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SAVE $150: As of Dec. 5, the 42-inch LG C4 OLED 4K TV is on sale for $999.99 at Best Buy. This is $150 off its original price of $1,149.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 42-inch Class C4 Series OLED TV (2024) $999.99 at Best Buy
$1,149.99 Save $150.00 Get Deal

If you frequently use a TV for gaming, movie nights, or watching your favorite TV shows, it's definitely worth investing in an OLED TV. Thankfully, after the Cyber Monday sale event, there are still a few on sale. This includes some of this year's biggest and best models, like the LG C4 TVs.

For those looking for a smaller TV for their living space, the 42-inch LG C4 is currently on sale for $999.99 at Best Buy. This is $150 off its original price of $1,149.99 and absolutely worth jumping on if you've been looking for an upgrade, in my opinion.

SEE ALSO: The PS5 Digital Edition is still at its Black Friday price

As someone who picked up an LG C4 TV for themselves this year, it's worth every penny. Games look stunning and smooth on it and movie nights are unbeatable when it comes to the OLED display and 4K resolution. I recently re-watched The Lord of the Rings trilogy and let me tell you, those films look even more gorgeous on this OLED. Filmmaker Mode really made them shine, as did Dolby Atmos for excellent sound.

Deals like this likely won't stick around for long as we inch closer to the holidays, though. So, if you want to jump into OLED with a smaller display for your home, have a look at this 42-inch LG C4 deal at Best Buy.

While some of the bigger deals may have gone by now, there are still a few hanging on after Cyber Monday. If you're curious to see what else is still available, have a look at our breakdown of the best Cyber Monday deals to see if something that caught your eye during the sale is still discounted.

Is Paul Mescal one of those method guys?

"Absolutely not," he tells his SNL colleagues in the sketch above, which is a promo for the episode Mescal will be hosting on Saturday. "That's not my style."

Cue Mescal quickly attempting to start a Gladiator II style challenge to settle a dispute before shooting Mikey Day with an arrow after he tells the actor he can't play Donald Trump Jr.

Stardew Valley fans, there's been an update on the developer's highly awaited next game, Haunted Chocolatier. But before you get too excited, remember these things take a SquidFest's worth of work to create.

The farming/role-playing game's designer, Eric Barone, who works under under the alias ConcernedApe, published a blog post on Wednesday checking in about Haunted Chocolatier's development and reminding fans that it takes time to make a game like this from scratch — and notably solo.

SEE ALSO: 'Stardew Valley' has an official cookbook. Here's how to make Seafoam Pudding.

Barone said he'd been working on the recently released Stardew Valley 1.6 update, originally announced in April 2023, which meant he had to bench Haunted Chocolatier for a moment as he added new content and fixed bugs. But the developer said he has "created a 'vertical slice' of Haunted Chocolatier, essentially a skeleton of the game with most (not all) of its bones in place."

"It’s been a little sad to see Haunted Chocolatier getting dusty on the shelf… but this is the reality of my situation," he wrote. "Stardew Valley is a big and popular game, and I have a lot of attachment to it. I also feel a strong sense of duty and obligation to all the people who have bought Stardew Valley over the years, granting me this rare opportunity to be an indie game developer. So it’s hard to 'let go' of Stardew, even temporarily, to work on something that isn’t already established and meaningful to people."

For fans, Barone shared a little of the "vertical slice" he's created so far for Haunted Chocolatier, with screenshots he noted were "'work in progress' and likely to change before release." Barone is coding the game himself in the Microsoft platform C# (as Stardew Valley was) and entirely from scratch.

Run awaaaaaayyyy! Credit: ConcernedApe

In the post, you can see an adorable hovering ghost character, a scene showing the titular chocolatier's home with rows of vegetables suggesting that requisite farming element, a scene showing the player fighting off a giant horde of incoming pink and purple blobs with a sword (Barone has previously said the game will have "a greater focus on combat" than Stardew), an inventory menu, and two characters (one with purple hair, one blonde).

These are just the latest additions to the sneak peeks we've seen in ConcernedApe's existing screenshots which you can check out on the website. Plus, here's the early gameplay trailer from 2021 you can still savour:

Barone explained there will be no preorders, crowdfunding, or early access of any kind with Haunted Chocolatier, "so I don’t feel a ton of external pressure to finish the game on a timeline. The major source of external pressure is the fact I announced the game kind of early (I had my reasons for doing this), which built up excitement, meaning that if I take a long time, people might become sad. And that is a real pressure to me. But ultimately, I will not release a game unless it is complete and I am very happy with it, and I think that’s what most people would want, anyway."

Enjoy the snippet and head back to your cauliflowers, folks. It'll be here when it gets here.

