Technology

NASA expects its Swift space telescope to re-enter Earth's atmosphere early Wednesday, ending over two decades of Swift's monitoring of sudden, powerful events in space.

The U.S. Space Force's prediction puts the re-entry at about 3:30 a.m. ET on Wednesday, Nov. 4. Most of the spacecraft should burn up as it falls through the atmosphere, though some pieces may reach the ground, according to NASA. 

Though the agency doesn't offer a live orbital tracker of the spacecraft, you can monitor Swift's final days — or hours — through the agency's blog, as well as some third-party websites and apps. 

Swift, whose official name is the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory,  will meet its demise after NASA and commercial contractor Katalyst Space tried to save it with a robotic spacecraft designed to boost it into a higher orbit. That $30 million rescue attempt failed, which means scientists have lost a quick-response telescope to study brief cosmic events. NASA says other missions will help fill some of the gap, but its absence will leave researchers with fewer ways to follow up on new discoveries. 

"While deeply disappointed at the outcome, I'm nonetheless incredibly appreciative of the heroic efforts undertaken by the collective Katalyst and Swift teams," Brad Cenko, the mission's principal investigator, told Mashable in August. "I sincerely do view this effort as a success, even if we were not able to reach our ultimate goal."

SEE ALSO: This Martian meteorite just got dubbed a 'Rosetta Stone.' Here's why.

To follow Swift's descent, you can read NASA's posts at https://science.nasa.gov/blogs/swift. NASA and the Space Force will continue updating the re-entry predictions, as the timing and location could shift.

But if you want a live look at its whereabouts, several websites provide global mapping and visualization tools for satellites like Swift, using its unique catalog designation, NORAD ID 28485. The data directly comes from the Space Force, which tracks satellites. 

Visual trackers, such as Orbital Radar, N2YO, and KeepTrack, take this mathematical information from Space-Track.org, the public portal operated by the U.S. military, and plug it into their own map engines.

NASA launched Swift in 2004 to study gamma-ray bursts: flashes of high-energy light produced by some of the universe's most powerful explosions. Swift could spot a burst and quickly turn toward it to observe the fading light. It also helped scientists study objects like black holes and stars that flare in X-rays. 

Want more science and tech news delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for Mashable's Light Speed newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

Earth's upper atmosphere creates drag on satellites in low orbit, slowing them and pulling them down. Recent solar activity increased that effect on Swift. NASA hired Katalyst to build a spacecraft that could approach the observatory, grab it, and raise its orbit. But ongoing control problems with the servicing spacecraft, LINK, ended the plan before it could attempt the capture and boost maneuvers.

Swift briefly returned to science observations after the unsuccessful rescue mission. It homed in on hundreds of targets, including the remains of stellar explosions, active black holes in distant galaxies, and comets in our solar system. On Oct. 20, Swift reached an altitude of 171 miles and could no longer counter the drag. The spacecraft entered a protective mode, and its operations team sent a command to end the mission.

NASA says surviving fragments could fall anywhere between 20.6 degrees south and 20.6 degrees north latitude. That band stretches around the world near the equator. The chance of someone on Earth being harmed by debris is "unlikely," with a chance of about 1 in 2,100, according to the agency.

TL;DR: New users can get one year of Rosetta Stone Sapphire for just $127.20, including 25 languages, pronunciation feedback, conversation practice, and personalized activities.

Opens in a new window Credit: Rosetta Stone Rosetta Stone Sapphire (1-Year Subscription) $127.23
$159 Save $31.77   Get Deal

Ordering dinner in another language is a useful skill. Keeping the conversation going after the waiter goes off-script? Even better. Rosetta Stone Sapphire’s 1-year subscription is $127.20 (reg. $159) for a limited time, giving new users access to 25 languages and tools built around everyday speaking confidence.

Drawing on more than 30 years of language-learning expertise, Sapphire uses Rosetta Stone’s Dynamic Immersion method. Rather than relying on direct translation or memorization drills, it teaches through imagery, context, listening, reading, and speaking. Bite-sized lessons build vocabulary and grammar while giving you opportunities to use what you learn.

