IT General

It's Third Quarter tonight, which means it’s a half-moon with the left side still lit. There's still lots to see on the moon's surface before it disappears from view fully, so keep reading to find out what you can spot.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Wednesday, Nov. 12, the moon phase is Third Quarter. This means 47% of the moon is lit up tonight, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

Looking up with no visual aids you'll be able to see the Mare Imbrium and the Kepler and Tycho Craters. If you have binoculars, to the bottom left you'll see the Grimaldi Basin, the Mare Humorum, and the Clavius Crater.

If you have a telescope, you'll get to see even more, including the Reiner Gamma, Apollo 14, and Rima Ariadaeus.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Dec. 4.

What are moon phases?

Moon phases are part of a 29.5-day lunar cycle, according to NASA. Moon phases are how the moon looks from Earth as it goes around us. We always see the same side of the moon, but how much of it is lit up by the Sun changes depending on where it is in its orbit. So, sometimes it looks full, sometimes half, and sometimes not there at all. There are eight main moon phases, and they follow a repeating cycle:

The eight main moon phases are:

New Moon - The moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

The best early Black Friday Pokémon deals at a glance: Best Pokémon TCG deal Mega Evolution Booster Bundle $55.01 (save $4.98) Get Deal Best Pokémon Game Deal Pokémon Legends: Arceus $51.49 (save $8.50) Get Deal Best Pokémon Funko Pop! deal Funko Pop! Pokémon Advent Calendar $44.99 (save $5) Get Deal Best Pokémon Squishmallows deal Squishmallows Jumbo Eevee $34.91 (save $15.08) Get Deal Best Pokémon Toy deal Pokémon Battle Figure 8 Pack $26.04 (save $10.95) Get Deal Best Pokémon Plushie Deal Pokémon 5-inch Sleeping Squirtle, Charmander, Bulbasaur Starter Plush 3-Pack $34.99 (save $2) Get Deal Best Mega Pokémon deal Mega Pokémon Motion Charizard $84.82 (save $13.49) Get Deal

Black Friday is easily the best time to catch wild Pokémon deals, and even though a lot of retailers haven't officially kicked off their sales, you can already save a fortune on Pokémon TCG, Squishmallows, Plushies, Funko Pops, Mega building sets, and toys. Even Pokémon Nintendo Switch games are on offer right now.

I've checked out everything on offer to find the best early Black Friday deals on Pokémon. Consider this your comprehensive Pokémon Black Friday deals guide. Let's get straight into it with some of my top picks:

Best early Black Friday Pokémon TCG deal Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Mega Evolution Booster Bundle $55.01 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $4.98   Get Deal Why we like it

This has been the one Pokémon TCG product that's been dipping below market value consistently, and it's discounted right now. Plus, if you use a combination of the AMEX, Discover, and Amazon Store Card offers, you can snag this for as little as $1.

More Pokémon TCG deals Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Mega Evolution Elite Trainer Box $98.88 at Amazon
  Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Black Bolt Elite Trainer Box $92.94 at Amazon
  Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company White Flare Elite Trainer Box $82.94 at Amazon
$104.49 Save $21.55   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Prismatic Evolutions Booster Bundle $55 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $4.99   Get Deal Best early Black Friday Pokémon game deal Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon Legends: Arceus $51.49 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $8.50   Get Deal Why we like it

Pokémon Legends: Z-A is a great ride (more so on Switch 2), but Legends: Arceus kicked off the experimental mainline series that sees Pokémon games turning long-standing mechanics on their heads. Arceus isn't optimised for Nintendo Switch 2, but it's still such a great game. With a cheeky early Black Friday discount thrown in, you should see what you've been missing out on.

More Pokémon game deals Pokémon Violet $50.50 at Walmart
$59.96 Save $9.46   Get Deal at Walmart Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Best Buy Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! $50 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $9.99   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Walmart Get Deal at Best Buy Best early Black Friday Pokémon Funko Pop! deal Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company / Funko Funko Pop! Pokémon Advent Calendar $55 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $4.99   Get Deal Why we like it

Getting a mini Pokémon Funko every morning in December is peak Christmas. It's a last-minute deal to get a loved one something different instead of chocolate for once. And these all look amazing on a shelf together, plus it's a cheeky $5 off right now. How can you lose?

