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SAVE UP TO $9.01: The new Apple MacBook Neo is on sale on Amazon as of March 18. Save $4 on the 256GB base model (now $595) and about $9 on the 512GB version with Touch ID (now $689.99). Hey, it's something.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $595 at AmazonIt ain't much, but it's honest work: Amazon just put the brand-new Apple MacBook Neo on sale for the first time since its March 11 launch. The 256GB base configuration is marked down to $595, and the upgraded 512GB version with Touch ID is sitting at $689.99 in — a savings of $4 and $9.01, respectively.
Amazon will probably dish out much better discounts on the MacBook Neo this summer during its Prime Day sale. (I can't see it getting dramatically cheaper than this between now and next week's Big Spring Sale.) But to date, this is the best deal on new models with no strings attached. Best Buy has some Neos that are around $20 off, but they're open-box, i.e. returned. The Apple Store will give you $100 off, but only if you're a college student, a parent of one, or school faculty.
We tested an indigo MacBook Neo. We loved it. Credit: Joe Maldonado / MashableThe MacBook Neo is powered by a capable A18 Pro chip with 8GB of RAM. It's not as good for multitasking as a MacBook Air with more memory, but its perfect for folks who only have a couple tabs open at any given time. It can churn through basic tasks as fast as last year's M4 MacBook Air — think web browsing and sending emails. In heavier workloads like video editing, it's just as zippy as an M1 MacBook Air from 2020. It offers around 15 hours of battery life per charge.
SEE ALSO: MacBook Neo review: I think Apple's going to sell millions of theseFeatures-wise, the Neo comes with a 13-inch Liquid Retina display, a 1080p webcam, a clicky mechanical touchpad, and Dolby Atmos speakers. Its all-aluminum chassis comes in four colors: indigo, silver, blush, and a punchy "citrus" yellow-green. (Amazon's deal only applied to the silver one at the time of writing, but that might change by the time you read this.)
"For students, young people, and casual users, there's nothing else like [the Neo] at this price," writes Mashable tech editor Timothy Beck Werth, who rated it a 4.8/5. (Check out his full review.)
If you're not sure whether the Neo is right for you, read our analysis of how it stacks up against the new M5 MacBook Air and older M-series models.
Google, along with two cybersecurity firms, are warning iPhone users of a new exploit that can steal data — all from just visiting a website on a user's iOS device.
DarkSword is a new hacking toolkit being deployed by bad actors on a global scale. The reports by Google Threat Intelligence Group and cybersecurity companies Lookout and iVerify detailed multiple vulnerabilities used to carry out attacks against iOS devices running versions 18.4 through 18.7.
According to Apple's own developer website, nearly 25 percent of all iPhones are still on some version of iOS 18. Wired points out that this means there are potentially hundreds of millions of iOS devices susceptible to DarkSword.
What makes DarkSword so concerning? Unlike most malware, DarkSword doesn't need to be installed on a target's device. A victim simply needs to visit an infected website. From there, DarkSword steals personal or financial data. And unlike most spyware, DarkSword isn't being used for long-term espionage.
"As opposed to many other previously reported cases of sophisticated attacks on mobile devices, DarkSword is not designed for ongoing surveillance," writes Lookout in its report. "Once it finishes collecting and exfiltrating the targeted data, it deletes the files it created on the filesystem of the device and exits. Its dwell time on the device is likely in the range of minutes, depending on the amount of data it discovers and exfiltrates."
Hackers utilizing DarkSword take what they want from the victim within a short period. Once an infected device is restarted, the spyware is nearly undetectable on the device.
SEE ALSO: Iran-linked hackers launch cyberattack against U.S. medtech company StrykerDarkSword can be used to siphon all sorts of personal data from an iOS device to a nefarious actor. Call logs, contacts, calendars, notes, photos, screenshots, location history, web browser history, signed in account identities, device keychains, SIM card info, Find My Phone settings, WiFi passwords, iCloud content, and more can be sent to the threat actor through this attack. iMessage data, email, WhatsApp data, Telegram data, and even cryptocurrency wallet credentials can also be stolenl.
Another concerning aspect of DarkSword is the cleanup of the cybercrime scene afterward. There is none. Hackers who have utilized DarkSword have left the code behind for anyone to access and deploy. In addition, it appears these hackers aren't concerned with its discovery, resulting in the closure of the exploit, meaning they are likely confident new and similar attacks can be replicated with new tools.
Google's report details some specific attacks carried out by DarkSword. For example, one early incident in November targeted Saudi Arabian users through a Snapchat-themed website called Snapshare. The website forwarded visitors to a legitimate Snapchat site while it infected the device in order to hide the nefarious activity.
In more recent attacks carried out just this month, a hacker group with suspected ties to the Russian government, known as UNC6353, deployed DarkSword in order to target iPhone users in Ukraine. The group was somehow able to compromise legitimate Ukrainian news sites and official government websites to target its victims.
It is believed this threat actor is also behind a previously uncovered yet similar exploit known as Coruna earlier this year. That hacking toolkit targeted even older iOS devices that were still using iOS versions 13 through 17.
Yahoo recently announced new tools within Yahoo Scout, the company’s AI search engine, now in beta, that will support publishers and the open web.
It offers a stark contrast to the more closed ecosystem approach of Google and other AI search products.
Why does this matter? Artificial intelligence has had a devastating impact on publisher traffic as AI companies scrape, train, and repurpose publishers’ stories, typically without permission or payment. (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.)
New research from Chartbeat published this week shows that small publishers lost 60 percent of their search traffic between Dec. 2024 to Dec. 2025. Medium publishers lost 47 percent, and large publishers 22 percent.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Yahoo has been promoting Yahoo Scout at SXSW 2026, which comes to a close on Wednesday in Austin, Texas. When I first tried Yahoo Scout at SXSW, the first thing I noticed was how many links were included to publishers and other sources. And Yahoo says that’s intentional.
