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TL;DR: This MacBook Air has all the bells and whistles, is grade A/B refurbished, and has a sub-$200 price tag.
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The 13.3 inch MacBook Air with Intel Core i5The MacBook Air 13.3-inch (2017) is still popular for a reason. It boasts an excellent up-to 12-hour battery life and a superlight design. With a 13.3-inch display. 2.96 lb. weight, and just 0.68 inches at the thickest, this laptop slips easily into backpacks and purses for on-the-go connectivity. Plenty fits in that slim package, with 128GB SSD storage and 8GB RAM.
Newer isn't always better. The 2017 MacBook Air was one of the last models with replaceable storage. It also has a 1.8GHz Intel core i5 chip that allows for more flexible booting options, unlike newer MacBooks with M-series chips. Users with particular storage and booting needs will be better off with older Mac models like this one.
Quality refurbished MacBooksRefurbished tech products are more than just used items. To be marked grade A/B refurbished, they've been evaluated for quality and meet specific standards, including:
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StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air 13.3" (2017) 1.8GHz i5 8GB RAM 128GB SSD Silver $199.97Something about this time of year on Mars is reminiscent of 1939's The Wizard of Oz.
Maybe it's the ruddiness of the planet that gives off its own natural sepia tone like we see in Victor Fleming's film adaptation. Maybe it's the tornadoes, sometimes so tall they seem like they could lift more than a few farmhouses.
But one thing's for sure about these freakish alien dust devils: You're definitely not in Kansas if you see them. More like 140 million miles over the rainbow in space.
Though scientists have long known the hazards of the wind phenomenons churning up Martian dirt, NASA's Perseverance rover, a Mini Cooper-sized lab on six wheels, just caught a rare sight: one mega dust devil devouring another. Despite how often these whirlwinds occur, interactions between them are seldom observed.
"Convective vortices — aka dust devils — can be rather fiendish," said Mark Lemmon, a Perseverance scientist at the Space Science Institute in Colorado, in a statement. "These mini twisters wander the surface of Mars, picking up dust as they go and lowering the visibility in their immediate area. If two dust devils happen upon each other, they can either obliterate one another or merge, with the stronger one consuming the weaker."
SEE ALSO: NASA's rovers just found similar gnarly rocks on opposite sides of Mars This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.The video featured in the X post above, recorded on Jan. 25 at the Jezero Crater rim, shows a large dust devil — about 210 feet wide — overtaking a much smaller one, at just 16 feet across. As they collide, the weaker dust devil vanishes into the stronger one. Two other dust devils spin in the background. At the time, the rover was watching from about a half-mile away.
Dust devils on Mars form similarly to those on Earth, despite the fact that Mars' atmosphere is much thinner. They tend to happen on dry days when the ground gets hotter than the surrounding area. Typically smaller than tornadoes, dust devils are whirlwinds that make a funnel-like chimney, channeling hot air up and around. The rotating wind then accelerates similar to the way spinning ice skaters move faster as they bring their arms closer to their bodies.
This Martian phenomenon leaves tracks — straight lines, curves, and curlicues — wherever it has traveled. Their color is a result of picking up the light dust that coats virtually all of the Red Planet and exposing layers of dark volcanic rocks.
About 13 years ago, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter caught sight of an extraordinary dust devil with a plume stretching 12 miles into the sky. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / UAThe latest footage provides new insight into how these swirling columns of wind and dust interact with each other and the Martian atmosphere. Roughly half of the planet’s airborne dust is thought to come from them.
"Dust devils play a significant role in Martian weather patterns," said Katie Stack Morgan, a Perseverance project scientist at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, in a statement. "Dust devil study is important because these phenomena indicate atmospheric conditions, such as prevailing wind directions and speed."
Taking a picture of a dust devil isn’t easy. Unlike hurricanes or thunderstorms on Earth, this kind of foul weather shows up without warning. Perseverance regularly scans the landscape for them on the off-chance it might catch one in action. Scientists study the rover's images for trends, such as what time of day dust devils tend to be more active and where they come from.
