Pebble has just unveiled its latest smartwatches, and has done so in the most Pebble-like way possible, by launching a new Kickstarter project. The smartwatch maker has returned to the platform it used so successfully with the original Pebble, and the following iterations, with a true second generation Pebble and a second generation Pebble Time along with an all-new 3G wearable called the Pebble Core.
Jaybird is making a splash this morning with the announcement of the smallest earbuds that it has ever released. The new Freedom headphones have two notable features, including fully customizable sound profiles and extended battery life. Longer usage times are handled by a new portable power supply that boosts playback to eight hours. More below.
Electric skateboards have been around long enough that we are beginning to see brands come out with multiple models. With more and more commuters looking for alternative ways to travel in crowded cities, it’s no surprise that this trend is continuing to grow. Just this week, Boosted announced the second generation of its popular electric skateboard.
This time around brings an increased focus on efficiency and longer travel capabilities. So how does the new model stack up? More below.
It’s no surprise that STEM programs are taking off in schools across the United States. Just consider the amount of technology at the hands of our kids in comparison to 20 years ago. There are a number of companies looking to take advantage of this surging trend. Roboterra is aiming to be right in the mix with its new robotics kit. Designed with “all ages” in mind, this K’NEX meets coding system is bound to be a hit with both educators and students.
After leaked images of the box surfaced online yesterday, we now have official confirmation and details on the brand new Creator Expert LEGO Big Ben 10253 set. The new set is part of the the world landmark Creator subset of models alongside others like the Sydney Opera House or the Tower Bridge set.
It’s no secret that vinyl records have seen a resurgence in popularity over the last ten years. In fact, sales have soared from under one million units to just over eleven times that in 2015. Amazon is even dedicating a whole storefront to this trend. We’ve also seen a fresh breath of hardware innovation as this medium has come back into style.
The latest comes way of VNYL, a company that aims to blend old-school records with modern day smartphone technology. Appropriately called TRNTBL, this player has two main tricks up its sleeve: Shazam-like functionality and a wide-range of connectivity including AirPlay and SONOS-compatibility. More below…
Black + Decker is launching its new “Smartech” batteries today that have Bluetooth built-in to allow for control and monitoring from a companion app on a connected smartphone.
Amazon announced today that it will be bringing its popular Alex voice service to Fire TV. First made popular on its Echo Smart Speaker, the intelligent assistant will be able to control a variety of functions on the streaming media player. Of course, Apple TV has had Siri functionality since the current generation was released last October. How does the Fire TV’s new found feature stack up? Head below for more.
Garmin has had a busy last few weeks with the introduction of a new fashion-focused wearable and high-end fitness tracker. Today, it returns with news of its latest release: the vívosmart HR+. Garmin looks to build on the success of its affordable previous generation band by adding heart rate monitoring and GPS tracking. The HR+ has a slim design that is bound to be attractive with fitness enthusiasts.
There’s any number of unique ways to type on your iPhone these days. With new third-party keyboards coming out weekly, it seems, you’re bound to find an alternative to the stock option that ships with iOS. But what about physical keyboards? While there are Bluetooth options designed for iPhone, the majority are either too large or have been disproportionally shrunk down.
An upcoming device called Tap was revealed this week with a design that looks straight out of the movies. This Bluetooth wearable tracks the movements of your fingers to recreate a virtual keyboard on “nearly any surface.”
Virtual Reality has clearly caught the attention of many major players in the consumer retail space. Just recently, GoPro vaguely revealed plans to launch its own VR rig in the near future. Even popular toys of yesteryear have returned with 3D capabilities as some of the hottest kid-focused products on the market. Today, HumanEyes is taking a shot with its new Vuze Camera. This “affordable” alternative to more well-known brands has a pocket-sized design and costs less than a MacBook Air. But without the cache of a GoPro or Samsung, can it survive?
Update (5/12 3:45pm): GameStop is now offering pre-orders for the Nintendo New 3DS XL – Monster Hunter Generations Edition at $199.99 shipped.
