Blogroll

As a leader, the decisions you make in high-stakes moments carry weight far beyond legal or operational impact—they shape trust, culture, and your credibility. When every option feels risky, here’s how to lead with clarity and care.  Map trade-offs instead of reacting on instinct. Big decisions—think restructuring, layoffs, and policy shifts—carry legal, reputational, and cultural […]

257257

Social media users seem to be getting sick and tired of AI-generated content on their favorite platforms. And the backlash against AI-created content, or "AI slop" as it's often referred to, is growing.

The big social media platforms appear to have noticed this anti-AI sentiment. Last month, for example, Pinterest launched a new feature that completely filters out AI content if users choose to do so.

Now, TikTok just announced that it is soon launching its own tools to help its users spot AI-generated content and see less of it if they choose to do so.

According to TikTok, the company is currently testing out a new content control in the "Manage topics" feature that will allow users to specifically adjust how much AI-generated content they see on the platform. 

SEE ALSO: How to vote for the TikTok Awards 2025 — plus date, nominees, and how to watch

The "Manage topics" feature already gives users the ability to tell TikTok's algorithm what type of content they want to see in the For Your feeds as it pertains to a specific content category like "Current Affairs," "Health & Fitness," or "Fashion & Beauty." The AI-generated content topic control is different then all those as it appears to be the first that spans all of TikTok's topic categories and explicitly deals with how the content is created. 

TikTok makes it pretty clear in its announcement that the company itself isn't anti-AI, saying it "believes AI can transform how people share their creativity, discover new passions, and stay safe on our platform, when used transparently and responsibly" and that it "invests in AI-powered experiences that create value for our community." 

However, the company also stresses multiple times that it's important to be transparent to users. 

To aid in that transparency, TikTok is also testing an "invisible watermarking" solution to help bolster its current AI label policies. TikTok says this "invisible watermark" will help "add another layer of safeguards to our current AI-generated content transparency measures." 

In addition to that, TikTok is also launching a new $2 million AI literacy fund and joining the non-profit Partnership on AI, which studies and develops best practices for ethical AI.

TikTok's AI content controls announcement may just open the floodgates for other social media platforms to filter out AI-generated content for users who choose to do so. In fact, the question may not be will they do it but which platform is next to do it?

Ready to start the day with intention or wind down for the evening? TikTok wants to be your go-to platform, no matter the time of day.

The video platform just announced new well-being features, including an "affirmation" journal for intention-setting, exercises for mindful breathing, and "soothing" sound generator that plays rain, waves, and white noise. The journal has 120 downloadable or shareable affirmation cards. One card reads, "I am free from the expectations of others and embrace my true self."

TikTok says the tools are meant to improve safety and well-being on the platform, particularly for teens.

Last year, more than a dozen states sued TikTok for its allegedly addictive algorithm. Internal documents made public last October showed TikTok fostered an environment that arguably prioritized its public image over effective policies to address teen mental health.

SEE ALSO: The content creators with the most TikTok followers - see the top 10.

Earlier this year, TikTok launched a meditation feature for teens that turns on by default at 10 p.m. In a blog post about the newest features, TikTok said that tens of millions of people have meditated using the tool after it was made available to all users.

In addition to the features, TikTok is introducing task-based activities called "well-being missions" related to optimizing sleep and screen time. Users participating in an eight week "sleep hours mission" can earn a badge when they abstain from the app at night or meditate during that time period. Completing tasks help them grow an in-app "well-being tree." A separate weekly screen time mission nudges people to check their usage stats.

The new features are available in the app's time and well-being space, which is accessible from the account settings page. The hub replaces TikTok's previous screen time management page.

TikTok said early testing results show that the latest features make its time and well-being space more attractive to users, who are returning more often than they did to the old menu.

Additional reporting by Chase DiBenedetto

You might not believe it, but there’s still a trace of moonlight tonight. It’s only the faintest sliver, so your chances of spotting anything on the surface are slim to none.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Wednesday, Nov. 19, the moon phase is Waning Crescent. This means 1% of the moon is lit up tonight, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

There isn’t enough of the moon lit tonight to see anything. Once the next lunar cycle begins, it’ll start to come back into sight.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Dec. 4, this will be the last of three consecutive supermoons. The last full moon was on Nov. 5.

What are moon phases?

