Blogroll

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for November 8, 2025

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for November 8, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Nov. 14 Pips

Number (5): Everything in this space must add to 5. The answer is 5-6, placed vertically.

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 5-6, placed vertically; 6-6, placed horizontally; 6-3, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 6-3, placed vertically; 3-1, placed horizontally.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add to 1. The answer is 3-1, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Nov. 14 Pips

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally; 2-0, placed horizontally; 2-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 1-0, placed horizontally; 2-0, placed horizontally.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-1, placed vertically; 1-5, placed vertically.

Number (9): Everything in this dark blue space must add to 9. The answer is 2-4, placed horizontally; 5-4, placed horizontally.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add to 9. The answer is 5-4, placed horizontally; 1-5, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Nov. 14 Pips

Number (5): Everything in this red space must add to 5. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this light blue space must add to 5. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this dark blue space must add to 5. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically; 0-2, placed vertically.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically; 0-2, placed vertically; 0-0, placed horizontally; 0-5, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this red space must add to 5. The answer is 0-5, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this light blue space must add to 5. The answer is 5-4, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this orange space must add to 5. The answer is 5-4, placed horizontally; 1-0, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this purple space must add to 5. The answer is 1-5, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this green space must add to 5. The answer is 1-5, placed horizontally; 4-2, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add to 5. The answer is 4-2, placed vertically; 3-1, placed horizontally.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you love stunts.

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

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

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

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for November 14, 2025 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: To assess

• Green: AM or FM

• Blue: Film types

• Purple: Classic films

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Evaluate

• Green: Radio tuning options

• Blue: Action film subgenres

• Purple: Classic '90s action films

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #888 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Evaluate: GRADE, JUDGE, RATE, REVIEW

• Radio tuning options: BAND, CHANNEL, FREQUENCY, STATION

• Action film subgenres: BUDDY, DISASTER, MARTIAL ARTS, SUPERHERO

• Classic '90s action films: ARMAGEDDON, HARD BOILED, HEAT, SPEED

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for November 14, 2025

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're evasive.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for November 14, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 14, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Low-key elusive

The words are related to visibility.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are ways to describe faintness.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Barely There.

NYT Strands word list for November 14

• Nebulous

• Faint

• Barely There

• Understated

• Subtle

• Tenuous

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you love bold colors.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 14, 2025 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for November 14, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Bright-colored.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter L.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

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

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

LURID

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

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for November 14, 2025

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

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

Astute.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

SAVVY

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A soup made when drinking liquids.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for November 14, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

SLURP

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A basketball move.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for November 14 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 14, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

LAYUP

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Poor.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for November 14 Hurdle Word 4 answer

BROKE

Final Hurdle hint

A legal violation.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

CRIME

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Connie Francis’ “Pretty Little Baby” is more than 60 years old. And though it was never even released as a single, this 1962 song became a global sensation in 2025, coming in at number 5 on TikTok’s global Songs of the summer list. Other ‘catalogue’ tracks have reemerged lately, becoming trending hits decades after their release. But it’s not just music from the archives. New and emerging artists now have a new way to reach global audiences and become stars overnight. All of this because someone heard their song and got a TikTok video idea.

But is TikTok changing the ways we listen to music? And, more importantly, does it now have influence on how music is made?

Read the full Trending Now article by Christianna Silva.

Would you play Boggle or Pictionary on your TV? Netflix thinks so.

On Thursday, Netflix introduced a new feature called Game Night, which lets customers play a handful of video games with just their TV, using their phones as controllers. Launching today, Game Night includes Boggle Party, Lego Party!, Pictionary: Game Night, Tetris Time Warp, and Party Crashers: Fool Your Friends. Game Night is available now without any additional subscription or fees.

A Netflix press release states, "Netflix just made game night a whole lot easier. Now you can play games on your TV. All you need is Netflix and your phone. That’s it. Just like that, everything you need to start playing with your friends and family is in the palm of your hands."

Game Night represents a pivot for Netflix's video game strategy. The streaming app first experimented with video games in 2021, but the platform has never become a hub for gamers in the United States. Since 2021, Netflix has launched more than 100 mobile games, per the New York Times, with its most successful title, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, reaching almost 40 million downloads.

However, the word download is key. Playing Netflix games required users to head to an app store and download an app, an awkward and counterintuitive approach for a streaming app. But with Netflix Game Night, users can play games directly in the Netflix app itself.

