Blogroll

As Israel and the U.S. launched an attack on Iran in late February, which quickly spilled into a region-wide war, betters on prediction market platform Polymarket have been monetising on the prospect of a nuclear weapon detonation.

In a since-deleted market on the platform, Polymarket users were betting on the chances of a nuclear weapon strike in 2026. But who is gaining from these bets, and is the issue more than ethical? 

Prediction markets are online platforms where people can place bets on pretty much everything — from how much a Pokémon card would cost to how many times Elon Musk is going to post on X on a given month, to who would win Best Picture at the Oscars. There are even bets on whether or not Jesus Christ will return by 2027.

The most popular prediction platforms in the U.S. right now are Kalshi and Polymarket, both headquartered in New York City, but there are many others; just these two are worth $11 billion and $9 billion, respectively.

Prediction markets aren't new, but they really erupted around the 2024 U.S. presidential election. In New York, billboards on Times Square showed live bets people were placing on the election's outcome. In recent months, people have placed predictions on Polymarket on the length of the U.S. government shutdown and whether or not the U.S. would strike Iran. A user on Polymarket, notably, even placed a bet that Venezuela’s former president, Nicolás Maduro, would be ousted by the U.S. hours before it happened. The prediction earned the better $400,000, but it also raised a lot of questions about insider trading among government officials.

Insider trading is illegal in the U.S. under federal law. Kalshi has prohibited insider trading and has regulations that allow individual users to be tracked and investigated. But Polymarket does not have such rules around tracking. It's also technically not even approved in the U.S. but it still can be accessed using a VPN, so the platform's ability to check who placed which bets is limited.

The best Echo deals in the Amazon Big Spring Sale: Best Echo deal Echo Show 11 $219.99 (save $50) Get Deal Best budget deal Amazon Echo Spot $49.99 (save $30) Get Deal Best kids deal Amazon Echo Pop Kids $29.99 (save $20) Get Deal

I’ll be the first to admit that I rely on my Amazon Echo devices a little too much. But they’re just so damn convenient for literally everything — from setting cooking timers to checking the weather and even turning off my TV (yes, I'm getting a little lazy these days). Alexa+ has made it way too easy.

SEE ALSO: The best early robot vacuum deals to shop ahead of Amazon's Big Spring Sale

Amazon is notorious for discounting its own tech during major shopping events, and there’s a big one right around the corner: Amazon’s Big Spring Sale. Consider it the first major savings event before Prime Day. We had Presidents' Day, sure, but that doesn't hold a candle to what this sale is going to be.

Running from March 25 to March 31, the Big Spring Sale will let shoppers snag discounts across just about every category. Last year, we saw markdowns of up to 71% off, and we’re expecting this year to bring more of the same.

Here are the best Echo deals you can shop right now.

Best Amazon Echo deal Amazon Echo Show 11 $169.99 at Amazon
$219.99 Save $50   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

If you're looking to upgrade your smart home setup during the Big Spring Sale, the new Amazon Echo Show 11 is our top pick. It has a vibrant 11-inch full-HD touch screen and is designed for Amazon's new, conversational AI assistant, Alexa+. Bonus: It's $169.99 right now, which is the lowest price we've tracked to date. (If you want something a little cheaper, you can get the 8-inch screen for $139.99.)

Over at our sister site PCMag, Andrew Gebhart dubbed the device the best way to bring Alexa+ to big rooms. Gebhart notes that its 1,900-by-1,200 pixel resolution provides a crisper, better picture quality than Amazon's larger, much pricier Echo Show 15 and 21 models.

More Echo deals

• Amazon Echo Pop Kids — $29.99 $49.99 (save $20)

• Amazon Echo Spot — $49.99 $79.99 (save $30)

• Amazon Echo Show 5 — $69.99 $89.99 (save $20)

• Amazon Echo Dot Max — $74.99 $99.99 (save $25)

• Amazon Echo Show 8 — $139.99 $179.99 (save $40)

• Amazon Echo Studio — $189.99 $219.99 (save $30)

• Amazon Echo Show 15 — $254.99 $299.99 (save $45)

The best Amazon Spring Sale Dyson deals at a glance: Best Dyson Corded Vacuum Deal Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra Upright Vacuum $549.99 (save $155) Get Deal Best Dyson Cordless Vacuum Deal Dyson V8 Cordless Vacuum $375 (save $164.99) Get Deal Best Dyson Air Purifier Deal Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool HP1 $499 (save $160.99) Get Deal

It's that time again. The Amazon Big Spring Sale is back, and it's set to run from March 25 through March 31. You'll be able to score some serious savings across every conceivable category on the site, so it's time to lock in some of those must-have purchases that have been on your list.

