Technology

Being able to make Alexa say anything you want with Home Assistant has always been one of my favorite features. But I quickly tired of her default voice and decided to replace it with a far more soothing Irish voice through Home Assistant's cloud text-to-speech (TTS) service. Recently, I started to wonder if I could replace that voice with an even better one—my own.

DJI's Mic 2 and Mic Mini quickly became standard gear for content creators after their release last year. The beloved lapel mics are simple to use, versatile, and provide a significant audio upgrade at a reasonable cost. 

Now DJI has upgraded its offerings with the Mic 3, combining some of the previous models' best features. However, it also trims away a few significant ones, which could be a dealbreaker for certain advanced users. 

SEE ALSO: DJI fights U.S. government classification as 'Chinese military company,' appeals ruling The DJI Mic 3 packs a lot into a tiny package Left to right: The DJI Mic 2, Mic 3, and Mic Mini. Credit: A. Yeo

The DJI Mic 3's stamp-sized transmitter has a magnetic back which allows it to be affixed to clothes by either sandwiching the cloth between the transmitter and included magnet, or using the clip attachment. It's an elegant design, with the clip cradling the transmitter and holding it in place with notches. This provides a sturdy base when squeezing the clip open, and is incredibly quick and easy to deploy. 

Using the magnets to attach the transmitter is slightly more fiddly, but it adds the benefit of making the Mic 3 extremely light to wear. Though Mashable didn't have any issues with the Mic 3 detaching from our clothes, it's worth noting that both of its attachment methods ultimately rely on magnets. A more secure option would certainly have been appreciated for greater peace of mind, particularly as the transmitter contains the microphone, so it needs to be placed close to the audio source rather than safely in a pocket.

Unlike the Mic 2, the Mic 3 transmitter unfortunately doesn't have an onboard USB-C port. As such, users are reliant on either the case or DJI's proprietary magnetic charging cable, which is only available in some of the Mic 3 bundles. This may cause issues, as it's easy to lose such accessories or just not have them on hand when needed, and it doesn't appear as though DJI sells replacements separately. The Mic 3's lack of a USB-C port makes grabbing files off the transmitters more difficult as well. 

Fortunately, actually recording with the Mic 3 is relatively straightforward, as it's easy to navigate menus and view information on the receiver for the most part. Even as a fan of physical buttons and dials, Mashable typically defaulted to using the receiver's touch screen, which was responsive and simple to navigate.

DJI Mic 3's charging case keeps everything neatly organised The DJI Mic 3's carrying case stores almost everything. Credit: A. Yeo

DJI's Mic 3 comes in a few different bundle configurations, offering different accessories according to users' needs. Mashable looked at its most popular option, which includes two microphone transmitters, one receiver, and a charging case. It also comes with a USB-C adapter, four fluffy windscreens, two clips, two magnets, a 3.5mm cable, and a USB-C cable. 

All of these except the USB-C cable can be stored in the Mic 3's charging case, which in turn fits within an included padded carrying pouch. This case is somewhat bulky, especially when compared to the tiny units. Thankfully, its clever design keeps everything organised and streamlined, ensuring the Mic 3 is easy to pick up and use in whatever manner best suits you. You can have a USB-C adapter attached to the receiver, a Lightning adapter (purchased separately) on standby, and the receiver's protective cover stowed neatly away — ready for anything without the risk of losing anything.

That isn't to say that the Mic 3's charging case couldn't be improved. It would have been nice to have a reassuring click when storing the 3.5mm cable, but instead it slips into little notches and seems to be held in place with hidden magnets. The cable also has to be removed to access the magnetic clips behind it, which requires a little wrangling since they tend to snap together. They are only magnets, after all. Even so, these are relatively minor gripes considering the charging case's overall excellent functionality.

DJI further claims that the charging case extends the Mic 3's operating time to 28 hours, with the transmitters otherwise lasting eight hours and the receiver lasting 10. Most users are unlikely to need that kind of run time, though it's nice to know you'll always be charged up, with a five-minute charge reportedly providing two hours of use.

The DJI Mic 3 trades external lav mic functionality for onboard recording The DJI Mic 3 ultimately relies on magnets to attach to clothing. Credit: A. Yeo

The Mic 3's smaller form factor and loss of the USB-C port aren't the only notable changes DJI made when compared to the Mic 2. Perhaps controversially, the Mic 3 has removed the option to plug an external lav mic into its transmitter, a feature which had been available in its predecessor.

