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SAVE OVER $20: As of March 28, Levi's Women's cinch baggy jeans are on sale in Amazon's Big Spring Sale. Get 30% off their list price for a limited time.

Opens in a new window Credit: Levi's Levi's Women's Cinch Baggy Jeans $55.65 at Amazon
$79.50 Save $23.85 Get Deal

Looking to give your closet a springtime refresh? Now's your chance to stock up on a selection of new threads with some great deals available in Amazon's Big Spring Sale. According to our sources at Amazon, there has been a lot of interest in cinch-waist jeans during this event. That makes sense, because baggy jeans are back. We've been seeing them all over TikTok.

There's a nice selection of cinch-waist baggy jeans on sale right now that are worth a look. Our personal favorites are the Levi's Women's Cinch Baggy jeans, which are 30% off their list price of $79.50, down to $55.65. If you're curious to see more baggy jeans on sale right now, particularly from Levi's, you can see a full list of options here.

SEE ALSO: When does Amazon's Big Spring Sale end?

These jeans are a stylish addition to your wardrobe, and they're made even better with a discount like this. Levi's normally come with a hefty price tag, so sales like this are a great opportunity to score the biggest styles of the moment at a price that's much kinder on your wallet. The Levi's Women's Cinch Baggy jeans come in two different colors that are on sale right now, so you can choose between a standard denim color (called Chasing Dreams) or a much lighter option (called Never Going to Change) for $55.65.

There are plenty more options to look through as well during Amazon's Big Spring Sale. Have a look through Amazon's big list of jeans deals and scoop up the Levi's Cinch Baggy jeans while they're still available at this low price.

Looking for more of the best discounts available during Amazon's Big Spring Sale? For an overall look at the best deals across a variety of categories, check out our roundup of 350+ of the best live deals in the Amazon Big Spring Sale to see our favorites from the sale event so far.

SAVE $100: As of March 28, the Amazon Fire TV 43-inch 4-Series is on sale for $239.99 at Amazon. That's a 27% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV 43-Inch 4-Series $239.99 at Amazon
$329.99 Save $90 Get Deal

Amazon's Spring Sale is well underway and you'll find a huge list of discounts on TVs of all sizes. And if you're looking for an Amazon TV, you can pick up the Amazon Fire TV 43-inch 4-Series for its lowest-ever price. As of March 28, this impressive TV is reduced by 27% to only $239.99.

Stats-wise, you won't be disappointed; it has 4K Ultra HD, HDR 10, HLG, and Dolby Digital Plus, all giving you unbelievable clarity, brighter colors, and vivid detail in your favorite TV shows and movies.

SEE ALSO: Get $30 off the Apple Pencil Pro in the Amazon Spring Sale

Like most Amazon devices, it has Alexa built in, so you can easily search for your favorite movies, launch apps, and control content. You can enjoy also shows from all the major streaming services, including Netflix, Disney+, and of course, Prime Video.

The Fire TV can also connect with your smart home Alexa devices, including doorbells, lightbulbs, and speakers. For example, pair up your TV with your Echo speakers to create an immersive home theater atmosphere for your next movie night. Plus, there are four HDMI inputs to connect gaming devices, sound accessories, cables, and other equipment seamlessly.

Head to Amazon's Big Spring Sale to grab this great deal.

SAVE $30: As of March 28, the Apple Pencil Pro is on sale for $99 in the Amazon Spring Sale. That's a 23% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Pencil Pro $99 at Amazon
$129 Save $30 Get Deal

The Apple Pencil Pro is the latest in Apple's range of stylus pens. Released in 2024, the new and improved pencil features an impressive list of upgrades and new features. And as we hit the midpoint of the Amazon Big Spring Sale, you'll find a $30 discount on this popular stylus.

This is a more advanced model than previous editions, with much-improved control. By just rotating the pencil you can change the brush or pen tool settings mid-drawing. The squeeze interaction is also new and allows users to change modes or activate tools simply by squeezing the pencil.

SEE ALSO: This Amazon Spring Sale deal on the Eufy X10 Pro Omni robot vacuum is one of the best we've seen

The Pencil Pro also includes haptic feedback. This clever feature essentially mimics the feeling of writing or drawing on real paper, delivering subtle vibrations to match the activity being performed on the iPad.

Similar to the Apple Pencil 2, the Pro can be charged wirelessly by magnetically attaching it to the side of compatible iPads. According to Apple, the Apple Pencil Pro is compatible with the iPad Pro 13-inch (M4), iPad Air 11-inch (M2 and M3), iPad Air 13-inch (M2 and M3), iPad Air 13-inch (M2), iPad mini (A17 Pro), iPad Pro 11-inch (M4), iPad Air 11-inch (M2)iPad Pro 13-inch (M4), iPad Air 11-inch (M2 and M3), iPad Air 13-inch (M2 and M3), iPad Air 13-inch (M2), iPad mini (A17 Pro), iPad Pro 11-inch (M4), and iPad Air 11-inch (M2).

Find this deal in Amazon's Big Spring Sale now.

SAVE $580: As of March 28, the DJI Power 1000 Portable Power Station is available for $419 at Amazon. That’s 58% off its regular price of $999 during the Amazon Spring Sale.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Power 1000 Portable Power Station $419 at Amazon
$999 Save $580 Get Deal

I’ve wanted a portable power station that doesn’t sound like the airport runway and doesn’t require a PhD to operate. DJI must’ve been listening. The DJI Power 1000 is currently $580 off at Amazon, bringing it down to $419 from its usual $999. This deal is so good I’m thinking about camping (and I don’t even like camping).

This thing charges fast. Like, full battery in 70 minutes fast. It hits 80% in just 50 minutes with a standard AC outlet, or you can plug it into a solar panel and still get topped up in 80. I think that's pretty generous for a 1024Wh beast that can power your laptop, camera, and probably a small village.

SEE ALSO: The best Apple deals in Amazon's Big Spring Sale: New iPads and M4 MacBook Airs are already on sale

What really sold me is how quiet it is. At 23 decibels, it’s certified whisper-level silent. I’ve heard louder air purifiers. If you’re working in a van, filming in the wild, or just hate noise pollution, this is a solid win.

• Price: $419 $999 (save $580)

• Retailer: Amazon

• Battery Capacity: 1024Wh

• Output Wattage: 2200W continuous, 2600W peak

• Fast Charging: 0–80% in 50 mins, 100% in 70 mins (AC)

• Noise Level: 23 dB ultra-quiet

• USB-C Ports: Dual 140W fast-charging output

• Weight: 32.56 lbs

• Drone Compatibility: Charges DJI Mavic 3 and Air 3 (with optional cables)

• Battery Life: Up to 4000 cycles, 10-year life

• Warranty: 3 years (extendable to 5)

• In the Box: DJI Power 1000, AC Power Cable

It's rugged too. The LiFePO4 battery can handle up to 4000 cycles and still keep going, which means it’ll probably outlive your car. DJI even throws in a three-year warranty (and lets you bump it to five years). Honestly, I appreciate the commitment to overachieving.

