Technology

Give the gift of lifetime productivity for just $50

Mashable - Sat, 11/29/2025 - 11:00

TL;DR: Get Microsoft Office Home & Business 2021 for Mac with lifetime access for just $49.97 (reg. $219) during this limited-time Black Friday sale.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021: Lifetime License $49.97
$219 Save $169.03   Get Deal

When you think of gifts for the professionals in your life, the usual suspects tend to come up (e.g., office supplies and work clothes). But if you really want to surprise someone with something thoughtful and genuinely useful, Microsoft Office Home & Business 2021 for Mac makes an unexpectedly smart choice.

This is the kind of gift that quietly changes how someone works every day.

Instead of another item that sits on a desk, you’re giving them a dependable productivity suite they’ll rely on for years — tailored for the Mac user who’s juggling big goals, busy schedules, or growing responsibilities.

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Whether it’s a small business owner, freelancer, remote worker, recent grad, or ambitious studier, this lifetime license provides tools they’ll use constantly without ever worrying about subscriptions or renewals.

The suite includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams (basic), and OneNote — covering everything from polished reports and financial tracking to professional presentations and organized email management. It’s ideal for anyone who’s outgrown free apps and needs something more capable, more stable, and more professional.

And because this version connects directly to their Microsoft account (not just a specific device), it’s a practical gift that feels flexible and future-proof. It’s not flashy, but it’s the kind of upgrade that makes daily tasks smoother, projects easier, and workflows more efficient.

That’s what makes it such an outside-the-box present. It says, “I see your goals, and I support them.”

Especially during Black Friday, when the lifetime license to Office 2021 for Mac is available for just $49.97 (reg. $219), this becomes an affordable way to give something with long-term value — not just seasonal charm.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The real history behind Hamnet

Mashable - Sat, 11/29/2025 - 11:00

Few historical movies make you want to know the real story behind them more than Hamnet. And few areas of popular history have so few answers to offer as the biography of the 16th-century Shakespeare family that lies behind it.

The new film by acclaimed director Chloé Zhao is based on the 2020 novel by Maggie O'Farrell, also called Hamnet. O'Farrell and Zhao collaborated on the script, which is a largely faithful adaptation of the book.

Spoiler alert: This discusses the plot of Hamnet in detail, including the ending.

Both follow the Stratford life of William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal) his wife Agnes (Jessie Buckley), and their three kids. The family's bliss is ripped apart by Shakespeare's increasingly long absences in the London theaters, and the death of Shakespeare's only son Hamnet from the plague, age 11. In its tear-jerking final act, the tale suggests Shakespeare wrote Hamlet to grieve Hamnet.

So what's accurate, and what's artistic invention? As with Shakespeare's own history plays, the answer is: a light sprinkling from column A, and a hefty draught of column B.

How historically accurate is Hamnet?

Here's the first thing you need to know about Shakespeare and his immediate family: We barely know the first thing about Shakespeare and his immediate family. We have some written evidence, like baptisms, funerals, and the Shakespeare wedding; we have records of disputes over his coat of arms. But history's greatest playwright never, to our knowledge, wrote a word about himself or his kin.

This makes Shakespeare something of a blank canvas — and a lot of his fans have done a lot of painting on it over the centuries.

Some of that speculation is more grounded in educated guesses than others. In his award-winning book Will in the World: How Shakespeare Became Shakespeare (2004), Harvard historian Stephen Greenblatt makes a persuasive case that Shakespeare was deliberately obscuring himself because his family was secretly Catholic, at a time when Protestant fears of Catholic plots against Queen Elizabeth made that a very dangerous identity.

At the other end of the sensible scale is what scholars these days largely dismiss: the authorship controversy. This is the conspiracy theory, invented by aristocrats 300 years after his death, that Shakespeare, the son of a glove-maker in Stratford-upon-Avon, couldn't possibly have written all those great plays. Rather, it was Sir Francis Bacon or some other elite candidate working through Shakespeare, for some reason.

If that's the scale, then Hamnet is much closer to the Greenblatt end. The movie paints its picture within the bounds of reason and doesn't contradict the details we know. And it contains more than a few Easter eggs to keep Shakespeare nerds happy.

Was Shakespeare's wife Agnes or Anne? Credit: Focus Features

You may know Shakespeare's wife by the name Anne Hathaway (no relation to the modern actress). But you will also note that when the character is named in the movie, she's called Agnes. Which one is right?

The answer, so far as we can tell, is both.

In documents dated around her wedding, in November 1582, she's "Anne Hathwey." (This was an era with no fixed spellings for last names; just ask her husband on the form, "William Shagspere"). But in the will of her father, a yeoman farmer, she's listed as Agnes. Again on her tomb, she's Anne.

The portrayal of Anne/Agnes as a wild, pagan woman of the woods is O'Farrell's invention (sorry, WitchTok). But it's not unlikely that she had a thing or two to teach her future husband, thanks to one detail that goes unmentioned in the film: Anne/Agnes was 26 when they were wed, while Will Shakespeare was a mere 18.

Otherwise, the movie portrays the Hathaways well. You'll notice their actual cottage, still a tourist attraction, in the movie. It is accurate to suggest that the Hathaway family was fancier than the Shakespeares, who were in financial difficulty due to John Shakespeare's poor business decisions.

And yes, Anne/Agnes was pregnant at the time of the marriage; Susana, their first daughter, was born around six months later. As to how deliberate a decision this was, your guess is as good as an army of scholars.

How did Hamnet die? Credit: Focus Features

The Shakespeares' second and third kids, fraternal twins Judith and Hamnet — probably named for neighbors — were baptised in February 1585. Their father was an in-demand London actor and playwright by the end of that decade. Hamnet was buried in August 1596, around the same time bubonic plague was making one of its periodic sweeps through England.

