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If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

A woven hairstyle.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

BRAID

Hurdle Word 2 hint

An excursion.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 25, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

JAUNT

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Shine.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for March 25 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 25, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

GLEAM

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Not height.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

WIDTH

Final Hurdle hint

Moon-related.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

LUNAR

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you keep up with the news.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for March 25, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: To fog

• Green: Popular publications

• Blue: Ways to use funds

• Purple: Measurements

Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Obfuscate

• Green: Magazines

• Blue: Payment methods

• Purple: Units of volume with last letter changed

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #1018 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Obfuscate: BLUR, CLOUD, MUDDY, OBSCURE

• Magazines: FORTUNE, PEOPLE, SPIN, TIME

• Payment methods: CASH, CHARGE, CHECK, WIRE

• Units of volume with last letter changed: CUR, GALLOP, PING, QUARK

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for March 25, 2026

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you frequent the movie theater.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 25, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Intermission mission

The words are related to snacks.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe things you buy at a theater.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Concessions.

NYT Strands word list for March 25

• Fries

• Popcorn

• Soda

• Beer

• Concessions

• Water

• Candy

• Pretzel

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're always learning.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 25, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for March 25, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

More knowledgeable.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter W.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

WISER

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints. Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.

For the past four years, BTS has been something international fans watched from a distance, as the members completed their mandatory military service in South Korea. In the meantime, they pursued solo projects and toured globally as individuals, while the group itself lived on through archived livestreams and social media posts.

On Monday night in New York City, they were back on stage as seven.

SEE ALSO: 'BTS: The Return' review: The world's biggest boy band, without a clear direction

By late afternoon, fans had already lined up along the downtown Seaport, bundled in layers and rain ponchos, waiting for BTS to take the stage at Pier 17. The group's return to the U.S. wasn't a surprise. It was a moment fans had been tracking, anticipating, and counting down to. Still, the energy felt surreal once it was actually happening.

Just days after their massive live comeback concert drew tens of thousands of fans to central Seoul, BTS arrived in New York for Spotify x BTS: Swimside, an invitation-only event that marked their first public appearance in the U.S. as a full group since 2022. It also doubled as the first time they performed songs from their new album, Arirang, stateside.

SEE ALSO: The internet made BTS. 'Arirang' asks what comes next.

The setting did a lot of the work. Pier 17 overlooks the East River, with the Brooklyn Bridge stretching out on one side and lower Manhattan lighting up the other. Even in the cold, with wind cutting across the rooftop and temperatures dropping into the 30s, hundreds of fans packed the space, many selected as top Spotify streamers in the area. Even producer Diplo was spotted in the crowd.

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Mashable's social manager on the ground captured the scene as it unfolded. Fans traded freebies, compared signs, and documented everything in real-time across social media. The night already looked like something built for the timeline. The difference was that everyone was actually there in person.

The event opened with a Q&A moderated by Suki Waterhouse, pulling the group into a more relaxed, conversational mode. BTS spoke about making Arirang together, including the experience of living in the same house again while recording in Los Angeles for two months.

"'Swim' is a really special song for us," Jin said through a translator, describing the lead single as a reminder to keep going through uncertainty. "It's about not stopping, even when you're facing tough times and emotional waves, to just keep moving forward like you’re swimming through it all... It reminds us to love our lives and accept whatever comes next, so that's the message: We want to keep moving forward and not give up."

Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Spotify

The conversation quickly loosened. RM joked about Jung Kook's suitcase never leaving the floor during their time living together. "Whenever we entered his room, we always had to step [around] the luggage," the leader explained. Suga admitted he doesn't like swimming. (But importantly, he does like "Swim.") Jimin, answering a question about habits at home, casually told the crowd he's usually naked when he walks in the door, sending the audience into a frenzy.

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The group also shared details from the making of the album, including a standout lyric from "Hooligan" — "ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha, hooligan" — which RM and Suga admitted they hate performing because of its tricky cadence. They broke it down as a rapid-fire "three-three-three" rhythm, then put Jung Kook on the spot to try it himself. He mostly succeeded, as expected from the group's golden maknea.

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The overall Q&A had the tone of a livestream, but louder. Immediate. Unfiltered in a way that only works when thousands of people are reacting at once.

During a short intermission, fans proved just how locked in they were. Arirang had only been out for three days, but the crowd sang along to every track playing over the speakers, lightsticks moving in sync.

