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SAVE $39.96: As of Dec. 17, get a pair of Beats Studio Buds+ for $129.99 at Amazon. That's a discount of 24%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Beats Studio Buds+ $129.99 at Amazon
$169.95 Save $39.96 Get Deal

Trying to find a last-minute gift that's perfect for just about anyone on your holiday list? Why not get a pair of earbuds? Anyone can appreciate music, or if they're more into podcasts, they can enjoy their favorite on the go with a great pair of buds. They can also be used for taking calls or jumping on calls or meetings at work. And there's a great brand that's on offer right now thanks to Amazon.

As of December 17, get a pair of transparent Beats Studio Buds+ for just $129.99 at Amazon. That's $39.96 off their usual price of $169.96 and a discount of 24%.

These earbuds are a great alternative to Apple AirPods, given that Beats is part of the Apple ecosystem. And you can't deny how cool they look with their transparent design, a decision that obviously more tech companies should decide to undertake again like it's the 2000s.

But on the tech side, these earbuds sound fantastic, whether you use them listen to Charli XCX or you log in to a Zoom call with them. They offer active noise cancelling and transparency modes for a custom listening experience, so you can block out the world or let the things in that matter. You also get up to 36 hours of listening time per charge, which means you can go all day and night pumping out the jams or even talking on the phone.

For the price, you're getting a stellar pair of headphones. But given how close the holidays are, you'll probably want to pick them up now instead of later to lock this price in.

SAVE UP TO 89% ON KINDLE BOOKS: Shop deals on Kindle books up to 89% off. Get bestsellers like Project Hail Mary for just $2.99, saving 80%, or Erik Larson's The Devil in the White City for $1.99, saving 89%.

The best Kindle book deals Best fiction deal 'Project Hail Mary' by Andy Weir $2.99 at Amazon (Save $17.01) Get Deal Best non-fiction deal 'The Devil in the White City' by Erik Larson $1.99 at Amazon (Save $16) Get Deal Best fantasy deal 'The Throne of Glass' by Sarah J. Maas $2.99 at Amazon (Save $12.21) Get Deal Best romance deal 'Hook, Line, and Sinker' by Tessa Bailey $1.99 at Amazon (Save $14) Get Deal Best Kindle deal Amazon Kindle Paperwhite $134.99 at Amazon (Save $25) Get Deal

Amazon stunned us all when they put their 2024 line-up of Kindles on sale during Black Friday. Luckily, leading up to the holidays, the deals have stopped. Not only can you still find the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite on sale for $134.99, but Kindle e-books are severely discounted.

Find fiction and non-fiction alive on sale for as low as $1.99. Bestsellers like Andy Weir's Project Hail Mary and Erik Larson's The Devil in the White City are up to 89% off. Shop Kindle e-books and stuff your Kindle's library.

Best book deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon 'Project Hail Mary' by Andy Weir $2.99 at Amazon
$20.00 Save $17.01 Get Deal Why we like it

Bestselling author of The Martian, Andy Weir, is sending you back to space with Project Hail Mary. In this story of survival, astronaut Ryland Grace wakes up to find both his crewmates dead as their ship hurtles through space. Now, he's the sole survivor on their mission to save earth and all of humanity.

This propulsive sci-fi novel is being adapted into a movie starring Ryan Gosling in 2026, so add a copy to your Kindle library now. It's on sale in the Kindle Store for $2.99, saving you $17.01 for 85% off.

More Kindle book deals

• A Heart That Works by Rob Delaney — $1.99 $18 (save $16.01)

• Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton — $2.99 $19 (save $16.01)

• The Boys by Katie Hafner — $1.99 $18 (save $16.01)

• The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson — $1.99 $17.99 (save $16)

• Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver — $2.99 $19.99 (save $17)

• Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey — $1.99 $15.99 (save $14)

• How to Stop Time by Matt Haig — $2.99 $18 (save $15.01)

• In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware — $2.99 $17.99 (save $15)

• Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson — $2.99 $17 (save $14.01)

• The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman — $2.99 $18 (save $16.01)

• Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood — $1.99 $17 (save $15.01)

• Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia — $2.99 $17 (save $14.01)

• Only When It's Us by Chloe Liese — $1.99 $17 (save $15.01)

• The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan (The Kane Chronicles book one) — $1.99 $15.99 (save $14)

• Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas —$2.99 $15.20 (save $12.21)

• Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel — $2.99 $17 (save $14.01)

• The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert — $1.99 $18 (save $16.01)

• Splinters by Leslie Jamison — $3.99 $29 (save $25.01)

• The Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan (The Kane Chronicles book two) — $1.99 $15.99 (save $14)

• West with Giraffes by Lydia Rutledge — $2.99 $4.99 (save $2.50)

• World Travel by Anthony Bourdain — $1.99 $22 (save $20.01)

Master suspense-spinner Steven Soderbergh puts his spin on Mr. & Mrs. Smith in Black Bag, an espionage thriller about two married spies, who turn on one another.

