Mashable

More than 13 million users have joined the ranks of the latest buzzy social media platform Bluesky, the self-proclaimed "billionaire-proof" micro-blog that is taking on Elon Musk's X.

Since the presidential election — and Musk's hard right turn — X users have begun leaving the platform en masse, harkening back to the early days of Musk's acquisition and the search for Twitter alternatives. Bluesky (also known as Bluesky Social) has gained about one million new members a day ever since, shooting up into the number one spot on the App Store.

SEE ALSO: Bluesky is on the verge of overtaking Threads in all the ways that matter

The social networking site is "designed to not be controlled by a single company," the company writes. "Traditional social networks are often closed platforms with a central authority. There’s a small group of people who control those companies, and they have total control over how users can use the platform and what developers can build." It's mission, in summary, is to host a social network made in the image of the early internet, one created by the people, for the people.

Who owns Bluesky?

Bluesky is the brainchild of former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, originally an internal Twitter initiative created in 2019 to explore moving the platform into an open source infrastructure. Dorsey left his former company in 2021, speedily turning the work of the Bluesky team into a decentralized, open source alternative to modern social media behemoths. Bluesky became an independent company in 2021 and officially launched onto the scene in 2022; Dorsey sat on Bluesky's board until earlier this year.

In May, Dorsey unceremoniously left Bluesky's leadership, deleting his account and urging users to go back to (or stay on) X instead of joining the burgeoning social media site. Dorsey had previously expressed support for Musk's takeover and redirection of X, praising the billionaire's take on "anti-censorship" and making the case for an "algorithm-free" world. He later invested millions into a crypto-aligned social network known as Nostr.

Since then, the platform has remained under the supervision of CEO Jay Graber, originally appointed by Dorsey in 2021 after being called in to consult on the internal Bluesky project. Graber is a software engineer specialized in decentralized technology and an alternative banking advocate, previously working in both bitcoin mining and the development of privacy-focused cryptocurrency platform ZCash. A vocal opponent to Big Tech, she previously launched a Facebook Events alternative called Happening, described as a user-first event coordinating website.

The rest of Bluesky's board includes Jeremie Miller (the inventor of Jabber/XMPP, an open communication protocol for instant messaging), Mike Masnick (founder of blog TechDirt and the "Silicon Valley oracle" behind the Copia Institute think tank), and Kinjal Shah (a general partner at venture capital company Blockchain Capital).

What are Bluesky's community guidelines?

Bluesky summarizes its community guidelines using three company principles: empowering user choice, cultivating a welcoming environment, and evolving with feedback. What does this mean in practice? That's harder to pinpoint. For the most part, Bluesky's guidelines are pretty straightforward. It's outlined content it prohibits users from sharing, including materials from hate groups or "proscribed terror groups," child sexual abuse material, and content facilitating sexual exploitation. It prohibits predatory behavior, data theft, doxxing, the spreading of misleading information, scams, and copyright infringement, in addition to hate speech or harassment based on race, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, disability, or sexual orientation — Bluesky does not expressly mention misgendering or deadnaming protections, a policy choice which has been criticized over on its rival X.

The platform relies on self-reporting mechanism for posts, accounts, or direct messages, but does offer blocking features. Bluesky does not let users make their profiles private. All posts, likes, blocks, and mutelists are public, while direct messages are private.

What is Bluesky's privacy policy?

Bluesky does collect personal information, including birthdates and emails, when provided. According to its privacy policy, Bluesky reserves the right to use this data for administrative and marketing purposes, and may share this information with third parties.

Graber has said that the platform has no plans to introduce "traditional advertising" onto the site, an essential revenue generating component of most modern social media sites that often includes harvesting or selling personal data to create "microtargetted" advertisements for users. Bluesky has also pledged to never use user data to train generative AI systems. "We do not use any of your content to train generative AI, and have no intention of doing so," wrote the company, which has yet to introduce gen AI features onto the platform.

Bluesky abides by the principle of "age-gating" its users, requiring each account register a birthdate upon signing up. After incorrectly stating the age minimum was 18 years old in an interview with the BBC, Graber and Bluesky later clarified that the age minimum is actually 13 years of age. Graber has stated that Bluesky does not support ID verification as a matter of user privacy — ID verification laws are popular among politicians advocating for child safety regulations, but have stoked major privacy concerns among experts.

"Child safety is extremely important for Bluesky," the company told the BBC. "You must be at least 13 years old to sign up for an account, and anyone under 18 using Bluesky has additional settings applied to ensure that the content they see is safe for minors."

How does Bluesky approach content moderation?

According to the platform, Bluesky's moderation efforts focus on creating an "ecosystem of third-party providers" that can be "composed and customized" by the user's experience. Essentially, Bluesky leverages traditional moderation efforts alongside community-engineered moderation, including fact-checking (sort of like X's Community Notes) and innovations added by third parties and custom algorithms decided by the user. Moderation isn't done by a central authority, but by server administrators — meaning different servers have different moderation, and users can subscribe to these different feeds at will.

The site uses three levels of moderation: Automated filtering (for illegal or objectionable material), manual administrator actions (to filter out or flag content for users), and this "community labeling." On Nov. 25, the platform announced it would be quadrupling its content moderation team from 25 to 100 people, addressing growing concern about the increase in child sexual abuse materials and other harmful content as users flocked to the site.

Both scientists and sailors alike have recorded unique, strange noises in the ocean for decades. They sound guttural, and alien.

The sound is dubbed the "bio-duck" — though it doesn't sound like a duck — and you can hear an example of a recording below. Researchers have now reanalyzed one of these mysterious recordings from 1982, documented in the Pacific Ocean's South Fiji Basin, and concluded that it's a conversation between different animal speakers.

"Maybe they were talking about dinner, maybe it was parents talking to children, or maybe they were simply commenting on that crazy ship that kept going back and forth towing that long string behind it," Ross Chapman, an underwater acoustics researcher from the University of Victoria and an author of the research, said in a statement.

SEE ALSO: Scientists witness stunning, unprecedented carnage in the ocean

At first, earlier listeners thought the deep sea sounds weren't natural. "They heard this sound, which is a low-frequency pulse of sound which is very regular. It almost sounds mechanical," Denise Risch, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration marine biologist, previously noted. "So if you first hear it, you wouldn't necessarily think it's an animal, but it's very loud and very pervasive. You could hear it in the wintertime across the Southern Ocean."

Scientists recorded these unusually mechanical noises using an array of hydrophones, which detect underwater sounds, that they towed behind a vessel. The different hydrophones allowed the researchers to identify different speakers.

"We discovered that there were usually several different speakers at different places in the ocean, and all of them making these sounds," Chapman explained. "The most amazing thing was that when one speaker was talking, the others were quiet, as though they were listening. Then the first speaker would stop talking and listen to responses from others."

The stern of a ship towing a long array of underwater recording devices, called hydrophones. The hydrophones are in the water hundreds of yards behind the vessel. Credit: Ross Chapman

Earlier research concluded Minke whales, the smallest species of baleen whale, created these underwater sounds. Yet there was never any sighting of the whales coming up for air to confirm this.

It is clear, however, these unusual sounds are coming from animals. And it certainly wouldn't be surprising if it were whales. These intelligent, cultured marine mammals, for example, fill the ocean with song.

Each year on the internet brings an entirely new vernacular.

Last year, ijbol and "serving cunt" rose to timeline prominence, and 2024 revitalized yap and pookie. If you haven't given your life over to TikTok and X / Twitter or have someone who has in your life, it can be hard to keep up with the breakneck speed of internet slang.

But fear not: Here are some key internet vocabulary words from the year defined.

SEE ALSO: 'Pookie' is more than a pet name. TikTok's new favorite word is rooted in a rich cultural history. Brat

If there was one thing that dominated culture in 2024, it was brat by Charli XCX. The hit album changed the word's meaning forever, with the pop star defining what it means to be a brat in a TikTok. "You're just like that girl who is a little messy and likes to party and maybe says some dumb things sometimes," she said. "[She's someone] who feels herself, but then, also, like, maybe has a breakdown, but kinda parties through it. It's very honest. It's very blunt. It's very volatile."

There's also a lot of lime green, cigarettes, and wrap-around sunglasses involved. Bonus points if your name is Julia.

