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The Trump administration on Friday released new guidelines for federal legislation on the technology, recommending some safeguards for children and consumer protections for energy costs.

Best Big Spring Sale Tablet Deals Best tablet deal Apple iPad Air (M4 chip, 128GB, WiFi) $559 (save $40) Get Deal Best Android tablet deal Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE $499.99 (save $100) Get Deal Best kids tablet deal Amazon Fire 7 Kids with six months Amazon Kids+ $59.99 (save $40) Get Deal

Amazon's Big Spring Sale kicks off on March 25. The seasonal sale, which runs through March 31, focuses on seasonal transition items – think cleaning supplies to freshen up your home and camping supples to get outdoors. However, it wouldn't be a sale without tech deals, too.

Ahead of the sale, we've spotted early savings on tablets, good timing considering Apple just dropped a brand new tablet. The Apple iPad Air with M4 chip just dropped this month, and the good news is, it's already on sale. But if iPads aren't your thing don't worry, there are plenty of other tablet deals to shop.

Here are all the best tablet deals to shop ahead of Amazon's Big Spring Sale.

Best Tablet Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Air (M4 chip, 128GB, WiFi) $559 at Amazon
$599 Save $40   Get Deal

Read our full review of the Apple iPad Air (M4).

Apple's latest iPad drop is the iPad Air with M4 chip. It's one of the retailers speediest, most efficient tablets, scoring 13,176 on the Geekbench 6 test, which puts it ahead of most laptops. When Apple released the new iPad Air, they didn't raise the price, keeping the midrange tablet at $599. However, it already receive a price cut at Amazon.

Ahead of the Big Spring Sale, get the Apple iPad Air with M4 chip for just $559. While that's only $40 in savings and less than 10% off its list price, it's still a great deal considering it's a brand new tablet.

So while we might like this deal best, if you want some bigger savings, there are plenty more deals to shop.

More tablet deals

iPads

• Apple iPad, 11-inch (A16 chip, 128GB, WiFi) — $299 $349 (save $150)

• Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M4 chip, 256GB, WiFi) — $649.99 $699 (save $49.01)

• Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M5 chip, 256GB, WiFi) — $1,199 $1,299 (save $100)

• Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M4 chip, 512GB, WiFi) — $1,299.99 $1,499 (save $199.01)

Android

• TCL Tab 10 Gen 4 — $159.99 $199.99 (save $40)

• Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+ (5G) — $239.99 $279.99 (save $40)

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite with 64GB SD Card — $264.58 $293.98 (save $29.40)

• TCL NXTPAPER 11 Plus — $269.99 $369.99 (save $100)

• TCL NXTPAPER 14 — $359.99 $469.99 (save $100)

• Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 5 — $409.98 $499.99 (save $90.01)

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE with 256GB SD Card — $419.99 $499.99 (save $80)

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE — $499.99 $599.99 (save $100)

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ (5G) — $999.99 $1,149.99 (save $150)

Kids tablet

• Amazon Fire 7 Kids with six months Amazon Kids+ — $59.99 $99.99 (save $40)

• Amazon Fire HD 10 Toy Story Anniversary Edition — $175.99 $219.99 (save $44)

At a number of companies, employees compete on leaderboards to show how much A.I. they’re using. They’re racking up big bills along the way.

A quick look at the best cordless vacuum deals ahead of Amazon's spring sale Best vacuum deal for homes with pets Shark PowerDetect Pet Plus Clean & Empty $399.99 at Amazon (save $200) Get Deal Best budget stick vacuum deal Shark Pet IX141 $149.00 at Amazon (save $150.99) Get Deal Best wet dry cordless vacuum deal Roborock F25 Ace Combo $459.99 at Amazon (save $290) Get Deal

Take it from someone who tests multiple robot vacuums each month: Not even the best robot vacuum AI features are immune to screwing up. If you're inclined to just do the job yourself — or if the concept of a robot vacuum with a camera sketches you out — at least make the chore enjoyable. A ton of cordless stick vacuums are already on sale ahead of Amazon's Big Spring Sale, which runs from March 25 to 31 in 2026.

SEE ALSO: Robot vacuums vs. stick vacuums: Shopping advice from someone who has both

Our favorite cordless vacuum deals so far are all vacuums that someone at Mashable has tested at home and loved. But my favorite cordless vacuum brand to test is missing. Amazon typically isn't a reliable spot to find good deals on Dyson vacuums, even though Amazon's deals on other Dyson products can be quite good. I'm crossing my fingers for deals on the Dyson V12 Detect Slim and maybe even the new Dyson PencilVac Fluffycones — but the most worthwhile Dyson deals would pop up at Dyson.com, not Amazon.