SEE ALSO: 2025 movie preview: All the films you'll want to know about

Written by David Koepp, who's previously collaborated with Soderbergh on the haunted house horror story Presence and the hi-tech thriller Kimi, Black Bag stars Cate Blanchett (Disclaimer) and Michael Fassbender (Kneecap) as intelligence agents Kathryn and George Woodhouse. For the most part, they manage to keep their work — which they know could very well put them at odds — separate from their marriage. But when Kathryn is suspected of betraying England, George will have to decide what comes first: his love or his country?

Black Bag also stars Marisa Abela (Industry), Regé-Jean Page (Bridgerton), Tom Burke (Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga), Naomie Harris (Venom: Let There Be Carnage), and former Bond, James Bond: Pierce Brosnan.

Black Bag opens only in theaters March 14.

The digital age was built on connection. We started by rekindling old connections, like how the now-defunct Friends Reunited blossomed as one of the first UK social media platforms, allowing users to connect with those they'd lost touch with. 

But platforms like Friends Reunited aren't needed in 2024 because cutting ties and losing connection is harder than ever. (The site did shut down in 2016). Our Facebook accounts are littered with hundreds of past friends from various touchstones. Our Instagram profiles have become a digital diary, logging every "notable" moment. Our following and followers alike boast friends, colleagues, and people we had one chat with at a house party six years ago, now fated to see what we eat for lunch for the rest of eternity.

SEE ALSO: What are the rules for blocking someone after a breakup?

If a romantic or platonic relationship broke down even thirty years ago, you wouldn't be tethered by "following" them, or their friends and family. You wouldn't be at risk of seeing their face pop up on your TikTok FYP or their professional achievements on LinkedIn. You'd be at risk of running into them in a bar you frequent, at stores you both liked. Life updates would come via gossip, or when bumping into them, as many '90s sitcoms would make you believe happened daily. (Think of Carrie Bradshaw escaping New York only to bump into Big and his new wife, Natasha, with no idea he was even on the continent.) Such experiences feel impossible now, relics of another lifetime.

Is it possible to cut all ties when you break up today? Relationship experts believe that we can control our levels of connection to a certain degree, but whether we should stay tethered is still up for debate.

Spotting your ex on a dating app

A mental checklist can form when a relationship ends: unfollow (if breakup is unamicable), delete photos, decide custody of streaming services, and check that DoorDash is set to your address. When you're ready, sign up for dating apps, as many people rely on them now. A few swipes in and there they are: your ex, also playing the field. Seeing your ex on dating apps can be difficult, and there are many ways to deal with it and attempt to avoid it.

Some dating apps have built-in ways to avoid those you may not wish to see. Hinge has a Block Contacts feature, allowing users to block people by giving the app access to their contact list, or manually inputting a contact. "Traditional" blocking is also available, preventing the user from seeing or being seen by anyone they wish to avoid. 

Tinder similarly has a Block Contacts feature, too. Whilst Bumble does not, you can contact the support team to block those who have not currently matched. Both apps also offer blocking for accounts viewed or matched with. "Incognito" modes, allowing swiping without being seen by others, also exist within Tinder and Bumble.

Dr Jess Carbino, a former sociologist for Tinder and Bumble, hosted many focus groups with app users, finding that for some individuals "seeing their ex on the apps was often very painful" and for others, "seeing an ex on an app would be a source of anger if they believed that their ex did not portray themselves in a manner they thought was consistent with their reality of their ex."

Relationship experts who work at dating apps have yet to reach a consensus on tackling this issue, with each situation requiring a tailored response. 

"Often, the best thing one can do to move on is to cut off all ties (at least in the beginning), but just because you may still come across their photos or dating profiles, it doesn't mean you need to engage with it," Dr Betsy Chung, relationship expert at RAW dating app, says.

Though seeing your ex "might help some people ease into the idea of seeing their ex as just another person in their network," says Katie Dissanayake, co-founder and CEO of dating app After, she recognises that "it can reopen wounds and make moving on much harder."

According to Shan Boodram, Bumble's sex and relationships expert, a recent Bumble survey found that 49 percent of Gen Z and millennial respondents would not stay in contact with their ex after a breakup, and nearly 40 percent get rid of all love letters, gifts, clothes, and photos immediately to help them move on. This includes removing any digital footprints of an ex if they see fit, and blocking or muting if needed.

"The best choice is the one that aligns with your boundaries and emotional needs," Boodram believes.

People from our lives can pop up in unexpected manners, exes or otherwise, whether we fall into the aforementioned 49 percent or not.

Exes reaching out on social media

Multiple daters Mashable spoke to noted their digital footprint is tied to their business and professional life, making it difficult to cut communication channels. One source discussed blocking their website from access in the country in which their ex resided, recognising that a VPN could still render that effort moot. The digital era has provided new platforms and methods for harassment, with extensive advice available online to help those dealing with cyber-stalking from exes and otherwise. 

