News

The Overwatch 2 team is taking the stage at BlizzCon 2023 today to reveal the newest hero. Meet Mauga – a new Samoan tank who mixes up gameplay with some massive weaponry, team-boosting abilities, and a cage match-style finisher.

The newest Pokémon TCG expansion launches today, with Paradox Rift marking quite a few firsts for the card game. I’ve had a chance to take an early look at the new set, which features the first appearance of Paradox Pokémon, as well as all-new artworks and first-ever debuts of characters like the Elite 4 member Rika. The full scoop is below the fold alongside launch day deals.

The big Black Friday festivities are quickly approaching, with ads and early sales already live from Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Home Depot, and now it is time for the 2023 Kohl’s Black Friday ad. In fact, not only do we have the actual Black Friday ad from the retailer, but we also have the early event details that are now starting to go live. Head below for a closer look at both and all of the details on the 2023 Kohl’s Black Friday events.

MSI is debuting its new 2024 Aegis RS series and 2024 Infinite RS series pre-built gaming desktops featuring the newly released 14th Gen Intel Core Series processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40 Series graphics cards. Now available for purchase, these desktops were made for entry-level gamers looking to take their gaming to the next level without the knowledge to build their own PC, as well as provide enthusiast-level gamers with cutting-edge hardware along with the added confidence of a unified manufacturer warranty compared to building a system from various parts.

Today, we are taking a hands-on look at the new Peak Design Everyday fabric iPhone 15 cases. The brand is back again this year with an updated design of its Everyday case, this time with some new color options in the form of a nice Midnight Blue, a Sun yellow, and Redwood brown treatment. The MagSafe case also features a bonus SlimLink connector to integrate with the rest of the brand’s accessories alongside metal buttons, but you’ll most definitely want to head below for more details on those before dropping any cash down. Our hands-on review of the new Peak Design Everyday fabric iPhone 15 case awaits after the jump.

Today out of San Jose, California, Lexar is launching its new affordable heatsink SSDs. After the release of the standard issue NM790 models back in August, Lexar is ready to officially unleash its new NM790 Heatsink M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 4×4 NVMe SSD to the world. Much like the base model versions, the heatsink variants are delivering some relatively economical solutions to PC gamers and PS5 users with more than respectable specs at the ready alongside a series of launch deals courtesy of the official listings on Amazon. Head below for a closer look and more details on Lexar’s new affordable heatsink SSDs. 

After getting a look the early Best Buy event, Walmart’s holiday action, and details from Target, it’s time for the 2023 Home Depot Black Friday ad. Deals will be flying all month long at Home Depot culminating in its big-time Thanksgiving and Black Friday event in a few week’s time. And we now have a look at the 2023 ad alongside some early offers to give folks a better idea of what’s on the docket in terms of home improvement gear, power tools, and much more. Head below for more details and a look at the 2023 Home Depot Black Friday ad.

We featured our favorite new options for the 15-inch MacBook Air and now it’s time to look at the best MacBook sleeves for Apple’s new M3 14- and 16-inch machines. Pre-orders are already live on Apple’s latest with delivery on your doorstep coming before you know it now, but it might be time to upgrade your sleeve to safeguard that Space Black finish and the powerful internals. Whether it’s an ultra-affordable solution, some high-end leather, something in between, or a more novel approach, you’ll find our favorite MacBook sleeves for 14- and 16-inch machines waiting down below, all of which we have tried out in person. 

Sony is ready to begin shipping its new PlayStation 5 slim as early as next Friday alongside the release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III and a new bundle featuring the game, if recent reports ring true. This new machine will indeed be replacing the existing PS5 machines altogether once the original run of consoles has sold out to deliver what Sony describes as a 30% smaller unit. And now, images have begun floating around the inter webs offering up a direct visual comparison between the PS5 slim and the standard models. Head below to take a look. 

Columbia is back with its latest collection of apparel inspired by the Star Wars universe. As it always seems to do, the company is partnering with Disney in order to release some incredibly themed releases, all of which are headlined by some new Columbia Rebel Pilot jackets.

The new ROLI Seaboard Block has finally arrived! The MIDI and music production community (myself included) have been waiting years for this announcement and it is finally here. The brand new Seaboard Block M is the next-generation multi-touch MIDI keyboard controller from the brand, delivering the ultra-expressive 5D MPE MIDI experience to the masses in a much more affordable package than most of the options on the market right now, including the brand’s flagship 2022 model Seaboard Rise that costs nearly $1,400. Head below for a closer look. 

