News

Amazon today is officially spreading the word that its annual summer savings event, Prime Day, will be kicking off in July for 2023. This time around, the savings are right back on track with previous years, delivering the usual 48 hours of nonstop deals on July 11 and 12. Marking the eighth consecutive year of massive member-only sales, we detail everything you need to know ahead of time below.

Earlier this spring, Anker announced its latest foray into an entirely new product category with its EverFrost-powered cooler. Now beginning to ship today for the first time, the new debut effectively arrives as a portable mini fridge with up to 53L of capacity. After trying it out for the past few weeks and even impressing some dads at a recent barbecue, I’m ready to explore if the $799 starting price is worth the cash.

Today, ROCCAT is introducing its first-ever wireless keyboard with the Vulcan II Mini Air. Coming in at a 65% form factor, you’ll find both Bluetooth and 2.4GHz connectivity here, as well as factory-prelubricated TITAN II optical switches and even a built-in proximity sensor. All of this combines to make a pretty interesting gaming keyboard, which it should be, given the price. Ready to find out all the ROCCAT Vulcan II Mini Air has to offer? Head below, where we unpack all the details.

Today, Kensington is announcing the availability of its new quiet mechanical keyboard known as the MK7500F QuietType Pro Silent Mechanical Keyboard. It seems as though a bit of trend is emerging as accessory manufacturers attempt to silence our beloved clickity-clack mechanicals, not unlike the new MX Keys S from Logitech we just reviewed, and Kensington is next out of the gate. Whether you’re trying not to disturb your co-worker, partner, a sleeping baby, or are just sick of the clicking, the new MK7500F QuietType Pro Silent Mechanical Keyboard is looking to save the day. Head below for a closer look and more details at the now available new Kensington quiet mechanical keyboard. 

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.

• Save on nearly all of Apple’s official iPhone 14 series cases from $37.50 (Reg. $49+)
• Twelve South’s Curve Flex stand is perfect for 15-inch MacBook Air at $68 (Reg. $80), more
• Samsung’s latest Galaxy Buds 2 land at second-best price of the year, now $90 (Save $60)

Over the weekend, we saw a first look at the new LEGO Disney Castle. But the celebration of 100 years of Disney animation is seemingly far from over, as today we’re getting another first look at an upcoming creation. The new LEGO Peter Pan (43232) arrives with three iconic minifigures as well as a stylized and collectible build.

The next Nintendo Direct has now been announced. Nintendo unleashed the epic beast that is Zelda Tears of the Kingdom already this year (it is now on sale at its best Amazon price yet), but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have more in store for us for the remainder of 2023. One might even suggest this upcoming presentation could cap off the summer gaming presentations in a major way after seeing PlayStation and Xbox take the stage alongside the Summer Game Fest show. Head below for more details on the next Nintendo direct presentation. 

Denon today is launching a pair of new true wireless earbuds that look to challenge even that of Apple’s latest flagship releases. With impressive feature sets that even have a chance at dethroning AirPods Pro 2, the new Denon PerL series arrives with personalized sound, ANC, and two form-factors.

Last month, Logitech continued marching through its catalog to refresh yet another one of its most popular Mac accessories. We’ve been seeing these new S-series releases over the past couple of years, but just what does Logitech bring to the table for its latest keyboard, the MX Keys S? I’ve been spending some time with the new Mac-ready release and can clear everything up below the fold as I take a hands-on look at the new Logitech MX Keys S and its environmentally-conscious design.

City builders have to be my favorite gaming genre as of late, and while the iconic title, Cities Skylines II, is still months away. However, a game you might not have heard of (or maybe just haven’t looked at in a while) is Kingdoms and Castles. This unique city builder simulation is about growing your kingdom from a tiny hamlet into a “sprawling city and imposing castle.” The new update released over the weekend introduces industry and infrastructure, which changes pace from the last update, which focused on combat and interaction with the AI. There’s a lot to like in the recent Kingdoms and Castles update, so head below where we unpack all you can expect here. Plus, the game is even on sale right now.