More Pokémon Funko Pop! deals Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company / Funko Raikou Pokémon Funko Pop! Jumbo (Preorder) $39.99 at Amazon
  Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company / Funko Suicune Pokémon Funko Pop! Jumbo (Amazon Exclusive - WonderCon 2025) $44.99 at Amazon
  Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company / Funko Funko Pop Moments Deluxe: Pokémon Starters - Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle $69.99 at Amazon
  Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company / Funko Funko Pop Games: Pokémon - Dragonite $17.99 at Amazon
$19.27 Save $1.28   Get Deal Best early Black Friday Pokémon Squishmallow deal Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company / Jazwares Squishmallows Jumbo Eevee $34.91 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $15.08   Get Deal Why we like it

It's rare to see significant discounts on Squishmallows, and Pokémon is even more infamous for dodging price cuts. But there are plenty of Pokémon Jumbo Squishmallow early Black Friday deals right now, such as this cute Eevee with $15 slashed off. They're so soft and perfect cuddle buddies, according to my kids of course...

More Pokémon Squishmallow deals Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company / Squishmallow Belibolt 20-inch Pokémon Squishmallow $29.49 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $20.50   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company / Squishmallow Marill 14-inch Pokémon Squishmallow $21 at Amazon
$24.99 Save $3.99   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company / Squishmallow Happy Pikachu 20-inch Pokémon Squishmallow $44.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $5   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company / Squishmallow Chansey 14-inch Pokémon Squishmallow $19.99 at Amazon
$24.99 Save $5   Get Deal Best early Black Friday Pokémon toy deal Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company / Jazwares Gengar, Alolan Marowak, and Misdreavus Pokémon Battle Figure set $11.49 at Amazon
$22.99 Save $11.50 Get Deal Why we like it

Because Ghost Types are epic and Gengar is the best one. I'll die on this hill, so getting Alolan Marowak and Misdreavus at 50% off is a great deal. If you're wondering what would go down well for the Pokémon fan in your life, this is a safe bet that won't break the bank this Black Friday.

More Pokémon toy deals Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company / Jazwares Pokemon Battle Figure 8 Pack $26.04 at Amazon
$36.99 Save $10.95   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon Battle Ready! Figure Set $34.43 at Amazon
$36.99 Save $2.56   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon Battle Figure Toy Set $34.99 at Amazon
$44.99 Save $10   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon Proxy Battle Figure 10 Pack $28.49 at Amazon
$37.18 Save $8.69   Get Deal Best early Black Friday Pokémon plushie deal Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon 5-inch Sleeping Squirtle, Charmander, Bulbasaur Starter Plush 3-Pack $34.99 at Amazon
$36.99 Save $2   Get Deal Why we like it

Sleeping Pokémon plushies are life, and these are by far some of the most popular. It's not a huge discount, but anything with the Kanto generation starter Pokémon is popular, and these are so fluffy. They're not huge either, so it's a perfect stocking filler.

More Pokémon plushie deals Pokémon Paldea First Partner Plush 3 Pack $29.10 at Amazon
$32.22 Save $3.12 Get Deal at Amazon Pokémon Charmander Select Velvet Plush $17.99 at Amazon
  Get Deal at Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company / Jazwares Pokemon Squirtle Select Velvet Plush $14.93 at Amazon
$17.99 Save $3.06 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon Jolteon Sleeping Plush $36.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $3   Get Deal Best early Black Friday Mega Pokémon deal Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company / Mega Mega Pokémon Motion Charizard $84.97 at Amazon
$98.31 Save $13.34   Get Deal Why we like it

The news that Pokémon is finally making the jump to Lego next year is ridiculously awesome, but there's already plenty of seriously cool Mega Pokémon sets to build. This Motion Charizard is always a favorite around Black Friday, and it's nearly $15 off right now. It sports 1,664 pieces and its wings move, sold.

More Mega Pokémon deals Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company / Mega Pikachu MEGA Pokémon $12.99 at Amazon
$18.89 Save $5.90   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company / MEGA Water-Type Trainer Team $17.99 at Amazon
$32.39 Save $14.40   Get Deal

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

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

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

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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025:

AcrossPlace with ships and slips

• The answer is Dock.

Assignment for a delivery driver

• The answer is Route.

Way in

• The answer is Entry.

What might leave stains on a gardener's pants

• The answer is Soil.

