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Roku vs. Fire TV: Setup and design Yes, these are different. We promise. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

With nearly identical designs, the setup processes for the Roku and Fire TV sticks should be similar, right?

The Roku was a breeze. I plugged the stick into an HDMI port in the back of my TV to get started. It powers up through a USB charger, and since I have a USB plug on the back of my TV, I just powered it up through that. This was so clutch as it kept all the cords tidy. I just needed to start up the remote and log in, and I was ready to go.

SEE ALSO: The best time to buy a TV: A guide to the times of year that you'll find the best TV deals

Because I am impatient and occasionally bad at following instructions, I fumbled a step on the setup, but it ultimately proved to be foolproof and had no issue. The setup screen asks you questions about which pre-download apps are for you, so I just had to log in to start streaming. I was watching the latest Love Island within 15 minutes of opening the box.

The Fire TV Stick? That's a whole different story. The stick of the Fire TV Stick is thicker than the Roku's, so much so that I couldn't plug it directly into my TV because it crowded the other HDMI cables I had plugged in. Luckily, Amazon includes an HDMI adaptor for this issue. However, it means the Fire Stick ended up peaking out of the side of the TV, which is not ideal if you're trying to create the ultimate home entertainment center.

That little black tail peeking out on the right? Bane of my existence. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

To power up the Fire TV, I also used the USB plug because I didn't want to string the power cord along the back. Unfortunately, when the Fire TV Stick turned on, it informed me that the USB port wasn't a big enough power source, confounding considering it had no problem powering up the Roku.

Once I begrudgingly connected it to my power strip, it turned on, and the second conundrum came with the Fire TV Stick. 

Amazon offers the option of setting up its streaming device with the Fire TV app or the included remote. I chose the app since I hate typing with the remote and on-screen keyboards. But even after following the instructions, the app couldn't find the device over the network, so I had to set it up manually.

SEE ALSO: The best TV deals to shop during Prime Day 2024

There is more to the saga. Once I connected my Fire Stick to my network, it powered on and went through one update, which was annoying but acceptable. Until it went through another update… and then another. I sat through 20 minutes of three different updates on the Fire TV Stick. In that amount of time, I was already streaming on my Roku.

It then took me through several screens offering free trials of apps I had no need for before I finally got to the home screen and started manually adding apps.

My partner, who left the room when I started the setup, came in right as I finished and remarked, "You're just now finishing?" My thought exactly.

Winner: Roku

Roku vs. Fire TV: Ease of use Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

I don't love the home pages of either the Amazon Fire TV Stick or the Roku. Both are filled with ads, but one is more flagrant than the other.

Both devices come with lots of pre-downloaded apps I didn't need. Looking at it, I felt my body tense up with the deep desire to organize both pages rather than leave them in chaos.

Organizing the Roku home page was straightforward but tedious. I needed to arrange and delete apps individually, one at a time. The default clicking noises on the Roku was rather grating on the ears, but luckily, I discovered you can change the themes and settings of the home page, which also changes the sounds. Roku's ads stay contained to one side while the apps are neatly organized in the center.

Generally, I like the Roku home page better than Amazon because I would politely describe the Amazon home page as a mess. Unsurprisingly, it prioritizes Amazon Prime programming and ads, so the home page is littered with just that. There's no convenient way to access and view all your apps directly on the home screen. Instead, your app library has to be clicked into, and even then, it needs to be more organized. However, if you watch Prime Video frequently, you'll love the Fire TV Stick as it keeps your most recently watched Prime shows bookmarked at the top, clearly a ploy to keep you watching Prime Video over any other streaming service.

Just one of the many ads slowing down the Fire TV Stick. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The Fire TV Stick is also so, so slow. Sometimes it's painful! Moving between apps and clicking through options on the home screen is very buggy, with delays between clicks, which is beyond frustrating. If the system wasn't so bogged down by its own ads, it could probably go faster. Plus, after the first time I set up the Fire Stick, every time I powered it on, it required an update. Just a total slog when you want to get to the next episode of Bridgerton ASAP.

