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40+ home deals from Amazons Big Spring Sale — save on Shark, Dyson, and Dreame

Mashable - Wed, 03/25/2026 - 03:00
The best Amazon Big Spring Sale home deals at a glance: Best home tech deal Amazon Echo Spot $49.99 at Amazon (save $30) Get Deal Best home air deal Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max $169 at Amazon (save $60.99) Get Deal Best vacuum deal Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete $1,499.99 at Amazon (save $200) Get Deal

It's time for another Amazon sale event. To celebrate the changing seasons, Amazon is hosting its Big Spring Sale from March 25 to 31. The sale highlights warmer-weather products to get your home ready for spring and summer.

For your home, this means clean floors, clean air, and so much more. The sale officially starts on March 25, with special attention on Echo devices, air purifiers, and vacuums.

We rounded up the best deals from Amazon, Blueair, Dreo, Dyson, and more.

Best Big Spring Sale home tech deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Spot $49.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $30.00   Get Deal

With the clocks springing forward, you may be feeling a little groggy. If you need a boost in your morning, consider upgrading what's on your nightstand. During the lead-up to Amazon's Big Spring Sale, we spotted early savings on the Amazon Echo Spot.

This smart alarm clock packs everything you love about an Amazon Echo into a bedside device. It wakes you up but also helps you wind down. You can program it to start your day with a weather report and your favorite music.

Ahead of Amazon's Big Spring Sale, get the Amazon Echo Spot for just $49.99 and save $30 off its $79.99 list price.

More home tech dealsBest Big Spring Sale air purifier deal Opens in a new window Credit: Blueair Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max $169 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $60.99   Get Deal

Warmer weather means you can put away your heavy winter coats and pull out the antihistamines because spring allergies are on their way. If you're already getting the pollen-induced sniffles, you can do one thing to protect your home air: get an air purifier.

Smoke, dust, and pet hair don't stand a chance against the Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max. It cleans up to 1,858 square feet in just one hour, plus it does so quietly. For Amazon's Big Spring Sale, the air purifier is down to $169, saving you $60.99 off its $229.99 list price.

More air purifier dealsBest cooling dealsBest Amazon Big Spring sale vacuum deal Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete $1,499.99 at Amazon
$1,699.99 Save $200   Get Deal at Amazon

Read Mashable's review of the Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete.

If you have the cash to burn and you’re looking for an investment piece, Mashable’s vacuum expert and senior shopping reporter, Leah Stodart, says the Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete is a “well-rounded premium robot vacuum,” especially for pet owners. It has a livestream pet camera and can clean edges and corners with precision. (Stodart says this vacuum is so good at cleaning corners that it’s dethroned the Roborock Saros 10R for corner mopping.)

“Measuring just over three inches tall, it's also easily the best slim robot vacuum out there — ideal for homes with low-clearance furniture, or expectations for cleaning under cabinets,” she says.

As of March 15, you can get the Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete for $1,499.99, down from $1,699.99, at Amazon. That's a 12% discount or $200 savings.

More robot vacuum dealsMore vacuum dealsMore home deals

20+ best Amazon Big Spring sale outdoor deals: Owala, Solix, Ninja, and Solo Stoves at record-low prices

Mashable - Wed, 03/25/2026 - 03:00
Best Amazon Big Spring Sale outdoor deals at a glance: Best outdoor speaker deal JBL Charge 6 $159.95 at Amazon (save $40) Get Deal Best portable power station deal Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 $489.99 at Amazon (save $309.01) Get Deal Best hydration deal Owala FreeSip (32 ounce, select colorways) $29.99 at Amazon (save $5) Get Deal Best camping deal Rumpl Original Puffy National Park Blanket (select colorways) $74.95 at Amazon (save $25) Get Deal Best cooler deal Ninja FrostVault Cooler (30 quart) $149.99 at Amazon (save $50) Get Deal Best camping furniture deal Helinox Chair One $82.46 at Amazon (save $27.49) Get Deal Best backyard deal Solo Stove Bonfire $249.99 at Amazon (save $79.01) Get Deal Best watersports deal Bote 10-foot Breeze Aero Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board $499 at Amazon (save $280) Get Deal

Now that we're officially into spring, we're celebrating by snagging those elusive campsite reservations. Amazon has a different version of celebrating, but it's one that might be beneficial to your upcoming outdoor plans.

Amazon's Big Spring Sale is the perfect time to upgrade outdoor gear that deserves to retire. Amazon sales tend to bring significant discounts to some of our favorite outdoor items like Ninja coolers, portable power stations, Owala bottles, outdoor-worthy speakers, and plenty more.

