John Mulaney spent a solid chunk of his seventh Saturday Night Live monologue going nuclear on US Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The bit began with Mulaney talking about hosting his children's friends, and how one child always seems to have an old man voice, not unlike Kennedy's.

From there, Mulaney launched into a full-on impression of Kennedy, rasping, "Stop the science! Robitussin, when taken during menstruation, will cause telekinesis."

Mulaney then talked about how "no one likes [Kennedy] anymore," not even his right-wing friends who used to approve of Kennedy.

"You dumbass, your thing can't be the measles," Mulaney said. "That can't be your project, giving people the measles."

After riffing on Kennedy's poor health track record and his inability to live up to his father's legacy, Mulaney explained that he knew Kennedy during his early days in New York ("He wasn't hard to know"). He skewered everything from his work as an environmental lawyer to his organization Riverkeeper, which was in charge of keeping the Hudson River — "whose native fish is tied-off used condom" — clean.

Mulaney recalled how he and other comedians would perform at the annual Riverkeeper benefit, and how he once received a garbled voicemail from Kennedy thanking him for the performance.

While Mulaney described bombing at the benefit, this SNL monologue had the opposite effect. Watch the full set above.

Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update had a rich array of news stories to tackle this week, from the FAA's nationwide ground stop to former Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's multiple affairs. Naturally, hosts Michael Che and Colin Jost kicked off the segment by joking about both.

"The FAA suddenly and mysteriously grounded all US flights yesterday," Jost began. "'Oh thank God, a different news story,' said Jensen Huang."

Che and Jost continued to poke fun at the FAA's grounding of all US flights. According to Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, the ground stop was caused by a maintenance issue involving a switch from copper wire to fiber-optic cable.

"So one guy switched out one wire and took out all planes? I think that's literally a scene from the movie Airplane!" Jost continued.

Next up, Che and Jost delved into Huang's sex scandal, including his affair with an alleged Chinese spy.

"Jensen Huang agreed to testify before Congress about his extramarital affairs," Che said. "Anything to avoid going home."

The pair also touched on the economic ramifications of Huang's resignation.

"The Jensen Huang sex scandal has sent Nvidia's stock tumbling, which is scaring financial experts since Nvidia's chips are powering the AI boom that is propping up the entire US economy," Jost said. "Which means Jensen Huang had a midlife crisis so bad, you might lose your house in his divorce."

For more Huang and FAA digs, as well as jokes about Senator-elect Scott Colom's Mississippi victory and Russell Brand's 10-year prison sentence, check out the full segment above.

Yesterday was a good day for SpaceX and Elon Musk, and a banner day in the history of man's quest for the stars.

Not only did the launch of Starship, the largest interplantery rocket in the SpaceX fleet, standing over 400 feet tall and weighing over 5,000 tons, go off without a hitch from the Starbase launchpad in Boca Chica, Texas, but the vessel successfully delivered its payload of 26 Starlink V3 satellites over the course of its 22.5-hour mission, according to reporting from CNN, while orbiting the Earth 14 times. 

But the real sticking point was always going to be the landing, where the SpaceX team attempted to prove their "reusable" rocket theory by successfully catching the falling Starship with some well-timed rocket boosters and incredible feats of engineering. The catch has been attempted a few times before on prior missions, successfully for the Super Heavy Booster on three occasions, but yesterday marked the first time the actual Starship was caught by the company's giant mechanical arms.

Understandably elated, Musk took to X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter, to share his incredible POV from atop the tower, shortly after the Starship catch: 

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

Because journalists and bystanders were relegated to a safe watch site far away from the Starship catch site, most of the photos and footage of the catch struggles to convey the sheer size of the spaceship, but Musk's perspective gives a better sense of the scale of the ship and, therefore, the incredible challenge of executing a soft landing.

And for a better sense of how incredible the maneuver itself was, check out this time-lapse shot also shared by Musk:

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

If you missed the high drama of this most recent launch and landing, no worries: the next SpaceX mission, USSF-317, is around the corner.

This week's news about former NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang's multiple affairs — including one with an alleged Chinese spy — felt tailor-made for a Saturday Night Live cold open. During last night's episode, hosted by John Mulaney, the show more than delivered.

The cold open takes place at CIA headquarters, where an officer (Mulaney) has gathered some of the nation's top tech billionaires: Peter Thiel (James Austin Johnson), Sam Altman (Ben Marshall), Dario Amodei (Jane Wickline), Elon Musk (Jeremy Culhane), and Mark Zuckerberg (Andrew Dismukes). The CIA officer has assembled them all to teach them about honey traps, and how not to potentially reveal state secrets to foreign assets, Huang-style.

SNL tapped former cast member Bowen Yang to play Huang, or, as he dubs himself in the sketch, Jensen "Hide Your Wives" Huang. Yang also made an appearance in a later sketch: an elaborate musical ode to Central Park, part of the long-running tradition of Mulaney musical sketches. Yang played the "Mary Todd Lincoln Tunnel," a tribute to his current role as Mary Todd Lincoln in Broadway's Oh, Mary! (Yes, he's wearing his costume, along with Mary's signature bratty curls.)

To catch Yang's return, as well as some timely digs at the Microsoft Outlook outage and FAA nationwide ground stop, check out the full cold open above.

The best early Black Friday deals:

---

Best Apple Deal

Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD)

$1,349.99 (save $250)

Shop Now

---

Best headphones deal

Bose QuietComfort noise-cancelling headphones

$254.10 (save $104.90)

Shop Now

---

Best TV deal

TCL 75-inch QM8L SQD-Mini-LED QLED 4K TV

$1,397.99 (save $1,602)

Shop Now

---

Best Amazon device deal

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

$190.97 (save $34)

Shop Now

---

Best kitchen deal

Ninja Crispi Air Fryer

$159.99 (save $20)

Shop Now

---

Best Lego deal

Lego Pokémon Eevee

$47.99 (save $12)

Shop Now

We're officially two weeks out from Black Friday. So as you're doing all the preparations for Thanksgiving, the Mashable shopping team is hunting all of the best Black Friday sales. Yes, we know that Black Friday 2026 doesn't technically start until Nov. 27, but most retailers have already launched their sales.

As of this writing, we've found huge $200 discounts on MacBook Air laptops, a new all-time low price on Nothing headphones, and 50% savings on award-winning QLED TVs, not to mention new low prices on Legos. We just spotted a great deal on a Lego Icons Poinsettia for some holiday decor that will never wilt.

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, 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 insider knowledge and our years of experience covering sales to find 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

Opens in a new window

Credit: Apple

Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD)

$1,349.99 at Amazon
$1,599 Save $249.01

 

Get Deal at Amazon

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 $250 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 early Black Friday Apple deals

AirPods

• Apple AirPods 4 — $89 $129.99 (save $40.99)

• Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation — $119.97 $179 (save $59.03)

• Apple AirPods Pro 3 — $199 $249 (save $50)

• Apple AirPods Max 2 — $449.99 $549 (save $99.01)

iPads

• Apple iPad (A16, WiFi, 128GB) — $399.99 $449 (save $49.01)

• Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro, WiFi, 128GB) — $569 $599 (save $30)

iPhones

• iPhone 18 Pro (256 GB) — Free with 36 months of billing credits $1,199.99 (save $1,199.99)

• iPhone 16 Plus (128GB, Unlocked) — $799.99 $829.99 (save $30)

• iPhone 15 Plus (128GB, Refurbished) — $549.99 $899 (save $349.01)

MacBooks

• Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,299 $1,499 (save $200)

• Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5 Pro with 18-core CPU/20-core GPU, 24GB RAM, 2TB SSD) — $2,799.99 $3,199 (save $399.01)

Best early Black Friday headphones deal

Opens in a new window

Credit: Nothing

Nothing Headphone (a)

$109 at Amazon
$199 Save $90

 

Get Deal at Amazon

Why we like it

This is not only a good deal but also an incredibly chic one. I mean, who doesn't want the same headphones as Charli XCX? Ahead of Black Friday, get the Nothing Headphone (a) for a new all-time low of $109. That saves you nearly 50% off the headphones for a $90 discount.

Our resident audio expert, Bethany Allard, declared that the Nothing Ear (a) is the best headphone from the brand. It has an unmatched 75 hours of battery life and fantastic physical controls on the headphones. Plus, the sound quality is great, as you'd expect if Charli is wearing them.

More early Black Friday headphones deals

• Sony WH-CH530 — $48 $69.99 (save $21.99)

• Sony WH-CH720N — $88 $179.99 (save $91.99)

• Sony WH-CH730N — $128 $179.99 (save $51.99)

• Nothing Headphone (a) — $109 $199 (save $90)

• Sony WH-1000XM5 — $188.10 $399.99 (save $211.89)

• Sennheiser Momentum 4 — $229.92 $299.99 (save $70.07)

• Sony WH-1000XM6 — $378 $459.99 (save $81.99)

• Apple AirPods Max 2 — $449.99 $549 (save $99.01)

More early Black Friday earbuds deals

• Sony WF-C710N — $78.99 $129.99 (save $51)

• Beats Studio Buds + — $149.95 $169.95 (save $20)

• Marshall Motif II — $169.99 $219.99 (save $60)

• Refurbished Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd gen) — $179 $299 (save $120)

• Refurbished Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds — $199 $299 (save $100)

• Apple AirPods Pro 3 — $199 $249 (save $50)

Best early Black Friday TV deal

Opens in a new window

Credit: TCL

TCL 75-inch QM8L SQD-Mini-LED QLED 4K TV

$1,397.99 at Amazon
$2,999.99 Save $1,602.00

 

Get Deal at Amazon

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 early Black Friday TV deals

Under 50-inch TV deals

• Samsung 43-inch M70H Mini-LED 4K TV — $247.99 $349.99 (save $102)

• LG 43-inch 75B Mini-LED 4K TV — $279.99 $499.99 (save $220)

• LG 48-inch B6 OLED 4K TV — $599.99 $1,199.99 (save $600)

• Samsung 48-inch S85H OLED 4K TV — $799.99 $1,199.99 (save $400)

50- to 55-inch TV deals

• Insignia 50-inch F50 4K TV — $179.99 $299.99 (save $120)

• Hisense 55-inch E6 Hi-QLED 4K TV — $296.96 $429.99 (save $133.03)

• Samsung 55-inch M70H Mini-LED 4k TV — $299.99 $449.99 (save $150)

• Hisense 50-inch E7 Mini-LED Hi-QLED 4K TV — $397.96 $699.99 (save $302.03)

• LG 55-inch B6E OLED 4K TV — $699.99 $1,399.99 (save $700)

• LG 55-inch C6 OLED 4K TV — $999.99 $1,999.99 (save $1,000)

• Samsung 55-inch R85H RGB 4K TV — $999.99 $1,599.99 (save $600)

65-inch TV deals

• Toshiba 65-inch G700 ArtVision QLED 4K TV — $997.96 $1,999.99 (save $1,002.03)

• Samsung 65-inch S85H OLED 4K TV — $899.99 $1,999.99 (save $1,100)

• LG C6 Series OLED 4K TV — $1,399.99 $2,699.99 (save $1,300)

• Samsung 65-inch The Frame Pro LS03HW QLED 4K TV — $1,497.99 $1,999.99 (save $502)

• Samsung 65-inch R95H RGB 4K TV — $2,499.99 $3,199.99 (save $800)

70- to 75-inch TV deals

• Samsung 75-inch M70H Mini-LED 4K TV — $497.99 $729.99 (save $232)

• TCL 75-inch QM8L SQD-Mini-LED QLED 4K TV — $1,397.99 $2,999.99 (save $1,602)80 to 85-inch TV deals

• LG 85-inch NU700B 4K TV — $699.99 $849.99 (save $150)

• TCL 85-inch QM8L SQD-Mini-LED QLED 4K TV — $2,297.99 $3,999.99 (save $1,702)

80- to 85-inch TV deals

• LG 85-inch NU700B 4K TV — $699.99 $849.99 (save $150)

• TCL 85-inch QM8L SQD-Mini-LED QLED 4K TV — $2,297.99 $3,999.99 (save $1,702)

Over 85-inch TV deals

• Hisense 100-inch U7 Mini-LED QLED 4K TV — $2,499.99 $4,499.99 (save $2,000)

Best early Black Friday Amazon device deal

Opens in a new window

Credit: Amazon

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

$190.97 at Amazon
$224.97 Save $34

 

Get Deal at 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 early Black Friday Kindle deals

2026 Kindle Deals

• Amazon Kindle Paperwhite, Cover, and Power Adapter Bundle — $229.97 $269.97 (save $40)

• Amazon Kindle (32GB), Cover, and Kindle Click Bundle — $233.97 $274.97 (save $41)

• Amazon Kindle Paperwhite, Page Turn Cover, Sling Bag Bundle — $365.97 $429.97 (save $64)

2024 Kindle Deals

• Kindle (16GB, 2024 model), Cover, and Power Adapter Bundle — $186.97 $201.97 (save $15)

More early Black Friday Amazon Device deals

Amazon smart home

• Amazon Smart Air Quality Monitor — $48.99 $69.99 (save $21)

• Amazon Smart Thermostat — $56.99 $79.99 (save $23)

Blink cameras

• Blink Mini Pan-Tilt 2K+ — $29.99 $59.99 (save $30)

• Blink Battery Doorbell 2K+ — $35.99 $79.99 (save $34)

• Blink Outdoor 2K+ Floodlight — $51.99 $129.99 (save $78)

• Free Blink Battery Doorbell 2K+ with Outdoor 2K+ — $54.99 $229.98 (save $174.99)

• Blink Outdoor 4 XR — $58.99 $169.99 (save $111)

• Blink Outdoor 4 with free Battery Doorbell 2K+ — $104.99 $369.98 (save $264.99)

Echo devices

• Amazon Echo Glow — $19.49 $29.99 (save $10.50)

Fire tablets

• Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet — $72.99 $154.99 (save $82)

• Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet — $79.99 $129.99 (save $50)

• Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids tablet — $94.99 $169.99 (save $75)

• Harry Potter Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet (limited edition) — $119.99 $189.99 (save $70)

Eero WiFi

• Amazon Eero 6+ Mesh WiFi system — $199.99 $299.99 (save $100)

• Amazon Eero Outdoor 7 — $309.99 $399.99 (save $90)

• Amazon Eero Max 7 Mesh WiFi system — $799.99 $1,149.99 (save $350)

Best early Black Friday kitchen deal

Opens in a new window

Credit: Ninja

Ninja Crispi Air Fryer

$159.99 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $20

 

Get Deal at Amazon

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 comes with two glass containers, each 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 favorite among the Mashable team.

More early Black Friday Kitchen deals

• Ninja Professional Plus Blender — $79.99 $119.99 (save $40)

• Ninja Air Fryer XL with MaxCrisp — $129.99 $179.99 (save $50)

• Keurig K-Duo — $129.99 $219.99 (save $90)

• Ninja BlendSense Tech Kitchen System — $179.95 $249.99 (save $70.04)

Best early Black Friday Lego deal

Opens in a new window

Credit: Lego

Lego Pokémon Eevee

$47.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $12

 

Get Deal at Amazon

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 early Black Friday Lego deals

• Lego Botanicals Rocking Plants — $18.39 $22.99 (save $4.60)

• Lego Botanicals Flowering Cactus — $27.95 $34.99 (save $7.04)

• Lego Icons Poinsettia — $28 $49.99 (save $21.99)

• Lego Botanicals Succulents — $32.99 $49.99 (save $17)

• Lego Star Wars AT-RT Attack — $35.96 $44.99 (save $9.03)

• Lego Star Wars Smart Play: Mos Eisley Cantina — $53.99 $79.99 (save $26)

• Lego Botanicals Hibiscus Flower — $55.95 $69.99 (save $14.04)

• Lego Star Wars Smart Play: Darth Vader’s TIE Fighter — $55.99 $69.99 (save $14)

• Lego Botanicals Flower Arrangement — $65.99 $109.99 (save $44)

• Lego Star Wars Smart Play: Millennium Falcon — $79.95 $99.99 (save $20.04)

• Lego Star Wars Grogu (Mandalorian Apprentice) — $103.95 $129.99 (save $26.04)

• Lego Icons Tranquil Garden — $103.99 $109.99 (save $6)

• Lego Pokémon Pikachu and Poké Ball — $159.99 $199.99 (save $16.81)

The best early Black Friday Amazon deals:

---

Best Apple deal

Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD)

$1,099 (save $200)

Get Deal

---

Best Lego deal

Lego Pokémon Eevee

$47.99 (save $12)

Get Deal

---

Best Amazon device deal

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

$190.97 (save $34)

Get Deal

---

Best kitchen deal

Ninja Crispi Air Fryer

$159.99 (save $20)

Get Deal

---

Best headphones deal

Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones

$378 (save $81.99)

Get Deal

---

Best TV deal

TCL 75-inch QM8L SQD-Mini-LED QLED 4K TV

$1,397.99 (save $1,602)

Get Deal

---

Best outdoor deal

Yeti Roadie 48 Wheeled Cooler

$340 (save $85)

Get Deal

---

Best Dyson deal

Dyson PencilVac Fluffycones

$440 (save $159.99)

Get Deal

---

Best beauty tech deal

Shark FlexStyle

$199.99 (save $150)

Get Deal

Now that we're in mid-November, it's time to start thinking about holiday shopping. Amazon's early Black Friday deals are coming in hot this year, and since everything feels expensive lately, it's a great time to shop sales.

Shop for home improvement updates for winter projects, treat yourself to an Advent calendar or two, or get a 75-inch TV for watching this season's best football games. Amazon is also loaded with sales on gift-worthy items, so you can take care of your Christmas gift list before Thanksgiving arrives.

Amazon's official Black Friday sale is set to begin on Thursday, Nov. 19, but we're already seeing early Black Friday offerings, which include big savings on Amazon devices.

Check back as the Mashable team of shopping experts will keep this page updated as we get closer to Black Friday.

Best MacBook deal

Opens in a new window

Credit: Apple

Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD)

$1,099 at Amazon
$1,299 Save $200

 

Get Deal at Amazon

Read Mashable's full review of the 15-inch Apple MacBook Air (M5).

Why we like it

Sitting at the sale prices we saw during October Prime Day, both the 13- and 15-inch MacBook Airs with the M5 chip are $200 off. The Air is a great choice if you're looking for a combination of powerful processor and lightweight design. We're also impressed with the MacBook Air's speakers, not to mention the sharp display.

Best Lego deal

Opens in a new window

Credit: Lego

Lego Pokémon Eevee

$47.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $12

 

Get Deal at Amazon

Why we like it

You can never go wrong with snagging a Lego set for yourself or any other brick fan in your friend circle. While it's still in stock, get the Lego Pokémon Eevee for $47.99 at Amazon. The set will look fantastic amid the holiday display on your bookshelf. Eevee stands about 7.5 inches tall and has movable limbs and head-tilt capabilities.

Best Amazon device deal

Opens in a new window

Credit: Amazon

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

$190.97 at Amazon
$224.97 Save $34

 

Get Deal at Amazon

Why we like it

Now that the leaves are crunchy and we're staying indoors more, it's the perfect time to get an e-reader. As a surprise early Black Friday deal, Amazon has the standard Kindle on sale as a bundle with the new Amazon Click page-turning remote for the Kindle and a knit case. The basic Kindle is Mashable's top choice for a budget e-reader, noting it has quick performance and plenty of storage space.

Best kitchen deal

Opens in a new window

Credit: Ninja

Ninja Crispi Air Fryer

$159.99 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $20

 

Get Deal at Amazon

Why we like it

Mashable awarded the Ninja Crispi as the best kitchen gift of 2026. Air fryers have proven they deserve space on the kitchen counters but Ninja went ahead and added glass containers, and now we're cooking everything in the Crispi. The 4-in-1 model comes with two glass containers that nest inside of each other for easier storage when not using the air fryer.

Best headphones deal

Opens in a new window

Credit: Sony

Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones

$378 at Amazon
$459.99 Save $81.99

 

Get Deal at Amazon

Why we like it

Read our full review of the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones.

On the list of tech we use all day, every day, we have phones, laptops, and headphones. If your current headphones don't sound all that great, it's time for something better. Before you head off on holiday travel, upgrade to the flagship Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones.

Mashable's lineup of the best headphones ranks the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones as the best pair for premium sound. Yes, they're still an investment at the sale price (already down to the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon), but considering how often we use headphones, they could be well worth the price for many people.

Best TV deal

Opens in a new window

Credit: TCL

TCL 75-inch QM8L SQD-Mini-LED QLED 4K TV

$1,397.99 at Amazon
$2,999.99 Save $1,602.00

 

Get Deal at Amazon

Why we like it

Black Friday is a great time to upgrade your TV, but you might not have to wait until the end of November. Now's your chance to get a 75-inch TCL QLED TV for half off. It comes with built-in Google TV, 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.

Best outdoor deal

Opens in a new window

Credit: Yeti

Yeti Roadie 48 Wheeled Cooler

$340 at Amazon
$425 Save $85

 

Get Deal at Amazon

Why we like it

Sure, you've packed away the camping gear for the year, but Black Friday sales are a great time to make upgrades to outdoor gear. The Yeti Roadie 48 wheeled cooler is on sale for $340 at Amazon, down from the normal price of $425.

