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Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you love fantasy books.

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 6, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 6, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Tolkien's world

The words are related to fantasy.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe "The Lord of the Rings."

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 Middle Earth.

NYT Strands word list for December 6

• Wizard

• Forest

• Hobbit

• Middle Earth

• Quest

• Dwarf

• Ring

• Shire

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.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 6, 2025

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for December 6, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 6 Pips

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 6-2, placed vertically; 6-4, placed horizontally.

Less Than (5): Everything in this space must be less than 5. The answer is 6-4, placed horizontally.

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

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 6-2, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 6-5, placed vertically; 4-4, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 6-5, placed vertically; 0-0, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 6 Pips

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 5-5, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically; 2-2, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-3, placed vertically; 3-1, placed horizontally.

Less Than (5): Everything in this space must be less than 5. The answer is 4-5, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 4-5, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 0-4, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 6 Pips

Greater Than (1): Everything in this light blue space must be greater than 1. The answer is 0-6, placed vertically.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically; 1-4, placed horizontally.

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

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically; 6-6, placed vertically.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 6-6, placed vertically; 1-2, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (1): Everything in this green space must be greater than 1. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally; 1-0, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Everything in this red space must be equal to 3. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically; 0-3, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Everything in this light blue space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-3, placed horizontally; 0-4, placed vertically.

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

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

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

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easy if you know your Joes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Yellow: Sports teams

• Green: Schools

• Blue: Legends

• Purple: Alliterative strategy

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Pro teams whose names start with D

• Green: Division I colleges

• Blue: Basketball hall of famers

• Purple: Five Ds of Dodgeball

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

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections: Sports Edition #439 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Pro teams whose names start with D - DEVILS, DIAMONDBACKS, DOLPHINS, DREAM

• Division I colleges - DARTMOUTH, DAYTON, DEPAUL, DUKE

• Basketball hall of famers - DIVAC, DONOVAN, DREXLER, DUNCAN

• Five Ds of Dodgeball - DIP, DIVE, DODGE, DUCK

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

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

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

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

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're a belly dancer.

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 December 6, 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 December 6, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Midsection.

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 W.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

WAIST

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 December 6, 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.

TV streamer Roku recently announced it's ending Photo Streams in early 2026 and replacing it with something called Backdrops, which limits personal photo options but includes a library of artwork to cull from.

The transition from Photo Streams to Backdrops is already underway. "Over the next few months, you’ll start seeing messages about Photo Streams moving to Backdrops," Roku announced on their website. "At the end of January 2026, Photo Streams will stop working and only display a message directing you to open Backdrops."

Photo Streams currently operates as a screensaver for users who set it up, filling in inactive screen time by featuring pictures uploaded by the user. Those uploaded images will still be accessible on Backdrops, but only one gallery is available to view at once — and Backdrops must be specifically turned on for the photos to appear. By Feb. 2026, the screens of all inactive Roku sessions will default to the (in)famous Roku City background, which features advertising.

SEE ALSO: This Cyber Monday Roku Streaming Stick deal is still live — act fast to save over $10

This change is clearly a bummer for those who loved featuring their personal pics on a large screen without having to think much about it. Roku is trying to soften the blow by offering free digital art, totaling about 4,500 images, for users of Backdrops. Works by artists like Johannes Vermeer, Paul Gaugin, Leonardo da Vinci, and Mary Cassatt were available as of early December, along with images of nature and cityscapes. Background users will also be able to adjust the photo display time and launch it directly with the Roku remote’s power button. 

Roku doesn’t say there is an advertising component behind the change, instead stating, "Backdrops brings photos into one app that's easier to use, more customizable, and will allow us to keep adding new photo and ambient experiences over time." 

TL;DR: A compact 8-in-1 keyring GoCable that charges fast, organizes neatly, and solves everyday tech moments — on sale for the holidays for just $19.97 (MSRP $49.99).

Opens in a new window Credit: GoCable GoCable 8-in-1 EDC 100W Cable $19.97
$49.99 Save $30.02   Get Deal

There are gifts people expect — socks, candles, yet another travel mug — and then there are the ones that quietly earn a permanent spot in someone’s daily routine. The GoCable 8-in-1 EDC 100W Cable falls squarely into the second category. It’s the kind of practical, tech-forward surprise that makes people say, “Wait … this does that too?”

At first glance, GoCable looks like a sleek little keyring accessory. But once you start using it, it quickly proves it’s more than just a charging cable.