Both remotes easily connect to my complete TV system, controlling the volume. They have all the similar controls, including an arrow pad, play/pause, rewind/fast forward, volume, back, and home available as buttons. Each remote also has four buttons to take you directly to apps. 

The Amazon Fire TV Stick includes Netflix, Prime Video, DirectTV, and Peacock, while the Roku remote includes Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and Apple TV+. I never found myself using the buttons, but if you do, you can choose the one that prioritizes your preferred streamers.

The Fire TV Stick's advantage over Roku is its voice controls. Both Roku and Amazon Fire TV Stick have voice control buttons, where you can speak into the remote and ask it to search for shows, open apps, or even just hit pause. Fire TV Stick's voice controls work slightly faster and smoother than Roku's. Otherwise, Roku's system is consistently more rapid, organized, and easier to use.

Winner: Roku

Roku vs. Fire TV: Streaming quality For all its faults, the Fire TV Stick delivered a beautiful view of the Love Island villa. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Many usability features can be overlooked if it streams well, and because of that, the Fire Stick almost caught up here.

I don't think my TV buffered once during my entire time using Roku. Even the first time I loaded Paramount+ (a notoriously buggy app, in my opinion), the Survivor episode took a few seconds to load. Still, when the episode started, it was crystal clear. All Roku apps are created equally because no matter what streaming service I was logged into, the picture quality was fantastic with no buffering.

The Fire TV Stick was overall less impressive than the Roku; however, when it came time to stream, it didn't bother me nearly as much as it did in other areas. I gave it the same test, loading up an episode to stream, and at first, it fumbled. Some brief buffering quickly dissipated, and then the picture cleared.

After that initial buffering incident, the Fire TV Stick streamed clearly. The main difference I noted was how each system navigated. The Roku, as expected, moved quickly, while the Fire TV Stick experienced constant lag when trying to pick a show to watch.

Winner: Roku

TL;DR: Live stream Saracens vs. Harlequins for free on ITVX. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

With the 2025 Six Nations done and dusted, it's time for the rugby world to turn its attention back onto the domestic game. Saracens and Harlequins are right next to each other in the middle of the Gallagher Premiership pack, and they face each other this weekend at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

If you're interested in watching Saracens vs. Harlequins for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Saracens vs. Harlequins?

Saracens vs. Harlequins starts at 3:05 p.m. GMT on March 22. This fixture takes place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

How to watch Saracens vs. Harlequins for free

Saracens vs. Harlequins is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can bypass geo-restrictions to access ITVX from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

4. Visit ITVX

5. Live stream Saracens vs. Harlequins for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but top VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By making the most of these deals, you can access free live streams of the NFL without actually spending anything. This is obviously a quick fix, but it gives you enough time to watch Saracens vs. Harlequins before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL live, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95, saving you 49% on list price. This deal includes an extra three months of coverage, a whole year of unlimited cloud backup, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Saracens vs. Harlequins for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Have a scanner on hand at all times with SwiftScan VIP, the app that turns your smartphone into a scanner. Use the code TAKE30 through 30 March and pay just £32.46 (reg. £154.62).

Opens in a new window Credit: SwiftScan SwiftScan VIP: Lifetime Subscription £32.46 at the Mashable Shop
£154.62 Save £122.16 Use code 'TAKE30' Get Deal

It's surprising how often we need to keep track of a receipt, make a copy, or digitise an important document. Though they're getting harder to track down these days, scanners can really come in handy.

Since most of us don't even have a printer that is easily accessible, SwiftScan is there to fill the massive multitasking-printer-sized void in our lives. And right now you can enjoy a lifetime license for just £32.46 (reg. £154.62) when you use the code TAKE30 at the Mashable Shop through 30 March. 

Arm your smartphone with a scanner

SwiftScan turns your smartphone or tablet into a scanner, letting you create high-quality scans in seconds via a user-friendly app. It detects the edges of the page for precise scanning and makes scanning multiple pages and turning them into a single document a breeze. 

