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The Pixel 9a now has an official release date.

According to Google, the Pixel 9a will finally hit store shelves in the U.S., Canada, and UK on April 10.

Google officially announced the Pixel 9a, the latest member of its Pixel 9a smartphone lineup, last week. The made-for-AI, camera-bump-less smartphone seems like a real steal at $499. However, there were issues immediately after Google's announcement.

The Pixel 9a was originally supposed to be available for pre-order on March 19 and hit store shelves on March 26. Based on those original dates, the Pixel 9a should've already launched, with early adopters having the device in hand by now.

However, shortly before the Pixel 9a was announced, Google postponed the release date to an unspecific April date and dropped the pre-orders completely. The Verge later confirmed that the delay was due to a "component quality issue" that Google discovered which affected a "small number" of Pixel 9a devices.

The whole issue kind of made for an awkward rollout, as Google was left announcing a new current-generation device that appeared ready for retail but without a release date. Still though, this timeline of events was likely preferably to Google having to fix the component issue with the device already in consumers' hands.

After stumbling out of the gate, Google is getting right back on track with the Pixel 9a. Mashable already has a comparison published between the Pixel 9a and the base Pixel 9 model, and we'll have a hands-on review of the Pixel 9a when it's out. So, stay tuned for more Pixel 9a coverage.

After ChatGPT-generated images in the style of Studio Ghibli drew criticism online, OpenAI has shared a response addressing the backlash.

OpenAI released native image generation in GPT-4o earlier this week, with a live demo showing CEO Sam Altman and OpenAI staffers using ChatGPT to turn a selfie into an anime-style image that looked a whole lot like the unique and painstakingly crafted animated films of Studio Ghibli. Soon, Studio Ghibli-style versions of memes, selfies, and family photos, all automated by ChatGPT, went viral on X. Altman himself turned his X profile picture into a Studio Ghibli-esque image of himself and directly mentioned the distinct style in an X post, writing, "wake up one day to hundreds of messages: 'look i made you into a twink ghibli style haha.'"

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The viral moment quickly turned into questions of copyright infringement and IP theft as users wondered whether OpenAI trained GPT-4o on Studio Ghibli films without permission. But the larger issue that troubled many users was how the artwork of Hayao Miyazaki's studio, which famously hand-paints almost every frame of their animated films, could be quickly automated and commodified for the purpose of promoting a new OpenAI product.

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This was especially prescient given Miyazaki's stance on AI-generated work based on a clip that went viral where Miyazaki expressed his disgust, saying, "I strongly feel that this is an insult to life itself."

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In response, OpenAI has addressed the criticisms sharing the following statement to Mashable:

Our goal is to give users as much creative freedom as possible. We continue to prevent generations in the style of individual living artists, but we do permit broader studio styles—which people have used to generate and share some truly delightful and inspired original fan creations. We're always learning from real-world use and feedback, and we’ll keep refining our policies as we go.

OpenAI did not address our questions of whether OpenAI had a pre-existing licensing partnership with Studio Ghibli or whether Studio Ghibli films had been included in the training data.

The technical distinction that theoretically lets OpenAI off the hook is that ChatGPT can generate "broader studio styles" but not individual styles of living artists. Indeed, when asking ChatGPT to generate a Hayao Miyazaki-style animation of an uploaded image, ChatGPT denied the request, saying it "violates our content policies." Replacing Hayao Miyazaki's name with "Studio Ghibli" in a new prompt successfully complied with the request.

Asking ChatGPT to create a Hayao Miyazaki style animation gets rejected, but asking for a Studio Ghibli style animation grants the request. Credit: Screenshot: Mashable / OpenAI

According to OpenAI's GPT-4o system card, which outlines the model's ethical and safety challenges, "The model can generate images that resemble the aesthetics of some artists’ work when their name is used in the prompt." The section goes on to say, "We opted to take a conservative approach with this version of 4o image generation, as we learn more about how 4o image generation is used by the creative community." But it's unclear how unquestioningly granting requests for Studio Ghibli-style animations is a conservative approach.

The system card section also specifies, "We added a refusal which triggers when a user attempts to generate an image in the style of a living artist."

So, there you have it folks. You can ask ChatGPT to create an image in the style of a studio, but not a living artist. Miyazaki's work can be appropriated if you plug in the name of the studio that he founded, but not his own name.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

That line of thinking could have saved Facebook a lot of trouble, but the social media site owned by Meta seems to be returning to its roots anyway.

