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SAVE $20: As of Dec. 8, the Amazon Fire Stick 4K Max is on sale for $39.99 at Amazon. That's a 33% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Fire Stick 4K Max $39.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $20   Get Deal

If you've been waiting for the Fire Stick 4K Max to go back on sale, now is your time to pounce. The famed streaming device just got a $20 discount at Amazon, bringing it to its second cheapest price of the year (only slightly beaten by the recent Black Friday price). This discount brings the price down to $39.99.

The Amazon Fire Stick is always worth it, especially with a discount like this. With this specific model, not only are you getting to watch your favorite shows and movies in 4K Ultra HD, with support for Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and immersive Dolby Atmos audio, but you're also getting 16GB of storage, which is double other models. So, if you plan to download lots of apps, games, and TV shows, this Fire TV Stick is the one for you.

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You can also use it to game without a console. Play Xbox games like Forza Motorsport, Starfield, Palworld, and hundreds more with the Xbox Game Pass via cloud gaming.

And it's all so easy to set up. Plug the Fire TV Stick into your TV's HDMI port and connect it to an outlet. Turn your TV on with your new, Amazon remote, and get ready to stream with the Fire OS. It couldn't be simpler. The box comes with everything you need, including batteries for the remote and an extension cable for the Fire Stick (so it can still fit even if your TV is secured tightly to the wall).

Grab this great deal from Amazon while it's still available.

SAVE $300: As of Dec. 8, the Google Pixel 9 is on sale for $499 at Amazon. That's a 38% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel 9 $499 at Amazon
$799 Save $300   Get Deal

If you've been shopping around for a new smartphone, this latest Amazon deal on the Google Pixel 9 will see you taking home a great model for less than $500. As of Dec. 8, the impressive Pixel model is on sale for just $499, a saving of $300. According to camelcamelcamel, this is its lowest-ever price.

The Pixel 9 also comes unlocked, so it's an ideal choice for anyone who doesn't want to be stuck in a two-year contract with one network provider. It also comes with some of Google’s latest AI features through Gemini, Google's AI assistant. These are tools that can help with tasks, respond to voice prompts, and generally make your use of the phone feel seamless.

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The camera offers great quality. It's award-winning, in fact. It has a 50 MP main sensor and a new 48 MP ultrawide camera with Macro Focus for detailed, up close shots. And after you snap, the phone's AI photo tools let you edit in ways that can change composition, adjust scenes, or improve how people look in group shots. Features like Add Me and Best Take can merge or refine images, and Magic Editor allows you to reframe or alter scenery after shooting. Editing made nice and easy.

You can find this Google Pixel 9 deal at Amazon now.

SAVE $50: As of Dec. 8, Best Buy has dropped the price of the AirPods 4 (without ANC) to $79.99 as part of its Deal of the Day. This is $50 off their list price of $129.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 $79.99 at Best Buy
$129.99 Save $50.00   Get Deal

Big seasonal sale events may be behind us now, but if you're still hoping to save on tech ahead of the holidays, Best Buy's here to help. As part of its Deal of the Day, the retailer has dropped the price of the AirPods 4 (without ANC) to $79.99 on Dec. 8, so you can score these earbuds at a discounted price that's very close to the $69.99 point they hit over Cyber Monday.

This discount ultimately saves you $50 on the AirPods 4 (without ANC), as they usually retail for $129.99. This is a great price if you've had your eye on them, either for yourself or as a gift to give during the holiday season. Again, this is a one-day-only deal, so if you'd like to grab them for $79.99, you need to act quick.

SEE ALSO: From AirPods to espresso machines, everything the Mashable shopping team bought during Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2025

With a battery life that can last up to 30 hours when you use the charging case, the AirPods 4 are an excellent companion to pack with you for any holiday travels. And though these versions don't have noise-cancellation, they still offer great sound quality thanks to the H2 chip and features like Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, which makes it feel as if the sound is coming from all around you as you listen.

Don't miss out on Best Buy's Deal of the Day on the AirPods 4 (without ANC), which has knocked them down to just $79.99.

If these have been on your holiday season shopping list but you're not quite done yet, check out our roundup of the 60+ best Christmas gifts for 2025 to see even more items we'd recommend this year.

IT: Welcome to Derry episode 6 may have made us briefly wonder if Mrs Kersh (Madeleine Stowe) is Pennywise's daughter, but episode 7 has now given us the answer.

Opening with yet another flashback to 1908, the penultimate episode in Andy Muschietti's prequel series takes us back to the origin of not the monster itself, but the creature's infamous clown persona.

So what do we learn? We've unpacked it all below.

SEE ALSO: 'IT: Welcome to Derry': All the Stephen King Easter eggs so far What happens with Pennywise in episode 7?

In 1908, Ingrid Kersh (Madeleine Stowe) is working at the fun fair with her father Bob Gray (Bill Skarsgård), who performs as Pennywise the Dancing Clown. When he's in his costume he looks like a budget version of the evil Pennywise we've come to know all too well, and it's clear that the man himself isn't an evil, child-snatching entity.

Credit: HBO

So what's going on here?

The first clue comes when we see a creepy child watching Pennywise from a window with an unsmiling expression on his face. Later, that same child approaches a makeup-free Bob and tells him that "the children seem drawn to you." The kid then says he can't find his parents, before leading Bob into the woods towards the sound of screams.

The next thing we know Ingrid's father has disappeared, and all that remains of him is a blood-spattered handkerchief that's been found in the forest.

What does it tell us about Pennywise's origin?

Firstly, the episode rules out any possibility of Mrs Kersh being the monster's actual daughter (as she herself realises towards the episode's end). What it does tell us is that Pennywise was once a real, human clown, chosen by the creature due to his popularity with children. Essentially the clown is just another one of IT's many disguises — the form it reverts to when it wants to lure in children.