One thing you'll definitely want to keep an eye out for is deep discounts across the Dyson brand, from sales on vacuums to air purifiers. There are already several early deals popping up ahead of the sale that you can shop before the madness.

While there are currently no savings opportunities on Dyson's hair tools and scant savings on its audio products, there are plenty of deals to be found on vacuums and more. That could likely change in the coming days as the sale begins, however.

Right now, we've gathered together the best Dyson deals we could find on Amazon. So if you can't wait, the good news is that you can shop these products right now ahead of the sale.

Best Dyson corded vacuum deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra Upright Vacuum $394.99 at Amazon
$549.99 Save $155   Get Deal Why we like it

This powerful corded vacuum can tackle even the toughest of pet messes and then some. With its tangle-free turbine tool, it offers high-performance cleaning with whole-machine filtration to make sure all those dust and dirt particles it captures don't get released back into the air in your home. It can handle dirt and pet hair no matter where you decide to run it, with three suction modes perfect for deep-, medium-, and low-pile carpets as well as hard floors and other high-traffic areas. It even comes with pet tools for removing hair from upholstery and fabric as well as your car.

Best Dyson cordless vacuum deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Dyson V8 Cordless Vacuum $375 at Amazon
$539.99 Save $164.99   Get Deal Why we like it

Dyson is known for its many cordless vacuum options that are just as powerful as its corded models, and this one is no slouch. It has the same powerful motorbar cleaner head to cut through dirt and debris in your home as well as pet hair, with two power modes. Its "Powerful" mode is perfect for regular cleaning across the board, while "Max" mode is better for spot cleaning when you have tough stains and other difficult issues to tackle. Plus, it gives you 40 minutes of runtime so if you have a larger area to clean, it won't run out of battery in the middle of your session. Even better, it can be converted into a handheld vacuum to get in those nooks and crannies or clean out your car, couch, or furniture.

Best Dyson air purifier deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool HP1 $499 at Amazon
$659.99 Save $160.99   Get Deal Why we like it

Clear the air in your home with this air purifier that uses both an activated carbon filter and HEPA filter to remove gases and 99.97% of the microscopic allergens that make their way inside. The entirety of the purifier is sealed so it all stays contained, while you breathe fresher air all throughout your home. It claims to capture up to 97% of odors as well, so if you have pets or you've been cooking something pungent, it can trap those smells and make things a bit fresher. Set your own cleaning schedules via the MyDyson app and control and monitor the air quality from there as well. It's simple to set up and keep a tidier home with this Dyson air purifier, and the cherry on top? It can heat and cool your home as well.

More Dyson deals

• Dyson Car + Boat Handheld Vacuum — $229 $299 (save $70)

• Dyson OnTrac Headphones — $301.60 $499.99 (save $198.39)

• Dyson Purifier Cool Autoreact TP7A — $385 $549.99 (save $164.99)

• Dyson V11 Origin Cordless Vacuum — $549 $629.99 (save $80.99)

• Dyson V15 Detect Cordless Vacuum — $692.99 $849.99 (save $157)

• Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde BP02 — $927.50 $1,099.99 (save $157)

• Dyson V15s Detect Submarine Wet Dry Vacuum — $949 $1,049.99 (save $100.99)

TL;DR: Secure enough cloud storage forever with this 100TB lifetime subscription Internxt Cloud Storage deal, now only $974.97 through March 31.

Opens in a new window Credit: Internxt Internxt Cloud Storage Lifetime Subscription: 100TB $974.97
$9,900 Save $8,925.03   Get Deal

Whether you’re a content creator, a heavy-duty data user at work, or you just like documenting your kid’s every move, you know all too well the pain of keeping up with your storage needs. Maybe you have dozens of external hard drives lying around, or you’re paying a small fortune to keep things in the cloud? Internxt Cloud Storage offers a much better solution.

Right now, you can secure a whopping 100TB of space with this lifetime Internxt Cloud Storage subscription for just $974.97 until March 31.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

If you want to put an end to constantly needing to upgrade your cloud storage space and spending more and more money each month, it’s time to check out Internxt Cloud Storage. This cloud storage option lets you pay once and own 100TB of space outright.