One of the most striking changes Facebook made was to change its famous Feed. Instead of only seeing your friends, it began showing ads and recommended content. Now, years later, the Friends Feed is returning — kind of.

SEE ALSO: The book Facebook doesn't want you to read: What you need to know

"Connecting with friends has been a part of Facebook since it launched," the company wrote in a news release. "Over the years, Facebook evolved to meet changing needs and created best-in-class experiences across Groups, Video, Marketplace, and more, but the magic of friends has fallen away. We’ll be adding several 'OG' Facebook experiences throughout the year, beginning with the revamped Friends tab."

Those "OG Facebook experiences" include a new Friends tab to "make it easier for people to find their friends’ content on Facebook." This tab will only show your friends' stories, Reels, posts, and requests, instead of being mixed in with other recommended content. You can pin the Friends tab so it's easier to access by going to your profile picture, clicking "settings & privacy," navigating to "settings," and clicking "tab bar," before customizing the bar and clicking "Friends" to pin the tab.

"Social media should feel social," Meta wrote. "In that spirit, we’ll be adding more fun, simple experiences to help you connect and share on Facebook throughout the year."

SAVE $145: As of March 28, the Dreame D10 Plus robot vacuum and mop combo is down to just $254.99 at Amazon during the Big Spring Sale. That's 36% off the usual cost and its lowest price ever.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dreame Dreame D10 Plus robot vacuum and mop with self-empty station $254.99 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $145 Get Deal

The price of a new robot vacuum that also mops can come with a bit of sticker shock. Our favorite model (the Roborock Saros 10R), for instance, costs $1,599.99. But here's the thing: even that expensive combo robovac isn't perfect. If you just want something that can tidy up your floors and you're not picky, we suggest opting for something more affordable, like this Dreame D10 Plus.

Usually pretty reasonable at $399.99, you can pick up the Dreame D10 Plus for even cheaper during Amazon's Big Spring Sale. As of March 28, it's down to just $254.99. That's 36% off and its best price ever. It even beats its Black Friday price by $5.

The Dreame D10 Plus robot vacuum and mop combo certainly isn't the fanciest model around, but it's great for its price. The 6,000Pa suction power is pretty average in this price range. It packs a 150ml clean water tank with three flow settings to select from, so it can give your floors a little scrub after sucking up all the gunk. It's battery life is pretty solid at 285 minutes, plus it's equipped with smart mapping, obstacle avoidance, and voice assistant support. A bonus, particulary at this low price, is that it comes with a self-emptying base that can hold up to 90 days' worth of debris before needing your attention. Once it finishes cleaning, it'll head back to its base to charge and dump any dust, crumbs, or dirt it collected.

While it's not going to wow you like a $1,600 robot vacuum, the Dreame D10 Plus gets you a lot for your money. And if you grab it during the Big Spring Sale, you'll pay the lowest amount possible. Looking for a specific model on sale? Check out our running list of the best robot vacuum deals from the Big Spring Sale.

You can't completely turn off Google's AI Overviews, but users have discovered a profanity-laced workaround.

If you add "fuck" or a variation of the word to your Google search, it turns off the AI-generated summary at the top of the page.

The origins of this hack are unclear, but LA Times reporter Keri Blakinger posted a TikTok about it in early March, saying she had heard about it from an episode of the Scriptnotes podcast.

But it appears to have originated from a Jan. 27 Tumblr post by user flootzavut, who wrote, "Swear in your search request. I know it sounds ridiculous, but the most effective way I've found of it not doing the AI summary is just to add 'fucking' go [sic] my search."

https://www.tumblr.com/andthentheresanne/774090613079621632

I tried it, and it works like a charm. When searching "what's the most expensive car," I got the usual AI Overview response at the top of the search results that I've gotten in the habit of automatically scrolling past. Then I added "fuck" to the end of my query and received a blissfully AI-free results page. I still got the usual mix of featured snippets (written by humans and including site links) and AI-generated summaries in the People Also Ask section of the page, so the hack only turns off AI Overviews. But at least the main results page is rid of AI clutter.

No fucks given. Credit: Google Fucks given. Credit: Google

A note of caution: when using this hack, be careful of how adding the f-word can augment your search entirely. Inspired by my current obsession, season three of The White Lotus, I discovered that adding "fuck" or "fucking" to a search for "the best Thailand resorts" returns verrrry different results than what I was looking for.