These are the bare details of Hamnet's life; all else is invention. We think Shakespeare was probably touring in Kent with a company of players at the time. We assume Shakespeare came home for the funeral — "Hamnet, filius William Shakespeare," the burial register says — but even that we don't know for sure.

In 16th-century England, more than one in three children died before the age of 10. It was a common occurrence, and it almost always happened at home. Shakespeare himself would have seen his sister die, age 7. But that doesn't mean Shakespeare wasn't distraught; many of his contemporary poets, like Ben Jonson, wrote grief-stricken poems on the death of their children.

Was Hamlet written for Hamnet? Yeah, this bit probably didn't happen. Credit: Focus Features

We may not know the state of the Shakespeare marriage at this point. But the movie is on pretty firm ground suggesting that the playwright retreated to the playhouse more than before; this was, in fact, his most productive period.

"Whether in the wake of Hamnet's death Shakespeare was suicidal or serene," as historian Stephen Greenblatt puts it, "he threw himself into his work."

To believe the movie, however, you'd think Shakespeare wrote the play immediately after Hamnet's death. In fact, a lot of plays that followed were comedies, such as As You Like It and Much Ado About Nothing. The closest he got to portraying parental grief was in King John, where a woman is driven to suicidal thoughts by the death of her son.

As for Hamlet? That came to Shakespeare about four years after Hamnet died. But like a lot of his work, it wasn't an original story; another play based on the legend of Hamlet, a Prince of Denmark who avenged his murdered father, had been performed in London when Shakespeare was an aspiring actor (and is now lost).

But why did Shakespeare make his Hamlet like that — a protagonist unlike any other before or since, teetering on the brink of madness, suicide, depression, and lost love? There's a question we'll keep pondering for many more centuries.

By highlighting a few lines of its father-son dialogue, and imagining Anne/Agnes seeing hir first play in this way, Hamnet offers one pretty convincing answer.

Was it happily ever after for the Shakespeares? Credit: Focus Features

We don't know how much Shakespeare was an absent dad during his theater career, but there's one piece of evidence that he wanted to leave London and return to his family: He did come back, for good, in 1613.

Shakespeare died three years later, age 52, leaving his wife "the second best bed" in his will. Anne would outlive him by another seven years. Their daughter Susanna married a local merchant and had one daughter of her own, the last of the Shakespeare line. Judith also had kids, but all three died before her.

Much has been made of that "second-best bed" bit, but historians generally don't believe Shakespeare intended to insult his wife. The opposite is more likely: In a fancy Tudor-era house, the best bed was generally reserved for guests, so the second-best bed is likely the one the pair slept in.

And as long as we're painting things on the blank Shakespeare canvas, let's imagine Anne/Agnes smiling a secret smile when she heard about the last gift her late husband left her. It isn't evidence that she ever got over Hamnet, but it does suggest a life well lived.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The best Black Friday noise-cancelling headphones deals still live: Score Sony, Beats, and Bose for new lows

Mashable - Sat, 11/29/2025 - 10:54
Best noise-cancelling headphones and earbuds on sale: Best Flagship Headphones Deal Sony WH-1000XM6 Noise-Canceling Headphones $398 (save $61.99) Get Deal Best earbuds deal Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbus (2nd Gen) $216 (Save $83) Get Deal Past-Gen Sony Headphones Deal Sony WH-1000XM5 Noise-Cancelling Headphones $248 (Save $151.99) Get Deal Best for Audiophiles Bowers & Wilkins Px8 Over-Ear Headphones $510 (save $189) Get Deal Best Apple Deal Apple AirPods Max Headphones (USB-C) $399.99 (save $150) Get Deal Best Sports Earbuds Deal Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 Wireless Noise-Cancelling Sports Earbuds $199.95 (save $49.05) Get Deal

As Mashable's tech editor, I've covered a lot of cool headphone launches this year. The long-awaited Sony XM6 headphones finally came out this year, and we also got new flagship headphones from Nothing, Bowers & Wilkins, Bose, and Beats. If you need a new pair of noise-cancelling headphones, the Black Friday season is the best possible time to buy. All of the headphones I mentioned are currently sitting at record prices — all of them.

However, you won't find all of them in this guide, as not every Black Friday headphones deal is worth shopping. I've gathered the biggest discounts on the noise-cancelling headphones I'd actually recommend buying, whether you're shopping for yourself or looking for Christmas gifts for techies.

SEE ALSO: Everything to know about Black Friday 2025: Best early deals, sale dates, price matching, and more

Some of the best Black Friday noise-cancelling headphones deals have already earned a spot in our guide to the top deals. From audiophile-worthy headphones from Bowers & Wilkins to the latest Bose wireless earbuds, you'll find the best of the best here.

And PS: Deals really aren't here to stay. Now that Black Friday moves towards Cyber Monday, we've noticed that AirPods are increasing in price. Walmart's deal on the AirPods Pro 2 and the AirPods 4 with ANC at Amazon have both increased in price, so act fast to secure these low prices.

Best noise-cancelling headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-1000XM5 $248 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $151.99   Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review of the Sony WH-1000XM5.

I tested Sony's legendary XM5 headphones against the newer version, the XM6, as did Lead Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard. And both of us found that they're far more alike than different. Unless you're a picky audiophile, I think most people should opt for the XM5 model while it's on sale, which is what Allard recommended in her comparison. These headphones have never been priced this low, and they still have all the features you really need: excellent audio quality, best-in-class active noise-cancellation, and an easy-to-use app to adjust EQ settings.

More noise-cancelling headphones dealsBest noise-cancelling earbuds deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (2nd gen) $216 at Amazon
$299 Save $83   Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) earbuds.

The second-generation Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds are the best noise-cancelling earbuds of 2025, full stop. The only buds that really come close? The first-generation Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds, which I'm wearing as I write this sentence. These earbuds are supremely comfortable, and they let you slip into a cone of silence on demand.

