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

Mashable - Thu, 03/26/2026 - 04:00
A quick look at the best Amazon Spring Sale AirPods deals: Best AirPods 4 Deal Apple AirPods 4 $99 (save $30) Get Deal Best AirPods Pro Deal Apple AirPods Pro 3 $199 (save $49) Get Deal Best AirPods Max deal AirPods Max (1st Gen, USB-C) $449.99 (save $99.01) Get Deal

It's official: Amazon's Big Spring Sale is back and delivering another batch of deals for shoppers. If you're itching to see what the retailer has available for this year's event, the good news is that its officially live right now (it runs from March 25 to 31). We've already spotted quite a few offers worth checking out, including some stellar deals on Apple AirPods.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Boasting great sound quality and noise-cancelling features, alongside a hefty battery life that can last up to eight hours (with ANC) on a single charge, these AirPods are a nice upgrade indeed. Ahead of Amazon's Big Spring Sale, they're marked down to $199.

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

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

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

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

The best Apple Watch deals in Amazons Big Spring Sale — score record-low deals on Series 9 and Series 11

Mashable - Thu, 03/26/2026 - 04:00
The best Amazon Big Spring Sale Apple Watch deals: Best Apple Watch Series 11 Deal Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) $299.00 (save $100) Get Deal Best Apple Watch SE 3 Deal Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS, 40mm) $219.00 (save $30) Get Deal Best Apple Watch Series 9 Deal Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS + Cellular, 41mm) $299 (save $400) Get Deal Best Apple Watch Series 10 deal Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS + Cellular, 46mm) $449 (save $300) Get Deal

Amazon's Big Spring Sale is officially live now through March 31. For Apple users, this is a pretty exciting occasion. We're seeing discounts on everything from Apple Watches to AirPods. So, if you've been hoping to get your hands on a brand-new smartwatch but refuse to pay full price, several Apple Watch models are on sale right now.

The Series 11 and SE 3 are the newest shining stars in Apple's lineup, but a few last-generation models are stealing the spotlight during the Big Spring Sale. If you don't mind not having the latest model, you can pick up a Series 9 with both GPS and cellular connectivity for only $299 or a 46mm Series 10 for only $449.

Of course, we'll be updating this page as new deals drop, but here are the best Apple Watch deals you can shop right now. Looking for smartwatches that don't fall under the Apple umbrella? Check out our full list of Big Spring Sale fitness tracker deals.

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

Best Apple Watch Series 11 deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) $299 at Amazon
$399 Save $100   Get Deal Why we like it

A $100 discount on the 42mm GPS Apple Watch Series 11 drops it to a record-low price, making it the perfect time to grab what our Tech Editor, Timothy Beck Werth, calls the "Best Apple Upgrade." Mashable's Stan Schroeder agrees, noting the battery life alone is worth the jump. "Even if you already have a Series 10, which has nearly all the same features, the new Apple Watch Series 11 doesn’t require you to charge it mid-day in order to keep it going through the night," he writes.

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

If you just want a reliable smartwatch without paying for features you won't use, the Apple Watch SE 3 is the way to go. We named it the "Best for Most People" in our smartwatch guide because it packs the exact same S10 chip as the Ultra 3 and the same water resistance as the Series 11 — "all for $150 less than the Series 11."

Now that the Big Spring Sale is officially live, the 40mm model is down to $219, saving you $30. It’s also not the only configuration on sale right now. We've rounded up a few other discounted SE 3 models below so you can pick your preferred setup and still save some cash.

More Apple Watch SE 3 dealsLast-generation Apple Watch deals

The best MacBook deals in Amazons Big Spring Sale — best-ever prices, including the MacBook Neo

Mashable - Thu, 03/26/2026 - 04:00
A quick look at the best MacBook deals from Amazon's Big Spring Sale: Best MacBook Air deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $949 (save $250) Get Deal Best MacBook Neo deal (that's barely a deal) Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $689.99 (save $9.01) Get Deal Best MacBook Pro deal Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,799 (save $100) Get Deal

Amazon's third annual Big Spring Sale is now live from March 25 to 31. The event mainly revolves around seasonal essentials like cleaning supplies and outdoor gear, but it also prompts some good deals on must-have tech — including flagship Apple products. Apple just refreshed and expanded its MacBook lineup earlier this month, and some of the new models are already on sale.

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

Amazon's biggest discount thus far is going to a 15-inch M4 MacBook Air with 24GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, which is now $300 off. (At $1,299, it's never been cheaper.) Other configurations start at just $899 with less RAM, storage, and a smaller screen. Remember: Apple has discontinued the M4 MacBook Airs, so once supplies dry up, they'll only be available on the refurbished market.

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

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

This is just day one of the Big Spring Sale, and Mashable will be keeping track of all the latest MacBook price drops. Check back to be the first to know about the top Apple deals. Offers marked with a 🔥 have dropped to a record-low price.

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

The M4 MacBook Air may be a last-gen laptop, but it's still an incredibly capable ultraportable. (In our testing, it proved much faster than much pricier Windows laptops.) It has the same 12MP Center Stage webcam, Liquid Retina display, and 18-hour battery life as its new M5 counterpart, which just offers slightly faster performance and newer wireless connectivity. This 13-inch configuration has 16GB of memory and 512GB of storage just like the M5 base model, which is going for $100 more.

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

More MacBook Air dealsMacBook Neo dealsMacBook Pro deals

Streaming for less: Score Spring Sale deals on Paramount+, Spotify, Starz, and more.

Mashable - Thu, 03/26/2026 - 04:00
The best Big Spring Sale streaming deals at a glance: Best streaming deal Paramount+ Premium $2.99/month for 2 months (save $22) Get Deal Best music streaming deal Spotify Premium free for 3 months (save $38.97) Get Deal Best streaming device deal Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select $17.99 (save $22) Get Deal Best deal for readers Kindle Unlimited $0.99 for three months (save $34.98) Get Deal

With the now regularly recurring price hikes across the board, we could all benefit from some discounts on streaming services. While the best time of year to score a great streaming deal is hands down Black Friday season, any major sale or shopping holiday tends to offer at least a few discounts. And Amazon's Big Spring Sale (officially running March 25-31 in 2026) is holding true to that notion. While the overall number of streaming deals is no match for Black Friday, we'll certainly take any discounts we can get.

