IT General

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.

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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.

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 the latest 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 the latest 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 the latest Wordle.

One of the distinct joys of art is that sometimes you get to feel like you truly grasp something in a way other people don’t. This is the driving force behind "cult classics," those rare movies or games that get a lukewarm reception at release but turn out to be misunderstood gems. It’s fun to feel like you were right all along, but even more fun to feel like other people were wrong.

Take Kirby Air Ride, a vehicle-based action game starring Nintendo’s spherical pink icon Kirby, originally released for GameCube in 2003. One glance at its Metacritic page tells the whole story: Reviewers didn’t much care for it, but lots of gamers loved it, judging by the user score.

As someone who did play the original and found it kind of forgettable, I went into its Nintendo Switch 2 sequel Kirby Air Riders hoping to be won over. I so badly wanted to believe the critics got it wrong, and expanding the game with more characters, abilities, and modes would give Kirby a triumphant return that proved the haters wrong. 

SEE ALSO: Early preview: 'Kirby Air Riders' is a 'Super Smash'-style racer that triggers all the good brain chemicals

That didn’t happen. Kirby Air Riders may have more going for it than its predecessor, but that’s not saying much. This is still a thin racing action game with one cool mode and a whole lot of "bleh" around it, including a miserable single-player experience.

For Nintendo nerds, it’s cool that Air Riders exists at all Most of the racing tracks look fantastic. Credit: Nintendo

Before I get to all the stuff that bums me out about Air Riders, I want to make one thing clear: I’m happy this game exists, if for no other reason than it’s the first big Kirby game directed by series creator Masahiro Sakurai in more than 20 years. You may or may not know Sakurai from being the public face of the Super Smash Bros. series, but Kirby is his baby, and it makes me happy to know that he got to make something of a passion project for himself before presumably getting back into the Smash mines.

Air Riders also feels like a much-deserved celebration of Kirby in general. It’s full of playable characters who range from basic Kirby enemies to Kirby’s friends or even major villains from throughout the series. The soundtrack mixes great original tracks with fresh re-arrangements of classic Kirby songs, and I would say the music is probably the best thing about Air Riders in general. It’s also a visual feast for the young Switch 2 console, with an exceptionally vibrant color palette, racetracks with awesome-looking setpieces and scenery, and a (from what I can tell) flawless 60 frames per second frame rate holding it all together.

Air Riders looks and sounds great, but then you have to actually play it.

But there’s ultimately almost no meat on the bone here Same, homies. Credit: Nintendo

In case you never played the original Air Ride or missed the marketing or public beta weekends for Air Riders, the key thing to know about it mechanically is that there’s no accelerate button. Unlike most racing or vehicular action games, acceleration happens automatically. There are only two buttons, one that slams the brakes (while also charging up a speed boost that activates once you let go), and another that activates your chosen character’s special ability once a meter is full.

Add in a spin attack that you can do by wiggling the left stick back and forth, and that’s your entire moveset. Air Riders is, to its credit, very easy to learn thanks to its inherent simplicity as well as a series of playable tutorials that make sure none of the nuances (which mostly exist in the form of vehicles that all control and behave pretty differently) get past the player. It is worth going through all of these just because, unlike most driving games, most of the vehicles in Air Riders can fly, which is one of the easiest ways to pick up speed and win races.

The problem is that there just isn’t a whole lot to do once you’ve finished the tutorials. You can compete against CPUs or friends in the racing-based Air Ride mode, the top-down Top Ride mode, and the more open-ended action mode City Trial, or check out Road Trip, which technically counts as a single-player story mode. More on that later.

City Trial was the highlight of the GameCube original, and it’s still the main reason to play its sequel. This mode places up to 16 players in a big city map for exactly five minutes, during which time they have to find vehicles and power them up by collecting items that spawn in a variety of ways. You can destroy boxes to juice up your car, but random challenges like short races or even boss fights will appear from time to time, each coming with the opportunity to collect a lot of power-ups simply by participating in them.

I love this guy. Credit: Nintendo

Once those five minutes are up, players are cordoned off into Stadiums, which are basically just mini-games. Some of them prioritize speed, others prioritize flight or combat ability. City Trial is all about embracing whatever machine you ended up with and whatever stats it has at the end of the match, and just trying your best in whichever Stadium you do. There are technically winners and losers, but really, the joy here is in zooming around a map for five minutes and collecting floating icons that make numbers go up. 

Air Riders is at its best when City Trial is at its most hectic, with meteors raining from the sky or some wacky boss wrecking the place while everyone is just trying to power up their ride. I do find some joy in getting to the point where my vehicle is so fast that it’s barely controllable, but that also makes completing specific challenges not especially fun at times. Still, City Trial (especially online, and especially with people you know) is a good time. 

I wish I felt the same about Air Ride, the racing mode. These races aren’t terrible by any means, but they’re usually exceedingly short and insubstantial. City Trial works as well as it does largely because it’s full of random nonsense that can throw you off your game or work to your benefit. Air Ride races, meanwhile, are kind of the same every time, unless you really get into trying different combinations of characters and vehicles. I appreciate that every character can suck up enemies on the road and copy their powers like Kirby can, but even those abilities only add a tiny bit of variety to the proceedings. 

Top Ride is also barely worth talking about. These mechanics don't translate super well to a top-down perspective, and making turns can be more of a chore than I'd like. It feels like a Mario Party mini-game.

City Trial and (to a lesser extent) Air Ride are where you’ll spend most of your time in Air Riders, as they both support local and online multiplayer. Speaking of online, you can host a bunch of friends in a paddock, which works as a social lobby where you can show off your characters or rides, which can be customized using unlockable parts and decals. It’s fun to jump around and do dumb emotes for a while before a City Trail match.

