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SAVE OVER $100: As of Nov. 22, Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are on sale for $298 in Amazon's Black Friday sale. This is 25% off their list price of $399.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones $298.00 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $101.99 Get Deal

There's no shortage of great deals in Amazon's Black Friday sale. If you've had your eye on some new headphones, you're in luck as several options have been discounted as part of the big sale event. This includes one of our favorites for noise-canceling, the Sony WH-1000XM5.

Normally these headphones run with a steep price tag of $399.99, but for Black Friday they've dropped down to $298. This $101.99 price drop also marks the lowest-ever price for these high-quality headphones, according to price tracker camelcamelcamel.

SEE ALSO: Best Buy Black Friday ad: The best deals you can buy online

These headphones rank among our picks for the best noise-canceling headphones as a great choice for audiophiles. Mashable's Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard ranked them here because they "produce a balanced sound that let your music shine, while giving you enough ANC to block ambient noise." Mashable's Deputy Editor of Shopping and Reviews, Miller Kern, also raved about these in her review, saying "Sony's WH-1000XM5s are an excellent pair of headphones for first-time buyers and those upgrading from old models."

This Black Friday deal is a must if you're looking to buy new headphones. Don't miss out on the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones at their lowest-ever price.

A few more top retailers are offering some early Black Friday discounts right now, too. Best Buy, Target, and Walmart each have their own sale plans, so it's worth reading up on each to learn more about what's coming soon in the lead-up to the big day.

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 22 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 22 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: This is the place!

These words are listed on a map.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

Words are somewhere you might visit.

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 CityName.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for November 22

• Buffalo

• Bend

• Boulder

• Riverside

• Mobile

• Phoenix

• CityName

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 the latest Strands.

SAVE $70: As of Nov. 22, Beats Powerbeats Pro are discounted to $129.99 as part of Best Buy's Black Friday Doorbuster deals. This is $70 off their list price of $199.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Powerbeats Pro $129.99 at Best Buy
$199.99 Save $70.00 Get Deal

In celebration of the season of savings this month, Best Buy has been offering up Doorbuster deals every Friday on a wide range of tech. This is a great way to build up to the big Black Friday sale event and features some incredible discounts. This week's Doorbuster drop was a real winner if you've been looking to invest in some new earbuds, with an excellent offer on Beats Powerbeats Pro.

Normally these earbuds retail for $199.99, but you can scoop them up for $129.99. This saves you $70 overall, which is a fantastic deal on earbuds we think rank among the best headphones of 2024. Not to mention, you also get up to three months of Apple Music and Apple Fitness+ for free with your purchase.

SEE ALSO: 20+ of the best noise-cancelling headphones and earbuds deals ahead of Black Friday

If you lead an athletic lifestyle, these earbuds are well worth the investment as we consider them the best pick for runners in both our roundups of the best earbuds and best headphones in 2024. And even if the running life isn't for you, we still consider them worth every cent. Our review had high praise for these earbuds, with Mashable's Senior Tech Correspondent Raymond Wong saying they're "terrific if AirPods don't cut it for you."

This Doorbuster deal won't stick around for long, so take advantage of this Beats Powerbeats Pro deal at Best Buy before it's gone forever.

Best Buy isn't the only retailer with some excellent early Black Friday deals, either. Amazon's Black Friday sale has kicked off in style with a wide variety of discounts for shoppers. Walmart and Target are also offering their own Black Friday sale events that are worth a look.

SAVE $20: PS5 DualSense wireless controllers are on sale for $54.99 in Amazon's Black Friday sale. That's the lowest-ever price on Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony PS5 DualSense Wireless Controllers $54.99 at Amazon
$74.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal

Black Friday wouldn't be Black Friday without record-low prices on the most sought-after items. We're not just looking for big discounts during these major shopping events. We're looking for the best deals ever.

There are a lot of deals on PS5 accessories out there, with PS5 DualSense wireless controllers dropping to record-low prices on Amazon. PS5 DualSense wireless controllers are on sale for $54.99 in Amazon's Black Friday sale. That's the lowest-ever price on Amazon, so this really is a special opportunity to secure the best price.

SEE ALSO: PS5 vs. PS5 Slim: What are the differences?

These controllers let gamers feel in-game actions and environment simulated through haptic feedback. You can experience varying force and tension at your fingertips with adaptive triggers, chat online through the built-in microphone, and hear higher-fidelity sound effects through the built-in speaker in supported games. They're the most popular PS5 controllers for a reason.

Save $20 on DualSense wireless controllers in the Amazon Black Friday sale.

I have a good laptop, but I hate doing work on it. Not having two screens makes juggling tasks difficult, and if I forget my mouse, my productivity goes out the window. However, the Plugable USBC-PDMON portable monitor is the solution I needed to work on my laptop properly. It can't help me remember my mouse, though.

TL;DR: Skip the stress and get 18 bottles of wine delivered for $79.97 (reg. $270) until December 8 — that's less than $4 a bottle!

Holiday shopping can wait — but a wine deal like this one won’t last. Instead of stressing about everyone’s gift list, why not start by grabbing something you can enjoy right now? This early Black Friday offer through December 8 gives you 18 bottles of wine delivered to your door for $79.97 with your choice of red, white, or a mix of both, at less than $4 per bottle.

What better way to check “wine supply” off your holiday list and give yourself one less thing to worry about?

Each collection is handpicked by Wine Insiders, offering a curated variety of reds, whites, or a mix so that there’s a bottle suited to every occasion. The red collection is perfect if you’re a fan of bold, rich flavors, great for cozy winter dinners. If you lean towards crisp, light flavors, the white collection will be right up your alley, ideal for toasting with friends. Can’t decide? The mixed collection gives you the best of both worlds, covering all your holiday hosting needs.

