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As if we all don't order enough Amazon packages on any given day, yet another seasonal Amazon sale is upon us: The 2026 Big Spring Sale runs from March 25 to March 31. In other words, even more packages are about to pile up on doorsteps all over the world. That leaves us with a glaring issue: How do you recycle all those damn boxes, bubble envelopes, and paper bags?

Given the huge variety in packaging, the answer isn't so clear.

SEE ALSO: The 2026 guide to recycling electronics, beauty empties, and clothing The reality of Amazon recycling

According to a 2024 report from ocean conservancy organization Oceana, Amazon generated 208 million pounds of plastic packaging waste from U.S. transactions in 2022. Despite a global decline in plastic waste, the number for U.S. shipping saw a 9.6 percent increase. "This amount of plastic, in the form of air pillows, would circle the Earth more than 200 times," the organization says.

Amazon, for what it's worth, does provide guidelines around the topic. U.S. customers whose orders are fulfilled by Amazon can click on any order in the Amazon app and scroll down to the bottom to view recycling or discard instructions. Customers can also ask Alexa or Siri "How do I recycle my Amazon packaging?" and both will direct them to Amazon's guidelines.

But David Pinsky, a senior plastics campaigner at Greenpeace, doesn't think this information's very useful.

"While it is helpful to provide information, Amazon is continuing to place the burden on customers to manage its enormous packaging footprint. As U.S. and global recycling markets collapse, the truth is that very few plastics are still recyclable and, even if they are collected for recycling, most are not recycled. It's time for Amazon to ditch all single-use packaging and transition to reuse and refill systems," Pinsky, who works to make large companies reduce their single-plastic use, wrote in an email.

Large corporations like Amazon need to take responsibility by eliminating throwaway packaging and switching to reuse and refill systems, Pinsky explained.

In a December 2022 blog post, Amazon acknowledged this disparity: "Although the plastic packaging Amazon uses today is recyclable, it generally requires our customers to take the materials from their homes to store drop-off locations. As a company that obsesses about our customers, we recognize it's not the easiest customer experience."

What Amazon is doing for the planet

Amazon does offer a program called Frustration-Free Packaging, which includes products designed to ship in their own packaging without the need for additional Amazon mailers or boxes. According to Amazon, "products in 'Frustration-Free Packaging' offer more sustainable packaging that is right-sized, reduces damages, is made of recyclable packaging materials, and is easier to open." It is also made of 100 percent curbside recyclable materials. And the option is working, to some extent. Since 2015, Amazon has reduced the weight of outbound packaging by 38 percent and eliminated more than 1.5 million tons of packaging material, thanks to programs such as Frustration-Free Packaging.

"In the midst of a rapid increase in customer orders throughout the pandemic, we continued to take steps to reduce single-use plastics in our outbound packaging," the company wrote.

In 2019, Amazon debuted its fully recyclable paper padded mailer. The company had shipped more than 200 million new mailers to customers as of mid-2020 and replaced nearly 70 percent of its mixed material bubble mailers by 2021, offering the same recyclability as Amazon's cardboard box but taking up less space in the recycle bin, says an Amazon spokesperson.

The company also debuted its "Less Packaging, More Smiles" campaign in 2020 as a way to use less packaging materials in its shipments while helping customers repurpose boxes before recycling. For example, you can reuse Amazon cardboard boxes in fun ways — like to build a rocket, fort, or car for your cat or dog — all via a QR code on the box that provides instructions.

In 2021, the company attempted to address the plastic-film concerns and redesigned many of these plastic products to be more sustainable, increasing the recycled content of plastic film bags from 25 percent to 50 percent, and from 15 percent to over 40 percent for its plastic padded bags. The improvements are expected to eliminate more than 25,000 metric tons of new plastic each year moving forward, according to the company. In March 2022, the company also announced its partnership with the BOTTLE consortium, a U.S. Department of Energy research initiative to reduce plastic pollution, to design new modes of plastic chemical upcycling.

The company encourages customers to shop with Amazon Day Delivery in mind to take advantage of flexible options for when and how packages arrive. "On top of making deliveries work for their personal schedule, choosing Amazon Day is a great way to combine multiple orders into one delivery, potentially reducing the amount of packaging they receive. On average, Amazon Day uses 30 percent fewer boxes and Amazon Day users saved 136 million boxes in 2022," Amazon explained.