Pronunciation gets its own attention through TruAccent speech recognition, which provides real-time feedback. Meanwhile, guided Chat Missions let you practice scenarios involving travel, social situations, and everyday interactions. Think of it as a rehearsal before you need the words in person.

The experience also leaves room for your interests. Sapphire Studio lets you create personalized learning activities on topics that matter to you, while more than 500 flashcard sets cover subjects such as business, hobbies, sports, art, and travel. Your next study session doesn’t have to revolve around someone else’s itinerary.

You can switch among available languages, including Spanish, French, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, Mandarin, German, and Italian. Progress saves and syncs across supported desktop, mobile, and tablet devices, so you can pick up where you left off when your schedule allows.

For learners who want structured lessons alongside speaking practice, Sapphire brings both into one platform.

Get the Rosetta Stone Sapphire one-year subscription for just $127.20 (reg. $159) through Nov. 8.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Poster Collection is on sale for $41.47 at Amazon, down from its $49.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Poster Collection $41.47 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $8.52   Get Deal at Amazon

It’s still tough to get well-priced stock for Pokémon’s 30th Celebration expansion, even if Delta Reign is coming out this week.

As of Nov. 3, the Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Poster Collection has dropped to just $41.47 at Amazon, shaving $8.52 off its $49.99 list price with a 17% discount.

While that might not sound like the biggest saving, it's an improvement on the $51.95 deal we covered on Oct. 27. It's also $9.51 below the previous $50.98 Amazon record low we spotted on Oct. 19. Either way, it’s the lowest price we've seen on the site so far (confirmed with price tracker camelcamelcamel).

Better still, the new offer is sold and shipped directly by Amazon, rather than one of its marketplace sellers — with free delivery set for as soon as Nov. 23. 

SEE ALSO: Preorders for the Pokémon TCG Delta Reign Elite Trainer Box are cut on Amazon — save vs. Walmart

The Pokemon TCG 30th Celebration Poster Collection contains three booster packs of trading cards from the anniversary expansion, alongside foil promotional cards featuring Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres.

You'll also receive a double-sided poster measuring almost 27 by 39 inches, displaying artwork from more than 160 cards in the set.

SAVE $81.99: As of Nov. 3, the flagship Sony WH-1000XM6 noise-canceling headphones are down to $378 at Amazon. That is an $81.99 discount on our Mashable Choice winner.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony XM6 $378 at Amazon
$459.99 Save $81.99   Get Deal at Amazon

If you’ve been eyeing a pair of noise-canceling cans but couldn’t stomach modern flagship pricing, Amazon just gave you a break. The flagship Sony WH-1000XM6 wireless headphones are down to $378, shaving 18% off their standard $459.99 list price. That is an $81.99 price cut on the pair we named the "best sound-first headphones" in our 2026 guide.

The biggest win with these headphones is the return of folding hinges: the earcups finally collapse inward to tuck into a much sturdier case featuring a magnetic latch instead of the old, fragile zipper. Inside the earcups, a carbon-fiber dome driver runs on Sony’s new QN3 processor, which clocks seven times faster than the previous generation.

SEE ALSO: 14 headphones deals that are already Black Friday-worthy

Sony backed that horsepower with 12 total mics for adaptive noise canceling and six dedicated mics for cleaner phone calls. Plus, you can finally plug in to charge via USB-C and keep listening to your playlist without the music cutting out.

In his review, Mashable's Timothy Beck Werth called the sound "impressive," with vocal tracks that sound "particularly great." He also pointed out that the active noise canceling "works like magic," carving out a dead-silent bubble whether you're trying to focus in an open office or crammed onto a subway train.

SEE ALSO: Sony is giving away custom team-edition XM6 headphones for free — how to claim

Even if the 30-hour battery life didn't see a massive jump from the XM5, the travel-ready folding design, richer vocal tuning, and class-leading noise cancellation make these an easy recommendation.

Snag the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones at Amazon before the deal disappears.