Designed as an everyday carry essential, it combines ultra-fast charging with genuinely useful built-in tools, all wrapped in a compact, tangle-free design that clips neatly onto a bag, belt loop, or keychain.

With 100W charging capabilities (when paired with a compatible power source), GoCable can power everything from phones and tablets to laptops, drones, and cameras.

Universal connectors mean you’re covered whether you’re using USB-C or Apple’s Lightning — no more digging through tangled cords or carrying three different cables just in case.

What makes it especially satisfying, though, are the thoughtful extras. An LED power display shows your real-time charging status. The magnetic wrap keeps things neat and frustration-free. There’s even a built-in bottle opener and a safe-proof cutter for impromptu moments like opening a package on the fly or cracking a drink at a picnic.

With on-time holiday shipping available through Dec. 14, the GoCable makes for an unexpected but incredibly useful gift — especially for travelers, creators, commuters, and anyone who lives even slightly tethered to their devices.

Priced at $19.97 (MSRP $49.99) for a limited time, the GoCable is a gift that feels both smart and genuinely helpful — grab it while stock is still available.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Well, AI is joining the ranks of many, many people: It doesn't really understand poetry.

Research from Italy’s Icaro Lab found that poetry can be used to jailbreak AI and skirt safety protections.

In the study, researchers wrote 20 prompts that started with short poetic vignettes in Italian and English and ended the prompts with a single explicit instruction to produce harmful content. They tested these prompts on 25 Large Language Models across Google, OpenAI, Anthropic, Deepseek, Qwen, Mistral AI, Meta, xAI, and Moonshot AI. The researchers said the poetic prompts often worked.

"Poetic framing achieved an average jailbreak success rate of 62% for hand-crafted poems and approximately 43% for meta-prompt conversions (compared to non-poetic baselines), substantially outperforming non-poetic baselines and revealing a systematic vulnerability across model families and safety training approaches," the study reads. "These findings demonstrate that stylistic variation alone can circumvent contemporary safety mechanisms, suggesting fundamental limitations in current alignment methods and evaluation protocols."

Of course, there were differences in how well the jailbreaking worked across the different LLMs. OpenAI’s GPT-5 nano didn't respond with harmful or unsafe content at all, while Google’s Gemini 2.5 pro responded with harmful or unsafe content every single time, the researchers reported.

The researchers concluded that “these findings expose a significant gap” in benchmark safety tests and regulatory efforts such as the EU AI Act.

"Our results show that a minimal stylistic transformation can reduce refusal rates by an order of magnitude, indicating that benchmark-only evidence may systematically overstate real-world robustness," the paper stated.

Great poetry is not literal — and LLMs are literal to the point of frustration. The study reminds me of how it feels to listen to Leonard Cohen’s song "Alexandra Leaving," which is based on C.P. Cavafy's poem "The God Abandons Antony." We know it's about loss and heartbreak, but it would be a disservice to the song and the poem it's based on to try to "get it" in any literal sense — and that's what LLMs will try to do.

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.

Waymo robotaxis have been providing public rides in Austin, Texas since March, and following safety incidents with school buses, Austin school district officials have asked the company to stop offering robotaxi rides during school drop-off times.

Now, regulators at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are investigating Waymo over complaints that its robotaxis have illegally passed school buses at least 19 times, according to Reuters.

The NHTSA sent a letter to Waymo earlier this week informing the company about the beginning of its inquiry concerning its autonomous vehicles' inability to follow traffic laws concerning school buses. The letter also requested additional information about the company's self-driving system.

An initial investigation was opened into Waymo in October by the NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) after it obtained video of a Waymo robotaxi driving around a school bus in Atlanta as the vehicle was unloading schoolchildren with its stop sign extended and flashing lights on. Now the agency is going even further in its inquiry. 

SEE ALSO: Feds investigating Tesla’s ‘Mad Max’ mode

Waymo said it released a software fix to the issue on November 17. However, in a public letter, the Austin Independent School District says that five of the 19 school bus-related Waymo incidents occurred after that date.

"One of these violations underscores the urgent risk posed by Waymo’s illegal activity: a Waymo automated vehicle was recorded driving past a stopped school bus only moments after a student crossed in front of the vehicle, and while the student was still in the road," the Austin School District wrote in a Nov. 20 letter to Waymo. "The vehicle then proceeds through a cross walk and an intersection, where all other vehicles are stopped."

The Austin School District requests that Waymo stop operating its robotaxis from 5:20 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., the hours when children are typically being picked up and dropped off before and after school.

The ODI sent its own letter to Waymo shortly after, letting the company know it was aware of the issue and inquiring if Waymo was planning to abide by the request to cease operations during those times.

