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Amazons Big Spring Sale is back for round 3: The best deals you can shop already
The sun is shining past 6 p.m., which means spring is nearly here, and Amazon is ready to celebrate.
On March 16, the retailer officially announced the third annual Amazon Big Spring Sale. Deals will be live for an entire week, from March 25 to 31, keeping in line with the schedule from last year's sale.
Also, as in years past, the deals featured in this sale will reflect the spirit of the season: Camping and yard care supplies, cleaning items from disinfectant wipes to robot vacuums, spring fashion, and other household essentials will be the major featured deals. While that does mean less of an emphasis on tech than Amazon's other sales like Prime Day and Black Friday, we still anticipate a selection of worthwhile savings on devices. Last year's spring sale brought savings on Amazon's devices like Kindles, Apple deals on MacBooks and iPads, and markdowns on headphones and TVs.
SEE ALSO: When is Amazon's Spring Sale in 2026? Amazon just announced official dates.Already, we're starting to see early savings roll out on those exact product categories, from Fire sticks and Sony headphones to Roborock vacuums and Ninja kitchen appliances. Most deals are available whether or not you have a Prime membership — a major benefit of the Big Spring Sale is that, unlike Amazon's other Prime member-focused sales, a majority of the deals are available for anyone to purchase. That said, those with a Prime membership will be able to "unlock exclusive savings with Prime-exclusive Best Deals featuring the 'Prime Spring Deal' badge," according to Amazon.
SEE ALSO: Rate your favorite audio brands for a chance to win a $250 Amazon gift cardOnce it kicks off, the sale will also feature daily deal drops, on categories from spring cleaning to beauty.
In the meantime, Mashable's shopping team will be keeping an eye on the best deals live in the lead-up to Amazon's Big Spring Sale. Check out our early finds below:
Best Apple deals ahead of the Big Spring Sale Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 3 $209.99 at Amazon$249 Save $39.01 Get Deal Why we like it
According to our review, Apple's AirPods Pro 3 are an "easy buy" if you've been looking for a new pair of AirPods. It's easy to see why: They have excellent ANC, eight hours of listening time per charge, a built-in heart rate monitor, and live translation features. While they hit a lower price of $184 back in February, this $39 markdown is still worth checking out.
Check out Mashable's full review of the Apple AirPods Pro 3.
MacBook dealsApple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $999 $1,199 (save $200)
Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $999 $1,199 (save $200)
Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,049 $1,099 (save $50)
Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,079 $1,399 (save $320)
Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,249.99 $1,299 (save $49.01)
Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,499.99 $1,699 (save $199.01)
Apple AirPods 4 — $99 $129 (save $30)
Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC) — $148.99 $179 (save $30.01)
Apple AirPods Max — $449.99 $549 (save $99.01)
Apple iPad, 11-inch (A16, WiFi, 128GB) — $299 $349 (save $50)
Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro, WiFi, 128GB) — $399 $499 (save $100)
Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M4, WiFi, 128GB) — $559 $599 (save $40)
Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M3, WiFi + Cellular, 128GB) — $599 $749 (save $150)
Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M4, WiFi, 128GB) — $747 $799 (save $52)
Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M3, WiFi + Cellular, 256GB) — $899 $1,049 (save $150)
Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M5, WiFi, 256GB) — $1,199 $1,299 (save $100)
Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS, 40mm) — $219 $249 (save $30)
Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS + Cellular, 40mm) — $269 $299 (save $30)
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) — $299 $399 (save $100)
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS + Cellular, 42mm) — $399 $499 (save $100)
$549.99 Save $250 Get Deal Why we like it
Mashable's robot vacuum expert, Leah Stodart, deemed the Roborock Q10 S5+ the best quiet robot vacuum on the market, and ahead of the Big Spring Sale, it's down to a record-low price.
One of the major pros of this vacuum is that it frequently drops down in price to $379.99, but this price drop to $300 is especially impressive. Stodart points to the LiDAR smart mapping performance, effective sonic mopping, small obstacle avoidance, and five-digit suction power as the standouts of this vacuum. While the vacuum itself isn't slim and the edge mopping isn't the best, this remains a killer deal.