Nintendo has now announced another official price drop coming to its popular 2DS. Nintendo’s entry-level handheld was already one of the most affordable ways to play what might be the best line-up of mobile games on the planet (all the 3DS games/more), and now starting May 20th it’s going to be even less.
Garmin’s new GPS-enabled fitness tracker is loaded with features including an oddly-named “suffer score” that tells you just how hard you exercised. The Forerunner 735XT is now the top-of-the-line model in the company’s lineup. Naturally, it has a price to match. For $450, this wearable better do it all…
Weight loss is a tricky proposition and there is no shortage of options available on the market to consider. Today, a new product was unveiled that bridges a wearable and smartphone connectivity to help you drop the pounds throughout the day. The Thin Ice System is the “world’s first” app-connected clothing line with eyes on burning 500-1,000 calories. Head below for more…
After being what seemed like the last console to receive the Minecraft-treatment, Wii U is now the beneficiary of a few exclusive add-ons. The wildly popular title, known for its simple gameplay and fun DLCs, will be receiving a new Mario-themed texture pack. It will include a completely visual redesign of the game, 40 (!!!)…
Update (6/1 4:05pm): It looks like we are also getting a line of bags, clothes, backpacks, socks and hats, many of which with the same 8-bit style patterns as the previously mentioned shoes. You can get a closer look at some of them in the new gallery below, along with the incredible packaging for the…
Raspberry Pi is capable of carrying out so many different tasks. It truly is amazing how the tiny microcomputer system can be transformed into a robot, smart home hub, and a variety of other projects. It’s easy to get started with any of these cost-effective kits that provide everything needed.
Today, a new project has launched on Kickstarter that allows the tiny computer to power some of the most expensive consumer headphones on the market. The Hybrid Tube Amp for the Raspberry Pi brings an old school HiFi setup to today’s modern microcomputer. You’ll be able to utilize headphones that range from 32 – 300 ohm with this kit. As far as add-on accessories go, this one is pretty easy to install, according to the creators.
Update (5/9 9:00am): Pre-orders are now available for Battlefield 1 on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC. An additional 20% discount is available for Prime members at Amazon or over at Best Buy for Gamers Club Unlocked.
Just a few minutes ago, DICE officially unveiled Battlefield 1. The latest first person shooter from the wildly popular franchise takes gamers to the “genesis” of all-out warfare. Pre-orders have yet to be announced, but we’ll update this post as more information is available. We do know, thanks to the reveal, that it will initially be released on Xbox One exclusively for EA Access subscribers. It is set to release on all platforms October 21. Here’s the official launch trailer:
Seems like everyone is talking about drones these days. Prices are dropping each week, as well. Not to be left out, NERF has announced a new RC toy with a built-in camera and blaster. Want to make sure the kids can get in on the trend too, right? The N-Strike Elite Terrascout RC Drone Blaster will be limited to ground-level action. Probably a good move. That said, it’s going to be able to fire 18 darts in rapid succession and capture the whole thing on tape. It’s pretty impressive…
As they say, what’s old is new again. Mid-century modern design and vintage electronics have seen a rebirth in popularity over the last few years. The influence of famous designers like George Nelson of Herman Miller fame can be seen in many trends and products being released now.
Department Chicago has taken note of this trend with the new Modern HiFi Stereo Console. This current-day take on a stereo cabinet blends classic design with modern connectivity. Even better, it’s made by hand in Chicago.
This morning, Garmin announced a new addition to its line of popular fitness trackers. The vívomove is unlike its siblings in that it sports a much more traditional design. There would be no fault in confusing it with a normal analog watch. Garmin is hoping to appeal to a whole different subset of potential users with this classic look. With prices starting at $149, vívomove has the potential to be a hot item this Christmas.
