Technology

The best Apple deals in Amazons Big Spring Sale: MacBooks, iPads, and Apple Watches at record-low prices

Mashable - Wed, 03/26/2025 - 23:00
The best Apple deals from Amazon's Big Spring Sale Best MacBook deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $949 (Save $50) Get Deal Best AirPods deal Apple AirPods Pro $169.99 (Save $79.01) Get Deal Best iPad deal Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M3, WiFi, 128GB) $549 (Save $50) Get Deal Best Apple Watch deal Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS, 42mm) $299 (Save $100) Get Deal

If you're looking for discounted Apple products, Amazon is a reliable place to grab them year-round.

However, during its Big Spring Sale, running from March 25 to 31, we're keeping our eyes peeled as even more deals go live. While the sale focuses primarily on "springtime favorites" like outdoor furniture and garden supplies, last year's inaugural BSS did bring some tech deals. Best of all, exempting a few exclusive offers, most deals are available to all customers, regardless of their Prime membership status.

SEE ALSO: 15+ robot vacuums on sale ahead of Amazon's Big Spring Sale

So far, we have spotted deals on new releases like the M3 iPad Air, 11-inch iPad, and M4 MacBook Airs. In addition to iPads, we also found a $400 markdown on the M3 13-inch MacBook Air and $170 price cut on the Beats Studio Pro. Again, while these deals aren't officially tied to the spring sale and can be found at other times of the year, these are still solid prices for any of these items.

We'll continue updating this post as the sale progresses, so check back if you're looking for the best Apple deals from Amazon's Big Spring Sale.

Note: Deals with a 🔥 next to them have dropped to record-low prices.

Best MacBook deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD)🔥 $949 at Amazon
$999 Save $50 Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review of the M4 MacBook Air.

Apple just dropped the M4 MacBook Air, and even at full price, we think it's a really good deal. In a divergence from last year's Air pricing, Apple started its 13-inch model at just $999 — with an M4 chip and the RAM upgrades Apple gave all its laptops last fall, this is the best value we've ever seen on an Apple laptop. Amazon slashed another $50 off the price, which, while admittedly not a jaw-dropping discount, helps make a great value even better. The biggest downside to this laptop is that it might be a little short on ports for some users, and then it tops out at a 60Hz refresh rate, but if you can work with that, the M4 Air is an excellent deal.

More MacBook and Mac dealsMacBook AirMacBook ProMacBest AirPods deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro $169.99 at Amazon
$249 Save $79.01 Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review of the AirPods Pro.

For Apple users, the AirPods Pro are an excellent pair of noise-cancelling earbuds, with some of the best noise cancellation and sound quality in the game. As the USB-C Pros near their second year anniversary, we can't say they're without a doubt the best on the market — their battery life could be better, for instance — but their age works in their favor for this price drop down to $169.99, which certainly makes some of their flaws easier to look past. We have seen these earbuds drop to $154 during Black Friday season, but we haven't seen that deal return since, making $170 the next best deal to grab them at.

More AirPods dealsBest iPad deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M3, WiFi, 128GB)🔥 $549 at Amazon
$599 Save $50 Get Deal Why we like it

The M3 iPad Air just hit the market earlier this month, but you can already grab it for $50 off. At the time of writing, the previous generation Air costs even more on Amazon at $599 (though you can grab it on sale for $499 at Best Buy). Beyond the chip upgrade, this iPad features plenty of Apple Intelligence integration, from the Photos and Notes apps, to the Writing Tools feature that uses ChatGPT. Though we've yet to test this tablet hands-on for ourselves, the M2 Air is our favorite iPad for most people — we imagine the M3 Air will follow suit.

More iPad dealsiPadiPad AiriPad miniBest Apple Watch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS, 42mm)🔥 $299 at Amazon
$399 Save $100 Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review of the Apple Watch Series 10.

The Apple Watch Series 10 only came out this past fall, making this $100 off deal especially impressive. Along with its larger wide-angle OLED display, Mashable Senior Editor Stan Schroeder found this smartwatch to be lighter than its predecessors, with an ultra-fast charge time. This watch generation introduced fitness features like a depth gauge, sleep apnea detection, and a Vitals app, but it's worth noting those features aren't exclusive to the Series 10. However, if your Series 6 has been on the fritz for a while, or you've never owned an Apple Watch, $299 is a solid price to grab Apple's latest smartwatch.

