Blogroll

T-Mobile is giving away the Apple iPhone for free — how to claim

Mashable - Mon, 11/02/2026 - 10:39

TL;DR: The Apple iPhone 17 and Apple iPhone 18 Pro are free right now with T-Mobile.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple T-Mobile: Best deals on Apple iPhones   Get Deal

The 2026 Apple Event feels like it took place a long time ago, but the dust is still settling. Apple announced a wave of new hardware and software, headlined by its first foldable iPhone. We're still digging deep into all the new features and stylistic touches, but we know what you really want — deals.

We know that's the priority after new models launch. With this in mind, we've lined up the best deals this week so you can get your hands on the iPhone 18 Pro (or the iPhone 17) for the lowest possible rate.

These are the best iPhone deals from T-Mobile this week:

  • iPhone 17e — free when you switch to almost any T-Mobile plan with no trade-in required.

  • iPhone 17 — free when you trade in an eligible phone in good condition on an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan.

  • iPhone 17 Pro — free when you trade in an eligible phone in any condition on an Experience Beyond plan.

  • iPhone 18 Pro — free when you switch and bring your number on an Experience Beyond plan.

  • iPhone 18 Pro Max — save $1,200 when you switch and bring your number, or trade in an eligible device in any condition, on an Experience Beyond plan.

  • iPhone Duo — save $1,200 when you switch and bring your number, or trade in an eligible device in any condition, on an Experience Beyond plan.

T-Mobile will charge taxes on these deals, as well as a $35 device connection fee.

If you’re still rocking an iPhone 12 or 13, you’re missing out on some genuinely game-changing features. The iPhone 17 is the first base model built specifically to handle Apple’s most advanced AI features. Mashable's Stan Schroeder said it's an "excellent phone that matches the iPhone Pro models in many ways that matter."

Of course, the iPhone 18 Pro takes things to another level. The iPhone 18 Pro features a new A20 Pro chip to better support AI features and Siri AI. This latest model also has major camera upgrades, including a physical variable aperture, smart focus tracking, cinematic video effects, and improved low-light photography.

Get the best deals on Apple iPhones this week with T-Mobile.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Pokémon TCG 30th Anniversary Ultra-Premium Collection preorders are live: Shop now for market price

Mashable - Mon, 11/02/2026 - 10:32

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Day (Espeon) and Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Night (Umbreon) are available to preorder now on Walmart.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokemon Company Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Day (Espeon) $487.77 at Walmart
  Shop Now at Walmart Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Night (Umbreon) $509.99 at Walmart
  Shop Now at Walmart

This week is going to be absolutely huge for Pokémon TCG collectors. We've had a wave of announcements in recent weeks, so it's hardly been quiet lately, but the Day and Night Ultra-Premium Collections and the Delta Reign Expansion are set to release on Nov. 6. Now that's big news.

With the launch day fast approaching, preorder offers are getting competitive. Amazon listings went live weeks ago but have since vanished. That has left Walmart offering the best rate on the Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Day (Espeon) and Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Night (Umbreon).

Both high-end boxes are currently available to preorder at Walmart for market price. That's a rare deal that will sell quickly.

TCGplayer's market price for the Day Box is currently $479, compared to Walmart's $487.77. The market price for the Night Box is $491, compared with Walmart's $499.

Both Ultra-Premium Collections come packed with 29 30th Celebration booster packs, one Classic Collection booster pack, custom metal coins, deck boxes, card sleeves, and damage-counter dice. Of course, a lot of the hype comes from the exclusive promo cards.

The Day collection includes the exclusive Espeon ex promo card with a Daytime Pikachu ex promo card and an Espeon playmat. The Night box includes the exclusive Umbreon ex promo card with a Futuristic-rarity Pikachu ex promo card and an Umbreon playmat.

It's not easy finding real value for money in the trading card market, so scoring preorders for around market value is pretty special. And that goes double for a collection like this.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Proton VPN kicked off Black Friday early with a huge 75% discount — get it for $2.49 per month

Mashable - Mon, 11/02/2026 - 10:22

An advertiser paid for editorial consideration of this deal. Our editorial experts vetted the deal based on our independent expertise. Because we determined that the deal will save money for our readers, we wrote the content.

SAVE 75%: Proton VPN's Black Friday sale drops its two-year VPN Plus subscription down to $2.49 per month (billed as $59.76 for 24 months) — save 75% off the standard monthly rate until Nov. 30.

Opens in a new window Credit: Proton VPN Proton VPN (2-Year Plan)   Get Deal at Proton VPN

If you have been putting off getting a VPN because you didn’t want to add another expensive monthly bill to your plate, this is the time to pounce. Proton VPN has rolled out its biggest sale of the year for Black Friday, slashing 75% off its two-year VPN Plus plan. That brings the price down from the regular $9.99 per month to just $2.49 per month (billed all at once as $59.76 for the first 24 months).