The Amazon sale officially launches on March 25. Grab a new tent, a better sleeping bag, some fun toys, and you'll be on your way to a fantastic camping season. Here are some of the best Amazon Big Spring Sale outdoor deals to shop right now.

Best portable power station deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Solix Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 $489.99 at Amazon
$799 Save $309.01   Get Deal Why we like it

Read Mashable's full review of the Anker Solix C100 Gen 2 portable power station.

If your campsite could use some extra power, consider the major upgrade to a portable power station. The Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 is well worth inviting along on your weekend in the outdoors. It'll keep phones and tablets charged up, as well as giving you the ability to hang fairy lights and even pack along the air fryer.

Anker went super lightweight with this model and it comes in at just under 25 pounds, making it easy to pack and carry around the campsite. There's also the quick recharging capability. Just 49 minutes of AC wall charging will get the Solix C1000 Gen 2 up to 100% charged.

Best outdoor speaker deal Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Charge 6 (Squad) $159.95 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $40   Get Deal Why we like it

Every camping adventure deserve some tunes. In Mashable's review of the best portable Bluetooth speakers, the JBL Charge 6 earns top marks as the best for most people. Its IP68-rated water- and dust-proof rating makes it espeically worthy of adventure and the battery can give it up to 28 hours of playtime. JBL also added a study handle strap for easier transportation. Plus, the speaker doubles as a portable charger, so you can keep your phone from going dead while also hosting a dance party.

Best cooler deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja FrostVault Cooler (30 quart) $149.99 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $50   Get Deal Why we like it

Ninja makes some of our favorite kitchen appliances to use at home, but the brand is also a go-to for keeping food chilled at the campground. The 30-quart Ninja FrostVault Cooler can hold 26 cans while loaded up with 15 pounds of ice or 48 cans with no ice. The handles and lockable latch make this model espeically user-friendly. Ninja also added a dry-zone drawer to the design of the FrostVault which is the perfect place to store road-trip snacks with the assurance they won't end up getting squished or soggy.

More cooler dealsMore early Amazon Spring Sale outdoor deals

The best iPad deals to shop in Amazons Big Spring Sale — score new iPads at all-time low prices

Mashable - Wed, 03/25/2026 - 03:00
Best Amazon Big Spring Sale Apple iPad deals: Best iPad deal overall Apple iPad 11-inch (A16) $349 (save $50) Get Deal Best iPad Air deal Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M4 $559 (save $40) Get Deal

Amazon's Big Spring Sale is here, running from March 25-31. This event typically sees of all kinds of products with heavy discounts, giving you an early-year treat before the major sales events get going later in the year.

The Amazon Spring Sale is a good time to pick up pricier buys, whether that’s a robot vacuum, a TV or an Apple product. And if you’ve been eyeing up an iPad, some models have already dropped in price. We’ve pulled together the best live deals to make things easier.

Best iPad deal overall Apple iPad 11-inch (A16) $299 at Best Buy
$349 Save $50   Get Deal at Best Buy Get Deal at Walmart Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

The 11-inch iPad packs a serious punch thanks to the A16 chip, Liquid Retina display, and fast Wi‑Fi, making it perfect for everything from streaming to editing. We've even ranked it as our favorite budget iPad for 2026. It has iPadOS, support for Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard, and a 12MP Center Stage front camera, so it really is a perfect all rounder.

More iPad deals

The best Apple AirTags deals from Amazons Big Spring Sale — score record-low prices now

Mashable - Wed, 03/25/2026 - 03:00
The best Apple AirTag deals from Amazon's Big Spring Sale: Apple AirTag (1st Gen) $24 (save $5) Get Deal

Amazon’s Big Spring Sale isn’t officially underway until March 25, but we’re already seeing some pretty promising price drops across multiple categories. Of course, we’re holding out to see if Amazon’s going to gift us with additional Apple deals (we’re seeing $300 price cuts on MacBooks and $100 off Apple Watches, after all), but there’s no denying the Apple AirTag deals are worth jumping on.

Best deal overall Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirTag (1st Gen) $24 at Amazon
$29 Save $5   Get Deal Why we like it

The updated Apple AirTag 2 is still at full price ($29 each or $99 for a four-pack), but you can get a first-gen AirTag for just $24 right now.

These little trackers are total lifesavers for anyone who's always misplacing their keys or wants some peace of mind by stashing one in their checked luggage. (I use them to keep tabs on my dogs when I'm visiting my parents.) You can track your stuff directly in the Find My app, and if you’re nearby, your iPhone can lead you straight to the exact cushion your wallet is hiding under.

