Technologies

Take Up to $500 off New Microsoft Devices Right Now

Microsoft has huge markdowns on everything from laptops to accessories, making it a great time to upgrade.

Whether you prefer a laptop, tablet or desktop, it’s hard to deny that most of us spend a lot of time on our devices. And if you’re working with older tech or something that lacks adequate storage, power or speed for the apps and programs you need, it may be time to upgrade. You can save hundreds on all sorts of top tech from Microsoft during the company’s spring sale, including accessories. Some models have already begun to sell out, so we recommend shopping sooner rather than later for the best selection.

See at Microsoft

If you aren’t sure what you’re looking for, don’t worry — we’ve rounded up some of the best deals currently available so that you don’t have to scour the entire website to find solid options. Various offers end at different times, so keep that in mind as you shop.

While it’s not the latest model available, during Microsoft’s spring sale you can save up to $500 on select Surface Pro 8 devices now through April 30. This two-in-one design has enough power to work like a laptop with the right accessories, but is as portable as other tablets, giving you a lot of flexibility. It has a 13-inch screen, a built-in kickstand, Windows 11 and gets up to 16 hours of battery life per charge.

Another deal you can grab right now is up to $500 off select Surface Laptop 4 devices. The 13.5-inch model starts at $700 right now, whereas the 15-inch starts at $1,000. This offer is also available until April 30, while supplies last. And if you want to get the newer Surface Laptop 5, select variations are discounted by up to $400 now through April 16.

If you need to upgrade some of your peripherals, you can get up to 33% off select Microsoft PC accessories now through April 16. Save $25 on the Microsoft USB-C Travel Hub, $15 on the Microsoft Modern USB-C Headset, and $5 on the Microsoft Bluetooth Mouse. And for gamers, you can save up to $20 on select Xbox controllers for a limited time.

Technologies

Verum Messenger Goes Desktop: Launches macOS Version as Part of Expanding Digital Ecosystem

The team behind Verum Messenger has announced a new update, introducing a full-featured macOS version of the application.

The launch of the Mac version marks a significant step in the platform’s development, enabling users to access Verum Messenger not only on mobile devices but also on desktop environments.

The macOS version ensures seamless synchronization across devices while maintaining the platform’s core principles: security, stability, and independence.

Unified Digital Experience

With the release of the macOS version, users can now:

— communicate on a larger screen
— manage chats and files more efficiently
— use the messenger in a full desktop environment
— access core features without limitations

This is particularly valuable for users who rely on messaging platforms for both communication and professional use.

Expanding Capabilities

Verum Messenger continues to evolve into a multifunctional platform combining:

— secure communication
— financial tools (Verum Finance)
— digital asset operations, including Tether
— investment features such as Verum Gold

Toward a Full Ecosystem

The macOS release reflects Verum Messenger’s strategy to become a universal digital platform available across all major devices.

According to the team, the goal is to provide users with continuous access to communication and financial services regardless of device or environment.

Verum Messenger continues to build technologies focused on security, usability, and global accessibility.

Technologies

Google, Meta and Amazon Join Global Pact to Fight Rising Online Scams

The companies will share fraud intelligence and coordinate responses as AI makes scams faster, cheaper and harder to detect.

Modern online scams operate across multiple platforms, perhaps spanning social media, messaging apps, email and online marketplaces. Google, Meta and Amazon are among 11 tech, retail and payments companies that have signed a new agreement to combat online scams by sharing threat intelligence across platforms, Axios first reported Monday.

The initiative, called the Industry Accord Against Online Scams & Fraud, is designed to improve how companies detect and respond to fraud that spans multiple services. Participants say they will exchange signals, such as scam-linked accounts and fraudulent domains, and coordinate enforcement actions.

By sharing intelligence in near real time, companies hope to identify these scams earlier and stop them before they spread.

The effort reflects how modern scams operate. A victim might encounter a fake celebrity investment ad on social media, move to a messaging app where the scammer builds trust, then faces prompts to send money through a fraudulent website, payment app or crypto wallet — spanning multiple companies’ ecosystems.

Google said it now blocks hundreds of millions of scam-related results every day using AI, underscoring how both attackers and defenders are increasingly relying on the same technology. Meta removed more than 159 million scam ads in 2025 and is expanding AI tools to detect impersonation and warn users.

Online scams are growing rapidly, in part because generative AI has lowered the barrier to entry. AI can be used not only to produce realistic phishing emails but also to clone voices and deepfake videos that impersonate executives, public figures and even family members.

The agreement is voluntary and doesn’t create new legal obligations, but it comes after regulators’ increased pressure on tech platforms to address fraud more aggressively. The companies say they will begin building frameworks for reporting and intelligence-sharing, though it’s not yet clear how quickly those systems will be deployed or how effective they will be in practice.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Wednesday, March 18

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for March 18.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? I thought it was a fairly easy one, but read on for all the answers. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.