If you're tired of choosing between sketchy off-brand power banks and noisy generators, this deal feels like a real upgrade. I’ll take clean power, peace and quiet, and an excuse to ignore emails in the woods.

SAVE $35: As of March 28, Soundcore by Anker Space A40 earbuds are available for $44.99 at Amazon. That’s 44% off their regular price of $79.99 during the Amazon Spring Sale.

Opens in a new window Credit: Mashable Photo Composite Soundcore Space A40 Earbuds $44.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $35.00 Get Deal

I’ve tested enough budget earbuds to know the usual drill: decent sound, good battery life, and noise cancellation don't usually come together at a budget price point. But Soundcore Space A40 earbuds are different. Amazon has them for $44.99 right now (down from $79.99), and I honestly don’t know how they’re pulling this off.

These things reduce ambient noise by up to 98%, and the ANC adjusts independently depending on where you are. I want my tech to be smarter than me, but not in a condescending way, and these earbuds walk that fine line beautifully. The sound is also surprisingly rich — Soundcore’s dual-layer drivers make everything from podcasts to playlists sound like I have better taste than I do.

SEE ALSO: The best Apple deals in Amazon's Big Spring Sale: New iPads and M4 MacBook Airs are already on sale

Battery life? Wild. You get 10 hours from the earbuds and 50 total with the case. And if you somehow forget to charge them (I always do), a 10-minute top-up gives you four hours of mercy listening. I think all devices should offer this kind of forgiveness.

• Price: $44.99 $79.99 (save $35)

• Retailer: Amazon

• Earbud Type: In-ear, wireless

• Battery Life: 10 hours (buds), 50 hours total with case

• Noise Cancellation: Auto-adjusting ANC (up to 98% noise blocked)

• Audio: Hi-Res Audio, LDAC support

• Charging: Wireless and fast charging (10 min = 4 hrs)

• Colors Available: Blue, Black, White, Green, Purple

• App Support: Yes (custom EQ and controls)

Fit-wise, they’re pretty much weightless. They’re smaller than Soundcore’s older ANC models and shaped to nestle into your ears like they want to be there. I wore them through a Zoom call, a walk, and a doomscroll session without even noticing. Plus, the app lets you tweak the EQ and controls if you’re feeling fancy.

In my opinion, $44.99 is a steal for what you’re getting here. I’ve paid more for earbuds that did way less and looked like Bluetooth-era leftovers. If you’re even thinking about upgrading, this deal is a green light with fireworks.

Another day, another story about the Trump cabinet's impressively lax digital security. Following on from the Signal group chat leak, we now have a growing number of blunders to add to the list, from Venmo lists to passwords and personal details.

"This scandal won't be going away anytime soon, because Mike Waltz has made a key strategic error: Being an idiot everywhere at all times," says Stephen Colbert in the Late Show clip above, referring to the recent Wired report that national security advisor Waltz had left his Venmo friends list public for all to see. "So who were Mike Waltz's Venmo buddies? A bunch of politicians, a couple lobbyists, as well as some of his personal vendors like real estate agents, a tailor, and doctors. He's Venmo'ing his doctor? My man, if your doctor takes Venmo, that ain't a doctor."

Colbert goes on to talk about another recent report from Der Spiegel that revealed the personal data and passwords of top officials – including Mike Waltz – were accessible online.

"These are our highest ranking security officials!" says Colbert. "I don't think we should trust these people with anything top secret. Hell, I don't think we should trust these people with anything Pop Secret."

Where to stream 2025 March Madness online for free 5-Day Free Trial DirectTV $86.99 per month (after trial) Shop Now 7-Day Free Trial Fubo $79.99 per month (after trial) Shop Now 3-Day Free Trial Hulu + Live TV $82.99 per month (after trial) Shop Now 7-Day Free Trial Paramount+ $7.99 per month (after trial) Shop Now

We're in the middle of March Madness and ending the week with the Sweet 16. College basketball fans are in for a treat as they watch the nation’s best teams battle it out for the top spot and championship trophy. 

The second-seed Michigan State and sixth-seed Ole Miss will go head-to-head this week. Michigan State top scorer Jaden Akins and Forward Jaxon Kohler are the ones to watch, but Ole Miss powerhouse Sean Pedulla has been dominating the court this season.

If you want to watch Michigan State vs. Ole Miss for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Michigan State vs. Ole Miss?

Michigan State vs. Ole Miss starts at 7:09 p.m. ET on March 28. This second-round game takes place at State Farm Arena.

How to watch Michigan State vs. Ole Miss for free

Michigan State Spartans vs. Ole Miss Rebels is available to watch on CBS. It is possible to access CBS with a range of streaming services that offer free trials:

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

• Fubo (seven-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 Michigan State vs. Ole Miss (plus more March Madness games) without actually spending anything.

How to watch Michigan State vs. Ole Miss 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 of Michigan State vs. Ole Miss. 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 March Madness from anywhere in the world by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.

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

5. Live stream Michigan State vs. Ole Miss for free from anywhere in the world

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport from anywhere in the world, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the U.S.

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (2-Year Subscription + 4 Months Free) $139 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

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 deals

• The Housemaid by Freida McFadden — $4.64 $12.99 (save $8.35 with on-page coupon)

• Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell — $5.87 $16 (save $10.13 with on-page coupon)

• The Martian by Andy Weir — $5.99 $17 (save $11.01 with on-page coupon)

• The Secrets of Us by Lucinda Berry — $6.13 $15.95 (save $9.82)

• The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett — $6.33 $18 (save $11.67 with on-page coupon)

• Anxious People by Fredrik Backman — $7.03 $18.99 (save $11.96)

• The Best of Friends by Lucinda Berry — $7.22 $15.95 (save $8.73)

• Wild Eyes (Deluxe Edition) by Elsie Silver — $8.99 $17.99 (save $9)

• The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride — $10.25 $28 (save $17.75 with on-page coupon)

• One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware — $10.99 $29.99 (save $19 with on-page coupon)

• I Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger — $13.51 $28 (save $14.49)

• The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters — $16.16 $28 (save $11.84)

• The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune — $18.07 $28.99 (save $10.92)

• The Wedding People by Alison Espach — $18.37 $28.99 (save $10.62)

• We Solve Murders by Richard Osman — $18.94 $30 (save $11.06)

• Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix — $19.86 $32 (save $12.14)

• The Handmaid's Tale and The Testaments box set by Margaret Atwood — $23.02 $35 (save $11.98)

More non-fiction book deals

• The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion — $6.40 $18 (save $11.60 with on-page coupon)

• Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner — $9.85 $17 (save $7.15)

• Women in White Coats by Olivia Campbell — $7.06 $18.99 (save $11.93 with on-page coupon)

• The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron — $7.79 $20 (save $12.21 with on-page coupon)

• The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins — $10.45 $29.99 (save $19.54 with on-page coupon)

• Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles — $13.29 $24 (save $10.71)

