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There are many ways to build a smart home, and Wi-Fi plays a role in all of them. But in addition to creating a smart home that doesn’t rely on the cloud, I’m trying my best to de-prioritize Wi-Fi where I can. Here’s why.

It's a good thing Glen Powell seems like a laid back kind of guy.

In the BBC Radio 1 clip above The Running Man star plays "Unpopular Opinion" with host Greg James, reacting to controversial statements from radio callers — from fresh bedsheets being uncomfortable to the status of six-packs.

The final one? A caller called Zoe who says that Powell's best work was Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over and his career has been downhill ever since. Powell's response? "I totally agree."

50% OFF: Walmart+ annual memberships are on sale for 50% off until Dec. 2. Pay $49 and get early access to Black Friday deals, free shipping, savings on gas, and more.

Opens in a new window Credit: Walmart Walmart+ Annual Membership $49 at Walmart
$98 Save $49   Get Deal

Black Friday provides opportunities to save on just about everything on your shopping list. Apple deals? Absolutely. Power station discounts? Sure thing. Deals on tech products that could make your life instantly easier? Of course.

It's a special time of year in which you can save a lot of cash. But to make the most of this busy period, you do need to employ some planning. That could be in the form of a list of all your desired items and a log of the price history. It could be through scanning all the Black Friday ads released by leading retailers. Or you could make the most of memberships to secure early access to deals and extra savings.

SEE ALSO: I found 30+ early Black Friday tech deals I'd recommend to friends and family: Save on Apple, Samsung, DJI

Through Dec. 2, Walmart+ annual memberships are on sale for 50% off. Pay $49 (instead of $98) and get early access to Black Friday deals, free shipping, savings on gas, and more. Members can even choose between ad-supported Paramount+ or Peacock every 90 days.

This special offer does exclude current annual members. But everyone else? Sign up for Walmart+ by following these simple steps:

1. Go to walmart.com/plus

2. Select “Claim offer and get early access”

3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete your Walmart+ annual membership signup

Looking to squeeze everything you can out of the Black Friday shopping season? This limited-time offer can help.

When you delete a file in Windows, it goes to the Recycle Bin first, allowing you to restore it later. However, there are times—such as when you’re freeing up space or removing sensitive data—when you may want to bypass the Recycle Bin and permanently delete files. Here are a few ways you can do that.

Donald Trump made an appearance at the NFL game between the Detroit Lions and the Washington Commanders over the weekend, where he was greeted with a less than warm reception — and nobody was happier about the booing than Jimmy Kimmel.

"It's like a whole stadium full of Melanias," says the Jimmy Kimmel Live! host in the clip above. "You think he can hear the boos, or does the narcissism forcefield block it all out?"

Kimmel goes on to share footage of the president joining announcers to talk about the game, saying "he knows nothing about football" before playing footage of Trump remarking that quarterbacks have got to "put it in their hands — you've got to help 'em out a little."

"Wow, that's incredible insight," says Kimmel.

The Dyson Airwrap may be the blueprint for multi-stylers, but these days, it's far from your only option.

Just three years ago, if you didn't have $600 to shell out on the Airwrap, your only option for a dupe that mimicked both the results and tech of the Airwrap was the Shark FlexStyle. While I stand by it as an absolutely incredible dupe, more choices mean you can invest in the multi-styler that truly addresses your styling needs.

SEE ALSO: Dyson Airwrap vs. Shark FlexStyle: Here's which hot air tool is worth your money How to choose the best Airwrap dupe

Before 2022, if you wanted one hair tool to blow dry your hair, as well as help you achieve a blowout, more defined waves, or pin-straight hair, you were basically limited to the $600 Dyson Airwrap.

In 2025, there are more Airwrap models on the market than ever, but the price points are higher. There's the $549.99 Airwrap Origin, the $649.99 Airwrap i.d., and the $749.99 Co-anda 2x. There are some differences in performance abilities between the three models, but for the purposes of this guide, I'll be focusing on dupes that can achieve similar styling results first and foremost, and ideally use similar tech (including multiple attachments, auto-wrap curling barrels, and the airflow "grabbing" the hair known as the Coanda effect) to get to those results. You can learn more about the specific differences between the Dyson models in the FAQ below.

