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Astronomers got lucky.
NASA has confirmed over 5,780 worlds beyond our solar system, called exoplanets. But it's rare to detect a juvenile, still-maturing planet, because they inhabit chaotic systems that are flush with obscuring dust and gas. By chance, this distant debris has parted, allowing researchers using the sensitive cameras aboard the space agency's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) to spot such a planet.
"A huge planet with a long name – IRAS 04125+2902 b – is really just a baby: only 3 million years old," NASA recently explained. "And because such infant worlds are usually hidden inside obscuring disks of debris, it is the youngest planet so far discovered using the dominant method of planet detection." (For reference, our middle-aged planet, Earth, is some 4.5 billion years old.)
SEE ALSO: NASA scientist viewed first Voyager images. What he saw gave him chills.Most exoplanets today are discovered by the "transit method," wherein a telescope watches for slight dips in a star's brightness — caused by a transiting planet. Although the method doesn't work if the star and greater solar system are shrouded in debris, a research team found that the ring of debris in IRAS 04125+2902 b's solar system has become "sharply warped," thus revealing the baby world. Their research is published in the science journal Nature.
What might have caused this unusual warping? It's unclear, though the researchers have ideas. Unlike the sun, most stars have stellar companions (called binary systems), including the stars in this distant solar system. It's possible that this companion star's gravity and influence could have stoked a shift in the nascent planetary disk; however, there's no evidence of such an effect. It's also possible the young planet got bumped out of its obscured orbit by another larger object in space, but there's no evidence of that yet, either.
The young world, some 430 light-years away, orbits close to its star and has a mass that's at most one-third of the gas giant Jupiter, yet measurements show it's about the same diameter as Jupiter (at 88,846 miles, or 142,984 kilometers, across, Jupiter is 11 times wider than Earth). This suggests its developing atmosphere is inflated, and will trim down. But into what?
An artist's conception of the young world IRAS 04125+2902 b in front of its star. To the left is the developing solar system's thick ring of dust and gas. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / R. Hurt / K. Miller (Caltech/IPAC)Over many millions of years, NASA suspects the young world could mature into either of the most common planets found in our Milky Way galaxy: a "super-Earth" or mini-Neptune.
A mini-Neptune, as it sounds, is a gaseous world between the size of Earth and Neptune. A super-Earth, of which astronomers have found many intriguing examples, is a world ranging from some 30 to 70 percent bigger than Earth. It can be rocky (like Earth) or largely composed of thick, swirling gases. Or both. Around one-third of exoplanets discovered so far are super-Earths, meaning they're awfully common in other solar systems. And if they inhabit, or eventually inhabit, a temperate region of a solar system, such a rocky world could potentially harbor water, a crucial ingredient for life on Earth.
Your future is long-lived and open, IRAS 04125+2902 b. What will you become?
Every year ahead of Black Friday, my editors say: Stan, you've been doing this a long time. You can surely find the best Black Friday tech deals out there. To this, I say: But I already have all the gadgets in the world. I don't need anything. Go away! A brawl breaks out.
OK, not really. It's my job to write about tech, sometimes including Black Friday stuff. But I do have a hill I'm prepared to die on: I'm only ever going to write about deals that I, personally, think are really good. This year, the angle is this: Are there any deals out there that are so enticing that would make me splurge, even though I'm already drowning in gadgets?
As it turns out, there are! Not a ton, mind you. The criteria was as follows: The price has to be lower than I've ever seen, and the gadget on offer has to be something that's really worth spending money. I'm looking at you, battery powered cuckoo clock. Yes, that's an affiliate link. Yes, someone's gonna buy that. Yes, it's not even discounted. I don't care.
Back to business: Here are the best three early Black Friday deals I found:
The workhorse you need: Apple 2022 M2 MacBook Air, 13-inch Looks like the new one, and it's not far behind in terms of performance, either. Credit: AppleIf you already have a MacBook with an M-series chip, you probably don't need this. But if you're looking to buy a MacBook on the cheap, with nearly all the bells and whistles of the brand new models, this is the one to get.
You see, the cool thing about Apple's M-series chips is that they're so good, you don't need to get a device with the latest one. I have a MacBook Pro with an M1 chip inside and it's still perfectly capable of handling all my daily tasks. This means that the M2 chip, which is what you get with this 2022 MacBook Air, will be plenty fast for most users.
Another important note about this particular MacBook Air model is that it's the redesigned one. You're basically getting the latest design and a very capable chip at an incredible discount. What kind of discount? Well, the price is down to $750, a $150 discount off the standard $900 list price. That's for the version with 16GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD.
If you squint, the wallpaper says "Air." Credit: Mashable composite/AppleAlternatively, you can get the new, 2024 MacBook Air at a pretty sweet discount: The 13-inch version costs $849 (a $250 discount), while the 15-inch model costs $1,234 (again, down $250 from the standard asking price). We've got the details on that deal over here.
In my mind, however, the $750 price is pretty unbeatable for a MacBook Air that will surely serve you well for many years to come.
The high-end phone you crave: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra The end boss of Samsung phones. Credit: SamsungEvery year, a new Samsung Galaxy Ultra phone comes out, and I cry. I cry tears of sadness because it's the best one, but it's also just so damn pricy. To refresh your memory, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra started at $1,299 when it launched.
Now, however, is your chance to get that exact phone for less. A lot less. Right now, Amazon lists this phone at $949.99, a full 27% off the original price.
It's been out for more than half a year, yes. But it's still the most powerful smartphone in Samsung's lineup, with a monster 200-megapixel main camera, a 6.8-inch, 120Hz, edge-to-edge display, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, 12GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. Oh, and it also supports Samsung's S Pen. The phone is only available in titanium violet at this price, but the color is subdued enough to fit most tastes.
If you need more storage, there's an even bigger saving (in absolute dollar terms) to be had, as the same device with 512GB of storage costs $1,069.99, $350 off the full list price of $1,419.99. It's not a small amount of money, but if you get this, you've beaten the Android end boss. This is it, there aren't any phones more powerful than this. Congratulations.
The stupendously big TV: Hisense 75-inch Class QD6 Series QLED 4K TV It has a long name, but you only need to remember the following: It's a 75 inches 4K TV for $449.99. Credit: HiSenseHey, I know what you're thinking. You don't really need a 75-inch, 4K TV. But this is where it is my job and solemn duty to tell you that's wrong. You need a 75-inch TV. All the stuff you've been hearing about TVs being too big for your living room? Nonsense. A TV should be as large as manageable and permitted by architectural boundaries. Period.
Now that we've got that settled, our TV recommendation for this early Black Friday deal is this 75-inch HiSense QLED. It costs just $449.99, which is $250 less than usual. Had someone told you a decade ago you'd be able to buy a 75-inch TV for under $500, you'd probably say "I know, prices of gadgets go down all the time." OK, smarty pants. You still need to get this TV, though. It's time.
We've got some of the specs highlights for this model here. The most important bit, in my humble opinion, is that HiSense TVs have slowly but surely gotten better over the years, and are now very close to being just as good to those from the biggest brands.
