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TL;DR: Through April 2, get a lifetime license to Microsoft Office with Windows 11 Pro on sale for just $49.97 (reg. $408).

When it comes to productivity and performance, having the right tools can make all the difference. If your computer isn't running as quickly as you'd like and could use a techie makeover, this bundle could fit the bill. It gets you a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows and Windows 11 Pro for just $49.97 when you order by April 2.

The two parts are designed to work together seamlessly. While Office 2019 is not the the latest of Microsoft's Office offerings, it still has the productivity apps we've all come to rely on, such as Word for document creation, Excel to process data, PowerPoint to create interesting slideshows. It also has Outlook email, OneNote, Access, and Publisher.

While the 2019 version of Office doesn't come with Teams, Windows 11 Pro does, so you won't miss out on that communication app. The included Windows 11 Pro operating system is the latest and has a lot of features that could benefit nearly anyone.

Windows 11 Pro includes the most recent AI updates that allow you to work and play more efficiently. This includes the new AI assistant, Copilot, which can launch playlists, summarize documents, and much more. 

The OS also features updated security enhancements, a more user-friendly interface, and remote desktop access. 

This is a good opportunity to upgrade your system and software at a reasonable price.

This Microsoft Office Pro 2019 and Windows 11 Pro bundle is on sale for just $49.97 (reg. $408) until April 2 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft The All-in-One Microsoft Office Pro 2019 for Windows: Lifetime License + Windows 11 Pro Bundle $49.97 at the Mashable Shop
$428.00 Save $378.03 Get Deal

TL;DR: Through April 2, learn AI and automation skills with this online learning bundle for just $49.97.

It's no secret that artificial intelligence and automation have taken the world by storm. These tools are being used across industries worldwide to help streamline processes, generate content, and generally support businesses large and small in various ways. 

Because of this, jobs in AI and automation development are booming. According to the Hostinger website, "The global AI market size is expected to grow 37% every year from 2023 to 2030."  And the world is going to need developers.

This bundle can help budding or current developers get involved in AI and automation. It has thirteen courses covering 46 hours of material. 

A good place to begin could be the course called Introduction to the Latest Artificial Intelligence Tools. This 20-lesson course covers how AI is changing everything, discussing over 1,000 of the latest ones out there. It also covers solving problems and supportive decision-making using the tools.

Of course, there are courses covering ChatGPT. You'll get lessons on using this tool to create blog posts, write technical material, and use it for LinkedIn and other platforms.

Other courses go on to explore Python automation, C++, Java, Google Assistant automation, and more. And with lifetime access to the course materials, you can learn at your own pace, on your own schedule, from anywhere in the world. Whether you prefer to study in the comfort of your home or during your lunch break, this bundle makes it easy to fit learning into your busy lifestyle.

These thirteen courses could benefit anyone interested in AI and automation development, especially while the bundle is on sale.

Until April 2 at 11:59 p.m. PT, you can get this Artificial Intelligence and Automation Developer bundle on sale for just $49.97.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shutterstock The Ultimate Artificial Intelligence & Automation Developer Bundle $49.97 at the Mashable Shop
$234.00 Save $184.03 Get Deal

TL;DR: Through April 2, instantly expand your memory with this 4-in-1 Smart Flash Drive for just $20.99 (reg. $29).

It seems that the more devices we have, the more challenging it is to manage our files across them. However, necessity being the mother of invention, there are ways to mitigate these challenges without having to carry around a whole bunch of drives and adapters. This 4-in-1 Smart Flash Drive is an innovative solution designed to simplify your digital life. For a limited time, it's on sale for just $20.99 (reg. $29).

The portable four-way design easily fits in your bag or backpack, making it ideal for taking with you on the road or between offices. It has a 32GB storage capacity and features USB 3, Lightning, micro-USB, and type-C ports for transferring videos, photos, and files from your phone or tablet to your PC or saving them in the cloud.

It is compatible with a wide variety of device types, including micro-USB Androids and various Apple products. It can also quickly transfer files.

With this drive, you can enjoy versatile connectivity, high-speed transfer, and portability. Avoid the hassle of managing multiple devices and struggling to access your files while you're away on vacation or traveling to a business meeting.

Instantly expand your memory with this 4-in-1 Smart Flash Drive, on sale for just $20.99 (reg. $29) for a limited time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shenzhen Centralspot Innovation 4-in-1 Smart Flash Drive $20.99 at the Mashable Shop
$29.99 Save $9.00 Get Deal

Looking to spike your cortisol levels? Then we've got the Netflix streaming guide for you.

From old frights to new fears, we've scoured Netflix's horror catalog to find the best cinematic nightmares for darkening your device. Of course, not all terrifying titles are born of the same fire and brimstone — so we've included a variety of ethereal ghost stories, stark home invasion horrors, gentrifying vampires, psychological thrillers, classic creeps, satirical scares, and more. Yes, Netflix originals like the Fear Street trilogy and I'm Thinking of Ending Things are on here. But we've also got genre staples and hidden gems.

Here are the best scary movies currently streaming on Netflix — all of them packed with eerie entertainment value, because you don't need to sleep ever again. Happy haunting!

25. The Autopsy of Jane Doe

Anybody who saw the absolute blast of found footage fun that was 2010's Troll Hunter knew that Norwegian director André Øvredal was somebody to watch out for. And yet six years later, his follow-up, this claustrophobic oddity about a father and son pair of coroners (pre-Succession Brian Cox and Emile Hirsch) who go to work trying to figure out what killed the mysterious, unblemished young woman whose body has been delivered to their lab, didn't make much of a sound. Not at first, anyway. 

But over the years the film's cult has steadily grown, and by now from where I stand, it's become a stone cold (or should I say, "corpse cold"?) classic. Awash in deeply unsettling body horror that digs its hooks deep into our anxieties about what's under our own skin, The Autopsy of Jane Doe eventually twists its scalpel to become something even stranger still. A real hidden gem. — Jason Adams, Freelance Contributor

How to watch: The Autopsy of Jane Doe is now streaming on Netflix.

24. El Conde Credit: Netflix

Chilean General Augusto Pinochet was one of history's most notorious dictators and a voracious embezzler, to boot. What if he were "bloodthirsty" in a more literal sense? 

From Spencer director Pablo Larraín,  this pitch-black satire reimagines Pinochet (played here by Jaime Vadell) as a 250-year-old vampire, living in exile with a family whose ready to tear him (and each other?) apart over his vast fortune. Think of it as "Blood Succession," but with a math-whiz nun at the center of it (Paula Luchsinger, who nearly steals the film). 

Filmed in lush black and white, El Conde is a dark, clever, and often gruesome gothic alternative history. It pulls off the feat of offering supernatural chills while never losing sight of the monstrous historical evils which it draws upon. — Rufus Hickok, Contributing Writer

How to watch: El Conde is now streaming on Netflix.

23. Under the Shadow 

Times are tense in 1980s Tehran for mother Shideh (Narges Rashidi) and her daughter Dorsa (Avin Manshadi). The former medical student is worried about running afoul of Iran’s repressive post-revolutionary government, and the country is mired in a seemingly endless war with Iraq. Her husband Iraj (Bobby Naderi) is called to serve as a doctor on the frontlines, and their apartment building is being shelled daily.

Things only get worse after a bomb hits their apartment building and lodges, unexploded, in the roof; as their neighbors flee to safer locations, the building becomes downright uncanny. Did the bomb let something — or someone — in? Precious objects are disappearing from their apartment or being thrown out entirely, which the feverish little girl blames on malevolent djinn. It's up to Shideh to save not only her daughter's life from all these external threats but her very soul from malevolent, seemingly mystical intruders. 

In his first feature-length film, Iranian-born director Babak Anvari proves adept at slowly ratcheting up the paranoid atmosphere and jittery details, before finally letting it all explode in the last act. — R.H. 

How to watch: Under the Shadow is now streaming on Netflix.

