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Connections is the latest New York Times word game that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
Tweet may have been deletedEach puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
Tweet may have been deletedPlayers can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for December 17 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hit about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Courage, boldness, or bravery
Green: Types of pathways
Blue: Ways to use paper
Purple: Surfaces in which Tennis is played
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Intrepidity
Green: Road
Blue: Kinds of Paper
Purple: Kinds of Tennis Courts
Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.
Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.
Drumroll, please!
The solution to today's Connections #555 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayIntrepidity: GRIT, HEALTH, NERVE, PLUCK
Road: ARTERY, AVENUE, DRAG, DRIVE
Kinds of Paper: CONSTRUCTION, GRAPH, TISSUE, WAX
Kinds of Tennis Courts: CARPET, CLAY, GRASS, HARD
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 17Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.
Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.
If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for December 17 Where did Wordle come from?Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once.
Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.
What's the best Wordle starting word?The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.
What happened to the Wordle archive?The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.
Is Wordle getting harder?It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for December 17 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:Bad-tempered expression.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?There are no reoccurring letters.
Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.
SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.
Drumroll please!
The solution to today's Wordle is...
SCOWL.
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 16Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.
If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.
Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableBy providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.
If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 17 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 17 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: It's lit!These words are types.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedThe words describe literary genres.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.
NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is FictionGenre.
Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for December 17Crime
Fantasy
Romance
FictionGenre
Western
Historical
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.
If TikTok had you rushing to throw away your black plastic kitchen utensils, rest assured that those tools weren't as bad as they seemed.
A study went viral in November — as much as any study can go viral — that suggested black plastic kitchen utensils were shed lots of poison into our food thanks to a flame retardant carried over from recycled electronics that helped make the plastic tools. However, there was a big problem in the study that came down to simple math, as Canada's National Post reported.
In short, the study looked to measure the median amount a flame retardant toxin might get out of black plastic spatulas during cooking. The study found that figure was 34,700 nanograms per day, which, the study noted, was close to the EPA limit of 42,000. That, in part sparked lots of panic all over TikTok and in major publications about how black plastic cooking utensils were slowly poisoning everyone. I cannot tell you how many posts I saw online of folks throwing away their utensils or telling others to do so.
However, the study made a really simple math error, one that may have made its findings sound more severe than they should. The National Post reported that the study calculated that EPA limit by multiplying 7,000 — the amount of nanograms of the toxin per kilogram of bodyweight — by 60, to get the limit for a 60-kilogram (132 pound) person per day. That's how they got 42,000. But 60 multiplied by 7,000 is, in fact, 420,000 — meaning the exposure is actually less than one-tenth the limit.
Now that's not to say folks want any of that toxin leeching into their food. Zero would be a great figure. But as YouTube's favorite science nerd, Hank Green, pointed out on Bluesky "that paper on black plastic was a bit blown out of proportion by a simple math error."
Hey, so it turns out that paper on black plastic was a bit blown out of proportion by a simple math error.
nationalpost.com/news/canada/...
[image or embed]
Toxic-Free Future, an advocacy group that carried out the study, has said that while there was a mistake it does not affect the overall findings.
"As noted in the published correction, this comparison was not a major point of the study and the findings, conclusions, and recommendations are unaffected by this correction," the group wrote on Bluesky.
So you might want to still be wary of black plastic — but all those headlines and TikToks might've been a bit misleading.
There is (or was) a vulnerability in Windows Defender, but you don't have to worry about it. That's the short version.
The longer version, for those who are interested, is that Microsoft detected a fault in its homegrown antivirus software and admitted as much in an official security note, per Forbes. Microsoft's security note included an executive summary that explained the problem in something resembling layman's terms:
"Improper authorization of an index that contains sensitive information from a Global Files search in Windows Defender allows an authorized attacker to disclose information over a network," the summary read.
SEE ALSO: Microsoft wants you to upgrade to Windows 11 or buy a new computerIn other words, it was theoretically possible for someone to use this exploit to send private files over a network to people who aren't meant to see them. There are apparently no known instances of anyone actually using this exploit, but it did exist. Emphasis on did.
That's because Microsoft has closed the loop on the exploit, confirming that users don't need to take any action to fix it themselves. Just don't do anything, according to Microsoft. That's easy enough.
The holiday season doesn't really arrive until you find yourself panicking over finishing your gift shopping on time. Luckily, Best Buy kicked off a sale for exactly this situation, aptly named the Last-Minute Savings event.
