Mashable https://mashable.com Mashable is a leading source for news, information & resources for the Connected Generation. Mashable reports on the importance of digital innovation and how it empowers and inspires people around the world. Mashable's 25 million monthly unique visitors and 10 million social media followers have become one of the most engaged online news communities. Founded in 2005, Mashable is headquartered in New York City with an office in San Francisco. Sat, 07 Nov 2026 13:47:39 +0000 en-us Sat, 07 Nov 2026 13:47:39 +0000 ©2026 Mashable, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 15 <![CDATA[The best iPhones for 2026: We compared cameras, battery life, and overall value]]> https://mashable.com/tech/best-iphones-tested 01259UeYqX2slnmb3BThOoJ Sat, 07 Nov 2026 11:00:00 +0000

What's the best iPhone to buy right now? This fall, that question got a lot more interesting.

In mid-September, Apple launched the new iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max with upgraded cameras, a revamped vapor chamber cooling system, longer battery life, and a fresh, AI-ready chipset. A month later, it released the long-awaited iPhone Duo, its first-ever foldable. Mashable senior editor Stan Schroeder deemed it "the most exciting iPhone since the first one."

The new Apple phones join the standard iPhone 17, the budget iPhone 17e, and the super-slim iPhone Air to round out the 2026 iPhone roster, which now runs on iOS 27. We've tested the entire iPhone family, and we've compared them all to pick the best iPhone for every type of user.

Best iPhones at a glance:
Best iPhone for most people
Apple iPhone 17 (256GB)
$0 with trade-in on select Experience plans at T-Mobile
the iphone 17 in lavender
Best budget iPhone
Apple iPhone 17e (256GB)
$0 with trade-in on Experience Beyond plan at T-Mobile
the apple iphone 17e
Best iPhone for photography
Apple iPhone 18 Pro (256GB)
$0 with trade-in on Experience Beyond plan at T-Mobile
the Apple iPhone 18 Pro
Best iPhone for battery life
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max (256GB)
$2.78/month for 36 months with trade-in on Experience Beyond plan at T-Mobile
the apple iphone 18 pro max
Best foldable iPhone
Apple iPhone Duo (256GB)
$799 with new line and port on Experience Beyond plan at T-Mobile
the Apple iPhone Duo
Best iPhone for design snobs
Apple iPhone Air (256GB)
$0 with trade-in on Experience Beyond plan at T-Mobile
the apple iphone air

A note on Apple's iPhone price increases

Apple's smartphones have never been more powerful, feature-rich, or diverse in their form factors. Alas, they've also never been pricier. Every current iPhone has gotten more expensive due to the ongoing global memory crisis, which has jacked up the cost of electronic components over the past year. (The Duo turned out to be slightly less of a splurge than the gossip mill predicted, though it's still the most expensive iPhone ever.) Unfortunately, there's no escaping higher prices with any other brand: All the best smartphones have seen price increases this year.

SEE ALSO: Memory pricing suggests iPhones could get even more expensive in 2027

So, is it worth splashing out on the Duo or one of the new Pro models? Or would you be perfectly happy with something less snazzy and more wallet-friendly, relatively speaking? After extensively testing every single iPhone, Mashable's experts have recommendations for all budgets and usage needs.

One more thing: Before you buy your new iPhone, be sure to check out our coverage of the latest carrier deals. If you trade in an older device and sign up for a new line or data plan, you could pay a fraction of the price — or nothing at all.

Best iPhone for most people: iPhone 17

a man's hand holding the iphone 17
In addition to plain white (pictured), the iPhone 17 also comes in mist blue, sage, lavender, and black finishes. Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

The new iPhone 18 Pros and iPhone Duo are amazing phones, but they're overkill for the average user. Last year's iPhone 17 is still the most well-rounded, "just right" phone in Apple's lineup. (We don't expect the new base model iPhone 18 to land until spring 2027.)

The iPhone 17 is a fast-enough, long-lasting-enough, nice-looking-enough smartphone that feels "Pro" where it counts for most people. Namely, it has a 120Hz, always-on display and an ultrawide camera with a dedicated macro mode, but none of the extra photography or thermal fixings intended for superusers. Compared to the budget iPhone 17e, which costs $200 less, it has a brighter, smoother screen, nicer cameras, and 15 percent more battery life.

Was the iPhone 17 an earth-shattering upgrade over the iPhone 16? Not really, but it got better in some crucial yet practical ways without straying over the $1,000 mark. Mashable's Schroeder christened it "the most compelling standard iPhone in years."

the iphone 17 in lavender
Apple iPhone 17 (256GB)
$0 with trade-in on select Experience plans at T-Mobile
 

iPhone 17 specs

  • Screen size and display: 6.3-inch OLED display with 2,622 x 1,206 resolution and 120Hz variable refresh rate

  • Cameras: 48MP (wide), 48MP (ultrawide), and 18MP (front)

  • Battery life (rated): Up to 30 hours of video playback

  • Processor: Apple A19

  • Storage: 256GB or 512GB

  • Colors: Black, white, mist blue, sage, or lavender

  • Dimensions: 5.89 x 2.81 x 0.31 inches

  • Weight: 6.24 ounces

  • Software: iOS 27

Best cheap iPhone: iPhone 17e

a man's hand holding the iphone 17e
The iPhone 17e is Apple's first budget smartphone with MagSafe support. Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

  • Read our full review of the iPhone 17e

  • Who it's for: We recommend the iPhone 17e for frugal shoppers who just want the core iPhone experience, as well as those who like small, pocket-friendly phones. It would also make a great starter phone for a teenager.

The iPhone 17e delivers your go-to iOS features like FaceTime and Siri AI, plus the classically clean Apple look — now with MagSafe! — for the least amount of money. It's a compact little device with a sharp, if not super-smooth display, and a battery that should last you a day between charges. It runs on the same A19 chip as the regular iPhone 17 and starts with the same amount of storage (256GB), which makes it more future-proof than last year's iPhone 16e (which started with half that).

The cameras on the iPhone 17e aren't as "versatile" as the ones on the iPhone 17, Schroeder said; it lacks an ultrawide lens and has a noticeably inferior front camera. But at least it takes marginally better low-light pictures than its predecessor.

the apple iphone 17e
Apple iPhone 17e (256GB)
$0 with trade-in on Experience Beyond plan at T-Mobile
 

iPhone 17e specs

  • Screen size and display: 6.1-inch OLED display with 2,532 x 1,170 resolution and 60Hz refresh rate

  • Cameras: 48MP (wide) and 12MP (front)

  • Battery life (rated): Up to 26 hours of video playback

  • Processor: Apple A19

  • Storage: 256GB or 512GB

  • Colors: Black, white, or soft pink

  • Dimensions: 5.78 x 2.82 x 0.31 inches

  • Weight: 5.96 ounces

  • Software: iOS 27

Best iPhone for photography: iPhone 18 Pro

the iphone 18 pro in a man's hand
Good riddance, cosmic orange. Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

Both the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max feature the latest Apple camera technology, but we think the former has greater appeal for on-the-go shutterbugs because it's more compact and less expensive.

What's new with those cameras? A new physical variable aperture on its main camera lens, for starters. This gives you more control over the exposure and depth of field of photos. It works automatically, but you can also adjust it manually via the Camera app. There, you'll find other new Pro controls for tweaking settings like white balance and shutter speed; new Photographic Styles; new Cinematic effects that can be applied to videos after they're recorded; and a new Focus Tracking tool that locks on moving subjects.

The average user might appreciate those upgrades, "but I do bet that the majority of people will try out the manual aperture setting once and then leave it on auto," wrote Mashable's Schroeder in his review. Power users will make the best use of them.

Besides the new camera features, the new A20 Pro chip also provides extra support for AI tasks, including the newer, smarter Siri AI. There's plenty of storage space, too: Unlike older iPhones, the 18 Pro supports up to 2TB of storage.

the Apple iPhone 18 Pro
Apple iPhone 18 Pro (256GB)
$0 with trade-in on Experience Beyond plan at T-Mobile
 

iPhone 18 Pro specs

  • Screen size and display: 6.3-inch OLED display with 2,622 x 1,206 resolution and 120Hz variable refresh rate

  • Cameras: 48MP (wide), 48MP (ultrawide), 48MP (4x telephoto), and 18MP (front)

  • Battery life (rated): Up to 36 hours of video playback

  • Processor: Apple A20 Pro

  • Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB

  • Colors: Black, silver, glacier, and burgundy

  • Dimensions: 5.91 x 2.83 x 0.34 inches

  • Weight: 7.44 ounces

  • Software: iOS 27

Best iPhone for battery life: iPhone 18 Pro Max

the iphone 18 pro max next to the iphone 18 pro
The iPhone 18 Pro Max (left) is a slightly larger and even longer-lasting version of the iPhone 18 Pro (right). Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

  • Read our full review of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max

  • Who it's for: The latest iPhone Pro Max is geared toward battery life maximizers who hate being chained to an outlet and Apple fans with large hands. That's not a euphemism for anything: This is a big ol' phone.

The iPhone 18 Pro Max is rated for up to 45 hours of video playback per charge, making it the longest-lasting iPhone ever. (Its battery is so big that Apple had to come up with a way to get around shipping restrictions that limit battery sizes, according to MacRumors.) Inside, you'll find the powerful A20 Pro chip and an improved vapor chamber cooling system that helps prevent overheating during extended heavy use. Schroeder tried to push this new hardware to the limit "by playing a few games of PUBG: Battlegrounds on the highest settings for a full hour," he wrote, and "The phone barely got warm." What's more, its battery only fell by nine percent.

The regular iPhone 18 Pro has the same chipset and cooling system as the Max version, though it's shorter-lived and smaller. The iPhone 18 Pro Max's size is an advantage for mobile gamers and movie-watchers who value immersion (but not so much that they can justify an iPhone Duo).

the apple iphone 18 pro max
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max (256GB)
$2.78/month for 36 months with trade-in on Experience Beyond plan at T-Mobile
 

iPhone 18 Pro Max specs

  • Screen size and display: 6.9-inch OLED display with 2,868 x 1,320 resolution and 120Hz variable refresh rate

  • Cameras: 48MP (wide), 48MP (ultrawide), 48MP (4x telephoto), and 18MP (front)

  • Battery life (rated): Up to 45 hours of video playback

  • Processor: Apple A20 Pro

  • Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB

  • Colors: Black, silver, glacier, and burgundy

  • Dimensions: 6.43 x 3.07 x 0.34 inches

  • Weight: 8.78 ounces

  • Software: iOS 27

Best foldable iPhone: iPhone Duo

the iphone duo next to a cup of espresso
Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

  • Read our full review of the iPhone Duo

  • Who it's for: The iPhone Duo is a worthy investment if you're a well-off early adopter, tech enthusiast, or avid multitasker who consumes most of their entertainment on their phone. It's not for people who rely heavily on Face ID — it only has Touch ID.

Apple's first foldable is a feat in hardware and user interface design. It has some first-gen quirks, but they're not dealbreakers. And though it's expensive, "it's a quality-made product with enough novelty to justify the high asking price," said Schroeder.

The Duo features a passport-style design with a roomy matte inner display, a smooth hinge, and an extremely subtle crease. This form factor opens up a world of usage possibilities. You can use it closed like a normal phone. You can snap it open to play games and watch movies on it, like you would a tablet. You can have two apps running side by side. (It has the same peppy A20 chip as the new iPhone 18 Pros, so it's got plenty of horsepower for heavier workloads.) You can even draw or take notes on either display using a USB-C Apple Pencil.

The Duo's battery life isn't Pro-tier, but it's quite good for a device that powers two screens at once. In typical mixed use, it lasts about as long as the cheap iPhone 17e. Its cameras are probably the most lackluster thing about it, especially its crummy inner selfie camera, but that's typically the case with foldables, in our experience.

the Apple iPhone Duo
Apple iPhone Duo (256GB)
$799 with new line and port on Experience Beyond plan at T-Mobile
 

iPhone Duo specs

  • Inner screen size and display: 7.6-inch OLED display with 1,878 x 2,670 resolution, 120Hz variable refresh rate, and nano-texture finish

  • Outer screen size and display: 5.4-inch OLED display with 1,398 x 2,034 resolution and 120Hz variable refresh rate

  • Cameras: 48MP (wide), 48MP (ultrawide), 12MP (front, outer), and an additional inner, under-display FaceTime camera (resolution TBA)

  • Battery life (rated): Up to 44 hours of video playback when using the outer display; up to 31 hours of video playback when using the inner display

  • Processor: Apple A20 Pro

  • Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB

  • Colors: Night sky and star white

  • Unfolded dimensions: 4.64 x 6.48 x 0.21 inches

  • Folded dimensions: 4.64 x 3.31 x 0.44 inches

  • Weight: 8.96 ounces

  • Software: iOS 27

Best iPhone for design snobs: iPhone Air

the iphone air
Left: The iPhone Air is so thin. Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable
Right: Like, REALLY thin. Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

  • Read our full review of the iPhone Air

  • Who it's for: This is the iPhone for minimalists and aesthetes who care more about their phone's looks than its performance. Its camera system, in particular, is pretty mediocre for the money.

People who bought the iPhone Air often say the same thing: Its svelte form factor ruins you for other phones.

The iPhone Air is the thinnest handset Apple has ever made — and arguably the "sexiest," said Schroeder. If you set it next to one of the iPhone Pros, "it feels like a Ford F-150 parked next to a Porsche," he wrote. "The Porsche may not have the utility that a pick-up has, but it turns heads." The bezels on its smooth, detailed display are virtually invisible, and its rear camera bump blends into the back of its chassis when you look at it straight-on. It's made from titanium, so it's not easy to scratch up, and it's super comfy to hold. It's peak Apple sleekness.

An A19 Pro chip makes the iPhone Air mildly faster than the A19-powered iPhone 17, though it doesn't last as long. (Apple makes a MagSafe battery that you can slap on the back of it, but costs $100 extra and works against the device's "ultra-thin" thing.) Camera-wise, it has better zoom than the iPhone 17, but it misses out on an ultrawide shooter à la the iPhone 17e. While you probably won't win any photography prizes with the Air, it's perfectly fine for selfies and everyday snapshots.

the apple iphone air
Apple iPhone Air (256GB)
$0 with trade-in on Experience Beyond plan at T-Mobile
 

iPhone Air specs

  • Screen size and display: 6.5-inch OLED display with 2,736 x 1,260 resolution and 120Hz variable refresh rate

  • Cameras: 48MP (wide) and 18MP (front)

  • Battery life (rated): Up to 27 hours of video playback

  • Processor: A19 Pro

  • Storage: 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB

  • Colors: Space black, cloud white, light gold, and sky blue

  • Dimensions: 6.15 x 2.94 x 0.22 inches

  • Weight: 5.82 ounces

  • Software: iOS 27

Mashable tech editor Timothy Beck Werth also contributed to this guide.

]]> <![CDATA[We found 14 early Black Friday Apple deals: Grab AirPods and MacBooks on sale]]> https://mashable.com/tech/best-early-black-friday-apple-deals-2026 029krnA3zNln19LF7ctLeDD Sat, 07 Nov 2026 10:05:00 +0000

Apple raised prices this year, but who didn't? Well, now that Black Friday sale season is here, this is your best chance to cancel out those price hikes. That's why we're paying extra close attention to early Black Friday Apple deals.

Yes, Apple does do Black Friday, but not in the way you might expect. Shopping directly on Apple's website usually means getting a measly gift card for future purchases. The real way to find great deals? Looking at retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and Target. Especially as Black Friday approaches (mark Nov. 27 in your calendar), retailers duke it out to see who can offer the best prices on AirPods, MacBooks, and iPads. Walmart and Amazon are infamous for outdoing each other by a single cent.

Usually, prices on Apple products drop to record lows during the hectic Black Friday weekend. However, especially good deals can also sell out quick. In my five years covering Black Friday at Mashable, I've seen many an AirPod Pro deal go out of stock before I can finish writing a 200-word story about the deal.

SEE ALSO: 14 headphones deals that are already Black Friday-worthy

Shopping early lets you score decent savings while avoiding the post-Thanksgiving chaos. So, how do you know what to buy, and what to save for Black Friday and Cyber Monday? That's where the expertise of the Mashable shopping team can be helpful.

How I chose the best early Apple deals

Let's start with the very expensive elephant in the room. In June, Apple raised prices on MacBooks, Macs, iPads, the HomePod, Apple TVs, and even the Vision Pro headset, followed by iPhone price increases in September. With many products rising up to $200 in price, the likelihood of seeing products fall to record-low prices is, well, low. Instead, I used price-tracking tools to look for products at or near record-low prices over the past five months.

SEE ALSO: The 45 best early Black Friday deals: Shop Kindle, Lego, and Bose

I also took into account the frequency of deals. If, like the AirPods Pro 3, there's a $50 deal that's nearly always on, I don't necessarily consider that a deal worth highlighting. On the other hand, if an iPad is $100 off for the first time in a month, I'll include it and note its pricing history.

Finally, I considered our reviewers' first-hand experiences with these products. Most of the items in this guide have been hands-on tested by at least one person on the Mashable staff, and I prioritized Mashable award winners, choosing the best deals based on overall product performance and value.

Best Black Friday AirPods deal

airpods 4
Credit: Apple
Apple AirPods 4
$89 at Walmart
$129 Save $40
 

Why we like it

AirPods with no active noise cancellation are a thing of the past, unless you pick up a pair of the last-generation earbuds. The AirPods 4 without ANC don't stand up against the AirPods 5 with ANC at full price, but picking them up for a sub-$100 price point makes them a much better buy. With five hours of battery life per charge, an IP54 water- and dust-resistance rating, spatial audio for immersive listening, and voice isolation for calls, they're a great daily pair of earbuds. With no silicone ear tips, they're also ideal for folks who like the Apple experience, but prefer a semi-open ear design.

While this $89 sale price has been live for some time, I imagine Walmart is clearing out the last of its stock — these earbuds are no longer sold new at Amazon, Apple, or Best Buy (at least, not by a first-party seller). During Black Friday, I imagine they'll clear out for good.

More early AirPods deals
Apple AirPods Max 2
$449 (save $100)
blue airpods max

Black Friday AirPods deals to watch for

  • The Apple AirPods Pro 3 are on sale for $199 at the time of writing. While the $50 discount off their $249 isn't necessarily bad, it is common, and almost certain to get significantly lower during the week of Black Friday. Ahead of June's Prime Day sale, they dropped to a record low of $169.

  • The AirPods 5 haven't received a proper discount yet, as Apple's newest AirPods. The version without a wireless charging case got a few dollars off the $129 around their release, while the $149 wireless charging case edition hasn't had any price drops. If these buds are going on sale in 2026, Black Friday is likely when.

Best early MacBook deal

blue 13-inch macbook air
Credit: Apple
Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD)
$1,349 at Amazon
$1,599 Save $250
 

Why we like it

At $250 off, this is the lowest price we've seen on the 13-inch MacBook Air since June. The terabyte of built-in storage means you probably won't ever run into the issue of having to delete a bunch of files when updating your operating system, while the M5 chip will easily power you through daily tasks. According to our laptop expert, this is a great laptop for college students due to its size, but it's also a great daily driver in general. If you prefer a slightly larger display, the 15-inch Air with 1TB of storage is also $250 off at the time of writing.

More early MacBook deals
Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD)
$684 (save $15)
navy macbook neo
Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD)
$1,099 (save $200)
silver 13-inch macbook air
Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD)
$1,299 (save $200)
black macbook air 15-inch
Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD)
$1,549 (save $250)
silver 15-inch macbook air
Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD)
$1,599 (save $200)
starlight 13-inch macbook air

Black Friday MacBook deals to watch for

MacBook prices went up in June of this year, with the Neo jumping by $100 and the Air by $200. That means it's highly unlikely we'll see any prices reach their former record lows, even if they're starting at a much higher price point. I've taken this into account as I select the best deals and note the deals to look out for.

  • The MacBook Neo only dropped $10 over October Prime Day, which means that the $684 price isn't bad, but the real Black Friday dream for this laptop would be if it dropped back down to its former list price of $599.

  • The MacBook Pro hasn't really dropped below the sale price of $1,799 since the price was raised in June. That is, except for one time on October 31, according to the price-tracking tool camelcamelcamel, when it fell to $1,349. While I'm not keeping my fingers crossed for that much of a price dip, a $250 discount would at least be an improvement.

Best early iPad deal

blue 11-inch ipad air
Credit: Apple
Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M4, 128GB, WiFi)
$649.99 at Amazon
$749 Save $99.01
 

Why we like it

While it's pricier than the base iPad, the M4 chip in this tablet means that it's more versatile, being just as good for streaming as it is for creative projects. Since the price raise on iPads, the Air has fallen to $649 a handful of times, dropping even as low as $559 in August. Still, even with the price raise this is one of the better value (and more future proof) tablets you can pick up from Apple. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a return to the $559 low, but in the meantime, this is a solid deal to pick up in early Black Friday sale season.

More early iPad deals
Apple iPad (A16, 128GB, WiFi)
$399.99 (save $49.01)
pink apple ipad
Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M4, 128GB, WiFi)
$849.99 (save $99.01)
purple 13-inch ipad air
Apple iPad Pro, 11-inch (M5, 256GB, WiFi)
$1,099 (save $99.01)
silver 11-inch ipad pro

Black Friday iPad deals to watch

  • The base iPad used to regularly go on sale for $299 pre-price raise. Its current $399.99 price isn't bad, especially compared to the rest of the iPad lineup — but it could be even better.

  • The 11-inch iPad Pro is technically on sale, but a price drop of $99 on a $1,200 isn't significant. It is the lowest price this tablet has dropped to in the past five months, which is why I included it as one of the best early deals. Still, a $200 price drop for Black Friday would make this a more palatable tablet to pick up.

Best early Apple Watch deal

black apple watch ultra 3
Credit: Apple
Apple Watch Ultra 3 (49mm, GPS + cellular)
$549 at Best Buy
$799 Save $250
 

Why we like it

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 shares similar features to the newer Ultra 4. In his review of the Ultra 4, Mashable's Stan Schroeder wrote, "It's an amazing smartwatch, but not an essential upgrade from last year's model." A huge benefit of opting for the Ultra 3? The list price is $100 cheaper, and during Best Buy's first phase of Black Friday deals, it's at an even more impressive discount of $549, making it $150 cheaper than the Ultra 4's current sale price of $799. In other words, it's easily the best Apple Watch deal available right now.

More early Apple Watch deals
Apple Watch Ultra 4 (49mm, GPS + cellular)
$799.99 (save $99.01)
black apple watch ultra 4

Black Friday Apple Watch deals to watch

  • The Apple Watch SE 3 dropped $50 to a price of $199 during October Prime Day, so I expect to see a return to this price point during or in the lead-up to Black Friday.

  • The Apple Watch Series 12 was announced just this past September, but it has dropped down to $349.99 once already. In Black Friday's past, new generations of Apple Watch have fallen as low as $329. It would be great to see a return to that pattern, but with RAMaggedon, we're hoping for a $50 markdown.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters or get Mashable push alerts today. 

]]> <![CDATA[Taskmaster Champion Chloe Petts on Richard Ayoade, Hide & Seek & The Beans Task]]> https://mashable.com/entertainment/taskmaster-champion-chloe-petts-alex-horne-greg-davies-interview-say-more 025GoA55lwdOFQ4Chcehz7W Sat, 07 Nov 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Fresh off their triumph in the wildly chaotic Series 22, Taskmaster champion Chloe Petts sits down with Say More's Mark Stetson to break down what it really takes to claim Greg Davies’ golden head.

From navigating the unfiltered comedic mayhem of fellow contestants like Richard Ayoade to executing game-winning strategies—including the legendary hide-and-seek decoy and that heartbreaking baked beans calculation—Chloe opens up about balancing raw competitive drive with pure absurdity. Plus, they reflect on the moments that almost broke them and their work co-founding the queer comedy collective, The LOL Word.

Taskmaster Series 22 is streaming now on YouTube.

]]> <![CDATA[The M5 MacBook Air just got its biggest discount since Apples price hikes: Save $250 pre-Black Friday]]> https://mashable.com/tech/nov-6-apple-macbook-air-m5-deal 01Zpy2FGx9obx3ouTZ0Mp2m Sat, 07 Nov 2026 10:00:00 +0000

SAVE $250: Two configurations of the M5 Apple MacBook Air are $250 off at Amazon and Best Buy as of Nov. 6. Get a 13- or 15-inch model with 16GB of RAM and a full 1TB of storage starting at $1,349.

the 13-inch m5 apple macbook air
Credit: Apple
Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD)
$1,349 at Amazon and Best Buy
$1,599 Save $250
 
the 15-inch macbook air
Credit: Apple
Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD)
$1,549 at Amazon and Best Buy
$1,799 Save $250
 

Some of the Black Friday MacBook deals we expected to see later this month have arrived early. As of Nov. 6, Amazon and Best Buy are both selling two popular configurations of the Apple MacBook Air (M5) for $250 off, a discount that completely erases their summer price hikes —and then some.

For the uninitiated, the M5 MacBook Air is a Mashable Choice Award winner. Tech editor Timothy Beck Werth called it "an impressive piece of machinery" with a premium, lightweight design, a "fantastic" display, and a ridiculously fast processor. (Read his full MacBook Air review.) This is the most recent version of the MacBook Air, as Apple's recent MacBook releases focused solely on the Pro models.

The 13-inch MacBook Air with 16GB of memory and 1TB of storage has fallen to $1,349 (normally $1,599), while its 15-inch counterpart is marked down to $1,549 (typically $1,799). The other configurations of Apple's sleek and speedy ultraportable are all $200 off, which isn't too shabby in the age of RAMageddon.

We feel confident in recommending these MacBook deals to early bird shoppers. Last Black Friday, no retailers' MacBook discounts exceeded $250. In 2024, Amazon offered $255 off a couple models, but we don't think a potential extra $5 savings is worth waiting several weeks for; at that point, you risk your preferred model selling out.

]]> <![CDATA[Smosh Games puts its spin on The Traitors in two supersized Werewolf episodes]]> https://mashable.com/entertainment/smosh-werewolf-interview-spencer-agnew-amanda-lehan-canto-tommy-bowe 06jMj0Iuz8KN9LTjb1aOwSE Sat, 07 Nov 2026 10:00:00 +0000

When Smosh Games plays the social deduction game Werewolf, or variations on it, the vibes are of cousins gathering in a basement during a family holiday party. A herd of the comedy channel's cast members squeezes onto one massive couch, which quickly becomes a war zone as a team of "villagers" must suss out the "werewolves" among them. Accusations fly, alliances crumble, and general chaos abounds.

SEE ALSO: If you love 'Traitors,' you need to play these games

This November, though, Smosh Games levels up its Werewolf videos in a big way, with two supersized Werewolf in Real Life episodes. Each installment throws cast members Courtney Miller, Amanda Lehan-Canto, Tommy Bowe, Chanse McCrary, Angela Giarratana, Guchi, Courtney Theophin, and Eli Gonzalez into a mansion for a larger-than-life game of Werewolf, hosted by fellow cast member Shayne Topp. It's basically Smosh meets The Traitors, and it's certainly the channel's most ambitious project since 2025's Smosh Summer Games, which spanned across every Smosh YouTube channel.

Want more film and TV news and reviews delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for Mashable’s Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

Other gaming channels, such as Good Time Society and No Rolls Barred, have pulled off similar large-scale projects based on social deduction game Blood on the Clocktower. In 2020, Smosh Games even put out Among Us in Real Life, a video that feels like Werewolf in Real Life's progenitor. But while that video clocks in at 17 minutes long and takes place on Smosh's real-life set, Werewolf in Real Life goes bigger, with episodes ranging from an hour to an hour and a half long, as well as elaborate sets and costumes.

Amanda Lehan-Canto, Angela Giarratana, and Courtney Theophin in "Werewolf in Real Life."
Amanda Lehan-Canto, Angela Giarratana, and Courtney Theophin in "Werewolf in Real Life." Credit: Smosh

For Smosh Games Channel Director Spencer Agnew, a project of this magnitude seemed daunting at first.

"I don't think I felt ready to do something like this," Agnew told Mashable in a video call.

Agnew credits the 2025 arrival of Smosh Games producer Anders Norberg, who also co-directed Werewolf in Real Life with Agnew, for helping push him and the team to believe in a project of this scale. Norberg's background includes working on reality TV series like Survivor and Big Brother, so his experience proved vital for Werewolf in Real Life.

The reality TV influence shines through in Werewolf in Real Life's cast confessionals, a narrative tool Smosh also employed in the return of Smosh Summer Games. However, the main focus remains the gameplay, which combines the standard roles of One Night Ultimate Werewolf with the deliberations and side conversations of Blood on the Clocktower. (Players do vote each other out, Traitors-style, at dramatic roundtables.)

SEE ALSO: What's new to streaming this week? (Nov. 6, 2026)

"The biggest thing that we had for this was, I wanted to preserve the structure and momentum of a normal game of Werewolf or Blood on the Clocktower, which was always going to be really hard when shooting on location," Agnew said.

Agnew and the Smosh Games crew had to ensure that the cast maintained a sense of urgency and Werewolf-style paranoia throughout the shoot. Unlike The Traitors, where cameras are running throughout the castle, Werewolf in Real Life could only film in one room at a time, meaning the cast had to take breaks from the game while the crew reset for the next shots. Yet the transitions between scenes feel seamless.

A large part of that comes down to the immersion of the environment, which cast members said helped them lock into the game.

"Being in a massive haunted mansion, if you will, and being in full costume — and the thing is, not costumes, those were legit Irish wool sweaters, a Greek fisherman cap — it just immediately raised the stakes for me," Lehan-Canto told Mashable in a joint video interview with Bowe. "I was like, 'It's Werewolf. Someone is gonna die tonight.'"

"When you're in your comfy sweater and you're sitting on a couch ass to ass with everyone and you're looking at a card, there's less energy around it. It's more casual," Bowe added. "[With Werewolf in Real Life,] your call time is early, you're getting into a full outfit, and you're playing Werewolf, and Shayne looks like a Christmas tree made out of special fabrics. It made it so intense that in the second episode, Chanse will not let me have a one-on-one conversation because he's just truly giddy about talking to people."

The cast of Smosh in "Werewolf in Real Life."
The cast of Smosh in "Werewolf in Real Life." Credit: Smosh

The costumes, designed by costume designer Mila Hermanovski, were inspired by the villagers in Resident Evil Village at Agnew's request, while the set, helmed by production designer Andrew Lau, ushers in a deliciously spooky atmosphere.

"To me, the costumes and the set really helped everyone come to life, and it gives them so much more comedic fodder," Agnew said. "That's my favorite thing to do, is to set cast up with a playground that they can play in, and props to play with, and costumes to inhabit, and characters to figure out, and it makes my job the easiest, most fun job in the world."

While the first episode presents a fairly standard game of Werewolf, with just two Werewolves and a Seer, the second episode, out Nov. 8, promises to take things further. This time around, the game incorporates roles like the Hunter, who gets to kill someone if they're killed; the Bodyguard, who has the ability to protect someone during the night phase; and the Cupid, who chooses two players to be Lovers, whose fates are bound to one another.

"The people that Cupid picked feels like a produced moment, but it was genuinely off the cuff, and it leads to the funniest moments ever," Agnew teased.

Even as Werewolf in Real Life kicks it up a notch from episode to episode, Agnew and Norberg are already cooking up what new installments of this level of immersive gameplay could look like for Smosh's future. At some point, Agnew would love to incorporate the Tanner role, whose main objective is to get killed by the villagers, and who has led to several twisty moments in Smosh Games' usual Werewolf fare.

Elsewhere, Agnew and Norberg are looking at reskinning the game to fit into different eras. Hermanovski suggested a '70s-era Studio 54 moment, while Agnew is also intrigued by a late '60s, early '70s Scooby Doo-inspired look.

Whatever the future of the game looks like, the priority for Agnew remains authentic cast reactions, as well as a limited level of producer-manufactured drama.

"I feel like we could play the exact same roles we did in the last one, and it would be just as fun and funny, because they're just an incredible cast," Agnew said.

The first episode of Werewolf in Real Life is now on YouTube. The second premieres Nov. 8 on the Smosh Games channel.

]]> <![CDATA[We found 45 early Black Friday deals already live: Get $200 off MacBooks, 53% off Bose headphones]]> https://mashable.com/tech/best-early-black-friday-deals-2026 05KQ4efP0LQlo7QFCwDRXxo Sat, 07 Nov 2026 10:00:00 +0000
Best early Black Friday deals at a glance
Best Apple Deal
Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD)
$1,099 (save $200)
apple macbook air
Best headphones deal
Bose QuietComfort noise-cancelling headphones
$169 (save $190)
Bose QuietComfort
Best TV deal
TCL 75-inch QM8L SQD-Mini-LED QLED 4K TV
$1,497.99 (save $1,502)
TCL 75-inch QM8L SQD-Mini-LED QLED 4K TV
Best Amazon device deal
Amazon Kindle Bundle (16GB Kindle, Knit Case, Kindle Click)
$190.97 (save $34)
Amazon Kindle Bundle (16GB Kindle, Knit Case, Kindle Click)
Best kitchen deal
Ninja Crispi Air Fryer
$159.99 (save $20)
Ninja Crispi Air Fryer
Best Lego deal
Lego Pokémon Eevee
$47.99 (save $12)
Lego eevee

The moment Halloween wraps, we turn to the holiday season. For most people, that means Hallmark holiday specials, planning Thanksgiving, and Christmas music on the radio. But for Mashable's shopping team, it means only one thing: It's time to prep for Black Friday sales. Yes, we know that Black Friday 2026 doesn't technically start until Nov. 27, but that hasn't stopped retailers.

So, we are officially on the hunt for the best early Black Friday deals. And as of this writing, we've found huge $200 discounts on MacBook Air laptops, 53% discounts on Bose noise-cancelling headphones, and 50% savings on award-winning QLED TVs, not to mention discounts on Pokémon Lego sets and other items on our holiday wishlists.

So, if you don't want to wait for Thanksgiving to get your hands on the best gifts of the year, retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Sephora, and Best Buy already have plenty of early deals to entice you. And in a year of relentless price hikes, it's nice to finally get some relief.

How do we choose the best deals? The Mashable shopping team has an encyclopedic knowledge of the latest tech gadgets, gifts, and trending products. We use price-tracking tools, insider knowledge, and our years of experience covering sales like this to search for the best discounts. We're looking for first-ever price drops on new products, steep markdowns on past-gen products, and record-low prices on must-have items from Apple, Ninja, Shark, Dyson, and Lego.

Best early Black Friday Apple deal

apple macbook air
Credit: Apple
Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD)
$1,099 at Amazon
$1,299 Save $200
 

Why we like it

The Apple MacBook Air is a stunner of a laptop, with the blazing-fast M5 chip. If you have a MacBook that's a few generations behind, you'll instantly notice a difference with the speakers and cameras, not to mention Siri AI. In the weeks before Black Friday, this popular laptop is $200 off, bringing it down to its lowest price in almost six months. It's also the best price we've seen since Apple raised prices over the summer.

Read Mashable's full review of the Apple MacBook Air (M5).

More Apple deals

AirPods

iPads

iPhones

MacBooks

Best Black Friday deals on headphones and earbuds

Bose QuietComfort
Credit: Bose
Bose QuietComfort
$169 at Amazon
$359 Save $190
 

Why we like it

The best Black Friday deals always include savings on noise-cancelling headphones. And the Bose QuietComfort are not only some of the most comfortable headphones in the world (according to our headphones reviewer), but also some of the best mid-range headphones you can buy. And when they're marked down 53%? Nothing else comes close. Pick up these ANC headphones while they're marked down to just $169 and thank us later.

More headphones deals

More earbuds deals

Best Black Friday TV deal

TCL 75-inch QM8L SQD-Mini-LED QLED 4K TV
Credit: TCL
TCL 75-inch QM8L SQD-Mini-LED QLED 4K TV
$1,497.99 at Amazon
$2,999.99 Save $1,502.00
 

Why we like it

Black Friday is one of the best times of year to buy a new TV, and you don't have to wait until the end of November. Go ahead and treat yourself to an award-winning 75-inch TCL QLED TV for a cool 50% off the retail price. It comes with built-in Google TV OS, up to 6,000 nits of brightness, and a super-thin design for a modern look. Plus, Amazon is tossing in free delivery and unpacking in the room of your choice.

More TV deals

Under 50-inch TV deals

50 to 55-inch TV deals

65-inch TV deals

70 to 75-inch TV deals

80 to 85-inch TV deals

Over 85-inch TV deals

Best Amazon device deal

Amazon Kindle Bundle (16GB Kindle, Knit Case, Kindle Click)
Credit: Amazon

Why we like it

We consider ourselves Kindle experts, and we've been eagerly testing all of the new Kindle e-readers Amazon released this fall. Even though the new Kindles just came out, you can already pick up the base model and the new Kindle Click page turner in a discounted bundle. BookTok has been waiting a long time for a proper Kindle page-turner accessory, and we're big fans.

If you're not interested in the Kindle Click, we expect all of the new Kindles to get their first real discounts when Black Friday begins, so you may want to add them to your cart and wait until Nov. 27.

More Kindle deals

2026 Kindle Deals

2024 Kindle Deals

More Amazon Device deals

Best kitchen deal

Ninja Crispi Air Fryer
Credit: Ninja
Ninja Crispi Air Fryer
$159.99 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $20
 

Why we like it

You may have heard that Mashable's gift experts recently named the Ninja Crispi glass air fryer as the best kitchen gift of 2026. This 4-in-1 countertop appliance actually comes with two glass containers, which are sized just right for easy storage. We've had very good experiences with Ninja appliances in recent years, and this particular air fryer has become a Mashable team favorite.

More Kitchen deals

Best Lego deal

Lego eevee
Credit: Lego
Lego Pokémon Eevee
$47.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $12
 

Why we like it

We love Pokémon. We love Lego. Putting them together just makes sense, especially as we're celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise. Legos are always popular holiday gifts for kids and adults alike, and we're anticipating big Black Friday Lego deals. The pre-Black Friday season is also a great time to order Lego Advent calendars.

More Lego deals

]]> <![CDATA[The best free deals ahead of Black Friday: Shop Kindle+, Audible, Apple Music, and more for free]]> https://mashable.com/tech/best-early-black-friday-free-deals-2026 05IzAKL3JEOMQTWl7nUcFal Sat, 07 Nov 2026 10:00:00 +0000
The best free deals ahead of Black Friday:
Best free membership deal
Amazon Prime
30-day free trial
Amazon Prime logo
Best free reading deal
Kindle+
30-day free trial
Kindle+ logo
Best free music deal
Apple Music
1-month free trial
Apple Music logo
Best free audiobook deal
Audible
30-day free trial
Audible logo

I’ve spent the past few weeks looking through early Black Friday deals, and while I love a good discount, nothing beats an unexpected freebie — especially when I’m buying gifts for other people.