But these sustainability efforts might not be going far enough. As the Washington Post reported, in an effort to pack more shipments into delivery planes and trucks, Amazon is using more small plastic mailers rather than cardboard boxes.

SEE ALSO: The 2025 guide to recycling electronics, beauty empties, and clothing The long road to plastic-free Prime

Many of the plastic mailers it uses (like its regular and bubble-lined plastic bags) include plastic film.

In its latest report, Oceana estimated that up to 22 million pounds of such plastic packaging waste would end up in the world’s waterways and seas, noting that plastic film is the most common form of marine plastic litter in nearshore ocean areas and the deadliest to marine life.

Amazon notes on its website that some cities have curbside recycling programs for film, and if your city doesn't, Amazon utilizes a directory to find a drop-off location that will take compatible plastic film, wrap, and bags. However, Pinsky says this website isn't exhaustive because it doesn't include a list of complete options for some areas.

There also aren't that many cities with recycling programs that accept plastic film, says Darby Hoover, a senior resource specialist who works on plastic waste issues at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), an environmental advocacy organization. When it comes to recycling centers, even if they do accept plastic film, it can be hard, if not impossible, to process, as they often get caught in the center's machinery, a spokesperson from the recycling, landfill, and compost operator Recology wrote in an email.

To avoid this problem, Recology workers try to manually remove loose plastic film before it enters the machinery, but this doesn't always work. "Amazon packages represent a challenging new packaging trend," a Recology spokesperson explained.

Pinsky still suggests conducting your own research to find drop-off locations and asking your supermarket if they recycle plastic film.

And then there's the paper address label. If it's a self-adhesive label, it's probably not recyclable, Hoover says. "It's pretty upsetting to see Amazon has gone in this direction by putting more single-use plastics on the market," Pinsky says.

Although online shopping has become the de-facto way of living, it shouldn't just be the customer's responsibility to figure out how to recycle. Companies need to step up too, Hoover says.

How to recycle Amazon's packaging

Whether you're planning a big haul during a sale event like Prime Day or are interested for everyday orders, here's how you can do your part to recycle all of Amazon's packaging.

1. Paper padded envelope mailer Amazon's paper padded envelope mailer. Credit: Amazon

Amazon says these paper padded mailers are recyclable, just like cardboard boxes and other paper items.

Paper products should be accepted by most curbside recycling programs, says Pinsky.

2. Bubble-lined plastic bag and plastic bag Amazon's bubble-lined plastic bag. Credit: Amazon Amazon's plastic bag. Credit: Amazon

Some cities offer curbside recycling, Amazon writes on its website. If your city doesn't, Amazon suggests using a directory where you can enter your ZIP code to find a drop-off location that accepts plastic film, which these bags contain.

Still, it's questionable if some drop-off locations will accept bubble-lined plastic bags, Pinsky says. Hoover advises people to check drop-off centers' websites to see what they can recycle.

3. Cardboard box and cardboard folder Amazon's cardboard box. Credit: Amazon Amazon's cardboard folder. Credit: Amazon

Cardboard boxes and folders can be recycled in most curbside recycling, Amazon states on its website. It also says to remove any tape before recycling.

Still, you should check with your local government to see what is recyclable and learn how and if you're supposed to prepare these materials in a particular way, Hoover says.

For example, New York City advises people to flatten cardboard boxes and then tie them together with strong twine before setting them out for recycling.

You can also use your cardboard boxes to start composting.

4. Paper Envelope Amazon's paper envelope. Credit: Amazon

Amazon says its paper envelopes are recyclable in most curbside recycling programs.

5. Give Back Box partnership (for cardboard boxes) Give your Amazon cardboard box another life by donating your stuff with it. Credit: Amazon

If you have an extra box lying around, you can also give it a second life. Just fill a box with items you wish to donate, print out a label for free, and ship it at no cost to you through UPS, FedEx, or USPS. Your old things will be re-homed to charities through Amazon's partnership with Give Back Box, and you can write off the donation on your taxes.