The best Apple AirTag accessory dealsThe best Apple AirTag alternative deals

The best AirPods deals to shop in Amazons Big Spring Sale — save on AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 3

Mashable - Wed, 03/25/2026 - 03:00
A quick look at the best Amazon Spring Sale AirPods deals: Best AirPods 4 Deal Apple AirPods 4 $99 (save $30) Get Deal Best AirPods Pro Deal Apple AirPods Pro 3 $199.99 (save $49.01) Get Deal Best AirPods Max deal AirPods Max (1st Gen, USB-C) $449.99 (save $99.01) Get Deal

It's official: Amazon's Big Spring Sale is back and ready to deliver another batch of deals for shoppers. If you're itching to see what the retailer has available for this year's event, the good news is you don't have to wait for its start date (it runs from March 25 to 31). Already, we've spotted quite a few offers worth checking out, including some stellar deals on Apple AirPods.

The AirPods Pro 3, AirPods 4 (both with and without ANC), and first-gen AirPods Max are already on sale at Amazon. If you've been looking to score new earbuds or headphones to pair with your Apple tech this year, we've gathered up our favorite early AirPods deals below.

SEE ALSO: The best Apple deals to shop ahead of the Amazon Big Spring Sale — save on AirPods, iPads, and MacBooks

Note that no AirPods have returned to their lowest prices on record yet, so there's always a chance they could get cheaper. We'll be sure to update this page if new deals go live once the sale starts.

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!

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

Best AirPods deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 $99 at Amazon
$129 Save $30   Get Deal Why we like it

If you're not looking to drop a ton of cash on new earbuds, one of our favorite early deals is on the AirPods 4 without Active Noise Cancellation. These AirPods have dropped to just $99 at Amazon, saving you $30 on list price. We think these are the best budget earbuds for Apple users.

If you had your eye on the AirPods 4 with ANC, the good news is those are also on sale right now. They are currently marked down to just $148.99 at Amazon, or about $30 off their original list price of $179. So no matter which option you choose, you can save some cash right now.

Best AirPods Pro deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 3 $199.99 at Amazon
$249 Save $49.01   Get Deal Why we like it

The AirPods Pro 3 are some of our favorite earbuds for Apple users, earning spots on both our lists of the best headphones and best earbuds. Our review had high praise for them, with writer Adam Doud calling them, "a remarkable upgrade in functionality over their predecessors, with better battery life and ANC, as well as a new heart rate sensor."

Boasting great sound quality and noise-cancelling features, alongside a hefty battery life that can last up to eight hours (with ANC) on a single charge, these AirPods are a nice upgrade indeed. Ahead of Amazon's Big Spring Sale, they're marked down to $199.99.

Read Mashable's full review of the Apple AirPods Pro 3.

Best AirPods Max deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Max (1st Gen, USB-C) $449.99 at Amazon
$549 Save $99.01   Get Deal Why we like it

Premium noise-canceling headphones from brands like Sony and Bose are a much better value, but AirPods Max remain a popular pick nonetheless. (If nothing else, they're super stylish.) Apple announced the AirPods Max 2 with better ANC and smart features earlier this month, and now the first-gen models with USB-C charging are on sale on Amazon for $449.99. That's about $100 off their regular retail price of $549.

Read Mashable's full review of the first-generation Apple AirPods Max.

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

Mashable - Wed, 03/25/2026 - 03:00
The best Amazon Big Spring Sale Apple Watch deals: Best Apple Watch Series 11 Deal Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) $299.00 (save $100) Get Deal Best Apple Watch SE 3 Deal Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS, 40mm) $219.00 (save $30) Get Deal

Amazon's Big Spring Sale is live — starts March 25 and runs all the way to March 31 — and quite a few deals have begun to appear. For Apple users, this includes some very nice discounts on Apple Watches. If you've been hoping to pick up one of these sleek smartwatches, without dropping the full amount on them, both Series 11 and SE 3 models are on sale right now.

We've gathered up just a few of our favorite Apple Watch deals available at Amazon right now, so you can save on the ones that catch your eye. We'll update this with more deals and price adjustments as they happen, 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 Apple Watch Series 11 deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) $299 at Amazon
$399 Save $100   Get Deal Why we like it

The Apple Watch Series 11 is a smartwatch we think very highly of, earning a spot on our list of the best smartwatches as the 'Best Apple Upgrade', and this $100 discount on the 42mm with GPS model is well worth taking advantage of. It marks its lowest-ever price point at the retailer, so what better time to grab it?

