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Skip the RTX 50-series: This $7 app does what DLSS 4.5 promises
Although GPUs are currently super expensive, we're still constantly told that it's definitely time to upgrade ours. And, in all fairness, Nvidia doesn't make it easy to say no. The latest iterations of DLSS, including 4.5 and the upcoming 5, are extremely tempting ... but does that mean you should be pulling out your wallet?
The hybrid SUV that delivers luxury while saving owners $5k over 5 years
Many shoppers in 2026 want a car that won’t punish them at the pump or in the service bay. With fuel prices jumping around and more regions pushing away from pure gas engines, good mileage has become a must.
OpenAIs new open-source prompts take aim at sexual content for teens
OpenAI has announced new open-source safety prompts for developers, aimed at launching a mass deployment of policies to protect teens.
The prompt-based safety pack includes model guidance on common teenage risks, developmental content recommendations, and age-appropriate guidelines on topics such as self-harm, sexual content and romantic role play, dangerous trends or viral challenges, and harmful body ideals.
OpenAI said its a more robust alternative to the high-level guidelines previously offered, formatted as prompts that plug right into AI systems.
SEE ALSO: Why friction-maxxing could be good for your tech usageOpenAI added new Under-18 principles to its Model Spec in December. A few months prior, the company released gpt-oss-safeguard, an open-weight reasoning model designed to assist developers in implementing safety conditions and classifying safe and unsafe content. Unlike traditional safety classification processes, gpt-oss-safeguard can be fed platform safety policies directly, and infers the policy's intent as it distinguishes appropriate outputs.
But "even experienced teams often struggle to translate high-level safety goals into precise, operational rules, especially since it requires both subject matter expertise and deep AI knowledge," said OpenAI in its latest press release. "This can lead to gaps in protection, inconsistent enforcement, or overly broad filtering. Clear, well-scoped policies are a critical foundation for effective safety systems."
The additional developer pack was designed in collaboration with nonprofit Common Sense Media and everyone.ai.
Experts have warned parents about excessive chatbot exposure of vulnerable teens and even young children, as AI companies attempt to get a handle on the ramifications of their models on user mental health. Last year, OpenAI was sued by the parents of teen Adam Raine in the industry's first wrongful death case, with the Raine family claiming that a combination of ChatGPT sycophancy and lax safety policies was responsible for their son's death by suicide. The company has denied allegations of wrongdoing and in response have beefed up its mental health and teen safety features, including age assurance. Even so, third-party developers licensing OpenAI's models have struggled to maintain the same level of safety precautions, including in AI-powered children's toys.
The case against OpenAI followed multiple lawsuits against controversial platform Character.AI and set the stage for a recent wrongful death suit filed against OpenAI competitor Google and its Gemini AI assistant.
Industry-wide, tech and social media companies are facing an onslaught of legal challenges regarding the long-term impact of their products on users. Last month, Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri and Meta head Mark Zuckerberg testified before a jury in a watershed case putting social media platforms on trial for their allegedly addictive design principles. A verdict has yet to be reached.
OpenAI said its new safety prompt pack is not a "comprehensive or final definition or guarantee of teen safety." Robbie Torney, head of AI and digital assessments for Common Sense Media said that the new policies can build a "meaningful safety floor across the ecosystem," filling an AI safety gap that has been exacerbated by a lack of operational policies for developers.
Developers can download OpenAI's safety model on Hugging Face and access its new prompt pack on GitHub.
Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.
5 anime series where you should definitely read the manga
Anime is awesome. I love anime more than the average person. However, most anime is adapted from manga. That is, Japanese graphic novels. Sometimes these adaptations elevate the manga, and sometimes they fall short.
Stick vacuums on sale ahead of Amazons spring sale: Shark is dunking on Dyson right now
Take it from someone who tests multiple robot vacuums each month: Not even the best robot vacuum AI features are immune to screwing up. If you're inclined to just do the job yourself — or if the concept of a robot vacuum with a camera sketches you out — at least make the chore enjoyable with a good stick vacuum. Amazon has a ton of well-reviewed cordless vacuums on sale ahead of the Big Spring Sale kickoff on March 25.