Fearsome dinosaur, for short

• The answer is Trex.

DownPerson giving blood

• The answer is Donor.

Kind of belly button that 10% of the world has

• The answer is Outie.

Shortcut for "cut," for short

• The answer is CTRL X.

Door opener ... like 6-Across?

• The answer is Key.

"Oh, give it a ___ already!"

• The answer is Rest.

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.

Even if you have a very capable smartphone and a nice laptop, a tablet can still be worth adding to your tech arsenal. A touchscreen that can be carried anywhere makes for a portable studio for creatives, a crucial sidekick for frequent travelers, and an e-reader for book lovers. These days, tablets are basically just laptops anyway.

Whether you're looking for a kid-friendly tablet or a compact laptop replacement, there are plenty of excellent options out there. If you're not exactly sure which tablet you should buy, we've got one simple question to help narrow down your search: Are you an Apple person? We tested the entire iPad lineup, and though iPads are our preferred tablets in 2025, we also love some of the best tablets from Samsung, Lenovo, and Microsoft. So, whatever your preferences, we've got a tablet to recommend.

Recent additions to this guide:

• Oct. 28, 2025: We've added the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 tablet to this guide; it's an excellent Android gaming tablet, but is suitable for anyone in the market for an Android tablet.

• Nov. 5, 2025: After spending several weeks with the Samsung Galaxy S11 Ultra, we were impressed by its performance. We've added it to this guide as the best Android tablet for professionals, as its oversized screen is overkill for the average tablet user.

TL;DR: Lock in enough storage forever with this 50TB lifetime subscription to Internxt Cloud Storage, on sale now for just $679.97 (reg. $7,900) until Nov. 20.

Opens in a new window Credit: Internxt Internxt Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription $679.97
$7,900 Save $7,220.03   Get Deal

Imagine a world where you never have to pay for cloud storage again. It may sound too good to be true, but it’s possible with Internxt. This handy service allows you to own your cloud storage outright, so you can skip the expensive monthly fees and finally feel free.

Right now, you can snag enough space for life with a 50TB lifetime subscription to Internxt Cloud Storage for just $679.97 (reg. $7,900) through Nov. 20.

SEE ALSO: Google unveils Private AI Compute, its answer to Apple's Private Cloud Compute

Since we’re all creating more data every day, our storage needs continue to grow over time. If you’re renting space in the cloud, that can get very costly. If you’re looking for an alternative way to secure your important files, it’s time to check out Internxt Cloud Storage.

With Internxt, you can own your cloud storage for life, with plans large enough to meet your demands. This 50TB lifetime subscription lets you secure more than 6.5 million photos, 5 million documents, or thousands of hours of HD video with this user-friendly platform.

While other popular cloud storage platforms monetize your data through targeted ads and data sharing, Internxt takes a very different approach. It offers end-to-end encryption, making your data safe and inaccessible, even to the company itself. It’s also GDPR compliant, adhering to strict European laws regarding user privacy and data security, and is audited and verified by Securitum.

The platform features an intuitive, easy-to-use interface. It also offers cross-platform compatibility, so it’s easy to integrate across devices and operating systems.

Act fast to snag this 50TB lifetime subscription to Internxt Cloud Storage for just $679.97 (reg. $7,900) until Nov. 20.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

SAVE OVER $500: As of Nov. 12, the Hisense 85-inch E6 Cinema Series TV is on sale for $767.99 at Amazon. That's a 41% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 85-inch E6 Cinema Series TV $767.99 at Amazon
$1,299.99 Save $532   Get Deal

TV deals are really picking up as we approach Black Friday, and if you're looking to upgrade in time for Christmas movie season, this latest deal on the Hisense 85-inch E6 Cinema Series is something to carefully consider.

Amazon's Black Friday sale hasn't officially kicked off yet (Nov. 20, save the date), but this discount is worth jumping on right now. As of Nov. 12, the TV is down its lowest-ever price, now just $767.99. That's a saving of over $500 on list price. And it's not just this model on sale, every size of this TV from 43-inch to 100-inch is currently discounted.

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

As the name might suggest, this TV is designed with cinema-like quality in mind, meaning everything has been built to give you the best possible visuals. This translates to QLED Color using quantum dots to produce over a billion shades, and Total HDR Solution ensuring deep blacks and vibrant highlights across all major HDR formats, including Dolby Vision, HDR10+ Adaptive, HDR10, and HLG. Paired with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, it offers an immersive experience where picture and sound come together perfectly, just like they do at the cinema.