The reason why this hack works is likely due to Google Search's safety guardrails, which make AI Overviews a very prim summarizer. Google's AI model Gemini is probably trained not to respond when certain trigger words are included in the search. Users who commented on Blakinger's TikTok post shared that adding "-AI" to your search also works. So, you're essentially telling Gemini not to respond.

While there's no "off" setting for AI Overviews, there are other workarounds too, which Mashable and our sibling site Lifehacker have written about.

But swearing at Google Search is by far the funnest way to do it.

SAVE $100: As of March 28, Amazon Big Spring Sale shoppers can snag a cordless Levoit vacuum for $249.99, or 29% off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Levoit Levoit LVAC-300 cordless vacuum $249.99 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $100 Get Deal

Now that spring is here, it's time to get serious about spring cleaning. Thankfully, Amazon's Big Spring Sale is currently underway, and features plenty of deals and discounts to help you get your home looking spotless for the season.

Any respectable spring cleaning setup needs a good vacuum, and this cordless model from Levoit is on sale for $249.99, down from $349.99 during the Big Spring Sale. That's $100 off, or a 29% discount. Don't wait on this one, because it'll most likely be going back to its regular price once the sale concludes on March 30.

SEE ALSO: Walmart's Super Savings Week is live during the Amazon Big Spring Sale

While Levoit is most well-known for its highly rated air purifiers, the brand also sells vacuums that employ similar allergen-filtration features so you can keep the air in your home fresh. The LVAC-300 is a powerful, multi-surface vacuum that has a built-in HEPA filter for capturing many of the particles at home that could be making your spring allergies act up. It also has a one-hour battery life, and an anti-tangle brush that pet owners will appreciate.

Add one to your cleaning closet for just $249.99 during Amazon's Big Spring Sale, saving you $100.

SAVE $210: As of March 28, get the Eufy Robot Vacuum C10 for $269.99, down from its usual price of $479.99. That's a discount of 44%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Eufy Robot Vacuum C10 $269.99 at Amazon
$479.99 Save $210 Get Deal

Tired of trying to keep the carpets clean with daily, fruitless vacuuming? Leave that chore behind and employ a robot to do it. And not one that just sweeps and picks nothing up. One that can deep clean your floors and give you some peace of mind that they're actually getting scrubbed.

As of March 28, get the Eufy Robot Vacuum C10 for $269.99, down from its usual price of $479.99. That's $210 off and a discount of 44%.

The C10 is a powerful vacuum with 4,000 Pa of suction in addition to a rolling brush that can sweep up pet hair, dirt, crumbs, and debris with panache. It uses laser and infrared navigation to figure out where it's going without your input as well, with automatic avoidance to keep it from crashing into the walls and other items in your home over and over. And if you need to set up a specific route, you can do that and set up other options within its accompanying app.

There's a lot the vacuum can do on its own, actually, including emptying itself. It can return to base and empty the debris into its 3L dust bag, which you only need to replace every 60 days. Plus, with its slim and lightweight body, you can move it and maneuver it wherever it needs to go without having to worry about transporting some hulking piece of plastic.

If you're tired of dealing with vacuums, cordless or stick or otherwise, this is your solution. Just make sure you nab it fast as it's a part of the Amazon Big Spring Sale.

President Trump’s intervention came while Mr. Milton was appealing his conviction on securities and wire fraud charges.

Garmin has new AI features for its fitness app, but you'll have to pay to access them.

On Thursday, the smartwatch maker popular with sports and fitness enthusiasts announced Garmin Connect Plus, a new paid subscription tier for its Garmin Connect smartphone app. The main selling point for the app's premium version, which shows health and fitness data, is a suite of new AI features.

SEE ALSO: Garmin Lily 2 review: A smartwatch that doesn't scream 'fitness tracker'

The features, dubbed Active Intelligence, provide "personalized insights and suggestions throughout the day based on health and activity data," according to the press release. The more subscribers use Garmin Connect Plus, "insights will become more tailored to them and their goals," the announcement continued.

Garmin didn't share much else beyond how AI will provide insights and suggestions, or what those insights and suggestions are. But Garmin has deemed Active Intelligence worthy enough to charge for it, which is a departure from its previous stance on paywalls. Access to Garmin Connect data has been free compared to competitors like Whoop, Fitbit, and Oura, which require paid subscriptions or offer a premium tier. In 2023, Garmin launched Outdoor Maps Plus, charging $50 for access to more advanced mapping features. Looking back, it's a sign that Garmin was already moving away from its free-data-for-all attitude.