SEE ALSO: Shark FacialPro Glow review: My first 24 hours of pore de-gunking and sculpting were definitely successful

These days, typing "Airwrap dupe" into Google will get you plenty of results that can deliver on the Coanda effect — but naturally, not all these dupes are made equal. That's why I spent time testing out options from brands like T3, Sharper Image, and FoxyBae to see how well they stacked up against the FlexStyle (which I consider a gold standard dupe) and the Airwrap models themselves. I came away with some new favorites — and new opinions on what makes a good Airwrap dupe. Below, you'll find Mashable's updated list of recommendations for the best Airwraps as of 2025.

It’s hard to believe that Google is already on its fourth generation of Pixel Watch. The progress has been slow, but the improvements have been steady. With the Pixel Watch 4, Google may finally have the smartwatch to beat for Android owners.

TL;DR: Get a pair of Mini Night Vision Binoculars on sale for $80.

Opens in a new window Credit: StackSocial Mini Night Vision Binoculars $79.97
$159.99 Save $80.02   Get Deal

The days may be shorter, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still have fun outside. If it’s too dark to see, just grab a pair of these Mini Night Vision Binoculars. They’re on sale now for only $79.97 (usually $159.99).

This cool gadget is part camera, part night vision binoculars. Turn them on and get a clear view up to 1,000 feet away at night. An 850nm infrared illuminator brightens the scene without blowing out the image, and you can adjust the brightness through seven levels to match your environment. You also get four viewing modes: color, black and white, bright green, and infrared. If you’re out on a night hike or watching animals near the edge of a field, switching modes gives you the best view for the moment.

SEE ALSO: Home Depot Black Friday ad: The best deals you can buy online in 2025

The 2.4-inch HD screen shows exactly what you’re looking at, so you’re not squinting through eyepieces. With 4x digital zoom, you can pull distant details closer. If something interesting shows up, just hit record. These binoculars capture 1080p video and up to 12MP photos, and everything saves to the included 32GB micro SD card. It turns night exploring into shareable memories without needing a separate camera.

Going out on an adventure? These binoculars are small enough to slip into a jacket pocket at only 206 grams. The silicone buttons are easy to navigate by touch, even with gloves on. A rechargeable 2,260mAh battery keeps the unit powered, and it’s replaceable, which feels rare these days. A USB-C port makes charging easy with the same cable you probably already use for other devices.

Keep the adventure going through the night. Pick up a pair of Mini Night Vision Binoculars on sale for $79.97.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

The U.S. government shutdown, which has been going for 42 days and is the longest on record, is finally coming to an end — and Jon Stewart is furious.

In the 22-minute Daily Show monologue above, the host rants about the Democrats caving in without getting the Affordable Care Act plan subsidies they were holding out for, despite initially making a big deal about the importance of not backing down.

"This is what the Democrats have squandered," Stewart says, after playing a clip at Donald Trump being booed at a recent NFL game between the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders. "A country finally shaking off Trump's Jedi mind tricks and saying no, these are the fucking droids we're looking for. And instead of pressing that advantage, perhaps neutralising Trump's reality distortion field for good, the Democrats just suddenly went, 'Er, droids? I guess we aren't looking for those droids. But you'll help us find them later, right?' They squandered their leverage, sapped their voters' enthusiasm, and snatched defeat from the jaws of victory."

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you love to paint your face.

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 11, 2025 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Beauty products

• Green: The span

• Blue: They hold things up

• Purple: Found on a mobile device

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Makeup

• Green: Breadth

• Blue: Object used for support

• Purple: Icons on an iPhone

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 #884 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Makeup: BLUSH, FOUNDATION, HIGHLIGHTER, POWDER

• Breadth: EXTENT, RANGE, SCALE, SCOPE

• Object used for support: BASE, HOLDER, REST, STAND

• Icons on an iPhone: COMPASS, ENVELOPE, MUSIC NOTES, SPEECH BUBBLE

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for November 11, 2025

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

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

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

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you love Greek literature.

