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Mashable is a leading source for news, information & resources for the Connected Generation. Mashable reports on the importance of digital innovation and how it empowers and inspires people around the world. Mashable's 25 million monthly unique visitors and 10 million social media followers have become one of the most engaged online news communities. Founded in 2005, Mashable is headquartered in New York City with an office in San Francisco.
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Garmins best running watches are on sale for the holidays, starting at $149

Fri, 12/05/2025 - 20:40

GET UP TO $250 OFF: The Garmin Holiday Sale is live, with huge discounts up to $250 off watches, including the Forerunner 55 and the fēnix 8. Prices start at just $149.99 at Amazon, with Garmin and other retailers matching prices.

If you’re shopping for the runner in your life (or just for yourself), you need to check out Garmin’s holiday sale, available at both Amazon and the Garmin online store. The company's slashing prices by up to $250 on tons of models, from top-tier athlete's watches to basic beginner watches, and prices start at just $149.99.

SEE ALSO: Oura Ring vs. Whoop: A fight of the best fitness trackers

Our team recently put the best running watches on the market through 500+ miles of training for the New York City Marathon, and Garmin models consistently came out on top for dedicated runners. Most Garmin running watches use built-in GPS to track how far, how fast, and where you've run, while also monitoring your heart rate right from your wrist. You also get training tools like race time predictions, PacePro for strategy, and the ability to track other activities like cycling, depending on the model you buy. Plus, all models have a pretty impressive battery life — even the beginner Forerunner 55 lasts up to two weeks in smartwatch mode.

Check out the best deals we found on Garmin running watches and fitness trackers right now, with prices starting at $150 and discounts up to 29%.

Garmin Forerunner 55 $149.99 at Best Buy
$169.99 Save $20   Get Deal at Best Buy Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Walmart Garmin Forerunner 165 $199.99 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $50   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Walmart Get Deal at Best Buy Garmin vívoactive 6 $249.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $50   Get Deal at Amazon Garmin Forerunner 165 Music $249.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $50   Get Deal at Amazon Garmin fēnix 8 $849.99 at Amazon
$1,199.99 Save $350   Get Deal at Amazon
Categories: IT General, Technology

Netflix to buy Warner Bros.: 5 properties Netflix would own under deal

Fri, 12/05/2025 - 19:46

Netflix's $82.7 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. will grant the streamer ownership of Warner Bros.' film and TV studios, as well as HBO, HBO Max, and Warner Bros.' extensive film and TV catalogues.

SEE ALSO: Netflix is officially buying Warner Bros. What happens next?

The deal still needs to be approved by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), but if it goes through, Netflix will own Warner Bros.' biggest film and TV titles. That encompasses still-running shows like The Last of Us and The Pitt, completed series like The Sopranos and Friends, and movies ranging from Casablanca to Dune.

Because of the deal, Netflix will also own a number of major ongoing franchises. Here are five of the biggest, and what the acquisition could mean for their future.

1. Harry Potter

Not only will Netflix own all eight Harry Potter films and all three Fantastic Beasts films, it will also own HBO's upcoming Harry Potter TV series. Currently scheduled for a 2027 release, the series has been a controversial topic due to the continued involvement of author J.K. Rowling, who has a long (and continuing) history of transphobic rhetoric.

SEE ALSO: 7 magic school series to buy young readers that aren't 'Harry Potter' 2. DC

Thanks to Warner Bros. acquisition, Netflix will gain a massive superhero franchise of its own with DC. That includes animated DC series like Batman: The Animated Series, Harley Quinn, and Teen Titans; CW shows like Flash and Green Arrow; and past DC films like Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy, classic Batman and Superman titles, and the DC Extended Universe (DCEU).

SEE ALSO: 'Superman' ending explainer: What does this mean for potential sequels or spinoffs?

The biggest story here, though, is that of the currently running DC Universe, headed by James Gunn and Peter Safran. With shows like Peacemaker and the upcoming Lanterns, along with a future film slate that includes Supergirl and Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow, the DCU could help Netflix become an even more threatening competitor to Disney and Marvel Studios.

3. Game of Thrones

The Warner Bros. acquisition means Netflix will own Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon, the upcoming A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, along with any future Westeros-set spinoffs that may arise. As of now, series about Aegon's conquest of Westeros, Corlys Velaryon's past adventures, and warrior-queen Nymeria's founding of Dorne are all in the works, meaning Netflix could be atop streaming's Iron Throne for a while yet.

4. The Monsterverse

People love to watch big monsters fight other big monsters. Case in point: Warner Bros.' Monsterverse, which features titles like Godzilla vs. Kong and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. These movies basically print money, earning a total of over $2.5 billion worldwide. However, Netflix tends to forgo the kind of long theatrical releases that allow blockbusters to earn this much. While Netflix has said it will continue to release Warner Bros. films in theaters, will they adopt Warner Bros.' longer release window strategy or impose their own shorter one?