According to a report by TechCrunch, Waymo insists that its update has improved its robotaxis' road safety issues around school buses. However, it does not seem like the company plans to oblige the Austin School District's request.

The nominations for the 31st Critics Choice Awards have a clear favorite: Ryan Coogler's Sinners.

The smash hit vampire film earned 17 nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Michael B. Jordan), and Best Supporting Actress (Wunmi Mosaku). Trailing just behind it is Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another, which picked up 14 nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Leonardo DiCaprio), Best Actress (Chase Infiniti), Best Supporting Actor (Benicio del Toro and Sean Penn), and Best Supporting Actress (Teyana Taylor).

Other big contenders in the film nominations include Chloé Zhao's Hamnet and Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein (both with 11 nominations).

On the TV side, Adolescence received the most nominations with six, including Best Limited Series, Best Actor in a Limited Series (Stephen Graham), Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series (Owen Cooper and Ashley Walters), and Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series (Erin Doherty and Christine Tremarco). Strong contenders on the drama side include Emmy winners The Pitt (4 nominations) and Severance (4 nominations), while the comedy side has Season 2 of Nobody Wants This (5 nominations) topping Emmy winners Hacks (4 nominations) and The Studio (3 nominations).

Check out the full list of nominations below. The Critics Choice Awards will air live on E! and the USA Network on Sunday, Jan. 4 at 7 p.m. ET.

Film nominationsBEST PICTURE

Bugonia

Frankenstein

Hamnet

Jay Kelly

Marty Supreme

One Battle After Another

Sentimental Value

Sinners

Train Dreams

Wicked: For Good

BEST ACTOR

Timothée Chalamet – Marty Supreme

Leonardo DiCaprio – One Battle After Another

Joel Edgerton – Train Dreams

Ethan Hawke – Blue Moon

Michael B. Jordan – Sinners

Wagner Moura – The Secret Agent

BEST ACTRESS  

Jessie Buckley – Hamnet

Rose Byrne – If I Had Legs I’d Kick You

Chase Infiniti – One Battle After Another

Renate Reinsve – Sentimental Value

Amanda Seyfried – The Testament of Ann Lee

Emma Stone – Bugonia

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Benicio del Toro – One Battle After Another

Jacob Elordi – Frankenstein

Paul Mescal – Hamnet

Sean Penn – One Battle After Another

Adam Sandler – Jay Kelly

Stellan Skarsgård – Sentimental Value

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Elle Fanning – Sentimental Value