This is an unexpected and surprising change. While visible mic transmitters are now commonplace in social media content, broadcast shoots generally still use subtle or even hidden lapel mics. Removing this option may alienate a segment of the market that the Mic 3's features seem to court — those that hang in the increasingly blurred space between content creation and professional production. The loss of such functionality is even more confusing considering that DJI has introduced timecode support, which pushes the Mic 3 further toward a professional market.

Of course, DJI had to make some trade-offs to keep its units so small while still including on-board recording. Each Mic 3 transmitter has a sizable 32GB of storage, which can accommodate everything from the default 24-bit recordings through to larger 32-bit float files. (32-bit float is a file format that can capture a wider dynamic range, enabling you to recover audio that would otherwise clip if too loud or hiss if too quiet.)

There's even enough space for dual file recording, which is a somewhat unique feature in the Mic 3. Dual file recording enables the transmitter to record and store two different audio tracks simultaneously: both a raw recording and an "algorithm-enhanced version." This is just a version with whichever on-board effects you've turned on, such as voice tone presets, adaptive gain control, noise cancellation, and low cut. 

Such functionality makes the Mic 3 stand out, offering the potential to streamline your workflow while still keeping the flexibility of lossless recording. Lossless files provide the scope to manually tweak the sound of your audio, but having a version that's already gone through some basic processing could be a real time saver if the effects are to your liking. While having a lossless file to fall back on is always a great backup, all most creators need is for their audio to sound good. 

The DJI Mic 3's sound quality delivers The DJI Mic 3's reciever can be directly attached to your camera. Credit: A. Yeo

Like its predecessors, the DJI Mic 3 offers solid sound quality. The microphone is surprisingly sensitive and can pick up everything with clarity, though this does include background noise. Fortunately, the Mic 3's on-board effects include two levels of noise cancellation, which work impressively well. The strong setting can cause artefacts from time to time, but it's still good enough for quick and easy shooting. 

Choice and flexibility seem to be the name of the game for the Mic 3, with a wide range of settings and effects available. The three voice tone presents (regular, rich, and bright) are relatively simple and subtle, and feel more suited for stylistic tweaking rather than corrective equalisation. 

Meanwhile, the Mic 3's adaptive gain control offers two modes: automatic and dynamic. This is basically compression, with automatic turning down sudden bursts in volume to prevent clipping, while dynamic also increases the gain on quieter sounds to make everything more level. 

Like all of the Mic 3's effects, its adaptive gain control works very solidly. It also seems like a more useful baked-in "safety" option than the Mic 2's safety track, which simply used the right channel to record a version at -6dB in case of clipping. This made for a messy workflow, requiring users to separate the channels and splice in the -6dB version wherever there was clipping. In contrast, the Mic 3's adaptive gain control automates the process to deliver a single track that should be good to go (or very close to), while dual file recording provides a clean backup.

The Mic 3 is set to internally record 24-bit single files by default. When asked why, DJI told Mashable that 24-bit is more commonly used, uses smaller files, and is more user-friendly for beginners, while utilizing 32-bit requires more post-production and technical skill. It's another example of the Mic 3 seeking to offer as close to set-and-forget as possible, while still giving plenty of options for flexibility. 

Of course, all this is only good if you actually remember to hit record on the Mic 3 transmitters, as internal recording isn't triggered by camera recording. If you're likely to forget, the receiver screen clearly highlights when a transmitter is recording internally, and you can set them to automatically start recording as soon as they turn on.

For those who prefer not to marry video and audio files in post but are still chasing high res, you can also opt to send the receiver 48kHz 24-bit lossless audio. Otherwise, the Mic 3 transmitter sends encoded 24-bit when lossless audio is turned off, with 32-bit float reserved for internal recording. DJI states that lossless audio reduces the transmitter's battery life by approximately two hours, and its 400m (1312ft) maximum transmission range by 50 percent.