More robot vacuum dealsShark AV753 ION — $149.99 $249.99 (save $100)
iRobot Roomba 105 — $169 $319.99 (save $150.99)
Narwal Freo X Plus — $169.99 $199.99 (save $30)
Roborock Q7 M5+ — $249.99 $359.99 (save $110 with Prime membership)
Mova P10 Pro Ultra — $399 $499 (save $100)
Eufy X10 Pro Omni — $499.99 $699.99 (save $200)
Ecovacs Deebot X8 Pro Omni — $599 $1,099.99 (save $500.99)
Eufy C28 — $599.99 $799.99 (save $200)
Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller — $999.99 $1,599.99 (save $600)
$49.99 Save $25.00 Get Deal Why we like it
Amazon never misses a chance to mark down its devices during sales, and it's starting off strong with this 50% deal on an Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus. It last hit $24.99 back in December, making this an especially affordable moment to pick up the streaming device. Once plugged into your TV's HDMI port, you'll have access to 4K streaming, WiFi 6 support for seamless streaming, access to all the major smart TV apps, and Xbox games (with no console required).
Fire Stick dealsAmazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select — $17.99 $39.99 (save $22)
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max — $34.99 $59.99 (save $25)
Amazon Echo Pop Kids — $29.99 $49.99 (save $20)
Amazon Echo Spot — $49.99 $79.99 (save $30)
Amazon Echo Show 5 — $69.99 $89.99 (save $20)
Amazon Echo Dot Max — $74.99 $99.99 (save $25)
Amazon Echo Show 8 — $139.99 $179.99 (save $40)
Amazon Echo Studio — $189.99 $219.99 (save $30)
Amazon Echo Show 11 — $169.99 $219.99 (save $50)
Amazon Echo Show 15 — $254.99 $299.99 (save $45)
BaByliss Pro Nano Titanium — $76.99 $109.99 (save $33)
Ninja Professional Blender — $79.99 $109.99 (save $30)
Cuckoo Micom Rice Cooker (6 cups) — $84.99 $129.99 (save $45)
Sony WH-CH720N — $98 $179.99 (save $81.99)
Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ — $99 $129 (save $30)
Beats Studio Pro — $169.95 $349.99 (save $180.04)
Hurdle hints and answers for March 17, 2026
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 hintPeter ___ picked...
SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answerPIPER
Hurdle Word 2 hintA piece of info.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 17, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 AnswerDATUM
Hurdle Word 3 hintA block of steel.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for March 17 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 17, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answerINGOT
Hurdle Word 4 hintTo show.
Hurdle Word 4 answerPROVE
Final Hurdle hintA Jewish figurine.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answerGOLEM
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
How to watch Champions League live streams online for free
TL;DR: Live stream the 2025-26 Champions League for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The top club competition in the world of football has to be the Champions League. There is nothing else that brings the very best teams in the world together in a battle for footballing immortality. Sure, winning your domestic league is great. But winning the Champions League is on another level.
If you want to watch the 2025-26 Champions League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
What is the Champions League?The Champions League is an annual club football competition organised by UEFA and contested by top-division European clubs. This year's tournament begins with a 36-team round robin group stage to determine which sides qualify for the double-legged knockout rounds, followed by a single leg final.
The defending champions are PSG.
When is the 2025-26 Champions League?The 2025-26 Champions League is the 71st edition of the competition (and the 34th since it was renamed the Champions League). This season's tournament runs from July 8 to 30 May.
How to watch the 2025-26 Champions League for freeIt is possible to live stream the 2025-26 Champions League for free on the following streaming platforms:
Ireland — RTÉ Player and Virgin Media (select fixtures including the final)
Turkey — tabii (select fixtures)
UK — Prime Video (select fixtures including semi finals with 30-day free trial)
These free streaming platforms are geo-restricted, but anyone can bypass these restrictions with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure servers in other countries, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Champions League from anywhere in the world.
Access free live streams of the 2025-26 Champions League by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with free coverage of the Champions League
Visit RTÉ Player, Virgin Media, tabii, or Prime Video (free trial)
Watch Champions League fixtures for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams of the 2025-26 Champions League without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch select fixtures before recovering your investment.