More Apple Watch dealsEven more Apple deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

The best live deals on tablets during Amazons Big Spring Sale 2025

Mashable - Wed, 03/26/2025 - 22:58

Get ready, because Amazon's Big Spring Sale is finally here. Running from March 25 to 31, the event will mostly feature deals on spring essentials and outdoor items, but that doesn't mean it'll be completely devoid of tech deals. Case in point: A bunch of tablets are on sale during the event, including some fan favorites. So far, we're finding some pretty decent discounts on iPads, Amazon Fire Tablets, and others that we think are worth giving a look.

SEE ALSO: Amazon has a lot of Apple Watch deals ahead of its Big Spring Sale, but shoppers should still wait to buy

If you (or your kid) are in need of a new tablet, check out our favorite deals from Amazon's Big Spring Sale below. And stay tuned to our coverage throughout the event, because we'll be updating you on all the best deals as soon as they pop up.

iPad dealsAmazon Fire tablet dealsMore tablet deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Get a Coleman Skydome Tent for under $75 during Amazons Big Spring Sale

Mashable - Wed, 03/26/2025 - 22:56

SAVE $40: As of March 26, you can get a four-person Coleman Skydome Tent for $74.99 at Amazon. That's a 35% discount and a $40 price cut.

Opens in a new window Credit: Coleman Coleman Skydome Tent $74.99 at Amazon
$114.99 Save $40 Get Deal

Usually, we tout REI for having the best camping gear and sales, but Amazon’s Big Spring Sale has been sneaking in some pretty solid deals, too.

Right now, you can get a four-person Coleman Skydome Tent for just $74.99. That’s a 35% discount and $40 off the list price. That’s an almost unbeatable price for a waterproof tent that can sleep four adults and has nearly 3,000 five-star ratings.

SEE ALSO: The best outdoor deals to shop in the Amazon Big Spring Sale

It’s available in other sizes (two-person, six-person, and eight-person) if you need more space or want something smaller. You can also choose whether you want a tent with PFAS or without — the tent listed in this deal post is the PFAS-free version.

This tent is great for a weekend camping trip or even a backyard campout, and it’s beginner-friendly, so you won’t have too much trouble setting it up. (Setup takes five minutes, according to the manufacturer’s description.) It can also withstand 35 mph winds and features WeatherTec system’s welded corners and inverted seams, just in case you get caught in a storm.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Im an e-reader expert and the only time you should buy the Kindle Scribe is when its on sale — like right now

Mashable - Wed, 03/26/2025 - 22:55
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle Scribe $339.99 at Amazon
$419.99 Save $80 Get Deal

I've spent a lot of time with Amazon's e-reader line-up, testing my way through each model. My preferred device is the Kindle Paperwhite, which never leaves my side. Unfortunately Amazon is being conservative with Kindle pricing during their Big Spring Sale. While the Paperwhite isn't on sale right now, the Kindle Scribe is.

The Amazon Kindle Scribe is a much larger e-reader in the line-up that offers something no other Kindle has: the ability to take notes. With the inclusion of the premium pen, users can jot down thoughts in a notebook or even annotate in the margins of books and PDFs. But it's honesty hour here — is the Scribe worth it?

At its standard retail price of $419.99, the Kindle isn't a great value. Sure the extra ability to take notes is a big draw (literally), but with that comes some downsides. Even in this redesigned model released in December 2024, the Scribe's performance drags. It often lags between pages, and the screen suffers a significant ghosting problem. Combined with the fact that it's the most expensive Kindle, I wouldn't encourage anyone to run out to buy it.

However, my opinion of the Scribe changes when it goes on sale. During Amazon's Big Spring Sale, the e-reader and note taker starts at $339.99, saving you an abundant $80. At that price, I think the Kindle Scribe is a much better purchase. If you're an annotator at heart or a student looking to mark up readings for class, the Scribe offers the feel of pen on paper with the convenience of a digital device. A price tag of $339.99 is the Kindle Scribe's lowest price ever, and therefore its best savings yet. So as an e-reader expert, I say if you're looking to buy one, let it be now.