SEE ALSO: The Black Friday 2026 countdown is on: Our top 7 hacks for finding the best deals

Of course, “free” usually comes with a few conditions. You might need to be a new subscriber, qualify for a specific offer, or remember to cancel before the first charge is made. So I’m rounding up the free trials worth considering, along with what you get, who qualifies, and what you’ll pay if you keep the subscription.

Best free membership deal

Amazon Prime logo
Credit: Amazon

Why we like it

Paying for a membership just to shop a sale feels a little counterproductive. Luckily, eligible customers can try Amazon Prime free for 30 days. Starting your trial now gives you time to shop early deals and still have it for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. After the trial, Prime costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year, depending on your selected plan.

Prime comes with more than free shipping, though that’s probably the perk you’ll use most while shopping for gifts. You also get Prime Video, Amazon Music’s ad-free listening options, access to a selection of books through Prime Reading, and member-exclusive deals. The newest addition is $0 delivery fees on eligible Uber Eats restaurant orders of $25 or more placed through Amazon — a useful extra for the nights you’d rather order dinner than make it.

Best free reading deal

Kindle+ logo
Credit: Amazon

Why we like it

Books are one of those things I don’t particularly enjoy putting a spending limit on. A subscription at least gives you a way to read more without paying for every title separately. Kindle+, formerly Kindle Unlimited, offers a 30-day free trial with access to a catalog of ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, and comics. It automatically renews at $11.99 per month unless you cancel.

You might also see an offer for two months for $0.99 total. That’s not free, but it’s worth comparing with the trial before you choose.

Best free music deal

Apple Music logo
Credit: Apple Music

Why we like it

A music subscription is pretty easy to test for a month. You’ll have time to find your favorite artists, try a few playlists, and decide whether you like it enough to pay for it. New subscribers can get one month of Apple Music free, including ad-free listening and downloads for when you don’t have an internet connection. The Individual plan costs $11.99 per month afterward.

And despite the name, you don’t need an iPhone to use it — Apple Music also works on Android and Windows.

More free music deals

  • Spotify Premium Individual — One month free for people who haven’t tried Premium before, then $12.99 per month. Includes ad-free music and offline downloads.

  • Amazon Music Unlimited Individual — 30 days free for new subscribers, then $11.99 per month for Prime members or $12.99 per month for nonmembers, plus applicable tax.

Best free audiobook deal

Audible logo
Credit: Amazon

Why we like it

Not all reading has to involve sitting down with a book. Audible’s 30-day free trial lets new customers choose one audiobook from its collection, including bestsellers and new releases, and listen to an included catalog of podcasts. After the trial, it automatically renews at $8.99 per month unless you cancel.

There’s also a separate promotion for three months at $0.99 per month, plus a $20 Audible bonus. I wouldn’t call that free, but paying $2.97 for three months might make more sense than taking one free month and then paying the regular rate.

More free audiobook offers

  • Hoopla — Free through participating public libraries. Check whether your library offers access before signing up; this is library borrowing, not a subscription trial that turns into a monthly bill.

  • Kobo Plus Listen — 14 days free, then $7.99 per month. The Read & Listen plan includes both ebooks and audiobooks for $9.99 per month after the trial. You can use the Kobo Books app on your phone or tablet, so there’s no need to buy an e-reader.

  • Everand — 30 days free, with plans starting at $11.99 per month afterward. The trial includes one premium-title unlock, plus unlimited access to a separate catalog of more than 20,000 audiobooks, ebooks, and podcasts.

  • All You Can Books — 30 days free, then $24.99 per month. The service advertises unlimited downloads from its catalog of audiobooks, ebooks, language courses, and other content, and says downloaded files remain yours even after cancellation.

Best free magazine and news deal

Apple News+
Credit: Apple

Why we like it

Apple News+ gives new subscribers one month to try its collection of newspapers and magazines, making it a different option from the book-focused subscriptions above. The subscription costs $12.99 per month after the trial.

I’d use the free month to check whether the publications you actually want to read are included. A long list of magazines sounds nice, but it doesn’t mean much if you’re only opening one of them.

]]> <![CDATA[Ms. Rachels debut album is coming to Yoto: How to preorder for Christmas]]> https://mashable.com/life/ms-rachel-debut-album-yoto-card-how-to-buy 07d1QmQa4XW5Sk3xKN4kpAd Sat, 07 Nov 2026 10:00:00 +0000

TL;DR: Ms. Rachel and Mr. Aron's debut studio album I'm So Happy arrives on the screen-free Yoto audio platform on Nov. 12, packing all 23 tracks onto a physical card ahead of the holiday season.

Ms. Rachel I'm So Happy Yoto Card
Credit: Yoto

If you live with a toddler, Ms. Rachel's catchy melodies and speech-development tunes are probably already the permanent soundtrack in your home. Between their massive YouTube following and a hit Netflix series, Rachel and Aron Accurso have basically become honorary members of millions of households. The only real catch was that letting your toddler pick the songs usually meant giving up your phone screen.

That changes this holiday season. Interactive children's audio company Yoto announced that I'm So Happy, the couple's debut studio album, will land in Yoto's physical library starting Nov. 12. Marking the first time Ms. Rachel's music is available on a dedicated kid-friendly audio platform, the physical card is available for preorder on the official Yoto website for $14.99.

All 23 tracks on a screen-free smart card

The I'm So Happy card packs every single one of the record's 23 tracks into a physical smart card that little hands can control themselves. When the record first came out, it quickly became an absolute staple for families, dominating the children's music charts.

Executive-produced by Rachel and Aron alongside Grammy-winning producer Scott Riesett, the tracklist includes viral fan favorites such as "I Love a Rainbow," "Big Feelings," "I Could Be Your Friend," "Icky Sticky Bubblegum," and "Hop Little Bunnies." It also features fresh arrangements of classic playground staples like "Old MacDonald" and "The Wheels on the Bus," as well as early-learning jams like "Phonics" and "Counting to 20!"

Kids simply slide the card into the slot on any Yoto player to start the audio, so they can jump, clap, and sing along without holding a fragile smartphone.

Yoto Mini vs. Yoto Player 4th Gen

Yoto Mini 4th Gen
Credit: Yoto Play
Yoto Mini 4th Gen
$109.99 at Yoto Play
 
Yoto Player 4th Gen
Credit: Yoto Play
Yoto Player 4th Gen
$149.99 at Yoto Play
 

The card is backward-compatible with every generation of Yoto hardware (and works inside the free Yoto mobile app), but if you do not own a device yet, Yoto's latest fourth-generation lineup covers two distinct use cases.

If your family is often on the move, the Yoto Mini (4th Gen) is built specifically for strollers, car rides, and road trips. It features a rugged, puddle-proof exterior, up to 16 hours of battery life on a single charge, and enough internal memory to store over 1,000 hours of audio offline.

In the box, you get the player, a USB-C charging cable, a Welcome / Make Your Own card, a free digital Journey Jams card, and free access to Yoto Daily and Yoto Radio streams.

SEE ALSO: Yoto announces 4th generation of popular audio players

For everyday listening around the house, the full-sized Yoto Player (4th Gen) is designed to stay parked on a nightstand or shelf; it swaps the ultra-compact frame for richer stereo sound, an integrated full-panel nightlight, and a built-in "okay-to-wake" clock face that helps little ones learn when morning has arrived.

Like the Mini, it ships with a USB-C cable, a Make Your Own card, access to Yoto Daily and Yoto Radio, and a free 5 Minute Stories From Around the World digital card.

You can preorder the I'm So Happy card for $14.99 before it lands on doorsteps Nov. 12. If you are looking to get a jump on holiday shopping, pairing it with a player is pretty much a guaranteed win for any toddler house.

]]> <![CDATA[Dave and Busters rebrands to Doom and Busters for Avengers: Doomsday — what to expect]]> https://mashable.com/life/dave-and-busters-marvel-doomsday-takeover 06loD6qA131chFfnghfWOhx Sat, 07 Nov 2026 10:00:00 +0000

TL;DR: Dave and Buster's is temporarily rebranding to Doom and Buster's ahead of Marvel Studios' Avengers: Doomsday, rolling out new arcade games, themed cocktails, and double-ticket DOOMHOUR events from Nov. 16 through Jan. 31, 2027.

Doctor Doom is not waiting around for his return to the big screen to claim new territory. Ahead of Marvel Studios' Avengers: Doomsday arriving in theaters on Dec. 18, Dave and Buster's is temporarily surrendering its name, gaming floors, and bar to Latveria's ruler for a nationwide takeover dubbed Doom and Buster's.

While select Marvel games began rolling out to arcade floors this week, the full experiential takeover officially launches on Nov. 16 and runs through Jan. 31, 2027. Between now and late January, visitors have two and a half months to jump into new Marvel games, collect exclusive merch, and sip themed drinks as they count down to the premiere.

Doom and Buster's Marvel Cosmic Invasion
Credit: Dave & Buster's / Marvel

Step inside the Doomsday Zone

The cornerstone of the takeover is the in-store Doomsday Zone, framed by custom entry arches, Marvel signage, and villainous game displays. The rollout introduces many brand-new games and interactive attractions:

  • Marvel Cosmic Invasion — A fast-paced, four-player beat-'em-up where you pick two Marvel superheroes and switch between their abilities mid-fight to survive waves of enemies.

  • Avengers: Roller Race and Battle — A four-player head-to-head racing game where the fastest racer to the finish takes down a villain along the way to help save the day.

  • Human Crane — A life-sized claw attraction where guests strap into a harness, lift off, and get lowered directly into a pit of giant inflatables and prizes.

  • Mystery Crane — The classic claw machine with a twist, hiding surprise prizes inside mystery pillow boxes.

  • Thor's Hammer Strike — A test-of-strength cabinet where one hammer swing can land your name on the leaderboard and score ticket jackpots.

  • Smash N Win — A target-shooting game where players can collect 20 different Marvel character-themed balls.

  • The Arena — A dedicated interactive space featuring immersive gameplay and themed floor takeovers.

  • Avengers Themed Photo Booth — A commemorative photo booth where you can snap solo or group pictures and take home a physical photo keepsake.

The Arena
Credit: Dave & Buster's / Marvel

Arcade floors will also feature an Avengers Funko pusher machine stocked exclusively with themed Funko collectibles, limited-edition Marvel cotton candy flavors, and collectible Power Cards spotlighting Doctor Doom, Thor, and Yelena available at kiosks while supplies last.

Double ticket drops and villainous cocktails

For ticket hunters, Doom is also taking over the prize desk math. Starting Nov. 16, locations nationwide will trigger DOOMHOUR — a surprise 60-minute window that awards double tickets on all green-swipe games.

D&B Rewards members will receive advance warning straight to their phones: an in-app notification 24 hours ahead reveals the date, and a second notification drops the day of to reveal the exact hour before in-store screens and D&B Live radio sound the alarm for everyone else. Fans can also rack up exclusive digital badges and bonus game chips by completing new Rewards Challenges inside the mobile app throughout the event.

Doom's rule extends straight to the bar with three cocktails and two mocktails running through Jan. 31, 2027:

  • Doomsday's Dominion — Melon liqueur, pineapple, and Smirnoff vodka paired with an ominous Black Magic sidecar.

  • Multiversal Mule — Dragon fruit and ginger beer spiked with Smirnoff, edible shimmer, and a glowing LED cube.

  • Fantastic Flight — A four-part flight of mini citrus sour cocktails highlighting different super-powered flavors.

  • Panther's Potion (Mocktail) — An alcohol-free cherry and ginger blend served with a shimmering vibranium sidecar.

  • Captain Punch (Mocktail) — A tropical blue raspberry and coconut mocktail finished with a sour candy ribbon.

Attractions, games, and drink availability can vary by venue across Dave and Buster's locations. You can check your local store's game lineup and sign up for DOOMHOUR alerts on the Doom and Buster's website.

]]> <![CDATA[DJI unveils an all-weather drone built for pitch-black rescue missions: Features, night vision, and thermal imaging]]> https://mashable.com/tech/dji-matrice-5t-drone-launch 06vh2bQeEoSRFKbnlOsXUzK Sat, 07 Nov 2026 10:00:00 +0000

TL;DR: DJI launched the Matrice 5T, a rugged enterprise drone packing 1K thermal imaging, LiDAR, and AI object tracking to find missing people in pitch-black darkness and bad weather.

DJI Matrice 5T
Credit: DJI

Searching for a missing person across dense forests or choppy waters is grueling enough in broad daylight. Once night falls, or when heavy fog and blinding rain set in, standard aerial cameras hit a hard physical wall. Search and rescue crews are often left squinting at pixelated monitor screens and hoping a flashlight beam catches something reflective.

DJI designed the Matrice 5T to tackle those exact conditions. Built for first responders, disaster relief crews, and infrastructure inspectors, the enterprise drone functions as an all-in-one sensor rig engineered to handle pitch-black darkness, dense dust, and stormy weather.

Instead of using a standard night camera, the Matrice 5T packs a dedicated multi-sensor setup. The heart of its nighttime search gear is a native 1K thermal camera (1280 x 1024 resolution) with four times as many pixels as typical 640 x 512 sensors, letting teams spot faint heat signatures in cold terrain or rubble. With Ultra-High Resolution mode turned on, it doubles to 2560 x 2048 to keep heat sources crisp against messy backgrounds.

Thermal tech built for darkness

That thermal view is backed by long-range zoom and full-color night optics. The wide camera pulls color out of near-total darkness down to 0.01 lux, while a telephoto camera combines monochrome night vision with up to 176x hybrid zoom to read license plates from 400 meters away. For close-up utility work, a separate 50MP medium telephoto camera checks hardware from 10 meters out.

Flying low in the dark is risky around trees and wires, so the Matrice 5T combines omnidirectional low-light fisheye sensors with LiDAR and millimeter-wave radar. The top-mounted LiDAR spots thin overhead lines up to 32 meters away at night and locks onto them to fly alongside during line checks.

When the weather turns, the millimeter-wave radar cuts through thick fog, heavy rain, or blowing dust that blinds regular cameras. In deep river canyons or between tall buildings where GPS drops out, the drone fuses its visual and radar data to map the area in real-time, keeping flight smooth and steady.

Built-in AI and longer flight times

Spotting something in the dark is one thing, but figuring out what it is takes more work. The drone packs built-in edge AI models that can scan both thermal and standard video feeds in parallel to recognize more than 20 object categories, from vehicles and boats to individual humans. Responders connected to DJI FlightHub 2 can enter text prompts or upload reference images in the DJI Pilot 2 app to have the drone automatically sweep patrol zones and flag targets.

SEE ALSO: The best early Black Friday drone deals have landed — save on DJI, Ruko, Antigravity, and more

To keep long operations running without constant battery swaps, the aircraft offers up to 59 minutes of flight time and carries an IP55 weather-resistance rating, so it can operate in dust storms, downpours, and temperatures ranging from minus-20 degrees to 50 degrees Celsius. The O4 Enterprise transmission system reaches up to 40 kilometers, backed by cellular dongles and multi-drone relay modes to keep video streams live even when mountains or buildings block a direct line of sight.

Fast field modeling and tighter security

Beyond search missions, the drone doubles as a high-precision surveying tool. Paired with DJI Terra, the controller turns 200 photos into 2.5D models or local point clouds in just eight minutes — no ground control points needed. It can also generate 3D models on the fly to auto-route inspections along bridges and solar grids, or handle takeoffs and landings directly from moving boat decks.

Because enterprise and emergency data is sensitive, DJI requires opt-in permissions to share photos and video, while U.S. operators no longer sync flight logs to company servers. The system uses AES-256 encryption alongside ISO 27001 and ISO 27701 certifications. For restricted airspace, a built-in Flight Termination System module lets pilots cut propeller power on demand or triggers automatically if the drone strays past a preset geofence boundary.

SEE ALSO: The best early Black Friday drone deals have landed — save on DJI, Ruko, Antigravity, and more

The DJI Matrice 5T is now available through authorized DJI Enterprise dealers.

]]> <![CDATA[Give your screen time a musical upgrade with an app that gives you piano lessons for life]]> https://mashable.com/life/nov-7-skoove-premium-lifetime-subscription 04uun4czLnmJjT5jt5ZO8Py Sat, 07 Nov 2026 10:00:00 +0000

TL;DR: Move through your piano learning journey at your own pace with this lifetime subscription to Skoove Premium Piano Lessons, on sale now for just $109.97 (reg. $299.99) through Nov. 8.

Skoove Premium Piano Lessons: Lifetime Subscription
Credit: Skoove

It’s easy to lose an hour scrolling on your phone without anything to show for it. If you’re looking for an easy way to use your phone for good, it may be time to try Skoove Premium Piano Lessons. This innovative app turns your smartphone, tablet, or laptop into your very own private piano instructor, helping you work on your skills whenever you have free time.

Right now, you can lock in a lifetime subscription to Skoove Premium Piano Lessons for just $109.97 through Nov. 8.

Turn your spare time into piano lessons with Skoove. This AI-powered app makes it easier than ever to learn an instrument, without spending a fortune on lessons or commuting to a studio.

Whether you’re a total beginner, an intermediate player, or an advanced pianist, you can improve your skills with Skoove Premium Piano Lessons. Thanks to the AI component, it can provide real-time feedback to help you improve with every session — all you need is a piano or keyboard and a tablet, smartphone, or computer to get started.

Skoove gives you personalized feedback as you go, and even plans lessons for you. The app is packed with over 400 lessons and thousands of instructional videos to choose from. You’ll also learn tunes by some of your favorite artists, from Adele to The Beatles.

If you need more help with your piano skills, Skoove also offers one-on-one support with real music instructors. Your lifetime subscription includes monthly updated lessons and songs, so you’ll never run out of material.

Lock in your own lifetime subscription to Skoove Premium Piano Lessons for just $109.97 now through Nov. 8.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

]]> <![CDATA[Get 7 Microsoft Office apps with this $30 lifetime license]]> https://mashable.com/tech/nov-7-microsoft-office-professional-2021-for-windows 00zVCyF7f3ZUa2VQ2tsBdnr Sat, 07 Nov 2026 10:00:00 +0000

TL;DR: If you’re looking for tools that don’t require a subscription, snag this lifetime license for Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows can be yours for just $29.97 (reg. $219.99) through Nov. 8.

Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License
Credit: Microsoft

Whether you need to update your resume or put together a household budget, Word and Excel continue to come in handy regularly. If you haven’t had a license for these helpful Microsoft Office tools, let this be your sign. You can get these two classics and five more with this Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows lifetime license — now for only $29.97 until Nov. 8.

If you’re tired of paying monthly for your go-to productivity apps, it’s time to go old school. This Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows license gives you old staples and new favorites for a one-time low price — no recurring fees required.

Let this suite of Microsoft Office apps help you tackle documents, spreadsheets, presentations, emails, note-taking, and more. It includes your old go-tos, like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, plus new additions like Teams, Access, and OneNote.

A ribbon-based user interface makes it easy to access all the features, tools, and customizations you need. This edition is tied to your PC, not a Microsoft account, so it is affordable and ready for use at work and at home.

Make sure you’re running Windows 10 or Windows 11 prior to purchase. After you buy, you’ll receive instant delivery and download access.

Get your own lifetime license for Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows for just $29.97 now through Nov. 8.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

]]> <![CDATA[AI agents may run your household. What could go wrong?]]> https://mashable.com/tech/ai-agents-for-parents-pros-and-cons 05TXpYKWVKkoNfRCFCoSaBS Sat, 07 Nov 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Erica Layer, a mom of a 2- and 6-year-old, has an enviable to-do list for her AI agent. 

The busy executive relies on an Instinct agent for low-stakes but time-intensive household tasks like meal planning, calendaring, and birthday reminders. 

"I do get a huge amount of time back," Layer says of delegating to an AI agent. "But also I'm doing the things that I just was dropping completely before."

Still, Layer is conflicted about her agent's persistence. The AI has suggested completing tasks on her behalf without explaining what happens to the data it accesses. Recently, her Instinct agent researched a family trip in Portugal, where she lives, and offered to book train tickets. 

SEE ALSO: 'Not everything needs to be known': How one day with no phone changed my life

The catch? It wanted her kids' passports to make the purchase. Layer runs a fractional AI company, operates her own team of agents professionally, and has taught nearly 100 people to build agentic operating systems. She consulted Instinct's data privacy terms, felt they lacked transparency, and worried about how her data would be used. Layer, who wrote about her experience, made the reservation herself instead.

Mashable attempted to contact Instinct's founder for comment but did not receive a reply as of publication.

Like many parents — particularly moms — Layer is eager for an agent to handle the exhausting aspects of running a household. At the same time, she's unwilling to connect her personal data to a platform without clarity about its policies. 

Parents are poised to be among the earliest adopters of AI agents for their families, yet unclear risks may compromise their personal and sensitive data. Experts say the excitement over agentic products for families is warranted, but that parents should first grasp how to best protect their data. 

"I would love to have this mental load out of my head"

In a few short months, overwhelmed parents in the U.S. suddenly have their pick of agentic products. The September launch of Meta's Muse, reportedly in response to Instinct's early success, sparked instant competition. OpenAI quickly followed with its AI agent Dots, and Anthropic opened a waitlist for its "proactive" agent Claude Duet.  

These products have overshadowed startup offerings like Fambot and Fo, both created by working parents and tech executives turned entrepreneurs. Fambot bills itself as a parent's "AI chief of staff" and Fo insists it'll "get sh*t done." 

Meanwhile, Marissa Mayer, formerly the CEO of Yahoo, debuted her AI agent Dazzle to viral controversy after sharing with the New York Times that she asked her AI agent to choose three of her twin daughters' standout qualities for a school birthday slide. Mayer said on X the anecdote lacked important context about trying to challenge Dazzle with the prompt. 

Either way, Layer wrote on Substack that she didn't appreciate how the response to Dazzle minimized the value of AI tools for households, particularly for working moms.

S. Shyam Sundar, director of the Penn State Center for Socially Responsible Artificial Intelligence, says parents who turn to AI to save time on tedious tasks aren't being selfish.

"I think it's looking out for more the psychological welfare of the household and the relationships within that household," he said. 

Amy Wu Martin, a new mom and partner at the early-stage investment firm Menlo Ventures, says she's saved a lot of time letting Muse and Claude research whether restaurants and hotels are kid-friendly. 

"I would love to have this mental load out of my head," she says of mundane parenting tasks. 

Parents as early AI adopters 

Menlo Ventures' survey research suggests parents are indeed AI power users. They are nearly twice as likely to use AI daily as non-parents. Among parents polled by the firm, 40 percent use AI daily for tasks like meal planning, shopping, and logistics. She envisions a future in which AI agents can handle purchases for parents, like ordering diapers. 

Personally, Wu Martin has stopped short of connecting her inbox to an agent because of data security concerns. She's open, however, to letting an AI agent coordinate calendars with her husband.

Fambot, co-founded by dad of three and former Uber executive David Reich, turns school emails, sports schedules, and parent chats into a clear daily plan. 

The agent gets read-only access to a parent's inbox, calendars, and WhatsApp groups and proceeds to manage every task it perceives relevant. It parses the school newsletters, sports schedules, and parent chats, then generates specific action items, calendar events, and a text summary each evening of what the parent needs to know. 

Shivani Poddar, who previously worked as a senior engineering lead at Google DeepMind, recently launched the AI agent Fo through her startup Wajo AI. While it's not designed specifically for parents, Poddar says she relies on it for tasks like reminding her to buy a Halloween costume well in advance and finding a Mandarin class in San Francisco for her toddler. Fo can also bring a human customer service agent into its loop if necessary. 

Really, Poddar says, she's looking to gain time back to spend with her child, and she knows other parents want that, too. 

AI agent privacy and safety red flags

Kayne McGladrey, a virtual chief information security officer, says parents who want to use an AI agent can take reasonable privacy precautions. 

Yet he understands that many consumers have developed "privacy nihilism." They feel like their digital lives will be compromised at any moment regardless of their choices. That can make vigilance feel like a losing battle, especially when privacy and security policies are dense and packed with jargon.

Privacy phrases to watch out for

He recommends evaluating an agentic product's marketing claims, especially those related to privacy and security. Consumers should look for phrases like "zero retention," "zero training," "no storage on the provider's server," and "zero-knowledge encryption." 

Such phrases indicate the company's data practices prioritize consumer privacy and security by storing information carefully and limiting whether it's used to train AI models.

McGladrey, a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), also says consumers should check to see if a company isolates credentials. 

This is critical if an agent, for example, has a consumer's bank account and Gmail passwords. Those pieces of data should be stored and used separately. When saved in the same place, it dramatically increases the risk that they can be stolen by bad actors who can exploit a user's inbox to access their bank account.

Why inbox privacy matters

Generally speaking, parents may underestimate the sensitive information in their inbox. They may want an AI agent to read the weekly school newsletter but forget that their inbox also includes private communication with school staff, health care, and mental health providers, for example.  

McGladrey says an agent having access to a child's health care information isn't necessarily an immediate problem. Instead, the longer-term question is where that data is stored and what happens to it over time. 

If an AI agent startup goes out of business and lands in bankruptcy court, that data could end up in the hands of another company. Advertisers would also love to access families' lives at this scale for better targeting, McGladrey notes. 

While consumers may be inclined to trust an AI agent from a well-known platform like Meta, that company has had its own privacy scandal.

McGladrey says IEEE is developing new standards for agentic security so companies can reference widely accepted privacy and security benchmarks. Those likely won't be ready until 2027, however. 

Risk vs. reward

Nevertheless, McGladrey understands that some parents will embrace AI agents for convenience, despite the potential trade-offs. 

"I think that it's going to be an individual determination of what we're willing to accept for risk versus reward or perceived reward," McGladrey says. 

As much as Erica Layer would love to maximize an AI agent for her family's needs, she presently uses Instinct without connecting it to her email or personal information. Fambot, Fo, and Muse, among other agentic products, are not available to her yet in Europe. 

"I am waiting for the company that builds with safety in mind," she says.

]]> <![CDATA[5 pieces of dating advice that will sabotage your love life]]> https://mashable.com/life/sabrina-zohar-interview-dating-advice 07gbH2NiBjXloBrqL6ppjTH Sat, 07 Nov 2026 10:00:00 +0000

If he wanted to, he would. If he likes you, you'll know. If he doesn't, you'll be confused. If it's meant to be, it'll happen. Spend just a smidgeon of time on dating TikTok, and you'll likely be greeted by one of these hackneyed platitudes. TikTok is riddled with bad dating advice that reduces the human experience to a set of rigid rules.

Relationships aren't that simple, says certified dating coach Sabrina Zohar, author of the New York Times bestseller Why Am I Like This? She believes the black-and-white thinking that dominates dating advice on social media could be holding us back from actually getting to know people.

Zohar is beloved online for her no-bullshit approach to dating. With 6.3 million followers across social media, she hosts the Sabrina Zohar Show, which is currently ranked in the top 0.05 percent of podcasts globally. Her no-nonsense insights don't always land, however. "I get yelled at all the time," she tells Mashable in an interview. "I get yelled at for saying 'Someone texting you or someone not texting you doesn't mean they don't like you.' And people lose their marbles because it's safer to hold on to a narrative they believe than to create something new because it takes more bandwidth."

"I don't think people are dating to connect," she says. "I think they're dating to be chosen."

So hold onto your marbles, but toss these pieces of dating advice that are likely holding you back.

If he wanted to, he would

First up on her list of least-favourite pieces of dating advice is: "if he wanted to, he would." And she's not alone in her dislike for this all-too-popular TikTok cliché. In 2020, I wrote about my distaste for this particular piece of advice. People in my life have said it to me in response to my own dating woes, and it usually makes me feel worse than I already do. Imagine you're already dealing with heartbreak or disappointment, and someone essentially implies that the person you were dating didn't want it (or you) badly enough. Cool cool cool, guess I'm not enough!

"If the world were just about want, we would be in a very different place," says Zohar. "Want and do are two different fundamental parts of your brain."

SEE ALSO: The problem with TikTok's dating advice 'if he wanted to, he would'

"Now, I'm not excusing shitty behaviour. If somebody is treating you poorly and you say, 'Well, if he wanted to, he would,' maybe that person genuinely just doesn't have the awareness, the bandwidth, and the capacity. That doesn't mean it's okay."

"Maybe that person genuinely just doesn't have the awareness, the bandwidth, and the capacity."

And just because someone doesn't have capacity, that doesn't mean we accept the bare minimum. A person can really like you, but still lack the self-awareness and emotional availability to be consistent and communicative.

If they like you, you'll know. If they don't, you'll be confused.

Another annoying dating line that's trotted out far too often is: "If they like you, you'll know. If they don't, you'll be confused."

"The reason I don't like it is because dating is very confusing," says Zohar.

"To me, what actually matters is someone who cares about you, cares about their intent and their impact on you. That's what matters here," she says.

Don't sleep with them until the 3rd date

The third date rule — the idea that you shouldn't have sex until at least the third date — was popularised in the 1990s by Sex And The City and is still widely accepted in dating culture today. The reasoning behind the rule has historically been so that women aren't perceived as "too easy" or "slutty" in heterosexual dating scenarios — patriarchal ideas steeped in slut-shaming culture and purity culture. To many of us, these ideas feel outdated and out of place in modern society, but sadly misogynist discourse still reigns supreme online. And the manosphere's obsession with women's body counts has reignited conversations around women's number of sexual partners and its supposed bearing on her "value."

Zohar is now engaged to her partner Ryan, and she proudly asserts that she did not abide by this rule. "I fucked my partner on the first date, and here we are four years later, and he wants to marry me," she tells me.

That doesn't mean you should sleep with someone before you're ready, of course. It takes time to build trust and connection. Whether it's the first, third, or thirteenth date, sex should only happen when you feel ready to take that step.

"No one has to sleep with someone until they're ready. Like, please do what feels authentic to you," says Zohar.

Never show a man too much interest

Plenty of TikTok dating advice leans heavily into playing games and creating an air of aloofness. As a millennial woman who grew up hearing that we shouldn't text back straight away and should carefully curate an air of "cool girl" nonchalance, this kind of advice comes at a cost. Typically, playing games like these forces you to be inauthentic and to ignore your own needs. As Zohar explains: "There's a thread of, like, 'Want to know how to lose a guy? Show him interest. Answer quick. Make a plan. And don't worry, he'll run.'"

And, sure, maybe that advice will work for a little while. Treat 'em mean, keep 'em keen, and all that. But are you being real?

"What you're doing is you're perpetuating inauthenticity," says Zohar. "Self-respect feels authentic, whereas the dating games feel performative."

"You want authentic? You want real? You've got to be real."

"You want authentic? You want real? You've got to be real," she adds.

The right person won't trigger your anxiety

Zohar also hates the narrative of, "Well, the right partner shouldn't make you anxious," or, "The right partner won't trigger you."

"It's like, that is a fucking lie," she says. "Your partner will trigger you."

Speaking of her own relationship, Zohar openly admits that she gets triggered by things her partner says. "There are times where he says stuff, and I'm like, 'That is not supportive.' Did I have to break up with him because of that? No, because then we would have been done after date one."

"Relationships are a mirror," she adds. A person can be an excellent partner to you, but you can still feel anxious, insecure, confused, and scared of losing them. Expecting your relationships to be free of emotional discomfort will set you up for disappointment.

Bad relationship advice is everywhere on social media. And sometimes the TikTok algorithm can sniff out heartbreak or even dating anxiety before you've even uttered the words out loud. Once you engage with one or two of these videos, your entire feed will be full of it. Zohar says that social media algorithms seem to actively reward bad dating advice. That's typically because bad advice often comes in the form of declarative, binary, black-and-white statements that lack the nuance needed when talking about dating and relationships.

"I refuse to do clickbait," says Zohar. "I refuse to do the binary. And so, if you don't create division, the platforms don't want you."

Human beings are complex. Dating is confusing, and relationships are full of emotional ups and downs. TikTok's abundance of catchy dating advice might feel instructive in the moment, but it could be distorting your ideas of what real relationships are really like.

Why Am I Like This? by Sabrina Zohar is published by Merky Books in the UK and Penguin Random House in the U.S. Purchase it from Barnes and Noble and Amazon.

]]> <![CDATA[The 25 best action movies on Netflix right now]]> https://mashable.com/article/best-action-movies-on-netflix 03OlKPTArUywX5aQ1F2bZo2 Sat, 07 Nov 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Looking to fuel up your Netflix queue with some high-octane action?

Whether you're a fan of wild Westerns, cunning detectives, high-swinging superheroes, ravenous zombies, rowdy thieves, or hard-hitting heroines, Netflix has a pitch-perfect movie for every kind of adrenaline seeker.

We know scrolling through the streaming app can be a chore when all you want to do is Netflix and chill. So, we've taken out the hard step by highlighting the most stunt-stuffed, battle-powered, high-speed films the streamer has to offer.

SEE ALSO: Best movies of 2026, and where to watch them now

Here are the best action movies on Netflix, streaming right now.

25. Becky

If you want to see a gang of violent white supremacists have their asses handed to them by a child, watch Becky.

Jonathan Milott and Cary Murnion (Cooties, Bushwick) co-direct this David and Goliath thriller, which stars Lulu Wilson (The Haunting of Hill House) as a 13-year-old girl who channels her grief into vengeance. After losing her mom to cancer, Becky isn't eager to spend a weekend in a remote cabin with her dad (Joel McHale), his girlfriend, Kayla (Amanda Brugel), and her young son, Ty (Isaiah Rockcliffe). But bonding takes a backseat to surviving when a band of neo-Nazis descend, on a mission that could cost the family their lives.

Becky grew into a franchise with Wrath of Becky (also streaming on Netflix) and The Last Temptation of Becky, which is now in theaters. But for my money, the first film is still the best, thanks in part to a truly terrifying turn by Kevin James as the head neo-Nazi. Trust me, this one kicks ass. — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

Starring: Lulu Wilson, Kevin James, Joel McHale, Amanda Brugel, and Isaiah Rockcliffe

How to watch: Becky is now streaming on Netflix.

24. Thrash

Phoebe Dynevor in "Thrash."
Phoebe Dynevor in "Thrash." Credit: Ben King / Netflix

I don't want to hear it. Nope. Not a bad word will be said here about Thrash, one of the most rudely welcomed movies on Netflix. Writer/director Tommy Wirkola (Violent Night, Dead Snow) delivered a proper nail-biter of a shark survival movie here, the 24-hour tale of a hurricane that becomes a tsunami that becomes a bona fide shark invasion of a South Carolina small town. It's glorious! We've got nightmarish cinematography, increasingly flooded sets, strong performances from Djimon Hounsou, Whitney Peak, and Phoebe Dynevor, and one wildly foreshadowed shark-infested water birth. The simple task of getting from A to B in this film? Good luck.

The Thrash production team, led by production designer David Ingram, built an entire town and utterly destroyed it with flash flooding, savage marine predators, and director of photography Matthew Weston's unrelentingly stressful camera work, and that's not enough for you? Did you see that bull shark kitchen scene? Well, you have your right to an opinion and this is mine: "If you like shark movies, Thrash is a solid survival thriller with a talented cast and visuals that had me locked in. Wirkola's ability to balance horror, action, and comedy remains a praise-worthy feat. Dive into it." — Shannon Connellan, Senior Editor

Starring: Phoebe Dynevor, Whitney Peak, and Djimon Hounsou

How to watch: Thrash is now streaming on Netflix.

23. Looper

Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis play different versions of the same hitman in "Looper."
Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis play different versions of the same hitman in "Looper." Credit: Tristar / Everett / Shutterstock.com

The best way to hide a body is to send it back in time, or so goes the prevailing logic of Looper, one of the best science-fiction movies of the last decade. Joe (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is a Looper, an assassin in the year 2044. He kills the poor souls that his mob bosses send to him from 30 years in the future. Joe dutifully waits at a specific spot and time for his target to appear so he can do the dirty deed and collect the cash with no one the wiser. The system works perfectly until the day he comes face to face with his latest hit — his future self, played by a superb Bruce Willis. 

It’s a fantastic time-travel movie that shines even brighter because of its cast of immensely relatable and grounded characters. Writer and director Rian Johnson’s futuristic world is fascinating, but how Joe grapples with it is even more so. Willis shines in an uncharacteristically antagonistic role, Gordon-Levitt matches Willis’ energy seamlessly, and Emily Blunt is a surprise second-act star. Looper is a breathless thriller, as exciting as it is thought-provoking.* —Kristina Grosspietsch, Freelance Contributor

Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis, Paul Dano, Noah Segan, Piper Perabo, Jeff Daniels, and Emily Blunt

How to watch: Looper is now streaming on Netflix.

22. The Bourne Identity

Breaking from the James Bond mold, this American-in-chaos thriller stars Matt Damon as an assassin with amnesia. With no memory of who he is but the muscle memory of an action hero, Jason Bourne must dodge bullets and enemies to rediscover himself. Along the way, he depends on a spunky stranger (Franka Potente), sparking a steamy romance that leads to one of the hottest haircuts ever captured on film. (Matt Damon — hot bod barber!)

Director Doug Liman brings a unique brand of action to this nail-biter, unfurling fight scenes fast and furious, while his by-the-skin-of-their-teeth escape scenes will give you goosebumps. Robert Ludlum's Bourne novels inspired a string of exciting Bourne films. But this one remains the best, most thrilling of the bunch.* — K.P.

Starring: Matt Damon, Franka Potente, Chris Cooper, Brian Cox, Clive Owen, Walton Goggins, and Julia Stiles

How to watch: The Bourne Identity is now streaming on Netflix.

21. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Justice Smith, and Sophia Lillis in " Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves."
Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Justice Smith, and Sophia Lillis in " Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves." Credit: Paramount Pictures

Straddling the line between a faithfulness to the decades-old RPG and introducing mainstream audiences to its world with a deft touch was always a big ask, but co-directors John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein (who also share writing credits with Michael Gilio) did better than anybody expected to be possible with this 2023 adaptation. Starring Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Regé-Jean Page, Sophia Lillis, and Justice Smith as a band of merry wizards and what-nots hunting down an ancient relic, Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is très goofy, but lovingly so. It's honestly a very good time at the movies!

Unfortunately, shifting release dates and other factors led D&D to kinda bomb at the box office. But now that the movie has landed on Netflix, our communal chance to right this infernal wrong has arrived. Let's all slip into our wizarding robes and watch this movie dozens of times, spread the word to all of our friends, and roll the eight-sided die on an improbable sequel!* — Jason Adams, Contributing Writer

Starring: Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Regé-Jean Page, Sophia Lillis, and Justice Smith

How to watch: Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is now streaming on Netflix.