The quality of the retractable periscope handle, durable puncture-resistant wheels, and locking mechanism all make it well worth the investment. Plus, it might come in handy for transporting dishes to Thanksgiving and holiday gatherings, so you can start using it right away.

Best Dyson deal

Opens in a new window

Credit: Dyson

Dyson PencilVac Fluffycones

$440 at Amazon
$599.99 Save $159.99

 

Get Deal at Amazon

Why we like it

Have a home with hard floors? The Dyson PencilVac Fluffycones is designed specifically to get your floors cleaner than they've ever been. With LED lights on the front and back, you'll be able to clearly see which areas need a vacuum, and it can lie flat for getting under any piece of furniture.

We all know Dyson products can be spendy, so shopping Dyson deals during Black Friday is a smart move. The $440 sale price at Amazon matches the record low, so now's an ideal time to make the upgrade.

Best beauty tech deal

Opens in a new window

Credit: Shark

Shark FlexStyle

$199.99 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $150

 

Get Deal at Amazon

Why we like it

Beauty tech is one of the categories we tend to see the biggest price drops during holiday shopping season. If you could use a better hair dryer and styler or someone on your shopping list would love one, check out the early sale on the Shark FlexStyle.

With no heat damage and fast drying, the Shark FlexStyle is a fantastic dryer and styler. This model only weighs 1.5 pounds, making it travel friendly for the holidays.

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.

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 to $200 or more, the likelihood of seeing them fall to record-low prices is, well, low. Instead, I used price-tracking tools to identify products at or near record lows over the past five months.

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

Opens in a new window

Credit: Apple

Apple AirPods 4

$89 at Walmart
$129 Save $40

 

Get Deal at Walmart

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 to the AirPods 5 with ANC at full price, but at a sub-$100 price point, they're 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

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Apple AirPods Max 2

$449.99 (save $99.01)

Get Deal

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 price isn't necessarily bad, it is common and is almost certain to drop significantly 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

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Credit: Apple

Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD)

$1,349.99 at Amazon
$1,599 Save $249.01

 

Get Deal at Amazon

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 because of its size, but it's also a great daily driver overall. 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

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Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD)

$686 (save $13)

Get Deal

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Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD)

$1,099.99 (save $199.01)

Get Deal

---

Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD)

$1,299.99 (save $199.01)

Get Deal

---

Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD)

$1,549.99 (save $249.01)

Get Deal

---

Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M5, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD)

$1,599.99 (save $199.01)

Get Deal

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 prices reach their former record lows, even if they start 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 by $10 during October Prime Day, which means the $686 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 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

Opens in a new window

Credit: Apple

Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M4, 128GB, WiFi)

$649 at Amazon
$749 Save $100

 

Get Deal at Amazon

Why we like it

While it's pricier than the base iPad, the M4 chip in this tablet makes it more versatile, just as good for streaming as 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

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Apple iPad (A16, 128GB, WiFi)

$399.99 (save $49.01)

Get Deal

---

Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M4, 128GB, WiFi)

$849 (save $100)

Get Deal

---

Apple iPad Pro, 11-inch (M5, 256GB, WiFi)

$1,099.99 (save $99.01)

Get Deal

Black Friday iPad deals to watch

• The base iPad used to regularly go on sale for $299 before the 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 $99 price drop on a $1,200 iPad isn't significant. It is the lowest price this tablet has dropped to in the past five months, which is why I included it among 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

Opens in a new window

Credit: Apple

Apple Watch Ultra 3 (49mm, GPS + cellular)

$549 at Best Buy
$799 Save $250

 

Get Deal at Best Buy

Why we like it

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 shares features similar to those of 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 $250 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)

Get Deal

Black Friday Apple Watch deals to watch

• The Apple Watch SE 3 dropped by $50 to $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 already dropped to $349.99 once. In past Black Fridays, new generations of Apple Watch have dropped 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. 

TL;DR: Live stream Seattle Seahawks vs. Las Vegas Raiders for free on TVNZ. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

NFL is now in Week 10, which means we've crossed the halfway mark of the season. It's been an average campaign for the Seattle Seahawks. After winning the Super Bowl, the Seahawks looked poised to dominate again, but they've only managed a so-so 5-4 record. As things stand, they're not in line for an automatic playoff spot.

The Seahawks will face tough resistance today on the road against the Las Vegas Raiders. At 4-5, the Raiders are looking to bounce back from last week's loss to the 49ers and get over the .500 mark.

If you want to watch Seahawks vs. Raiders in the NFL for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.

When is Seahawks vs. Raiders?

Seattle Seahawks vs. Las Vegas Raiders starts at 4.05 p.m. ET on Nov. 15. This fixture takes place at Allegiant Stadium.

How to watch Seahawks vs. Raiders for free

Seahawks vs. Raiders in the NFL is available to live stream for free on TVNZ.

TVNZ is geo-restricted to New Zealand only, 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 New Zealand, meaning you can live stream Seahawks vs. Raiders for free from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to 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 New Zealand

4. Visit TVNZ

5. Watch Seahawks vs. Raiders for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window

Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.99 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

Get Deal

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 Seahawks vs. Raiders without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture (plus NFL action) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including New Zealand

• 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 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 Seattle Seahawks vs. Las Vegas Raiders for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Carolina Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints for free on TVNZ. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The NFL season is now past the halfway point. If the season ended today, the Carolina Panthers would take the NFC South title and make the playoffs. The reality, however, is that they've lost three games in a row, and a loss today to the New Orleans Saints would see them lose control of the division.

Yes, this is a crucial game for both teams, who share a 3-5 win-loss record. The Saints have a little momentum, coming off a narrow overtime win over the Cleveland Browns, but this one's too tight to call. It's one of the must-watch games from the Week 10 action.

If you want to watch Panthers vs. Saints in the NFL for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.

When is Panthers vs. Saints?

Carolina Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints starts at 1 p.m. ET on Nov. 15. This fixture takes place at Caesars Superdome.

How to watch Panthers vs. Saints for free

Panthers vs. Saints in the NFL is available to live stream for free on TVNZ.

TVNZ is geo-restricted to New Zealand only, 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 New Zealand, meaning you can live stream Panthers vs. Saints for free from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to 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 New Zealand

4. Visit TVNZ

5. Watch Panthers vs. Saints for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window

Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.99 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

Get Deal

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 Panthers vs. Saints without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture (plus NFL action) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including New Zealand

• 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 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 Carolina Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Buffalo Bills vs. New York Jets for free on TVNZ. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Buffalo Bills have had a tremendous season so far. If the season ended today, the Bills would be the No. 1 seed with a record of 7-1. And another win could see them all but clinch the AFC East divisional title.

It's been a different story for today's opponents, the New York Jets. They're 2-7 and winless in four games. On paper, this should be a cakewalk for the Bills, but the Jets could be due a turnaround in fortunes. The Bills are dealing with some offensive line injuries, and the Jets certainly have some talented young players waiting to prove themselves. Can they surprise the Bills?

If you want to watch Bills vs. Jets in the NFL for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.

When is Bills vs. Jets?

Buffalo Bills vs. New York Jets starts at 1 p.m. ET on Nov. 15. This fixture takes place at MetLife Stadium.

How to watch Bills vs. Jets for free

Bills vs. Jets in the NFL is available to live stream for free on TVNZ.

TVNZ is geo-restricted to New Zealand only, 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 New Zealand, meaning you can live stream Bills vs. Jets for free from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to 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 New Zealand

4. Visit TVNZ

5. Watch Bills vs. Jets for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window

Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.99 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

Get Deal

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 Bills vs. Jets without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture (plus NFL action) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including New Zealand

• 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 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 Buffalo Bills vs. New York Jets for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Learn Spanish, French, and 12 more languages with a Babbel lifetime subscription, an exclusive StackSocial offer for $199.20 (reg. $599).

Opens in a new window

Credit: Babbel

Babbel Language Learning: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages)

$199.20
$299 Save $99.80

 

Get Deal

Monthly language apps tend to get canceled around the same time motivation dips. Paying once means your lessons are still there whenever you’re ready to come back. A Babbel lifetime subscription gives you access to 14 languages for a one-time payment. Through StackSocial, new U.S. users pay $199.20 (reg. $599) for this exclusive offer.

Babbel lessons run about 10 to 15 minutes each. That’s short enough to finish during a commute or between meetings, so it’s easier to keep as a daily habit. Each lesson centers on conversations you’d have in everyday life, like ordering food, asking for directions, or making small talk with a coworker.

More than 150 linguists and educators design the courses, and they teach cultural context alongside grammar and vocabulary. In a study by researchers at Yale University, 100% of participants improved their oral proficiency in three months.

Your subscription includes Spanish, French, German, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, Swedish, and eight more. Speech recognition checks your pronunciation as you speak, and progress syncs between your phone and computer. You can also download lessons before a flight and study offline. Courses run from beginner to advanced, and you can revisit review sessions whenever a lesson needs another pass.

Super Duolingo runs $6.99 a month, and Duolingo’s free version shows ads and limits you to five mistakes a day. Babbel has no ads and no cap on mistakes, and this plan never sends another bill.

Pay once and keep learning for as long as you want.

Get a Babbel lifetime subscription for $199.20 (reg. $599), exclusively through StackSocial for new U.S. users.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

SAVE 50%: Through Nov. 17, Prime members can knock 50% off the price of one eligible Amazon Alexa device during the exclusive sale.

Shop the Prime member-exclusive sale on Alexa+ devices:

---

Amazon Echo Time

$99.99 (save $100 as a Prime member)

Get Deal

---

Amazon Echo Dot

$49.99 (save $50 as a Prime member)

Get Deal

---

Amazon Alexa Photo Frame

$99.99 (save $100 as a Prime member)

Get Deal

---

Amazon Echo Studio with Home Camera

$124.99 (save $125 as a Prime member)

Get Deal

---

Amazon Kids Echo Dot

$54.99 (save $55 as a Prime member)

Get Deal

---

Amazon Kids Echo Time

$104.99 (save $105 as a Prime member)

Get Deal

Amazon dropped a new generation of Alexa devices, just in time for the holidays. This week, it's giving Prime members first dibs on discounts on those devices.

Through Nov. 17, Prime members can take 50% off an eligible Amazon Alexa device with an exclusive coupon (scroll to the bottom of the page to see the eligible devices). Choose your device thoughtfully, as the deal is limited to one device per customer. If multiple eligible devices are added to your cart, the discount applies to the lowest-priced item. Click the "Apply offer" or "Exclusive offer" box on any eligible device listing to activate the discount.

All of the brand-new Alexa devices announced last week are eligible for the 50% discount, except the Echo Show 16, which isn't yet available. That means you can score the adorable Echo Time smart alarm clock for a much more affordable $99.99, compared to its full list price of $199.99. The new Echo Dot price would drop from $99.99 to $49.99, while the Alexa Photo Frame would clock in at just under $100, down from $200. Amazon's new kids Echo devices are also eligible.

New devices aren't the only ones included in the lineup. You can also score older Echo Show devices, including the 5, 8, 11, 15, and 21, as well as the Echo Studio, Dot Max, Pop Kids, Spot, and previous-gen Echo Dot. We've rounded up all the devices you can choose from below, along with their price drops using the Prime-exclusive coupon.

New Amazon Alexa devices included in the sale

• Amazon Echo Dot — $49.99 $99.99 (save $50 with Prime-exclusive coupon)

• Amazon Echo Dot Kids — $54.99 $109.99 (save $55 with Prime-exclusive coupon)

• Amazon Alexa Photo Frame — $99.99 $199.99 (save $100 with Prime-exclusive coupon)

• Amazon Echo Time — $99.99 $199.99 (save $100 with Prime-exclusive coupon)

• Amazon Echo Studio with Home Camera — $124.99 $149.99 (save $125 with Prime-exclusive coupon)

• Amazon Echo Time Kids — $154.99 $209.99 (save $155 with Prime-exclusive coupon)

Older Amazon Alexa devices included in the sale

• Echo Pop Kids — $24.99 $49.99 (save $25 with Prime-exclusive coupon)

• Echo Dot (2022) — $39.99 $79.99 (save $40 with Prime-exclusive coupon)

• Echo Dot Kids (2022) — $44.99 $89.99 (save $45 with Prime-exclusive coupon)

• Echo Show 5 — $49.99 $99.99 (save $50 with Prime-exclusive coupon)

• Echo Spot — $54.99 $109.99 (save $55 with Prime-exclusive coupon)

• Echo Dot Max — $59.99 $119.99 (save $60 with Prime-exclusive coupon)

• Echo Show 8 — $99.99 $199.99 (save $100 with Prime-exclusive coupon)

• Echo Studio — $109.99 $219.99 (save $110 with Prime-exclusive coupon)

• Echo Show 11 — $124.99 $249.99 (save $125 with Prime-exclusive coupon)

• Echo Show 15 — $174.99 $349.99 (save $175 with Prime-exclusive coupon)

• Echo Show 21 — $249.99 $499.99 (save $250 with Prime-exclusive coupon)

TL;DR: Live stream Kansas City Chiefs vs. Atlanta Falcons for free on 7Plus. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Sunday Football kicks off today with a pivotal game for the Kansas City Chiefs, a team back on track after being rocked by back-to-back losses. The Chiefs were undefeated before losses to the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos, but bounced back to pick apart the New York Jets last week.

On paper, they should win today's road game against the Atlanta Falcons, a team languishing at the bottom of the NFC South with a 3-6 record. But nothing's ever for certain — anything can happen on any given Sunday, as they say — and the Falcons are looking to break a two-week losing streak.

If you want to watch Chiefs vs. Falcons in the NFL for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.

When is Chiefs vs. Falcons?

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Atlanta Falcons starts at 1 p.m. ET on Nov. 12. This fixture takes place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

How to watch Chiefs vs. Falcons for free

Chiefs vs. Falcons in the NFL is available to live stream for free on 7Plus.

7Plus is geo-restricted to Australia only, 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 Australia, meaning you can live stream Chiefs vs. Falcons for free from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to 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 Australia

4. Visit 7Plus

5. Watch Chiefs vs. Falcons for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window

Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.99 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

Get Deal

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 Chiefs vs. Falcons without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture (plus NFL action) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, 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 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 Kansas City Chiefs vs. Atlanta Falcons for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Get three years of Surfshark VPN Starter with unlimited connections, encrypted browsing, and ad-blocking features for $67.19 (reg. $430) with code DEAL20.

Opens in a new window

Credit: Surfshark

Surfshark VPN Starter Plan: 3-Year Subscription

$67.20
$430 Save $362.80

 

Get Deal

Your phone isn’t the only device that could benefit from a VPN. There’s your laptop, tablet, and maybe even a streaming device or two. Surfshark VPN Starter lets you connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously, so you don’t have to choose which ones get a VPN connection. A three-year subscription is available for $67.19 (reg. $430) with code DEAL20.

Three years of VPN access for less than $2 per month

Surfshark encrypts your internet traffic and masks your IP address, adding a layer of privacy to your online activity. Its network includes more than 3,200 servers across 100 countries, giving you plenty of locations to choose from when connecting.

There are also several useful extras. CleanWeb helps block ads, trackers, and malicious websites, while a kill switch can disconnect your internet access if the VPN connection unexpectedly drops. MultiHop routes your connection through two VPN servers, and Bypasser lets you exclude selected apps or websites from the VPN on supported devices.

You can use Surfshark across Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and other supported platforms. It’s also compatible with streaming and torrenting, although access to particular services and content may vary.

This offer is available to new users only, and you’ll need to redeem your code within 30 days of purchase. The three-year subscription includes unlimited data and bandwidth, with no per-device connection limit. With this deal, you’re basically paying just $1.87 per month over three years.

Formerly $430, get three years of Surfshark VPN Starter for $67.19 with code DEAL20.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

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

If you're new to exploring kinks and fetishes online, it can be a weird and intimidating experience. But it's also exciting, which is why it's worth exploring deeper.

What you need is the right platform to get started. There are great sites and apps out there that offer sexy fun with like-minded folk. It doesn't matter if you have specialist kinks for feet, spanking, or BDSM — or even a relatively vanilla taste for threesomes — you can find your tribe somewhere online.

Experienced fet-lovers will already know that regular dating apps just don't cut it. So, the question is, how do you connect with similarly-minded kinksters?

We strongly recommend two platforms for exploring your favorite kinks and more. Those platforms are AdultFriendFinder and FetLife, both of which are stacked with NSFW content. Seriously, do not log on to these in public. And who knows? You might even discover a few kinks you never even knew you had.

Maybe you just don't know what you're into yet. But if you want to find a safe, non-judgmental space to explore your options and go on a journey of sexual self-discovery, these are the places to do it.

Before we get deep into the pros and cons of AFF and FetLife, let us share some general information with you. AdultFriendFinder and FetLife both skew male, which is fairly standard across the online dating spectrum. The average user on FetLife is aged 25, while AdultFriendFinder users tend to be in their 30s. Even so, both sites offer a diverse range of genders and ages — not to mention a colorful range of sexual orientations and kink communities. In other words, there really is something for everyone.

But while both sites are designed to accommodate sex-positive communities and make connections between kinksters, they have their own way of doing things. You may find that one site suits you better than the other, though we recommend trying both on for size to see which one fits.

Keep reading for a rundown of the major differences between AFF and FetLife and decide which one to try first.

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Credit: AdultFriendFinder

AdultFriendFinder

 

Learn More

Opens in a new window

Credit: FetLife

FetLife

 

Learn More

Where AdultFriendFinder excels

Faster connections

FetLife is very popular, but be aware that it can take time to build a following and earn trust on the site. While it's possible to message strangers, the site culture discourages it. Don't be surprised if unsolicited messages are ignored completely. AdultFriendFinder, on the other hand, is a DM-sliding free-for-all. In fact, the concept of connecting with strangers is kind of the point. In that respect, AFF operates like a regular dating site (it's one of the OGs in that field, dating back to 1996), whereas FetLife is more of a social media website for building local kink communities. 

AdultFriendFinder also hosts live webcam shows and community discussion forums, offering users multiple ways to connect quickly. There's more to it than just one-on-one.

Better site interface

This one might be controversial, since the AFF site is notoriously dated, but FetLife's interface is downright confusing, a mix between Facebook and Instagram, with much more limited search functionality. While both sites will allow you to search by specific kinks (and both sites offer exhaustive lists of kink options), the search functionality and filter options on AdultFriendFinder are more comprehensive and more user-friendly.

This isn't an accident, by the way. FetLife deliberately disables search by age, gender, and sexual orientation because, in their words, they are "a social network and not a dating site."

Remember that AFF looks and feels dated because it's been around for three decades and has kept things very old school indeed. AFF doesn't even have an app — it's website only. Be warned that the interface is chock-full of nudity and NSFW content.

Live shows

FetLife allows users to host videos, but it doesn't have a dedicated, live webcam service. Some FetLife users will offer that, but they do this on third-party sites, and usually behind a paywall. AFF, on the other hand, makes live streaming a significant part of its community experience and allows you to search through webcam shows by the streamer's location or the show's interest/topic, which often revolves around a specific kink. 

In other words, if you're content to watch, AFF delivers some excellent, kink-centric live action, and much of it is accessible without upgrading to a paid subscription.

Where FetLife excels

Free accounts have more freedom

The most noticeable difference between FetLife and AFF is how much more freedom is afforded to non-paying accounts. On AdultFriendFinder, profiles are locked behind a paywall, so only paying members can scroll through photos, view bios, and see a comprehensive list of kinks. FetLife, on the other hand, operates more like Instagram for kinksters. It delivers large photos, comprehensive bios, and even a web of connections comparable to what you might see on Facebook, from friends and romantic partners to subs, doms, and mentors, if applicable. 

Even more important, free FetLife users can contact each other in one-on-one messages without having to give up their credit card information, which definitely makes it easier to establish a personal connection.

One major limitation of free accounts is that users can't watch videos. Because raunchy videos are a mainstay on many profiles, this is definitely a hindrance, though it's not a deal-breaker. 

The site promotes in-person events

Perhaps the biggest benefit of FetLife over AdultFriendFinder is that the former is much more focused on real-life connections, whereas AdultFriendFinder seems content to let people play in the virtual world. 

The Events tab at the top of the FetLife banner allows you to see, at a glance, all of the nearby, kink-friendly events, from informal meet-and-greets to full-on costume and masquerade balls. Best of all, you can filter by sub-type (Party, Educational, Social, Conference/Festival, Sex Party) or just look for events that your FetLife friends are attending.

These in-person events are integral to the FetLife experience, even when the events aren't officially affiliated with the site itself. In fact, it's pretty common to see people indicate, in their profiles, that they won't message or "friend" anyone they haven't already met at an IRL event. 

Kink discovery

Because of its community emphasis and dedication to exploring sexuality in a safe, consensual, and informed way, FetLife offers users not only the means to connect with others but also to better connect with themselves. There's the community-sourced Kinktionary, for example, a Wiki-like resource covering topical aspects of human sexuality from the ins and outs of gay culture to a comprehensive list of sex toys and their uses, as well as dedicated groups to not only explore kinks but also introduce people to the BDSM lifestyle (we recommend you check out the Novices & Newbies section if you're a first-time visitor). 