“The open web is essential for building quality AI experiences and we are committed to building Scout in a way that's trusted by users and sustainable for publishers,” said Eric Feng, SVP and GM of Yahoo Research Group.
SEE ALSO: Pornhub traffic dipped during Bad Bunny's halftime showFeng added, “Every answer in Yahoo Scout includes clear attribution and referral back to content publishers so we can be transparent with our users and provide them with additional context and coverage where needed.”
So, apparently, you can create AI search tools that support the writers, editors, publishers, bloggers, and creators actually generating the information.
Meanwhile, Google has found many creative ways to keep searchers within its ecosystem of products as long as possible.
Once upon a time, Google measured success by how quickly users left Google. The idea was that if a searcher left the search engine quickly, that meant they had found the information they needed. This was the philosophy of the old “Don’t be evil” Google of old.
It even used to be part of the company’s “Ten things we know to be true” mission statement: “We may be the only people in the world who can say our goal is to have people leave our website as quickly as possible.”
But Google has changed, and that mission statement has become something of a time capsule.
“Google has had a long history of making moves that keep searchers in their own ecosystem,” said Lily Ray, VP of SEO Strategy at Amsive, in an email to Mashable.
For instance, “on AI Overviews, clicking ‘Show More’ now leads the user to AI Mode,” Ray said. “I would argue this is Google's most aggressive move yet to encourage users to switch to AI Mode. It appears that Google is trying to strike a balance between encouraging more usage of its AI products, while keeping users clicking on Google Ads, which generally still appear prominently in the traditional search results.”
A Google representative declined to comment for this story. However, Robby Stein, VP of Product for Search at Google, has previously said that Google is taking steps to encourage users to click on outside sources. However, the data on declining search traffic paints a very different picture.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed."I see Google's new AI products as an extension of this ‘Zero Click’ trend — it's in their best interest to keep users on Google as long as possible (like any other online platform)," Ray said.
Yahoo introduces MyScout and publisher pages The new MyScout personalized homepage for Yahoo users. Credit: YahooIn addition to Yahoo Scout, the company has launched MyScout, a personalized AI homepage for users. MyScout uses content from Yahoo Mail, News, Finance, and Sports to create a custom daily briefing for users, similar to Samsung’s Now Brief.
In addition, Yahoo has launched publisher brand pages within Yahoo News to support publishers that syndicate content on Yahoo.
“Yahoo Scout is built on our 30-year-history as a trusted guide to the internet. We have a proprietary knowledge graph of over 1 billion entities, unique insights from the trillions of consumer events that occur across the Yahoo ecosystem, and personalization signals from hundreds of millions of logged-in user profiles,” Feng told Mashable.
This article reflects the opinion of the author.
Amazon’s Big Spring Sale is nearly here, but if cleaner indoor air is already high on your shopping list, you do not need to wait for the official kickoff date of March 25 to 31 to start saving. A couple of standout air purifier deals are already live at Amazon, including one option built for extra-large rooms and another premium model that doubles as a heater and fan.
There’s also already early spring sale deals on Amazon Echos, budget TVs, and even robot vacuums. In the meantime, though, whether you are dealing with spring pollen, pet dander, smoke, or just want to freshen up a stuffy room before allergy season really ramps up, these early offers are already top contenders worth your time, considering, at the very least.
As of March 18, the Sharp FXJ80UW is the better pure value pick, while Dyson’s Purifier Hot+Cool HP1 makes more sense if you want an all-in-one appliance that can stay useful beyond spring — though there are also plenty of other offers from a wide variety of brands below as well.
At $299.99, this Sharp model is discounted by 40%, which chops a full $200 off its $499.99 list price. That is a serious drop for a purifier designed for extra-large spaces, with coverage of up to 2,430 square feet in one hour and an AHAM suggested room size of 502 square feet at 4.8 air changes per hour.
Sharp is giving you a lot for the money here, as the FXJ80UW pairs a washable pre-filter, activated carbon deodorizing filter, and True HEPA filter that captures 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns and larger, while also adding Plasmacluster ion technology for more active air cleaning. It also works with the Sharp Air app and supports Alexa and Google Assistant, which makes it feel a lot more premium than its new under-$300 price would have you believe.
Even better, Sharp says its HEPA and carbon filters can last up to two years, depending on the environment, which could help soften long-term upkeep costs.
Best premium Amazon Big Spring Sale air purifier deal Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool HP1 $499 at AmazonIf you want something more versatile, the Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool HP1 is down to $499 from $659.99, saving you $160.99 — which price tracker camelcamelcamel also confirms is its lowest price ever. While this is more of a premium investment, it’s easier to justify when you remember this is not just an air purifier — but effectively a room heater and air conditioner, too.
The HP1 combines HEPA and activated carbon filtration with whole-room heating and fan cooling, so it can stay in use year-round instead of being dragged out only when allergy season hits. Dyson says it captures 99.97% of microscopic allergens and pollutants as small as 0.3 microns, while also removing 97% of odors such as cooking smells, pet odors, and smoke.
You also get app controls, voice compatibility, auto mode, night mode, and oscillation up to 350 degrees, which makes it a sleek option for shoppers who want cleaner air without adding yet another appliance to the room.
More air purifier dealsLevoit Vital 100S-P Air Purifier — $113.95 $139.99 (save 26.04)
Shark Air Purifier (HP071BRN) — $123.49 $159.99 (save $36.50)
WINIX 5510 Air Purifier — $135.99 $179.99 (save $44)
WINIX 5520 Air Purifier — $139.99 $189.99 (save $50)
KNKA Air Purifier (APH4000) — $139.99 $259.99 (save $120)
Coway Airmega AP-1512HH(W) True HEPA Purifier — $153.99 $229.99 (save $76)
Levoit Vital 200S-P Air Purifier — $159.99 $189.99 (save $30)
BLUEAIR Blue Pure 311i Max Air Purifier — $169.99 $229.99 (save $80)
BLUEAIR Blue Pure 211i Max — $249.99 $349.99 (save $100)
While Amazon’s Big Spring Sale hasn’t even started yet, Samsung shoppers do not need to wait until March 25 for the official kickoff to start saving. A couple of early standouts are already live at Amazon as of March 18 — including not only discounted gaming deals, Amazon Echo deals, Dyson deals, and MacBook deals — but also hefty discounts on Samsung’s art-forward 2025 Frame Pro TV and a solid price cut on the new Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ tablet.
