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The best MacBook deals in the Amazon Big Spring Sale: The new M4 Airs are already $50 off

Mashable - Tue, 03/25/2025 - 05:11

Amazon doesn't offer a ton of great discounts on a huge selection of laptops year-round, but shoppers can always count on it for MacBook deals. It's never difficult to find a current or recent-gen configuration on sale there at any given time, at prices that often give Best Buy a run for its money. (That's usually where you'll see the best laptop deals across all categories — Windows, Chromebooks, gaming laptops, etc.)

Amazon's MacBook deals get especially good during its major sitewide sales (think Prime Day), and with its second-ever Big Spring Sale officially confirmed for March 25 to 31, we're expecting it to produce some of the season's best prices.

SEE ALSO: Amazon announces Big Spring Sale dates and deals: Everything you need to know

The retail giant is already pulling out some stops well before the sale gets underway. At the time of writing, the base models of the brand-new 13- and 15-inch MacBook Airs were already $50 off. (They launched less than a week ago on March 12.) Those are great deals, though you may be inclined to wait a little longer in case their discounts get even bigger: The M3 model was $95 off during Amazon's first Big Spring Sale in 2024, and it came out just two weeks prior.

Mashable's Shopping team will continue to keep track of the best MacBook deals on Amazon ahead of (and during) its Big Spring Sale, and you can check out our top picks below. Note: Deals with a 🔥 next to them have dropped to record-low prices.

Best MacBook Air dealsBest MacBook Pro deals

Apple AirPods are discounted in Amazons 2025 Big Spring Sale

Mashable - Tue, 03/25/2025 - 05:11
Best Amazon Big Spring Sale deals on AirPods: Best AirPods Pro deal Apple AirPods Pro 2 $199 (save $50) Get Deal Best AirPods Max deal Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) $479.99 (save $69.01) Get Deal Best Apple AirPods 4 deal Apple AirPods 4 $117 (save $12) Get Deal Best Apple AirPods 4 with ANC deal Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation $148.99 (save $30.01) Get Deal Best Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) deal Apple AirPods (3rd Generation) $137.99 (save $31.01) Get Deal

Amazon's kicking off the season in style with its Big Spring Sale, offering excellent discounts for shoppers to check out from March 25-31. If you've been waiting for Apple products to drop to low prices after the holiday season, this is your chance to scoop them up for less. AirPods, in particular, have seen some great discounts ahead of the Big Spring Sale and we've included all of the best deals here. You can find deals on everything from the AirPods Max headphones to the latest AirPods 4.

SEE ALSO: The 9 best noise-cancelling headphones we use and love

We're tracking all the best AirPods deals ahead of Amazon's Big Spring Sale below. Bookmark this page and keep checking back — we'll be adding new deals as they drop.

Best AirPods Pro deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 2 $199 at Amazon
$249 Save $50 Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review of the Apple AirPods Pro 2.

Apple's AirPods Pro 2 have plenty to offer, including Active Noise Cancelation, hearing protection options, personalized spatial audio, and so much more. If you've had them on your shopping list, they've dropped down to $199 at Amazon, saving you 20% off their original list price of $249.

Best AirPods Max deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) $479.99 at Amazon
$549 Save $69.01 Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review of the Apple AirPods Max.

If headphones are more your style, the AirPods Max with USB-C are also on sale right now ahead of Amazon's Big Spring Sale. They've dropped down $69.01 from their list price of $549 to $479.99. If you've had your eye on them, this is a great time to pick them up. We think they're a worthy investment as well, stating in our review that "the AirPods Max check off almost all the boxes for what makes an excellent pair of headphones: great sound quality, ideal battery life, easy controls, and a stylish design (sans Smart Case)."

Best AirPods 4 deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 $117 at Amazon
$129 Save $12 Get Deal Why we like it

Apple's latest AirPods, the AirPods 4, have dropped to $117, which is a nice little deal to take advantage of if you've had them on your radar for some time. Keep in mind, though, that these are the earbuds without Active Noise Cancelation. If you'd prefer to have the models with noise-cancelation, the good news is you can score those at a discount right now as well! We've listed those earbud options below.

More Amazon Big Spring Sale AirPods deals

Amazon has a lot of Apple Watch deals in its Big Spring Sale, but should you buy?

Mashable - Tue, 03/25/2025 - 05:11

Amazon is officially hosting its second-ever Big Spring Sale from March 25 to 31. While the event mainly revolves around deals on warm-weather essentials and cleaning products, Mashable's Shopping team also expects it to prompt some of the season's best prices on Apple devices. That's what happened the last time we covered it, anyway.

SEE ALSO: Amazon announces Big Spring Sale dates and deals: Everything you need to know

We spotted some pretty good Apple deals on Amazon in th ebuild up to the 2025 Big Spring Sale, but when it comes to Apple Watches, most of those "best prices" seem to be holding out until the sale formally starts. While every configuration of the flagship Apple Watch Series 10 and the second-gen Apple Watch SE was technically on sale at the time of writing, they were still $30 away from their respective record lows. (Meanwhile, all colors and sizes of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 were stuck at full price.) We'd hold off on buying any model until Amazon revives the following discounts to match those previous all-timers:

  • At least $100 off the Apple Watch Series 10; at least $100 to $120 off the Apple Watch Series 10 with a Titanium case (depending on the size)

  • At least $80 off the Apple Watch SE

  • At least $120 off the Apple Watch Ultra 2

Don't worry about monitoring prices yourself — we've already got it handled. Read on for our running list of the best Apple Watch deals on Amazon in its Big Spring Sale, which we plan on updating regularly in the lead-up to the event and during it. Note: If a model hits an all-time low, we'll mark it with a 🔥.

Apple Watch Series 10 dealsApple Watch SE deals

Echo devices are finally on sale in Amazons Big Spring Sale

Mashable - Tue, 03/25/2025 - 05:07
The best Echo deals in the Amazon Big Spring Sale: Best Echo deal Amazon Echo Hub $129.99 at Amazon (Save $50) Get Deal Best budget deal Amazon Echo Pop $29.99 at Amazon (Save $10) Get Deal Best kids deal Amazon Echo Pop Kids $34.99 at Amazon (Save $15) Get Deal Best Echo Buds deal Amazon Echo Buds $54.99 at Amazon (Save $85) Get Deal

With another Amazon sale event finally here, we're looking forward to all the good deals on the retailer's flagship devices. We expect to see great deals on Kindles, Fire TVs, and tablets. But some of the best pricing we usually see during these sale events are on Echo devices — often up to 71% off.