Road Trip is a bust Imagine doing this for 90 minutes. Credit: Nintendo

Unfortunately, there is also a single-player side of Air Riders. Road Trip is an approximation of a solo adventure mode in which you choose a rider and spend somewhere between 60 and 90 minutes completing challenges, collecting machines, powering up said machines, and occasionally fighting bosses. Most of the challenges are plucked from the other modes; short races on Air Ride tracks or Stadium sessions against CPUs make up the bulk of Road Trip’s runtime. Every now and then, you see an uninteresting cutscene as a reward for your efforts, too.

In theory, I’m sort of into a roguelike mode where, by the end, you have a big roster of souped-up machines. Sadly, Road Trip is immeasurably dull. Challenges quickly become repetitive, as you might find yourself doing the same race on the same slice of the same Air Ride track half a dozen times during one Road Trip. I also found that the challenge level stayed pretty much the same. Challenges only got more difficult near the end of a run for me, and only because my machines were so powered up that they became more difficult to control. I actively disliked the late-game boss fights that required a slight modicum of precision, which is not really what Air Riders is good at.

I just can’t personally see myself playing any more of Road Trip than I had to for the purposes of writing this review. At best, it’s somewhat pleasant and boring. At worst, it’s actively frustrating and, again, felt like a chore. I did, on occasion, get a small dopamine rush from completing in-game achievements to fill out a big checklist, which sometimes rewarded me with new characters to play as or new machines to use. The problem with this is that a huge majority of those achievements reward you with stickers or other cosmetic items instead. 

Kirby Air Riders, in that sense, simultaneously has a lot to do and next to nothing to do. You can theoretically pump hours and hours into this game to unlock everything, but the process of doing that isn’t particularly enjoyable beyond the satisfaction of completing something. Air Riders is overflowing with stuff, but most of it is truly just “stuff,” if you catch my drift. 

Critics in 2003 were right

I was not reviewing video games in 2003 because I was nine years old. Playing Kirby Air Riders in this capacity made me feel some solidarity with reviewers from back then, though, as I think this game is roughly as good in a 2025 context as that one was in a 2003 context. Unfortunately, the 2025 version costs $69, and it's just not worth that much.

Yes, the sequel has more playable characters, machines, ways to customize both of those things, and tons of other crap to unlock. The new and improved City Trial mode is genuinely a lot of fun at times, too, and Air Riders is a gorgeous game both visually and aurally. Longtime Kirby aficionados will also surely enjoy the amount of fan service at work here.

But Air Riders still feels woefully thin to me. If you aren’t playing City Trial online, you might as well just play something else. Air Ride mode wears out its welcome pretty quickly and Road Trip is only marginally more fun than driving across Kansas in real life. 

I just don’t think there’s enough hidden depth here to make even City Trial interesting for more than a couple of weeks. All I wanted out of this game was to be persuaded that the original Air Ride was secretly great, and just needed a second chance to truly shine. Needless to say, I remain unconvinced.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo 'Kirby Air Riders' $69 at Amazon
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MARKET VALUE: As of Nov. 19, the Pokémon TCG White Flare Booster Bundle is $50.99 at Amazon, which is the going rate and market value compared to TCGplayer.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG White Flare Booster Bundle $51.35 at TCGPlayer
$58.95 Save $7.60   Get Deal

Mega Evolution boosters and Phantasmal Flames is the focus right now for most people, but the Scarlet and Violet era is dominating early Black Friday deals. Specifically, the White Flare Booster Bundle is available for $50.99 at Amazon. That's market value compared to TCGplayer.

However, if you apply for an Amazon Visa card and get accepted, you'll get an instant $60 Amazon gift card credited to your account. This can then be used to pay for the Booster Bundle in full, leaving $9.01 for your next purchase.

Most valuable Black Bolt and White Flare Pokémon cards Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

Chase cards in Black Bolt and White Flare are some of the most valuable in the Scarlet and Violet era, but it's still likely to turn out cheaper to buy something outright than ripping open endless packs. Here's what they're going for right now alongside links to TCGplayer to catch your favorite Pokémon:

1. Zekrom ex – 172/086 – SV: Black Bolt
   Near Mint Holofoil: $430
   Market price: $468.99
   Most recent sale: $430

2. Victini – 172/086 – SV: White Flare
   Near Mint Holofoil: $420
   Market price: $432.27
   Most recent sale: $440

3. Victini – 171/086 – SV: Black Bolt
   Near Mint Holofoil: $420
   Market price: $480.87
   Most recent sale: $445.98

4. Reshiram ex – 173/086 – SV: White Flare
   Near Mint Holofoil: $368
   Market price: $371.22
   Most recent sale: $375

5. Zekrom ex – 166/086 – SV: Black Bolt
   Near Mint Holofoil: $231.37
   Market price: $238.43
   Most recent sale: $230

6. Reshiram ex – 166/086 – SV: White Flare
   Near Mint Holofoil: $180.99
   Market price: $188.80
   Most recent sale: $186.23

SAVE $130: As of Nov. 19, the Insignia 50-inch Class F50 TV is on sale for $169.99 at Amazon. That's a 43% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Insignia Insignia 50-inch Class F50 TV $169.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $130   Get Deal

Early Black Friday deals are ramping up, and we couldn't be happier about it. And if you're looking to treat yourself to a new TV before Christmas movie season starts, there's a great deal on the Insignia 50-inch Class F50 at Amazon. As of Nov. 19, this impressive TV is down to just $169.99, saving you $130. That's also the lowest price for this model according to camelcamelcamel.

This TV gives you gorgeous 4K Ultra HD with HDR10, so movies and shows look sharp, colorful, and incredibly detailed, and all for under $200. It also uses Amazon’s Fire TV operating system, giving you quick access to apps like Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and free services such as Fire TV Channels, Tubi, and Pluto TV, and it's all laid out neatly on the home screen.

You can even use this TV as a smart home hub to check cameras, adjust lights, or start robot vacuums cleaning.

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 2 messages/day. 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!

For sound, enjoy an incredibly impressive audio experience with the DTS Virtual:X, an immersive sound format that creates a three-dimensional feel. You'll also get HDMI eARC which supports high-quality audio setups. It’s packed with handy ports too, from HDMI to USB to Ethernet. Plus, it’s wall-mountable, so it's nice and easy to install seamlessly into your space.

