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Microsoft is constantly updating Windows with new features and other changes, and those show up first in the Windows Insider builds. Here's everything Microsoft rolled out in Insider builds this week, most of which should roll out to regular PCs over the coming weeks and months.

SAVE $400: As of March 28, the Ecovacs Deebot N30 Omni robot vacuum is on sale for $399.99 during the Amazon Big Spring Sale. It's a full 50% off of the MSRP of $799.99 after a 38% flat discount plus an extra $100 coupon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ecovacs Ecovacs Deebot N30 Omni robot vacuum with self-empty and mop-washing station $399.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $400 Get Deal

As fire as my favorite robot vacuum deal at Amazon's Big Spring Sale is, $800 is still kind of steep for a robot vacuum at the end of the day. For those looking to spend less, consider the similar Ecovacs Deebot N30 Omni. Hear me out.

After a combination of a steep flat discount and a casual $100 coupon tacked on, you can secure many of the same high-end specs of my beloved Roborock Qrevo Master for $399.99. That's a full 50% off its usual $799.99, and also a full 50% cheaper than the sale price of the Qrevo Master.

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

First things first: A robot vacuum and mop combo that not only self-empties, but self-washes and dries its own mopping pads is a rare find under $400. (A quick look at the full list of the best robot vacuum deals at this Amazon spring sale will tell you that.) The fact that the Ecovacs Deebot N30 makes that cut is impressive on its own, as is the fact that the mop design in question consists of dual spinning pads. But there's another huge feat here.

The N30 Omni takes the cleaning efficacy a bit further by clocking 10,000 Pa of suction power. That's identical suction power to the Roborock Qrevo Master I just mentioned ($799.99 on sale, as a reminder) and 3,000 Pa stronger than the Eufy C30, the only other robot vac with a mop-washing station under $400 on that list.

While the N30 Omni doesn't supply the livestream pet camera that the Qrevo Master does, it still offers small obstacle avoidance to steer clear of phone chargers or shoes. If you're on a strict budget, this is the bang for your buck to jump on.

There's no shortage of tech features carmakers love to hype up—fancy touchscreens, voice assistants, and even self-parking. However, one feature that I have a gripe with is built-in Wi-Fi. The thought of a seamless internet on the road, streaming movies in the backseat, or getting work done while someone else drives feels like a tech lover's dream. But as cool as it sounds, I have to admit, every time I see it offered, I can't help but wonder—would I actually use it?

SAVE $32: As of March 28, you can get the Loftie smart alarm clock for $127.99 at Amazon. That's a 20% discount and a $32 price cut.

Opens in a new window Credit: Loftie Loftie Smart Alarm Clock $127.99 at Amazon
$159.99 Save $32.00 Get Deal

If you’re not a morning person or you share a bed with someone who isn’t, you might want to look into getting a smart alarm clock.

Unlike traditional alarms, these little gadgets feature white noise, meditations, and other soothing sounds that can help you fall asleep, and they offer gentler wake-up methods that prevent you from starting the day on the wrong foot. (I actually have the Hatch Restore 2 on my nightstand, and I love it.)

SEE ALSO: The Amazon Big Spring Sale has some great smart home deals — check out what we've found

And right now, you can get the Loftie smart alarm clock for $127.99, down from $159.99. That’s a discount of 20% or $32.

The Loftie smart alarm clock doubles as a sound machine. There are more than 100 free tracks, including breathwork, white noise, nature sounds, and sound baths. What makes it unique, however, is that it has a two-phase alarm system. The first alarm gently lulls you awake, and then, nine minutes later, a second alarm gets you out of bed.

It has other features, too, like a dimmable display, a sleep timer, and a night light. You can also use it without WiFi, which is great if don't want another device connected to the internet.

The Pixel 9a now has an official release date.

According to Google, the Pixel 9a will finally hit store shelves in the U.S., Canada, and UK on April 10.

Google officially announced the Pixel 9a, the latest member of its Pixel 9a smartphone lineup, last week. The made-for-AI, camera-bump-less smartphone seems like a real steal at $499. However, there were issues immediately after Google's announcement.

The Pixel 9a was originally supposed to be available for pre-order on March 19 and hit store shelves on March 26. Based on those original dates, the Pixel 9a should've already launched, with early adopters having the device in hand by now.

