Technology

Amazon won’t tell you about these Big Spring Sale deals on sex toys, but I will

Mashable - Wed, 03/25/2026 - 09:13
Best Amazon Big Spring Sale sex toy deals 2026: Best overall Satisfyer Pro 2 $48.40 (save $21.55) Get Deal Best budget pick plusOne vibrating bullet $8.99 (save $6) Get Deal

It’s almost springtime (regardless of what the weather might suggest), and Amazon’s Big Spring Sale will be here before we know it. This year, it’s running from March 25 to March 31 (the same dates as last year's sale), and shoppers can expect discounts on tons of products across just about every category.

SEE ALSO: I've tested 100+ sex toys. Here are the 15 most mind-blowing toys I've ever owned.

One category you won’t see Amazon advertising, however, is sex toys. They’re literally not allowed to promote these items in their major sale pushes (I'm so done with the censorship), but that’s OK — because I know exactly where to look to find the best deals.

Wait, I thought buying sex toys on Amazon wasn’t a good idea?

OK, so you all probably already know how I feel about buying sex toys on Amazon: it’s usually a bad idea. BUT, there are ways to get legit deals on premium sex tech without compromising on product safety or quality.

Here are a few quick pointers:

  • Never buy from sketchy third-party sellers (that’s where I come in!).

  • Always, always check for official brand storefronts to double-check product authenticity and warranty info.

  • Do NOT buy anything that’s made with “jelly” or “rubber.” Anything porous is a no-go.

  • Read the reviews! If a product has zero reviews or the reviews look suspiciously generic, move on.

When in doubt, buy directly from the manufacturer’s website.

The best Amazon Big Spring Sale sex toy deals you can buy right now

To help you out, I went through hundreds of pages of products and hand-selected a list of high-quality sexual wellness items that are not only on sale but also safe for you to use.

Best overall Opens in a new window Credit: Satisfyer Satisfyer Pro 2 $48.40 at Amazon
$69.95 Save $21.55   Get Deal Why we like it

Satisfyer is famous for its suction toys and right now you can get the Satisfyer Pro 2 for just $48.40 (a 31% discount). This brand also leans into just about every holiday sale, so you’ll usually see its top vibes discounted during these promotional periods (especially Prime Day and Black Friday).

This toy looks like a face massager/cleaner, but it's actually a super-powerful suction toy designed to provide clitoral stimulation through non-contact pressure waves. (The company is pretty much known for its suction/airpulse tech.) This particular toy (which I own) has more than 61K reviews and a 3.9-star rating.

At under $50, it’s definitely worth considering if you’re into indirect clitoral stimulation. It’s also really easy to hold (which is always a plus).

Best budget pick plusOne vibrating bullet $8.99 at Amazon
$14.99 Save $6   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

As far as the best “deal” goes, you can’t go wrong with the plusOne vibrating bullet. PlusOne is a well-known (more affordable) sex toy brand that’s widely recognized for its no-frills toys. (I own a ton of plusOne toys.) They lack bells and whistles, but they’re reliable, and I haven’t had any complaints about the orgasm-inducing efficacy of their vibrators.

I chose the bullet vibe because it’s only $8.99. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better deal elsewhere. Plus, it has more than 7K reviews — one of which says, “For such a compact toy, it's surprisingly powerful and definitely worth having.” Can’t argue with that.

More Amazon Big Spring Sale sex toy deals worth considering

Looking for lube? Check out LubeLife, Astroglide, and pjur.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I tested every Kindle to find the absolute best Amazon e-reader

Mashable - Wed, 03/25/2026 - 09:10

In the Venn diagram of tablets and books, our favorite e-readers fall perfectly in the middle. They're thin and portable like a tablet, but without the distraction of the internet. The best Kindles and e-readers stuff thousands of books — a full library, really — into a tiny frame.

And having tested a lot of e-readers and tablets for Mashable, I can tell you the Amazon Kindle lineup comes closest to perfecting the devices. All over the internet, you'll find TikTok users enthusiastically singing the praises of the Kindle and how to make the most of it. For parents, Kindles are a screen you don't have to feel guilty about. For avid readers, Stuff Your Kindle Day and Libby let you cross every last item off your annual reading list. You can even buy Kindle accessories like remote page-turners and gooseneck stands so you don't have to hold your Kindle while reading.

