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’s latest iPad mini 6 returns to second-best prices with $99 discounts from $400
• Nomad launches fall outlet sale with discounts on iPhone 13 MagSafe cases, chargers, more
• Belkin’s 15W MagSafe 3-in-1 Charger for iPhone 14 hits $130.50 with rare discount

After first launching back in August, Anker’s new PowerCore 24K stole the show with its massive internal battery and even more capable 140W USB-C PD output. Now over the past month, I’ve been putting the power bank to the test with my Apple setup to see just how worthy of an everyday carry upgrade Anker’s latest really is.

Update: Heads up folks….the debut of the second official Mario Bros. Movie is set to debut tomorrow afternoon – 2:00 p.m. PT on 11/29. Details right here: “Join us at 2:00 p.m. PT on 11/29 for the world premiere of The Super Mario Bros. Movie’s second trailer! No game information will be included in this #NintendoDirect.” 

Well, today is the day we finally get our first look at the much anticipated Mario movie, The Super Mario Bros. Movie as it is officially known right now. The film was first announced back in 2018, some 2-years before the Sonic The Hedgehog movie actually turned out to be pretty good, and then went mostly dark until a pre-fall Direct presentation in 2021. At that time, series’ creator Shigeru Miyamoto took to the virtual stage to unveil the Mario movie cast starring Chris Pratt as the titular Mushroom Kingdom plumber (please don’t mess the voice up, please Chris). And now, over a year later, Nintendo is finally ready to show the upcoming Mario movie as part of what appears to be a dedicated Nintendo Direct showcase. Head below for details and to watch the upcoming stream later today. 

Moment is riding the wave of the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro launch today by releasing a new pair of cases for Google’s latest smartphone. Delivering its usual grippy design, the refreshed Moment Case for Pixel 7 now arrives with 10-foot drop protection and built-in magnets that enable MagSafe support.

Today, EA is announcing the latest installment in the Need for Speed series with Unbound. This game promises an “all-new signature art style” that “blends elements of the freshest street art with the most realistic looking cars in Need for Speed history.” As a kid, I grew up playing the original Need for Speed games and have countless hours in the series. I’ve not been a huge fan of the newer releases, but maybe Need for Speed Unbound can change that. Let’s take a look at what the upcoming title has to offer below.

Today we are taking a closer look at Ninja’s latest CREAMi ice cream maker. The previous-generation models were some of the more popular kitchen items around here over this past summer and while the weather might be cooling down across the country, it’s never too cold for some frozen treats if you ask me. The latest Ninja Deluxe CREAMi ice cream maker introduces a series of new features to its already popular formula and is now available for purchase. 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 Watch SE is the most affordable way to run watchOS 9 with all-time lows from $199
• Apple’s prev-gen. AirPods 2 still offer plenty of value with $90 clearance discount (Save $39)
• Dock your upcoming Pixel 7 on Google’s official Pixel Stand 2nd Gen at $59 low (Save $20)

After detailing its new iPhone 14 collection, Bellroy has now unleashed its new MacBook accessory known as the Lite Laptop Sleeve. Once again employing environmentally-conscious materials, its new laptop sleeve covers your portable computing machine in a lightly textured and padded sheath to guard against bumps and scratches on the road, and looks quite nice doing it based on the imagery. Head below for more details and a closer look at Bellroy’s new Lite Laptop Sleeve. 

The latest LEGO Ideas set has hit the scene and arrives as a unique new playable Table Football set. More affectionately known as foosball, the iconic game room staple is getting the brick-built treatment with a functional design comprised of over 2,300 pieces that allow you to customize its look with any of the 22 included minifigures.

LEGO Ideas today is launching a unique new contest that will see builders someday able to add an official Dungeons & Dragons set to their collections. Allowing creatures to submit their own models of iconic D&D creatures and characters, the contest celebrates 50 years of the popular role playing game. So whether you’re a Dungeon Master yourself or have more recently gotten into the action thanks to Stranger Things, builders will be able to reimagine their favorites for a chance to turn their models into an official set.