More noise-cancelling earbuds deals

Mashable contributor Matt Ford and Lead Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard also assisted with this guide.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Preorder the Pokémon TCG Mega Venusaur ex Premium Collection Box at market value in the Amazon Black Friday sale

Mashable - Sat, 11/29/2025 - 09:52

TL;DR: Pokémon TCG's Mega Venusaur ex Premium Collection Box is available to preorder now for $80 at Amazon, which is market value compared to TCGplayer's price when you include shipping. You'll also get Amazon's preorder price guarantee which protects against overpaying.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Mega Venusaur ex Premium Collection $80 at Amazon
$94.90 Save $14.90   Get Deal

Mega Evolution and Phantasmal Flames are absolutely killing it in the latest era of Pokémon TCG, and my boy Mega Venusaur ex is getting the love it deserves with its own Premium Collection that's available to preorder on Amazon for $80. This is at market value vs. TCGplayer.

You'll get a mix of booster packs in this collection:

  • 2 x Destined Rivals

  • 4 x Journey Together

  • 2 x Mega Evolution

With Mega Evolutions seemingly bringing back trainer Pokémon cards a la Destined Rivals and Journey Together, it's fitting to have these boosters with Mega Evolution.

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Mega Venusaur ex has an ability called Solar Transfer that allows trainers to move grass type energy around your Pokémon in play, which means it will only take two turns to build up the 4 x grass energy cost for Jungle Dump. This does 240 damage and heals 30 from Mega Venusaur.

If you pair this with Meganium you can double your grass energy, which turns one grass energy into two with Meganium's Wild Growth ability. That means you can build up and perform Mega Venusaur's Jungle Dump ability in one turn.

TCGplayer Cyber Weekend 10% cashback event Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

TCGPlayer is kicking off a 10% cashback event, which boosts up to 16% providing you've been a TCGplayer subscriber for long enough. It kicks off at 9 a.m. ET on Nov. 28 and runs until 11 p.m. ET on Dec. 1. With sets like Mega Evolution finding a new floor when it comes to single card values, this is the best time to build your collection up:

  1. Mega Lucario ex - 188/132
    Near Mint Holofoil: $420
    Market price: $459.96
    Most recent sale: $419.99

  2. Mega Gardevoir ex - 187/132
    Near Mint Holofoil: $350
    Market price: $345
    Most recent sale: $300

  3. Mega Gardevoir ex - 178/132
    Near Mint Holofoil: $210
    Market price: $205.27
    Most recent sale: $206.45

  4. Mega Lucario ex - 179/132
    Near Mint Holofoil: $193
    Market price: $197.89
    Most recent sale: $180

  5. Mega Venusaur ex - 177/132
    Near Mint Holofoil: $154.95
    Market price: $153.29
    Most recent sale: $147

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Mega Charizard X ex Ultra Premium Collection is down to market value on Amazon

Mashable - Sat, 11/29/2025 - 09:51

TL;DR: The Mega Charizard X ex Ultra Premium Collection has dropped to $199.99 at Amazon, which is matching TCGplayer's market value for Black Friday.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Mega Charizard X ex Ultra Premium Collection $199.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $50   Get Deal

Updated: This deal may no longer be available at Amazon, but you can also check out our guide to all of the latest Black Friday Pokémon deals.

The first expansion for Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution, Phantasmal Flames, is up and running. I have already posted that Mega Charizard X ex UPC was on TCGplayer for $20 less than Amazon, but Amazon has now dropped it to market value. And this can be knocked down to as little as $59.58 with some Black Friday hacks.

Right now, you can apply for an Amazon Visa card and get a $60 instant gift card on a successful application, and there's no need to actually use the Amazon Visa card. That's going to knock down the UPC to $119.16, but you could save another 50%. If you have AMEX or Discover, you could get up to a 50% loyalty discount by spending just $1 on your card, which brings the UPC down to under $60. This discount will be applied automatically at checkout, if you're eligible.

SEE ALSO: Where to buy Pokémon cards in 2025 — avoid overpaying or missing out on new sets

That's a great price to pay for 18 booster packs, two awesome promos, sleeves, deckbox, playmat, dice, and a metal coin. We've also lined up more Black Friday Pokémon deals, so why not check out our full breakdown on everything that's on offer?

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

If you aren't eligible for the above discounts or don't want to rip packs hoping you'll find a big chase cards, why not just buy the cards you want instead? Phantasmal Flames is crashing ridiculously fast, so there has never been a better time to buy the chase cards you need:

  1. Mega Charizard X ex - 125/094
    Near Mint Holofoil: $584
    Market price: $574.03
    Most recent sale: $584.99

  2. Mega Charizard X ex - 130/094
    Near Mint Holofoil: $465
    Market price: $499.19
    Most recent sale: $469.70

  3. Mega Charizard X ex - 109/094
    Near Mint Holofoil: $40
    Market price: $42.41
    Most recent sale: $42.50

  4. Mega Lopunny ex - 128/094
    Near Mint Holofoil: $34.99
    Market price: $37.32
    Most recent sale: $37

  5. Mega Sharpedo ex - 127/094
    Near Mint Holofoil: $38.99
    Market price: $41.27
    Most recent sale: $43.75

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Phantasmal Flames Booster Box is still below market value in the Amazon Black Friday sale

Mashable - Sat, 11/29/2025 - 09:47

SAVE OVER $44: The Pokémon Phantasmal Flames Booster Box has dropped to $254.99 at Amazon, which is more than $20 below TCGplayer's market value.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Phantasmal Flames Booster Box $254.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $45   Get Deal

If you're a trainer on the hunt for Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution, Phantasmal Flames, you're in luck this Black Friday. This expansion's booster box is included in Amazon's numerous Pokémon discounts. Which is great news because Pokémon fans are very excited about this expansion now that it's out there in the wild.