22. Run Rabbit Run Credit: Netflix

Succession star Sarah Snook has more to worry about than the Roy family in this Aussie chiller. She plays Sarah, a divorced mother and fertility doctor suddenly in charge of her late father's estate — which includes her estranged mother, Joan (Greta Scacchi), who is in the beginning stages of dementia and is in an adult care home. If that weren't enough, Sarah's young daughter, Mia (Lily LaTorre), has begun acting strange. First, it’s the stray rabbit she’s brought home and started dressing like. Then, it’s some creepy crayon drawings and insistent demands to visit Joan, whom Mia has never met. Finally, it’s the girl’s conviction that she’s not Mia at all but Alice, Sarah’s sister who went missing when they were children at the same age Mia is now. Is Alice back for some sisterly spooks? Director Daina Reid makes deft use of unnerving sound design, creepy visuals, and a pervasive sense of dread and danger to strongly suggest the answer is yes. — R.H. 

How to watch: Run Rabbit Run is now streaming on Netflix.

SEE ALSO: We need to talk about 'Run Rabbit Run's twisted ending 21. The Babysitter

Y'know, I'm not sure The Babysitter really works as a movie; it's more the idea of a movie loosely strung together by one-liners and style. Still, it's a fun way to kill a few hours. Samara Weaving stars as the titular childcare professional, a popular teen with a passion for human sacrifice and one-liners. Judah Lewis stars as the kid being babysat, with supporting performances by Hana Mae Lee, Robbie Amell, Bella Thorne, and Andrew Bachelor. The sequel, released in 2020, is more of the same — so if you like the first, do a double feature. — Alison Foreman, Entertainment Reporter

How to watch: The Babysitter is now streaming on Netflix.

20. X

When The House of the Devil director Ti West dropped his throwback slasher X in March of 2022, nobody had any idea what they were in for. Meaning both that nobody had any idea that we were about to watch one of the great modern slasher movies, or that we were watching what would quickly become the first part in a time-hopping trilogy slash ode to the genius of actress Mia Goth. And yet here we sit just two brief years later, impatiently awaiting MaXXXine, the third chapter after last year's also brilliant (but quite different tonally) technicolor WWI-era nightmare Pearl. 

So until that's in theaters in July, we'll just make due with revisiting where it all began — with a crew of extremely likable porno-makers (Goth, Jenna Ortega, Brittany Snow, Martin Henderson, Kid Cudi, and Owen Campbell) unexpectedly finding themselves in the path of a pair of real, real old folks who aren't quite what they appear to be. — J.A.  

How to watch: X is now streaming on Netflix.

19. Velvet Buzzsaw Credit: Claudette Barius / Netflix

From the dude behind the brilliant 2014 psychological thriller Nightcrawler comes a hilarious — and horrifying — send-up of the Los Angeles art scene. In writer-director Dan Gilroy's epic Velvet Buzzsaw, Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo, Toni Collette, and half a dozen other performers you probably love act their hearts out as fine art appreciators hunted down and killed by their priceless pieces. (Seriously, Billy Magnussen gets strangled by a painting of monkeys. It's awesome.) — A.F.

How to watch: Velvet Buzzsaw is now streaming on Netflix.

18. Blood Red Sky

Netflix's Blood Red Sky is one of those horror movies made so much better by knowing as little as possible going into it that I'm going to try to say as little as possible to get you to watch it. Directed by Peter Thorwarth, who co-wrote the script with Stefan Holtz, this action horror adventure combines the best parts of Flight Plan with tinges of A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night. Star Peri Baumeister is completely breathtaking as a woman attempting to protect her son from hijackers aboard a transatlantic voyage. — A.F.

How to watch: Blood Red Sky is now streaming on Netflix.

17. The Ritual

In director David Bruckner's scenic tour of a hellscape, four pals hike through northern Sweden to honor a departed friend. Of course, their trip soon morphs into a torturous and never-ending nightmare — with a killer lead performance by Rafe Spall. Slippery and divisive, this movie begs to be picked apart. More likely than not, you'll love the world it creates but hate the way it ends. Or, like me, you'll love the world it creates and how it ends. Have fun with it! And pack bug spray! — A.F.

How to watch: The Ritual is now streaming on Netflix.

16. Apostle Credit: Netflix

Before Michael Sheen became the angel Aziraphale in Amazon's Good Omens, he celebrated religion in a, uh... "different" way. Apostle is a completely bonkers period horror film that features Sheen at his most terrifying, playing a cult leader with an affinity for bloodletting and other "creative" religious sacraments. Lead Dan Stevens keeps the slow-paced narrative moving, with stunning supporting performances by The Politician's Lucy Boynton and Welsh stage actor Mark Lewis Jones. — A.F.

How to watch: Apostle is now streaming on Netflix.

15. Train to Busan

Just when you think the zombie movie has moaned its last "brainnnssssss," along comes another twist on the horror subgenre to breathe some air into its undead lungs. And so it felt in 2016, halfway through the run of the death-less television series The Walking Dead, when most of us — save the die-hardest of fans — were feeling fully zombie'd out. 

Enter a sneak attack from South Korea of all places, when director Yeon Sang-ho's blockbuster movie about an outbreak in Seoul somehow made all of the ol' gut-munching cliches feel fresh again. Most beneficial was adding a good dollop of heart to the center of the flesh feast: the estranged relationship between father and daughter on the run Seok-woo (Gong Yoo) and Su-an (Kim Su-an) transcended the subtitle barrier and smashed us all into sobbing little ninnies by movie's end. — J.A.

How to watch: Train to Busan is now streaming on Netflix.

14. It Follows

Kicking off with a righteous banger of an opening scene — we watch a young woman run out of her house half-dressed in a panic from something we can't see, only to end up moments later unnervingly mangled in the sand of a local beach — David Robert Mitchell's 2015 new classic of atmospheric terror never lets up. Much like the shape-shifting entity at its heart, which passes from teenager to teenager like an STD on fire. 

Starring Maika Monroe (who cemented her Scream Queen status this year thanks to the double-feature of this and The Guest) as unwitting teen Jay, who's just met a sweet, mysterious boy she likes, It Follows immediately becomes a death march of tension that thrums along on Disasterpeace's masterful throwback synth score. And Mitchell's brilliantly off-kilter camera work does a lot of the heavy-lifting, giving us a nightmare that presents itself in bright light and familiar spaces, disfiguring ordinariness into something unforgettably horrific. — J.A.

How to watch: It Follows is now streaming on Netflix.

13. Cam Credit: Netflix

One of the most underrated titles in Netflix's original horror catalog, Isa Mazzei and Daniel Goldhaber's Cam combines the tumultuous world of professional webcam modeling with the insidious terrors of a body-snatching whodunnit. The Handmaid's Tale's Madeline Brewer stars as Alice Ackerman, an ambitious performer eager to climb up the digital ranks who finds herself confronted with a doppelgänger gunning to take her spot, her fans, and maybe...her life. — A.F.

How to watch: Cam is now streaming on Netflix.

12. The Babadook

Way back before becoming an inexplicable LGBT icon, The Babadook was just a simple ghoul standing in front of a girl asking her to "dook dook dook" it. Anyway, enough has been written in the last decade about director Jennifer Kent's 2014 film being an "allegory for grief" that we should probably start writing papers about those papers now. Or perhaps we should just wipe away the cobwebs and see the movie for what it is, which is a barn-burner of a tale about an overworked mom (Essie Davis, who deserved all of the awards for this performance) and her anxious little boy Samuel (Noah Wiseman, really earning that "World's Most Annoying Brat" mug) unraveling together hand-in-hand in the wake of family tragedy. The performances keep everything almost too relatable, and Kent's eye for gothic weirdness summoned a new horror icon right out of thin air. — J.A.

How to watch: The Babadook is now streaming on Netflix.

11. Bodies Bodies Bodies

Horror in the sense of Zoomer Clue more than it is a splatterific Saw type of movie, director Halina Reijn's Bodies Bodies Bodies is a spin on the "Old Dark House" trope — get a bunch of pretty people trapped inside a space and then start picking them off one by one, until the survivor(s) can suss out the killer(s) and their motive(s). Here it's a "Hurricane Party" thrown by rich dickweed David (Pete Davidson) at his parent's palatial place. We enter the festivities alongside girlfriends Sophie (Amandla Stenberg) and Bee (Borat 2 breakout​ Maria Bakalova), who want to showcase their new love to Sophie's old friends. But once the bodies start hitting the hardwood floors, old tensions and new questions — who is this stranger in their midst? — quickly arise. All that, plus a hilarious Rachel Sennott and a half-naked Lee Pace opening a champagne bottle with a sword! What more could one ask for? — J.A.