This 18-bottle bundle means you’re prepared for everything the season throws at you: family dinners, surprise guests, and even last-minute gifts. Instead of rushing to the store, you’ll have a fully stocked wine rack, ready for every celebration.

After purchasing, you'll receive a digital voucher, so be sure to redeem it within 30 days. And of course, you must be 21 or older to order and to accept the delivery — shipping not included.

Make holiday hosting easier and treat yourself to a wine haul that lasts all season.

Skip the Black Friday lines and give yourself a little extra holiday cheer with 18 bottles of red, white, or mixed wine from Swirl Wine Shop for $79.97 — sale ending December 8.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Swirl Swirl Wine Shop - 18 Bottles of Red, White or Mixed Wines for just $79 (Shipping Not Included) $79.00
$270.00 Save $191.00 Get Deal

TL;DR: Gift the CARSULE pop-up cabin to your favorite camping enthusiast — a unique setup at $319.99 (reg. $379) through December 8.

If someone on your holiday list lives in a spot where “winter” still means sunshine, the CARSULE Pop-Up Cabin could be their new favorite way to enjoy the outdoors. This unique gift is perfect for campers, beach-goers, and road trippers who live where it’s warm year-round — or for anyone on your list already counting down the days until they can head outside again.

Easy to attach to any car with a hatchback, the CARSULE provides a cozy, private space for all kinds of outdoor adventures — on sale for $319.99 (reg. $379) as an early Black Friday offer.

The CARSULE offers a roomy, weatherproof environment wherever they park. The high ceiling lets them stand comfortably, while UV-blocking fabric and waterproof construction make it practical for sunny days or a light shower. It’s spacious enough for lounging, resting, or setting up a table, making it as versatile as the adventures it can support.

For anyone who loves road trips, beach camping, or just spontaneous outdoor getaways, the CARSULE brings the comforts of home into the wild. It’s simple to set up and packs down for easy storage, so it’s always ready for the next trip. Come spring, they’ll be fully equipped for beachside retreats, lakeside relaxation, or camping in the sun — no tent required.

Make holiday gifting easy with a present that’s equally practical and adventurous. The CARSULE is the ideal companion for those who don’t let winter stop them from getting outdoors — and can’t wait to make the most of the warmer days ahead.

Opens in a new window Credit: Mogics CARSULE - A Pop-Up Cabin for Your Car $319.98
$379.00 Save $59.02 Get Deal

StackSocial prices subject to change.

A pigeon-inspired flying robot is solving avian mysteries that may help create more stable aircrafts.

While birds seem to seamlessly maintain stability during turbulence, airplanes need rudders and vertical tails to avoid being rocked from side to side. Scientists have suspected that birds maintain balance by reflexively adjusting their wings and tails but this hypothesis has been hard to prove with real birds in field studies.

To overcome this challenge, scientists at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), developed PigeonBot II, a robot equipped with morphing wings, pigeon-like wingtips, and even 52 real pigeon feathers. Just like a real bird, it can elevate, spread its wings, and control its tail.

The study, led by Eric Chang, tested PigeonBot II in both indoor and outdoor conditions, and, according to the researchers, confirms the theory and could help inspire more efficient, rudderless aircrafts.

There's no better way to tell an unwelcome party to move along than with one word: SCRAM!

It's a word with a long, meandering history, and one singlehandedly resurrected by TikTok creator, comedian, actor, and writer Kel Cripe (@reallygoodimpressions). Their viral post from September, in which they send "a message to all the guys tryin' to talk to my girl," has over 9.4 million views. In the video, the Los Angeles-based comedian is standing in front of a hedge, wearing a mystical wolf tee, and holding raised a fist, ready to hypothetically deliver a fresh knuckle sandwich.

"Scram! Leave her alone! She...she doesn't want to talk to you! Get outta here!" Cripe says in the video, as a piano version of Pixies' "Where Is My Mind?" plays and the camera recedes. Cripe describes the vibe to Mashable as "not-so-threatening, soft threat" which is spot on.

SEE ALSO: Why Delaney Rowe's cringe TikTok videos are so good

Since posting, Cripe's meme has had the viral CapCut edit treatment, been shared by SZA, and most recently ended up onstage at Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, fittingly screamed by fan-favourite dancer Kameron Saunders during Swift's GFY anthem "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together."

But while TikTok and "Scram!" has opened up new audiences for Cripe, their comedy isn't contained to the platform. In 2024, Cripe was featured in Netflix Is a Joke Fest's comedy showcase, having been on the streaming service's related radio spot on SiriusXM, and appeared on the podcast Lovett or Leave It. An illustrator, theatre writer, and short filmmaker, they're also one third of comedy trio Babe Motel, and they've appeared at New York Comedy Festival and SF Sketchfest, the San Francisco Comedy Festival.

With sold-out headlinling standup shows coming up, Cripe chatted with Mashable about how they started on TikTok, how the platform has intersected with their comedy, and the very sweet origin of their viral post that changed everything. Girlfriends rule.

Shannon Connellan: Where did the idea for your viral "Scram!" video come from? 

Kel Cripe: Like a lot of couples, my girlfriend and I love to use silly voices and words to make each other laugh. When I'd show her mean comments on my videos, she'd wave her fist at my phone and say "Scram!" It always cheered me up and made me feel cared for.

One morning after waking up from a bad dream, my girlfriend made me giggle with her classic catchphrase and I said, "Hey, that'd be a funny video." We went about our day, doing chores and tasks together (it was laundry day, hence the kismet wolf shirt) and when we finally returned home, I said, "Would you mind filming that video we talked about?" In one take, we got the shot. I was too tired to overthink it.

