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The Amazon Big Spring Sale officially wraps up today, giving you one last chance to score some major deals. While there's a chance some of these prices could stick around post-sale, we suggest grabbing whatever you've got your eye on today just to be sure you secure the best price. We've rounded up a few of the best deals we could find — including some top brands like Beats and Kindle.
Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day on March 31. None of these catching your eye? Check out our running list of all the best live deals from the sale.
Our top pick: Kindle Colorsoft Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition $224.99 at AmazonIt's not every day that Kindles go on sale, so when we see a big discount, it's always worth highlighting. The Kindle Colorsoft, which just dropped last fall, in particular is seeing its biggest price drop to date. The first Kindle of its kind after almost 17 years, the Colorsoft is a 7-inch waterproof e-reader with a glare-free display that supports a full spectrum of color. On top of that, it has an auto-adjusting front light, 32GB of storage, wireless charging, eight weeks of battery life, and no lockscreen ads.
Fitbit Charge 6 Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Fitbit Charge 6 $119.95 at AmazonAs far as fitness trackers go, the Fitbit Charge 6 is one of the best. It was also one of our readers' top purchases during Cyber Week 2024. During the Big Spring Sale, it's on sale for $119.95 (25% off), which isn't quite as big of a discount as Cyber Week, but still a total steal. The Charge 6 features a seven-day battery life, over 40 exercise modes, a heart rate monitor, sleep tracking, and built-in GPS. It'll give you solid insight into your health and habits on its own, but you'll also get a six-month Fitbit Premium membership to kickstart your routine.
Amazon Echo Buds with ANC Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Buds with ANC $54.99 at AmazonIf you're seeking "a really solid pair of noise-cancelling earbuds that will go easy on your wallet," as Mashable's Alex Perry put it, check out this deal on the Amazon Echo Buds with ANC. Usually $139.99, you can snag a pair for only $54.99 during the Big Spring Sale. That's 61% in savings. These buds offer a comfy design, effective noise cancellation, and solid sound quality. The battery life is just OK, but otherwise, they're pretty hard to beat for the price.
Peloton Guide Opens in a new window Credit: Peloton Peloton Guide $45 at AmazonThe Peloton Guide is one of the brand's most affordable offers. Designed for strength training, it plugs into your TV to monitor your workouts, help you track your reps and improve your form, and much more. Usually $95, you can get it on sale during the Big Spring Sale for only $45. That's 53% in savings.
Beats Studio Buds+ Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Studio Buds+ $99.95 at AmazonThe Studio Buds+ added a fun new transparent color to the Beats lineup, plus improved the active noise cancelling and transparency mode, bumped up the battery life, and increased the mic size for better call quality. They even support spatial audio and come with a variety of ear tip sizes to choose from, allowing you to get a snug fit and enjoy the ANC to its fullest. During the Big Spring Sale, they hit a brand-new best price ever of $99.95. That's 41% in savings. Grab 'em before the sale ends to secure the price.
None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.
Planning on doing some home improvement for the spring? Well, you're probably going to need more than a basic screwdriver and some leftover hardware from the IKEA couch you built years ago. Time to get some tools that'll actually help you get the job done.
Amazon's Big Spring Sale is a fantastic time to start building out that power tool arsenal, because they have a pretty sweet selection of cordless tools that are heavily discounted. From drills, to sanders, to circular saws, they have a little bit of everything. Be quick, though, because March 31 is the final day of the Big Spring Sale, and we don't know if all (or any) of these deals will continue after the conclusion of the event.
SEE ALSO: The Amazon Big Spring Sale has some great smart home deals — check out what we've foundBelow, check out the best deals on cordless power tools that we could find during Amazon's Big Spring Sale.
Rubbermaid Reveal Power Scrubber — $15.98 $19.95 (save $3.97)
Black + Decker 20V MAX Cordless Drill Kit — $59 $69.99 (save $10.99)
KIMO Cordless Electric Ratchet Wrench Set — $59.94 $74.99 (save $15.05)
Black + Decker 20V MAX Cordless Reciprocating Saw Kit — $64.99 $69.99 (save $5)
Craftsman V20 Cordless Hammer Drill Kit — $89 $129 (save $40)
Bosch PS31-2A 12V Max Drill/Driver Kit — $89 $139 (save $50)
Dremel 8240-5 12V Cordless Rotary Tool Kit — $89.99 $99.99 (save $10)
DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless Wet-Dry Vacuum — $97.08 $159 (save $61.92)
DeWalt 20V MAX Circular Saw — $99 $159 (save $60)
Black + Decker 20V MAX Power Tool Combo Kit — $127.93 $199.99 (save $72.06)
DeWalt 20V MAX Orbital Sander — $134.35 $179 (save $44.65)
DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit — $139 $239 (save $100)
Porter Cable PCC790B20V MAX Lithium 18GA Brad Nailer Kit — $159.99 $187.99 (save $28)
SAVE $169: As of March 31, you can get a pair of Beats Studio Pro x Kim Kardashian headphones for $179.99. That's a 49% discount and a $169.96 price cut.
Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Studio Pro x Kim Kardashian Headphones $179.99 at AmazonToday’s the last day of the Amazon Big Spring Sale — it officially ends at 11:59 p.m. PT — and if you’re looking for a deal on headphones, we’ve spotted a good one: The Beats Studio Pro x Kim Kardashian noise-cancelling headphones are marked down to $179.99.
As of March 31, you could join the KUWTK club for just $179.99. This price (which is $169 off) will get you the Beats Studio Pro in the Kim-favored hues of dune, deep brown, matte white, moon, and sandstone. You’ll need to pay about $60 more if you want the power adapter.