How to watch: Bodies Bodies Bodies is now streaming on Netflix.

10. 1922 Credit: Netflix

Directed by Zak Hilditch and based on Stephen King's novella of the same name, 1922 tackles classic themes of guilt, envy, and evil through the grim lens of the American Dust Bowl. Thomas Jane and Molly Parker square off to striking effect, painting a portrait of a marriage that is as at once remarkably absurd and nauseatingly plausible. The couple's son, played by Dylan Schmid, is just as compelling, with a heartbreaking storyline you won't soon forget. (FYI, fans of the book, there are big changes to the adaptation's ending that didn't bother me but could bother you.) — A.F.

How to watch: 1922 is now streaming on Netflix.

9. Ouija: Origin of Evil 

The biggest surprise in Ouija: Origin of Evil, the 2016 prequel to the mediocre 2014 film Ouija, was when it turned out to actually be a good movie. It makes sense now, since Origin of Evil's director Mike Flanagan has gone on to mesmerize us with The Haunting of Hill House, Midnight Mass, and The Fall of the House of Usher. But in 2016 this movie hit as a shock — the best kind. 

Set in the late 1960s, this is an old-fashioned tale of two sisters, one of whom asks the board to connect with their dead father and the other one who gets possessed by an evil spirit in the process. Flanagan manages to suss out big wallops of the oogie-boogies from the little wooden board and its recognizable planchette, which has haunted every sleepover for the past 130 years. (Ouija boards as we know them date all the way back to 1890, if you can believe it!)* — J.A.

How to watch: Ouija: Origin of Evil is streaming on Netflix.

8. Vampires vs. the Bronx

Want a movie that's got excitement, comedy, a scorching message about the evils of gentrification, and is a kid-friendly romp? Then take a bite out of Vampires vs. the Bronx. Oz Perkins's PG-13 horror-comedy centers on Afro-Latino teens, who recognize that a flurry of missing person posters and influx of rich white folks with tote bags means bad news for the neighborhood. Together, they team up Monster Squad-style to take down the bloodsuckers and save their community. With a sharp wit, a warm heart, a rich sense of atmosphere, and an equal appreciation for the Blade movies and '80s Amblin, Vampires vs. the Bronx is an easy watch full of rewards.* — Kristy Puchko, Film Editor

How to watch: Vampires vs. the Bronx is now streaming on Netflix.

7. The Fear Street trilogy Credit: Netflix

Director Leigh Janiak pulls off a small movie miracle in her Fear Street trilogy, delivering consistently fun and fright-filled sequels that just keep getting better. Start your journey off with Fear Street Part One: 1994, in which we meet the cursed teens of a town named Shadyside. For years, the suburban haven has been terrorized by mass murderers — all of them normal townspeople who seemingly "snapped" over nothing.

Across Fear Street Part Two: 1978 and Fear Street Part Three: 1666, get to the bottom of the mystery behind these killings and their connection to the legendary Shadyside Witch. Based on the Fear Street books by R.L. Stine, this is a punchy slasher with enough gore and goofs to fuel a straight-through binge. — A.F.

How to watch: Fear Street is now streaming on Netflix.

6. The Perfection

From cellos and foreplay to hallucinations and hiking, The Perfection does absolutely whatever it wants. Featuring Allison Williams in her best role since Get Out and Dear White People's Logan Browning in her best part ever, this vibrant genre blend will get a reaction out of you. Not necessarily a good reaction, but a reaction nonetheless. It's body horror meets psychological thriller meets occult drama meets classical music. With bugs. And vomit. I, for one, loved it! — A.F.

How to watch: The Perfection is now streaming on Netflix.

5. His House Credit: Aidan Monaghan / Netflix

Writer-director Remi Weekes's His House is easily my favorite scary Netflix release from 2020. Wunmi Mosaku and Sope Dirisu star as refugees from South Sudan seeking asylum in Britain who are assigned to live in an eerie neighborhood where they aren't welcome. Spectacularly frightening and ruthlessly critical of its subject matter, His House delivers everything it must — and then some. — A.F.

How to watch: His House is now streaming on Netflix.

4. Gerald's Game

Another romp from Mike Flanagan, based on one of Stephen King's lesser-known terrors, Gerald's Game follows a couple on a romantic trip to a remote cabin where things are totally fine and nothing bad happens. Just kidding! It's so, so, so bad! This survival thriller rooted in psychosexual trauma offers an exquisite performance by Carla Gugino, who is devastating nearly every moment she is on screen. Really. It's Haunting of Hill House times 10. Watch it for her. — A.F.

How to watch: Gerald's Game is now streaming on Netflix.

3. Creep

Oh, you thought you liked Mark Duplass? Because he was the love interest in all those indie rom-coms, played that doctor in The Mindy Project, and is easily the best character in The Morning Show? Well, think again! In Creep, a found-footage film that foregoes pageantry for a stark sense of panic, Duplass plays a strange loner named Josef that freelance documentarian Aaron, played by writer-director Patrick Brice, can't quite pin down. Duplass's performance is intoxicating, and Brice imagines a universe so compelling it absolutely merits its equally great sequel (also on Netflix). — A.F.

How to watch: Creep is now streaming on Netflix.

2. Incantation Credit: Netflix

Kevin Ko's Taiwanese horror freaked people out so much that it even started a TikTok challenge and managed to become the all-time highest-grossing horror film in Taiwan. "When one imagines horror movies, it’s almost impossible to not associate them with jump scares, monsters, or slashers," wrote Rizwana Zafer for Mashable. "Incantation does not rely on any of those typical horror movie factors, so it’s not really 'scary' in the traditional sense. Instead, Ko manages to terrify us using suspense and dread, built on the intimacy and psychological terror of the heroine. He plays on our deepest fears to scare us, incorporating elements of gore, trypophobia, and the eeriness of the unknown, that something evil is always lurking in the background."* — Shannon Connellan, UK Editor

How to watch: Incantation is now streaming on Netflix.

1. I'm Thinking of Ending Things

Emotional demolitions expert/filmmaker Charlie Kaufman destroys audiences once more in the mind-boggling I’m Thinking of Ending Things. Adapted from Iain Reid’s novel of the same name, this cryptically titled psychological thriller follows a woman, played by Jessie Buckley, and her boyfriend, played by Jesse Plemons, on a disturbing visit to his parents’ remote farmhouse. What follows? Well, that depends on who you ask.

A transfixing meditation on art, existence, value, authorship, isolation, and more, I’m Thinking of Ending Things is a truly one-of-a-kind experience as profound as it is disquieting. You may not have a great time in this house of abstract horrors (especially when Toni Collette is onscreen doing those classically terrifying Toni Collette things), but it will be a lasting one.* — A.F.

How to watch: I'm Thinking of Ending Things is streaming on Netflix.

Opens in a new window Credit: Netflix Netflix Get Deal

* denotes that this blurb appeared in a previous Mashable list. 

UPDATE: Mar. 28, 2024, 3:30 p.m. EDT This list has been updated to reflect Netflix's current streaming library.

The Amazon deals of the day include $100 off a Kindle Scribe (64GB), plus more deals on headphones, smartphones, robovacs, and more. Here are our top picks:

Amazon Deals of the Day: Amazon deal of the day Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (64GB) with Premium Pen 319.99 (save $100) Get Deal Best robot vacuum and mop deal Shark AI robot vacuum and mop AV2001WD $269.99 at Amazom (save $210) Get Deal Best smartphone deal Samsung Galaxy S24+ $849.99 (save $150) Get Deal Best headphones deal Sony WH-XB910N Extra Bass noise-canceling headphones $148 (save $101.99) Get Deal Best Echo bundle deal Amazon Echo Pop with Amazon Basics Smart Color Bulb $22.99 (save $29.99) Get Deal

There's nothing we love more here at Mashable than a great deal. When it comes to tech, if there's a sale out there, we've got it covered — and we found some excellent ones today at Amazon.