The app actually improves upon our old-school scanners. It enhances the scan quality with colour filters, auto-optimisation, and blur reduction, making it a great option for professionals who need to scan items for work. 

Once you're done scanning, turn a page into a PDF or JPG. Then, choose between sending it as a fax or email attachment or uploading it to iCloud, Google Drive, Dropbox, or another trusted cloud service with seamless integration. Scanned items are also saved and organised by SwiftScan for easy retrieval.

Scanning something you need to work with? SwiftScan also lets you edit PDF files, so you can annotate, redact, or sign after scanning. Your clunky old scanner definitely couldn't do that. 

Take a digital copy of anything with this handy lifetime subscription to SwiftScanVIP, now only £32.46 (reg. £154.62) with code TAKE30 through 30 March. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Save 86% on the award-winning AI photo editor Luminar Neo, which comes with a video training course and six packs of preset photo filters.

Opens in a new window Credit: Skylum The Award-Winning Luminar Neo Lifetime Bundle £69.58 at the Mashable Shop
£527.28 Save £457.70 Get Deal

You've heard of Photoshop, but what is Luminar Neo?

Luminar Neo is an easy-to-use and award-winning AI photo editor that allows everyone to edit their photos with beginner and advanced tools. Instead of spending years mastering Photoshop, spend minutes learning to use this AI photo editing tool.

Now, Mashable readers can get a lifetime pass to this AI Photoshop alternative for just £69.58 (reg. £527.28).

What can Luminar Neo do?

Start with the bare-bone essentials like layers, masking, and local adjustments, then explore the more advanced AI-powered editing tools:

• Enhance and retouch skin

• Replace skies

• Upscale image quality

• So, so much more

What’s included with this purchase?

There are three components. First, the Luminar Neo photo editor, which is available for Windows, Mac, or as a plugin for Photoshop or Lightroom.

Second, a video training course on photo-editing techniques. You’ll learn how to modify your approach depending on which shots you’re working with, like cityscapes, forests, or portraits, while using Luminar Neo.

Third, six packs of preset photo filters to use with the editor. With just one click, you can instantly transform your photos instead of manually editing them. Try out Frosty Winter or Wintertime this time of year or something like Tender Blushing Skies or Tranquil Dawn Skies this spring. 

Is Luminar Neo good for professionals?

For photographers who don’t want to spend time learning the intricacies of Photoshop, yes. You’ll have advanced tools and the assistance of AI to fill in any knowledge gaps. Plus, this photo editor doesn’t require any subscription fees. With a one-time purchase, you get lifetime access to Luminar Neo.

How much is Luminar Neo’s lifetime subscription?

For everything included in this lifetime bundle — the editing software, video training, and preset filters — you only have to pay £69.58 (reg. £527.28). That's an 86% discount for Mashable readers.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Connections: Sports Edition is a new 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.

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.

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: Used in cold weather

• Green: Turn the score around in a game

• Blue: Baseball actions

• Purple: All have the same job in a major soccer league

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Equipment for snow activities

• Green: Bounce back

• Blue: Baseball verbs in past tense

• Purple: Names of Premier League managers

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 #180 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Equipment for snow activities - SKI, SLED, SNOWBOARD, TUBE

• Bounce back - COMEBACK, RALLY, REBOUND, RECOVERY

• Baseball verbs in past tense - CAUGHT, DOVE, SLID, THREW

• Names of Premier League managers - ANGE, ENZO, NUNO, PEP

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.

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're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands 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 22 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 22 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: A good roast

The words are not related to cooking or food.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are sounds you might make at a roast.

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 CrackingUp.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for March 22

• Giggle

• Cackle

• Shriek

• Chuckle

• Laugh

• Howl

• CrackingUp

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.

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

Opposite of aunt.

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

UNCLE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A parasite.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 22, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

LEECH

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A candelight memorial.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for March 22 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 22, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

VIGIL

Hurdle Word 4 hint

To be alarmed.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for March 22 Hurdle Word 4 answer

PANIC

Final Hurdle hint

The opposite of fell asleep.

