News

With Amazon looking to drop some serious cash to acquire iRobot, it seems like a fitting time to showcase some of the best robot vacuums out there. After bringing the Ring smart gear under its wings, Amazon has now announced that it will be dishing out $1.7 billion to acquire iRobot, makers of the high-end Roomba robot vacuum solution, in an all-cash deal. iRobot’s Roomba line has been a major player in the autonomous cleaning space for quite a few years now, delivering a series of notable tech to your smart home in the process. But over time, several other brands have given it a run for its money. Some of these are at even lower price points with equally successful results, especially for folks who are just looking for something to keep the floors dust-free without getting overly technical. With today’s acquisition announcement, we thought it might be a good time to highlight some of our favorite Roomba alternatives as part of our latest roundup of the best robot vacuums. Head below for a closer look. 

Originally announced back in April, Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered is making its way to PC next week on August 12. Well, this week, Insomniac Games announced that the title is now Steam Deck verified, meaning you can play it anywhere the portable console travels with you. What else does this mean? Let’s take a closer look below.

The 2022 golf season is in full swing, and being comfortable as well as sleek on the course should be a top priority. Southern Tide released a new collection for both men and women. This line has fabric that’s infused with stretch, features moisture-wicking technology, and offers breathability. So whether you’re just hitting the driving range or going for a full 18 holes, this collection has you covered. Be sure to head below to find all of our top picks from Southern Tide, and if you’re back to school shopping, check out our fashion guide for all of the top sales going on today.

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 M2 MacBook Pro back on sale with $200 in savings from $1,099
• Apple’s white Magic Keyboard improves your 12.9-inch iPad Pro experience at $299 (Save $50)
• Best Buy anniversary weekend sale takes $149 off M1 MacBook Air, Galaxy Fold 3 $600 off, more
• Pokemon, Insta360 Link, Anker GaNPrime and more – 9to5Toys LIVE

CASETiFY today is launching its latest collection of iPhone cases, this time tapping the iconic characters of the Pixar flick that started it all. Off the big screen and hall of animated legends, Toy Story is joining the CASETiFY stable with a whole new series of covers for iPhone 13 alongside Apple Watch bands, iPad covers, and more.

The latest compact keyboard from SteelSeries is the Apex Pro Mini. Coming in both wired and wireless variants, this 60% layout gaming keyboard features OmniPoint 2.0 adjustable optical switches, a solid typing feel for a pre-built gaming keyboard, and a hefty price tag. Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details. 

New Pikachu shoes have surfaced in collaboration with Clarks, makers of the iconic Wallabees. We love a good Pokémon cross campaign around here, whether it’s CASETiFY’s latest Pokémon collection, the Converse collaboration that dropped back in May, or those more subtle adidas sneakers we saw before that, but today it’s Clarks’s turn. Head below for a closer look at the latest in Pokémon footwear with the new Clarks Pikachu shoes. 

The current Apex Legends season draws to a close next week, and Hunted takes its places. Out with the old, and in with the… older? That’s right, Kings Canyon is coming back and Skulltown is better than ever. Plus, we’re getting an all-new legend named Vantage that’s sure to take sniping to a new level in Apex Legends Hunted. What other changes are on the horizon? Let’s take 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.

• Apple’s just-released Starlight M2 MacBook Air with MagSafe sees first discount to $1,135
• Google’s just-released Pixel 6a sees first cash discount to $399 at Amazon (Save $50)
• Twelve South’s leather BookBook 12.9-inch iPad Pro Cover hits $57 (New 2022 low)

Final Audio started collaborating with Evangelion back in 2020 with its EVA2020 true wireless earbuds, and now the fifth installment of the mecha-inspired listening experiences is now arriving. Continuing the inspiration based around the anime series’ iconic mechas, the newest pair is themed around Rei’s prototype Unit-00 Eva.

Is the Nintendo Switch screen not large enough for you to game on-the-go comfortably? Well, the UpSwitch Orion remedies that problem by delivering a large 11.6-inch HD display to your portable setup. The Orion comes as an all-in-one dock and allows you to enjoy your favorite Switch games anywhere, just bigger. Should you get this unique handheld upgrade? Let’s take a closer look.

The Samsung Gaming Hub is getting another major upgrade today with the launch of Amazon’s Luna streaming service. After launching back in June of this year, Samsung is seriously bolstering its built-in gaming capabilities with the inclusion of Xbox Game Pass cloud gaming that launched last month, the NVIDIA GeForce platform, and now, Amazon’s Luna streaming service. Head below for more details on Luna landing in the Samsung Gaming 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.