SEE ALSO: Robot vacuums vs. stick vacuums: Shopping advice from someone who has bothOur favorite cordless vacuum deals so far are all vacuums that someone at Mashable has tested at home and loved. I'll admit that any list of top stick vacuums feels weird without multiple Dyson mentions — Amazon typically isn't a reliable spot to find good deals on Dyson vacuums (even though Amazon's deals on other Dyson products can be quite good.) Most worthwhile Dyson deals simply tend to pop up Dyson.com, like the Dyson V12 Detect Slim on sale for $479.99. Maybe it's delusional, but I'm optimistic about the possibility of a discount on the new Dyson PencilVac Fluffycones.
Below, I'm tracking the best cordless vacuums on sale at Amazon pre-Big Spring Sale, including deals on cordless wet and dry vacuums.
Best Amazon cordless stick vacuum deal Shark PowerDetect Pet Plus Clean & Empty IP3253 $399.99 at Amazon$599.99 Save $200 See It at Amazon Why we like it
There are actually two great Shark stick vacuum deals live at Amazon: The $249 Shark Clean & Empty model is probably the most affordable self-emptying stick vacuum you'll find this season. The other, which I'm highlighting here, is probably the most powerful self-emptying stick vacuum you'll find. $399.99 for that title is more than reasonable.
Though I'm constantly recommending the lightweight Dyson V12 Detect Slim for dust and pet hair on hard floors, the Shark PowerDetect is easily the beastliest vacuum I've tested on carpet — you can literally feel the vigorous double brushroll system digging into the floor. The Clean & Empty Sharks automatically empty the dustbin every time they're hung on the dock to charge, so you won't have to deal with emptying the larger dock dustbin for at least 45 days (it's much longer in my experience). Past the mega convenience, an always-empty dustbin provides visible proof of just how much gunk the PowerDetect has sucked up in the area you're currently sweeping.
More cordless stick vacuum deals at AmazonBlack+Decker Powerseries 20V Max — $119.99 $149.99 (save $30)
Shark Pet IX141 — $149 $299.99 (save $150.99)
Levoit LVAC-200 — $149.94 $199.99 (save $50.05)
Bissell Cleanview XR Pet — $149.97 $229.99 (save $79.03)
Dreame Z30 — $199.98 $469.99 (save $270.01)
Bissell PowerClean FurGuard — $199.99 $299.99 (save $100)
Shark Clean & Empty BU3521 — $249 $399.99 (save $150.99)
Shark Stratos IZ862H — $299.99 $499.99 (save $200)
Roborock H60 Hub with auto-empty dock — $329.99 $599.99 (save $270)
Tineco Pure One Station 5 with auto-empty dock — $349 $459 (save $110)
Miele Duoflex — $498.99 $699 (save $200.01)
Dyson V15 Detect Plus — $599.99 $849.99 (save $250)
Mova M10 — $199 $349 (save $150)
Tineco iFloor 5 Breeze — $199 $299.99 (save $100.99)
Dreame H12 Pro — $199.99 $309.99 (save $270.01)
Dreame Aero Pro — $379.99 $449.99 (save $70)
Tineco Floor One S7 Stretch — $449 $649 (save $200)
Roborock F25 Ace Combo (stick vacuum + cordless mop) — $459.99 $749.99 (save $290)
Roborock F25 Ultra Steam — $499.99 $799.99 (save $300)
Tineco Floor One Switch S6 — $549 $799 (save $250)
Plex's confusing new "Lists" feature actually solves a major mobile problem
Last year, Plex rolled out a major redesign to its mobile apps, and some functionality was removed in the process. Mainly, it became impossible to use playlists from your phone. Now, Plex is adding an extremely similar feature simply called “Lists” that solves the problem in a weird way.
Snag some serious DJI discounts before the Amazon Big Spring Sale lands
The Amazon Big Spring Sale officially begins tomorrow, bringing with it a slew of deals across tons of categories on the site. From March 25 through March 31, you can expect to see major savings from the retailer on everything from robot vacuums to Apple Watches and outdoor deals. but if you're looking to shop early, there are plenty of deals to be had.