If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming services from around the world, the fact is you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.
What is the best VPN for the Champions League?ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure
Fast connection speeds
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).
Live stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Hold On to Your Authenticity Under Pressure
Leadership today requires navigating uncertainty, scrutiny, and competing expectations. These three practices can help you stay effective and authentic—even when conditions keep shifting. Aim for clarity, not total transparency. Communicate in ways people can absorb. Some team members want frequent updates and opportunities to weigh in, while others want context and reassurance that leadership will guide decisions. Slow down important […]
257257NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 17, 2026
The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're a musician.
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.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.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.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.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 17, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: In a predicament
Green: Song terms
Blue: They have a thin cord
Purple: Speedy
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Metaphors for trouble
Green: Music theory concepts
Blue: Things with strings
Purple: Metaphors for quickness
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 #1010 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayMetaphors for trouble: BIND, HOT WATER, JAM, PICKLE
Music theory concepts: KEY, PITCH, SCALE, TONE
Things with strings: BALLOON, KITE, TEA BAG, YO-YO
Metaphors for quickness: ARROW, LIGHTNING, ROCKET, WIND
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 17, 2026Are 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.
NYT Strands hints, answers for March 17, 2026
Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're Irish.
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 MashableBy 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 17, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 17, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Happy Saint Patrick's Day!The words are related to a color.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedThese words describe things with the same hue.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.
NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is Go Green.
NYT Strands word list for March 17Thumb
Flag
Light
Beret
Go Green
Pepper
Room
Party
Goddess
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.
Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 17, 2026
Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you love wearing jewelry.
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 16, 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 16, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:Used to fasten a necklace.
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 C.
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...
CLASP
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.
NYT Pips hints, answers for March 17, 2026
Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.
Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.
Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.
How to play PipsIf you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 17, 2026The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.
Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:
Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.
Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.
Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.
Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.
Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.
If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.
SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for March 17, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for March 17 PipsNumber (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-1, placed vertically.
Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-0, placed vertically.
Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 0-1, placed vertically; 2-4, placed horizontally.
Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically; 1-5, placed vertically.
Medium difficulty hints, answers for March 17 PipsGreater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 6-3, placed vertically.
Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 2-6, placed horizontally.
Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 2-6, placed horizontally; 6-3, placed vertically.
Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 6-5, placed vertically.
Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-1, placed vertically.
Less Than (3): Everything in this green space must be less than 3. The answer is 0-3, placed horizontally.
Less Than (3): Everything in this purple space must be less than 3. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally.
Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally; 2-5, placed vertically.
Hard difficulty hints, answers for March 17 PipsNumber (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 2-2, placed horizontally; 2-1, placed horizontally.
Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 2-1, placed horizontally; 1-1, placed horizontally.
Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 0-5, placed horizontally.
Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 0-5, placed horizontally; 5-5, placed horizontally; 5-6, placed horizontally.
Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally.
Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally.
Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 0-5, placed horizontally; 5-5, placed horizontally; 5-6, placed horizontally.
Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally.
Number (18): Everything in this space must add up to 18. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally; 6-2, placed horizontally; 0-6, placed horizontally.
Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 5-4, placed horizontally; 4-0, placed vertically.
Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 5-3, placed horizontally; 3-2, placed vertically.
Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally.
Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally; 5-4, placed horizontally.
Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 4-1, placed vertically.
Greater Than (9): Everything in this space must be greater than 9. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for March 17, 2026
Today's Connections: Sports Edition is easy for people who like the Yankees.
As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.
Like the original Connections, 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 the latest 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: Sports Edition?The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.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.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.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: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Western Conference hockey
Green: Needed to play baseball
Blue: What's in a logo?
Purple: Sounds like a basketball player
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: A Western Conference NHL Player
Green: Baseball Equipment
Blue: Items in NFL Logos
Purple: Homophones of Basketball Hall of Famers
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: Sports Edition #540 is...
What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?A Western Conference NHL Player - BLACKHAWK, BLUE, OILER, SHARK
Baseball Equipment - BASE, BAT, DONUT, TEE
Items in NFL Logos - BOLT, FLEUR-DE-LIS, HORSESHOE, SWORDS
Homophones of Basketball Hall of Famers - BERRY, DUNKIN, MORNING, WEIGHED
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new sports Connections 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.