"I never imagined an inside joke with my girlfriend could be what changed my life. I owe my Scram legacy to her, she's the best. - Kel Cripe

The next day, I added some music that I thought ironically matched the tone of "not-so-threatening, soft threat" (A piano cover of "Where is My Mind" by The Pixies) and hit post. I never imagined an inside joke with my girlfriend could be what changed my life. I owe my Scram legacy to her, she's the best. 

SC: What’s been the general response you’ve seen to your viral clip? People seem to really find power incorporating “Scram” in their own lives (and videos), and I’ve seen you’ve spoken about it in your standup too! 

KC: Initially, Scram wasn't reaching the kind audiences it eventually found. The clearly satirical video was an easy target for internet bullies and bozos. I was tempted to delete it, but in an unexpected turn, SZA reposted the video on her Instagram story the night of the VMAs and it sent thousands of new views to the video (Thank you SZA

Tens of thousands of people started making their own Scram videos and it was so cool to see. The videos people made were all rooted in a goofy positivity, with the intention of spreading laughter, exactly like how I intended the original. So many parents told me how much their kids love saying "scram", which really warmed my heart. I got dozens of DMs from people that dressed up as me for Halloween (someone even linked an Amazon kit for a Scram costume). Companies started using Scram for their products, I think because it became such an easily adaptable and relatable concept. I've gotten to work with some amazing brands and create tons of new content.

Outside of the internet, I've been doing standup comedy for five years and I decided to make a joke about Scram at the top of my set. Hearing and watching audiences react to realizing I'm an actual person and not just a meme is really quite funny and starts the set with such a fun energy.

Scram has allowed me to connect with more people than I ever could have imagined. I've gained over 100k followers on Instagram and over 150k on TikTok in about two months. Spreading joy and cheering people up on hard days is one of my biggest goals as a comedian, and I will always be so grateful to Scram for allowing me to do that on such a larger scale.

SC: How did you find out about the Eras Tour video? And what was your first reaction?

KC: I was updating my calendar in my room (I love calendars) when my girlfriend said, "Uh, hey Kel, I think something happened at the Eras tour...people are commenting on your video that Kam said Scram." I put the dry erase marker down and very calm, cool and collected said, "WHAT?!??! ARE YOU KIDDING?!?!?"

We sat on my bed scrolling through videos of the legendary "We Are Never Getting Back Together" performance with our jaws completely dropped. My heart was pounding and I felt like I was gonna pass out, in a good way. I started texting my friends and they all Facetimed me within seconds. So many of Taylor's fans sent me messages, I think we were all in a joyous shock. I still can't believe it happened, it was so freaking cool. Hearing the amount of people in the audience that also screamed and laughed was so epic. If Taylor ever wants a "Scram" in person for one of her shows, I'd be there in a heartbeat salute emoji.

SC: Your Scram tees have been sold out on your website, are there plans to restock? 

KC: The first batch of Scram shirts were so successful, we sold out in just a few days! Don't tell anyone, but a little birdie told me that we may in fact be having a special Early Black Friday Sale starting on November 20, 2024...And for real don't spread this, but a second little birdie also told me there may even be more merch next year :)

SC: How did you get started on TikTok? 

KC: I got started on TikTok in 2020 after I graduated college and had to move home because of the pandemic. Making videos online was the only way to stay active in comedy, and it also provided a fun mental escape. It took awhile for the ball to start rolling, but I just kept trying new styles of videos to see what fit. I made a lot of friends online who also made videos and we continue to stay in touch and support each other. Slowly but surely I started finding my voice, and I enjoyed learning internet/editing skills in the process.

SC: Your videos on TikTok are another avenue for your comedy and standup, how has your comedy evolved or changed since being on the platform?  

KC: Posting videos online has been such a crucial step in growing my audience. Having a larger audience has allowed me the chance to perform on more shows, in cities all across the country. I feel so grateful for the chance to share my comedic voice with others, it's a privilege I do my best not to take for granted. Comedy/entertainment can be such a vulnerable and exhausting industry, but having supporters who come to shows and send me words of encouragement has really helped me push through the ebbs and flows.

In my experience, the internet values shorter content with higher shareability, so it's fun to have different mediums of comedy to play and explore my voice within. Since I started making videos online, I've also written a play, acted in movies and performed stand-up, sketch and improv. I love performing, and as I grow I'm honored to follow the projects and fellow collaborators that align with where I'm at in life. The internet has definitely helped me build a thicker skin, gain confidence and find my voice faster than I think I would have without it. 

SC: What’s up next for you?

KC: I'm currently working on my half hour stand-up special! My first headlining show sold out in two days, thanks to the exposure of Scram. Next year, I'll also be opening on tour for the amazing musical artist Corook! We'll be traveling all around the U.S. (Canada too!) and I'm so unbelievably excited.

I also am in an awesome comedy group, Babe Motel, with two of my best friends, Avery Girion and Haley Stiel. We write and perform live/digital sketch comedy and we have some really exciting projects in the works. I also have dreams of writing books and acting in films. In the meantime, I plan to continue posting silly videos from an earnest place of uplifting authenticity. I hope being myself proudly can encourage others to do the same. I'm so excited and grateful for what's ahead.

Check out more interviews in Mashable's Small Talk, a series where we catch up with the internet's favorite Extremely Online individuals offline.

Astronomers have been able to look at the sun and a handful of other stars in the Milky Way up close, thanks to modern advances in telescopes.