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, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 11, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Aesop's animals

The words are related to animals.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe animals in old fables.

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 Fabled Pair.

NYT Strands word list for November 11

• Tortoise

• Lion

• Gnat

• Wolf

• Fabled Pair

• Hare

• Mouse

• Bull

• Crane

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

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

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, 2025 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for November 11, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A cool gadget.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter G.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

GIZMO

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for November 10, 2025

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

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

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

Today's Connections: Sports Edition is easy if you're familiar with mid-major conferences.

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. 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: 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: No effort base

• Green: G5 teams

• Blue: Used in rugby

• Purple: Types of games

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: What Four Balls Gets You in Baseball

• Green: American Conference Teams

• Blue: Rugby Terms

• Purple: ____Game

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 #414 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• What Four Balls Gets You in Baseball - BASE ON BALLS, BB, FREE PASS, WALK

• American Conference Teams - ARMY, MEMPHIS, RICE, TEMPLE

• Rugby Terms - MAUL, RUCK, SCRUM, TRY

• ____Game - ALL-STAR, COMPLETE, LAWN, RUBBER

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 today's Connections.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for November 8, 2025

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for November 8, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Nov. 11 Pips

Number (5): Everything in this space must add to 5. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add to 9. The answer is 3-2, placed horizontally; 6-0, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally; 3-2, placed horizontally; 2-2, placed horizontally; 2-0, placed vertically.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 6-0, placed vertically; 2-0, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Nov. 11 Pips

Equal (6): Everything in this purple space must be equal to 6. The answer is 6-0, placed horizontally; 6-1, placed vertically.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 3-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this red space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-2, placed horizontally; 3-5, placed horizontally; 3-3, placed horizontally; 3-1, placed horizontally.

Equal (1): Everything in this orange space must be equal to 1. The answer is 6-1, placed vertically; 3-1, placed horizontally.

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Nov. 11 Pips

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 2-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (6): Everything in this purple space must be equal to 6. The answer is 6-0, placed horizontally; 6-2, placed vertically.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add to 7. The answer is 6-2, placed vertically; 5-1, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add to 5. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally; 5-1, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add to 6. The answer is 6-3, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally; 0-5, placed vertically.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add to 8. The answer is 6-3, placed vertically; 5-3, placed horizontally.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add to 9. The answer is 5-3, placed horizontally; 6-5, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add to 10. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically; 6-5, placed horizontally.

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

Apple has teamed up with Issey Miyake to launch the iPhone Pocket, a 3D-knitted, stretchy bag for your iPhone (and other smaller items).

Known for pricy, often-stretchy, sometimes very avant-garde pieces of clothing, Issey Miyake is a fashion company founded by the late Japanese designer, who also happened to designed Steve Jobs' legendary black turtleneck.

In an announcement posted Tuesday, Apple says the iPhone Pocket has "the qualities of the original pleats by Issey Miyake," as designer is synonymous with pleated fabrics. The iPhone Pocket's fabric appears to be very stretchy, and Apple says that when stretched, the open textile allows the users to peak at their iPhone display, meaning you'll be able to check notifications without removing your phone from the Pocket.

SEE ALSO: 10 of the best wallet phone cases for iPhone 17 and iPhone Air The fabric does look nice. But that price tag... Credit: Apple

The iPhone Pocket is designed to be worn in a number of ways; you could wear it as you would a handbag, strap it around your body, or tie it onto a bag. It's available in two basic designs: a short strap, which is available in eight colors, and a long strap, which is available in three colors.

The iPhone Pocket is designed to be worn in a variety of ways. Credit: Apple

We have questions about the iPhone Pocket's construction and of course, price. Yes, it's a stretchy sock with a cut-through, but if you look closer you will see that the ribbed construction is quite nice, and the fabric is probably of better quality than a regular sock.

The price tag, however, is such that we can already see people making their DIY versions of these: $149.95 for the short strap design, and $229.95 for the long strap design.

