Technology

TL;DR: Get the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra for free from Verizon when signing up for a new line on the Unlimited Ultimate plan.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Verizon: Free Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra   Get Deal

March has been absolutely massive for mobile tech. We got new Apple releases and then Samsung jumped in with its own new lineup. And now that Amazon's Big Spring Sale is dominating the online shopping space, carriers are dropping huge mobile deals to steal a little of the limelight.

We've already talked up the fact that you can score the Apple iPhone 17 for free with T-Mobile, so what about Android? Do not fear, because there's something for all the dedicated followers of Samsung out there.

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Verizon is throwing down the gauntlet by offering the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra for free. And better yet, the deal doesn't require a trade-in like a lot of these "free" giveaways. Let's break it down.

How to claim a free Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

To score the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra for free with Verizon, you’ll need to follow these simple steps:

• Sign up for a new line — this offer is exclusive to new line additions

• Select the right plan — you need to pick the Unlimited Ultimate plan

• The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra cost is applied via 36 months of bill credits

It's worth noting that Verizon will still charge for taxes and a one-time $35 activation fee at the checkout. That's annoying, but please don't hold it against us. We're doing our best.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra features the latest Snapdragon chip, making it a powerhouse choice for AI tasks and mobile gaming. Our review of this device was incredibly positive, with Tech Editor Timothy Werth stating that "The new Samsung flagship has world-class mobile cameras, an incredible display, and the game-changing Privacy Display." Werth continued to argue that "If there's ever been a phone to make you ditch Apple, this is it."

That's good enough for us, and with this exclusive Verizon deal, there couldn't be a better time to upgrade for less.

Human novelists are usually considered prolific if they can knock out one book a year — maybe two if they're writing pulpy sci-fi or Young Adult (YA) fiction. And judging by the book world's buzziest story of the month — the horror novel Shy Girl being pulled by its publisher over evidence of AI use — these humans can't ask AI for an assist.

Meanwhile, AI novelists don't need any human help; they can knock out 12 YA books in 12 days. Or at least, that's what they've been doing on the brand-new website Babel Bot Books, which boasts such free-to-download titles as The Unraveling of Whispers, The Resonance Fracture, and The Chronosync Divide.

But making those novels actually readable is a different matter altogether — for human and AI authors.

"Every book in this library is an original, full-length science fiction novel," the Babel Bot website proclaims. (Some of the books presented would be more likely shelved under "fantasy," but we'll allow it.) "Written from scratch by an AI model [the site offers titles by Claude, Gemini, and GPT models] with zero human intervention in the creative process. No editing, no prompting chapter by chapter, no human co-authoring ... see for yourself what the bots have been up to!"

Reader, I decided to risk my sanity — and heck, maybe even my author hat — by doing just that. I'd seen a few pages of AI fiction before, but never gone this deep. Would an AI novel in 2026 be a surprisingly satisfying feast of plotty goodness, or thin and sloppy gruel?

What does an AI library of YA look like? Babel Bot's three latest titles, by hot new authors Claude and Gemini. Credit: Babel Bot Books screenshot

One thing AI can do really well — in fact, pretty much the only thing it's ever doing really well — is mimic the vast quantities of data it's been trained on, much of which was derived from books.

(Full disclosure: my book on Star Wars was one of the thousands of works in a pirated collection that Anthropic has admitted to using to train its Claude models in defiance of copyright, and I've filed my claim as part of the class-action lawsuit that Anthropic settled for $1.5 billion. That works out to just $3,000 a book, so settle down.)

So browsing the Babel Bot library for the most compelling title, I almost felt like AI was having a laugh by parodying ... well, exactly what you'd see in the YA section of a bookstore. Right down to covers with a single female protagonist working magic spells with bright lights, or looking at a futuristic cityscape with bright lights. AI doesn't give a damn about originality in this genre, because neither do we.

None of the books were written in the first person, which may disappoint some BookTok types. Their blurbs all seemed alike. There were repeated phrases even in the subheads. "The sky is a lie. The surface is calling," reads the tagline on The Harvester's Descent, written by Gemini on March 12. Then on the cover of The Starless Crown, which GPT 5.4 Codex tossed off on Saturday: "The sky is a lie. The stars are waiting." The Silence Protocol sits next to Silence Between the Stars.

Surely, the world's first AI-on-AI plagiarism lawsuit is not far off?

SEE ALSO: Viral hit 'Your AI Slop Bores Me' is more than a joke

The book descriptions have a similar sense of copying each others' work. Nearly all their protagonists are 16 or, most commonly, 17. A few outliers are aged 18. There's no sign that Declan Voss, 16, magician of Thornwall in Unraveling of Whispers, is related to Maren Voss, 16, aboard the deep space vessel The Ardent in Silence Between the Stars. If the site is successful, maybe AI YA nerds will create elaborate theories about all the stories taking place in a single Babel Bot-verse.

But again, this feels less like AI is playing a lazy game of mad libs, and more like it's mocking us. You're the ones who made this kind of slop in the first place, not us, the bots' same-y blurbs seem to say. You love this kind of nonsense, don't you? Well, now we churn it out faster. Move over, human authors, we can do this all day.

What does an AI novel read like?

For a deeper dive, I selected The Probability Garden. It stood out from the slop for a few reasons. First, it was the only one of the 12 to be co-authored, by Claude Opus 4.6 and Gemini 3.1 Pro. At least, that's what it says on the site; in the downloadable EPUB file itself (one of five formats the site offers), Claude Opus is the only writer listed. (Authorship squabbles aren't unusual in human book world, either.)

Nevertheless, The Probability Garden was the only title to phrase its tagline as a question, and a philosophical one at that: "what if free will was just another prediction?" AI thinking about free will within this formulaic format? OK, I'm in.

SEE ALSO: How to spot AI e-books and audiobooks in the Kindle Store and beyond

So I let Claude transport me to the year 2260, where human society is controlled by quantum probability engines called Looms that weave threads predicting the future (not to be confused with the Weave, a quantum-psychic network in The Silence Protocols). The Looms are housed in a giant structure called the Spire (not to be confused with the setting of Chronosync Divide, a giant structure called the Spire.)

The Looms are known to predict human lives perfectly, but there are people who throw these predictions off. They're officially known as "participants," but working-class residents of The Understory call them "stochastics." As ... an insult, apparently? Bless your heart, Claude, I thought, you've got no idea how prejudice works, but you're trying!

Our protagonist is a 16-year-old Stochastic called ... Lumen. It's Lumen versus the Looms. OK, maybe you're not trying that hard, I thought at Claude. Or could this be Severance fan fiction? Lumen wears grey maintenance coveralls, which are to dystopias what the little black dress is to cocktail parties; a classic that never goes out of style.

SEE ALSO: Vibes check: I spent a day in Meta's 'infinite slop machine' watching AI videos

As for Lumen herself, I kept waiting for her to become less grey — for some spark, some quirk, some sympathetic struggle, to make her feel like a hero worth following. The best Claude could offer in the opening chapters was that she wakes up at 5:47 a.m., even though the Looms keep predicting she'll wake up at 6 a.m.

Lumen then goes to work fixing ducts — hello, Terry Gilliam's Brazil! — and gets mildly harassed by Selk, her "assigned continuance monitor" who checks Lumen's ankle bracelet and chides her for waking early. "You're not special," Selk sniffs, in the book's first dialogue, 10 pages in. "You're a data point."

"A data point you visit personally every 3 days," Lumen shoots back. "Must be some data point." I was starved for conversation between characters at this point, so this actually sounded like a sassy comeback. Maybe this won't be so bad after all.

It's so bad after all

Claude knows, at least, that a protagonist has to want something. Lumen wants to know why her Weaver parents died at the Spire in mysterious circumstances nine years earlier. I'm not convinced Claude knows what it's like to have memories of parents, however. Lumen remembers "her father's voice reading to her at night, low and warm and slightly off-key when he did the character voices."

There's a lot of this sort of thing; description that falls into the uncanny valley. Claude knows voices are sometimes off key, but hasn't figured out that this is related to singing, not reading bedtime stories. In another chapter, one character is heard "exhaling through his nose" from "across the room." Are noses louder in 2260, or are ears more sensitive?

If only there were more amusingly weird descriptions, the book wouldn't be so terrible. Trouble is, they're just appetizers compared to the main course, pages of turgid technobabble. Claude tries to break it up with jokes, but its game is weak: "Shouldn't you be upstairs reading tea leaves?" Lumen says to a Weaver apprentice who works on the Looms. "Probability Cascades," the apprentice corrects.

"Same thing with better lighting," Lumen says. Huh?

SEE ALSO: The artificial intelligence debate inspired by 'The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist'

There came a point where my brain snapped, and it was when the AI author seemed to be telling on itself: "The human brain wants structure. It finds it even in noise," one Weaver says about some impenetrable data. "This is noise."

It's a fair review of the whole AI novel concept: A Large Language Model, designed to predict the next word in a sequence, will create a lot of noise. The only hope for its success is that we'll see some structure in it. But we're used to dialogue between characters who sound human — and at the length of a novel, this is a hard act for AI to keep up.

