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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

One of the seven dwarves.

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

DOPEY

Hurdle Word 2 hint

To coordinate.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 30, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

ALIGN

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Cloudy

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for March 30 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 30, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

MILKY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Life cycle.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

IMAGO

Final Hurdle hint

Grimy.

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

DINGY

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

The Moon is nearing its full phase, which means most of its surface is being illuminated by the sun. It works through eight phases, gradually moving from completely dark to fully lit before starting the cycle again. Keep reading to find out how much is lit tonight.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Monday, March 30, the Moon phase is Waxing Gibbous. According to NASA's Daily Moon Guide, 92% of the Moon will be lit up tonight.

Tonight, without visual aids, you can spot the Tycho and Kepler Craters, as well as the Mare Serenitatis. With binoculars, you'll also be able to see the Mare Frigoris, Archimedes Crater, and the Mare Nectaris. With a telescope, enjoy a glimpse of the Descartes Highlands, Schiller Crater, and the Linne Crater.

When is the next Full Moon?

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

What are Moon phases?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Lisa Kudrow multiverse opened wide during The Comeback Season 3, episode 2, as Kudrow's fictional sitcom star Valerie Cherish made a blink-and-you'll-miss-it reference to Friends.

The reference comes during a production meeting for How's That?!, Valerie's new, AI-written multi-cam sitcom. She wants to bring legendary TV director Jimmy Burrows (playing a fictionalized version of himself) on for How's That?!, having worked with him on Room and Bored back in Season 1.

SEE ALSO: 'The Comeback' Season 3 review: Lisa Kudrow warns us of the AI apocalypse

According to How's That?! showrunners Mary and Josh (Abbi Jacobson and John Early), they heard from Jimmy's agent that he passed on the project.

"Agents say 'no' to everything," Valerie says. "If it were up to his agent, Jimmy wouldn't have done Cheers. Or Will & Grace. Or Frasier. Or Fri—"

Mary cuts Valerie off before she can say Friends, resulting in a fun wink to the audience about other sitcoms of Kudrow's past.

This quick moment is the first time The Comeback has ever made any kind of Friends reference, but it's not just some throwaway fan service. Series co-creators Kudrow and Michael Patrick King decided that this season had to include at least some nods to Friends because How's That?! is shooting on Stage 24 on the Warner Bros. lot: the very same stage where Friends was shot.

"Couldn't help it," Kudrow said of the references at a Los Angeles press conference. "We were shooting on the Friends stage."

Of the brief episode 2 reference, King added: "We were mostly interested in how close we could get to Valerie actually saying the word Friends... That was the third rail we were touching."

So now that we know Valerie Cherish is aware of Friends' existence, is it too much to ask for a Lisa Kudrow and Valerie Cherish Actors on Actors parody?

New episodes of The Comeback Season 3 premiere Sundays at 10:30 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you love a tasty treat.

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 30, 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: A copy

• Green: To fool around

• Blue: Automobile replacements

• Purple: Late night treats

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Imitation

• Green: Play around (with)

• Blue: Car rental companies

• Purple: Snack brands plus starting letter

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 #1022 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Imitation: DUMMY, ERSATZ, FAUX, MOCK

• Play around (with): FUTZ, MESS, TINKER, TOY

• Car rental companies: AVIS, BUDGET, DOLLAR, HERTZ

• Snack brands plus starting letter: FRITZ, PLAYS, TRUFFLES, YUTZ

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 30, 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.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're always prepared for a rainy day.

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 30, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: For a rainy day?

The words are related to coverage.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe rain coverage.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Umbrella Term.

NYT Strands word list for March 30

• Shaft

• Canopy

• Vent

• Panel

• Button

• Umbrella Term

• Handle

• Ribs

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.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you love astronomy.

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 30, 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 30, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

An astronomical phenomenon.

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 C.

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...

COMET

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.

TL;DR: Get the AdGuard Family Plan lifetime subscription for $15.97 (reg. $169.99) and block ads, limit trackers, and protect multiple devices with a one-time purchase.

