest iteration yet but also the most affordable, the new wired Ring Video Doorbell arrives with 1080p feeds and all of the same Alexa features we’ve come to expect. You’ll also enjoy motion detection and more. Head below for a closer look.

Nintendo has unveiled a special edition Monster Hunter Rise Switch console. Now roughly two months away from the release of the next mainline Monster Hunter title, Nintendo is revealing the custom painted console bundle to go along with it. Head below for more details, information on the bonus in-game content, and a closer look at the special edition Monster Hunter Rise Switch console design. 

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.

Top deals:

• Take up to $300 off Apple Watch Series 5 GPS + Cell models
• Apple’s 16-inch MacBook Pro sees $300 drop to $2,099 shipped
• AirPlay 2 and HomeKit highlight VIZIO’s 65-inch 4K HDR UHDTV at $648

Cooler Master just announced a slew of products at its CM Showcase 2021. While a lot was talked about, one of the stand-outs is the company’s first in-house power supply. Featuring a built-in LCD display on the side and RGB lighting, this power PSU offers quite a bit over the competition. That’s far from the only release from today, however, so keep reading to find out everything that the Cooler Master Showcase 2021 held.

Today, Polk is out with the latest addition to its stable of home theater products. As its most recent smart soundbar, the new React model delivers built-in Alexa features thanks to four microphones, alongside support for a 5.1-channel surround sound setup by pairing add-on accessories. Plus, there’s also a new pair of wireless speakers and a subwoofer to go alongside the new soundbar. Head below for a closer look at the new Polk React Soundbar.

After getting our first look at the Tula mic in September, we have now had a chance to go hands-on with the new hybrid. Designed by the same team responsible for the professional Soyuz tube mics, Tula is a culmination of high-end recording expertise with a focus on affordability and standing out from the pack. It is specifically tailored to folks interested in field recordings, podcast discussions, and interviews, as well as musical recording and the like. It combines typical USB microphone features with a unique, retro-inspired design and some interesting tricks up its sleeve including built-in recording to its internal storage, noise cancellation, and the ability to connect another mic to it for 2-track recording. Head below for a closer look and our hands-on impressions of the new Tula mic. 

When mirrorless cameras first debuted, they arguably weren’t aimed at professionals. Full-blown DSLRs were the way to go as specifications often dwarfed what was possible in mirrorless alternatives. Fast-forward to today and you’ll find Sony Alpha a1, a full-frame mirrorless camera that’s able to shoot 8K video, snap 50.1-megapixel photos, and checks most, if not all of a professional’s checkboxes. An all-new BIONZ XR processor is responsible for many of the next-level upgrades found in Sony Alpha a1, boasting eight times the power when compared with its predecessor, BIONZX. Continue reading to learn more.

Today, LEGO is announcing its latest theme that looks to blur the line between physical and digital play. This time around, LEGO is teaming up with Universal Music to debut an upcoming collection of kits centered around letting builders use their iPhones to create augmented reality-fueled music videos. Head below for a closer look at the new VIDIYO theme.

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.

Top deals:

• Anker launches Gold Box at Amazon from $11 featuring latest chargers, more
• Apple Watch Series 6 GPS 44mm hits all-time low at $376 (Reg. $429)
• Google Pixel 4a 5G starts at $410, down from the usual $500 (New all-time low)

We now have details on the next free Animal Crossing update, courtesy of Nintendo. A trailer to highlight some of the upcoming events hit this morning alongside fresh new details on the upcoming Festivale and Valentine’s Day events, as well as all of the in-game goodies that come along with them. Head below for more information, launch dates, and to take a look at today’s trailer for yourself. 

Back in September of 2020 at Amazon’s annual hardware event, we saw a number of new Alexa speakers unveiled along with various software services. Lost in the shuffle was Alexa Guard Plus, a new security system geared toward Amazon’s in-house line of speakers and more. After a delay of a few months, the new subscription service is now available in the United States. Alexa Guard Plus arrives as an automated security-focused add-on that brings an emergency helpline, hands-free assistance during break-ins, and more. It will even let you play sounds of dogs barking if an intruder is detected. Quite the swath of features there. Head below for a full breakdown of everything Amazon’s latest service has to offer.