Blanca started with $60,000 in cash and a well-researched plan.
She hoped to supplement her full-time employment income to spend more time on her artistic passions, and also create generational wealth for her family.
Blanca thought so-called passive income, earned from a range of investments, could make that dream a reality.
In 2023, while working at a startup, Blanca had already dabbled in cryptocurrency and exchange-traded funds. She was exploring real estate purchases. One day, though, she saw online ads for something called Amazon automation.
The premise seemed simple. You paid a management company with ecommerce experience to run an Amazon store on your behalf. You fronted the cash, and they took care of identifying, ordering, warehousing, and shipping inventory. Each party took a share of the proceeds.
SEE ALSO: 'Nobody is immune': Don't fall for a Bitcoin ATM scam"I was intrigued," Blanca, now 29, said. "It seemed like a fair trade for not doing any work." (To protect her privacy, Blanca asked that only her first name be used in this story.)
Blanca proceeded to research different Amazon automation companies, eliminating ones that seemed "scammy." She ultimately chose one called Ascend Ecom at the time, which she'd learned about in an online ad.
She conducted in-depth research and had detailed conversations with a salesperson, who claimed to own an Amazon store through the company. A few months later, she wired Ascend Ecom $60,000 to open her own store.
Despite her best efforts to sniff out a scam, Blanca was the victim of an elaborate scheme that allegedly defrauded Ascend Ecom customers out of at least $25 million, according to a lawsuit recently filed by the Federal Trade Commission. Mashable reviewed the declaration Blanca made under threat of perjury to the FTC.
"It seemed like a fair trade for not doing any work." - Blanca, former Amazon store ownerThe FTC lawsuit refers to the company as Ascend CapVentures Inc., but during a period when many clients were allegedly defrauded, it operated as Ascend CapVentures Inc. and more recently rebranded as ACV.
Ascend CapVentures Inc. routinely promised customers they'd generate a five-figure monthly income after two years, but the FTC investigation found those claims to be misleading and false. Meanwhile, Ascend CapVentures Inc. didn't spend their customers' investments on managing their stores; instead, they used the cash to "enrich themselves," according to the FTC.
Ascend CapVentures Inc. attorney Jonathan D. Herpy, of the firm Hart David Carson, previously provided a statement on the FTC suit to Law.com.
"Our opinion, from a corporate counsel standpoint, is that Ascend takes all of these regulatory matters very seriously and is committed to full compliance with the FTC guidelines," Herpy told Law.com.
Mashable contacted the company's legal representatives multiple times by phone and email for a response to the allegations but didn't receive one. In October, the company's lawyers submitted a response to the FTC lawsuit in a federal district court, denying all of the agency's charges.
The FTC also took action against two other ecommerce storefront management companies, Ecommerce Empire Builders and FBA Machine, accusing them of similar fraud.
The enforcement actions revealed a massive risk in what many consumers often see as a lucrative opportunity to make money in ecommerce by opening their own Amazon, Walmart, TikTok, or Etsy store.
To these consumers, the risk can feel worthwhile when they consider post-pandemic online spending patterns and encounter flashy success stories on social media.
Read about how one man lost $56,000 after opening an Amazon store with Ascend CapVentures Inc.
But the FTC case against Ascend CapVentures Inc. identified what can go wrong, and how consumers might avoid the same fate. Mashable interviewed multiple alleged victims of Ascend CapVentures Inc., along with experts at the FTC and the National Consumers League, about warning signs that an ecommerce store opportunity might be a scam. Here are their recommendations:
Think twice about passive income business opportunitiesSo-called "passive income" business opportunities are nothing new, they've just gone digital, said Colleen Robbins, an attorney in the Bureau of Consumer Protection at the FTC.
Traditionally, these opportunities emphasize how consumers can invest in a money-making vehicle and earn profit with little to no work. Examples include real estate seminars and investment coaching programs, which often turn out to be pyramid or multi-level marketing scams. But consumers buy in thinking they're going to learn how to become wealthy.
Now, given the exponential growth of ecommerce in recent years, scammers are using online store ownership to lure consumers hoping to achieve the same goal of turning their initial investment into financial freedom.
But Robbins urges consumers to remain skeptical of these pitches.
"If the business opportunity promises guaranteed income, large returns, or a proven system, it's likely a scam," she said.
Know your rightsThe FTC's business opportunity rule actually contains numerous protections for consumers, but prospective online store owners may never learn about those legal rights.
Blanca said she wasn't aware of them, despite conducting what she considered to be rigorous research. Three other alleged Ascend CapVentures Inc. victims interviewed by Mashable also didn't learn about those protections until after they'd lost their investment.
Under this FTC rule, companies that offer a business opportunity, like ownership of an online store, are required to share with customers a disclosure document prior to them signing a document or making a payment.
This paperwork has vital information about the business, including where it's located, who operates it, and whether it's the subject of legal action. Additionally, the company has to provide evidence of its earnings claims, which must reference all purchasers within the last three years, along with their contact information.
Robbins said that any problems with the disclosure documents, such as missing information about earnings claims or unreachable clients, should be considered a red flag.
Be skeptical of big, upfront cash investmentsLooking back, Ascend CapVentures Inc. victim Scott Gardner can confidently say that spending $30,000 to open an Amazon store was a red flag. At the time, though, it seemed a reasonable investment.
Now, he would recommend any prospective customer avoid business opportunities that require a big cash payment at the outset, and fraud prevention experts agree.
Robbins said to be particularly skeptical if a company wants your bank account or credit card information prior to answering questions about the business opportunity. If this request is delivered with a sense of urgency or other high-pressure sales tactics, it's best to proceed with caution.
Flashy ads can be a warning signJohn Breyault, vice president of public policy, telecommunications and fraud at National Consumers League, said there's an "army of influencers" promoting a lavish lifestyle on social media who will teach you their "secrets" for generating passive income — for a price, of course.
Indeed, customers interested in opening an ecommerce store often encounter social media marketing and advertising with extravagant displays of wealth, including luxury cars and homes, as proof that it's a highly lucrative opportunity.
These influencers may insist you can earn a tantalizing $20,000 a month, for example, but don't explain how much you have to spend on overhead, inventory, and other costs. Breyault said to treat flashy ads with suspicion. But even more restrained marketing may still obscure the fact that store operators can easily spend as much as they bring in.
Buyback programs and other failsafes are no guaranteeJamaal Sanford, who lost $35,000 to Ascend CapVentures Inc., said that the company's purported "buyback guarantee" factored into his decision to open an Amazon store with the company. Per that offer, clients could ask Ascend CapVentures Inc. to purchase the store back from them, for the difference between the initial investment and the client's profits, when the owner didn't recoup their expenses within a certain time period.
Sanford requested a buyback multiple times without success. The FTC's investigation found that Ascend CapVentures Inc. made it "exceedingly difficult to obtain a refund even when clients fulfilled the requirements."
