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The best early Black Friday Amazon device deals at a glance: Best Fire tablet deal Amazon Fire Max 11 (64GB) $139.99 (save $90) Get Deal Best Fire TV deal Amazon 55-inch Omni Mini LED QLED 4K Fire TV $694.99 (save $125) Get Deal Best Fire TV Stick deal Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select $9.99 (save $30 with coupon code STREAM4K) Get Deal Best Blink deal Blink Mini 2K+ $24.99 (save $25) Get Deal Best Echo deal Echo Show 5 Kids $54.99 (save $45) Get Deal Best Kindle deal Like-new Kindle Paperwhite $106.99 (save $37) Get Deal

Amazon's Black Friday sale officially kicks off on Nov. 20, a full week ahead of Black Friday proper. But as you probably know at this point, the actual dates of the sale are blurred beyond recognition. Many deals, particularly on Amazon's own devices, are already live days before the event — and will likely stick around after all is said and done. Other than Prime Day, it's the best time of year to grab an Amazon device.

Plenty of Fire tablets, Fire TVs, Fire TV Sticks, and Blink security cameras are already chilling at record-low prices. We're particularly impressed by the Fire TV deals, with some 2025 models up to $210 off. As usual, Kindle deals are slim to none ahead of the official event kick off. We expect those to drop later this week. Echo deals are also lacking, but we'll be keeping an eye on the new Echo Show 8, 11, Studio, and Dot Max for their first big price drops.

We're keeping track of all of the best Amazon device deals below and will continue to monitor anything new that pops up once the sale begins. For deals beyond Amazon devices, be sure to follow along with all of Mashable's coverage in our Black Friday hub.

Best early Black Friday Fire tablet deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire Max 11 (64GB) $139.99 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $90   Get Deal Why we like it

Amazon's best iPad competitor and our favorite Fire tablet, the Fire Max 11, is back down to $139.99 at Amazon ahead of Black Friday. That's 39% in savings and matches its all-time low price from October Prime Day. As Mashable's reviewer noted, "The Amazon Fire Max 11 has a large, 11-inch display and is blazing fast, making it a good alternative to pricier tablets for streaming and games." It also features 8MP cameras that support 1080p video, an octa-core processor, WiFi 6 compatibility, and a 14-hour battery life. While it is a couple of years old, it's the newest generation of the tablet available.

Read our full review of the Fire Max 11.

More Fire tablet deals Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 8 (32GB) $54.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $45.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 10 (32GB) $69.99 at Amazon
$139.99 Save $70.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire 7 Kids (16GB) $54.99 at Amazon
$109.99 Save $55.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Pro (32GB) $74.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $75.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids (32GB) $84.99 at Amazon
$159.99 Save $75.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids (32GB) $104.99 at Amazon
$189.99 Save $85.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro (32GB) $104.99 at Amazon
$189.99 Save $85.00   Get Deal Best early Black Friday Amazon Fire TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon 55-inch Omni Mini LED QLED 4K Fire TV $694.99 at Amazon
$819.99 Save $125   Get Deal Why we like it

The newest and fanciest Fire TV in Amazon's lineup, the 2025 Omni Mini-LED Fire TV is loaded up with specs. It packs hands-free Alexa, Interactive Art Mode (similar to Samsung's The Frame), a 144Hz refresh rate, and Intelligent Picture technology, which can fine-tune the details of whatever you're watching. With a 4K QLED mini-LED display featuring Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+ Adaptive, up to 1,400 nits of peak brightness, and 768 dimming zones, it's easily the best Fire TV picture quality to date. And now that the 55-inch model is down to only $694.99 — its lowest price on record — it's almost in budget-friendly territory.

More Fire TV deals Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick HD $17.99 at Amazon
$34.99 Save $17.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K $24.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $25.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max $39.78 at Amazon
$65.98 Save $26.20 with 2-year protection plan Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select $9.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $30 with coupon code STREAM4K Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Cube $89.99 at Amazon
$139.99 Save $50.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon 43-inch 4-Series 4K Fire TV $249.99 at Amazon
$329.99 Save $80   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon 50-inch Omni QLED 4K Fire TV $279.99 at Amazon
$469.99 Save $190   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon 50-inch 4-Series 4K Fire TV $329.99 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $70   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon 55-inch Omni QLED 4K Fire TV $349.99 at Amazon
$499.99 Save $150   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon 65-inch Omni 4K Fire TV $449.99 at Amazon
$669.99 Save $220   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon 65-inch Omni Mini LED QLED 4K Fire TV $894.99 at Amazon
$1,089.99 Save $195   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon 75-inch Omni 4K Fire TV $569.99 at Amazon
$839.99 Save $270   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon 75-inch Omni Mini LED QLED 4K Fire TV $1,289.99 at Amazon
$1,499.99 Save $210   Get Deal

For more Amazon Fire TV deals, check out our full list of Black Friday TV deals.

Early Black Friday Echo deals Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Echo Pop Kids $21.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $28.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Echo Dot Kids $31.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $18.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Echo Show 5 Kids $54.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $45.00   Get Deal Early Black Friday Kindle deals Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Like-new Amazon Kindle Paperwhite $106.99 at Amazon
$143.99 Save $37.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Like-new Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition $126.99 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $53.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Like-New Amazon Kindle Scribe $278.99
$404.99 Save $126   Get Deal

Check out our full curated list of Black Friday Kindle deals.

