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

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

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

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

Continuing forward.

Check meaning

A bill.

Roller bag meaning

A bag with wheels.

Interview meaning

To converse with someone to learn more about them.

Resume meaning

To proceed.

Profile meaning

A side view of something.

Office chair meaning

A type of chair used in work environments.

Food meaning

Sources of nourishment.

Menu meaning

A selection of items.

Shopping cart meaning

An object used to transport groceries.

Credit meaning

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

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Continue meaning

To resume.

Whelp meaning

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

Tap water meaning

Water available from a faucet.

Proceed meaning

The continue.

Stroller meaning

A device used to transport a child.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for November 3, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Moving forward

• Green: Rolling around

• Blue: Dining out

• Purple: Words within words

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Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Keep going

• Green: Things with wheels

• Blue: Things a server brings at a restaurant

• Purple: Ending in menu bar headings

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

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #1241 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Today's NYT Strands hints will be easy if you love karaoke.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

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

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for November 3, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: I've got a song in my heart

The words are related to music.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe musicians.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

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NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Belt it out.

NYT Strands word list for November 3

• Singer

• Crooner

• Vocalist

• Belt it out

• Balladeer

• Chorister

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

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you like to store things on your person.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 3, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

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

A wearable pocket.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

No letters appear twice

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter P.

The Wordle answer today is...

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

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

POUCH

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We should all probably spend less time staring at screens. At least, that's what the professionals tell us. And yet the average person needs to be online. They use the internet for work, to pay bills, to access government resources, and to follow political leaders. Many have turned social media into their livelihoods.

And if you skip one day on the internet, you are sure to miss a year's worth of memes, references, and even historical events. In fact, social media is where more than half of Americans get their news, if not from a chatbot assistant.

It's online where you'll be lulled into doomscrolling, engage in unhealthy digital interactions, or witness violence. A good portion of what you see may not even be real. It may be trying to intentionally deceive you. For those staying online, there is at least one way to protect yourself from false information: Stop and ask why.

SEE ALSO: Is it legit? How to tell if that website or social media account is a scam

Why am I still scrolling? Why did this account post this particular opinion? Why is this ad targeting me? Why would this platform allow this?

Pausing is a stopgap for misinformation, media literacy experts say. A few minutes is often all it takes.

Learning to slow down in an internet built for speed

In this age of AI and misinformation, not many people are being taught the basics of consuming modern media. 

"Most states don’t require districts to offer news and media literacy instruction," said Chuck Salter, president and CEO of the News Literacy Project. The News Literacy Project promotes K-12 media literacy curriculum to address growing gaps among the next generation of news consumers. 

In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General called for intentional media literacy instruction. A 2024 survey of educators by The National Association for Media Literacy Education found that only 12 percent of schools offered media literacy as part of their core curriculum. Yet news and media literacy is an essential life skill, experts argue. 

More than half of Americans use social media to get their news. Credit: Pew Research Center

How are adults faring? Around 25 percent of U.S. adults read at the lowest literacy level. When it comes to digital literacy skills, one third of U.S. workers lack basic knowledge. Around half say they find it difficult to spot fake news when scrolling online, according to a 2025 Pew Research survey. 

SEE ALSO: Kids aren't learning to type anymore Lots of slop 

Even the savviest social media users — who are increasingly turning to these platforms for both news and entertainment coverage — are navigating an overwhelming amount of posts aimed to deceive them. 

"Social media is littered with false and misleading content," said Sofia Rubinson, Senior Editor at misinformation watchdog NewsGuard. In addition to an abundance of intentionally stimulating content, "it is inevitable to come across AI fakes, twisted political claims, and foreign disinformation when scrolling."  

More than one-third of new web content is now AI-generated, according to recent data from Pew Research. Other reports allege more than half of the internet is made up of "AI slop." And estimates of the number of bot social media accounts range from 10 percent of platforms to nearly 50 percent. 

Cloudflare CEO Matthew Prince claims agentic bot usage constitutes 57.4 percent of total internet traffic, while human traffic has dropped to 42.6 percent.

False and manipulative content performs best for Big Tech

Despite claims of free speech and open town squares by its leaders, social media isn't a neutral conveyor of information, Marijus Briedis, Chief Technology Officer of online security company NordVPN, told Mashable. "Feeds are built to move you quickly and reward things that provoke a reaction. That is a design choice, and it happens to be the exact environment where synthetic content performs best."

Many of these design choices are currently under the spotlight of federal and state regulators, including features like endless scrolls, personalized recommendation algorithms, and autoplay. 

Other, less noticeable, platform choices make it worse, like the sporadic ability to embed or link to external sources on sites where users most often get their news, including TikTok and X. Without these built-in fact-checking opportunities, we're forced to rely on our own intuition.

"We scroll fast, react on instinct, and read likes and shares as 'lots of people believe this,'" explained Roei Sherman, senior director of research at cloud security firm Mitiga. 

Limited moderation helps fake news spread

Our scrolling habits, combined with the algorithm's rules of engagement, are further enabled by Big Tech's ongoing moderation problem.

"You have a much more free flow of information, which has always been the case in the United States, but there's an even further lack of moderation occurring now," explained Zohaib Ahmed, CEO of deepfake detector Resemble.AI. 

Large platforms like Meta and X have decimated human moderation teams in recent years, while simultaneously weathering allegations of censorship by their AI-powered moderation tools. YouTube, a hot spot for AI slop, has also loosened its moderation guidelines. 

Ahmed explains that advanced AI models have pushed us further toward the "Indistinguishability Threshold," or the point at which the human senses fail to distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate content without the help of technology itself. 

