News

Cal Kestis has made a name for himself across the galaxies after starring as the protagonist in the Star Wars Jedi game series (deals now live on those) and now Disney has unleashed his epic new collectible lightsaber hilt. There are some more affordable lightsabers out there, like the Hasbro models features in our May the 4th roundup right here, but the new Cal Kestis collectible Lightsaber Hilt is taking things up a notch. A premium build, a nice wooden collector’s box, and a limited run you’ll need to jump on soon to score one for your collection highlight the list here, but there’s even more to it than that. 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.

• Celebrate May the 4th with the best deals on Star Wars collectibles, LEGO, games, more
• Apple’s latest M2 iPad Pro lands at best price yet with $149 discount to $1,050 at Amazon
• Best price of the year takes $199 off Google’s latest Pixel 7 Pro at $700
• OtterBox takes 15% off its galaxy of Star Wars iPhone 14 cases for May the 4th, today only

As the Star Wars Day excitement officially kicks off today for May the 4th, Amazon is set to announce its latest Echo accessories from a galaxy far, far away. Bringing the likes of Darth Vader, Din Djarin, and Stormtroopers to your Alexa speaker, these new Star Wars Echo Dot 5th stands add a bit of flair to your smart home with light up eyes and iconic designs.

Star Wars Day is now upon us, ushering in a whole galaxy’s worth of discounts. As per usual here at 9to5Toys, we will be wrapping up all of the best price cuts across every product carry for the 2023 May the 4th festivities. Like every other year, there is a vast array of discounts out there, ranging from LEGO, collectibles, and other toys to games, tech, and so much more. Head below for all of the Star Wars Day and May the 4th deals, which we’ll be updating over the next few days.

Yesterday saw the LEGO Group launch its own Star Wars Day sale ahead of May the 4th. But for those who want to bring home cash discounts instead of extra kits or points, other retailers are dishing out some savings for the big day. Storefronts like Amazon, Walmart, and Zavvi are known for offering competitive discounts on the latest from LEGO Star Wars and beyond, and now this week we’re seeing the biggest sale from a galaxy far, far away of the year. Shipping is free across the board for Prime members and Walmart+ subscribers, or in orders over $25. Including all-new 2023 sets, last year’s summer wave, and some older kits slated for retirement, all of the best LEGO Star Wars deals are below the fold for May the 4th.

It is now time for our roundup of the best May the 4th deals on games across all platforms for Star Wars Day 2023. As is always the case for the May the 4th game deals, there are loads of titles dropping in price significantly to celebrate the biggest day in all the galaxies on every major platform. While the Steam PC and Xbox Star Wars deals are already going live, alongside a few stragglers here and there, the Nintendo May the 4th deals will land in our roundup in just a few hours when they launch alongside the PlayStation side of things. If you have any Star Wars games you’re looking to add to your library, be it on PC, Nintendo Switch, or otherwise, today is the day to do it. Hit up our master May the 4th roundup for everything else and head below for a closer look at our 2023 edition of the the best May the 4th deals on games and more. 

It’s no secret that Microsoft’s Game Pass is one of its biggest money makers for subscriptions. Well, they’re trying to get you to entice your friends or family to subscribe now more than ever. To do this, Microsoft is introducing a feature that allows you to invite up to five friends for a free 14-day PC Game Pass trial. Sadly, it does look like this is exclusive to PC Game Pass, and they’ll have to have never had Game Pass before to redeem. What all comes with the trial? Let’s break down how to share and why you might want to below.

The “world’s first” smart reusable sticky notes have arrived. Rocketbook has become well-known over the years for, well, its Rocketbooks – a smart, reusable notebook that allows you to beam your handwritten notes and doodles to the cloud for safe-keeping. Today, the brand is entering a sort of adjacent product category by the way of its new reusable sticky notes. This marks the brand’s first foray into a product segment you would have thought it would have been all over years ago, especially considering it already makes these index cards with a similar technology, but nonetheless, the new Rocketbook smart reusable sticky notes have arrived. 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.

• Best price of the year takes $100 off Apple’s latest M1 Max Mac Studio
• Bring official Space Black Link Bracelet stylings to your Apple Watch from $266 (Reg. $449)
• Oura Ring fitness trackers see rare discounts to best prices of the year from $409

When we reviewed the PlaySeat Trophy Logitech G Edition, I mentioned how expensive it was to get the shifter mount. It costs $50 plus an additional $100 shipping to get it to me here in the US. It’s now listed on B&H but is temporarily out of stock with availability expected in 4-6 months. So, I decided to design and 3D print my own shifter mount, and I’ve been having a blast playing the new Rally Adventure mode in Forza Horizon 5. Let’s dive in and check it out.

