News

Update 3/20 @ 4:09 p.m.: After popping jumping back up in price the last couple of days, Amazon is now offering Google Pixel Slate 1.1GHz m3/8GB/64GB for $454.83 shipped.

Amazon is offering the Google Pixel Slate 1.1GHz m3/8GB/64GB for $455.08 shipped. That’s another $44 off its recent price drop from $799 and comes within $6 of the lowest Amazon offer we have tracked. Whether you’re a Chrome OS veteran or simply wanting to take it for a spin, Pixel Slate is a great option to consider. Since the OS and device are made by Google, you know that both hardware and software are made with each other in mind. It boasts a large 12.3-inch display that’s ready for split-screen multitasking or working on large Google Docs. Rated 4+ stars from over 70% of reviewers. Peek at our review to learn more.
Expand
Expanding
Close

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.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Update: All three of LEGO’s new buildable helmets are now available for pre-order including the Boba Fett, Stormtrooper, and Tie Fighter Pilot versions.

Last week we got a first look at LEGO’s upcoming Boba Fett and Stormtrooper helmets, and now yet another brick-built villain from a galaxy far, far away is being assembled in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of Empire Strikes Back. Bringing a Tie Fighter Pilot into the mix as well, LEGO has dished out all of the details on the two previously-released kits as well as official pricing and when you’ll be add them to your collection. Head below for a closer look at the new unveil and to lock-in your pre-orders for the celebratory LEGO Star Wars helmets.

Expand
Expanding
Close

LG just announced that Alexa will be built into its CineBeam AI ThinQ 4K projector lineup. This means that both the LED HU70LA and HU85LA projectors from LG will receive a free upgrade to have Alexa’s services built-into them. Owners won’t have to do anything but update the software once they connect the projector to the internet. How will this change your experience? Keep reading to learn more.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Well that didn’t take long. Just a matter of hours after Microsoft unveiled tons of Xbox Series X details including its new expansion card technology, Seagate has officially taken the wraps off a compatible offering. The new Seagate Storage Expansion Card tops out at 1TB of storage and is built in direct partnership with Microsoft’s Xbox division. This means that it takes full advantage of the Xbox Velocity Architecture, delivering performance that is said to be identical to what’s found inside Xbox Series X. Continue reading to learn more.

Expand
Expanding
Close

In recent years, Peloton has established itself as one of the premier at-home fitness solutions. With expansive class options and a high-end bike, it’s easy to recommend to family and friends. But the reality is, some just aren’t willing to pay that kind of cash for an at-home workout experience. With that in mind, it’s time to take a look at the best Peloton alternatives on the market today. From those with built-in screens, to more traditional stationary bikes, we’ll dive into all the ways you can get a workout at home without shelling out thousands of dollars for the industry standard.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Easter is less than a month away and Pottery Barn Kids is debuting an adorable collection. Inside the new Easter Line from Pottery Barn, you will find dozens of designs of baskets that can even be personalized. They also have super soft stuffed animals to add to the baskets, as well as tabletop sets and outfits. Prices in the line start at just $4 and go up to $160. Head below the jump to find all of our top picks from Pottery Barn Kids Easter Collection.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Bandai is most well-known for its Gundam model kits, aka Gunpla, but now the brand has expanded into yet another iconic giant robot franchise for its latest release. From the fan-favorite 1996 series Neon Genesis Evangelion, the new Real Grade Eva Unit 01 brings Bandai’s usual attention to detail into a new 1/144th scale creation. Head below for a closer look at the new Evangelion model kit, which is now available for pre-order at Amazon.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Microsoft is unveiling loads of Xbox Series X hardware details today via Xbox Wire. We previously had a pretty good idea what this thing was packing when Microsoft revealed features like Quick Resume and Smart Delivery at the end of last month, but we now have plenty of details — including specific numbers —  on what’s under the hood. Head below for a closer look.
Expand
Expanding
Close

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.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Well it’s Pi Day, and this year we have some special circumstances thanks to COVID-19, so you might be looking for some projects to do inside instead of going out. I decided to try my first Raspberry Pi project and create a retro gaming emulator with the Raspberry Pi 4. A lot of the nostalgia I have for retro games revolves around computers rather than consoles, so I’m going to take a look at getting some free ports and also some legally licensed point and click adventures in the form of the Space Quest series. Head below for a step-by-step video tutorial on how to get this up and running
Expand
Expanding
Close

In this week’s Best of 9to5Toys: iPad mini 5 returns to Amazon low at $350, Google Pixel 4 drops by $250 at Amazon, HomeKit-enabled smart thermostat for $87, and more…