Plus, we're in one of the best times to purchase a Kindle. Amazon's Big Spring Sale runs from March 25 to 31. Before the sale officially started, Amazon already marked down the Kindle Colorsoft, and we expect to see all Kindles discounted throughout the sale.

Which Kindle is right for you?

If you're concerned about buying the newest tech, that's not an issue. There are six updated Kindle models for sale, as well as older editions still in stock.

Before you choose a Kindle, you need to ask one question first: Do you want it to be waterproof? If you prefer reading near a body of water — whether in the bath, by the pool, or at the beach — that immediately narrows down your options. Since the Kindle Oasis is no longer available, your waterproof options are the Kindle Paperwhite, Paperwhite Signature Edition, Colorsoft Signature Edition, and Paperwhite Kids.

The Kindle Paperwhite Signature edition settings screen. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Beyond water resistance, here are a few other features to consider:

  • Display size: The basic Kindle has a 6-inch display, while the largest has a 10.2-inch display.

  • Storage capacity: Kindles range from 16GB to 32GB of storage capacity.

  • Battery life: The new Kindles generally have outstanding batteries. On the low end, they last up to six weeks per charge, while others last up to 12 weeks.

  • Writing capability: The Kindle Scribe is the only model that allows you to write with the included stylus. 

The latest Kindles all boast a maximum brightness of 94 nits and a 300 ppi, high-resolution display with zero glare, so you can enjoy sharp text and images at any viewing angle. Kindles are also equipped with WiFi connectivity, allowing you to download all the reading material you could ever want. Plus, you can listen to audiobooks on Audible via the built-in Bluetooth connection.

Not to mention, out of all the e-readers I've tested, Kindles have the best compatibility with Libby. I love the digital platform because I can read for free and support my local library. Some other e-readers require you to download your library e-book to a computer and then upload it to an e-reader, but with Kindles, your e-books are sent straight to your device with a click.

And if you were a die-hard Kindle Oasis fan and are attached to page-turning buttons, you may need to stray from the Kindle line-up. Now, your best bet will be the Kobo Libra Colour.

SEE ALSO: I read over 50 books a year. Here are my favorite e-readers. How to get free e-books on Kindle With just a click, transfer your Libby e-book to your Kindle device. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable Your Libby ebook will automatically populate in your Kindle library. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The best way to read free e-books on a Kindle is with Libby. Libby allows you to borrow e-books through libraries, and all you need is a library card. Through the Libby app, borrow books and then select the "read with Kindle" option, which allows you to send these e-books to your Kindle library.

Another option for finding free e-books is through Stuff Your Kindle events. These are author-driven events that offer limited-time deals on e-books, often making them heavily discounted or totally free.

How to make the most of your Kindle

Through our testing and daily use, we've spent a lot of time with Kindles, learning how to make the most of them. We've written extensively on all the ways to maximize your Kindle, so be sure to browse through our guides and explainers:

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Brick is on sale during Amazons Big Spring Sale — but not at Amazon

Mashable - Wed, 03/25/2026 - 09:03

SAVE $11.80: While Amazon's Big Spring Sale kicks off, shop the Brick for 25% off. Shop now on Brick's site and save $11.80 off its $59 price tag. That brings the subscription-free screen time device down to $47.20.

Opens in a new window Credit: Brick Brick $47.20 at Brick
$59 Save $11.80   Get Deal

Now that warmer weather is finally here for most of the country and we're no longer stuck inside, it's time to get your screen time under control. A little spring reset could do everyone some good, especially when you've been inside all winter staring at a screen. There's no better way to get off your phone than with the Brick. I've long sung our praises of the screen time device that helped me cut my screen time in half. I've convinced my coworkers and friends to get the Brick, and I endorse buying it at full price, so when it's on sale, I say buy, buy, buy.

Just in time for spring, Brick is marking down its screen time device. Now 25% off, you can shop the Brick for just $47.20. That saves you $11.80 off its $59 list price. This sale isn't technically part of Amazon's Big Spring Sale since the Brick isn't on sale at Amazon — you can only shop the sale on Brick's website. However, the timing of Brick's sale is likely no coincidence.

Unlike screen time limits or apps, the Brick is a physical device to manage your screen time. To use, open the Brick app (available for both iOS and Android devices) on your phone and tap against the Brick. You can customize your Brick modes to include whatever apps you need blocked. You can block your most problematic apps like TikTok and Instagram, or go full dumb phone. Plus, multiple people can use the Brick, so you and a partner or roommate can go halfsies on it. Not to mention, the Brick is a one-time purchase, aka there are no subscription fees.

