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The upcoming iOS 18.2 update is a big one. Expected to be released in early December, iOS 18.2 comes with Genmoji, Image Playground, Siri with the ChatGPT function, and more AI-powered Writing Tools. The update also has a redesigned Mail app.
Even though Apple Intelligence features are exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro models and the entire iPhone 16 lineup, all iPhones that support the iOS 18.2 update will get some of the redesigned Mail features. Here's what to expect.
SEE ALSO: How to use Genmoji on iOS 18 Your Mail inbox, sortedThe most noticeable Mail update automatically sorts emails into categories: Primary, Transactions, Updates, and Promotions. The Primary category shows your most important emails sent from actual humans, as opposed to automated mailing lists. Time-sensitive emails will also show up here.
The iOS 18.2 update automatically sorts your inbox. Credit: Screenshot: Mashable / AppleReceipts, orders, and deliveries will automatically be put in Transactions, so you can easily track packages and purchases by switching over to this category. News, subscriptions, and social media notifications are sorted into the Updates category, so look there for newsletters and alerts. Last but not least, all offers and deals emails go into the Promotions category, so that's an easy place to look if you're trying to cull unwanted subscriptions and work your way down to inbox zero.
SEE ALSO: The Apple Watch 10 is at its lowest-ever price in the Amazon Black Friday saleYou can also manually move certain emails into other categories, which will "train" the Mail app categorize emails as such in the future. If this is too much categorization for you, there's a fifth category: All Mail. Or you can tap the three dots in the upper right-hand corner and switch back to the traditional List View design.
Mail also looks a lot more like the Messages app. The contact photo is featured more prominently, which gives it a more informal and comfortable look.
Grouped messages from the same sender with 'Digest View'If you have multiple emails from the same sender, with iOS 18.2, Mail will automatically consolidate them into one thread for an easy way to catch up on everything.
'Digest View' groups emails from the same sender in a summarized thread. Credit: AppleThe example given in the Apple announcement shows a flight confirmation and subsequent notifications about the flight in one place, which should be handy for trying to get all the relevant info about upcoming travels.
Writing Tools and email summariesOther features require Apple Intelligence like Writing Tools and automated email summaries. AI-powered Writing Tools help you draft a quick response by scanning the contents of the email. You can also adjust the tone and length of messages, and use Apple Intelligence for a quick proofread (RIP Grammarly).
Apple Intelligence's Writing Tools in Mail can rewrite and proofread your drafts. Credit: AppleSummaries in Mail work by giving you a one or two line recap of what the email is about, as opposed to previewing the first line of the email. It's a useful way of quickly screening conversations as you work your way through your inbox, so you don't have to open up every email to see what it's about.
As mentioned earlier, Apple Intelligence is currently available only on the iPhone 16 lineup and the Pro versions of the iPhone 15 due to the significant RAM requirements. Apple is likely banking on Apple Intelligence being a compelling enough reason to upgrade. Come December, when iOS 18.2 comes out, we'll have a better idea of whether the new AI suite is worth it.
It’s officially crunch time — we’re in the thick of the holiday shopping season, and Black Friday is just around the corner. If you haven’t had a chance to get out and do some shopping, don’t worry! Plenty of great deals are still out there, and they’re not just on big-ticket items.
Retailers have been treating all of November as "Black Friday," with waves of deals and discounts rolling out throughout the month. From Best Buy to Target to Wayfair, we’ve seen impressive price drops on tech, home goods, apparel, and more.
Sure, you need to get presents for everyone on your holiday list, but don't forget about the stockings! We've done some digging and found the best Black Friday deals that would make great stocking stuffers.
A portable mini speaker Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Go 3 $29.95 at AmazonPortable speakers are a good gift idea for just about anyone — even better if they fit in a small bag or pocket. The JBL Go 3 is selling for $29.95 at Amazon, Macy’s, and JBL.
This tiny Bluetooth speaker delivers JBL’s signature sound in a compact, water-resistant design. It can connect to any Bluetooth-enabled device and has up to five hours of playtime on a single charge. You can also get it in a variety of colors and patterns, including a special eco-friendly edition that’s made with recycled materials.