New episodes of IT: Welcome to Derry premiere Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

IT: Welcome to Derry only has one episode left, and things seem to be going from bad to worse.

Because as well as a Pennywise origin story and a re-creation of one of the book's most disturbing historical chapters, episode 7 also ends with a twist that spells trouble for not just the main characters, but potentially the entire United States.

So what exactly happened, and what could it mean?

SEE ALSO: 'IT: Welcome to Derry': All the Stephen King Easter eggs so far What happens at the end of IT: Welcome to Derry, episode 7?

After a horrific arson attack brings an apparent end to the creature's current killing cycle, the military — following the lead of Dick Hallorann (Chris Chalk) — tracks down one of the ancient pillars that essentially acts as a cage to keep the monster in Derry. Major Hanlon (Jovan Adepo) thinks they'll be using this pillar to trap and kill the creature, but soon discovers the military actually intends to destroy it.

During a tense discussion with General Shaw (James Remar), the army's real plans become clear: They don't want to kill the creature, they want to free it.

Why is the army trying to free IT?

Given Pennywise has spent the past six episodes laying waste to 17 children, the army's plan to unleash IT into the U.S. seems misguided at best. But General Shaw seems convinced that IT is exactly what America needs. "This country is slowly fracturing into a thousand, jagged, ill-fitting pieces," he barks. "I am only trying to prevent another civil war."

The general believes that the only chance of controlling the population is through the kind of fear that a creature like Pennywise has the power to instil en masse.

"Look at this town. What happened last night, horrific," Shaw says. "But guess what? The streets are calm today. No rioting, no looting, no unrest. The fear — it settles on every living person it touches like a fog. Like a goddamned anaesthetic."

Despite the best efforts of Major Hanlon, the army succeeds in destroying the pillar. As we see from the final shots of the episode, this causes the creature to reawaken from its slumber.

Somehow we think the army may not have properly thought this little scheme through.

New episodes of IT: Welcome to Derry premiere Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

SAVE $30: As of Dec. 8, the Echo Show 5 is on sale for $59.99 at Amazon. That's a 33% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Echo Show 5 $59.99 at Amazon
$89.99 Save $30.00   Get Deal

Smart home products are a great way to modernize your home; whether it's a robot vacuum, smart light bulbs, or even devices to control your heating, they truly do make life a little easier. And one simple way to streamline everything is through a smart home hub like the Echo Show 5, a compact display that brings Alexa and a handy control system to one location.

And as of Dec. 8, you can get the Echo Show 5 on sale at Amazon. Right now you'll save $30 on the device, bringing the price down to $59.99. That's just $5 off its Black Friday price.

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This smart home hub has a 5.5-inch display, so it's nifty but big enough to let you see things like news, weather, and music at a glance. It can also be used for video calls, streaming, and checking compatible cameras thanks to its 2MP camera. Despite its small size, the sound is impressive, with the speakers benefiting from a deeper bass and clearer vocals.

It can also control compatible smart home devices such as lights and thermostats, and the built-in camera can be used to check in on pets or view your front door through supported video doorbells. And when not in use, you can transform the screen into a digital photo frame, showing a carousel of your favorite images.

Pick up this Echo Show 5 deal from Amazon now.

Having a clean and tidy home is a joy. Cleaning and tidying said home is less of a joy. Though there are some elevated beings among us who find scrubbing their stovetop a meditative experience, most people consider such tasks exhausting, reviled chores only undertaken with reluctance.

Fortunately, the steady march of technological advancement continues to lighten the burden of domestic labour. The popularisation of washing machines and dishwashers revolutionised everyday chores in the '50s, freeing up precious time for millions of people. New devices are now furthering the cause, seeking to become the next ubiquitous household cleaning essential.

Here are seven gadgets to help keep your home clean with minimal effort.

SEE ALSO: How to clean your laptop screen Roborock F25 Ultra wet and dry vacuum cleaner Roborock claims it can even steam wood floors. Credit: Roborock

While robot vacuums are great at maintaining general floor cleanliness, sometimes a deeper manual clean is required. The Roborock F25 Ultra wet and dry vacuum cleaner is a versatile option for such occasions, offering mopping, steam cleaning, 187°F (86°C) hot water cleaning, and sponge functionality all in a convenient upright cordless gadget. It can also lay completely flat, allowing you to reach those difficult spots underneath furniture for a satisfyingly thorough clean.

Boasting 22,000Pa suction power, the F25 Ultra features tight edge-to-edge cleaning on either side, mopping right up next to furniture and walls without missing spots. While its auto and sponge modes are suitable for standard cleaning and sucking up spills, the F25 Ultra's hot water and steam modes deal with oiler, more stubborn stains. The F25 Ultra also has a separate onboard compartment for detergent, which automatically dispenses in appropriate modes. This means you can switch between the steam and non-steam functions on the fly without having to worry about detergent interfering with the internal mechanisms.

Significantly, Roborock claims that the F25 Ultra's steam mode safely be safely used on wood floors. Many other wet and dry vacuums advise against such use due to fears that the hot steam may cause the wood to warp. In contrast, Roborock states that tests on the F25 Ultra included using its steam mode on a solid wood floor, which didn't result in any damage even after 18,000 strokes.

The F25 Ultra comes with a charging base and self-cleaning mode, which makes maintenance fairly simple. All you need to do run the self-clean, then empty out the dirty water tank and brush away the accumulated debris. While clearing out a dirty water tank is never an enjoyable task, the convenient lever handle on the F25 Ultra's tank helps make it as quick and easy as possible.

Roborock F25 Ultra wet and dry vacuum $529.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $270   Shop Now at Amazon Wolfbox MegaFlow 200 compressed air duster Blow away dust with ease. Credit: Wolfbox

Dusting off your electronics is one of those cleaning chores that you know you technically should do, but it's just so easy to overlook. There's never a compressed air canister on hand when you want to clean, and going to buy one feels like a hassle. The Wolfbox MegaFlow 200 compressed air duster makes it much easier to keep your electronics clean, turning dusting from an occasional chore to a regular part of your routine.

