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Mashable is a leading source for news, information & resources for the Connected Generation. Mashable reports on the importance of digital innovation and how it empowers and inspires people around the world. Mashable's 25 million monthly unique visitors and 10 million social media followers have become one of the most engaged online news communities. Founded in 2005, Mashable is headquartered in New York City with an office in San Francisco.
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Updated: 6 min 16 sec ago

The Nintendo Switch 2 upgrade for Super Mario Bros. Wonder has a little bit for everyone

Wed, 03/25/2026 - 20:08

I'm going to get one thing out of the way first: The full, official title for this game is Super Mario Bros. Wonder - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Meetup in Bellabel Park. I'm saying this now because I don't want to ever type all of that out again.

Anyway, that's the name for the $20 Nintendo Switch 2 upgrade (or $80 if you don't already own the original game) for Super Mario Bros. Wonder, a rather excellent 2D platform adventure for Nintendo's venerable mascot that came out a couple of years ago on Switch. Nintendo's "Nintendo Switch 2 Edition" experiment has yielded fascinating and inconsistent results so far; some games like Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition got barebones $5 graphics upgrades, while Wonder is getting a whole slew of new stages, modes, and boss fights for $20.

I've gotten to play some of this new version of Wonder and while it's not all for me, I do think there's roughly $20 worth of fun to be had here for almost any kind of player. I don't think all of it is super great, but as a de facto DLC add-on for an already very good game, it's hard to complain.

SEE ALSO: Hands-on: 'Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream' is perfect for a daily dose of laughs Super Mario Bros. Wonder on Switch 2 is a grab bag of varied activities I love the Koopalings. Credit: Nintendo

When Nintendo first announced a paid Switch 2 upgrade for Wonder, my mind immediately went to "oh, they're going to add a bunch of new levels, awesome!" That's not exactly what happened here.

Instead, the contents of this Nintendo Switch 2 Edition do a pretty nice job of remixing and reusing what was already there to add several hours worth of gameplay on top of the existing adventure. On the single player side of things, the Toad Brigade has arrived in Wonder's world with seemingly several dozen "training exercises" that are actually really cool little challenge levels to test the skills of anyone who has already played a decent amount of Wonder.

SEE ALSO: A cool 'Pokémon' GameCube game is now on Nintendo Switch 2, but there's a catch

There are a handful of different variants here. Some levels ask you to collect a certain amount of coins within a time limit, others ask you to do the same but for defeating enemies instead of collecting coins, while my favorite category challenges the player to get to the end of the level without ever losing the power of an invincibility star. Even as a lifelong, veteran Mario platformer fan, I found these levels appropriately challenging, and surprisingly some of the early ones actually made me sweat a bit. Like the optional late-game challenges in Wonder's base game, I imagine the later Toad Brigade challenges are legitimately extremely hard.

The other main pillar of Wonder's new solo content on Switch 2 is a series of boss fights against the Koopalings. Each one shacks up in a different part of the game's overworld map, waiting for Mario to come challenge them. While there's a short, pretty basic level before each boss, the main appeal here is the fights themselves. Each Koopaling uses the power of Wonder Seeds (which made every level wild and wacky in the base game) to transform into some kind of nonsensical, unpredictable form for Mario to fight. Without spoiling them, as there are only a handful of these fights in the game, they're genuinely pretty neat and give Wonder some fun and creative boss fight juice the original release didn't really have.

I'll admit that I was initially pretty turned off by these single-player offerings (some of which can also be played in local co-op, though I didn't get to try that). In my mind, a Switch 2 Edition of Mario Wonder should've provided maybe a whole new world with new music and backgrounds, rather than remixed challenge levels. However, after actually playing this stuff, I can't say with any honesty that it's bad at all. The Toad Brigade challenges in particular are meaty enough to satisfy Wonder fans, I reckon.

There's also some multiplayer stuff It can get pretty chaotic. Credit: Nintendo

The "Meetup in Bellabel Park" part of that gargantuan title I referenced earlier refers to a new area on the map called, well, Bellabel Park. It's essentially a hub for a whole gang of new local and online multiplayer activities, meaning those who prefer solo play like me will get next to nothing out of it. Bummer!

Still, having said that, my limited experience in playing these modes at press events and during the review period was still fairly fun. Most of them are some variant of "race to the end of the level before everyone else," though obviously with some fun modifiers for each mode. Different races use different power-ups, stage features, and badges to create unique experiences for different skill levels. It's pretty fun when you get a GameChat session of 12 people together, though I can't speak to the local experience, as I am a single man with no children.

I'm simply not the target audience for the multiplayer side of Wonder on Switch 2 and that's fine. If I had kids, I could easily see getting hours of playtime out of this part of the game. It's basically a series of Mario Party minigames that play better and don't have a bunch of random board game nonsense between each round.

Overall, I don't quite think Wonder on Switch 2 is an incredible standard-bearer for Nintendo's Switch 2 Edition release strategy, but for $20, you could do a lot worse. If nothing else, you get native 4K resolution in TV mode, and it looks fantastic. That's going to be worth the money by itself for some people.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best Apple Watch deals to shop during Amazons Big Spring Sale — save on Series 11 and SE 3 models

Wed, 03/25/2026 - 19:29
The best Amazon Big Spring Sale Apple Watch deals: Best Apple Watch Series 11 Deal Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) $299.00 (save $100) Get Deal Best Apple Watch SE 3 Deal Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS, 40mm) $219.00 (save $30) Get Deal Best Apple Watch Series 9 Deal Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS + Cellular, 41mm) $299 (save $400) Get Deal Best Apple Watch Series 10 deal Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS + Cellular, 46mm) $449 (save $300) Get Deal

Amazon's Big Spring Sale is officially live now through March 31. For Apple users, this is a pretty exciting occasion. We're seeing discounts on everything from Apple Watches to AirPods. So, if you've been hoping to get your hands on a brand-new smartwatch but refuse to pay full price, several Apple Watch models are on sale right now.

The Series 11 and SE 3 are the newest shining stars in Apple's lineup, but a few last-generation models are stealing the spotlight during the Big Spring Sale. If you don't mind not having the latest model, you can pick up a Series 9 with both GPS and cellular connectivity for only $299 or a 46mm Series 10 for only $449.