Get the Brick for 25% off now, just $47.20.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stick vacuums on sale in Amazons Spring Sale: Shark is dunking on Dyson right now

Mashable - Wed, 03/25/2026 - 09:00
A quick look at the best cordless vacuum deals ahead of Amazon's spring sale Best vacuum deal for homes with pets Shark PowerDetect Pet Plus Clean & Empty $399.99 at Amazon (save $200) Get Deal Best budget stick vacuum deal Shark Pet IX141 $149.00 at Amazon (save $150.99) Get Deal Best wet dry cordless vacuum deal Roborock F25 Ace Combo $459.99 at Amazon (save $290) Get Deal

Take it from someone who tests multiple robot vacuums each month: Not even the best robot vacuum AI features are immune to screwing up. If you're inclined to just do the job yourself — or if the concept of a robot vacuum with a camera sketches you out — at least make the chore enjoyable with a good stick vacuum. Amazon has a ton of well-reviewed cordless vacuums on sale ahead of the Big Spring Sale kickoff on March 25.

SEE ALSO: Robot vacuums vs. stick vacuums: Shopping advice from someone who has both

Our favorite cordless vacuum deals so far are all vacuums that someone at Mashable has tested at home and loved. I'll admit that any list of top stick vacuums feels weird without multiple Dyson mentions — Amazon typically isn't a reliable spot to find good deals on Dyson vacuums (even though Amazon's deals on other Dyson products can be quite good.) Most worthwhile Dyson deals simply tend to pop up Dyson.com, like the Dyson V12 Detect Slim on sale for $479.99. Maybe it's delusional, but I'm optimistic about the possibility of a discount on the new Dyson PencilVac Fluffycones.

Below, I'm tracking the best cordless vacuums on sale at Amazon pre-Big Spring Sale, including deals on cordless wet and dry vacuums.

Best Amazon cordless stick vacuum deal Shark PowerDetect Pet Plus Clean & Empty IP3253 $399.99 at Amazon
$599.99 Save $200   See It at Amazon Why we like it

There are actually two great Shark stick vacuum deals live at Amazon: The $249 Shark Clean & Empty model is probably the most affordable self-emptying stick vacuum you'll find this season. The other, which I'm highlighting here, is probably the most powerful self-emptying stick vacuum you'll find. $399.99 for that title is more than reasonable.

Though I'm constantly recommending the lightweight Dyson V12 Detect Slim for dust and pet hair on hard floors, the Shark PowerDetect is easily the beastliest vacuum I've tested on carpet — you can literally feel the vigorous double brushroll system digging into the floor. The Clean & Empty Sharks automatically empty the dustbin every time they're hung on the dock to charge, so you won't have to deal with emptying the larger dock dustbin for at least 45 days (it's much longer in my experience). Past the mega convenience, an always-empty dustbin provides visible proof of just how much gunk the PowerDetect has sucked up in the area you're currently sweeping.

More cordless stick vacuum deals at AmazonCordless wet dry vacuum deals at Amazon
Categories: IT General, Technology

So many good self-emptying robot vacuums are on sale in Amazons Big Spring Sale

Mashable - Wed, 03/25/2026 - 09:00
A quick look at the best deals on self-emptying robot vacuums at Amazon Best budget robot vacuum deal Roborock Q10 S5+ $279.99 at Amazon (save $250) Get Deal Best roller mop robot vacuum deal Eufy C28 $499.99 at Amazon (save $250) Get Deal Best premium robot vacuum deal Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete $1,359.90 at Amazon (save $200) Get Deal

The question isn't whether it's worthwhile to get a self-emptying robot vacuum. It's simply which self-emptying robot vacuum you should get. And the list of potential options in your budget is much longer around Amazon's Big Spring Sale, which will run between March 25 and 31. A ton are already severely discounted in the week before the sale, including a few of my favorites that I've tested so far this year.

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

Automatic emptying isn't at all reserved for the best of the best robot vacuums as was the case five years ago — I'd argue that it's the most normalized feature outside of the vacuuming itself, even in the realm of cheap robot vacuums under $300. The unspoken agreement is that if you're buying a robot vacuum to avoid vacuuming by hand, you're not going to feel like manually dumping a dust bin every day, either.

