Blogroll

No one wants to feel alone at work. Loving leaders create a sense of warmth by making sure people feel supported, guided, and connected to those around them. Here’s how to build that kind of community on your team. Offer yourself as a guide. When onboarding a new team member, be explicit that you’re their […]

257257

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 Pips

If 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 April 2, 2026

The 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 April 1, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for April 2 Pips

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 6-1, placed vertically; 0-5, placed vertically; 2-3, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically; 5-3, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 2-3, placed horizontally; 3-3, placed vertically; 5-3, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for April 2 Pips

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 1-4, placed horizontally.

Number (16): Everything in this space must add up to 16. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally; 5-4, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 1-4, placed horizontally; 2-3, placed vertically; 2-0, placed vertically.

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 6-6, placed vertically.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 5-4, placed vertically; 5-3, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 2-3, placed vertically; 5-3, placed horizontally.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 2-0, placed vertically; 1-3, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for April 2 Pips

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 3-2, placed vertically.

Greater Than (8): Everything in this space must be greater than 8. The answer is 4-5, placed vertically.

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 6-6, placed vertically.

Greater Than (9): Everything in this space must be greater than 9. The answer is 4-6, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-1, placed vertically.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-6, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-0, placed vertically; 0-1, placed horizontally; 0-2, placed horizontally.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 0-2, placed horizontally; 0-1, placed horizontally; 1-6, placed vertically; 3-0, placed vertically; 5-5, placed horizontally; 4-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 4-2, placed horizontally; 2-1, placed vertically.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 2-1, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically; 0-4, placed vertically.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 0-4, placed vertically; 1-3, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally; 1-1, placed vertically.

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

Today's Connections: Sports Edition is for people who love New York sports.

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 categories

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

• Yellow: New York, New York

• Green: Train this

• Blue: The Anamoly

• Purple: Breakfast of champions

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: New York Teams

• Green: Training Equipment

• Blue: Associated with Jayson Tatum

• Purple: Sports for Breakfast

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 #556 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• New York Teams - KNICKS, LIBERTY, NETS, RANGERS

• Training Equipment - FOAM ROLLER, JUMP ROPE, MEDICINE BALL, RESISTANCE BAND

• Associated with Jayson Tatum - 0, CELTICS, DUKE, THE JAYS

• Sports for Breakfast - CUP OF COFFEE, GOOSE EGG, HASHMARK, PANCAKE BLOCK

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.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're an animal lover.

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 April 2, 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 foster

• Green: A break

• Blue: Furry friends

• Purple: Alcohol companies

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Support

• Green: Opportunity

• Blue: Male animals

• Purple: Ends of liquor brands

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 #1025 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Support: BACK, CHAMPION, ENDORSE, SECOND

• Opportunity: CHANCE, MOMENT, OPENING, WINDOW

• Male animals: BUCK, DRAKE, DRONE, STALLION

• Ends of liquor brands: CARDI, EATER, MESON, MIGOS

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 April 2, 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 love the derby.

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 April 2, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: On track

The words are related to sports.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe a sporting competition.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Horse Racing.

NYT Strands word list for April 2

• Bettor

• Agent

• Jockey

• Horse Racing

• Trainer

• Bookie

• Tipster

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 don't drink.

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 April 2, 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 April 2, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Dry.

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 S.

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...

SOBER

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.

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

Poop.

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

BOWEL

Hurdle Word 2 hint

In place of.

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

STEAD

Hurdle Word 3 hint

To supply.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for April 2 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 2, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

EQUIP

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A military ranking.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

CADET

Final Hurdle hint

See-through

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

SHEER

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 Artemis II launch, in case you need a TL;DR on all the coverage, was a big deal. A really big deal. I mean, you might think it's a big deal when SpaceX executes a perfect retro-rocket landing, but that's just peanuts compared to all the things that have to go right when you're hurling a massive nitrogen and hydrogen-filled missile, tipped with actual human beings, at the moon.

And somehow, social media sensed it. For one moment, those hellscapes of doomscrolling had nothing but admiration and applause for a tremendous scientific achievement — the likes of which nobody under 54 has seen in their lifetimes. (That includes most of that supremely cynical generation, Gen X.)

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

It wasn't hard to be overwhelmed by awe. We've never seen a crewed moon rocket launch on social media before, and we've certainly never seen one with modern camera technology.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

What a fucking shot holy shit

[image or embed]

— Tetraethyl (@tetraethyl.bsky.social) April 1, 2026 at 3:47 PM

There was another reason for the celebratory mood — that at a time of war, inflation, and environmental and political catastrophe, we can have a hard time remembering what it looks like when a major world event is about something not going wrong.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

And somehow, even the critics of the cost felt Artemis II was worth it.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

NASA's Artemis II Orion spacecraft has begun transmitting its first images from deep space, offering a view of Earth from farther away than any crewed mission has traveled since Apollo.

The Orion capsule lifted off from Kennedy Space Center on April 1, carrying Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency mission specialist Jeremy Hansen on a 10-day voyage around the moon — the first crewed lunar mission since 1972. Koch and Glover will set new spaceflight records for women and people of color once Orion surpasses the International Space Station's altitude of roughly 250 miles above Earth.

When Artemis I completed the same journey in November 2022 without a crew, the Orion spacecraft began transmitting striking views of Earth shortly after launch, drawing widespread attention. This time, four astronauts are aboard.

NASA is livestreaming views from Artemis II's spacecraft throughout the journey. The stream description says the broadcast begins with the ascent into space and conclude shortly before returning to Earth.