Below, I'm tracking the best cordless vacuums on sale at Amazon pre-Big Spring Sale, including deals on cordless wet and dry vacuums.

Best Amazon cordless stick vacuum deal Shark PowerDetect Pet Plus Clean & Empty IP3253 $399.99 at Amazon
$599.99 Save $200   See It at Amazon Why we like it

There are actually two great Shark stick vacuum deals live at Amazon: The $249 Shark Clean & Empty model is probably the most affordable self-emptying stick vacuum you'll find this season. The other, which I'm highlighting here, is probably the most powerful self-emptying stick vacuum you'll find. $399.99 for that title is more than reasonable.

Though I'm constantly recommending the lightweight Dyson V12 Detect Slim for dust and pet hair on hard floors, the Shark PowerDetect is easily the beastliest vacuum I've tested on carpet — you can literally feel the vigorous double brushroll system digging into the floor. The Clean & Empty Sharks automatically empty the dustbin every time they're hung on the dock to charge, so you won't have to deal with emptying the larger dock dustbin for at least 45 days (it's much longer in my experience). Past the mega convenience, an always-empty dustbin provides visible proof of just how much gunk the PowerDetect has sucked up in the area you're currently sweeping.

More cordless stick vacuum deals at Amazon

• Black+Decker Powerseries 20V Max — $119.99 $149.99 (save $30)

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

• Levoit LVAC-200 — $149.94 $199.99 (save $50.05)

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

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

• Shark Stratos IZ862H — $299.99 $499.99 (save $200)

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

Cordless wet dry vacuum deals at Amazon

• Mova M10 — $199 $349 (save $150)

• Dreame H12 — $309.99 $379.99 (save $70)

• Dreame Aero Pro — $379.99 $449.99 (save $70)

• Roborock F25 Ace Combo (stick vacuum + cordless mop) — $459.99 $749.99 (save $290)

• Roborock F25 Ultra Steam — $499.99 $799.99 (save $300)

• Tineco Floor One Switch S6 (stick vacuum + cordless mop) — $549 $799 (save $250)

Free promotions often come with a catch. Sure, you can get some limited-edition merch or a brand-new device, but most of the time you need to spend some cash to qualify. Can you claim that this type of "free giveaway" is free at all? It's a grey area, at best.

But sometimes you really can get something for nothing: Dairy Queen recently gave away cones for free, Krispy Kreme handed out green doughnuts for St. Patricks Day, and Ben & Jerry's has confirmed that it's running its free cone day once again in 2026. And Rita's is doing something similar by offering a truly free giveaway to celebrate the first day of spring.

SEE ALSO: Dunkin' is giving away free ring boxes on National Proposal Day — how to claim yours today

On March 20, customers who visit one of Rita's 600+ locations across the U.S. can get a free 6-ounce Italian Ice. You can choose from a number of flavors, including the new Mystery Peeps Italian Ice Flavor.

Rita’s expects to serve about one million cups of its signature Italian Ice during this promotion. To be one of those lucky million, find your nearest Rita's location and set out in search of your free ice on March 20. We're all feeling the spirit of spring right now, so what better way to celebrate?

A review of the betting market’s social media feeds found it has published hundreds of false and misleading posts.

Pokémon officially turned 30 a few weeks ago (feel old yet?), but the merch drops are still going strong. Case in point: PopSockets just launched its brand new Pokémon Day and Night collection on March 19.

As the name implies, the lineup gives you two distinct aesthetics to choose from: pastel, sun-soaked designs or moody, dark-purple galaxy themes.

SEE ALSO: 10 of the coolest and weirdest 'Pokémon Pokopia' builds we've seen so far

PopSockets went all out with a full ecosystem of MagSafe accessories that feature four fan-favorite creatures: Mew, Gengar, Espeon, and Umbreon.

Prices run anywhere from $20 to $50. You've got $45 MagSafe cases for all four characters (along with a few matching wallets) split between the two themes: a dark, cosmic look for Gengar and Umbreon, and bright pastel colors for Mew and Espeon. The grips range from $35 to $50; our fave is the Tidepool Dome Mew Aura Sphere. They even threw in some $40 magnetic PowerPacks (so your phone doesn't die while playing Pokémon GO), along with $30 suction mounts and a few beaded phone wristlets.

Where to buy the PopSockets x Pokémon collection

You don't have to wait around for this one. The entire Day and Night collection is available to shop right now directly on the PopSockets website.

