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SAVE $45.95: As of Nov. 25, you can snag an OtterBox Defender Series Pro case for your iPhone 16 Pro for just $19 at Walmart. That's a savings of $45.95.

Opens in a new window Credit: OtterBox OtterBox Defender Series Pro iPhone 16 Pro case $19.00 at Walmart
$54.00 Save $35.00 Get Deal

We’re just a few days from Black Friday, but Walmart’s website is overflowing with deals you can take advantage of right now. From headphones to mobile accessories, Walmart’s impressing us with its pre-Black Friday sales.

As of Nov. 25, you can grab an OtterBox Defender Series Pro phone case for the iPhone 16 Pro for just $19 at Walmart. That’s $45.95 off the list price and a really good deal for a tough-as-nails phone case.

SEE ALSO: All the best early Black Friday deals at Amazon, Target, Best Buy, and Walmart

Remember, this deal is available to Walmart+ members at noon ET and non-members at 5 p.m. ET. If you want to hop on it early, you’ll need to sign up for a Walmart Plus membership right now, which is half-off for new members through Dec. 2.

The OtterBox Defender Series Pro Case for MagSafe iPhone 16 Pro is a multi-layered case that provides heavy-duty protection. It features DROP+ technology, which safeguards your phone from five times more drops than the military standard, and raised edges to protect your camera, screen, and port openings from dust and dirt.

JUST $178: As of Nov. 25, Walmart shoppers can get a 55-inch Hisense 4K TV for just $178 ahead of Black Friday. Note that this deal goes live at 12PM ET on Nov. 25 for Walmart+ members exclusively, and then will be open to everyone starting at 5PM ET.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 55-inch Class R6 Series 4K UHD Roku Smart TV $178.00 at Walmart
Get Deal

Black Friday is hands-down one of the best times to get a new TV — tons of can't-miss deals tend to go live before the main event officially starts, and 2024 is looking like it's going to follow suit.

If you're looking for a new 4K TV but don't have a huge budget this holiday shopping season, this deal from Walmart should absolutely be on your radar: The retailer is offering a 55-inch Hisense 4K TV for just $178. It's one of the cheapest 55-inch 4K TVs we've seen leading up to Black Friday and is bound to sell out quickly, so make sure you don't miss out.

SEE ALSO: Early Black Friday TV deals at Best Buy and Walmart absolutely school Amazon's

There is one catch, though. This deal will only be available to Walmart+ members for a short period of time before being released to the general public. So if you're not a member, you'll want to act fast when the deal goes live for you, because you'll be shopping the leftover stock. The deal will become redeemable for Walmart+ members starting at 12PM ET on Nov. 25, and then will be available to all other shoppers starting at 5PM ET on the same day.

GET $20 OFF: As of Nov. 25, you can get a set of Nintendo Joy-Cons (L/R) - Left Neon Red/ Right Neon Blue Controllers for just $59.00. That's 25% off the original price or $20 off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Nintendo Switch Joy-Con (L/R) - Left Neon Red/ Right Neon Blue Controllers $59.00 at Walmart
$79.00 Save $20.00 Get Deal

It’s the time of year for huge discounts, but even so, our eyebrows shot up when we saw that Nintendo Joy-Cons are on sale today for $20 off. The Switch system remains immensely popular — consequently Joy-Cons rarely ever get significant discounts.

Whether you’re a cozy gamer doing dealings with Animal Crossing’s Tom Nook, or you’re battling your friends in Super Smash Bros, Joy-Cons are your point of entry to the action. The Nintendo Switch’s signature is its ability to transition from handheld system to TV and Joy-Cons make this happen.

SEE ALSO: Save $75 on the Nintendo Switch OLED 'Mario Kart 8 Deluxe' bundle for Black Friday

Attached to a Switch, they control the action on the Switch’s main screen. Unattached to the screen, they connect with a Joy-Con Grip to make one large controller or function as two individual controllers. As individual controllers, each contains a separate accelerometer and gyro-sensor.

As of Nov. 25 you can get a set of Nintendo Joy-Cons (L/R) - Left Neon Red/ Right Neon Blue Controllers for $59.00 and save 25%.

As a gift, Joy-Cons open up multiplayer gaming for a Switch owner. The clear choice as a part gaming system Nintendo Switch is a great choice for multiplayer gaming, and a gift of Joy-Cons brings even more friends into the action.

GET $50 OFF: As of Nov. 25 at 12PM EST, Lego Ideas The Office US TV Show Series Dunder Mifflin Scranton Model Building Set is on sale for $70, save $50 at Walmart.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Ideas The Office US TV Show Series Dunder Mifflin Scranton Model Building Set, 21336 $70.00 at Walmart
$120.00 Save $50.00 Get Deal

Resurrected from the Schrute Farms compost bin, The Office Dunder Mifflin Scranton Model Building Set brings the classic Scranton comedy to life. The set was recently retired by Lego; if you were eyeing the set and missed out, this is your notice that it's back now. Get it on sale for Black Friday week at Walmart.

SEE ALSO: 15+ of the best Lego Black Friday deals you can shop early

With 15 mini-figures that you’ll recognize from Dunder Mifflin HQ, you’ll be able to call a meeting in the boardroom, banish Michael Scott to sulk in his office, or give Pam an engagement ring. The set even comes with Dwight’s secret stash of weapons and Michael’s "World's Best Boss" mug.

As of Nov. 25 at noon EST, The Office Lego Building Set is on sale for $70 for a total savings of $50.

Made for adult fans of The Office, this collector’s set comes with an illustrated book about The Office and the set’s creators.

If you’ve been following this Lego Ideas set you might have thought it was gone for good. Don’t wait, because it might not come out of retirement again. As Michael says, “Fool me once, strike one. But fool me twice... strike three.”

SAVE $150: As of Nov. 25, you can snag the JBL Partybox 110 at Walmart for $199. That's a 43% discount or $150.95 off the list price. Note: The Walmart MSRP price is slightly inflated, so we're basing this off the actual MSRP.

Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Partybox 110 $199.00 at Walmart
$399.95 Save $200.95 Get Deal

If you’ve been looking for a speaker that doubles as a karaoke machine, we’ve found just the product — and it’s on sale.

As of Nov. 25, you can get the JBL Partybox 110 for just $199 at Walmart. (Walmart+ shoppers can snag it at this price at noon; non-members will have to wait until 5 p.m. ET.) That’s a $150.95 discount and a record-low price for this speaker. It looks like Amazon, Best Buy, and the JBL website are selling it for a mere 95 to 99 cents more, so if Walmart sells out, you can still grab it elsewhere for a great price.

SEE ALSO: Black Friday store hours: What time do Walmart, Best Buy, Target and more open their doors?

The JBL Partybox 110 is a fun, portable party speaker that can fill a room with that signature JBL Original Pro Sound. It’s IPX4 splashproof (take it to the pool or the beach) and has a mic and guitar input, so you can use it as an amp or host karaoke nights.

With the PartyBox App, you can control your music, update settings, and customize the colors and patterns of the lights — perfect for setting the mood at any event. You'll get up to 12 hours of battery life on a single charge.

Affordable GraphRAG for every use case

The GraphRAG project (opens in new tab) aims to expand the class of questions that AI systems can answer over private datasets by leveraging the implicit relationships within unstructured text. 

A key advantage of GraphRAG over conventional vector RAG (or “semantic search”) is its ability to answer global queries that address the entire dataset, such as “what are the main themes in the data?”, or “what are the most important implications for X?”. Conversely, vector RAG excels for local queries where the answer resembles the query and can be found within specific text regions, as is typically the case for “who”, “what”, “when”, and “where” questions. 

In recent blog posts, we have shared two new query mechanisms that exploit the rich, summary-based data index created by GraphRAG to improve local search performance and global search costs, respectively. 

In this blog post, we introduce a radically different approach to graph-enabled RAG that requires no prior summarization of the source data, avoiding the up-front indexing costs that may be prohibitive for some users and use cases. We call this approach “LazyGraphRAG”. 

A key advantage of LazyGraphRAG is its inherent scalability in terms of both cost and quality. Across a range of competing methods (standard vector RAG, RAPTOR (opens in new tab), and GraphRAG local (opens in new tab), global (opens in new tab), and DRIFT (opens in new tab) search mechanisms), LazyGraphRAG shows strong performance across the cost-quality spectrum as follows: 

• LazyGraphRAG data indexing costs are identical to vector RAG and 0.1% of the costs of full GraphRAG. 
• For comparable query costs to vector RAG, LazyGraphRAG outperforms all competing methods on local queries, including long-context vector RAG and GraphRAG DRIFT search (our recently introduced RAG approach shown to outperform vector RAG) as well as GraphRAG local search. 
• The same LazyGraphRAG configuration also shows comparable answer quality to GraphRAG Global Search for global queries, but more than 700 times lower query cost.
• For 4% of the query cost of GraphRAG global search, LazyGraphRAG significantly outperforms all competing methods on both local and global query types, including GraphRAG global search at the C2 level (the third level of the community hierarchy recommended for most applications).

LazyGraphRAG is coming soon to our open-source GraphRAG library (opens in new tab), providing a unified query interface for both local and global queries over a lightweight data index that is comparable in cost to standard vector RAG. 

Blending vector RAG and Graph RAG with deferred LLM use

LazyGraphRAG aims to blend the advantages of vector RAG and Graph RAG while overcoming their respective limitations: 

• Vector RAG is a form of best-first search that uses the similarity with the query to select the best-matching source text chunks. However, it has no sense of the breadth of the dataset to consider for global queries. 
• GraphRAG global search is a form of breadth-first search that uses the community structure of source text entities to ensure that queries are answered considering the full breadth of the dataset. However, it has no sense of the best communities to consider for local queries.

LazyGraphRAG combines best-first and breadth-first search dynamics in an iterative deepening manner (Table 1). Compared to the global search mechanism of full GraphRAG, this approach is “lazy” in ways that defer LLM use and dramatically increase the efficiency of answer generation. Overall performance can be scaled via a single main parameter – the relevance test budget – that controls the cost-quality trade-off in a consistent manner.

GraphRAGLazyGraphRAGBuild indexUses an LLM to extract and describe entities and their relationships, b) uses an LLM to summarize all observations of each entity and relationship, c) uses graph statistics to optimize the entity graph and extract hierarchical community structureUses NLP noun phrase extraction to extract concepts and their co-occurrences, b) uses graph statistics to optimize the concept graph and extract hierarchical community structureSummarize indexUses an LLM to summarize entities and relationships in each communityNone – the “lazy” approach defers all LLM use until query timeRefine queryNone – the original query is used throughoutUses an LLM to a) identify relevant subqueries and recombine them into a single expanded query, b) refine subqueries with matching concepts from the concept graphMatch queryNone – all queries are answered using all community summaries (breadth first) For each of q subqueries [3-5]: 
– Uses text chunk embeddings and chunk-community relationships to first rank text chunks by similarity to the query, then rank communities by the rank of their top-k text chunks (best first) 
– Uses an LLM-based sentence-level relevance assessor to rate the relevance of the top-k untested text chunks from communities in rank order (breadth first) 
– Recurses into relevant sub-communities after z successive communities yield zero relevant text chunks  (iterative deepening)
– Terminates when no relevant communities remain or relevance test budget / q is reachedMap answersUses an LLM to answer the original query over random batches of community summaries in parallelFor each of q subqueries [3-5]: 
– Builds a subgraph of concepts from the relevant text chunks 
– Uses the community assignments of concepts to group related chunks together 
– Uses an LLM to extract subquery-relevant claims from groups of related chunks as a way of focusing on relevant content only 
– Ranks and filters extracted claims to fit a pre-defined context window size Reduce answersUses an LLM to answer the original query using the mapped answersUses an LLM to answer the expanded query using the extracted map claims LazyGraphRAG answer quality is state-of-the-art

We compared LazyGraphRAG at varying levels of relevance test budget to a range of competing methods, as follows: 

• Dataset: 5,590 AP news articles (used with license)
• Queries: 100 synthetic queries (50 local and 50 global), generated using a new method to be described in a future blog post
• Metrics: Comprehensiveness, Diversity, Empowerment (as described here, with an LLM used to compare pairs of answers head-to-head on each metric)
• Conditions: Includes LazyGraphRAG with three relevance test budget settings, in addition to eight competing conditions from GraphRAG and literature (Table 2).