Moon phases are part of a repeating lunar cycle that lasts about 29.5 days, according to NASA. They describe how the moon appears from Earth as it orbits our planet. While we always see the same side of the moon, the amount of sunlight illuminating it changes throughout its orbit. That’s why sometimes it looks full, sometimes half, and sometimes disappears entirely (the New Moon). There are eight main moon phases:

New Moon - The moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

Every computer needs some form of antivirus protection. It’s an undeniable fact. For the perpetually online Australian, the reality of cyber threats is more immediate than ever. We’ve spent years warning our audience of this, but It's no longer enough to rely on basic, single-layer antivirus protection. As our lives become increasingly intertwined with the internet, from online banking and shopping to streaming and social media; a comprehensive, multi-layered security strategy is as essential as a lock on your front door. Modern threats demand a modern defence that wraps your data, identity, and devices in a protective blanket.

But the question still remains: “How much cyber security do I need?” Or if we’re being honest, the real question usually is: “How little cyber security can I get away with?”. Our typical answer to the question is simply to invest in a reputable security suite. Thankfully, you don’t need to go crazy with your security budget either, the 2025 market is incredibly competitive.

Modern cybersecurity software usually does a great job of combining the features you need into a single package, and we’ve looked at them all, with in-depth rundowns of what’s currently available for your reading pleasure from our PCMag Labs. But let’s look at some of the fundamental reasons why we give this advice.

Having solid foundations: Next-gen malware protection

At the core of any good security suite is robust anti-malware and antivirus protection, constantly scanning and helping protect your devices against infection. Today’s sophisticated threats, like file-encrypting ransomware, zero-day attacks that exploit unknown vulnerabilities, and subtle spyware, require more than just signature-based detection (which is a traditional, pattern-based form of security).

A premium security solution employs advanced, behaviour-based monitoring that watches for suspicious activity, effectively stopping emerging threats before they can execute. For PCMag readers, this means choosing a service that consistently scores highly in independent lab tests, ensuring you have a proven shield against viruses, Trojans, and the most aggressive malware strains. This bedrock defence should cover all your devices (PC, Mac, smartphones, and tablets), because a single weak link can compromise your entire digital life.

Securing your connection: Virtual private networks

Your home Wi-Fi might feel safe, but every piece of data you send or receive is potentially visible to your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and, in some cases, malicious actors, especially when you use public Wi-Fi. This is where a Virtual Private Network (VPN) becomes an indispensable tool.

A high-quality VPN establishes an encrypted, private tunnel for your data. This means your online activity, location, and personal information are masked, making it virtually impossible for eavesdroppers to intercept your communications. Beyond online privacy, a VPN is a must-have when you connect to public hotspots at airports, cafés, or hotels, transforming an inherently risky connection into a secure one. Look for a security package that includes a verified no-log VPN, ensuring you can browse, bank, and stream more securely with confidence that your data remains private. In 2025, The PCMag Editors’ Choice for Best Security Suite with a Full-Featured VPN is Norton 360 Deluxe. While plenty of popular security suites include VPN access, the offering from Norton is easily the most attractive. Read our full review here.

Avoiding scams: Advanced scam and phishing protection

Australians are increasingly targeted by sophisticated phishing campaigns and scam texts (smishing) or calls (vishing). These attacks often appear legitimate, impersonating banks, government agencies, or delivery services to trick you into clicking a malicious link or giving away login credentials.

Advanced security suites (Norton being another good example of this) now include dedicated Scam Protection technology. This uses advanced AI to analyse texts, emails, and social media links in real-time, helping to instantly identify red flags and warn you before you interact with a deepfake, a dangerous message or website. It’s an extra layer of intelligence that cuts through the noise of daily digital life to alert you to criminal intent, helping save you from falling victim to financial fraud or identity theft.

Keep the kids off the dark web: Parental controls

For families, the need for comprehensive security extends to the youngest users in the household. Growing kids in the modern era require a unique blend of safe exploration and responsible boundaries. This should make dedicated Parental Control tools an essential part of your digital defence. These tools go beyond simply blocking inappropriate websites. A robust system allows you to manage and schedule screen time across their devices, helping children maintain a healthy balance between digital and real-world activities. Features like content filtering and search supervision provide peace of mind by helping prevent accidental exposure to mature or harmful content, while activity reports offer insight into their digital habits. Integrating parental control tools with your main security package offers a unified approach to family digital well-being, helping keep devices secure while fostering safer online behaviour.

The integrated advantage

To wrap it up: a collection of disparate security tools is often complicated and leaves gaps. The future of protection for the security-conscious Australian lies in a single, powerful, and integrated solution that brings together award-winning antivirus, a no-log VPN, real-time scam detection, and dark web monitoring. Outside of being the best practice for security, it also just makes everything easier for the average punter. And for a simple, yet incredibly effective solution: we can comfortably recommend Norton 360 Deluxe.

An all-in-one approach simplifies your digital security, ensuring that your online life - from your device performance to your personal identity - are covered by one comprehensive, expert-backed service. In today’s hyper-connected world, that level of integrated defence is not just a luxury; it’s peace of mind. Check out all of our Editors’ Choice selections for 2025 here.