The Phantasmal Flames Booster Box is currently available for $254.99 at Amazon, which is more than $20 below the market value according to TCGplayer and a full $44.01 off the Amazon list price of $299.

SEE ALSO: Where to buy Pokémon cards in 2025 — avoid overpaying or missing out on new sets

This box contains 36 packs, with a total of 120 cards to collect in this particular expansion. Something to look out for is a Mega Charizard X ex card – the standard ex, Alt Rare, Secret Illustration Rare, and Gold Hyper Rare. These are among the most expensive chase cards right now.

Most valuable Phantasmal Flames Pokémon cards Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

If you want to skip buying the box and go straight for the chase card, Phantasmal Flames individual card values have dropped since their launch. It might be cheaper to just pick them up individually:

  1. Mega Charizard X ex - 125/094
    Near Mint Holofoil: $588.70
    Market price: $589.83
    Most recent sale: $600

  2. Mega Charizard X ex - 130/094
    Near Mint Holofoil: $475.29
    Market price: $460.89
    Most recent sale: $465

  3. Mega Charizard X ex - 109/094
    Near Mint Holofoil: $42.87
    Market price: $42.85
    Most recent sale: $44.71

  4. Mega Lopunny ex - 128/094
    Near Mint Holofoil: $35.45
    Market price: $35.70
    Most recent sale: $36

  5. Mega Sharpedo ex - 127/094
    Near Mint Holofoil: $41.37
    Market price: $41.05
    Most recent sale: $41.81

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Pokémon TCG Scarlet and Violet Black Bolt Binder Box has dropped in price in Amazons Black Friday sale

Mashable - Sat, 11/29/2025 - 09:46

BLACK FRIDAY: The Pokémon TCG Scarlet and Violet Black Bolt Binder Box is on sale for $59.45 in the Amazon Black Friday sale. That's an overall saving of $8.44.

Opens in a new window Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company Pokemon TCG Scarlet and Violet Black Bolt Binder Box $59.45 at Amazon
$67.89 Save $8.44   Get Deal

Black Friday is a time for all shoppers to get excited, including Pokemon fans and collectors. Indeed, there are lots of great Pokemon deals available in Amazon’s Black Friday sale, such as the Pokémon TCG Mega Venusaur ex Premium Collection Box preorder and the Pokémon TCG Prismatic Evolutions Booster Bundle, both available at market value. Another deal that’s caught our attention is on the Pokemon TCG Black Bolt Binder Box. 

The Pokémon TCG Scarlet and Violet Black Bolt Binder Box is currently priced at $59.45 in the Amazon Black Friday sale. That’s a 12% discount — an overall saving of $8.44 from the list price of $67.89.

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This bundle includes a nine-pocket binder plus five Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet — Black Bolt booster packs. That’s 50 new cards in total from the Black Bolt expansion and you never know what’s hiding away in those foil packs. The expansion features new Pokemon ex from the Unova region.  

Get the Pokémon TCG Scarlet and Violet Black Bolt Binder Box for just $59.45 in the Amazon Black Friday sale.

Categories: IT General, Technology

160+ Amazon Black Friday deals still live: Find record-low prices on AirPods, Kindles, Lego, and LG TVs

Mashable - Sat, 11/29/2025 - 08:56
The best Black Friday deals at Amazon: Best Apple deal AirPods 4 with ANC $99.99 at Amazon (save $79.01) Get Deal Best Lego deal Lego Star Wars: The Phantom Menace Mos Espa Podrace Dioarma $39.99 (save $40) Get Deal Best Kindle deal Kindle Paperwhite (16GB) $124.99 at Amazon (save $35) Get Deal Best portable power station deal Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 $349 at Amazon (save $450) Get Deal Best headphones deal Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Lunar Blue - Limited Edition Color) $299 at Amazon (save $130) Get Deal Best smartwatch deal Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS, 40mm) $199 at Amazon (save $50) Get Deal Best Amazon device deal Amazon Echo Pop $21.99 at Amazon (save $18) Get Deal Best TV deal Insignia 75-inch QF QLED 4K Fire TV $399.99 at Amazon (save $250) Get Deal Best robot vacuum deal Roborock Saros 10R $999.99 at Amazon (save $600) Get Deal Best kitchen deal Ninja Slushi $269.99 at Amazon (save $100) Get Deal

Black Friday is officially here. The biggest shopping event of the year is underway, and while Amazon's early sale has been running since Nov. 20, the deepest discounts are dropping right now. We're seeing a bunch of epic, last-minute deals on some of our favorite products from Bose, Apple, Anker, and Lego, in addition to Amazon devices like Kindles and the Echo lineup, plus discounts on some of our favorite gifts for 2025. Amazon even brought back its 1-cent Haul deals.

A majority of Amazon's Black Friday deals are record-low prices that match or beat the deals we saw during October Prime Day. See the evidence for yourself by plugging the URL into camelcamelcamel, the Mashable shopping team's secret weapon for finding the lowest prices at Amazon.

SEE ALSO: 20+ of the best Black Friday streaming deals live: HBO Max, Apple TV+, Spotify, and more

The official Black Friday deals are live, and you don't have time to waste. We'll be updating this page with new Amazon Black Friday deals as they drop, so keep checking back through the end of Cyber Weekend. Of course, it's worth checking out the best deals from competing retailers like Target, Best Buy, and Walmart to make sure you're getting the best deal (we curate our lists to only include deals that are the actual best ones across retailers). If you don't feel like scrolling through all of that, you can keep up with the best deals across the internet with our live deals tracker or get them texted straight to your phone.

Best Apple deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple AirPods 4 with ANC $99.99 at Amazon
$179 Save $79.01   Get Deal Why we like it

Apple deals are going hard this Black Friday. The AirPods 4 with ANC just hit a record-low price of $99.99, but they're flying off the shelves. We've seen them sell out once at Amazon already, and they're currently out of stock at Target. These give the entry-level AirPods (currently on sale for $69) the nice addition of ANC, which performed so well that it earned these buds a coveted Mashable Choice Award.