Below, I'm tracking the best self-emptying robot vacuums on sale ahead of Amazon's 2026 spring sale. More good deals are likely to drop in the coming days, and I'll be updating this post accordingly.

Best self-emptying robot vacuum deal ahead of Amazon's Big Spring Sale Eufy C28 $499.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $300   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Eufy Why we like it

I tested and loved the Eufy C28 when it came out in February 2026. And I have a feeling it'll remain one of my most recommended robot vacuum and mop combos for the next year or so.

On sale for less than $600, the Eufy C28 is probably the most affordable roller mop robot vacuum you'll find. The fluffy roller spans the entire bottom of the vacuum and rinses itself with fresh water as it's mopping, making it a far more reliable choice for soaking up large liquid spills (without smearing them around) than other cheap mopping robot vacuums. Its self-emptying dock also washes and dries the mop after each cleaning, so it's easier to forgive how painfully loud it is.

Its small obstacle avoidance was surprisingly accurate during my testing — it avoided slippers and hand towels, cat toys, and (most) phone chargers as well as many premium vacuums.

Robot vacuum mop combos with self-washing mopping pads SEE ALSO: I tried the Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow: It's cracked the code to roller mopping along edges Robot vacuum and mop combos
Categories: IT General, Technology

We found the best MacBook deals during Amazons Big Spring Sale — including the MacBook Neo

Mashable - Wed, 03/25/2026 - 08:16
Big Spring Sale MacBook Deals at a glance: Best MacBook Neo deal (that's barely a deal) Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $689.99 (save $9.01) Get Deal Best MacBook Air Deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inches (M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $949 (save $250) Get Deal Best MacBook Pro deal Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M4 Pro, 24GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,799 (save $200) Get Deal Best price deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $899 (save $100) Get Deal Also consider Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M4, 24GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,299 (save $300) Get Deal

Amazon's third annual Big Spring Sale runs from March 25 to 31, and the opening day of the sale already features deals on must-have tech — including flagship Apple products. Apple just refreshed and expanded its MacBook lineup earlier this month, and some of the new Apple laptops are already on sale.

The colorful new MacBook Neo with Touch ID is a whopping — wait for it — $9 off. (Don't forget about the Apple Store's $100 education discount.) Of course, there are better deals to be had.

Amazon's biggest discount thus far is going to a 15-inch M4 model with 24GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, which is now $300 off — its lowest price ever. You can also score 13-inch M4 MacBook Airs starting at $899. Remember: Apple has discontinued the M4 MacBooks, so once supplies dry up, they'll only be available on the refurbished market.

SEE ALSO: Amazon's Big Spring Sale is back: The best deals already live on Apple, robot vacuums, headphones, and more

The brand-new M5 MacBook Airs and M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pros are all $50 off for the Big Spring Sale, and that's probably going to be as cheap as they get for now. (The then-new M4 models got the same discount last year.) Look for better deals in a couple of months come Prime Day.

This is just day one of the Big Spring Sale, and Mashable will be keeping track of all the latest MacBook price drops. Check back to be the first to know about the top Apple deals.

Note: Deals marked with a 🔥 have dropped to a record-low price.

Best MacBook Air deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) 🔥 $949 at Amazon
$1,199 Save $250   Get Deal Why we like it

The 13-inch M4 MacBook Air may be a last-gen laptop, but it's still an incredibly capable ultraportable, now $250 off for its lowest-ever price. It's faster than much pricier Windows laptops, and it has the same 12MP Center Stage webcam, Liquid Retina display, and 18-hour battery life as its new M5 counterpart. This particular model is also well future-proofed amid the ongoing RAM crunch — thanks, AI.

Read Mashable's full review of the Apple MacBook Air (M4).

MacBook Neo dealsMore MacBook Air dealsMacBook Pro deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Pips hints, answers for March 25, 2026

Mashable - Wed, 03/25/2026 - 08:09

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 25, 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 25 Pips

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

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

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

Number (14): Everything in this space must add up to 14. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally; 4-4, placed horizontally.

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for March 25 Pips

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

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 2-6, placed horizontally; 5-6, placed horizontally; 6-1, placed horizontally.

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

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 5-0, placed vertically; 5-6, placed horizontally; 5-3, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this orange space must be equal to 1. The answer is 6-1, placed horizontally; 3-1, placed horizontally.

