IT General
Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Gen 2) vs. Sony WH-1000xM6: Which headphones should you buy?
The QC Ultra (Gen 2) have category-leading noise cancellation. Bose upgraded its ANC algorithm and microphone system to be more dynamic and responsive to low-frequency sounds. These technologies adaptively remove about 95 percent of external fracas. Anything that comes through will sound like background effects on songs and movies. Aware mode (aka transparency) is just as rewarding for keeping tabs on surroundings. Another brand hallmark that remains undefeated is Immersive Audio. This feature creates amazing surround sound for all stereo content. It isn’t confined to any specific technology (*cough* Dolby Atmos cough) and is the most realistic sounding of all other spatial audio formats on headphones.
ANC on the WH-1000xM6 is right below the QC Ultra (Gen 2), which is a huge compliment. These headphones do a terrific job of eliminating most unwanted noises and minimizing high-frequency sounds. Transparency mode is superb for increasing ambient awareness. There are 20 adjustable levels to control the amount of noise you want to hear. Listening at max level captures every peep in your vicinity with precision. Still, we prefer the QC Ultra’s more powerful ANC since it eliminates high-frequency sounds better. We also favor Immersive Audio over Sony’s 360 Reality Audio. The latter is fine for watching movies, but it doesn’t sound as natural. Not to mention, 360 Reality Audio only works with a very limited number of streaming services, which also have limited content.
Winner: Bose QC Ultra (Gen 2)
Read our full review of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Gen 2).
Sony has practicality and sound quality in the bagMuch like the WH-1000xM5, the Mark Series VI headphones have a versatile control scheme consisting of motion, physical, touch, and voice functions. All of them work exceptionally well. Voice controls are most impressive. Siri and Google Assistant commands are accurately registered and executed. Intelligible features like Speak-to-Chat are on point to automatically mute sound when detecting your voice. The QC Ultra (Gen 2) boast their own responsive control scheme, but they lack the WH-1000xM6’s smart voice functionality.
Audio performance is where the WH-1000xM6 shine brightest. Sony’s suite of proprietary technologies gives them unbeatable wireless sound. The 30mm drivers dish out detailed and dynamic audio. Frequencies are nicely balanced, and being able to tweak them via customizable EQ simplifies sound personalization. Our favorite Sony feature, DSEE, upscales clarity, depth, and fidelity on all tracks, no matter the file or streaming service. LDAC codec support boosts bitrate transmission on Android devices to reveal more depth and nuance in songs.
The QC Ultra (Gen 2) “pick up details well across the spectrum of lows to highs,” as described in our full review. You get an awesome mix of crisp mids and deep bass on contemporary tracks. Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive and Lossless codecs result in CD-like quality over Bluetooth (Android only). There’s an adjustable EQ in the Bose app. Unfortunately, it is nowhere near as advanced as Sony’s EQ. Again, Immersive Audio is magnificent for 3D sound, but the all-new Cinematic Mode is underwhelming; all it does is make background effects louder.
Winner: Sony WH-1000xM6
Webb telescope found a Milky Way lookalike 12 billion light-years away
Researchers have discovered a large, orderly spiral galaxy that formed soon after the Big Bang, when space was only about 1.5 billion years old.
The galaxy, named Alaknanda, appears in observations made by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope as part of major sky surveys. Because the Milky Way lookalike is seen at an extreme distance, its light has traveled for more than 12 billion years to reach Earth. Only recently has telescope technology become powerful enough to spot galaxies with this level of detail from such an early time.
For decades, astronomers believed galaxies in the early universe were too turbulent to settle into neat spiral shapes. Young stars and gas were thought to move chaotically, producing irregular clumps instead of smooth disks and arms. Hubble Space Telescope observations supported this view, as spiral galaxies seemed more scarce beyond about 11 billion years in look-back time.
The discovery raises new questions about how such structures formed so early.
"Alaknanda reveals that the early universe was capable of far more rapid galaxy assembly than we anticipated," said Yogesh Wadadekar, the study's co-author, in a statement. "Somehow, this galaxy managed to pull together 10 billion solar masses of stars and organise them into a beautiful spiral disk in just a few hundred million years. That's extraordinarily fast by cosmic standards, and it compels astronomers to rethink how galaxies form."
SEE ALSO: NASA Mars rover captures crackling lightning. Hear the 'thunder' yourself.Webb’s sharper vision has revealed many disk-shaped galaxies from the early universe, and now, a small but growing number of true spiral galaxies — including Alaknanda — far earlier than predicted by older models. The telescope found CEERS-2112 and REBELS-25, two spiral galaxies, in the early universe in 2023 and 2024, respectively.
The discovery of Alaknanda, made by scientists at the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in India, has been published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics.
The research team was able to see immense detail in Alaknanda with the help of a natural phenomenon known as gravitational lensing. Credit: NASA / ESA / CSA / I. Labbe / R. Bezanson / Alyssa Pagan / Rashi Jain / Yogesh Wadadekar"The physical processes driving galaxy formation — gas accretion, disk settling, and possibly the development of spiral density waves — can operate far more efficiently than current models predict," said Rashi Jain, the lead author, in a statement. "It's forcing us to rethink our theoretical framework."
Alaknanda — named after the Himalayan river that is a twin headstream of the Ganga — spans roughly 32,000 light-years across, comparable to large modern spiral galaxies. It also contains a huge number of stars.
Images show that the galaxy already has a flat, rotating disk with two clear spiral arms with the classic pinwheel shape. These arms appear smooth and symmetrical, earning Alaknanda the label of a "grand-design" spiral galaxy, meaning it has defined arms rather than patchy or broken ones.
Along the spiral arms, scientists observed chains of bright clumps of newborn stars. These clumps look like a string of beads, marking areas where gas has collapsed into dense pockets that ignite new stars. In other views, each string appears as part of a larger spiral arm.
The research team was able to see immense detail in the distant galaxy with the help of a natural phenomenon known as gravitational lensing. A massive galaxy cluster's gravity acts like a giant magnifying glass in the sky, bending and enhancing the light of Alaknanda to appear twice as bright.
Observing Alaknanda across different wavelengths of light allowed scientists to estimate the age of the galaxy's stellar population and found the stars average only about 200 million years old. Credit: NASA GSFC / CIL / Adriana Manrique Gutierrez illustrationTo understand Alaknanda’s history, researchers compared its brightness across 21 different wavelengths of light, spanning ultraviolet to infrared. By matching those measurements to computer models of stellar populations, they estimated that the galaxy’s stars average only about 200 million years old. That means roughly half formed in a rapid burst after the universe was already more than 1 billion years old.
Alaknanda continues to grow quickly. It forms new stars at a rate equal to about 63 suns per year — dozens of times faster than the Milky Way does today. Certain colors of light shine brighter than expected because glowing gas around new stars gives off strong signals, confirming the galaxy’s intense star-forming activity.
Scientists still do not know how spiral arms formed so quickly in these ancient systems. Some theories suggest they arise from slow-moving density patterns inside disks, while others point to gravitational disturbances from nearby galaxies or large clumps of gas. Alaknanda even appears to have a small neighboring galaxy that could have helped trigger its spiral structure, but more evidence is needed to draw that conclusion.
Future observations using Webb’s instruments for measuring motions inside galaxies, along with radio telescopes, could map how Alaknanda’s stars and gas orbit its center. Those data could help determine whether its disk has settled into its final configuration or whether the spiral arms represent a mere phase in its development.
Bobs Burgers creator Loren Bouchard on the evolution of Marshmallow
Sometimes a piece of art comes to you right when you need of it.
That's what "Hope N' Mic Night" was for me. The sixth episode of Bob's Burgers Season 15 aired on November 10, 2024. On its surface, it was a silly episode about the Belcher kids putting together an open mic night at the family's burger joint — because the school's talent show was cancelled for lack of talent. However, when fan favorite Marshmallow (now voiced by Jari Jones) got on the makeshift stage and sang a slowed-down version of "Seabird" while playing the guitar, the episode became about more than musical shenanigans and Tina's love of butts. It was a beacon of hope and reminder of the power of community when I needed both.
I picked the episode as one of the best of 2024. So, when Bob's Burgers creator Loren Bouchard joined me for a Say More interview, I knew I wanted to touch on this episode, and how it displays the cartoon show's evolution — and Marshmallow's too. In the virtual interview, Bouchard shared how the episode came about, and what it meant for Marshmallow.
How Marshmallow went from a one-joke line to a fan favorite on Bob's Burgers.Originally voiced by David Herman, Marshmallow first appeared in Season 1's "Sheesh! Cab, Bob?" as an unexpected guest at Tina's birthday party. There, she made a grand entrance and delivered a solid punchline about how she got her name. ("'Cause if you show me a sweet potato pie, I am on top of it.") Since then, Marshmallow has popped up again and again, cracking Bob's back, supporting the kids' basement casino, and attending every party, from Tina's birthday, to the Bog to Beach parade, and that secret subterranean Christmas rave.
Fans loved her, but also they began to question the casting choice to have a white cis man provide a deep voice for character that's a trans Black woman. Ahead of Season 15, the role of Marshmallow was recast, bringing in Jones, who made her debut in "Hope N' Mic Night."
Bouchard spoke of Marshmallow's development over the seasons, saying, "I don't want to oversimplify and make it sound pat, but we're evolving. As somewhat oblivious cis white males, speaking for myself — we certainly have lots of not-cis-white males working on the show — but we're all evolving and learning. Marshmallow was never, ever intended to be mean [in terms of trans representation].... It was never like, 'Get it? That person is other and different and stupid' or whatever. It was always intended to be loving. But it was a short, sharp introduction of a character."
"Whatever was implied by Marshmallow's incredible life," Bouchard continued, "was not clear [at the start]. It was just a knockout entrance and a great line for how she got her name. And I loved that character. I loved that voice [by Herman] because I'm a dumbass, and I thought it was funny to hear a low voice. And, you know, that has to evolve as we learn and understand more about trans people and just the rich tapestry of human existence."
Alluding to fans' concerns over Marshmallow's original voice casting, he said, "I love that. When we were reminded about representation in casting in general, especially as it pertains to race, then we recast. And then I love that we then found Jari. Jari was the right person. It was so obvious. And then I could have conversations with Jari [about Marshmallow and her voice]... It was a such a reasonable thing to bring to my attention and to help me see that [the deep voice is] not what this character is about. And it's still going to be a funny character when we need it. You know, there's comedy. You don't need to have the low voice. That's not the joke."