There's always a plethora of deals on products at Amazon, but it's tedious work to sort through them. But we did all the hard work for you and found Amazon's best deals on Kindles, robovacs, Amazon's Echo devices, and more, with discounts up to 44%. Check out our top picks for deals at Amazon as of March 30 below:

Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle Scribe (64GB) with Premium Pen $319.99 at Amazon
$419.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal Why we like it

For those who love to take notes, highlight, and even doodle while they read, an Amazon Kindle Scribe with a large screen of 10.2 inches could make your life a lot simpler. Use the included Premium Pen to mark up whatever you're reading with your thoughts easily, then convert your handwritten notes to text through the Kindle app. You can import and mark up documents for work, journal, and even sketch with different brush types, from fountain pen to pencil. With 64GB of storage, you'll have to work hard to run out of space for all your books on this device. Plus, this Kindle has the longest battery of all Kindle devices and should last you months.

If you're ready to buy two Kindle Scribes today you'll save an additional $40 thanks to this limited-time deal.

Best robot vacuum deal Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark AI robot vacuum and mop AV2001WD $269.99 at Amazon
$479.99 Save $210.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If you're ready to take spring cleaning to the next level, it could be the perfect time to invest in a robot vacuum. This one from Shark does double duty with the capability to vacuum up all that dust, dirt, and pet hair and mop up your hard floors, too. Its LIDAR technology lets you map your home so you can set up cleaning schedules or areas you want the robovac to stay away from, and its AI Laser Navigation makes sure your entire home gets clean, row by row, every time. Plus, you can dispatch it with your voice with Alexa or Google Assistant. Easy peasy.

Best smartphone deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy S24+ $849.99 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $150.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Read Mashable's full review of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

"A close rival to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, Samsung's new Galaxy S24 Ultra is a premium 6.8-inch smartphone with a durable titanium design, a rear telephoto lens with impressive zoom capabilities, and a smattering of neat AI features. It also comes with a built-in S Pen stylus that doubles as a remote, said Mashable tech editor Kim Gedeon. This is the 256GB base model's first discount since it launched in January 2024." — Haley Henschel, Senior Shopping Reporter

Best Echo bundle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Pop with Amazon Basics Smart Color Bulb $22.99 at Amazon
$52.98 Save $29.99 Get Deal Why we like it

"As of March 30, you can get the Echo Pop speaker paired with an Amazon Basics smart light bulb for only $22.99. That's the same price as the Echo Pop on its own at the current sale price (regularly $39.99). The Amazon Basics smart bulb regularly costs $12.99, so you'll be pocketing that amount by snagging the bundle. The Echo Pop is a 'good budget-friendly option in the Echo lineup,' according to Mashable's reviewer, SaVanna Shoemaker, and makes a good addition to the homes of folks 'who like to keep music playing, and who also use Alexa as a home assistant.'" — Christina Buff, Mashable Deals writer

TL;DR: A lifetime subscription to a Curiosity Stream Standard Plan is on sale for £142.57, saving you 55% on list price.

In a world where some car makers charge drivers monthly fees to use their heated seats (yep, that’s a real thing), Curiosity Stream’s lifetime subscription is a diamond in the rough. There’s no catch or password-sharing rules (like some other platforms) — just pay once and stream documentaries and nonfiction content for life.

And, with this limited-time price drop, Curiosity Stream’s lifetime plan is only £142.57. That’s a price you won’t find anywhere else online.

What will you watch first? Curiosity Stream has content on all of your favourite subjects like science, technology, history, nature, and art. Take a look at a few of the included series: Into the Jungle, Deep Time History, Polar Bears, The History of Home, and the award-winning Stephen Hawking’s Favorite Places.

Discover thousands of movie-length documentaries and shorter shows, and always look forward to something new to watch with regular content updates.

Just like other streaming services, Curiosity Stream offers high-definition content on multiple devices, search tools to help you find your next binge-worthy series, and a watch-later list to bookmark everything that interests you. You’ll even have the option to download content ahead of time to watch offline, like on your commute or flights.

But, unlike your other streaming services, you’ll never be charged monthly or yearly fees to enjoy content. Plus, with so many documentaries and docu-series at your fingertips, your mode of entertainment may also turn into an avenue for learning.

Get a lifetime subscription to Curiosity Stream while it’s on sale for £142.57. No coupon is needed for this best-on-web price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Curiosity Stream Curiosity Stream Standard Plan (Lifetime Subscription) £142.57 at the Mashable Shop Get Deal

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for March 31's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles used to be available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it. Unfortunately, it has since been taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A forbidden social custom.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no letters that appear twice.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter T.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. What's the answer to Wordle today?

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to Wordle #1016 is...

TABOO.

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Reporting by Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

Connections is the latest New York Times word game that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for March 31's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer. If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hit about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Rolling down the hill

• Green: Sources of water

• Blue: Things that'll help achieve a curvy shape

• Purple: Types of bears

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

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

• Yellow: Take a Tumble

• Green: Kinds of Water

• Blue: Things That Are Cinched in the Middle

• Purple: ___Bear

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 Connections #294 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Take a Tumble: FALL, SLIP, SPILL, TRIP

• Kinds of Water: MINERAL, SPRING, STILL, TAP

• Things That Are Cinched in the Middle: CORSET, DIABOLO, HOURGLASS, WASP

• ___Bear: BOO-BOO, BROWN, HONEY, TEDDY

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.

Is this not the Connections game you were looking for? Here are the hints and answers to yesterday's Connections.

Wondering how to watch the college basketball tournament? Here are your best options: Most affordable Paramount+ with Showtime 7-day free trial, then $11.99/month Get Deal Most channels FuboTV Pro plan 7-day free trial, then $59.99 for the first month (Save $20) Get Deal

The NC State and Duke men’s basketball teams are scheduled to meet in a tournament game in Dallas on Sunday, March 31. The game is scheduled to start at 5:05 p.m. ET/4:05 p.m. CT. 

No. 11 seed NC State comes into the matchup 25-14 overall. Most recently, NC State beat No. 2-seeded Marquette 67-58 on Friday in the third round of the tournament. DJ Horne led NCSU with 19 points and five rebounds with Mohamed Diarra adding 11 points and 15 rebounds. 

No. 4 seed Duke comes into the matchup 28-8 overall. On Friday, Duke defeated No. 1-seeded Houston 54-51 in the tournament’s third round. Duke got 16 points and nine rebounds from Kyle Filipowski, and Jeremy Roach added 14 points vs. Houston.

SEE ALSO: How to download the 2024 March Madness basketball bracket

Kevin Keatts is the NC State men’s basketball head coach. Jon Scheyer is the Duke men’s basketball head coach. 

Duke vs. NC State basketball game time and network

The Duke vs. NC State men’s basketball game is scheduled to be broadcast on CBS at 5:05 p.m. ET/4:05 p.m. CT on Sunday, March 31. CBS broadcasters for the game are scheduled to be Ian Eagle (play-by-play), Bill Raftery (analyst), Grant Hill (analyst), and Tracy Wolfson (reporter).

Whatever team wins this game advances to play on Saturday, April 6 in Phoenix.

Cable and satellite TV are no longer necessary for enjoying live sports. Consider live streaming options to watch Sunday’s game via services like Paramount+ and FuboTV.

Best streaming services for the NCSU vs. Duke basketball game

Watching college basketball requires a streaming service if you don’t have cable or satellite TV. For the NC State vs. Duke men’s basketball game on Friday, here are your top streaming options.

Most affordable: Paramount+ Opens in a new window Credit: Paramount+ Paramount+ with Showtime 7-day free trial, then $11.99/month Get Deal

If you want to watch the Duke vs. NC State men’s basketball game on CBS, Paramount+ offers a solution.    

New subscribers to Paramount+ get a seven-day free trial. Then for the Paramount+ plan that includes live streaming CBS, you need the Paramount+ with Showtime tier, which is $11.99/month. If you choose the annual plan, it is $119.99 for a year, saving about $1.99/month. 

For students, Paramount+ will give you a 25% discount.