The sale started on Dec. 16 and runs through Dec. 24 at 11:59 p.m. CT, bringing with it savings on top brands like Apple, Therabody, PlayStation, JBL, KitchenAid, and LEGO. Options like curbside pickup, as well as same and next-day delivery make sure that you can get discounted items into your hands ASAP.
In addition to this sale, Best Buy will also be releasing its seventh and final round of doorbusters on Dec. 20. If you want a sneak peak at what will be available, you can preview the list now, which includes an LG OLED TV, Beats headphones, and the Apple Watch Ultra 2.
If you're ready to start shopping, below, you'll find some of the best picks available now from the Last-Minute Savings event:
Best Apple dealsApple iPad, 10.9-inch (10th generation, WiFi, 64GB) — $279 $349 (save $70)
Apple iPad, 10.9-inch (10th generation, WiFi, 256GB) — $429 $499 (save $70)
Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M2, WiFi, 128GB) — $499 $599 (save $100)
Apple Mac mini (M2, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $599 $699 (save $100)
Apple MacBook Air (M2, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $799 $999 (save $200)
Apple iMac, 24-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $1,199 $1,299 (save $100)
JBL Tune Flex earbuds — $49.99 $99.99 (save $50)
JBL Clip 5 — $59.99 $79.99 (save $20)
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 — $69.99 $99.99 (save $30)
JBL Flip 5 — $79.99 $89.99 (save $10)
Beats Pill — $99.99 $149.99 (save $50)
Marshall Emberton II — $99.99 $169.99 (save $70)
JBL Charge 5 — $139.99 $179.99 (save $40)
Bose QuietComfort headphones — $199 $349 (save $150)
Save up to 50% on select video games for PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch
PlayStation
Sony PlayStation 5 Slim (Digital Edition) Fortnite Cobalt Star Bundle — $374.99 $449.99 (save $75)
Sony PlayStation 5 Slim Fortnite Cobalt Star Bundle — $424.99 $499.99 (save $75)
Xbox
Xbox Wireless Controller — $34.99 $59.99 (save $15)
Xbox Elite Series 2 Core wireless controller — $94.99 $139.99 (save $45)
Xbox Series X (Digital) — $399.99 $449.99 (save $50)
Nintendo
PowerA Nintendo Switch controller — $38.99 $64.99 (save $26)
PDP Afterglow Wave Wireless Pro controller — $43.99 $54.99 (save $11)
LG 65-inch UT70 4K TV — $379.99 $599.99 (save $220)
Samsung 75-inch DU6950 4K TV — $549.99 $749.99 (save $200) + one free month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership
Samsung 70-inch Q60D QLED 4K TV — $849.99 $999.99 (save $150) + get a free $50 Best Buy gift card
Samsung 77-inch S84D OLED 4K TV — $1,799.99 $3,299.99 (save $1,500) + get a free $100 Best Buy gift card
Save up to 25% on select LEGO sets
KitchenAid Tilt-Head Stand Mixer (4.5-quart) — $249.99 $329.99 (save $80)
KitchenAid Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer (5.5-quart) — $279.99 $449.99 (save $170)
Therabody Theragun mini (2nd gen) — $149 $199 (save $50)
Therabody Theragun Prime — $199 $299 (save $100)
Therabody Theragun Sense — $199 $299 (save $100)
Therabody TheraFace Pro — $249 $399 (save $150)**
Therabody TheraFace Mask — $499 $599 (save $100)
You can now search your saved lists and locations in Google Maps, which might be just the tool you need to find that one cool spot you bookmarked weeks ago.
As spotted by 9to5Google, Google's handy "Saved" feature now lets you search, which means you can parse through webpages you bookmarked, Discover tabs, and locations you saved in Maps. So if you've saved lots of cool cafes, bars, restaurants, clubs, bookstores, hobby shops — whatever you're into — they're now searchable. Funny it took this long for the search tech company to introduce this feature.
The search functionality is obvious and easy to use. You simply navigate to your "Saved" section and use the magnifying glass search tool.
Tweet may have been deletedNow, if you're not using the "Saved" section of your Google account — perhaps like the person writing this article — now could be the time to start. How To Geek wrote a helpful piece explaining why the feature is great but in short, saving locations is a way to create a virtual Rolodex of places you like, things you want to visit, and lots more. You can also create custom lists — things like "Taco Spots I Love" — and forever have them saved, even if you can't remember names or locations offhand.
With the ability to search, those lists will prove even more helpful.