I'll be keeping an eye out throughout the Big Spring Sale for any new deals that pop up and will update this story with the latest. For now, here are the best streaming deals live during the sale. I've also included deals on streaming devices like Fire TV Sticks, as well as some evergreen streaming deals I think are worth grabbing.

Best streaming deal overall Opens in a new window Credit: Paramount+ Paramount+ Premium $2.99/month for 2 months (save $22) Get Deal Why we like it

On the surface, this is the same offer as the streamer's Black Friday deal. However, because Paramount Plus hiked its prices in January, this Big Spring Sale discount actually saves you more money. It now costs $13.99 per month for the ad-free Premium plan and $8.99 per month for the ad-supported Essential plan. Through March 31, you can lock in two months of either plan for only $2.99 per month. That saves you $22 if you choose the Premium plan (why wouldn't you?). Both new and ex-subscribers are eligible for this deal and its valid on Paramount+ as a standalone service or on the Prime Video add-on.

Psst. It's also worth mentioning that an extra discount code is floating around that could potentially knock the price down to just 99 cents per month for two months. However, it appears to work for some folks and not others. Try adding the additional promo code BG2L7M at checkout to see if you're one of the lucky ones.

Best music streaming deal Opens in a new window Credit: Spotify Spotify Premium free for 3 months (save $38.97) Get Deal Why we like it

If you've never tried Spotify Premium before, you can snag three free months of the music streaming service through March 31. Typically, it costs $12.99 per month, so you'll keep nearly $40 in your pocket with this deal. A Premium account unlocks ad-free listening, the ability to download music for offline listening and collaborate with friends in real time, 15 hours of audiobook time, and lossless audio. Plus, you'll get weekly listening stats and, should you choose to keep your subscription, access to the famous Wrapped stats.

Already tried Spotify Premium? Amazon Music Unlimited is also offering three free months of its streaming service through March 31. It regularly goes for $11.99/month for Prime members and $12.99/month for non-Prime members, so you can save up to $38.97 with this deal. Besides unlimited music streaming, you'll also get access to one audiobook per month.

Best streaming device deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select $17.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $22.00   Get Deal Why we like it

The newest Fire TV Stick, the 4K Select, is the first streaming device in Amazon's lineup to shake things up in awhile. While it still offers the same plug-and-play design you know and love, it features a brand-new operating system called Vega. Given how laggy the previous operating system could be on Fire TV Sticks, we're pretty excited about this change. It also offers support for Alexa+, Amazon Kids+, Amazon Luna, Xbox Game Pass, and NordVPN, and delivers 4K quality with HDR10+ support. During the Big Spring Sale, it's already down to just $17.99 instead of $39.99. It's worth noting that we saw this streaming stick drop to a surprisingly low $9.99 in the past.

More Amazon Big Spring Sale streaming dealsMore Amazon Big Spring Sale streaming device dealsEvergreen streaming deals worth grabbing

Amazon is clearing out last-gen tech for the Big Spring Sale: Apples M4 MacBook Air hits best-ever price

Mashable - Thu, 03/26/2026 - 04:00
Last-chance deals on last-gen tech: Best Amazon Device Deal Amazon Echo Dot $39.99 (save $10) Get Deal Best deal for parents Amazon Fire 7 Kids (16GB) $59.99 (save $40) Get Deal Best audio deal Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds $248 (save $81.99) Get Deal Best smartwatch deal Apple Watch Ultra 2 (GPS + Cellular, 49mm) $499 (save $300) Get Deal Best tablet deal Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M3, WiFi + Cellular, 128GB) $549.99 (save $199.01) Get Deal Best e-reader deal Amazon Kindle Scribe (16GB) $249.99 (save $150) Get Deal Best Apple deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $949 (save $250) Get Deal Best robot vacuum deal Eufy X10 Pro Omni $429.99 (save $270) Get Deal Best TV deal Amazon 50-inch Fire TV Omni QLED Series 4K TV $379.99 (save $90) Get Deal

Got spring cleaning on your mind? So does Amazon: The retail giant is putting last-gen tech on sale at deep discounts during the Big Spring Sale (March 25 to 31), its main seasonal savings event, to clear out its remaining inventory.

Older versions of some of our favorite gadgets are currently on sale there for record-low prices (or close to them). The zippy M4 MacBook Air? Up to $150 cheaper than the iterative M5 version Apple announced this month. The superb Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds? Only $248. Previous-generation Echo devices? Grab the 2022 Echo Dot smart speaker or Echo Show 5 smart display for 20% off.

SEE ALSO: Amazon Big Spring Sale 2026: Live updates on Apple, Samsung, DJI, Kindle deals

We'll be updating this list of past-gen tech deals with more offers as Amazon's Big Spring Sale continues, so check back soon. In the meantime, this is your opportunity to clean up with last-chance deals on last-gen gadgets.

Amazon Echo dealsSmartwatch and fitness tracker dealsHeadphone and earbud dealsTablet and e-reader dealsLaptop dealsMiscellaneous tech deals

We found the best Apple deals from Amazons Spring Sale — save on AirPods, iPads, and MacBooks

Mashable - Thu, 03/26/2026 - 04:00
The best Amazon Big Spring Sale Apple deals at a glance: Best AirPods deal AirPods Pro 3 $199 (save $49) Get Deal Best AirTag deal Apple AirTag (1st Gen, 4-Pack) $59.99 (save $39.01) Get Deal Best iPad deal Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M4, WiFi, 128GB) $744 (save $55) Get Deal Best MacBook deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $949 (save $250) Get Deal Best Apple Watch deal Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) $299 (save $100) Get Deal

Amazon's Big Spring Sale is back for its third year, running now through March 31. The retailer is officially rolling out wide-ranging discounts across multiple categories, with prices dropping on items like robot vacuums, TVs, and even daily essentials. And if there's one thing we can always guarantee, it's that this sale features plenty of solid discounts on top Apple products.