Most channels: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV Pro plan $59.99
$79.99 Save $20.00 7-day free trial, then $59.99 for first month Get Deal

With FuboTV, new subscribers can enjoy a seven-day free trial and more than 250 live TV channels, along with the ability to simultaneously stream on 10 devices. College sports fans who want access to CBS for matchups such as the Duke vs. NC State men’s basketball game will want the FuboTV Pro tier, which is $59.99 for the first month and then has a rate of $79.99 per month.

FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, Fox, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NBCSN, NFL Network, Pac-12 Network, and SEC Network. 

Wondering how to watch the college basketball tournament? Here are your best options: Most affordable Paramount+ with Showtime 7-day free trial, then $11.99/month Get Deal Most channels FuboTV Pro plan 7-day free trial, then $59.99 for the first month (Save $20) Get Deal

The Tennessee and Purdue men’s basketball teams are scheduled to meet in a tournament game in Detroit on Sunday, March 31. The game is scheduled to start at 2:20 p.m. ET. 

No. 1 seed Purdue comes into the matchup 32-4 overall. Most recently, Zach Edey led Purdue with 27 points and 14 rebounds in an 80-68 win against Gonzaga on Friday in the tournament’s third round. 

No. 2 seed Tennessee enters the matchup 27-8 overall. On Friday, the UT Vols defeated No. 3-seeded Creighton 82-75 in the third round of the tournament. Dalton Knecht led Tennessee with 24 points, six rebounds and five assists against Creighton.

SEE ALSO: How to download the 2024 March Madness basketball bracket

Matt Painter is the Purdue men’s basketball head coach. Rick Barnes is the Tennessee Vols men’s basketball head coach. 

Purdue vs. Tennessee basketball game time, network

The Purdue vs. Tennessee Vols men’s basketball game is scheduled to be broadcast on CBS at 2:20 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 31. The CBS broadcasters for the game are scheduled to be Andrew Catalon (play-by-play), Steve Lappas (analyst), and Evan Washburn (reporter).

Whatever team wins advances to play on Saturday, April 6 in Phoenix.  

In the evolving world of sports broadcasting, the emergence of live-streaming platforms like Paramount+ and FuboTV represents an alternative to traditional cable and satellite TV that meets the expectations of the modern fan. 

Best streaming services for the Tennessee vs. Purdue basketball game 

As the Tennessee Vols take on the Purdue men’s basketball team, you don’t need to worry if you don’t have cable. Explore the best options to catch every moment of this showdown via streaming.

Most affordable: Paramount+ Opens in a new window Credit: Paramount+ Paramount+ with Showtime 7-day free trial, then $11.99/month Get Deal

If you want to watch the Purdue vs. Tennessee Vols men’s basketball game via CBS, Paramount+ offers a solution.    

New subscribers to Paramount+ get a seven-day free trial. Then for the Paramount+ plan that includes live streaming CBS, you need the Paramount+ with Showtime tier, which is $11.99/month. If you choose the annual plan, it is $119.99 for a year, saving about $1.99/month. 

For students, Paramount+ will give you a 25% discount.

Most channels: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV Pro plan $59.99
$79.99 Save $20.00 7-day free trial, then $59.99 for first month Get Deal

With FuboTV, new subscribers can enjoy a seven-day free trial and more than 250 live TV channels, along with the ability to simultaneously stream on 10 devices. College sports fans who want access to CBS for matchups such as the Purdue vs. UT Vols men’s basketball game will want the FuboTV Pro tier, which is $59.99 for the first month and then has a rate of $79.99 per month.

FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, Fox, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NBCSN, NFL Network, Pac-12 Network, and SEC Network. 

If you've ever wanted Notes to have a fake social media function, there's a new app just for you: Palmsy.

As reported by TechCrunch, Palmsy is essentially a phony social media app in that you can post texts and photos — to no one. Import your contacts list and Palmsy will fabricate "likes" from them, and even send push notifications as if people have interacted with your posts. But, according to the welcome screen and developer Pat Nakajima, it's all for show. Nothing ever leaves your device.

SEE ALSO: How Facebook changed the internet as we know it

Nakajima posted on Threads that Palmsy "lets you make lil posts. then get fake likes from random folks in your contacts. nothing ever leaves your device, it's just pretend."

Palmsy welcome screen explaining the app. Credit: Screenshot: Palmsy

As Engadget put it, Palmsy is a journaling app that offers "fake likes from real friends." Why? Perhaps to provide the dopamine hit that actual social media offers while maintaining your privacy. Social media isn't exactly good for our mental health, so maybe apps like Palmsy can provide some solace — in case you don't want to actually put down your phone.

In a Mashable test of the app, advanced options allowed you to determine how many fake likes you get, and over what period of time. Palmsy can then provide a curated social media experience that only exists for you.

Palmsy lets you decide how many likes you get over a certain timeframe. Credit: Screenshot: Palmsy

In recent years, social media apps like BeReal have attempted to be more "authentic." In BeReal's case, it eventually plateaued and is now months away from running out of money. Palmsy appears to be the next evolution of this as the anti-social social media app. We'll see how long this one lasts.

Palmsy is free to download on iPhone and iPad, but it's only available on iOS 17.2 or later.

It's hard being a DEI in a time like this, ain't it?

In the aftermath of the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland on Tuesday, many on the right have blamed the tragedy on DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) initiatives.

SEE ALSO: Baltimore's Key Bridge collapse put the internet's conspiracy brain on gross display

Thus, "DEI" seems to be turning into a new alt-right buzzword in the same vein as "CRT" and "Woke" — dog whistles meant to rally like-minded readers against efforts at racial equity. See, for example, this X user calling Baltimore's elected mayor, Brandon Scott, the "DEI mayor."

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This post in particular kicked off a wave of backlash amongst Black Twitter, who immediately saw the tweet as thinly veiled racism, essentially calling Baltimore's mayor the n-word. Of course, Black Twitter loves a good joke, and because "DEI" was so oddly used as a not-so-subtle adjective, they ran with it.

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This post from user Alecia Renece explains, that calling Mayor Scott the "DEI Mayor" was meant to harm Black folk, who instead turned it into a joke, thus de-weaponizing something that was meant to hurt us.

Will it stop alt-right agitators from coming up with a new dog whistle? No, but at least Black Twitter will always be prepared to push back against bullshit.

An Amazon Echo smart speaker is an easy and affordable way to upgrade your home — and there are a bunch of deals on Amazon's signature speakers today. Here are our top picks of Amazon Echo deals as of March 30:

Best Amazon Echo deals Best overall Amazon Echo deal Amazon Echo (4th gen) $64.99 (save $35) Get Deal Best Echo Dot deal Echo Dot (5th gen) $34.99 (save $15) Get Deal Best Echo bundle Amazon Echo Pop with Amazon Basics Smart Color Bulb $22.99 (save $29.99) Get Deal

If you're ready to go hands-free at home, an Amazon Echo smart speaker can be an affordable way to put a decent speaker in every room of your home. As of March 30, there are deals on several Amazon Echo devices so you can make the best choice for your needs.

If you're between an Amazon Echo and an Echo Dot, we've got a guide to which Amazon device you should buy — but the good news is the newest versions of both are on sale today.

Check out our picks for the best Amazon Echo deals on sale at Amazon today:

Best overall Amazon Echo deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo (4th gen) $64.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $35.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If you care about better audio quality, this is the Amazon smart speaker for you. The newest Echo comes with an upgraded audio system, including Dolby Audio and lossless HD audio through Amazon Music HD. You can ask Alexa to play music for whatever vibe you're in (and play the same music on multiple speakers throughout your home) as well as make hands-free commands to turn on and off smart lights, check the weather, call your loved ones, or start your morning routine. Plus, the Echo comes with a year warranty so you can feel more secure in your choice.

Best Echo Dot Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Echo Dot (5th gen) $34.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $15.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The newest Echo Dot is a more budget-friendly smart speaker that still does everything you need it to. It plays music, controls your smart devices, and acts as your personal assistant (thanks Alexa!). At this price, you can set up your entire home with speakers for under $150. Note that the Dot only comes with a 90-day warranty.