ConditionDescriptionZ100_LiteLazyGraphRAG with a relevance test budget of 100 and using a low-cost LLM model at all steps Z500LazyGraphRAG with a relevance test budget of 500, using a low-cost LLM for relevance tests and a more advanced (higher cost) LLM for query refinement and map/reduce answer generation Z1500LazyGraphRAG with a relevance test budget of 1,500, using a low-cost LLM for relevance tests and a more advanced (higher cost) LLM for query refinement and map/reduce answer generation C1GraphRAG Global Search at community level 1 C2GraphRAG Global Search at community level 2C3_DynamicGraphRAG Global Search at community level 3 using dynamic community selection (a cost saving solution introduced in our previous blog post)LSGraphRAG Local SearchDRIFTGraphRAG DRIFT SearchSS_8KSemantic Search with vector RAG retrieving 8k tokens of input SS_64KSemantic Search with vector RAG retrieving 64k tokens of input (included to examine the effect of long-context window on vector RAG) RAPTORA hierarchical clustering-based approach to RAG that shares some similar features to LazyGraphRAG 

Figure 1 shows LazyGraphRAG win rates against each of the eight competing conditions. At the lowest budget level of 100 relevance tests using a low-cost LLM model (same cost as SS_8K), LazyGraphRAG significantly outperforms all conditions on local and global queries, except for GraphRAG global search conditions for global queries. At an increased budget of 500 relevance tests using a more advanced LLM model (4% of the query cost of C2), LazyGraphRAG significantly outperforms all conditions on both local and global queries. LazyGraphRAG’s win rates continue to increase as the relevance test budget increases to 1,500, demonstrating its scalability in terms of cost vs. quality. 

Figure 1. Clustered bar charts showing win rates of LazyGraphRAG with relevance test budgets of (100, 500, 1,500) over competing conditions for each combination of (local, global) queries and (comprehensiveness, diversity, empowerment) metrics

An example comparison is shown in Table 3.

Query: Describe what factors individuals in the United States should consider when selecting a health insurance plan during the open enrollment period for 2024 health insurance plans.

Vector RAG (64K context)LazyGraphRAG# Factors to Consider When Selecting a Health Insurance Plan During Open Enrollment for 2024 
 
Selecting a health insurance plan during the open enrollment period can be a complex process, but understanding the key factors to consider can help individuals make informed decisions. Here are some important aspects to keep in mind: 
 
## Coverage and Networks 
 
One of the primary considerations is the coverage network of the plan. Insurers form coverage networks of hospitals and doctors, and it is crucial to ensure that your preferred healthcare providers are included in the network of the plan you are considering. Many marketplace plans, such as Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) and Exclusive Provider Organizations (EPOs), do not cover claims for most non-emergency care outside their networks [Data: Sources (47419, 47421, 47420, 47410, 47408)]. 
 
## Costs: Premiums, Deductibles, and Out-of-Pocket Maximums 
 
Understanding the costs associated with a health insurance plan is essential. This includes the monthly premiums, deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. Plans are typically categorized into different levels such as platinum, gold, silver, and bronze, with bronze plans generally having lower premiums but higher out-of-pocket costs [Data: Sources (47411, 47412, 47416, 47414, 47418)]. Additionally, it is important to consider the out-of-pocket maximum, which is the most you will have to pay in a year for covered services before the insurance starts covering all costs [Data: Sources (47416, 47415)]. 
 
## Tax Credits and Cost-Sharing Reductions 
 
Individuals with lower incomes may qualify for income-based tax credits to help reduce the cost of premiums. It is important to accurately estimate your income for the coming year when applying for these credits to avoid having to repay any excess credits received [Data: Sources (47412, 47413)]. Additionally, those with incomes below 250% of the federal poverty level may qualify for cost-sharing reductions if they select a silver plan, which can lower deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums [Data: Sources (47417, 47418)]. 
 
## Special Considerations for Medicaid and Medicare 
 
For those transitioning from Medicaid, it is important to understand that marketplace plans may come with higher premiums and copays compared to Medicaid. Additionally, many people who have been removed from Medicaid may be eligible to enroll in marketplace plans through an extended enrollment period [Data: Sources (6284, 6285, 6286, 6287)]. For seniors, the Medicare open enrollment period allows for switching between traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans, with considerations for prescription drug coverage and additional benefits like dental and vision [Data: Sources (72060, 72061, 72062, 72063, 72064)]. 
 
## Assistance and Resources 
 
Navigating the complexities of health insurance can be challenging, and seeking assistance from insurance agents or government-funded navigators can be beneficial. These professionals can help individuals understand their options and make informed decisions without recommending specific plans [Data: Sources (47424, 47425, 47426)]. 
 
## Conclusion 
 
Selecting the right health insurance plan requires careful consideration of various factors including coverage networks, costs, eligibility for tax credits and cost-sharing reductions, and available assistance. By thoroughly evaluating these aspects, individuals can choose a plan that best meets their healthcare needs and financial situation for the upcoming year.### Types of Health Insurance Plans 
 
When selecting a health insurance plan during the open enrollment period for 2024, individuals in the United States have several options to consider: 
 
1. **Marketplace Plans**: These are available under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and are categorized into platinum, gold, silver, and bronze levels. Bronze plans generally have lower premiums but higher out-of-pocket costs, while platinum plans have higher premiums but lower out-of-pocket costs [Data: Sources (47411, 47420, 47421)]. 
 
