IT General

Did the best Black Friday iPad deal just drop? Get the 11-inch iPad Air for its lowest-ever price at Amazon.

Mashable - Fri, 11/21/2025 - 12:50

SAVE $150: As of Nov. 21, the iPad Air 11-inch is on sale for $449 in the Amazon Black Friday sale. That's a 25% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple iPad Air 11-inch $449 at Amazon
$599 Save $150   Get Deal

Amazon's Black Friday sale is officially live and the discounts are rolling in. Everything from portable power stations to tablets are seeing heavy discounts, and as of Nov. 21, a great deal on the iPad Air 11-inch has dropped. Right now, this model is reduced to just $449, saving you $150. It has never been cheaper than this.

This iPad Air runs on the M3 chip, meaning it’s both fast and powerful. It can cope with all kinds of creative work, gaming, and everyday multitasking, so no matter what you plan to use it for, it'll cope. It also supports Apple Intelligence for writing help and various smart features that help you squeeze everything you can out of this device.

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The 11-inch Liquid Retina display benefits from P3 color, True Tone, and low reflectivity, so everything you do and watch will be in brilliant quality with sharp colors. This model also has Touch ID, Wi-Fi 6E, USB-C, and an all-day battery life, so you won't find yourself running out of juice halfway through your day. You can also use the Apple Pencil Pro or the USB-C Apple Pencil, and pair it with the Magic Keyboard if you want a laptop-style setup.

For cameras, the iPad Air has a 12MP front camera with Center Stage (a feature that keeps you centered during calls) and a 12MP rear camera with flash that can scan documents as well as take photos and 4K video.

Pick up this iPad deal from Amazon's Black Friday sale.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Oura Ring 4 has dropped to its lowest-ever price at Amazon — save $150 this Black Friday

Mashable - Fri, 11/21/2025 - 12:42

SAVE $150: As of Nov. 21, the Oura Ring 4 is on sale for $349 in the Amazon Black Friday sale. This is $150 off and its lowest-ever price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Oura Oura Ring 4 $349 at Amazon
$499 Save $150   Get Deal

Amazon's Black Friday sale has officially kicked off, with plenty of exciting discounts available for shoppers to add to their virtual carts. This includes some fantastic tech deals, with the Oura Ring 4 among them. If you've been looking to pick up this smart ring, which we're very big fans of, the sleek gold model is currently down to its lowest-ever price.

Amazon has knocked $150 off the price of this Oura Ring 4, dropping it from $499 to $349. Considering it's the lowest price its dropped to yet, now is an excellent time to grab it. If you've been looking for a way to keep a better eye on your health in the new year, this smart ring is well worth picking up.

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The Oura Ring 4 is powered by Smart Sensing which provides you with accurate data throughout the day on a variety of health metrics, including tracking sleep, activity, stress, heart health, and much more. It even has a solid battery life of up to eight days, so you don't need to worry about frequent recharges.

We consider it the best overall smart ring available, with Mashable's Samantha Mangino saying it's, "the most comfortable, accurate, and well-designed smart ring we've tested."

There's plenty more where this came from, though. Have a look through our breakdown of the best Black Friday deals from Amazon to see even more discounts that have crossed our radar in the start of this sale event.

Categories: IT General, Technology

We tracked down 20+ early Lego deals already live ahead of Black Friday: Star Wars, Botanicals, more

Mashable - Fri, 11/21/2025 - 12:38
The best early Lego Black Friday deals: Best Amazon Lego deal Lego Star Wars: Millenium Falcon 'A New Hope' 25th Anniversary 75347 $67.97 (save $17.02) Get Deal Best Target Lego deal Lego Botanicals Evergreen Collector’s Set 66809 $41.99 (save $18) Get Deal Best Lego Direct deal Lego Star Wars: Desert Skiff & Sarlacc Pit 75396 $63.99 (save $16) Get Deal Best Best Buy Lego deal Lego Disney Young Simba the Lion King Fan Disney Collection Building Set 43247 $90.99 (save $39) Get Deal Best Walmart Lego deal Lego Disney Frozen Advent Calendar 2025 $30.79 (save $14.20) Get Deal

Whether you're getting some shopping done for friends and family ahead of the holiday, or picking up a nice little gift for yourself, Black Friday is one of the best times of year to get it done. That "time of year" fully refers to the weeks before Black Friday as well, giving shoppers a cushion to get a head start on deals that tend to sell out quickly, like Lego deals. Yes, you can already find coveted sets from Lego Star Wars (including sets retiring this year), Lego Minecraft, and Lego Friends on sale.

SEE ALSO: What is camelcamelcamel? Just our secret weapon for finding the lowest prices on Amazon.

We've handpicked the very best early Black Friday Lego deals spotted at Amazon, Target, Best Buy, and Walmart. This is just the beginning, though, and we'll keep this page updated with everything that drops (or sells out) throughout Cyber Monday.

Best Amazon Lego deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Star Wars: Millenium Falcon 'A New Hope' 25th Anniversary 75347 $67.97 at Amazon
$84.99 Save $17.02   Get Deal Why we like it

The adorable Grogu with Hover Pram set is expectedly sold out after an incredible 50% discount. But that was hardly Amazon's only good Lego Star Wars deal. It's not nearly as massive as the $849.99 Millenium Falcon you can buy, but this sick Millennium Falcon midi scale set is still unquestionably display worthy. It's a special edition that celebrates the 25th anniversary of "A New Hope," exhibited by a special plaque that sits on the display stand.

More Amazon Lego deals Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Minecraft The Crafting Table Set 21265 $71.99 at Amazon
$89.99 Save $18   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Classic Large Creative Brick Box 10698 $39.49 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $20.50   Get Deal Lego Star Wars: 'The Phantom Menace' Mos Espa Podrace Diorama 75380 $50.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $29.00   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Best Buy Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Star Wars: Millenium Falcon 'A New Hope' 25th Anniversary 75347 $67.97 at Amazon
$84.99 Save $17.02   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Ideas Tuxedo Cat Building Sets for Adults 21349 $80 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $19.99   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle and Grounds 76419 $135.99 at Amazon
$169.99 Save $34   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Disney and Pixar ‘Up’ House 43217 $37.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $22   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Ideas Vincent Van Gogh The Starry Night Building Set for Adults 21333 $150 at Amazon
$169.99 Save $19.99   Get Deal Best Lego direct deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Star Wars: Desert Skiff & Sarlacc Pit 75396 $63.99 at Lego
$79.99 Save $16.00   Get Deal Why we like it

The infamous Sarlacc Pit scene from Return of the Jedi has been miniaturized into one of the most beloved Star Wars Legos of the past year and a half-ish. Not only is Lego's website one of the only places you can find the Desert Skiff and Sarlacc Pit scene set on sale ahead of Black Friday, but it's one of the last times you'll find it on sale at all — it's one of the Lego Star Wars sets retiring in 2025.