Want two? Get a pair of JBL Go 3 portable speakers for $59.90 at Amazon (that’s a savings of $20).
An ultra-slim fitness tracker Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Fitbit Inspire 3 $69.95 at Best BuyRead our full review of the Fitbit Inspire 3.
The Fitbit Inspire 3 is a good starter health tracker and a solid stocking stuffer for the health-conscious giftees on your list. Plus, it’s only $69.95 (save $30) at Best Buy, Amazon, Target, and Walmart.
The Inspire 3 monitors heart rate, sleep, activity, and more, all in a slim, lightweight design. It has a 10-day battery life and is safe to wear in the pool or shower. This model also comes with six months of Fitbit Premium, so your recipient can take advantage of added features like guided workouts and mindfulness sessions.
Pocket-sized home security Opens in a new window Credit: Blink Blink Outdoor 4 security camera $39.99 at Best BuyIf you still don’t know what to get your parents, grandparents, or other less tech-savvy loved ones, a simple smart home gadget like an outdoor security camera could be a great pick. (I bought one for my parents a while back, and they love it!)
The Blink Outdoor 4 camera is on sale for $39.99 at Best Buy (get a free $10 gift card with purchase), Amazon, and Target.
This battery-powered security camera is simple to set up, has a two-year battery life, and offers 1080p video, two-way audio, and person detection. It also works with Alexa, so your giftee can view the camera feed through an Echo Show or other compatible device.
More Black Friday stocking stuffer dealsAmazon smart plug — $12.99 $24.99 (save $12)
Black Mate by tile (original tile tracker) — $14.99 $24.99 (save $10)
Soundcore P30i by Anker noise-cancelling earbuds — $24.99 $49.99 (save $25)
Anker power bank (20,000mAh, 15W, 2-Port) — $31.99 $39.99 (save $8)
Fitbit Charge 6 — $99.95 $159.95 (save $60)
The Federal Communications Commission just approved a first-of-its-kind license in order to bring internet access to dead zones and other remote areas.
On Tuesday, the FCC gave its approval for T-Mobile and Elon Musk's SpaceX subsidiary Starlink to team up and provide additional telecommunications coverage.
SEE ALSO: Elon Musk hints that X throttles posts with linksAs Reuters reports, this marks the first time the FCC has given a license for a "satellite operator collaborating with a wireless carrier." T-Mobile will utilize Starlink satellites to bring coverage from space on "some flexible-use spectrum bands allocated to terrestrial service."
Last month, T-Mobile and Starlink worked together to bring free satellite-based cell coverage to those who were affected by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. The commission provided temporary approval of the coverage scheme for cell phones due to the emergency, and its latest approval grants the two companies a non-emergency license to provide satellite internet services.
"The FCC is actively promoting competition in the space economy by supporting more partnerships between terrestrial mobile carriers and satellite operators to deliver on a single network future that will put an end to mobile dead zones," said FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel in a statement.
However, as The Verge points out, there are some restrictions in the FCC filing.
SpaceX cannot yet increase the radio emission power of its Starlink satellites. Companies such as AT&T and Verizon are concerned that this could interfere with their carrier networks.
Regardless, the FCC approval gives Starlink an advantage over its competitors. According to Reuters, there are existing pending applications in review from other companies. However, the first approval has just been granted to Starlink and T-Mobile.
If you're one of the around 1.3 million people who are X Premium subscribers — or about 0.26% of the platform's user base — you have access to Grok, X's AI chatbot similar to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, that you can use through the X app. But that access might be getting a bit more broad.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Elon Musk's AI company xAI will be releasing a standalone consumer app. It will work similar to the ChatGPT app and give users access to Grok from their phones. There doesn't seem to be a huge rush, though — Tech Crunch reports that it likely won't come to fruition until xAI closes its next funding round.