Aside from offering you a more affordable option, Internxt Cloud Storage also provides serious privacy. While other companies access and profit from your data, Internxt uses end-to-end encryption that prevents anyone, including Internxt itself, from viewing it. They are also GDPR compliant, audited, and verified by Securitum.

If you’re already storing your data with a big company, Internxt offers easy cross-platform compatibility. User-friendly apps for Android, iOS, web browsers, and desktop make it simple to grab your content from anywhere. They also offer speed without any limits, so you’ll get the best performance out of your connection.

Get this 100TB lifetime subscription Internxt Cloud Storage deal for just $974.97 until March 31.

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

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Get a Grade A/B refurbished Apple MacBook Air (2017) for $199.97 (reg. $999).

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air 2017 (Refurbished) $199.97
$999 Save $799.03   Get Deal

If you’ve ever wished you had a second laptop for travel, coffee shops, or everyday browsing, you’re not alone. Carrying your primary computer everywhere can feel risky — and buying a brand-new MacBook just to have a backup isn’t exactly budget-friendly.

That’s why refurbished models like this Apple MacBook Air (2017) can be a smart option. It’s available for just $199.97 (reg. $999) for a limited time with free shipping.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

The MacBook Air has long been known for its thin, lightweight design, which makes it especially convenient for working on the go. This model features a 13.3-inch display with a 1440×900 resolution, giving you plenty of space for documents, browsing, and streaming.

It runs on a 1.8GHz Intel Core i5 processor with 128GB SSD storage, which is well-suited for everyday tasks like email, writing, spreadsheets, video streaming, and web browsing. The SSD storage keeps things running smoothly, while Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity make it easy to stay connected and transfer files. You’ll also get up to 12 hours of battery life, which is helpful for flights, long workdays, or study sessions.

This refurbished model carries a Grade A/B rating, meaning it may show light cosmetic wear but remains fully functional.

At this price, it’s a practical way to add a portable extra computer to your home, travel bag, or workspace. Get this Grade A/B refurbished Apple MacBook Air while it’s $199.97 (reg. $999) for a limited time with free shipping.

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

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Imagine it's Friday night and you're alone with nothing to do. Out of a combination of boredom and loneliness, you decide you're going to use the internet to score a hookup, if not for this weekend then hopefully for next.

What's your best plan here? What site or app offers you the greatest chance of success? In the wild world of online dating, two names stand above the crowd when it comes to keeping things casual: Tinder and Adult Friend Finder, and while both are veterans of the online dating game, they also take very different approaches to connecting strangers. 

Is one inherently better than the other? Not necessarily, but one might be better for you, depending on what you're looking for and how you want to go about your search. To help you pick your best hookup option, we've broken down some of the key differences between Adult Friend Finder and Tinder.

Opens in a new window Credit: AdultFriendFinder AdultFriendFinder   Learn More Opens in a new window Credit: Tinder Tinder   Learn More Adult Friend Finder vs. Tinder for hookups

By reputation, both of these options are notoriously hookup-focused, so we're off to a good start there, but they operate in entirely different ways and attract very different people, so it's important to understand the differences.

Do you prefer an app or website?

Tinder began as an app and will remain an app, but Adult Friend Finder is one of the few dating websites that never opted for native smartphone support. If you prefer to do your swiping on the couch or on the toilet, you'll automatically gravitate to Tinder, but if you don't mind using a computer to score your next hookup, you'll probably appreciate the richer feature set of Adult Friend Finder, including chat rooms, discussion boards, and live webcam broadcasts. 

SEE ALSO: All your Hinge questions, answered

From a hookup perspective, Tinder's algorithm-driven approach is somewhat limiting, since the only way to speak to someone is to match first, whereas Adult Friend Finder is more generous in its approach, allowing you both the traditional match-first-and-then-talk approach while also offering you more public spaces to interact with people based on shared interests. If you're looking for the fastest possible connection, AFF is probably the way to go, but if you can be patient, Tinder's ability to serve up an endless array of nearby singles shouldn't be underestimated.

The cost of using both services

If you're cash-strapped or just feeling stingy, it's worth knowing that, while both services can be used for free, Tinder is the better option for people who don't want to submit their credit card information. With a free Tinder account, you can browse, swipe, match, and talk to people, all without ever having to commit to a subscription fee. A free account on Adult Friend Finder only allows you to create a profile, explore the public areas, and interact with people in group settings. If you want to talk to someone one on one through AFF, you'll need to upgrade to a Gold membership.

