Feed aggregator

Called Project Prometheus, the company is focusing on artificial intelligence for the engineering and manufacturing of computers, automobiles and spacecraft.

Apple's next iPhone Air might launch in March 2027.

This is according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who claims the iPhone Air 2 (we're not sure about the name) will launch alongside the iPhone 18 and the iPhone 18e.

You read that right: The company's most mainstream device, the iPhone 18, will not launch in the fall either. But it could all be a part of Apple's plan.

A week ago The Information revealed that the iPhone Air's successor might be delayed into 2027 due to poor sales (the report also said the new device will have two rear cameras instead of one, a very welcome upgrade).

But Gurman says it was Apple's plan all along to split its iPhone launch schedule into two major periods: Spring and fall. Gurman says he expects this pattern to continue "for years to come," and that Apple will launch five to six new models every year. It's unclear whether this means Apple will have two major iPhone launch events annually; so far, the company launched its minor iPhones (the SE and e models) early in the year, but without much fanfare.

Gurman also revealed a few details about the upcoming iPhone Air. He says the biggest change will be a move to a 2-nanometer chip, which should bring a much-needed battery life upgrade. Interestingly, he's unsure about the second camera on the iPhone Air 2, calling the idea "strange."

SEE ALSO: Apple's Issey Miyake iPhone Sock launched today, but it's not as random as it sounds

The report also revealed a few details about Apple's much-rumored "anniversary" iPhone, which should launch in the fall of 2027. Gurman says it will likely have a curved, uninterrupted glass screen, with the selfie camera hidden underneath the display.

The kiosks, which resemble conventional A.T.M.s and convert cash into virtual currencies, are increasingly under scrutiny as a tool for scammers.

As President Trump has championed crypto and the industry has gone mainstream, funds from scammers and other criminal groups have flowed onto major crypto exchanges.

Visibility is almost completely gone tonight, which can only mean one thing, we're close to the New Moon. Keep reading to see what, if anything, you can spot on the moon's surface tonight.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Monday, Nov. 17, the moon phase is Waning Crescent. This means 7% of the moon is lit up tonight, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

Unfortunately, to see anything on the moon tonight you'll need the assistance of a visual aid. With binoculars or a telescope, you should be able to make out the Grimaldi Basin.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Dec. 4.

What are moon phases?

Moon phases are all part of a 29.5-day lunar cycle, according to NASA. These phases describe how the moon appears from Earth as it orbits our planet. While we always see the same side of the moon, the amount of sunlight hitting it changes throughout its orbit. So, sometimes it looks full, sometimes half, and sometimes not there at all (aka, the New Moon). There are eight main moon phases, and they follow a repeating cycle:

The eight main moon phases are:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for November 8, 2025

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for November 8, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Nov. 17 Pips

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally; 5-5, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this orange space must add to 4. The answer is 4-2, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this red space must add to 4. The answer is 3-3, placed vertically; 0-1, placed horizontally.

Less Than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 0-1, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Nov. 17 Pips

Greater Than (2): Everything in the purple space must be greater than 2. The answer is 2-6, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (2): Everything in the light blue space must be greater than 2. The answer is 1-5, placed horizontally.

Equal (4): Everything in this orange space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally; 4-1, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this dark blue space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally; 3-5, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (2): Everything in the green space must be greater than 2. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically; 1-5, placed horizontally; 1-1, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Nov. 17 Pips

Greater Than (2): Everything in the purple space must be greater than 2. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this red space must add to 10. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 4-6, placed horizontally.

Number (24): Everything in this space must add to 12. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally; 4-6, placed horizontally; 6-0, placed vertically; 6-1, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add to 2. The answer is 2-2, placed horizontally.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add to 0. The answer is 0-1, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add to 3. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add to 1. The answer is 0-1, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add to 3. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add to 5. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add to 0. The answer is 0-3, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add to 3. The answer is 0-3, placed horizontally.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 6-0, placed vertically; 2-2, placed horizontally; 3-5, placed horizontally; 3-3, placed horizontally; 4-5, placed horizontally; 1-1, placed horizontally.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add to 1. The answer is 1-1, placed horizontally.