• The Last Yakuza: Life and Death in the Japanese Underworld by Jake Adelstein — $15.35 $22 (save $6.65)

• Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism by Sarah Wynn-Williams — $23.09 $32.99 (save $9.90)

• The Wager by David Grann — $16.05 $30 (save $13.95)

• The Tell by Amy Griffin — $20.30 $29 (save $8.70)

The best Target Circle Week deals at a glance: BEST DEAL OVERALL Peacock Premium free for 3 months (save $23.97) Get Deal BEST GIFT CARD DEAL Spend $50 on household essentials get a $15 Target gift card Get Deal BEST TECH DEAL Beats Solo Buds (Target-exclusive Arctic Purple) $49.99 (save $30) Get Deal BEST TOY DEAL Select Lego sets save up to 30% Get Deal BEST HOME DEAL Bissell Little Green Max portable carpet cleaner $89.99 (save $50) Get Deal BEST BOOK DEAL Select books, movies, music Buy 2 get 1 free Get Deal

It's almost been a year since Target launched its Target Circle 360 membership. What better way to celebrate than with a sale?

Unsurprisingly, this one-year anniversary celebration happens to fall alongside Amazon's Big Spring Sale. Coincidence? Never. We knew the mega-retailer wouldn't pass up the chance to compete with Mr. Bezos. Enter: Target Circle Week.

"We are thrilled to celebrate the one-year anniversary of Target Circle 360 with our best Target Circle Week yet," said Cara Sylvester, Target's executive vice president and chief guest experience officer, in a press release. "Target Circle members will receive the biggest deals on thousands of items from the latest in spring style to everyday favorites that are always on the checklist."

Target Circle Week is an exclusive savings event for Target Circle members, held multiple times a year. Non-coincidentally, it tends to occur at the same times as major shopping events at Amazon, like Prime Day and Black Friday. Here's everything you need to know about the competing spring sale at Target.

When is Target Circle Week?

As a shock to nobody, Target Circle Week will overlap with the Amazon Big Spring Sale (which runs March 25 to 31). Circle Week officially kicked off on March 23 at 3:00 a.m. ET and runs through March 29, delivering seven days of exclusive deals. The discounts will be available to Target Circle members on the Target app and website, as well as in stores.

How to sign up for Target Circle

Target Circle Week requires a membership to shop, but unlike Prime or Walmart Plus, Target Circle is free to join. Here's how:

1. Head to Target.com/circle and choose "Create account."

2. Enter your full name, email address, and phone number.

3. Choose whether to use a password or passkey (fingerprint, face ID, or pin) to sign in.

4. Select "Create account." You are now a Target Circle member and are free to shop the savings event when it goes live.

Early access for Target Circle 360 members

For the first time, Target Circle 360 members will get early access to select deals 24 hours before they open to all Target Circle members.

Target Circle 360 members can shop the following deals before anyone else: 

• 40% off Deal of the Day for Performance for the family

• 30% off Deal of the Day for all Heyday electronic and tech accessories

• 30% off tees, tanks, dresses and shorts for the family 

• Gourmia Digital Air Fryer (6-quart) — $39.99 $69.99 (save $30)

• Beats Solo Buds (Target-exclusive Arctic Purple) — $49.99 $79.99 (save $30)

• Up to 30% off select Lego 

Target Circle 360 is a paid membership that offers unlimited same-day delivery from Target, access to a curated marketplace of other retailers and grocers via Shipt.com, free two-day shipping on eligible items, and other exclusive benefits and experiences. Typically $99 for the year, memberships are on sale for just $49 from March 16 through 29. That's 50% in savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: Target Target Circle 360 one-year membership $49
$99 Save $50 Get Deal Best Target Circle Week deals

Target Circle Week will feature deals on "must-have spring items," which coincidentally encompasses just about everything from home essentials and beauty products to books and toys. Mashable's shopping experts will be following the Target Circle Week sale closely and updating this list with any new noteworthy deals that drop through March 29. Here's a look at some of the best featured deals.

Peacock Premium deal

Another first for Target Circle Week: three free months of Peacock Premium. Thanks to a special, limited-time partner perk, new and returning Peacock subscribers can sign up for the ad-supported tier at no cost from March 9 through March 29. Conveniently, Wicked started streaming on March 21 on Peacock — just saying.

Of course, once the three-month promotional period expires, you'll be charged full price (currently $7.99 per month), and your subscription will auto-renew monthly. You can cancel anytime to avoid further charges.

Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium Get 3 free months free with Target Circle Get Deal Target's Deal of the Day

As stated in the press release, Target Circle Week will bring back the customer-favorite "Deal of the Day." Limited-time unique deals will pop up (and then disappear) for members to shop. Similar to Amazon's Lightning deals, they'll only stick around for 24 hours. Keep an eye out for these exclusive discounts each day of the sale. So far, we've seen the Instant Pot 7-in-1 Rio Wide down to $79.99 from $129.99 and 25% off Hearth & Hand with Magnolia home products.

Here's a sneak peek at some of the upcoming deals:

• Dyson V8 Origin cordless stick vacuum (March 25)

• 30% off women's denim (March 25)

• BOGO 50% off pet toys and accessories (March 26)

• 40% off rugs (March 26)

• 40% off select jewelry and accessories (March 27)

• 50% off Brightroom Y-Weave storage items (March 27)

• 40% off sandals & shoes for all (March 28)

• 30% off Gigglescape toys (March 28)

• 30% off swimsuits for all (March 29)

• 30% off All In Motion fitness items & water bottles (March 29)

Gift card reward deals

• Spend $50 on household essentials and get a $15 Target gift card

• Spend $40 on select beauty and self-care items and get a $10 Target gift card 

• Spend $30 on select Ulta Beauty at Target products and get a $5 Target gift card

Best Target Circle Week tech deals

• Logitech M317 mouse — $12.99 $17.99 (save $5)

• Roku Express HD — $17.99 $29.99 (save $12)

• Blink Mini 2 — $19.99 $39.99 (save $20)

• Beats Flex — $39.99 $69.99 (save $30)

• Beats Solo Buds (Target-exclusive Arctic Purple) — $49.99 $79.99 (save $30)

• HP DeskJet 2855e wireless printer — $49.99 $84.99 (save $35)

• Yoto Mini audio player — $55.99 $69.99 (save $14)

• Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids — $84.99 $139.99 (save $55)

• Beats Solo 4 — $99.99 $199.99 (save $100)

• Apple AirPods 4 — $99.99 $129.99 (save $30)

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

• Soundcore Sleep A20 earbuds — $119.99 $149.99 (save $30)

• Fitbit Versa 4 — $159.95 $199.95 (save $40)

• Beats Studio Pro — $179.99 $349.99 (save $170)

• Samsung 3.0ch Soundbar — $179.99 $249.99 (save $70)

• Vizio 43-inch 4K LED Smart TV — $199.99 $239.99 (save $40)

• Garmin vivoactive 5 — $219.99 $299.99 (save $80)