Read Mashable's full review of the Apple AirPods 4 with ANC.

More Black Friday Apple deals at AmazonAirTagsApple PencilMacBooksiPadsAirPodsBest Lego deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Star Wars: The Phantom Menace Mos Espa Podrace Diorama $39.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $40.00   Get Deal Why we like it

As the year comes to a close, another heartbreaking handful of Legos are set to retire. The Mos Espa Podrace diorama from The Phantom Menace is one of them, so now is your last chance not only to find it in stock, but for half off its usual price. This set is a bestseller for a reason: You get the full canyon in Tatooine scene, models of both Anakin's Podracer and Subulba's Podracer, and a special 25th anniversary plaque with a quote from Qui-Gon Jinn. It's nostalgia in brick form that any Star Wars fan should have in their collection.

More Black Friday Lego dealsBest Kindle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle Paperwhite $124.99 at Amazon
$159 Save $34.01   Get Deal Why we like it

Down at a record-low price, the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite is Mashable's favorite Kindle. It can get up to 12 weeks of battery life before you'll need to recharge, and the 16GB storage gives plenty of room for downloaded books. Gift it to the reader in your life or snag one for yourself to stay entertained during holiday travel. It's also fully waterproof, so you can take it along to the pool or on your tropical winter vacation.

More Kindle dealsMore e-reader dealsBest Amazon device deal Amazon Echo Pop $21.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $18.00   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

It’s a known fact of the universe that Amazon devices get serious discounts on Black Friday (and Prime Day, for that matter). If you haven't picked up a smart speaker yet, or just need one for a random room like the laundry room or guest bath, we recommend the Echo Pop. It’s currently $21.99, which is 45% off its regular price. Unlike the spherical Echo Dot, the Pop has a flat front that makes it fit way better on shallow shelves or crowded nightstands. It’s the perfect low-stakes way to add Alexa to another corner of your house without spending "real" money.

More Black Friday Amazon device deals Best portable power station deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 $349 at Amazon
$799 Save $450   Get Deal Why we like it

The new Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 is one of my favorite portable power stations to hit the market this year. Anker's new Gen 2 models focus on portability, and the C1000 Gen 2 is shockingly easy to carry around at 25 pounds. It's a great model for taking to the campground or keeping in the garage in case of power outages. Thanks to Amazon's Black Friday sale, this model is down to a new record low.

Read Mashable's full review of the Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2.

More Black Friday portable power station dealsBest headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Ultra $299
$429 Save $130   Get Deal Why we like it

If you're looking for the most comfortable noise-cancelling headphones on the market, you want the Bose QuietComfort Ultra, and right now, they're on sale for $299. Since we spend plenty of the day listening to music, podcasts, or streaming YouTube, there's good reason to invest in a super comfortable pair. Of course, they'll make for a special gift this holiday season, or consider it a gift of self-care to get yourself through holiday travel.

Read Mashable's full review of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones (2nd Gen).

More Black Friday headphones dealsBlack Friday earbuds dealsBest smartwatch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS, 40mm) $199 at Amazon
$249 Save $50   Get Deal Why we like it

The Apple Watch SE 3 earns the top spot on Mashable's list of the best smartwatches. The SE 3 is the first SE model to come with an always-on display. Mashable Tech Editor Timothy Beck Werth wrote, "In addition to its gorgeous OLED display, it has the same S10 chip inside the Ultra 3, the same water resistance as the Series 11, and all the necessary features you're looking for in a smartwatch." All of that now comes in at under $200 thanks to this Black Friday sale at Amazon.

More Black Friday smartwatch dealsBlack Friday TV deals at Amazon Insignia 75-inch QF QLED 4K Fire TV $399.99 at Best Buy
$649.99 Save $250   Get Deal at Best Buy Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

When you think of TVs on sale at Amazon, you probably think of Amazon's own Fire TVs. You're half right: The best Fire TV deal at Amazon is a Fire TV, but it's actually an Insignia (a Best Buy brand). At just $399.99 after a 38% discount, this 75-inch Insignia QLED is the cheapest 75-inch QLED TV we've seen across all Black Friday TV deals so far — that's almost $200 cheaper than the non-QLED 75-inch version of Amazon's Omni TV. And why would you settle when you could bring home the boosted quantum dot brightness for watching in the daytime?

More Black Friday TV deals32- and 43-inch TVs50- to 55-inch TVs65-inch TVs75-inch TVs and up85-inch TVs and upBlack Friday robot vacuum deals at Amazon Roborock Saros 10R $999.99 at Amazon
$1,599.99 Save $600   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

This Black Friday season marks the very first time the Roborock Saros 10R has dropped below $1,000, so senior shopping reporter Leah Stodart can't help but recommend it to people — considering the Saros 10R was her favorite robot vacuum that she's ever tested for most of 2025, and is still the best robot vacuum mop combo when it comes to corner and edge mopping. (In Reddit threads about which robot vacuum everyone is looking to buy this Black Friday, the Saros 10R is mentioned multiple times.)

At 22,000 Pa of suction power, the Saros 10R is also one of the most powerful robot vacs you'll find on sale this season. Plus, the livestream pet camera will quickly become a daily staple in the routines of busy pet parents.

More Black Friday robot vacuum dealsRobot vacuum and mop combosRobot vacuums that don't mopBlack Friday kitchen deals Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Slushi professional frozen drink maker (88-ounce) $269.99 at Amazon
$369.99 Save $100   Get Deal Why we like it

The Ninja Slushi is a blast in any season — frozen margs in any flavor you want when it's hot, apple cider slush or gingerbread frappé when it's chilly. (Mashable Senior Shopping Reporter Leah Stodart loves her Slushi, and so do all of her friends.) A year after the first Slushi came out, Ninja released two larger capacity versions in a few fun colors. The 88-ounce model on sale for $269.99 at Amazon can make a slightly bigger batch than the original 72-ounce model, which is on sale for $229.99 at Walmart. $40 more for extra beverages and a chic green build? Sold. (If you want the purple one, it's $269.99 at Target.)