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 Watch Ultra with Ocean Bands start at $730 (Reg. $799), other styles at $749
• iPad mini 6 runs iPadOS 17 with Apple Pencil 2 at $540 low on 256GB config (Save $109)
• Anker’s latest 15W MagSafe 3-in-1 chargers are perfect StandBy companions from $110

Over the past few months, 9to5Toys has been detailing what to expect from LEGO and its celebration of the 100th anniversary of Disney animation, and today we’re sharing the most exciting creation yet. Arriving in July, LEGO set number 43222 will assemble a massive Disney Castle build out of over 4,800 bricks with eight exclusive minifigures.

Apple’s latest notebook is now out in the wild, so it’s time to take a look at some of the best MacBook Air 15-inch sleeves. While this list will inevitably grow over time, there are already some gorgeous new 15-inch MacBook Air sleeves to protect your new machine in style, or just without spending a fortune. Whether you’re looking for something you can strut into the board room or office with or just something quick to head out to the coffee shop, we have rounded up some notable picks worth taking a look at for ensuring your new MacBook stays in tip top shape this summer and beyond. Head below to browse through the best MacBook Air 15-inch sleeves. 

Anker’s latest MagSafe charging stand just hit the scene earlier this spring, arriving just in time to pair perfectly with the new StandBy mode for iPhone 14 coming in iOS 17. Capable of refueling your entire Apple kit, our latest Tested with 9to5Toys review is investigating if its more affordable price tag means it’s actually worth a spot on your nightstand.

At CES 2023, we went hands-on with the first set of RTX 4090 laptops and came away mightily impressed. Now, we’ve taken the past few weeks to use the latest ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 17 which boasts the most powerful AMD processor yet as well as the most powerful NVIDIA GPU, pairing together to deliver an extremely well-made desktop replacement. It’s powerful, user-upgradable, and can handle anything you throw at it with ease. However, all of that power does come at a cost, and the payment is battery life. If you’re not concerned about battery life, though, keep reading to find out our thoughts on packing a 16-core 32-thread processor that hits 95W and an RTX 4090 that can push 175W into a laptop.

The new range of TCL sound bars has now surfaced. Expanding upon its affordable Q and S Class lineups, the latest models have now emerged with “bigger and better sound.” The TCL lineup of sound bars has long been an economic way to bring home better entertainment center audio without breaking the bank and without fussing with receivers or complicated multi-speaker setups, and the latest models are delivering on that once again with new enhanced audio tech. Head below for a breakdown of the new models.  

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.

• 13-inch M2 MacBook Airs now start from $980 lows at Woot (Reg. $1,099)
• Get ready for iOS 17’s StandBy mode with an official Apple MagSafe Charger at $31
• Satechi’s 200W GaN charger packs 6 USB-C ports for your whole Apple kit at $128

The Pokémon Company today is back to announce one of its most eagerly awaited TCG expansions in recent memory. Channeling much of the same energy as the Celebrations line a few years back, the new Pokémon 151 collection is the first time we’re seeing the original first-generation Pokémon all reprinted in the same set together in years. Offering fresh new artwork of classic cards, we break down everything you need to know about the United States release below.

Anker has a new charging lineup on the horizon that is set to be even more capable than previous releases. The new Anker Prime collection my drop GaN from its naming scheme, but still delivers on the efficiency and compact size offered by Gallium nitride tech, packing that into new power banks with up to 27,650mAh batteries and 240W charging stations.

For the past few years, the LEGO Group has launched a massive new Marvel set each year, themed around some of the more iconic buildings in the MCU and beyond. Today, 9to5Toys can officially report that this year that series of kits will continue with its largest addition yet. Arriving on Black Friday, the LEGO Avengers Tower will launch with over 5,200 pieces.

Bellroy’s latest gadget carrier has arrived in the form of its new EDC gear bag. From its new backpack we featured to its officemate caddies, belt bags, and more, its latest solution is focused on delivering a lightweight over the shoulder or crossbody solution for lugging around your most important pieces of EDC this summer and beyond. The new Bellroy gear bag is now available for purchase in three different colorways and you can get a closer look down below. 

Are your Spidey-Senses tingling or is that just CASETiFY’s newest collaboration? Today the popular smartphone case maker is back with its latest collection of themed covers, this time tapping into one of Marvel’s most beloved heroes. Miles Morales might be all Spider-Man fans can think about right now, but the folks at CASETiFY are going back to a more classic rendition of the hero for a new lineup of iPhone 14 cases, AirPods covers, and other gear for your web-slinging everyday carry.