Opens in a new window Credit: AdGuard AdGuard Family Plan: Lifetime Subscription $15.97
$169.99 Save $154.02   Get Deal

Navigating today’s internet comes with ads, trackers, and the occasional page that struggles to load under all of it. AdGuard is designed to cut through that digital clutter, and its family plan is on sale for $15.97 (reg. $169.99) for a limited time.

There was a time when browsing the web felt peaceful. There were no pop-ups competing for your attention, no autoplay videos jumping in uninvited, and definitely fewer ads that seem suspiciously tailored to something you just talked about five minutes ago. These days, it’s unfortunately part of the experience.  If you’d rather not deal with it, AdGuard works in the background to block ads, limit tracking, and clean up what you actually see on screen.

At its core, AdGuard combines ad blocking, privacy protection, and parental controls into one tool. The ad-blocking side handles everything from banners to pre-roll videos, while its privacy features help reduce tracking from websites and data collectors. It also adds a layer of protection against malicious or phishing sites, which is useful considering how easy it is to click something you didn’t mean to.

What AdGuard helps with

• Ad blocking: Removes banners, pop-ups, and video ads so pages load cleaner (and often faster)

• Privacy protection: Limits trackers and helps keep your browsing habits from being logged

• Safer browsing: Helps block access to known malicious or phishing sites

• Parental controls: Lets you filter content and manage what your little ones can access

• Multi-device support: Works across smartphones and other supported devices

Because this is a family plan, you can use it across multiple devices, which makes it practical if more than one person in your household is dealing with the same ad-heavy experience. It’s also a one-time purchase, which means no recurring subscription fees. The best part is you still get ongoing updates and access to new features as they roll out.

If your current browsing setup feels more cluttered than it should, this is one of the simpler ways to clean it up without adding another monthly bill.

Formerly $169.99, you can grab a lifetime subscription to its family plan for $15.97.

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.

TL;DR: Give your PC a spring refresh with this Microsoft Windows 11 Pro license, on sale for just $12.97 (reg. $199) until April 12.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Windows 11 Pro $12.97
$199 Save $186.03   Get Deal

If you’re cleaning out your closet or getting a fresh haircut for spring, why not do something nice for your computer, too? A new operating system can breathe new life into an old device, and right now, you can secure a Microsoft Windows 11 Pro license for only $12.97 (reg. $199) until April 12.

If you’ve got a PC that could use a little TLC, this Microsoft Windows 11 Pro license can give it a total refresh for less than the cost of lunch. This new operating system gives your computer a fresh set of tools, a brand new interface, improved cybersecurity, and much more.

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Made with the modern professional in mind, Windows 11 Pro is ready to upgrade your workflow. From the seamless, easy-to-use interface to new features like a more powerful search experience, easy redocking, and snap layouts, this operating system supports a busy workday and beyond. It even includes Microsoft Teams to keep you connected with coworkers, friends, and family.

Aside from new features, you’ll also get access to Microsoft Copilot right on your desktop. This AI assistant can answer questions, help you with tasks, change settings, summarize web pages, and even open apps for you.

You’ll enjoy tighter cybersecurity with Windows 11 Pro. Stay safer with biometric logins, encrypted authentication, and enhanced antivirus protection to help keep your data safe.

Get this Microsoft Windows 11 Pro license for just $12.97 (reg. $199) now through April 12.

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.

President Donald Trump's new White House app is a privacy nightmare for some users.

On Friday, the Trump administration released a new White House mobile app for iOS and Android devices. The official White House account on X shared links to the apps and said that the app would live-stream and provide real-time updates "straight from the source."

One thing they didn't share, however, is that when downloading the app, users are handing over quite a bit of information to the Trump administration.

The White House app requests user permission to access precise locations, network connections, fingerprint and biometric data, the ability to prevent the device from sleeping, and even modify or delete contents of shared storage.

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X user @Thereallo1026 went so far as decompiling the White House app and found that it's sharing the exact location data of its users every 4.5 minutes and sending that information to a third-party server.