However, shortly before the Pixel 9a was announced, Google postponed the release date to an unspecific April date and dropped the pre-orders completely. The Verge later confirmed that the delay was due to a "component quality issue" that Google discovered which affected a "small number" of Pixel 9a devices.

The whole issue kind of made for an awkward rollout, as Google was left announcing a new current-generation device that appeared ready for retail but without a release date. Still though, this timeline of events was likely preferably to Google having to fix the component issue with the device already in consumers' hands.

After stumbling out of the gate, Google is getting right back on track with the Pixel 9a. Mashable already has a comparison published between the Pixel 9a and the base Pixel 9 model, and we'll have a hands-on review of the Pixel 9a when it's out. So, stay tuned for more Pixel 9a coverage.

UPDATE: Mar. 28, 2025, 2:30 p.m. EDT This story has been updated with current pricing/availability and one new deal.

Amazon's Big Spring Sale is its first major savings event of the year, and probably the last one on its calendar until Memorial Day weekend in late May. Knowing that (and the current state of the economy), the pressure is on for the retail giant to offer a slew of deals that translate into serious savings this week.

In its press release, on its homepage, and on its landing page for the event, Amazon has advertised Big Spring Sale discounts of up to 40% — not too shabby. However, Mashable shopping experts have been combing the sale since it started Tuesday, and we've spotted a few dozen products that are at least 50% off.

SEE ALSO: 350+ of the best live deals in the Amazon Big Spring Sale, picked by Mashable's team of experts

We've compiled a list of said deals below. Everything is half off or more, so you're saving at least as much as you're spending. We'll continue to update it as we find more hefty deals, so check back often.

As things currently stand, the biggest tech discount we've seen is on the Roborock Q7 Max, a robot vacuum/mop combo that's sitting at a record-low price of $189.99. (Ignore its $299.99 sticker price on Amazon: According to the Roborock website, it actually retails for $599.99. Shoppers save 68%.) The biggest discount overall has gone to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S copies of NBA 2K25, which are now $19.93 apiece — that's 72% off their $69.99 MSRP.

Note: Struck-through deals were sold out or expired at the time of writing.

Tech dealsEarbuds

• Anker Soundcore P20i — $19.99 $39.99 (save $20)

• Amazon Echo Buds with Active Noise Cancellation — $54.99 $139.99 (save $85)

Smart home devices

• Amazon Fire TV Stick — $19.99 $39.99 (save $20)

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

• Blink Outdoor 4 5-Camera System — $199.99 $399.99 (save $200)

TVs

• TCL 98-inch Q65 QLED 4K TV — $1,497.99 $2,999.99 (save $1,502)

Vacuum dealsRobot vacuums

• Roborock Q7 Max — $189.99 $599.99 (save $410)

• Eufy L50 with Self-Empty Station — $199.99 $399.99 (save $200)

• Roborock Q8 Max — $259.99 $599.99 (save $340)

• Roborock Q5 Pro+ — $299.99 $699.99 (save $400)

• Shark AI Ultra AV2511AE — $299.99 $599.99 (save $300)

• Roborock Qrevo Master — $799.99 $1,599.99 (save $800)

Stick vacuums

• Tineco Pure One with Auto-Empty Station — $299 $599 (save $300)

• Dreame Z10 with Auto-Empty Station — $299.99 $599.99 (save $300 with Prime)

Outdoor deals

• Energizer Rechargeable LED Lantern — $12.03 $26.67 (save $14.64)

• DJI Power 1000 Portable Power Station — $419 $999 (save $580)

• Anker SOLIX C1000 Portable Power Station — $449 $999 (save $550)

Travel deals

• Ankle Zolo Power Bank — $12.94 $25.99 (save $13.05)

• Anker Zolo Magnetic Power Bank — $24.99 $49.99 (save $25 with code A1685011)

• Adidas Defender 4.0 duffel bag — $21.59 $45 (save $23.41)

• Samsonite Winfield 3 DLX (3-Piece Set) — $284.01 $679.99 (save $395.98)

Fitness deals

• Hydro Flask 24 oz Wide Mouth Bottle with Flex Straw Cap — $16.99 $34.95 (save $17.96)

• Hydro Flask 32 oz Wide Mouth Bottle with Flex Straw Cap — $22.04 $44.95 (save $22.91)

• Nordictrack Commercial S22i Studio Cycle — $889.99 $1,999.99 (save $1,110)