The official Lego Store has multiple Lego deals that we haven't seen at other retailers, and a lot of the discounts are quite steep (up to 40% off).

More Lego direct deals Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Trotting Lantern $77.99 at Lego
$129.99 Save $52.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Wednesday & Enid's Dorm Room $53.99 at Lego
$89.99 Save $36.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Dreamzzz Cooper's Tiger Mech & Zero's Hot Rod Car $59.99 at Lego
$99.99 Save $40.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Dreamzzz Castle Nocturnia $139.99 at Lego
$199.99 Save $60   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego City F1 Garage & Mercedes-AMG & Alpine Cars $63.99 at Lego
$79.99 Save $16.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Travel Moments $89.99 at Lego
$149.99 Save $60.00   Get Deal Best Target Lego deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Botanicals Evergreen Collector's Set 66809 $41.99 at Target
$59.99 Save $18   Get Deal Why we like it

This cute Target-exclusive Lego Botanicals duo is $6 cheaper than when we first saw it on sale on Nov. 18. Now, you'll get both the Lego Mini Orchid and the Lego Lucky Bamboo sets together for $41.99 (a 30% discount). They'd make a relaxing office or windowsill decoration for any plant lover.

Note: Target's early Black Friday sale has a lot of fleeting deals, so some of these Lego deals end on Friday, Nov. 21 or Saturday, Nov. 22. There's no promising that they'll be back for actual Black Friday next week, so if you see a must-have, grab it now.

More Target Lego deals Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back AT-AT Driver Helmet Building Set for Adults 75429 $67.99 at Target
$84.99 Save $17   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Sonic the Hedgehog Shadow the Hedgehog Gaming Gift and Sonic Playset 77000 $63.99 at Target
$79.99 Save $16.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Star Wars: Invisible Hand 25th Anniversary 75377 $34.99 at Target
$49.99 Save $15   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Ideas The Evolution of STEM 21355 $45.99 at Target
$79.99 Save $34.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Star Wars: Invisible Hand 25th Anniversary 75377 $34.99 at Target
$49.99 Save $15   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Ideas Viking Village 21343 $109.89 at Target
$156.99 Save $47.10   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Star Wars: Invisible Hand 25th Anniversary 75377 $34.99 at Target
$49.99 Save $15   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Botanicals Evergreen Collector’s Set for Gifting and Home Decor 66809 $41.99 at Target
$59.99 Save $18   Get Deal Best Best Buy Lego deals Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Disney Young Simba the Lion King Fan Disney Collection Building Set 43247 $90.99 at Best Buy
$129.99 Save $39.00   Get Deal Why we like it

Are you shopping for a dual Disney fan and Lego fan this year? Best Buy has dropped the adorable Young Simba set to less than $100 (its official Black Friday price) — the perfect display piece that Lion King fans can take pride (rock) in. This set just scratches the surface of Best Buy's Lego sets on sale, and there's much more than Disney stuff.

More Best Buy Lego deals Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Fortnite Peely Bone Collectible Kit for Adults 77072 $69.99 at Best Buy
$99.99 Save $30   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Wicked Elphaba and Glinda 75682 $46.74 at Best Buy
$54.99 Save $8.25   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego DREAMZzz Castle Nocturnia Building Toy 71486 $169.99 at Best Buy
$199.99 Save $30   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Icons McLaren MP4/4 & Ayrton Senna Model Race Car for Adults 10330 $67.99 at Best Buy
$79.99 Save $12   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Animal Crossing Nook’s Cranny & Rosie´s House Video Game Toy 77050 $54.99 at Best Buy
$74.99 Save $20.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego DC Batman: Batman Construction Figure & the Bat-Pod Bike Action Toy 76273 $55.24 at Best Buy
$64.99 Save $9.75   Get Deal Best Walmart Lego deals Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Disney Frozen Advent Calendar 2025 $30.79 at Walmart
$44.99 Save $14.20   Get Deal Why we like it

The Lego advent calendars are a delightful pickup for the holidays. If you've been hoping to grab one this year, the Lego Disney Frozen Advent Calendar 2025 is currently on sale at Walmart for $30.79. If you're shopping for an unapologetic Frozen over Tangled truther, they'll be so excited to open a new character or snowy scene accessory for the first 24 days of December.

There are plenty more Lego sets on sale at Walmart as of Nov. 20, but Lego deals have been disappearing at Walmart, too. Don't hesitate if you find a good price on a set you like.

More Walmart Lego deals Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Super Mario: Mario Kart Interactive Mario & Standard Kart 72043 $43.99 at Walmart
$54.99 Save $11   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Friends Explore Outdoors 66806 $25 at Walmart
$44.98 Save $19.98   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Botanicals Artificial Wildflower Bouquet 10313 $47.95 at Walmart
$59.99 Save $12.04   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Minecraft Gift Set 66805 $45 at Walmart
$60.95 Save $15.95   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Art Mona Lisa Building Set 31213 $80.90 at Walmart
$99.99 Save $19.09   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Harry Potter Buckbeak The Hippogriff Building Toy $47.95 at Walmart
$59.99 Save $12.04   Get Deal
Categories: IT General, Technology

Shop the best Black Friday deals on self-emptying robot vacuums: Save on Roborock, Eufy, Roomba, and more

Mashable - Fri, 11/21/2025 - 12:31
The best early Black Friday self-emptying robot vacuum deals at a glance: Best Roborock Deal Roborock Qrevo CurvX $849.99 (save $650) Get Deal Best Roomba Deal iRobot Roomba Plus 504 $379.99 (save $185.50) Get Deal Best Eufy Deal Eufy Omni C20 $349.99 (save $350) Get Deal

Black Friday might still be a week away, but that doesn't mean you need to wait around all week to start scoring some big savings.

Amazon has launched its massive sales event early, so you can start saving big on new tech. Retailers like Best Buy and Walmart have also kicked off early, so you've got plenty of products to browse at all the usual spots. And if you have laid back cleaning on this year's wishlist, you'll likely be on the hunt for some of the best self-emptying robot vacuum deals.