He adds that indistinguishability stirs confusion and conflict in online content moderation, too, especially on platforms that have slashed professional teams in favor of community fact-checking. 

"That creates more commentary that can be split down the middle, that can be very opinionated and isn't very precise when it comes to labeling misinformation or disinformation," Ahmed said. "The average user will simply gloss over that, and they won't think to dig in any further than what the human moderators have already done."

AI agents might be setting us up to believe anything

The popularization of friendly chatbots and helpful AI agents have made many more susceptible to scams and manipulation, experts told Mashable. 

"We tend to be far too loose with the AI agents we interact with daily," said Eyal Elazar, head of market intelligence for e-commerce security business Riskified. When it comes to scams, bad actors weaponize this psychology and count on users to let their guard down around "cutesy" personable agents, he explained.

Credit: Cole Kan/Mashable/Getty

Meanwhile, AI continues to promise the user an unburdened life. AI agents, AI-powered search engines, and chatbots encourage users to consolidate access to information into a single helpful tool. According to Elazar, the human desire for frictionless experiences, where everything is at our fingertips with a single click or one chatbot prompt, may end up being our biggest vulnerability.

"AI makes it really easy to avoid thinking for yourself," Salter said. "We have to exercise our agency." 

Learning new internet habits

A lot has changed in just a few years. It's easy to fake a crowd. It's cheap to run a scam. And fake media no longer looks fake, Sherman said. Now, "the instincts we built up have stopped working, and we haven't built new ones yet," Sherman said.

Protecting yourself doesn’t take a technical background. - Andrew Jones, Adaptive Security

How do we build those new habits? We fight back by slowing down, said Andrew Jones, co-founder of AI security firm Adaptive Security.

"Social media rewards speed. Every autoplay, every infinite scroll, every push notification trains us to react in a second and move to the next post," he said. "Protecting yourself doesn’t take a technical background."

Jones said it's more important than ever to build a pause into your everyday routine, even if it take some effort. But just a few minutes sets yourself up to fight back, no matter your skills. 

Skepticism, not cynicism

We need to exercise caution, experts say, but not let ourselves fall into conspiracy. Skepticism is healthy. Cynicism is dangerous, warns Salter. "It can lead us to believe what we want to or reject information that challenges us, regardless of whether it’s true," he said. 

If you choose to stay online, stay tethered to the real world. Fact check information with real people you know. Discuss viral posts with your friends.

"Once people understand that anything can be faked, they start doubting the real things too," said Briedis. "You do not get that back easily."

Adam Robinson, a prolific Austin-based tech founder, was one of the nine people who died in the shocking Learjet crash in Florida on Sunday.

Robinson, along with his wife Helen Sharp, their two young children, their nanny, two other adults, and two pilots perished in the crash, which was captured on dash cam footage. Video of the crash quickly spread across social media, with footage showing the moments the Learjet went down near a roadway in Palm Beach County.

The other three adult passengers on the plane were identified as Rachael Reed, Charmi Fehr, and Anita Maria Appelido Cetina, according to People. The pilots included pilot Edward Daniel Murphy and co-pilot Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras.

Robinson, 45, was a tech executive who listed himself on LinkedIn as the CEO of MoltSets, RB2B, and Retention.com.

"Most teams use MoltSets to build prospect lists and enrich them with validated email addresses," according to its website.

RB2B offered customers website visitor identification software, while Retention.com helped businesses identify internet users.

“Identify the person behind a session, refresh their identity, then expand into the attributes and audiences your team actually uses,” is how the platform describes itself.

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Robinson and his group were headed from Austin to the Bahamas when their jet crashed in a residential neighborhood near Palm Beach. The crash caused a giant fireball that has displaced 600 people from nearby mobile homes, according to the Palm Beach Post.

This story is developing...

It's almost here. Grand Theft Auto VI comes out later this month.

Many GTA 6 fans have been planning for this game's release for years. Some have put PTO requests in or have set aside vacation time to get lost in Leonida, the fictional U.S. state where the game takes place.

Now, some non-gamers just won't understand what the big hubbub is about, and you need to prepare for those naysayers too. If your parents, significant other, or employer give you a hard time about taking time away from "real life" for a video game, just show them this.

Mark Tilbury, a British multi-millionaire who shares entrepreneurship tips to his YouTube audience of more than 9.3 million subscribers, has just released a video explaining how buying GTA 6 can save consumers an estimated $5,000.

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According to Tilbury, this $99.99 investment in purchasing GTA 6 could actually be a financial win. Tilbury breaks down how GTA 6 provides gamers with at least 80 hours of entertainment, which breaks down to $1.24 per hour of fun. 

Furthermore, GTA 6 is chock full of side missions, which could lead to even more hours of entertainment. Tilbury estimates that by factoring that in, GTA 6 provides entertainment at a cost of only 50 cents per hour, far less than concerts, movie tickets, or eating out.

To make his case, Tilbury breaks down a consumer's playing time into 4 hours per night for roughly 50 evenings' worth of entertainment. Tilbury points out that a night out at a bar could easily cost $100 per night, thus saving consumers $5,000 if they stay home and play GTA 6 instead.

Now, obviously, your mileage will vary. Most gamers aren't spending $100 per night at a bar. But if you're looking to defend your planned time with GTA 6, Tilbury may provide some good points for your argument.

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TL;DR: Lingzio combines structured language lessons with AI conversation practice and pronunciation feedback. Get lifetime access to its Premium Plan for $59.99 (reg. $199).