Best Echo bundle Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Pop with Amazon Basics Smart Color Bulb $22.99 at Amazon
$52.98 Save $29.99 Get Deal Why we like it

"As of March 30, you can get the Echo Pop speaker paired with an Amazon Basics smart light bulb for only $22.99. That's the same price as the Echo Pop on its own at the current sale price (regularly $39.99). The Amazon Basics smart bulb regularly costs $12.99, so you'll be pocketing that amount by snagging the bundle. The Echo Pop is a 'good budget-friendly option in the Echo lineup,' according to Mashable's reviewer, SaVanna Shoemaker, and makes a good addition to the homes of folks 'who like to keep music playing, and who also use Alexa as a home assistant.'" — Christina Buff, Mashable Deals writer

OpenAI launched voice capabilities in ChatGPT last September. Now, the company is previewing a model called Voice Engine, which can use a single 15-second audio clip and text prompt to generate longer audio. OpenAI boasts that Voice Engine produces life-like voices with inflection and tone, rather than a robotic drone.

According to OpenAI's blog post, Voice Engine was first developed in 2022 to power ChatGPT's Read Aloud feature as well as text-to-speech. Since then, OpenAI has tested Voice Engine in a number of different scenarios: for children and non-readers; for non-verbal people and people who have otherwise lost their voice; and translation. For each of these cases, OpenAI has partnered with companies in these respective spaces.

SEE ALSO: OpenAI is pitching Sora to Hollywood. Creatives are fighting back.

OpenAI spends a chunk of the blog post assuring that Voice Engine is built safely — and while it doesn't mention the infamous robocall of Joe Biden explicitly, it's implied: "We recognize that generating speech that resembles people's voices has serious risks, which are especially top of mind in an election year," the post states. "We are engaging with U.S. and international partners from across government, media, entertainment, education, civil society and beyond to ensure we are incorporating their feedback as we build."

The Biden robocall was likely made with software by ElevenLabs, not an OpenAI product, but Voice Engine might hold the same capabilities. At the end of the post, OpenAI states that due to its "approach to AI safety and [their] voluntary commitments" (committing to safety, security, and trust), it's not releasing Voice Engine widely right now.

"We hope this preview of Voice Engine both underscores its potential and also motivates the need to bolster societal resilience against the challenges brought by ever more convincing generative models," the post states. OpenAI then calls for a phase-out of voice-authentication as a security measure; policies to protect the use of people's voices in AI; education; and more technology to identify inauthentic voices — all because of its own technology.

Read more and listen to examples of Voice Engine in OpenAI's blog post, Navigating the Challenges and Opportunities of Synthetic Voices.

Since Beyoncé announced a new album during her Super Bowl commercial — in pink cat ear headphones, no less — fans have been anticipating Cowboy Carter. Part II of the singer's trilogy that started with 2022's Renaissance finally dropped yesterday, and social media's reactions didn't disappoint.

SEE ALSO: We found the pink cat ear headphones Beyoncé wore in her viral Verizon commercial

First, let's take it from the album's roots. In Beyoncé's Instagram post about Cowboy Carter, she mentioned the album "was born out of an experience that I had years ago where I did not feel welcomed…and it was very clear that I wasn't." Fans have guessed that she's referring to the 2016 Country Music Association Awards, where her performance of "Daddy's Lessons" with The Chicks received racist and sexist backlash.

People said Beyoncé "isn't country" — but this album proves them wrong:

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Some fans still played the two singles released on Super Bowl night, "Texas Hold 'Em" and "16 Carriages":

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Other songs on the album, like "Bodyguard," "Levii's Jeans" with Post Malone, and the cover of "Jolene" sparked reactions as well:

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Let's not forget Beyoncé's tribute to Ireland (jk), "Riiverdance":

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Even Vice President Harris posted about Cowboy Carter, saying Beyoncé inspires us all:

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Fans who aren't in the White House are inspired as well:

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And some picked up on the very end of the album, when the music seemed to rev up for a moment before ending on a final, ringing note.

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What is Beyoncé up to? We'll just have to stay tuned and find out. For now, we're jamming to Cowboy Carter.

If you're an avid reader or love to take notes while you're studying, there's an Amazon Kindle e-reader on sale today that could be a great fit for you — and save you up to $100. Check out our favorite Kindles on sale for adults and kids alike:

The best Kindle deals at Amazon Best Kindle deal for kids Kindle Paperwhite Kids 134.99 (169.99) Get Deal Best Kindle deal for most people Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (16 GB) 129.99 (149.99) Get Deal Best Kindle deal for note-takers Amazon Kindle Scribe (64 GB) with Premium Pen 319.99 (419.99) Get Deal

As of March 30, there's a Kindle on sale for readers, doodlers, and note-takers of all ages. Whether you want to take 30 books with you on your next vacation, mark up documents on the go, or keep your kid entertained on long travel days, we've got a Kindle deal for you.

Check out our favorite Kindle deals for kids and adults below, and note that if you buy two Kindle Scribes today you'll save an additional $40 thanks to this limited-time deal.

Best Kindle deal for kids Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids (16GB) $134.86 at Amazon
$169.99 Save $35.13 Get Deal Why we like it

The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids is made for young readers. It comes with 16GB of storage to hold all their favorite books and a year of Amazon Kids+, which gives your kid access to thousands of ad-free books, plus games, videos, and apps they can access on other devices (the Kindle is made for reading only). It has 10 weeks of battery life from a single charge plus a two-year worry-free warranty. The cherry on top? Your kid can choose their own cover with scenes of Emerald Forest, Robot Dreams, or Warrior Cats.

Best Kindle deal for most people Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (16 GB) $129.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The newest model of the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite comes with a larger screen of 6.8 inches and thinner borders for easier, more book-like reading, plus up to ten weeks of reading from a single charge and 20% faster page turn. The 300 ppi glare-free display is meant to mimic the page of a book, and the brightness automatically shifts so you can comfortably read whether you're out on the sunny beach or in bed at midnight. Take all your books with you in one easy-to-carry Kindle, plus plug in your headphones to listen to audiobooks.

Best Kindle deal for note-takers Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle Scribe (64 GB) with Premium Pen $319.99 at Amazon
$419.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal Why we like it

For those who love to take notes, highlight, and even doodle while they read, an Amazon Kindle Scribe with a large screen of 10l.2 inches could make your life a lot simpler. Use the included Premium Pen to mark up whatever you're reading with your thoughts easily, then convert your handwritten notes to text through the Kindle app. You can import and mark up documents for work, journal, and even sketch with different brush types, from fountain pen to pencil. With 64GB of storage, you'll have to work hard to run out of space for all your books on this device. Plus, this Kindle has the longest battery of all Kindle devices and should last you months.

Don't forget: If you're ready to buy two Kindle Scribes today you'll save an additional $40 thanks to this limited-time deal.

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for March 30 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for March 30

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Saturday, March 30, 2024:

AcrossFill-in teachers

• The answer is Subs.

Pad Thai ingredient, often

• The answer is Shrimp.

Person who helps in buying a home

• The answer is Realtor.

"That's gross!"

• The answer is Eww.

___-Magnon man

• The answer is Cro.

Paid back through an app

• The answer is Venmoed.

"I would be ___ if I didn't mention ..."

• The answer is Remiss.

Connery who played Bond

• The answer is Sean.

DownIndigenous group once led by Tecumseh

The answer is Shawnee.

Safari destination?

• The answer is URL.

Most-valued cryptocurrency

• The answer is Bitcoin.

Snacks made on sticks

• The answer is Smores.

Channels that stink

• The answer is Sewers.

Eggs on

• The answer is Prod.

Excite, with "up"

• The answer is Rev.

Combat sport, for short

• The answer is MMA.

What an extraterrestrial view.

The long-lived Mars Express Orbiter — a European Space Agency (ESA) spacecraft that has flown around Mars for over two decades and recently eclipsed 25,000 orbits — captured a highly detailed image of the Red Planet. And among the giant Martian volcanoes is a surprise.

"The stunning view shows volcanoes, valleys, craters, clouds, and even a flying visit from Mars's largest moon, Phobos," the ESA wrote.

SEE ALSO: NASA scientist viewed first Voyager images. What he saw gave him chills.