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. 19 Pips

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

Number (4): Everything in this red space must add to 4. The answer is 4-3, placed horizontally.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 4-1, placed vertically; 3-1, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 4-3, placed horizontally; 3-1, placed horizontally; 3-5, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Nov. 19 Pips

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this orange space must be greater than 4. The answer is 6-1, placed vertically.

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 3-2, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this dark blue space must be greater than 4. The answer is 5-2, placed vertically.

Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 5-2, placed vertically.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add to 7. The answer is 1-1, placed vertically; 3-3, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this green space must be greater than 4. The answer is 5-4, placed vertically.

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 5-4, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Nov. 19 Pips

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-1, placed vertically; 0-2, placed horizontally; 0-5, placed horizontally; 0-0, placed vertically; 0-6, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this red space must add to 10. The answer is 0-2, placed horizontally; 0-5, placed horizontally; 3-4, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this light blue space must add to 10. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically; 0-6, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this light blue space must add to 10. The answer is 3-5, placed vertically; 2-2, placed horizontally; 3-1, placed horizontally.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 3-1, placed horizontally; 1-4, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this dark blue space must add to 10. The answer is 3-5, placed vertically; 5-5, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this orange space must add to 10. The answer is 5-5, placed vertically; 5-4, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this dark blue space must add to 10. The answer is 5-4, placed horizontally; 6-6, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this green space must add to 10. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically; 6-6, placed vertically.

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

Today's Connections: Sports Edition is easy if you like racing.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier — so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

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

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

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Wear to the pool

• Green: Nicknames

• Blue: Short, intense training

• Purple: Types of cars

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Swin Gear

• Green: NBA Player Nicknames

• Blue: HIIT

• Purple: ___Car

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

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

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections: Sports Edition #422 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Swin Gear - CAP, GOOGLES, NOSE CLIP, SUIT

• NBA Player Nicknames - BOOK, JOKER, KAT, WEMBY

• HIIT - HIGH, INTENSITY, INTERVAL, TRAINING

• ___Car: FUNNY, INDY, RALLY, STOCK

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

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

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

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

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you're a good leader.

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 19, 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: Sturdy

• Green: To escort

• Blue: Found in popular writings

• Purple: Body parts

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Stocky

• Green: Steer

• Blue: Second words in Poe stories after "The"

• Purple: Organ plus a letter

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 #892 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Stocky: HUSKY, SOLID, SQUAT, THICK

• Steer: DIRECT, GUIDE, LEAD, SHEPHERD

• Second words in Poe stories after "The": CASK, FALL, MASQUE, PIT

• Organ plus a letter: COLONY, HEARTH, LUNGE, SKINK

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 19, 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 spiritual.

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 19, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 19, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Divinely inspired

The words are related to spirituality.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe things pious people.

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 Religious Figures.

NYT Strands word list for November 19

• Imam

• Rabbi

• Prophet

• Religious Figures

• Buddha

• Priest

• Monk

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're a designer.

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 19, 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 19, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A creator.

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 M.

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...

MAKER

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 19, 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

A principle.

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

CANON

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Quickness.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for November 19, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

HASTE

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A mob.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for November 19 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 19, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

MAFIA

Hurdle Word 4 hint

In front of.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for November 19 Hurdle Word 4 answer

AHEAD

Final Hurdle hint

Not right-handed.

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

LEFTY

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

Best early Black Friday deals Best Apple deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $749.99 (save $149.01) Get Deal Best headphones deal Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones $299 (save $130) Get Deal Best robot vacuum deal Eufy X10 Pro Omni $549.99 at Walmart (save $400) Get Deal Best TV deal TCL 75-inch QM6K Mini LED QLED 4K TV $698 (save $301.99) Get Deal

We're officially back in Black Friday season, folks.

Though Black Friday falls on Nov. 28 this year, retailers are already kicking off sales. Best Buy dropped early deals and doorbusters on Oct. 31, and Target started their first holiday savings event on Nov. 6. Even though retailers like Amazon haven't kicked off any programming yet (you can expect that to start on Nov. 20,) we've spotted plenty of Black Friday-worthy deals that you can shop early to get ahead of your holiday list.

Keep checking back for the best Black Friday deals from Amazon, Target, Walmart, Best Buy, and beyond.

Best early Black Friday Apple deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $749.99 at Amazon
$999 Save $249.01   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

The 13-inch MacBook Air is down to a record-low price of $749 ahead of Black Friday. This is our favorite laptop for students, thanks to its M4 silicon and slim design. This markdown is so good that even if it does happen to drop lower for Black Friday or Cyber Monday (and we're not counting on it), you still score a great deal without all the chaos of Black Friday shopping.