Vanessa, 41, based in Illinois, has had "exes and ex-friends reach out to me on my Facebook business page after blocking them on all my personal pages." But even one-time flings have reached out, too: "A guy I made out with once dropped into my Facebook DMs after 9 years of not talking to him asking to buy me a coffee so we could 'bury the hatchet.'"

Sebastian, 27, based in Mexico City, is experiencing monitoring from an ex via Instagram stories. "This ex always sees my Instagram stories, she doesn't follow me anymore and I don't follow her. Unfortunately, my 16-year-old dog passed away last October and I uploaded a post and a story, she casually 'answered it' like, 'Oh, I don't know why this appeared on my timeline but I'm so sorry for your loss.' Of course, I take kindly the words but it is weird cause I know for a fact she always sees my stories cause I see her profile on my views," he says.

SEE ALSO: Why social media algorithms hurt after a breakup

A pet was also a way for an anonymous source's ex to keep contact. The woman, who chose to be anonymous for privacy reasons, managed an Instagram account for her ex-girlfriend's pet when in a relationship. Years later, however, the ex began to attempt reconnection via DMs to said account, creating a source of distress.

"Thankfully, since then she hasn't contacted me again, but I don't doubt she's watching me and will at some point attempt contact again, although hopefully she's finally realized that trail is cold," she says. "The sad part is I miss the pet, and wish we could be friends so I could see them, but I've accepted that for my own mental health, that will never happen."

The positive side of social media post-breakup

It's not all bad, as online communities can help process breakups. Reddit's r/BreakUps has over 360,000 members as of publication, and whilst momentum has slowed (as of writing, the "hot" post of the day only has around 300 upvotes), there is still a community of support guiding, advising, and discussing breakups with others and taking back control.

"Ultimately, while the permanence of a digital footprint complicates breakups, it also challenges us to approach endings with empathy and self-awareness. A breakup in the digital age is less about erasing a person from your life and more about redefining their presence in it," says Leah Levi, sex and dating expert at the dating app Flure.

We may be too early in the digital age to conclusively if we can ever cut all ties in breakups, but we do have a modicum of control over our navigation and attitude, with recognition of the tools available to us, digital or not. It's down to us to cut the ties we can, messy or not, but none of it will remain foolproof. With the dating scene constantly changing and growing, what comes next is anyone's guess.

Franklin Leonard needs all his senses to work optimally. As an esteemed film producer, a contributing editor at Vanity Fair, and the founder and CEO of the Black List—an annual publication highlighting Hollywood's most popular unproduced screenplays, of which hundreds have been made into theatrical films—Leonard is constantly reading, writing, watching films, and conducting and taking part in interviews. So, when an illness took away half the hearing in his left ear two years ago, his demanding life became even more difficult; Leonard struggled to hear conversations and understand movie dialogue.

"It has been frustrating, but more than that, it's been a reminder just how bad disability policy is in this country," Franklin wrote on X this month. "I considered getting hearing aids, but even the cheapest good ones cost thousands of dollars, and health insurance does not cover their cost, even when you have a documented need."

Tweet may have been deleted

Recently, his parents gifted him with the new FDA-approved hearing aid-enabled AirPods, which Leonard called a "game-changer" on X. In the same message, Leonard bemoaned the AirPods' distinct lack of skin toned color product. We followed up with Leonard on how the AirPods have improved his work and life, and how Apple could make them even more useful.

Mashable: Tell us a little bit more about how the hearing-enabled AirPods came into your life and what changes they brought.

Leonard: The short version is that I saw the ad: What I hear in my left ear is wildly similar to the POV audio in the ad, and I happened to mention them offhand to my mother, who had been asking me what I wanted for Christmas...My mother being my mother, that offhand mention led to them arriving at my house last Friday. I tried them on Friday night and was intrigued, but I was staying home with my wife so it wasn't a proper test drive. Then on Saturday I went to a few Christmas parties, and to my great surprise, I didn't struggle to keep up with conversation and very rarely had to ask anyone to repeat themselves in conversation.

SEE ALSO: 'A powerful new tool': A disabled advocate on Apple's FDA-approved hearing aids With technology becoming more useful for people with sensory disabilities, should tech companies focus more on designing products for those less confident about their challenges? Do we need AirPods that are less conspicuous and Meta smart glasses that look more like typical eyeglasses?

According to the CDC, roughly 1 in 4 Americans reported having a disability. Designing products for folks who have them just strikes me as a good business decision...my call for flesh toned AirPods wasn't actually specifically to provide more options for people of color. It was to provide more options for people period. No one's skin is as white as an Apple AirPod, and I totally understand that that gleaming white design is part of their brand identity, and it's also pretty handy to make sure that they don't get lost quite as easily.