SEE ALSO: The Artemis II astronauts have a make-or-break moment in the dead of night

The crew is expected to set a new distance record for human spaceflight on Flight Day 6, when Orion passes behind the moon. During that 45-minute communications blackout, the astronauts will photograph the lunar far side — terrain that has never been directly observed by human eyes. Those images would mark another first for the mission.

Orion is expected to splash down April 10 off the coast of San Diego, where U.S. Navy teams will recover the crew and capsule.

It's the Full Moon in parts of the world tonight, and depending on where you are, it’ll either be visible after sunset or in the early hours of the following morning. In all North American timezones, it'll show up on April 1.

Keep reading to see how much of it is visible tonight.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Wednesday, April 1, the Moon phase is Full Moon. This means 100% of its surface will be illuminated tonight (according to NASA's Daily Moon Guide).

Tonight, without visual aids, you can spot the Kepler Crater, the Mare Vaporum, and the Mare Serenitatis. With binoculars, you'll also be able to see the Mare Nectaris, Alphonsus Crater, and the Endymion Crater. With a telescope, you'll also be able to see the Apollo 11, 14, and 15 landing spots.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon is predicted to take place on May 1, the first of two in May.

What are Moon phases?

According to NASA, the Moon takes about 29.5 days to circle Earth, moving through eight unique phases along the way. Although we always see the same side from Earth, different amounts of its surface are lit by the Sun as it orbits, causing it to appear fully illuminated, partially lit, or as a thin crescent. These changing views are called the lunar phases, and there are eight altogether:

New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

NASA's Artemis II astronauts will get a swift reminder on their first flight day that moon missions don't adhere to sleep demands. 

The historic human spaceflight, NASA's first beyond low-Earth orbit in over 50 years, launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Wednesday evening at 6:35 p.m. ET. But even after that bone-rattling liftoff, the crew — Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen — won't have downtime. 

First, the rocket's upper stage places the Orion spacecraft into a high-Earth orbit that takes about 24 hours to complete. As it circles the planet, the crew will test life support, communications, and navigation systems while they're still relatively close to home. 

Then comes an awkwardly timed maneuver: the so-called "perigee raise" burn. Mission managers say this unassuming moment sits in the same high‑risk category as liftoff itself. The problem is when that engine burn must happen — right in the middle of the astronauts' sleep. 

"Unfortunately, physics cannot be defied," said Jeff Radigan, lead flight director for the mission. "We have to put the burns where they're necessary for the trajectory."

SEE ALSO: What 'home' will look like for the Artemis 2 crew headed to the moon

For the astronauts, that means a very long first day in orbit that requires burning the midnight liquid hydrogen, so to speak. Their day began at about 11:30 a.m. ET on Wednesday, some seven-or-more hours before the launch. 

Once in space, Wiseman and Glover will perform a demonstration of the spacecraft's manual steering. They'll use Orion's spent upper stage — the Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage — for docking practice. Cameras and windows will help the pair see how the ship handles approaching and backing away. 

Chief Training Officer Jacki Mahaffey oversees the Artemis II crew as they train for key maneuvers in an Orion spacecraft mockup in Houston, Texas. Credit: NASA / Mark Sowa

Though manual control isn't necessary for this mission, the test is a crucial demonstration of whether the spacecraft can dock with landers during future moon missions. After about 1.5 hours of this piloting exercise, Orion will perform an engine burn to speed away from the upper stage. The discarded propulsion system will then have a controlled splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. 

About 8.5 hours into the flight, the astronauts will finally be allowed to get some shuteye. But it won't last long: Just four hours later, they'll get a wakeup call from Houston about that critical perigee-raise engine burn. 

The maneuver is one of the mission's make‑or‑break moments. It takes Orion's initial, temporary orbit and reshapes it into a stable path ahead of their moon-bound engine firing scheduled for the next day. 

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

NASA had little control over the timing. The laws of orbital motion did. Orion has to fire its engine at specific moments — not whenever it’s convenient — to get where it needs to go.

Rather than "bedtime," Glover calls their interrupted first night what it truly is. 

"We’re going to take a nap," he said. 

When the job is complete, the crew can crawl back into their sleeping bags stuck to the walls — for a luxurious 4.5 hours. 

April Fool's Day can be a treacherous time online, with plenty of pranksters looking to play tricks on the average doomscroller. However, Dropout is out here gifting viewers with an April "Fool's Gold" in the form of Dimension 20: On a Bus, Season 2, which was announced this morning. 

This is not a joke. After Katie Marovitch's video pitch for Game Changer's Shark Tank parody scored over 6 million views across the game show's social accounts, Dropout created a second season. Now available on the streaming platform, Dimension 20: On a Bus Season 2 clocks in at 54 minutes, which is about 20 times longer than the original segment. So, how did Marovitch prepare for Season 2, which reunites this proudly know-nothing "Dragon Master" with professional Game Masters Jasmine Bhullar, Aabria Iyengar, Matthew Mercer, and Brennan Lee Mulligan? 

Mashable spoke with Marovitch over a video call to unearth the secrets of her "homebrew hacks," the entertainment value of irritating Brennan Lee Mulligan, and what celebrity cameo she'd be willing to have in Season 3. 

Brennan Lee Mulligan offered advice on how Katie Marovitch should approach Dimension 20: On a Bus, Season 2.  Brennan Lee Mulligan embraces Dragon Master Katie Marovitch in "Dimension 20: On a Bus" Season 2. Credit: Kate Elliott / Dropout

In "Fool's Gold," Katie's pitch was to bring together "the best DMs in the world" and force them to "sit through whatever bullshit I come up with." Because — as she put it — "what does the internet love more than an upset Brennan?" 