SAVE $69.01: As of Dec. 5, the Apple Watch Series 10 (46mm, GPS) is on sale for $359.99 after clipping a $19.01 coupon at Amazon. This is 16% off its original price of $429.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS, 46mm) $359.99 at Amazon
$429.00 Save $69.01 Get Deal

There are still a few Apple deals floating around following the big Black Friday and Cyber Monday seasonal sale events. If you were hoping to pick up an Apple Watch on sale, Amazon's here to help as you can still score an Apple Watch Series 10 at a discounted price right now.

The Apple Watch Series 10 with GPS is on sale for $359.99 at Amazon after clipping a $19.01 coupon on the store page. This is 16% off its list price of $429 and is just $0.99 away from its lowest-ever price from Black Friday, according to price tracker camelcamelcamel. A deal like this one may not stick around for long, so act fast to pick it up.

SEE ALSO: Upgrade your earbuds and save $10 on the Apple AirPods 4

This Apple Watch is a worthy addition to a collection of Apple devices as well. Along with health and safety features, sleep tracking, and fitness tracking, this smartwatch has a lightweight design that can fit comfortably on your wrist alongside a larger display. In our review, Mashable's Stan Schroeder also said "if you've never owned an Apple Watch and want to dive in now, the Series 10 is a good place to start."

Who knows how much longer this deal will stick around for, so take advantage of this Apple Watch Series 10 deal while it's still live.

There are a few more Apple deals still live after Cyber Monday, if you're looking to pick some up before the holidays. Have a look at our roundup of the best Apple Cyber Monday deals to see which ones are still hanging on after the sale events.

SAVE $80: As of Dec. 5, Apple AirPods Pro 2 are still on sale for $169.99 at Target. This is 32% off their original price of $249.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 2 (Active Noise Cancellation) $169.99 at Target
$249.99 Save $80.00 Get Deal

The Cyber Monday sale event may be officially over, but there are still quite a few deals leftover to jump on before the holidays kick off. If you still have Apple products on your radar, the good news is that some are still discounted right now, including my personal favorite earbuds: the Apple AirPods Pro 2.

While not as low as they were during Cyber Monday, the Apple AirPods Pro 2 are still on sale at Target for $169.99. This is $80 off their original price of $249.99 and well worth picking up at this price, in my opinion.

SEE ALSO: Upgrade your earbuds and save $10 on the Apple AirPods 4

Not only are these earbuds great for listening to podcasts, music, and audiobooks, but I really love the active noise cancelation. Sometimes while I'm working I'll just put on noise cancelation to help me focus. And for when I need to keep an ear out for what's going on around me, especially if I'm traveling, Transparency mode works wonders so I can hear what's happening around me without skipping a beat.

Our review said, "The AirPods Pro (2nd generation) are a great pair of wireless earbuds. They sound wonderful and have almost uncanny active noise cancelation." If you've been wanting to pick them up for yourself, don't miss out on this Apple AirPods Pro 2 deal at Target.

Looking for even more Apple deals? It's worth having a look at our roundup of Apple Cyber Monday deals to see if anymore are still discounted after the sale event. While many discounts won't be quite as steep, they're definitely still worth a look right now.

SAVE $1000: As of Dec. 5, the Sony 75-inch Bravia XR X93L Mini LED 4K Smart TV is available for $1,498 at Walmart. That’s a $1,000 discount off its original price of $2,498.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony Bravia XR X93L Mini LED 4K Smart TV $1,498.00 at Walmart
$2,498.00 Save $1,000.00 Get Deal

Sony's 75-inch Bravia XR X93L Mini LED 4K Smart TV combines cutting-edge technology with a sleek design, making it one of the best premium TVs around. And now, it's on sale for $1,498 at Walmart — a generous $1,000 off its list price of $2,498. It's pricey, but it's an absolute bargain considering what you get for your money.

This TV's heart is Sony's Cognitive Processor XR, which delivers stunning picture quality with deep blacks, bright highlights, and natural colors that mimic real-world visuals. Paired with the XR Backlight Master Drive and XR Triluminos Pro, the Mini LED technology creates fantastic contrast and billions of vibrant colors for a brilliant visual experience.

SEE ALSO: New consumer protection rules would block data brokers from selling Americans' sensitive info

Gamers will appreciate the HDMI 2.1 features, including 4K/120Hz, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), which ensure smooth, responsive gameplay. If you're a PlayStation 5 owner, exclusive features like Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode optimize your gaming and streaming sessions with incredible picture quality.

Bravia XR X93L offers Dolby Vision, IMAX Enhanced, and Netflix Adaptive Calibrated Mode, letting you enjoy your favorite content exactly as the creators intended. The Bravia Core app allows you to stream high-quality 4K UHD movies directly on your TV.