Mercifully, Claude doesn't seem to know too much about the structure of fiction either, at least in terms of withholding information to create mystery. Somewhere around page 50, it revealed the entire plot, relieving me of the burden of reading any further.

Spoiler alert: The Looms aren't actually predicting the future. The weak-minded non-Stochastic humans are so convinced Loom predictions are accurate, they unwittingly create the predicted outcomes simply by expecting them.

Somewhere in there is a literary metaphor for what AI is doing to the world. Maybe a human author will be able to render it readable?

Looking for something great to watch at home? Streaming subscribers are spoiled for choice between Hulu, Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, Apple TV, Prime Video, Shudder, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. And that's before you even look at the vast libraries of movies and television programs within each streamer!

Don't be overwhelmed or waste an hour scrolling through your services to determine what to watch. We've got your back, whatever your mood. Mashable offers watch guides for all of the above, broken down by genre: comedy, thriller, horror, documentary, and animation, among others. But if you're seeking something brand new (or just new to streaming), we've got you covered there, too.

15. Privilèges

If you're in the mood for class conflict in the guise of a slick and sexy thriller, tune in for HBO's French Original series Privilèges. Created, written, and directed by Marie Monge and Vladimir de Fontenay, this drama series stars Manon Bresch as the streetwise Adèle Charki, who, at a glance, might be an easy-to-ignore bellhop at the absurdly posh Citadel hotel. But little does her wealthy clientele know that she's an inmate out on work release, and she's being treated as a pawn by a manipulative mastermind in a game of blackmail and secrets.

Seeking freedom in a dangerous terrain of dueling ambitions and devious people, Adèle will have to outsmart and outlast the wealthy and powerful. — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

Starring: Manon Bresch and Melvil Poupaud

How to watch: Privilèges debuts on HBO Max on March 27.

14. How to Make a Killing

They Will Kill You. Ready or Not 2: Here I Come. I Love Boosters. Of all the 2026 eat-the-rich comedies, How to Make a Killing is one of them. It's also the weakest of the bunch.

Writer/director John Patton Ford offers a toothless remake of the 1949 British film Kind Hearts and Coronets. Glen Powell stars as Becket Redfellow, who comes from a ultra-affluent family line but has been disowned by his conservative grandfather (Ed Harris) for being a literal bastard. Raised by his disinherited single mom, Becket has had to work for everything he has. But when a femme fatale (Margaret Qualley) tempts him with the good life, he realizes the way to win his family's fortune is to kill all of those ahead of him in the line to inheritance. It's a fun premise. But Powell is woefully miscast, and How to Make a Killing is more bland than funny. — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

SEE ALSO: 'How to Make a Killing' review: Glen Powell stars in A24's eat-the-rich comedy

Starring: Glen Powell, Margaret Qualley, Jessica Henwick, Bill Camp, Zach Woods, Topher Grace, and Ed Harris

How to watch: How to Make a Killing is now available to rent or buy on Prime Video.

13. For All Mankind, Season 5

Looking to scratch your sci-fi itch while several of Apple TV's genre shows like Severance, Pluribus, Silo, and Foundation are between seasons? Look no further than space drama For All Mankind, which imagines the continuation of the space race. In Season 5, tensions rise between the residents of Mars and Earth, setting the stage for a space showdown.* — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter

Starring: Joel Kinnaman, Toby Kebbell, Edi Gathegi, Cynthy Wu, Coral Peña, Wrenn Schmidt, Mirelle Enos, Costa Ronin, Sean Kaufman, Ruby Cruz, and Ines Høysæter Asserson

How to watch: For All Mankind Season 5 premieres March 27 on Apple TV.

12. The Mortuary Assistant

Based on the DarkStone Digital video game, The Mortuary Assistant promises all the thrills of a haunted mortuary. Willa Holland stars as Rebecca Owens, the eponymous mortuary assistant who has been given an unenviable job at River Fields Mortuary: embalming corpses on a solo night shift. As if that weren't creepy enough. Rebecca soon realizes she's not alone. Something is stalking her.

She'll not only have to face down a demonic entity through uncovering its secrets and rituals, but she'll also have to face demons of her own. This is sure to be one wild night shift. — K.P.

Starring: Willa Holland and Paul Sparks

How to watch: The Mortuary Assistant debuts on Shudder on March 27.

11. Pretty Lethal

Timothée Chalamet might not think much of ballet. But this grimy action-comedy is inspired by the strength, determination, and resilience demanded of this classical art form.

Written by Kate Freund and directed by Vicky Jewson, Pretty Lethal follows a flock of American ballerinas who are on their way to an international competition in Hungary when their bus breaks down. Stumbling upon a nearby inn, they think they've found help, but they soon discover they've stepped on the toes of a turf war. Blood will spatter on their perfect white tutus. But vengeance will come at the end of a weaponized ballet slipper!* — K.P.

Starring: Iris Apatow, Lana Condor, Millicent Simmonds, Avantika, Maddie Ziegler, and Uma Thurman

How to watch: Pretty Lethal is now streaming on Prime Video.

SEE ALSO: 'Pretty Lethal' review: Ballerinas versus the Hungarian mob? Sure, why not. 10. From the World of John Wick: Ballerina

Knives Out's Ana de Armas headlines Ballerina, which is set during the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum. New lore is unlocked as the assassin-packed world of The Continental grows.

Like John Wick, Eve (de Armas) is a trained killer on a mission. Where he was "Baba Yaga," the latest trailer for Ballerina suggests she is Kikimora, a spirit that unfurls vengeance on the wicked to protect the good. Her quest may be mysterious, but we know it will involve plenty of action, gunplay, and Keanu Reeves reprising the role of John Wick for a face-off that's sure to have audiences ecstatic.* — K.P.

SEE ALSO: 'From the World of John Wick: Ballerina' review:

Starring: Ana de Armas, Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Lance Reddick, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Norman Reedus, Ian McShane, and Keanu Reeves

How to watch: From the World of John Wick: Ballerina hits HBO Max on March 27.

9. Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special

Can you believe it's been 20 years since Miley Cyrus threw on a blonde wig and began moonlighting as fictional pop star Hannah Montana? Even if you can't (I know that news sent me into a tailspin), this 20th anniversary special is here to remind you. During the hour-long special, Cyrus reminisces on her Hannah Montana journey with Call Her Daddy host Alex Cooper. You can also expect returns to the Hannah Montana sets, as well as cameos from Billy Ray Cyrus, Selena Gomez, and Chappell Roan. Notably missing? Other members of the Hannah Montana cast like Emily Osment, Mitchel Musso, Jason Earles, and Moisés Arias. — B.E.

Starring: Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus, Tish Cyrus, Alex Cooper, and Selena Gomez

How to watch: Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special is now streaming on Disney+.

8. Jo Nesbø's Detective Hole

Let's get all our jokes out of the way: Yes, the lead of this Norwegian crime drama is named Harry Hole (Tobias Santelmann). And yes, it's based on the same Jo Nesbø mystery novels that inspired the meme-worthy Snowman movie starring Michael Fassbender. But perhaps this adaptation, written by Nesbø himself, will fare better. 

Based on Nesbø's The Devil's Star, the fifth book in the Harry Hole series, Detective Hole will see its troubled detective investigating a serial killer striking throughout Oslo. That's not all: He's also beefing with corrupt colleague Tom Waaler (Joel Kinnaman), setting up tense intrigue on multiple fronts. — B.E.

Starring: Tobias Santelmann, Joel Kinnaman, Pia Tjelta, and Peter Stormare

How to watch: Jo Nesbø's Detective Hole is now streaming on Netflix.

7. Goat

Basketball gets a Zootopia-style makeover in Goat, an animated sports movie from producer Stephen Curry. Stranger Things star Caleb McLaughlin voices Will, a goat who wants nothing more than to play the high-stakes game of roarball at the pro level. There's just one problem: The sport is dominated by larger animals who look down on smaller creatures like Will.

But when Will gets a chance to play with his idol, a panther named Jett (voiced by Gabrielle Union), on the Vineland Thorns, he'll do whatever he can to get a win and change roarball for good. What follows is a sweet underdog — sorry, undergoat — story with tons of positive critical buzz. — B.E.

Starring: Caleb McLaughlin, Gabrielle Union, Aaron Pierre, Nicola Coughlan, David Harbour, Nick Kroll, Stephen Curry, Jenifer Lewis, Patton Oswalt, Jelly Roll, and Jennifer Hudson

How to watch: Goat is now available to rent or buy on Prime Video.

6. Color Theories by Julio Torres

No one sees the world like Julio Torres. The Problemista director and Fantasmas creator has long specialized in breathing life into inanimate objects or concepts, and his new inventive comedy special, Color Theories, is no different. Over the course of 70 minutes, Torres explores the true meaning of colors, from the controlling law and order of navy blue to the millennial quirkiness of beige. Between Torres' singular comedic voice and charming, storybook-style staging, Color Theories is a delight. — B.E.

Starring: Julio Torres

How to watch: Color Theories by Julio Torres premieres on HBO Max March 27.

5. Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen

I'll give you one guess as to what happens in Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen. If you said, "something very bad," congratulations! You must be a psychic. This horror series produced by the Duffer Brothers (Stranger Things) follows engaged couple Rachel (Camila Morrone) and Nicky (Adam DiMarco) in the week leading up to their wedding. It should be a happy time for the couple, but Rachel can't shake the feeling something awful awaits at the altar. What clued her into it, the terrifying journey to Nicky's family's rural home? Or the fact that Nicky's family is acting shady as can be?

SEE ALSO: 'Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen' review: Marriage is a killer

The premise and trailers may have you believe Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen is a Ready or Not-style class battle between a bride-to-be and her groom's sinister family. However, the series isn't quite what you'd expect from the start. A rumination on marriage anxiety, Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen is packed with deliciously frightening atmosphere and lore, and while it loses a bit of steam by its end, it's still an engrossing horror watch. — B.E.

Starring: Camila Morrone, Adam DiMarco, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Ted Levine, Jeff Wilbusch, Karla Crome, Gus Birney, and Zlatko Burić

How to watch: Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen is now on Netflix.

4. Daredevil: Born Again, Season 2

Daredevil: Born Again proved a welcome return for Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox), but it certainly did not leave things in great shape for the vigilante hero. Season 1 ended with Mayor Wilson Fisk (Vincent D'Onofrio) ruling New York City with an iron fist, after all. However, there's still light in the darkness: Matt and Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll) are working to put things right, even recruiting allies like Frank Castle/the Punisher (Jon Bernthal) and Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter) to join in their fight. Can this small force bring Fisk and his army of violent, corrupt cops to justice?* — B.E.

Starring: Charlie Cox, Vincent D'Onofrio, Margarita Levieva, Deborah Ann Woll, Elden Henson, Wilson Bethel, Zabryna Guevara, Nikki M. James, Genneya Walton, Arty Froushan, Clark Johnson, Michael Gandolfini, Ayelet Zurer, Tony Dalton, and Krysten Ritter

How to watch: Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 is now streaming on Disney+.

3. Dangerous Animals

Jaws taught us to be afraid of sharks. Dangerous Animals reminds us man is far more deadly.

SEE ALSO: Say More: Jai Courtney on 'Dangerous Animals' and how his career led here

Jai Courtney stuns as Tucker, an Aussie boat captain who takes tourists out onto the water to see sharks up close. But when he's not playing nice for cash, he's pitching women overboard as prey. A gnarly serial killer movie with splashy thrills and gut-churning gore, Dangerous Animals is a howler. In my review for Mashable, I wrote, "Dangerous Animals is a satisfying, sick, and devilishly smart thriller that will excite you in theaters and stalk you on the way home."* — K.P.

Starring: Jai Courtney, Hassie Harrison, Josh Heuston, Rob Carlton, Ella Newton, and Liam Greinke

How to watch: Dangerous Animals comes to Hulu on March 28.

2. Bait

With new series Bait, Oscar winner Riz Ahmed unpacks questions of representation in the entertainment industry through the lens of one simple question: Who will play the next James Bond? If struggling British Pakistani actor Shah Latif (Ahmed) has his way, it will be him. But when he plants seeds of his audition to the press, he kickstarts a media circus that impacts him and his family.

SEE ALSO: 'Bait' review: Riz Ahmed's comedy series has us shaken, stirred, the whole lot

As Mashable UK Editor Shannon Connellan wrote in her review, "Bait is one of the most surreal, important, hilarious, and moving shows I've seen for a while, as Ahmed aims to leave audiences shaken and stirred." — B.E.

Starring: Riz Ahmed, Guz Khan, Sheeba Chaddha, Aasiya Shah, Sajid Hasan, Ritu Arya, Weruche Opia, Rafe Spall, and Nabhaan Rizwan

How to watch: Bait is now streaming on Prime Video.

Best of Streaming this week: Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice

From writer/director BenDavid Grabinski (Scott Pilgrim Takes Off) comes a genre mash-up that's smartly stupid: time-travel Mafia movie.

It's a big night for the criminal underworld, as kingpin Sosa (Keith David) celebrates the release of his son Jimmy Boy (Jimmy Tatro) from a stint in prison. But hitman Quick Draw Mike (James Marsden) and his long-time criminal colleague Nick (Vince Vaughn) are distracted, as each has secret plans that will lead to a wild confrontation — all thanks to a time machine.

It's best you don't know what to expect in this bonkers sci-fi-action-comedy. Suffice to say, hot off its SXSW debut, Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice is sure to thrill on a movie night in. —K.P.

Starring: Vince Vaughn, James Marsden, Eiza González, Keith David, Jimmy Tatro, Emily Hampshire, Arturo Castro, Lewis Tan, Ben Schwartz, and Stephen Root

How to watch: Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice debuts on Hulu on March 27.

(*) denotes a blurb came from a prior list.

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While most of the world celebrates the month of March for the coming of spring and the impending summer, college basketball fans know better: The real reason to celebrate is March Madness, the NCAA Division I tournament to determine the college basketball national champion.

Yeah, the regular NBA is awesome. But March Madness delivers a different kind of buzz. There's something special about college basketball and the hype around the next generation of next-level players. It's like a completely different sport — and this much-anticipated single elimination tournament scores a slam dunk every year.

If you want to watch 2026 March Madness for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is March Madness?

March Madness is a tournament played in the United States to determine the college basketball national champion of Division I in the NCAA.

The tournament features 68 teams competing in seven rounds of a single-elimination bracket. Thirty-two teams automatically qualify for the tournament by winning their conference tournament, and thirty-six teams qualify by receiving an at-large bid based on their performance during the season. It concludes with the Final Four, an event that hosts the semi-final and championship games.

When is 2026 March Madness?

March Madness officially kicked off on March 15 with Selection Sunday. The tournament opens with First Four qualifier games on March 17. The First Round then begins on March 19 and the tournament runs through to the National Championship on April 6. The 2026 Final Four and championship game are held in Indianapolis.

How to watch 2026 March Madness for free

March Madness features 67 games televised across four channels: CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV. It is possible to access these channels with a range of streaming services that offer free trials:

• DirectTV (five-day free trial) — CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV

• Fubo (five-day free trial) — CBS

• Hulu + Live TV (three-day free trial) — CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV

• Paramount+ (seven-day free trial) — CBS

By making the most of these free trials, you can watch select March Madness games without actually spending anything.

How to watch March Madness from anywhere in the world

If you're traveling outside of the U.S. during March Madness, you might need to use a VPN to unblock live streams. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the U.S., meaning you can unblock live streams of March Madness from anywhere in the world.

Live stream 2026 March Madness from anywhere in the world by following these simple steps:

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2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

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4. Visit DirectTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, or Paramount+

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Live stream March Madness 2026 for free from anywhere in the world by following these simple steps.

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If you want to retain permanent access to the online world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for bypassing online restrictions is on sale for a limited time.

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• Strict no-logging policy

• Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Unblock XVideos for free with ExpressVPN.

Which MacBook should you buy?

As of March 2026, I think the 15-inch M5 MacBook Air is the best choice for most people. It's a sleek, future-proofed ultraportable with the right amount of premium features and more than enough muscle for everyday multitasking, including occasional content creation. It's the ideal daily driver.

The new MacBook Neo is my top budget pick for students and casual users. It's not nearly as fast or as fancy as a new MacBook Air, but it's a good performer for its price point, and it's just as well-made as any other MacBook. If your typical workload involves bopping between some Chrome tabs and an app or two, look no further.

If you want the nicest features and enough sustained power for photo editing, video rendering, or AI work, the 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro is my upgrade pick. It one-ups the Air with better thermal management, more ports, more base storage, a smoother display, and a longer battery life. Just come prepared to spend at least $500 more.

What's new

I overhauled this guide in March 2026 following a slew of new MacBook announcements. The 15-inch M5 MacBook Air replaces its M4 predecessor as the best MacBook for most people, and the MacBook Neo is now the top budget pick. The 13-inch M4 MacBook Air used to be my top pick for students, but the MacBook Neo is cheaper and well-suited for most students' needs.

I've also removed the 16-inch, M4 Pro-powered MacBook Pro as a pick. I used to recommend it for creative professionals with the most strenuous workloads, but there's a newer M5 Pro version out now. We haven't tested it just yet.

What's on deck

Apple is reportedly working on a redesigned MacBook Pro with an OLED touchscreen, but it probably won't launch until late 2026 at the earliest, per Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

SAVE OVER $20: As of March 26, the Hydro Flask Travel Tumbler is on sale for $17.98 at Amazon. That's a 55% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hydro Flask Hydro Flask Travel Tumbler $17.98 at Amazon
$39.95 Save $21.97   Get Deal

Amazon's Big Spring Sale is well underway and discounts have been kicking off on everything from robot vacuums to everyday essential products. Popular items like the Hydro Flask Travel Tumbler are also on sale, and if color doesn't matter to you all too much, you can get one for its best-ever price.

As of March 26, the Travel Tumbler in the color cascade is reduced to $17.98, a saving of over $20. According to camelcamelcamel, this is the best-ever price for this flask, so you're truly getting a great deal.

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Besides recent TikTok fame declaring this flask a cult favorite (among others like the famed Stanley Cup), this really is a great flask. It has a stainless steel insulated design that keeps drinks cold for hours using double-wall TempShield insulation.