When BTS returned to the stage, the focus snapped into place.

The group performed "Swim," "2.0," and "Normal," marking their first live U.S. performances of the new album. The staging was simple, but the response wasn't. Fans jumped, screamed, ha-ha-ha-ha'd, and waved their Army Bombs with every beat drop. RM, seated with a sprained ankle, delivered his verses from the side as the rest of the group moved through the choreography.

Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Spotify

"It's really an honor for us to do our first stage in America here," RM told the crowd. "It's been four years, but now we’re here."

In the audience, fans held up red signs that read "We Stayed!" A small gesture, but one that carried weight after the group's hiatus. V spotted them right away, calling out to the crowd in recognition.

By the end of the night, the mood felt less like a one-off event and more like a reset point. BTS are back in the U.S., performing new music, standing in front of fans who never left.

For years, that connection lived mostly online. In streams, clips, and constant updates that filled the gap while the group was apart. At Pier 17, it felt different. Still documented, still destined for the feed, but grounded in something more immediate.

Not just something to watch. Something you had to be there for.

A New Mexico jury found Meta liable Tuesday for misleading consumers about the safety of its platforms and endangering children.

Meta has been ordered to pay the maximum penalties for each violation of New Mexico’s consumer protection laws, amounting to $375 million.

"Meta executives knew their products harmed children, disregarded warnings from their own employees, and lied to the public about what they knew," New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez said in a statement. "The substantial damages the jury ordered Meta to pay should send a clear message to big tech executives that no company is beyond the reach of the law."

SEE ALSO: Meta pulling end-to-end encryption on Instagram DMs

Meta, which owns the social media platforms Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, plans to appeal the jury's decision.

"We will continue to defend ourselves vigorously, and we remain confident in our record of protecting teens online," Meta spokesperson Andy Stone said in a statement to the New York Times.

New Mexico's Department of Justice launched an investigation into Meta platforms in 2023 in order to protect children from bad actors who sought to sexually abuse or solicit minors, among other harms. The state's evidence included findings from that investigation, in addition to internal Meta documents and testimony from former Meta employees, child safety experts, law enforcement officials, and others.

The state argued that Meta's design features helped pedophiles sexually exploit children on Meta platforms.

The loss is Meta's first in a number of trials taking place this year. In Los Angeles, Meta and YouTube are on trial for allegedly designing addictive products for minors. Snapchat and TikTok were part of that trial but settled out of court.

TL;DR: Voibe AI voice dictation is $49.99 (reg. $149) offering a faster way to turn speech into text on Mac.

Opens in a new window Credit: Essence AI Voibe Lifetime Subscription $49.99
$149.99 Save $100   Get Deal

Typing isn’t always the fastest way to get ideas out of your head. If you’ve ever lost your train of thought mid-sentence — or spent more time formatting than actually writing — a voice-first tool could be the upgrade your day-to-day work needs. Voibe, a Mac-native dictation app, is designed to close that gap, and for a limited time, a lifetime subscription is available now for only $49.99 (reg. $149).

Built exclusively for Mac, Voibe works anywhere a cursor can go — email drafts, notes apps, coding environments, you name it. What sets it apart from many dictation tools is its on-device processing: rather than routing audio through the cloud, it transcribes speech locally. That means your voice data stays private, and your words hit the screen with minimal delay.

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The workflow couldn’t be simpler! Just hold a key, speak naturally, and release. Your words convert to text in near real time, and because Voibe runs quietly in the background, it slots into your existing setup without disrupting it.

This kind of tool makes sense for anyone dealing with text-heavy tasks throughout the day — whether that’s writing emails, drafting content, or adding context to AI tools like ChatGPT or Claude. It may also be useful if you prefer speaking your thoughts out loud instead of typing them line by line.

Voibe is built for Mac, so it won’t work on Windows devices. Like most dictation tools, accuracy can depend on the clarity of your speech and the environment. Still, the offline processing and privacy-focused setup may appeal to users who prefer keeping data on their own device.

Unlike the subscription fatigue that comes with most software, Voibe’s lifetime plan means one payment, ongoing updates, and no recurring fees.

You can get a Voibe lifetime subscription now for only $49.99 (reg. $149).

Want to see more deals? Visit the shop and use code MARCH15 to save an extra 15% sitewide through March 29. Exclusions apply.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Pour one out for Sora, the groundbreaking — but quickly overtaken — video generation app from OpenAI, the makers of ChatGPT.