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The third-party, OneSignal, is a company that provides push notification services. Location data is typically used by OneSignal to push notifications to users for location-based campaigns. While many companies use OneSignal's services, it is particularly concerning for the U.S. government to collect this data through an app that encourages users to report people to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

However, the most concerning part of @Thereallo1026's findings is that the White House app is apparently loading YouTube video embeds via a random GitHub user's personal page. According to the report, if this GitHub user's account is ever compromised, an attacker could "serve arbitrary HTML and JavaScript to every user of this app."

In addition to this major security issue, the in-app web browser on the White House app injects CSS and JavaScript that removes cookie consent prompts, GDPR banners, logins, and paywalls from third-party websites.

So, if for some reason you were compelled to download the new official White House app, be aware of these security and privacy issues.

TL;DR: Live stream Germany vs. Ghana in a 2026 International Friendly for free on ARD Mediathek. Access this free streaming site from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

All eyes on this summer's World Cup, with leading international sides ramping up their preparations for the showpiece event.

Germany overcame Switzerland 4-3 earlier this week thanks to a stunning performance from Florian Wirtz. Ghana were thrashed 5-1 by Austria. Now these teams come together at the MHP Arena. Germany will be strong favorites to win this one, but Ghana will be desperate to improve after that shocking defeat/

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

When is Germany vs. Ghana?

Germany vs. Ghana kicks off at 2:45 p.m. ET on March 30. This fixture takes place at the MHP Arena.

How to watch Germany vs. Ghana for free

Germany vs. Ghana is available to live stream for free on ARD Mediathek.

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

Lve stream Germany vs. Ghana for free by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

4. Visit ARD Mediathek

5. Stream Germany vs. Ghana for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Germany vs. Ghana without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select games before recovering your investment.

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

What is the best VPN for ARD Mediathek?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Germany

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Germany vs. Ghana for free with ExpressVPN.

The star of headphone deals during Amazon's Big Spring Sale is Sony. All the best models of Sony headphones are on sale, making for major savings. Even Sony's latest flagship headphones, the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones, are down to their lowest price ever.

If you're after a pair of Sony headphones, we've rounded up all the best deals on the brand's headphones and earbuds.

SEE ALSO: Live updates on Amazon Big Spring Sale 2026: Record-low prices on Apple MacBooks, DJI drones, and Kindles Best Sony deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones $398 at Amazon
$459.99 Save $61.99   Get Deal Why we like it

The Sony WH-1000XM6 aren't even a year old and are still the latest headphones in Sony's flagship lineup. We've tracked the headphones price through last year's Prime Day, waiting for a noteworthy price, and finally, we have one.

Now, you can get the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones for $398. According to Camelcamelcamel, that brings them back down to their all-time low that we first spotted during Black Friday 2025.

Now, during Amazon's Big Spring Sale, you can find the headphones for 13% off and save on stellar audio in a pair of headphones designed for a true audiophile.

Sony headphones deals

• Sony WH-CH520 headphones — $42.95 $69.99 (save $27.04)

• Sony WH-CH720N headphones — $94.95 $179.99 (save $85.04)

• Sony ULT headphones — $148 $249.99 (save $101.99)

• Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones — $298 $399.99 (save $101.99)

Sony earbuds deals

• Sony WF-C510 earbuds — $48 $69.99 (save $21.99)

• Sony WF-C710N earbuds — $88 $129.99 (save $41.99)

• Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds — $298 $329.99 (save $31.99)

Soundcore deals during Amazon's Big Spring Sale at a glance Best headphones deal Soundcore Space One $69.99 (save $30) Get Deal Best mini speaker deal Soundcore Boom Go 3i $49.99 (save $30) Get Deal Best sleep earbuds deal Soundcore Sleep A20 $119.99 (save $60) Get Deal

If you're not looking to spend $200+ on new headphones or earbuds, Soundcore makes some of your best options. The same is true for portable speakers, sleep earbuds, and even portable projectors. If it has to do with audio, it's likely that Soundcore makes a model that's significantly more affordable than many brands.

