IT General

TL;DR: This budget-friendly 13" MacBook Pro offers all the usual Apple perks for just $449.99 (reg. $1,799), the best price online.

There are a lot of laptops on the market, but perhaps none as powerful as the MacBook Pro. This feature-packed juggernaut has a good reputation for a reason, and right now, you can secure one for the best price online — $449.99, $1,350 off the usual price — while supplies last. 

Powerful performance for a fraction of the usual price

This MacBook Pro has so many features that the usual $1,799 price tag makes sense.

A 10th Gen Intel Core i5 processor with a 2GHz base speed and a 3.8GHz Turbo Boost makes multi-tasking, even while tackling heavy-duty tasks like gaming or video editing, a seamless, smooth experience.

Go ahead and save your important data right on the MacBook Pro thanks to the 512GB SSD — no clunky external hard drives are needed. The 16GB of RAM offers better performance now and in the future since that's an ample amount for long-term use. 

A 13.3-inch Retina display is armed with Intel Iris Plus Graphics and provides stunning visuals that make everything vibrant, from games to boring work emails. And Apple's signature True Tone Technology adjusts the screen color so you experience reduced eye strain.

This laptop has a Magic Keyboard that truly loves up to its name, offering a comfy experience with responsive typing. It also comes with a Touch Bar for easier access to shortcuts. 

Other cool perks include an impressive 10 hours of battery life on a single charge, four Thunderbolt (USB-C) ports, and Touch ID for easy logging in. 

Wondering how you score the deep discount on this model? This particular model comes with a grade A refurbished rating, which means it shows up to your door in near-mint condition, with virtually no signs of prior use. 

Bring home a MacBook Pro for just $449.99, the best price online, now while supplies last. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro 13" i5 2GHz (2020) 4 Thunderbolt 3 Ports 16GB RAM 512GB SSD Space Gray (Refurbished) $449.99
$1,799 Save $1,349.01 Get Deal

TL;DR: Keep your family safe online with an AdGuard Family Plan lifetime subscription, now just $15.97 with code FAMPLAN through April 27. 

Tired of pop-ups disrupting your daily browsing? Sick of the jump scare of a loud ads cutting into your video content? AdGuard can offer a more peaceful internet experience thanks to their sophisticated ad-blocking solution.

Now through April 27, a lifetime subscription to AdGuard Family Plan, which covers nine devices, can protect you and your loved ones for just $15.97 (reg. $169.99) with code FAMPLAN. 

Stop ads in their tracks with this blocker

AdGuard is an intuitive ad blocker ready to make your time online sweeter. It employs three core features — an ad-blocking module, a privacy protection tool, and a parental control system, all ready to keep your family safe and smiling while using the internet. 

Whether you're trying to work more efficiently or relax without tons of distractions, AdGuard offers a clutter-free online experience. It goes beyond your basic ad blocker, thwarting pop-ups, videos, banners ads, and more. 

Aside from saving you the headache of ads, AdGuard protects your data privacy, keeping your information hidden from trackers and activity analyzers. It also shields you against malware and phishing websites, putting you and your family in a protective bubble as your browse. 

Have children at home? AdGuard's parental control features keep your child's eyes safe from inappropriate content. You can think of it as a lifetime online babysitter as they scroll. 

The lifetime Family Plan outfits up to nine devices with AdGuard, keeping everyone under your roof safe from online threats. It also works with both Android and iOS operating systems, so you can use tablets, smartphones, and laptops as needed. 

Act fast to secure your AdGuard Family Plan for life for just $15.97 with code FAMPLAN now through April 27. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: AdGuard AdGuard Family Plan: Lifetime Subscription $15.97
$169.99 Save $154.02 Get Deal

The best Windows laptops run an impressive gamut, from Qualcomm-powered workhorses that refuse to die to dual-display stunners and subtle gaming stations. (Some of them, dare we say, will tempt even the most devoted Apple Macbook disciples.) Users who need a new laptop for everyday productivity, creativity, or entertainment have no shortage of options. And that's for better or worse.

To help you pick out your next PC from the crowded Windows market, we've broken out our best laptops rundown into this separate guide to the best Windows machines of 2025. All of these laptops have been thoroughly hands-on tested by members of the Mashable team for performance, build quality, and battery life, and we stand by their value — or at least think they're worth hunting down on sale.