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

Today's Connections: Sports Edition isn't too bad if you're familiar with Midwest college towns.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Playing around the world

• Green: Hockey techniques

• Blue: Midwestern towns

• Purple: Roar

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Places on a Basketball Court

• Green: Types of Hockey Shots

• Blue: Big Ten Cities

• Purple: Teams with Lion Nicknames

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 #420 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Places on a Basketball Court - BASELINE, ELBOW, PAINT, WING

• Types of Hockey Shots - BACKHAND, SLAP, SNAP, WRIST

• Big Ten Cities - ANN ARBOR, BLOOMINGTON, EUGENE, SEATTLE

• Teams with Lion Nicknames - COLUMBIA, DETROIT, ENGLAND, PENN STATE

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

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

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

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

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you love the NBA.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for November 17, 2025 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Certainly

• Green: Banned

• Blue: Sports moves

• Purple: "Go Away!"

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: "You Bet"

• Green: Forbidden

• Blue: Basketball shots

• Purple: Starting with synonyms for "Scram!"

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 #890 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• "You Bet": ABSOLUTELY, OF COURSE, OKEY-DOKE, SURE THING

• Forbidden: OFF-LIMITS, PROSCRIBED, TABOO, VERBOTEN

• Basketball shots: ALLEY-OOP, FADEAWAY, FINGER ROLL, SLAM DUNK

• Starting with synonyms for "Scram!": GO-BETTER, LEAVENING, SCATTERGORIES, SHOO-IN

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for November 17, 2025

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

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

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

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're an animal lover.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

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

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for November 17, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 17, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Paw patrol

The words are related to animals.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe skilled animals.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Working Dogs.

NYT Strands word list for November 17

• Guide

• Service

• Herding

• Working Dogs

• Rescue

• Guard

• Therapy

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

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

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

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you've got a tight grip.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 17, 2025 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for November 17, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

To fasten.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter C.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

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

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

CLAMP

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for November 17, 2025

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

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

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

There are so many Easter eggs and crossovers in IT: Welcome to Derry that it can sometimes be tricky to remember where you remember something from.

The end of episode 4 is a bit like that, giving us a final shot of a house that looks incredibly familiar.

But where do we know it from, and what's the significance? Let's unpack it.

SEE ALSO: 'IT: Welcome to Derry' episode 3 features a key piece of Stephen King's 'IT' that was left out of the movies How does episode 4 end?

Episode 4 gives us in insight into Pennywise's origin story, with Dick Hallorann (Chris Chalk) delving into the mind of local tribe member Taniel (Joshua Odjick) and learning the history of the monster that Native Americans in Derry refer to as "the Galloo."

"They found the cave and broke off shards of the ancient star the Galloo had arrived in," says Taniel. "A plan was formed — not to kill it, but to cage it. They would used the shards of its old bindings, the only thing the Galloo feared, to keep our people safe again. The children circled the western wood, which had been the monster's hunting ground for so long, and they buried 13 sacred shards deep into the earth. Over each stone they lit a fire to mark its place, a line the Galloo could not cross. Our people made a sacred promise to guard the pillars and keep their places secret so that the monster that's trapped inside could never break free."

At this point, Hallorann appears in young Taniel's memories to speak to him directly, asking him where the pillars — which the military believes they can use against the monster — can be found.

"Follow the tunnels under the old well, and you'll find the pillars," Taniel says. But it's not a well we see next; it's a house.

Featured Video For You Cooper Hoffman and 'The Long Walk' cast compete for ultimate Stephen King film knowledge Why does that house look familiar?

The ramshackle house at the end of the episode looks familiar, and not just because an image of it shows up in IT: Welcome to Derry's opening credits. This is the well house, also known as the House on Neibolt Street, that appears in both the novel and Andy Muschietti's movies. It's a key location in the story, concealing a well that leads directly down into the sewers where the creature awaits.

Looks like we may be due a trip down memory lane in episode 5.

New episodes of IT: Welcome to Derry premiere Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

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

To tease.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

TAUNT

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A large boar.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for November 17, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

YACHT

Hurdle Word 3 hint

To swell.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for November 17 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 17, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

BLOAT

Hurdle Word 4 hint

An Italian game.

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

BOCCE

Final Hurdle hint

To speak.

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

ORATE

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

Dreams really can come true. In some cases, that looks like landing the job you've always wanted, or finding the love of your life. In my case, that looks like reading an excerpt of a made-up romantasy novel from a TV show.

That show is Vince Gilligan and Apple TV's sci-fi series, Pluribus, and that novel is none other than Bloodsong of Wycaro by Carol Sturka (played by Rhea Seehorn).

