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During the dark days of lockdown, we all found ways to connect. Some of us ran Zoom quizzes with mates. Some of us hit play on the same movie as our family on the other side of the world. Some of us staged an immersive, independent, multi-location production of Shakespeare's Hamlet within the world of Grand Theft Auto Online.

The latter is exactly what filmmakers Pinny Gryllis, Sam Crane, and Mark Oosterveen did, filming the ideation, rehearsal, location scouting, casting, and eventual performance of the tragedy befalling the Prince of Denmark all within Rockstar Games' online universe. Grand Theft Hamlet is nothing short of a groundbreaking work of cinema, one that explores the connections between players in online multiplayer action-adventure games, embodies the difficulty of creative pursuits and making theatre, and just how important online spaces were to us during the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic.

SEE ALSO: ‘Grand Theft Hamlet’ review: 'Grand Theft Auto' meets Shakespeare in hilarious, moving doc

In the film, we meet friends Crane and Oosterveen playing GTA online during the third lockdown in the UK. It was a bleak time. They're both theatre actors who found themselves out of work when venues closed (Crane was just about to start his run as Harry Potter in The Cursed Child on the West End). In the film, we never see them in real life — only as their avatars, running around stealing cars and generally causing chaos. During one fateful session, they stumble across an outdoor theatre, and naturally find themselves quoting Shakespeare to the empty crowd while standing onstage.

Crane and Oosterveen started capturing these moments in-game and posting short videos on YouTube, after which Gryllis also joined the game and encouraged them to up their efforts and make it into a large-scale project — Gryllis found a smartphone in her avatar's pocket which could film close up shots; you can see her character filming on her phone during some scenes. From here, the idea snowballs, and the trio start to produce a production of Hamlet just like you would in real life — only here, strangers might just wander through your rehearsal and shoot everyone. Respawning becomes part and parcel of the whole gig.

Grand Theft Hamlet joins the leagues of machinima

Though it's a landmark moment for mainstream cinema and video game overlap, Grand Theft Hamlet isn't the first work of machinima — the art of making narrative films within video games or using video game engines. Artists have dabbled in this arena for decades.

"Machinima has been around for a while. It was one of the kind of early things on YouTube," said Crane onstage at BAFTA, in London in October.

"There was a series called Red vs. Blue, it was very popular in the early noughties... [Machinima] has been around for a while, and I think there's interestingly been quite a resurgence in it in recent years, maybe as video games have got more sophisticated and visually more impressive. And also, I think generally, as video games as a cultural medium have gained a bit more respect, maybe amongst people beyond the traditional gaming audience as well."

Grand Theft Hamlet reminds viewers of high art/low art hypocrisy

While staging the production inside the game, Grand Theft Hamlet manages to expose age-old, insufferable, pointless high art vs low art snobbery by fusing Shakespeare with video games. Crane, Oosterveen, and Gryllis spoke about how people have forgotten how Shakespeare's plays were seen as entertainment for the masses in his time, while dismissing the sophistication, intricacy, and timely creativity of modern video games.

"It was considered low art for the masses in Shakespeare's day in much the same way not all but many people from the theatre establishment look at people who play video games and take them seriously and look down on that and think, 'What are you doing with that juvenile nonsense?' I think that is how Shakespeare was viewed," said Crane.

"Shakespeare was, in his day, originally, a very kind of rough, popular entertainment. It was kind of rowdy and a bit naughty, and rough, funny, sweary, and violent," said Oosterveen.

Grand Theft Hamlet is a truly independent, bedroom-made film

When people throw the word "independent film" around, there can be some grey areas. But Grand Theft Hamlet was quite literally made in Gryllis, Crane, and Oosterveen's homes.

"We had a screening at the IMAX last week for London Film Festival, which was just sort of surreal, because I was like, I made this in my bedroom on a Mac with Adobe Premiere," said Gryllis. "We had a capture card, which we captured everything in 4K you know, we didn't have sophisticated post production. It was really, really handmade and on quite a low budget. It was an experiment, but that gives you a lot of freedom, right?"

"We were filming everything. We were always recording. It annoys me a little bit, because a lot of people are like, 'Oh, you couldn't have possibly, that looks like it might be staged or set up. It genuinely happened, like we did have an argument, and it was a continuation of an argument we'd had the night before in real life, but it was still an argument," she said.

Gryllis also pointed out the incredible accessibility gaming provided her as a filmmaker who is deaf, with the technology empowering her where other mediums may not.

"Filmmaking still is really an inaccessible artform to a great number of people — women, it's getting a bit better, but not people who are excluded because of their disability. Gaming does provide you know, anyone can do that, anyone can jump into a gaming server and start filming and recording something and making a story and then editing it," she said.

"I, as a deaf person, had live captioning, when I was interacting with people, I was able to read the captions on my phone with Otter. I stopped making films completely in 2016 when I lost my hearing, because I thought well that's it, it's an audio visual medium, it's over for me. So it's been a really accessible form of filmmaking for me. And I think you'll see from the film, a lot of people who we met, I think, felt very included in the process — maybe they wouldn't have been in theater."

And speaking of the people featured in the film, really, the cast — they're a major part of what makes Grand Theft Hamlet so uniquely online and disruptive to an industry that's notoriously hard to get a foot in the door: acting.

Credit: TullStories Grand Theft Hamlet has a truly miscellaneous, marvellous cast

While I won't spoil exactly how Grand Theft Hamlet recruited its cast, one of the most intriguing elements of the film is how the band got together. Players show up and take auditions and rehearsals seriously, others stand silently by, intrigued by the project, others simply shoot everyone and leave — as is the GTA way. But from a production perspective, it was a challenge for the team to actually lock down, request and get permission for the cast to appear in the final film.

"You've obviously got access to these incredible characters but then it's that thing of they're wearing a mask because they're avatars. Some even had voice changers. We didn't include it in the film, but some of them talked through live translation software, which was actually a digital voice. So the only thing you've got to go on is their gamertag," said Gryllis.