Our top picks

As of March 2025, Mashable's favorite Windows laptop is the 13-inch Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, an elegant workhorse powered by the impressive Snapdragon X Elite processor. It's got high-end power, a premium design, interesting AI features, and an incredible battery life. It's actually the longest-lasting laptop we've ever reviewed: Even the latest M4 MacBooks can't keep up.

For almost as much Snapdragon oomph at a lower price point, opt for the HP Omnibook X 14, the best mid-range Windows laptop. It's not much to look at, but it's plenty power-efficient and equipped with a great keyboard. It also comes with the same AI tools as the Surface Laptop 7.

SEE ALSO: The best laptops for 2025, tested by experts

Those on an even tighter budget should look into the Lenovo Yoga 7 14 (Gen 9): Solid performance, a good amount of ports, and a versatile 2-in-1 design have made it our new favorite cheap Windows laptop. It dethrones our previous pick, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3, a pretty ultraportable with specs that are too dated for 2025 buyers.

If you're shopping for a convertible across all price points, the Lenovo Yoga 9i 14 (Gen 9) is our top 2-in-1 laptop overall, earning praise from our reviewer for its gorgeous 2.8K OLED touchscreen, its peppy (albeit piping-hot) CPU, and its clear Bowers & Wilkins soundbar. For a twist on the hybrid form factor, we also highly recommend the 2024 Asus Zenbook Duo, a beautiful dual-screener.

We've got additional picks for specialty users — the Alienware m16 R2 is the best gaming laptop we've tested thus far, and the Acer Swift X 14 is our go-to Windows laptop for photo and video editing.

What's on deck

We've got several newer Windows laptops in hand for testing. I'm nearly done trying the latest (and last) Dell XPS 13, a Lunar Lake Copilot+ PC with a tandem OLED display. So far, my biggest takeaway is that it's a fine mid-range performer that favors prettiness over practicality. I'll update this guide with a final score once I'm done putting it through the paces of our full testing process.

Here's what I'll test next:

• the latest Intel-powered Framework Laptop 13, an upgradable and repairable PC

• the new Asus ZenBook A14, the "world's lightest Copilot+ PC" (and the winner of Mashable's Best of CES award in the laptop category this year)

• the latest Asus VivoBook S 15, a Copilot+ PC that comes in just under $1,000

• the latest Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x (Gen 9), a mid-range Copilot+ PC with an OLED touchscreen

What we've tested lately (that didn't make the cut)

I spent January testing the HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14, a slick new convertible with awesome build quality, a great battery life, and a beautiful design that includes a 3K OLED touchscreen. It's a knockout, but its weird port placements, lousy speakers, oversaturated webcam, and middling Geekbench 6 multi-core score kept it from earning a Mashable Choice Award. (I rated it a 4.2/5 overall.)

To give more context to the latter point, my $1,899.99 testing unit had an Intel Core Ultra 258V processor with 32GB of RAM and 2TB of storage. (That's a brand-new upper mid-range CPU.) In our Geekbench 6 benchmark, it scored slightly worse than the 15-inch M2 Apple MacBook Air from 2023 and significantly worse than its predecessor, last year's HP Spectre x360 14, which had a mid-range Intel Core Series 1 CPU as tested. For nearly $2,000, I wanted way more from the OmniBook.

I do think the OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 is a decent splurge for future-proofers, but it's not well-rounded enough to be one of our top picks. Stick with the Yoga 9i 14 if you're looking for the best hybrid laptop out there, or look into the Spectre x360 14 if you want to stay within the HP family — it offers better performance and audio quality for about the same price as the OmniBook model.

Read on for Mashable's in-depth guide to the best Windows laptops of 2025. FYI: We've listed the pricing and specs of our testing units, which may not apply to each laptop's base model.

Any time you shop for a new laptop, a lot of people are going to tell you the same thing: Get a MacBook.

We don't blame them. The best MacBooks are fantastic laptops, and while they don't afford you the freedom of customization that other brands offer, that's not something everyone will care about. Most of us just want a high-quality laptop that'll get us through work, school, and play with minimal fuss.

SEE ALSO: The best iPads for reading, working, and streaming

Although MacBooks can get a bit pricey — with the latest M4 MacBook Pros reaching into truly frightening territory — they justify the price with Apple's signature design, user-friendly OS, and zippy M-series processors. Plus, you can often find MacBook Air and Pro models on sale (with the cheapest ones priced around $850 to $999).

After testing out Apple's entire lineup of laptops, we're here to help you narrow down the choices and take home the Apple machine of your dreams.

Your first big decision: MacBook Pro vs. Air

With today's current lineup of MacBooks, you really only have two options: The MacBook Pro or the MacBook Air. So, which is right for you?