"[C]onsumers consistently learned that Ascend's buyback process was largely an illusion and its 'risk-free' investment opportunity was nothing of the kind," the FTC wrote in its complaint against Ascend CapVentures Inc.
Talk to real clientsGardner regrets not having spoken directly to any successful Ascend CapVentures Inc. clients before agreeing to purchase his Amazon store through them. Instead, he relied on screenshots of testimonials from people who were portrayed as customers, in addition to speaking with company salespeople and its founders.
Because of FTC regulations, consumers interested in a business opportunity have a right to get a list of clients, along with their contact information.
Breyault, of the National Consumers League, urges consumers to take advantage of this information, and also recommends attempting to talk with clients who've not been "cherry picked" by the company.
This can mean searching online forums like Reddit for clients willing to share their candid experiences.
Read the reviewsSimilar to online forums, reviews can help consumers identify warning signs that a business opportunity might be a scam. Breyault recommends checking a company's standing on its Better Business Bureau and Trustpilot pages.
Still, positive reviews don't guarantee that a company is honest, Robbins said. They could be false or misleading. She suggests that consumers also conduct online searches for the company's founders or leadership to see if there are complaints or related reviews.
Post reviewsSome consumers may hold back negative reviews fearing retribution from the company with which they've contracted.
Jamaal Sanford told the FTC that he and his wife received threats from someone who appeared to be affiliated with Ascend CapVentures Inc. after he published a negative review of the company. The agency wrote in its complaint that Ascend CapVentures Inc. threatened its clients with legal action when they would not retract honest but negative reviews.
Under the Consumer Review Fairness Act, contracts are not allowed to contain clauses that restrict a consumer's ability to post a review.
Don't let AI claims fool youThe FTC filed its complaint against Ascend CapVentures Inc. as part of Operation AI Comply, a crackdown on businesses using claims about artificial intelligence to hype their products or services.
Starting in 2023, Ascend CapVentures Inc. used a "deceptive sales pitch" that sometimes described the company's business model as powered by AI, according to the FTC. They told clients that the company's proprietary software would maximize their business success, and said clients would reap profit margins as high as 50 percent. The FTC says these claims were false.
"Don't let that hype cloud your judgment." - Colleen Robbins, Federal Trade CommissionRobbins warns consumers to be skeptical of claims related to technology, especially when it involves AI.
"Don't let that hype cloud your judgment," she said.
Know what to do if you think you've been scammedIf you think you're the victim of a fraudulent passive income business opportunity, which can include paying a company to open an ecommerce store, you should report it to the FTC, Robbins said. Consumers can expect to receive relevant information after filing their report to the agency.
You can also report suspected fraud to your state attorney general, and the state in which the business is listed. Both the FTC and other law enforcement agencies use these reports every day in their work.
Like many of the Ascend CapVentures Inc. victims, who've formed a private Facebook group to discuss their experiences, some people also seek support from others who know what they're enduring.
Blanca did exactly that by locating other clients on Reddit when she first suspected Ascend CapVentures Inc. might be deceiving her. Now she's focused on moving forward and tries not to be hard on herself for Ascend CapVentures Inc.'s wrongdoing.
"Victims shouldn't feel bad. We got taken advantage of," Blanca said. "They knew the system, they knew it very well."
Smartwatches and activity trackers are a dime a dozen these days, but there are a few brands that stand out. Apple Watch has cultivated a stellar reputation in the smartwatch category — and the new Series 10 comes with some cool new upgrades — while brands like Fitbit have dominated the fitness tracking space. Since Google acquired Fitbit back in 2019, competition between the two brands has been fierce, especially now that the Google Pixel Watches utilize Fitbit’s health and wellness tracking.
While there are certainly some stark differences between Apple Watches and Fitbits — and comparing certain models might seem like comparing apples and oranges — Google’s push into the smartwatch category, as well as Apple’s increasing dedication to health tracking features, means there’s more crossover between these brands than ever before.
So, is it better to get an Apple Watch or a Fitbit? I put them both to the test, and here’s everything you need to know as we go into the Black Friday-Cyber Monday shopping event.
Left: Google Pixel Watch 2 (with Fitbit integration) Right: Apple Watch Series 4 Credit: RJ Andersen / Mashable Sizes and screensWhen it comes to display quality and screen size, there’s quite a bit of variety to choose from, especially when it comes to Fitbit. Because the brand offers both activity trackers and smartwatches, their trackers tend to be a bit smaller, simpler, and more discreet — the 1.45-inch Charge 6 touts a full-color AMOLED display with a maximum brightness of 450 nits — while their smartwatches offer larger, higher-quality displays. The Google Pixel Watch 2, for example, boasts a 41mm AMOLED display with a maximum brightness of 1,000 nits, making it a much better option for those interested in a brighter, clearer display.
SEE ALSO: Apple Watch Series 9 vs. Google Pixel Watch 2: How are they different?While Apple doesn’t offer traditional fitness trackers, it does offer a solid range of smartwatch sizes — which is definitely a win compared to Fitbit’s single-size smartwatch offerings. The Series 9 is available in 41mm or 45mm (with the SE available in 40mm or 44mm, as well as the Ultra 2 in 49mm), and it has an unmatched Retina LTPO OLED display with a maximum brightness of 2,000 nits.
Winner: Apple
Internal hardwareWhile Fitbit boasts a broader product range, which means a wider variety of internal hardware, I decided to pit smartwatch against smartwatch to see which has the most impressive specs in this category. I was pleased to discover the Google Pixel Watch 2 utilizes a Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 chip, as well as 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, but the Apple Watch Series 9’s specs are equally impressive with Apple’s S9 chip, 1GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage. Performance-wise, it would be pretty hard to distinguish between the two without rigorous side-by-side testing.
Winner: Tie
Health and fitness trackingBoth Apple Watch and Fitbit offer access to user-friendly health and fitness tracking, which means both brands allow you to track various metrics like steps, heart rate, workout duration, calories burned, sleep, and more. However, the best fitness tracker ultimately depends on what data you’re interested in tracking, as this varies from brand to brand and from product to product.
Fitbit offers a wider range of activity trackers. Credit: RJ Andersen / MashableFor example, both Fitbit and Apple Watch offer sleep tracking, so you can track things like sleep duration and sleep stages, but both the Series 9 and the Google Pixel Watch 2 have relatively shorter battery lives (18 hours versus 24 hours, respectively). This makes them less-than-ideal for 24/7 wear, especially since they’re a bit bigger than other sleep trackers like the Oura Ring. However, Fitbit’s other activity trackers — including the Luxe, Charge 6, and Inspire 3 — all boast five days of battery life (or more), making them better options for those interested in sleep data.
If you want to track GPS on your runs, both Apple Watch and Fitbit offer built-in GPS on most of their products (aside from the Fitbit Luxe and Inspire 3). Heart Rate Zone training is also possible with both the Pixel Watch 2 and the Series 9, so you can get notifications mid-workout while changing zones, which isn’t available on other Fitbit products.