SEE ALSO: 'Pluribus' review: I can't tell you much about Vince Gilligan's sci-fi series, but what I can say is glowing

As viewers learn in the Pluribus premiere, Bloodsong of Wycaro is "the fourth book in [Carol's] Winds of Wycaro trilogy." The series as a whole is a bestselling phenomenon, with diehard fans eager to see how the high-stakes romance between Captain Lucasia and corsair Raban unfolds. Carol hates the fans and her work, but that didn't stop me from hoping the Wycaro books could somehow become a reality.

And now they have! Kind of.

Apple Books has released a free chapter from Bloodsong of Wycaro, one that reunites Lucasia with Raban in an island cave. The entire excerpt is a spot-on pastiche of historical fantasy, complete with otherworldly jargon and overly descriptive passages. You can imagine Carol rolling her eyes at herself as she writes about sandy cyclocanes and painful moonsburn. Still, though, it's tough not to get sucked into Lucasia and Raban's story, even without the context of three other books to guide us.

SEE ALSO: Carol's books in 'Pluribus' aren't real, but I need them to be

However, the most fascinating part of the Bloodsong of Wycaro excerpt is the letter from Carol at the beginning. In the letter, Carol reveals that she's releasing this excerpt to appease the hordes of "Rabasia" shippers who are angry that Raban (presumed dead after walking the plank) is not on the cover.

"You know I am on record for despising 'spoilers' in any form, that my preference would be to let events unfold in their own time through Lucasia’s anguished eyes. But I also understand that’s not everyone’s preference," Carol writes in the letter. "Different strokes for different folks. How hellish would the world be if we all thought exactly the same?!"

Of course, the entire world thinking the same is precisely the hell that awaits Carol in Pluribus, where she is one of the sole humans unaffected by the happiness hive mind. That line is a darkly tongue-in-cheek reminder of what's to come for her. The same goes for the beginning of the letter, which reveals that Carol is finishing up the final leg of the Bloodsong of Wycaro tour. In Pluribus, the worldwide joining of the hive mind happens right after finishing the tour, which means that as of writing this letter and publishing the excerpt, Carol only has a short amount of time left before the world as she knows it vanishes.

For more foreshadowing and excellent fantasy parody, check out the full excerpt from Bloodsong of Wycaro.

Bloodsong of Wycaro is free to download on Apple Books. Pluribus is now streaming on Apple TV, with a new episode every Friday.

Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update pulled no punches on President Donald Trump this week, with anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che skewering him over his connections to the Epstein emails released this week.

SEE ALSO: Donald Trump crashes Epstein email press briefing in 'SNL' cold open

"House Democrats released an email written by Jeffrey Epstein in which he claims that Donald Trump 'knew about the girls,'" Jost says. "It's bombshell news that legal experts are calling, 'duh.'"

Che also zeroed in on an email from Epstein's brother Mark. "In one of the emails, Epstein's brother asked if Vladimir Putin has a picture of Donald Trump giving oral sex to someone named Bubba, which was an old nickname for Bill Clinton," Che says. "So I guess that's one job Trump has created."

Weekend Update didn't stop at the Epstein emails, though. Jost and Che also targeted Trump's request for the new Washington Commanders stadium to be named after him, his denial that his golden White House decorations come from Home Depot, and his $5 billion threatened lawsuit against the BBC.

"This might be my favorite episode," Che says.

The rest of this week's SNL episode further lampooned Trump's connections to the Epstein emails, addressing them in the cold open and in a series of shorts that brought back Will Forte's MacGruber.

Saturday Night Live brought back Will Forte's long running character MacGruber for its Nov. 15 episode. But this time around, the bomb-defusing man of action is hiding some seriously messed-up secrets about his ties to the Jeffrey Epstein files.

SEE ALSO: Donald Trump crashes Epstein email press briefing in 'SNL' cold open

Each of Nov. 15's three pre-taped MacGruber shorts follow the same formula as prior installments: MacGruber and his assistants Colton (host Glen Powell) and Tawnee (Chloe Fineman) are trapped in control rooms, trying to disarm a bomb that's about to explode.

However, it's not long before Colton drops a bomb of his own: He has an uncensored copy of the Epstein files. And based on MacGruber's reaction — and subsequent shredding of the files — he's definitely on the list. It's going to take more than a pencil sharpener and a square of foil to get him out of this mess.