Gaming dealsPlayStation games

• Bluey: The Videogame — $19.93 $39.99 (save $20.06)

• NBA 2K25 — $19.93 $69.99 (save $50.06)

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

Xbox games

• NBA 2K25 — $19.93 $69.99 (save $50.06)

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

Nintendo Switch games

• NBA 2K25 — $19.93 $59.99 (save $40.06)

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

Beauty deals

• CHI Spin N Curl — $58.06 $119.89 (save $61.83)

• CHI 1-Inch Original Ceramic Hairstyling Iron — $38.98 $99.99 (save $61.01)

Book dealsFiction

• 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 with on-page coupon)

• 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)

Nonfiction

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

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

• The Artist's Way (30th Anniversary Edition) by Julia Cameron — $7.79 $20 (save $12.21 with on-page coupon)

• Atomic Habits by James Clear — $9.66 $27 (save $17.34 with on-page coupon)

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

After ChatGPT-generated images in the style of Studio Ghibli drew criticism online, OpenAI has shared a response addressing the backlash.

OpenAI released native image generation in GPT-4o earlier this week, with a live demo showing CEO Sam Altman and OpenAI staffers using ChatGPT to turn a selfie into an anime-style image that looked a whole lot like the unique and painstakingly crafted animated films of Studio Ghibli. Soon, Studio Ghibli-style versions of memes, selfies, and family photos, all automated by ChatGPT, went viral on X. Altman himself turned his X profile picture into a Studio Ghibli-esque image of himself and directly mentioned the distinct style in an X post, writing, "wake up one day to hundreds of messages: 'look i made you into a twink ghibli style haha.'"

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The viral moment quickly turned into questions of copyright infringement and IP theft as users wondered whether OpenAI trained GPT-4o on Studio Ghibli films without permission. But the larger issue that troubled many users was how the artwork of Hayao Miyazaki's studio, which famously hand-paints almost every frame of their animated films, could be quickly automated and commodified for the purpose of promoting a new OpenAI product.

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

This was especially prescient given Miyazaki's stance on AI-generated work based on a clip that went viral where Miyazaki expressed his disgust, saying, "I strongly feel that this is an insult to life itself."

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

In response, OpenAI has addressed the criticisms sharing the following statement to Mashable:

Our goal is to give users as much creative freedom as possible. We continue to prevent generations in the style of individual living artists, but we do permit broader studio styles—which people have used to generate and share some truly delightful and inspired original fan creations. We're always learning from real-world use and feedback, and we’ll keep refining our policies as we go.

OpenAI did not address our questions of whether OpenAI had a pre-existing licensing partnership with Studio Ghibli or whether Studio Ghibli films had been included in the training data.

The technical distinction that theoretically lets OpenAI off the hook is that ChatGPT can generate "broader studio styles" but not individual styles of living artists. Indeed, when asking ChatGPT to generate a Hayao Miyazaki-style animation of an uploaded image, ChatGPT denied the request, saying it "violates our content policies." Replacing Hayao Miyazaki's name with "Studio Ghibli" in a new prompt successfully complied with the request.

Asking ChatGPT to create a Hayao Miyazaki style animation gets rejected, but asking for a Studio Ghibli style animation grants the request. Credit: Screenshot: Mashable / OpenAI

According to OpenAI's GPT-4o system card, which outlines the model's ethical and safety challenges, "The model can generate images that resemble the aesthetics of some artists’ work when their name is used in the prompt." The section goes on to say, "We opted to take a conservative approach with this version of 4o image generation, as we learn more about how 4o image generation is used by the creative community." But it's unclear how unquestioningly granting requests for Studio Ghibli-style animations is a conservative approach.

The system card section also specifies, "We added a refusal which triggers when a user attempts to generate an image in the style of a living artist."

So, there you have it folks. You can ask ChatGPT to create an image in the style of a studio, but not a living artist. Miyazaki's work can be appropriated if you plug in the name of the studio that he founded, but not his own name.

The Moon has fascinated us for as long as humans have existed as a species, and in the 20th century we finally set foot upon its surface. However, since then we haven't been in a hurry to go back.

There is a constant debate in the automotive world about which brand produces the most reliable vehicles. Well J.D. Power has conducted a dependability study and claim that they have the answer to that very question, ranking the most reliable brands in 2025.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

That line of thinking could have saved Facebook a lot of trouble, but the social media site owned by Meta seems to be returning to its roots anyway.