The iPhone Pocket will be available starting Friday, Nov. 24, in Apple Store locations and on Apple.com in France, Greater China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, the UK, and the U.S.

Featured Video For You 5 iPhone photography tricks pros use

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025:

AcrossVillain's counterpart

• The answer is Hero.

California governor Newsom

• The answer is Gavin.

Home to Prada (and pasta)

• The answer is Italy.

Shipping company with a purple-and-orange logo

• The answer is FedEx.

Three-pointer, in basketball lingo

• The answer is Trey.

DownHard person to please

• The answer is Hater.

Get around

• The answer is Evade.

"Inside Out" girl

• The answer is Riley.

Deep black gemstone

• The answer is Onyx.

"Today is a ___. That's why it's called the present" (cliché)

• The answer is Gift.

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

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

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

We're still in the waning phase of the moon's cycle, which means the moon is getting smaller each night. We're not quite at the Third Quarter, we’re just before it, so you’ll see a fading half-moon. The left side is shrinking, but there's still enough lit up that we can spot some exciting features.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Tuesday, Nov. 11, the moon phase is Waning Gibbous. This means 57% of the moon is lit up tonight, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

So, what's visible in the sky tonight? Even with nothing but your eyes, you can make out the Aristarchus Plateau, Mare Imbrium, and Tycho Crater. Grab some binoculars, and you’ll also spot the Alphonsus Crater, Gassendi Crater, and Clavius Crater. If you’ve got a telescope, you’ll get an even closer look at the Apollo 14, 15, and 16 landing spots.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Dec. 4.

What are moon phases?

According to NASA, the Moon completes an orbit around Earth roughly every 29.5 days, passing through distinct phases along the way. These phases happen due to the shifting angles between the Sun, Earth, and Moon. From our perspective, the Moon may look fully bright, partially lit, or entirely dark, though the same side always faces us. The difference is in how sunlight reflects off its surface, forming a regular pattern called the lunar cycle.

The eight main moon 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.

The latest game capturing the imagination of the gaming community — and bleeding into wider gaming culture — is Arc Raiders. The newly released multiplayer extraction shooter from Embark Studios, the team behind the slick and chaotic The Finals, has seemingly struck gold with Arc Raiders despite the game living in one of the most niche corners of the shooter genre.

Boasting more than 300,000 players in its opening week, Arc Raiders warrants some context. It’s a PvPvE extraction shooter — a format popularized by Escape from Tarkov — and, traditionally, not exactly friendly to casual players. Yet somehow, Embark has pulled off something rare: a game that’s visually stunning, mechanically tight, and challenging without feeling punishing. It’s approachable, but not watered down.

So whether you’re a dad of two trying to make the most of a few hard-earned hours, or a solo gamer looking for one title worth your time and money, here’s the rundown on whether Embark Studios’ Arc Raiders deserves a spot in your library.

Where to buy Arc Raiders STEAM Arc Raiders $39.99 Shop Now PLAYSTATION STORE Arc Raiders $39.99 Shop Now What is Arc Raiders? Credit: Embark Studios

Arc Raiders is the latest release from Embark Studios — a third-person extraction shooter set in a post-apocalyptic version of Italy. Humanity has been driven underground after a mysterious AI force and its mechanical army, known as the “ARC,” took control of the surface. In the underground settlement of Speranza, brave scavengers known as “Raiders” venture topside in search of resources to trade, craft, and sell — all in an effort to keep their fragile community alive.

That’s the core setup, and it’s really all you need to know before diving in. As an extraction shooter, each session gives players a limited window — around 20 to 30 minutes, depending on how far into the waves you go — to scavenge as much as possible before extracting. Simple enough, except the surface isn’t exactly welcoming. ARC robots roam the landscape in a variety of deadly forms: flying Wasps that harass from above, hulking Bombardiers that rain destruction from afar, and the nightmarish, spider-like Leapers that can ruin a run in seconds.