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Day (Espeon) and Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Night (Umbreon) are available to preorder now on Walmart.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokemon Company Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Day (Espeon) $486.99 at Walmart
  Shop Now at Walmart Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Night (Umbreon) $499.99 at Walmart
  Shop Now at Walmart

This week is going to be absolutely huge for Pokémon TCG collectors. We've had a wave of announcements in recent weeks, so it's hardly been quiet lately, but the Day and Night Ultra-Premium Collections and the Delta Reign Expansion are set to release on Nov. 6. Now that's big news.

With the launch day fast approaching, preorder offers are getting competitive. Amazon listings went live weeks ago but have since vanished. That has left Walmart offering the best rate on the Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Day (Espeon) and Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Night (Umbreon).

Both high-end boxes are currently available to preorder at Walmart for close to market price.

TCGplayer's market price for the Day Box is currently $471.52, compared to Walmart's $486.99. The market price for the Night Box is $466.37, compared with Walmart's $499.99.

Both Ultra-Premium Collections come packed with 29 30th Celebration booster packs, one Classic Collection booster pack, custom metal coins, deck boxes, card sleeves, and damage-counter dice. Of course, a lot of the hype comes from the exclusive promo cards.

The Day collection includes the exclusive Espeon ex promo card with a Daytime Pikachu ex promo card and an Espeon playmat. The Night box includes the exclusive Umbreon ex promo card with a Futuristic-rarity Pikachu ex promo card and an Umbreon playmat.

It's not easy finding real value for money in the trading card market, so scoring preorders for around market value is pretty special. And that goes double for a collection like this.

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Booster Display Box is on sale for $209.95 at Amazon, down from its $222.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Booster Box $209.95 at Amazon
$222.99 Save $13.04   Get Deal at Amazon

All eyes may be on the Pokémon TCG's upcoming Delta Reign expansion ahead of its Nov. 6 launch, but Amazon has unexpectedly trimmed the cost of Chaos Rising’s biggest box, giving trading card collectors a chance to catch up on chase cards from this collection. 

As of Nov. 3, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Booster Display Box is going for just $209.95 at Amazon, a $13.04 saving compared to the usual $222.99 price. With this 6% discount, you’ll be effectively only paying around $5.83 for each of its 36 booster packs. 

To get this deal, you'll have to choose third-party seller DJ's Daily Deals from the other buying options, rather than the $212.48 offer Amazon shows by default. Thankfully, shipping still won’t cost you anything, with delivery estimated for Nov. 10.

SEE ALSO: Preorders for the Pokémon TCG Delta Reign Elite Trainer Box are cut on Amazon — save vs. Walmart

TCGplayer is actually undercutting the estimated $181.84 market price — with listings now going for as little as $180 (shipping still included). 

For anyone yet to delve into Chaos Rising, the expansion features over 120 collectible cards, more than 25 Trainer cards, and over 35 Pokémon and Trainer cards boasting special illustrations.

Its standout pulls (which you can buy individually at TCGplayer) include the MHR Mega Greninja ex ($113+), SIR Mega Greninja ex ($112), and SIR Cinccino ex ($35+), alongside other Mega Evolution Pokémon such as Mega Floette ex ($20+) and Mega Dragalge ex ($22+).

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Delta Reign Booster Display Box is available to preorder for $249.99 at Amazon, down from the $269.99 price we first spotted in October.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Delta Reign Booster Display Box $249.99 at Amazon
$269.99 Save $20   Preorder at Amazon

The Pokémon TCG Delta Reign expansion is only a few days away from release, and after several weeks of fluctuating preorder deals, collectors can once again grab 36 packs for less than $7 each before the new Mega Evolution set drops.

As of Nov. 3, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Delta Reign Booster Display Box is available to preorder for just $249.99 at Amazon. That's exactly $20 less than the $269.99 price we covered when preorders first went live on Oct. 8, and one of the lowest-ever deals for the box (confirmed via price tracker camelcamelcamel). It works out to $6.94 for each of its 36 booster packs.