Best Amazon Big Spring Sale Samsung tablet deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ 13.1-inch 128GB WiFi Android Tablet $499.99 at AmazonWith its best-ever price on Amazon, confirmed with price tracker camelcamelcamel, Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ is available for $499.99, down from $649.99. That is a 23% discount and $150 in savings on a big-screen Android tablet that looks especially appealing for note-taking, streaming, and casual multitasking.
The Tab S10 FE+ gives you a 13.1-inch display, Exynos 1580 processor, IP68 water resistance, 90Hz refresh rate, and an included S Pen. Samsung also says it supports features like Circle to Search, Handwriting Assist, and Math Solver, which make it feel a little more versatile than a basic entertainment slate. Add in up to 21 hours of battery life, and this is the kind of early spring sale deal that makes you understand while it’s currently selling fast — so grab yours before stock runs out.
More Samsung tablet dealsSamsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE 128GB WiFi Android Tablet — $299.99 $499.99 (save $200)
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE Android Tablet + 128GB SD Card — $413.98 $529.99 (save $116.01)
Samsung’s 65-inch The Frame Pro LS03FW is down to $1,597.99 at Amazon, which knocks 24% off its $2,097.99 list price and saves you $500.
That is a pretty appealing cut for a 2025 model, especially one built to double as décor. Samsung boasts that this set as a TV that transforms into a personal art gallery when it is not in use, with Art Mode, a matte display, customizable bezels, and a slim wall-friendly design. It also packs Mini LED lighting, Samsung’s NQ4 AI Gen3 processor, and support for VRR gaming up to 4K 144Hz, so it is not just about looks.
More Samsung TV dealsSamsung 55-Inch Class Crystal UHD U8000F 4K Smart TV (2025 Model) — $298 $347.99 (save $49.99)
Samsung 55-Inch Class The Frame LS03F 4K QLED Smart TV (2025 Model) — $897.99 $1197.99 (save $300)
Samsung phones
Samsung Galaxy A17 5G Smart Phone (128GB) — $179.99 $199.99 (save $20)
Samsung Galaxy S25 FE Cell Phone (2025, 256GB) — $668.29 $709.99 (save $41.70)
Samsung smartwatches
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (40mm) — $195 $249.99 (save $54.99)
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic (2025) (46mm) — $369.99 $499.99 (save $130)
Samsung gaming monitors
Samsung 32-inch Odyssey QD-OLED G8 (G81SF), 4K, 240Hz, Gaming Monitor — $899.99 $1,299.99 (save $400)
Samsung 43-inch Odyssey Neo G7 Series 4K UHD Smart Gaming Monitor — $699 $999.99 (save $300.99)
When Facebook changed its name to Meta a few years ago, the idea was that the VR metaverse would become a huge pillar for the company. I think we can safely say that's not going to happen.
On its community forums, Meta confirmed that Horizon Worlds, the flagship "hanging out and doing work meetings in VR" app for Quest headsets, will no longer be available in VR after June 15. It's not going away entirely, as Meta recently reoriented its metaverse efforts toward a Horizon Worlds mobile app. But Mark Zuckerberg's COVID-era dream of people spending huge portions of their days wearing VR headsets and messing around in Horizon Worlds seems to be dead.
SEE ALSO: Meta, Snap, and YouTube insiders reveal common mistakes new creators makeIn fairness to Meta, the multi-platform approach to Horizon Worlds isn't new. It's been available on mobile and desktop since 2023, and it must be successful enough in the mobile format for Meta to keep supporting and building upon that version of the Horizon Worlds metaverse. But when it was supposed to be a VR system seller, Horizon Worlds was often the subject of mockery online for its underwhelming visual quality, initial lack of legs for avatars, and its reputation as a virtual ghost town.
Of course, as of right now, that doesn't mean Meta is giving up on VR. When it announced that Horizon was going mobile earlier this year, Meta reaffirmed its commitment to VR as a format.
"We have a robust roadmap of future VR headsets that will be tailored to different audience segments as the market grows and matures," Meta said in a press release. "And Meta remains the single biggest investor in the VR industry. Why? Because we believe in VR as a critical technology on the path to the next computing platform."
The enduring popularity of things like VRChat signals that there is a market for these sorts of virtual hangout spaces, but Zuckerberg's specific vision of the metaverse just never really took off as intended. At least we got a few memes out of it.
The countdown to Amazon's Big Spring Sale has begun, and while it doesn't officially start until March 25, there's already quite a few early deals worth checking out at the retailer. If you're not looking to drop a ton of cash during this seasonal sale event, we've gathered up some excellent deals under $25 that you can shop right now.
These range from the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus, if you're looking to upgrade your streaming setup this year, to some sweet Lego sets, including the delightfully colorful Lego Botanicals Petite Sunny Bouquet, but there's much more to explore. As the Big Spring Sale gets closer, we'll be sure to update this with even more discounts that cross our radar, too.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!Note: You don't need to be a Prime member to shop the sale, but Prime members will receive exclusive deals on a variety of items.
Best early Amazon device deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus $24.99 at Amazon2026 has started off strong when it comes to what's available to stream, and if you've been looking to upgrade your setup to enjoy it all in 4K, the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus is worth a look. At the moment, this streaming stick has returned to its lowest-ever price of $24.99 at Amazon, which is 50% off its list price of $49.99. It's a pretty excellent price to pay for what you're getting.