Mashable's Stan Schroeder, who reviewed it, said it's worth upgrading to for the battery life alone. He said, "Even if you already have a Series 10, which has nearly all the same features, the new Apple Watch Series 11 doesn’t require you to charge it mid-day in order to keep it going through the night. With the new Sleep Score feature, this is more important than ever." Multiple versions of this smartwatch are on sale right now as well, which you can see below.

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

The Apple Watch SE 3 is a great choice for those who just want the basics of a smartwatch. It landed on our list of the best smartwatches as the 'Best for most people' because, "In addition to its gorgeous OLED display, it has the same S10 chip inside the Ultra 3, the same water resistance as the Series 11, and all the necessary features you're looking for in a smartwatch — all for $150 less than the Series 11."

Ahead of Amazon's Big Spring Sale, its 40mm model has dropped down to $219. That saves you $30. It's not the only one on sale right now, though. Below we've included a few more versions of the SE 3 that have been discounted at the retailer, so you can scoop up your preferred model and save some cash.

More Apple Watch SE 3 deals

We found the best MacBook deals in Amazons Big Spring Sale — including the MacBook Neo

Mashable - Wed, 03/25/2026 - 03:00
Big Spring Sale MacBook Deals at a glance: Best MacBook Neo deal (that's barely a deal) Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $689.99 (save $9.01) Get Deal Best MacBook Air Deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inches (M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $949 (save $250) Get Deal Best MacBook Pro deal Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M4 Pro, 24GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,799 (save $200) Get Deal Best price deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $899 (save $100) Get Deal Also consider Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M4, 24GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,299 (save $300) Get Deal

Amazon's third annual Big Spring Sale runs from March 25 to 31, and the opening day of the sale already features deals on must-have tech — including flagship Apple products. Apple just refreshed and expanded its MacBook lineup earlier this month, and some of the new Apple laptops are already on sale.

The colorful new MacBook Neo with Touch ID is a whopping — wait for it — $9 off. (Don't forget about the Apple Store's $100 education discount.) Of course, there are better deals to be had.

Amazon's biggest discount thus far is going to a 15-inch M4 model with 24GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, which is now $300 off — its lowest price ever. You can also score 13-inch M4 MacBook Airs starting at $899. Remember: Apple has discontinued the M4 MacBooks, so once supplies dry up, they'll only be available on the refurbished market.

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

The brand-new M5 MacBook Airs and M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pros are all $50 off for the Big Spring Sale, and that's probably going to be as cheap as they get for now. (The then-new M4 models got the same discount last year.) Look for better deals in a couple of months come Prime Day.

This is just day one of the Big Spring Sale, and Mashable will be keeping track of all the latest MacBook price drops. Check back to be the first to know about the top Apple deals.

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

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

The 13-inch M4 MacBook Air may be a last-gen laptop, but it's still an incredibly capable ultraportable, now $250 off for its lowest-ever price. It's faster than much pricier Windows laptops, and it has the same 12MP Center Stage webcam, Liquid Retina display, and 18-hour battery life as its new M5 counterpart. This particular model is also well future-proofed amid the ongoing RAM crunch — thanks, AI.

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

MacBook Neo dealsMore MacBook Air dealsMacBook Pro deals

NYT Pips hints, answers for March 25, 2026

Mashable - Wed, 03/25/2026 - 02:09

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

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

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

How to play Pips

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 25, 2026

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for March 25, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for March 25 Pips

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-2, placed horizontally; 2-5, placed horizontally.

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

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

Number (14): Everything in this space must add up to 14. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally; 4-4, placed horizontally.

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for March 25 Pips

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-6, placed horizontally.

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 2-6, placed horizontally; 5-6, placed horizontally; 6-1, placed horizontally.

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

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 5-0, placed vertically; 5-6, placed horizontally; 5-3, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this orange space must be equal to 1. The answer is 6-1, placed horizontally; 3-1, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically; 3-3, placed horizontally; 3-1, placed horizontally.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-0, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for March 25 Pips

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically; 1-2, placed horizontally.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally; 6-6, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically; 0-6, placed vertically; 0-2, placed horizontally.

Less than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 0-2, placed horizontally.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally; 1-3, placed vertically.

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically; 6-5, placed vertically; 6-4, placed horizontally.

Greater than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 6-4, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is -3, placed vertically; 3-0, placed vertically.

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

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

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

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically; 4-2, placed vertically.