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.
Rate your favorite audio brands for a chance to win a $250 Amazon gift card
Here at Mashable, we’re always trying out the latest tech products to help our readers determine whether or not they’re worth it. But now, we want to hear from you about the products you use and love. In this edition of our Readers’ Choice Awards, we’re asking you about the audio gear you use in your daily life, including headphones and earbuds, speakers, and soundbars.
So, take a few minutes to fill out our audio survey. Your thoughts and feedback might just grant your favorite devices a Mashable Readers’ Choice Award — plus you could win a $250 Amazon gift card.
We’ll be running this survey for about two months, and then we’ll crunch the numbers to see which headphones/earbuds, speakers, and soundbars you all deem the best.
How to enterThere are two methods to enter the Sweepstakes: (1) fill out the online survey, or (2) enter by mail.
Survey Entry: To enter the Sweepstakes through the online survey, go to the survey page and complete the current survey during the Sweepstakes Period.
Mail Entry: To enter the Sweepstakes by mail, on a 3 x 5-inch card, print your first and last name, street address, city, state, zip code, phone number, and email address. Mail your completed entry to:
Readers' Choice Sweepstakes - Audio
c/o M. Kern
360 Park Ave South, Floor 17
New York, NY 10010
Mail Entries must be postmarked by May 11, 2026, and received by May 17, 2026. For official sweepstakes rules and promotion start and end dates, please click HERE.
The best Hulu deals and bundles in March 2026
HULU BUNDLES: Hulu is offering a range of bundle deals so you can stream from its impressive library without breaking the bank.
The best Hulu deals and bundles in March 2026: Best Hulu Bundle Deal Disney+ and Hulu Bundle $4.99/month for 3 months Get Deal Best HBO Max Bundle Deal Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max Bundle $19.99/month with ads, $32.99/month ad-free Get Deal Best Student Deal Hulu Student Deal Hulu with ads for $1.99/month Get Deal Best ESPN Bundle Deal Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited Bundle $35.99/month Get DealThere's a wide range of excellent shows and films to watch on Hulu. From Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere to season two of Paradise, it's a library that's full of options to keep you entertained this spring.
If these have caught your eye and have you itching to sign up for Hulu, we're here to help you get the best deal. Outside of the standard ad-supported and ad free plans, there are quite a few bundle deals available with Hulu that are worth exploring if you're looking to save some cash. This includes a great limited-time deal on the Disney+ and Hulu Bundle, which is offering the first three months for just $4.99 per month. This offer only runs until March 24, so now is the time to sign up.
SEE ALSO: 'Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette' review: A romance and horror story, all in oneConsidering Hulu and Disney Plus have recently increased their prices, there's no better time than now to find a way to save through bundles. Below you can find details on Hulu's best bundles at the moment — alongside information on both its ad-supported and ad free plans, if you just want the basics — offering you a way to save on the service without going overboard on spending.
Best Disney+ bundle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Disney+ and Hulu Bundle Get your first three months for $4.99 per month Get Deal Why we like itFor those interested in the ad-supported Disney+ and Hulu Bundle, there's a limited-time offer that runs until March 24. Both new and eligible returning subscribers can get the first three months of the plan for $4.99 per month. Usually it costs $12.99, and your plan will automatically renew at that price after the promotional period comes to an end. You can cancel this function at anytime though:
Disney+ and Hulu Bundle — Get three months for $4.99 per month, then $12.99 per month
Unfortunately, this deal does not apply to the Premium ad-free version of this plan. This option is still available for $19.99 per month, as usual.