Netflix customers with a compatible device will have access to Game Night right away, and it's also accessible in web browsers. Per a Netflix announcement, "To play a game on your TV using your mobile device, select a game, then scan the game’s QR code with your phone’s camera." And in a press release, Netflix said it will be launching a "stack of new titles" for the holiday season.

“Starting today, you can play games on your TV, using your phone as a controller — no setup needed, it’s as easy as streaming your favorite shows,” said Alain Tascan, president of games at Netflix, in a press release. “You can now go from watching KPop Demon Hunters to playing Pictionary: Game Night without ever leaving Netflix. And for those who love to play anywhere and everywhere, we're bringing even more games to your phone with our own special Netflix touch.”

If you're in the market for a new pair of earbuds, we have good news: You have a lot of options. The bad news? You have a lot of options, and your decision can get overwhelming, fast. Wasn't life easier when iPhones came with a free pair of earbuds?

While you can still find wired earbuds that plug in and go (you'll even find a pair on this list), the market is flooded with wireless options. Now, you'll find models with advanced noise cancellation to block out the sounds of busy coffee shops and commutes. Plus, a good pair should have a quality microphone so you can take calls on the go.

SEE ALSO: I replaced my $249 AirPods Pro with $19 wired EarPods

Prices on earbuds range anywhere from $10 to $1,000, especially if you're going for professional-grade studio earphones. And if you care about noise cancellation, you can easily spend $300 — that's the price of peace and quiet. These days, you can even get hyperspecialized models like sleep earbuds. Our guide also includes our picks for the best earbuds for working out and the best open earbuds.

Our top picks for earbuds are the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd gen) and Panasonic Technics AZ100s, which provide outstanding sound quality — but keep in mind, both of these models cost $299. While we stand by the value of everything on this list, we know that spending $300 on a pair of headphones is a lot to stomach. That's also why we recommend shopping for earbuds during Black Friday season. As sales start to kick off, the QC Ultra earbuds are down $50 (their lowest price since their September release date). As we approach the actual day of Black Friday on Nov. 28, we expect to see even more markdowns on our favorite earbuds.

Ready to start shopping now? Here are our top earbud picks of 2025.

Types of earbuds

There are two types of earbuds: wireless and wired. While those descriptors are self-explanatory, let's get into the specifics of both.

Wireless

Wireless earbuds connect to devices via Bluetooth for cordless usage. These earbuds range from $20 budget models to high-end models with active noise cancellation. While they don't require a wire to connect to a device, some wireless earbuds still have a wire that might go around the back of the neck to connect the buds.

While earbuds traditionally don't provide the passive noise cancellation of over-the-ear headphones, wireless models often feature ANC, which electronically blocks out background noise. With wireless headphones, you need to consider the battery life. Most models should have an eight-hour or more battery life before they need to be recharged.

Wired

Wired earbuds are the original model: two buds connected by a wire to your audio source. While they once felt high tech, they're pretty basic now. Wired earbuds with active noise cancellation are basically non-existent, and you won't find any on our list.

The biggest positive to wired headphones is that they don't need to be charged. They're a great backup option to keep in your bag in case your usual wireless headphones or earbuds run out of charge.

New additions to this guide

After extensive testing, Mashable Lead Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard rounded up the best sleep earbuds. You can read her full guide, but as of May 2025, we've added the Anker Soundcore Sleep A20 to this guide, which Allard says are the best sleep earbuds for most people.

As of August 2025, we also updated the best earbuds for working out to the Powerbeats Pro 2 and added the Shokz OpenDots One as the best open earbuds.

What are the best wireless Bluetooth earbuds?

If you're just looking for a pair of everyday wireless earbuds, all but one of the models in this guide will check that box. (We also included the Marshall Mode wired earbuds as an option for folks who don't want to worry about battery.) If you're looking for the highest quality wireless earbuds, you can't go wrong with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra and Panasonic Technics EAH-AZ100 earbuds, our most recent recommendation in 2025. Both of these wireless earbuds feature elite noise-cancellation, stellar sound, long battery life, and a comfortable fit for extended wear.

Still, this guide includes several other earbuds we stand behind. Apple users may prefer the AirPods Pro, while shoppers on a budget may prefer buds from Marshall or Anker Soundcore. If you need help picking the perfect pair, read on.