SEE ALSO: I found 5 Dyson Supersonic dupes that are almost as good as the real thing

As the deals start to ramp up, we've put together a list of some of the best self-emptying robot vacuum deals already live.

Best early Black Friday Roborock deal Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock roborock Qrevo CurvX $849.99 at Amazon
$1,499.99 Save $650   Get Deal Why we like it

This is a seriously impressive robot vacuum, with a whole lot going for it. It has a powerful 22,000Pa HyperForce suction and a Zero-Tangling Design that's perfect for homes with pets. It's small size comes in handy too, coming in at only 7.98cm tall, so it reaches under sofas and cabinets, picking up hard to reach dust.

And it's not just a vacuum, this model mops your floors too. It uses 80°C hot water to remove stains and grease, and when it returns to the dock, the mop will be cleaned and ready to go again. And to gain a spot on this list, this vacuum also self-empties its dirt and debris. You only need to empty it around every 70 days.

Best early Black Friday Roomba deal Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot iRobot Roomba Plus 504 $379.99 at Amazon
$565.49 Save $185.50   Get Deal Why we like it

The iRobot Roomba Plus 504 is an ideal choice if you want something powerful, smart, and affordable, and this Black Friday discount takes it right down to its lowest-ever price. It benefits from Dual Rubber Brushes, Edge-Sweeping Brushes, and Carpet Boost features, as well as a powerful suction that can loosen and lift tough dirt. Its self-emptying capabilities are impressive too, with the dock able to trap and contains debris as small as 0.7 microns in an enclosed bag, with no need for you to empty for up to 75 days.

Best early Black Friday Eufy deal Opens in a new window Credit: Eufy Eufy Omni C20 $349.99 at Amazon
$699.99 Save $350   Get Deal Why we like it

This is another great robot vacuum currently on sale for under $400. You'll get fully automated cleaning with features like auto emptying, washing, and drying. It has a strong suction of 7,000 Pa suction, a rolling brush, and a side brush, so this model can easily take on tough dirt, dust, and even pet hair thanks to the Pro-Detangle Comb. The C20 has a 3.1 litre dust bag, so you only need to empty it around every 60 days.

More early Black Friday self-emptying robot vacuum deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Shop the best Samsung The Frame TV deals over Black Friday — record-low prices are live right now on Amazon and Best Buy

Mashable - Fri, 11/21/2025 - 12:20
Best early Black Friday Samsung The Frame TV deals Best 55-inch Samsung The Frame TV deal Samsung 55-Inch Class LS03D The Frame Series QLED 4K TV (2024) 799.99 (save $700) Get Deal Best 65-inch Samsung The Frame TV deal Samsung 65-Inch Class LS03D The Frame Series QLED 4K TV (2024) 999.99 (save $1,000) Get Deal Best 75-inch Samsung The Frame TV deal Samsung 75-Inch Class The Frame Pro LS03FW 4K Neo QLED Mini LED TV (2025) 1997.99 (save $1,000) Get Deal

Black Friday doesn't officially start until Nov. 28, but most retailers have been dropping deals throughout the month. Best Buy and Amazon are leading the charge at this early stage, and that includes some of the most popular TVs from the biggest brands.

In particular, some of Samsung's The Frame TVs have dropped to seriously low prices. If you're unfamiliar with these TVs, they double as an art display when you're not watching, so you can throw up some nice artwork or photos to display when the TV isn't being used.

SEE ALSO: 2025 Black Friday ads: Best deals from Walmart, Amazon, Best Buy, Kohl's, Target, Home Depot, and more

If you've had your eye on one of these sleek displays, we've gathered up some of the best early Black Friday deals from the likes of Best Buy, Amazon, and Walmart right now. As Black Friday continues, we'll be sure to update this with even more The Frame TV deals that cross our radar.

For now, check out our top discounted picks below. And for even more discounts on TVs, check out our breakdown of the best early Black Friday TV deals.

Best early Black Friday 55-inch Samsung The Frame TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 55-Inch Class LS03D The Frame Series QLED 4K TV (2024) $799.99 at Best Buy
$1,499.99 Save $700   Get Deal Why we like it

If you're not looking to splash out on a massive TV ahead of the holidays, the 55-inch Samsung The Frame is a nice size to work with. And this discount is absolutely worth taking advantage of. Best Buy has slashed $700 off this model, making for almost 50% off its list price (46.7%, to be exact).

Down to $799.99, this TV will set you up with a 4K resolution, QLED display to catch all of your favorite shows and films in crisp, colorful quality. And for when it's not being used, it can display some lovely art, such as some pieces from New York's Museum of Modern Art.

Best early Black Friday 65-inch Samsung The Frame TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 65-Inch Class LS03D The Frame Series QLED 4K TV (2024) $999.99 at Best Buy
$1,999.99 Save $1,000   Get Deal Why we like it

For those looking to invest in a slightly larger TV for their home, Best Buy's also offering an excellent discount on its 65-inch Samsung The Frame TV. This model has dropped by a whopping $1,000 as part of the retailer's Black Friday sale, allowing you to scoop it up for $999.99 instead of $1,999.99.

Best early Black Friday 75-inch Samsung The Frame TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 75-Inch Class The Frame Pro LS03FW 4K Neo QLED Mini LED TV (2025) $1,997.99 at Amazon
$2,997.99 Save $1,000.00   Get Deal Why we like it

Samsung's 75-inch The Frame Pro is a great pickup for anyone hoping to go big this year. Over at Amazon, the Samsung 75-inch The Frame Pro has dropped from $2,997.99 to $1,997.99, saving you $1,000. It's worth noting that this TV is being sold by Walts TV. We generally don't recommend shopping with third-party sellers, so buyer beware. Check reviews and make your decision carefully.

This display is a Neo QLED TV, which Mashable's Leah Stodart described in her CES 2025 coverage as, "Samsung's term of endearment for mini LED, which offer more precise lighting due to their ability to be individually controlled, and the fact that there are more of them (compared to larger LED bulbs)." It also comes with Samsung's Vision AI and Pantone Validated Artful Color. To learn more, check out our breakdown of what to know about Samsung's The Frame Pro from when it was released.