Today BLACK+DECKER is introducing its latest home cleaning appliance, the POWERSERIES Extreme MAX Cordless Stick Vacuum. Unlike some other stick vacuums on the market, this one can also operate as a hand vacuum when you need to clean off your furniture. Some upgrades BLACK+DECKER has implemented with this new vacuum entry include an updated floorhead design, the 20V MAX removable battery that can be used with other BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX products, and a cyclonic filtration system. The new POWERSERIES Extreme MAX vacuum is available for purchase starting today, so make sure you keep reading below to learn more and find out where you can order the vacuum today.

Apogee just recently unveiled its latest home and on-the-road interface solution known as the Jam X. As a follow-up to previous iterations in the Jam lineup, Apogee is once again applying its nearly 40 years of expertise in the digital audio space and wrapping it up into a pocket-size solution at a far more affordable price than world-class, pro-grade interfaces used in professional environments all over the world. We have had a chance to give the new Apogee Jam X a run for its money over the last couple of weeks, and it’s time to weigh in as part of our ongoing Tested with 9to5Toys series.

Today, Weber is getting ahead of the outdoor cooking season and upgrading the grills you already own. If your grill is part of the WEBER CONNECT smart system, it now has new features, thanks to the updated WEBER CONNECT 2.0 app. The major update here is that you can now monitor multiple grills or smokers at the same time. On top of that, there’s a new dynamic grilling dashboard, cook graphing, and much more. Ready to take your cookout game to the next level? Keep reading to find out how.

SANDMARC is introducing its brand new iPhone photography lens today known as the Macro 100mm. The brand has quickly become one of our favorite Apple gear accessory makers, from delivering my personal favorite leather iPhone 14 case and a brilliant collection of Apple Watch bracelet straps that look like they were made by a true horology company to its all-metal tripod stand we reviewed previously and more, SANDMARC is not a brand to be slept on whether you’re an iPhoneographer or not. However, today it is expanding its lineup of iPhone lens offerings with a new model designed to simulate the human eye and offer photographers “a more natural, organic look.” Head below for more details on SANDMARC’s new iPhone lens release. 

Update: LEGO has officially revealed the new Mars Rover set, confirming it’ll launch on August 1 for $99.99.

After getting a first look at the new LEGO Dreamzzz sets this morning, we’re now turning our attention to the Technic side of LEGO’s summer lineup. Arriving later this year in August, a pair of creations will be hitting the scene this summer. Thanks to German retailer JB Spielwaren, we’re getting a first look at the new LEGO Technic Mars Rover Perseverance and John Deere Skidder sets.

Today we’re getting a look at just about all of the sets from the LEGO Group’s latest in-house theme. Following in the footsteps of Ninjago, Friends, and Monkie Kid, the latest property from the company will be launching this summer with a collection of colorful and oh-so whimsical creations. LEGO Dreamzzz arrives with a lineup of builds that are just as surreal as they are fun, and we break down what to expect from the all-new theme below.

The LEGO Group just launched its Star Wars Day celebration, and at the top of all the fanfare is the new mini Death Star II set. This limited-edition creation not only arrives to pay homage to the 40th anniversary of Return of the Jedi but also arrives as an exciting new build that’s free on select orders. Today we’re taking a closer look at how the kit stacks up to see if it’s worth the entry fee.

LEGO today is launching its annual Star Wars Day sale ahead of May the 4th. The company just launched a whole host of new kits to celebrate the next month rolling around, and front and center in the collection are creations from a galaxy far, far away. But there’s more this month than just the latest from LEGO Star Wars, namely promotions that help builders make the most out of expanding their collections.

Today, Sony is announcing the pricing and availability for its latest 2023 BRAVIA XR 4K Mini LED, OLED, and LED TVs. All of the models announced for availability today feature Sony’s updated Cognitive Processor XR which has the all-new XR Clear Image on select models, delivers the Acoustic Center Sync which synchronizes your TV’s audio system with the center channel of compatible Sony soundbars, and much more. With pricing starting at $1,300 and going up to $10,000, you’ll want to head below to find all of the details about when and how to purchase the latest Sony TV models.

Just hours before “fashion’s biggest night out” at the 2023 Met Gala, Casely has now launched its new lineup of iPhone cases officially adorned with iconic pieces of artwork. Featuring prints from Hokusai’s iconic 1830-32 woodblock, Monet’s Summer Landscape, a Henri-Edmond Cross watercolor circa 1909, and more, these cases are the latest in the brand’s growing lineup of designs to decorate your iPhone 14 (and previous generation models) this summer and beyond. Best of all, our exclusive discount code will knock the prices down well below the $35 and $50 everyone else will have to pay. Head below for all of the details. 