One of the most striking changes Facebook made was to change its famous Feed. Instead of only seeing your friends, it began showing ads and recommended content. Now, years later, the Friends Feed is returning — kind of.

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

"Connecting with friends has been a part of Facebook since it launched," the company wrote in a news release. "Over the years, Facebook evolved to meet changing needs and created best-in-class experiences across Groups, Video, Marketplace, and more, but the magic of friends has fallen away. We’ll be adding several 'OG' Facebook experiences throughout the year, beginning with the revamped Friends tab."

Those "OG Facebook experiences" include a new Friends tab to "make it easier for people to find their friends’ content on Facebook." This tab will only show your friends' stories, Reels, posts, and requests, instead of being mixed in with other recommended content. You can pin the Friends tab so it's easier to access by going to your profile picture, clicking "settings & privacy," navigating to "settings," and clicking "tab bar," before customizing the bar and clicking "Friends" to pin the tab.

"Social media should feel social," Meta wrote. "In that spirit, we’ll be adding more fun, simple experiences to help you connect and share on Facebook throughout the year."

As the electric vehicle (EV) market continues to grow, more affordable options are becoming available to budget-conscious drivers. With rising fuel costs and increased environmental awareness, many are making the switch to electric without breaking the bank.

Google has announced that it will stop making its Nest Protect smart smoke and carbon monoxide alarm. This is a significant change for the company's venture into home safety, but not the end.

SAVE UP TO 37%: The Amazon Big Spring Sale has air purifiers on sale from brands like Coway, Dyson, LG, Shark, and more.

Best air purifier deals during Amazon's spring sale Best overall deal Coway Airmega 200M (white) $183.99 (save $46) Get Deal Best Dyson deal Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Gen1 HP10 $399.95 (save $130.04) Get Deal Best air purifier for design LG PuriCare AeroTower $329.99 (save $70) Get Deal

We have plenty to celebrate in the spring, like flowers, warmer weather, sunshine, and great discounts during the Amazon Big Spring Sale, which runs through March 31. Unfortunately, spring also comes with a tint of dread for those of us who suffer from seasonal allergies. Equipping your home with an air purifier is one of the simplest ways to cut down on allergens and dust in the air.

Just in time for spring allergy season, Amazon has discounts on some of the best air purifiers during the Amazon Big Spring Sale. You'll be able to find the best model for your home or apartment based on the size of your space and the design you prefer.

Even if you don't deal with spring allergies, an air purifier is great for keeping indoor air clean if the area you live in is prone to wildfire smoke, or you deal with pet allergies. They can also be perfect for getting rid of odors from cooking. Boiled down, every home could benefit from breathing in cleaner air. Here are some of our favorite air purifier discounts to shop during the Amazon Big Spring Sale.

Best overall deal Opens in a new window Credit: Coway Coway Airmega 200M (white) $183.99 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $46 Get Deal Why we like it

The Coway Airmega 200M wastes no time when it comes to cleaning the air. In a 316 square-foot space, the Coway takes under 13 minutes to completely filter the air or under 30 minutes in a space up to 874 square feet. Coway designed this model with three layers of filtration with an initial pre-filter to capture hair and dust mites, which leaves the important HEPA filter cleaner for tasks that include filtering out pollen, germs, viruses, and fine dust.

The Coway Airmega 200M usually costs $229.99, but it's discounted to just $155.87 as part of the Amazon Big Spring Sale. Be sure to snag the white colorway to score this sale price.

Best Dyson deal Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Gen1 HP10 $399.95 at Amazon
$529.99 Save $130.04 Get Deal Why we like it

Dyson is the master of manipulating airflow, making some of the best fans, purifiers, and hair dryers we've ever used. The Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Gen1 HP10 lives up to the brand's high standards, offering HEPA filtration, a fan for warm nights, and a heater for chilly winter days. This three-in-one model usually sells for $529.99, but it's discounted to $399.95. The 25% discount means you'll be saving an impressive $130.

Aside from incredible performance, the Dyson comes with a remote control, which is one of the most convenient features that not all air purifiers can claim. It also comes with oscillation up to 350 degrees, and the fully sealed HEPA filter gives you reassurance the air is cleaner. Night mode is also great, since it lowers the display lighting and sends the purifiers into its quietest operation mode.