2. **Low-Cost Marketplace Plans**: These often come with high deductibles, requiring patients to pay thousands of dollars before most coverage kicks in. They also have annual out-of-pocket maximums that can exceed $9,000 for individuals and $18,000 for families [Data: Sources (47415, 47416, 47414)]. 
 
3. **Exclusive Provider Organizations (EPOs) and Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs)**: EPOs and HMOs generally restrict patients to a network of doctors and require a primary care doctor to direct care. They tend to be cheaper but lack out-of-network flexibility [Data: Sources (47420, 47421, 43218, 43217)]. 
 
4. **Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs)**: These plans allow for out-of-network services but at a higher cost. They offer more flexibility compared to HMOs and EPOs [Data: Sources (43217)]. 
 
5. **High-Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs)**: Defined as plans with a deductible of at least $1,600 for individual coverage or $3,200 for family coverage, with out-of-pocket maximums of no more than $8,050 or $16,100, respectively. HDHPs usually have lower premiums, and sometimes companies contribute to a health savings account (HSA) to help cover the deductible [Data: Sources (43227, 43226)]. 
 
6. **Medicare Advantage**: These are privately run versions of the federal government’s Medicare program, mostly for people aged 65 and over. They often include prescription drug coverage and may offer additional benefits like dental or vision coverage not provided by traditional Medicare [Data: Sources (72063, 72061, 72060, 72062)]. 
 
7. **Short-Term Health Insurance Plans**: These plans are limited to three months and can only be renewed for a maximum of four months under new rules. They are intended for temporary coverage but often lack comprehensive benefits [Data: Sources (97999, 97995, 97996, 97997)]. 
 
### Cost Factors: Premiums, Deductibles, Co-pays, and Out-of-Pocket Maximums 
 
The overall cost of health insurance plans in 2024 is influenced by several factors: 
 
– **Premiums**: This is the set monthly cost you pay for your health insurance plan. Premiums have been rising, with a notable increase of 7% for both family and single plans in 2023, partly due to inflation [Data: Sources (83383, 83382, 83384, 83385, 83381, +more)]. 
 
– **Deductibles**: The amount you pay out-of-pocket for health care services before your insurance starts to pay. For HDHPs, the deductible is at least $1,600 for individual coverage or $3,200 for family coverage [Data: Sources (43226, 43225)]. 
 
– **Co-pays and Co-insurance**: These are the costs you pay each time you receive a medical service. Co-pays are fixed amounts, while co-insurance is a percentage of the service cost. 
 
– **Out-of-Pocket Maximums**: This is the maximum amount you will pay for covered services in a year. For example, HDHPs have out-of-pocket maximums of no more than $8,050 for individual coverage or $16,100 for family coverage [Data: Sources (43227, 43226)]. 
 
### Provider Networks: In-Network vs. Out-of-Network 
 
The network of healthcare providers is a crucial factor in selecting a health insurance plan: 
 
– **In-Network Providers**: These are doctors and hospitals that have agreements with your insurance plan to provide services at lower rates. Ensuring your preferred doctors and specialists are in-network can save you significant costs [Data: Sources (43216, 47419)]. 
 
– **Out-of-Network Providers**: Services from these providers are usually more expensive and may not be covered at all, except in emergencies. PPO plans offer some out-of-network coverage but at a higher cost, while HMOs and EPOs generally do not cover non-emergency out-of-network care [Data: Sources (43217, 47421)]. 
 
### Specific Medical Needs and Services 
 
When selecting a health insurance plan, individuals should consider their specific medical needs: 
 
– **Prescription Drugs**: Ensure that your medications are covered by the plan’s formulary, as drug coverage can change annually [Data: Sources (43220, 43218, 43219)]. 
 
– **Mental Health Services**: Coverage for mental health treatments is essential, especially with new rules pushing insurers to increase their coverage of these services [Data: Sources (97031, 97028, 97027, 97030, 97033, +more)]. 
 
– **Chronic Conditions**: Plans should cover ongoing treatments and medications for chronic conditions. Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) can help cover gaps in Medicare for chronic disease management [Data: Sources (93367, 93368)]. 
 
– **Preventive Care**: Coverage for preventive services like cancer screenings and HIV prevention is mandated under the ACA, though its future is uncertain due to ongoing legal battles [Data: Sources (71106, 71109, 71098, 71099, 71100, +more)]. 
 
### Key Dates and Steps for Open Enrollment 
 
The open enrollment period for 2024 health insurance plans involves several key dates and steps: 
 
– **Marketplace Plans**: Open enrollment starts on November 1, 2023, and runs through mid-December in most states, ending on January 16, 2024 [Data: Sources (47419, 47411, 47416, 47421, 47409, +more)]. 
 
– **Medicare**: Open enrollment for Medicare runs from October 15, 2023, to December 7, 2023. During this period, individuals can choose between traditional Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans, and prescription drug plans [Data: Sources (72061, 72063, 72060, 72062)]. 
 
– **Special Enrollment Periods**: Individuals who lose coverage due to life events like job loss or moving may qualify for special enrollment periods. For example, those removed from Medicaid may enroll in marketplace plans through July 2024 [Data: Sources (6288, 6289)]. 
 
By considering these factors, individuals can make informed decisions about their health insurance coverage for 2024, ensuring they select plans that best meet their medical needs and financial situations. Looking forward

LazyGraphRAG shows that it is possible for a single, flexible query mechanism to substantially outperform a diverse range of specialized query mechanisms across the local-global query spectrum, and to do so without the up-front costs of LLM data summarization. Its very fast and almost-free indexing make LazyGraphRAG ideal for one-off queries, exploratory analysis, and streaming data use cases, while its ability to smoothly increase answer quality with increasing relevance test budget makes it a valuable tool for benchmarking RAG approaches in general (e.g., “RAG approach X beats LazyGraphRAG with budget Y for task Z”). 

