News

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 Series 8 lands at second-best prices from $310 (Reg. $399+)
• Save $49 on the latest AirPods Pro 2 at $200 before Apple switches to USB-C (Second-best)
• Anker’s new Prime 20,000mAh Power Bank with 200W output hits $110 (New low)

Straight off the show floor in Berlin from IFA 2023, smart robotic spool cleaning brand Aiper is introducing “its first-ever cordless robotic pool skimmer.” The new smartphone-controlled smart pool cleaner, official known as the Surfer S1, is looking to be rid of those annoying long-pole manual skimmer nets so you can sit back and enjoy the sunshine without the chores. The solar panel-equipped bot joins the brand’s award-winning Seagull Series of underwater cordless robotic pool cleaners at IFA this year, and you can get more details down below. 

Today is the day folks as we are just minutes away from this morning’s Super Mario Bros. Wonder Nintendo Direct presentation. As promised, Nintendo is set to host a dedicated stream featuring its upcoming 2D side-scrolling Mario adventure, giving us our first look at the title beyond the debut trailer we saw back in June alongside the Super Mario RPG remake and Sonic Superstars trailers. Head below for more details on the game and to follow along with today’s Super Mario Bros. Wonder Nintendo Direct stream. 

Jabra today is launching not just one, but two new pairs of earbuds. The new Elite 10 and Elite 8 Active both fit two different lifestyles, with the former doubling down on flagship features like Dolby Atmos and the latter taking more of a fitness companion approach – as you’d expect from its Active naming scheme.

Anker today at IFA 2023 is debuting a new collection of chargers and accessories. In its typical fall refresh, there’s 13 new release hitting store shelves this fall. Fit for iPhone 15, the new MagGo series has been refreshed with seven magnetic chargers and Qi2 tech to go alongside a refreshed lineup of Nano USB-C accessories.

Update: The new Focusrite Scarlett 4th Gen audio interfaces are now available for purchase on Amazon starting from $139.99 shipped. 

The new 4th Gen Focusrite Scarlett audio interfaces are debuting today. The brand’s lineup of striking red recording interfaces has been among the most popular around for years, and it is finally ready to introduce the enhanced new Scarlett boxes. Three new models are making their first appearance today with updated designs alongside reengineered specs, and we have had the pleasure of testing out the new 2i2 dual input variant over the last few weeks. Head below for a closer look at the new Focusrite Scarlett 4th Gen audio interfaces. 

While I work on putting together a full “behind the screens” tour of my YouTube studio, I wanted to call out a particular piece I recently added. I’ve used Flexispot desks in the past and use one for my main editing setup, but adding the Flexispot Q8 Comhar Pro feature-packed standing desk as an additional main angle and b-roll table has been a welcomed improvement to my workflow. It’s not all perfect, though. Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details.

Sony today is now our with the new A7C R mirrorless camera. Slimming down the form factor and price of one of the brand’s more popular releases, the upcoming debut packs a 35mm full-frame sensor with 61 MP image capture and 4K video recording. Instead of just one new mirrorless camera, Sony is splitting the lineup by also launching the new A7C II.

After Microsoft jacked up the price of its popular Game Pass subscriptions, PlayStation Plus price hikes are on the way. Buried in the bottom of today’s September PS Plus freebie game collection announcement, Sony has now said it will officially be raising the price of PlayStation Plus tiers. Some two days after the September freebies go live, Sony will be “increasing the price for PlayStation Plus 12-month subscriptions globally across all benefit plans.” Head below for more details. 

Garmin today at IFA 2023 is launching the new Venu 3. Its latest smartwatches arrive in two screen sizes, complete with AMOLED displays, while sporting newfound nap-tracking technology. There are also other upgrades for overall workout monitoring, like a new wheelchair mode and a more helpful fitness coach.