SEE ALSO: What does Netflix's purchase of Warner Bros. mean for theatrical releases? 5. Looney Tunes

Netflix will own all of Cartoon Network and Adult Swim upon acquiring Warner Bros., including titles like Tom and Jerry, Scooby Doo, Rick and Morty, and Looney Tunes. The latter is particularly interesting, as it's been the punching bag of Warner Bros. Discovery for the past few years. In 2023, Warner Bros. Discovery scrapped the completed Looney Tunes film Coyote vs. Acme in favor of a tax cut. Warner Bros. Discovery also chose to sell the distribution rights for The Day The Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie to Ketchup Entertainment, which gave the film a limited theatrical release. Then, in 2025, Warner Bros. Discovery removed the classic Looney Tunes shorts library from HBO Max entirely. Since then, Looney Tunes has found new success on the streaming service Tubi.

SEE ALSO: 'Looney Tunes' finds new success on Tubi after being booted from HBO Max

Could Netflix prove a better shepherd to the Looney Tunes titles it will gain access to? Or will the streamer continue Warner Bros. Discovery's precedent of offloading one of its most iconic franchises?

Categories: IT General, Technology

New Android malware threat can wipe your bank account

Fri, 12/05/2025 - 19:41

Android users, be careful about where your apps come from.

That's because there's a new and very sinister-sounding kind of malware going around on Google's mobile OS, according to the fraud prevention experts at Cleafy (per Android Authority). Called Albiriox, the malware has been known to infect users' devices, giving bad-faith actors full remote control over the device, at which point they drain the device owner's bank accounts without even needing a password.

SEE ALSO: Android 16 QPR2 arrives: 3 new features to check out

Cleafy goes into the nitty-gritty technical details on how this all works, but a basic summary is that the malware is being hidden in fake (but real-looking) Google Play Store download pages for financial apps on external sites. If you hit the download button on one of these pages, which, again, are not actually in the Play Store proper, you may be letting the malware onto your device. From there, it covertly enables the "install unknown apps" permission in the device settings, at which point the really bad stuff gets installed on your device.

From there, the bad actors can fully, remotely control your device without you noticing, performing actions like swipes and clicks from wherever they are. At that point, the hard part is over, and they can get to draining your bank account. It sounds like the best way to avoid this is to simply not download any weird financial apps from places that aren't the Play Store. If you stick to downloading apps straight from the Play Store app, you should be fine.

That said, even apps on the official Apple App Store and Google Play Store can contain malware, as we've reported previously. Last month, we reported on six malicious Android apps that were recording user data, including WhatsApp messages, phone calls, and even background audio.

Categories: IT General, Technology

We found the only PS5 console bundles still at Black Friday prices

Fri, 12/05/2025 - 18:36

SAVE UP TO $100.99: As of Dec. 5, save $100 on these PlayStation 5 console bundles, still available at their Black Friday prices. Get the PlayStation 5 Console 825GB - Fortnite Flowering Chaos Bundle for $100.99 off at Best Buy and Walmart and get the PlayStation 5 Console 1TB - Ghost of Yotei Gold Limited Edition Bundle for $100 off at GameStop.

Opens in a new window Credit: Best Buy PlayStation 5 Console 825GB - Fortnite Flowering Chaos Bundle $399 at Best Buy
$499.99 Save $100.99   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Walmart PlayStation 5 Console 825GB - Fortnite Flowering Chaos Bundle $399 at Walmart
$499.99 Save $100.99   Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: GameStop PlayStation 5 Console 1TB - Ghost of Yotei Gold Limited Edition Bundle $499.99 at GameStop
$599.99 Save $100   Get Deal

Whether you're still shopping for the perfect holiday gift or you need some inspiration, a gaming console is always a good idea. The PS5 is a great pick, especially if you're buying for yourself. Good news: Even though the holiday savings events have started to trickle down a bit, there are still PS5 console bundles that you can snag for their Black Friday prices. This may very well be your last chance to snag one, so get one while you can.

As of Dec. 5, you can get the PlayStation 5 Console 825GB - Fortnite Flowering Chaos Bundle for $399, down from its usual price of $499.99 at both Best Buy and Walmart. You can also go for the PlayStation 5 Console 1TB - Ghost of Yotei Gold Limited Edition Bundle, which is $499.99 at GameStop, down from its usual price of $599.99.

SEE ALSO: Expert-picked Cyber Monday deals: This is your last chance to save on AirPods, Kindles, Legos, and PS5 consoles

The Fortnite-focused bundle comes with the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition with 825GB of storage, a controller, and a digital copy of Fortnite. It also offers 8 exclusive Fortnite items and 1,000 V-Bucks to spend in-game.

The Ghost of Yotei-centric bundle includes a special gold PlayStation 5 Slim Console with 1TB of storage and a themed design, a controller, and a digital voucher for Ghost of Yotei with full preorder content included.