Apple has had a busy month, with the launch of its first-ever budget MacBook, upgraded MacBook Airs and MacBook Pros, a new iPad Air, the iPhone 17e, and even AirPods Max 2. This means we're not only seeing first-time discounts on the new slate of products for the Big Spring Sale, but also new record-low prices on last-gen models. We'll be tracking prices throughout the entire event, so keep an eye on this page for the latest and greatest Apple deals.

Best AirPods deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 3 $199 at Amazon
$249 Save $50   Get Deal Why we like it

We've always been fans of the AirPods Pro, but the third generation really takes them to new heights. Mashable's reviewer called them, "without a doubt, one of the best products of the year" in 2025. The latest premium buds feature outstanding noise cancellation (twice as good as the Pro 2s), a solid eight hours of battery life with ANC on, and new foam-infused tips that come in five sizes to find the perfect fit. Apple also brought the heart rate monitoring tech from the Powerbeats Pro 2 (our favorite earbuds for working out) and Fitness app compatibility to the Pro 3s, and introduced a live translation feature.

While we've seen the buds drop as low as $184 in the past, this discount is still worth grabbing.

More AirPods dealsBest AirTag deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirTag (1st Gen, 4-Pack) $59.99 at Amazon
$99 Save $39.01   Get Deal Why we like it

This four-pack of Apple's Bluetooth trackers keeps going in and out of stock on Amazon, which is hardly surprising: It's never been cheaper there. (It dipped to $62.99 on Black Friday.) You wind up paying just $15 per AirTag. If it happens to sell out by the time you go to buy it, Walmart and Best Buy are both offering the same deal.

Best iPad deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M4, WiFi, 128GB) $744 at Amazon
$799 Save $55   Get Deal Why we like it

Just launched earlier this month, the 13-inch M4 iPad Air is already on sale for $55 off. The base configuration with WiFi connectivity and 128GB of storage is now just $744 (normally $799). Mashable's tech editor took the M4 iPad Air for a spin and found it pretty impressive — too impressive for the average user, even. "It delivers iterative updates that improve an already stellar tablet," he writes in his review.

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

Apple released its new MacBook Air with the M5 chip this month, but honestly, they're not a whole lot different than the M4 Airs. The main differences are the upgraded processor and a new wireless chip. You can save some money by grabbing the M4 model with 16GB RAM and 512GB of storage, which is currently down to just $949 at Amazon. We're keeping our eyes on this laptop, as we expect to see it drop further as the sale nears. But make note that since it is now an older model, it could sell out fast.

More MacBook Air dealsMacBook Neo dealsMacBook Pro dealsBest Apple Watch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) $299 at Amazon
$399 Save $100   Get Deal Why we like it

The Apple Watch Series 11 offers significant battery improvements over its predecessor. For that reason alone, it's worth the upgrade. It also features a tougher build with durable glass that's twice as resistant to scratches, 5G capability for quicker connectivity, and a Sleep Score and hypertension tool that can flag chronic high blood pressure. It's not a major upgrade (is anything in 2026?), but as Mashable's reviewer put it: "Buy it for the battery life." Now $100 cheaper, it's an even better value.

More Apple Watch dealsApple Pencil deals

Amazons Big Spring Sale is actually good: We found 100+ deals on Apple, DJI, Sony, and Shark

Mashable - Thu, 03/26/2026 - 04:00
The best Amazon Big Spring Sale deals: Best Apple deal Apple AirPods Pro 3 $199.00 at Amazon (save $50) Get Deal Best Amazon device deal Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select $14.99 at Amazon (save $25 with code FTV4K) Get Deal Best robot vacuum deal Eufy C28 $499.99 at Amazon (save $300) Get Deal Best TV deal Hisense 75-inch U7 Mini LED QLED 4K TV $897.96 at Amazon (save $1,102.03) Get Deal Best outdoor deal Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 portable power station $428.99 at Amazon (save $370.01) Get Deal Best Kindle Deal Amazon Kindle Paperwhite $134.99 at Amazon (save $25 ) Get Deal Flagship headphones deal Sony WH-1000XM6 Noise-Cancelling Headphones $398 at Amazon (save $61.99) Get Deal Best beauty deal Dyson Supersonic Nural $349.99 at Amazon (save $200) Get Deal Best Alexa Deal Amazon Echo Dot $39.99 at Amazon (save $10) Get Deal Budget headphones deal JLab JBuds Lux ANC $37.79 at Amazon (save $42.20 with on-page coupon) Get Deal

The sun is rising, flowers are beginning to bloom, and pollen is in the air. This all means spring is finally here, and Amazon is ready to celebrate in its customary fashion: with deals.

On March 25, the third annual Amazon Big Spring Sale finally started, with discounts running through the end of the sale on March 31, just like last year's sale.

The deals featured in this sale reflect the spirit of the season: Outdoor gear and yard care supplies, spring cleaning supplies from disinfectant sprays to robot vacuums, spring fashion, and other household essentials will be the major featured deals that scream "spring." However, there's no shortage of deals on QLED TVs, flagship Sony headphones, Apple devices from MacBooks to iPads, Shark and Dyson hair tools, and of course, Amazon's devices like Kindles. If it's on sale during Prime Day, it's probably on sale during the Big Spring Sale.

SEE ALSO: How to recycle Amazon packaging from your Big Spring Sale purchases (yes, all of it)

Each day of the Big Spring Sale will also feature daily deal drops on categories from spring cleaning to beauty. Mashable's shopping team will be keeping an eye on the best deals from before sunrise to midnight, so keep checking back to be the first to hear about the latest discounts.

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

According to our review, Apple's AirPods Pro 3 are an "easy buy" if you've been looking for a new pair of AirPods. It's easy to see why: They have excellent ANC, eight hours of listening time per charge, a built-in heart rate monitor, and live translation features. While they hit a lower price of $184 back in February, this markdown is still worth checking out.