More Apple deals Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M2, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $699 at Best Buy
$799 Save $100   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $949.99 at Amazon
$1,199 Save $249.01   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 $117 at Amazon
$129 Save $12 Lowest price ever 🔥 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 2 $139 at Walmart
$239 Save $100 Lowest price ever 🔥 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) $479.99 at Amazon
$549 Save $69.01   Get Deal Apple AirTag $17.97 at Amazon
$29 Save $11.03   See It at Amazon See It at Walmart See It at Best Buy Apple Airtags, 4-Pack $64.98 at Amazon
$99 Save $34.02   See It at Amazon See It at Walmart See It at Best Buy Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 11 (42mm, GPS) $349.99 at Amazon
$399 Save $49.01   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 10 (42mm, GPS + cellular) $249 at Walmart
$499 Save $250 Lowest price ever 🔥 Get Deal Best early Black Friday headphones deal Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones $299 at Amazon
$429 Save $130 Lowest price ever 🔥 Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Best Buy Get Deal at Walmart Why we like it

Read our full review of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Gen 1) headphones.

The Bose QC Ultra headphones have long been some of our favorite noise-cancelling headphones. Even though Bose recently replaced them with a new Gen 2 model, the originals are still an excellent value for your money — especially at the record low price of $299.

More Black Friday headphones and earbuds deals Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WF-C710N Wireless Earbuds $79 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $50.99   Get Deal Sony WH-1000XM4 ANC Headphones $348 at Amazon
  Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Walmart Get Deal at Best Buy Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose Ultra Open Earbuds $199 at Bose
$299 Save $100   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2) $249 at Amazon
$299 Save $50 Lowest price ever 🔥 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Beats Fit Pro $149 at Amazon
$199 Save $50   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Tune 670NC On-Ear Headphones $54.95 at Walmart
$109.95 Save $55   Get Deal Best early Black Friday robot vacuum deal Eufy X10 Pro Omni $549.99 at Walmart
$799.99 Save $250   Get Deal at Walmart Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Best Buy Why we like it

While deals on robot vacuums aren't exactly rare, this is still a good excuse to pick up a Mashable-tested hybrid vacuum that includes self-washing and drying mopping pads. You'll also get affordable AI obstacle avoidance, self-emptying, and intelligent mapping. Now with an under-$500 price point, this cleaning machine will make holiday hosting a little easier.

More robot vacuum and vacuum deals Opens in a new window Credit: Eufy Eufy E20 3-in-1 $349.99 at Amazon
$449.99 Save $100 Editor's pick ✅ Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot iRobot Roomba 105 $199 at Amazon
$219 Save $20   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson V12 Detect Slim $399.99 at Walmart
$729.99 Save $330 Editor's pick ✅ Get Deal Dyson Big Ball Turbinehead Canister Vacuum $229.99 at Walmart
$349.99 Save $120   See It at Walmart Best early Black Friday TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 75-inch QM6K Mini LED QLED 4K TV $698 at Walmart
$999.99 Save $301.99 Lowest price ever 🔥 Get Deal Why we like it

If you're looking for an affordable QLED and Mini LED TV, look no further than this TCL 75-inch TV. At $698, this Walmart deal matches this TV's lowest price on Amazon, making it a solid buy before Black Friday. Ahead of Black Friday, both Walmart and Best Buy are offering some attractive doorbuster TV deals, some of the year's top Black Friday tech deals so far.

More TV and streaming deals Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 55-inch Class Q6-Series QLED 4K TV $279.99 at Target
$449.99 Save $170   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Roku Roku 65-inch Pro Series Mini LED QLED 4K Smart TV $798.99 at Amazon
$1,199.99 Save $401   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 65-inch Class U6 Mini LED QLED TV $547.99 at Amazon
$847.99 Save $300 Lowest price ever 🔥 Get Deal Samsung 55-inch The Frame LS034 4K QLED Smart TV (2025) $897.99 at Amazon
$1,197.99 Save $300 Editor's pick ✅ Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Samsung Get Deal at Best Buy Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense QD6 QLED 4K TV $199.99 at Best Buy
$329.99 Save $130   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 65-inch QN65 QLED 4K TV $448 at Walmart
$599.99 Save $151.99   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select $21.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $18.00 Lowest price ever 🔥 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Roku Roku Streaming Stick Plus 4K & HDR (2025) $29 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $10.99   Get Deal Best Black Friday fitness tracker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Whoop Whoop 4.0 $149
$199 Save $50   Get Deal Why we like it

Whoop has teased its Black Friday sale, set to start on Nov. 20. When the sale officially begins, we can expect discounts on the Whoop 5.0 and Whoop MG. However, until then, we'll settle for a discount on the Whoop 4.0, which comes with the One membership included. It provides deep insights on sleep, strain, recovery and hormonal cycles. An annual membership is usually $199, and includes the Whoop 4.0 device, but ahead of Black Friday it's down to $149, saving you $50 and 25% off.