That being said, if you really want to make the most of both services and maximize your chances of scoring a hookup, the premium membership tiers do offer some valuable features. Tinder has three subscription Tiers — Tinder Plus, Tinder Gold, and Tinder Platinum — that offer unlimited likes, the ability to "boost" your profile in the search results, and even, at the highest tier, the ability to message people you haven't already matched with or see people who like your profile. Tinder uses a dynamic pricing model, depending on your age, gender and location, but you should expect to pay between $4.99 and $9.99 in the United States for a Plus membership, and above that for the higher tiers.

SEE ALSO: All your Tinder questions, answered

Adult Friend Finder's Gold membership costs between $19.95 and $39.95 per month, depending on the length of the subscription you opt for, and it really helps the site shine. A premium membership unlocks one-on-one messaging, upgrades your search options, and gives you insights into who is checking out your profile, which makes finding a hookup much more efficient. 

The user demographics

Another major difference between Tinder and Adult Friend Finder, and one that can make or break your hookup search, is the demographic data. Both Tinder and AFF skew male, with Adult Friend Finder clocking in at approximately 65 percent male, 35 percent female and Tinder posting even more lopsided numbers, with roughly 75 percent of its users identifying as male. But that's not even the most important demographic statistic.

The major difference between Adult Friend Finder users and Tinder users isn't gender but age. Tinder is most popular among the young, with its average user between 18 and 24 years of age. The average Adult Friend Finder user is between 30 and 38 years of age.

So which option offers your best chance for success? If you're younger, or if you live around a lot of younger people, like in a city or college town, you're probably better off fishing in Tinder's waters, but if you're in your 30s or 40s and still looking for something casual, Adult Friend Finder has the most options for you.

NVIDIA revealed NVIDIA DLSS 5 on Monday, a new rendering model that uses AI to add "photoreal lighting and materials" to video game graphics. The internet immediately hated it, criticising DLSS 5 for erasing games' intentional artistic styles by basically adding an "AI slop filter." Now CEO Jensen Huang has responded to DLSS 5's critics, stating that they are "completely wrong."

SEE ALSO: Nvidia DLSS 5 games list: Every supported title we know so far

DLSS 5 was unveiled during the NVIDIA GTC keynote, accompanied by a video showcasing the AI tool in action. Displaying clips from games such as Resident Evil Requiem, Hogwarts Legacy, and Starfield, the video compared graphics in their original state to with DLSS 5 turned on, the AI giving them a more photorealistic look.

"DLSS 5 is the GPT moment for graphics — blending handcrafted rendering with generative AI to deliver a dramatic leap in visual realism while preserving the control artists need for creative expression," Huang said in a press release. 

Gamers lambast NVIDIA DLSS 5 as 'AI slop filter'

Unfortunately, gamers aren't sharing Huang's enthusiasm for NVIDIA's new real-time neural rendering model. Many noted that the photorealistic style DLSS 5 applied to the game footage in the demonstration video modified the games' original style, and completely changed characters' appearances to the point where some considered them virtually unrecognisable.

NVIDIA's X post announcing DLSS 5 was swiftly inundated with replies criticising the tool, with derision also filling the comments of the demonstration video on YouTube.

"DLSS5 makes this look like an AI generated dating profile picture used to scam an old person in another country," said X user @GamersNexus, sharing a screenshot of Resident Evil Requiem character Grace with DLSS 5 applied. "Just looks like every other AI generated image of a 'person.' No character or soul to it. Art loses what makes it impressive when it all looks like generated slop."

"Giving games an AI filter is an insult," wrote @kalaelizabeth. "Those aren't even the same characters what the hell."

"Like what's the point?" said @thethiny. "Artists spend hours perfecting a model for you to come and replace it with AI Faces? I seriously hate this so much."

"This looks horrifically bad, nobody wants an AI slop filter on top of their games," wrote @SynthPotato. The post has over 107,000 likes at time of writing. NVIDIA's post has 66,000.

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 Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. NVIDIA CEO calls DLSS 5 criticism 'completely wrong'

NVIDIA has now attempted to reassure players and clarify exactly what DLSS 5 does, claiming that it won't override games' art direction. Responding to the backlash during a GTC Q&A, Huang insisted that DLSS 5's generative AI doesn't remove artistic control from game developers, but instead allows them to use it as a tool. Developers will be able to direct and "fine-tune" the AI so that it adheres to their artistic style.