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

NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for March 25, 2026

Mashable - Wed, 03/25/2026 - 01:55

Today's Connections: Sports Edition is for people who like sneakers.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Yellow: Table games

  • Green: Sneakers

  • Blue: San Francisco legends

  • Purple: NBA events

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

  • Yellow: Games Played on a Table

  • Green: Nike Shoes

  • Blue: Giants Greats

  • Purple: NBA___

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

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

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections: Sports Edition #548 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

  • Games Played on a Table - AIR HOCKEY, FOOSBALL, POOL, SNOOKER

  • Nike Shoes - AIR FORCE 1, BLAZER, PEGASUS, SHOX

  • Giants Greats - BONDS, MAYS, OTT, POSEY

  • NBA___ - ALL-STAR, CUP, DRAFT, FINALS

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

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

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

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

Hurdle hints and answers for March 25, 2026

Mashable - Wed, 03/25/2026 - 00:00

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

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

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

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

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

A woven hairstyle.

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

BRAID

Hurdle Word 2 hint

An excursion.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 25, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

JAUNT

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Shine.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for March 25 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 25, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

GLEAM

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Not height.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

WIDTH

Final Hurdle hint

Moon-related.

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

LUNAR

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

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 25, 2026

Mashable - Tue, 03/24/2026 - 23:00

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you keep up with the news.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for March 25, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

  • Yellow: To fog

  • Green: Popular publications

  • Blue: Ways to use funds

  • Purple: Measurements

Here are today's Connections categories

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

  • Yellow: Obfuscate

  • Green: Magazines

  • Blue: Payment methods

  • Purple: Units of volume with last letter changed

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

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

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #1018 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

  • Obfuscate: BLUR, CLOUD, MUDDY, OBSCURE

  • Magazines: FORTUNE, PEOPLE, SPIN, TIME

  • Payment methods: CASH, CHARGE, CHECK, WIRE

  • Units of volume with last letter changed: CUR, GALLOP, PING, QUARK

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for March 25, 2026

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

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

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

NYT Strands hints, answers for March 25, 2026

Mashable - Tue, 03/24/2026 - 23:00

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you frequent the movie theater.

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 25, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Intermission mission

The words are related to snacks.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe things you buy at a theater.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Concessions.

NYT Strands word list for March 25

  • Fries

  • Popcorn

  • Soda

  • Beer

  • Concessions

  • Water

  • Candy

  • Pretzel

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

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

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

Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 25, 2026

Mashable - Tue, 03/24/2026 - 23:00

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're always learning.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 25, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for March 25, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

More knowledgeable.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter W.

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

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

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

WISER

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

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

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

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

BTS bring Arirang to NYC and break down that chaotic Hooligan lyric

Mashable - Tue, 03/24/2026 - 22:28

For the past four years, BTS has been something international fans watched from a distance, as the members completed their mandatory military service in South Korea. In the meantime, they pursued solo projects and toured globally as individuals, while the group itself lived on through archived livestreams and social media posts.

On Monday night in New York City, they were back on stage as seven.

SEE ALSO: 'BTS: The Return' review: The world's biggest boy band, without a clear direction

By late afternoon, fans had already lined up along the downtown Seaport, bundled in layers and rain ponchos, waiting for BTS to take the stage at Pier 17. The group's return to the U.S. wasn't a surprise. It was a moment fans had been tracking, anticipating, and counting down to. Still, the energy felt surreal once it was actually happening.

Just days after their massive live comeback concert drew tens of thousands of fans to central Seoul, BTS arrived in New York for Spotify x BTS: Swimside, an invitation-only event that marked their first public appearance in the U.S. as a full group since 2022. It also doubled as the first time they performed songs from their new album, Arirang, stateside.

SEE ALSO: The internet made BTS. 'Arirang' asks what comes next.

The setting did a lot of the work. Pier 17 overlooks the East River, with the Brooklyn Bridge stretching out on one side and lower Manhattan lighting up the other. Even in the cold, with wind cutting across the rooftop and temperatures dropping into the 30s, hundreds of fans packed the space, many selected as top Spotify streamers in the area. Even producer Diplo was spotted in the crowd.

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Mashable's social manager on the ground captured the scene as it unfolded. Fans traded freebies, compared signs, and documented everything in real-time across social media. The night already looked like something built for the timeline. The difference was that everyone was actually there in person.

The event opened with a Q&A moderated by Suki Waterhouse, pulling the group into a more relaxed, conversational mode. BTS spoke about making Arirang together, including the experience of living in the same house again while recording in Los Angeles for two months.