More Black Friday fitness tracker deals Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Forerunner 265 Running Smartwatch $249.99 at Amazon
$499.99 Save $250   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Fitbit Versa 4 Fitness Smartwatch $119.95 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $80.00   Get Deal Early Black Friday deals from Amazon

Even though Amazon's Black Friday sale hasn't officially started (you have to wait until Nov. 20 for that), Amazon devices such as Fire TVs are already marked down in advance of the sale. In addition, you can find plenty of limited-time deals on popular gadgets, power stations, smart home tech, outdoor gear, and Christmas gifts. Amazon is also a great place to stock up on stocking stuffers, as you'll find an abundance of deals under $25.

Roborock Qrevo Series Robot Vacuum and Mop $399.99 at Amazon
$649.99 Save $250 Lowest price ever 🔥 See It at Amazon Bissell Little Green Mini Portable Carpet Cleaner $84.98 at Amazon
$94.99 Save $10.01   See It at Amazon Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet $94.99 at Amazon
$194.99 Save $100.00 Lowest price ever 🔥 See It at Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad, 11 inches (A16 Chip) $299
$349 Save $50   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon 55-inch Omni Series 4K QLED Smart Fire TV $349.99 at Amazon
$499.99 Save $150   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Orastone Orastone Electric Hand Warmers $17.99 at Amazon
$29.99 Save $12 Editor's pick ✅ Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: National Tree Company Pre-Lit 6.5-Foot Dunhill Fir Artificial Christmas Tree $199.98 at Amazon
$254.03 Save $54.05 Bonus coupon: Get Echo Pop & Amazon Smart Plug for $15 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Keurig Keurig K-Supreme Single Serve Coffee Maker $99 at Amazon
$189.99 Save $90.99   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Vitamix Vitamix 5200 Professional-Grade Blender $299.95 at Amazon
$549.99 Save $250.04   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Blink Blink Outdoor 4 wireless security cameras (5 cameras + sync module) $119.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $180   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Meta Meta Quest 3S VR Headset (128 GB) $249.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $50   Get Deal Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart World Bundle $499 at Amazon
Editor's pick ✅ See It at Amazon See It at Walmart See It at Best Buy Early Black Friday deals from Walmart

As in years past, Walmart+ members get early access to the best Black Friday deals, and you can either sign up for a free trial or get 50% off a membership. Until its next official Black Friday sales event (mark your calendars for Nov. 25), the original Everything Store has great early deals on video games, kitchen gadgets, Legos, and even Dyson vacuums.

Opens in a new window Credit: Crock-Pot Crock-Pot Manual 7-Quart Slow Cooker $34 at Walmart
$40.53 Save $6.53   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: HP HP 14-inch HD Chromebook (Intel Processor N200, 4GB RAM, 128GB UFS) $119 at Walmart
$329 Save $210   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Alienware Alienware 16-Inch Aurora Gaming Laptop (Intel Core 7-240H, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050) $1,128 at Walmart
$1,249.99 Save $121.99   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Nintendo Switch 2 Console + NBA 2K26 $499.99 at Walmart
  Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Star Wars: The Clone Wars and The Mandalorian Gift Set $45 at Walmart
$62.97 Save $17.97   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Wicked Welcome to Emerald City Building Set $74.99 at Walmart
$99.99 Save $25   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Borderlands 4 $54.97 at Walmart
$69.99 Save $15.02   Get Deal Early Black Friday deals from Target

We're scanning Target's weekly ad to find the best early Black Friday deals of 2025, including plenty of products that are cheaper at Target than on Amazon. Strangely, that includes some of Amazon's own products. So, if you're a Target Circle member and you need a new kids' tablet or espresso machine, now's your chance to save.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire 7 Kids Tablet $44.99 at Target
$99.99 Save $55.00 Costs $5 more at Amazon Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: DeLonghi DeLonghi Magnifica Espresso Machine $499.99 at Target
$779.95 Save $279.96 Costs $50 more at Amazon Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hearth & Hand with Magnolia Magnolia Wood Finish Retro Record Player $149.99 at Target
$179.99 Save $30   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Universal Music Group Taylor Swift 'The Life of a Showgirl: Sweat And Vanilla Perfume' Vinyl $29.99 at Target
$34.99 Save $5.00   Get Deal

Amazon's Black Friday 2025 sale is just around the corner. It officially kicks off on Nov. 20, a full week ahead of Thanksgiving, and runs through Cyber Monday on Dec. 1. But like most Amazon shopping events, deals started pouring in in early November on Apple products, Lego, outdoor gear, and lots of tech.

