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Are you tired of giving Google tons of your hard-earned money while also giving them the ability to mine your information and photos? Kicking Google Photos to the curb and picking up a cheap NAS is definitely the right way to go if that describes you.

Are you tired of Linux distros that try to hide all the technicalities and simplify everything? Do you want distributions to let you optimize, configure, and push your system to its limits? Well, here are four distros built for all you power users who enjoy tweaking their machines!

Did you know that your Chromebook has both reading and writing help built-in? Help me read and Help me write are two AI-based functions that come baked into Google’s Chromebook Plus lineup.

You don’t need to be a decorating master to add some sparkle to your house this holiday season. TikTok may be going off about “Ralph Lauren Christmas,” but one thing will never go out of style: stunning Christmas lighting displays. Smart-home brand Govee, best known for its LED lighting products, is holding its annual Black Friday sale from November 20 until December 1, offering up to 42% off its best-selling lights. So, now is the best time to transform your home for the holidays with the brand’s smart lighting systems and customizable indoor and outdoor displays.

Josh O’Connor stands accused of an impossible crime in Rian Johnson's latest Knives Out film, with a new trailer out today.

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery sees dapper detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) on his toughest case yet, following The Glass Onion. In a small town in upstate New York, Monsignor Wicks (Josh Brolin) ends up dead, and it's a locked room mystery worthy of fictional case-crackers from Sherlock Holmes to Jonathan Creek.

The prime suspect? Newcomer priest Jud Duplenticy (O'Connor), who swears he didn't do it. Could it be him? Or one of the star-studded cast? Andrew Scott, Kerry Washington, Daryl McCormack, Glenn Close, Mila Kunis, Cailee Spaeny, Jeremy Renner, and Thomas Haden Church are also on the bill.

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery will open in select cinemas on Nov. 26, then debut on Netflix on Dec. 12.

Ever wished you could turn on your home computer while you’re miles away? With the Wake-on-LAN (WOL) feature, that’s entirely possible—a capability many Windows users don’t even know exists. Set it up once, and you’ll be able to power on and access your computer remotely whenever you need.

For years, Toyota and Honda were the go-to names for cars that just keep running. Their long-standing reputation for reliability made them the default choice for many buyers.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you love the NBA.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for November 17, 2025 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Certainly

• Green: Banned

• Blue: Sports moves

• Purple: "Go Away!"

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: "You Bet"

• Green: Forbidden

• Blue: Basketball shots

• Purple: Starting with synonyms for "Scram!"

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 #890 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• "You Bet": ABSOLUTELY, OF COURSE, OKEY-DOKE, SURE THING

• Forbidden: OFF-LIMITS, PROSCRIBED, TABOO, VERBOTEN

• Basketball shots: ALLEY-OOP, FADEAWAY, FINGER ROLL, SLAM DUNK

• Starting with synonyms for "Scram!": GO-BETTER, LEAVENING, SCATTERGORIES, SHOO-IN

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 November 17, 2025

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

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

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

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're an animal lover.

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for November 17, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 17, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Paw patrol

The words are related to animals.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe skilled animals.

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 Working Dogs.

NYT Strands word list for November 17

• Guide

• Service

• Herding

• Working Dogs

• Rescue

• Guard

• Therapy

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.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you've got a tight grip.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 17, 2025 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for November 17, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

To fasten.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter C.

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...

CLAMP

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 November 17, 2025

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

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

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

As the big November holiday inches closer, that means more time we all have to watch plenty of movies. Amazon Prime Video is seeing to it that there’s no shortage of titles in their catalog. This week, I’ve chosen some gems consisting of pure, unadulterated entertainment. Join me as we venture through action and thrills, a perilous open-water situation, a scandalous drama, and plenty of absurd circumstances to laugh at. There's even some group therapy—but don't worry, no participation is required.

Under normal usage, a Windows laptop should typically last between three and six hours on a single charge. But what if your laptop's battery isn't getting the job done?

The best Black Friday deals on Samsung sound systems at a glance: Samsung Q990F 11.1.4ch Q Series Subwoofer + Rear Speaker $967.99 (save 52%) Get Deal Samsung HW-Q900F 7.1.2ch Q-Series Soundbar + Subwoofer $799.99 (save 43%) Get Deal Samsung Q-Series Soundbar HW-QS700F 3.1.2 ch Subwoofer $379.99 (save 46%) Get Deal Samsung Q-Series Soundbar HW Q600F 3.1.2 ch Subwoofer $297.99 (save 57%) Get Deal Samsung HW-B650D 3.1ch Soundbar $199.99 (save 43%) Get Deal

Black Friday usually runs in the latter stages of November, but retailers have been dropping deals earlier and earlier over recent years. This is good news for shoppers looking to score some sweet savings before the holidays. Woot is one such retailer offering excellent discounts right now, including up to 57% off a selection of Samsung sound systems.

As of Nov. 17, Woot (an Amazon-owned online retailer) is offering discounts on five popular Samsung systems. So whether you're looking to drop some cash on a larger setup — like a Samsung soundbar, subwoofer, and rear speaker setup — or a soundbar and subwoofer bundle, Woot has quite a few options to check out right now.