More Black Friday kitchen dealsBest Black Friday outdoor deal LifeStraw $9.49 at Amazon
$19.95 Save $10.46   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

If there's one thing Mashable readers love buying on Black Friday, it’s the LifeStraw. It’s a staple of every major sales event, and for good reason. Right now, it’s back down to its Prime Day price of $9.99, which is typically the lowest it goes all year (it's usually around $20). Even if you aren't an avid hiker, this is a must-have for your home emergency kit or bug-out bag. It filters out 99.999999 percent of waterborne bacteria and parasites, so you can drink directly from a stream (or a sketchy tap) safely. At $10, it’s the ultimate practical stocking stuffer.

More Black Friday outdoor deals Drones and action camerasOther outdoor gearBest Amazon streaming deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple TV Apple TV+ Prime Video Add-On $5.99 for 6 months (save $42) Get Deal Why we like it

Apple TV+ is where you'll find the most-talked-about show of the year so far, Pluribus. If you don't want to get left behind by the zeitgeist, then you'll need an Apple TV subscription. And for Black Friday, Amazon is offering tons of streaming deals for Prime Video members. You can now add Apple TV+ to your Prime Video for $5.99 for 12 months. Normally $12.99 per month, that lets you save $42 in total.

More Amazon Black Friday streaming dealsBeauty tech dealsBluetooth tracker deals
Categories: IT General, Technology

This Pokémon TCG Mega Lucario ex Figure Collection is below market value after Black Friday

Mashable - Sat, 11/29/2025 - 08:50

SAVE 20%: As of Nov. 29, the Pokémon TCG Mega Lucario ex Figure Collection has dropped to $55.99 at Amazon, which is below TCGplayer's market value plus shipping.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Lucario ex Figure Collection $55.99 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $14.00   Get Deal

OK, so Black Friday itself might be over but deals are still available as we roll towards Cyber Monday. That’s good news for shoppers, including bargain-hunting Pokémon trainers who have been treated to plenty of great Pokémon deals across Black Friday week. One deal on our Pokémon radar today is a $14 reduction on the Pokémon TCG Mega Lucario ex Figure Collection.

The Pokémon TCG Mega Lucario ex Figure Collection is currently available for $55.99 at Amazon, which is lower than the market value plus shipping at TCGplayer. This box is usually listed at $69.99, so you’re getting a 20% discount.

SEE ALSO: Where to buy Pokémon cards in 2025 — avoid overpaying or missing out on new sets

The box includes one etched foil promo card and one oversized promo card featuring Mega Lucario ex. You also get a Mega Lucario figure and five booster packs.

Don’t miss this deal. Stocks are likely to sell out quickly. Get the Pokémon TCG Mega Lucario ex Figure Collection for $55.99 as part of the Amazon Black Friday sale.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Get the DJI Osmo 360 camera for almost $200 off in Amazons Black Friday sale

Mashable - Sat, 11/29/2025 - 05:10

SAVE $191.41: The DJI Osmo 360 Camera is on sale for $357.49 during the Amazon Black Friday sale. This is $191.41 off its regular price, so don’t hesitate to jump on this deal.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Osmo 360 action camera $357.49 at Amazon
$549.99 Save $192.50   Get Deal

The DJI Osmo 360 camera helps capture stunning 360-degree videos and photos, which is perfect for creators and adventurers. This camera will let you capture a wide range of content for the holidays, like vlogs and travel. It shoots in 8K/30fps and 4K/120fps, so your shots will always look sharp and smooth, no matter the angle. With 105GB of built-in storage, you won’t have to worry about running out of space.

If you’re out at night, you can use a special feature called Super Nighttime that captures more light and detail in low-light conditions. This ensures that your shots come out vibrant, making nightly city streets and starry landscapes look as magical as they feel.

The camera also works with the DJI Mimo app, which helps streamline the post-editing process with features such as Pano Color Grading, Pano Dewarp, and more, giving your shots an extra cinematic flair.

DJI has Black Friday deals on its other products, so be sure to check those out as well. If you’re also looking to get a DJI drone, get those now, as they could get banned by the United States by the end of the year.

The DJI Osmo 360 camera is on sale for $357.49 during Amazon’s Black Friday sale, which saves you $191.41 off its usual price of $549.99.

More DJI Black Friday deals Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mic Mini (2 TX + 1 RX) $66 at Amazon
$119 Save $53 Mashable tested ✅ Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mini 4K Drone $239 at Amazon
$299 Save $60 Please note this product is sold by a third-party seller Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Osmo Pocket 3 4K Gimbal Camera $529.99 at Best Buy
$799.99 Save $270 Mashable tested ✅ Get Deal

UPDATE: Nov. 29, 2025, 9:36 a.m. EST This article has been updated with additional deals from DJI.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Moon phase today: What the moon will look like on November 29

Mashable - Sat, 11/29/2025 - 04:12

We're in the last lunar phase before the full moon, which can only mean we're getting closer and closer. There's still a few days until we reach the December full moon (which will again be a supermoon this month), but the moon is still nice and bright with plenty to see until then.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Saturday, Nov. 29, the moon phase is Waxing Gibbous. This means 63% of the moon is lit up tonight, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

So, what can you see when you look up tonight? If you're looking up without any visual aids you should be able to spot the Tranquillitatis, and Serenitatis Mares, as well as the Tycho Crater. With binoculars you'll also be able to spot the Endymion, Alphonsus Craters and Clavius Craters. If you have a telescope, pull it out to try and catch a glimpse of the Apollo 15 and 16 landing spots, and the Fra Mauro Highlands.

When is the next full moon?