Since the sale was announced, we've been eagerly awaiting deals on Echos to arrive. And now we're finally seeing some price drops. Admittedly, we're not seeing those 71% discounts we were hoping for. Instead, we're seeing discounts hover between 20 and 30% off. While these deals aren't bad, they're certainly not the lowest prices ever.

But now is a particularly exciting time to buy an Echo with the arrival of Alexa+. Amazon's classic voice assistant is now supercharged with AI. Now it not only responds to voice commands but can converse with you to accomplish tasks like planning a date night. Plus, the new Alexa+ is free for Prime members. However, with those changes also come some less exciting changes, now that Amazon is disabling the setting to not send voice recordings to Amazon servers. Now all your data is definitely getting processed by Amazon.

If you're ready to shop the Echo sale now, here are the best deals available.

Best Echo deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Hub $129.99 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $50 Get Deal Why we like it

If you want to use an Echo as the hub of all your smart home needs, then look no further than the Hub. Rather than other Echos, which sit on your counter, the Hub is a panel meant to be mounted on your wall. In addition to responding to your voice commands, it controls any smart home connected device, including your security system, thermostat, and lighting.

Ahead of the Big Spring Sale, this deal is pretty great. The Amazon Echo Hub is 30% off, bringing it down to $129.99, just $5 away from its lowest price ever. Shop the device now and save $50 off.

More Echo deal

20+ worthwhile TV deals in Amazons Big Spring Sale

Mashable - Tue, 03/25/2025 - 05:05
Best TV deals in Amazon's Big Spring Sale: Best 55-inch TV deal Hisense 55-inch S7N Canvas QLED 4K TV $689.99 at Amazon Get Deal Best 65-inch TV deal TCL 65-inch Q65 QLED 4K TV $398.00 at Amazon (save $201.99) Get Deal Best 75-inch TV deal Hisense 75-inch QD7 QLED 4K TV 548 at Amazon (save $201.99) Get Deal

Black Friday and the NFL playoffs aren't the only good times of year to buy a TV on sale. Another solid TV deal window sprouts in the spring — this is when the previous year's models often go on sale to make room for 2025 TVs finally hitting shelves.

For those eyeing a new flat screen on the cheaper side, Amazon's Big Spring Sale will be a good place to shop. The event officially runs from March 25 to 31, but a substantial chunk of TV deals are already live the week before. They're in line with the types of TV deals we usually see from Amazon: noteworthy discounts on all sizes of LED and QLED models from solid budget-friendly brands like TCL and Hisense, plus the expected Fire TV selection. (Granted, Amazon does have a few deals on recent LG and Samsung options peppered in there.)

SEE ALSO: What's new to streaming this week? (March 13, 2025)

We're tracking all of the worthwhile Amazon TV deals throughout the sale below. All TVs chosen below have 4K resolution and LED backlighting at the least. If any model bumps up to 8K resolution or QLED or OLED lighting, we'll note it specifically. Deals with a 🔥 next to them have dropped to record-low prices.

Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 65-inch Q65 QLED 4K TV 🔥 $348 at Amazon
$549.99 Save $201.99 Get Deal Why we like it

Any old living room TV that hasn't been upgraded to QLED yet should be scared right now — it doesn't stand a chance against a 65-inch QLED on sale for less than $350. It'll get noticeably brighter and more colorful than regular LED because of its use of quantum dots, or an extra layer of nanoparticles between the screen and LED panel.

This 65-inch version of TCL's lower-tier Q6 QLED is sitting at a new record-low price at Amazon, and it's likely the cheapest 65-inch QLED you'll find until Prime Day in July. For some perspective, the 2023 version of the 65-inch Q6 was on sale for $498 during last year's Big Spring Sale.

43-inch to 50-inch TVs55-inch TVs65-inch TVs75-inch and 77-inch TVs85-inch TVs and up

The 9 best noise-cancelling headphones we use and love

Mashable - Tue, 03/25/2025 - 05:05

Whether you work from home, spend a lot of time on airplanes, or simply want to turn down the volume of the outside world, noise-cancelling headphones are exactly the tool you need.

Even the best value headphones will feel lacking if they don't come equipped with halfway decent noise cancellation. Besides, there are simply too many headphones on the market (our testing pool gets bigger month by month) for you to pay hundreds only to get subpar ANC.

SEE ALSO: The 7 best earbuds to buy in 2025 from Bose, Apple, and more

To help you wade through the top options from brands like Apple, Beats, Bose, Sony, and Sonos, Mashable editors and reviewers tested dozens of headphones and earbuds. From flagship models to budget buds, we picked out the best noise-cancelling headphones of 2025.

How do noise-cancelling headphones actually work?

Even cheap headphones can block some noise from the outside world. And you can always blast your music loud enough to drown out nearby conversations and street noise via passive noise cancellation. However, if you really want to turn the volume of the world down to the limit, then you need headphones with active noise cancellation.

Active noise-cancelling headphones electronically cover up the sounds coming from your surroundings. They use internal microphones to listen to the world around you, then invert the noise and send it to the speakers. The idea is that both the output and the input will cancel out, leaving you with near-silence. The best over-ear headphones also create a tight seal around your ears, providing an extra layer of passive sound blocking.

Testing the Apple AirPods Max headphones, which didn't make the final cut for this guide. Credit: Zlata Ivleva / Mashable Getting up close and personal with Sony WH-1000XM5 noise-cancelling headphones. Credit: Molly Flores / Mashable

If you've tried a pair of noise-cancelling headphones before and haven't been impressed, don't be discouraged, as not all ANC performs equally. For instance, cheaper ANC headphones may have a more noticeable hissing sound that you'll hear when the noise cancellation is turned on, which can be distracting for some folks.

Other headphones may be great at blocking at low tones, but more prone to letting in high-pitched tones. Typically, premium headphones will yield better results all-around, but we have budget picks below that still do a solid job.