As of Dec. 16th, you can get up to 51% off on Beats audio gear including Beats Studio Pro headphones, Beats Studio Buds, and the Beats Pill speaker.
The best Beats deals The best beats deal Beats Studio Pro $169.99 (Save $180) Get Deal The best Beats earbud deal Beats Studio Buds $79.00 ($70.95) Get Deal The best Beats speaker deal Beats Pill $99.95 ($50) Get DealModern life is noise. Whether you want to tune out the hustle with a calming ambient dream-scape or dive face-first into the buzz of endless four-on-the-floor, a good set of headphones is crucial. Right now Beats deals at Amazon are offering some of the best prices we've seen.
We like Beats. Beats Studio Buds outclass entry AirPods in our testing and we love the versatility of Beats Studio Pros. The Pill is Apple's take on a portable JBL-style Bluetooth speaker. With deals up to 51% off. Now is a fantastic time to invest in a new set of Beats headphones.
The best beats deal Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Studio Pro $169.99 at AmazonThese over-ear headphones offer impeccable sound in an Apple package that will work with non-Apple devices. Beats is an Apple subsidiary, however, Beats gets to go to parties that Apple might not be seen at — namely Android parties. Simple to pair and equipped with a battery that goes and goes, these headphones are a wonderful pick for anyone that wants to bring high-fidelity sound with them on the go.
Right now Beats Studio Pro are available for 51% off ahead of the holidays. Gift these active noise cancelling headphones, or restock your own audio war chest.
SEE ALSO: My all-time favorite earbuds are back to their lowest-ever price at Amazon The best Beats earbud deal Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Studio Buds $79.00 at BeatsBeats Studio Buds compress great sound into tiny earbuds. Though Beats is an Apple brand, Beats Studio Buds upstage Apple's own entry AirPods. With hard hitting bass, good battery life, and cross-OS support, these versatile earbuds are a great pick for Apple or Android.
On sale for 47% off ahead of the holidays, now is a perfect time to invest.
The best Beats speaker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Pill $99.95 at AmazonWhether by the campfire or at the beach, group hangs go better with music. The Beats Pill is Beats' approach to the modern classic Bluetooth speaker. With the sound quality you expect from an Apple product and solid battery life, this speaker sounds great and is certifiably down for the outdoors. A little rain or river mud aren't a problem, it's weather resistant and equipped with an IP67 ingress protection rating.
The Beats Pill is currently on sale for 33% off at Amazon. Gift it to a car-camper you know, or buy it for yourself and bring better sound with you on next year's canoe excursions.
More Beats DealsBeats Solo 4 — $99.99 $199.95 (save $99.96)
Beats Fit Pro — $149.00 $199.95 (save $50.95)
I was getting ready for a night out when I spotted a "hey girlie" text from an unknown number flash across my screen.
"I'm Danny's girlfriend and I saw some messages from you on his phone. I was wondering if you could help me?"
My eyes widened as I read the word "girlfriend." I've never opened a message faster.
SEE ALSO: Why social media algorithms hurt after a breakupDanny (not his real name) and I had been embroiled in a sexting situationship after matching on Hinge. It was just a bit of fun during a particularly busy work period that hadn't left much time for in-person dates. But thinking about the nature of our chats, I feared what messages this poor woman had stumbled across.
I tapped the unfamiliar number and hit call, a wave of nervousness coming over me.
"I am so sorry, I had no idea he had a girlfriend," I blurted out seconds into the call.
"Don't worry, I know. You're actually one of many," his girlfriend responded in a kind tone. She told me that she and Danny were living together, about to get a mortgage together, and that she'd just discovered he'd been texting (and sexting) a web of other women, none of whom were any the wiser about the existence of his girlfriend.
When Danny accidentally synced his iPhone to his girlfriend's laptop, she unearthed scores of screenshots of my messages. I dreaded to think what his girlfriend might have seen in those screenshots.
When she texted me saying she'd confronted him about her conversation with me and that he'd reacted very badly, I decided I didn't want to give this man another opportunity to contact me. I didn't need to say anything to him. Just block and move on with my day. It was a blissful feeling.
Until then, I hadn't been much of a blocker. I'd previously considered blocking a bit harsh, but that was likely due to my inability to set boundaries (which I've thankfully overcome since then). Certain situations in life call for hard boundaries.
So, what exactly are the rules of engagement around blocking people? Are there scenarios when blocking literally is too harsh?