If you're a creative who regularly pushes your laptop to the limit with demanding video and photo editing applications, you'll want to aim for the Pro. The name of the game with the Pro line is processing power, and the latest iterations are the speediest and most performance-driven yet.

Testing the M1 MacBook Air after its 2020 release. Credit: Zlata Ivleva / Mashable Testing the super-powered M3 MacBook Pro. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

If convenience and portability are your top priorities, then the Air will be most suited to you. It's thin and light, and it even comes in a 13-inch option if you'll be lugging it around wherever you go. Plus, ever since the debut of Apple's M Series chips, the MacBook Air has become a pint-sized powerhouse. The most current model utilizes the M3 chip, so you won't be sacrificing all that much in terms of power.

Which generation MacBook is the best?

This will come down to what you're willing to give up in performance, and in some cases, quality. But, whatever you do deem worthy of sacrificing, you'll be paid back in savings. For example, the 2022 model M2 MacBook Air won't come with the latest chip, but you'll still be scoring an impressive laptop that frequently goes on sale for just $849.99. That's compared to the $1,249 price tag of the most recent Air, and the $1,599 asking price of the latest Pro.

A photo from Mashable's test of the M1 MacBook Air. Credit: Zlata Ivleva / Mashable Testing the M2 MacBook Air. Credit: Molly Flores / Mashable

So, if you've got a lighter budget, don't fret — you can still get a MacBook at an affordable price. Older MacBooks are still very much worthy of your consideration, and they won't cost you nearly as much.

SEE ALSO: The best Windows laptops we tested in 2024: Our pick lasts longer than the M4 MacBook Pro What is the best MacBook?

After testing out the latest Apple laptops, we think there are four MacBooks worth buying in 2025. Check out our top picks below, their pros and cons, and who we think would like each model best. You won't find the recently announced new MacBook Air with the M4 chip on this list just yet, but once we fully review it, you'll be able to read our thoughts here. For now, you can read about a short hands-on session we had with the new laptop.

Gone are the days when people balk at you if you say you met your partner online. Dating apps have irrevocably changed the way we date — much like how social media networks changed the way we interact with each other on the whole. With so many apps, from Bumble to eharmony, it can be difficult to discern which ones to invest in — especially if you're looking for that special someone.

According to 2023 findings from the Pew Research Center, one in ten partnered adults (married, living with a partner, or in a committed relationship) met their partner on a dating app or site. For younger and/or LGBTQ people, you're more likely to have met your significant other online: one in five adults under 30 and nearly one in four for LGBTQ adults.

SEE ALSO: Broke but looking for love? Try the best free dating apps that actually work in 2025.

The same study found that almost half (44 percent) of dating app users said a major reason for using them was to meet a long-term partner. So, if that's you, you're certainly not alone. 

If you're online, however, you're surely aware of the discourse around dating app culture these days. People are burnt out on dating apps, some opting for IRL events instead. Still, it's undeniable that if you want to date from the comfort and safety of your home, a dating app is the way to do it. If you're, for example, introverted or have difficulty approaching someone in person, an app does have its uses.

What is the #1 best dating app?

It's difficult to quantify which dating app is the best, considering users have an array of experiences on them. Some people find their spouses on Tinder, while others are disappointed that their matches are only looking for hookups. 

That being said, if you're looking for something serious, your best bet is likely an app with a large user base, options for you to indicate what you're looking for on your bio, and filters to weed out who you really want to partner with. There are also apps whose branding is geared towards finding one's ultimate match — like eharmony and Match, both decades-old sites with reputations for helping users find their spouse. Hinge, Bumble, and Coffee Meets Bagel also have a reputation for more "serious" connections.

Depending on what relationship you're seeking, you may also benefit from a more niche app. Take one app on our list, SilverSingles, for people over 50. Sure, there are older adults on apps like Tinder and Bumble as well, but you may have more luck finding someone age-appropriate if you're in a space meant just for you.

Which dating site is best for serious relationships?

Mashable has researched to pick out a few from the plethora of dating sites (and apps) out there. These options are available for Android and Apple users, so whatever phone you have won't determine your options. In terms of monetary investment, you can use some of these for free (like Tinder and Bumble), while others are more pay-to-play. We've also included some "niche" options, like the aforementioned SilverSingles and Elite Singles, so you have more than the standard buffet of dating apps.

