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In The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 3, the villains are running the show.

Sauron (Charlie Vickers) is comfortably in control of most of Middle-earth, and he's got a whole host of allies to help him keep a firm grip on the world. Among these allies are the Nazgnagôl, or Ring-servants: human men who have pledged themselves to the Dark Lord and received a ring of power in exchange.

SEE ALSO: Did 'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' just reveal the Witch-king of Angmar?

The title of Nazgnagôl is a show-only invention, but it does come rooted in J.R.R. Tolkien's works. Anyone who's read Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings or watched Peter Jackson's film adaptations knows that the nine men who accept Sauron's rings eventually lose their humanity and become the Nazgûl, Ringwraiths at Sauron's command. Think of The Rings of Power's Nazgnagôl as the first step in that transformation. They've already got the black cloaks down. Next up? Corruption and an eternal life of undead servitude. Fun!

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Over the course of its four-episode premiere, The Rings of Power Season 3 introduces several Nazgnagôl. Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) believes one of them to be the king of the Lossoth, who live in the far north of Middle-earth. Later, young Theo (Tyroe Muhafidin) accepts a ring and becomes a Nazgnagôl himself, sparking Witch-king rumors in the process.

SEE ALSO: The Dark Wizard's true identity in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' is a Tolkien deep cut

But The Rings of Power puts extra emphasis on one Nazgnagôl in particular: Khamûl (Zubin Varla), an Easterling in Rhûn who seeks to buck the Dark Wizard's (Ciarán Hinds) authority. Unlike many Rings of Power characters, or the title of Nazgnagôl itself, Khamûl is canonically part of Tolkien's work. Here's how this mysterious newcomer fits into Tolkien's larger legendarium.

Khamûl is the Witch-king of Angmar's second-in-command.

Khamûl is the only named Nazgûl in Tolkien's work, although he isn't explicitly named in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Instead, Tolkien dives into his background in Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth, where he reveals that Khamûl is second-in-command to the Witch-king of Angmar. He's also known as the Shadow of the East and the Black Easterling, each title alluding to his origins in Rhûn.

Unfinished Tales also highlights Khamûl's specific role in the Nazgûl's hunt for Frodo Baggins in The Fellowship of the Ring. He's the Nazgûl who seeks out Frodo in Hobbiton and who almost catches Frodo and his friends at Bucklebury Ferry. Darn that pesky water for getting in the way.

In the Third Age, Sauron also sent Khamûl to hold the fortress of Dol Guldur in Mirkwood, which features in the Appendices of The Lord of the Rings and played a large part in Jackson's Hobbit trilogy.

All of these events are thousands of years away when Khamûl dons his ring in The Rings of Power. As soon as he does, though, his fate is sealed, and he's in for thousands of years of serving Sauron and playing second fiddle to the Witch-king of Angmar — whoever that may be.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 3 is now streaming on Prime Video, with new episodes Wednesdays.

The best early Black Friday tech deals: Best gaming deal Nintendo Switch 2 $469 (save $30) Get Deal Best earbuds deal Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) $229 (save $70) Get Deal Best Apple deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,099 (save $200) Get Deal Best Kindle deal Kindle Bundle: 16GB Kindle, Kindle Click, and Knit Fabric Cover $190.97 (save $34) Get Deal Best kitchen deal Ninja Crispi Glass Air Fryer $159.99 (save $20) Get Deal Best creator-approved deal DJI Osmo Pocket 3 bundle with DJI Mic Mini $450 (save $82) Get Deal Best fitness tracker deal Oura Ring 4 $249 (save $100) Get Deal Best TV deal 85-inch Hisense E7 Cinema Series QLED 4K TV $898.99 (save $301) Get Deal Best Amazon deal Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet $72.99 (save $82) Get Deal Best outdoor tech deal Mammotion Luba 3 AWD 3000 $1,999 (save $1,100) Get Deal

You've dug out the winter clothes, the neighbors are putting up Christmas lights, and the stores have eggnog back on the shelves. In the world of shopping, that means it's almost time for Black Friday. If you've shopped the holiday sale period before, you know deals drop ahead of the actual Friday after Thanksgiving. That's great news if you have tech gifts on your list this year.

SEE ALSO: Early Black Friday home improvement deals save big on power tools, smart lights, home security, and more.

