IT General

SAVE $150: As of Nov. 21, the iRobot Roomba Vac 2 is on sale at Amazon for $249.99. That's a 38% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot iRobot Roomba Vac 2 $249.99 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $150.00 Get Deal

If a robot vacuum is on your wishlist, you'll know all about Roomba. One of the top robot vacuum manufacturers on the market, these devices are a great way to cut down your chore list. And with Amazon's Black Friday sales officially kicking off on Nov. 21, there couldn't be a better time to treat yourself.

And it really is a treat, because as of Nov. 21, the iRobot Roomba Vac 2 is at its lowest-ever price at Amazon. Saving you $150, you can now pick up this vacuum for just $249.99.

SEE ALSO: Top 4 robot vacuums for small spaces to shop on Black Friday

Like most high-end robot vacuums, the Roomba Vac 2 comes with a self-emptying dock that holds up to 60 days of dirt and debris. This is a great selling point, because you won't need to empty the vacuum with each use. For thorough cleaning, it boasts a powerful 3-Stage Cleaning System with four suction levels. It also has a Multi-Surface Bristle Brush and an Edge-Sweeping Brush, perfect for those hard to reach corners.

Smart navigation will keep it from bumping into things, and cleans your floors in neat rows. And you can schedule all this to start from your phone, just download the iRobot Home App. Charging can last up to 120 minutes of runtime, and if it runs out of battery mid-clean, it'll recharge and pick up the cleaning where it ended.

Head to Amazon to grab this great Black Friday deal.

SAVE $28: As of Nov. 21, the Amazon Fire Stick 4K is on sale at Amazon for $21.99. That's a saving of 56% on list price for Black Friday, and the lowest it has ever been priced.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K $21.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $28.00 Get Deal

The big day may not be here yet, but Amazon has arrived. The online retailer has launched its long-awaited Black Friday event, running from Nov. 21 all the way through to the actual Black Friday.

Discounts are kicking off on a huge range of products, especially tech. So if you're looking to upgrade your laptop, tablet, TV, or even your phone, now is the time.

SEE ALSO: Get Apple AirPods Pro 2 for under $190 in Amazon’s Black Friday sale

But the next big discount we are loving is this 56% discount on the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K. As of Nov. 21, the popular Amazon device has been reduced to its lowest-ever price. With a top price of $49.99, you can now grab it for just $21.99.

The Fire TV Stick is a streaming device that plugs into your TV (or laptop) and lets you access platforms including Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, and more. It has a remote with Alexa built-in, helping you turn any TV into a smart TV. (Top tip: using Alexa to search for your favorite movie saves time and effort.)

There's no over the top setup to worry about, these handy remotes are so simple to use. Really, anyone can do it. Just pop the device into your TV's HDMI port, and that's it. You have instant access to a range of streaming platforms as well as many live channels.

And with the Fire Stick 4K, you can enjoy stunning 4K Ultra HD visuals with advanced HDR formats like Dolby Vision and HDR10+. This model also boasts a much more powerful processor and enhanced Dolby Atmos support than its predecessor, ensuring a smoother performance and better quality sound.

Head to Amazon to secure this best-ever price.

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

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for November 21'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.

Tweet may have been deleted

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.

Tweet may have been deleted

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's The Mini crossword answers for November 21 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Shirts

• Green: Milk tea add-ons

• Blue: Sea animals

• Purple: Unfinished pasta

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

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

• Yellow: Kinds of Shirts

• Green: Spheres in Milk Tea

• Blue: Marine Invertebrates, Familiarly

• Purple: Starts of Pasta Names

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 #529 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Kinds of Shirts: FLANNEL, OXFORD, POLO, TEE

• Spheres in Milk Tea: BOBA, BUBBLE, PEARL, TAPIOCA

• Marine Invertebrates, Familiarly: CORAL, JELLY, SPONGE, STAR

• Starts of Pasta Names: FETT, PENN, TORTE, ZIT

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 21

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.

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

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for November 21'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 today: Hints and answers for November 21 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's The Mini crossword answers for November 21 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

The backbone of support and structure.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no reoccurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.