20. The Lost City

Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum star in "The Lost City."
Credit: Paramount Pictures

Does it ever feel like nothing will fix your problems but a Sandra Bullock romantic comedy? Enter 2022’s The Lost City. Is it a perfect movie? No. Is it a ridiculously fun adventure chock-full of charismatic actors and one iconic sequin jumpsuit? Heck yes, it is!

Bullock is Loretta Sage, a reclusive romance novelist who has given up on love in her own life after the death of her husband. Channing Tatum is simply perfect as the himbo cover model for her books, who is secretly in love with her. When an unhinged billionaire kidnaps Loretta because her latest book recalls similar details to a lost treasure he’s hunting, Tatum takes it upon himself, and his zero useful skills, to rescue her. — Kristina Grosspietsch, Freelance Contributor

Starring: Sandra Bullock, Channing Tatum, Brad Pitt, Daniel Radcliffe, Patti Harrison, Bowen Yang, and Da'Vine Joy Randolph

How to watch: The Lost City is now streaming on Netflix.

19. Karate Kid: Legends

Ben Wang stars opposite Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan in "Karate Kids: Legends."
Ben Wang stars opposite Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan in "Karate Kids: Legends." Credit: Sony

It's easy to be cynical about sequels when Hollywood's cinematic landscape is littered with bad examples. But then a sequel comes along that's so good, it'll knock you out. Karate Kid: Legends is a sensational sequel, building on the classic underdog framework of the original 1984 Karate Kid movie while working in fresh fun, familiar faces, and a dazzling new talent. 

SEE ALSO: Jackie Chan, Ralph Macchio, and Ben Wang choose their ultimate 'Karate Kid: Legends' squad

Directed by Jonathan Entwistle, Karate Kid: Legends unites the original trilogy's Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) with the 2010 Karate Kid's martial arts master Mr. Han (Jackie Chan). Together, they train a new "karate kid" to best a ruthless bully. But the best bits of this high-kicking sequel are actually when this new kid, Li Fong (played by the dynamic Ben Wang), is carving out his own story in New York City.* — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

Starring: Jackie Chan, Ralph Macchio, and Ben Wang

How to watch: Karate Kid: Legends is now streaming on Netflix.

18. Back in Action

Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx in "Back in Action."
Credit: John Wilson / Netflix

Aptly titled, Back in Action not only refers to the plotline of this charming espionage comedy but also the return of its stars to the spotlight.

Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz co-star as a couple of spies who fake their deaths to flee their dangerous jobs once they learn they've got a baby on the way. Cut to 15 years later, when they're middle-aged with a cozy suburban life that's interrupted by an unexpected visit from some former colleagues. To keep their kids safe, they'll need to go on one more mission. And things get pretty zany — and yeah, corny too. But there's an undeniable pleasure in watching Diaz and Foxx bounce off each other's energy.

In my review for Mashable, I wrote, "Don't overthink it. Turn on Back in Action, and allow the star power and nostalgia for the heyday of '90s rom-coms, the peak of Cameron Diaz fame, and the fun of all that wash over you."* — K.P.

Starring: Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz, Andrew Scott, Jamie Demetriou, Kyle Chandler, and Glenn Close

How to watch: Back in Action is now streaming on Netflix.

17. Upgrade

The always-welcome Logan Marshall-Green stars here as Grey, an auto mechanic who gets sucked into a nefarious world of cyber-horror when a car crash leaves him paralyzed and his wife dead. Implanted with an untested computer chip that can control his limbs and "fix" his paralysis, Grey's mind starts communicating with the technology, which in turns starts egging him on. After all, why just walk when you can be a kick-ass super-soldier? Needless to say, as in any good RoboCop spin, the corporations are not to be trusted when it comes to our best interests. — Jason Adams, Contributing Writer

Starring: Logan Marshall-Green, Betty Gabriel, and Simon Maiden

How to watch: Upgrade is now streaming on Netflix.

16. The Union

Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry team up for an action-comedy that is surprisingly charming! He's a Boston everyman who works construction by day and by night hooks up with local hotties (including his former seventh-grade English teacher). She's a globe-trekking secret agent — and his high school girlfriend — who shows up at their old dive bar out of the blue to invite him in on a secret mission. Together, they're working for The Union.

Explosive espionage action blends with rom-com chemistry as Wahlberg and Berry delve into car chases, gun fights, and plenty of bouncy banter. J.K. Simmons brings gruff bravado, while Evil's Mike Colter delivers breathtaking swagger. Full of thrills, fun, and verve, The Union is a great pick for movie night at home.* — K.P.

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Halle Berry, J.K. Simmons, and Mike Colter

How to watch: The Union is now streaming on Netflix.

15. Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F

Coming back onto the scene 30 years after Beverly Hills Cop III flopped, this fourth installment of the comedic crime-solving adventures of Detroit police officer Axel Foley has no right to be as good as it is. Not only did screenwriters Will Beall, Tom Gormican, and Kevin Etten have to manage how public opinion has shifted when it comes to cops who play by their own rules, but also how to approach Axel's wise-cracking sense of humor that traditionally put just about everyone in its crosshairs. Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F manages both in a way that gives fresh life to the character without casting aside the fans who loved his wild ways.

As I wrote in my rave review, "Eddie Murphy is as good as ever as Axel Foley." Plus, he's got his old friends, like John Ashton, Judge Reinhold, Paul Reiser, and Bronson Pinchot back and in action. It's an absolute blast to see all these energies colliding, and yet there's room for newcomers, like the dynamic Taylour Paige and the always solid Joseph Gordon-Levitt, both of whom prove to be compelling foils to the ever-quipping Murphy. "In the end, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F isn't just a great sequel, or an awesome action-comedy; it might just be the most entertaining movie of [2024]."* — K.P.

Starring: Eddie Murphy, Taylour Paige, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, John Ashton, Judge Reinhold, Paul Reiser, and Bronson Pinchot

How to watch: Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F is now streaming on Netflix.

14. Okja

Masked fighter in a scene from "Okja"
Credit: Netflix

Blending drama with fantasy/adventure and weaving in a very real message about the horrors of the meat industry, Bong Joon Ho's Okja is a beautifully unique creature feature, striped with action.

The film follows Mina (Ahn Seo-hyun), the granddaughter of a farmer in South Korea who has spent the last 10 years rearing a genetically modified super-pig called Okja as part of a breeding project spearheaded by a grim U.S. corporation. This movie is dark in places, magical in others, and poignant overall, asking us to stop and reflect on the dark side of an industry the majority of us are complicit in. Tilda Swinton and Jake Gyllenhaal make for an entertaining pair of villains, too.* — Sam Haysom, Deputy UK Editor

Starring: Ahn Seo-hyun, Tilda Swinton, Paul Dano, Steven Yeun, and Jake Gyllenhaal

How to watch: Okja is now streaming on Netflix.

13. Damsel

Millie Bobby Brown in "Damsel."
Credit: John Wilson / Netflix

Netflix has invested big in Millie Bobby Brown. Not only has the English ingenue led Stranger Things for years, but also she's become an outright action star through movies she has headlined and produced for the streamer, including a pair of Enola Holmes adventures and the fearsome fairy tale Damsel. Here, Brown stars as Elodie, a dutiful damsel destined to wed a handsome prince (Nick Robinson)! But rather than happily ever after, her deceitful groom pitches her into a dragon's pit. However, that's far from the end of her story. She'll fight her way to salvation and vengeance, one fiery sequence at a time.

In her review, Mashable's Belen Edwards wrote, "Boasting some inventive twists and a heartfelt lead performance from Brown, Damsel may not be groundbreaking fantasy, but it is a thrilling ride." — K.P.

Starring: Millie Bobby Brown, Ray Winstone, Nick Robinson, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Angela Bassett, and Robin Wright

How to watch: Damsel is now streaming on Netflix.

SEE ALSO: Netflix's 'Damsel' trailer will put you in distress

12. Army of the Dead

A shot of the city at night in "Army of the Dead."
Credit: Netflix

Sometimes all you want is to grab hold of that action-o-meter and crank the dial, hard, to a solid 11. Army of the Dead more than delivers on that front, opening with a musical montage of guns and exploding body parts — and it only gets gorier from there. Zack Snyder's story follows a band of mercenaries hired to steal $200 million from a casino in Las Vegas. The problem? Vegas has been invaded by zombies, the city is quarantined, and the military is planning to blow the entire thing up with a tactical nuclear strike. The sprawling cast includes Dave Bautista, Omari Hardwick, Hiroyuki Sanada, Garret Dillahunt, and Ana de la Reguera, as well as a digitally added Tig Notaro.

What follows is a gloriously silly romp that refuses to take itself too seriously, propelling us through a series of explosions and bullets while the story twists and turns through a 148-minute runtime that feels oh, so much shorter. — S.H.

Starring: Dave Bautista, Omari Hardwick, Hiroyuki Sanada, Garret Dillahunt, Ana de la Reguera, Ella Purnell, and Tig Notaro

How to watch: Army of the Dead is now streaming on Netflix.

11. The Harder They Fall

Regina King in "The Harder They Fall."
Credit: David Lee / Netflix

Put 'em up, as this is hands-down one of the best action movies in the Wild West.

Directed by Jeymes Samuel, The Harder They Fall defiantly redefines the predominantly white Western, boasting an incredible cast of Black stars: Jonathan Majors, Idris Elba, Regina King, Zazie Beetz, LaKeith Stanfield, and Delroy Lindo. A tale of heroes and villains, the film follows Nat Love (Majors) on his quest for revenge against the formidable Rufus Buck (Elba). But he'll have to make his gunslinging way through "Treacherous" Trudy Smith (King) and Cherokee Bill (Stanfield) first. Even before the opening credits roll, you'll fall hard for this one. — Shannon Connellan, UK Editor

Starring: Jonathan Majors, Idris Elba, Regina King, Zazie Beetz, LaKeith Stanfield, and Delroy Lindo

How to watch: The Harder They Fall is now streaming on Netflix.

10. Enola Holmes

Millie Bobby Brown in "Enola Holmes."
Credit: Netflix

Sherlock Holmes's much cooler little sister is an overlooked young action hero in Enola Holmes. Based on author Nancy Springer's popular book series The Enola Holmes Mysteries, the film puts the great detective's savvy 16-year-old sibling on the case, played with energetic spoonfuls of gumption by Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown. She's set to solve the greatest mystery of her young life: to find her missing mother (Helena Bonham Carter) through a series of deliberately cryptic clues — all while breaking the fourth wall and confiding in the audience, thanks to Fleabag director Harry Bradbeer and His Dark Materials' Jack Thorne's sharp screenplay.

Stepping into the footsteps of her famous brother Sherlock (Henry Cavill) and avoiding those of her stuffier misogynist brother Mycroft (Sam Claflin), Enola's case leads her on a wild ride through Victorian-era England, with more than a few fistfights and butts to kick along the way. And lucky for you, Brown brings even more action with Enola Holmes 2 and Enola Holmes 3. — S.C.

Starring: Millie Bobby Brown, Helena Bonham Carter, Henry Cavill, and Sam Claflin

How to watch: Enola Holmes is now streaming on Netflix.

9. They Cloned Tyrone

John Boyega, Jamie Foxx, and Teyonah Parris have weapons ready.
Credit: Netflix

With this 2023 release, co-writer/director Juel Taylor pulls plenty of inspiration from Blaxploitation. John Boyega, Jamie Foxx, and Teyonah Parris star as a drug dealer, a pimp, and a sex worker who undercover a nefarious conspiracy that's happening underneath their neighborhood. Taylor and fellow screenwriter Tony Rettenmaier weave in wild twists, fly fight scenes, irreverent humor, and swaggering style for what our critic called "a propulsive comedy-thriller with weight." As bold as it is star-studded, you won't want to miss They Cloned Tyrone. And stay for the credits, trust us. — K.P.

Starring: John Boyega, Jamie Foxx, and Teyonah Parris

How to watch: They Cloned Tyrone is now streaming on Netflix.

SEE ALSO: We need to talk about 'They Cloned Tyrone's ending

8. Kill Boksoon

A teen girl in a school uniform holds her cell phone.
Credit: No Ju-han / Netflix

Gil Bok-Soon (Jeon Do-yeon) is a single mother who often finds herself at odds with her teenage daughter. She's also a highly skilled and successful assassin. Kill Boksoon is a fantastic action film that sees its main character head straight from a brutal killing to the grocery store so she can get dinner on the table. It's one hell of a hook that sucks you in immediately. The fight scenes are hypnotic and the cinematography ambitious and exciting. It's a gripping thriller that makes plenty of space for the complex emotional reality of its characters.* — K.G.

Starring: Jeon Do-yeon, Sul Kyung-gu, and Kim Si-a

How to watch: Kill Boksoon is now streaming on Netflix.

7. Da 5 Bloods

Jonathan Majors and Delroy Lindo in "Da 5 Bloods" from Spike Lee.
Credit: Netflix

Spike Lee copters audiences back to the Vietnam War with Da 5 Bloods, a daring film that's part drama, part war movie, and part heist flick. Named for a squad of Black U.S. Army soldiers of the 1st Infantry Division, Lee's critically heralded 2020 joint follows this band of brothers through a treacherous war zone, then rediscovers them in a present where they're seeking to uncover the past — and a big payday.

Sequences of brutal battles, narrow escapes, and high-tension hijinks make Da 5 Bloods an enthralling watch. Though inspired by history, it's impossible to predict where Lee's story will lead. Our guides on this intense journey through time, loss, war, and brotherhood are Delroy Lindo, Jonathan Majors, Clarke Peters, Norm Lewis, Isiah Whitlock Jr., and the late Chadwick Boseman. Together, they and Lee create an American war film that can't be missed. — K.P.

Starring: Delroy Lindo, Jonathan Majors, Clarke Peters, Norm Lewis, Isiah Whitlock Jr., and Chadwick Boseman

How to watch: Da 5 Bloods is now streaming on Netflix.

6. Apex

From Baltasar Kormákur comes a horror thriller that should scare the adrenaline junkie right out of you. Charlize Theron stars as a rock climber determined to take on the white water rapids in Australia solo. But out here in the wilderness, she soon realizes the forces of nature aren't what she should fear. It's a hunter who has his sights set on her.

SEE ALSO: 'Apex' review: This is why women choose the bear

A truly gnarly action movie, Apex pits a steely Theron against an unhinged Taron Egerton. And sure, the script by Jeremy Robbins sets up some early hints that this is going into sicko territory, but I'd wager you won't predict just how wild this cat-and-mouse game gets. Silence your cell phone. Turn the lights down, and give yourself over to this frightening, fucked-up ride.* — K.P.

Starring: Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton

How to watch: Apex is now streaming on Netflix.

5. The Old Guard

Charlize Theron and others in "The Old Guard."
Credit: Netflix

Folks looking for that summer blockbuster thrill, search no further than The Old Guard. Based on the superhero comic books of the same name, director Gina Prince-Bythewood's movie sucks viewers into a slick, well-crafted world of action and narrative that isn't particularly unique but delivers its formulaic pieces with enough precision to keep you invested.

Charlize Theron crushes as the ass-kicking leader of an immortal warrior fight crew, with performances by Harry Melling, Marwan Kenzari, KiKi Layne, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Veronica Ngo, Matthias Schoenaerts, and more.* And don't overlook the sequel, The Old Guard 2. — Alison Foreman, Entertainment Reporter 

Starring: Charlize Theron, Harry Melling, Marwan Kenzari, KiKi Layne, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Veronica Ngo, and Matthias Schoenaerts

How to watch: The Old Guard is now streaming on Netflix.

4. RRR

You've never seen an action movie quite as bombastic or as bromantic as RRR. Director S.S. Rajamouli draws loosely from history to tell the story of Indian freedom fighters Alluri Sitarama Raju (Ram Charan) and Komaram Bheem (N.T. Rama Rao Jr.). Over the film's three-hour runtime, the two unwittingly face off in the search for a kidnapped girl, become the best of friends, and square off against villainous English colonizers.

SEE ALSO: Was 'RRR' snubbed at the Oscars?

Any of RRR's action sequences would be the pinnacle of a lesser action movie, but the film seems determined to outdo itself with showstopper after showstopper. Take when Raju faces down hundreds of protesters and wins, or when Bheem fights a tiger bare-handed. Would you believe me if I told you those happen within the first 20 minutes? The action — and the movie — only get more awesome from there. — B.E.

Starring: Ram Charan, Ajay Devgn, N.T. Rama Rao Jr., Alia Bhatt, Shriya Saran, Samuthirakani, Ray Stevenson, Alison Doody, and Olivia Morris

How to watch: RRR is now streaming on Netflix.

3. KPop Demon Hunters

'KPop Demon Hunters' are ready to go golden.
Credit: Netflix

Officially the most popular Netflix original movie of all time, KPop Demon Hunters delivers a little bit of everything: romance, action, comedy, and a totally addictive soundtrack.

SEE ALSO: How 'KPop Demon Hunters' became a love letter to K-pop and its fandom

The story stars with K-pop trio HUNTR/X, who, when they aren't making bops like "Golden," are battling demons to protect the very souls of their fans. But just as they think they're on the verge of building an impenetrable barrier with their songs, the demons fight back with a boy band of their own. The Saja Boys are comically hot, delivering smooth moves, devious plans, and plenty of slapstick. Plus, they've got a tiger, who is cute, creepy, and silly to boot! Whether it's the martial arts action sequences, the swoon-worthy song-and-dance numbers, or the cheeky sense of humor that's grabbed fans of all ages, KPop Demon Hunters is sure to thrill. And hey, now there's a sing-along version too. — K.P.

Starring: Arden Cho, Ahn Hyo-seop, Ken Jeong, Lee Byung-hun, Daniel Dae Kim, May Hong, Ji-young Yoo, Joel Kim Booster, and Liza Koshy

How to watch: KPop Demon Hunters is now streaming on Netflix.

2. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

This 2018 electrifying adventure won Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards for its dynamic style and compelling coming-of-age story. Forget what you thought you knew about the high-swinging superhero. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse focuses on Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore), an Afro-Latino teen, whose radioactive spider-bite gives him superpowers. But to learn how to be a hero, he'll have to take lessons from some friends from alternate realities, like Spider-Gwen (Hailee Steinfeld) and Peter B. Parker (Jake Johnson).

On top of the kinetic animation style that pulls inspiration from comic books and graffiti, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse also offers side-splitting comedy and eye-popping action. And it's family-friendly to boot. — K.P.

Starring: Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Jake Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, Luna Lauren Velez, Mahershala Ali, Lily Tomlin, Kathryn Hahn, Liev Schreiber, Zoë Kravitz, and Kimiko Glenn

How to watch: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is now streaming on Netflix.

1. Godzilla Minus One

A scene from "Godzilla Minus One."
Credit: Toho Company Ltd / Everett / Shutterstock.com

You don't know Godzilla until you see Godzilla Minus One. The American movies featuring the classic kaiju go for huge monster-versus-monster face-offs, bogged down by tedious human characters. But writer/director Takashi Yamazaki reclaims the Japanese icon with a movie that gets the balance between rampaging monster action and human drama just right.

SEE ALSO: 'Godzilla Minus Zero' review: The epic monster melodrama fans have been roaring for

Set near the close of World War II, Godzilla Minus One proves a fascinating tale of atomic age terror. Ryunosuke Kamiki stars as a kamikaze pilot who first flubs his mission, then crosses paths with the giant lizard with atomic breath. Survivor's guilt torments him, even as he cobbles together a found family of fellow survivors. This cast of characters is dynamic, making the scenes of simple home-cooked meals just as satisfying as sequences of town-trampling destruction. Actually, one deeply informs the other. Because while the movie's jaw-dropping special effects rightfully won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, it's the emotional impact of them that makes this Godzilla hit harder than any contemporary. Even on the small screen, you'll be in awe.* — K.P.

Starring: Ryunosuke Kamiki, Minami Hamabe, Yuki Yamada, Munetaka Aoki, Hidetaka Yoshioka, Sakura Ando, and Kuranosuke Sasaki

How to watch: Godzilla Minus One is streaming on Netflix.

Netflix logo
Credit: Netflix

* denotes the entry comes from a previous Mashable list.

UPDATE: Nov. 6, 2026, 2:50 p.m. EST This list was first published on May 24, 2020. It has since been updated to reflect the current selection on Netflix.

]]> <![CDATA[Our beloved Shark FlexStyle just hit a new record-low price: Save at least 40% during Sephoras Savings Event]]> https://mashable.com/tech/nov-7-shark-flexstyle-deal-sephora-savings-event 06eEs7hqYmmEi3OV7uA9iQt Sat, 07 Nov 2026 09:00:00 +0000

SAVE WITH CODE ALLONSALE: During the Sephora Savings Event, the Shark FlexStyle is on sale for only $179.10 for Beauty Insiders. That's 40% off and its lowest price ever. (VIB and Rouge members save even more.)

the shark flexstyle in winter pearl
Credit: Shark
Shark FlexStyle 4-in-1 Air Styler & Hair Dryer
$179.10 at Sephora
$299 Save $119.90
Use code ALLONSALE at checkout. Must be Beauty Insider member (free to join).

Mashable's favorite Dyson Airwrap dupe has fallen to a new record-low price during Sephora's fall Savings Event, live through Nov. 9.

Normally $299, the stellar Shark FlexStyle is now on sale for only $179.10 in a special-edition Winter Pearl colorway. That's an unprecedented 40% savings; this beats its previous all-time low of $199.99 by about $20.

To unlock Sephora's deal, you must be a member of its Beauty Insider rewards program and enter the coupon code ALLONSALE at checkout — that will stack an extra 10% discount on top of the FlexStyle's existing $199 sale price there. Beauty Insider is free to join.

If you've been a member of the Beauty Insider program for a while, you might be able to get the FlexStyle for even cheaper. Members with VIB and Rogue status can stack 15% and 20% discounts. (You have to have spent at least $350 or $1,000 at Sephora in the past year, respectively.) Rogue members will save 47% total and pay a mere $159.20.

The Mashable Choice Award-winning Shark FlexStyle is one of our top Christmas gifts of the year. Unlike Dyson's much pricier Airwrap multistyler, its base can twist to function like a regular L-shaped hair dryer, a feature that impressed our reviewer. This base model comes with four attachments: two auto-wrap curling barrels, an oval brush, and a styling concentrator.

]]> <![CDATA[Early Black Friday Best Buy deals include the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and a $270 Dyson vacuum]]> https://mashable.com/tech/best-early-black-friday-best-buy-deals-2026 02JkoaxsdVMvonVWGUtcGg2 Sat, 07 Nov 2026 09:00:00 +0000
Early Black Friday Best Buy deals:
Best Apple deal
Apple Watch Ultra 3
$649 (save $150)
Apple Watch Ultra 3 (GPS+Cellular, 49mm)
Best Dyson deal
Dyson V9
$269.99 (save $330)
Dyson V9 cordless vacuum
Best kitchen deal
Ninja UltraCrush Kitchen System
$129.99 (save $90)
Ninja UltraCrush Kitchen System
Best TV deal
Hisense 65-inch Class S7 Canvas Series TV
$999.99 (save $1,000)
65-inch Hisense Class S7 Canvas Series
Best beauty tech deal
Shark Glam Styling System
$349.99 (save $100)
Shark Glam styling and hair dryer system

Best Buy is one to watch as we head into the holiday shopping season. At times, Best Buy's selection and sale prices beat Amazon's and Walmart's during Black Friday. Plus, Best Buy often has daily deals that are well worth peeking at.

From Lego sets to MacBooks and Bose headphones, Best Buy can really impress with the deals. Like Amazon, the mega retailers aren't waiting for pecan pie before they drop the deals. Shopping early could be a great opportunity not only to get great savings but also to have Christmas gifts in hand and well wrapped before the rush.

We've listed the top early Black Friday Best Buy deals below. Check out Mashable's complete Black Friday sale coverage as we ramp up to the holiday season.

Best Apple deal

Apple Watch Ultra 3 (GPS+Cellular, 49mm)
Credit: Apple
Apple Watch Ultra 3 (GPS+Cellular, 49mm)
$649 at Best Buy
$799 Save $150
 

Why we like it

Apple launched the Watch Ultra 4 back in September, but the Ultra 3 is still well worth considering. The Apple Watch Ultra is the Apple Watch model to buy if you'll be taking it on adventurous excursions. The durable yet lightweight titanium case, paired with the sapphire crystal display, is ideal for outdoor use without worrying about your watch. Apple says the Watch Ultra 3 will last about 42 hours before needing to recharge.

Best Dyson deal

Dyson V9 cordless vacuum
Credit: Dyson
Dyson V9
$269.99 at Best Buy
$599.99 Save $330
 

Why we like it

For under $270, the Dyson V9 might just make it so you enjoy vacuuming. It gets up to 40 minutes of run time per charge, and the whole-system filtration ensures captured dust doesn't end up circulating back into your house. If you're not one who enjoys a robot vacuum or you're looking for a little extra (manual) help from a cordless vacuum, the Dyson V9 is a great model.

Best kitchen deal

Ninja UltraCrush Kitchen System
Credit: Ninja
Ninja UltraCrush Kitchen System
$129.99 at Best Buy
$219.99 Save $90
 

Why we like it

Make holiday meal prep easier with the Ninja UltraCrush Kitchen System. The powerful 1,500W base has no trouble with ice, frozen fruits, or smoothing out a creamy soup. The system also includes a to-go cup for smoothies on the run during the busy holiday season and a food processor.

Best TV deal

65-inch Hisense Class S7 Canvas Series
Credit: Hisense
Hisense 65-inch Class S7 Canvas Series TV
$999.99 at Best Buy
$1,999.99 Save $1,000
 

Why we like it

On Mashable's list of the best art TVs, the Hisense CanvasTV earns the top spot as the best budget option. The 65-inch option is the brand's largest offering for this model, and using the art TV options doesn't require an additional subscription fee. The Hisense CanvasTV wins over the Samsung The Frame and the Amazon Ember Artline because it has a 144Hz refresh rate for gaming.

Best beauty tech deal

Shark Glam styling and hair dryer system
Credit: Shark
Shark Glam Styling System
$349.99 at Best Buy
$449.99 Save $100
 

Why we like it

Black Friday is a great time to grab beauty tech you've been considering all year but haven't gone for yet. Shark has proven its worth in the beauty tech realm, offering gadgets that perform just as well as pricier competitors. The Shark Glam system comes with a ceramic styler and hair dryer that's designed for glossing, fighting frizz, and straightening. Plus, it's lightweight so you won't feel like you just did an arm workout at the gym.

More early Black Friday deals at Best Buy

]]> <![CDATA[How to watch Valencia vs. Real Madrid online for free]]> https://mashable.com/entertainment/valencia-real-madrid-la-liga-2026-live-stream-for-free 07LSQibOxCVo0YVirte9KV7 Sat, 07 Nov 2026 08:00:00 +0000

TL;DR: Watch Valencia vs. Real Madrid in La Liga for free on CazéTV. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The action in La Liga is really starting to heat up, with only three points separating the top three teams. The top two are facing each other this weekend, meaning Real Madrid have a real opportunity to bridge the gap against Valencia.

If you're interested in watching Valencia vs. Real Madrid in La Liga from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Valencia vs. Real Madrid?

Valencia vs. Real Madrid in La Liga kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on Nov. 7. This fixture takes place at the Mestalla.

How to watch Valencia vs. Real Madrid for free

Valencia vs. Real Madrid in La Liga is available to live stream for free on CazéTV.

CazéTV is geo-restricted to Brazil, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Brazil, meaning you can live stream Valencia vs. Real Madrid for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Valencia vs. Real Madrid for free by following these simple steps:

  1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Brazil

  4. Visit CazéTV

  5. Watch Valencia vs. Real Madrid for free from anywhere in the world

ExpressVPN logo
Credit: ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)
$12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Valencia vs. Real Madrid without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture (plus more La Liga action) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for La Liga?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on CazéTV, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries, including Brazil

  • Easy-to-use app available on all major devices, including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

  • Fast connection speeds free from throttling

  • Up to 10 simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Valencia vs. Real Madrid for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

]]> <![CDATA[Citizen reveals limited-edition Doctor Doom watch: Price, specs, and release date]]> https://mashable.com/life/citizen-marvel-avengers-doomsday-doctor-doom-watch-how-to-buy 03d57C2lgY3qHsjSBEvmz5a Sat, 07 Nov 2026 08:00:00 +0000

TL;DR: Citizen has launched a limited-edition Marvel Avengers Dr. Doom watch, available to purchase now for $495.

Citizen watch
Credit: Citizen
Citizen Avengers Dr. Doom
$495 at Citizen
 

We're almost overwhelmed by the tidal wave of Avengers: Doomsday brand collabs ahead of the movie's Dec. 18 release, but Citizen has just dropped something considerably more refined than novelty fast-food cups.

The watchmaker has officially unveiled the Marvel | Citizen Limited-Edition Avengers: Doomsday Timepiece, paying direct homage to Victor von Doom. Limited to just 3,100 pieces globally, the timepiece eschews cartoonish comic prints in favor of a textured, industrial aesthetic. It's nerdy and sexy all rolled into one.

Citizen watch on wrist
Credit: Citizen

It has a 43mm gray ion-plated case, gold-tone hour markers, an olive-green leather strap, and Citizen’s signature Eco-Drive quartz movement.

The watch runs on Citizen’s Eco-Drive light-powered movement. It pulls continuous operating charge from any ambient light source — including dull fluorescent home-office bulbs and desk lamps — meaning you will never have to crack the case open to replace anything. Nobody has time for that.

Each of the 3,100 units ships with custom villain-themed display packaging, an etched caseback, and a heavy, double-sided Doctor Doom collectible challenge coin. It's an absolute dream for collectors.

]]> <![CDATA[Is Pure dating app free? Yes and no.]]> https://mashable.com/life/is-pure-dating-app-free-yes-and-no 02qUM7jZRYUdXbJ7BcIfeOi Sat, 07 Nov 2026 08:00:00 +0000

If you've been paying any attention to trends in dating app use lately, you've probably heard about Pure. Last year alone, it nearly doubled its user base, easily reaching the $100 million revenue milestone at a time when many of the best-known dating apps are steadily losing market share.

And if you know that it's the hot new dating app, you're probably also experiencing some FOMO and wondering what it will cost you to give Pure a spin. 

The answer is kind of complicated and depends on who you are, but the short answer is that Pure is kind of, sort of free sometimes for some people. 

Here's what you can and can't do on Pure without becoming a paying subscriber:

Pure logo
Credit: Pure

Pure free accounts

Pure allows anyone to create an account for free, without handing over their credit card details, but it severely limits what you can actually do in the app as a non-paying member. 

Free users can:

  • Create a profile with photos and fill out their interests/kinks

  • Browse local ads posted by other users and view their profiles, including their interests/kinks

  • Browse Pure's extensive database of safety tips and best practices for online dating

But free users cannot:

  • Like or chat with other users

  • Create a dating ad to make your profile discoverable to other users

  • Send virtual gifts to people who catch your eye

  • Filter ads based on specific criteria like interests/kinks

There is one major exception, though, and it applies only to women. On Pure, women can do the following without a paid account:

  • Create a full profile with photos and interests/kinks

  • Create ads

  • Initiate and respond to chats

But don't think that, just because women get a few extra perks for free, they're starting with a premium membership! If female users want access to premium features like Incognito mode, the ability to browse ads without making yourself visible to other users, or a filter system to help you manage likes, they need to pay for a Queen membership.  

What does Pure cost?

Pure offers tiered pricing depending on your subscription commitment. You should expect to pay:

  • About $14 per week on a weekly subscription

  • About $30 per month on a monthly subscription

  • About $100 per year on a yearly subscription

Is a free Pure membership worth it?

If you're wondering what the purpose of a free Pure membership is if you can't post an ad or talk to other people, you're not alone. If you're not a woman, you have to pony up some cash just to have the chance to talk to another human being, so why not just do so immediately? 

Well, there are two major benefits to trying a free Pure account, as far as we can see. The first is that you can start to familiarize yourself with their unique ad system and the swipe-up, swipe-left, and swipe-right mechanics you use to navigate it, which are totally different from most mainstream dating apps and will probably take some getting used to. 

But the next benefit is even more important, though it only pertains to people who live outside of big cities. Pure's numbers might be growing at exponential rates, but it's still much more popular in large, metropolitan cities rather than towns and rural areas, so unless you live in Los Angeles, New York, London, Paris, or Berlin, you shouldn't take for granted that there are a large enough number of Pure users near you to make paying for a membership worthwhile.

SEE ALSO: How Pure's 24-hour chat timer forces daters to skip the endless banter

That's where the free account comes in handy: you can quickly get a sense of how popular Pure is in your area, and if enough people catch your attention, you can decide to invest. 

From this perspective, Pure does a nice job balancing utility with the free membership while still making the paid membership enticing. 

]]> <![CDATA[T-Mobile is giving away the Apple iPhone 18 Pro for free: How to qualify]]> https://mashable.com/tech/nov-7-free-apple-iphone-18-pro-deal 00cowgZ87qwb0RJScBBeD9I Sat, 07 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000

TL;DR: The Apple iPhone 18 Pro is free when you switch to T-Mobile and bring your number on a qualifying T-Mix plan. The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is under $100 when you switch and bring your number on a qualifying T-Mix plan.

Apple iPhone 18 Pro
Credit: Apple

The iPhone Duo launched, and the whole world went wild for Apple's first-ever foldable. The launch had some serious issues, but the iPhone Duo still dominated the tech conversation for weeks. It had a big impact, good and bad.

Now that the noise has died down, the big question for shoppers heading into Black Friday is whether to buy the iPhone 18 Pro or the iPhone Duo.

It's a tough decision, but T-Mobile is helping you make up your mind. For a limited time, you can get your hands on the Apple iPhone 18 Pro for free with T-Mobile. To qualify for this wild deal, you simply need to switch to T-Mobile and bring your number on a qualifying T-Mix plan. You can get the iPhone 18 Pro for free if you have an eligible phone in any condition on a T-Mix plan.

The full savings are distributed as monthly credits over a 36-month payment plan. If you leave T-Mobile before the end of the three-year contract, you will be charged the remaining balance. You also need to pay local sales tax on the phone's full retail value upfront, plus a standard $35 device connection fee per line at checkout.

Looking through the screen of an iPhone
Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Score the Apple iPhone 18 Pro for free this weekend with T-Mobile.

]]> <![CDATA[Sephoras Fall Savings Event drops a rare deal on the Dyson HushJet Mini Cool: Save up to 20% with code]]> https://mashable.com/tech/nov-6-dyson-hushjet-mini-cool-portable-fan-deal-sephora-savings-event 075lTHdCFTgS1PaL2pbKqN6 Sat, 07 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000

SAVE WITH CODE ALLONSALE: Beauty Insider members can snag the Dyson HushJet Mini Cool on sale for $89.10 during the Sephora Savings Event (normally $99). Those with VIB and Rouge status will pay as little as $79.20.

the dyson hushjet mini cool
Credit: Dyson
Dyson HushJet Mini Cool
$89.10 at Sephora
$99 Save $9.90
Use code ALLONSALE at checkout. Must be Beauty Insider member (free to join).

Having trouble finding the right Christmas gift for an outdoorsy person? Don't sweat it: We just spotted a rare deal on Dyson's fancy new portable fan, the HushJet Mini Cool.

During Sephora's fall Savings Event, live now through Nov. 9, members of its free-to-join Beauty Insiders rewards program can get the HushJet Mini Cool on sale for just $89.10, or 10% off. Just enter the code ALLONSALE at checkout to apply the discount.

You'll pay even less if you're a Beauty Insider member with VIB or Rouge status, meaning you've spent at least $350 or $1,000 at Sephora in the past year (respectively). Those tiers unlock 15% and 20% discounts with ALLONSALE.

a woman's hand holding the dyson hushjet mini cool
Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

I tested the HushJet Mini Cool during two heatwaves this past summer and was impressed by its power. To quote my review: "There are five standard airflow speed settings to choose from, plus a Boost mode ... At settings two and up, it gusts." I also liked that it's very easy to stash in a purse or fanny pack. Just be aware that it gets very noisy at its upper settings — I wouldn't use it indoors or in a tightly packed crowd.

If you have a little more wiggle room in your budget, note that the rival Shark ChillPill is also on sale for up to 20% off (depending on your membership status) during the Sephora Savings Event. It's pricier, but it adds swappable misting and cooling attachments.

]]> <![CDATA[How to watch France vs. Fiji in the 2026 Nations Championship online for free]]> https://mashable.com/entertainment/france-fiji-nations-championship-2026-live-stream-for-free 032UcEGErFiQR1cyL5FTa1y Sat, 07 Nov 2026 06:00:00 +0000

TL;DR: Watch France vs. Fiji in the 2026 Nations Championship for free on ITVX. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

ExpressVPN logo
Credit: ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)
$12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

The 2026 Nations Championship is all about interesting clashes between elite international sides, and that's exactly what we're getting from France vs. Fiji. The hosts will be favorites to win this fixture, but Fiji always possess the capacity to surprise and entertain. Could they produce a shock victory at the Groupama Stadium?

If you're interested in watching the 2026 Nations Championship from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is France vs. Fiji?

France vs. Fiji in the 2026 Nations Championship kicks off at 3:10 p.m. ET on Nov. 7. This fixture takes place at the Groupama Stadium.

How to watch France vs. Fiji for free

France vs. Fiji in the 2026 Nations Championship is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can livestream the 2026 Nations Championship for free from anywhere in the world.

Livestream France vs. Fiji in the 2026 Nations Championship for free by following these simple steps:

  1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

  4. Visit ITVX

  5. Watch France vs. Fiji for free from anywhere in the world

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch France vs. Fiji in the 2026 Nations Championship without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream multiple weekends before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ITVX, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries, including the UK

  • Easy-to-use app available on all major devices, including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

  • Fast connection speeds free from throttling

  • Up to 10 simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream France vs. Fiji in the 2026 Nations Championship for free with ExpressVPN.

]]> <![CDATA[How to watch Wales vs. Japan in the 2026 Nations Championship online for free]]> https://mashable.com/entertainment/wales-japan-nations-championship-2026-live-stream-for-free 02Ol5VfIPMzogfebN3r8Lj2 Sat, 07 Nov 2026 06:00:00 +0000

TL;DR: Watch Wales vs. Japan in the 2026 Nations Championship for free on ITVX. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

ExpressVPN logo
Credit: ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)
$12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

The 2026 Nations Championship is back with some really interesting international rugby this weekend. Wales vs. Japan is probably not the biggest game on the schedule, but it might be one of the most difficult to predict. Both teams will believe they have a chance of winning this clash.