Disney+ and Hulu Bundle Premium — $19.99 per month
This is one of the best Hulu bundles available at the moment. Starting at $19.99 per month, this bundle grants you access to Hulu, Disney+, and HBO Max's streaming services for a much lower price than what you'd pay for the three of them separately. It's an incredible deal to take advantage of, especially if you've already got Disney+ and HBO Max subscriptions. There are two plans to choose from with this bundle, and they are:
Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle (with ads) — $19.99 per month (save 42%)
Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle (no ads) — $32.99 per month (save 41%)
If you're a student enrolled at a university, you can score a Hulu (with ads) plan for even lower than the above bundles. Hulu's Student Deal gives eligible college students the ability to buy a Hulu (with ads) plan for just $1.99 per month. Hulu notes that the deal lasts "so long as student enrollment status remains verified," then it goes back up to the standard monthly price.
Hulu Student Deal — $1.99 per month
Alongside the big Hulu, Disney+, and HBO Max bundle, Hulu also has plans for sports fans that throw in ESPN Select or ESPN Unlimited. According to ESPN, "ESPN Select includes ESPN+ content only. Fans who want ESPN+ exclusively may subscribe to the ESPN Select plan. ESPN Unlimited includes all of the ESPN networks and services, including ESPN+."
The Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited Bundle, which has ads, is available for $35.99 per month. The Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited premium bundle without ads is available for $44.99 per month.
Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Select Bundle — $19.99 per month
Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Select Bundle Premium — $29.99 per month
Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited Bundle — $35.99 per month
Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited Bundle Premium — $44.99 per month
If you're just looking to jump straight into Hulu's library without any fancy bundles, there are a couple of subscription options to consider. The ad-supported tier comes in at $11.99 per month, but you'll get your first month free, which is a great way to test the waters and see if it's the right fit for you. If you want to go ad free, that'll cost you $18.99 per month. Unfortunately, this plan does not offer a free trial like its ad-supported sibling.
Hulu (with ads) — $11.99 per month (get first month free), $119.99 per year
Hulu Premium (no ads) — $18.99 per month
If you really want to go big on a streaming investment, there's the Hulu + Live TV plan. This costs a whopping $89.99 per month for its ad-supported plan, but comes with plenty to keep you busy. Hulu + Live TV (with ads) gets you access to 95+ channels, unlimited DVR, Disney+ (with ads), ESPN Select (with ads), and Hulu (with ads). If you want to go even bigger with the ad-free plan — which offers Hulu (no ads), Disney+ (no ads), and ESPN Select (with ads) alongside Live TV — it'll cost you $99.99 per month. The ad-supported plan also offers a free trial, but for just three days instead.
Hulu + Live TV, Disney+, and ESPN Select (with ads) — $89.99 per month (three day free trial)
Hulu Premium + Live TV, Disney+ Premium, and ESPN Select (no ads) — $99.99 per month
Hulu + Live TV, Disney+ Premium, and ESPN Select — $94.99 per month
Live TV Only — $88.99 per month
Wondering what to watch once you get set up with a Hulu plan or bundle? We're here to help with that as well. Have a look at our roundups of the 30 best comedies on Hulu, the 25 best sci-fi movies on Hulu, and the 26 best horror movies on Hulu to start building your watchlist. And if you're in the mood to binge-watch a show, check out our breakdown of the 25 best shows on Hulu.
Turn 15 minutes into personal growth with this summary app
TL;DR: Learn something new in just 15 minutes with a lifetime subscription to Headway Premium, now $50.99 with code MARCH15 until March 29.
Opens in a new window Credit: Headway Headway Premium: Lifetime Subscription $50.99$299.95 Save $248.96 Get Deal
Want to expand your mind without having to totally rearrange your day? Headway Premium can help, allowing you to digest the key concepts from nonfiction books in just 15 minutes so you can learn new things on your lunch break. Right now, you can secure a lifetime subscription for only $50.99 with code MARCH15 through March 29.
We’ve all got jam-packed schedules, so finding time to finish an entire book can feel like a luxury. Headway Premium knows that, and instead makes it easy to learn key ideas and insights from the world’s best sellers in just 15 minutes. You can even pick between reading and listening to professionally narrated summaries, depending on what works best with your day.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!More than 15 million people are already taking advantage of self-growth with Headway Premium. While these concise summaries don’t replace reading that whole book, they’re an excellent way to learn something new and discover topics you’d like to explore further.
Choose between summaries on business strategies, personal development, health and wellness, and more. With over 2,000 summaries available — and new ones added every month — you’ll never run out of content.