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

What are moon phases?

NASA explains that the lunar cycle (which is about 29.5 days long) is made up of the Moon’s phases, which describe how the Moon looks from Earth as it travels around us. We view the same side of the Moon at all times, but the sunlight hitting its surface shifts as it moves through its orbit. That changing illumination is what makes the Moon appear full, half-lit, or not visible at all. The cycle includes eight distinct phases:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Pips hints, answers for November 29, 2025

Mashable - Sat, 11/29/2025 - 04:00

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. 29 Pips

Number (3): Everything in this space must add to 3. The answer is 1-6, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this purple space must add to 6. The answer is 1-6, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this orange space must add to 6. The answer is 1-6, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-1, placed horizontally; 6-2, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Nov. 29 Pips

Less Than (5): Everything in this space must be less than 5. The answer is 2-0, placed vertically.

Equal (0): Everything in this red space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-6, placed vertically; 2-0, placed vertically; 0-4, placed vertically.

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 0-6, placed vertically; 4-6, placed horizontally.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add to 8. The answer is 0-4, placed vertically; 2-2, placed vertically.

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Nov. 29 Pips

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 2-3, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Everything in this orange space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-0, placed horizontally; 0-4, placed vertically; 0-5, placed vertically.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this dark blue space must be greater than 3. The answer is 0-4, placed vertically.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this red space must be greater than 3. The answer is 6-4, placed vertically.

Number (17): Everything in this space must add to 8. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically; 6-4, placed vertically; 3-6, placed vertically.

Greater Than (9): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 5-2, placed vertically; 1-6, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this red space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-1, placed vertically; 1-6, placed vertically; 1-0, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Everything in this light blue space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-3, 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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for November 29, 2025

Mashable - Sat, 11/29/2025 - 04:00

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easy if you love The Game.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier — so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

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

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

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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

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

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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

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

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

  • Yellow: Perfection

  • Green: Go Buckeyes

  • Blue: Go Blue

  • Purple: Three of a kind

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

  • Yellow: Baseball Pitching Feats

  • Green: Associated with Ohio State

  • Blue: Associated with Michigan

  • Purple: Triple_____

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 #432 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

  • Baseball Pitching Feats - IMMACULATE INNING, NO-HITTER, PERFECT GAME, SHUTOUT

  • Associated with Ohio State- DOTTING THE I, GRAY, SCARLET, THE HORSESHOE

  • Associated with Michigan - BLUE, HAIL TO THE VICTORS, MAIZE, THE BIG HOUSE

  • Triple_____ - A, CROWN, DOUBLE, PLAY

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

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

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

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 29, 2025

Mashable - Sat, 11/29/2025 - 04:00

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you love card games.

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

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

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

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

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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

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

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for November 29, 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: Upper body

  • Green: A fill-in

  • Blue: Found in green spaces

  • Purple: Associated with a popular card game

Here are today's Connections categories

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

  • Yellow: Abdominal area

  • Green: Replacement

  • Blue: Park staples

  • Purple: Blackjack terms

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 #902 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

  • Abdominal area: CORE, MIDSECTION, TORSO, TRUNK

  • Replacement: BACKUP, COVER, RELIEF, SUBSTITUTE

  • Park staples: BENCH, PIGEON, STATUE, TREE

  • Blackjack terms: BUST, HIT, SPLIT, STAND

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 29, 2025

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

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

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Strands hints, answers for November 29, 2025

Mashable - Sat, 11/29/2025 - 04:00

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you know how to operate machinery.

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 29, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 29, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: What a piece of work!

The words are related to instruments.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe instruments that are easy to use.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Simple Machine.

NYT Strands word list for November 29

  • Wheel

  • Axle

  • Simple Machine

  • Pulley

  • Wedge

  • Lever

  • Screw

  • Plane

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

Wordle today: Answer, hints for November 29, 2025

Mashable - Sat, 11/29/2025 - 04:00

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you have a hoarse voice.

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 29, 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 29, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Rough.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter F appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter G.

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...

GRUFF

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 29, 2025

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

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

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

Hurdle hints and answers for November 29, 2025

Mashable - Sat, 11/29/2025 - 04:00

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 sniff.

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

WHIFF

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A professional fighter.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for November 29, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

BOXER

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A canyon.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for November 29 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 29, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

GORGE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

To cut in two.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for November 29 Hurdle Word 4 answer

HALVE

Final Hurdle hint

Bravery.

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

SPUNK

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

Grab a Jackery Solar Generator 300 for more than $200 off at Amazons Black Friday sale

Mashable - Sat, 11/29/2025 - 03:30

SAVE $215: The Jackery Solar Generator 300 is on sale for $284 during the Amazon Black Friday sale. This is $215 off its regular price, so you won’t want to miss out!

Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery Solar Generator 300 $284 at Amazon
$499 Save $215   Get Deal

If you’re already looking forward to outdoor activities when the temperature gets warmer outside, make sure to stay prepared with the Jackery Solar Generator 300. It’s great for powering devices on the go, such as road trips, tailgates, and camping — and it's on sale for Black Friday.

The generator can be used to charge small electronics like smartphones and tablets, as well as power bigger appliances like coffee makers and mini fridges. It’s also incredibly helpful to have during emergency situations, including when your main power source goes out.

It sports a 293Wh lithium-ion battery pack, and only weighs 7.1 pounds, making it the perfect portable station to carry around. The generator only takes two hours to recharge the battery to about 80 percent, so that you can quickly go back to using it. 