If you're looking to save on DJI products, now's the time to do so. It isn't just a drone company, as you may well be aware of by now, but it produces the viral DJI Mic Mini and a number of other content creation tools, including portable power stations. If you've been looking to get into DJI or pick up a few yourself, now's the time to claim some of the early deals that have popped up.
Below, find some of the best early DJI sale picks you can shop before the Big Spring Sale officially kicks off.
Best Amazon Big Spring Sale DJI drone deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon DJI Mavic 4 Pro Triple Camera Flagship Drone $5,228 at AmazonGet Deal Why we like it
This DJI drone is in stock right now, so if you've been thinking of a reason to pick one up, it's time to lock in. It's a tri-camera unit with a 100MP 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad camera with a max flight time of 51 minutes. It also comes with three batteries, spare propellers, a charging hub, shoulder bag, and other goodies. Plus, its new gimbal gives you 360-degree rotation with Dutch angles and a 41km range for time lapse and panoramic images.
More DJI drone dealsDJI Mini 4K Drone — $209 $299 (save $90)
DJI Neo Fly More Combo — $259 $349 (save $90)
DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro Essential Combo — $288 $339 (save $51)
DJI Osmo Action 4 Adventure Combo — $308.99 $399 (save $90.01)
$99 Save $20 Get Deal Why we like it
This TikTok-famous DJI Mic Mini set is well-loved for a reason. It sounds great, offers up to 48 hours of recording time, and it's perfect for users both new and old thanks to its accessibility and simple setup. It comes with a receiver, two transmitters, a charging cable, phone adapter, four windscreens, two magnetic clips, and a case, so you're all set to start using it immediately.
More DJI mic dealsDJI Mic Mini (2 TX + 1 Mobile RX) — $45 $59 (save $14)
DJI Mic Mini (2 TX + 1 RX) — $59 $79 (save $20)
DJI Mic 3 (1 TX + 1 RX) — $169 $219 (save $50)
DJI Mic 3 (2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case) — $249 $329 (save $80)
$75 Save $16 Get Deal Why we like it
This three-axis stabilizing gimbal is perfect for content creators, whether they're new or old hat at making videos. It's compatible with both iPhone and Android and uses DJI's stabilization tech to remove stuttering from your videos. It also uses ActiveTrack 7.0 to follow subjects around so you don't have to, no matter the activity. Plus, it boasts up to 10 hours of battery life, with multifunctionality as a tripod if you need a place to rest your phone while you record.
More DJI gimbal dealsDJI Osmo Mobile 7P — $98.98 $129 (save $30.02)
DJI RS 3 Mini — $199 $237 (save $38)
DJI RS 4 Mini Combo — $369 $59 (save $90)
Your next PC build needs this storage strategy—here's why two M.2 slots matter more than you think
As a value-oriented gamer and PC builder, I've always looked for ways to get the most bang for my buck when putting a system together. Storage is a key part of any build, but there's a fine line between buying what you need and what you think you need—the latter is where money starts to get wasted. So, here's a simple strategy that'll help you balance speed, capacity, and cost in your desktop PC.
Krita 5.3 brings new tools and Wayland support to the open-source paint app
Krita, an open source digital painting app, has rolled out version 5.3.0 and 6.0.0 simultaneously. After several years in development, both versions come with significant updates and share nearly identical features. Krita 5.3 continues to run on Qt 5, while Krita 6 moves to Qt 6 and is still considered in the experimental phase. The dual-release strategy ensures stability for current users while making 6.0 the primary version before the end of the year.
iPhone exploit DarkSword has been released in the wild: How to protect yourself
DarkSword, the web-based hacker tool that can be used to steal data from millions of iPhones, has just been published on GitHub for public use. Cybersecurity experts say Russian hacking groups are actively using DarkSword "to fully compromise devices."
Now that the exploit is public, any would-be cybercriminal can just quickly copy and paste the DarkSword code, take a few minutes to set it up on their web host, and deploy the spyware.