This offer is live through Nov 30 and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

The biggest hesitation most people have with VPNs is simple: can you actually trust the company with your private browsing?

With Proton, the answer is built into the foundation. Unlike many providers that keep your data behind closed doors, Proton’s software is completely open-source, so independent security experts can inspect the code at any time. It runs on a strict no-logs policy, so whatever you search, stream, or click never gets tracked, stored, or sold off to advertisers.

Of course, solid privacy doesn't mean much if your connection grinds to a halt every time you try to stream a show. Proton solves that by giving you unlimited bandwidth with zero speed throttling across a massive network of over 20,000 high-speed servers in more than 140 countries. Thanks to its VPN Accelerator, which boosts speeds up to 400%, you can stream movies while traveling without annoying lag or buffering.

Plus, a single subscription covers up to 10 devices at once, keeping your phone, laptop, tablet, and smart TV protected under one login. Besides keeping prying eyes off your traffic, it actively cleans up your daily web experience. The built-in NetShield feature acts as an automatic bodyguard, wiping out annoying pop-up ads, trackers, and malicious phishing sites before they even have a chance to load.

SEE ALSO: How to protect yourself from AI scams — McAfee+ combines AI-powered scam protection, antivirus, VPN, and more

If you're still on the fence, you may as well take advantage of the 30-day money-back guarantee to see how it handles your daily browsing. Just keep in mind that once those initial 24 months wrap up, it rolls into a yearly renewal at $83.88 unless you turn off auto-renew.

Grab the two-year plan for $2.49 a month while the lowest price of the year is still live.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Hurdle hints and answers for November 2, 2026

Mashable - Mon, 11/02/2026 - 06:00

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

Bird call.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

CHIRP

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Hoist.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for November 2, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

HEAVE

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Father's nickname.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Nov. 2, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Nov. 2, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

DADDY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

POV.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

ANGLE

Final Hurdle hint

Elder.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

SHEIK

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

Moon phase today: What the Moon will look like on November 2, 2026

Mashable - Mon, 11/02/2026 - 06:00

The Moon has now reached its Waning Crescent phase, which means less than half of its surface illuminated. It will continue to decrease now until we reach the New Moon.

What is today's Moon phase?

As of Monday, Nov. 2, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon is in the Waning Crescent phase, with 45% of its surface visible.

Tonight, without the use of visual aids you should be able to spot the Tycho Crater, Kepler Crater, and the Mare Imbrium. Binoculars will also help you see the Alphonsus Crater, the Clavius Crater, and the Grimaldi Basin. And, if you have access to a telescope, you'll also see the Apollo 12 landing spot, the Reiner Gamma, and the Schiller Crater.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will take place on November 24.

What are Moon phases?

The Moon takes approximately 29.5 days to complete an orbit around Earth, going through a series of phases along the way. Depending on its position relative to Earth and the Sun, the amount of its illuminated surface we can see changes, creating the familiar sequence of crescents, quarter moons and the Full Moon. Once the cycle is complete, the pattern repeats, as explained by NASA.

The eight phases are:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for November 2, 2026

Mashable - Mon, 11/02/2026 - 04:00

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier for football fans.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight, and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier — so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

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

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

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. The sports Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Each puzzle features 16 words, and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise 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 before the game ends.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

  • Yellow: All good points

  • Green: Moving forward

  • Blue: Football players

  • Purple: Same first word

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

  • Yellow: A score in basketball

  • Green: Propel a ball

  • Blue: NFL kickers

  • Purple: Goal ____

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

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

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections: Sports Edition #770 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?
  • A score in basketball: BASKET, BUCKET, FIELD GOAL, MAKE

  • Propel a ball: BOWL, FLING, HURL, ROLL

  • NFL kickers: BASS, FOLK, LITTLE, LOOP

  • Goal ____: CREASE, LINE, MOUTH, POST

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

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

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

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Nov. 2, 2026

Mashable - Mon, 11/02/2026 - 04:00

Looking for spoiler-free NYT Connections hints or just wondering why Connections is trending today? We've got what you need to understand the clues for today's puzzle without spoiling any of the answers.

Of course, Mashable has also provided daily hints and answers for Connections, Wordle, and Strands for years, so we can help you if that's also what you need.

While we are focused more on meanings than hints in this story, sometimes learning that many of the words have completely unrelated meanings is a clue in and of itself. Connections frequently includes clues that involve words within words and other visual clues.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 2, 2026 Medicine cabinet meaning

A place for storing medicine.

Compass meaning

A tool for navigation.

Fog machine meaning

A device used to create fog clouds.

Incense meaning

To anger.

