News

It’s time to take a closer hands-on look at the latest from PowerA in our MOGA XP5-i Plus Bluetooth iPhone Controller review. PowerA unleashed its new mobile iPhone controller recently and we have now had enough time to give it a good run for its money to see what it’s all about. Delivering passthrough charging for Apple Arcade and iPhone cloud gamers, the new MOGA XP5-i Plus Bluetooth Controller combines a traditional gamepad with the brand’s gaming clip for an all-in-one mobile gaming setup, but is it worth the $80 price of entry? Head below for more. 

Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass subscription just keeps getting better and better. We now have the list of games coming out through the rest of August, and it’s pretty stout. For starters, Midnight Fight Express launches on August 23 as a day one title for Game Pass. Plus, since EA Play is included with all Game Pass tiers, you can also now enjoy Madden NFL ’23 ahead of its official launch, should you subscribe. What else is coming to Game Pass this month? Let’s take a closer look 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 latest AirPods 3 with Spatial Audio hit $110 thanks to Grade A refurb sale (Save $69)
• Apple’s latest 11-inch iPad Pro delivers M1 power and Thunderbolt from $700 (Save up to $382)
• Sony’s new Xperia PRO-I 4K OLED smartphone with 1-inch sensor hits $1,198 low (Save $600)

Today, ZAGG is introducing its latest Rugged Pro Connect iPad keyboard case. ZAGG has been a mainstay in the Apple gear accessory space for many years, and its latest is specifically geared toward to 10.2-inch iPad models (Gen 7, 8, and 9). The new ZAGG Rugged Pro Connect iPad keyboard case, as the name suggests, is designed with durability in mind to be what the brand refers to as “anything-proof,” whether you’re a healthcare professional or just someone that needs to able to wipe down their case on a regular basis. Head below for a closer look and more details. 

Today, Twelve South is launching an all-new addition to its lineup of MacBook stands, and it just so happens to be the brand’s most versatile option yet. Meet the new Curve Flex, an adjustable way to prop up your machine at the desk with an aluminum design that can fold open to elevate your device up to 22 inches off the desktop. Head below as we take a hands-on look at what to expect from the new Twelve South Curve Flex.

Earlier this summer, Sony launched a new series of portable Bluetooth speakers that arrived in the X-Series lineup. Today, we’re taking a hands-on look at what all three different portable offerings can deliver and just how the waterproof design stacks up with USB-C charging, X-Balanced drivers, and other signature Sony features.

Today, EarFun is announcing its latest Air S noise canceling earbuds that feature Qualcomm aptX technology, Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity, and a wireless charging case. Designed to be premium earbuds on a budget, the EarFun Air S also come in at a pretty good price of $70, though for launch they’re discounted by 10% to $63. Sound intriguing? Keep reading below, where we’ll take a deeper dive into what the EarFun Air S noise-canceling true wireless earbuds have to offer.

Arcade1Up is putting its brand new NFL BLITZ arcade machine up for pre-order today. The brand says the NFL Blitz cabinet is one of its “most requested home arcade machines ever,” and it has finally arrived. Pre-loaded with three BLITZ titles to bring some arcade-style gridiron action to your game room, it also features all of the usual Arcade1Up touches with complete cabinet artwork, and it even ships with a limited edition bonus collectible NFL BLITZ Legends cap (the first 1,000 orders). 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.

• Apple’s all-new M2 MacBook Air lands at $1,099 with first Amazon discount (Save $100)
• Pixel 6 returns to all-time low at $499 (Save $100) alongside $250 off Pixel 6 Pro at $649
• Rare discount takes $60 off Amazon’s latest Echo Show 15 at $190, plus more

After stealing the show back at CES in January, Samsung’s glorious new curved monitor is finally on the way. Deemed the Odyssey Ark, Samsung’s latest desktop offering arrives with an eye-catching mini-LED panel to complement the unique curved form-factor. Now available for pre-order at long last, there are $300 in savings attached for early adopters.