The Fire TV Stick 4K Plus supports 4K Ultra HD picture quality, which helps bring out the colors and crisp details in the shows and films you watch. It also supports Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and Dolby Atmos audio, which provide a little extra boost to picture and sound as well. And with support for Wi-Fi 6, you'll get to enjoy smooth streaming quality. If it sounds like the streaming package you've been searching for, this early deal at Amazon is well worth jumping on.
More early Amazon device dealsBlink Mini — $14.99 $24.99 (save $10)
Fire TV Stick 4K Select — $17.99 $39.99 (save $22)
The Lego Botanicals Petite Sunny Bouquet is a lovely little set to have up on display this spring, and what better time to grab it than while it's on sale? At the moment, Amazon has knocked the price of this 373-piece set down to $23.99, allowing you to save a few dollars off its list price of $29.99. If its caught your eye, this is a great time to grab it and piece together a pretty bouquet to have up during the warmer months ahead.
More early Lego dealsLego Creator 3-in-1 Cute Bunny (#31162) — $15.97 $19.99 (save $4.02)
Lego Decorative Easter Egg (#40816) — $16 $19.99 (save $3.99)
Lego Disney Lucky & Penny 101 Dalmatians (#43271) — $19.99 $24.99 (save $5)
Lego Botanicals Mini Orchid (#10343) — $23.99 $29.99 (save $6)
Lego Botanicals Plum Blossom (#10369) — $23.99 $29.99 (save $6)
Want a better way to keep an eye on items like your wallet, keys, or bags? It's worth looking into a Bluetooth tracker, like the Life360 Tile. This helpful little device can be attached to a wide variety of items so you can easily track them if they escape your eyesight. If it sounds like something you need, Amazon's dropped their price for a limited time to just $14.99 ahead of the Big Spring Sale.
Usually they're listed for $27.99, so this deal saves you 46% overall. Plus, a variety of different colors have been discounted to this price, so you can pick out the option that best suits you.
More early deals under $25INIU Portable Charger, 22.5W 20000mAh — $24.99 $36.99 (save $12)
Hamilton Beach Fresh Grind Electric Coffee Grinder — $19.95 $23.95 (save $4)
Amazon is reportedly planning to move up its annual Prime Day sale from July to June this year, a change that would have a huge ripple effect on the retail calendar. The news comes from Bloomberg, which cites "people familiar with the matter."
When reached for comment by Mashable, an Amazon representative said, "We do not have anything to share at this time."
Amazon has hosted its flagship summer sale for Prime members in July almost every year since 2015. The event was moved to October in 2020 due to logistical and supply chain issues amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
SEE ALSO: Amazon greenlights 1-hour and 3-hour delivery in select US cities ahead of its spring salePrime Day has traditionally been a 48-hour sale, but Amazon extended it to four days in 2025. The longer slot gave consumers more time to shop, but lessened the sense of urgency to make impulse purchases, per Bloomberg.
Rivaling retailers like Best Buy, Target, and Walmart always plan competing sales around Amazon events like Prime Day, so if its timeframe shifts, they'll have to adapt accordingly.
Such a move would also affect the myriad third-party sellers that do business through Amazon's Marketplace platform. As of 2025, their listings accounted for over 60 percent of all Amazon sales, according to a company press release.
Bloomberg's sources didn't provide reasoning for the possible Prime Day switch-up. But RetailWire speculates that it's a twofold decision where Amazon is chasing more back-to-school shoppers and distancing itself from the competition. (This assumes other retailers stick with the usual schedule.)
In the meantime, Amazon is gearing up to host its third annual Big Spring Sale from March 25 to 31 — its first major shopping event of the year, and one that also attracts attention from its rivals. Target just announced a concurrent Circle Deal Days sale that will run from March 25 to 27. Best Buy and Walmart will probably throw their hats in the ring, too.
A new study suggests that teen girls use so-called nudification apps at the same rate as teen boys. The artificial intelligence-powered undressing tools allow users to create sexualized images of a person, typically by uploading a picture of them.
The results surprised Dr. Chad M.S. Steel, a digital forensics researcher at George Mason University who studies technology-facilitated crimes against children.
"Males tend to be more involved in any type of online sexual endeavors, whether it's sexting or viewing pornographic material or the like, there's usually a much stronger signal for males than females," Steel said of the findings, which were published Wednesday in the journal PLOS One.
SEE ALSO: Parents need to talk to their kids about this online danger right nowIn Jan. 2025, Steel conducted an online survey of 557 English-speaking adolescents ages 13 to 17. Even a year ago, Steel found widespread use of nudification tools. Fifty-five percent of the respondents said they'd created a sexualized image, and 54 percent said they'd received one.
More than a third of teens said they'd been victims of the technology. More than a third reported that someone had made a non-consensual image of them, and a third said an image of theirs had been shared without their permission.
Roughly 1 in 6 teen girls and boys used nudification tools frequently to see how they looked. About the same share of teen girls shared such imagery "once or twice" with someone else. A slightly smaller percentage of boys reported the same behavior.
Why girls might be using nudification toolsSteel didn't ask the teens why they used nudification tools, though sexting is a common practice among adolescents. He suspects that the popularity of "try it on" clothing and makeup visualization tools among girls builds familiarity with the same type of engagement as nudification apps. Coupled with male coercion for sexually explicit imagery, teen girls may find themselves using a familiar technology to deal with the pressure, Steel explained.
Dr. Linda Charmaraman studies girls' wellbeing with an emphasis on social media and digital health but wasn't involved in the study. She reviewed the findings and told Mashable that teens are in a delicate developmental period as they form their identities and seek social connection and acceptance.
"When you combine that time of development with AI, it can bring further risks," Charmaraman, director of the Youth, Media, & Wellbeing Research Lab at Wellesley College, wrote in an email. "For example, there might be a lot of pressure for girls to create certain kinds of content in order to fit in with their peers and to possibly promote their social status."
Boys did report higher usage of generative AI than girls to create and distribute sexual imagery, both with and without the permission of the subject.
Steel said that he would like to see his results replicated among a much larger sample of teens.