"We made sure that everybody knew that we were recording our footage. We asked them is it OK, do you want to be in this documentary? Can we contact you through PlayStation, and again to verify that? So we had to do everything that you would have to do in a normal documentary. I certainly knew about that from my own background. Sometimes people said no, and there was a lot of kids on the server. We had to go and change servers quite a lot, actually, because we've got people underage that we couldn't include."

The team recruited characters both in game (you should watch the film for their brilliant techniques) and outside the game, from their contacts in theatre. "I think it's me that said it, there's a line in the film, but there's a Venn diagram of people who are into theatre and people into GTA, and there's this tiny, tiny overlap. That's not a joke," said Oosterveen.

NPCs served a higher purpose in Grand Theft Hamlet

If you've ever played GTA, you'll know the NPCs (non playable characters) are crucial to the game's environment — and it turned out, the same went for performing Hamlet within it.

"They sort of became a bit like a Greek chorus in that you could put onto them through filming and editing, almost like a mirror of the emotions of the main characters that I was filming. And they were really moving, they would really listen to you and respond," said Gryllis.

Especially in scenes where the performers get angry or have an argument (one is a real argument between Crane and Gryllis), you can see the NPCs in the game become intrigued, scared, and even cower during these exchanges.

"They're also a tool for us as performers learning about that world and seeing them as a lens to understand Shakespeare within that world. You see when we're trying to work out how to do 'to be or not to be', and discovering all these NPCs and a dive bar and the way they they talk to us and respond to us in the way they exist in that world," said Crane.

When you eventually do get to experience Hamlet within GTA through Grand Theft Hamlet, it's overwhelming, moving, and a one-of-a-kind production. I'm not going to tell you anything, because this is theatre. You just have to experience it for yourself.

Grand Theft Hamlet is out now in UK cinemas. It will release globally in 2025 before streaming on Mubi.

SAVE $80: As of Dec. 12, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is on sale for $719 as part of Best Buy's Deal of the Day. That's $80 off its original price of $799.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Ultra 2 (GPS, Cellular) $719.00 at Best Buy
$799.00 Save $80.00 Get Deal

Black Friday and Cyber Monday may be over and done with, but Best Buy's keeping the seasonal savings alive through its Deal of the Day program. This one-day-only event always has some fun surprises up its sleeve, and today is no different, as you can save $80 right now on a 49mm Apple Watch Ultra 2.

This has dropped the price of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 from $799 to $719, which is a very nice discount if you've had your eye on this smartwatch. It also comes with bonus offers of four months of Apple Fitness+ for free and up to three months of Apple Music for free. What better way to get set up with your new smartwatch?

SEE ALSO: Apple's iOS 18.2 arrives: Here's 4 new features to be excited about

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is for those with a very adventurous lifestyle as it features a rugged design and more advanced features than its counterparts. In our comparison of Apple Watch Series 9 vs. Ultra 2, writer Alex Perry said "Apple Watch Ultra 2 is bigger, more durable, longer-lasting, and has more features than Series 9. It's also not for everyone. Ultra 2 is definitely made with outdoorsy adventuring types in mind."

As Best Buy's own page states, this Deal of the Day only lasts through Dec. 12, so act fast to save on the Apple Watch Ultra 2.

If you're looking for even more tech deals like this one, it's worth having a look through our list of Cyber Monday deals to see if any options that caught your eye are still available. And if Apple deals are on your mind, check out our Apple Cyber Monday deals list to see if any are still live.

Nikki Glaser may have received rave reviews after roasting Tom Brady, but she apparently doesn't kill every set.

Appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the comedian — who is hosting the Golden Globes in January — told a story about performing in a surprise standup set at a conference for "35 billionaires that literally run the media" — and bombing hard.

"The show is a surprise standup comedy show. No-one knows about it. Standup is the worst thing to surprise someone with. It's been a long day, they've just eaten dinner, they want to have a fun night, the DJ is setting up, you can like see the fun is coming, the child sacrifice is being arranged in the corner, the goats blood margaritas are being whipped up," Glaser tells Kimmel in the clip above.

"I walk up to a smattering of applause. The first joke I made was something about, 'I thought if I performed in front of billionaires it would be you guys bidding on my body' — just crickets. It was right before the election, I said, 'Oh it's so cool to meet all the people who are deciding who's going to be president' — no laughter, in a way that was like, how does she know?"

Glaser's only joke that got a laugh? "When I told them how much money I was making for it."

After weeks of waiting, Apple's iOS 18.2 update is almost here.

Expected to launch on Monday, Dec. 9, iOS 18.2 brings some hefty new features to the table. Of particular note are enhancements to Apple Intelligence, which has been in a sort of weird half-baked stage since the iPhone 16 launched earlier this year. The latest iOS update packs in some of the more anticipated Apple Intelligence features, such as the ability to create your own emoji.

SEE ALSO: OpenAI announces ChatGPT Pro with a $200 monthly price tag iOS 18.2 release notes: 4 features to get excited about

Per 9to5Mac, these are the big features Apple included in its release patch notes for iOS 18.2.

Genmoji

Genmoji allows users to create their own custom emoji with text prompts. The use cases here are fairly self-explanatory; sometimes you want to use an emoji that doesn't exist, so now, you can just create said emoji for yourself.

Image Playground

Image Playground is an all-encompassing app for generating new or altering existing images with AI. You can create images using text prompts, or import existing images from your Photos library to add things to them. These images can then be shared via Messages or other apps.

Visual Intelligence

Visual Intelligence is an iPhone 16-exclusive feature that allows users to long press the Camera Control button and take photos of objects to be analyzed by AI. Once the photo is taken, you can get more information about the object from ChatGPT, or have AI highlight any text in the image for you. Google Search is also included, in case you don't trust ChatGPT.

ChatGPT integration with Siri

Speaking of which, ChatGPT's previously announced integration with Siri is here with iOS 18.2. If you ask Siri something and it feels ChatGPT is more qualified to give an answer, you'll be prompted to optionally consult OpenAI's chat bot instead. This is done within Siri and does not require a ChatGPT account. Have fun!

