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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Yellow: Table games

• Green: Sneakers

• Blue: San Francisco legends

• Purple: NBA events

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Games Played on a Table

• Green: Nike Shoes

• Blue: Giants Greats

• Purple: NBA___

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

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

Drumroll, please!

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

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

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

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

• Giants Greats - BONDS, MAYS, OTT, POSEY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A woven hairstyle.

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

BRAID

Hurdle Word 2 hint

An excursion.

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

JAUNT

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Shine.

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

GLEAM

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Not height.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

WIDTH

Final Hurdle hint

Moon-related.

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

LUNAR

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

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

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

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

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

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

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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

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

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

• Yellow: To fog

• Green: Popular publications

• Blue: Ways to use funds

• Purple: Measurements

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Obfuscate

• Green: Magazines

• Blue: Payment methods

• Purple: Units of volume with last letter changed

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

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

Drumroll, please!

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

What is the answer to Connections today

• Obfuscate: BLUR, CLOUD, MUDDY, OBSCURE

• Magazines: FORTUNE, PEOPLE, SPIN, TIME

• Payment methods: CASH, CHARGE, CHECK, WIRE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The words are related to snacks.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe things you buy at a theater.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Concessions.

NYT Strands word list for March 25

• Fries

• Popcorn

• Soda

• Beer

• Concessions

• Water

• Candy

• Pretzel

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

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

More knowledgeable.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter W.

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

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

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

WISER

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Spotify

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

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

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

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

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

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

Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Spotify

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

StackSocial prices subject to change.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Best early earbuds deals before the Big Spring Sale Best overall Apple AirPods Pro 3 $199.99 (save $49.01) Get Deal Best open earbuds deal Sony LinkBuds Clip $198 (save $31.99) Get Deal

Anyone hoping Amazon's Big Spring Sale would feature great earbuds deals, you're in luck.

The sitewide sale for Prime and non-Prime members alike kicks off on March 25 (running through March 31), but a selection of deals is already live and very much worth looking at, including plenty on wireless earbuds. Though the sale is primarily focused on spring savings like camping gear and cleaning supplies, markdowns on plenty of tech are cropping up, even if they're not officially affiliated with the sale.

In the earbuds space, Sony's latest releases like the LinkBuds Clip and WF-1000XM6 are on sale. Apple AirPods Pro 3 are receiving one of their best price reductions to date, and budget-friendly options like the EarFun Clip and Sony WF-C710N are also even cheaper than usual.

Check out all 18 of the best earbuds deals live already:

Best wireless earbuds deal Apple AirPods Pro 3 $199 at Amazon
$249 Save $50   See It at Amazon See It at Walmart Why we like it

The AirPods Pro 3 are still quite new, having only hit the market this past fall. The earbuds are undeniably the best Apple has released yet, featuring two times the noise cancellation power of the second-gen Pros, a well-rounded sound profile, eight hours of battery life per charge, a built-in heart rate monitor, and live translation features. In his review of the buds, Mashable contributor Adam Doud wrote, "Overall, the AirPods Pro 3 are a remarkable upgrade, even over the AirPods Pro 2, which were already very good."

Check out our full review of the Apple AirPods Pro 3.

More earbuds deals

• CMF Buds 2a — $29 $39 (save $10)

• JBL Vibe Beam — $29.95 $49.95 (save $20)

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

• Nothing Ear (a) — $79 $109 (save $30)

• OnePlus Buds 4 — $79.99 $129.99 (save $50)

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

• Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE — $128.21 $149.99 (save $21.78)

• Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 — $169 $229 (save $60)

• Technics EAH-AZ100 — $247.99 $299.99 (save $52)

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

Best open earbuds deal Sony LinkBuds Clip $198 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $31.99   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

When it comes to open earbuds, it seems more and more options are coming out by the day. While the Bose Ultra Open earbuds are one of the most popular options, Sony's latest release, the Sony LinkBuds Clip, is worth a closer look. Like the Bose buds, they have a clip design built for maximizing comfort. Also like the Bose buds, they have excellent sound quality. Mashable contributor Simon Cohen wrote in his review of the buds, "With the possible exception of Bose’s Ultra Open Earbuds ($299), the LinkBuds Clip are the best [open earbuds] I’ve heard." On sale, they're also over $100 cheaper than the Bose buds, so second-best in sound quality hardly feels like settling here.

Check out Mashable's full review of the Sony LinkBuds Clip.