Opens in a new window Credit: Pokémon Pokémon Day and Night Collection   Shop Now

Best Apple AirTag deals in Amazon's Big Spring Sale: Best deal overall Apple AirTag (1st Gen, 4-Pack) $63 (save $36) Get Deal Best runner-up deal 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 $250 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, 4-Pack) $63 at Amazon
$99 Save $36   Get Deal Why we like it

The Apple AirTag (2nd Gen) is still at full price ($29 each or $99 for a four-pack), but you can get a four-pack of 1st Gen AirTags for just $63 right now. This is a big deal because last year (during the actual sale), this bundle was $69.99. With the current discount, you'll be getting each tag for just $15 a pop.

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.

Apple AirTag accessory deals to peruse

• QyQa Airtag Holder (4-Pack) — $8.98 $9.98 (save $1)

• MOLOSLEEVE Airtag Holder Air Tag Case with Keychain (4-Pack) — $9.99 $12.99 (save $3)

• Belkin Apple AirTag Secure Holder with Carabiner — $14.99 $19.99 (save $5)

• SPGUARD AirTag Holder Case with Keychain (4-Pack) — $22.99 $28.99 (save $6)

Deals on AirTag alternatives

• Ultrabeka Ultra-Thin Wallet Tracker — $15.99 $19.99 (save $4)

• UGREEN FineTrack Tracker Tags (iOS Only) (4 Pack) — $19.98 $25.99 (save $6.01)

• Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 — $20.99 $29.99 (save $9)

If there's two things in life that we truly love, it's food and free stuff. Combine those two things together and you're onto a real winner.

If you know where to look, you can find free food promotions all over the place: Dairy Queen gives away free cones, Ben & Jerry's hands out free ice cream, Krispy Kreme offers up free doughnuts, and then there's the long list of promotions tied to significant events like St. Patricks Day or March Madness. This latest giveaway falls into the latter category.

National Proposal Day takes place on March 20. To celebrate, Dunkin' is giving away limited-edition “I Dough” ring boxes at participating locations nationwide (while supplies last). This offer is only available on March 20, so cancel your plans and head to your nearest location. This is your one opportunity to score ring box with a Wedding Cake Munchkins donut hole — a glazed blueberry donut hole topped with wedding cake-flavored sprinkles. 

How to get a Dunkin’ "I Dough" ring box 

Interested in this limited-time promotion? Here's how to get your hands on the Dunkin' ring box:

• Visit a participating Dunkin’ location on March 20 (National Proposal Day) 

• Order a 25- or 50-count of Munchkins Donut Hole Treats 

• Receive a complimentary “I Dough” ring box  

If you go a step further and actually propose with this ring box (why wouldn't you?), you could win a Vera Wang bridal experience. 

From March 20 to April 3, post your proposal video on Instagram or TikTok, tag Dunkin' or Vera Wang, and use the hastag #DunkinVeraWangcontest to be in with a chance of winning a bridal salon experience at Vera Wang’s flagship location in New York City or Beverly Hills. This includes a gown with a custom embroidered detail inspired by your go-to Dunkin’ order. It's something different, at least.

Amazon is launching a phone for the first time in over a decade.

This is according to a Reuters report, which cites four people familiar with the matter. The new phone is internally known as "Transformer," and the company wants to make it a "mobile personalization device" that syncs with Amazon's smart assistant Alexa.

SEE ALSO: Apple's iPhone Fold may come later than we thought

The idea, according to the report, is for the phone to make interacting with various Amazon services easier. This includes buying from Amazon, watching Prime Video, or listening to Prime Music. Of course, AI would be in the middle of it all, though Alexa may not be the "primary operating system" of the phone. We're not quite sure what that means, but it seems to imply that Amazon might rely on another company's AI to run things on the phone.

If this sounds familiar, you might be thinking of Amazon's Fire Phone, which launched in 2014 and was pulled from the market roughly a year later.

Remember the Fire Phone (pictured)? It barely lasted a year before Amazon pulled it off the shelves. Credit: Christina Ascani / Mashable

While the Fire Phone has been a massive flop for Amazon, things are very different now. The Fire Phone's primary claim to fame was a pseudo 3D user interface, and artificial intelligence was nowhere near as smart as it is these days.

The report says that the new Amazon phone is still in early stages, and may be scrapped by Amazon entirely. The anticipated launch date, price of the phone, or the revenue Amazon hopes to generate selling the phone, are all unknowns at this point.