Sold and fulfilled by third-party seller House of Cards and Games, free delivery is included, although your box isn't expected to arrive until Nov. 16. That's 10 days after Delta Reign launches on Nov. 6.

SEE ALSO: The Pokémon TCG Delta Reign Elite Trainer Box is now under market price at Walmart — save over $20 vs. Amazon

Although this Amazon price is a new low for the Delta Reign display Booster Box, we need to let you know you can spend even less with Walmart and TCGplayer.

Compared with the box’s estimated $227.76 market price, Walmart is selling its own for $229.29. Meanwhile, the dedicated trading card marketplace TCGplayer has listings for slightly less, with the lowest at $227.98 — only 22 cents above market price. 

Delta Reign introduces over 140 cards, with Mega Rayquaza ex leading the expansion alongside Mega Golurk ex, Mega Malamar ex, and Mega Golisopod ex. Each booster contains 10 random Pokémon cards, giving you 360 to open across the complete Display Box, excluding Energy and code cards.

SAVE $100: Starting Nov. 2 through Dec. 6, Monarc's Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale knocks $100 off both the Monarc Marker and the Monarc Tracer, while tossing in a free spare battery (a $250 value).

Opens in a new window Credit: Monarc Monarc Marker All-Terrain eBike $1,899 at Monarc
$1,999 Save $100   Get Deal at Monarc Opens in a new window Credit: Monarc Monarc Tracer Urban Commuter eBike $1,799 at Monarc
$1,899 Save $100   Get Deal at Monarc

Electric bikes have made the daily commute a whole lot more fun, but range anxiety is still the big elephant in the room. There is nothing quite as humbling as watching your battery gauge blink red halfway up a steep hill, leaving you to pedal a 75-pound machine home on pure leg power.

Premium newcomer Monarc cuts straight through that stress by packaging its bikes with two swappable 720Wh batteries and backing every frame with a generous five-year warranty. For the holiday shopping season, Monarc is running an early Black Friday sale through Dec. 6 that takes $100 off both models and tosses in a second battery pack for free, giving you a swappable backup to double your distance.

SEE ALSO: Volkswagen's new e-bikes pack cameras, radar, and smart glasses — here's everything you need to know

For riders who like their routes a little unpaved, the Monarc Marker is built for off-road wanderlust. It pairs a burly 1,638W peak Bafang hub motor with 85 Nm of torque, giving you enough punch to power through sandy paths and steep climbs without losing momentum.

Massive 26 x 4-inch all-terrain fat tires take the edge off chunky rocks and rutted fire roads, while four-piston hydraulic disc brakes provide smooth, instant stopping power when you need to slow down in a pinch. With up to 120 miles of total range across both battery packs, it is built just as much for long weekend trails as it is for weekday grocery runs.

If your daily ride is all about cruising past gridlocked cars and navigating city potholes, the Monarc Tracer is dialed for pavement. It shares the exact same 1,638W motor muscle as the Marker, but tunes the ride for city comfort with an upright seating position, an 80mm reverse-arch suspension fork, and fast-rolling 27.5-inch Kenda tires. Dual batteries push your total distance to 130 miles, and you can switch the pedal-assist sensor between a natural-torque mode that matches your leg effort and a breezy cadence mode when you just want the motor to do the work.

Both bikes skip cheap components for dependable hardware: a 3.5-inch color touchscreen, Shimano Cues 9-speed gearing, integrated turn signals, and a 5A fast charger that refills a dead pack in three hours. You get integrated brake lights and turn signals right on the rear rack, plus the option to add safety gear like blind-spot radar and tire-pressure sensors.

Monarc also keeps the checkout process flexible. If you already own one of their bikes, you can order a bike without batteries to knock $500 off, or save $250 by sticking to a single-pack setup. But if you want to breeze past traffic without stressing over a dead battery, grabbing the full holiday bundle is the easy call.

You have until Dec. 6 to grab the Marker or Tracer, pocket the $100 discount, and get the extra battery tossed in for free.