The resulting video delivered exactly that. Yet Marovitch revealed to Mashable that Mulligan did weigh in on how she might best prepare for a second season. 

Speaking of the difference between Season 1 (the viral video shoot) and Season 2, Marovitch said, "Season 1, I'd say I truly went in not having any idea what was gonna come out of my mouth, including the dice system. Had no idea. Anything I said was truly just for the moment." 

She continued, "For Season 2, I will say I put in a lot of effort for bits that I knew I wanted to do and not much else. Actually, I talked to Brennan, and I was like, 'Should I actually know how to play this? Like, is that funnier if I know how to play it now? Or do I need to learn how to play it so that I can then, you know, break the rules and play it badly?' And he thought that the less I knew, the better. And so I still knew nothing, and I still know nothing. But we definitely did plan bits." 

How did Rick Perry contribute to Dimension 20: On a Bus, Season 2? Dragon Master Katie Marovitch stars in "Dimension 20: On a Bus" Season 2. Credit: Kate Elliott / Dropout

The "we" she spoke of includes Dimension 20 production designer Rick Perry and producer Carlos Luna, who offered pitches of their own and helped Marovitch get access to a wealth of the minis, props, and projections to choose from in creating her campaign. Asked about procuring Jasmine's chalice and Critical Role's Vecna model, Marovitch said, "So that was a lot of Rick. Because I really am just a big idiot who knows nothing, but the team behind this really did make sure that I knew which props were available, which little minis were from what campaign, and who had them, and other props that were very specific to individual people — like the Vecna and the glass that was Jasmine's. So it was really just a matter of, like, what is the most personal item that we can use have a little fun?"

As for turning Mulligan's Box of Doom dice tower into a "bejazzled" Cheetos bowl, Marovitch said, "I should have asked if I actually messed anything up. But yeah, it's important to me to have a very strong brand, and my brand is being a Cheetos lover. So I've eaten Cheetos. I've referenced Cheetos in the past, and it was so important for me to bring Cheetos into this game. And so I'm glad I was able to do that." 

Who thought of the Mr. Questions ribbon? Dragon Master Katie Marovitch stars in "Dimension 20: On a Bus" Season 2. Credit: Kate Elliott / Dropout

One of the funniest moments in Dimension 20: On A Bus, Season 2 is when, in her role as Dragon Master, Marovitch scolds Brennan with a big, garish white ribbon that reads "Mr. Questions." Not fitting over his head, the badge sits over his mouth, or as Iyengar pointed out in the episode, "where the questions come from." 

Marovitch credits this inspired bit of flair to a pitch from "either Rick or Carlos." She explained, "They thought it could be funny, because they knew that these professional players are going to be asking questions, desperate to get me to actually make a point. And just making fun of them for trying to play the game well is very fun." 

She added that Mulligan — though he offered some advice in her prep — did not have a role in the season's development. "Brennan had no idea what we were doing," she said. "Brennan was not super involved with the bits, which was by design, so that he could actually be surprised and actually be annoyed. But I was happy to use that on him. And I love that it didn't fit on his head."

Asked how DMing for Brennan compared to him DMing for her in Dimension 20: Mice & Murder, she said, "Oh God, he's so good. When I hear Brennan narrate a story, there's no one else doing it like him. He's so talented. And my best attempt at doing that would fail just completely, and that's why I stole his [A Crown of Candy] monologue. I had to do it." 

While a goal for her Dimension 20 series is to amuse Dropout viewers by riling Mulligan and his fellow DMs, Marovich says, "I want it to be fun for everyone still, and I don't want to ever actually offend people. So, I feel like it is kind of a fine line. I don't want to poke fun at Dimension 20 or at D&D. I want to be like the butt of the joke. I want to be just a big idiot who's playing this badly. I hope I don't ever actually offend them." 

Katie Marovitch reveals the origins of her homebrew hacks.  Dragon Master Katie Marovitch stars in "Dimension 20: On a Bus" Season 2. Credit: Kate Elliott / Dropout

In Season 2, Marovitch throws around Dimension 20 terminology like "homebrew hack," "crit," and "rule of cool" as if she's a young child who's just learned how to say a new phrase and is throwing it around until she can figure out where it sticks. But even without planning for gameplay, Marovitch pulled from her own home and habits to create a homebrew hack or two. 

"I cannot stress how little planning went into those elements," she said of the enormous backpack, binders, and variety of tools she flaunted from her seat as Dragon Master. "The day before, I said, 'I think it'd be funny if I had a bunch of laptops for no reason.' And actually, this is a sort of an inside joke with the College Humor group, because I used to bring three laptops to College Humor every day, each with a different purpose. Which makes absolutely zero sense, because you can do multiple things on one computer. So it was sort of a nod to that. And then I have two graphing calculators in my desk, right next to me, just for if I need one. And so I said, You know what? I'll grab one of those. And then I had no idea that it was going to become central to the game, had no idea. But I hope it sticks. I hope they rewrite, you know, the D&D books to include that. I think it'd be really cool."

A bit about the origins of the graphic calculators: Marovitch has had both since they were demanded for a math class in high school. "They were outrageously expensive," she recalled, "And I will say, I was a big old nerd, and I had my parents buy me two. I had terrible anxiety that in the middle of the math test, my first calculator would stop working, the batteries would stop. So I had my parents buy me two, so that I always had a backup." 