Just over a year ago, the LEGO Group confirmed that one of the next sets to enter the Ideas stable would be a motorized lighthouse, and today 9to5Toys can offer a first-look. Slated to hit store shelves as the latest creation from the fan-made community on September 1, the upcoming kit will arrive with 2,065 pieces.

Those with Amazon Echo Show displays know how it scrolls through various random pages every day containing news, Amazon shopping information, and more. Now, Amazon is bringing a previously Echo Show 15 exclusive feature to every display. The digital photo frame feature will scroll through your Amazon, Facebook, or even stock photos over the course of three hours in a non-cluttered interface.

WiZ is a more budget-friendly sibling to Philips Hue that offers a similar experience at a fraction of the cost, so long as you’re okay with no HomeKit compatibility. Now, the brand launching a Mobile Portable Light as well as a Smart Button to expand your setup. In addition to those announcements, there’s also the new Pole Floor Light that’s already available, whereas the other two launches won’t be ready to purchase until September for the Smart Button and October for the Mobile Portable Light. What features can you expect, and what’s the pricing? Let’s take a closer look.

Today we are taking a look at the brand new Casely Crayola iPhone case collection alongside the new AirPods covers. We have featured the brand around here a number of times because of the wild designs and patterns, and today it’s time for its latest crossover collaboration with Crayola. Featuring covers for all of Apple’s earbuds as well as iPhone 13 series devices and previous-generation devices going all the way back to Series 6, if you’re not planning on upgrading to iPhone 14 next month, it might be worth taking a closer look at the vibrant new Casely Crayola iPhone case collection below alongside our exclusive 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.

• iPad mini 6 is finally back in stock with $99 cellular discounts to all-time lows of $550
• Apple’s all-new M2 MacBook Pro back on sale with $200 in savings from $1,149
• Synology’s popular DS220j 2-Bay NAS is perfect for Time Machine backups at 2022 low of $150

After seeing the LEGO Group finally partner with Hasbro earlier in the delivering a brick-built Optimus Prime, all bets were off for crazy collaborations we’d like to see from Transformers. Canon is now the latest company to take on the task of bringing the robots in disguise into a new form-factor, with the camera company applying its usual mirrorless designs to the iconic Transformers brand.

When Microsoft announced it planned to purchase Activision, the immediate response from many was “Is Call of Duty going to become an Xbox/PC exclusive?” At first, Sony didn’t expect it to happen, and then a little while later Microsoft said that Call of Duty would remain on PlayStation “into the future,” but there wasn’t much else besides that. However, in a new filing to the Administrative Council for Economic Defense in Brasil, Microsoft comes out and straight up says that removing Call of Duty on PlayStation wouldn’t be profitable for them. Keep reading to find out more about Microsoft’s statements on keeping Call of Duty cross-platform.

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 11-inch iPad Pro delivers M1 power and Thunderbolt from $728 (Save up to $382)
• Apple’s Magic Keyboards improve your iPad Pro experience from $249 (Save $50)
• Google Pixel 5 packs a 90Hz display and 16MP ultrawide lens at $430 (Reg. $699)

The DeathAdder – the mouse that really made a name for Razer. Over the last 15 years, over 15 million mice carrying that name have been sold. Now, the latest iteration is the Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro. With a refined shape, Razer’s latest sensor and switch tech, and an incredibly lightweight 63g design, the $150 DeathAdder V3 Pro has a lot to talk about. Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details. 

The HORI Splatoon 3 gear is now up for pre-order ahead of Nintendo’s squid shooter splashing down in early September. Much like HORI’s Pokémon Legends: Arceus Switch accessories, the new Splatoon 3 gear delivers some officially licensed carriers inked out in themed iconography to celebrate the upcoming release. After Nintendo’s 30-minute presentation on the upcoming title yesterday, now’s a perfect time to take a closer look at the latest HORI Splatoon 3 Switch accessories. Head below for all of the details. 