We've only just recovered from a huge weekend of eating. Halloween obviously means a whole lot of sweets and chocolates, but it also means BOGO offers, limited-edition drops, steep discounts, and genuinely free giveaways from a number of restaurant chains.

Didn't make the most of those offers? Don't fret, because National Sandwich Day takes place on Nov. 3.

We've scanned the market for all of the deals that make events like this so special. We're seeing limited-time offers from the likes of Subway, 7-Eleven, Capriotti’s, Potbelly, and more of your favorite spots this week.

Check out some of our favorites below:

National Sandwich Day 2026 food deals7-Eleven

7Rewards and Speedy Rewards members can grab a $1 fountain drink or Big Gulp with the purchase of any sandwich on Nov. 3.

Big Buns

Enter promo code SAMMIEDAY at checkout online or mention it in-store on Nov. 3 to unlock a BOGO 50% off deal across all chicken sandwich builds.

Capriotti’s

CapAddicts Rewards members score BOGO 50% off on all sub sizes for National Sandwich Day on Nov. 3 (redeemable in-store, online, or via the Capriotti's mobile app).

Farmer Boys

Loyalty club members can pick up a Bacon Turkey Melt for $5.99 on Nov. 3 and Nov. 4 when ordering in-restaurant or through the official Farmer Boys app (excludes combo upgrades and third-party delivery).

Firehouse Subs

Spend $15 or more on Nov. 3 via the Firehouse Subs app or website to score a free medium sub added to your order.

Habit Burger

Through Nov. 4, each Habit Burger location is giving away 50 free Gotta Habit Meals daily during a surprise one-hour window. App members get a two-hour early heads-up notification, while everyone else can track the daily drop time via Habit Burger’s official Instagram.

Jersey Mike’s

Skip the midday desk trek: Jersey Mike’s is offering free delivery on all orders of $5 or more placed through the mobile app or official website on Nov. 3.

Jimmy John’s

Rewards members can claim a digital BOGO Free sandwich on Nov. 3 by entering promo code SANDWICH at checkout in the Jimmy John’s app or website (single-use only; cannot be stacked with other discounts).

Makers Union

Makers Union is slashing prices across the entire board on Nov. 3 with a BOGO 50% off promo on all burgers, sandwiches, and handhelds.

McAlister’s Deli

Rewards members can snag a $5 regular sandwich (select exclusions apply) through Nov. 3 when ordering directly through McAlister's digital channels (limit one per member; not valid on catering or third-party delivery).

Penn Station East Coast Subs

Buy any regular sub, sandwich, wrap, or bowl on Nov. 3 and use coupon code NS26 online or in-app to get a free small sub.

Pepsi x DoorDash

Order via DoorDash on Nov. 3 or Nov. 4, build a cart of $25 or more that includes a Pepsi-Cola beverage, and enter a code for an instant $15 discount at checkout:

• Nov. 3: PEPSI15OFF

• Nov. 4: 15OFFPEPSI

Potbelly

Buy any Big or Original sandwich or wrap on Nov. 3 through the Potbelly app or website and use promo code BOGO to get a free Original-size sandwich or wrap.

Quiznos

New loyalty members who sign up for Quiznos Rewards around National Sandwich Day unlock $5 off their first mobile app order.

Schlotzsky’s

Schlotzsky’s Rewards members can purchase $5 medium sandwiches through Nov. 3, valid on up to 10 discounted sandwiches per transaction.

Smoothie King

If you want something lighter than a footlong, Smoothie King is serving up a $9.99 meal bundle that pairs any protein-packed Chicken Flatbread (Chipotle, Ranch, or Pesto) with a 20-oz. Fruit Classic smoothie.

Subway

Sub Club members can claim a free Footlong sandwich with the purchase of another Footlong through Nov. 8 when placing an order in the app or online.

The AI industry has spent this midterm cycle pouring record sums into super PACs. Tech executives contributed hundreds of millions to elect friendly, deregulation-minded candidates, even as some of those execs publicly call for federal industry standards on AI.