Categories: IT General, Technology

350+ of the best live deals in the Amazon Big Spring Sale, selected by Mashables team of experts

Mashable - Wed, 03/26/2025 - 22:50

UPDATE: Mar. 26, 2025, 4:50 p.m. EDT This story has been updated with the latest deals from Amazon's Big Spring Sale.

The best Amazon Big Spring Sale deals at a glance: Best Kindle deal Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition (32GB) $224.99 (save $55) Get Deal Best Apple deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $949 (save $50) Get Deal Best headphones/earbuds deal Beats Studio Pro $179.95 (save $170.04) Get Deal Best robot vacuum deal Roborock Qrevo Master $799.99 (save $600) Get Deal Best smart home deal TP-Link Tapo Smart Light Bulbs (2-pack) $14.98 (save $10.01) Get Deal Best kitchen deal Stanley Quencher H2.0 Tumbler (40 ounces) $33.75 (save $11.25) Get Deal Best outdoor deal Coleman Montana Camping Tent (8-person) $143.58 (save $126.41) Get Deal Best book deal "Sunrise on the Reaping" by Suzanne Collins $19.59 (save $8.49) Get Deal

Amazon is springing a bunch of seasonal deals on shoppers. The retail giant is hosting its second-ever Big Spring Sale from Tuesday, March 25, through Monday, March 31, ushering in discounts on "end-of-season winter items" and "springtime favorites" across more than 35 categories, per its press release. Each day of the weeklong sale features "themed daily drops" on top of new limited-time offers.

The Big Spring Sale is Amazon's first major savings event of the year — and unlike its flagship summer Prime Day sale, the deals aren't exclusive to Prime members. Most of them, anyway: Prime members get access to a handful of special offers, which are identified with a "Prime Spring Deal" badge.

SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know about Amazon's Big Spring Sale: Dates, deals, and much more

Need help sifting through the noise? Mashable's shopping experts are keeping track of the best deals available at Amazon throughout the Big Spring Sale. (Our sister site CNET has extensive coverage of Amazon's Big Spring Sale, too.) With eight years of experience covering Amazon's sales under our belts, we've developed a tried-and-true deal-hunting methodology to find hidden gems among the retailer's myriad listings. We cross-check prices with Amazon's competitors, track pricing trends, and vet products' value based on our hands-on testing, and we only recommend what's most worth buying. You can read more about our deals coverage here.

Below, we've got a running list of Amazon's best Big Spring Sale deals on smart home devices, Apple gadgets, robot vacuums, outdoor gear, kitchen appliances, books, and much more. Check back daily to see what else we find.

Best Kindle dealsBundlesBest Apple dealsAirPodsApple Watches

Apple Watch Series 10

Apple Watch SE deals

Apple Watch Ultra deals

iPads

iPad

iPad Air

iPad Pro

MacBooks

MacBook Air

MacBook Pro

MacsApple accessoriesBest TV deals43-inch to 50-inch TVs55-inch TVs65-inch TVs75-inch and 77-inch TVs85-inch TVs and upBest laptop deals

For deals on MacBooks, scroll back up to the "Apple deals" section.

Windows laptops2-in-1 laptopsGaming laptopsBest tablet deals

For deals on iPads, scroll back up to the "Apple deals" section.

Amazon Fire tabletsAndroid tabletsBest headphone and earbud dealsHeadphonesBest earbuds dealsBest unlocked phone deals Samsung Galaxy phonesGoogle Pixel phonesMotorola phonesBest vacuum dealsRobot vacuumsRobot vacuum mop combosStick vacuumsBest home dealsAir purifiersBedding and mattressesRugs

  • Ruggable — save up to 21% on machine washable rugs

Echo smart home devicesHome security equipmentSmart bulbsSmart light switchesSmart plugsBest cleaning supplies dealsBest kitchen dealsAir fryers and countertop ovensBlenders and food processorsCoffee makersDrinkwareInstant Pots and multi-cookersRice cookersStand mixersBest fitness tracker dealsBest beauty tech dealsHair dryersHot toolsMulti-stylersSkincare techBest pet dealsAutomatic litter boxesAutomatic pet feedersBest outdoor dealsBest power tool dealsBest gaming dealsPlayStation gamesPlayStation hardware