This is the cheapest you'll find either bundle for the time being, so if you're ready to lock in your holiday gifts for the gamers on your list, you really can't go wrong with either, especially as Ghost of Yotei is still a very new title. Give the gift of gaming and everyone will be happy this year, as will you with more cash left in your coffers than usual.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Grindr supports Republican-backed age-verification bill

Fri, 12/05/2025 - 17:48

On Tuesday, Grindr's head of global government affairs, Joe Hack, posted on its blog that the app supports the Republican-backed App Store Accountability Act.

The act is one of a slew of online safety bills U.S. lawmakers considered this week, as reported by WIRED, including the controversial Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), which critics claim would chill free speech by censoring online LGBTQ content.

SEE ALSO: I tried Sniffies and it made getting laid as a gay man almost too easy

The App Store Accountability Act would require age verification at the App Store level. App Store providers (like Apple and Google) would have to verify an individual's "age category" using personal data (such as an email address or Social Security number). Should a user be a minor, they'd have to obtain parental consent before downloading an app or making an in-app purchase.

The act was introduced back in May in the House by Michigan Rep. John James, and in the Senate by Utah Sen. Mike Lee, both Republicans. This year, Lee also reintroduced the Interstate Oscenity Definition Act, which would seek to redefine what falls under "obscene" material (which isn't protected by the First Amendment). Experts told Mashable the bill would basically ban porn.

But in terms of the App Store Accountability Act, Grindr's Hack wrote, "We support Rep. John James's App Store Accountability Act because it strengthens" the work the app does to keep minors off, including age gating, device-level bans, human moderation, AI tools, and partnerships with child safety organizations.

"The bill creates a single, secure age-verification process at the app-store level and allows developers to receive a verified age signal. This approach, supported by nearly 90% of parents, is safer and more consistent than requiring users to verify their age separately across many apps," Hack continued.

"By contrast, the UK and EU are moving toward fragmented rules that force adults to share sensitive personal information with thousands of apps, creating unnecessary privacy and safety risks," Hack wrote. This references the UK's Online Safety Act, which requires visitors of sites with material that's "restricted to adults" to submit personal information such as ID or a facial scan.

Recently, free speech experts and child safety experts told Mashable that device-level filtering is the preferred method of age verification, as it doesn't require these data checks every time someone wants to go on certain websites. An example is California's AB 1043, which requires operating systems to request an age or birthday during setup, and then creates a signal of a user's age bracket to send to apps (but not websites). AB 1043 takes effect in 2027.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Snag a Google Pixel 10 for its lowest price yet

Fri, 12/05/2025 - 17:41

SAVE $200: As of Dec. 5, get the Google Pixel 10 (Unlocked, 256GB) for $699 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $899. That's a discount of 22% and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Google Pixel 10 (Unlocked, 256GB) $699 at Amazon
$899 Save $200   Get Deal

The new year is almost upon us, and that means it's time to start making good on all the resolutions you have planned. If that includes getting a new smartphone, we've got one that can help you kick off the year on a great foot with some awesome new tech that you'll actually want to pick up.

As of Dec. 5, get the Google Pixel 10 (Unlocked, 256GB) for $699 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $899. That's $200 off and a discount of 22%. It's also the lowest price we've seen.

SEE ALSO: New Google Pixel feature could let your employer see your messages

The Pixel 10 isn't even six months old, and it's getting this significant discount. It's a great phone for beginners and power users alike, with a Tensor G5 chip that can power plenty of AI features, the same as the Pro, for less money. It isn't as robust as the Pro, but it's still got everything else going for it as an upgrade from the Pixel 9.

That includes a third rear telephoto camera lens, a better processor, and improved battery. It also boasts a gorgeous 6.2-inch display with plenty of ways to edit your photos and a range of other fun options that make it a good candidate for your new daily driver phone.

All this, and you get a still-new phone for $200 off, which is the lowest price you're likely to see this phone for in the coming months. Best to get it while it's hot if you're thinking about switching.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Every way to watch the World Cup draw live online for free

Fri, 12/05/2025 - 17:21

The 2026 World Cup is just around the corner and today, Dec. 5, is a big day on the road to the biggest event in sports.

At 12 p.m. ET, live from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington , D.C., the 2026 World Cup draw will take place. And, if you're wondering how you can watch the World Cup Draw live, the event will be broadcast live.

How to watch the 2026 World Cup Draw

Fox holds the broadcast rights to the event in the U.S. and will start its pre-show at 11:30 a.m. ET, 30 minutes before the draw begins.

You can get live updates on the draw at FIFA.com, or tune into the broadcast online via Fox One. (If you're a Prime member, you can add Fox One to your Prime Video account for free with a 7-day trial.)

If you're not in the United States, you can check out the global list of official broadcasters at the FIFA website. You can also check the FIFA YouTube channel to see if it's streaming live in your region.