SEE ALSO: For gym rats and picky audiophiles alike, these are the 8 best headphones of 2025The Beats Studio Pro can play for up to 40 hours on a single charge. You’ll also get an additional four hours of playback with a 10-minute Fast Fuel charge. In addition to active noise cancellation, these headphones have a Transparency Mode that lets you tune in and out of the world around you.
You can use them to take calls or hold meetings, too. The voice-targeting mics can filter out background noise to make sure your voice is crystal clear.
SAVE 50%: The 40-ounce Hydro Flask wide-mouth water bottle is just $25 in the Stone colorway at Amazon, down from the usual price of $49.95. That's a savings of $24.95.
Opens in a new window Credit: Hydro Flask Hydro Flask wide-mouth water bottle (40 ounces, Stone) $25 at AmazonThe Amazon Big Spring Sale is packed with some great deals on tech gadgets, Apple products, and home goods if you're going for a spring refresh. But if you're in more of a personal improvement mood, check out this great deal that's part of the sale.
As of March 31, the 40-ounce Hydro Flask wide-mouth water bottle is on sale for just $25 in the Stone colorway, marked down from the usual price of $49.95. That works out to a 50% discount that saves you $24.95.
Before we get into the depths of sweaty summer weather, it's time to hone in on proper hydration. Doing so now means you'll be better prepared for guzzling down the ounces during the hot summer months. Staying hydrated with a Hydro Flask is magically easier than snagging a cup here and there from the kitchen faucet.
The 40-ounce capacity makes this Hydro Flask perfect for taking along to work, the gym, or the park. It's also a great companion for traveling and since spring break is upon us, this is an ideal time to snag this deal.
Hydro Flask mentions this model can keep drinks cold for up to 24 hours or it can keep your coffee warm for up to 12 hours. This is all thanks to the double-wall insulation made with pro-grade stainless steel. This material means there's no taste transfer, so you can enjoy an iced coffee in the morning and lemonade in the afternoon with the coffee taste lingering in the lemonade. The water bottle is also dishwasher friendly.
One of the worst feelings is when a water bottle leaks, so Hydro Flask ensured we wouldn't have to endure a wet tote bag by using the Hydro Flask Flex Cap, which is leak-proof.
Since the Amazon Spring Sale ends tonight at 11:59 p.m. PT, snag this Hydro Flask for 50% ASAP. Your hydration levels and wallet will be thankful for this deal.
Scrapped Looney Tunes movie Coyote vs. Acme will officially see the light of day, as Ketchup Entertainment has reportedly bought the worldwide rights to the film from Warner Bros.
Announced by the film production and distribution company on Monday (per Deadline), the news marks a happy ending for a grim entertainment saga that kicked off back in November 2023, when Warner Bros. scrapped the completed movie in favor of a tax cut. The same fate befell other completed Warner Bros. films like Batgirl and Scoob!: Holiday Haunt, setting a grim precedent for the entertainment industry.
Ketchup Entertainment has not yet posted the news on its own social media accounts or website.
SEE ALSO: Will Forte sends love to cast and crew of scrapped 'Coyote vs. Acme'In Feb. 2024, The Wrap reported that Warner Bros. was looking to sell the film to other companies like Netflix and Amazon, only to reject their offers. Coyote vs. Acme's new home, Ketchup Entertainment, was also behind the release of 2024's The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie, another Looney Tunes film that Warner Bros. decided to shop around instead of releasing.
Coyote vs. Acme, now reportedly set for a 2026 release, blends animation and live-action, with actors like Will Forte and John Cena starring alongside animated Looney Tunes characters. Directed by Dave Green and written by May December screenwriter Samy Burch, the film centers on Wile E. Coyote's quest to sue the Acme Corporation for selling him shoddy products.
"We’re thrilled to have made a deal with Warner Bros. Pictures to bring this film to audiences worldwide," Ketchup Entertainment CEO Gareth West said in a March 31 statement, published by Deadline. "Coyote vs. Acme is a perfect blend of nostalgia and modern storytelling, capturing the essence of the beloved Looney Tunes characters while introducing them to a new generation. We believe it will resonate with both longtime fans and newcomers alike."
SAVE $100: As of March 31, you can get the Bird Buddy Pro solar smart bird feeder for just $199 at Amazon. That's a 33% discount and a $100 price cut. It's also the lowest price we've seen for this model.
Opens in a new window Credit: Bird Buddy Bird Buddy Pro Solar Smart Bird Feeder $199 at AmazonThis past Christmas, I went a little off-script and decided to get my dad something that wasn’t Playstation or Lego-related — I bought him a smart bird feeder, more specifically, the Bird Buddy Pro, and he loves it.
And right now, you can get one for yourself (or a loved one) for 33% off. The Bird Buddy Pro solar smart bird feeder is currently $199 at Amazon, which is the lowest price we’ve seen it at, dropping down from $299.
SEE ALSO: 350+ of the best live deals from the Amazon Big Spring Sale, picked by Mashable's team of expertsThe Bird Buddy Pro Solar smart bird feeder looks like a little house. It’s equipped with a solar-powered camera (designed to capture birds, not the surrounding area), and it comes with an app that identifies the type of birds in your backyard or wherever you decide to mount it.
It’s also super simple to set up. Just charge the camera, download the app, pair your device, connect it to WiFi, mount it, add your birdseed, and you’re ready to go.
GET A FREE $100 AMAZON GIFT CARD: The Samsung Galaxy Ring is $399.99 at Amazon, which is the standard retail price, but it comes with a free $100 Amazon gift card as part of the Amazon Big Spring Sale.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung / Amazon Samsung Galaxy Ring + $100 Amazon gift card $399.99 at AmazonAmazon sales are always worth shopping, since they're an opportunity to get record-low prices on great tech and home items. The Amazon Big Spring Sale is in its final day: it ends tonight (March 31) at 11:59 p.m. PT. That means you still have most of today to shop. If you've been contemplating a smart ring, you'll want to listen up about this deal.
