IT General

SAVE $100: Starting Nov. 2 through Dec. 6, Monarc's Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale knocks $100 off both the Monarc Marker and the Monarc Tracer, while tossing in a free spare battery (a $250 value).

Opens in a new window Credit: Monarc Monarc Marker All-Terrain eBike $1,899 at Monarc
$1,999 Save $100   Get Deal at Monarc Opens in a new window Credit: Monarc Monarc Tracer Urban Commuter eBike $1,799 at Monarc
$1,899 Save $100   Get Deal at Monarc

Electric bikes have made the daily commute a whole lot more fun, but range anxiety is still the big elephant in the room. There is nothing quite as humbling as watching your battery gauge blink red halfway up a steep hill, leaving you to pedal a 75-pound machine home on pure leg power.

Premium newcomer Monarc cuts straight through that stress by packaging its bikes with two swappable 720Wh batteries and backing every frame with a generous five-year warranty. For the holiday shopping season, Monarc is running an early Black Friday sale through Dec. 6 that takes $100 off both models and tosses in a second battery pack for free, giving you a swappable backup to double your distance.

SEE ALSO: Volkswagen's new e-bikes pack cameras, radar, and smart glasses — here's everything you need to know

For riders who like their routes a little unpaved, the Monarc Marker is built for off-road wanderlust. It pairs a burly 1,638W peak Bafang hub motor with 85 Nm of torque, giving you enough punch to power through sandy paths and steep climbs without losing momentum.

Massive 26 x 4-inch all-terrain fat tires take the edge off chunky rocks and rutted fire roads, while four-piston hydraulic disc brakes provide smooth, instant stopping power when you need to slow down in a pinch. With up to 120 miles of total range across both battery packs, it is built just as much for long weekend trails as it is for weekday grocery runs.

If your daily ride is all about cruising past gridlocked cars and navigating city potholes, the Monarc Tracer is dialed for pavement. It shares the exact same 1,638W motor muscle as the Marker, but tunes the ride for city comfort with an upright seating position, an 80mm reverse-arch suspension fork, and fast-rolling 27.5-inch Kenda tires. Dual batteries push your total distance to 130 miles, and you can switch the pedal-assist sensor between a natural-torque mode that matches your leg effort and a breezy cadence mode when you just want the motor to do the work.

Both bikes skip cheap components for dependable hardware: a 3.5-inch color touchscreen, Shimano Cues 9-speed gearing, integrated turn signals, and a 5A fast charger that refills a dead pack in three hours. You get integrated brake lights and turn signals right on the rear rack, plus the option to add safety gear like blind-spot radar and tire-pressure sensors.

Monarc also keeps the checkout process flexible. If you already own one of their bikes, you can order a bike without batteries to knock $500 off, or save $250 by sticking to a single-pack setup. But if you want to breeze past traffic without stressing over a dead battery, grabbing the full holiday bundle is the easy call.

You have until Dec. 6 to grab the Marker or Tracer, pocket the $100 discount, and get the extra battery tossed in for free.

TL;DR: Ibanez just officially unveiled a massive Dragon Ball Z collaboration collection of electric guitars, shred machines, an electric bass, custom straps, and more. The collection is scheduled for a worldwide rollout in 2027.

Anime-loving guitar players, this is your moment to shine.

The Pokémon and Fender collab is undeniably cool, but Ibanez might have done something even better. Ibanez just announced a huge Dragon Ball Z collection scheduled for a worldwide rollout in 2027. Spanning more than 10 dedicated pieces of gear, the collection features electric guitars, shred machines, an electric bass, a concert ukulele, custom straps, and a limited-edition Dragon Ball Z Tube Screamer overdrive pedal.

The lineup offers something for every tier of musician:

• The "RG" Made in Japan Model: Featuring an eye-catching orange Son Goku gi colorway, an ultra-thin Wizard maple neck, Edge double-locking tremolo system, high-output Ibanez humbuckers, and custom inlays. Each unit ships in a hardshell flight case with an exclusive DBZ strap, custom pick tin, and a numbered certificate of authenticity.