Opens in a new window Credit: Lingzio Lingzio Language Learning Premium Plan: Lifetime Subscription $59.99
$199 Save $139.01   Get Deal

A 100-day language-learning streak is impressive, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re ready to hold a conversation. Lingzio combines traditional lessons with AI conversation practice and pronunciation feedback to help you figure out where you need work. For a limited time, you can score a lifetime subscription to its Premium Plan for just $59.99 (reg. $199).

Choose from six languages: Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and English. You can keep up to three languages in your account and switch between them whenever you like, with your progress saved for each one. Only one language can be active at a time.

The lessons follow the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), covering levels A1 through C2, from beginner to advanced. There’s no limit on how many lessons you can complete, and you’ll also get unlimited vocabulary flashcards, listening exercises, a built-in grammar guide, and progress tracking.

For speaking practice, Lingzio includes an AI tutor that lets you work through conversations instead of just reading dialogue on a screen. You can also use voice recognition to check your pronunciation and identify areas that need more attention.

The Premium plan includes 20 minutes of AI conversation practice, or roughly five scenes, and 150 pronunciation checks each month. Those allowances reset on the first of every month without rolling over, although you can purchase additional AI conversation time if, say, you have an upcoming trip and want to bring your A-game.

Whether you’re preparing to order food abroad, speak with international clients, or learn a language your family uses, the combination of lessons and speaking exercises gives you several ways to practice.

Lingzio works through a browser on computers, phones, and tablets, with no separate app to download. You’ll need an internet connection for lessons and a microphone for speaking exercises. Each license supports up to three devices, and this deal is available to new users only.

Normally $199, get lifetime access to Lingzio Premium for just $59.99.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Drime’s Essential Plan combines 2TB of cloud storage with document editing, timestamped comments, and e-signatures. Lifetime access is on sale for $149.97 (reg. $299).

Opens in a new window Credit: Drime Drime Secure Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription $149.97
$299 Save $149.03   Get Deal

You send a project to a client, only for feedback to come pouring in through emails, documents, and messages. Before you know it, keeping track of the latest version becomes a project of its own. Drime helps cut through the back-and-forth by bringing file storage, editing, sharing, and collaboration into one place. Its Essentials plan includes 2TB of cloud storage with lifetime access, and you can get it on sale for $149.97 (reg. $299).

The storage itself is useful, especially if you regularly work with large files. Drime doesn’t impose a file size limit on individual uploads, so you can store raw photos, videos, or project archives without splitting them into smaller pieces, provided you have enough storage space. You can also sync files across compatible desktop and mobile devices.

And when it’s time to share those files, you have a few options beyond simply sending a link. You can create custom links, add password protection, set expiration dates, and check access statistics. That gives you more control over who can open a file and how long a shared link remains available.

For projects that need feedback, Drime supports timestamped comments on videos and PDFs. That means reviewers can point to specific moments or sections rather than leaving you to figure out which part of a file they’re talking about.

There are also built-in document and media editing tools, plus Drime Sign for collecting electronic signatures. Shared workspaces support teams of up to 15 members, and 120 days of version history lets you recover earlier versions when a revision doesn’t go as planned.

If you’re concerned about security, Drime hosts files in the European Union and offers an end-to-end encrypted Vault for sensitive documents. The Vault encrypts files locally, and Drime says it can’t read their contents.

The Essentials plan is available to new and existing users. Redemption happens through the web app within 30 days of purchase, and Intel-based Macs aren’t currently supported by the desktop app.

Formerly $299, get a lifetime Drime Essentials subscription with 2TB of storage for $149.97.

StackSocial prices subject to change

TL;DR: The Samsung 34-inch Odyssey G5 ultra-wide gaming monitor is on sale for $249.99 at Amazon, down from its $399.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 34-inch Odyssey G5 $249.99 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $150 Get Deal at Amazon

Prices for Samsung’s Odyssey G5 have usually hovered around $280, but Amazon has surprised gamers with a fresh discount, dropping the price below $250 for a limited time. If you want an ultra-wide monitor for GTA 6, this might be the perfect upgrade. 

As of Nov. 2, the Samsung 34-inch Odyssey G5 (G55T) is going for $249.99 at Amazon, a hefty $150 price cut from the usual $399.99. With 38% off, that’s the lowest price we’ve seen since April (confirmed via price tracker camelcamelcamel). There's no third-party seller involved, as Amazon is fulfilling orders itself — with complimentary delivery currently scheduled for Nov. 7, or Nov. 6 with faster shipping. 

What makes the G5 a must-buy is its unusually broad 21:9 screen, packing 3440 x 1440 Ultra-WQHD resolution plus HDR10 into a 34-inch VA panel. 

SEE ALSO: The Samsung Odyssey G9 curved gaming monitor is down to $797.99 — save over $500 this weekend

If you’re waiting for Grand Theft Auto 6’s PC port to get announced before you set out to explore Leonida, this monitor is an amazing choice for sweeping across the landscapes of other huge open-world games like Red Dead Redemption 2.

The display has a pronounced 1,000R bend that curves towards you at either end, making the extra horizontal space feel less spread out and more immersive altogether. On the performance side, you're looking at a 165Hz refresh rate paired with a 1ms MPRT response time, giving fast-paced multiplayer games like Fortnite or Apex Legends plenty of headroom for fluid movement.

If you’re ever worried about fluctuating framerates and screen tearing, AMD FreeSync Premium (one of our favorite features to see in gaming monitors) will have you covered courtesy of its handy adaptive sync technology. 

TL;DR: Stay on top of projects with help from this Microsoft Project Professional 2024 lifetime license for Windows, on sale now for $39.97 (reg. $1,129.99) through Nov. 8.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Project Professional 2024: Lifetime License for Windows $49.97
$1,129.99 Save $1,080.02   Get Deal

Between spreadsheets, calendars, notes, and the endless to-do lists, managing a project is a project in and of itself. That’s where Microsoft Project Professional 2024 comes in, offering a visual project management tool that makes it easier to map out timelines, track your progress, and determine how tasks fit together.