Expand
Expanding
Close

Roughly 1-year after the makers of LittleBigPlanet announced early access availability to its Dreams game, Media Molecule has begun paving a way for players to make money by selling their own creations. Perhaps the most interesting part of this news is that Media Molecule states content made is owned solely by its creator, allowing any sales to be negotiated without a need to split revenue. Continue reading to learn more.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Target is one of the country’s largest retailers, both online and in-store. The company has long offered a credit card for its frequent shoppers, but many might have avoided it due to not wanting another ding on their credit score. However, these days, you can choose between a RedCard credit card or a debit card, and both share the same major benefits. Not sure whether the Target RedCard credit or debit is the best choice? Keep reading to find out the details on both offerings.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Hitch Hotel has hit the market as yet another option for taking life on the road with an ultra-portable design suitable for a myriad of vehicles. The tow-behind trailer can be pulled by cars, trucks, and SUVs alike, making it a solid pairing for smaller vehicles like Tesla’s Model 3. The expandable design makes it a cinch to set up shop wherever your adventures take you, and the low-cost of entry makes it even easier to get started. Head below for more.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Topo Designs, a Denver origin company, has new spring arrivals that are a must-see. If you’ve never heard of Topo Designs, the brand’s motive is based on a mountain design with modern twists that are functional. Their new spring arrivals feature over 40 items with packpacks for hiking, jackets, accessories, and more. Prices start at just $15 for accessories and go up to $350. Head below the jump to find all of our top picks from Topo Designs Spring Arrivals.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Today, Sennheiser is showcasing its latest pair of headphones, this time taking the true wireless route for its new Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2. Pairing the brand’s usual focus on high fidelity audio with a cable-free design, these earbuds bring active noise cancellation into the mix, as well. There’s also bolstered battery life compared to the brand’s first iteration of true wireless cans, and a stylish fabric-wrapped charging case. Head below for a closer look at Sennheiser’s newest release, as well as for details on pricing, availability, and more.

Expand
Expanding
Close

A new Control expansion has been announced by developer Remedy. Fans of the company’s mind-bending action game should be happy to know more content is on the way in the form of The Foundation — a paid expansion to the base game that appears to be quite a substantial story add-on campaign-like experience. While Remedy mentioned the add-on pack many months ago, it wasn’t entirely clear when it would come to fruition. Then this week, the company took to its Twitter page to unveil the new Control expansion with a debut teaser trailer. Check it out below.
Expand
Expanding
Close

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.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Shadow is a cloud-based computing platform like no other. While Google Stadia lets you play games on just about any screen through its cloud-based gaming technology, and NVIDIA’s GeForce NOW allows you to enjoy gaming on any device, Shadow is quite different. Instead of offering a separate gaming service, or running games through its own launcher, Shadow gives you a full Windows computer at your disposal, which can be used for gaming, graphic design, or anything, really.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Tag Heuer has bolstered its large lineup of watches today with an updated version of its Wear OS-powered smartwatch. This update makes it the third iteration of Tag Heuer Connected the company has shipped. Some of the upgrades include a new Snapdragon 3100 processor, sensor additions for improved activity tracking, alongside a higher-resolution OLED display. As you might expect, this smartwatch chases the high-end with a price that obliterates what you’ll spend on something like TicWatch. Continue reading to learn more.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Luxury brand Montblanc has unveiled a new pair of headphones today designed for long flights with comfort at the forefront. As you might’ve expected, the price tag isn’t cheap but there’s a lot to like about the visuals here, including ultra-plush earpads and a nice muted set of colors. Hit the jump for full details on the new Montblanc MB 01 Smart Headphones, including pricing information and availability.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Disney fans are going to love Columbia’s new collection of spring gear. The limited-edition collection of Disney gear includes 18-pieces in both adult and youth sizes. You will find water-resistant jackets, sweatshirts, pants, accessories, and more. Prices start at just $30 and goes up to $200 for select jackets. Best of all, each piece was designed to be travel friendly with lightweight and packable material. Head below to find all of our top picks from Columbia’s Disney collection.

Expand
Expanding
Close

The classic Blade Runner game is making a triumphant and official return this year.  Following years of legal troubles and some interesting mishaps, the folks at Nightdive Studios — the group responsible for the Turok and System Shock restorations — have now found a way to remaster the classic 90’s adventure game for modern-day hardware. You can learn more about the backstory and the upcoming Blade Runner remaster down below.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Earlier in the week, both LEGO and Nintendo fans were surprised to hear that the two companies would be collaborating on their first-ever release together. After getting a sneak peek at what to expect, today, LEGO is officially unveiling its Super Mario kit. Complete with plenty of brick-built action from the popular franchise like Question Mark blocks, Goombas, and more, the set stars a new type of minifigure packing an LED screens and speaker—Head below for all of the details on the new LEGO Mario set.

Expand
Expanding
Close

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.