Early Black Friday Blink deals Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Blink Mini 2 $17.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $22.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Blink Mini 2K+ $24.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $25.00   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Blink Video Doorbell $29.99 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $40   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Blink Outdoor 4 $27.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $52   Get Deal

With the Financial Times' report that Apple is preparing for the post-Tim Cook era, the question arises: who will actually take over one of the most powerful jobs in tech? Cook has led Apple since 2011, growing its valuation from $350 billion to $4 trillion. However, as the company embarks on its next chapter — particularly amid pressure to introduce new, innovative hardware and remain competitive in AI — the shortlist of potential successors is taking shape.

SEE ALSO: Tim Cook’s time at Apple could be coming to an end, report says

And at the top of that list is the person insiders say is the most likely candidate: John Ternus.

John Ternus (the frontrunner)

Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering, has the clearest path to the CEO role. Having joined the company in 2001, he’s overseen engineering for the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and AirPods, and played a major role in the transition to Apple silicon. It is not an exaggeration to say he has literally touched every major Apple device in the modern era. With hardware at the center of Apple’s strategy — and Apple needing someone who understands the product pipeline inside and out — Ternus is widely seen as Cook’s successor, per the Financial Times.

Craig Federighi

Federighi, Apple’s software chief, is the face of macOS and iOS, and one of the company’s most public figures thanks to his keynote presence. While he brings charisma and user-facing credibility, Apple may want to lean towards operations and hardware-minded leadership for the top job, making him a less likely but still notable contender.

Eddy Cue

Cue oversees services including Apple Music, Apple TV+, iCloud, and the App Store. Services are a massive revenue engine for the company, but Cue’s expertise is focused on that specific ecosystem rather than Apple’s core hardware and operations. Still, as one of Apple’s longest-tenured executives, his name inevitably appears in succession chatter.

Katherine Adams

As General Counsel and Senior Vice President of Legal and Global Security, Adams oversees a wide range of responsibilities, including corporate governance, privacy, and global security. Her background at Honeywell and deep experience in legal strategy make her indispensable internally; however, historically, Apple has never pulled a CEO from the legal side of the organization.

Sabih Khan

Apple’s Chief Operating Officer, Khan oversees global operations, supply chain, manufacturing, logistics, and AppleCare. Having been with Apple since 1995 and playing a key role in shipping nearly every major Apple product, he fits the classic Tim Cook mold more than anyone besides Ternus. If Apple wants a steady operations-first leader again, Khan is the alternate pick.

So who’s actually next?

All signs point to Ternus. He represents the product-first vision Apple wants to maintain, he’s already leading the teams behind its most important devices, and insiders say the board is preparing for a transition that prioritizes hardware expertise, according to the Financial Times. Nothing is final — and Apple could still shift direction — but right now, Ternus is the one to watch.

With the Financial Times' report that Apple is preparing for the post-Tim Cook era, the question arises: who will actually take over one of the most powerful jobs in tech? Cook has led Apple since 2011, growing its valuation from $350 billion to $4 trillion. However, as the company embarks on its next chapter — particularly amid pressure to introduce new, innovative hardware and remain competitive in AI — the shortlist of potential successors is taking shape.

SEE ALSO: Tim Cook’s time at Apple could be coming to an end, report says

And at the top of that list is the person insiders say is the most likely candidate: John Ternus.

John Ternus (the frontrunner)

Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering, has the clearest path to the CEO role. Having joined the company in 2001, he’s overseen engineering for the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and AirPods, and played a major role in the transition to Apple silicon. It is not an exaggeration to say he has literally touched every major Apple device in the modern era. With hardware at the center of Apple’s strategy — and Apple needing someone who understands the product pipeline inside and out — Ternus is widely seen as Cook’s successor, per the Financial Times.

Craig Federighi

Federighi, Apple’s software chief, is the face of macOS and iOS, and one of the company’s most public figures thanks to his keynote presence. While he brings charisma and user-facing credibility, Apple may want to lean towards operations and hardware-minded leadership for the top job, making him a less likely but still notable contender.

Eddy Cue

Cue oversees services including Apple Music, Apple TV+, iCloud, and the App Store. Services are a massive revenue engine for the company, but Cue’s expertise is focused on that specific ecosystem rather than Apple’s core hardware and operations. Still, as one of Apple’s longest-tenured executives, his name inevitably appears in succession chatter.

Katherine Adams

As General Counsel and Senior Vice President of Legal and Global Security, Adams oversees a wide range of responsibilities, including corporate governance, privacy, and global security. Her background at Honeywell and deep experience in legal strategy make her indispensable internally; however, historically, Apple has never pulled a CEO from the legal side of the organization.

Sabih Khan

Apple’s Chief Operating Officer, Khan oversees global operations, supply chain, manufacturing, logistics, and AppleCare. Having been with Apple since 1995 and playing a key role in shipping nearly every major Apple product, he fits the classic Tim Cook mold more than anyone besides Ternus. If Apple wants a steady operations-first leader again, Khan is the alternate pick.

So who’s actually next?

All signs point to Ternus. He represents the product-first vision Apple wants to maintain, he’s already leading the teams behind its most important devices, and insiders say the board is preparing for a transition that prioritizes hardware expertise, according to the Financial Times. Nothing is final — and Apple could still shift direction — but right now, Ternus is the one to watch.

SAVE $151.99: The Sony WH-1000XM5 Noise-Cancelling Headphones are on sale at Amazon for $248, down from the normal price of $399.99. That's a 38% discount and the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-1000XM5 Noise-Cancelling Headphones $248 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $151.99   Get Deal

A good pair of headphones can feel kinda life-changing. Imagine a 10-hour plane journey with noise-cancelling headphones that aren't uncomfortable after watching just one movie. Problem is, the best headphones tend to come with steep prices. But that's all remedied thanks to today's early Black Friday deal at Amazon.