Right now, you can lock in a Microsoft Project Professional 2024 lifetime license for Windows for just $39.97 until Nov. 8.

Oftentimes, complicated projects need to be seen to be understood. Microsoft Project Professional 2024 makes that possible, with a user-friendly interface and prebuilt templates that help you keep your projects on track.

This lifetime license for Windows serves as your very own project management assistant on your PC. Better understand your project’s complex schedule with help from multiple built-in timelines. There’s also the option to run what-if scenarios and check out all your options.

Microsoft Project Professional uses baselines to track and compare your progress against your original plans. You can submit timesheets to see how much time has been spent on project and non-project work. You can also hover over team members’ names to check their online status and hop on a Microsoft Teams call to collaborate.

This lifetime license for Windows is tied to your device, not your Microsoft account. You can pay once and enjoy lifetime access without any recurring fees.

Score your own Microsoft Project Professional 2024 lifetime license for Windows for just $39.97 now through Nov. 8.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Shopping for gifts for gamers is a double-edged Master Sword. On the one hand, there are so many cool games, consoles, and accessories to choose from. But that's also the tricky part: There is so much gaming-related merchandise to choose from, to the point where you might feel under-leveled for the "simple" task of picking that just-right gift — especially if they're a long-time player who already has all of the obvious gaming gear. That's where we come in.

To help you on your side quest to find a respectable present for someone who loves video games, we've compiled a massive list of more than 50 gamer gift ideas for 2025 — including a bunch of games we've played and products we've tested ourselves. If you're gifting on a budget, you'll do well with a few months' worth of their favorite video game subscription service or a copy of one of the best video games of 2025 (recommended by Mashable's own Alex Perry). Leveling up over the $100 mark expands your options to high-end peripherals, while $200 and above unlocks current-gen consoles, or if you're really nice, a whole new PC.

Of course, mega fans of specific franchises can never get too much displayable merch. We've peppered in some collectibles, stocking stuffers, and Christmas gifts that they may not have yet, like Nintendo-themed LEGOs or a Diablo-themed Tarot deck.

There is a 30 percent chance this article is fake. 

It's not, of course. I am a real reporter. These are real sources. You can trust me. 

Or can you?

According to a recent study from Pew Research, around one-third of recent web content is AI-generated. Around 10 percent of ".com" sites now have AI's fingerprints on them. Fake news sources peddling misinformation or propaganda (commonly referred to as "pink slime") have long outnumbered real news publishers — and are continuing to multiply with the help of AI.  

Even legit websites and social platforms can steer you toward misinformation, scams, and other online dangers. A platform built to keep you hooked to an endless feed, fed by engagement and seeking to capture your attention, is a recipe for bots, phishing, and disinformation campaigns. Social media "experts" — sometimes entirely AI-generated people, other times real humans with ulterior motives — are building followings in the millions. In this increasingly confusing environment, here's how to get to the truth.

Why fake sources are proliferating 

"High quality misinformation and deception were largely the domain of nation-states and well resourced groups," explained Donnie Hasseltine, chief information security officer at Arkstone Defense. Now, anyone can fake a site, build a bot, or amplify a misleading claim in an instant.

In addition to a decline in platform moderation, access to increasingly sophisticated AI models, mainly through open source markets, has completely changed how information is published, explained Zohaib Ahmed, CEO of deepfake detector Resemble.AI. 

Likened to the "Wild West" by Ahmed, bad actors now have access to a host of AI models and tools without built-in safeguards to prove or disprove authenticity. They can avoid automatic detection built into mainstream models like Claude or ChatGPT, uploading troves of user and site data to build sophisticated spoofs without alerting developers. 

Source: Pew Research Center Credit: Cole Kan/Mashable/ Getty

The technology has generated a ballooning market for affordable "scam kits." Such kits cover "everything from advertising to writing blog posts and content on social media, to how features are being built in the product, how video calls are being done and how images are being uploaded onto social media platforms," Ahmed said. With a few hundred dollars, scammers can spoof entire sites, make convincing log-in portals, and build natural-looking engagement that makes it feel more real. 

It's not just relegated to pink slime, either. You may encounter "url hijackers" or "typosquatting" for instance. These webpages closely mimic URLs for reputable sites — including news sites like "abcnews.com.co" or known organizations like FIFA — banking on users not looking too close. Others may spoof sites where it's common to exchange money or place bets. These domains may siphon off your personal information or try to steal your money outright. 

The same happens on social media sites and chatrooms: X accounts meant to look like real people, dodgy TikTok Shop links that take users off site, suspicious links dropped in gaming chats by players you thought were your friends. 

Why old advice may not work, and what else you can do 

"The traditional signals of authenticity are fading," explained Eyal Elazar, head of market intelligence for e-commerce security business Riskified. "Only a few years ago, verifying something online relied on recognizable visual or contextual cues: a weirdly spelled URL, pixelated image artifacts, a robotic cadence in a video, or the sheer logistical effort required to pull off a coordinated hoax. Today, AI can effortlessly clean up misspelled URLs, blurry images, and stiff video voices."

Because users are up against a modern world of AI-powered websites and bot accounts, they also need new advice for scouring through the muck. 

Check URLs and profile names to prove a website or account's veracity

The OG way to ensure you're on a legit site still works and is very simple: Check the URL.