As of March 31, the Samsung Galaxy Ring comes with a free $100 Amazon gift card. The ring is priced at $399.99, which is the standard MSPR, but this deal includes a free $100 gift card to spend at Amazon.
If you're not interested in a smart watch, the Samsung Galaxy Ring is a really great alternative. Instead of a watch counting your steps or tracking your sleep, the Galaxy Ring takes care of those stats. With a lightweight design and a sleek style, the Galaxy Ring won't need to come off for sleeping or that fancy event. Plus, it's water resistant, so it'll also be invited along to spring break at the beach.
It's worth mentioning up front that the Samsung Galaxy Ring is not compatible with iOS devices, so you'll only want to snag this deal if you (or a very lucky gift recipient) have an Android device.
Mashable Tech Editor Kimberly Gedeon wore the Samsung Galaxy Ring for a week and realized it outperformed her Apple Watch Series 9. Her review of the ring also mentions its awesome battery life, which she found to last about six days.
"Yes, the Apple Watch delivers a wealth of other utilities like Tap-to-Pay, Walkie Talkie, and staying 'in the know' with notifications, texts, and calls. However, long battery life is such a great selling point for me, so I'd forgo those incredible features for a survivor like the Galaxy Ring," Gedeon explained in the review.
In terms of other benefits, the Samsung Galaxy Ring can track the following: heart rate, sleep, physical activity, steps, stress, blood oxygen level, and menstrual cycle. It can also keep track of your water and food intake, but you'll need to input those manually, as is the norm with smart watches.
Since this deal expires tonight (March 31) hurry to get the impressive Samsung Galaxy Ring with a completely free $100 Amazon gift card. That's a bundle deal we love to see.
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: Equipment
Green: Where the game is played
Blue: Championship winners
Purple: Color-specific teams
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Protective gear
Green: Fields of play, familiarly
Blue: Last 4 NBA champions
Purple: Teams that wear purple
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 #189 is...
What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition todayProtective gear - GLOVES, HELMET, MOUTH GUARD, PADS
Fields of play, familiarly - DIAMOND, GRIDIRON, HARDWOOD, RINK
Last 4 NBA champions - BUCKS, CELTICS, NUGGETS, WARRIORS
Teams that wear purple - KINGS, NORTHWESTERN, RAVENS, ROCKIES
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.
Netflix has released the episodic trailer for Black Mirror Season 7, giving us a closer look at the technological nightmares we can expect from the next installment of Charlie Brooker's anthology series.
First up is "Common People," starring Rashida Jones, Chris O'Dowd, and Tracee Ellis Ross. Jones plays schoolteacher Amanda, who experiences a medical emergency that leaves her fighting for her life. Her husband Mike (O'Dowd) signs her up for Rivermind, described as a "revolution in neurological science." But Rivermind comes at a high price — one that, based on the trailer, involves running ads through Amanda's consciousness. Dark stuff.
SEE ALSO: 'Black Mirror' Season 7 trailer teases 'U.S.S. Callister' sequel and a 'Bandersnatch' connectionNext up is "Bête Noire," which sees confectionary whizz kid Maria (Siena Kelly) reunite with her old classmate Verity (Rosy McEwen) at work. However, there's something unsettling about Verity that only Maria seems to notice. Is Verity really changing things at Maria's work, or is it all in her head? Judging by Black Mirror's track record, you wouldn't be wrong to guess the former.
In "Eulogy," an isolated man (Paul Giamatti) tries out a new technology that allows him to step into old photographs alongside a mysterious guide (Patsy Ferran). Strong emotions are sure to follow, with Giamatti begging the guide to "get me out of here" in the trailer.
"Hotel Reverie," starring Issa Rae, Awkwafina, and Emma Corrin, centers on a remake of a British movie that's being filmed in real-time using a system called ReDream. ReDream sends A-list star Brandy Friday (Rae) into another dimension populated by AI constructs, including Corrin's character. Will these AI characters find out the truth about their reality, and will Brandy make it home?
SEE ALSO: Every 'Black Mirror' episode ever, ranked by overall dreadIn the first sneak peek at "Plaything," Peter Capaldi looks absolutely terrifying, which examines an eccentric murder in near-future London. Somehow, the culprit is linked to a game from the '90s, which features cute, evolving artificial life forms that seem to have spoken to Capaldi's character, Cameron Walker.
"I could receive their first message," he says in the trailer. "A greeting."
"Plaything" also stars Will Poulter and Asim Chaudhry, reprising their roles from the interactive special Black Mirror: Bandersnatch. But it's not the only episode this season to return to a prior Black Mirror installment.
The trailer closes out with a longer look at "USS Callister" sequel "USS Callister: Into Infinity." The USS Callister's tyrannical Captain Robert Daly may be dead, but the starship's crew — led by new Captain Nanette Cole (Cristin Milioti) — is now stranded in the universe of the game Infinity, fighting for survival against 30 million players.
Milioti, Jimmi Simpson, Billy Magnussen, Osy Ikhile, Milanka Brooks, and Paul G. Raymond reprise their roles from the original episode, and the trailer even hints that we'll get to see how their characters' real-world counterparts react to their in-game exploits.
"Don't freak out," Nanette tells James (Simpson) in the Callister Inc. offices.
Easier said than done, Nanette — after these sneak peeks, we're definitely spooked.