Pick up this great early Black Friday TV deal from Amazon now.

Donald Trump is facing so many questions over his relationship with convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein that some of his other controversies are slipping through the cracks.

In the Jimmy Kimmel Live! video above from Tuesday night, the host brings up a recent clip of the U.S. president insulting Bloomberg's White House Correspondent Catherine Lucey on Air Force One — when the journalist asks Trump a question about Epstein, he responds, "Quiet piggy."

"He called her piggy," says a shocked Kimmel. "He said, 'quiet, piggy' to a reporter and it barely made the news. If a man spoke like that to a female co-worker in like a workplace harassment training video, you'd go, 'Ah, that's over the top. Nobody would do that.' If the pilot on Air Force One behaved like the president, he wouldn't be allowed to fly the plane."

TL;DR: As of Nov. 19, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Booster Bundle is $55.01 at Amazon, which is $14 higher compared to TCGplayer. But if you successfully apply for an Amazon Visa Card, you could grab a $60 gift card and get it for free.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Mega Evolution Booster Bundle   Get Deal

The Mega Evolution Booster Bundle is $14 more at Amazon compared to TCGplayer, but you can still get it for free with credit to spare if you successfully apply for an Amazon Visa Card at Amazon. I can't believe this offer is still available.

Now I'm not suggesting you get a store card and go crazy with Pokémon TCG (as tempting as that is). You don't even need to spend anything on it for this deal. Simply apply for the Amazon Visa card, and if successful you'll get an instant $60 gift card credited to your account. Leave the Visa card alone and use the credit to grab the booster bundle and have $4.99 left over towards your next purchase.

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 2 messages/day. 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!

If you don't want the temptation, TCGplayer is currently selling Mega Evolution Booster Bundles for $41.01, so you can still catch a brilliant saving without the gift card and credit application.

Most valuable Mega Evolution Pokémon cards Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

Mega Evolution single card prices are crashing right now compared to launch, so it's a great time to snag that expensive chase card you've been looking for. Here's the current top Mega Evolution chase cards, with links to buy them right now on TCGplayer and up-to-date market value:

1. Mega Lucario ex - 188/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $435
   Market price: $476.09
   Most recent sale: $418.69

2. Mega Gardevoir ex - 187/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $345.98
   Market price: $369.14
   Most recent sale: $317.52

3. Mega Gardevoir ex - 178/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $267.50
   Market price: $222.33
   Most recent sale: $205

4. Mega Lucario ex - 179/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $224.99
   Market price: $213.52
   Most recent sale: $225

5. Mega Venusaur ex - 177/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $155
   Market price: $157.42
   Most recent sale: $155

My pro tip: Take advantage of Black Friday deals on Sony headphones

Whether you’re looking for an AirPods alternative, budget cans under $50, or a wireless headphones with a wider sound range than the best Bose headphones, Sony has you covered on all fronts.

And with Black Friday just around the corner, you can get almost all of these headphones for even cheaper than usual. In the weeks leading up to the shopping event, the flagship XM6s received a small $20 discount, the mid-range WH-CH720 headphones are on sale for under $100, the CH-520 headphones are all the way back down to $38, and the noise-cancelling WF-C710N are just $79. We're also watching the XM4 and XM5 models very closely. In other words, the sale prices are starting off strong.

So which should you buy? I spent the past several months testing and re-testing all of Sony's most popular headphones and earbuds (and the better part of a decade reviewing headphones) to help you decide.

Now, let’s check out the best Sony headphones of 2025.

How to choose the best Sony headphones

Sony headphones and earbuds juggle several priorities, including ANC, battery life, hi-res sound, and multipoint pairing. However, you may need to compromise on some of these features if you're not willing to spend $300 or more, the minimum price for flagship headphones in 2025.

If you want audio you can tailor to your liking, look for headphones carrying Sony’s adaptive sound features: 360 Reality Audio, DSEE, and Find My Equalizer. Travelers and road warriors need a model with ANC powerful enough to eliminate sounds across the entire frequency spectrum, not just airplane engines. Those who live active lifestyles or exercise regularly can find buds with a transparency mode that keeps them aware of their surroundings. Lengthy playtimes and wireless perks (e.g., Bluetooth multipoint, mobile app) have their benefits as well. And while Sony doesn't specialize in sports earbuds like Beats (and increasingly Apple as well), the Sony LinkBuds Fit let you stay in the Sony ecosystem while you work out.

As in all shopping decisions, it all comes down to preference and budget.

Recent changes to this guide The Sony XM5 and XM6 headphones. Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

• Sony WH-CH520 on-ear headphones: We added these headphones in September 2025 after re-reviewing them and having a positive experience. We've named them our new "Budget pick."

• Sony WH-CH720N noise-cancelling headphones: Previously our "Budget pick," we named them the "Best Sony headphones under $100" in our most recent update.

THREE MONTHS FREE: As of Nov. 19, Amazon is offering three months free of an Amazon Music Unlimited Individual Plan for new subscribers. Once the promotional offer comes to an end, the plan will auto-renew at $11.99 per month for non-Prime members or $10.99 per month for Prime members.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Music Unlimited (3 Months for Free)   Get Deal

Amazon's Black Friday sale doesn't officially kick off until Nov. 20, but the retailer already has some exciting early deals available for shoppers. This includes an excellent offer of three months of Amazon Music Unlimited for free, which is a fantastic treat for those looking to test out the service before making a commitment.

For a limited time, new subscribers to Amazon Music Unlimited can sign up to an Amazon Music Unlimited Individual Plan for free. Keep in mind that once the three months are up, your plan will auto-renew at its usual cost of $11.99 per month for non-Prime members or $10.99 per month for those with Prime. You can cancel this automatic renewal at anytime.