And thanks to its leak-resistant press-in lid, you can carry it with you in your backpack without worrying about spills. The flexible straw is soft on your teeth and easy to sip from, and the handle is comfortable and durable for carrying around. It can also hold water for your whole day, but can still fit in most cupholders.

Get this water flask deal in the sale now.

The best Big Spring Sale Amazon device deals at a glance: Best subscription deal Kindle Unlimited $0.99 for 3 months (save $34.98) Get Deal Best Echo device deal Amazon Echo Studio $189.99 (save $30) Get Deal Best Fire TV deal Amazon 55-inch 4-Series 4K Fire TV $279.99 (save $180) Get Deal Best Fire TV Stick deal Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select $17.99 (save $22) Get Deal Best Kindle deal Amazon Kindle Colorsoft $169.99 (save $80) Get Deal Best Kids device deal Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Kids $189.99 (save $80) Get Deal

Amazon's Big Spring Sale has arrived and with it, a boat load of discounts on Amazon's own devices. It officially runs from March 25 through March 31 this year and new deals will be dropping daily.

It only makes sense that Amazon would offer the biggest markdowns on its own devices, given that it's an Amazon sale, after all. So far, you can find Black Friday-level record-lows on several Echo speakers and smart displays, as well as Fire TVs. Blink cameras and some Kindles also got the deal treatment this time around. Price drops on Amazon's Fire tablets, on the other hand, are pretty scarce. We'll keep an eye out for any new Fire tablet discounts that may drop during the sale, but don't hold your breath. Also MIA from the sale (and the Amazon site in general) are the popular Echo Buds — usually a staple in major Amazon shopping events.

We're tracking all of the best Amazon device deals throughout the Big Spring Sale 2026 below. For deals beyond Amazon devices, be sure to follow along with all of Mashable's coverage in our Big Spring Sale hub.

Best Big Spring Sale Amazon subscription deal Opens in a new window Credit: Kindle Unlimited Kindle Unlimited $0.99 for 3 months (save $11.99/month) Get Deal Why we like it

Amazon's major sales are always an excuse for the retailer to offer extended free trials or discounted prices for its membership subscriptions. My personal favorite is this three-month Kindle Unlimited membership for just 99 cents. Usually $11.99 per month (an outstanding value, IMHO), that saves you about $35 in total. Kindle Unlimited unlocks instant unfettered access to a massive library of popular series, best sellers, classics, and more. And unlike the beloved Libby app, there's no wait times. You can borrow up to 20 books at once and you can read on any device (though we definitely recommend grabbing a Kindle while they're on sale).

More Amazon subscription deals

• Amazon Music Unlimited — free for 3 months $12.99/month (save $38.97)

Best Amazon Big Spring Sale Echo deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Studio $189.99 at Amazon
$219.99 Save $30   Get Deal Why we like it

Amazon dropped four new Echo devices last fall specifically built for Alexa+, including the new super-powered Echo Studio smart speaker. This is technically the Studio's first update in six years, though it's a much different design than its predecessor. According to Amazon, you "can't find any smart speaker that sounds this amazing at this size." It packs Dolby Atmos and spatial audio into a Death Star-like orb that fits in the palm of your hand. It's even powerful enough to give your TV a boost. The speaker saw its first-ever discount during Black Friday, and that same discount is back for the Big Spring Sale.

More Echo deals

• Amazon Echo Spot — $49.99 $79.99 (save $30)

• Amazon Echo Show 5 — $69.99 $89.99 (save $20)

• Amazon Echo Dot Max — $74.99 $99.99 (save $25)

• Amazon Echo Show 8 — $139.99 $179.99 (save $40)

• Amazon Echo Show 11 — $169.99 $219.99 (save $50)

• Amazon Echo Show 15 — $254.99 $299.99 (save $45)

• Amazon Echo Show 21 — $349.99 $399.99 (save $50)

Best Amazon Big Spring Sale Fire TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon 55-inch 4-Series 4K Fire TV $279.97 at Amazon
$459.99 Save $180.02   Get Deal Why we like it

Amazon's 4-Series Fire TVs aren't the most advanced in the brand's lineup, but they are the most popular. These TVs are for those who don't require a ton of bells and whistles. If you just want a decent looking TV that's great for streaming, the 55-inch 4-Series 4K Fire TV is an excellent value — especially now that it's back down to its best price ever. It was redesigned in 2025 to sport an ultra-slim bezel, a new quad-core processor for speedy navigation, and Alexa+. It also packs 4K UHD picture quality with support for HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Digital Sound, and Omnisense technology that wakes up the TV when you enter the room to show you artwork or your favorite comfort show.

Best Amazon Big Spring Sale Fire TV Stick deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select $17.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $22.00   Get Deal Why we like it

Amazon practically gave away the Fire TV Stick 4K Select during Black Friday season, so we're hoping to see a return of the $9.99 discount price during the Big Spring Sale. Even if we don't, its current discount price of $17.99 is still pretty dang great. It's the newest Fire TV Stick in Amazon's lineup and delivers 4K quality with HDR10+ support, the plug-and-play design you know and love, and a new operating system called Vega. It also offers support for Alexa+, Amazon Kids+, Amazon Luna, Xbox Game Pass, and NordVPN.

More Fire TV deals

• Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus — $24.99 $49.99 (save $25)

• Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max — $34.99 $59.99 (save $25)

• Amazon Fire TV Cube — $99.99 $139.99 (save $40)

• Amazon 43-inch 4-Series 4K Fire TV — $199.99 $329.99 (save $130)

• Amazon 50-inch 4-Series 4K Fire TV — $239.97 $399.99 (save $160.02)

• Amazon 50-inch Omni QLED 4K Fire TV — $419.99 $479.99 (save $60)

• Amazon 55-inch Omni Mini LED QLED 4K Fire TV — $719.99 $819.99 (save $100)

• Amazon 65-inch Omni QLED 4K Fire TV — $749.99 $849.99 (save $100)

• Amazon 75-inch Omni Mini LED QLED 4K Fire TV — $1,249.99 $1,499.99 (save $250)

Best Amazon Big Spring Sale Kindle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle Colorsoft $169.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $80   Get Deal Why we like it

We don't usually recommend the Kindle Colorsoft because the price tag is simply too steep. But now that it's $80 off its $249.99 list price, it's the best value e-reader you can get. It's practically the same device as the Kindle Paperwhite, but adds a full spectrum of color, with a resolution of 150 ppi and a black and white resolution of 300 ppi. Otherwise, it's a speedy, waterproof, seven-inch e-reader with no ads and a battery life that won't quit (up to eight weeks!). Plus, it allows you to actually highlight in color.

More Kindle deals

• Amazon Kindle — $99.99 $109.99 (save $10)

• Amazon Kindle Paperwhite — $134.99 $159.99 (save $25)

• Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition — $159.99 $199.99 (save $40)

• Amazon Kindle Scribe (previous generation) — $249.99 $399.99 (save $150)

For more discounts on Kindle devices, check out our full list of Big Spring Sale Kindle deals.

Kids device deals

• Amazon Echo Pop Kids — $29.99 $49.99 (save $20)

• Amazon Fire 7 Kids — $59.99 $99.99 (save $40)

• Kindle Kids — $109.99 $129.99 (save $20)

• Kindle Kids Paperwhite — $154.99 $179.99 (save $25)

• Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids — $175.99 $219.99 (save $44)

• Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Kids — $189.99 $269.99 (save $80)

Blink camera deals

• Blink Mini 2K+ — $25.99 $39.99 (save $14)

• Blink Video Doorbell — $35.99 $69.99 (save $34)

• Blink Outdoor 4 — $43.99 $79.99 (save $36)

• Blink Arc 2K+ — $51.99 $99.99 (save $48)

Eero deals

• Amazon eero 7 — $139.99 $169.99 (save $30)

• Amazon eero Pro 7 — $249.99 $299.99 (save $50)

• Amazon eero Max 7  — $449.99 $599.99 (save $150)

Best Amazon Big Spring Sale portable power stations deals at a glance: Best Bluetti deal Bluetti Elite 200 V2 $749 at Amazon (save $200) Get Deal Best Anker Solix deal Anker Soloix F3800 Portable Power Station, BP3800 Expansion Battery, and 400W Solar Panel $3,498.99 at Amazon (save $3,898.01) Get Deal Best Jackery deal Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 $429 (save $370) Get Deal Best DJI deal DJI Power 1000 V2 $364 (save $65) Get Deal

Amazon saw the sun setting later, smelled flowers blooming, and felt warmer temps and decided to celebrate by dropping a bunch of prices. The Big Spring Sale is officially live right now through March 31, which is great news if you're in the market for a portable power station.

A portable power station has become a must-have tech item. It's like your favorite noise-cancelling earbuds — no idea how we survived without them. They'll be a savior during power outages, keeping the refrigerator running, phones charged up, and the WiFi router connected. They're also well worth packing along on upcoming camping trips. Think of movie nights under the stars with a powered-up portable projector and fresh popcorn.

The one snag here is that batteries aren't cheap, and that's especially true of high-tech and long-lasting batteries found in portable power stations. Because of this, shopping for a power station during major sales like the Amazon Big Spring Sale is a wise move. Here are some of our favorite models seeing steep discounts now that the sale is officially live.