When their behaviour is terrible: block ✅When someone behaves in an unacceptable or disrespectful way towards you, blocking is always OK. If you fear for your safety, block them. Abuse, harassment, and non-consensual sexual messages or images are all reasonable grounds for blocking. Trust your instincts too: If a person has exhibited behaviours that make you feel uneasy about your safety, you shouldn't feel guilty about blocking them.
SEE ALSO: How to break up with someone in the digital age No contact after a breakup: block ✅Annabelle Knight, sex and relationship expert at Lovehoney, says blocking someone is simply a digital version of setting boundaries for yourself and that it's pretty common to hit the block button when you're getting over a breakup.
In the immediate aftermath of a breakup, some people find it helpful to go "no contact." This means no phone calls, texts, social media, emails, letters — literally no forms of contact. It means no in-person meet-ups and can also involve not contacting their friends or family, perhaps unfollowing these individuals on social media.
SEE ALSO: Social media dos and don'ts after a breakup"While [blocking] can be seen as an extreme decision, it can help if you feel that urge to initiate contact or take a peek at their profile to see what they're up to — both of which may only prolong the healing or result in emotional hurt," says Knight. "You can block your ex for many reasons: maybe you want to close any direct lines of communication, you don't want to see their content, or you don't want them to see your content. Although many people see it as intense in a digital world, it's really no different to avoiding your ex in person," she adds.
Trying to get a reaction from them: don't block and unblock 🚫If you feel the urge to unblock someone after blocking them, ask yourself why. Do you want attention? Did you block them to punish them and now you're rethinking it? Perhaps you want them to get in touch with you? Examine the feelings at the root of this desire and whether it's worth breaking this boundary with yourself.
Relationship counsellor Sophie Personne advises against yo-yo-ing between blocking and unblocking individuals, particularly if it's being used as a manipulation tactic. "I have known clients to keep blocking and unblocking each other every time they had an argument," says Personne. "It's counterintuitive and destructive. It is restricting communication and is manipulative and controlling as you are controlling the level of communication."
Avoiding being honest about your feelings: don't block 🚫Having difficult conversations can be nerve-wracking, and sometimes our urge to avoid conflict can make us bury our heads in the sand. For example, if you're dating someone and want to reject them, it's not cool to block them because you're too afraid to be honest. Similarly, if you make plans to meet up and then change your mind: don't just block them and stand them up (this is a behaviour I call cloaking). Afford the person the courtesy of cancelling the plans and spare them the hassle of showing up for a date that isn't happening.
Using blocking as an ultimatum: don't block 🚫It's not a good idea to use blocking as a threat. "Blocking also becomes the wrong route to take if you decide to use it as a way to leverage or manipulate your ex; it should never be used as an ultimatum or a threat," says Knight. "Making the decision to block someone should be made on your feelings and your own terms, rather than involving them."
In relationships, healthy communication strategies can be used to bring about positive changes. Ultimatums and threats should be avoided at all costs.
A temporary pause for healing: block ✅If you've ended on good terms with someone but need a break to protect your peace and move on, blocking is totally fine. If you're worried that the other person will be offended or it'll come as a surprise, you could consider dropping them a line beforehand to explain your decision to (temporarily) block. "If you do decide that a block is what you need to heal, a simple conversation with your ex about this change in terms will help; you can still take time and space apart before reconnecting as friends," says Knight.
When it comes to blocking, it can be an important boundary for protecting your physical and emotional safety. It can be an essential part of moving on from someone after a breakup. But it's not a get-out-of-jail-free card to avoid awkward conversations or to manipulate people's feelings. Use with caution.
SAVE UP TO 77%: Shop deals on Amazon Echos ahead of the holidays. Get majors savings on devices like the Amazon Echo Auto. When bundled with one month of Amazon Music Unlimited, receive the device and subscription for just $14.98, saving you $50 for 77% off.
Best Amazon Echo device deals Best Echo deal Amazon Echo Pop $17.99 at Amazon (Save $22) Get Deal Best Echo bundle deal Amazon Echo Auto with one month of Amazon Music Unlimited $14.98 at Amazon (Save $50) Get Deal Best Echo Show deal Amazon Echo Show 5 $44.99 at Amazon (Save $45) Get Deal Best Echo Kids deal Amazon Echo Pop Kids $22.99 at Amazon (Save $27) Get DealHow is that last-minute holiday shopping going? Have you broken a sweat yet, racing around to stores, trying to find just the right thing for everyone on your list? With a week left to get your holiday shopping done, finding online deals is crucial, since we know time is running out. Plus, if you are online shopping, you want to make sure that your gifts will arrive in time for Christmas.