Born Dec. 2024, and baptized by a billion-dollar Disney deal a year later, Sora was axed by OpenAI on Tuesday — and the Disney deal was trashed alongside it.

"We're saying goodbye to the Sora app," the Sora team announced Tuesday via the OpenAI X feed. "To everyone who created with Sora, shared it, and built community around it: thank you. What you made with Sora mattered, and we know this news is disappointing."

OpenAI did not confirm reports that Sora would soon be available within ChatGPT itself, but did promise to "share more soon, including timelines for the app and API and details on preserving your work."

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Sora launched to great fanfare. Some of us even wondered if the launch could herald a new cinematic medium. But it was soon eclipsed by other more fully-featured AI video generation apps such as Google's Veo and Luma Ray.

In Dec. 2025, the cinematic might of Disney was added to the Sora app via a $1 billion deal — one that would allow users to create videos with some of Disney's vast roster of copyrighted characters. Though as we also noted at the time, the deal was a much better one for Disney than for OpenAI, which continues to burn through cash at the rate of roughly $1 billion a month.

SEE ALSO: Everything is fine: Disney CEO Bob Iger says OpenAI deal isn't a threat to creatives.

Still, Disney CEO Bob Iger was touting the OpenAI deal, which was to last for three years, as recently as Feb. 2026. But a month is a long time in AI world.

"As the nascent AI field advances rapidly, we respect OpenAI’s decision to exit the video generation business and to shift its priorities elsewhere," a Disney spokesperson told The Hollywood Reporter, confirming multiple Hollywood insider reports that the deal was DOA.

"We appreciate the constructive collaboration between our teams and what we learned from it," the Disney spokesperson continued, "and we will continue to engage with AI platforms to find new ways to meet fans where they are while responsibly embracing new technologies that respect IP and the rights of creators."

The sudden and confused nature of the announcement — which irked many Sora creators on social media — suggests all is not well behind the scenes at Sam Altman's company. OpenAI has also been scrambling recently to introduce new mental health safeguards for teen users in the wake of multiple wrongful death lawsuits. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

Some smart home automations really can feel like magic. Often, these automations take a lot of effort to set up, but there are some projects that you can set up in less than an hour that can have a big impact on your smart home.

The latest Intel CPUs might be impressive, but they aren’t as impressive as some benchmarks suggest. A new tool from Intel is tampering with Geekbench 6 results, and giving the company’s latest CPUs a boosted score in some tests.

Matt Murdock is back with a vengeance. The blind lawyer turned masked vigilante returns in Daredevil: Born Again season 2, premiering tonight at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on Disney+.

Best early earbuds deals before the Big Spring Sale Best overall Apple AirPods Pro 3 $199.99 (save $49.01) Get Deal Best open earbuds deal Sony LinkBuds Clip $198 (save $31.99) Get Deal

Anyone hoping Amazon's Big Spring Sale would feature great earbuds deals, you're in luck.

The sitewide sale for Prime and non-Prime members alike kicks off on March 25 (running through March 31), but a selection of deals is already live and very much worth looking at, including plenty on wireless earbuds. Though the sale is primarily focused on spring savings like camping gear and cleaning supplies, markdowns on plenty of tech are cropping up, even if they're not officially affiliated with the sale.

In the earbuds space, Sony's latest releases like the LinkBuds Clip and WF-1000XM6 are on sale. Apple AirPods Pro 3 are receiving one of their best price reductions to date, and budget-friendly options like the EarFun Clip and Sony WF-C710N are also even cheaper than usual.

Check out all 18 of the best earbuds deals live already:

Best wireless earbuds deal Apple AirPods Pro 3 $199 at Amazon
$249 Save $50   See It at Amazon See It at Walmart Why we like it

The AirPods Pro 3 are still quite new, having only hit the market this past fall. The earbuds are undeniably the best Apple has released yet, featuring two times the noise cancellation power of the second-gen Pros, a well-rounded sound profile, eight hours of battery life per charge, a built-in heart rate monitor, and live translation features. In his review of the buds, Mashable contributor Adam Doud wrote, "Overall, the AirPods Pro 3 are a remarkable upgrade, even over the AirPods Pro 2, which were already very good."

Check out our full review of the Apple AirPods Pro 3.