Instead of buying a fan to keep you cool in the summer and a portable heater to warm up a chilly bedroom in the winter, the Dyson is here to do both, and it'll purify the air while keeping you at a comfortable temperature.

Best air purifier for design Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG PuriCare AeroTower Air Purifier $329.99 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $70 Get Deal Why we like it

While plenty of air purifiers come with HEPA filters, not many get high marks when it comes to overall appearance. If you're interested in keeping indoor air clean thanks to a purifier that's also aesthetically pleasing, the LG PuriCare AeroTower is a great option. The tower design makes it look more aligned with an interesting piece of furniture instead of a piece purely for function. Its slim build means it's also great if you don't have much floor space to dedicate to an air purifier.

The LG PuriCare also gets extra credit for being certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly, a program run by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. This certification means this model is especially great for those who deal with seasonal allergies or asthma. The NanoFiber True HEPA used in this model can trap 99.97% of particles that tend to cause trouble like dust, pollen, and smoke.

More air purifier deals to shop at Amazon

• GoveeLife Mini Air Purifier — $32.48 $49.98 (save $17.50)

• Levoit Core 200S-P air purifier — $69.99 $89.99 (save $20)

• Shark NeverChange Air Purifier Compact Pro (250 square feet) — $119.99 $149.99 (save $30)

• Blueair Blue Pure 411i Max — $144.99 $169.99 (save $25)

• Winix 5510 Air Purifier — $149 $179.99 (save $30.99)

• Shark Air Purifier Max (1000 square feet) — $199.99 $329.99 (save $130)

• LG PuriCare 360 Air Purifier — $228 $299.99 (save $71.99)

• Blueair ComfortPure — $419.99 $599.99 (save $180)

• Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Formaldehyde HP09 — $649 $849.99 (save $200.99)

SAVE $145: As of March 28, the Dreame D10 Plus robot vacuum and mop combo is down to just $254.99 at Amazon during the Big Spring Sale. That's 36% off the usual cost and its lowest price ever.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dreame Dreame D10 Plus robot vacuum and mop with self-empty station $254.99 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $145 Get Deal

The price of a new robot vacuum that also mops can come with a bit of sticker shock. Our favorite model (the Roborock Saros 10R), for instance, costs $1,599.99. But here's the thing: even that expensive combo robovac isn't perfect. If you just want something that can tidy up your floors and you're not picky, we suggest opting for something more affordable, like this Dreame D10 Plus.

Usually pretty reasonable at $399.99, you can pick up the Dreame D10 Plus for even cheaper during Amazon's Big Spring Sale. As of March 28, it's down to just $254.99. That's 36% off and its best price ever. It even beats its Black Friday price by $5.

The Dreame D10 Plus robot vacuum and mop combo certainly isn't the fanciest model around, but it's great for its price. The 6,000Pa suction power is pretty average in this price range. It packs a 150ml clean water tank with three flow settings to select from, so it can give your floors a little scrub after sucking up all the gunk. It's battery life is pretty solid at 285 minutes, plus it's equipped with smart mapping, obstacle avoidance, and voice assistant support. A bonus, particulary at this low price, is that it comes with a self-emptying base that can hold up to 90 days' worth of debris before needing your attention. Once it finishes cleaning, it'll head back to its base to charge and dump any dust, crumbs, or dirt it collected.

While it's not going to wow you like a $1,600 robot vacuum, the Dreame D10 Plus gets you a lot for your money. And if you grab it during the Big Spring Sale, you'll pay the lowest amount possible. Looking for a specific model on sale? Check out our running list of the best robot vacuum deals from the Big Spring Sale.

You can't completely turn off Google's AI Overviews, but users have discovered a profanity-laced workaround.

If you add "fuck" or a variation of the word to your Google search, it turns off the AI-generated summary at the top of the page.

The origins of this hack are unclear, but LA Times reporter Keri Blakinger posted a TikTok about it in early March, saying she had heard about it from an episode of the Scriptnotes podcast.

