This Week The Trend (Issue 58)
How I’d spend $500: Nintendo Switch 2
Whether it's Pokémon: Pokopia, Splatoon Raiders, or the upcoming 007 First Light, the Nintendo Switch 2 is still fielding a healthy library of titles. But surely Nintendo still has some compelling first-party titles up its sleeve for the next 12 months. Really though, the reason to look at the Switch 2 right now is all about an impending price increase.
Value Score: Fair
The Switch 2 will be increasing in price from $449 to $499 next week. If you were considering buying one before the end of the year—a Christmas gift, maybe—then now might be the time to buy it.
How I’d spend $150: SwitchBot Circulator Fan 2 Pro
SwitchBot already released a good, smart pedestal fan earlier this year. Now, it has an update to its smaller model. The Circulator Fan 2 Pro adds Wi-Fi and longer battery life. It has more power available, while also being quieter on the lowest settings.
Most importantly, it has Matter support so you can control it through Apple's Home app. You can have it turn on when you arrive or automatically turn off when you leave.
Value Score: Good
The Circulator Fan 2 Pro has had a $20 coupon on Amazon to bring its price down to $99 for the white color model. But if that isn't showing up, you can get this fan for $99 on SwitchBot's website. If you prefer the black color, it goes on sale on September 1.
How I’d spend $50: Sharge 40W Wall Charger
Sharge chargers, power banks, and other devices tend to carry a little flair with their designs. The new 40W Wall Charger is no different. The single-port USB-C power adapter gets a glossy white finish with rounded edges. It seems to pay homage to the AirPods case.
This charger isn't complicated. There are no buttons or much beyond 40 watts of power in a tiny size. But when it comes to packing, a small charger powerful enough for a MacBook Neo is a great thing.
Value Score: Fair
This charger is 43% off right now, down to $22.90. Sharge has a 20W version for $19.90 right now, so the 40W version looks pretty good for $3 more.
The winning pick: Nintendo Switch 2
The Nintendo Switch 2 is kind of in a reverse sale right now. It's the same price it was when it launched. But it's also probably at the lowest retail price it will ever be. By the way, Mario Kart World is still a lot of fun.
Are you looking for even more picks this week? Here are a few things worth considering.
An expensive pick: Apple Mac mini M6
Apple announced a new Mac mini with its new M6 processing chip. This small desktop computer replaces the previous M4 Mac mini and has more compute power. When I say this is an expensive pick, I mean it. The memory and storage demand has pushed this machine that previously started at $599 up to starting at $899.
Media pick: Brothers
Woody Harrelson and Mathew Mcconahey are real-life friends. And in this new series on Apple TV, they play themselves, as good friends. The twist is that they may actually be related and be brothers. The premise of whether two people are related isn't original, but the meta sub-plot of Harrelson and Mcconahey playing themselves turns everything on its head.
This week's other interesting deals and product news
- Use the code "PIXEL11" to get an extra $150 off the Google Pixel 11 phone—plus a $100 Amazon gift card.
- Get a Costco membership and $40 cash card for $65.
- Omega announced its new 38mm Speedmaster watches.
- Audible is having a promo to get two books for one credit for new customers.
This week's published stories
- Bose QuietComfort Gen 2 review [Business Insider]
- Review of Town, an AI-powered to-do list [Yahoo]
- Victrola Soundstage review [Yahoo]
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