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

AWOKE

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

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's The Mini crossword answers for March 22 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: Tools to make music

• Green: A novelty

• Blue: Their beginnings are a number

• Purple: They share abbreviations

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Musical instruments

• Green: Knickknack

• Blue: Words with the prefix meaning "three"

• Purple: Words abbreviated with "T" + letter

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

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

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #648 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Musical instruments: TAMBOURINE, THEREMIN, TIMPANI, TROMBONE

• Knickknack: TCHOTCHKE, THINGAMAJIG, TRIFLE, TRINKET

• Words with the prefix meaning "three": TRIANGLE, TRIDENT, TRILLION, TRILOBITE

• Words abbreviated with "T" + letter: TELEVISION, TOUCHDOWN, TRADEMARK, TUBERCULOSIS

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 22

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.

A new TikTok trend has sparked discussions about body image and the often racist and classist biases embedded in beauty standards. The trend involves a viral filter that alters users’ appearances to make them look either larger or thinner. Many of the videos feature thinner people reacting with laughter when the filter makes them appear bigger, while others show larger people using the slimming effect as "motivation." These videos are often set to Doechii’s song "Anxiety."

It's yet another example of AI-driven tools being used in ways that can reinforce harmful beauty ideals — and it just kind of sucks.

SEE ALSO: TikTok is criticizing young girls who shop at Sephora. They're missing the point.

Following widespread criticism for promoting body shaming, the filter was removed from the platform. It originally appeared in CapCut, a video-editing app owned by TikTok. While TikTok told CNET that it had removed the template from CapCut, similar versions of the filter are still accessible. The company also told the BBC that it was reviewing videos featuring the effect, making them ineligible for recommendation, and blocking them from teen accounts.

If you search for "chubby filter," you won’t get any results, but users have found ways around this by searching for terms like "chunky filter." According to CNET, the filter now includes a disclaimer that reads: "You are more than your weight. If you or someone you know has questions about body image, food, or exercise — it is important to know that help is out there and you are not alone. If you feel comfortable, you can confide in someone you trust or check out the resources below. Please remember to take care of yourselves and each other." However, Mashable did not see this disclaimer.

SEE ALSO: Slugging, gua sha, rice water, and more: How stolen cultural beauty practices feed viral videos

Writer Rebecca Shaw summed up the issue in a post on X, commenting, "There’s an amaaazing new trend on TikTok where skinny girls use a filter to become 'chubby' and laugh at the results and everyone else laughs and it’s sooooooo funny and we definitely aren’t spiraling back down to pro-ana, death-to-fats era that damages every young woman."

As The Cut notes, this kind of fat shaming is nothing new — but that doesn’t make it any less harmful.

Firefly Aerospace’s successful moon lander has yielded a trove of data that scientists will pore over for years.

London's Heathrow Airport — one of the busiest destinations in the world — was completely shut down on Friday. There were zero flights in or out, which is almost unimaginable.

A fire broke out at a nearby electrical substation, which led to power issues at Heathrow and a complete closure of the airport. Some 1,300 flights were affected, NBC News reported.

Flightradar24, a site devoted to live-tracking flights, posted a graphic showing the stunning difference in flight volume from one day to the next. It's shocking to see no flights to Heathrow whatsoever.

👀 Flights in and out of London-Heathrow last week and today at 13:00 UTC.

[image or embed]

— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24.com) March 21, 2025 at 9:23 AM

The downstream effects of Heathrow's closure are likely to felt for some time. Its total closure is a massive wrench thrown into the global transportation system.

Today’s total closure of London-Heathrow will affect at least 1,351 flights to/from LHR. That doesn’t include any flights that might be canceled or delayed due to aircraft being out of position.

[image or embed]

— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24.com) March 21, 2025 at 12:02 AM

Airport officials said its back-up power source worked as intended but it wasn't able to power the entire airport. It's unclear when things would get back to normal at Heathrow — but it may not be anytime soon.