Headway’s gamified learning process makes it easy to add these summaries to your routine. It tracks your progress and incentivizes learning with quizzes and trivia to check your understanding.
Get a lifetime subscription to Headway Premium, now $50.99 with code MARCH15 through March 29.
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.
From the alphabet to life-saving signs — get this full ASL bundle for $35
TL;DR: Pick up a new language with CPD-Accredited ASL content in the Complete American Sign Language Master Class Bundle, now for just $34.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Cudoo The Complete American Sign Language Master Class Bundle $34.99$200 Save $165.01 Get Deal
If you’ve always wanted to learn sign language, consider this your sign. The need for ASL speakers continues to rise, and the Complete American Sign Language Master Class Bundle gives you 100 hours of CPD-accredited ASL content you can complete in your spare time — all for just $34.99.
Mastering sign language can come in handy and help you stand out in both your personal and professional life, allowing you to communicate with the deaf and hard-of-hearing. This Complete American Sign Language Master Class gives you a comprehensive education in ASL in five comprehensive courses that are each only $7 with this bundle.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!Taught by Cudoo.com, these courses are CPD-Accredited, which means they count toward maintaining or improving your professional skills. It teaches the basics — learn the alphabet, numbers, the time of day, pronouns, occupations, and more with American Sign Language Level 1.
From there, American Sign Language Level 2 teaches you how to ask questions, find objects, discuss food, and sign in past and future tenses, among other topics. American Sign Language Level 3 goes further, with an emphasis on hobbies, weather, fashion, money, directions, and even medical emergencies.
This bundle also includes American Sign Language for Babies and Toddlers, which allows you to talk to little ones, and a Scuba Diving Hand Signals Course that gives you signals for underwater communication. You’ll also receive a bonus American Sign Language E-book filled with what you need to start signing in everyday situations.
Get the Complete American Sign Language Master Class Bundle for just $34.99 now.
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.
Trump admin has viral DOGE videos taken down. Theyre already back up.
Last week, viral videos of two former staffers of the Elon Musk-led government agency DOGE went viral. The videos offered a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how DOGE was run and how cuts to federal funding were determined.
On Friday, a federal judge ordered the videos be removed after a complaint from the Trump administration.
However, much to the chagrin of the U.S. government, internet archivists and forums like Reddit's r/datahoarders have already re-uploaded backups of the videos.
The American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS), the American Historical Association (AHA), and the Modern Language Association (MLA) originally hosted the hours-long depositions of two former DOGE employees, Justin Fox and Nate Cavanaugh. Fox and Cavanaugh had been deposed as a result of a lawsuit from the three organizations regarding DOGE's cuts to the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).
The depositions of the two DOGE employees quickly went viral. Fox's interview especially spread after clips were made of his inability to explain exactly what DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) was, regardless of the fact that DEI was his reasoning in cutting funding to specific projects or groups. The DOGE staffer shared how programs were flagged for cuts if they were tagged with terms such as "Black" or "LGBTQ+" but terms like "caucasian" or "heterosexual" were not flagged. Other clips showcased how the DOGE employees used ChatGPT to determine what programs to cut.
SEE ALSO: Former DOGE employees give an inside look at the Elon Musk-led agencyAccording to the Trump administration, the online mockery of the former DOGE staffers put the them in real, offline danger. The government told the judge that Fox specifically had been the subject of harassment and even death threats.
As a result of this request, Judge Colleen McMahon ordered that the ACLS, AHA, and MLA "take any and all possible steps to claw back" the DOGE deposition videos from the internet.
ACLS, AHA, and MLA made an argument that this was a First Amendment issue and that the videos were in the public interest as they involved "testimony from senior government officials on matters of great public concern."
The judge denied their request and deferred the matter to a hearing on Tuesday. The hours-long depositions of Fox and Cavanaugh were removed shortly after on Friday.
However, despite the judge's order, little could be done to remove the many viral clips from the deposition that had been uploaded all over social media.
Furthermore, internet archivists and self-described data hoarders had already ripped the entirety of both videos before they were removed from YouTube. Since their removal, the two full depositions have already been re-uploaded to sites like the Internet Archive. The subreddit r/datahoarders has also provided torrents of the two videos, so anyone who wants them can download the depositions locally to their own computers as well.