Waterfall meaning

When running water falls from a higher level to a lower one.

Disco ball meaning

A decorative item covered in small mirrors.

Nettle meaning

To irritate.

Hiking boots meaning

Gear useful for traveling into the wilderness.

Dressing room meaning

A space to select and try on outfits.

Dry ice meaning

The solid form of carbon dioxide.

Water bottle meaning

A container for carrying water.

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

Wind up meaning

To agitate.

Pique meaning

To provoke annoyance.

Kaleidoscope meaning

A toy that uses pieces of colored glass or plastic within a cylinder to create a visual spectacle.

Humidifier meaning

A device used to add moisture to the air

Backpack meaning

A wearable item that features storage space.

Have you learned the meanings and still want the things? Check out the hints and answers for today's NYT Connections puzzle.

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

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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 Connections.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 2, 2026

Mashable - Mon, 11/02/2026 - 04:00

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you like to travel.

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

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

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

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

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for November 2, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

  • Yellow: Packing ideas

  • Green: Upsetting

  • Blue: That's cool

  • Purple: Reflective

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

Here are today's Connections categories

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

  • Yellow: Things to bring on a trek

  • Green: Anger

  • Blue: Mist makers

  • Purple: Things with mirrors

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 #1240 is...

What is the answer to Connections today
  • Things to bring on a trek: BACKPACK, COMPASS, HIKING BOOTS, WATER BOTTLE

  • Anger: INCENSE, NETTLE, PIQUE, WIND UP

  • Mist makers: DRY ICE, FOG MACHINE, HUMIDIFIER, WATERFALL

  • Things with mirrors: DISCO BALL, DRESSING ROOM, KALEIDOSCOPE, MEDICINE CABINET

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

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

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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 Connections.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Strands hints, answers for November 2, 2026

Mashable - Mon, 11/02/2026 - 04:00

Today's NYT Strands hints will be easy if you love geography.

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for November 2, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: High and mighty

The words are related to a geographic location.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe what you might find up high.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is Vertical (diagonally).

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Mountaintop.

NYT Strands word list for November 2
  • Glacier

  • Peak

  • Snow

  • Mountaintop

  • Cliff

  • Ridge

  • Summit

  • Saddle

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Wordle today: Answer, hints for November 2, 2026

Mashable - Mon, 11/02/2026 - 04:00

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're always in a rush.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 2, 2026 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.

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

"Move over!"

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter O appears twice.

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.

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...

SCOOT

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.

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

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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 Wordle.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Forget lightweight Linux, this forgotten OS is reviving ancient PCs

How-To Geek - Mon, 11/02/2026 - 02:00

Most old PCs end up running a lightweight Linux distribution, but that path keeps narrowing as distros abandon older hardware. Haiku, the open-source successor to BeOS, takes a different approach, and its new R1/beta6 release makes a surprisingly strong case for reviving ancient machines.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This open-source web editor turns a $25 AliExpress display into a Home Assistant dashboard

How-To Geek - Mon, 11/02/2026 - 01:00

A dedicated smart-home control panel makes Home Assistant easier to use. You can tap a screen to control your lights, check the weather, or adjust your thermostat without reaching for your phone. The trouble is that dedicated smart displays can cost considerably more than the hardware inside them.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I let a local LLM control my thermostat to see if it could beat Nest and Ecobee

How-To Geek - Mon, 11/02/2026 - 00:30

Smart thermostats can learn your habits, but if your routine changes, you can't just tell them what's different and expect them to adapt. If a Large Language Model (LLM) were running my heating, I'd be able to do exactly that. I decided to let an LLM take control of my heating for a week to see how it compared to popular smart thermostats.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 exciting Netflix thrillers to watch this week (November 2-8)

How-To Geek - Mon, 11/02/2026 - 00:00

It's November, which means Netflix U.S. has an entire slate of new movies arriving on the service. Some of the notable licensed content includes Whiplash, Air Force One, Fury, and Bridesmaids. As for genre-focused content, there are a few nail-biting thrillers that should be saved to your My List.

Categories: IT General, Technology

AdultFriendFinder: 15 hookup app slang terms to know

Mashable - Mon, 11/02/2026 - 00:00

Internet speak is a very real thing. Online communities develop their own vocabularies, particularly on sites and platforms that have been up and running for years — it's all part of the fun of belonging to the online world. Knowing specific terms is like a membership badge.

One place you'll find internet slang is AdultFriendFinder, one of the OG hookup sites. If you're new to AFF, it can be a bit confusing at first. You'll quickly come across lingo, acronyms, and shorthand terms that you've never heard before.

Some of the terms will be obvious or familiar from other online dating cultures, but some are particular to specialist communities, such as the worlds of BDSM and kink. 