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

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for March 25 Pips

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

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally; 6-6, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically; 0-6, placed vertically; 0-2, placed horizontally.

Less than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 0-2, placed horizontally.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally; 1-3, placed vertically.

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically; 6-5, placed vertically; 6-4, placed horizontally.

Greater than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 6-4, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is -3, placed vertically; 3-0, placed vertically.

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

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

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 0-5, placed horizontally; 5-5, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically; 4-2, 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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

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

Mashable - Wed, 03/25/2026 - 07:55

Today's Connections: Sports Edition is for people who like sneakers.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier — so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

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

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

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

  • Yellow: Table games

  • Green: Sneakers

  • Blue: San Francisco legends

  • Purple: NBA events

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

  • Yellow: Games Played on a Table

  • Green: Nike Shoes

  • Blue: Giants Greats

  • Purple: NBA___

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 #548 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

  • Games Played on a Table - AIR HOCKEY, FOOSBALL, POOL, SNOOKER

  • Nike Shoes - AIR FORCE 1, BLAZER, PEGASUS, SHOX

  • Giants Greats - BONDS, MAYS, OTT, POSEY

  • NBA___ - ALL-STAR, CUP, DRAFT, FINALS

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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Hurdle hints and answers for March 25, 2026

Mashable - Wed, 03/25/2026 - 06:00

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

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

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

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

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

A woven hairstyle.

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

BRAID

Hurdle Word 2 hint

An excursion.

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

JAUNT

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Shine.

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

GLEAM

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Not height.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

WIDTH

Final Hurdle hint

Moon-related.

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

LUNAR

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 25, 2026

Mashable - Wed, 03/25/2026 - 05:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Yellow: To fog

  • Green: Popular publications

  • Blue: Ways to use funds

  • Purple: Measurements

Here are today's Connections categories

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

  • Yellow: Obfuscate

  • Green: Magazines

  • Blue: Payment methods

  • Purple: Units of volume with last letter changed

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

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

Drumroll, please!

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

What is the answer to Connections today

  • Obfuscate: BLUR, CLOUD, MUDDY, OBSCURE

  • Magazines: FORTUNE, PEOPLE, SPIN, TIME

  • Payment methods: CASH, CHARGE, CHECK, WIRE

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

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

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

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

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

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Strands hints, answers for March 25, 2026

Mashable - Wed, 03/25/2026 - 05:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

The words are related to snacks.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe things you buy at a theater.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Concessions.

NYT Strands word list for March 25

  • Fries

  • Popcorn

  • Soda

  • Beer

  • Concessions

  • Water

  • Candy

  • Pretzel

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

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

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 25, 2026

Mashable - Wed, 03/25/2026 - 05:00

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

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

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

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

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

More knowledgeable.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter W.

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

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

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

WISER

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

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

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

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

BTS bring Arirang to NYC and break down that chaotic Hooligan lyric

Mashable - Wed, 03/25/2026 - 04:28

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

View this post on Instagram

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

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

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

Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Spotify

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

View this post on Instagram

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

View this post on Instagram

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

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

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

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

Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Spotify

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

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

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

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

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

Meta loses major child safety trial, ordered to pay $375 million

Mashable - Wed, 03/25/2026 - 01:34

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

Turn your voice into text on your Mac for $50 with Voibe

Mashable - Wed, 03/25/2026 - 01:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Categories: IT General, Technology

OpenAI kills Sora video app, Disney kills deal

Mashable - Wed, 03/25/2026 - 00:18

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

This is the best Home Assistant project you can do in an hour

How-To Geek - Wed, 03/25/2026 - 00:00

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

Intel is artificially boosting CPU benchmark tests, says Geekbench

How-To Geek - Tue, 03/24/2026 - 23:43

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

Daredevil: Born Again season 2 release schedule shifted to make room for this key MCU Return

How-To Geek - Tue, 03/24/2026 - 23:15

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

18 wireless earbuds deals live ahead of Amazons Big Spring Sale

Mashable - Tue, 03/24/2026 - 22:56
Best early earbuds deals before the Big Spring Sale Best overall Apple AirPods Pro 3 $199.99 (save $49.01) Get Deal Best open earbuds deal Sony LinkBuds Clip $198 (save $31.99) Get Deal

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More open earbuds deals
Categories: IT General, Technology
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