NASA’s Viking orbiters were the first spacecraft to photograph the dust devils in the 1970s. Two decades later, the Pathfinder lander captured one from the ground and even detected a dust devil passing over it. Since then, a handful of other robots have observed the phenomena, with Perseverance recording the first audio of a whirlwind in 2021.
In the rover's latest video, the life of the slighter dust devil is abruptly cut short by a superior twister. But one probably didn't outlive the other by much, Lemmon said. Martian dust devils only last about 10 minutes.
About 200 light-years from the black hole at the center of the Milky Way lies a region that isn't as fertile as scientists would think.
This star-forming cloud of gas and dust, Sagittarius C, is brimming with all of the material to make star babies, yet its yield of new stars remains relatively low, despite the fact that it has likely birthed thousands of stars already. Scientists pointed the James Webb Space Telescope, a collaboration of NASA and its European and Canadian space counterparts, at this mysterious stellar nursery to try to figure out why. With its powerful infrared vision, the telescope was able to give a clearer picture.
The findings, published in The Astrophysical Journal in two papers, provide new insights into why some star-forming clouds may appear relatively impotent. Researchers now believe strong magnetic fields may be responsible for the lack of output.
"A big question has been, if there is so much dense gas and dust here, and we know stars form in these kinds of clouds, why are so few stars born in Sagittarius C?" said John Bally, an astrophysicist at the University of Colorado Boulder, in a statement. "For the first time, we are seeing that strong magnetic fields may be playing a major role in stopping star formation."
SEE ALSO: Webb telescope finds Milky Way black hole never stops strobing light The Meerkat radio telescope in South Africa puts the Webb image in context by showing Sagittarius C in an environment spanning 1,000 light-years. The inset Webb image covers about 44 light-years. Credit: NASA / ESA / CSA / STScI / SARAO / Samuel Crowe / John Bally / Ruben Fedriani / Ian HeywoodWebb was built to detect invisible light at infrared wavelengths. Cosmic dust and gas obscure the view to extremely distant and inherently dim light sources, but infrared waves can pierce through the clouds. One Webb scientist likened the strength of the telescope to being able to sense the heat of a single bumblebee on the moon.
Scientists say understanding what's going on in Sagittarius C is an important step in understanding star formation generally. Stars create most of the chemical elements on Earth, including carbon and oxygen, which are essential ingredients for life. But even experts admit they have much to learn about how the universe makes new stars.
The researchers confirmed that two enormous stars, each more than 20 times the mass of the sun, are growing inside Sagittarius C, blasting out powerful jets of gas as they develop. They also identified five smaller stars swaddled in thick layers of dust.
Dust and gas obscure the view to extremely distant and inherently dim light sources, but infrared waves can pierce through the clouds. Credit: NASA GSFC / CIL / Adriana Manrique Gutierrez illustrationWebb also detected 88 weird structures made of glowing hydrogen, thought to be shock waves caused by young stars tossing out their own material into space. Additionally, scientists discovered an entirely separate nearby star factory with at least two of its own growing stars.
Prior to these studies, Sagittarius C showed dozens of threadlike filaments, some several light-years long, in hot hydrogen gas surrounding the main star-forming cloud. Scientists think magnetic forces of the Milky Way's supermassive black hole, Sagittarius A*, might be strong enough to push against the pull of gravity. Perhaps such tension could prevent the dense clouds from collapsing and forming more stars.
Samuel Crowe, a Rhodes Scholar at the University of Virginia who co-led the study, said Sagittarius C has turned out to be an important laboratory for testing theories on star formation.
"This discovery opens up new questions about how magnetic fields influence the birth of stars," he said in a statement, "both in our galaxy and beyond."
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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 categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Plays on ice
Green: In the same college sports conference
Blue: Share a first name
Purple: Record-holding Dodgers
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: An NHL player
Green: SEC schools
Blue: Famous Justins
Purple: Dodgers in the baseball Hall of Fame, familiarly
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 #194 is...