With the public souring on data centers, the massive donations felt like an exercise in terrible timing for the candidates who took the money — and extra clumsy on the donors' part, since Silicon Valley picked a side that most polls say is doomed to fail. And, if the polls are right, a newly empowered Congress could hand the industry the kind of oversight it never intended. Careful what you (publicly) wish for.

AI's PR problem persists

While tech billionaires wrote unlimited checks, many voters in most legislative districts were just trying to survive.

Those dollars had no clear messaging behind them. For example, Silicon Valley's multimillion-dollar midterm blitz imploded when elite tech PACs ran blanket campaigns, assuming struggling Rust Belt towns and rural farming communities cared about "open-source model parameters" rather than their own economic survival.

The AI industry also spent millions trying to normalize itself through advertising, but the public doesn’t seem to be buying it.

SEE ALSO: Election Day 2026 livestream coverage: How to see the results from any device

There's a bizarre dichotomy in public perception right now. The average person is perfectly happy to ask ChatGPT or Claude how to balance their checkbook, diagnose a weird ache in their knee, and, as I wrote about, ask AI who they should vote for.

But zoom out to the bigger picture, and that same person may view the industry with immense anxiety. Half of U.S. adults say the increased use of AI in daily life makes them feel more concerned than excited, according to a 2025 survey.

Or, as my aunt succinctly warned, "It's going to kill us all."

You simply can't buy public trust with ads and super PAC money when your product's underlying infrastructure is driving up local electricity rates, straining regional power grids, and is perceived by some as a humanity eliminator.

According to recent consumer polling, over half of surveyed voters actively oppose data center construction in their areas because of the burden on local resources. The industry spent big on candidates, but it completely lost the narrative.

Big tech needs to focus on problem-solving, not skirting rules

There is a better path. Silicon Valley Congressman Ro Khanna told me in an interview that one of his hopes is to act as a bridge between the tech elite and the very real concerns of working-class districts. That's the mindset Silicon Valley needs to adopt, and it's really the only way to fix their current dilemma moving forward.

Which raises the question: Where do we go from here? Experts and pundits are already buzzing with wild theories about how AI will be deployed on a massive scale in the 2028 presidential election. Further, over the next two years, deepfakes could break our information ecosystem, and generative tools could vanquish millions of white-collar and creative jobs.

What's certain is that before pouring more record-breaking capital into future elections, AI billionaires must resolve their in-house liabilities, the existential fears about their technology, and the real-world resource strain from their data centers.

For two years, tech executives have asked Washington for guardrails, preferably light ones written by friends. But you can't lobby for rules while bankrolling the people who'd rather not write any. If voters elect a less tech-friendly Congress, the industry may get the rules it asked for, just not the ones it wanted. 

This article represents the opinions of its writer.

John Casey is a columnist at Raw Story, the Advocate, Daily Beast, and Outsports. He's also the author of Love: The Heroic Stories of Marriage Equality.

The $1,999 iPhone Duo is a hot commodity, but is it worth it? We hit the streets of San Francisco to find out how everyday people feel about Apple's new foldable phone.

Read more about the iPhone Duo: Apple iPhone Duo review: This changes everything
Apple breaks silence on iPhone Duo cracking reports

Timecode chapters
0:00 Introduction
0:22 Design
2:12 Durability and screen
3:37 Cameras
4:16 Price
5:34 Final thoughts

Video credits
Host: Patrick Holland and Abrar Al-Heeti
Scripted by: Patrick Holland, Abrar Al-Heeti and Celso Bulgatti
Producer: Celso Bulgatti
Camera: Celso Bulgatti
Video editor: Celso Bulgatti
Thumbnail designer: Tharon Green

Apple held its Q4 2026 earnings call on Monday, its first since John Ternus took over from Tim Cook as its new CEO. The tech giant reported quarterly revenue of $114.5 billion, marking a 12 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Unsurprisingly, a large chunk of that came from iPhone sales.