Even though Fitbit does some pretty cool health tracking insights — including skin temperature, heart rate variability, and oxygen saturation — none of these are measured using the Google Pixel Watch 2 unless you wear it overnight. Meanwhile, the Apple Watch supports all of these measurements (aside from the since-removed blood oxygen feature) without needing to wear the watch overnight.
Winner: Tie
Smartwatch functionalityIf you’re looking for the best smartwatch between Apple Watch and Fitbit, the answer is pretty clear: choose whatever is compatible with your phone. Apple does seem to have the better smartwatch overall, but that doesn’t really matter much if you aren’t an iPhone user.
SEE ALSO: When do Black Friday sales start? Early holiday deals are already here.If you’re an Android user, the Pixel Watch 2 does stand out over other Fitbit smartwatches. It’s sleek, easy to use, and packed full of useful apps and features — including Google Assistant, Safety Check, and the Google Play Store — making it a more robust smartwatch than other models from Fitbit. Is it the best Android smartwatch on the market? It’s hard to say, especially since the Samsung Galaxy 6 has a pretty solid reputation, but it’s worth watching to see what Google does with Fitbit next.
If you’re an iPhone user, however, stick with an Apple Watch over a Fitbit smartwatch. Technically, Fitbit’s other smartwatches — the Versa 4 and Sense 2 — are compatible with both Android and iOS, but some of the features (like smartphone notifications) only work with Android phones…and it’s hard to beat Apple’s smartwatch experience.
Winner: Apple Watch
Battery lifeAs far as battery life, Fitbit takes the crown. The Apple Watch Series 9 does offer an 18-hour battery life (36 hours in low power mode), but the Google Pixel Watch 2 slightly outperforms it with an advertised 24-hour battery life. Other Fitbit products are even more impressive, with a six+ day battery life for Fitbit’s other smartwatches Versa 4 and Sense 2, as well as a five-day battery life for the Fitbit Luxe, seven-day for the Charge 6, and a whopping 10-day charge for the Inspire 3.
Winner: Fitbit
Durability and longevityIf you’re looking for a fitness tracker that can handle all kinds of wear and tear, both Apple Watch and Fitbit are pretty reliable options. All of Fitbit’s products are water resistant up to 50 meters, and the Pixel Watch 2 holds a water-protection rating of 5 ATM (up to 50 meters), as well as an additional IP68 dust and water-protection rating. Apple Watches are also water resistant up to 50 meters — with the Series 9 holding an additional IP6X10 dust resistance rating (the SE does not) — while the Ultra 2 takes the cake with water resistance up to 100 meters, IP6X dust resistance, and an additional EN13319 rating for recreational scuba diving up to 40 meters.
As far as longevity, it’s hard to make a straight comparison between the brands due to the variety of options available. Some Reddit users say that their Fitbit trackers tend to last around two years, while other Redditors report that their Apple Watch typically lasts four to six years. This is pretty on par with my experience, as I’ve been using a Series 4 Apple Watch since January 2019 with no issues. Will the Google Pixel Watch 2 hold up quite as long? It’s a little too soon to tell.
Winner: Apple Watch
Smartphone compatibilityYou might be wondering, “Is Fitbit compatible with iPhone?” Honestly, it depends.
The Fitbit app is compatible with most popular smartphones — including iOS and Android devices — and all of Fitbit’s products are technically compatible with iPhone, aside from the Google Pixel Watch and the Pixel Watch 2. However, it’s important to note that Fitbit’s other smartwatches (the Versa 4 and the Sense 2) are technically compatible with iPhones, but that doesn’t include many of the additional features like smartphone notifications.
That being said, the best option for you depends on your phone. If you use an iPhone, stick with an Apple Watch or one of Fitbit’s activity trackers. If you use an Android device, you can use any of Fitbit’s products, which technically makes Fitbit the winner of this category.
Winner: Fitbit
Price rangeFitbit’s wider product range means it has a better price range, too. If you’re operating on a budget, that means Fitbit is the way to go. Its activity trackers are quite a bit cheaper than its smartwatches, with the Inspire 3 starting at $99, and its most popular tracker, the Charge 6, clocks in at $159.
If you’re looking for a smartwatch, however, the prices are a little more comparable between brands. The Google Pixel Watch 2 starts at $349, making it slightly cheaper than the Apple Watch Series 9 (starts at $399) and slightly more expensive than the Apple Watch SE (starts at $249).
Yes, technically, there are more smartwatch options available from Fitbit — the Versa 4 ($199) and the Sense 2 ($249) — but considering they lack app stores, it doesn’t really feel right to put them on the same tier as the Pixel Watch 2 or the Series 9. Fitbit also offers a kid-friendly smartwatch, the Ace LTE ($299), but it requires an additional $9.99 per month data plan.
Winner: Fitbit
Other featuresWhile I enjoyed using Fitbit’s products, there weren’t many standout features that made me love one more than the other. The Pixel Watch 2 is a solid smartwatch, but so is the Series 9, so — again — it really depends on what phone you’re using.
As far as activity trackers go, Fitbit had one semi-critical feature missing, at least for fellow gym rats: most of its lineup isn’t compatible with exercise equipment, aside from the Charge 6. This means you can’t connect any of your Fitbit devices — including the Google Pixel Watch 2 — to gym equipment (treadmills, stationary bikes, etc.) to view/sync data like heart rate, calories burned, and distance. Meanwhile, this is a baseline feature in Apple Watches — even my old Series 4 connects to compatible equipment at the gym using NFC functionality — which made it all the more surprising to discover that Fitbit skipped that feature.
Is it a dealbreaker? Probably not for most people, but it’s a feature I’ve really loved using on my Apple Watch, so not having it felt weird.
Winner: Apple Watch
Apple Watch vs. Fitbit: The verdictIt’s not exactly the flashiest answer, but the clear winner between Apple Watch and Fitbit depends on you. If you’re looking for a simple fitness tracker, the best Fitbit watch is likely the Charge 6. It packs a powerful punch into a tiny device — including health and fitness tracking, sleep tracking, built-in GPS, and more — while boasting a great battery life and a solid price tag.
If you’re more interested in a quality smartwatch, then get whatever works with your phone. The Apple Watch is a fantastic choice that’s both functional and durable, but the Google Pixel Watch 2 is shaping up to be a decent competitor.
Opens in a new window Credit: RJ Andersen / Mashable Shop Apple Watches at Amazon Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: RJ Andersen / Mashable Shop Fitbits at Amazon Shop NowReality TV has come a long way since MTV plopped a bunch of twentysomethings in an artsy loft, trained cameras on them, and left them to their own devices for a few months way back in 1992. Now our reality TV choices are seemingly limitless — from ruthless restaurateurs to fabulous, multitalented drag fantasies; from rich and ruthless housewives to hardcore survivalists living by their wits.
If any of that sounds like fun, you’re in good company! Hulu has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to reality TV. We’ve sifted through the digital dross to find you the best.