Next up in our run of reviews on covers for Apple’s latest handsets is the Pelican iPhone 14 Kevlar Shield case. Easily one of the standouts in the Pelican lineup for me, it is looking to deliver an ultra-protective solution with a unique case construction, a few interesting design details, and the included belt holster included in the package. Now available for all iPhone 14 models, we have also spotted a notable price drop on the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus models. Head below for our hands-on review of the new Pelican iPhone 14 Kevlar Shield case in the latest Tested with 9to5Toys feature. 

Today, Kwikset is launching two new SmartCode keyless electric keypad deadbolts ahead of the holiday season. These keypad deadbolts feature Kwikset’s SmartKey rekeying technology, automatic door lock, and a Microban-protected keypad. Plus, both models are offered in Venetian Bronze as well as Satin Nickel, letting you match what colors work for your home best. Sounds like a home security upgrade you might be interested in? Keep reading to find out more about these budget-friendly keypad deadbolts.

Now joining the brand’s SoloCast, QuadCast, and DuoCast models, today HyperX is announcing the new ProCast Microphone. This large diaphragm condenser mic marks the brand’s first foray into the XLR world, stepping away from the arguably more entry-level USB models in favor of what it refers to as a pro-grade solution. Set to launch this month, you can get a closer look at what the new HyperX ProCast Microphone is all about 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.

• M2 MacBook Pro drop to second-best prices starting at $1,149 (Save up to $200)
• Anker’s new 10,000mAh MagSafe power bank drops to $64 low, more from $16
• Save $200 on Samsung’s Galaxy S22 Ultra at the third-best price to date of $1,000

Today, Western Digital is unveiling one of the fastest portable SSDs out there with the new PRO-G40. Officially known as the SanDisk Professional PRO-G40 SSD, WD is delivering a particularly rugged and protective portable solid-state solution today with modern specs and dual-mode NVMe featuring both Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps) and USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) support. Now clocking in as one of the fastest portable SSDs on the market, it is available for purchase starting today, and you can get all of the details down below. 

At long last, Overwatch 2 has finally arrived. After the original Blizzard team-based shooter closed its virtual doors yesterday, the sequel is officially going live today. Bringing new heroes, refreshed maps, and updated gameplay into the futuristic world, Overwatch 2 sets out in a different direction as a free to play game supported by a battle pass in order to prove itself as a worthy successor to the former Game of the Year winner.

Today SteelSeries is now launching its 2023 model Apex Pro TKL Gaming Keyboard with its all-new OmniPoint 2.0 switches that allow you to set custom actuation distances to provide the ultimate customizability. You will have a choice between wired and wireless models, so you can choose the right option for your gaming setup with the only difference being the built-in battery and transmitter. The TKL design removes keys that most gamers will never need to save desktop space as well. Keep reading below the fold to learn more about these new entries from SteelSeries.

Today, Microsoft announced its upcoming Xbox Game Pass expansion for October. Headlining the show is the fact that A Plague Tale: Requiem will be available on Series X|S, PC, and Cloud as well as several other additions. So, if you’re an Xbox Game Pass subscriber or are considering joining, then keep reading to see everything that’s coming to Microsoft’s gaming platform this month.

SANDMARC is unveiling its new Titanium Apple Watch band today. Officially known as the Titanium Edition – Apple Watch Ultra Band, its high-end metal strap now joins the more affordable new leather Apple Watch Ultra model from the brand we featured last month as its latest offerings for Apple’s wearable lineup. SANDMARC has quickly become a standout brand in the Apple gear space for us over the last year or so, largely due to how much of a fan I am of the gorgeous gunmetal aluminum machined threading on its iPhone 13 and 14 cases, with a focus on iPhoneographers and the use of rugged materials. The new Titanium Apple Watch band appears to be following suit, and you can get a closer look below alongside our exclusive 10% 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.

• Woot clears out previous-generation Apple Watch models with all-time lows from $90
• New all-time low brings Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 4 256GB down to $900 (Save $160)
• Dropping to $21, Apple’s official iPhone SE 3 silicone cases fall to all-time lows (Reg. $35)

At the end of last year, the LEGO Group sent out a survey that it would be considering rolling out a new paid subscription that gave builders some extra perks on top of the usual VIP points and promotions. Now 9to5Toys can report on what the first of these potential benefits are, with a new LEGO Vault lineup launching in 2023 with both BIONICLE and classic Modular Building-inspired creations.