Headsets

Accessories

Xbox gamesXbox hardware

Consoles

Controllers

Headsets

Nintendo Switch gamesNintendo Switch hardware

Controllers and accessories

Memory cards

Best Lego dealsBest book dealsFictionNon-fictionBest Pokémon dealsBest digital deals

  • Amazon Music Unlimited — get three months for free

  • Grubhub — save $5 on two $20+ food orders with $0 delivery fees with code HOOP5

  • Starz — add it to Prime Video for $1.99/month for three months (save $9/month)

Categories: IT General, Technology

25 best deals under $25 from Amazons Big Spring Sale

Mashable - Wed, 03/26/2025 - 22:40

UPDATE: Mar. 26, 2025, 4:28 p.m. EDT This post has been updated with even more deals under $15 from Amazon's Big Spring Sale.

Best deals for under $25 in the Amazon Big Spring Sale: Best tracker deal Tile by Life360 Mate (2024) Bluetooth Tracker $17.99 (save $7) Get Deal Best security camera deal TP-Link Tapo 1080p Indoor Security Camera $14.99 (save $10) Get Deal Best book deal Atomic Habits by James Clear (Hardcover) $9.66 (save $17.34) Get Deal

In case you haven’t noticed, life has become expensive. From eggs to gas to pretty much everything in between, the cost of living has skyrocketed, leaving many of us feeling the pinch. Luckily, even as inflation squeezes our budgets, there are still opportunities to find great deals, especially with Amazon and its never-ending sales.

We’re covering the Amazon Big Spring Sale, which officially started on March 25. While the main event is underway, there are tons of deals under $25 that are worth grabbing.

Here are our picks for the best items to scoop up during the sale:

Best tracker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Tile Tile by Life360 Mate (2024) Bluetooth Tracker $17.99 at Amazon
$24.99 Save $7 Get Deal Why we like it

If you’re going away for spring break, you might want to pick up a Bluetooth tracker to help you keep tabs on your belongings. These handy gadgets can be attached to your keys, bags, wallets, and anything else you want to keep a close eye on. The Tile by Life360 Mate (2024) Bluetooth Tracker is only $17.99 right now, down from its usual $24.99 price tag. That’s 28% off the list price and the lowest price we’ve seen for this model in recent months. It’s compatible with Android and iOS devices, has a 150-meter (around ~492 feet) Bluetooth range, and a three-year battery life. It’s water-resistant, too.

Best security camera deal Opens in a new window Credit: TP-Link TP-Link Tapo 1080p Indoor Security Camera $14.99 at Amazon
$24.99 Save $10.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Whenever I leave my apartment, I prop up a tiny off-brand camera to keep an eye on my pups. It’s not the best, but it’s enough to give me peace of mind.

If you’re looking for a more reliable indoor security camera, the TP-Link Tapo 1080p Indoor Security Camera is only $14.99 at Amazon. That’s 35% off the sticker price and just a few cents off the all-time low.

The Tapo camera can send you instant push notifications whenever movement, a person, or a crying baby is detected. It has night vision, two-way audio, and high-definition 1080p video. And at under $15, it's a budget-friendly way to keep an eye on your home.

Best book deal Opens in a new window Credit: Avery Atomic Habits by James Clear (Hardcover) $9.66 at Amazon
$27 Save $17.34 Get Deal Why we like it

We’re usually all about gadgets, but sometimes, it's nice to take a break from screens and dive into a good old-fashioned book.

The hardcover version of Atomic Habits by James Clear is only $9.66 right now (with an on-screen coupon), down from its usual $27 list price. That’s way cheaper than what you’ll find it for on the shelves. If you prefer the Kindle edition, that’s on sale for $12.99.

Atomic Habits is one of the most popular self-help books of the last few years, with over 20 million copies sold. It’s all about building better habits, one tiny change at a time — the perfect read if you're trying to make improvements in your life.