More early Black Friday Samsung The Frame TV deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 21, 2025

Mashable - Fri, 11/21/2025 - 12:10

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

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

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

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

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for November 21, 2025 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

  • Yellow: Found on a jacket

  • Green: Alcoholic drinks

  • Blue: Found in animated films

  • Purple: To scarf down

Here are today's Connections categories

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

  • Yellow: Things worn on lapels

  • Green: Cocktails

  • Blue: Pixar protagonists

  • Purple: Starting with synonyms for "Eat"

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 #894 is...

What is the answer to Connections today
  • Things worn on lapels: AWARENESS RIBBON, BOUTONNIERE, LAPEL PIN, LAVALIER

  • Cocktails: COSMOPOLITAN, GREYHOUND, SCREWDRIVER, SEA BREEZE

  • Pixar protagonists: CLOWNFISH, GRUMPY OLD MAN, RACECAR, TALKING DOLL

  • Starting with synonyms for "Eat": BOLT CUTTER, CHOW MEIN, SCARF RING, WOLF EEL

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for November 21, 2025

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

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

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Strands hints, answers for November 21, 2025

Mashable - Fri, 11/21/2025 - 12:10

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you work a 9 to 5.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

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

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for November 21, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 21, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Heard at the board meeting

The words are related to work.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe work terms.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Corporate Speak.

NYT Strands word list for November 21
  • Liaise

  • Disrupt

  • Align

  • Corporate Speak

  • Ideate

  • Scale

  • Pivot

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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Wordle today: Answer, hints for November 21, 2025

Mashable - Fri, 11/21/2025 - 12:10

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're good with words.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 21, 2025 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for November 21, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A, E, I, O, U.

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 V.

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...

VOWEL

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for November 21, 2025

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Wordle.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for November 21, 2025

Mashable - Fri, 11/21/2025 - 12:10

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be a good time if you're familiar with Florida sports.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

  • Yellow: Splashing about

  • Green: Scoring

  • Blue: Player-related

  • Purple: Same first word

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

  • Yellow: Four primary swimming strokes

  • Green: Touchdown

  • Blue: Associated with John Elway

  • Purple: Big ____

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 #424 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?
  • Four primary swimming strokes - BACK, BREAST, FLY, FREE

  • Touchdown - 6, PAYDIRT, TD, TUDDY

  • Associated with John Elway - 7, BRONCOS, NO. 1 PICK, STANFORD

  • Big ____ - 12, DANCE, LEAGUES, TEN

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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for November 21, 2025

Mashable - Fri, 11/21/2025 - 12:04

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Friday, Nov. 21, 2025:

AcrossPump iron
  • The answer is Lift.

Peer
  • The answer is Equal.

Like the music of Rick James and James Brown
  • The answer is Funky.

Animal that can't change its stripes, per an old adage
  • The answer is Tiger.

Pointed part of a fork
  • The answer is Tine.

DownDominant hand for Shohei Ohtani when batting, but not pitching
  • The answer is Left.

Resignation proclamation
  • The answer is I Quit.

Mushrooms, mold, mildew, etc.
  • The answer is Fungi.

"Is this seat ___?"
  • The answer is Taken.

U-shaped instrument in ancient Greece
  • The answer is Lyre.

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

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

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

The 5 best noise-cancelling earbuds include the most comfortable buds weve ever tested

Mashable - Fri, 11/21/2025 - 12:00

Every top brand has its own take on ANC earbuds, each with a unique style and a plethora of features. Since you can't possibly try all the latest earbuds, the Mashable team has taken on the task of reviewing the best ANC earbuds for you.

We've recently updated this guide with our new favorite picks, including the Apple AirPods Pro 3 and second-generation Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds. The latter have already gone on sale ahead of Black Friday, but don't worry if the others haven't just yet — our team will be tracking the best headphones and earbuds deals all the way up to and through the shopping holiday.

SEE ALSO: I found 30+ early Black Friday tech deals I'd recommend to friends and family: Save on Apple, Samsung, DJI What are the best noise-cancelling earbuds? Not all earbuds are created equal — some are far more comfortable than others. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

While there are plenty of audio brands that provide good sound quality and noise cancellation, audio leaders Bose and Sony are in a league of their own. Not only do they offer phenomenal ANC, but they also make music and podcasts sound better. On a good pair of headphones, "Espresso" by Sabrina Carpenter sounds even catchier, somehow.

Earbuds usually aren't as comfortable as over-the-ear headphones. I know this well, as I've found many pairs of earbuds that just plain don't fit in my ear. Others are downright uncomfortable. Once again, Bose offers the most comfortable headphones and earbuds. However, Bose and Sony aren't the only brands out there. That's why we set out to test the best the market offers and see what makes a great pair of wireless earbuds.

How do noise-cancelling earbuds work? Noise-cancelling earbuds are small enough to slip in your pocket. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

All noise-cancelling headphones, including earbuds, have some passive noise cancellation. While over-the-ear headphones naturally block out noise by wrapping around the ears, earbuds don't block sound as effectively. Instead of covering your ears, wireless earbuds deliver sound directly into the ear canal to drown out other noises. They rely more on active noise cancellation (ANC) to reduce environmental noise.

ANC is an electronic process within the headphones. Internal microphones listen to your surroundings and then invert the sound, effectively canceling it. Sometimes, with noise-cancelling headphones and earbuds, you'll hear a slight buzzing or humming in the background, and that's the ANC at work. The best ANC earbuds shouldn't have this buzzing, however.

Categories: IT General, Technology

20+ early Black Friday gaming laptop deals: Score record lows on Alienware, ASUS, MSI, and more

Mashable - Fri, 11/21/2025 - 11:42
Best early Black Friday gaming laptop deals at a glance: Best Budget Gaming Laptop Deal Acer Nitro V Gaming Laptop $579.99 (save $170) Get Deal Best mid-range gaming laptop deal Acer Nitro V 16S AI Gaming Laptop $1,099.99 (save $200) Get Deal Best high-end gaming laptop deal ASUS ROG Strix G18 $2,109.99 (save $390) Get Deal

There's no better way to celebrate the holidays than getting an awesome Black Friday deal on a gaming laptop and ignoring the entire family. I'm only half joking, but Black Friday really is the best time of year to upgrade your gaming setup. And if you don't fancy having a big gaming PC dominating the corner of your front room, a gaming laptop is a perfect alternative.