What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition todayAn NHL player - OILER, DEVIL, SABRE, STAR
SEC school - TENNESSEE, FLORIDA, AUBURN, ALABAMA
Famous Justins - VERLANDER, HOUSTON, GATLIN, HERBERT
Dodgers in the baseball Hall of Fame, familiarly - PEE WEE, DUKE, JACKIE, SANDY
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 MashableBy 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 preferrined pace.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 5 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 5 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: In it to win itThe words change the momentum.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedThese words are ways the outcome of a game might change.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.
NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is GameChangers.
Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for April 5Comeback
Upset
Rally
Threepeat
Rout
Sweep
GameChangers
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.
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 April 5 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: To take on
Green: Seen on the web
Blue: Popular publications
Purple: Pay close attention to the endings
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Employ
Green: Parts of a website
Blue: Magazines
Purple: Ending with medieval weapons
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 #664 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayEmploy: CONTRACT, ENGAGE, RETAIN, SIGN
Parts of a website: BANNER, HEADER, MENU, SIDEBAR
Magazines: BILLBOARD, PEOPLE, STAR, TIME
Ending with medieval weapons: CROSSWORD, GRIMACE, RAINBOW, SEMBLANCE
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 April 5Are 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.
Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.
If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for April 5 Where did Wordle come from?Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once.
Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.
What's the best Wordle starting word?The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.
What happened to the Wordle archive?The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.
Is Wordle getting harder?It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for April 5, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:Soap when it's lathered.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?There are no recurring letters.
Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...Today's Wordle starts with the letter F.
SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.
Drumroll please!
The solution to today's Wordle is...
FOAMY.
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for April 5Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.
OpenAI is offering two months of free ChatGPT Plus to all college students, as CEO Sam Altman recently announced ahead of a much-anticipated update to the AI chatbot.
The offer is available through May for U.S. and Canadian students only, and can be claimed on the ChatGPT student landing page. According to the site, Existing ChatGPT Plus subscribers and new students will be verified through a system called SheerID to confirm current enrollment. Make note: the subscription will automatically renew at the ChatGPT Plus monthly rate ($20) if not cancelled before the two months are up.
SEE ALSO: Phone inspections when crossing the U.S. border: What you need to know about your rights and securityThe paid version of ChatGPT includes extended limits on chatting, file uploads, and image generation, as well as advanced voice mode with video and screen sharing, limited Sora access, and new GPT‑4o and o3‑mini models.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.The use of ChatGPT and other generative AI tools by students has stirred widespread debate, as tech giants and AI developers increasingly invest in AI technologies for the classroom. Google, for example, released a teen-specific version of its chatbot Gemini that was later offered at no cost to educational institutions — the chatbot is available to all students with Google Workspace for Education accounts who are approved by administrators.
This week, OpenAI also announced free access to its new native image generator for both the paid and free versions of ChatGPT and Sora, ahead of a proposed rate limit for users of just three image generators per day. Altman and co. are ramping up excitement around the revamped GPT-4o, as well as upcoming mini models and GPT-5, amid a renewed backlash to AI-generated art and greater concerns about generative AI's takeover.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Microsoft is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and the company is having some fun with it. The iconic Windows 95 logo was resurfaced, there is a themed version of Solitaire available, and Bill Gates even posted the source code for the company’s first operating system, Altair Basic. Microsoft’s Copilot is even getting some love.
Actually, it would be more accurate to say that Microsoft has been showing Copilot a lot of love over the last few days. Announcements have been flying left and right, culminating in a livestream from Microsoft's global headquarters in Redmond, Washington, with even more information about current and upcoming Copilot features.
SEE ALSO: Samsung and LG TVs add AI with Microsoft CopilotIt wasn’t all procedure and rigamarole. Microsoft also had Copilot interview three Microsoft CEOs. They got roasted, and it was hilarious.
With all of the excitement, it became a little difficult to keep track of everything, so we went ahead and did just that. Below is every announcement for Microsoft Copilot that we could find, including the ones from the livestream.
If you want to watch the livestream for yourself, you can find it on Microsoft Copilot’s YouTube channel.
The Copilot app goes nativeThe Microsoft Copilot app on Windows has always been more of a website than an actual app. One of the announcements was that Copilot was becoming a native Windows app, integrated directly into the UI. The app was already rolled out to Windows Insiders, but Microsoft began rolling out the update on April 3 to all Windows users.