But getting a detailed view of a star outside the galaxy has eluded top scientists in the field, until now. 

Using the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope Interferometer, astronomers have captured the first close-up picture of an extragalactic star. The image showcases WOH G64, a star some 160,000 light-years away from Earth in space. It beams in the constellation Dorado from the Large Magellanic Cloud, a small galaxy on the periphery of the Milky Way. 

And it seems researchers have caught it just in time. The image documents the star as it was 160,000 years ago, not as it is today. That means the star has likely already died, Jacco van Loon, reader in astrophysics at Keele University in the United Kingdom, told Mashable.

It's as if the astronomers had a time machine and were able to travel back to the moment just before certain doom.

"The signal of the explosion is on its way," said van Loon, one of the co-authors of the study. "WOH G64 is losing mass at such a high rate, it wouldn't last 160,000 years, and the extreme red supergiant phase it is in, for such a massive star, also doesn't last as long. The changes we are seeing now suggest we may see it explode within the next few thousand years, or even within our lifetime."

SEE ALSO: NASA thinks it found a moon light-years away spewing gas The first detailed image of an extragalactic star, left, is presented next to an artist's interpretation of what's going on in the dusty cocoon around it. Credit: ESO / K. Ohnaka et al., L. Calçada

WOH G64 is what's known as a red giant, a star nearing the end of its life, running out of hydrogen fuel. Through this process, aging stars expand about 100 to 1,000 times their original size. But this particular star is what's sometimes called a red supergiant because it's so exceptionally huge. 

Nicknamed the "behemoth star," WOH G64 is actually about 2,000 times larger than the sun. Like other red giants, it has shed outer layers of gas and dust. Curiously, the star appears to have grown dimmer over the past decade, encouraging scientists to keep a closer eye on it. 

"The signal of the explosion is on its way."

That relative faintness probably means the end is nigh. More and more heavy material will build up on the core. The pile eventually reaches a tipping point, causing the core to collapse under its own gravity. The outer layers of the star then blast into the cosmos as a supernova. Such a violent explosion can sometimes appear brighter than a whole galaxy. 

To the research team's surprise, the star is wrapped in an egg-like cocoon of dust. The odd stretched shape of the dusty nebula could be due to the shedding process. Another possible explanation is that an unseen companion star is influencing it. The scientists' findings are described in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics. 

"We are excited because this may be related to the drastic ejection of material from the dying star before a supernova explosion," said Keiichi Ohnaka, lead author from the Universidad Andrés Bello in Chile, in a statement. 

To take the picture, the team used one of the telescope's sophisticated instruments, dubbed GRAVITY, which can capture the light of four telescopes. But as the starlight grows fainter, getting new images will become even more challenging. A planned upgrade to the instrument should enhance its sensitivity soon, according to ESO, allowing researchers to continue monitoring the behemoth at its bitter end.

SAVE $20: Until Jan. 2, the Pulse Elite wireless headset is on sale for $20 off in the PlayStation Black Friday sale.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Pulse Elite Wireless Headset Save $20 in the PlayStation Black Friday Sale Get Deal

Weirdly, you don't expect to find the best PS5 deals during major shopping events like Black Friday from PlayStation. Instead, the best discounts can most often be found from retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and Target.

But that could all change this year, because PlayStation has jumped ahead of the competition by offering a bunch of tempting deals on consoles, accessories, and more. And most of these deals are available until the end of the year, so you don't need to feel like you're being pressured into a purchase.

SEE ALSO: PS5 vs. PS5 Slim: What are the differences?

Until Jan. 2, the Pulse Elite wireless headset is on sale for $20 off in the PlayStation Black Friday sale. This premium headset offers lifelike sound in your favourite games with planar magnetic drivers, and lets you hear every detail with a lossless, lightning-fast PlayStation Link wireless connection. The fully retractable microphone is even equipped with AI-enhanced noise rejection.

Save $20 on DualSense wireless controllers in the PlayStation Black Friday sale.

SAVE $20: Until Dec. 12, DualSense wireless controllers are on sale for $20 off in the PlayStation Black Friday sale.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony PS5 DualSense Wireless Controllers Save $20 in the PlayStation Black Friday Sale Get Deal

PS5 deals might seem like something that caused a stir years ago, but interest in consoles, headsets, controllers, and everything else remains high. And now that PlayStation has dropped its Black Friday sale, you can stock up on everything you need for less.

We would usually expect the best PS5 deals to be offered by retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and Target, but going direct might be your best option this year. PlayStation is offering a wide range of impressive deals on all its most popular products.

SEE ALSO: PS5 vs. PS5 Slim: What are the differences?

In the PlayStation Black Friday Sale, you can save $20 on DualSense wireless controllers. These deals are live until Dec. 12, so you have plenty of time to consider your options and check whether somewhere else does it better. But at this low price, we would be surprised to see much movement on that front.

Save $20 on DualSense wireless controllers in the PlayStation Black Friday event.

SAVE $75: Until Dec. 23, the PS5 and PS5 Digital are on sale for $75 off in the PlayStation Black Friday sale.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony PS5 and PS5 Digital Save $75 in the PlayStation Black Friday Sale Get Deal

There are so many deals to consider over the Black Friday period that picking a favorite is an impossible task. Every shopper is unique, so the deals that appeal to one person might not leave any sort of impression with another. But what we can say with confidence is that gaming deals always cause a stir during these shopping events.

PS5 deals are going to be some of the most sought-after items over Black Friday. Savvy shoppers will be checking out the best deals from retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart, but what about going direct? PlayStation doesn't usually offer the very best deals on its own range of products, but that might have all changed this year.