I just think that it might be more comfortable for people to wear them socially as their primary hearing assistance if it wasn't quite so obvious that they were sitting in your ear, which is the case as they're currently designed.

Personally, I'm going to rock them regardless. I don't think I have anything to be embarrassed about because I need a bit of help to hear more clearly, and I don't think that anyone with a disability should feel embarrassed about whatever assistance they need. So on some level I'm just trying to normalize the visible need for assistance, which was sort of the point of my post. But even that feels like a luxury, I have it so easy relatively speaking. Most have it far worse.

Many of us think of tech as a growing concern of modern life, like social media misinformation, screen addiction, AI gobbling up jobs, etc., but obviously there are advantages, like the AirPod hearing aids, that tech has brought. How do you square the good with the bad?

The industrial revolution increased productivity but it also increased the exploitation of labor. Nuclear weapons brought nuclear power. Etc. Etc. Etc. Technological advancement has always been fraught, and we've always been at the mercy of those who control technology. Social media, AI, etc. aren't per se good or bad, but the people who wield and/or control it can do so in ways that are good or bad. I'm not broadly optimistic about their moral codes at the moment, but maybe they'll surprise me.

Bill Skarsgård may be starring in Nosferatu – arguably the least Christmassy of movies – this Dec. 25, but that doesn't mean he can't get in the festive spirit.

In the Late Show clip above the IT star brings Stephen Colbert some Swedish delicacies, raising a glass of Akvavit before introducing the host to a traditional Swedish Christmas song. Looks like a fun time.

SAVE $10: As of Dec. 17, the Apple AirPods 4 (without ANC) are on sale for $119 at Amazon. This is 8% off their list price of $129.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 $119.00 at Amazon
$129.00 Save $10.00 Get Deal

If you're getting some last-minute holiday shopping done, Amazon's here to help. Not only does the company still have some sales live after Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but they've even made note of when these items will hit your doorstep ahead of Christmas. If you've been hoping to pick up the Apple AirPods 4 as a gift this year, they've currently got a little discount and will even get to you early.

At the moment, the Apple AirPods 4 without Active Noise Cancelation are on sale for $119. This is a nice little $10 discount off their list price of $129, but more importantly, Amazon notes that they'll arrive six days before Christmas. That gives you plenty of time to get them all wrapped up.

SEE ALSO: The best laptop deals for December: Shop Apple, Asus, Microsoft, and more

The AirPods 4 are worth investing in as well. While these models don't have noise cancelation, you're still getting excellent sound quality thanks to Apple's H2 chip. In our comparison of Apple AirPods 4 vs. AirPods 3, Mashable's Chance Townsend and Kimberly Gedeon said, "If you’re looking for the best value, the AirPods 4 offers more bang for your buck, particularly the ANC model. You get Siri Interactions, a more findable and compact charging case, and improved bass, mids, and highs."

You'll want to act fast to make sure these arrive in time for Christmas, though, so don't miss out on this Apple AirPods 4 deal at Amazon.

Amazon has even more items available for last-minute shoppers this holiday season. In our roundup of Amazon deals that'll arrive by tomorrow, you can see everything from speakers to home goods that you can still pick up and have in time for Christmas.

SAVE $25: As of Dec. 17, Amazon's new Kindle Paperwhite (16 GB) is on sale for $134.99. That's 16% off its list price of $159.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (16GB) $134.99 at Amazon
$159.99 Save $25.00 Get Deal

While the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale events have passed, Amazon still has quite a few discounts up its sleeve as we head into the holidays. If you had a Kindle on your radar as a gift, the brand-new Kindle Paperwhite is still discounted after the seasonal sale events for a limited time.

This brand-new Kindle Paperwhite (16GB) — which was only just revealed in October — is currently available for $134.99 for a limited time. This is 16% off its list price of $159.99, and a deal well worth jumping on if you're an avid reader or know someone with a massive love for books. Amazon also notes it may arrive after Christmas, but this delivery window can sometimes shift around so it's worth it to keep checking the page for any changes.

SEE ALSO: Stock your Kindle library with this year's best books and get double the rewards

This Kindle has 25% faster page turns alongside a higher contrast ratio so you can take in your favorite novels with ease. We even rank it as the best overall e-reader in 2024. In our review of the latest Kindle Paperwhite, Mashable's Shopping Reporter Samantha Mangino said "The Kindle Paperwhite is not just the best Kindle but the best e-reader overall. It's compact and lightweight, just the right size for toting around. The screen strikes the balance of tech and paper, and the adjustable warmth makes reading in the evening better for your eyes."

As mentioned earlier, this is a limited-time deal at Amazon so act fast to scoop up this sleek Kindle Paperwhite while the sale is still live.

While Amazon says that, at the moment, the Kindle Paperwhite may arrive after Christmas, there are still a variety of other items available at the retailer that you can get as early as tomorrow. In our roundup of Amazon deals you can get tomorrow, you can see an excellent variety of discounts on everything from speakers to home goods.