More deals under $25
Categories: IT General, Technology

DOGE staffer Big Balls allegedly involved with cybercrime ring

Mashable - Wed, 03/26/2025 - 22:36

Elon Musk's government project, DOGE, has been extremely controversial, to say the least. While not an official government agency, DOGE has been empowered by the Trump administration to go after so-called government fraud and waste. So far, DOGE has come up empty-handed.

However, that doesn't mean that Musk and his team haven't been busy gutting the federal government. DOGE's cuts to USAID have ended important life-saving programs for some of the world's most vulnerable communities. Essential federal employees, such as park rangers, have been fired. And DOGE continues to rifle through sensitive government data in order to put more items on the chopping block, such as Social Security.

But, DOGE's issues lie not just with what it's doing, but who is doing it. 

SEE ALSO: DOGE damage is just getting started, IT experts warn

WIRED reported on many of the names involved with DOGE last month and many of them were young, inexperienced tech workers in their teens and early 20s who idolize Musk. While concerning, this is not disqualifying on its own. However, as more is known about the Musk fanboys that Musk hired for DOGE, the more concerning and disqualifying it gets.

A new report from Reuters has uncovered that one of the young DOGE employees, 19-year-old Edward Coristine, previously was involved with a cybercrime group known as "EGodly." 

Coristine, also known by his online nickname "Big Balls," provided support for cybercriminals through his company DiamondCDN. In fact, EGodly has explicitly thanked Corisinte's company for helping them operate online.

"We extend our gratitude to our valued partners DiamondCDN for generously providing us with their amazing DDoS protection and caching systems, which allow us to securely host and safeguard our website," read a message from EGodly's Telegram channel which was shared with Reuters.

The cybercriminal group had previously claimed responsibility for hijacking phone numbers, hacking into law enforcement email accounts, and stealing cryptocurrency. In one specific incident, the group shared private details allegedly belonging to an FBI agent, including his phone number and photos of his house.

This is just the latest in a string of infractions against DOGE's young team.

In a previous report from Bloomberg, Coristine had been ID'd as a former employee of cybersecurity firm Path Network. Coristine was eventually fired for leaking internal company information to competitors.

But "Big Balls" isn't the only problem at DOGE. For example, another DOGE employee, 25-year-old Marko Elez, resigned from his position after his numerous racist social media posts were discovered. Elez had urged his followers to "normalize Indian hate."

"Just for the record, I was racist before it was cool," Elez said in another post. "You could not pay me to marry outside of my ethnicity." 

While Elez did resign, Musk rehired him just a day later to continue his work at DOGE.

It appears unlikely that Edward "Big Balls" Coristine will face any repercussions for his past actions either.

Categories: IT General, Technology

25+ of the best book deals in the Amazon Big Spring Sale

Mashable - Wed, 03/26/2025 - 22:30
The best Amazon Big Spring Sale book deals at a glance: Best overall book deal 'Sunrise on the Reaping' by Suzanne Collins $19.59 (save $8.40) Get Deal Best sci-fi book deal 'Project Hail Mary' by Andy Weir $13.98 (save $6.02) Get Deal Best non-fiction book deal 'Atomic Habits' by James Clear $9.66 (save $17.34 with on-page coupon) Get Deal Best fiction book deal 'God of the Woods' by Liz Moore $17 (save $13) Get Deal

Amazon sales are notorious for offering steep discounts on robot vacuums, Apple devices, tablets, and headphones. We're seeing plenty of sweet discounts in these categories now that the Amazon Big Spring Sale is underway, but we're also jazzed to see so many great deals in other categories — including books.

Nothing compares to the joy that comes from sitting in the warm spring air with a good book. Plus, these sale prices make this the perfect time to stock up on books for summer vacation.

SEE ALSO: The best Kindle deals in Amazon's Spring Sale

Check out these great book deals at Amazon if your bookshelf is feeling a bit bare after winter hibernation. The Big Spring Sale runs from March 25 through 31, so we'll update the list with any new deals that drop throughout the week.