AdultFriendFinder isn't totally without these resources, but they're not as user-friendly or as accessible to total newcomers to the world of kink.

The bottom line

Both AFF and FetLife are among the very best online destinations for kink-based fun. They have their pros, cons, and differences, but you're unlikely to go wrong with either. They each have large user bases and comprehensive selections of kink-focused spaces. That helps create a non-judgmental atmosphere, allowing you to let go of any sense of inhibition. Just let loose and enjoy yourself doing it.

That said, if you're looking for the fastest possible connection and you're happy to keep things strictly online for now, AdultFriendFinder is the place to start. If, on the other hand, you want to integrate into your local kink community and get on the guest lists of underground fetish clubs or VIP sex parties, FetLife can make that happen.

TL;DR: Amazon Prime members can get $20 off each of their first two qualifying Uber Eats restaurant orders through Amazon until Nov. 18 at 11:59 p.m. PST. Each order must total at least $25 before taxes and fees and after any other qualifying discounts.

Opens in a new window

Credit: Amazon

Uber Eats: $20 off each of your first two orders

 

Get Deal at Amazon

This may just be the frugal part of me talking, but I’ve always thought Uber Eats was one of the more expensive food delivery apps (right up there with Postmates). So when I heard Amazon Prime members could now get $0 delivery fees through Uber Eats, I was pretty excited. I still have questions about some of those clearly inflated restaurant prices, but free delivery is a step in the right direction.

Right now, eligible Prime members can get $20 off each of their first two Uber Eats restaurant orders through Amazon, for up to $40 off across two orders. Each order needs to total at least $25 before taxes and fees, after any other qualifying discounts, and the offer expires Nov. 18 at 11:59 p.m. PST. You also get $0 delivery fees on eligible orders after activating the benefit.

How to get the discount

Go to Amazon’s Uber Eats page while signed in to your Prime account and tap “Allow” to activate the $0 delivery-fee benefit. From there, browse participating restaurants and check that your qualifying $20 discount appears before submitting your order. You don’t need a separate Uber Eats account, but you do need to order through Amazon’s website or shopping app — not the Uber Eats app or website.

The benefit is available to U.S. Prime members, including those with Prime for Young Adults and Prime Access memberships. Restaurant selection depends on your location, so check what’s available near you.

Do you need to join Prime?

You’ll need an eligible Prime membership to use the benefit. Prime normally costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year, and eligible customers can start a 30-day free trial. I wouldn’t pay for a year just to get two discounted meals, but the trial is worth considering if you also plan to use Prime for Black Friday shopping.

Already using Prime for holiday shopping? This is an extra worth checking before your next takeout order. Compare the final price instead of letting the $20 discount talk you into adding food you didn’t want just to reach the minimum.

Where to buy Pokémon Evolution Stone replicas:

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Fire Stone

Pokémon Trainer Essentials: Fire Stone Replica Figure

$89.99 at Pokémon Center

Shop Now

---

Water Stone

Pokémon Trainer Essentials: Water Stone Replica Figure

$89.99 at Pokémon Center

Shop Now

---

Thunder Stone

Pokémon Trainer Essentials: Thunder Stone Replica Figure

$89.99 at Pokémon Center

Shop Now

If you have ever wanted to own an actual Evolution Stone from the Pokémon games, Pokémon Center just made that possible. Although they can be scarce in some regions, these peculiar stones are essential items for Trainers looking to evolve certain species of Pokémon whenever they choose. Now, the official storefront has released faceted glass replicas of three classic stones from its Pokémon Trainer Essentials collection: the Fire Stone, Water Stone, and Thunder Stone.

These Pokémon Center Original collectibles are crafted from solid, faceted glass crystal built to sit on a shelf or complete a Pokémon Trainer cosplay. Each stone features its elemental icon suspended inside the glass — a flame inside the Fire Stone, a barrage of bubbles inside the Water Stone, and a bolt of lightning inside the Thunder Stone.

Inside the box, you get the replica figure nested inside a protective display case with a clear, transparent lid to keep dust off the glass. Each package also includes a certificate of authenticity and an adhesive plaque featuring the stone's name and its exact description from the Pokémon video games, matching the text printed on the display box:

• Fire Stone — "A peculiar stone that can make certain species of Pokémon evolve. It has a fiery orange heart."

• Water Stone — "A peculiar stone that can make certain species of Pokémon evolve. It is the clear blue of a deep pool."

• Thunder Stone — "A peculiar stone that can make certain species of Pokémon evolve. It has a distinct thunderbolt pattern."

Because the plaque has an adhesive back, you can stick it onto the display case, a shelf, or your wall to build your own exhibit. Whether you pick up a single favorite or collect all three, Pokémon Center notes that, because they are made of real glass, these are adult display pieces rather than toys and should be kept out of children's reach.

All three Pokémon Trainer Essentials Evolution Stone replicas are available to order now on the Pokémon Center website.

TL;DR: Live stream San Francisco 49ers vs. Dallas Cowboys for free on Channel 5. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Now past the halfway point, the NFL season is heating up. The San Francisco 49ers have only lost one game so far — an upset loss to the Atlanta Falcons — but have otherwise looked in dominant form. That elusive sixth Super Bowl win could finally become a reality.

Today's road game against the Dallas Cowboys will be a test, though. The Cowboys, currently at 4-5, have gone back and forth on wins and losses all season. But coming off a win over the Indianapolis Colts. they're looking to make it two wins in a row.

If you want to watch 49ers vs. Cowboys in the NFL for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.

When is 49ers vs. Cowboys?

San Francisco 49ers vs. Dallas Cowboys starts at 4.25 p.m. ET on Nov. 15. This fixture takes place at AT&T Stadium.

How to watch 49ers vs. Cowboys for free

49ers vs. Cowboys in the NFL is available to live stream for free on Channel 5.

Channel 5 is geo-restricted to the UK only, 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 live stream 49ers vs. Cowboys for free from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to 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 Channel 5

5. Watch 49ers vs. Cowboys for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window

Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.99 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

Get Deal

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 49ers vs. Cowboys without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture (plus more NFL action) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, 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 always 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 San Francisco 49ers vs. Dallas Cowboys for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

New Lego Botanicals sets launching in 2027:

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Lego Botanicals Cherry Blossom Branches

$29.99

Learn More

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Lego Botanicals Wild Orchid

$59.99

Learn More

---

Lego Botanicals Peony Bouquet

$59.99

Learn More

---

Lego Botanicals Perfectly Pastel Flower Bouquet

$59.99

Learn More

If you want a tabletop centerpiece that never wilts or asks for water, the Lego Botanicals line just revealed its next wave of builds. The toy giant unveiled four fresh sets arriving in early 2027, expanding its collection of plastic greenery with a mix of standalone potted arrangements and multi-stem bouquets.

The new drop covers a wide range of styles, from rare blue orchids and blush peonies to delicate sakura branches and a pastel mix designed to fill your own vases. True to the collection's signature design quirks, the builds repurpose familiar Lego elements in clever ways, such as bright green dinosaur eggs posing as budding peonies and minifigure crowns serving as cherry blossom centers.

Three of the sets arrive on New Year's Day, while the pastel bouquet lands just in time for Valentine's Day. Here's a closer look at each new build coming to the garden:

Cherry Blossom Branches

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Credit: Lego

Cherry Blossom Branches

$29.99 at Lego

 

Learn More at Lego

Unlike most flower builds that require you to find a spare jar or vase around the house, the Lego Botanicals Cherry Blossom Branches comes as an all-in-one display unit. The 405-piece build features realistic branches packed with white sakura petals and pale pink buds, all seated directly inside an ocean-blue brick-built vase. It also carries Lego’s signature design quirks, repurposing minifigure crowns in new colorways to build the buds and flower centers.

Measuring over 8 inches tall, 7 inches wide, and 5.5 inches deep, it hits a rare sweet spot for home decor: compact enough to fit neatly on a crowded bookshelf or work desk without dominating the whole surface.

Wild Orchid

Opens in a new window

Credit: Lego

Wild Orchid

$59.99

 

Learn More

Most Lego botanical sets recreate garden-variety stems, but the Lego Botanicals Wild Orchid tackles one of the most distinctive, hard-to-grow plants in nature: the rare blue Vanda coerulea. The 606-piece build stands over 11.5 inches tall, 13 inches wide, and 4.5 inches deep, functioning as a complete self-contained forest ecosystem rather than just loose flowers.

Instead of sitting in a traditional pot, the vibrant blue blossoms and aerial roots sprout directly from a textured, mossy branch accented with miniature wildlife. Lego introduced new printed petal elements specifically for this release to mirror the natural veining and delicate look of real orchid petals. You can reposition the stems and flowers to customize the shape, giving you an eye-catching tabletop centerpiece that captures the detail of a live botanical display.

Peony Bouquet

Opens in a new window

Credit: Lego

Peony Bouquet

$59.99

 

Learn More

Peonies are notorious for shedding petals and drooping within a few days of bringing them home, but the Lego Botanicals Peony Bouquet gives you the full, layered look without the short lifespan. The 633-piece set features a mix of single blooms, semi-double flowers, and buds at different stages of opening, blending shades of ombré peach, pale pink, and deep pink with bright yellow stamens.

In classic Lego fashion, the designer's use of parts steals the show: bright green dinosaur eggs are repurposed along the branches to recreate rounded peony buds about to open. With the longest stem measuring over 16.5 inches, the entire arrangement fits in standard household vases without extra props.

Perfectly Pastel Flower Bouquet

Opens in a new window

Credit: Lego

Perfectly Pastel Flower Bouquet

$59.99

 

Learn More

If you already own a vase and want a wide variety of stems to arrange yourself, the Lego Botanicals Perfectly Pastel Flower Bouquet delivers the most diverse floral mix in the entire 2027 drop. The 650-piece set includes 16 individual stems spanning eight different varieties: three hybrid tea roses, three coneflowers, two columbines, two anemones, two pincushion flowers, a stock flower, phlox, and sword ferns.

Lego kept the color palette soft with muted pastel tones, but hid a neat Easter egg inside: a tiny Lego beehive element tucked directly into the cone of one of the flowers. Measuring over 15 inches tall, the stems are fully adjustable, so you can lengthen, shorten, or reposition each blossom to suit different vase heights or mix them with earlier Lego bouquets for an even fuller display.

Between New Year's Day shelf refreshes and early Valentine's Day shopping, you can shop all four upcoming arrangements on Lego.

Where to check for Zelda Switch 2 stock:

---

Nintendo

Nintendo Switch 2 — The Legend of Zelda — 40th Anniversary Edition

$519.99 at Nintendo

Shop Now

---

Amazon

Nintendo Switch 2 — The Legend of Zelda — 40th Anniversary Edition

$519.99 at Amazon

Shop Now

---

Walmart

Nintendo Switch 2 — The Legend of Zelda — 40th Anniversary Edition

$519.99 at Walmart

Shop Now

---

Target

Nintendo Switch 2 — The Legend of Zelda — 40th Anniversary Edition

$519.99 at Target

Shop Now

---

Best Buy

Nintendo Switch 2 — The Legend of Zelda — 40th Anniversary Edition

$519.99 at Best Buy

Shop Now

---

GameStop

Nintendo Switch 2 — The Legend of Zelda — 40th Anniversary Edition

$519.99 at GameStop

Shop Now

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 — Stock exists but only for third-party listings selling at way over market price, so make sure your in-stock email alerts are turned on.

• Target — Sold out online, but periodic drops have taken place in-store.

• Best Buy — Sold out online, but select stores ran 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 — arrived on 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.

Opens in a new window

Credit: Nintendo

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for Nintendo Switch 2

$59.99 at Amazon

 

Shop Now at Amazon

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 whenever stock appears, 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 physical store restocks, you still have real shots at retail price — just be ready to move the second that stock goes live.

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

The Rugby League World Cup final is here, and it's the biggest possible matchup.

Australia are set to take on rivals New Zealand at a packed Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. These sides met in the opening game of the tournament, and it was absolutely electric. We're expecting more of the same when these talented squads battle it out for the trophy. It really doesn't get any bigger than this.

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

When is Australia vs. New Zealand?

Australia vs. New Zealand in the 2026 Rugby League World Cup final starts at 3:35 a.m. ET on Nov. 15. This fixture takes place at the Suncorp Stadium.

How to watch Australia vs. New Zealand for free

Australia vs. New Zealand in the 2026 Rugby League World Cup final 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 final for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window

Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

Get Deal

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 final 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 Australia vs. New Zealand in the 2026 Rugby League World Cup final for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Watch Spain vs. England in the Nations League for free on ITVX. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The UEFA Nations League is all about huge matchups between top-quality opponents, and that's exactly what we're getting with Spain vs. England. It's a battle between the World Cup winners and semi-finalists. Spain won the last meeting in dramatic fashion, but England will believe that they can produce a shock victory at the Metropolitano Stadium.

If you're interested in watching Spain vs. England in the Nations League from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Spain vs. England?

Spain vs. England in the Nations League kicks off at 2:45 p.m. ET on Nov. 15. This fixture takes place at the Metropolitano Stadium.

How to watch Spain vs. England for free

Spain vs. England in the Nations League 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 live stream Spain vs. England for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Spain vs. England 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 Spain vs. England for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window

Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

Get Deal

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 Spain vs. England without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture 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 Spain vs. England for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

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.

Hurdle Word 1 hint

A young pigeon.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

SQUAB

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Tan.

Hurdle Word 2 Answer

BEIGE

Hurdle Word 3 hint

To demolish.

Hurdle Word 3 answer

CRUSH

Hurdle Word 4 hint

It is what it is.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

SHRUG

Final Hurdle hint

Cuban dance.

Hurdle Word 5 answer

RUMBA

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

There's a little more to see on the Moon tonight as the crescent continues to fill out, so if you're into Moon gazing, grab your viewing gear and head outside.

What is today's Moon phase?

As of Sunday, Nov. 15, the NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon is in the Waxing Crescent phase, with 30% of its surface visible.

If you don't have any visual aids, you can still see the Mare Crisium and the Mare Fecunditatis. With binoculars or a telescope, you'll also see the Endymion Crater, Posidonius Crater, and the Mare Nectaris. And for keen Moon gazers with a telescope, you'll get to see all this plus the Apollo 11 and 17 landing spots.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will take place on November 24.

What are Moon phases?

The Moon takes approximately 29.5 days to complete one full cycle. As it orbits Earth, the amount of sunlight reflecting off its surface that we can see changes, creating the different phases. This takes us from the New Moon to the Full Moon and back again, before the cycle begins once more, according to 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.

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.

All-time meaning

A peak or record that has never been done before.

Historic meaning

Momentous or significant.

Record meaning

A log of information.

Unprecedented meaning

Never seen or done before.

Dress code meaning

Rules for what can be worn to a place or event.

Registry meaning

An official record.

RSVP meaning

To make a reservation.

Travel meaning

To move from place to place.

Archive meaning

A record.

Octonion meaning

An 8-dimensional number system.

Rapscallion meaning

A mischievous person.

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.

Sleek meaning

Smooth and shiny.

Astral meaning

Related to the stars.

Cartesian meaning

Related to the scientist Descartes.

Inclined meaning

Willing to do something.

Jet meaning

A type of plane.

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.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're one of a kind.

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.

What is Connections?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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: Groundbreaking

• Green: Tie the knot

• Blue: In the air

• Purple: Greens

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Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Unmatched

• Green: Wedding website sections

• Blue: ___ Plane

• Purple: Ending in vegetables in the allium family

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 #1253 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Unmatched: ALL-TIME, HISTORIC, RECORD, UNPRECEDENTED

• Wedding website sections: DRESS CODE, REGISTRY, RSVP, TRAVEL

• ___ Plane: ASTRAL, CARTESIAN, INCLINED, JET

• Ending in vegetables in the allium family: ARCHIVE, OCTONION, RAPSCALLION, SLEEK

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.

Today's NYT Strands hints will be easy if you're a comics fan.

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.

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.

NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Foiled again!

The words are related to superheroes.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words involve a classic comic hero.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

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NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Batman Villain.

NYT Strands word list for November 15

• Joker

• Riddler

• Batman Villain

• Scarecrow

• Firefly

• Penguin

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.

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

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.

Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

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

Condescending.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

No letters appear twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.

The Wordle answer today is...

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

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

SNARK

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.

TL;DR: Curiosity Stream is a documentary streaming service, and a lifetime subscription is $119.99 (reg. $399.99) with code DEAL20.

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Credit: Curiosity Stream

Curiosity Stream Standard Plan: Lifetime Subscription

$119.99
$399.99 Save $280

 

Get Deal

Most streaming services bill you monthly, and their documentary sections are usually small compared with their drama and reality shows. If you want a whole service built around nonfiction, try a Curiosity Stream lifetime subscription. Enter code DEAL20 at checkout, and you pay $119.99 (reg. $399.99) once, 70% below the list price.

Thousands of documentaries, one payment

Curiosity Stream comes from John Hendricks, who founded Discovery Communications. His streaming service is all documentaries, with thousands of films, series, and shows on science, technology, history, nature, and art. New titles arrive every week, so the library keeps growing long after you pay. Series include Planet of Treasures, Engineering the Future, Deep Time History, and Into the Jungle. Stephen Hawking’s Favorite Places follows Hawking on a computer-generated trip through the universe, and that trilogy won Curiosity Stream its first Emmy for graphic design and art direction.

Everything streams in 1080p HD on desktop and mobile. You can download episodes before a flight and watch without Wi-Fi, bookmark a show for later, or start on your laptop and finish on your phone. Apps run on Android 5.0 and up, iOS 11 and up, Android TV, and Xbox One, and older Apple TV models can play shows through AirPlay. Built-in search tools sort the catalog by subject, so finding something on ancient history or deep-sea life takes a few seconds.

Parents who homeschool can use it to add to science and history lessons, and anyone who likes learning something new at night gets a steady supply of material. On the App Store, the app has a 4.7/5 rating.

This deal is for new Curiosity Stream users only. Your code needs to be redeemed within 30 days of purchase.

Pay once and keep a documentary library on hand for good. Through Nov. 15 at 11:59 p.m. PT, use code DEAL20 to get a Curiosity Stream lifetime subscription for $119.99.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

At this point, there's a good chance anyone reading this has already purchased and pre-loaded Grand Theft Auto VI. You've chosen a console, or maybe you're still looking to buy one, but at any rate, all you can do is wait for the game and soak in any pre-release details you can.

Thank goodness for The Guardian, then, as the UK newspaper published an exclusive preview of the game in its Saturday print edition. We've read the whole thing, which involved a tour through Vice City's open world in the early stages of the game, and have compiled three of the more fascinating details that were revealed in the piece for your reading pleasure.

There are so many birds in this game

One tiny nugget in the preview that stood out immediately is that, apparently, the player can keep a logbook of different wildlife they encounter in the streets and swamps of Leonida. As far as I know, this is a first for Grand Theft Auto, and it feels like something right out of Red Dead Redemption. Nature has been featured in some previous GTA games, but the player didn't have much of a relationship with it, unlike Rockstar's cowboy series.

Anyway, Rockstar confirmed to The Guardian that there are 62 different types of birds to log in GTA6. That's so many birds, man.

Romance isn't just in cutscenes

Much of GTA 6's marketing has focused on the romantic interplay between protagonists Jason and Lucia. We already know that both are playable, and can be switched between freely for much of the game outside of story missions. Rockstar has also spoken to some extent about the way romance works in GTA 6, but The Guardian's preview shed more light on how the player will actually affect it outside of cutscenes.

Specifically, whoever the player is controlling can call or text the other protagonist when they aren't together. When they are together, the player can make them go on dates, which can take the form of getting drinks, going to the gym, or even robbing a liquor store. Love manifests in many different ways, I guess. There will also be some unspecified consequences for neglecting the relationship, according to the preview.

Rockstar wants to encourage empathy

This was perhaps the most vague part of The Guardian's piece, but also the most interesting. According to Rockstar, GTA 6 "provide mechanisms to encourage [empathy]" in the player. We don't yet know exactly how that will manifest in-game, but it would be a stark departure from the almost nihilistic crime spree fantasies from previous GTA games.

Of course, you can still play GTA 6 that way if you want, but the game might have something for those of us who aren't interested in causing mayhem, too.

SpaceX is attempting rocketry history on Saturday, and you can watch it from the comfort of your home.

Elon Musk's spacefaring company launched a test flight of its Starship craft on Friday evening. There were multiple objectives for the mission, including the deployment of Starlink satellites, but two goals stood out above the rest: Guide the rocket booster to a pinpoint landing minutes after launch, and then do the same with the Starship itself a day later after it's done orbiting the Earth. That has never been done before.

The first goal failed, with the booster ultimately landing in the Gulf of Mexico, but the second objective is being livestreamed on X. According to Space.com, SpaceX will do a final point-of-no-return check at about 2 p.m. ET, where it will decide whether or not to go through with this objective or just splash down in the water. If the company decides to go for it, the landing will happen a couple of hours later, shortly after 4 p.m. ET.