How to watch the 2026 World Cup Draw online

If you don't have access to Fox, either because you don't have cable or a digital TV antenna, then you'll need a live TV service to tune in to all the World Cup action. So, if you want to watch the World Cup draw live and follow World Cup coverage, you'll need to plan ahead. Some of Mashable's favorite cable TV alternatives include:

How to watch the World Cup Draw live: Best Free Option Fox One Prime Video Add-On Free trial (7-day free trial (then $19.99/month)) Get Deal Best for Sports Streaming Fubo Free trial (1-month free trial ($48.99/month)) Get Deal Best Cable TV alternative Sling TV Plans start at $4.99/month Get Deal What is the 2026 World Cup draw?

The 2026 World Cup draw will basically place each national team into twelve groups of four. These teams play each other in the opening group stage to see who advances to the next rounds of the World Cup so being placed in a particular group can be an important factor in how far a team gets.

This is the very first World Cup draw for the newly expanded World Cup, which now features 48 teams instead of 32. Of the 48 teams, 42 countries have already clinched their spot in the World Cup with the remaining spots to be determined next year. Each team has been placed in one of four pots for the World Cup draw. One team from each pot will be placed in one of the 12 groups at the draw.

Host countries USA, Canada, and Mexico have all been placed in the same pot with favorites such as Argentina and Brazil, which basically ensures the host countries' teams don't have to play some of the better teams early on in the tournament.

And even if you aren't a soccer fan, the 2026 World Cup draw is going to have plenty of guests to pique your interest. Kevin Hart, Danny Ramirez, and Heidi Klum are co-hosting the event. Sports legends like Tom Brady, Shaquille O'Neal, Wayne Gretzky, and Aaron Judge will all be on hand to assist in the draw. Plus, there will be performances from artists such as The Village People, Robbie Williams, and Andrea Bocelli. 

If you're wondering about the music choices, noted YMCA fan President Donald Trump's attendance at the event should explain a lot. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has gone to great lengths to appease Trump as the U.S. hosts its first World Cup since 1994. FIFA is expected to award Trump with the FIFA Peace Prize at the event. (It's not the Nobel Peace Prize he's been campaigning for, but it's something.)

In addition, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and President of Mexico Claudia Sheinbaum, both of whom Trump has been feuding with over trade and tariffs, will be in attendance, so things could get interesting.

The 2026 World Cup kicks off on June 11 in Mexico City with the final game being held on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in the New York / New Jersey metro area.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Get a PlayStation VR2 bundle for only $299

Fri, 12/05/2025 - 17:04

SAVE 25%: As of Dec. 5, you can get the PlayStation VR2 Horizon Call of the Mountain bundle for $299.99, down from $399.99. That's a 25% discount and a $100 savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: PlayStation PlayStation VR2 'Horizon Call of the Mountain' bundle $299.99 at Best Buy
$399.99 Save $100   Get Deal

If you've been waiting to buy a PlayStation VR2, now's your chance to get a bundle deal for just $299.99.

As of Dec. 5, you can get the PlayStation VR2 Horizon Call of the Mountain bundle for $299.99, down from $399.99. That's a 25% discount and a $100 savings. But, you'd better hurry, Best Buy is listing this as a "3-Day Deal," so time's running out.

SEE ALSO: The 3 best gaming laptops with Nvidia GPUs in 2025, so far

This headset is the next generation of VR. It features 4K HDR visuals, 110-degree field of view, and advanced VR2 Sense technology (which includes eye tracking, headset feedback, and 3D audio). The best part? It's the complete bundle, so you get the headset, the Sense controllers, and Horizon Call of the Mountain to jump straight into conquering those "colossal peaks." This is the lowest we've seen this bundle, so don't miss the deadline.

Categories: IT General, Technology

What does Netflixs purchase of Warner Bros. mean for theatrical releases?

Fri, 12/05/2025 - 16:56

On Friday, Netflix announced it would be buying Warner Bros. for a whopping $82.7 billion.

The deal, which still needs to be approved by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), would see Netflix acquiring Warner Bros. and its film and TV studios, along with HBO and HBO Max. Netflix will now also own the Warner Bros. catalogue, including major film franchises like DC and the Monsterverse. How will the theatrical releases of upcoming Warner Bros. film look now that they're owned by a streaming service? Here's what we know.

SEE ALSO: Netflix is officially buying Warner Bros. What happens next? The good news: Theatrical releases of Warner Bros. films aren't going anywhere yet.

Don't worry, the next Dune film won't be zapped straight to streaming. According to the SEC filing and a statement from Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery, "Netflix expects to maintain Warner Bros.' current operations and build on its strengths, including theatrical releases for films."

According to Variety, Warner Bros. currently has contracts in place to release films in movie theaters through 2029. Bloomberg also reported that continued theatrical releases were a major part of Netflix's bid to acquire Warner Bros., so the streamer appears committed to keeping Warner Bros. films in cinemas.

SEE ALSO: How much does Netflix cost per month? The bad news: Those Warner Bros. theatrical releases could look shorter.

However, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos has made comments that could point to shorter theatrical runs for Warner Bros. films, not unlike Netflix's limited releases of its own films.

"It’s not like we have this opposition to movies in theaters," Sarandos said in a Friday conference call with press and investors, Variety reported. "My pushback has been mostly in the fact of the long exclusive windows, which we don’t really think are that consumer friendly, but when we talk about keeping HBO operating, largely as it is, that also includes their output movie deal with Warner Bros., which includes a life cycle that starts in the movie theater, which we’re going to continue to support.”

He continued, saying, "I think, over time, the windows will evolve to be much more consumer friendly, to be able to meet the audience where they are quicker."

On Dec. 4, Variety reported that a group of anonymous Hollywood A-listers are lobbying Congress about the acquisition, with theatrical releases being a top concern. Sources told Variety that Netflix's proposal for the acquisition included theatrical windows as short as two weeks prior to a streaming release. Another source denied this shorter timeline, saying release periods would actually be longer.

Netflix's current theatrical release plan for its own films involves shorter release periods in limited theaters. You won't find films like Frankenstein or Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery at big movie chains like AMC or Regal.

Netflix has moved into wider theatrical releases in 2025, with KPop Demon Hunters and the Stranger Things Season 5 finale both getting releases in AMC and Regal theaters. However, those runs are limited to two to three days, with Netflix continuing to prioritize streaming exclusivity.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Get your game on with the Razer Kraken Kitty V3 X headset for just $35 at Woot

Fri, 12/05/2025 - 16:37

SAVE $25: As of Dec. 5, get the Razer Kraken Kitty V3 X for $34.99 at Woot, down from its usual price of $59.99. That's a discount of 42%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Woot Razer Kraken Kitty V3 X $34.99 at Woot
$59.99 Save $25   Get Deal

If you're looking for a good way to interact with your teammates or co-op partners in the year's biggest games, you can't go wrong with an affordable headset. That goes double when the headset has kitty ears. Cyber Monday may have come and gone, but that doesn't mean you can't still save some serious cash on a great headset, especially if you like to walk on the cute side.

As of Dec. 5, get the Razer Kraken Kitty V3 X for $34.99 at Woot, down from its usual price of $59.99. That's $25 off and a discount of 42%.

SEE ALSO: Razer's new cat-ear gaming headset is sleeker, better connected, and $20 cheaper

This lightweight gaming headset is compatible with PlayStation, Xbox, PC, Switch, and more. It's meant for long-term wear, with a comfortable headband that features fun kitty ears that'll look positively "purrfect" when you're playing your favorite game. But they go far beyond looking cute. They're also a great pick when it comes to gaming headsets.

They feature a hyperclear carotid mic with an improved pickup pattern from the previous Razer Kraken headset, with 40mm 3-part drivers for better audio as well: clearer highs, richer mids, and improved, deeper lows. They also support 7.1 surround sound and can connect across platforms.

This is a fantastic option for anyone who values great comms and audio in-game but wants a bit of flair in their gaming headset. It's super affordable, looks cute, and a fun twist on the typical "gaming" aesthetic. Get yours before Woot sells out of this absolutely adorable peripheral.

Categories: IT General, Technology

You can still buy Bose QuietComfort headphones for 49% off at Amazon

Fri, 12/05/2025 - 16:28

SAVE 49%: As of Dec. 5, you can get the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (with ANC) for just $179, down from $349, at Amazon. That's a 49% discount and a $170 price cut.

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (with ANC) $179 at Amazon
$349 Save $170   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Best Buy

You don't need to splurge on the flagship model to get great sound and legendary noise cancellation from Bose. Our editors at Mashable recently tested every pair of Bose headphones and earbuds, and we named the standard Bose QuietComfort Headphones our Runner-Up for Best Headphones. And right now, you can get 'em for nearly half the price.

SEE ALSO: Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones: How the first and second generations compare

As of Dec. 5, you can get the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (with ANC) for just $179, down from $349, at Amazon. That's a 49% discount and a $170 price cut. It's also the lowest price we've ever tracked for these headphones.

They feature active noise cancellation, which Mashable's shopping reporter Samantha Mangino says "was phenomenal," noting that she felt like she was in her "own world without the chaos of my fellow travelers interrupting" her peaceful ride. Plus, they’re seriously comfortable. The plush cushions are designed for long listening sessions, and they last up to 24 hours on a single charge.

While the Ultra version includes spatial audio, the standard QuietComfort delivers "full, rounded sound" that'll please most listeners, especially students who need reliable noise-blocking and a long-lasting battery. So, if you want great audio without paying a premium, this deal is the one to jump on.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Netflix is officially buying Warner Bros. What happens next?

Fri, 12/05/2025 - 15:16

It's official: Netflix is buying Warner Bros. in a sale worth a towering $82.7 billion.