Best overall book deal Opens in a new window Credit: Scholastic Press 'Sunrise on the Reaping' by Suzanne Collins $19.59 at Amazon
$27.99 Save $8.40 Get Deal Why we like it

The 50th annual Hunger Games is about to begin, and we're here for it. The latest novel in the saga, Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins, is the fifth book in the Hunger Games series, which just released on March 18.

A beloved character from previous novels, this latest story in the realm takes us along with Haymitch Abernathy as his name is called to serve as tribute for District 12. Get ready for 400 pages back in the Panem universe by grabbing Sunrise on the Reaping for $19.59 in hardcover, down from the list price of $27.99.

Best sci-fi book deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ballantine Books 'Project Hail Mary' by Andy Weir $13.98 at Amazon
$20 Save $6.02 Get Deal Why we like it

Ryland Grace wakes up feeling groggy and confused. Once he figures out what his name is, he might be able to progress in figuring it all out. Anyone who enjoyed Andy Weir's hit sci-fi book The Martian is bound to love Project Hail Mary. The paperback version is on sale during Amazon's Big Spring Sale for just $13.98, down from the standard price of $20.

Grabbing this title now is a great idea since you'll want to read Project Hail Mary before the motion picture starring Ryan Gosling hits theaters in 2026.

Best non-fiction book deal Opens in a new window Credit: Avery 'Atomic Habits' by James Clear $9.66 at Amazon
$27 Save $17.34 with on-page coupon Get Deal Why we like it

Although Atomic Habits isn't a brand new title, it's worth a read anytime — or a re-reading. Since the hardcover version is 56% off in the Amazon sale, there's no excuse not to add this title to your bookshelf. Author James Clear uses the 320 pages to dive into bad habits, good habits, change, goals, and more. If 2025 is your year of change, Atomic Habits is a great place to start.

Best fiction book deal Opens in a new window Credit: Riverhead Books 'The God of the Woods' by Liz Moore $17 at Amazon
$30 Save $13 Get Deal Why we like it

One of the best-selling thriller books of 2024, The God of the Woods by Liz Moore, is 43% off at Amazon, bringing the hardcover book down to just $17. Moore takes us back to summer camp in 1975 when early one morning a counselor realizes someone is missing from their bunk. It's not an ordinary camper. The missing teen is Barbara Van Leer — the daughter of the family that owns the camp. The complex thriller takes us down many storylines that weave together into the perfect thriller that's nearly impossible to put down.

More fiction book dealsMore non-fiction book deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

7 Linux Features I Miss Every Time I Boot into Windows 11

How-To Geek - Wed, 03/26/2025 - 22:30

Ever wondered what you're missing by sticking to Windows and not trying out Linux? As a dual booter, I jump between Linux and Windows every day, and I find Linux far more feature-rich compared to Windows.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best live deals under $50 in Amazons Big Spring Sale 2025

Mashable - Wed, 03/26/2025 - 22:29
Best Amazon Big Spring 2025 deals under $50: Best smart home deal under $50 Echo Pop $29.99 (Save $10) Get Deal Best earbuds deal under $50 Anker Soundcore Space A40 $44.99 (Save $35) Get Deal Best speaker deal under $50 JBL Go 3 $29.95 (Save $10) Get Deal Best tablet deal under $50 Amazon Fire 7 Tablet $44.99 (Save $15) Get Deal

Amazon is serving up a wide variety of deals during its Big Spring Sale, with a selection of great offers akin to what you might find for Prime Day. That goes double for sales on tech and adjacent categories. If you're looking for a new pair of earbuds at a great price or even a new tablet, you can snag some surprisingly great deals during the event. You just need to know where to look. We've done the legwork for you, so all you have to worry about is kicking back, relaxing, and getting your shop on.

Check out some of the best Amazon Big Spring Sale deals under $50 we've found so far below, from streaming devices to earbuds and everything in between. We'll continue to update it as the sales go on, as there are additional deals being added every day. Keep checking back for additional updates.

Smart home deals under $50Streaming device deals under $50Earbud deals under $50Headphone deals under $50Speaker deals under $50Bluetooth tracker deals under $50Charging accessory deals under $50Security equipment deals under $50
Categories: IT General, Technology

Instagram pulls the plug on Content Notes

Mashable - Wed, 03/26/2025 - 22:28

You might not know what Instagram's Content Notes feature is, but your opportunity to familiarize yourself with it is gone.