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As to why Bouchard thinks Marshmallow caught on with fans, he said, "When you add a character, you're theoretically not just adding the character who's gonna be 'funny.' You're adding a chemical reaction between one of your existing characters and this new character. So it's always the space between the characters. And in Marshmallow's case, Marshmallow was fantastic, but it was Bob's reaction to Marshmallow that made that work on the show."
As Bob puts it, she "comes and goes as she pleases, answers to no one, and is truly free."
Loren Bouchard on the real-world roots of "Hope N' Mic Night."In this Season 15 episode, Louise, Tina, and Gene beg Bob and Linda to let them throw an open mic night. While the kids start promoting the idea around the Wharf, their parents learn how expensive and complicated the planning is for such an event. But before they can balk, Marshmallow stops by the restaurant to sign up. Marshmallow is the reason Bob carries on with the event. And that night, when a pesky fire marshal threatens to shut them down for being over capacity, it's Marshmallow's intervention that saves the show (again) — and the Belchers.
On open mic night, Bob's Burgers is packed, with lots of recurring characters performing kooky cover songs. Then, Marshmallow changes the tone of the episode by singing "Seabird" while playing guitar. She soulfully performs before her parents and her friends, and it's a rendition so beautiful I tear up thinking of it now.
Then, of course, the kids close out the night with a rousing song about butts. Because at its core, Bob's Burgers is always about learning to love yourself, as freaky or quirky as you are.
After confessing that this episode is a favorite of mine because of how it moves me, I asked Bouchard how the episode came about. He responded, "That one is near and dear to me as well. I wrote it with this sort of sandbox approach, like, 'Oh, won't it be fun to have an open mic night?' Like, we just get to have so many musical numbers, and we're going to license all these songs. It'll be our big spend for our music budget."
From there, Bouchard recalled the inspiration for "Hope N' Mic Night" — a humble open mic he attended on vacation with his family. "I had been to one over the summer at this little coffee shop in Cape Cod, and I just was so charmed — so fucking charmed — by these people, putting themselves out there and that urge," he said. "I'm sort of shy. I wish I were that guy who would get up and sing off-key at an open mic night, or this woman who played her flute to a backing track. I'm not even sure if she was possibly in the wrong key, but like, it was still so charming. I was excited to try and give that to Bob's and our kids, and then these side characters."
At this point in Season 15's development, Jones had been cast to take up the mantle of Marshmallow. Bouchard explained, "And it was one text to Jari Jones… We'd been looking for Marshmallow opportunities. And I said, 'Can you sing?' And she said, 'Yes.' And I was like, 'How would you like to do a cover of something?'"
Bouchard hadn't yet figured out what the song would be, but he knew it had to be a "big moment." He continued, "We started looking for the song, and that was another whole journey... We looked at a lot of stuff, but when we really were at the deadline, 'Seabird' emerged. It's been on my radar since I saw it in the end credits of Hunt for the Wilderpeople. And it blew me away.
"I didn't know if it was a current song, if it was an old song, which it turns out it is. I had never heard it before, and I just found it so charming. The Alessi Brothers, I had never heard of them. But then ['Seabird'] became part of regular rotation in my house, my wife and I singing it to the point where our kids wanted to actually ban it. They said we weren't allowed to play it anymore because we had, like, worn it out, I guess.
"Anyway, then it was like, 'Oh my God, yes.' 'Seabird' slowed down. Guitar and voice. Chris Maxwell, who's one of our composers, played that guitar lick. And I just love it so much. And Jari killed it, just crushed it. It was one of those vocal sessions where you're crying. You can't believe your luck that you get to record a performance like that. I think we did two takes. That's it. It was perfect."
At this point, I teared up recounting how this episode made me feel the hope that comes from community. Bouchard replied, "Me too. I mean, that's what it was intended to do. And then Marshmallow delivered, you know, just delivered as a character. Jari as a performer, Chris as a guitarist, that song, everything came together. And that's why we do this."
He concluded, "You live for those moments doing a show like this, when it all comes together like that. We've had a few of them and boy, oh boy, it means everything to hear you say that, because it's why we do this."
For more from Mashable's interview with Loren Bouchard, watch the full Say More episode on YouTube.
How to watch Ohio State vs. Indiana online for free
It’s been a big couple of days for college football. Indeed, Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Indiana Hoosiers this evening — played concurrently with Virginia vs. Duke — rounds off two days of conference championship action. But Ohio State vs. Indiana, the Big Ten Conference Championship Game, is the toughest game to call.
Ohio State and Indiana are ranked No. 1 and No. 2 respectively, and both teams are undefeated this season with a record of 12-0. This isn’t just a battle for the Big Ten title, it’s also a battle for the College Football Playoff's top seed.
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If you want to watch Ohio State vs. Indiana for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Ohio State vs. Indiana?Ohio State vs. Indiana takes place at 8 p.m. ET on Dec. 6. This game takes place at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Ohio State vs. Indiana is broadcast on FOX.
How to watch college football in 2025/26Fans can live stream college football on a wide range of recommended platforms, some of which include free trials, allowing you to follow the action without actually spending anything.
ESPN Unlimited (no free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: ESPN ESPN Unlimited $29.99 per month for 1 year Shop NowChannels: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPN on ABC, ESPN+, ESPN3, SECN+, and ACCNX
ESPN Unlimited provides access to everything that ESPN has to offer. For college football, you will find live access to games on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+, SEC Network, SECN+, ACC Network, and ABC. The Unlimited plan will cost you $29.99 per month, but for the first year, new subscribers can also secure a bundle with Disney+ and Hulu for the same price.
Fox One (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Fox One Fox One 7-day free trial, then $199.99 per year Shop NowChannels: Fox, FS1, FS2, Big Ten Network
Fox One provides access to live broadcasts on Fox, Fox Sports, FS1, FS2, and Big Ten Network. It costs just $19.99 per month, and you can also save $40 by opting for the annual plan at $199.99. You can kickoff with a seven-day free trial, so you've got the chance to watch select games without spending anything.
FuboTV (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV 7-day free trial, then $54.99/month for 1 month Shop NowChannels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, Fox, FS1, FS2, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NBCSN, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network, and The CW
FuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and provides the opportunity to watch on 10 screens at once, if that's your thing. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
Fubo takes sports seriously, which we appreciate. With the Pro subscription, you get access to most college football broadcasts. But hardcore fans may want to consider upgrading to Fubo's Elite plan, which unlocks access to ESPNU, SEC Network, Pac-12 Network, and ACC Network. Either way, we suggest you test the waters for seven days before you make any sort of commitment.
Hulu + Live TV (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu + Live TV 3-day free trial, then $76.99/month Shop NowChannels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, ESPN U, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, and The CW
Hulu + Live TV certainly isn't cheap, but it does offer plenty of bang for your buck. You'll have to cough up $76.99 per month (after a three-day trial), but you get access to over 95 live TV channels, plus Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ (all with ads). The included access to ESPN+ provides bonus access to even more college football games on top of live TV networks like ABC, FOX, ESPN, The CW, ACC Network, and more. Now that's value.
Sling (no free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Season Pass $329 for 5 months Shop NowChannels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN 3, ESPNews, ESPN U, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network
Sling is a comprehensive sporting service that offers a wide range of benefits, but you will need to be careful when selecting your plan. The Orange and Blue packages give you access to FOX, NBC, ABC, ESPN, and more in local markets, but for access to ACC Network, SEC Network, Big Ten Network, and more, you'll need the Sports Extra package. We recommend checking your local market to ensure you get access to the channels you actually want.
YouTube TV (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV 7-day free trial, then $49.99/month for your first 3 months Shop NowChannels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, NBCSN, SEC Network, and The CW
YouTube TV gives you access to more than 100 live channels. That's a whole lotta content. This huge list includes most of the channels you actually need to watch live college football, including NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, and ESPN, plus networks like FS1 and SEC Network. YouTube TV also offers that all-important free trial so you can watch select games without spending anything.
How to watch Ohio State vs. Indiana from anywhere in the worldIf you're outside the U.S. for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to unblock your favorite streaming service. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the U.S., allowing you to unblock live streams of college football from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Ohio State vs. Indiana from anywhere in the world by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.
Sign in to your favorite streaming service
Watch Ohio State vs. Indiana from anywhere in the world
ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including the U.S.
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free. That means 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (which includes a money-back guarantee).
Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get DealHow to watch Georgia vs. Alabama online for free
The conference championship action continues with today’s college football. And this one’s a particularly intriguing encounter, as the Georgia Bulldogs and Alabama Crimson Tide battle it out in the Southeastern Conference Championship Game.
The odds are in Georgia’s favour. At 11-1 overall this season, they sit third in the rankings. That means win or lose in this SEC Championship game, they’ll get an automatic bid to the College Football Playoffs. In other words, the pressure is somewhat off — though they still won’t want to lose this game.
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If you want to watch Georgia vs. Alabama for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Georgia vs. Alabama?Georgia vs. Alabama takes place at 4 p.m. ET on Dec. 6. This game takes place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Georgia vs. Alabama is broadcast on ABC.
How to watch college football in 2025/26Fans can live stream college football on a wide range of recommended platforms, some of which include free trials, allowing you to follow the action without actually spending anything.
ESPN Unlimited (no free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: ESPN ESPN Unlimited $29.99 per month for 1 year Shop NowChannels: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPN on ABC, ESPN+, ESPN3, SECN+, and ACCNX
ESPN Unlimited provides access to everything that ESPN has to offer. For college football, you will find live access to games on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+, SEC Network, SECN+, ACC Network, and ABC. The Unlimited plan will cost you $29.99 per month, but for the first year, new subscribers can also secure a bundle with Disney+ and Hulu for the same price.
Fox One (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Fox One Fox One 7-day free trial, then $199.99 per year Shop NowChannels: Fox, FS1, FS2, Big Ten Network
Fox One provides access to live broadcasts on Fox, Fox Sports, FS1, FS2, and Big Ten Network. It costs just $19.99 per month, and you can also save $40 by opting for the annual plan at $199.99. You can kickoff with a seven-day free trial, so you've got the chance to watch select games without spending anything.