Should you buy the DJI Mic 3? The DJI Mic 3's charging case is neat, but still has room for improvement. Credit: A. Yeo

If you only film content on your phone, you'll likely be better off picking up the DJI Mic Mini and saving yourself some cash. It still has some form of noise cancellation and adaptive gain control — the Mic 3's two most useful effects — and is a fraction of the cost. You will have to sacrifice internal recording, though most people who record and edit on their phones are less likely to need it anyway.

SEE ALSO: The creator-favorite DJI Mic Mini has hit a new record-low price at Amazon — save over $90 this Black Friday

However, if you shoot anything more complex, and particularly if you film with both a phone and a dedicated camera, then you'll greatly benefit from what the DJI Mic 3 has to offer. The receiver's touchscreen makes functionality quick and easy, with information ready at a glance, while the 32-bit float internal recording is a valuable backup. The timecode support will be very welcome for multicam shoots as well. 

The DJI Mic 3 is a beautifully designed, well-made lapel mic that provides impressive audio quality, while also offering significant versatility regardless of what you're using to film.

DJI's products have become more difficult to get your hands on in the U.S., as the federal government poses significant challenges to the company's business stateside. Even so, those in the U.S. may still be able to procure the Mic 3 via unofficial third parties, and of course it's still easily available in other parts of the world.

DJI Mic 3 (2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case) $329 at Amazon
  See It at Amazon

SAVE OVER $1,299: The Roborock Saros Z70 is on sale for $1,299.99 in the Amazon Black Friday sale. That's 50% off the list price of $2,599.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock Saros Z70 $1,299.99 at Amazon
$2,599 Save $1,299.01   Get Deal

Few items in this tech-focused modern world scream “lifestyle luxury” like a robot vacuum. All you need to do is programme a route and schedule, and the clever device just gets on with vacuuming your home, allowing you to take it easy in the meantime. They’re not cheap of course, which is why Black Friday is the perfect time to grab a good quality robo-vac such as the Roborock Saros Z70. It’s currently available in the Amazon Black Friday deals with a huge $1,299.01 discount. 

The Roborock Saros Z70 is currently priced at $1,299.99, giving you a generous 50% saving from the list price of $2,599.

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This robot vacuum does everything you’d expect — it navigates its way around the home using AI-powered technology, obstacle avoidance, and intelligent multi-pass cleaning — and it returns automatically to its charging base when the job’s done or it needs a battery top-up. But this one’s even more advanced than regular robot vacuums. As well as an AdaptLift Chassis that allows it to climb thresholds of up to 4cm, it also has an OmniGrip mechanical arm that can lift, move, and organize items.

The Roborock Saros Z70 is currently available for $1,299.99 in the Black Friday sale at Amazon — a saving of 50% from the list price of $2,599.

SAVE $220: The Sonos Arc Ultra is on sale for $879 in the Amazon Black Friday sale. That's a saving of 20% from the list price of $1,099.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Sonos Arc Ultra Soundbar $879 at Amazon
$1,099 Save $220   Get Deal

What is Black Friday for if not stocking up on premium tech, particularly the likes of home cinema hardware, while it’s available at a rare discount? One such piece of hardware is the Sonos Arc Ultra, which some reviewers consider to be one of the best home cinema soundbars in existence. That comes at a price of course, usually north of $1,000, but you can pick it up in the Amazon Black Friday deals with a significant discount.

The Sonos Arc Ultra is now available at Amazon for $879, which gives you an overall saving of $220. That means 20% off the regular list price of $1,099.

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Mashable has previously hailed the Sonos Arc Ultra for being the closest to having theater quality sound in your own home. It does this by combining Sonos Sound Motion technology with Dolby Atmos, which fills the room with three-dimensional audio. It also has a dialogue enhancement feature for ensuring speech is clear and defined, plus it’s super easy to set up. Our reviewer thought it was worth the money at full price, so with $220 off this is a great time to buy it. 

The Sonos Arc Ultra is currently available for $879 in the Black Friday sale at Amazon — a saving of 20%.

SAVE $800: The Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 Portable Power Station is on sale for $699 in the Amazon Black Friday sale. That's 53% off the list price of $1,499.

Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 Portable Power Station $699 at Amazon
$1,499 Save $800   Get Deal

It can be tough to justify the kind of money that high-quality portable power stations usually sell for — which can be in the range of $1,500. Especially if you only need it for occasional camping and RV trips, or you just want one in the garage for emergencies and outages. That’s why it’s always worth searching through the deals on Black Friday, when you can find discounts on the kind of devices that you’ve always been meaning to pick up but never quite have the cash to justify. Take the Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 Portable Power Station, for instance. 