SAVE 38%: As of March 31, you can get the eufy L60 robot vacuum with a self-empty base for $279.95 at Amazon. That's a 38% discount and a $170.04 price cut. It's also just a couple of bucks away from its all-time low price.
Opens in a new window Credit: eufy eufy L60 Robot Vacuum SES $279.95 at AmazonOne of the best purchases I’ve ever made was on my Shark robot vacuum. It was the first robo-vac I’ve used, and I honestly didn’t expect much from it. But setting it to run through my home every night while I made dinner has kept my floors in much better shape, and for that, I’m grateful. (I’m using past tense because it did run over an unexpected mess my pups left on the floor and never recovered.)
SEE ALSO: The best stick vacuum deals in the Amazon Big Spring SaleEven so, I can honestly say that owning a robot vacuum can save you a lot of time and effort, and it’s worth every penny. And if you’re looking to buy one of your own without spending Roomba money, Amazon’s Big Spring Sale (which ends tonight at 11:59 p.m. PT) has one hell of a deal on the eufy L60.
SEE ALSO: The 3 best robot vacuums for apartments, condos, and other small spacesAs of March 31, you can snag the eufy L60 robot vacuum (with a self-empty station) for just $279.95. That’s, like, $170 off the list price. It’s also just two bucks more than its lowest price ever, according to camelcamelcamel.
The eufy L60 is a solid, middle-of-the-road robot vacuum that’s perfect for smaller homes. It has a hair detangling roller brush that makes it a decent choice for pet owners, and its 5,000 Pa suction power should be able to pick up crumbs, dirt, dust bunnies, and more in just one pass.
The coolest thing about this budget-friendly find (aside from the fact that it comes with a self-empty base) is its customizable AI Map 2.0, which lets you set up no-go zones, multi-floor mapping, and more. You can also use it to tell your L60 exactly where to clean and how much power to use while it’s there.
I recommend pouncing on this Amazon deal before it expires.
The release of the original Doom in 1993 was a pivotal moment in video game history. Widely considered one of the most influential first-person shooters (FPS), Doom's relatively sparse plot followed an unnamed marine (dubbed "Doom Guy" by fans) fighting demons on Mars.
Several decades have passed since then, and expectations for games have significantly evolved. Even so, there are some classic truths that have stood the test of time. One of these is that the joy of mindlessly plowing through demons and exploding them like bloody piñatas remains eternal. In this, Doom: The Dark Ages aims to deliver.
SEE ALSO: The Doom-themed CAPTCHA is real and you can try it nowI recently spent a couple of hours with an early PC build of Doom: The Dark Ages, previewing a handful of chapters in the normal "Hurt Me Plenty" difficulty mode to get a feel for the gameplay. While the original Doom was almost exclusively demon-demolishing action, Doom: The Dark Ages makes an effort to incorporate more plot via cinematic cutscenes, taking players well beyond Mars in this prequel to 2016's Doom reboot.
Even so, if you ignore the details, the crux of what I saw was relatively straightforward enough for even newcomers to Doom's lore to grasp. You are the "Slayer," kept as a mind-controlled "super weapon of gods and kings." Your mission? Kill demons. Kill them dead.
Taking on Hell with guns and hubris Credit: BethesdaDeveloped by id Software and published by Bethesda, Doom: The Dark Ages hearkens back to the original '90s game in many ways, complete with floating green armour packs, blue health pickups, and even the Doom Guy's face in the bottom centre of the screen offering an indication of your health. (Doom: The Dark Ages' holographic visage will turn from blue to red when your health is getting low, and begin to take on a distinctly more skull-like appearance.)
Unsurprisingly, this also includes the game's focus on FPS gunplay. Doom: The Dark Ages offers a selection of different weapons which vary gameplay and encourage you to switch up your playstyle. For example, you can shoot a plasma shield with a plasma gun to overcharge it, or fire at metal armour to overheat it before shattering it with a throw of your shield. Choosing the right gun for each situation did have a notable impact on its effectiveness, with different demons more susceptible to different strategies. Watching a plasma shield blow up and take out surrounding enemies is undeniably satisfying.
Fortunately for those who prefer their mindless violence even more mindless, I also found the "just keep firing until it stops moving or you run out of ammo" strategy was also entirely valid.
Personally, I largely favoured charging in with my shield like a rhino, locking on to my paper bag enemies and rocketing across the battlefield to bash them into satisfying gory explosions. Zipping between demons like a deadly ping-pong ball also had the added benefit of bringing me close enough to administer a Super Shotgun to their sturdier colleagues' faces, or a Gauntlet to the gut.
My shield-focused strategy was subsequently improved when chainsaw blades were later added to its rim, creating the most family-unfriendly frisbee ever. This enabled me to throw it to cut down demons like a grimdark Captain America, or even embed it in stronger enemies. Happily, there was no fiddly aiming which might have slowed down the bloody mayhem. I merely needed to lock on to one of the demons before letting my shield deliver death via express post. Finesse has no place in a viscera-soaked battlefield such as this.
Opens in a new window Credit: Bethesda Doom: The Dark Ages Pre-order HereAside from the plot and gunplay, Doom: The Dark Ages also expands beyond the franchise's typically linear gameplay to include some maps that are more open. Even so, the open segments I explored in my preview session weren't anywhere near as expansive as the phrase "open-world" might have one imagine. Rather, they merely offered a little room to choose the order in which you tackle battles, or explore to discover resources in secret areas. In one instance, I grew frustrated with a tough fight so wandered off to take out a few easier groups of enemies before returning.
According to the cutscenes, the Slayer's captors have erased everything from his mind except "hatred for demons." Even so, he apparently still retains a working knowledge of commerce, being capable of collecting gold to exchange for weapon upgrades.