Of course, we'll be updating this page as new deals drop, but here are the best Apple Watch deals you can shop right now. Looking for smartwatches that don't fall under the Apple umbrella? Check out our full list of Big Spring Sale fitness tracker deals.

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Note: You don't need to be a Prime member to shop the sale, but Prime members will receive exclusive deals on a variety of items.

Best Apple Watch Series 11 deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) $299 at Amazon
$399 Save $100   Get Deal Why we like it

A $100 discount on the 42mm GPS Apple Watch Series 11 drops it to a record-low price, making it the perfect time to grab what our Tech Editor, Timothy Beck Werth, calls the "Best Apple Upgrade." Mashable's Stan Schroeder agrees, noting the battery life alone is worth the jump. "Even if you already have a Series 10, which has nearly all the same features, the new Apple Watch Series 11 doesn’t require you to charge it mid-day in order to keep it going through the night," he writes.

More Apple Watch Series 11 dealsBest Apple Watch SE 3 deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS, 40mm) $219 at Amazon
$249 Save $30   Get Deal Why we like it

If you just want a reliable smartwatch without paying for features you won't use, the Apple Watch SE 3 is the way to go. We named it the "Best for Most People" in our smartwatch guide because it packs the exact same S10 chip as the Ultra 3 and the same water resistance as the Series 11 — "all for $150 less than the Series 11."

Now that the Big Spring Sale is officially live, the 40mm model is down to $219, saving you $30. It’s also not the only configuration on sale right now. We've rounded up a few other discounted SE 3 models below so you can pick your preferred setup and still save some cash.

More Apple Watch SE 3 dealsLast-generation Apple Watch deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Moon phase today: What the Moon will look like on March 25

Wed, 03/25/2026 - 19:22

Tonight's Moon phase is the First Quarter. This is when half of the Moon that faces Earth is lit up. It comes halfway between the New Moon and the Full Moon phases.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Wednesday, March 25, the Moon phase is First Quarter. According to NASA's Daily Moon Guide, 44% of the Moon will be lit up tonight.

Tonight, without any visual aids, you can see the Mares Fecunditatis, Crisum, and Serenitatis. With binoculars, you'll also be able to catch a glimpse of the Endymion Crater, the Posidonius Crater, and the Mare Nectaris. Also, with a telescope, you'll be able to spot even more, including the Apollo 11 landing spots, the Rupes Altai, and the Rima Ariadaeus.

When is the next Full Moon?

In North America, the next Full Moon is predicted to take place on April 1.

What are Moon phases?

According to NASA, the Moon completes one orbit around Earth in roughly 29.5 days, cycling through eight distinct phases. While the same side of the Moon always faces us, sunlight illuminates varying portions as it travels, making it appear full, half, or a narrow crescent. These shifting appearances are known as the lunar phases, and there are eight in total:

New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Walmart just launched its own Spring Sale — save on Apple, Shark, Ninja, and more top brands

Wed, 03/25/2026 - 19:14
The best Walmart Spring Sale deals at a glance: Best Apple deal Apple AirPods Max (first generation) $449.99 (Save $99.01) Get Deal Best tech deal Apple iPad (A16, 128GB, WiFi) $299 (Save $50) Get Deal Best headphones deal JLab JBuds Lux Headphones $41.99 (Save $38) Get Deal Best Home Deal Dreo 42-inch Tower Fan $79.99 (Save $63.99) Get Deal Best kitchen deal Beautiful 1-Liter Electric Gooseneck Kettle $24.96 (Save $13) Get Deal

Now that Amazon's Big Spring Sale has kicked off, we're watching all the savings roll in. And deals are going far beyond Amazon — other retailers are joining in too. Target and Best Buy got in on the savings early and now Walmart is catching up.

Walmart's deals are admittedly the least impressive of all the retailers running spring sales. We've found some gems, including one of the best deals on AirPods Max headphones, but Walmart is only matching Amazon right now. So if Walmart is your preferred retailer, it's time to get shopping. We've rounded up all the best deals to shop during Walmart's Spring Sale.

Best Apple deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Max (first generation) $449.99 at Walmart
$549 Save $99.01   Get Deal

Apple just dropped the AirPods Max 2 today which of course means the previous generation is on sale. With Amazon leading the charge on spring savings, it's actually Walmart who has the best price on the first generation of Apple AirPods Max headphones.

Right now, you can find the Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) for just $449.99. That saves you $99.01 of its lists price of $549.

However, if you want the latest product, you can now preorder the Apple AirPods Max 2, but you won't get the sweet savings you'll find on the Apple AirPods Max at Walmart.

More Apple deals

AirPods

iPad

MacBook

AirTag

Best tech deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad (A16, 128GB, WiFi) $299 at Walmart
$349 Save $50   Get Deal

Walmart is matching Amazon's price on the Apple iPad. The 2025 iPad features the A16 chip and 128GB of SSD. It has a gorgeous liquid retina display that's responsive to a room's color so you always have the best viewing experience. Plus, it's compatible with iPadOS, which now features multi-window multitasking.

It's the latest version of Apple's base iPad and right now you can grab it for $299, saving you $50 off its $349 list price.

More tech dealsBest headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: JLab JLab JBuds Lux Headphones $41.99 at Walmart
$79.99 Save $38.00   Get Deal

Our favorite budget headphones are the JLab Lux headphones, which bring excellent active noise cancellation and 70 hours of battery life. While they won't deliver the best sound you've ever heard, it is going to be clear, well-balanced sound.

Plus, when the JLab headphones are on sale, they offer unbeatable value. Right now, score the JLab Lux headphones for $41.99 and save $38 on the over-the-ear headphones.

More headphones dealsBest home and outdoor deal Opens in a new window Credit: Dreo Dreo 42-inch Tower Fan $79.99 at Walmart
$143.98 Save $63.99   Get Deal

With spring in full swing, warmer temperatures are underway. If things are getting too hot, it might be time to reconsider your cooling setup. A fan is more than a quick fix, but an essential way of keeping cool. Dreo makes our favorite tower fan, which is powerful but safe with its bladeless design.