SEE ALSO: Walmart Black Friday ad: The best deals you can buy online now

The Samsung Q-Series soundbar and subwoofer is currently 57% off, dropping its price from $699.99 to $297.99, and the Q-series soundbar HW-Q990F 11.1.4 ch subwoofer and rear speaker is marked down 52%, from $1,999.99 to $967.99. If you've been thinking about upgrading your speaker setup, now is a great opportunity to do it for less.

It's worth keeping in mind that this sale only lasts until Dec. 5 (or until the discounted items have sold out). So, if a system has caught your eye, you'll want to act fast to grab it before it's gone for good.

For more deals like this, check out our breakdown of the 57 best early Black Friday deals.

It's been almost exactly a year since Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo introduced each other via song as part of Wicked's promo tour, and now they're back for another rendition.

In the clip above the two stars are joined by fellow Wicked: For Good cast-mates Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Bowen Yang, Ethan Slater and Marissa Bode for a one-minute Tonight Show bop that reminds you exactly who everyone is.

Wicked: For Good hits cinemas on Nov. 21.

While I’m confident in my ability to spend lots of money on a 3D printer to kickstart a new obsession, knowing what you’re getting yourself into before you pull the trigger is probably a good idea. Thankfully, there are some good ways to try out 3D printing before you buy.

TL;DR: As of Nov. 17, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Booster Bundle is $55.01 at Amazon, which is $6 higher compared to TCGplayer. But if you successfully apply for an Amazon Visa Card, you could grab a $60 gift card and get it for free.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Mega Evolution Booster Bundle $0 at Amazon
$55.01 Save $55.01   Get Deal

This might be one of the best Pokémon TCG deals I've ever found. The Mega Evolution Booster Bundle is $6 more at Amazon compared to TCGPlayer, but you could get it for free with credit to spare if you successfully apply for an Amazon Visa Card at Amazon.

SEE ALSO: Where to buy Pokémon cards in 2025 — avoid overpaying or missing out on new sets

This deal requires some self control, but you don't actually need to use the Amazon Visa store card to make this deal happen. Just apply for the Amazon Visa Card, then if you're successful you'll recieve a $60 gift card credited to your Amazon account instantly. You can then use the gift card to get the Mega Evolutions Booster Bundle for free. It's a sneaky trick, but it works.

Most valuable Mega Evolution Pokémon cards Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

Prices for single Mega Evolution chase cards have been crashing recently, which shows how much better stock availability is for Pokémon TCG compared to the early stages of 2025. In all honesty, it's usually cheaper to just buy the cards you want rather than ripping open booster packs chasing rare cards. Here's where to buy Mega Evolution top chase cards alongside up-to-date market value information:

1. Mega Lucario ex - 188/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $455
   Market price: $487.21
   Most recent sale: $479.79

2. Mega Gardevoir ex - 187/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $317.52
   Market price: $373.08
   Most recent sale: $299.99

3. Mega Gardevoir ex - 178/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $278.20
   Market price: $225.18
   Most recent sale: $262.99

4. Mega Lucario ex - 179/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $219.99
   Market price: $221.40
   Most recent sale: $225

5. Mega Venusaur ex - 177/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $209.99
   Market price: $162.33
   Most recent sale: $157.22

SAVE $9: As of Nov. 17, the Pokémon TCG Phantasmal Flames Booster Bundle is $59.89 at Amazon, which is $9 more expensive than TCGplayer's current price of $49.50 after its launch weekend.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Phantasmal Flames Booster Bundle $49.50 at TCGPlayer
$59.89 Save $10.39   Get Deal

The first expansion for Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution, Phantasmal Flames, has finally dropped after a hectic launch weekend. If you don't have the cash to splash out on a Booster Box right now, the Booster Bundle is currently $10 cheaper at TCGplayer when stacked against Amazon ($49.50 vs. $59.89). I know where I'm going to buy mine.

Of course, you could go with Amazon if you have AMEX or Discovery cards for up to 50% off, although this special offer hasn't been available for anyone. Failing that, you can get aproved for a Amazon Visa card and recieve an instant $60 gift voucher to get the Phantasmal Booster Bundle for free.

SEE ALSO: Where to buy Pokémon cards in 2025 — avoid overpaying or missing out on new sets

Phantasmal Flames focuses in on Mega Charizard X with a standard ex, Secret Art Rare, and Gold Hyper Rare. Other Mega Pokémon have SIR variants such as Mega Lopunny ex and standard Pokémon such as Rotom ex.