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

AirPods dealsAirTag dealsMacBook dealsiPad dealsApple Watch dealsBest headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: JLab JLab JBuds Lux ANC $37.79 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $42.20 Requires on-page coupon Get Deal Why we like it

The JBuds Lux ANC are the best budget headphones we've tested in recent memory, offering decent noise cancellation, a long battery life, and balanced sound. (Just note that their fit can be hit or miss.) They're a great value at their regular price of $80, but a coupon on their Amazon product page bumps them down to just $37.79 — a 50% savings. We saw them dip to $27 at Walmart on Black Friday, but this is their lowest-ever price on Amazon. Choose from four colors: graphite, cloud white, mauve, or sage.

More headphone dealsEarbud dealsBest robot vacuum deal Eufy C28 $499.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $300   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Eufy Why we like it

Mashable's robot vacuum expert, Leah Stodart, tested and loved the Eufy C28 when it came out last month. At $499.99 for the Big Spring Sale, the Eufy C28 is not only the most affordable roller mop robot vacuum you'll find this season, but the best budget robot vacuum and mop combo period.

If you tried a cheap mopping robot vacuum in the past that smeared more than scrubbed, let the Eufy's self-rinsing roller mop change your mind. Its fluffy bath towel material is already more absorbent than the typical thin mopping pad — but just to ensure liquid spills aren't being smeared around, the C28's roller gets rinsed with clean water as it's mopping. Its self-emptying dock also washes and dries the mop after each cleaning.

Robot vacuum dealsCordless vacuum and wet-dry vacuum dealsBest Amazon device deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select $14.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $25   Get Deal Why we like it

The newest Fire TV Stick in Amazon's lineup, the 4K Select, was one of Mashable readers' (and editors') favorite deals from Black Friday. We saw it drop to a wildly low price of $9.99 during that sale, but right now you can grab it for $14.99 using the code FTV4K. It offers support for Alexa+, HDR10+, Amazon Kids+, Amazon Luna, Xbox Game Pass, and NordVPN, and it's already more than 50% off.

Fire TV dealsEcho device dealsKindle dealsBest outdoor deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 portable power station $489.99 at Amazon
$799 Save $309.01   Get Deal Why we like it

Weighing in at just under 25 pounds, Anker's Solix C1000 Gen 2 portable power station makes an excellent camping companion. The power station can keep your devices juiced up and even has enough oomph to power up some cute fairy lights or whip up a quick meal in the air fryer. It can also recharge in under 50 minutes, which can really come in handy when you're off the grid. Mashable's reviewer called it "the perfect model for taking on a weekend camping trip or keeping around the house for occasional power outages."

More outdoor dealsBest DJI deal Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Neo Mini 4K Drone $149 at Amazon
$199 Save $50   Get Deal Why we like it

The Neo is the perfect starter drone for people just venturing into the drone hobby for the first time — and not just because of the low price. This camera offers a 4K camera for shooting gorgeous aerial videos and a 12MP camera. It can take off from the palm of your hand, and it's super portable. For creators and hobbyists, it's a great entry point.

More DJI dealsBest TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 75-inch U7 Mini LED QLED 4K TV $897.96 at Amazon
$1,999.99 Save $1,102.03   Get Deal Why we like it

Hisense's 2025 U7 TV combines mini LED backlighting with a 165Hz refresh rate and Dolby Atmos to pack a major punch with a not-so-major price tag. At least, now that it's considered a last-generation model. The 2026 version of the same TV (just unveiled on March 6) will run you $1,999.99 for the 75-inch model. If you opt for last year's version instead, it'll only cost you $897.96. Not only is that over 50% off, but it's about $100 cheaper than it was just last month for President's Day.

43-inch TVs and under50- to 55-inch TVs65-inch TVs 75-inch TVs and upBest Windows laptop deal Opens in a new window Credit: Asus Asus ROG Flow Z13 (AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $2,069.99 at Amazon
$2,399.99 Save $330 Includes free download code for "Crimson Desert" Get Deal Why we like it

If you're an on-the-go gamer, the Asus ROG Flow Z13 should make your shortlist. It has a 180Hz display (so smooth), a detachable keyboard, and an AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 chip that offers RTX 4060-level graphics performance. GTA V star Ned Luke he uses one when he travels, and he told us it's "an animal." The model with 32GB of RAM and a terabyte of disk space is $330 off on Amazon, and it comes with a free copy of Crimson Desert. It's never been cheaper before. (Best Buy is price-matching it, but doesn't throw in the free game code.)

More Windows laptop dealsBest kitchen deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Creami Ice Cream Maker $199.99 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $30 Includes free $20 Amazon credit Get Deal Why we like it

We're happy to report that the bestselling Ninja Creami is just as great as TikTok says it is. Once you fill and freeze its pints with the base of your choice, "It makes ice cream, gelato, frozen yogurt, sorbet, and smoothie bowls with just the press of a button," writes Mashable's Samantha Mangino. It's marked down to $199.99 during the Big Spring Sale (or $30 off), which matches deals at Best Buy, Target, and the SharkNinja website. However, Amazon one-ups them all by throwing in a free $20 credit on top of that discount; you save $50 total there.

Check out Mashable's full review of the Ninja Creami.

More ice cream maker dealsAir fryer and multicooker dealsBlender dealsCoffee and espresso machine dealsMixer dealsBest Lego deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Botanicals Japanese Red Maple Bonsai Tree (#10348) $47.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $12   Get Deal Why we like it

Lego's Botanicals sets are always a delight to have up on display, and this Japanese Red Maple Bonsai Tree is sure to add a lovely pop of red, orange, and green into your home. At the moment, it's on sale at Amazon for $47.99, which is just pennies away from its lowest-ever price point of $47.95, according to price tracker camelcamelcamel. What better time to scoop up this 474-piece set if its caught your eye?

More Lego dealsBest beauty deal Dyson Supersonic Nural $349.99 at Amazon
$549.99 Save $200   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

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DreamWorks Forgotten Island trailer teases spectacular Filipino-inspired 90s adventure

Mashable - Thu, 03/26/2026 - 03:41

Dreamworks has released the trailer for Forgotten Island, and it looks like a spectacular, magical tale of friendship and adventure — with an Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind twist.

Forgotten Island follows Jo (H.E.R.) and Raissa (Liza Soberano), best friends since childhood. Having just graduated high school, the duo are spending one last night together before Raissa leaves the Philippines to study in the U.S.