The Daily Mini Crossword is one of the many popular daily word games available on Mashable. Powered by Arkadium, the mini crossword offers a speed round of puzzle fun with clues that are sure to challenge experienced crossword enthusiasts.

But there's no need to let the challenge get in the way of your enjoyment! If moments are turning to minutes after getting stuck on a clue, find the answers you need to progress right here.

And when you're done, check out the many other word games you can play on Mashable, including a full-size crossword.

Also, if you get stuck on any other daily word games, such as Wordle, Connections, or Strands — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for December 17 SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

Here are the clues and answers to Daily Mini Crossword for Tuesday, December 17, 2024:

AcrossAmerican appetizer

• The answer is Fry.

Ancient Greek marketplaces

• The answer is Agorae.

Town in Arizona

• The answer is Marana.

American entree

• The answer is Burger.

Breastplates (Var.)

• The answer is Egises.

Thing, in legalese

• The answer is Res.

DownKills, in video gaming

• The answer is Frags.

Hindu queen

• The answer is Ranee.

Age measurement

• The answer is Years.

Fossilized tree resin

• The answer is Amber.

Shotgun caliber

• The answer is Gauge.

Queen Elizabeth root

• The answer is Orris.

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

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

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

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

About 20 years ago, scientists used the powerful Hubble telescope to look at the oldest-known exoplanet in space. 

How this gas giant, about 2.5 times the mass of Jupiter, could have come to be less than 1 billion years after the Big Bang befuddled them. This world, about 5,600 light-years away in the summer constellation Scorpius, is more than twice the age of Earth. Its mere existence conflicts with the commonly accepted ideas about how the universe evolved. 

But a new study using observations by the infrared-sensing James Webb Space Telescope, a collaboration of NASA and its European and Canadian counterparts, is revealing insights into how planet formation was possible long, long ago, even around the primitive stars of the early universe. 

"Current models predict that with so few heavier elements, the disks (of planet-building material) around stars have a short lifetime, so short in fact that planets cannot grow big," said Elena Sabbi, one of the Webb researchers based at the National Science Foundation’s NOIRLab in Arizona, in a statement. "But Hubble did see those planets, so what if the models were not correct and disks could live longer?" 

SEE ALSO: What most people think they know about the Big Bang is wrong Researchers used star cluster NGC 346 within the Small Magellanic Cloud as a surrogate for the early universe's environment to study planetary disks around stars. Credit: NASA / ESA / CSA / STScI / O. C. Jones / G. De Marchi / M. Meixner

The Webb team set out to study early planetary disks by homing in on the Small Magellanic Cloud, a dwarf galaxy near the Milky Way. Planetary disks are the clouds of gas and dust surrounding young stars that can eventually coalesce to form baby worlds. 

Within that galaxy is a hectic star-forming cluster, dubbed NGC 346. Because the cluster lacks a lot of heavier elements — it only has about 10 percent of the heavier elements that make up the sun — scientists used it as a stand-in for the early universe's conditions. 

Researchers surveyed 10 stars in the cluster and discovered that, even at old ages, they still maintained substantial disks. Previous thinking was that these primitive stars would have lost their lightweight disks pretty quickly, after just two or three million years. The team's findings were published Monday in The Astrophysical Journal.

"We see that these stars are indeed surrounded by disks and are still in the process of gobbling material, even at the relatively old age of 20 or 30 million years," said Guido De Marchi, the study leader based at the European Space Research and Technology Centre in the Netherlands. "This also implies that planets have more time to form and grow around these stars."

The cores of stars are considered element factories: They make carbon, for instance, the same chemical on which humans and much of life on Earth are based. Then, through supernova explosions, they spread these heavier elements, like calcium found in bones and iron in blood, across interstellar space. This dispersal seeds new generations of stars and planets.

Given that most of the chemicals in the universe are thought to have come from exploded stars, scientists have rationalized that the firstborn must have been composed almost entirely of hydrogen and helium, the primitive material that emerged from the Big Bang. Over time, as stars died and scattered heavier elements, subsequent generations of stars formed with more diverse ingredients.

The team studying early planetary disks suggests there could be different ways for planet-forming disks to remain intact in the early universe's environment. One explanation is that because the stars lack heavier elements in their disks, it takes longer for the stars to blow them away with radiation pressure. Another possibility is the disks might have started out much larger, requiring more time for stars to scatter them, even if the radiation pressure is working in the expected way. 

In the latter scenario, the disks could take 10 times longer to disappear, Sabbi said. 

"This has implications for how you form a planet, and the type of system architecture that you can have in these different environments," she said.