That said, existing health data and features on the Garmin Connect app will still be free. So rest assured, the data you're already tracking won't be put behind a paywall — for now, at least.

Garmin faces steep competition in the health and fitness market. There are the above-mentioned wearables — Whoop, Fitbit, and Oura. Plus, Google Pixel, Samsung, and Apple all have their own smartwatches with health, fitness, and AI-powered features. Meanwhile, Strava is increasingly popular as a subscription-based fitness app.

If you want to try out Garmin Connect Plus, the company offers a free 30-day trial. After that, it's $6.99/month or $69.99/year to access the premium features.

Nintendo is obsessed with dominating news headlines this week, huh?

Thursday's surprise Nintendo Direct livestream bundled a bunch of game announcements together with the news that Nintendo would launch its own mobile app for daily news-breaking purposes. Well, the first Nintendo Today! news drop is here, and it's a big one: The live-action The Legend of Zelda movie will come out on March 26, 2027.

SEE ALSO: Switch 2 release date, price and everything else we expect from Nintendo Direct I'm glad I downloaded an app for this. Credit: Screenshot: Nintendo

You might be thinking, "There's a live-action Zelda movie?" Well, yeah. Nintendo announced the project back in late 2023 with director Wes Ball (of The Maze Runner trilogy) attached and no other information about it. We still don't know anything about casting, but at least now we know when it's supposed to come out.

Some kind of Zelda movie was probably inevitable after the huge success of the 2023 Super Mario Bros. movie, but one has to wonder how exactly it will work. Zelda series protagonist Link famously doesn't speak out loud in the game, and I doubt they would adapt the recent Echoes of Wisdom game with Zelda as the main protagonist this soon after its release.

Over the years, there have been plenty of big fantasy epics out of Hollywood, but Zelda isn't really Lord of the Rings. It might be hard to get a big emotional climax out of Link figuring out how to solve a puzzle with a boomerang.

Still, as we wait for the Switch 2 Direct next week, we might as well ponder. Maybe Chris Pratt can star in this one, too.

SAVE $22: During Amazon's Big Spring Sale, shop the Soundcore Q20 wireless headphones for just $43.99. That's $22 off of $65.99 for 33% savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore Soundcore Q20 headphones $43.99 at Amazon
$65.99 Save $22.00 Get Deal

Amazon's Big Spring Sale is well underway. Luckily, the deals are staying consistent, so there's still time to score hundreds of dollars of savings on headphones and speakers. While there are some sweet savings to find on big ticket items from Bose or Sony, it's also an ideal time to save on budget items.

The Soundcore Q20 wireless headphones are a good value at their standard $65.99, and now they're on sale for $43.99, or 33% off. They have active noise cancellation paired with memory phone ear cups for a design that truly blocks out the world. These headphones can go for days, with up to 40 hours of battery life with ANC turned on. And if you're a bass lover, you can use the BassUp feature on the headphones that'll crank up the bass.

Normally $65.99, the Soundcore Q20 wireless headphones, are already a pretty good price for all you get. But during the Big Spring Sale, they're an even better price of $43.99. That knocks off $22 for 33% savings.

SAVE $7: As of March 28, the Stanley IceFlow 30-ounce tumbler is down to just $28 at Amazon during its Big Spring Sale. That's 20% off its usual cost of $35 in the navy, plum, cream, and tigerlily plum shades.

Opens in a new window Credit: Stanley Stanley IceFlow 30-ounce tumbler $28 at Amazon
$35 Save $7 Get Deal

Although the TikTok hype has mostly died down, Stanley still makes stellar cups. The quality has never wavered. If you don't care about what's popular amongst the teens, the Stanley IceFlow 30-ounce tumbler is a great choice — and it's on sale.

Typically $35, the Stanley IceFlow 30-ounce tumbler is down to just $28 at Amazon as of March 28 during its Big Spring Sale. That's 20% in savings on select color options: navy, plum, cream, and tigerlily plum.

Like the other buzzworthy Stanley cup, the IceFlow tumbler is double-wall vacuum insulated, leakproof, car cup holder-friendly, and dishwasher safe. It'll keep ice for up to two days and stay chilled for at least half a day. Plus — and this is the best part — it has a super convenient, ergonomic, rotating handle to make it easy to tote around and a flip-straw lid. Ultimately, convenience and quality matter more for staying hydrated than keeping up with influencer culture — although it does help that you can select from a handful of colors to match your personality.