But the brilliance isn't just visual. With Acoustic Multi-Audio technology, the TV's sound positioning tweeters provide wider, more immersive audio that complements the stunning picture. The Acoustic Center Sync feature enhances dialogue clarity and overall sound immersion if you pair it with a Sony soundbar.

The multi-position stand can be configured in three ways to suit your setup. Placing it on narrow furniture or raising it to accommodate a soundbar? Sony's got you covered. With an anti-reflective screen and wide viewing angles, you'll enjoy a premium picture no matter where you sit.

At $1,498, this deal is a no-brainer for anyone wanting a top-tier TV perfect for gaming, movie nights, and everything in between. In my experience, deals like this don't last long, so make your move before it's too late.

SAVE $200: As of Dec. 5, the Hisense U6 Series 65-inch 4K Smart TV is available for $497.99 at Amazon. That’s a $200 discount off its original price of $698.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense U6 Series 65-inch 4K TV $497.99 at Amazon
$698.00 Save $200.01 Get Deal

If you're looking for a high-performance TV that doesn't blow your budget, the Hisense U6 Series 65-inch 4K Smart TV is what you need. Currently priced at $497.99 at Amazon, this limited-time deal knocks $200 off its regular price of $698.

What sets the Hisense U6 apart is its impressive Mini-LED backlight technology. This contrasts exceptionally with a Full Array of Local Dimming, offering the deepest blacks and brightest highlights. The clarity on this bad boy is brilliant for its deal price point.

SEE ALSO: New consumer protection rules would block data brokers from selling Americans' sensitive info

The TV also features QLED Quantum Dot Color, which brings over a billion vibrant shades to your screen. Colors feel rich, natural, and immersive, which improves image quality regardless of what this TV is used for. Dolby Vision IQ and Dolby Atmos have also come along for the ride, slapping viewers in the middle of the action with immersive sound.

For gamers, the U6 Series has you covered with Game Mode Plus, which includes Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), and AMD FreeSync compatibility. These features ensure smooth, lag-free gaming experiences. Thanks to Motion Rate 240 and Game Booster120, fast-paced action scenes and high-intensity gameplay look seamless and fluid.

Powered by Google TV, Hisense U6 integrates all your favorite streaming apps, voice control via Google Assistant, and advanced WiFi 6 connectivity for faster buffer-free streaming. The Hi-View Engine also uses AI-enhanced processing to continually optimize your picture quality.

At 65 inches, this TV hits the sweet spot for size and performance, making it an ideal centerpiece for any living room or gaming setup. It's also part of a series that offers multiple size options, so you can upgrade to a model that fits your space if you need it.

If you're looking for a TV that combines premium features with unbeatable value, the Hisense U6 Series 65-inch 4K TV is a fantastic deal that won't last long.

SAVE $500: As of Dec. 5, Sony 85-inch X77L 4K Ultra HD Smart TV is available for $998 at Amazon. That’s a $500 discount off its original price of $1,498.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony 85 Inch 4K Ultra HD TV X77L $998.00 at Amazon
$1,498.00 Save $500.00 Get Deal

Shopping for a massive TV with premium features and excellent value can feel overwhelming. Don't worry; I think this deal on the Sony 85-inch X77L 4K Ultra HD Smart TV hits the sweet spot. Currently priced at $998 on Amazon (down from $1,498), this $500 discount makes it one of the best big-screen deals of the season.

What makes Sony X77L stand out? Sony's 4K Processor X1 delivers vibrant colors and sharp detail in every frame. It makes every use case pop, from movies to gaming, with the resulting image quality feeling almost lifelike. The processor also works with 4K XR-Reality PRO to upscale older content, breathing new life into your favorite shows and movies.

SEE ALSO: New consumer protection rules would block data brokers from selling Americans' sensitive info

Games, sports, and action movies look amazing thanks to Motionflow XR technology, which reduces blur during fast-moving scenes. For gamers, the X77L is packed with exclusive PlayStation 5 features, like Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode. You'll get a lag-free and responsive experience if that means nothing to you.

At 85 inches, this TV is a proper centerpiece for your home cinema or gaming setup. Thanks to Google TV, you'll have all your favorite streaming apps in one place. Need to adjust settings or find a show? Use Google Assistant for hands-free control or pair with an Alexa device for seamless integration.

Sony has also thought of practical details. With Apple AirPlay, you can easily share content from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Connectivity options like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, and multiple HDMI ports make it versatile enough for any setup. Plus, the TV is surprisingly slim for its size, allowing it to blend beautifully into any space.

This deal is about grabbing a premium giant-screen TV at a price that won't make your partner flip. If you dream of upgrading to an 85-inch screen without breaking the bank, this is your chance. Sony's X77L delivers everything you need for a top-tier viewing experience, and at $998, it's a deal that's hard to beat.