We're still a few weeks away from Black Friday, but we've scanned the ads and compiled a list of the best tech deals we'd buy ourselves before the official sale. Not only will some of these be great for using during the Thanksgiving break, but you'll also be on the team of early shoppers, which can often mean the best selection without shipping delays.

Check out Mashable's full Black Friday coverage as we keep a close eye on fresh deals.

The gaming console of the year at a $30 discount

Somehow, Woot is selling the Nintendo Switch 2 for a $30 discount, while it remains at full price everywhere else. Since Woot deals tend to sell out, hop on this one right now if you're interested. Grabbing the Switch 2 will put you in line for spending the holiday break with the new The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Amazon Prime members get free shipping at Woot.

Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Nintendo Switch 2 $469 at Woot
$499 Save $30   Get Deal at Woot A comfortable pair of earbuds for holiday travel

It's hard to beat the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) if you're searching for a pair that won't become bothersome after hours of wear. On Mashable's list of the best earbuds, the 2nd Gen QuietComfort Ultra earn their namesake as the most comfortable. The noise cancellation is excellent, and the adaptive ANC is great if you still need to tune into your surroundings. Consider these an early Christmas gift for yourself if you'll be taking off on holiday travel or need some solid earbuds.

Read our full review of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (2nd gen).

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen, Midnight Violet) $229 at Amazon
$299 Save $70   Get Deal at Amazon A great MacBook for both students and professionals

At $200 off, the M5 MacBook Air is sitting at the same sale price we saw during October Prime Day. The MacBook Air proves itself to be a great machine for everyone, from students and professionals to frequent travelers. It's slim, lightweight, and comes with a stunning display and a powerful M5 chip.

Read our full review of the M5 MacBook Air.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $1,099 at Amazon
$1,299 Save $200   Get Deal at Amazon A Kindle bundled with the new Kindle Click

Without making a peep, Amazon hiked the prices on all Kindles this year. While that's annoying and so on par for 2026, we do have something new and exciting in the e-reader world — the Kindle Click. The remote page-turner means you can now turn pages with your hands under the covers or while simply relaxing on the couch.

Ahead of Black Friday, Amazon has bundled the new Click with the latest 16GB Kindle and a knit fabric cover. While we do hope to see more Kindles go on sale soon, potentially at deeper discounts, this is a top Kindle deal for the time being.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Bundle: 16GB Kindle, Kindle Click, and Knit Fabric Cover $190.97 at Amazon
$224.97 Save $34   Get Deal at Amazon The glass Ninja Crispi air fryer

The Ninja lineup of kitchen appliances and gadgets consistently impresses. Take, for example, the new Ninja EverSear cookware, which rivals top brands but comes at a much better price. But if you or someone on your Christmas shopping list needs an upgraded air fryer, the Ninja Crispi is everything you want. With PFAS-free glass containers, the Ninja air fryer can reach up to 450 degrees for perfect crisping of your favorite meals and snacks. Plus, the glass containers come with lids, and they're dishwasher-safe.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Crispi Glass Air Fryer $159.99 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $20   Get Deal at Amazon A DJI bundle for vloggers

From pro level to just starting out, DJI continues to prove it's a brand designed for creators. Mashable Tech Editor Timothy Beck Werth's review of the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 explained it's the gold standard for vlogging cameras. DJI has now released the Osmo Pocket 4, but you're looking at spending a lot more than the sale price of the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 paired with the DJI Mic Mini, which is on sale for $450.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Osmo Pocket 3 bundle with DJI Mic Mini $450 at Amazon
$532 Save $82   Get Deal at Amazon A smart ring for tracking fitness goals in the new year

If you have 2027 health goals and don't love wearing a watch, a smart ring is a great alternative, and the Oura Ring 4 is on sale for $249 before Black Friday. The smart ring tracks sleep, activity, stress levels, heart rate, and plenty more to provide deeper insight into health and wellness. Plus, it gets up to eight days of battery life on a single charge. Keep in mind you'll want to sign up for Oura's subscription plan to get the full benefits, which costs $5.99 per month or $69.99 per year.

Opens in a new window Credit: Oura Oura Ring 4 $249
$349 Save $100   Get Deal A budget tablet for upgraded streaming

If you're squinting to watch shows and YouTube videos on a phone, give your eyes a treat with the Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet. It's already on sale for 53% off, bringing the 10-inch tablet down to just $72.99. The 32GB storage is great for downloading shows, books, and games for travel or lounging around at home.