SEE ALSO: Amazon Black Friday ad: The best early deals you can buy online

With an Amazon Music Unlimited Individual Plan, you can listen to an abundance of songs on the service ad-free with unlimited skips. You'll also be able to listen to podcasts and audiobooks, so there's plenty to keep you busy over the next few months. On top of that, it also offers HD and spatial audio so you can enjoy it all with high-quality, immersive sound.

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This limited-time offer won't last for long. Act fast to grab three months of Amazon Music Unlimited for free.

There's plenty more to check out ahead of Amazon's Black Friday sale. Check out our breakdown of the best early Black Friday deals at Amazon for even more discounts available now.

I'll never claim to be an artist; I have a way with words more than I do lines and colors. But I dabble in graphic design, and I love the feeling of pen on paper, going back to basics when so much of my writing takes place on the keyboard. However, as someone who tests tablets, I'm familiar with the world of drawing tablets, particularly Wacom's offerings.

Drawing tablets are a departure from mainstream tablets, like iPads and Samsung Galaxy Tabs. The Wacom One 14 was my first experience with a drawing tablet, and as a beginner, it was the ideal model for learning how to use one. I utilized my expertise — and amateur artistry — to become familiar with the Wacom One 14, and I believe it's an accessible and intelligent piece of technology.

Wacom One 14 $249.95 at Amazon
$299.95 Save $50   Shop Now at Amazon Wacom One 14 Specs and Price The Wacom One 14 allows you to use a stylus with your computer to support your creative endeavors. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

• Dimensions: 13.2 by 7.9 by 0.4 inches

• Display Size: 14-inch

• Screen Resolution: ‎1920 by 1080

• Weight: 1.65 lbs

• Power Source: USB-C

• Compatibility: Windows 10, macOS 13, and the latest version of ChromeOS

• Pen: Electromagnetic resonance technology

• Price: $299.95

How to use the Wacom One 14

Having never used a drawing tablet before, I found the setup for the Wacom One 14 to be easy, with only some minor troubleshooting required. The Wacom One 14 operates as a peripheral device and requires a computer connection; think of it more as an extension of a computer rather than a standalone device.

Once connected to a computer or laptop via the USB-C port, the device will turn on. When you first turn it on, you might encounter a couple of things. The screen may appear as a blank desktop, which means you need to access your system settings and ensure that 'mirror screen' is enabled. The included stylus will start working, but may require calibration. For that, you'll need Wacom's software.

The Wacom One 14 is not a touchscreen, and you'll navigate the tablet using the stylus, which allows you to click, draw, write, and select items on the screen. It can operate either as a mirror of your main display or as a secondary monitor, and you can even set the button on the Wacom stylus to cycle through different displays.

What should you use the Wacom One 14 for? In addition to creating beautiful pictures, you can use the stylus like you would a mouse. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Wacom tablets, including the Wacom One 14, are primarily known as drawing tablets, meaning you're going to use them for just that. The creative applications are virtually endless. You can use it to draw, sketch, animate, edit photos, and create 3D models. Beyond the creative activity, it's also convenient for annotating and taking notes.

The screen itself has a lovely matte feel, adding a little bit of friction to the screen so it feels like actual pen and paper. I liked it much more than the slick, smooth surface of an iPad and Apple Pencil.

SEE ALSO: Kindle Scribe vs. Kobo Libra Colour: Which e-reader is better for journaling?

Its digital note-taking capabilities make the Wacom One 14 an excellent application for teaching. As I used the tablet, which allowed me to draw and have the image reflected on the laptop screen, I remembered the projectors of my youth, where teachers would write out equations and project them onto the screen. The Wacom One 14 feels like it's an advanced version of that.

The Wacom One 14 comes with a range of programs to help you get started, but it also works with free programs like Canva, which is how I tested the Wacom tablet.

Who is the Wacom One 14 for?

Using the device is incredibly intuitive. I'd never used a drawing tablet before, but I was up and running within 20 minutes of taking it out of the box. It's an approachable device even for beginners. Educators, even those not in creative fields, will find the Wacom One 14 helpful in the classroom as well.

It's also an affordable unit at $299.95, cheaper than any iPad on the market. That being said, it's best for anyone who wants to use the device with a computer and isn't looking for a standalone tablet.

Should you buy the Wacom One 14? The Wacom One 14 is an excellent drawing tablet for beginners. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The Wacom One 14 is an excellent drawing tablet, particularly for beginners. The device's setup is straightforward and allows you to get started quickly, without a steep learning curve. Plus, it's somewhat affordable at $299.95. If you have a teen or tween in your life who is interested in digital art or you're looking to try it out yourself but don't want to make a considerable investment, this is a well-valued starting point.

It won't be for everyone. It's not for someone who wants a standalone tablet or a more advanced drawing tablet. For that, consider looking into a tablet with an OLED display and better resolution — such as the iPad Pro with the M5 chip.

But if you're just getting started, the Wacom One 14 is a novice-friendly drawing tablet.

Wacom One 14 $249.95 at Amazon
$299.95 Save $50   Shop Now at Amazon

TL;DR: Game like you used to on a Kinhank Retro Console on sale for $89.97 through Nov. 20.

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

The cost of new games keeps going up, and shelling out big money for one title isn’t ideal when you’re just looking to unwind here and there. For anyone nostalgic for the affordable gaming days, this new retro console brings that feeling back.

The Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro has thousands of games pre-loaded, and you might recognize a few. These are retro titles like Street Fighter and Final Fantasy, and it’s only $89.97 (reg. $159.99) until Nov. 20 to get access to all of them.

SEE ALSO: 100+ of the best early Black Friday gaming deals — epic deals on consoles, games, accessories, and more

Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro gives you a single, smooth interface to play thousands of modern and old-school titles. You get dual operating systems, with Android 9.0 for streaming apps and EmuELEC 4.5 for emulation, giving you flexibility beyond gaming. You can go straight from trouncing your friend in a 1v1 deathmatch to marathoning your favorite show.