Featured Video For You 5 reasons iPhone 16 is the best upgrade for you

SAVE $100: As of Dec. 12, the 48-inch LG B4 TV is on sale for $699.99 at Best Buy. That's $100 off its retail price of $799.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 48-inch Class B4 Series OLED 4K UHD TV (2024) $699.99 at Best Buy
$799.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal

Some of this year's best OLED TVs are still on sale after Cyber Monday. If you've had your eye on an upgrade this year or have been hoping to pick up a brand new model, it's definitely worth checking out this deal on the 48-inch LG B4 TV at Best Buy. It's currently down $100 from its retail price of $799.99 to $699.99, which is excellent value for what you're getting.

This mid-size TV is a great fit for bedrooms or smaller living spaces. Its OLED display is where it really shines, offering vibrant colors and contrast with any picture on your screen. This is made all the better with crisp 4K resolution that brings it all together.

SEE ALSO: Play Xbox games without a console with this Fire TV Stick 4K, Xbox controller, and Game Pass Ultimate bundle

LG's B4 TV offers a little something for gamers and movie lovers alike, too. For the former, this TV features NVIDIA G-Sync, AMD FreeSync Premium, and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) for smooth gameplay. And for the latter, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and Filmmaker Mode are here to transform your favorite movies into an immersive, unforgettable experience.

Don't miss out on this excellent deal on the 48-inch LG B4 TV at Best Buy ahead of the holidays.

While a lot of Cyber Monday deals aren't quite as low as they were during the sale event, there are still quite a few discounts worth taking advantage of. If you're interested to see if something that caught your eye during the sale is still discounted right now, have a look through our roundup of Cyber Monday deals.

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 12 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 12 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Shape and bake

These words are what you might form dough into

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

Words are shapes you might put into the oven.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is CookieCutter.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for December 12

• Bell

• Star

• Flower

• Bunny

• Diamond

• Heart

• Angel

• CookieCutter

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

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

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

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

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 today: Hints and answers for December 12 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for December 12 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Striving to outperform one another.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no reoccurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter V.

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

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

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

VYING.

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 12

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

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

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

Connections is the latest New York Times word game 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.

Tweet may have been deleted

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.

Tweet may have been deleted

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's The Mini crossword answers for December 12 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Phonetic similarity to the letter T

• Green: Resembles teeth

• Blue: Inoffensive expressions of frustration

• Purple: Make up the structure or flow of a river

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Things That Sound Like T

• Green: Objects with Teeth

• Blue: Mild Oaths

• Purple: Parts of a River

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 #550 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Things That Sound Like T: TEA, TEE (GOLF), TI (MUSICAL NOTE)

• Objects with Teeth: COMB, GEAR, SAW, ZIPPER

• Mild Oaths: FUDGE, GEEZ, NUTS, RATS

• Parts of a River: BANK, BED, DELTA, MOUTH

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 12

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.

Connections: Sports Edition is a new 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.

Tweet may have been deleted

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.

Tweet may have been deleted

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's The Mini crossword answers for December 12 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: NFL teams

• Green: Football conferences in college

• Blue: ___________ Jones

• Purple: Trophies won in different sports competitions and rivalries

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: NFL teams in singular form

• Green: College conferences

• Blue: Famous Joneses

• Purple: ____ Cup

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 #80 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• NFL teams in singular form - RAM, RAVEN, SAINT, TITAN

• College conferences - AMERICAN, IVY, PATRIOT, SEC

• Famous Joneses - CHIPPER, DANIEL, JONQUEL, MAC

• _____ Cup - APPLE, DAVIS, STANLEY, WORLD

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

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.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, December 12, 2024:

AcrossExchange

• The answer is Swap.

Intense passion

• The answer is Ardor.

Ingredient in a mudslide or Moscow mule

• The answer is Vodka.

Bottom-left key in Wordle

• The answer is Enter.

Horror movie staple

• The answer is Gore.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 12, 2024 DownStat for a ninth-inning relief pitcher

• The answer is Save.

[BZZT!]

• The answer is Wrong.

Expand, as a collection

• The answer is AddTo.

No-limit Texas hold 'em, e.g.

• The answer is Poker.

Like a bloody steak

• The answer is Rare.

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

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

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

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

SAVE $61.98: As of Dec. 12, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, Sky Cipher Special Edition Core Wireless Controller, and one-month Game Pass Ultimate bundle is down to $74.99 on Amazon. That's a saving of 45% on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Xbox Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, Sky Cipher Special Edition Core Wireless Controller, and 1-Month Game Pass Ultimate Bundle $74.99 at Amazon
$136.97 Save $61.98 Get Deal

If you're still on the hunt for gift ideas for someone in your life ahead of the holidays, or just looking to pick up a little holiday treat for yourself, Amazon is full of great options that are still on sale after Cyber Monday. If you've been wanting to find something for the gamer in your life, one of our favorite deals at the moment is a Fire TV Stick 4K bundle which can get you setup with Xbox's Game Pass Ultimate library without even buying the console.

This Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K bundle comes with the aforementioned 4K streaming stick alongside the Sky Cipher Special Edition wireless controller and one month of an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership. With this, you can test out the Game Pass Ultimate library and play games like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 or the brand-new release Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. This bundle is currently 45% off its full price, down to $74.99.

SEE ALSO: Get your head in the game with 50% off gaming headsets at Best Buy

Compared to buying all of these items separately — which totals $136.97 without any deals on the individual items — you're able to pocket $61.98. That's a fantastic deal to be set up with Xbox and Game Pass Ultimate. Even investing in the 512GB digital Xbox Series S would cost you $299.99, so this is a great alternative to save some cash.

Deals like this don't usually stick around for long, though. Take advantage of this Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, Sky Cipher Special Edition wireless controller, and one month Game Pass Ultimate bundle before the deal disappears.

Looking for even more gaming deals? There are still quite a few available after Cyber Monday. Outside of Xbox, PlayStation fans can also still save on the Chroma Pearl DualSense controller, the PlayStation VR2 Horizon Call of The Mountain bundle, and the PlayStation 5 Slim (disc edition) console.