Sneaking in right under the wire, Amazon is coming in hot with deals on deals on Echo devices. Everything — the Pop, Dot, Spot, and Show — are all on sale ahead of the holidays, swinging back down to their lowest prices we've ever seen.
So if you have someone on your list (including yourself) looking for a smart home upgrade, you can't go wrong with these Amazon Echo deals that are guaranteed to arrive for the holidays.
Best Amazon Echo deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Pop $17.99 at AmazonThe Amazon Echo Pop is the smallest of Amazon's smart speakers, but that doesn't mean it isn't powerful. This small but mighty speaker is budget-friendly and responds to voices commands, whether you're asking it to play the latest episode of The Daily or set a timer for whatever you're cooking.
While its list price is already a great value at $39.99, it's back down to its lowest price ever of $17.99. That gives you a great smart speaker for under $20, saving you $22 for $55 off.
Best Amazon Echo bundle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Auto with one month of Amazon Music Unlimited $14.98 at AmazonGoing hands-free in the car is crucial for your safety and the Amazon Echo Auto helps you keep your hands off your phone and on the wheel. With built-in speakers, the Auto plays musics, takes calls, and sends texts at your command.
Ahead of the holidays, Amazon is offering the ultimate savings on the Echo. Right now, when you bundle it with one month free of Amazon Music Unlimited, the device is just $14.98, saving you $50 for 77% off. If you don't need another music subscription we get it, just remember to cancel after your one month free before it renews at $9.99 per month.
More echo dealsAmazon Echo Dot — $22.99 $49.99 (save $27)
Amazon Echo Pop Kids — $22.99 $49.99 (save $27)
Amazon Echo Dot Kids — $27.99 $59.99 (save $32)
Amazon Echo Spot — $44.99 $79.99 (save $35)
Amazon Echo Show 5 — $44.99 $89.99 (save $45)
Amazon Echo — $54.99 $99.99 (save $45)
Amazon Echo Show 8 — $84.99 $149.99 (save $65)
SAVE $27.98: Get one month of free access to YouTube Premium and 50% off a two-month membership with this Best Buy offer. YouTube Premium typically costs $13.99 per month which means you'll get three months of access for the price of one month.
Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube One free month of YouTube Premium and 50% two months $13.99 at Best BuyLove streaming videos and music but can't stand wasting time with ads? Life is too short wait around looking at the countdown timer before we can skip ads. Thankfully, Best Buy agrees and has a nice holiday offer in store for everyone.
As of Dec. 16, Best Buy is offering one month of YouTube Premium for free, followed by two months at 50% off. Since YouTube Premium typically costs $13.99 per month, the deal equals a savings of $27.98 over the three months, essentially giving us three months of YouTube Premium for the price of one. You can also opt to cash in on just the one month of free access.
After checking out with the free one-month offer, Best Buy will email additional redemption info. To grab this deal, you'll need to have a Best Buy account, which is free. You'll also need to be a new subscriber to YouTube Premium.
YouTube Premium is a great program if you often tune into your favorite channels. From gamers to travelers, YouTube is a wealth of information that offers never-ending content options. A Premium account means you'll never have to watch an ad while streaming on both YouTube and YouTube Music.
YouTube Premium also gives you ability to keep a video steaming in the background, while you navigate to other apps on your phone. That same function also allows you to continue streaming from YouTube Music while your screen is off. Plus, you have the ability to download content to watch later. This could be especially useful if you have upcoming holiday travel plans and will be chilling in airplane mode or won't have access to Wi-Fi.
Instead of paying $13.99 per month, take advantage of this Best Buy offer that gives new subscribers three months of YouTube Premium for the price of one. Not only will you go ad free on YouTube with the membership, you'll be able to download content to watch while traveling over the holidays.
OpenAI is making ChatGPT Search available to all users and search in Voice Mode.
Two months ago, ChatGPT Search was launched for ChatGPT Plus users. As of today, it's rolling out to all free users who are logged in. Search with Advanced Voice Mode also now works with ChatGPT Search.
Just an hour before OpenAI's announcement, Google unveiled Veo 2, its next-gen text-to-video model. The two companies haven't been shy about their cutthroat rivalry, often shipping similar products within a day (or in this case hours) of each other. Last week, OpenAI launched its AI video generator Sora, vision for Advanced Voice Mode, and a slew of other minor features. Not to be outdone, Google unveiled its latest model Gemini 2.0, which is touted as an "agentic era" model for handling tasks on the user's behalf.