The lower price says nothing of the quality. Plenty of our favorite sound-centric tech comes from Soundcore. We also love that Soundcore consistently shows up with epic deals during major sales, and that's exactly the case during the Amazon Big Spring Sale. Here are some excellent Soundcore options to shop before the sale wraps up on March 31.

Best headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore Soundcore Space One $69.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $30   Get Deal Why we like it

If you plan on wearing headphones for hours at a time, comfort is gonna be a main priority. Mashable's favorite comfortable headphones that stick to a budget are the Soundcore Space One. "If you want a similar vibe to the Bose QuietComfort Ultras, but don't want to spend over $400, the Anker Soundcore Space One headphones are a great budget alternative. These cans offer comparable features like ANC, an intuitive companion app, a long battery life, and of course, a comfortable form factor that you can wear for long listening sessions," according to our reviewer.

The Amazon Big Spring Sale price of $69.99 matches the lowest we've ever seen on the Soundcore Space One at Amazon, so now is a great time to buy.

Best sleep earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore Soundcore Sleep A20 $119.99 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $60.00   Get Deal Why we like it

Not many headphone and earbuds brands make a model specifically designed for sleep, but Soundcore has several models that Mashable has loved in testing. The most affordable option is the Soundcore Sleep A20 earbuds. They typically cost $179.99, but during the Amazon sale, they're down to only $119.99.

Mashable Deputy Shopping Editor Miller Kern has found them to be excellent when traveling for masking noise on the plane and for sleeping in Airbnbs across from nightclubs. Her review of the Sleep A20 earbuds praised their comfort and compact size, in addition to excellent performance. She wrote, "They have a 14-hour battery life, so they last through the night — or on a long flight — and the Soundcore app comes loaded with soundscapes and white noise options. The biggest draw for me is how comfortable they are."

Plus, the Soundcore Sleep A20 earbuds also work as standard earbuds, so you can use them for jamming out while commuting to work or for listening to podcasts on a leisurely dog walk.

More Soundcore deals

• Soundcore Select 4 Go Bluetooth Shower Speaker — $22.99 $34.99 (save $12)

• Soundcore P31i Earbuds — $36.99 $59.99 (save $23)

• Soundcore Sport X20 Earbuds — $69.99 $99.99 (save $30)

• Soundcore AeroFit 2 Open-Ear Headphones — $79.98 $129.99 (save $50.01)

• Soundcore Work Voice Recorder — $99.94 $159 (save $59.06)

• Soundcore Space One Pro Headphones — $149 $199.99 (save $50.99)

• Soundcore Sleep A30 Special Earbuds — $179.99 $199.99 (save $20)

• Soundcore Nebula X1 Pro Triple Laser 4K Home & Outdoor Cinema Projector — $3,999 $4,999 (save $1,000)

Best Kindle accessory deals Best case deal PopSockets Kindle Paperwhite and Colorsoft Case $34.18 (Save $5.72) Get Deal Best Kindle stand deal Magipea Gooseneck Stand $16.12 (Save $9.87) Get Deal Best Kindle remote deal Datafy Remote Control Page Turner $15.19 (Save $4.80) Get Deal

As we head into the final days of the Amazon Big Spring Sale, there are still plenty of savings going strong. Since the sale kicked off on March 25, Kindle e-readers have stayed at their low sale prices. If you've decided to finally dive into the Kindle lifestyle, then you'll need some accessories to go with your e-reader.

From cases to remotes to stands, there are great deals to pair with your new Kindle. If you're looking to up your summer reading game, a remote and stand will craft the coziest reading setup. Plus, our favorite Kindle case, which is rarely on sale, just got marked down.

Here are all of the best e-reader accessories to shop to go with your new Kindle.

Opens in a new window Credit: PopSockets PopSockets Kindle Paperwhite and Colorsoft Case $34.18 at Amazon
$40 Save $5.82   Get Deal

My favorite Kindle case, the one that goes on my very own Kindle, is the PopSockets MagSafe case. It's lightweight but protective, so I know my Kindle Paperwhite is protected wherever I take it on the road. Plus, I don't like that the power button sits on the bottom of my Kindle, as it results in a lot of accidental presses. But this case covers it, making it a lot less sensitive. It also has a perfectly placed MagSafe ring for adding a MagSafe PopSockets grip. It's a super strong grip, and my PopSockets grip never falls off.

