News

The gorgeous new Grovemade Wood Laptop Riser has arrived. Grovemade is a brand we have come to love over the years for its use of premium materials and keen sense of design in the tech and desktop accessory space. Having featured a number of the brand’s previous releases, from the new leather desk pads and Apple keyboard trays to wooden MacBook docks and MagSafe charging stands, it’s now time to take a look at its new and improved MacBook riser stand. Standing out from the pack with its usual use of higher-end natural materials, felt, and brushed aluminum, you’ll want to head below for a closer look at the now available new Grovemade Wood Laptop Riser. 

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.

• Second-best price yet lands on Apple’s latest 12.9-inch M2 iPad Pro at $1,049
• Score a 4-pack of Apple AirTags with U1 chip at new 2023 low of $87, or $22 each
• Belkin’s Apple Watch Series 8/Ultra Fast Charger lands at new $40 all-time low (Reg. $60)

At the end of last year, AMD released its RX 7000-series graphics cards with two heavy-hitters aimed at high-end gaming setups. While NVIDIA did something similar, team green has been steadily releasing GPUs with lower price points using its latest technology, and, well, AMD has been silent. That is, until now. Today, AMD is introducing the RX 7600, a GPU aimed at 1080p gamers with an impressive retail price of $269. This comes in at an additional $30 below the RTX 4060, while delivering pretty impressive performance. I’ve spent the past week with AMD’s latest RX 7600 GPU, and have come away with one take in: could this be the king of budget graphics cards? Read on to find out why this will become one of our go-to recommended graphics cards for low- to mid-range gaming setups.

Continuing its release of 40-series graphics cards, we went hands-on with one of NVIDIA’s latest GPUs – the 4060 Ti 8 GB with an MSRP of $399. The version we have is from PNY’s XLR8 brand and comes in at $449 with RGB lighting. In addition to this card, NVIDIA has also announced the $499 4060 Ti 16 GB, which is to be released in July alongside the base $299 4060. It’s great to see cards from NVIDIA that don’t carry the massive price tags we’ve seen lately, but is the XLR8 PNY 4060 Ti 8GB card worth it for $449? Be sure to check out the video below to see all of the details.

Back at the start of the month, the LEGO Group launched one of its latest sets themed around The Mandalorian. Giving builders plenty of firsts and uncommon inclusions in the Star Wars theme, the LEGO TIE Interceptor and Fang Fighter set not only marks the first appearance of the Imperial starfighter in almost two decades but also arrives with the all-new Darksaber mold and more.

Amazon’s Kindle Scribe is a unicorn in the brand’s e-reader stable. While the Kindle is an age-old brand, the Scribe brings a whole new dimension to the e-reader. You now have the option to take notes and write on the screen, and that feature has been bolstered with the latest up date Amazon just released. Now, there are certain books, journals, or word games that allow for on-page writing instead of limiting you to just taking notes in the dedicated section of the e-reader. Keep reading to find all of the new features being added to the Kindle Scribe in the latest software update as well as how to install it.

Update 5/24: Pre-orders are now live on the new Backbone One PlayStation Edition Android gaming controller at $99.99 via Amazon 

Update: Be sure to head over to 9to5Google for a deeper breakdown of what to expect from the new Backbone One PlayStation Edition for Android. 

A new PlayStation Android controller has arrived from Sony and Backbone. The original Xbox Android Backbone is lauded by many as one of the best mobile gaming controllers ever since its initial release. After that, the development team collaborated with Sony to create the PlayStation Edition – essentially the first official iPhone controller for PlayStation – and now it’s time for the Android side of things. Taking to the official PlayStation Blog today, Sony is “excited to now offer” the new Backbone One PlayStation Edition for Android, available for purchase at $99.99. Be sure to head below for a closer look and 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.

• Save on official Apple Watch Milanese Loop and Leather Link bands from $52 (Reg. $99)
• Anker’s new 15W MagSafe 3-in-1 charging stand lands at second-best price of $119
• Apple’s official iPhone 13 Pro/Max MagSafe leather cases fall to $15 lows (Reg. $59)

Dreo is set to expand its air fryer lineup today with the new ChefMaker Combi Fryer. The product of 2 years of research and development, the new ChefMaker is looking to upgrade you cooking experience by leveraging its patented CombiCook technology that makes use of “techniques from celebrity chefs, knowledge from food scientists, and an algorithm of AI Experts” to remove the guesswork from perfectly cooked, meats, veggies, and fries. Head below for a closer look at the new smart Dreo ChefMaker Combi Fryer and how to score the one-day only 45% discount. 