In the past, not many wireless earbuds featured active noise cancellation that was comparable to over-ear headphones, but newer iterations like the AirPods Pro and Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds hold their own in the ANC space. However, even these earbuds can't quite get the same seal (or fit as many mics) that headphones can, so if you're looking for maximum silence, stick with over-ear headphones.

What are the best noise-cancelling headphones?

Bose is often a top name (and in our top picks) when it comes to noise-cancelling audio, often leading the industry for the best ANC available.

With that said, it's not the only brand worth checking out. If you want top-notch ANC with great sound quality, Sony makes excellent options. On the other hand, folks looking for a more affordable option might be drawn to EarFun, which brings great value to the noise-cancelling space. Essentially, what makes the best noise-cancelling headphones depends on what other features and price range you're looking for in a pair of headphones — our guide below lays out where each of our picks shines.

Layoffs and Unemployment Grow Among College Graduates

NYT Technology - Tue, 03/25/2025 - 05:01
The unemployment rate for college graduates has risen faster than for other workers over the past few years. How worried should they be?

Amazons Big Spring Sale skips Dyson for some truly great stick vacuum deals

Mashable - Tue, 03/25/2025 - 05:00
The best stick vacuum deals in Amazon's Big Spring Sale: Best under $200 Tineco Pure One S11 199.99 at Amazon (save $100 with coupon) Get Deal Best self-emptying deal Shark Clean & Empty $299.99 at Amazon (save $100) Get Deal

There are two types of spring cleaners in the world: The ones who wish they could unwind while the job is done for them, or the ones who classify a deep clean as their ideal unwinding activity. In terms of floor care, the latter group is probably eyeing up a manual vacuum over a robot vacuum, and Amazon's Big Spring Sale is a great time to get one on sale.

SEE ALSO: The Roborock Saros 10R aces one thing that most other robot vacuums can't

Amazon's selection of stick vacuum deals exemplifies the diversity of solid, affordable options in between the rinky-dink Dyson dupes on TikTok and pricey Dysons themselves. Amazon actually isn't a great place to find Dyson vacuums on sale — Walmart or Dyson's own website are way better bets for Dyson, while brands like Shark, Samsung, and Tineco flood Amazon.

Below, I'm tracking the best cordless stick vacuum deals through the end of the Big Spring Sale, which runs March 25 to 31. (Though if you're open to automating this chore, I'd recommend considering the robot vacuum deals at Amazon, too.) Note: Deals with a 🔥 next to them have dropped to record-low prices.

Best stick vacuum deal from Amazon's Spring Sale Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark Clean & Empty cordless vacuum with auto-empty system $299.99 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $100 Get Deal Why we like it

Self-emptying robot vacuums are way more common than self-emptying stick vacuums, but that doesn't mean they don't exist. After all, you shouldn't be saddled with the task of manual dustbin emptying just because you happen to prefer manual sweeping. Shark gets that — Dyson still doesn't.

This Shark Clean & Empty is like a diet version of the Shark PowerDetect and Shark Detect Pro cordless vacuums that I've tested. Like those slightly pricier models, it automatically adjusts suction power based on floor type and automatically empties its debris into the docking station where it charges. It also comes with a motorized hand tool — a crucial addition if you'll also be cleaning pet hair off of furniture.

More stick vacuums on sale

Webb reveals thats no star over there. Its an entire freaking galaxy.

Mashable - Tue, 03/25/2025 - 05:00

On the back end of a telescope, looks can be deceiving. 

Two decades ago, astronomers spied something strange with NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope that they dubbed the "cosmic tornado" because of its corkscrew shape. Even more baffling was the fuzzy object at its tip. 

The tornado is a so-called "Herbig-Haro object," formed when a newborn star tosses jets of material into interstellar space and creates a grand illumination. Scientists considered the fuzzy thing could be a nearby star. 

But the James Webb Space Telescope, an observatory that can produce images with far higher resolution than the now-retired Spitzer, has revealed the unexpected truth about the fuzzy object — an answer that may just remind some folks of a certain bobble dangling from a cat collar in the original Men in Black film. 

It's not a star. It's an entire freaking galaxy. 

SEE ALSO: Astronomers have detected oxygen in the most ancient known galaxy This is a side-by-side comparison of how the Spitzer Space Telescope viewed Herbig-Haro 49/50 in 2006, left, with Webb's composite image of the same target. Credit: NASA / ESA / CSA / STScI / NASA-JPL / SSC

The Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, which operates the Webb and Hubble telescopes for NASA, said it turns out the objects aren't related at all but happen to be in the same line of sight. 

"When peering out into space, we get a 2D view of a 3D universe," the institute said in a news release. "Sometimes, images will capture objects that appear close to each other in the sky, but are actually at wildly different distances and are unassociated with each other."

Back in the day, astronomers had considered that the two objects were unrelated and that their closeness was an illusion. But they also pondered whether the faint glow could be the result of fast-moving gas and dust from the tornado, officially named Herbig-Haro 49/50, crashing into material surrounding a star. Herbig-Haro outflows can span many light-years.

Webb's penetrating infrared gaze has now revealed the true identity of the glow as a face-on, distant spiral galaxy. It has a protruding central bulge, shown in blue, where older stars reside. 

The bulge also seems to have side lobes, suggesting that this could be a barred spiral galaxy like the Milky Way. 

The above video provides a fly-through visualization of the James Webb Space Telescope's view of Herbig-Haro 49/50.

Bars — ribbons of stars and gas that cut across the core of a galaxy — form in spiral galaxies when the orbits of stars near the galaxy's center become erratic and stretched out. As the stars' orbits get larger, they start to fall in line, so to speak. Bars grow as gravity collects more nearby stars. Eventually, a large percentage of the stars within such a galaxy's nucleus get caught up in the bar. 

Reddish clumps inside the galaxy's spiral arms show where it harbors warm dust and clusters of forming stars. The galaxy even displays empty bubbles in these dusty regions, which exploded stars may have carved out, similar to nearby galaxies observed by Webb in the so-called PHANGS program.

As for the Harbig-Haro object, scientists believe its edge will eventually move outward and seem to cover up the galaxy, though that will take thousands of years to occur. The object is about 625 light-years from Earth in the constellation Chamaeleon.