But it appears to have originated from a Jan. 27 Tumblr post by user flootzavut, who wrote, "Swear in your search request. I know it sounds ridiculous, but the most effective way I've found of it not doing the AI summary is just to add 'fucking' go [sic] my search."

https://www.tumblr.com/andthentheresanne/774090613079621632

I tried it, and it works like a charm. When searching "what's the most expensive car," I got the usual AI Overview response at the top of the search results that I've gotten in the habit of automatically scrolling past. Then I added "fuck" to the end of my query and received a blissfully AI-free results page. I still got the usual mix of featured snippets (written by humans and including site links) and AI-generated summaries in the People Also Ask section of the page, so the hack only turns off AI Overviews. But at least the main results page is rid of AI clutter.

No fucks given. Credit: Google Fucks given. Credit: Google

A note of caution: when using this hack, be careful of how adding the f-word can augment your search entirely. Inspired by my current obsession, season three of The White Lotus, I discovered that adding "fuck" or "fucking" to a search for "the best Thailand resorts" returns verrrry different results than what I was looking for.

The reason why this hack works is likely due to Google Search's safety guardrails, which make AI Overviews a very prim summarizer. Google's AI model Gemini is probably trained not to respond when certain trigger words are included in the search. Users who commented on Blakinger's TikTok post shared that adding "-AI" to your search also works. So, you're essentially telling Gemini not to respond.

While there's no "off" setting for AI Overviews, there are other workarounds too, which Mashable and our sibling site Lifehacker have written about.

But swearing at Google Search is by far the funnest way to do it.

SAVE $100: As of March 28, Amazon Big Spring Sale shoppers can snag a cordless Levoit vacuum for $249.99, or 29% off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Levoit Levoit LVAC-300 cordless vacuum $249.99 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $100 Get Deal

Now that spring is here, it's time to get serious about spring cleaning. Thankfully, Amazon's Big Spring Sale is currently underway, and features plenty of deals and discounts to help you get your home looking spotless for the season.

Any respectable spring cleaning setup needs a good vacuum, and this cordless model from Levoit is on sale for $249.99, down from $349.99 during the Big Spring Sale. That's $100 off, or a 29% discount. Don't wait on this one, because it'll most likely be going back to its regular price once the sale concludes on March 30.

SEE ALSO: Walmart's Super Savings Week is live during the Amazon Big Spring Sale

While Levoit is most well-known for its highly rated air purifiers, the brand also sells vacuums that employ similar allergen-filtration features so you can keep the air in your home fresh. The LVAC-300 is a powerful, multi-surface vacuum that has a built-in HEPA filter for capturing many of the particles at home that could be making your spring allergies act up. It also has a one-hour battery life, and an anti-tangle brush that pet owners will appreciate.

Add one to your cleaning closet for just $249.99 during Amazon's Big Spring Sale, saving you $100.

Figure plans to mass-produce its humanoid robots, and that gives me mixed feelings. On the one hand, it's incredibly cool, but on the other hand, every single robot apocalypse movie I’ve ever watched warns that this is a very bad idea!

Imagine for a moment that unicorns were real, but don't resemble the fanciful fillies illustrated in children's books of Lisa Frank school supplies. Instead, they are feral creatures, with mighty muscles, sharp fangs protruding from a screaming maw, and a horn so girthy and sturdy it can run through a man's ribcage like a broadsword. These are the beasts that ferociously frolic in the wild A24 comedy Death of a Unicorn.

The directorial debut of producer Alex Scharfman (Resurrection, Blow the Man Down), Death of a Unicorn will unfold a tale of wonder, greed, and unicorn carnage (unicarnage?) with a humor broad and dark. A crackling ensemble made up of Paul Rudd, Jenna Ortega, Richard E. Grant, Téa Leoni, Will Poulter, Jessica Hynes, and Anthony Carrigan play a cast of eccentric characters, sharply painting a world of class conflicts within a remote but luxurious estate in the Canadian Rockies.

SEE ALSO: Paul Rudd, Jenna Ortega and the 'Death of a Unicorn' cast reveal when their minds were utterly blown

The result is a movie that's hilarious, horrorific, and strikingly sincere  — albeit uneven. 

Death of a Unicorn lays down a gory and goofy anti-capitalism parable.  Jenna Ortega and Paul Rudd have a fatetful car accident in "Death of a Unicorn." Credit: A24

What would you do if you encountered a real live (or dead) unicorn? In this strange circumstance, art history major Ridley (Ortega) drops to her knees in awe of its glowing gold horn…and oozing purple blood. Her corporate lawyer father Elliot (Rudd) goes into panic mode, hoping to cover up the unicorn's existence to save himself any hassle. But his employers, the wealthy Leopold family, look at the corpse of a mythic beast and see only dollar signs — and it's their sprawling estate on which the unicorn dies.