FuboTV (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV 7-day free trial, then $54.99/month for 1 month Shop NowChannels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, Fox, FS1, FS2, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NBCSN, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network, and The CW
FuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and provides the opportunity to watch on 10 screens at once, if that's your thing. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
Fubo takes sports seriously, which we appreciate. With the Pro subscription, you get access to most college football broadcasts. But hardcore fans may want to consider upgrading to Fubo's Elite plan, which unlocks access to ESPNU, SEC Network, Pac-12 Network, and ACC Network. Either way, we suggest you test the waters for seven days before you make any sort of commitment.
Hulu + Live TV (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu + Live TV 3-day free trial, then $76.99/month Shop NowChannels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, ESPN U, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, and The CW
Hulu + Live TV certainly isn't cheap, but it does offer plenty of bang for your buck. You'll have to cough up $76.99 per month (after a three-day trial), but you get access to over 95 live TV channels, plus Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ (all with ads). The included access to ESPN+ provides bonus access to even more college football games on top of live TV networks like ABC, FOX, ESPN, The CW, ACC Network, and more. Now that's value.
Sling (no free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Season Pass $329 for 5 months Shop NowChannels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN 3, ESPNews, ESPN U, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network
Sling is a comprehensive sporting service that offers a wide range of benefits, but you will need to be careful when selecting your plan. The Orange and Blue packages give you access to FOX, NBC, ABC, ESPN, and more in local markets, but for access to ACC Network, SEC Network, Big Ten Network, and more, you'll need the Sports Extra package. We recommend checking your local market to ensure you get access to the channels you actually want.
YouTube TV (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV 7-day free trial, then $49.99/month for your first 3 months Shop NowChannels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, NBCSN, SEC Network, and The CW
YouTube TV gives you access to more than 100 live channels. That's a whole lotta content. This huge list includes most of the channels you actually need to watch live college football, including NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, and ESPN, plus networks like FS1 and SEC Network. YouTube TV also offers that all-important free trial so you can watch select games without spending anything.
How to watch Georgia vs. Alabama from anywhere in the worldIf you're outside the U.S. for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to unblock your favorite streaming service. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the U.S., allowing you to unblock live streams of college football from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Georgia vs. Alabama from anywhere in the world by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.
Sign in to your favorite streaming service
Watch Georgia vs. Alabama from anywhere in the world
ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including the U.S.
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free. That means 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (which includes a money-back guarantee).
Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get DealHow to watch BYU vs. Texas Tech online for free
The pressure is on the BYU Cougars as they face the Texas Tech Red Raiders in this week’s college football championship action.
Texas Tech look like the favorites to win this Big 12 Conference Championship Game, with an overall record of 11-1 and a five-match winning streak. They’re currently ranked at No. 4, which would mean an automatic bid for the College Football Playoffs if they can beat the Cougars at the AT&T Stadium. BYU are also 11-1 but their form isn’t quite as good thanks to a heavy loss to Texas Tech already this season. It’s up to BYU to defy expectations and beat Texas Tech to secure that automatic bid — otherwise they’ll likely miss out on the CFP.
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!They’ll be looking to join fellow Power Four team Virginia Cavaliers in the CFP, should Virginia win their championship game against the Duke Blue Devils later today.
If you want to watch BYU vs. Texas Tech for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is BYU vs. Texas Tech?BYU vs. Texas Tech takes place at 12 p.m. ET on Dec. 6. This game takes place at AT&T Stadium.
BYU vs. Texas Tech is broadcast on ABC.
How to watch college football in 2025/26Fans can live stream college football on a wide range of recommended platforms, some of which include free trials, allowing you to follow the action without actually spending anything.
ESPN Unlimited (no free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: ESPN ESPN Unlimited $29.99 per month for 1 year Shop NowChannels: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPN on ABC, ESPN+, ESPN3, SECN+, and ACCNX
ESPN Unlimited provides access to everything that ESPN has to offer. For college football, you will find live access to games on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+, SEC Network, SECN+, ACC Network, and ABC. The Unlimited plan will cost you $29.99 per month, but for the first year, new subscribers can also secure a bundle with Disney+ and Hulu for the same price.
Fox One (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Fox One Fox One 7-day free trial, then $199.99 per year Shop NowChannels: Fox, FS1, FS2, Big Ten Network
Fox One provides access to live broadcasts on Fox, Fox Sports, FS1, FS2, and Big Ten Network. It costs just $19.99 per month, and you can also save $40 by opting for the annual plan at $199.99. You can kickoff with a seven-day free trial, so you've got the chance to watch select games without spending anything.
FuboTV (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV 7-day free trial, then $54.99/month for 1 month Shop NowChannels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, Fox, FS1, FS2, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NBCSN, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network, and The CW
FuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and provides the opportunity to watch on 10 screens at once, if that's your thing. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
Fubo takes sports seriously, which we appreciate. With the Pro subscription, you get access to most college football broadcasts. But hardcore fans may want to consider upgrading to Fubo's Elite plan, which unlocks access to ESPNU, SEC Network, Pac-12 Network, and ACC Network. Either way, we suggest you test the waters for seven days before you make any sort of commitment.
Hulu + Live TV (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu + Live TV 3-day free trial, then $76.99/month Shop NowChannels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, ESPN U, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, and The CW
Hulu + Live TV certainly isn't cheap, but it does offer plenty of bang for your buck. You'll have to cough up $76.99 per month (after a three-day trial), but you get access to over 95 live TV channels, plus Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ (all with ads). The included access to ESPN+ provides bonus access to even more college football games on top of live TV networks like ABC, FOX, ESPN, The CW, ACC Network, and more. Now that's value.
Sling (no free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Season Pass $329 for 5 months Shop NowChannels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN 3, ESPNews, ESPN U, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network
Sling is a comprehensive sporting service that offers a wide range of benefits, but you will need to be careful when selecting your plan. The Orange and Blue packages give you access to FOX, NBC, ABC, ESPN, and more in local markets, but for access to ACC Network, SEC Network, Big Ten Network, and more, you'll need the Sports Extra package. We recommend checking your local market to ensure you get access to the channels you actually want.
YouTube TV (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV 7-day free trial, then $49.99/month for your first 3 months Shop NowChannels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, NBCSN, SEC Network, and The CW
YouTube TV gives you access to more than 100 live channels. That's a whole lotta content. This huge list includes most of the channels you actually need to watch live college football, including NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, and ESPN, plus networks like FS1 and SEC Network. YouTube TV also offers that all-important free trial so you can watch select games without spending anything.
How to watch BYU vs. Texas Tech from anywhere in the worldIf you're outside the U.S. for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to unblock your favorite streaming service. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the U.S., allowing you to unblock live streams of college football from anywhere in the world.
Live stream BYU vs. Texas Tech from anywhere in the world by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.
Sign in to your favorite streaming service
Watch BYU vs. Texas Tech from anywhere in the world
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A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free. That means 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (which includes a money-back guarantee).
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How to watch Duke vs. Virginia online for free
College football promises major drama across the conference championship games this weekend. One to keep an eye on is Duke Blues Devils vs. Virginia Cavaliers for the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship.
This game guarantees a first-time ACC Championship Game winner no matter who wins. Neither program has won the Championship Game since it was introduced almost 20 years ago — but there's also a CFP automatic bid up for grabs if Virginia get the win. Virginia has already beaten Duke this season but don't count the Blue Devils out just yet — they're coming off a two-game winning streak.
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!There's been a lot of talk around the implications for the ACC following yesterday's Sun Belt Championship contest. However it plays out, this is a game not to miss.
If you want to watch Duke vs. Virginia for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Duke vs. Virginia?Duke vs. Virginia takes place at 8 p.m. ET on Dec. 6. This game takes place at the Bank of America Stadium.
Duke vs. Virginia is broadcast on ABC.
How to watch college football in 2025/26Fans can live stream college football on a wide range of recommended services, some of which include free trials so you can follow the action without actually spending anything.
ESPN Unlimited (no free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: ESPN ESPN Unlimited $29.99 per month for 1 year Shop NowChannels: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPN on ABC, ESPN+, ESPN3, SECN+, and ACCNX
ESPN Unlimited provides access to everything that ESPN has to offer. For college football, you get live access to games on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+, SEC Network, SECN+, ACC Network, and ABC. The Unlimited plan will set you back $29.99 per month, but for the first year, new subscribers can secure a bundle with Disney+ and Hulu for the same price.
Fox One (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Fox One Fox One 7-day free trial, then $199.99 per year Shop NowChannels: Fox, FS1, FS2, Big Ten Network
Fox One provides access to live broadcasts on Fox, Fox Sports, FS1, FS2, and Big Ten Network. It costs $19.99 per month, but you can save $40 by opting for the annual plan at $199.99. You can also start with a seven-day free trial, so you've got the chance to watch select games without spending anything.
FuboTV (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV 7-day free trial, then $54.99/month for 1 month Shop NowChannels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, Fox, FS1, FS2, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NBCSN, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network, and The CW
FuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and provides the opportunity to watch on 10 screens at once, if that's your thing. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
Fubo takes sports seriously, and that's something we appreciate. With the Pro subscription, you get access to most college football broadcasts. But hardcore fans may want to consider upgrading to the Elite plan, which unlocks access to ESPNU, SEC Network, Pac-12 Network, and ACC Network. Either way, we suggest you test the waters for seven days before you make any sort of commitment.
Hulu + Live TV (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu + Live TV 3-day free trial, then $76.99/month Shop NowChannels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, ESPN U, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, and The CW
Hulu + Live TV is not exactly cheap, but it does offer good bang for your buck. You need to cough up $76.99 per month (after a three-day trial), but you get access to over 95 live TV channels, plus Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ (all with ads). The included access to ESPN+ provides bonus access to even more college football games on top of live TV networks like ABC, FOX, ESPN, The CW, ACC Network, and more. Now that's value.
Sling (no free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Season Pass $329 for 5 months Shop NowChannels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN 3, ESPNews, ESPN U, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network
Sling is a comprehensive sporting service that offers a whole host of benefits, but you do need to be careful when selecting a plan. The Orange and Blue packages give you access to FOX, NBC, ABC, ESPN, and more in local markets, but for access to ACC Network, SEC Network, Big Ten Network, and more, you'll need the Sports Extra package. We recommend checking your local market to ensure you get access to the channels you actually need.
YouTube TV (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV 7-day free trial, then $49.99/month for your first 3 months Shop NowChannels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, NBCSN, SEC Network, and The CW
YouTube TV provides access to over 100 live channels. Newsflash: that's a lot. This huge list includes most of the channels you actually need to watch live college football, including NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, and ESPN, plus networks like FS1 and SEC Network. YouTube TV also offers that all-important free trial so you can watch select games without spending anything.