Tweet may have been deletedBy typing a query into the ChatGPT search bar, it will automatically decided whether or not to use the search engine. Search results include previews with images with links, just like you would with traditional search. Within ChatGPT, videos are embedded, so you can watch movie trailers or anything else in the app. Just like Google Search, you can click into search results for more information, without leaving the app.
If you're ready to complete your conversion from Google Search to ChatGPT Search, you can also make make ChatGPT Search your default search engine.
There are some mysterious flying objects hovering over New Jersey and, days after the first drones were spotted, we still don't know much about what they are, where they're from, and what they're doing up there.
Folks with eyes on New Jersey have been reporting mysterious drone sightings — over houses, military installations, and Trump's Bedminster golf club, to name a few — since mid-November. The FBI, Department of Homeland Security, and Federal Aviation Administration have all investigated the origins but don't yet have any answers for us. The Pentagon says the mystery drones are not military and are probably not foreign. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and U.S. Sen. Andy Kim have gone on their own drone hunts, too, but have come back empty-handed.
Despite this, Murphy and law enforcement officials say the drones aren't likely a threat to public safety, according to the Associated Press.
"Tonight I met with @NJSP officials and radar technicians at the Regional Operations & Intelligence Center who are surveying the area for unmanned aircraft systems," Murphy posted on X Sunday night. "The public deserves clear answers — we will keep pushing the federal government for more information and resources."
The drones have become such a spectacle that the president-elect weighed in.
"Let the public know, and now," Trump said. "Otherwise, shoot them down!"
It's leading lawmakers to consider stricter rules about flying unmanned aircrafts, the AP reported. But many of the sightings aren't unmanned aircrafts at all — they're stars, planes, or other flying objects like aircrafts coming and going from New Jersey airports.
Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deletedJust look at the Friday X post from Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, who says he "personally witnessed" what he believed were "dozens of large drones in the sky above my residence in Davidsonville, Maryland." The video that accompanied the post clearly shows the constellation Orion and the stars Sirius and Procyon.
No matter who — or what — is behind the drones, Harry Direen, an electronic and software engineering expert at DireenTech, told USA Today that the culprits are "clearly ... not being very stealthy."
SAVE $23: Select Amazon accounts are eligible to buy an Amazon Smart Plug for just $1.99 with code PLUG, down from the list price of $24.99. That's a 92% discount. Check the product page to see if your account is eligible.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Smart Plug $1.99 at AmazonA smart plug is one of the simplest, yet most convenient additions if you prefer smart home devices. For some lucky Amazon accounts, you can grab a smart plug for an epically low price through the end of the month.
Until Dec. 31, the Amazon Smart Plug is just $1.99 for select Amazon accounts with discount code PLUG, down from the list price of $24.99. That's a 92% discount or a savings of $23.99. To check if you're eligible, head to the product page and look for the exclusive pricing offer.
Perfect for your Christmas tree or holiday lights, the Amazon Smart Plug allows you to turn the plug on or off through the Alexa app on your smartphone. That means you'll no longer have to maneuver behind the Christmas tree to unplug the lights.
The Amazon Smart Plug is also simple to set up, only requiring you to plug it in and open the Alexa app to get going. Amazon recommends using it with lamps, fans, coffee makers, and more.
Through the Alexa app, you can also set schedules for the Smart Plug, programming the Christmas tree lights to turn on at 5 p.m. and off at midnight, for example. Keep in mind it's only for use indoors and it'll need to connect to a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network.
The Amazon Smart Plug can also be a great addition if you'll be going away for the holidays. With the plug, control a living room lamp to turn on and off whenever you feel like it, giving the impression someone is home. Kevin really could have used a smart plug when he got left behind at home.
Not all Amazon accounts are eligible for the deal, so you'll need to check the Smart Plug product page to see if it shows up for you. It's also non-transferrable so you won't be able to share the promo code with others. But if you're one of the lucky ones, be sure to jump on this great deal to get an Amazon Smart Plug for only $1.99.
There's only a little over a week until the big day, or in other words, it's crunch time for holiday shopping. Luckily, there's still plenty of deals at Amazon to help you save on your last-minute gifts. Brands like Beats, Yeti, Sonos, and more are offering discounts up to 48% off as of Dec. 16 — and we've rounded up the best ones.
Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day. If none of these are your cup of tea, be sure to check back tomorrow for a brand-new list of deals.