• Goku and Vegeta Electric Guitars and Basses: More accessible solid-body electric guitars sporting bold top graphics of Son Goku and Super Saiyan Vegeta with slim fast-action necks and T106 tremolo bridges, alongside a matching 4-string electric bass commemorating Vegeta’s Super Saiyan awakening.

• The DBZ Tube Screamer Overdrive Pedal: Iconic green stompbox reworked with custom Dragon Ball Z kanji typography and themed knobs. It delivers the same legendary mid-boost overdrive, making it a winning collector's piece for living room desks.

Credit: Ibanez

You can also find a ukulele with Goku and Gohan artwork, a piccolo guitar featuring a Kanji symbol, a Dragon Ball-branded soft gig bag, guitar straps, a guitar cleaning cloth, and a plectrum set in this expansive collection.

Credit: Ibanez

You can see the full collection at the Ibanez & Dragon Ball Z collaboration site.

A NAS runs around the clock, serving files, streaming media, and handling backups for every device in the house. Yet the drive I trust most spends nearly all its time disconnected. It sounds backwards, but keeping that copy offline solves problems no RAID array can. And here's why I think you should do that too.

The midterm elections are coming up this week, and John Oliver has a lot of thoughts.

In the Last Week Tonight video above the host breaks down the campaign trail so far, from the high Republican ad spend to the type of ads Republicans have been running.

"You can probably safely assume if things don't go Trump's way, he'll claim the election was rigged and do everything he can to undermine the result, which is a strong argument for you turning up to vote this year, even in districts where you think your candidates are safe," says Oliver. "The bigger the results for Democrats on Tuesday, the harder they'll be for Trump to litigate or deny. Look, Trump has said he wants people to pretend he's on the ballot this year. But I'm not sure people even need to pretend. We're now almost halfway through his second term, he's had both the House and the Senate on his side the entire time, and look where it's got us. Finally, on Tuesday, we have a chance to apply some fucking breaks."

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Having a wall outlet with integrated USB-C charging seems like a fantastic idea, right? No wall adapter needed, just plug your device in and go! However, what seems convenient now might not be later as power requirements change, and that’s exactly why I won’t install a USB charging outlet in my house.

TL;DR: Pokémon and Fender have officially unveiled two limited-edition, Made in Japan instruments: the Pokémon Red Stratocaster and Pokémon Green Telecaster.

It has been a huge year for Pokémon. To mark the 30th anniversary of Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green (which debuted in Japan in 1996), Pokémon has collaborated with a number of iconic brands to launch some pretty iconic products. And they're not done yet.

Pokémon and Fender have officially unveiled two limited-edition Made in Japan electric guitars celebrating Pokémon's 30th anniversary: the Pokémon Red Stratocaster and Pokémon Green Telecaster.

Credit: Fender Japan

Physical delivery won't land on doorsteps until 2027, but preorders are "coming soon."

What stands out about this collab is that Fender didn't just paint these in nostalgic Kanto-era pixel art. Fender took its time with this launch, including a time-warping toggle to 8-bit audio and a special neck plate design celebrating Pokémon's 30th anniversary.

You know the drill by now: getting your hands on these guitars is not going to be straightforward. Japanese allocations are locked behind an online lottery running Nov. 19-24, U.S. Pokémon Center preorders are notoriously vulnerable to checkout bots, and secondary-market scalpers will immediately flood eBay with $5,000+ listings.

If you want to buy without paying double on the resale market, we recommend keeping a keen eye on the U.S. Pokémon Center and setting up your account details in advance. Once that listing goes live, do not hesitate.

TL;DR: Starting Nov. 10, the Pokémon Happy Meal returns to participating McDonald’s restaurants nationwide with 15 collectible toys and 15 collectible trading cards.

We cover a lot of collabs, because there's something special in seeing two of your favorite brands come together to create something fun. And you clearly feel the same, because fans go wild for the limited-edition merch that drops.

Of course, there are levels to this game. The Burger King x Hello Kitty collab was popular. The Starbucks x Winnie the Pooh collab went down well. But when we talk about McDonald's x Pokemon, you know it's going to be absolute chaos.