Tweet may have been deleted Crashing out

Crashing out is an all-too-familiar example of African American Vernacular English (AAVE) slang getting appropriated as TikTok slang.

SEE ALSO: Why is the internet 'crashing out?'

According to KnowYourMeme, the term originated in Baton Rogue, Louisiana, and can be heard in music from local rappers like NBA YoungBoy. It refers to reckless behavior or losing self-control and became the phrase du jour on TikTok in late 2024.

Tweet may have been deleted Demure

Thanks to TikTokker Jools Lebron's viral "very mindful, very cutesy" video, demure will forever hold a new meaning. As defined by Dictionary.com, demure means "characterized by shyness or modesty; reserved," but it's come to mean anything from self-aware, sophisticated, and restrained to good and praiseworthy and, well, nothing. The word defined the end of summer 2024 on the internet and was added to many people's vocabularies. Dictionary.com even crowned it the Word of the Year.

Tweet may have been deleted Failmarriage

The internet enthusiasm around Challengers, specifically the marriage between tennis player Art (Mike Faist) and his coach Tashi (Zendaya), renewed interest in a word that's gained traction online in recent years: failmarriage. Think of the marriage between Shiv (Sarah Snook) and Tom (Matthew Macfadyen) in HBO's Succession. The word failmarriage means precisely what it sounds like — a marriage in free fall, but the couple chooses to stay together anyway.

Tweet may have been deleted Glazing

Perhaps one of the more niche words used to gain traction online is glazing, which refers to overhyping something. According to KnowYourMeme, it first appeared on Discord in 2021 before becoming popular on Twitch in 2022. Still, it's only in the past couple of years that the term has migrated to TikTok, exposing it to a more widespread audience.

Tweet may have been deleted Pookie

Thanks to the Southern TikTok couple Campbell and Jett Puckett, the term of endearment came back in a significant way in 2024. Believe it or not, "You're looking amazing tonight, pookie" happened this year. While the term floated around on TikTok starting in 2020, Jett's endearing insistence on referring to his wife as "pookie" catapulted it into the mainstream.

While pookie is typically used as a vocative, like honey or sweetie, fandoms began using it to describe their faves. For example, these days, it's common to see someone online say, "Glen Powell is pookie." Language is constantly evolving online.

Tweet may have been deleted Yap

In 2024, you don't chitchat, gab, prattle, or blabber; you yap. Yapping refers to talking excessively or at length. Those who can't stop yapping are yappers. Those who are extremely online love to yap and self-identify as yappers. The verb initially referred to a small dog and then morphed into a verb describing the high-pitched bark of a dog, but by the 1800s, it already referred to humans talking.

Tweet may have been deleted

Want more of the best of 2024? Join Mashable as we look back at all the internet slang, TikTok songs, movies, memes, dating trends, hyped up hardware, scientific discoveries, social media apps, and more that have delighted and amazed us this year.

In Pablo Berger's Robot Dreams, the real treasure is the mail-ordered friends we literally made along the way. With not an ounce of dialogue, the Spanish director simultaneously spins a tale of friendship and connection while making its abundantly clear how profound loneliness can be. Who knew a dog and robot BFF story could get so deep?

Based on Sara Varon's graphic novel, this Oscar-nominated film takes place over the course of about one year, beginning with a fleeting but lasting connection between an unlikely pair, separated through absolutely avoidable circumstances. A simply beautiful use of animation, music, and sound to explore isolation and interconnectedness, Robot Dreams will be one of the more impactful, touching films you see this year — all without saying a word.

SEE ALSO: 'Robot Dreams' trailer is the sweetest thing you'll see today

Robot Dreams premiered at Cannes Film Festival last year, then hit the Toronto International Film Festival, all to critical acclaim. Now finally hitting U.S. theatres this summer, Robot Dreams is about to seize a whole new audience by the heart.

What is Robot Dreams about? Credit: NEON

Set in '80s Manhattan, Robot Dreams introduces you to Dog, who lives by himself in the East Village. In an attempt to assuage his loneliness, Dog impulse-buys a build-it-yourself buddy off the TV, the Amica 2000. To us, the name's Robot. In this reality, there are robots for cleaning, security, tutoring, and sports, but Robot appears specifically designed for friendship (they exist).

Technology-assisted friendship with robots has fascinated writers and filmmakers for decades, from Steven Spielberg's A.I. Artificial Intelligence to Alex Garland's Ex Machina, among countless others. Hell, even Mary Shelley's Frankenstein counts. But in Robot Dreams, a giddy summer of love between canine and robot is unique in itself, and impactful enough to make their frantic hope for reunion the only thing you'll care about for two hours.

Contrary to what it looks like in the trailers, Robot and Dog actually spend the majority of the film apart. What?! Through a series of unfortunate, saltwater-related events, Robot is stuck rusting at the beach for months, using their imagination as a means to escape inanimate coastal peril and deal with the fact that they're being treated like literal junk. The film functions as a series of vignettes in Dog and Robot's lives after their summer together, moving toward the film's deeply emotional, Bridges of Madison County-level climax. 

Rather than offering an overt high-five to friendship, Robot Dreams is essentially a story of deep (and deeply relatable) loneliness in a city of millions, of being lifted up and left behind.

Robot Dreams is a portrait of loneliness like no other. Credit: NEON

At its core, Robot Dreams is a poignant exploration of the highs of feeling seen and included, as well as the lows of feeling forgotten or discarded. Dog's reflection in the TV screen is a constant reminder of his solo life, as are the happy couples he can't avoid seeing, whether through a neighbour's apartment window, on a ski vacation, or just trying to take a damn walk in Central Park. 

Across the city, on a deserted Coney Island beach, the bright orange towel Robot was left on has become a sort of prison; Robot has nothing to do but embrace falling snowflakes, make friends with the coastal wildlife, and dream away the months. Jealousy and betrayal plague Robot's dreams, as their feelings of abandonment become increasingly painful. Meanwhile, Dog seeks out new opportunities for making friends, which adds to our empathy for poor ol' Robot, but this actually reflects the film's most realistic element: Life goes on.

Berger uses Robot's titular dreams to explore more surreal sequences the further away rescue seems, including a gorgeous ode to The Wizard of Oz involving an army of tap-dancing daisies around our Tin Man. These unreal moments bleed into Dog's experience too — a dream of a ten-pin bowling session with a Slurpee-drinking snowman doesn't exactly spell reality, but the humiliation in this scene is very real for Dog.

Dog and Robot individually find moments of connection with others over the months, but more than anything, this animated film paints a portrait of loneliness more real than many live-action attempts. And it has a huge amount to do with sound.

With no dialogue, Robot Dreams proves words are overrated.  An East Village scene in "Robot Dreams." Credit: NEON

The entirety of Robot Dreams is dialogue-free, making the film instantly universal in theme and approach despite its specifically New York setting. Alfonso de Vilallonga's jubilant, empathetic score, alongside superb foley effects, weaves the story's emotional highs and lows, making Robot Dreams function like a silent movie. It's the opposite kind of dialogue-free film as, say, A Quiet Place, where the need for silence is used to build terror, but it's as much of an experiment. 

After five minutes of Robot Dreams, you'll honestly forget the characters don't speak; the visuals are enough to indicate dynamics between characters, the passing of time, and a scene's sense of urgency. Characters laugh, sound concerned, and express anger, all through sound.

It's music that proves the most effective emotional compass over the course of the film. De Vilallonga moves the characters through an upbeat jazz score for hijinks, funk for a fateful repair montage, and sentimental piano for the deeper moments. Needle drops don't come more moving than the film's use of Earth Wind and Fire's iconic song "September," which underscores much of Dog and Robot's friendship. The film also seamlessly weaves diegetic and non-diegetic sound, as the characters tune their radios or blast music from their cars. It all creates an intimate, specifically New York soundscape that contributes to the film's unsung supporting character: the city itself.

Robot Dreams is a heartfelt ode to New York City. Credit: NEON

An octopus bucket drummer busking in the First Avenue subway, a steel drum duet echoing through Central Park — the sounds of New York City form a welcome stage for the ins and outs of Robot Dreams. With cleverly detailed, bustling animations, New York City becomes a character itself.