After seeing Amazon roll out a few updates across the rest of its hardware lineup last week, today the company is back to launch its most capable tablet yet. The new Fire Max 11 lives up to its name as the largest form-factor yet from Amazon, debuting with some productivity-focused accessories and a $230 price tag.

Update: The new Spark Go is now available for purchase on Amazon.

Following the success of its full-size variant, Positive Grid has since released the MINI version we previously went hands-on with and, now, the new Spark GO mini guitar amp, Bluetooth speaker, and audio interface. Designed as an all-in-one intelligent audio device for guitar players, the Spark Go is the most portable model in the lineup, allowing musicians to carry the brand’s smart sound design tech and jam-along features with them just about anywhere while delivering typical wireless listening and recording capabilities. We have now had a chance to really crank the mini amp up to 11 for a couple of weeks and are ready to weigh in with our impressions as part of the latest entry to the Tested with 9to5Toys series.

Today, Govee, a leader in the more budget-friendly smart home product industry, is announcing the availability of its first Matter-enabled RGBICW LED Light Strip M1. Sporting support for Assistant, Alexa, and Matter, this strip will even work with HomeKit if you have a compatible hub, making it one of Govee’s most versatile products yet. Ready to learn what all this strip can do? Keep reading to find out everything about the Govee RGBICW LED Light Strip M1 including the price.

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 official MagSafe Power Bank sees second discount of the year to $84
• Apple’s latest 10.9-inch iPad sees all-time low discounts from $399, plus official accessories
• Sony’s new XM5 ANC headphones see second discount of the year to $348 (Save $50), more

LEGO today is giving a gaming icon from the 80’s the spotlight with its new PAC-MAN arcade set. The miniature cabinet delivers the first collaboration between Bandai Namco and the LEGO Group, celebrating the 43rd anniversary of the dot-munching gaming legend with a new 2,650-piece set.

Back in February, 9to5Toys was able to report on the upcoming LEGO Marvel wave of sets coming out in August. Today, we’re getting at first look at one of those kits, and arguably the most eagerly-awaited one. The new Captain America Shield will stack up to over 3,100 pieces while assembling a nearly life-sized version of the Avenger’s signature weapon.

Earlier this year, 2K Games, in partnership with the LEGO Group, announced that it would be taking a fresh crack at the brick-built racing title. Officially launching today, LEGO 2K Drive races onto the scene to deliver a thrilling open-world adventure game, competitive kart racer, and garage to customize your very own vehicle. Detailed below, we’re diving into see just how the new brick-built world stacks up as well as chat with the game’s art director for a behind the scenes look at the experience.

Memorial Day is just over a week away, and it’s now time to take a look at this year’s best grills and accessories with our favorites for you to pick up before one of 2023’s biggest outdoor cooking holidays rolls around. From pellet grills to thermometers and more, we’ll have everything you need to have a stellar outdoor BBQ in this year’s 9to5Toys Memorial Day Grilling Guide down below.

The latest Peak Design camera hand strap has surfaced. Peak Design is an accessory brand we have been featuring around here for a few years. It is the creator of the Everyday iPhone and Galaxy cases with the fabric-wrapped treatment, this fantastic all-metal MagSafe car mount we reviewed recently (it’s easily one of the best I’ve ever used), and more, but in many ways, it is best known for its photography accessories. Those include everything from its popular Anchor links, camera leashes, tripods, and more for DLSR models and the like. But it has just recently unveiled its latest piece of kit with the new Micro Clutch – “a beautiful, functional hand strap specially designed for mirrorless cameras.” Head below for a closer look at how to land one at a discount ahead of this summer’s launch.

Earlier in the week, we got a first look at some of the upcoming Star Wars summer 2023 sets in the form of new LEGO Mechs. Today, we’re getting a first look at three even more exciting creations launching on August 1. Including the massive new Yavin IV set and the upcoming Republic Swamp Speeder with 332nd Clone Troopers, we’re getting a look at some of the new LEGO sets ahead of an official reveal.

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 just-refreshed HomePod 2 sees very first discount to $279
• Nomad takes extra 20% off entire collection of iPhone 14/Plus cases with our exclusive code
• Belkin’s original 15W 3-in-1 MagSafe charging stand hits $115 Amazon low (Reg. $150)

Just over a year ago, the folks over at Nomad launched the new Sport Slim Band for the first time for Apple Watch users. Delivering a more streamlined version of its signature silicone offering, the company is now back today to launch a new colorway. Now available in a sleek white style, there’s even some launch savings attached.