• Hisense 55-inch 4K Google TV — $259.99 $299.99 (save $40)

• Kindle Scribe — $264.99 $339.99 (save $75)

• GoPro Hero13 Black — $329.99 $399.99 (save $70) + get $25 Target gift card

• Bose Smart Soundbar — $399.99 $499.99 (save $100)

• Insta360 x4 action camera — $424.99 $499.99 (save $75)

Best Target Circle Week toy deals

• Save $10 when you spend $50 on select toys

• Save $5 when you spend $30 on select toys

• Save up to 30% on select Lego sets

• Save up to 40% on select toys and entertainment

Best Target Circle Week home deals

• Oster 4-slice stainless steel toaster — $34.99 $49.99 (save $15)

• Oster 2-in-1 one-touch blender — $38.99 $54.99 (save $16)

• Shark Professional steam pocket mop — $59.99 $109.99 (save $50)

• Keurig K-Mini Go coffee maker — $69.99 $99.99 (save $30)

• Instant Pot Vortex Plus air fryer (6-quart) — $79.99 $118.99 (save $39)

• Bissell Little Green Max portable carpet cleaner — $89.99 $139.99 (save $50)

• Nutribullet Ultra 1200w personal blender — $89.99 $129.99 (save $40)

• Shark Rocket HV301 corded stick vacuum — $119.99 $199.99 (save $80)

• Bissell Little Green Pet Pro portable carpet cleaner — $119.99 $159.99 (save $40)

• Bissell CleanView Swivel Rewind Pet Reach vacuum — $135.99 $175.99 (save $40)

• Shark UltraLight Pet Pro corded stick vacuum — $149.99 $229.99 (save $80)

• Shark IX141H Pet cordless stick vacuum — $199.99 $259.99 (save $60)

• Shark Air Purifier MAX — $199.99 $279.99 (save $80)

• Dyson Ball Animal 3 Total Clean upright vacuum — $279.99 $449.99 (save $170)

• Shark Stratos AZ3002 upright vacuum — $299.99 $479.99 (save $180)

• Shark Detect Pro cordless stick vacuum + auto-empty dock — $299.99 $449.99 (save $150)

• GE Profile Opal nugget countertop ice maker — $349.99 $499.99 (save $150)

Even more deals

• Buy 2 get 1 free select books, movies, music

• Get up to $100 Target Gift Card with select Therabody purchases

• Save 30% on select garden products

A peek at the best stick vacuum deals in Amazon's Big Spring Sale: Best under $200 Dreame R10 149.99 at Amazon (save $50) Get Deal Best self-emptying deal Shark Clean & Empty $299.99 at Amazon (save $100) Get Deal

There are two types of spring cleaners in the world: The ones who wish they could unwind while the job is done for them, or the ones who classify a deep clean as their ideal unwinding activity. In terms of floor care, the latter group is probably eyeing up a manual vacuum over a robot vacuum, and Amazon's Big Spring Sale is a great time to get one on sale.

SEE ALSO: The Roborock Saros 10R aces one thing that most other robot vacuums can't

Amazon's selection of stick vacuum deals exemplifies the diversity of solid, affordable options in between the rinky-dink Dyson dupes on TikTok and pricey Dysons themselves. Amazon actually isn't a great place to find Dyson vacuums on sale — Walmart or Dyson's own website are way better bets for Dyson, while brands like Shark, Samsung, and Tineco flood Amazon.

Below, I'm tracking the best cordless stick vacuum deals through the end of the Big Spring Sale, which runs March 25 to 31. (Though if you're open to automating this chore, I'd recommend considering the robot vacuum deals at Amazon, too.) Note: Deals with a 🔥 next to them have dropped to record-low prices.

Best stick vacuum deal from Amazon's Spring Sale Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark Clean & Empty cordless vacuum with auto-empty system $299.99 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $100 Get Deal Why we like it

Self-emptying robot vacuums are way more common than self-emptying stick vacuums, but that doesn't mean they don't exist. After all, you shouldn't be saddled with the task of manual dustbin emptying just because you happen to prefer manual sweeping. Shark gets that, even if Dyson still doesn't.

This Shark Clean & Empty is like a diet version of the Shark PowerDetect and Shark Detect Pro cordless vacuums that I've tested. Like those slightly pricier models, it automatically adjusts suction power based on floor type and automatically empties its debris into the docking station where it charges. It also comes with a motorized hand tool — a crucial addition if you'll also be cleaning pet hair off of furniture.

More stick vacuums on sale

• Eureka RapidClean Pro — $116.99 $149.99 (save $33)

• Dreame R10 — $149.99 $199.99 (save $50) 🔥

• Shark Cordless Pet Pro (IZ362H) — $199.99 $349.99 (save $150) 🔥

• Tineco Pure One S11 — $204.99 $299.99 (save $95 with on-page coupon)

• Samsung Jet 60 Pet — $249 $329.99 (save $150) 🔥

• Dreame R20 — $249.99 $449.99 (save $200) 🔥

• Samsung Jet 75 Pet — $299 $399.99 (save $100.99) 🔥

• Tineco Pure One with auto-empty station — $299 $599 (save $300) 🔥

• Dreame Z10 with auto-empty station — $299.99 $599.99 (save $300) 🔥

• Shark Vertex Pro (IZ362H) — $299.99 $449.99 (save $150)

• Dreame Z20 — $319.99 $499.99 (save $180) 🔥

• Samsung Bespoke Jet with Clean Station — $499.99 $699 (save $150.99)

• Dyson V15 Detect Plus — $599.99 $749.99 (save $150)

Best early Kindle deals Best Kindle deal Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition $224.99 (Save $55) Get Deal Best Scribe Deal Amazon Kindle Scribe $364.99 (Save $85) Get Deal Best kids deal Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids $139.99 (Save $40) Get Deal Best Kindle Scribe bundle deal Amazon Kindle Scribe Essentials Bundle $449.97 (save $60) Get Deal Best Kindle Colorsoft bundle deal Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition Essentials Bundle $327.97 (save $35) Get Deal

After weeks of anticipation, Amazon's Big Spring Sale is finally here, running from March 25-31. This seasonal sale brings deals on springtime favorites for a little refresh as we exit winter.

As expected, this sale is bringing discounts on Amazon's flagship devices. Our favorites, as always, are Amazon's Kindles. Having tried nearly every model in the line-up, we can safely say that Kindles are fantastic e-readers, well suited for anyone, whether you're an avid annotator or shopping on a budget.

But let's temper your expectations. The deals are good but unexpected. We're seeing no deals on our preferred Kindles, the basic model, Paperwhite, and Paperwhite Signature Edition. Instead, Amazon has marked down its Kindles with a little more flair, like the Colorsoft and Scribe. And while the sale is more limited than expected on Kindles, we can say that the deals are great. Like lowest price ever great.

Here are the best deals on Kindles to shop during Amazon's Big Spring Sale.