Here are the best dating apps for serious relationships:

Best beauty deals during Amazon's Big Spring Sale Best Airwrap dupe deal T3 Aire 360 $254.99 (Save $45) Get Deal Best hair dryer deal Dreame Pocket hair dryer $89.99 (Save $70) Get Deal Best hot tool deal T3 SinglePass Curl X Extra-Long Barrel (1-inch) 105.99 (Save $44) Get Deal

Amazon's Big Spring Sale is here, bringing with it a handful of beauty tech deals.

Although the sale's focus is on spring essentials like outdoor deals, the beauty category is getting some love, too. So far, we've spotted markdowns on hair tools exclusively, with hot tools from T3, including one of our favorite Airwrap dupes, plus a selection of hair dryers. (We'll be keeping our eyes peeled for any skincare tech that gets marked down during the sale).

SEE ALSO: I tried 5 Dyson Supersonic dupes that are actually worth the hype

Last year was the first time Amazon hosted its Spring Sale, so we don't have a ton of historical data on what else might be offered over the course of the week-long sale. We can say, however, that popular (and expensive) products like the Dyson Airwrap and Supersonic historically get price cuts around Amazon's Prime Day and Black Friday sales, so we'll be keeping our eyes peeled and updating this post regularly.

Below, check out the best beauty tech deals live so far:

Best beauty tech deal Opens in a new window Credit: T3 T3 Aire 360 $254.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $45 Get Deal Why we like it

Multi-stylers like the Dyson Airwrap market themselves on the convenience of having an all-in-one tool, but it wasn't until we tested several of them that we learned a huge point of inconvenience found in most of them: the crazy amount of storage space they require.

The T3 Aire 360 is the only Airwrap dupe we've tested that has a relatively compact storage solution that feels realistic to use on a day-to-day basis. Plus, the ceramic curling barrels gave us the longest lasting and smootheset results of any of the multi-stylers we tried, including the Airwrap. The Aire 360 doesn't often go on sale, making it a great time to grab it.

More beauty deals

Hair dryers

• Dreame Gleam hair dryer — $69.99 $99.99 (save $30)

• Dreame Glory hair dryer — $79.99 $129.99 (save $50)

• Dreame Pocket hair dryer — $89.99 $159.99 (save $70)

• Shark SpeedStyle — $159 $199.99 (save $40.99)

• T3 Featherweight StyleMax hair dryer — $163.99 $209.99 (save $46)

Multi-stylers

• Shark FlexStyle (curly and coily hair) — $219.99 $299.99 (save $80)

• T3 Aire 360 — $254.99 $299.99 (save $45)

Hot tools

• Hot Tools Pro Artist Nano Ceramic Curling Iron (1-1/4 inch) — $31.74 $59.99 (save $28.25)

• Hot Tools Pro Artist Black Gold Ionic Flat Iron (1-inch) — $51.82 $85 (save $33.18)

• T3 SinglePass Curl X Extra-Long Barrel (1-inch) — $105.99 $149.99 (save $44)

Connections: Sports Edition is a new 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.

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

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

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

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: Leaving a team involuntarily

• Green: Pasttime terms

• Blue: Same first name

• Purple: LIERS, PERS, ETS, ETS

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Move on from a player

• Green: Baseball stats, abbreviated

• Blue: Famous Bos

• Purple: First four letters of NBA team names

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 #183 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Move on from a player - CUT, RELEASE, TRADE, WAIVE

• Baseball stats, abbreviated - AB, BB, OPS, SO

• Famous Bos - BICHETTE, JACKSON, NIX, RYAN

• First four letters of NBA team names - CAVA, CLIP, HORN, ROCK

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.

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 Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Tuesday, March 25, 2025:

AcrossGrouchy homeowner in Pixar's "Up"

• The answer is Carl.

Sneezy sound

• The answer is Achoo.

Speedy sound

• The answer is Vroom.

Pick up on

• The answer is Sense.

Facebook message status after "Sent" and "Delivered"

• The answer is Seen.

Down#1 seed in the N.B.A.'s Eastern Conference, informally

• The answer is Cavs.

Farmers' lots

• The answer is Acres.

French wine region

• The answer is Rhone.

Like lips that sink ships

• The answer is Loose.

Anomaly taken as a sign, say

• The answer is Omen.

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

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

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

The Trump administration accidentally texted an Atlantic journalist its plans to bomb Yemen last week. It seems obtaining confidential information on U.S. military operations is now easier than ever.