Blasting air at a maximum speed of over 190mph, the MegaFlow 200 weighs less than 1lb and charges by USB-C, making it easy to keep on hand for a quick clean at any time. While its four interchangeable nozzles are too wide to really reach into the nooks and crannies of electronics, the MegaFlow also comes with two brushes to help with that job, allowing you to dislodge debris while the powerful fan blasts it away. 

The MegaFlow 200 isn't just intended for dusting off electronics either. It can also tackle tasks such as clearing away sawdust in your workshop, helping light campfires, or blowing up inflatable mattresses — basically any job that requires a concentrated blast of air. Instead of handling a myriad of disposable air canisters and air pumps, you can do it all with just one gadget.

It is worth noting that the MegaFlow 200's considerable power does come with a drawback. The fan is incredibly loud, enough that it may hurt users' ears while in operation. Mashable's testing found that the noise from the MegaFlow 200 was over 100dB, as measured by Apple Watch Ultra's environmental noise detection. According to Apple, just a few minutes of sound at this volume per day can cause temporary hearing loss. As such, you'll definitely want to wear earplugs or noise-cancelling earphones while using the MegaFlow 200.

Wolfbox MegaFlow 200 compressed air duster $99.99 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $30.00   Shop Now at Amazon Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller robot vacuum Credit: Dreame

A decade ago robot vacuums were considered novelties, more suitable as subjects of drunken shenanigans than reliable home helpers. They've developed significantly in the years since, with Dreame's Aqua10 Ultra Roller robot vacuum now offering a reasonable set-and-forget solution to keeping your floors clean with minimal effort, regardless of whether you have hard floors, carpet, or both.

The Aqua10 Ultra Roller is one of Dreame's first robot vacuums to have a roller mop, forgoing the spinning mop pads found on its previous models. Dreame has gone hard on this new design as well. Not only can the roller mop extend out by 40mm to reach along edges, the Aqua10 Ultra Roller also rinses it with clean water as it mops, ensuring you aren't spreading a mess across your floor. Further, the Aqua10 Ultra Roller has a roller guard which automatically deploys to shield the wet mop when it detects carpet, keeping soft flooring dry and stain-free. It's a boon to anyone who's ever chased after a robot vacuum dragging its dirty wet mop across their carpet.

Combined with 30,000 Pa of suction power, the Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller robot vacuum leaves floors feeling noticeably cleaner and fresher — and does so remarkably quietly. The Aqua10 Ultra Roller operates at a low, relatively unobtrusive hum which is great for those who want to run their robot vacuum overnight while they sleep. 

Like Dreame's previous models, the Aqua10 Ultra Roller is capable of clearing 4cm thresholds, or 8cm if there's a ledge halfway for it to work with. While Dreame's robot vacuums still aren't climbing stairs just yet, they're certainly striving to get closer to that goal, offering some of the best threshold clearance on the market. The Aqua10 Ultra Roller also does practically everything else now expected of premium robot vacuums, including automatically washing its roller mop, emptying its dust bin, refilling its water tank, and topping up its detergent in its docking station.

Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller robot vacuum $1,199.99 at Amazon
$1,599.99 Save $400   Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Amazon Kärcher SC 3 EasyFix steam cleaner A powerful and versatile cleaning gadget. Credit: Mashable composite: Kärcher

Steam cleaners are severely underrated cleaning gadgets, sanitising surfaces and blasting away grime that would otherwise take extensive scrubbing to remove. If the grout in your bathroom is perpetually mouldy or you hate scouring your stovetop, you should seriously consider investing in a steam cleaner.

The Kärcher SC 3 EasyFix steam cleaner is a versatile household steam cleaner which heats up in less than a minute, so you can quickly get to cleaning before your motivation evaporates. Relatively compact at around 14 inches long, the SC 3 EasyFix has a 33 oz (1L) water tank which can easily be topped up even during operation, no stopping and depressurising required. Its replaceable descaling cartridge removes limescale from the water to lengthen the steam cleaner's lifespan as well.

The SC 3 EasyFix comes bundled with several attachments and accessories, including a floor nozzle, cleaning cloth, and extension tubes so you can steam clean your floor without getting on all fours. Kärcher also has various other accessories to expand your unit's versatility, such as a carpet glider, handy replacement brush sets, and a power nozzle for reaching into narrow areas.

It isn't entirely magic — you will still have to scrub a little. But scrubbing with a steam cleaner as opposed to without one is like pushing a tricycle instead of a truck.

Kärcher SC 3 EasyFix steam cleaner $207.99 at Amazon
$259.99 Save $52   Shop Now at Amazon Dremel Versa electric scrubber Scrubbing made way easier. Credit: Dremel

Keeping a home clean unfortunately often necessitates scrubbing for hours on end until your fingers are permanently, painfully stuck in a clawed position. The Dremel Versa is an electric scrubbing device designed to make this chore much easier, replacing your elbow grease with 2,200 RPM.

The Versa has a slew of attachments available to suit a variety of scrubbing needs, whether you want to clean steel, grout, or glass. While its brushes screw in, the sponges adhere to the Versa via a Velcro-like pad, keeping them firmly attached while also making them ridiculously easy to swap out.

Dremel has a handy chart to help you determine the appropriate sponge for a variety of tasks, though it's still fairly nerve-wracking at first. As someone who has inadvertently scratched shower glass with a drill-powered scrubbing brush, you don't want to be applying such power unless you're absolutely sure you have the right attachment. You should consider wearing hearing protection as well, especially if you're using the Dremel Versa in an enclosed space such as a shower. After all, it is essentially a drill.

Though once you've figured it out, the Dremel Versa can go a long way to making home upkeep less taxing.