Fortunately, you don't have to spend your hard-found gold on ammo, shields, or health. Aside from the aforementioned pickups found around the map, enemies will also drop health upon death if you're wounded. Murdering demons with up close melee attacks can yield ammo as well, encouraging players to keep fighting even against dire odds. Even so, I did find myself frantically running in circles to collect health and ammo packs on at least one occasion, kiting a surprisingly sturdy mini-boss as I gathered the resources to chip away at their health.
Doom: The Dark Ages' mecha made me a big chunky murder baby Credit: BethesdaRunning, gunning, and punching demons in the face isn't the only chaos you can unleash in Doom: The Dark Ages. Some chapters also allow you to punch giant demons in their giant faces with a giant humanoid Atlan mecha, or engage in aerial combat atop a Mecha Dragon.
The Mecha Dragon is relatively agile, locking on to stationary enemies and swivelling around that point to dodge incoming fire. In contrast to both this and Doom: The Dark Ages' non-mech assisted gunplay, combat in the Atlan takes a more sluggish pace, requiring you to lumber up to your opponent before taking a swing like kaiju duking it out in the streets of Tokyo.
It's an interesting change of pace, and made me feel less like a rhino with a gun and more like a giant toddler inadvertently ruining everything. And just like a toddler, I also felt absolutely no guilt about any of it.
Credit: BethesdaDoom: The Dark Ages generally doesn't include friendly fire (a fact I discovered after immediately attempting to mow down the first cowering soldiers I encountered). However, the Atlan mecha does allow you to decimate your allies by knocking down bridges they're standing on and stepping on their tanks. The unfriendly destruction is so complete in fact that one could reasonably argue that deploying the Atlan does more harm to the war effort than good.
For my part, turning my allies into pancakes was largely not deliberate — at least, not at first. Sometimes there's just a bridge in the way of your journey, and unfortunately the mecha's designers didn't feel that the ability to step over objects was a necessary function to include.
However, this is also where I found Doom: The Dark Ages' plot a little bit more important to my gameplay experience. I'd have felt a lot worse about killing my allies if they weren't keeping me as a mind-controlled murder slave. Once I remembered this factoid, I had no qualms stomping them like grapes.
Doom: The Dark Ages blends old and new Credit: BethesdaDoom: The Dark Ages didn't always keep up the frantic pace I'd expected. Even aside from cutscenes and mecha sections, there were only a few moments during my preview where I got that locked-in focus and flow synonymous with mowing down a seemingly neverending horde of demons. I also remain largely unconvinced that Doom: The Dark Ages' cutscenes and focus on plot are entirely necessary, particularly as the franchise's primary appeal has not historically revolved around its story. It will be interesting to see how this impacts the pace of the game in its final release.
Even so, I found demolishing demons in Doom: The Dark Ages nostalgic, refreshing, and fun, hearkening back to simpler times while still working to add features befitting modern video game standards (including robust accessibility settings). As everything in the world seems to grow increasingly complex, the simple joys can feel increasingly hard to find.
Doom: The Dark Ages is a simple joy, offering a cathartic, mindless escape from complicated problems that can't be solved by indiscriminate violence. There are no moral debates here, no difficult questions or philosophical dilemmas to keep you up at night. There is only evil, and there is gun.
This I can appreciate. Sometimes you just need to work out your anger via a simple demon-busting power fantasy. In that, Doom: The Dark Ages may have you covered.
Doom: The Dark Ages arrives May 15 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Being a woman on the internet is hard. Being a woman trying to find a genuine connection on the internet is even harder. And when that internet is littered with emboldened creeps and AI profiles that pique more curiosity than the real ones, apparently, applying to be on Love Island may start to seem like a sane alternative.
That said, meeting someone great online isn't impossible. With a bit of common sense, a personalized list of dating non-negotiables, and a game plan (for which we've set some guidelines below), there's no need to rule dating apps out as a place to find romance, a wedding date, or an animate alternative to your sex toy collection.
SEE ALSO: What do we owe our online dating matches? So, which dating app is best for women?Circling back to that common sense we just mentioned — there's no hard and fast answer singling out a single dating app as the one every woman will love. We can, however, provide recommendations based on your ideal entanglement situation: Don't want men to be able to message you first? Bumble. Don't want any cishet men to infiltrate your queer dating pool at all? HER. Simply want a less gamified feel than Tinder — or a free ride to the airport? Hinge.
But really, we know online dating is exhausting — so we've done the hands-on work to find dating apps that go beyond superficial swiping and generic profiles. Of course, if you are looking for superficial swiping, we have some options for that, too. Based on our personal experience looking for love, lust, and friendship online, here are the best dating apps for women in any situation:
Google.org, the tech giant's philanthropic arm, is investing millions of dollars into getting nonprofits up to speed on generative AI, part of a massive funding effort to empower organizations to adopt the tech, including Google's own AI offerings.
Channeled through community foundations in Atlanta, Austin, Columbia, New York City, and San Francisco, more than $10 million in grants have been awarded to technical nonprofits that will then supply individualized AI support to organizations in their communities.
In 2024, Google.org announced an initiative-wide investment in nonprofit AI integration, including a generative AI accelerator program and an AI Opportunity Fund, which would funnel nearly $100 million into training and integration programs for participating nonprofits.
SEE ALSO: Character.AI launches parental supervision featureOver the last year, 20 organizations have benefitted from opportunity fund grants, earmarked specifically for investing and scaling their AI expertise, staffing, and capacity. "Organizations across the Fund spent the first year creating, vetting, and piloting new, tailored AI curricula to provide practical skills to the communities they serve," Maggie Johnson, vice president and global head of Google.org told Mashable. "They established national AI committees and working groups that spanned learning and development experts, local chapter leaders, and technological advisors (often Googlers). Now in their second year, the grantees are implementing these programs, and we’ve been excited to see their progress."