Kate Marovitch fact-checks Dimension 20: On a Bus trivia.  Dragon Master Katie Marovitch stars in "Dimension 20: On a Bus" Season 2. Credit: Kate Elliott / Dropout

While researching ahead of our interview, Mashable Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko came across some dubious "trivia" in Dimension 20: On a Bus's IMDb page. So, she asked Marovitch to confirm or deny. 

The first claim from IMDb: "The bus in D20: On a Bus was originally going to be played by Philip Seymour Hoffman before he passed." (Editor's Note: Hoffman died in 2014. "Fool's Gold" aired in 2025). 

Marovitch refuted this claim, saying, "Yes, that is sadly not true. And I don't know where that rumor started." 

The second claim from IMDb: "After the passing of Philip Seymour Hoffman, they strongly considered Sandra Bullock, but she wouldn't work for anything under 50 mph." 

On this one, Marovitch said, "Yes, OK, that one is true. That one's true. And Sandra, just, just a side note, if you want to come back for Season 3, we'd love to have you." 

Asked if she'd be willing to meet Bullock's need for speed, Marovitch replied, "Yeah, I'm willing. Now that I've had two seasons under my belt, I'm willing." 

Dimension 20: On a Bus Season 2 is now streaming on Dropout.

With Dimension 20: On a Bus, Dropout turned the gaming tables on professional Game Masters Jasmine Bhullar, Aabria Iyengar, Matthew Mercer, and Brennan Lee Mulligan by subjecting them to self-proclaimed "Dragon Master" Katie Marovitch, who proudly admits she knows "nothing" about Dungeons & Dragons. The resulting viral video garnered over 6 million views across Dropout's social media channels. But more impressively, the video has also been ranked on IMDb as the most popular episode of Dimension 20. 

When Mashable spoke with Marovitch in a video interview, the IMDb ranking for Season 1 was 9.9/10. Marovitch said of this success, "I put so much time into that two-minute and 32-second episode — that was also a full season, by the way — so that makes a lot of sense. I'm sure I work just as hard as Brennan did for all his seasons, so I really, definitely deserve that." 

She went on to say of those IMDb users who ranked the show less than a 10/10 (which at the time of publishing is four users, who opted for a 9 or 8 ranking), "Well, I'm mad at whoever voted an eight. Show yourself!" 

How an elf costume helped Katie Marovitch find her inner Dragon Master.

On the Game Changer episode ("Fool's Gold") in which Marovitch pitched DMing a Dimension 20 episode, she already had locked and loaded an elf costume, which would have "nothing to do with" the proposed campaign.  

The look evolved between the pitch and the resulting video, where Marovitch has a more sexy Legolas look. Speaking to Mashable, she said, "The appearance is not a joke to me; genuinely, I want to look like an elf, and it's not funny to me. It's real, and I need to feel confident. Something happens when I get dressed up in costume, regardless of what it is. It could be a turtle costume. The second I'm in costume, I am confident. It's wild. I just change. I'm a different person. And that's the kind of thing I need when I'm about to Dragon Master, for sure." 

She went on to say, "Everyone needs to be more confident, and everyone should dress like an elf more."

What advice does Katie Marovitch have for new Dragon Masters?  Brennan Lee Mulligan embraces Dragon Master Katie Marovitch. Credit: Kate Elliott / Dropout

Having now DMed a two-and-a-half-minute first season and a 54-minute second season of Dimension 20, Marovitch was happy to offer advice for newbies to the Dragon Master role. 

Don’t miss out on our latest stories: Add Mashable as a trusted news source in Google.

"It is a competition between Dragon Masters," she said. "So you know, go out there, do your best. Win. Be organized. Be prepared, and go in with an open mind and be ready to change hearts, and also do the best that you can do. And just know that I'm there as the mama Dragon Master." 

Sure, typically, Dungeons & Dragons is considered a collaborative versus a competitive game. But by adding points (a homebrew hack?) in Season 2 of Dimension 20: On a Bus, Marovitch literally changed the game. So, does she feel that she's won in her competition against the players in her season? 

"I think I did win," she shared, "I mean, not to toot my own horns, but I think I gave them a run for their money, and I'm so excited. I'm sure they're all desperate to have me on their seasons. I can tell. I really feel like they all can't wait to play with me again. And yeah, so I'm looking forward. I can't wait to do Critical Role and whatever the other people do." 

Would she be up for playing Dimension 20 live? Perhaps if the Dropout cast does another show at Madison Square Garden? "Yeah," she said. "I'll probably do one." 

Dimension 20: On a Bus Season 2 is now streaming on Dropout.

For the first time, a woman and a Black astronaut are headed into deep space, breaking through the glass ceiling of low-Earth orbit as they attempt to circle the moon.

At 6:35 p.m. ET on April 1, NASA's 32-story Space Launch System lifted off from Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. With the horsepower of 160,000 Corvettes, the rocket sent up a column of fire and vapor over the Atlantic Coast. This was no April Fool's Day gag, but a signal that the United States has returned to human-led space exploration. 

More than a half-century after NASA last ventured farther than the International Space Station, Artemis II — including mission specialist Christina Koch and pilot Victor Glover — is on its way toward the moon. The crew is also composed of Commander Reid Wiseman and mission specialist Jeremy Hansen, who makes history in his own right as the first non-American on a lunar spaceflight. Hansen flies for the Canadian Space Agency.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Topping the mega moon rocket was the Orion spacecraft, a new capsule designed for the agency's Artemis moon program, which aims to establish a continuous human presence on the moon. There, astronauts will learn how to survive the formidable lunar conditions before pushing on toward Mars, perhaps in the 2030s. 