During Walmart's Spring Sale, get the Dreo 42-inch tower fan for $79.99. That saves you $63.99 off its $143.98 list price.

More home and outdoor dealsBest kitchen deal Opens in a new window Credit: Beautiful Beautiful 1-Liter Electric Gooseneck Kettle $24.96 at Walmart
$37.96 Save $13   Get Deal

Drew Barrymore's Beautiful collection at Walmart earns its name with affordable yet stunning appliances and furnitures. During Walmart's Spring Sale, grab the Beautiful 1-Liter Electric Gooseneck Kettle for just $24.96, saving you $13 off its list price.

This kettle catches your eye right away with its vibrant tomato red color. But it also has a sleek design of a kettle that's far more expensive than $25.

More kitchen deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Lawsuit against Elon Musk threatens DOGE actions, survives early court challenge

Wed, 03/25/2026 - 19:00

An attempt from the Trump administration to squash a lawsuit against Elon Musk for illegally exercising executive-level power as the head of DOGE has failed.

A federal judge dismissed the U.S. government's dismissal request earlier this week.

“Defendants appear to make the extraordinary argument that an individual who holds an important office and wields immense power is not subject to the Appointments Clause so long as the office was unlawfully created, and the power was unlawfully seized,” US District Judge Tanya Chutkan said in her memo dismissing the request.

DOGE's actions could be reversed

Why is it significant that this lawsuit goes ahead? If the Plaintiffs win the case, this lawsuit could result in a reversal of all of Musk's and DOGE's actions, including federal cuts.

“If Plaintiffs prevail on their claim that Musk was not constitutionally appointed and therefore lacked authority to exercise the power of a principal officer, the court could vacate Musk-initiated policies or cuts that are causing Plaintiffs ongoing harm,” wrote Chutkan.

The lawsuit against Musk, DOGE, and President Donald Trump was filed last year by a group of non-profits that claimed that Musk was illegally exercising powers under the Appointments Clause or powers similar to those of a Senate-confirmed Cabinet official, even though Musk was not confirmed by the Senate for a position within the administration. 

The plaintiffs say that DOGE cut federal grants, fired federal employees, and shut down government agencies “despite lacking lawful authority.”

The lawsuit was later combined with a similar lawsuit filed by a group of 14 state attorneys general led by New Mexico.

According to Judge Chutkan, "the head of DOGE is not merely an influential advisor who counsel the President and then communicates the President’s decisions to government officers.“ In fact, Chutkan wrote, the head of DOGE "makes decisions and issues directives on matters as weighty as the termination of federal grants, contracts, and workers."

Musk's own social posts cited

The lawsuit frequently uses Musk's own posts on his social media platform X against him.

"USAID is a criminal organization," Musk posted on Feb. 2, 2025. "Time for it to die."

"What is this 'Department of Education' you keep talking about?" Musk said in a reply on X on Feb. 7. "I just checked and it doesn’t exist."

"CFPB RIP," Musk published on X in another post that same day.

Judge Chutkan also pointed out that DOGE officials publicly bragged about terminating government contracts and shutting down agencies.

All of these posts are cited in the lawsuit against Musk, DOGE, and Trump to help bolster the case that Musk was unlawfully calling the shots.

Chutkan decided in favor of the Trump administration on two claims in the lawsuit regarding the violations of the Administrative Procedure Act and violations of the constitutional separation of powers.

Musk said he was stepping down from DOGE in May 2025 and then had a public falling out with President Trump shortly after. However, the two appear to once again be on good terms.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Streaming deals anyone? The best Big Spring Sale deals on Paramount+, Spotify, Starz, and more.

Wed, 03/25/2026 - 18:43
The best Big Spring Sale streaming deals at a glance: Best streaming deal Paramount+ Premium $2.99/month for 2 months (save $22) Get Deal Best music streaming deal Spotify Premium free for 3 months (save $38.97) Get Deal Best streaming device deal Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select $17.99 (save $22) Get Deal Best deal for readers Kindle Unlimited $0.99 for three months (save $34.98) Get Deal

With the now regularly recurring price hikes across the board, we could all benefit from some discounts on streaming services. While the best time of year to score a great streaming deal is hands down Black Friday season, any major sale or shopping holiday tends to offer at least a few discounts. And Amazon's Big Spring Sale (officially running March 25-31 in 2026) is holding true to that notion. While the overall number of streaming deals is no match for Black Friday, we'll certainly take any discounts we can get.

I'll be keeping an eye out throughout the Big Spring Sale for any new deals that pop up and will update this story with the latest. For now, here are the best streaming deals live during the sale. I've also included deals on streaming devices like Fire TV Sticks, as well as some evergreen streaming deals I think are worth grabbing.

Best streaming deal overall Opens in a new window Credit: Paramount+ Paramount+ Premium $2.99/month for 2 months (save $22) Get Deal Why we like it

On the surface, this is the same offer as the streamer's Black Friday deal. However, because Paramount Plus hiked its prices in January, this Big Spring Sale discount actually saves you more money. It now costs $13.99 per month for the ad-free Premium plan and $8.99 per month for the ad-supported Essential plan. Through March 31, you can lock in two months of either plan for only $2.99 per month. That saves you $22 if you choose the Premium plan (why wouldn't you?). Both new and ex-subscribers are eligible for this deal and its valid on Paramount+ as a standalone service or on the Prime Video add-on.

Psst. It's also worth mentioning that an extra discount code is floating around that could potentially knock the price down to just 99 cents per month for two months. However, it appears to work for some folks and not others. Try adding the additional promo code BG2L7M at checkout to see if you're one of the lucky ones.

Best music streaming deal Opens in a new window Credit: Spotify Spotify Premium free for 3 months (save $38.97) Get Deal Why we like it

If you've never tried Spotify Premium before, you can snag three free months of the music streaming service through March 31. Typically, it costs $12.99 per month, so you'll keep nearly $40 in your pocket with this deal. A Premium account unlocks ad-free listening, the ability to download music for offline listening and collaborate with friends in real time, 15 hours of audiobook time, and lossless audio. Plus, you'll get weekly listening stats and, should you choose to keep your subscription, access to the famous Wrapped stats.