Does this mean that all graph-enabled RAG should be lazy? We believe the answer is no, for three reasons: 

1. A GraphRAG data index of entity, relationship, and community summaries has use value beyond question answering (e.g., reading and sharing as reports). 
2. A GraphRAG data index of entity, relationship, and community summaries, combined with a LazyGraphRAG-like search mechanism, is likely to achieve better results than LazyGraphRAG alone. 
3. A new kind of GraphRAG data index designed to support a LazyGraphRAG-like search mechanism (e.g., through pre-emptive claim and topic extraction) is likely to achieve the best possible results. 

We will be exploring these directions in the coming period, with all advances (including LazyGraphRAG itself) released via the GraphRAG GitHub repository (opens in new tab). Stay tuned! 

Opens in a new tab

The post LazyGraphRAG: Setting a new standard for quality and cost appeared first on Microsoft Research.

Dictionary.com's word of the year is demure, a nod to the "very mindful, very demure" social media trend started by TikTokker Jools Lebron.

Demure beat out brainrot, brat (inspired by the Charli XCX album of the same name), extreme weather, midwest nice, and weird. Dictionary.com defines demure as "characterized by shyness or modesty; reserved," but its announcement acknowledged that the use popularized by Jools changes the word's meaning.

SEE ALSO: 'Pookie' is more than a pet name. TikTok's new favorite word is rooted in a rich cultural history.

Online, it's come to mean anything from self-aware, sophisticated, and restrained to good and praiseworthy. But as is the case with any viral word, it's also come to mean nothing.

Jools first posted how to be mindful and demure in early August. "You see how I do my makeup for work? Very demure. Very mindful," she said in the now-viral video. "I don't come to work with a green-cut crease. I don't look like a clown when I go to work. I don't do too much. I'm very mindful while I'm at work."

SEE ALSO: 'Very demure' demonstrates TikTok's ability to shape modern language

The word quickly caught on and was inescapable online. Dictionary.com saw 200 times more searches for the word than it did on dates preceding August.

UPDATE: Nov. 25, 2024, 10:15 a.m. EST This post has been updated with the latest pricing on all available AirPods models ahead of Black Friday.

Best early Black Friday AirPods deals Best AirPods Pro deal Apple AirPods Pro 2 $169.99 (save $79.01) Get Deal Best AirPods Max deal Apple AirPods Max $399.99 (save $149.01) Get Deal

Black Friday isn't here just yet, but it kind of already is, if that makes sense. You know the drill: Before most big shopping events nowadays, we usually see a bunch of early deals start to slowly crop up, ones that are definitely worth paying attention to. Especially if you're looking for tech products — Black Friday and pre-Black-Friday are always exciting times for those who are looking to catch up on the latest and greatest that the industry has to offer.

Headphones definitely fall into that category, specifically Apple's line of popular audio tech: AirPods. A few different AirPods models are on sale in the weeks preceding Black Friday, including the lastest release, the AirPods 4.

SEE ALSO: The 8 best noise-cancelling headphones of 2024

Check out all the best early Black Friday AirPods deals we could find below, and be sure to keep checking back, because we'll be updating this page as more offers go live.

Best AirPods Pro deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 2 $169.99 at Amazon
$249.00 Save $79.01 Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review of the Apple AirPods Pro 2.

The Apple AirPods Pro 2, which come packed with great features like ANC, hearing protection options, personalized spatial audio, and more, are currently $60 off at Amazon ahead of Black Friday. Considering the record low price on these earbuds is $168.99, we're definitely expecting to see a better price drop during Black Friday. Though that $168 price point may be rare, we frequently see these earbuds go on sale for $199 throughout the year, so much so that we don't really consider that a good deal anymore.

Best AirPods Max deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Max (Lightning) $399.99 at Amazon
$549.00 Save $149.01 Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review of the Apple AirPods Max.

If you're not really into earbuds, the AirPods Max are a good pair of over-ear headphones that'll allow you to stay within the Apple ecosystem (we get it, we like our tech to have synergy, too). While we like them for Apple users, we do have some qualms with their shorter battery life, weird carrying case, and lack of a power button, especially at their price point. That said, it's easier to look past those flaws with a good discount, which you'll find on the Lightning pairs instead of the newer USB-C model (which is the only upgrade, other than different colorways, on the newer version of these headphones).

More early Black Friday AirPods deals

• Apple AirPods (2nd Generation) — $89 $129 (save $40)

• Apple AirPods 4 (without ANC) — $119 $129 (save $10)

• Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC) — $168.99 $179 (save $10.01)

SAVE 75%: Through Dec. 2, new and returning Peacock subscribers can score a year of ad-supported Peacock Premium for either $1.99/month for six months (reg. $7.99/month) or $19.99 an entire year (reg. $79.99/year) using the codes REALDEALMONTHLY or REALDEAL, respectively.

Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium $1.99/month for six months or $19.99/year (save 75%) Get Deal

Peacock has consistently dropped one of the most impressive Black Friday deals for multiple years in a row. Thankfully, this year is no different.

From Nov. 25 through Dec. 2, new and returning subscribers can sign up for Peacock Premium (the ad-supported tier) for either $1.99/month for six months with the code REALDEALMONTHLY or $19.99/year with the code REALDEAL. That's 75% off the usual streaming cost either way you slice it. At a glance, this basically mirrors Peacock's Black Friday deal from last year, but since the streamer raised its prices back in July — now $7.99/month or $79.99/year (up from $5.99/month or $59.99/year) — it's actually a much bigger discount.

If you've never checked out Peacock, Mashable's film editor found that it's a subscription worth your while — even at full price. At $19.99 for an entire year, it's a complete no-brainer. Peacock is home to popular shows like The Office, New Girl, Law & Order: SVU, and Yellowstone, as well as new theatrical releases like Twisters, The Fall Guy, and Abigail. For reality TV junkies, it's also the home of all of your favorites from Bravo. Don't sleep on Peacock Originals like Poker Face and Mrs. Davis either. Check out our watch guides for the best shows on Peacock, the most binge-worthy shows on Peacock, the best horror movies on Peacock, and more if you need more convincing.