Indeed, the Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 Portable Power Station currently has a huge saving of $800 in the Amazon Black Friday sale. It’s now available for $699, down from the list price of $1,499.

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This app-controlled solar charger has a bigger output than competing power stations. Maxing out at 2200W, it provides enough juice to run indoor appliances as well as all your outdoor adventuring needs. If you are using it for camping and road trips, it’s also pleasingly lightweight at just 39.5lbs. 

The Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 Portable Power Station is currently available for $699 in the Black Friday sale at Amazon. That saves you $800 from the usual list price of $1,499.

TL;DR: Live stream Philadelphia 76ers vs. Miami Heat in the NBA for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The new NBA season is starting to take shape, and the early signs are pretty positive for the Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat. Expectations were fairly low for these teams at the start of the season, so a 9-6 record at this stage is a great result.

If you want to watch 76ers vs. Heat in the NBA for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is 76ers vs. Heat?

76ers vs. Heat in the NBA starts at 1 p.m. ET on Nov. 23. This game takes place at the Xfinity Mobile Arena.

How to watch 76ers vs. Heat for free

76ers vs. Heat in the NBA is available to live stream for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime.

This free live stream is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can access free live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.

Stream the NBA for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime (if you're not already a member)

2. Subscribe to a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

4. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

5. Watch the NBA from anywhere in the world on Prime Video

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees or free trials. By leveraging these offers, you can watch NBA live streams without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch select games from the NBA before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing free live streams on platforms like Prime Video, 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 secure

• Fast connection 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 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream the NBA for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Stop losing your wallet with some help from the Apple Find My compatible KeySmart SmartCard, now $69.97 (reg. $119.97) for a three-pack through Dec. 7.

Opens in a new window Credit: KeySmart KeySmart® SmartCard - Works With Apple Find My | Wireless Charging (3-Pack) $69.97
$119.97 Save $50   Get Deal

Want to keep better tabs on your most important items? AirTags are a little too bulky to slip into your wallet or passport case, which is where the KeySmart SmartCard really shines. This credit-card-sized tracker can fit into tight spaces and offers Apple Find My compatibility, making it easy to locate your important items.

Right now, you can snag a three-pack of KeySmart SmartCards for just $69.97 (reg. $119.97) — less than $24 each — through Dec. 7.

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Ever been late for a flight because you couldn’t find your passport? What about being late to work because you just can’t seem to find your wallet? There’s now a tracker that actually fits into these tiny spaces — the KeySmart SmartCard. Unlike chunky AirTags, this device is just 2mm thick, the size of two credit cards, so it can keep tabs on your most important possessions.

The KeySmart SmartCard is compatible with the Apple Find My app, so you’re just a few taps from finding out where your items are. It will show you the last known location, and if you’ve misplaced it you can have it make a sound so you can hunt it down. If you know you’ve left something behind, there’s also an option to display a message and contact info for anyone who finds it.

Aside from slipping into wallets or passport holders, the KeySmart SmartCard also features a lanyard slot to help you find ID cards or security badges. And no matter where you place it, you can rest easy knowing it has an IPX8 rating, so it’s waterproof and can survive up to an hour in 3.3 feet of water.

These KeySmart SmartCards have a rechargeable battery that works with Qi-enabled wireless chargers, but don’t worry — you won’t need to power them up often. The battery runs for up to five months on a single charge.

Get this three-pack of KeySmart SmartCards for just $69.97 (reg. $119.97) on sale now through Dec. 7.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: This StackSocial-exclusive Babbel Lifetime Subscription offer gives you access to 14 languages, 10,000+ hours of expert-designed lessons, and long-term learning tools for just $129.99 (reg. $299) with code LEARN.

Opens in a new window Credit: Babbel Babbel Language Learning: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages) $129.99
$299 Save $169.01   Get Deal

If learning a language has been sitting on your “someday” list, this might be the moment it finally sticks. With this special lifetime Babbel offer through StackSocial, you get the chance to learn 14 different languages for as long as you want — no deadlines, no pressure, no racing through lessons before a subscription runs out.