However, the friends' farewell plans are unexpectedly derailed after they fall through a portal and land in Nakali, a magical island filled with mythological creatures from Filipino folklore. The pair must now search for a way home before the island makes them forget each other entirely.

Set in the '90s, Forgotten Islands comes from Puss in Boots: The Last Wish's director and producer Joel Crawford and Mark Swift, and features a voice cast including Dave Franco, Lea Salonga, Jenny Slate, Manny Jacinto, Dolly de Leon, Jo Koy, and Ronny Chieng. The trailer also hints at an excellent soundtrack, already making good use of Simple Minds' memorable Breakfast Club anthem "Don't You (Forget About Me)."

Forgotten Island arrives in theatres on Sept. 25.

Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen review: Marriage is a killer

Mashable - Thu, 03/26/2026 - 03:01

Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen's title is a bit of an undersell. Many very bad things happen over the course of eight episodes, but thankfully the experience of watching the show is not one of them.

SEE ALSO: 'Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen's bloody ending, explained

From creator Haley Z. Boston (Brand New Cherry Flavor) and executive producers the Duffer Brothers (in their first project since Stranger Things), Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen is a deliciously atmospheric horror series that unpacks all the things that could go wrong before an engaged couple walks down the aisle.

What's Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen about? Adam DiMarco and Camila Morrone in "Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen." Credit: Netflix

That engaged couple is Rachel Harkin (Camila Morrone) and Nicky Cunningham (Adam DiMarco), two lovebirds headed to upstate New York for an intimate wedding at Nicky's parents' remote cabin.

The presence of a "remote cabin" in a show called Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen should already be setting off alarm bells. Those will only get louder once you learn that Rachel has never met any of the other Cunninghams, and that she's plagued with feelings of dread about the wedding.

Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen builds that sense of dread expertly throughout its first episode, directed by Weronika Tofilska (Baby Reindeer). Set almost entirely during Rachel and Nicky's road trip upstate, the episode throws bad omen after bad omen at us: tales of missing dogs, bloody hangnails, a lone baby trapped in a car, a frightening man peering over bathroom stalls... Some of these will return in later episodes; some are more for vibes; all are chilling in the best way possible. Watching it feels like submerging yourself in a murky pond, dipping in one toe after another until you're totally immersed in the unsettling, frigid world Boston and her team are whipping up. Small details, from unfriendly bartenders to haunting local frozen custard chains, turn this cursed wedding destination into a surreal, unique ride.

SEE ALSO: 'Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice' review: Time-traveling gangster comedy is a must-see crowd-pleaser

Once Rachel and Nicky arrive at his parents' place, Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen begins to tread familiar ground. Nicky's affluent family are an odd bunch, both giving Rachel the cold shoulder and getting claustrophobically involved in every aspect of her wedding, right down to replacing her engagement ring. Between their overbearing behavior and menacing whispers from behind closed doors, it seems like the family is planning something sinister. A Ready or Not-style sacrifice comes to mind, and Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen plays up audience expectations that Rachel's in-laws are downright evil.

However, Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen turns those expectations on their head, going in a different direction that focuses more on Rachel's troubled family and her own anxieties about marriage.

Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen will make you think twice about soulmates. Camila Morrone in "Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen." Credit: Netflix

As Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen draws closer and closer to Rachel and Nicky's wedding day, it unveils a devastating truth about Rachel, complete with a brief, disquieting detour into found footage. No spoilers, but it soon becomes clear that her marriage to Nicky isn't just a commitment she'll be making to someone she loves: It's a matter of life or death.

Here, Boston plays with the terror of marriage and the pressure to get it right with your "soulmate." Rachel must ask herself, over and over, if Nicky truly is the one for her, for eternity. (She's not the only one asking: A spooky interloper, played by a terrifically menacing Zlatko Burić, also takes it upon himself to question the upcoming marriage.) Are she and Nicky together because of fate? Or because of convenience? And how well does she really know him? Morrone is compelling as a woman spiraling before her marriage, while DiMarco continues his hot streak of playing cringe-inducing boyfriends whose nice exterior masks some concerning qualities. (See also: The White Lotus, Overcompensating.)

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With the fear of her wedding day hanging over her, Rachel must go through the motions of pre-marriage rituals: dress fittings, rehearsal dinners, a bachelorette party. Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen adds its own frightening twist to each, be it supernatural, like a séance, or something real, like an earth-shattering revelation about your partner. Each step toward the aisle feels like you're being zipped into a too-tight wedding dress, until you're just as constrained as Rachel.

Unfortunately, Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen does begin to lose a bit of steam as the truth of what's happening to Rachel comes to light. These reveals have to happen eventually, yet they rob the show of the same mystique that makes the first few episodes so tantalizing. They also devolve into some repetitive, exposition-heavy discussions of Rachel's core dilemma, which has a few frustrating "solutions" that never get considered.

Still, Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen is less interested in solving the problem it sets for Rachel and more in watching her panic as she inches closer and closer to the altar. For the most part, it's a captivating success, and even though we know something very bad will go down, that doesn't make the journey there any less perturbing.

Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen is now streaming on Netflix.

Something Very Bad Is Going to Happens bloody ending, explained

Mashable - Thu, 03/26/2026 - 03:01

Well, Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen lives up to its title. Something very bad does, in fact, happen at the wedding between Rachel Harkin (Camila Morrone) and Nicky Cunningham (Adam DiMarco), leaving gallons of blood and countless dead Cunninghams scattered across the reception's dance floor.

SEE ALSO: 'Bait' review: Riz Ahmed's comedy series has us shaken, stirred, the whole lot

Despite what all the blood might have you think, this ending isn't all bad news for the (un)happy couple, as a last-minute twist leaves Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen on a somewhat hopeful note. Let's dive into it.

Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen's wedding curse, explained. Zlatko Burić in "Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen." Credit: Netflix

Before we get into the very end of Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen, let's rewind to the show's fourth episode, which lays out a curse that has been plaguing Rachel's bloodline for years. Rachel hears about it from the frightening older man (Zlatko Burić) who approached her in episode 1 with the ominous question, "Are you sure he's the one?" Turns out it wasn't just a creepy question. It was also a warning.