With a Premium subscription, you'll have to sit through some ads, but with this Black Friday deal, it's kind of hard to complain. Just think of those ads as built-in snack and bathroom breaks. If you want to avoid paying full price, be sure to cancel your subscription before the promotional period is up.

SAVE $100: The Lomi 2 food recycler, normally $599, is available for only $499 as part of the brand's Black Friday sale. For even more savings, Pela (Lomi's parent company) is offering two package deals that include the Lomi, along with extras, like regular shipments of odor-eliminating charcoal filters.

Opens in a new window Credit: Courtesy Lomi Lomi 2 food recycler $499.00 at Pela
$599.00 Save $100.00 Get Deal

The idea of composting may conjure images of stinky barrels overflowing with bugs. Pela's Lomi 2 food recycler is a much more accessible way of cutting down waste (along with reducing garbage bags and trips to the bins). About the size of a slow cooker, Lomi makes composting food scraps and paper waste possible on your countertop, so you can do your part for the environment without having to leave your home or apartment (read Mashable's very thorough review of Lomi here). The machine is also relatively quiet and one composting cycle uses less than 1kWh of electricity, less energy than a dishwasher load.

As mentioned, Pela's Black Friday deals feature more than the $499 Lomi 2 special. Because the composter requires recurring materials — namely, charcoal filters that eliminate bad smells — the other deals combine the Lomi with a "membership." One option for $359 and $10 per month includes the Lomi 2, along with a starter pack of the charcoal filters and a one-year supply of filter refills (4 packs); the $10 charge is billed annually.

Another special holiday option is available for $399 and $10 per month — it includes the Lomi 2, a starter pack of charcoal filters, the one-year supply of filter refills, a Lomi Cap (a place to store scraps while the Lomi is busy composting older detritus), and a three-pack of wax wraps (an eco-friendly replacement for plastic wrap).

All three specials are available for a limited time.

For the first time since 2012, Sony is developing a legitimate handheld device for playing PlayStation games, Bloomberg reports.

There isn't much else to say about the device right now, as Bloomberg noted that it's most likely years away from launch — if Sony decides to follow through with launching it at all. Sometimes, products like this go through some portion of development only to get scrapped before seeing the light of day.

SEE ALSO: PlayStation Portal just got a big update

Bloomberg's reporting indicated the machine would be able to natively play PS5 games on the go, which means it would have to be more powerful than the current crop of premium handhelds like the Steam Deck. That would also distinguish it from the recently released PlayStation Portal, which does allow you to stream PS5 games on the go, but only as long as you have a constant Wi-Fi connection.

Sony's sudden interest in returning to the handheld market is interesting because it didn't go well last time. The PSP made some waves in the mid-2000s, but the PlayStation Vita (launched in 2012) failed to generate any traction whatsoever, with Sony neglecting to release many big first-party games for it over its lifespan. However, since then, the Nintendo Switch has taken over the world, and Xbox is even reportedly working on a handheld.

What's old is new again, apparently.

It's all about Keanu Reeves and the end of the world as we know it in the latest trailer for Sonic the Hedgehog 3.

Reeves made a cheeky cameo as Shadow the Hedgehog in Sonic 2, but will be up front in this one as the key villain. He's up against an unlikely team: Ben Schwartz returning as Sonic, Colleen O'Shaughnessey back voicing Tails, and Idris Elba crushing it as Knuckles.

But as you'll see from the trailer, perpetual Sonic series highlight Jim Carrey is also back, this time playing both Dr. Ivo "Eggman" Robotnik and his grandfather Gerald, Shadow's creator. That's a lot of villain firepower.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 hits cinemas Dec. 21.

For the members of Le Sserafim, few things are as essential as a pair of headphones. Whether they’re laying down tracks in the studio, tuning out the chaos of a bustling airport, or curating the ultimate playlist for a late-night dance session, the right pair of headphones is more than a functional tool — it's an accessory, a statement, and a key to their world as international superstars who spend a lot of time in transit. 

The K-pop group’s latest collaboration with Sony Audio brings this idea to life with the release of a new Smoky Pink colorway for the brand’s acclaimed 1000X noise-canceling headphones. By fusing cutting-edge technology with the group’s chic, trendsetting style, the partnership redefines the relationship between music, fashion, and self-expression, something Huh Yunjin highlights as integral to their bold, confident image. 

"When we first saw the actual headphones on the set of our commercial, it had a dreamy and transient kind of feel, which went well with the concept of 'Crazy,'" she shares with Mashable over a Zoom call. "Whenever we're on the go, we like to have our headphones with us. We like listening to music, but we also like the look of it. It's aesthetic." Yunjin laughs, then adds, "And it makes you look busy!"

Le Sserafim’s Sony collaboration captures the essence of their lifestyle: balancing creative work with moments of unplugged downtime. Credit: Courtesy of Sony Audio

It’s not like Kim Chaewon, Sakura, Huh Yunjin, Kazuha, and Hong Eunchae need any help looking busy. As one of the industry’s most in-demand girl groups, the girls have spent more time accruing airline miles and being shuttled from one schedule to another than at home. Following the release of their single "Crazy" in August, Le Sserafim attended their very first MTV Video Music Awards in New York City, where they performed the club song during the VMAs pre-show and took home their first Moon Person. Then, earlier this month, they performed on the main stage at the 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards in Manchester, UK. 

When Mashable catches up with the group in late October, they’re in the middle of preparations for their next album and the upcoming slate of end-of-year music performances. “We’re grinding,” Yunjin says. So, their tech becomes an outlet for creativity and relaxation amid their demanding schedules. For Sakura, the group’s resident gamer, her headphones are as essential for winding down as they are for work. Last year, she even crocheted ribbons and tied them in bows on her headset. 