Nike introduced Air Max Pulse shoes in July of this year, which was the newest addition to the much-beloved Air Max collection. Now Nike has debuted their Air Max Pulse Roams in a neutral Stone colorway to add to the family – keep reading below the fold to learn more.

Sony recently debuted the new PlayStation 5 slim at the beginning of last month with one crucial bit of information purposely omitted, the release date. But now, new reports originating from Call of Duty news outlets suggest it will be available on November 10 as part of a new Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III bundle. Head below for more details. 

Walmart today is announcing its plan for all of the upcoming Black Friday 2023 deals. Set to kick off in just a week, the retailer will begin dishing out some of the year’s most enticing discounts as part of a multi-event approach to the holiday shopping season.

After the launch of its new MacBook sleeve with built-in MagSafe charging, Journey is back again with its latest power solution and a solid 30% pre-order offer. This time around the brand is focused on the nightstand, desktop, or on-the-go setup with its new SWIV 3-in-1 Foldable Wireless Charging Station, combining a MagSafe landing pad for iPhone as well an integrated Apple Watch charger and space to juice up your AirPods as well. Best of all you can score 20% off your pre-order right now. Head below for more details. 

Recently, SteelSeries released its new Alias and Alias pro microphones aimed at streamers. While other companies have been quicker to put audio products on the market, SteelSeries has seemed to take its time, analyze what’s available and its downfalls, and release a product that I’m really excited about. And as good as the microphones are, one of the most exciting features is SteelSeries Sonar. It’s a powerful program for streamers and gamers that addresses some issues I’ve personally faced in the past with setting up a stream. Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details of these new mics and take a look at what Sonar has to offer.

Hyper X is debuting its new Vision S, a 4K video recording webcam for streamers with 4K recording capabilities and an 8-megapixel Sony Starvis IMX415 sensor. Now available for purchase, this webcam was made for creators who put a lot of care into their creations’ visuals.

After debuting its new iPhone 15 sheaths, Harber London’s leather MacBook sleeves are now ready to protect and carry your Apple laptop in style, be it the new M3 models or an older machine (basically all 13-, 14-, 15-, and 16-inch models). Today we are focusing in on the Harber London Magnetic Envelope Sleeve for MacBook, as that is the model I have been testing out for a couple weeks here, but much of my impressions will apply to all of the designs in the brand’s leather MacBook sleeve lineup. The short form version here is that it is a gorgeous and luxurious option that, while indeed a bit pricey, could have been a lot more so. Head below for our hands-on impressions of the Harber London magnetic MacBook sleeve as part of our ongoing Tested with 9to5Toys series. 

Apple is fully embracing USB-C with just about all of its latest devices and accessories, and Anker’s new Prime 240W charger has been the perfect power station to ease the transition. With dynamic power allocation and a dedicated 140W USB-C port, this is perfect for the new M3 MacBooks, iPhone 15, and any other gear you can throw at it.

Today, out of Chicago, SteelSeries is unleashing its new limited edition Ghost Edition Apex Pro Mini. In celebration of Halloween 2023 and for “those who want to showcase their style,” the “original esports brand” has decided to step away from the dark black color treatments in favor of a ghostly all-white limited edition model of its Apex Pro Mini gaming keyboard. But if you’re interested, you had better act fast, as this is a limited run with only 250 units in existence. 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 are available.

• 12.9-inch M2 iPad Pro falls to new all-time low of $1,000 (Save $199)
• Apple Watch Series 9 delivers pinch detection with $39 discounts on 45mm cellular styles
• AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C down to $190 (Save $49), Lightning version at $189

Update 2: Native Union has also added a new matching Slate Green Stow Lite Tech Organizer to its collection of accessories at $40 shipped. Get a closer look right here. 

Update: Native Union’s new cable solutions have also now appeared on Amazon with additional color options:

• 10-foot Native Union Anchor Cable $40
  • USB-C to USB-C Power Delivery 3.1
  • Supports up to 240W
  • Adjustable weighted Anchor
  • USB-IF certified
• 8-foot Native Union Type-C Belt Cable Pro $30
  • Durable nylon braided cable
  • USB-C to USB-C
  • Supports up to 240W
  • Includes leather strap 
  • Built-in LED light indicator

Native Union’s new plant-based leather Apple Watch bands are now available for purchase at Amazon. The brand unleashed its new MagSafe wallet and iPhone 15 cases shortly after the new handsets debuted in September made from the same materials as the new bands, and now the new matching straps have arrived in full force. Now live on Amazon in black and the brand’s distinct Kraft and Slate Green treatments, you can head below for a closer look and more details. 