More open earbuds deals

• Soundcore V20i — $29.99 $49.99 (save $20)

• Soundcore C50i — $39.99 $69.99 (save $30)

• Baseus Bowie MC1 Pro — $47.49 $89.99 (save $42.50)

• EarFun Clip — $55.99 $69.99 (save $14 with Prime membership)

• Shokz OpenRun Pro — $159.95 $179.95 (save $20)

• Shokz OpenSwim Pro — $139.95 $179.95 (save $40)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

So which routers are banned?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What routers can you still buy?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The best kitchen deals ahead of the Amazon Big Spring Sale: Best blender deal Ninja Kitchen System $129.99 (save $90) Get Deal Best air fryer deal Ninja Crispi $159.99 + $20 Amazon credit (save $20) Get Deal Best espresso machine Breville Bambino $249.95 (save $50) Get Deal Best ice cream maker deal Ninja Creami bundle $249.98 (save $30) Get Deal

It's spring cleaning season, and Amazon's Big Spring Sale is here to help you celebrate.

While stocking up on the classic cleaning tools, like home cleaning supplies and robot vacuums, is a good option, we also recommend taking a look at your kitchen lineup. With the deals already live, there's plenty of potential to fill any holes in your kitchen's arsenal (or replace any tools on their last legs).

SEE ALSO: Amazon's Big Spring Sale kicks off on March 25 this year. Here's how we're prepping for it.

The week-long sale officially starts March 25, and there are already great deals on Ninja's appliances, Breville espresso machines and toaster ovens, Nespressos, rice cookers, and more. Check out our top picks below:

Best blender deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Kitchen System $129.99 at Amazon
$219.99 Save $90   Get Deal Why we like it

If you're generally a fan of kitchen multitaskers (and who isn't), this may just be the blender for you. In addition to the full-size pitcher you'll get with most blenders, this model of the Ninja Kitchen System comes with two 18-ounce cups and an eight-cup food processor bowl, so you're sure to be covered for all your motorized chopping and blending needs. Down to $129.99 all the way from $219.99, it's at its lowest price ever — and even cheaper than budget models with fewer attachments.

More blender deals

• Nutribullet Pro — $49.84 $99 (save $49.16)

• Ninja Nutri-Blender Plus — $69.98 $89.99 (save $20.01)

• Chefman Obliterator — $69.99 $149.99 (save $80)

• Braun MultiQuick Immersion blender — $79.95 $109.95 (save $30)

• Ninja Professional Plus blender — $89.99 $119.99 (save $30)

• Vitamix Ascent X3 — $449.95 $649.95 (save $200)

Best air fryer deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Crispi $159.99 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $20   Get Deal Why we like it

Mashable's Samantha Mangino put Ninja's kitchen lineup through the wringer, and the Ninja Crispi came out as the best option for an air fryer. The detachable glass baskets up the convenience factor on an already convenient appliance, allowing for meal prep and storage to happen in the same container you cook in. When it comes time for cleaning, the glass baskets can be dropped directly in the dishwasher. Though there is the drawback of no manual temperature adjustment, Mangino never found it to really affect the way food cooked, saying that everything came out as crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside as expected.

More air fryer and multicooker deals

• Instant Pot Duo Plus (6 quart) — $99.99 $139.99 (save $40)

• Chefman Crispinator (8 quart) — $109.99 $159.99 (save $50)

• Ninja Flip Air Fryer — $149.99 $249.99 (save $100)

• Ninja Foodi Smart XL Grill — $199.99 $279.99 (save $80)

• Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer — $279.95 $349.95 (save $70)

• Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro — $319.95 $399.95 (save $80)

Best ice cream maker deal Ninja Creami bundle $249.98 at Amazon
$279.98 Save $30.00   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

Another Ninja deal, but the Ninja Creami is a favorite of ours (and the internet's) for a reason. Easy ice cream at home is an especially welcome treat during the warmer months, so this bundle arrived just in time. Included with the Creami are four family-sized 24-ounce tubs so you can be sure you always have a frozen sweet treat on hand.

Check out our full review of the Ninja Creami.