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

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

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

If you want gaming to feel like it used to, get a Kinhank Super Console while it’s on sale for $89.97 until Nov. 20 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

There is perhaps nothing that has plagued the electronics consumer quite as much as bloatware. It’s omnipresent in most modern operating systems and products, whether it’s extra stuff on Android phones or a bunch of superfluous settings left on by default. Microsoft’s Copilot has the distinct classification of being both bloatware and a superfluous setting, so it’s pretty understandable if you want to get rid of it.

So, if you're part of the anti-AI crowd, then you may be wondering:

Can you remove Copilot from your Windows laptop? What about a Copilot+ PC?

There is a way to shut down Copilot. However, you should manage your expectations.

Even on the best Windows laptops, there's no way to fully delete all traces of Copilot, as Microsoft has fully integrated Copilot into the Windows 11 operating system, whether you like it or not. Since the ChatGPT-powered Copilot is a major push for Microsoft, it’s also fairly likely that even more Copilot features will be added with future updates, so trying to rid all traces of AI from your Windows laptop may be an exercise in futility anyway.

Still, with a little work, you can disable and remove all of the user-facing Copilot stuff, which will keep it hidden away and unable to function, thus leaving you with a cleaner Windows 11 experience. I tested all of the methods described in this story on my DIY desktop PC and my laptop, and they can help you turn Copilot off on your device, too.

A screenshot of the Copilot app's settings in Windows 11, with the uninstall option highlighted. Credit: Joe Hindy SEE ALSO: What is Copilot? Uninstall the Copilot app

The first thing you should do is uninstall the Copilot app. This is a Windows app and can be uninstalled like any other Windows app. There are a few ways to do this, and we’ll outline two of them.

The fast way

• Hit the Windows Key to open your search and type in Copilot.

• Right-click the app with your mouse and select Uninstall.

• A window will pop up asking you to confirm. Do so.

• The app will be uninstalled.

The harder way

• Open the Settings on your Windows PC.

• Navigate to Apps and then Installed apps.

• Find Copilot on your list of installed apps.

• Click the three-dot button on the right side and click Uninstall.

For all intents and purposes, Copilot will cease to function on your PC after uninstalling the app, and you can go about your life in peace.

Disable Copilot on a Windows PC

Once the official app is uninstalled, there’s no real reason to do anything further, but if you really hate AI, you can if you want to. Damn the man!

In the interest of completeness, here’s how to disable Copilot on your PC.

This method is doable in two ways. If you have Windows 11 Pro, you can do this through the Group Policy Editor, which is quite simple. Those who have Windows 11 Home have to go through the Registry Editor, which can be an intimidating and potentially dangerous process. Thus, proceed at your own risk.

Disable Copilot through the Group Policy Editor

• Hit the Windows Key to open search and type in Edit group policy or gpedit.msc and open the setting that pops up.

• Once the Group Policy Editor is open, you’ll navigate to a setting in the left margin.

• The order is User configuration, then Administrative templates, click on Windows components, and then finally Windows Copilot.

• Double-click where it says Turn off Windows Copilot; a new window will open.

• In the window, click Enabled, then Apply, and then finally OK.

• Copilot will be disabled.

This method only works for Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise. While it is possible to install and use Group Policy Editor on Windows 11 Home, it’s not worth the effort, as there's a better option:

Disable Copilot through the Registry Editor

A screenshot of an advanced editing option in Windows that is used to help disable Copilot Credit: Joe Hindy

• Hit the Windows Key and type in regedit, and then open the Registry Editor.

• Navigate to HKEY_Current_User, then Software, then Policies.

• Once there, go to Microsoft and then Windows, and finally CurrentVersion.

• There, you’ll see an option called WindowsCopilot.

• Double-click the TurnOffWindowsCopilot and change the value from 0 to 1.

• Exit Registry Editor and reboot your PC.

It’s a simple enough process if you're used to working in the Windows 11 backend, but you can mess up a lot of stuff in the Registry Editor if you're not. Thus, again, proceed with caution and don’t change any of the other values. In addition, not all versions of Windows will have this registry option.

Voila, Copilot is as off as Copilot gets

If you've followed our advice, Copilot will now be disabled (or uninstalled) on your Windows laptop or Chromebook. Since most of its functionality comes directly through the Copilot app, uninstalling the app gets you about 90 percent of the way there, which should be more than enough for most Windows users. Disabling it via the Group Policy Editor or the Registry Editor finishes the job, but without the app in the front, Copilot can’t really do much of anything anyway.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

In a recent poll amongst ourselves, my colleagues and I were unanimous: Camelcamelcamel is our favorite deal-finding tool.

"Camelcamelcamel has helped me make better shopping recommendations on a weekly, sometimes daily basis for the past eight years," said Mashable Senior Shopping Reporter Leah Stodart. Global Shopping Editor Joseph Green concurred: "I use it probably close to 100 times a day," he said. "Every sensible shopper should have it on hand."

So, what is camelcamelcamel? We're not talking about a trio of actual ungulates — it's a free Amazon price-tracking tool. We use it to vet Amazon deals year-round, but it's especially handy during major shopping events like Prime Day and Black Friday, when the retailer goes into deals overdrive. Camelcamelcamel makes it easy to determine whether a product's sale price is a better-than-usual deal or a common occurrence. It helps sort the scores from the skips.

SEE ALSO: The 40+ best early Black Friday deals: We found record prices on Apple gadgets, headphones, TVs, and robot vacuums How camelcamelcamel works

Founded in 2008 by Daniel Green, a California-based programmer, camelcamelcamel uses Amazon's Product Advertising API (product data for affiliate marketers and developers) to track the prices of millions of items throughout their shelf lives. Visitors to the site can view items' price history charts and sign up for price drop notifications via email. These features are also available through The Camelizer, camelcamelcamel's browser extension.

Green told Mashable via email that camelcamelcamel began as "a code experiment" with Amazon's API that he built into a web interface and eventually published online. (When asked why he went with a camel theme, Green countered, "Why not?!") He'd planned on taking the site down after showing it to his friends, thinking it would just be a "short-lived demo." Then other people started using it — and kept using it.