The thing about the PopSockets Kindle case is that I've never seen it go on sale — until now. Get it now for $34.18, its lowest price ever, which will save you $5.82 off its $40 price tag.

Already have a case? Well, there are plenty of other Kindle accessory deals to explore, too.

Kindle case deals

• Moko Floral Hand Strap for Kindle — $5.95 $6.95 (save $1)

• Moko Floral Case for Kindle Paperwhite and Colorsoft — $9.95 $39.99 (save $30.04)

• Arctiiro Gooseneck Kindle Holder — $14.35 $16.88 (save $2.53)

• Amazon Kindle Case — $27.99 $31.99 (save $4)

• Kefotic Gooseneck Tablet Holder — $28.99 $39.99 (save $11)

• Amazon Kindle Paperwhite and Colorsoft Case — $31.99 $36.99 (save $5)

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Kindle remote deals

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Kindle stand deals

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• Elekpopu Tablet Floor Stand — $27.99 $34.19 (save $6.20)

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SAVE UP TO $60: The Soundcore Sleep A30 Special earbuds are on sale for $179.99 at Amazon, down from the normal price of $199.99. The older Soundcore Sleep A20 earbuds are on sale for $119.99, down from the list price of $179.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore Soundcore Sleep A30 Special $179.99 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $20   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore Soundcore Sleep A20 $119.99 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $60.00   Get Deal

Sleep is tricky. We all know we need it, but there are 803 other things we should be doing, and when we do have time to sleep, there tend to be interruptions. If you deal with a snoring partner, noisy neighbors, or find you sleep best with some white, pink, or brown background noise, you might fare well with sleep earbuds. Two of Mashable's favorite models are on sale during the Amazon Big Spring Sale.

The new Soundcore Sleep A30 Special earbuds are on sale for $179.99 at Amazon, down from the normal price of $199.99 for a 10% discount. This sale price marks the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon. The older but still fantastic Soundcore Sleep A20 earbuds are on sale for $119.99, down from the list price of $179.99 for a major 33% discount.

We've all tried to sleep with earbuds in. It's not espeically comfortable. Sleep earbuds use softer materials and a design that's much more friendly for wearing while sleeping. Mashable Deputy Shopping Editor Miller Kern has slept through bumping nightclub noise and red-eye flights thanks to the Soundcore Sleep A20 earbuds. "Soundcore’s Sleep A20s are our favorite budget sleep earbuds. They have a 14-hour battery life, so they last through the night — or on a long flight — and the Soundcore app comes loaded with soundscapes and white noise options. The biggest draw for me is how comfortable they are," wrote Kern.

SEE ALSO: 50+ home deals from Amazon's Big Spring Sale — cooling sheets, air purifiers, and robot vacuums on sale

If you want even better sound-blocking power while sleeping, the Soundcore Sleep A30 Special earbuds come with noise cancellation. Mashable Lead Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard notes this new version marks the best earbuds on the market right now. "Soundcore's quick upgrade to the recently released Sleep A30 earbuds is a welcome one, delivering a longer battery life and lower price point, making a great pair of sleep earbuds even better," she wrote.

In either case, you'll be getting a comfortable pair of earbuds that will help you lull off to sleep and stay asleep regardless of the noise around you. Of course, you can set an alarm to sound in the earbuds, so you won't have to worry about not hearing your phone come morning.

While they're on sale for as low as $119.99, upgrade your sleep with the Soundcore Sleep A20 or A30 Special earbuds. There's no better wellness hack that getting good sleep.

Less than 4 months ago, Australia banned social media for kids under 16, sparking a wave of similar proposals from governments around the world. The latest effort to ban social media for children now comes from Austria. In a press release, the Austrian government announced that a bill will be introduced by the end of June to ban social media use for children under 14.

According to the press release, a mandatory minimum age of 14 for social media would only be one part of the bill seeking to address child safety online. The bill would also introduce media literacy in schools to help young people "recognize disinformation and radicalization."