Update: Now available for pre-order ahead of shipping in December.

Belkin is launching its newest MagSafe charger. Refreshing its 2-in-1 form-factor with an even more fun and quite frankly elegant design, the new BoostCharge Pro debuts with all the bells and whistles like 15W MagSafe and Apple Watch fast charging.

Halloween 2023 here and so is a new classic Castlevania experience for Switch Online members. Just after the launch of Mario Party 3, the next influx of Nintendo Switch Online games are now at the ready. Nintendo has now taken to its official X (Twitter) feed and YouTube channel to debut the October 2023 Game Updates in the form of some classic GameBoy action and obscure NES titles that are now available to play for all base tier Switch Online members. Head below for all of the details. 

Today, we are heading out into the woods for our hands-on review of the new Alto wooden iPhone 15 cases. Complete with sustainably sourced natural wood treatments, customers can also make use of the brand’s unique laser-engraving technique to customize the wooden panel with one of the preset designs or one entirely unique to them by way of the online uploader tool. After adding some new wood types this year and landing in our roundup of the best iPhone 15 cases, it’s time to serve up some hands-on impressions of the new Alto wooden iPhone 15 cases as part of the latest Tested with 9to5Toys. 

While Spigen might be a brand better known for its iPhone cases like the new vintage iMac models and the rest of the lineup, not to mention gear like its StandBy ArcField MagSafe charging stand, and other Apple accessories, today we are featuring the brand’s new ArcPLAY Keyboard. Delivering some proprietary “Dynamic Pipeline Technology” alongside much of the amenities we have come to love from other battle station keyboards, the new ArcPLAY gaming keyboard is now available for purchase with a solid launch deal at nearly $50 off. Head below for a closer look and all of the details. 

The new Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 have been shipping through the fall so far, delivering the latest fitness experiences for those in the iPhone ecosystem. If you’re looking to mix up the look of your new wearable or just refresh an aging wearable with some new styles, below you’ll find our favorite and the best Apple Watch band recommendations, starting at just $10.

Update: The new PS5 Pulse Explore wireless buds and Elite headset are now available pre-order directly from PlayStation. 

After the initial official debut back in August alongside the new PS5 Portal Player, we now have new details and pre-order information on Sony’s upcoming Pulse Explore wireless earbuds, Pulse Elite wireless headset, and additional PlayStation Link USB adapters. Just after the launch of the new INZONE sets (full review here), Sony’s next-generation PlayStation headsets are now slated to go up for pre-order in just over a week’s time. 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 are available.

• Go Carbon Neutral with the new Apple Watch SE 2 from $219 (Reg. $249+)
• Google Pixel Tablet falls to new $399 all-time low (Reg. $499), extra Speaker Dock at $111
• Sony’s latest XM5 ANC earbuds fall to new all-time low of $250 with second-ever discount

Update: LEGO’s new Natural History Museum has been officially revealed and is now available for pre-order ahead of its January 1 launch.

We finally have a first look at the upcoming LEGO Natural History Museum. Next year’s Modular Building will be bringing a bit of a scientific vibe to the series with an over 4,000-piece build when it debuts on January 1, 2024 as LEGO set number 10326.

LEGO’s upcoming Collectible Minifigure Series 25 figures have been revealed. Starting off the week with a first look at the upcoming blind bag figures, we’re getting an early chance to check out the 12 upcoming characters and the return of the fan-favorite goat figure.

Today, we’re getting a first look at what to expect from Target and its 2023 Black Friday plans. Detailing some early discounts already live ahead of November, as well as other promotions and its price match guarantee, Target is just the latest retailer to cue in shoppers to its holiday plans.

Today we are taking a closer look at the JLab JBuds Mini Earbuds. As the name suggests, these earbuds arrive with a particularly compact form-factor to deliver the brand’s smallest earbuds ever. There are a massive number of options out there when it comes to wireless earbuds, but JLab is delivering a compelling option here for folks looking for a compact solution that won’t break the brand by any means, and we now have a notable exclusive discount for 9to5 readers to drop them even lower. Head below for all of the details. 