Webb's new composite infrared image of the jet revealed glowing hydrogen and carbon monoxide molecules in orange and red. Scientists thought the arc patterns, sort of like a boat wake, would lead back to a young forming star, Cederblad 110 IRS4. But not all of the arcs point in that direction after all. Another jet could be intersecting with Herbig-Haro 49/50 or the main jet might be breaking apart. 

Astronomers hope the Webb observations will help them better understand how jets associated with young developing stars can affect their surroundings.

This bundle teaches you how to turn your tech skills into a side hustle

Mashable - Tue, 03/25/2025 - 05:00

TL;DR: Get hands-on hacking lessons from the All-in-One Super-Sized Ethical Hacking Bundle on sale for $35 through April 27. 

Some tech skills you can learn on your own. Others, like ethical hacking, are a little harder to practice without a controlled environment. That's why it's nice when you find something like the All-in-One Super-Sized Ethical Hacking Bundle. This set of 18 courses takes you from beginner to expert in everything from basic hacking to penetration testing, Burp Suite, and BitNinja, and it's on sale for $34.97 (for now). 

Ethical hacking classes

A big part of what makes this bundle valuable is the range of practical hacking lessons. You won’t just read about ethical hacking concepts. You’ll get to actually practice them. The courses guide you through setting up your own hacking environment with tools like Virtual Box and Kali Linux, learning to identify vulnerabilities, and even building your own tools for penetration testing. This practical, project-based approach helps make sure you’re not just memorizing theories but actively learning by doing.

You’ll also get a solid understanding of how to approach real-life scenarios, whether it’s using Python to build penetration testing tools, working with Burp Suite for advanced web testing, or diving into Metasploit to exploit vulnerabilities and practice post-exploitation techniques.

The bug bounty training also gives you the chance to learn how ethical hackers make money by legally identifying and reporting flaws to major companies like Facebook and Google. If you're looking for a solid side hustle, that's the way to go. 

Through April 27 at 11:59 p.m. PT, you can get the All-in-One Super-Sized Ethical Hacking Bundle on sale for $34.97. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Aleksa Tamburkovski The All-in-One Super-Sized Ethical Hacking Bundle $34.97
$1,098 Save $1,063.03 Get Deal

This AI art generator can even create NSFW images

Mashable - Tue, 03/25/2025 - 05:00

TL;DR: Create AI images without monthly fees when you get an Imagiyo lifetime subscription for $29.

AI image generators started out pretty basic. Remember when Dall-E couldn't even render a face? The technology has improved rapidly, and some of the old staples like Midjourney are already becoming outdated. Imagiyo is a new type of image generator that you can use personally or commercially, and a lifetime subscription just went on sale for $29 (reg. $345). 

A lifetime of art at your fingertips

Whether you’re an artist visualizing different ideas, a marketer creating eye-catching images for ads, or someone who wants stunning artwork for social media, Imagiyo can handle it. Powered by advanced AI algorithms like StableDiffusion, Imagiyo translates text prompts into detailed, vibrant images that suit your needs. Want a fantasy landscape? Just describe it. Need a realistic product mockup or abstract digital art? Imagiyo’s AI can generate it in seconds.

One of the things that makes Imagiyo different from other AI art tools is that it supports multiple image sizes, so whether you’re crafting a desktop wallpaper or a precise social media graphic, Imagiyo has you covered.

You can even generate NSFW content using ModelsLab’s Stable Diffusion AI model, as long as you mark it as “PRIVATE.” Every image you create is saved and available for download, so you can build your collection without worrying about losing your work.

Imagiyo’s user-friendly interface makes the creative process smooth and intuitive, even if you’re not tech-savvy. There are no watermarks to deal with, and the images you create are yours to use however you want. Plus, with 250 images per month, you can experiment and produce content without feeling restricted.

It's only $29 to get an Imagiyo subscription that lasts for life. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

Opens in a new window Credit: FileJump Imagiyo AI Image Generator: Lifetime Subscription $29
$345 Save $316 Get Deal

Act fast — this powerful MacBook Pro is under $500 and bound to sell out

Mashable - Tue, 03/25/2025 - 05:00

TL;DR: This budget-friendly 13" MacBook Pro offers all the usual Apple perks for just $449.99 (reg. $1,799), the best price online.

There are a lot of laptops on the market, but perhaps none as powerful as the MacBook Pro. This feature-packed juggernaut has a good reputation for a reason, and right now, you can secure one for the best price online — $449.99, $1,350 off the usual price — while supplies last. 

Powerful performance for a fraction of the usual price

This MacBook Pro has so many features that the usual $1,799 price tag makes sense.

A 10th Gen Intel Core i5 processor with a 2GHz base speed and a 3.8GHz Turbo Boost makes multi-tasking, even while tackling heavy-duty tasks like gaming or video editing, a seamless, smooth experience.

Go ahead and save your important data right on the MacBook Pro thanks to the 512GB SSD — no clunky external hard drives are needed. The 16GB of RAM offers better performance now and in the future since that's an ample amount for long-term use. 

A 13.3-inch Retina display is armed with Intel Iris Plus Graphics and provides stunning visuals that make everything vibrant, from games to boring work emails. And Apple's signature True Tone Technology adjusts the screen color so you experience reduced eye strain.

This laptop has a Magic Keyboard that truly loves up to its name, offering a comfy experience with responsive typing. It also comes with a Touch Bar for easier access to shortcuts. 

Other cool perks include an impressive 10 hours of battery life on a single charge, four Thunderbolt (USB-C) ports, and Touch ID for easy logging in. 

Wondering how you score the deep discount on this model? This particular model comes with a grade A refurbished rating, which means it shows up to your door in near-mint condition, with virtually no signs of prior use. 

Bring home a MacBook Pro for just $449.99, the best price online, now while supplies last. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro 13" i5 2GHz (2020) 4 Thunderbolt 3 Ports 16GB RAM 512GB SSD Space Gray (Refurbished) $449.99
$1,799 Save $1,349.01 Get Deal

Ditch ads and stay safer online with this lifetime AdGuard Family Plan, now over $150 off

Mashable - Tue, 03/25/2025 - 05:00

TL;DR: Keep your family safe online with an AdGuard Family Plan lifetime subscription, now just $15.97 with code FAMPLAN through April 27. 