On Monday, The Atlantic's editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg reported that he had been inadvertently added to a Signal group chat with several apparent U.S. government officials, including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Fox News host turned Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth. Goldberg received the invitation to the group last Thursday, two days after he'd accepted a connection request from an account ostensibly belonging to national security advisor Michael Waltz.

SEE ALSO: What is Signal? The basics of the most secure messaging app.

Signal is a secure messaging app with end-to-end encryption, making it popular among journalists, activists, whistleblowers, and others for whom privacy is a primary concern. As such, it isn't completely bizarre that a politician might reach out to a journalist via this avenue. 

However, it's far less usual for U.S. government officials to use Signal to plan military operations. Such highly sensitive information would typically be discussed either in person or via the Secret Internet Protocol Router Network (SIPRNet), the U.S. government's secured computer network system intended for sharing such classified information. Employing a messaging system that's also open to civilians is highly unorthodox, to say the least. 

As such, Goldberg initially had "very strong doubts" about the authenticity of the group chat. He wrote that he couldn't believe U.S. officials would communicate about war plans on Signal, nor that a U.S. national security advisor would carelessly add him to such a chat. 

However, he was soon convinced of the Signal chat's authenticity after U.S. airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen took place on Saturday. The chat filled with celebratory messages and emojis within minutes, including a fist, American flag, and fire from Waltz. Two hours prior, a message from Hegseth in the Signal chat had shared the weapons, targets, and timing of the planned strikes.

"The information contained in [the Signal messages], if they had been read by an adversary of the United States, could conceivably have been used to harm American military and intelligence personnel, particularly in the broader Middle East, Central Command’s area of responsibility," wrote Goldberg.

This prompted Goldberg to leave the Signal group, as well as reach out to various U.S. officials about it. 

U.S. officials confirm the Signal group chat was real U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth shared plans to bomb Yemen in the Signal chat. Credit: Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images

The U.S. National Security Council (NSC) has since confirmed the Signal chat's authenticity, though did its best to downplay the serious implications and give the egregious breach of security a positive spin.

"This appears to be an authentic message chain, and we are reviewing how an inadvertent number was added to the chain," NSC spokesman Brian Hughes wrote in a statement to The Atlantic. "The thread is a demonstration of the deep and thoughtful policy coordination between senior officials. The ongoing success of the Houthi operation demonstrates that there were no threats to troops or national security."

Of course, the mere success of an operation doesn't prove that there was never any threat at all.

Despite the blunder, it initially seems as though U.S. officials involved in the Signal chat won't face any serious repercussions. Republicans have quickly come to their defence, with Speaker Mike Johnson rejecting the possibility that Waltz or Hegseth might face disciplinary action.

"What you did see, though, I think, was top-level officials doing their job, doing it well and executing on a plan with precision," said Johnson.

The White House has also publicly stood by them, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt saying in a statement that "President Trump continues to have the utmost confidence in his national security team, including national security adviser Mike Waltz."

However, POLITICO reports that internal discussions among White House officials are considering ejecting Waltz, with Trump to make the decision within the next few days.

For his part, Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social to deride The Atlantic, posting a link to an article from conservative satirical website The Babylon Bee entitled "4D Chess: Genius Trump Leaks War Plans To 'The Atlantic' Where No One Will Ever See Them." He also shared a screenshot of an X post from his close advisor Elon Musk, in which the billionaire shared the same article and wrote, "Best place to hide a dead body is page 2 of The Atlantic magazine, because no one ever goes there."

Hegseth specifically lashed out at Goldberg, accusing him of "peddling hoaxes" and attempting to discredit him despite the Signal messages having been confirmed to be authentic. However, Hegseth also broke rank by outright denying The Atlantic's report.

"Nobody was texting war plans, and that's all I have to say about that," Hegseth said on Monday.

Meanwhile, Democrats are criticising the incident, with some calling for an investigation.

"Incompetence so severe that it could have gotten Americans killed," Rep. Seth Moulton wrote on X. "There is no world in which this information should have been shared in non-secure channels."

JD Vance badmouthing Elon Musk was a deepfake, but the Signal chat was not JD Vance was also the subject of a viral deepfake audio clip over the weekend. Credit: Andrew Harnik / Getty Images

Excluding information which Goldberg noted could cause harm, his Atlantic article provided a thorough account of the messages exchanged in the Signal group chat. Interestingly, this included Vance expressing some disagreement with President Donald Trump — a rarity for him as of late. 