6. Packing paper Amazon's brown packing paper. Credit: Amazon

Packing paper is recyclable through most curbside recycling programs, according to Amazon.

7. Air pillow Amazon's air pillow. Credit: Amazon

Amazon suggests you either recycle its air pillows curbside, if possible, or find a drop-off location that accepts them. Like Amazon's plastic bags, air pillows contain plastic film, which means the packaging is harder to recycle.

When you are able to recycle them, Hoover suggests first popping the air out of the pillow and then bringing it to a drop-off location.

8. Bubble-lined paper mailer Amazon's bubble-lined paper mailer. Credit: Amazon

Paper mailers with air bubble padding are not recyclable and should be put in the trash, Amazon says on its website, though also suggests checking with your local recycling program for more details.

Pinsky, for his part, advises throwing out these mailers.

9. Reusable gift bags Amazon's reusable gift bags. Credit: Amazon

As you've probably guessed by the name, Amazon encourages you to reuse these gift bags. But once they're no longer presentable, you'll have to chuck them in the garbage bin. Amazon says it is "currently transitioning to gift bags made of 100 percent recycled material that will replace this version."

Pinsky advises avoiding these gift bags altogether. Most of the bags will end up in landfills, incinerators, and the environment.

Instead, he says, "get creative with other ways to share gifts that don’t require single-use plastic bags, paper, or other materials."

10. Amazon Fresh paper bag Credit: Amazon

Since they're paper, Amazon Fresh paper bags are recyclable through most curbside recycling programs.

11. Paper ice cream pouch Credit: Amazon

Paper envelopes, including the insulation inside, are recyclable in most curbside recycling programs and also can be used again if clean and dry.

12. Amazon Fresh water bottle Amazon Fresh water bottle. Credit: Amazon

This is just a water bottle and can be recycled in most curbside recycling programs. Amazon states on its website that these water bottles are used to cool items like food, but you can also drink the water, so don't let it go to waste.

13. Produce bag Amazon's produce bag. Credit: Amazon

Again, because the product has plastic film it may be tricky to recycle because the film often gets stuck in recycling centers' machinery. Amazon says some cities offer curbside recycling for its produce bag, but when not available, you can "use designated store drop-off locations where plastic film is accepted."

It's worth checking where you can recycle it first. Amazon provides a website to find a drop-off location to do so, but you should do your own research and ask your supermarket if they accept the film, says Pinsky.

14. Bottom board and paper insulation Credit: Amazon Amazon's paper insulation. Credit: Amazon

Both products are made of 100 percent cardboard. As such, Amazon says you can recycle both in your curbside recycling program.

You wouldn't think that being able to stride through the White House's East Wing without stumbling would make headlines. But as Melania Trump made her way down the red carpet lined hallway to a classical music arrangement, the First Lady was flanked not by the typical Secret Service agent you'd expect to see on presidential grounds, but by a humanoid robot.

Yes, robots are in the White House now.

SEE ALSO: Meta, YouTube found guilty of negligence in history-making social media addiction trial

The room was filled with other spouses of world leaders and tech executives, gathered for the second day of the administration's latest AI summit, part of the “Fostering the Future Together” initiative. But details from the public-private networking opp paled in comparison to the event's AI-powered special guest: A robot named simply "Figure 3."

Figure 3 was created by American robotics company Figure, a former partner of Trump backer OpenAI (the arrangement between the AI robotics start up and the AI giant ended last year). TIME named the robot one of the best inventions of 2025, and it's perhaps the closest we've gotten to a real world robot butler. Figure 3 can do household chores like fold towels, load the dishwasher, and pick up detritus — whether or not its done efficiently is debatable.

Figure 3 spoke to White House guests in a young, vocal-fry inflected female voice, similar to the rest of its robotic and AI-powered compatriots, and told the crowd that it was an "honor" to be given a prime speaking engagement at the event.

"I am grateful to be part of this historic movement to empower children with technology and education,” Figure 3 told the room, right after it greeted the space in 11 languages, reported CNN.

The robot didn't stumble once. And for those in the know, that's huge.