"[A]s I have explained very carefully, DLSS 5 fuses controllability of the geometry and textures and everything about the game with generative AI," said Huang, as reported by Tom's Hardware. "It's not post-processing, it's not post-processing at the frame level, it's generative control at the geometry level… This is very different than generative AI; it’s content-control generative AI. That’s why we call it neural rendering."

The official NVIDIA GeForce YouTube account has responded to criticism in the DLSS 5 announcement video's comments section as well.

"Important to note with this technology advance — game developers have full, detailed artistic control over DLSS 5's effects to ensure they maintain their game's unique aesthetic," NVIDIA wrote in a pinned comment. "The SDK includes things like intensity, color grading and masking off places where the effect shouldn't be applied. It's not a filter — DLSS 5 inputs the game’s color and motion vectors for each frame into the model, anchoring the output in the source 3D content."

Posting on X, NVIDIA's global PR director Ben Berraondo stated that the Resident Evil Requiem DLSS 5 demonstration was worked on by developers Capcom. Starfield developer Bethesda Game Studios also wrote on X that its "art teams will be further adjusting [DLSS 5's] lighting and final effect to look the way we think works best for each game. This will all be under our artists’ control, and totally optional for players."

"With DLSS 5 the artistic style and detail shine through without being held back by the traditional limits of real-time rendering," Bethesda Game Studios' executive producer Todd Howard said in a statement on Monday. "We’re excited to work with this new technology and look to bring DLSS 5 to Starfield and future Bethesda titles."

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

Even so, gamers remain unappeased, turning their ire onto the executives promoting NVIDIA's AI tool. Though developers may be able to prompt or direct DLSS 5, using AI to alter an image is not the same as manually creating it themselves.

"Todd realizing he doesn't have to update the prehistoric creation engine because now he can simply fake good graphics with a snapchat filter," wrote @sean_gause.

"If you want to upgrade graphics, hire talented artists to do it instead of using technology that exploited YOUR OWN STUDIO'S COPYRIGHTED WORK — which they originally did without your consent, regardless of you choosing to sell your soul now — that will only wipe out all creative direction in exchange for mid AI slop that no one wants to look at," wrote @homemadehooplah.

It isn't clear what datasets NVIDIA used to train DLSS 5, or how it may have obtained them. However, training AI models is a fraught area, with multiple companies having been accused of using stolen or misappropriated data. 

NVIDIA's DLSS 5 becomes grotesque meme

NVIDIA's side-by-side comparisons showing off its DLSS 5 model have quickly transformed into a meme. Social media users are sharing images of well-known characters, comparing them with similar yet very different versions that ostensibly have DLSS 5 applied. These DLSS 5 versions are often grotesquely detailed, or have been heavily altered to have generic, highly airbrushed features reminiscent of aesthetics in pornography.

Several independent game developers have gotten in on the joke as well.

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 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 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.

Most large-scale companies have initiated AI pilots and provided widespread access to AI tools. But while an AI pilot may succeed individually, saving time and money and making processes more efficient, those gains often don’t scale across the organization. To move beyond isolated, short-term wins, you need to rethink processes, roles, and systems as a whole. Here’s how.  Start with a clean-sheet redesign. Don’t layer AI […]

257257

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

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

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

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

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

A line.

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

QUEUE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A hair type.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 18, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

CURLY

Hurdle Word 3 hint

The love god.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for March 18 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 18, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

CUPID

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Goes around the lips.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

LINER

Final Hurdle hint

Late.

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

TARDY

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

Believe it or not, it's not the New Moon yet. Despite looking completely gone from our skies, there is a very, very small sliver of Moon still lit up tonight. If it's clear skies wherever you are, you might just be able to spot the thin crescent.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Wednesday, March 18, the Moon phase is Waning Crescent. According to NASA's Daily Moon Guide, just 1% of the Moon will be lit up tonight.

With so little of the Moon lit up, there's still nothing to see on its surface tonight.

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?

NASA says the Moon takes about 29.5 days to orbit Earth, going through eight different phases. We always see the same side, but the Sun lights up different portions as it moves, which is why it can look full, half, or just a thin sliver. These changing shapes are called 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.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're a musician.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for March 18, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: A gap

• Green: Painful reaction

• Blue: Musical outcomes

• Purple: They precede the same word

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Interval

• Green: React to a stubbed toe

• Blue: Guitar effects pedals

• Purple: ___ Check

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

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

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #1011 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Interval: PATCH, PERIOD, SPELL, STRETCH

• React to a stubbed toe: CURSE, HOP, WINCE, YELL

• Guitar effects pedals: DELAY, REVERB, WAH, WHAMMY

• ___ Check: BLANK, COAT, RAIN, REALITY

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for March 18, 2026

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

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

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

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're good with compound words.