It's the ultimate setting for a summer of friendship: rowing under Bow Bridge, inhaling hot dogs by Bethesda Fountain, using the binoculars on the Empire State Building, sitting beneath Williamsburg Bridge watching the city skyline. Robot's default optimism and overwhelming politeness clashes with the brashness of New York, pissing off punks of Alphabet City. Dog peruses the well-stocked shops of Chinatown, and Robot enjoys fireworks from a festooned Brooklyn rooftop. The sequences at Coney Island look good enough to eat. The tiny details tucked into each frame are dazzling — a baby penguin in an icebox at the beach made so much sense I squealed. 

Being a Manhattan of the 1980s, the film's landscape notably includes the Twin Towers in the city skyline, which functions as an omnipresent nod to lost loved ones and the enduring power of connection. It's a sadly unexpected vision, one that recalls lost time as poignantly as any madeleine.

A magnificent ode to the power of unlikely friendship and all-too-real feelings of loss and lonesomeness, Robot Dreams will leaving a lasting impact without so much as a spoken sentence. Crank up "September," and get yourself to see this film now.

Robot Dreams is now streaming on Hulu.

UPDATE: Nov. 26, 2024, 5:00 a.m. EST Amazon's Black Friday sale officially started on Thursday, Nov. 21. This story has been updated with details on how long the sale will last, plus new deals on Amazon's brand new mini LED TVs, Hisense ULED and QLED TVs, and new further discounts on Fire TVs that were on sale last week.

A quick look at the best TV deals at Amazon ahead of Black Friday Best 55-inch TV deal Hisense 55-inch U8 Mini LED ULED 4K TV $697.99 (save $402) Get Deal Best 65-inch TV deal Insignia 65-inch F30 4K Fire TV $319.99 (save $130) Get Deal Best 75-inch TV deal TCL 75-inch Q5 QLED 4K Fire TV $549.99 (save $200) Get Deal

Black Friday being one of the best times of year to buy a TV is knowledge that we were all simply born with, it seems. Where to find those stellar TV deals is less obvious, and for many, is a question that boils down to one thing: Amazon or somewhere else?

To be frank, likely the only time Amazon will have the "best" TV deal in any given category is on its own Fire TVs. These, including its Amazon-branded Fire TVs as well as Fire TVs made by TCL, Toshiba, Hisense, and Insignia, get the most attention discount-wise from Amazon during any shopping holiday, and most have dropped to all-time low pricing now that Amazon's Black Friday sale is officially underway. (It finally kicked off on Thursday, Nov. 21, and runs through Cyber Monday on Dec. 2).

If you're partial to the Fire TV platform or merely trust Prime shipping the most, Amazon's not a bad place to find an affordable mid-size 4K TV with a smooth interface. There are even more chances to upgrade to a nice Fire TV on sale now than there were during Amazon's October Prime Day sale just over a month ago — Amazon has since debuted several new versions of its Omni TVs, including its very first mini LED TV. Like Prime Day, note that some Black Friday Fire TV deals are still only available to Prime members.

SEE ALSO: The best Black Friday streaming deals so far: Peacock, Max, Paramount+, and more

For bigger or fancier QLED or OLED models, Best Buy is your best bet. Its selection of large-screen premium options from Samsung, Sony, and LG is much vaster than Amazon's, and that selection isn't riddled with questionable third-party sellers like Amazon's is. Best Buy's already-live Black Friday TV deals also confirm that Best Buy is making sure to have a stake in the "small, cheap QLED" club. Speaking of your best cheap TV options, budget shoppers would be very wise to check Walmart before buying a TV at Amazon — this year's selection of Black Friday TV deals that have already dropped once again prove that Walmart is the best at offering the cheapest possible 4K TV at just about any given size.

At any rate, it's still worthwhile to peruse Amazon's Black Friday TV deals while keeping TV deals from other retailers in mind. TV deals are categorized by size and then listed from cheapest to most expensive within that size category, which will get longer as we refresh this list with new deals that pop up in the days ahead of Black Friday. As a refresher, Amazon is marking all TVs at Black Friday pricing with a big, red "Black Friday deal" tag.

Best Black Friday TV deal at Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 75-inch Q5 QLED 4K Fire TV $549.99 at Amazon
$749.99 Save $200.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Amazon put its new Mini LED Fire TVs on sale for the first time mere days after announcing them, but that doesn't automatically make those the best deal on a QLED TV at Amazon this Black Friday. Though the 27% discount itself isn't as steep as the 30% or 40% off ones we're seeing in our list, it has to be noted that this huge 75-inch Hisense TV is already ridiculously modestly priced at full price. Its $549.99 sale price looks even sweeter in context when put beside the 65-inch version of Amazon's cheapest in-house Omni QLED, which is on sale for $599.99 — so opting for this TCL gets you 10 more diagonal inches of screen for $50 less.

Many people looking to finally replace their old, slow LED TV are looking for the happy medium between the cheapest possible TV and the fanciest possible TV. TCL's base tier QLEDs fall right in this sweet spot: Even as one of the more basic QLEDs on the market, you'll immediately notice the change in brightness and color of the Q65 over the regular LED you've been watching. The difference comes from a layer of quantum dots laid over the LED backlight, which provides an overall punchier picture that's much better for gaming or watching sports.

More TV deals at Amazon43-inch TVs

• TCL 43-inch S4 4K TV — $199.99 $249.99 (save $50)

• Toshiba 43-inch C350 4K Fire TV — $179.97 $279.99 (save $100.02)

• Amazon 43-inch F30 4K Fire TV — $269.99 $329.99 (save $60)

50- to 55-inch TVs

• Insignia 50-inch F30 4K Fire TV — $189.99 $299.99 (save $110)

• Amazon 50-inch Omni 4K Fire TV — $329.99 $479.99 (save $150)

• TCL 55-inch Q65 QLED 4K TV — $299.99 $398.68 (save $98.87)

• Amazon 55-inch 4-Series 4K Fire TV — $339.99 $519.99 (save $180)

• Amazon 55-inch Omni 4K Fire TV — $369.99 $549.99 (save $180)

• Amazon 55-inch Fire TV Omni QLED 4K TV — $419.99 $599.99 (save $180)

• Hisense 55-inch U8 Mini LED ULED 4K TV — $697.99 $1,099.99 (save $402)

• Amazon 55-inch Omni Mini LED QLED 4K Fire TV — $689.99 $819.99 (save $130 with Prime)

65-inch TVs

• Insignia 65-inch F30 4K Fire TV — $319.99 $449.99 (save $130)

• TCL 65-inch Q5 QLED 4K Fire TV — $429.99 $549.99 (save $120)

• Amazon 65-inch Fire TV Omni QLED 4K TV — $599.99 $799.99 (save $200)

• TCL 65-inch QM7 QLED 4K TV — $698 $1,099.99 (save $402.99)

• Amazon 65-inch Omni Mini LED QLED 4K Fire TV — $919.99 $1,089.99 (save $170 with Prime)

• Samsung 65-inch S90D OLED 4K TV — $1,397.97 $2,197.99 (save $800)

• LG 65-inch G3 OLED 4K TV — $1,996.99 $2,796.99 (save $800)

70-inch to 75-inch TVs

• Insignia 70-inch F50 4K Fire TV — $369.99 $499.99 (save $130)

• TCL 75-inch S4 4K Fire TV — $479.99 $649.99 (save $170)

• Amazon 75-inch Omni 4K Fire TV — $699.99 $1,049.99 (save $350)

• Hisense 75-inch U7 Mini LED ULED 4K TV — $897.99 $1,397.99 (save $500)

• TCL 85-inch Q65 Mini LED ULED 4K TV — $899.99 $1,599.99 (save $700)

• TCL 75-inch QM7 QLED 4K TV — $997.99 $1,499.99 (save $502)

• Sony 85-inch X77L 4K TV — $998 $1,498 (save $500)

• Amazon 75-inch Omni Mini LED QLED 4K Fire TV — $1,269.99 $1,499.99 (save $230 with Prime)

• Hisense 75-inch U8 Mini LED ULED 4K TV — $1,297.99 $1,999.99 (save $702)

85-inch TVs and up

• Hisense 85-inch U8 Mini LED ULED 4K TV — $1,697.99 $2,799.99 (save $1,102)

• Amazon 85-inch Omni Mini LED QLED 4K Fire TV — $1,779.99 $2,099.99 (save $320 with Prime)

One more thing: If you're getting rid of an old TV to make room for this Black Friday purchase, take it somewhere that recycles old electronics (like Best Buy) rather than trashing it.