Best Kindle Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition $224.99 at Amazon
$279.99 Save $55 Get Deal Why we like it

If you're looking to buy a Kindle during Amazon's Big Spring Sale, the best savings are on the Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition. This is the first color Kindle, which debuted in late 2024. While we've yet to test this e-reader, we have high hopes for the device as the rest of the Kindle line-up is stellar.

This will be a particularly good e-reader for graphic novel readers, who want the convenience and portability of the device, but still want to enjoy every detail in color. It has some great specs, including 32GB of storage, auto-adjusting warmth and brightness, and wireless charging, in the same vein as the Paperwhite Signature Edition.

The Colorsoft is 20% off during the spring sale, bringing it down to $224.99. That's the lowest price the Kindle Colorsoft has reached, saving you $55.

More Kindle bundle deals

• Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids — $139.99 $179.99 (save $40)

• Amazon Kindle Essentials Bundle — $146.97 $161.97 (save $15)

• Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Essentials Bundle — $196.97 $216.97 (save $20)

• Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition Essentials Bundle — $251.97 $276.97 (save $25)

• Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition Essentials Bundle — $258.97 $362.97 (save $104)

• Amazon Kindle Scribe Essentials Bundle — $359.97 $509.97 (save $150)

• Amazon Kindle Scribe — $364.99 $449.99 (save $85)

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 deals

• Apple iPad Air M3 (256GB) — $649 $699 (save $50)

• Apple iPad Pro M4 (512GB) — $1,334.06 $1,499 (save $164.94)

Amazon Fire tablet deals

• Amazon Fire 7 (16GB) — $44.99 $59.99 (save $15)

• Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (32GB) — $64.99 $119.99 (save $55)

• Amazon Fire 7 Kids (16GB) — $69.99 $109.99 (save $40)

• Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Pro (32GB) — $84.99 $139.99 (save $55)

• Amazon Fire HD 10 (32GB) — $94.99 $139.99 (save $45)

• Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro (32GB) — $139.99 $189.99 (save $50)

• Amazon Fire Max 11 (128GB) — $234.99 $279.99 (save $45)

More tablet deals

• Lenovo Tab M9 (32GB) — $79.99 $149.99(save $70)

• Lenovo Tab M11 (128GB) — $159.99 $199.99 (save $40)

• Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ (64GB) — $164.99 $219.99 (save $55)

• Lenovo Tab K11 (128GB) — $219.99 $249.99 (save $30)

• Google Pixel Tablet (128GB) — $279 $399 (save $120)

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (128GB) — $249.99 $318.99 (save $69)

• Lenovo Tab P12 (128GB) — $274.99 $359.99 (save $85)

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 (256GB) — $679.99 $919.99 (save $240)

• Microsoft Surface Pro (512GB) — $1,390.99 $1,799.99 (save $409)

2025 is going to be a huge year for gaming. That's fantastic news, but it also means that you're probably going to be spending a lot of money on gaming-related things over the next few months, whether it's individual titles, accessories, or even new consoles. You know what we're going to say next: That's why it's a good idea to keep your eyes open for a big sale to give your bank account a break.

SEE ALSO: Gaming starter kit: All the gear you need to play like a real gamer

Thankfully, Amazon is swooping in to save the day with yet another Big Spring Sale. Taking place from March 25 to 31, the sale features tons of deals on mostly spring essentials and outdoor products, but gaming discounts are also making an appearance in a big way.

Read on for a list of our favorite gaming deals from Amazon's Big Spring Sale below, including price cuts on consoles, games, accessories, and plenty more.

PlayStation game deals

• NBA 2K25 — $19.99 $69.99 (save $50)

• Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol.1 — $19.99 $39.99 (save $20)

• EA Sports College Football 25 — $26.50 $69.99 (save $43.49)

• Resident Evil 4 — $28 $69.99 (save $41.99)

• Final Fantasy XVI — $29.52 $39.99 (save $10.47)

• EA Sports FC 25 — $29.97 $69.99 (save $40.02)

• Madden NFL 25 — $29.99 $69.99 (save $40)

• Life Is Strange: Double Exposure — $29.99 $69.99 (save $40)

• Lego Horizon Adventures — $37.08 $59.99 (save $22.91)

• Dragon Age: The Veilguard — $37.99 $69.99 (save $32)

• Rise of the Ronin — $39.99 $69.99 (save $30)

• Elden Ring — $43.53 $69.99 (save $26.46)

• Banishers: Ghosts of Eden — $43.80 $59.99 (save $16.19)

• Until Dawn — $47.80 $59.99 (save $12.19)

• Final Fantasy VII Rebirth — $49.12 $69.99 (save $20.87)

• Star Wars Outlaws — $51.79 $69.99 (save $18.20)

• Alan Wake II — $56.96 $69.99 (save $13.03)

• Undisputed — $57.19 $69.99 (save $12.80)

• Silent Hill 2 — $57.19 $69.99 (save $12.80)

• Astro Bot — $58 $69.99 (save $11.99)

• Black Myth: Wukong — $62.69 $69.99 (save $7.30)

• Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 — $62.99 $69.99 (save $7)

• Monster Hunter Wilds — $62.99 $69.99 (save $7)

PlayStation hardware deals

Headsets

• Razer Kaira X Wired Gaming Headset — $39.99 $59.99 (save $20)

• Sony INZONE H3 Wired Gaming Headphones — $58 $99.99 (save $41.99)

• Logitech G Pro X SE Wired Gaming Headset — $69.76 $99.99 (save $30.23)

• Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless Gaming Headset — $159.99 $199.99 (save $40)

Accessories

• PowerA Twin Charging Station — $19.59 $24.99 (save $5.40)

• Seagate Game Drive for PS5 5TB External HDD — $149.99 $168.41 (save $18.42)

• PDP Victrix Pro BFG Wireless Gaming Controller — $151 $179.99 (save $28.99)

• WD_BLACK 2TB SN850X NVMe SSD with Heatsink — $164.95 $199.99 (save $35.04)

• WD_BLACK 2TB SN850P NVMe M.2 SSD — $189.99 $229.99 (save $40)

Xbox game deals

• The Quarry — $11.99 $19.99 (save $8)

• Grand Theft Auto V — $12.80 $39.99 (save $27.19)

• NBA 2K25 — $19.99 $69.99 (save $50)

• Sonic Frontiers — $19.99 $69.99 (save $50)

• Life Is Strange: Double Exposure — $29.99 $49.99 (save $20)

• Assassin's Creed Mirage — $31.94 $49.99 (save $18.05)

• Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth — $34.99 $69.99 (save $35)

• Elden Ring — $41.85 $69.99 (save $28.14)

• Metaphor: ReFantazio — $46.35 $69.99 (save $23.64)

• Persona 3 Reload: Standard Edition — $52.99 $69.99 (save $17)

• Undisputed — $53.99 $59.99 (save $6)

Xbox hardware deals

Consoles

• Xbox Series X (1TB Digital Edition) — $434.99 $449.99 (save $15)

Controllers

• PDP Gaming Afterglow Wave Enhanced Wired Controller — $40.22 $44.99 (save $4.77)