The goal of Trump's Fostering the Future Together is to supercharge "advanced technology, including artificial intelligence (Al), to assist children, educators, and parents, while also protecting them from online dangers." This week's summit was convened to connect world leaders (or, in most cases, their spouses) with private tech partners, aligned with Trump's "Be Best" educational initiative, previously launched during President Trump's first term.

In her brief appearance, Trump suggested the future would be filled with AI-powered robot teachers like Figure 3 — a pitch that may be bolstered the of a current wave of AI-only schools peddled by Big Tech and Silicon Valley elite, but has yet to be backed by learning science.

“The future of AI is personified," said Trump. "It will be formed in the shape of humans. Very soon, artificial intelligence will move from our mobile phones to humanoids that deliver utility."

TL;DR: Live stream Wales vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina in World Cup qualifiers for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming site from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There are a number of vital World Cup qualifiers taking place this week, including Wales vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina. This one-off semi final takes place at the Cardiff City Stadium in Wales, but it's a really difficult contest to predict. The winner will face either Italy or Northern Ireland for a place in this summer's tournament.

If you want to watch Wales vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina in World Cup qualifiers for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Wales vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina?

Wales vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina in World Cup qualifiers kicks off at 3:45 p.m. ET on March 26. This fixture takes place at the Cardiff City Stadium.

How to watch Wales vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina for free

Wales vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina in World Cup qualifiers is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming service with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can access free live streams on BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.

Lve stream Wales vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina for free by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Stream Wales vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina 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 most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Wales vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina in World Cup qualifiers without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select World Cup qualifiers before recovering your investment.

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

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on BBC iPlayer, 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 secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight 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).

Live stream Wales vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina in World Cup qualifiers for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Italy vs. Northern Ireland in World Cup qualifiers for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming site from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

World Cup qualifiers are taking place this week. Every game is absolutely huge for the nations taking part, with a place in this summer's showpiece event up for grabs.

Italy face off against Northern Ireland at the Stadio di Bergamo. The winner of this one-off semi final will face either Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina. Italy are favorites to advance from this pot, but they've not been particularly impressive thus far in qualification. Northern Ireland will see this as an opportunity to upset the odds.

If you want to watch Italy vs. Northern Ireland in World Cup qualifiers for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Italy vs. Northern Ireland?

Italy vs. Northern Ireland in World Cup qualifiers kicks off at 3:45 p.m. ET on March 26. This fixture takes place at the Stadio di Bergamo.

How to watch Italy vs. Northern Ireland for free

Italy vs. Northern Ireland in World Cup qualifiers is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming service with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can access free live streams on BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.

Lve stream Italy vs. Northern Ireland for free by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Stream Italy vs. Northern Ireland 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 most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Italy vs. Northern Ireland in World Cup qualifiers without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select World Cup qualifiers before recovering your investment.

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

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on BBC iPlayer, 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 secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight 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).

Live stream Italy vs. Northern Ireland in World Cup qualifiers for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Brazil vs. France in a 2026 International Friendly for free on TF1. Access this free streaming site from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026 World Cup is looming on the horizon. Preparations are ramping up for the showpiece event on the football schedule, with some absolutely huge international friendlies taking place this week. There are a number of interesting matchups, but Brazil vs. France is probably the best of the bunch.

Both of these sides will expect to be competing in the latter stages of this summer's tournament, so this contest will give fans an important insight into exactly where Brazil and France stand. It's going to be a fascinating battle at the Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts.

If you want to watch Brazil vs. France in a 2026 International Friendly for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Brazil vs. France?

Brazil vs. France kicks off at 4 p.m. ET on March 26. This fixture takes place at the Gillette Stadium.

How to watch Brazil vs. France for free

Brazil vs. France is available to live stream for free on TF1.

TF1 is geo-restricted to France, but anyone can access this free streaming service with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in France, meaning you can access free live streams on TF1 from anywhere in the world.

Lve stream Brazil vs. France for free 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 France

4. Visit TF1

5. Stream Brazil vs. France 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 most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Brazil vs. France without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select games before recovering your investment.

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

What is the best VPN for TF1?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on TF1, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including France

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight 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).