SAVE $100: The Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) is down to $179 in the Amazon Black Friday sale. That’s 36% off its $279 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) $179.00 at Amazon
$279.00 Save $100.00 Get Deal

Black Friday is the ultimate time to snag tech deals, and this one is a standout: The Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) is down to $179 at Amazon. That's a sweet $100 discount from its usual $279 price. This is your moment if you've been searching for an affordable yet powerful Apple Watch.

This sleek smartwatch combines all the essential features of an Apple Watch with a budget-friendly price tag. It runs on watchOS 11, delivering advanced metrics, seamless compatibility with your Apple devices, and smarter personalization. Apple Watch SE has you covered checking texts, taking calls, or tracking your workouts. It even offers Emergency SOS and Crash Detection, so safety is always within reach.

SEE ALSO: We track Apple deals year-round — Black Friday 2024 has the lowest prices we’ve ever seen

Fitness buffs will love the advanced workout metrics and three months of free Apple Fitness+. You'll also get notifications for irregular heart rhythms or unusual heart rates, making it a handy tool for monitoring your health. With 50-meter water resistance, the SE is perfect for swimmers or anyone who loves to accessorize with confidence, rain or shine.

This Black Friday deal features the midnight aluminum case with a midnight sport band, designed to look good in any setting. Its 44mm Retina display ensures everything is sharp and easy to read, and the battery easily lasts through your busiest days.

At $179, this Black Friday deal is one of the best prices we've seen for the Apple Watch SE. It's a perfect gift or personal upgrade that won't destroy your Apple Pay wallet. Grab yours before this deal disappears. Your wrist (and wallet) will thank you.

SAVE OVER $100: As of Nov. 26, the Google Pixel Watch 2 is discounted to $145 in the Amazon Black Friday sale. That's a 42% drop from its original $249.99 price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel Watch 2 $145.00 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $104.99 Get Deal

Looking to upgrade your wrist tech, this Black Friday deal on the Google Pixel Watch 2 might be the perfect excuse. The popular Android smartwatch is down to just $145 at Amazon, saving you $105 off its usual $249.99 price tag. With this stylish yet functional wearable, you'll be stepping up your fitness tracking, stress management, and safety monitoring at a wallet-friendly price.

The Google Pixel Watch 2 combines sleek design with cutting-edge tech. Made from 100% recycled aluminum, it's lightweight and comfortable for all-day wear. It also features Fitbit's most advanced heart rate sensor, powered by Google AI, to deliver precise fitness data. Whether you're working out, tracking your sleep, or monitoring your blood oxygen levels, this watch has you covered.

SEE ALSO: The new Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 are 22% off at Amazon — their first discount ever

But it's not just about fitness. The Pixel Watch 2 brings a range of safety features to your wrist. Emergency SOS and fall detection ensure you can get help when needed. At the same time, Safety Check lets you set a timer that alerts your contacts if you don't respond. Plus, the always-on display and improved 24-hour battery mean you'll always stay connected without constantly reaching for the charger.

The WiFi model is perfect for Android users and is available in a matte black aluminum case with an obsidian active band. This Black Friday deal is one of the best prices we've seen for this smartwatch, making it an excellent opportunity to snag premium tech for less.

At just $145, the Pixel Watch 2 is ready to make your life easier and your Black Friday holiday season more connected. Grab it while the deal lasts.

SAVE $69: The P2 Thermal Camera for Android is down to $179.99 in the Amazon Black Friday sale. Usually priced at $249, this is the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: P2 P2 Thermal Camera $179.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $70.00 Get Deal

If you've ever wished for superhero-like vision, this Black Friday deal might be the closest you'll get. The P2 Thermal Camera for Android is on sale for just $179.99 at Amazon — a $69 discount from its regular price of $249. And yes, this includes free returns, so you can test your infrared-detecting prowess without breaking the bank.

This compact gadget, weighing just 10 grams, is perfect for professionals and adventurers alike. Whether you're a home inspector on the hunt for energy leaks, an HVAC technician solving heating mysteries or a camper looking to spot wildlife in the dark, the P2 delivers. Its portability (it's the second-smallest thermal camera in the world) and keychain-ready design make it a must-have tool for anyone tackling temperature-based tasks.

SEE ALSO: Road trips, midnight snacks, backyard raccoons — capture it all on this day/night camera

Now, let's get nerdy for a second. The P2 boasts a super-sharp 512×384 IR resolution, which is a big upgrade from the standard 256×192, thanks to advanced algorithms like Razor X. It's so precise it can detect temperature changes as tiny as 0.04°C, making it your ultimate secret weapon against hidden hazards such as drafty windows to an overheating appliance. It's also great for wildlife trails and spotting hidden animals.

Plus, with a range spanning -4°F to a scorching 1,112°F, this thermal camera literally covers you. Need a closer look? Its 15x zoom lets you swipe through thermal readings like a pro. It even lets you DIY the color bar and temperature ranges for targeted measurements.

This Black Friday deal also includes an exclusive $20 coupon, bringing the final price to $179.99 — an even better steal. The question isn't if you'll use it — it's how many thermal problems you'll solve.

SAVE $40: As of Nov. 26, the Apple Pencil (1st Gen) is on sale for $59 in Amazon's Black Friday sale. That's a 40% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Pencil (1st Gen) $59.00 at Amazon
$99.00 Save $40.00 Get Deal

Amazon's Black Friday sale has kicked off and the deals are aplenty. With discounts across everything from TVs to robot vacuums, you can find a deal on pretty much anything you need.

And if a new iPad stylus is on your wishlist, now is the time to buy. As of Nov. 26, the Apple Pencil (1st Gen) is on sale for just $59. Not only are you saving $40, but this is the lowest it has ever been priced at Amazon — who can argue with that?

SEE ALSO: Apple AirPods Pro 2 just got their biggest-ever discount at Amazon

The Apple Pencil (1st Gen) is a smart stylus that does more than just take notes. It offers precision, pressure, and tilt sensitivity. These allow you to create fine details, adjust line thickness, and add shading, just like using a regular pencil. There's also little to no noticeable lag, so it is perfect for drawing, sketching, shading, and any task that requires precision.

It works with various iPads, including the 6th to 10th generations (the 10th generation requires a USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter). The package includes the Apple Pencil, a Lightning adapter, an extra tip, and a USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter for charging and pairing.

This is not the latest model in the Apple Pencil range, with the Pencil 2 and Pencil Pro both succeeding it. For a more advanced stylus, we recommend the Pro which boasts haptic feedback and magnetic charging.

SAVE $95: As of Nov. 26, the Apple AirPods Pro 2 are on sale for $153.99 in the Amazon Black Friday sale. That's a 38% discount on list price, and the lowest they've ever been on Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 2 $153.99 at Amazon
$249.00 Save $95.01 Get Deal

A new pair of AirPods doesn't need to cost you a fortune, especially with early Black Friday deals already kicking off. And Apple products are at the forefront of the discounts this year, with incredible prices from Walmart, Best Buy, and Amazon. Like this latest deal on the AirPods Pro 2.

As of Nov. 26, you can find them on sale for just £123.99 at Amazon. A discount of $95 and the lowest they have ever been priced.

SEE ALSO: Black Friday deals Amazon vs. Walmart: Comparing the best sales

The AirPods Pro 2 offer fantastic quality with amazing features such as a scientifically validated hearing test and clinical-grade hearing protection, both to protect and give insight on improving your ear health. Different sound modes will allow you to remain aware of your surroundings, or block it all out. Choose Active Noise Cancellation to block out background noise completely, while Adaptive Audio and Transparency modes deliver a blend of background sounds.

The Conversation Awareness function also adjusts playback for nearby interactions, and the H2 chip provides a strong, immersive sound for both music and calls.

They boast an IP54 rating, so are robust against sweat, water, and dust. Touch controls and Siri make use and managing your music super easy, while the case includes Precision Finding, a built-in speaker, and multiple charging options. For battery life, enjoy up to six hours of listening per charge, rising to 30 hours with the charging case.

Head to Amazon for this great deal before it runs out.