First, look for the padlock icon or other indicator the browser has verified your connection. For Google Chrome users, select the menu icon to the left of the URL. You should see "Connection is secure." 

Second, look for "https://" not "http://". The "s" designation means a site has been authenticated. 

These security components are still essential components of the internet, explained Ron Kerbs, CEO of AI fraud prevention company Kidas.  

Third, double-check the URL's spelling, says Ahmed. Keep an eye out for symbols in the place of letters and non-English characters masquerading as the English alphabet. Hover over a URL to see the full text. 

If you're still unsure, search the URL on Google. You can also cross-reference URLs on Google's site status page or use an online URL scanning tool, Ahmed recommends. 

Many mainstream browsers now include built-in safety checks that flag when a website doesn't meet these security parameters. Pay attention to them, and only follow through on visiting a site if you know its origins. 

But bear in mind that social media accounts do not play by these rules, experts warn. 

To verify an account is legit, start with the platform's own verification tools, like the classic check mark. Be sure to click through to the profile itself, not just how it appears on your feed. Many platforms allow custom characters in display names, which help users fake verified check marks on first glance. Other platforms, like X, let users buy verification, so use additional means to confirm those accounts.

Be on alert for AI-generated influencer content, too. Look for AI content labels in captions, comments, and on profiles. Use the tips below to see if they've skirted detection (many do).

Credit: Cole Kan/Mashable/Getty Use the SIFT Method to check for legitimacy

A site or account may seem legit on the surface, but its content could be far from it. Basic security measures aren't prevention for misinformation or manipulative content posted to verified platforms, experts say. 

"You close the door, someone gets in through the window," Kerbs said. Users should use multiple layers additional methods beyond URL scanning to verify that what they're looking at is real.

Traditional recommendations for vetting news sources, for example, include the SIFT method. It's an oft-referred to media literacy skill designed by misinformation researcher Mike Caufield and stands for:

• Stop your scroll 

• Investigate the source 

• Find other coverage 

• Trace back the origins

Zoning Method 

Other news literacy groups, like the News Literacy Project, suggest a strategy of "zoning," or  categorizing content, including websites and social media accounts, by their purpose. 

"Identify the type of information you are looking at and determine its purpose. Is it news that’s meant to inform you? Or an opinion that’s trying to persuade you? Or is it a paid ad that’s encouraging you to buy something?" said Chuck Salter, president and CEO of the News Literacy Project. Salter recommends online users zone first before making judgements about trust. "You need to understand the main intent." 

Salter also recommends a fact-checking concept called "lateral reading," in which you verify a source by searching what others are saying about it. 

This can be used to fact check social media accounts, too. Before resharing, check the algorithm. How do others feel about this page? 

Methods like SIFT and zoning are fairly simple and very effective ways to spot misinformation. But we're up against platforms actively working to steal our attention span and keep us glued to their platforms. We are urged to use integrated generative AI tools intended to reduce friction, but which can reduce users' critical thinking, experts say. Young people are at particular risk, Salter explained, and often fail to properly "zone" content without help. 

We may need to simplify our toolkit even further. 

Easy tips to use every day when scanning online

For one, never trust a screenshot, said Roei Sherman, senior director of research at cloud security firm Mitiga. A common way to spread misinformation, faked screenshots feed off of the attention economy: Get enough people to share the eye-grabbing headline or quote, and you'll convince a good amount of people it's true, especially if a generally reliable source is slapped on top. 

Second rule of thumb: If a post feels like rage bait, it's probably rage bait. Scammers and propagandists stoke emotional responses to get your clicks, Rubinson explains. Try not to engage. 

And lastly, if an account is asking you to leave the platform you're on, exercise caution. Fake accounts often steer users off of moderated platforms toward other websites with looser content guidelines or toward completely unregulated areas of the internet. It's why many social media giants, like TikTok, have specific rules against the promotion of off-platform sites.

Use established fact-checkers 

If it's best to check a claim with multiple sources, it's even better to check the claim with an authority that makes fact-checking its job. Long before AI, these sites existed as nonpartisan sources for political claims. Now, they've expanded to cover just about anything going viral. 

• Politifact

• FactCheck.org / SciCheck​

• Snopes.com​

• Washington Post Fact Checker​

• Poynter

• NewsGuard AI False Claims Monitor and Reality Check newsletter

Browser extensions can help you fact-check quickly

Some cybersecurity experts recommend browser extensions that can automatically scan a page for AI-generated content and give an assessment of its trustworthiness. These are a good starting point, but like most detector tech, are not infallible, experts like Marijus Briedis, chief technology officer at NordVPN, warn.

• Resemble.AI Deepfake Detector: Scans all images, video, and audio and returns a verdict on whether or not AI was used. A free account includes four website scans per day.

• NewsGuard: Provides a trust and reliability rating for news sites, based on nonpartisan criteria. 

• McAfee Web Advisor: The free version of the cybersecurity's fraud tool, Web Advisor scans for malicious sites, including hidden adware, spyware, and phishing scams.  

• DuckDuckGo Scam Blocker: The privacy-forward browser has built in scam blockers that also flag known scam sites, including shopping sites and fake cryptocurrency exchanges.

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ChatGPT is preparing to give users one fewer tab to think about.

OpenAI plans to merge ChatGPT's Chat and Work tabs into a single experience, bringing everyday conversations and more complex tasks into the same place. The company outlined the change in an email to users, according to TechCrunch, with a limited test planned before a wider rollout.

Currently, OpenAI describes Chat as the place for everyday questions and conversational help, while Work handles longer tasks, including research, analyzing information, and creating documents, presentations, and websites. The desktop app also includes a separate Codex experience for coding, which will remain separate after the merger.