SAVE $1,002: The 100-inch Hisense Class QD6 QLED 4K TV is on sale for $1,497.99 at Amazon, down from the list price of $2,499.99. That's a 40% discount and the lowest we've seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense 100-inch Hisense Class QD6 QLED 4K TV $1,497.99 at Amazon
$2,499.99 Save $1,002.00   Get Deal

Holiday hosting season is right around the corner. If you're busy prepping the menu, finding recipes, and delegating cleaning tasks, it's also worth considering entertainment. If you like to host with holiday gatherings with the ambiance of Christmas music in the background and a snowy scene on TV, check out this monster of a deal at Amazon.

As of Nov. 13, the 100-inch Hisense Class QD6 QLED 4K TV is on sale for $1,497.99 at Amazon, down from the list price of $2,499.99. That's a massive 40% discount that shaves $1,002 off the standard price. This sale happens to be the lowest we've seen at Amazon.

Black Friday is still a few weeks away but we're already seeing major deals and that includes this 100-inch Hisense. The brand consistently offers some of the best affordable TVs that don't slack when it comes to display quality.

SEE ALSO: 45 early Black Friday deals at Best Buy that aren't cheaper anywhere else

This 100-inch model could be great for larger living rooms or rec rooms, and its 144Hz refresh rate means it could be awesome for winter gaming. Since we're spending more time inside these days, consider your winter activities sorted with this 100-inch upgrade. Stream you favorite shows, movies, holiday parades, and footballs games like never before.

QLED displays excel in offering bright colors and great contrast, even during the daytime. It's also equipped with Fire TV which will put all your favorite streaming apps neatly into one menu. The Fire TV integration also means you can check in with Alexa or use the picture-in-picture feature to continue watching your show while also checking on the video doorbell.

As an early Black Friday treat, upgrade to the 100-inch Hisense Class QD6 QLED 4K TV while it's on sale for $1,497.99 at Amazon. Today's price marks the lowest we've seen and buying today will mean it'll arrive before Thanksgiving entertaining starts.

Russian engineers ran their new humanoid robot on stage, Rocky Balboa-style, in what was supposed to be the beginning of a new era in robotics for the nation They then proceeded to watch it epically face-plant in front of the Moscow audience.

Known as AIdol, the AI-powered, anthropomorphic tech was making its public debut at a press event on Nov. 10, advertised as an example of the country's domestic robotics capabilities.

SEE ALSO: DJI launches Neo 2 mini drone ahead of potential U.S. ban

After briefly waving to the audience, rife with journalists, the robot tottered forward and simply tumbled over — not so light on its feet. A large chunk of its outer body carriage rolled away, and organizers quickly covered him up using a black cloth while they tried to fix it. They later said the fall was due to calibration issues with its balance systems and control software.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

AIdol was developed by Russian robotics startup Idol, led by CEO Vladimir Vitukhin. Vitukhin is part of Russia's charge into the international robotics market, an industry that garnered $1.6 billion in investments in 2024, the New York Times reported. Companies like Elon Musk's Tesla and Amazon have ventured into the humanoid robot (or "physical agentforce") market, too, including Tesla's highly touted Optimus robot. Catch Optimus rigs working at Musk's Tesla Diner in Los Angeles soon, if Musk's dreams come true.

“I hope that this mistake will turn into an experience,” Vitukhin told Russian state news agencies. "This is real-time learning, when a good mistake turns into knowledge, and a bad mistake turns into experience."

It's sometimes easy to fall into the trap that a bigger number on something means that it's subjectively better, when really it's just objectively "more" on some measurable axis.

SAVE $400: As of Nov. 13, get the LG Ultragear OLED monitor for $499.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $899.99. That's a discount of 44% and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon LG Ultragear OLED $499.99 at Amazon
$899.99 Save $400   Get Deal

Looking to upgrade your gaming battlestation? Or maybe you're in the market for a new monitor since yours is showing its age. Whatever the case may be, now's the time to shop for a new one with this early Black Friday deal. You can snag a massive 27-inch LG monitor for an absolutely excellent price while giving your setup a much-needed facelift at the same time.

As of Nov. 13, get the LG Ultragear OLED monitor for $499.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $899.99. That's $400 off and a discount of 44%. It's also the lowest price we've seen.

SEE ALSO: The best monitors in 2025

The OLED UltraGear has a dazzling 1440p refresh rate and 480Hz refresh rate in addition to its OLED picture. It supports AMD FreeSync Premium Pro as well as Nvidia G-Sync VRR, with smooth motion and detailing perfect for all your favorite titles. And with a 0.0zms response time, it's great for twitchy games, too.