MrBeast's upcoming Prime Video show Beast Games, which was mired in controversy after contestants accused production of creating unsafe filming conditions, has its first teaser.

The 48-second clip – which has comments turned off – has the feel of one of the YouTuber's typical videos, only even bigger: There are 1000 participants this time, clips that include giant monster trucks and people jumping from helicopters, and a prize pot of $5 million.

Beast Games is streaming on Prime Video from Dec. 19.

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

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

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

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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Tuesday, November 26, 2024:

AcrossJoint that can be "flicked"

• The answer is Wrist.

Official state sport of South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming

• The answer is Rodeo.

Phone pop-up

• The answer is Alert.

First thing you typically get at a buffet

• The answer is Plate.

Poetry event

• The answer is Slam.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for November 26 DownSandwich alternative

• The answer is Wrap.

Toilet paper units

• The answer is Rolls.

Best-case

• The answer is Ideal.

Big name in mattresses

• The answer is Serta.

Ancestral emblem

• The answer is Totem.

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

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

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

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

Connections: Sports Edition is a new 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.

Tweet may have been deleted

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.

Tweet may have been deleted

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's The Mini crossword answers for November 26 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 - Tony Hawk knows all about these

• Green - Northern competitors

• Blue - Have yet to reach the mountaintop

• Purple - Also known as

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow - Parts of a skateboard

• Green - Canadian teams

• Blue - Teams to never win an NBA title

• Purple - Famous NFL player nicknames

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 #64 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Parts of a skateboard: DECK, GRIP, TRUCK, WHEELS

• Canadian teams: CANUCKS, JETS, RAPTORS, WHITECAPS

• Teams to never win an NBA title: CLIPPERS, GRIZZLIES, JAZZ, MAGIC

• Famous NFL player nicknames: BUS, MEGATRON, REFRIGERATOR, SWEETNESS

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.

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 yesterday's Connections.

TL;DR: Get a lifetime subscription to Headway Premium — the app that delivers quick, powerful insights from popular nonfiction books — on sale for £47.85 (reg. £239.27).

Opens in a new window Credit: GTHW App Limited Headway Premium: Lifetime Subscription £47.85 at the Mashable Shop
£239.27 Save £191.42 Get Deal

For those of us with big goals but little time, Headway offers a clever shortcut to wisdom. Imagine getting the main takeaways from bestselling books in short summaries that fit into your day. It's learning on your schedule.

With a lifetime plan to Headway Premium for a one-time payment of £47.85, you can tackle new skills, boost your knowledge, and feel like a lifelong learner without diving into hours of reading.

Users can choose from a wide variety of topics, including health, nutrition, finances, real estate, self-help, and more. There are more than 1,500 different summaries to choose from, and up to 50 more are added monthly. A very helpful feature allows you to get personalised recommendations according to your goals and preferences.

While this won't replace reading the actual book, it can clarify some of the more important points and let you know if it's something you'd like to know more about. Plus, you can choose to learn by reading, listening, or watching, which can keep things interesting, and allows you to listen to Headway summaries while you drive to work.

Right now at the Mashable Shop, you can score a lifetime subscription to Headway Premium and start your self-growth journey right.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Black Friday has become some sort of unstoppable monster that grows larger every year. We get that for some people, Black Friday is an irritating event that floods their screens with ads for sales they don't want or need. But for others, it's the single best time of the year to shop.

You can find deals on just about everything from leading retailers like Best Buy, Walmart, Target, and Home Depot. You can expect some really impressive offers from these sales, but when it really comes down to it, Amazon is still tough to beat during major shopping events like Black Friday.

SEE ALSO: Best Buy is treating most of November like Black Friday

Amazon had been dropping decent discounts on products in main categories like robot vacuums, Apple products, and Fire TVs throughout November. But now that Amazon's Black Friday sale has officially started, we're expecting a wave of truly stunning deals.

To help you make the most out of Amazon's Black Friday sale, we've checked out all the best Black Friday deals from the Amazon Black Friday ad that you can already buy online.

Best Apple deals at Amazon

• Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M2, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $949.99 $1,199 (save $149.01)

• Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M3, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,099.00 $1,299 (save $199.01)

• Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M3, 24GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,299 $1,449 (save $150)

• Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M3, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $1,099.00 $1,299 (save $199.01)

• Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M3, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,199 $1,499 (save $300)

• Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M3, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,299.99 $1,499 (save $199.01)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M3, 8GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,399 $1,799 (save $400)

• Apple Mac mini (M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $469 $599 (save $130)

• Apple Mac mini (M3, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $549 $599 (save $50)

• Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M2, WiFi, 128GB) — $499 $599 (save $100)

• Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M2, WiFi, 128GB) — $699 $799 (save $100)

• Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M2, WiFi, 512GB) — $799 $899 (save $100)

• Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M2, WiFi, 256GB) — $799 $899 (save $100)

• Apple Watch Series 10 (46mm, GPS) — $379 $429 (save $50)

• Apple Watch SE (40mm, GPS) — $189 $249 (save $60)

• Apple Watch SE (44mm, GPS) — $219 $279 (save $60)

• Apple Watch SE (40mm, GPS + cellular) — $239 $299 (save $60)

• Apple Watch SE (44mm, GPS + cellular) — $269 $329 (save $60)

• Apple Watch Series 10 (42mm, GPS) — $349 $399 (save $50)

• Apple Watch Ultra 2 (49mm, GPS + cellular) — $699.99 $799 (save $99.01)

• Beats Pill — $129.95 $149.95 (save $20)

• Apple AirPods 4 (with Active Noise Cancellation) — $168.99 $179 (save $10.01)

• Apple AirPods Pro 2 — $189 $249 (save $60)

• Apple AirPods Max (Lightning) — $429 $549 (save $120)

• Apple AirTag — $19.99 $29 (save $9.99)

• Apple AirTag (4-pack) — $72.99 $99 (save $26.01)

Best Echo deals at Amazon

• Echo Dot — $22.99 $49.99 (save $27)

• Echo Pop and Globe Electric Smart Color Bulb bundle — $27.98 $51.98 (save $24)

• Echo Dot Kids — $27.99 $59.99 (save $32)

• Echo Spot — $44.99 $79.99 (save $35)

• Echo Show 5 — $44.99 $89.99 (save $45)

• Echo — $54.99 $99.99 (save $45)

• Echo Show 8 — $79.99 $149.99 (save $70)

Best fitness tracker deals at Amazon

• Amazfit Band 7 — $39.99 $49.99 (save $10)

• Amazfit Bip 5 (46mm) — $69.99 $89.99 (save $20)

• Amazfit Active (42mm) — $84.99 $109.99 (save $25)a

• Garmin Forerunner 55 (42mm) — $149.99 $199.99 (save $50)

• Apple Watch SE, 2nd Gen (40mm, GPS) — $189 $249 (save $60)

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 (44mm) — $189.79 $329.99 (save $140.20)

• Garmin Vivoactive 5 — $199.99 $299.99 (save $100)

• Oura Ring Gen3 Horizon — $249 $299 (save $50)

• Apple Watch Series 9 (41mm, GPS) — $339 $399 (save $60)

• Oura Ring Gen3 Heritage — $349 $449 (save $100)

• Garmin Venu 3S (41mm) — $349.99 $449.99 (save $100)

• Apple Watch Series 10 (46mm, GPS) — $379 $429 (save $50)

Best headphones deals at Amazon

• Skullcandy Hesh — $79.88 $134.99 (save $55.11)

• Sony WH-CH720N — $99.99 $149.99 (save $50)

• Beats Solo 4 — $129.99 $199.95 (save $69.96)

• Sony ULT WEAR — $148 $199.99 (save $51.99)

• Sony WH-1000XM4 — $228 $348 (save $120)

• Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e — $279 $399 (save $120)

• Anker Soundcore Space A40 earbuds — $44.25 $79.99 (save $35.74 with on-page coupon)

• Beats Studio Buds — $99.99 $149.95 (save $49.96)

• Sennheiser ACCENTUM — $129.95 $199.95 (save $70)

• Beats Studio Buds + — $129.99 $169.95 (save $39.96)

• Jabra Elite 10 — $149.99 $249.99 (save $100)

• Jabra Elite 8 Active — $169.99 $229.99 (save $60)

• Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen) — $189.99 $249 (save $59.01)

• Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds — $229 $279.99 (save $50.00)