Live stream Brazil vs. France for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Czechia vs. Ireland in World Cup qualifiers for free on RTÉ Player. Access this free streaming site from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Some huge World Cup qualifiers are taking place this week, including Czechia vs. Ireland. The winner of this one-off semi final will face either Denmark or North Macedonia for a place in the 2026 World Cup. The Fortuna Arena is going to be absolutely electric when these two sides come together to battle it out for a place in this summer's showpiece event.

If you want to watch Czechia vs. Ireland in World Cup qualifiers for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Czechia vs. Ireland?

Czechia vs. Ireland in World Cup qualifiers kicks off at 3:45 p.m. ET on March 26. This fixture takes place at the Fortuna Arena.

How to watch Czechia vs. Ireland for free

Czechia vs. Ireland in World Cup qualifiers is available to live stream for free on RTÉ Player.

RTÉ Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, but anyone can access this free streaming service with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can access free live streams on RTÉ Player from anywhere in the world.

Lve stream Czechia vs. Ireland for free 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 Ireland

4. Visit RTÉ Player

5. Stream Czechia vs. Ireland 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 most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Czechia vs. Ireland in World Cup qualifiers without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select World Cup qualifiers before recovering your investment.

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

What is the best VPN for RTÉ Player?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on RTÉ Player, 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 secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight 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).

Live stream Czechia vs. Ireland in World Cup qualifiers for free with ExpressVPN.

A quick look at the best cleaning deals from Amazon's spring sale Best cleaning product deal Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Multi-Surface Cleaner Spray (3 pack) $13.20 at Amazon (save $4.08) Get Deal Best laundry deal Seventh Generation Free & Clear Laundry Detergent Packs (64 count) $12.85 at Amazon (save $6.46) Get Deal Best cordless vacuum deal Shark PowerDetect Pet Plus Clean & Empty $399.99 at Amazon (save $200) Get Deal

No, Amazon's Big Spring Sale doesn't only apply to spring refresh-related products. Yes, Amazon's spring sale is still home to a ton of great deals on cleaning supplies to get you in the refresh headspace.

Not sure what your spring cleaning routine should entail? Start by picking out just one task in each room that you know you've been putting off: Deep cleaning the bathtub? Scrubbing the crusted grease off the stove? Getting that stain off the couch? Vacuuming more often than once a week? There's an Amazon deal for that.

SEE ALSO: I found the best robot vacuums for every floor, budget, and level of laziness

Definitely stock up on your laundry pods and emotional support multi-surface spray while you're at it — big brands like Seventh Generation, Cascade, and Mrs. Meyer's are all participating in the sale. Spending $50 on select products from Clorox, Dawn, The Honest Company, Charmin, and Tide unlocks a $15 Amazon credit.

Amazon's Big Spring Sale 2026 runs from March 25 to 31. Here are the best spring cleaning deals we've spotted so far:

Multi-purpose cleaning deals

• Mr. Siga Microfiber Cleaning Cloth (12 pack) — $11.89 $14.99 (save $3.10)

• Clorox Disinfecting All-Purpose Cleaner (3 pack) — $11.99 $15.99 (save $4)

• Seventh Generation Multi-Surface Wipes (3 pack) — $12.22 $20.97 (save $8.75)

• Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Multi-Surface Cleaner (3 pack) — $13.89 $17.97 (save $4.08)

• Briotech Hypochlorous Bleach-Free Disinfectant (1 gallon) — $26.39 $32.99 (save $6.60)

• Hoto Flexi Cordless Electric Spin Scrubber — $79.99 $99.99 (save $20)

Kitchen cleaning deals

• Orighty Multipurpose Wire Dishwashing Rag (12 pack) — $6.99 $12.99 (save $6)

• Airnex Biodegradable Kitchen Sponge (12 pack) — $13.55 $16.95 (save $3.40)

• Active Garbage Disposal Cleaner (1 year supply) — $16.96 $19.95 (save $2.99)

• Cascade Free & Clear Dishwasher Pods (47 count) — $16.99 $19.99 (save $3)

• Cleancult Plant-Based Dish Soap Refill (3 pack) — $17.59 $21.99 (save $4.40)