Tired of pop-ups disrupting your daily browsing? Sick of the jump scare of a loud ads cutting into your video content? AdGuard can offer a more peaceful internet experience thanks to their sophisticated ad-blocking solution.

Now through April 27, a lifetime subscription to AdGuard Family Plan, which covers nine devices, can protect you and your loved ones for just $15.97 (reg. $169.99) with code FAMPLAN. 

Stop ads in their tracks with this blocker

AdGuard is an intuitive ad blocker ready to make your time online sweeter. It employs three core features — an ad-blocking module, a privacy protection tool, and a parental control system, all ready to keep your family safe and smiling while using the internet. 

Whether you're trying to work more efficiently or relax without tons of distractions, AdGuard offers a clutter-free online experience. It goes beyond your basic ad blocker, thwarting pop-ups, videos, banners ads, and more. 

Aside from saving you the headache of ads, AdGuard protects your data privacy, keeping your information hidden from trackers and activity analyzers. It also shields you against malware and phishing websites, putting you and your family in a protective bubble as your browse. 

Have children at home? AdGuard's parental control features keep your child's eyes safe from inappropriate content. You can think of it as a lifetime online babysitter as they scroll. 

The lifetime Family Plan outfits up to nine devices with AdGuard, keeping everyone under your roof safe from online threats. It also works with both Android and iOS operating systems, so you can use tablets, smartphones, and laptops as needed. 

Act fast to secure your AdGuard Family Plan for life for just $15.97 with code FAMPLAN now through April 27. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

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

Beauty tech deals are live in Amazons Big Spring Sale: Save on one of our favorite Airwrap dupes from T3

Mashable - Tue, 03/25/2025 - 04:57
Best beauty deals during Amazon's Big Spring Sale Best Airwrap dupe deal T3 Aire 360 $254.99 (Save $45) Get Deal Best hair dryer deal Dreame Pocket hair dryer $89.99 (Save $70) Get Deal Best hot tool deal T3 SinglePass Curl X Extra-Long Barrel (1-inch) 105.99 (Save $44) Get Deal

Amazon's Big Spring Sale is here, bringing with it a handful of beauty tech deals.

Although the sale's focus is on spring essentials like outdoor deals, the beauty category is getting some love, too. So far, we've spotted markdowns on hair tools exclusively, with hot tools from T3, including one of our favorite Airwrap dupes, plus a selection of hair dryers. (We'll be keeping our eyes peeled for any skincare tech that gets marked down during the sale).

SEE ALSO: I tried 5 Dyson Supersonic dupes that are actually worth the hype

Last year was the first time Amazon hosted its Spring Sale, so we don't have a ton of historical data on what else might be offered over the course of the week-long sale. We can say, however, that popular (and expensive) products like the Dyson Airwrap and Supersonic historically get price cuts around Amazon's Prime Day and Black Friday sales, so we'll be keeping our eyes peeled and updating this post regularly.

Below, check out the best beauty tech deals live so far:

Best beauty tech deal Opens in a new window Credit: T3 T3 Aire 360 $254.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $45 Get Deal Why we like it

Multi-stylers like the Dyson Airwrap market themselves on the convenience of having an all-in-one tool, but it wasn't until we tested several of them that we learned a huge point of inconvenience found in most of them: the crazy amount of storage space they require.

The T3 Aire 360 is the only Airwrap dupe we've tested that has a relatively compact storage solution that feels realistic to use on a day-to-day basis. Plus, the ceramic curling barrels gave us the longest lasting and smootheset results of any of the multi-stylers we tried, including the Airwrap. The Aire 360 doesn't often go on sale, making it a great time to grab it.

More beauty deals

Hair dryers

Multi-stylers

Hot tools

Refresh your home with the best home deals from Amazons Big Spring Sale

Mashable - Tue, 03/25/2025 - 04:56
Best Big Spring Sale home deals Best smart home deal Tapo TP-Link Smart WiFi Light Bulbs $10.79 (save $7.20) Get Deal Best air purifier, fan, and humidifier deal Shark NeverChange Air Purifier $119.99 (save $30) Get Deal Best floor care deal Roborock Qrevo Master $799.99 (save $600) Get Deal Best mattress and bedding deal Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress (10-inch, Queen) $174 (save $45.98) Get Deal Best kitchen deal Stanley Quencher H2.0 Tumbler $26.25 (save $8.75) Get Deal

A new season brings lots of change, especially in the home. It's the time to open the windows to let fresh air in and clear out all that clutter from your closet. As you get into the flow of out with the old and in with the new, you might be realizing where your home could use some upgrades. Luckily, Amazon's Big Spring Sale is here at just the right time.

Running from March 25 to the 31, the Big Spring Sales promises to bring great deals across many categories, but especially things for the home. And luckily, those deals are already starting to roll in. Whether you want to bring in some smart home upgrades or are in need of a new vacuum, these are the best home deals from the Amazon Big Spring Sale.

Best smart home deal Opens in a new window Credit: Tapo Tapo TP-Link Smart WiFi Light Bulb $10.79 at Amazon
$17.99 Save $7.20 Get Deal Why we like it

Looking to create a little bit of ambiance at home? The Tapo light bulb offers millions of colors and adjustable warmth for a truly customizable experience. If you need to wake up in the morning, the bulb can bright up to cool white, but when you want to wind down, adjust the bulb to a nice warm white. This Matter-certified deviced works with any smart home system, whether it be Apple Home, Google home, or Alexa, within your local network. And if you're looking for a smart home hub to control your lighting, the Echo Hub is now on sale for $50 off.

Ahead of Amazon's Big Spring Sale, get the Tapo TP-Link WiFi Smart Bulb for 40% off. Normally $17.99, it's down to $10.79, saving you $7.20. It's an affordable solution that will totally transform your space.

More smart home dealsBest air purifier, fan, and humidifier deal Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark NeverChange Air Purifier $119.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $30.00 Get Deal Why we like it

After a long, dark winter, it's a relief to see those first signs of life popping through the earth. However, it's also the first sign that spring allergies are upon us. If you want to get ahead of it, an air purifier is your first line of defense inside the home.