If you're interested in watching the 2026 Nations Championship from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Wales vs. Japan?

Wales vs. Japan in the 2026 Nations Championship kicks off at 11:40 a.m. ET on Nov. 7. This fixture takes place at the Principality Stadium.

How to watch Wales vs. Japan for free

Wales vs. Japan in the 2026 Nations Championship is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can livestream the 2026 Nations Championship for free from anywhere in the world.

Livestream Wales vs. Japan in the 2026 Nations Championship for free by following these simple steps:

  1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

  4. Visit ITVX

  5. Watch Wales vs. Japan for free from anywhere in the world

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Wales vs. Japan in the 2026 Nations Championship without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream multiple weekends before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ITVX, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries, including the UK

  • Easy-to-use app available on all major devices, including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

  • Fast connection speeds free from throttling

  • Up to 10 simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Wales vs. Japan in the 2026 Nations Championship for free with ExpressVPN.

]]> <![CDATA[Hurdle hints and answers for November 7, 2026]]> https://mashable.com/entertainment/hurdle-hints-answers-november-7-2026 01SpPrqZh7Kf5qTpJcqOMiC Sat, 07 Nov 2026 05:00:00 +0000

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hurdle Word 1 hint

Spirit.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

GHOST

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Bestie.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for November 7, 2026

Hurdle Word 2 Answer

CRONY

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Cranium.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Nov. 7, 2026
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Nov. 7, 2026

Hurdle Word 3 answer

SKULL

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Plenty.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

AMPLE

Final Hurdle hint

Indebted.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable

Hurdle Word 5 answer

OWING

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

]]> <![CDATA[How to watch Scotland vs. New Zealand in the 2026 Nations Championship online for free]]> https://mashable.com/entertainment/scotland-new-zealand-nations-championship-2026-live-stream-for-free 02O694G06ELTyesxoMG4sgF Sat, 07 Nov 2026 05:00:00 +0000

TL;DR: Watch Scotland vs. New Zealand in the 2026 Nations Championship for free on ITVX. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

ExpressVPN logo
Credit: ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)
$12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

The 2026 Nations Championship showcases a number of really interesting matchups this weekend, including Scotland vs. New Zealand.

The All Blacks will come into this clash as favorites, but you always get the feeling that Scotland can beat any team on their best day. Could they deliver a standout performance this weekend at Murrayfield Stadium?

If you're interested in watching the 2026 Nations Championship from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Scotland vs. New Zealand?

Scotland vs. New Zealand in the 2026 Nations Championship kicks off at 9:10 a.m. ET on Nov. 7. This fixture takes place at Murrayfield Stadium.

How to watch Scotland vs. New Zealand for free

Scotland vs. New Zealand in the 2026 Nations Championship is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can livestream the 2026 Nations Championship for free from anywhere in the world.

Livestream Scotland vs. New Zealand in the 2026 Nations Championship for free by following these simple steps:

  1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

  4. Visit ITVX

  5. Watch Scotland vs. New Zealand for free from anywhere in the world

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Scotland vs. New Zealand in the 2026 Nations Championship without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream multiple weekends before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ITVX, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries, including the UK

  • Easy-to-use app available on all major devices, including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

  • Fast connection speeds free from throttling

  • Up to 10 simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Scotland vs. New Zealand in the 2026 Nations Championship for free with ExpressVPN.

]]> <![CDATA[How to watch Italy vs. South Africa in the 2026 Nations Championship online for free]]> https://mashable.com/entertainment/italy-south-africa-nations-championship-2026-live-stream-for-free 04Ol6xszm4BDx7Nvs5R2aKw Sat, 07 Nov 2026 05:00:00 +0000

TL;DR: Watch Italy vs. South Africa in the 2026 Nations Championship for free on ITVX. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026 Nations Championship hasn't provided any major shocks after three rounds of fixtures. The action now heads into the Northern Hemisphere, so could the tables turn?

South Africa have a perfect record after three games, and now they face Italy in Turin. The World Cup winners will be heavy favorites, but Italy will be absolutely desperate to get their first win of the competition.

If you're interested in watching the 2026 Nations Championship from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Italy vs. South Africa?

Italy vs. South Africa in the 2026 Nations Championship kicks off at 7:40 a.m. ET on Nov. 7. This fixture takes place at the Allianz Stadium.

How to watch Italy vs. South Africa for free

Italy vs. South Africa in the 2026 Nations Championship is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can livestream the 2026 Nations Championship for free from anywhere in the world.

Livestream Italy vs. South Africa in the 2026 Nations Championship for free by following these simple steps:

  1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

  4. Visit ITVX

  5. Watch Italy vs. South Africa for free from anywhere in the world

ExpressVPN logo
Credit: ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)
$12.99 only at ExpressVPN

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Italy vs. South Africa in the 2026 Nations Championship without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream multiple weekends before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ITVX, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries, including the UK

  • Easy-to-use app available on all major devices, including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

  • Fast connection speeds free from throttling

  • Up to 10 simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Italy vs. South Africa in the 2026 Nations Championship for free with ExpressVPN.

]]> <![CDATA[Moon phase today: What the Moon will look like on November 7, 2026]]> https://mashable.com/science/moon-phase-today-nov-7-2026 070nEIEaQO9jJWWZAf2EFX2 Sat, 07 Nov 2026 05:00:00 +0000

The Moon is now nearing the very end of its Waning Crescent phase, with only a tiny fraction of its surface illuminated.

What is today's Moon phase?

As of Saturday, Nov. 7, the NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon is in the Waning Crescent phase, with 4% of its surface visible.

There's not much to see tonight, only the Grimaldi Basin. To see this, you'll need to use either binoculars or a telescope.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will take place on November 24.

What are Moon phases?

It takes the Moon around 29.5 days to pass through a complete lunar cycle. As it travels around Earth, the angle at which sunlight reaches its surface changes what we can see from here, producing the different phases, from the New Moon through to the Full Moon and back again. The cycle then starts over, as explained by NASA.

The eight phases are:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

]]> <![CDATA[NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Nov. 7, 2026]]> https://mashable.com/entertainment/nyt-connections-hints-meanings-november-7-2026 00e2ufTQt2LSF8OXgYaQ58I Sat, 07 Nov 2026 03:00:00 +0000

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 7, 2026

Booty meaning

Stolen treasure or plunder.

Bounty meaning

A monetary reward offered for a specific action.

Spoils meaning

Goods, valuables or territory seized by force.

Treasure meaning

A collection of valuable items.

Henley meaning

A collarless pullover shirt with a round neckline.

Polo meaning

A game played by teams of players on horseback using a mallet.

Raglan meaning

A type of shirt where there is no separate shoulder seam.

Ringer meaning

A device or phone that makes a ringing sound.

New meaning

Recently created.

North meaning

The direction on a compass that is directly opposite to south.

Rhode meaning

Hailey Bieber's skincare brand.

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

South meaning

The direction on a compass that is directly opposite to north.

Cane meaning

A walking support device.

Clone meaning

A replica.

Easter meaning

A Christian celebration celebrating the supernatural resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead three days after his crucifixion.

Soon meaning

In or within a short time.

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

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

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

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

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

]]> <![CDATA[NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 7, 2026]]> https://mashable.com/entertainment/nyt-connections-hint-answer-today-november-7-2026 04UZyZMMpNX2U2FnM6uobob Sat, 07 Nov 2026 03:00:00 +0000

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're good with geography.

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.

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.

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 7, 2026

Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

  • Yellow: Ahoy matey!

  • Green: Tops

  • Blue: 50 of them

  • Purple: Natural disasters

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

Here are today's Connections categories

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

  • Yellow: Pirate's plunder

  • Green: Kinds of shirts

  • Blue: First words of U.S. state names

  • Purple: Ends of storm types

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 #1245 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

  • Pirate's plunder: BOOTY, BOUNTY, SPOILS, TREASURE

  • Kinds of shirts: HENLEY, POLO, RAGLAN, RINGER

  • First words of U.S. state names: NEW, NORTH, RHODE, SOUTH

  • Ends of storm types: CANE, CLONE, EASTER, SOON

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

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

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

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

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

]]> <![CDATA[NYT Strands hints, answers for November 7, 2026]]> https://mashable.com/entertainment/strands-nyt-hint-november-7-2026 03yy5iMpJPfgBzYtGu0E8Oa Sat, 07 Nov 2026 03:00:00 +0000

Today's NYT Strands hints will be easy if you're always in a rush.

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 7, 2026

NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: In the blink of an eye

The words are associated with pace.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are things that are quick.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical (diagonal).

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

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Whats the Hurry.

NYT Strands word list for November 7

  • Whoosh

  • Hurtle

  • Streak

  • Whiz

  • Whats the Hurry

  • Zoom

  • Flash

  • Rush

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

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

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

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

]]> <![CDATA[Wordle today: Answer, hints for November 7, 2026]]> https://mashable.com/entertainment/wordle-today-answer-november-7-2026 07duZad5r8DZNSn1UC4Gr2I Sat, 07 Nov 2026 03:00:00 +0000

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

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 7, 2026

Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

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

Chatter.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

No letters appear twice.

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

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter D.

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...

PRATE

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

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

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

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

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

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

]]> <![CDATA[The worlds largest wildlife crossing opens soon. Heres how to see the cute animals.]]> https://mashable.com/science/how-to-watch-liberty-canyon-wildlife-crossing-la-live-camera 01DLgb7jWcvpHbuBZx9sP2k Fri, 06 Nov 2026 23:10:37 +0000

Soon California drivers speeding down the 101 freeway won't be the only ones commuting in comfort. As hundreds of thousands of vehicles speed down the multi-lane highway in their vehicles, their animal counterparts — the wildlife population that makes up Los Angeles County — will be similarly at ease.

That's because officials will finally unveil the completed Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, a large, vegetated overpass that will help animals cross traffic safely and comfortably move across the land split by zooming cars. It is the world's largest wildlife crossing in the world.

SEE ALSO: Oh, snap. Martian volcanoes might actually still be alive.

What is the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing?

The bridge connects the Santa Monica Mountains to the Simi Hills and spans 10 lanes of traffic, plus an access road. The project has been in the works for 10 years — one part of a nationwide scientific monitoring program led by partners like the National Wildlife Federation, the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, and the National Park Service. 

The crossing was funded by a public-private partnership, with government funds and philanthropic donations providing the money.

The crossing is hoped to be a boon to local wildlife populations, which often meet deadly fates from cars speeding along the state highway, but also face geographic and genetic isolation due to the freeway's barrier-like effect. Mountain lions, coyotes, bobcats, deer, and various bird, lizard, and snake species are expected to traverse the path to cross the freeway and find more land to roam and mate.

An overhead view of the crossing, which is a large rectangle structure with several winding dirt paths and full foliage.
Credit: Kayla Bartkowski / Contributor / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

How to view the Wallis Annenberg crossing trail cams

Over the last week, biologists have been installing a series of wildlife cameras near the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area to track animal populations before the crossing officially opens on Dec. 2. By the time of opening, scientists and nature watchers will be able to monitor its visitors via 50 cameras and four thermal video cameras.

Project leads told the Los Angeles Times that the cameras' photo stream will be available to the public. For now, live video feeds will only be available to researchers for security reasons.

The cameras are already picking up hopeful moments, including the path's first visitor: A single coyote trotting up the side of the currently unfinished path, shielded by the cover of night and the lack of blinding headlights.

The sighting marveled scientists working on the project, who expected a smaller animal to attempt the cross first.

"I wouldn’t have said this even a couple weeks ago, but I now think there’s a chance we’ll have a mountain lion use it before ribbon cutting,"said Beth Pratt of the Wildlife Crossing Fund to the Los Angeles Times. "Word gets out in the animal world, so who knows what’s going to happen?"

What did we say? Millennial optimism is really back.

]]> <![CDATA[Our favorite Android smartwatch is $100 off: Save on the new Google Pixel Watch 5 before Black Friday]]> https://mashable.com/tech/nov-6-google-pixel-watch-5-early-black-friday-deal 06TQg9ODE5eO0yvZEOeZoDY Fri, 06 Nov 2026 23:00:00 +0000

SAVE $100: As of Nov. 6, our favorite Android smartwatch, the Google Pixel Watch 5, is down to its lowest-ever price at Amazon. The 41mm WiFi model is discounted by $100.

Google Pixel Watch 5
Credit: Google
Google Pixel Watch 5
$299.99 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $100
 

Amazon just knocked $100 off the Google Pixel Watch 5, bringing the 41mm WiFi model down to $299.99, its lowest price yet.

If you have been waiting for the right moment to pick up our favorite Android smartwatch without paying full price, this limited-time deal completely wipes out the launch-day price bump.

When our team rounded up the year's best smartwatches, the Pixel Watch 5 took top honors for Android users. Last year's Pixel Watch 4 was already a running favorite for former Mashable reporter Christianna Silva, but the 5 earned its upgrade by adding a faster processor, double the storage, faster charging, and more accurate GPS route tracking for workouts.

It also sports a domed Actua 360 display shielded by scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass, along with up to 40 hours of battery life to comfortably get you through a day and a half between charges.

A lot of that appeal comes down to how smoothly it fits into a typical routine. Google built Gemini directly into the device, acting as a helpful companion on your wrist. It can display flight details on the way to the airport or suggest contact numbers while you text about dinner plans, and certain Gemini features even function offline when your phone lacks service.

Health tracking also sees a notable upgrade. Along with heart rate metrics and nightly sleep-stage summaries, the Pixel Watch 5 monitors long-term trends in blood pressure and insulin resistance. It also checks breathing regularity while you sleep and includes Loss of Pulse Detection, which can prompt an emergency call if it detects you need immediate help.

Grab the Google Pixel Watch 5 while it's down to its lowest-ever price.

]]> <![CDATA[The Beats Fit Pro are heavily reduced at Amazon — save $70 before Black Friday]]> https://mashable.com/tech/nov-6-beats-fit-pro-early-black-friday-deal 038TAmuLQbV4ngljKQZxexm Fri, 06 Nov 2026 23:00:00 +0000

SAVE $70: As of Nov. 6, Beats Fit Pro are on sale for $129.95 at Amazon. That's a 35% discount on the list price.

Beats Fit Pro
Credit: Beats
Beats Fit Pro
$129.95 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $70
 

I've been using the Beats Fit Pro for over three years now, and they're still some of my favorite earbuds I've tested. The battery life is excellent, they stay comfortably in place, and the sound quality hasn't given me any reason to switch. So, this $70-off deal on Amazon is just one of many reasons to consider these earbuds.

With these earbuds, you'll get three listening modes to choose from: Active Noise Canceling, Transparency Mode, and Adaptive EQ. You can use noise cancellation to block out background sounds, switch to Transparency Mode to stay aware of what's happening around you, or let Adaptive EQ adjust the sound to your ears.

The flexible wingtip design also helps to keep the earbuds securely in place, making them great workout earbuds. Multiple ear tip sizes are also included, so you can find a fit that feels comfortable. I've used these for marathons, HIIT workouts, and everything in between, and can attest to their secure fit.

Beats says you can get up to six hours of listening time from the earbuds, or up to 24 hours with the charging case. In my experience, they live up to that claim and then some. I've tested plenty of earbuds over the years, but these have the best battery life of any pair I've used.

Find this Beats deal at Amazon now.

]]> <![CDATA[How to watch New Zealand vs. Tonga online for free]]> https://mashable.com/entertainment/new-zealand-tonga-rugby-league-world-cup-2026-live-stream-for-free 06uNg0aeBNPeJC9vSbUxbvE Fri, 06 Nov 2026 23:00:00 +0000

TL;DR: Watch New Zealand vs. Tonga in the 2026 Rugby League World Cup for free on 7plus. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Rugby League World Cup final is calling. There are only four teams left in contention for the main prize, and two electric semi-final matchups on the schedule for this weekend. The first sees New Zealand take on Tonga at the McDonald Jones Stadium. It's going to be huge.

If you want to watch the 2026 Rugby League World Cup for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is New Zealand vs. Tonga?

New Zealand vs. Tonga in the 2026 Rugby League World Cup starts at 4:05 a.m. ET on Nov. 7. This fixture takes place at the McDonald Jones Stadium.

How to watch New Zealand vs. Tonga for free

New Zealand vs. Tonga in the 2026 Rugby League World Cup is available to live stream for free on 7plus.

7plus is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Rugby League World Cup from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup by following these simple steps:

  1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia

  4. Visit 7plus

  5. Watch the 2026 Rugby League World Cup for free from anywhere in the world

ExpressVPN logo
Credit: ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)
$12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the tournament before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for 7plus?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on 7plus, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries, including Australia

  • Easy-to-use app available on all major devices, including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

  • Fast connection speeds

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream New Zealand vs. Tonga in the 2026 Rugby League World Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

]]> <![CDATA[Get lifetime access to 20TB of cloud storage for $315]]> https://mashable.com/tech/nov-6-scramble-cloud-cloud-storage-lifetime-subscription-20tb 04GQBtPvulUHJ5WtjztGjzX Fri, 06 Nov 2026 23:00:00 +0000

TL;DR: Stop worrying about your digital storage with this 20TB lifetime subscription to Scramble Cloud Storage for just $314.96 (reg. $1,440) with code CLOUD through Nov. 8.

Scramble Cloud Storage Lifetime Subscription (20TB)
Credit: Scramble Cloud

The more you use your devices, the more digital files you accumulate. Since we’re all glued to our smartphones, we’re constantly saving content, taking photos, and capturing videos — and all those files need to go somewhere. Scramble Cloud Storage lets you secure 20TB of storage to keep all your content safe.

Right now, you can lock in this 20TB lifetime subscription to Scramble Cloud Storage for just $314.96 with code CLOUD until Nov. 8.

Secure your digital life with 20TB of cloud storage

Our digital lives aren’t shrinking anytime soon. If you’re looking for a more permanent option to keep them secure, it’s time to consider owning your cloud storage instead of renting it. With Scramble Cloud Storage, you can pay once and lock in a lifetime of space — with no monthly subscription costs or renewal fees required.

This lifetime subscription to Scramble Cloud Storage gives you an ample 20TB of space, enough to grow with you for life. Store your photos, videos, and important files securely, with peace of mind thanks to its end-to-end encryption and GDPR compliance. The zero-knowledge architecture also ensures you’re the only one who has access to your files.

Scramble Cloud Storage lets you retain control over your content with an easy-to-use interface you can use on all your devices. Access Scramble via web app, desktop, WebDAV, or CLI.

There’s a 5GB maximum file size and a 70GB daily upload limit. Once you have uploaded your content, you can take advantage of unlimited file sharing. If you have friends who use Scramble Cloud Storage, you can also create groups for even easier sharing.

When you need to access your content, you can easily preview your files and view Word and Excel files right in your browser. You can easily manage it all thanks to the drag-and-drop interface.

This lifetime subscription includes ongoing platform updates, so your Scramble Cloud Storage account will always be up to date.

Score a 20TB lifetime subscription to Scramble Cloud Storage for just $314.96 with code CLOUD now through Nov. 8.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

]]> <![CDATA[How to watch the 2026 Rugby League World Cup online for free]]> https://mashable.com/entertainment/rugby-league-world-cup-2026-live-stream-for-free 04Ce6GZG3V9Rxgkc3UpzlBO Fri, 06 Nov 2026 22:00:00 +0000

TL;DR: The 2026 Rugby League World Cup is available to live stream for free on 7plus. Access these free livestreams from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026 Rugby League World Cup has been absolutely electric from start to finish, and if you are looking to catch every big hit, try, and high-stakes knockout match without spending big on a subscription, you're in luck.

Fans in Australia can watch every match live and free via Channel 7 and 7plus. Fans in other countries don't have it so easy, but there are some simple steps you can take to secure access to all the action without spending a dime.

If you want to watch the 2026 Rugby League World Cup for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the Rugby League World Cup?

The Rugby League World Cup is an international rugby league competition contested by senior men's national teams. The latest edition of the Rugby League World Cup will be jointly hosted by Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea.

The defending champions are Australia.

When is the 2026 Rugby League World Cup?

The 2026 Rugby League World Cup is the 17th edition of the competition. This year's tournament starts on Oct. 15 and runs until the final on Nov. 15.

How to watch the 2026 Rugby League World Cup for free

The 2026 Rugby League World Cup is available to live stream for free on 7plus.

7plus is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Rugby League World Cup from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup by following these simple steps:

  1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia

  4. Visit 7plus

  5. Watch the 2026 Rugby League World Cup for free from anywhere in the world

ExpressVPN logo
Credit: ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)
$12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the tournament before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for 7plus?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on 7plus, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries, including Australia

  • Easy-to-use app available on all major devices, including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

  • Fast connection speeds

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream the 2026 Rugby League World Cup for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

]]> <![CDATA[How tech stocks are performing Friday amid AI slowdown fears]]> https://mashable.com/tech/how-tech-stocks-performing-friday-amid-ai-slowdown-fears 04XAdqdH3ZMOHsThC5D5aJP Fri, 06 Nov 2026 21:11:36 +0000

After suffering one of its worst routs in years, tech stocks are recovering on Friday. It appears that some investors are trying to calm the waters slowly and steadily by buying the tech stock dip.

After falling 6.3 percent on Thursday, the tech-centric Nasdaq 100 rose 1.9 percent on Friday. It may not be much, but it's certainly a welcome sign after its worst single-day performance in six years.

As Mashable reported on Thursday, Tuesday's U.S. midterm election results have sent shockwaves through the tech sector. Many tech leaders, such as Elon Musk, have backed President Donald Trump and the Republican Party in recent years. With Democratic candidates racking up resounding victories across the country, there is fear of blowback from Democratic politicians, many of whom ran AI-critical campaigns.

For example, Senator Bernie Sanders called for a national data center moratorium on Wednesday, just one day after the Democratic Party's midterm wins.

Two of the biggest AI-adjacent companies, Nvidia and SpaceX, also saw their share prices rise by 7 percent and 6.1 percent, as of this writing. Although the stock price is trending in the right direction, neither has recovered from Thursday's losses yet.

However, despite concerns about the incoming Democratic majority and the future of the U.S. AI industry, investors are looking to course correct on Friday, with stocks like Intel up 8.9 percent and Airbnb up 11.7 percent.

Chipmakers and other tech stocks more closely adjacent to the AI industry are still struggling a bit more, as previously mentioned, but they are up today as well.

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

]]> <![CDATA[Sharks CryoGlow Plus face mask gets first-ever discount for Sephora Savings Event]]> https://mashable.com/life/nov-6-shark-cryoglow-plus-led-face-mask-deal 0129Wss1zYmCulQeO3VvGTj Fri, 06 Nov 2026 19:49:53 +0000

SAVE UP TO 20% WITH CODE ALLONSALE: The Shark CryoGlow Plus is on sale for $341.10 (normally $379) for Beauty Insider members during Sephora's Savings Event — its first discount ever. Members with VIB and Rouge status save up to $37.90 extra.

the Shark CryoGlow Plus
Credit: Shark
Shark CryoGlow Plus Anti-Aging LED Face Mask
$341.10 at Sephora
$379 Save $37.90
Use code ALLONSALE

The Shark CryoGlow LED face mask is one of Mashable's Gifts of the Year — and the upgraded version is now on sale for the first time ever.

Through Nov. 9, Sephora shoppers can save up to 20% on the Shark CryoGlow Plus using the coupon code ALLONSALE. This deal comes as part of Sephora's fall Savings Event for members of its Beauty Insiders rewards program, which is free to join.

Standard Beauty Insider members will get 10% off the $379 CryoGlow Plus, which brings it down to $341.10. Those who have unlocked VIB status (by spending at least $350 at Sephora in the past year) save 15% and pay $322.15.

the shark cryoglow face mask on a bedside table
The Shark CryoGlow (pictured) is our favorite red light mask for most people. The upgraded "Plus" model has more LED bulbs and lasts longer. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

Beauty Insider Rouge members who have spent at least $1,000 at Sephora this year earn the most savings. For them, the CryoGlow Plus is only $303.20 — a 20% discount.

Unlike other red light masks we've tested, Shark CryoGlow can emit red, near-infrared, and blue light to tackle different skin concerns, from wrinkles to acne. It also features de-puffing cooling eye pads, which feel "amazing on groggy eyes in the morning or post-shower on a summer night," according to our reviewer.

The "Plus" version of the CryoGlow, which launched this summer, has more LED bulbs and a longer battery life than the original model.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters or get Mashable push alerts today. 

]]> <![CDATA[Kalshi’s claim to be a commodities trader is being rejected by courts]]> https://mashable.com/tech/kalshi-losing-in-state-courts-over-gambling-laws 04otXZlG22nxut7N5b9QMbf Fri, 06 Nov 2026 18:30:32 +0000

State courts have struck another blow against online prediction market Kalshi, which has sought to remain outside of gaming law, claiming it's a trading — not gambling — platform.

On Wednesday, a US District judge granted a preliminary injunction to California tribes, prohibiting Kalshi from offering sports contracts (AKA trades or "swaps") on tribal land. The ruling was handed down to the Blue Lake Rancheria and Chicken Ranch Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians, which jointly sued Kalshi for allegedly violating the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

In that case, a panel of judges ruled that Kalshi's sports prediction trading constituted Class III gaming, which covers sports betting and parimutuel (pool) wagering. The court determined that regulations issued by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), which currently governs Kalshi, didn't preempt the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

SEE ALSO: A teen used her school Chromebook and Google AI Mode to plan her suicide, lawsuit alleges

That same day, Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin announced the state was suing the platform under the Deceptive Trade Practices Act for alleged illegal gambling operations.

"Kalshi is not blind that its platform presents real, tangible risks to its users, including excessive wagering, financial losses, depression, and other mental health harms," wrote Griffin in a press release. "It doesn’t take a genius to understand that wagering money on whether the Razorbacks win or lose is gambling. And gambling on an unregulated platform is squarely prohibited by Arkansas law."

Late last month, the state of Utah filed criminal charges against Kalshi and its two co-founders, Tarek Mansour and Luana Lopes Lara, accusing the company of violating state gambling prohibitions. The criminal case, which includes counts of unlawful activity, online gambling promotion, and general gambling promotion, followed a civil filing attempting to block Kalshi from advertising trades to Utah residents.

In September, a 6th US Circuit Court of Appeals panel ruled that Ohio and Tennessee could apply state gambling laws to Kalshi contracts. Similar to the California case, the panel determined the Commodities Exchange Act did not override state law. A month prior, Nevada was granted the right to ban the platform outright by a 9th Circuit panel.

The state of New York has also sued the platform for "unlicensed gambling." Both New York and Arkansas claim Kalshi violates state gambling age requirements, as well, allowing individuals as young as 18 to trade on the platform.

Kalshi, echoing competitors like Polymarket, has asserted that the platform's "swaps" are not bets and that it acts as a "designated contract market" trading in futures contracts and derivatives. The platform has sued states for attempting to regulate its operations.

States have pushed back on that framing and argue that online prediction markets, which let users risk money on outcomes outside traditional derivatives, are using the shield of federal oversight to skirt gaming laws that impose various bans, licenses, and taxes on online betting. Some cases have invoked Kalshi's own marketing language, including claims that the platform calls itself a betting site.

Kalshi's lawyers argue that the lack of traditional odds makes the platform's operation significantly different from gambling. Still, state courts have begun striking down Kalshi's claims, including a 2nd Circuit Court decision on Tuesday that denied the company's request for a preliminary injunction in New York and Connecticut cases.

Kalshi — advised by Donald Trump Jr. — has garnered the support of the federal government. As states continue to crack down on the prediction industry, federal agencies like the CFTC have filed a string of countersuits trying to bring states to heel.

]]> <![CDATA[Meta puts controversial web scraping policy changes on hold indefinitely]]> https://mashable.com/tech/meta-terms-service-ai-scraping-businesses 00AhreCUV1hrwpX3FS00uGN Fri, 06 Nov 2026 18:30:28 +0000

Meta was all set to make a controversial change to its terms of service back in October, but after a delay into November, the changes have been pushed aside indefinitely.

Mark Zuckerberg's company published a quick update (spotted by Nieman Lab) confirming that previously announced changes to its Meta Commercial Terms, Product Catalog Terms, Self-Serve Ad Terms, and Ad Creative Generative AI Terms would not take effect on Nov. 20 as initially planned. These changes, which Nieman Lab originally reported on in October, would have allowed the use of web scrapers to collect material from websites associated with Meta business accounts, including those of journalistic organizations.

Originally, these changes were set to go into effect on Oct. 30, before controversy prompted Meta to delay to Nov. 20. Now, Meta has confirmed that the changes will be delayed indefinitely.

"These updates are now paused and will not take effect on Nov. 20, 2026," Meta's statement read. "We are continuing to consult with stakeholders and will provide a further update when we have more to share. In the meantime, our existing terms remain in effect."

When these changes were first announced, news organizations were (perhaps understandably) unhappy about their content being taken in that manner. Additionally, courts in Brazil took action to prevent that from happening.

At the end of October, Meta executive Andy Stone took to X to say that the company is "committed to getting this right," but evidently that commitment means the changes cannot go into effect anytime soon.

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

]]> <![CDATA[The FAA says it will phase out floppy disks by 2028]]> https://mashable.com/tech/faa-will-phase-out-floppy-disks-by-2028 06Nxo1lIBX85Z1kwINUb1uM Fri, 06 Nov 2026 17:57:03 +0000

When was the last time you used a floppy disk? If you're the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the last time you used a floppy disk was today.

Well, that's soon going to come to an end.

On Thursday, the FAA announced that it would be finally phasing out floppy disks across more than 400 air traffic control locations. The move will see floppy disks completely replaced by 2028.

Floppy disks haven't been used broadly for decades. In fact, the last major manufacturer of floppy disks, Sony, stopped producing them in 2011.

SEE ALSO: Watch an army of floppy disk drives flawlessly play Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody'

The owner of one of the last floppy disk retailers, floppydisk.com, has previously shared that they source their supply secondhand from people all over the world who are simply looking to get rid of used and unused floppy disks sitting around their homes or in storage.

Yet, the federal agency that enforces safety regulations and operates air traffic control through the country is still using floppy disks. And they use this outdated technology for pretty critical information too, such as weather conditions, airport status updates, equipment issues, and more.

Last year, Congress approved $12.5 billion in funding to address the U.S.'s outdated air traffic control systems. The U.S. Department of Transportation is also seeking another $30 billion for additional upgrades.

In addition to replacing floppy disks, the FAA is looking to upgrade its computer systems. According to Reuters, the FAA's telecoms systems are run on "decades-old Compaq ​computers" and parts purchased on eBay.

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

]]> <![CDATA[Im watching the Brazilian GP for free this weekend — how to live stream F1 for free]]> https://mashable.com/entertainment/brazil-gp-f1-live-stream-for-free 0702tMxFYDx5gZbDOuQPtV8 Fri, 06 Nov 2026 17:04:00 +0000

TL;DR: Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Apple TV+ through Prime Video Channels to watch select F1 races for free. Watch the Brazil GP for free with the Prime Video app.

Prime Video logo
Credit: Amazon
Apple TV Prime Video Channel
Watch the Brazil GP for free with a 7-day trial

Kimi Antonelli was crowned the 2026 F1 champion last weekend in Mexico, so where does that leave us now? We still have four race weekends this season, and nothing is really decided except the actual winner. Reputations are on the line, so we can expect more thrilling racing from the best of the best.

The action heads to São Paulo this weekend. Can Verstappen win again to cement his place in second? Or will Hamilton bounce back from a frustrating weekend in Mexico to leapfrog his old rival?

SEE ALSO: ExpressVPN review: A stylish VPN service with proven privacy and a large U.S. presence

If you want to watch F1 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is the Brazil GP?

The Brazil GP is the 20th race of the 2026 F1 season. Here's the full schedule from the Autódromo José Carlos Pace:

  • Practice 1 — 10:30-11:30 a.m. ET on Nov. 6

  • Practice 2 — 2-3 p.m. ET on Nov. 6

  • Practice 3 — 9:30-10:30 a.m. ET on Nov. 7

  • Qualifying — 1-2 p.m. ET on Nov. 7

  • Race — 12 p.m. ET on Nov. 8

Fans can follow all the action from this race weekend without spending anything.

How to watch the Brazil GP for free

Apple TV holds exclusive U.S. broadcasting rights for F1, and you can now sign up for a seven-day free trial of Apple TV directly through Prime Video Channels. That free trial gives you access to select races for free, including this weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix.

The subscription rolls over to $12.99 per month after the seven-day trial, but you can disable the automatic renewal and still stream the entire race weekend for free. It's a sneaky hack, but it works.

If you're already paying for Amazon Prime, calling it "free" is a stretch. But if you don't have an active membership, Amazon offers a 30-day free trial for new users. Stacking that Prime trial with the seven-day Apple TV channel trial means you're truly spending nothing to stream this weekend's race.

If you've already made use of this hack, you still have a few workarounds:

  • Apple TV: New standalone subscribers qualify for a direct seven-day free trial through Apple's app.

  • Apple One: If you want more than just streaming, the Apple One tier packages Apple TV alongside Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness+, Apple News+, and 50GB of iCloud storage — and it comes with a full one-month free trial ($19.95 per month after the promotional period).

  • Apple: The most generous Apple TV offer is tied to new hardware purchases. Buying an eligible iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV grants new subscribers three months of free service. You obviously have to spend money on hardware, but if you were already planning an upgrade, it effectively unlocks a massive chunk of the F1 season for free.

]]> <![CDATA[Walmart quietly dropped epic deals ahead of Black Friday: Save on Apple, Ninja, Tonies, and more]]> https://mashable.com/tech/best-early-black-friday-walmart-deals-2026 02hcHW67SxH91cTP0J4Q948 Fri, 06 Nov 2026 16:14:30 +0000
The best early Black Friday Walmart deals:
ENJOY THE PERKS
Walmart+ 30-Day Trial Membership
$1 (Save $11.95)
Walmart plus logo
Best Apple deal
Apple AirPods 4
$89 (save $40.99)
Apple AirPods 4
Best TV deal
LG 65-inch C6 Series 4K UHD OLED AI Smart TV
$1,399.99 (save $1,300)
LG 65" C6 Series 4K UHD OLED AI Smart TV
Best gaming deal
Samsung 27-inch Odyssey G55C gaming monitor
$159 (save $90)
Samsung 27" Odyssey G55C
BEST KITCHEN DEAL
Ninja Professional Plus DUO 72-ounce Blender (BN750)
$99 (save $30)
Ninja Professional Plus DUO 72-Oz Blender (BN750)
Best robot vacuum deal
Roborock QV 35S 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum
$429.99 (save $320)
Roborock QV 35S
Best Carpet Cleaner
Bissell Little Green Carpet Cleaner
$74.62 (save $27.35)
Bissell Little Green Carpet Cleaner with accessories
Best Smartwatch Deal
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)
$379 (save $50)
Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm]

Walmart's first early Black Friday sale kicks off Nov. 12, as the first of three major holiday shopping events on its calendar. But anyone who's spent time on the internet lately knows that plenty of Black Friday deals are already live. And TBH, Walmart has quietly dropped some of the best early discounts.

To help you skip the fluff, we've sifted through the noise, checked price histories, and compared offer details against competitors like Amazon and Target to find the best early Black Friday deals at Walmart. These include big markdowns on Apple gear, Ninja appliances, toys, and a really impressive OLED TV.

SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know about Walmart's Black Friday 2026 sale: Store hours, early access, best deals

Below are the best offers you can grab right now. These deals will likely fluctuate in the weeks leading up to Black Friday proper, so check back if you're not seeing what you're looking for just yet.

Best Apple deal

Apple AirPods 4
Credit: Apple
Apple AirPods 4
$89 at Walmart
$129.99 Save $40.99
 

Why we like it

Now that the AirPods 5 are the latest basic Apple earbuds, the AirPods 4 are a thing of the past. But that's a good thing if you're looking to snag a pair of AirPods for cheap. Walmart has the AirPods 4 without ANC for only $89 ahead of Black Friday. You can no longer find these earbuds at Amazon, Apple, or Best Buy (unless you find a random third-party seller), so this could be your last shot. While they don't have noise cancellation, they do offer five hours of battery life per charge, an IP54 water- and dust-resistance rating, spatial audio, and voice isolation during calls.

More early Black Friday Apple deals at Walmart

Best TV deal

LG 65" C6 Series 4K UHD OLED AI Smart TV
Credit: LG
LG 65-Inch C6 Series 4K UHD OLED AI Smart TV
$1,399.99 at Walmart
$2,699.99 Save $1,300.00
 

Why we like it

LG's C-Series is our top OLED pick for a reason, and the 65-inch C6 delivers near-zero blooming, vivid colors, and incredible dark-room contrast that turns movie nights into a theater experience. It's equally built for modern gaming, boasting a 165Hz refresh rate and a lightning-fast 0.1ms response time across four HDMI 2.1 ports. Scoring one of the best 65-inch displays on the market at a steep $1,300 discount makes this a standout early Black Friday grab.

More early Black Friday TV deals at Walmart

43 inches

50 to 55 inches

65 inches

75 inches

85 inches and up

Best gaming deal

Samsung 27" Odyssey G55C
Credit: Samsung
Samsung 27-inch Odyssey G55C gaming monitor
$159 at Walmart
$249 Save $90
 

Why we like it

A crisp QHD resolution (1440p) looks razor-sharp on a 27-inch display, giving you almost double the pixel density of standard 1080p without crushing your GPU's frame rates. Samsung’s Odyssey G55C pairs that visual clarity with a tight 1000R curve that comfortably wraps around your vision for deep immersion. Add in a fluid 165Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and AMD FreeSync to eliminate screen tearing, and it’s a high-performance gaming monitor built for smooth, competitive desktop setups.

More early Black Friday gaming deals at Walmart

Best kitchen deal

Ninja Professional Plus DUO 72-Oz Blender (BN750)
Credit: Ninja

Why we like it

Ninja makes some of Mashable's favorite kitchen appliances. If you could use a new blender before the holidays start, the Ninja Professional Plus Duo is on sale for just $99. The pitcher holds a generous 72 ounces for whipping up a smooth soup, smoothies, or a batch of frozen margaritas. The Ninja blender bundle also includes a single-serving cup for taking drinks on the go.

More early Black Friday kitchen deals at Walmart

Best robot vacuum deal

Roborock QV 35S
Credit: Roborock
Roborock QV 35S 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum
$429.99 at Walmart
$749.99 Save $320
 

Why we like it

Without spending a lot of money, equip your home with the convenience of a robot vacuum and mop before holiday guests arrive. The Roborock QV 35S has 10,000 Pa suction power, self-empties debris into the charging dock for over seven weeks, self-washes and air-dries its mopping pads, and auto-refills the water tank. It's about as hands-off as you can get. Plus, it's the cheapest it's ever been, matching its price from Walmart's competing Prime Day sale from June.