Coffee and espresso machine deals

• Mr. Coffee Coffee Maker (12 cups) — $29.99 $53.99 (save $34)

• Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ — $99 $129 (save $30)

• Nespresso Vertuo Next — $125 $229.95 (save $104.95)

• Keurig K-Duo Coffee Maker — $149.99 $219.99 (save $70)

• Breville Bambino — $249.95 $299.95 (save $50)

• Breville Barista Express — $549.95 $679.99 (save $130.04)

• Breville Barista Touch — $799.95 $999.95 (save $200)

Mixer deals

• KitchenAid 9-Speed Hand Mixer — $84.99 $114.99 (save $30)

• KitchenAid Tilt Head Stand Mixer (5 quart) — $399.95 $449.99 (save $50.04)

• KitchenAid Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer (7 quart) — $549.95 $649.99 (save $100.04)

More kitchen deals

• Breville Juice Fountain — $59.95 $99.95 (save $40)

• KitchenAid Go Cordless Food Chopper — $69.99 $89.99 (save $20)

• Lodge Essential Enamel Cast Iron Dutch Oven (6 quarts) — $69.99 $89.99 (save $20)

• Cuckoo Micom Rice Cooker (6 cup) — $84.99 $129.99 (save $45)

• KitchenAid Go Cordless Chopper — $89.95 $99.99 (save $10.04)

• Rubbermaid Brilliance 44-piece food storage containers — $109.99 $129.99 (save $20)

• Zojirushi Micom Rice Cooker (5.5 cup) — $174.99 $209.99 (save $35)

• Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker (5.5 cups) — $191.99 $235 (save $43.01)

OpenAI has announced new open-source safety prompts for developers, aimed at launching a mass deployment of policies to protect teens.

The prompt-based safety pack includes model guidance on common teenage risks, developmental content recommendations, and age-appropriate guidelines on topics such as self-harm, sexual content and romantic role play, dangerous trends or viral challenges, and harmful body ideals.

OpenAI said its a more robust alternative to the high-level guidelines previously offered, formatted as prompts that plug right into AI systems.

SEE ALSO: Why friction-maxxing could be good for your tech usage

OpenAI added new Under-18 principles to its Model Spec in December. A few months prior, the company released gpt-oss-safeguard, an open-weight reasoning model designed to assist developers in implementing safety conditions and classifying safe and unsafe content. Unlike traditional safety classification processes, gpt-oss-safeguard can be fed platform safety policies directly, and infers the policy's intent as it distinguishes appropriate outputs.

But "even experienced teams often struggle to translate high-level safety goals into precise, operational rules, especially since it requires both subject matter expertise and deep AI knowledge," said OpenAI in its latest press release. "This can lead to gaps in protection, inconsistent enforcement, or overly broad filtering. Clear, well-scoped policies are a critical foundation for effective safety systems."

The additional developer pack was designed in collaboration with nonprofit Common Sense Media and everyone.ai.

Experts have warned parents about excessive chatbot exposure of vulnerable teens and even young children, as AI companies attempt to get a handle on the ramifications of their models on user mental health. Last year, OpenAI was sued by the parents of teen Adam Raine in the industry's first wrongful death case, with the Raine family claiming that a combination of ChatGPT sycophancy and lax safety policies was responsible for their son's death by suicide. The company has denied allegations of wrongdoing and in response have beefed up its mental health and teen safety features, including age assurance. Even so, third-party developers licensing OpenAI's models have struggled to maintain the same level of safety precautions, including in AI-powered children's toys.

The case against OpenAI followed multiple lawsuits against controversial platform Character.AI and set the stage for a recent wrongful death suit filed against OpenAI competitor Google and its Gemini AI assistant.

Industry-wide, tech and social media companies are facing an onslaught of legal challenges regarding the long-term impact of their products on users. Last month, Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri and Meta head Mark Zuckerberg testified before a jury in a watershed case putting social media platforms on trial for their allegedly addictive design principles. A verdict has yet to be reached.

OpenAI said its new safety prompt pack is not a "comprehensive or final definition or guarantee of teen safety." Robbie Torney, head of AI and digital assessments for Common Sense Media said that the new policies can build a "meaningful safety floor across the ecosystem," filling an AI safety gap that has been exacerbated by a lack of operational policies for developers.

Developers can download OpenAI's safety model on Hugging Face and access its new prompt pack on GitHub.

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

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

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

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

Our favorite cordless vacuum deals so far are all vacuums that someone at Mashable has tested at home and loved. I'll admit that any list of top stick vacuums feels weird without multiple Dyson mentions — Amazon typically isn't a reliable spot to find good deals on Dyson vacuums (even though Amazon's deals on other Dyson products can be quite good.) Most worthwhile Dyson deals simply tend to pop up Dyson.com, like the Dyson V12 Detect Slim on sale for $479.99. Maybe it's delusional, but I'm optimistic about the possibility of a discount on the new Dyson PencilVac Fluffycones.