Like the notorious Sacklers on which they are based, the Leopolds have built their financial empire on pharmaceuticals. With their patriarch Odell (Grant) on the verge of death by cancer, they’ve called their trusted lawyer Elliot to help them map out the company’s future. But when Ridley and her dad accidentally discover that the unicorn's blood can cure their respective acne and allergies, the Leopolds practically drool at the possibilities.

Swiftly they assemble the wealthy maniac version of a unicorn chop shop, filing down the horn to see what else this extremely rare creature might yield. Consider it a metaphor for fracking, blithely destroying the natural world to build wealth for the 1%. But this was no lone unicorn, and when its paranormal parents come looking for their slain foal, all hell — and quite a lot of guts — will break loose.

While the Leopolds believe they are entitled to anything on their land, especially a unicorn corpse that could cure cancer, Ridley argues for the sanctity of the creature, begging them to surrender the baby back to its family. Meanwhile, Elliot is torn between his desire to make his daughter happy and his determination to appease his obscenely rich clients. None too subtly, Death of a Unicorn becomes a battle not only between man and beast, environmentalism and capitalism, but also for Elliot’s soul. 

Unicorn violence is wickedly fun.  Jenna Ortega and Paul Rudd look horrified in "Death of a Unicorn." Credit: A24

Scharfman, who also wrote the screenplay, relishes turning the beloved mythical creature into a creatively rampaging monster. Sure, the first kill is pretty straightforward, involving a well-aimed horn right through a human spine and out his belly like an Alien chestburster. But as the night goes on, these unicorns will crush, snap, gore, bite, and kick their way to revenge. Each kill is gushy with blood, offering not only sick spectacle but also some political catharsis. Here, the Haves get theirs. 

Out of its SXSW world premiere, some critics have dinged the film’s unicorn designs, not for their aesthetic, but for the clumsiness of some of the computer animation. However, detailed animatronics are also used, creating a textured monster who is glorious on the big screen. Personally, the CGI bits didn’t bother me. The rougher seams are often hidden in scenes of fog and shadow. Frankly, those that aren’t make the film feel scruffy in a way that suits its midnight movie sensibility. 

Will Poulter and Richard E. Grant are outrageous standouts in Death of a Unicorn. Tea Leoni and Richard E. Grant play posh villains in "Death of a Unicorn." Credit: A24

The cast is stacked with rightly heralded performers. From hitman comedy series Barry, Carrigan pops up as a much yelled-at butler, who is often silent yet steadily hilarious in his reactions. As the trophy wife of the Leopolds, Leoni so revels in playing an oblivious, entitled, white woman that she might very well end up on the next season of The White Lotus. 

By sharp contrast, Ortega shakes off the stoicism that made her iconic in Wednesday and instead embraces a wide-eyed vulnerability that often results in moving tearfulness. For his part, Rudd, who plays a role written for him, seems almost too daffy dad at times. It's almost as if Elliot is in a broader comedy. But this might be design, intended to draw attention to what a clown Elliot is, constantly capering to please his wealthy patrons. Maybe his performance is supposed to feel frantically false.

Among the cast, however, Grant and Poulter provide the most steady hilarity. Grant, an Oscar nominee who’s never had a bad performance, is deliciously devilish as this profit-seeking patriarch. He is able to vacillate between frail and philosophical to rejuvenated and wrathful with ease, making his characters grizzly comeuppance all the more satisfying. (The audience at SXSW roared with excitement for this particular slaughter.) 

As for Poulter, who co-starred in Sackler-inspired TV drama Dopesick, he is electrifying. At the beginning of the film, his character Shepherd is a cheerfully bro-y and vaguely braindead heir, whose biggest concern is whether swim shorts are proper attire to view a dead unicorn in. But as new levels of greed unlock, this untalented but much encouraged douchebag grows into a megalomaniacal villain, as mesmerizing as he is infuriating. Poulter, like his onscreen father Grant, is extraordinary at balancing malevolent and madcap. Shame Scharfman's balancing of sincere and silly is not so keen. 