It's also a great option for kids if you're looking for something more affordable than iPads.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet $72.99 at Amazon
$154.99 Save $82.00   Get Deal at Amazon Hisense 85-inch TV for holiday movies and family gaming sessions

Deck the halls with a massive 85-inch Hisense TV. No one in your house will complain about the ability to watch Christmas movies on the giant display in UHD 4K. Gamers will also appreciate the 144Hz refresh rate, which is ideal for watching sports over the holidays.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense 85-inch Hisense E7 Cinema Series QLED 4K TV $898.99 at Amazon
$1,199.99 Save $301   Get Deal at Amazon The ultimate backyard upgrade

We have robot vacuums to take care of cleaning the floor inside, but plenty of us still dread hauling out the lawn mower and turning our white sneakers an ombre green shade. Instead of battling the lawn again next spring, make the upgrade to a robot lawn mower while the Mammotion Luba 3 AWD 3000 is on sale for the best price we've ever seen at Amazon.

The Mammotion is designed to tackle yards with a range of obstacles, such as roots, dips, rocks, and tennis balls the dog left out. It can run for up to 175 minutes on a single charge, covering up to 0.75 acres.

Opens in a new window Credit: Mammotion Mammotion Luba 3 AWD 3000 $1,999 at Amazon
$3,099 Save $1,100   Get Deal at Amazon

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.

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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

Uncertainty.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

DOUBT

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Hairy.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for November 11, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

BUSHY

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Rule.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Nov. 11, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Nov. 11, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

REIGN

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Respond.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

REPLY

Final Hurdle hint

Cunning.

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

GUILE

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

Like many an MCU movie before it, VisionQuest's finale continues Marvel's proud tradition of mid-credits scenes teasing the franchise's future, including one that's set to shake up the game in Avengers: Doomsday.

SEE ALSO: 'VisionQuest': Your guide to every AI character in the MCU's newest show

VisionQuest's first mid-credits scene offers a look at what might be next for one of the the show's leads, should the series get a season 2. Its second mid-credits scene is far buzzier, teasing the return of a beloved MCU figure, just in time for Avengers: Doomsday. Here's what happens.

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What happens to Ultron in VisionQuest's mid-credits scene?

VisionQuest's first returns to the site of the show's final battle: Horton Manor. There, Phineas Horton (Paul Bettany) created the world's first synthetic man, all those decades ago.

In the final battle, Horton's grandson Virgil (James Spader), aka VisionQuest's sinister Client, perished at the hands of Ultron (Spader). Before he died, Virgil shot synthezoid Jocasta (T'Nia Miller), who was based on the consciousness of his former partner Josephine Carrington (also Miller). But Jocasta may not be gone for good.

SEE ALSO: Marvel teases 'Zodiac' spy thriller. Here's what fans are theorizing.

The mid-credits scene shows Ultron residing at Horton Manor, now in his human form thanks to Josephine's nanobot technology. (He's trimmed the beard, though.) Since his human form mirrors Virgil's, has Ultron assumed Virgil's identity to live among humans? Or is he remaining fully himself?

One thing's for sure: Ultron is still holding onto Jocasta. Literally: He's holding the drive that contains her code.

As he holds it, he takes a contemplative beat. The music swells menacingly. Then he walks off screen. To do what? VisionQuest certainly doesn't tell.

Perhaps he's getting ready to rebuild and reboot Jocasta, so the pair can finish their dream of ruling the world. Whatever his goal, the foreboding music suggests that it may have been a mistake to let Ultron hang around.

Dr. Doom resurrects Wanda Maximoff in VisionQuest's second mid-credits scene.

VisionQuest's second mid-credits scene takes things all the way back to the climax of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, when Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) used her Scarlet Witch powers to bring down Mount Wundagore, sacrificing herself in the process.

After replaying Wundagore's collapse, VisionQuest flashes forward to the present, when a hooded figure lifts the rubble off of Wanda's corpse.

"Scarlet Witch, awaken," he says. "Your power will be mine."

A green glow illuminates Wanda's face, and she wakes with a gasp, officially bringing the Scarlet Witch back into play in the MCU.

The hooded figure is undoubtedly Dr. Doom (Robert Downey Jr.). In the extra scenes shown in Avengers: Encore, he pulls a similar move on Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo), telling him he's here to "collect" him before spiriting him away in a mysterious green glow. Is Dr. Doom building an army of the most powerful Avengers? If so, his team is already looking pretty stacked.