Expand
Expanding
Close

If you’ve ever dreamed of having a soundboard to use while playing on an Xbox or PS4, Nyko has you covered. With 11 sound buttons that can be customized to your sounds, the Nyko Sound Pad makes it easy to add some fun sounds to your party’s chat. Head below to see how this $25 console accessory performs.
Expand
Expanding
Close

While it’s far from what Microsoft has done with a brand new Age of Empires game, EA is following in the footsteps of many other video game companies by remastering some of its iconic games. Of its many titles, Command & Conquer Remastered Collection is comprised of Red Alert, Tiberian Dawn, and three expansion packs which include Covert Ops, Counterstrike, and The Aftermath. While the project has been public knowledge since October 2018, EA is starting to show us more of what is behind the curtain with a release date and trailer. Continue reading for more details.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Sony has now teamed up with Nike on a special pair of MLB The Show 20 Air Max sneakers. Officially known as the Air Max 90 Javy Baez, the sneakers are a special collaboration between the two brands featuring this year’s MLB The Show cover player and will be available both in-game and in real life later this month, if you’re lucky anyway. Head below for all the details.
Expand
Expanding
Close

After initially being detailed back at CES 2020, LG is now providing more information on its line of this year’s OLED TVs. LG is slated to release 14 new models in all, including the art-inspired GX Gallery series, real 8K ZX models, and 4K Ultra HD TVs. With more pressuring mounting from competitors in Samsung and Sony, LG is moving quickly to saturate the market with its latest OLED TVs, including the smallest panel to date. Hit the jump for full details on all of today’s news, pricing, and availability for these new LG OLED TVs.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Spring showers are inevitable, however Hunter Boots make it bearable with their new collection. Each item is waterproof and very stylish for the new season. They’re also offering an array of new colors for spring with pops of red, pink, blues and even florescent hues. There are hundreds of new items to choose from and prices start at just $25 for both men and women. Plus, I personally own a pair of Hunter Boots and would highly recommend them. They’re very well made and will last you for years to come. Head below the jump to find all of our top picks from the Hunter Boots Spring collection.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Today Amazon is expanding its stable of Ring smart home security products with two new video doorbells as well as some updated accessories. The Ring Video Doorbell 3 and 3 Plus enter with a new feature set like pre-roll recording, enhanced motion detection, and 1080p feeds, all in a battery-powered design. Head below for a closer look at what the latest from Ring entails, as well as pricing and availability details.

Expand
Expanding
Close

It doesn’t look there’s going to be an E3 this year. As more and more public events are effected by the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19), including music festivals and the likely possibility of sporting events, E3 2020 has now been canceled. While it does not appear as though the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) — the body responsible for hosting E3 since 1995 — has yet to make an official announcement, the industry’s biggest event of the year is likely to get has now been canceled. But as an increasing number of publishers have been pulling out of E3 in the last few years — Sony hasn’t even shown up since 2018 — the disappointing news doesn’t mean all is lost. More details below.
Expand
Expanding
Close

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.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Today’s best iOS app deals are now up for the taking alongside some offers for your desktop setup. We have price drops on everything from meditation experiences and professional writing suites to iOS synthesizers, virtual board games, and coffee apps. Every day, a selection of titles go on sale across Apple’s digital storefronts and we are here to make sure you don’t miss the best-of-the-best. Today’s highlights include Textkraft Pocket, The Great Coffee App, Get ‘Em, Lost Cities, Scythe Synthesizer, and more. As usual, a complete list of the day’s best iOS and Mac app deals and freebies is waiting for you below.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Horizon Zero Dawn has been out for a few years now and has taken the gaming world by storm. With its open-world design, you’ll have to fight against unique machines and rival tribes as you explore a landscape that is “teeming with wildlife and danger.” This multi-award-winning role-play game started out on PlayStation, and will soon be the first Sony-developed game to release on Windows through Steam this summer.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Keeping a clean desk always helps with productivity, and ElevationLab has recently expanded its desk cleaning product line by adding the ElevationShelf that easily mounts under a desk to fight clutter. With a similar black industrial design as the AnchorPro, we took a look at last year; the $25 ElevationShelf can be mounted with either the 3M adhesive pads or with screws to make it more secure. Check out the video below to see it in action.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Leviton seems to have opened the floodgates with new smart devices rolling out left and right. Just last month it took the wraps off both a light switch with Alexa inside and its 4-speed ceiling fan controller. The new Leviton 4-Button Controller is the latest offering to join the Decora Smart line-up. As you’d expect, it seamlessly ties in with other Leviton products, but the real magic comes with IFTTT-compatibility.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Just in time for spring, Dyson has a new product on the market called Corrale This straightener comes after the highly successful launches of the Supersonic Hair Dryer and AirWrap Curling Dryer. Debuting after over 7-years in the making, this straightener is one like you’ve never seen. The reason it took so long to create it is because it’s said to straighten and style your hair using 50-percent less heat than competitors. You can currently purchase it at Dyson or Ulta for $499.99 and it comes in two color options. Head below the jump to find out more about the Dyson Corrale straightener.

Expand
Expanding
Close

After a nearly 15-year hiatus, today the NFL and 2K Studios announced that they’d be joining forces once again to produce a football video game starting in 2021. However, don’t get your hopes up too much, Madden and EA Sports still have a tight grip on simulation rights for the NFL. So what will this new 2K title look like? Head below for everything we know so far about the next generation of NFL 2K titles slated for release next fall.

Expand
Expanding
Close