Best Bluetti deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Bluetti Elite 200 V2 $749 at Amazon
$949 Save $200   Get Deal Why we like it

If you need a large and in charge power solution, whether in an emergency or going off-grid, the Bluetti Elite 200 V2 is a fantastic option. It comes with 2,600Wh of battery power, which is more than enough to charge larger items like laptops and small appliances. It's also capable of recharging your phones and keeping the WiFi router on for an extended period of time. If you find that you routinely lose power, this unit is something you'll want to keep on hand to make sure you can charge things up when you need them.

More Bluetti deals

• Bluetti Elite 30 V2 — $218.99 $299 (save $80.01)

• Bluetti Elite 300 — $1,099 $1,699 (save $600)

• Bluetti Apex 300 — $1,444 $1,699 (save $255)

Best Anker deal Anker Solix F3800 $3,498.99 at Amazon
$7,397 Save $3,898.01   See It at Amazon

The massive Anker Solix F3800 is ideal for home backup should the power cut out. On its own, the Solix F3800 comes with 3,8400 Wh of battery capacity to keep your tech running without grid power, but Anker made this deal even better during Amazon's Big Spring Sale. The Solix F3800 comes bundled with a BP3800 Expansion Battery and a 400W solar panel. The extra battery brings the total capacity up to 7,680Wh while the addition of a solar panel puts you in line for recharging off-grid.

More Anker Solix deals

• Anker Solix C300 — $169.99 $249.99 (save $80)

• Anker Solix C1000 — $429.99 $799 (save $369.01)

• Anker Solix C2000 Gen 2 — $749 $1,499 (save $750)

• Anker Solix F2000 — $799.99 $1,999 (save $1,199.01)

• Anker Solix F3800 — $1,898.99 $2,599 (save $700.01)

Best Jackery deal Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 $429 at Amazon
$799 Save $370   Get Deal Why we like it

If you're looking for a portable power station to take along to the campground this summer, the Jackery Explorer 100 V2 is an ideal model. It's a mix of portability, durability, solid port options, and it's on sale for under $430. This Jackery model comes with 1,070Wh for recharging your phones while camping, keeping the speaker ready to go, and powering up the projector for movie nights. Plus, it weighs under 24 pounds, so you won't have to struggle lugging it around camp.

More Jackery deals

• Jackery SolarSaga 100W Bifacial Portable Solar Panel — $197.99 $299 (save $101.01)

• Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 — $749 $1,499 (save $750)

• Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus — $1,598.99 $2,799 (save $1,200.01)

More portable power stations on sale at Amazon

• EcoFlow River 2 Pro — $314.99 $529 (save $214.01)

• DJI Power 1000 — $349 $699 (save $350)

• DJI Power 1000 V2 — $364 $699 (save $335)

• Segway Cube 2000 — $538.98 $899.99 (save $361.01)

• DJI Power 2000 — $699 $1,299 (save $600)

• EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 — $2,099 $3,699 (save $1,600)

The best Amazon Big Spring Sale cordless tool deals at a glance: Best Cordless Tool Deal Dewalt 20V MAX Cordless Drill Driver Set $158.18 (save $20.82) Get Deal Best Cordless Wrench Deal Dewalt Atomic 20V Max Cordless Impact Wrench $83.25 (save $35.75) Get Deal Best Cordless Screwdriver Deal Hoto Rechargeable Electric Screwdriver $39.99 (save $20) Get Deal

On your mark, get ready, shop! Amazon's Big Spring Sale is back for the third year in a row. That means from today (March 25) through March 31, you'll be able to access a variety of discounts across just about every category the store has to offer.

The sale is live now, so you can go ahead and dive in if you're looking for cordless tools. They're great for helping with completing projects around the house or even giving as gifts. There are plenty to choose from right now that you won't want to miss.

Which cordless tools are worth your time? If you're ready to start racking up the deals, keep reading to see our cordless tool picks now that the Big Spring Sale is live.

Best Amazon Big Spring Sale cordless tool deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Dewalt 20V MAX Cordless Drill Driver Set $158.18 at Amazon
$179 Save $20.82   Get Deal Why we like it

A cordless drill is one of the most important additions to any tool kit you're either building or planning to gift. It's perfect for just about any DIY project, whether you need to mount a TV, build a table, or hang up things around the home. This compact and lightweight drill's brushless motor has tons of applications and delivers up to 300 UWO and an impact driver with up to 1,400 in-lbs of torque. It also comes with a charger, battery packs, and a bag to keep everything in.

Best Amazon Big Spring Sale cordless wrench deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Dewalt Atomic 20V Max Cordless Impact Wrench $83.25 at Amazon
$119 Save $35.75   Get Deal Why we like it

You can use an impact wrench for tons of different projects, whether you're working on assembling furniture or repairing a car in your driveway. It offers 1,700 in-lbs of torque and offers a variable speed trigger for better control and precision. It has 3 bright LEDS so you can see what you're doing in darker workspaces, and comes with a removable belt hook so you can keep it with you at all times, too.

Best Amazon Big Spring Sale cordless screwdriver deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Hoto Rechargeable Electric Screwdriver $39.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $20   Get Deal Why we like it

This electric screwdriver can save you plenty of time and effort since it can handle the tougher jobs without you having to manually turn the electric drill. It has three torque settings, a rubber grip, and it weighs just under a pound. It comes with 12 different bits for you to swap out as well, so no matter what job you end up needing to tackle, you can easily handle it without having to resort to a manual screwdriver instead. That means getting the job done faster and more efficiently.

More cordless tool deals at Amazon

• Hoto Electric Screwdriver Kit — $29.99 $49.99 (save $20)

• Hoto Laser Measuring Tool — $29.97 $49.99 (save $20.02)

• Hoto Cordless Brushless Drill — $69.98 $99.99 (save $30.01)

• Dewalt Cordless Screwdriver — $82.54 $91.98 (save $9.44)

• Kobalt Variable Speed Brushless Cordless Hammer Drill — $88.88 $95 (save $6.12)

• Dewalt 20V Handheld Cordless Vacuum — $129 $199 (save $70)

• Dewalt 20V Max Cordless Angle Grinder Tool — $159.95 $249 (save $89.05)

• Dewalt 20V MAX Shop Vacuum Wet and Dry — $174 $195 (save $21)

The best Echo deals in the Amazon Big Spring Sale: Best Echo deal Echo Show 11 $169.99 (save $50) Get Deal Best budget deal Amazon Echo Spot $49.99 (save $30) Get Deal Best kids deal Amazon Echo Pop Kids $29.99 (save $20) Get Deal

I’ll be the first to admit that I rely on my Amazon Echo devices a little too much. But they’re just so convenient for literally everything — from setting cooking timers to checking the weather and even turning off my TV (yes, I'm getting a little lazy these days). Alexa+ has made it way too easy.

SEE ALSO: The best robot vacuum deals in Amazon's Big Spring Sale: Our Dreame, Roborock, and Eufy favorites on sale

Amazon is notorious for discounting its own tech during major shopping events, and that's especially true for this year's Amazon’s Big Spring Sale. Consider it the first major savings event before Prime Day. We had Presidents' Day, sure, but that doesn't hold a candle to what this sale is offering.

Running from March 25 through March 31, the Big Spring Sale will let shoppers snag discounts across just about every category. Last year, we saw markdowns of up to 71% off, and it already looks like this year is showcasing more of the same.

Here are the best Echo deals you can shop during the Big Spring Sale now.

Best Amazon Echo deal Amazon Echo Show 11 $169.99 at Amazon
$219.99 Save $50   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

If you're looking to upgrade your smart home setup during the Big Spring Sale, the new Amazon Echo Show 11 is our top pick. It has a vibrant 11-inch full-HD touch screen and is designed for Amazon's new, conversational AI assistant, Alexa+. Bonus: It's $169.99 right now, which is the lowest price we've tracked to date. (If you want something a little cheaper, you can get the 8-inch screen for $139.99.)

Over at our sister site, PCMag, Andrew Gebhart dubbed the device the best way to bring Alexa+ to big rooms. Gebhart notes that its 1,900 x 1,200-pixel resolution provides a crisper, better picture quality than Amazon's larger, much pricier Echo Show 15 and 21 models.

More Echo deals

• Amazon Echo Pop Kids — $29.99 $49.99 (save $20)

• Amazon Echo Spot — $49.99 $79.99 (save $30)

• Amazon Echo Show 5 — $69.99 $89.99 (save $20)

• Amazon Echo Dot Max — $74.99 $99.99 (save $25)

• Amazon Echo Show 8 — $139.99 $179.99 (save $40)

• Amazon Echo Studio — $189.99 $219.99 (save $30)

• Amazon Echo Show 15 — $254.99 $299.99 (save $45)

Amazon Spring Sale Pokémon deals at a glance: Best Collection deal Pokemon TCG: Mega Evolution Ascended Heroes $133.94 (save $26.05) Shop Now Best Collector Chest Deal Pokémon TCG Collector Chest Fall 2025 $44 (save $13.99) Shop Now Best Pre-Order Deal Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution Perfect Order Booster Display Box $245.99 (save $34) Shop Now Best Elite Trainer Box Deal Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution Perfect Order Elite Trainer Box $102.95 Shop Now Best tin deal Pokémon TCG: Mega Charizard X Tin $35.34 (save $2.59) Shop Now Best Toy Deal MEGA Pokémon Building Toys Set Every Eevee Evolution $55.01 (save $20.58) Get Deal

Amazon’s Big Spring Sale has officially begun, and there's plenty are plenty of deals for Pokémon shoppers to hunt down.