Where Death of A Unicorn falters is in its exposition. Inspired by The Unicorn Tapestries from the Cloisters, Scharfman creates an amusing and cheeky twist on classic unicorn lore. However, the characters go over and over information that's pretty swiftly explained in its introduction. A similar redundancy occurs in the tragic backstory of why Ridley and Elliot are estranged. While their shared trauma and eventual opening up leads to one of the film's most touching moments, the path there is full of loops that cause the momentum of the unicorn mayhem to drag. 

Still, both Death of a Unicorn and Mark Anthony Green’s recently released Opus are positive signs of A24's cinematic mission. While both are being criticized for being a bit wonky, they also offer unique and excitingly bizarre visions, blending genres fearlessly to tell stories personal and political. While not every step is solid, these journeys are nonetheless exhilarating in their originality and weird whimsy. In the end, Death of a Unicorn is a monster movie that is riotously funny, unapologetically dark, and ultimately heartwarming. 

Death of a Unicorn is now playing only in theaters nationwide.

UPDATE: Mar. 28, 2025, 12:20 p.m. Death of a Unicorn was reviewed out of its premiere at the 2025 SXSW Film Festival, on March 10, 2025. The article has been updated to include the latest theatrical options.

SAVE $210: As of March 28, get the Eufy Robot Vacuum C10 for $269.99, down from its usual price of $479.99. That's a discount of 44%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Eufy Robot Vacuum C10 $269.99 at Amazon
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Tired of trying to keep the carpets clean with daily, fruitless vacuuming? Leave that chore behind and employ a robot to do it. And not one that just sweeps and picks nothing up. One that can deep clean your floors and give you some peace of mind that they're actually getting scrubbed.

As of March 28, get the Eufy Robot Vacuum C10 for $269.99, down from its usual price of $479.99. That's $210 off and a discount of 44%.

The C10 is a powerful vacuum with 4,000 Pa of suction in addition to a rolling brush that can sweep up pet hair, dirt, crumbs, and debris with panache. It uses laser and infrared navigation to figure out where it's going without your input as well, with automatic avoidance to keep it from crashing into the walls and other items in your home over and over. And if you need to set up a specific route, you can do that and set up other options within its accompanying app.

There's a lot the vacuum can do on its own, actually, including emptying itself. It can return to base and empty the debris into its 3L dust bag, which you only need to replace every 60 days. Plus, with its slim and lightweight body, you can move it and maneuver it wherever it needs to go without having to worry about transporting some hulking piece of plastic.

If you're tired of dealing with vacuums, cordless or stick or otherwise, this is your solution. Just make sure you nab it fast as it's a part of the Amazon Big Spring Sale.

Garmin has new AI features for its fitness app, but you'll have to pay to access them.

On Thursday, the smartwatch maker popular with sports and fitness enthusiasts announced Garmin Connect Plus, a new paid subscription tier for its Garmin Connect smartphone app. The main selling point for the app's premium version, which shows health and fitness data, is a suite of new AI features.

SEE ALSO: Garmin Lily 2 review: A smartwatch that doesn't scream 'fitness tracker'

The features, dubbed Active Intelligence, provide "personalized insights and suggestions throughout the day based on health and activity data," according to the press release. The more subscribers use Garmin Connect Plus, "insights will become more tailored to them and their goals," the announcement continued.

Garmin didn't share much else beyond how AI will provide insights and suggestions, or what those insights and suggestions are. But Garmin has deemed Active Intelligence worthy enough to charge for it, which is a departure from its previous stance on paywalls. Access to Garmin Connect data has been free compared to competitors like Whoop, Fitbit, and Oura, which require paid subscriptions or offer a premium tier. In 2023, Garmin launched Outdoor Maps Plus, charging $50 for access to more advanced mapping features. Looking back, it's a sign that Garmin was already moving away from its free-data-for-all attitude.

That said, existing health data and features on the Garmin Connect app will still be free. So rest assured, the data you're already tracking won't be put behind a paywall — for now, at least.

Garmin faces steep competition in the health and fitness market. There are the above-mentioned wearables — Whoop, Fitbit, and Oura. Plus, Google Pixel, Samsung, and Apple all have their own smartwatches with health, fitness, and AI-powered features. Meanwhile, Strava is increasingly popular as a subscription-based fitness app.

If you want to try out Garmin Connect Plus, the company offers a free 30-day trial. After that, it's $6.99/month or $69.99/year to access the premium features.