Green wound up hiring some friends to help him continue working on camelcamelcamel, which will soon enter its second decade. "We are eternally grateful to the internet for allowing us to run a self-sustaining, free website for so many years," he said.

Camelcamelcamel is supported by affiliate links, so if you click on an Amazon link there and wind up buying something, camelcamelcamel earns a commission.

SEE ALSO: Amazon Prime Day vs. Black Friday: When are the deals better?

Green and his team are planning to add more features to the site in the near future, including product popularity metrics and "better surfacing of quality items that are on sale," he said. A design update for The Camelizer is also on the docket.

Is camelcamelcamel accurate?

Camelcamelcamel checks product prices regularly but doesn't catch every deal Amazon offers. The site can't monitor limited-time Lightning deals, according to a 2011 blog post Green wrote, and we've noticed that it also misses on-page coupons. But it typically captures enough data to tell you whether something's cheaper than usual — and if not, when it's hit record lows in the past.

Does camelcamelcamel only work on Amazon?

While camelcamelcamel only works on Amazon products, it's still useful for cross-checking deals elsewhere. "I've used camelcamelcamel to compare an item’s Amazon price history with the current price at Walmart or Best Buy or wherever," said Mashable's Stodart. "It has exposed crappy discounts at competitors as many times as it has snitched on Amazon itself."

Planning on doing a lot of your holiday shopping on Amazon in the coming weeks? Here's a step-by-step guide to using camelcamelcamel and The Camelizer to look up a product's price history and sign up for price drop alerts.

How to use camelcamelcamel Total Time

• 10 seconds

What You Need

• A device with an internet connection

Step 1: Copy the product's Amazon URL.

I'll use this Apple MacBook Air as an example.

Step 2: Go to camelcamelcamel.com.

Step 3: Paste the product's Amazon URL into camelcamelcamel's search bar, then hit enter.

Step 4: A chart on the next page will show the product's price history since launch.

This MacBook Air was sitting at a new record-low price on Amazon at the time of writing.

Credit: camelcamelcamel.com

Step 5: If you want to buy the product for a lower price than it's currently at, you can sign up for deal alerts by clicking the blue "+ Add Amazon Price Watch" button on the right side of the page.

Camelcamelcamel will send you an email if/when the product hits your desired price.

Credit: camelcamelcamel.com How to use The Camelizer browser extension Total Time

• 10 seconds

What You Need

• A device with an internet connection

Step 1: Install The Camelizer browser extension.

It's available for Chrome, Safari, Edge, Firefox, and Opera.

Step 2: Pull up the product's Amazon listing.

Step 3: Click The Camelizer's icon in your browser's toolbar.

The same price history chart will populate in a drop-down window. You can set email alerts for price drops in the lower fields.

Credit: Amazon.com / The Camelizer

Among Amazon's flagship gadgets, like Kindles and Fire TVs, Echos are the star of the show. These multitasking smart home devices do a little bit of everything in nearly every room in the house. (Plus, with this year's rollout of Alexa+, they're now supercharged with extra AI features.) Whether you need a smart speaker, alarm clock, or hub for your other smart devices, there's an Echo to help you out. Amazon's list of devices is ever-growing, so we've tested them to find the best Echo devices for your smart home.

If you're ready to invest in an Echo, you don't need to buy these devices at full price. They always go on sale during events like Prime Day and Black Friday. This past Prime Day, we saw Echo discounts of up to 73% off devices like the Pop, Dot, and Spot. So, if you are going to buy an Amazon smart home device, it's worth holding out until the next sale.

And luckily, the next sale is almost here. Black Friday is coming Nov. 28, 2025, and we expect to see devices hit their all-time low prices. Last year, the Echo Dot dropped down to $22.99 and the Echo Pop fell to $17.99.

New Echos in 2025

On Sept. 30, 2025, Amazon debuted several new Echo devices. We've yet to test the new Amazon Echo Dot Max or the refreshed Echo Studio, however, once we've completed testing, we'll add them to this guide.

Changes to existing Echo devices in 2025

For existing Echo owners, or those looking to become ones, a major change happened in 2025 that affects user privacy. Amazon sent out an email to users saying the "Do Not Send Voice Recordings" feature on the device will no longer be available as of March 28, 2025. But what does that mean?

Previously, the "Do Not Send Voice Recordings" setting allowed the devices to process requests locally without sending them to Amazon servers. However, with that setting no longer supported, all requests will now go through Amazon servers. Plus, if you do have that setting turned on after the change goes into effect, you'll lose access to the Voice ID feature as well.

While Amazon promises that all information requests are encrypted and secure, it still means that the retailer has access to all of that data.

What can an Echo smart speaker do? Trying out the new Echo Spot smart alarm clock. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

All Echo devices utilize Amazon Alexa's AI superpowers — it's just a matter of which form you want your Echo to take. The Echo and Echo Dot are smart speakers that you can use for music, phone calls, calendar reminders, or news alerts. Amazon Echo Show devices, on the other hand, can do all of the aforementioned audio stuff, but they also boast colorful displays for making video calls, streaming entertainment, or managing your day. Think of Echo Shows as stationary, more affordable tablets, essentially.

Most Echo devices are designed to act as smart hubs within your home, but some Echo devices can also be taken on the road. Echo Auto brings hands-free Alexa functionality to the car, while Echo Buds and Echo Frames can travel with you anywhere.

What can Alexa+ do?

Alexa is to Amazon as Siri is to Apple, and is the driving force behind every Echo. But Alexa just got a big upgrade. Now there's Alexa+, a new AI-powered version of Alexa introduced to Echo devices in March 2025. For Prime subscribers, Alexa+ will be included in membership, and non-subscribers will have to pay $19.99 per month for the service.

Alexa has an answer to almost anything you ask. Just by shouting out, you can play music, adjust the volume, and set an alarm or timer. And that's just naming a few options. On devices like the Echo Show, you can also ask Alexa to pull up recipes or answer questions that come up while cooking. With Alexa+, the AI agent doesn't just respond to commands but can actually engage in conversation.