• Nomad’s new gold Base One/Max 15W MagSafe chargers see launch discounts from $85
• AirPods Max with best-in-class ANC fall to one of the year’s lowest price of $450 (Save $99)
• Samsung’s iMac-inspired M8 Smart AirPlay 2 Monitor sees $100 discount to $600 at Amazon

After last checking in with Pokémon Scarlet and Violet back in June for the official release dates and a first look at the new Legendaries, the Pokémon Company is back today with its latest Presents showcase. Detailing the latest news from Gen 9, we’re breaking down all of the announcements from today’s virtual event now that the upcoming games are available for pre-order.

After going hands-on with its Pro Edition tripod last month, SANDMARC is expanding its iPhoneography lineup today with the new Cloud Diffusion iPhone lens attachment filters. Designed to deliver that dreamy filmic look to your photography and videos, the SANDMARC Cloud Diffusion Filter is compatible with just about all iPhone models ranging all the way back to the 5 series devices with a standard clip-on approach. Now available for pre-sale directly from the official site, you can even land a solid discount on your order with our exclusive 9to5Toys promo code. Head below for a closer look and more details. 

Today, Microsoft is announcing the latest additions to its Xbox Game Pass lineup of titles. Further expanding its offerings, you’ll now find yet another Ubisoft game joining the Game Pass ranks with the inclusion of Ghost Recon Wildlands for the first time ever. There’s a lot more coming to Microsoft’s monthly game subscription service, so keep reading to find out all you’ll be able to play over the next month.

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 7 styles hit second-best prices from $280 on Amazon (Save $119)
• Bring one of Apple’s new blue HomePod mini to your Siri setup with rare discount to $90
• Nintendo Switch OLED sees rare discount to $325 (2022 low) for today only, original at $270

After seeing over 45 different LEGO creations hit store shelves at the start of the month for the summer wave, we’re now getting official looks at this year’s holiday sets. Every year the LEGO Group debuts some new festive kits to countdown to the holidays, and 2022 is no different. Today we’re checking out all of the details from the new Star Wars and Marvel LEGO Advent Calendars which will both be hitting shelves on September 1.

The new Insta360 Link webcam may not look like the traditional shape we’re used to, but that’s because it’s an AI-powered, three-axis gimbal-stabilized 4K camera. This thing is packed with features that will appeal to streamers, content creators, and work professionals. Be sure to hit the video below to see and hear a deep dive into everything this $300 webcam is capable of.

It’s time to dive into our 2022 edition podcast equipment list. With so many folks stepping into the space, whether it’s in a professional capacity or just as a hobby for beginners, it can be a daunting task to choose which podcast microphone and other gear you really need to get going in the right direction. It’s seeming like every even mildly audio-focused brand has an interface and a USB microphone available these days. So we thought we would organize some of the gear we have had a chance to go hands-on with (in some form or other) to help answer some frequently asked questions and to demystify some of the details for digital audio beginners and those just getting started in the podcasting space. Below, you’ll find a series of podcast equipment and gear to get you off on the right foot as well as ways to save some serious cash when first getting started. 

Anker’s latest releases take a step up from the usual iPhone-centric designs we’re used to, delivering even more capable form-factors backed by the latest GaNPrime charging tech. Its new PowerCore 65W takes that up yet another notch by delivering USB-C charging speeds alongside an internal power bank for topping off gear at-home or on-the-go. But does that versatility justify the price tag?

Launched back in May, Amazfit’s latest T-Rex 2 smartwatch is getting a pretty solid software update today. The premium GPS-enabled smartwatch will now let you import FPX/TCX/KML route files and also deliver real-time navigation, which is pretty nice. There’s more to this update, and we break down the navigational changes 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 entry-level 10.2-inch iPad is now even more affordable from $300 (Save $29+)
• Samsung’s latest Galaxy S22/+ smartphones hit second-best prices yet from $700 (Save $100+)
• Beats Fit Pro ANC earbuds with H1 chip drop to $180 alongside Beats Studio Buds at $120

V-MODA is unveiling its next-generation flagship product today with the new Crossfade 3 wireless headphones. The brand says the new Crossfades elevate “the highly rated V-MODA sound with new audio refinements that deliver the most immersive… experience ever.” The same premium build is present and accounted for here alongside improved battery life, enhanced codec support, and something the brand refers to as “evolved sound.” Head below for a closer look and more details. 

Every summer the LEGO Group launches one of the largest collection of new sets of the year, and 2022 is no different. This time around we’re getting a collection of all-new LEGO Star Wars sets to go alongside the likes of display-worthy Marvel builds, celebratory 90th anniversary creations, latest from Nintendo, and so much more. Head below for a break down of all the new LEGO sets for summer 2022.

Alongside seeing a collection of Star Wars sets lead the way for the summer 2022 LEGO action, the Marvel theme is also getting in on all of the new creations. Including three display-worthy sets, a refreshed and highly-detailed Sanctum Sanctorum is joined by a Nano Gauntlet kit and buildable Groot to kick off the new LEGO Marvel sets for the summer 2022 lineup now live for August 1.