As of Nov. 17, the Sony WH-1000XM5 Noise-Cancelling Headphones are on sale for $248 at Amazon, marked down from the standard price of $399.99. That works out to a 38% discount, shaving a sweet $151.99 off the price. This deal marks the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon on the Sony XM5 headphones.

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The new Sony XM6 headphones are stunning, no doubt, but the older XM5 headphones are still an excellent option, espeically thanks to this new all-time low price. In Mashable's list of the best Sony headphones, the XM5s earn the top spot as the best former flagship.

"Brand enthusiasts who can’t afford the pricier WH-1000XM6, but still want the extravagant Sony listening experience — you won't be disappointed. Very few things separate these two models, besides the big price difference," wrote freelancer Alex Bracetti. Currently, the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones are on sale at Amazon for $429.99 which means the XM5s are nearly $200 cheaper.

SEE ALSO: The JBL Tune Buds are heavily discounted ahead of Black Friday — save $60 with the best-ever price on Amazon

Bracetti also wrote, "The WH-1000XM5s retain many series hallmarks, including ANC, battery life, sound, and special features," so you don't need to worry about a major drop in quality with this previous model.

One of the only major differences between the XM5 and XM6 models is the lack of ear cups that fold up on the older model. But given the almost $200 price difference, that's a sacrifice we're willing to deal with.

Before the chaos of Amazon Black Friday hits this Thursday, snatch up a pair of Sony WH-1000XM5 Noise-Cancelling Headphones for under $250. This new record-low price is a heck of a deal, especially compared to the price of the new XM6 headphones.

The end of an era is coming in 2026 for Apple – maybe?

According to a new report from the Financial Times, Apple is currently making plans for Tim Cook to step down as CEO. And it could be happening next year.

Apple's plans are not related to performance issues or any sort of negative outlook for the company, according to the outlet's sources. In fact, Apple is expecting to break sales records this holiday season.

SEE ALSO: Apple expects record sales for the holidays

Cook has been CEO of Apple for nearly a decade and a half and led the company during one of its most trying times. He took over the position after Apple founder Steve Jobs stepped down as CEO in August 2011 due to medical reasons. Jobs died in October of that year. 

John Ternus, Apple's Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineers, is considered the likely favorite to take over the reins from Cook. However, no final decision of a new Apple CEO has been made. Ternus has been with the company since 2001 and would be the same age, 50, as Cook was when he became CEO 14 years ago. 

Ternus has been more visible as of late at the Apple keynote events, potentially being prepared to eventually step in as CEO. He most recently introduced the new iPhone Air at September's Apple event.

As the Financial Times points out, Cook has previously shared that Apple has “very detailed succession plans." Apple has lost some key executives this year as both Apple's chief financial officer Luca Maestri and Apple's chief operating officer Jeff Williams left the company. Both were considered close to Cook.

Bloomberg's Apple insider Mark Gurman previously reported that Ternus was being looked at as Tim Cook's successor. However, in response to the Financial Times report, Gurman shared that there is nothing on his radar pointing to Cook stepping down anytime soon.

But, if Cook was to step down as Apple CEO next year, don't expect him to do so before the earnings report in January 2026, which would cover how the company did during the holiday season, according to the Financial Times. However, anytime after the earnings report appears to be fair game and an early transition would get the CEO comfortable before Apple's big keynote events, starting with the WWDC in June.

The end of an era is coming in 2026 for Apple – maybe?

According to a new report from the Financial Times, Apple is currently making plans for Tim Cook to step down as CEO. And it could be happening next year.

Apple's plans are not related to performance issues or any sort of negative outlook for the company, according to the outlet's sources. In fact, Apple is expecting to break sales records this holiday season.

SEE ALSO: Apple expects record sales for the holidays

Cook has been CEO of Apple for nearly a decade and a half and led the company during one of its most trying times. He took over the position after Apple founder Steve Jobs stepped down as CEO in August 2011 due to medical reasons. Jobs died in October of that year. 

John Ternus, Apple's Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineers, is considered the likely favorite to take over the reins from Cook. However, no final decision of a new Apple CEO has been made. Ternus has been with the company since 2001 and would be the same age, 50, as Cook was when he became CEO 14 years ago. 

Ternus has been more visible as of late at the Apple keynote events, potentially being prepared to eventually step in as CEO. He most recently introduced the new iPhone Air at September's Apple event.

As the Financial Times points out, Cook has previously shared that Apple has “very detailed succession plans." Apple has lost some key executives this year as both Apple's chief financial officer Luca Maestri and Apple's chief operating officer Jeff Williams left the company. Both were considered close to Cook.

Bloomberg's Apple insider Mark Gurman previously reported that Ternus was being looked at as Tim Cook's successor. However, in response to the Financial Times report, Gurman shared that there is nothing on his radar pointing to Cook stepping down anytime soon.

But, if Cook was to step down as Apple CEO next year, don't expect him to do so before the earnings report in January 2026, which would cover how the company did during the holiday season, according to the Financial Times. However, anytime after the earnings report appears to be fair game and an early transition would get the CEO comfortable before Apple's big keynote events, starting with the WWDC in June.

My first exposure to Critical Role wasn't a clip from any of their campaigns, but instead, a GIF set of their animated introduction for Campaign 2. Scrolling past it on Tumblr, I immediately became bewitched by the characters. Who was this joyful blue tiefling fighting foes with glowing lollipops and unicorns? What lay in the past of this clearly traumatized, fire-wielding wizard? And how had this disparate crew of goblins and humans and orcs and more banded together?