Not only is it a space saver, but it can still work alongside gaming monitors, keyboards, mice, and all the other essentials you'll need if you decide you prefer a desktop setup down the line. You can even extend your laptop display for some dual screen action, because two screens is always better than one. How else will you watch YouTube whilst working?

SEE ALSO: The 17 best Advent calendars to buy in November. Take advantage of early Black Friday sales.

I've had both gaming laptops and gaming PC setups, so I know a thing or twelve about a decent setup. Here's my breakdown of the best gaming laptop deals I've found for Black Friday so far:

Best early Black Friday budget gaming laptop deal Opens in a new window Credit: Acer Acer Nitro V Gaming Laptop: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050, Intel Core i5-13420H, 8GB DDR5 $579.99 at Amazon
$749.99 Save $170   Get Deal Why we like it

So you're not getting a 5000 series RTX card, but DLSS 3 is still brilliant at generating frames, and there's some great workarounds out there to run DLSS 4 on 4000 series GPUs if you surf github. 8GB DDR5 RAM is enough for 1080p gaming and so is the i5 processor. In all honesty, a gaming laptop for $579.99 isn't going to run Cyberpunk 2077 at full settings with ray tracing, but who cares at this price point. It's more than capable and you can simply upgrade the RAM down the line if you fancy.

More budget Black Friday gaming laptop dealsBest early Black Friday mid-range gaming laptop deal Opens in a new window Credit: Acer Acer Nitro V 16S AI Gaming Laptop: Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060, AMD Ryzen 7 260, 32GB DDR5, 1TB SSD $1,099.99 at Amazon
$1,299.99 Save $200   Get Deal Why we like it

It looks like an RTX 5060 is the sweet spot for mid-range gaming laptops, which is absolutley fine. You're always going to get less performance from a gaming laptop GPU compared to it's full-fat desktop alternative, but you have the power of native DLSS 4 to generate those extra frames you're looking for and best-in-class image upscaling. That simply means you can set your games to a lower resolution, then RTX 5060 pumps up the resolution artificially so you're getting more performance. The AI side of this laptop will help with that, too. The Ryzen 7 260 is built to handle the extra load and a massive 32GB DDR5 RAM is overkill. This is a cracking Black Friday deal for a gaming laptop that won't break the bank (much).

More mid-range Black Friday gaming laptop dealsBest early Black Friday high-end gaming laptop deals Opens in a new window Credit: ASUS ASUS ROG Strix G18 (2025): Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070, Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX, 32GB DDR5, 2TB SSD $2,109.99 at Amazon
$2,499.99 Save $390   Get Deal Why we like it

I picked this deal as the extra you'll be paying to get into RTX 5080 territory simply isn't worth it. This is a perfect 1440p gaming machine, which if we're being honest is the sweet spot for PC gaming right now. If you're looking for 4k 60 FPS+ gaming, you're going to save a fortune just buying or building a gaming PC. The 3ms response time and 240Hz refresh rate on this 2.5k screen means you can push well over 200 FPS at 1440p for most games, and RTX 5070 alongside the Ultra 9 275HX processor will get you there. With DLSS 4 tech baked in, there's no reason why you can't play the biggest and best games on max settings at 1440p with this setup, with possible headroom left over for decent ray tracing performance on some titles.

More early Black Friday high-end gaming laptop deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

The 8 best budget headphones weve tested under $100

Mashable - Fri, 11/21/2025 - 11:30

If you want to cheat the system a bit and get your hands on incredible, crisp sound from a pair of headphones under $100, we've got you. You no longer need to choose between a cheap pair of headphones and incredible features like active noise cancellation, Hi-Res Audio certification, and multi-device pairing.

SEE ALSO: Mashable will send the best Black Friday deals directly to your phone — how it works

Sure, you might be doing an IRL side eye emoji regarding the class-leading Sony WH-1000xM6 headphones — unveiled at the start of summer — but those things will cost you $450. Don't bother dishing out that much money when you can get headphones for a fraction of the price (with much of the same functionality) or, better yet, noise-cancelling headphones that carry longer battery life and a stronger sonic punch than the AirPods Max. Speaking of which, did you know that users were previously reporting that their Apple headphones suffered "condensation death" after being exposed to moisture buildup? Fortunately, our wireless headphones suggestions are all models you can wear for lengthy stretches — without stressing about their impending expiration date.

What are the best budget headphones?

If you're still an Apple loyalist when it comes to headphones, stick with us for a sec. You'll soon discover that these top picks from popular budget audio brands like 1More, Anker, and JBL are giving the market’s best a run for their money. We even have a bargain entry from Sony that’s well worth a look.

Don't believe it? You'll want to see for yourself by reading our reviews of the best headphones under $100 below — especially as Black Friday approaches, and your odds of scoring an even better deal on our picks go up.

What differentiates budget vs. higher-end headphones?

In case we weren't clear enough before, cheaper does not mean worse by any means (and vice versa) when it comes to headphones. Not always, at least.

Yet, the general trend still stands that the "higher-end" a pair of headphones is, the more likely you are to get better sound quality (aka undistorted bass), more playtime, and state-of-the-art features like adaptive ANC.

Budget headphones are known to leak sound more often than their pricier alternatives, and they'll likely have fewer extras, like spatial audio for immersive 3D sound and TalkThru technology (which amplifies your convo buddy's voice while reducing music volume instantly) featured in some of JBL’s flagship headphones.

Nonetheless, we made it our mission to find headphones — both on-ear and over-ear models — that aren't "higher-end" in price and borrow a lot of standout functionality from their more expensive counterparts.

Categories: IT General, Technology

10+ early Black Friday deals on air fryers: Huge deals on Ninja, Cuisinart, and Instant pot

Mashable - Fri, 11/21/2025 - 11:29
Best early Black Friday air fryer deals at a glance: Best Premium Air Fryer Deal Ninja XL $89.99 (save $90) Get Deal Best Budget Air Fryer Deal Chefman TurboFry Touch $49.99 (save $50) Get Deal Best Family Air Fryer Deal Ninja Foodi XL $179.99 (save $50) Get Deal

As we get closer to Black Friday, it’s time to start thinking about all those products you’ve always wanted but never quite had the cash to splurge on. For us, that includes new kitchen essentials such as the air fryer. It’s an increasingly popular (not to mention healthier) way of cooking, but not every kitchen is stocked just yet. It’s one of those countertop appliances that feels like a luxury purchase — but once you’ve got one, you’ll wonder why it took you so long to invest.