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 18, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 18, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: It follows

The words are related to vitality.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe the circle of life.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Afterlife.

NYT Strands word list for March 18

• Cycle

• Preserver

• Hack

• Afterlife

• Style

• Coach

• Lesson

• Blood

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

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

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

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you like to have more than enough.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 18, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for March 18, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Plentifully.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter A.

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

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

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

AMPLY

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

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

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

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

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 18, 2026

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for March 18, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for March 18 Pips

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

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-2, placed horizontally.

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

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for March 18 Pips

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

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 4-2, placed horizontally.

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

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

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

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

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for March 18 Pips

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

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

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 5-2, placed vertically; 5-4, placed horizontally.

Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 2-4, placed vertically; 5-4, placed horizontally; 3-6, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 5-1, placed vertically; 1-3, placed horizontally; 1-1, placed vertically.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 5-6, placed horizontally; 4-0, placed horizontally.

Number (24): Everything in this space must add up to 24. The answer is 5-6, placed horizontally; 6-6, placed vertically; 3-6, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this light blue space must add up to 10. The answer is 3-4, placed horizontally; 3-5, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this orange space must add up to 10. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally; 5-0, placed horizontally.

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

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

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

Today's Connections: Sports Edition is easy for people who enjoyed the Winter Games.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Yellow: Snow-based athletics

• Green: Numbers from the mound

• Blue: Used in a sport

• Purple: Boxing cinema

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Winter Sports

• Green: Stat for a Pitcher

• Blue: Sports Balls

• Purple: Last Words of Boxing Movies

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

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

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections: Sports Edition #541 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Winter Sports - CURLING, HOCKEY, LUGE, SKELETON

• Stat for a Pitcher - HOLD, QUALITY START, SAVE, WIN

• Sports Balls - CUE, GOLF, MEDICINE, PING PONG

• Last Words of Boxing Movies - BABY, BALBOA, BULL, FIGHTER

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

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

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

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

Best early Big Spring Sale headphones and earbuds deals Best headphones deal Beats Studio Pro $169.95 (save $180.04) Get Deal Best earbuds deal Sony WF-C710N $88 (save $41.99) Get Deal Best open earbuds deal Sony LinkBuds Clip $198 (save $31.99) Get Deal

Amazon announced the return of its Big Spring Sale, and the headphones deals are heating up along with the weather.

This will be the third year Amazon hosts the sale, and while the mega-retailer puts emphasis on spring-appropriate deals (think outdoor furniture, 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.

Though the weeklong sale doesn't officially kick off until March 25, I've done my combing as one of Mashable's headphones experts to find over 20 deals that, while not necessarily officially tied to the sale, offer Spring Sale-worthy savings. So far, the best savings are coming from Sony headphones, but brands like Beats, Shokz, and Apple are also starting to show out with some solid deals.

Best headphones deal Beats Studio Pro $169.95 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $180.04   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Best Buy Get Deal at Walmart Why we like it

Before you pay $450 for AirPods Max on sale, I recommend checking out the Beats Studio Pro headphones. Yes, you'll have to forgo the iconic design of the Maxes, but in his testing of these headphones, Mashable contributor Alex Bracetti found that the ANC of the Studio Pros was on par with more expensive headphones. On the sound quality front, Bracetti said the specs of the Pros are even better at producing a robust and clear soundscape. On sale for $169.95, these headphones are so much cheaper than the Maxes that you could purchase them twice over and still have over $100 leftover.

More early headphones deals

• Sony WH-CH520 — $48 $69.99 (save $21.99)

• Sony WH-CH720N — $98 $179.99 (save $81.99)

• Sennheiser Accentum — $99.95 $189.95 (save $90)

• Sony ULT Wear — $139.95 $249.99 (save $110.04)

• Beats Studio Pro — $169.95 $349.99 (save $180.04)

• Marshall Monitor III — $248.99 $379.99 (save $131)

• Sennheiser Momentum 4 — $249.95 $449.95 (save $200)

• Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278 $399.99 (save $121.99)

• Sony WH-1000XM6 — $398 $459.99 (save $61.99)

• Apple AirPods Max — $449.99 $549 (save $99.01)