Dremel Versa electric scrubber $59.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Coway Airmega 200M air purifier A good air purifier can be vital to the comfort of a home. Credit: Coway

As someone who lives in a fairly suburban area, I used to think air purifiers were largely unnecessary gadgets. Having now been through several dire bushfire seasons which smothered my home in smoke, I now know better.

Whether you're dealing with wildfire smoke or city smog, a good air purifier can be vital to the comfort of a home. After all, it's difficult to relax if you can't even get a lungful of good, clean air. The Coway Airmega 200M is a relatively unobtrusive workhorse that can maintain clean air in a 361 square foot area, whether you're binge-watching Netflix in your living room or optimising your sleep in your bedroom. The result is an environment that feels undeniably fresher and more peaceful.

The Airmega 200M has four stages of filtration: a pre-filter for larger particles such as hair and dust; a deodorisation filter to capture smells; a True HEPA filter for ultra fine particles like pollen, viruses, and germs; and a vital ioniser to catch any ultra fine particles the previous filters missed. 

Operating at a whisper-quiet volume, Coway's air purifier has a timer which can be set to one, four, or eight hours, as well as three different fan speeds. It also has an Eco Mode, which will save you energy by turning the fan off if the Airmega 200M doesn't detect pollution for half an hour, then turning it back on when it does.

Coway Airmega 200M air purifier $229.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Walmart Bosch GlassVAC Solo Plus window vacuum A gadget that aims to simplify window washing. Credit: Bosch

Having an abundance of windows can make a home feel refreshing and bright, allowing in natural light to transform an otherwise gloomy space. Unfortunately, these benefits are significantly diminished if you can't keep said windows clean.

Bosch's GlassVAC Solo Plus window vacuum aims to simplify this chore, squeegeeing and sucking up liquids for a tidy, streak-free finish. Bundled with a spray bottle affixed to a microfibre cloth head, this handheld gadget is designed to clean windows, mirrors, shower screens, tiles, and other such surfaces. Just turn it on, squeegee as usual, and watch as dirty water collects in its 100mL tank instead of on your window sill. 

The vacuum isn't quite as effective when running the GlassVAC Solo Plus horizontally across surfaces as opposed to vertically, and it may not get every last drop. Depending on how wet your window was, you may still need to give the sill a quick wipe. Even so, the GlassVAC Solo Plus does an excellent job of substantially minimising mess, and is particularly handy when dealing with morning condensation on bedroom windows.

The Bosch's GlassVAC Solo Plus also doesn't make that grating squeaking sound that most standard squeegees do, which is an undeniable bonus.

Bosch Glass VAC Battery Cordless Vacuum Cleaner $92 at Walmart
$110 Save $18   Shop Now at Walmart

UPDATE: Dec. 8, 2025, 4:43 p.m. AEDT This article was originally published July 2024, and has since been updated in December 2025.

Tonight marks day 18 of the lunar cycle, meaning the Moon is in its waning gibbous phase. More than half of its surface is still illuminated, but it’s slowly shrinking each night as it moves toward the New Moon. Keep reading to find out what this means.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Monday, Dec. 8, the moon phase is Waning Gibbous. This means 83% of the moon is lit up tonight, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

There's still more than half of the moon on display, so with just you naked eye you can see the Mare Tranquillitatis, Tycho Crater, and Copernicus Crater. If have binoculars to hand, pull these out to see the Gassendi Crater, Endymion Crater, and the Alps Mountains. And a telescope will help you see the you can catch a glimpse of the Apollo 16 landing spot, Rima Ariadaeus, and the Linne Crater.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Jan. 3.

What are moon phases?

NASA explains that the lunar cycle (which is about 29.5 days long) is made up of the Moon’s phases, which describe how the Moon looks from Earth as it travels around us. We view the same side of the Moon at all times, but the sunlight hitting its surface shifts as it moves through its orbit. That changing illumination is what makes the Moon appear full, half-lit, or not visible at all. The cycle includes eight distinct phases:

New Moon - The moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

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. 8 Pips

Less Than (1): Everything in this space must be less than 1. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally; 4-6, placed horizontally.

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 8 Pips

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this red space must be equal to 2. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally; 1-2, placed horizontally; 2-4, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this orange space must be greater than 4. The answer is 4-6, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally.

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

Equal (1): Everything in this light blue space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally; 1-3, placed horizontally; 6-1, placed horizontally.

Equal (4): Everything in this green space must be equal to 4. The answer is 0-4, placed horizontally; 2-4, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 8 Pips

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically; 4-1, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this green space must be equal to 1. The answer is 4-1, placed vertically; 1-0, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Everything in this light blue space must be equal to 0. The answer is 1-0, placed horizontally; 0-6, placed horizontally.

Number (21): Everything in this space must add up to 21. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally; 5-5, placed horizontally; 6-3, placed vertically.

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 6-3, placed vertically.

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 21. The answer is 2-6, placed vertically; 0-6, placed horizontally.

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

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 0-4, placed vertically; 4-2, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 1-2, placed vertically; 2-2, placed horizontally; 4-2, 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 live in the Mile High City.

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: Mile High sports

• Green: Levels of football

• Blue: Billionaires

• Purple: MACtion

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Denver Teams

• Green: Words That Come Before "Football"

• Blue: NFL Owners

• Purple: MAC Team Nicknames

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

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

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections: Sports Edition #441 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Denver Teams - AVALANCHE, BRONCOS, NUGGETS, ROCKIES

• Words That Come Before "Football" - AMERICAN, COLLEGE, FANTASY, FLAG

• NFL Owners - BLANK, HUNT, KRAFT, YORK

• MAC Team Nicknames - GOLDEN FLASHES, MINUTEMEN, ROCKETS, ZIPS

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.

Meta is delaying the release of its anticipated mixed reality headset, codename "Phoenix," and will focus on next-gen devices and wearables over the next year.