Avid shoppers keeping their eyes on exclusive deals can enjoy a breezy shopping experience throughout Black Friday and Cyber Monday, thanks to Amazon's flexible payment options. Customers are no longer limited to debit and credit cards or Amazon gift cards. If you're an Apple loyalist, you can also use Apple Pay to make purchases on Amazon this holiday season.

SEE ALSO: Black Friday shopping? Here's how to use your Visa gift card on Amazon.

Apple Pay is compatible with most — but not all — vendors on Amazon, making it even easier to secure deals in just a few taps. You can use it in place of a traditional card payment whenever possible by following the steps below.

How to use Apple Pay on Amazon

Step 1: Set up Apple Pay on iPhone. If you haven't already, add your debit or credit card to your iPhone's digital wallet to set up Apple Pay on your mobile device.

Step 2: Open the Amazon app.

Step 3: Add items to your cart and go to checkout. If your vendor accepts Apple Pay, you'll see it under payment options (you can use the method only if you have linked a card to your iPhone's Wallet app); select Apple Pay.

Step 4: Confirm your address and payment details.

Step 5: Once Apple Pay's payment authenticator pops up on your screen, use your Face ID or Touch ID to authenticate the purchase.

Step 6: Confirm payment to finish the process.

How to use an Apple Card to make payments on Amazon

If you choose to make a purchase from a third-party vendor that doesn't accept Apple Pay, you can work around it by using your Apple Card instead. The process is fairly straightforward.

Step 1: Make sure you add your Apple Card to the Wallet app on your iPhone by clicking on the + symbol.

Step 2: Now, go to the Amazon app.

Step 3: You'll find four clickable options at the bottom of the home screen. Start the process by clicking on the Account icon, which is right next to the homepage icon.

Step 4: A new app page will appear. Tap on Your Account to access account details.

Step 5: Scroll down on the page until you see the Payments section and click on Your Payments.

Step 6: Another page with all your linked cards and bank accounts will appear on the app. Go to the Wallet tab and press +Add.

Step 7: Click on Add a credit or debit card and input your Apple Card details.

Step 8: Finally, click on Add and continue to finish the process. Now, you can use your Apple Card to make purchases on Amazon.

Waymo has some competition in San Francisco — Amazon-owned Zoox just launched in the City by the Bay.

Zoox, known for its toaster-shaped, carriage-style vehicles that lack steering wheels, launched its Zoox Explorers program today. Explorers is an early initiative that allows riders to try Zoox for free, with the company hoping to elicit feedback on the experience. Riders are required to download the Zoox app and add their names to a waitlist. Once chosen for the Explorers service, riders can travel around select San Francisco neighborhoods, including SoMa and the Mission.

SEE ALSO: Smooth, silent, strange: What it's really like to hail a robotaxi

"Zoox has been testing our autonomous technology in San Francisco since 2017," Zoox CEO Aicha Evans said in a statement. "It's our home. A city of innovation and progress, with an amazing mobility ecosystem that we feel Zoox can really complement. We have seen incredible interest in Zoox in this market and are excited about this first step to bring our purpose-built robotaxi experience to more people."

Zoox began in San Francisco in 2014, before Amazon acquired the company in 2020 for $1.3 billion.

Zoox is currently operating a similar service in Las Vegas, where riders can travel for free to limited locations as a precursor to a more expanded service. Zoox has had few safety incidents since launching in Las Vegas in September, but was previously the subject of a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration probe after sudden braking by the vehicles caused a crash, as well as injuries involving motorcyclists. Zoom officials stated that a program update resolved the ghost braking issue.

Driverless Waymos are already ubiquitous in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix. Waymo, part of the Google empire, recently announced that its vehicles will soon be able to ride on freeways in the areas where it currently operates.

SAVE $800: As of Nov. 18, get the LG 45-inch Ultragear OLED curved gaming monitor for $899.99, down from its usual price of $1,699.99. That's a discount of 47% and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon LG 45-inch Ultragear OLED curved gaming monitor $899.99 at Amazon
$1,699.99 Save $800   Get Deal

Looking for an easy way to make your favorite video games pop? A new monitor will do the trick nicely. If you're ready to indulge in a new addition to your setup, it might be time to treat yourself to a massive display that can give you those improvements you've been craving, especially since you can get one for an excellent price right now at Amazon.

As of Nov. 18, get the LG 45-inch Ultragear OLED curved gaming monitor for $899.99, down from its usual price of $1,699.99. That's $800 off and a discount of 47%. It's also the lowest price we've seen.