Luckily, the Shark NeverChange air purifier is on sale for just $119.99. As implied by its name, this air purifier has an air filter that lasts five years, so you're not spending lots of money every six months for replacements. Its large LED display shows your air quality and clears the room of dust, pollen, dander, and smoke.

Right now, it's $30 off, making the device 20% off ahead of Amazon's Big Spring Sale.

More air purifier, fan, and humidifier dealsBest floor care deal Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock Qrevo Master $799.99 at Amazon
$1,399.99 Save $600 Get Deal Why we like it

"More than 40% off a $1,399.99 robot vacuum just sounds like a good deal without any other context. And that's totally accurate. But my brain framed it in a way that makes it look like even more of a steal: You'd be getting a premium robot vacuum and mop combo that washes and dries its own mopping pads and avoids small obstacles and has a pet camera for half the price of the 2025 Roborock flagship I'm currently testing, the $1,599.99 Roborock Saros 10R.

I'm so psyched to see this new record-low price on my favorite vacuum from 2024. The biggest difference between the Qrevo Master and the new Saros 10R are suction power, as the Saros 10R doubles the Qrevo Master's 10,000 Pa. But the Qrevo Master was still more than powerful enough to do a sufficient job on my hard floors and rugs when I was testing it. However, it earned my top spot because of its attentive mopping. Spinning mopping pads are much more exhaustive scrubbers than one big, flat mopping pad in my book. One pad on the Qrevo Master even swings out on a hinge to mop along edges and in corners." — Leah Stodart, Senior Shopping Reporter

More floor care dealsBest mattress and bedding deal Opens in a new window Credit: Zinus Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress (10-inch, Queen) $174 at Amazon
$219.98 Save $45.98 Get Deal Why we like it

If you've spent all winter tossing and turning on a bad mattress, it's time for a refresh. Amazon's Big Spring Sale provides a perfect time to make some big changes without breaking the bank.

This Zinus 10-inch queen mattress shows up to your doorstep in a box, and unfurls to a medium-firm foundation for a good night's sleep. Ahead of Amazon's Big Spring Sale, it's already discounted. It's down to $174 from $219.98. That saves $45.98 for 21% off.

More mattress and bedding dealsBest kitchen deals Opens in a new window Credit: Stanley Stanley Quencher H2.0 Tumbler $26.25 at Amazon
$35 Save $8.75 Get Deal Why we like it

I don't think we have to say much about the Stanley Quencher Tumbler. These water cups have taken on a larger than life presence online, reaching outrageous popularity. The tumbler keeps drinks cold for days at a time and comes with a handy built-in straw and comfortable handle.

If you've been eye-ing the Stanley Tumbler, the Amazon Big Spring Sale is a good time to buy. You can find it for 25% off at Amazon, bringing it down to $26.25. That saves you $8.75 from its usual $35 price tag.

More kitchen deals

The best Apple deals in Amazons Big Spring Sale: New iPads and M4 MacBook Airs are already on sale

Mashable - Tue, 03/25/2025 - 04:53
The best Apple deals in Amazon's Big Spring Sale Best MacBook deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $949 (Save $50) Get Deal Best AirPods deal Apple AirPods Pro $169.99 (Save $79.01) Get Deal Best iPad deal Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M3, WiFi, 128GB) $549 (Save $50) Get Deal Best Apple Watch deal Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS, 42mm) $299 (Save $100) Get Deal

If you're looking for discounted Apple products, Amazon is a reliable place to grab them year-round.

However, with the announcement of its Big Spring Sale, running from March 25 to 31, we're keeping our fingers crossed to see even more deals go live. While the sale focuses primarily on "springtime favorites" like outdoor furniture and garden supplies, last year's inaugural BSS did bring some tech deals. Best of all, exempting a few exclusive offers, most deals are available to all customers, regardless of their Prime membership status.

SEE ALSO: 15+ robot vacuums on sale ahead of Amazon's Big Spring Sale

So far, we have spotted deals on new releases like the M3 iPad Air, 11-inch iPad, and M4 MacBook Airs. In addition to iPads, we also found a $400 markdown on the M3 13-inch MacBook Air and $170 price cut on the Beats Studio Pro. Again, while these deals aren't officially tied to the spring sale and can be found at other times of the year, these are still solid prices for any of these items.

We'll continue updating this post as the sale progresses, so check back if you're looking for the best Apple deals from Amazon's Big Spring Sale.

Best MacBook deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $949 at Amazon
$999 Save $50 Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review of the M4 MacBook Air.

Apple just dropped the M4 MacBook Air, and even at full price, we think it's a really good deal. In a divergence from last year's Air pricing, Apple started its 13-inch model at just $999 — with an M4 chip and the RAM upgrades Apple gave all its laptops last fall, this is the best value we've ever seen on an Apple laptop. Amazon slashed another $50 off the price, which, while admittedly not a jaw-dropping discount, helps make a great value even better. The biggest downside to this laptop is that it might be a little short on ports for some users, and then it tops out at a 60Hz refresh rate, but if you can work with that, the M4 Air is an excellent deal.

More MacBook and Mac dealsMacBook AirMacBook ProMacBest AirPods deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro $169.99 at Amazon
$249 Save $79.01 Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review of the AirPods Pro.

For Apple users, the AirPods Pro are an excellent pair of noise-cancelling earbuds, with some of the best noise cancellation and sound quality in the game. As the USB-C Pros near their second year anniversary, we can't say they're without a doubt the best on the market — their battery life could be better, for instance — but their age works in their favor for this price drop down to $169.99, which certainly makes some of their flaws easier to look past. We have seen these earbuds drop to $154 during Black Friday season, but we haven't seen that deal return since, making $170 the next best deal to grab them at.

More AirPods dealsBest iPad deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M3, WiFi, 128GB) $549 at Amazon
$599 Save $50 Get Deal Why we like it

The M3 iPad Air just hit the market earlier this month, but you can already grab it for $50 off. At the time of writing, the previous generation Air costs even more on Amazon at $599 (though you can grab it on sale for $499 at Best Buy). Beyond the chip upgrade, this iPad features plenty of Apple Intelligence integration, from the Photos and Notes apps, to the Writing Tools feature that uses ChatGPT. Though we've yet to test this tablet hands-on for ourselves, the M2 Air is our favorite iPad for most people — we imagine the M3 Air will follow suit.