Announced by Netflix on Friday, the two companies have reached a "definitive agreement" in which Netflix will acquire Warner Bros. and all its film and TV studios, including HBO and its streaming platform HBO Max. According to the SEC filing, the sale was "unanimously approved" by both Netflix and WBD's boards.

The sale's total equity value (what Netflix pays for WBD's shares) sits at $72 billion with an enterprise value (what Netflix pays for WBD plus debt) of $82.7 billion, with Netflix valuing WBD at $27.75 per share.

SEE ALSO: What does Netflix's purchase of Warner Bros. mean for theatrical releases?

Netflix landed the winning bid after WBD rejected three offers from Paramount Skydance, and a bid from Comcast to merge NBC Universal with Netflix. The landmark sale is expected to close after WBD's Global Networks division, Discovery Global (a separate company from WBD's Streaming and Studios, they were split in June 2025), becomes a new publicly-traded company in Q3 2026.

Next, Netflix and WBD need to have their filed agreement approved by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

"Our mission has always been to entertain the world," said Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos in a press statement. "Together, we can give audiences more of what they love and help define the next century of storytelling." Netflix co-CEO Greg Peters added that the acquisition "will improve our offering and accelerate our business for decades to come."

"Today’s announcement combines two of the greatest storytelling companies in the world to bring to even more people the entertainment they love to watch the most,” said WBD CEO and president David Zaslav in a statement.

What does this mean for your streaming services?

Essentially, the Netflix/WBD deal means the same streamer that owns mega hits Stranger Things and KPop Demon Hunters will also own HBO's library, including the Game of Thrones and Harry Potter universes, as well as DC Comics and Warner Bros. Games. That's a lot of IP. The deal is the biggest streaming move for Warner Bros. Discovery since it merged HBO Max with Discovery+ in 2023.

In its release, Netflix said it "expects to maintain Warner Bros.' current operations and build on its strengths, including theatrical releases for films." Mashable's Belen Edwards examined what Netflix's purchase of Warner Bros. mean for theatrical releases.

As for your personal streaming habits, the company described the titles of HBO and HBO Max as "a compelling, complementary offering" for Netflix customers, which sounds like we'll probably be seeing bundles or merged content libraries up ahead.

"By adding the deep film and TV libraries and HBO and HBO Max programming, Netflix members will have even more high-quality titles from which to choose," the company said. "This also allows Netflix to optimize its plans for consumers, enhancing viewing options and expanding access to content."

Netflix also mentions the acquisition would allow the company to expand studio production capacity and increase investment in original content.So until the SEC approves the deal, nothing will change in either of your streaming services. For now.

Categories: IT General, Technology

EU fines Elon Musks X $140 million for lack of transparency

Fri, 12/05/2025 - 14:18

The European Commission on Friday issued a landmark €120 million fine to Elon Musk-owned X for breaching transparency requirements of the Digital Services Act (DSA).

The fine, the equivalent of about $140 million and the first issued under the European Union's DSA, is linked to the "deceptive design of its ‘blue checkmark', the lack of transparency of its advertising repository, and the failure to provide access to public data for researchers," the EU release states.

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk's X rolls out feature that shows users' country of origin – then suddenly removes it

The "blue checkmark" is front-and-center in the ruling, stating that the once-free, now-paid checkmark deceives users and violates the DSA requirement to prohibit deceptive design practices. The blue checkmark now makes it difficult to verify authentic accounts and makes it easier for users to be scammed, according to the ruling.

"While the DSA does not mandate user verification, it clearly prohibits online platforms from falsely claiming that users have been verified, when no such verification took place," the ruling states.

The ruling also cites a lack of transparency within X's ad repository, stating that it has limited information about the content of advertisements and who is paying for them, which makes it difficult for researchers and the public to scrutinize.

X also failed to provide researchers access to public data as required by DSA.

The ruling follows a nearly two-year investigation launched in December 2023 to determine whether X violated DSA requirements related to the spread of illegal content and the effectiveness of its efforts to combat misinformation, the release states.

"Deceiving users with blue checkmarks, obscuring information on ads and shutting out researchers have no place online in the EU," said Henna Virkkunen, executive vice-president for European Commission for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy.

X now has 60 business days to bring forward plans to address its use of blue checkmarks, 90 days to address EU concerns regarding its ad repository and public data access to researchers or face further fines, according to the ruling.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Tesla launches cheaper Model 3 in Europe

Fri, 12/05/2025 - 14:07

Tesla's cheapest Model 3 is now available in Europe.

The company started offering a stripped-down version of the model across its European markets on Friday, notifying its users via an in-app message.

SEE ALSO: Tesla just dropped a free 40-day FSD trial to 1.5 million car owners

The Model 3 Standard is "our most affordable vehicle," Tesla wrote in the message. "(It) gives you all the best Tesla features with a lower cost of ownership over time."

The price of the Model 3 Standard varies by market. In Germany, it starts at €37,970, while in France and Italy, it's a bit cheaper at €36,990.