Already tried Spotify Premium? Amazon Music Unlimited is also offering three free months of its streaming service through March 31. It regularly goes for $11.99/month for Prime members and $12.99/month for non-Prime members, so you can save up to $38.97 with this deal. Besides unlimited music streaming, you'll also get access to one audiobook per month.

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

The newest Fire TV Stick, the 4K Select, is the first streaming device in Amazon's lineup to shake things up in awhile. While it still offers the same plug-and-play design you know and love, it features a brand-new operating system called Vega. Given how laggy the previous operating system could be on Fire TV Sticks, we're pretty excited about this change. It also offers support for Alexa+, Amazon Kids+, Amazon Luna, Xbox Game Pass, and NordVPN, and delivers 4K quality with HDR10+ support. During the Big Spring Sale, it's already down to just $17.99 instead of $39.99. It's worth noting that we saw this streaming stick drop to a surprisingly low $9.99 in the past.

More Amazon Big Spring Sale streaming dealsMore Amazon Big Spring Sale streaming device dealsEvergreen streaming deals worth grabbing
Categories: IT General, Technology

I highly recommend grabbing Kindle Unlimited for 99 cents during the Big Spring Sale

Wed, 03/25/2026 - 18:27

SAVE $34.98: As of March 25, the first day of the Amazon Big Spring Sale, new and returning subscribers can get three months of Kindle Unlimited for only 99 cents. It usually costs $11.99 per month, so you'll save nearly $35 across three months.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Unlimited $0.99 for 3 months (save $11.99/month) Get Deal

I'm doing some digital spring cleaning this season, and several streaming services and digital subscriptions have been cut from my lineup after astronomical price hikes (looking at you, Peacock). One that remains unscathed? Kindle Unlimited. I cannot recommend it enough if you're looking to get back into reading or just read more in 2026. And signing up during the Big Spring Sale is a smart move, as it'll only cost you 99 cents.

One of our favorite deals from Cyber Week is back for Amazon's third-annual Big Spring Sale. As of March 25, new and eligible returning subscribers can get three months of Kindle Unlimited for only 99 cents. That's the next-best thing to free. Usually it's $11.99 per month ($35.97 total for three months), so you'll save about $34.98.

Kindle Unlimited basically gives you unlimited access to as many books as you want. Technically, you can only borrow up to 20 books at once. But at any time, you can return those and borrow more. Plus, there's no wait times or due dates like Libby (the beloved free library app).

The Kindle Unlimited library is brimming with excellent reads, from new releases to bestsellers to classics. Currently, you can find popular titles like Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden, Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman, and The Wedding People by Alison Espach, as well as recent book-to-screen adaptations Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover and His & Hers by Alice Feeney.

The best part? You don't even need a Kindle to take advantage of Kindle Unlimited (although several Kindle devices are discounted during the Big Spring Sale). You can download the app onto any device and read from wherever.

Of course, after your three-month promotional period ends, you'll automatically be charged the full $11.99 per month until you cancel. Though, you might find that Kindle Unlimited is one of the rare subscriptions that's worth its entry fee.

Categories: IT General, Technology

iOS 26.4 available now: All updates, security improvements to know

Wed, 03/25/2026 - 18:26

Apple released iOS 26.4 on Tuesday, bringing a wide range of new features, quality-of-life improvements, and numerous security patches.

The release touches nearly every corner of the operating system — from the Music and Podcasts apps to the kernel — and includes changes that will be noticeable to casual users and security-conscious ones alike. The update is available for iPhone 11 and later and iPad models going back to the iPad Air 3rd generation, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation, iPad 8th generation, and iPad mini 5th generation.

Here's what to know.

Apple Music gets smarter

Music lovers have a few reasons to update. A new Playlist Playground feature lets Apple Music generate a 25-song playlist from a text prompt, with the option to refine the results with follow-up prompts. The feature is currently available only in the US.

Apple Music has also added a "Concerts Near You" section, powered by a Ticketmaster partnership, that surfaces local show info directly in the app. And song recognition — think Shazam-style identification — now works offline, queuing up results to deliver once you're back on a network.

Additionally, the Podcasts app now supports video podcasts, bringing it in line with platforms like YouTube and Spotify that have offered the format for some time.

Security and privacy improvements

One of the more meaningful changes in iOS 26.4 is that Stolen Device Protection is now enabled by default, rather than requiring users to opt in. The feature, which adds biometric requirements for sensitive actions when your iPhone is away from familiar locations, is now on by default for everyone.

On the security patch front, Apple addressed dozens of vulnerabilities across the OS. Notable fixes include a Siri flaw that could have allowed someone with physical access to a locked device to view sensitive information, a Keychain vulnerability that could have given a local attacker access to stored credentials, and several WebKit issues that could have enabled cross-site scripting attacks, sandbox bypasses, or Content Security Policy circumvention when visiting malicious websites.

Multiple kernel-level vulnerabilities were also patched, including issues that could have allowed apps to corrupt kernel memory or leak sensitive kernel state.

New features across the system

iOS 26.4 brings a handful of additions scattered across the operating system. The Messages app has new animations, and a new ambient music widget has been added for the home and lock screens. Freeform now includes a Creator Studio for subscribers, offering access to high-quality graphics, photos, and illustrations not available to free users.

The Reminders app now includes an Urgent section for high-priority tasks. In the Health app, a new average bedtime metric helps users better understand how their sleep schedule affects overall sleep quality, and the Vitals section now shows blood oxygen levels on its line graph overview.

For accessibility, a new "Reduce Bright Effects" option minimizes bright flashes from interface elements, and the existing Reduce Motion setting now more reliably damps down liquid glass animations.

Camera, CarPlay, and more

The Camera app gains Audio Zoom, which focuses recorded audio on the subject when you zoom in — the feature can be turned off in settings. In CarPlay, AI assistants, including Claude, Gemini, and ChatGPT, are now accessible for hands-free questions, though none require a wake word to activate.