According to the man, the curse began long, long ago, with his great-great-great-great grandparents. They were very much in love, but before the wedding, the groom died in a hunting accident. The bride begged Death to bring him back, which set in motion a tricky bargain. Death agreed to bring the groom back if the bride believed he was her true soulmate. It worked, but with a price: Death cursed all of the bride and groom's children to find and marry their true soulmates, or pay him with their lives.

The curse passed onto the man, who got engaged to his "beloved" Marianne, Rachel's great-great-great-great-great-grandmother. However, when faced with the ultimatum that he must marry his true soulmate by sundown on his wedding day or die, he left his bride at the altar. After that, the curse transferred to her bloodline: Rachel's bloodline. Now, every Harkin must marry their soulmate by sundown on their wedding day. If the person they marry isn't their soulmate, then they die by hemorrhage. If they flee the wedding before getting married, then the curse passes to their betrothed's family.

SEE ALSO: 'Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice' review: Time-traveling gangster comedy is a must-see crowd-pleaser

As for the man, he becomes immortal as a result of his cowardice, and now he must bear witness to every Harkin wedding.

Let's face it: The "soulmate" aspect of the curse is almost impossible to beat. Even if you did believe in the concept of soulmates, the numbers game of actually finding "the one" in a world of billions of people is not favorable. Plus, the curse is basically a self-fulfilling prophecy. Knowing about it will constantly have you second-guessing your impending marriage, leaving you to doubt your love at the altar. And doubt is the death knell for any married Harkin.

What does Rachel choose to do with her wedding in Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen? Camila Morrone in "Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen." Credit: Netflix

Armed with the knowledge of this curse, Rachel has to decide what to do on her wedding day. If she gets married to Nicky and he isn't her soulmate, she'll die. If she leaves, she dooms the Cunningham family to live with the same curse. In theory, she could opt for a secret third option and keep postponing the wedding indefinitely. However, since the wedding is also meant to double as one final celebration for Nicky's dying mother, Victoria (Jennifer Jason Leigh), there are external pressures on Rachel and Nicky to make sure it stays on track.

To guarantee her survival, Rachel mixes a potion that will transform her into Nicky's soulmate. She knows it will work because it's how her great-aunt survived her own wedding, where most of the other Harkins perished immediately. At the last minute, though, Rachel decides not to drink the potion. (Meaning she cut off her own toe for nothing!) She's sure Nicky is her soulmate, and she decides to go through with the wedding.

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

In the end, though, it's Nicky who gets cold feet. After he and Rachel recite their vows and Rachel puts Nicky's ring on his finger, he wonders whether they should get married at all. In the past, Rachel expressed her cynicism with the institution of marriage, but Nicky's brilliant mind decides that the altar is the best place to finally take these thoughts into consideration. Great timing.

Nicky's pause means that the sun sets before the marriage ceremony is complete. With no marriage, the next wave of the curse kicks in, and it transfers to Nicky's bloodline. Here, we learn that the curse won't just impact Nicky's descendants — it's retroactive. That means all the Cunninghams who are married to the person who isn't their soulmate (and let's face it, that's basically everyone) begin to spurt blood and die. Sorry to break it to everyone who was dancing to "I Will Survive" moments before, but they do not, in fact, survive.

How does Jules survive in Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen? Karla Crome and Jeff Wilbusch in "Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen." Credit: Netflix

Victoria and Portia (Gus Birney) are among the many Cunninghams who fall victim to the curse in Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen. Yet one married Cunningham mysteriously survives: Jules (Jeff Wilbusch), whose marriage to Nell (Karla Crome) has been on the rocks since we've met them. They're even planning on getting a divorce.

Amidst the wedding carnage, Nell wonders aloud why Jules hasn't perished like the rest of his family. In response, he casts her a yearning look, one that implies that, even after everything they've been through, he truly believes he's found his soulmate. His survival is proof that apparently you can live through the curse.

What happens to Rachel in Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen? Camila Morrone in "Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen." Credit: Netflix

When the Cunninghams start dropping like flies, Nicky realizes his error and rushes an unwilling Rachel into completing the marriage ceremony. While he survives, truly believing Rachel to his soulmate, Rachel is not so lucky. After seeing Nicky's cowardice and hearing how he didn't believe her about the curse, she's not willing to lay her life on the line for him. Unfortunately, that's exactly what ends up happening once the wedding rings are on: Rachel dies, just like her mother did years ago.

However, this is not the end of her story. Death, who's been lurking throughout the series as a shadowy POV character, makes one last move. He takes the life of the witness, who's long been hoping for the release of death, and resurrects Rachel. Perhaps he recognizes that Rachel was forced into the marriage and deserves another chance, or perhaps he just wants to inject new blood into the curse.

Now, Rachel will be the witness for future Cunningham weddings. Her late predecessor leaves a helpful note to signal her new role to her: "Your turn," written in blood.

Only one Cunningham is left for her to shadow: Jules and Nell's son Jude (Sawyer Fraser). His marriage — if he even has one, after witnessing this mess — won't be for a while yet, so Rachel has all the time in the world to live a free, unburdened life. (She also gives him ample warning about making sure he's careful about who he marries.)

Of course, the thrill of her immortality may eventually fade and curdle into the quiet menace of the witness who came before her. But for now, as she climbs into the witness' old "Just Married" truck and flings her wedding ring out the window, Rachel feels liberated. Turns out the something very bad she'd been dreading actually wound up being something good for her.

Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen is now streaming on Netflix.

NYT Pips hints, answers for March 26, 2026

Mashable - Thu, 03/26/2026 - 02:23

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 26, 2026

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for March 25, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for March 26 Pips

Greater than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally.

Less than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 2-3, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-3, placed horizontally; 2-6, placed vertically.

Greater than (11): Everything in this space must be greater than 11. The answer is 0-6, placed vertically; 2-6, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for March 26 Pips

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

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

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally; 6-0, placed horizontally.