SEE ALSO: X users are fleeing to Bluesky: Here’s a quick-start guide on how to sign upGrok is available only to X Premium subscribers, and it's unclear how that might change with a standalone app. Will you have to have an X account to use it? Will you have to be a premium subscriber? Who knows! But this comes at a time in which X is allegedly experimenting with making access to Grok free. As with most changes under Musk's tutelage, we'll probably just have to wait and see.
SAVE UP TO 50%: Amazon has marked down gifts from premium brands like Dyson, Ninja, Le Creuset, and more during this year's Black Friday event.
Best premium gifts on sale at Amazon's Black Friday event Best tech deal Amazon Echo Buds (wired charging case) $34.99 at Amazon (save $85) Get Deal Best kitchen deal Ninja Indoor Grill $149.99 at Amazon (save $110) Get Deal Best self-care deal TheraGun Prime massage gun $199 at Amazon (save $100) Get DealThis year, the retailers did not make us wait to start holiday shopping until after we've had massive turkey dinner. Instead, sales dropped earlier in November and are still coming in hot before the official Black Friday date hits. And honestly, this isn't such a bad thing. Not only does shopping early give you more time to find great deals on the perfect gifts, it frees up the holiday after Thanksgiving to spend time with friends and family.
Amazon's no stranger to awesome Black Friday deals and this year, the retailer has set aside some special daily deals. Today, Nov. 27, Amazon has the discounted premium gifts for anyone in your life who deserves something extra special. By shopping these deals, you'll be able to get a truly special gift for a non-premium price. Think premium brands like Dyson, Ninja, Vitamix, Samsung, and more are all included in today's sale.
Check out some of our favorite premium gift options so you'll be able to wow someone with an awesome present they would never expect or splurge on for themselves.
Best tech deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Buds (wired charging case) $34.99 at AmazonEveryone deserves to have a great pair of earbuds that offer both high-quality sound and prove to be comfortable to wear for hours. Enter the second generation Amazon Echo Buds. While they usually cost $119.99, Amazon has marked them down for Black Friday to just $34.99, which means you'll be getting a massive 71% discount.
With the charging case, expect to get about 20 hours of battery life, which is perfect for anyone who's traveling this holiday season. The Echo Buds are also sweat-resistant, great for active friends who head off to the gym a few times each week.
More premium tech deals at AmazonAura Digital Picture Frame — $139 $179 (save $40)
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 — $159.99 $329.99 (save $170)
PlayStation VR2 Horizon Call of The Mountain Bundle — $349 $599.99 (save $250.99)
Nebula Capsule 3 Laser Projector — $549.99 $749.99 (save $200)
While indoor grilling season has ended for most locations in the U.S., that doesn't mean you can't still enjoy grilled veggies, kebabs, and meats while indoors for the winter. The Ninja Indoor Grill can reach up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit with settings that include roast, grill, bake broil, and air fry. While the grill usually sells for $259.99, it's down to just $149.99 during the Amazon Black Friday event. The sale price means you'll be getting a sweet 42% discount on a versatile kitchen countertop appliance that's great for the summertime grill master.
The included smart thermometer helps the home cook get the perfect level of doneness, from rare to well-done. The large size of the grill means you'll be able to cook up six steaks or 24 hot dogs at once. Did someone say Superbowl party?
More premium kitchen deals at AmazonCuisinart Ice Cream Maker — $69.95 $99.95 (save $30)
Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Oval Casserole — $220 $340 (save $120)
Breville the Infuser Espresso Machine — $349.99 $599.95 (save $249.96)
Vitamix Propel Series 750 Blender — $399.95 $629.95 (save $230)
It's likely that every single person in your life (and on your holiday shopping list) could benefit from a great massage. The TheraGun Prime is a deep-tissue massage gun that can aid in back, shoulder, leg, neck, and really any body pain that crops up.
The TheraGun Prime comes with four foam attachments that are ideal for targeting specific areas of the body. The Thumb attachment is great for trigger points or lower back pain, while the Cone is optimal for helping with foot and hand pains. It also connects to the Therabody app, which takes the guesswork out of how to use the TheraGun to ease pains that come from common ailments like plantar fasciitis, arthritis, and sciatica.