Rounding out the update: a new Set Charge Limit action has been added to Shortcuts, and Apple says it has addressed a longstanding keyboard bug that caused characters to be dropped during fast typing.

To update, go to Settings > General > Software Update.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best unlocked phone deals during the Amazon Spring Sale — iPhones starting at $287

Wed, 03/25/2026 - 18:23

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More unlocked phone deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

The best laptop deals live during Amazons Big Spring Sale: Its a MacBook show so far

Wed, 03/25/2026 - 18:16
A quick look at Amazon's best Big Spring Sale laptop deals: Best MacBook deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $949 (save $250) Get Deal Best Windows laptop deal Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 (Intel Core Ultra 7 256V, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,199.99 (save $500) Get Deal Best gaming laptop deal Asus ROG Flow Z13 (AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $2,069.99 at Amazon (save $330 + free code for "Crimson Desert") Get Deal

Amazon's third annual Big Spring Sale is now live through March 31. The event is themed around seasonal goodies like spring cleaning supplies, outdoor gear, and warm-weather apparel. But it's also sparking some great deals on tech — including laptops.

So far, the bulk of Amazon's best laptop deals involve MacBooks, MacBooks, and more MacBooks. Almost every configuration from the past two years is on sale, if it's still in stock, with the biggest price cuts going to 2025's M4 MacBook Airs. They're all $200 to $300 off, making them significantly cheaper than their iterative M5 replacements, which Apple announced earlier this month. (Those are also on sale already, but only for about $50 off.)

Things are less exciting on the Windows side, but I managed to find a Samsung Galaxy laptop and an Asus gaming convertible on sale for record-low prices. Feel free to add those to your cart now. Several Microsoft Surface Laptop 7s are up to 26% off, but since all of them have been much cheaper before, I'd wait to see if their prices drop further later this week.

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

As a reminder, I don't endorse buying laptops from any third-party sellers on Amazon. (The bulk of its laptop listings comes from them.) They can have different customer service policies than Amazon itself, and they might be advertising misleading specs. This isn't to say they're all scammers doing something illegal, and Amazon has a guarantee that covers delivery or item condition issues. Still, I wouldn't take a chance on a big purchase like a new laptop. The Shipper/Seller should be "Amazon.com" (below the orange "Buy Now" button).

I would also recommend shopping around a bit at other retailers, especially Best Buy. It has a much better selection of Windows laptops than Amazon, and its pricing is competitive where their inventories overlap.

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

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

The 2025 MacBook Air is basically identical to its successor, save for its wireless chip and processor. (You're not missing out on much there: In our performance tests, the M4 version was only about six percent slower than the M5 model in both single- and multi-core workloads.) It features a vibrant Liquid Retina display, a backlit keyboard, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, and a 12MP webcam with Center Stage support. At $949, this 13-inch configuration has never been cheaper.

Read Mashable's full review of the 15-inch Apple MacBook Air (M4).

More MacBook Air dealsMacBook Pro dealsBest Windows laptop deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 (Intel Core Ultra 7 256V, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,199.99 at Amazon
$1,699.99 Save $500   Get Deal Why we like it

This premium hybrid laptop features a crisp 16-inch AMOLED touchscreen with a slick 120Hz refresh rate. (At 3.73 pounds, it's pretty light for a device of its size.) Samsung has rated it for up to 25 hours of battery life per charge and throws in a free S Pen stylus for note-taking. Amazon is offering a Big Spring Sale discount of $500, which brings it down to a record-low price of $1,199.99. It's still full price at Best Buy and on Samsung's website, so don't bother buying it anywhere else.

More Windows laptop dealsBest gaming laptop deal Opens in a new window Credit: Asus Asus ROG Flow Z13 (AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) 🔥 $2,069.99 at Amazon
$2,399.99 Save $330 Includes free code for "Crimson Desert" Get Deal Why we like it

The Asus ROG Flow Z13 is a zippy gaming convertible with a detachable keyboard and a buttery 180Hz display — GTA V's Ned Luke is a fan. This configuration is powered by a high-end AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 chip with integrated graphics that performed on par with an RTX 4060 GPU when we tested it in another Asus laptop. Amazon has it marked down to $2,069.99, which is 14% off its MSRP and its best deal to date. (Ignore Amazon's deflated list price; it actually retails for $2,399.99, according to Asus' website.) It also comes with a free PC download code for Crimson Desert, Pearl Abyss' huge new fantasy-action adventure game.

This ROG Flow Z13 deal is price-matched at Best Buy, but it doesn't include the Crimson Desert code there.

Gaming laptop deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

The best Lego deals to shop in Amazons Big Spring Sale — save on Star Wars and Super Mario

Wed, 03/25/2026 - 18:04
The best early Amazon Big Spring Sale Lego deals Best Lego Botanicals Deal Lego Botanicals Japanese Red Maple Bonsai Tree (#10348) $47.99 (save $12) Get Deal Best Lego Nintendo Deal Lego Super Mario Piranha Plant (#71426) $41.99 (save $18) Get Deal Best Lego Star Wars Deal Lego Star Wars Millennium Falcon A New Hope 25th Anniversary Collectable Model (#75375) $67.99 (save $17) Get Deal

Amazon's celebrating the arrival of springtime weather with the return of its Big Spring Sale. If you love finding discounted Lego sets during these kinds of sale events, we have good news: there's already some exciting deals to jump on now that the Big Spring Sale has officially kicked off.

Whether you're searching for a new Star Wars set to build or a delightful botanical display to put up for spring, we've gathered up a variety of options to look through below.

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Note: You don't need to be a Prime member to shop the sale, but Prime members will receive exclusive deals on a variety of items.

Best Lego Botanicals Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Botanicals Japanese Red Maple Bonsai Tree (#10348) $47.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $12   Get Deal Why we like it

Lego's Botanicals sets are always a delight to have up on display, and this Japanese Red Maple Bonsai Tree is sure to add a lovely pop of red, orange, and green into your home. At the moment, it's on sale at Amazon for $47.99, which is just pennies away from its lowest-ever price point of $47.95, according to price tracker camelcamelcamel. What better time to scoop up this 474-piece set if its caught your eye?