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...

SPINE.

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 21

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're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands 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 21 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 21 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: You're getting warm

These words are for winter usage only.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

Words are used to keep you warm.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Fireplace.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for November 21

• Screen

• Broom

• Flue

• Chimney

• Poker

• Mantle

• Hearth

• Fireplace

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.

The Daily Mini Crossword is one of the many popular daily word games available on Mashable. Powered by Arkadium, the mini crossword offers a speed round of puzzle fun with clues that are sure to challenge experienced crossword enthusiasts.

But there's no need to let the challenge get in the way of your enjoyment! If moments are turning to minutes after getting stuck on a clue, find the answers you need to progress right here.

And when you're done, check out the many other word games you can play on Mashable, including a full-size crossword.

Also, if you get stuck on any other daily word games, such as Wordle, Connections, or Strands — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for November 21 SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

Here are the clues and answers to Daily Mini Crossword for Wednesday, November 21, 2024:

AcrossBright light

• The answer is Sun.

Depleting the sky

• The answer is Ozone.

Metric unit

• The answer is Liter.

Academy award

• The answer is Oscar.

Mins. and mins.

• The answer is Hours.

Related to rainfall

• The answer is Pluvial.

DownAlone

• The answer is Solo.

Israeli guns

• The answer is Uzi.

Creator of Minecraft

• The answer is Notch.

Within reach

• The answer is Near.

Blunders

• The answer is Errs.

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

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

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

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

SAVE $50: As of Nov. 21, Apple AirPods Max are available for $499.99 at Amazon. That’s a 9% Black Friday discount off their usual price of $549.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Airpods Max $499.99 at Amazon
$549.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal

Apple Airpods Max are one of the best sets of headphones on the market, and their standard pricing reflects that. As part of Amazon’s Black Friday deals, Apple’s premium over-ear headphones are now $499.99, down from their typical $549 price tag. While this isn’t the deepest discount, it’s rare to find Apple’s fanciest cans on sale, so don’t let this chance slip through your (metaphorical) fingers.

These aren’t just headphones; they’re an audio experience. With custom dynamic drivers and Apple’s H1 chip running the show, the AirPods Max delivers crisp, high-fidelity sound that’ll make your Spotify playlist feel like performing live in your living room. Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) lets you block out distractions, whether it’s the hum of your neighbor’s leaf blower or the chatter at your local coffee shop. And when you actually need to hear what’s happening around you, Transparency Mode has your back.

SEE ALSO: Save over 80% and get a free £10 voucher with the best Black Friday Audible deal

The real magic happens with Personalized Spatial Audio, which uses dynamic head tracking to make every song, show, or podcast feel like it’s tailored specifically for you. Pair that with Dolby Atmos support, and suddenly, your weekend binge-watch feels like a movie premiere (minus the sticky theater seats).

Comfort isn’t an afterthought, either. The AirPods Max features a knit-mesh canopy that evenly distributes weight and memory foam ear cushions that feel like pillows for your ears. Plus, with up to 20 hours of battery life, they’ll outlast your most ambitious Netflix marathons.

The space gray model is the star of this deal. Still, other colors could also be discounted — because your headphones should match your vibe, obviously. Black Friday deals on Apple gear don’t last long, so snag these while you can and let your ears live their best life.

SAVE $70: As of Nov. 21, the Apple Watch Series 10 (46mm GPS) is on sale for $359 at Amazon. That’s 16% off its usual price of $429 for Black Friday.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 10 (46mm, GPS) $359.00 at Amazon
$429.00 Save $70.00 Get Deal

Apple Watch fans, your Black Friday wishlist just got a little more affordable. The Apple Watch Series 10 (46mm, GPS) is now available for $359 at Amazon, saving you $70 off its usual $429 price tag. It’s the perfect Black Friday excuse to upgrade your wearable tech and let your wrist do more than hold a bracelet.

The Series 10 features a redesigned, thinner, and lighter build, making it more comfortable for everyday wear. Its always-on Retina display is up to 30% larger than previous models. It gives you plenty of screen real estate to check your heart rate, track your workouts, or sneakily read texts during meetings.