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

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

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

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

More cordless stick vacuum deals at Amazon

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

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

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

• Bissell Cleanview XR Pet — $149.97 $229.99 (save $79.03)

• Dreame Z30 — $199.98 $469.99 (save $270.01)

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

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

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

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

• Tineco Pure One Station 5 with auto-empty dock — $349 $459 (save $110)

• Miele Duoflex — $498.99 $699 (save $200.01)

• Dyson V15 Detect Plus — $599.99 $849.99 (save $250)

Cordless wet dry vacuum deals at Amazon

• Mova M10 — $199 $349 (save $150)

• Tineco iFloor 5 Breeze — $199 $299.99 (save $100.99)

• Dreame H12 Pro — $199.99 $309.99 (save $270.01)

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

• Tineco Floor One S7 Stretch — $449 $649 (save $200)

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

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

• Tineco Floor One Switch S6 — $549 $799 (save $250)

The best Amazon Big Spring Sale DJI deals at a glance: Best DJI Drone deal DJI Mavic 4 Pro Triple Camera Flagship Drone $4,399 (save $829) Get Deal Best DJI Mic Deal DJI Mic Mini (2TX + 1 RX + Charging Case) $79 (Save $20) Get Deal Best DJI Gimbal Deal DJI Osmo Mobile 7 $59 (Save $16) Get Deal Best DJI portable power station deal DJI Power 1000 V2 $364 at Amazon (save $335) Get Deal

The Amazon Big Spring Sale officially begins tomorrow, bringing with it a slew of deals across tons of categories on the site. From March 25 through March 31, you can expect to see major savings from the retailer on everything from robot vacuums to Apple Watches and outdoor deals. but if you're looking to shop early, there are plenty of deals to be had.

If you're looking to save on DJI products, now's the time to do so. It isn't just a drone company, as you may well be aware of by now, but it produces the viral DJI Mic Mini and a number of other content creation tools, including portable power stations. If you've been looking to get into DJI or pick up a few yourself, now's the time to claim some of the early deals that have popped up.

Below, find some of the best early DJI sale picks you can shop before the Big Spring Sale officially kicks off.

Best Amazon Big Spring Sale DJI drone deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon DJI Mavic 4 Pro Triple Camera Flagship Drone $5,228 at Amazon
  Get Deal Why we like it

This DJI drone is in stock right now, so if you've been thinking of a reason to pick one up, it's time to lock in. It's a tri-camera unit with a 100MP 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad camera with a max flight time of 51 minutes. It also comes with three batteries, spare propellers, a charging hub, shoulder bag, and other goodies. Plus, its new gimbal gives you 360-degree rotation with Dutch angles and a 41km range for time lapse and panoramic images.

More DJI drone deals

• DJI Mini 4K Drone — $209 $299 (save $90)

• DJI Neo Fly More Combo — $259 $349 (save $90)

• DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro Essential Combo — $288 $339 (save $51)

• DJI Osmo Action 4 Adventure Combo — $308.99 $399 (save $90.01)

Best Amazon Big Spring Sale DJI mic deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon DJI Mic Mini (2TX + 1 RX + Charging Case) $79 at Amazon
$99 Save $20   Get Deal Why we like it

This TikTok-famous DJI Mic Mini set is well-loved for a reason. It sounds great, offers up to 48 hours of recording time, and it's perfect for users both new and old thanks to its accessibility and simple setup. It comes with a receiver, two transmitters, a charging cable, phone adapter, four windscreens, two magnetic clips, and a case, so you're all set to start using it immediately.

More DJI mic deals

• DJI Mic Mini (2 TX + 1 Mobile RX) — $45 $59 (save $14)

• DJI Mic Mini (2 TX + 1 RX) — $59 $79 (save $20)

• DJI Mic 3 (1 TX + 1 RX) — $169 $219 (save $50)

• DJI Mic 3 (2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case) — $249 $329 (save $80)

Best Amazon Big Spring Sale DJI gimbal deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon DJI Osmo Mobile 7 $59 at Amazon
$75 Save $16   Get Deal Why we like it

This three-axis stabilizing gimbal is perfect for content creators, whether they're new or old hat at making videos. It's compatible with both iPhone and Android and uses DJI's stabilization tech to remove stuttering from your videos. It also uses ActiveTrack 7.0 to follow subjects around so you don't have to, no matter the activity. Plus, it boasts up to 10 hours of battery life, with multifunctionality as a tripod if you need a place to rest your phone while you record.