A Japanese spacecraft has made a daring approach to a discarded rocket in Earth's orbit.

The mission — undertaken by the satellite technology company Astroscale — intends to eventually remove the 36-foot-long spent rocket stage, but has first tested its ability to rendezvous with the problematic object (one of 27,000 space junk objects larger than 10 centimeters in orbit).

The pioneering space endeavor is called Active Debris Removal by Astroscale-Japan, or ADRAS-J.

"Ending 2024 with a historic approach!" Astroscale posted online. "Our ADRAS-J mission has achieved the closest ever approach by a commercial company to space debris, reaching just 15 meters [almost 50 feet] from a rocket upper stage."

SEE ALSO: NASA scientist viewed first Voyager images. What he saw gave him chills.

This rocket stage, weighing three tons, is the upper part of the Japanese Space Exploration Agency's (JAXA) H2A rocket, which launched the Earth observation GOSAT satellite in 2009. The greater space debris removal mission is part of JAXA's "Commercial Removal of Debris Demonstration" project, which seeks a proven way to remove problematic space junk from orbit.

ADRAS-J previously flew around the hunk of discarded metal, capturing imagery and gathering data on the rocket's condition and motion. This latest and closest endeavor, achieved on Nov. 30, demonstrated the spacecraft's ability to operate precisely in such close range to the derelict rocket, a requirement for the future capture of the unwieldy, large object. An accident between large objects, moving at thousands of miles per hour, isn't acceptable: It would exacerbate the problem.

To complete this close-proximity endeavor, ADRAS-J moved from behind the rocket, approaching in a straight line from 50 meters (164 feet) away. The craft then stopped at 15 meters out from an even closer point. This mission had successes, but as is the norm for novel space missions, it didn't go entirely as planned. The craft didn't reach the point where a follow-up mission will actually capture the rocket stage.

"ADRAS-J successfully maintained this position until an autonomous abort was triggered by the onboard collision avoidance system due to an unexpected relative attitude anomaly with the upper stage," the company said. "The spacecraft safely maneuvered away from the debris as designed before reaching the Capture Initiation Point. Astroscale Japan is currently investigating the cause of the abort."

The space imaging and technology company HEO captured a view of the ADRAS-J spacecraft closing within 50 meters of the upper stage during this latest approach.

Tweet may have been deleted

Additionally, the conceptual rendering below shows what this close approach likely looked like, and Astroscale has released previous images of the actual space junk target (also shown below).

A rendering of the ADRAS-J spacecraft approaching the 36-foot-long spent rocket stage. Credit: Astroscale Views of the large Japanese rocket debris orbiting Earth. Credit: Astroscale

The $82 million follow-up mission, ADRAS-J2, is expected to launch in 2028.

That spacecraft, currently under construction, will bring the rocket stage down to a lower orbit using a robotic arm. Eventually, it will largely burn up in Earth's atmosphere. In the future, the hope among spacefaring nations and commercial space interests is to keep low Earth orbit (LEO) largely clear of threatening space debris — especially inert craft that can't maneuver on their own.

"LEO is an orbital space junk yard," NASA explains. "There are millions of pieces of space junk flying in LEO. Most orbital debris comprises human-generated objects, such as pieces of spacecraft, tiny flecks of paint from a spacecraft, parts of rockets, satellites that are no longer working, or explosions of objects in orbit flying around in space at high speeds."

Featured Video For You 10 mind-blowing discoveries from the James Webb Telescope

Looking for something great to watch at home? Streaming subscribers are spoiled for choice between Hulu, Netflix, Max, Disney+, Apple TV+, Prime Video, Shudder, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. And that's before you even look at the vast libraries of movies and television within each one!

Don't be overwhelmed or waste an hour scrolling through your services trying to determine what to watch! We've got your back whatever your mood. Mashable offers watch guides for all of the above, broken down by genre: comedy, thriller, horror, documentary, animation, and more.

But if you're seeking something brand spanking new (or new to streaming), we've got you covered there, too.

SEE ALSO: The best Netflix TV shows of 2024

Mashable's entertainment team has scoured the streaming services to highlight the most buzzed-about releases of this week and ranked them from worst to best — or least worth your time to most watchable. Whether you're looking for some festive action, bad romance, spiritual scares, moving musician biopics, an addictive new mystery series, or papal intrigue, we've got you covered.

Here's what's new on streaming, from worst to best.

11. Red One

Dwayne Johnson re-teams with Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and Jumanji: Next Level director Jake Kasdan for Red One, an action-comedy about an elite squad who must rescue a kidnapped Santa Claus.

The premise promises madcap fun, and the cast is bursting with star power from Johnson to Chris Evans, Lucy Liu, J.K. Simmons, Kiernan Shipka, and Game of Thrones' favorite Kristofer Hivju. However, critics absolutely thrashed Red One, calling it "bland," "head-scratching" and "absolute crap" with "not a crumb of Christmas charm." So, maybe leave this one off your Nice list. — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans, Lucy Liu, J. K. Simmons, Kiernan Shipka, Bonnie Hunt, Nick Kroll, Kristofer Hivju, and Wesley Kimmel

How to watch: Red One debuts on Prime Video on Dec. 12.

SEE ALSO: 25 of the best Christmas horror movies to haunt your holiday 10. It Ends With Us

Sorry to say, the drama behind the scenes of It Ends With Us' press tour is way more intriguing than the movie itself. Produced by and starring Blake Lively, the film centers on aptly named flower shop owner Lily Bloom, who falls hard for Ryle Kincaid, a hot brain surgeon (played by It Ends With Us's director Justin Baldoni). But the bloom on their romance wilts as Ryle gets viciously jealous and even violent, causing Lily to flee to her ex Atlas Corrigan (Brandon Sklenar) to find a way out of this toxic relationship.