According to PCWorld, users are already reporting a massive increase in performance, saying that it’s now even faster than the ChatGPT app on Windows. You can download the app from the Microsoft Store as long as you’re on the latest Windows update.
Copilot Search - The AI search engineMicrosoft and Bing are bringing a new fight to Google with the release of Copilot Search. It works as you would expect. Once you go to the website, you can ask Copilot a question. It’ll then scour the Internet on your behalf and return a search result.
We asked it a few simple questions, and it seemed to work pretty well. We asked it what the best Android phone to buy right now was, and it showed us that it scoured various top lists and articles to come to its answer (which was the Galaxy S25 Ultra, Google Pixel 9 Pro, and the OnePlus 13). It looks similar to Google’s implementation on Google Search, complete with sources that you can click through to read or view yourself if you want.
SEE ALSO: Inject AI directly into your PC with Windows 11 Pro and Copilot, now A$23 Copilot gets better on AMD and Intel PCsMicrosoft announced a host of new AI-powered features like Live Captions, Cocreator, Restyle Image, and Image Creator in an effort Redmond calls Copilot + PC. In addition, Microsoft doubled down on its commitment to better supporting AI on PCs running AMD, Intel, and Snapdragon CPUs. Snapdragon-powered Windows devices are also getting Voice Access capabilities.
The new features and optimizations will be rolled out over the next year. Also, yes, Live Captions will work similarly to how they do on Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android.
New agent mode for VS Code usersDuring the stream, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella made a joke that it’s a new world when CEOs can code. In that same vein, he announced that VS Code users are getting a new Copilot agent mode that will help write and check code that users write. This one is mostly focused on developers, but if you code apps on Microsoft, you’ll be able to use AI to help you out and even build custom agents based on your code.
This feature is rolling out to VS Code Stable soon. It’s been available for Insiders since February.
Microsoft 365 Copilot gets a Researcher and an AnalystDuring the livestream, Microsoft’s AI head honcho Mustafa Suleyman talked briefly about Researcher and Analyst, two new tools for Microsoft 365 Copilot. Researcher aims to help users with “complex, multi-step research at work,” per Microsoft’s blog post. Microsoft says that Researcher can integrate data from third-party sources such as Salesforce, Confluence, and more.
Analyst takes the data you already have and analyses it. Microsoft says it’s built on OpenAI’s o9-mini reasoning model. Once it analyzes your data, it can answer questions, deliver insights, and double-check the data on your behalf. It can also turn the data into forecasts and organize it in ways that may be useful to you.
Credit: Microsoft Copilot may change shape somedayMicrosoft is working on giving Copilot a face, sort of. During the livestream, Suleyman brought Copilot to the stage to show off its ability to give itself an avatar that speaks with you. There were several examples shown, from a totally unique design to existing things like Spyro the Dragon or, for the nostalgic among us, Microsoft’s former helper, Clippy.
There was no word on when that feature would come out, but Suleyman stated that Microsoft was remaining curious about the possibilities of how users engage with Copilot, and ideas like avatars are where the company wants to explore what it can do.
Well, it looks like TikTok is here to stay for another couple of months.
Just the day before a TikTok ban was set to go into effect, the Trump administration once again decided to temporarily delay the U.S. TikTok ban for another 75 days. TikTok isn't necessarily saved in the long term, but we'll at least have access to the app on June 19.
"My Administration has been working very hard on a Deal to SAVE TIKTOK, and we have made tremendous progress," he wrote in a TruthSocial post. "The Deal requires more work to ensure all necessary approvals are signed, which is why I am signing an Executive Order to keep TikTok up and running for an additional 75 days."
SEE ALSO: Is TikTok about to get banned in the U.S.?TikTok would have been banned on Saturday, April 5, unless the social media platform complied with U.S. law set by the Supreme Court requiring that TikTok divest from its parent company, ByteDance. There are multiple U.S.-based people, groups, and companies looking to buy TikTok, but a deal has yet to be made.