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 M1 Max Mac Studio sees $300 discount to new all-time low of $1,699
• Apple’s 11-inch M2 iPad Pro returns to Amazon low of $729 with Thunderbolt in tow ($70 off)
• Apple’s all-new 15-inch M2 MacBook Air arrives with $100 launch discounts from $1,199

LEGO is expanding its collection of more collectible kits today with the upcoming Tranquil Garden set. Arriving later this fall, the new creation delivers a zen garden design complete with some all-new Koi fish elements and plenty of details.

It’s been just over one year since my first video about sim racing. In that comparison between two entry setups, I chose the Logitech G923 over the Thrustmaster T300RS GT – much to the dismay of plenty of YouTube commenters. While the wheelbase on the Thrustmaster was good, the wheel wasn’t great and the pedals were abysmal. Considering that the bundle was $450 at the time of my review and you might quickly want the $250 T-LCM pedals, and perhaps a new wheel, wouldn’t it just be worth it to jump up to an entry-level DD wheel? Sure, the budget still plays into those decisions, but that’s getting easier with more affordable hardware like what we have today – the $530 Moza R5 Bundle. Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details. 

We have featured a number of BLUETTI portable power stations around here over the years, and for good reason, but its new AC180 model is looking to enhance your off-grid setup like never before. Whether you’re taking your summer adventures completely off-grid, looking to secure your home in case of power outages or emergencies, or ensuring all of your gear is charged and ready to go during camping trips, the new BLUETTI AC180 Portable Power Station and the early bird price drop are certainly worth a look. Head below for all of the details.

The latest model in the Audio-Technica USB microphone lineup is being unveiled today. Following the release of its AT2020USB-X USB microphone last August, Audio-Technica is back again today with another upgrade to its popular 20 series lineup. The latest model, officially known as the AT2020USB-XP delivers a similar form-factor and USB experience as last year’s iteration but with a few key enhancements and some added tech to help content creators, streamers, and podcasters get at the sound they are after even faster. Head below for a closer look and a complete breakdown of the new Audio-Technica AT2020USB-XP USB microphone. 

If you’re looking for the most powerful 14-inch laptop to take on-the-go for work and play, then the all-new Razer Blade 14 is sure to impress. Leveraging the Ryzen 9 7940HS processor and either the RTX 4060 or 4070 graphics card, you’ll find this laptop has a lot of functions and is a solid contender for your portable gaming and work setup. It also has some other nice features, like dual Thunderbolt 4 ports, a 14-inch 16:10 1440p 240Hz display, and even user-upgradable RAM should you need more than the stock 16GB it comes with. Head below the fold for all the details on the latest Razer Blade 14 including pricing and availability.

Anker today is showcasing its latest pair of earbuds. The new Soundcore Liberty 4 NC won’t be hitting store shelves until the end of the month, but are arriving with as compelling of a feature set as you’ll find at the $100 price point. ANC makes the cut alongside 60-hour battery life and a nifty new charging case that comes in one of five colors.

After rolling out its new PlayStation Plus system over the last year or so, it looks like PS5 cloud gaming is on the way in a major way. While Sony has always seemed as though it was playing catch-up with Xbox Live/Game Pass, and in many ways it has, its PlayStation Plus initiative is making a valiant attempt at bridging the gap for its player base. Today, alongside details on the next batch of titles coming to its streaming catalog for members and 10 days of activities for the community, Sony is announcing that it is now testing out cloud streaming for supported PS5 games. 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 are available.

• Apple’s all-new 15-inch M2 MacBook Air arrives with $65 launch discounts from $1,234
• Apple’s 12.9-inch M2 iPad Pro now runs Final Cut Pro with $99+ discounts from $1,000
• Belkin’s 3-in-1 MagSafe Pad with Apple Watch Fast Charger hits $121 Amazon low

Journey is debuting its brand-new vegan leather MagSafe wallet today. Officially known as the EZMO MagSafe Wallet and Phone Stand, this is the brand’s first foray into the iPhone card holder accessory space. It is, however, no stranger to vegan leather Apple gear accessories and MagSafe chargers – we were big fans of its 3-in-1 MagSafe Stand and modular Apple Watch charger after going hands-on and have featured its leather iPhone 14 cases with machined metal buttons and AirPods cases several times now. Today the brand is taking that know-how to deliver the new Ezmo wallet for iPhone 12, 13, and 14 users (it will also work on Android, more on that below), and, best of all, you can land one at 20% off. Hit the jump for a closer look and more details. 