But the Artemis II crew won't be landing on the surface — that's for a later mission. If all goes according to plan, the four astronauts will test the spacecraft's life-support systems over a 10-day voyage that loops around Earth before slingshotting around the moon. They'll attempt to travel about 248,700 miles from Earth, surpassing Apollo 13's record of 248,655 miles, set in 1970. 

"The thing to celebrate is that we as a world actually are living in an era where we know that we have to go for all and by all," Koch said on Friday about becoming the first woman on a moon mission. "We collectively made the decision to be here."

SEE ALSO: What 'home' will look like for the Artemis 2 crew headed to the moon

Koch and Glover, who were assigned to the crew in 2023, have each downplayed the historic achievement, shifting focus away from their "first" superlatives. The milestones come at a time when NASA, under President Donald Trump's executive order, has ended diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives. When NASA announced its latest astronaut trainees in October 2025, it was the first class in 40 years without any Black candidates, though it included a record number of women. 

For the past year, NASA has stopped talking about putting the first woman and person of color on the moon. It's unclear whether the agency will abandon that commitment, as the space agency has declined to directly discuss it with Mashable. The first moon-landing mission, Artemis IV, is slated for 2028, and NASA has not announced any crews beyond Artemis II.

Challenges before the launch

Today's $4.1 billion launch leaves Earth two months after NASA had initially rolled the rocket out to the launchpad, only to haul it back and forth to the hangar for unexpected tests and repairs. 

Engineers have worked through a handful of problems with the rocket, including hydrogen leaks during a fueling test and helium flow issues during a routine step to restore pressure in the upper stage. Those concerns, combined with the complexity of integrating the rocket, spacecraft, and mobile launcher, have delayed the mission and reshuffled timelines, underscoring the challenges of operating a rocket that has only flown once before. The vehicle made its inaugural voyage, the uncrewed Artemis I mission, in 2022. 

Prior to takeoff, a battery on the launch abort system on Orion posed a potential issue for the rocket, but NASA officials addressed and cleared it.

In the first eight minutes of flight, the crew hurtled an estimated 18,000 mph through the air, enduring intense G-forces — about three times Earth's gravity — to escape the atmosphere. Koch and Glover will set new spaceflight records for women and people of color when Orion surpasses the altitude of the space station, about 250 miles above Earth. 

NASA astronauts Victor Glover and Christina Koch train together for the Artemis II moon mission in an Orion mockup at Johnson Space Center in Houston. Credit: NASA / James Blair History-making moments

That milestone is expected to happen within the first two hours of Flight Day 1. A crucial engine burn should propel the spacecraft into a high-Earth orbit with a peak altitude of about 46,000 miles.

Whether the crew will set the record for the farthest distance humans have ever traveled remains to be seen. The moment of truth would occur on Flight Day 6, when Orion passes behind the moon from Earth's perspective. 

During those 45 minutes, when the moon literally blocks communication between Earth and the spacecraft, the crew will study and photograph the far side, observing features never seen directly by humans before. Because of the timing of the launch, the flight path, and lighting conditions, the Artemis II astronauts may be the first to lay eyes on Mare Orientale, for example, a lunar landmark nearly 600 miles wide that almost completely escapes Earth's view.

"I would love it if the entire world … could come together and just be hoping and praying for us to get that acquisition of signal," Glover said. "It would be a reminder, a data point that we all share, that we can do challenging and very big and very important things when we work together."

Over a 10-day spaceflight, the Artemis II crew will fly around Earth and then the moon, testing the Orion spacecraft's life-support systems. Credit: NASA infographic

When Orion returns, the capsule will re-enter Earth's atmosphere at high speed, heating to about 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Because the heat shield for Artemis I was damaged during descent, the hardware has raised concerns about crew safety. NASA said the redesigned landing trajectory for Artemis II will prevent Orion from reaching the temperatures of the inaugural flight, which experienced roughly 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

Orion is expected to splash down on April 10 off the coast of San Diego, California, where U.S. Navy teams will recover the crew and ship.

TL;DR: Work smarter, not harder with PDFs thanks to AcePDF Converter and Editor lifetime license, on sale now for $29.99 (reg. $99.99).

Opens in a new window Credit: Acethinker AcePDF Converter & Editor: Lifetime License $29.99
$99.99 Save $70   Get Deal

Tired of groaning every time you see the letters PDF? Us too, but now there’s an app to put a stop to it. AcePDF Converter and Editor makes it easy to work with this file format, and right now you can secure a lifetime license to the app for only $29.99 (reg. $99.99).

We run into PDFs almost daily nowadays, but you don’t have to dread them. AcePDF Converter and Editor is ready to make your experience much more pleasant — and unlike most apps on the market, it can be yours with no monthly subscription fees. You only have to pay $30 once to enjoy the app forever.

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!

AcePDF makes the conversion process a breeze, allowing you to create high-quality conversions with the original layouts, images, and hyperlinks intact. In just a few taps, you can convert a PDF into a Word, Excel, or JPG file, and you can convert an Excel or PPT file into a PDF just as easily. Merging, splitting, and compressing are also just a few taps away.

Editing a PDF is equally simple with AcePDF. You can add or enhance content on existing PDFs or even fill out forms right within the app.

Working with sensitive info? AcePDF makes it simple to encrypt and protect your files with passwords and an unlocking feature. Want to add a watermark to your file? That’s straightforward too. Built-in OCR technology also allows you to extract text from image-based PDFs.

This lifetime subscription gives you permanent access to the app on two devices, so you can use it both at work and at home.