Some new Mario Switch Online games are on the way. While Switch gamers everywhere all still sky high in the latest Zelda release, Nintendo has now announced some new additions to its Game Boy Advance Switch Online library. After a series of more obscure and let’s call it, cult classic-status additions to its growing online library of retro games, it’s time for everyone’s favorite plumber to get in on the action. After the launch of its Game Boy titles back in February that already featured quite a notable catalogue of games, Nintendo is now set to add three new Mario adventures to the list. Head below for more details. 

After being announced back in March, today, LEGO 2K Drive officially races onto the scene. The game arrives on all consoles today, including PS5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch, delivering an open-world racing experience on top of its co-op action and robust customizable car experience.

Intro

Xbox controllers can get very expensive – just look at the line-up of some of our favorites. For those on a budget, though, PowerA has been a consistent source of more affordable options that go beyond the stock controller. Its latest, the PowerA Fusion Pro 3 is packed with features for the $80 price tag but can it compete with more expensive controllers? Be sure to hit the video to see all of the details.

Today, Razer is updating its Nommo PC speaker lineup with V2 models all around. With three new versions being announced today, you’ll find that these speakers offer full-range and there’s even models with wireless subwoofers and THX Spatial Audio support. In fact, Razer is also now building in rear projection RGB lighting that ties in with its Chroma software for added illumination of your setup. Ready to find out which Razer Nommo V2 speaker set is right for your desk? Head below for a full breakdown.

The new UGREEN Steam Deck hub is getting an official launch today. Known as the UGREEN 6-in-1 Docking Station for Steam Deck, it is designed to expand the connectivity options of Valve’s portable PC gaming rig significantly at a relatively affordable price (it is already marked down on Amazon for the launch), providing additional USB ports, Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI, and more. While the Steam Deck had some new competition enter the marketplace last week with the official launch of the new ASUS ROG Windows 11 Ally portable PC gaming handheld, folks sticking with the Valve machine will want to head below for a closer look at the new UGREEN Steam Deck hub.

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.

• iPhone 14 Plus sees $379 discount in refurb sale to $820, Apple Watch Series 7 from $240
• M1 Mac mini clearance delivers the nicest price yet on refurb models at $420 (Save $179+)
• Google Nest Cam Indoor lands at $80 (Save 20%), plus Nest Cam Outdoor/Floodlight

Today Mackie is introducing its new all-in-one content creator and podcasting workstation known as the Mackie DLZ Creator Adaptive Digital Mixer. Delivering a complete podcasting and broadcasting recording rig, it features a large touchscreen display, a series of microphone inputs, a built-in sample/stinger trigger section, all of the headphone outputs you’ll need, and more – you can even record your work directly onto the machine with microSD support if you want. It essentially combines just about all of the most important elements of a good broadcast into a single unit and we have had a chance to give it a test run over the last couple weeks ahead of today’s official reveal. Head below for a closer look.

Technics, Panasonic’s long-time audio brand, is releasing a new pair of wireless earbuds to compete in the ever-growing market of AirPods competitors. With their next-generation EAH-AZ80 and EAH-AZ60M2 models, Technics has addressed the needs of individuals seeking superb sound quality and comfort throughout their busy lives. But there are three key features that I think will set these headphones apart from the rest of the competition and might even convince some iPhone users to leave their beloved AirPods Pro.

Update: Mortal Kombat 1 pre-orders are now live from $70:

• PS5 standard $70
• Xbox Series X/S standard $70
• Switch standard $70
• PS5 Premium Edition $110
• Xbox Series X/S Premium Edition $110
• Switch standard Premium Edition $110

After teasers surfaced yesterday, the brand new Mortal Kombat 1 has been officially unveiled. Set for releases in September, “a new era has begun.” The game will feature “a reborn Mortal Kombat Universe” to usher in a new era of the iconic fighting franchise with new battle mechanics, game modes, and an overhauled version of the infamous fatality system. Pre-orders on the new game are set to kick off tomorrow with with some special bonuses alongside details on early Beta access starting this summer. Head below for more and the debut trailer. 

Tonight we’re getting a first look at three new LEGO Star Wars sets due out this summer. Launching on August 1, the new LEGO Star Wars mechs will be assembling a fresh take on Darth Vader, Boba Fett, and a classic Stormtrooper.

Earlier this year, Satechi launched its most popualr charging station to date. Brimming with 200W of GaN power, its latest USB-C offering takes on a desktop form-factor that’s outfitted with enough ports and juice to power up your entire Apple kit. But with a $150 price tag, we’re checking out just what to expect from the experience.