While that's roughly €8,000 cheaper than the next trim (which is now called Premium), you do lose quite a lot in terms of features.

We've covered the details for both the Standard trims of Model Y and Model 3 on Mashable. In short, compared to Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive Premium trim, you get lower range, slower acceleration, no additional display for passengers in the rear, no heated seats in the back, less fancy decorative elements, partially textile seats, and fewer colors on offer, among other reductions.

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Some good news: Unlike in the U.S., the Model 3 Standard keeps Basic Autopilot with Autosteer; and unlike the Model Y Standard, it keeps the Panoramic Glass Roof. There are other, subtle differences between trims in Europe compared to America. For example, in Europe both the Standard and the cheapest Premium trim have seven loudspeakers; in the U.S. the Premium variant gets two speakers more.

The new model comes amidst a painful slump in sales across most European markets for Tesla, likely because of CEO Elon Musk's politics, but also due to strong competition from China's BYD and other electric vehicle makers.

Another bit of good news that may entice users to choose Tesla, though, is the latest Consumer Reports' auto brand ranking, which puts Tesla in the 10th place for the first time, a big jump from the 18th place last year. On the other hand, Germany's TÜV association recently highlighted some of Tesla's models as the least reliable it ever tested.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Bobs Burgers creator Loren Bouchard credits early fans for the shows success

Fri, 12/05/2025 - 14:04

It's been nearly 15 years since Bob's Burgers launched on Fox with a pilot called "Human Flesh." Since then, the charmingly chaotic cartoon has blossomed into 16 seasons, hitting its 300th episode this year. For Bob's Burgers creator Loren Bouchard, the show's continued success — which included The Bob's Burgers Movie spinoff — has been a joy and a responsibility.

In a virtual interview with Mashable Entertainment Editor (and Bob's Burgers fan since its start), Kristy Puchko, Bouchard joined Say More to talk about the show's evolution and the fandom that spurred it on. In this clip, he reminisces about the show's start, when the numbers weren't great, but the love from fans could not be ignored.

"What Bob's was was...maybe a bubble show," Bouchard said, "It wasn't a disaster, but it wasn't a ratings smash. I liked those days. And I'll say why. I don't like it from the point of view of just the sheer fear, you know, you make so many decisions a day, working on a show like this. And you don't want to have the fear that if you make the wrong decision, everyone loses their job. That's an uncomfortable amount of stakes, I would say. But it does make you sharper. I think it adds a little adrenaline."

He continued, explaining how every detail feels crucial in that headspace: "It's that emergency room vibe, where it might be the stupidest thing — we're in the AVID editing suite, and we're moving a fart two frames to the left or to the right. But you know what, at that moment, where that fart goes is like, feels life-threatening and life-saving."

In the longer form interview, which you can watch on YouTube, Bouchard also spoke about what drives him now that the fear of being cancelled is gone. It's the fans, especially those who were there from the start. He doesn't want to let us down.

In the clip above, he shared, "I will say something about you early fans: That was amazing for us to know that we were just starting out, but that we could still pack the room at Comic Con. It meant a lot to us. It meant a lot to the network and the studio too. They were witness to, not necessarily these, you know, boffo ratings, but incredible love."

He went on, "When it became clear that we had passionate fans, even though we weren't a ratings hit, I saw the network in the studio basically say something along the lines of, 'Don't worry. We'll try and keep you on the air. We want this. This is what we want when the fans react like this.'

"So thank you," Bouchard said, speaking to the fans, "Thank you to you, early fans. You helped, you know, make it possible for us to be here now."

For more on Bob's Burgers, including Bouchard's thoughts on Bob as a bicon and the development of fan favorite Marshmallow, check out the full interview on YouTube.

Bob's Burgers is now streaming on Hulu.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Gemini 3 Deep Think rolls out to paid subscribers

Fri, 12/05/2025 - 12:06

After launching Gemini 3 in late November, Google is rolling out its latest Deep Think mode to AI Ultra subscribers.

Now available in the Gemini app for anyone shelling out $250 a month for the pro plan, Gemini 3 Deep Think is the supercharged mode of Google's latest large language model (LLM), designed to tackle more complex problems. According to the company, it "uses advanced parallel reasoning to explore multiple hypotheses simultaneously."

SEE ALSO: OpenAI in “code red” after losing 6% of its users in a week due to Gemini 3, report says

The latest update after Gemini 2.5, Gemini 3 Deep Think has a few bragging rights, as Google says it scored 41 percent on the extremely difficult LLM benchmark, Humanity’s Last Exam.

If you're paying for AI Ultra, you can try Gemini 3 Deep Think in the Gemini app by hitting the prompt bar and selecting the dropdown option.