After announcing the first price hike to Xbox Live Gold in years last week, Microsoft has since reversed course and stated that no price increase will be coming to its online gaming service. Plus, Microsoft also decided to make free-to-play games truly free-to-play, removing the requirement for Live in order to enjoy games like Fortnite, Apex Legends, and others.

As the amount of creators rises, so does the availability of affordable tools. There are well-established standards for high fidelity USB microphones like the Blue Yeti lineup, but if you want something different or are on a budget, there are other options like the Movo UM700. With a Yeti-like design and a simple but robust feature set, the $100 UM700 is great for content creation like podcasts and streaming. Be sure to hit the video below to hear how it sounds for yourself. 

Now that we’ve gone hands-on with all four of the new LEGO Star Wars builds for the winter of 2021, it’s time to take a look at the entire collection as a whole. With three creations from the Original Trilogy and a new build-out of The Mandalorian, we’re seeing which of the latest kits is most worth your cash and how everything stacks up. Head below for a closer look at how all of the new LEGO 2021 kits compare and to see which is the best of the batch.

From a recent Pokémon collaboration to last year’s NASA-inspired timepiece, Casio rapidly continues to crank out new G-SHOCK timepieces. Today you will find three new smartwatch styles dubbed as the G-SHOCK Vital Series. These serve as an expansion to the company’s lineup of GBD-100 offerings. Each unit pairs with a smartphone using the G-SHOCK Move app. For those unfamiliar, G-SHOCK Move debuted in April as Casio’s first smartwatch with heart-rate tracking abilities. Notable features found in the Vital Series include step tracking, Bluetooth-powered GPS, and more. 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.

Last summer, popular gaming accessory-maker 8BitDo unveiled its newest gaming controller for Nintendo Switch and PC. Appropriately dubbed the “Arcade Stick,” this add-on for various platforms delivers retro vibes and a serious at-home gaming experience that’s made for vintage titles. With Nintendo bringing so many old school games to the Switch in the last year, this arcade-style controller appears to be a perfect pairing at first glance. Head below for a few first-hand thoughts and an overview on the 8BitDo Arcade Stick.

Just released today, Banana Republic has a new luxurious line of performance wear called “BR Standard.” This new collection features elevated essentials that can be worn to the gym, while traveling, or even dressed up for work events. The pieces are lightweight, sweat-wicking, and feature design details to help make your day easier. Plus, they are available in an array of size options from XXS to XXL and even tall silhouettes. Banana Republic offers free delivery on orders of $50 or more. Head below the jump to find all of our top picks from the Banana Republic Standard collection, and be sure to check out our recent guide to Macy’s Valentine’s Day Guide with hundreds of ideas for gifting.

Today, NERF is out with its latest collection of blasters, this time expanding the more competitive Rival lineup with a series of new foam arsenal upgrades. Introducing a new feature, the upcoming NERF Rival Curve Shot series lives up to its name with the ability to shoot around corners. Head below for a closer look at all three of the upcoming blasters and all of the details on when you can add them to your own NERF armament.

The latest lineup of controllers from Alesis carries one of the more affordable mini MIDI keyboards out there alongside updated versions of its Q-series 49- and 88-key models. All compatible with Mac/PC as well as iOS devices, the new Q mini MIDI keyboard is the real highlight here, offering up a particularly capable package and even more affordable price tag. 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.