SEE ALSO: The best monitors in 2025

This massive 45-inch monitor boasts an 800R curve with a peak brightness of up to 1300 nits. It also has a 240Hz refresh rate with a 0.03ms response time, so your games are fast and smooth without lag. That all amounts to better play and even better-looking games in general. Of course, it's also compatible with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and NVIDIA G-Sync, so you have improved frame sync on both PC and consoles.

Its OLED picture ensures deeper, darker hues as well as colors that pop. Additionally, low glare and a flicker-free display gives you a more crisp, clear look at what's happening on your screen. Because you absolutely need fewer distractions if you're getting your game on, after all.

This monitor is a great way to give your setup a leg up, especially at its significantly lower price, so grab it while you still can.

SAVE $401.99: The 55-inch LG Class B4 Series OLED 4K TV is on sale at Walmart for $698, down from the normal price of $1,099.99. That's a 37% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: LG 55-inch LG Class B4 Series OLED 4K TV $698 at Walmart
$1,099.99 Save $401.99   Get Deal

Now that it's dark by 4 p.m. and we're all ready for bed at 5 p.m., we're spending those remaining evening hours streaming our comfort TV shows. But not all TVs are worthy of your favorite shows and it's possible the bedroom TV's quality isn't quite as nice as the main TV in the house. If a TV in your home could use a 55-inch upgrade, check out this deal.

As of Nov. 18, the 55-inch LG Class B4 Series OLED 4K TV is on sale at Walmart for $698, marked down from the normal price of $1,099.99. That's a massive 37% discount that takes $401.99 off the list price.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 4 msgs/mo. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

A 55-inch TV is ideal for a bedroom, smaller rec room, or a studio apartment. But just because it's not a massive 75-inch or larger TV doesn't mean it needs to skimp on quality. LG makes some of the best high-end TVs and this sale model is no exception.

The 4K LG TV uses the brand's α8 AI Processor which automatically detects what you're watching an adjusts to the best display possible. Plus, it could be an ideal model if you tend to move each year or once every few years since it only weighs 32 pounds with the stand.

SEE ALSO: This 100-inch Hisense QLED TV just hit a new all-time low

With a 120Hz refresh rate, four HDMI 2.1 ports, NVIDIA G-Sync, and AMD FreeSync Premium, you'll be in nice shape for gaming on this LG with most titles, including those on the Nintendo Switch 2. This model also comes with LG Channels which gives viewers access to over 300 free channels.

While it's over $400 off, upgrade streaming sessions with the 55-inch LG Class B4 Series OLED 4K TV at Walmart for under $700. Buying now means you'll avoid the major rush that'll happen later this week when Black Friday events officially begin.

TL;DR: AdGuard’s Family Plan gives you lifetime, device-wide protection from ads, trackers, and malicious sites for just $18.97 (reg. $169.99) with code FAMPLAN.

Opens in a new window Credit: AdGuard AdGuard Family Plan: Lifetime Subscription $18.97
$169.99 Save $151.02   Get Deal

If you’ve ever tried to troubleshoot constant pop-ups, frozen web pages, or those suspicious “Download Now” boxes that definitely shouldn’t be clicked, you already know how messy the internet can get.

AdGuard’s Family Plan is one of the easiest ways to clean all of that up — quietly, consistently, and without forcing everyone in the house to become a cybersecurity expert.

SEE ALSO: Should you pay for a VPN?

For a limited time, you can grab lifetime access to the AdGuard Family Plan for just $18.97 (reg. $169.99) with code FAMPLAN through Nov. 20 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Once you activate it, your protection never expires. That alone puts it miles ahead of the usual annual subscription shuffle.

AdGuard works on browsers, smartphones, laptops, tablets — pretty much anything your household uses. And this subscription covers nine devices. It blocks intrusive ads before they even load, cuts off third-party trackers, keeps sketchy phishing attempts out of your family’s path, and generally makes the web run faster and cleaner.

Gamers benefit from fewer laggy ad scripts; kids get a safer browsing experience with parental controls; and adults get fewer annoyances across the sites they use every day. What people appreciate most is that it runs quietly in the background. There’s no pop-up nagging, no complicated security dashboard that needs constant tuning, and no learning curve.

If you’re looking for a simple, affordable way to protect everyone’s devices while making the internet feel faster and less chaotic, this deal is one of the easiest wins of the season. Don’t miss grabbing lifetime access to AdGuard’s Family Plan while it’s just $18.97 (reg. $169.99) through Nov. 20 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: If you’re tired of switching between different AI apps, the 1min.AI Advanced Business Plan gives you a single lifetime workspace powered by all the industry-leading models for just $74.97 (reg. $540).