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The time to be on the fence about artificial intelligence is over. That's according to Daniel Kwan, co-writer/co-director of Everything Everywhere All at Once, founding member of the Creators Coalition on AI, and producer of the upcoming documentary The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist.

Every day, decisions are being made by the biggest CEOs in the AI space. And it can feel like the everyday folk don't have a say. But that's a common misconception that Kwan and The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist filmmakers, including co-director Charlie Tyrell and producer Ted Tremper, aim to overturn with this Focus Features documentary. While at SXSW, The AI Doc team came by our Say More studio to dig into the film's information and how it's structured to communicate a lot in an actually accessible way.

SEE ALSO: Win tickets to see 'The AI Doc' early at Mashable's advanced screenings

In my review out of SXSW, I cheered, "The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist compiles a mountain of big ideas, opposing theories, and talking head interviews. But it does so within a personal framing that keeps this discussion deeply human."

Documentarian Daniel Roher interviewed OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Google DeepMind CEO and co-founder Demis Hassabis, and Anthropic CEO and co-founder Dario Amodei, along with scads of experts and engineers, to explore both sides of the AI debate. But the human thread of the film is about how his fears about becoming a first-time parent inform how he's responding emotionally and psychologically to all he learns.

For more on The AI Doc, look for Mashable's recording of The AI Panel: Or What Being an Apocaloptimist Looks Like, which featured Kwan, Tremper, and co-producer Diane Becker, along with me, Mashable Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko, as moderator.

And for your chance to see The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist early and at no charge, check out Mashable's advanced screenings in L.A. and New York.

The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist opens in theaters on March 27. Look for more Mashable coverage out of SXSW.

Spotify has launched a quiz for BTS fans to test their knowledge, marking the release of Arirang, the K-pop icons' first album in four years.

Available for Spotify users with a Premium subscription, the BTS Music Quiz is meant to put ARMY to the test — just like Google's own free BTS quiz, also launched today.

SEE ALSO: BTS fans, you've got to see Google's trivia quest

Spotify's quiz covers album art (make sure you know your Love Yourself: Answer from your Love Yourself: Her), album release strategies, and even which BTS member opens certain songs — so if you can identify RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook by vocals, you'll probably ace this. It runs from easy questions to medium and hard, and you can tap "challenge a friend" to compare scores.

How can you take Spotify's BTS quiz? Easy, medium, and hard. Credit: Spotify / Mashable

Make sure your Spotify app is updated, log in, and play any BTS track (I'd probably hit one from their new album Arirang, because it's incredible and it's release day, but you can play whatever you like).

Then, tap the track playing to bring up the song page, then scroll down to the music quiz (it should be under related music videos). I couldn't see the quiz on desktop, so it looks like it's mobile only.

It's a big day indeed for ARMY, with the release of BTS' 10th studio album, the first since announcing their reunion in June 2025. BTS called a hiatus in June 2022 in order for members RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook to fulfil South Korea's mandatory military service (which they all completed by June 2025), as well as spend time on solo projects.

Now, they're looking at a colossal, 82-date world tour for Arirang, which will both be livestreamed in cinemas and on Netflix.

Want to tune into BTS The Comeback Live | Arirang live? Here's Mashable's guide.

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Haven't you heard? BTS' long-awaited return is here. After spending close to four years fulfilling South Korea’s required military service and working on solo projects, all seven members of the K-pop megagroup will come together for their first all-in performance since 2022. This is big.

Here's everything you need to know about BTS The Comeback Live: Arirang.

When is BTS The Comeback Live | Arirang?

BTS will perform a live concert to be globally streamed on March 21, the day after BTS' fifth studio album, ARIRANG, is released.

Here's the breakdown of start time by timezone:

• PST — 4 a.m.

• EST — 7 a.m.

• GMT — 11 a.m. 

• IST — 4:30 p.m.

• KST — 8 p.m.

How to watch BTS The Comeback Live | Arirang

The great news for dedicated fans all over the globe is that you can watch this reunion live — Netflix is the exclusive streaming platform for this concert (included with all subscription plans). If you have a Netflix account, simply log in at showtime to watch the livestream with no additional purchase.

The hour-long performance will live stream from Gwanghwamun, the main gate of Seoul's Gyeongbokgung Palace. The concert celebrates the release of Arirang on March 20. Expect the first live performances of songs from the new album, plus all the hits that made BTS such a global phenomenon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Netflix / BTS Watch BTS The Comeback Live: Arirang   Learn More

Google Search added a little trivia quest to mark BTS' release of Arirang, the K-pop icons' first album in four years. And we're talking we're talking lachimolala level knowledge required.