Best Lego Nintendo Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Super Mario Piranha Plant (#71426) $41.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $18   Get Deal Why we like it

MAR10 Day may be behind us, but The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is on the horizon, so it's a great time in general to be a Mario fan. If you're looking for a fun new set to build ahead of the upcoming film, this 540-piece Super Mario Piranha Plant set is a very fun option to have up on display. It's currently down to $41.99 at Amazon, so you can save $18 ahead of the Big Spring Sale.

Best Lego Star Wars Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Star Wars Millennium Falcon A New Hope 25th Anniversary Collectable Model (#75375) $67.99 at Amazon
$84.99 Save $17   Get Deal Why we like it

There are plenty of exciting Lego Star Wars sets to piece together, but this Millennium Falcon build is a must for your collection if you're a fan. This 921-piece set sees you recreating the Millennium Falcon, as seen in A New Hope, and it's currently on sale for $67.99 at Amazon. Similar to the Lego Japanese Red Maple Bonsai Tree, this set is also just pennies away from its lowest-ever price of $67.95, so this is an excellent time to pick it up and save.

More Amazon Big Spring Sale Lego deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

35+ Amazon device deals in the Big Spring Sale: Echo, Fire TV, Kindle, Blink

Wed, 03/25/2026 - 17:54
The best Big Spring Sale Amazon device deals at a glance: Best subscription deal Kindle Unlimited $0.99 for 3 months (save $34.98) Get Deal Best Echo device deal Amazon Echo Studio $189.99 (save $30) Get Deal Best Fire TV deal Amazon 55-inch 4-Series 4K Fire TV $279.99 (save $180) Get Deal Best Fire TV Stick deal Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select $17.99 (save $22) Get Deal Best Kindle deal Amazon Kindle Colorsoft $169.99 (save $80) Get Deal Best Kids device deal Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Kids $189.99 (save $80) Get Deal

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More Kindle deals

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

Kids device dealsBlink camera dealsEero deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

The best Pokémon deals in Amazons Big Spring Sale: Trading cards at record-low prices

Wed, 03/25/2026 - 17:37
Amazon Spring Sale Pokémon deals at a glance: Best Collection deal Pokemon TCG: Mega Evolution Ascended Heroes $133.94 (save $26.05) Shop Now Best Collector Chest Deal Pokémon TCG Collector Chest Fall 2025 $44 (save $13.99) Shop Now Best Pre-Order Deal Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution Perfect Order Booster Display Box $245.99 (save $34) Shop Now Best Elite Trainer Box Deal Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution Perfect Order Elite Trainer Box $102.95 Shop Now Best tin deal Pokémon TCG: Mega Charizard X Tin $35.34 (save $2.59) Shop Now Best Toy Deal MEGA Pokémon Building Toys Set Every Eevee Evolution $55.01 (save $20.58) Get Deal

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Categories: IT General, Technology

The best headphones deals in Amazons Big Spring Sale — Sony leads the pack but theres an excellent JLab deal too

Wed, 03/25/2026 - 17:29
Best early Big Spring Sale headphones and earbuds deals Best headphones deal Sony WH-1000XM6 $398 (save $61.99) Get Deal Best earbuds deal Sony WF-C710N $88 (save $41.99) Get Deal Best budget headphones deal JLab JBuds Lux ANC 41.99 (Save $38) Get Deal Best open earbuds deal Sony LinkBuds Clip $198 (save $31.99) Get Deal

If you're in need of an audio upgrade, Amazon's Big Spring Sale has come at the right time. Alongside discounts on products like TVs and Apple products, this mammoth sales event will see a wide range of discounts on both headphones and earbuds.

This will be the third year Amazon hosts the sale, and while the mega-retailer puts emphasis on spring-appropriate deals (think outdoor gear, cleaning supplies, and robot vacuums), the prior two years of the sale show that some tech deals get thrown in the mix.

SEE ALSO: When is Amazon's Spring Sale in 2026? Amazon just announced official dates.

The weeklong sale officially kicked off on March 25, and I've done my combing as one of Mashable's headphones experts to find over 20 deals that offer Spring Sale-worthy savings.

So far, the best savings are coming from Sony headphones, but you'll also find deals from brands including Sennheiser, Nothing, Samsung, Google, Marshall, and JBL. We'll be updating this post throughout the sale, and any deals no longer available with be marked with a strikeout.

Best headphones deal Sony WH-1000XM6 $398 at Amazon
$459.99 Save $61.99   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

Sony's flagship headphones, the Sony WH-1000XM6, are still relatively new all things considered, meaning that catching them on sale isn't always a given. Granted, even though their sale price of $398 does net you a nice $61.99 price cut, they're still expensive headphones. (If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, we recommend the Sony WH-CH720N). That said, if you're looking for the best of the best, we think they offer some of the best sound, noise cancellation, and all-day wear available. Plus, unlike their predecessor, their ear cups actually fold. Grab them on sale in any of the available four colorways.

If the WH-1000XM6 are out of your price range, go for a more budget-friendly option. The JLab Lux are surprisingly great for a pair of headphones under $100, and right now you can get them for just $41.99.

Check out our full review of the Sony WH-1000XM6.

More early headphones dealsBest earbuds deal Sony WF-C710N $88 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $41.99   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

As much as I love a good pair of premium earbuds, I'm less in love with the idea of paying over $200 for quality ANC and sound when you can get that for much, much cheaper. For day-to-day use, I often find myself reaching for the Sony WF-C710N earbuds. They have great battery life, a compact case for easy portability, really solid ANC, and a rounded sound profile worthy of the Sony name. Bracetti called them the best Sony earbuds you can get for under $100 (when they're on sale), and I'm comfortable saying they're some of the best earbuds under $100, period.

Check out our full review of the Sony WF-C710N.