Score this AcePDF Converter and Editor lifetime license for only $29.99 (reg. $99.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Officially, the Amazon Big Spring Sale ended March 31, but some of the best tech deals are sticking around. So, I scouted out the best deals that are still available after the sale. Some have gone up slightly in price, but they're still discounted enough that I can give you the green light.

Remember: Before recommending a deal, Mashable checks the product's price history to make sure you're actually, definitely, for real getting a good deal. I'm only recommending products with genuine discounts, because we all know big retailers like to play fast and loose with the definition of the word "deal."

Amazon Big Spring Sale tech deals: Still live Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones Deal Bose QuietComfort Noise-Cancelling Headphones $249 (save $50) Get Deal Best Charger Deal Anker Nano 45W GaN Smart Charger $29.99 (save $10) Get Deal Best Drone Deal DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo $1,099 (save $500) Get Deal Best Tablet deal Apple iPad, 11-inch (A16 chip) $299 (save $50) Get Deal Best Creator Deal DJI Mic Mini (2TX, 1RX, charging case) $79 (save $20) Get Deal Best Streaming Deal Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select (sale price for some lucky Amazon accounts) $24.99 (save $25 with code 4KPLUSFTV) Get Deal Best Apple Deal Apple AirPods Pro 3 $199 (save $50) Get Deal Best for Early Adopters Xreal 1S AR/XR Glasses $449 (save $80) Get Deal Best smartwatch deal CMF By Nothing Watch 3 Pro $69 (save $30) Get Deal Best Sony Headphones Deal Sony WH-CH720N Noise-Cancelling Wireless Headphones $102.99 (save $75.01) Get Deal

As Mashable's tech editor, I test the latest products from brands like Apple, Samsung, and DJI. I also get to try cool under-the-radar gadgets that only true tech nerds know about. I've personally tested many of these products, and if I haven't, someone else on my team probably has.

Between inflation, a global memory shortage, and overall economic anxiety (trust me — I'm feeling it, too!), you don't want to miss a chance to save some money. So, check out the top tech deals from the Amazon Big Spring Sale.

Grab Sony headphones on sale

Let's start with the bad news: If you were hoping to get the flagship Sony XM6 headphones on sale (or even the past-gen XM5 model), those deals have ended. Now, the good news: Sony's budget and mid-range headphones are still on sale.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-CH520 Wireless Headphones $48 at Amazon
$68 Save $20   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-CH720N Noise-Cancelling Wireless Headphones $102.99
$178 Save $75.01   Get Deal Select iPads, AirTags, and Apple Watches are all at record prices

Amazon always delivers solid deals on Apple products during its big sales, and even though the sale is over, you can score record-low prices on Apple Watches and newly released MacBook Pro laptops.

Amazon quietly discounted the new AirPods Max 2 by $20, and they don't even come out until April 1. Miraculously, this sale price is still live on select colorways. Early shoppers cleaned up on the M4 MacBook Air and M3 iPad Air, which are now out of stock — womp, womp.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 3 $199 at Amazon
$249 Save $50   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad, 11-inch (A16 chip) $299
$349 Save $50   Get Deal More Apple deals

• Apple AirTag 1 (4-pack) — $59.99 at Walmart and Best Buy $99 (save $39.01)

• Apple Watch SE 2 — $189 $249 (save $50)

• Apple iPad, 11-inch (A16, WiFi, 128GB) — $299 $349 (save $50)

• Apple AirPods Max Headphones (1st Gen) — $449.99 at Amazon, Target, and Walmart $549 (save $99.01)

• Apple AirPods Max 2 — $529 $549 (save $20)

• Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $689.99 $699 (save $9.01)

Bose headphones on sale

As recently as this morning, you could still grab the flagship Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Gen 2) headphones on sale, but as of this writing, they're back to full price. Fortunately, their younger sibling is still on sale — and for $100 off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Noise-Cancelling Headphones $249
$349 Save $100   Get Deal Get a new laptop for under $700

While the 2026 Big Spring Sale's list of good laptop deals was flooded with MacBooks, Windows laptop steals include the Asus ROG Flow Z13 with a free code for Crimson Desert and the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3X and both of those are still around.

And if you're looking for a MacBook, you can still grab the colorful new MacBook Neo for $689.99, a whopping $9.01 discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lenovo Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3X (Qualcomm Snapdragon X, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB) $562.99
$629.14 Save $66.15   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Neo, 13 inches (A18 Pro, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $689.99
$699 Save $9.01   Get Deal A smart Anker charger with a smile

Anker makes my favorite fast chargers, and I literally use the company's GaN USB-C chargers every day of my life. However, the next Anker charger I want to try is this little phone charger, which comes with a smart display and fun colors (you can match it to your iPhone, if you're into that sort of thing).

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Nano 45W GaN Smart Charger $29.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $10.00   Get Deal DJI drones on sale starting at $149

Yes, technically, DJI drones are banned in the United States, but they're still widely available from third-party sellers at Amazon. (It's complicated.) If you're a creator, real estate professional, or wedding photographer who wants to take beautiful aerial videos in 4K — or just an aspiring pilot looking to have some fun outdoors — these drones are by far the most popular choice.

Please note: Due to the ongoing DJI drone ban, all DJI drones are sold through third-party sellers at Amazon. Do your research into the seller and shop accordingly. If you're looking for an alternative to DJI, check out the new Antigravity drones we recently reviewed.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo $1,099
$1,599 Save $500   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Neo Mini $149
$199 Save $50   Get Deal More deals on drones

• Antigravity A1-360 Drone, Standard Bundle — $1,279 $1,599 (save $320)

Amazon Fire TV sticks are 50% off

As per usual, some of the best deals during the spring Amazon sale were on Amazon's own products, particularly in the Echo lineup. Sadly, most of those devices are back up to full price today. We'll likely have to wait until Prime Day this summer to catch those discounts again.