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Demand is high for Google's AI tools of late, despite the company joining competitors like Anthropic and OpenAI in taking home an average AI safety report card this week. The rollout comes days after Google had to cap access to its next gen image generator, Nano Banana, temporarily dropping the number of free image prompts from three to two (this didn't affect Google AI Pro or AI Ultra plan subscribers). Google says its Gemini app is used by 650 million users every month, and with the arrival of Gemini 3, rival OpenAI reportedly lost 6 percent of its users in a week.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Jimmy Kimmel has a brutal analogy for Trumps healthcare plan

Fri, 12/05/2025 - 11:27

The deadline to extend Obamacare subsidies is approaching, with millions of Americans at risk of having their insurance premiums increase dramatically if no plan is agreed upon. And on Thursday night, Jimmy Kimmel took President Donald Trump to task on it.

"How long has Trump been claiming to have a plan for healthcare?" asks the late night show host in the clip above. "If you had an employee, or like a contractor at your house, who told you he was working on a project – something important like your roof – and he told you during interview before you hired him, he's like 'I have a plan for this roof, it's going to be a great plan, it's gonna be an excellent roof.' So you hire him, and some time goes by and you're like, 'Hey, where's the plan for the roof?' And he's like, 'It's almost ready.' And then a year later you still don't have a roof, and you're like, 'Hey, what's up with the roof?' He's like, 'It's coming, soon.' And that went on for four years until eventually you fire him, you give someone else the job, and then four years later he comes back, he's like, 'That roof you have is terrible, I could build you a much better roof.' And again, you fall for it! [...] This is exactly what Trump has been doing with healthcare."

Cue a montage of Trump clips from the past decade, with the president repeatedly promising a plan for health care.

"He's been saying this since 2015," says Kimmel. "At what point are we the idiots?"

Categories: IT General, Technology

Pluribus episode 6 reveals something huge about the virus

Fri, 12/05/2025 - 11:25

There are a couple of eye-opening revelations in Pluribus episode 6 — and while one of them's somewhat disturbing, the other may give Carol (Rhea Seehorn) a cause for hope.

So, what exactly do we learn about the virus and how it can be transmitted? We've recapped everything below.

SEE ALSO: I have a 'Pluribus' question: What's going on with the animals? What do we learn about the virus in episode 6?

Episode 6 sees Carol travelling to Las Vegas to meet with Mr. Diabaté (Samba Schutte), one of the other few remaining people on Earth that hasn't contracted the virus. Carol travels with the purpose of telling Mr. Diabaté about the milk and what's contained within it, only to find out — via an entertaining John Cena cameo — that he already knows.

It's only as Carol is about to storm off that Mr. Diabaté reveals some new information he's learned about the virus' transmission:

Mr. Diabaté: "They cannot turn us. Not without our consent."

Carol: "What do you mean?"

D: "It seems the only way to make their virus work on us is by tailoring it to our individual stem cells. But to obtain those stem cells, they must first collect them from our bodies."

C: "Um... What? What?"

D: "Apparently that involves sticking a large needle into the bone of the hip. Somewhat painful, and very invasive. Something they cannot do without our permission."

C: "When did you find this out?"

D: "They made this discovery only yesterday."

Carol confirms this with the Joined, who, as we learned in episode 4, are unable to lie. Then she contacts them to explicitly refuse consent.

What does it mean for Carol?

As we can see from Carol's reaction, the news clearly comes as a massive relief. Carol's main fear so far has been that the Joined would turn her into one of them, which they'd given her every indication they planned to do. But now that they can't, Carol is off the hook, right?

Well, maybe. But it's worth noting that Mr. Diabaté also tells Carol that the Joined aren't happy with what they've discovered. We also know that one of their main drivers, alongside survival, is to spread their virus to everyone who doesn't yet have it. The Joined have all of the top minds in the world under their control, so it seems inevitable that while they don't yet have a way to transmit the virus without requiring consent, they'll probably continue looking for one.

Carol may have a short reprieve, but we'd be surprised if she's out of the woods just yet.

Pluribus is now streaming on Apple TV, with a new episode every Friday.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 5, 2025

Fri, 12/05/2025 - 11:10

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you love game night.

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 December 5, 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: Complicated

  • Green: Circumstances

  • Blue: Game night

  • Purple: Chatting

Here are today's Connections categories

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

  • Yellow: Tricky

  • Green: State of affairs

  • Blue: Classic board games

  • Purple: ___ Talk

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 #908 is...

What is the answer to Connections today
  • Tricky: COMPLEX, DELICATE, STICKY, TOUGH

  • State of affairs: DEAL, SITUATION, STATUS, STORY

  • Classic board games: MASTERMIND, MOUSE TRAP, OPERATION, SORRY

  • ___ Talk: BABY, PILLOW, SMALL, SWEET

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 December 5, 2025

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

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

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Strands hints, answers for December 5, 2025

Fri, 12/05/2025 - 11:10

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

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 December 5, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 5, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Feeling peckish?

The words are related to eating.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe dining establishments.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Dining Out.

NYT Strands word list for December 5
  • Steakhouse

  • Buffet

  • Cafe

  • Dining Out

  • Bakery

  • Bistro

  • Brewery

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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

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