More DJI gimbal deals

• DJI Osmo Mobile 7P — $98.98 $129 (save $30.02)

• DJI RS 3 Mini — $199 $237 (save $38)

• DJI RS 4 Mini Combo — $369 $59 (save $90)

DarkSword, the web-based hacker tool that can be used to steal data from millions of iPhones, has just been published on GitHub for public use. Cybersecurity experts say Russian hacking groups are actively using DarkSword "to fully compromise devices."

Now that the exploit is public, any would-be cybercriminal can just quickly copy and paste the DarkSword code, take a few minutes to set it up on their web host, and deploy the spyware.

Last week, reports about the new hacker tool called DarkSword sparked so much concern in the security world that Apple was forced to issue a quick response explaining how the company is addressing the threat. The reports came from Google’s Threat Intelligence Group and two cybersecurity firms, iVerify and Lookout.

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What is DarkSword?

DarkSword is an exploit that lets hackers steal data from vulnerable iPhones running outdated versions of iOS.

DarkSword has concerned cybersecurity professionals because it doesn't require that the hacker's target download any malware or corrupted files. Hackers can simply download the DarkSword HTML and Javascript and upload it to a compromised website. If a user with an old version of iOS visits the compromised site, their device becomes vulnerable. The hacker can then steal data such as passcodes, emails, private messages, and more from the victim's iPhone.

As Lookout reported last week:

In a tangible example of how attacks are evolving, Lookout Threat Labs has discovered DarkSword, a full iOS exploit chain and payload for iPhones running iOS versions between iOS 18.4 and 18.6.2...DarkSword aims to extract an extensive set of personal information including credentials from the device and specifically targets a plethora of crypto wallet apps, hinting at a financially motivated threat actor. Notably, DarkSword appears to take a ‘hit-and-run’ approach by collecting and exfiltrating the targeted data from the device within seconds or at most minutes followed by cleanup.

Google cybersecurity researchers reported that the notorious hacker group UNC6353, which is suspected to have ties with the Russian government, previously deployed DarkSword on compromised Ukrainian government agency sites to target iPhone users within Ukraine.

iVerify told TechCrunch that the DarkSword exploit that's now in the wild is slightly different but "shared the same infrastructure." According to iVerify, no iOS experience is needed to run the exploit and it will work "out of the box."

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As TechCrunch also reported, another X user shared that they were able to hack their iPad mini 6th gen running iOS 18.6.2 with the DarkSword exploit that was just released in the wild.

Apple previously reported on its developer website that nearly 25 percent of all iPhones are still running iOS 18, meaning hundreds of millions of iOS devices are susceptible to this exploit. The current version of iOS is iOS 26.3.1.

How to protect your Apple devices from DarkSword

Google's Threat Intelligence Group urged iOS users to update their devices to the newest version of iOS, and if that's not possible, to activate the iPhone's Lockdown Mode.

Apple also said that it pushed out a critical security update on March 11 for older iOS devices that can't install the more up-to-date iOS in order to protect these devices from DarkSword. Users with devices running iOS 13 or iOS 14 need to update to iOS 15 to receive these critical protections.

Best noise-cancelling headphones deals ahead of the Big Spring Sale Best headphones deal Sony WH-1000XM6 $398 (save $61.99) Get Deal Best earbuds deal Sony WF-C710N $88 (save $41.99) Get Deal

If spring is the season of cleaning and rebirth, why can't that include your old, half-functioning noise-cancelling headphones barely hanging on to half their original battery life?

While Black Friday and Prime Day are generally great times of year to pick up a new pair of headphones, that doesn't mean you're left high and dry in the spring, especially thanks to Amazon's Big Spring Sale.

The sitewide sale starts for its third year running on March 25 and goes all the way through March 31. Prime and non-Prime members alike can enjoy savings, and while this sale is more focused on season-appropriate savings like outdoor gear, home essentials, and cleaning supplies, historically we've also seen great deals on tech like noise-cancelling headphones.

SEE ALSO: Amazon's Big Spring Sale kicks off on March 25 this year. Here's how we're prepping for it.