However, some lucky Amazon accounts can still snag great deals on the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus. Prime members can use the coupon code 4KPLUSFTV to save 50% for a little while longer.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus $24.99
$49.99 Save $25.00 Use code '4KPLUSFTV' Get Deal Xreal Smart AR Glasses

As a tech editor, I've been very skeptical of the smart glasses trend. However, I like Xreal's augmented reality glasses precisely because they don't have cameras, so you don't have to worry about creeps and bad behavior.

I use the Xreal One Pro AR glasses when working on planes, and the new Xreal 1S glasses can project a 500-inch virtual screen for work or entertainment wherever you go. Both pairs sank to their lowest-ever prices during the Big Spring Sale, and today, they're only $1 more than their sale price from yesterday.

Opens in a new window Credit: Xreal Xreal 1S AR Glasses $449
$529 Save $80   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Xreal Xreal One Pro AR Glasses $599
$769 Save $170   Get Deal Save on popular gadgets from Nothing

Nothing has developed a bit of a cult following in the past year, thanks to its trendy designs and affordable prices. The British brand recently released a new pair of flagship headphones and a smartphone, but a lot of their mid-range and budget tech is still on sale at Amazon.

Our reviewer loved the Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro, calling it damn near perfect. You can also find a ton of Nothing headphones and earbuds on sale.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nothing Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro $69
$99 Save $30   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Nothing CMF Buds Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds $49
$69 Save $20   Get Deal More Nothing deals

• Nothing Ear (a) wireless earbuds — $58.99 $109 (save $50.01)

• Nothing Ear wireless earbuds — $77 $129 (save $200)

• Nothing Ear (3) wireless earbuds with hybrid ANC — $149 (179.99) (save $30)

• Nothing Headphone (1) — $239 $299 (save $60)

TV deals

Amazon forgot to turn the TV deals off when the sale ended. Nearly all of my top picks are still sitting at Big Spring Sale prices. Pro tip: Hisense and TCL Fire TVs are often a better value than Amazon's own Fire TVs. This Big Spring Sale, you can find the 75-inch version of the Hisense U6 Mini-LED Fire TV for $170 less than the 55-inch version of the Amazon Omni Mini-LED Series Fire TV.

You can also still snag new record-low pricing on Samsung QLED TVs released last year, now that the 2026 Samsung QLEDs have been released.

Unfortunately, there weren't any new price drops on my favorite TV: The Frame art TV from Samsung. Most sizes of the 2025 Frame TV are still on sale, but it's nothing we haven't seen before.

Hisense 75-inch U6 Mini-LED QLED 4K Fire TV $549.96 at Amazon
$899.99 Save $350.03   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Best Buy Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 65-Inch Q8F 4K QLED Smart TV (2025) $597.97 at Amazon
$897.97 Save $300 Lowest-ever price Get Deal More TV deals

• Amazon 43-inch 4-Series 4K Fire TV (newest model) — $199.97 $329.99 (save $130.02)

• TCL 55-inch T7 QLED 4K TV — $399.99 $599.99 (save $200)

• Hisense 65-inch E6 Series QLED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV — $376.97 $549.99 (save $173.02)

• TCL 65-inch QM7K Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $798 $999.99 (save $201.99)

• Hisense 75-inch U7 Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $897.96 $1,297.99 (save $400.03)

• Samsung 65-inch QN90F Neo QLED 4K TV — $1,399.99 $1,799.99 (save $400)

• Samsung 77-inch S90F OLED 4K TV — $1,997.99 $2,497.99 (save $500)

SEE ALSO: What to look for when buying a TV, as told through this easy TV specs guide DJI creator deals

For the Big Spring Sale, Amazon went hard with DJI deals, and they're almost all still live. You can still find massive discounts on the brand's popular line of creator gadgets. I personally use the DJI Mic Mini and DJI Osmo Mobile 7P Gimbal when shooting videos for Mashable (check our Instagram story to see my latest).

The cult-favorite DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Vlogging camera, which experienced a rare markdown earlier in this sale, is back up to full price. I'm keeping my eyes out for any after-sale price drops, however. Pro creators and YouTubers are obsessed with this camera (in my review, I wrote, "it should replace whatever vlogging camera you're using now").

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mic Mini (2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case) $79 at Amazon
$99 Save $20   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Osmo Mobile 7P Gimbal $99 at Amazon
$129 Save $30   Get Deal More DJI creator deals

• DJI Mic Mini — $45 $59 (save $14)

• DJI Osmo Mobile 7P Gimbal — $99 $129 (save $30)

• DJI Osmo Action 4 Essential Combo — $199 $289 (save $99)

• DJI Osmo 360 Camera Standard Combo — $357.47 $549.99 (save $192.50)

Our favorite affordable stick vacuum

Spring cleaning was a big theme during the Big Spring Sale, from deals on cleaning supply restocks to deals on robot vacuums and cordless vacuums, and it's not too late to get nice deals.

Our favorite stick vacuum deals are actually from Shark, not Dyson. The $149 Shark Pet IX141 has incredibly strong suction for the price, confirmed by a long-time Mashable reporter with a dog. It's still down at this price after the sale.