Amazon has discounts and preorder price cuts across a wide range of categories — gaming deals, TV deals, Lego deals, and much more — making this a good time to shop if your wishlist includes sealed TCG products, collector boxes, or a couple of first-party Pokémon titles.

That's what we love about these sale events. No matter what you're into, Amazon has you covered. And if Pokémon is your thing, look no further. Wannabe trainers can pick up some great bargains.

Best Pokémon Elite Trainer Box deal Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution Perfect Order Elite Trainer Box $102.95 at Amazon
  Pre-order Here

With Pokémon TCG's Perfect Order expansion finally out this week on March 27, we're at the turning point where pre-launch ETBs will start going well above $100 upon release — making this the best time to grab the Perfect Order Elite Trainer Box for under $100.

Soon after, we predict the Perfect Order ETB will follow the market's usual trend (like other Pokémon ETBs on Amazon), going well above the $110 mark as availability starts to drop. Now is the best time to jump in before that happens.

The Perfect Order Elite Trainer Box includes nine Perfect Order booster packs, a full-art foil Tyrunt promo card, 65 sleeves, 40 Energy cards, a player’s guide, dice, a coin, a collector’s box, six dividers, and a code card for Pokémon TCG Live.

Best Pokémon collection deal Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokemon Company Pokemon TCG: Mega Evolution Ascended Heroes $133.94 at Amazon
$159.99 Save $26.05   Get Deal

With Pokémon deals going fast, the Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution Ascended Heroes is one of the best deals in the current Big Spring Sale — down to $133.94 from $159.99, saving you $26.05 on a premium poster box with a nice selection of booster packs. It's now only $14.44 above TCGplayer's market price value of $119.50.

This set includes 10 booster packs, a foil promo card of Mega Lucario ex, and a double-sided poster.

Best Pokémon preorder deal Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Perfect Order Booster Display Box $247.99 at Amazon
$279.99 Save $32   Pre-order Here

With a new price cut of over $30, pre-ordering the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Perfect Order Booster Display Box (36 booster packs) for $247.99 means you're only paying roughly $6.88 per booster pack; that's almost $5 off compared to buying Perfect Order boosters individually.

So unlike an Elite Trainer Box, you are not getting sleeves, dice, or storage extras. This is more of a straight pack-heavy buy for collectors who want to open a full box at once or chase cards from the new Perfect Order expansion without paying for the added accessories.

More Pokémon deals

• Pokémon Twilight Masquerade Sleeved Booster Pack — $9.74 $11.89 (save 2.15)

• Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Obsidian Flames Booster Pack — $14.45 $15.99 (save $1.54)

• Pokémon TCG Scarlet & Violet Prismatic Evolutions Booster Pack — $15.89 $18.99 (save $3.10)

• Pokemon TCG: Stacking Tin — $26.32 $29.54 (save $3.22)

• Pokémon TCG: Pokémon Day 2026 Collection — $34.45 $36.90 (save $2.45)

• Pokemon TCG: Azure Legends Tin — $37.95 $44.56 (save $6.61)

• Pokemon TCG Paradox Destinies Tin — $39.91 $48.89 (save $8.98)

• Pokémon TCG Mega Charizard Y Tin — $43.95 $47.95 (save $4)

• Pokemon TCG: 2024 Trainer’s Toolkit — $43.99 $46.99 (save $3)

• Pokémon Pokemon Brilliant Diamond (Nintendo Switch) — $50.99 $59.99 (save $9)

• Pokémon Sword (Nintendo Switch) — $51.80 $59.99 (save $8.19)

• Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! (Nintendo Switch) — $51.90 $59.99 (save $8.09)

• Pokémon Legends: Z-A (Nintendo Switch) — $54.49 $59.99 (save $5.50)

• Pokémon TCG: Mega Lucario ex Figure Collection — $59.65 $67.99 (save $8.34)

• Pokémon TCG Mega Venusaur ex Premium Collection Box — $65.88 $74.49 (save $8.61) 

• Pokémon TCG Scarlet & Violet: Journey Together (8 Booster Pack Lot) — $64.45 $69.95 (save $5.50)

• Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Ascended Heroes Premium Poster Collection Mega Lucario — $133.94 $159.99 (save $26.05)

• Pokémon Sword and Shield Edition (Nintendo Switch Lite) — $219 $419.99 (save $200.19)

• Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution: Ascended Heroes Mini Tin Display — $249.95 $349.99 (save $100.04)

From March 25 to 31, Amazon will be discounting a wide range of products as part of its annual Big Spring Sale. That includes some offers on unlocked smartphones. However, as professional deal hunters, we have to tell you that you'll find the absolute best offers on phones right now are at carriers like T-Mobile, which is offering a free iPhone 17 or iPhone Air for new customers.

So, if you need a new smartphone, check out the best offers available at Amazon and beyond.

Unlocked phone deals: Best Google deal Google Pixel 9a $399 (save $100) Get Deal Best Samsung deal Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 FE $623.24 (save $336.75) Get Deal Best Apple Deal iPhone 14 (Renewed Premium) $287.76 (save $51.85) Get Deal Best Carrier Deal Get a free iPhone 17 at T-Mobile Normally $799 (Free with Experience Beyond or Better Value plan) Get Deal Editor's Pick Motorola Razr Ultra $799.99 (save $500) Get Deal

Robot vacuums, drones, TVs, and a whole lot more will be discounted, so it's a great excuse to upgrade your tech for less. The same goes for mobile phones. If you've been hoping to get a great price on a phone you can buy outright, Amazon already has some great deals live on unlocked phones. From Samsung, Google, and Apple, here are some of the best early deals we've spotted.

Best Apple unlocked phone deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple iPhone 14 (Renewed Premium) $287.76 at Amazon
$339.61 Save $51.85   Get Deal Why we like it

Have you been dying to switch to iPhone but don't have an extra $1,000 to spare on a new iPhone 17? There's a better way. You can buy an unlocked, Premium Renewed iPhone 14 direct from Amazon for under $300. While you'll miss out on the newest Apple Intelligence features and cameras, you'll still get that sweet blue chat bubble your friends have been so annoying about.

Best Google unlocked phone deal Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel 9a $399 at Amazon
$499 Save $100 Almost sold out! Get Deal Why we like it

When we reviewed this smartphone last year, we called it the budget smartphone to beat in 2025, and it's still a great option in 2026. (The Pixel 10a was very underwhelming.) This phone was on sale ahead of the Spring Sale, but the price just dropped even lower, which is probably why it's almost sold out. This budget Pixel has premium features like a 48MP wide camera and the Google Tensor G3 processor.

Best Samsung unlocked phone deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 FE Cell Phone $666.89 at Amazon
$959.99 Save $293.10   Get Deal Why we like it

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 FE brings back the era of flip phones in the best way. It's a compact, foldable phone with a 50MP camera and FlexMode functions that let you shoot hands-free without needing a tripod. And despite its size, it’s incredibly powerful, thanks to its strong processor and long-lasting battery.

Best Motorola phone deal Opens in a new window Credit: Motorola Motorola Razr Ultra $799.99 at Amazon
$1,299.99 Save $500 Editor favorite Get Deal Why we like it

Mashable's tech editor Timothy Werth says the Motorola Razr Ultra was the most underrated smartphone of 2025, and not just in the foldable category. During our testing, we found that this flagship foldable phone had an unbeatable battery that lasts over 24 hours, plus a surprisingly good camera array, a speedy Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, and a full suite of AI features. During the Spring Sale, you can pick up this trendy flip phone for a lot less than other premium foldables.

Best locked phone deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Switch to T-Mobile and get a free iPhone 17 or Air $0 at T-Mobile
$799 Save $799 Free with Experience Beyond or Better Value plan Learn More Why we like it

Okay, so this isn't exactly an unlocked phone deal, but it is one of the best offers you'll find on a new iPhone. New customers who switch to T-Mobile can get a new iPhone 17 or iPhone Air for free with a qualifying Experience Beyond or Better Value plan. Plus, there's no trade-in required and you can keep your phone number. You'll want to read the fine print, but if you're open to switching carriers, don't miss this iPhone deal, available now through the end of the Amazon Spring Sale at T-Mobile.