Vance expressed dissent about the planned attacks, stating that bombing the Houthis in Yemen to defend international shipping routes would be "bailing Europe out." His reasoning was that a larger percentage of Europe's trade passes through the Suez Canal as compared to the U.S.' trade.

"I am not sure the president is aware how inconsistent this is with his message on Europe right now," Vance reportedly wrote on Signal. "I am willing to support the consensus of the team and keep these concerns to myself."

The vice president's private opinions recently came to attention via a separate incident, with AI-generated audio of Vance criticising Musk going viral over the weekend. In the clip, the deepfaked vice president's voice stated that Musk was "cosplaying as this great American leader" and "making us look bad."

Vance responded to the audio on X, calling it "a fake AI-generated clip," while his communications director William Martin stated that it is "100% fake and most certainly not the Vice President." Several deepfake detection tools and companies have also concluded that the audio was likely generated by AI.

In contrast, Vance's Signal messages have been confirmed to be authentic.

"Vice President Vance unequivocally supports this administration’s foreign policy," Martin said in a statement to The Atlantic. "The President and the Vice President have had subsequent conversations about this matter and are in complete agreement."

The vice president and president disagreeing behind closed doors is a much different matter to doing so in the public eye, where a united front is important. Even so, it's an interesting look at the Trump administration's emoji-filled internal communications, disagreements, and military planning — as well as the ill-advised platform on which they're conveyed.

If you're planning on observing the night sky, going for a night hike, or trying to snap a shot of the Moon, the phase is incredibly important. Here's everything you need to know about the current Lunar phase, as well as what you can expect in the near future.

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

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

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

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

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

A device used to call someone.

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

PHONE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A woven hairstyle.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 25, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

BRAID

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A short trip.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for March 25 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 25, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

JAUNT

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A glimmer.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for March 25 Hurdle Word 4 answer

GLEAM

Final Hurdle hint

The opposite of height.

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

WIDTH

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

If you can't splurge for a Google Pixel Watch, Google's Fitbit sub-brand is an amazing option if all you need is something to track your workouts. The Fitbit Inspire 3 is the cheapest in the lineup, but it's still pretty good, and it has just hit a new all-time low price, so you better act quickly.

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Last month, the $61.5 billion-valuated AI startup Anthropic set up a gaming livestream on Twitch. Gaming livestreams are nothing new on Twitch, but this one is a little different: Claude, Anthropic's AI model, is attempting to beat Pokémon Red.

We are now one month in, and the livestream is still going. However, Claude has not progressed all that much. And, at this rate, Anthropic's AI agent may possibly never be the very best, like no one ever was.

According to Anthropic, when it first launched the "Claude Plays Pokémon" project, previous versions of its AI agent Claude failed at some very basic tasks. For example, according to Anthropic, Claude 3.5 would try to run away from almost every battle in June 2024.

SEE ALSO: In 2024, Pokémania is evolving

A few months and a few versions of Claude later, Anthropic said there was a stark change. In February 2025, Anthropic gave Claude 3.7 Sonnet a whirl at playing Pokémon. 

"Within hours, Claude defeated Brock. Days later, it trounced Misty," Anthropic said. "Progress that older models had little hope of achieving."

Anthropic said that Claude 3.7 Sonnet could plan ahead, remember objectives, and learn from its mistakes, unlike previous versions of the AI agent. It also built a knowledge base, saw the screen, and simulated button presses.

However, the progress Claude 3.7 Sonnet originally made in the game seems to have stalled.

For example, livestream viewers watched as Clause 3.7 took 78 hours to get through Mt. Moon in the game. On Reddit, gamers estimated that it would typically take a child just a few hours to advance through the same stage.

SEE ALSO: Hands-on with the Claude AI app: It's pleasant to use, but janky

Claude can be seen going in circles, stumbling around the same paths, and often knocking into walls as it tries to get around the game.

The livestream is engaging, especially as a text box lays out Claude's "thinking" as the AI agent tries to figure out what moves to make next.

According to Anthropic engineers in an interview with Ars Technica, Claude has an easier time with aspects of the game which involve text, such as Pokémon battles. However, it struggles with the more visual aspects of the game, such as moving around from town to town on the map.

Claude 3.7 Sonnet has gone much further in the game than previous Claude models, so there's been progress. However, for those warning that AI will soon be able to take over the world, we're nowhere close to that being a reality yet. Claude still has 151 Pokémon to catch.

The Pixel Tablet is still yet to see a successor, but it remains one of the best Android tablets your money can buy. If you don't really want to go for an iPad, you can grab one of these at a record-low price, just for today.

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