Our top pick: Beats Studio Buds Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Studio Buds $79.00 at AmazonSearching for a solid pair of noise-cancelling earbuds that won't break the bank? The Beats Studio Buds are on sale for just $79 as of Dec. 16 at Amazon. That's 47% in savings and 99 cents cheaper than their Prime Day and Black Friday price. Mashable's Alex Perry called them "Apple's new go-to entry-level earbuds" when they first came out in 2021, boldly stating they "put entry-level AirPods to shame." Some standout perks are powerful bass, 24-hour battery life (with the charging case), transparency mode, spatial audio, and decent ANC. While they're no longer the latest or greatest Beats buds on the market, they still hold up in 2024.
Read our full review of the Beats Studio Buds.
Blink Whole Home Bundle Opens in a new window Credit: Blink Blink Whole Home Bundle $109.97 at AmazonWhile you can't put a price tag on peace of mind, you can get pretty close with this $109.97 deal on the Blink Whole Home Bundle. It includes the Blink Outdoor 4, Mini 2, and Video Doorbell system, so you can keep an eye on every part of your home. Using the Blink app, you can see who shows up at your door (even at night) and enjoy live two-way communication with the Video Doorbell. Then, with the Outdoor 4, you can expand your field of view around your home and be alerted to anything out of the ordinary. The Blink Mini 2 handles the inside of your home, day or night, while the Sync Module 2 (included) lets you track all of the action in one place. Slash 45% off as of Dec. 16.
Sonos Ray Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Sonos Ray $169.00 at AmazonAccording to Mashable reviewer Han Schneider, the Sonos Ray "delivers on the bottom line requirement of any speaker: true, quality sound." It's a budget-friendly, low-profile soundbar that happens to be one of our favorites — particularly as a starter soundbar. It doesn't have a ton of fancy features (no Bluetooth connectivity, HDMI hookup, or smart home compatibility), but the price tag and impressive sound quality more than make up for it. It's usually $279, but as of Dec. 16, it's on sale for only $169 at Amazon. That's 39% in savings and just $20 away from its best-ever price from Black Friday.
Read our full review of the Sonos Ray.
Amazon Echo Frames Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Frames $169.99 at AmazonNeed a unique gift option that will make it to your door before Christmas? The Amazon Echo Frames check both of those boxes. They're Alexa-equipped sunglasses that allow you to control your smart home devices, ask questions, play music, stream podcasts, and take hands-free calls. No need to whip out a phone or pop in earbuds with these babies on. They last for up to 14 hours on a single charge and come in five unique styles. Plus, they're prescription compatible. Usually $329.99, you can grab a pair on sale for only $169.99 as of Dec. 16. That's 48% in savings and matches their best-ever price.
Yeti Roadie 60 wheeled cooler Opens in a new window Credit: Yeti Yeti Roadie 60 $337.50 at AmazonYeti coolers are hard to beat; not only can they keep eyes for days (weeks, even!), but they're also virtually indestructible. I own a Yeti Roadie 24 and my only complaint is that it's pretty dang heavy when it's filled up. The Roadie 60 fixes that problem by adding two puncture-resistant wheels and a periscope handle. It can fit 98 cans, 68 pounds of just ice, or 19 wine bottles — in other words, this thing is massive — making it a great option for camping trips, beach days, weekend getaways, and everything in between. It's usually $450, but you can get the lilac option on sale for $337.50 at Amazon as of Dec. 16. That's a rare 25% in savings.
None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.
Google Deepmind has unveiled its next-generation AI tools, Veo 2 and Imagen 3, along with a playful new experiment, Whisk, aimed at remixing visuals in creative ways.
Veo 2 is the newest version of the company's flagship video-generation tool, which according to Google will be capable of higher realism and an improved understanding of movement, physics, and cinematic techniques. In its press release, Google Deepmind states that Veo 2 can generate 4K videos and handle complex prompts — like specific camera lenses or cinematic shots.
SEE ALSO: Veo, Google's Sora competitor, is hyped by Donald Glover"Veo 2 understands the unique language of cinematography," the press release states, emphasizing its ability to deliver stylistic choices like "low-angle tracking shots" or "shallow depth of field." Further, the company says that, unlike earlier models that often “hallucinate” strange visuals (like extra limbs), Veo 2 reduces these quirks, making results more natural.
Imagen 3, released in August, has gotten some improvements with richer textures, brighter colors, and diverse art styles — from photorealistic landscapes to anime. The upgrade will also stick more faithfully to user prompts.