And then there are the humans. Other players are out there too, fighting for the same loot — and whether they become allies or threats is entirely up to you. You can drop in solo or with a squad of three, and the game’s proximity chat lets you communicate (or deceive) fellow Raiders in real-time. Just be careful who you trust.

Once you’ve filled your pack with enough salvage, it’s time to extract back to Speranza using one of several evacuation elevators scattered across the map. Make it out alive, and your hard-earned loot turns into the resources needed to keep going — and, hopefully, to survive another trip topside. Die, and well, you lose everything.

What's fun about Arc Raiders?

Part of the fun of Arc Raiders — and what separates it from traditional PvP shooters like Battlefield or Call of Duty — is that when you die, you lose everything. This "wipe" mechanic is what gives every encounter, whether against ARC machines or other players, its razor-edge tension.

Many players will go entire rounds without firing a single shot simply because they don’t want to risk it. If the loot they’ve collected is too valuable to lose, every shadow becomes a threat, every sound a reason to panic. That high-stakes, heart-in-your-throat feeling is what makes extraction shooters so beloved by hardcore fans — and equally why most casual gamers avoid them. Dying and losing everything can be deflating, especially in games like Escape from Tarkov, where the mechanical complexity borders on full-blown military simulation.

That’s where Arc Raiders strikes a smart balance. Embark has streamlined the extraction shooter formula without watering it down. Before each round, players can build loadouts based on four augments: Loot, Tactical, Combat, and Free. Each one changes your playstyle — Loot increases inventory space for scavenging, Tactical adds more Quick Slots for items like grenades or bandages, and Combat boosts survivability for players looking to fight instead of flee. You can carry two weapons and stash one item in a “Safe Pocket,” which guarantees you won’t lose it if you die.

Unlike Tarkov, gear in Arc Raiders doesn’t define your survivability. Armor and cosmetics are largely aesthetic, serving more as a monetization hook for Embark than a gameplay factor. The result is a simpler, faster-paced experience that retains the intensity of extraction shooters while lowering the barrier to entry.

Be very afraid Credit: Embark Studios

On top of the fun, kinetic combat loop, Arc Raiders absolutely nails its sound design. It’s one of the game’s cornerstones, according to Embark, and it shows. The spatial audio is incredible — every creak, echo, and explosion matters as it can alert ARC machines and other players to your position. The flutter of birds overhead, the clank of your wrench breaking open a loot box, the hiss of gunfire slicing past your ear — it all feeds into a sense of tension and place that’s unmatched. This game is best played with headphones, not speakers.

That said, Arc Raiders is far from a single-player experience. Even if you’re running solo, you’ll inevitably bump into other players — and not all of them share the "peace and love" vibe the community has been trying to cultivate. With the game’s rising popularity, it’s also become a content farm for Twitch streamers who love using proximity chat to lure players into false alliances before shooting them in the back. Betrayal is part of the immersion, sure, but it can get old fast.

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And since Arc Raiders is a live-service game, most of the fun is player-driven. There are quests that nudge you through the game’s sandbox and lore, giving structure to each run, but ultimately, the experience is what you make of it. Maybe that’s rolling with a squad to chase PvP firefights, or sneaking through solo raids to gather materials for crafting upgrades back in your workshop. It’s a true "choose your own adventure" setup — which is both its greatest strength and, for some players, its biggest turn-off.

Is Arc Raiders worth it?

Yeah, I’d say it is. Embark Studios has managed to create one of the most approachable extraction shooters to date without compromising the tension that defines the genre. The mix of PvPvE chaos, stunning sound design, and the sheer adrenaline rush of every topside run makes for an experience that’s as beautiful as it is brutal. The Unity-powered visuals pop, the gunplay feels crisp, and when everything clicks — when you barely survive a firefight and extract with seconds to spare — it’s genuinely exhilarating.

That said, it’s not for everyone. As a live-service game, Arc Raiders relies heavily on player-driven fun, and solo players may hit burnout sooner than squad-focused groups. Add in the occasional backstabby streamer, and it’s clear this world isn’t exactly friendly. But for players craving high-stakes tension without Tarkov’s punishing complexity, Arc Raiders hits a rare sweet spot.