Best 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

• Sony WF-C510 — $47.18 $69.99 (save $22.81)

• Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 — $169 $229 (save $60)

• Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 — $199.99 $249.95 (save $49.96)

  Apple AirPods Pro 3 — $209.99 $249 (save $39.01)

• Technics EAH-AZ100 — $247.99 $299.99 (save $52)

• Sony WF-1000XM6 — $298 $329.99 (save $31.99)

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 cost about $70 cheaper at full price. 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

• EarFun Clip — $48 $69.99 (save $21.99)

• Shokz OpenRun Pro Mini — $124.95 $159.95 (save $35)

• Shokz OpenRun Pro — $124.95 $179.95 (save $55)

• Shokz OpenSwim Pro — $139.95 $179.95 (save $40)

HBO MAX BUNDLES: HBO Max is offering a few different bundle deals so you can stream from its library without making a massive dent in your wallet.

The best HBO Max deals and bundles in March 2026: Best Disney+ Bundle Deal Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle $19.99/month with ads, $32.99/month ad-free Get Deal Best Hulu Bundle Deal Hulu and HBO Max Bundle Add HBO Max to your Hulu base plan from $10.99 per month Get Deal Best Student Deal HBO Max Student Save 50% on HBO Max Basic With Ads Get Deal

Looking for some exciting new films or shows to watch this spring? HBO Max is the place to find them. With Heated Rivalry, Industry, and a brand new season of House of the Dragon coming in June, there's plenty to keep you busy right now.

If these shows have caught your eye, the good news is that HBO Max has a few different bundles available at the moment that are worth checking out, including a popular bundle with Disney+ and Hulu. With streaming prices on the rise, a bundle like this can be a great way to save some cash while retaining access to your favorite services.

SEE ALSO: Everything we know about HBO's 'Baldur's Gate' show

Alongside bundles, we've also broken down HBO Max's standard plans in case you're interested in its service on its own.

Best Disney+ bundle deal Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max Bundle $19.99/month with ads, $32.99/month ad-free Get Deal Why we like it

The HBO Max, Disney+, and Hulu bundle is a top-tier choice for those looking to have access to some of the biggest streaming services around. Starting at $19.99 per month, this bundle grants you access to Hulu, Disney+, and HBO Max's streaming services for a much lower price than what you'd pay for them on their own. If you've already got Disney+ and Hulu subscriptions, this bundle is worth every cent. If you're interested, there are two plan options to choose from:

• Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle (with ads) — $19.99 per month (save 42%)

• Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle (no ads) — $32.99 per month (save 41%)

Best Hulu bundle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu and HBO Max Bundle Add HBO Max to your Hulu base plan from $10.99 per month Get Deal Why we like it

If you're not interested in the Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max mega bundle, you can just get Hulu and HBO Max together if you already have a Hulu base plan, which starts at $11.99 per month. HBO Max Basic with Ads can be added onto your plan for $10.99 per month, or you can splash out on the HBO Max Standard plan for $18.49 per month.

• Hulu with HBO Max add-on — from $10.99 per month

Best student deal Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max HBO Max Student Discount Students save 50% on HBO Max Basic With Ads Get Deal Why we like it

It's always nice when streaming services have a deal for students, and HBO Max's offer is definitely worth taking advantage of. Students who can verify their status with UNiDAYS are eligible to get the HBO Max Basic With Ads plan for just $5.49 per month. That's a 50% discount off its $10.99 monthly price. After verifying your status, you'll receive a unique code that can be used to redeem the discounted plan on HBO Max.

• HBO Max Student Discount — $5.49 per month (save 50%)

HBO Max's monthly plans

HBO Max offers a few different subscription plans. If you don't mind having to sit through ads, HBO Max's Basic With Ads plan starts at $10.99 per month or the annual plan runs for $109.99 per year. If you can't stand ads and don't mind throwing down a bit more cash, the Standard plan will cost you $18.49 per month or $184.99 per year. If you really want to go big on an HBO Max plan, you can spring for the fancy Premium plan, which costs $22.99 per month or $229.99 per year.

Below we've broken down what comes with each of these plans, per HBO Max's website, so you can know a bit more before you buy.