Today we are taking a hands-on look at the new Coach iPhone 14 cases – more specifically, its Signature C Tan leather folio model. This two-piece wallet-style case launched alongside the rest of the models in the fashion-forward Coach collection almost immediately after Apple made this year’s new handsets official and has quickly become one of my personal favorites in its category. Now that we’ve had some time to put it through its paces, we are also ready to dish up our impressions so you can see if might be for you too. Head below for the latest Tested with 9to5Toys feature on the Coach iPhone 14 leather folio. 

Jackery is now expanding its popular lineup of portable power stations with a new offering that sits towards the top of its lineup. Packed into a redesigned shell with all of the same Jackery ruggedness you’d expect, the new Explorer 1000 Pro arrives with a 1,002Wh output, versatile array of I/O, and a perfect build for campsites, tailgates, and more.

Today, Turtle Beach is launching the PlayStation version of its acclaimed Stealth 700 Gen 2 MAX wireless gaming headset. We loved the Xbox version in our hands-on review, and now PlayStation gamers can get in on the action. There’s a lot that the Turtle Beach 700 Gen 2 MAX headset has to offer PlayStation gamers, so keep reading to find out all that it brings to the table.

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 first discounts go live on stainless steel cellular models from $659
• Google Pixel 6a drops to $349 all-time low with $100 fall discount
• Samsung’s M8 Smart Monitor delivers AirPlay 2, 65W USB-C, more at $580 (Save $120)

It’s our favorite time of the month, when new LEGO sets drop! For October, there’s fresh supply of creations from all around the brick-built catalog including the latest from LEGO Star Wars, Marvel, Ideas, and much more. All detailed below, we cover what you should buy and skip for the new LEGO sets in October.

As smart home security systems become more plentiful, like those from Ring and Simplisafe, we’re always looking for the next big upgrade. Now eufy is aiming to take charge with its all-new Edge Security System. This new setup is managed by the new HomeBase 3, which acts as a hub for the cameras and has processing to power its proprietary BionicMind self-learning AI that can recognize different people, pets, and objects. Then, all the footage is cataloged and stored locally, available for viewing anywhere with the eufy Security app. Keep reading below the fold to learn more about this latest home security system.

Today we are taking a closer hands-on look at the new Magic Bullet Mini Juicer. Just recently released from NutriBullet, it delivers a casual and relatively affordable solution for folks that are just looking for a simple compact solution to pull out that doesn’t take up a massive chunk of countertop space, but still provides enough power to get the job done. The $60 machine is now even more affordable on Amazon, but let’s dive in to see if it’s worth opting for the lower price tag over the established higher-end options. 

As we close out the week, Amazon is announcing the upcoming October 2022 Free Games with Prime titles. As a part of your existing Amazon Prime membership, every month the online retailer delivers a handful of games to you for absolutely no additional cost. Generally, most of these titles are lesser-known, though occasionally some bigger names slip in. This month? We’re seeing Fallout 76, Middle-earth: Shadow of War, and much more being offered in Amazon’s Free Games with Prime for October 2022. Keep reading for more details.

PDP, alongside brands like PowerA and HORI, are among the most popular third-party Nintendo Switch accessory makers out there alongside gear for Xbox and more. The brand has now unveiled its latest collection of new releases consisting of updated designs for current offerings and entirely new products. That includes, but is not limited to, the latest REMATCH Switch and Xbox gamepads, the Afterglow controller, and the AIRLITE Pro Wireless Headset for Microsoft’s home console. Many of which are now available for purchase, and you can get a closer look at the new PDP lineup 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.

• Apple’s M1 Pro MacBook Pros now $399 off at Amazon, second-best prices from $1,600
• Apple’s Magic Keyboard delivers a floating hinge design to 12.9-inch iPad Pro at $300 (Save $49)
• Elevate the look of Apple Watch Series 8 with official Leather Link bands from $60 (Reg. $99)

Today, Anker is expanding its Soundcore lineup with a new pair of flagship earbuds. Arriving with a respectable feature set to take on the like of AirPods Pro, Anker is beating Apple to the punch by launching the new Soundcore Liberty 4 with built-in heart rate monitoring. That’s alongside Spatial Audio support and all of the usual features like personalized active noise cancellation and a true wireless design.