SEE ALSO: Save over 80% and get a free £10 voucher with the best Black Friday Audible deal

If health is your focus, this smartwatch has you covered. From taking ECGs to tracking menstrual cycles and providing sleep apnea alerts, it’s like having a mini medical assistant strapped to your wrist. The new Vitals app delivers overnight health metrics, and the Workout app offers advanced tracking for running, swimming, and everything in between. And yes, it’s water-resistant up to 50 meters, so cannonballs are fair game.

On the connectivity front, the Series 10 lets you send texts, take calls, use Siri, and stream music — all without constantly grabbing your iPhone. Add safety features like fall and crash detection, and this device becomes a reliable companion for life’s unexpected moments.

This deal is for the 46mm GPS model with the jet black aluminum case and black sport band, but other stylish configurations and sizes are also discounted during Amazon’s Black Friday sale.

Black Friday deals on Apple products don’t last long, so if you’ve been eyeing an upgrade, now’s the time to grab one. This is the lowest-ever price on Amazon, so this might not stick arund for long.

SAVE $70: As of Nov. 21, the 10th Gen Apple iPad is available for $279 at Amazon. That’s a 20% Black Friday discount off its usual price of $349.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad (10th Gen) $279.00 at Amazon
$349.00 Save $70.00 Get Deal

Amazon's Black Friday sale has officially kicked off, and Apple enthusiasts are in for a treat. The 10th-generation iPad is now available for $279 at Amazon, saving you $70 off its standard $349 price tag. It's not every day that Apple products join the discount party, so this Black Friday deal feels like finding gold in your couch cushions.

This version of the iPad is no slouch. With its A14 Bionic chip — borrowed straight from the iPhone 12 — it's ready to tackle everything from doom-scrolling to hardcore multitasking. Think of it as your tech sidekick, capable of streaming Netflix while you "work" on that presentation.

SEE ALSO: Save over 80% and get a free £10 voucher with the best Black Friday Audible deal

The 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display is as delightful as it sounds. Whether you're doodling with the Apple Pencil (sold separately, because, of course), watching YouTube tutorials, or pretending to read emails, the screen delivers vibrant colors and sharp visuals. Actual Tone tech adjusts to your room's lighting so you can scroll TikTok through the night in optimal comfort.

Its cameras mean business, too. The 12MP front camera makes your video calls look professional. In contrast, the 12MP back camera lets you snap high-quality photos — just don't be that person taking pictures at a concert with an iPad. Add WiFi 6 connectivity and all-day battery life, and you have a powerful yet practical device.

This deal applies to the 64GB WiFi model in blue, but you might find other configurations on sale if you poke around. Apple doesn't tend to offer big discounts, so snag these $70 savings while you can — before the "out of stock" heartbreak sets in.

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

Can be used to describe how thin something is.

SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for November 21 Hurdle Word 1 answer

WAFER

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Avoid, particularly an outcome.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for November 21 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

AVERT

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A high edge.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for November 21 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 21 Hurdle Word 3 answer

CLIFF

Hurdle Word 4 hint

An expression of joy or a search engine.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for November 21 Hurdle Word 4 answer

YAHOO

Final Hurdle hint

Great for wreaking.

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

HAVOC

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

Connections: Sports Edition is a new 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.

Tweet may have been deleted

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.

Tweet may have been deleted

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's The Mini crossword answers for November 21 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 - Great at shielding, leading or stopping

• Green - Colorful

• Blue - Not very sportsmanlike

• Purple - Schools with the same second name

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

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

• Yellow - Guardian

• Green - Shadows of brown

• Blue - Cavalier

• Purple - Nicknames for Cleveland

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 #58 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Guardian: CHAMPION, DEFENDER, KEEPER, PROTECTOR

• Shades of brown: BEIGE, CHESTNUT, KHAKI, TAN

• Cavalier: ARROGANT, DISDAINFUL, HAUGHTY, HIGH-HAT

• Nicknames for Cleveland: BELIEVELAND, CLE, THE 216, THE LAND

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.