Joining today’s all-time lows on the official Xbox Series X/S storage Expansion Cards from $150, Microsoft has unveiled a new Xbox wireless controller. Taking to the Xbox Wire today, we are getting our first look at the new Sunkissed Vibes Special Edition gamepad. The exclusive new controller now sits alongside a few recent releases to Microsoft’s stable of in-house gamepads including the customizable Redfall controllers that landed on Xbox Design Lab, the Earth Day model, and before that, the all-green variant that released ahead of St. Patrick’s Day. While none of those, including the new Sunkissed are arguably as cute as the limited edition Grogu gamepad, you can get a closer at the now available new Xbox wireless controller below. 

The LEGO Group today is back with a fresh new collection of sets for May! Headlined by a whole galaxy of just-released builds from the Star Wars theme, there’s also new LEGO sets from the 100th anniversay Disney fanfare, the latest LEGO Ideas model, Technic supercars, and much more. Head below for the full scoop on all of the new LEGO sets available for May 2023, which are now available for purchase.

If you’ve not heard of Galactic Civilizations, it’s a space-based strategy game, and this marks the fourth installment in the series. As a stand-alone sequel to the previous title, you’ll find yourself as the ruler of a united home world that has just discovered faster-than-light travel. Well, the latest stand-alone addition to the series is here with Galactic Civilizations IV: Supernova, leveraging OpenAI’s ChatGPT (called AlienGPT), you’ll be able to create your own civilizations that use AI for the lore, conversation dialogues, quests, and more. Plus, AI also generates custom graphics for your civilization, making it even more immersive. Sound interesting? Keep reading to find out more.

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.

• A $220 discount makes Apple’s 11-inch M1 iPad Pro 256GB even more compelling at $679
• Fitbit Versa 4 and Sense 2 smartwatches land at best prices of the year from $160
• Bundle Anker’s new Nano 3 GaN USB-C charger with Bio Lightning cable at $26.50

iOttie has been making some of our favorite iPhone car mounts for ages now, and today two new offerings have hit the scene for iPhone 14 owners. Expanding its more premium Velox lineup comes a pair of new accessories that land at either end of the spectrum. There’s the flagship Velox Pro mount clocking in at the top of its class, with the Velox Mini tapping in at a more affordable price point. Both of the new MagSafe chargers are now available for purchase ahead of shipping next week, too.

After getting a first look at four new Kong characters making their debut into the LEGO collection earlier in the week, today we’re getting an official reveal of the first full LEGO Donkey Kong set. Due out later this summer in August, the upcoming Donkey Kong’s Tree House set continues the brick-built Nintendo action that Mario started a few years back. There’s also three other new Donkey Kong sets coming this summer, too.

Thrustmaster is expanding on its hot-swap controller module lineup with the ESWAP XR Forza Horizon 5 edition. It comes with the standard layout but also packs a racing wheel module and can be reconfigured on the fly. The wheel is also available separately for $39 if you already have an ESWAP controller, but for Forza Horizon 5 fans and collectors, this $180 special-edition controller is worth a look. Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details. 

Have you been waiting to upgrade your gaming headset but wanted something more premium? Well, today, Razer is introducing the all-new 2023 BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless Gaming Headset. Upgrading and iterating on the previous edition headset, you’ll find that the battery life has been more than tripled alongside Pro-Tuned FPS audio profiles that will let you hear every detail in your games. Razer has also refined the build and comfort with a reinforced steel headband, memory foam earcups, and overall increased durability. Available for purchase today in both white and black colorways, you can learn more about what’s new here below the fold.

Today, Paradox Interactive has revealed the final DLC for Cities: Skylines, developed by Colossal Order. The iconic city builder is set to retire this year as we look toward the incoming sequel. Hotels & Retreats is the final DLC being launched in the Cities: Skylines “World Tour,” and it’s a mini-expansion that actually delivers a lot of fun functions to help boost your city’s economy. Keep reading to find out when you can get Cities: Skylines Hotels & Retreats to give your city one last bump in population and fun.

New customizable Redfall Xbox controllers have been unveiled. The release of the next Arkane is title is quickly approaching as Redfall is set to hit store shelves and digital storefronts on May 2. The Bethesda game studio – best known for its work in the immersive sim genre with brilliant titles like Dishonored and Prey – is spreading its wings to some degree with Redfall, blending its usual approach with the looter-shooter co-op genre much the same way Microsoft is doing with the new Redfall Limited Edition Controllers. As opposed to the usual new Microsoft controller styles we feature around here, the new Redfall Xbox controllers are actually part of Xbox Design Lab, so you can design them yourself – 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.