SEE ALSO: PS5 vs. PS5 Slim: What are the differences?

In the PlayStation Black Friday Sale, you can save $75 on all PS5 consoles (excluding the PS5 Pro). These deals are all live until Dec. 23, so you have plenty of time to consider your options. We can't say for sure what will happen as we move closer to Black Friday, but these discounts will be tough to beat.

For more PS5 deals, you should continue to check out Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and Target. All these retailers will be going hard over this busy Black Friday shopping period.

SAVE $500: As of Nov. 22, Sony's 85-inch X77L 4K Ultra HD TV is on sale for $998 in Amazon's Black Friday sale. That's 33% off its list price of $1,498.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony 85-Inch 4K Ultra HD TV $998.00 at Amazon
$1,498.00 Save $500.00 Get Deal

If you've been waiting for a good time to upgrade your TV, Black Friday is one of the best times of year to do it. Amazon's Black Friday sale features quite a few TV deals at the moment, including on some of the bigger models. If you're looking to make the jump to an extra large screen for your home, look no further than this offer on an 85-inch Sony X77L 4K TV.

This massive 4K Sony TV has dropped $500 in price, from its list price of $1,498 to $998. To be able to score such a large 4K TV like this one for just under $1,000 is a fantastic deal worth considering. And, according to price tracker camelcamelcamel, this is also its lowest-ever price, so there's no better time to grab it.

SEE ALSO: Amazon's Fire HD 10 tablet has dropped to its lowest-ever price for Black Friday

Alongside vibrant and crisp 4K picture quality, this TV is also packed with smart features thanks to Google TV. With this, you'll be able to access all of your favorite apps in one spot. And that's not all, you can also utilize Google Assistant for voice control, which is a very nice bonus. It's also a perfect fit for those with a PlayStation 5, offering up exclusive features like Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode to make for a better quality gaming experience.

This Black Friday TV deal is one you definitely don't want to miss. Check out Sony's 85-inch X77L 4K Ultra HD TV on sale at Amazon for Black Friday.

Looking for even more TV deals? It's worth checking out our breakdowns for Walmart, Target, and Best Buy's Black Friday sale events to learn more about what other retailers have in store during this period. The big day may not be until next Friday, but there's plenty of deals already available that are worth checking out.

SAVE $65: As of Nov. 22, the Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet has dropped to its lowest-ever price of $74.99 in Black Friday sales. This is 46% off its list price of $139.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 10 Tablet $74.99 at Amazon
$139.99 Save $65.00 Get Deal

Black Friday sales are in full swing at Amazon. If you've been hoping to pick up some high-quality tech that you've had your eye on throughout the year, there's a plethora of options to choose from. Tablets, in particular, have seen some great discounts in the sale, including the Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet.

If you've been hoping to pick this one up, its dropped back down to its lowest-ever price in Black Friday sales, according to price tracker camelcamelcamel. It's currently on sale for $74.99, 46% off its list price of $139.99. That saves you $65 on a tablet we consider to be one of the best in 2024.

SEE ALSO: Home Depot is giving away free cordless tools for Black Friday

Featuring a 10.1-inch 1080p Full HD display and a 13-hour battery life, this tablet is the perfect companion for those looking to have a portable streaming powerhouse. We had plenty of praise for it in our review, as writer SaVanna Shoemaker said the "Fire HD 10 tablet is lighter and faster than its predecessors, with a long battery life and vivid picture that makes it great for on-the-go entertainment." And, as said before, its made our list of the best tablets in 2024 as the best pick for apps.

This Black Friday tablet deal is a steal. Don't miss out on 46% off the Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet.

There are plenty more deals to see outside of Amazon right now, too. Best Buy, Target, and Walmart are all offering early Black Friday discounts that are worth reading up on. Have a look at our individual breakdowns for each to learn more. And for an overall look at the sale event, check out our big breakdown of Black Friday 2024.

SAVE OVER $350: As of Nov. 22, the Shark Matrix Plus Robot Vacuum is on sale for $349.99 at Amazon, saving you 50% on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark Matrix Plus Robot Vacuum $349.99 at Amazon
$699.99 Save $350.00 Get Deal

If a robot vacuum is on your wishlist, Amazon's Black Friday event is your time to pounce. The retailer's Black Friday sale kicked off on Nov. 21 and there are already huge discounts across everything from coffee machines to TVs. And of course, robot vacuums. If you've been lusting over one for a while, and love the idea of no more manual vacuuming, check out this deal on the Shark Matrix Plus Robot Vacuum.

As of Nov. 22, this model is reduced by 50% to $349.99. Of course, this is still a high price tag, but you're getting more than just a simple dust picker-upper with this machine.

SEE ALSO: Need a robot vacuum that aces carpet? Look out for these 3 on Black Friday.

The Shark Matrix Plus Robot Vacuum doesn't just pick up dirt, it has a built-in mop to clean your floors too. It uses Sonic Mopping to scrub hard floors 100 times per minute, and if you know it's about to encounter an extra deep stain, head to the app and initiate Matrix Mop to get 50% better stain cleaning in certain spots. This vacuum also boasts an impressive precision matrix grid, meaning it will take several passes over dirt and debris to ensure it is all removed. Think muddy shoeprints that are deep into your carpet, or a mess of crumbs strewed across a rug.

And the smart features don't end there: the CleanEdge Detect system uses blasts of air and corner recognition to remove debris from hard-to-reach edges and corners pulling the debris into the cleaning path. Plus, there's no need to manually map out the path for this vacuum, it uses 360-degree LiDAR vision to learn your space, detect obstacles, and pick up dirt. Yes, it really makes your life that easy.