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

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

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

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

Tweet may have been deleted

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

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

Tweet may have been deleted

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for December 4 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Natural talent or skill

• Green: The outermost part of something

• Blue: Silicon Valley companies

• Purple: Types of stones

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Aptitude

• Green: Exterior

• Blue: Tech Companies

• Purple: ___Stone

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 #543 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Aptitude: FLAIR, GIFT, INSTINCT, NOSE

• Exteriors: FACE, FRONT, OUTSIDE, SURFACE

• Tech Companies: AMAZON, APPLE, INTUIT, ORACLE

• ___Stone: BRIM, LIME, RHINE, YELLOW

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 December 5

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

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

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

SAVE $250: As of Dec. 5, the Samsung 65-inch Q80C QLED 4K Smart TV is available for $748 at Walmart. That’s a $250 discount off its original price of $998.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 77-inch S84D OLED TV $748.00 at Walmart
$998.00 Save $250.00 Get Deal

I've reviewed my share of TVs, but this Samsung 65-inch Q80C QLED 4K Smart TV deal gives buyers bang for their buck. It's available at Walmart for $748 — a hefty $250 off its regular price. This is a steal for anyone looking for a mid-range price tag and flagship performance.

A Direct Full Array QLED display means solid contrast, even in rooms filled with natural light. Watching a movie? You'll notice the difference. Gaming? The Motion Xcelerator Turbo+ keeps every frame smooth and sharp up to 4K 120Hz. And for streaming or live TV, its Neural Quantum Processor ensures every scene is rendered in crisp detail.

SEE ALSO: New consumer protection rules would block data brokers from selling Americans' sensitive info

The Quantum HDR+ sealed the deal for me. It brings colors to life, delivering theater-level brightness and depth to your favorite shows and movies. Pair that with Dolby Atmos™ sound, and you'll feel right in the action. The same goes for gaming on consoles and PCs that support it.

I also love how this TV is designed for modern living. There's a built-in Gaming Hub (no console required) or the SolarCell Remote that charges itself; Samsung has thought of everything. Plus, features like ConnecTime makes taking video calls from your big screen easy. RememberDon't that Samsung TVs have the Game Pass app built in, which means cloud gaming without an Xbox console. However, we'd recommend picking up a compatible Bluetooth controller.

At $748, this Samsung 65-inch Q80C QLED 4K Smart TV is solid. If you're looking to upgrade your setup for holiday movie marathons or level up your battle station, this Samsung QLED is a no-brainer. It'll likely shoot back up to full price sooner rather than later, so don't hang around.

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for December 5 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for December 5 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

To grant or provide something valuable.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no reoccurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter E.

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...

ENDOW.

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 December 5

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 the latest Wordle.

Connections: Sports Edition is a new 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.

Tweet may have been deleted

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

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

Tweet may have been deleted

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for December 5 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: Yank

• Green: "Halyard" not included

• Blue: Aces

• Purple: The Canadian prime minister is not on this list

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Remove from the Game

• Green: Parts of a Sailboat

• Blue: Cy Young Award Winners

• Purple: Famous Justins

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 #68 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Remove from the Game - BENCH, PULL, REPLACE, SUB

• Parts of a Sailboat - HULL, JIB, MAST, RUDDER

• Cy Young Award Winners - COLE, SALE, SKUBAL, SNELL

• Famous Justins: HERBERT, JEFFERSON, MORNEAU, VERLANDER

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.

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

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

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

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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, December 5, 2024:

AcrossCrunch muscles, informally

• The answer is Abs.

Brings in at harvest time

• The answer is Reaps.

Homophone for a winter vegetable

• The answer is Carat.

Prompt someone to say "Why don't you take a picture – it'll last longer!"

• The answer is Stare.

Freshly minted

• The answer is New.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 4 DownShapes of rainbows

• The answer is Arcs.

Homophone for a winter vegetable

• The answer is Beat.

Kitchen wrap brand

• The answer is Saran.

Homophone for a winter fruit

• The answer is Pare.

Warm, hearty winter meal

• The answer is Stew.

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

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

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 the latest Mini Crossword.

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 5 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 5 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Gonna fly now!

These words are things that have wings.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

Words are creatures that fly, often used in storytelling.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is WingedThing.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for December 5

• Griffin

• Butterfly

• Fairy

• Stork

• Dragon

• Angel

• WingedThings

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

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

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

SAVE $170: As of Dec. 5, the iRobot Roomba Vac 2 is on sale for $229.99 at Amazon. That's a 43% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot iRobot Roomba Vac 2 $229.99 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $170.00 Get Deal

Roomba is one of the most recognizable names in the robot vacuum game, and that's for good reason. Its top-of-the-range vacuums are the perfect addition to any home, boasting a range of incredible functions and dirt-cleaning features. So it's no surprise that robot vacuums were one of the most heavily discounted items in the recent Black Friday sales, including the fantastic iRobot Roomba Vac 2.