The most intriguing addition might be Whisk, a tool that allows users to remix images with creative flair. By combining Google’s Imagen 3 and Gemini models, Whisk can turn rough image ideas into digital artworks like "plushies or enamel pins," all while automatically generating descriptive captions.
Veo 2 is rolling out in Google’s VideoFX, Imagen 3 hits ImageFX in over 100 countries, and Whisk is live for U.S. users. You can sign up for the Google Labs waitlist now.
Save $101.99: As of Dec. 16, you can grab the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds for $198 at Amazon, saving you $101.99 on their $299.99 retail price. You can also grab the earbuds for a dollar more at Best Buy and Target, with all three deals giving you roughly a 33% discount, and the best prices we've ever seen on these earbuds.
Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds $198.00 at AmazonIf you're currently scrambling for last-minute Christmas gifts and kicking yourself for not shopping during Black Friday, I'd like to remind you that good things come to those who wait.
For example, as of Dec. 16, the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds are down to $198 at Amazon, beating their Black Friday and Cyber Monday price by about $30 and marking a new record low price for the earbuds that usually cost $299.99. If you're not a fan of Amazon, you can also find them on sale at Best Buy and Target for $199.99.
While testing headphones and earbuds for Mashable, I tried the Sony WF-1000XM5s, and was blown away by their sound quality and easy pairing, while their active noise cancelling placed them among some of the best noise-cancelling earbuds I've tried. Mashable Shopping Reporter Sam Mangino also named these one of her top picks for the best noise-cancelling earbuds, calling out their "distinct audio" that "pick up on the subtleness of every lyric and beat."
SEE ALSO: The 6 best Bluetooth speakers for basically any situationWhat helps make that audio shine is the custom equalizer on the earbuds' companion app. Though the interface can be a bit difficult to navigate, the "Find Your Equalizer" feature makes it easy for audiophiles and non-audiophiles alike to fine tune the settings they most prefer with their music.
Typically, the biggest con of these earbuds is their price point, but at $198, they're near the price of AirPods Pro on sale, and lower than the sale price of our favorite overall noise-cancelling earbuds, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds.
HDMI 2.2, the new HDMI specification is set to debut in early January.
In an email sent to the press, including Mashable, the HDMI Forum, which oversees the development of HDMI specifications, said HDMI 2.2 will be announced on Jan. 6 in Las Vegas, a day before the official start of CES.
Not much else was shared beyond the details of the press conference at the massive consumer tech conference. But the email did say that the new HDMI 2.2 specifications "will support a wide range of higher resolutions and refresh rates."
As Tom's Guide pointed out, the date of the announcement coincides with scheduled press events from Nvidia and AMD. Both companies are expected to announce new GPUs (GeForce RTX 50 from Nvidia and Radeon RX 8000 from AMD). If this is the case, the launches might be timed to align with the new HDMI standard.
The current HDMI standard, HDMI 2.1, was introduced in 2017. The most recent HDMI 2.1 update supports 48Gbps bandwidth, up to 10K resolution, and has up to 120Hz refresh rate at 4K. So whatever the specs are for HDMI 2.2 should be a significant upgrade from this. Mashable will be on ground at CES covering this, and other tech news.
YouTube is providing more ways to limit your child's access to the unfettered landscape of YouTube content.
Announced on Dec. 13, the platform will now offer an additional parent code feature on the YouTube app for TVs. With the code in place, users will have to input a password to access YouTube, even when signed out of an account with parental controls in place — a common work around to account safety settings. Young watchers will also need the code to access accounts for older members of your household (13 years and up), and to remove accounts on TVs.
SEE ALSO: Holiday tech gifts for kids: 5 things to knowYouTube is gradually changing the way young users access its platform, parental controls or not. Last week, YouTube unveiled its newly revamped YouTube Kids app, originally launched in 2015. Compared to its previously simplistic design, the new YouTube Kids looks more like it's enticing adult version, but with far more safety controls for young viewers. YouTube removed its standalone YouTube Kids app for TVs earlier this year, instead integrating the child version into the general YouTube app, accessible through a child's profile — other media sites, including streaming platforms, have moved in a similar direction.
The new parent code is a response to user concerns about children having access to the adult platform following the introduction of integrated profiles on TVs.
"We hope this change gives you added comfort in knowing kids cannot use accounts and features on your smart TV that aren’t meant for them," the company wrote, "while also making recommendations in your profile more relevant to your interests rather than what you previously watched together as a family."
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