The Spring Sale isn't necessarily Black Friday-level, so some early deals are just as good as what you'll see live during the sale. With that in mind, we gathered 20 of the best noise-cancelling headphones and earbuds deal live ahead of the sale:

Note: any deals with a strike are no longer available at the time of writing.

Best noise-cancelling headphones on sale Sony WH-1000XM6 $398 at Amazon
$459.99 Save $61.99   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

Sony's flagship WH-1000XM6 headphones may not be the cheapest out there, even on sale for $61.99 off. Still, they're some of the best headphones out there, and certainly one of the best sounding ones, with a great equalizer for fine tuning your listening experience. Add with their solid battery life, excellent ANC, and folding ear cups for some travel portability, and you have some well-rounded headphones. If you're looking for a cheaper option, we recommend the Sony WH-CH720N.

Check out our full review of the Sony WH-1000XM6.

More early noise cancelling headphones deals

• JLab JBuds Lux ANC — $59.99 $79.99 (save $20)

• Soundcore Q30 — $59.99 $79.99 (save $20)

• Sony WH-CH720N — $98 $179.99 (save $81.99)

• Sennheiser Accentum — $99.95 $189.95 (save $90)

• JBL Live 770NC — $119.95 $199.95 (save $80)

• Beats Solo 4 — $129.95 $199.95 (save $70)

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

• Marshall Monitor III — $248.99 $379.99 (save $131)

• Sennheiser Momentum 4 — $249.95 $449.95 (save $200)

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

• Apple AirPods Max — $449.99 $549 (save $99.01)

Best noise-cancelling earbuds on sale Sony WF-C710N $88 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $41.99   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

While there are plenty of great noise-cancelling earbuds out there, not all of them can claim to offer a performance that beats that AirPods 4 while costing less than $100. With the Sony WF-C710N on sale for $88, that's exactly the case. While this isn't the absolute lowest price we've caught these earbuds at (that would be $69.99), you'll still save an impressive 32% on them. And, you'll get a pair of earbuds with solid ANC, a comfortable enough fit for at least a few hours of continuous wear, easy to use touch controls, classic well-rounded Sony sound, and 8.5 hours of battery life per charge.

Check out our full review of the Sony WH-C710N.

More early noise-cancelling earbuds deals

• CMF Buds 2a — $29 $39 (save $10)

• Nothing Ear (a) — $79 $109 (save $30)

• OnePlus Buds 4 — $79.99 $129.99 (save $50)

• Beats Studio Buds+ — $99.95 $169.95 (save $70)

• Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE — $128.21 $149.99 (save $21.78)

• Bose QuietComfort earbuds — $139 $179 (save $40)

• Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 — $169 $229 (save $60)

• Beats Powerbeats Fit — $189 $199.99 (save $10.99)

• Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 — $199.99 $249.95 (save $49.96)

• Apple AirPods Pro 3 — $199.99 $249 (save $49.01)

• Technics EAH-AZ100 — $247.99 $299.99 (save $52)

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

Apple Maps might get a fairly big change soon, and it's one that few people will be excited about.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported this week that Apple will put advertisements in the Maps app on iPhone this summer, with an initial announcement as early as this month. Rather than bombarding users with annoying pop-up ads, it sounds like it'll be more of a "sponsored search results" sort of thing, so you might see an ad for a specific restaurant or Uber Eats as part of a search query, even when that's not exactly what you were looking for.

This idea also came up in a report last year, but it sounds like it's actually happening soon. According to Gurman, the Apple Maps ads would operate similar to ads on Google Maps, with advertisers bidding on search terms like "coffee" or "thai food."

SEE ALSO: Apple WWDC 2026 is official, with iOS 27 and 'AI advancements' on the menu

Nobody likes it when a previously ad-free app gets ads, but in complete fairness to all involved, Google Maps has had sponsored search results for years, and that hasn't stopped it from becoming the go-to navigation app. Users will put up with fairly non-intrusive ads as long as the app does its job, which has sometimes been a problem for Apple Maps over the years.

Despite all of that, though, the reception to the idea on social media has been pretty cold. Frosty, in fact.

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Perhaps people are just tired of constantly being advertised to in every part of their lives.

One reason iOS users might be angry? Apple is already reporting record sales in 2026, with Tim Cook calling the demand for iPhones "simply staggering."