• Sony WF-1000XM5 — $248 $299.99 (save $51.99)

Best Kindle deals at Amazon

• Kindle — $84.99 $109.99 (save $25)

• Kindle Kids — $94.99 $129.99 (save $35)

• Kindle Paperwhite — $129.99 $159.99 (save $30)

• Kindle Essentials Bundle — $116.97 $161.97 (save $45)

• Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition — $154.99 $199.99 (save $45)

• Kindle Paperwhite Essentials Bundle — $184.97 $204.97 (save $20)

• Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition Essentials Bundle — $237.97 $257.97 (save $20)

• Kindle Colorsoft Essentials Bundle — $349.97 $384.97 (save $35)

Best kitchen deals at Amazon

• Stasher silicone reusable storage bag (104 oz) — $26.99 $34.99 (save $8)

• Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer (10 quart) — $89.99 $149.99 (save $60)

• Instant Pot 9-in-1 Duo Plus (8 quart) — $99.99 $149.95 (save $49.96)

• Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ Coffee and Espresso Maker — $125.97 $179.95 (save $53.98)

• Cuisinart Indoor Pizza Oven — $129.95 $399.95 (save $170)

• Ninja Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill and Air Fryer (DG551) — $169.99 $279.99 (save $110)

• Chefman Indoor Pizza Oven — $199.99 $399.99 (save $200)

• Airthereal Electric Kitchen Composter — $229.99 $349.99 (save $120 with Prime)

• De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo Espresso Maker — $499 $749.95 (save $250.95)

Best robot vacuum deals at Amazon

• Eufy L50 — $151.98 $199.99 (save $48.01 with Prime)

• Eufy L60 — $179.99 $279.99 (save $100)

• Eufy L60 with self-empty station — $279.99 $398.99 (save $119 with Prime)

• Eufy X8 Pro with self-empty station — $349.99 $649.99 (save $300)

• iRobot Roomba j7+ with self-empty station — $359 $514.94 (save $115.94)

• Roborock Q7 Max — $239.99 $599.99 (save $360 with Prime)

• iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ with self-empty station — $299 $549.99 (save $250.99)

• Eufy Omni C20 self-empty and mop washing station — $399.99 $599.99 (save $200)

• Narwal Freo with self-empty and mop washing station — $499.99 $899.99 (save $400)

• Eufy X10 Pro Omni with self-empty and mop washing station — $549.99 $799.99 (save $250)

• Yeedi M12 Pro+ with self-empty and mop washing station — $549.99 $999 (save $449.01)

• Dreame L10s Pro Ultra with self-empty and mop washing station — $549.99 $999.99 (save $450)

• Shark RV2820YE PowerDetect 2-in-1 with self-empty and mop washing station — $549.99 $899.99 (save $350)

• Ecovacs Deebot T30S with self-empty and mop washing station — $599.99 $999.99 (save $400)

• Narwal Freo X Ultra with self-empty and mop washing station — $799.99 $1,399.99 (save $600)

Best TV deals at Amazon

• Insignia 43-inch F30 4K Fire TV — $139.99 $199.99 (save $60)

• Toshiba 43-inch C350 4K Fire TV — $179.97 $279.99 (save $100.02)

• Amazon 43-inch 4-Series 4K Fire TV — $229.99 $369.99 (save $140)

• Amazon 50-inch Omni 4K Fire TV — $329.99 $479.99 (save $150)

• Amazon 55-inch 4-Series 4K Fire TV — $339.99 $519.99 (save $180)

• Amazon 55-inch Omni 4K Fire TV — $369.99 $549.99 (save $180)

• Amazon 55-inch Fire TV Omni QLED 4K TV — $419.99 $599.99 (save $180)

• Samsung 55-inch The Frame QLED 4K TV — $897.97 $1,497.99 (save $600)

• TCL 65-inch Q5 QLED 4K Fire TV — $429.99 $549.99 (save $120)

• Amazon 65-inch Fire TV Omni QLED 4K TV — $599.99 $799.99 (save $200)

• TCL 65-inch QM7 QLED 4K TV — $698 $1,099.99 (save $401.99)

• Hisense 65-inch Canvas QLED 4K TV — $799.99 $1,299.99 (save $500)

• Samsung 65-inch The Frame QLED 4K TV — $1,297.97 $1,997.99 (save $700)

• Samsung 65-inch S90D OLED 4K TV — $1,397.97 $2,197.99 (save $800)

• LG 65-inch G3 OLED 4K TV — $1,996.99 $2,796.99 (save $800)

• Amazon 75-inch Omni 4K Fire TV — $769.99 $1,049.99 (save $280)

• TCL 85-inch Q65 Mini LED ULED 4K TV — $898 $1,599.99 (save $701.99)

• TCL 75-inch QM7 QLED 4K TV — $998 $1,499.99 (save $501.99)

• Sony 85-inch X77L 4K TV — $998 $1,498 (save $500)

• Hisense 75-inch U8 Mini LED ULED 4K TV — $1,297.99 $1,999.99 (save $702)

• LG 77-inch B3 OLED 4K TV — $1,496.99 $2,296.99 (save $800)

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

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 today: Hints and answers for November 26 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's The Mini crossword answers for November 26 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Wicked.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no reoccurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter W.

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...

WITCH.

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 26

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 yesterday's Wordle.

UPDATE: Nov. 25, 2024, 4:30 p.m. EST This post has been updated with the latest headphones and earbuds deals in the days leading up to Black Friday.

Best headphone and speaker deals ahead of Black Friday Best headphone deal Sony WH-1000XM4 $199.99 at Best Buy (Save $148.01) Get Deal Best earbuds deal Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen) $154 at Amazon (Save $95) Get Deal Best Bluetooth speaker deal Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 $78.96 at Amazon (Save $21.03) Get Deal

Black Friday is just around the corner, but retailers aren't waiting to bring headphones down to record-low prices.

The start of Best Buy's Black Friday sale has brought the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones down to one of the lowest prices we've ever seen them at $199.99, while Walmart's sale brought the Apple AirPods Pro to record-low price at Walmart and Amazon (they love to stay competitive). Essentially, every major audio brand, including Bose, JBL, Sennheiser, and Beats has headphones and earbuds down at record-low prices.

SEE ALSO: Walmart's first wave of Black Friday TV deals goes extremely hard

Check out our top picks below for the best headphone and speaker deals below:

Best headphones deal ahead of Black Friday Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-1000XM4 $199.99 at Best Buy
$348.00 Save $148.01 Get Deal Why we like it

While these headphones hit the market back in 2020, they're still a decent option to pick up, especially if you're looking to spend no more than $200. While they do go on sale throughout the year, they typically drop about $100, making this nearly $150 especially good. Because they're older, they no longer have top of the line noise-cancelling or sound quality, but they still more than get the job done. Plus, unlike the newer Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones, the XM4 ear cups fold in, potentially making them a better option for folks who travel frequently.

More headphone deals

• Sony WH-CH520 — $38 $59.99 (save $21.99)

• JLab JBuds Lux — $46.99 $79.99 (save $33)

• JBL Tune 760NC — $69.95 $129.95 (save $60)

• JBL Tune 770NC — $79.95 $129.95 (save $50)

• Sony WH-CH720N — $84.47 $149.99 (save $65.52)

• Beats Solo 4 — $99.99 $199.95 (save $99.96)

• Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 — $129.88 $229.99 (save $100.11)

• Bose QuietComfort headphones — $199 $349 (save $150)

• Sennheiser Momentum 4 — $229.95 $379.95 (save $150)

• Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e — $249.43 $399 (save $149.57)

• Sony WH-1000XM5 — $298 $399.99 (save $101.99)

• Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones — $329 $429 (save $100)

• Apple AirPods Max (Lightning) — $399.99 $549 (save $149.01)

• Bang & Olufsen Beoplay HX — $399 $599 (save $200)

• Bowers & Wilkins Px8 — $469.28 $699 (save $229.72)

• Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) — $499.99 $549 (save $49.01)

Best earbuds deal ahead of Black Friday Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen) $154.00 at Amazon
$249.00 Save $95.00 Get Deal Why we like it

This is not a drill: The AirPods Pro are down to a brand-new record-low price days ahead of Black Friday. In October, Prime Day brought the popular Apple earbuds down to a record-low of $168.99, which dropped lower to $159 last week. With Walmart's second Black Friday kicking off on Nov. 25, the retailer dropped the price of these earbuds down to another new record-low of $154, which Amazon had to match. In other words, if you've been waiting to buy the AirPods Pro, this is a really good time to buy them. While we can't say for sure whether they'll drop even more come Friday (retailers have often reserved their best prices for the day), $154 is the kind of price we would've expected to see then.