SEE ALSO: The 15 best K-pop songs of 2024 (so far)

Accessorizing their tech like this reflects their unique personalities, adding a more personal touch to their busy lives. Chaewon’s phone background is her dog, Shiro. For Yunjin’s birthday in early October, the members gifted her with custom stickers of herself. Sakura proudly displays one on her floral phone case. "I put some on mine as well," Yunjin says, holding her phone to the camera. Her phone is a colorful mix of charms and characters that mirror her outgoing personality. She recently added a small dog charm to her device. "I used to have a lotus flower and a jellyfish charm," she adds. "I literally changed it two minutes before this meeting."

In contrast to Yunjin’s eclectic, colorful style, Kazuha takes a more minimalistic approach to her tech as she shows off her sleek and sophisticated black phone case. "I like things that are very simple and clear-cut," the lithe dancer says. "Not only for my phone, but I think the Sony headsets are beautiful, just in and of themselves. So, I use them as they are because they look cool and chic."

The distinction between their accessories speaks to the group’s versatility, blending individuality with collective unity. From Eunchae's fun, bold approach to accessorizing her cherry phone case to Kazuha's minimalist sophistication, each member brings something unique, reflecting their broader approach to fashion — always evolving and always on-trend.

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"If you feel like something is missing, adding a pair of headphones perfects the whole look," Eunchae explains. For example, the youngest member likes wearing her headphones around her neck. "It makes you look really relaxed and chill," she says. "Sometimes, I also put my headphones around my bag, so they dangle on it." Whether it’s sleek wireless headphones or a chic pair of wired ones, the group sees tech as a way to elevate their aesthetic.

"Our style is diverse," Yunjin says, "so having long-lasting accessories that can suit every look is important because our hair colors change all the time."

But their relationship with tech doesn’t stop at how they style it. As idols, they’re constantly connected to their devices. Their phones are tools for staying connected with their fans and indulging in their hobbies. Between rehearsals and performances, Yunjin scrolls through social media, interacts with their fan community, and, like many in the group, keeps her creative flow going by curating playlists for different moods. "I use my phone mostly to listen to music," Chaewon adds. Meanwhile, you can find Sakura watching her favorite dramas on her phone. "I spend a lot of time watching films and shows on streaming apps." Currently, Sakura and her bandmates are obsessed with the cooking competition series Culinary Class Wars on Netflix. "Eunchae is the only one who hasn't watched it yet, but she feels like it's too late to hop on the bandwagon, so we’re waiting for Season 2," Yunjin laughs. 

The members are also obsessed with their digital cameras, which they’ve personalized with stickers. "I know there was a boom for digital cameras before I was born," Eunchae says. "But I think people are enjoying that retro vibe and feel that those little cameras give."

But as much as tech plays a vital role in their lives, the members of Le Sserafim also recognize the need to step away from their devices every once in a while. Despite their constant connection to the digital world, they find ways to unplug and recharge in moments of downtime, disconnecting from the buzz of notifications and the pressures of social media.

Eunchae shares a fun ritual the group has adopted: "When we eat together, we'll say, 'OK, let’s put our phones face down and just talk.' If someone’s caught looking at their phone, they get playfully scolded by the others." It’s a small but meaningful way they create space for real connection amidst their tech-heavy lives.

Smoky Pink matches the dreamy vibe of Le Sserafim's latest EP, 'Crazy.' Credit: Courtesy of Sony Audio

Yunjin echoes this sentiment, explaining that while it’s difficult to escape technology, she tries to use it more intentionally. "I try to interact with technology as a creator instead of just a consumer," she says. "We film TikToks between schedules or get together for creative projects. Yesterday, we filmed like 10 TikToks. It’s a way for us to stay productive and have fun with tech." But even she knows when to completely log off. "Sometimes I’ll just read or write, away from the screen, to reset."

Sakura, on the other hand, finds solace in more tactile activities. "I like to knit," she says. "It helps me relax and disconnect from social media. It’s a peaceful hobby that gives me a moment of quiet focus." For Sakura, knitting is more than just a pastime — it’s a mindful way to be present, away from the digital world constantly demanding attention. She’s also excited to read the paperback book her mom sent her from Japan. 

For all the time they spend online, whether for work or leisure, these moments of unplugging remind the members of the importance of balance — using technology to enhance their lives while also taking time to nurture their creativity, friendships, and well-being in a more analog way. 

Sony WH-1000XM5 in Smoky Pink $295.00 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $104.99 Shop Now

Whether you were defying gravity or battling Colosseum sharks this weekend, chances are you were watching either Wicked or Gladiator II — the so-called "Glicked" pair smashed the box office in their opening weekend.

Jon M. Chu's adaptation of the musical starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande debuted in the U.S. this weekend, making $114 million at the domestic box office and $164 million globally, according to Box Office Mojo.

SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know about those showstopping 'Wicked' cameos

And yes, it's a record opening weekend for a Broadway musical adaptation, beating Into the Woods' top domestic opening from a decade ago ($31 million).

That's also a fair U.S. lead over blockbuster pal Gladiator II; Ridley Scott's epic sequel drew in $55.5 million domestic, although the total international takings for the film ($221 million) are currently above those of Wicked. Granted, Gladiator II has had more time at the international box office, premiering in Australia on Oct. 30 and releasing in the UK on Nov. 15.

Featured Video For You How director Jon M. Chu made 'Wicked'

There's no delusions of grandeur here; together, the combined "Glicked" pair raked in $170 million over the weekend in the U.S.

The biggest U.S. opening weekend of the year is still Deadpool & Wolverine, which opened to $211 million at the domestic box office, followed by Inside Out 2 with $155 million, but Wicked managed to scoot past Beetlejuice Beetlejuice at $111 million.

The total takings will be an interesting ride for Wicked and Gladiator II, and I'll be personally watching how many fans return for multiple viewings — in Wicked's case, maybe you couldn't actually hear the film over audience participation...