The MacGruber shorts were only the tip of the iceberg of this very Epstein-heavy SNL installment. The cold open saw Donald Trump (James Austin Johnson) react to the release of thousands of Epstein emails this week, and Weekend Update continued to mock Trump over his Epstein connections.

This week, the House Oversight Committee released thousands of documents from the estate of Jeffrey Epstein, including emails that mention President Donald Trump. While the real-life Trump has mostly dodged questions about the emails — even yelling "quiet!" at a reporter asking follow-up questions about them — Saturday Night Live's version of Trump (James Austin Johnson) had a lot to say in this week's cold open.

SEE ALSO: 'SNL' mocks Donald Trump's White House demolition with 'Property Brothers' sketch

The cold open kicked off with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt (Ashley Padilla) reluctantly fielding questions from reporters about the emails at a press briefing.

"The only thing these emails prove is that President Trump did nothing wrong!" SNL's Leavitt says. "If anything, his crime was loving too much, and possibly too young."

It's not long before Johnson's Trump takes over the press briefing, aiming to hit journalists with some "gotcha" questions designed to highlight his innocence.

"If I was innocent, wouldn't I just release all the files?" Trump asks.

Well, yes, say the reporters grilling him.

It turns out that SNL's Trump does have plans to release all the Epstein files — as part of a business venture, that is. For the low price of $800, buyers can get framed, extremely low-resolution screenshots of Epstein's emails, including the infamous one that asks, "Does Putin have the photo of Trump blowing Bubba?"

"It makes a great stocking stuffer," Trump proclaims. So if you're low on Christmas gift ideas, there's an idea straight from SNL.

Home products have gotten much "smarter" in recent years. According to Statista, smart home penetration will reach 89.5 percent in 2025, and will hit 99 percent by 2029. That means virtually every household in the U.S. is using some form of smart home device. We've come a long way since the days of The Clapper.

Smart home devices can add a level of convenience to daily life, assuming that they’re set up correctly and genuinely offer seamless integration and a user-friendly experience.

But that leads us to question: Which home devices are actually worthy of being smart?

Instead of simply answering that ourselves, we put it out to you, our readers. In our first-ever Readers’ Choice Awards, we asked you which smart home brands you use and love across different smart home categories.

Best home security cameras in 2025

First up is security cameras. In a survey conducted by U.S. News & World Report, 62 percent of respondents use outdoor security cameras, while 36 percent use indoor security cameras. Home security cameras can obviously be great for some peace of mind and a sense of safety, or monitoring porch pirates. But your privacy is also an important factor to consider in a device that captures constant footage of you, your home, and your neighborhood.

Blink was the winner here in overall satisfaction with a score of 7.8 out of 10, narrowly beating out Ring and Wyze, which both secured a 7.7 rating. A note from us: We don't endorse Ring in our product recommendations because of a host of privacy issues.

(Make sure to click the arrows on the chart below to cycle through each of the categories from our survey results.)

The three brands were pretty even across the board, but each stood out in some areas. Blink users appreciated the ease of setup and use, budget-friendly pricing, and free cloud storage.

Wyze was rated the best for cost, but rated lowest in audio quality and motion detection, so that could be a potential trade-off. Price was definitely a big factor with survey respondents, with comments such as, "Great products. Reasonably priced," "The cameras work good and the price was within budget," and "Wyze security cameras are decent for the price."

Our readers lauded Ring for its easy setup, with two respondents writing, "I've owned several generations of cameras over 20 years and Ring are the easiest to set up and use," and "I've had security cameras in the past. None were as easy to set up and use as Ring."

A common complaint across all three brands was that the cameras don't record enough time before motion is detected.

Blink Mini Pan-Tilt Camera $39.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Blink Outdoor 4 $27.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $52   Shop Now at Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: Ring Ring Spotlight Cam Plus $149.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Wyze Wyze Cam OG Indoor/Outdoor $29.60 at Amazon
  Shop Now Best smart home assistants in 2025

Smart assistants are like the brain of a smart home. They act as a hub to control other devices via voice, schedule, or other triggers. Smart assistant devices can range from small speakers that take up very little room to large screens that sit on your countertop or mount to the wall. Apple's Siri is arguably the most popular among smartphones, while Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa are the big names in smart home devices.