A few months ago, Instagram introduced Content Notes. Apparently, not many people used it, so today, they're removing the feature.

"We're going to turn off Content Notes. If you don't know, Content Notes are the ability to add a note to a photo, a Reel, or a carousel on Instagram that your friends can see, but not everybody can see. And we launched it a few months ago in an effort to try to make Instagram more social and more fun," Instagram head Adam Mosseri said in a post on the social media platform. "But in practice, it just wasn't adopted by that many people."

View this post on Instagram

Often, the removal of a feature is met with disbelief and disappointment by those who use it. But not that many people used the feature anyway, so the responses are pretty supportive. Most of the comments under Mosseri's posts are the hand clap emoji or people saying things like, "I don’t think I even knew I had content notes." Of course, Mosseri has comments limited on the post, so this is likely swayed a bit.

SEE ALSO: Facebook, Instagram beta testing Community Notes in the U.S.

But that messaging does seem to align with how people reacted when the feature was launched. On Reddit, one user said, "It’s really annoying. Is there a way to turn it off? There’s some much shit clogging up my home feed already, the last thing I want is to see is MORE posts from accounts I don’t even follow." Multiple people responded in agreement.

And "clogging up" the home feed seems to be behind at least part of the reasoning behind Mosseri's decision to remove the feature.

"And we know Instagram has become too complicated over the years, and one of the ways we want to address that is being willing to turn off features that aren't used by enough or that many people, and Content Notes is one of those features," Mosseri said in his Instagram Reel. "We're going to continue to explore more ways of making Instagram fun and social and bring friends out in the experience, but Content Notes isn't it. So more things to come in terms of new features, but also in terms of things that we turn off."

Categories: IT General, Technology

Microsoft Is Finally Fixing Remote Desktop on Windows 11

How-To Geek - Wed, 03/26/2025 - 22:22

If you've tried to use remote desktop on your Windows 11 computer after installing the 24H2 major update, you might have found the experience to be less than ideal. Now, Microsoft has acknowledged this, and a fix is on the way.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Sarah Wynn-Williams Careless People is 30% off at Amazon

Mashable - Wed, 03/26/2025 - 22:20

SAVE 30%: As of March 26, you can get Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism for $23.09 at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Flatiron Books Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism (Hardcover) $23.09 at Amazon
$32.99 Save $9.90 Get Deal

The book Facebook doesn't want you to read? It's on sale.

Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism, Sarah Wynn-Williams' explosive tell-all, is sparking controversy and climbing bestseller lists. “Amazing: of all the books in all the world Mr. Free Speech Zuckerberg wants to ban, it’s the one about him,” says Guardian columnist Marina Hyde.

SEE ALSO: The book Facebook doesn't want you to read: What you need to know

Right now, you can get Careless People in hardcover for just $23.09 (list price $32.99) at Amazon. That’s a 30% discount and a seriously good price for a book critics call “unbelievable and necessary.” You can also get the Kindle edition for $16.99 or the audiobook for $0.99 with an Audible membership.

Almost immediately after its publication, an arbitrator (requested by Meta) issued Wynn-Williams a gag order, preventing her from publicly promoting or discussing the book. Despite this attempt to silence her, Careless People reached the top of the New York Times Best-Seller list and is now No. 3 on Amazon’s best-seller list.

Categories: IT General, Technology

You Can Get the Newest Ring Doorbell for 45% Off

How-To Geek - Wed, 03/26/2025 - 22:04

Amazon's Big Spring Sale features a hefty discount on the Ring Battery Doorbell. This is the newest version, and it's getting a 45% drop in price, which is the lowest it has ever been.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This Tiny and Rare Sony CRT Is My Holy Grail

How-To Geek - Wed, 03/26/2025 - 22:00

Every geek has a list of gadgets that, if you had the money and opportunity, you'd buy in a heartbeat. The Sony GDM-FW900 CRT monitor is one of mine, but at the other end of the spectrum is the teeny-tiny Sony WatchCube KVX-370.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Heres where to buy legit solar eclipse glasses thatll arrive before Saturdays eclipse

Mashable - Wed, 03/26/2025 - 21:54

If you missed the lunar eclipse earlier this month, the sky has another treat in store for certain parts of the U.S. this Saturday morning.