Microsoft has released the new Elite Series 2 Core controller. Available in white, it’s a more affordable option for a “pro” Xbox controller, but it loses most of the accessories like paddles and swappable thumbsticks. Those now come in a separate optional package. After reading over the release and checking the website listing and seeing “re-engineered components,” I decided to pick one up and see how it performs. So far, for better or worse, it seems like it’s more of the same. Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details. 

After launching its latest three-in-one air purifier combos, Shark is now offering the all-new Wandvac Self-Empty System which combines a powerful ultra-lightweight cordless vacuum cleaner with a self-emptying station like those you’d find for robot vacuums. This system is aimed at reducing the amount of dust you’re exposed to when emptying your vacuum to prevent allergy flare-ups and the such and will also charge the vacuum. The Wandvac also can be converted to more easily clean your furniture or reach up high to get those cobwebs. Make sure you keep reading below the fold to learn more about the new Shark Wandvac Self-Empty System.

Today, Elgato is launching an all-new XLR microphone dubbed the Wave DX. This new microphone uses a premium dynamic capsule that’s been designed in close cooperation with Lewitt Audio. Elgato designed this microphone to “reproduce precise vocals without coloration” for a more accurate representation of your voice, something that many microphones can fail to do. Sound intriguing? The price is also pretty great, so keep reading to find out more about the Elgato Wave DX microphone.

Today, 9to5Toys can report on some exciting LEGO news for a kit dropping at the end of the year. Over the past few years, the LEGO Group has been launching some of its largest creations to date to kick off the holiday shopping season, and this time around look to be heading to France to assemble one of the most iconic landmarks in the world. Arriving as the second-largest LEGO set to date, the upcoming Eiffel Tower will deliver one of the largest builds ever released.

Update: The new PlayStation Stars loyalty program detailed below launches in North America today. Sign up here or in through the PlayStation App on iOS and Android. 

After just unveiling the October PlayStation Plus free games and rumors of a new PS5 SKU, Sony has taken to its official blog to dish up the launch date for the new PlayStation Stars program. Initially announced back in July, the new PlayStation Stars program is designed to encourage gamers to stay active on Sony’s home gaming platform, complete tasks, and more to earn special rewards, digital collectibles, and even FREE PSN money, all with no cost of entry. We have more details on how it all works and when it will be launching around the world 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.

• Apple’s M2 MacBook Air now $150 off at Amazon starting at $1,049 all-time lows
• Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro see Amazon clearance discount to $103 low (Reg. $200)
• Philips Hue refurb sale offers rare fall discounts on HomeKit lights, accessories, more from $19

Teenage Engineering is officially announcing the new PO-80 record factory – “a compact and portable record cutter.” The design team at Teenage Engineering is responsible for some of the most interesting and creative musical devices out there, from its Pocket Operator build-it-yourself modular synthesizer kits to the design on Panic’s playdate handheld gaming system, but today it is taking its eclectic acumen to the (sort of) vinyl record space with the new PO-80 record factory. Head below for a closer look at the latest Teenage Engineering creation. 

Totallee’s color and clear iPhone 14 cases have arrived, are already on sale for 9to5 readers, and it’s now time for our hands-on review. The brand has been a staple in our yearly best of roundups and is easily one of our favorite clear iPhone 14 cases on the market. But it’s extremely minimalist sensibilities might not be for everyone, so be sure to head below for some hands-on impressions of this year’s case lineup in the latest Tested with 9to5Toys feature.  

This week, we have already seen AMD release its Ryzen 7000 series processors and have gone hands-on with them. However, not to be outdone, Intel is announcing its 13th Gen Core processor lineup with pretty impressive specs across the board. Though we’ve not used Intel’s 13th Gen chips yet, they do look pretty promising overall. With up to 24 cores, 32 threads, and 5.8GHz clock speeds, Intel’s 13th Gen chips are shaping up to be a pretty stout competitor to what AMD has to offer.