And this lifetime access is currently available for just $129.99 (reg. $299) with code LEARN through Dec. 1.

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What makes Babbel so effective is how practical it is. Lessons are short — usually 10–15 minutes — and designed by over 100 expert linguists to help you communicate in real, everyday situations.

Instead of drilling random vocabulary, Babbel teaches you how to navigate conversations you’ll actually have: grabbing food in a café, traveling abroad, chatting with coworkers, or understanding cultural nuances that help you fit in instead of stand out.

Because everything syncs across devices, you can practice on your desktop while working from home, then switch to your phone during your commute. Headed somewhere without service? Download your lessons and keep going offline. It all adapts to your schedule, not the other way around.

Babbel’s lifetime subscription isn’t just a learning tool — it’s a long-term investment in your personal and professional development.

Whether you’re building your résumé, planning future travel, or simply expanding your world, this offer gives you years of growth ahead.

Don’t miss a lifetime of Babbel language learning via this offer from StackSocial for $129.99 (reg. $299) with code LEARN — through Dec. 1.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

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 piece of wood.

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

PLANK

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A smelly animal.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for November 23, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

SKUNK

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A martyr.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for November 23 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 23, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

SAINT

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A liquid.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for November 23 Hurdle Word 4 answer

JUICE

Final Hurdle hint

Blame.

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

FAULT

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

After days of almost complete darkness, the moon is big and bright enough tonight to do some moon-gazing. There's plenty to see, so keep reading to find out what's on show.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Sunday, Nov. 23, the moon phase is Waxing Crescent. This means 10% of the moon is lit up tonight, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

If you don't have any visual aids, you'll be able to see the Fecunditatis and Crisium Mares. If you have binoculars or a telescope, you'll also be able to spot the Endymion Crater in the top right corner (bottom left, if you're in the Southern Hemisphere).

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Dec. 4, this will be the last of three consecutive supermoons. The last full moon was on Nov. 5.

What are moon phases?

NASA tells us that moon phases are all a part of a repeating lunar cycle of 29.5 days. These phases describe how the moon appears from Earth as it orbits our planet. While we always see the same side of the moon, the amount of sunlight illuminating it changes throughout its orbit. That’s why sometimes it looks full, sometimes half, and sometimes disappears entirely (the New Moon). There are eight main moon phases:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you love old music.

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 23, 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: Easygoing

• Green: Where a furry friend lives

• Blue: Popular films

• Purple: '70s hits

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Lenient

• Green: Animal homes

• Blue: Oliver Stone movies

• Purple: Second words in titles of ABBA hits

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 #896 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Lenient: EASY, LAX, LOOSE, SLACK

• Animal homes: BURROW, DEN, LODGE, WARREN

• Oliver Stone movies: JFK, NIXON, PLATOON, WALL STREET

• Second words in titles of ABBA hits: GIMME, MIA, QUEEN, TROUPER

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 23, 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.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're a snacker.

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 23, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 23, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Sweet tooth

The words are related to junk food.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe sweet snacks.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Candy Aisle.

NYT Strands word list for November 23

• Nerds

• Starburst

• Runts

• Candy Aisle

• Whatchamacallit

• Dots

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.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're an animal lover.

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 23, 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 23, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A rabbit.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter N appears twice.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter B.

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...

BUNNY

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 23, 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.

With Windows 10 support at an end, and Window 11 still a bit of an AI-riddle mess, there has never been so much interest in trying out Linux as there is today. If you're looking for a Linux distro that will be easy to adjust to when coming from Windows, look no further than Kubuntu.

SAVE OVER $425: The Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 is on sale for $898 in the Amazon Black Friday sale. That's 32% off the list price for a total saving of $427.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 gaming monitor $898 at Amazon
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If you're on the look out for knockdown prices on high-end gaming hardware, now's the time. It's Black Friday season once again, which is the best time to buy tech and hardware of any kind, but especially gaming gear. Because, let’s be honest, gaming hardware ain’t exactly cheap for most of the year. And with all the numerous Black Friday deals on gaming tech currently on Amazon, it would be remiss of us not to point out the Samsung 49-inch Odyssey OLED G9 while it's discounted by 32%.

This curved screen monitor isn’t the biggest on the market, but it’s still a fully-immersive behemoth and packed with high-spec features, which is exactly why it usually costs more than $1,300. 