SAVE OVER $75: As of Dec. 17, the PS5 Fortnite Cobalt Star bundle is on sale for $424. This is $75.99 off its original price of $499.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: PlayStation PS5 'Fortnite Cobalt Star' Bundle $424.00 at Amazon
$499.99 Save $75.99 Get Deal

Cyber Monday may be behind us, but some of the best gaming deals from the sale event are still going strong at various retailers. PlayStation's Fortnite Cobalt Star bundle is among these deals, and you can even get it to your doorstep before Christmas if you're hoping to pick it up as a gift.

The PS5 Fortnite Cobalt Star bundle is currently on sale for $424. Its original price was $499.99, so this saves you $75.99 overall. Amazon also has a note above the 'Add to Cart' button saying it'll arrive seven days before Christmas, so you'll have plenty of time to get it all wrapped up. Considering what you get in the bundle, it's absolutely worth the price tag as well.

SEE ALSO: Looking for a solid gaming TV deal? The LG B4 55-inch OLED TV is $400 off.

Alongside a sleek PS5 Slim disc edition console, which comes with a 1TB SSD and a DualSense controller, this bundle also comes with numerous bonuses for Fortnite fans. Here's the full list of items that come with this bundle:

• Cobalt Snowfoot Outfit (with LEGO Style)

• Sapphire Star Back Bling

• Indigo Inverter Pickaxe 

• Weathered Snow Stripes Wrap 

• Cobalt Crash Drums 

• Krackle Boost (Gold Painted Style)

• Discotheque Wheels (Gold Painted Style)

• Stella Trail (Gold Painted Style)

• 1,000 V-Bucks

The PS5 (disc edition) Fortnite Cobalt Star bundle likely won't stick around for long, so grab it while you can at Amazon.

This isn't the only PlayStation deal still live right now, either. The standard PS5 Slim disc edition console is still on sale as is the PlayStation VR2 Horizon Call of The Mountain bundle. And if you want to see some more gift ideas you can get quickly before the holidays, check out our roundup of Amazon deals that'll arrive by tomorrow.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Tuesday, December 17, 2024:

AcrossPig's place

• The answer is Sty.

Lesson from Aesop's stories

• The answer is Moral.

The squiggly lines over garbage cans, in cartoons

• The answer is Odors.

Unit of weight that's also a unit of currency

• The answer is Pound.

"___ not a big deal"

• The answer is Its.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 17, 2024 Down"Same here"

• The answer is SoDoI.

Fish aptly "swimming through" this puzzle's circled letters

• The answer is Trout.

Knitting project purchases

• The answer is Yarns.

Cleaning item in a bucket

• The answer is Mop.

"Acid"

• The answer is LSD.

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

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

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

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

Over the weekend a glorious clip of Stephen Colbert dancing with Oprah to Beyoncé's "CUFF IT" went viral on Instagram, after it was shared by the legendary talk show host herself.

"I broke the internet dancing with Oprah at Gayle King's birthday party. Not only did I bust a move, I might have torn a hamstring," says Colbert in the Late Show clip above, referring to the video.

"It was a lovely night. Evie and I were honoured to have been invited, and when everyone was out on the dance floor, Evie said, 'Look, no-one's dancing with Oprah. Go ask Oprah to dance.' So I got up and I did, and Oprah posted it straight to her Insta. Sources are saying this holiday season, I'm Oprah's favorite thing," Colbert says.

"I thought about twirling Oprah, but I immediately realised, you don't twirl Oprah. You twirl for Oprah. Or as she called it, my 'triple piroutte.' Evie has a slightly different name for that move, it's the 'Stephen, please stop.'"

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

A less-common way of saying revived.

SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for December 17 Hurdle Word 1 answer

REDUX

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A type of space discussed by Taylor Swift.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 17 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

BLANK

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Not married.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 17 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 17, 2024 Hurdle Word 3 answer

UNWED

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Payment recipient.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for December 17 Hurdle Word 4 answer

PAYEE

Final Hurdle hint

Repeat.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

AGAIN

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

Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

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

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

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

Tweet may have been deleted

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

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

Tweet may have been deleted

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for December 17 Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Redo

• Green: Famous in the ring

• Blue: Basketball coaches (not-pro)

• Purple: Partial football team names

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

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

• Yellow: Second chance

• Green: Famous boxers

• Blue: Men's college basketball coaches

• Purple: First names...or the starts of NFL team names

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 #85 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Second chance - DO-OVER, MULLIGAN, REPECHAGE, RETRY

• Famous boxers - ALI, FOREMAN, LEWIS, LISTON

• Men's college basketball coaches - DREW, FEW, OATS, SELF

• First names...or the starts of NFL team names - BEN, BILL, DOLPH, PAT

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.

FREE $100 GIFT CARD: As of Dec. 17, the 65-inch LG C4 OLED TV is on sale for $1,499.99, $300 off its list price of $1,799.99. As a bonus, Best Buy is also offering a free $100 gift card with purchase.