In short: if you want something that rewards patience, planning, and just a touch of paranoia, Arc Raiders is absolutely worth a buy, especially if you’ve got a good headset and a couple of friends to brave the surface with.

You can download Arc Raiders for $39.99 via Steam or the PlayStation Store.

When deciding whether or not you need an air purifier at home, you're not off the hook just because you don't check The Big Boxes like having intense allergies or living in a wildfire-prone area. There are pollutants and respiratory system irritants accumulating in everyone's home simply from living there. Like the air quality index in your weather app but for inside, the new Dyson HushJet air purifier tells you exactly how much invisible gunk is floating around in the room (then captures it).

For the past few months, I've noticed sporadic recurring cold symptoms, like a constant runny nose and sneezing a lot. I work from home, and while I try to go for a walk every day, there are admittedly days that I don't go outside at all — telling me that the call is coming from inside the house. Pair that with my recent plunge down a TikTok rabbit hole about microscopic mold at home, and you've got yourself a full-blown spiral about needing to breathe cleaner air.

SEE ALSO: The 7 best vacuums for pet owners, from powerful hair pickup to built-in livestream cameras

The timing lined up well with the September 2025 release of Dyson's most powerful and quietest air purifier for small spaces. That'd make any apartment-dwelling pet owner's ears perk up, and I had to try it and validate my own concerns. After just a week with the Dyson HushJet running 24/7 in my apartment, things are a lot less stuffy around here — both my sinuses and the air in the apartment itself.

Dust and mold spores love living rent-free in your home

Indoor air isn't clean by default just because there aren't giant smoke stacks puffing out gray fumes right outside your window. It's probably common knowledge that dust forms from the dead skin cells that we shed every day, as well as pollen brought in from outside, fibers from rugs or clothes, dander and fur from pets, and other yucky, random tidbits. That's what you're breathing in every day, and it can build up in your lungs over time, even if the effects aren't blatant right at this moment.

Given that I review robot vacuums for a living and given how often I get roasted for my chronic daily vacuuming habits, I'm fairly certain that I vacuum far more often than most people do. I use a cordless Dyson stick vacuum with a laser that quite literally points out where the dust is, and my floors still accumulate a layer of dust over a mere 24-hour period.

SEE ALSO: What is the best robot vacuum for pet hair? My cats and I have been testing options at home.

Mold spores are similarly invisible and similarly inevitable. These natural fungi thrive around moisture and tend to hang out in humid spots like AC units or near the washing machine. Different people may be more or less sensitive to mold spores, but again, not great to inhale all the time.

My apartment has particularly poor airflow due to zero windows in the kitchen, poor ventilation, and absolutely useless bathroom fans. Then, the mugginess seems to make odors linger longer than they normally would. If someone makes food, the smell hangs around. If I need to empty the drawer in the automatic litter box, you can smell it the second you walk in the door — and it's my biggest fear to be one of those cat owners whose house smells like a litter box.

The Dyson HushJet's 360-degree Electrostatic filter and Activated Carbon filter can deal with all of these, capturing particles as small as 0.3 microns. For reference, a strand of human hair is about 70 microns wide, while the tiniest mold spores and specks of dust can be less than 1 micron.

How is the Dyson HushJet different from other air purifiers?

The Dyson HushJet strictly projects air upwards from a funky nozzle on top, rather than from around the sides like most canister air purifiers. Like the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer, the concentrated flow of air allows for higher velocity (and subsequently, faster purification). In true Dyson fashion, the HushJet has the futuristic, mechanical vibe that its stick vacuums do. If the top reminds you of an engine, you're right — the star-shaped design mimics jet engine hush kits to produce high-powered "wind" while dulling the roar.

The air purifier's design allows for powerful airflow at a low volume. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable The filter can last up to five years. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

Air pollutants in the room are captured from every angle, though (not just through the top). While you can personally adjust the HushJet's settings to the noise level and purification strength that you want, you can also opt for auto mode. Dyson's Autoreact technology adjusts airflow based on the amount of pollutants sensed every few seconds.