Last week, reports about the new hacker tool called DarkSword sparked so much concern in the security world that Apple was forced to issue a quick response explaining how the company is addressing the threat. The reports came from Google’s Threat Intelligence Group and two cybersecurity firms, iVerify and Lookout.
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What is DarkSword?DarkSword is an exploit that lets hackers steal data from vulnerable iPhones running outdated versions of iOS.
DarkSword has concerned cybersecurity professionals because it doesn't require that the hacker's target download any malware or corrupted files. Hackers can simply download the DarkSword HTML and Javascript and upload it to a compromised website. If a user with an old version of iOS visits the compromised site, their device becomes vulnerable. The hacker can then steal data such as passcodes, emails, private messages, and more from the victim's iPhone.
As Lookout reported last week:
In a tangible example of how attacks are evolving, Lookout Threat Labs has discovered DarkSword, a full iOS exploit chain and payload for iPhones running iOS versions between iOS 18.4 and 18.6.2...DarkSword aims to extract an extensive set of personal information including credentials from the device and specifically targets a plethora of crypto wallet apps, hinting at a financially motivated threat actor. Notably, DarkSword appears to take a ‘hit-and-run’ approach by collecting and exfiltrating the targeted data from the device within seconds or at most minutes followed by cleanup.
Google cybersecurity researchers reported that the notorious hacker group UNC6353, which is suspected to have ties with the Russian government, previously deployed DarkSword on compromised Ukrainian government agency sites to target iPhone users within Ukraine.
iVerify told TechCrunch that the DarkSword exploit that's now in the wild is slightly different but "shared the same infrastructure." According to iVerify, no iOS experience is needed to run the exploit and it will work "out of the box."
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.As TechCrunch also reported, another X user shared that they were able to hack their iPad mini 6th gen running iOS 18.6.2 with the DarkSword exploit that was just released in the wild.
Apple previously reported on its developer website that nearly 25 percent of all iPhones are still running iOS 18, meaning hundreds of millions of iOS devices are susceptible to this exploit. The current version of iOS is iOS 26.3.1.
How to protect your Apple devices from DarkSwordGoogle's Threat Intelligence Group urged iOS users to update their devices to the newest version of iOS, and if that's not possible, to activate the iPhone's Lockdown Mode.
Apple also said that it pushed out a critical security update on March 11 for older iOS devices that can't install the more up-to-date iOS in order to protect these devices from DarkSword. Users with devices running iOS 13 or iOS 14 need to update to iOS 15 to receive these critical protections.
Android’s clipboard history is one of its best hidden features
For much of the past five years, I have done my job using various Android devices as my primary computer. You could think of that as my one neat trick. But Android has a feature of its own that has often helped me be more productive working on a touchscreen than sitting at my keyboard, and it's an icon tucked away at the top of your virtual keyboard.
20 noise-cancelling headphones and earbuds deals live ahead of Amazons Big Spring Sale
If spring is the season of cleaning and rebirth, why can't that include your old, half-functioning noise-cancelling headphones barely hanging on to half their original battery life?
While Black Friday and Prime Day are generally great times of year to pick up a new pair of headphones, that doesn't mean you're left high and dry in the spring, especially thanks to Amazon's Big Spring Sale.
The sitewide sale starts for its third year running on March 25 and goes all the way through March 31. Prime and non-Prime members alike can enjoy savings, and while this sale is more focused on season-appropriate savings like outdoor gear, home essentials, and cleaning supplies, historically we've also seen great deals on tech like noise-cancelling headphones.
SEE ALSO: Amazon's Big Spring Sale kicks off on March 25 this year. Here's how we're prepping for it.The Spring Sale isn't necessarily Black Friday-level, so some early deals are just as good as what you'll see live during the sale. With that in mind, we gathered 20 of the best noise-cancelling headphones and earbuds deal live ahead of the sale:
Note: any deals with a strike are no longer available at the time of writing.