If you don't have anything better happening on a Saturday afternoon, there are worse ways to spend that time.

Save $30: The Nintendo Switch 2 is available for $469 at Woot. This deal is live through Nov. 30 or until sold out. The console rarely goes on sale and is usually listed for $499, making this a 6% discount.

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Credit: Nintendo

Nintendo Switch 2

$469 at Woot!
$499 Save $30

 

Get Deal at Woot!

Struggling to get your hands on the Zelda edition of the Switch 2? How about grabbing a discounted Switch 2 instead, weeks ahead of Black Friday?

Yes, you read that right. Nintendo's console rarely goes on sale — and even less so since its $50 price hike in September — yet Woot is offering a brand-new Nintendo Switch 2 for $469. That's a $30 price drop from the usual $499, bringing it closer to its former $449 list price. Admittedly, it's not a huge discount, but again, it's rare. The console has dropped in price a grand total of zero times since its price hike.

For comparison, the Switch 2 is holding firm at $499 on Amazon and Best Buy.

Going into my fifth year covering Black Friday at Mashable, I can confidently say that gaming console deals can be a tricky one during the shopping holiday. A lot of folks wait until sales kick off to grab deals, meaning if there is an impressive price drop, it sells out fast. I would expect this situation to be even more competitive during the year of RAMaggedon.

In other words, sneaking in and grabbing some savings ahead of time on a truly excellent console is a great way to go this holiday season. Just make sure to grab it while supplies last, or before Nov. 30 when the deal expires, if stock is still available.

For seven years, a NASA telescope watched a planet the size of Jupiter cross in front of its star again and again — until one day it didn't.

The planet, TOI-2535 b, had been acting a little weird for a while. Each time it passed, which astronomers call a transit, it arrived as much as six hours early or late. The crossings also grew shorter and fainter. 

Then, earlier this year, the planet just stopped showing up.

Astronomers knew an exoplanet could drift out of view like this, but they figured it would take decades or even centuries to happen. Imagine their surprise. 

"The planet's orbit is tilting so quickly that its transit disappeared while we were watching," said Samuel Yee, a UCLA postdoctoral fellow and the study's corresponding author, in a statement.

The findings reveal the most extreme case yet of two worlds yanking on each other's orbits. The research also offers a rare clue to how giant planets could end up sidling so close to their stars. Scientists think most of these snuggly planets got there in some violent way. Perhaps a close encounter with another object, for example, knocked them onto a stretched-out orbit, and then their star reeled them in. But this pair likely took a gentler route and spiraled in slowly together, according to the new paper, published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.

Planet TOI-2535 b sits about 1,000 light-years from Earth. It's what's known as a "hot Jupiter," a gas giant that orbits so close to its star that it finishes a lap in about eight days. By contrast, Mercury, our solar system's closest world to the sun, needs 88 days to make a revolution.

To be clear, NASA's TESS, short for Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, never saw the planet directly. It infers the presence of a planet by catching the tiny decrease in starlight when one passes in front of its star. One day, TESS could no longer track those fluctuations. 

But planets don't normally just disappear into thin space. Astronomers knew something else was going on. 

Those fading crossings told the team that the planet's path was sliding from the middle of the star toward its edge until it was no longer traceable. The planet still circles its star, but from Earth it now passes above or below it.

UCLA astrophysicist and co-author Erik Petigura compares it to eclipses. 

"If the moon's orbit around the Earth was perfectly aligned with the Earth's orbit around the sun, we would see an eclipse every month," he said. "But because the moon's orbit is tilted, eclipses are less common. The tilt of the moon's orbit is a relic of its violent formation history, which resulted from a collision with the early Earth."

So-called 'hot Jupiters' are gas giant exoplanets similar to Jupiter but orbit extremely close to their host stars. Credit: NASA / ESA illustration

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That raised a bigger question. What tipped TOI-2535 b's orbit?

Timing (or the lack of it) gave it away. A planet on its own crosses its star on a steady schedule. TOI-2535 b's early and late arrivals told the team that something unseen was tugging on it.

The researchers combined those timing clues with measurements of how the star wobbles as its planets pull on it. Everything pointed to a second planet, likely at least as massive as Saturn, circling nearby and also on a tilted orbit.

Nobody has seen that world, and for the same reason TOI-2535 b has gone AWOL. Its tilted path carries it above or below the star from our space telescope's vantage point, so the mystery planet never blocks any starlight that TESS can detect. But astronomers know it's there because of how hard it pulls on TOI-2535 b.

The two planets continue to pull on each other, so their orbits wobble slowly like spinning tops. The researchers expect TOI-2535 b to swing back into view in 30 to 50 years. But its hidden neighbor may show up sooner.

The pair also tells a story about the past. Astronomers have found hundreds of hot Jupiters, but these planets rarely have a massive neighbor close enough to tug on them. A violent fling couldn't have left two giant planets this close together, according to the research, so this pair likely took the scenic route.

But a gentler journey should have left the two orbits lying flat. Something had to have later tipped them, though the team doesn't yet know what. This star system may reveal a rare way of forming planets.

The discovery took patience. TESS's first four years of data wouldn't have been enough to reliably catch the change. As the telescope keeps watching, the researchers expect to find more planets slipping in and out of sight.

"We think of the universe as resembling clockwork, where everything is regular," Yee said, "but that's not true."

The best early Black Friday iPad deals:

---

Best iPad deal

Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M4, WiFi, 128GB)

$649 (save $100)

Get Deal

---

Best budget iPad deal

Apple iPad (A16, WiFi, 128GB)

$399.99 (save $49.01)

Get Deal

---

Best iPad mini deal

Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro, WiFi, 128GB)

$569 (save $30)

Get Deal

Now that we're just a couple of weeks away from Black Friday, the savings are in full swing. So if you want to get your Christmas shopping done before the turkey is even in the oven — we've got you.

Since everything feels more expensive these days, shopping sales can help ease the pain. Apple products (including the iPad lineup) saw price increases this summer, in part thanks to RAMageddon, but some deals are making iPads more reasonable.

Comparing these early Black Friday deals to what we saw during October Prime Day helps us decide what's actually worth buying. We have the green light on the standard iPad with the A16 chip, which is sitting at about the same sale price we saw during Prime Day. But our favorite deal is on the iPad Air which is back down to its October Prime Day Price of $649.

For a full rundown of iPad prices, we've rounded up the devices' price history so you know exactly how current sale prices compare to previous lows.

As we get even closer to this sale, we'll keep this page updated if we see better price drops in iPads.

Best iPad deal

Opens in a new window

Credit: Apple

Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M4, WiFi, 128GB)

$649 at Amazon
$749 Save $100

 

Get Deal at Amazon

Why we like it

The very best deal on iPads to shop ahead of Black Friday is on the 11-inch iPad Air with M4. It's now down to $649, saving you $100 off of its $749 price tag. The iPad Air is the best iPad — and tablet — that you can buy. It's incredibly powerful for a tablet, with more computing power than many laptops.

$649 isn't technically the lowest price ever on the device. But given that iPad prices have increased so dramatically over the past year, these are still savings worth shopping for. That being said, we hope to see even bigger savings come Black Friday.

Best budget iPad deal

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Credit: Apple

Apple iPad (A16, WiFi, 128GB)

$399.99 at Amazon
$449 Save $49.01

 

Get Deal at Amazon

Why we like it

Mashable's favorite iPad for budget shoppers is the iPad with an A16 chip, which is on sale for $399.99, just $0.99 more than its October Prime Day price. Mashable Senior Shopping Reporter Samantha Mangino wrote, "It's great for someone who wants a portable screen for streaming, playing games, and reading." Given its lower price point, it's also a nice option for kids.

Best iPad mini deal

Opens in a new window

Credit: Apple

Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro, WiFi, 128GB)

$569 at Amazon
$599 Save $30

 

Get Deal at Amazon

Why we like it

Apple just announced the 8th Gen iPad mini with big upgrades, but if you're interested in an older (and less expensive) model, the iPad mini with the A17 Pro chip is already on sale. The 7th Gen iPad mini is a great option if you're looking for a versatile tablet that's great for streaming shows and catching up on emails. It's also the best iPad if you're looking for a model that'll double as an e-reader, thanks to its compact size.

It's worth mentioning we saw this model drop to $499 during October Prime Day, so you're better off waiting until Black Friday actually kicks off to shop.

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. You can also get the iPhone 18 Pro for free if you trade in an eligible phone in any condition on a T-Mix plan.

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Credit: Apple

T-Mobile: Apple iPhone 18 Pro for free

 

Shop Now

Black Friday deals don't actually drop on Black Friday. Instead, we get heaps of early deals throughout November and even earlier. That's good news for anyone who desperately needs a tech upgrade without wanting the stress of the main event.

Why wait when T-Mobile is offering a stunning early Black Friday iPhone deal? We've rounded up all the best Black Friday deals from T-Mobile, but the standout option is probably the free Apple iPhone 18 Pro.

For a limited time, you can get your hands on the Apple iPhone 18 Pro for free with T-Mobile. To qualify for this deal, you need to switch to T-Mobile and bring your number on a qualifying T-Mix plan. Alternatively, you can get the iPhone 18 Pro for free if you trade in an eligible phone in any condition on a T-Mix plan. It's that simple, folks.

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. You can't escape those charges, even with these "free" deals.

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

The best early Black Friday Nintedo Switch deals:

---

Best Nintendo console deal

Nintendo Switch 2

$469 (save $30)

Get Deal

---

Best Nintendo storage deal

SanDisk 512GB microSD Express Card

$159.99 (save $40)

Get Deal

---

Best Nintendo game deal

'Pokémon Legends: Z-A'

$50.99 (save $19)

Get Deal

---

Best Nintendo case deal

PowerA Slim Case for Nintendo Switch 2 (Pikachu Storm)

$17.49 (save $2.50)

Get Deal

We're still a couple of weeks away from Black Friday, but the deals aren't waiting. That's great news if you're a Nintendo fan or have a gamer on your holiday shopping list. From games to storage upgrades and accessories, we're already seeing sweet deals.

Some of the best Nintendo deals will likely arrive when Nintendo's Black Friday sale kicks off on Nov. 22. The company has announced $50 off the Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart World Bundle, bringing it to $499.99 through Dec. 5. Select physical games will also be $20 off MSRP from Nov. 22 to 29, including Donkey Kong Bananza, Kirby Air Riders, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, and Super Mario Party Jamboree.

Nintendo's digital sale starts earlier, on Nov. 19, and runs through Dec. 2, though individual game prices haven't been announced yet.

If you'd rather get your holiday shopping started now, we've compiled the top Nintendo and Nintendo Switch deals already live below. We'll keep updating this list as more Black Friday offers arrive.

Best Nintendo console deal

Opens in a new window

Credit: Nintedo

Nintendo Switch 2

$469 at Woot
$499 Save $30

 

Get Deal at Woot

Why we like it

While stock is tight on the new Zelda version of the Switch 2, you can snag the standard model already on sale before Black Friday. Head to Woot to get the Nintendo Switch 2 while it's in stock for $469. Amazon Prime members get free shipping with Woot, but keep in mind that Woot deals tend to sell out quickly, so don't wait on this one.

More Nintendo console deals

• Nintendo Switch (Renewed) — $199.99 $328.68 (save $128.69)

• Nintendo Switch OLED (Renewed) — $288 $389 (save $101)

• Nintendo Switch 2 System (Open Box) — $459.99 $499 (save $39.01)

Best Nintendo Switch 2 storage deal

Opens in a new window

Credit: SanDisk

SanDisk 512GB microSD Express Card

$159.99 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $40

 

Get Deal at Amazon

Why we like it

Load up on all the games before winter break with a memory upgrade from the SanDisk 512GB microSD Express Card. It's designed with write speeds up to 650 MB/s and read speeds up to 880 MB/s. The SanDisk microSD is officially licensed by Nintendo for the Switch 2, so you'll be good to go for all your gaming needs. With memory in short supply and prices rising, snag this deal before it expires.

More Nintendo Switch 2 storage deals

• Samsung P9 Express 256GB microSDXC card — $47.99 $79.99 (save $32)

• Samsung P9 Express 512GB microSDXC card — $99.99 $149.99 (save $50)

• SanDisk 512GB microSD Express card for Nintendo Switch 2 — $159.99 $199.99 (save $40)

• Lexar PLAY PRO 512GB microSD Express card — $165.87 $249.99 (save $84.12)

Best Nintendo game deal

Opens in a new window

Credit: Nintendo

'Pokémon Legends: Z-A'

$49.94 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $20.05

 

Get Deal at Amazon

Why we like it

If you already have a Switch 2 or you're looking for a great Christmas gift for a gamer, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is already on sale for under $50. Mashable Tech Reporter Alex Perry reviewed Pokémon Legends: Z-A and noted it's "enjoyably light and airy," which seems like the kind of game we need right now.

More Nintendo Switch 2 game deals

• Metroid Prime 4: Beyond — $46.45 $69.99 (save $23.54)

• Pokémon Legends: Z-A — $50.99 $69.99 (save $19)

• Mario Kart World (Switch 2, digital code) — $69.99 $79.99 (save $10)

• Pokémon Pokopia (Switch 2, digital code) — $62.99 $69.99 (save $7)

Best Nintendo Switch 2 accessory deal

Opens in a new window

Credit: PowerA

PowerA Slim Case for Nintendo Switch 2 (Pikachu Storm)

$17.49 at Best Buy
$19.99 Save $2.50

 

Get Deal at Best Buy

Why we like it

A Switch 2 is an expensive thing to leave loose in your bag. The PowerA Slim Case in Pikachu Storm is $17.49 at Best Buy, compared with its listed comparable value of $19.99. That’s $2.50 less — not a huge discount, but a reasonably priced way to protect your console. It has a molded interior with soft fabric lining, storage for up to 10 game cards, and a built-in stand for tabletop play. The stand also doubles as a padded screen protector when the console is packed away. Plus, having Pikachu on the front doesn't hurt.

Some people get in the mood for the holidays by decorating a tree, baking cookies, or venturing out to look at houses draped in thousands of string lights. Others just pop on a Christmas movie to get into the spirit. 

Whether you're planning a mega holiday movie marathon, yearning for an old classic, or trying to mix up your family movie night with something different this year, there's plenty to choose from. We've curated the very best Christmas movies you can stream or rent, from sentimental classics with a twist and cozy romantic comedies to emotional indie dramas and high-speed action thrillers.

25. The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996)

Credit: New Line / Kobal / Shutterstock

Yes, we can all agree that Die Hard is the GOAT Christmas action movie, but don't you dare sleep on The Long Kiss Goodnight. 

In Renny Harlin's action thriller, Geena Davis' Samantha is a wholesome small-town school teacher and mother who, eight years ago, woke up pregnant on a beach with no memory of who she was. In the present day, Samantha gets into a car accident that changes everything — she begins remembering things and discovers she has elite knife skills. Was she a chef, perhaps? That seems unlikely when a strange man who recognized her at a Christmas parade shows up at her house to attack her. She kills him with ease as if it's her day job. Turns out, it sure as heck was. 

Davis' PTA mom soon transforms back into her old badass self, a platinum blonde CIA assassin. This time, she has Samuel L. Jackson's private eye as her sidekick. With explosions and car chases galore, The Long Kiss Goodnight is everything you'd want from a delightfully bonkers holiday action movie. — Oliver Whitney, Freelance Contributor

How to watch: The Long Kiss Goodnight is available for rent or purchase on Apple TV, Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.

24. Home Alone (1990)

Credit: 20th Century Fox / Kobal / Shutterstock

Watching Macaulay Culkin's Kevin McCallister line his house with booby traps in Home Alone never gets old. It's also a great lesson for young kids left at home by their chaotic families in how to prepare for pesky burglars. Anything can be a weapon! Those old paint cans, your brother's pet tarantula, even a blow torch to burn the top off of a strange man's head can keep you safe. Home Alone has all the perfect ingredients to make a great, rewatchable Christmas movie with its wacky and playful plot, its charismatic cast, a sentimental message about the importance of family during the holidays, and some of the most quotable lines. Go eat some junk and watch some rubbish this Christmas. — O.W.

How to watch: Home Alone is now streaming on Disney+, and is available for rent or purchase on Apple TV, Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.

23. The Preacher's Wife (1996)

Credit: Touchstone / Kobal / Shutterstock

A cozy Christmas movie starring Whitney Houston and Denzel Washington — what could be better? In director Penny Marshall's The Preacher's Wife, a remake of 1947's The Bishop's Wife, Washington plays a charming angel sent down to Earth to help save a marriage in shambles. Houston's Julia is growing impatient with her pastor husband Henry (Courtney B. Vance), who's distracted by his dwindling church membership. Washington's jovial Dudley is just the spark that the family needs. His wit and doting attention remind Julia of what things used to be like with her and Henry, and the pastor grows jealous. But no worries; Dudley is just here to revitalize the pastor's faith and remind him of the important things he's let slip as Christmas approaches. The Preacher's Wife is warm and full of heart, and also features one of the silliest Denzel Washington performances that simply must be seen. — O.W.

How to watch: The Preacher's Wife is available for rent or purchase on Apple TV, Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.

22. Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)

Nothing says a Christmas classic like a Judy Garland song. In Meet Me in St. Louis, we get several memorable Garland numbers, from the classic “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” to the buoyant "Trolley Song." 

The 1944 Vincente Minnelli musical tells the story of the wealthy Smith family living in St. Louis, Missouri, one year before the 1904 World's Fair. All is well for them until the devastating news arrives that the family must relocate to New York City immediately after Christmas for their father's new job. The two eldest Smith daughters, Esther (Garland) and Rose (Lucille Bremer) are distraught, since they're both in love with local boys and have their futures planned near home. Even the youngest, Tootie (Margaret O'Brien), is so upset that she destroys a bunch of snowmen in a fit of rage. But maybe, just maybe, the spirit of Christmas will turn things around for them. — O.W.

How to watch: Meet Me in St. Louis is now streaming on Tubi, and is available for rent or purchase on Apple TV, Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.

21. Klaus (2019)

Credit: Netflix

The majority of family-friendly Christmas movies often tell the same types of holiday stories about Santa. But Sergio Pablos' Klaus proposes a new origin story for Old Saint Nick. In the animated adventure, it all begins with a Norwegian postman named Jasper (voiced by Jason Schwartzman) who's sent away to an icy northern town called Smeerensburg to carry out his mail delivery duties. There he happens to stumble upon a reclusive bearded toymaker named Klaus (J.K. Simmons). When Jasper helps Klaus donate one of his creations to a local kid, soon every kid in town is desperate to send the toymaker a letter to get a gift in return. And so, Santa is born. Pablos' animated film is a welcome addition to the Christmas movie canon, not only for its originality but also for its gorgeous animation that's glowing with light and Christmasy warmth. — O.W.

How to watch: Klaus is now streaming on Netflix.

20. Carol (2015)

We all need a sad gay romance to weep over during the holidays, and there isn't one better than Carol. Todd Haynes' 1950s-set love story follows Cate Blanchett as the eye-catching Carol Aird, a glamorous mother recently separated from her irate, homophobic husband (Kyle Chandler), and Rooney Mara's budding young photographer, Therese Belivet. The two women begin to fall in love over a shared lunch of martinis and a trip to Carol's Connecticut home. But remember, this is the '50s, and Carol's queer relationship is soon used against her in her divorce.

Set over the holidays in New York City, Carol beautifully captures the Christmastime atmosphere of the East Coast in winter. There's a snowy trip to a tree lot, the frazzled energy of a department store amid the holiday shopping bustle, long winter coats and scarves, and the cozy relief of escaping the icy streets for a warm holiday party where eyes meet over cocktails. — O.W.

How to watch: Carol is now streaming on Prime Video, and is available for rent or purchase on Apple TV and Fandango at Home.   

19. Tangerine (2015)

Credit: Augustas Quirk / Magnolia / Duplass Brothers Prods / Kobal / Shutterstock

It's Christmas Eve in Hollywood and Sin-Dee (Kitana Kiki Rodriguez), a Black trans woman and sex worker, has just gotten out of jail. She meets up with her best friend Alexandra (Mya Taylor) and soon finds out that her pimp/boyfriend Chester (James Ransone) has been cheating on her — and not with just anyone, but with a white cis woman. Now it's time for revenge.

Tangerine follows the two friends over the course of the night as they walk across Hollywood searching for Chester. A simple story blossoms into a profound and emotional journey that sheds light on the real-life experiences many Black trans sex workers encounter on the daily. When Sean Baker's film first came out, it was praised for its low-budget indie style, and for being shot entirely on iPhones. But it's really the story, rich with intimate human moments and bursts of comedy, along with Rodriguez and Taylor's raw performances, that makes Tangerine such a moving film, and one about the power of chosen family. — O.W.

How to watch: Tangerine is now streaming on Tubi and Fandango at Home, and is available for rent or purchase on Apple TV and Prime Video.

18. Go (1999)

Forget cozy holiday dinners and family trips to the tree lot. This Christmas, why not go to a rave? That's how the kids in the '90s cult classic Go decide to celebrate the holiday season.