Best early Amazon Big Spring Sale portable power stations deals at a glance Best Bluetti deal Bluetti Elite 100 V2 $399 at Amazon (save $400) Get Deal Best Anker Solix deal Anker Soloix F3800 Portable Power Station, BP3800 Expansion Battery, and 400W Solar Panel $4,399 at Amazon (save $2,998) Get Deal Best Jackery deal Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 $429 (save $370) Get Deal

Amazon saw the sun setting later, smelled flowers blooming, and felt warmer temps and decided to celebrate. The Amazon Big Spring Sale is slated to kick off tomorrow, March 25, with big discounts. That's proving to be great news if you're in the market for a portable power station.

A portable power station has become a must-have tech item. It's like your favorite noise-cancelling earbuds — no idea how we survived without them. A portable power station will be a savior during power outages, keeping the refrigerator running, phones charged up, and the WiFi router giving off a connection. A portable power station is also well worth packing along on upcoming camping trips. Think of movie nights under the stars thanks to a powered-up portable projector and with fresh popcorn.

The one snag here is that batteries aren't cheap, and that's especially true of high-tech and long-lasting batteries found in portable power stations. Because of this, shopping for a power station during major sales like the Amazon Big Spring Sale is a wise move. Here are some of our favorite models that are already seeing steep discounts before the sale officially begins.

Best Bluetti deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bluetti Bluetti Elite 100 V2 $394.98 at Amazon
$799 Save $404.02   Get Deal Why we like it

If you're hoping to keep phones and small devices charged up during a power outage or while camping, the Bluetti Elite 100 V2 comes with 1,024Wh of battery power. Bluetti mentions this battery power will recharge a phone about 52 times or keep the WiFi router on for nearly 50 hours. Its compact size and weight of about 25 pounds makes it especially easy to pack along on the camping trip or carry around the house during a power outage.

The early Amazon Big Spring Sale price brings the Bluetti Elite 100 V2 down to $399, which is a 50% discount compared to its list price of $799.

More Bluetti deals

• Bluetti Elite 30 V2 — $219 $299 (save $80)

• Bluetti Elite 200 V2 — $799 $949 (save $150)

• Bluetti Elite 300 — $1,099 $1,699 (save $600)

• Bluetti Apex 300 — $1,444 $1,699 (save $255)

Best Anker Solix deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Solix Anker Soloix F3800 Portable Power Station, BP3800 Expansion Battery, and 400W Solar Panel $4,399 at Amazon
$7,397 Save $2,998   Get Deal

The massive Anker Solix F3800 is ideal for home backup should the power cut out. On its own, the Solix F3800 comes with 3,8400 Wh of battery capacity to keep your tech running without grid power, but Anker made this deal even better ahead of Amazon's Big Spring Sale. The Solix F3800 comes bundled with BP3800 Expansion Battery and a 400W solar panel. The extra battery brings the total capacity up to 7,680Wh while the addition of a solar panels puts you in line for recharging off-grid.

More Anker Solix deals

• Anker Solix C300 — $179.99 $249.99 (save $230)

• Anker Solix C1000 — $499.99 $799 (save $299.01)

• Anker Solix C2000 Gen 2 — $999 $1,499 (save $500)

• Anker Solix F2000 — $999.99 $1,999 (save $999.01)

• Anker Solix F3800 — $2,299 $2,599 (save $300)

Best Jackery deal Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 $429 at Amazon
$799 Save $370   Get Deal Why we like it

If you're looking for a portable power station to take along to the campground this summer, the Jackery Explorer 100 V2 is an ideal model. It's a mix of portability, durability, solid port options, and it's on sale for under $430. This Jackery model comes with 1,070Wh for recharging your phones while camping, keeping the speaker ready to go, and powering up the projector for movie nights. Plus, it weighs under 24 pounds, so you won't have to struggle lugging it around camp.

More Jackery deals

• Jackery SolarSaga 100W Bifacial Portable Solar Panel — $199 $299 (save $100)

• Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 — $749 $1,499 (save $750)

• Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus — $1,599 $2,799 (save $1,200)

More portable power stations on sale at Amazon

• EcoFlow River 2 Pro — $315 $529 (save $214)

• Segway Cube 2000 — $538.98 $899.99 (save $361.01)

• DJI Power 1000 — $349 $699 (save $350)

• DJI Power 1000 V2 — $364 $699 (save $335)

• DJI Power 2000 — $699 $1,299 (save $600)

• EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 — $2,299 $3,699 (save $1,400)

A quick look at the best Amazon Shark deals ahead of the Big Spring Sale Best stick vacuum deal Shark Clean & Empty $249.00 at Amazon (save $150) Get Deal Best hair tool deal Shark FlexStyle (6 attachments) $299.99 at Amazon (save $100) Get Deal Best spot cleaner deal Shark StainForce $149.99 at Amazon (save $50) Get Deal Best skincare deal Shark FacialPro Glow with DePuffi $349.00 at Amazon (save $100) Get Deal

There are few home categories that Shark doesn't have a stake in. Floor care has been its bread and butter for a while, of course. But skincare, hair care, and and air care, too? It's Dyson-level variety at this point. But when it comes to deals during major Amazon sale events, there are typically more good Shark deals than good Dyson deals. The early deals of Amazon's 2026 Big Spring Sale tell the same story.