The domestic violence drama begins like a poorly written rom-com, with a meet-cute and a wacky yet chic bestie (Jenny Slate). But the only funny thing in this adaptation of Colleen Hoover's novel is how awkward the central couple is. Lily makes brash declarations like, "The first guy I had sex with was homeless ... or temporarily unhomed," and Lily describes herself as an "unreliable narrator." Ryle exists chiefly to glower or grapple. The onscreen lovers have zero chemistry, and then the movie has the absolute nerve to be over two hours long!

We've got a long list of love stories you could watch instead. — K.P.

SEE ALSO: The best romantic movies on Netflix right now

Starring: Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, Jenny Slate, Hasan Minhaj, Brandon Sklenar, Kevin McKidd, Amy Morton, Alex Neustaedter, and Isabella Ferrer

How to watch: It Ends With Us is now streaming on Netflix.

9. Joker: Folie à Deux

Todd Phillips' follow-up to the Oscar-winning Joker wasn't a complete disaster. For one thing, it made John Waters' top 10 of the year, as did some of our favorites like Love Lies Bleeding. For another, Lady Gaga shines through the macho muck and meandering menace of a movie that can't decide what it wants to be or who it's for.

With Arthur "Joker" Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) awaiting trial for the murder spree from the first film, he is a subject of pity, scandal, mockery, and infatuation from a caustic cavalcade of characters. Chief among them is Lee (Gaga), a fangirl who wants to live out a Bonnie-and-Clyde movie musical with her clown prince of crime. But Phillips is determined to keep anyone from getting what they want out of Joker 2.

As I jeered in Mashable's review: "It's all so much clown paint on a pig. Phillips has crafted an astoundingly tedious courtroom drama bedecked with musical numbers, star power, and DC IP, yet it still feels like a slog. To his credit, he's broken out of the superhero cliches that have resulted in fatigue from critics and audiences alike. But his pastiche brings nothing new or exciting to the screen for a woefully indulgent runtime of two hours and 18 minutes. 

"In the end, Joker: Folie à Deux doesn't feel provocative, romantic, or even entertaining. This sequel feels like a punishment." — K.P.

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Zazie Beetz, Leigh Gill, Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, Steve Coogan, and Harry Lawtey

How to watch: Joker: Folie à Deux debuts on Max on Dec. 12.

8. Queer Eye, Season 9

Queer Eye is back for a ninth season. It's the first since interior designer Bobby Berk left the show, with the colossal renovation part of the makeovers now run by Jeremiah Brent. Following seasons in New Orleans, Atlanta, Austin, Kansas City, Philadelphia, Tokyo, and the Australian town of Yass, this season is set in Las Vegas, with a new set of "heroes" for Tan France, Karamo Brown, Antoni Porowski, Jonathan van Ness, and Brent to meet and make over. There's been a fair bit of rumoured tension swirling around the show, so we're sure the team is keen to get this season live, just like we are to watch it. — Shannon Connellan, UK Editor

How to watch: Queer Eye Season 9 is streaming on Netflix Dec. 11.

7. Heretic

We love Hugh Grant when he goes villainous. Be it the deceitful rogue in Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, the nefarious burglar/thespian in Paddington 2, the chocolate-stealing Oompa Loopa of Wonka, or the cheating cad of Bridget Jones's Diary, we can't get enough. But Heretic takes the villainy to all new level, casting the English icon as a mansplaining zealot who is absolutely giddy to trap two young female missionaries in his labyrinthian home.

In her review, Entertainment Reporter Belen Edwards cheered for this frightening performance, writing, "Frightening reveals and boatloads of religious and occult iconography (much of it delivered in impressively crafted statues and images throughout Mr. Reed's house) certainly get the blood pumping. But they're something you could see in any religious horror movie. What really sets Heretic apart is Grant, the absolute monster of a man he plays, and just how awfully familiar that man is." — K.P.

Starring: Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher, and Chloe East

How to watch: Heretic is now available to rent or buy on Prime Video.

6. Carry-On

Director Jaume Collet-Serra has excited audiences with the shark-infested Shallows, the twisted killer thriller Orphan, and Liam Neeson vehicles like Non-Stop and Unknown. Now, he's teaming with Taron Egerton (Rocketman, Kingsman: The Secret Service) for an unusual holiday adventure.

Set in a Los Angeles airport on Christmas Eve, Carry-On follows a TSA agent (Egerton) who is desperate to stop a suspicious package from making it to a deadly destination. There are some truly wild things in this cat-and-mouse game that pits an eager Egerton in everyday hero mode against Jason Bateman as a snarling mercenary hellbent on getting his package delivered, whatever the collateral damage. Those seeking fresh thrills will relish Collet-Serra's competent approach to suspense, and may well feel their travel anxiety spike. But hey, can we all admit that asking English hunk Egerton to do an American accent is a crime against cinema? It's not even that he's bad at at. It's more that, in a world where so much is terrible, why waste even a moment by not hearing Egerton in his native tongue? — K.P.

Starring: Taron Egerton, Jason Bateman, Sofia Carson, Danielle Deadwyler, Sinqua Walls, Logan Marshall-Green, Theo Rossi, Josh Brener, and Dean Norris

How to watch: Carry-On debuts on Netflix on Dec. 13.

5. Venom: The Last Dance

Sometimes good is overrated, and you just want something goofy as hell. Well, Venom: The Last Dance is here for you.

The third film in the Tom Hardy-fronted double act of Eddie Brock and Venom has the odd couple on the run from an alien entity, hungry for power. Though stuffed with the bonkers bits fans have come to love of the squabbling symbiotic besties, Venom: The Last Dance is dragged down by an earnest military plotline that tries to treat this world seriously. As I wrote in my review, "Venom: The Last Dance is therefore one-half of a wonderful movie. Still, it's worth sticking through the rest for a totally gonzo finale that's somehow equally absurd and moving." —K.P.

Starring: Tom Hardy, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Juno Temple, Rhys Ifans, Stephen Graham, Peggy Lu, Clark Backo, Alanna Ubach, and Andy Serkis.

How to watch: Venom: The Last Dance is now available on digital.