"We hope to continue working in Good Faith with China, who I understand are not very happy about our Reciprocal Tariffs (Necessary for Fair and Balanced Trade between China and the U.S.A.!)," he continued in the TruthSocial post. "This proves that Tariffs are the most powerful Economic tool, and very important to our National Security! We do not want TikTok to 'go dark.' We look forward to working with TikTok and China to close the Deal. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"
Trump was confident he could get a deal before the April 5 deadline, and now he seems confident that the additional 75 days will help him find a solution. Either way, for a few more months, TikTok will stay on your phone.
The Trump administration gave the Chinese owners of TikTok until April 5 to sell their asset. But as the clock ticks down to that date, confusion reigns — and no official announcement of a sale has been made.
A host of potential owners of the social media site, including Amazon, Oracle, Microsoft, and Project Liberty have come forward. Some potential buyers are wary of the U.S. government allowing TikTok's Chinese operators to retain control of the app's algorithm and simply lease it to the U.S. buyer, according to ABC.
That could put the new owner in conflict with a law signed by President Biden last year that bans "the establishment or maintenance of any operational relationship" between the U.S. app and "any formerly affiliated entities that are controlled by a foreign adversary, including any cooperation with respect to the operation of a content recommendation algorithm."
TikTok's potential owners are reportedly worried about being sued by the U.S. government after the purchase, and want liability protection.
The state of TikTok: Still upDoes that mean TikTok will shut down April 5 for its 170 million American users?
Trump has suggested he will extend the sale's deadline, likely via executive order, if a deal cannot be reached by Saturday. Trump already extended an earlier deadline for a ban or sale on his first day in office, January 20.
The president says new tariffs announced on Chinese goods will give the U.S. government leverage over the TikTok sale. Still, China may not want to play ball with the U.S. during a widening trade war.
This story is developing...
In addition to a sweeping immigration agenda that involves limiting entries at U.S. ports of entry, stripping immigrant visas, and deporting undocumented Americans en masse, the Trump administration is revamping its approach to digital security, including the use of personal device searches to detain and deport U.S. residents or tourists at the border.
SEE ALSO: U.S. immigration services wants to review potential citizens' social mediaIndividuals, including legal permanent residents and visa holders, have been harassed and even deported by border patrol agents after traveling out of the country. In a handful of cases, European tourists have been detained and held in immigrant detention facilities. The news has stoked fear among many travelers, as individuals report increased device searches upon entry to the U.S.
In March, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) submitted a proposed change mandating a review of social media profiles as part of the process for vetting and approving benefits. The change would apply to immigrants already residing in the U.S., including green card and visa holders. In January, President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order titled, "Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats," which included a directive to slow down the visa-issuance process through heightened application scrutiny.
The administration's efforts aren't limited to the citizenship process. If you're planning to cross or enter a U.S. border or customs point, make sure to know your rights and monitor how you can protect your personal data.
What can customs and border patrol do with my phone?While warrantless searches of personal devices were ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 2014, U.S. ports of entry are a different legal landscape. According to U.S. law, the CBP reserves the right to inspect electronic devices that cross the border on the premise of national security, also known as electronic checks. Electronic checks make up a small percentage of all border interactions, reports Axios, but heightened border scrutiny may amplify such activity.
Advocates have pushed to include border patrol in warrant laws, with a notable win in 2023, and various appellate courts have ruled that warrants be required for data searches at the border beyond “digital contraband," such as illegal materials. A New York state court decision, for example, ruled that warrants are required for searches of travelers' devices — that means travelers through major New York City airports, like JFK, should be protected from electronic checks. But at large the CBP policy remains, permitting "the inspection, examination, and search of vehicles, persons, baggage, and merchandise," including electronic devices.
U.S. citizens have the right to decline a device search without being barred entrance, but lawful permanent residents and foreign visitors may face harsher interrogation or be denied entry into the country. In both cases, CBP may seize and hold onto your devices.
If your device a seized by a border patrol agent, the agent will conduct either a "basic" or "advanced" search. Basic searches include a manual search of content easily accessible on your device. Advanced searches involve external equipment that can analyze and copy your device's content — advanced searches should only happen on the suspicion of illegal activity and with higher approval.