SEE ALSO: The 17 best Advent calendars to buy in November. Take advantage of early Black Friday sales.

That’s exactly what Black Friday is all about. And even though there’s still a week to go until the year’s biggest sale event begins for real, there are plenty of early Black Friday deals already live. So, if you are in the market for your first air fryer — or perhaps you need to upgrade from one that’s already served you well — here’s a deliciously priced selection of air fryers for everyone.

Best early Black Friday premium air fryer deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja XL $89.99 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $90.00   Get Deal Why we like it

When it comes to air fryer technology, there’s one name that cooks the competition — not to mention fries, wings, meat, fish, vegetables, baked treats, and pretty much anything else you can think of. That name, of course, is Ninja. There are several Ninja air fryer models included in the early Black Friday deals, but the Ninja XL is the best all-rounder for most households: A 5.5 quart multifunctional fryer that offers five cooking — Air​ Fry, Air Roast, Bake, Reheat, and Dehydrate. It’s easy to control the settings and temperature, with plenty of room for healthily frying hefty meals.

Best early Black Friday budget air fryer deal Opens in a new window Credit: Chefman Chefman TurboFry Touch $49.99 at Amazon
$94.99 Save $45.00   Get Deal Why we like it

The Chefman TurboTouch Fry isn’t the only budget air fryer included in the early Black Friday deals — there are even cheaper models available — but this gets our pick for overall brand quality at such a brilliantly low price. It has a 4 quart capacity, which is plenty for regular households, plus a selection of preset cooking modes. It’s already good value at the list price of $99.99, but with a full 50% off ahead of Black Friday, this is a bargain at just $49.99 — perfect if you’re looking to try healthier air frying for the first time.

Best early Black Friday family air fryer deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Foodi XL $179.99 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $50   Get Deal Why we like it

It’s another brilliant air fryer from the always impressive Ninja, but this one is made for larger households and big hungry families. It costs more than the above Ninja, but it’s packing almost twice the capacity with two cooking baskets and DualZone cooking — which essentially means you can fry up two different foods with different modes and temperatures. It intelligently syncs the cooking so both foods finish cooking at the same time, and each basket is big enough for a whole chicken. This one has six cooking modes, throwing an Air Broiling option into the mix.

More early Black Friday air fryer deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

Jimmy Kimmel has the perfect response to Trump calling for him to be fired again

Mashable - Fri, 11/21/2025 - 11:23

Trump ranting about Jimmy Kimmel online has become so common that the host barely bats an eyelid.

"I woke up this morning, I'm in bed, my wife comes out of the bathroom. She's got her phone, she goes, 'Um, Trump tweeted you should be fired again.' I was like 'Oh', then I went downstairs and made bagels for the kids," says Jimmy Kimmel in the clip above, referring to a Truth Social post in which the president wrote "Get the bum off the air!!!"

"And he posted this, this is interesting, at 12:49am, 11 minutes after the show ended on the East coast," says Kimmel. "Which is nice, he watches us live. Hi Mr President! How are you? Thanks for watching us on TV instead of on YouTube, we appreciate that, and I'll tell ya, it's viewers like you that keep us on the air, ironically."

Categories: IT General, Technology

I found 5 Dyson Supersonic dupes that are almost as good as the real thing

Mashable - Fri, 11/21/2025 - 11:10

It's a simple truth: Where there’s a Dyson product, there’s a dupe, and that holds especially true for Dyson beauty products. For the past several years, I've been on the hunt for the best Dyson Supersonic dupes.

The brand entered the beauty sphere in 2016 when it released the now-iconic Dyson Supersonic hair dryer, which introduced an innovative design that maximized airflow and minimized hair damage. Nine years later, it remains the most coveted hair dryer on the market, making it clear that Dyson's beauty tech bet was a huge success. While it’s an impressive product, the standard model also retails for $519 (an increase from its previous $429).

The often-imitated hair dryer has a lot of copycats that dupe Dyson's signature look but skimp on quality. A good rule of thumb: Avoid the $40 Amazon knockoffs that copy Dyson's signature fuchsia and nickel design. I promise they won't perform the same, and you'll be lucky if they last six months. However, in recent years, a handful of competitors have released Dyson Supersonic alternatives that truly offer similar results.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson Supersonic hair dryer (with 3 attachments) $329.99 at Dyson
$449.99 Save $120   Get Deal SEE ALSO: I tested the best Dyson Airwrap dupes under $300: The Shark FlexStyle is no longer your only option So, what's the best Dyson Supersonic dupe?

To answer that question, I tested a bunch of hair dryers. Some look similar to the Supersonic, and some look nothing like it. I wanted to find the best alternatives to the Dyson Supersonic that replicate the experience: That is to say, they dry your hair in a way that feels quick, easy, and at least a little luxurious.

My top recommendation as of November 2025? The Laifen Swift. Not only does it look like the real thing, but it utilizes ions to minimize damage and has a powerful 110,000 RPM high-speed motor. Plus, it's affordable, which is why it's held the top spot in this guide for nearly a year.

The Laifen Swift, along with many of the other dupes on this guide, often go on sale during Black Friday, allowing you to get even more bang for your buck (especially with the increased prices of the Supersonic line).

What makes the Dyson Supersonic special? 

The Supersonic has stood the test of time because with it, Dyson reimagined the hair dryer. Instead of a bulky, loud dryer, the Supersonic is sleek and compact yet more powerful than other dryers on the market (and a little less loud, too).

Dyson is known for this futuristic aesthetic on its products, but the look of this dryer also has a function. The ring-shaped head ditches the vented and coiled model of the traditional hair dryer and houses the tiny V9 motor in the handle. The combination of the V9 motor and the Air Multiplier technology makes for a dryer that clocks in at only 1.8 pounds yet still delivers a powerful airflow that’s notably quieter than the roar of a traditional dryer. That extra strong airflow also makes this dryer less reliant on heat and keeps hair damage to a minimum.

SEE ALSO: All the best Dyson beauty dupes we've tested

To further mitigate any heat damage, the Supersonic also measures the air temperature up to 20 times per second and uses a built-in ionizer to minimize static and give hair a sleek finish, which brings us to a quick ionizer science lesson.

Ionizers are pretty common in higher-end air dryers. Why? They blow negative ions at wet hair to reduce static electricity by sealing the hair cuticle and taking down the power of that positive ionic charge (aka what's causing that annoying frizz). As negative ions make contact with hair, they're also dispersing the positive ions of water, therefore cutting down on your drying time and reducing damage in the process.