McDonald’s and Pokémon are reuniting this November. Starting Nov. 10, the Pokémon Happy Meal is returning to participating McDonald’s restaurants nationwide with 15 toys and 15 trading cards to collect. Fans and trainers can also scan the QR code on their Happy Meal box to access a digital game where they can look for the 15 Pokémon Happy Meal toys hidden around a virtual classroom and playground.

This 2026 rollout will mark the first time since 2018 that customers get a genuine 3D collectible toy with playable cards. The mini-boxes are designed to resemble iconic McDonald's cartons shaped around fan-favorite Pokémon. Here's the roster of 15 collectible character boxes:

• Bulbasaur

• Charmander

• Chikorita

• Eevee

• Espeon

• Espurr

• Minccino

• Munchlax

• Pikachu

• Piplup

• Rowlett

• Sobble

• Squirtle

• Sprigatito

• Weedle

Credit: The Pokémon Company

Inside each meal, you will also find two randomized cards drawn from a specialized 15-card McDonald's reprint set, including seven foil cards.

These new Pokémon Happy Meals are available for a limited time, while supplies last, at participating McDonald’s. Check out the full release schedule below:

• November 2026: Australia, Canada, Fiji, France, New Zealand, Spain, and USA

• December 2026: Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belgium, Brunei, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, Germany, Georgia, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Moldova, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, UAE, and Vietnam

• January 2027: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Thailand, Uruguay, and Venezuela

• February 2027: Ireland and UK

SAVE $199.01: As of Nov. 2, the 15-inch Apple MacBook Air (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) is marked down to $1,299.99 at Amazon (was $1,499). That's an early 13% discount on Apple's roomiest ultraportable in the sky blue finish.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple MacBook Air 15-Inch M5 $1,299.99 at Amazon
$1,499 Save $199.01   Get Deal at Amazon

If your current laptop wheezes every time you open a few browser tabs, consider this your sign to stop putting off that upgrade. Amazon just knocked the new 15-inch M5 MacBook Air down to $1,299.99. That takes $199.01 off its typical $1,499 sticker price, giving you a 13% discount on 16GB of unified memory and a roomy 512GB SSD — finished in the standout sky blue.

The main reason to choose this machine is the M5 chip inside. It breezes through heavy everyday workloads, whether you are juggling a mountain of research tabs or editing video timelines. Because the chip features upgraded Neural Engine tech and dedicated accelerators, local Apple Intelligence tools run fast and smoothly without draining your battery. Better yet, the Air stays completely silent because it has no internal fans, giving you desktop-class muscle without any loud whirring when you push it.

SEE ALSO: Apple's new batch of products is live on Amazon: How to buy the new MacBooks, iMacs, and iPad mini

You also get enough screen space to comfortably snap two full windows side by side, and everything from documents to streaming shows looks razor-sharp with support for a billion colors. Video calls get a massive boost thanks to a 12MP Center Stage camera that automatically tracks your movement to keep you centered in the frame, while a punchy six-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio delivers rich bass for movies and music.

It is also built to keep up with busy days away from the wall outlet, packing up to 18 hours of battery life so you can leave your charger at home. For connectivity, you get two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a dedicated MagSafe charging cable, support for two external monitors, and Apple's N1 wireless chip delivering lightning-fast WiFi 7.

Grab the 15-inch M5 MacBook Air on Amazon while the $200 discount still applies.

SAVE $250.01: As of Nov. 2, the Dreame L40 Ultra Gen 2 Robot Vacuum and Mop is down to $499.98 at Amazon (was $749.99). That's a 33% discount on a hands-off cleaner with massive 25,000Pa suction, an extendable mop, and a self-cleaning dock.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dreame Dreame L40 Ultra Gen 2 Robot Vacuum and Mop $499.98 at Amazon
$749.99 Save $250.01   Get Deal at Amazon

Robot vacuums should make life easier, but cheap ones usually just get stuck on socks and make a bigger mess. If you want a hands-off machine that vacuums and mops well, it usually costs near a thousand bucks. Right now, Amazon has the Dreame L40 Ultra Gen 2 down to $499.98. That knocks $250 off its standard $749.99 sticker price — a huge 33% discount on a bot that cleans your floors and cleans itself.