How can I protect my device?Travelers should do what they can to protect their personal data during basic CBP searches. According to the Electronic Frontier Foundation, the first step should be limiting the amount of digital information carried across the border, including leaving unnecessary devices at home or using temporary ones.
When entering a port of entry, travelers can also consider turning off their devices completely. Always consult with an immigration lawyer if you are worried your status may come into question or are at risk of deportation.
Delete sensitive informationExperts suggest deleting images or files containing licenses, credit card information, and other documents with sensitive data. Some even suggest deleting personal photos of children or loved ones before traveling. Clear any "deleted" or "trash" folders that may temporarily hold onto erased content, as well.
Make sure any important information or files are backed up to an external location (one that you aren't traveling with), in case your devices are seized and held by CBP. For those with concerns about sensitive data, consider encrypting your device.
Turn off biometric passwordsDue to protections against self incrimination outlined in the Fifth Amendment, law enforcement has the right to ask an individual to unlock their cellphone using a biometric password such as facial recognition or fingerprints, but they cannot ask you supply them with numerical passcodes.
While border patrol operates under a slightly different set of guidelines, you should still consider turning off any settings that provide easy access to your phone, like Face I.D., and strengthening your device passcode before traveling to the U.S. Passcode-locked apps or photo libraries may provide additional security.
Log out of or private your social media accountsWhile conducting a basic search, border patrol agents cannot look through personal email inboxes or cloud storage, and your device remains offline or in airplane. However, agents can look at any public social media profiles or posts — so set your pages to private and delete any posts you wouldn’t want an agent to read.
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Feeling excited after the recent Nintendo Switch 2 Direct reveal? Us too, even though the preorder and pricing situation is a little up in the air right now. It simultaneously feels like its June 5 release date is just around the corner, yet also miles away.
If you're feeling as impatient as we are, you may want to take the downtime between now and launch to play some of the original Nintendo Switch titles you never got around to. Thankfully, a pretty decent amount of them are on sale right now, which is kind of a rare occurrence when it comes to Nintendo.
SEE ALSO: Nintendo Switch 2 preorder guide: Everything you need to know ahead of timeSo, we recommend that you take advantage of this moment and check out some of our favorite deals on Nintendo Switch games below.
Assassin's Creed Anniversary Edition Mega Bundle — $39.99 $99.99 (save $60)
Assassin's Creed The Ezio Collection — $15.99 $39.99 (save $24)
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze — $51.99 $59.99 (save $8)
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake — $49.99 $59.99 (save $10)
Immortals Fenyx Rising — $7.99 $39.99 (save $32)
Just Dance 2025 Deluxe Edition — $32.99 $59.99 (save $27)
Lego Horizon Adventures — $42.99 $59.99 (save $17)
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle Gold Edition — $14.99 $59.99 (save $45)
Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope — $14.99 $59.99 (save $45)
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 — $41.99 $59.99 (save $18)
Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol.1 — $27.99 $39.99 (save $12)
Persona 5 Royal — $43.99 $59.99 (save $16)
Pokémon Legends: Arceus — $54.99 $59.99 (save $5)
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown Complete Edition — $24.99 $49.99 (save $25)
Rayman Legends Definitive Edition — $7.99 $39.99 (save $32)
Sea of Stars — $28.99 $34.99 (save $6)
Sid Meier's Civilization VI — $29.99 $59.99 (save $30)
Sonic Frontiers — $31.99 $39.99 (save $8)
The best Home Depot Spring Black Friday Sale deals:
Best Home Depot Spring Black Friday Sale Deals Best Tool Deal Milwaukee M12 Cordless Hammer Drill/Impact Driver Combo Kit $229 (Save $110) Get Deal Best Outdoor Furniture Deal Costway Wicker 4-piece Patio Conversion Set $270 (Save $157.54) Get Deal Best Grill Deal Weber Spirit E-315 3-Burner Propane Gas Grill $449 (Save $170) Get Deal Best Lawnmower Deal Ryobi 40V HP Brushless Self-Propelled Lawnmower $349 (Save $80) Get Deal Best Security Camera Deal Blink Outdoor 4 Wireless Outdoor Security Camera (5-Pack) $199.99 (Save $200) Get DealSpring may have only just sprung, but Black Friday is already happening at The Home Depot. The Home Depot Spring Black Friday Sale is live now through April 16 in-store and online, with a slew of savings on everything from power tools to outdoor furniture and more.