Is $28 still a lot of money to spend on a cup? Sure, but it's better than $35 and this thing is virtually indestructible. You won't need to buy another water bottle like, ever, thanks to Stanley's lifetime guarantee.

SAVE $29.01: As of March 28, you can get a four-pack of Apple AirTags for just $69.99 during Amazon's Big Spring Sale, or about $30 off the original price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirTags (four-pack) $69.99 at Amazon
$99 Save $29.01 Get Deal

Amazon's Big Spring Sale is just about halfway over, but the deals are still going strong. If you're one of those people who is constantly losing their phone, keys, wallet, or another essential item (don't worry, we do too), you'd definitely benefit from some kind of portable tracker. Thankfully, AirTags exist.

It just so happens that during the Big Spring Sale, Apple AirTags are heavily discounted — you can get a four-pack of the pint-sized trackers for just $69.99, which is $29.01 off the original price. $69.99 still isn't cheap, but you'll be happy you made the investment next time you misplace something important.

SEE ALSO: Every single Apple Watch Series 10 has dropped to a record-low price during Amazon's Big Spring Sale

Not only are AirTags convenient when it comes to size, but also in how you use them. All you need to do is connect the AirTag to your iPhone or iPad, and then you can keep track of wherever it is using the Find My app. That's all there is to it. Each Tag also has a built-in speaker that can play a tone to aid you in your search, and also features a Lost Mode that notifies you whenever the Find My app detects the device nearby. Ensure you never have to worry about losing your stuff again — pick up a four-pack of Apple AirTags during Amazon's Big Spring Sale and save $29.01.

SAVE $30: As of March 28, get the Anker Soundcore Sleep A20 earbuds for $119.99 at Amazon, down from their normal price of $149.99. That's a discount of 20%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Anker Soundcore Sleep A20 earbuds $119.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $30.00 Get Deal

If you're a light sleeper, you probably know the struggle of trying to get some shut-eye and absolutely failing. Just as you drift off to sleep, there's some sort of noise that jars you awake. The end result? You're tired, cranky, and fed up. No one wants that. And if you don't want to wear earplugs, there's no really great solution to keep this from happening – unless you want to invest in something better: earbuds.

As of March 28, get the Anker Soundcore Sleep A20 earbuds for $119.99 at Amazon. That's $30 off their normal price of $149.99 and a discount of 20%.

These buds help you block out any noise that might be keeping you awake, and help you get through the night without interruptions. They offer a pressureless fit for side sleepers, so even if you aren't on your back all night, you don't have to worry about being jostled awake since one fell out due to your position.

They offer a custom sleep playlist for you to listen to, and come with multiple ear and wing tips to make sure you get the most comfortable fit possible. And they're also lightweight and easy to adjust to your ear before locking them in for an all-night fit.

They come with a charging case that gives you 10 nights of sleep, with 14 hours of playback in Sleep mode and 10 hours with Bluetooth. That's 80 hours of listening and 55 hours of streaming content, according to Anker, with a fully charged case. If it's time for a full night's sleep, it's time to try something a little different, but grab them fast since they're part of the Amazon Big Spring Sale.

SAVE $80: Shop the Lenovo Tab M9 for its lowest price ever of $69.99, down from $149.99. Save $80 on the tablet when purchased at Best Buy for 53% off. Or get it at Amazon for the also great price of $79.99.

Best Lenovo Tab M9 deals Best Buy Lenovo Tab M9 (32GB) $69.99 (Save $80) Get Deal Amazon Lenovo Tab M9 (32GB) $79.99 (Save $70) Get Deal

Amazon's second annual Big Spring Sale kicked off this week (it runs through March 30) to bring a shower of deals across categories. The tech savings are pretty good — we've spotted savings on Macbooks and iPads. But don't fear, Android users, you can get in the deals game too.

The Lenovo Tab M9 is a worthy competitor in the tablet field. With a nine-inch display, it's a perfect canvas for streaming and with a long battery life, offering up to 13 hours of video playback, you can watch on the go.

It possesses a MTK G80 Octa Core processor and 32GB of storage, making it a decent set-up for gaming and browsing. Plus, it comes with a Google Lens camera so you can capture moments on the go.