This robot vacuum delivers 25,000Pa of suction across five adjustable levels, so it easily lifts stubborn pet hair, tracked-in dirt, and fine dust from high-traffic carpets and hard floors. Most round robot vacuums miss room corners and edges, but this one swings out its side brush and mop pad to grab debris along walls and baseboards that other bots skip.

SEE ALSO: The best early Black Friday self-emptying robot vacuum deals you can shop right now

When the vacuum transitions from tile or hardwood to carpet, it mechanically lifts its mop pads 10.5mm off the ground so your floors stay dry while it kicks into a deep carpet-cleaning mode. To keep from getting tangled in daily household messes, the vacuum uses Smart Pathfinder mapping and 3DAdapt obstacle avoidance to steer clear of shoes, pet toys, and rogue charging cables without requiring you to pre-clean the room.

The included base station automatically empties the dustbin, scrubs the dirty mop pads, and recharges the 5,200mAh battery, which delivers up to 231 minutes of runtime to tackle large homes in a single run. You can start runs with Alexa, Siri, or Google Home, schedule sessions through the app, and even set it to charge during off-peak electric hours to keep your utility bill down.

Grab the Dreame L40 Ultra Gen 2 while it's down to $499.98.

Got a computer, phone, or a tablet with some memory chips inside? That's a shame. You shouldn't be doing that.

Well, at least not according to OpenAI's Sam Altman, who shared his view on the rampant memory shortage in an interview on the YouTube Cheeky Pint and Stripe channel.

The entire interview is an interesting listen if you're into AI, but the fun part starts at about 29:20 in the video. "From a global allocation perspective, actually it's quite terrible to have everybody have a bunch of the world's limited DRAM supply sitting in their own computer," said Altman without batting an eyelash.

True, Altman was making a broader point, and he did speak after a few pints of beer, but the comment is still pretty cheeky at a moment in which everyone buying any sort of electronic device that uses RAM memory is facing higher prices, precisely because the big business' hunger for AI compute is sucking in all of the world's RAM chips.

The internet, of course, had something to say about Altman's seemingly never-ending lust for DRAM chips. The sentiment is clear: Stay away from our home machines, Altman. We've paid a steep price for a meager 16GB of RAM.

Some of the best memes we've seen are below.

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SAVE $100.99: As of Nov. 2, our absolute favorite frozen drink maker, the viral Ninja Slushi Professional Drink Maker, is down to $249 at Amazon. That's slashed from its standard $349.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Slushi Professional Drink Maker $249 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $100.99   Get Deal at Amazon

The internet’s obsession with "little treat" culture has officially met its match, and for once, the hype is actually on sale. The viral Ninja Slushi Professional Drink Maker has dropped from its standard $349.99 list price down to $249 at Amazon. That cuts off a massive $100.99 on a kitchen gadget we love.

When we evaluated the brand’s expansive lineup to crown the best Ninja appliances, the Slushi took the top spot in the beverage department without hesitation. As shopping writer Samantha Mangino urged in our guide: "Put away the blender!" If you're planning to make icy drinks at home, this is the most foolproof machine on the market.

Traditional blenders crush ice cubes and water down your drink. The Ninja Slushi skips ice entirely, using an internal cooling cylinder and spinning auger to freeze liquids evenly without diluting the flavor.

SEE ALSO: Ninja’s new EverSear cookware wants to replace your HexClad for way less — where to buy

In her hands-on review, Mashable's Leah Stodart gave the Ninja Slushi a strong 4.6 out of 5. Her takeaway proved that while having a dedicated slush machine on your kitchen counter might feel like an extra if you already own a blender, the sheer convenience and dopamine boost of churning mundane drinks into frozen treats are real.

Over a week of testing, Leah transformed everything from everyday Pepsi and workout electrolyte powders to café mocha milkshakes and an on-demand homemade frosé that rivaled sixteen-dollar rooftop bar pours.