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 13-inch M2 MacBook Air falls to new all-time low at $899 (Save $200)
• Beats Studio Buds+ fall to $130 with transparent design, black style at $115 (Reg. $180)
• Anker’s just-released Prime 6-in-1 GaN charging stations falls to new low of $93 (Reg. $110)

SHARGE (formerly Shargeek) is not only rebranding, but today also launching the first-ever actively cooled MagSafe power bank. The new ICEMAG Power Bank from SHARGE arrives with a 10,000mAh internal capacity to complement its built-in fan and transparent design. It’s seeing a launch discount, too, which we break down below the fold.

The new Samsung PRO Ultimate microSD card lineup has now been unveiled. We have become big fans of the Samsung microSD cards, and the brand has now unveiled its latest models. Aimed at professional and folks looking for some of the faster options on the market, you’ll find compatibility with the usual set of devices, from gaming consoles and Android handsets to tablets, camera rigs, and more, with some of the fastest speeds the brand has delivered yet. Now available for pre-order, you can head below for a complete breakdown of the new Samsung PRO Ultimate microSD card lineup. 

Today, we’re getting our first look at the latest LEGO Ideas creations. The new LEGO Viking Village will be hitting store shelves later this fall in October with a $130 price tag and over 2,100 bricks.

Get ready for a dedicated Super Mario Bros. Wonder Direct presentation. It has been a long time since Nintendo released a 2D side-scrolling Mario adventure, but it won’t be long before the new Super Mario Bros. Wonder debuts in October. The new Mushroom Kingdom game was initially unveiled back in June during what could only be described as one of the more exciting 40-minute Direct presentations of the year alongside titles like the Super Mario RPG remake, Sonic Superstars, Detective Pikachu Returns, and the Pikmin 1 + 2 re-release, but we are now just 24 hours away from learning more about Mario’s next adventure. Head below for more details on tomorrow’s Super Mario Bros. Wonder Direct presentation. 

A new glow in the dark AirTag mount from Elevation Lab has arrived. The brand’s TagVault lineup is easily among the best options out there for securing your Apple AirTag item trackers no matter what you might be doing with them. From the original keychain model to adhesive variants and the wallet card, they are some of our favorite options on the market, and its latest is looking to ensure your furry friends are highly-visible in the dark. Head below for more and a closer look at the new glow in the dark AirTag mount from Elevation Lab. 

Roborock is now launching a massive sale event, knocking hundreds of dollars off its most popular robotic cleaning solutions. Ranging from its flagship intelligent self-cleaning S8 Pro Ultra to some of the more entry-level models and even its Dyad Pro upright wet/dry vacuum, some of the best deals of the year are going live to give your space a refresh before we head into fall. You’re looking at up to $650 in savings here and even some bundle options to deliver the lowest prices we have tracked on the brand’s latest releases. Head below for a closer look at some of our favorite models in the lineup and all of the price drops. 

A new elago Apple Pencil Clip Case has surfaced. Joining its lineup of more novel covers designed to look like classic yellow #2 pencils complete with faux pink eraser caps, the latest elago Apple Pencil 2nd generation sheath takes on a more sober minimalist look made to add a sort of traditional pen design to your digital Apple stylus. Now available in black or white, the new elago Apple Pencil Clip Case is live on Amazon at $14.99, and you can get a closer look down 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.

• OnePlus Pad sees first cash discount to $430 (Save $50) with free OnePlus Stylo ($100 value)
• Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro deliver Hi-Res audio and ANC at $178 low (Save $52)
• Belkin BoostCharge Pro with Apple Watch fast charger hits $75 (Reg. $100) in Labor Day sale

Marshall today is refreshing its flagship pair of true wireless earbuds. The vinyl-wrapped Motif first hit the scene back in 2021, and now two years later are being refreshed with the same iconic stylings in tow. Pairing with the company’s signature design, Marshall is now releasing the new Motif II with notably improved ANC, extra battery life, and a case made of recycled plastics. Not to mention, my favorite sound on the market.

The new Aer MacBook Tote bag and companion Dopp Kit were unveiled today. After coming away impressed from our hands-on time with the brand’s Day Sling 3 – this one landed in our collection of the best EDC sling/belt bag picks – and Travel Pack 3, the latest from Aer caught our eye. The new MacBook Tote and Dopp Kit land as the latest additions to the Aer City Collection for Fall/Winter 2023 and are now available for purchase. Head below for a closer look at both.