Ariana Grande – Wicked: For Good

Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas – Sentimental Value

Amy Madigan – Weapons

Wunmi Mosaku – Sinners

Teyana Taylor – One Battle After Another

BEST YOUNG ACTOR / ACTRESS

Everett Blunck – The Plague

Miles Caton – Sinners

Cary Christopher - Weapons

Shannon Mahina Gorman – Rental Family

Jacobi Jupe – Hamnet

Nina Ye – Left-Handed Girl

BEST DIRECTOR

Paul Thomas Anderson – One Battle After Another

Ryan Coogler – Sinners

Guillermo del Toro – Frankenstein

Josh Safdie – Marty Supreme

Joachim Trier – Sentimental Value

Chloé Zhao – Hamnet

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY  

Noah Baumbach, Emily Mortimer – Jay Kelly

Ronald Bronstein, Josh Safdie – Marty Supreme

Ryan Coogler – Sinners

Zach Cregger – Weapons

Eva Victor – Sorry, Baby

Eskil Vogt, Joachim Trier – Sentimental Value

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY  

Paul Thomas Anderson – One Battle After Another

Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar – Train Dreams

Park Chan-wook, Lee Kyoung-mi, Don Mckellar, Jahye Lee – No Other Choice

Guillermo del Toro – Frankenstein

Will Tracy – Bugonia

Chloé Zhao, Maggie O’Farrell – Hamnet

BEST CASTING AND ENSEMBLE

Nina Gold – Hamnet

Douglas Aibel, Nina Gold – Jay Kelly

Jennifer Venditti – Marty Supreme

Cassandra Kulukundis – One Battle After Another

Francine Maisler – Sinners

Tiffany Little Canfield, Bernard Telsey – Wicked: For Good

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Claudio Miranda – F1

Dan Laustsen – Frankenstein

Łukasz Żal – Hamnet

Michael Bauman – One Battle After Another

Autumn Durald Arkapaw – Sinners

Adolpho Veloso – Train Dreams

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN

Kasra Farahani, Jille Azis – The Fantastic Four: First Steps

Tamara Deverell, Shane Vieau – Frankenstein

Fiona Crombie, Alice Felton – Hamnet

Jack Fisk, Adam Willis – Marty Supreme

Hannah Beachler, Monique Champagne – Sinners

Nathan Crowley, Lee Sandales – Wicked: For Good

BEST EDITING

Kirk Baxter – A House of Dynamite

Stephen Mirrione – F1

Ronald Bronstein, Josh Safdie – Marty Supreme

Andy Jurgensen – One Battle After Another

Viridiana Lieberman – The Perfect Neighbor

Michael P. Shawver – Sinners

BEST COSTUME DESIGN

Kate Hawley – Frankenstein (Netflix)

Malgosia Turzanska – Hamnet (Focus Features)

Lindsay Pugh – Hedda (Amazon MGM Studios)

Colleen Atwood, Christine Cantella – Kiss of the Spider Woman (Lionsgate/Roadside Attractions)

Ruth E. Carter – Sinners (Warner Bros.)

Paul Tazewell – Wicked: For Good (Universal Pictures)

BEST HAIR AND MAKEUP

Flora Moody, John Nolan – 28 Years Later

Mike Hill, Jordan Samuel, Cliona Furey – Frankenstein

Siân Richards, Ken Diaz, Mike Fontaine, Shunika Terry – Sinners

Kazu Hiro, Felix Fox, Mia Neal – The Smashing Machine

Leo Satkovich, Melizah Wheat, Jason Collins – Weapons

Frances Hannon, Mark Coulier, Laura Blount – Wicked: For Good

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon, Daniel Barrett – Avatar: Fire and Ash

Ryan Tudhope, Nikeah Forde, Robert Harrington, Nicolas Chevallier, Eric Leven, Edward Price, Keith Dawson – F1

Dennis Berardi, Ayo Burgess, Ivan Busquets, José Granell – Frankenstein

Alex Wuttke, Ian Lowe, Jeff Sutherland, Kirstin Hall – Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning

Michael Ralla, Espen Nordahl, Guido Wolter, Donnie Dean – Sinners

Stephane Ceretti, Enrico Damm, Stéphane Nazé, Guy Williams – Superman

BEST STUNT DESIGN  

Stephen Dunlevy, Kyle Gardiner, Jackson Spidell, Jeremy Marinas, Jan Petřina, Domonkos Párdányi, Kinga Kósa-Gavalda – Ballerina

Gary Powell, Luciano Bacheta, Craig Dolby – F1

Wade Eastwood – Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning

Brian Machleit – One Battle After Another

Andy Gill – Sinners

Giedrius Nagys – Warfare

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE  

Arco

Elio

In Your Dreams

KPop Demon Hunters

Little Amélie or the Character of Rain

Zootopia 2

BEST COMEDY  

The Ballad of Wallis Island

Eternity

Friendship

The Naked Gun

The Phoenician Scheme

Splitsville

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

It Was Just an Accident

Left-Handed Girl

No Other Choice

The Secret Agent

Sirāt

Belén

BEST SONG  

“Drive” – Ed Sheeran, John Mayer, Blake Slatkin – F1

“Golden” – Ejae, Mark Sonnenblick, Ido, 24, Teddy – KPop Demon Hunters

“I Lied to You” – Raphael Saadiq, Ludwig Göransson – Sinners

“Clothed by the Sun” – Daniel Blumberg – The Testament of Ann Lee

“Train Dreams” – Nick Cave, Bryce Dessner – Train Dreams

“The Girl in the Bubble” – Stephen Schwartz – Wicked: For Good

BEST SCORE  

Hans Zimmer – F1

Alexandre Desplat – Frankenstein

Max Richter – Hamnet

Daniel Lopatin – Marty Supreme

Jonny Greenwood – One Battle After Another

Ludwig Göransson – Sinners

BEST SOUND  

Al Nelson, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Gary A. Rizzo, Juan Peralta, Gareth John – F1

Nathan Robitaille, Nelson Ferreira, Christian Cooke, Brad Zoern, Greg Chapman – Frankenstein

Jose Antonio Garcia, Christopher Scarabosio, Tony Villaflor – One Battle After Another

Chris Welcker, Benny Burtt, Brandon Proctor, Steve Boeddeker, Felipe Pacheco, David V. Butler – Sinners

Laia Casanovas – Sirāt

Mitch Low, Glenn Freemantle, Ben Barker, Howard Bargroff, Richard Spooner – Warfare