While the TheraGun Prime usually sells for $299, it's on sale at Amazon today for $199, which means you'll be getting a 33% discount on a gift that your loved ones can use every day of the year.
More premium self-care deals at AmazonMurad Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum — $41.50 $83 (save $41.50)
Solawave 4-in-1 Radiant Renewal Wand and Serum Bundle — $102.06 $189 (save $86.40 with on-page coupon)
Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige Rechargeable Electric Power Toothbrush — $249.96 $379.96 (save $130)
Handheld gaming is having a moment, and it looks like Samsung doesn’t want to be left out.
The South Korean electronics powerhouse, usually known for supplying cutting-edge displays to gaming gadgets like the Nintendo Switch, could soon leverage that expertise for its own gaming handheld.
SEE ALSO: Nintendo Switch 2 still unannounced, but this big official reveal about the handheld may excite fansAccording to patent filings uncovered by 91mobiles, Samsung is exploring the possibility of a foldable gaming handheld. The patent, originally filed in 2022, was registered internationally this year, though details about its internal hardware or potential release date remain murky — assuming a release date is even on the table.
Sketches included in the filing reveal Samsung's vision for a foldable design, incorporating Ultra Thin Glass similar to what’s found in the Galaxy Z Flip 6. The device is set to feature built-in gaming controls, including joysticks and a D-pad—standard fare for handhelds. The standout feature, however, is the foldability, which could redefine portability in handheld gaming by offering a compact design competitors have yet to explore.
That said, this is just a patent for now, and there’s no indication that Samsung will be actively moving forward with development anytime soon.
Bluesky is already facing its first major AI scrape, despite the stance of its owners that it will never train generative AI on user data.
Reported by 404Media on Nov. 26, one million public Bluesky posts — complete with identifying user information — were crawled and then uploaded to AI company Hugging Face. The dataset was created by machine learning librarian Daniel van Strien, intended to be used in the development of language models and natural language processing, as well as general analysis of social media trends, content moderation, and posting patterns. It contains users' decentralized identifiers (DIDs) and even has a search function to find content from specific users.
According to the dataset's description, the set "contains 1 million public posts collected from Bluesky Social's firehose API (Application Programming Interface), intended for machine learning research and experimentation with social media data. Each post contains text content, metadata, and information about media attachments and reply relationships."
SEE ALSO: Leaving X for bluer pastures? What to know about Bluesky's owners and policies.Bluesky users didn't opt-in to such uses of their content, but neither is it expressly prohibited by Bluesky. The platform's firehose API is an "aggregated, chronological stream of all the public data updates as they happen in the network, including posts, likes, follows, handle changes, and more." Bluesky's API — coupled with the public and decentralized Authenticated Transfer (AT) Protocol the site is built on — means Bluesky content is open and available to the third party developers the platform is trying to court, 404Media explains.
This could be a major warning sign to many of the site's millions of new users, many of whom left competitor X in the wake of an alarming new AI training policy. A Bluesky representative responded to 404Media's requests for comment: "Bluesky is an open and public social network, much like websites on the Internet itself. Just as robots.txt files don't always prevent outside companies from crawling those sites, the same applies here. We'd like to find a way for Bluesky users to communicate to outside orgs/developers whether they consent to this and that outside orgs respect user consent, and we're actively discussing how to achieve this."
Shortly after the article's publication, the dataset was removed from Hugging Face. "I've removed the Bluesky data from the repo. While I wanted to support tool development for the platform, I recognize this approach violated principles of transparency and consent in data collection. I apologize for this mistake," van Strien wrote in a follow-up Bluesky post.
SAVE $96: Through Dec. 2, the Disney+ and Hulu bundle (both with ads) is just $2.99 per month instead of the usual $10.99 per month for an entire year. That's 72% in savings and easily one of the best Black Friday streaming deals this season.
Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu / Disney+ Disney+ (with ads) and Hulu (with ads) $2.99/month for one year (save $96) Get DealThis year, everything got more expensive — including streaming services. Once just $7.99 per month, the costs for both Disney+ and Hulu jumped up to $9.99 a piece last month. The coveted Disney Duo Basic bundle deal, which includes both Hulu with ads and Disney+ with ads, even jumped up from $9.99 to $10.99 per month. So, needless to say, we've been curious what Black Friday would bring as far as streaming deals go. Now that they've arrived, we're highly impressed, to say the least.
That same Disney bundle that jumped in price — Disney+ with ads and Hulu with ads — is only $2.99 per month for an entire year from Nov. 27 through Dec. 2 (Cyber Monday). That's $8 per month in savings, or $96 total that you get to keep in your pocket. Aside from Hulu's insane 99 cents per month deal, this is easily the best Black Friday streaming deal we've seen so far.
SEE ALSO: The best Black Friday streaming deals so far: Hulu, Peacock, Max, and moreIf you recently got kicked off your friend or family member's account due to the password sharing crackdown, now's a great chance to get accounts of your own. Just make note that the offer is only valid for new and eligible returning Hulu and Disney+ subscribers (basically anyone who hasn't been a Hulu or Disney+ subscriber in the past month).
While you'll have to sit through ads, access to both Hulu's and Disney+'s expansive catalogs for just $3 each month is beyond worth it.
SAVE $180: As of Nov. 27, Best Buy has the Hisense 55-inch QD5 QLED 4K TV on sale for $219.99 for Black Friday, which is a savings of 45%.
Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 55-inch QD5 QLED 4K Google TV $219.99 at Best BuyBest Buy is beating Walmart at one of its own games this Black Friday, and that game is "having the cheapest possible *insert size here* TV of the season." My current favorite example is the Hisense 55-inch QLED TV chilling at $219.99 at Best Buy — not too far off from Walmart's cheapest non-QLED 55-inch 4K TV deal at $178.
And this competitiveness is exactly why Black Friday is one of the best times (if not the best time) of year to buy a TV.
SEE ALSO: Another Black Friday streaming deal is here: Get 2 months of Paramount+ with Showtime for $2.99 per monthBut unless you're a seasoned shopping reporter who keeps track of product prices for a living, these numbers may not mean anything to you without context. Here, the context simply lies in comparison to other existing TV deals, as well as prices from Black Friday TV deals last year.
Plopping Best Buy's deal next to Walmart's cheapest 55-inch QLED going into Thanksgiving, a $288 Hisense model, quickly proves just how much of a steal it is to find the same size and backlight situation for $219.99. Then, throwing it back to Black Friday 2023, the cheapest 55-inch QLED TV then was going for $348. Alternatively, our favorite Fire TV deal from 2023 was a 50-inch regular LED model also going for... wait for it... $219.99.
SEE ALSO: Basically all of the best robot vacuums out there are at new record-low pricing for Black FridayIn 2024, that same wad of cash gets you five more diagonal inches of screen and a layer of quantum dots on top of the traditional LED backlight for visibly brighter, more saturated colors. If you're a sports person, upgrading to a QLED TV is crucial, as the enhanced brightness makes small movements on the screen much easier to follow, especially in the daytime. (As one of the more basic QLEDs out there, no one's saying this is the brightest QLED with the smoothest motion on the market. But if you're a casual watcher rather than an avid gamer, you probably won't care.)
Good Nintendo Switch deals are pretty hard to come by. For some reason, Nintendo just generally doesn't like to list their consoles, games, or accessories at steep discounts, even during big sales events. But thankfully, ahead of Black Friday 2024, it seems like the iconic gaming company is changing course and actually offering up some competitive, worthwhile deals this time around.
SEE ALSO: The PS5 Slim just got its biggest-ever discount in Amazon's Black Friday eventBelow, find our favorite Nintendo Switch-centric deals, including big price cuts on Switch console bundles, individual games, and accessories like controllers, cases, microSD cards, and more. Keep checking back with us throughout Black Friday, too — we'll be updating this page regularly as new offers pop up.