It's the night of a massive Santa-themed rave in Los Angeles, and two guys are looking to score some ecstasy. Sarah Polley's supermarket clerk Ronna is faced with being evicted, so she decides to become a dealer for the night. Yet things go incredibly wrong, incredibly fast. There's undercover cops, a pissed-off Las Vegas bouncer, car chases, a guy who took way too many pills, and lots and lots of anxiety. 

Watching Go is the exact opposite experience of watching a traditional Christmas movie; instead, it feels a lot like being on a bad trip at a rave. Sounds awful, I know, but I swear it's a blast! If you're itching for some adrenaline, a great '90s cast, and a taste of L.A. rave culture, look no further. — O.W.

How to watch: Go is available for rent or purchase on Apple TV, Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.

17. The Holiday (2006)

Credit: Sony Pictures / Kobal / Shutterstock

Sometimes you're so depressed and heartbroken after a breakup that the best solution is to get the heck out of town and spontaneously travel to a stranger's home in another country. Maybe you'll find your deepest self there, or maybe you'll meet a charming, kind man for once. In Nancy Meyers' pre-AirBnB romcom The Holiday, that's just what Cameron Diaz's Amanda and Kate Winslet's Iris do. Iris swaps her cozy English cottage to spend Christmas in the Hollywood Hills, while Amanda takes a break from her movie trailer-editing job in L.A. to soak in some English countryside solitude. A sweet holiday rom-com with all the signature Nancy Meyers' touches (sappy romance, picturesque homes, cozy cream sweaters, etc.), The Holiday checks all the boxes. — O.W.

How to watch: The Holiday is available for rent or purchase on Apple TV, Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.

16. It's a Wonderful Life (1946) 

Credit: Rko / Kobal / Shutterstock

In this endlessly rewatchable Christmas staple, Jimmy Stewart is the most generous man in town who puts his dreams aside to help save his neighbors during a financial crisis. Stewart's George Bailey skips his honeymoon, uses his savings to help his community, and even turns down a cushy high-paying job to put others first. But when things go terribly wrong on Christmas Eve, Bailey reaches a breaking point and steps onto a bridge, preparing to jump. That's when his guardian angel, Clarence (Henry Travers), arrives to show him just how different his town and family's life would be without him.

Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life is an enduring Christmas classic because it's a reminder of just how precious life is and the impact we have on those around us, even when we can't see it ourselves. It's the type of Christmas film you put on to get into the holiday mood, then suddenly find yourself sobbing, even if you've seen it a dozen times. — O.W.

How to watch: It's A Wonderful Life is now streaming on Prime Video, and is available for rent or purchase on Apple TV and Fandango at Home.

15. Elf (2003)

Credit: Alan Markfield / New Line Prods / Kobal / Shutterstock

It's simply not Christmas without Will Ferrell, or a bowl of spaghetti and candy for breakfast. In Elf, Ferrell's Buddy spent his entire life growing up in the North Pole believing he was one of Santa's helpers, despite being enormously tall compared to all the others. Once he finally learns that he's an orphan, Buddy sets out to New York City to find his real father and embark on a series of silly misadventures. James Caan plays Buddy's father, Walter Hobbs, a hardened business exec who publishes children's books. The two are a perfect if chaotic pair — a goofy child-in-a-man's-body, and a grouchy, workaholic dad. For a playful family Christmas comedy that's got romance, humor, and big Manhattan-at-Christmas energy, you can't go wrong with Elf. — O.W.

How to watch: Elf is now streaming on HBO Max, and is available for rent or purchase on Apple TV, Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.

14. Phantom Thread (2017)

Credit: Moviestore / Shutterstock

If you're tapped out on sentimental Christmas movies, why not put on a seasonal period romance that's enjoyably cynical and even a bit kinky? Set in the 1950s, Paul Thomas Anderson's Phantom Thread is all about relationship power dynamics. A perfectionist London dressmaker named Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel Day-Lewis) falls for a waitress, Alma (an excellent Vicky Krieps). However, he soon discovers his new muse isn't as submissive as the usual women he casually dates and discards. After Reynolds experiences a bout of sickness, the couple's dynamic takes a fascinating turn. And while the holiday season is technically only present as a backdrop for a handful of scenes — notably some of the most emotionally charged of their romance — Phantom Thread has a wintry, even ghostly, Christmas atmosphere throughout. — O.W.

How to watch: Phantom Thread is now streaming on Netflix, and is available for rent or purchase on Apple TV, Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.

13. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

Credit: Jim Henson Productions / Kobal / Shutterstock

Imagine being a grumpy Scrooge when you're surrounded by a town full of silly Muppets. Michael Caine is as cantankerous as ever as Ebenezer Scrooge in The Muppet Christmas Carol. In the Jim Henson musical take on Dickens' classic, Caine humbugs around London as the townsfolk sing about his coldheartedness. Gonzo and Rizzo narrate the musical film, injecting it with humor and shenanigans throughout. Kermit plays Scrooge's benevolent employee Bob Cratchit, with Miss Piggy as Mrs. Cratchit and Robin the Frog as the adorable Tiny Tim. The whole Muppet gang appears throughout, and while the film follows the same beats of A Christmas Carol, the familiar cast of characters and added music make it an extra joyous watch. — O.W.

How to watch: The Muppet Christmas Carol is now streaming on Disney+, and is available for rent or purchase on Apple TV, Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.

12. Moonstruck (1987)

Some people watch A Christmas Story every December, while others put on Moonstruck. The romantic comedy may not be about Christmas, but in almost every scene it gives off big Christmas energy. There's Cher's Loretta walking through the snowy streets of New York City in a long black trench coat and sipping wine by a fireplace. There's the Lincoln Center tree lit up behind Loretta and Nic Cage's Ronny as they attend the opera. There's the twinkling of string lights and Christmas decor along the streets and shops in the backdrop. The energy of Christmas is all around in this movie as Loretta falls in love with the ill-tempered Ronny while his brother (her fiancé) is away in Sicily. While Moonstruck is a perfect movie to watch any day of the year, it's especially fitting to snuggle up with it during the holiday season. — O.W.

How to watch: Moonstruck is now streaming on Tubi and Pluto TV, and is available for rent or purchase on Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home.

11. Miracle on 34th Street (1994)

When you imagine a picturesque Santa Claus, jolly, endearing, and kind, no one fits the bill better than Richard Attenborough in Miracle on 34th Street. The beloved actor just looks the part, with his rosy cheeks, warm smile, and inviting demeanor. Sadly, no one in Manhattan except a 6-year-old girl named Susan actually believes he's Santa.

In the wholesome 1994 remake of the classic film from 1947, Attenborough plays a sweet old man named Kris Kringle who gets hired to play Santa at a Manhattan department store. Kris keeps insisting that he's actually the famous guy from the North Pole, but everyone in New York seems to have lost the spirit of Christmas so much that a plot is formed to institutionalize the poor guy. It's up to Susan (Mara Wilson) and a lawyer (Dylan McDermott) to defend Kris Kringle in court and prove that he's not just wearing a red and white suit for a seasonal gig. — O.W.

How to watch: Miracle on 34th Street is now streaming on Prime Video and Disney+, and is available for rent or purchase on Apple TV and Fandango at Home.

10. The Polar Express (2004)

Leave it to filmmaker Robert Zemeckis to bring the wonder of a children’s book to vivid life on screen. The Polar Express expands Chris Van Allsburg’s beloved Christmas story into a film about a young boy who boards a magical train on its way to the North Pole. Tom Hanks plays and voices a handful of roles, including the train's conductor, a Scrooge puppet, and Santa Claus himself. What’s most notable about The Polar Express is the visual world it creates, converting the quiet classicism and awe of the book’s illustrations into a CG world. Back in 2004, it was the first feature-length film to be shot entirely using motion-capture, and the first big studio IMAX 3D movie to ever hit screens. While those visuals have certainly not aged well with time, The Polar Express still manages to capture the magical spirit of Christmas viewed through the eyes of a child.* — O.W.

How to watch: The Polar Express is now streaming on HBO Max, and is available for rent or purchase on Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home.

9. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

In this charming sequel to the smash hit Home Alone, Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) winds up in the Big Apple without his family. But fret not, this clever kid is quick to make friends with an unhoused pigeon lover and a kindly toy store owner. He makes enemies too, including Tim Curry as a dastardly hotel concierge. And of course, the Wet Bandits (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) are back and up to criminal shenanigans once more!

For my money, this sequel is even better than its predecessor. Kevin has more foes to outwit, more outlandish traps to set, and there's no beating New York in winter. It's a beautiful and moving movie that's terrific fun for the whole family. — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

How to watch: Home Alone 2: Lost in New York is now streaming on Disney+, and is available for rent or purchase on Apple TV, Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.

8. Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

Credit: Ron Batzdorff / Imagine Ent / Kobal / Shutterstock

Director Ron Howard dared to imagine how Dr. Seuss' iconic holiday humbug might look in live-action. And who better to take on the role of such an iconically comical character than rubber-faced movie star Jim Carrey? While down in Whoville, cheery citizens plan for gift-giving, celebrations, and feasts, high above them in his cave the green-furred and self-loathing Grinch plots a plan to ruin Christmas. Among the more bizarre elements of this adaptation was a schmaltzy backstory that explained the Grinch's hatred of Christmas and facial prosthetics that turned the likes of Christine Baranski, Molly Shannon, and Jeffrey Tambor into Whos. Yet over the decades, these quirks have been embraced by a generation that sees Carrey's capering as the ultimate Grinch. — K.P.

How to watch: Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas is now streaming on Peacock, and is available for rent or purchase on Apple TV, Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.

7. Love Actually (2003)

Credit: Moviestore / Shutterstock

Perhaps the most polarizing movie of the holiday season, Love Actually is a collection of interlocking vignettes all about — well — love. There's the story of the timid prime minister (Hugh Grant) who falls for a sassy staff member (Martine McCutcheon), the story of the widower (Liam Neeson) guiding his stepson through puppy love, the shy American (Laura Linney) with a crush on her office mate (Rodrigo Santoro), and Alan Rickman playing his most villainous holiday role as the heartbreaker of Emma Thompson. (I too have seen Die Hard. I said what I said.)

Written and directed by Richard Curtis, Love Actually is both wildly popular and widely derided for some of its quirks. But the awesome star power and unapologetically joyful love stories keep us coming back year after year. — K.P.

How to watch: Love Actually is now streaming on Netflix and Peacock, and is available for rent or purchase on Apple TV, Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.

6. The Santa Clause (1994)

Credit: Disney / Kobal / Shutterstock

Ah yes, the classic '90s movie where Tim Allen accidentally kills Santa. In The Santa Clause, the first of what would soon become a trilogy, Allen’s Scott is a divorced marketing exec who doesn’t believe in Santa. After Scott spooks the old guy mid-present delivery, Santa tumbles off the roof to his death. Dark! When Scott puts on the magical suit to please his young son Charlie (Eric Lloyd), he becomes bound by the holy North Pole contract stipulating that he now must carry the mantle as the new Saint Nick. He isn’t exactly up for the job and ends up being a pretty grouchy Santa, not to mention a lactose-intolerant one, much to the disappointment of one little girl expecting him to drink his customary glass of milk. Despite some icky fatphobic jokes over Scott’s Santa weight gain, The Santa Clause is a delightfully strange and charming family movie with a clever story and some signature sardonic Tim Allen humor.* — O.W.

How to watch: The Santa Clause is now streaming on Disney+, and is available for rent or purchase on Apple TV, Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.

5. Die Hard (1988)

Forget fresh baked cookies and decorating the tree. The one true way to tap into the Christmas spirit each year is watching Bruce Willis climb elevator shafts and run barefoot through broken glass. 

It’s Dec. 24, 1988, and NYPD detective John McClane (Willis) has just arrived at the Nakatomi Corporation Christmas party to reconnect with his estranged wife (Bonnie Bedelia) — ya know, to come out to the coast and have a few laughs. Unfortunately (or rather, fortunately for our viewing pleasure) Alan Rickman’s Hans Gruber has decided to crash the party with his long-haired German henchmen to steal some bearer bonds. “It’s Christmas, Theo,” Hans tells his safecracker. “A time for miracles!” Too bad for him this Christmas miracle arrives in a bloody tank top and sporting a cranky disposition; McClane won’t let these thieves get away easily.* — O.W.

How to watch: Die Hard is now streaming on Disney+ and Prime Video, and is available for rent or purchase on Apple TV and Fandango at Home.

4. Batman Returns (1992)

Credit: Zade Rosenthal / Warner Bros / DC Comics / Kobal / Shutterstock

Leave it up to Tim Burton to inject a brooding darkness into the holiday season. After Edward Scissorhands but before The Nightmare Before Christmas, Burton gave us Batman Returns. And yes, it is indeed a Christmas movie.

First of all, it's a Batman film where Gotham City actually looks and feels festive and colorful for the first time. Burton's extravagant sets are filled with towering Christmas trees blanketed in string lights and ornaments; there's the tree-lighting ceremony where the Red Triangle Circus Gang jump out of a massive gift box; there's the penguin army strapped with candy cane-striped rockets; and, of course, there's the fact that mistletoe plays an important role in the plot.* — O.W.

How to watch: Batman Returns is now streaming on HBO Max, and is available for rent or purchase on Apple TV and Prime Video.

3. A Christmas Story (1983)

Credit: Mgm / UA / Kobal / Shutterstock

Every kid remembers that one toy they desperately wanted more than anything else for Christmas. It dominates every moment of your young life as you plead for it and shake presents to guess at what's inside. For 9-year-old Ralphie (Peter Billingsley), that Christmas gift fixation is a BB gun. Unfortunately, everyone from his mom to the local department store's grumpy Santa rejects his wish by looking out for his safety. “You'll shoot your eye out!” they shout.

A Christmas Story is in many ways the perfect movie to watch on Christmas Day. It's warm and nostalgic, wacky and playful, and accurately captures a child's view of Christmas. Plus, it's one of a kind — no other holiday movie features a leg lamp, tongues stuck on a frozen pole, and elves shoving screaming children down a giant slide.* — O.W.

How to watch: A Christmas Story is streaming on HBO Max, and is available for rent or purchase on Apple TV, Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.

2. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)

The third installment in the National Lampoon’s Vacation series opens with the only Griswold family vacation in the film: a trip to a forest where Clark (Chevy Chase) gleefully drags his family out into the snow to cut down their own Christmas tree. From there, many classic Griswold hijinks ensue as Clark goes out of his way to plan the most over-the-top Christmas of all time. That includes decking out his roof in hundreds of string lights to the point of knocking out the entire city’s power grid, the unexpected arrival of his wife’s cousin and her cigar-smoking husband (Randy Quaid), an indoor squirrel attack, a cat wrapped inside a gift box, a very pissed-off Julia Louis-Dreyfus as his snooty neighbor, a SWAT team storming the house, and so much more. It's total Christmas chaos, Griswold style.* — O.W.

How to watch: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is streaming on HBO Max, and is available for rent or purchase on Apple TV, Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.

1. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Credit: Touchstone / Kobal / Shutterstock

Tim Burton and director Henry Selick’s stop-motion masterwork isn’t a Halloween or a Christmas movie: It’s a spectacular fusion of both in the best of ways. The Nightmare Before Christmas is the perfect film for those who prefer their yuletide delights to come with a side dish of spookiness — and songs. Sick of movies where kids greedily open presents? Great, please enjoy a giant black and orange snake gobbling up gifts whole, along with the entire dang Christmas tree. Family comedies where a jolly old Santa rides his magical sleigh — yawn! How about one where Santa gets kidnapped and a kid gets a shrunken head for a gift? That’s exactly what happens when Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, loses his, well, joie de mort. Wandering sadly through the woods, Jack stumbles into a series of parallel worlds, each dedicated to a different holiday. When he lands in Christmas Town, his bony little mind is blown, and he dedicates himself to learning everything he can about this warm and magical place, and its strange leader named Sandy Claws. There's mischief and romance, a mad scientist and a singing boogeyman, not to mention a voice cast that includes Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara, and the late, great Paul Reubens.

Brilliant in everything from its stunning animation and clever story to its detailed world-building and endlessly catchy music, there’s nothing quite like the haunting magic and whimsy of The Nightmare Before Christmas.* — O.W.

How to watch: The Nightmare Before Christmas is streaming on Disney+, and is available for rent or purchase on Apple TV, Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.

UPDATE: Nov. 13, 2026, 1:29 p.m. EST This list was first published on Nov. 28, 2024. It has been updated to reflect current streaming options.

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Black Friday has come earlier than ever this year. We have great options if you're shopping for outdoor gear, kitchen upgrades, and the best toys of the year. Black Friday creeping earlier and earlier isn't such a bad thing. That simply gives us shoppers more time to find the perfect gift at the best price.

Samsung's lineup of TVs, gaming monitors, phones, and internal storage are all seeing nice discounts. Shopping these early deals means you'll be in great shape for streaming new fall shows, playing upcoming game releases, and keeping family entertained during their holiday visits.

We've collected the best Samsung deals below if you're ready to get holiday shopping off your to-do list.

Best Samsung TV deal

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Credit: Samsung

Samsung 65-Inch Class S85H Series OLED 4K TV

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Since winter is hibernation season, it's important to go in with plenty of entertainment options. You have your streaming services all set up and gaming options on hand, but if your TV isn't up to the task, the entertainment can suffer. Before the holidays begin, upgrade to the 65-inch Samsung Class S85H Series OLED 4K TV. The OLED display is perfect for clarity and crisp images, whether that's Christmas movies or playing the new GTA 6.

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Without going wild on price or size, the 27-inch Samsung Odyssey OLED G5 gaming monitor is the perfect winter upgrade. Refresh rate reaches 180Hz and response time measures 0.03ms for a smooth gaming experience. Plus, it'll be a great additional monitor for working from home during the holidays.

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There's a whole lot to like about the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. Features include a built-in privacy display that automatically hides your screen from nearby people, Galaxy AI features that help with photo editing, and Nightography, which is designed to improve photos and videos taken in low light. There's also a wider front camera for group selfies, an upgraded processor, and support for faster charging.

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This Samsung SSD is designed for gaming, video editing, and other demanding tasks. It offers read speeds of up to 7,450 MB/s and write speeds of up to 6,900 MB/s, helping reduce loading times and speed up file transfers. It's available in capacities from 1TB to 4TB, all of which are currently reduced at Amazon.

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TV prices tend to follow a seasonal cycle, where each major sale outshines the previous one. In other words, while October Prime Day brought us plenty of excellent TV deals, we expect Black Friday to deliver even better ones.

The official Black Friday sales event is only a couple of weeks away. The best of the best discounts are yet to come. Still, if your TV has taken its last breath and you can't wait until the day after Thanksgiving to grab a new one, there are plenty of TVs already on sale at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. Our favorite OLED TV of 2026 is down to a record low, and we're seeing smaller budget picks clocking in at fantastic prices.

Our tech experts will be closely monitoring TV prices throughout Black Friday to find the best deals from top brands like TCL, Samsung, Hisense, Amazon Fire TV, LG, and beyond. Stay tuned as the shopping season heats up.

Need some guidance? Check out Mashable's guide to TV specs for a quick refresh on the difference between QLED, OLED, Mini LED, and RGB displays.

Best early Black Friday TV deal

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Credit: LG

LG 65-inch C6 OLED 4K TV

$1,399.99 at Amazon
$2,699.99 Save $1,300.00

 

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Why we like it

Our favorite OLED TV for most people just keeps getting cheaper. We saw the 65-inch LG C6 OLED TV drop to just $1,499.99 from $2,699.99 during Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days event, but now it's $100 less as we inch closer to Black Friday. Both Amazon and Best Buy have the same deal, so if one sells out, be sure to check the other.

OLED TVs are expensive, but the C6 is relatively affordable compared to competitors' prices. Thanks to this $1,300 price drop, it's an even more outstanding value. Mashable TV expert Leah Stodart raved about its inky black levels, stark contrast, and "generally impeccable image quality" in our roundup of the best TVs of 2026. It's also worth noting that it has even higher peak brightness, more vibrant colors, better audio, and a higher refresh rate than its predecessor.

Best early Black Friday budget TV deal

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Credit: Best Buy

TCL 40-inch Q3CR QLED TV

$149.99 at Best Buy
$299.99 Save $150

 

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Why we like it

A 40-inch QLED TV for this price is an absolute steal, especially if you're looking to outfit one or more of your rooms with another display. TCL’s Q3CR Series pairs a quantum-dot panel with a direct-lit backlight, so colors come through saturated, with Full HD resolution that's plenty sharp at 40 inches. Plus, its built-in Roku streaming functionality means you can toss the streaming stick and use just the TV to watch all your favorite shows and movies, hassle-free.