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

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

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

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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, November 21, 2024:

AcrossMan of few words?

• The answer is Mime.

Absolutely love

• The answer is Adore.

Bit of headwear with gems on it

• The answer is Tiara.

Your ___ (words when addressing a judge)

• The answer is Honor.

Roof goop

• The answer is Tar.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for November 21 DownClass in which you'll encounter a lot of problems

• The answer is Math.

"American ___" (Green Day's 2004 "punk rock opera")

• The answer is Idiot.

Disney heroine with an upcoming November sequel

• The answer is Moana.

An editor might catch one

• The answer is Error.

Cochlea's place

• The answer is Ear.

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

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

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

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

If you had to sum up the driving force behind any Mike Schur show in one word, it's "community." Whether they're set in the workplace (like The Office, Parks and Recreation, or Brooklyn Nine-Nine) or in the afterlife (like The Good Place), the shows Schur has created or co-created always center on ensembles who grow from mere acquaintances into the fastest of friends.

A constant within that transition is community's power of break down the walls we've built up to shut other people out. Take how Parks and Recreation and Brooklyn Nine-Nine's resident toughies Ron Swanson (Nick Offerman) and Rosa Diaz (Stephanie Beatriz) show up for their coworkers. Or how The Good Place's Michael (Ted Danson) — a literal demon — ends the show working side by side with the humans he'd initially wanted to torture.

SEE ALSO: The best Netflix TV shows of 2024

Schur's latest offering, A Man on the Inside, once again sees the ways community can bring us out of our shells. This time, the focus is on a retirement home, and its latest arrival, retired professor Charles (Danson). With Danson in the picture, A Man on the Inside serves as a wonderful The Good Place reunion, one that's just as sweet and silly as Danson and Schur's first team-up.

What is A Man on the Inside about? Lilah Richcreek Estrada, Kerry O'Malley, and Ted Danson in "A Man on the Inside." Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

As A Man on the Inside kicks off, Charles is a bit of a recluse. His wife passed away a year prior, and since then he's distanced himself from most people, including his concerned daughter Emily (Mary Elizabeth Ellis), and thrown himself into an unbreakable routine. Emily takes it upon herself to get Charles back into the world, issuing him a challenge to find something new that excites him. What he chooses is... out of the ordinary, to put it mildly.

Instead of, say, taking an art class or joining a book club, Charles becomes the assistant to private investigator Julie (Lilah Richcreek Estrada). His mission? To go undercover at Pacific View Retirement Home and recover stolen jewelry. Sounds unlikely? Well, there's some truth to this tale. A Man on the Inside is actually based on the 2020 documentary The Mole Agent, about a man who goes undercover at a retirement home to investigate elder abuse.

Of course, there are several roadblocks on Charles's quest to becoming a spy extraordinaire. First, he'll have to learn how to use covert recording equipment, a process that sparks a delightful montage of an overwhelmed Charles messing up (much to no-nonsense Julie's annoyance). Then, once he gets into Pacific View, he'll have to weather his most daunting task yet: fitting in with a new crowd.

SEE ALSO: 'A Man on the Inside' trailer: Mike Schur and Ted Danson reunite for an undercover comedy

Early scenes at Pacific View play out almost like a high school comedy, with Charles struggling to find a table to sit at or a clique to hang out with. He also garners the romantic attention of sunny Virginia (Sally Struthers), which makes him a target for her belligerent ex Elliot (John Getz). It's too much drama for him to handle in addition to the investigation!

Speaking of the investigation, that gets off to a rocky start too. Between social distractions and the occasional threatening note, it's clear that Charles is in over his head. And that's before Emily crosses paths with Julie, who's posing as Charles's daughter for the investigation. Their meeting sparks a crisis of mixed identities and launches A Man on the Inside into hysterical screwball territory.

Yet despite all the gizmos, gadgets, and setbacks that come with Julie's investigation, it's not long before it fades into the background to focus on what really matters to A Man on the Inside: how Charles's mission opens him back up to the world.