“We expect significant disruption over the coming days, and passengers should not travel to the airport under any circumstances until the airport reopens,” the airport noted, according to the Associated Press. Heathrow's X account posted at about 4:15 p.m. local time that it hoped to "run a full operation tomorrow."

Hopefully that means far more flights on the graphic tomorrow.

SAVE $40: As of March 21, get the GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier for $49.99, down from its usual price of $99.99, at Amazon using the on-page $20 off coupon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier $49.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal

If you keep a tidy house but don't have an air purifier somewhere, you're missing out on breathing ultra clean air. It can be a game-changer when it comes to allergy season or unexpected events such as wildfires. If you've been waiting for a great option that can do all that for you without breaking the bank, it's here at Amazon, and you can even save a bit more thanks to an on-page coupon.

As of March 21, get the GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier for $49.99, down from its usual price of $99.99, thanks to a 30% discount and an on-page coupon you can clip for an additional $20 off. Your discount will be added automatically.

SEE ALSO: Refresh your home with these early home deals ahead of Amazon's Big Spring Sale

This air purifier can clean up to 232 square feet of space in your home, and it activates five times an hour, so it can handle additional space as well, serving up cleaner air every 30 minutes. You can turn on its intelligent auto mode to adjust its air speed based on the condition of the air around it as well, so if you have air with more particles that need cleaning, it'll detect them and start to clean more or less based on the environment.

You can control the purifier's settings via app or voice, and it can also connect to any smart assistants in your home as well. And if you're ready to get some shut-eye, you can set it to sleep mode to keep from waking you up when it powers on. It's all about setting and forgetting, and at this price, it's a no-brainer.

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA), a national video game industry trade association, unveiled a new Accessible Games Initiative this week, intended to standardize information for players with disabilities and backed by major names in the world of gaming, including Electronic Arts (EA), Nintendo, and Ubisoft.

Announced at this year's Game Developers Conference, the accessibility initiative includes 24 new tags and associated criteria that elucidates in-game features or controls, helping players better understand if they'll be able to play a game before they buy. Examples include "clear text," "large and clear subtitles," and "narrated menus," which enable access for people who are blind or have low vision. Tags like "playable with buttons only," "playable without touch controls," and "stick inversion" are necessary for players with various motor skills.

According to the ESA, standardized tags will make it easier for players with disabilities to find and assess games with built-in accessibility features or assistive device compatibility, and even provide useful information for parents and teachers seeking out games for young children. Currently, game companies use their own in-house accessibility tags in marketplaces, when and if they are available.

SEE ALSO: DOGE and Musk's USAID shutdown probably violated the U.S. Constitution

“Tens of millions of Americans have a disability and often face barriers to experiencing the joy and connection that comes with playing video games,” said ESA president and CEO Stanley Pierre-Louis in a press release. “This initiative demonstrates how impactful we can be when we work together in our industry-wide pursuit of helping more people experience the power of play.”

Industry giants Google, Microsoft, and Sony Interactive Entertainment, as well as recent sign-ons Amazon Games, Riot Games, Square Enix, and Warner Bros. Games have agreed to update their offerings with the new tagging system, as well.

Game accessibility has garnered more focused, industry-wide attention in recent years. In December, EA announced it would be expanding its Patent Pledge program, a commitment to providing royalty-free IP and accessible technology patents to developers without fear of infringement claims. "By making this technology available to others royalty-free, we want to encourage the industry to work together to make video games more inclusive by removing unintended barriers to access," wrote EA senior vice president Kerry Hopkins at the time.

Industry buy-in, however, is voluntary, and companies that have signed on to the Accessible Games Initiative, as well as the digital storefronts that carry their games, will release accessibility tags on their own timelines. Once tags are added, however, players will be able to spot them by an Accessible Games Initiative logo on the product listing — they are only available in English, for now.

SAVE $60: As of March 21, you can get the Google Pixel Watch 3 at Amazon for $339.99, down from $399.99. That's a 15% discount and a $60 price cut.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel Watch 3 (45mm) $339.99 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $60 Get Deal

Tracking your steps with a smartphone isn’t always convenient or accurate. If you want to get serious about your health and fitness, investing in a high-quality smartwatch might be a good idea.