Best noise-cancelling headphones on sale Sony WH-1000XM6 $398 at Amazon$459.99 Save $61.99 Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it
Sony's flagship WH-1000XM6 headphones may not be the cheapest out there, even on sale for $61.99 off. Still, they're some of the best headphones out there, and certainly one of the best sounding ones, with a great equalizer for fine tuning your listening experience. Add with their solid battery life, excellent ANC, and folding ear cups for some travel portability, and you have some well-rounded headphones. If you're looking for a cheaper option, we recommend the Sony WH-CH720N.
Check out our full review of the Sony WH-1000XM6.
More early noise cancelling headphones dealsJLab JBuds Lux ANC — $59.99 $79.99 (save $20)
Soundcore Q30 — $59.99 $79.99 (save $20)
Sony WH-CH720N — $98 $179.99 (save $81.99)
Sennheiser Accentum — $99.95 $189.95 (save $90)
JBL Live 770NC — $119.95 $199.95 (save $80)
Beats Solo 4 — $129.95 $199.95 (save $70)
Sony ULT Wear — $148 $249.99 (save $101.99)
Marshall Monitor III — $248.99 $379.99 (save $131)
Sennheiser Momentum 4 — $249.95 $449.95 (save $200)
Sony WH-1000XM5 — $298 $399.99 (save $101.99)
Apple AirPods Max — $449.99 $549 (save $99.01)
$129.99 Save $41.99 Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it
While there are plenty of great noise-cancelling earbuds out there, not all of them can claim to offer a performance that beats that AirPods 4 while costing less than $100. With the Sony WF-C710N on sale for $88, that's exactly the case. While this isn't the absolute lowest price we've caught these earbuds at (that would be $69.99), you'll still save an impressive 32% on them. And, you'll get a pair of earbuds with solid ANC, a comfortable enough fit for at least a few hours of continuous wear, easy to use touch controls, classic well-rounded Sony sound, and 8.5 hours of battery life per charge.
Check out our full review of the Sony WH-C710N.
More early noise-cancelling earbuds dealsCMF Buds 2a — $29 $39 (save $10)
Nothing Ear (a) — $79 $109 (save $30)
OnePlus Buds 4 — $79.99 $129.99 (save $50)
Beats Studio Buds+ — $99.95 $169.95 (save $70)
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE — $128.21 $149.99 (save $21.78)
Bose QuietComfort earbuds — $139 $179 (save $40)
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 — $169 $229 (save $60)
Beats Powerbeats Fit — $189 $199.99 (save $10.99)
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 — $199.99 $249.95 (save $49.96)
Apple AirPods Pro 3 — $199.99 $249 (save $49.01)
Technics EAH-AZ100 — $247.99 $299.99 (save $52)
Sony WF-1000XM6 — $298 $329.99 (save $31.99)
Ads may be coming to Apple Maps as soon as this summer, report says
Apple Maps might get a fairly big change soon, and it's one that few people will be excited about.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported this week that Apple will put advertisements in the Maps app on iPhone this summer, with an initial announcement as early as this month. Rather than bombarding users with annoying pop-up ads, it sounds like it'll be more of a "sponsored search results" sort of thing, so you might see an ad for a specific restaurant or Uber Eats as part of a search query, even when that's not exactly what you were looking for.
This idea also came up in a report last year, but it sounds like it's actually happening soon. According to Gurman, the Apple Maps ads would operate similar to ads on Google Maps, with advertisers bidding on search terms like "coffee" or "thai food."
SEE ALSO: Apple WWDC 2026 is official, with iOS 27 and 'AI advancements' on the menuNobody likes it when a previously ad-free app gets ads, but in complete fairness to all involved, Google Maps has had sponsored search results for years, and that hasn't stopped it from becoming the go-to navigation app. Users will put up with fairly non-intrusive ads as long as the app does its job, which has sometimes been a problem for Apple Maps over the years.
Despite all of that, though, the reception to the idea on social media has been pretty cold. Frosty, in fact.
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.Perhaps people are just tired of constantly being advertised to in every part of their lives.
One reason iOS users might be angry? Apple is already reporting record sales in 2026, with Tim Cook calling the demand for iPhones "simply staggering."