• New all-time lows drop refurb Apple Watch Series 7 styles to $230 (Orig. $399+)
• Nomad’s sitewide spring cleaning sale takes 15% off MagSafe chargers, leather cases, more
• Nanoleaf’s gaming Lines HomeKit lights see $88 clearance sale to $132 all-time low

The new Teenage Engineering CM–15 field microphone has arrived. TE is one of the most unique, interesting, and creative audio gadget makers anywhere (I love them), and today it is unveiling its very first foray into the microphone space. The CM-15 is an expansion of its Field line of gear most recently exemplified by the recycled Field Desk with a modular rail system and the wild little TX-6 mixer we went hands-on with previously. The new Teenage Engineering field mic continues the brand’s trend of developing innovative music gear as well as the aesthetics we have come to love from the previous Field releases. Hit the jump for a closer look and all of the details. 

Today, Dreametech is announcing its brand-new DreameBot L10 Ultra robot vacuum and mop for purchase. Designed to be a “fully-automated cleaning system,” the L10 Ultra has a lot to like about it. There’s an auto-empty base, which also features mop washing and drying as well as automatic water- and solution-adding functionality. Then, the robot itself has dual rotary mopping pads, full navigation, and more. If you’re looking for a way to have hands-free cleaning this spring, then read on to find out more about the Dreamtech DreameBot L10 Ultra robot vacuum and mop.

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 SE 2 falls to $249 with $50 all-time discount on cellular styles
• Official Apple iPhone 14 MagSafe clear cases hit best prices of the year at $39 (Reg. $49)
• Anker’s new 15W MagSafe 3-in-1 charging stand sees only second discount to $126

Samsung’s new lineup of Frame TVs were originally shown off back at CES 2023 in January, and today the first of the new units are beginning to ship. Delivering on much of that same promise of blending your usual 4K HDR panels into a stealthy picture frame design, the latest models arrive with some quality of life adjustments, new software experience, and the same price tags as before.

After getting a first look at the new LEGO Super Mario sets back in March, today the LEGO Group is teasing details on the entire lineup. We already knew that Donkey Kong would be getting the star treatment this time around, but it looks like he won’t be the only ape getting in on the brick-built action for the LEGO Mario 2023 lineup when it hits this summer.

Are you looking to upgrade your laptop but don’t want something that will take up a lot of space or weigh too much? Well, ASUS is now introducing what it claims is the “world’s thinnest 13.3-inch OLED laptop,” the Zenbook S 13 OLED. Coming equipped with the latest 13th Gen Intel processors, you’ll have plenty of processing power packed into a small chassis. Speaking of the chassis, ASUS has designed this upgraded laptop with recycled metals and plastics with the goal of being carbon neutral. Whether you need a decently powerful laptop for your office work or want to create some content on the go, the Zenbook S 13 OLED is worth a look. Keep reading below the fold for more.

Today we are getting our first look at the new Tile for Cats – a combination of the brand’s Sticker item (kitty) tracker and its new collar accessory. The brand has been going neck and neck with AirTag since Apple jumped into the product category in 2021 but has largely held its own with a broader range of products, bundle offers, and, in some cases, slightly lower price tags. Today, it is looking to help pet owners keep tabs on what can be the most elusive of domesticated furry friends with its new Tile for Cats package. Head below for a closer look.

Originally thought to be an April Fools’ joke, the ASUS ROG Ally is a real thing we found out. Well, today, we get a more in-depth look at what the ROG Ally and its Windows 11-powered self brings to the table. Powered by the just-announced AMD Z1 chip, which comes in two flavors that offer up to 8 cores and 16 threads with RDNA 3 architecture for graphics, this handheld seems to have everything that people originally wanted in the Steam Deck… but it’ll cost, according to reports from ASUS, “less than $1,000.” How does the ROG Ally stack up to the Steam Deck in terms of specs and features? Let’s find out more below.

In what has been one of the worst kept secrets of the LEGO Star Wars lineup, today we’re getting a first official look at the upcoming Mandalorian Fang Fighter versus TIE Interceptor set. Hitting store shelves next month as part of the Star Wars Day festivities, set number 76348 will stack up to nearly 1,000 pieces and includes four minifigures.

ROKFORM is an accessory maker with a focus on rugged, purpose-built goods to support your smartphone experience (among other things), and today, we are taking a hands-on look at its brand-new metal MagSafe wallet. Its previous-generation solution sold out, and after receiving a number of requests as to when it would return, ROKFORM decided to head back to the drawing board to come up with something even better. The result is its new Fuzion metal MagSafe wallet with expandable storage, which just officially launched last week after the debut of its Eagle 3, the “first-ever iPhone case developed for golf.” Head below for a closer look and more of our hands-on impressions of its latest magnetic carrier.