SEE ALSO: Critical Role fans, you can watch the first episode of 'The Mighty Nein' on YouTube

With those questions in mind, I set off right down the Critical Role rabbit hole, discovering the adventuring party known as the Mighty Nein. Yet as much as I enjoyed witnessing these characters' stories play out in an improvised Dungeons and Dragons format, I couldn't help but yearn for an expansion on the animated introduction that had exposed me to them in the first place.

Now, that expansion is here in the form of Critical Role's new animated series The Mighty Nein. And it's as glorious as I had hoped.

What's The Mighty Nein about? Credit: Prime Video

The Mighty Nein is Critical Role's second animated series with Prime Video, following in the footsteps of The Legend of Vox Machina. While the latter took a few episodes to nail the balance between bawdy humor and high fantasy, The Mighty Nein hits the ground running, delivering a darker, more mature story right from the get-go.

That story begins with a heist: A strike team of formidable wizards from the Dwendalian Empire steals the powerful Luxon Beacon from the Kryn Dynasty. The sequence plays out almost wordlessly, punctuated by beats of lethal magic and hand-to-hand combat. It's a gripping reintroduction to the world of Exandria, one that sets the stage for a devastating war between nations. It's also a darkly funny choice for The Mighty Nein's starting point, because while the Dwendalian wizards and Kryn soldiers are elite, highly organized forces, our titular heroes are... not.

SEE ALSO: 'The Mighty Nein' trailer: Critical Role's new show teases magic battles and tons of trauma

By the time The Mighty Nein begins, the actual Mighty Nein crew is far from being assembled. Each of the team's members (and despite what the name suggests, there are only six of them) is scattered to the winds, dealing with their own woes. And trust me, The Mighty Nein does not skimp on the traumatic backstories. Dirt-covered wizard Caleb Widogast (voiced by Liam O'Brien) scrounges for magical components while running from his past. Goblin thief Nott the Brave (voiced by Sam Riegel) drowns her sorrows at every waking moment. Cobalt Soul monk Beauregard Lionett (voiced by Marisha Ray) faces derisions from her superiors, who dismiss her detective work based on her hotheadedness.

Don’t miss out on our latest stories: Add Mashable as a trusted news source in Google.

Elsewhere, shipwrecked sailor Fjord Stone (voiced by Travis Willingham) awakens with magical powers he didn't ask for and doesn't know how to use, while prankster Jester Lavorre (voiced by Laura Bailey) can't get her patron god (and best friend) to answer her call. Rounding out the group is Mollymauk Tealeaf (voiced by Taliesin Jaffe), a circus ringmaster oozing with charisma, yet plagued with worries about his circus going under (and some unsettling memories).

In short, these six have nothing in common. However, the brewing conflict over the Luxon Beacon will bring these outcasts together in unexpected ways and offer them the chance to prove that maybe, just maybe they can make a difference for the better. Based on the skills shown by both the Dwendalian and Kryn forces in the opening, though, they have their work cut out for them.

The Mighty Nein builds a formidable team. Credit: Prime Video

The Mighty Nein takes no shortcuts when it comes to bringing its team together. There are arguments and in-fighting aplenty in the series, each a perfect showcase of the distinct personalities the show is working with. Yet from these arguments emerge strong bonds of camaraderie, made all the sweeter by the conflict it took to get there.

The Mighty Nein manages to preserve all of the wonderful relationships players crafted at the table during Campaign 2: Nott and Caleb's protection of one another, Jester and Fjord's playful friendship, Beau and Caleb's growing respect and trust, Mollymauk's ability to bring everyone together... I could go on, as the webs The Mighty Nein weaves between its characters are as rich and varied as the characters themselves.

The complexities of these characters and their relationships come through, not just in dialogue but also in The Mighty Nein's jaw-dropping action sequences. The Legend of Vox Machina already set the bar high on how to translate Critical Role's battles into animation, but The Mighty Nein more than meets that bar, even surpassing it when it comes to magic usage.

That's because each magic user in The Mighty Nein has their own unique way of casting. Caleb uses material components to create destructive spells, Jester summons sparkling herds of mini unicorns and candy, Mollymauk wields blood magic that even he seems surprised he has access to, and Fjord sends out watery blasts without quite knowing how. In the case of all four, but especially the latter two, watching them fight means watching them discover enchanting new abilities on the fly. You're seeing heroes grow into themselves in real time — and in spectacular fashion, thanks to dazzling animation from Titmouse.

This sense of discovery turns The Mighty Nein into an unforgettable story of becoming something greater than you ever thought you could be, and of finding belonging you never thought you would. It's the found family trope done to a tee, and honestly, when I dreamed of an animated series based on the Campaign 2 intro all those years ago, never did I expect it to hit as hard as this.

The first three episodes of The Mighty Nein premiere Nov. 19 on Prime Video, with a new episode every Wednesday.

My first exposure to Critical Role wasn't a clip from any of their campaigns, but instead, a GIF set of their animated introduction for Campaign 2. Scrolling past it on Tumblr, I immediately became bewitched by the characters. Who was this joyful blue tiefling fighting foes with glowing lollipops and unicorns? What lay in the past of this clearly traumatized, fire-wielding wizard? And how had this disparate crew of goblins and humans and orcs and more banded together?

SEE ALSO: Critical Role fans, you can watch the first episode of 'The Mighty Nein' on YouTube

With those questions in mind, I set off right down the Critical Role rabbit hole, discovering the adventuring party known as the Mighty Nein. Yet as much as I enjoyed witnessing these characters' stories play out in an improvised Dungeons and Dragons format, I couldn't help but yearn for an expansion on the animated introduction that had exposed me to them in the first place.