"'Swim' is a really special song for us," Jin said through a translator, describing the lead single as a reminder to keep going through uncertainty. "It's about not stopping, even when you're facing tough times and emotional waves, to just keep moving forward like you’re swimming through it all... It reminds us to love our lives and accept whatever comes next, so that's the message: We want to keep moving forward and not give up."

Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Spotify

The conversation quickly loosened. RM joked about Jung Kook's suitcase never leaving the floor during their time living together. "Whenever we entered his room, we always had to step [around] the luggage," the leader explained. Suga admitted he doesn't like swimming. (But importantly, he does like "Swim.") Jimin, answering a question about habits at home, casually told the crowd he's usually naked when he walks in the door, sending the audience into a frenzy.

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The group also shared details from the making of the album, including a standout lyric from "Hooligan" — "ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha, hooligan" — which RM and Suga admitted they hate performing because of its tricky cadence. They broke it down as a rapid-fire "three-three-three" rhythm, then put Jung Kook on the spot to try it himself. He mostly succeeded, as expected from the group's golden maknea.

View this post on Instagram

The overall Q&A had the tone of a livestream, but louder. Immediate. Unfiltered in a way that only works when thousands of people are reacting at once.

During a short intermission, fans proved just how locked in they were. Arirang had only been out for three days, but the crowd sang along to every track playing over the speakers, lightsticks moving in sync.

When BTS returned to the stage, the focus snapped into place.

The group performed "Swim," "2.0," and "Normal," marking their first live U.S. performances of the new album. The staging was simple, but the response wasn't. Fans jumped, screamed, ha-ha-ha-ha'd, and waved their Army Bombs with every beat drop. RM, seated with a sprained ankle, delivered his verses from the side as the rest of the group moved through the choreography.

Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Spotify

"It's really an honor for us to do our first stage in America here," RM told the crowd. "It's been four years, but now we’re here."

In the audience, fans held up red signs that read "We Stayed!" A small gesture, but one that carried weight after the group's hiatus. V spotted them right away, calling out to the crowd in recognition.

By the end of the night, the mood felt less like a one-off event and more like a reset point. BTS are back in the U.S., performing new music, standing in front of fans who never left.

For years, that connection lived mostly online. In streams, clips, and constant updates that filled the gap while the group was apart. At Pier 17, it felt different. Still documented, still destined for the feed, but grounded in something more immediate.

Not just something to watch. Something you had to be there for.

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

Mashable - Tue, 03/24/2026 - 19:34

A New Mexico jury found Meta liable Tuesday for misleading consumers about the safety of its platforms and endangering children.

Meta has been ordered to pay the maximum penalties for each violation of New Mexico’s consumer protection laws, amounting to $375 million.

"Meta executives knew their products harmed children, disregarded warnings from their own employees, and lied to the public about what they knew," New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez said in a statement. "The substantial damages the jury ordered Meta to pay should send a clear message to big tech executives that no company is beyond the reach of the law."

SEE ALSO: Meta pulling end-to-end encryption on Instagram DMs

Meta, which owns the social media platforms Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, plans to appeal the jury's decision.

"We will continue to defend ourselves vigorously, and we remain confident in our record of protecting teens online," Meta spokesperson Andy Stone said in a statement to the New York Times.

New Mexico's Department of Justice launched an investigation into Meta platforms in 2023 in order to protect children from bad actors who sought to sexually abuse or solicit minors, among other harms. The state's evidence included findings from that investigation, in addition to internal Meta documents and testimony from former Meta employees, child safety experts, law enforcement officials, and others.

The state argued that Meta's design features helped pedophiles sexually exploit children on Meta platforms.

The loss is Meta's first in a number of trials taking place this year. In Los Angeles, Meta and YouTube are on trial for allegedly designing addictive products for minors. Snapchat and TikTok were part of that trial but settled out of court.

OpenAI Is Shutting Down Sora, Its A.I. Video Generator

NYT Technology - Tue, 03/24/2026 - 19:07
The start-up said it would discontinue Sora just three months after signing a multiyear deal to bring Disney characters to the service.

Turn your voice into text on your Mac for $50 with Voibe

Mashable - Tue, 03/24/2026 - 19:00

TL;DR: Voibe AI voice dictation is $49.99 (reg. $149) offering a faster way to turn speech into text on Mac.