Like many high-end vacuums, this machine self-empties, self-charges, and holds up to 60 days' worth of dirt, so you don't need to empty it after each use, or even daily. The base is bagless, so both useful and environmentally friendly as it eliminates the need for waste bags.

Convinced? Head over to Amazon to grab this great Black Friday deal.

SAVE $170: As of Nov. 22, the Amazon Fire TV 50-inch 4-Series 4K is on sale for $279.99. That's a 38% discount on the list price for Black Friday.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV 50-Inch 4-Series 4K $279.99 at Amazon
$449.99 Save $170.00 Get Deal

There couldn't be a better excuse to upgrade your tech than Amazon's Black Friday sale. There are discounts across hundreds of brands and products, but the discounted Amazon Fire TV 50-inch 4-Series 4K is a deal that has really caught our eye.

As of Nov. 22, you can grab this TV for $279.99, saving you $170 for Black Friday.

SEE ALSO: The Hisense 65-inch Canvas TV just got its biggest-ever discount

There's a lot to shout about this TV, including 4K Ultra HD, HDR 10, HLG, and Dolby Digital Plus, all creating incredible clarity, brighter colors, and vivid detail in your favorite movies and shows. Like most Amazon devices, it has Alexa built-in, so you can easily find your favorite movie, launch apps, and control content. It's much easier than manually checking each streaming service. Enjoy shows from Netflix, Disney+, and of course, Prime Video thanks to the TV's Fire operating system.

This TV can also work with your smart home Alexa devices, including doorbells, lightbulbs, and speakers. For example, pair up your TV with your Echo speakers to create an immersive home theater atmosphere.

Plus, there are four HDMI inputs to connect gaming devices, sound accessories, cables, and other equipment seamlessly.

SAVE $500: As of Nov. 22, the Hisense 65-inch Canvas TV is on sale for $799.99 at Amazon. That's 38% off the list price for Black Friday.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 65-inch Canvas TV $799.99 at Amazon
$1,299.99 Save $500.00 Get Deal

A range of retailers have already kicked off their Black Friday campaigns, including the likes of Walmart and Best Buy. And Amazon's long-awaited Black Friday deals officially kicked off on Nov. 21. There's a range of incredible discounts that are worth your attention, including laptops, tablets, and phones. And as always, TVs are a popular discounted product, and as the discounts pour in we couldn't help but share the love for this stylish Hisense Canvas TV deal.

As of Nov. 22, you can find it on sale at Amazon for just $799. Not only are you saving 38%, but this is the lowest price it has ever been. This deal is exclusive to the 65-inch TV. However, the 55-inch is also discounted to $699.99.

SEE ALSO: Save $800 on Samsung’s 65-inch OLED 4K TV this Black Friday

The quality of this TV is next to none. With 4K QLED TV, it delivers a range of sharp, vibrant colors. The big selling point is that when you’re not watching, the TV can be transformed into a digital gallery, displaying a single image or shuffling through a slideshow of your favorite photos or artwork. The hi-matte display makes the digital gallery look like the real thing, and you can even swap out the "frame" for different colors and styles.

This TV is also ideal for gamers, boasting a 144Hz Game Mode PRO. This is designed with top gaming technology, with a Variable Refresh Rate of 48Hz to 144Hz.

Head to Amazon now to snag this great Black Friday deal.

On Tuesday, November 5, Donald Trump secured a second term as President of the United States. While Trump won the Electoral College comfortably, the popular vote was much closer, with Trump winning just 50 percent (compared to Harris's 48.3 percent) — a remarkably slim margin.

This signals something we already know: Our communities are deeply divided regardless of which industry you work in or the demographic group you're a part of. The porn industry — which has been in the spotlight more than years past thanks to a far-right proposal to ban explicit content — is no exception.

SEE ALSO: How porn performers feel about Trump, Harris, and Project 2025

"I think that the industry has always been hard to pin down ideologically. There are people in the industry who are very progressive and there are people who are very conservative, despite the fact that we're dealing with sex and sexuality," Mike Stabile, director of public policy for the Free Speech Coalition — a trade association for the adult entertainment industry — told Mashable.

"I think that sometimes seeing people voice support for a candidate that is infringing on our livelihoods and making things less safe, I think it does come as a bit of a surprise sometimes to performers," performer Renee Olstead said.

Tensions have escalated among performers on social media platforms publicly in recent weeks, as well as in emails and text messages obtained by Mashable. This comes amid new questions about how President-elect Donald Trump will treat the porn industry. Some Trump loyalists want porn outlawed and its creators imprisoned — while some within the porn industry voted for him.

Will Trump ban porn?

If the conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation gets its way, the answer is yes. The foundation is behind Project 2025, a far-right conservative wish list for the next Trump term.  One of the measures calls for an outright pornography ban. 

While Trump distanced himself from Project 2025 during the campaign, he has already made key appointments of prominent Project 2025 authors and advisors since his win. 

President-elect Trump said his deputy chief of staff for policy will be Stephen Miller, who was featured prominently in a Project 2025 ad. He is the founder of America First Legal Foundation, a group that sat on the advisory board of Project 2025 at the time of its publication. Tom Homan is set to be appointed as White House border czar. He is one of the authors of Project 2025 as is John Ratcliffe, Trump's nominee for CIA director. This week, Trump nominated yet another Project 2025 author, Brendan Carr, to lead the Federal Communications Commission.

In 2021, Vice President-elect JD Vance said he would get behind an outright ban on porn.

Despite these appointments, some factors are working against such a ban — which is why some performers told us that they're not too worried as Mashable previously reported.