Last week, Anker first showed off its new Space One ANC Headphones. Today, the latest over-ear listening experience is finally available for purchase. I’ve been using a pair for the past few days and have walked away impressed by the Anker Space One headphones’ ANC performance.

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 latest 16-inch M2 Pro/Max MacBook Pros now $249+ off starting at $2,249
• Sony’s popular XM5 over-ear ANC headphones come in three styles at $348 (Save $50)
• Anker’s newest Prime GaN USB-C Chargers see second discounts from $48 lows (Save 20%)

Earlier this month, Satechi launched a new docking station for MacBook that delivers as unique of a design as we’ve seen. Resting underneath your machine, the new Satechi Dual Dock Stand packs nine ports alongside an NVMe SSD slot for streamlining your workstation.

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 Pencil 2 returns to second-best price of $89 at Amazon (Save $40)
• Twelve South discounts popular desktop Mac accessories: Curve Riser $64, Backpack, $36, more
• Anker’s latest MagSafe power banks for iPhone 14 start from just $20 (Reg. $30+)

Update: The new Tails Seaside Hill Zone model PDP REALMz Wired LED Light-Up Pro Controller for Nintendo Switch now up for pre-order at $39.99.

After seeing the new PowerA Sonic gaming accessory collection recently, PDP is out with even more interesting and eye-catching controllers and headsets. The lineup includes a headset as well as wired controllers for both Nintendo Switch and Xbox, but they also feature particularly special designs that make for wonderful collectibles as well. Each of the new accessories feature a collectible Sonic figurine suspended within the clear, see-through cases and you can get a better look down below as pre-orders go live on Amazon. 

Native Union is now the latest brand to launch a powerful GaN charging station. Joining the company of other popular releases, the brand is now launching its most capable multi-device charger to date with 140W of power in tow. Backed by a design with recycled plastics and an aluminum dock, Native Union’s latest looks to stand out from the competition.

Amazon today is launching the next generation of Blink camera. The new waterproof Blink Outdoor 4 arrives with a redesign inside and out to deliver one of the brand’s usual budget-friendly, yet feature-packed cameras. Now available for purchase, the new release packs on-board person detection, 2-year battery life, and a $120 price tag.

We feature loads of different portable SSD options around here, but there are so many out there a few models will inevitably slip between the cracks and the OWC Envoy PRO portable SSD is one of them that really shouldn’t. Clocking in with pro-grade speeds faster than most of the competition out there and a build quality reminiscent of the robust metal offerings we have seen from the brand time and time again, the OWC Envoy PRO portable SSD should be on your radar and we have recently been giving it a run for its premium price tag to see if it’s worth the cash. 

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.

• Beats Studio Pro headphones see first discount to $250 with ANC, Spatial Audio, more ($100 off)
• Save $200 on Apple’s new 15-inch M2 MacBook Air at all-time lows from $1,099
• Fitbit’s latest Sense 2 Smartwatch lands at best price of the year at $229 (Reg. $300)

Twelve South has just quielty launched a new edition of its HiRise Pro. The desktop accessory has long been a notable companion for streamlining your iMac setup, and now it’s getting some love for Apple’s more recent releases.

Update: The brand new Razer Kishi V2 Pro Mobile Gaming Controllers are now live on Amazon:

• Kishi V2 Pro for iPhone $119.99
• Kishi V2 Pro for Android $129.99
• Kishi V2 Pro for Android Xbox Edition $149.99

Meet the new Razer Kishi V2 Pro Xbox edition. Today Razer is officially unveiling the new Kishi V2 Pro for Xbox, ”seamlessly providing cross-compatibility with hundreds of AAA Xbox titles onto mobile iOS and Android platforms.” The new Xbox Editions of Kishi V2 for iPhone and Android is looking to make bringing AAA console gaming on iOS and Android an even better experience with a brand new Xbox white coloirway and design alongside “best-in-class features, and updated free companion software.” Head below for a closer look and more details on the new Razer Kishi V2 Pro Xbox edition. 