This model was discounted in Amazon's Black Friday sale, but it has now dropped further to $229.99, an additional $20 off. This is also the lowest this robot vacuum has ever been priced.

SEE ALSO: The PS5 Digital Edition is still at its Black Friday price

So, what's special about this model? Well, like most high-end robot vacuums, the Roomba Vac 2 comes with a self-emptying dock that holds up to 60 days of dirt and debris. This is one of our favorite features at Mashable, because you won't need to empty the vacuum with each use. The whole point of a robot vacuum is to limit your chores, and this does just that.

For thorough cleaning, the powerful three-stage cleaning system gets the job done with four suction levels. This is ideal for tough stains and dirt that won't disappear with just a light vacuum. It also has a Multi-Surface Bristle Brush and an Edge-Sweeping Brush, perfect for those hard-to-reach corners and awkward edges.

Speaking of awkward edges, the smart navigation in the vacuum will keep it from bumping into things (coffee tables, walls, your feet) and clean your floors in neat rows, a big selling point for fans of vacuum lines.

And let's not forget, you can schedule all this to start from your phone, just download the iRobot Home App and start a clean from wherever, whenever. Charging can provide up to 120 minutes of runtime, and if it runs out of battery mid-clean, it'll recharge and pick up the cleaning where it ended.

This deal is only available for a limited time, so head to Amazon now.

Galaxies may not need to crash and smash into each other as much as previously thought to spawn new galaxies, according to two new scientific studies. 

Astronomers used the James Webb Space Telescope, the leading infrared observatory in space, to peer into the murk around the Spiderweb protocluster, a famous metropolis of galaxies in the universe, to study what it takes to form these complex cosmic neighborhoods. Webb is a partnership between NASA and its European and Canadian counterparts. 

The protocluster is about 10 billion light-years away from Earth and exists during a period of the universe's history known as "cosmic noon." In this region during the time — just 3 billion years after the Big Bang — more than a hundred galaxies were under construction. 

What scientists discovered surprised them: Mergers and collisions weren't that important for the process.

"Now we think that star formation can be explained by the accumulation of gas in various parts of the large-scale structures," said Helmut Dannerbauer, one of the researchers at the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias in Spain, in a statement.

SEE ALSO: Webb telescope scientists forced to reckon with enormous galaxy outliers In this James Webb Space Telescope image of the Spiderweb protocluster, galaxies are circled in white. The bottom row of images shows close-ups of seven central galaxies. Credit: ESA / NASA / CSA / H. Dannerbauer

Scientists have frequently trained telescopes on the Spiderweb protocluster. That's because in our neck of the universe, closer galaxy clusters to the Milky Way tend to be old and slowing down. But the Spiderweb is a growing, busy hub of activity, revealing more clues about the steps and ingredients needed to form new galaxies. 

The new research is published in the Astrophysical Journal. The scientists' observations that dust that can turn into new stars is mostly coming from a smooth hydrogen gas accumulation across the region. This finding suggests that gravitational interactions aren't that necessary to produce dust. 

The James Webb Space Telescope's ability to detect light at infrared wavelengths allows scientists to study galaxies forming at a time period in the universe's history known as "cosmic noon." Credit: NASA GSFC / CIL / Adriana Manrique Gutierrez illustration

Webb was built to see the early universe, detecting invisible light at infrared wavelengths. Dust and gas in space obscures the view to extremely distant and inherently dim light sources, but infrared waves can pierce through the clouds. One Webb scientist likened the strength of the telescope to being able to sense the heat of a single bumblebee on the moon.

In addition to revealing new insights into galaxy formation, Webb's penetrating gaze detected two-dozen previously unseen galaxies, published in a companion paper in the Astrophysical Journal. The team is planning follow-up light spectrum studies with Webb to learn more about those galaxies' chemical compositions.

When it comes to streaming, viewers are spoiled for choice between Hulu, Netflix, Max, Disney+, Apple TV+, Prime Video, Shudder, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. And that's before you even look at the vast libraries of movies and television within each one!

Don't be overwhelmed or waste an hour scrolling through your services trying to determine what to watch! We've got your back whatever your mood. Mashable offers watch guides for all of the above, broken down by genre: comedy, thriller, horror, documentary, animation, and more.

But if you're seeking something brand spanking new (or new to streaming), we've got you covered there, too.