Most valuable Mega Evolution Pokémon cards Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

I'm tracking some big crashes with Charizard ex cards from Phantasmal Flames over its launch weekend, so if you're after that SIR or Gold Hyper Rare, it might be a good time to just buy the card now instead of trying to pull your favorite chase cards in endless boosters. Here's the top chase cards of Phantasmal Flames right now, complete with links to buy them on TCGplayer and up-to-date market values:

1. Mega Charizard X ex - 125/094
   Near Mint Holofoil: $809.99
   Market price: $783.68
   Most recent sale: $750

2. Mega Charizard X ex - 130/094
   Near Mint Holofoil: $649.95
   Market price: $641.73
   Most recent sale: $625

3. Mega Charizard X ex - 109/094
   Near Mint Holofoil: $84
   Market price: $55.40
   Most recent sale: $54.98

4. Mega Lopunny ex - 128/094
   Near Mint Holofoil: $58.02
   Market price: $44.58
   Most recent sale: $42.19

5. Mega Sharpedo ex - 127/094
   Near Mint Holofoil: $88.99
   Market price: $44.65
   Most recent sale: $41.23

BELOW MARKET VALUE: As of Nov. 17, the Pokémon TCG Phantasmal Flames Booster Box is $299.99 at Amazon, which is still below the market value of $309.81 at TCGplayer after its launch weekend.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Phantasmal Flames Booster Box $299.99 at Amazon
$309.81 Save $9.82   Get Deal

The first expansion for Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution, Phantasmal Flames, has finally dropped after a hectic launch weekend. Thank goodness we're getting good deals off the shelf right now, although we still need to see the general market return to MSRP pricing outside of preorders and limited restocks.

With print runs going harder than ever before, we're hopefully going to see Scarlet and Violet / Mega Evolution era Pokémon TCG reprinted into oblivion. In turn this means we'll see scalpers move on and big box retailer pricing go down, which means better deals for trainers like you.

The Phantasmal Flames Booster Box is currently below market value on Amazon at $299.99, compared to TCGplayer's current market value of $309.81. It's still over MSRP, but getting products below market value right now is the best we're going to get outside of aforementioned preorders.

SEE ALSO: Where to buy Pokémon cards in 2025 — avoid overpaying or missing out on new sets

Phantasmal Flames focuses in on Mega Charizard X with a standard ex, Secret Art Rare, and Gold Hyper Rare. Other Mega Pokémon have made the SIR cut such as Mega Lopunny ex and normal Pokémon such as Rotom ex. It's off to a flying start thanks to people getting good pull rates and seeing more stock availability than in the Scarlet and Violet era

Most valuable Mega Evolution Pokémon cards Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

With Phantasmal Flames out in the wild, single cards are already on sale. If you've already ripped open your preorders and are still looking for the cards below, it's probably going to save you money long term just buying the cards you need. Here's the current market values and where you can buy them right now:

1. Mega Charizard X ex - 125/094
   Near Mint Holofoil: $809.99
   Market price: $783.68
   Most recent sale: $750

2. Mega Charizard X ex - 130/094
   Near Mint Holofoil: $649.95
   Market price: $641.73
   Most recent sale: $625

3. Mega Charizard X ex - 109/094
   Near Mint Holofoil: $84
   Market price: $55.40
   Most recent sale: $54.98

4. Mega Lopunny ex - 128/094
   Near Mint Holofoil: $58.02
   Market price: $44.58
   Most recent sale: $42.19

5. Mega Sharpedo ex - 127/094
   Near Mint Holofoil: $88.99
   Market price: $44.65
   Most recent sale: $41.23

SAVE $50: As of Nov. 17, the Fire TV Cube is on sale for $89.99 at Amazon. This marks a return to its lowest-ever price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Cube $89.99 at Amazon
$139.99 Save $50.00   Get Deal

Amazon has been offering plenty of exciting early Black Friday deals throughout November, and if you've been looking to upgrade your streaming setup ahead of the holidays, the retailer's own streaming devices have seen some very nice price drops. In particular, the Fire TV Cube has dropped back to its lowest-ever price of $89.99.

After hanging around $99.99 for a while, this is a great discount to see on the Fire TV Cube before Black Friday even kicks off. It's $50 off its usual list price of $139.99, and can set you up with 4K Ultra HD streaming quality as the winter weather comes in.

SEE ALSO: Target Black Friday ad: The best early deals you can buy online

Along with supporting 4K Ultra HD picture quality, the Fire TV Cube also supports Dolby Vision and HDR to further enhance the visual quality of your favorite shows and movies, and Dolby Atmos audio so you can enjoy every detailed sound that comes on screen as well. This device also features WiFi 6E support, which will make sure what you're watching on streaming services comes across in smooth quality.

On top of all that, it even boasts an octa-core 2.0 GHz processor that can boot up your favorite apps quickly and easily. Why wait to grab it if it's been on your shopping list? Now's your chance to score the Fire TV Cube back at its lowest price at Amazon.

There's plenty more where this deal came from. Amazon is full of exciting deals right now. Check out our breakdown of the best early Black Friday deals at Amazon to see even more that have caught our eye.

I’ve been deeply entrenched in the Microsoft ecosystem for most of my career. From PowerPoint and Word to Excel and Teams, I’ve relied on them for everything from writing and editing to collaboration and file management. But over the years, the software has grown heavier, slower, and more expensive. Every new version seems to bring more features I don’t need and more nudges toward cloud subscriptions I never asked for. At some point, I began to think that I was spending more time managing licenses and updates than actually getting work done.