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

People love the Bose Ultra Open earbuds, but the Sony LinkBuds Clip are just as comfortable, sound at least as good, and at their full price, cost about $70 cheaper than the Bose buds. On sale, they're over $100 cheaper than the Bose Ultra earbuds. Mashable contributor Simon Cohen deemed these earbuds a Mashable Selects winner, which means they're one of our favorite products we've tried. This sale price of $198 marks their biggest discount ever, and the first time they've ever gone below $200. For earbuds that just launched in January, that's not too shabby.

Check out our full review of the Sony LinkBuds Clip.

More early open earbuds deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

The Heated Rivalry soundtrack is coming to vinyl and CD: Where to buy every variant

Wed, 03/25/2026 - 17:21

The viral bops from Heated Rivalry are finally getting a physical release. Billboard reports that the soundtrack album to Crave's hit gay hockey show will drop this summer on CD and vinyl (in two different variants, no less).

Preorders open this Thursday, March 26 through Milan Records, a Los Angeles-based record label. Fans can sign up for availablity updates on its website. Pricing hasn't been announced yet.

The album includes 11 songs that were featured in the first season of Heated Rivalry, including Wet Leg’s "mangetout," t.A.T.u's "All the Things She Said," and Harrison's clubby cover of the latter. It also comes with a previously unreleased bonus track called "One Soul (Cottage Mix)," written by Peter Peter, the Canadian composer behind the show's original score.

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That full 34-track score will be available on the CD, while the vinyl version has a selection of 18 tracks from it. Both formats will ship with a double-sided poster and liner notes by Heated Rivalry showrunner Jacob Tierney. The vinyl includes two extra trading cards and double-sided disc sleeves printed with imagery from the show, making it a true collector's item.

SEE ALSO: 'Heated Rivalry' fans, we've got your next must-see MLM romance

Based on author Rachel Reid’s bestselling Game Changers book series, Heated Rivalry follows a secret romance between Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie), two fictional rival hockey players. The show debuted on HBO Max and the Canadian streaming service Crave last November to surprise success, spawning a passionate fandom and turning its leading men into superstars overnight.

Season two of Heated Rivalry will begin production this August, a month before Reid releases her seventh Game Changers installment, Unrivaled. It's now available for preorder.

Heated Rivalry soundtrack variants The "Icy Inferno" variant will be sold exclusively through Milan Records and Sony Music Canada. Credit: Milan Records

The Heated Rivalry soundtrack CD features two discs printed with shirtless photos of Rozanov and Hollander. The vinyl comes in two variants that are identical save for their pressing colors:

  • The "Montreal vs. Boston Edition" includes two-toned LPs pressed in red/blue and black/yellow, representing the show's two main hockey teams.

  • The "Icy Inferno" variant has two clear LPs.

The CD and the Montreal vs. Boston Edition vinyl will both be widely available at major retailers and indie record stores. The Icy Inferno vinyl variant will only be sold through Milan Records and Sony Music Canada.

Summer playlist secured. Credit: Milan Records

Listings will start to go live at 12:01 a.m. ET on Thursday, but don't bother setting your alarm. "Stock is not limited for the pre-order, so no need to wake up early or worry about missing it!" Milan Records states on an FAQ page. "There will be plenty of options for purchase during the initial pre-order launch."

The CD and both vinyl variants are slated to start shipping on July 10, the same day the album arrives on digital, per Billboard. Visit Milan Records' website to check out the complete tracklist.

Categories: IT General, Technology

OpenAI’s Sora shutting down: When it happens, 2 AI video alternatives

Wed, 03/25/2026 - 17:10

You may have heard that OpenAI is killing its Sora AI video generation tool. However, that doesn't mean it's the end of the line for AI video generation in general.

Sam Altman's company announced the surprising move on Tuesday afternoon, in conjunction with Disney axing its big-money partnership with OpenAI at the same time.

The nature of the announcement made it seem, at least from the outside looking in, that things are moving quickly inside OpenAI right now. In other words, when Sora will fully shut down and what that means for your creations hasn't been revealed. In an X post announcing the decision, the Sora account merely said "We’ll share more soon, including timelines for the app and API and details on preserving your work."

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

Well, OK then! While OpenAI works all of the specifics out, it's time for anyone who really liked using Sora to investigate other alternatives for AI video generation. Here are some easy options.

Google Veo 3

The most mainstream option is going to be Google's Veo 3 model, which Mashable called "shockingly realistic" when it launched last year. You can make videos that look better than most other models, but obviously, nothing is free. You'll need one of Google's paid AI plans, which also come with enhanced Gemini features and access to Nano Banana, among other things. These start at $7.99 per month, so they aren't the most expensive thing in the world, but you'll need to ask yourself if you want to pay monthly for the ability to generate videos. That question will come up again as you look for alternatives to Sora.

Luma Ray3

Speaking of money, Luma's Ray3 model is also known for producing realistic, high-quality videos, but at a cost. And it's a steep one compared to Veo 3. The cheapest plan is $30 monthly, so by comparison, Veo 3 is a steal. That said, Ray3 has a deep bench of editing tools, native 1080p video generation, and some other bells and whistles that might make it worth the price, depending on what you plan on doing with it.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Best Buy’s Tech Fest is officially over, but these leftover deals are still worth your money

Wed, 03/25/2026 - 16:55

Best Buy spring deals 2026: Best TV deal 65-inch Samsung Class S84F OLED 4K UHD Vision AI Smart Tizen TV $899.99 (save $1,100) Get Deal Best laptop deal 15.6-inch Acer Chromebook 315 (Intel Celeron N4500, 4GB LPDDR4X, 64GB eMMC) + Protective Sleeve $149 (save $150) Get Deal Best Apple Watch deal Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) $299 (save $100) Get Deal

The Amazon Big Spring Sale is all anyone can talk about right now (which, fair, it's basically a pre-game for July's Prime Day event). But Amazon isn't the only retailer dropping prices this week.

In a completely unsurprising move to steal some of that spotlight, Best Buy threw its own Tech Fest sale over the weekend. The official event technically wrapped up, but a ton of those discounts are still live on the site as of March 25, including markdowns on big-ticket items like OLED TVs, noise-canceling headphones, and Apple products.

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

So before you blow your entire shopping budget at Amazon, here are the best leftover Best Buy deals you can add to your cart right now.