More early Black Friday TV deals

Under 50-inch TV deals

• onn. 32-inch HD TV — $68 $88 (save $20)

• Samsung 43-inch M70H Mini-LED 4K TV — $247.99 $349.99 (save $102)

• LG 43-inch 75B Mini-LED 4K TV — $279.99 $499.99 (save $220)

• LG 48-inch B6 OLED 4K TV — $599.99 $1,199.99 (save $600)

• Samsung 48-inch S85H OLED 4K TV — $799.99 $1,199.99 (save $400)

50- to 55-inch TV deals

• Insignia 50-inch F50 4K TV — $179.99 $299.99 (save $120)

• Hisense 55-inch E6 Hi-QLED 4K TV — $296.96 $429.99 (save $133.03)

• Samsung 55-inch M70H Mini-LED 4k TV — $299.99 $449.99 (save $150)

• Roku 55-Inch Plus Series 4K QLED MiniLED TV — $329.99 $379.99 (save $50)

• Hisense 50-inch E7 Mini-LED Hi-QLED 4K TV — $397.96 $699.99 (save $302.03)

• LG 55-inch B6E OLED 4K TV — $699.99 $1,399.99 (save $700)

• LG 55-inch C6 OLED 4K TV — $999.99 $1,999.99 (save $1,000)

• Samsung 55-inch R85H RGB 4K TV — $999.99 $1,599.99 (save $600)

65-inch TV deals

• Samsung 65-Inch M70H Mini LED 4K TV — $377.99 $427.99 (save $50)

• Samsung 65-inch S85H OLED 4K TV — $899.99 $1,999.99 (save $1,100)

• Samsung 65-inch R84H Micro RGB 4K TV — $899.99 $2,099.99 (save $1,200)

• Toshiba 65-inch G700 ArtVision QLED 4K TV — $997.96 $1,999.99 (save $1,002.03)

• LG C6 Series OLED 4K TV — $1,399.99 $2,699.99 (save $1,300)

• Samsung 65-inch The Frame Pro LS03HW QLED 4K TV — $1,497.99 $1,999.99 (save $502)

• Samsung 65-inch R95H RGB 4K TV — $2,499.99 $3,199.99 (save $700)

70 to 75-inch TV deals

• Samsung 75-inch M70H Mini-LED 4K TV — $497.99 $729.99 (save $232)

• Toshiba 75-inch Z670 Mini-LED 4K TV — $798.99 $1,299.99 (save $501)

• TCL 75-inch QM8L SQD-Mini-LED QLED 4K TV — $1,397.99 $2,999.99 (save $1,602)

80- to 85-inch TV deals

• LG 85-inch NU700B 4K TV — $699.99 $849.99 (save $150)

• Hisense 85-inch U6 Pro Series Mini‑LED ULED 4K TV — $997.99 $1,999.99 (save $1,002)

• Hisense 85-inch Hi-QLED 4K S7 CanvasTV — $1,797.96 $3,999.99 (save $2,202.03)

• TCL 85-inch QM8L SQD-Mini-LED QLED 4K TV — $2,297.99 $3,999.99 (save $1,702)

Over 85-inch TV deals

• Hisense 100-inch U7 Mini-LED QLED 4K TV — $2,499.99 $4,499.99 (save $2,000)

The best early Black Friday deals from Sam's Club:

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Best kitchen deal

Ninja Crispi 5-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer Cooking System

$119.98 (save $40)

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Best home deal

Dyson V8 Cyclone Cordless Vacuum

$249 (save $150)

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Best TV deal

Samsung 55-inch Class M70H Series Mini LED 4K TV

$297.99 (save $50)

Get Deal

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Best laptop deal

HP 17.3-inch FHD Laptop

$599 (save $300)

Get Deal

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Best appliance deal

LG Top Load Washer With Agitator

$615 (Save $330)

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The holiday shopping rush has kicked off ahead of schedule now that the Sam’s Club Black Friday 2026 ads are online. The warehouse club is rolling out its discounts across three distinct waves throughout November: following its Nov. 6-8 Weekend Doorbusters, the pre-Black Friday ad runs Nov. 15–25, and the main Black Friday sale launches online on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 26) and runs through Nov. 29.

But you don't have to wait until Black Friday to get rolling, because Sam’s Club already has member markdowns live. Right now, you can grab a portable Ninja Crispi air fryer bundle for $119.98 ($40 off), a Dyson V8 cordless vacuum for $249 ($150 off), or a 16-inch HP OmniBook 3 laptop slashed by $300 down to $599.

To get in on what's live, you will need an active Sam's Club membership, which costs $50 per year for standard Club access or $110 for Plus (which gives you early online access to doorbusters). Physical warehouse clubs stay closed on Thanksgiving Day, but the discounts launch online that morning before doors open at 8 a.m. for members on Black Friday.

Best kitchen deal

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Credit: Ninja

Ninja Crispi 5-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer Cooking System

$119.98 at Sam's Club
$159.98 Save $40.00

 

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Why we like it

The Ninja Crispi 5-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer Cooking System replaces bulky countertop appliances with a 1,500-watt heating pod that snaps straight onto glass containers, letting you cook, serve, and store leftovers in the same dish. A four-button control panel handles Air Fry, Max Crisp, Bake, Recrisp, and Keep Warm modes, while heat-safe feet let you set it directly on granite, quartz, or butcher block counters without scorching the surface.

More kitchen deals

• Bella Stir XL 6.0-Quart Stand Mixer with Spatula — $99 $129 (save $30)

• KitchenAid 7-Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer with Stainless Steel Bowl — $329 $429 (save $100)

• Ninja Luxe Café Premier 3-in-1 Espresso, Drip Coffee, and Cold Brew Maker — $449 $549 (save $100)

Best home deal

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Credit: Dyson

Dyson V8 Cyclone Cordless Vacuum

$249 at Sam's Club
$399 Save $150

 

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Why we like it

The Dyson V8 Cyclone Cordless Vacuum gives you up to 60 minutes of fade-free suction per charge and replaces a finger-straining trigger with a simple power button for continuous cleaning. Its Motorbar cleaner head automatically clears wrapped pet and long hair as you go, while whole-machine filtration traps 99.99 percent of fine dust down to 0.3 microns. With one click, it converts into a lightweight handheld vacuum for stairs or car seats and includes three attachments — including an anti-tangle hair screw tool — plus a removable battery.

More home deals

• Member's Mark 11-Piece Modern Ceramic Cookware Set — $179.98 $199 (save $19.02)

• Cuisinart 14-in-1 Space-Saving Digital Air Fryer Oven with 2-in-1 9"x13" Pan — $119 $139.77 (save $20.77)

Best TV deal

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Credit: Samsung

Samsung 55-inch Class M70H Series Mini LED 4K TV

$297.99 at Sam's Club
$347.99 Save $50

 

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Why we like it

The Samsung Mini LED 4K smart TV is a standout pick for anyone wanting high-end picture clarity without paying premium OLED prices. It pairs Mini LED precision with a billion shades of color to punch out bright highlights and deep, inky blacks, while Motion Xcelerator keeps fast-paced sports and gaming silky smooth. You also get hundreds of free streaming channels out of the box with Samsung TV Plus, plus a three-year manufacturer's warranty for extra peace of mind.

More TV deals

• Samsung 65-inch Class QN70H Series Neo Mini LED 4K TV — $797.99 $1,097.99 (save $300)

• TCL 98-inch Class Q6 Series QLED Smart TV — $1,297.99 $1,598 (save $300.01)

Best laptop deal

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Credit: HP

HP OmniBook 3 16-inch AI PC

$599 at Sam's Club
$899 Save $300

 

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Why we like it

The HP OmniBook 3 offers a roomy 16-inch touchscreen with a taller 16:10 aspect ratio, so you can see more of your documents and web pages without constant scrolling. It runs on an Intel Core Ultra 5 processor with 8GB of memory and a 512GB solid-state drive, giving you plenty of speed and all-day battery life for everyday work, streaming, and video calls. It also includes a full number pad for spreadsheets, a physical camera shutter and mic mute key for quick privacy, and a two-year HP Care Pack with accidental damage protection.

More laptop deals

• HP 15.6-inch FHD Touch Laptop (8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $499 $549 (save $50)

• Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15.6-inch FHD Touch Laptop — $549 $749 (save $200)

• HP OmniBook 3 17.3-inch FHD AI PC — $649 $999 (save $350)

Best appliance deal

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Credit: LG

LG 4.1 cu. ft. Top Load Washer With Agitator

$615 at Sam's Club
$945 Save $330

 

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Why we like it

The LG 4.1 cu. ft. Top Load Washer with Agitator tackles laundry day without a fuss, offering a spacious drum built for bulky bedding and oversized family loads. Its smart four-way wash action and 6Motion technology work together to shift clothes up, down, and side to side, blasting away stubborn dirt while keeping fabrics from getting beat up. Because the direct-drive motor spins independently of the tub mechanism, you get a thorough, powerful cycle that stays remarkably quiet, making it an easy pick for reliable everyday cleaning.

More home appliance deals

• Samsung 4.4 cu. ft. Top Load Washer with ActiveWave Agitator — $525 $760 (save $235)

• Samsung 7.4 cu. ft. Electric Dryer with Sensor Dry — $595 $895 (save $300)

I got married recently, and — being a professional writer for years now — one of the tasks I looked forward to the most was writing my vows. My wife is also a writer, and I was even more excited to hear hers. 

I wrote my vows on my own, and it never occurred to me to do them any other way. "Handwritten," in 2026, takes on a new connotation: without AI, instead of written by hand. And I did "handwrite" my vows in both senses, first in my Notes app and then in a booklet my wife gifted me for the ceremony.

But some people don't feel the same. Like flirting with a potential partner, fighting once they're together, and wedding planning with AI, some betrothed people turn to LLMs to assist in writing their vows. Across social media, people talk about using AI platforms to write important messages. Seemingly, there are just as many people expressing disdain for the practice.

Chat, generate vows. Make no mistakes.

Bridal expert and founder of The Weddit, Catherine Geewax, has started noticing LLM-use in wedding speeches, while friends have heard it in vows. (The Weddit is a marketplace for everything but "the" dress — aka outfits for bridal showers, bachelorettes, rehearsal dinners, and the like.)

"Most wedding speeches, you can kind of tell, especially if you know the person, you know how that person speaks, you know their vernacular," she told Mashable. But since ChatGPT entered the mainstream, she's noticed that the structure of many wedding speeches sounds the same and feels less personal. And personality is her favorite part of wedding speeches.

Geewax's heard fewer "little tidbits and stories of some funny thing they always do on a Saturday afternoon," she said. "It started to just seem like it could apply to any couple or any best man or maid of honor." She theorized that ChatGPT — or whatever LLM people might be using — is pulling from the same sources and spitting out similar speeches. (At the behest of my editor, I asked ChatGPT to "give me sources for good wedding vows." It cited articles with tips for writing vows, as well as lists including actual vows, from sites like The Knot and Vogue. I then asked what writers to take inspiration from; the top three were Pablo Neruda, Mary Oliver, and Rainer Maria Rilke.)

Even when she was writing her first speech since the dawn of LLMs, Geewax remembers thinking to herself, "Do not use AI. No matter how stuck you feel, no matter how stressed, lazy, like, because of the timeline, do not do it." She did use ChatGPT to help keep her succinct, though. She had a strict three minutes and instructed the platform to keep it short without changing her voice or removing stories.

But this could be a reason to use AI, Los Angeles-based sex and couples therapist Ilana Grines told Mashable.

"Using AI to help you organize your thoughts? Awesome. Using AI to help shape the words in ways that genuinely help you feel like it represents the relationship? Cool," she said. As long as you're injecting the emotional texture of your relationship — the romantic, memorable things that you want to say to your partner.

AI lowers the pressure for people and gives them a starting point, Grines continued. "But don't outsource it for the feelings, right?" 

So why do AI vows seem so…icky?

My visceral reaction to using an LLM to generate vows is to recoil. I'm not the only one. A quick search on Reddit found that a man's wife allegedly walked out after discovering he did just that. Another post asked how users feel about people using AI to write their vows was met with comments like, "That they don't really care enough about the person to actually write how they feel."

Grines takes a neutral stance on this issue, but said, "Talking about your feelings, that's something that's genuinely ours, and that's not something LLMs can recreate.

"LLMs do such a great job at weaving together words, but they can't illustrate the feelings that have catapulted the couple towards getting married."

We as a society have a difficult time expressing emotions — and it seems that we're moving further away from being able to access them, Grines continued, "because the reliance and outsourcing is unbelievably easy, and it's such a frictionless experience."

This apparent seamlessness may feel good in the moment, but some experts believe that more friction leads to more happiness and fulfillment. And when we use AI to solve our problems, it might lead to cognitive atrophy.  

But if you're upset with your partner for AI-generating their love letter to you, it's probably not because you're worried about their brain dulling. Grines also asked about what meaning we'd make out of our partner using an LLM for this purpose. It might signal a lack of reflection or investment. 

Vow-writing is supposed to be difficult, not something to hand over to a bot. But delegating such a challenging task isn't exactly new. Grines pointed out that, pre-AI, people still outsourced their vows, just in different ways: paid other people to write their vows, lifted them from movies, etc. So while the method is novel, the desire to eliminate friction isn't. 

Ultimately, a speech or vow isn't about impressing anybody with "good" writing. It's about expressing love. And, sure, you can use AI to trim, or to find redundancies, but — like someone you're paying to jot down some sappy words — it can't replicate how you feel.

Tips for "handwriting" speeches and vows

Everyone has their own process for writing speeches, especially when they're this personal. For Geewax, when she's a part of a friend's wedding, she stores memories like any letter, note, card, or photo that friends have given her, and she usually starts by going through those. One friend she spoke to looked through old Facebook messages and album posts for inspiration. 

"Start writing down the top memories, big and small, and go down memory lane," she advised. Based on what she's collecting, she'll figure out the tone of the speech; she won't force a certain tone if it doesn't fit the relationship. 

And, in the case of a speech, when bringing in the spouse, you may not know them as well, but you can think about how you met them and memories your loved one told you about them. 

Then, she writes about the qualities of her friend getting married. Not just "nice" or "intelligent," but specific ones. And she starts writing with a memory and lets it flow from there. She ties her words about the couple together with a memory of the three of them, and then closes the speech. While this is for a bridesmaid speech, you can make your own twist when writing vows.

If you have a hard time writing, that is not a reflection of how deeply you love someone, Grines said. But if you're expressing yourself to your new spouse — whether in private or in front of your wedding guests — that emotional substance should come from you, not ChatGPT.

Want our dating and relationships stories and more in your inbox? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

NASA's Voyager 1 will push so far from home next week that light, the fastest thing in the universe, will need a full day to reach it.

That span stretches about 16.1 billion miles in space. Set out on foot at a brisk 3 mph, and you'd need roughly 612,000 years to walk it. If you were to try to finish that course today, for example, you'd have had to start during the Middle Pleistocene, a stretch of the Ice Age more than half a million years ago.

But numbers that big tend to whizz right past the brain. So let's try to wrestle this one down.

Since launching in 1977, Voyager 1 has buzzed past Jupiter and Saturn, snapped the famous "Pale Blue Dot" portrait of Earth and, in 2012, slipped into interstellar space, the empty stretch between the stars. At 5:16 a.m. ET Wednesday, Nov. 18, the robotic probe will add another record by reaching one light-day from Earth, or 16,094,799,096 miles. No human-made object has ever gone that far. Light makes the trip in 24 hours. Voyager 1, cruising at nearly 38,000 mph, took more than 49 years.

First, a quick speed check: Light zips through space at about 186,000 miles every second. All electromagnetic radiation moves at that speed. That's the family of energy waves that includes visible light, radio waves, microwaves, X-rays, gamma rays, and infrared. 

At that pace, sunlight takes about 8 minutes and 20 seconds to cover the 93 million miles to Earth, so that means the sun sits about 8.3 light-minutes away. 

Hit the road (for a very long time)

Think a plane would help? A jet cruising at 550 mph would need about 3,340 years and a bottomless tank of fuel to fly one light-day. A flight landing today would have taken off around 1315 B.C., when King Tutankhamun ruled ancient Egypt.

Driving would obviously stretch the trip. If you had infinite highway laying in front of you, and you set your cruise control at 65 mph, your ride would last about 28,250 years — and that's not accounting for pit stops and fillups. You'd have started your engine during the last ice age.

A sniper's bullet wouldn't make the journey short. If one left the muzzle at about 2,237 mph, it would need 821 years to cross one light-day. A bullet arriving today would have been shot around 1205, near the founding of the Mongol Empire.

Going the cosmic distance

Start close to home. Earth's equator runs 24,901 miles around the globe, so a single light-day could circle the planet about 646,340 times to match the distance.

Now aim farther out. Pluto orbits an average of about 3.67 billion miles from the sun, so sunlight needs roughly 5.5 hours to reach it. A light-day keeps going more than four times farther than everyone's favorite dwarf planet.

NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft, is headed toward the star AC +79 3888, aka Gliese 445. Credit: Caltech / Palomar

Then try holding a conversation across that gap. Radio signals travel at the speed of light, so a long distance means a long wait. Picture a transmitter parked one light-day from Earth. Send it a message at 9 a.m. Monday, and it won't arrive until 9 a.m. Tuesday. Its reply lands back on Earth at 9 a.m. Wednesday. Every back-and-forth takes two full days. Starting Nov. 18, Voyager 1's team will deal with that same lag — although the spacecraft never stays still. Send a message, and while it's traveling, the target will continue bolting farther away.

Still just a baby step

For all that, a light-day barely registers in the space between stars. Astronomers use the light-year, how far light travels in a year, to measure those gaps. One light-year is about 5.88 trillion miles.

Proxima Centauri, the closest star beyond the sun, sits about 4.24 light-years away, or about 24.95 trillion miles. That's roughly 1,550 light-days, meaning one light-day covers less than 0.07% of the trip. Andromeda, the closest big galaxy to our Milky Way, lies about 2.5 million light-years out.

Where Voyager goes next

Voyager 1 is heading toward a dim star called Gliese 445, also known as AC +79 3888. It sits more than 17 light-years away in the constellation Ursa Minor, which includes the Little Dipper. Even at nearly 38,000 mph, Voyager 1 will need about 40,000 years to pass within about 1.7 light-years of it.

Its twin, Voyager 2, launched the same year but took a different route to visit Uranus and Neptune. Mission leaders say it'll reach its own light-day milestone in November 2035.

Want more science and tech news delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter today.

TL;DR: Get a lifetime license for Microsoft Office Professional 2021 on one Windows PC for $24.97 (reg. $219.99) with code DEAL20.

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Credit: Microsoft

Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License

$24.97
$219.99 Save $195.02

 

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Another software subscription might be the last thing you want on your monthly bill. If you’d rather pay once for the desktop apps you already know, Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows is on sale for $34.99, but you can get it for $24.97 when you use coupon code DEAL20 at checkout. That’s $195 off the regular $219.99 price.

The suite includes Word for documents, Excel for spreadsheets, PowerPoint for presentations, Outlook for email, OneNote for notes, and Access for database work. Instead of working in a browser, you install the apps directly on a Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC. Once installed and activated, you can use them offline, so an internet connection isn’t required every time you need to open a document or update a spreadsheet. That can be useful when you’re traveling, working somewhere without reliable Wi-Fi, or simply prefer keeping your files and applications on your own computer.

This is a one-time purchase, not Microsoft 365, so there’s no monthly or annual fee. The license is tied to your device rather than a Microsoft account, and it doesn’t include OneDrive cloud storage or Copilot. Office 2021 also reached Microsoft’s end of support on October 13, 2026, meaning it no longer receives security updates, bug fixes, or new features.

This deal is a great fit for those who want familiar desktop software for personal projects, schoolwork, or everyday tasks on a single Windows computer.

Get Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for $24.97 with code DEAL20 at checkout. The offer ends November 15 at 11:59 p.m. PT, and you’ll need to redeem your license code within seven days of purchase.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Did somebody order a miracle?

Well, in the Season 1 finale of Netflix's The Body, that's exactly what you get. That's because, after seven episodes spent in a deep coma following the Halloween party from hell, St. Mark's Catholic High School student Grace (Sofia Wylie) finally wakes up. When she does, she has one bombshell to drop: "I'm God."

Those two words fan the flames of the religious fervor that's been building around Grace and her supposed miracles, and the season ends with a horde of people laying hands on her while she smiles up at her ceiling. But what is the truth behind Grace's miraculous recovery, and what will happen now that she's awake? Let's dive in.

Are Grace's miracles in The Body real?

Nnamdi Asomugha and Sofia Wylie in "The Body." Credit: Netflix

Throughout The Body, the series has constantly asked viewers whether they're skeptics or true believers. Did Grace fall into a coma because of a bad reaction to ecstasy, or did the St. Mark's Lions dance team truly sacrifice her soul to the Devil to secure a win at Regionals? Has Grace been performing saintly miracles, or have all the strange goings-on in her community merely been coincidences (or something darker)?

The Body has threaded the needle skillfully enough that you could make arguments for both sides. Yes, Grace's blood tests came back clean, suggesting some unknown, perhaps even supernatural, reason for her coma. Yet in the finale, we find out that the doctors never tested her for ecstasy, as it's not part of the standard blood panel, meaning those clean blood tests are missing a huge part of the story.

And yes, Maddie's (Shirley Chen) and Catherine's (Louisa Krause) recoveries both seem like miracles. But could Maddie's ankle not have been completely healed after all, as she claimed? One of the Lions recalls seeing her limp before the Star Quality competition, although that in itself could have been a false memory. Elsewhere, Catherine's improved condition could have come as a result of a lack of methamphetamine use after her stay in the hospital and her daughter Lisbeth (Geena Meszaros) getting rid of her stashes at home. Coach Shauna's (Gabby Windey) baby's premature birth and total convalescence is similarly miraculous, with even doctors saying the child should have died. But did Grace really come to Shauna in labor to save her baby, or was the baby's survival a happy accident or a miracle of science?