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$1,799.99 Save $300.00 Get Deal

Following Black Friday and Cyber Monday, there are still quite a few worthy deals to explore at various retailers. Best Buy is offering a particularly nice holiday treat right now for shoppers on the lookout for a new TV. Not only can you save on one of the best TVs available at the moment, the LG C4 OLED, but you'll also get a bonus gift card with your purchase.

Best Buy has the 65-inch LG C4 OLED marked down from its list price of $1,799.99 to $1,499.99, which is a great deal for a TV like this. What makes it even better, though, is you can get a free $100 Best Buy gift card with your purchase of this TV. And who doesn't love free money?

SEE ALSO: Looking for a solid gaming TV deal? The LG B4 55-inch OLED TV is $400 off.

This TV is worth every cent, too. Thanks to its OLED display, you'll see a vibrant picture with excellent contrasts that are further enhanced by crisp 4K resolution. Not to mention, this TV is packed with exciting features like Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and Filmmaker Mode that make it the ultimate screen for movie nights.

And with a free $100 gift card, you can put that towards numerous different items at Best Buy. Especially with the holidays coming up, you could even use it to get some last-minute gifts, and Best Buy is full of great options at the moment.

This deal won't stick around for long, so get a free $100 gift card with purchase of a discounted 65-inch LG C4 OLED TV whilst it's live.

Looking to save even more ahead of the holidays? Thankfully, there are still plenty of great offers available after Cyber Monday. Best Buy's last-minute savings event has plenty of exciting deals right now, but outside of the retailer, you can also save on a selection of gaming laptops across different stores and Amazon Echo devices are also still enjoying some very nice discounts at the moment.

SAVE $50: As of Dec. 17, Xbox Elite Series 2 Wireless Controller is on sale for $129.99 at Best Buy, saving you $50 off its usual $179.99 price. With pro-level customization, up to 40 hours of battery life, and precision controls, it’s the ultimate upgrade for Xbox and PC gamers.

Opens in a new window Credit: Xbox Xbox Elite Series 2 $129.99 at Best Buy
$179.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal

Grinding through ranked matches and skill trees with the Xbox Elite Series 2 Wireless Controller feels impressive as it adapts to you. Now available for $129.99 at Best Buy — a solid $50 discount from its regular $179.99 price — it’s the perfect opportunity to treat your hands to something special.

So, what makes the Elite Series 2 controller worth it? The controller comes with six interchangeable thumbsticks, four paddles, and two swappable D-pads, so you can fine-tune your setup for precision aiming, quick-fire combos, or whatever fits your play style. Plus, with adjustable thumbstick tension and shorter hair-trigger locks, every movement feels snappier and more responsive — perfect for competitive shooters or high-speed racers.

SEE ALSO: How 'The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim' adapts two pages of Tolkien lore into a whole movie

You can save up to three custom profiles on the controller and switch between them on the fly using a simple button press. Whether you need one profile for sniping in Call of Duty, another for drifting in Forza Horizon 5, or something for RPG adventures, the Elite Series 2 has you covered. And don’t forget the Xbox Accessories app, where you can fine-tune button mapping to create the exact layout you need.

Battery life won’t let you down either. This lousy boy offers up to 40 hours of gameplay on a single charge, with a USB-C cable and charging dock included for easy recharging. Whether playing on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, or PC, you can connect wirelessly via Bluetooth or Xbox Wireless or plug it in directly with the USB-C cable for zero latency.

To top it all off, the Elite Series 2 is designed for durability. The wrap-around rubberized grip keeps it comfy during marathon sessions. At the same time, its refined components are built to last — because nothing’s worse than a controller giving up a mid-boss fight.

Inside the box, you’re getting more than just the controller. The full package includes:

• Six thumbsticks: standard (2), classic (2), tall (1), vast dome (1)

• Four paddles: medium (2), mini (2)

• Two D-pads: standard and faceted

• Thumbstick adjustment tool

• Charging dock and USB-C cable

• Carrying case for keeping everything organized

At $129.99, the Xbox Elite Series 2 is one of the best deals for a pro-level controller with this much customization and performance. This is the controller to beat if you take your gaming seriously (or want to feel like a pro while button-mashing).

It dwells miles down, nearly freezing in perpetual darkness, equipped with numerous appendages to capture prey.

Deep Sea biologists found a new animal some 26,000 feet (7,902 meters) underwater in the ocean's "hadal zone," named for the Greek god of the underworld, Hades. These researchers lowered baited traps into the Atacama Trench off of Chile, and brought up four individuals of a species now called Dulcibella camanchaca.

"Dulcibella camanchaca is a fast-swimming predator that we named after 'darkness' in the languages of the peoples from the Andes region to signify the deep, dark ocean from where it predates," Johanna Weston, a hadal ecologist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution who coauthored the discovery, said in a statement.