In an internal memo, Reality Labs Vice President Maher Saba stated that the commands originated from CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who instructed Reality Labs teams to focus on "higher quality experiences" and other efforts to make the business more sustainable. Saba clarified to employees that the extended timeline was not due to the device receiving additional features, but rather to encourage teams to refine the details.

SEE ALSO: Pixel Watch updates its 'always on' display for media controls and timers

Other Meta VR leaders, including Reality Labs executives Gabriel Aul and Ryan Cairns, added that the decision would give them more "breathing room" to complete the product, as reported by Business Insider. "There's a lot coming in hot with tight bring-up schedules and big changes to our core UX, and we won't compromise on landing a fully polished and reliable experience," they wrote in another memo.

The glasses reportedly look similar to Apple's Vision Pro glasses, with a goggle-like shape and an external computing puck that makes the unit extremely lightweight. Insiders say it will run on the same Horizon OS as Meta’s Quest headsets.

Meta will instead aim for a 2026 release of a "limited edition" wearable device, called "Malibu 2," as well as a next-generation Meta Quest device. Aul and Cairns said the revamp will include a major capabilities upgrade focused on immersive gaming.

Melissa McCarthy served up some of her classic physical comedy in a new Saturday Night Live sketch about what happens when a sales associate is just really, really nice to you on a particularly bad day.

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

Playing a severely touch-starved and jealous suburban woman, McCarthy doesn't quite know how to respond to cast member Jeremy Culhane's kindly grocery store employee, who has just handed her some soft and tasty Raclette. McCarthy, the owner of a pack of ill-behaved dogs, gives Culhane a family heirloom, pats him with soft caresses, and violates several other HR policies, all in the name of a little bite of cheese. I get it.

The spirit of Christmas has taken over 30 Rock, and this week's Saturday Night Live host, Melissa McCarthy, joined in with a sketch about spreading joy through acts of kindness.

Well, kind of.

Following her young neighbor's heartwarming decision to shovel her snowy path, McCarthy — the elderly, seemingly innocuous grandma next door — decided to return the favor, with a series of gifts that escalate in terrifying, hilarious ways.

SEE ALSO: What's new to streaming this week? (Dec. 5, 2025)

A bully (Marcello Hernandez) hog-tied on the front lawn, two women and a pimp on the doorstep, a gun in a nicely-wrapped box — it's like some kind of messed-up Grinch fable. Grandma might be a psychopathic killer, but her misguided attempts are still spreading holiday cheer.

Colin Jost's Pete Hegseth returned to Saturday Night Live this week to kick off the Melissa McCarthy-hosted episode, featuring Dane Cook jokes, 6-7, and the ongoing conflict with Venezuela.

The Defense Secretary sauntered into the White House press room like a WWE superstar, crushing cans and berating journalists with insults like a particularly annoying middle school bully as he answered questions about what he dubbed "Operation Kill Everybody."

"As you probably read in some gay newspaper, we're now at war with Venezuela," the government leader told the press pool.

SEE ALSO: Where to watch the best holiday movies

Hegseth was joined by "reporter" Matt Gaetz (Sarah Squirm) and "high-energy Alpha" President Donald Trump (James Austin Johnson), with the latter nodding off in the corner while dreaming about NYC Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani.

There are very few small years for video games, but 2025 felt like a big and mildly weird one in a lot of ways.

It was a year relatively lacking in big-budget first-party bangers from the likes of PlayStation and Xbox, though you'll see a bit of the former on this list. Nintendo had a big year, finally launching the Switch 2, but still, the most talked-about game of the year was a Japanese RPG made in France. Aside from all of that, it was a big year for soccer, non-French-RPGs, lonely hikes, and hotly anticipated sequels to indie smash hits.

Enough of the preamble. Here are Mashable's (unranked) picks for the best video games of 2025. You can also check out our sister site CNET's top games of the year, including a best overall pick.

SEE ALSO: 'Metroid Prime 4: Beyond' is the 'Metroid' you want 90 percent of the time Trails in the Sky: 1st Chapter The combat is so, so good. Credit: GungHo/Falcom/Steam

For me, personally, 2025 was defined less by games that came out this year and more by a long-running series of turn-based RPGs known as Trails in the English-speaking world. There are more than a dozen of them, most of which are at least 50 hours long, and they all connect narratively. The best point of comparison, in terms of the breadth of its story and the sheer number of characters to keep track of, would probably be A Song of Ice and Fire. It's a massive commitment, but I have truly loved playing through the series this year.

And what a nice coincidence it was that developer Nihon Falcom decided to release a shiny new from-the-ground-up remake of Trails in the Sky, the very first game in the series, in late 2025. Aside from just being a great entry point into this incredible series, Trails in the Sky: 1st Chapter is an astounding RPG on its own merits. Its art style brims with personality, the unique real-time/turn-based hybrid combat is my personal favorite RPG combat of the year, and it's fascinating to see the seeds for future high-stakes storytelling planted in this humble, low-stakes adventure.

If any of this sounds at all interesting to you, start with this game and keep going after that. There's also a remake of the second game coming in the near future.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach They went nuts with the weather in this one. Credit: Kojima Productions/PlayStation

While I will stop short of calling Death Stranding director Hideo Kojima an unprecedented genius, I do think he represents what I would love to see out of big-budget game development: Eccentric creators with cool ideas given massive amounts of money to make whatever they want, no matter how off-putting the elevator pitch for the project might be.

Death Stranding 2 is certainly less off-putting than its flawed 2019 predecessor, thanks to more forgiving combat and an overall design philosophy that empowers the player more than it disempowers them. That doesn't make it any less goofy, though. This is a game with pizza-based martial arts, a kind and helpful talking doll by your side at all times, a truly confounding central performance from Norman Reedus, and a climactic shirtless electric guitar battle at its conclusion.