Attempting to create truly wireless headphones has been a growing trend over the last year. Altec Lansing and New Normal are just a few of the examples that we’ve covered recently. Now a new project has launched on Kickstarter that takes it to a whole different level. Erato’s Apollo 7 Wireless Earphones has the same familiar in-ear bud design as similar wireless solutions, but Apollo 7 also features a water-resistant shell. These are some of the smallest headphones we’ve seen, but the price may serve as a deterrent to some…
Smart home products and robust app stores have brought on a variety of changes in our lives over the last five years. A byproduct of that innovation is the myriad of devices, developer kits and data points that are constantly pinging us. Apple has attempted to curb some of this (at times painful) experience with HomeKit. However, that is primarily focused on hardware functionality. The reality is that we still have all of this information, which leads us to constantly checking our devices for updates.
SeeNote is a new product from a company called MoonRoof that takes the classic sticky note and transforms it into a digital hub for your life. Amazon Echo has management skills but it is based around auditory cues. SeeNote differs with its customizable and interactive e-ink visual display that puts much of your life in one place. More below.
The newest batch of Kindle First ebooks for May has arrived for Prime members. This fringe benefit allows subscribers to Amazon’s two-day shipping service early access to new Kindle books ahead of their release for free (Reg. $6).
Update (5/2 6:30pm): Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare is now available for pre-order at Amazon and Best Buy. Prime members can save an additional 20% dropping the total down to $47.99 shipped, while Gamers Club Unlocked subscribers will also receive the same benefit. Today we are getting our first look at Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare. The…
Leica is known for creating some of the most aesthetically beautiful cameras and accessories on the market. On the other hand, consumers are also familiar with the company for its higher-than-average pricing. Leica’s latest release isn’t going to help ease those preconceived notions.
The new M-D digital camera continues the gorgeous design that we’ve come to expect from the German optics company. But without a LCD display of any sorts, the $6,000 price tag is going to even harder to swallow than normal…
When Amazon first launched its Echo Smart Speaker last year, it also set up a $100 million investment fund to help bring its Alexa developer kit to additional third-party devices. Today, that money is coming to fruition with the new Triby voice-controlled smart hub and speaker.
This is the first non-Amazon device to utilize Alexa’s Voice Service, although we have seen DIY projects that are able to leverage it. Not only does it offer support for the popular virtual assistant, this portable speaker is packed with other features like VoIP, Spotify Connect and more. Full details below.
Dyson has made a business out of recreating popular home goods with an eye on greater efficiency and design. Aside from its line of vacuums, the brand has slowly grown in the fan and heater space as well. Today, Dyson turned its attention to the hair dryer. Actually, it did that four years ago. After an arduous process of product development the Supersonic Hair Dryer is ready to be revealed. In typical Dyson fashion, this release is so much more than your typical bathroom accessory…
LEGO Technic has unveiled a new 1:8 scale recreation of the Porsche 911 GT3 RS. Set number 42056 will hit online shelves this June with over 2,700 pieces. Inside the box you’ll find a special collector’s edition book that details the history of LEGO Technic and Porsche. This kit was designed specifically for auto enthusiasts with a different build pattern then we traditionally see. LEGO went to painstaking efforts to develop a sequence that mirrors the actual real-life assembly process for this car.
The consumer drone market has largely been dominated by DJI in the last few years. As interest grows, there has been a lack of viable alternatives to challenge the Phantom line of quadcopters.
A new startup out of Beijing has eyes on pushing its way into this space with a drone called Hover. Zero Zero Robotics is planning on using a few key features to catch the attention of potential pilots, including auto-follow and an ultra portable design. Ultimately, the question is less about capabilities but brand recognition. Does this up-and-comer stand a chance against the dominant DJI? More below.
Apple has continually done a top-notch job of improving the iPhone’s internal camera system with each release. That said, third-party manufacturers have made a mark with accessories focused on upgrading optics in a variety of ways. Olloclip has made a name for itself with add-on lenses while other brands like Aukey are now pushing low-cost alternatives.
When it comes to replicating a true camera experience, the options have been much more limited. DXO released a Lightning-attached add-on last year, but the price tag and form-factor have remained a deterrent for many. That’s where PICTAR comes in. This retro-inspired accessory add physical controls and functionality via a companion app. The best news is that the price isn’t going to break the bank.