All this packed into a 27-inch chassis with a tilt/height/pivot stand that you can move around to your liking. It has an anti-glare coating with low reflection so you don't have to deal with constant distractions, and deep HDR color support as well so you get jaw-dropping visuals every time you load in.

This monitor is a great blend of practical and powerful, and it'll take all your games to the next level. If you're interested in adding it to your setup or want to gift it to someone, now's the time to pounce.

TL;DR: Save 43% on the Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro retro gaming emulator that you can also use to watch movies.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kinhank Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro Retro Gaming Emulator and Streaming Console $89.97
$159.99 Save $70.02   Get Deal

If you’ve got a gamer on your gift list this year, you don’t have to give them the pricey new releases to impress. The retro-inspired Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro brings back thousands of retro favorites — from Street Fighter to Final Fantasy — all for $89.97 while it’s still on sale (reg. $159.99). And they ship free.

Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro gives you a single, smooth interface to play thousands of modern and old-school titles. You get dual operating systems, with Android 9.0 for streaming apps and EmuELEC 4.5 for emulation, giving you flexibility beyond gaming. You can go straight from trouncing your friend in a 1-on-1 deathmatch to marathoning your favorite show.

SEE ALSO: The LG UltraGear OLED curved gaming monitor just got another price drop ahead of Black Friday — save over $700

The included 256GB game card comes loaded with thousands of games, spanning classic systems like NES, SNES, Sega Genesis, PlayStation, and more. Plus, you can easily expand your library using a microSD card or download additional 3D games at no extra cost.

You also get two wireless controllers right out of the box, making multiplayer gaming easy. Thanks to the plug-and-play design, setup is simple. Just connect it to your TV or monitor with the included HDMI cable, power it up, and start playing. It even supports 4K HD output, so your retro games will look surprisingly crisp on modern screens.

With built-in dual-band WiFi and Bluetooth 5.0, the Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro offers stable connections for both online features and wireless accessories. And while it’s pretty stacked with games, this console is still small enough to toss in a backpack and take to a friend’s house. You know, like people used to.

Order the Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro now for $89.97 with free shipping (reg. $159.99). Sale ends Nov. 20 at 11:59 p.m. PT, and no coupon is needed.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Get this bundle of Windows 11 Pro and Microsoft Office 2021 on sale for $49.97 through Nov. 16 and upgrade your entire PC at once (reg. $418.99).

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft The Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License + Windows 11 Pro Bundle $44.97
$418.99 Save $374.02   Get Deal

Microsoft has officially moved on from Windows 10, and if your PC’s still running it, you’re missing out on key security updates that keep you free from malware and new AI tools. This upgrade deal solves both problems: Windows 11 Pro for a faster, safer experience, plus a lifetime license for Microsoft Office Professional 2021 — all 88% off for a limited time.

Microsoft Office Pro 2021 gives you so many ways to stay productive: Word for documents, Excel for spreadsheets, PowerPoint for presentations, Outlook for email, plus Access, Publisher, Teams, and OneNote. No monthly subscription fees — just a permanent license that works on one Windows PC at home or the office.

SEE ALSO: Our favorite Windows laptop, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, just hit a new best price ever

On the other hand, Windows 11 Pro brings modern polish, upgraded security, and AI-driven help via Copilot. That means better multitasking with snap layouts, advanced encryption with BitLocker, improved antivirus defenses, and even AI tools that can summarize web pages or help you generate text. It’s the operating system designed for both business leaders and everyday users who want their machines running at peak performance.

Here’s what you’re getting:

• Lifetime Office 2021 Pro: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, Publisher, OneNote, and Teams.

• Windows 11 Pro Upgrade: Secure, sleek, and ready for today’s workflows.

• AI Copilot built in: Your new virtual assistant for tasks and writing.

• One-time payment: Forget recurring fees — pay once, use forever.

For entrepreneurs, business leaders, and anyone managing a busy digital life, this bundle checks every box: productivity, security, and long-term value.

Grab Microsoft Office 2021 and Windows 11 Pro on sale together for $49.97 (reg. $418.99). Offer ends Nov. 16 at 11:59 p.m. PT, and no coupon is needed.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Virtual reality headsets have gotten increasingly popular over the past few years. Sony’s PlayStation VR and VR2, along with the just-launched Samsung Galaxy XR, and the revamped Apple Vision Pro are some examples. These tech giants join Meta in the virtual reality fray, giving us true competition in the AR/VR space for the first time.