In the VisionQuest finale, Tommy Maximoff (Ruaridh Mollica) appeared hopeful at the possibility of getting his mother back, somehow. Surely this is the worst case scenario, right?

Will VisionQuest get a Season 2?

So far, Disney has not renewed VisionQuest for a second season.

Aside from Loki and Daredevil: Born Again, it's rare that Disney renews the MCU's live-action series. Based on that precedent, the chances for more VisionQuest are very slim.

However, that doesn't mean we won't see these characters again. WandaVision spawned two "sequel" series in Agatha All Along and VisionQuest, so the story of Ultron or Billy (Joe Locke) and Tommy could continue in a new series. Obviously, Wanda is being set up to appear in Avengers: Doomsday, which means a family reunion could occur sooner rather than later.

Currently, the only live-action MCU series in development is 2028's Zodiac, so it's unlikely we get any further Ultron updates before then.

UPDATE: Nov. 11, 2026, 6:37 a.m. EST This article has been updated to include information about "VisionQuest"s second mid-credits scene, which was not in the screener given to press.

VisionQuest is now streaming on Disney+.

Like the synthezoid at its center, Marvel's VisionQuest contains multitudes. It's a genre-bending adventure, a reflection on flawed father-son dynamics, and an ambitious attempt to tie up the loose ends of the so-called WandaVision trilogy. But seemingly above all else, it's a sequel to no one's favorite Avengers movie, Avengers: Age of Ultron.

SEE ALSO: 'VisionQuest': Your guide to every AI character in the MCU's newest show

VisionQuest brings James Spader's evil Ultron back to the MCU, and at first, I wasn't complaining. Spader's gleefully villainous performance is one of the sole bright spots of Age of Ultron. It holds up just as well in VisionQuest, with Spader chewing the hell out of every withering one-liner.

Then came VisionQuest's finale.

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Ultron tries to destroy humanity again in VisionQuest's finale.

Episode 7 revealed that the show's main villain, the Client, was also played by James Spader, meaning Ultron's human avatar is modeled after him. Turns out, the Client is Virgil Horton, grandson of Phineas Horton (Bettany), creator of the world's first synthetic man.

Virgil was once the partner of Josephine Carrington (T'Nia Miller), whose consciousness was used to create the synthezoid Jocasta (Miller). As the two worked on their revolutionary AI tech, they coded themselves into their work, explaining why Ultron's human avatar looks like Virgil. Now that Virgil has apprehended both Vision and Jocasta, he plans to put his mind in Vision's body so he and Jocasta can live together forever, using their nanobot tech to rule over all of humanity.

Neither Vision nor Jocasta wants this future, so they team up with Tommy Maximoff (Ruaridh Mollica) to defeat Virgil. In the chaos, Virgil shoots Jocasta, who subsequently throws Ultron's drive into the nanobot swarm, unleashing him in his physical form. His first move? Killing Virgil in a feat of Spader-on-Spader violence.

SEE ALSO: 'Avengers: Endgame Encore' sets up 'Doomsday' with 4 new scenes. Here's what happens.

In one fell swoop, Ultron dispatches VisionQuest's Big Bad, leaving a villainous void ready to be filled. That's a role Ultron is all too happy to step into, and so begins VisionQuest's endgame: Ultron's nanobot swarm flying towards London, ready to implant itself in its citizens and kill them from the inside out.

For a series that tried to twist and bend the rules of what a Marvel show could be, this final showdown is frustratingly familiar, right down to Vision and Ultron duking it out in their synthetic forms. Yes, Ultron can dissipate into a cloud of nanobots now, but that doesn't change the fact that this feels too much a rehash of an Avengers film that came out 11 years ago.

Under this sheen of familiarity, even the best parts of VisionQuest's climax feel like a drag. In a callback to WandaVision, Vision tries to use the power of sitcoms to help Ultron process his grief over losing Jocasta. Ultron hijacks the program, resulting in a 500-episode montage that comes with its fair share of clever sight gags, along with a catchy theme song. ("Don't kill the world!")

Yet all the montage really does is remind us of how perfectly WandaVision was able to parody sitcoms. More than that, it reminds us of the power of good episodic television, something every Marvel show has tried to capture, before almost always falling short and feeling like a truncated eight-hour movie instead. With its Age of Ultron-meets-therapy climax, VisionQuest is no exception, even if it has its fair share of highs. (Tommy's awkward running around the table in the finale will live in my head for a while.)