• Xbox Wireless Controller — $64 $74.99 (save $10.99)

• PDP Victrix Pro BFG Wireless Gaming Controller — $148.33 $179.99 (save $31.66)

• Xbox Elite Series 2 Core Wireless Gaming Controller — $152.99 $179.99 (save $27)

• SCUF Instinct Pro Controller — $199.99 $229.99 (save $30)

Headsets

• Logitech G Astro A10 Gen 2 — $44.99 $59.99 (save $15)

• HyperX CloudX — $49.99 $69.99 (save $20)

• Xbox Wireless Gaming Headset — $99.99 $109.99 (save $10)

• SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X — $169.99 $179.75 (save $9.96)

• Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 3 — $174.77 $199.99 (save $25.22)

• Logitech G Astro A50 X — $333.04 $379.99 (save $46.95)

Best Nintendo Switch game deals

• Cult of the Lamb — $19.93 $29.99 (save $10.06)

• Spongebob Squarepants The Patrick Star Game — $19.97 $39.99 (save $20.02)

• NBA 2K25 — $19.99 $59.99 (save $40)

• Assassin's Creed: The Rebel Collection — $23.85 $39.99 (save $16.14)

• Sonic Superstars — $24.97 $29.99 (save $5.02)

• Just Dance 2025 — $24.97 $49.99 (save $25.02)

• Five Nights at Freddy's: The Core Collection — $24.79 $39.99 (save $15.20)

• Sea of Stars — $26.99 $39.99 (save $13)

• Sonic Frontiers — $29.99 $39.99 (save $10)

• Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed — $32.87 $59.99 (save $27.12)

• TMNT Mutants Unleashed — $34.01 $39.99 (save $5.98)

• Sonic X Shadow Generations — $35.50 $49.99 (save $14.49)

• Stray — $37.16 $39.99 (save $2.83)

• Lego Horizon Adventures — $40.49 $59.99 (save $19.50)

• Tetris Effect: Connected — $44.99 $49.99 (save $5)

• The Legend Of Zelda: Echoes Of Wisdom — $52.99 $59.99 (save $7)

Nintendo Switch hardware deals

Controllers and accessories

• PowerA Joy Con Comfort Grips — $9.88 $14.99 (save $5.11)

• Game Traveler Nintendo Switch Deluxe OLED Case — $18.85 $19.99 (save $1.14)

• PowerA Joy-Con Charging Dock — $19.49 $22.99 (save $3.50)

• PowerA Enhanced Nintendo Switch Controller — $34.99 $59.99 (save $25)

• PowerA GameCube Style Wireless Controller — $44.99 $59.99 (save $15)

• Hori Split Pad Pro — $53.99 $59.99 (save $6)

Memory cards

• SanDisk 128GB microSDXC Card — $17.49 $19.99 (save $2.50)

• PowerA Joy-Con Charging Dock for Nintendo Switch — $19.49 $22.99 (save $3.50)

• SanDisk 256GB microSDXC Card — $22.99 $25.99 (save $3)

• Samsung EVO Select 512GB microSXC Card — $34.99 $39.99 (save $5)

• SanDisk 512GB Extreme microSDXC — $39.99 $62.49 (save $22.50)

• 8Bitdo Pro 2 Bluetooth Controller — $39.99 $49.99 (save $10)

• 8Bitdo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller — $49.99 $69.99 (save $20)

• PDP Afterglow Wave Wireless Pro Controller — $50.99 $54.99 (save $4)

Only a few years ago, astronomers heralded the discovery of a rocky world circling the sun's closest space neighbor, Proxima Centauri. 

The star, just four light-years away, is known as a red dwarf, or M-type, and is quite different from Earth's own. Although the exoplanet, Proxima b, orbits extremely close — a year there is only 11 Earth-days — its star's relatively smaller size and lower temperature could mean this world has the right conditions for liquid water to pool on its surface. 

But a new study may have dashed scientists' hopes that the alien world could support life. The star’s flares are much more violent than previously thought, the researchers say, potentially obliterating the planet’s air. Not having an atmosphere, which traps important gases like oxygen and water vapor, may render a planet uninhabitable, even if it were otherwise an Earth doppelganger.

"Our Sun’s activity doesn’t remove Earth’s atmosphere and instead causes beautiful auroras because we have a thick atmosphere and a strong magnetic field to protect our planet," said Meredith MacGregor of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, one of the authors, in a statement. "But Proxima Centauri’s flares are much more powerful."

SEE ALSO: Webb telescope captures weird auroras on Neptune for the first time The sun's nearest stellar neighbor, Proxima Centauri, likely clobers any orbiting exoplanets with radiation, a new study finds. Credit: ESO / M. Kornmesser illustration

The study relied on the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, or ALMA, a telescope in Chile that can detect light at radio and millimeter wavelengths. During 50 hours of observations, the team saw 463 flares, which occur when a star's magnetic field tangles, compresses, and causes an explosion. Such a blast releases a torrent of radiation. 

Some of the flares only lasted a handful of seconds, but the strongest ones were so powerful that they could destroy a planet's atmosphere over time, according to the research. The paper was published in The Astrophysical Journal.

The study suggests Proxima Centauri's flares are much more frequent and extreme, likely because it is fully convective. That means unlike the sun, which has layers that behave differently, Proxima Centauri's entire structure moves like a boiling cauldron of water. The result is a magnetic field that is always jumbling and snapping, releasing enormous bursts of energy. 

If the researchers had only studied the star's activity in visible light wavelengths, they wouldn't have gotten a complete picture of the high-energy particles Proxima Centauri releases, MacGregor said. 

Scientists will continue to study the habitability of worlds orbiting red dwarf stars through a major James Webb Space Telescope campaign. Credit: ESO / L. Calçada illustration

"When we see the flares with ALMA, what we’re seeing is the electromagnetic radiation — the light in various wavelengths," she said in a statement. "But looking deeper, this radio wavelength flaring is also giving us a way to trace the properties of those particles."

Though Proxima b may be nothing more than an irradiated rock, scientists are continuing to look at rocky worlds outside the solar system, specifically those closely orbiting small red stars, to determine whether they can hold onto atmospheres. Despite red dwarfs being the most common stars in the Milky Way, nobody knows whether these planets can host air. 

A massive James Webb Space Telescope campaign will home in on a dozen nearby-ish planets over the next two years to try to answer that question. The program, first reported by Mashable, budgets about 500 hours of observations on Webb, along with about 250 orbits of ultraviolet observations with the Hubble Space Telescope, to help characterize the host stars' activity. 

Néstor Espinoza, an astronomer heading up the campaign's implementation, said it's a high-risk, high-reward program. 

"If you found out that none of them have atmospheres, that would be pretty sad, but also pretty interesting," he told Mashable last year. "It would mean that our planetary system is actually really, really special."

Death of a Unicorn's Paul Rudd, Jenna Ortega, Téa Leoni, Will Poulter, and Richard E. Grant describe the moments in their life when their lives changed forever.