Here's a short list of what Alexa+ can do:

• Provide a highlight reel of the day's security footage

• Read stories to kids

• Plan a date night

• Book restaurant reservations

• Control your smart home technology from one central hub

• Access your calendars and set reminders

• Get answers to any question you can think of

• Make phone calls (and video calls with an Echo Show)

• Get the latest weather and news

• Follow recipes

• Shop on Amazon

• Stream music (and video on an Amazon Echo Show)

• Play games

There are more than 100,000 Alexa skills that you can utilize via an Echo device, and Amazon is always adding more.

Alexa gets supercharged when other smart home tech comes into the picture. If you have a smart thermostat or smart light bulbs, as long as they're compatible with the Alexa system, you can create routines through your Echo. That can be as simple as telling Alexa to turn on the lights in one room or programming Alexa to turn the thermostat down before you come home.

If you're ready for an Alexa-powered home, read on for the 10 best Amazon Echo devices of 2025.

Apple's iPads are better than ever. Within the past year, every model has received an upgrade, meaning Apple's tablets are now equipped with the latest silicon. iPads remain versatile tablets and can even be budget-friendly — especially when you catch them on sale. The full line-up now includes: the iPad with A16 chip, iPad Mini with A17 chip, iPad Air with M3 chip, and iPad Pro with M5 chip.

At this point, iPads can do (almost) anything your laptop can do thanks to iPadOS 26. Whether you want to stream, browse the internet, illustrate, or edit videos, you can do it on the iPad. Recent developments in the Pro and Air models also set them up as gaming devices.

The rapid pace of Apple's update schedule makes shopping for a tablet all the more difficult. So, we tested every model to help you find the best iPad for you.

If you are in the market to buy an iPad, we recommend holding out until Black Friday. The annual shopping event brings the best prices we've ever seen on tech, and this year we're hoping to see a discount on the new iPad Pro with M5 chip.

Which iPad model should I buy?

The right iPad for you depends purely on your needs. Do you want something that has enough storage and speed for streaming? Do you want to use it to read? Do you want to use a tablet as your primary workstation? Your answers should factor into your decision.

To get you started, we believe the best iPad for most people is the new M3 iPad Air (2025). It has exceptional performance but is also in the middle range for both price and capability.

Gone are the days of clip-on pedometers. Now, it's all about tech wearables that maximize your physical potential with round-the-clock vitals monitoring — but I'm not talking about an Apple Watch or Fitbit. The next evolution of fitness trackers is here, and it's the smart ring.

Smart rings monitor your health in a tiny, inconspicuous package. At first glance, they look like any other piece of jewelry, a simple gold or silver ring. But with tiny sensors, these rings track biometrics through your finger. Yes, they'll track your step count and calories burned, but more advanced technology allows them to track sleep and stress levels, all detected through heart rate and variability.

If you're looking to gain deeper insights into your health, a smart ring will help you do that, and, we've vetted the most popular models on the market through weeks of testing to find the best smart ring.

But be warned, the biggest downside to a smart ring is the price tag. Even the cheapest smart ring starts around $200, so getting one is going to be an investment. But that also means you may want to find one on sale. With Black Friday on the horizon, we'll be hunting all best deals on these devices, and crossing our fingers to see a sale on the Oura Ring 4.

What's the best smart ring?

The smart ring market is ever-growing, with new models debuting each year. Samsung just launched a smart ring in 2024, and while Apple doesn't have a smart ring on the market yet, we're sure it will be here in a matter of time. But smart rings are synonymous with the Oura Ring, a leader in the field, and for good reason. After spending weeks with the device, testing its hype, and comparing it to other devices, we can confidently say Oura makes the best smart ring in 2025.

Oura offers the most expansive biometric tracking, monitoring your health around the clock. It focuses on daily and long-term health goals more holistically than other rings.

However, the Oura Ring has downsides, like a monthly subscription fee. If you're not down for a monthly fee, we tested some popular alternatives to Oura rings.

Why should you buy a smart ring? So you think you want a smart ring? Here's what you need to know about the latest tech wearable. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Smart rings are not just another fitness tracker. Yes, they do track your activity, steps, and calories burned. However, they're really meant to offer a more holistic view of your health so you can gain deeper insights into your sleep habits, cardiovascular health, and more.

You're a good candidate for a smart ring if you hate the look of a smartwatch or fitness tracker with LED screens, which are categorically not cool. Smart rings are posed as a discreet option, looking like a regular piece of jewelry. However, to be frank, they don't blend in that well. In my weeks of testing, while wearing the rings during hangouts, someone would inevitably ask me, "What's that?"

Since a smart ring doesn't have a screen, you have to pull out your phone and open an app whenever you want to track activity. That's certainly not the end of the world, but if you convert from a smartwatch, you'll miss the convenience of tapping your wrist. That being said, I actually find a smart ring most useful when paired with a smartwatch. I ran all my testing while simultaneously wearing an Apple Watch, and I appreciated the smart rings that were compatible with my watch so I could receive push notifications.

The latest smart ring news

If I were to assign the superlative of 'Most Dramatic' to any tech product, it would be to smart rings. In between new product and feature launches, the smart ring beat is abuzz with brand conflicts, privacy concerns, and swelling batteries.

Oura ring: New ceramic rings, blood tests, and Palantir

In early September, the internet was swirling with concerns around data privacy with Oura. After an announcement of Oura's continued partnership with the United States Military as well as the use of Palantir software being used in this venture, users were concerned about their data. Oura has clarified that Palantir has no access to user data.

Things have since settled down since Oura clarified its partnership. The brand recently launched the Oura Ring 4 in ceramic, which comes in four new colors. Plus, the brand launched multi-device pairing as well as health panels, which analyze users blood work through a Quest Diagnostics partnership.

Ultrahuman: Are they still available in the United States?