"In this case, I'd love to find out that I had an extremely unusual subset," Steel said.
Charmaraman said that the survey's nationally representative sample and effective quality checks indicate it reached diverse households. Yet she wondered whether the way the survey was advertised could have attracted "technology-savvy" participants, potentially skewing the results.
Top takeaways for parentsNudification has become normal.
Steel said the survey results suggest that teen use of nudification tools has become widespread, and that "we have no idea what the effects will be."
How to talk to your teen about nudification imagery.
Steel urges parents to consider the likelihood that their child will encounter nudification tools and imagery, and talk to them nonjudgmentally about the risks. Focusing on abstention won't work, he added, given that teens may see AI-created sexual imagery as a natural extension of exploring their sexuality.
Charmaraman recommends regular conversations about what's happening in teens' digital lives. This builds a strong foundation so that if parents learn about distressing incidents like non-consensual sharing of AI-generated sexual imagery, the lines of communication are already open. Instead of immediately restricting an app or device, Charmaraman suggests learning more about a teen's intentions, such as why they wanted to create sexual imagery and whether they were coerced by strangers or peers.
Deterring illegal imagery.
Steel said teens often don't grasp that they're creating what's known as child sexual abuse material when they use nudification tools. It's unlikely that they'll face legal consequences when that imagery is shared consensually with an adolescent peer.
In order to deter teens from creating and sharing images without permission, Steel recommends policymakers explore a bystander approach wherein teens are taught the value of speaking up if they learn their friends or peers are going to use AI to generate sexual imagery of a victim.
Charmaraman has previously advocated for a "duty of care" standard that shifts safety responsibility from the user to the tech companies that design platforms.
"Tech companies must also provide tools that allow minors and their parents to manage their digital experience, including the ability to disable certain product features and protect their personal information," she said.
The risk of sextortion.
Teens might not always understand that predators are highly interested in amassing collections of child sexual abuse material, including AI-generated imagery. Adult predators may ask teens for this content online, or they may use a nudification app to create that imagery based on publicly available pictures of the victim. Some predators may even try to sextort the teen using a nudified image they made on their own.
Steel said both parents and teens should be aware of this possibility. Teens might consider using social media account protections, such as keeping their accounts private and allowing only well-known followers to access their photos.
If you have had intimate images shared without your consent, call the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative’s 24/7 hotline at 844-878-2274 for free, confidential support. The CCRI website also includes helpful information and a list of international resources.
If spring is the season of cleaning and rebirth, why can't that include your old, half-functioning noise-cancelling headphones barely hanging on to half their original battery life?
While Black Friday and Prime Day are generally great times of year to pick up a new pair of headphones, that doesn't mean you're left high and dry in the spring, especially thanks to Amazon's Big Spring Sale.
The sitewide sale starts for its third year running on March 25 and goes all the way through March 31. Prime and non-Prime members alike can enjoy savings, and while this sale is more focused on season-appropriate savings like outdoor and cleaning supplies, historically we've also seen great deals on tech like noise-cancelling headphones.
SEE ALSO: Amazon's Big Spring Sale kicks off on March 25 this year. Here's how we're prepping for it.Early shoppers also have more of an edge. Because the Spring Sale isn't necessarily Black Friday-level, some early deals are just as good as what you'll see live during the sale. With that in mind, we gathered up 16 of the best noise-cancelling headphones and earbuds deal live ahead of the sale:
Best noise-cancelling headphones on sale Beats Studio Pro $169.95 at AmazonAs nearly three year old headphones not from Bose or Sony, the Beats Studio Pro may seem unassuming. Yet in his testing, Mashable contributor Alex Bracetti called them the better option for folks looking into buying the Apple AirPods Max, saying that Beats had a similar noise cancelling performance, and are better optimized for sound quality. Add in that they're basically just as compatible with Apple devices (with Beats being Apple-owned,) offer 24 hours of battery life to the Max's 20, and at this sale price are still about $280 cheaper than the Max's on sale — well, the choice seems clear to us.
More early noise cancelling headphones dealsSony WH-CH720N — $98 $179.99 (save $81.99)
Sennheiser Accentum — $99.95 $189.95 (save $90)
Sony ULT Wear — $139.95 $249.99 (save $110.04)
Marshall Monitor III — $248.99 $379.99 (save $131)
Sennheiser Momentum 4 — $249.95 $449.95 (save $200)
Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278 $399.99 (save $121.99)
Sony WH-1000XM6 — $398 $459.99 (save $61.99)
Apple AirPods Max — $449.99 $549 (save $99.01)
The AirPods Pro 3 are not only the best earbuds Apple has ever made, but one of the best value earbuds available on the market. They have excellent noise cancellation, a great neutral sound profile (though we do miss the presence of a custom equalizer), five different eartips for finding the best fit, eight hours of battery life per charge, a built-in heart rate monitor, and live translation features. Whether you use them for work, working out, or simply for leisure, at full price they're more accessible than Bose and Sony's flagship offerings. On sale for $199.99, they're just over $15 away from their record low price, and still a far cry cheaper than their competition.
Check out our full review of the Apple AirPods Pro 3.
More early noise-cancelling earbuds dealsSony WF-C710N — $88 $129.99 (save $41.99)
Bose QuietComfort earbuds — $139 $179 (save $40)
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 — $169 $229 (save $60)
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 — $199.99 $249.95 (save $49.96)
Technics EAH-AZ100 — $247.99 $299.99 (save $52)
Sony WF-1000XM6 — $298 $329.99 (save $31.99)
We all know the drill by now. Amazon announces a giant, week-long shopping event (this time it’s the Big Spring Sale running from March 25 to March 31) and suddenly everyone is trying to justify buying another air fryer or a new TV (which, I mean, fair). But if you want to outsmart the algorithm and save money where it counts, you need to refrain from your wants and focus on your needs.
Which means the absolute smartest way to shop this sale: the boring stuff.