Now, that expansion is here in the form of Critical Role's new animated series The Mighty Nein. And it's as glorious as I had hoped.

What's The Mighty Nein about? Credit: Prime Video

The Mighty Nein is Critical Role's second animated series with Prime Video, following in the footsteps of The Legend of Vox Machina. While the latter took a few episodes to nail the balance between bawdy humor and high fantasy, The Mighty Nein hits the ground running, delivering a darker, more mature story right from the get-go.

That story begins with a heist: A strike team of formidable wizards from the Dwendalian Empire steals the powerful Luxon Beacon from the Kryn Dynasty. The sequence plays out almost wordlessly, punctuated by beats of lethal magic and hand-to-hand combat. It's a gripping reintroduction to the world of Exandria, one that sets the stage for a devastating war between nations. It's also a darkly funny choice for The Mighty Nein's starting point, because while the Dwendalian wizards and Kryn soldiers are elite, highly organized forces, our titular heroes are... not.

SEE ALSO: 'The Mighty Nein' trailer: Critical Role's new show teases magic battles and tons of trauma

By the time The Mighty Nein begins, the actual Mighty Nein crew is far from being assembled. Each of the team's members (and despite what the name suggests, there are only six of them) is scattered to the winds, dealing with their own woes. And trust me, The Mighty Nein does not skimp on the traumatic backstories. Dirt-covered wizard Caleb Widogast (voiced by Liam O'Brien) scrounges for magical components while running from his past. Goblin thief Nott the Brave (voiced by Sam Riegel) drowns her sorrows at every waking moment. Cobalt Soul monk Beauregard Lionett (voiced by Marisha Ray) faces derisions from her superiors, who dismiss her detective work based on her hotheadedness.

Don’t miss out on our latest stories: Add Mashable as a trusted news source in Google.

Elsewhere, shipwrecked sailor Fjord Stone (voiced by Travis Willingham) awakens with magical powers he didn't ask for and doesn't know how to use, while prankster Jester Lavorre (voiced by Laura Bailey) can't get her patron god (and best friend) to answer her call. Rounding out the group is Mollymauk Tealeaf (voiced by Taliesin Jaffe), a circus ringmaster oozing with charisma, yet plagued with worries about his circus going under (and some unsettling memories).

In short, these six have nothing in common. However, the brewing conflict over the Luxon Beacon will bring these outcasts together in unexpected ways and offer them the chance to prove that maybe, just maybe they can make a difference for the better. Based on the skills shown by both the Dwendalian and Kryn forces in the opening, though, they have their work cut out for them.

The Mighty Nein builds a formidable team. Credit: Prime Video

The Mighty Nein takes no shortcuts when it comes to bringing its team together. There are arguments and in-fighting aplenty in the series, each a perfect showcase of the distinct personalities the show is working with. Yet from these arguments emerge strong bonds of camaraderie, made all the sweeter by the conflict it took to get there.

The Mighty Nein manages to preserve all of the wonderful relationships players crafted at the table during Campaign 2: Nott and Caleb's protection of one another, Jester and Fjord's playful friendship, Beau and Caleb's growing respect and trust, Mollymauk's ability to bring everyone together... I could go on, as the webs The Mighty Nein weaves between its characters are as rich and varied as the characters themselves.

The complexities of these characters and their relationships come through, not just in dialogue but also in The Mighty Nein's jaw-dropping action sequences. The Legend of Vox Machina already set the bar high on how to translate Critical Role's battles into animation, but The Mighty Nein more than meets that bar, even surpassing it when it comes to magic usage.

That's because each magic user in The Mighty Nein has their own unique way of casting. Caleb uses material components to create destructive spells, Jester summons sparkling herds of mini unicorns and candy, Mollymauk wields blood magic that even he seems surprised he has access to, and Fjord sends out watery blasts without quite knowing how. In the case of all four, but especially the latter two, watching them fight means watching them discover enchanting new abilities on the fly. You're seeing heroes grow into themselves in real time — and in spectacular fashion, thanks to dazzling animation from Titmouse.

This sense of discovery turns The Mighty Nein into an unforgettable story of becoming something greater than you ever thought you could be, and of finding belonging you never thought you would. It's the found family trope done to a tee, and honestly, when I dreamed of an animated series based on the Campaign 2 intro all those years ago, never did I expect it to hit as hard as this.

The first three episodes of The Mighty Nein premiere Nov. 19 on Prime Video, with a new episode every Wednesday.

We, as a society, have discovered that perhaps the world isn't ready for a ChatGPT-powered children's toy. Or, rather, ChatGPT isn't ready to safely interact with kids.

Toymaker FoloToy announced it would pull its AI-powered teddy bear called Kumma, which was built on OpenAI's GPT-4o model. The news follows reports of serious safety concerns, including the bear talking about sexual subjects, knives, or lighting matches.

"FoloToy has decided to temporarily suspend sales of the affected product and begin a comprehensive internal safety audit," FoloToy Marketing Director Hugo Wu told The Register in a statement. "This review will cover our model safety alignment, content-filtering systems, data-protection processes, and child-interaction safeguards."

The news follows a report from a consumer watchdog organization called the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) that revealed serious concerns about the toy. The teddy bear reportedly gave detailed instructions for lighting a match, talked about sexual kinks like bondage, and gave tips for "being a good kisser." It even asked if the user would like to explore said kinks.

We've seen time and again that guardrails for AI tools can fail when it comes to young people. It seems like it's a good idea to no longer sell an AI-powered teddy bear so long as that's the case.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

We, as a society, have discovered that perhaps the world isn't ready for a ChatGPT-powered children's toy. Or, rather, ChatGPT isn't ready to safely interact with kids.