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

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

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

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for March 26 Pips

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

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

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 1-2, placed vertically; 3-2, placed vertically; 4-0, placed vertically.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically; 0-0, placed horizontally; 0-1, placed horizontally.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 6-3, placed vertically; 2-6, placed horizontally.

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

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

Number (18): Everything in this space must add up to 18. The answer is 2-6, placed horizontally; 6-6, placed horizontally.

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

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 6-3, placed vertically; 2-4, placed horizontally.

Number (15): Everything in this space must add up to 15. The answer is 4-3, placed horizontally; 5-2, placed horizontally; 6-5, placed vertically.

Less than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically.

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

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

Amazon Big Spring Sale 2026: Live updates on Apple, Samsung, DJI, and Kindle deals

Mashable - Thu, 03/26/2026 - 02:23

Amazon is running a huge sale from March 25 to 31. No, we're not talking about another Prime Day. We're talking about the Amazon Big Spring Sale.

This event might not carry quite the same weight as Prime Day or Black Friday, but it's still one of the biggest sales events on the shopping calendar, and this year's deals are surprisingly good. This spring-themed event will go hard on outdoor equipment like drones and power stations, spring cleaning essentials like robot vacuums, and everything else shoppers are looking to buy at this time of the year. Our professional deal hunters have already spotted record-low prices on Apple, Fire TVs, Kindles, and Sony headphones.

We've lined up all the best deals from the Amazon Big Spring Sale. Keep scrolling for the full schedule of events and the latest live updates, price drops, and news from the Mashable shopping team.

NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for March 26, 2026

Mashable - Thu, 03/26/2026 - 02:09

Today's Connections: Sports Edition is for people who are ready for Opening Day.

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: Hitting meatballs

  • Green: HR leaders

  • Blue: The minor leagues

  • Purple: Spelled 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: Slang for Home Run

  • Green: MLB Home Run Leaders in 2025

  • Blue: Minor League Baseball Leagues

  • Purple: Anagrams of MLB Teams

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 #549 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

  • Slang for Home Run - DINGER, HOMER, JACK, ROUND-TRIPPER

  • MLB Home Run Leaders in 2025 - JUDGE, OHTANI, RALEIGH, SCHWARBER

  • Minor League Baseball Leagues - CAROLINA, INTERNATIONAL, PACIFIC COAST, TEXAS

  • Anagrams of MLB Teams - BUCS, PARTIES, SPREAD, STEM

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

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

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

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

Hurdle hints and answers for March 26, 2026

Mashable - Thu, 03/26/2026 - 00:00

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

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

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

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

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

Small drums.

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

BONGO

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A landscaper's tool.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 26, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

MOWER

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A thicket.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for March 26 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 26, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

COPSE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A stringed instrument.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

BANJO

Final Hurdle hint

What old stairs might do.

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

CREAK

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

Moon phase today: What the Moon will look like on March 26

Mashable - Thu, 03/26/2026 - 00:00

The Moon is now more than half lit, which means we're in the final phase before its full phase. The Moon will appear more illuminated each night until it is full, meaning there's plenty opportunity for spotting features on the its surface.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Thursday, March 26, the Moon phase is Waxing Gibbous. According to NASA's Daily Moon Guide, 56% of the Moon will be lit up tonight.

And there's plenty to see, even without visual aids you can spot the Mares Fecunditatis, Crisum, and Vaporum. With binoculars, you'll also be able to catch a glimpse of the Posidonius Crater, Alps Mountains, and the Appennine Mountains. Also, with a telescope, you'll be able to spot even more, including the Rima Ariadaeus, Descartes Highlands, and the Caucasus Mountains.

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.

Why is OpenAI like this?

Mashable - Wed, 03/25/2026 - 23:13

If messy drama was something you could sell, OpenAI would have turned a profit already.

That much is clear from the bizarre way the ChatGPT company killed off Sora, its shortform video app — just one of multiple dramas that seem to be playing out in tandem at Sam Altman's company. So much so that you'd be forgiven for wondering whether there is any method to this madness.

The Sora shuttering could not have burned more bridges with partners and creators if it tried. The rumored face-saving announcement that Sora was being folded into ChatGPT? Didn't happen. OpenAI had just announced new Sora safety standards the day before — so why bother if it's on the outs?

Disney, meanwhile, had not yet finalized its $1 billion, three-year deal with OpenAI over character licensing in Sora. The House of Mouse was so blindsided, according to a Reuters report, that executives had a meeting discussing what Disney could do with the Sora deal yesterday... just 30 minutes before OpenAI announced its death via a post on X.

ChatGPT ads are a bust

There are also unforced errors in OpenAI's ad division, according to a scoop from The Information. It seems an early test of ChatGPT ads (the company's big revenue-hunting pivot from two months ago) burned bridges with the advertisers who participated. Those advertisers bought more than $200,000 of ads apiece, premium table stakes for the industry. But they didn't get the data they need to know if their ads — which played minimally — are paying off.

Ironically, considering how much OpenAI's products promise to automate the world, the ad industry titans said they had to call or email the company to place ads.

And where is OpenAI's CEO in all this? Not tweeting through it; at time of writing, Altman hasn't posted on X since the Sora announcement. Nor is he blogging through it; his last two blog posts were written six months ago, and are both about Sora. "People are generating much more [video] than we expected per user," Altman wrote in his most recent post.

"We are going to have to somehow make money for video generation," the CEO said, noting presciently: "please expect a very high rate of change from us."

No kidding. So where is the money going to come from, if it isn't coming from Disney and it isn't coming from ads? Shuttering Sora won't make up OpenAI's revenue shortfall, estimated at roughly $1 billion a month. Running ChatGPT for 900 million people per week, all but 40 million of whom aren't paying for it, costs a lot!

Nor is the money coming from the Instant Checkout shopping feature OpenAI announced in 2025, which was supposed to attract a million merchants. The company announced Tuesday that Altman is dumping that as well.

OpenAI's race to its IPO

So what is Altman doing, exactly? He told OpenAI staff on Tuesday that he's no longer running the company's safety and security teams, according to a separate Information report. Instead, Altman reportedly told them that he's focused on raising more money and building more data centers.