More iPad dealsiPadiPad AiriPad miniBest Apple Watch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS, 42mm) $299 at Amazon
$399 Save $100 Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review of the Apple Watch Series 10.

The Apple Watch Series 10 only came out this past fall, making this $100 off deal especially impressive. Along with its larger wide-angle OLED display, Mashable Senior Editor Stan Schroeder found this smartwatch to be lighter than its predecessors, with an ultra-fast charge time. This watch generation introduced fitness features like a depth gauge, sleep apnea detection, and a Vitals app, but it's worth noting those features aren't exclusive to the Series 10. However, if your Series 6 has been on the fritz for a while, or you've never owned an Apple Watch, $299 is a solid price to grab Apple's latest smartwatch.

More Apple Watch dealsEven more Apple deals

200+ of the best live deals in the Amazon Big Spring Sale, hand-picked by Mashables team of experts

Mashable - Tue, 03/25/2025 - 04:51
The best Amazon Big Spring Sale deals at a glance: Best Kindle deal Amazon Kindle Scribe Essentials Bundle $449.97 (save $60) Get Deal Best Apple deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $949 (save $50 with on-page coupon) Get Deal Best TV deal TCL 65-inch Q65 QLED 4K TV $349.99 (save $100) Get Deal Best headphones/earbuds deal Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds $219 (save $70) Get Deal Best robot vacuum deal Roborock Qrevo Master $799.99 (save $600) Get Deal Best smart home deal TP-Link Tapo Smart Light Bulbs (2-pack) $14.98 (save $10.01) Get Deal Best kitchen deal Stanley Quencher H2.0 Tumbler (40 ounces) $33.75 (save $11.25) Get Deal Best outdoor deal Coleman Montana Camping Tent (8-person) $164.99 (save $105) Get Deal Best book deal "Sunrise on the Reaping" by Suzanne Collins $19.59 (save $8.49) Get Deal

Amazon is about to spring a bunch of seasonal deals on shoppers. The retail giant announced last Tuesday that its second-ever Big Spring Sale will run from Tuesday, March 25, through Monday, March 31, ushering in discounts on "end-of-season winter items" and "springtime favorites" across more than 35 categories. Each day of the weeklong sale will feature "themed daily drops" on top of new limited-time offers.

The Big Spring Sale is Amazon's first major savings event of the year — and unlike its flagship summer Prime Day sale, the deals won't be exclusive to Prime members. There are some exceptions: Amazon said Prime members will get access to a handful of special offers. They'll be identified with a "Prime Spring Deal" badge.

SEE ALSO: Amazon announces Big Spring Sale dates and deals: Everything you need to know

Need help sifting through the noise? Mashable's shopping experts are keeping track of the best deals available at Amazon ahead of the Big Spring Sale, and we'll continue to do so once the event is officially live. (Our sister site CNET has extensive coverage of Amazon's Big Spring Sale, too.) With eight years of experience covering Amazon's sales under our belts, we've developed a tried-and-true deal-hunting methodology to find hidden gems among the retailer's myriad listings. We cross-check prices with Amazon's competitors, track pricing trends, and vet products' value based on our hands-on testing, and we only recommend what's most worth buying. You can read more about our deals coverage here.

Below, we've got a running list of Amazon's best early Big Spring Sale deals on smart home devices, Apple gadgets, robot vacuums, outdoor gear, kitchen appliances, books, and much more. Check back daily to see what else we find.

Best Kindle dealsBest Apple dealsAirPodsApple Watches

Apple Watch Series 10

Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen)

iPads

iPad

iPad Air

iPad Pro

MacBooks

MacBook Air

MacBook Pro

MacsApple accessoriesBest TV deals43-inch to 50-inch TVs55-inch TVs65-inch TVs75-inch and 77-inch TVs85-inch TVs and upBest laptop deals

For deals on MacBooks, scroll back up to the "Apple deals" section.

Windows laptops

2-in-1 laptops

Gaming laptopsBest headphone and earbud dealsHeadphonesBest earbuds dealsBest unlocked phone deals Samsung Galaxy phonesGoogle Pixel phonesMotorola phonesBest vacuum dealsRobot vacuumsRobot vacuum mop combosBest home dealsAir purifiersBedding and mattressesEcho smart home devicesHome security equipmentSmart bulbsSmart light switchesSmart plugsBest kitchen dealsAir fryers and countertop ovensBlenders and food processorsCoffee makersDrinkwareInstant PotsRice cookersStand mixersBest fitness tracker dealsBest beauty tech dealsBest outdoor dealsBest power tool dealsBest Lego dealsBest book dealsFictionNon-fictionBest Pokémon deals

NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for March 25

Mashable - Tue, 03/25/2025 - 04:25

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.

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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.

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: Leaving a team involuntarily

  • Green: Pasttime terms

  • Blue: Same first name

  • Purple: LIERS, PERS, ETS, ETS

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: Move on from a player

  • Green: Baseball stats, abbreviated

  • Blue: Famous Bos

  • Purple: First four letters of NBA team names

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 #183 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

  • Move on from a player - CUT, RELEASE, TRADE, WAIVE

  • Baseball stats, abbreviated - AB, BB, OPS, SO

  • Famous Bos - BICHETTE, JACKSON, NIX, RYAN

  • First four letters of NBA team names - CAVA, CLIP, HORN, ROCK

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.

NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for March 25, 2025

Mashable - Tue, 03/25/2025 - 04:15

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Tuesday, March 25, 2025:

AcrossGrouchy homeowner in Pixar's "Up"

  • The answer is Carl.

Sneezy sound

  • The answer is Achoo.

Speedy sound

  • The answer is Vroom.

Pick up on

  • The answer is Sense.

Facebook message status after "Sent" and "Delivered"

  • The answer is Seen.

Down#1 seed in the N.B.A.'s Eastern Conference, informally

  • The answer is Cavs.

Farmers' lots

  • The answer is Acres.

French wine region

  • The answer is Rhone.

Like lips that sink ships

  • The answer is Loose.