And right now, you can get the Google Pixel Watch 3 (45mm) for $339.99, down from $399.99, at Amazon. That’s a $60 discount and just $10 more than the lowest price we've seen for this particular model.

SEE ALSO: I tried on the new large Pixel Watch 3 and it's stunning — just beware of this one thing

The Google Pixel Watch 3 provides advanced fitness tracking via Fitbit, with heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and custom workouts to help you reach your goals. With 24 hours of battery life and a 40% larger screen than previous models, you can easily keep track of your stats all day long.

"Each morning, Morning Brief delivers a summary based on your health and workout metrics," Mashable's East Coast Tech Editor Kimberly Gedeon writes in her review. "For example, you'll get a daily digest of how you slept, your readiness score (how prepared your body is for physical exercise), weekly exercise progress, heart-rate variability, breathing rate, and blood-oxygen level."

You can also take calls, send messages, and access your favorite apps right from your wrist. If you have a Nest Cam or Nest Doorbell, you can even check your feeds on the Pixel Watch's display.

SAVE UP TO 20%: As of March 21, Ruggable is hosting a sitewide spring sale that can net you up to 20% off their most popular styles. Just use code BLOOM at checkout to redeem the offer.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ruggable Ruggable Spring Sale — save up to 20% Get Deal

Spring has finally sprung, and what better way to celebrate than to brighten up your living room with a brand-new rug? One that won't hang onto stains for dear life, is plush and bouncy, and most importantly, at least 15% off the original price.

If that sounds good to you, you'll want to check out the Spring Sale that popular rug brand, Ruggable, just launched. The sale gets you at least 15% off sitewide, and up to 20% off if you buy more than one. That's a decent deal, so might as well double up. Just use code BLOOM at checkout, and the discount is yours.

SEE ALSO: Need a robot vacuum that actually works on carpet? These 3 performed the best in my home.

What makes Ruggable special? It's mainly the fact that their rugs are completely machine-washable, meaning you won't have to get down on your hands and knees to start scrubbing when you come across a stain that's more set-in than usual. On top of that, they're also water- and stain-resistant, and totally interchangeable with their other rug covers as long as you're using a Ruggable pad. So, you can pick up a few styles and switch them up as you see fit — whatever makes the room feel right. Each rug comes in either a flatwoven or tufted style, so it's up to you if you'd rather a plush feel, or something that's more flush with the ground (which is better for areas with higher foot traffic). Don't miss out on Ruggable's Spring Sale — use code BLOOM at checkout and score up to 20% off your purchase.

SAVE $107: As of March 21, get the Asus Expertbook CX54 Chromebook (Intel Core Ultra 5, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) for $592.99, down from its usual price of $699.99. That's 15% off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Asus Asus Expertbook CX54 Chromebook (Intel Core Ultra 5, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) $592.99 at Best Buy
$699.99 Save $107 Get Deal

Chromebooks are an excellent option if you need a laptop that's zippy enough to handle multiple demands on the go. A phone or tablet can get you through a few tasks, but a Chromebook can handle just about anything. They aren't all built the same though, of course, so if you have an extensive workload, you need something that can help you tackle more. That's what you get with this particular model that's on sale at Best Buy.

As of March 21, get the Asus Expertbook CX54 Chromebook (Intel Core Ultra 5, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) for $592.99, down from its usual price of $699.99. That's $107 off its usual price, or a discount of 15%.

SEE ALSO: The best laptop deals ahead of the Amazon Big Spring Sale — it's all about MacBooks so far

This Chromebook is a more business-oriented option that packs an Intel Core Ultra 5 chip with Intel graphics, 8GB of RAM, a 14-inch screen, and 128GB SSD to handle all your files. Its crisp screen packs a 2560 x 1600 resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, so no matter whether you're creating a PowerPoint presentation or working on word documents, you'll be looking at a lush screen.