SEE ALSO: All the best skincare tech that we tested and loved, and some that we didn’t

Basically, it's one of the reasons the Dyson Supersonic provides such quick and excellent results and why hair dryers with ionizers cost more money — they do more than simply dry hair.

Magnetic attachments designed to easily snap onto the blow dryer round out the futuristic feel of the Supersonic. Five are included: a styling concentrator, a flyaway attachment, a diffuser, a gentle air attachment, and a wide-tooth comb. It's a nice array of included nozzles, even for high-end dryers, which might typically include three or four attachments at the most.

Why is the Dyson Supersonic so expensive?

At $519, the Supersonic is definitely an investment. However, you're paying for a high-end motor that's built to last, multiple heat settings to protect hair, an innovative design, and of course, the ionic tech. Other dryers from popular hot tool brands like T3, ghd, and Harry Josh boast some similar features and run you anywhere from $150 to $350, but none quite capture the magic of the Supersonic.

SEE ALSO: Honest review of Ruggable: Are the washable rugs worth the price?

When I tested the Supersonic, I found that it had a luxe feel that stands out from other hair dryers. But don't forget: the Dyson Supersonic is now almost 10 years old.

Last year, Dyson released the updated Supersonic Nural (which you can find more info on in the FAQ section of this article), but it's not a drastically different product, with the main upgrade coming in the form of smart features, including improved temperature regulation and attachment detection. I tested it for a few weeks and found the upgrades nice, but by no means game-changing, especially for a $549 hair dryer. I also tested it against other smart hair dryers and found that the T3 Aire IQ offered the best intelligent features for the price point (more on that below, too).

Even with the original Supersonic being an older model, there is something to be said about it standing the test of time, and for providing a luxurious (yet efficient) drying experience, especially for folks with thick hair. On the other hand, Dyson competitors have had plenty of time to develop alternatives, all at a fraction of the price.

Recent testing updates

I'm in the process of testing newer hair dryers from Dreame, including the Dreame Miracle Pro.

The newest addition is the Supersonic Nural dupe, the T3 Aire IQ dryer, which I added in April 2025. Prior to that, I added the Dreame Gleam hair dryer, the Dreame Pocket, and the Shark SpeedStyle Pro Flex in November 2024. In the same month, I removed the Shark HyperAIR from my recommendations as it's largely been phased out from store shelves after Shark discontinued it. If you're still especially keen to get it, a version with just one attachment is available at Walmart.

I also replaced the BaBylissPRO with the Dreame Gleam as the best pick under $100 — though the BaByliss is still a solid hair dryer, it felt more like a standard blow dryer than a Supersonic dupe. Plus, it's less widely available these days.

In February 2025, I tested the L'Oréal Airlight Pro, which at $475 costs even more than the original Supersonic and almost as much as the Supersonic Nural. The Airlight Pro looked and functioned very similar to the Zuvi Halo, which makes sense — the hair dryer was developed in partnership with Zuvi. At the time, I didn't include it as it wasn't that different than the Zuvi Halo, and cost significantly more. However, since then, the Zuvi Halo appears to be discontinued — it's been sold out for months on Zuvi's website after a drastic price hike to $634. I reached out to a representative from Zuvi to confirm the discontinuation, but didn't hear back. As I result, I've decided to remove the Zuvi Halo from our list of recommendations, and am reconsidering the inclusion of the Airlight Pro.

Finally, Dreame recently released the Dreame Pocket Ultra, an upgrade to one of our current recommendations, as well as the Dreame Miracle Pro, another Supersonic dupe contender. I'll be testing both for potential inclusion in this guide.

Categories: IT General, Technology

2025 Black Friday ads: Best deals from Walmart, Amazon, Best Buy, Kohls, Target, Home Depot, and more

Mashable - Fri, 11/21/2025 - 11:05

Black Friday is fast approaching, but the reality is that it's already here in a big way. You can find discounts on hot products like MacBooks, AirPods, Lego, Pokémon, and so much more. It's the single best time of the year to secure a deal, with heavy discounts on offer from all the leading retailers.

The biggest retailers are always looking to get ahead of the competition by launching early-access deals, with savings-packed Black Friday ads that include a snapshot of what shoppers can expect. We recommend that savvy shoppers take some time to check out everything that's showcased in these ads, but if that sounds like far too much work, we can help you out.

SEE ALSO: Gaming deals are going strong ahead of Black Friday 2024

We've checked out all the best deals from the Black Friday ads of leading retailers. We're talking about the likes of Best Buy, Walmart, Home Depot, and Target. Amazon doesn't release a traditional Black Friday ad, but we've still gone ahead and pulled the best deals that you can already shop. Aren't we helpful.

These are the best Black Friday deals from Black Friday ads that you can already buy online.

Best early Black Friday deals from AmazonBest early Black Friday Apple deals

AirTags

iPhones

Apple Watch

iPads

iMacs

Mac Minis

Macbooks

Headphones

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Categories: IT General, Technology

New to the stock market? This AI-powered tool can help you invest confidently.

Mashable - Fri, 11/21/2025 - 11:00

TL;DR: Make investing as easy as a few taps with a lifetime subscription to this AI-powered tool, Sterling Stock Picker, just $55.19 (reg. $486) with code STOCKS20 for a limited time.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sterling Stock Picker Sterling Stock Picker: Lifetime Subscription $55.19
$486 Save $430.81   Get Deal

Too overwhelmed to start investing in the stock market? There’s now an app for that. Sterling Stock Picker does the work for you, simplifying the stock market with AI-powered features that help you make educated decisions.

You can score a lifetime subscription to this handy service for just $55.19 (reg. $486) with code STOCKS20.

SEE ALSO: Bitcoin price plunges below $100,000. This is why.

Sterling Stock Picker is an award-winning platform that lets you invest confidently. Just answer a five-minute questionnaire that helps determine your risk preferences and personal values, and then Sterling Stock Picker can get started finding you the best stocks for your portfolio.

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Categories: IT General, Technology

This $35 AI tool can turn any idea into an image for life

Mashable - Fri, 11/21/2025 - 11:00

TL;DR: Let your imagination run wild with a lifetime subscription to Imayigo AI Image Generator, just $34.97 (MSRP $495) through Dec. 14.