The cylindrical filter is nearly as big as the whole machine itself, which you can reveal by pressing the two buttons on the side to lift the top part of the purifier off. It'd be really easy to change the filter in this thing, but you won't have to worry about that for a while — the Dyson HushJet's Electromagnetic filter is supposed to last for five years.

Does the Dyson HushJet work?

I sensed a decrease in stuffiness very soon after plugging in the HushJet. While I developed some nose blindness to the apartment's stale air while sitting in there all day, I definitely noticed it when coming back inside after a long walk. But even 24 hours of constant HushJet usage made it feel fresher in here. Since I've been trying to cut back on candle usage due to some paraffin paranoia, my home simply smelling like nothing is kind of a dream. Now, a week later, every roommate in the apartment has agreed that cooking smells and cat smells aren't loitering like they used to. The one roommate who eats meat can make bacon without the two vegetarians (who sorely miss BLTs, BTW) having to smell bacon for the next 12 hours.

But you don't just have to base the HushJet's performance on vibes alone. You can see the scientific proof through the live particle tracker, both in the app and on a little LCD screen on the front of the machine. The screenshots below just reflect the progress in my living room within the HushJet's first day.

My apartment's air quality right after setting up the HushJet. Credit: Screenshot: Dyson My apartment's air quality within a day of using the HushJet. Credit: Screenshot: Dyson

I knew I wasn't overreacting. I KNEW OUR AIR QUALITY WAS VERY POOR.

I also appreciate that airflow adjustment can be done from my phone or with physical buttons on the purifier, depending on which gadget I'm closer to. It's way better than having another remote lying around.

Just how hushed is the Dyson HushJet?

To fully live up to the "hush" in HushJet, I think that the purifier should be unobtrusive during daily activities, even on full power. Because otherwise, yeah, any air purifier can technically be hushed if you leave it on the lowest setting — at $349.99, you should be able to take advantage of the machine's full purification potential without having to put up with a constant drone in the background.

Well, Dyson wasn't fronting with this name. The Dyson HushJet is seriously very quiet. Like, I've had to check and make sure it didn't come unplugged or something.

From airflow levels one through four or five, the HushJet is essentially silent. Unless I were to put my ear directly up to the machine in a totally noise-isolated room in a completely unnatural, fabricated situation, I can barely tell a difference between the noise levels of the lower half of the spectrum. If you drag the bar in the app up to levels six through 10, a very faint hum fades in. But even level 10 is notably quieter than the highest setting on the Molekule Air Mini that I've tried, and a world of difference between the airplane takeoff rumble of my parents' Coway Airmega Mighty.

How is this floor air purifier significantly quieter than... Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable ...this mini wall air purifier? Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

I set my HushJet up in the living room corner right by the couch to see how noticeable it was while watching TV or working at my desk, which is right behind the couch. I never even noticed the noise during the day unless I was specifically listening for it. As any horror fan would during October, I watched a shit ton of scary movies from the couch during my first week with the HushJet. At airflow level five, the sound didn't drown out any dialogue or ruin any pre-jump scare ambiance.

I also brought the HushJet into my room before bed a few times. I'm a major white noise person, and leaving the HushJet on overnight felt like a much healthier alternative to turning my wall AC unit on (and probably blowing dander and dust around) just for the noise of the fan. It's also way better than using my phone to play thunderstorm sounds all night — I really don't want "white noise for babies" to be my top song in Spotify Wrapped again.

SEE ALSO: Shark FacialPro Glow review: My first 24 hours of pore de-gunking and sculpting were definitely successful

The HushJet's 10 levels of airflow offer a lot of noise level customization. I'm not a parent, but air levels one through five are genuinely so soft — dare I say soothing — that I think it'd be great for a quiet nursery.

I used the Decibel X app to measure the noise level of the Dyson HushJet compared to the dishwasher murmur. When holding my phone right up beside each, the HushJet gave off 38 decibels on level three (just slightly louder than a whisper), 45 decibels on level five (equivalent to a quiet library), and 60 decibels on level 10 (equivalent to normal conversation). The dishwasher hit 57 decibels up close. If you have a robot vacuum, those HushJet numbers are way quieter than the average roar of suction power (between 65 and 70 decibels) and a self-emptying dust bin (between 70 and 75 decibels).