Bathroom cleaning deals

• Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Shower & Tub Scrubber — $9.09 $12.99 (save $3.90)

• Stardrops The Pink Stuff Bathroom Cleaning Kit — $21.74 $24.99 (save $3.75)

Laundry deals

• Select Tide, Downy, Bounce, and Dreft products — save 33% when you buy one detergent and three fabric enhancers

• Cleancult Liquid Laundry Detergent (64 loads) — $9.09 $12.99 (save $3.90)

• Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent Sheets (32 pack) — $10.12 $14.99 (save $4.87)

• The Clean People Laundry Detergent Sheets (32 pack) — $10.87 $12.79 (save $1.92)

• Seventh Generation Laundry Pods (64 pack) — $13.53 $19.99 (save $6.46)

• Affresh Washing Machine Cleaner Tablets (1 year supply) —  $17.99 $22.99 (save $5)

Robot vacuum and mop combo deals

• Roborock Q10 S5+ — $279.99 $549.99 (save $270)

• Shark Plus 2-in-1 (AV2630WA) — $299.99 $749.99 (save $450)

• Roborock Qrevo Series — $399.99 $649.99 (save $250)

• Dreame L40 Ultra Gen 2 — $399.99 $649.99 (save $250)

• Eufy C28 — $499.99 $799.99 (save $250)

• Narwal Freo Z10 — $549.99 $1,099.99 (save $550)

• Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow — $849.99 $999.99 (save $150)

• Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete — $1,359.90 $1,699.99 (save $250)

Broom, mop, and cordless vacuum deals

• Broombi All-Surface Silicone Broom and Squeegee — $27.96 $34.95 (save $6.99)

• Shark Steam & Scrub Mop — $119.99 $159.99 (save $40)

• Shark Pet IX141 — $149 $299.99 (save $150.99)

• Tineco iFloor 5 Breeze — $199 $299.99 (save $100.99)

• Bissell PowerClean FurGuard — $199.99 $299.99 (save $100)

• Shark Clean & Empty BU3521 — $249 $399.99 (save $150.99)

• Roborock H60 Hub with auto-empty dock — $329.99 $599.99 (save $270)

• Tineco Floor One S7 Stretch — $399 $649 (save $250)

Stain remover tool and upholstery deep cleaner deals

• Bissell Little Green — $74.99 $99.99 (save $25)

• Shark StainForce — $149.99 $199.99 (save $50)

• Eufy E28 with portable carpet cleaner — $649.99 $999.99 (save $350)

SAVE $20: As of March 25, get 20% off a $100 Roblox digital gift card. That means you only need to pay $80 for a $100 gift card to redeem on Roblox.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roblox $100 Roblox Digital Gift Card $80 at Amazon
$100 Save $20   Get Deal

Whether you're a Roblox fan or you've got kids who won't stay away from it, Robux are a hot in-game commodity.

As of March 25, get 20% off a $100 Roblox digital gift card. That means you only need to pay $80 for a $100 gift card to redeem on Roblox. Saving $20 on the in-game currency is a great idea if you've got your eye on something you'd like to buy, and you can give it to the kids to top up their accounts, too.

This digital code will be emailed to you upon purchase. So you'll get it near-instantly, and you don't have to wait around for a physical card to be mailed to you.

SEE ALSO: Amazon's Big Spring Sale is here and surprisingly good: We found 100+ deals on Apple, DJI, and Sony

The premium Roblox currency can be used for a variety of things, including in-game costumes, accessories, and other items. Players can spend it on special abilities, weapons, game passes, changing usernames, and anything else you can think of. While Robux can be earned in small increments in Roblox itself, it's better to to just purchase the currency in the real world for you or your kids to spend en masse. And now, it's even cheaper to do right now thanks to this deal.

If you want to grab this deal, best to do it now so you can fill that virtual Robux wallet before the Amazon Big Spring Sale ends. This is one game-centric discount that's going to be selling like hotcakes, as Roblox has a massive fanbase and even more new players with each day that passes.

The jobs cuts and a new stock program for executives come as Meta continues to shift its focus to artificial intelligence.

The jobs cuts and a new stock program for executives come as Meta continues to shift its focus to artificial intelligence.