Opens in a new window Credit: Imagiyo Imagiyo AI Image Generator: Lifetime Subscription (Standard Plan) $34.97
$495 Save $460.03   Get Deal

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Categories: IT General, Technology

Train Dreams review: Joel Edgerton brings Denis Johnsons novella to life

Mashable - Fri, 11/21/2025 - 11:00

By no means a fast-paced film but one rich with detail and strong performances, Train Dreams weaves one man's life through a rapidly changing American West in the early 20th century.

Based on Denis Johnson’s 2011 novella of the same name, it's a steady, meditative, and at times devastating journey with many a conversation around the fire. Train Dreams sees Sing Sing collaborators Greg Kwedar and Clint Bentley reunite — this time with Bentley in the director's chair — to explore delicate themes of love and loss amid this fading frontier, sitting on the cusp of industrialisation. It's a slow-going, sombre film at times, an historical essay at others, and it won't be everyone's cup of sarsaparilla.

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However, the true heart of this moving film is a subtle, sensitive performance by Joel Edgerton, one immersed in Bryce Dessner's meticulous score and Adolpho Veloso's lush cinematography, and concluded with the unmistakable spirit of Nick Cave.

What is Train Dreams about? Joel Edgerton and Felicity Jones in "Train Dreams." Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

Beginning in 1917 and running through to 1968, Train Dreams follows a man's search for meaning as the 20th century arrives. The Wild West days are over. The American frontier is transforming. And Edgerton leads as devoted family man and stoic railroad worker Robert Grainier, who works for the Spokane International Railway in Idaho. He builds transient bonds with his fellow lumberjacks and pines for home. He's also a man riddled by guilt for his complicity watching the racist murder of Chinese immigrant worker Fu Sheng (Alfred Hsing) during a railroad job, perpetually haunted by the memory. Here, the script diverges from the novella: In the latter, Robert physically helps in hauling the worker to a tall bridge, but in the film, Robert simply doesn't intervene.

Despite this shockingly casual event, the film spends most of its time tracing Robert's life. After a brief courtship with his soon-to-be wife Gladys Olding (Felicity Jones), in the small village of Meadow Creek, Robert builds a simple, idyllic home with her among fields of wildflowers and beside a babbling brook. The pair map out their single-room cabin with river boulders and soon welcome the arrival of their daughter Kate. It's an almost overwhelmingly romantic existence, hammered home in near-saccharine montages and Dessner's tender score, and one Robert yearns for when torn away for months on dangerous railroad-building projects. The job's perils are emphasised in both Johnson's novella and Bentley's film, with injury or death from the felling of colossal trees a common workplace risk for 20th-century lumberjacks. Veloso's POV shots of these ancient giants falling prove the point, and several scenes show how risky this business of pillaging the natural landscape was.

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At one tragic point, in a devastatingly shot and enacted sequence, Robert's world is upturned forever. He's left desperately searching for meaning in it all, feeling obsolete and expecting "a great revelation to arrive about his life." Edgerton delivers a solemn, raw performance — and with everything that happens, we're not mad that he's surrounded by fluffy stray puppies for a large chunk of the film. Giving Edgerton's character room for deep conversation and reflection, Bentley and Kwedar expand characters from Johnson's book, including Robert's friend Ignatius Jack (a wonderful Nathaniel Arcand), a Kootenai store owner who helps him rebuild, and forest service worker Claire (Kerry Condon), who bonds with Robert down the track.

Train Dreams is a journey of solitude and American history. Joel Edgerton in "Train Dreams." Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

Though it's not necessarily a history lesson, Train Dreams subtly meanders through stories of the American West and where these unsung railroad workers fit within it. Through an omniscient narrator (voiced by Will Patton) and conversations between characters, the script pieces together fragments of the past. As in Johnson's novella, mentions of the American Civil War, American Indian Wars, and World War I arise organically. In particular here, William H. Macy is a highlight as Arn Peeples, a harmonica-playing explosives expert and "gadabout of unknown origin" who befriends Robert. As in the novella, Arn's the character most reflective on American history, lamenting his younger peers' disconnection to it.

Like Arn, Patton's narration lends a certain grandfatherly energy, describing locomotive mechanics, the construction of the Robinson Gorge Bridge, and "the cost of progress" in the same tone as he describes Robert's existential crisis. Nonetheless, it gives the film a steadfast emotional consistency. Additionally, his narration gives the film's present an awareness of the future, as we learn what will become of things.

William H. Macy in "Train Dreams." Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

Train Dreams also takes pains to capture a specific tension between tradition and modernity through the work of production designer Alexandra Schaller. From the handcrafted elements of the Graniers' cabin to the changing technology of the logging sites from rudimentary tools to machinery, Schaller's team craft a detailed picture of life in the American West from early to mid century. But there's one crucial element that pulls all the elements of Train Dreams together.

The simmering engine of Train Dreams is Bryce Dessner's score. Joel Edgerton and Kerry Condon in "Train Dreams." Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

Adding to his lauded catalogue of modern film scores from The Revenant to We Live In Time, The National's Bryce Dessner once again flexes his atmospheric composer skills in Train Dreams. At once a whimsical, romantic ode to potential and a hypnotic, reflective accompaniment to loss, Dessner's score drives the emotional engine of Train Dreams. Edgerton's Robert is characteristically stoic and interior in his emotions, allowing Dessner to draw out the brilliant subtleties of his performance. Meanwhile, it's the perfect partner to Veloso's gorgeous shots of Robert engulfed by the Idaho landscape, immersed in the beauty and history of the American wilderness.

Worth staying through the film's end credits for, Dessner teams up with the ever-iconic Nick Cave (no stranger to a lyrical exploration of love and loss) for the haunting original song "Train Dreams." This brooding ballad essentially encapsulates the film's narrative and emotional tone in a few minutes, marking a sublime conclusion to the film.

Train Dreams takes its time, relishing in conversations about grief, loss, feeling obsolete and overwhelmed by both nature and modernity. This slower pace can feel a little engulfing at times, but Edgerton's performance, Dessner's score, and Veloso's balance of handheld and static photography kept me hitched on the ride.

Train Dreams was reviewed out of BFI London Film Festival. The film will hit select U.S. cinemas on Nov. 7 before streaming on Netflix worldwide on Nov. 21.

UPDATE: Nov. 20, 2025, 2:40 p.m. EST This review was first published on Oct. 25, 2025, as part of Mashable's BFI coverage. It has been updated in anticipation of its streaming debut.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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