The Jackery Solar Generator 300 is currently available for $284 in the Black Friday sale at Amazon. That saves you $215 from the usual list price of $499. Be sure to check out other power station deals we’ve gathered for you this Black Friday, too.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Black Friday is the perfect time to stock up on boring but essential house supplies

Mashable - Sat, 11/29/2025 - 03:14
A quick glance at the best boring but essentials on sale for Black Friday Best kitchen deal Seventh Generation Free & Clear Dishwasher Detergent Packs (72 count) $19 (save $4.75) Get Deal Best laundry deal Arm & Hammer Power Sheets Laundry Detergent (50 count) $8.99 (save $2.67) Get Deal Best dish deal Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Liquid Dish Soap (16-ounce, 3-pack) $11 (save $8.99) Get Deal Best office supplies deal Zebra F-301 Retractable Ballpoint Pen (6-pack +3 refills) $15.99 (save $3.71) Get Deal Best battery deal Energizer AA Batteries Alkaline Power (32 count) $14.28 (save $9.70) Get Deal Best Bluetooth tracker deal Apple AirTag (4-pack) $62.99 (save $36.01) Get Deal

The best Black Friday deals are often centered around upgrading to a massive TV, getting an Apple Watch at a record-low price, or loading up on stocking stuffers. While those are great scores, Black Friday is a great time to stock up on less exciting items. Stuff like toilet paper, dish soap, laundry detergent, and paper towels are always part of the major sale but don't get all that much attention.

But if you want to add stuff to your cart that you'll be majorly thankful for in the future, consider the boring but essentials. Come next month or even next year when you have a stockpile of batteries available for when the remote goes dead, you'll be very thankful that your Black Friday self swooped in on these deals. Plus, buying them online means you don't have to leave the house and lug all the grocery bags inside.

SEE ALSO: 160+ Amazon Black Friday deals: Find record-low prices on AirPods, Kindles, Lego, and LG TVs

Since the year 2025 has shown us there's no limit to how expensive things can get, stocking up now gives you some insulation from future price increases or even more intense shrinkflation. Here are some deals to add to your cart while they're still live during Cyber Week.

Kitchen essentials and cleaning suppliesLaundry suppliesBatteries
Categories: IT General, Technology

The best Black Friday Nintendo Switch deals: Best-ever prices on games, controllers, accessories, and more

Mashable - Sat, 11/29/2025 - 02:56
Best Black Friday Nintendo Switch deals at a glance: Best Early Black Friday Nintendo Switch Console Deal Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle $499 Get Deal Best Nintendo Switch game deal Final Fantasy I-VI Collection Anniversary Edition (Switch 1) $39.99 (save $45) Get Deal Best Nintendo Switch Controller deal 8BitDo Pro 3 Bluetooth Controller $55.99 (save $14) Get Deal Best Nintendo Switch Storage Deal Lexar 512GB Play PRO microSD Express Card $99.49 (save $20.50) Get Deal

Black Friday is the time to stock up on the things you — and everyone on your list — want the most. Sure, you could go for the boring essentials, but what's the fun in that? If you're looking to stay entertained this holiday season, check out these Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 Black Friday deals.

So far, we haven't spotted any deals on Switch consoles. The best you can do is snag one of the Switch bundles, which includes popular new games like Mario Kart World or NBA 2K26. That ends up saving you a few dollars, which can go toward even more games.

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

Nintendo Switch deals shine when it comes to games. There's plenty of stocking fillers and backlog stuffers to choose from right now. I've also labelled which each deal is compatible with the Switch 1, Switch 2, or both consoles, so you know exactly what you're buying.

Here are all the best Black Friday Nintendo Switch deals we've spotted.

Best Black Friday Nintendo Switch console deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle $499 at Amazon
  Get Deal Why we like it

The Nintendo Switch 2 isn't getting any traditional discounts this Black Friday, per se, but that doesn't mean you can't get a good deal on one. Case in point: this bundle that nets you the Nintendo Switch 2 console itself and a copy of Mario Kart World. A Switch 2 on its own is $449, and Mario Kart World alone is $79, so you're still seeing a savings of $30 by getting the bundle. If you need the Switch 2 system itself and want something great to play along with it, this is the best bet by far. You'll get hours of entertainment out of Mario Kart World and still save some cash. Win-win! Additionally, there are similar bundles to choose from that go in and out of stock, so it's best to keep checking back if there are certain games you're looking to score alongside your system.

More Black Friday Nintendo Switch console dealsBest Black Friday Nintendo Switch game deal Opens in a new window Credit: Square Enix Final Fantasy I-VI Collection Anniversary Edition (Switch 1) $39.99 at Amazon
$74.99 Save $35.00   Get Deal Why we like it

Nearly half off for every 2D Final Fantasy game? Yes please. There are some great quality of life upgrades spread across FF I-VI, including an updated HUD, HD character sprites, a rearranged soundtrack by original composer Nobuo Uematsu, and auto battle options. Plus, you get a free sticker sheet.

More Black Friday Nintendo Switch game dealsBest Black Friday Nintendo Switch controller deal Opens in a new window Credit: 8BitDo 8BitDo Pro 3 Bluetooth Controller $55.99 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $14.00   Get Deal Why we like it

Nice button action, amazing ergonomics, and plenty of features such as complex macros, interchangeable A, B, X, and Y buttons, and adjustable triggers. It's a very close call between the Pro 3 and the Ultimate 2 from 8BitDo, and don't get me started on the Arcade stick, but the Pro 3 wins for me personally. This gets picked up over my Switch Pro controller every day of the week.

More budget Black Friday Nintendo Switch controller dealsBest Black Friday Nintendo Switch accessory deal Opens in a new window Credit: Lexar Lexar 512GB Play PRO microSD Express Card $99.49 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $100.50   Get Deal Why we like it

Getting twice the normal storage to plug into your Nintendo Switch 2 is a godsend if you're bringing a big Nintendo Switch library with you. This 512GB Lexar option does the job well, with $20.50 knocked off, so you're getting all of this extra storage for less than $100. That's enough room to fit an extra 20-51 Nintendo Switch 2 games between 10-25GB in size and even more Switch 1 titles.

More Nintendo Switch accessory deals
Categories: IT General, Technology
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