4. Maria

Chilean director Pablo Larraín loves spinning surreal and stirring cinema inspired by the life of a famous but tragic female figure. First, there was Jackie, the Oscar-nominated drama in which Natalie Portman portrayed widowed first lady Jackie Kennedy. Then came Spencer, a Kristen Stewart-fronted film that felt like a haunted house movie, focusing on Princess Diana's tumultuous inner life over a Christmas with the royal family. Now, there's Maria, a dreamy eulogy for world-renowned opera singer Maria Callas, played by an exquisite Angelina Jolie.

In his review out of the film's world premiere at the 2024 Venice International Film Festival, Siddhant Adlakha praised the film's cinematography and Jolie's performance. "The further Callas reaches into her soul, the more the curtain slips; you can practically see Jolie and her character becoming one," he writes, "crying out in unison for some kind of respite from simply being themselves, and living at their level of constant visibility, no matter how much they love the spotlight. It's heart-wrenching to witness." — K.P.

Starring: Angelina Jolie, Pierfrancesco Favino, Alba Rohrwacher, Haluk Bilginer, and Kodi Smit-McPhee

How to watch: Maria debuts on Netflix on Dec. 11.

3. Elton John: Never Too Late

If you love Elton John, then this documentary is a must-see. Probing more deeply on some tender areas — like the pop god's struggle with his sexual identity — Elton John: Never Too Late centers on frank conversations from the man himself as he spills stories for a biography. Directed by R.J. Cutler (The September Issue, Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry) and John's husband David Furnish, the film relies heavily on archival footage, press clippings, and personal snapshots. However, there's also a warm window into John's life now, where he meets with groundbreaking queer artists (though he prefers to say "LGBTQ") and FaceTimes with his young sons after school lets out.

Admittedly, there are no earth-shattering relevations here, as John's life has been an open book for ages. Still, it's a pleasure to follow him down the yellow brick road of his memory as he prepares for his farewell concert, his greatest hits playing the booming soundtrack along the way. — K.P.

Starring: Elton John

How to watch: Elton John: Never Too Late debuts in theaters and on Disney+ on Dec. 13.

2. No Good Deed

Emmy–winning creator and showrunner Liz Feldman previously gifted us the twisted pleasures of Dead to Me, a dramedy that intoxicatingly blended crime and comedy. Now she's back at it with No Good Deed, another enticing Los Angeles series co-starring Linda Cardellini.

Ray Romano and Lisa Kudrow star as a married couple looking to sell their beautiful Los Feliz home. The interested — and nosy — buyers are played by a crackling ensemble cast. Beyond buyer rivalry and family drama, there are also skeletons in the closet to be uncovered, and plenty of socially awkward shenanigans to boot. Funny, addictive, and sharply cast, No Good Deed is a no-brainer to add to your watch list.* — K.P.

Starring: Ray Romano, Lisa Kudrow, Linda Cardellini, Luke Wilson, Abbi Jacobson, Poppy Liu, Kate Moennig, Teyonah Parris, and O-T Fagbenle

How to watch: No Good Deed premieres Dec. 12 on Netflix.

SEE ALSO: The best Netflix TV shows of 2024 1. Conclave

One of the best films of 2024, Conclave is low-key also one of the funnest films of 2024, and no one is more surprised than lapsed Catholic me. Sure, on the surface, Conclave, adapted from Robert Harris' 2016 novel of the same name, is a thriller. In the sacred halls of the Vatican, the Catholic Church's most revered leaders gather together for a series of secret votes to determine who among them will be God's representative on Earth. And as dean of the conclave, Cardinal Thomas Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) is tasked not only with keeping things running smoothly but also sussing out what skeletons lie in the closets of the contenders.

SEE ALSO: 'Conclave' review: Vatican-set thriller is divinely fun

And yet within this dramatic framework, the charming ensemble (which includes Isabella Rossellini, Stanley Tucci, and John Lithgow) laces in a catty sense of humor, which has been catching on in memes and social media. Through this divine blend of suspense and subtle comedy, helmer Edward Berger delivers a thriller that is divinely entertaining.* — K.P.

Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and Isabella Rossellini

How to watch: Conclave begins streaming on Peacock on Dec. 13.

TL;DR: Get a refurbished HP 11.6-inch Chromebook 11A G8 EE through Dec. 15 for just $69.99 (regularly $239).

Opens in a new window Credit: HP HP Chromebook 11A G8 EE (4GB RAM, 32GB SSD) $69.99
$239.00 Save $169.01 Refurbished Get Deal

Looking for an affordable laptop for travel, school, or as a backup device? The refurbished HP Chromebook 11A G8 EE (4GB RAM, 32GB SSD) fits the bill for just $69.99 (regularly $239). This compact machine is ideal for kids, road trips, or anyone who needs a no-fuss device that simply gets the job done.

It has an 11.6-inch HD display and a lightweight design. Whether it’s streaming videos on the go, tackling homework assignments, or checking emails during downtime, it's made to handle everyday tasks. Powered by an AMD A4-9120C processor and Radeon R4 Graphics, it offers smooth multitasking and a surprisingly responsive experience for the price.

Durability is where this Chromebook shines. Able to withstand even classroom use, it’s built to survive life’s little mishaps, from spilled drinks to accidental drops. The keyboard is resistant to accidents, while reinforced corners and a sturdy design keep it safe even on rougher days.

Running on Chrome OS, the device boots up quickly and integrates seamlessly with Google apps like Docs, Sheets, and Drive. It’s ideal for professionals, students, educators, or those who thrive in a cloud-based environment. 

Its fast-charging capability allows you to go from nearly empty to 90 percent battery in just 90 minutes, making it ideal for those who need a quick recharge before heading out. The Chromebook’s Qualcomm WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2 ensure seamless connectivity, even in shared or busy networks. And with multiple USB ports, including USB-C, you’ll have the flexibility to connect peripherals or external drives with ease.

Refurbished with a grade-A rating, you can expect it to arrive in near-mint condition with minimal to no signs of usage.