1. Bachelor Nation Is he here for the right reasons? Credit: ABCThe Bachelor began way back in 2002 with a simple premise: Take one dude (Alex Michel) and a bevy of single ladies competing for his attentions — as signified by red roses doled out at the end of almost every episode — with the aforementioned dude eliminating women until he was left with the one he wanted to marry. Along the way, the ladies participated in challenging adventures, group dates, and sometimes embarrassing activities — all in the name of love (and social media infamy). The original show was spun off into The Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise, among others, along with an entire media ecosystem devoted to scrutinizing Who’s Here for the Right Reasons. There's plenty of behind-the-scenes drama, too. — Jenni Miller, Contributing Writer
How to watch: The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, and Bachelor in Paradise are all available to stream on Hulu.
2. CatfishBack in 2010, the Sundance documentary Catfish took viewers by storm as they watched a lovelorn suitor named Nev Schulman fall for a young woman he meets on Facebook only to have it all unravel when he discovers the truth about his virtual girlfriend. Even now, the movie is a stunner that leaves audiences wondering who was catfishing whom. Schulman took his newfound notoriety and put it to work under the auspices of helping others tricked by Internet paramours in this hypnotizing TV show. Watch for shocking truths about the people we think we know best, online or off. — J.M.
How to watch: Catfish is available to stream on Hulu.
SEE ALSO: 11 best true-crime docs about scammers, con artists, and deadly deceptions 3. Love Island (UK)The Love Island franchise originated in the UK and has spawned little amorous archipelagoes in Denmark, France, Finland, and Australia, among other countries, where bikini-clad singletons mix and mingle in sexy climes. Unlike The Bachelor franchise, the emphasis is on “coupling up” and enjoying “a good craic,” hopefully with someone who is “fit” and tan with good teeth who is ideally “a bit of me” rather than rushing to the altar, which makes for a more laidback and somewhat less frenzied vibe. Plus, whoever the audience chooses as the best couple brings home a bushel of cold, hard cash on top of those sweet vacation tans. — J.M.
How to watch: Love Island (UK) is available to stream on Hulu.
4. Kitchen Nightmares Credit: Granada / Optomen TV / A Smith Co. / Kobal / ShutterstockDo you want to find out what all of those Gordon Ramsay memes are about? Of course you do! On Kitchen Nightmares, the famous chef uses his culinary expertise to help restaurateurs with struggling businesses — but sometimes these places are beyond help. Whether it's the staff's cooking techniques (or lack thereof), dated or downright dirty décor, interpersonal problems, financial mismanagement, or something else altogether going wrong at these restaurants, we can trust Ramsay's vivid vocabulary to never fail us. — J.M.
If you enjoy his whole deal, there's also Hotel Hell, MasterChef, and MasterChef Junior to keep you occupied!
How to watch: Kitchen Nightmares is available to stream on Hulu.
5. Hot OnesIt's become inordinately difficult to get a fresh angle on the celebrity interview, but Sean Evans cracked the code with Hot Ones. To be fair, there aren't that many famous folks who are game to try eating increasingly spicy chicken wings on camera while being interviewed… but the ones who are give good interview indeed. Hulu has the first four seasons of this insanely popular YouTube show, which includes everyone from Billie Eilish and the Jackass guys to none other than Guy Fieri getting into it. — J.M.
How to watch: Hot Ones is available to stream on Hulu.
6. Jersey ShoreJersey Shore is a pop culture phenomenon, and if you haven't acquainted yourself with this piece of recent history, it's time to add it to your list. MTV's hit show follows the ins and outs of eight friends vacationing in Seaside Heights, New Jersey. Things get crazy. Insults are thrown. Fights erupt. And the result is reality TV at its absolute finest, from the people that arguably made it what it is. There are one too many quotable lines from Jersey Shore, so buckle up for the wildest, tequila-infused ride imaginable. It's trash TV, and it's incredible. — Yasmeen Hamadeh, Freelance Contributor
How to watch: Jersey Shore is available to stream on Hulu.
7. Drag Me to Dinner Credit: Jeong Park / HuluDrag AND dinner parties? Sign us up! Hosted by the one and only Murray Hill (Somebody Somewhere), Drag Me to Dinner pits two teams of drag queens against each other to throw the perfect drag dinner party. The criteria? All teams must stick to the theme, deliver a delicious feast, and do it all in drag, with top-notch entertainment to match. If that hasn't already sold you, David Burtka, Neil Patrick Harris, Haneefah Wood, and the incomparable Bianca Del Rio all serve as judges, and things get oh, so wonderfully wacky and chaotically camp pretty quickly. — Y.H.
How to watch: Drag Me to Dinner is now streaming on Hulu.
8. America's Next Top ModelYes, it's outdated. Yes, there's a lot wrong with it. Yes, Tyra Banks put these girls to hell and back. But America's Next Top Model unfortunately remains one of the most entertaining reality shows ever, as well a well-needed lesson in pop culture — if only for single-handedly launching a thousand memes. In the show, 14 aspiring models undergo a slew challenges to become America's next top model and win a cash prize. The challenges are so ridiculous, like that forsaken runway with swinging pendulums, that you might as well be watching the show out of horror or bemusement. And in my book, that's great reality TV. — Y.H.
How to watch: America's Next Top Model is now streaming on Hulu.
9. Project RunwayFor all the fashion aficionados, this one's for you. Project Runway, which is now in its 20th season, follows a group of aspiring designers and stylists competing against each other to win a coveted cash prize (plus other perks) to help them launch their own line. Through a series of unique challenges, contestants are slowly eliminated by a panel of judges that includes some of the industry's top designers. Be inspired by the art. Be inspired by the style. But be particularly inspired by all the backstabbing. — Y.H.
How to watch: Project Runway is now streaming on Hulu.
10. The Masked Singer Yes, there's a Muppets Night episode. Credit: FoxThis wildly popular singing competition show, which is based on the South Korean show King of Mask Singer, features a dizzying array of celebrities dressed up in costumes and belting out hits while judges Ken Jeong, Jenny McCarthy, Nicole Scherzinger, and Robin Thicke vote on the best performers and try to suss out which random celeb is dressed up as, like, a glittery beach ball or something. (We really cannot stress how surreal this show is.) Once the judges and audience members vote, the least-popular singer must reveal their identity. This goes on until the last episode, where the last celeb standing is presented with The Golden Mask. While the judges and audience members are given clues about who’s behind the mask, the behind-the-scenes security measures make the Oscars look low-key. — J.M.
How to watch: The Masked Singer is available to stream on Hulu.
11. MasterChef JuniorThese little kiddos would put The Bear's entire kitchen to shame. In MasterChef Junior, a group of young chefs, aged eight to thirteen, compete in a series of challenges where their dishes are judged by none other than Gordon Ramsay himself. But worry not! In this show, Ramsay is actually nice! And he's so good with the kids! Part of what makes MasterChef Junior particularly entertaining is seeing a different side to the irascible chef, which is delightfully paired with all the sheer talent exuding from its young contestants. While these kids are out here making an amuse-bouche, we're struggling with cereal. — Y.H.