Admittedly, 32GB isn't a great amount of storage, considering Apple just upped its iPads base storage to 128GB. However, the Lenovo is just half the price of the iPad, so some sacrifices might have to be made.

Usually starting at $149.99, the Lenovo is over half off thanks to Amazon's Big Spring Sale. But the best deal is actually at Best Buy. Right now, you can find the Lenovo Tab M9 for just $69.99, saving you $80 off for 53% savings. That's the lowest price ever on the device.

But if you prefer to shop it at Amazon, you can find it for $79.99 during the Big Spring Sale. That saves you $70 off, a great deal if Best Buy hadn't beaten the price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lenovo Lenovo Tab M9 (32GB) $69.99 at Best Buy
$149.99 Save $80.00 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lenovo Lenovo Tab M9 (32GB) $79.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $70.00 Get Deal

Once upon a time, kids (and kids at heart) longed for the biggest present in the pile. But size doesn't matter when picking out the best tech gifts. Some of the year's top gadgets are small enough to fit inside your pocket, and thanks to digital downloads, many popular gaming gifts take up no physical space whatsoever.

Our tech gift guide includes some of the best new releases of the year, most of which we've written about and reviewed. From the new Nintendo Switch OLED Mario Red Edition to new Amazon devices, we've focused on the gadgets our editors really loved this year — the true drool-worthy I can't believe you got this for me gifts.

Here are over 50 of Mashable's favorite gift-worthy gadgets and tech gifts.

SAVE $30: As of March 28, the Fire TV Cube is on sale for $109.99 as part of Amazon's Big Spring Sale. That's 21% off its list price of $139.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Cube $109.99 at Amazon
$139.99 Save $30.00 Get Deal

Amazon's own products have seen some nice discounts during the Big Spring Sale, including a few of its streaming devices. Alongside the HD, 4K, and 4K Max streaming sticks, the Fire TV Cube has received a price drop of 21% in the sale event. If you've been looking for a high-quality streaming upgrade, this deal is definitely worth a look.

Amazon's Fire TV Cube is on sale for $109.99 as part of the Big Spring Sale. Normally it retails for $139.99, so you're saving $30 with this deal. The Fire TV Cube is a worthy pickup.

SEE ALSO: 350+ of the best live deals in the Amazon Big Spring Sale, picked by Mashable's team of experts

Featuring WiFi 6E support and an octa-core 2.0 GHz processor, the Fire TV Cube is a powerful little device that offers smooth streaming for your favorite shows and films. They'll look crisp and clear with support for 4K Ultra HD. It also supports Dolby Vision, HDR, and Dolby Atmos audio to really give you the cinematic experience in your own home. Not to mention, with Alexa you can control the device with just your voice.

This deal on the Fire TV Cube may not stick around for long past Amazon's Big Spring Sale, so act fast to pick it up for $109.99.

Outside of its streaming devices, there are a few more deals on Amazon products that are worth checking out right now. In our roundups of the best Echo deals in Amazon's Big Spring Sale and the best Kindle deals in the Amazon Big Spring Sale you can see a few more of our favorites.

Where to stream 2025 March Madness online for free 5-Day Free Trial DirectTV $86.99 per month (after trial) Shop Now 7-Day Free Trial Fubo $79.99 per month (after trial) Shop Now 3-Day Free Trial Hulu + Live TV $82.99 per month (after trial) Shop Now 7-Day Free Trial Paramount+ $7.99 per month (after trial) Shop Now

It's March Madness season, and we’ve made it to the Sweet 16. All eyes are on the nation’s best teams in college basketball as they fight for a spot in the Elite Eight.

Houston Cougars vs. Purdue Boilermakers is sure to be a good watch as the first and fourth seeds try to clinch a spot in the Elite Eight. Cougars coach Kelvin Sampson has yet to lead a team to an NCAA National Championship, so the pressure is on as they attempt to secure a victory for Houston. Purdue has also never won a National Championship game, so both teams are looking to make history this year.

If you want to watch Houston vs. Purdue for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Houston vs. Purdue?

Houston Cougars vs. Purdue Boilermakers starts at 10:09 p.m. ET on March 28. This Sweet 16 game takes place at Lucas Oil Stadium.