Toymaker FoloToy announced it would pull its AI-powered teddy bear called Kumma, which was built on OpenAI's GPT-4o model. The news follows reports of serious safety concerns, including the bear talking about sexual subjects, knives, or lighting matches.

"FoloToy has decided to temporarily suspend sales of the affected product and begin a comprehensive internal safety audit," FoloToy Marketing Director Hugo Wu told The Register in a statement. "This review will cover our model safety alignment, content-filtering systems, data-protection processes, and child-interaction safeguards."

The news follows a report from a consumer watchdog organization called the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) that revealed serious concerns about the toy. The teddy bear reportedly gave detailed instructions for lighting a match, talked about sexual kinks like bondage, and gave tips for "being a good kisser." It even asked if the user would like to explore said kinks.

We've seen time and again that guardrails for AI tools can fail when it comes to young people. It seems like it's a good idea to no longer sell an AI-powered teddy bear so long as that's the case.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

Uh oh, there's a new trend on TikTok, and this one's sad.

The white rabbit TikTok trend is all about your life turning upside down. Think: footage of a ballet dancer followed by them experiencing a horrible accident, or footage of a wedding followed by footage of a divorce, or footage of my cat following a laser pointer across the wall followed by footage of a dead battery.

The videos are usually set to the tune of a clock ticking and some soft piano coming in later. Nearly 180,000 videos have been made using the audio, some with text over the first clip that says, "the day before the rabbit got me," or "48 hours before that stupid rabbit got me," or simply, "that damn white rabbit." Sometimes it's followed by the aftermath; often, it isn't.

It's a reference to the white rabbit in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, whose trickery and general vibe turn everything upside down.

Uh oh, there's a new trend on TikTok, and this one's sad.

The white rabbit TikTok trend is all about your life turning upside down. Think: footage of a ballet dancer followed by them experiencing a horrible accident, or footage of a wedding followed by footage of a divorce, or footage of my cat following a laser pointer across the wall followed by footage of a dead battery.

The videos are usually set to the tune of a clock ticking and some soft piano coming in later. Nearly 180,000 videos have been made using the audio, some with text over the first clip that says, "the day before the rabbit got me," or "48 hours before that stupid rabbit got me," or simply, "that damn white rabbit." Sometimes it's followed by the aftermath; often, it isn't.

It's a reference to the white rabbit in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, whose trickery and general vibe turn everything upside down.

SAVE 35%: As of Nov. 17, the Hisense 100-inch Class QD6 Series QLED 4K Smart Fire TV is on sale for $1,299.99 at Amazon, down from its list price of $1,999.99. That's a 35% discount and $700 in savings.

Hisense 100-inch Class QD6 Series QLED 4K Smart Fire TV $1,299.99 at Amazon
$1,999.99 Save $700   Get Deal at Amazon

Remember when a 100-inch TV was something you'd only see in a millionaire's home theater on MTV Cribs? (Definitely dating myself here, but some of you have to remember this, right?) They were hard to come by and basically cost the same as a used Honda Civic. The fact that you can now get a 100-inch QLED TV for under $1,300 is genuinely wild.

As of Nov. 17, the Hisense 100-inch Class QD6 Series QLED 4K Smart Fire TV is on sale for $1,299.99 at Amazon. That's $700 off its $1,999.99 list price. According to our trusty price tracker, CamelCamelCamel, this is the lowest price it's ever seen. Just last week, it was getting attention for dropping to $1,498, and this new "Limited time deal" beats that by another $200.

SEE ALSO: Amazon Black Friday ad: The best early deals you can buy online

This TV features a QLED panel with Quantum Dot color for over a billion shades, a native 144Hz refresh rate, and AMD FreeSync Premium. For gamers, that means super smooth, lag-free gameplay, which is a high-end feature for this price.

It's also a Fire TV, so the smart interface is built in, and it comes with an Alexa voice remote. It supports both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, too. The main "catch" here isn't a feature; it's the logistics. This is a 100-inch TV. You're going to need help getting it inside, so definitely check the dimensions (and maybe select Amazon's "Room of Choice Delivery").

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 4 msgs/mo. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

SAVE 35%: As of Nov. 17, the Hisense 100-inch Class QD6 Series QLED 4K Smart Fire TV is on sale for $1,299.99 at Amazon, down from its list price of $1,999.99. That's a 35% discount and $700 in savings.

Hisense 100-inch Class QD6 Series QLED 4K Smart Fire TV $1,299.99 at Amazon
$1,999.99 Save $700   Get Deal at Amazon

Remember when a 100-inch TV was something you'd only see in a millionaire's home theater on MTV Cribs? (Definitely dating myself here, but some of you have to remember this, right?) They were hard to come by and basically cost the same as a used Honda Civic. The fact that you can now get a 100-inch QLED TV for under $1,300 is genuinely wild.

As of Nov. 17, the Hisense 100-inch Class QD6 Series QLED 4K Smart Fire TV is on sale for $1,299.99 at Amazon. That's $700 off its $1,999.99 list price. According to our trusty price tracker, CamelCamelCamel, this is the lowest price it's ever seen. Just last week, it was getting attention for dropping to $1,498, and this new "Limited time deal" beats that by another $200.

SEE ALSO: Amazon Black Friday ad: The best early deals you can buy online

This TV features a QLED panel with Quantum Dot color for over a billion shades, a native 144Hz refresh rate, and AMD FreeSync Premium. For gamers, that means super smooth, lag-free gameplay, which is a high-end feature for this price.