This model also has Fire TV built in, meaning all your favorite shows, movies, and apps are right there on the home screen. It also gives you access to Alexa, so you can use hands free voice control to search online or play your next movie.

Get this great TV deal from Amazon at a record-low price.

FREE RED CUP: Starbucks Red Cup Day takes place on Nov. 13, 2025. Buy any handcrafted holiday drink in any size to get a free reusable red cup.

Opens in a new window Credit: Starbucks Starbucks Red Cup Day 2025   Learn More

Is that the sound of sleigh bells in the distance? No, it’s the sound of coffee lovers gearing up for one of the most anticipated days of the year. Clear your schedules, because Starbucks’ holiday season officially started on Nov. 6.

So what exactly is included in this hotly-anticipated festive celebration? Starbucks is welcoming back those holiday beverages that we simply can't go a whole year without. We're talking about favorites like Peppermint Mocha, Caramel Brulée Latte, Iced Sugar Cookie Latte, and Iced Gingerbread Chai. And later in the season, two holiday classics — the Chestnut Praline Latte and Eggnog Latte — will make a glorious return. We don't know about you, but we're feeling the festive spirit.

SEE ALSO: Starbucks discloses secret menu, announces $25K drink contest

But that's not the highlight of the holidays. That's the return of Red Cup Day. On Nov. 13, Starbucks is giving away limited-edition reusable red cups for free with any handcrafted holiday beverage (at participating stores while supplies last). The free red cup is a 16-oz grande with a lid.

We really wouldn't want you to miss out on this special giveaway, so plan ahead. That might sound slightly ridiculous. This is a reusable cup, for goodness sake. But shockingly, people really love free stuff? Red Cup Day tends to draw large crowds, so arriving early or placing your order through the Starbucks app can help you beat the rush and secure your precious cup before they’re gone for good.

SAVE $1,500: As of Nov. 12, the Jackery HomePower 3000 is on sale for $999 at Amazon. That's a 60% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery HomePower 3000 $999 at Amazon
$2,499 Save $1,500   Get Deal

With Black Friday approaching, you can find incredible deals on all kinds of tech. Whether you're in need of a new TV, earbuds, or gaming accessories, prices are slowly starting to drop.

One product that is seeing some incredible early discounts is power stations. All brands are seeing some hefty early deals as we approach Black Friday, and this latest deal on the Jackery HomePower 3000 is seriously impressive. As of Nov. 12, you can score an incredible $1,500 off the list price, bringing the price down to $999. This is also the lowest it has ever been priced according to camelcamelcamel. This price includes an AC cable with the power station.

SEE ALSO: I found 15+ early Black Friday deals on power stations: Shop Jackery, Anker, Bluetti, and more

This is a device perfect for keeping your home running during power outages. With a 3,600W output (7,200W surge) and 3,072Wh capacity, it can power essentials like your fridge, fan, WiFi router, and lights for up to 15 hours, or keep a refrigerator going for up to two days. It features a UL-certified UPS that switches over in under 20ms. This means that devices like medical fridges or routers keep running smoothly during blackouts, with no cutouts.

It has plenty of ports so you can power multiple devices at once. Ports include AC, USB-C, USB-A, and DC, and it includes dual 100W PD ports for fast charging and a TT-30 RV port for hooking up to an RV.

This impressive power station deal is stamped as a limited-time offer, so grab this deal now before it runs out.

TL;DR: Unblock Pornhub for free from Italy with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.

Age-verification laws are still producing ripples through the world of porn.

Individuals are being asked to provide proof of age in order to access adult content. Earlier in 2025, more than a third of U.S. states introduced age verification laws for online adult content. A similar situation has been taking place in France and the UK, and now Italy is the latest country to implement restrictions.

These age-verification laws raise serious privacy concerns. The prospect of handing over information to third-party systems and not knowing how these companies are handling or storing that data is naturally concerning to potential users. Fortunately, there is a simple workaround that can secure your access to your favorite sites without risking your personal information.

If you want to unblock porn sites like Pornhub for free from Italy, we have all the information you need.