The machine can make about seven drinks at once in its big 88-ounce container, and the five preset buttons — slush, spiked slush, frappé, milkshake, and frozen juice — handle the work in 15 to 60 minutes. It keeps your drink cold and ready for up to 12 hours, and you can tap the temperature buttons to adjust the thickness. Clean-up is also super quick with an automatic rinse cycle and parts you can toss right in the dishwasher.

Grab the Ninja Slushi on sale today, because your blender could never compete anyway.

TL;DR: The Apple iPhone 18 Pro is free when you switch and bring your number on T-Mobile's Experience Beyond plan. The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is $1,200 off when you switch and bring your number on T-Mobile's Experience Beyond plan.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPhone 18 Pro Free when you switch and bring your number on T-Mobile's Experience Beyond plan. Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max $1,200 off when you switch and bring your number on T-Mobile's Experience Beyond plan. Shop Now

The iPhone Duo has launched, and naturally, there was a lot of fuss made about Apple's first-ever foldable. Not all the chatter was positive, but the iPhone Duo still dominated the conversation. Now that the dust has settled, something truly wonderful has happened for Apple fans.

No, we're not talking about resolutions to any of the issues surrounding the launch. We're talking about the triumphant return of T-Mobile's free iPhone deals. For the last few weeks, T-Mobile pulled back on the free deals for the iPhone 17 and iPhone 18 Pro. Times were tough, but we made it through.

For a limited time, you can once again get your hands on the Apple iPhone 18 Pro for free with T-Mobile. To qualify for this deal, you simply need to switch to T-Mobile and bring your number to the Experience Beyond plan. Alternatively, you can save $1,200 on the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max by doing the same.

The full savings are distributed as monthly credits over a 36-month payment plan. If you leave T-Mobile before the end of the three-year contract, you will be charged the remaining balance. You also need to pay local sales tax on the phone's full retail value upfront, plus a standard $35 device connection fee per line at checkout.

You're making a commitment to T-Mobile and getting a flagship phone for free in return. That sounds like a pretty good deal to us.

Get the Apple iPhone 18 Pro for free right now with T-Mobile.

TL;DR: The Apple iPhone 17 and Apple iPhone 18 Pro are free right now with T-Mobile.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple T-Mobile: Best deals on Apple iPhones   Get Deal

The 2026 Apple Event feels like it took place a long time ago, but the dust is still settling. Apple announced a wave of new hardware and software, headlined by its first foldable iPhone. We're still digging deep into all the new features and stylistic touches, but we know what you really want — deals.

We know that's the priority after new models launch. With this in mind, we've lined up the best deals this week so you can get your hands on the iPhone 18 Pro (or the iPhone 17) for the lowest possible rate.

These are the best iPhone deals from T-Mobile this week:

• iPhone 17e — free when you switch to almost any T-Mobile plan with no trade-in required.

• iPhone 17 — free when you trade in an eligible phone in good condition on an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan.

• iPhone 17 Pro — free when you trade in an eligible phone in any condition on an Experience Beyond plan.

• iPhone 18 Pro — free when you switch and bring your number on an Experience Beyond plan.

• iPhone 18 Pro Max — save $1,200 when you switch and bring your number, or trade in an eligible device in any condition, on an Experience Beyond plan.

• iPhone Duo — save $1,200 when you switch and bring your number, or trade in an eligible device in any condition, on an Experience Beyond plan.

T-Mobile will charge taxes on these deals, as well as a $35 device connection fee.

If you’re still rocking an iPhone 12 or 13, you’re missing out on some genuinely game-changing features. The iPhone 17 is the first base model built specifically to handle Apple’s most advanced AI features. Mashable's Stan Schroeder said it's an "excellent phone that matches the iPhone Pro models in many ways that matter."

Of course, the iPhone 18 Pro takes things to another level. The iPhone 18 Pro features a new A20 Pro chip to better support AI features and Siri AI. This latest model also has major camera upgrades, including a physical variable aperture, smart focus tracking, cinematic video effects, and improved low-light photography.