A Man on the Inside is a sweet reminder to put yourself out there. Ted Danson and Mary Elizabeth Ellis in "A Man on the Inside." Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

Charles, while timid, is a sweet man with boundless enthusiasm for things he loves. He can barely hide his excitement from Julie while starting his initial observations, and he'll geek out about the Golden Gate Bridge for hours if you let him. Danson plays Charles's eagerness with a slight reserve to start — after grieving the loss of his wife, it might be too soon to let anyone else in. Yet by the end of A Man on the Inside's first season, he's experienced a signature Schur transformation thanks to the power of community. No longer content to hide within his carefully curated routine, he'll fight for his fellow Pacific View residents and give impassioned speeches about how much they mean to him.

But Charles's change doesn't just apply to his relationship with the people he meets at Pacific View. It also extends to his relationship with Emily, who is always trying to figure out where exactly she and her father stand. As Emily contends with the ups and downs of raising three rambunctious boys, her involvement in Charles and Julie's investigation proves to be an unlikely outlet for her parenting frustrations and an ideal way to connect with Charles. Watching A Man on the Inside turn from unlikely spy caper to father-daughter bonding time is one of the show's greatest joys.

A Man on the Inside offers up meaningful stories about aging. Margaret Avery and Sally Struthers in "A Man on the Inside." Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

The other great joy of A Man on the Inside is seeing the simultaneous gravity and levity with which it treats its aging characters. We get to see the residents of Pacific View live life to the fullest, whether that means smoking a joint together, sniping at each other like catty high schoolers, or making new romantic connections late in life. In one of the show's most moving, yet still disarmingly funny scenes, Virginia convinces her best friend Florence (Margaret Avery) to buy the massage chair she's wanted for her entire life but was always too scared to buy.

However, A Man on the Inside also dives into the challenges that come with aging and moving into a retirement home. Charles's close Pacific View friend Calbert (Stephen McKinley Henderson) struggles with his workaholic son visiting him less and less. Characters face heartbreaking diagnoses and lose their friends. Saddest of all, some residents struggle with dementia, leading them to be shunned by other members of the community in A Man on the Inside's most heartbreaking scenes. Thankfully, care from Charles, who's witnessed firsthand the effects of dementia, and Pacific View head Didi (a wonderfully sweet Stephanie Beatriz) prove that there's hope in the darkness.

Still, that sense of abandonment from other residents rings truer to a broader shunting aside of the elderly in real life. Earlier this year, the June Squibb-led film Thelma examined how older people can be discounted or babied, and the anxiety that that can cause. A Man on the Inside continues this discussion with empathy, giving the Pacific View residents space to express their frustrations while also acknowledging how painful it can be to watch someone you love age and gradually lose some of their physical or mental faculties. Chances are, you'll see a lot of your parents and grandparents in Charles and his compatriots, and those suggestions are bound to make you shed a tear. (You've been warned: This show made me cry buckets.)

A Man on the Inside tempers this heavier material with its sharp humor, never leaning too far into schmaltz or lecturing. Its ensemble also boasts incredible chemistry right off the bat, with Danson proving a rock-solid ringleader. These are things you'd expect from a Schur show, and they build A Man on the Inside's wonderful foundation. But again, it's the show's thoughtful portrayal of aging that really makes it stand out, and turns A Man on the Inside into something remarkable.

A Man on the Inside is now streaming on Netflix.

TL;DR: Get a lifetime device license for Microsoft Visio Professional 2024 for £63.21 (reg. £458.43) and make pro-level diagrams in a snap.

Need a way to make sense of your ideas and share them with others? Microsoft Visio Professional 2024 is here to make your colleagues jealous the next time you give a presentation, and it can help visualise everything from flowcharts to floor plans. It’s the perfect tool for anyone who wants to whip up aesthetically pleasing visuals without spending hours figuring out complicated design software. At the Mashable Shop, a lifetime license is on sale for £63.21 (reg. £458.43) through 21 November.

Microsoft Visio comes with an extensive library of templates, covering everything from organisational charts and network diagrams to building layouts and data flow maps. These templates give you a head start, so you’re not starting from scratch every time you need to create something. Whether you’re a student working on a group project, a professional creating a business plan, or someone who simply loves organisation, Visio’s ready-made designs keep everything neat and accessible.