SEE ALSO: CapCut is adding a ChatGPT plugin. See it in action.

"This will enable you to move from exploring an idea to having ChatGPT carry it through, all in one place," OpenAI reportedly said in the email. Users will be able to bring in files and plugins while reviewing and guiding its work.

The interface change also comes with an update that paid subscribers may want to keep an eye on.

Starting in December, Plus, Pro, and Business plans will have a shared usage allowance across ChatGPT and Codex, according to OpenAI's updated support page. Usage will be measured in tokens, the units of information AI models process and generate. More demanding tasks and advanced models will generally consume more of that allowance.

There is an exception, though. OpenAI says Instant chat won't draw from the shared allowance. The company expects most users won’t have to wait for their limits to reset more often than they currently do. Subscribers will be able to check their combined remaining usage and reset times in Settings under Usage. Once they reach a limit, the listed options include waiting for a reset, upgrading, or buying credits for eligible features.

The rollout will test whether bringing those tools into the main chat increases their use. If asking a quick question turns into handing off an entire project, subscribers may find themselves paying closer attention to what their plan covers.

Disclosure: Mashable's parent company, Ziff Davis, sued OpenAI in April 2025, alleging copyright infringement related to the training and operation of its AI systems.

I thought the early Black Friday headphones deals were starting out strong a couple of weeks ago, but I doubted the power of early November.

Though we still have a little over three weeks to go until Black Friday proper on Nov. 27, headphones brands have decided Black Friday starts now, if their price cuts are anything to go by. Take, for instance, the 45% discount on the second-generation Bose QuietComfort headphones (released just this past August, btw). Prefer a flagship model? No problem, the Sony WH-1000XM6 — our top pick for premium sound — are available for $82 off.

SEE ALSO: Everything to know about Black Friday 2026: Best deals, sale dates, how to shop smart, and more

As someone who tests headphones year-round and is heading into her sixth year covering Black Friday at Mashable, I only write about deals that are actual deals. That means double-checking accurate list prices, using my price history knowledge from looking at headphone product listings literally every time I open my work laptop, and using price tracking tools where there may be gaps in my knowledge. This year, my criteria also include an awareness of price increases that have affected nearly every area of tech.

With all of that in mind, those two aforementioned deals — and the ones you'll find below — are the absolute best headphones deals you'll find ahead of Black Friday. And when more inevitably crop up as the shopping holiday draws closer, you'll be sure to find them on this list.

Best early Black Friday headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort (2nd gen) $199 at Amazon
$359 Save $160   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

The second gen Bose QuietComfort headphones are one of my favorite headphone releases of 2026. Though the $359 price tag does sit on the higher end of mid-range, these headphones eke ever closer to the performance of the QC Ultra headphones, which cost $459. Their all-day comfort, spatial audio, and excellent ANC are reasons to invest, especially at this price point. Though audiophiles will probably be happier with the Sony XM4C (you can read my full breakdown of how these two headphones compare), at the time of writing, the Sony headphones clock in at $248, making the Bose headphones the best buy ahead of Black Friday.

Check out our full review of the Bose QuietComfort (2nd gen) headphones.

More early Black Friday headphones deals

• Sony WH-CH530 — $48 $69.99 (save $21.99)

• Sony WH-CH720N — $88 $179.99 (save $91.99)

• Marshall Major V — $89.99 $159.99 (save $70)

• Sony WH-CH730N — $128 $179.99 (save $51.99)

• Nothing Headphone (a) — $129 $199 (save $70)

• Nothing Headphone (1) — $199 $299 (save $100)

• Marshall Monitor III — $199.99 $279.99 (save $80)

• Sennheiser Momentum 4 — $199.99 $299.99 (save $100)

• Sony WH-1000XM5 — $198 $399.99 (save $201.99)

• Sony WH-1000XM4C — $248 $299.99 (save $51.99 with on-page coupon)

• Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd gen) — $369 $449 (save $80)

• Sony WH-1000XM6 — $378 $459.99 (save $81.99)

• Apple AirPods Max 2 — $449 $549 (save $100)

Many websites and online platforms use Cloudflare in order to properly handle web traffic. Cloudflare has become so ubiquitous that the few times the company's services have gone down, a significant portion of the internet goes down with it. 

Hackers are very aware of this and are now rolling out new cyber attacks that impersonate Cloudflare in order to trick unsuspecting internet users into giving these cyber criminals unauthorized access to their computers.

One such attack, according to reports, weaponizes Cloudflare's verification pages, often found on websites to prove a user is human and not a bot, in a ClickFix campaign. The newly discovered attack was recently discovered by cybersecurity researchers at the SANS Technology Institute's Internet Storm Center. 

ClickFix campaigns are cyber attacks that rely on social engineering tactics. There are no software or hardware security flaws involved. There isn't even a harmful file that a user was tricked into downloading. An unsuspecting victim is simply tricked into copying and executing malicious commands on their own device, which can download malware or provide the hacker with access.

SEE ALSO: Hackers find a way to turn users' own AI agents and Downloads folders against them

In this specific newly discovered attack, users visit a website that has already been compromised by the hacker. After clicking the Cloudflare verification box to prove they are human, the user is told that the process is taking longer than usual. The user does not know that this Cloudflare verification box is a fake, set up by the hacker.

The prompt informs the user that to speed up the process, they need to follow the directions on the screen and run a specific command. This is where the hacker then gains access.

According to the report, a different set of instructions appears to users based on whether they access the website through a PC running Windows or a Mac. The report lists requests that appear intended to track information such as the visitor's location and IP address.

The report states that this attack has been rolled out across multiple compromised websites.