SEE ALSO: Pinterest CEO says ban kids under 16 from social media

The Austrian government said these measures would be taken in order to address the issues children have faced as a result of social media, such as cyberbullying, addiction, and mental health problems.

While the press release doesn't provide many details, it does mention that any bill introduced would address data privacy concerns related to age verification methods, ensuring that users' information is protected.

Many social media platforms have policies requiring users to be a certain age to join. However, these rules are implemented by companies themselves, with little to no incentive to uphold them. At the government level, however, as in Australia's first such bill, these bills slap social media companies with hefty fines for allowing users under age to join their platforms. The U.S. may be joining soon, as a bipartisan group of Senators proposed a bill earlier this year that would ban social media for children under 13.

The U.S. also recently saw social media companies like Meta and YouTube lose two separate trials regarding social platforms harming young people's mental health. It will be interesting to see how U.S. lawmakers go forward with their age limit proposals following those verdicts.

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 29, 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 29, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for March 29 Pips

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

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

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

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

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for March 29 Pips

Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 1-6, placed horizontally.

Less Than (4): Everything in this red space must be less than 4. The answer is 0-2, placed horizontally.

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

Less Than (4): Everything in this orange space must be less than 4. The answer is 0-0, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this dark blue space must add up to 4. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this green space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally; 2-2, placed vertically; 0-0, placed vertically.

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for March 29 Pips

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

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally; 4-0, placed vertically.

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

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

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

Greater Than (10): Everything in this space must be greater than 10. The answer is 4-5, placed vertically; 6-1, placed horizontally.

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

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

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

Equal (0): Everything in this purple space must be equal to 0. The answer is 1-0, placed horizontally; 0-0, placed horizontally; 2-0, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 4-4, placed vertically; 2-0, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 6-4, 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.

SAVE $56: As of March 29, the Our Place Wonder Oven is on sale at Amazon for only $129 instead of its usual $185. That's a savings of 30% and its lowest price ever.

Opens in a new window Credit: Our Place Our Place Wonder Oven (13-quart) $129 at Amazon
$185 Save $56   Get Deal

My air fryer bit the bullet at the end of 2025, which led me on the surprisingly overwhelming journey of choosing a new one. The market is overflowing with options, but I had a few priorities in mind on my search: non-toxic materials, a compact build that won't waste counter space, and an aesthetically pleasing design that matches my colorful kitchen. One of the only air fryers that checked all the boxes was the Our Place Wonder Oven.

I received the Wonder Oven as a gift, but honestly, it's one of the few appliances I'd gladly spend my own money on. Especially now that it's dropped to a new record-low price during the Big Spring Sale. It typically retails for $185, but you can pick it up in any color for just $129. That's a total steal for an air fryer that can also toast, reheat, roast, bake, and broil.

The Wonder Oven comes with three different trays you can swap out depending on what you're cooking — a chromed steel air fryer basket and wire rack, and an aluminum bake pan with non-toxic ceramic coating. There's also a chromed steel crumb tray to slide in at the bottom to keep the oven from getting too messy. You can also easily slip all three inside for storage when you're not using the oven.

It takes up just a sliver of counter space compared to other air fryers, yet it can fit a whole chicken up to 4.5 pounds. I was honestly concerned with how tiny it is when I opened it for the first time, but it's actually a perfect size to feed two people.

Did I mention this air fryer oven is actually cute? Its retro-inspired design features manual knobs instead of digital controls. So it doesn't just look like a hunk of tech on my counter; it looks like a tiny oven from the '70s.

With Amazon's Big Spring Sale running through March 31, you still have a few days to snag the Our Place Wonder Oven for its best price ever. If you're in the market for an air fryer, I urge you to consider this one.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition is for people who watch women's soccer.