Google was our winner across the board, though Amazon Alexa was a close second. One survey respondent said, "I like Alexa for routine items and integrations, but Google Assistant [is] better [at] answering questions."

Some survey takers had similar experiences in that they like the convenience provided by their smart assistant, but they've had frustrating interactions as well.

One wrote: "I've had a pretty good experience with Amazon Alexa. One of the best moments was when I set up my smart home with Alexa and connected everything from lights to thermostats to smart plugs. It was so easy to control everything with just my voice. For example, I could tell Alexa to turn off the lights or set the temperature, which made life a lot more convenient, especially when my hands were full. However, I did run into some issues. There were times when Alexa misunderstood my commands, especially if there was background noise or if I wasn't very clear. It was a bit frustrating when it didn't respond properly. Sometimes, Alexa also didn't sync correctly with certain smart devices, which required troubleshooting. Overall, though, I've found Alexa to be helpful and a great addition to my home automation."

And a Google user wrote: "Our whole house has Google displays, speakers, TVs integrated with Google TV, and third-party plugs, bulbs, and the like. Just recently, I upgraded to a Google Mesh router. The third-party devices can occasionally be a bit tricky to set up, but once everything is working, it's nice to be able to control everything right in the Google Home app."

Amazon Echo Dot $49.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Nest Mini $49 at Google Store
  Shop Now Amazon Echo Show 8 $149.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Best Buy Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Nest Hub $99.99 at Google Store
  Shop Now Best smart lights in 2025

Smart bulbs and smart plugs are some of the most accessible smart home devices in terms of price and ease of use. Philips Hue, Govee, and TP-Link (Kasa) are some of the big names in smart lights. Each has a smattering of product offerings from basic dimmable white light bulbs to programmable outdoor string lights or TV backlights.

Philips Hue is a more premium brand with a higher price point, and that was apparent in our survey results. Just a note: TP-Link has been under investigation for security vulnerabilities with its routers and predatory pricing.

TP-Link took the cake for most of our survey categories; although, both TP-Link and Philips Hue were rated the same for likelihood to recommend.

One reader wrote, "The only reason I am not 'extremely likely' to recommend Philips Hue is they are relatively expensive compared to other brands." And we saw that reflected in TP-Link users' comments, with one person writing, "I had another brand before and found them so frustrating. I was glad to find these worked to my liking at a lower cost."

TP-Link Kasa color-changing smart bulbs (4-pack) $26.99 at Amazon
$31.99 Save $5   Shop Now at Amazon Philips Hue A19 white and color bulbs (3-pack) $99 at Amazon
$147.99 Save $48.99   Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Best Buy Best smart vacuum brands in 2025

Our resident vacuum expert, Leah Stodart, says, "Actual cleaning performance plays a huge role in how spotless your floors will be, of course. But if your vacuum is a pain to clean with, you won't feel like using it — whether it's an upright vacuum that's too clunky to get out of the closet or a robot vacuum that gets stuck more often than not." And these are the types of functions we wanted to ask you all about.

Only two brands made the cut for our readers, but Stodart tests upright vacuums and robot vacuums in her apartment and has some great recommendations from other brands.

iRobot offers different price points, ranging from basic and budget-friendly to high-tech and downright expensive. Our survey participants had some newer models as well as older, simpler models that get the job done without any extras. One wrote, "It's an easy-to-use, simple feature, low-end smart vacuum robot; however, that makes it desirable for a lot of people like me because it's easier to use than complicated systems."

Roomba Combo 10 Max + AutoWash Dock $598.96 at Walmart
$599.99 Save $1.03   Shop Now at Walmart Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Best Buy Roomba 105 Vac $249 at Amazon
$279 Save $30   Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at iRobot Dyson V12 Detect Slim Cordless Vacuum $399.99 at Walmart
$549 Save $149.01   Shop Now at Walmart Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Best Buy Dyson 360 Vis Nav Robot Vacuum $399.99 at Amazon
$999.99 Save $600   Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Walmart Shop Now at Best Buy

Mashable's Readers' Choice: Smartest Home survey ran from Nov. 16, 2024, to March 20, 2025. Stay tuned for our next survey.

If you've spent any amount of time swiping on Hinge, you've probably hit that inevitable wall — either you've run out of potential matches or your queue just isn't hitting like it used to. Eventually, the thrill fades, the dopamine drops, and you might start thinking it's time for a break.

