My favorite product releases this week: Anker, Pokémon, Satechi and more

CNN

3 days ago

Amazon Prime Day has come to a close and the dust has settled on our round-the-clock coverage. After taking some time to recharge, I am back to spend Friday morning like I always do; checking in on all of this week's most exciting product launches.
This week brings the launch of Anker's latest desktop charging station, a new expansion to the Pokémon trading card game and a versatile smartphone lanyard from Satechi.
Seven ways to refuel your desktop
Anker has released a new charging station this week, and it includes one of my favorite features on any piece of tech that has come out this year. I've been singing the praises of this Anker Laptop Power Bank since it launched back at CES 2025 and have been using it every single day since it arrived. Aside from its massive battery and fast-charging features, the thing I love the most is its retractable USB-C cable, which is now being brought over to a stationary desktop charger.
The new Anker Nano Charging Station features a 7-in-1 design that offers seven ways to refuel smartphones, earbuds and tablets, as well as power your desktop computer and other accessories. There are three full AC outlets on the back, and then two built-in retractable cables on either side for quickly accessing 2.3 feet of Anker's InstaCord charging tech. To fully take advantage of its 100W charging specs, there's also standard USB-C and USB-C ports on the side to round out the power capabilities.
I'll be testing this one out for myself in the near future. But if the impressive specs are already enough to convince you it's worth a spot on your desk, Amazon has the Nano Charging Station available for $90.
The newest expansion to the trading card game is here
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The next batch of new Pokémon trading cards are out this week with another departure from the usual expansion sets. Black Bolt and White Flare live up to their namesakes and come filled with the full roster of characters from the franchise's fifth generation games, Black and White. I've never been the biggest fan of these Pokémon's time in the fictional Unova region, but the cards this time around have such cool artwork that I am actually starting to see the appeal. There's more than a few cards I'll be aiming to add to my collection, some of which I already opened for myself.
Chasing after certain cards is all well and good, but it seems like you'll actually be able to buy them this time. Supply for this new expansion seems to be higher than normal, and the pull rates for cards is definitely improved over the last set I opened. Packs are beginning to trickle out today, with Amazon listings starting at under $40.
Everyone is thinking Miku these days
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If you don't know who Hatsune Miku is, ask your kids — they'll know. If you don't have kids around the house, she is a digital pop star who has been serenading listeners with her unique techno tunes for nearly 20 years. The virtual idol has been popping up in more and more places lately, jumping from topping music charts to dominating video game lobbies in hit titles like Fortnite. Miku is no stranger to gaming, after all, with consistent stints across rhythm games for over a decade. But now Asus is channeling her signature turquoise color scheme for a lineup of PC gaming accessories.
The new lineup includes just about everything you need to outfit a battlestation, including a keyboard, mouse, headset and other accessories. I've been putting them to the test this past week. The combo of TUF Gaming K3 Gen II Keyboard and Mini Gaming Mouse hasn't done much to overcome my lackluster performance in Fortnite, but at least now I am doing it in style. I love the execution from Asus, especially on the keyboard with its custom key caps.
The Asus Hatsune Miku collection is now available for purchase at retailers like Amazon and starts from $25.
This crossbody lanyard is also a charging cable
I am a sucker for a novel charging cable, especially one I can always have on me. Nomad's key-bound cable hasn't left my keychain since I started using it earlier in the year, but I've found myself wishing I had a longer cord on me at all times. Enter the newest release from Satechi, which is here to solve my problem.
I first covered Satechi's OnTheGo series back when it was revealed at CES 2025. After shipping the products from that first wave of reveals, the brand is back with some entirely new charging accessories — my favorite of which is this new USB-C Lanyard Cable. These smartphone lanyards have been gaining popularity as an alternative to storing your iPhone in your pants pockets, offering the same kind of access that a camera strap provides. This Crossbody Lanyard from Satechi brings extra functionality into the mix by doubling as a charging cable.
I've been trying it out and am wowed by how good the build quality is. Throw in the 60W charging tech and 480Mbps transfer speeds and this is as versatile of a cable as it gets. The $30 price tag is more than justified if you find yourself in search of smartphone lanyard.
Kong hits the big leagues with open-world destruction
My colleagues have been hard at work covering the Nintendo Switch 2's launch this year, meaning I've been able to sit back and enjoy the console as a fan. Still, the itch to write about my love of this new hybrid gaming machine has been growing, and this week's launch of Donkey Kong Bananza is giving me just the opportunity.
The Switch 2 launched with practically only one major title; Mario Kart World. As great of a game as it is, Nintendo fans have been waiting for another first-party game to hit the console to help justify its steep price tag. In fact, our own tech editor Mike Andronico noted as much in his review of the console. But now, the game is finally here. I'll be diving in this weekend to see what all the excitement is and if it was worth the wait, but if all the buzz online is any indication, the team who made Super Mario Odyssey has reunited for yet another console-defining game.
If you've been out of the loop, Bananza throws Donkey Kong into the spotlight with his first new game in over a decade. This underground exploration game has players smashing through an open-world environment to complete objectives, battle enemies and collecting in-game items. The destructible environments look like the perfect opportunity to show off the Switch 2's improved hardware, not to mention Donkey Kong's new and improved look — two things I'm excited to experience while I play this weekend. If you'd like to join me on your own Switch 2, Donkey Kong Bananza is now available for purchase for $70 at Amazon.
As deals editors at CNN Underscored, we are some of the first people to hear about the latest product news from reader-favorite brands. Our deals team — comprised of senior editor Rikka Altland, editor Jacqueline Saguin and associate editor Elena Matarazzo — is passionate about product launches that we would be tempted to shop, and we enjoy finding a coveted new item (especially one from a brand with top marks from our experts) because it means we're helping our readers make savvy buying decisions.