It's also a Fire TV, so the smart interface is built in, and it comes with an Alexa voice remote. It supports both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, too. The main "catch" here isn't a feature; it's the logistics. This is a 100-inch TV. You're going to need help getting it inside, so definitely check the dimensions (and maybe select Amazon's "Room of Choice Delivery").

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 4 msgs/mo. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

Karen Oren, a cofounder of the wedding stationery brand The Ceremony Club, uses ChatGPT for every part of her wedding.

"I get advice from ChatGPT sometimes," said Oren, who's getting married next year. While she has a human wedding planner, she still utilizes the LLM — especially after work hours. "Those late-night conversations at 10 p.m., scrolling through Instagram, getting inspiration, I use ChatGPT with [that] inspiration," she told Mashable. An example is inputting wedding dresses she likes and her budget, and asking ChatGPT to find boutiques near her.

SEE ALSO: Couples are using ChatGPT to fight now

"I make it work hard for me," she joked.

Oren isn't alone. Since ChatGPT launched, people have utilized it in their relationships — to write flirty messages, to win fights, and now to plan their nuptials. Across Reddit and Instagram, couples are sharing how they're using ChatGPT and other AI tools for wedding planning. 

From wedding advice to graphics

"There are so many different blogs and Reddit threads and websites that you can go through for advice, and it's kind of nice to have a streamlined version of what you're looking for with links to different pages to kind of like get exactly what you need," said Alessandra, a bride who got married last month. (She requested to be referred to by her first name only.)

In addition to ChatGPT, Alessandra told Mashable she used Gemini search and the image generator Midjourney while planning her wedding. She used a combination of the latter and Canva to make her cocktail menus. She got specific about how she wanted the specialty drinks to look (three espresso beans on an espresso martini, and a Tajín rim on a margarita) and a hand-drawn style. Since she has a paid Midjourney subscription through her job, she figured she'd use the tools she had as opposed to paying someone on Etsy or trying to make it totally herself.

Rachel, the person behind the hand-drawn stationery Etsy business PipiPrintables, told Mashable that while AI is great for many things, she doesn't believe it can replicate artistic talent. 

"It can try to mimic, but it doesn’t have the same authentic look and feel," she said. Understandably, though, cost is a major factor, and some people are willing to forgo the aesthetics of real hand-drawn art. "I think, like most things, there is a place and market for both."

Illustrator and graphic designer Sasa Khalisa echoed the sentiment. AI can help couples who are tight on budget and time, she said. For couples who pay more attention to their wedding aesthetics, she believes they'd steer away from AI images "as it tends to generate generic or flawed images" — known colloquially as "AI slop." 

[AI] can try to mimic, but it doesn’t have the same authentic look and feel - Etsy business PipiPrintables

Khalisa has seen changes in her business since the onset of AI, including the rise of ready-made templates. She's diversified her business in response by selling digital graphic assets on top of custom-made invitations and portraits to adapt to the changes. 

Physical memories in the AI age

Like basically every other industry out there, AI has also impacted other vendors in the wedding industry.

Wedding photographer and planner Lynea D'Aprix told Mashable she believes competition within the industry will get tougher because of AI, but also believes the results will be "better businesses doing a better job supporting couples."

AI can help reduce busywork and save money, D'Aprix continued, but she noted there are large caveats — including formulaic content.

"AI is helpful, but it is still quite outdated when it comes to wedding information, especially, and it is generic," she said. "If couples opt for using AI, I encourage them to double-check their work with a professional. At the end of the day, AI is just a tool."

She believes couples are equally divided in their feelings about using AI. Some are excited, others are concerned about the impacts. "I've noticed the couples that are open to it are already utilizing it for their jobs," she said, "so it's natural to them to use it for their personal life as well."

Featured Video For You New Controls Let Parents Monitor Teen ChatGPT Use, Actors' Union Blasts AI Actress, Digital Safety for Halloween | Tech Today

That's the case with both Alessandra and Oren. Oren and her sister Leore, the other cofounder of The Ceremony Club, also use ChatGPT in their business. Leore called it their third and fourth employee. "We have a lot of work on our plate all the time, so it just helps get things moving," she told Mashable. "We are a small team, so it does really help us." They said they use it for tasks such as resourcing, development, and photo editing.

The Ceremony Club sells physical memorabilia, such as photo albums and keepsake boxes. And while the sisters use ChatGPT in their business and personal lives, they also acknowledge the pull young adults have away from technology.

"We actually notice that people are kind of sick of their phones and sick of technology," Karen said. "So it's nice to have an option that you're not looking at a screen."

"I think that a big inspiration for [wedding photo albums] was kind of bringing back a nostalgic thing that we all had in our homes, which was our parents' photo albums," Leore said. "So I feel like there are certain things that new technology can't really compete with."

The best early Black Friday deals on big-screen TVs: Best TCL Deal TCL 85-Inch Class Q6 4K UHD HDR QLED TV $848 (save $1,151.99) Get Deal Best Samsung Deal Samsung 85-inch QN90F Neo Mini LED QLED 4K TV $2,299.99 (save $2,200) Get Deal Best Hisense Deal Hisense 100-inch QD6 QLED 4K TV $1,299.99 (save $700) Get Deal

Black Friday goes hand in hand with TV deals. Sure, you expect heavy discounts on things like Apple products, robot vacuums, and all those other items you've had on your wishlist for months, but TV deals are usually the stars of the show. And let's be real: When you look at the many price drops over Black Friday, it's the biggest screens with the heaviest discounts that really make their mark.

What can we say? We're a sucker for a massive screen.