Today, we are serving up some hands-on impressions of the new UAG protective iPhone 15 cases. The brand’s military-grade solutions launched shortly after the iPhone 15 did for folks looking to add some extra protection to their shiny new Apple handset with designs coming straight out of Orange County, California. With several different models to choose from across various price ranges, starting at $40 shipped, anyone into the more armored military-like vibes will want to scope out our impressions of the new UAG protective iPhone 15 cases down below. 

Twelve South launched a new mount earlier in the month that looked to solve one of the biggest issues with having a collection of Apple Watch bands – the fact that you have to keep them organized. I’ve been testing out the new TimePorter Wall Mount and really have to hand it to Twelve South for finally making it easy to tidy up my wardrobe of Watch bands.

Today, we’re getting a first look at the latest addition to the LEGO Botanical collection. The upcoming Tiny Plants set has been revealed ahead of launching as a surprise final set of the year in December. You can now pre-order the upcoming LEGO set 10329 ahead of its debut this winter at $50.

I have a new favorite iPhone 15 charger – at least when it comes to a portable solution. Anker’s new Nano Power Bank is as compact as they come, and now is even more versatile with the adoption of USB-C.

Wacom is debuting its new Cintiq Pro 17 and Cintiq Pro 22 drawing tablets, alongside revealing launch dates. The Cintiq Pro 17 is now available for purchase, while the Cintiq Pro 22 will come available at a later time. These new additions to the Cintiq family will provide more compact options for creative professionals who prefer working on smaller devices.

Leica is launching a new additon to its lineup of premium cameras. The new Leica M11-P may only be a slight upgrade from its predecessor, but it brings some notable quality of life changes and a new dedicated chip for adding extra authenticity to your photos.

Today we are taking a hands-on look at the Longvadon leather crocodile Apple Watch bands known as the Caiman series, just in time for the sitewide Halloween sale to go live. The brand, a new one to us around here, just recently updated its croc-style leather strap collection with the new Double Tour wrap around-style strap so we thought we would give them a hands-on look to see if they are nice in person as they are in pictures. Looking to add a serious touch of elegance to any Apple wearable, dive in below for our hands-on impressions of the Longvadon leather crocodile Apple Watch bands. 

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 are available.

• Apple’s new HomePod 2 returns to all-time low for only second time at $280
• Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 6 fall to new all-time lows from $235 (Reg. $300+)
• Anker’s new Prime USB-C GaN chargers and power banks on sale from $45 (Reg. $60)

Anker today is launching its newest speaker. The Soundcore lineup is getting a new and more midrange release with the Motion X500. It won’t be shipping until next month, but arrives with a pre-order discount for those who lock-in Anker’s latest ahead of time.

Wyze is debuting its all-new Video Doorbell v2, a new wired 2K video recording camera. Now available for purchase, with this camera, you’ll be able to capture and save all arrivals and departures with head-to-toe viewing and two-way audio.

After coming away impressed with some of the brand’s other carriers, when Aer launched its new Pro Kit tech organizer, I was keen to get my hands on it, and that is I have done. For the past few weeks, I have been putting the new tech accessory pouch to the test both on the road and at home to see if its price of entry is worth it or not. You can check out my hands-on impressions down below as part of the latest entry to the Tested with 9to5Toys series.

Now that’s it’s officially fall and the weather is starting to change, it’s the perfect opportunity to refresh your wardrobe. TravisMathew, which is a lifestyle and activewear brand, has a new Legacy Denim that are the perfect jeans for any fall setting. They also have new outerwear, loungewear, and more that you can score by heading below. TravisMathew is a fan-favorite across the country, including celebrity Chris Pratt, who has stated that they’re his favorite  You will also want to check out our latest guide to lululemon’s new Wundermost body collection. 

Earlier this month, Logitech revealed a new collaboration with Star Wars to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Return of the Jedi. With as big of a Star Wars fan as I am, the second I laid eyes on the new releases I knew I had to get a hands-on look. I’ve spent the past week with the new G502 X Plus Millenium Falcon mouse and its companion mousepad on my desk, and I absolutely adore the designs.

The Pokémon Company is ready to deck the halls today, as it reveals a new catalog of festive apparel, home goods, and other gear. With a new lineup of Christmas sweaters joined by other winter wear, as well as home goods, plushes, and collectibles, you’ll want to shop the 2023 Pokémon Christmas collection before these limited-edition releases sell out.