More unlocked phone deals

• Motorola Moto G Play — $109.99 $149.99 (save $40)

• Samsung Galaxy A17 5G — $179.99 $199.99 (save $20)

• Google Pixel 9a — $399 $499 (save $100)

• Google Pixel 10 — $549 $799 (save $250)

• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 — $1,809.99 $1,999.99 (save $190)

A quick look at the best Amazon Shark deals from the Big Spring Sale Best stick vacuum deal Shark Clean & Empty $249.00 at Amazon (save $150) Get Deal Best hair tool deal Shark FlexStyle (6 attachments) $299.99 at Amazon (save $100) Get Deal Best spot cleaner deal Shark StainForce $149.99 at Amazon (save $50) Get Deal Best skincare deal Shark FacialPro Glow with DePuffi $299.00 at Amazon (save $100) Get Deal Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal 2-in-1 robot vacuum $949.99 at Amazon (save $350) Get Deal

There are few home categories that Shark doesn't have a stake in. Floor care has been its bread and butter for a while, of course. But skincare, hair care, and air care, too? It's Dyson-level variety at this point. But when it comes to deals during major Amazon sale events, there are typically more good Shark deals than good Dyson deals. Amazon's 2026 Big Spring Sale deals tell the same story.

SEE ALSO: The Shark vs. Roomba debate is stale in 2026, but at least Shark is trying to revive its robot vacuum line

We're tracking all of the best deals on Shark vacuums, Shark beauty tools, Shark air purifiers, and more, live during the sale's March 25 through 31 runtime. A handful of our absolute favorite Shark products are on sale, and we'll be updating this story as more deals on Shark devices trickle in throughout the week. (Fingers crossed for a legit CryoGlow red light mask deal.)

Best Shark vacuum deal Shark Clean & Empty BU3521 $249 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $150.99   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

It'll be hard for any spring vacuum deal to beat this Shark Clean & Empty model as the best affordable stick vacuum setup. It automatically empties itself and charges every time you hang it back up on the dock (which also acts as built-in storage). That means you're starting every cleaning session with an empty dustbin, and that means you'll have unmistakable visible proof of the gunk that's been sucked up in the room at hand.

It's not Shark's most powerful self-emptying stick vacuum, but it is almost 40 percent cheaper than Shark's most powerful self-emptying stick vacuum when it's on sale. Weighing in at just under six pounds, this Clean & Empty model is lighter than most cordless vacuums out there — including 30 percent lighter than the popular Shark Vertex Pro, which doesn't come with an auto-empty dock.

SEE ALSO: Shark FacialPro Glow review: The pore de-clogging is legit, but it may not be right for every skin type Cordless vacuum deals

• Shark Pet Cordless IX141 — $149.99 $299.99 (save $150)

• Shark PowerDetect Pet Plus with Auto-Empty System — $399.99 $599.99 (save $200)

• Shark Stratos IZ862H — $299.99 $499.99 (save $200)

• Shark Vertex Pro IZ662H — $269.99 $449.99 (save $180)

Corded vacuum deals

• Shark Stratos — $299.99 $529.99 (save $230)

• Shark Detect Pro Speed Lift-Away — $299.98 $399.99 (save $100.01)

Best Shark robot vacuum deal Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal 2-in-1 $949.99 at Amazon
$1,299.99 Save $350   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Shark Why we like it

Ahead of the Big Spring Sale, the Shark robot vacuums on sale were decent if you really want a Shark, but I was hesitant to hit full send on recommending one unless the PowerDetect UV Reveal 2-in-1 went on sale. Well, it has, and it's under $1,000, which I honestly did not expect. The $1,299.99 robot vacuum and mop combo with blacklight stain detect (the best Shark robot vacuum right now) hasn't even been out for a month, and I thought for sure that the chances of it seeing a discount this soon were iffy. I was happily mistaken.

More Shark robot vacuum deals

• Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 with Self-Empty Base — $299.99 $699.99 (save $400)

• Shark Stratos 2-in-1 with NeverTouch Base — $549.99 $999.99 (save $450)

Hair tool deals

• Shark Glossi — $129.99 $179.99 (save $50)

• Shark SpeedStyle — $159 $229 (save $70)

• Shark SpeedStyle Pro Flex (4 attachments) — $189 $229 (save $60.99)

• Shark FlexStyle (3 attachments) — $199.99 $299.99 (save $100)

Skincare device deals

• Shark FacialPro Glow with DePuffi — $299 $399 (save $100)

Upright and portable carpet and upholstery cleaner deals

• Shark StainForce Cordless Stain System — $149.99 $199.99 (save $50)

• Shark StainStriker + Chemical Tool — $109.99 $149.99 (save $40)

• Shark StainStriker HairPro — $129.99 $159.99 (save $30)

• Shark CarpetXPert HairPro — $299.99 $379.99 (save $80)

Air purifier deals

• Shark NeverChange (250 sq. ft.) — $139.99 $179.99 (save $40)

• Shark NeverChange (650 sq. ft.) — $199.99 $249.99 (save $50 plus get $10 Amazon credit)

• Shark NeverChange (1,400 sq. ft.) — $319.99 $399.99 (save $80 plus get $16 Amazon credit)

Dreamworks has released the trailer for Forgotten Island, and it looks like a spectacular, magical tale of friendship and adventure — with an Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind twist.

Forgotten Island follows Jo (H.E.R.) and Raissa (Liza Soberano), best friends since childhood. Having just graduated high school, the duo are spending one last night together before Raissa leaves the Philippines to study in the U.S.

However, the friends' farewell plans are unexpectedly derailed after they fall through a portal and land in Nakali, a magical island filled with mythological creatures from Filipino folklore. The pair must now search for a way home before the island makes them forget each other entirely.

Set in the '90s, Forgotten Islands comes from Puss in Boots: The Last Wish's director and producer Joel Crawford and Mark Swift, and features a voice cast including Dave Franco, Lea Salonga, Jenny Slate, Manny Jacinto, Dolly de Leon, Jo Koy, and Ronny Chieng. The trailer also hints at an excellent soundtrack, already making good use of Simple Minds' memorable Breakfast Club anthem "Don't You (Forget About Me)."

Forgotten Island arrives in theatres on Sept. 25.

Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen's title is a bit of an undersell. Many very bad things happen over the course of eight episodes, but thankfully the experience of watching the show is not one of them.

SEE ALSO: 'Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen's bloody ending, explained

From creator Haley Z. Boston (Brand New Cherry Flavor) and executive producers the Duffer Brothers (in their first project since Stranger Things), Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen is a deliciously atmospheric horror series that unpacks all the things that could go wrong before an engaged couple walks down the aisle.

What's Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen about? Adam DiMarco and Camila Morrone in "Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen." Credit: Netflix

That engaged couple is Rachel Harkin (Camila Morrone) and Nicky Cunningham (Adam DiMarco), two lovebirds headed to upstate New York for an intimate wedding at Nicky's parents' remote cabin.

The presence of a "remote cabin" in a show called Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen should already be setting off alarm bells. Those will only get louder once you learn that Rachel has never met any of the other Cunninghams, and that she's plagued with feelings of dread about the wedding.

Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen builds that sense of dread expertly throughout its first episode, directed by Weronika Tofilska (Baby Reindeer). Set almost entirely during Rachel and Nicky's road trip upstate, the episode throws bad omen after bad omen at us: tales of missing dogs, bloody hangnails, a lone baby trapped in a car, a frightening man peering over bathroom stalls... Some of these will return in later episodes; some are more for vibes; all are chilling in the best way possible. Watching it feels like submerging yourself in a murky pond, dipping in one toe after another until you're totally immersed in the unsettling, frigid world Boston and her team are whipping up. Small details, from unfriendly bartenders to haunting local frozen custard chains, turn this cursed wedding destination into a surreal, unique ride.

SEE ALSO: 'Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice' review: Time-traveling gangster comedy is a must-see crowd-pleaser

Once Rachel and Nicky arrive at his parents' place, Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen begins to tread familiar ground. Nicky's affluent family are an odd bunch, both giving Rachel the cold shoulder and getting claustrophobically involved in every aspect of her wedding, right down to replacing her engagement ring. Between their overbearing behavior and menacing whispers from behind closed doors, it seems like the family is planning something sinister. A Ready or Not-style sacrifice comes to mind, and Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen plays up audience expectations that Rachel's in-laws are downright evil.

However, Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen turns those expectations on their head, going in a different direction that focuses more on Rachel's troubled family and her own anxieties about marriage.

Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen will make you think twice about soulmates. Camila Morrone in "Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen." Credit: Netflix

As Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen draws closer and closer to Rachel and Nicky's wedding day, it unveils a devastating truth about Rachel, complete with a brief, disquieting detour into found footage. No spoilers, but it soon becomes clear that her marriage to Nicky isn't just a commitment she'll be making to someone she loves: It's a matter of life or death.

Here, Boston plays with the terror of marriage and the pressure to get it right with your "soulmate." Rachel must ask herself, over and over, if Nicky truly is the one for her, for eternity. (She's not the only one asking: A spooky interloper, played by a terrifically menacing Zlatko Burić, also takes it upon himself to question the upcoming marriage.) Are she and Nicky together because of fate? Or because of convenience? And how well does she really know him? Morrone is compelling as a woman spiraling before her marriage, while DiMarco continues his hot streak of playing cringe-inducing boyfriends whose nice exterior masks some concerning qualities. (See also: The White Lotus, Overcompensating.)

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With the fear of her wedding day hanging over her, Rachel must go through the motions of pre-marriage rituals: dress fittings, rehearsal dinners, a bachelorette party. Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen adds its own frightening twist to each, be it supernatural, like a séance, or something real, like an earth-shattering revelation about your partner. Each step toward the aisle feels like you're being zipped into a too-tight wedding dress, until you're just as constrained as Rachel.