A Los Angeles jury has ruled that social media giants Meta and Google-owned Youtube are guilty of negligent platform design that resulted in harm to a young user's mental health.

The ruling came after several days of deliberation in a personal injury lawsuit that industry experts say will have rippling effects on Big Tech.

SEE ALSO: Meta loses major child safety trial, ordered to pay $375 million

The jury agreed with the plaintiff that the platforms' design features were a "substantial factor" in causing mental health-related harms and that company leaders knew their products were dangerously addictive. The companies have been ordered to split compensatory damages of $3 million, with Meta paying 70 percent and YouTube 30 percent. Meta says it is exploring legal options to appeal the decision.

"Today, a jury saw the truth and held Meta and Google accountable for designing products that addict and harm children," said court-appointed plaintiff counsel Lexi Hazam and Previn Warren, in a statement following the decision. "Top tech executives took the stand, and their own internal documents were put before a jury, revealing that company leadership knew their platforms were hurting kids and repeatedly chose profits over children's safety. This verdict sends an unmistakable message that no company is above accountability when it comes to our children." 

Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg both testified in front of the jury last month. Other social media platforms were also named in the lawsuit, brought forth by a young user referred to as K.G.M and her mother. K.G.M. accused the platforms of knowingly investing in site features that led to addictive behavior, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts, even after safety warnings were flagged by internal employees — it's the first of a consolidated group of lawsuits filed by more than 1,600 plaintiffs, known as a watershed case. TikTok and Snapchat both settled with K.G.M. prior to the jury trial.

"Social media giants would never have faced trial if they had prioritized kids' safety over engagement. Instead, they buried their own research showing children were being harmed, and used kids and society as guinea pigs in massive, uncontrolled, and wildly profitable experiments. Now, executives are being held to account," wrote James P. Steyer, founder and CEO of child safety nonprofit Common Sense Media.

Hours before the K.G.M decision was announced, a different jury announced another guilty verdict for Meta, which ordered the tech giant to pay $375 million in damages for misleading users about its platform's safety features and endangering young users. The case was brought forth by New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez, amid a wave of similar state-level lawsuits against social media platforms over the last few years.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TL;DR: Live stream Turkey vs. Romania in World Cup qualifiers for free on TV8. Access this free streaming site from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There are some absolutely enormous World Cup qualifiers taking place this week, including Turkey vs. Romania.

This semi-final matchup is hosted by the Tüpraş Stadium in Instabul — expect a seriously passionate home support driving Turkey onto the next round. The winner will meet either Slovakia or Kosovo in the playoff final. It's win or bust at this late stage, with all eyes on this summer's showpiece event.

If you want to watch Turkey vs. Romania in World Cup qualifiers for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Turkey vs. Romania?

Turkey vs. Romania in World Cup qualifiers kicks off at 1 p.m. ET on March 26. This fixture takes place at the Tüpraş Stadium.

How to watch Turkey vs. Romania for free

Turkey vs. Romania in World Cup qualifiers is available to live stream for free on TV8.

TV8 is geo-restricted to Turkey, but anyone can access this free streaming service with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Turkey, meaning you can access free live streams on TV8 from anywhere in the world.

Lve stream Turkey vs. Romania for free 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 Turkey

4. Visit TV8

5. Stream Turkey vs. Romania 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 most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Turkey vs. Romania in World Cup qualifiers without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select World Cup qualifiers before recovering your investment.

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

What is the best VPN for TV8?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on TV8, 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 secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight 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).

Live stream Turkey vs. Romania in World Cup qualifiers for free with ExpressVPN.

A jury found the companies negligent in their app designs, harming a young user with design features that were addictive and led to her mental health distress.

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

What is today’s Moon phase?

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

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

When is the next Full Moon?

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

What are Moon phases?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

DOGE's actions could be reversed

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

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

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

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

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

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

Musk's own social posts cited

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here's what to know.

Apple Music gets smarter

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

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

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

Security and privacy improvements

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

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

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

New features across the system

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

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

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

Camera, CarPlay, and more

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Summer playlist secured. Credit: Milan Records

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Google Veo 3

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

Luma Ray3

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