How to unblock Pornhub for free in Italy

VPNs are useful tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other locations. This straightforward process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can access sites like Pornhub from anywhere in the world.

Unblock Pornhub by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location that supports access to Pornhub

4. Visit Pornhub

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for unblocking porn sites are not free, but most do offer free-trial peiods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites like Pornhub without actually spending anything. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you the opportunity to temporarily retain access to Pornhub before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to sites like Pornhub, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for bypassing content restrictions is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for Pornhub?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking porn sites like Pornhub, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% 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 (including money-back guarantee).

Unblock Pornhub for free in Italy with ExpressVPN.

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 Pips

If 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 November 8, 2025

The 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 November 8, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Nov. 12 Pips

Number (3): Everything in this space must add to 3. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 1-5, placed horizontally.

Number (30): Everything in this space must add to 30. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally; 1-5, placed horizontally; 5-5, placed vertically; 5-0, placed horizontally; 5-2, placed horizontally.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add to 0. The answer is 5-0, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Nov. 12 Pips

Number (6): Everything in this space must add to 6. The answer is 0-3, placed horizontally; 3-6, placed horizontally.

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 6-4, placed horizontally; 3-6, placed horizontally.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add to 8. The answer is 6-4, placed horizontally; 4-0, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add to 4. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically; 2-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 5-5, placed vertically; 0-5, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Nov. 12 Pips

Equal (1): Everything in this purple space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-1, placed horizontally; 1-0, placed horizontally; 1-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Everything in this light blue space must be equal to 0. The answer is 1-0, placed horizontally; 0-2, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 4-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this red space must be equal to 2. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally; 0-2, placed horizontally; 4-2, placed horizontally; 3-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this dark blue space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-2, placed horizontally; 3-3, placed vertically; 3-1, placed horizontally.

Equal (6): Everything in this green space must be equal to 6. The answer is 6-6, 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.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition is easy if you're familiar with mid-major conferences.

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: Canadian hockey

• Green: Iconic ballpark locations

• Blue: Mid-major basketball

• Purple: Sounds like a pro team

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Canadian NHL Teams, Minus the S

• Green: MLB Stadium Landmarks

• Blue: College Conferences

• Purple: Starts with an NBA Team

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 #415 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Canadian NHL Teams, Minus the S - CANUCK, JET, MAPLE LEAF, OILER

• MLB Stadium Landmarks - GREEN MONSTER, HOME RUN APPLE, MCCOVERY COVE, MONUMENT PARK

• College Conferences - IVY, MISSOURI VALLEY, PATRIOT, SUN BELT

• Starts with an NBA Team - BUCKSKIN, HEAT CHECK, MAGIC JOHNSON, SUNSCREEN

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.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

A cooking method.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

SAUTE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A writing tool.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for November 12, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

CHALK

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Copy.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for November 12 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 12, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

ROGER

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Jazz music.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for November 12 Hurdle Word 4 answer

BEBOP

Final Hurdle hint

Twelve.

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

DOZEN

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

Amidst a host of period tracking apps out there like Flo and Natural Cycles, menstrual health startup Joii is promising something new: measuring period blood volume with AI to diagnose conditions like endometriosis, and it launches today in the UK.

One in three menstruators experience heavy bleeding during their periods, according to the UK's National Health Service (NHS), and it can be a symptom of painful conditions endometriosis, fibroids, and adenomyosis. It can take four to 11 years to be diagnosed with endometriosis, and as many as 60 percent of cases remain undiagnosed. The founder of Joii, Justyna Strzeszynska, developed the app after her own painful journey to a fibroids diagnosis.

The aim of the Joii Period Evaluation app is to use AI to track one's cycle and spot any potential issues to flag to your doctor.

SEE ALSO: Women's health app Flo launches perimenopause features

To do this, users will have to buy Joii Evaluation Pads — there are day and night variations — and download the app (available on Apple and Android devices). When you want to see how much you've bled and whether there are any clots, hold your phone over the pad and scan using the app. The app will check whether you're using a day or night pad, and whether there are any clots to detect, according to a video on Joii's website.

Credit: Joii

You can also use the app to track other symptoms, such as pelvic pain and fatigue.

"We already count our steps, monitor our sleep and track our heart rate," Strzeszynska commented in a press release shared with Mashable. "Measuring blood loss is simply the next step to better understanding our bodies and demanding the care we deserve. We want every woman to have proof, not just pain."