Apple is not working on a new version of AirPods Max. Sorry.

This is according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who mentioned it in his latest "Power On" newsletter.

In September 2024, the company technically launched a new version of AirPods Max, but they're essentially the same as the previous model, with the only notable change being the switch from Lightning port to USB-C.

If that got you expecting something more in the future, we've got bad news: Gurman claims that Apple has no immediate plans to upgrade the AirPods Max "in a meaningful way."

SEE ALSO: From 'That's So True' to 'Apple,' here are TikTok's most viral songs of 2024

On one hand, it may be proof that the current version is simply selling well enough, giving the company no immediate reason to upgrade. Or perhaps, as Gurman believes, the sales are too low, giving Apple little reason to bother with an upgrade.

It's a pity, given that the AirPods Max don't support some of Apple's own Apple Music features, including Adaptive Audio or Lossless audio quality.

The lack of Lossless support is particularly odd for Apple's top headphones. Apple Music started offering lossless-quality audio back in 2021 (for a primer of what this means, go here), about a year after it launched the AirPods Max. Four years later, the $549 AirPods Max still have the same H1 chip inside (the company launched a new, H2 chip in the meantime, and it currently powers the AirPods Pro and the 4th generation AirPods).

Another tidbit from Gurman's latest newsletter has to do with Apple's Siri, which is apparently getting a new overhaul soon. Gurman wrote about it in the recent report, saying that the company is testing a "more conversational" Siri, but that it is unlikely to launch before 2026.

SAVE OVER $80: As of Nov. 25, the RayNeo Air 2s AR/XR Glasses are available for $319 at Amazon. That’s a 20% discount off their $399.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: RayNeo RayNeo Air 2s AR/XR $319.00 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $80.99 Get Deal

Been dreaming of stepping into a sci-fi future? In that case, the RayNeo Air 2s AR glasses might be your ticket — and with this Black Friday deal, the price is a little less otherworldly. Currently, Amazon has these high-tech specs for $319, which is $80 off their usual $399.99 price tag.

The RayNeo Air 2s delivers a cinema-worthy experience with its 201-inch Sony micro OLED display, designed for gamers, movie buffs, and tech enthusiasts alike. Yes, that's "201 inches" in your line of vision. With a refresh rate of 120Hz and brightness that clocks in at an eye-popping 5,000 nits, these glasses provide vivid, seamless visuals whether you're binge-watching, gaming, or casually flexing on your friends.

SEE ALSO: Best PS5 Black Friday deals: Compare Best Buy, Amazon, Target, and more

Sound is equally impressive, thanks to the glasses' quad-speaker setup, which promises immersive, dynamic stereo quality. It's like having a mini sound studio perched on your face. And speaking of comfort, the lightweight design (only 78 grams) and adjustable fit mean you can wear them for hours without feeling like you're in a cyberpunk neck workout.

Compatibility? These glasses play nice with almost everything: iPhones, Androids, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, PS5, and Macs. However, depending on your device, you may need an adapter for full functionality (sad trombone for older iPhones with Lightning ports).

Amazon is sweetening the deal with extra bundle savings, including options that add portable adapters or gaming accessories. You'll also get a coupon for a free portable adapter with a 4,500mAh battery, perfect for long flights or epic gaming sessions.

This futuristic gadget is a tech lover's dream gift. Ready to make it yours? Head to Amazon before this Black Friday deal disappears faster than the final boss in a glitchy speedrun.

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 November 25 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:

• Yello: Acquire

• Green: A conglomeration of people

• Blue: Ship construction

• Purple: Eastern philosophy

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: Attain

• Green: Large Group

• Blue: Parts of a Ship

• Purple: Associated Principles in Chinese Philosophy

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 #533 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Attain: EARN, LAND, SCORE, WIN

• Large Group: CROWD, FLOCK, HOST, SEA

• Parts of a Ship: ANCHOR, BOW, BRIDGE, DECK

• Associated Principles in Chinese Philosophy: EXPANSIVE, LIGHT, MASCULINE, YANG

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 25

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.

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 November 25 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 25 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Plan on it

These words are written on a calendar.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

Words are things to consider when planning something.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Calendar.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for November 25

• Month

• Date

• Year

• Event

• Week

• Appointment

• Holiday

• Calendar

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 November 25 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 November 25 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

The color you get when you mix red, blue, and yello.

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 B.

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...

BROWN.

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 25

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.

SAVE $100: As of Nov. 25, the Beats Studio Pro headphones are on sale for $249.99 in Target's Black Friday sale. That's 29% off their list price of $349.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Studio Pro Bluetooth Wireless Headphones $249.99 at Target
$349.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal

Target's week-long Black Friday sale has kicked off with an abundance of incredible deals for shoppers to check out. If you've been hoping to score some deals on headphones this week, you're in luck. There's a wide variety of options to look through, including a stellar discount on Beats Studio Pro headphones.

These high-quality headphones are currently on sale for $249.99. This is a whole $100 off their list price of $349.99, which is a fantastic deal to jump on. All colors are on sale as well, so you can have your pick of the black, deep brown, navy, or sandstone headphones. However, this deal won't last long as Target's page says the sale ends on Nov. 26.

SEE ALSO: Save $40 on SHOKZ OpenRun headphones in Amazon's Black Friday sale

If you're still on the fence about investing in Beats Studio Pro headphones, it's worth knowing we had high praise for them in our review. Writer Alex Perry said that these headphones "are excellent on most of the levels that matter. They sound fantastic, last a long time, and support multiple playback styles. Most importantly, Android users don’t get the shaft, with near-parity between iOS and Google’s mobile platform."

This limited-time deal disappears on Nov. 26, so don't miss out on this excellent discount on Beats Studio Pro headphones at Target.

If you're hoping to find even more headphone and earbud deals, now's a great time to look around for them. Target's not the only retailer offering up excellent Black Friday deals right now, either. Have a look at our breakdowns of Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy's Black Friday sale events to learn more about what each location has planned this week.