Get the best deals on Apple iPhones this week with T-Mobile.

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Day (Espeon) and Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Night (Umbreon) are available to preorder now on Walmart.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokemon Company Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Day (Espeon) $487.77 at Walmart
  Shop Now at Walmart Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Night (Umbreon) $509.99 at Walmart
  Shop Now at Walmart

This week is going to be absolutely huge for Pokémon TCG collectors. We've had a wave of announcements in recent weeks, so it's hardly been quiet lately, but the Day and Night Ultra-Premium Collections and the Delta Reign Expansion are set to release on Nov. 6. Now that's big news.

With the launch day fast approaching, preorder offers are getting competitive. Amazon listings went live weeks ago but have since vanished. That has left Walmart offering the best rate on the Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Day (Espeon) and Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Night (Umbreon).

Both high-end boxes are currently available to preorder at Walmart for market price. That's a rare deal that will sell quickly.

TCGplayer's market price for the Day Box is currently $479, compared to Walmart's $487.77. The market price for the Night Box is $491, compared with Walmart's $499.

Both Ultra-Premium Collections come packed with 29 30th Celebration booster packs, one Classic Collection booster pack, custom metal coins, deck boxes, card sleeves, and damage-counter dice. Of course, a lot of the hype comes from the exclusive promo cards.

The Day collection includes the exclusive Espeon ex promo card with a Daytime Pikachu ex promo card and an Espeon playmat. The Night box includes the exclusive Umbreon ex promo card with a Futuristic-rarity Pikachu ex promo card and an Umbreon playmat.

It's not easy finding real value for money in the trading card market, so scoring preorders for around market value is pretty special. And that goes double for a collection like this.

An advertiser paid for editorial consideration of this deal. Our editorial experts vetted the deal based on our independent expertise. Because we determined that the deal will save money for our readers, we wrote the content.

SAVE 75%: Proton VPN's Black Friday sale drops its two-year VPN Plus subscription down to $2.49 per month (billed as $59.76 for 24 months) — save 75% off the standard monthly rate until Nov. 30.

Opens in a new window Credit: Proton VPN Proton VPN (2-Year Plan)   Get Deal at Proton VPN

If you have been putting off getting a VPN because you didn’t want to add another expensive monthly bill to your plate, this is the time to pounce. Proton VPN has rolled out its biggest sale of the year for Black Friday, slashing 75% off its two-year VPN Plus plan. That brings the price down from the regular $9.99 per month to just $2.49 per month (billed all at once as $59.76 for the first 24 months).

This offer is live through Nov 30 and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

The biggest hesitation most people have with VPNs is simple: can you actually trust the company with your private browsing?

With Proton, the answer is built into the foundation. Unlike many providers that keep your data behind closed doors, Proton’s software is completely open-source, so independent security experts can inspect the code at any time. It runs on a strict no-logs policy, so whatever you search, stream, or click never gets tracked, stored, or sold off to advertisers.

Of course, solid privacy doesn't mean much if your connection grinds to a halt every time you try to stream a show. Proton solves that by giving you unlimited bandwidth with zero speed throttling across a massive network of over 20,000 high-speed servers in more than 140 countries. Thanks to its VPN Accelerator, which boosts speeds up to 400%, you can stream movies while traveling without annoying lag or buffering.

Plus, a single subscription covers up to 10 devices at once, keeping your phone, laptop, tablet, and smart TV protected under one login. Besides keeping prying eyes off your traffic, it actively cleans up your daily web experience. The built-in NetShield feature acts as an automatic bodyguard, wiping out annoying pop-up ads, trackers, and malicious phishing sites before they even have a chance to load.

SEE ALSO: How to protect yourself from AI scams — McAfee+ combines AI-powered scam protection, antivirus, VPN, and more

If you're still on the fence, you may as well take advantage of the 30-day money-back guarantee to see how it handles your daily browsing. Just keep in mind that once those initial 24 months wrap up, it rolls into a yearly renewal at $83.88 unless you turn off auto-renew.

Grab the two-year plan for $2.49 a month while the lowest price of the year is still live.