In a five-month-long study with 72 participants, 88 percent said Joii would improve how they communicate period volume with their doctor, and just over half (52 percent) said their period health literacy improved after using the app.

There's definitely something to be said for the crisp handheld control of a powerful cordless stick vacuum. But if you don't consider cleaning cathartic, the best robot vacuums can cross that chore off your to-do list for good.

And after testing more than 30 robot vacuums on my own personal floors (my apartment is very clean), I can confidently curate a handful of robot vacuum recommendations that'll make your life easier — and fit your budget.

SEE ALSO: iRobot could be facing bankruptcy. But as a vacuum tester, I saw the Roomba flop era coming from a mile away.

I test new robot vacuums on a regular basis and compare them to the top performers from previous months, with all my evaluations taking place in my own home on various rugs, tile, and hardwood floors. As I test each robot vacuum and tweak its settings for optimal performance, I keep notes on its overall suction power and scrubbing efficacy (if it's a robot vacuum and mop combo), pet hair pickup, the convenience of its automatic emptying and self-washing mopping pads, accuracy of smart mapping and small obstacle avoidance, and the overall user experience. But the final boss here is cost efficiency — I'll be the first one to point out when a cheap robot vacuum actually works well for the price, or when a high-end robot vacuum is actually worth the splurge or not.

November is one of the best months to buy a robot vacuum, BTW

Regardless of what you're aiming to spend, the pool of vacuums in your price range should widen substantially during the month of November. Black Friday is one of the absolute best times of year to score a robot vacuum on sale — I've already seen every robot vacuum in this guide go on sale earlier in 2025, and those sale prices are bound to drop even lower as Amazon and Best Buy's Black Friday deals start to trickle in.

Throughout my continuous at-home testing, I found the best robot vacuum to buy for every home and budget in the last quarter of 2025.

Other robot vacuums I've tested recently

I tested several other top robot vacuums in the past that didn't make the most recent cut for this list. Some, like the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra, Roborock Qrevo Master, Narwal Freo X Ultra, and various versions of the Roomba j7 were my top recommendations at one point, but have since been overshadowed by newer, more powerful models that are a better bang for your buck.

I've also tested some 2025 robot vacuum releases that were OK, but ultimately aren't a top pick for me. The Dreame X50 Ultra grabbed attention during its CES 2025 debut for its ability to "climb," though the fine print is that it can't scale thresholds taller than 6 millimeters (about 2.36 inches). A slew of new Dreame robot vacuums are slated to come out in fall 2025, among them a model with improved climbing abilities and a model whose self-empty dock can hold three sets of mopping pads. I'll be getting my hands on these as soon as possible and updating my top picks for this list accordingly.

Looks like AI is alright, alright, alright to actor Matthew McConaughey…and a slew of other celebrities too.

According to a new report from Variety, Matthew McConaughey has partnered with the AI audio company ElevenLabs for a new project, a Spanish-language audio version of his newsletter “Lyrics of Livin’,” and the actor doesn't even need to know Spanish to do it. McConaughey's voice will be cloned and the audio will be created using ElevenLabs technology.

In addition to the new collaboration, McConaughey, who reportedly has worked with ElevenLabs before, is now an investor in the company as well.

"Since our first conversation, I’ve been impressed by how the ElevenLabs team has taken the magic of the core technology and turned it into products that creators, enterprises and storytellers use daily," McConaughey said in a statement. "I launched my newsletter, ‘Lyrics of Livin’,’ as a way to share stories and ideas in my own voice with those who want to listen. Now, thanks to ElevenLabs, ‘Lyrics of Livin’’ is expanding with a Spanish language edition, allowing us to reach and connect with even more people."

ElevenLabs launches Iconic Voice Marketplace

McConaughey's not the only celebrity partnering with ElevenLabs either. ElevenLabs also announced the launch of its new Iconic Voice Marketplace, which will let third-parties request approval to use AI-cloned voices from a roster of famous actors, musical artists, and sports stars.