"Things are moving faster than many of us expected," Altman added, though in which direction they're moving wasn't clear.

Altman, according to the report, is renaming the company's product group "AGI deployment." A ballsy marketing move, given that GPT-5 is nowhere near AGI (Artificial General Intelligence, also known as digital superintelligence) — and OpenAI is still feuding with its partner Microsoft about how we would define such a thing if it did arrive.

That's no mere academic debate, given that Amazon reportedly stands to invest another $50 billion in the company on the condition that it goes public, or AGI is achieved.

In the absence of actual AGI to deploy — and there are no signs that OpenAI's next model, codenamed "Spud," will get there either — there's nothing left for Altman to do but prepare for the IPO. OpenAI and its chief rival Anthropic, which makes Claude, are both supposedly on course for their public offerings this year. As public companies, they'll be able to raise funds more easily.

But what if there's only room for one winner?

Anthropic, while it's still (sort of) battling the Pentagon and coming up with its own creative revenue estimates, is widely seen as the more successful company when it comes to solid, dependable business. Not for them the flashy Disney deals; they're selling targeted AI services to other companies. Right now, the perception among customers is that Claude is for coding and making AI agents, while ChatGPT is more for the masses.

It isn't going to be easy for Altman to turn that perception around. But it'll probably be easier if OpenAI isn't trying to be a media company that sells ads and lets you make cute Disney character shorts. And in that context, Altman's latest moves start to make a lick of sense. Whether he can convince business customers that he's a dependable figure — pay no attention to those burning bridges! — will be another drama altogether.

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.

Im watching the Japanese GP for free this weekend — how to live stream F1 for free

Mashable - Wed, 03/25/2026 - 22:30

TL;DR: Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Apple TV+ through Prime Video Channels to watch select F1 races live. Watch the Japanese GP for free with the Prime Video app.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Apple TV Prime Video Channel Watch the Japanese GP for free with a 7-day trial Shop Now

Does anyone really know where we stand with this new season of F1. Some fans and drivers seem to like this new style of racing. Others think it's the end of the sport. Whichever camp you find yourself in, you can't deny that it has been entertaining to watch.

What has become clear after the first two races in Australia and China is that Mercedes is fast. After the opening race weekend, some people were already crowning George Russell as champion. Kimi Antonelli's stunning performance in China has made those early predictions look a little foolish. It's looking like we're going to get a real battle between the Mercedes teammates this season. Can anyone else compete? At this stage, it looks unlikely.

If you want to watch F1 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is the Japanese GP?

The Japanese GP is the third race of the 2026 F1 season. Here's the full schedule from the Suzuka Circuit:

  • Practice 1 — 10:30-11:30 p.m. ET on March 26

  • Practice 2 — 2-3 a.m. ET on March 27

  • Practice 3 — 10:30-11:30 p.m. ET on March 27

  • Qualifying — 2-3 a.m. ET on March 28

  • Race — 1 a.m. ET on March 29

It's possible for fans to follow all the action from this race weekend without spending anything.

How to watch the Japanese GP for free

I'm a paid-up member of Amazon Prime. I subscribe for the fast shipping, exclusive Prime Day deals, and access to Prime Video. That Prime Video access is not something I usually care about greatly, but it's absolutely crucial for this season of F1.

It's now possible to sign up for a 7-day free trial of Apple TV+ through Prime Video Channels. F1 is now exclusive to Apple TV in the U.S., so by accessing this free trial, you can watch select races for free this season. The subscription usually costs £9.99 per month after the trial ends, but you can cancel at any time. That means you can watch the Japanese GP for free this weekend and then back out before needing to pay anything.

I already pay for Amazon Prime, so you could argue that I'm not really watching for free. I get that, but Amazon Prime does offer a 30-day free trial period if you're new to the service. By signing up for this free trial and then gaining access to Apple TV through Prime Video Channels, you can truly watch select races without spending anything.

If you've already used this method to watch the Australian GP or Chinese GP, I suggest you go direct to Apple TV. This popular steaming service comes with a 7-day free trial for new subscribers. Alternatively, Apple One bundles Apple TV with Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness Plus, Apple News Plus, and 50GB of iCloud Storage for $19.95 per month after a one-month free trial.

It's also worth noting that the best Apple TV free-trial offer comes with purchases of new Apple devices. New subscribers can get three months of Apple TV for free after purchasing any eligible Apple product. There are loads of live Apple deals in the Amazon Big Spring Sale, so this could be the best moment to upgrade.

How to live stream 2026 F1 for free in 2026 Best Apple TV Deal Apple TV 7-day free trial Shop Now Best Prime Video Deal Apple TV Prime Video Channel 7-day free trial Shop Now Best Apple One Deal Apple One 30-day free trial Shop Now

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 26, 2026

Mashable - Wed, 03/25/2026 - 22:00

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're a registered voter.

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 26, 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: Farming

  • Green: Motor City players

  • Blue: Used on Election Day

  • Purple: Nuts and ___

Here are today's Connections categories

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

  • Yellow: Food procurement methods

  • Green: Member of a Detroit sports team

  • Blue: Features of a classic voting booth

  • Purple: They have bolts

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 #1019 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

  • Food procurement methods: AGRICULTURE, FISHING, GATHERING, HUNTING

  • Member of a Detroit sports team: LION, PISTON, RED WING, TIGER

  • Features of a classic voting booth: BALLOT, BOOTH, CURTAIN, LEVER

  • They have bolts: FRANKENSTEIN'S MONSTER, HARDWARE STORE, LIGHTNING, LOCK

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 26, 2026

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

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

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

NYT Strands hints, answers for March 26, 2026

Mashable - Wed, 03/25/2026 - 22:00

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're a musician.

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 26, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: I blew it!

The words are related to music.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe things you blow into.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Wind Instrument.

NYT Strands word list for March 26

  • Recorder

  • Flute

  • Harmonica

  • Wind Instrument

  • Oboe

  • Clarinet

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

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

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

Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 26, 2026

Mashable - Wed, 03/25/2026 - 22:00

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you love a good fit.

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 26, 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 26, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Suitable.

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 B.

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...

BEFIT

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.

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