Most importantly, Death Stranding 2 is a much more confident take on the ultimate masculine power fantasy of being emotionally unavailable and pondering public infrastructure projects. Its personality shines through where it didn't in the first game, and it's going to stick with me as much as anything I played this year.

Mario Kart World That dolphin is riding a motorcycle that looks like a dolphin. Credit: Nintendo

The first of two early Switch 2 exclusives on this list, Mario Kart World is also perhaps the most divisive game in that category so far. Some people, like me, love its focused design, increased sense of chaos, and astoundingly fun Knockout Tour mode. Other people feel that the open-world portion of World is half-baked and that a lack of post-launch support has stifled its long-term viability as a multiplayer game.

That's fine, I guess, but I never needed Mario Kart World to be Fortnite. In fact, I'm glad it's not. Nintendo created a great racing game full of fun activities to enjoy, and most importantly, it doesn't require your constant attention. If you want to put it down for weeks or months at a time and come back later, you won't miss anything. Mario Kart World also shies away from embarrassing, undignified corporate crossovers, rounding out its character roster with random Mario enemies instead of SpongeBob SquarePants and Hatsune Miku.

Between all of that and a truly astonishing and dense soundtrack full of loving renditions of songs from across the Mario universe, Mario Kart World is a great celebration of Nintendo's mascot and a great entry point into the Switch 2 as a console.

Despelote Play 'Despelote' at your earliest convenience. Credit: Panic/Steam

Despelote speaks for itself better than I could ever put into words. You should really just plop down $15, play through it in the 90 minutes it takes to finish, and come back here instead of reading more.

In case you can't or don't want to do that, though, Despelote is a first-person narrative adventure about growing up in Ecuador in the early 2000s, as the country's national men's soccer team attempts to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in its history. Time is measured by game days and further contextualized by political and economic instability that fades into the background because you're playing as a child who cares more about soccer than anything else in the world. Its environments are hazy and dreamlike, resembling half-formed childhood memories better than almost any other game I can think of.

More than anything, Despelote transports the player to a very particular time and place, focusing on a culture that often receives little attention in video games. I choose to celebrate that.

Donkey Kong Bananza Pauline is so cool. Credit: Nintendo

Our second Switch 2 exclusive understands one crucial aspect of video game design: Punching things until they explode is a lot of fun.

Donkey Kong Bananza is notable for a few reasons. One is that it marks the return of one of Nintendo's oldest characters as a 3D platformer hero, his first game in that role in 25 years. Another is that he got a fresh redesign and a new best friend in the infinitely charming Pauline, a singing teenage girl who joins DK on his quest to the core of the planet. Bananza marries tons of personality with highly destructible environments, all of which will fall to DK's fists on a long enough timeline.

A 3D platformer where you can ignore the baked-in level design and simply punch your way to the goal works remarkably well. I'm not sure if Bananza is as good as Super Mario Odyssey (the last game from this development team), but it's definitely worthy of being on this list.

As much as I loved Donkey Kong Bananza, I'm not sure I loved it quite as much as our colleagues at CNET, which named it the best game of 2025. (Disclosure: CNET and Mashable are both owned by Ziff Davis.)

Ghost of Yotei Pretty. Credit: Sucker Punch/PlayStation

PlayStation's Ghost of Yotei is one of the few games on this list that I have not personally had time to check out yet, but our reviewer George Yang adored his time with the open-world samurai adventure. His take on the quest design really stood out to me:

"Ghost of Yotei has one of the best open-world formats out there, and that’s due to how seamlessly its side quests and exploration unfold. As Atsu travels across Ezo, NPC characters will call out to her, signaling that they have a side quest for her to tackle. It’s worth doing them too, as they reward Atsu with new equipment or money to help her on her journey. The side quests aren’t mindless fetch quests either — each one has a story that expands Yotei’s lore and worldbuilding. For example, one quest had Atsu rescuing an imprisoned gambler who maintained a winning streak against Saitō’s lackeys, showing not only their lack of morals but their pettiness, too."

It's hard to make open-world games feel fresh in 2025, but by all accounts, Yotei does an admirable job of that. If you want to luxuriate in gorgeous visuals and do cool sword tricks for a few dozen hours, here you go.

Hades II The part where you play 'Hades II' is still unparelleled. Credit: Supergiant Games/Steam

I have to admit that Hades II has not stuck with me for hundreds of hours in the same way the first game did in 2020. Its faults include a story that wraps up in a rather unsatisfying manner and the fact that it's been done before.

Still, even taking into account a lack of novelty, I think Hades II just barely makes the cut here because more Hades is still more Hades. Developer Supergiant Games marries its usual excellent art direction, audio design, and variable combat mechanics into something that's downright thrilling to play at its best. Introducing a second route to the game also dramatically increased the variety therein. I don't think Hades II measures up to its predecessor, but it doesn't have to in order to make this list.

Baby Steps I'm getting stressed just looking at this. Credit: Devolver Digital/Steam

Baby Steps, the newest joint from developer Bennett Foddy, is a game you can consume entirely via social media clips of players failing hilariously, if you want. It's another in a long line of games about physics-based movement, where the act of walking requires intent and precision, and nothing is handled for you automatically. Merely going up a set of stairs is a challenge here. Turning the mundane into profound obstacles is a significant part of the appeal of Baby Steps and similar games.

On top of all of that, Baby Steps is just strange (complimentary). It's a game where weird things happen on a regular basis, as a reward for sticking with it through the frustration. I have a feeling Baby Steps will have some of the longest-lasting appeal of any 2025 release.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Heck yes dude. Credit: Nintendo

I don't know if any 2025 video game had more weight on its shoulders than Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. It's the first Prime game in 18 years, following extensive delays and a general sense among Metroid fans that Nintendo had lost interest in the series. It also had to contend with some pre-release controversy surrounding a certain engineer, which led some fans to believe the game was beyond saving before it even came out.