You know, the everyday, unsexy household essentials we are literally forced to buy anyway. Why pay full price for trash bags, laundry detergent, dishwasher pods, or paper towels? You're just going to throw them in the garbage or flush them down the toilet eventually.
SEE ALSO: I'm trying the Dyson Spot+Scrub Ai at home — one minute I'm cheering it on, the next I'm cursing it outAmazon is already dropping prices on a ton of these pantry and closet staples. Just a quick reminder: while anyone can shop the sale, Prime members are the ones who'll get those exclusive "Best Deals." So if you're borrowing an account, now's the time to log in.
Here are the best boring (but entirely essential) deals you can add to your cart right now.
Trash bags and other kitchen essentialsLysol Pro Kitchen Spray Cleaner and Degreaser (22 oz) — $2.97 $3.85 (save $0.88)
Scotch-Brite Zero Scratch Scrub Sponge (6 count) — $5.97 $7.99 (save $2.02)
Hefty Ultra Strong Tall Kitchen Trash Bags, Lavender & Sweet Vanilla Scent (80 count) — $11.97 $15.99 (save $4.02)
Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day All-Purpose Cleaner Spray (16 oz) — $14.82 $17.97 (save $3.15)
Cascade Platinum Dishwasher Pods (71 count) — $19.94 $22.99 (save $3.05)
Glad Tall Kitchen Drawstring Trash Bags (110 count) — $18.89 $23.49 (save $4.60)
Blueland 100% Plastic-Free Dishwasher Detergent Tablets (20 count) — $20.99 $23.99 (save $3)
Seventh Generation Multi Surface Wipes (70 count) — $35.82 $23.49 (save $6.12)
Arm & Hammer Plus OxiClean Odor Blasters Fresh Burst Liquid Laundry Detergent (128 loads) — $13.98 $15.99 (save $2.01)
all Laundry Detergent Liquid, Free Clear for Sensitive Skin, Odor Relief, Unscented and Hypoallergenic (90 loads) — $15.99 $21.99 (save $6)
Blueland Laundry Detergent Tablets, Spring Bloom Scent (60 count) — $22.84 $23.49 (save $1.15)
Cleancult Ultra Concentrated Liquid Laundry Detergent Soap, Juniper Sandalwood Scent (192 loads) — $24 $35.99 (save $11.99)
Grab Green Natural 3 in 1 Laundry Detergent Pods, Gardenia-with Essential Oils (132 loads) — $37.49 $44.57 (save $7.08)
Eco Soul Premium Bamboo Toilet Paper (12 count) — $23.48 $29.99 (save $6.51)
Quilted Northern Ultra Soft & Strong Toilet Paper (24 count) — $25.29 $27.79 (save $11)
Ollie & Vince Bamboo Toilet Paper (24 count) — $43.99 $54.99 (save $11)
Spring is finally arriving which means it's time to refresh, organize, and clean after winter's hibernation. But spring also means the schedule gets busier and there's less time to spend making dinner. The phrase "work smarter, not harder" certainly applies to making meals, and Ninja makes some of Mashable's favorite kitchen appliances that help with whipping up excellent meals with little hassle.
If your kitchen could use an upgrade, the Amazon Big Spring Sale is here to help. Officially, the sale kicks off on March 25 but like all Amazon sale events, the mega retailer is already dropping prices. Here are some of the best Ninja deals to shop ahead of the sale.
Best blender deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Kitchen System $129.99 at AmazonServing as a blender and a food processor, the Ninja Kitchen System is a do-it-all appliance. You'll be whizzing up morning smoothies, fresh salsa for barbecues, homemade salad dressings, and even mixing doughs thanks to the powerful Ninja blender. Plus, many of the components are safe to clean in the dishwasher.
The system with blender base, food processor bowl, two serving cups, and a 72-ounce blender pitcher usually sells for $219.99, but it's on sale at Amazon today for $129.99. That matches the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.
Best frozen treats deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Creami Scoop & Swirl Ice Cream Maker $299.99 at AmazonThere's arguably no better way to celebrate warmer temps than with ice cream. The only thing that could make this better would be if you got to enjoy homemade ice cream with your own custom flavors combinations. Welcome to the wonderful world of the Ninja Creami Scoop & Swirl. This worthy countertop appliance serves up your own scoopable ice cream, soft serve, frozen custard, sorbet, gelato, and more.
In Mashable's review of the best Ninja appliances, the Scoop & Swirl earns the top spot as the best model in the Ninja Creami lineup.
More Ninja deals to shop todayNinja Belgian Waffle Maker Pro — $79.99 $99.99 (save $20)
Ninja Fresh Brew Drip Coffee Maker — $99.99 $119.99 (save $20)
Ninja NeverClog Cold Press Juicer — $129.99 $149.99 (save $20)
Ninja Air Fryer Toaster Oven Combo — $149.99 $249.99 (save $100)
Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Glass Air Fryer — $159.99 $179.99 (save $20)
Ninja Foodi Smart XL Indoor Grill and Air Fryer — $199.99 $279.99 (save $80)
There's just about a week left until the Amazon Big Spring Sale officially begins, bringing with it a slew of deals across every category on the site. From March 25 through March 31, you can expect to see major savings from Amazon, but if you're looking to shop now, there are still plenty of deals to be had.
If you're looking to save on DJI products, now's the time to do so. It isn't just a drone company, as you may well be aware of by now, but it produces the viral DJI Mic Mini and a number of other content creation tools. If you've been looking to get into DJI or pick up a few yourself, now's the time to claim some of the early deals that have popped up.
Below, find some of the best early DJI sale picks you can shop before the Big Spring Sale officially kicks off.
Best Amazon Big Spring Sale DJI drone deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon DJI Mavic 4 Pro Triple Camera Flagship Drone $2,299 at AmazonThis DJI drone is in stock right now, so if you've been thinking of a reason to pick one up, it's time to lock in. It's a tri-camera unit with a 100MP 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad camera with a max flight time of 51 minutes. It also comes with three batteries, spare propellers, a charging hub, shoulder bag, and other goodies. Plus, its new gimbal gives you 360-degree rotation with Dutch angles and a 41km range for time lapse and panoramic images.