Order this HP 11.6-inch Chromebook 11A G8 EE through Dec. 15 for just $69.99 (regularly $239) and enjoy on-time Christmas delivery.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: The grade-A refurbished 2019 Apple iPad mini (5th gen) delivers power, portability, and performance for just $279.99 (reg. $529).

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Refurbished Apple iPad mini (5th gen, 64GB, WiFi & Cellular) $279.99
$529.00 Save $249.01 Get Deal

Need a device that balances portability with power? The refurbished 2019 Apple iPad mini 5th Gen is an ideal pick, and at just $279.99 (regularly $529), it’s a steal. With on-time Christmas delivery guaranteed when you order by Dec. 15, it’s the ultimate gift for the tech lover in your life or yourself.

This 7.9-inch mini is a workhorse in a petite package. The Retina display dazzles with True Tone and wide color, making everything from e-books to blockbuster movies look vibrant and crisp. The A12 Bionic chip is made to power through multitasking, creative apps, and even AR experiences with ease. And with 10 hours of battery life, you can work or play all day long without missing a beat.

However, the iPad mini is also about connectivity. The unlocked cellular capability lets you pop in a SIM card and stay online wherever you go. Whether working remotely, video chatting with family, or streaming your favorite series, you’ll stay connected on your terms. Plus, fast 802.11AC WiFi ensures smooth streaming and browsing.

Capture life’s moments with the 8MP back camera, or hop on FaceTime with the 7MP HD front camera for crystal-clear video calls. The stereo speakers enhance everything from music to movie nights, delivering rich, immersive sound. All this, wrapped in a sleek design in your choice of gold or silver.

The iPad mini is a versatile, portable device that’s a great option for students, professionals, or anyone who needs a reliable, compact tech companion. And while it’s small in size, its capabilities are anything but.

Get the grade-A refurbished Apple iPad mini for just $279.99 (reg. $529) and on time for Christmas when you order through Dec. 15.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Live stream Toronto Raptors vs. Miami Heat in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.

The Toronto Raptors are heading to the Kaseya Center in Miami to face the Heat. The Raptors are struggling in 14th in the Eastern Conference while the Heat are fifth place.

The Raptors are also riding a three-game losing streak heading into Miami, which is not a good look for a team about to go up against Miami's three-game winning streak. The Heat's last three wins included victories over the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Lakers, no small feat.

These two teams have faced each other twice this season, splitting a pair of games in late November and early December. Players to watch include Miami's Tyler Herro and Toronto's Jakob Poeltl.

When is Toronto Raptors vs. Miami Heat?

Toronto Raptors vs. Miami Heat in the NBA starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 12. This game takes place at Kaseya Center in Miami.

How to watch Toronto Raptors vs. Miami Heat

You need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Raptors vs. Heat basketball game.

Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV FuboTV Pro plan Get Deal

FuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period. 

FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network. 

Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get Deal

YouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.

Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get Deal

Sling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.

Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.

How to watch Raptors vs. Heat from anywhere in the world

If you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Toronto Raptors vs. Miami Heat 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 the U.S.

4. Sign in to your favorite streaming app

5. Watch Toronto Raptors vs. Miami Heat from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Toronto Raptors vs. Miami Heat before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, 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 one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Toronto Raptors vs. Miami Heat in the NBA with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Detroit Pistons vs. Boston Celtics in the NBA on YouTube TV or Sling TV.

The Detroit Pistons will visit the Boston Celtics in an Eastern Conference rivalry on Thursday. The Pistons are struggling in 11th place in the Eastern Conference, but the team is coming off a win over the New York Knicks. The Celtics, however, are in second place and looking to defend their 2024 NBA Finals championship.

The Celtics have won three of their last five games, but are coming off a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. Boston was also eliminated from the Emirates NBA Cup in the group stage in mid-November.

These two teams faced each other last week, where the Celtics came out on top, 130-120. This game will take place at TD Garden in Boston, where the Celtics are 10-3 at home.

When is Detroit Pistons vs. Boston Celtics?

Detroit Pistons vs. Boston Celtics in the NBA starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 12. This game takes place at TD Garden in Boston.

The game will air on NBA TV.

How to watch Detroit Pistons vs. Boston Celtics

You need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Pistons vs. Celtics basketball game on NBA TV. 

Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get Deal

YouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.

Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get Deal

Sling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.

Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.

How to watch Pistons vs. Celtics from anywhere in the world

If you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Detroit Pistons vs. Boston Celtics 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

4. Sign in to your favorite streaming app of choice

5. Watch Detroit Pistons vs. Boston Celtics for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, 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 one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Detroit Pistons vs. Boston Celtics in the NBA with ExpressVPN.

Editor's note: This comparison originally focused on the 2021 models of the Echo Show 5 and Echo Show 8. New models (with only modest changes) were released in 2023, so the older versions are no longer available to purchase as new. We've updated our links to take you to the current Echo Show 5 and Echo Show 8. Our original comparison follows.

It can be exciting when a brand like Amazon drops new versions of its devices, but it can also be overwhelming to figure out which one is best for you (and if it's worth paying more than its original version). After testing the second generations of both the Echo Show 5 and the Echo Show 8, I'll walk you through what’s the same, what’s different, what they bring to the table compared to the first gen versions.

While these smart displays don’t have the portability or functionality of an iPad or a Surface tablet, they work flawlessly with Alexa and serve as a smart home HQ to make your day-to-day life just a little bit more streamlined.

SEE ALSO: Rate your favorite smart home gear for a chance to win a $250 Amazon gift card Size: It's in the name

The most noticeable difference between the Echo Show 5 and the Echo Show 8 is, of course, their size. The Echo Show 5 has a 5.5-inch screen and 6-inch x 3-inch footprint, while the Echo Show 8 is significantly larger — boasting an 8-inch screen and an 8-inch x 4-inch footprint.

Echo Show 5 (2nd gen) is smaller and would work better in a bedroom or office. Credit: Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd gen) is significantly larger — best for a central house hub. Credit: amazon

In my opinion, that makes the Echo Show 8 way better suited to be your family “hub” — located in a central location like the kitchen or dining room for easy video calls with the grandparents using Alexa. All you have to do is add contacts you’d like to call in the Alexa app on your phone. However, it may not be a necessary purchase if you already have a tablet with great video functionality. And if you want a larger device as your smart home hub, the Echo Show 10 is an even better choice.