Earlier this year, Oura won a patent dispute against Ultrahuman and Ringcon, claiming its competitors purchased Oura rings to reverse engineer the curved battery. The International Trade Commission ruled in Oura's favor, resulting in Ultrahuman and Ringcon no longer being able to import to the US as of October 21, 2025. But does that mean the devices are going away? Not really.

In an email with Ultrahuman representation, they clarified that the brand can no longer import to the U.S. or sell the ring via Ultrahuman's website after October 21. However, other retailers such as Amazon or Best Buy can still sell the product past that date and as of Nov. 2025, you can still find the Ring Air available to buy. This ruling only applies to the Ultrahuman Ring Air, and the brand has implied that a new device may be on the way.

Samsung: Reports of battery swelling on the rise

The Samsung Galaxy Ring, which we recommend to those already in the Samsung ecosystem, has also been in the news lately. A YouTuber named Daniel, who runs the channel ZONEofTECH, alleged that his Samsung Galaxy Ring began swelling as he was boarding a plane. Daniel reportedly had to go to the hospital to get the ring removed. The swelling appears to come from the Samsung ring's battery, which tends to swell inward, preventing users from being able to remove it. This is not the first report of a Samsung ring's battery swelling, but it is the first where a user had to go to the hospital.

TL;DR: Right now, you can get a 16GB RAM 1TB SSD MacBook Pro on sale for $440.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Macbook Pro 2020 (Refurbished) $439.99
$1,999 Save $1,559.01   Get Deal

The end of the year is one of the best times to find deals on Apple tech, and you don’t even have to wait for Black Friday to find them. Right now, you can actually get a $1,999 MacBook Pro like this one on sale for only $439.99, but be advised, stock is very limited.

This is a refurbished model, but you wouldn’t know from looking at it. A grade “A” rating means it will arrive in near-mint condition with virtually no signs of wear. The body might have faint signs of use, but they’re not visible from more than a foot away. The screen doesn’t have any blemishes, and the battery still lasts up to 10 hours on a full charge, but that might vary based on the apps you’re using. This version also still has a Touch Bar, so you can sign in with a touch and access bespoke controls for different apps.

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 2 messages/day. 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!

In terms of specs, this MacBook is well-equipped for work or home. It has 16GB RAM, a 1TB SSD, and a 2GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5 processor that Turbo Boosts up to 3.8GHz. In practice, that means you have enough power to multitask on a lot of apps or indulge in a whole library of browser tabs you’ll never remember to close. There’s also plenty of space for apps and files, so you may finally be able to cancel that cloud storage subscription.

If you’ve been on the market for a good computer, this is a chance to find a solid upgrade for a rare price.

For a limited time, it’s only $439.99 to get a MacBook Pro. Sale ends soon.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

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 SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025:

Across___ angel

• The answer is Snow.

___ fairy

• The answer is Tooth.

"Go, go, go!"

• The answer is Hurry.

Voice between soprano and tenor

• The answer is Alto.

"Sorta" suffix

• The answer is Ish.

DownSpiritual selves

• The answer is Souls.

Word in two U.S. state names and two country names (can you name them all?)

• The answer is North.

Spanish for "other"

• The answer is Otro.

"For what reason?"

• The answer is Why.

Cuisine with massaman curry

• The answer is Thai.

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

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 the latest Mini Crossword.

TL;DR: The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day takes place on Nov. 18-22. The Closed-Door Book Blast, hosted by the Indie Author Collective, offers free or heavily discounted closed-door romance books for your e-reader.

We know that the focus right now is very much on Black Friday. We're busy scanning the online world for the best deals on Apple, TVs, Lego, and just about everything else, but we can't ignore the prospect of free or heavily discounted ebooks. The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day is live. It has absolutely nothing to do with Black Friday, and that's OK.

The Closed-Door Book Blast, hosted by the Indie Author Collective, takes place from Nov. 18-22. During this special event, participants can score free or heavily discounted closed-door romance books. Everything that you download is yours to keep forever, so if romance is your thing, this is a unique opportunity to stock up ahead of the winter months. You're not going to be leaving the house anyway. Stay in and read. You know you want to.

SEE ALSO: Amazon Kindle vs. Kindle Paperwhite: Which one is for you?

Want to make the most of the latest Stuff Your Kindle Day? We've lined up everything you need to know about this popular event.

When is Stuff Your Kindle Day?

The Closed-Door Book Blast takes place from Nov. 18-22. A lot of Stuff Your Kindle Day events take place over 24 hours, but this event runs for five whole days. That gives you the chance to take your time and properly peruse everything that's on offer.

Who can take part in Stuff Your Kindle Day?

The wonderful thing about Stuff Your Kindle Day is that anyone can participate. Kindle, Kobo, and Nook readers can download these books for free. You can even download these books on your preferred app and read them directly from your phone.

Which e-books are free?

The Closed-Door Book Blast has a helpful hub page with everything included in this giveaway. All of the listed titles are free, $0.99, or available on Kindle Unlimited/Kobo Plus or through the author's website. You can find filters for genre, content level, major tropes, spice level, and other useful categories.

The Indie Author Collective have also included information on content levels and spice levels, so you know exactly what you're getting into before you start reading. No nasty surprises.

Is Stuff Your Kindle Day the same as Amazon Kindle Unlimited?

Everything you download on Stuff Your Kindle Day is yours to keep forever, and there's no limit on the number of books you can download. Stuff Your Kindle Day downloads don't count towards the 20 books that Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscribers can borrow at the same time. There's no reason to hold back.

The best Stuff Your Kindle Day deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite + Kindle Unlimited (3-Month Plan)   Shop Now Why we like it

These popular e-readers help you take your entire library on the go. With weeks of battery life and an anti-glare display, you can read anywhere and anytime with the Kindle Paperwhite. Prices start at $159.99, but you can get three months of Kindle Unlimited for free with your purchase. We're all waiting for Black Friday Kindle deals to drop. We're tracking the best offers right here.