How to watch Houston vs. Purdue for free

Houston Cougars vs. Purdue Boilermakers airs on TBS. It is possible to access TBS with streaming services that offer free trials:

• DirectTV (five-day free trial) — CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV

• Hulu + Live TV (three-day free trial) — CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV

By making the most of these free trials, you can watch Florida Gators vs. Maryland Terrapins (plus more March Madness games) without actually spending anything.

How to watch Houston vs. Purdue from anywhere in the world

If you're traveling outside of the U.S. during March Madness, you might need to use a VPN to unblock live streams of Houston vs. Purdue. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the U.S., meaning you can unblock live streams of Houston vs. Purdue from anywhere in the world.

Live stream 2025 March Madness from anywhere in the world by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

4. Visit DirectTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, or Paramount+

5. Live stream Houston vs. Purdue for free from anywhere in the world

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport from anywhere in the world, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the U.S.

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

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

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (2-Year Subscription + 4 Months Free) $139 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

Where to stream 2025 March Madness online for free 5-Day Free Trial DirectTV $86.99 per month (after trial) Shop Now 7-Day Free Trial Fubo $79.99 per month (after trial) Shop Now 3-Day Free Trial Hulu + Live TV $82.99 per month (after trial) Shop Now 7-Day Free Trial Paramount+ $7.99 per month (after trial) Shop Now

It's March Madness, and we’re down to the Sweet 16. The tournament has been nothing short of eventful, with tons of action-packed games that have kept college basketball fans on their toes. The championship game is one day close,r and we’re eager to see who will take home the trophy.

In this week’s Auburn vs. Michigan Sweet 16 game, these rivals will go head-to-head in one of the tournament’s most highly-anticipated games. As the top-seed, Auburn is under a lot of pressure to secure the victory against fifth-seed Michigan. Auburn Forward Johni Broome has been dominating the court throughout the season, leading the team in average points, rebounds, assists and blocks.

If you want to watch Auburn vs. Michigan for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Auburn vs. Michigan?

Auburn Tigers vs. Michigan Wolverines starts at 9:39 p.m. ET on March 28. This Sweet 16 game takes place at State Farm Arena.

How to watch Auburn vs. Michigan for free

Auburn Tigers vs. Michigan Wolverines airs on CBS. It is possible to access CBS with a range of streaming services that offer free trials:

• DirectTV (five-day free trial) — CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV

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• Paramount+ (seven-day free trial) — CBS

By making the most of these free trials, you can watch Auburn Tigers vs. Michigan Wolverines (plus more March Madness games) without actually spending anything.

How to watch Auburn vs. Michigan from anywhere in the world

If you're traveling outside of the U.S. during March Madness, you might need to use a VPN to unblock live streams of Auburn vs. Michigan. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the U.S., meaning you can unblock live streams of Auburn vs. Michigan from anywhere in the world.

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Some genre movies grow and transform. Others, like Jaume Collet-Serra’s The Woman in the Yard, metastasize. What begins as streamlined (if slightly unbalanced) modern folk horror soon bloats into a half a dozen different films, heat-welded jankily together as they build to a confoundingly distasteful finale.

Oddly enough, it might have been easier to swallow had it also been visually drab. That The Woman in the Yard looks as good as it does — in service of a uniquely-executed conceit appearing midway through — makes it all the more of a waste. What Collet-Serra does with light and shadow is often marvellous, and could have resulted in a contemporary horror classic had much else around these aesthetic flourishes worked as intended. 

SEE ALSO: Blumhouse's 'The Woman in the Yard' trailer reveals a chilling new terror

Instead, what we’re left with is a deftly-performed family drama sandwiched between as many different spooky concepts as found within The Cabin in the Woods. The major difference is that Sam Stefanak’s script is entirely straightforward, rather than satirical, making for some head-spinning disconnects.

What is The Woman in the Yard about? Danielle Deadwyler, Peyton Jackson, and Estella Kahiha in "The Woman in the Yard." Credit: Daniel Delgado Jr. / Universal Pictures

At its core, The Woman in the Yard is about grief — wait, where are you going? Hear me out.

The film doesn’t necessarily disguise this theme or make it abstract in the vein of modern "prestige" horror, but rather, presents it nakedly in its opening scenes. Recent widow Ramona (Danielle Deadwyler) wakes up in a daze in her rural Georgia home, her leg still broken from the road accident that recently killed her husband. She’s having trouble paying the bills, so the power to her isolated farmland fixer-upper has been cut. Her adolescent son Taylor (Peyton Jackson) and elementary school-aged daughter Annie (Estella Kahiha) help out where they can, even if that means cooking up a culinary nightmare involving Doritos and eggs.