If you're interested in leveraging the power of AI with Google Gemini, this laptop is capable of doing that as well, with an additional free 12 months of Google One AI Premium with your purchase at Best Buy as well. And at just 2.87 pounds and 0.67 inches thick, it's portable enough that you can slip it into a bag and go without having to worry about being weighed down.

It's a great laptop for a discounted rate, so grab yours before it goes out of stock.

Check out the best Amazon deals of the day as of March 21: OUR TOP PICK Garmin vívoactive 5 $209 (save $90.99) Get Deal BEST SPEAKER DEAL Beats Pill $99.95 (save $50) Get Deal BEST HOME DEAL Shark IZ163H Pet Plus Cordless Vacuum $199.99 (save $100) Get Deal RUNNER-UP SMARTWATCH DEAL Google Pixel Watch 3 $339.99 (save $60) Get Deal BEST EARBUDS DEAL Anker Sondcore P20i earbuds $19.99 (save $20 with on-page coupon) Get Deal

The Amazon Big Spring Sale officially kicks off next week (running from March 25 through 31), which means there are already plenty of deals floating around. If you're looking to do a little retail therapy heading into the weekend, we've rounded up a few of the best deals we could find that are already live at Amazon as of March 21.

Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day. If none of these are appealing to you, be sure to check out our picks from March 19 and 20. Many of those deals are still live, including a record low price on the Google Pixel 9 Pro and DJI Osmo Action 4.

Our top pick: Garmin vívoactive 5 Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin vívoactive 5 $209 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $90.99 Get Deal

There's no denying that Garmin makes some of the best smartwatches on the market. While we haven't personally tested the latest vívoactive 5, we spent some time with its predecessor and were huge fans. "The vívoactive 4 is an excellent smartwatch for active people wanting to be more in tune with their bodies, and for less active individuals who have the desire but need a little nudging to stick to their goals," our reviewer writes. The newer iteration upgrades the AMOLED display, improves the heart rate sensor, enhances sleep and stress coaching, and adds even more sports apps. While it's regularly $299.99, it's on sale for just $209 in the ivory shade as of March 21. That's 30% in savings. Want another color? The black, navy, and orchid options are also on sale for $219.99.

Beats Pill Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Pill $99.95 at Amazon
$149.95 Save $50.00 Get Deal

Beats upgraded its Bluetooth speaker last year, addressing many of its predecessor's downfalls. The new Beats Pill boasts angled drivers, hefty bass, a capable speakerphone, waterproof design, and a lengthy 24-hour battery life. As per our sister site PCMag (also owned by Ziff Davis): "The durable, feature-rich, and stylish Beats Pill speaker delivers impressive bass for its size and costs much less than the original." It's usually $149.95, but you can snag it in black, champagne, or red for only $99.95 as of March 21. That's 33% in savings.

Shark IZ163H Pet Plus Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark IZ163H Pet Plus cordless vacuum $199.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $100 Get Deal

The Shark IZ163H Pet Plus is designed to help you keep pet hair at bay, and it's on sale for only $199.99 at Amazon as of March 21. That's 33% in savings and matches its best price ever. It features a self-cleaning brushroll, HEPA filter and anti-allergen complete seal, 40-minute battery life, and a multi-flex wand to help you deep clean pet hair from any angle. Plus, its cordless design lets you convert it into a hand vac to tackle any hard-to-reach spots.

Google Pixel Watch 3 Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel Watch 3 $339.99 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $60 Get Deal

Released at the 2024 Made by Google event, the Google Pixel Watch 3 added some potentially life-saving features. Some of those include loss of pulse detection and the ability to call 911. It also improved heart rate tracking accuracy, added more advanced running features, and upgraded the design with smaller bezels (more screen real estate) and a brighter display. As of March 21, you can get the 45mm option with WiFi for just $339.99 instead of $399.99. That's 15% in savings.