More Black Friday vacuum deals at Walmart

Best toy deal

Lego Disney Princesses Advent Calendar 2026
Credit: Lego
Lego Disney Princesses Advent Calendar 2026
$30 at Walmart
$44.99 Save $14.99
 

Why we like it

This is the time of year to snag Advent calendars while they're 1) on sale and 2) still in stock. This Lego Disney Princess Advent Calendar set comes with tons of mini figures and toys Disney princess fans will love. All the favorites are included, like Cinderella, Mulan, Ariel, and even Moana.

More early Black Friday toy deals at Walmart

]]> <![CDATA[Apple, Meta, Elon Musk’s companies reportedly in the crosshairs of congressional investigation]]> https://mashable.com/tech/apple-meta-musk-congress-investigation 07KoyTQD5Vluo8WhM2LFx7t Fri, 06 Nov 2026 16:04:52 +0000

Over the past two years, big tech companies like Apple and Meta have, in various ways, cozied up to Donald Trump's presidential administration, which has adopted a very laissez faire approach to tech regulation. That is almost certain to change, with a post-midterms AI reckoning.

After a staggering Democratic sweep of the U.S. midterm elections on Tuesday, some of those companies are preparing for what the Washington Post called an "investigative blitz" in its report on the matter. According to the Post's sources, which include congressional staffers, lawyers, and lobbyists, some of the targets of these investigations include Apple, Meta, and Elon Musk's companies.

Wall Street is also anticipating congressional action, with tech stocks (and major indexes) dropping sharply on Thursday following warnings from Democratic senators Bernie Sanders and Ed Markey.

SEE ALSO: Midterms deliver clear message: 'The AI reckoning is here'

On election night, incoming House Oversight Committee chairman issued a very efficient statement on the matter: "Lawyer up."

Massachusetts senator Ed Markey also quipped: "They are going to need to plant new forests for all of the subpoenas we’ll be printing."

According to the Post, the investigations will look into things like the Trump White House using Grok to plan the kidnapping of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro earlier this year. Congress also wants to look into Meta's habit of making local governments sign NDAs related to data center construction, and Apple's relationship to tracking apps used by ICE.

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

]]> <![CDATA[Certain porn is now banned in the UK — what cant you watch anymore?]]> https://mashable.com/life/adult-content-bans-uk-strangulation-incest-roleplay 036soBMOIpVBQcCbFkg08KE Fri, 06 Nov 2026 15:47:37 +0000

As of today, publishing or possessing certain types of porn is now banned in the UK. This includes:

  • Strangulation or suffocation

  • Penetration of people "who a reasonable person would think are related, or pretending to be related, in a certain way"

  • Sexual activity between two or more people "where a reasonable person would think at least one person is, or is pretending to be, under 16"

According to the UK government, maximum penalty for possession is two years in prison for strangulation/suffocation or incest content, and three years for content with people under 16 or perceived to be. The maximum penalty for publication is five years in prison for all of these categories.

SEE ALSO: Pornhub traffic skyrocketed the morning of Election Day

These bans are all part of the UK's Crime and Policing Act, and it's already impacting adult creators. In Sept., filmmaker and performer Vex Ashley told Mashable that she censored two films, Maman and Maman II, in anticipation of the bans. The "Mommy kink" features heavily in the videos.

"We basically had to go back and dub it out in a very retro-censorship kind of way," Ashley told Mashable at the time.

The UK government states that these bans will be listed as priority offenses in the UK's Online Safety Act, the country's age-verification law. This means that platforms will now have to implement systems and processes to prevent UK users from seeing this type of content.

In Oct. 28, the fetish video site iWantClips told creators it would remove 17 categories from UK access, including Choking Fantasy Play, Breath Play Fantasy, Hand Over Mouth, Face Sitting, Jeans Face Sitting, BBW [Big Beautiful Woman] Facesitting, Chest Sitting, Ass Smothering, Foot Smothering, Breast Smothering, Scissor Hold, Trampling Fantasy and Plastic Fetish, according to a press release shared with Mashable.

The UK's Online Safety Act went into effect in July 2025. Other age-verification laws have been enacted globally, including half of the United States, as well as in France, Italy, and other regions. These laws typically require proof of age, like a government ID or facial scan, to access certain types of content — explicit, and sometimes non-explicit content nonetheless deemed "restricted to adults."

Workers in the adult industry and free speech experts have sounded the alarm about these regulations for years, stating they will expand. The UK is also planning a broad social media ban for children under 16.

"The criminalising of our fantasies and imaginations feels like another step along the conveyor belt of puritanism to conservatism to fascism that no one feels prepared to fight," Ashley said in a press release.

]]> <![CDATA[Netflix announces Stranger Things prequel, set to debut in 2028]]> https://mashable.com/entertainment/stranger-things-other-worlds-netflix-announcement 009ksU3T5Fkya9G3Xo7ttob Fri, 06 Nov 2026 15:12:36 +0000

The Stranger Things universe is expanding.

On Nov. 6, Netflix announced Other Worlds: A Stranger Things Adventure, a prequel to the original hit series as well as stage show Stranger Things: The First Shadow.

Set for a 2028 release, Other Worlds comes from original series creators the Duffer Brothers, as well as Stranger Things writer and The First Shadow playwright Kate Trefry. The announcement comes as part of Stranger Things Day, as Nov. 6 marks the anniversary of Will Byers' (Noah Schnapp) disappearance in 1981.

SEE ALSO: The 'Stranger Things' play totally unlocks 'Stranger Things' Season 5, Vol. 2

 "We’ve been dreaming of Other Worlds: A Stranger Things Adventure for many years now, and to see it become a reality is surreal and exhilarating," the Duffer Brothers said in a statement. "It's Stranger Things, but also thrillingly fresh, with a new setting, new heroes and villains, and new … actually, we're not allowed to say any more. Now, on to casting. In the meantime — watch the skies, nerds!"

Aside from the tease of a location that probably won't be Hawkins, Indiana, and new characters, plot details for Other Worlds are fairly thin. However, the teaser video accompanying the announcement offers up a few clues. The video shows an abandoned bicycle outside what appears to be a government facility, not unlike Hawkins Lab. From there, a title card appears, reading "April 19, 1955. Marion, Nevada."

Featured Video For You
Gaten Matarazzo on 'Stranger Things' 'SNL' shoutout, Dustin and Steve's big fight, and why AI is 'lame'

The timeline and setting are intriguing, as Dr. Martin Brenner's (Matthew Modine) Nevada-based experiments to learn more about Dimension X (aka the Abyss) play a key part in Henry Creel's (Jamie Campbell Bower) backstory in both The First Shadow and Stranger Things Season 5. However, those experiments took place in Rachel, Nevada, not the fictional town of Marion.

Could Other Worlds be exploring an entirely new set of experiments tied to the Upside Down? We'll have to wait until 2028 to find out.

Other Worlds: A Stranger Things Adventure hits Netflix in 2028.

Want more film and TV news and reviews delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for Mashable’s Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

]]> <![CDATA[Pokémon TCG November 2026 release lineup: Where to buy 30th Celebration, Delta Reign, and more]]> https://mashable.com/life/pokemon-tcg-releases-november-2026-where-to-buy 07gglSBNw0kvmzXpiwaUmJf Fri, 06 Nov 2026 13:48:07 +0000

TL;DR: November delivers nine new Pokémon TCG drops, led by the Mega Evolution Delta Reign expansion and multiple 30th Celebration collector sets.

November is shaping up to be massive for Pokémon TCG fans, headlined by the worldwide arrival of the Mega Evolution Delta Reign expansion. The new set brings powerful Mega Evolution Pokémon ex into the mix, with over 35 special illustration Trainer and Pokémon cards for art collectors.

Pokémon is also rolling out a brand-new trio of nostalgic 30th Celebration boxes — including a monster 30-pack Ultra-Premium Collection — plus a tournament-ready Mega Greninja ex battle deck built for jumping straight into competitive play.

From massive booster displays to ready-to-play decks, here is every single set arriving this month.

Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ditto Premium Collection

Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration Ditto Premium Collection
Credit: The Pokémon Company

The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ditto Premium Collection includes a colorful acrylic display stand made specifically to show off cards on a desk or shelf. It fits the exclusive foil Ditto promo card right away, or you can swap in your favorite chase card from your pulls.

Packing eight 30th Celebration booster packs, the Ditto Premium Collection is an easy, budget-friendly way to rip anniversary packs without shelling out for an Ultra-Premium Collection.

Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Figure Collection

30th Celebration Figure Collection [Mew]
Credit: The Pokemon Company
30th Celebration Figure Collection Mewtwo
Credit: The Pokemon Company

The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Figure Collection pairs two of Kanto's most iconic legends with detailed, sculpted desk figures that outshine typical cardboard and plastic promos. Paired with a matching foil promo and an oversize showcase card, the set gives Mew and Mewtwo fans a complete display piece right out of the box.

The box also bundles five booster packs of the milestone 30th Celebration expansion. Because anniversary packs are exclusive to collection boxes rather than individual retail blisters, the 30th Celebration Figure Collection serves as an easy, mid-tier entry point for pack-cracking without requiring a full booster bundle or a premium collection budget.

Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection

Pokemon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Day
Credit: The Pokemon Company
Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Night (Umbreon)
Credit: The Pokémon Company

The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection is the centerpiece of the entire anniversary lineup. Available in Day or Night versions starring Pikachu alongside Espeon ex or Umbreon ex, it trades junk filler for high-end gear like a custom playmat, matching deck box, standard sleeves, an acrylic display, and metal dice.

The pack count is the real draw. Stuffed with 29 30th Celebration booster packs plus an exclusive pack with three etched vintage reprints, the 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection offers your best single shot at pulling the anniversary's top chase cards.

Pokémon TCG Delta Reign Booster Display Box

Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution—Delta Reign Booster Display Box
Credit: The Pokemon Company

The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Delta Reign Booster Display Box delivers the best pure cost-per-pack value for anyone looking to rip packs in bulk. Packing 36 individual booster packs, totaling 360 cards, it completely skips promo accessories and collectible junk, focusing entirely on ripping cards.

With over 140 cards in the expansion, the Booster Display Box offers the most reliable shot at assembling competitive playsets. From three new Legendary Stadiums to the set's headline Mega Evolution Pokémon ex and full-art illustration chases, a full booster box maximizes your odds across an entire master display.

Pokémon TCG Delta Reign Elite Trainer Box

Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution—Delta Reign Elite Trainer Box
Credit: The Pokemon Company

The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Delta Reign Elite Trainer Box balances ripping packs with stocking up on tabletop essentials. It pairs nine booster packs with an exclusive full-art Kyogre promo card, matching sleeves, damage-counter dice, and a sturdy storage box to keep your deck sorted.

For players and collectors wanting to dive into the new set without shelling out for an entire booster display, the Elite Trainer Box gives you an accessible path to chase heavy hitters like Mega Rayquaza ex while securing everything you need to actually play the game.

Pokémon TCG Delta Reign Build and Battle Box

Delta Reign Build & Battle Box
Credit: The Pokemon Company

The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Delta Reign Build and Battle Box is tailored for players who want to jump straight into matches without spending hours building a deck from scratch. It includes a 40-card ready-to-play deck featuring one of four unique foil promo cards, giving you a solid competitive core the minute you tear into the packaging.

With four booster packs tossed in to help you customize and beef up your lineup, it delivers a fast, low-cost way to test-drive the set’s new mechanics and chase heavy hitters like Mega Rayquaza ex in a quick-play prerelease format.

Pokémon TCG Delta Reign Booster Bundle

Delta Reign Booster Bundle
Credit: The Pokemon Company

The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Delta Reign Booster Bundle strips away oversized boxes, plastic coins, and promo cards so you only pay for packs. Packing six booster packs into a compact carton, it gives collectors the leanest, most budget-conscious way to rip cards from the new set without extra clutter.

It’s an easy grab if you want a casual pack-cracking session or a few quick chances at pulling Mega Rayquaza ex without investing in a full 36-pack booster box.

Pokémon TCG Mega Greninja ex League Battle Deck

Mega Greninja ex League Battle Deck
Credit: The Pokemon Company

The Pokémon TCG Mega Greninja ex League Battle Deck is for anyone looking to bypass the grind of deck-building and dive straight into competitive tournament play. Centered around Mega Greninja ex, this 60-card deck delivers an engine optimized for tactical versatility and offensive pressure straight out of the box.

Rather than just serving as a starter deck, it comes fully loaded with tournament-ready accessories — including damage-counter dice, condition markers, a matching deck box, and a play sheet to master its combo lines.

]]> <![CDATA[OpenAI says its new GPT-6 Cyber has already uncovered thousands of exploits]]> https://mashable.com/tech/openai-gpt-6-cyber 010mc30rZiJEN3XRAebzUni Fri, 06 Nov 2026 13:38:06 +0000

OpenAI has launched GPT-6, a cybersecurity AI model that delivers "major gains" on key cybersecurity benchmarks over its predecessor, GPT-5.6 Cyber.

In an introductory blog post published on Thursday, OpenAI said that GPT-6 Cyber delivers a 51% improvement over GPT-5.6 Cyber on the ExploitGym cybersecurity benchmark.

GPT-6 Cyber is "already helping to secure real-world software, uncovering and validating thousands of exploits in security-critical codebases such as Linux and Firefox," said the post.

The news comes days after it was revealed that OpenAI's upcoming model (now confirmed to be GPT-6 Cyber by OpenAI) had found and patched 948 local privilege-escalation vulnerabilities in Linux. The model was also used to identify 81 previously unknown "high-severity" vulnerabilities in Firefox, "despite extensive prior testing with frontier models."

If this all sounds a little dangerous to be available to just anyone, you're right. This is why access to GPT-6 Cyber is part of Daybreak, OpenAI's cybersecurity program, which is only available to verified individuals and organizations.

In its blog post, however, OpenAI said its goal is to "dramatically" expand Daybreak, and bring "advanced security research to organizations of every size, independent researchers, and open-source maintainers."

SEE ALSO: OpenAI launching election 'war room'

Initially, GPT-6 Cyber is only available to a "select group" of approved Daybreak Red customers (Daybreak access is divided into two tiers: Daybreak Blue is for defensive work, while Daybreak Red is for advanced penetration testing and security research). Access will be progressively expanded to all Daybreak Red customers "soon."

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

]]> <![CDATA[Ruggables holiday hosting sale is already live: Get up to 40% off holiday rugs]]> https://mashable.com/life/best-early-black-friday-ruggable-deals-2026 00HqojTomtIHmGXhjcH2HHW Fri, 06 Nov 2026 13:30:12 +0000
The best deals from Ruggable's holiday hosting sale:
Best Hilton Holiday deal
The Hiltons Tartan & Floral Tufted Rug (6' x 9')
$419.30 (save $179.90)
The Hiltons Tartan & Floral Tufted Rug
Best autumn Ruggable deal
Autumn Harvest Tufted Rug (6' x 9')
$299.40 (save $199.60)
Autumn Harvest Tufted Rug

Black Friday sales are already well underway, and that's great news if you'll be hosting festive gatherings this year. Shop kitchen deals to help make meal prep easier and upgrade to a bigger TV, but when it comes to holiday decor, we have Ruggable's hosting sale to help out.

This year, Ruggable's holiday collection features a collab with Kathy and Nicky Hilton, adding a fun touch to any room. The sale also extends to some of the brand's most popular collabs like the Ruggable x Jonathan Adler collection and Morris & Co. You can also snag a 40% saving on great holiday options like the incredible Tidings & Trimming Rug.

Be sure to shop the sale and place orders by Nov. 11 to ensure delivery in time for hosting Thanksgiving. I've rounded up some of my favorite Ruggable deals below, perfect for holidays or giving rooms a refresh for the new year.

Best Hilton Holiday deal

The Hiltons Tartan & Floral Tufted Rug
Credit: Ruggable
The Hiltons Tartan & Floral Tufted Rug (6' x 9')
$419.30 at Ruggable
$599 Save $179.70
 

Why we like it

You can't go wrong with a tartan pattern during the holidays. Add in candy canes, snowflakes, and holly, and it's a true celebration. The Hilton Tartan & Floral Flatwoven rug features a two-piece design with a removable cover that's safe to machine-wash. Plus, the rug pad means you can easily swap out the cover for new designs at Ruggable. The Hilton Holiday rug will look perfect near the Christmas tree this year.

Size options range from as small as two feet by three feet up to 10 feet by 14 feet. Runner sizes are also available.

Best autumn Ruggable deal

Autumn Harvest Tufted Rug
Credit: Ruggable
Autumn Harvest Tufted Rug (6' x 9')
$299.40 at Ruggable
$499 Save $199.60
 

Why we like it

With pumpkins, acorns, maple leaves, and gourds, the Autumn Tufted Rug is a seasonal treat. The tufted all-in-one rug is softer than the original Ruggable options, and it has a cushioned feel. Plus, there's built-in non-slip backing. The waterproof barrier is also great for gathering, as is the stain-resistance.

Ruggable holiday options on sale for 40% off

]]> <![CDATA[MP3 stars Paul F. Tompkins, Skye Townsend, and Aparna Nancherla on improv, TRL, and kisses]]> https://mashable.com/entertainment/mp3-dropout-paul-f-tompkins 02PLVKoXIUpXR5mtKgfJXRW Fri, 06 Nov 2026 13:23:19 +0000

Dropout has built its brand on a string of sensational improvisational television shows, like Game Changer, Dimension 20, and Very Important People. Their latest, MP3, breaks from this formula, as it's the first scripted show the streaming platform has debuted in seven years.

Playing like a parody of MTV's long-canceled Total Request Live, MP3 — short for Music Presentation 3 — offers quirky VJs and three new music videos each episode. Saturday Night Live's Jeremy Culhane plays former boy bander/current MP3 host Dane Cartel, who's joined by newly minted VJs Dr. Muse-Tina (Skye Townsend) and Chia (Aparna Nancherla). And if he's got beef about sharing the spotlight, he'll have to take it up with his director/daddy, Thomas Cartel (Paul F. Tompkins)

As teased in the show's trailer, these music videos feature songs written by MP3 creators Zach Reino and Jess McKenna, and fictional bands like Truth Summons, Boys Who Read, Sheepish, and Every Place I Cry. Each band features familiar faces from Dropout's growing web of comedy stars, like Anna Garcia, Lily Du, Jacob Wysocki, Katie Marovitch, Sam Reich, and more.

SEE ALSO: Dropout's Sam Reich offers advice for emerging content creators

This week on Say More, Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko sat down with Townsend, Nancherla, and Tompkins to learn how MP3 came together, how much improv does come into play, and if there's a chance for more Very Important People crossover. After all, Fanoli got a mention in episode 1, and the trailer teases the return of Princess Emily of Maroon 5? Could Tompkins reprise the role of midnight louse David Hoyle Jr.? The cast considers how!

How to watch: The first episode of MP3 is now streaming on Dropout. New episodes will roll out every two weeks through the season finale on Dec. 2.

]]> <![CDATA[Everything to know about Best Buys Black Friday sale: Early deals, price matching, store hours, and more]]> https://mashable.com/tech/best-buy-black-friday-2026-everything-to-know 069mBdIFu8CRZHQD2Aj6aog Fri, 06 Nov 2026 13:20:17 +0000

It's time to start hatching a plan for Black Friday 2026. Most major retailers treat the entire month like one drawn-out holiday sale, and Best Buy is no exception. The electronics retailer has announced plans to roll out two waves of early Black Friday deals before a 10-day savings extravaganza around Black Friday proper (Nov. 27).

Having covered Black Friday sales for nearly a decade, Mashable's reporters and editors agree that Best Buy is the place to shop if you're looking for Black Friday deals on big-ticket items like large TVs, Windows laptops, gaming consoles, and espresso machines. This year, the pressure is on for it to combat price hikes related to the global memory crisis, which has made many popular tech gifts way more expensive than usual.

Here's everything you need to know about Best Buy's Black Friday sale before you start shopping.

When is Best Buy's Black Friday sale?

best buy's 2026 holiday calendar
Credit: Best Buy

Best Buy's Black Friday sale will run from Thursday, Nov. 19 through Saturday, Nov. 28. Paid members of the My Best Buy program (Plus and Total tiers) will earn double points on their purchases from Nov. 19 to Dec. 6, the Sunday after Cyber Monday. Those points are redeemable for reward certificates.

Some of Best Buy's Black Friday deals will be available ahead of time. The retailer is releasing batches of Early Black Friday Deals and Doorbusters on Friday, Nov. 6 and Nov. 13 as a way of "giving shoppers an early jump on some of the season’s best offers," per a Best Buy blog post.

Should you wait until Black Friday to shop Best Buy's deals?

It's smart to shop Best Buy's Black Friday deals as early as possible: According to a company FAQ page, items marked with its "Black Friday Deal" badge are available in limited quantities and do not offer rainchecks. "When they are sold out, they may be sold out through Black Friday," it notes.

We expect high-demand, highly giftable items like Pokémon cards and gaming consoles (especially special-edition variants) to sell out the fastest.

What are Best Buy's Black Friday hours?

Best Buy hasn't announced its store hours for Black Friday 2026 yet, but last year it opened at 6 a.m. local time.

Will Best Buy be open on Thanksgiving?

No, Best Buy stores will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, which falls on Thursday, Nov. 26 this year. This has been its policy since 2020. (Same with Target, Walmart, and other major retailers.)

Is it worth going to Best Buy on Black Friday?

It might be worth trekking to your local Best Buy on Black Friday. According to some fine print on the company's Black Friday landing page, "there are usually a small handful of Black Friday deals that are only available for shoppers in a physical Best Buy store." We don't know exactly what those are yet, but we'll update Mashable readers as soon as we find out.

If you'd rather avoid the stress of navigating crowds and lines, you won't miss out on much by staying home. Most of Best Buy's Black Friday deals will be available on its website, it said.

Does Best Buy price match?

Best Buy normally price-matches competing retailers such as Amazon, Costco, The Home Depot, Target, and Walmart. However, it changes this policy during the holidays. It will not price-match any official Black Friday deals at other retailers, nor any items on sale elsewhere from the Thursday before Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday (whether they're called Black Friday deals or not).

So, if another retailer offers a better Black Friday deal on an item you've already purchased from Best Buy, you'll just have to return it and buy it again.

The only deals Best Buy will price-match on Black Friday are its own. If you buy something there sometime between now and Dec. 31, and it gets cheaper later on in the season, Best Buy will refund the difference. You can request price matches online and in stores.

Some items are excluded from Best Buy's Holiday Price Match Guarantee, including holiday decorations, "activatable" devices purchased under a third-party contract (such as phones), and non-returnable products like trading cards, gift cards, and e-bikes. Items sold by third-party sellers, aka "Marketplace Sellers," are also ineligible for price matches.

What is Best Buy's holiday return policy?

Almost anything you purchase at Best Buy now through Dec. 31 can be returned or exchanged until Jan. 15, 2027. (If you're a My Best Buy Plus or Total member, you've got until Jan. 31, 2027.)

Again, the main exceptions here are holiday decor and activatable devices. They have 14- and 15-day return windows, respectively.

When is Best Buy's Cyber Monday sale?

Best Buy is having a Cyber Sunday and Monday Sale Event on Nov. 29 and 30. It will then offer Cyber Week Deals from Dec. 1 to 6. 

To wrap up the holidays, Best Buy will have a Last-Minute Savings Event from Dec. 18 to 24.

]]> <![CDATA[Restock alert: Rokus first OLED TVs are back in stock at Amazon]]> https://mashable.com/tech/nov-6-roku-pro-series-lx-smart-tv-in-stock-deal 02ndTuih1b1DGm9kPokzzJW Fri, 06 Nov 2026 13:14:37 +0000

TL;DR: As of Nov. 6, both the 55-inch and 65-inch Roku Pro Series LX OLED TVs are back in stock at Amazon.

roku 55-inch pro series lx smart tv
Credit: Roku
roku 65-inch pro series lx smart tv
Credit: Roku

In exciting news for those shopping for a new TV this holiday season: Roku's new Pro Series LX OLED TVs are officially back in stock at Amazon after a very popular launch in late October.

Both the 55-inch and 65-inch models are up for grabs right now at the retailer, priced at $1,299.99 and $1,599.99, respectively. If these shiny new OLED displays have caught your attention, now is the time to make a move on them. There's every chance they could sell out again, so you'll want to be quick to click that 'add to cart' button.

SEE ALSO: The Black Friday 2026 countdown is on: Our top 7 hacks for finding the best deals

There's a lot to love about Roku's latest launch. Its screen is a feast for the eyes, with a 4K OLED display that boosts colors, contrast, and brightness for a richer picture quality. It even has a system called Roku Smart Picture Max, which automatically adjusts your TV settings to fit what you're watching, plus Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos tech to further enhance picture and sound quality. On top of that, the screen features advanced glare reduction to keep reflections and lights at bay while you're using it.

Gamers can also enjoy a 144Hz refresh rate on this TV, which keeps gameplay smooth and responsive while you're immersed in the action. Even its rechargeable Roku Voice Remote Pro comes with helpful features: if you lose it, there's a remote finder button on the side of the TV that can help you track it down, even if it's lodged itself in between the couch cushions.

If you've had your eyes on the 55-inch or 65-inch Roku Pro Series LX OLED TVs, now is the time to grab them while they're still in stock at Amazon.

]]> <![CDATA[Welcome to Apple’s whimsy era. Everything new dropping now!]]> https://mashable.com/tech/apples-experimental-era-new-products-dropping-this-month 03q6qHQrAI9vHuj02HXu64b Fri, 06 Nov 2026 13:00:00 +0000

That light-up Apple logo in the MacBook Pro is pure whimsy as we learn to use Macs, iPhones and Apple Watch in new ways. Bridget Carey begins tinkering with all the new Apple products and software coming out now. She also goes behind the scenes at the Apple “Pro and Tell” MacBook event to show professional photographers, movie makers, musicians and artists tinkering with these new Mac machines. 

Read more about Apple's latest hardware lineup: I reviewed the new iPad mini: It’s the best Apple tablet, with a price to match
Let’s get touchy with Apple’s first touchscreen MacBook Pro

Timecode chapters
0:00 Introduction: Gadget whimsy returns
1:47 Touchscreen MacBook Pro and the light-up logo
3:42 iPad mini OLED and M6 iMac updates
4:06 HomePod mini 2 first look
4:32 Apple Watch audio intelligence and Siri recap
6:21 Apple home view smart display
7:09 Behind the scenes: ILM Star Wars and pro creators
9:36 Conclusion and wrap up

Video credits
Host: Bridget Carey
Scripted by: Bridget Carey
Producer: John Schwartz
Camera: John Schwartz
Video editor: JD Christison
Thumbnail designer: Tharon Green

]]> <![CDATA[The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box is live at Amazon: Shop now for way under market price]]> https://mashable.com/life/nov-6-pokemon-tcg-30th-celebration-elite-trainer-box-deal 03eDDP6REXyQJMNoSh7taQl Fri, 06 Nov 2026 11:42:17 +0000

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box is available for $59.99 at Amazon. That's under TCGplayer's $108.42 market price.

The Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box on a white background
Credit: The Pokémon Company

After weeks of building excitement and preorder wars, the Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box is out in the wild. And Amazon has marked the occasion by bringing back its stunning $59.99 deal.

As of Nov. 6, the Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box is on sale for just $59.99 on Amazon. Everything is handled directly by Amazon, but Amazon is still routing orders through its "request invite" system. We can see these are selling fast, so it's clearly a system that's working for many shoppers. Don't be discouraged by the invitation process.

Amazon’s deal is way under TCGplayer’s $108 market price. We rarely see deals this far below market price, so we understand the hype.

The 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box contains nine 30th Celebration booster packs, an exclusive full-art foil Nidorina promo card, 16 foil Basic Energy cards, 65 custom card sleeves, damage-counter dice, a condition marker, card dividers, a collector’s player guide, and a code card for Pokémon TCG Live.

Shop the Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration ETB for $59.99 at Amazon, while supplies last.

]]> <![CDATA[The Daily Show reacts to right-wing commentators turning on Trump]]> https://mashable.com/entertainment/daily-show-right-wing-commentators-against-trump 06cRTiNhZu516dMpjywD252 Fri, 06 Nov 2026 11:25:10 +0000

In the wake of midterm elections that were catastrophic for Republicans, do those on the right agree with Donald Trump refusing to take any of the blame?

Apparently not. In the Daily Show monologue above, host Jordan Klepper plays some clips of key figures appearing to criticise or distance themselves from the president.

"This is your guy. This is your brand. You have a decade of merch and idolatry behind him. You don't want to turn on him just because of one, little generational collapse," Klepper says. "So, time to lock in. Right-wing media, hit that reframe!"

SEE ALSO: Why Jordan Klepper thinks we're living in "dumb McCarthyism"

Cue a clip of pundits like Matt Walsh and Ben Shapiro also criticising Trump, followed by Megyn Kelly saying "eh" after talking about Trump sharing a post to remind America he's still president.

"Eh? Eh?" says Klepper. "Is she sassing the president? You don't sass the president unless you're Benjamin Netanyahu or Vladimir Putin!"

Want more of the best of late night? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter.

]]> <![CDATA[Press play: 5 celeb-creator interviews the internet loved this week (Nov. 6)]]> https://mashable.com/entertainment/best-celebrity-interview-podcasts-nov-6-2026 04P0qEQOlxEVOmvzmiFSYa7 Fri, 06 Nov 2026 11:23:49 +0000

It won't shock you that there's a superabundance of interview podcasts and internet series out there. You're probably subscribed to a bunch of content creators (perhaps those who made this year's Mashable 101) or maybe you depend on your feed to hand-deliver the most viral clips. But your time is precious, so we've rounded up the best on the internet this week.

Whether you're into deadpan showdowns, niche hot takes, or simply wholesome interviews between creative minds, here's what we reckon is worth your time (and of course, we'd never leave out Mashable's own Say More, what are you, nuts?).

SEE ALSO: The Mashable 101: The creators defining the internet in 2026

1. Solid Air: Derrick Gee x Troye Sivan

Just a deeply satisfying listening session between two music nerds, Troye Sivan joined Derrick Gee to play his favourite tracks on Solid Air this week. Watching the pair connect while sharing and deconstructing songs from Madonna, Kelela, Groove Armada, The Avalanches, Cornelius, and more is the active listening I crave.

How to watch/listen: YouTube, TikTok, Instagram

2. Baby, This Is Keke Palmer: Lil Jon

In one of the most moving podcast interviews of the week, Keke Palmer's interview with Lil Jon is worth watching. In the episode, the rapper unpacks grief and faith in relation to his 27-year-old son Nathan's drowning in Feb. 2026, in a conversation that Palmer treats with space and respect.

How to watch/listen: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Instagram, TikTok

3. Handsome: Mae Martin, Tig Notaro, and Fortune Feimster x Alanis Morissette

And now, for Handsome's first ever in-person guest, it's Alanis Morissette! Comedians Mae Martin, Tig Notaro, and Fortune Feimster welcomed the iconic musician to their podcast studio for a chat about her latest concert residency Butterfly with a Machete, but also got deep about hard-to-access emotions, "wholeness" vs "wellness", and the power of community when it comes to tuning into who you are. Honestly, maybe Morissette could be the fourth Handsome host?

How to watch/listen: Hulu, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Instagram, TikTok

4. Say More: Mark Stetson x Jordan Klepper

For Mashable's Say More this week, executive producer Mark Stetson sat down with comedian and Daily Show host Jordan Klepper to unpack his new, lengthily-titled special, The Daily Show Presents: Jordan Klepper Fingers the Pulse: Red Flags. If you want to know how Klepper gets through Trump rallies unscathed and how he crafts his signature style of political comedy, settle in.

How to watch/listen: Mashable, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok

5. Mythical Kitchen: Josh Scherer x Uncle Roger

If there's one thing Uncle Roger can't abide, it's subpar egg fried rice (Jamie Oliver would know). Same goes for the man behind the beloved internet character, creator Nigel Ng, whose own restaurants across Malaysia and London serve it up daily — and yes, Uncle Roger himself has "tested" it.

On Tuesday, Ng joined Mythical Kitchen's Josh Scherer — both as himself and as Uncle Roger in a fitting judge role — to test expensive and cheap versions of fried rice, from Panda Express ("it kind of tastes like the box," Ng says) to the pricey lobster fried rice from Tao (a "rip-off according to Uncle Roger). And there's cooking afoot, as the two put their own spins on the dish — Ng's cookbook is quite literally titled Don't Mess Up Your Rice, so pay attention.*

How to watch/listen: YouTube, TikTok, Instagram

And here's a few more the internet loved this week:

From YouTubers and TikTok stars to streamers and podcasters, Mashable talks to creators about how they built their platforms, the gear they swear by, and the trends they see coming next. Read more of our creator coverage, sign up for our Trending Now and Top Stories newsletters or get Mashable push alerts to discover the internet's most exciting voices. 

(*) denotes a blurb came from a prior Mashable article.

]]> <![CDATA[Magic: The Gatherings Marvel Super Heroes Commander Deck Bundle is under market price at Amazon — save over $10]]> https://mashable.com/life/nov-6-magic-the-gathering-marvel-super-heroes-commander-deck-bundle-deal 02UYQJlEDFpAMXu8YAZOncQ Fri, 06 Nov 2026 11:20:25 +0000

SAVE OVER $10: As of Nov. 6, the Magic: The Gathering Marvel Super Heroes Commander Deck Bundle has returned to its lowest-ever price of $174.89 at Amazon. That's $10.06 off its typical price of $184.95.

magic: the gathering marvel super heroes commander deck bundle
Credit: Magic: The Gathering

Magic: The Gathering fans don't have to wait for Black Friday to score trading card deals. Amazon has a few early drops available to shop now, including a price cut on the Marvel Super Heroes Commander Deck Bundle. As of Nov. 6, collectors can snag this bundle for $174.89, which marks a return to its lowest-ever price.

Overall, you're saving just over $10 with this deal compared to paying its typical price, but it's important to note that it's actually cheaper than its market price at TCG Player by a few dollars (it's listed for $178.25).

SEE ALSO: The Black Friday 2026 countdown is on: Our top 7 hacks for finding the best deals

This MTG bundle is full of Marvel-themed cards to check out. The full set comes with four Commander Decks — Avengers Assemble, Wakanda Forever, The Fantastic Four, and Doom Prevails — with each holding 100 cards, including 30 Commander cards. Plus, the Avengers Assemble, Wakanda Forever, and Doom Prevails decks also come with a foil Borderless card included in the 100-card pack, while the Fantastic Four deck comes with four of them, one for each team member.

Alongside all of those cards, you'll also get 10 double-sided token cards, a deck box, a strategy guide, and a reference card. It's a truly stacked bundle, so don't miss out on this chance to save at Amazon.

If you're looking for even more MTG deals right now, Amazon's also discounted the Marvel Super Heroes Jumpstart Booster Box and Reality Fracture Play Booster Box.

]]> <![CDATA[Gopuff launches 6 weeks of Pokémon card drops with rare deals delivered in 15 minutes: How to claim]]> https://mashable.com/life/gopuff-pokemon-card-drops-how-to-claim 03jd8NkWV7ynqevuuIy1od2 Fri, 06 Nov 2026 10:58:08 +0000

TL;DR: Gopuff launched weekly limited-quantity Pokémon card drops starting Nov. 6, releasing collector packs and single-card deals delivered in as fast as 15 minutes every Friday at 3 p.m. ET.

Pokémon Cards
Credit: The Pokémon Company

Buying Pokémon cards at retail stores usually means dealing with picked-over shelves, strict box limits, or waiting days for an online delivery. Instant-delivery app Gopuff is trying something different: scheduled weekly hype drops delivered straight to your door in minutes.

Starting Nov. 6, Gopuff is running a six-week series of scheduled Pokémon Trading Card Game drops. Rather than restocking cards at random, the platform uses a dedicated in-app storefront where you can preview upcoming products, set alerts, and order packs delivered locally in as little as 15 minutes, alongside regular household items.

Why trading cards are hitting quick-delivery apps

The move comes as demand for physical collectibles spikes on rapid-delivery platforms. Gopuff says its trading card sales jumped 335% between Q4 2025 and Q3 2026, leading the company to treat card restocks as scheduled shopping events.

The weekly drops will feature sought-after items at competitive prices, including the Mega Evolution Pitch Black Elite Trainer Box and the 30th Celebration Poster Collection.

For collectors hunting singles, each drop also includes a "Hit of the Week" run in partnership with Card Vault by Tom Brady. Every Friday, Gopuff will offer a single high-value, graded card at a price below market value. With only one available each week, snagging it comes down to whoever checks out first.

How the weekly drop schedule works

To give shoppers a predictable window to buy before stock sells out, each week follows the same schedule in the Gopuff app and on its website:

  • Monday: A homepage countdown timer goes live, signaling the start of a new batch without revealing the specific cards.

  • Thursday at 3 p.m. ET: Exactly 24 hours before the sale, Gopuff reveals the products. You can preview the lineup, set push alerts, and pre-load items into your cart so you are ready at checkout.

  • Friday at 3 p.m. ET: The drop unlocks and checkout opens. Orders are fulfilled from nearby micro-fulfillment hubs and delivered in as fast as 15 minutes.

All items are sold on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last, and local stock and purchase limits will vary by location.

Just make sure your internet connection is quick — when that clock hits 3 p.m. ET, it is every trainer for themselves. To check out upcoming products or set drop alerts, head to Gopuff's website or open the app on iOS or Android.

]]> <![CDATA[NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for November 6, 2026]]> https://mashable.com/entertainment/nyt-connections-sports-edition-hint-answer-today-november-6-2026 06iwfmGxe0C1NUMWXZGxU73 Fri, 06 Nov 2026 10:51:14 +0000

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you know your athletes.

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

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

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

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

What is Connections: Sports Edition?

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

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

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

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: Athletic wear

  • Green: Football players

  • Blue: Soccer players

  • Purple: Similar games, different surfaces

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

  • Yellow: Types of shorts

  • Green: NFC QBs, familiarly

  • Blue: MLS stars

  • Purple: ____ hockey

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 #774 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

  • Types of shorts: BASKETBALL, BIKE, COMPRESSION, GYM

  • NFC QBs, familiarly: BAKER, DAK, JORDAN, KYLER

  • MLS stars: DE PAUL, LEWANDOWSKI, MESSI, SON

  • ____ hockey: AIR, FIELD, FLOOR, ICE

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

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

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

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

]]> <![CDATA[The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Pitch Black Booster Bundle is $20 off right now at Amazon]]> https://mashable.com/life/nov-6-pokemon-tcg-mega-evolution-pitch-black-booster-bundle-deal 02EOS1swZFg57PBThp4WXL4 Fri, 06 Nov 2026 10:47:42 +0000

SAVE $20.10: As of Nov. 6, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Pitch Black Booster Bundle is on sale for $49.89 at Amazon. That's a 29% discount on the list price.

Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution Pitch Black Booster Bundle
Credit: Pokémon
Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Pitch Black Booster Bundle
$49.98 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $20.01
 

If you're a Pokémon fan or a collector of trading cards, there's a new deal at Amazon on the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Pitch Black Booster Bundle. It includes a selection of booster packs to open, collect, and trade, and it's currently $20 off.

Normally $69.99, this booster bundle is now just $49.98 on Amazon. Whether you're stocking up on Christmas gifts or adding to your own collection, you can do it for less.

The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Pitch Black Booster Bundle contains six booster packs from the Pitch Black expansion, giving collectors and players alike the opportunity to discover new cards and add to their decks.

The set explores a darker side of the Pokémon world, with Mega Darkrai ex emerging from the shadows alongside Mega Zeraora ex, Mega Chandelure ex, Mega Excadrill ex, and more. Suitable for ages six and up, the bundle is ideal for both newcomers and more experienced collectors.

Interested? Head to Amazon to grab this Pokémon deal while it's still available.

]]> <![CDATA[Jimmy Kimmel rounds up 10 promises Trump made that hes failed to keep]]> https://mashable.com/entertainment/jimmy-kimmel-trump-promises 07cT03ErfKenb61NPzZCNqZ Fri, 06 Nov 2026 10:37:03 +0000

Donald Trump is fond of saying "promises made, promises kept", but how does that actually compare to the U.S. president's track record?

Jimmy Kimmel has the answer. "We put together a refresher of the 10 biggest promises the president has failed to fulfil so far," the host says in the monologue above.

Cue a countdown of 10 things Trump has said he'll do that haven't come to pass — from ending inflation and getting food prices down to settling the Russia/Ukraine war and paying down the national debt. Oh dear.

Want more of the best of late night? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter.

]]> <![CDATA[Amazon drops early Black Friday deals on Pokémon DVDs: Shop classic seasons starting under $15.99]]> https://mashable.com/life/pokemon-series-dvd-bluray-early-black-friday-deals 02IHeBcfLE2XjymWOubnexM Fri, 06 Nov 2026 10:30:21 +0000
The best early Black Friday Pokémon DVD deals:
Pokémon: The Johto Journeys (DVD)
$15.49 (save $29.33)
Pokémon: The Johto Journeys (DVD)
Pokémon: Johto League Champions (DVD)
$19.49 (save $30.50)
Pokémon: Johto League Champions (DVD)
Pokémon Advanced (DVD)
$19.99 (save $13.37)
Pokémon Advanced (DVD)
Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl (DVD)
$19.99 (save $24.99)
Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl (DVD)
Pokémon: Indigo League — Season 1 Limited Edition (Blu-ray)
$24.99 (save $3)
Pokémon: Indigo League – Season 1 Limited Edition (Blu-ray)

Amazon just rolled out early Pokémon Black Friday deals on a massive collection of Pokémon DVDs. If you want to lock down your favorite eras on physical discs before the holiday shopping rush kicks off, now is a great time to grab them while they're on discount.

If you were holding out for a stack of high-definition Blu-rays, standard HD releases never actually existed for the earlier seasons because of how the anime was originally created. The vast majority of the series remains strictly DVD-only, making the remastered Season 1 release the lone standout Blu-ray discount in the mix.

If you are ready to trade endless streaming app searches for a permanent spot on your media shelf, Amazon has marked down several fan-favorite generations to well under $20. We rounded up the best discounts from the sale.

'Pokémon: The Johto Journeys' (DVD)

Pokémon: The Johto Journeys (DVD)
Credit: Pokémon / VIZ Media
Pokémon: The Johto Journeys (DVD)
$15.49 at Amazon
$44.82 Save $29.33
 

After wrapping up his initial Kanto adventures, Ash reunites with Misty and Brock to take on the Johto League. Pokémon: The Johto Journeys kicks off this fan-favorite era, following the trio as Ash tackles new gym leaders and catches beloved Gen 2 staples like Totodile, Chikorita, and Cyndaquil.

Across four discs and over 15 hours of runtime, this 41-episode collection captures the sweet spot of early-2000s Saturday-morning cartoons.

'Pokémon: Johto League Champions' (DVD)

Pokémon: Johto League Champions (DVD)
Credit: Pokémon / VIZ Media
Pokémon: Johto League Champions (DVD)
$19.49 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $30.50
 

Picking up right after the introductory Johto arc, Pokémon: Johto League Champions tracks the heart of Ash, Misty, and Brock's travels through the region. From navigating the busy streets of Goldenrod City to taking on iconic gym challenges like Whitney's notoriously tough Miltank, Season 4 delivers some of the most memorable battles and classic encounters of the Gen 2 era.

The collection covers 52 episodes, giving you over 20 hours of vintage Pokémon animation that never made the jump to standard high-definition discs. If you are revisiting Ash's path toward the Silver Conference, this is the middle chapter that ties the Johto saga together.

'Pokémon Advanced' (DVD)

Pokémon Advanced (DVD)
Credit: Pokémon / VIZ Media
Pokémon Advanced (DVD)
$19.99 at Amazon
$33.36 Save $13.37
 

Season 6 marks a brand-new era for the anime, taking Ash and Pikachu far across the sea to the Hoenn region. Pokémon Advanced shakes up the classic travel dynamic by saying goodbye to Misty and introducing May, her little brother Max, and the ever-reliable Brock. It also brings Pokémon Contests into the spotlight for the first time, giving the story a dual focus as Ash works toward Hoenn Gym Badges while May learns the ropes of being a Pokémon Coordinator.

Spread across five discs with nearly 15 hours of runtime, this 40-episode collection captures the vibrant, tropical Gen 3 adventure in its original broadcast format. If you grew up exploring the Hoenn map or want to relive the early days of Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip, it's a nice nostalgic shelf piece.

'Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl' (DVD)

Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl (DVD)
Credit: Pokémon / VIZ Media
Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl (DVD)
$19.99 at Amazon
$44.98 Save $24.99
 

Season 10 takes the adventure up north as Ash and Pikachu head to Sinnoh, reuniting with Brock and teaming up with novice Pokémon Coordinator Dawn. Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl revitalizes the show's dual-protagonist dynamic, splitting screen time between Ash's quest for Sinnoh Gym Badges and Dawn's drive to match her mother's contest legacy, while introducing Gen 4 favorites like Piplup, Turtwig, and Chimchar.

Spanning seven discs and nearly 19 hours of runtime, this 51-episode collection delivers one of the most balanced, character-driven story arcs in the anime's long run. Between the classic Sinnoh gym battles and Ash's clash of philosophies with Paul, it is easily one of the most rewarding retro eras to own on physical media.

'Pokémon: Indigo League – Season 1 Limited Edition' (Blu-ray)

Pokémon: Indigo League – Season 1 Limited Edition (Blu-ray)
Credit: Pokémon / VIZ Media

This is where the entire cultural phenomenon started. Pokémon: Indigo League follows 10-year-old Ash Ketchum on his very first day as a Pokémon Trainer, oversleeping, missing out on the standard starter choices, and ending up stuck with an unruly, disobedient Pikachu. Alongside Brock and Misty, Ash battles gym leaders across Kanto, befriends classics like Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle, and takes his first shot at the Pokémon League tournament.

Packed onto nine discs with nearly 31 hours of total runtime, this massive 78-episode box set gives you the complete initial journey. While the remastered Blu-ray edition offers sharper picture quality, it caps out at 52 episodes — making this comprehensive DVD release the only home video set that delivers the full Kanto arc from start to finish.

More Pokémon early Black Friday DVD deals

]]> <![CDATA[Is it over for the Cybertruck? Tesla to wind down production in Texas.]]> https://mashable.com/tech/tesla-cybertruck-over 0022NPzTBg0YDjiyMoC0FEm Fri, 06 Nov 2026 10:29:17 +0000

Cybertruck, the pricey, gargantuan, angular, steel-plated pickup darling of Elon Musk's, never sold very well. And now, Tesla appears to be ready to accept that fact.

On Friday, CEO Musk said on X that the company will be "winding down production of the Cybertruck at Gigafactory Texas around the middle of next year to make room for increased Cybercab production."

Musk didn't say whether the Cybertruck production will move somewhere else, and he didn't explicitly say it's the end of the road for Tesla's pickup. But the clues are pretty clear. First of all, the Cybertruck is exclusively produced at Gigafactory Texas. If the company doesn't relocate somewhere else, which is unlikely given that the Cybertruck has a stainless steel body that presents unique manufacturing demands, then the Cybertruck has less than a year left.

Add to that the fact that Tesla recently canceled the Cybertruck launch in Australia and New Zealand, as well as continuous reports of poor sales ever since the Cybertruck went on sale in 2023, and it's pretty obvious that Tesla is giving up on the pickup.

SEE ALSO: Tesla cancels Cybertruck launch in Australia and New Zealand

The move also lines up with Musk's recent total focus on self-driving. When the company unveiled the new Tesla Roadster in October, he said it would be the last manually driven car that Tesla will ever produce.

It is no wonder, then, that the manufacturing capacities used for the Cybertruck will be repurposed for the Cybercab, Tesla's autonomous taxi car.

As for customers looking for a manually driven electric pickup, the choice is actually improving. Slate recently launched an affordable electric pickup, Ford is working on its own cheap electric pickup called Fathom, and Rivian is launching its mid-size pickup, the Rivian R2T, next year.

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

]]> <![CDATA[The Jackery HomePower 2000 Plus v2 is over $100 off at Amazon — score this early Black Friday power station deal]]> https://mashable.com/tech/nov-6-jackery-explorer-2000-plus-v2-early-black-friday-deal 05dhjXiGtvCnTvEoWPnqRCW Fri, 06 Nov 2026 10:27:10 +0000

SAVE $130: As of Nov. 6, the Jackery HomePower 2000 Plus v2 is on sale for $1,069 at Amazon. That's an 11% discount on the list price.

Jackery HomePower 2000 Plus v2
Credit: Jackery
Jackery HomePower 2000 Plus v2
$1,069 at Amazon
$1,199 Save $130
 

If you're looking for a portable power station, Jackery is one of the biggest names in the business. Its range includes options for powering everything from small devices to larger appliances, depending on your needs. If you're looking for the latter, the Jackery HomePower 2000 Plus v2 is on sale at Amazon right now.

Usually priced at $1,199, it's now down to $1,069. This deal saves you $130.

With this portable power station, you'll get 2,400W of output and a 2,048Wh capacity, which can be expanded to 12kWh for longer-lasting home backup during power outages. Its Smart Energy Management system and Priority Routing feature help keep essentials running by directing available power to your most important appliances first.

It's built to last, with a long-life LFP battery rated for more than 6,000 charge cycles. Jackery states this equates to around 16 years of use. The system is also 34% lighter than the previous generation, so it's easier to move and set up than comparable expandable 2kWh units.

This unit is available at Amazon now, but only for a limited time.

]]> <![CDATA[The Shark PowerPro Flex Reveal Plus vacuum hits best-ever price ahead of Black Friday — save $180.01]]> https://mashable.com/tech/nov-6-shark-powerpro-flex-reveal-plus-cordless-vacuum-deal 06iwd66hc0QWDBfUYql6MUe Fri, 06 Nov 2026 10:18:48 +0000

SAVE OVER $150: As of Nov. 6, the Shark PowerPro Flex Reveal Plus cordless vacuum has hit its lowest-ever price of $199.98 at Amazon. That's $180.01 off its full price of $379.99.

shark powerpro flex reveal plus cordless vacuum
Credit: Shark
Shark PowerPro Flex Reveal Plus Cordless Vacuum
$199.98 at Amazon
$379.99 Save $180.01
 

As the years go by, Black Friday sales start earlier and earlier, and this year is no different. Early deals are already dropping left and right, including on a wide variety of items for your home.

If a new vacuum is on your holiday wishlist, now is the time to check it off: Amazon has dropped the Shark PowerPro Flex Reveal Plus cordless vacuum to a new low price before Black Friday officially starts. As of Nov. 6, shoppers can scoop up this cordless cleaner for $199.98, down from its usual $379.99. That's a hefty 47% discount, saving you just over $180 in total.

SEE ALSO: The Black Friday 2026 countdown is on: Our top 7 hacks for finding the best deals

The Shark PowerPro Flex Reveal Plus can cover quite a lot of ground in your home. With the help of its MultiFLEX wand, it can bend to clean underneath furniture so you don't have to worry about dust and debris collecting in spots you can't see. It also features FloorDetect Technology, which automatically adjusts the brushroll speed for different floor types as you're moving it around.

Its battery lasts up to 50 minutes, giving you plenty of time to scoot it around your home's floors. And for when you need more of a spot clean, it can even transform into a hand vacuum to reach places above the floor, with an included Crevice and Upholstery Tool to help you out.

This early Black Friday deal is a real treat for shoppers. Don't miss out on 47% off the Shark PowerPro Flex Reveal Plus cordless vacuum at Amazon.

]]> <![CDATA[How to play GTA 6 a day before everyone else in the U.S.]]> https://mashable.com/entertainment/gta-6-how-to-play-one-day-early 022qiSS2daoyMXDXzTn52QZ Fri, 06 Nov 2026 10:00:00 +0000

GTA fans have waited 13 years for Grand Theft Auto VI. Finally, the next installment of the GTA series comes out on Nov. 19.

There's no early access for GTA 6. You simply have to wait until the release date.

But what if you could play GTA 6 on Nov. 18? Or, more accurately, roughly 18 hours before everyone else in the U.S.? Well, there's a way to do just that.

How to play GTA 6 a day early on Xbox

GTA 6 will have a global release date, dropping at midnight for each time zone. This means that New Zealand, which is 18 hours ahead of Eastern Time in the U.S., will get to play the long-awaited game before everyone else.

If you have an Xbox, there's long been a not-so-secret trick on Xbox consoles that lets U.S.-based gamers access games a little bit before everyone else in the country. 

As our friends at PCMag point out, gamers can simply go to their Xbox dashboard and do the following:

  1. Go to Settings

  2. Scroll to System

  3. Select Language & Location on the right-hand side

  4. Change your region to New Zealand

  5. Hit Restart Now to restart your console and save the settings

This has previously worked to access other games early, as it tricks the console into thinking it's on New Zealand time. It's possible that Microsoft switches things up and closes the loophole before the launch of GTA 6. But, as of now, unless anything changes, it should work.

This is a quick and easy process, and you'll be able to change the settings back on your Xbox the same way.

Also, be sure to pre-order the digital version of GTA 6 as you'll be able to download the game on Nov. 10. While it won't be playable until the release, it'll be ready to go on your console as soon as it does release without having to wait for the game to download and install then.

How to play GTA 6 a day early on PlayStation

PlayStation 5 users, unfortunately, don't have it so simple. And there's no guarantee that this will work either. So, before we go any further, know that it just might not be worth the time and effort.

PlayStation accounts are region-locked, so Sony knows exactly where you're based when you're signed into your account. 

If you want to attempt to access GTA 6 early on your PS5, create a new PSN account while using a VPN with a New Zealand-based location. From there, you'll actually have to purchase the game under this new account in the New Zealand PlayStation Store. As PCMag points out, this might even cost more due to currency conversions.

And, again, there is no guarantee that this will work.

Worst case, you have to wait another 18 hours before you can play a game you've already waited 13 years for.

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

]]> <![CDATA[New photo reveals an asteroid view that a NASA spacecraft never saw]]> https://mashable.com/science/hera-image-dart-asteroids-didymos-dimorphos 06BOMIWgdPLCCPcpjOWB0aQ Fri, 06 Nov 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Europe's Hera spacecraft just took its first close-up picture of Didymos and Dimorphos, the asteroid pair NASA used for target practice in 2022. 

The European Space Agency mission is designed to do a sort of crash scene investigation following NASA's DART mission, the first planetary defense rehearsal. DART, which stands for Double Asteroid Redirection Test, involved sending a 1,300-pound, refrigerator-size spacecraft straight for Dimorphos, the smaller asteroid orbiting Didymos, to see if a strike could change its trajectory in space. 

The spacecraft's hip check to Dimorphos seems to have worked, lopping 33 minutes off its orbit. But the change was more significant than scientists predicted, leaving open questions on the extent of the impact and why it unfolded the way it did. 

The new black-and-white photo shows Didymos, which measures about a half-mile wide, from about 37 miles away. Shadow hides most of Dimorphos, its 500-foot-wide battered moonlet. 

Hera's view shows the side of Didymos that NASA's spacecraft never saw before the crash. The "backside" looks remarkably different, according to the team, with boulders, craters, and grooves. It also shows the continuation of a ridge that wraps around the asteroid's middle. 

"The first thing we said was 'Wow!'" said Patrick Michel, Hera's principal investigator, in a statement. "This feels like looking at a whole new world."

SEE ALSO: Oh, snap. Martian volcanoes might actually still be alive.

Some of these features may come from debris the crash blasted across the half-mile gap between Dimorphos and Didymos, said mission scientist Michael Kueppers. The space agency will release detailed images of both asteroids on Nov. 25.

The robotic spacecraft, about the size of a small car, flew for two years to reach the asteroids, which now sit about 122 million miles from Earth.

Scientists hope Hera's findings will help turn "kinetic impact" — ramming a spacecraft into an asteroid to nudge it — from a one-time experiment into a reliable planetary defense tool, if Earth ever needs it. 

Want more science and tech news delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter today.

When DART hit, it blasted rock and dust into space, and that spray pushed the asteroid like a rocket's exhaust. Scientists call this extra kickback the "beta factor," and Hera will help measure it. That number could tell future mission planners how hard they'd need to punch a killer asteroid (unlike Dimorphos, which posed no threat) to move it out of Earth's way.

But before scientists can answer that, Hera has to see what DART left behind. The spacecraft will map the crash site to learn whether the collision caused a deep crater, left a shallow dent, or changed the asteroid's whole shape. 

An artist's rendering of Juventas landing on asteroid
Hera's small companion probe, Juventas, will scan the interior of Dimorphos. Credit: ESA illustration

Scientists also want to know if the impact knocked Dimorphos into a wobble. Before the crash, Dimorphos always kept the same face toward its larger partner, the way our moon does with Earth. Telescope data now hint that it may be tumbling.

Hera's small companion probe, Juventas, will scan the interior with radar, sort of like taking an X-ray, to look inside the asteroid. Meanwhile, Hera will measure the asteroid's mass and density to show how tightly it's packed. Dimorphos might be a single solid rock, or it might be a loose pile of boulders with empty gaps between them. 

Its composition could explain why it reacted the way it did during the collision. Gravity on Dimorphos is about 200,000 times weaker than on Earth, so even the tiny forces that make particles stick together could affect how the asteroid holds up under a hit. 

"We have an exciting work ahead of us to sort it out," Kueppers said. "We look forward to seeing much more of both bodies and systemically mapping all the changes we identify."

]]> <![CDATA[Lifetime access to all Babbel language lessons is now available through this exclusive offer]]> https://mashable.com/life/nov-6-babbel-language-learning-lifetime-subscription 039NLKMQzJzkvjFgisOr9Tj Fri, 06 Nov 2026 10:00:00 +0000

TL;DR: Get a Babbel lifetime subscription and access to all language lessons for $159 with code LEARN.

Babbel Language Learning: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages)
Credit: Babbel

Most language apps lean on vocab drills and matching games, and that kind of practice rarely prepares you to hold a conversation. If you’d rather learn the phrases people use when they travel, shop, or work, try a Babbel lifetime subscription on sale for $159 (reg. $299) with code LEARN.

What can you learn from Babbel?

Babbel gives you lifetime access to courses in 14 different languages, and the format is designed to fit into real life. Each lesson takes around 10 to 15 minutes, so you can actually stick with it whether you’re commuting, traveling, or just squeezing in some study time between meetings.

Here are a few of the included languages

  • Spanish

  • French

  • German

  • Italian

  • Portuguese

  • Swedish

And that’s just the beginning.

Unlike other apps that focus heavily on word games or repetitive matching drills, Babbel centers its content around practical conversation topics. You’ll get lessons on travel, shopping, business, culture, and more, all developed by expert linguists and backed by academic research. Speech recognition helps fine-tune your pronunciation, while the new AI-powered conversation partner lets you practice speaking in real time.

Lessons sync across devices, so you can start on your computer and finish on your phone. There’s also an offline mode if you want to download lessons ahead of time. You can move at your own pace, revisit review sessions, and jump between beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels based on your comfort.

Use code LEARN through Nov. 8 to get Babbel on sale for $159.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

]]> <![CDATA[For 2 days, Windows 11 Pro is only $13]]> https://mashable.com/tech/nov-6-microsoft-windows-11-pro 074kYagPFfDdCWos0Mxlu1T Fri, 06 Nov 2026 10:00:00 +0000

TL;DR:  Leave Windows 10 behind and get a lifetime license for Windows 11 Pro for $12.97 (reg. $199).

Microsoft Windows 11 Pro
Credit: Microsoft
Microsoft Windows 11 Pro
$12.97
$199 Save $186.03
 

A new Windows license usually costs around $200, which is a lot to spend on a computer you already own. If you’d rather update your PC for less, try a Windows 11 Pro lifetime license on sale for $12.97 (reg. $199).

Microsoft extended Windows 10 support to Oct. 2027, but those Extended Security Updates only include security patches. You won’t get new features, non-security fixes, or technical support on an operating system near the end of its life.

Windows 11 Pro has a sleeker UI, better multitasking, and stronger security, and you pay for it once. Microsoft is also bringing back the movable taskbar and adding a resizable Start menu, with both changes rolling out in stages.

For professionals, creators, and power users, the Pro edition also includes Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox, BitLocker encryption, and Azure AD integration. Hyper-V lets you run virtual machines on the same computer, and Windows Sandbox opens a disposable desktop for testing apps you don’t trust. BitLocker encrypts your drive, so a lost laptop doesn’t expose your files. With Azure AD integration, IT teams can manage work accounts and sign-ins from one place.

Windows 11 also comes with Copilot, an AI assistant that can summarize pages, change settings, or help you write code as you work. You can ask it to turn on dark mode or find a file instead of digging through menus.

A one-time payment of $12.97 is the full cost, with no subscription or yearly renewal to track.

Give your PC a modern operating system for a one-time price. Through Nov. 8, you can get Windows 11 Pro for life for just $12.97.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

]]> <![CDATA[It Gets Worse review: A perfect comedy for any 20-something at a crossroads]]> https://mashable.com/entertainment/it-gets-worse-review 030Nvl16yD5TTohfWcKZPIx Fri, 06 Nov 2026 10:00:00 +0000

When Channel 4 released the first clip from its upcoming series It Get Worse, created by comedian Leo Reich, it sent the internet down a thirst spiral.

In the clip, taken from early on in It Gets Worse's first episode, angsty 24-year-old Ethan (Reich) sits down for a chat with a therapist (Andrew Scott). Talking at a mile a minute, he frets that his life is already over before it's had a chance to start. While Scott's therapist does listen attentively, it soon becomes clear that he is not Ethan's actual therapist. Rather, he's a match from a hookup app, and Ethan has stopped by his office between sessions to have sex. It's not long before Scott's character is dominating Ethan, telling him he's a "hole for daddy" and spitting in his mouth.

SEE ALSO: NSFW clip of 'daddy' Andrew Scott has internet in a chokehold

The scene was immediate catnip for anyone who ever experienced Fleabag's Hot Priest fever, but more than that, it established the bold tone of Reich's series, a combination of confessional vulnerability and frank sexuality that can flip from awkward to hot to eye-opening at a moment's notice. While Scott's memorable therapist doesn't return for the rest of the six-part season, that tone carries through, and It Gets Worse truly only gets better.

Want more film and TV news and reviews delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for Mashable’s Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

What's It Gets Worse about?

Leo Reich and Emily Fairn in "It Gets Worse."
Leo Reich and Emily Fairn in "It Gets Worse." Credit: Jack Barnes / A24 Films / Channel 4

It Gets Worse is the latest in a string of comedies by Gen Z/zillennial showrunners about people in their 20s struggling with what it means to be an adult. That puts it in conversation with shows like Rachel Sennott's I Love LA and Rebecca Shaw and Ben Kronengold's Adults. However, It Gets Worse shares more DNA with Lena Dunham's Girls, from its messy honesty to its central trio, who teeter on a knife's edge between absolutely imploding and hugging it out. (Dunham also guest stars as the world's worst boss.)

Our gateway into this trio is Ethan, who, according to a voiceover from author Zadie Smith, "had one of the easiest lives in recorded human history." He lives, unemployed, in London, where he receives money from his mother, enjoys the occasional no-strings hookup, and lives with his two closest friends from uni: Abi (Emily Fairn) and Sam (Olive Gray). The former wants nothing more than to prove to others that she's "made it" as an adult, curating a social media feed that screams "corporate girlboss." The latter is an aspiring writer who claims to reject society's monogamous norms, even though her seemingly blasé façade hides a deeper need for affection.

SEE ALSO: Here's how to watch Andrew Scott's thirst-inducing performance in 'It Gets Worse'

The three are in crisis, forced to leave the flat they share as their landlord looks to sell it. The move scatters them across London while they try to find new living situations. Ethan avoids returning home to his London-based parents, opting instead to crash at hookup partner Jesse's (Arian Nik) place. Abi moves in with her boyfriend of three years, Tom (Sean Delaney), who will cook elaborate miso lamb dishes for her but always avoids having sex. Sam joins her ex-girlfriend Zara's (India Mullen) anarchist commune, which hosts an awkward sex party and demands its members chip into the shared MUBI account.

Each situation forces Ethan, Abi, and Sam to take stock of their lives and their relationships, both platonic and romantic, all leading them to ask that most daunting of questions: What the hell am I going to do with my life? Surely, this can't be it.

It Gets Worse weaves a messy tale of early 20s friendships and screwups.

India Mullen, Safia Oakley-Green, and Olive Gray in "It Gets Worse."
India Mullen, Safia Oakley-Green, and Olive Gray in "It Gets Worse." Credit: Ana Blumenkron / A24 Films / Channel 4

From callous bosses to awkward crushes, It Gets Worse conjures up a world of all too relatable worries. Even if you haven't experienced something like this yourself, you know someone who has, and you've almost certainly commiserated with them as they've vented.

That's almost what watching It Gets Worse feels like: a diaristic venting of anxieties about life in your early 20s. Some scenes felt so personal that I almost felt like I shouldn't be watching them. And no, I'm not just talking about the sex scenes, although there are many, and they all fall somewhere on the scale from "hot and mildly awkward" to "I'm watching through my fingers out of sheer pain for the characters involved." I'm also talking about the scenes where It Gets Worse truly gets in its trio's heads as they weather painful realities: Ethan hearing someone surgically pick apart how he uses humor as a defense mechanism. Abi realizing in real time that her promotion doesn't actually come with a pay raise. Sam trying to put on a brave face as her current hookup, Tess (Safia Oakley-Green), becomes far more interested in Zara. With each of these moments, It Gets Worse packs a gut punch.

Those gut punches extend to the fraught dynamic between Ethan, Abi, and Sam as well. These are people who know everything about one another and will tell each other to fight for what they deserve. These are also people who will shit talk something that's important to their friends, then turn around and tell them how great it is. Between the constant needling, you might be inclined to think that these three need nothing more than to get away from each other, much in the way you might have thought Girls' leads needed to take some serious time apart. Yet It Gets Worse also finds bittersweet ways to keep bringing them back together, and Reich, Fairn, and Gray's chemistry is so sharp and lived-in that you can't help but yearn for them to share the screen time and again.

Bittersweetness defines much of It Gets Worse, even as it often opts for a brash, of-the-moment aesthetic. You can tell it's an A24 production from the credits alone, whose flashing block letters recall the credits of Charli XCX satire The Moment or Halina Reijn's Gen Z slasher Bodies Bodies Bodies. (The latter even gets name-dropped.) Yet the core of It Gets Worse is the serious growing pains Ethan, Ali, and Sam experience. Reich treats these pains with an Ethan-like touch, covering them in quick one-liners and canny satire so the trio's traumas never turn into full-out tragedies. As he does, he extends a sympathizing hand to anyone in their early 20s (or anyone who's ever been in their early 20s), as if to say, no matter what generation you belong to, no matter your experience, we've all been at an uncomfortable crossroads. But maybe that discomfort is worth celebrating in all its messiness. It's certainly worth watching play out in It Gets Worse.

It Gets Worse is now streaming on Paramount+ and Channel 4.

]]> <![CDATA[Is that advertisement AI-generated? These 6 signs offer clues.]]> https://mashable.com/life/how-to-spot-ai-generated-ads 02eSvQCOs5GidjDOPITOlR2 Fri, 06 Nov 2026 10:00:00 +0000

From the sandwich-board ads outside neighborhood bodegas to campaigns by multimillion-dollar companies and midterm political races, AI-generated advertising is becoming part of our everyday scenery. But figuring out which images were photographed, which were prompted, and which fall somewhere in between is getting harder. In a September study of more than 500 consumers, only 17 percent correctly identified the AI-generated ad in a lineup of 10 — even though half initially felt confident they could spot it.

So what gives an AI ad away? Often, it’s something small that doesn’t hold up as well as the overall image. These six signs can offer clues.

1. The product looks plausible until its parts stop making sense

An ad can have a believable setting and a perfectly ordinary model, then fall apart around the product. For example, in June, an REI Instagram ad featured a bicycle with an extra set of handlebars growing out of its saddle.

Screenshot of an REI Instagram ad showing a woman fastening her bicycle helmet beside a bike with an extra set of handlebars emerging beneath the saddle.
Screenshot contains AI-generated image. Credit: Screenshot: Reddit/r/REI

According to the retailer, Meta's AI personalization tool altered a vendor-provided image, turning a real photograph into slop. REI said it took steps to unenroll from the tool.

"While a two-handled bike might be interesting, it is not something you will find in our assortment," REI told Fast Company.

Other advertisers have encountered similar changes. In July reporting by Business Insider, advertising consultant Jessica Gleim said Meta had suggested an image that turned a client's pajama dress into a shirt and pants. For another client, a women’s networking group in Montana, the tool proposed adding men. As Gleim told BI, "It’s not usable to help my clients grow their business," regarding AI-generation.

2. The same character or object looks different between shots

Sometimes, each shot looks plausible on its own. Put them together, though, and the main character — or main vehicle — doesn’t quite stay the same.

Coca-Cola's 2025 viral AI-generated "Holidays Are Coming" commercial drew criticism for its poor shot consistency, and its harshest critics called it "soulless, bland, and hard to even watch." Viewers and experts documented changing vehicle design across the truck scenes, including mechanically implausible configurations. (Of course, that didn't stop Coca-Cola from airing the commercial all winter long.)

The same sort of inconsistency appeared in Toys "R" Us's 2024 film, made with OpenAI's Sora (RIP). The film depicts the company's founder Charles Lazarus as a boy dreaming about a fantastical toy store. But the child's appearance varied throughout the video.

Similar inconsistencies can happen within a shot. Last year, UC Berkeley digital forensics expert Hany Farid told Mashable to look for "temporal inconsistencies," such as "the building added a story, or the car changed colors, things that are physically not possible." These changes can occur in the background, away from the main subject, making them easier to miss.

SEE ALSO: Coca-Cola created another AI holiday video, and I expect a lot more like it

3. Movement doesn’t match the object — or the speech

Back to Coca-Cola. In their 2024 AI holiday advertisement, the trucks were moving along roads without their wheels even rotating. Very sloppy.

McDonald's Netherlands encountered its own visual problems in an AI-generated Christmas commercial from last year, with distorted faces and bodies, and the company pulled the ad after backlash. The Sweetshop CEO Melanie Bridge allegedly defended the production in a now-deleted statement, saying, "AI didn’t make this film. We did."

As for synthetic people, look for a mismatch between the face and the voice. Australia's national science agency identified poorly synchronized lip movements, flickering around the eyes, and expressions that don’t fit the emotional tone of speech as potential deepfake clues.

4. Lettering and details fall apart

Sometimes, the overall composition survives while the smaller elements look like nonsense. Product labels, objects on shelves, scenery, and body anatomy can look convincing at a glance but make no sense up close.

The promotional images for Glasgow's creepy Willy’s Chocolate Experience offered a memorable example in 2024. Amid the "nightmarish" scene, the AI-generated ads promoting the event initially promised "enchanting entertainment," "catchy tunes," and "exaggerated lollipops."

Those errors can also creep into real photographs when AI tools alter them. Photographer and marketer Abigail Hogue told Business Insider that a Valentine's Day campaign she photographed for Quite Literally Books began running with AI changes. Friends sent screenshots showing garbled product lettering and merchandise that resembled knockoffs. She disabled the AI creative enhancements and republished the campaign.

That unevenness makes lettering a useful clue, though an increasingly imperfect one. As the Global Investigative Journalism Network's guide explains, newer generators are much better at producing readable text and anatomically correct hands.

5. The action plays like a fantasy blockbuster

screenshot from NFL ai-generated 'ride the float commercial'
AI-GENERATED IMAGE Credit: Screenshot: NFL

Sometimes, AI-generated ads lean into the absurdity, turning a simple sales pitch into a Marvel-level spectacle. The drama keeps escalating, the scenes get stranger, and a soda commercial starts to feel like the trailer for an entire cinematic universe.

Fanta's latest Halloween campaign takes that approach. The ad features a vampire driving a sports car, a werewolf performing a DJ set, and a cyborg Frankenstein — all to promote soda. The brand spent a year and a half developing the world with AI-powered entertainment studio GRAiL, describing the technology in its announcement.

And Kalshi's deliberately chaotic commercial, which appeared in the YouTube TV stream of Game 3 of the 2025 NBA Finals, jumps through surreal scenes with the energy of an internet fever dream. Creator PJ Accetturo told NPR that he made it in two days using AI tools. See also: The NFL's larger-than-life "Ride the Float" commercial.

6. The typography looks familiar

Sometimes, it's the font itself that can be a dead giveaway. Unrelated ads often share the same chunky, rounded headings or vaguely handwritten type, creating the impression that they all came from the same AI generator. In one Reddit discussion, users noticed similar-looking lettering across generated images, even when the words themselves were nonsense.

One particular Brushstroke font is even being called "the new Comic Sans" by some graphic designers.

Reporting on AI-generated flyers in Houston, Chron's Gwen Howerton described a recurring combination of bright lettering against dark backgrounds, boxed bullet points, and words circled or underlined for emphasis. Many also used type resembling marker scribbles. The repetition extended beyond Instagram to bar screens, banners, and neighborhood signs.

Meanwhile, AI companies have cultivated another recognizable style through their own branding. Claude and Perplexity have openly embraced serif fonts — letters with small strokes at their ends, familiar from printed books. Asked why, Monotype's senior executive creative director Charles Nix told Creative Bloq: "In order to seem more human." He also described the historical associations of serif typography as a way to convey authority and distinguish these brands from the sans serif lettering that has dominated technology branding.

Designer and type practitioner Keya Vadgama offered a similar explanation to WIRED: "Serifs have an origin in calligraphy. It connotes a very human, fluid way of making letterforms." Reporters added that Runway and Manus had also adopted serif typography in their interfaces and branding.

Some ads are starting to disclose AI use

Lately, the clearest answer to "is that ad AI?" may come from the ad itself. In a June update, Meta said it was rolling out an "About this ad" section containing AI labels for ads created or significantly edited with its generative tools. It also said it would begin labeling ads when it detected industry-standard signals from third-party AI tools.

That push for transparency is reaching state law, too. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro signed the Artificial Intelligence Deceptive Advertising Act on Oct. 22. Taking effect Dec. 21, the law requires clear disclosures when AI-generated or significantly AI-altered content creates a false impression about the nature, origin, or authenticity of advertised goods or services. It won't put a label on every AI-assisted ad, though. The legislation exempts evidently fictional content, parody, satire, commentary, criticism, and text-only content.

SEE ALSO: Pennsylvania enacts law regulating AI-generated advertisements

As AI ads get better and better, the clues keep changing, which means that by the time we know what to look for, there may already be something new to catch.

]]> <![CDATA[The Cat in the Hat, reviewed in the style of Dr. Seuss]]> https://mashable.com/entertainment/the-cat-in-the-hat-2026-review 06t1TGPQ2UXptYxpQgh1Qtv Fri, 06 Nov 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Ever since I was a small Who, I have loved Dr. Seuss. 

His Sneetches, the Lorax, Horton — the joy they induce!

I gobbled up books, shorts, and feature films, too. 

I giggled, sang along, and even cried a boo-hoo! 

But one of his heroes had a movie fall flat, 

That rascally sharp dresser, the Cat in the Hat. 

In 2003, Mike Myers tried in live-action.

Audiences marveled at what the duck happened.  

Now comes an animated The Cat in the Hat. 

What am I, a critic, to say about that? 

Voiced by Bill Hader, this feline is fun. 

Lively and silly, with shenanigans. 

He brings with him his Things One, Two, and beyond, 

Plus a goldfish who wags a fin at things done wrong. 

But the focus of this kid's movie is odd: 

The Cat in the Hat might lose his job.

He works in the business of bringing kids joy, 

And is assigned to a girl and a boy. 

They've just moved and are feeling quite sad, 

But it's not enough to make them feel glad. 

The Cat must appease his bullying boss, 

Who worries about the collateral costs 

Of how the Cat brings mirth to kids near and far. 

The Cat's only ally is Sherri from HR. 

If that sounds convoluted, oh, just you wait. 

This story gets overcrowded to a terrible state. 

A mother-daughter squabble kicks off the action, 

Then a MacGuffin makes for a time-travel distraction. 

There's also a monster in hot pursuit, 

And a pesky landlady to boot! 

Erica Rivinoja and Alessandro Carloni direct and write. 

Their animation is warm, delicately textured, and bright. 

The voice cast has performers spirited and merry, 

Like Quinta Brunson, Xochitl Gomez, and Matt Berry. 

Sure, there's fun to be had in this Cat's appearance, 

But too many fart jokes hurt the experience. 

Dr. Seuss got silly and kooky indeed. 

But such potty humor is not his speed. 

With an overstuffed plot and action chaotic,

The movie's message feels half-assed and quixotic.

Hader's The Cat In The Hat is certainly better than Myers'. 