Today, we’re getting a first look at an upcoming LEGO Icons set. In what is the latest remake of a classic kit from the 1980s, the new LEGO Eldorado Fortress will be arriving with five times the bricks as the original model from 34 years ago.

Jackery today is introducing a new lineup of portable power stations deemed the Explorer Plus series. The first model to hit the scene is the new Explorer 2000 Plus, which makes some notable improvements in order to be one of the brand’s most capable releases to date for tapping into some power while camping or just at home during outages. As Jackery’s first LFP power station, the new Explorer 2000 Plus packs a 2kWh capacity, 3,000W output, and modular design.

Last fall, the LEGO Group launched one of its more questional creations to date with the over 4,000-piece Marvel Hulkbuster. Even with some sizable discounts attached over the past few months, this has still failed to take off in any real way with MCU fans and LEGO collectors alike. That is until a builder has stepped in to offer an alternative build that’s far better than the original kit LEGO shipped.

Satechi this week is launching the latest addition to its stable of workstation gadgets, giving Mac owners another way to interface with all of their favorite peripherals. The new Triple 4K Docking Station arrives with the ability to drive three monitors at once, turning your MacBook Air into more of a desktop-worthy machine with 100W pass-through charging and some additional I/O.

IK expanded its AmpliTube amp and guitar tone creation ecosystem earlier this year with the Tonex Pedal. A hardware multi-FX stomp box unit made to allow guitar players and sound designers to load up and design their own amp and tone rigs onto a stage- and studio-ready unit, it also doubles as an audio interface for recording and is backed up by thousands of premade amps patches. We have had a chance to crank this thing up to 11 over the past few weeks, and it’s time to break down the experience for folks interested in this sort of hybrid guitar sound design experience as part of the latest entry to our Tested with 9to5Toys series.

Over the weekend during the Xbox Games Showcase, we got more information about Cities: Skylines II, including an official release date, pricing, and also a preview of some features we can expect to see in-game. Most notably, there’s been a complete overhaul of several key game aspects including refreshed road-building mechanics (native grid construction, anyone?), new zoning abilities, and much more. Cities: Skylines II launches October 24 on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. I’m excited about this launch, so head below as I unpack everything we know about the upcoming Cities: Skylines II in out trailer deep dive below.

Dreametech is a fast-growing brand in the smart home cleaning game and it has just launched its latest intelligent cleaning robots. With enhancements across the board, the new D10s Plus features AI-powered navigation, advanced mapping, and powerful suction power, all at a price far lower than just about all of the competition. In fact, in many case they are delivering some of the most impressive specs by comparison to any cleaning bot under $550 and, best of all, with our exclusive code they are now up to $110 off the going rate to deliver the lowest price ever offered on the latest model. Head below for more details and our exclusive launch discount code. 

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.

• AirPods Max didn’t get the WWDC refresh everyone hoped, now $99 off on Amazon at $450
• Belkin’s iPhone 14 MagSafe Mount complements Continuity Camera for Mac and Apple TV at $25
• ESR’s MagSafe power bank doubles as a wallet and stand at $50 low (Save $16)

Following the Summer Game Fest showcase last week as well as this past weekend’s Xbox and Starfield events, the summer gaming bonanza continues with this afternoon’s Capcom show. While much of the major unveils are now behind us, there’s still more to come from the publisher behind the Resident Evil, Mega Man, and Street Fighter franchises. Capcom has made a splash over the last few years with some of the better remakes in recent years – RE 2 and 3 alongside the beloved fourth entry in the series that’s now out in the wild, not to mention the latest release in the iconic Street Fighter series. But we are now about to see the future of Capcom’s lineup. Head below for more details and to watch today’s showcase digital event.