SEE ALSO: Tim Cook praises John Ternus again in Apple's Q3 2026 earnings call

iPhones remain Apple's biggest money spinner, making the company a net profit of $57.6 billion in the three months from July to September. That's a 17 percent increase from the $49 billion it made during the same period last year. Calling Q4 2026 "one of the most prolific launch periods in [Apple's] history," Ternus specifically cited the iPhone Duo as "the most transformational iPhone since the original."

"We have been thrilled with the early response from reviewers and customers, and we are working hard to get iPhone Duo into customers' hands as quickly as we can," Ternus said.

While Apple's consolidated financial statements didn't break down exactly how much profit can be attributed to each iPhone model, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max were two of Apple's biggest releases within Q4. The iPhone Duo orders opened too late to be included in these quarterly results, but the launch itself was a big deal for Apple. The device had been highly anticipated for years prior to its unveiling in September, with preorders for Apple's first foldable phone selling out within hours despite a starting price of $1,999.

The iPhone Duo is currently on backorder, with the Apple Store stating that shipments are expected to resume late January next year. However, Apple's executives couldn't say when the company would have enough units to fulfill customers' orders.

"iPhone Duo is constrained as of today," said COO Sabih Khan during Apple's earnings call. "The ramp is going well… But at this time, it is really hard to predict when supply and demand will be in balance."

Apple acknowledges increased iPhone prices and memory chip demand

Apple's growing revenue comes in spite of higher manufacturing costs, driven by increased demand for memory chips due to the AI boom. In response to these pressures, Apple quietly raised the prices of the iPhone 16, 17, 17e, and Air in September, making most of these older models more expensive than they had been at launch. These price increases followed a similar adjustment of iPad and Mac prices in June. Apple's former CEO Tim Cook stated that month that while the company was attempting to "mitigate" the impact of the memory shortage on customers, "price increases are unavoidable." 

"What we're seeing with memory pricing right now is unprecedented," Ternus said during Monday's earnings call, stating that memory prices are continuing to climb every quarter. "For the December quarter, we expect even higher memory costs."

"We did reluctantly make the decision to change pricing on a number of our products, starting with the iPad and Mac in the June timeframe, and then iPhone more recently in September," said CFO Kevan Parekh. "We evaluate the unit's revenue margin, and we are really being thoughtful and deliberate at evaluating kind of the short-term and long-term considerations, and we really believe we are balancing this well."

U.S. tariff refunds assist Apple's finances

Apple further noted that its finances have been significantly helped by tariff refunds. The U.S. Supreme Court struck down many of the Trump administration's tariffs in February, finding that the president did not have the authority to unilaterally impose them.

As such, Apple received enough tariff refunds in Q4 to account for approximately one percentage point of its 47.9 percent gross margin. While not as much as the two percentage points attributable to its Q3 tariff refunds, it's still a significant amount.

"When you remove the tariff refunds from both the June and September quarter, both company and products gross margin would be down about one point sequentially, primarily driven by higher memory costs," said Parekh. "As of the September quarter, we have received the vast majority of the refunds related to tariffs paid."

Now that Apple has received almost all of its tariff refunds, it likely won't receive a similar boost in future earnings reports. As such, the company may look to make savings or bring in additional revenue elsewhere. 

Ternus began cutting jobs at Apple just two weeks after he began his new role on Sept. 1, aiming to run it leaner and to move faster according to a report from Bloomberg. Impacted workers have been told to find other roles within the company, or will eventually be laid off. Apple has also reportedly looked into replacing around 5,000 AppleCare customer support workers with AI agents, though such plans have been shelved for now.

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.

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

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

Compost.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

MULCH

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Promise.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for November 3, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

SWEAR

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Females have two of them.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Nov. 3, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Nov. 3, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

OVARY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Record.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

VINYL

Final Hurdle hint

Exhilarate.

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

ELATE

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

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier for college basketball fans.