More earbuds deals

• Anker Soundcore Life A1 — $32.49 $49.99 (save $17.50)

• Anker Soundcore Life Q20 — $39.90 $59.99 (save $20.09)

• Anker Soundcore Space A40 — $44.99 $79.99 (save $35)

• Sony WF-C510 — $48 $59.99 (save $11.99)

• Google Pixel Buds A-Series — $49 $99 (save $50)

• Skullcandy Rail — $49.88 $99.99 (save $50.11)

• JBL Tune Buds — $49.95 $99.95 (save $50)

• JBL Tune Flex — $49.95 $99.95 (save $50)

• Samsung Galaxy Buds FE — $57.98 $99.99 (save $42.01)

• Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 — $59.99 $99.99 (save $40)

• Jabra Elite 4 Active — $69.99 $119.99 (save $50)

• JBL Live Pro 2 — $74.95 $149.95 (save $75)

• Shokz OpenFit Air — $99.95 $119.95 (save $20)

• Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro — $99.99 $129.99 (save $30)

• Shokz OpenRun Pro — $99.99 $159.99 (save $60)

• Sennheiser ACCENTUM — $119.95 $199.95 (save $80)

• Beats Studio Buds + — $129.99 $169.95 (save $39.96)

• Beats Powerbeats Pro — $129.99 $199.99 (save $70)

• Bose QuietComfort Earbuds — $149 $179 (save $30)

• JBL Live Beam 3 — $149.95 $199.95 (save $50)

• Marshall Motif II — $149.99 $199.99 (save $50)

• Jabra Elite 10 — $149.99 $249.99 (save $100)

• Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen) — $154 $249 (save $95)

• Sony INZONE Buds — $168 $199.99 (save $31.99)

• Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 — $169.99 $229.99 (save $60)

• Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 — $179 $229 (save $50)

• Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds — $229 $299 (save $70)

• Bose Ultra Open earbuds — $249 $299 (save $50)

• JBL Tour Pro 3 — $249.95 $299.95 (save $50)

• Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX — $279 $399 (save $120)

Best speaker deal ahead of Black Friday Opens in a new window Credit: Ultimate Ears Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 $78.96 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $21.03 Get Deal Why we picked this

The Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 is our favorite speaker under $100 at full price, so we think this deal is especially worth it. Despite its relatively compact size, this speaker reaches impressive volumes, can be taken pretty much anywhere you want to go thanks to its IP67 waterproof rating, and has 14 hours of battery life. That said, this isn't the first time we've seen this speaker drop down in price. Even shortly after its release this past June, it dropped down to $79.99 — but a few days ahead of Black Friday, you can get it for ever so slightly cheaper.

More speaker deals

• Sony ULT Field 1 — $98 $129.99 (save $31.99)

• Marshall Emberton II — $99.99 $169.99 (save $70)

• Ultimate Ears Boom 4 — $99.99 $149.99 (save $50)

• Beats Pill — $99.95 $149.95 (save $50)

• Harman Kardon Go+Play Mini — $199.99 $399.99 (save $200)

• Ultimate Ears Epicboom — $249.99 $349.99 (save $100)

• Sony XV500 — $299.99 $399.99 (save $100)

A Microsoft outage on Monday has affected Outlook and Teams users. Microsoft is aware of the issue and working on a fix, but said it's "facing delays in our recovery efforts."

Reports of issues began around 8 a.m. ET and spiked around 12:30 p.m. ET, according to DownDetector (which shares a parent company with Mashable). Reported outages have since tapered off, suggesting the issue might be resolved soon.

The Microsoft 365 account on X said, "We’ve identified a recent change which we believe has resulted in impact." It's unclear what specifically caused the outage besides mention of a recent change. But Microsoft's controversial AI-powered Recall feature was launched today for Windows Insiders in preview mode. Big deployments like Recall, which takes incremental snapshots of a user's screen, are sometimes the culprit for causing mass outages.

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Users took to X to express their frustration at not being able to access basic tools like Outlook for sending emails and Teams for video calls.

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Others didn't seem to mind the multi-hour outage on the Monday before Thanksgiving when they would otherwise be working.

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The outage seems to be on its way to resolution, but we will share updates if that's not the case.

Amazon employees around the world are preparing for protests and strikes on Black Friday.

The global effort has been organized by UNI Global Union, which represents service industry workers, and activist group Progressive International. 

Amazon workers in more than 20 countries plan to strike and take part in protests starting on Black Friday, one of the biggest annual shopping days for retailers. The protest efforts will go on into Cyber Monday, one of the biggest online shopping days of the year.

Organizers say strikes will be taking place in major cities in countries such as the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan and Brazil. Specific protests include thousands of warehouse workers across Germany going on strike, garment workers in Bangladesh striking, and workers in New Delhi will rally to demand fair treatment after heatwave-related issues from this past summer. 

Protesters want to 'Make Amazon Pay'

The protest campaign is being organized under the banner of "Make Amazon Pay." The effort will put a spotlight on what organizers say is Amazon's "anti-worker and anti-democratic" practices.

Workers will focus on highlighting Amazon's "labor abuses, environmental degradation and threats to democracy" such as the company's role in corporate power.

“Amazon’s relentless pursuit of profit comes at a cost to workers, the environment and democracy,” said General Secretary of UNI Global Union Christy Hoffman. “Bezos’s company has spent untold millions to stop workers from organizing, but the strikes and protests happening around the world show that workers’ desire for justice – for union representation – can’t be stopped." 

"We stand united in demanding that Amazon treat its workers fairly, respect fundamental rights, and stop undermining the systems meant to protect us all," Hoffman continued. "‘Make Amazon Pay Day’ is becoming a global act of resistance against Amazon’s abuse of power.”

According to organizers, Make Amazon Pay will include participants from more than 80 unions, environmental groups, and activist organizations such as Greenpeace, 350.org, and Amazon Workers International. 

During the protests, workers will demand that Amazon pay fair wages to employees and commit to environmental sustainability efforts. Workers will also call on the company to pay their fair share of taxes as well as respect employees' rights to unionize. 

An Amazon spokesperson released a statement regarding the coming Black Friday protest events saying, "these groups represent a variety of interests, and while we're always listening and looking at ways to improve, we remain proud of the competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and engaging, safe work experience we provide our teams."

In 2022, Amazon warehouse workers in Staten Island became the first and, so far, only company unit to vote to form a union. Amazon spent millions of dollars in union busting campaigns to fight the efforts from workers to unionize. A documentary on the Amazon Labor Union campaign was released this year. The filmmakers had to self-distribute the film as they had difficulty finding a distributor due to Amazon and its Prime Video streaming service's growing influence in Hollywood. 

Make Amazon Pay's upcoming protests will be the fifth year that Amazon workers have gone on strike on Black Friday.

“By uniting our movements across borders, we can not only force Amazon to change its ways but lay the foundations of a world that prioritizes human dignity, not Jeff Bezos’ bank balance.” said Progressive International’s Co-General Coordinator Varsha Gandikota-Nellutla. "Amazon is everywhere, but so are we."

Ria Cheruvu has been ahead of the curve for most of her life. After graduating from her Arizona high school at just 11, the student deemed prodigy became one of the youngest people to ever graduate from Harvard. Her collegiate record is a marvel to many. 

Following a period studying neurobiology and during the completion of her first computer science degree, Cheruvu was hired for Intel's ethics team — preceding the AI boom that would soon hit mass markets, and years before the phrase became a household utterance. At the time of her hiring, Cheruvu was just 14 years old. In the years since joining the tech giant and graduating from the Ivy League, she's become a go-to voice on responsible AI development, bolstering her resume with multiple AI patents, a Master's Degree in data science from her alma mater after a neuroscience internship at Yale, and multiple teaching credits for digital courses on AI ethics. She's working on a PhD, as well, because… why not?