One of Visio’s major benefits is its integration with Microsoft 365, allowing you to share and collaborate on your diagrams seamlessly. This feature makes it simple to get feedback from colleagues, present your ideas to others, or even work together on projects in real-time. And because it’s a familiar Microsoft product, navigating and using Visio feels intuitive.

With this deal, you’ll have pro-level tools for everything from corporate diagrams to family tree projects — all with that familiar, easy Microsoft feel.

Through 21 November, get a lifetime license to Microsoft Visio Professional 2024 for £63.21 (reg. £458.43).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Retail King Microsoft Visio Professional 2024: Lifetime License for Windows £63.21 at the Mashable Shop
£458.43 Save £395.22 Get Deal

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

Don't feel bad. We've all done it. At one time or another, the hustle and bustle of life gets on top of us all. Which is to say, we've all left the gift buying until the last minute. And let's face it: Gift-buying can be a tricky task. You love your parents, boyfriend/girlfriend, friends, and other family members, but sometimes they're hard to shop for and time just gets away from you.

That's why we're here to help. Finding a last-minute gift that's actually meaningful is hard, but it's not impossible. There are still ways to get personalised or sentimental gifts even in a time crunch.

Gift cards are generally the first thought when it comes to last-minute gifts, and while those are great, they're not your only option. Throughout this guide, you will see some gift cards, but don't feel like you're stuck getting one.

Depending on how last-minute you're pushing it, you do have options. This is especially true if you're an Amazon Prime member and get free one-day shipping. As long as your last-minute shopping doesn't happen literally hours before Christmas Day, you should be golden ordering something from Amazon.

Safe bets for last-minute gifting include online services, items with digital delivery, stuff with fast shipping, and subscription services. Check out our top choices below.

These are the best last-minute gifts ideas in 2024.

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

If you don't have a tablet, where are you been? Along with the smartphone and laptop, a tablet is one third of the holy trinity of must-have smart devices. Compact and sleek, you can take at tablet anywhere. But they're not only about portability. Some have the kind of processing power that will allow you to do serious work, creative tasks, or gaming.

But with so many different types of tablets and competing brands out there, it's difficult to find the perfect tablet for you. Indeed, there's no shortage of options. Which means there's no shortage of questions to ask yourself before making a purchase.

For instance, do you want an Android tablet? Perhaps an iPad? Maybe an Amazon Fire tablet would be a good fit? Fear not because we can help you answer those questions. We took the time and read through reviews to find the best tablet for just about anyone — not to mention any budget. But firstly, here's some helpful information.

Do you need a tablet?

Sure, a tablet isn’t for everyone. It might be surplus to requirements, but they’re also super handy and productive. If you do lots of video streaming and eBook reading on the go, or you simply need a portable device for work and play, a tablet is almost certainly for you. There are other benefits too. They usually pack plenty of battery power and handle apps (of which there are thousands) at lightning speed.

What is the best operating system on a tablet?

It generally comes down to a choice of four — Apple, Android, Windows, or Fire. Each has its own benefits. Apple is generally accepted as the slickest all-rounder, with its simple-to-use interface and intuitive syncing between devices.

Android is more customisable and is supported across various manufacturers (such as Samsung and Lenovo). Windows is designed as a cross-platform OS, which suits pretty much any device. Often people stick to their preferred OS — it’s a lifestyle choice as much as tech preference — so we’ve included options for each OS. Fire is for Amazon devices only, so you'll get Alexa and other Amazon-specific features.

What are the most important features on a tablet?

Every model and operating system has its own spin on the user experience. Not to mention all those apps. But there a few basics that are worth bearing in mind:

• Battery Life — Tablets outstrip smartphones for battery life, but you’ll still want to make sure you get plenty of juice for your money. Look for 10 hours or more.

• Camera — Front and rear facing cameras are relatively standard on tablets and 12MP is pretty decent. Though even better cameras are available in top tablets.