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: Around the bases

• Green: Houston

• Blue: Women's soccer legends

• Purple: Sounds like an MLB team

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Parts of a cycle

• Green: Houston Sports Teams, In Singular Form

• Blue: Former U.S. Women's National Team Soccer Players

• Purple: Ends in an MLB Team in Singular Form

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 #552 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Parts of a cycle - DOUBLE, HOME RUN, SINGLE, TRIPLE

• Houston Sports Teams, In Singular Form - ASTRO, COUGAR, ROCKET, TEXAN

• Former U.S. Women's National Team Soccer Players - FOUDY, HAMM, LILLY, SOLO

• Ends in an MLB Team in Singular Form - COMET, INTERNATIONAL, STRANGER, STRAY

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.

TL;DR: As of March 29, the Samsung 40-inch G7 Gaming Monitor is marked down to $699.99 in the Amazon Spring Sale. That's 42% off the list price of $1,199.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 40-inch G7 Gaming Monitor $699.99 at Amazon
$1,199.99 Save $500   Get Deal

When Amazon drops its latest sale event — such as the Big Spring Sale, which is live through March 31 — it's the perfect time to upgrade your gaming setup.

Gaming is a pricey hobby but there’s no substitute for high-spec, high-performance hardware. It takes the gaming experience to a whole other level and could make the marginal difference between success and failure. Arguably, the monitor is the most crucial of all hardware. So if you’re upgrading, you want the right model — and for the right price. That being the case, we’re recommending this deal on the Samsung 40-inch G7.

Thanks to the Big Spring Sale, the Samsung 40-inch G7 Gaming Monitor is currently priced at $699.99, a massive drop of 42%. This curved monitor is usually priced at $1,199.99, so you’re saving $500 in total.

SEE ALSO: Review: Is the Antigravity A1 drone the DJI replacement we've been hoping for?

Samsung are one of the very best when it comes to TVs and monitors, and this model is no exception. A mid-sized monitor, it has an impressively fast refresh rate on 180Hz and a 1ms response time — that means silky smooth gameplay — plus built in gaming spec such as AMD FreeSync Premium Pro. The real star of the show, however, is its ultrawide curved display, which delivers a WUHD resolution (5120 x 2160). Even at a modest 40 inches — ideal for more compact gaming stations — it’s fully immersive.

Don't miss your chance to save $500 on the Samsung 40-inch G7 Gaming Monitor as part of the Amazon Big Spring Sale. Now just $699.99 for a limited time.

TL;DR: As of March 29, the Samsung S95F 65-Inch OLED TV is marked down to $2,197.99 in Amazon's Spring Sale. That's 27% off the list price of $2,997.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung S95F 65-Inch OLED TV $2,197.99 at Amazon
$2,997.99 Save $800   Get Deal

When the big sale events hit Amazon, you just know it’s time to snap up a mega smart TV at a mega discount. If you didn’t already know (seriously, shoppers — where have you been?), the Amazon Big Spring Sale is in full flow, with deals across all kinds of products, including laptops, iPads, gaming tech, and — that’s right — TVs.

One of the best TV deals we’ve seen is on the Samsung S95F 65-Inch OLED TV, which has been marked down by a sensational $800. Be sure not to miss it. There are just a few days left, with the Big Spring Sale coming to an end after March 31. The Samsung S95F 65-Inch OLED TV is currently marked down to $2,197.99, a 27% discount from the list price of $2,997.99. According to camelcamelcamel, it’s just one cent off this TV’s record low price.

SEE ALSO: Review: Is the Antigravity A1 drone the DJI replacement we've been hoping for?

We can’t recommend the Samsung S95F 65-Inch OLED TV enough. Samsung is among the very best names when it comes to dazzling smart TVs, and this one’s an absolute whopper — 65 inches of OLED 4K magnificence with access to all your favorite streaming platforms via an easy-to-navigate Tizen operating system and AI upscaling.

It’s also stacked with spec for gamers — including a 165Hz refresh rate — and boasts Object Tracking Sound+, a smart audio technology that emits sound from where the action is happening on the screen. So the sound actually travels with the action. Elsewhere in the features package, there’s an AI motion enhancer that smooths out finer details — particularly good for watching fast-paced sports.

Check out the Samsung S95F 65-Inch OLED TV while it's on offer at $2,197.99 — a saving of $800 in the Amazon Big Spring Sale.