Power stations hit record lows for Amazon Big Spring Sale: Save over 50% on Jackery, Anker, Bluetti
Amazon saw the sun setting later, smelled flowers blooming, and felt warmer temps and decided to celebrate. The Amazon Big Spring Sale is slated to kick off tomorrow, March 25, with big discounts. That's proving to be great news if you're in the market for a portable power station.
A portable power station has become a must-have tech item. It's like your favorite noise-cancelling earbuds — no idea how we survived without them. A portable power station will be a savior during power outages, keeping the refrigerator running, phones charged up, and the WiFi router giving off a connection. A portable power station is also well worth packing along on upcoming camping trips. Think of movie nights under the stars thanks to a powered-up portable projector and with fresh popcorn.
The one snag here is that batteries aren't cheap, and that's especially true of high-tech and long-lasting batteries found in portable power stations. Because of this, shopping for a power station during major sales like the Amazon Big Spring Sale is a wise move. Here are some of our favorite models that are already seeing steep discounts before the sale officially begins.
Best Bluetti deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bluetti Bluetti Elite 100 V2 $394.98 at Amazon$799 Save $404.02 Get Deal Why we like it
If you're hoping to keep phones and small devices charged up during a power outage or while camping, the Bluetti Elite 100 V2 comes with 1,024Wh of battery power. Bluetti mentions this battery power will recharge a phone about 52 times or keep the WiFi router on for nearly 50 hours. Its compact size and weight of about 25 pounds makes it especially easy to pack along on the camping trip or carry around the house during a power outage.
The early Amazon Big Spring Sale price brings the Bluetti Elite 100 V2 down to $399, which is a 50% discount compared to its list price of $799.
More Bluetti dealsBluetti Elite 30 V2 — $219 $299 (save $80)
Bluetti Elite 200 V2 — $799 $949 (save $150)
Bluetti Elite 300 — $1,099 $1,699 (save $600)
Bluetti Apex 300 — $1,444 $1,699 (save $255)
$7,397 Save $2,998 Get Deal
The massive Anker Solix F3800 is ideal for home backup should the power cut out. On its own, the Solix F3800 comes with 3,8400 Wh of battery capacity to keep your tech running without grid power, but Anker made this deal even better ahead of Amazon's Big Spring Sale. The Solix F3800 comes bundled with BP3800 Expansion Battery and a 400W solar panel. The extra battery brings the total capacity up to 7,680Wh while the addition of a solar panels puts you in line for recharging off-grid.
More Anker Solix dealsAnker Solix C300 — $179.99 $249.99 (save $230)
Anker Solix C1000 — $499.99 $799 (save $299.01)
Anker Solix C2000 Gen 2 — $999 $1,499 (save $500)
Anker Solix F2000 — $999.99 $1,999 (save $999.01)
Anker Solix F3800 — $2,299 $2,599 (save $300)
$799 Save $370 Get Deal Why we like it
If you're looking for a portable power station to take along to the campground this summer, the Jackery Explorer 100 V2 is an ideal model. It's a mix of portability, durability, solid port options, and it's on sale for under $430. This Jackery model comes with 1,070Wh for recharging your phones while camping, keeping the speaker ready to go, and powering up the projector for movie nights. Plus, it weighs under 24 pounds, so you won't have to struggle lugging it around camp.
More Jackery dealsJackery SolarSaga 100W Bifacial Portable Solar Panel — $199 $299 (save $100)
Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 — $749 $1,499 (save $750)
Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus — $1,599 $2,799 (save $1,200)
EcoFlow River 2 Pro — $315 $529 (save $214)
Segway Cube 2000 — $538.98 $899.99 (save $361.01)
DJI Power 1000 — $349 $699 (save $350)
DJI Power 1000 V2 — $364 $699 (save $335)
DJI Power 2000 — $699 $1,299 (save $600)
EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 — $2,299 $3,699 (save $1,400)
Subaru’s Uncharted EV proves 300 miles of range doesn't have to cost $50K
The Subaru lineup is heading into unexplored or “Uncharted” territory, no pun intended. At a time when the average price of a new car is floating at or near the $50,000 mark, Subaru is hedging its bets on an all-new, yet affordable electric vehicle.