What's next for VisionQuest?

VisionQuest is the last new MCU show on Marvel's docket until 2028's Zodiac, and aside from Loki and Daredevil: Born Again, live-action MCU series don't have the best track record of renewal. Still, that doesn't stop VisionQuest from signalling to a future for its characters. Tommy connects with his long-lost twin Billy (Joe Locke) and heads back to New Jersey with him by the season's end. Could the pair be part of a young Avengers team down the line, or will the MCU leave them by the wayside, along with other potential young Avengers like Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani) and Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld)?

Tommy also asks Vision if there's any way they could potentially bring the late Wanda (Elizabeth Olsen) back, reuniting the entire WandaVision family. Meanwhile, Ultron is still out there, along with Jocasta's hard drive. Both sequences suggest that neither women are truly gone from the MCU — if only VisionQuest gets the opportunity to explore further. In the meantime, though, its final impression is a mixed bag: a combination of some truly inventive world building, marred by the insistence on replaying a decade-old story.

VisionQuest is now streaming on Disney+.

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 11, 2026 Folk meaning

The traditional culture and lifestyle of ordinary people.

Herbal meaning

Of, relating to or made from herbs or plants.

Holistic meaning

Dealing with, treating or considering a whole system, structure, or person rather than focusing exclusively on individual, isolated parts.

Traditional meaning

Something handed down, practiced or believed across generations.

Air mattress meaning

A bed that's pumped with air.

Bubble meaning

A small, hollow globule of gas or air trapped inside a liquid.

Tire meaning

A rubber wheel covering that's filled with air.

Whoopie cushion meaning

A prank device that fills with air and makes a farting sound.

Green meaning

A golf course.

Rough meaning

Not smooth, even or exact.

Sand trap meaning

A hollow pit filled with sand that poses a hazard for golfers.

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Tee box meaning

The designated flat starting place for every hole on a golf course.

Afternoon meaning

The period of day between morning and night.

Patoot meaning

A term of endearment.

Rheostats meaning

A resistor used to control the flow of electric current in a circuit by changing its resistance.

Shredder meaning

A device used to shred paper.

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.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you like to hit the green.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for November 11, 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: Healing

• Green: Take a swing

• Blue: Blow it up

• Purple: Same front to back

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Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Kinds of medicine

• Green: Parts of a golf course

• Blue: Things filled with air

• Purple: Ending in palindromes

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 #1249 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Kinds of medicine: FOLK, HERBAL, HOLISTIC, TRADITIONAL

• Parts of a golf course: GREEN, ROUGH, SAND TRAP, TEE BOX

• Things filled with air: AIR MATTRESS, BUBBLE, TIRE, WHOOPIE, CUSHION

• Ending in palindromes: AFTERNOON, PATOOT, RHEOSTATS, SHREDDER

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.

Today's NYT Strands hints will be easy if you're a fitness instructor.

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 11, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Work it out

The words are anatomy-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words involve parts of the body.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

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NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Muscle Group.

NYT Strands word list for November 11

• Bicepts

• Obliques

• Muscle Group

• Pecs

• Lats

• Quads

• Hamstrings

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.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're spiritual.

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 11, 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.

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

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:

To anoint.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter S appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter B.

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...

BLESS

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.

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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.

Has your Gmail inbox become cluttered and overrun? Maybe you're looking for a quick way to mass delete newsletters or emails from a specific domain name. Here's how to tidy up your Gmail account in record time.

Home security systems usually come with a steep price tag, especially when you want solid coverage for both your front door and your yard. As such, pairing a wired doorbell with a battery-powered outdoor camera is the most reliable way to keep a property covered without constant battery anxiety. With this Blink video doorbell and camera combo, you can do just that for only $35.

One of the main promises of 3D printing technology is that you can use it to create all sorts of useful household objects and even repair broken parts on your appliances and other items by printing spare parts. Or, more likely, the spare parts are just too expensive.

Fraggle Rock's 2026 holiday special just got its official trailer, and it's doing its best to spread the holiday spirit.