In 2016, Trump signed a pledge that called on him to ban adult entertainment, which didn't happen. And if Trump did decide to move forward with a porn ban this time, his administration would still run into significant hurdles. 

To outright ban pornography, he would need help from Congress and the Supreme Court to redefine what porn is due to a case in 1973 that defined what "obscenity" means and was upheld by another case in 1985 that said that banned material must fit outside "only normal, healthy sexual desires." Ultimately, the highest court has the last word on what is "obscene" and thus not protected by the First Amendment. 

Fringe Republicans in Congress have already tried to get around this by trying to "ban" porn — limit access — several times on the federal level in the last few years alone, and none of these efforts materialized.

Utah Senator Mike Lee, for example, introduced The Interstate Obscenity Definition Act (IODA) and Shielding Children's Retinas from Egregious Exposure on the Net (SCREEN) in 2022. The combined legislation would have broadened the definition of porn and expanded age-verification laws, which force sites to require ID to enter if over a third of the content they host is explicit. Neither bill made it past the House Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce. The SCREEN Act was reintroduced in the most recent legislative session, but it met the same fate. 

At the state level, it's a different story. Far-right conservatives in states like Texas and Indiana have been able to successfully push age-verification laws, a move that privacy experts say is a trojan horse for privacy violations. "We're essentially creating this immediate requirement for people to share their private information alongside their pornography preference with companies that don't necessarily have a system in place to protect that data," the Electronic Frontier Foundation's Jason Kelley told Mashable in 2023.

Since some states introduced these laws, porn sites have pulled out their services from the state saying that essentially, the risk is not worth their time. Pornhub is no longer available in states like Texas, for example.

"In some ways, these states have made it so difficult and so potentially hazardous for companies to operate in a state that they would pull out entirely," Stabile said.

In a secret recording, Project 2025 author Russell Vought suggested that's the point. "We've got a number of states that are passing this…and you know what happens is the porn company then says, 'We're not going to do business in your state.' Which of course is entirely what we were after, right?" he said, according to The Intercept. Vought also said, "We'd have a national ban on pornography if we could, right?" 

Trump has recently tapped Vought to return to lead the Office of Management and Budget, a position he held during Trump's first term.

Fighting back against porn bans

The existing age verification laws already face legal scrutiny. The Free Speech Coalition sued the state of Texas for what the advocacy group says is a First Amendment violation. The group said it's taking the issue to the Supreme Court. 

Arguments are expected to begin in front of the court on January 15th. 

The American Civil Liberties Union has also challenged these laws. 

"Adults in America have a First Amendment right to read about sexual health, see R-rated movies, watch porn, and otherwise access information about sex if they want to. They should be allowed to exercise that right as they see fit, without having to worry about exposing their personal identifying information in the process," Vera Eidelman, staff attorney with the ACLU Speech, Privacy and Technology Project said in a release in September. 

The Trump transition team didn't reply to our request for comment. 

Tensions bubble over in the porn industry 

While most sex workers planned to vote for Kamala Harris, according to research firm SWR Data, Trump supporters were a strong contingent. The stark political divide, along with the high stakes and open questions, is now a recipe for open hostility. And after election night, tensions began to boil over inside the porn industry.

Em Indica, a liberal-leaning performer, created a running Google Doc of Trump-supporting performers only days after election night. 

"I think people deserve to know who they're working with and what they're saying online. People need to be held accountable," Indica told Mashable.

"This is not about disagreeing on things like economics. This is about moral choices. Women are being affected. Trans people are being affected. Minorities are being affected. He's said terrible things about these groups," Indica continued. "If they voted for Trump, they decided to look the other way when it came to his rape allegations [and] to him being a felon; just all the other stuff that they decided that was not a deal breaker for them. To me, that speaks volumes," she added. 

Some opponents of the list see it as a way to shame conservative performers out of work.

"What we're witnessing right now is a cultural shift of alienating people for their political beliefs, saying that these people are bad people to cut them off, to not work with them. It's no different than saying white versus black, except for now it's Kamala versus Trump," performer Adira Allure told Mashable. 

Other conservative performers we spoke to, many of which opted not to be named, echoed her sentiment. 

Indica, however, defends her position. 

SEE ALSO: How to unblock Pornhub for free

"People that say it puts a target on their back, then I just ask them why. They tweeted [their Trump support] out. They put it on the internet to begin with. People are entitled to their own opinion. If you don't want to receive backlash, then don't post it on the internet," Indica said.

But it's not just conservatives that have taken issue. A liberal-leaning performer, who opted to remain unnamed out of fear of retaliation, told Mashable that she disagrees with the list and thinks it's counterproductive.

"It is going to push people to continue to vote red and to vote for people like Trump. It gives people who did vote for Trump to be like, 'See, I told you,'" the liberal performer told Mashable.  

"It just perpetuates the same hate that we're supposed to be fighting against," she added.

Not all performers who identify as conservative see the list as a bad thing. 

"It [is] free promotion. So I appreciate her making it," Ashley Sinclair, a very outspoken pro-Trump performer, told Mashable. 

Sinclair, who uses platforms including OnlyFans, said, "Instead of losing money, sales, clients, it immediately increased with this type of content and cam shows." Sinclair didn't provide data to Mashable to support her claims. 

A well-known male performer, who identifies as a political moderate, told Mashable that he believes in the porn industry, there is a silent majority that leans to the right and does not say so publicly out of fear of retaliation. 

The performer, who opted not to be named, however, spoke in vague terms so Mashable was unable to verify the legitimacy of his remarks independently. 

Mashable spoke to half a dozen performers who say the opposite, signaling the divide amongst the porn industry is as stark as the country as a whole. SWR Data also says the opposite but its findings are only based on a poll of around 200 sex workers.