Through the six month-long generative AI accelerator, 21 participating nonprofits received a crash course in technical training, which are expected to impact more than 30 million people through new "gen AI-powered solutions," Johnson said. "Overall, Google.org funding recipients report that AI helps them achieve their goals in one third of the time at nearly half the cost. This spans industries including education, health, workforce readiness, and more," she said.
Through this new round of funding, Google is funding educators, awarding millions in grants to organizations like the Tech:NYC Foundation's Decoded Futures project and Project Evident, which bring together leadership in the tech, social, and education sectors with nonprofits to advance safe and equitable technologies — and foster AI literacy. "By connecting nonprofits with accessible AI training, we're equipping them with the tools to streamline operations, enhance their impact, and ultimately, better serve our community," said Julie Samuels, president and CEO of Tech:NYC.
"Project Evident sees this collaboration as one way to strengthen the voices of nonprofits and the communities they serve in the important ongoing conversation about AI’s role in society," said Sarah Di Troia, managing director of Outcomes AI at Project Evident. "[Our organization] calls this moment of emergent AI adoption in the social and education sectors 'all teach, all learn,' and we’re approaching this collaboration as a co-creation process. The most important question Project Evident asks when working with nonprofits on AI adoption is 'Why AI?'"
Nonprofits that have benefitted from Google's funding include global organizations like the World Bank, as well as community nonprofits like Climate Ride, a catalyst for environment and sustainability fundraising, and Erika's Lighthouse, a nonprofit dedicated to addressing adolescent mental health — both of which received training in integrating Google's AI-powered assistant Gemini and Notebook LM into their nonprofit work.
SEE ALSO: Can AI lift up struggling nonprofits — or cause them more pain?"We do as much as possible on a limited budget with a small team to meet our mission," said Climate ride partnership manager Mackenzie Cole. "We've turned to generative AI to help us do more with our time and to fill knowledge gaps. We rely on tools like Gemini to reduce the hours taken up by time-consuming tasks, like working out spreadsheet formulas or rewriting website copy, so we have more time and energy to focus on the complicated work we do running events to fundraise for other environmental non-profits."
As AI scales at lightning speed, nonprofits have had to leverage the tech's practical benefits against society's ethical quandaries around generative AI, all while trying to stay afloat in a shifting funding landscape. "As with any evolving technology, there are valid concerns around AI use," said Erika's Lighthouse executive director Brandon Combs. "We must also recognize that we are also in the midst of a crisis facing our youth, and these tools will allow us to quickly address and make a meaningful impact in schools across the country."
Google's investments join a mass effort to build an AI-skilled American labor force, with programs like the AI Opportunity Force honing in on demand among understaffed, underfunded nonprofits, rural and underserved workers, educators, and the public sector.
"Project Evident knows that some nonprofits and grant makers are hesitant to engage with AI, but AI is here, and it is not going away," said Di Troia. "Over the past decade, AI has reshaped how we interact with every consumer-facing company, from choosing what movies to watch to completing sentences in our emails or text messages. Choosing not to deploy AI to drive productivity or more equitable outcomes not only limits nonprofits’ efficiency and impact but also deprives them of formulating an informed perspective about how AI should be integrated into our society."
As Di Troia explained, collaborations with major tech leaders, like Google, may ensure that nonprofits and community members become critical actors within a field of AI technology developers, policy regulators, and tech evangelists.
Deciding to get back into the dating game can be nerve-wracking at any age. But the stakes may feel a little higher if you're in your 40s, especially when considering the cost of dating sites nowadays and whether or not they're truly worth it for finding love.
You may assume that people in your demographic either aren't interested in dating or are already settled into long-term relationships, but many people in their 40s are single parents, divorced, or unpartnered, leading to a diverse age range within the dating pool. Getting on one of the best dating sites for over 40 singles could help you find your forever partner — it's not too late to date.
According to a recent Pew Research Center analysis of Census Bureau data, as of 2021, nearly 25 percent of 40-somethings in the U.S. have never been married. Additionally, only 22 percent of unmarried adults ages 40 to 44 were cohabiting couples.
SEE ALSO: Dating predictions for the rest of 2024So, have people in their 40s given up on finding love? Not at all. In fact, according to the Pew Research analysis, approximately one in four 40-year-olds who weren't married in 2001 tied the knot by age 60. But unlike people in their 20s and 30s, single people over 40 know what they want and aren't afraid to wait a little longer to find the right person.
How to find a partner in your 40sNow, after that speech and spew of statistics, you're probably wondering what our grand plan is to get you out on the dance floor. The answer? Online dating. Before you scoff, hear us out.
Online dating is a great way to meet new people in a low-pressure environment. The best dating sites for people over 40 make it so easy to connect with potential partners. You can filter through profiles and find matches who share your interests and values. Imagine if you could do that when scanning the room at a party — it would save a lot of time and effort.
But before you download a bunch of apps, Kiana Reeves, Somatic Sex Educator, Intimacy Coach, and Chief Education Officer at Foria, recommends taking a moment for self-reflection: "We join dating sites because we’re looking for connection, whether in the form of a serious relationship, a casual fling, or something in between. With that in mind, it’s important to identify the kind of connection you’re looking for before you join any dating sites, apps, etc."
SEE ALSO: Tired of casual dates? Try the best dating apps for serious relationships.Next, consider your approach to online dating, Reeves says. "Are you looking for a casual swipe-through site to meet people in a new city? Are you someone who likes to make the first move? Are you looking for someone who is only interested in a serious relationship? Are you looking for someone who shares your same faith? How much time are you planning to devote to making a connection?"