How to watch Duke vs. Virginia from anywhere in the worldIf you're abroad for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to unblock your favorite streaming service. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the U.S., meaning you can unblock live streams of college football from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Duke vs. Virginia from anywhere in the world by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.
Sign in to your favorite streaming service
Watch Duke vs. Virginia from anywhere in the world
ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including the U.S.
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).
Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get DealA history of nudes, from sculptures to Snapchat
The need to render the nude form has dominated human expression for centuries. In Western art history, one of the oldest known interpretations of a naked body is the Venus of Willendorf, possibly dating back to around 24,000 BCE. Later, we saw the mosaic art of Narcissus, enamored by his own member in a second-century latrine. Centuries down the line, in the early Renaissance, Italy's obsession with nudes included Michelangelo's David and Manet's controversial Olympia, featuring a real woman and not a mythical figure.
As time moved onto Snapchatting genitals to a possible love interest you swiped right on, our fascination with the human body remains a constant drumbeat of society. It has also become more accessible, particularly over the last few decades, with the rise of smartphones and social media. As many as eight out of 10 adults share intimate content, including nudes, with each other, 2024 research shows.
SEE ALSO: Taking nudes is an art. Here's how to create a masterpiece.We've collected the history of the nude, from sculpture to oil paintings, and from cam-chat to Snapchat. But more importantly, we're diving into why, through history, we're prepared to send nudes in whatever form we can.
The first nudes sentNudes are often not sent in isolation. Nowadays, at least, they're accompanied by an explicit text or as a result of an exchange on our phones or in person.
People have been exchanging illicit letters for a long time, largely from married women writing to unmarried men in court, according to Dr. Eleanor Janega, historian, broadcaster, and author specialising in the medieval period. Few of these survive, as many were destroyed or censored from history, according to The Lost Love Letters of Heloise and Abelard Perceptions of Dialogue in Twelfth-Century France, which documents some remaining letters.
These exchanges were further limited by who was able to send these, thanks to the illiteracy rates of the Middle Ages; few men and hardly any women could write. Portraits were exchanged before arranged marriages were agreed upon, but these did not feature nudity and served to solely convey the appearance of the subject.
"People faced similar issues when sending nudes in the medieval period, because you would need someone to paint or draw you nude, which would be massively expensive," says Janega.
"Moreover, at the time nudes are, in general, formulaic. People expect a nude to look a particular way, reflecting an idealised form, rather than to be a theoretical 'realistic' portrayal of a person." This, likely being due to the nude form being interpreted as the imperfect and mortal form of humanity, a sentiment that has been felt through time, however not one equally felt across genders — with Ancient Greek sculptures and art more often than not featuring a nude male form, but not female — and if art did feature women, it was likely a depiction of a god and treated demurely, associated with shame rather than a heroic figure.
Nudes in the modern eraThe "modern" sending of nudes, as in the conveying of a visual form of our own body, can date back around 200 years to American portrait artist Sarah Goodridge. As Goodridge worked on a commission for a new member of the United States House of Representatives, Daniel Webster, the two began exchanging romantic letters — some of which remain to this day.
In 1828, Goodridge painted her bare breasts surrounded by white cloth on a small canvas, only 2.6 by 3.1 inches. Intended for Webster's eyes only, as many miniature portraits were, it remained in his family until the 1980s. Little fanfare was made of the discovery of this piece after Webster's death, with scholars noting it was likely kept out of sight and off of inventories due to being deemed inappropriate for public viewing. Now, Goodridge's seemingly untitled work, now known as Beauty Revealed, is now owned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
Goodridge's private revolutionary act can now be seen as an innovative moment in human sexuality, experts note. By this point, society began to see, as Janega says, "a bunch of rich people with time on their hands who can paint, which means it is only a matter of time before they begin sending nudes as a form of flirtation. You cannot teach generations of people to paint artistic nudes and expect them to use these abilities solely for depicting the rape of Leda," referencing the famed myth of a Spartan queen assaulted by Zeus, King of Gods, bearing his twins.
Beyond this, taking part in the arts institutionally was restricted to men. For instance, the Royal Academy admitted its first woman, Laura Herford, in 1860, and only because her initials were submitted.
Self-portraiture allowed Goodridge to take control of her presentation of nudity, as it has enabled women to control their presentation to the world, and the narrative placed onto women and femininity. Like Goodridge's radical act, many artists have changed the way women are viewed through their artwork, which was celebrated by the National Portrait Gallery in London in a 2024 exhibition.
Goodridge's romantic gesture lives on, though it required significantly more time and effort to create than a photograph taken on a phone. Still, the importance of this moment can't be underestimated: a visual form of nude form was becoming more accessible than it had been before.
The photographed nudeWith the innovation of photography in 1839, our approach to the nude form began to shift, with a pioneer of photography, Hippolyte Bayard, taking a naked self-portrait in 1840. As photography boomed, so did nudes.
Other 19th-century nude photography remains famed, including those taken by Nadar between 1860 and 1861, often used as studies for paintings. One of his models, Marie-Christine Leroux, went on to pose for many famed artists.
Naked photography would also be included in journals like National Geographic, with white explorers documenting indigenous people encountered around the world — a past the publication is reckoning with.. These images were often taken and printed without consent.
Later, after World War I, nude photography came into its own, with less imitation of paintings and sculptures and more stylized pieces, such as Edward Weston's Nude taken in 1936. Others used photography as a means of insight into hidden lives, such as in Diane Arbus' Retired man and his wife at home in a nudist camp one morning, N.J or to recapture idealized moments of youth, like in Larry Clark's Teenage Lust series, taken in the early 1970s.
With the arrival of the millennium, personal cameras became more ubiquitous, with sales of camera phones reaching 18 million in 2002, 257 million in 2004, and up to 1.24 billion shipments in 2024. The rise of the smartphone spelled a crash for camera sales: camera shipments worldwide dropped by 94 percent between 2010 and 2023.
Smart devices and the ability to instant message revolutionised our approach to sexuality, beginning the era of sexting and cam chats. Sending nudes and explicit messages may have spelled the death of previous forms of interaction. Namely, this means of the love letter, a loss Vogue lamented, along with phone calls, back in 2014, with many seeing the new digital frontier of sexuality as less romantic, and more explicit (not necessarily true, especially if we remember curse-laden love letters written by James Joyce), and intimidating.
When does art become pornography?Galleries around the world host pieces showcasing the naked form — but at which point does this transform from being something considered worthy of value, of public importance, to something considered explicit?
"Boundaries between art and pornography have become increasingly blurred," says Freya Gowrley, art historian at the University of Bristol. She points to Pornhub's Classic Nude project, an interactive online experience, launched in 2021 when access to galleries was still limited. The exhibition offered a virtual tour of 30 famous nude artworks through history, from Paul Cézanne's Bathers to Gustave Courbet's L’Origine du Monde, with pornographic videos inspired by these pieces.
"Unsurprisingly, several of the big museums objected to their work being used in this context," Gowrley says, with some, like the Louvre, threatening legal action for unauthorised usage of these artworks. However, others noted that the use of various artworks is often left unchallenged, including on sites such as Etsy, which similarly offers a commercial benefit to the redistributor, indicating that moral concerns may have been the root of the concern.
The project also raised interesting questions about the line between art and porn, Gowrley says. "Why is Sarah Goodridge's 'selfie' painting any more artistic than something snapped on an iPhone, or produced in a studio?"
Gowrley compares these to artist Jeff Koons' Made in Heaven series in the late '80s, early '90s, depicting his naked form engaging in sexual acts with his then-wife Ilona Staller, famed for her work in pornography.
"Moving these images into the gallery space transformed them into art, but does that mean that they are no longer illicit images?" she says.
Why is Sarah Goodridge's "selfie" painting any more artistic than something snapped on an iPhone, or produced in a studio? - Art historian Freya GowrleyThis question has also been the subject of online debate, following the establishment of FOSTA/SESTA in the U.S. in 2018. The laws, in theory, were meant to curb online sex trafficking, but in practice, large social media sites began deplatforming online sex workers. (Multiple studies show this made sex workers less safe.) Beyond that, artists, including erotic and LGBTQ artists, sometimes find themselves banned or shadowbanned (unable to be discovered) from platforms like Instagram, even though their posts are artistic and not pornographic. Then again, that line is different depending on who you ask.
Advancements in technology rapidly increased our access to the nude form — and sharing our own.
Why do we love to send nudes?With smartphones, pretty much everyone with an internet connection has the ability to take, send, and receive nude photographs across various apps and platforms. Many people take advantage. Sending nudes on the gay hookup app Grindr, for instance, has become commonplace for queer men. There are even features baked in to protect photographs now, and blogs on Grindr's site referring to the app as a "digital dark room."
Meanwhile, intimate photos make the rounds on Reddit in various 'gone wild' subreddits, leading to other explicit exchanges. Research shows that people who perceive their own attractiveness are more likely to post nudes on Reddit, although they are unlikely to feel high self-esteem at the same time.
Another study shows that sending nude content often takes place in the context of committed relationships, as a form of expressing and experiencing sexual desires.
But why do we want to?
We send nudes "because it's basically a form of foreplay, that kind of is a sexual act in itself," says Gigi Engle, author of Kink Curious and resident kink and sex expert for sex-positive community JOYclub.
SEE ALSO: Dating app launches feature to ask whether users want to see nudes"I think we play sex on this hierarchy [that] penetrative sex is the most legitimate form, and that's just not really true. Sending sexy pictures is very titillating. It gets us excited."
"I think that sending nudes can be like writing a modern love letter; intimate, exciting, and affirming. But it only works if it's something you want to do, the other person wants to receive it, and both of you understand the risks," says Impola.
"People like to see those kinds of sexy pictures, that's why we're sending them up. I think there's also an element of people sending them in the heat of the moment without really thinking through some of the repercussions that could happen," Engle suggests.
The risks of digital intimacyA 2022 survey shows that 80 percent of participants who have sent an intimate photo of themselves to another worry that it will be acquired by someone else, with 86 percent of men who have received an intimate photo saving it to their device, and 79 percent of women. The famed 2014 leak of celebrity nudes left a lasting legacy; our phones aren't as secure as we had been led to believe. (Mashable has a guide on safely storing nude images.)