I am pleased to report that Metroid Prime 4 is great, regardless of the anxiety surrounding it. Samus Aran's latest adventure combines rock-solid level design with a haunting desert hub that you traverse on a kick-ass motorcycle. It's the best-looking Switch 2 game so far, and it has a great sense of atmosphere, along with excellent music. Most importantly, it proves that Metroid Prime can still work in a modern context, even if that engineer guy is really irritating.

Honorable Mention: Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition I beg you to give this one a shot. Credit: Nintendo

At the risk of putting too many Nintendo games on this list, I do want to shout out Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition. It's an oft-requested Switch remaster of the last great Wii U exclusive, a gargantuan open-world RPG about human refugees trying to make a life on a distant alien planet after Earth's destruction.

Xenoblade X has one of the three or four best open worlds in any video game, ever. Every inch of it is thoughtfully designed, including the vast, empty stretches of it. It feels alien and hostile when it needs to, and also awe-inspiring and beautiful when it needs to be those things, too. And after about 40 hours, you can fly around the world in a mech, which recontextualizes your relationship with the planet in a heartbeat. It's a remarkable progression of scale that I've never seen another open-world game pull off.

Honorable Mention: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 The combat rules. Credit: Sandfall Interactive/Steam

I mentioned earlier that the most talked-about game of 2025 was a JRPG made in France. That would be Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a gorgeous turn-based RPG inspired by several genre classics (and some other, more obscure titles), but with a bleak tone and aesthetic all its own. Set in a world where everyone above a certain age is killed every year (with the number going down year by year), Clair Obscur tells a tale of loss and grief that didn't personally work for me, but did work for plenty of other people I know.

What did work for me was its excellent combat, which synthesizes turn-based battles with real-time dodge and counter mechanics. The result is a game where you can break the math, or just get really good at countering enemy attacks. Or, you can be like me and do both, resulting in a final boss fight that lasts about 20 seconds. The point is that Clair Obscur has excellent combat, great music, a fun world to explore, and exciting boss fights, regardless of how much its story does or doesn't affect you.

Samsung is undoubtedly one of the best TV brands out there. It sells a variety of budget, mid-range, and luxury models that deliver excellent performance across multiple verticals. These include design, low-latency gaming, picture quality, and smart home integration. One area that doesn’t receive much attention is sound.

The average consumer will be satisfied with their TV’s default sound settings. Those who value detail and nuance — not so much. Don’t get me wrong now. Samsung TVs are fine for enjoying music performances, movies, and video games. But many critics agree that their sound quality could be improved. Well, let’s change that.

Whether you already own a Samsung TV or plan to buy one, know that you can tweak the audio output on these devices for optimal listening. Numerous upscaling sound features are sitting on the backend waiting to be discovered. You just need to know what they are and where to find them. We assembled this guide to help you get started.

Here are 7 ways to greatly enhance the sonics on your Samsung TV.

1. Adjust the equalizer Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

The majority of Samsung TVs come with a manual 8-band EQ. It looks and operates similarly to the EQ on other wireless audio products (e.g., Bluetooth speakers, earbuds, headphones). Once opened, you can adjust the bass, midrange, and treble, which is done through the remote controller. If you need some assistance understanding frequency ranges, check out our guide on how to customize your EQ settings.

• Home [Button] -> Settings -> Sound -> Expert Settings

2. Switch the sound modes Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

Samsung offers three sound modes: Amplify, Adaptive Sound (Optimized), and Standard (default). Each mode modifies sound performance based on preference. Amplify will boost mids and high tones, which is ideal for dialogue-heavy content, while Optimized makes special effects more immersive. Standard is basically the equivalent of a flat EQ; sound is balanced with no emphasis on a specific frequency range. 

• Home [Button] -> Quick Settings -> Sound Mode -> Expert Settings (Newer Models)

• Home [Button] -> Settings -> Sound -> Sound Mode (Older models)

3. Unlock the power of Q-Symphony

This proprietary feature gets you surround sound by syncing your TV’s audio output with a Samsung soundbar. You can connect both devices using an HDMI cable, optical cable, or through Wi-Fi. Samsung says to change the source on the soundbar to “D.IN for a cable connection, or Wi-Fi when establishing an internet connection.” Press the Source button on your TV remote to cycle through options.

A more current Samsung TV is required for this setup. Click this hyperlink to check out a list of compatible models.

• Home [Button] -> Settings -> Sound -> Sound Output on your TV -> select "TV + Soundbar"

4. Turn on Dolby Atmos Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

Anyone who owns a pair of spatial audio headphones has likely experienced Dolby Atmos. It’s the most common 3D audio format out there. Enabling the feature will deliver theatrical surround sound best enjoyed in your living room. There is one caveat — you must own external speakers that support Dolby Atmos. 

• Home [Button] -> Settings -> Sound -> Expert Settings -> Dolby Atmos Input (toggle on)

5. Enable Auto Volume Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

Turning this on will equalize sound across different channels and sources and keep volume output consistent. 

• Home [Button] -> Settings -> Sound -> Expert Settings -> Auto Volume

6. Shift sound output to the left or right Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

Listeners with hearing impairments will want to take advantage of the Balance feature. Simply put, it allows you to freely adjust the sound to deliver more sound from the left or right speaker. 

• Home [Button] -> Settings -> Sound -> Expert Settings -> Balance

7. Adaptive Sound

Think of Adaptive Sound as an auto-generated EQ. It analyzes a room’s acoustics and your TV’s audio signal in real time to create a clearer and more natural sound profile. Not every Samsung TV comes with the same version. You may see “Adaptive Sound,” “Adaptive Sound+,” or “Adaptive Sound Pro” when navigating through the settings.