Everything involving the visions is hearsay as well, aside from the frightening warnings Anya (Kristina Bogic) receives. Are people in and around St. Mark's truly experiencing these visitations, or are they, like Elise (Sara Boustany) and some other members of the Lions, making them up? More importantly, if the visitations are real, are they actually holy in nature? Or are they hellish byproducts of the Lions' playful sacrifice of Grace to the Devil?

Why does Grace wake up at the end of The Body?

Sofia Wylie in "The Body." Credit: Netflix

However you view these prior happenings will impact how you view Grace's waking. Maybe she's just loopy after a prolonged coma, and "I'm God" is her muddled brain repeating what she's heard from people around her. Maybe she truly is a manifestation of God, as much of St. Mark's Church believes, and all the miracles are totally real. Or maybe she's possessed by the Devil, as Catherine is convinced, and she's chosen now as a moment to wake up and begin bringing about the end of days.

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."

The clearest clue to supernatural involvement in Grace's waking comes down to the specific timing of it. It happens right after Anya arrives at Grace's house and confesses her wrongdoings to Father Franklin (Nnamdi Asomugha), telling him, "I'm so sorry that I traded my soul, and I just want it back."

As Anya utters those words, Grace's eyes flutter open in her bedroom. That sequence of events could be a coincidence, as could so many of The Body's plot points. But it could also point to an otherworldly trade. In finally confessing and asking for her soul back, Anya may have released whatever supernatural hold is currently on Grace and been saved from her own guilt. Of course, that comes with its own set of complications: What may be asked of her in return for being "saved"? And who's asking? Is God truly inhabiting Grace, as she claims, or has the Devil been lurking within her this whole time, even managing to survive Father Franklin's exorcism?

What's the deal with the moth at the end of The Body?

Sofia Wylie in "The Body." Credit: Netflix

Another element of Grace's miraculous waking is the presence of a moth, which flies down from her ceiling light to rest on her forehead moments before Grace opens her eyes. A small pink moth drawing features in the corners of the finale's opening title cards, so it's clearly of some significance. But what?

Like butterflies, moths are often symbols of transformation. Transformation does track with Grace in the finale, as she transforms back to her conscious state. She may also have transformed into a saint or a Satanic agent — could the moth clue us into which?

On the one hand, moths are nocturnal creatures, suggesting darkness, and therefore a transformation of a more devilish bent. But at the same time, moths are attracted to light. Could the moth have left the literal light on Grace's ceiling and flown towards the metaphorical light emanating from her now-saintly being?

As with most things in The Body, the answer is ambiguous and up for interpretation. The show is designed to keep you guessing and questioning the evidence before you. Is Grace's smile at the end innocent, or devious? Will you be taken in by her, or will you be wary of false prophets?

What will happen next in The Body?

Kristina Bogic and Sara Boustany in "The Body." Credit: Netflix

If The Body gets a second season, there are so many paths to explore. Obviously, there's the impact of Grace's return, and the examination of whether she's possessed by the Devil or anointed by God. There's also the fallout from Anya's confession, which impacts her relationships with Elise and Steven (Orlando Norman). And of course, there's the Lions' path to Nationals, which I'm sure will go just as smoothly as their path to Regionals.

But perhaps most fascinating of all is what will happen after Lisbeth tells the Lions that she personally resurrected Grace. Will her attempt to raise her status with the team set up a battle of miracles between her and Grace? Or will she be cast aside now that Grace has returned? There's a lot of potential for more high drama going forward, drama that's juicier than even the Lions' most stylish Juicy Couture.

Will there be The Body Season 2?

As of now, Netflix has yet to renew The Body for a second season.

The Body is now streaming on Netflix.

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 moment from the final 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

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Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

$12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

Get Deal

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.

SAVE $20: Amazon has the Waterpik Cordless Pulse 3100 on sale for just $29.99. That's 40% off its $49.99 MSRP and a record-low price.

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Credit: Waterpik

Waterpik Cordless Pulse 3100 Water Flosser

$29.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $20.00

 

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Don't let your upcoming Thanksgiving feast overstay its welcome. According to experts who spoke with our sister site, CNET, a water flosser is a smart buy for folks with braces, crowns, and generally sensitive gums who want to stay on top of their dental health.

After extensive testing, CNET named the Waterpik Cordless Pulse 3100 the quietest water flosser available. And right now, it's cheaper than ever.

The Cordless Pulse 3100 is marked down to just $29.99 on Amazon ahead of its Black Friday Week sale, which is 40% off its usual sticker price of $49.99. This is an exact match of its all-time low price from Black Friday 2025, which hasn't reappeared until now.

Credit: Waterpik

The Cordless Pulse 3100 is a relatively basic water flosser with two pressure settings and two tips (a regular flosser and a tongue cleaner). But it holds a charge for quite a while — up to nine weeks! — and runs more quietly than the competition, CNET said, making it a great option for travel. Plus, you can clean its water reservoir on the top rack of a dishwasher.

Amazon has its Cordless Pulse 3100 deal marked with a "selling fast" badge, so don't wait too long to add this one to your cart.

The best early Black Friday trading card deals:

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Best Pokémon deal

Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box

$59.99 (save $23.45)

Get Deal

---

Best Magic: The Gathering deal

Magic: The Gathering Star Trek Play Booster Box

$124.94 (save $9.68)

Get Deal

---

Best Yu-Gi-Oh deal

Yu-Gi-Oh! Magnificent Monsters Box Set

$34.99 (save $2.11)

Get Deal

---

Best One Piece Card Game deal

One Piece: Learn Together Deck Set (LT-01)

$57.99 (save $23.70)

Get Deal

---

Best KPop Demon Hunters Collectible Trading Cards deal

KPop Demon Hunters card-Energy Edition-001-NA-Series 1-A

$41.39 (save $4.60)

Get Deal

---

Best Disney Lorcana TCG deal

Disney Lorcana TCG Illumineer's Quest — The Great Hunny Rescue

$52.80 (save $7.19)

Get Deal

Black Friday may not officially arrive until Nov. 27, but lots of early trading card deals have gone live on Amazon — from the Pokemon TCG’s hit 30th Celebration ETB for under market price to preorders on MTG’s Star Trek Booster Display Box hitting record lows. Fans of other trading card games can also find bargains, with worthwhile discounts on beginner-friendly sets for One Piece and Disney Lorcana.

These are the best early Black Friday trading card offers we've found so far. Be sure to bookmark this buyer’s guide, as we'll be continuously checking for better bargains as the sale approaches.

Best Pokémon TCG deal: 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box

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Credit: The Pokémon Company

30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box

$59.99 at Amazon

 

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Amazon's $59.99 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box is still the best way to grab anniversary Pokémon Trading Card Game packs without paying higher reseller prices, and is still available to grab ahead of Black Friday.

You get nine boosters, a full-art Nidorina promo, 16 foil Energy cards, sleeves, and other accessories. At this new $59.99 price, the ETB is now at a massive $49.01 under its estimated $109 market price on TCGplayer.

Each pack even features one of 30 rare Pikachu variants. As an invitation-only listing, the downside is that you’ll need to hit "Request invite" on Amazon and hope you're selected when new stock arrives — but it's still the biggest steal going on in the trading card space right now. 

Best MTG deal: Star Trek Play Booster Box

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Credit: Magic: The Gathering

Magic: The Gathering Star Trek Play Booster Box

$124.94 at Amazon

 

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Magic's Star Trek crossover has arrived in time for Black Friday, and its 30-pack Play Booster Box is selling for $124.88 on Amazon, down from the typical $134.62 — about $4.16 per pack. That’s not only over $5 cheaper than the previous $129.95 preorder deal we covered just a week ago, but is also a record low for Amazon.

Each booster contains 14 cards, including a traditional foil and one to four rare-or-higher cards, with alternate-art variants possible. The featured seller is third-party BetterShopping4You, so check the delivery estimate before ordering.

Best Yu-Gi-Oh! deal: Magnificent Monsters Box Set

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Credit: Konami

Yu-Gi-Oh! Magnificent Monsters Box Set

$34.99 at Amazon

 

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Konami's Magnificent Monsters has hit a 90-day low on Amazon, now $32.88 instead of $34.99. That’s actually the lowest price this newly released box has ever been. If you’re a fan of the original anime series, this is a must-buy for grabbing revamped versions of classic cards, like Dark Magician and Elemental Hero Flamewingman.  

You get three five-card packs of Ultra Rares and three additional Secret Rares, each with a chance to upgrade to Starlight Rare. There are 18 reimagined anime cards to collect altogether.

Best One Piece Card Game deal: Learn Together Deck Set

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Credit: Bandai

One Piece: Learn Together Deck Set (LT-01)

$57.99 at Amazon

 

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If you've been curious about getting into the One Piece Card Game, this early Black Friday bargain is the best way to jump in, with Bandai's Learn Together Deck Set now down to just $57.99, down from $81.69 — a brilliant 29% discount.

Built around Luffy, Zoro, and Nami, it includes three ready-to-play decks of 51 cards and 10 DON!! cards apiece. You'll also receive guides, storage cases, three five-card extra packs, and a two-player playsheet. 

Best KPop Demon Hunters Collectible Trading Cards deal: Energy Edition

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Credit: Kayou

KPop Demon Hunters card-Energy Edition-001-NA-Series 1-A

$41.39 at Amazon

 

Get Deal at Amazon

It's an excellent time to get into the KPop Demon Hunters Collectible Trading Cards series, with Kayou's Energy Edition reduced from $45.99 to $41.39 on Amazon in a limited-time 10% off deal. This works out to roughly $3.45 per pack, with eight cards in each.

Unlike the Classic Edition, Energy Edition features 11 rarity levels, with 130 different card types to collect. These include the more sought-after SE cards, inspired by the song Golden, featuring laser-etched finishes and individual numbering from 1 to 366. There are also exclusive BP cards numbered up to 999, featuring HUNTR/X in their black stage outfits.

Best Disney Lorcana TCG deal: Illumineer's Quest — The Great Hunny Rescue

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Credit: Ravensburger

Disney Lorcana TCG Illumineer's Quest — The Great Hunny Rescue

$52.80 at Amazon

 

Shop Now at Amazon

For the early Black Friday season, Disney Lorcana's Illumineer's Quest: The Great Hunny Rescue has slipped to a 30-day low of $52.80. Instead of opening packs, you'll be battling a self-playing Vine deck to rescue Piglet. The box has two prebuilt 60-card decks, a 50-card scenario deck, encounter cards, tokens, and a board. Play solo or with up to three friends, provided two bring their own decks. It's sold by Kings Games, shipped by Amazon, and marked as a final sale.

More early Black Friday trading card deals

Pokémon TCG

• Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Delta Reign Booster Bundle — $49.89 $58 (save $8.11)

• Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Delta Reign Elite Trainer Box — $92.88 $99.99 (save $7.11)

• Pokémon TCG Scarlet & Violet Prismatic Evolutions Elite Trainer Box— $139.88 $179.39 (save $39.51)

• Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Ascended Heroes Elite Trainer Box — $141.97 $179.95 (save $37.98)

Magic: The Gathering

• Magic: The Gathering The Hobbit Gift Bundle — $94.95 $109.86 (save $14.91)

• Magic: The Gathering The Hobbit Play Booster Box — $146.12 $189.99 (save $43.87)

• Magic: The Gathering Marvel Super Heroes Play Booster Box — $127.13 $209.70 ($82.57)

Yu-Gi-Oh

• Yu-Gi-Oh! Magnificent Maestros Box Set — $28.95 $32 (save $3.05)

• Yu-Gi-Oh! Beyond the Brave Booster Box - 24 Packs — $59.94 $68.23 (save $8.29)

• Yu-Gi-Oh! Magnificent Maestros Box Set Display (10 Boxes) — $264.96 $319.95 (save $54.99)

One Piece Card Game

• One Piece Card Game Starter Deck ST-35 Red Black Sabo — $21.83 $24.45 (save $2.62)

• One Piece Card Game Booster Pack The World's Strongest Warrior [OP-17] (Box) 24 Packs (Japanese) — $150 $164 (save $14)

• OP17 The World's Strongest Warriors Booster Box English (24 packs) + Custom TCG Fabrik Don Card — $436.95 $459.95 (save $23)

KPop Demon Hunters Collectible Trading Cards

• KPop Demon Hunters Collectible Trading Cards, Energy Edition, Series 1 — $20.62 $22.49 (save $1.87)

• KPop Demon Hunters-Collectible Trading Cards-Classic Edition-001-NA — $29.99 $35 (save $5.01)

• KPop Demon Hunters, Collectible Trading Cards, Energy Edition, Series 1, 12 Packs, 8 Cards/Pack — $42.44 $49.79 (save $7.35)

Disney Lorcana TCG

• Disney Lorcana TCG: Azurite Sea - Emerald & Sapphire Single-Player Deck — $11.88 $16.99 (save $5.11)

• Disney Lorcana TCG: Scrooge McDuck Gift Box — $28 $29.99 (save $1.99)

• Disney Lorcana TCG: The First Chapter - Amber & Amethyst Single-Player Starter Deck — $29.99 $35.88 (save $5.89)

TL;DR: Get a lifetime subscription to AskAnyModel AI Pro for $31.99 (reg. $499) with code DEAL20 through November 15 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

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Credit: AskAnyModel

AskAnyModel AI Pro Plan: Lifetime Subscription

$31.99
$499 Save $467.01

 

Get Deal

Why settle for one AI answer when you can compare six? AskAnyModel AI Pro lets you send a single prompt to up to six models simultaneously, then view their responses side by side. Instead of opening separate tabs and switching between subscriptions, you can see where different models agree, where they disagree, and which response best fits what you’re trying to accomplish. You can get it for an additional 20% off when you use the coupon code DEAL20 at checkout, making the final price $31.99 (reg. $499).

This platform brings over 50 AI models together in one place, including GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Llama, and Mistral. You can switch models in the middle of a conversation, with responses streaming in real time. That flexibility makes it easier to pick the right tool for the task rather than defaulting to whichever chatbot you happen to have open.

There’s also a distinction between the plan’s standard and premium access. You get unlimited chats with 30 standard models, along with unlimited AI image generation across multiple models. For the 19 flagship models, the plan provides 500 premium credits each month, which refresh regularly rather than running as a one-time allotment.

For developers, researchers, marketers, and other people who rely on AI throughout the workday, having multiple models available in one place can make comparing ideas and checking responses a more practical part of the process. It’s also an alternative to maintaining several separate AI subscriptions, each with its own monthly bill.

AskAnyModel runs in a modern browser, so there’s no software to download. And instead of another recurring payment, this is a lifetime subscription for a one-time purchase. The regular $499 price is currently down to $39.99, or $31.99 with code DEAL20 at checkout.

If comparing AI responses sounds useful to your workflow, get AskAnyModel AI Pro for $31.99 before the promotion ends November 15 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

In the year 2026, flirting by text is at the forefront of getting your game on. As online dating apps have taken over the concept of romance, online exchanges are crucial, whether you're texting or sending photos. The chat-up line — once an IRL phenomenon — has gone online. Now it's known as sexting.

It's hard to get exact data on how many people do the digital flirting thing, but check out this DirtySnapchat subreddit: It boasts over one million members and nearly 130,000 weekly visitors. Those are serious numbers, people — an indication of just how important it's become to finding a potential partner or hookup.

As sexting has become more widespread, the tech world has responded and changed the game. You can sext via adult-based websites, flirty dating apps, and in-between platforms that encourage suggestive text messages and steamy photos. Some of these platforms also give you the option to take things to the next level: live video chat. 

To help you get started with the whole sexting thing, we've compared and contrasted two of the most popular sexting platforms: AdultFriendFinder and Snapchat. They sit at opposite ends of the social media spectrum, but they're both loaded with features for flirting via text, photo, and video — and both have clever built-in protections to keep everything safe, secure, and decidedly discreet.

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Credit: AdultFriendFinder

AdultFriendFinder

 

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Credit: Snapchat

Snapchat

 

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The benefits of AdultFriendFinder for sexting

Finding a partner

The major plus point of AdultFriendFinder is its ready-made community of open-minded kinksters and horny singletons who are all looking for online fun.

Unlike Snapchat, which is more of a general, multi-purpose messaging platform, AFF users sign up with the specific aim of "adult" fun. You'll see this immediately: AFF profiles include wild (NSFW) photos and lists of kinks, turn-ons, and fetishes. Everything — and we do mean everything — is on show on AFF.

And it's not just individual users looking for a good time. AFF also hosts communities and groups, most of which are centered on specific kinks. It doesn't matter if you're into threesomes, bondage, pegging, or erotic storytelling; you'll find your people on AFF. And that really is just the tip of the iceberg. The only limit is your sexy imagination. Whatever you're into, there's almost certainly someone on AFF who shares your desires. 

So, if your sexting journey is a solo one to start off, AFF will help you find a partner, whereas finding a like-minded chat partner through Snapchat alone can be harder. 

Identity verification

A major strength of AdultFriendFinder is its robust identity verification service, ConfirmID. While it isn't mandatory, you can choose not to interact with anyone who hasn't undergone the ConfirmID verification process. To get verified, users must provide a scan of a government-issued ID and agree to have their faces scanned via webcam, which confirms that the person doing the scan is the same person featured in the ID. 

Once you're verified, a blue checkmark will appear next to your profile photo, which signals to other users that you're verified. If you only want to talk to other verified users, stick to profiles that feature the blue checkmark, and you're golden.

It works differently on Snapchat, where verification is as simple as confirming that your email really belongs to you. That might be an effective deterrent against bots, but it doesn't do anything against catfishing scams. 

Sex Academy

What if you're new to sexting and want to pick up some tips or learn some of the lingo before you dive in? An often-overlooked aspect of the AdultFriendFinder universe is what is known as their "sex academy", which is a constellation of resources, including learning materials and erotic stories, that can help you acquaint yourself with the ins and outs of sexting before you speak to a real person. 

This is an unbelievably useful tool because over time, sexters have evolved their own shorthand language — not to mention suggestive emoji use! — to get their points across faster and not break the sexual tension with long, delayed texting. 

The benefits of Snapchat for sexting

Free to use

Snapchat is free to download and use, and although there is a premium subscription option (Snapchat+), it's not really necessary or even particularly beneficial for sexting. Contrast this with AdultFriendFinder, which restricts one-on-one conversations to paying members, and you can easily see why Snapchat has the edge here. 

Because it's free to use, it's also much more widely adopted than AFF, which means it's extremely common for people to exchange Snapchat IDs, or even for singles to include them in their dating profiles.

Disappearing messages

Another huge benefit of Snapchat is that, by design, all messages sent through the service are time-restricted. Everything you write or send will eventually disappear, not only from the chat history but from Snapchat's servers.

But some caveats do need to be mentioned here:

• “Disappearing” does not mean “never stored.”

• Anything sent digitally can potentially persist through screenshots, screen recording, device backups, or hacked accounts.

• Even if Snapchat deletes its copy, the recipient may still have one.

So from a privacy perspective, the safest assumption is: if you send a nude on any platform, there is always a possibility it will be saved or screengrabbed somewhere.

If you're shy or security-conscious, or you just don't want a digital paper after getting naughty, Snapchat is probably the most secure option out there. 

That said, Snapchat's official Community Guidelines take a strong stand against "sharing, promoting, or distributing sexually explicit content and conduct," so while such behaviors are actively encouraged on AdultFriendFinder, they are discouraged on Snapchat. The truth, though, is that, in practice, private consensual exchanges between adults are extremely common on the app and are generally not proactively policed unless:

• Someone reports it.

• AI moderation flags it.

• It appears exploitative/commercial.

• It involves minors/non-consensual content.

Screenshot protection

One of the perils of sexting, especially if you're doing it with strangers or people you've only recently met, is that exchanging nude photos or videos can be risky — bad actors can save or share your photos without your consent, or even use them to blackmail you, a practice known as "sextortion."

But if you're concerned about someone secretly screenshotting or even using a screen recording tool to record your naughty sessions, Snapchat offers robust notification software that will alert you right away if someone takes a screenshot or starts a screen recording, and it's comprehensive enough to even pick up on many third-party tools that can do these things. 

It isn't perfect, so you do still need to exercise caution when you're being frisky with people you don't fully know or trust. At a minimum, you should verify that the person you're chatting with is who they claim to be, preferably over a video call, and you should never share sexually explicit content with someone you don't know and trust, especially if those images or videos can be used to identify you.

The bottom line? Both AFF and Snapchat offer fun platforms for engaging in some sexy texting, but the former is probably a more attractive option if you don't already have a sexting partner, and the latter is a fantastic platform for getting more intimate with someone you already know.