But so is plucking out my nose hairs with needle-nose pliers. 

In the end, I can't cheer this cartoon's feline joker. 

Best I can say is that this movie is mediocre.

"The Cat in The Hat"
Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

The Cat in the Hat opens in theaters on Nov. 6.

]]> <![CDATA[Club Kid review: Jordan Firstman reimagines Big Daddy with a subversive wit]]> https://mashable.com/entertainment/club-kid-review 01tLMathsgp6mJqnCs30CRC Fri, 06 Nov 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Jordan Firstman has forged his reputation in comedy with a spiky and unapologetically queer sense of humor, as seen in his writing for Search Party, and his performances in Sebastián Silva's dark comedy Rotting in the Sun, and Rachel Sennott's chic satire I Love LA. Firstman stays strongly on brand with his directorial debut, Club Kid. But this New York City story is also a hopeful fairy tale about growing up and getting your shit together. 

Smartly cast and full of energy, Club Kid is a feel-good movie that doesn't fall into the trap of being overly sentimental. It's far less broad that Big Daddy, Mr. Mom, or Three Men and a Baby, and exponentially more queer. But reflective of the film itself, it's the throbbing heart at its core that suggests Firstman's perspective is growing as his hero is. 

Club Kid is a comedy for the fuck-ups.

Jordan Firstman and Reggie Absolom co-star in "Club Kid."
Jordan Firstman and Reggie Absolom co-star in "Club Kid." Credit: A24

Imagine someone made a movie about your messiest friend. And if you are that friend, brace yourself to be seen. (We listen, and we do judge a little!) 

Written, helmed, and starring Firstman, Club Kid centers on Peter Green, a flailing party promoter who's spent the last decade or so doing hard drugs, staying out all night, and hooking up with untold men in Manhattan (and perhaps some of the cooler outer boroughs). 

Now in his thirties, this lifestyle isn't as cute as it used to be. Crashing on his couch is Nicky (Eldar Isgandarov), a surly twink who fancies himself a "low-key philosopher." Thrashing his business is his inability to resist the coke and ketamine that he's selling on the side of party planning. Showing up sloppy high to a sales meeting puts him on the outs with his ferocious business partner (Cara Delevingne), who feels smugly superior for being able to handle a bump before lunch. 

It's into all this chaos that Arlo (Reggie Absolom) is dropped. Kirby Howell-Baptiste, in an explosion of British party girl charisma and comedic outrageousness, turns up as Edison, who drops a bomb with a smile. Ten-year-old Arlo is Peter's son, spawned from a forgotten threesome a decade ago. His mom, a Brit he knew as "Innit babes," went back to London, had the kid, got abused by her boyfriend, and ultimately died by suicide. So, Edison reasons, Arlo belongs to his bio dad now. 

Peter is so bad at adulting he can't even begin to make sense of this. But he does give the kid a place to stay and begins to grow attached. They bond over music. And being raised by a mom addicted to the party scene, Arlo is familiar with Peter's world in some vague way, and so quickly wins over a clutch of overgrown club kids, including a beguiling trans DJ called Saffron (Saturn Risin9). 

Meanwhile, Peter sees himself in a new light through Arlo's eyes. Could he be more than a dealer and an aging addict? Could he be a responsible dad? Could he abstain from casual sex and hard partying and settle into a loving relationship with Arlo's therapist (Diego Calva)? Club Kid paves a path where this could be possible, but not without some logical bumps along the way. 

Club Kid shows Firstman has a distinctive vision as a director. 

Jordan Firstman directs "Club Kid."
Jordan Firstman directs "Club Kid." Credit: A24

As you might expect of a New York City-set movie premiering at NYFF, Club Kid depicts the city with an authentic intimacy. For starters, the film begins inside an Uber, where the stoic driver (Jamil Zraikat) speaks gently on the phone in a foreign language, before his car is overrun with tweaking club kids who crank up house music and sing along, while their bodies shimmy in feathers, sequins, sweat, and glitter.  

Cinematographer Adam Newport-Berra follows Peter from the cab into a club, where the lights are a bleeding purple neon, and the music blares so loud the theatrical audience might be tempted to cover their ears. Yet, it's clear from Firstman's onscreen thrall that Peter feels at home in this cacophony. Later, after Arlo becomes part of his life, the lights are red, blurring more features, and the handheld camera that once expressed enthusiasm turns panicked. A strobe light that bursts white in a relentless pulse throws the audience into a desperate search to make out what's on screen, reflecting Peter's panic as he seeks a missing Arlo. 

In calmer moments, the static camera captures everyday New York events with awe, like flipping through the bins of a vintage record shop, chatting on a park bench with a friend, or moving a gifted piano up an unwelcoming staircase. The use of 35mm enhances the romance of the city, imbuing each frame with the familiar grain distortion many generations still associate with cinema. Firstman and Newport-Berra create a terrific balance of the beauty and unpredictability of New York. So, when Arlo speaks simply of his affection for the city, there's a flush of comfort in knowing he gets it. 

Club Kid is brilliantly cast. 

Jordan Firstman writes, directs, and stars in "Club Kid."
Jordan Firstman writes, directs, and stars in "Club Kid." Credit: A24

First up, Firstman wrote a role for himself that's strategic and well-suited. He gets to deliver the kind of snarky jokes his fans might expect. But then, the plot probes deeper, giving him the chance to earnestly portray vulnerability, worry, adoration, and desperation. This is not a vanity project, as Peter is a bit of a clown. 

Beyond him, casting director Carmen Cuba has selected a superb array of supporting players to build out Peter's chosen family. Delevingne, who has her own reputation as an eccentric socialite, strides smoothly into the role of a party monster. Howell-Baptiste is a one-woman show as the human tornado that is Edison, beaming and enchanting while delivering darkly hilarious dialogue. Risin9 is a standout in the party posse, radiant, warm, and mischievous, like that cool cousin we all aspired to be. Isgandarov is terrific as Nicky, swiftly capturing a familiar queer archetype, then plunging in with jubilant spontaneity. He's perfectly paired with Colleen Camp (Clue), who plays Peter's downstairs neighbor Evelyn, a kind of chosen godmother who has money, scads of style, and a big heart exploding with tough love. 

And then there's Arlo. Absolom, who some might recognize from The Other Bennet Sister, is simply terrific. He offers a open stare that comes off not as naive but knowing. And in that, there's a bit of tragedy. But this child is fueled by hope, hope that tomorrow will be better than the yesterday he's seen. He hopes Peter can be his real dad. He hopes he can weave himself into the club scene, in part because he has a true love of it from his mom's influence, and in part — it seems — so he can ingratiate himself to his newly revealed father. In moments of tension, you see this façade of maturity crack as Absolom and Firstman make sure the audience sees past the precociousness to the simple truth: He's just a kid. He needs a security that he's never known. And the film grows slower and more meditative as Peter grapples with what that means. 

In the end, Club Kid gives an ending that is happy and earned. Firstman doesn't abandon the path in favor of a Hollywood ending that will have audiences cheering. Instead, he delivers something more realistic, but still hopeful and aspirational. It's a happy ending the way New York City understand them, and that's a hard-won gift. 

Club Kid was reviewed out of the New York Film Festival. It opens in theaters on Nov. 6. 

]]> <![CDATA[I Play Rocky review: Can this crowd-pleaser be an Oscar contender?]]> https://mashable.com/entertainment/i-play-rocky-review 02KEfUFRJ7A1SRSEUTNS0tk Fri, 06 Nov 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Rocky is such a truly iconic film that it's easy to forget its very existence is a miracle. I Play Rocky is the story of how that miracle was built by the blood, sweat, and tears of an unknown actor and aspiring screenwriter named Sylvester Stallone. 

Peter Gamble's screenplay begins with the future Hollywood star going by Mike Stallone (Anthony Ippolito), hitting auditions with his brawny shoulders and distinctive accent, and getting cast as thug #2 if he's lucky. At this point, he's living on the streets, finding comfort in a stray puppy he's taken in, and doing some light sex work to keep them both fed. But all he needs to start the path to Rocky is one person to believe in him. 

Enter Sasha Czack (AnnaSophia Robb), a smart and dedicated young woman who pushes Mike not only to write the roles he wants to play but to make a mark with his real name, Sylvester Stallone. Together, they move from the cold streets of New York to the sunny hills of Los Angeles. He writes out script after script by hand, then she types them up so he can hopefully sell them. When Rocky finally catches the attention of respected producers, it might seem like a happy ending. But there's one catch that Sly lays down: "I play Rocky." 

Stallone, as an unknown, fought tooth and nail to be the center of the movie he dreamed up to make him a star. But at every step, a new challenge presented itself. His underdog story reflects Rocky's — sometimes literally recreating scenes from the Oscar–winning sensation. But as successfully entertaining and heart-warming as I Play Rocky is, will it be able to stand out to the Academy in this year of extraordinary cinema?

What's I Play Rocky got in its corner? 

Anthony Ippolito plays Sylvester Stallone; Stephan James plays Carl Weathers in "I Play Rocky."
Anthony Ippolito plays Sylvester Stallone; Stephan James plays Carl Weathers in "I Play Rocky." Credit: Amazon MGM Studios

Well, for starters, director Peter Farrelly previously won over the Academy with Green Book, which scored Best Supporting Actor for Mahershala Ali, Best Original Screenplay (for Farrelly and his co-writers), and Best Picture. That too was a feel-good film inspired by true events. And to its credit, I Play Rocky is less likely to earn the backlash that Green Book did, as it doesn't engage in problematic racial stereotypes. 

What I Play Rocky does offer is a cast that absolutely crackles onscreen. Ippolito takes on a difficult role as Stallone, because even a casual movie fan can recognize this A-lister's signature cadence and tone. To his credit, Ippolito is terrific in the role. Not only does his take on Stallone feel familiar, but he also avoids the trap of making it feel like an impression. This becomes clearer when he's tasked with re-enacting classic Rocky scenes, where the physicality of Stallone demands to be even more in sync with the man himself. 

Beyond getting the feel of Stallone right, Ippolito has an easy charisma that sparks chemistry with every scene partner, be it his onscreen lover Robb, a pair of bickering producers (P. J. Byrne, Toby Kebbell), his dynamic Rocky co-star Carl Weathers (Stephan James), or his lumbering dog, Butkus. Ippolito's Sly is radiant with life and determination, a screen presence that Stallone brought to Rocky. 

And around him, he's bolstered by terrific supporting players. Byrne and Kebbell prove a terrific comedy duo, turning exposition about movie deals into entertainment. Robb shines, despite being in a role that is an achingly cliched Supportive Wife with no complexity. (As presented here, Sasha has no desires beyond what makes Sly happy.) James is electric, an unapologetic scene-stealer who becomes Sly's ally. Tracy Letts is solidly sneering as an antagonistic studio exec, and Jay Duplass is brightly funny as self-proclaimed asshole director John G. Avildsen. 

Together, they craft a fish-out-of-water showbiz comedy slash underdog drama that is undeniably rousing and wonderful. So, why won't that be enough for I Play Rocky to be a contender? 

I Play Rocky will be an underdog at the Oscars. 

Anthony Ippolito plays Sylvester Stallone in "I Play Rocky."
Anthony Ippolito plays Sylvester Stallone in "I Play Rocky." Credit: Amazon MGM Studios

On the ground at the Toronto International Film Festival, when I Play Rocky made its World Premiere, the buzz was thunderous and immediate. Following its first screening, the press lined up in a massive theater for the press-and-marketing-screening to see for themselves if this movie could live up to the hype. For those who've never been, that's a tough crowd, almost daring filmmakers to impress them. And adding to the difficulty, this screening was at 8:30 AM on a Sunday, when most sane people would prefer to be in bed. I was in that audience, and frankly dubious I'd enjoy Farrelly's latest, as I tend to think his best film is Dumb & Dumber. (I said what I said.) To my surprise and delight, I roared with laughter and cheers, as did the hundreds around me. Speculation sparked that this movie would win the festival's audience award, hands down. And the People's Choice Award out of TIFF can often be a bellwether for Oscar success. According to Awards Radar, since 2000, 33 People's Choice winners have gone on to become Best Picture nominees at the Academy Awards, with nine of them winning — including Green Book. But despite the buzz, I Play Rocky didn't win this honor.

The People's Choice Award went to La Bola Negra, a Spanish drama by directors Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi that explores queer identity over 85 years in Spain. That film, while extraordinary, is not a crowd-pleaser. It's 159 minutes long, interweaves multiple narratives, and is inspired by four pages of a play written by poet Federico García Lorca before he was assassinated by a fascist government. It's tragic, romantic, and cerebral. And it has all that in common with the International People's Choice winner, Elsinore, which focuses on Scottish actor Ian Charleson's performance of Hamlet as he was dying of AIDS. 

Where I Play Rocky had brilliant buzz on its debut, it was a runner-up at the end of the festival. And as award season heats up, there's a trend emerging, favoring tragedies over feel-good stories. Another example: TIFF opened with the inspiring docudrama Being Heumann, helmed by Sian Heder, director of the Best Picture winner CODA. While this follow-up has been praised for its representation of people with disabilities in telling the story of disability advocate Judith Heumann, the praise for the movie itself has been muted. 

SEE ALSO: 'CODA' review: A feel-good family story that's worth the Oscar hype

Meanwhile, Calvo and Ambrossi are gathering buzz for the Best Director honor, and Andrew Scott seems a frontrunner for his heart-wrenching performance in Elsinore. And then of course, there's the big wooden horse in the room: The Odyssey. 

Being both an unadulterated hit with critics and a box office smash that not only brought audiences back to theaters, but also sold out IMAX theaters across the country, Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey is going to be hard to beat this Oscar season. He brought together a sprawling cast, shot on location, and used practical effects to extraordinary ends to reimagine Homer's Greek epic for a modern, mainstream audience. It is a collision of poetry, craftsmanship, and performance that is absolutely astounding. The Odyssey showed succinctly why movies still matter, connecting a story that's centuries old to contemporary politics without feeling like it was talking down to its audience. 

There, I Play Rocky falls short. While it is a movie about the importance of cinema, which the Academy loves, it's a look back that feels more a celebration of Stallone than it does a story urgent to now. And in the final act, Farrelly gets carried away in recreating Rocky, pulling in one scene after another to diminishing returns. While his film is still a sensational experience, its final act leans too heavily into the audience's presumed love of Rocky, instead of trusting in their interest of the story being told. And hey, in another year, that might not have been a fatal flaw; it might not even be one that will keep I Play Rocky from some big nominations. But even though I'd argue I Play Rocky is a better movie than Green Book, I wouldn't bet Farrelly's film has a fighting chance against its TIFF peers, much less Nolan's epic. 

I Play Rocky was reviewed out of the Toronto International Film Festival. It opens in limited release in the U.S. and UK on Nov. 6, before going nationwide in the U.S. on Nov. 20.

]]> <![CDATA[Godzilla Minus Zero review: The epic monster melodrama fans have been roaring for]]> https://mashable.com/entertainment/godzilla-minus-zero-review 04seyMibkZMPpOPGtdzGgI6 Fri, 06 Nov 2026 10:00:00 +0000

I have a confession and some good news. First, a confession: While watching Godzilla Minus Zero in a theater, I squealed and screamed in excitement loudly and repeatedly. I even threw my hands up at one point, as if I were going down the sharp hill of a rollercoaster ride. Now, good news: No one was any the wiser to my giddy noise. (And I wasn’t the only one whose hands took flight!) 

The sequel to the critically acclaimed and fan-revered Godzilla Minus One offers a soundscape so rich in roars, along with a booming score, that I could barely hear my own screams. And bonus good news: You will likely echo my enthralled reaction, because Godzilla Minus Zero is awesome, in the classical sense of the word. 

Godzilla Minus Zero is a sensational sequel. 

Hidetaka Yoshioka returns as Noda in "Godzilla Minus Zero."
Hidetaka Yoshioka returns as Noda in "Godzilla Minus Zero." Credit: GKIDS

Godzilla Minus One writer/director Takashi Yamazaki returns, picking up his kaiju saga two years after the events of the last film. In Godzilla Minus Zero, Japanese pilot Shikishima (Ryunosuke Kamiki) is now a celebrated hero because of his ace flying in the final assault on Godzilla, which sent the massive monster back to the depths of the Pacific Ocean. His love, Noriko (Minami Hamabe), has healed from her wounds from Godzilla's attack, but wears a conspicuous eye patch. And their gleeful daughter, Akiko (Sae Nagatani), is the envy of a scrappy flock of war orphans cared for by their gruff but compassionate neighbor, Sumiko Ōta (Sakura Ando). 

Meanwhile, friend of the family and silver fox with gorgeous hair Noda (Hidetaka Yoshioka) has been promoted to the head of a military unit dedicated to eliminating future kaiju threats. So, when a new creature rises, taking flight with a terrifying ferocity, Noda turns to some old friends for help. 

Harkening back to the early Godzilla movies, Yamazaki balances scenes of massive monster destruction with sequences of human drama. The post-World War II melodrama in the first film revolved around Shikishima, a disgraced kamikaze pilot who was at first too cowardly to sacrifice himself for the greater good. In the finale, he finally risked his life to topple Godzilla — and he survived! And this time, the public opinion on such an escape shifted in his favor. 

In its sequel, he is challenged to risk their safety to build a better future for Akiko. After the long battle for Shikishima to even acknowledge the love his family cobbled together in the ruins of war, it's a thrill to see him so openly affectionate with both — and a brutal blow to realize he is once again risking everything to preserve them. 

Godzilla Minus Zero goes harder than any Godzilla movie before. 

Noriko (Minami Hamabe) wears an eyepatch in "Godzilla Minus Zero."
Noriko (Minami Hamabe) wears an eyepatch in "Godzilla Minus Zero." Credit: GKIDS

In the franchise's 70-year history, Godzilla Minus Zero is the first of these films to be rated R. Yamazaki uses this as an opportunity to turn jaded adult viewers into giddy kids again, freshly awed by the might of these monsters. 

As has been teased in advertising around the movie, Godzilla Minus Zero sees the rise of Ghidorah, an extraterrestrial dragon with wings and gravity beams that allow it to lift buildings from their foundations and drop them like bombs. Far from the clunky costumed actors of the original films, Yamazaki's crew has built a monster that is seamlessly realized and absolutely electrifying. 

First, Ghidorah attacks Matsumoto City, turning the daily lives of civilians into a waking nightmare. These scenes of devastation are exciting and disturbing, reconfiguring the gruesome realities of war with a sci-fi bend that makes them distinctly harrowing. But things get even more intense when Godzilla returns for a monster-versus-monster battle. In these sequences, the R rating allows Yamazaki to take the damage against these iconic creatures to a jaw-dropping extreme. The gore is shocking and exciting in these sequences. But elsewhere, graphic violence is used for a more humane purpose. 

Echoing the previous movie's message about the horrors of war, Godzilla Minus Zero introduces new character who is a hibakusha (a survivor of the Hiroshima bombing). Through his perspective, the graphic evisceration of atomic weaponry is made horrifyingly clear. Men, women, and children melted and scorched beyond recognition. It is soberingly horrendous. 

This is a brilliant balance of violence. With the monsters, the battles resurrect the wonder I experienced watching those original movies on battered VHS tapes, lying belly down on my friend’s fuzzy living room carpeting. Then, the toll taken on human bodies demands audiences recognize the difference between these fun fantasies of violence and the terrible truth of it in the name of war. 

Knitted together with outstanding visual effects and an earnest ensemble, Godzilla Minus Zero is truly epic. It demands to be seen in theaters, where its visuals can hit like an atomic breath and its soundscape can rattle your very bones. 

Let yourself be swallowed by that roar. You won't regret it. 

Godzilla Minus Zero was reviewed out of the New York Film Festival. The movie opens in theaters and IMAX on Nov. 6. 

]]> <![CDATA[Wild Horse Nine review: Is John Malkovich at the center of a meta puzzle?]]> https://mashable.com/entertainment/wild-horse-nine-movie-review 047bKiFSYMGBBMWiUgkaM6t Fri, 06 Nov 2026 10:00:00 +0000

As a comedy, Wild Horse Nine works fine. British-Irish playwright-turned-filmmaker Martin McDonagh imbues it with the blisteringly macabre sense of humor that he's forged in work like his 2003 play The Pillowman and his feature film debut In Bruges, as well as later movies like Seven Psychopaths; Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri; and The Banshees of Inisherin. As a Martin McDonagh comedy, it feels a bit redundant. But perhaps that's precisely the point?

From its premise, Wild Horse Nine echoes the plot of McDonagh's first feature film, In Bruges. Both films center on a pair of contract killers who have an uneasy friendship, and who travel to a lovely vacation spot with a potentially deadly outcome looming over them. This time, McDonagh has cast John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell in the roles of CIA agents who are chaotically compelling and lethally reckless.

Within these roles, Malkovich and Rockwell are invited to repeat themselves, creating echoes that actually bolsters the film's message about the mind-bending nature of looking back.

Wild Horse Nine is an oddball's elegy.

Tom Waits in "Wild Horse Nine."
Credit: TIFF

Set shortly before 1973 Chilean coup d'etat, Wild Horse Nine begins in Santiago, where veteran operative Chris (Malkovich) and his protege Lee (Rockwell) have put things in motion to destabilize the newly democratically elected leader. Now it's time to kill some time with a getaway to Easter Island, because Chris wants to see "the big heads."

Loud and obnoxious, Chris is unapologetically an Ugly American. When tourists urge him to call Easter Island's giant stone statues "moai," the name the Indigenous people gave them, he scoffs. When two female college students express excitement over their women's rights march, he breezily reveals that all their efforts will be for naught because of a U.S. operation that will topple their beloved president. ("Your country is gonna get fucked.")

Chris' brazen insensitivity mirrors the racist cop Rockwell played in Three Billboards, with one exception. While both are caricatures making a mockery of Americans' lesser attributes, Chris is no fool. He is deeply cynical because he knows too much — so much, in fact, that his chief (Steve Buscemi) is ready to shut him up by any means necessary.

This trip will likely be his last, and both Chris and Lee know it. So within their half-hearted attempts at tourism, Chris reflects on his life and regrets, while seeking some fresh adventure. He becomes beguiled by the wild horses that roam freely across this lush, green landscape. And he attempts to flirt with one of the coeds he outraged in Act One. Within his meanderings and mumblings about many, many murders, there's not sadness, but a shrugging resignation that Malkovich sculpts into a darkly funny portrayal.

Wild Horse Nine is deepened by its repetition.

John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell star in Martin McDonagh's "Wild Horse Nine."
Credit: TIFF

Rockwell and Malkovich have been in so many movies, there are bound to be bits of repetition eventually, right? But some of the echoes in Wild Horse Nine are very specific. Like, yes, this is the third film Rockwell has made with McDonagh, following Seven Psychopaths and Three Billboards. (He also starred in McDonagh's Broadway play A Behanding in Spokane in 2010). But more specifically, Rockwell has previously played a CIA operative with a lot of swagger and a penchant for gallows humor and insubordination in the George Clooney-directed Confessions of a Dangerous Mind.

Beyond that, Malkovich has not just played a CIA employee before, but in both Wild Horse Nine and the Coen Bros' Burn After Reading, he plays one who is looking to turn his top-secret exploits into a memoir. Then, most joltingly perhaps, as Wild Horse Nine goes on, cinephiles watching Lee try to protect Chris from a world growing increasingly hostile towards him might be reminded of Of Mice and Men. Notably, Malkovich played Lennie in the 1992 film adaptation, directed by and co-starring Gary Sinise. And yes, that feels relevant too.

These are the connections I noticed watching Wild Horse Nine just once. I wonder what other ties might be noticed on a rewatch? Will Buscemi's furious CIA chief spark a memory of a far-off film where he was in a position of power but not to be trusted? Will Parker Posey, who plays Lee's glibly unfaithful wife, invoke an allusion to one of her fiery past roles? Perhaps Tom Waits, snarling from the depths of Monument Valley, will unlock a recollection about a long-forgotten Western that serves to bolster the meaning of the American singer/songwriter's brief but meaningful scene.

Or maybe I'm reaching. Maybe the rhythms of Wild Horse Nine felt so familiar, both in McDonagh's work and in American dark comedy, that I was looking for other ways to excite myself.

I hope not. After all, Wild Horse Nine has a lot going for it. The cinematography from Ben Davis is gorgeous, putting these gruff conquerers in an untamed surrounding that seems to mock their mundane ambitions for control.

Rockwell is greasy and suave in McDonagh's signature caustic and comical dialogue. Buscemi, Parker, and Waits all pop with crackling outrage. Mariana di Girolamo and Ailín Salas bring a fresh-faced exuberance that proves a terrific foil to Malkovich's world-weariness. And as for Malkovich, he's wickedly compelling as this infuriatingly blasé killer. The bounce he brings the comedy is expertly executed. Chris' resignation is not expressed through a dull sullenness, but an intoxicating levity. It's as if he can feel the fall coming and is all too happy to lift his wings.

And in that, Chris looks back on his life, and Wild Horse Nine urges us to look back on the filmographies of its makers (intentionally or not). In that, we, like this film's anti-hero, are urged to understand how history can keep repeating, for better or mostly worse. But hey, there might still be something worthwhile in the present moment anyway.

Wild Horse Nine was reviewed out of the Toronto International Film Festival. The movie will open in theaters on Nov. 6.

]]> <![CDATA[AdultFriendFinder accounts: How much personal info you have to provide]]> https://mashable.com/life/adultfriendfinder-accounts-how-much-personal-info-you-have-to-provide 05y65xOrn0PnYGzSrrkYTt4 Fri, 06 Nov 2026 10:00:00 +0000

If you've always been curious about joining AdultFriendFinder but nervous about handing over personal info, we get it. It's just common sense to be cautious with your data, especially on a well-known hookup site with a history of data breaches. But let us put your mind at rest: You can sign up to AFF with minimal personal info.

Here's a guide to all the info you need to provide to sign up for either a free or paid account on AdultFriendFinder.

AdultFriendFinder logo
Credit: AdultFriendFinder

Free accounts

Because free accounts are extremely limited in what they can do on AFF, they don't require much information. You will need to provide AFF with your email address, date of birth, and location, as well as your marital status and sexual orientation. Other dating sites require a profile photo so other users can see you, but AFF allows you to browse the site anonymously. You can use AFF without uploading a single photo. 

If you're still nervous, you can use a burner email address, though if you want to earn verified status on AFF in the future, you will need to correct your email to match the contact information on any government-issued identification (which AFF requires for official verification). 

Paid accounts

If you enjoy your AdultFriendFinder experience and want more freedom to explore the site and connect with other users, there's no way around it: you'll need to upgrade to a paid premium membership, which means providing even more (and actually legitimate) personal information.

You need to provide a credit card number and an accurate address, including your country, city, state, and ZIP code. 

If you want the premium experience but you really don't want to share those credit card digits, you can use one of their alternative payment methods, like a mail-in check, digital gift card, or prepaid debit card. 

Not all of these payment options are available in every country, but if you prioritize anonymity and data security, the prepaid account option is the most secure.

]]> <![CDATA[The Waterpik Cordless Pulse has dropped to its best-ever price at Amazon — save $20]]> https://mashable.com/tech/nov-6-waterpik-flosser-early-black-friday-deal 02Lr7SByPSQx3HVS9ZwMGTz Fri, 06 Nov 2026 09:56:21 +0000

SAVE $20: As of Nov. 6, the Waterpik Cordless Pulse is on sale for $29.99 at Amazon. That's a 40% discount on the list price.

Waterpik Cordless Pulse
Credit: Waterpik
Waterpik Cordless Pulse
$29.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $20.00
 

If flossing isn't already part of your daily routine, a water flosser could make it a whole lot easier.

A water flosser does exactly what it says on the tin: it flosses your teeth with water instead of dental floss. And as of Nov. 6, the Waterpik Cordless Pulse is currently discounted at Amazon, so you can give one a try without spending too much. Normally $49.99, it's now $29.99 (the lowest price ever).

The cordless design makes this Waterpik easy to handle and store, while the included accessories give you everything you need to get started. Inside the box, you'll find two jet tips, a removable 6oz water reservoir, and a lithium-ion battery that charges via USB. The whole unit is waterproof, so you can use it in the shower and rinse it clean after use.

It has different settings to make it comfortable to use, with two pressure levels to suit your preference. Waterpik says the flosser removes up to 99.9% of plaque bacteria from treated areas, helping support healthier gums and fresher breath. It also carries the ADA Seal of Acceptance for safety and effectiveness, and comes with a two-year warranty.

Head to Amazon to grab this deal now.

]]> <![CDATA[Magic: The Gathering Star Trek Play Booster Box preorders are cheaper than ever on Amazon — save $79.75]]> https://mashable.com/life/nov-6-magic-the-gathering-star-trek-play-booster-box-preorder-deal 04XZQFCHVJRZfFtLG1V8j6w Fri, 06 Nov 2026 09:44:05 +0000

TL;DR: The Magic: The Gathering Star Trek Play Booster Box is on sale for $129.95 at Amazon, down from its $209.70 list price.

The Magic: The Gathering Star Trek Play Booster Box
Credit: Magic: The Gathering
Magic: The Gathering Star Trek Play Booster Box
$129.95 at Amazon
$209.70 Save $79.75

Anyone who resisted picking up Magic: The Gathering's Star Trek Play Booster Box when it went on sale last month has had their patience rewarded, because now, with the sci-fi trading card crossover's release just seven days away, the expansion’s 30-pack box has had another price cut.

As of Nov. 6, the Magic: The Gathering Star Trek Play Booster Box has reached a new record-low preorder price of $129.95 at Amazon, a generous $79.75 below the $209.70 list price. At 38% off, you're effectively spending just $4.33 per pack.

For comparison, that's a $35.66 savings compared to when we covered the lowest preorder price of $165.61 on Oct. 5. As confirmed by the price tracker camelcamelcamel, this is indeed the cheapest the MTG box has been sold for on Amazon.

SEE ALSO: Magic: The Gathering's Reality Fracture Play Booster Box is down to its lowest-ever price — save over $10

To be clear, this deal is coming from third-party seller NCC & Games rather than Amazon directly — with delivery set for as soon as Nov. 16, a few days after the set’s Nov. 13 release date. You can buy the listing, which is sold and shipped by Amazon, for a slightly more expensive $145.61, and it also comes with its handy preorder price guarantee.

Inside are 30 Play Boosters with 14 cards apiece, bringing together iconic Star Trek captains, spacecraft, and other favorites from the franchise's six decades. Each pack promises a Traditional Foil and one to four rare or higher-rarity cards, with special-border treatments and alternate artwork offering some extra surprises for collectors.

]]> <![CDATA[Pokémon TCG Delta Reign Booster Bundles get a price cut on launch day — shop for market price at Amazon]]> https://mashable.com/life/nov-6-pokemon-tcg-delta-reign-booster-bundle-deal 01fI3qo5aE0CUaXCEON01Nh Fri, 06 Nov 2026 09:34:43 +0000

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Delta Reign Booster Bundle is on sale for $57.95 at Amazon, down from its $61.45 list price.

The Pokémon TCG's Delta Reign Booster Bundle on a white background
Credit: The Pokémon Company
Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Delta Reign Booster Bundle
$57.95 at Amazon
$61.45 Save $3.50
 

The wait for the Pokémon TCG's Delta Reign expansion is finally over, and Amazon has marked the Nov. 6 launch with another discount on its six-pack Booster Bundle.

As of Nov. 6, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Delta Reign Booster Bundle is priced at just $57.95 at Amazon, shaving $3.50 off its regular $61.45 price. Sure, it’s a relatively modest 6% saving in the grand scheme of things, but this means you'll be spending about $9.66 per pack.

While this deal is supplied by third-party seller Toynado Alley rather than Amazon, it still has 100% positive feedback. Also keep in mind that delivery is estimated for Nov. 14, rather than dispatching today or arriving over the weekend. 

SEE ALSO: The Pokémon TCG Chaos Rising Display Box gets a surprise discount at Amazon — save over $10 before Delta Reign drops

This new low price is only $5.31 above the Delta Reign Booster Bundle’s estimated $52.94 market price on TCGplayer. What’s more, this particular box has been steadily climbing in market price over the last week, and we expect that to go up even more during this launch period — so get yours while stocks last at this price point. 

For $57.95, the Booster Bundle offers 60 trading cards spread across six packs, each accompanied by a Basic Energy and Pokémon TCG Live code card. Delta Reign offers over 135 cards to pull, including Mega Rayquaza ex, Mega Malamar ex, Mega Golurk ex, and Mega Golisopod ex. 

]]> <![CDATA[The Pokémon TCG Delta Reign Elite Trainer Box is down to market price on release day — shop the best-ever Amazon deal]]> https://mashable.com/life/nov-6-pokemon-tcg-30th-delta-reign-elite-trainer-box-deal 02MzzjCuuqE3OkwgLttzK0t Fri, 06 Nov 2026 09:28:07 +0000

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Delta Reign Elite Trainer Box is on sale for $103.23 at Amazon, down from its $137.95 list price.

The Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution—Delta Reign Elite Trainer Box on a white background
Credit: The Pokémon Company
Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Delta Reign Elite Trainer Box
$103.23 at Amazon
$137.95 Save $34.72
 

The Pokémon TCG's Delta Reign expansion has officially arrived, and Amazon sellers have marked the occasion by giving its Rayquaza-themed Elite Trainer Box the biggest price reduction we've ever seen.

As of Nov. 6, the Pokémon TCG’s Delta Reign Elite Trainer Box is available for just $103.23 at Amazon, chopping $34.72 off its typical $137.95 price. That's a huge saving compared to the $140 preorders we spotted in October. It is indeed the lowest price we’ve seen for this ETB (confirmed by our go-to price tracker, camelcamelcamel).

SEE ALSO: Pokémon TCG Delta Reign Booster Display Box preorders hit a new record-low price at Amazon — save over $10

This new price by third-party seller Hero Collect means you’re only paying $11.47 per booster pack before factoring in the accessories. In addition to being $1.72 cheaper than Walmart’s lowest listing of $104.95, this heavily discounted price is only $4.23 above the estimated $99 market price on TCGplayer.

You get nine booster packs from the Pokémon Trading Card Game expansion, an exclusive full-art foil Kyogre promo card, 65 card sleeves, 40 Energy cards, seven dice, a plastic coin, six dividers, a collector's box, a player's guide, and a Pokémon TCG Live code card.

]]> <![CDATA[Zelda Switch 2 restock: Live restock updates at Walmart, Target, and Best Buy (Nov. 6)]]> https://mashable.com/tech/zelda-switch-2-restock-retailers-where-to-buy-now 03U5yq23CXRtUSGH0Kwx12Y Fri, 06 Nov 2026 09:23:12 +0000
Where to check for Zelda Switch 2 stock:
Nintendo
Nintendo Switch 2 — The Legend of Zelda — 40th Anniversary Edition
$519.99 at Nintendo
Nintendo Switch 2 – The Legend of Zelda – 40th Anniversary Edition
Amazon
Nintendo Switch 2 — The Legend of Zelda — 40th Anniversary Edition
$519.99 at Amazon
Nintendo Switch 2 – The Legend of Zelda – 40th Anniversary Edition
Walmart
Nintendo Switch 2 — The Legend of Zelda — 40th Anniversary Edition
$519.99 at Walmart
Nintendo Switch 2 – The Legend of Zelda – 40th Anniversary Edition
Target
Nintendo Switch 2 — The Legend of Zelda — 40th Anniversary Edition
$519.99 at Target
Nintendo Switch 2 – The Legend of Zelda – 40th Anniversary Edition
Best Buy
Nintendo Switch 2 — The Legend of Zelda — 40th Anniversary Edition
$519.99 at Best Buy
Nintendo Switch 2 – The Legend of Zelda – 40th Anniversary Edition
GameStop
Nintendo Switch 2 — The Legend of Zelda — 40th Anniversary Edition
$519.99 at GameStop
Nintendo Switch 2 – The Legend of Zelda – 40th Anniversary Edition

If your current morning ritual involves violently hitting refresh on a dozen retail tabs, you already know the vibe: finding the Nintendo Switch 2: The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition is turning into an Olympic sport.

Between automated bot armies scooping digital drops, surprise order cancellations at Walmart, and inventory vanishing in seconds on Amazon, this custom black-and-gold console feels like a myth. But while digital storefronts look completely barren, stock is actively circulating behind the scenes.

Where to check for Zelda Switch 2 stock right now

Before getting into the restock details, bookmark these retailer pages to check for surprise drops:

  • Nintendo Store — Out of stock right now, but you can add it to your wishlist to get pinged the second a restock hits.

  • Amazon — Dropping tiny batches of consoles randomly throughout the day.

  • Walmart — Out of stock, so make sure your in-stock email alerts are turned on.

  • Target — Sold out online, but two drops are coming: in-store on Thursday, Nov. 5, and online on Friday, Nov. 6.

  • Best Buy — Sold out online, but select stores are doing midnight openings on Nov. 5 with walk-in stock.

  • GameStop — Online orders are off; you will have to walk into a store to find one.

Why is the console selling out so fast?

The feeding frenzy is being supercharged by Nintendo’s staggered release calendar. While the custom Zelda 40th Anniversary hardware dropped first on Oct. 29, the flagship game driving demand — The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for Nintendo Switch 2 — arrives this Thursday, Nov. 5.

The remake rebuilds the 1998 classic from the ground up with modernized controls, a fully orchestrated soundtrack, reworked dungeon puzzles, and expanded Hyrule environments. Since the $520 console doesn’t include the game, everyone is rushing to lock down a system before launch day.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for Nintendo Switch 2
Credit: Nintendo

What comes with the Zelda 40th anniversary Switch 2?

The package includes the special-edition Switch 2 system sporting a custom black-and-gold finish, themed Joy-Con 2 controllers, and a matching dock decorated with the gold Triforce emblem. It retains the platform's signature flexibility, letting you switch between TV, Tabletop, and Handheld modes whenever you want.

Inside the themed chassis, you get 256GB of built-in storage (expandable with microSD Express cards), a vivid display in handheld mode, faster load times, and support for up to 4K resolution on compatible TVs when the console sits in the dock.

The magnetic Joy-Con 2 controllers add mouse-style tracking in supported games, while the new GameChat hub lets you voice chat and share your screen directly as you play. It also plays your older Switch games and supports standard multiplayer options.

How can you improve your chances of finding stock?

Landing limited-edition Nintendo hardware takes a little prep work, but these battle-tested habits will give you a real edge over the bots:

  • Save your checkout details everywhere — Log in to Target, Best Buy, Walmart, and the Nintendo Store to save your shipping address and default card. Stopping to type a card number or billing zip code during a live drop is how you lose an order.