Fraggle Rock: A Holiday Gift sees the Fraggles name Wembley (voiced by Jordan Lockhart) as Spirit Captain, responsible for spreading holiday cheer throughout Fraggle Rock. Enthusiastically embracing his new role, Wembley leads Gobo (voiced by John Tartaglia), Mokey (voiced by Donna Kimball), Boober (voiced by Dave Goelz), and Red (voiced by Karen Prell) in sharing the holiday spirit. However, said spirit begins to fade when they mistakenly take Doc's (Lilli Cooper) beloved snow globe from her workshop.

"Wembley must find the courage to return it, learning that kindness, giving and helping someone in need are the true gifts of the holidays," reads Apple TV's official synopsis.

The musical special also features a performance by singer and Tony Award winner Nicole Scherzinger. Fraggle Rock: A Holiday Gift arrives Dec. 4 on Apple TV.

The last slab phone I truly loved was the Moto Edge+ 2023, which made it hard for me to watch as Motorola chose not to bring any of that phone's successors to the US. The good news is that's changing this year with the Motorola Signature 27. The bad news is no one will want to buy it, for one glaring reason.

If you have a modern laptop with only a handful of USB-C ports, you already know the frustration of running out of connections. You want to charge your device, plug in an external monitor, and transfer files from a USB drive, but there’s nowhere to plug anything in. That’s where a dedicated hub comes in, and right now, Amazon has slashed the price on one of the most solid options on the market.

I love a good board game. We've all played games like Monopoly and Mastermind, but it wasn't until I played TheSettlers of Catan that I discovered how awesome board games could really be. There are several games that are going on my Christmas list this year.

Keeping shows and movies downloaded for those times that you find yourself without an internet connection can be a lifesaver. I generally have a list of things loaded on my phone and ready to go, meaning I can catch up on some content when I'm on a bus, plane, or just on the treadmill at the gym. I am, however, chronically bad at making sure my downloads are up-to-date.

Upgrading an older desktop doesn't always require ripping out your motherboard and RAM. If you're still on an AM4 platform, the AMD Ryzen 7 5700X is a perfect way to breathe new life into your PC without starting from scratch. Amazon has the 8-core, 16-thread chip available for $159, which is a solid price for gamers and multitaskers who want reliable performance without the premium of a next-gen socket.

After debuting Gemini Intelligence on the Pixel 11 series and holding back its AI-powered widget builder, Google is bringing that and more to Pixel devices through the November Pixel Drop.

If you were waiting for the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S27 lineup to drop before upgrading your smartphone, we have some bad news, particularly if you were hoping for some premium camera updates.

According to a new leak from Samsung news outlet SammyGuru, Samsung doesn't seem to have any major camera upgrades in store for the upcoming line of devices.

Another recent leak suggested that the Samsung Galaxy S27 line would see a big camera redesign. However, based on the SammyGuru report, there may not be too much new when it comes to the cameras themselves — at least for the S27 and S27 Plus models.

In fact, if you have a Samsung Galaxy S26 and are considering an upgrade to the Galaxy S27 or Galaxy S27 Plus, it looks like there will be no change to the cameras at all. Both the S27 and S27 Plus will reportedly be equipped with a 50MP main camera with a Sony IMX955 or Samsung S5KGNG sensor, SammyGuru reported. The ultrawide lens will reportedly be the same 12MP Sony IMX564, as well as the same 10MP 3x telephoto lens and 12MP selfie camera.

The camera array on the Galaxy S26 Ultra smartphone. Credit: Joseph Maldonado / Mashable

The Galaxy S27 Pro and Galaxy S27 Ultra, thankfully, will see some upgrades, according to the new report. However, at this point, it's unclear just how much of an upgrade they'll be.

SammyGuru reported that the S27 Ultra and S27 Pro will both get a new 200MP main camera with a Samsung S5KHP6 sensor. The S27 Ultra's predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, has a Samsung S5KHP2 sensor, so there is a change here between the two device generations.

The S27 Pro and S27 Ultra could also receive a selfie camera upgrade with a 16MP front-facing lens, which is an upgrade from the 12MP resolution of their predecessors. Finally, SammyGuru reported that the S27 Pro will have a 3x optical zoom telephoto camera, and the S27 Ultra will have a 5x optical zoom.

Of course, the report is unconfirmed for now. Typically, Samsung phones leak heavily in the months before they launch. And with the Samsung Galaxy S27 line of smartphones expected to arrive in January or February 2027, we expect a flood of leaks in the near future.

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