More earbuds deals

• CMF Buds 2a — $29 $39 (save $10)

• JBL Vibe Beam — $29.95 $49.95 (save $20)

• Sony WF-C510 — $48 $69.99 (save $21.99)

• Nothing Ear (a) — $79 $109 (save $30)

• OnePlus Buds 4 — $79.99 $129.99 (save $50)

• Sony WF-C710N — $88 $129.99 (save $41.99)

• Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE — $128.21 $149.99 (save $21.78)

• Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 — $169 $229 (save $60)

• Technics EAH-AZ100 — $247.99 $299.99 (save $52)

• Sony WF-1000XM6 — $298 $329.99 (save $31.99)

Best open earbuds deal Sony LinkBuds Clip $198 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $31.99   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

When it comes to open earbuds, it seems more and more options are coming out by the day. While the Bose Ultra Open earbuds are one of the most popular options, Sony's latest release, the Sony LinkBuds Clip, is worth a closer look. Like the Bose buds, they have a clip design built for maximizing comfort. Also like the Bose buds, they have excellent sound quality. Mashable contributor Simon Cohen wrote in his review of the buds, "With the possible exception of Bose’s Ultra Open Earbuds ($299), the LinkBuds Clip are the best [open earbuds] I’ve heard." On sale, they're also over $100 cheaper than the Bose buds, so second-best in sound quality hardly feels like settling here.

Check out Mashable's full review of the Sony LinkBuds Clip.

More open earbuds deals

• Soundcore V20i — $29.99 $49.99 (save $20)

• Soundcore C50i — $39.99 $69.99 (save $30)

• Baseus Bowie MC1 Pro — $47.49 $89.99 (save $42.50)

• EarFun Clip — $55.99 $69.99 (save $14 with Prime membership)

• Shokz OpenRun Pro — $159.95 $179.95 (save $20)

• Shokz OpenSwim Pro — $139.95 $179.95 (save $40)

The streaming revolution has disrupted the entire landscape of television. What once started as a way to bring television to the internet has now transformed into a multi-billion-dollar industry. Streaming used to be a place where users could go to watch their favorite shows ad-free. The pendulum has completely shifted towards the other side, as major streaming services are incorporating more ads onto their platforms.

MG is shaking up the EV world with its SolidCore Battery and Hybrid+ system. These aren’t just numbers on a spec sheet—they promise faster charging, longer range, and better performance in cold weather.

The Federal Communications Commission on Monday added all foreign-manufactured consumer routers to its Covered List — the federal government's running blacklist of communications equipment deemed a national security threat. The move effectively bans the sale of new WiFi routers made outside the country.

The ban is sweeping, as virtually every consumer router on the market today is made overseas. However, the FCC also said that previously approved WiFi routers can still be operated and sold.

An FCC communication states that the "action does not impact a consumer’s continued use of routers they previously acquired." Likewise, it doesn't "prevent retailers from continuing to sell, import, or market router models approved previously through the FCC’s equipment authorization process."

It's the same playbook we saw with the drone ban in December 2025, when the FCC blacklisted most consumer drones, even as they remained easy to find.

SEE ALSO: The FCC bans all routers made outside the U.S.

As before, the national security justification, per the FCC, is that foreign-produced routers introduce supply chain vulnerabilities that can disrupt critical infrastructure. In addition, the FCC says that foreign routers have already been exploited in real cyberattacks. The Volt, Flax, and Salt Typhoon attacks — all of which targeted vital U.S. infrastructure — involved foreign-made routers, according to the FCC.

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A quick glance at Amazon and Best Buy shows that popular routers are still widely available, but the situation is confusing. Let's break down what we know about the new rules.

So which routers are banned?

Any equipment on the FCC's Covered List is blocked from receiving new authorization, which is required before a device can be imported, marketed, or sold in the United States. And the FCC's decision adds "all consumer-grade routers produced in foreign countries" to that list.

Effectively, all home router brands will be impacted by the ban. (The only domestically-produced consumer routers Mashable is aware of are made by Starlink for satellite internet.)

The FCC's update applies to any router produced outside the U.S. — and the FCC's definition of "produced" is deliberately broad. It covers not just where a device is physically assembled, but where it was designed, developed, or had any major stage of its manufacturing process completed. So, a router designed in the United States by an American company but assembled in Taiwan would still be banned, for instance.