This is the cheapest sports car with 400 horsepower in 2026
High horsepower used to come with a high price tag, especially in the world of performance cars. Reaching the 400-horsepower mark typically meant stepping into premium territory, where sports cars quickly became expensive to buy and own. In 2026, however, one model is breaking that pattern by delivering serious performance at a price point far lower than expected.
VPN connections are broken on Android 16, and there’s still no fix
If you have had connection issues with virtual private networks (VPNs) on your Android phone or tablet, you’re not alone. A bug with always-on VPNs in Android 16 is causing connections to fail, and Google has been aware of the problem for months.
Shark devices on sale ahead of Amazons Big Spring Sale: Stick vacuums, stain removers, hair tools
There are few home categories that Shark doesn't have a stake in. Floor care has been its bread and butter for a while, of course. But skincare, hair care, and and air care, too? It's Dyson-level variety at this point. But when it comes to deals during major Amazon sale events, there are typically more good Shark deals than good Dyson deals. The early deals of Amazon's 2026 Big Spring Sale tell the same story.
SEE ALSO: The Shark vs. Roomba debate is stale in 2026, but at least Shark is trying to revive its robot vacuum lineWe're tracking all of the best early deals on Shark vacuums, Shark beauty tools, Shark air purifiers, and more, live ahead of the sale's March 25 kickoff. A handful of our absolute favorite Shark products are already on sale, but we'll be updating this story as more deals on Shark devices trickle in throughout the week. (Fingers crossed for a legit CryoGlow red light mask deal.)
Best Shark vacuum deal Shark Clean & Empty BU3521 $249 at Amazon$399.99 Save $150.99 Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it
It'll be hard for any spring vacuum deal to beat this Shark Clean & Empty model as the best affordable stick vacuum setup. It automatically empties itself and charges every time you hang it back up on the dock (which also acts as built-in storage). That means you're starting every cleaning session with an empty dustbin, and that means you'll have unmistakeable visible proof of the gunk that's been sucked up in the room at hand.
It's not Shark's most powerful self-emptying stick vacuum, but it is almost 40 percent cheaper than Shark's most powerful self-emptying stick vacuum when it's on sale. Weighing in at just under six pounds, this Clean & Empty model is lighter than most cordless vacuums out there — including 30 percent lighter than the popular Shark Vertex Pro, which doesn't come with an auto-empty dock.
SEE ALSO: Shark FacialPro Glow review: The pore de-clogging is legit, but it may not be right for every skin type What about Shark robot vacuum deals?The Shark robot vacuums on sale so far are decent if you really want a Shark, but I hesitate to hit full send on recommending one unless it's the PowerDetect UV Reveal 2-in-1: The best Shark robot vacuum right now. The $1,299.99 robot vacuum and mop combo with blacklight stain detect hasn't even been out for a month, and the chances of it seeing a discount this soon are iffy. If you have $300 or $600 to spend on a robot vacuum this spring, there are more value-packed robot vacuum deals from other brands live at Amazon.