Best deal overall Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung 65-inch Samsung Class S84F OLED 4K UHD Vision AI Smart Tizen TV $899.99 at Best Buy
$1,999.99 Save $1,100   Get Deal Why we like it

There are literally hundreds of leftover deals still floating around Best Buy's site right now, and we'll be updating this piece as we dig through more of them. But if we had to single out a discount to jump on right this second, it's this one. Scoring a 65-inch Samsung OLED for under $900 is basically unheard of outside of Black Friday. If you've been waiting for an excuse to finally upgrade your living room setup, saving over a grand on a premium display beats paying full price for whatever shiny new model drops next month.

Best TV deals Best laptop deals Best headphones and earbuds dealsBest Apple deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

The best TV deals in Amazons Spring Sale — score budget QLED TVs at record-low prices

Wed, 03/25/2026 - 16:43
The best Amazon Big Spring Sale TV deals at a glance: Best 55-inch TV deal Hisense 55-inch Canvas QLED 4K TV $687.99 at Amazon (save $306) Get Deal Best 65-inch TV deal TCL 65-inch QM8K Mini LED QLED 4K TV $997.97 at Amazon (save $500) Get Deal Best 75-inch TV deal Hisense 75-inch U7 Mini LED QLED 4K TV $897.96 at Amazon (save $398) Get Deal

Most of the year's major flagship TVs announced in January are typically out by the end of March, cueing retailers to push deals on last year's TVs even harder. March was further established as one of the best months to buy a TV when Amazon started holding a massive annual spring sale. This year, it's longer than ever: The 2026 Big Spring Sale runs from March 25 through 31. And a ton of TVs are included in the sale.

SEE ALSO: What to look for when buying a TV, as told through this easy TV specs guide

It's not just Amazon's in-house Fire TVs that see big discounts during the Big Spring Sale — they're hardly the best TVs you can get for the money right now. The most worthwhile Amazon TV deals are from solid budget brands like TCL and Hisense, with a few premium options like Samsung's The Frame thrown in. To find deals on premium 2025 OLEDs, Best Buy tends to have way more options.

We’re tracking the strongest Amazon TV deals throughout the Big Spring Sale, with a rolling list updated as prices change. Every model featured here is at, or lower than, its previous best price based on data from camelcamelcamel, so these are genuinely competitive offers. We’re also watching for fresh discounts across the models we've picked as the best 65-inch TVs you can buy this year.

Best Big Spring Sale TV deal Hisense 75-inch U7 QLED 4K TV $897.96 at Amazon
$1,297.99 Save $400.03   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

One TV that's actually beating its previous record-low sale price is the 2025 75-inch Hisense U7. Currently 31 percent off, it's $103 cheaper than it was just a month ago during Presidents' Day sales.

The 2026 version of the same TV was just unveiled on March 6, so a new price drop on the predecessor model certainly tracks. The 2026 75-inch U7 will cost $1,999.99 — more than $1,000 steeper than the 2025 model's $897.96 sale price. Those are the kind of steals we were talking about. The 65-inch model is also at a new record-low $697.96 if 75 inches is a bit larger than you'd like.

This mini LED model packs a serious punch for the price. Its brightness in SDR and HDR gets consistently great notes across the internet, with glare handling strong enough for most sunlit rooms. You don't always see a 165 Hz refresh rate in budget to mid-range TVs, so the Hisense U7 is a top contender for an XL gaming TV under $1,000.

Deals on 43-inch TVs and underDeals on 50- to 55-inch TVsDeals on 65-inch TVs Deals on 75-inch TVs and up
Categories: IT General, Technology

Netflixs Apex trailer teases Charlize Theron being hunted in the Australian wilderness

Wed, 03/25/2026 - 16:39

If there's one thing we've learned from Australian survival thrillers, it's that it's never a good idea to venture out solo into the wilderness — and if you do, you definitely want to avoid asking the locals for directions.

A cat-and-mouse survival game plays out in the Netflix trailer above for Apex, which sees Charlize Theron being hunted through the mountains by an impressively creepy Taron Egerton.

From the looks of things we can expect beautiful scenery, rock climbing and kayak-based action sequences, and plenty of shots of Egerton grinning while wielding a crossbow.

Apex is streaming on Netflix from April 24.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to check or reload your Amazon gift card balance

Wed, 03/25/2026 - 16:34

Dust off those Amazon gift cards — Amazon’s Big Spring Sale runs from Wednesday, March 25 to March 31 (and some great deals are already available). 

If you previously redeemed a gift card and want to check the remaining balance, we’ve got you covered. We'll also explain how to reload a gift card. Follow the steps below to make sure your Amazon gift cards are ready for those Lightning Deals. Happy shopping!

How to check your Amazon gift card balance on your desktop

Follow these quick steps to check or reload your Amazon gift card balance from your computer browser:

Total Time
  • 2 minutes
What You Need
  • Computer

Step 1: Navigate to Amazon

Open the Amazon website.

Step 2: Accounts & Lists

Click on Accounts & Lists in the top right corner of the screen.

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon website

Step 3: Select Gift cards

A new menu page will open on the website. Select Gift cards.

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon website

Step 4: Redeem or reload gift card

Once you click, you'll be able to see the existing balance on your gift card. If you are checking the balance on an unredeemed gift card and wish to redeem it, you can click on Redeem a Gift card. You can also opt to Reload your card in this menu or check your transaction history, which is listed below the gift card balance.

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon website How to check your Amazon gift card balance in the app

Follow these simple steps to check or reload your Amazon gift card balance from your phone or tablet:

Total Time
  • 2 minutes
What You Need
  • Smartphone

Step 1: Go to Account

Open the app and click on the account icon at the bottom of the landing page (the little person illustration). Then choose Account at the top of the landing page.

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon

Step 2: Navigate to Payments

Scroll down until you see the Payments section.

Step 3: Manage gift card balance

In the Payments section, click on Manage gift card balance.

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon

Step 4: Check balance or reload

Use the new menu that opens to check your gift card balance, reload your gift card, or check past activity.

Credit: Screenshot: Amazon
Categories: IT General, Technology

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