TP-Link, the Chinese manufacturer that has faced its own separate congressional scrutiny and government inquiries, is an obvious target. But the ban extends well beyond Chinese companies. It also includes Asus, which is Taiwanese; Netgear, which is headquartered in San Jose and manufactures abroad; Eero, which is owned by Amazon and produced in Vietnam; and Ubiquiti, another American company whose hardware is produced overseas. If the router exists in the physical world in 2026, there is a very good chance it was made somewhere other than the United States, and is therefore now covered.

TP-Link, for its part, was characteristically direct. In a statement to PCMag, the company acknowledged the obvious — that router manufacturing is a globally distributed industry, with its own products made in Vietnam — and framed the ruling as an industry-wide reckoning rather than a targeted action. The company said it was confident in the security of its supply chain and welcomed what it described as an evaluation of the entire sector.

Likewise, before DJI drones were banned in December, the company told Mashable the ban was a naked attempt to shore up U.S. manufacturing, rather than a legitimate national security issue.

"This is about forcing the biggest manufacturer of drones out of the market so that American drone manufacturers don’t have to compete with them," said Adam Welsh, DJI’s Head of Global Policy, in an interview with Mashable in December.

What routers can you still buy?

More than you might expect — for now. The critical distinction in the FCC's rules is between new device models and previously authorized ones. Any router that already has an FCC equipment authorization can still be imported, sold, and used. Retailers can continue moving existing inventory. Consumers can continue buying those models. The ban applies to new models seeking authorization going forward, not to the current stock sitting on Best Buy shelves.

If you already own a router, nothing changes. The Covered List does not require consumers to replace or stop using hardware they already purchased.

However, if you need an upgrade, now's the time to do it. The FCC granted a limited waiver on Monday, allowing all previously authorized routers to continue receiving software and firmware updates — security patches, bug fixes, and compatibility updates — at least until March 1, 2027, at which point the agency says it will reassess.

The waiver exists because, without it, the Covered List rules would have immediately stripped those routers of update eligibility the moment they were added to the list, even for devices already sitting in people's homes. The irony here is that the FCC's ban is premised entirely on the security risks of foreign-made routers, which, by its own mechanics, will eventually cut off the security updates that keep those same routers from becoming liabilities.

SEE ALSO: Amazon's Big Spring Sale is back: The best deals already live on Apple, robot vacuums, headphones, and more Is there any way back for manufacturers?

There is, but it's a narrow door. The FCC's rules include a "Conditional Approval" pathway, administered by the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security, through which a router producer can apply for an individual exemption if it can demonstrate its product does not pose unacceptable risks.

The application process is extensive: manufacturers must disclose their full corporate structure, ownership, any foreign government ties, a complete bill of materials, country of origin for every component, and all software, and — most significantly — a detailed, time-bound plan to move manufacturing to the United States. Conditional Approvals last no longer than 18 months and come with quarterly reporting requirements. There is no guarantee of approval, and all decisions are final.

The PinePhone and PinePhone Pro were great Linux-based phones, with an open hardware design and affordable hardware. Unfortunately, there’s still no follow-up model on the horizon, for a few different reasons.

As a Google Pixel user, I’m admittedly pretty far from the open source ideal of Android, but that doesn’t mean I can’t still enjoy open source apps. While I don’t use a ton of them, I surprised myself with a couple that I found on my phone.

The best kitchen deals ahead of the Amazon Big Spring Sale: Best blender deal Ninja Kitchen System $129.99 (save $90) Get Deal Best air fryer deal Ninja Crispi $159.99 + $20 Amazon credit (save $20) Get Deal Best espresso machine Breville Bambino $249.95 (save $50) Get Deal Best ice cream maker deal Ninja Creami bundle $249.98 (save $30) Get Deal

It's spring cleaning season, and Amazon's Big Spring Sale is here to help you celebrate.

While stocking up on the classic cleaning tools, like home cleaning supplies and robot vacuums, is a good option, we also recommend taking a look at your kitchen lineup. With the deals already live, there's plenty of potential to fill any holes in your kitchen's arsenal (or replace any tools on their last legs).

SEE ALSO: Amazon's Big Spring Sale kicks off on March 25 this year. Here's how we're prepping for it.

The week-long sale officially starts March 25, and there are already great deals on Ninja's appliances, Breville espresso machines and toaster ovens, Nespressos, rice cookers, and more. Check out our top picks below:

Best blender deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Kitchen System $129.99 at Amazon
$219.99 Save $90   Get Deal Why we like it

If you're generally a fan of kitchen multitaskers (and who isn't), this may just be the blender for you. In addition to the full-size pitcher you'll get with most blenders, this model of the Ninja Kitchen System comes with two 18-ounce cups and an eight-cup food processor bowl, so you're sure to be covered for all your motorized chopping and blending needs. Down to $129.99 all the way from $219.99, it's at its lowest price ever — and even cheaper than budget models with fewer attachments.