With 14 days of savings starting this early in the season, you've got plenty of goodies to sift through, as well as some seriously great discounts. There's no time like the present to start taking care of your home and yard, and if you can do so without spending an arm and a leg, you absolutely should.
If you're ready to grab everything you need for a great spring at home, keep scrolling. We've rounded up some of our favorite deals you can find during The Home Depot Spring Black Friday Sale so you don't have to.
Best power tool deal Opens in a new window Credit: The Home Depot Milwaukee M12 Cordless Hammer Drill/Impact Driver Combo Kit $229 at The Home DepotIf you're looking for a dependable drill and driver set that won’t clutter your tool kit, this kit is a great option. It comes with a hammer drill and impact driver, powered by a long-lasting 5.0Ah battery with a long charge cycle between charges. The tools' brushless motors serve up reliable, efficient performance for whatever job you need to tackle, and the compact size makes these tools a breeze to maneuver into tight and awkward spaces. It’s a sensible starter package if you need good, hardy tools but don't want to overdo it with too much bulk or weight.
More power tool dealsRyobi ONE+ 18V Compression Drive Cordless 3/8 in. Crown Stapler — $49.97 $79 (save $29.03)
Dewalt 20-Volt 30° Cordless Framing Nailer — $329 $379 (save $50)
This 4-piece wicker patio set from Costway has everything to sit outside and enjoy the warm weather (or the rain, if you prefer), so whether you feel like entertaining or just hanging out somewhere that isn't your couch, you've got a place to do it. It comes with two chairs, a loveseat, and a small coffee table. The blue cushions add a nice pop of color, and the rattan-style frame is good for when it starts to rain or snow, but you still insist on being outdoors. It might take a bit of time to put together, but for the money it's a great deal.
More outdoor furniture dealsStyleWell Amberview 6-Piece Steel Square Outdoor Dining Set — $129 $30 (save $179)
Nuu Garden Brown 3-piece outdoor patio bar set — $129 $30 (save $179)
Planning on going out and doing some grilling this spring? This straightforward natural gas grill will get the job done. It’s got three burners and enough space to cook for a few people without feeling cramped. The side tables are handy for keeping items like meat and condiments ready, and the build is solid enough to last through a bunch of seasons. It’s designed for natural gas hookups, so it’s not the portable kind, but if you’ve got a line already, it’s a convenient setup that you can save on right now.
Best lawnmower deal Opens in a new window Credit: The Home Depot Ryobi 40V HP Brushless Self-Propelled Lawnmower $349 at The Home DepotWith all the rain pouring down this spring, you know you're going to have to spend some time mowing the lawn. Prepare for that inevitability with this Ryobi lawnmower. With a built-in 6.0 Ah battery, it gives you 40 minutes of runtime, so you can tackle mowing up to a half-acre lawn. Its self-propelled system and rear-wheel also make it easy to push and maneuver, even across different types of yards and terrain. Its brushless motor also performs like a gas mower, with a 150cc engine, but less noise and emissions. It's a job you have to do, so might as well have equipment that makes it easier.
Best security camera deal Opens in a new window Credit: The Home Depot Blink Outdoor 4 Wireless Outdoor Security Camera (5-Pack) $199.99 at The Home DepotKeep an eye on everything going on outside your home with this set of Blink Outdoor 4 security cameras. This bundle nets you five cameras that you can post up and around your house and backyard. They're completely wireless and shoot 1080p footage, so you can use them indoors or outdoors and get the same kind of performance. Best of all, they last up to two years with a ridiculously long battery life, so once you put them up, you don't have to worry about going out and adjusting them again and again. Use the companion app to peek outside or inside and see what's going on whenever you need peace of mind.