Acting legend Michael Caine has shared that he will be cloning his voice for the company's Iconic Voice Marketplace. ElevenLab's also shared a list of other voices (alive and dead) available in its Iconic Voice Marketplace, including Judy Garland, John Wayne, Liza Minnelli, Laurence Olivier, Maya Angelou, and Babe Ruth. The marketplace also includes historical figures such as Thomas Edison and Mark Twain. According to ElevenLabs, there are currently 28 celebrity voices available in the marketplace. (Note: Matthew McConaughey is not part of the Iconic Voice Marketplace.)

Hollywood, SAG, and other actors and artists' representatives have struggled with how to deal with the growing threat of AI over the past few years. Studios looking to cut costs continue to push for AI, whereas artists and their fans have criticized the use of AI in the arts. Recently, Zelda Williams, daughter of the late Robin Williams, denounced the use of AI to create depictions of her father online without any consent.

ElevenLabs has clearly been paying attention with its Iconic Voice Marketplace, highlighting how it requires artists or their families to fully consent to any AI usage of the celebrity's likeness.

However, the fact that legends like Michael Caine are taking part in this shows that some actors may feel like this is the way the industry is going, whether they like it or not, and adapting is the best way to maintain some control over their voice.

Correction: The original headline for this story stated: "Matthew McConaughey, Michael Caine sell their voices to AI podcast company." While Michael Caine's voice will be available on the ElevenLabs Iconic Voice Marketplace, Matthew McConaughey has invested in ElevenLabs, which will clone his voice for use in the actor's projects. This story has been updated with a new headline, which states: "Matthew McConaughey, Michael Caine clone their voices in partnership with AI audio company." Our original story remains unchanged.

SAVE $703: As of Nov. 11, the LG 34-inch UltraGear OLED curved gaming monitor is on sale for $696.99 at Amazon — that's 50% off its list price of $1,399.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 34-inch UltraGear OLED curved gaming monitor $696.99 at Amazon
$1,399.99 Save $703   Get Deal

'Tis the season for upgrading your gaming setup. While it may still be a few weeks until Black Friday, you can already pick up a curved OLED gaming monitor for half price.

As of Nov. 11, the LG 34-inch UltraGear OLED curved gaming monitor is on sale at Amazon for only $696.99 instead of the usual $1,399.99. That's over $700 or 50% in savings and only $23 shy of its best price ever. There's a chance we could see the price drop even lower as we get deeper into the holiday season, but there's no guarantee — and to be honest, it's going to be hard to beat 50% off.

Making the switch to an OLED monitor on its own will completely transform your gaming experience. Add the ultra-wide curved display of the LG UltraGear and you'll go from just playing games to being submerged in them. The 34-inch WQHD display features a steep 800R curvature and a 21:9 aspect ratio, which means the screen will wrap the action around you. Just note that curved displays do take up a bit more desk real estate than a typical flat screen monitor and they take a bit of getting used to. They aren't everyone's cup of tea, though everyone from gamers to artists to multitaskers can truly benefit from the wrap-around display.

The LG 34GX90SA-W UltraGear also packs a 240Hz refresh rate, 0.03ms response time, and Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium compatibility. That's a pretty solid spec lineup for most gamers. Sure, they now make monitors with refresh rates of 500Hz. But honestly, that's overkill; most people likely won't notice a huge difference beyond the 240Hz mark, as our friends at PCMag (also owned by Ziff Davis) pointed out. Other features include plenty of ports and the ability to double as a smart TV with built-in webOS.

During the Nov. 6 Tesla shareholders' meeting, Elon Musk said that the electric vehicle company is almost ready to allow texting and driving. Musk said that this feature could be coming to full self-driving mode in just one or two months, according to Electrek.

The biggest news from the shareholders' event concerned Musk's pay package. At the meeting, shareholders voted to approve Musk's $1 trillion pay package, which is set to make the world's richest man even richer. However, the CEO's "texting and driving" comments also deserve a closer look.

In Tesla's Full Self-Driving mode (FSD), drivers can go hands-free, although they are required to pay attention and occasionally make contact with the wheel. If drivers attempt to use a mobile device while FSD is engaged, the Autopilot feature is designed to detect this activity and issue a warning to the driver.

A Tesla online driver's manual states: "Do not use handheld devices while using Autopilot features. If the cabin camera detects a handheld device while Autopilot is engaged, the touchscreen displays a message reminding you to pay attention."