The same firm has data to prove that potential political attacks from Project 2025 have fueled major concerns among adult content creators, especially those within historically disenfranchised communities. Ninety-three percent of trans performers, 94 percent of creators of color, and all gay and lesbian creators voiced fears.

Many industry insiders were involved with a campaign called Hands Off My Porn which was supported by several top performers ahead of the election including Maddy May (who has since called for hostility amongst performers to stop), Remy LaCroix, and Allie Awesome. 

The campaign spent $200,000 on ads in swing states to raise awareness about Project 2025's agenda and Trump's connections with it. 

"I'm just really terrified of Project 2025...the fact that the existence of the Department of Education is already up for debate shows that [it's] really insane," performer Addis Fouché told Mashable. 

"I think people will find a way to do sex work and have sex regardless. You're just going to make it more taboo and more unsafe," she added. "I think it'll change what restrictions we may have and how people are able to film, if at all, and how people see the industry."

But amid the noise, the places that provide the work including production companies, modeling agencies, and distributors have been noticeably quiet. We reached out to several companies including Vixen Media Group, Adult Time, and Hussie Models — all of which declined to speak.

OnlyFans, valued at $18 billion, has more than 43 percent of its users in the United States as of publication. The company didn't reply to our request for comment on this story.

If Project 2025 or anything close becomes the law of the land, it could cause a remarkable negative impact on these businesses — and thousands of people's livelihoods. 

The best Sonos Black Friday deals at a glance: BEST SPEAKER DEAL Sonos Era 300 $359 (save $90 at Amazon) Get Deal BEST HEADPHONES DEAL Sonos Ace $349 (save $100 at Amazon) Get Deal BEST SOUNDBAR DEAL Sonos Beam Gen 2 $369 (save $130 at Amazon) Get Deal BEST PORTABLE SPEAKER DEAL Sonos Roam 2 $139 (save $40 at Amazon) Get Deal

We're major fans of the Sonos audio lineup. From the classic speakers and soundbars to its first pair of headphones, the Sonos ecosystem is hard to beat. Our only complaint is the steep pricing.

Black Friday — along with Prime Day and related events — is one of the only times throughout the year that we see sales on Sonos products. So, needless to say, we've had our eyes open waiting for this year's Sonos Black Friday deals to drop. And as of Thursday, Nov. 21, the Sonos sales event of the year is finally live, both at the official Sonos store and at retailers like Amazon and Best Buy.

For a limited time, you can save 20% on Sonos speakers, soundbars, and — yes — the brand-new Ace headphones. Below, we've rounded up the best Black Friday Sonos deals that are live. If any new deals pop up throughout Cyber Week, we'll update this guide with any worthy additions.

Best Sonos speaker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Sonos Era 300 $359.00 at Amazon
$449.00 Save $90.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Read Mashable's full review of the Sonos Era 300.

The first Sonos speaker to support spatial audio, the Sonos Era 300 is the "king of sub-$500 smart speakers," according to Mashable's Stan Schroeder. While it might look a bit bland on the outside, the inside is packed with fancy audio technology, including six amps, four tweeters, and two woofers. It also features Sonos Voice Control, as well as Alexa, customizable sound in the Sonos app, and the ability to connect seamlessly with other audio products from Sonos.

The Era 300 truly delivers on sound quality and power. As Schroeder wrote in his review, "It singlehandedly produces sound that can often match larger speakers, perhaps even entire hi-fi systems." Usually $449, it's back down to its all-time low of $359 for Black Friday across multiple retailers: Amazon, Sonos, and Best Buy.

Best Sonos headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Sonos Ace $349.00 at Amazon
$449.00 Save $100.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Read Mashable's full review of the Sonos Ace.

It's no surprise that the first Sonos headphones — the Sonos Ace — are hella impressive. Sonos already makes some of our favorite audio equipment, and these cans were three years in the making. Our biggest complaint about the Ace headphones? Once again, it's the price, so this $100 Black Friday discount is more than welcome. Usually $449, they're down to just $349 at Sonos, Amazon, and Best Buy — their lowest price ever.

They're an aesthetic knockout, have exceptional sound quality and spatial audio, and last for 30 hours with ANC. We do wish the ear cup seal was tighter to improve noise cancellation, but overall, Mashable's Deputy Reviews Editor Miller Kern said she would recommend them to "true audiophiles who value incredible sound quality above all else."

Best Sonos soundbar deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Sonos Beam Gen 2 $369.00 at Amazon
$499.00 Save $130.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If you're looking to enhance your movie marathons, binge-watch sessions, or sporting events, a soundbar makes a great addition to your home theater setup. And our favorite soundbar to pair with your TV, the Sonos Beam Gen 2, happens to be on sale for just $369 for Black Friday. It's usually $499, so that's 26% in savings — and also a new all-time low price.

The second-generation soundbar boosts the already excellent design of the original Beam, which Mashable's reviewer said "hits the sweet spot on price, design, sound quality, and features." It features a better processor, a new grill, and Dolby Atmos compatibility on top of its already immersive audio, crystal clear clarity, and convenient voice assistant support. Snag it at Amazon, Sonos, or Best Buy.

More Sonos Black Friday deals

• Sonos Roam 2 — $139 $179 (save $40)

• Sonos Ray — $169 $279 (save $110)

• Sonos Era 100 — $199 $249 (save $50)

• Sonos Sub Mini — $343 $429 (save $86)

• Sonos Move 2 — $359 $449 (save $90)

• Sonos Sub 4 — $679 $799 (save $120)

• Sonos Arc — $699 $899 (save $200)