Yesterday, Valve announced that it’s also creating a brand new virtual reality headset, the Steam Frame, which is a follow-up to the 2019 Valve Index headset. (Valve also announced a ton more Steam hardware.) It’s built to be a streaming-first experience that is compatible with your entire Steam library, whether your games are VR or non-VR. But how does it stack up with other headsets? Let's take a look.

SEE ALSO: Valve announces new Steam Machine console: Price, specs, release date Steam Frame vs. Vision Pro vs. Quest 3: Just the specs Meta Quest 3 VR headset with controllers. Credit: Alex Perry / Mashable

Before we compare these headsets in more detail, let's review the specifications for each. If you don't care about how much storage or RAM each headset has, just keep scrolling.

You'll have to wait until 2026 to get your hands (and face) on the Steam Frame. For now, we can only geek out over the specs:

• Processor: 4 nm Snapdragon® 8 Gen 3, Architecture: ARM64

• RAM: 16GB Unified LPDDR5X RAM

• Storage: 256GB / 1TB UFS storage options, microSD card slot

• Resolution: 2160 x 2160 (per eye)

• Refresh Rate: 72-144Hz refresh rate (144Hz experimental)

• Battery Capacity: 21.6Wh

• Field of View: Up to 110 degrees

• Eyetracking included: Yes

• Price: TBA

Apple just released its new Vision Pro headset in October. It's largely the same headset as the original released in 2023, but now powered by M5 silicon. Here are all the details:

• Processor: Apple M5 chip

• RAM: 16G

• Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

• Resolution: 3,660 × 3,200 (per-eye)

• Refresh Rate: 90Hz, 96Hz, 100Hz, 120Hz

• Battery Capacity: Up to 2.5 hours of general use, video playback up to 3 hours

• Field of View: ~100 degrees

• Eyetracking included: Yes

• Price: $3,499

And here are the Meta Quest 3's specs:

• Processor: Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2

• RAM: 8GB

• Storage: 512GB

• Resolution: 2064 x 2208 (per eye)

• Refresh Rate: 72Hz, 90Hz, 120Hz

• Battery Capacity: 19.44Wh

• Field of View: 110 degrees horizontal and 96 degrees vertical

• Eyetracking included: No

• Price: $499.99

Which is best for gaming?

On the gaming side of things, the Steam Frame is going to have a huge advantage over the competition, as Valve promises you’ll be able to play your entire Steam library. With Meta Quest 3 and Apple Vision Pro, you can only play games that were specifically designed or ported to that platform. While the Quest 3 has a decent selection of titles, the Vision Pro really wasn't designed for gaming, and its library reflects that fact.

On top of that, the Steam Frame will be compatible with other Steam hardware, including the Steam Machine, Deck, and controller, making it a much more versatile headset than the others.

AR and VR: What's the difference?

With virtual reality, you can disappear into fully realized virtual worlds. With augmented reality, you can still see and interact with the world around you. Where it gets messy is that AR headsets like the Vision Pro also support VR experiences, so it's not a clean distinction. Based on what we know, the Steam Frame is very much in the VR category.

An augmented reality scene with the Vision Pro. Credit: Apple

The Steam Frame only contains monochrome passthrough cameras, while the Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3 have colored passthroughs. This means that the Quest and Vision Pro support augmented and mixed reality, while the Steam Frame seemingly cannot. On the surface, this makes Steam Frame more of a downgrade compared to its competition, as it's a pure virtual reality headset. However, it also has a “user accessible front expansion port,” which could be utilized to add more features in the future, including color passthroughs.

The Quest 3 still wins out on price

Valve hasn’t revealed a price for the Steam Frame, but the company is aiming to have it under $1,000, which is the price of a Valve Index headset. Meta Quest 3 still seems to be the most affordable of the three headsets, sitting at $500. Apple’s Vision Pro remains the most expensive at a whopping $3,500, but it comes with higher-cost components, a premium design, and some futuristic AR features.

The Steam Frame is set to launch sometime in early 2026.

What's old is new again — Vine is back.

Well, kind of. And Other Stuff, a nonprofit collective run by Jack Dorsey — yes, the Twitter founder who originally killed Vine — financed diVine, which launched Thursday. It has very similar branding to Vine, is focused on six-second videos, and will feature archived, old Vines. TechCrunch, which spoke with the company, reported diVine users will have access to over 100,000 archived Vine videos.