Best Amazon Big Spring Sale DJI mic deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon DJI Mic Mini (2TX + 1 RX + Charging Case) $79 at AmazonThis TikTok-famous mic set is well-loved for a reason. It sounds great, offers up to 48 hours of recording time, and it's perfect for users both new and old thanks to its accessibility and simple setup. It comes with a receiver, two transmitters, a charging cable, phone adapter, four windscreens, two magnetic clips, and a case, so you're all set to start using it immediately.
Best Amazon Big Spring Sale DJI gimbal deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon DJI Osmo Mobile 7 $59 at AmazonThis three-axis stabilizing gimbal is perfect for content creators, whether they're new or old hat at making videos. It's compatible with both iPhone and Android and uses DJI's stabilization tech to remove stuttering from your videos. It also uses ActiveTrack 7.0 to follow subjects around so you don't have to, no matter the activity. Plus, it boasts up to 10 hours of battery life, with multifunctionality as a tripod if you need a place to rest your phone while you record.
More DJI dealsDJI Mini 4K Drone — $209 $299 (save $90)
DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro Essential Combo — $288 $339 (save $51)
Amazon isn't the only one with a spring sale. To compete with Amazon's Big Spring Sale, Target is launching its own sale. Target Circle Deal Days runs from March 25 to 27. While it is a members only sale, the good news is that Target's Circle membership is free.
This continues the tradition of retailers following in Amazon's footsteps. When Amazon launches a sale, retailers will quickly follow suit. So what's the deal with Target Circle Deal Days? Here's everything we know so far.
What is Target Circle Deal Days?Target's Circle Deal Days sale runs March 25 to 27. The retailer is marking down thousands of items up to 50% off, focusing on the season's coveted items as we transition into Spring. Target Circle 360 members — aka Target's paid membership tier — gain early access to the sale on March 24.
Target's not so coincidentally timed sale runs the same time as Amazon's Big Spring Sale which spans March 25 through 31.
Do you need to be a Target Circle member to shop the sale?Yes, to shop Target Circle Deal Days, you need to be a Target Circle member. Luckily, membership is free to join — it's basically just a loyalty program. Joining ahead of the sale costs nothing, in fact, it may save you money. Target does have a paid membership tier, Target Circle 360, which provides you with free shipping, same-day delivery and more. For Target Circle Deal Days, Circle 360 members get early access to the sale starting on March 24.
What's on sale during Target Circle Deal Days?With the sale still a week away, Target's deals aren't quite live yet. However, Target is teasing what's to come. The focus of the sale is refreshing for the new season so expect to see savings on swimwear, activewear, home goods and toys. Here's what Target says to expect:
Pokémon Pokopia isn't the only Pokémon game to come to Nintendo Switch 2 this month.
On Tuesday, Nintendo pushed the big red update button and gave Nintendo Switch 2 owners the ability to play 2005's Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, originally released on GameCube. This is, of course, very cool and good, but there is a catch: You can't just buy and download the game.
Instead, Nintendo has bundled Pokémon XD and a growing collection of other classic GameCube titles in with the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription, which is $49.99/year.
SEE ALSO: 'Pokémon Pokopia': How to get the Suck ability to move water aroundHaving to pay for a subscription just to play old games is kind of a bummer, but the good news is you get a lot more than just GameCube games for that price. Nintendo 64, Sega Genesis, and even Virtual Boy games are also included as part of the deal. Also, crucially, this subscription lets you play new Switch and Switch 2 games online. That part matters a lot, too.
Anyway, once you get that subscription business sorted out, Pokémon XD is a cool look at a previous era of Pokémon. In 2005, mainline Pokémon RPGs were still handheld games, leaving fans to dream of what a real big boy console Pokémon game would look like years before games like Scarlet and Violet came out.
Pokémon XD and its predecessor Pokémon Coliseum (which is not available on Switch 2 yet) are interesting little experiments in that they are technically console Pokémon RPGs, but with entirely unique systems and maybe not quite as much adventurous overworld exploration as you might like.
If nothing else, you can use Pokémon XD to flex your Pokémon battling muscles in between lengthy Pokopia construction sessions.
On your mark, get ready, shop! Amazon's Big Spring Sale is back for the third year in a row. That means from March 25 through March 31, you'll be able to access a variety of discounts across just about every category the store has to offer.
But you don't have to wait until then to start perusing Amazon's deals. You can dive in now, for example, if you're looking for cordless tools to help with completing projects around the house or even giving as gifts. There are plenty to choose from right now that you won't want to miss, especially since there's no need to wait until the Big Spring Sale proper.
Which early cordless tools are worth your time? If you're ready to start racking up the deals, keep reading to see our cordless tool picks you can shop ahead of the sale.
Best Amazon Big Spring Sale cordless tool deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Dewalt 20V MAX Cordless Drill Driver Set $158.18 at AmazonA cordless drill is one of the most important additions to any tool kit you're either building or planning to gift. It's perfect for just about any DIY project, whether you need to mount a TV, build a table, or hang up things around the home. This compact and lightweight drill's brushless motor has tons of applications and delivers up to 300 UWO and an impact driver with up to 1,400 in-lbs of torque. It also comes with a charger, battery packs, and a bag to keep everything in.
Best Amazon Big Spring Sale cordless wrench deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Dewalt Atomic 20V Max Cordless Impact Wrench $87.67 at AmazonYou can use an impact wrench for tons of different projects, whether you're working on assembling furniture or repairing a car in your driveway. It offers 1,700 in-lbs of torque and offers a variable speed trigger for better control and precision. It has 3 bright LEDS so you can see what you're doing in darker workspaces, and comes with a removable belt hook so you can keep it with you at all times, too.