Users should know of the ordinary verification methods, such as clicking verification boxes or completing a CAPTCHA. A user should never open up their terminal or Run box to complete a human-verification check.

TL;DR: As of Nov. 2, you can get the Hisense 100-inch U8 Mini-LED 4K Google TV for $2,799.99, down from $3,999.99. That's a 30% discount, or $1,200 in savings.

Hisense 100-inch U8 Mini-LED 4K Google TV $2,799.99 at Amazon
$3,999.99 Save $1,200   Get Deal at Amazon

Football season is a pretty good excuse to want a bigger TV. Whether it’s a good excuse to buy a 100-inch TV is between you and whoever has to help you get it into the house. But if you’ve already committed to the idea, you don’t have to wait until Black Friday to find a deal.

SEE ALSO: What's the best time to buy a TV? The 4 optimal sale windows, including Black Friday.

Right now, the Hisense 100-inch U8 Mini-LED 4K Google TV is 30% off at Amazon, bringing the price down to $2,799.99 from its $3,999.99 list price. That’s $1,200 in savings — which doesn’t make it cheap, but does make it a little easier to justify before your next watch party.

The U8 has an anti-reflection screen treatment designed to reduce glare during afternoon games. Its Mini-LED backlight uses local dimming for better contrast, while Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+ support come in handy when you switch from football to movies. It also has Google TV for streaming and a built-in sound system with a subwoofer, up-firing speakers, and Dolby Atmos support. Just measure your space before you hit “Add to cart.”

Some people spent Halloween dressed as their favorite movie characters. Others turned a chatbot's usage limit into a costume.

Tech inspired some particularly specific Halloween posts this year, from oversized AI logos with error messages to a T-shirt referencing a cybersecurity incident. Even the couples' costumes got the Silicon Valley treatment; many posted alongside the tagline "I hate SF Halloween," followed by an explanation of a reference that probably wouldn’t land at every party.

Here are a few of the looks and jokes that caught our attention.

SEE ALSO: Here are some the internet's best Halloween costumes ChatGPT, with a water break before every answer This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Ask a question, wait for an answer — and first, watch someone take a drink. These takes on a ChatGPT costume came with a running bit: the person playing the chatbot had to stop for water before responding. It's a very clever dig at the water used to cool some of the data centers behind AI.

Some costumes also featured a fuzzy black-and-white logo with a message-limit warning, and a "Get Pro" button on the front. Even 2026 Halloween costumes are trying to sell an upgrade.

Claude, when the conversation ends early This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

ChatGPT wasn't the only chatbot that got a costume. Anyone who has hit a chatbot’s usage limit mid-Claude task will get this version. In a post on X, user Joseph Henry also featured a "Daily limit reached" sign on his orange, furry Claude costume.

"just won scariest costume," he wrote.

Creator Delia Lazarescu, who posts as @tech.unicorn, shared a similar look, crediting Claude for the "emotional damage." Apparently, nothing ruins the mood quite like a chatbot telling someone to come back later.

A data center, obviously This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

"dressed as the scariest thing I could think of…a data center!!!!!!" one Instagram user wrote, wearing a cardboard box with wires.

Given how much anxiety surrounds the AI boom, a data center makes a pretty timely Halloween choice. It also leaves plenty of room to stay in character by (also) demanding more water.

Alexandr Wang and Muse This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Forget dressing as a celebrity couple. A post from @sonofalli offered a very Silicon Valley alternative — Alexandr Wang and Muse.

For anyone who hasn't been following along, Wang is Meta’s chief AI officer, and Muse is the company’s personal AI agent. It’s the sort of pairing that makes sense at a tech party and probably needs a little explaining everywhere else.

A cybersecurity scare on a T-shirt This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

At first glance, this is just a black T-shirt with a big "4" on the back. The post from @beffjezos provides context: it references the compromised private keys used by the digital certificate provider eMudhra.

Cloudflare explained that the affected keys were so weak they could be recovered almost instantly from public certificates. The shirt frames its giant numeral with private-key text and lists other small numbers on the front.

Easy enough to wear. Slightly harder to explain over party music.

The jokes got even more specific This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

And then there were the references that really required some homework. Melissa Chen shared an image of her friend dressing up as the visualization of OpenAI's proposed Navier–Stokes solution, while @ElizaKosoy's post referenced an AI escaping its sandbox in a Hugging Face incident.

Best Early Black Friday Target Deals Best Apple deal Apple AirPods Pro 3 $199.99 (save $30) Get Deal Best headphones deal Bose QuietComfort $169.99 (Save $190) Get Deal Best Vacuum Deal iRobot Roomba Plus 575 Combo Robot Vacuum and Mop $499.99 (save $300) Get Deal Best kitchen deal Ninja Creami 7-in-1 Ice Cream Maker $199.99 (save $30) Get Deal

Black Friday is on. Even though the big day doesn't come around until after Thanksgiving, all the retailers are jumping on early deals now that Halloween has wrapped. We've spotted some great savings at Target.

The retailer has launched tons of deals, especially on tech. We've found lots of savings on Apple, including deals on AirPods and iPads. So no matter what you're looking for, whether it be headphones, TVs, air fryers, or vacuums, there's plenty of early Black Friday deals to start shopping at Target.

Best Early Black Friday Apple Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 3 $199.99 at Target
$249.99 Save $50   Get Deal at Target Why we like it

If you're on the hunt for Apple deals, we like this deal on the Apple AirPods Pro 3 earbuds. Ahead of Black Friday, the earbuds are down to $199.99. While that's not the lowest price ever on the earbuds, it's still a decent $50 discount.

If you want to hold out, we suspect they'll get a bigger discount once Black Friday kicks off.