Basic With Ads — $10.99 per month, $109.99 per year

• Stream on two devices at once

• Full HD 1080p resolution

Standard (Ad-free) — $18.49 per month, $184.99 per year

• Stream on two devices at once

• Full HD 1080p resolution

• 30 downloads to watch on the go

Premium (Ad-free) — $22.99 per month, $229.99 per year

• Stream on four devices at once

• 4K Ultra HD video quality (as available)

• Dolby Atmos immersive audio (as available)

• 100 downloads to watch on the go

If you're wondering where to start once you've set yourself up with a HBO Max subscription, we've got an excellent selection of recommendations to point you in the right direction. Looking for a great TV show to kickstart your next binge-watching session? Have a look through our roundup of the 20 best TV shows streaming on HBO Max. Or if you prefer movies, we narrowed down the 25 best movies on HBO Max to make your next movie night a spectacular one.

TL;DR: Make powering up devices much more convenient with this GoCable 8-in-1 EDC 100W Cable, now only $21.99 (reg. $49.99).

Opens in a new window Credit: GoCable GoCable 8-in-1 EDC 100W Cable $21.99
$49.99 Save $28.00   Get Deal

Want to travel a little lighter? A great place to start is by downsizing your charging setup. The GoCable 8-in-1 EDC 100W Cable lets you power up multiple devices without packing tons of cords — and it’s small enough to fit on your keyring. Right now, it’s even on sale for just $21.99 (reg. $49.99) while supplies last.

Sick of untangling cords at the bottom of your bag? How about forgetting the cord that powers your laptop? The GoCable 8-in-1 EDC 100W Cable aims to change all that, offering a compact, tidy solution that powers multiple devices in one convenient package.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

The GoCable 8-in-1 provides a Type-C, Type-C+, and Apple Lightning connectors everywhere you go — all you have to do is supply the power bank or wall adapter. You’ll also enjoy 100W ultra-fast charging, so you can power up your gadgets faster. Transferring is also a breeze, thanks to its high-speed file transfer capabilities.

An LED power display shows you the real-time charging status. You’ll also never have to untangle anything thanks to the magnetic cable that stays neat no matter where you toss it.

Aside from charging your devices, the GoCable 8-in-1 also features a bottle opener and a safe-proofed hidden cutter that allows you to open packages safely. The included carabiner clip makes it easy to attach to anything, so it’s always within arm’s reach.

Get this GoCable 8-in-1 EDC 100W Cable for just $21.99 (reg. $49.99) now.

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

StackSocial prices subject to change.

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

TL;DR: Live stream the 2026 World Baseball Classic for free on Tele Rebelde or Venevision. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Spring Training is underway for the new MLB season. That's incredibly exciting news for baseball fans, but there's more: The 2026 World Baseball Classic is here to deliver top-quality international action from around the world.

USA lost in the 2023 final to Japan. That final will always be remembered for Japan's Shohei Ohtani striking out Mike Trout in the ninth inning to seal the game. Can USA bounce back to win its first title since 2017? This edition of the competition has already thrown out some huge performances and shocking results. Now the showpiece event is upon us as USA take on Venezuela for the trophy.

If you want to watch the 2026 World Baseball Classic for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the World Baseball Classic?

The World Baseball Classic is an international baseball tournament sanctioned by the World Baseball Softball Confederation. In 2026, the tournament is organized into four pools of five teams. Teams will compete in a round-robin format, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout rounds.

Japan are the defending champions.

When is the 2026 World Baseball Classic?

The 2026 World Baseball Classic will take place from March 5-17. Pool rounds will be played in Miami, Houston, San Juan, and Tokyo. The quarter finals will be split between Miami and Houston. The semi finals and final will be played in Miami.

How to watch the 2026 World Baseball Classic for free

The 2026 World Baseball Classic is available to live stream for free on a number of platforms:

• Cuba — Tele Rebelde

• Venezuela — Venevision

These streaming platforms are geo-restricted, but anyone can access for free with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another location, meaning you can unblock free streaming sites from anywhere in the world.

Access free World Baseball Classic live streams by following these simple steps:

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

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

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with access

4. Visit Tele Rebelde or Venevision

5. Live stream the 2026 World Baseball Classic for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch every game from the 2026 World Baseball Classic before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming platforms from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for live sport?

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

• Servers in 105 countries

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

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

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Watch the 2026 World Baseball Classic for free with ExpressVPN.

With the debut of the all-electric GV60 Magma, Genesis is no longer just the “other alternative" to the European performance and luxury establishment. The Magma editions are proof of the brand’s transformation into a legitimate high-performance marque, successfully marrying their Athletic Elegance design philosophy and cultural identity with a powertrain that, frankly, looks absolutely sinister.