Best Amazon Big Spring Sale cordless screwdriver deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Hoto Rechargeable Electric Screwdriver $39.99 at AmazonThis electric screwdriver can save you plenty of time and effort since it can handle the tougher jobs without you having to manually turn the electric drill. It has three torque settings, a rubber grip, and it weighs just under a pound. It comes with 12 different bits for you to swap out as well, so no matter what job you end up needing to tackle, you can easily handle it without having to resort to a manual screwdriver instead. That means getting the job done faster and more efficiently.
More cordless tool deals at AmazonHoto Electric Screwdriver Kit — $29.99 $49.99 (save $20)
Hoto Laser Measuring Tool — $29.99 $49.99 (save $20)
Hoto Cordless Brushless Drill — $79.99 $99.99 (save $20)
Kobalt Variable Speed Brushless Cordless Hammer Drill — $88.88 $95 (save $6.12)
Is the dislike button on replies coming back to Elon Musk's social media platform X? It seems like it, according to posts from X head of product Nikita Bier.
Last night on X, Bier hinted that the dislike button on replies may be making its return and even shared a screen recording of the feature on the platform. The feature would inform the platform's algorithm of what type of content a user doesn't want to see on their feed.
SEE ALSO: Is X down? Thousands of users report outage."they should have a dislike button on twitter too" posted one X user on Tuesday.
"Give me 60 seconds," Bier replied.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.A few hours later, Bier posted about the spam problems on X, an issue Musk originally pledged to fix when acquiring the company in October 2022.
"The financial incentive to spam on X will decline enormously over the next 30 days and soon be negative," Bier said.
Like clockwork, a spammer sent a seemingly AI-generated reply to Bier's post. Bier responded with a screen recording showing how the dislike button will work on mobile.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.The dislike button in Bier's video appears as a thumbs-down icon. The icon is visible on a reply between the "like" and bookmark buttons. Upon pressing the dislike button, a "Reply feedback" prompt pops up asking a user for more information.
"Tell us what is wrong with this reply," the prompt states. "Your feedback is private."
The user is then given five options to choose from: Not interested in this post, incorrect or misleading, AI-generated, spam, or report post.
X's dislike button does not have a public dislike counter. The purpose of the button appears strictly to inform the platform of the type of content you'd prefer not to see.
"Are you actually shipping the dislike button it looks great," replied one user to the screen capture.
"I’m afraid that there is only one path forward," responds Bier.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.A dislike button on X does not currently exist, but it may seem familiar. Much like Community Notes and X Premium, Musk's social media platform is taking ownership of yet another feature that was built by the old Twitter prior to Musk's acquisition of the company.
In 2017, then-Twitter rolled out a system that allowed users to tell the platform if they didn't like a tweet. Then, in 2020, Twitter first started exploring the implementation of a proper dislike or downvote system on the platform.
A version of a dislike button was previously rolled out as a global test feature in February 2022. Instead of a thumbs-down button, though, this test version utilized a downvote arrow similar to what appears on Reddit. However, the feature test was eventually discontinued, and the feature faded away.
In July 2024, an app researcher discovered code in X's iOS app that pointed towards a potential revival of the downvote system.
It appears that X is now flirting with the idea again. Unlike last time, the company's head of product is publicly talking about it, so it seems likely some version of the dislike button will roll out eventually.
A powerful, anonymous AI model quietly appeared on the developer platform OpenRouter last week and promptly sent the tech world into a speculative frenzy that it's a stealth test run from Chinese AI startup DeepSeek.
The model, called Hunter Alpha, surfaced on March 11 with no developer attribution attached. According to Reuters, when tested directly, the chatbot described itself as a Chinese AI model with a training data cutoff of May 2025 — the same cutoff as DeepSeek's own chatbot. When asked who built it, the system declined to answer. Neither DeepSeek nor OpenRouter has claimed it, and neither responded to Reuters' request for comment.
SEE ALSO: Siri bug reportedly delays Apple's smart home lineupThe company released its latest models this past December: DeepSeek-V3.2 and DeepSeek-V3.2-Speciale, both free to use. The company positioned V3.2 as an everyday AI assistant on par with OpenAI's GPT-5, while V3.2-Speciale was aimed at more advanced reasoning tasks, with DeepSeek claiming the model posted gold-medal results on the International Math Olympiad.
The main fuel for the speculation is the model's specs. Hunter Alpha is advertised on Open Router as a one-trillion-parameter model with a context window of up to one million tokens — a combination that, according to Reuters, lines up closely with what Chinese outlets have been reporting about DeepSeek's forthcoming V4 model, expected as early as April.
"Reasoning style is hard to disguise and tends to reflect how a model was trained," AI engineer Daniel Dewhurst told Reuters, pointing to the model's chain-of-thought patterns as the strongest signal pointing toward DeepSeek.
Not everyone is convinced. Independent benchmark tester Umur Ozkul told Reuters that his analysis suggests Hunter Alpha is unlikely to be DeepSeek V4, citing architectural differences from DeepSeek's existing systems.
Whatever it is, the model has already processed more than 160 billion tokens since appearing on the platform, so anonymous or not, people are using it.
Is X down? That's the question thousands of social media users are asking on Wednesday morning, as an X outage causes problems with the app.
The platform DownDetector showed a spike of tens of thousands of user error reports beginning around 10:30 a.m. ET. As of this writing, the platform has received more than 33,000 error reports from X users. (Disclosure: DownDetector and Mashable are both owned by ZiffDavis.)
Mashable reporters were unable to access the X feed, search, and bookmark tools on the X mobile app, suggesting the outage is ongoing.
The search tool is not working. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable A NASA livestream is no longer working. Credit: Timothy WerthMassive internet outages have been a recurring problem over the past year, with major cloud services such as Cloudflare, Google Cloud, Amazon Web Services, and Microsoft Azure experiencing outages recently.
SEE ALSO: Why does the internet keep crashing so often? First Google Cloud, then AWS, now Cloudflare.Mashable reached out to X for comment, and we'll update this story if we receive a response.
This is a developing story...
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