SEE ALSO: The Shark vs. Roomba debate is stale in 2026, but at least Shark is trying to revive its robot vacuum line

We're tracking all of the best early deals on Shark vacuums, Shark beauty tools, Shark air purifiers, and more, live ahead of the sale's March 25 kickoff. A handful of our absolute favorite Shark products are already on sale, but we'll be updating this story as more deals on Shark devices trickle in throughout the week. (Fingers crossed for a legit CryoGlow red light mask deal.)

Best Shark vacuum deal Shark Clean & Empty BU3521 $249 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $150.99   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

It'll be hard for any spring vacuum deal to beat this Shark Clean & Empty model as the best affordable stick vacuum setup. It automatically empties itself and charges every time you hang it back up on the dock (which also acts as built-in storage). That means you're starting every cleaning session with an empty dustbin, and that means you'll have unmistakeable visible proof of the gunk that's been sucked up in the room at hand.

It's not Shark's most powerful self-emptying stick vacuum, but it is almost 40 percent cheaper than Shark's most powerful self-emptying stick vacuum when it's on sale. Weighing in at just under six pounds, this Clean & Empty model is lighter than most cordless vacuums out there — including 30 percent lighter than the popular Shark Vertex Pro, which doesn't come with an auto-empty dock.

SEE ALSO: Shark FacialPro Glow review: The pore de-clogging is legit, but it may not be right for every skin type What about Shark robot vacuum deals?

The Shark robot vacuums on sale so far are decent if you really want a Shark, but I hesitate to hit full send on recommending one unless it's the PowerDetect UV Reveal 2-in-1: The best Shark robot vacuum right now. The $1,299.99 robot vacuum and mop combo with blacklight stain detect hasn't even been out for a month, and the chances of it seeing a discount this soon are iffy. If you have $300 or $600 to spend on a robot vacuum this spring, there are more value-packed robot vacuum deals from other brands live at Amazon.

More early Shark Big Spring Sale deals

Robot vacuums

• Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 with Self-Empty Base — $299.99 $699.99 (save $400)

• Shark Stratos 2-in-1 with NeverTouch Base — $549.99 $999.99 (save $450)

Cordless vacuums

• Shark Pet Cordless IX141 — $149.99 $299.99 (save $150)

• Shark PowerDetect Pet Plus with Auto-Empty System — $399.99 $599.99 (save $200)

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

• Shark Vertex Pro IZ662H — $269.99 $449.99 (save $180)

Corded vacuums

• Shark Stratos — $299.99 $529.99 (save $230)

• Shark Detect Pro Speed Lift-Away — $299.98 $399.99 (save $100.01)

Hair tools

• Shark Glossi — $129.99 $179.99 (save $50)

• Shark SpeedStyle — $159 $229 (save $70)

• Shark SpeedStyle Pro Flex (4 attachments) — $189 $229 (save $60.99)

• Shark FlexStyle (3 attachments) — $199.99 $299.99 (save $100)

Skincare devices

• Shark FacialPro Glow with DePuffi — $299 $399 (save $100)

Upright and portable carpet and upholstery cleaners

• Shark StainForce Cordless Stain System — $149.99 $199.99 (save $50)

• Shark StainStriker + Chemical Tool — $109.99 $149.99 (save $40)

• Shark StainStriker HairPro — $129.99 $159.99 (save $30)

• Shark CarpetXPert HairPro — $299.99 $379.99 (save $80)

Air purifiers

• Shark NeverChange (250 sq. ft.) — $139.99 $179.99 (save $40)

• Shark NeverChange (650 sq. ft.) — $199.99 $249.99 (save $50 plus get $10 Amazon credit)

• Shark NeverChange (1,400 sq. ft.) — $319.99 $399.99 (save $80 plus get $16 Amazon credit)