Now, Musk says the company believes FSD is advanced enough that drivers could look away from the road and fire off text messages. This follows Tesla's introduction of a new "Mad Max" mode for FSD customers, which allows higher speeds and more aggressive lane changes. That feature, which debuted in October, almost instantly caught the attention of federal investigators.

Of course, most states (as well as many cities and counties) have laws against texting while driving. In fact, Montana is the only state without a total ban on the practice.

We should also point out that Musk has a long history of overestimating timelines for his products, particularly when it comes to self-driving.

In 2017, he predicted that drivers would be able to nap behind the wheel by 2019. Undeterred, he predicted in 2019 that robotaxis would soon be ready for the road. Tesla only launched its robotaxi service this year, and only in Austin, Texas.

Google just announced a new system called Private AI Compute, describing it as a way to run its most advanced Gemini models while keeping user data locked down.

Apple already offers a similar feature, introduced in 2024, called Private Cloud Compute.

In a blog post, Google said the feature is designed to balance performance and privacy. Private AI Compute would allow AI models to draw on cloud processing power without giving Google (or anyone else) access to the information being analyzed. According to Google, Private AI Compute operates within a hardware-sealed, verified environment that encrypts all data transfers between devices and its cloud infrastructure.

What's the point of services like Private AI Compute?

Customers who are wary of their personal conversations, personal emails, or sensitive company data being used for AI training often prefer to perform AI processes on device, which ensures privacy. That way, their data never leaves their computer or phone. However, that's not always possible, as many devices weren't built for complex AI processing.

"This approach delivers the benefits of powerful cloud models with the privacy protections of on-device processing," the company said in its announcement. It builds on Google’s Secure AI Framework and utilizes its custom TPUs, along with new Titanium Intelligence Enclaves, to enforce end-to-end encryption and security standards, Google said.

Private AI Compute will debut in select Google products, starting with Magic Cue on the Pixel 10 and updated Recorder app features that utilize cloud models to generate smarter summaries and suggestions, while maintaining conversation privacy.

The system’s goal, according to Google, is to support "helpful, personal and proactive" AI experiences without requiring users to trade away sensitive information.

As more of Google’s AI features move beyond simple commands toward proactive assistance, Private AI Compute represents what the company calls a "next step in responsible innovation."

The X-Files was how I learned what a "conspiracy theory" was, as I sat glued to the screen in the '90s as a child who probably shouldn't have been watching this show at all. Yet, even to my young and un-jaded eyes, it was clear that this was a much more premium bit of programming than the alternatives at the time.

SAVE $36: As of Nov. 11, get the Soundcore Sleep A30 earbuds for $193.99, down from their usual price of $229.99 at Amazon. That's $36 off and a discount of 16%. It's also the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Soundcore Sleep A30 $193.99 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $36   Get Deal

If you're the type of person who absolutely has to be able to fall asleep using a sound machine, you've probably tried everything at least once, includIng apps that give you the comfy, looping sound to lull you to bed that you desire. You may be surprised to learn, however, that there are earbuds that serve this same purpose by using noise cancellation and binaural beats. You can try them out now thanks to a significant discount that cuts them down to their best price yet.

As of Nov. 11, get the Soundcore Sleep A30 earbuds for $193.99, down from their usual price of $229.99 at Amazon. That's $36 off and a discount of 16%. It's also the lowest price we've seen.

SEE ALSO: The 8 best earbuds to buy in 2025, selected by Mashable audio experts

These sleep-oriented earbuds are meant to help block out noise while you snooze with smart active noise cancellation and ear canal adaptation tech. They automatically adjust to your ears so you have better noise reduction at night. That means you'll be distracted less by outdoor sound, pets, and even your partner's snoring (or your own).

They can also help you stop snoring, in fact, with adaptive snore-masking audio that uses white noise to reduce fluctations in snoring so you can get some serious shut-eye. And if you still need some help, they use binaural beats to give you diferent frequencies in each ear to help calm your brain and get you to fall asleep while sleeping deeper each time.

If you're a side sleeper, they're especially helpful and comfortable as well, with silicone ear tips, short nozzles, and a slim profile build so you don't have as much pressure on your ear canals while trying to drift off. You can even customize the audio that plays at bedtime, set sleep reminders, create alarms, and more, all in the name of getting better shut-eye.

If it's time to improve your sleep quality, don't (ahem) snooze on these earbuds. Fall has some of the best sleepytime weather, after all.