If you type "BTS" into the Google search bar, you'll see a little animation pop up with the album icons. However, it doesn't stop there, as you'll notice a small ship in a bottle sitting at the bottom of the screen.

SEE ALSO: BTS' 'SWIM' video is already tearing up YouTube

If you click the ship — a nod to the video for BTS' lead Arirang single "SWIM" video — you'll either be prompted to scan a QR code with your smartphone or if you're already on mobile, you'll be sent to a "Scavenger Hunt" game in which you can answer BTS trivia questions to unlock cards to build a song deck. They're not easy questions (the emoji question had me pacing) and if you're stuck, there's already a whole Reddit thread happening.

At the time of writing, over 16 million quests have been solved by Google users. That's a lot of BTS knowledge.

You know you could crush this, ARMY. Credit: Google / Mashable screenshot.

It's a big day indeed for ARMY (BTS fans), with the release of the group's 10th studio album, the first since announcing their reunion in June 2025. BTS called a hiatus in June 2022 in order for members RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook to fulfil South Korea's mandatory military service (which they all completed by June 2025), as well as spend time on solo projects.

Now, they're looking at a colossal, 82-date world tour for Arirang, which will both be livestreamed in cinemas and on Netflix.

Want to tune into BTS The Comeback Live | Arirang live? Here's Mashable's guide.

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Whatever the hell you're doing today, make sure it involves BTS' absolutely exquisite return album, Arirang.

The K-pop superstars' first album in four years is out with crisp lead single "SWIM" already clocking up 14 million views on YouTube in six hours (at the time of writing). That's some hectic ARMY effort right there, and it's sure to keep on sailing.

The video (above) sees Lili Reinhart wandering around a maritime museum before we're whisked off to a ship helmed by a reunited RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook. It's a dreamboat full of dreamboats.

Plenty to look forward to for BTS fans.

Companies are using A.I. as a reason for layoffs, but the truth may be more complex.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition is for people knowledgeable about college basketball.

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: A separation

• Green: Fancy footwork

• Blue: Bracket climbers

• Purple: Same first word

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Part ways

• Green: Types of kicks in soccer

• Blue: Last year's Women's NCAA Tournament Final Four

• Purple: Miami ____

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 #543 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Part ways - AXE, CAN, FIRE, SACK

• Types of kicks in soccer - BICYCLE, CORNER, INDIRECT, PENALTY

• Last year's Women's NCAA Tournament Final Four - BRUINS, GAMECOCKS, HUSKIES, LONGHORNS

• Miami ____ - DOLPHINS, GRAND PRIX, HEAT, REDHAWKS

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.

We might have to wait a little longer than anticipated for Apple's iPhone Fold.

Analyst Tim Long said so in a new research note for Barclays (via MacRumors), claiming that the shipments for the iPhone Fold will likely begin in December 2026, a few months after iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max hit the shelves.

SEE ALSO: Apple responds to DarkSword spyware, the hacker tool targeting iPhones

This doesn't necessarily means the iPhone Fold will not launch in September alongside other flagships. But Apple might announce it in September and actually release it a few months later, just like it did with the iPhone X.

We've previously seen reports that all three iPhone flagships will launch in Apple's usual September timeframe; this is the first time we've heard about the Fold arriving a few months later.

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Long also said he expects Apple's base model, the iPhone 18, to launch in March 2027, which would mean Apple would skip it entirely in 2026. We've heard that before, but Long also said Apple plans to launch two other phones alongside the iPhone 18: the iPhone 18e, as well as either an upgraded iPhone Air, or an iPhone 18 Plus.

Apple's iPhone "Plus" model has gone away in 2025, with Apple effectively replacing it with the super-thin iPhone Air. This is the first time we've heard about the possible resurgence of an iPhone Plus instead of a new iPhone Air, and while it does seem unlikely that Apple would flip-flop between models like that, rumors that iPhone Air isn't selling too well do lend some credibility to this idea.

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 20, 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 20, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for March 20 Pips

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

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

Greater Than (5): Everything in this space must be greater than 5. The answer is 0-6, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for March 20 Pips

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

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 5-2, placed vertically; 1-0, placed vertically.

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

Equal (0): Everything in this dark blue space must be equal to 0. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically; 6-0, placed vertically.

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

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

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

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for March 20 Pips

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

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

Number (6): Everything in this light blue space must add up to 6. The answer is 5-1, placed horizontally.

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

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

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally; 2-5, placed horizontally.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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