Once you've clarified your dating goals, Reeves recommends "joining a couple [apps] to start out with, so you can feel out what kind of user experience makes the most sense for you." She adds, "Of course, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s totally fine to just join one to start."
Ready to find love after 40? Or maybe you're just looking for a no-strings-attached fling? We get it, and we're here to help. As dating site experts, we've combed through the best dating sites and best dating apps for people over 40, done the research, and even tried them out ourselves to find the best options for singles like you. Whether you're a single parent, new to the dating scene, or just looking for a fresh start, our guide will help you find the best platform to connect with others in their 40s and beyond.
The trailer for The White Lotus Season 3 finale has dropped, and it's imperative that we comb through it frame-by-frame for answers.
There are many burning questions going into the finale — Will Belinda be safe from Greg? What's really going on with Rick and Jim Hollinger? Who is going to end up dead, and who's the killer? — and although the trailer doesn't give too much away, there are some small hints.
From an ominous shot of a smoothie to a deal gone awry, we've broken down the biggest clues from the trailer below.
SEE ALSO: 'The White Lotus' Season 3, episode 7: So, what happened at Laurie's wedding? The fruit and the smoothie Credit: YouTube/MaxIt's hard to imagine things getting much worse for the Ratliffs, but the finale trailer appears to be saying "hold my smoothie." Tim (Jason Isaacs) has been fantasising about killing his family for the past few episodes, and in the finale trailer he asks hotel worker and "health butler" Pam (Morgana O'Reilly) about the deadly fruit of the pong pong tree she mentioned back in episode 1 — remember, Saxon picked one up from the ground in the villa when they first arrived.
"Locals actually call it the suicide tree," Pam tells Tim in the trailer. "So don't eat it."
This makes the subsequent shot of one of Saxon's smoothie/protein shakes being blended all the more worrying.
Jim Holllinger back at the hotel Credit: YouTube/MaxIt's a brief shot from the back, but it appears that Sritala (Lek Patravadi) and her husband Jim Hollinger will be returning to the hotel for the finale. So what does this mean for Rick (Walton Goggins), who spent the past episode waving a gun in Jim's face in Bangkok? Well, it sounds like an odd thing to say, but I reckon this actually makes Rick safer. Just think: If someone as powerful as Jim wanted Rick dead, why would he murder someone in his own hotel or even be there in-person for the job? No, it seems more likely that Jim wants to see Rick again — maybe to tell him more about what really happened with Gloria Hatchett.
Belinda (maybe) refusing Greg's deal Credit: YouTube/MaxAfter being made a hush money offer of $100,000 in episode 7, Belinda (Natasha Rothwell) pays another visit to Greg (Jon Gries) in the trailer, this time with her son Zion (Nicholas Duvernay) — and it doesn't look like things go well. "I'm not doing this," she says, standing up. "It's a waste of time." Oh dear. We also see another shot of Greg in the trailer, this time back at the White Lotus hotel sipping a drink and looking sinister. Could he have planned a hit on Belinda? Has he come back to the hotel so that he has an alibi?
Frank losing his cool Credit: YouTube/MaxNow this is an interesting one. I originally thought Frank (Sam Rockwell) would be a cameo character that stays in Bangkok, but it appears the show isn't done with him yet. We get a shot of Frank meditating in the trailer, followed by a far less calm shot of him cutting open an inanimate object in what looks like a hotel room. Is Frank taking the anger at his lost sobriety out on the upholstery? Or is he looking for something that may have been hidden? It's hard to say. But what if Frank holds Rick responsible for him falling off the wagon, and decides to follow him back to The White Lotus on a vengeful whim?
In The White Lotus Season 3, tensions between our three teeth-gritting besties Laurie (Carrie Coon), Jaclyn (Michelle Monaghan), and Kate (Leslie Bibb) have been steadily rising for various reasons personal and political. However, in episode 7, the trio's dinner turned into a bonafide home truths session.
As earnest hotel manager Fabian (Christian Friedel) finally took the stage for his first performance at the White Lotus restaurant, the group reached a simmering point where the audience got a fleeting peek into why Laurie has such a problem with Jaclyn's actions, and why she may have offered that resounding wail in her room in the very first episode.
SEE ALSO: 'The White Lotus' Season 3: I have a theory about Jim HollingerOne thing's for sure, we're going to need a little more detail about what happened at Laurie's wedding.
What happens in The White Lotus Season 3, episode 7? They should serve popcorn for this dinner. Credit: Fabio Lovino / HBOThe penultimate episode Season 3 had many an uncomfortable revelation following the choices-were-made rager of a Full Moon Party in episodes 5 and 6 (pour out a smoothie for the Ratliff brothers).
For school friends Laurie, Kate, and Jaclyn, over the course of the day after, Jaclyn's post-party sleepover with wellness coach Valentin (Arnas Fedaravičius) becomes the topic of the day in episode 6, with Laurie slowly processing Jaclyn's decision to a) cheat on her boyfriend and b) do so with the man Jaclyn herself was pushing Laurie to have a holiday dalliance with. Laurie's strategy to compute the situation was spending the whole day seemingly laughing it off as Jaclyn flat out lied about it to both Kate and Laurie. But there's more going on here.
Kate, you might want to listen to Laurie... Credit: Fabio Lovino / HBOIn episode 7, over a hastily-ordered bottle of rosé at dinner, Laurie makes a quip about Jaclyn being tired and the whole thing kicks off. Laurie accuses Jaclyn of being untrustworthy when Kate steps in to describe the whole Valentin thing as "not that big of a deal."