Unfortunately, Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen does begin to lose a bit of steam as the truth of what's happening to Rachel comes to light. These reveals have to happen eventually, yet they rob the show of the same mystique that makes the first few episodes so tantalizing. They also devolve into some repetitive, exposition-heavy discussions of Rachel's core dilemma, which has a few frustrating "solutions" that never get considered.

Still, Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen is less interested in solving the problem it sets for Rachel and more in watching her panic as she inches closer and closer to the altar. For the most part, it's a captivating success, and even though we know something very bad will go down, that doesn't make the journey there any less perturbing.

Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen is now streaming on Netflix.

Well, Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen lives up to its title. Something very bad does, in fact, happen at the wedding between Rachel Harkin (Camila Morrone) and Nicky Cunningham (Adam DiMarco), leaving gallons of blood and countless dead Cunninghams scattered across the reception's dance floor.

SEE ALSO: 'Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen' review: Marriage is a killer

Despite what all the blood might have you think, this ending isn't all bad news for the (un)happy couple, as a last-minute twist leaves Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen on a somewhat hopeful note. Let's dive into it.

Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen's wedding curse, explained. Zlatko Burić in "Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen." Credit: Netflix

Before we get into the very end of Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen, let's rewind to the show's fourth episode, which lays out a curse that has been plaguing Rachel's bloodline for years. Rachel hears about it from the frightening older man (Zlatko Burić) who approached her in episode 1 with the ominous question, "Are you sure he's the one?" Turns out it wasn't just a creepy question. It was also a warning.

According to the man, the curse began long, long ago, with his great-great-great-great grandparents. They were very much in love, but before the wedding, the groom died in a hunting accident. The bride begged Death to bring him back, which set in motion a tricky bargain. Death agreed to bring the groom back if the bride believed he was her true soulmate. It worked, but with a price: Death cursed all of the bride and groom's children to find and marry their true soulmates, or pay him with their lives.

The curse passed onto the man, who got engaged to his "beloved" Marianne, Rachel's great-great-great-great-great-grandmother. However, when faced with the ultimatum that he must marry his true soulmate by sundown on his wedding day or die, he left his bride at the altar. After that, the curse transferred to her bloodline: Rachel's bloodline. Now, every Harkin must marry their soulmate by sundown on their wedding day. If the person they marry isn't their soulmate, then they die by hemorrhage. If they flee the wedding before getting married, then the curse passes to their betrothed's family.

SEE ALSO: 'Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice' review: Time-traveling gangster comedy is a must-see crowd-pleaser

As for the man, he becomes immortal as a result of his cowardice, and now he must bear witness to every Harkin wedding.

Let's face it: The "soulmate" aspect of the curse is almost impossible to beat. Even if you did believe in the concept of soulmates, the numbers game of actually finding "the one" in a world of billions of people is not favorable. Plus, the curse is basically a self-fulfilling prophecy. Knowing about it will constantly have you second-guessing your impending marriage, leaving you to doubt your love at the altar. And doubt is the death knell for any married Harkin.

What does Rachel choose to do with her wedding in Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen? Camila Morrone in "Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen." Credit: Netflix

Armed with the knowledge of this curse, Rachel has to decide what to do on her wedding day. If she gets married to Nicky and he isn't her soulmate, she'll die. If she leaves, she dooms the Cunningham family to live with the same curse. In theory, she could opt for a secret third option and keep postponing the wedding indefinitely. However, since the wedding is also meant to double as one final celebration for Nicky's dying mother, Victoria (Jennifer Jason Leigh), there are external pressures on Rachel and Nicky to make sure it stays on track.

To guarantee her survival, Rachel mixes a potion that will transform her into Nicky's soulmate. She knows it will work because it's how her great-aunt survived her own wedding, where most of the other Harkins perished immediately. At the last minute, though, Rachel decides not to drink the potion. (Meaning she cut off her own toe for nothing!) She's sure Nicky is her soulmate, and she decides to go through with the wedding.

SEE ALSO: 'The Comeback' Season 3 review: Lisa Kudrow warns us of the AI apocalypse

In the end, though, it's Nicky who gets cold feet. After he and Rachel recite their vows and Rachel puts Nicky's ring on his finger, he wonders whether they should get married at all. In the past, Rachel expressed her cynicism with the institution of marriage, but Nicky's brilliant mind decides that the altar is the best place to finally take these thoughts into consideration. Great timing.

Nicky's pause means that the sun sets before the marriage ceremony is complete. With no marriage, the next wave of the curse kicks in, and it transfers to Nicky's bloodline. Here, we learn that the curse won't just impact Nicky's descendants — it's retroactive. That means all the Cunninghams who are married to the person who isn't their soulmate (and let's face it, that's basically everyone) begin to spurt blood and die. Sorry to break it to everyone who was dancing to "I Will Survive" moments before, but they do not, in fact, survive.

How does Jules survive in Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen? Karla Crome and Jeff Wilbusch in "Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen." Credit: Netflix

Victoria and Portia (Gus Birney) are among the many Cunninghams who fall victim to the curse in Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen. Yet one married Cunningham mysteriously survives: Jules (Jeff Wilbusch), whose marriage to Nell (Karla Crome) has been on the rocks since we've met them. They're even planning on getting a divorce.

Amidst the wedding carnage, Nell wonders aloud why Jules hasn't perished like the rest of his family. In response, he casts her a yearning look, one that implies that, even after everything they've been through, he truly believes he's found his soulmate. His survival is proof that apparently you can live through the curse.

What happens to Rachel in Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen? Camila Morrone in "Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen." Credit: Netflix

When the Cunninghams start dropping like flies, Nicky realizes his error and rushes an unwilling Rachel into completing the marriage ceremony. While he survives, truly believing Rachel to his soulmate, Rachel is not so lucky. After seeing Nicky's cowardice and hearing how he didn't believe her about the curse, she's not willing to lay her life on the line for him. Unfortunately, that's exactly what ends up happening once the wedding rings are on: Rachel dies, just like her mother did years ago.

However, this is not the end of her story. Death, who's been lurking throughout the series as a shadowy POV character, makes one last move. He takes the life of the witness, who's long been hoping for the release of death, and resurrects Rachel. Perhaps he recognizes that Rachel was forced into the marriage and deserves another chance, or perhaps he just wants to inject new blood into the curse.

Now, Rachel will be the witness for future Cunningham weddings. Her late predecessor leaves a helpful note to signal her new role to her: "Your turn," written in blood.

Only one Cunningham is left for her to shadow: Jules and Nell's son Jude (Sawyer Fraser). His marriage — if he even has one, after witnessing this mess — won't be for a while yet, so Rachel has all the time in the world to live a free, unburdened life. (She also gives him ample warning about making sure he's careful about who he marries.)

Of course, the thrill of her immortality may eventually fade and curdle into the quiet menace of the witness who came before her. But for now, as she climbs into the witness' old "Just Married" truck and flings her wedding ring out the window, Rachel feels liberated. Turns out the something very bad she'd been dreading actually wound up being something good for her.

Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen is now streaming on Netflix.

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 March 26, 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 March 25, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for March 26 Pips

Greater than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally.

Less than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 2-3, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-3, placed horizontally; 2-6, placed vertically.

Greater than (11): Everything in this space must be greater than 11. The answer is 0-6, placed vertically; 2-6, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for March 26 Pips

Greater than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally.

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

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally; 6-0, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally; 3-1, placed horizontally.

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

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 3-1, placed horizontally; 1-5, placed vertically.

Greater than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 1-5, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for March 26 Pips

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

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

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 1-2, placed vertically; 3-2, placed vertically; 4-0, placed vertically.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically; 0-0, placed horizontally; 0-1, placed horizontally.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 6-3, placed vertically; 2-6, placed horizontally.

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

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

Number (18): Everything in this space must add up to 18. The answer is 2-6, placed horizontally; 6-6, placed horizontally.

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

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 6-3, placed vertically; 2-4, placed horizontally.

Number (15): Everything in this space must add up to 15. The answer is 4-3, placed horizontally; 5-2, placed horizontally; 6-5, placed vertically.

Less than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this light blue space must add up to 5. The answer is 6-5, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this orange space must add up to 5. The answer is 0-5, 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 are ready for Opening Day.

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.

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: 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: Hitting meatballs

• Green: HR leaders

• Blue: The minor leagues

• Purple: Spelled like an MLB team

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Slang for Home Run

• Green: MLB Home Run Leaders in 2025

• Blue: Minor League Baseball Leagues

• Purple: Anagrams of MLB Teams

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 #549 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Slang for Home Run - DINGER, HOMER, JACK, ROUND-TRIPPER

• MLB Home Run Leaders in 2025 - JUDGE, OHTANI, RALEIGH, SCHWARBER

• Minor League Baseball Leagues - CAROLINA, INTERNATIONAL, PACIFIC COAST, TEXAS

• Anagrams of MLB Teams - BUCS, PARTIES, SPREAD, STEM

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.

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

Small drums.

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

BONGO

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A landscaper's tool.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 26, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

MOWER

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A thicket.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for March 26 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 26, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

COPSE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A stringed instrument.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

BANJO

Final Hurdle hint

What old stairs might do.

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

CREAK

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