Today, Brydge is launching the latest addition to its stable of MacBook docking stations. Marking only the second Thunderbolt 4 option to land in the lineup, the new Brydge ProDock takes a unique approach by delivering a smattering of I/O in a verticle form factor for one of Apple’s latest MacBooks.

It’s time to take a look at the best on-the-go storage out there, from the SanDisk Extreme portable SSD to the latest from Samsung, and some of the best bang for your buck options. We have had a chance to go hands on with a number of options over the years as well as some of the most sought-after options on the market as of late, and some clear front runners have emerged for folks looking to scoop one up today. While the latest PNY models sit in a nice middle ground for those looking to save some cash, the SanDisk Extreme portable SSDs and Samsung’s T-series lineup still remain some of our favorite options, especially considering how often they go on sale. But there are some other solutions out there that deliver some serious value for the price. Head below for a closer look at our picks for the best portable SSDs – some of which are seeing some solid price drops right now. 

Just after seeing Anker launch its new GaNPrime series earlier in the summer, Anker is now back today with the debut of one of its most capable portable power banks to date. Arriving with an impressive 24,000mAh of capacity, the new fittingly-named PowerCore 24K packs an even more notable 140W charging output for topping off everything from iPhones to MacBooks.

Gamescom is just around the corner, with the opening night scheduled for August 23. During the showcase, we’re now expecting Unknown Worlds, the developers of the Subnautica series of games, to launch a sci-fi IP that’s outside of its existing world. While the new game is a completely different IP than Subnautica, it’s still exciting, nonetheless, that we’re getting a title from Unknown Worlds at Gamescom this year. What else do we know, and what can we expect? Let’s take a closer look 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.

• Samsung’s all-new Galaxy Z Fold 4/Flip 4 foldables now $450 off at Xfinity Mobile
• Score a nice $69 discount on Apple’s AirPods Pro with MagSafe charging case at $180
• ecobee SmartThermostat helps you ride out the heatwave with Siri at $196 (Reg. $249)

Urbanista today is launching its latest pair of true wireless earbuds with the upcoming Phoenix, which really lives up to its name. Packed with 32-hour battery life, the earbuds sport a unique charging case that lets you extend playtime thanks to a built-in solar panel.

Update: The Splatoon 3: Splatfest World Premiere FREE demo pre-order eShop page is now live. “A Nintendo Switch Online membership is required to access the Splatoon 3 Splatfest World Premiere demo. Everyone who downloads the demo will receive a code redeemable for a 7-day free trial. Code redemption begins 8/25/22 and must be redeemed before 11:59pm PT on 8/31/22.” 

The Nintendo Splatoon 3 Direct showcase is set to kick off in just a few minutes now. With pre-orders already live and the new themed console on the way, Nintendo is ready to ink the next details on its upcoming squid shooter in today’s dedicated showcase. Now set for release on September 9, 2022, we are just under a month away from the launch date and Nintendo is set to dish up some of what will likely be the final pre-release details in today’s Splatoon 3 Direct showcase. 

Carhartt is known for its durable workwear, and the brand just dropped new fall arrivals. There are 148 new arrivals for fall with an array of items for the entire family. Plus, pricing starts at just $7 for accessories. Whether you need new apparel for work, back to school, or everyday jobs, this new line has something for you. Be sure to head below to find all of our top picks from Carhartt – and you will want to check out the new Southern Tide Golf line as well.

Continuing its run of peripheral offerings, the NZXT Canvas monitors bring solid midtier gaming performance in a sleek package. Two different sizes, a 27-inch and a curved 32-inch monitor, cater to different needs. NZXT is also offering multiple mounting options with a monitor stand, a single monitor arm, and a dual monitor arm. We got our hands on the 27-inch display with a monitor stand. Be sure to hit the video below to see all of the details. 