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.

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

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

Bird call.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

CHIRP

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Hoist.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for November 2, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

HEAVE

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Father's nickname.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Nov. 2, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Nov. 2, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

DADDY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

POV.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

ANGLE

Final Hurdle hint

Elder.

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

SHEIK

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

The Moon has now reached its Waning Crescent phase, which means less than half of its surface illuminated. It will continue to decrease now until we reach the New Moon.

What is today's Moon phase?

As of Monday, Nov. 2, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon is in the Waning Crescent phase, with 45% of its surface visible.

Tonight, without the use of visual aids you should be able to spot the Tycho Crater, Kepler Crater, and the Mare Imbrium. Binoculars will also help you see the Alphonsus Crater, the Clavius Crater, and the Grimaldi Basin. And, if you have access to a telescope, you'll also see the Apollo 12 landing spot, the Reiner Gamma, and the Schiller Crater.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will take place on November 24.

What are Moon phases?

The Moon takes approximately 29.5 days to complete an orbit around Earth, going through a series of phases along the way. Depending on its position relative to Earth and the Sun, the amount of its illuminated surface we can see changes, creating the familiar sequence of crescents, quarter moons and the Full Moon. Once the cycle is complete, the pattern repeats, as explained by NASA.

The eight phases are:

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.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier for football fans.

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. The sports Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words, and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise 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 before the game ends.

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

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: All good points

• Green: Moving forward

• Blue: Football players

• Purple: Same first word

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: A score in basketball

• Green: Propel a ball

• Blue: NFL kickers

• Purple: Goal ____

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 #770 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• A score in basketball: BASKET, BUCKET, FIELD GOAL, MAKE

• Propel a ball: BOWL, FLING, HURL, ROLL

• NFL kickers: BASS, FOLK, LITTLE, LOOP

• Goal ____: CREASE, LINE, MOUTH, POST

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.

Looking for spoiler-free NYT Connections hints or just wondering why Connections is trending today? We've got what you need to understand the clues for today's puzzle without spoiling any of the answers.

Of course, Mashable has also provided daily hints and answers for Connections, Wordle, and Strands for years, so we can help you if that's also what you need.

While we are focused more on meanings than hints in this story, sometimes learning that many of the words have completely unrelated meanings is a clue in and of itself. Connections frequently includes clues that involve words within words and other visual clues.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 2, 2026 Medicine cabinet meaning

A place for storing medicine.

Compass meaning

A tool for navigation.

Fog machine meaning

A device used to create fog clouds.

Incense meaning

To anger.

Waterfall meaning

When running water falls from a higher level to a lower one.

Disco ball meaning

A decorative item covered in small mirrors.

Nettle meaning

To irritate.

Hiking boots meaning

Gear useful for traveling into the wilderness.

Dressing room meaning

A space to select and try on outfits.

Dry ice meaning

The solid form of carbon dioxide.

Water bottle meaning

A container for carrying water.

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Wind up meaning

To agitate.

Pique meaning

To provoke annoyance.

Kaleidoscope meaning

A toy that uses pieces of colored glass or plastic within a cylinder to create a visual spectacle.

Humidifier meaning

A device used to add moisture to the air

Backpack meaning

A wearable item that features storage space.

Have you learned the meanings and still want the things? Check out the hints and answers for today's NYT Connections puzzle.

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

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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 if you like to travel.

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 2, 2026 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: Packing ideas

• Green: Upsetting

• Blue: That's cool

• Purple: Reflective

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Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Things to bring on a trek

• Green: Anger

• Blue: Mist makers

• Purple: Things with mirrors

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 #1240 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Things to bring on a trek: BACKPACK, COMPASS, HIKING BOOTS, WATER BOTTLE

• Anger: INCENSE, NETTLE, PIQUE, WIND UP

• Mist makers: DRY ICE, FOG MACHINE, HUMIDIFIER, WATERFALL

• Things with mirrors: DISCO BALL, DRESSING ROOM, KALEIDOSCOPE, MEDICINE CABINET

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

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

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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.