Regardless, the Echo Show 8 offers some other advantages for video calls in addition to its size.

On the other hand, the Echo Show 5 would be better in places where you want the device's functionality, without it being front and center — like your desk or nightstand.

And if you're a sucker for colorways, the Echo Show 8 only comes in the glacier white and charcoal color options. You can get more variety with the new Echo Show 5, which comes in glacier white, charcoal, and deep sea blue. The Echo Show 5 Kids comes in chameleon green.

Camera and video calling

The Echo Show 5 got a decent camera upgrade from its 1st gen version — increasing the megapixels from one to two. However, it was a whole different ball game for the Echo Show 8. While the 1st gen Echo Show 8 offered a 1 MP camera, the revamped 2021 model came equipped with a 13 MP camera, which carried over into the 2023 model.

SEE ALSO: Amazon's Echo Show 15 is a smart hub for connected homes

The image is incredibly crisp, and alongside the larger screen makes the Echo Show 8 the video call winner. But that’s not even the best part: The Echo Show 8 features auto-framing functions that automatically pan and zoom the camera to keep it focused on the people in view.

Both devices also feature some handy connectivity features, like intercom to page every Alexa device in the house (“We’re leaving in 15 minutes, so be ready!”) and drop-in, which allows you to video chat with any connected Alexa device.

Zoom calls

The Echo Show 8 can also join Zoom calls, while the Echo Show 5 can’t. To be totally honest, I could not get the Zoom call feature to work after several tries because none of the calls I joined had a dial-in number.

I’ll still say the Echo Show 8 wins on this one just because it’s theoretically possible, and I’m really hoping to be able to join Zoom calls from it soon to free up my laptop and extra monitor for in-meeting multi-tasking.

Kid-friendly content

During the initial setup, you can choose to make any Echo Show device a dedicated device for a kid. This gives you access to some expanded parental controls, which is great for older children, tweens, and teens that you still want to shield from some of the worst things the internet has to offer.

However, the Echo Show 5 Kids is the first and only Echo Show that’s bottom-to-top and side-to-side designed for kids. It features a fun design (the chameleon color looks like dinosaur scales, according to my 5-year-old), and comes with a free year of Amazon Kids (usually $5.99 per month) — which offers curated books, games, and videos just for kids far beyond what’s available through a basic Prime membership. In addition, it comes with souped-up parental controls so you can tweak things even more.

Alexa functionality

Both the 2nd gen Echo Show 5 and the 2nd gen Echo Show 8 have some Alexa abilities that their 1st gen counterparts don’t.

First up is the home monitoring function, where you can remotely access the camera on your device from the Alexa app just to check in on things. You’ll need a WiFi connection to do it, but I had no problems getting it to work. I can imagine it would be great to check in on pets, the babysitter, or just to take a peek at your home while on vacation to make sure everything is on the up and up.

Next is the addition of motion-enabled routines. This allows Alexa to detect when you enter or leave a room and use that activity to start a routine. Fair warning, this can open a can of worms re: privacy, but it also opens up some exciting possibilities for the smart home buff. You could have Alexa read your calendar when you walk into your office, or turn off all smart-enabled devices when there’s no motion detected in the living room — and those are just two simple ideas. With the addition of Alexa-enabled devices or smart plugs, your options open up even more. Amazon does offer ways to manage these settings if you'd like to delete recordings or manage your data.

All of these devices feature the same Alexa functionality you came to expect from the previous iteration of Echo Show devices.

SEE ALSO: Echo Dot vs. Echo Pop: Which Amazon device should you buy? Echo Show 5 vs. Echo Show 8: Which one is better?

For only $45 more, the Echo Show 8 was the clear winner for me. Not only does it have a larger screen and a 13 MP camera with auto-framing (making it the best for video calling), it also allows you to hop on Zoom meetings, if/when you can get that function to work properly.

If video calls and Zoom meetings aren’t your concern, then the Echo Show 5 is still a great choice — like the 2nd gen Echo Show 8, the new Echo Show 5 boasts many of the same expanded Alexa functions, like home monitoring and motion detection routines. And of course, if you want one made for kids, then you’ll want to go with the Echo Show 5 Kids.

Overall, I’m a fan of both, but the Echo Show 8 came out on top for our home.

Amazon Echo Show 8 $84.99 at Amazon
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If you're in the market for a new pair of earbuds, we have good news: You have a lot of options. The bad news? You have a lot of options, and your decision can get overwhelming fast. Wasn't life easier when our iPhones came with a free pair of earbuds?

Prices on earbuds range anywhere from under $10 to in the thousands (if you're going for professional-grade studio earbuds), but even in the narrower range most consumers occupy, you can easily spend up to $300. While we stand by the value of everything on this list, we know that spending $300 on a pair of headphones is a lot to stomach. Major shopping events like Black Friday and Prime Day, are usually the best time to shop these gadgets, however, leading up to the holidays you might find a surprise good deal still hanging around.

So whether you need a pair of earbuds stat or are getting your holiday shopping list together, these are the best earbuds of 2024.

SEE ALSO: I tested the best headphones and earbuds for working out during my daily run Are wired or wireless earbuds better?

Though most earbuds are now wireless, this ultimately comes down to preference. If you have a tighter budget or don't want to worry about the battery running low all the time, wired earbuds are a great option. With that said, it is significantly harder to find wired earbuds with active noise cancellation (we're working on tracking down and testing a few pairs like this). So, if ANC is a priority for you, you'll be better off with a pair of wireless earbuds.

To help you decide, we put a range of wired and wireless earbuds to the test to determine which are worth your money. Whether you're simply looking for earbuds to get you through the work day, a pair to take with you on a flight, or a pair that you can live in 24/7, we have a set of buds for you. And if nothing on this list stands out too much, you can always expand your search to headphones as well.