SIGMA is now expanding its Art line of camera lenses with the addition of 24mm f/1.4 and 20mm f/1.4 options for Sony E-Mount and L-Mount cameras. Both of these lenses are aimed at everyday mirrorless photography and those who want to show off nature with astrophotography with some features being well suited for those looking to do the latter.

Earlier this year, Jabra expanded its lineup of mid-range true wireless earbuds with a new pair of fitness-focused offerings. The new Jabra Elite 4 Active clock in with a $120 price tag, and notably deliver some pretty compelling features for the going rate like active noise cancellation, water-resistance, and even Google Fast Pair. But with frequent price cuts to $100 or below, we’re checking out just how good of a value these earbuds are.

Today, Snapmaker, a maker-focused manufacturer known for multifunction machines, is announcing its latest generation of the 3-in-1 3D Printer Artisan. Delivering a dual-extrusion 300C 3D printing module, 10W laser engraver/cutting module, and 200W CNC carving/cutting module, you can swap between functions in as little as one minute, and there’s a 400x400x400mm work area for all functions. Sound intriguing? It’s available for pre-order, and you can head below to learn 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.

• Apple’s 24-inch M1 iMac sees first discount in months with $149 off 8-core models at $1,350
• Satechi’s annual back to school sale takes 20% off must-have Mac and iPhone accessories
• Google Nest Mini returns to $30 (Save $20) alongside 2022 lows on Nest Hubs from $55

LG this week is showing off its latest flagship earbuds that will be debuting later this fall in the form of the new Tone Free T90. Arriving as some of the very first true wireless earbuds to date with Dolby Atmos, LG takes it one step further by building in Dolby Head Tracking for more immersive listening.

After launching its Razer Kishi V2 competitor last month, PowerA is out with its latest cloud iOS gaming controller, the PowerA MOGA XP5-i Plus Controller. Delivering a familiar form-factor for the lineup, it combines an Xbox-style Bluetooth controller with an onboard clip to securely and ergonomically fix your iPhone atop with an ideal, adjustable viewing angle. The MFi iOS gaming controller from PowerA is now available for purchase on Amazon and directly on the official site. Head below for more details. 

Today, Sennheiser is announcing the latest additions to its collection of flagship ANC headphones with the new Momentum 4. Centered around improved active noise cancelation and a refreshed design, Sennheiser is going all in on the function with 60-hour battery life while ditching the usual retro stylings.

On August 1, the LEGO Group launched its largest Marvel set of the year with the new Sanctum Sanctorum modular finally hitting store shelves. Now a week later, we’ve fully assembled the kit and are going hands-on to look at the overall build, every inch of detail, and the nine minifigures.

After going hands-on with the actual LEGO Sanctum Sanctorum, we’re going to take a deeper dive into what you can expect from the minifigures. There’s so much to talk about with the largest Marvel set of the year, and the figures are one of the exciting aspects, especially with nine minifigs included in the box.

Today we are taking a look at the new SANDMARC Cinema Slider – a sort of portable metal dolly system for iPhoneographers. The new Cinema Slider might not be for your average iPhone photographer, but as filmmaking and content creation using the handsets millions of folks are already carrying around continues to grow in popularity, SANDMARC’s lineup of lenses attachments, tripod gear, and now, the new Cinema Slider help to deliver pro-grade visual effects without entirely breaking the bank. Now available for purchase directly from SANDMARC, you can get a closer look, more details, and a 9to5Toys-exclusive discount down below. 

Today, Creality, a fan-favorite 3D printer company, is updating its CR-Laser Falcon with a 10W module to deliver a more powerful experience all around. There are quite a few updates that come with the new CR-Laser Falcon Engraver, which includes 0.06mm precision, 12mm one-pass cutting depth, and easy operation. Whether you’re a DIYer, hobbyist, or maker, the new Creality 10W CR-Laser Falcon will be a great addition to your tool arsenal. Keep reading to learn more about this upgrade.