Here's what diVine's site says:

"Experience the raw, unfiltered creativity of real people sharing genuine moments in 6-second loops. Built on decentralized technology, owned by no one, controlled by everyone."

It tracks that someone would try to reboot Vine, considering the massive success of TikTok, which feels like its spiritual successor. Elon Musk, in fact, has threatened to reboot Vine in the past.

Besides rebooting the six-second concept and relying on open-source tech, diVine has another interesting core promise: no AI. In a time of increasing AI slop, diVine will not allow — and will prevent the posting of — AI-generated content.

SEE ALSO: Vine is dead. Let's keep it that way.

"So basically, I’m like, can we do something that’s kind of nostalgic?" Evan Henshaw-Plath, the person leading the project, told TechCrunch. "Can we do something that takes us back, that lets us see those old things, but also lets us see an era of social media where you could either have control of your algorithms, or you could choose who you follow, and it’s just your feed, and where you know that it’s a real person that recorded the video?"

We all have a loved one who treats their pet like their literal baby — as it should be. These pet parents would probably be more than happy to receive a gift that doubles as a gift for their pet. (In fact, they might just prefer that.) And with the holidays right around the corner, we know a lot of you are searching for Christmas gifts for pets — and pet parents.

The best gifts for pet owners range from useful pet tech like pet cameras and GPS collars to enrichment toys, unique pet furniture, and enticing scratchers. Anything that introduces a new way to give treats is a guaranteed home run, of course.

SEE ALSO: As an anxious cat mom, I love my robot vacuum with a livestream camera

We've pulled together a really fun list of unique gifts for dog lovers and cat lovers in 2025. You'll find some of the most-recommended pet products on the internet, recommendations from pet owners and foster parents on TiKTok, and several suggestions from Mashable's own pet parents and product reviewers.

You have about a month left to claim a portion of the $177 million data breach settlement against AT&T. Last month, the deadline to file was extended to December, so there's still time to file a claim.

The first of the two large-scale breaches was discovered in March 2024, after customer data appeared on the dark web. AT&T later explained in a statement that the breach compromised the addresses, social security numbers, and passcodes of users in a database going back to 2019. An even larger data breach was uncovered in late 2024. This breach exposed the telephone numbers and records of calls and texts of nearly every AT&T customer, and took place between approximately May 1 and Oct. 31, 2022, and on Jan. 3, 2023. 

SEE ALSO: 5 big tech settlements you might be eligible for in 2025

Following a class action lawsuit, courts ruled in June that the company would dole out $177 million to affected AT&T customers who had accounts between 2019 and 2024. Claimants were divided into two classes: account holders affected by the March 2024 breach would split $149 million, while customers whose communications were downloaded in the July incident would share $28 million. Direct payments to users who suffered financial losses were paid first — up to $5,000 for the first class or $2,500 for the second — according to the company.

Now, everyone else whose data was exposed is splitting the pile. Affected customers should manage their expectations, however — the $177 million is being divided up between a large pool of customers.

How to claim your AT&T settlement money

According to the settlement website, affected customers now have until Dec. 18 to claim their cut — impacted users should have already received a settlement notice containing a Class Member ID. If you would like to opt out of the settlement, or want to object to your classification under the settlement, you have to physically mail in a request by Nov. 17.

The settlement's final approval hearing will be held on Jan. 15.

To be paid, you must fill out the settlement claim form. You will need your Class Member ID, as well as an email address, AT&T account number, or full name. Be prepared to fill out payment information, such as a direct deposit or check, too.

Who is eligible for the AT&T settlement?

There are different eligibility requirements for the two settlement classes in the case:

• For Class 1: eligibility extends to any living person whose personal identification information was exposed by the March incident

• For Class 2: eligibility extends to AT&T account owners or "line or end users" whose numbers or direct communications were downloaded by bad actors

How much money will I get?

Customers will be paid based on the severity of the data breach.

• For Class 1: Individuals who had their Social Security Numbers exposed (Tier 1) will receive five times more money than those who did not (Tier 2)

• For Class 2: Individuals who did not prove a documented financial loss will receive a share of remaining settlement funds (Tier 3)

Have questions? You can call the settlement hotline (833) 890-4930 to get answers.

AI is more popular than ever, and there are dozens of great uses out there ranging from voice replication and synthesis to 3D modeling. None of that means anything if getting them up and running is too much trouble.

When you built your desktop PC, you probably didn't think about the power it uses other than making sure your power supply was up to the job of handling all your components.