Here's what you're seeing in the outer-space vista below:

- Olympus Mons: The largest bulge near the top left is Olympus Mons, the biggest volcano in our solar system. It's about the same size as Arizona, and reaches a whopping 16 miles (25 kilometers) high. (Mount Everest is 5.5 miles high.)

- Volcanic trio: Below Olympus Mons is a line of three similarly colossal volcanoes: Ascraeus Mons, Pavonis Mons, and Arsia Mons. They are shield volcanoes, which tend not to be explosive. Instead, lava oozes out of vents, gradually layering over eons and creating a gentle slope. Ultimately, they produce a landform similar to a shield laid on its back.

- Countless craters: Mars is absolutely blanketed in craters. Just scan the surface. The Red Planet is close to our solar system's asteroid belt, a region teeming with millions of asteroids. When they do collide with Mars, the Martian atmosphere is just 1 percent the density of Earth's, meaning these space rocks are less likely to heat up and disintegrate. What's more, Mars isn't quite geologically dead — marsquakes frequently occur there — but there's not enough geologic activity and volcanism to wash away, or cover up, new craters (like on Earth).

- Martian clouds: At both poles, atop and below the image, you can spy large regions of cloud cover. On Mars, clouds are made of water ice and carbon-dioxide ice.

- The moon Phobos: You can see Mars' dark, misshapen moon Phobos on bottom left orbiting above the Red Planet. It's relatively small and not too massive, with its longest side measuring just 17 miles (27 kilometers) long. "Phobos is too light for gravity to make it spherical," the European Space Agency explains. What's more, it's been hit time and time again by potent space rocks. "Phobos was nearly shattered by a giant impact, and has gouges from thousands of meteorite impacts," NASA noted.

The Mars Express view of Mars, with colossal volcanoes, clouds, craters, and a photobomb from a moon. Credit: ESA / DLR / FU Berlin A close-up view of Phobos as it orbits Mars. Credit: ESA / DLR / FU Berlin

Today, this great Martian desert is irradiated and profoundly dry — Mars has largely lost its atmosphere, leaving it an intensely dry, desert world. Mars is 1,000 times drier than the driest desert on Earth.

Yet Mars was once a wet planet, with gushing floods and expansive lakes. The now-desert planet could have once hosted primitive life. NASA's car-sized rovers are sleuthing for hints of past organisms — though there's still no evidence life ever evolved on the Martian surface.

For all the digital tools and AI-guided apps that can help us navigate our mental health and wellbeing, you can't get there without spending time away from screens. Or, in the more succinct language of online arguments: go touch grass.

But maybe touching a sticker somewhere close to your screens can help ground you too.

That's the claim of Calm Strips, reusable "sensory stickers" you may have seen popping up in ads or suggested posts on TikTok and Instagram. These colorful tactile stickers aren't just cashing in on trendy Danish pastel aesthetics, they're tapping into broad demand for neurodivergent support tools. 

SEE ALSO: Gwyneth Paltrow is doing 'eyes open' meditation. Will you?

The original line of rectangular stickers, about the size of a finger, feature bright designs like rainbows, flowers, and landscapes. Newer variants add text: instructions to "ground yourself" or to remember that "you are not your intrusive thoughts."

And then there's the all-important tactility — the brand's big selling point. Calm Strips feature various levels of textured surface, from bumpy "river rock" to "smooth satin." They're designed as an antidote to anxiety, sensory overstimulation, or other emotional states that can use a physical intervention.

Ironically, Calm Strips co-founders Michael Malkin and Luce Fuller got the idea for this analog product while working in the temple of high-tech screens, the arbiter of some of society's biggest screen-focused troubles: An Apple store.

Malkin needed a subtle fidget, but couldn't whip out a spinner, tangle toy, or Pop-It (some of the internet's most popular fidget tools) in front of customers. So he calmed his anxiety by wrapping a piece of tape around his fingers.

It's more of a tool than a toy. - Luce Fuller

A self-proclaimed "40-year-old anxious guy," Malkin solicited more low-tech fidget concepts. At first, he thought the strips would be mainly for adults like him, but post-launch feedback — especially from the Autism community, which his son was diagnosed with — opened the opportunity to expand to an all-ages audience.

"A lot of brands that were talking about mental health, were talking at people, telling them what they needed, rather than listening to them," Fuller told Mashable. "So that was one big, directional marker that we put in place and have continued to follow."

The result was a spot on ABC's business incubator show Shark Tank, where the pair nabbed a partnership with Canadian businessman Robert Herjavec. The Calm Strips mission, to get more people to embrace sensory tools, was on.

Stickers and somatics 

Calm Strips, and other tactile fidgets, embody a self-care practice and field of study known as somatics. A term coined in 1976 by professor Thomas Hanna, somatics focuses on movement, bodywork, and regulating your nervous system. A lot of its basic concepts — body scans, conscious breathing, tactile activations — are also found in mindfulness practice.

"Sensory regulation is about stabilizing the nervous system, getting familiar with your own nervous system," says Thérèse Cator, a trauma resolution practitioner and the founder of Embodied Black Girl. Shifting emotional states through sensory regulation is, for many, the first step toward a greater personal transformation through trauma healing or other therapies.

"In trauma resolution, you always do stabilization first," Cator explained to Mashable. "If the person is feeling anxious, you're trying to move them to calm."

Fuller claims Calm Strips immediately resonated with people experiencing body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRB), or self grooming compulsions like nail biting, skin and cuticle picking, or hair pulling. Customers with these needs reached out with positive stories and even product and texture requests. "To have somewhere to redirect that energy is really powerful," Fuller says.

The products also appeal to people with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Fuller, a mom of five, knows this firsthand as a mother of a child with Autism. "The Autistic community is not only one of the coolest communities ever, but they're also always searching for a good tool, as opposed to maybe a toy, that can be used anywhere," Fuller says. Calm strips, she argues, are "more of a tool than a toy." 

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You can find plenty of Calm Strips tips and opinions on Reddit forums such as r/AutismInWomen. Some users like them for stimming (self-stimulating behaviors often associated with Autism), or curbing BFRB. Others had the stickers recommended as coping devices by their therapists. Some teachers give them to students. A post on r/Kindle shows someone putting Calm Strips stickers on their device to fidget with as they read.

But some of the online conversation wonders whether the stickers are a scam. A subset of Shark Tank fans were shocked that the investors didn't call out Fuller and Malkin for supposedly "deceiving" their customers, the panel's custom for many more novelty items that grace the screen.

Such opinions are shared openly online, like among users on r/FidgetToys. "Only in America can you sell textured stickers for a profit," laughed one user. "I much prefer worry stones, or any other handheld fidget," said another. "That said, their infinity ones are better because tracing a figure eight is somehow more relaxing. I am a teacher and I put those under kids' desks to calm them."

Fuller and Malkin understand the urge to scoff at the simple stickers, part of a larger stigma against mental health tools.

"It is only four textures," Fuller says. "But if you have Calm Strips right on the back of your phone, on your keys, it's something you will always have with you. Nothing against your Fitbit, phone, Apple Watch, whatever, but [a Calm Strip] is not gonna nudge you while you're in the middle of something. It's at your own discretion, your own time."

Inside the box

Far from being content with the original stickers, the Calm Strips brand is still expanding. Hence the Calm Breathing line: palm-sized stickers that guide you through basic breathwork techniques. 

One turns box breathing, a four-part technique, into a literal box shape. Spending an equal amount of time on each of the four sides, you inhale deeply on one, hold on the second, exhale on the third, hold again on the fourth.

Another sticker in the shape of an infinity symbol introduces users to loop or "Lazy 8" breathing, a common practice used to treat childhood anxiety. A pie chart shaped-sticker represents the 54321 method, a grounding technique where you note five things you can see, four you can touch, three you can hear, two you can smell, and one you can taste.

Fuller says the breathing stickers boosted Calm Strips sales, and remain extremely popular, most likely because they are both aesthetically appealing and straightforward. "People liked that call to action," Fuller says. "Every pack that comes in an order will have an instruction card. It's got a little bit of information, a quote, and how to use it."  