Top deals:

• Apple’s M1-powered Mac mini drops to $649 shipped
• Home Depot discounts smart thermostats from Nest, Honeywell, more by up to 30%
• Apple Watch Series 4 GPS + Cell is $235 for today only (Refurb)

Nintendo just finished up their latest Nintendo Download yesterday, and we finally got the news that many have been waiting for: Hitman 3 – Cloud Version is now available for FREE on Nintendo Switch. That’s right, the conclusion to the Hitman trilogy is finally available, and it won’t cost you a dime to download. This and much more is available as part of the latest Nintendo Direct, so keep reading to find out everything we know.

Like it or not, smartphone manufacturers are dead-set on replacing dedicated cameras for average consumers. It could be argued that this is already the case. While full-blown cameras take better photos, the differences become more negligible over time. So how can the industry remain relevant and successful? By doubling-down on features and designs that continue to captivate their most dedicated fans. Leica does a tremendous job of this by routinely shelling out new special-edition models, the latest of which is armed with Kevlar and dubbed the Leica M10-P Reporter. Continue reading to learn more.

Macy’s Valentine’s Day Gift Guide is live featuring hundreds of top brands. Inside this gift guide you can find options under $20 as well as luxury items to spoil your loved ones. The gift guide is separated into categories such as jewelry, watches, beauty, fragrance, cologne, handbags, kids, loungewear, and home.

Macy’s offers free delivery on orders of $25 and over. Head below the jump to find all of our top picks from Macy’s and be sure to check out our latest guide to Nike’s new 2021 arrivals that are top-notch.

Today we’re getting a look at three upcoming creations from the LEGO Star Wars theme that’ll be expanding the current roster of 2021 sets. Due out later in March, LEGO has a pair of Original Trilogy models on the way, headlined by the latest version of the Imperial Shuttle. That’s on top of a new Microfighters pack and a Resistance X-Wing. Head below for a closer look.

Microsoft is announcing an Xbox Live Gold price increase for the first time in years. Taking to the official Xbox Wire, the Live Gold team is announcing the first major price jump in as many as 10 years today and they are quite significant in some cases. While they won’t immediately effect existing subscribers, it appears as though Microsoft is looking to push folks to convert Live Gold accounts over to the newer, all-encompassing Xbox Game Pass Ultimate tier. Head below for 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.

Top deals:

• Today only, MacBooks on sale from $790: 16-inch Pro $1,870, more (Open-box)
• Google Pixel 3 XL with 128GB of storage hits all-time low at $300 ($200 off)
• iOttie car mounts for iPhone and Android devices on sale from $20

elago has been rolling out an extensive inventory of new products this week, including MagSafe-compatible iPhone cases and accessories. We’ve also got our first look at elago’s new Apple TV case that’s styled after the infamous Famicom Nintendo System. Today, we’re wrapping up the week with a fresh batch of new Apple Watch bands and Apple TV accessories. While we’ve primarily thought of elago as a case and dock company in recent years, today’s new releases focus on other categories. Head below for an overview of both of these new products.

CORSAIR is out with a new update to its VENGEANCE RGB PRO SL RAM line, this time delivering upgraded lighting, high capacity, and fast speeds for your desktop build. With up to 128GB kits available in up to 3600MHz configurations, the new CORSAIR VENGEANCE RGB PRO SL RAM could be the perfect addition to your Zen 3 or Intel build.

Gaming with wireless audio is, of course, more convenient than wired variants, but often, true wireless earbuds suffer from a laggy connection thanks to Bluetooth technology. Enter the EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid. With Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity for mobile devices and a USB-C wireless adapter for low-latency gaming on compatible devices, it takes the convenience of portable wireless audio and adds the low-latency performance needed for competitive gaming. Be sure to watch the video below and check out all of the details of the EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid. 

With the news that Comcast would be implementing data caps shortly into 2021, in December I finally made the switch to Verizon Fios. That got the ball rolling for me to start thinking about the rest of my networking setup and what can be improved. Though before I get to renovating anything, I though I’d go through everything in my existing setup and highlight all of the gear that makes my server and smart home tick. Head below for a closer look at my entire setup, including all of the UniFi gear, my Mac mini cluster, and over 80TB Synology NAS storage pool.