Opens in a new window Credit: Essence AI Voibe Lifetime Subscription $49.99
$149.99 Save $100   Get Deal

Typing isn’t always the fastest way to get ideas out of your head. If you’ve ever lost your train of thought mid-sentence — or spent more time formatting than actually writing — a voice-first tool could be the upgrade your day-to-day work needs. Voibe, a Mac-native dictation app, is designed to close that gap, and for a limited time, a lifetime subscription is available now for only $49.99 (reg. $149).

Built exclusively for Mac, Voibe works anywhere a cursor can go — email drafts, notes apps, coding environments, you name it. What sets it apart from many dictation tools is its on-device processing: rather than routing audio through the cloud, it transcribes speech locally. That means your voice data stays private, and your words hit the screen with minimal delay.

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The workflow couldn’t be simpler! Just hold a key, speak naturally, and release. Your words convert to text in near real time, and because Voibe runs quietly in the background, it slots into your existing setup without disrupting it.

This kind of tool makes sense for anyone dealing with text-heavy tasks throughout the day — whether that’s writing emails, drafting content, or adding context to AI tools like ChatGPT or Claude. It may also be useful if you prefer speaking your thoughts out loud instead of typing them line by line.

Voibe is built for Mac, so it won’t work on Windows devices. Like most dictation tools, accuracy can depend on the clarity of your speech and the environment. Still, the offline processing and privacy-focused setup may appeal to users who prefer keeping data on their own device.

Unlike the subscription fatigue that comes with most software, Voibe’s lifetime plan means one payment, ongoing updates, and no recurring fees.

You can get a Voibe lifetime subscription now for only $49.99 (reg. $149).

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

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Meta Ordered to Pay $375 Million Over Child Safety Violations

NYT Technology - Tue, 03/24/2026 - 18:27
In one of the company’s first major losses, New Mexico jurors found that it had misled consumers about the safety of its platforms, enabling sexual exploitation of young users.

OpenAI kills Sora video app, Disney kills deal

Mashable - Tue, 03/24/2026 - 18:18

Pour one out for Sora, the groundbreaking — but quickly overtaken — video generation app from OpenAI, the makers of ChatGPT.

Born Dec. 2024, and baptized by a billion-dollar Disney deal a year later, Sora was axed by OpenAI on Tuesday — and the Disney deal was trashed alongside it.

"We're saying goodbye to the Sora app," the Sora team announced Tuesday via the OpenAI X feed. "To everyone who created with Sora, shared it, and built community around it: thank you. What you made with Sora mattered, and we know this news is disappointing."

OpenAI did not confirm reports that Sora would soon be available within ChatGPT itself, but did promise to "share more soon, including timelines for the app and API and details on preserving your work."

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Sora launched to great fanfare. Some of us even wondered if the launch could herald a new cinematic medium. But it was soon eclipsed by other more fully-featured AI video generation apps such as Google's Veo and Luma Ray.

In Dec. 2025, the cinematic might of Disney was added to the Sora app via a $1 billion deal — one that would allow users to create videos with some of Disney's vast roster of copyrighted characters. Though as we also noted at the time, the deal was a much better one for Disney than for OpenAI, which continues to burn through cash at the rate of roughly $1 billion a month.

SEE ALSO: Everything is fine: Disney CEO Bob Iger says OpenAI deal isn't a threat to creatives.

Still, Disney CEO Bob Iger was touting the OpenAI deal, which was to last for three years, as recently as Feb. 2026. But a month is a long time in AI world.

"As the nascent AI field advances rapidly, we respect OpenAI’s decision to exit the video generation business and to shift its priorities elsewhere," a Disney spokesperson told The Hollywood Reporter, confirming multiple Hollywood insider reports that the deal was DOA.

"We appreciate the constructive collaboration between our teams and what we learned from it," the Disney spokesperson continued, "and we will continue to engage with AI platforms to find new ways to meet fans where they are while responsibly embracing new technologies that respect IP and the rights of creators."

The sudden and confused nature of the announcement — which irked many Sora creators on social media — suggests all is not well behind the scenes at Sam Altman's company. OpenAI has also been scrambling recently to introduce new mental health safeguards for teen users in the wake of multiple wrongful death lawsuits. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

The confusing U.S. router ban, explained: Which routers are banned?

Mashable - Tue, 03/24/2026 - 15:25

The Federal Communications Commission on Monday added all foreign-manufactured consumer routers to its Covered List — the federal government's running blacklist of communications equipment deemed a national security threat. The move effectively bans the sale of new WiFi routers made outside the country.

The ban is sweeping, as virtually every consumer router on the market today is made overseas. However, the FCC also said that previously approved WiFi routers can still be operated and sold.