Regardless of what the judge decides at the hearing, it seems pretty clear that the internet has reached a verdict. These deposition videos of two DOGE staffers will always be available online in one form or another.
This Japanese SUV redefines affordable luxury
Luxury cars aren’t getting any cheaper in the U.S., and it’s easy to see why. Development costs keep climbing, logistics aren’t getting simpler, and automakers know they can charge more for premium models and protect their margins.
This new web game tests your eye’s color accuracy (and your screen’s)
Not all screens and monitors are built to the same standards of color depth and accuracy, and your eyes also have their limits. Now, you can find out just how well you (and your devices) can tell colors apart, potentially for bragging rights.
How to watch the 2026 World Baseball Classic online for free
TL;DR: Live stream the 2026 World Baseball Classic for free on Tele Rebelde or Venevision. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Spring Training is underway for the new MLB season. That's incredibly exciting news for baseball fans, but there's more: The 2026 World Baseball Classic is here to deliver weeks of top-quality international action from around the world.
USA lost in the 2023 final to Japan. That final will always be remembered for Japan's Shohei Ohtani striking out Mike Trout in the ninth inning to seal the game. Can USA bounce back to win its first title since 2017? This edition of the competition has already thrown out some huge performances and shocking results. Now the final looms on the horizon.
If you want to watch the 2026 World Baseball Classic for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
What is the World Baseball Classic?The World Baseball Classic is an international baseball tournament sanctioned by the World Baseball Softball Confederation. In 2026, the tournament is organized into four pools of five teams. Teams will compete in a round-robin format, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout rounds.
Japan are the defending champions.
When is the 2026 World Baseball Classic?The 2026 World Baseball Classic will take place from March 5-17. Pool rounds will be played in Miami, Houston, San Juan, and Tokyo. The quarter finals will be split between Miami and Houston. The semi finals and final will be played in Miami.
How to watch the 2026 World Baseball Classic for freeThe 2026 World Baseball Classic is available to live stream for free on a number of platforms:
Cuba — Tele Rebelde
Venezuela — Venevision
These streaming platforms are geo-restricted, but anyone can access for free with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another location, meaning you can unblock free streaming sites from anywhere in the world.
Access free World Baseball Classic live streams by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with access
Visit Tele Rebelde or Venevision
Live stream the 2026 World Baseball Classic for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch every game from the 2026 World Baseball Classic before recovering your investment.
If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming platforms from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for live sport is on sale for a limited time.
What is the best VPN for live sport?ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure
Fast connection speeds
Up to 10 simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).
Watch the 2026 World Baseball Classic for free with ExpressVPN.
3 riveting Netflix thrillers to watch this week (March 16-22)
Who wants to start the week off on an exciting night? If yes, then head to Netflix to check out the thrillers ready to be streamed with the push of a button. This week, our top selection is a crime thriller about the drug war between the United States and Mexico. One scene in particular is considered one of the best action sequences of the 21st century.
How to watch Venezuela vs. Italy in the 2026 World Baseball Classic online for free
TL;DR: Live stream Venezuela vs. Italy in the 2026 World Baseball Classic for free on Tele Rebelde or Venevision. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The 2026 World Baseball Classic has been entertaining and unpredictable from the first pool-stage games.
USA lost to Italy and almost didn't make it out of the pool stage, Japan were knocked out by Venezuela in the quarter finals, and now we're on the cusp of the final. USA have already booked their place in the showpiece event as they aim to win their first title since 2017. They'll face either Venezuela or Italy.
Italy's journey to this semi-final matchup has been one of the biggest storylines from this competition. Few fans expected Italy to make it out of the pool stage, let alone top the group after winning every game. Can this magical story continue? Or will Venezuela prove too strong? You can follow all the action without spending anything.
If you want to watch the 2026 World Baseball Classic for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Venezuela vs. Italy?Venezuela vs. Italy in the 2026 World Baseball Classic starts at 8 p.m. ET on March 16. This fixture will take place at LoanDepot Park.