SEE ALSO: The best Netflix TV shows of 2024

Mashable's entertainment team has scoured the streaming services to highlight the most buzzed-about releases of this week and ranked them from worst to best — or least worth your time to most watchable. Need a little Christmas... right this very minute? Hankering for a crime tale that's kooky and creepy? Ready for a coming-of-age story that'll blow your mind and rock your concept of the Joker? Or maybe you just want a winsome tale from a galaxy far far away. Whichever's the case, we've got you covered.

Here's what's new on streaming, from worst to best.

7. Fly Me to the Moon

Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum star in a Space Race-set romance that harkens back to the Golden Age of Hollywood with its cheeky sensibility and chic 1960s fashion. Unfortunately, this woefully miscalculated movie is nowhere near as whimsical or funny as you'd reason it should be.

In 1969, NASA is desperate to make its mission to the moon work, so they've got their top NASA launch director (Tatum) on it. But they need a sure thing and an enthusiastic American public, so they also hire an advertising maven (Johansson) to sell the country on the idea — and plot an Earth-bound moon landing shoot in case they need to fake it. While Fly Me To the Moon has its moments — supporting player Anna Garcia is a hilarious standout — it ultimately falls short of its entertainment aims. In Mashable's review, I explained, "[Director Greg] Berlanti has a wide sandbox to play in but no idea what to do with all these toys. In the end, Fly Me to the Moon is not just a misfire but a cataclysmic miscalculation, turning out to be far more tedious than enchanting." — K.P.

Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Channing Tatum, Jim Rash, Anna Garcia, Donald Elise Watkins, Noah Robbins, Colin Woodell, Christian Zuber, Nick Dillenburg, Ray Romano, and Woody Harrelson

How to watch: Fly Me to the Moon comes to Apple TV+ on Dec. 6.

6. Speak No Evil

'Round these parts, we were big fans of 2022's Speak No Evil, a Danish thriller that had us riveting from its deceptively sunny opening act to its totally twisted finale. So we were a tad skeptical when an American remake was announced so swiftly.

Director James Watkins (The Woman in Black) adapted Christian Tafdrup and Mads Tafdrup's original script, translating the action from the Netherlands to rural England, and swapping doe-eyed Danes for American ex-pats. The plot was mostly the same: While vacationing abroad, a family of three befriends a married couple and their quiet son. So they decide to follow their new friends to their remote home and keep the party going. But soon, they discover something wicked lurks in the hearts of their hosts. However, Watkins' version adds new elements and a totally different ending. Admittedly, we weren't fans.

In my review for Mashable, I jeered, "Watkins has gussied up a convoluted action sequence to coddle American exceptionalism. Ironically, he does this by cutting the original's most horrific scenes and in their place offering underwhelming substitutions, like swapping a rare porterhouse steak for a bit of soggy cardboard. Of course, if you've never savored the blood and bite of a steak, this processed remake will probably serve just fine." — K.P.

Starring: James McAvoy, Mackenzie Davis, Aisling Franciosi, Alix West Lefler, Dan Hough, and Scoot McNairy

How to watch: Speak No Evil begins streaming on Peacock Dec. 6.

5. Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story

Documentarians Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui teamed up with the family and friends of Christopher Reeve to unfurl a touching look at his life story.

The film cleverly parallels his rise to fame as Super-Man with his challenging journey after a near-fatal horse-riding accident left him paralyzed from the neck down. Reeve's loved ones share how he rose from this tragedy to become an activist and advocate for people with disabilities, touching on the controversies therein. Archival footage and home movies show the late movie star in interviews, at award ceremonies, at home, and in his advocacy work. Altogether, this paints an emotional and inspiring portrait of a man many saw as super and a hero. — K.P.

Starring: Christopher Reeve, Dana Reeve, Alexandra Reeve Givens, Matthew Reeve, and Will Reeve

How to watch: Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story is now streaming on Max.

4. That Christmas

Richard Curtis, the visionary behind the holiday classic Love Actually, has a new yuletide treat — and this one doesn't have that NSFW stand-in plotline to worry about!

Based on his children's book series, That Christmas is an animated adventure that welcomes audiences into the charming small town of Wellington-on-Sea. There, a flurry of stories are stirring: A young boy pursues his crush on a shy classmate. A band of parents get stranded overnight, leaving their kids to create a holiday celebration for themselves. And a saucy Santa (voiced by Succession's Brian Cox) is sure to get in on the fun.

Filled with beloved British stars, holiday charm, and humor, That Christmas is a terrific choice for the whole family. —K.P.

Starring: Brian Cox, Fiona Shaw, Jodie Whittaker, Lolly Adefope, Alex Macqueen, Katherine Parkinson, Sindhu Vee, India Brown, Zazie Hayhurst, Sienna Sayer, Jack Wisniewski, Rosie Cavaliero, Paul Kaye, Guz Khan, Andy Nyman, Kuhu Agarwal, Bronte Smith, Freddie Spry, Ava Talbot, Bill Nighy, and Rhys Darby

How to watch: That Christmas hits Netflix Dec. 4.