Shark Pet Cordless Essential Vacuum Cleaner (IX141) $149 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $150.99   See It at Amazon See It at Best Buy Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 Bone Conduction Headphones

The No. 1 best-selling bone conduction headphones are still on sale after the Amazon Spring Sale, with a discount of 22%. You can pick up these athlete-approved running headphones for under $150.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shokz Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 Bone Conduction Headphones $139.95
$179.95 Save $40   Get Deal JBL Bluetooth speakers — save 27%

I'm a big fan of JBL's Bluetooth speakers. In my testing, they've beaten out more expensive Bluetooth speakers from brands like Bose and Sonos. They're also extremely portable, super easy to use, and totally waterproof, i.e., perfect for spring and summer hangouts. Two of my favorite models are still sitting at their Big Spring Sale price today.

Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Flip 7 Bluetooth Speaker $109.95 at Amazon
$149.95 Save $40.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Xtreme 4 Portable Bluetooth Speaker $299.94 at Amazon
$379.95 Save $80.01   Get Deal Fitness trackers on sale

If you're coming out of a winter funk and looking for some workout motivation, strap on a fitness tracker. You can pick up Fitbit step counters for under $70, or save up to $70 on the latest generation of Apple Watches, which are the same Amazon Big Spring Sale prices we saw yesterday.

Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Fitbit Inspire 3 $69.96
$99.95 Save $29.99   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) $329 at Amazon
$399 Save $70   Get Deal More fitness tracker deals

• Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro — $69 $99 (save $30)

• Fitbit Charge 6 — $119.95 $159.95 (save $40)

• Fitbit Versa 4 — $149.95 $199.95 (save $50)

• Garmin Forerunner 165 — $199.99 $249.99 (save $50)

SEE ALSO: We found the best Apple Watch deals from Amazon's Big Spring Sale — deals start at $189 The Brick, an anti-doomscrolling device that works

Have you heard of the viral gadget, The Brick? This humble little gadget helps to lower your screen time by locking you out of your most time-sucking apps. The only way to unlock them is to physically tap your phone to the Brick, and it works. In her review, Mashable's Samantha Mangino wrote that the Brick cut her screen time in half and "finally taught me how to be bored again." The brand is still hosting a spring sale.

Opens in a new window Credit: Brick The Brick $47.20 at Brick
$59 Save $11.80   Get Deal An affordable foldable phone

If you're an Android user on the fence about getting a foldable phone, this deal could help you decide, and it's still live after the sale. The Motorola Razr Ultra was the most underrated phone of 2025, and I was impressed by its battery life, display, and design during testing. If you miss flip phones that slip easily into your pocket, then you'll appreciate this one.

This trendy little flip phone is $500 off at Amazon, even after the Spring Sale. It's far more affordable than Samsung's Z Flip 7, too.

Opens in a new window Credit: Motorola Motorola Razr Ultra, Unlocked $799.99 at Amazon
$1,299.99 Save $500   Get Deal SEE ALSO: I've been testing phones for 20 years. Check the top unlocked phone deals in Amazon Spring Sale.

Plex is rolling out its redesigned app to Amazon Fire TV devices, including some important upgrades — as well as the remote streaming restrictions that have irked some people.

Kids today will never know the tyranny of the 1.44MB floppy disk. So traumatic was this format that today the "save" icon in our apps still looks like it, even though no one has actually used it for several decades.

NASA is set to send four astronauts on a mission around the moon for the first time in more than 50 years, and viewers can watch the launch countdown live on April 1.

Artemis II is a test flight of the U.S. space agency's Space Launch System rocket and Orion capsule. The mission follows Artemis I, the successful uncrewed inaugural voyage of the spacecraft in 2022. 

NASA will stream the launch from Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on its website, social media, and its YouTube channel. Live coverage of filling the rocket's tanks with fuel is expected to begin at 7:45 a.m. ET Wednesday on Youtube. Viewers can watch the event on NASA+, the space agency's free streaming service, starting at 12:50 p.m. ET.

The broadcast will track the four-person crew — Christina Koch, Victor Glover, Reid Wiseman, and Jeremy Hansen — as they board Orion. The actual two-hour launch window opens at 6:24 p.m. ET.

SEE ALSO: What 'home' will look like for the Artemis 2 crew headed to the moon

This mission is designed as a roughly 10-day deep space excursion that will loop around Earth before slingshotting around the moon and returning home. If successful, it would mark a major step toward future missions that aim to land astronauts on the lunar surface and establish a moon base there.

The flight also carries historic milestones. Koch is set to become the first woman to travel to the moon, and Glover the first Black astronaut to do so. Hansen, a Canadian astronaut, would be the first non-American assigned to a lunar mission. Their journey's estimated distance of 248,700 miles also could set a new record for farthest humans have ever traveled from Earth. 

Watch the launch livestream here beginning at 7:45 a.m. ET on Wednesday, April 1.

NASA's live coverage typically includes real-time updates from the firing room, views from the launchpad, and commentary explaining each stage of the countdown. The agency will also provide rolling updates on its official Artemis blog.

The forecast so far shows an 80 percent chance of good weather conditions for launch day. Mission managers are mostly concerned about cloud coverage and high winds. 

If the launch attempt is called off for weather or technical issues, the agency could try again any day through April 6. There is one other launch opportunity at the end of this month on April 30. NASA has declined to provide future launch windows beyond April to the public.

Raspberry Pi has already hiked prices on its single board computers in December and this February in response to AI-related RAM price hikes, but now it's trying something new: a configuration built with the memory crisis in mind. The company has introduced a Raspberry Pi 4 model with 3GB of RAM for just under $84. No, it's not an April Fool's joke.