How to watch Venezuela vs. Italy for freeThe 2026 World Baseball Classic is available to live stream for free on a number of platforms:
Cuba — Tele Rebelde
Venezuela — Venevision
These streaming platforms are geo-restricted, but anyone can access for free with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another location, meaning you can unblock free streaming sites from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Venezuela vs. Italy in the World Baseball Classic by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with access
Visit Tele Rebelde or Venevision
Live stream the 2026 World Baseball Classic for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch every game from the 2026 World Baseball Classic before recovering your investment.
If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming platforms from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for live sport is on sale for a limited time.
What is the best VPN for live sport?ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure
Fast connection speeds
Up to 10 simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).
Watch Venezuela vs. Italy in the 2026 World Baseball Classic for free with ExpressVPN.
This Texas startup believes AI can identify and stop mass shooters
The week before the annual SXSW conference in Austin, Texas, a mass shooter killed three people outside a college bar in the city's bustling downtown district. And at SXSW on Monday, a company called Angel Protection demonstrated technology that uses AI to identify potential shooters before they cause a mass casualty event.
Angel Protection was founded in the aftermath of another Texas mass shooting, the 2022 Uvalde tragedy that took the lives of 19 children and 2 teachers. Founder and CEO Lewis Matthews had two young children at the time of the shooting, and as a data scientist, he believed AI and visual intelligence could be used to mitigate future mass shootings and save lives.
Angel Protection's technology integrates with existing surveillance cameras and scans them simultaneously to identify firearms. If it detects a civilian brandishing a firearm, it alerts a human reviewer in the company's Midland monitoring center. Angel Protection says it can identify a shooter and alert law enforcement in 10 seconds or less.
Angel Protection founder Lewis Matthew demonstrates the company's technology at SXSW. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable“As you can see, I’m an outsider, and I can see that it’s real, material stuff that’s broken in these systems,” Matthews told Mashable. “Stuff is broken at the local level all the way up through the federal government…So, we started studying it. We spent two years just really looking at the problem.”
Matthews said that, as a data scientist, he knew that if you want to change a broken system, you need to have some type of measurement to know if your efforts are working.
“The measurement we look at in this case is time. What’s the time problem that we’re solving here? We started with all the mass shootings from 1999 to 2025. Average time from first shots fired to 911 being initiated is 90 seconds. So if I put my gun out there and start shooting, it’s 90 seconds before someone picks up the phone and calls 911, because people go into denial. They think it’s fireworks, kids playing around, doors slamming, anything other than [what it is]."
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Even when people call 911, they often provide contradictory information.
“Then what happens…is they get inundated with a bunch of calls that describe everyone as being the shooter. Everyone is fleeing the scene. The shooter is black, the shooter is white, the shooter is bald. Shooters got long hair, tall, fat, shorts, jeans, whatever it is, they get every single description before the cops show up. All they know is they're looking for someone.”
Not only can Angel Protection Systems quickly identify potential mass shooters, but they can send a photograph and precise location directly to first responders.
“We use AI to detect those guns and humans to verify that [and] cut that 90 seconds down to sub 10 seconds, and we do that with extreme, extreme accountability," Matthews said.
Privacy experts are increasingly worried about AI's potential to be used for mass surveillance. However, Angel Protection's chief technology officer told me all the information processing occurs on-site to protect privacy, and Angel Protection is only alerted when a threat is identified.
The company's human reviewers also help cut down on false positives, Matthews says, though it still happens, especially in an open-carry state like Texas. (Angel Protection's visual intelligence doesn't alert to holstered weapons for this reason.) Apparently, ROTC students who carry rifles without wearing the proper uniform have been one early problem.
The ultimate goal, Matthews said, is to identify mass shooters in entryways or parking lots, as these shooters often arrive on scene brandishing a rifle. Mass shootings often progress at lightning speed, and he believes that quickly getting accurate information to first responders will save lives.
Angel Protection is still in its infancy, and a company spokesperson told me the company is currently monitoring about 2,500 cameras in Texas, checking for potential shooters twice a second. So far, the company is working with schools, hospitals, and government sites.