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. The sports 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 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 before 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: Resolve

• Green: Athletic maintenance

• Blue: Leaders

• Purple: Same second word

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Fortitude

• Green: Supplies for an athletic trainer

• Blue: Men's college basketball coaches

• Purple: ___ room

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 #771 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Fortitude: GRIT, GUTS, METTLE, MOXIE

• Supplies for an athletic trainer: BANDAGES, ICE PACK, PRE-WRAP, TAPE

• Men's college basketball coaches: DREW, FEW, PAINTER, SELF

• ____ room: DRESSING, FILM, LOCKER, WEIGHT

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 the latest Connections.

Looking for spoiler-free NYT Connections hints or just wondering why Connections is trending today? We've got what you need to understand the clues for today's puzzle without spoiling any of the answers.

Of course, Mashable has also provided daily hints and answers for Connections, Wordle, and Strands for years, so we can help you if that's also what you need.

While we are focused more on meanings than hints in this story, sometimes learning that many of the words have completely unrelated meanings is a clue in and of itself. Connections frequently includes clues that involve words within words and other visual clues.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 3, 2026 Carry on meaning

Continuing forward.

Check meaning

A bill.

Roller bag meaning

A bag with wheels.

Interview meaning

To converse with someone to learn more about them.

Resume meaning

To proceed.

Profile meaning

A side view of something.

Office chair meaning

A type of chair used in work environments.

Food meaning

Sources of nourishment.

Menu meaning

A selection of items.

Shopping cart meaning

An object used to transport groceries.

Credit meaning

The ability to obtain things with the expectation of paying for them later.

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

Continue meaning

To resume.

Whelp meaning

A word to describe several young carnivors, including puppies and wolf cubs.

Tap water meaning

Water available from a faucet.

Proceed meaning

The continue.

Stroller meaning

A device used to transport a child.

Have you learned the meanings and still want the things? Check out the hints and answers for today's NYT Connections puzzle.

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

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you like to dine out.

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 3, 2026 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: Moving forward

• Green: Rolling around

• Blue: Dining out

• Purple: Words within words

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Keep going

• Green: Things with wheels

• Blue: Things a server brings at a restaurant

• Purple: Ending in menu bar headings

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 #1241 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Keep going: CARRY ON, CONTINUE, PROCEED, RESUME

• Things with wheels: OFFICE CHAIR, ROLLER BAG, SHOPPING CART, STROLLER

• Things a server brings at a restaurant: CHECK, FOOD, MENU, TAP WATER

• Ending in menu bar headings: CREDIT, INTERVIEW, PROFILE, WHELP

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

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

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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 will be easy if you love karaoke.

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 3, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: I've got a song in my heart

The words are related to music.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe musicians.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Belt it out.

NYT Strands word list for November 3

• Singer

• Crooner

• Vocalist

• Belt it out

• Balladeer

• Chorister

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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 like to store things on your person.

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 3, 2026 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.

Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A wearable pocket.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

No letters appear twice

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter P.

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...

POUCH

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.

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

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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.

DeepSeek Harness has added a new Creator Mode, which aims to create plugins directly from text prompts.

While AI models are capable of generating responses to prompts and determining a course of action, actually carrying it out requires a harness. Harnesses connect large language models (LLMs) to tools and systems that can perform actions, such as scheduling an appointment in a calendar or making a phone call. Put an AI model and a harness together, and you get an AI agent.

DeepSeek's aptly named Harness is an open-source harness based around the idea that "everything is a plugin." A plugin is a piece of software that's added on to an existing program to give it new functionality, without altering the original. 

Accordingly, Harness' new Creator Mode allows users to enter text prompts in order to generate new plugins. In a demonstration video, DeepSeek showcased examples of AI-generated plugins such as digital sticky note wall, a poster design tool, and a Minecraft-like video game. 

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

DeepSeek has published some of the prompts used in the demonstration, offering them in both English and Chinese so users can try them out. However, DeepSeek noted that "some plugins were refined through several rounds of conversation, so a single prompt may not reproduce exactly what you see in the video."

Linux has no shortage of distros, and keeping track of which ones are worth trying can be difficult. Some distros focus on making Linux easier for newcomers, while others experiment with different desktop environments, system components, or specialized tools. Every year, a few distros manage to attract more attention than usual, and 2026 has been an interesting year for several of them.