An FCC communication states that the "action does not impact a consumer’s continued use of routers they previously acquired." Likewise, it doesn't "prevent retailers from continuing to sell, import, or market router models approved previously through the FCC’s equipment authorization process."

It's the same playbook we saw with the drone ban in December 2025, when the FCC blacklisted most consumer drones, even as they remained easy to find.

SEE ALSO: The FCC bans all routers made outside the U.S.

As before, the national security justification, per the FCC, is that foreign-produced routers introduce supply chain vulnerabilities that can disrupt critical infrastructure. In addition, the FCC says that foreign routers have already been exploited in real cyberattacks. The Volt, Flax, and Salt Typhoon attacks — all of which targeted vital U.S. infrastructure — involved foreign-made routers, according to the FCC.

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A quick glance at Amazon and Best Buy shows that popular routers are still widely available, but the situation is confusing. Let's break down what we know about the new rules.

So which routers are banned?

Any equipment on the FCC's Covered List is blocked from receiving new authorization, which is required before a device can be imported, marketed, or sold in the United States. And the FCC's decision adds "all consumer-grade routers produced in foreign countries" to that list.

Effectively, all home router brands will be impacted by the ban. (The only domestically-produced consumer routers Mashable is aware of are made by Starlink for satellite internet.)

The FCC's update applies to any router produced outside the U.S. — and the FCC's definition of "produced" is deliberately broad. It covers not just where a device is physically assembled, but where it was designed, developed, or had any major stage of its manufacturing process completed. So, a router designed in the United States by an American company but assembled in Taiwan would still be banned, for instance.

TP-Link, the Chinese manufacturer that has faced its own separate congressional scrutiny and government inquiries, is an obvious target. But the ban extends well beyond Chinese companies. It also includes Asus, which is Taiwanese; Netgear, which is headquartered in San Jose and manufactures abroad; Eero, which is owned by Amazon and produced in Vietnam; and Ubiquiti, another American company whose hardware is produced overseas. If the router exists in the physical world in 2026, there is a very good chance it was made somewhere other than the United States, and is therefore now covered.

TP-Link, for its part, was characteristically direct. In a statement to PCMag, the company acknowledged the obvious — that router manufacturing is a globally distributed industry, with its own products made in Vietnam — and framed the ruling as an industry-wide reckoning rather than a targeted action. The company said it was confident in the security of its supply chain and welcomed what it described as an evaluation of the entire sector.

Likewise, before DJI drones were banned in December, the company told Mashable the ban was a naked attempt to shore up U.S. manufacturing, rather than a legitimate national security issue.

"This is about forcing the biggest manufacturer of drones out of the market so that American drone manufacturers don’t have to compete with them," said Adam Welsh, DJI’s Head of Global Policy, in an interview with Mashable in December.

What routers can you still buy?

More than you might expect — for now. The critical distinction in the FCC's rules is between new device models and previously authorized ones. Any router that already has an FCC equipment authorization can still be imported, sold, and used. Retailers can continue moving existing inventory. Consumers can continue buying those models. The ban applies to new models seeking authorization going forward, not to the current stock sitting on Best Buy shelves.

If you already own a router, nothing changes. The Covered List does not require consumers to replace or stop using hardware they already purchased.

However, if you need an upgrade, now's the time to do it. The FCC granted a limited waiver on Monday, allowing all previously authorized routers to continue receiving software and firmware updates — security patches, bug fixes, and compatibility updates — at least until March 1, 2027, at which point the agency says it will reassess.

The waiver exists because, without it, the Covered List rules would have immediately stripped those routers of update eligibility the moment they were added to the list, even for devices already sitting in people's homes. The irony here is that the FCC's ban is premised entirely on the security risks of foreign-made routers, which, by its own mechanics, will eventually cut off the security updates that keep those same routers from becoming liabilities.

SEE ALSO: Amazon's Big Spring Sale is back: The best deals already live on Apple, robot vacuums, headphones, and more Is there any way back for manufacturers?

There is, but it's a narrow door. The FCC's rules include a "Conditional Approval" pathway, administered by the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security, through which a router producer can apply for an individual exemption if it can demonstrate its product does not pose unacceptable risks.

The application process is extensive: manufacturers must disclose their full corporate structure, ownership, any foreign government ties, a complete bill of materials, country of origin for every component, and all software, and — most significantly — a detailed, time-bound plan to move manufacturing to the United States. Conditional Approvals last no longer than 18 months and come with quarterly reporting requirements. There is no guarantee of approval, and all decisions are final.

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