8bitdo and Analogue have brought some some very interesting retro gaming gear to market thus far from the iOS/Android/Mac controller to the Aluminum/Gold remake NES console and even a Nintendo-Themed Bluetooth speaker. And now, the two companies have teamed up on the new wireless Retro Receiver so we can play all those glorious 8-bit titles with no strings attached.
Finding Internet-connected lighting for the inside of your home is a pretty simple proposition these days. Just take a look at our Green Deal roundup, Belkin’s line of WeMo products is littered with smart lighting solutions. However, bringing the internet of things to your outdoor spaces is a little trickier.
Enter Ilumi. While this brand already has a nice line of LED products for your home, it has now announced a new product designed for BR30 compatible sockets. Not only does it have the usual Internet of Things and multi-colored features, there is support for Apple Watch and Alexa on the horizon as well. More below.
It feels like the Bluetooth speaker market has bottomed out. We’re missing new and exciting designs, as each release feels like a knockoff of the one before it. Finding a way to reinvent this wheel is proving to be difficult for audio manufacturers. Simply put, Bluetooth is everywhere we look.
Today, Bang & Olufsen released its smallest speaker yet in an effort to shake up the competition. The BeoPlay A1 has the familiar styling of its larger siblings but comes in at a smaller size that is comparable to the popular UE ROLL. However, it sets itself apart in one key area: 24-hour battery life. More below.
SanDisk has announced an updated version of its iXpand Flash Drive for iPhone and iPad with integrated Lightning connector. Along with a more compact design, it also received a significant speed boost thanks to the addition of USB 3.0 connectivity.
The new iXpand Flash Drive can instantly add up to 128GB of removable storage to your iPhone, iPad or iPod. That added space can be an absolute lifesaver if you need to free up room to install an over-the-air update or record 4K video…
Somewhere along the line, the tripod became a necessity for content creators but stopped receiving the same innovation as the technology it was holding. Popular accessory makers like Joby and Gitzmo have developed alternatives but their products largely stick to the common theme. That’s where Edelkrone comes in with its new StandPLUS. It takes the tripod and turns it in to a smooth device mount that moves and adjusts effortlessly. The video alone will make you want one of these…
It’s been a busy stretch run for television manufacturers as we’ve seen a number of new releases from Samsung, LG and Roku-enabled brands. This is great timing for potential deals at the holiday season as these new sets will have hit the market for at least six months. Today, VIZIO is the latest to announce new 4K HDR television with its new Home Theater Display Collection.
Alongside its next generation SmartCast system with Google Cast that was announced in March, the M-Series will feature a unique design and full High Dynamic Range with Dolby Vision Support. With sizes ranging from 50- to 80-inches, this is setting up to be one of the most desirable value buys of 2016…
DJI has become synonymous with consumer and professional-grade drones as we’ve entered the fourth generation of its line of products. While we’re seeing deals on its entry-level Phantom 3 regularly, the high-end models reserved for filmmakers rarely drop in price. The consumer-focused drones are easy to fly but lack some advanced features desired by more advanced pilots.
Today, at the National Association of Broadcaster’s annual show in Las Vegas, DJI announced the Matrice 600. A top-of-the-line model that is loaded with features for filmmaking. With cutting-edge specs like a new video link system and camera-specific adaptation, this isn’t for your average weekend warrior.
When the Apple Watch launched nearly a year ago, one of the most intriguing aspects of the design was the ability to interchange bands to match your style. While there are a variety of options available direct from Apple, they are rather costly depending on the type. Even the simple silicone sport bands cost $50. Naturally, third-party manufacturers took note of this and started pumping out alternatives at lower price points.
The trouble is, there are literally hundreds if not thousands of knockoff options available on Amazon. It’s tough to know where to start and what the quality of these third-party bands will be. Over the last two weeks I’ve been wearing two different styles of watch bands from OULUOQI, a new brand for sale on Amazon. Its silicone option is available in ten different colors and retails for $10.99 Prime shipped, which is down $41 from Apple’s official band. I also looked at the Black Milanese Loop style for $18.99 Prime shipped. Were they any good? Head below for a few quick thoughts on each.