Opens in a new window Credit: AdultFriendFinder AdultFriendFinder   Learn More

To get you started on AFF, we've put together a glossary of essential AFF terms that will help you navigate the site:

Common AFF slang terms you need to know
  • Aftercare: Term for cuddling and/or words of affirmation after a BDSM scenario

  • Bate buds: Two or more people who enjoy masturbating to the same kinds of content and swap recommendations 

  • CD: Cross-dressing, usually referring to a person who enjoys wearing the clothing of another gender

  • Cuckolding: The practice of consensual infidelity, i.e. taking pleasure from your partner having sex with someone else, widely enjoyed in non-monogamous relationships

  • DD/LG: Acronym for "daddy dom, little girl," describing a male-dominant, female-submissive relationship

  • Dom/Domme: Short-hand term for the dominant partner in a BDSM relationship. The terms master/mistress are often used interchangeably with dom/domme

  • Edging: The practice of bringing oneself close to sexual orgasm but without ever reaching it

  • ENM: Ethical non-monogamy, which is otherwise known as an open relationship

  • Little: Short-hand term for the submissive partner in a BDSM relationship

  • Limits/Hard Limits: Someone's boundaries. Respecting limits is a central tenet of kink culture and should be practiced even in online encounters

  • MD/LB: Acronym for "mommy domme, little boy," describing a female-dominant, male-submissive relationship

  • Orgasm Control: A scenario in which one partner voluntarily relinquishes control of their sexual climax to another play partner

  • Shibari: The Japanese art of decorative rope bondage, usually requiring a high degree of experience to execute properly

  • Switch: Someone who occasionally enjoys being either dominant or submissive

  • Vanilla: A non-pejorative term describing a preference for non-kinky sexual practices

Categories: IT General, Technology

Military radar might be messing with your Wi-Fi router

How-To Geek - Sun, 11/01/2026 - 23:30

When your Wi-Fi drops unexpectedly, what's your first guess? Mine is, naturally, to blame the ISP. Then, if I'm on my phone or something else portable, I'll start wondering about Wi-Fi dead zones.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 productivity app replacements you can build in an Excel spreadsheet

How-To Geek - Sun, 11/01/2026 - 23:01

Apple's 2009 "There's an app for that" slogan rings even truer in 2026. Anything you want to do, you'll find an app that's supposed to help you, and productivity apps are no exception.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Become a Claude power user with this $20 E-Degree

Mashable - Sun, 11/01/2026 - 23:00

TL;DR: Stop underutilizing Claude and unlock its full potential with some help from the Claude AI Professional E-Degree, on sale now for just $19.99 (reg. $159).

Opens in a new window Credit: Eduonix Learning Solutions Claude AI Professional E-Degree $19.99
$159 Save $139.01   Get Deal

Learning to use AI efficiently is becoming increasingly important, whether you’re working on personal projects or trying to incorporate it into your workflow. The Claude AI Professional E-Degree gives you a structured way to master one of the most popular AI models, with lessons on prompting, coding, and integrations to help you put your knowledge into practice.

Right now, you can secure the Claude AI Professional E-Degree for just $19.99.

When it comes to AI, you don’t want to miss the boat. The Claude AI Professional E-Degree lets you keep up without having to head back to school or spend hours doing your own research. This 8-hour E-Degree shows you how it works, how to prompt, how to use it for coding and integrations, and a whole lot more.

The Claude AI Professional E-Degree is taught by Eduonix Learning Solutions, a professional team of technology trainers who teach you how to use these skills the way they’re used in the real world.

You can work through the four hands-on modules at your own pace and go from a Claude beginner to an expert user. Start with Claude Chat: Best Practices, where you learn how to craft the most effective prompts and achieve the best results. From there, you move on to Claude Code: Agentic Coding, which helps you become a more efficient coder.

A Claude CoWork module shows you how to connect Claude with your favorite apps and plugins to streamline your daily routines. Then the Master Claude CoWork module takes things even further, showing you more advanced plugins and automation to help build a better AI-driven workflow.

There are quizzes available to test your retention as you go. You’ll also receive a professional E-Degree certification upon completion of the modules.

Master Claude with the Claude AI Professional E-Degree for just $19.99.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your next Google TV should be a projector

How-To Geek - Sun, 11/01/2026 - 22:45

Whether or not you find Google TV compelling on a TV, there’s a different form factor where it’s a genuine game changer—on a projector.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your Samsung Galaxy phone has more buttons than you think. Here's how to unlock them

How-To Geek - Sun, 11/01/2026 - 22:30

Your Samsung Galaxy phone is great for many things, but one of the best parts about it is how you can personalize and set it up for your convenient use. You may not even realize it, but one simple way to set up your phone for daily use is with its buttons.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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