Death of a Unicorn is now in theaters.

Space is phantasmagorical.

Astronomers using the powerful James Webb Space Telescope to survey distant galaxies spotted an unusual, chance phenomenon called an "Einstein ring." It's not an actual object, but a warped, mind-bending optical illusion.

"The picture features a rare cosmic phenomenon — an Einstein ring. What appears to be a single, strangely shaped galaxy is actually two galaxies far apart," the European Space Agency explained online.

SEE ALSO: NASA dropped a new report. It's a wake-up call.

The effect, created by "gravitational lensing" and theorized to exist by Albert Einstein over a century ago, occurs when the mass of a foreground galaxy warps space and time, like a bowling ball sitting on a mattress, causing light emanating from the galaxy located in near-perfect alignment beyond it (from Webb's view in the cosmos) to become warped. The closer galaxy, in effect, creates a lens. In the image below, the foreground object is a massive, egg-shaped elliptical galaxy, and in the background is a spiral galaxy (like the Milky Way) that appears wrapped around the elliptical galaxy.

Amazingly, even though the spiral galaxy has been profoundly contorted, you can still see bright star clusters in the galaxy's stretched spiral arms.

An Einstein ring recently captured by the James Webb Space Telescope. Credit: ESA / Webb / NASA / CSA / G. Mahler // Acknowledgement: M. A. McDonald This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Einstein rings created by gravitational lensing are not just cosmic eye candy. This ring was captured during the Strong Lensing and Cluster Evolution (SLICE) survey, which seeks to identify such distant galaxies that have been naturally magnified by massive foreground galaxies, or clusters of galaxies.

"Objects like these are the ideal laboratory in which to research galaxies too faint and distant to otherwise see," ESA explained.

It's a clever way to combine the capability of the most powerful space telescope ever built with the natural magnifying power of the universe.

The Webb telescope's powerful abilities

The Webb telescope — a scientific collaboration between NASA, ESA, and the Canadian Space Agency — is designed to peer into the deepest cosmos and reveal new insights about the early universe. It's also examining intriguing planets in our galaxy, along with the planets and moons in our solar system.

Here's how Webb is achieving unparalleled feats, and may for years to come:

- Giant mirror: Webb's mirror, which captures light, is over 21 feet across. That's over two-and-a-half times larger than the Hubble Space Telescope's mirror, meaning Webb has six times the light-collecting area. Capturing more light allows Webb to see more distant, ancient objects. The telescope is peering at stars and galaxies that formed over 13 billion years ago, just a few hundred million years after the Big Bang. "We're going to see the very first stars and galaxies that ever formed," Jean Creighton, an astronomer and the director of the Manfred Olson Planetarium at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, told Mashable in 2021.

- Infrared view: Unlike Hubble, which largely views light that's visible to us, Webb is primarily an infrared space telescope, meaning it views light in the infrared spectrum. This allows us to see far more of the universe. Infrared has longer wavelengths than visible light, so the light waves more efficiently slip through cosmic clouds; the light doesn't as often collide with and get scattered by these densely packed particles. Ultimately, Webb's infrared eyesight can penetrate places Hubble can't.

"It lifts the veil," said Creighton.

- Peering into distant exoplanets: The Webb telescope carries specialized equipment called spectrographs that will revolutionize our understanding of these far-off worlds. The instruments can decipher what molecules (such as water, carbon dioxide, and methane) exist in the atmospheres of distant exoplanets — be they gas giants or smaller rocky worlds. Webb looks at exoplanets in the Milky Way galaxy. Who knows what we'll find?

"We might learn things we never thought about," Mercedes López-Morales, an exoplanet researcher and astrophysicist at the Center for Astrophysics-Harvard & Smithsonian, previously told Mashable.

Featured Video For You How Did We Get Here: Into the Unknown

Here's an experiment to try at home: Listen to a sports podcast, scroll social media, or use an app with native ads, and see how many times you encounter an ad for online gambling.

The double dare version of the experiment is to attempt it during March Madness, a weeks-long college basketball tournament in the U.S. during which people are expected to gamble a whopping $3.1 billion. That's up from $2.7 billion last year, according to the American Gaming Association.

While the ad trackers and algorithms curating any individual digital experience might not expose them to gambling-related marketing, the level of ad spending across the industry has skyrocketed in recent years.

SEE ALSO: Legal gambling has kind of ruined sports

Sports betting effectively became legal in the U.S. following a 2018 Supreme Court decision. Online sports better advertising units jumped from just under 250,000 that year to around 2.5 million in 2023.

Meanwhile, there's evidence that problem gambling may be on the rise. A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found there were 23 percent more Google searches in the U.S. for terms related to gambling addiction help-seeking between January 2016 and June 2024.

In an accompanying editorial, two experts wrote that "gambling must be recognized as a public health problem," and that sports betting is specifically more harmful than other types of gambling products, like lotteries. The house, as they say, always wins.

So how could someone who's exposed to gambling marketing, or is developing a gambling addiction, acknowledge the urge to make a bet but let it pass? Experts say mindfulness, the practice of observing your thoughts with curiosity but without judgement, can be a helpful tool.

"With mindfulness, you learn to disassociate yourself with those impulses and just appreciate that they're impulses and they're not something you have to do," says Dr. Nigel Turner, an addiction expert with the Institute for Mental Health Policy Research at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto. "You learn to let it go."

Can mindfulness help with gambling?

Turner, who co-authored a 2021 report on mindfulness-based prevention to problem gambling, describes this strategy as "urge surfing." You imagine an impulse as a wave that may seem strong, but will ultimately pass.

Turner says it's important to remember that people gamble for a variety of reasons that make sense to them. A mindfulness approach encourages curiosity and self-compassion — instead of feeling shame or frustration because you struggled with the urge.

Gambling urges may manifest in a variety of sensible-sounding ways. Someone may enjoy the mechanics of a certain game. They might view betting as a form of problem-solving: if they win enough, the proceeds could pay for their education or a down payment on a new home. And for some, gambling provides an escape from painful feelings and experiences.

But as the brain habituates to gambling, it can become a maladaptive routine. Mindfulness can address that, too, by helping someone challenge the "automatic thinking" that characterizes addiction. For problem gamblers, that might sound like, "If I keep losing, I'm due to win."

Turner says that often people experience such a thought, then place a bet without pausing to evaluate why or how it occurred to them in the first place. It's tricky, he adds, because the brain is "terrible" at understanding random chance, and gamblers typically have a "strong illusion of control."

"It's very easy to fool yourself into believing that you have figured out the odds, that you know somehow more than all the other people betting on it," Turner says.

Why 'mindful gambling' is a deception

Research on gambling and mindfulness is limited. Still, Turner points to a general consensus in the field of addiction that mindfulness practices have a positive effect on people's coping skills and recovery. He's even advocated for players to learn about mindfulness.

One major brand has given gamblers its own version of that education. In 2023, the online casino BetMGM created an explainer on how to mindfully gamble, including tips for staying in the present moment and remaining calm regardless of whether you win or lose.