Cyberflashing, a form of indecent exposure taking place digitally, became a crime in the UK in 2024. Despite this, many people have experienced receiving explicit images nonconsensually. YouGov research in the UK released last year revealed that 55 percent of women under-40 surveyed who can recall the first time they received an unsolicited sexual image say they were under 16 when this occurred.
Where are we now?This year, the UK's age verification law, requiring proof of age to visit websites containing explicit content (and in some cases, non-explicit sites like YouTube) came into effect. Reactions have been mixed, as requiring verification can be seen as infringing upon privacy, or simply dodged with a VPN (or images from a video game).
Political divides are opening up between young men and women in the UK and U.S., and it's possible these changing attitudes could impact sexual behaviour in the digital landscape. It's hard to know what's to come next, but looking back over history? It's clear that we all find ourselves longing to be with, see, or interact with another.
Our digital lives are only expanding, so we'll likely be sending nudes for the foreseeable future, even if our attitudes toward it change.
The 60+ best Christmas gifts for 2025: Find unique gift ideas youd never think of on your own
Ready or not, the holiday shopping season is underway. Choosing the best Christmas gifts for the ones you love is either an epic quest that you look forward to every year — or one you dread. Luckily, we spend our days testing all the latest gadgets and gear, and we know exactly what to recommend.
For 2025, our Christmas wishlist is simple: It's all of the awesome stuff we loved the most this year. That includes the newest gadgets we put to the test every week, the swoonworthy items we just had to take home and keep for ourselves, and some classic all-time favorites. With input from Mashable's own tech reporters and shopping editors, every item on our list is something we use, love, or have gifted to others ourselves.
So whether you're searching for Christmas gifts for your mom and dad, or just in need of good stocking stuffers, this may truly be the only Christmas gift guide you'll need.
Best Christmas gift of the year: Nintendo Switch 2 Credit: Joe Maldonado / MashableThe new Nintendo console was beloved by reviewer Alex Perry, who wrote that the new release is "a fabulous follow-up to an all-time legend" and that he "can't stop playing" the handheld gaming device. The Nintendo Switch 2 is also a Mashable Choice product, thanks in large part to "massively improved system software" and "wonderful online social features with GameChat."
Opens in a new window Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable Nintendo Switch 2 $449.99 at Best BuyShop Now Best Christmas gifts for book lovers: Kindle Paperwhite Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
"I love mine so much, and I think it's the best thing I've ever bought," says Deputy Shopping Editor Miller Kern. The Kindle Paperwhite is well-loved across much of Mashable, in fact, and was given a coveted Mashable Choice award for "its responsive interface, quick-turning pages, and lightweight design." Read the full review of the Kindle Paperwhite.
Kindle Paperwhite $159.99 at AmazonShop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Best Buy Best Christmas gifts for music lovers: Retro-tech CD players Credit: syitren
Retro tech, like this portable Bluetooth CD player, is one of the big tech trends of the year. Whether you're shopping for a Gen Xer longing for the glory days of their youth or a Gen Alpha teen who loves old-school iPods, disposable cameras, and CDs, this gadget has something for everyone. While you can plug in wired headphones, it's also a Bluetooth device, so you can listen to CDs with your favorite wireless headphones, too. Plus, it just looks really, really cool.
Opens in a new window Credit: Retratech Retradisc Portable Bluetooth CD Player $99 at MOMA Design StoreShop Now Best Lego Christmas gifts: The Lego Game Boy Credit: Lego
Speaking of retro nostalgia... We geeked out over the Lego Super Mario Game Boy when it was first announced over the summer, and after building it ourselves, it earned a spot in our guide to the best Christmas gifts for men. Though you can't actually play games on this model, just think how cool it would look on a desk or bookshelf.
Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Super Mario Game Boy Building Set $59 at AmazonGet Deal The best stocking stuffers: Charming electric hand warmers Credit: Orastone
These rechargeable electric hand warmers come personally recommended by Mashable's tech editor, who's been slipping them into Christmas stockings for years. They have a cute design and built-in flashlight, but most importantly, they keep your hands and fingers nice and toasty even in the bitter cold. If you still need to find gifts under $25 for a White Elephant or Secret Santa gift exchange, we promise these will be popular.
Opens in a new window Credit: Orastone Orastone Electric Hand Warmers $17.99 at Amazon$29.99 Save $12 Get Deal The best Christmas gift for Apple users: Apple AirPods Pro 3 Credit: CNET
Apple finally refreshed its AirPods Pro line this year, and it was well worth the wait. The new AirPods Pro 3 have incredible ANC and a much-improved fit. Our reviewer says they're also more comfortable, and the heart-rate monitoring and other upgrades set them apart from most other wireless earbuds. We expect these new earbuds to top a lot of Christmas wishlists in 2025.
Opens in a new window Credit: apple Apple AirPods Pro 3 $249 at AmazonGet Deal The best headphones to give as a gift: Sony XM6 Headphones Credit: Alex Humphreys / Mashable
We loved the new flagship Sony headphones, and our appreciation has only grown since the release. "If you want best-in-class noise-cancelling headphones and pristine audio quality, the headphones deliver," our tech editor wrote in his review. With some of the best ANC in the industry and an improved folding design, we expect these cans to top many Christmas wishlists in 2025.
Of course, if the Sony XM6 headphones are out of your price range, we also highly recommend the Sony XM5 headphones and the Bose QuietComfort headphones, both of which offer a long battery life, comfy fit, and top-notch ANC.
Sony XM6 Headphones $428 at Amazon$459.99 Save $31.99 Shop Now at Amazon Best Christmas gifts for young kids: Toniebox players Credit: Toniebox
The kid-famous Toniebox is a favorite of the parents on the Mashable team. Whether you're shopping for your own kids or trying to earn a reputation as the cool aunt or uncle, kids and parents alike love these screen-free storytelling devices. And if your tyke already has a Toniebox, they can always use more Tonies — the little figures you put on top of the device to activate a new storytime.
Opens in a new window Credit: Toniebox Toniebox Starter Kit $79.99 at Amazon$89.99 Save $10 Get Deal Best Christmas gifts for parents: Bird Buddy Credit: Bird Buddy
This might actually be the best ever Christmas gift for dads (or anyone in charge of refilling the backyard bird feeder). Here's why: This Mashable-tested smart bird feeder has a built-in camera that takes birdwatching to a whole new level. The compatible app even includes AI-powered bird identification, a livestream, and alerts for when there's a visitor on the feeder. We're obsessed, and we have a feeling your dad will be too.
Bird Buddy Smart Feeder Pro $189 at Amazon$299 Save $110 Shop Now at Amazon The best Christmas gifts for grandparents: A digital picture frame Credit: Aura
If your family is spread out in different states, then a digital picture frame lets mom, dad, or your grandparents keep track of the entire family — no matter where they are. Everyone in the family can add new pictures, and the picture frame shows a slideshow of your latest adventures. We love these devices, particularly as Christmas gifts, and the popular Aura Digital Picture Frame is one of the best.
Opens in a new window Credit: Aura Aura Digital Picture Frame, 10.1 inches $139 at Amazon$179 Save $40 Get Deal Best tech stocking stuffer: Anker Nano MagSafe power bank Credit: Anker
This ultra-thin Anker powerbank attaches to your phone magnetically. It's also Qi2-certified, which means it will charger your phone faster and more efficiently. Don't overthink this one — just add it to your family's stockings.
Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Nano MagSafe Power bank $34.99 at Amazon$59.99 Save $25 Get Deal Best unique gift for men: The ultimate fire poker Credit: Breeo
You may have heard of Breeo, the popular smokeless fire pit brand. Breeo makes premium, Made in the USA fire pits that can provide endless entertainment, and they're some of the best Christmas gifts for men. However, if you're looking for unique gifts for men, consider the Breeo Heavy Duty Fire Poker. This steel fire poker has the feel and heft of a harpoon, and it can shift logs around until you have the perfect blaze.
Opens in a new window Credit: Breeo Breeo Smokeless Fire Pit (X Series 19) $339.15 at Amazon$399 Save $59.85 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Breeo Breeo Heavy-Duty Fire Pit Poker $58.50 at Amazon
$69 Save $10.50 Get Deal Best unique gift for women: Catbird Sweet Heart Birthstone Charm Credit: Catbird
Catbird is a Brooklyn-based jewelry studio with a unique style that has made it famous around the world. Catbird jewelry has an ornate, sometimes dainty style that's often imitated these days. For Christmas 2025, we like the brand's Birthstone Charms, which she can add to a necklace or bracelet. (Bonus points if you get a gold chain to go with it.) Jewelry gifts can be expensive, but this reasonably priced gift is sure to bring a smile to her face.
Opens in a new window Credit: Catbird Catbird Sweet Heart Birthstone Charm $198 at CatbirdGet Deal Best Christmas gifts for gamers: A handheld gaming console Credit: Matt Fornwald / Mashable
Handheld gaming consoles are becoming really popular, and you can find options that span the pricing spectrum. If you're looking to spare no expense and make a gamer's Christmas dreams come true, then you'll want to invest in the newly released ROG Xbox Ally X, which puts an Xbox console in the palm of your hand. Of course, if the $1,000 price tag is out of reach, then consider the Retropian Color, a Game Boy-style handheld that can play classic Nintendo 64 games like Super Mario 64. The best part? It only costs $80.
Opens in a new window Credit: Asus / Microsoft ROG Xbox Ally X Gaming Handheld Console $999.99 at Best BuyGet Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Retropian Retropian Color Handheld Retro Gaming Console $80 at Huckberry
Get Deal Best gift for audiophiles: Panasonic Technics AZ100 Earbuds Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable
For audiophiles and music lovers, no other earbuds come close to matching the Panasonic Technics AZ100 wireless earbuds. Another recommendation from our tech editor, these wireless earbuds are a Mashable Choice award winner and "easily beat the likes of Sony and Bose." They pair easily with up to three devices at once, are comfortable to wear, and sound fantastic. "If you're looking for earbuds with the best possible sound quality, these are now the buds to beat," says Werth.
Technics AZ100 Earbuds $247 at Amazon$299.99 Save $52.99 Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Technics Best Christmas gifts for women under $25: Travel jewelry cases Credit: Benevolence
Travel jewelry cases are both thoughtful and practical, and we like this one in particular. It's been a popular holiday gift at Amazon for years, and it's a great Christmas gift idea for travelers. The velvet box comes in a few different colors, and it ensures her favorite rings, necklaces, and earrings never get misplaced when she's away from home.