More early Shark Big Spring Sale dealsRobot vacuums
Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 with Self-Empty Base — $299.99 $699.99 (save $400)
Shark Stratos 2-in-1 with NeverTouch Base — $549.99 $999.99 (save $450)
Cordless vacuums
Shark Pet Cordless IX141 — $149.99 $299.99 (save $150)
Shark PowerDetect Pet Plus with Auto-Empty System — $399.99 $599.99 (save $200)
Shark Stratos IZ862H — $299.99 $499.99 (save $200)
Shark Vertex Pro IZ662H — $269.99 $449.99 (save $180)
Corded vacuums
Shark Stratos — $299.99 $529.99 (save $230)
Shark Detect Pro Speed Lift-Away — $299.98 $399.99 (save $100.01)
Hair tools
Shark Glossi — $129.99 $179.99 (save $50)
Shark SpeedStyle — $159 $229 (save $70)
Shark SpeedStyle Pro Flex (4 attachments) — $189 $229 (save $60.99)
Shark FlexStyle (3 attachments) — $199.99 $299.99 (save $100)
Skincare devices
Shark FacialPro Glow with DePuffi — $299 $399 (save $100)
Upright and portable carpet and upholstery cleaners
Shark StainForce Cordless Stain System — $149.99 $199.99 (save $50)
Shark StainStriker + Chemical Tool — $109.99 $149.99 (save $40)
Shark StainStriker HairPro — $129.99 $159.99 (save $30)
Shark CarpetXPert HairPro — $299.99 $379.99 (save $80)
Air purifiers
Shark NeverChange (250 sq. ft.) — $139.99 $179.99 (save $40)
Shark NeverChange (650 sq. ft.) — $199.99 $249.99 (save $50 plus get $10 Amazon credit)
Shark NeverChange (1,400 sq. ft.) — $319.99 $399.99 (save $80 plus get $16 Amazon credit)
The death of the “personal” computer: Why Microsoft 365 isn’t for you or me anymore
Remember the satisfaction of a Word document you took the time to format perfectly, or an Excel workbook you were actually proud to have built from scratch? Well, today, that personal touch is being replaced by "agentic" AI—software that performs tasks autonomously—and Microsoft 365 is pivoting to the boardroom.
The best deals under $25 ahead of Amazons Big Spring Sale — save on Lego, Fire Sticks, and more
Amazon's Big Spring Sale is nearly here, running March 25 through 31. With the sale on the horizon, deals are trickling in. If you're not looking to drop a ton of cash during this seasonal sale event, we've gathered up some excellent deals under $25 that you can shop right now.
These range from the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus, if you're looking to upgrade your streaming setup this year, to some sweet Lego sets, including the delightfully colorful Lego Botanicals Petite Sunny Bouquet, but there's much more to explore. As the Big Spring Sale gets closer, we'll be sure to update this with even more discounts that cross our radar, too.
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!Note: You don't need to be a Prime member to shop the sale, but Prime members will receive exclusive deals on a variety of items.
Best deal under $25 Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus $24.99 at Amazon$49.99 Save $25.00 Get Deal Why we like it
2026 has started off strong when it comes to what's available to stream, and if you've been looking to upgrade your setup to enjoy it all in 4K, the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus is worth a look. At the moment, this streaming stick has returned to its lowest-ever price of $24.99 at Amazon, which is 50% off its list price of $49.99. It's a pretty excellent price to pay for what you're getting.
The Fire TV Stick 4K Plus supports 4K Ultra HD picture quality, which helps bring out the colors and crisp details in the shows and films you watch. It also supports Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and Dolby Atmos audio, which provide a little extra boost to picture and sound as well. And with support for Wi-Fi 6, you'll get to enjoy smooth streaming quality. If it sounds like the streaming package you've been searching for, this early deal at Amazon is well worth jumping on.
More deals under $25Blink Mini — $14.99 $24.99 (save $10)
National Geographic Butterfly Growing Kit — $14.99 $19.99 (save $5)
TP-Link Tapo 1080P Indoor Security Camera — $15.96 $19.99 (save $4.03)
Contigo West Loop 3.0 Travel Mug — $15.99 $18.19 (save $2.20)
Hydro Flask Travel Tumbler — $17.98 $39.95 (save $21.97)
Fire TV Stick 4K Select — $17.99 $39.99 (save $22)
Hamilton Beach Fresh Grind Electric Coffee Grinder — $19.95 $23.95 (save $4)
Lego Disney Lucky & Penny 101 Dalmatians (#43271) — $19.99 $24.99 (save $5)
Hydro Flask 32 oz Water Bottle — $21.83 $44.95 (save $23.12)
Lego Botanicals Petite Sunny Bouquet — $23.99 $29.99 (save $6)
Lego Botanicals Mini Orchid (#10343) — $23.99 $29.99 (save $6)
Lego Botanicals Plum Blossom (#10369) — $23.99 $29.99 (save $6)
INIU Portable Charger, 22.5W 20000mAh — $24.99 $36.99 (save $12)