Taking a break can mean a few things. For the terminally online daters dissecting the algorithm to beat the ELO, it might mean deleting your account and starting from scratch. For others, it's simply pausing the profile, deleting the app, and waiting until the next self-esteem dip prompts them to return. Either way, burnout on dating apps is real.

How to use Fresh Start on Hinge

Hinge, however, quietly offers an in-app reset button called Fresh Start. It's a hidden feature for users who are unhappy with their experience and want to refresh their feed. Whether you feel invisible or like your current lineup doesn't reflect your vibe, Fresh Start basically reboots your Discover page to resemble those early, exciting days on the app.

To access it, head to Settings -> Delete Account, and when prompted to explain why, select "I wasn't satisfied with my Hinge experience." A pop-up will appear offering you a fresh start — accept it, and you're all set.

Credit: Screenshot: Hinge / Chance Townsend

Some notes, though: it's a full reset so while you'll keep your current matches, you'll lose any pending likes in your queue. That also includes profiles you've swiped left on and any cuties stuck in Rose Jail. Additionally, this option is only available once every two to three weeks and also won't work if you're profile is currently paused.

TL;DR: Make an old PC feel new again for just $9.97 with this Microsoft Windows 11 Pro license through Nov. 16 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Windows 11 Pro $9.97
$199 Save $189.03   Get Deal

Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? You can give an old PC a new lease on life with a brand-new operating system like Microsoft Windows 11 Pro — and right now, you can get a license for just $9.97 (reg. $199).

If you have a new PC on your wish list this holiday season, but it’s not exactly in the budget, let us introduce you to the next best thing. A new operating system gives your computer a total refresh, and Windows 11 Pro was even designed with the modern professional in mind, so it’s geared toward improving your workflow.

SEE ALSO: Windows 10 is gone — get Windows 11 Pro and Microsoft Office at a steep discount

Windows 11 Pro comes packed with features like a seamless interface and a more powerful search experience, which can help you save time. You’ll also be able to take advantage of snap layouts and seamless redocking.

This operating system includes Microsoft Teams, allowing you to easily communicate with coworkers, as well as helpful tools for work, like Azure AD, Windows Sandbox, and BitLocker device encryption. You’ll also have an AI-powered assistant at your disposal, Microsoft Copilot, which can help you with daily tasks like changing settings, summarizing web pages, or opening apps.

This operating system also gives you a boost when it comes to cybersecurity, with safety features like biometric logins, encrypted authentication, and enhanced antivirus protection.

Get this Microsoft Windows 11 Pro license for only $9.97 (reg. $199) until Nov. 16 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Right now, you can get a MacBook Pro for $440.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Macbook Pro 2020 (Refurbished) $439.99
$1,999 Save $1,559.01   Get Deal

The end of the year is one of the best times to get Apple tech, especially this year. Normally, this MacBook Pro would cost $1,999, but right now, it’s only $439.99, and shipping is free.

This 2020 MacBook Pro runs on a 10th-generation Intel Core i5 with a 2GHz base speed and Turbo Boost up to 3.8GHz, so apps launch quickly and multitasking feels smooth. With 16GB of RAM, you can handle creative projects, office work, or dozens of browser tabs without slowdown. The 1TB solid-state drive gives you fast access to files and plenty of room for storage, so you might actually be able to cancel that cloud storage subscription.

SEE ALSO: The 9 best early Black Friday MacBook deals to shop before the main event

This MacBook has a 13.3-inch Retina display with sharp 2560×1600 resolution. True Tone automatically adjusts color temperature based on your environment, and Intel Iris Plus Graphics keeps visuals crisp for editing, streaming, or presentations. The Magic Keyboard has a quiet, responsive feel, while the Touch Bar and Touch ID make it easy to log in or switch tools.

Connectivity is flexible with four Thunderbolt 3 ports that handle charging, file transfers, and external displays through a single cable. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0 are built in, and the 720p FaceTime HD camera, stereo speakers, and three-mic array make video calls clear and natural. The battery lasts up to 10 hours, giving you a full workday of use without needing a charger.

This refurbished model is rated Grade A, meaning it’s in near-mint condition and works like it, too. It’s been professionally cleaned, tested, and restored.

If you’ve been waiting for a MacBook that can handle real workloads at a fraction of the original price, this one’s an easy choice.

Right now, it’s only $439.99 to get a $1,999 MacBook Pro.

StackSocial prices subject to change.