But thanks to Black Friday you can now pick up the Samsung 49-inch Odyssey OLED G9 for the excellent price of $898. That’s an impressive saving of $427.

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And you’ll absolutely get your money’s worth. It delivers a refresh rate of 240Hz, a response time of 0.3ms, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, and HDR support. All of which adds to the incredible looking OLED display, which is among the best screen tech available. 

The Samsung 49-inch Odyssey OLED G9 is now available for $898 for Black Friday — a saving of $427.

TL;DR: This Microsoft Office 2024 Home and Business license works on both Mac and PCs, and it’s now on sale for just $149.97 (reg. $249.99) for a limited time.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business for Mac or PC Lifetime License $149.97
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Whether you grew up using Word to write essays for school or you remember whipping up presentations for work on PowerPoint, most of us have used Microsoft Office in our day-to-day lives at some point. If it’s been a while since you used these helpful tools or you converted to Mac and didn’t think they were an option for you, it’s time to meet Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business.

This lifetime license is compatible with both Mac and PC devices, has modern updates that keep up with how we work now, and for a limited time, you can get it for just $149.97 (reg. $249.99).

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Microsoft Office has come a long way since the days of chunky desktop computers. Now, these helpful tools are apps that you can install on a PC or Mac. This particular Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business license equips your device with four game-changing apps that you can use for life.

Draft a document with Word, figure out your budget with Excel, or tackle your emails with Outlook. You’ll also have PowerPoint on hand to help you craft presentations. This license allows you to own each app outright — so there are no subscription fees and you can work offline as needed.

This 2024 version includes new features like an updated accessibility checker in Outlook, presentation recording with voice narration and video in PowerPoint, AI-powered writing suggestions in Word, and enhanced data analysis and visualization tools in Excel.

Save big on this Microsoft Office 2024 Home and Business license for Mac and PC, on sale now for just $149.97 (reg. $249.99) for a limited time.

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TL;DR: Scan and save documents from anywhere with this lifetime subscription to SwiftScan VIP for just $39.97 (reg. $199.99) with code SCAN through Dec. 7.

Opens in a new window Credit: SwiftScan SwiftScan VIP: Lifetime Subscription $39.97
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It’s 2025. We may not have flying cars quite yet, but at least you can keep a scanner in your back pocket thanks to SwiftScan VIP. This handy app transforms your smartphone or tablet into a scanner, making it easy to digitize documents anytime.

Right now, you can secure a lifetime subscription to SwiftScan VIP for only $39.97 (reg. $199.99) with code SCAN through Dec. 7.

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Since there seems to be an app for everything these days, it’s no surprise there’s one that can make scanning as easy as a few taps. SwiftScan VIP eliminates the need for those chunky scanners we all grew up with and instead turns your smartphone or tablet into a scanning device you can take on the go.

Whether you’re saving a handwritten note or submitting your signature on an important document, SwiftScan VIP makes it easy to digitize documents from anywhere. Just point the camera at the page you would like to scan, and SwiftScan detects the edges and crops the document for you.

The app features built-in tools, including color filters, blur reduction, and auto enhancements. If you need to scan multiple pages, it’s easy to combine them into a single document. When you’re done, you can save them as a JPG or PDF, or send them via email, fax, or upload them to a cloud storage service.

Koofr Cloud Storage can also organize your scans for you, saving them in folders and making them easily searchable thanks to OCR technology. And if you need to edit a PDF, it can do that too. You can easily sign, annotate, or redact information from the file using the app.

Snag a lifetime subscription to SwiftScan VIP for just $39.97 (reg. $199.99) with code SCAN through Dec. 7.

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It's easy to look at the finished product of something and think that it was the result of careful, planned designs and processes. But, as anyone who has every designed something will tell you, the reality is far more chaotic. We don't always think about where some design elements and features in our software come from, but in the case of these four examples the "genius" came from an accident.

The Apple iPad is an exceptionally long-lived device. There's no reason to upgrade them frequently and in my personal experience these tablets don't show much battery wear over the years either.

Sometimes you need to use someone else's computer. Maybe you're at a library, maybe you're at a friend's house helping them troubleshoot a new device on their network. Whatever the situation, sitting down to a computer that feels completely alien is never great.