Opens in a new window Credit: Benevolence Benevolence Travel Jewelry Case $19.99 at Amazon$24.99 Save $5 Get Deal Best Christmas gifts for men under $25: Jack Black beard conditioner Credit: Jack Black
In another life, our bearded tech editor was a grooming editor. And having tested countless beard oils, washes, balms, butters, and conditioners, he says this Jack Black product is the only one you really need. (No, not that Jack Black, unfortunately.) This leave-in beard conditioner isn't as messy as a beard oil, but it has the same effect. Most importantly, it doesn't have an overpowering fragrance. Plus, if you still need some stocking stuffer ideas for men, it's perfectly sized for Christmas stockings.
Opens in a new window Credit: Jack Black Jack Black Leave-In Beard Conditioner $22 at AmazonGet Deal Best Christmas gifts for teens: Camp Snap digital cameras Credit: Camp Snap
Haven't you heard? The cool teens are falling in love with old tech like iPods and point-and-shoot digital cameras. Instead of buying some old tech off eBay, check out Camp Snap, one of the Mashable Shopping team's favorite finds of the year. These screen-free digital cameras let you stay in the moment while creating memories, while still being able to upload your photos and videos to Instagram, of course.
Opens in a new window Credit: Camp Snap Camp Snap Screen-Free Digital Camera $65 at HuckberryGet Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Camp Snap Camp Snap CS-8 Digital Video Camera $199 at Huckberry
Get Deal Igloo KoolTunes Bluetooth Cooler Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable
It's a cooler. It's a Bluetooth speaker. It's both! We love this highly giftable item for its retro design and exceptionally good sound quality. Mashable's Senior Shopping Reporter Haley Henschel owns this herself, saying, "I'm obsessed with it. I think it should go on every gift guide." Read the full review of the Igloo KoolTunes Bluetooth Cooler.
Igloo KoolTunes Bluetooth Cooler $149.99 at IglooShop Now at Igloo Shop Now at Amazon Octobuddy Suction Phone Mount Credit: Octobuddy
This is more of a stocking stuffer, but it's a great one for wannabe influencers or anyone who's dreamed of going viral. Recommended by Mashable Senior Shopping Reporter Haley Henschel, Octobuddy is simply a silicone phone case with a series of suction cups on the back. TikTok-obsessed teens will especially appreciate the simple design that makes filming GRWM videos way easier — we frequently see the Octobuddy mentioned in our In My Bag series.
Octobuddy Suction Phone Mount $14.99 at AmazonShop Now at Amazon Loop Earplugs Credit: Loop
Multiple editors and writers on Mashable swear by these noise reduction earplugs, saying they've worn them to concerts, while traveling, and more as a way to cut back on excess sound without missing out on what's going on. One of our senior shopping reporters even brought them to the Beyoncé Cowboy Carter tour — the ultimate test. The best Loop earplugs a great stocking stuffer, well-priced, and come in a range of styles and colors.
Loop Earplugs $27.96 at Amazon$34.95 Save $6.99 Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Amazon Mesa Gas Grill Credit: Mesa
One of the more frustrating parts of cooking on a grill is that it's hard to know what's going on in there without lifting the cover. Of course, doing so lets out heat and can slow down cooking times. Enter the Monument Mesa Grill, which has a clear viewing window built into the top. Werth says that both his father-in-law and uncle are obsessed with it. So, if you're searching for the best Christmas gifts for men, dads, or any pitmasters in the family, this will make you a Christmas hero.
Opens in a new window Credit: Mesa Mesa Gas Grill with Clear View Lid $499 at Home DepotShop Now Brooklinen Super-Plush Towels Credit: Brooklinen
There is something so luxurious about a brand-new set of bath towels that all match and feel wonderful. It's like a warm hug each time you get out of the shower. The ones from Brooklinen are particularly loved by our staff — our tech editor says, "I firmly believe that Brooklinen's Super-Plush towels are the best towels in the world, period. They're insanely fluffy yet dry faster than you expect."
Opens in a new window Credit: Brooklinen Brooklinen Super-Plush Towels Shop Now A waterproof Bluetooth speaker Credit: Ultimate EarsPortable Bluetooth speakers are a crowd-pleasing gift that will be appreciated by pretty much everyone. Whether you're shopping for teenagers, parents, siblings, or friends, who couldn't use a good portable Bluetooth speaker? The latest Wonderboom speaker from Ultimate Ears offers big sound in a small package, and it's fully waterproof.
Opens in a new window Credit: Ultimate Ears Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 Speaker $59.99 at Amazon$99.99 Save $40.00 Get Deal A viral cookbook Credit: Ten Speed Press
After years of working as a chef in New York City and the Hamptons, Meredith Hayden found a new way to share her favorite recipes. On TikTok, Hayden shares recipes and cooking tips with her 2.3 million followers as the Wishbone Kitchen (@wishbonekitchen), and you can finally take home The Wishbone Kitchen Cookbook: Seasonal Recipes for Everyday Luxury and Elevated Entertaining. Your favorite home cook will find recipes for entertaining and large gatherings, which could benefit you if you get an invite to their next dinner party.
Opens in a new window Credit: Ten Speed Press The Wishbone Kitchen Cookbook: Seasonal Recipes for Everyday Luxury and Elevated Entertaining $20.18$35 Save $14.82 Get Deal A cooling LED face mask Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable
We think the Mashable Choice-winning Shark CryoGlow is the best LED mask you can buy right now. It provides more complete coverage than other top face masks from OmniLux or CurrentBody — not only because it has more bulbs, but because every single bulb can emit red light, blue light, or near-infrared light. Senior shopping reporter Leah Stodart is convinced that the CryoGlow’s bacteria-killing blue light setting is what finally cleared a year’s worth of relentless adult acne. The cooling under-eye pads and LED screen on the remote complete this luxurious self-care step.
Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark $349.99 at AmazonAlmost sold out! Get Deal Loftie Alarm Clock Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable
What's old is new again with the famous Loftie smart alarm clock, which our staff loves for allowing them to ditch the screens while in bed. Lead Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard owns this and says it's "a very pleasant alarm clock to wake up to." It's customizable, with nice-sounding alarm options and a built-in night light.
Loftie Alarm Clock $169.99 at AmazonShop Now at Amazon Ninja Luxe Café Credit: Ninja
After testing Ninja appliances for weeks, this is the one that Shopping Reporter Sam Mangino has made her own. The 3-in-1 machine can tackle espresso, drip coffee, and cold brew, and even has a built-in bean grinder. Mangino says she really loved this one because it "streamlines the process and cuts down on the learning curve." See how the Ninja Luxe Café fared on our list of the best Ninja appliances.
Ninja Luxe Café Espresso Machine $499 at Amazon$599.99 Save $100.99 Shop Now at Amazon Owala FreeSip Water Bottle Credit: Owala
Hydro Flask had her moment. We have now entered the Owala era. Almost everyone on Mashable's Shopping team has the Owala FreeSip, which reporter Sam Mangino dubbed the "best water bottle ever." The 24-ounce insulated stainless steel bottle is designed to accommodate both sipping (via straw) and good, ol' fashioned gulp when tipped back. For college students, athletes, teenagers, or anyone who drinks water, we think a colorful Owala is one of the best Christmas gift ideas of the year.
Owala FreeSip $29.99 at AmazonShop Now at Amazon Ninja BlendBOSS Portable Blender with To-Go Tumbler Credit: Ninja
We're big fans of Ninja's appliances, and we love this personal blender. For the smoothie queen or king, it's an endlessly useful gift. The 1200W blender instantly turns into a to-go tumbler, so your giftee can take their smoothie or protein shake on the go.
Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja BlendBOSS Personal Blender with To-Go Tumbler $118 at Amazon$139.99 Save $21.99 Get Deal DJI Mic Mini Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable
Searching for Christmas gift ideas for creators (or aspiring creators)? Then look to DJI for ideas. The company is best known for its drones, but don't sleep on DJI cameras and microphones either.
DJI's famous wireless microphones have a cult following among TikTokers, and they're a personal favorite of our own reporters. This super small and ultralight wireless microphone would make a great Christmas gift for the creator, aspiring filmmaker, and podcast host in the family. Compatible with both iPhones and Androids (plus a host of cameras), these are the exact microphones that the Mashable social team used at VidCon. Highly recommend.
DJI Mic Mini $79 at Amazon$169 Save $90 Shop Now at Amazon John Boos & Co. Cutting Board Credit: John Boos & Co.
"I love it so much," says Shopping Reporter Sam Mangino, who owns this cult-favorite maple cutting board. Made in the USA, each cutting board is a thing of beauty. It's no wonder Mangino keeps hers out on the counter at all times, as if it was a piece of artwork — because it is.
John Boos RA-Board Series Rectangular Wooden Maple Cutting Board 18”x12” – 2.25” Thick, 13-lb Reversible Butcher Block with Edge-Grain & Finger Grips – Made in the USA $133.95 at AmazonShop Now at Amazon Tinned Fish Gift Set from Fishwife Credit: Fishwife
Tinned fish is one of the ultimate love-it-or-hate-it trends. But for the right person — the kind of person who could live off charcuterie — this gift slaps. The Fishwife Starter Pack has popular tinned seafood staples like sardines, smoked salmon, smoked Mackerel with chili, tuna with Spanish lemon, and more.
Opens in a new window Credit: Fishwife The Starter Pack by Fishwife $70.40 at Fishwife$88 Save $17.60 Get Deal A Prose gift subscription Credit: Prose
Wondering if the cult-favorite hair and skincare brand Prose lives up to the hype? We say that it most definitely does. Having tested both the brand's core hair care products and the newer skincare line, we heartily recommend these products. Prose doesn't just talk a big game about personalization; the brand truly crafts a custom formula made for your unique skin type, hair type, and beauty goals.
So, if you're looking for personalized Christmas gifts that will actually arrive on time, all you need is a Prose gift subscription, one of our favorite gifts for women, no matter the occasion.
Opens in a new window Credit: Prose Prose Gift Subscription Starts at $50 Get Deal Stocking-sized first aid kits Credit: WellyWelly has been one of our go-to stocking stuffers for years. The brand is best known for its adorable, kid-friendly Bravery Bandages with fun designs, but even adults will appreciate this colorful first aid kit, which has all the essentials you need to treat little bumps, scrapes, burns, and ouchies. Pack them in your dopp kit when you travel, or keep them in your medicine cabinent year-round.