And remember, these numbers just reflect how loud these devices would be if your ear was less than an inch away. You'd obviously usually be a few feet away from the HushJet.

Downsides: The HushJet just works for one room at a time

The Dyson HushJet has a relatively small coverage area for the price. The HushJet's 203 square foot max is really only purifying a single room for $349.99. The Shark NeverChange Compact Pro that we tested can cover 250 square feet for $179.99, while the popular Levoit Core 600S can cover nearly 3,000 square feet in an hour for $319.99. Granted, more high-capacity purifiers definitely don't have the quiet aspect going for them. The Coway Airmega Mighty sounds like a plane taking off sometimes, and it's nice that the HushJet doesn't make you sacrifice peace and quiet.

SEE ALSO: The best noise-cancelling headphones we use and love

The Dyson HushJet is also nearly as expensive as the $379.99 Blueair Comfort Pure 3-in-1 that we tested and loved. They're similar in size, but the Blueair can also cool or heat the room.

Since the HushJet can only tackle one room at a time, many people will probably want to move it back and forth between rooms as needed, like I did. But unlike many compact floor purifiers that have handles or a strap, there's no great way to pick the HushJet up. You just have to lift from the bottom, but at least it's super lightweight — it only weighs about seven pounds.

Is the Dyson HushJet worth it?

I think the Dyson HushJet is worth the splurge, especially for small spaces. I genuinely noticed fresher air in my stuffy apartment within the first day, and less sneezing for no reason after a full week of use. After giving up on the Molekule Air Mini+ for being unforgivably loud on the highest setting, the Dyson HushJet's quiet operation has been blissful. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for an air purifier for a nursery or to double as a white noise machine overnight.

Because the HushJet's filter lasts for up to five years, it's the first air purifier I can see myself using long-term. If you don't trust yourself to buy new filters every six months, the Dyson HushJet is the perfect lazy person air purifier.

Dyson Hushjet Purifier Compact (White/Silver) $299.99 at Amazon
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SAVE $161: As of Nov. 11, the Hisense 50-inch E6 Cinema Series is on sale for $218.99 at Amazon. That's a 42% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 50-inch E6 Cinema Series $218.99 at Amazon
$379.99 Save $161   Get Deal

Black Friday is technically still a few weeks away, but you don't need to wait until the end of the month to snap up impressive deals. Retailers like Walmart and Best Buy have their events underway already, and Amazon has announced its discounts will begin on Nov. 20. However, there are already some early deals popping up that are catching our eyes. And if you're looking for a new TV, this deal on the Hisense 50-inch E6 Cinema Series is not one to ignore.

As of Nov. 11, this TV is on sale for $218.99, saving you $161. Not only are you saving over $100, but it is down to its lowest-ever price. You really can't beat that. So, if your old TV has packed in and you can't wait until Black Friday begins, this deal is a great one to score early. This price is for the 50-inch model, however all size options of this TV are on sale. From 43-inch all the way to 100-inch, all of these TVs are discounted by at least $100.

SEE ALSO: I found 30+ early Black Friday tech deals I'd recommend to friends and family: Save on Apple, Samsung, DJI

It has QLED color technology and it uses quantum dots to produce over a billion shades for a much more realistic viewing experience. Its Total HDR Solution supports Dolby Vision, HDR10+ Adaptive, HDR10, and HLG, giving you deep blacks and vivid brightness. And as the name would suggest, this TV promises an almost cinema-like experience. This is thanks to the Dolby VisionTM HDR and Dolby Atmos which combine cinema-grade picture and sound for an immersive experience.

On the inside you're getting the Fire TV OS, so you have a great and easy to use interface that puts live channels and apps right at your fingertips. You'll also get Alexa voice so you can search through streaming platforms, ask questions, and do pretty much anything hands free.

Get this great TV deal from Amazon now.