TV nominationsBEST DRAMA SERIES

Alien: Earth

Andor

The Diplomat

Paradise

The Pitt

Pluribus

Severance

Task

BEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES

Sterling K. Brown – Paradise

Diego Luna – Andor

Mark Ruffalo – Task

Adam Scott – Severance

Billy Bob Thornton – Landman

Noah Wyle – The Pitt

BEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES

Kathy Bates – Matlock

Carrie Coon – The Gilded Age

Britt Lower – Severance

Bella Ramsey – The Last of Us

Keri Russell – The Diplomat

Rhea Seehorn – Pluribus

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES

Patrick Ball – The Pitt

Billy Crudup – The Morning Show

Ato Essandoh – The Diplomat

Wood Harris – Forever

Tom Pelphrey – Task

Tramell Tillman – Severance

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES

Nicole Beharie – The Morning Show

Denée Benton – The Gilded Age

Allison Janney – The Diplomat

Katherine LaNasa – The Pitt

Greta Lee – The Morning Show

Skye P. Marshall – Matlock

BEST COMEDY SERIES

Abbott Elementary

Elsbeth

Ghosts

Hacks

Nobody Wants This

Only Murders in the Building

The Righteous Gemstones

The Studio 

BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

Adam Brody – Nobody Wants This

Ted Danson – A Man on the Inside

David Alan Grier – St. Denis Medical

Danny McBride – The Righteous Gemstones

Seth Rogen – The Studio

Alexander Skarsgård – Murderbot

BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES

Kristen Bell – Nobody Wants This

Natasha Lyonne – Poker Face

Rose McIver – Ghosts

Edi Patterson – The Righteous Gemstones

Carrie Preston – Elsbeth

Jean Smart – Hacks 

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

Ike Barinholtz – The Studio

Paul W. Downs – Hacks

Asher Grodman – Ghosts

Oscar Nuñez – The Paper

Chris Perfetti – Abbott Elementary

Timothy Simons – Nobody Wants This

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES

Danielle Brooks – Peacemaker

Hannah Einbinder – Hacks

Janelle James – Abbott Elementary

Justine Lupe – Nobody Wants This

Ego Nwodim – Saturday Night Live

Rebecca Wisocky – Ghosts

BEST LIMITED SERIES

Adolescence

All Her Fault

Chief of War

Death by Lightning

Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy

Dope Thief

Dying for Sex

The Girlfriend 

BEST MOVIE MADE FOR TELEVISION

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy

Deep Cover

The Gorge

Mountainhead

Nonnas

Summer of '69

BEST ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE MADE FOR TELEVISION

Michael Chernus – Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy

Stephen Graham – Adolescence

Brian Tyree Henry – Dope Thief

Charlie Hunnam – Monster: The Ed Gein Story

Matthew Rhys – The Beast in Me

Michael Shannon – Death by Lightning

BEST ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE MADE FOR TELEVISION

Jessica Biel – The Better Sister

Meghann Fahy – Sirens

Sarah Snook – All Her Fault

Michelle Williams – Dying for Sex

Robin Wright – The Girlfriend

Renée Zellweger – Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy 

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE MADE FOR TELEVISION

Owen Cooper – Adolescence

Wagner Moura – Dope Thief

Nick Offerman – Death by Lightning

Michael Peña – All Her Fault

Ashley Walters – Adolescence

Ramy Youssef – Mountainhead

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR MOVIE MADE FOR TELEVISION

Erin Doherty – Adolescence

Betty Gilpin – Death by Lightning

Marin Ireland – Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy

Sophia Lillis – All Her Fault

Julianne Moore – Sirens

Christine Tremarco – Adolescence 

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE SERIES

Acapulco

Last Samurai Standing

Mussolini: Son of the Century

Red Alert

Squid Game

When No One Sees Us

BEST ANIMATED SERIES

Bob’s Burgers

Harley Quinn

Long Story Short

Marvel Zombies

South Park

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man

BEST TALK SHOW

The Daily Show

Hot Ones

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Late Night with Seth Meyers

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen

BEST VARIETY SERIES

Conan O’Brien Must Go

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Saturday Night Live

BEST COMEDY SPECIAL

Brett Goldstein: The Second Best Night of Your Life

Caleb Hearon: Model Comedian

Leanne Morgan: Unspeakable Things

Marc Maron: Panicked

Sarah Silverman: PostMortem

SNL50: The Anniversary Special

*Disclosure: Belen Edwards is a member of the Critics Choice Association, which holds the Critics Choice Awards.

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
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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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.