SEE ALSO: The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is down to its lowest-ever price — save $25 ahead of Black Friday

So with this in mind, we've gone ahead and checked out all the TV deals on offer right now and picked out the best deals on the biggest screens. Forget those super cheap TVs that you stick in the spare room and never actually use. We're seeking out deals on the absolutely massive TVs that bring the whole family together.

Best early Black Friday TCL TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 85-Inch Class Q6 4K UHD HDR QLED TV $848 at Walmart
$1,999.99 Save $1,151.99   Get Deal Why we like it

An 85-inch screen is more than enough for most people (and probably too much for some), but this is not just a big screen. It has a 144 Hz Variable Refresh Rate, making the TCL Q6 a strong choice for watching sports, streaming new shows, and of course, gaming. The Dolby Atmos Audio and DTS Virtual:X also provide advanced spatial audio processing for a deeper level of immersion. That's good enough for us, especially at under $900.

Best early Black Friday Samsung TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 85-inch QN90F Neo Mini LED QLED 4K TV $2,299.99 at Best Buy
$4,499.99 Save $2,200   Get Deal Why we like it

This 85-inch beast uses Samsung's most advanced 4K processor for enhanced picture, sound, and "breakthrough TV experiences," whatever that means. Samsung promises that users will get detailed picture and vivid color on a glare free screen for viewing without distraction. To us, that says this massive TV is absolutely perfect for movie night or the big game at the weekend. And with a discount of over $2,000 on list price? You know it makes sense.

Best early Black Friday Hisense TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 100-inch QD6 QLED 4K TV $1,299.99 at Amazon
$1,999.99 Save $700   Get Deal Why we like it

Hisense regularly delivers some of the best deals around Prime Day and Black Friday, and they've started so strongly this year with a number of record-low prices. The Hisense 100-inch QD6 QLED 4K TV has been steadily falling in price over the last week or so, and now it's at its all-time low price of $1,299.99. So if you were waiting to pounce, your patience has been rewarded. Getting a 100-inch TV of this quality for under $1,300 is honestly amazing.

More early Black Friday deals on big-screen TVs

• Insignia 75-inch F50 Series 4K TV — $379.99 $529.99 (save $220)

• Amazon 75-inch Omni 4K Fire TV — $569.99 $839.99 (save $270)

• Samsung 75-inch Q6F QLED 4K TV — $599.99 $899.99 (save $300)

• Hisense 75-inch QD7 Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $617.99 $799.99 (save $182)

• TCL 75-inch QM6K Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $698 $999.99 (save $301.99)

• Amazon 75-inch Omni Mini LED QLED 4K Fire TV — $1,289.99 $1,499.99 (save $210)

• Samsung 75-inch QN90F Neo Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $1,799.99 $2,999.99 (save $1,200)

• LG 77-inch B5 Series OLED 4K TV — $1,499.99 $2,999.99 (save $1,500)

• Samsung 77-inch S90F OLED 4K TV — $1,999.99 $3,499.99 (save $1,500)

• Samsung 85-inch Q6F QLED 4K TV — $1,028.38 $1,297.99 (save $269.61)

• Hisense 85-Inch S7N Canvas QLED 4K TV — $1,947.99 $2,049.99 (save $102)

• Hisense 85-inch U8 Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $1,997.99 $3,499.99 (save $1,502)

• Samsung 85-inch QN90F Neo Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $2,299.99 $4,499.99 (save $2,200)

• TCL 98-inch Q55K Series QLED 4K TV — $999.99 $2,499.99 (save $1,500)

• Hisense 98-inch QD5 QLED 4K TV — $1,399.99 $2,299.99 (save $900)

• Hisense 100-inch QD6 QLED 4K TV — $1,497.99 $1,999.99 (save $502)

Josh O’Connor stands accused of an impossible crime in Rian Johnson's latest Knives Out film, with a new trailer out today.

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery sees dapper detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) on his toughest case yet, following The Glass Onion. In a small town in upstate New York, Monsignor Wicks (Josh Brolin) ends up dead, and it's a locked room mystery worthy of fictional case-crackers from Sherlock Holmes to Jonathan Creek.

The prime suspect? Newcomer priest Jud Duplenticy (O'Connor), who swears he didn't do it. Could it be him? Or one of the star-studded cast? Andrew Scott, Kerry Washington, Daryl McCormack, Glenn Close, Mila Kunis, Cailee Spaeny, Jeremy Renner, and Thomas Haden Church are also on the bill.

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery will open in select cinemas on Nov. 26, then debut on Netflix on Dec. 12.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you love the NBA.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for November 17, 2025 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Certainly

• Green: Banned

• Blue: Sports moves

• Purple: "Go Away!"

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: "You Bet"

• Green: Forbidden

• Blue: Basketball shots

• Purple: Starting with synonyms for "Scram!"

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 #890 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• "You Bet": ABSOLUTELY, OF COURSE, OKEY-DOKE, SURE THING

• Forbidden: OFF-LIMITS, PROSCRIBED, TABOO, VERBOTEN

• Basketball shots: ALLEY-OOP, FADEAWAY, FINGER ROLL, SLAM DUNK

• Starting with synonyms for "Scram!": GO-BETTER, LEAVENING, SCATTERGORIES, SHOO-IN

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for November 17, 2025

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

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

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

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're an animal lover.

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 17, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 17, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Paw patrol

The words are related to animals.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe skilled animals.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Working Dogs.

NYT Strands word list for November 17

• Guide

• Service

• Herding

• Working Dogs

• Rescue

• Guard

• Therapy

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've got a tight grip.

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 17, 2025 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for November 17, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

To fasten.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter C.

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...

CLAMP

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 17, 2025

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

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

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