Samsung has long been considered the cream of the crop when it comes to HDTVs. Although LG has recently made a run at the crown with its beautiful OLED displays. This week, Samsung introduced its new lineup of Super Ultra HDTVs with a focus on even slimmer designs that includes the “world’s first bezel-less curved” model…
Some of the greatest SNES games of all-time are now available on the Nintendo 3DS eShop including Zelda: A Link to the Past, Super Metroid and Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest. This is the third batch of SNES games to make it on to the Virtual Console, but remember, they are only available to those with a New Nintendo 3DS. Previous titles included Super Mario World, Mario Kart and Earthbound, among others.
It has been a rather slow stretch for LEGO news since Toy Fair 2016 concluded back in February, although the deals have been flowing lately. Today we’re getting word of the largest and most expensive set that we’ve seen focused on the Minecraft theme. After releasing four new kits about six weeks ago, LEGO returns with a massive 1,600 piece creation. The Village 21128 focuses on life with Alex in a busy biome with plenty of minifigs and accessories. With that many pieces, you’d hope so. Head below for full details and a gallery.
There is no denying the impact that alternative energy sources are having on our world today. Even here at the 9to5 family, we’re taking note with Electrek.co, our newest site focused on electric vehicles. We roundup the best Green Deals each day with a focus on sustainable energy and manufacturing practices that are safer for the environment. There is no shortage of solar-based products on the market that are capable of charging your iPhone, tablet or even bigger things like a refrigerator.
Along those lines, more generators are being released with alternative methods of power as opposed to traditional fossil fuels. Today, Renogy has announced the Lycan Powerbox Solar Powered Generator that utilizes the energy of the sun to provide power in the case of an outage. It uses a replaceable lithium-iron phosphate battery as opposed to traditional acid-based alternatives. More below.
After teasing its release last week and discounting the rest of its lineup, Amazon has today announced its newest Kindle: the Oasis. The online giant has dubbed this release its “thinnest and lightest” e-reader ever. After initially debuting the first Kindle eight years ago, Amazon’s latest is focused on more than just a thin physical design, also packing a special dual-battery charging system.
Although prices start at $79.99 for its brethren, you’ll be paying much more if you’re interested in picking up the Oasis…
Instant cameras have seen a resurgence in popularity over the last few years. Once synonymous with Polaroid, the popular snap-and-print style of photography has been adopted by younger generations. Just a few months ago we detailed the Snap+ that integrates a display and a built-in printer.
Today, the Impossible Project announced the new I-1 camera at Bloomberg Businessweek’s annual design conference. This redesign of those popular Polaroids is loaded with analog and digital features alongside iOS connectivity. It may just be the perfect combination of classic styling and modern photography…
While Google’s latest approach to smart TVs involves Google Cast, Android TV is still around with new partners and models announced at CES earlier in the year. Now, RCA has revealed details and pricing for its new line of 4K Android TV sets that will be available in June.
Lytro, known primarily for its unique light field altering cameras, has introduced a new model focused on the big screen. Taking its volumetric 3D product and transforming it into Hollywood-grade device has resulted in the Lytro Cinema. This is a new camera that is capable of capturing 300 frames per second and 755 megapixel images. Wow. At 400 gigabytes of streaming data, it’s going to take more than your average hard drive to store these files…
It’s no secret that GoPro needs to make a splash on its next action camera release. The bottom of its pricing has completely fallen out as the popular electronics maker has reduced the size of its lineup by 50%. While it does have a new quadcopter in the works, GoPro is currently focusing on another area of interest for its cameras: virtual reality.
After first teasing a new VR rig in February, we’re now getting our first in-depth look at the Omni spherical array. It is designed for six HERO4 Black Action Cameras with “pixel-level synchronization” across each device. Whoa. The question is, do we need it?