Starting around 6:30 to 7 a.m. ET on Saturday, March 29, the Northeast region of the country will be treated to a partial solar eclipse. Weather and cloud cover pending, the solar eclipse means parts of Maryland, Massachusetts, Washington D.C., New York, Maine, and Pennsylvania will be privy to watching the moon pass by the sun.

According to NASA charts, you'll need to travel outside the country to get the largest eclipse coverage. Halifax, Canada, will get 83 percent coverage and Nuuk, Greenland, is posed to get 87 percent. In the U.S., Portland, Maine, is in for the highest totality, reaching 64 percent at 6:30 a.m. ET on Saturday.

Before you look up when the moon passes directly over the sun, consider protecting your eyes. Your everyday sunglasses won't cut it, so it's important to prepare in advance by snagging specialized solar eclipse glasses. Unfortunately, like much of the internet, illegitimate options exist, and since we're talking about the same two eyes you'll have for your whole life, it's worth doing the research to be sure you're wearing certified and legitimate solar eclipse glasses.

Buying certified solar eclipse glasses is both super easy and also frustratingly hard. The American Astronomical Society has a comprehensive list of solar eclipse glasses that meet ISO 12312-2 international standard. The problem is the list is impressively long. But if you don't feel like sorting through the list to find options that are both certified and will arrive before Saturday, we did the leg work for you.

Below is a list of solar eclipse glasses available at Amazon that should show up before the solar eclipse on Saturday morning. All options here come from legitimate manufacturers listed on the American Astronomical Society's roundup.

Categories: IT General, Technology

These Are the 7 Best Ways to Run Home Assistant

How-To Geek - Wed, 03/26/2025 - 21:00

Home Assistant is powerful open-source home automation software that allows you to control a huge number of different smart home devices, regardless of which smart home ecosystem they're designed to work with. You can use it to create powerful automations to make your smart home do almost anything you can think of.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Get $10 for free with this Amazon and TurboTax deal

Mashable - Wed, 03/26/2025 - 20:59

SAVE $34: As of March 26, get TurboTax Deluxe + State 2024 and a $10 Amazon gift card for just $55.99 at Amazon. That's a $34 discount, plus a free gift card.

Opens in a new window Credit: TurboTax TurboTax Deluxe + State 2024 + $10 Amazon gift card (PC/Mac download) $55.99 at Amazon
$89.99 Save $34.00 Get Deal

Getting your taxes done is just about as thrilling as making a trip to the DMV or dentist, but it’s also necessary. If you’re looking for a way to get ‘em done on the cheap (and on time), Amazon’s got a deal on TurboTax Deluxe + State 2024.

As of March 26, you can get TurboTax Deluxe + State 2024 for just $55.99 and receive a $10 Amazon gift card for free. That’s way cheaper than paying someone to do it for you, and thanks to the step-by-step walkthroughs TurboTax provides, it’s also not that hard. All you have to do is follow the download instructions, register or log in, and start filing.

SEE ALSO: How to manage quarterly taxes as a solopreneur

TurboTax’s Deluxe service is specifically designed for homeowners and people who donate to charity, so if either of those applies to you, you’ll definitely want to make sure you’re using this version.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Google Assistant Will No Longer Work With Waze on iPhone

How-To Geek - Wed, 03/26/2025 - 20:58

Waze has long been one of the most reliable alternatives to Google Maps, which is why Google acquired it over a decade ago. But Google has left it out to dry for nearly a year with broken Assistant integration. The solution? Remove it altogether.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Samsung's 50-Inch QLED 4K TV Is 36% Off Today

How-To Geek - Wed, 03/26/2025 - 20:43

Amazon is currently offering a big discount on the 50-inch Samsung QN90D Mini-LED TV as part of its Big Spring Sale. This deal could save you $500 on a great TV.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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