3. The People's Joker

Forget what you think you know about the Joker. Far from DC-approved spinoffs or box office-bombing sequels, The People's Joker employs elements from the classic Batman villain (and a slew of his criminal cohorts) to spin a boldly original trans coming-of-age story.

Co-written, directed, and starring Vera Drew, The People's Joker follows a trans girl from her humble, rural beginnings to a scuzzy, neon-drenched Gotham City, where comedy is outlawed to all but an SNL-like league. Joker the Harlequin (Drew) fights for the right to crack wise. Pulling together DC iconography, autobiographical elements, and a proudly chaotic and crowd-sourced aesthetic, Drew makes a movie that is romantic, funny, tender, bizarre, and endlessly surprising.

SEE ALSO: 'The People's Joker's Vera Drew on WB pressure and her queer superhero parody

The People's Joker gained buzz on the festival circuit, spooked a certain studio, awed critics, and ultimately found its following thanks to film and fitting campaign that encouraged audiences to embrace their inner weirdos. And now it's easier than ever to see what all the buzz was about. Don't miss it. — K.P.

Starring: Vera Drew, Scott Aukerman, Tim Heidecker, Maria Bamford, David Liebe Hart, Robert Wuhl, and Bob Odenkirk

How to watch: The People's Joker debuts on MUBI Dec. 6.

2. The Sticky

From 2011 to 2012, thieves stole millions of dollars worth of maple syrup from Quebec's syrup reserves. Now, the unbelievable true story of the Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist gets the TV treatment thanks to The Sticky. The new Prime Video series stars Margo Martindale, Chris Diamantopoulos, and Guillaume Cyr as three down-on-their-luck outsiders about to embark on the sweetest robbery of the century. (Jamie Lee Curtis pops in later as a Boston gangster out for blood.)

While the heist itself can feel a tad underwhelming after six episodes of build-up (some of it moving syrupy slow), The Sticky's true draw is the chemistry between the conspiring central crew. As I wrote in my Mashable review, "Martindale, Cyr, and Diamantopoulos have created a trio of lovable, flawed criminals who are fully-fledged right off the bat, and watching their dynamic evolve over the course of the season is a sweet treat all by itself." — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter

How to watch: All episodes of The Sticky premiere on Prime Video on Dec. 6

1. Star Wars: Skeleton Crew

Do you want some sweet, sweet childlike joy with your Star Wars? Then check out the franchise's latest TV offering, Skeleton Crew. This rollicking adventure series centers on four young kids who find themselves far, far away from their home planet. On top of trying to get home, they've also got space pirates to worry about — not to mention the shifty Force-user Jod Na Nawood (Jude Law) who's tagging along with them, and who may not be all that he seems. It's basically The Goonies in space, a combination that yields delightful returns.

Among these returns? Four adorable young heroes (played by Ravi Cabot-Conyers, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Robert Timothy Smith, and Kyriana Kratter), some spectacular animatronic aliens, and a refreshing lack of fan service-y connections to other Star Wars shows and movies. (At least, not in the three episodes sent to critics for screening.) In my review for Mashable, I praised Skeleton Crew as being "charming as can be, with its classic adventure story feel setting it squarely apart from other Star Wars TV offerings." — B.E.

Starring: Jude Law, Ravi Cabot-Conyers, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Kyriana Kratter, Robert Timothy Smith, Tunde Adebimpe, Kerry Condon, and Nick Frost

How to watch: Star Wars: Skeleton Crew episodes 1 and 2 are now streaming on Disney+, with new episodes airing weekly.

Honorable mention: A Nonsense Christmas with Sabrina Carpenter

At the time of publishing, none on our team have had the good fortune to watch more than the preview of Sabrina Carpenter's intriguing holiday special. The guest list alone is reason enough to add it to your watch list. (Hey, the promise of a duet between Carpenter and the glorious queer icon Chappell Roan is reason enough!) But having not seen what goodies this pop girlie has in store, we couldn't properly rank this one.

Once you've seen it, tells us where A Nonsense Christmas with Sabrina Carpenter would make it on your list: Naughty? Nice? Both!? — K.P.

Starring: Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, Tyla, Shania Twain, Kali Uchis, Nico Hiraga, Quinta Brunson, Cara Delevingne, Kyle Mooney, Megan Stalter, Sean Astin, Owen Thiele, and Jillian Bell

How to watch: A Nonsense Christmas with Sabrina Carpenter premieres Dec. 6 at 9 p.m. ET on Netflix.