How to watch: MasterChef Junior is now streaming on Hulu.
12. SurvivorTo some extent, reality TV is all about watching other people do things we’d rather not and then criticizing how they conduct themselves, and Survivor is the greatest example of that impulse. This extraordinarily popular long-running series drops competitors off in a remote location somewhere in the world where they’re left to team up and scramble for food, shelter, and other everyday necessities, as well as compete in challenges that may require anything from eating bugs to holding onto a buoy for almost 12 hours. The winner gets one million dollars, eternal bragging rights, and countless bug bites and tummy aches. There are 34 seasons of Survivor currently available on Hulu! — J.M.
How to watch: Survivor is available to stream on Hulu.
13. RuPaul's Drag Race RuPaul and Debbie Reynolds being legends Credit: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times via Getty ImagesIt’s hard to remember a world before RuPaul brought drag into America’s living room with this effervescent show that melds creative competitions with performances and behind-the-scenes revelations, in addition to a fabulous stable of judges and guest stars. It made RuPaul a media mogul and turned its winning drag queens into household names, along with inspiring international spin-offs and Drag Race All-Stars. While there has been some controversy around Drag Race and its creator over the years, not to mention some of its contestants, it’s impossible to deny its imprint on the cultural landscape. — J.M.
How to watch: RuPaul’s Drag Race is available to stream on Hulu.
14. AloneThis is a reality show from the History channel, which gives it a whiff of authenticity. (Plus, it seems to be less salacious than, say, Naked or Afraid, which invites titillation just by the title. Not that there's anything wrong with that.) Competitors chronicle their day-to-day life as they try to survive by themselves in extreme environments like Patagonia, Mongolia, and the Arctic, with a minimum of supplies or interference from the outside world. Naturally, they can tap out at any time, but the winner could pocket anywhere from $500k to a cool one million smackeroos in the seventh season. In addition to cash and considerable bragging rights, the winner of the eighth season also came home with a cool hat he made himself from a deer he killed — after he ate its heart, of course. — J.M.
How to watch: Alone is available to stream on Hulu.
15. Forged in FireThis delightfully baroque competition series pits amateur bladesmiths with oft-extraordinary facial hair and tattoos against one another as they forge a variety of knives, swords, and other cutting implements, based on the various stipulations of each challenge. Not only is this a wildly dangerous hobby that requires lots of equipment and supplies, it also requires a ton of historical knowledge, artistry, and general steeliness of spirit. The most satisfying part of the show is when the judges test the implements against a variety of objects (including animal carcasses, which are then typically donated). When Doug Marcaida says, “It will cut!” it’s better than a handshake from Paul Hollywood. — J.M.
How to watch: Forged in Fire is available to stream on Hulu.
16. The Kardashians Credit: Courtesy of HuluIs The Kardashians as scandalous as Keeping Up With the Kardashians? Not really. But does the show still deliver unforgettable Kardashian moments we all hate to admit we love? Yes, it does. Whether you've missed watching Kim, Kourtney, and Khloe shake their salad bowls or Kris Jenner rallying the girls for a family meeting to discuss a PR crisis, The Kardashians is an elevated look into America's royal family at their absolute best — and worst. Come for all the drama, and stay for the iconic nasal fry. — Y.H.
How to watch: The Kardashians is available to stream on Hulu.
17. Shark TankIn Shark Tank, entrepreneurs get to pitch their budding small businesses to a bunch of high-powered tycoons like Mark Cuban, who can then choose to invest or negotiate further, as the case may be. There's nothing like watching a deal being hashed out — the free samples, the wheedling, the peacocking and snark — and then, finally, the decision that renders someone a millionaire or just some guy with a failed dream. It's ruthless. It's brutal. It's callous capitalism. If the venture capitalism of it all seems off-putting, worry not, because Shark Tank is equal parts hilarious drama and financial fluff — a 10/10 binge experience in every way. — Y.H.
How to watch: Shark Tank is available to stream on Hulu.
18. Secrets & Sisterhood: The Sozahdahs Credit: Courtesy of HuluIf you miss the old-school Kardashian days, Secrets & Sisterhood: The Sozahdahs is sure to fill up that family drama-shaped void in your life. The reality show follows 10 Muslim American sisters (Yes, there's 10 of them!), as they navigate their love lives and career amidst cultural expectations and conflicting identities. While there are some heartfelt moments in Secrets & Sisterhood, the show finds its true brilliance in how MESSY these girls can get. Expect explosive fights in each episode, drunk shenanigans, and so, so many secrets. Have your popcorn ready for this one. — Y.H.
How to watch: Secrets & Sisterhood: The Sozahdahs is now streaming on Hulu.
19. HoardersLike its name suggests, A&E's Hoarders looks into the lives of people who are compulsive hoarders and have, over the years, accumulated a house full of stuff. Each episode follows an intervention process for at least two participants, and things get intense. This award-winning show walks a fine line between exploitation and entertainment, as hoarding is classified in the DSM as a disorder that's part of the obsessive-compulsive spectrum. Problematic as it may be, the show's portrayal of extreme expressions of human behavior has proven irresistible to viewers, even after being cancelled and renewed in various iterations. — Y.H.
How to watch: Hoarders is available to stream on Hulu.
20. Married at First SightYou get what you signed up for with Married at First Sight, which reverses the standard dating order and has couples tying up the knot first, leaving the whole getting-to-know-you bit second. Watch as two complete strangers get paired up and then finally meet each other — on their wedding day. With the most awkward honeymoons ever under its belt, Married at First Sight is weirdly wild and is an easy binge for any evening. — Y.H.
How to watch: Married at First Sight is available to stream on Hulu.
Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu Get DealUPDATE: Nov. 20, 2024, 1:00 p.m. EST This post has been updated to reflect current streaming options.
The No. 14 BYU Cougars and the No. 21 Arizona State Sun Devils football teams go head-to-head this weekend at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. The match will take place on Saturday, Nov. 23, and is scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT.
BYU lost it's undefeated record last week when it fell to unranked Kansas. The Cougars dropped in the AP Top 25 rankings from No. 6 to No. 14, while also falling out of the College Football Playoffs ranking. Now, the Big 12 may be up for grabs as Colorado and Arizona State wait in the wing.
Arizona State sits in third in the Big 12, earning their first AP Top 25 ranking since 2021. The Sun Devils are 8-2 overall and 5-2 in conference after a big win over then-ranked Kansas State last week. It was ASU football's second win over a ranked opponent this season.
SEE ALSO: How to watch college football without cable BYU vs. Arizona State football kickoff time and networkThe BYU vs. Arizona State football game is scheduled for a 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT start on the ESPN on Saturday, Nov. 23.
Dave Pasch is expected to do the play-by-play, while Dusty Dvoracek will join him in the booth, and Taylor McGregor will be the sideline reporter.
Best streaming services for BYU vs. Arizona State football gameYou need to choose a streaming service to watch college football without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the BYU vs. Arizona State football game on ESPN.
Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Orange Plan Get DealSling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.
Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV Pro plan Get DealFuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
The No. 20 Tulane Green Wave and the Memphis Tigers teams go head-to-head this weekend at Yulman Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana. The match will take place on Saturday, Nov. 23, and is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. ET/ 4:30 p.m. PT.
Tulane is 9-2 overall and 7-0 in conference. The Green Wave have won eight straight games including last week over Navy. Memphis is also 9-2 overall and 5-2 in conference. The Tigers have won four of their last five games, which has helped the Memphis team earn 38 votes towards being ranked in the AP Top 25.
A win over ranked Tulane would likely push Memphis into the Top 25, but the odds are heavily stacked against them.
SEE ALSO: How to watch college football without cable Memphis vs. Tulane football kickoff time and networkThe Memphis vs. Tulane football game is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT start on ESPN on Saturday, Nov. 23.
Best streaming services for Memphis vs. Tulane football gameYou need to choose a streaming service to watch college football without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Memphis vs. Tulane football game on ESPN.
Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Orange Plan Get DealSling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.
Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV Pro plan Get DealFuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
The No. 13 SMU Mustangs and the Virginia Cavaliers teams go head-to-head this weekend at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, Virginia. The match will take place on Saturday, Nov. 23, and is scheduled to start at 12 p.m. ET/ 9 a.m. PT.
The Mustangs are 9-1 overall and 6-0 in conference after winning their last seven games. The Cavaliers are 5-5 overall and 3-3 in conference. Virginia has lost four of their last five games.
The SMU vs. Virginia football game is scheduled for a 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT start on ESPN2 on Saturday, Nov. 23.
Roy Philpott is expected to do the play-by-play, while Sam Acho joins him in the booth. Taylor Davis will be the sideline reporter.
Best streaming services for SMU vs. Virginia football gameYou need to choose a streaming service to watch college football without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the SMU vs. Virginia football game on ESPN2.
Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Orange Plan Get DealSling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.
Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV Pro plan Get DealFuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
The No. 9 Ole Miss Rebels and the Florida Gators teams go head-to-head this weekend at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida. The match will take place on Saturday, Nov. 23, and is scheduled to start at 12 p.m. ET/ 9 a.m. PT.
Ole Miss is 8-2 overall and 4-2 in conference. The Gators are 5-5 overall and 3-4 in conference. The Rebels have won four of their last five, including three straight. but they're still fifth in the SEC. Florida beat LSU last week, but they've lost three of their last five games.
The Ole Miss vs. Florida football game is scheduled for a 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT start on ABC/ESPN+ on Saturday, Nov. 23.
Best streaming services for Ole Miss vs. Florida football gameYou need to choose a streaming service to watch college football without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Ole Miss vs. Florida football game on ABC.
Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Orange Plan Get DealSling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.
Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV Pro plan Get DealFuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
The No. 16 Colorado Buffaloes and Kansas Jayhawks teams go head-to-head this weekend at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. The match will take place on Saturday, Nov. 23, and is scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT.
Colorado, led by Deion Sanders, is 8-2 overall and 6-1 in conference. The Buffaloes have won four straight games, including last week's win over Utah, pushing them to second in the Big 12. Colorado not only has a legitimate shot to take the Big 12 after BYU's loss to Kansas last week, but they could work their way into the CFP ranking.
The Jayhawks are 4-6 overall and 3-4 in conference, but they had a huge win over BYU last week. Kansas won 17-13, handing BYU it's first loss of the season.
SEE ALSO: How to watch college football without cable Colorado vs. Kansas football kickoff time and networkThe Colorado vs. Kansas football game is scheduled for a 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT start on FOX on Saturday, Nov. 23.
Best streaming services for Colorado vs. Kansas football gameYou need to choose a streaming service to watch college football without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Colorado vs. Kansas football game on FOX.
Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Orange Plan Get DealSling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.
Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV Pro plan Get DealFuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
The No. 6 Notre Dame Fighting Irish and No. 18 Army Black Knight football teams go head-to-head this weekend at Yankee Stadium in New York. The match will take place on Saturday, Nov. 23, and is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.
Notre Dame has won eight straight games, and while that's impressive, Army is one of three teams still undefeated in the FBS. The Fighting Irish has only suffered one loss this season, a close 16-14 loss to Northern Illinois. Since then, Notre Dame has beat two other ranked teams including then-No. 15 Louisville and then-No. 24 Navy. Army, has arguably, cruised to a No. 18 ranking after facing no ranked opponents.
SEE ALSO: How to watch college football without cable Army vs. Notre Dame football kickoff time and networkThe Army vs. Notre Dame football game is scheduled for an 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT start on the NBC/Peacock on Saturday, Nov. 23.
Best streaming services for Army vs. Notre Dame football gameYou need to choose a streaming service to watch college football without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Army vs. Notre Dame football game on NBC.
Exclusive Streaming: Peacock Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock TV Peacock Premium Get DealThere are two tiers to NBC’s Peacock streaming service. The Premium plan is $7.99/month, and the Premium Plus at $13.99/month.
The advantage of the Premium Plus plan is no ads, but that doesn’t apply to live sporting events. Also, the Premium Plus plan provides 24/7 access to your local NBC channel.
Peacock also offers a full year for the price of 10 months if the full year is paid upfront. Those rates are $79.99 for the Premium plan and $139.99 for the Premium Plus plan.
College students can get Peacock’s premium plan for $1.99/month. Students can get more information at PeacockTV.com/students.
Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Orange Plan Get DealSling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.
Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV Pro plan Get DealFuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
The No. 4 Penn State Nittany Lions and the Minnesota Golden Gophers football teams go head-to-head this weekend at Huntington-Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The match will take place on Saturday, Nov. 23, and is scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT.
Penn State is 9-1 overall and 6-1 in conference. The Nittany Lions are ranked No. 4 in the AP Top 25, with the team's only loss coming against No. 2 Ohio State. Both Penn State and Minnesota have won four of their last five, but Minnesota is unranked at 6-4 overall. The Golden Gophers are coming off a lost to Rutgers.
SEE ALSO: How to watch college football without cable Penn State vs. Minnesota football kickoff time and networkThe Penn State vs. Minnesota football game is scheduled for a 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT start on CBS on Saturday, Nov. 23.
Brad Nessler is expected to do the play-by-play, while Gary Danielson will join him in the booth, and Jenny Dell will be the sideline reporter.
Best streaming services for Penn State vs. Minnesota football gameYou need to choose a streaming service to watch college football without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Penn State vs. Minnesota football game on CBS.
Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Orange Plan Get DealSling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.
Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV Pro plan Get DealFuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
The No. 3 Texas Longhorns and the Kentucky Wildcats football teams go head-to-head this weekend at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas. The match will take place on Saturday, Nov. 23, and is scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT.
The Longhorns are 9-1 overall and 5-1 in conference play. The Wildcats are 4-6 overall and 1-6 conference.
SEE ALSO: How to watch college football without cable Kentucky vs. Texas football kickoff time and networkThe Kentucky vs. Texas football game is scheduled for a 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT start on ABC/ESPN+ on Saturday, Nov. 23.