Nothing against your phone, but a Calm Strip is not gonna nudge you while you're in the middle of something. - Luce Fuller Emotional regulation at your desk

While beneficial for all ages, mass market fidget toys are mostly geared toward younger users. That may explain why teachers appear as one of the largest purchasers of the less distracting Calm Strips. The brand even offers classroom packs and bulk ordering for educational institutions, with more than 5,000 schools nationwide using them desk-side.

"It is something that helps to teach not only mindfulness, but emotional intelligence and emotional regulation," says Fuller. "To give these kids the ability to have something in front of them that can teach them emotional regulation at such a young age… I don't know about you, but they didn't teach that in my school."

SEE ALSO: How to get your kid into mindfulness

Before starting her career in trauma healing and coaching, Cator was a substitute and public school teacher. She's a mother, too, and sees why kids might gravitate toward an eye-catching item like Calm Strips. "Any tool that's helpful for children — that's helpful for families —I am always going to be a supporter of," she says. Many of us also need these tools, even the neurotypical, "because we have been in turbulent times for many, many years," she explains.

"We've made Calm Strips beautiful as well as sensory," Fuller says. In the call with Mashable, she proudly showed off her own sticker-plastered desk to prove the point. And this is exactly how she wants them to be used: a self-regulation tool designed to be open and public, rather than stowed away. That's because manu people seeking sensory regulation tools are made to feel ashamed about needing self-soothing tools, she says.

"We don't hide anything. We want the fact that it's a tool to be used out in the open. It's cool that it's out there. They are cool designs. But they're also discreet enough that if you don't want to tell anybody, then you just got a cool sticker."

Taping over our shame

"Shame is also something that happens within the body," says Cator. But while being open about coping tools like Calm Strips might be a good first step to acceptance, it "doesn't necessarily reconcile the shame, or deeper impacts of shame, that may be underneath."

That's where community collaborations with up and coming brands and trending items can fill a gap. "I definitely don't believe in gatekeeping," Cator says of mismatched resources and knowledge within the mental health space. She sees the demand for useful tools like these as a stop-gap for a greater societal need, but wants to make sure people know there's still more work to do.

"We're talking about stickers," Cator says. "Someone may reach for it, and it might work one day, and then it might not work another day, or there might be one sticker that's particularly activating for one person. It's important to give context."

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Cator believes brands like Calm Strips should build out referral networks, connecting mental health organizations and community groups in this field, so they feel less pressure to be a one-size-fits-all solution. And a little support goes a long way.

Calm Strips is doing some of tthis work already. It's collaborated with groups like LGBTQ+ therapist group QueerWell, childhood mindfulness organization BeWell in School, Black woman-led Sistas with ADHD, and, most recently, a line of emotional intelligence-building childrens' books (now paired with their own line of Calm Strips) called FeelLinks.

The company has also teamed up with more unconventional partners, like the Broadway show How to Dance in Ohio, which stars a cast of autistic actors.

"We are so much more than just an item," Fuller says. "I think a lot of what we do comes from the heart, and we really just want to help people."

Politicians, at least in the U.S., are often criticized for being out of touch with basic technology. However, what happens when things go too far in the other direction? What happens when a politician attempts to over-rely on unproven tech to solve their problems? 

New technology, correctly deployed, can obviously be a boon to any city, but in New York City, Mayor Eric Adams is on a long streak of tech missteps, showcasing what debacles can unfold when leaders don’t understand what can go wrong.

NYC's AI chatbot for businesses

On Friday, three nonprofit news organizations – The Markup, Documented, and The City – copublished a scathing report by reporter Colin Lecher about the AI chatbot that has been deployed by Mayor Adams and the NYC government.

When Mayor Eric Adams announced the "New York City Artificial Intelligence Action Plan" in October of last year, the city touted it as a "first-of-its-kind plan for responsible artificial intelligence use In NYC government." The announcement spotlighted a very specific part of the plan, the "first citywide AI chatbot" which would be deployed on official NYC government business websites in order to help business owners "access trusted information." The chatbot is powered by Microsoft’s Azure AI service.

SEE ALSO: TikTok is banned from city-owned devices in NYC

However, Lecher discovered that the AI chatbot is instead telling NYC business owners to break the law.

Lecher's report provided example after example of the AI chatbot giving the wrong advice to very basic questions. For example, when prompted with relevant questions, the chatbot told Lecher that business owners can take a cut of their service worker's tips — which they legally cannot — that landlords can discriminate against tenants based on income — which is against the law — and that you can run a cashless store in NYC — which is also illegal.

Robot subway surveillance

Late last year, Mayor Adams announced a pilot program for a new 400-pound, security camera-equipped, egg-shaped robot named K5 that would patrol the Times Square subway station. 

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K5 was described as a "fully autonomous outdoor security robot" by its creators, a company called Knightscope. However, as the New York Daily News reports, the robot was accompanied by two human NYPD police officers at all times. Adams expressed concerns that K5 would be vandalized, but meanwhile, civil rights groups expressed very different concerns regarding privacy for everyday New Yorkers, and wondered whether controversial facial recognition technology would be deployed in K5 eventually.

As the New York Times reported last year, legal experts also believed that the surveillance robot violated the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology Act, "a city law requiring the department to publish details about how new technology is being used and the data it collects."

But, how did the K5 pilot go? Well, K5 patrolled the Times Square subway station for two months and then was put away in a city storage facility by the end of 2023 – even though NYC was paying Knightscope for a 6-month long contract.

Robot police dogs

Speaking of robotics, K5 wasn't the first time NYC experimented with the technology for policing.

In 2021, the NYPD canceled a nearly six-figure contract with the robotics company Boston Dynamics for robot police "Digidogs" after public outcry against the technology. Then-Mayor Bill de Blasio agreed with the move, calling the robot dogs "creepy" and "alienating."

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At the time, Mashable published a report detailing the emergency stop procedure to power-down the robot dog in the event of a scenario where it would need to be deployed. 

However, it appears Mayor Adams doesn't share his predecessor de Blasio's sentiments on the Digidog. Last year, Mayor Adams announced that the NYPD would be bringing back the robot police dogs, and that the city acquired two "Spot" models for $75,000 each.

Civil rights groups and privacy advocates have shared the same concerns regarding the robot dogs that they did about K5.

Subway weapons detectors

The latest example of Mayor Adams' questionable reliance on new, unproven technology comes in the form of the recently announced initiative to use weapons detectors at subway stations.

This week, Mayor Adams announced that they would deploy AI-powered metal detectors that can scan for weapons. These scanners are created by a Massachusetts-based company called Evolv.

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These devices are an interesting choice for the NYC subway system because Evolv's CEO himself said earlier this month, before the Mayor's announcement, that these scanners would not work well in the subway system.

During an investor call, Evolv CEO Peter George was specifically asked about using these scanners in NYC subway stations, according to a report by the New York Daily News.

“Subways in particular are not a place that we think is a good use-case for us,” the Evolv CEO said. “Both for the [concept of operations], and being below ground and interference with the railways — [subways are] not a great use-case."

Furthermore, Evolv has just recently been sued by its shareholders for overstating the effectiveness of its scanning technology. The SEC also launched an investigation into the company last month. In addition, the FTC is looking into Evolv due to its marketing practices. And the company has been forced to retract claims it made about testing its technology in the UK.

Other apparent lapses in tech judgment

Mayor Adams has taken other risky bets too, like with cryptocurrency. He's been a fairly outspoken advocate for the technology. Adams converted his first mayoral paychecks into cryptocurrency, touted how he would look into blockchain technology as solutions to the city's problems, and even dined with FTX founder and CEO Sam Bankman-Fried.

While Mayor Adams' cryptocurrency portfolio may be up now assuming he held onto his holdings, any hard-up constituent who followed his lead and needed to sell during last year's "crypto winter" would be down big. As for Sam Bankman-Fried, the FTX head was just sentenced to 25 years in federal prison on conspiracy and fraud charges related to his now-failed crypto exchange.

As these examples show, Mayor Adams has repeatedly relied on unproven, sometimes risky technology as solutions to the city's issues. Time after time, these tax-payer funded programs haven't panned out, and the 8 million people living in the city have to deal with the consequences.

Mashable has reached out to Mayor Adams' office for comment, but did not immediately hear back. We will update if we receive a reply.