Particula, makers of the GoCube connected Rubik’s Cube-like device, is introducing a new robotic chess board today. Officially known as GoChess and looking to capitalize on the “growing popularity” of chess in the wake of the Covid pandemic, the new smart chess board is looking to “revolutionize the way chess is played and learned, be it face-to-face, online, or with AI.” Head below for a closer look, more details, and a chance at landing a pre-order with a solid discount. 

In a slightly unexpected turn of events, Logitech has announced an official partnership with iFixit to make its peripheral lineup more repairable. Leading the way is the MX Master and MX Anywhere models of mice from Logitech, which include both part availability and repair guides. However, there are other guides being offered by Logitech and iFixit that expand to sub-brands like Ultimate Ears and others. This is something that peripheral owners have long asked for and will help to extend the life of many mice as the main failure seems to be batteries or feet, both of which are available here. Ready to learn how to repair your own Logitech MX Master or MX Anywhere mouse? Keep reading to find out more.

It looks as though the pseudo-PlayStation E3 showcase has now been announced, and it’s going to be a big one. Heads up, folks, E3 might have been officially canceled this year, but that doesn’t mean we won’t be getting some notable gaming showcases. Plus, they appear to be starting sooner than expected. While many of the annual presentations from the major publishers and developers tend to land in the summer months (June and beyond), it now looks as though things might be starting a little early on the PlayStation side of things. Sony has now taken to its official Twitter feed to announce a major “PlayStation Showcase,” set to stream next week. 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.

• Apple’s new 14-inch M2 Pro MacBook Pro falls to its best price yet at $1,749 (Save $250)
• Google’s latest battery-powered Nest Doorbell protects your porch at new $119 low (Reg. $180)
• Satechi’s USB-C Mulitport MX Hub is fit for M2 Pro MacBook Pro at new $80 low (Save $100)

On top of its colorful new addition to the Alexa speaker lineup, Amazon today is also showcasing its new version of its compact smart display. The Echo Show 5 brings the brand’s voice assistant to a 5.5-inch screen, and now with that there’s even better sounding internal speakers as well as a sustainable build crafted of recycled materials. Now available for pre-order, everything new about Amazon’s latest is detailed below.

Joining the launch of the Echo Pop smart speaker, Amazon is also expanding its lineup of earbuds today with the new 2023 Echo Buds. Joining the previously-released set with active noise cancellation, this new set is looking to step into the entry-level position with a paired down feature set while still delivering some new personal AI functionality, multipoint pairing, customizable tap controls, and best of all, a particularly low introductory price during the pre-order phase. Head below for more details and to land a set of Amazon’s brand new 2023 Echo Buds at $40. 

Meet the latest addition to the Echo family. Today Amazon is expanding its stable of Alexa-enabled smart speakers with a new lower-cost offering in the form of the Echo Pop. This colorful new speaker arrives with all of the hands-free access to Alexa that you should expect from Amazon, just with a refreshed look that pairs colorful designs with a more sustainable construction that is now available for pre-order.

Audio-Technica is launching its latest USB mic today known as the AT2040USB. The brand has been in the transducer and microphone business for over 60 years now and has been delivering some of the best bang for your buck in both the USB and XLR space for nearly as long. Its XLR mics have been a staple in my personal home studio for years, as seen in my latest Behind the Screens feature, and the classic Audio-Technica AT2020+ is a favorite among USB mic users (it has since been superseded by the new AT2020USB-X). But today the brand is starting a new journey with its latest dynamic USB model and we have had a chance to test it out for a few weeks ahead of today’s official reveal. Head below for a closer look. 

Today, ANYCUBIC is introducing its all-new Photon Mono M5s Resin 3D Printer. Positioned as the “first consumer-grade 12K resin 3D printer,” the Photon Mono M5s has been designed to provide “unprecedented detail and convenience” for makers with the new leveling-free build plate, 3rd-gen release film, and intelligent monitoring system. This new release film will help decrease overall print times, and not having to level the build plate greatly simplifies the printing process. ANYCUBIC’s latest 3D printer is slated to launch on May 22 at 10 am EDT, with early bird pricing for the first three days. Ready to learn more about this 12K resin printer? Keep reading below the fold.

Skullcandy today is launching its latest pair of ANC headphones. The new Crusher ANC 2 deliver Skullcandy’s latest over-ear designs that on top of delivering stables like active noise cancellation, also come backed by some more standout inclusions. There’s up to 60-hour playback on a single charge, not to mention built-in Tile tracking and multipoint Bluetooth connectivity. But the real star of the show from my listening so far is the Crusher bass controls, making these headphones standout from the competition.