SEE ALSO: Scientists witness stunning, unprecedented carnage in the ocean

In the hadal zone, the deepest ocean realm, many critters depend on food sinking down from the more productive waters above. But Dulcibella camanchaca isn't a scavenger. The four-centimeter (1.5-inch) crustacean (an arthropod with a hard shell like a crab) captures smaller hadal crustaceans.

"This finding underlines the importance of continued deep-ocean exploration, particularly in Chile’s front yard," Carolina González, a researcher at the Instituto Milenio de Oceanografía who analyzed the species' DNA, said. "More discoveries are expected as we continue to study the Atacama Trench."

The research has been published in the science journal Systematics and Biodiversity.

The location of the Dulcibella camanchaca discovery in the Atacama Trench. Credit: Johanna Weston / Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution An illustration of the predatory Dulcibella camanchaca and its "raptorial appendages." Credit: Johanna Weston / Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Even in the deepest ocean, predators can flourish, such as a snailfish spotted at 27,349 feet (8,336 meters) down — the deepest fish ever observed. They are flabby, jelly-like fish that binge eat when they spot hadal prey, such as crustaceans.

Ocean research organizations are now vigilantly documenting and mapping the deep sea. Scientists want to shine a light — literally and figuratively — on what's down there. The implications of knowing are incalculable, particularly as deep sea mineral prospectors prepare to run tank-like industrial equipment across parts of the seafloor. For example, research expeditions have found that ocean life carries great potential for novel medicines. "Systematic searches for new drugs have shown that marine invertebrates produce more antibiotic, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory substances than any group of terrestrial organisms," notes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

TL;DR: The Seido Japanese Master Chef's 8-Piece Knife Set combines razor-sharp blades, ergonomic design, and professional-grade quality for $119.97 (reg. $429).

The new year is the perfect time for new habits — and delicious, healthy meals start with the right tools. The Seido Japanese Master Chef's 8-Piece Knife Set is a beautifully crafted collection that empowers home cooks and pros alike to slice, dice, and chop with precision.

For just $119.97 (regularly $429), this set offers premium Japanese craftsmanship without the sky-high price tag, and it even comes in an easy-to-gift box. Each knife in the set is forged from high-carbon stainless steel, offering an ideal combination of durability, sharpness, and balance.

Unlike typical Western knives with 25° edges, Seido knives are designed with a sharper 15° edge, delivering incredibly smooth cuts. Whether you're slicing through crusty bread with the serrated bread knife, finely chopping herbs with the santoku, or carving roasts with the slicing knife, these tools are designed to make cooking easier.

With knives like the 8" chef’s knife for all-purpose slicing and the 7" cleaver for tackling tougher cuts of meat, every kitchen task can be easier to manage. The ergonomic handles provide a comfortable grip, while the acute blade angles make even the most delicate cuts precise.

Not only are these knives razor-sharp, but they’re also a work of art. Crafted by Japanese blacksmiths with over 100 years of combined experience, each knife features a beautiful Damascus-etched finish that adds elegance to your kitchen. And with a lifetime of sharp performance, these knives will remain a trusted partner in your culinary adventures.

Don't miss the Seido Japanese Master Chef's 8-Piece Knife Set while it's on sale for just $119.97 (reg. $429).

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Opens in a new window Credit: Seido Seido™ Japanese Master Chef's 8-Piece Knife Set w Gift Box $119.97
$429.00 Save $309.03 Get Deal

TL;DR: For $79.99, grab the PDF Expert Premium lifetime plan for someone this holiday and help them tackle PDFs on their Mac.

Struggling with PDF documents? PDF Expert is here to save the day. You could alleviate your PDF woes — or someone else's — with powerful editing and management features that make handling PDFs a breeze. Until December 22, get lifetime access to a PDF Expert Premium plan on sale for $79.99 (reg. $139).

One of the highlights is its powerful editing tool. With PDF Expert, you can easily edit text, images, and links within your PDFs. No more dealing with uneditable files — simply click and type to make changes. This feature is perfect for correcting typos, updating documents, or customizing forms without needing to recreate the entire file from scratch.

Another key feature is the annotation tool. PDF Expert allows you to highlight text, add notes, and draw shapes directly on your PDFs. Whether you're reviewing a contract, marking up a report, or collaborating on a project, these annotation tools make it simple to communicate your thoughts and feedback clearly.

PDF Expert also excels in merging and organizing PDF files. You or anyone else on your gift list can combine multiple PDFs into one, rearrange pages, or extract specific sections with just a few clicks. This functionality is great for students, professionals, or anyone who needs to keep their documents neat and accessible.

With this one-time purchase, users will get unlimited access to these features and more, without any recurring fees. 

'Tis the season to work with PDFs without worry. Grab this lifetime subscription to PDF Expert Premium as a last-minute holiday gift for yourself or someone else for $79.99 while supplies last. This offer expires December 22 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Readdle Limited PDF Expert Premium Plan: Lifetime Subscription (Mac) $79.99
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