Anker Soundcore P20i Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Soundcore P20i earbuds $19.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $20.00 with on-page coupon Get Deal

Need to replace your lost or broken earbuds, but don't want to spend a fortune? Our favorite budget earbuds, the Soundcore P20is, are down to just $19.99 at Amazon as of March 21 (with an on-page coupon). That's half of their usual cost. We're shocked at how impressive these buds are for the price. Thanks to equalizer presets on the companion app, they can produce the kind of well-rounded sound you'd expect from earbuds three times the price. Not to mention, their battery life outshines the AirPods at 10 hours per charge. You can even set up to three touch controls on each earbud and locate them using a "find device" feature.

None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.

SAVE $300: As of March 21, get the Eufy Omni C20 robot vacuum and mop for $399.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $699.99. That's a discount of 43%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Eufy Omni C20 robot vacuum and mop $399.99 at Amazon
$699.99 Save $300 Get Deal

Tired of spending time vacuuming and mopping up all the dirty areas in your home? You and everyone else. Why not delegate all that work out to robotos so you can sit back and relax on the couch? You can do that at a discount with a great robot vacuum and mop that can handle all those tasks for you while saving money thanks to this Amazon deal.

As of March 21, get the Eufy Omni C20 robot vacuum and mop for $399.99, down from its usual price of $699.99. That's $300 off and a discount of 43%.

This all-in-one cleaning station can tackle both vacuuming and mopping. It can power through dirt and caked-in grime in your carpet and hardwood floors as well as mop your floors to get rid of all of those pesky messes elsewhere. It can even dry the floor that it's mopped, with 180 rotations per minute and dual sweeping and mopping modules for simultaneous cleaning that can improve its approach, meaning you don't have to work as hard.

There's also a roller brush that rotates forward and in reverse to detangle and loosen tangled hair so that you can get through those rough spots in your carpet, be it human or pet hair, and get your carpet much cleaner than a simple run-through with a regular vacuum. Plus, set up cleaning paths, scheduling, and other options via the included app.

So if you're tired of doing all the cleaning work, it's time to leave some of it for the machines, while saving some serious cash at the same time.

A federal lawsuit was filed on Wednesday accusing Apple of false advertising with regards to its suite of Apple Intelligence features.

The lawsuit is seeking class-action status with financial damages for users who may have purchased newer Apple devices hoping to use Apple Intelligence features that aren't actually out yet, Axios reports.

SEE ALSO: The 33 best Apple TV+ shows, ranked

The substance of the lawsuit is that Apple has advertised certain Apple Intelligence features that either weren't available at the time of advertisement, or still aren't available now.

One notable example is the newer, more intelligent version of Siri, which was heavily advertised on TV last year with a commercial starring Bella Ramsey of The Last of Us fame. Those Siri features, which include more personalized interactions, are still not available.

Apple has since pulled that particular ad, but whoever filed this lawsuit must believe the damage is already done. This could go nowhere, or could it eventually result in you getting a check in the mail for $7. Only time will tell.

SAVE $20: As of March 21, you can get a Keurig K-Express single-serve coffee maker for $69.99 at Amazon. That's a 22% discount and a $20 price cut.

Opens in a new window Credit: Keurig Keurig K-Express single serve coffee maker $69.99 at Amazon
$89.99 Save $20 Get Deal

If coffee’s the first thing on your mind in the morning, having a single-serve coffee maker could be a smart investment. Traditional coffee pots are nice (especially when that oh-so-good coffee smell is wafting around the kitchen), but if you’re in a hurry and need a quick cup, a single-serve machine can be a lifesaver.

And right now, you can get the Keurig K-Express single serve coffee maker for just $69.99 at Amazon. That’s a 22% discount and $20 off the list price.

SEE ALSO: The best coffee machines for modern kitchens

The Keurig K-Express can brew 8-, 10-, or 12-ounce cup sizes in under a minute. There’s also room to fit a travel mug under the spout, so you can fill up and head out. Plus, the 42-ounce removable water reservoir means you can brew about four cups before needing a refill.

For those who prefer a bolder taste, there’s a “strong brew” button, and it takes K-Cup pods, so you have a wide variety of roasts and flavors to choose from. If you’re not into K-Cups (for whatever reason), Keurig also sells a reusable filter cup that lets you use your own ground coffee.