Today, as one of Intel's AI architects and "evangelists" — yes, that's the real word — the 20-year-old is on the forefront of one of the world's hottest topics: How do we move forward with this technology, and how can it be done in a way that ensures real people remain at its core?

Her presence is a rare thing in an industry now steamrolled by capital investors, commercial interests, and self-proclaimed tech "disruptors." But her age is more of a benefit than a hindrance, as the future of AI will soon be placed in the hands of the next generation of technologists and users — her peers — and many of them are already embracing the complex integration of generative AI in their daily lives. 

Cheruvu spoke to Mashable about her now-established career in the realm of "AI for Good," one of the few young voices with a seat at the table as the world reckons with accelerating change. 

SEE ALSO: How gamification sparked the AI era in tech Mashable: Your accomplishments run through a gamut of scientific fields: Computer science, data science, neuroscience. Why did you turn your attention to AI, and Intel, specifically? 

Cheruvu: After I graduated with my Bachelor's in computer science, I was looking for the next step. It was a turning point: Do I go into neuroscience, or do I get into something that's pure computer and data science related? I had a brief interest in AI.

Both of my parents are software engineers by training and have their Masters in computer applications and technology. At the time, my dad was working at Intel Corporation. I had actually been on a number of field trips in high school to our local campus. I applied, and I interviewed with three different teams in different areas. One was pure math and AI, the other was a little bit on the neuroscience side, and then the last was deep learning and hardware. Eventually, I picked that third team and got accepted. It evolved from there into a six year journey of different roles at Intel.

The industry has had so much turnover, especially in the last couple of years, what has kept you there?

I've been in so many different roles in different areas. Some of them have been pure business or the technology side, others on the pure research side, and then some bridging the two. I was a team lead, and now I am an evangelist and public speaker and architect. I'm gearing back more to technical architect roles. So lots of jumping around the map. But my network and the community has stayed true, which is what encourages me to continue to work at Intel, and continue to work in the AI industry, too. 

I find it really rare to hear of a person as young as yourself being so integrated into AI's ethical development, not just its use. Why this and not a different aspect?

I've been looking at ethical AI for about two to three years now, professionally and personally. From the technical angle, there's a lot of things to be done: technical tooling, analysis, metrics, quality assurance, all of that fun stuff. On a societal aspect, an incredible amount of work needs to be done toward privacy, consent, bias, and algorithmic discrimination. It's been a whirlwind, learning about all of these topics and then trying to understand which are practical versus which just seem to be talked about a lot, and doing honest reevaluations. 

There is an increasing need for younger voices and opportunities for younger generations to be able to step up and to start contributing to these technologies.

My mom did her PhD in metaphysics and philosophy, so we have very deep conversations around AI and humanity. What exactly is our idea of consciousness? How far can AI go in terms of being able to mimic humans? What is our framework for helping each other?

And have these reflections been fruitful? What does "AI for Good" actually look like, then? Right now, the phrase "human centered" is very buzzy but what does that mean for the future?

Folks who are exposed to technology and digital technology are getting exposed to AI at a faster and faster rate. The reason why I gravitate toward "human centered" frameworks is to focus on the fact that the infrastructure, the technology, should be able to empower users. 

According to regulations, and the communities that we're building around them, you should have the right to control the data that you generate. On the technical side, we should be empowering developers and creators to be able to test for bias, and to remove data from models. We're not training data models with data that we don't have consent for. When you're a person in AI, it's assumed you're advocating for AI development. But there's a lot of areas, personally, where I feel that more AI development doesn't make sense. Maybe it's something that needs to be more streamlined or in the hands of creators and artists. 

When we see a lot of these technologies, like robots and self-driving vehicles, starting to pop up, how are they empowering user experiences? How are we building trust into these relationships?

There's a couple leading researchers who are the subject matter experts in this field. I'm thinking of Fei Fei Li and Yejin Choi. It's been really interesting to see how their research and the research coming out of their labs and teams has been connected to bigger advancements or leaps in AI. I have been using that research as a marker to demystify what's coming up next in [the AI industry]. 

Your title is "evangelist," which is an interesting term to use for scientific development, but essentially you're a public communicator. How do you navigate that role amid the onslaught of AI coverage?

There's a lot of pressure, there's a lot of hype, placed on certain topics. It takes a pretty strong will and determination to push through that and say what is important for me, for my community, for the industry, right now. To focus on what is really driving the practical impact I want to communicate and share with folks, things I can inspire them to be optimistic about. I want to be honest about risks and challenges, too. Instead of buttering up the truth, be straightforward about it. As an evangelist, someone who's passionate about public speaking just as much as coding, what does that balance look like?

There has been an emergence, or a boom, of AI experts and evangelists in this space. Not to say anything direct about credentials or anything, but everybody has an opinion about AI. I personally have been listening to perspectives that have been in the industry for longer. That wisdom that's getting passed down is something that I like to tap into, as opposed to, maybe, some of the newer folks who are forming some quick assumptions.

How do you envision your peers getting involved in these conversations?

I think that there is an increasing need for younger voices and opportunities for younger generations to be able to step up and to start contributing to these technologies. Through their usage of it, [the technologies are] getting mastered pretty quickly. 

And it's important to bring a fresh perspective to [AI design]. Not only consuming the technology, but contributing to its development, being able to shape it in ways that are different. Rather than seeing it as a kind of "disruptor" or a "bubble" that needs to be explored and pushed to the limit, we can bring it back to the applications where it can be most useful. 

There's a lot of opportunities to contribute. Not a lot of them are as recognized as other applications, in terms of priority, coverage in the media, or public interest, but they definitely lead to a much more meaningful impact. There's always bigger projects, and bigger themes — like large language models — but the smaller applications really make a difference, too.

Sorry to use a cliché, but it feels like AI is yet another "global inheritance" we'll be tossing down to younger generations, much like we've done with our current climate crisis. 

I was reading that quote recently about being able to leave the world behind a little bit better than how you found it initially. In a generational context, we need to continue to have conversations about this, especially with the AI algorithms that are close to us, whether it's social media or apps that are writing content for you. You're getting exposed to them on a day to day basis.

In my opinion, many people are uncomfortable with the widespread pressure to use AI in our daily lives, when we don't fully understand what's at stake. They want things to slow down.

I feel like folks who are working on AI and machine learning know that very well, but, for some reason, it doesn't proliferate outside of that bubble. Folks who are working in AI know to be very, very cautious when they see a tool. Cautious in the sense of, "I'm not going to adopt it, or I'm not going to use it, unless I think it's useful." But when it comes to [AI stakeholders] externally, I think it's just a kind of hype. Ironically, that's not what you see in the inner circle. It just gets pushed on us. 

SEE ALSO: "Time is up" to regulate AI, UN advisor says What do current stakeholders or developers owe to the next generation of technologists and users, including yourself?

Human labor disruption is a really big topic, and I'm thinking about talent and folks who want to enter into the AI space. When we talk about AI and these technologies, it's always: fast, rapid innovation, moving forward. These kinds of words and other terminology keep getting added to a pile that makes it even more intimidating for folks to be able to understand and truly grasp [AI]. "AI" itself is one of those words. The field started off with "deep learning" and "machine learning," and it's been a gradual transition. I've seen my job title change from deep learning engineer to AI architect. I'm part of that, too. I think that there might be an opportunity to take AI as a buzzword and break it down — and we can still keep the word, the general feeling around it.

But there's only so much responsibility that a user can take on. Providers and developers and creators of infrastructure also need to be able to shoulder that responsibility. Of course, regulations come in to help protect the rights of the individuals involved to a certain extent. 

A lot of folks may not have the time to sit down and read through the full compendium of what they need to know. I'm valuing content and people who are taking the time to break it down and say, "You've got this. This is something easy. This is how you contribute." It doesn't need to be a fearful topic. It's something you can voice your concerns on.

I've had so many conversations over the past few years with brilliant people on inclusive AI, democratizing AI, AI literacy. There's a lot of different ways to enable that empowerment. For example, there's been a lot of really great efforts on digital readiness programs that I'm honored to have been a part of, going to community colleges or creating AI curriculum for free. Five million or so folks who have been trained as part of Intel's digital readiness programs. We need more accessibility, more tutorials, more content, more one-on-one interaction, saying, "You know, this is easier than you think it is. You can be a professional in this space. It's not hard to get started."