  • Hands off the refresh button in Best Buy's queue — When an online drop goes live, Best Buy puts shoppers into a randomized waiting line to filter out scrapers. Touching the reload button resets your spot and boots you straight to the back.

  • Watch for Walmart+ early-access paywalls — Walmart frequently locks headline console drops behind paid Walmart+ subscriptions for the first 30 to 60 minutes. If you have a membership, keep that tab signed in; if not, wait for the general public window to unlock.

  • Dodge third-party sellers — Double-check the seller before buying. Marketplace scalpers frequently list units for jacked-up prices; make sure it says "Sold and shipped by [Retailer]" at the standard price.

  • Skip the web wars and head to physical stores — Online checkout bots grab website stock in under 15 seconds. Showing up in person is easily your most reliable path to securing one without paying scalper markups.

Will the Zelda Switch 2 be restocked on Black Friday?

Most likely, yes.

Stores like Walmart, Amazon, and Best Buy often hold onto popular gaming hardware to use as headline deals during Black Friday and Cyber Monday week.

With that said, Black Friday restocks are usually the hardest ones to catch. You will be fighting website crashes, gift shoppers, and automated bots all at once. If you can grab a console during the Nov. 5 launch drops at Target or Best Buy, take it. Think of Black Friday as a backup plan, not your main bet.

Console hunting sucks right now, period. But between the surprise micro-drops and Thursday's physical store restocks, you still have real shots at retail price — just be ready to move the second that button turns yellow.

]]> <![CDATA[What time do stores open on Black Friday? When you can start shopping at major retailers.]]> https://mashable.com/life/black-friday-what-time-stores-open-2026 02Hi6S4BjUVwXiykzIQ9SyL Fri, 06 Nov 2026 09:00:00 +0000

We're closing in on the biggest shopping day of the year. While most people will do the bulk of their shopping online for Black Friday 2026, some still prefer the in-store experience. There's something nostalgic about heading to a big box store at the crack of dawn to do some discount shopping.

If you're gearing up for that classic Black Friday in-store shopping experience, knowing when retailers open (and close) is key to planning your attack. We've noted the opening times on Black Friday for major retailers below, but there may be exceptions to these hours. It's always best to check the exact opening hours at your local store. The majority of stores are closed on Thanksgiving Day.

Black Friday store hours

Best Buy

Black Friday 2026: Opens at 6 a.m. local time, closes at 10 p.m. local time

Feel free to camp out like old times if you're hoping to score a high-demand item. Just note that Best Buy may employ a ticketing system "for the safety and security of customers and employees."

Kohl's

Black Friday 2026: Opens at 5 a.m. local time, closing time varies by location

On Black Friday, the first 200 shoppers at every Kohl's store can receive $5 to $100 in instant Kohl's Cash. On Saturday, Nov. 28, the first 200 shoppers will receive an instant Sephora at Kohl's promotional gift valued from $5 to $100 to use that day.

Lowe's

Black Friday 2026: Opens at 6 a.m. local time, closes at 10 p.m. local time

Macy's

Black Friday 2026: Opens at 6 a.m. local time, closes at 10 p.m. local time

When you shop in Macy's stores on Friday, Nov. 27 and Saturday, Nov. 28, you can receive a free reusable tote bag with any $100+ purchase. The totes are limited to one per customer, while supplies last. 

Target

Black Friday 2026: Opens at 6 a.m. local time, closing time varies by location

In 2025, Target offered the first 100 guests in line a free limited-edition iridescent tote bag, some with gifts inside valued up to $350. We'll be on the lookout for an in-store shopping incentive this year as well.

The Home Depot

Black Friday 2026: Opens at 6 a.m. local time, closing time varies by location

Walmart

Black Friday 2026: Opens at 6 a.m. local time, closes at 11 p.m. local time

]]> <![CDATA[Airbnb is building an AI travel agent]]> https://mashable.com/travel/airbnb-ai-travel-agent-q3-2026-results 04BRbSgEu46ka0SwHmENBS4 Fri, 06 Nov 2026 08:16:31 +0000

Airbnb is planning to launch an AI travel agent next year. The company shared details of the project during its Q3 2026 earnings call on Thursday, reiterating its intention to "build an AI-native Airbnb."

SEE ALSO: Airbnb is cracking down on checkout chores. Some hosts are furious.

"AI is the best thing to ever happen to Airbnb. It's changing both how we develop products and how we operate," Airbnb said in a letter to shareholders. "AI is helping our teams move faster, and in Q3 alone, we shipped more than 50 products and features — nearly 70 percent more than a year ago."

Now Airbnb intends to add an AI travel agent to that collection. While still under development, the company says its new AI agent is being designed to help users research, plan, and book trips on its platform.

"We’re developing a custom-designed, AI-native experience that builds the interface around your question," said Airbnb. "Rather than a chat window, our agent draws on a library of hundreds of travel-specific interface elements — maps, photos, comparisons, calendars, itineraries — and composes them in real time to match what you’re looking for."

CEO Brian Chesky elaborated during Airbnb's earnings call, stating that the AI agent will "feel a little bit like generative AI" due to its ability to respond to users' requests with relevant custom interfaces for specific travel needs. Chesky further stated that the agent will have a "post-chat-based interface," being less text-focused, though it will still retain a "chat element."

"If you want a car rental, the agent generates this little UI of a car, and it's [presented] beautifully in a custom-generated interface," said Chesky. "If you want to invite co-travellers, the agent helps you."

Airbnb's AI agent will also help resolve issues once a booking has already been made, including changing reservations or assisting with refunds and rebookings. Interestingly, Airbnb states that the AI will provide 24-hour safety support as well, though did not elaborate on exactly what type of assistance it will offer.

"Our agent will help guests explore options, make decisions with the people they’re travelling with, and take action directly in Airbnb," Airbnb wrote. "Over time, we want our agent to help guests plan their entire trip in one place, across homes, hotels, services, experiences, and more."

This won't be restricted to bookings that are available on Airbnb either. Chesky stated that the AI agent will be able to go "outside the walls of Airbnb," though noted it will stay within the realm of travel.

"Today's AI agents, like [Meta's AI agent] Muse and [invite-only AI assistant] Instinct, are good at simple routine tasks like making a restaurant reservation or scheduling an appointment," Chesky said. "But planning a trip is different. Travel is aspirational. Discovering where to go and where to stay is part of the experience… I don't think the general-purpose agents are the best to do that. That is why we are building our own AI agent."

Airbnb's new AI travel agent is expected to be released in the first half of 2027.

This upcoming AI travel agent isn't to be confused with Airbnb's AI customer support assistant, which is already in operation. Airbnb states that its AI assistant resolved around 40 percent of all customer support issues without any human agents in Q3, an increase from approximately 30 percent last quarter. In Q2, Airbnb's AI agent resolved nearly 45 percent of issues that specifically began in the tool.

Airbnb reports that its revenue grew 19 percent to $4.9 billion in Q3, bringing in a net income of $1.9 billion.

]]> <![CDATA[How to watch Ireland vs. Argentina in the 2026 Nations Championship online for free]]> https://mashable.com/entertainment/ireland-argentina-nations-championship-2026-live-stream-for-free 0654A4F14hX0I5iLyi4BXc5 Fri, 06 Nov 2026 08:00:00 +0000

TL;DR: Watch Ireland vs. Argentina in the 2026 Nations Championship for free on ITVX. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026 Nations Championship is back this weekend with another batch of huge fixtures between elite international sides. We don't fully understand the significance of this new competition yet, but we're fully on board with more clashes between top sides. What's not to like?

Ireland host Argentina in the first fixture this weekend. The Aviva Stadium will be lively when these physical sides come together on Friday evening.

If you're interested in watching the 2026 Nations Championship from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Ireland vs. Argentina?

Ireland vs. Argentina in the 2026 Nations Championship kicks off at 3:10 p.m. ET on Nov. 6. This fixture takes place at the Aviva Stadium.

How to watch Ireland vs. Argentina for free

Ireland vs. Argentina in the 2026 Nations Championship is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can livestream the 2026 Nations Championship for free from anywhere in the world.

Livestream Ireland vs. Argentina in the 2026 Nations Championship for free by following these simple steps:

  1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

  4. Visit ITVX

  5. Watch Ireland vs. Argentina for free from anywhere in the world

ExpressVPN logo
Credit: ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)
$12.99 only at ExpressVPN

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Ireland vs. Argentina in the 2026 Nations Championship without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream multiple weekends before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ITVX, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries, including the UK

  • Easy-to-use app available on all major devices, including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

  • Fast connection speeds free from throttling

  • Up to 10 simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Ireland vs. Argentina in the 2026 Nations Championship for free with ExpressVPN.

]]> <![CDATA[Hurdle hints and answers for November 6, 2026]]> https://mashable.com/entertainment/hurdle-hints-answers-november-6-2026 07l7KjSbnQuNnQLTdbwstDf Fri, 06 Nov 2026 05:00:00 +0000

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hurdle Word 1 hint

Don't repeat it!

Hurdle Word 1 answer

CYCLE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Cleanse.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for November 6, 2026

Hurdle Word 2 Answer

DETOX

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Evil.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Nov. 6, 2026
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Nov. 6, 2026

Hurdle Word 3 answer

CRUEL

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Terribly.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

BADLY

Final Hurdle hint

Females.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable

Hurdle Word 5 answer

WOMEN

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

]]> <![CDATA[Moon phase today: What the Moon will look like on November 6, 2026]]> https://mashable.com/science/moon-phase-today-nov-6-2026 03TuNA0ZtWWKnQ8i9sFZ9ET Fri, 06 Nov 2026 05:00:00 +0000

You'll need a good pair of binoculars or a telescope to get a closer look at what's on the Moon's surface tonight, and one of the last chances before the New Moon arrives.

What is today's Moon phase?

As of Friday, Nov. 6, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon is in the Waning Crescent phase, with 16% of its surface visible.

To see the Grimaldi Basin tonight, you'll need the assistance of either binoculars or a telescope.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will take place on November 24.

What are Moon phases?

It takes the Moon around 29.5 days to pass through a complete lunar cycle. As it travels around Earth, the angle at which sunlight reaches its surface changes what we can see from here, producing the different phases, from the New Moon through to the Full Moon and back again. The cycle then starts over, as explained by NASA.

The eight phases are:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

]]> <![CDATA[NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Nov. 6, 2026]]> https://mashable.com/entertainment/nyt-connections-hints-meanings-november-6-2026 002QBC7Spb3pYQvwtwa6MuR Fri, 06 Nov 2026 03:00:00 +0000

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 6, 2026

Backup meaning

To supply supporting information.

Pickup meaning

A type of truck.

Makeup meaning

Products used for aesthetics or costumes.

Hot rod meaning

A car modified for speed and aesthetics.

Flatbed meaning

A type of truck.

Fabric meaning

Material used for creating textiles or clothing.

Extra meaning

More of something.

Woolens meaning

Clothing made of wool.

Traffic cone meaning

A temporary traffic control device.

Semi meaning

A type of truck.

Constitution meaning

Rules or principles by which a government or organization operates.

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

Replacement meaning

Something that takes the place of something else.

Spare meaning

An extra of something.

Osiris meaning

Egyptian god of the underworld.

Structure meaning

How something is organized.

Tanker meaning

A type of truck.

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

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

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

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

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

]]> <![CDATA[NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 6, 2026]]> https://mashable.com/entertainment/nyt-connections-hint-answer-today-november-6-2026 02FJ1IbpyiKQThl0Xxuuz35 Fri, 06 Nov 2026 03:00:00 +0000

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you spend much time on the road.

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.

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.

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 6, 2026

Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

  • Yellow: How it all comes together

  • Green: Unoriginal

  • Blue: Vehicles

  • Purple: Words within words

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

Here are today's Connections categories

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

  • Yellow: Composition

  • Green: Copy

  • Blue: Kinds of trucks

  • Purple: Ending in parts of the eye

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 #1244 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

  • Composition: CONSTITUTION, FABRIC, MAKEUP, STRUCTURE

  • Copy: BACKUP, EXTRA, REPLACEMENT, SPARE

  • Kinds of trucks: FLATBED, PICKUP, SEMI, TANKER

  • Ending in parts of the eye: HOT ROD, OSIRIS, TRAFFIC CONE, WOOLENS

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

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

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

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

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

]]> <![CDATA[NYT Strands hints, answers for November 6, 2026]]> https://mashable.com/entertainment/strands-nyt-hint-november-6-2026 0136O7fFN3pz8I95zF1EYEc Fri, 06 Nov 2026 03:00:00 +0000

Today's NYT Strands hints will be easy if you work like the outdoors.

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 6, 2026

NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Autumn walk in the woods

The words are seasonal.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are things found in a forest.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical (diagonal).

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

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is forestfloor.

NYT Strands word list for November 6

  • Husk

  • Leaves

  • Forestfloor

  • Moss

  • Pinecone

  • Branch

  • Acorn

  • Twig

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

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

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

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

]]> <![CDATA[2:22 A Ghost Story is scarier than Paranormal Activity (review)]]> https://mashable.com/entertainment/222-ghost-story-review 03Qds2UFqCePBc2LxUeHkR2 Fri, 06 Nov 2026 03:00:00 +0000

I love being scared in a theater. That ripple of goosebumps that travels up your arms and then seemingly across the body of the audience as a whole. In movie theaters this year, I was spoiled for choice with frightening and mind-bending films like The Bone Temple, Hokum, and Leviticus. But in playhouses, the pickings have been thinner.

SEE ALSO: Best horror movies of 2026, and where to stream them now

Undeniably, I was giddy over The Lost Boys: A New Musical for its refreshing blend of fun and fright. However, after much buzz out of the West End, Paranormal Activity's transfer to Broadway left me underwhelmed. Sure, it had some solid jump scares. But the play as a whole wasn't as haunting as its playwright Levi Holloway's previous Broadway offering, 2023's chilling Grey House.

SEE ALSO: 'Paranormal Activity' is a bad omen for Broadway

So, it was with some reluctance that I sat down for 2:22 A Ghost Story. Like Paranormal Activity, it's also a West End transfer, having debuted in London in 2021 with Lily Allen in a lead role. (IYKYK.) 2:22 A Ghost Story even earned a Laurence Olivier Award nomination for Best New Play. But The Curious Case of Benjamin Button won the Olivier for Best New Musical from its West End debut, and yet its transfer to Off-Broadway left me more annoyed than moved.

All this to say, I was pleasantly surprised by how satisfying and scary 2:22 A Ghost Story is Off-Broadway. This spooky production offers way less in stage spectacle than The Lost Boys or Paranormal Activity. However, bolstered by a small and staunch cast, it's a terrifically chilling theatrical experience.

What does 2:22 A Ghost Story has in common with Paranormal Activity?

Finn Jones and Jasmine Cephas Jones in "2:22 A Ghost Story."
Finn Jones and Jasmine Cephas Jones in "2:22 A Ghost Story." Credit: Evan Zimmerman

Both plays center on a married couple dealing with a possible paranormal infestation in their home. Both are set entirely in these homes, which are in London, England. In each, the wife believes a ghost is among them, while the husband is the skeptic, who will endure some serious shocks on the path to believing. Plus, both plays employ jump scares.

What sets 2:22 A Ghost Story apart out the gate is a clever device. Writer Danny Robins takes tropes of a haunted house story, including mysterious noises, objects moving seemingly on their own, and activity tied to a particular time. And he sets them within the uniquely stressful situation of a dinner party.

The brilliance of 2:22 A Ghost Story begins with a dinner party.

Anna Camp, Finn Jones, Jasmine Cephas Jones, and Martin Marquez consider the paranormal in "2:22 A Ghost Story."
Anna Camp, Finn Jones, Jasmine Cephas Jones, and Martin Marquez consider the paranormal in "2:22 A Ghost Story." Credit: Evan Zimmerman

New mom Jenny (Jasmine Cephas Jones) and husband/co-parent Sam (Finn Jones) are eager to show off their new home and baby girl, Phoebe. So, they invite over Sam's best friend, Lauren (Anna Camp), and her boyfriend, Ben (Martin Marquez).

The simple set on the Off-Broadway stage is a living room/kitchen area, with exits to an offstage bathroom, a view to the stairs that lead to an unseen second floor, and glass doors that give a peek of a backyard that's often obscured by fog. This is a smaller setting than Paranormal Activity and The Lost Boys, which includes a view of the home's second story and bathroom. But 2:22 A Ghost Story is enhanced by what we can't see.

For instance, something sinister happens in the bathroom. A child's toy is sullied in a dangerous way. Because we the audience were not witness to how it happened, we are encouraged to join in the debate as the dinner party devolves into arguments about the possibility of paranormal involvement.

Within this discussion, playwright Danny Robins builds in tensions through personal relationships and class conflict. In Paranormal Activity, the play's commitment to sticking mostly with the husband and wife led to some gratingly repetitive couples arguments. 2:22 A Ghost Story adds heat and variety by complicating that dynamic through the dinner guests.

For starters, Sam and Lauren have been friends since college. Now, she's a successful therapist and he's an astronomer working on a kind of Idiot's Guide to the Stars. Yet, she fawns over him like a schoolgirl as he lectures on about stars, science, and logic. And Jenny's not blind to it, nor is Ben. More tension sparks as Sam snootily suggests that Ben, a blue-collar builder, is too lowbrow for the educated and elegant Lauren.

The tension of this class conflict is reflected in the set itself. Jenny and Sam admit they've moved into a gentrified area, purchasing the house from an old widow who'd lived there for decades with only the memory of her late husband to keep her company. The widow's gaudy wallpaper still lingers on some walls, marked by photo frames, while others are painted a modern white, inlaid with cold glass doors and dark gray kitchen cabinets. Beyond that, the layers of the house and its history are a part of the play from the moment the lights go up, notably on Jenny painting the walls in the middle of the night. And all of it matters.

2:22 A Ghost Story delivers scares and laughs.

Martin Marquez in "2:22 A Ghost Story."
Credit: Evan Zimmerman

The dinner party gets tense before the mention of ghosts. Soon, Jenny reveals she wants witnesses. For three nights in a row, while Sam was away for work, she's heard someone in their child's bedroom at 2:22 in the morning. Sam doesn't believe her, so she practically begs their guests to stick around and see for themselves. Lauren, a messy drunk giddy for a reason to linger near Sam, is quick to agree — with the caveat more wine be procured. And Ben is a big believer in the paranormal, unveiling a personal story of his own brush with a ghost.

Camp, who is perhaps best known for her comedic turns in the Pitch Perfect movies, is the comic relief for much of the play. She plays drunken Lauren perhaps a bit too broadly. But in the play, Lauren is the only American, so brashness and brazenness are baked into the role. However, between Sam and Ben's bickering, Marquez lands a few zingers that scored chuckles and even cheers from the audience.

The scares come in two forms. The first is an ear-piercingly loud sound design, which punctuates the play with screams and music (including Massive Attack's "Angel," which is always an ominous sign). Sometimes, it feels a bit of a cheap trick. Like when directors Matthew Dunster and Gabriel Vega Weissman need to establish a passage of time, the stage lights go black, so things might be arranged in the dark (the curtain open).

Accompanying the blackout is a blinding red light that rims the stage and a recording of a sharp scream that made the audience flinch communally every time. Other screams sound during the dinner scenes as well, explained away by horny foxes plaguing the new homeowners. The back porch light might kick on due to its motion sensor at any moment, and with it might be the horrid shriek of a wild animal. And over all of it hangs a digital clock with bright red letters, ticking ever closer to the haunting hour.

2:22 A Ghost Story has a frightfully great cast.

Jasmine Cephas Jones in "2:22 A Ghost Story."
Jasmine Cephas Jones in "2:22 A Ghost Story." Credit: Evan Zimmerman

The more stirring scares came from the cast's performances. In an opening scene, the audience witnesses one of Jenny's potentially paranormal incidents. Then, we see her unravel as the hour grows late, closer to 2:22. As Jenny, Jones is riveting. She's not just scared, but furious. Something has invaded their home. AND her husband doesn't believe her about the danger. Her seething is not the soul of Jenny, but informs much of her behavior on this pivotal night. But so does love. Looking at Lauren flirting shamelessly with Sam, Jenny is not just angry, but also compassionate, because she loves him too — even when he's driving her mad.

To his credit, Finn Jones is perfectly infuriating as Sam. Costume designer Cindy Lin offers a shorthand that Sam is a bit of a self-aggrandizing prat by putting him in the self-imposed uniform of tech bros: jeans, long-sleeve t-shirt, and a puffer vest. But Jones, with a sneering smile and condescending tone, makes for a sensationally aggravating antagonist. As the others marvel and fret at the possibilities of the paranormal, Sam demands to be the voice of reason. But because his tone is so patronizing and elitist, it's deliciously easy to loathe him. If this were a murder mystery play, I'd be rooting for his death!

Then, there's Ben. The oldest and least educated in the group of young, wealthy, and privileged intellectuals, he is swiftly established as an outsider. But proud as he is, Ben doesn't balk at Sam's snide attacks. Instead, he is vulnerable, sharing his understanding of spirits and this very neighborhood in a way that is an earnest invitation. Whether he's revealing a story of a long-ago haunting, speculating on the ways of the dead, or hosting an impromptu séance, Ben grounds 2:22 A Ghost Story's reality, making anything feel possible as the clock ticks down.

I won't dare reveal what happens in the play's final moments. Instead, I'll share this: Minutes into 2:22 A Ghost Story, I was rattled. At intermission, my mind throbbed with possibilities and half-remembered ghost stories, both fictional and purportedly true. By the curtain call, my heart was pounding, rallied by the magic of theater and a terrific climax. So be warned, if you miss 2:22 A Ghost Story, you're missing out. (But if you do go, maybe consider some earplugs.)

2:22 A Ghost Story is now playing at the Lucille Lortel Theatre in New York City.

]]> <![CDATA[Wordle today: Answer, hints for November 6, 2026]]> https://mashable.com/entertainment/wordle-today-answer-november-6-2026 01obylt8Wm0ZIaHbVdnuyy8 Fri, 06 Nov 2026 03:00:00 +0000

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you don't care for high quality.

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 6, 2026

Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

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

Trash.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

No letters appear twice.

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

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter D.

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...

DRECK

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

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

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

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

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

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

]]> <![CDATA[Wars Archie Renaux and Phoebe Fox break down episode 6s jaw-dropping ending]]> https://mashable.com/entertainment/war-episode-6-archie-renaux-phoebe-fox-interview 03b968R3huIEKdLqjh78VNN Fri, 06 Nov 2026 03:00:00 +0000

HBO and Sky's War is an addicting legal drama, but in its glorious sixth episode, it becomes a stealthy installment of The Traitors.

SEE ALSO: 'War' review: HBO and Sky's delicious legal drama is your next TV obsession

The traitor, naturally, is lawyer Johnny Warren (Archie Renaux), who's playing both sides of the divorce trial between actor Carla Duval (Sienna Miller) and tech magnate Morgan Henderson (Dominic West). Johnny officially works for the firm representing Carla, Taylor & Byrne, and has even developed a secret romantic relationship with Carla. However, he's been secretly feeding information to the firm representing Morgan, Cathcarts & Sons. It's the kind of underhanded trickery that could cost Johnny his career and Cathcarts their reputation.

So far, their game has gone off without a hitch — that is, until Johnny feeds Cathcarts an asset list including a Ferrari Testarossa, an item that is later stricken from Taylor & Byrne's records. When the Ferrari appears on a Cathcarts list, it becomes a smoking gun for training associate Molly Giordano (Emma Laird), who realizes Taylor & Byrne has a mole in its midst.

Want more film and TV news and reviews delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for Mashable’s Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

From there, all of episode 6 becomes a mole hunt, with Johnny playing Molly and fellow associate Saeed Masood (Shaheen Jafargholi) against each other in the hopes of getting off scot-free. There's so much deception and backstabbing going on, you'd have expect Alan Cumming or Claudia Winkleman to pop out of a filing cabinet and feast on the proceedings.

SEE ALSO: Archie Renaux breaks down 'War's game-changing mole twist

Johnny plays a blinder throughout the episode, eventually framing Saeed and thoroughly convincing Serena Byrne (Phoebe Fox) and Nicholas Taylor (James McArdle) that he's a company man through and through. However, he makes a crucial error at the finish line. I'm talking tripping over your own feet with one meter left to go levels of bad.

Right before heading into court for the trial, he borrows a page from Cathcarts associate David Schill's (Miles Jupp) book and quotes Keanu Reeves, telling Serena, "The simple act of paying attention can take you a long way. You know who said that?"

Yet little does Johnny realize, former Cathcarts employee Serena has probably heard David's Keanu Reeves spiel more times than she can count. She responds to his question with a clipped "David Schill" and a growing anger in her eyes, realizing that she and Nicholas have been played for fools this whole time. It's an electrifying end to an electrifying episode, and it's a moment that Renaux and Fox couldn't wait to play.

SEE ALSO: 'War' stars Dominic West and Sienna Miller on episode 1's red carpet gone wrong

"As an actor, you know, sometimes it's fun to soliloquize," Fox told Mashable in a junket interview alongside Renaux. "But often, it's fun to try and play a very complex emotion in two words. I think I say 'David Schill,' and that's it, and I have to play that landing on me and all the emotions that are coming up in that moment."

Phoebe Fox in "War."
Phoebe Fox in "War." Credit: Justin Downing / Sky / HBO

While the discovery of Johnny's betrayal felt inevitable from the moment he took the job with Cathcarts, Renaux and Fox both praised the ridiculousness of Johnny's self-imposed downfall.

"You do not expect it all to come down to that Keanu Reeves quote," Fox said.

"It's the most stupid thing that Johnny could have done," Renaux told Mashable. "It's so small and seemingly insignificant in Johnny's mind. He's done all the hard stuff. Someone's taken the fall for him, and he thinks it's plain sailing, then that's the thing that gives him away. It's beautiful. So fun."

The Keanu Reeves slip takes Johnny from his highest high right to the depths of hell, and there's a certain amount of schadenfreude in watching how Johnny loses all cockiness in the blink of an eye.

"He thinks he's so slick," Renaux said. "And, in fact, he's nicked [the quote] from someone else. That's someone else's thing."

Johnny began the season accepting the Cathcarts mole job out of desperation, unable to find work elsewhere. But as Fox asked Renaux of the deception, "Do you think he ever enjoys it and finds it fun?"

"I think he might enjoy tiny bits where he manages to get out of things and style things out, on the rare occasions where that does happen," Renaux said. "I think he enjoys feeling useful, but I think it starts to eat at him."

Now that Serena's found Johnny out, his lies won't eat at him anymore. But what's next for him? Will he be banished from the proverbial roundtable of Taylor & Byrne and lose out on any hope of a law career? Or will he manage to squirm his way out of this one and nab a job at Cathcarts?

Whatever happens, it's clear Serena won't let Johnny's transgression go easily.

"It's not just anger," Fox said of Serena's reaction. "It's biblical, man."

War is now streaming on HBO Max, with new episodes airing Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

]]> <![CDATA[Blood banks and grocery stores across Europe hit by cyberattacks]]> https://mashable.com/tech/blood-bank-cyberattack 03zAbDdoNCOHqedR2yIcOGp Fri, 06 Nov 2026 00:12:44 +0000

Cyberattacks targeted several European countries this week, including grocery stores across the UK and the European Union, as well as three cold storage facilities in France that house some of the nation's blood supply.

The blood facilities were targeted on Sunday and Monday, with the temperature of the remotely controlled containers raised to "very high levels," according to EFS, France's public blood, plasma, and platelets service. Technicians were alerted to the attack by alarms and moved the blood before the supplies were rendered unusable.

SEE ALSO: Iran-linked hackers launch cyberattack against U.S. medtech company Stryker

Not long after, supermarket freezers and refrigerators in the UK, Italy, Germany, Romania, Belgium, Estonia, Ireland, Finland, Luxembourg, Holland, and Sweden reportedly malfunctioned, with some machines going into defrost mode. Temperatures in some of the cooling units soared to 122 degrees Fahrenheit, causing millions of euros in spoiled food, the Guardian reported.

The grocery store malfunctions were reminiscent of cyber-enabled attacks that hit hundreds of French grocery stores last month, which not only ruined food but sparked fires. Similarly, in August, commissaries at half a dozen US military bases reported that their freezers were remotely set to defrost overnight, ruining food supplies. An investigation into the incidents by the Defense Department is ongoing.

No individual or group has taken responsibility for the blood and grocery store incidents this week or earlier this year. Intelligence experts in Europe have posited that Russian officials are possibly recruiting people to commit sabotage in NATO nations.

]]> <![CDATA[Google, Meta, TikTok sue over social media law]]> https://mashable.com/tech/google-meta-tiktok-sue-california-over-social-media-law 03b6xHzz3kGIsUDD5QRWtEW Thu, 05 Nov 2026 23:48:56 +0000

Three of the biggest social media companies want to block a California law designed to reduce youth social media addiction from going into law.

On Wednesday, Google, Meta, and TikTok each filed lawsuits against California's attorney general, Rob Bonta.

Beginning on Jan. 1, 2027, the bill (AB 1709) would prohibit platforms including Google, Meta, and TikTok from providing "an addictive feature" to users under 16. The law describes such features as "psychologically exploitative" and intended to maximize engagement in a way that leads to compulsive use. This includes infinite scroll, autoplay, and an "addictive" feed.

SEE ALSO: Google’s new opt-in policy for AI presents a problem for schools

The law also requires platforms to "implement reasonable measures" so that young users aren't offered such features.

The companies argue that the law infringes on their free speech rights, as well as Section 230, a provision of a 1996 federal law designed to shield online platforms from liability related to user content. Critics of Section 230 say it wrongly provides online platforms with broad immunity.

Google claimed in its lawsuit that its subsidiary, YouTube, personalizes recommendations to ensure that young users receive content relevant to their interests and appropriate for their age and developmental needs. The company defended autoplay as helping users enjoy content uninterrupted and sequentially, like a playlist for educational videos.

"AB 1709's bans on personalized recommendations and autoplay would therefore frustrate YouTube's efforts to provide under-16 users with safe, responsible, and enriching experiences on the platform," the lawsuit said.

Meta said that its services "collectively enable billions of people around the world to share ideas, offer support, discuss important topics." Prohibiting personalized feeds and autoplay, would "make it unlawful for Meta to disseminate speech to minors altogether," the company argued.

Lennon Torres, director of movement partnerships at the advocacy organization Heat Initiative, rejected the companies' arguments. Torres, a former child influencer, worked with the bill's author to address First Amendment concerns.

"They're framing this as a free speech fight, but what's really at stake is a business model that profits from keeping kids scrolling, even when it puts them at risk," Torres said. (Torres is a Mashable contributor.)

California's Attorney General's office told Reuters that it was reviewing the filings.

"Our office is committed to defending California's commonsense laws to protect kids online," the office said in a statement to Reuters.

In August, Meta settled a youth social media safety and addiction case for $17 billion, though the company did not admit guilt or liability. As part of that settlement, Meta agreed to limit teens' daily time spent on Instagram and Facebook to two hours; block access to both platforms overnight and during school hours; give teens the option to create a default non-algorithmic feed; and allow teens to turn off autoplay.

Meta also issued a "call to action" to YouTube and TikTok to adopt what the company describes as a new "industry standard." Neither company joined the settlement terms.

]]> <![CDATA[Metas AI agent Muse adds voice support, expressive avatars]]> https://mashable.com/tech/meta-muse-voice-mode 00616SWu9WoClsFns7oPLWW Thu, 05 Nov 2026 22:39:06 +0000

Meta has a hit on its hands, and it knows it. The social media giant's new AI agent Muse quickly reached more than five million app downloads after its launch in September, and the Jolly mascot has become a common sight in Meta's branding lately.

On Thursday, the company announced it now offers voice support for Muse. That means users can talk to their agent to give instructions or ask questions. Muse users will also be able to customize the voice, with hundreds of options available.

"Starting today in the US, we’re rolling out voice and expressive avatars in the Muse app across mobile app, web and Mac app, giving you a new, natural way to interact with your Muse. Want New Yorker energy? Pirate flair? Pick from hundreds of voices and switch it up whenever your mood does."

In an announcement blog post, the company outlined potential use cases. "Some things are better rehearsed out loud. Prepare for a job interview, run through a presentation, or talk through a pitch — hearing a response and answering in the moment makes it feel more like the real thing."

Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg also teased the new update on X.

In addition to voice support, Muse now offers expressive avatars. That means users' Muse mascots will match facial expressions to match what they're saying.

Lately, the AI industry has learned that a cute little guy is a great way to anthropomorphize AI, making it seem cutesy rather than intimidating, for better or worse.

Of course, voice mode can quickly go sideways, as OpenAI learned when the online creator Husk repeatedly went viral for his videos showing ChatGPT's voice mode acting very, very dumb.

We'll have to see if Muse fares any better.

To Meta's credit, the company's latest AI models have caught up to the frontier, as its massive AI spending spree continues.

U.S. users can experiment with Muse's voices and expressive avatars starting today.

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

]]> <![CDATA[TikTok launches standalone TikTok Shop app (in four markets)]]> https://mashable.com/tech/tiktok-shop-standalone-shopping-app 016gWdiONG9UsUq2yPGkvZ3 Thu, 05 Nov 2026 20:41:32 +0000

TikTok has spent years making it easier to buy the products that appear in makeup tutorials, cooking videos, and creator recommendations in TikTok Shop. Now, it’s giving shoppers a separate app to open when they're in the mood to spend on a new lip gloss, a milk frother, or another pair of sneakers.

The company has (rather quietly) released a standalone TikTok Shop app in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines on iOS and Android, as social media consultant Matt Navarra first spotted on X. The launch gives TikTok's growing shopping business its own place on a phone's home screen.

According to its Apple App Store listing, the app offers personalized product recommendations, livestreams and short videos showing products in action, checkout, order tracking, and 24/7 customer support. Shoppers are also being offered app-exclusive deals, free shipping promotions, and first-order perks.

The Google Play listing shows more than 50,000 downloads, while the Singapore Apple App Store lists it at No. 71 in the shopping category, with a single five-star rating. Its latest iOS update, version 45.5.5, arrived just 13 hours before publication (at 1 p.m. ET on Nov. 5).

Four promotional screenshots of the TikTok Shop app highlight free shipping, brand authenticity guarantees, trending products, and first-order discounts, with listings for clothing, beauty products, and household items.
Credit: Screenshot: Apple's App Store

The app's Singapore App Store listing names TikTok Pte. Ltd. as its provider, a separate company from TikTok USDS Joint Venture, which operates TikTok in the U.S. The majority-American-owned joint venture handles U.S. data security, recommendation algorithms, and content moderation, while TikTok's global business still manages commercial activities, including e-commerce.

It's unclear whether the standalone shopping app will launch in the U.S. TikTok has not yet responded to Mashable's request for comment.

Why is TikTok testing a shopping app?

Giving Shop a dedicated app could help TikTok compete for the moments when someone opens Amazon or Temu intending to browse or buy. Videos and livestreams remain part of the experience, according to the listings, but shopping becomes the reason to open the app in the first place.

That fits into a broader expansion Mashable has been following, as TikTok builds more services around the recommendations people encounter on its platform.

In May, TikTok launched TikTok GO's hotel-booking features, which let U.S. adults book accommodations, tours, and attractions through partners including Booking.com, Expedia, and Viator. Creators can also earn commissions through eligible content, giving a travel recommendation a more direct connection to a reservation.

TikTok's announcement describes a process that takes people from discovering a place in a video to checking availability and booking it. As CEO of TikTok USDS Joint Venture Adam Presser said at the time, the platform is "good for creators, good for local businesses, and good for communities."

And more recently, TikTok launched Must Eat, TikTok's restaurant guide for the areas around New York City, Los Angeles, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Built from more than 40 million posts, reviews, and comments, it organizes food recommendations into searchable lists, with OpenTable reservations available for select restaurants. A video of a particularly good dinner can influence choosing and booking a future reservation.

SEE ALSO: TikTok taps food creators for its new Must Eat restaurant guide

TikTok has also been experimenting with giving specific kinds of entertainment their own apps. Its PineDrama service, launched earlier this year, puts short dramas into a separate app with personalized recommendations and tools for browsing series and episodes.

Taken together, those products suggest TikTok sees room to build entire services around habits that started in the feed. The standalone Shop app puts that idea to another test, asking whether people who discover products on TikTok will also choose it when shopping is what they came to do.

From YouTubers and TikTok stars to streamers and podcasters, Mashable talks to creators about how they built their platforms, the gear they swear by, and the trends they see coming next. Read more of our creator coverage, sign up for our Trending Now and Top Stories newsletters or get Mashable push alerts to discover the internet's most exciting voices. 

]]> <![CDATA[Its cuffing season — here are the best dating apps for serious relationships]]> https://mashable.com/roundup/best-dating-apps-for-serious-relationships 06f3wnwEe7A3tER37poRDdo Thu, 05 Nov 2026 20:00:00 +0000

Finding love isn't for the weak. Dating app exhaustion is realer than ever, and while people want to branch out and meet in person, they're finding it difficult. 

One reason is that dating apps are a legitimate way to find a partner, not just a short-term one. Nearly 44 percent of adults say they use dating apps to find a long-term partner rather than just casual dating or hookups, according to the Pew Research Center. One in 10 partnered adults met their current partner through a dating app, and for younger adults and LGBTQ people, that number rises. 

SEE ALSO: The 10 best hookup apps of 2026: I swiped until my thumb hurt

Dating apps aren't going away, despite fatigue. And it is possible to make them work for you if you want to find your special someone.

Are dating apps worth it?

Even using the "right" app for you may still bring moments of uncertainty and frustration (you're dating, after all), but finding the app with features that most closely align with your dating style and the type of partnership you're looking for can still make online dating worth it.

If you've been using apps for a while and are experiencing serious burnout, it's always fair to take some time off and come back to them when you feel ready. Our guide will be here for you! Even the best app can feel exceptionally tedious when you simply don't have the energy.

Which dating app is best for serious relationships?

There are so many dating apps, but not all of them are created equal when it comes to finding a serious, committed relationship.

Some free dating apps are better suited for casual flings or hookups (e.g., Tinder, Grindr, etc.), while others have matching algorithms and profile features specifically designed to help users find meaningful connections (e.g., eharmony, OkCupid, Hinge, and Coffee Meets Bagel).

The good news is that we've done the research (and hands-on testing) to figure out which apps work best for long-term relationships, and Match Group isn't the only player in the game. Plus, all of these platforms are available via Google Play and the App Store, so having an Android or iPhone won't limit your options. Some old-school dating sites still maintain desktop versions.

To find your match, here are the best dating apps for serious relationships in 2026:

]]>