Anomaly taken as a sign, say

  • The answer is Omen.

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

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

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

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

The Trump administration accidentally texted military plans to a journalist. The White House says its fine.

Mashable - Tue, 03/25/2025 - 03:41

The Trump administration accidentally texted an Atlantic journalist its plans to bomb Yemen last week. It seems obtaining confidential information on U.S. military operations is now easier than ever.

On Monday, The Atlantic's editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg reported that he had been inadvertently added to a Signal group chat with several apparent U.S. government officials, including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Fox News host turned Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth. Goldberg received the invitation to the group last Thursday, two days after he'd accepted a connection request from an account ostensibly belonging to national security advisor Michael Waltz.

SEE ALSO: What is Signal? The basics of the most secure messaging app.

Signal is a secure messaging app with end-to-end encryption, making it popular among journalists, activists, whistleblowers, and others for whom privacy is a primary concern. As such, it isn't completely bizarre that a politician might reach out to a journalist via this avenue. 

However, it's far less usual for U.S. government officials to use Signal to plan military operations. Such highly sensitive information would typically be discussed either in person or via the Secret Internet Protocol Router Network (SIPRNet), the U.S. government's secured computer network system intended for sharing such classified information. Employing a messaging system that's also open to civilians is highly unorthodox, to say the least. 

As such, Goldberg initially had "very strong doubts" about the authenticity of the group chat. He wrote that he couldn't believe U.S. officials would communicate about war plans on Signal, nor that a U.S. national security advisor would carelessly add him to such a chat. 

However, he was soon convinced of the Signal chat's authenticity after U.S. airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen took place on Saturday. The chat filled with celebratory messages and emojis within minutes, including a fist, American flag, and fire from Waltz. Two hours prior, a message from Hegseth in the Signal chat had shared the weapons, targets, and timing of the planned strikes.

"The information contained in [the Signal messages], if they had been read by an adversary of the United States, could conceivably have been used to harm American military and intelligence personnel, particularly in the broader Middle East, Central Command’s area of responsibility," wrote Goldberg.

This prompted Goldberg to leave the Signal group, as well as reach out to various U.S. officials about it. 

U.S. officials confirm the Signal group chat was real U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth shared plans to bomb Yemen in the Signal chat. Credit: Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images

The U.S. National Security Council (NSC) has since confirmed the Signal chat's authenticity, though did its best to downplay the serious implications and give the egregious breach of security a positive spin.

"This appears to be an authentic message chain, and we are reviewing how an inadvertent number was added to the chain," NSC spokesman Brian Hughes wrote in a statement to The Atlantic. "The thread is a demonstration of the deep and thoughtful policy coordination between senior officials. The ongoing success of the Houthi operation demonstrates that there were no threats to troops or national security."

Of course, the mere success of an operation doesn't prove that there was never any threat at all.

Despite the blunder, it initially seems as though U.S. officials involved in the Signal chat won't face any serious repercussions. Republicans have quickly come to their defence, with Speaker Mike Johnson rejecting the possibility that Waltz or Hegseth might face disciplinary action.

"What you did see, though, I think, was top-level officials doing their job, doing it well and executing on a plan with precision," said Johnson.

The White House has also publicly stood by them, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt saying in a statement that "President Trump continues to have the utmost confidence in his national security team, including national security adviser Mike Waltz."

However, POLITICO reports that internal discussions among White House officials are considering ejecting Waltz, with Trump to make the decision within the next few days.

For his part, Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social to deride The Atlantic, posting a link to an article from conservative satirical website The Babylon Bee entitled "4D Chess: Genius Trump Leaks War Plans To 'The Atlantic' Where No One Will Ever See Them." He also shared a screenshot of an X post from his close advisor Elon Musk, in which the billionaire shared the same article and wrote, "Best place to hide a dead body is page 2 of The Atlantic magazine, because no one ever goes there."

Hegseth specifically lashed out at Golberg, accusing him of "peddling hoaxes" and attempting to discredit him despite the Signal messages having been confirmed to be authentic. However, Hegseth also broke rank by outright denying The Atlantic's report.

"Nobody was texting war plans, and that's all I have to say about that," Hegseth said on Monday.

Meanwhile, Democrats are criticising the incident, with some calling for an investigation.

"Incompetence so severe that it could have gotten Americans killed," Rep. Seth Moulton wrote on X. "There is no world in which this information should have been shared in non-secure channels."

JD Vance badmouthing Elon Musk was a deepfake, but the Signal chat was not JD Vance was also the subject of a viral deepfake audio clip over the weekend. Credit: Andrew Harnik / Getty Images

Excluding information which Goldberg noted could cause harm, his Atlantic article provided a thorough account of the messages exchanged in the Signal group chat. Interestingly, this included Vance expressing some disagreement with President Donald Trump — a rarity for him as of late. 

Vance expressed dissent about the planned attacks, stating that bombing the Houthis in Yemen to defend international shipping routes would be "bailing Europe out." His reasoning was that a larger percentage of Europe's trade passes through the Suez Canal as compared to the U.S.' trade.

"I am not sure the president is aware how inconsistent this is with his message on Europe right now," Vance reportedly wrote on Signal. "I am willing to support the consensus of the team and keep these concerns to myself."

The vice president's private opinions recently came to attention via a separate incident, with AI-generated audio of Vance criticising Musk going viral over the weekend. In the clip, the deepfaked vice president's voice stated that Musk was "cosplaying as this great American leader" and "making us look bad."

Vance responded to the audio on X, calling it "a fake AI-generated clip," while his communications director William Martin stated that it is "100% fake and most certainly not the Vice President." Several deepfake detection tools and companies have also concluded that the audio was likely generated by AI.

In contrast, Vance's Signal messages have been confirmed to be authentic.

"Vice President Vance unequivocally supports this administration’s foreign policy," Martin said in a statement to The Atlantic. "The President and the Vice President have had subsequent conversations about this matter and are in complete agreement."

The vice president and president disagreeing behind closed doors is a much different matter to doing so in the public eye, where a united front is important. Even so, it's an interesting look at the Trump administration's emoji-filled internal communications, disagreements, and military planning — as well as the ill-advised platform on which they're conveyed.

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