August 1 has finally arrived and the LEGO Group is excitingly launching the largest Star Wars collection of the year. As the company does every year, the 2022 summer lineup is now available with seven different kits from a galaxy far, far away. Spanning sets themed around the latest Disney+ shows to buildable droids right out of video games and more, here’s everything you need to know on the new LEGO Star Wars 2022 sets in this summer lineup for August.

Yamaha is entering the game streaming space with its first-ever game streaming audio mixer. While there are loads of notable options out there when it comes to streaming and running audio for your game-centric rig, the new ZG01 Gaming Mixer from Yamaha has a number of interesting tricks up its sleeve. For everyone from casual players to eSports pros and Twitch broadcasters, the new streaming audio mixer delivers USB audio interface action alongside mic/vocal effects, 3D surround sound, and “competitive-gaming focus modes,” among other things. Head below for more details. 

No company does retro gaming quite like the folks at Analogue, and today we’re taking a hands-on look at its latest debut. Bringing all of the old school vibes from 1989 into the modern age, the Analogue Pocket takes on a Game Boy inspired form-factor with plenty of quality of life changes in tow. Alongside the ability to play official Nintendo cartridges, as well. But with orders delayed until next year, is the refreshed handheld actually worth the price?

IOGEAR is a well-known name in the PC gaming space, and it recently launched its latest UpStream 4K Game Capture Card that has a few notable unique features. The main thing that sets this capture card apart from many on the market is its support for consoles thanks to having two 3.5mm jacks for full team chat recording, without any extra wires or adapters needed, making it a solid choice for capturing both console and PC gameplay.

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 falls to new all-time low from $1,049 following $250 discount
• Apple 16- and 14-inch M1 Pro MacBook Pros hit all-time lows from $1,699 (Save $300+)
• Apple’s prev-gen 12.9-inch iPad Pro is an even better value at $700 (Refurb, Save $299+)

MSI is out with its first streaming microphone – the Immerse GV60. While MSI might be better known for hardware like laptops and motherboards, filling out its offerings with more peripherals like audio just makes sense given the popularity of streaming and content creation. With a Blue Yeti-like presence, the $130 MSI Immerse GV60 has some robust physical controls on the mic but lacks any software tweaking like some competitors. Be sure to watch the video review to hear how it sounds against the competition. 

Today, Sony announced that it’s rolling out a new PlayStation 5 beta software update to select users with several new features. The headlining part of this update, however, is finally support for 1440p HDMI output on the PlayStation 5. While this might not be that important with TVs, since they normally come in either 1080p or 4K, those who game on monitors will welcome this change with open arms. What else comes with the update, and when can general users expect it? Let’s take a closer look.

Today we are taking a look at the new Backbone One PlayStation Edition. The original Backbone One is widely considered to be one of, if not, the best mobile gaming controller for iPhone, but the company has now teamed up with Sony to unveil what is essentially the first official iPhone controller for PlayStation. Head below for more details and a closer look at the new Backbone One PlayStation Edition. 

One of the PlayStation 5’s most beloved features is the extremely fast SSD that allows games to boot with minimal loading. As promised, expandable storage options are now available to both the disk and digital PS5s, and the Samsung 980 Pro M.2 1TB SSD with Heatsink is the perfect choice to upgrade your console.

New details of GTA 6 have seemingly emerged, including the game’s setting, playable characters, and overall change of tone. Grand Theft Auto 5 released ages ago (back in 2013) and, much like previous games in the series, has remained relevant ever since. That’s largely due to the ever-expanding GTA Online that remained one of the top 20 best selling games right up until 2020, but Rockstar has seemingly begun to move its development focus from its persistent Grand Theft Auto world over to new projects, the biggest of which is likely GTA 6. Head below for more details. 

Turtle Beach’s sister brand, ROCCAT, is now releasing an all-new Kone XP Air wireless RGB gaming mouse with quite a few notable features. Bringing the brand’s iconic Kone XP mouse an all-new lease on life with the introduction of a Stellar Wireless connection, you’ll also find a fast charging dock and great RGB here all around. Want to learn more? Head below for additional information.

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.

• Sony’s just-released XM5 ANC Headphones see first refurbished discount to $259 (Orig. $398)
• Anker’s latest midweek sale discounts iPhone and Android essentials from $11
• Google’s latest Nest smart speakers and displays return to 2022 lows from $30

After being officially revealed at LEGO CON 2022, fans have been eagerly awaiting being able to get their hands on the upcoming Star Wars AT-TE. Unfortunately they’ll have to wait even longer, as today the LEGO Group has issued a statement noting that the latest Clone Wars creation won’t be arriving alongside the rest of the summer 2022 wave dropping in August.

Now that the 2022 LEGO lineup is largely solidified for the year in the Star Wars realm, we can actually start looking ahead to what 2023 will bring. And on that front, today 9to5Toys can report on what to expect from the winter wave of next year, including nine different LEGO sets from a galaxy far, far away.