• Ports — Make sure the tablet you’re buying has the ports you need. Do you have wired headphones? Then make sure there’s a headphone port (increasingly rare). Also check for USB and micro HDMI ports.

• Screen Resolution — This will be important if you’re a big time streamer or you like playing games. Tablets are generally HD — 1280 x 720 — or higher.

• Speakers — You might not buy a tablet expecting great sounds, but if streaming movies and shows is your thing, good sound is a must.

• Storage — This is important for keeping music, photos, and videos, plus offline downloads from streaming sites, such as Netflix. Around 38GB is standard for a mid-priced tablet, but they can go way over that — anything up to 1TB.

Keep these features in mind when shopping around for your next tablet.

What is the best tablet for kids?

Most tablets made specifically for kids are already equipped with parental controls. Things to keep in mind when shopping for a tablet for kids: screen resolution (depending on the amount of movie watching and gaming they'll be doing), storage (they'll probably have more apps than you do), the intensity of parental controls (for obvious reasons), and rugged-ness (because kids drop and break things — fact).

What is the best tablet?

To make your purchase easier, we've lined up a selection of the best tablets according to online reviews, with popular models from top brands like Apple and Samsung making the cut. You just need to consider all of these options and select the device that meets your tablet requirements.

These are the best tablets in 2024.

Black Friday is nearly here (on November 29, to be precise), and the deals have already kicked off. Joining the bargain bonanza this week is Eureka Vacuums, with some fantastic deals for Aussie shoppers. If you’ve ever wanted to upgrade your cleaning routine with smart technology, now is the best time to do so all year.

Eureka are offering significant discounts – up to 55% – on their Australian range of robot vacuums, as well as their spot cleaner. These deals will be available from now until Cyber Monday, on December 2.

Eureka E10s Opens in a new window Credit: Eureka $600 Off Eureka E10s – A$499 at Amazon AU was $1,099, 55% off. Running Nov 19 until Dec 2. Get Deal

The Eureka E10s is a versatile robot vacuum and mop hybrid that offers powerful cleaning and smart features. It automatically detects floor types and adjusts its cleaning mode accordingly, ensuring optimal performance on carpets and hard floors.

Key Features:

• No dust bag, 45 days’ dust storage

• Automatically recognises carpet to raise the mop

• Smart navigation system to plan the best cleaning route

• Strong suction power

Eureka J12 Ultra Opens in a new window Credit: Eureka $800 Off Eureka J12 Ultra – A$799 at Amazon AU was $1,599, 50% off. Running Nov 19 until Dec 2. Get Deal

The Eureka J12 Ultra is a premium robot vacuum that takes home cleaning to the next level. With its powerful suction, AI-powered navigation, and self-emptying base, it effortlessly tackles dirt, dust, and pet hair.

Key Features:

• Self-emptying, Automatic docking station

• 55℃ hot wind mop drying systems

• 5000PA strong suction

• Laser navigation and obstacle avoidance

Eureka NEY100 Opens in a new window Credit: Eureka $73 Off Eureka NEY100 – A$196 at Amazon AU was $269, 27% off. Running Nov 19 until Dec 2. Get Deal

The Eureka NEY100 is a portable spot cleaner perfect for tackling tough stains on carpets, upholstery, and hard surfaces. Its lightweight design and portability make it easy to use, ideal for quick clean-ups.

Key Features:

• Can be used in multiple scenarios, such as cleaning carpets, pillows and couch

• Water temperature heating helps to remove stubborn stains.  

• Large water tank.  

• Easy to carry and store.

Want more bargains? Check out out the best Black Friday deals we’ve spotted in Australia here.

Lacey Chabert and Dustin Milligan share how Hot Frosty blends humor, heart, and holiday magic.

Hot Frosty is streaming now on Netflix.

If you're in the market for a new gaming headset, it's tempting to just buy whatever model is currently the most popular on Amazon. Before you drop your hard-earned cash, let me stop you right there. Allow me to suggest an alternative that's worth your attention.

Switching from an old Android phone to a new one isn't a completely seamless process, especially when it comes to the data stored in apps. Thankfully, Google is trying to fix that.