"Was it a big deal when she did the same thing with Dave?" Laurie asks, explaining to Kate: "At my wedding she was all over Dave. I'm sure you remember."
Who is Dave, friends? That would be Kate's now-husband. That means 15 years ago, at Laurie's wedding to her ex Brian, Jaclyn was allegedly "all over" the partner of the friend most in her corner right now. We don't know if Kate and Dave were together at Laurie's wedding, but if Laurie is delivering this news as proof of Jaclyn's behaviour patterns, we're guessing they were at least dating (or at the very least Kate had already expressed an interest in him).
Jaclyn denies the event, but we all know she's not only an actor but a pretty good liar by this point with the whole Valentin thing. After Jaclyn and Kate (defending Jaclyn in the moment) drop some crisp and cruel home truths on Laurie, Laurie leaves some of her own revelations on the table and heads off to the Muay Thai fight in town.
So, what exactly happened at Laurie's wedding, Jaclyn? Jaclyn seems to enjoy competing with her friends. Credit: Fabio Lovino / HBOIt's not clear we'll actually get any more information on what exactly happened at Laurie's wedding in the finale.
In episode 1, when the guests first arrive at the White Lotus and the trio settle into their villa for the evening, Laurie calls it a night and heads up to her room. It's here, staring at Jaclyn and Kate having a cozy conversation, Laurie issues the most agonised, mournful, pent-up wail we've heard in an age. It seems like she's burying a truth here about her friends' deep emotional impact on her. Slowly but surely, over the course of the season, we're clued into the dynamic between the three, and it seems to be one of slightly toxic competition from Jaclyn's perspective, particularly with her friends' partners or love interests.
Maybe we'll get a scene where Kate confronts Jaclyn about what happened between her and Dave at Laurie's wedding. Maybe we won't. But the real question will be what Kate now does with this revelation, and whether her friendship is really worth it. Give us the details, Laurie!
SAVE $11.99: As of March 31, the Sony SRS-XB100 Bluetooth speaker is on sale for $48 in the Amazon Big Spring Sale. That's 20% off its list price of $59.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony SRS-XB100 Wireless Speaker $48 at AmazonMarch 31 is the final day of Amazon's Big Spring Sale and there are still quite a few deals worth checking out before it all comes to an end. If you've had your eye on a portable speaker to take on some outdoor adventures, there are some great deals still floating around, including on the Sony SRS-XB100.
This compact Bluetooth speaker has dropped from its list price of $59.99 to $48 in the Amazon Spring Sale. There are a few different color options available to choose from at this price, including the black, light gray, and orange.
SEE ALSO: When does Amazon's Big Spring Sale end?The Sony SRS-XB100 is tiny but mighty, boasting a wonderfully compact size that's easy to take with you on the go and powerful sound that'll make your favorite songs, podcasts, or whatever else you choose to listen to on it sound crisp and clear. It also has a nice battery life of up to 16 hours and a durable build that's waterproof and dustproof. No matter where your travels take you this year, this little speaker can keep up.
This deal may not stick around for long after Amazon's Big Spring Sale, so act fast to save on the Sony SRS-XB100.
This Bluetooth speaker is one of many that have popped up in the Big Spring Sale. To see a few more of our favorites, check out our roundup of headphones and speaker deals live from Amazon's Big Spring Sale.
SAVE $80: As of March 31, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is on sale for $299.99 in the Amazon Big Spring Sale. That's 21% off its list price of $379.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 $299.99 at AmazonAmazon's Big Spring Sale comes to an end after March 31, so if you have found some exciting deals, now is the time to grab them. If you've been looking at smartwatches, there are still some great discounts available, including on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7.
Offering a 21% discount, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is currently marked down from its list price of $379.99 to $299.99. This is only a few dollars away from its lowest-ever price of $295.93, so now's a great time to pick it up if it has caught your eye. Two different colors are marked down to this price as well, so you can choose between the silver and green models.
SEE ALSO: Every single Apple Watch Series 10 has dropped to a record-low price during Amazon's Big Spring SaleIf you're looking to up your fitness game with the weather getting warmer, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is the perfect workout companion. It boasts a variety of fitness features, including an Energy Score that shows your readiness for the day based on your activities from the previous day. It also features a heart rate tracker, sleep tracker, and wellness tips to help you stay focused on hitting your goals.
This is your last chance to save on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 in Amazon's Big Spring Sale, so act fast to scoop it up at its discounted price.
Curious what other deals are still available in the sale event? Have a look through our roundup of 350+ of the best live deals from the Amazon Big Spring Sale to see our favorite discounts from the big seasonal sale.
The last chance to pick up the best deals from the Amazon Spring SaleApple AirPods Pro 2 ANC Earbuds With USB-C Charging Case — $169.99 (List Price $249.00)
Ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced Wi-Fi Thermostat — $169.00 (List Price $189.99)
Soundcore Life Q30 Hybrid ANC Headphones (Black) — $55.99 (List Price $79.99)
Blink Mini 2 Indoor Wireless 1080p Camera (2-Pack) — $37.99 (List Price $69.99)
Apple iPad mini 128GB 8.3" Tablet — $399.00 (List Price $499.00)
Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS, 42mm) — $299.00 (List Price $399.00)
Sonos Era 100 Wireless Alexa Enabled Smart Speaker (White) — $199.00 (List Price $249.00)
Fire TV Stick 4K Max Streaming Player With Remote (2023 Model) — $39.99 (List Price $59.99)
Fitbit Inspire 3 Health and Fitness Tracker (Midnight Zen/Black) — $69.95 (List Price $99.95)
Roku Express 4K+ Streaming Media Player — $29.99 (List Price $39.99)
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