More early Black Friday Apple deals

• Apple AirTag (2nd Gen) — $23.99 $29.99 (save $6)

• Apple Pencil (USB-C) — $69.99 $79.99 (save $10)

• Apple Pencil Pro — $99.99 $129 (save $29.01)

• Apple iPad (A16, 128GB, WiFi) — $399.99 $449.99 (save $50)

• Apple AirPods Max 2 — $474.99 $549.99 (save $75)

• Apple iPad Mini (A17 Pro, 128GB, WiFi) — $559.99 $599.99 (save $40)

Best Early Black Friday Target Tech Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort $169.99 at Target
$359.99 Save $190   Get Deal at Target Why we like it

Bose debuted the second generation of its QuietComfort headphones this year but the first gen of Bose's QuietComfort headphones are still top-notch quality. Plus, you can get them for an insane discount ahead of Black Friday. Right now, shop them for $169.99, which saves you an astounding $190 off the $359.99 price tag.

There's a huge selection of tech on sale now, so make sure to explore all the savings ahead of Black Friday.

More early Black Friday Tech deals

Headphones

• Sony WH-CH530 — $49.99 $69.99 (save $20)

• Beats Solo 4 — $129.99 $199.99 (save $70)

• Beats Studio Pro — $199.99 $349.99 (save $150)

• Bose QuietComfort (2nd Gen) — $219.99 $359.99 (save $140)

Earbuds

• Nothing CMF Buds Pro 2 — $39 $49.49 (save $10.49)

• Nothing Ear (3a) — $79 $99.99 (save $20.99)

• Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 —$199.99 $249.99 (save $50)

• Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) — $229.99 $299.99 (save $70)

Smartwatches and fitness trackers

• Fitbit Inspire 3 — $69.95 $99.95 (save $30)

• Fitbit Versa 4 — $159.95 $199.95 (save $40)

• Garmin Vivoactive 5 — $169.99 $249.99 (save $80)

• Fitbit Sense 2 — $199.95 $249.95 (save $50)

• Google Pixel Watch 5 LTE — $399.99 $499.99 (save $100)

Speaker and soundbar

• TCL S45H S Class 2.0 Soundbar — $79.99 $99.99 (save $20)

• Google Home Speaker — $79.99 $99.99 (save $20)

• JBL Charge 6 — $149.99 $199.99 (save $50)

• Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar — $899.99 $1,099.99 (save $200)

TVs

• Samsung 55-inch Crystal Series 4K TV — $249.99 $329.99 (save $60)

• Samsung 50-inch M70H Mini LED 4K TV — $279.99 $379.99 (save $100)

• Samsung 55-inch The Frame LS03HE UHD 4K TV — $899.99 $1,199.99 (save $300)

Best Early Black Friday Target Vacuum Deal Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot iRobot Roomba Plus 575 Combo Robot Vacuum and Mop $499.99
$799.99 Save $300   Get Deal Why we like it

There's no better gift to give yourself or someone you love, than the gift of clean floors. Especially, when you don't need to lift a finger yourself. That's why we think this deal on the iRobot Roomba Plus 575 Combo Robot Vacuum and Mop is not to miss ahead of Black Friday.

The combo vacuum and mop is now on sale for $499.99, which saves you $300 off its $799.99 list price. That's nearly half off, which reaches every little crevice of your floors and even around furniture. Plus, with included mop pads, it will scrub your floors too.

More early Black Friday vacuum deals

• Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Vacuum — $124.99 $199.99 (save $75)

• Shark Rocket Corded Stick Vacuum — $129.99 $199.99 (save $70)

• iRobot Roomba 105 Combo Robot Vacuum and Mop — $169.99 $319.99 (save $150)

• Shark Rotator Pet Lift-Away Upright Vacuum — $189.99 $399.99 (save $210)

• Shark Matrix RV2310AE Robot Vacuum — $249.99 $499.99 (save $250)

• Dyson V9 Motorbar Cordless Vacuum — $269.99 $599.99 (save $330)

• Dyson Ball Animal Total Clean Vacuum — $299.99 $499.99 (save $200)

• iRobot Roomba Plus 415 Combo Robot Vacuum and Mop — $379.99 $599.99 (save $220)

Best Early Black Friday Target Kitchen Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Creami 7-in-1 Ice Cream Maker $199.99 at Target
$229.99 Save $30   Get Deal at Target Why we like it

Who says ice cream is only for summer? If you want sweet frozen treats all year long, you need the Ninja Creami. It's on sale ahead of Black Friday and already $30 off. That brings it under $200, which is a steal.

It's the ultimate kitchen gadget for those with a sweet tooth because it provides homemade ice cream on command. With this deal, you'll be meal prepping pints so you can have ice cream all week.

More early Black Friday kitchen deals

• Keurig K-Mini Go Coffee Maker — $49.99 $99.99 (save $50)

• Ninja BlendBoss Tumbler Blender — $99.99 $129.99 (save $30)

• Cuisinart Air Fryer and Toaster — $99.99 $229.99 (save $130)

• Keurig K-Supreme Gen 2 Coffee Maker — $109.99 $169.99 (save $60)

• Ninja Flip Toaster Oven and Air Fryer — $139.99 $249.99 (save $110)

• Ninja Crispi 5-in-1 Air Fryer — $184.99 $219.99 (save $35)

• Ninja DoubleStack 2-Basket Air Fryer — $189.99 $219.99 (save $30)

• KitchenAid 5.5-Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer — $299.99 $499.99 (save $200)

• Ninja Double Oven Pro Countertop Oven and Air Fryer — $299.99 $399.99 (save $100)