Opens in a new window Credit: Welly Welly Quick Fix On The Go First Aid Kit (2-Pack) $13.88 at AmazonGet Deal Mario Kart Legos Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable
These Mario Kart Legos, which actually fire turtle shells, can be built quickly and are relatively cheap (compared to other Lego sets). They're also just super fun to play with, as Mashable Tech Editor Timothy Beck Werth recently discovered during a playdate with his nieces and nephews. The "turtle shell-firing mechanism" provides endless fun, no matter your age, just like the video game franchise itself.
Mario Kart Legos $23.49 at Amazon$34.99 Save $11.50 Shop Now at Amazon Kobo Libra Colour Credit: Kobo
Our staff loved the Kobo Libra Colour during testing, saying that it makes a really great alternative to the Amazon suite of products. The e-reader allows you to interact with the text and highlight passages in color (thus the name), making things like comic books and graphic novels a bit more enjoyable. Our reviewer said the ergonomics of the color e-reader are particularly good too, especially if you like to read in bed.
Kobo Libra Colour $229.99 at AmazonShop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Kobo Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Credit: RJ Andersen / Mashable
We spend a lot of time testing headphones and earbuds, and we have no shortage of recommendations when it comes to this great stocking stuffer. Our staff swears by these Bose Ultra Open earbuds, saying they're really great for working out or going on walks while remaining aware of the world around you. Read more about the best open earbuds.
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds $299 at AmazonShop Now at Amazon Lumin Luminator LED Red Light Eye Mask Credit: Lumin
Alex Bracetti, one of our freelance product testers, recently discovered this little gem, which provides red light therapy for the eye area. If you've been wanting to try light therapy without going full-on Hannibal Lecter, this is a great entry into the product category. It also makes a great and surprisingly affordable gift for anyone who's starting to fret about their age.
Opens in a new window Credit: Lumin Lumin Luminator LED Red Light Eye Mask $99 at AmazonGet Deal Piecework Puzzles Credit: Piecework
If you only gift one puzzle this year, let it be one of these. "I'm a huge puzzle nerd, and I adore Piecework puzzles," says Deputy Shopping Editor Miller Kern. "All of the designs are super cute, and I have considered framing the ones I have." Others on the team agree. We love these puzzles for their bright photography and extra-thick pieces, which top out at 1,000.
Piecework Puzzles $40 at AmazonShop Now at Amazon KitchenAid Mixer Credit: KitchenAid
This countertop icon is a workhorse for at-home bakers and cooks. We're obsessed. I have one, and love that it takes the muscle out of things like mixing, whisking, and kneading. One of the best parts about owning a KitchenAid Mixer? All the attachments, allowing you to utilize that powerful little motor in new ways, like grinding meat and making pasta. There's a reason why it landed on our list of the best products you'll buy once and own for life.
KitchenAid Mixer $359.95 at Walmart$459.99 Save $100.04 Shop Now at Walmart Shop Now at Amazon Canon Ivy 2 Mini Printer Credit: Canon
Deputy Shopping Editor Miller Kern owns this and loves it, and after hearing her rave about it, it's now on the top of my very own Christmas wishlist. The portable printer works with any compatible iOS and Android device, allowing you to print photos on demand directly from your smartphone. The best part is the sticky photo paper, making this a great Christmas gift for anyone who likes to journal or scrapbook.
Opens in a new window Credit: Canon Canon Ivy 2 Mini Photo Printer $129.98 at AmazonShop Now Rolling Garden Stool Credit: Pure Garden
Don't tell our moms, but at least one of them will be getting this for Christmas: a rolling garden cart with storage inside and a seat, so she can bop along weeding her garden without bending over so much. I feel pretty confident that she's gonna love it.
Rolling Garden Cart With Seat $39.95 at AmazonShop Now at Amazon Todd Snyder x Timex Olive Marlin Watch Credit: Todd Synder
If you have a stylish guy on your list, then he'll already know the name Todd Snyder. The designer is known for remixing classic designs from iconic brands, like this automatic timepiece from Timex. "Todd’s latest collaboration with Timex, a sleek update to the ‘60s Marlin Automatic, is designed for those who appreciate refined simplicity." It's the kind of accessory that can be dressed up or down, and it's a handsome timepiece that any guy would be lucky to own. So, if you're looking for a big Christmas gift for your boyfriend, husband, or father, grab this gorgeous piece while you still can.
Opens in a new window Credit: Todd Snyder Todd Snyder x Timex Olive Marlin Watch $279 at Todd SnyderGet Deal Personalized Family Member Sign Post Credit: Uncommon Goods
A member of our staff asserts that this is "probably the best gift I've ever given my mom." We can see why. For those with family members scattered all over the globe, this simple visual reminder of their whereabouts can make everyone feel just a little bit closer. Plus, personalized Christmas presents are always so thoughtful.
Opens in a new window Credit: Uncommon Goods Personalized Family Member Sign Post $200 at Uncommon GoodsShop Now Moonbuddy Meditation Device for Kids Credit: Moonbird
Anyone with kids knows that sleep can be hard to come by. We fell in love with this little gadget during testing, and now we're putting it at the top of our best Christmas gift ideas for kids. While Moonbird is designed for adults, Moonbuddy helps kids learn self-regulation, and it can be part of a calming bedtime routine and help ease stress. The secret is to have them match their breath to the handheld device.
Moonbuddy $99.99 at AmazonShop Now at Amazon The Charger by Counterpart Credit: Counterpart
One of the year's best stocking stuffers, Counterpart's USB-C charger is made for anyone who juggles a lot of tech, likes to travel, or works remotely. The Charger "features a retractable cable that snakes up inside the device when it's not in use. That means no annoying cable cluttering up your desk, countertops, or bedroom. It's one of those ingenious product innovations that makes you wonder, 'Why aren't all chargers like this?'" Read our full review of The Charger.
Opens in a new window Credit: Counterpart The Charger $44 at CounterpartShop Now Ninja Swirl Credit: Ninja
Our reporters maintain that the Ninja Swirl is "way more fun" than the more basic Creami, thanks in large part to the inclusion of a soft serve function. When Sam Mangino reviewed the Swirl, she loved it so much that she awarded it a coveted Mashable Choice, declaring, you'll "never have to leave the house for soft serve again." Read the full review of the Ninja Swirl.
Ninja Swirl $279.99 at Amazon$349.99 Save $70 Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Ninja Kitchen Belkin Nintendo Switch 2 Charging Case Credit: Belkin
Our team loves this as an add-on to the popular Nintendo Switch 2, with one reporter calling it their favorite gaming accessory. The case makes it easier to take the Switch 2 on the road, since the hard shell exterior keeps it protected in the event of a drop. The best part, though, is being able to quickly charge the device anywhere you are. Read our full take on the Belkin Nintendo Switch 2 Charging Case.
Belkin Nintendo Switch 2 Case $139.98 at AmazonShop Now at Amazon Big Rock City from The Magic Puzzle Company Credit: The Magic Puzzle Company
This puzzle brand was huge on TikTok this year, thanks in large part to the hidden Easter eggs and fun puzzle piece shapes. Each 1,000-piece puzzle comes with a secret envelope full of more pieces that you open once you've finished the puzzle. "It's a super fun concept and I have two, and bought one as a gift for my dad, who is also super into puzzles," says Kern.
Big Rock City from The Magic Puzzle Company $24.99 at AmazonShop Now at Amazon Brightland Olive Oil Flight Credit: Brightland
Named one of Oprah's Favorite Things, we love these infused olive oils from Brightland for their yummy flavors and the aesthetically pleasing bottle designs. Specialty food items are such a great gift for people who love to cook, because it's the kind of thing they'll never splurge on for themselves (but secretly covet.) This set includes cold-pressed olive oils infused with chili, garlic, lemon, and basil.
Opens in a new window Credit: Brightland Brightland Olive Oil $150 at BrightlandShop Now Petlibro Polar automatic wet cat food feeder Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable
Such a great smart home device for cat owners — and an incredible gift for the person who has a cat and also likes to take the occasional weekend getaway. The Petlibro Polar automatic wet cat food feeder keeps three days worth of wet food chilled and fresh, rotating its serving day on a set schedule. Shopping reporter and resident cat girlie Leah Stodart sang the praises of her Petlibro, writing that the "automatic wet cat food feeder is so comforting when I'm gone overnight." It's truly the gift that keeps on giving.
Petlibro Polar $139.99 at AmazonShop Now at Amazon Rain Drum Credit: MENGBEI
We test (and love) all the latest gadgets and tech products, but sometimes it's nice to take a step back from all of that and tune into nature. This steel drum sits in the garden and plays a series of 11 notes each time it's hit with rain. (Pro tip: You could also bring it into the shower.) It's soothing, it's unique, and it makes for a great Christmas gift.
Steel Tongue Rain Drum $24.99 at AmazonShop Now at Amazon Apple Watch Series 11 Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable
Apple always releases new products in the fall, and they always dominate guides to the best Christmas gifts of the year. This year, we're recommending the upgraded Apple Watch Series 11, which offers critical improvements to the battery life.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 11 $399 at AmazonGet Deal An awesome Lego set Credit: Lego
The Venn diagram between dinosaur lovers and Lego fans may not be a perfect circle, but it's probably pretty close! If you're looking for a fun project to do with your son or daughter after the presents are unwrapped, then we think you'll love this dinosaur fossil set from Lego, which comes with two mini figures, Dr. Ellie Sattler & Dr. Alan Grant. This awesome new Lego set is set to ship by Dec. 20.
And if you're looking for a Lego gift that won't set you back $250, then check out the $25 Lego lunchbox instead.
Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex Building Kit $249.99 at LegoGet Deal The Life of a Showgirl on vinyl Credit: Taylor Swift
We're guessing you have at least one Swiftie on your holiday shopping list. So, don't overthink it: Get them something to add to their Taylor Swift shrine. While we've selected The Life of a Showgirl vinyl record, you can also buy one of the many other formats or albums. What does Swift love more than her new fiancé? Merchandise. Lots and lots of merchandise.
Opens in a new window Credit: Taylor Swift The Life of a Showgirl [Sweat & Vanilla Perfume Orange Glitter Vinyl edition] $36.98 at AmazonShop Now DJI Osmo Mobile 7P Gimbal Stabilizer Credit: DJI / Amazon
Creators, TikTokkers, and aspiring influencers will adore unwrapping this gimbal stabilizer on Christmas morning. Our tech editor calls it "the best gimbal I've tested so far." This high praise is due to the gimbal's ease of use, stability, and 10-hour battery life.