More blender deals

• Nutribullet Pro — $49.84 $99 (save $49.16)

• Ninja Nutri-Blender Plus — $69.98 $89.99 (save $20.01)

• Chefman Obliterator — $69.99 $149.99 (save $80)

• Braun MultiQuick Immersion blender — $79.95 $109.95 (save $30)

• Ninja Professional Plus blender — $89.99 $119.99 (save $30)

• Vitamix Ascent X3 — $449.95 $649.95 (save $200)

Best air fryer deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Crispi $159.99 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $20   Get Deal Why we like it

Mashable's Samantha Mangino put Ninja's kitchen lineup through the wringer, and the Ninja Crispi came out as the best option for an air fryer. The detachable glass baskets up the convenience factor on an already convenient appliance, allowing for meal prep and storage to happen in the same container you cook in. When it comes time for cleaning, the glass baskets can be dropped directly in the dishwasher. Though there is the drawback of no manual temperature adjustment, Mangino never found it to really affect the way food cooked, saying that everything came out as crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside as expected.

More air fryer and multicooker deals

• Instant Pot Duo Plus (6 quart) — $99.99 $139.99 (save $40)

• Chefman Crispinator (8 quart) — $109.99 $159.99 (save $50)

• Ninja Flip Air Fryer — $149.99 $249.99 (save $100)

• Ninja Foodi Smart XL Grill — $199.99 $279.99 (save $80)

• Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer — $279.95 $349.95 (save $70)

• Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro — $319.95 $399.95 (save $80)

Best ice cream maker deal Ninja Creami bundle $249.98 at Amazon
$279.98 Save $30.00   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

Another Ninja deal, but the Ninja Creami is a favorite of ours (and the internet's) for a reason. Easy ice cream at home is an especially welcome treat during the warmer months, so this bundle arrived just in time. Included with the Creami are four family-sized 24-ounce tubs so you can be sure you always have a frozen sweet treat on hand.

Check out our full review of the Ninja Creami.

Coffee and espresso machine deals

• Mr. Coffee Coffee Maker (12 cups) — $29.99 $53.99 (save $34)

• Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ — $99 $129 (save $30)

• Nespresso Vertuo Next — $125 $229.95 (save $104.95)

• Keurig K-Duo Coffee Maker — $149.99 $219.99 (save $70)

• Breville Bambino — $249.95 $299.95 (save $50)

• Breville Barista Express — $549.95 $679.99 (save $130.04)

• Breville Barista Touch — $799.95 $999.95 (save $200)

Mixer deals

• KitchenAid 9-Speed Hand Mixer — $84.99 $114.99 (save $30)

• KitchenAid Tilt Head Stand Mixer (5 quart) — $399.95 $449.99 (save $50.04)

• KitchenAid Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer (7 quart) — $549.95 $649.99 (save $100.04)

More kitchen deals

• Breville Juice Fountain — $59.95 $99.95 (save $40)

• KitchenAid Go Cordless Food Chopper — $69.99 $89.99 (save $20)

• Lodge Essential Enamel Cast Iron Dutch Oven (6 quarts) — $69.99 $89.99 (save $20)

• Cuckoo Micom Rice Cooker (6 cup) — $84.99 $129.99 (save $45)

• KitchenAid Go Cordless Chopper — $89.95 $99.99 (save $10.04)

• Rubbermaid Brilliance 44-piece food storage containers — $109.99 $129.99 (save $20)

• Zojirushi Micom Rice Cooker (5.5 cup) — $174.99 $209.99 (save $35)

• Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker (5.5 cups) — $191.99 $235 (save $43.01)

If you're like me, you probably find Windows 11 a disappointment, and you feel more like a resource for Microsoft than its customer. Linux can help you escape, and here's why particularly Linux Mint is the Windows 11 replacement you’ve been looking for.

Although GPUs are currently super expensive, we're still constantly told that it's definitely time to upgrade ours. And, in all fairness, Nvidia doesn't make it easy to say no. The latest iterations of DLSS, including 4.5 and the upcoming 5, are extremely tempting ... but does that mean you should be pulling out your wallet?