Update: We now know the PlayStation Portal remote player will launch in select markets on November 15, 2023 and is now available in the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, and Portugal. Sony says that starting on September 29, 2023 PlayStation Portal remote player can also be pre-ordered from other select retailers in these countries, as well as Canada and Japan.

Today Sony took to its official PlayStation Blog to detail the new PlayStation handheld – as we expected, the PlayStation Portal remote player is less a console and more, well, a portal player (more on this below). Alongside details on the PS5 companion player, it also introduced the new Pulse Elite wireless headset and Pulse Explore wireless earbuds – the latest additions to its official audio lineup. Head below for more details on everything. 

After coming away impressed with the brand’s Day Sling 3 bag, I was expecting much of the same when it came to the Aer Travel Pack 3 hybrid carry-on backpack and that, for the most part, is exactly what happened. The brand’s TP3 sits somewhere between a larger backpack and a carry-on suitcase – something that, at least on paper, is just what I need for most of my travels – and features plenty of organization pockets, carrying options, and a mostly subtle design aesthetic free of ugly logos and branding. Needless to say, despite not being exactly perfect, I do like this thing quite a lot. Head below for a closer look to find out if it’s right for you in our hands-on Tested with 9to5Toys review of the Aer Travel Pack 3. 

CASETiFY just launched its latest anime collaboration, this time tapping into the increasingly popular world of Chainsaw Man. Today, we’re taking a hands-on look at the collection, including the brand’s signature iPhone 14 cases that come outfitted with the likes of Denji, Power, and other devil hunters that are all now available. But the real star of the show is the new CASETiFY Pochita AirPods Pro case.

Today, Moza Racing is announcing the cheapest direct-drive sim-racing bundle for the Xbox – the Moza R3. $400 gets you an Xbox-compatible wheel with a new base and pedals. Moza has also nailed the timing of this release with Forza Motorsport set to release in October of this year. While it won’t be available for purchase until later in September, we were lucky enough to get our hands on it, so be sure to hit the video below and see all of the details. 

The Sennheiser HD 660S2 audiophile-grade headphones launched earlier this year and it’s time to put them through their paces for review. I am, admittedly, not overly picky when it comes to these sorts of hi-fi cans. I can certainly appreciate the sound quality, but not I’m not type to spend thousands on a pair of cans and that’s where the Sennheiser HD 660S2 come in. They, at least for me, seem to hit the sweet spot between really high-quality sound reproduction without being so expensive than I just can’t bother caring all that much. And I’m happy to say I’ve come away (mostly) quite impressed with the experience thus far. Head below for a deep dive into our time with the Sennheiser HD 660S2 headphones. 

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 all-time lows arrive from $700 in several styles (Save $99)
• Satechi takes 30% off assortment of popular iPhone chargers, Mac hubs, and other Apple gear
• Rare discount lands on Aqara’s new HomeKit Smart Lock U100 with Apple Home Key at $165

In gaming collaborations you didn’t see coming, Gillette today is partnering with Razer to debut none other than a razor for gamers. Or something like that. Complete with an unmistakably green colorway and the expected snake branding, the Razer Razor will be hitting store shelves later this fall.

Spigen today is launching one of its first iPhone 14 chargers outfitted with full support for the MagSafe charging spec. The new Spigen ArcField MagFit charger hits the scene with 15W charging speeds in tow alongside a kickstand design and 6.6-foot USB-C cable. It’s now available for purchase and debuts with a launch discount attached.

Meet the new Ozlo Sleepbuds. Some 9to5Toys readers might be familiar with the Bose Sleepbuds II – a set of headphones designed to help folks get to sleep with some interesting tech packed in. After having a good run for a few years, they have since all but disappeared from the Bose site as well as other retailers after being officially put to bed (discontinued), leaving a slew of sold out listings and some questions in the process. While Bose seems to think they didn’t sell quite as well as it would have hoped, despite garnering a seemingly niche cult following, some former engineers from the company are bringing them back in the form of the new Ozlo Sleepbuds. Head below for a closer look.