DJI Osmo Mobile 7P Gimbal Stabilizer $109 at Amazon$129 Save $20 Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Amazon Anker Solix C1000 Portable Power Station Credit: Lauren Allain / Mashable
Do you have someone on your shopping list who loves to go camping, whether in the great outdoors or at music festivals? Or maybe Dad is famous for his tailgating events? Portable power stations are one of our favorite gift ideas, as they're both useful in an emergency but also incredibly practical for camping and other adventures. We named the Anker Solix C1000 power station a Mashable Choice product earlier this year, and it's a reasonably priced option that's great for holiday gift giving.
Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Solix C1000 Portable Power Station $527.99 at AmazonGet Deal The best White Elephant Gift: Cactus coaster set Credit: Sirensky
There's an art to picking out Secret Santa or White Elephant gifts. They need to be affordable, obviously, but also practical. On top of that, they have to seem cool enough that people will actually want them. We think this cool cactus coaster set fits the bill perfectly.
Opens in a new window Credit: Sirensky Cactus Coaster Set $13.90 at AmazonGet Deal
Still looking for more gift ideas? Check out even more of our favorite Christmas gifts to give in 2025:
Hurdle hints and answers for December 6, 2025
If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.
There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.
An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.
If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.
SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hintTo search.
SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answerFRISK
Hurdle Word 2 hintA command.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 6, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 AnswerEDICT
Hurdle Word 3 hintHold.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 6 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 6, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answerGRASP
Hurdle Word 4 hintFake.
SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for December 6 Hurdle Word 4 answerBOGUS
Final Hurdle hintA breast.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answerBOSOM
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Moon phase today: What the moon will look like on December 6
Have you noticed the moon looking a little smaller lately? That's because of where we are in the lunar cycle, a series of the moon's different phases. Right now, we're heading towards the New Moon. Keep reading to find out what this means.
What is today’s moon phase?As of Saturday, Dec. 6, the moon phase is Waning Gibbous. This means 96% of the moon is lit up tonight, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.
If you're looking up with just your naked eye, there's lots to see, in particular the Oceanus Procellarum and the Kepler Crater. With binoculars you'll also be able to spy the Posidonius and Alphonsus craters, as well at the Grimaldi Basin. And with a telescope, you can catch a glimpse of the Apollo 11 and 12 landing spots and the Linne Crater.
When is the next full moon?The next full moon will be on Jan. 3.
What are moon phases?NASA explains that the lunar cycle (which is about 29.5 days long) is made up of the Moon’s phases, which describe how the Moon looks from Earth as it travels around us. We view the same side of the Moon at all times, but the sunlight hitting its surface shifts as it moves through its orbit. That changing illumination is what makes the Moon appear full, half-lit, or not visible at all. The cycle includes eight distinct phases:
New Moon - The moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).
Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).
First Quarter - Half of the moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-moon.
Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.
Full Moon - The whole face of the moon is illuminated and fully visible.
Waning Gibbous - The moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)
Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-moon, but now the left side is lit.
Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 6, 2025
The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you love animated films.
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 December 6, 2025 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Typical
Green: To appease
Blue: Famous cartoons
Purple: Reptiles and amphibians
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Norm
Green: Mollify
Blue: Member of a titular group in an animation franchise
Purple: Starting with herpetofauna
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 #909 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayNorm: AVERAGE, MEAN, PAR, STANDARD
Mollify: COOL, MODERATE, SETTLE, TEMPER
Member of a titular group in an animation franchise: CAR, INCREDIBLE, MINION, MONSTER
Starting with herpetofauna: ADDERALL, MONITORSHIP, NEWTON, TOADY
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 December 6, 2025Are 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 today's Connections.
NYT Strands hints, answers for December 6, 2025
Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you love fantasy books.
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 MashableBy 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 December 6, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 6, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Tolkien's worldThe words are related to fantasy.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedThese words describe "The Lord of the Rings."
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.
NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is Middle Earth.
NYT Strands word list for December 6Wizard
Forest
Hobbit
Middle Earth
Quest
Dwarf
Ring
Shire
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 today's Strands.
NYT Pips hints, answers for December 6, 2025
Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.
Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.
Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.
How to play PipsIf you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 6, 2025The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.
Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:
Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.
Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.
Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.
Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.
Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.
If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.
SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for December 6, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 6 PipsNumber (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 6-2, placed vertically; 6-4, placed horizontally.
Less Than (5): Everything in this space must be less than 5. The answer is 6-4, placed horizontally.
Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 3-3, placed vertically.
Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 6-2, placed vertically.
Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 6-5, placed vertically; 4-4, placed vertically.
Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 6-5, placed vertically; 0-0, placed horizontally.
Medium difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 6 PipsGreater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 5-5, placed vertically.
Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically; 2-2, placed vertically.
Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-3, placed vertically; 3-1, placed horizontally.
Less Than (5): Everything in this space must be less than 5. The answer is 4-5, placed horizontally.
Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 4-5, placed horizontally.
Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 0-4, placed vertically.
Hard difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 6 PipsGreater Than (1): Everything in this light blue space must be greater than 1. The answer is 0-6, placed vertically.
Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically; 1-4, placed horizontally.
Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically.
Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically; 6-6, placed vertically.
Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 6-6, placed vertically; 1-2, placed horizontally.
Greater Than (1): Everything in this green space must be greater than 1. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically.
Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally; 1-0, placed vertically.
Equal (3): Everything in this red space must be equal to 3. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically; 0-3, placed horizontally.
Equal (0): Everything in this light blue space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-3, placed horizontally; 0-4, placed vertically.
Equal (4): Everything in this yellow space must be equal to 4. The answer is 0-4, placed vertically; 4-4, placed horizontally; 5-4, placed vertically.
Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 0-0, placed vertically.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 6, 2025
Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easy if you know your Joes.
As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.
Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier — so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections: Sports Edition?The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake — players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Sports teams
Green: Schools
Blue: Legends
Purple: Alliterative strategy
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Pro teams whose names start with D
Green: Division I colleges
Blue: Basketball hall of famers
Purple: Five Ds of Dodgeball
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 #439 is...
What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?Pro teams whose names start with D - DEVILS, DIAMONDBACKS, DOLPHINS, DREAM
Division I colleges - DARTMOUTH, DAYTON, DEPAUL, DUKE
Basketball hall of famers - DIVAC, DONOVAN, DREXLER, DUNCAN
Five Ds of Dodgeball - DIP, DIVE, DODGE, DUCK
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 today's Connections.
Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 6, 2025
Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're a belly dancer.
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 December 6, 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 December 6, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:Midsection.
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 W.
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...
WAIST
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 December 6, 2025Reporting 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 today's Wordle.
Roku is killing Photo Streams, ending personal pics as screensavers
TV streamer Roku recently announced it's ending Photo Streams in early 2026 and replacing it with something called Backdrops, which limits personal photo options but includes a library of artwork to cull from.
The transition from Photo Streams to Backdrops is already underway. "Over the next few months, you’ll start seeing messages about Photo Streams moving to Backdrops," Roku announced on their website. "At the end of January 2026, Photo Streams will stop working and only display a message directing you to open Backdrops."
Photo Streams currently operates as a screensaver for users who set it up, filling in inactive screen time by featuring pictures uploaded by the user. Those uploaded images will still be accessible on Backdrops, but only one gallery is available to view at once — and Backdrops must be specifically turned on for the photos to appear. By Feb. 2026, the screens of all inactive Roku sessions will default to the (in)famous Roku City background, which features advertising.
SEE ALSO: This Cyber Monday Roku Streaming Stick deal is still live — act fast to save over $10This change is clearly a bummer for those who loved featuring their personal pics on a large screen without having to think much about it. Roku is trying to soften the blow by offering free digital art, totaling about 4,500 images, for users of Backdrops. Works by artists like Johannes Vermeer, Paul Gaugin, Leonardo da Vinci, and Mary Cassatt were available as of early December, along with images of nature and cityscapes. Background users will also be able to adjust the photo display time and launch it directly with the Roku remote’s power button.
Roku doesn’t say there is an advertising component behind the change, instead stating, "Backdrops brings photos into one app that's easier to use, more customizable, and will allow us to keep adding new photo and ambient experiences over time."
The 8-in-1 EDC is the gift they didn’t see coming — and it’s just $20
TL;DR: A compact 8-in-1 keyring GoCable that charges fast, organizes neatly, and solves everyday tech moments — on sale for the holidays for just $19.97 (MSRP $49.99).
Opens in a new window Credit: GoCable GoCable 8-in-1 EDC 100W Cable $19.97$49.99 Save $30.02 Get Deal
There are gifts people expect — socks, candles, yet another travel mug — and then there are the ones that quietly earn a permanent spot in someone’s daily routine. The GoCable 8-in-1 EDC 100W Cable falls squarely into the second category. It’s the kind of practical, tech-forward surprise that makes people say, “Wait … this does that too?”
At first glance, GoCable looks like a sleek little keyring accessory. But once you start using it, it quickly proves it’s more than just a charging cable.
Designed as an everyday carry essential, it combines ultra-fast charging with genuinely useful built-in tools, all wrapped in a compact, tangle-free design that clips neatly onto a bag, belt loop, or keychain.
With 100W charging capabilities (when paired with a compatible power source), GoCable can power everything from phones and tablets to laptops, drones, and cameras.
Universal connectors mean you’re covered whether you’re using USB-C or Apple’s Lightning — no more digging through tangled cords or carrying three different cables just in case.
What makes it especially satisfying, though, are the thoughtful extras. An LED power display shows your real-time charging status. The magnetic wrap keeps things neat and frustration-free. There’s even a built-in bottle opener and a safe-proof cutter for impromptu moments like opening a package on the fly or cracking a drink at a picnic.
With on-time holiday shipping available through Dec. 14, the GoCable makes for an unexpected but incredibly useful gift — especially for travelers, creators, commuters, and anyone who lives even slightly tethered to their devices.
Priced at $19.97 (MSRP $49.99) for a limited time, the GoCable is a gift that feels both smart and genuinely helpful — grab it while stock is still available.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
The American super SUV with 682 hp and sports-car-beating performance
For more than 20 years, the Escalade has been the go-to symbol of American luxury—big, bold, and impossible to ignore. But no one expected Cadillac to turn it into something that launches like a supercar.