• Home [Button] -> Settings -> General & Privacy -> Intelligent Mode -> Adaptive Sound

• Home [Button] -> Settings -> Sound -> Sound Mode -> Adaptive Sound (Newer TVs)

TL;DR: Live stream Toronto Raptors vs. Boston Celtics in the NBA for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The NBA season is taking shape. Not many fans expected the Toronto Raptors to be so high up in the standings at this stage, but those boys have got something good going this season. The energy is infectious, and they'll be expecting to roll over the Celtics this weekend.

If you want to watch Raptors vs. Celtics in the NBA for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Raptors vs. Celtics?

Raptors vs. Celtics in the NBA starts at 3:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 7. This game takes place at the Scotiabank Arena.

How to watch Raptors vs. Celtics for free

Raptors vs. Celtics in the NBA is available to live stream for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime.

This free live stream is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can access free live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.

Stream the NBA for free by following these simple steps:

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3. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

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The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees or free trials. By leveraging these offers, you can watch NBA live streams without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch select games from the NBA before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing free live streams on platforms like Prime Video, for a number of reasons:

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A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream the NBA for free with ExpressVPN.

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Opens in a new window Credit: Skoove Skoove Premium Piano Lessons: Lifetime Subscription $99.97
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Give the gift of a new hobby this holiday season. If you have a loved one who would be interested in learning to play an instrument, Skoove Premium Piano Lessons lets them pick up piano at home.

Now just in time for the holiday season, you can score a lifetime subscription to Skoove Premium Piano Lessons for only $99.97 (reg. $299.99) through December 7.

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It’s never too late to learn piano. Skoove Premium Piano Lessons even brings the instruction to you — all you’ll need is a keyboard or a piano and your favorite device. Its AI-powered instruction listens to what you’re playing, recognizes your notes, and even provides real-time feedback so you can improve with each lesson.

Over one million people are learning piano with Skoove Premium Piano Lessons. The lessons can fit into your busy schedule, just pull up the app on a smartphone, tablet, or laptop, and start learning. There is instruction from beginner to advanced levels, and you can learn anything from pop tunes to Beethoven classics.

Your lifetime subscription to Skoove Premium Piano Lessons gives you access to over 400 interactive lessons and thousands of instructional videos, with new ones added every month. And while your day-to-day lessons are powered by AI, you can also reach real music instructors for one-on-one support if needed.

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TL;DR: Live stream Bengals vs. Bills in the NFL for free on TVNZ+. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Week 14 of the NFL season promises some intriguing matchups, including the Cincinnati Bengals at the Buffalo Bills. Despite inconsistent form and a win-loss record of 4-8, the Bengals aren't out of the playoffs race just yet and they'll be looking to follow up last week's decisive win over the Baltimore Ravens with another victory.

The Bills are coming off a win and have much better form overall — they're currently 8-4 — so both teams will bring their very best. All of which means it's a game worth logging on to watch.

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If you want to watch Bengals vs. Bills in the NFL for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Bengals vs. Bills?

Bengals vs. Bills in the NFL starts at 1 p.m. ET on Dec. 7. This game takes place at the Highmark Stadium.

How to watch Bengals vs. Bills for free

Bengals vs. Bills in the NFL is available to live stream for free on TVNZ+.

TVNZ+ is geo-restricted to New Zealand, but you can access this free streaming platform from anywhere by using a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in New Zealand, allowing you to unblock TVNZ+ from anywhere in the world.

SEE ALSO: How to watch the NFL online for free

Live stream Bengals vs. Bills for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in New Zealand

4. Visit TVNZ+

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The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most services offer deals such as free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Bengals vs. Bills in the NFL at cost whatsoever. This isn't a long-term solution, but it will give you enough time to live stream select fixtures from the NFL before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites to follow the whole season, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for unblocking streaming services is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for TVNZ+?

ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing free live streams on platforms like TVNZ+, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is now on sale for just $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (also with a money-back guarantee).

Live stream the NFL for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Rams vs. Cardinals in the NFL for free on 7Plus. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

As always, Sunday is stacked with NFL action, including the Los Angeles Rams on the road at the Arizona Cardinals. This one might seem like a foregone conclusion with Los Angeles at 9-3, but their six-week unbeaten streak was unexpectedly ended by the Carolina Panthers in Week 13.

And while the Cardinals don't have much to play for other than pride — with the playoffs way out of sight with a season record of 3-9 — they could still prove tricky competition. It's a must-win game for the Rams, who are currently tied at the top of NFC West with the Seattle Seahawks, and with the San Francisco 49ers one win away from them.

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If you're looking to catch this game, the good news is you can watch Rams vs. Cardinals in the NFL for free from anywhere in the world. Here's everything you need to know.

When is Rams vs. Cardinals ?

Rams vs. Cardinals in the NFL starts at 4.25 p.m. ET on Dec. 7. This game takes place at State Farm Stadium.

How to watch Rams vs. Cardinals for free

Rams vs. Cardinals in the NFL is available to live stream for free on 7Plus.

7Plus is an Australian streaming platform and geo-blocked for viewers in that country only. But anyone can access this free streaming platform via a VPN. If you've never used one, a VPN is a handy tool that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you with a secure server in Australia, allowing you to unblock 7Plus from anywhere around the world.

SEE ALSO: How to watch the NFL online for free

Live stream Rams vs. Cardinals for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia

4. Visit 7Plus

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Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming aren't technically free to use, but most VPN services offer a free-trial or money-back guarantee. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Rams vs. Cardinals in the NFL without spending anything in the long run. This isn't a permanent solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream select fixtures from the NFL before claiming back your money.

If you want to keep permanent access to free streaming sites to follow the whole season, you'll need a full subscription. Fortunately, however, the best VPN for unblocking streaming services is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for 7Plus?

ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing free live streams on platforms like 7Plus, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is currently on sale at $139, which includes an extra four months for free. That's 61% off the regular price for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Or simply pick up a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream the NFL for free with ExpressVPN.