Opens in a new window Credit: 1minAI 1min.AI Advanced Business Plan Lifetime Subscription $74.97
$540 Save $465.03   Get Deal

If you’ve ever tried to keep up with all the different AI platforms, you know how messy it can get. One app handles writing. Another can edit images. A different one processes audio. And don’t forget the video editor. Plus the PDF tool. Plus, the model that does translations. And on and on.

1min.AI’s Advanced Business Plan basically puts an end to that AI chaos.

SEE ALSO: A new AI platform is giving lifetime access to ChatGPT, Gemini, and more

For a one-time payment of $74.97 (reg. $540), you get lifetime access to a single platform that brings together the top AI models — OpenAI’s GPT-4o, Anthropic’s Claude 3 family, Google Gemini, Meta’s Llama 3, Mistral, Cohere, and more — inside one interface that’s designed to actually streamline your work instead of giving you 12 more logins.

What makes it especially useful is that the platform doesn’t just offer chat. It offers tools — real tools — for the work people actually do every day.

You can generate blog posts, rewrite content, create brand-consistent social captions, run keyword research, summarize long PDFs, extract info from documents, make images, edit photos, clean up audio, and even work with video.

The best part? Because all these features are powered by multiple models, you can pick whichever one fits your task. Need factual precision? Try Claude Opus. Want a creative brainstorm? Use GPT-4o. Need speed? Haiku or Gemini Pro are good options.

And since the subscription is lifetime, you’re not crossing your fingers waiting for a renewal discount next year.

Pick up lifetime access to the 1min.AI Advanced Business Plan while it’s just $74.97 (reg. $540).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Arduino boards are a popular choice for DIY electronics, but it's not always clear how to get started with building projects and programming. There's now one more solution to that problem: a new starter kit built around the UNO R4 Wi-Fi board.

Cloudflare suffered a major outage on Nov. 18, and it took many major platforms down with it. OpenAI, Spotify, X, and Canva were among just some of the websites and services that went down Tuesday morning.

Feel like you're experiencing deja vu? Well, you're not. 

The recent Cloudflare outage is not to be confused with the recent Microsoft Azure outage, which resulted in Xbox, Minecraft, and other platforms going down. And don't forget the other major incident that occurred in October, when issues at Amazon Web Services (AWS) led to Amazon, Reddit, Snapchat, and other big platforms going offline. It's also completely separate from the June outage, when Google Cloud Platform (GCP) and Cloudflare took down swaths of the internet

OK, so the internet's biggest websites and platforms have been going down a lot lately. What's going on here? 

Why do so many websites go down at the same time?

Those big social media platforms, e-commerce websites, and gaming networks are all using the same few major service providers to host and deliver their content, with Cloudflare being one of them.

Cloudflare is one of the largest Content Delivery Networks (CDN), which is a system that manages web traffic. When Cloudflare functions normally, it manages web traffic and protects platforms from attacks.

"CDNs are distributed infrastructures that accelerate content delivery and enhance user experience by caching and serving web content closer to users," explained Angelique Medina, Head of Internet Intelligence at the network intelligence company Cisco ThousandEyes, to Mashable. "They essentially serve as the 'front door' to websites and applications, with users connecting to Cloudflare’s servers instead of those of its customers."

"When this 'front door' becomes unavailable, users lose the entry point to many sites and applications," Medina said. "Given the large number of customers and sites that they service, any meaningful disruption in their ability to deliver content could effectively render large parts of the internet unreachable to users."

Basically, the internet has consolidated, and we're all reaping the rewards of that consolidation.

“This isn’t just another technical setback," said Ramutė Varnelytė, CEO of IPXO, a leading IP resource management platform in Europe, in a statement provided to Mashable. "It’s further proof of how exposed [the] digital economy is to various malfunctions in just a few of the digital infrastructure service providers."

Are internet outages occurring more frequently?

Back in the earlier days of the internet, there were countless web hosting providers, and many companies even ran their own dedicated servers. Now, companies big and small are all utilizing the same few cloud service providers, whether it be AWS, GCP, or Azure. Cloudflare makes the internet even more vulnerable to disruption, as the company has no one-to-one direct competitor.

"The incident further emphasizes the inherent danger of the entire internet infrastructure relying on a few service providers," Varnelytė said.

But, is that it? And are these services really going down more than usual? According to Cisco ThousandEyes, which tracks outages and maps them, that's correct. Web downtime is actually not happening more than usual, even if it seems that way.

"Cisco ThousandEyes has not seen an increase in the frequency of service outages in cloud and other Internet infrastructure providers; however, the number of sites and applications dependent on these services has increased," Medina shared. "Because these services are increasingly a point of centralization — with a small number of companies handling large swaths of the Internet — if something goes wrong, it can lead to the disruption of many sites and applications around the globe."

In short, the number of disruptions isn't increasing. Rather, the shockwaves of individual incidents are getting bigger.