Joe Tessitore is expected to do the play-by-play, while Jesse Palmer will join him in the booth, and Katie George will be the sideline reporter.
Best streaming services for Kentucky vs. Texas football gameYou need to choose a streaming service to watch college football without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Texas vs. Arkansas football game on ABC.
Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Orange Plan Get DealSling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.
Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV Pro plan Get DealFuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
The No. 5 Indiana Hoosiers and the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes football teams go head-to-head this weekend at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. The match will take place on Saturday, Nov. 23, and is scheduled to start at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT.
The Hoosiers are one of just three undefeated teams left in the FBS. They sit in an elite class with only the Oregon Ducks and the Army Black Knights. The Buckeyes are 9-1 overall, 6-1 in conference play, and currently sit behind only the Ducks in the AP Top 25.
SEE ALSO: How to watch college football without cable Indiana vs. Ohio State football kickoff time and networkThe Indiana Hoosiers vs. Ohio State Buckeyes football game is scheduled for a 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT start on FOX on Saturday, Nov. 23.
Best streaming services for Indiana vs. Ohio State football gameYou need to choose a streaming service to watch college football without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Indiana vs. Ohio State football game on FOX.
Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Orange Plan Get DealSling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.
Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV Pro plan Get DealFuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
TL;DR: This holiday season, you can gift 12 months of Xbox Game Pass Core for just £39.90 (reg. £47.88). Get online multiplayer action, a rotating game library, and stackable codes to purchase this deal for up to three years.
Opens in a new window Credit: Retail King Xbox Game Pass Core: 12-Month Membership - Stackable [Digital Code] £39.90 at the Mashable ShopLooking for the perfect gift for a gamer that keeps the fun going all year?
The Xbox Game Pass Core 12-month membership on sale for £39.90. This popular cloud gaming platform is a winning choice, letting your recipient dive into online multiplayer action, a rotating collection of top games, and even the option to extend access with stackable codes. Each code provides a year of gaming thrills, and since you can stack up to three codes, that means you can purchase up to three years of gaming adventures.
This membership is a passport to over 25 curated games, including everything from high-stakes adventures to strategic challenges — with new games rotated in regularly. It’s a great way for players to try something new or revisit classics they love, all while staying connected with friends and players around the world.
Whether you’re shopping for the holidays, a birthday, or just because, this 12-month stackable Xbox Game Pass Core is a gift that any Xbox fan would be thrilled to unwrap.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
TL;DR: Live stream Ireland vs. Fiji in the Autumn Nations Series for free on Virgin Media Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The Autumn Nations Series has been a mixed bag for Ireland this year. They suffered a disappointing defeat to the All Blacks in the first game of the series, but bounced back with a narrow victory over Argentina last weekend.
Can the Irish secure a second win of the Autumn Nations Series against Fiji? If you want to watch Ireland vs. Fiji in the Autumn Nations Series from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Ireland vs. Fiji?Ireland vs. Fiji in the Autumn Nations Series kicks off at 3:10 p.m. GMT on Nov. 23. This fixture takes place at the Aviva Stadium.
How to watch Ireland vs. Fiji for freeIreland vs. Fiji is available to live stream for free on Virgin Media Player in Ireland.
If you're abroad for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to unblock Virgin Media Player. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock Virgin Media Player to stream the Autumn Nations Series for free from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Ireland vs. Fiji for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Ireland
Visit Virgin Media Player
Watch Ireland vs. Fiji for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Autumn Nations Series without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Ireland vs. Fiji (plus more Autumn Nations Series fixtures) before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for Virgin Media Player?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Virgin Media Player, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Ireland
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 eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Ireland vs. Fiji in the Autumn Nations Series for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Wales vs. South Africa in the Autumn Nations Series for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The Autumn Nations Series has been really entertaining this year, but Wales will want to forget all about it. Unfortunately for the struggling side, it doesn't exactly get any easier this weekend. South Africa are coming to town, fresh from beating Scotland and England. It might be a long night for the Welsh.
If you want to watch Wales vs. Australia in the Autumn Nations Series from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Wales vs. South Africa?Wales vs. South Africa in the Autumn Nations Series kicks off at 5:40 p.m. GMT on Nov. 23. This fixture takes place at the Millennium Stadium.
How to watch Wales vs. South Africa for freeWales vs. South Africa is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer in the UK.
If you're abroad for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to unblock BBC iPlayer. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock BBC iPlayer to stream the Autumn Nations Series for free from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Wales vs. South Africa for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK
Visit BBC iPlayer
Watch Wales vs. South Africa for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Autumn Nations Series without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Wales vs. South Africa (plus more Autumn Nations Series fixtures) before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on BBC iPlayer, 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 eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Wales vs. South Africa in the Autumn Nations Series for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Orlando Magic vs. Detroit Pistons in the NBA for free on Ran.de. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The Detroit Pistons have surprised a lot of people in the early stages of the NBA season. They've made their best start in years, finally giving fans a reason to be hopeful.
Of course, things could quickly derail after a few difficult matchups. And a trip to play the Orlando Magic is particularly tough. The Magic are competing near the top of the standings, and will be confident of securing another win at home.
If you want to watch Orlando Magic vs. Detroit Pistons in the NBA for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Orlando Magic vs. Detroit Pistons?Orlando Magic vs. Detroit Pistons in the NBA starts at 7 p.m. ET on Nov. 23. This game takes place at the Kia Center.
How to watch Orlando Magic vs. Detroit Pistons for freeOrlando Magic vs. Detroit Pistons is available to live stream for free on Ran.de in Germany.
If you're traveling outside of Germany during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this free live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Germany, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Orlando Magic vs. Detroit Pistons for free on Ran.de by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Germany
Visit Ran.de
Watch Orlando Magic vs. Detroit Pistons for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Orlando Magic vs. Detroit Pistons before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the NBA?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Germany
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 eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Orlando Magic vs. Detroit Pistons in the NBA for free with ExpressVPN.
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 November 23 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 23 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Did you hear that?These words are onomatopoeia.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedWords are things you might hear.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.
NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is SoundEffects
Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for November 23Crunch
Crash
Sizzle
Jingle
Kapow
Honk
Bang
SoundEffects
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.
Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.
Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections Sports Edition?The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
Tweet may have been 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 November 23 Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow - Famous footwear
Green - Tools of an olympic trade
Blue - Famous racers
Purple - Guest stars
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow - Running shoe brands
Green - First words of gymnastics apparatuses
Blue - F1 Champions
Purple - "Seinfeld" sports cameos
Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.
Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.
Drumroll, please!
The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #61 is...
What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition todayRunning shoe brands: ADIDAS, ASICS, NIKE, SAUCONY
First words of gymnastics apparatuses: BALANCE, PARALLEL, POMMEL, UNEVEN
F1 Champions: ALONSO, HAMILTON, VERSTAPPEN, VETTEL
"Seinfeld" sports cameos: HERNANDEZ, JETER, O'NEILL, SHOWALTER
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.
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