UPDATE: Dec. 5, 2024, 2:04 p.m. EST This piece has been updated to reflect current release information.

TL;DR: Shop for bulk deals, gifts, and more with a 1-Year Sam's Club Membership now for only $25 (reg. $50). 

Opens in a new window Credit: Sam's Club Sam's Club 1-Year Membership with Auto-Renew $25.00
$50.00 Save $25.00 Get Deal

Where are you doing your holiday shopping? If you also need to stock the pantry, clean the house, and prepare for visitors, you might be running all over town. Or, you would be if you didn't change things up this year. 

Changing where you shop might just mean you can get your entire holidays done in one run. Sam's Club members can shop for bulk deals, quality groceries, electronics, jewelry, clothes, home essentials, and even appliances. All it takes is a membership, and even that's on sale. A 1-Year Sam's Club Membership normally costs $50, but there's still time to get one for $25. 

Shop at Sam's Club

Once you redeem your Sam's Club membership, it only takes a few minutes to sign up for an official Membership through Sam's Club. Don't worry. There's no extra cost. You'll get a unique redemption code once you make your purchase. 

It's not just great prices on things you can take home. Sam's Club members unlock some serious extra perks, including discounts on hotel bookings, car rentals, live events, and even movies. Your next night out might be courtesy of your Sam's Club Membership. 

This offer is only valid for new Sam's Club members or former members who let their membership expire within the last six months. 

A Cyber Week investment could help you save money all year. Get a 1-Year Sam's Club Membership for $25. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

TL;DR: See at night with a pair of night-vision binoculars, on sale for $79.97 (reg. $159) through Dec. 8. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Mesay Mini Digital Night Vision Binoculars with 1080p HD Recording $79.97
$159.99 Save $80.02 Get Deal

Gift shopping for outdoorsy folk can feel like your own mountain to climb. It's not just that a lot of outdoor gear is expensive. It's also tough to find equipment that's reliable enough to bring on an adventure and fun enough to justify popping a bow on it. 

Don't worry. The answer is a pair of night-vision binoculars, and they're not as expensive as they sound. These Mini Portable Digital night Vision Binoculars have a 4x digital zoom and can see in total darkness, but they're still only $79.97 (reg. $159). 

From bird watching to owl spotting

Compact enough to fit in a pocket, these night-vision binoculars are a shoo-in for the next camping trip. Their durable design and advanced infrared technology also make them so fun to have, even if you're just out on a walk. The 10x magnification lets you see more of the world, and the 2.4-inch HD screen lets you watch it back. 

The fun doesn't stop when the sun goes down. These night vision binoculars can see up to 1,000 feet away in complete darkness. Take your bird watching to the next level, or just find your way back to the campsite after the call of the wild called a little too late at night. 

These binoculars have seven adjustable brightness levels and four viewing modes — color, black and white, luminous green, and infrared — so they can adapt right along with you. The built-in lithium battery powers hours of use and is replaceable, so you don't need to sit around waiting for a full battery. 

Whether your loved one is an avid hiker, bird watcher, or amateur photographer, these binoculars take their adventures to the next level, and maybe they'll even bring you along for the ride. 

Cyber week sales are almost done. 

Dec. 8 at 11:59 p.m. PT is the cutoff to get a set of mini igital night-vision binoculars on sale for $79.97. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

TL;DR: This 1TB flash drive connects to USB-A and USB-C ports, and it's only $69.97 (reg. $109). 

Opens in a new window Credit: UGR Tech Dual USB-C + USB-A 3.2 High Speed Flash Drive (1TB) $69.97
$109.99 Save $40.02 Get Deal

Cloud storage is good for a lot of things, but transferring files without an internet connection isn't one of them. If you need a more reliable way to access your files, just save them on a flash drive. Don't have enough space? Check out this Dual USB-C and USB-A 1TB Flash Drive that's on sale for $69.97 during Cyber Week. 

1TB in your pocket

It may be small, but it also might be able to hold your computer's whole hard drive. This sleek 1TB flash drive has two ways to connect. One side has a USB-A connector, and the other side connects to USB-C devices. Altogether, you can connect this flash drive to most smart devices, which means no more waiting for your files to go through the internet when you're transferring between devices. 

Read and write speeds reach up to 20-30MB/S. You don't need to install any drivers or log into any accounts to access your storage. 

Any hard storage runs the risk of physical damage. This flash drive has a little extra protection with an anti-drop design, dustproof seals, and a waterproof body. The whole thing is wrapped in an aluminum shell. Just don't go diving with it. 

Until December 8 at 11:59 p.m. PT, you can get a Dual USB-C and USB-A High Speed 1TB Flash Drive for $69.97. And shipping is free. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.