The trio tries to keep their heads above water, even in the noticeable absence of patriarch David (Russell Hornsby), a charming and ambitious man we meet in flashbacks and in the videos Ramona mournfully rewatches. Collet-Serra’s directing is at its most even-handed in these calm, domestic moments, during which an empty dining table chair comes to represent the family's loss, which clearly weighs on the struggling mother (though less so on her children).

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Ramona’s attention frequently wavers, and before she knows it, a woman in a black veil (Okwui Okpokwasili) is seated in an ornate chair at the edge of her front yard. More than any theme or emotion, this mysterious figure represents a conundrum, and a much more novel horror premise than the trio dealing with a recent death. With their phones dead and no one around for miles, do they confront her or simply leave her be?

Eventually, Ramona steps outside to make contact, which is when things start to get eerie — in some ways that suit this setup, and other ways that very much do not.

No, really, what is The Woman in the Yard actually about? Credit: Universal Pictures

Good horror movies are rarely set during the day, and in The Woman in the Yard, things don’t start popping off until the late afternoon when the mysterious figure begins casting lengthy shadows that gradually approach the house. Collet-Serra and cinematographer Pawel Pogorzelski (known for his work with Ari Aster) turn the space around Ramona's home into a visual sandbox, where light and darkness interact in unexpected ways. Sometimes a shadow is a looming threat. Other times, it has weight and interacts with the physical world. That's creepy, and it's also cool as hell.

However, the subtle horrors of the woman's somber presence, as she inches towards the family, become very quickly subsumed by additional ideas and gimmicks that pile up far too quickly. The woman needn't represent anything to be imposing, and had she embodied perhaps one or two themes or concepts troubling Ramona, the result would've at least been functional. Instead, she veers between ominous presence, omniscient soothsayer, child kidnapper, animal murderer, retroactive flashback demon, and more, depending on what a given moment demands.

At first, she forces wedges between the remaining family members, pushing them to confront lies and half-truths surrounding David's death, but it isn't long before the movie starts dipping its toe into flimsily-established metaphysical horrors, which have little bearing on the existing premise. Before you know it, The Woman in the Yard has flirted with possession, mirror worlds, temporal displacement, and an unfortunate mental health metaphor that unfolds in some pretty ghastly ways.

The Woman in the Yard zig-zags right off the rails Credit: Daniel Delgado Jr. / Universal Pictures

Usually, a standout performance or two might save a dwindling movie. Deadwyler performs admirably as a mother trying to keep her family together through a tragic situation. Okpokwasili makes for an imposing presence, and newcomer Jackson is a pleasant surprise as a boy trying to figure out his place as the man of the house (even though much of his dialogue is spent trying to Cinema Sins-proof the movie and explain why the family can't just leave or make a phone call). However, no amount of emoting is enough to stay such a choppy, unpredictable course.

The Woman in the Yard causes significant narrative whiplash with each question it answers, though none of its conclusions are satisfying. As soon as it establishes the mechanics of its ghostly villain — for instance, the way she uses and moves through shadows — there's some other power lurking around the corner, resulting in a random string of chase scenes where tension can't possibly be established, because neither the family nor the audience have any idea what they're up against.

What the woman represents is vague enough that her symbolism doesn't matter, at least at first. Her funeral attire makes her a specter or reminder of death in the abstract. That's really all you need. However, by the time the movie pulls back its final curtain — after several… well, calling them "twists" would be generous — the woman actually does come to embody something rather morose, but not in a way the movie establishes beforehand.

With concept upon concept thrown at the wall to see what sticks, the movie crescendoes in some bafflingly wrong-headed moments that Collet-Serra hasn't carved out the time to approach with the requisite care. On one hand, horror ought to be a visceral embodiment of one's biggest fears, but on the other, The Woman in the Yard verges on genuinely irresponsible with its casual framing of something realistically tragic and painful.

Then again, reading this finale also requires intuiting dozens of minor clues which feel like they're from entirely different movies. The Woman in the Yard presents these far too quickly and carelessly, to the point that most audiences are likely to come away thinking they’ve watched an open, unresolved ending, even though this likely isn't the case.

How a movie likes this comes to exist, in such preposterous form, is a mystery unto itself — one far more interesting than what ends up on screen.

The Woman in the Yard is now in theaters.