It also suggested that mindful gambling can help players better focus and learn their games of choice by analyzing "patterns, trends, and probabilities more effectively." Turner, who reviewed the content when Mashable shared it with him, said this statement was a "misrepresentation of what mindfulness is about."

Turner said that the content seemed more like an "advertising gimmick" that could actually encourage people to gamble. While some of the suggestions were good, others felt deceptive, Turner added.

SEE ALSO: This is why mindfulness isn't working for you

In their problem gambling report, Turner and his co-authors included breathing and meditation practices, exercises to develop emotional awareness, and worksheets designed to help people identify triggers and high-risk situations.

There are, however, limits to relying on mindfulness to resist gambling advertising and combat urges. The gold standard for addiction treatment, including for problem gambling, is cognitive behavioral therapy, a type of intervention that helps patients better assess and manage their thoughts.

Turner also acknowledges that some people — particularly those with a history of trauma — don't find mindfulness to be an effective solution.

Turner says that people experiencing problem gambling should seek mental health care, and consider mindfulness as complementary to that treatment. Signs that indicate you need help include spending more money than you can afford and believing that you'll win and get rich.

Young adults, problem gambling, and mindfulness

Young adults may be particularly at risk of problem gambling, says Amaura Kemmerer, a licensed clinical social worker and director of clinical affairs for the college mental health and wellness company Uwill.

If you're young and experimenting with newfound freedoms, then have direct access to gambling on your phone, or if you're exposed to the industry's wave of advertising, you may be more vulnerable for high-risk behaviors. Research also suggests that sports books in particular appeal to young audiences, who consider betting a leisure activity.

The issue has become pronounced on college campuses. Kemmerer says that some students experience consequences related to betting on major sports events like March Madness. Within that period, demand for mental health services often increases.

Typically, college students might feel anxious, depressed, or stressed, or they're experiencing related academic problems. Problem gambling can emerge as an issue in sessions with a counselor or therapist.

When a mindfulness practice positively affects other aspects of well-being, like improving sleep and decreasing anxiety and depression symptoms, Kemmerer believes it can also help reduce high-risk behaviors.

"You're getting to students before there's really any kind of identified problem, or when that problem is very early on and it's easier for a young person to make small adjustments so it doesn't become more problematic," Kemmerer says.

If you experience gambling problems, call the 24/7 National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700 for free, confidential support. You can also access the National Council on Problem Gambling's website for more help and information, as well as a list of international resources.

TL;DR: Skoove Premium Piano Lessons uses advanced AI to give you curated virtual piano lessons, and right now a lifetime subscription can be yours for just $149.99 (reg. $299). 

Opens in a new window Credit: Skoove Skoove Premium Piano Lessons: Lifetime Subscription $149.99
$299.99 Save $150 Get Deal

Whether you've dabbled in lessons as a kid or never sat on a piano bench, Skoove Premium Piano Lessons can help you master the keys from the comfort of home. All you'll need is a tablet, a keyboard, and this AI-powered app. 

Right now, you can save 50% on a lifetime subscription and keep honing your craft for life for just $149.99 (reg. $299). 

Learn piano on your lunch break

Skoove offers AI-powered piano lessons that let you tickle the ivories in your spare time. That means even people with the busiest schedules can pencil in time to pound the keys and elevate their skills, with Skoove providing curated feedback and useful resources as you learn. 

These virtual piano lessons only require a piano or keyboard and your tablet, so you don't need to buy anything else to get started. And this lifetime subscription lets you work at your own pace.

You'll get access to 400 lessons and thousands of instructional videos, but don't think you'll just be sitting back and repeating after the video. Thanks to AI, you play and Skoove listens, recognizing your notes and offering real-time feedback so you can continuously improve. 

Learn what you love, thanks to Skoove's wide range of genres. Practice playing with tunes from Adele or John Legend, or go old school and work on some Bach or Beethoven. Monthly updates bring new song choices, so you never have to worry about running out of material. 

While learning from the AI is interactive, there's also backup if needed. If you ever get stumped, Skoove's music instructors are available for one-on-one support. 

Ready to join over one million people already mastering piano with Skoove?

Get a lifetime subscription to Skoove Premium Piano Lessons for just $149.99 (reg. $299) right here. 

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TL;DR: Learn the native language before your next trip abroad with this lifetime subscription to all languages with Rosetta Stone for just $179.99 (reg. $399).

Opens in a new window Credit: Rosetta Stone Rosetta Stone: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages) $179.99
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With spring break just around the corner, vacation season is about to commence. If you've got big plans for the summer or beyond, you can make your trip even more memorable by learning the local language. It's easier than ever with Rosetta Stone. 

A lifetime subscription to all 25 languages offered on Rosetta Stone is available now for just $179.99 (reg. $399) right here for a limited time. 

Learn languages for life with Rosetta Stone

What do NASA, Calvin Klein, and TripAdvisor have in common? They all have trusted Rosetta Stone with language learning for the past 27 years.

Rosetta Stone has a trusted, immersive training method that teaches you new languages the way you learned your native one as a kid — starting out with matching words and pictures. 

After working with images, you'll gradually move on to their interactive lessons that use Rosetta Stone's proprietary speech-recognition technology. It analyzes the words you say 100 times a second and offers instant feedback so you can improve your pronunciation as you go. 

Hoping to use your new skills on a trip? Rosetta Stone starts you out with basic conversational skills on topics like shopping, ordering, or taking a taxi, so you should have a good foundation by the time the plane touches down. 

This award-winning interactive software is yours for life, so you can learn languages one at a time forever... and even conquer all 25 offered if that's your goal. 

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TL;DR: Outfit your PC with a license for Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows for just $29.97 (reg. $229) through March 30. 

When something has serious staying power, you know it's good. And what's been around longer in the computer world than Microsoft Office? These go-to programs got us through school in the '90s and '00s, and they're still helping us tackle our 9-to-5s today. 

Rediscover the power of these beloved apps with this Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows license. It's just $29.97, $200 off the usual price, now through March 30. 

These Microsoft Office apps have always been there for us

If you've been living without Microsoft Office staples, you're in luck. You can rekindle your love for these classics with this Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 license for less than $5 an app.

You'll get lifetime access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher and Access on your PC with this deal. It's an instant delivery and download, so right after purchase, you'll have your software license keys and download links to get started.

Wondering why you would want to go vintage with this 2019 version? Though it's not the newest, it's the most cost-effective. By owning your license, you avoid monthly subscription fees that Office 365 requires.

You can also easily work offline, a great option for those who spend a lot of time traveling. And there's no reliance on the cloud, offering better security and more control over your data.

Despite being an older version, all documents made with Office 19 are fully compatible with Office 365 and Office 2021. 

This Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 license is compatible with Windows 10 and Windows Server 2019, so it's a great option if you haven't yet moved to Windows 11. 

Secure your own license for Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows for just $29.97 now through March 30. 

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Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows $29.97
$229 Save $199.03 Get Deal