The best early Black Friday Garmin deals at a glance:

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Best budget pick

Garmin vívoactive 5

$168.95 (save $131.04)

Get Deal

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Best deal for runners

Garmin Forerunner 265

$299.99 (save $150)

Get Deal

---

Best splurge

Garmin Venu 4

$449.99 (save $100)

Get Deal

---

Best for advanced athletes

Garmin Forerunner 570

$449.99 (save $100)

Get Deal

I like to joke that I'm single-handedly keeping Garmin in business. Not only have I been loyal to the brand since 2019 (when the original Venu was released), but I've also bought Garmin smartwatches for my boyfriend, my mom, and my dad over the last few years. In short, I have nothing but wonderful things to say about the brand — except that their pricing is a bit steep.

If you're in the market for a new smartwatch and want to join the Garmin cult, Black Friday is the time to buy. You can save $100 or more on many models during the biggest shopping event of the year. Although most official Black Friday sales won't kick off for another week or more, several models are already at their lowest prices ever.

Whether you're a runner, a triathlete, a health and wellness junkie, or someone who just wants a smartwatch that lasts more than a day per charge, there's a Garmin device for you. I've highlighted the best early Black Friday Garmin watch deals below. Stay tuned for any new price drops in the lead-up to the big day.

Best Black Friday Garmin deal for budget shoppers

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Credit: Garmin

Garmin vívoactive 5

$168.95 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $131.04

 

Get Deal at Amazon

Why we like it

The vívoactive 5 has been replaced by the vívoactive 6, which means it's much more affordable. In fact, this early Black Friday deal brings it down to its lowest price on record at just $168.95. It's a great all-rounder, with equal parts lifestyle features and fitness tools. It's packed with 30 preloaded sports apps, including cycling, running, walking, and swimming, as well as an abundance of wellness insights, such as daily energy levels, stress, HRV status, blood oxygen levels, sleep data, and more. And like any good smartwatch, it also tracks your steps and receives texts and notifications.

For what it's worth, I bought this exact watch last Black Friday for my boyfriend, and he hasn't had any complaints in the past year of wearing it. He generally only has to charge it once a week, if that.

Best Black Friday Garmin smartwatch deal for runners

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Credit: Garmin

Garmin Forerunner 265

$299.99 at Amazon
$449.99 Save $150

 

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Why we like it

As the name suggests, the Garmin Forerunner 265 is designed with runners in mind. If you're training for an upcoming marathon or simply trying to improve your daily run times, the Forerunner 265 serves as a great assistant. It supplies all the data you could possibly want. You'll get a morning report with recovery and training outlooks for the day, a training readiness score, personalized workouts, training tips, race performance stats, course details, and more. After each run, you can even zero in on specifics like cadence, stride length, ground contact time, and HRV. At $150 off, this early Black Friday deal brings it down to its best price on record.

Best Black Friday Garmin smartwatch splurge

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Credit: Garmin

Garmin Venu 4

$449.99 at Amazon
$549.99 Save $100

 

Get Deal at Amazon

Why we like it

The Garmin Venu is a perfect watch in my opinion. I have the original, which is now four generations old, and it still works like it's brand new. I can't even imagine how impressive the Venu 4 is. It's the ultimate lifestyle watch, designed to help you understand your body better and make healthier choices. It's loaded with over 80 preloaded GPS and indoor sports apps, lets you log lifestyle behaviors like caffeine or alcohol intake, lasts up to 10 days per charge, and even packs a built-in LED flashlight. Not to mention, it looks gorgeous on your wrist. As an early Black Friday treat, the Venu 4 is $100 off for the first time ever. No need to wait until Black Friday to buy.

More early Black Friday Garmin deals

• Garmin Lily 2 — $199.99 $249.99 (save $50)

• Garmin Instinct E — $199.99 $299.99 (save $100)

• Garmin Instinct 3 AMOLED — $249.99 $449.99 (save $200)

• Garmin Instinct 3 Solar — $299.99 $449.99 (save $150)

• Garmin Instinct 3 Solar, Tactical Edition — $349.99 $449.99 (save $100)

• Garmin Forerunner 570 — $449.99 $549.99 (save $100)

• Garmin Forerunner 965 — $449.99 $599.99 (save $150)

• Garmin fēnix 8 — $749.99 $999.99 (save $250)

TL;DR: Burger King Italy is offering a €19.90 Magic: The Gathering meal with a Whopper deck box and 100 sleeves through Nov. 30 — and international players are already hunting down the gear on eBay.

Trading card games and fast-food menus make a natural pair. Now, Wizards of the Coast is stepping into the drive-thru with an official Magic: The Gathering meal at Burger King — complete with a Whopper-themed deck box and matching card sleeves.

View this post on Instagram

The catch? The promotion is exclusive to Burger King locations in Italy. Even though the meal is region-locked, the novelty is strong enough that Commander players elsewhere are already scrambling to get their hands on the gear.

What comes in the Burger King Magic: The Gathering meal

Officially called The Great Gathering Bundle, the meal runs through Nov. 30, while supplies last. Priced at €19.90, the combo includes:

• The food — Your choice of a Chicken Krispper, Double Cheeseburger, or plant-based Impossible Whopper, paired with fries and a drink.

• A Whopper deck box — Styled to look like an actual burger, complete with an orange sesame-seed bun pattern, a patty, and layered toppings.

• 100 matching card sleeves — Enough standard-size sleeves to outfit a full Commander deck.

Unlike Pokémon Happy Meals, the bundle does not include any exclusive promotional Magic cards. That saves players from chasing region-locked game pieces, even if it has not stopped the accessories from becoming instant collector's items.

How to get the Whopper deck box and sleeves

The Italy-only launch ties into Burger King's sponsorship of local Magic Pauper tournaments across the country, alongside a challenge from the YouTube channel Tolarian Community College that dares Italian pro player Andrea Mengucci to review the meal on camera.

If you do not happen to be visiting Italy before Nov. 30, you still have a few ways to track down the set:

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

• Check secondary marketplaces like eBay — Italian buyers have already started listing the empty deck boxes and sleeves on eBay and international trading groups. Reseller markups are steep right after launch, so waiting a few days for more supply to hit the market can help you avoid overpaying.

• Reach out to friends or local trade groups in Italy — If you know someone traveling in Italy or connect with European players in online Magic communities, arranging a direct trade or pickup will get you much closer to the €19.90 retail price than international eBay auctions.

• Hold out for future regional collaborations — Because this is one of Wizards of the Coast's first fast-food partnerships, a successful run in Italy makes future Magic meal promos in other regions a solid possibility if you would rather skip reseller markups altogether.

Whether you snag one on eBay or hold out for a wider rollout, your Commander deck has never looked quite this appetizing.

SAVE $210: As of Nov. 14, the ASUS ROG Strix is on sale for $549 at Amazon. That's a 28% discount on the list price.

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Credit: ASUS

ASUS ROG Strix

$549 at Amazon
$759 Save $210

 

Get Deal at Amazon

Amazon has announced that its Black Friday sale will officially begin on Nov. 19. But, like many other retailers, it has already started offering early deals and discounts. From TVs to laptops, robot vacuums to drones, it's set to be a huge month of deals. And if you're looking to upgrade your gaming setup, there's good news.

One deal that's caught our eye is the ASUS ROG Strix, which is currently $210 off, bringing the price down from $759 to $549.

The monitor has a QHD QD-OLED display with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, so whatever you're playing, you can enjoy sharp visuals and rich colors. Its 360Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time are impressive, and the G-SYNC Compatible technology helps reduce screen tearing and stuttering for a smoother experience.

To help protect the OLED panel, it also has a custom heatsink, improved airflow, and OLED Care+ features designed to reduce the risk of burn-in.

Head to Amazon to grab this great gaming deal.

TL;DR: Starting Nov. 10, the Pokémon Happy Meal returns to participating McDonald’s restaurants nationwide with 15 collectible toys and 15 collectible trading cards.

We cover a lot of collabs, because there's something special in seeing two of your favorite brands come together to create something fun. And you clearly feel the same, because fans go wild for the limited-edition merch that drops.

Of course, there are levels to this game. The Burger King x Hello Kitty collab was popular. The Starbucks x Winnie the Pooh collab went down well. But when we talk about McDonald's x Pokemon, you know it's going to be absolute chaos.

McDonald’s and Pokémon are reuniting this November. Starting Nov. 10, the Pokémon Happy Meal is returning to participating McDonald’s restaurants nationwide with 15 toys and 15 trading cards to collect. Fans and trainers can also scan the QR code on their Happy Meal box to access a digital game where they can look for the 15 Pokémon Happy Meal toys hidden around a virtual classroom and playground.

This 2026 rollout will mark the first time since 2018 that customers get a genuine 3D collectible toy with playable cards. The mini-boxes are designed to resemble iconic McDonald's cartons shaped around fan-favorite Pokémon. Here's the roster of 15 collectible character boxes:

• Bulbasaur

• Charmander

• Chikorita

• Eevee

• Espeon

• Espurr

• Minccino

• Munchlax

• Pikachu

• Piplup

• Rowlett

• Sobble

• Squirtle

• Sprigatito

• Weedle

Credit: The Pokémon Company

Inside each meal, you will also find two randomized cards drawn from a specialized 15-card McDonald's reprint set, including seven foil cards.

These new Pokémon Happy Meals are available for a limited time, while supplies last, at participating McDonald’s. Check out the full release schedule below:

• November 2026: Australia, Canada, Fiji, France, New Zealand, Spain, and USA

• December 2026: Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belgium, Brunei, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, Germany, Georgia, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Moldova, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, UAE, and Vietnam

• January 2027: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Thailand, Uruguay, and Venezuela

• February 2027: Ireland and UK

TL;DR: Watch Japan vs. Brazil in an International Friendly for free on GE TV. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There are some really interesting fixtures taking place this weekend. The Nations League has more significance than a regular International Friendly, but Japan vs. Brazil is arguably the most exciting fixture on the schedule. This contest takes place at the Singapore National Stadium, with plenty of elite talent on display.

If you're interested in watching Japan vs. Brazil in an International Friendly from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Japan vs. Brazil?

Japan vs. Brazil in an International Friendly kicks off at 5:15 a.m. ET on Nov. 14. This fixture takes place at the Singapore National Stadium.

How to watch Japan vs. Brazil for free

Japan vs. Brazil in an International Friendly is available to live stream for free on GE TV.

GE TV 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 Japan vs. Brazil for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Japan vs. Brazil 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 GE TV

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

Opens in a new window

Credit: ExpressVPN

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$12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

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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 Japan vs. Brazil without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for GE TV?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on GE TV, 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 Japan vs. Brazil for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

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.

Hurdle Word 1 hint

Gobble it up.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

SLURP

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Basketball move.

Hurdle Word 2 Answer

LAYUP

Hurdle Word 3 hint

British guy.

Hurdle Word 3 answer

BLOKE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

No no.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

CRIME

Final Hurdle hint

Riddle.

Hurdle Word 5 answer

REBUS

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

The Moon is getting a little bit bigger each night as we work through the lunar phases. We're still in the Waxing Crescent phase, which means more of the Moon is becoming illuminated each evening as it makes its way towards the First Quarter

What is today's Moon phase?

As of Saturday, Nov. 14, the NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon is in the Waxing Crescent phase, with 22% of its surface visible.

If you don't have any visual aids, you can see see some features on the Moon's surface tonight, specifically the Mare Crisium and the Mare Fecunditatis. With binoculars or a telescope, you'll also see the Endymion Crater.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will take place on November 24.

What are Moon phases?

The Moon takes approximately 29.5 days to complete one full cycle. As it orbits Earth, the amount of sunlight reflecting off its surface that we can see changes, creating the different phases. This takes us from the New Moon to the Full Moon and back again, before the cycle begins once more, according to 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.

Update: The ground stop has been lifted, and domestic flights resumed late Friday.

For only the third time in U.S. history, flights across the United States have been ordered to stay on the ground. And as travelers found themselves stranded at airports, sitting in airport bars, and wondering when they might finally take off, the internet did what it does best and started posting.

On Friday, Nov. 13, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a nationwide ground stop for departing flights following widespread air traffic control communications problems. The agency cited extraordinary circumstances and safety concerns, ordering aircraft to remain on the ground until further notice. Flights already in the air were permitted to land, while inbound international flights were being handled on a case-by-case basis.

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The scale of the disruption is difficult to overstate. The last time the FAA issued a nationwide ground stop was in January 2023, when a computer system failure temporarily halted departing flights. Before that, it happened in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

It's the kind of historical comparison that can make an already unsettling situation feel even more alarming, particularly when thousands of travelers are left waiting for answers. The FAA's original communication was also extremely vague, citing only "extraordinary circumstances" and "reasons of safety."

And on social media, people had plenty of questions.

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For travelers caught in the middle of the disruption, the news wasn't just another breaking headline. It meant unexpected delays, uncertain departure times, and an increasingly familiar feeling of being at the mercy of systems entirely outside their control.

Some turned to social media to document the experience in real time, sharing updates from airport terminals.

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Facebook users reported a rush to the airport bars. Credit: Facebook

Others were struck by the sheer rarity of the moment. A nationwide ground stop is not an everyday occurrence, and the fact that the previous two were associated with 9/11 and a major FAA systems failure only added to the unease.

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Of course, this being the internet, it didn't take long for people to find humor in the situation, either. Even an unprecedented disruption to air travel isn't immune to a few jokes, particularly when it happens on Friday the 13th following a major Microsoft outage.

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And then, there's this response from Stephen King:

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But beyond the immediate frustration and online commentary, the ground stop raises more serious questions about the aging technology underpinning America's aviation system. The FAA has been working to modernize its air traffic control infrastructure, and Friday's communications problems offer another reminder of how much depends on systems most travelers rarely think about until something goes wrong.

The ground stop also comes at a particularly interesting moment for the FAA. Just days earlier, the agency announced that it was expanding its new AI-supported air traffic management system, known as SMART, to all 22 regional air traffic control centers nationwide. Shortly before that, the FAA announced it will finally phase out floppy disks by 2028.

The $875 million system is designed to analyze everything from weather patterns and flight routes to traffic congestion and controller staffing, helping aviation officials anticipate disruptions before they happen. According to the FAA, the technology is intended to reduce delays and make air travel more efficient, though human specialists remain responsible for reviewing its recommendations.

The timing has attracted attention online, particularly as questions swirl around what caused Friday's communications problems.

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For now, travelers are left refreshing their flight statuses, waiting for updates, and sharing their experiences online. And while the jokes might offer a momentary distraction, there's nothing particularly funny about realizing just how quickly an entire country's air travel system can grind to a halt.

This is a developing story.

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.

Campus meaning

A collection of buildings.

Center meaning

A building or facility dedicated to a specific service.

Complex meaning

Composed of multiple parts.

Facility meaning

A place or building for a specific purpose.

Advanced meaning

Greatly improved or updated.

Foremost meaning

First in importance, rank or position.

Modern meaning

New and fresh.

Progressive meaning

Developing or happening gradually.

Chess meaning

A classic two-player strategy board game.

Go meaning

To advance.

Othello meaning

A two-player strategy board game.

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Stratego meaning

A two-player war board game.

Battle meaning

A fight.

Marriage meaning

A legalized union.

Mottle meaning

A colored spot.

Trib meaning

A small river or stream.

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.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're a new parent.

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.

What is Connections?

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

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

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

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

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: New and improved

• Green: Setting

• Blue: Let's play

• Purple: Little ones

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Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Cutting-edge

• Green: Locations for an institution

• Blue: Strategy board games

• Purple: Baby gear with first letter changed

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 #1252 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Cutting-edge: ADVANCED, FOREMOST, MODERN, PROGRESSIVE

• Locations for an institution: CAMPUS, CENTER, COMPLEX, FACILITY

• Strategy board games: CHESS, GO, OTHELLO, STRATEGO

• Baby gear with first letter changed: BATTLE, MARRIAGE, MOTTLE, TRIB

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.

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

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.

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.

NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Preschool fun

The words are related to games.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words involve a kid's game.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

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NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Follow the Leader.

NYT Strands word list for November 14

• Tiptoe

• Spin

• Gallop

• Follow the Leader

• March

• Skip

• Walk

• Jump

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.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're not the friendliest.

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.

Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

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

Rude.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

No letters appear twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter R.

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...

RANDY

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.

Update: The ground stop has been lifted, and domestic flights resumed late Friday.

For the second time since 9/11, all air travel in the United States has been temporarily halted.

The Federal Aviation Administration issued a rare nationwide ground stop on Friday afternoon, leaving countless travelers stranded at airports across the U.S. Officials, including Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, attributed the stoppage to a communications issue whose cause is unknown at the time of publication.

Of course, the question on many people's minds right now is: When will the ground stop be lifted? Unfortunately, we do not know the answer to that right now. CNN reported that Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the government has "not discussed any timeframe."

“It’s going to take some time,” Mullin said, per CNN. “And so this isn’t going to just be resolved and turned around within the hour.”

That means this could very well last through Friday evening, at least. For reference, the last nationwide ground stop in 2023 lasted about 90 minutes, but Mullin's rhetoric seemed to suggest this one could take longer to resolve.

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Update 8:49 p.m. Nov. 13: According to reports, airline sources say the ground stop has been lifted.

On Friday afternoon, the FAA grounded all planes nationwide, an extraordinary step that brought air travel to a grinding halt. The aviation administration said it halted travel "due to extraordinary circumstances and for reasons of safety."

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy also confirmed the flight stoppage on X.

"The [FAA] issued a nationwide ground stop for all U.S. airports following a communication issue impacting all Air Route Traffic Control Centers. FAA technicians are investigating the issue. We will provide immediate updates as we have them."

The FAA rarely halts traffic coast to coast, leaving many travelers with questions about their flight status and the cause of the grounding. Here's what we know so far.

Why did the FAA ground all flights on Friday, Nov. 13?

The FAA's original explanation was that the ground stoppage was necessary "due to extraordinary circumstances and for reasons of safety." That was a vague and somewhat anxiety-inducing communication, as many Americans associate nationwide ground stoppages with the tragedy of Sept. 11, when flights were also stopped in dramatic fashion.

However, the FAA soon clarified in a statement that the order was issued due to a telecommunications issue.

"There has been a temporary telecommunications outage — out of an abundance of caution, all flights have been halted. Every flight has been accounted for and international flights will be handled on a case by case basis."

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However, CNN reported this extraordinary quote, citing an unnamed airline source: "Ten minutes ago, they were on a crisis call and there was still no clear answer as to a cause." More recently, CNN reported that the FAA told airlines that the problem originated with "network routers."

In a White House press briefing late Friday evening, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin explained the ground stop was the result of outdated air traffic control systems. Duffy said the analogue systems were "overloaded" by a patchwork of newly-installed modern technology, which caused inconsistencies in radar and communications. The FAA ordered the ground stop out of an "abundance of caution," officials explained.

How many flights have been impacted so far?

According to the Misery Map, a visualization of cancellations and delays produced by the flight-tracking service FlightAware, there have been 2,406 delays and 763 cancellations so far today. At the same time yesterday, FlightAware recorded 410 delays and six cancellations.

Because of the chaotic nature of a sudden ground stoppage, many travelers may be stuck sitting in planes on the tarmac. One Mashable reporter is currently in exactly that situation.

Airports are warning travelers to check flight status before coming to the airport

In the hours after the FAA grounded all domestic flights, major airports are warning travelers to check their flight status before heading to the airport. The X account of New York City's John F. Kennedy Airport wrote, "Travelers should confirm their flight status with their airline before heading to the airport." Dulles International Airport in Washington, DC issued the following advisory to travelers: "Prior to coming to the airport, check with your airline regarding the status of your flight."

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When was the last nationwide ground stoppage?

The FAA has only grounded all planes nationwide on two prior occasions. It happened for the first time on 9/11, and then again on Jan. 11, 2023. In the latter incident, flights were grounded for just 90 minutes due to issues with the Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) system. In 2024, the infamous CrowdStrike IT outage led major airlines to issue a global stoppage.

Is the FAA nationwide ground stoppage the result of a cyberattack?

As with yesterday's global Microsoft outage, online commentators quickly speculated that a cyberattack may have been the cause of the ground stoppage, but there is currently no reason to believe that is the case. The FAA has clearly stated that it's the result of "a temporary telecommunications outage." Mullin reiterated in the Friday briefing that there were "no indications" of foreign interference as of now.

The FAA's IT infrastructure is notoriously out of date. Just last week, Mashable reported on the administration's plans to finally phase out floppy disks — two years from now.

Why did the nationwide ground stop occur?

CBS News reported that multiple sources told them "[a]n update to the private communications network that connects America's air traffic control system caused the system to reboot, leading to a crash and a communications outage." A Florida-based company, L3Harris, operates that system, according to CBS News.

"This is not another 9/11"

Speaking at a news conference, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said, "This is not another 9/11," according to KOMO News.

"There is no fear to the public. I want to make sure we say this again — there is no reason for the public to be afraid or scared for your loved ones," the secretary stated.

The FAA recently implemented a new AI system

In recent days, the FAA announced it was expanding the use of an AI tool to help air traffic controllers manage traffic, according to Ars Technica. However, there is no evidence that the current stoppage and the AI rollout are related. That hasn't stopped frustrated travelers from speculating on a connection, however.

On Friday evening, the company behind the new AI tool stated that there was absolutely no connection between the ground stoppage and its work.

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