Best Nintendo Switch console deal Opens in a new window Credit: Nintendo Nintendo Switch OLED 'Mario Kart 8 Deluxe' Bundle $299.00 at WalmartThe Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Switch bundle is pretty much a Black Friday staple at this point, and 2024 is no different. You can snag the Nintendo Switch OLED model for $50 off at Walmart ahead of Black Friday. That's just $299 for the best version of the Switch yet, plus one of the very best Nintendo Switch games of all time.
More Nintendo Switch console dealsNintendo Switch Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Bundle — $249 $299 (save $50)
There's a large group of people who would say that The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom isn't just one of the best Nintendo Switch games ever made, but one of the best games ever made in general. And you know what? We'd have a hard time making a case against that. In other words, it's a must-play, and now is the best time to buy a copy if you haven't experienced it yet — for Black Friday, Walmart has Tears of the Kingdom listed at just $30, down from $69. That's the best deal we've seen on this game yet, so don't hesitate to lock in your purchase.
More Nintendo Switch game dealsPowerwash Simulator — $14.99 $24.99 (save $10)
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown — $17.97 $49.99 (save $32.02)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants Unleashed — $19.99 $39.99 (save $20)
Cuphead — $21.99 $39.88 (save $17.89)
Sonic Frontiers — $24.99 $39.99 (save $15)
Bioshock: The Collection — $25.64 $49.99 (save $24.35)
Super Mario Odyssey — $29.99 $59.99 (save $30)
Just Dance 2025 Edition — $29.99 $49.99 (save $20)
Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed — $30 $59.99 (save $29.99)
Sonic X Shadow Generations — $30 $49.94 (save $19.94)
NBA 2K25 — $30 $59 (save $29)
Super Mario Maker 2 — $30 $59.88 (save $29.88)
Nintendo Switch Sports — $39.99 $49.99 (save $10)
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe — $39.99 $46.99 (save $7)
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury — $39.99 $59.99 (save $20)
Pikmin 4 — $39.99 $59.99 (save $20)
Star Wars: Heritage Pack — $39.99 $59.99 (save $20)
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom — $41.99 $53.19 (save $11.20)
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD — $44.99 $59.99 (save $15)
Look, we aren't Joy-Con haters around these parts, but it's no secret that they aren't perfect. The CRKD Nitro Deck may be the controller upgrade you've been craving, and it's $20 off ahead of Black Friday at Amazon, just $49.99. The Switch fits seamlessly within the handheld device, and the whole thing can be docked for TV gaming sessions.
More Nintendo Switch accessory dealsPowerA Joy-Con Comfort Grips for Nintendo Switch — $9.88 $14.99 (save $5.11)
PowerA Joy-Con Charging Dock for Nintendo Switch — $14.99 $22.99 (save $8)
SanDisk 128GB microSDXC Card — $14.99 $34.99 (save $20)
PowerA Wireless Nintendo Switch Controller (Legend of Zelda Sworn Protector) — $24.99 $44.99 (save $20)
RDS Industries Nintendo Switch Case — $34.99 $39.99 (save $5)
PowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller (Color Splash Heroes) — $35 $59 (save $24)
PowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller (Black) — $35 $38.99 (save $3.99)
PowerA GameCube Style Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch — $35.99 $59.99 (save $24)
Rocketfish TV Dock Kit For Nintendo Switch — $39.99 $49.99 (save $10)
PDP Afterglow Wave Wireless Pro Controller — $40.99 $54.99 (save $14.99)
Hori Split Pad Pro Controller — $42.49 $49.99 (save $7.50)
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller — $49 $69.99 (save $20.99)
Nintendo Switch Joy-Con Controllers (Neon Red/Neon Blue) — $59 $79.99 (save $20.99)
Nintendo Switch Joy-Con Controllers (Neon Purple/Neon Orange) — $69 $79.99 (save $10.99)
"I met Taylor Swift because of Twitter," Kayla, a 29-year-old financial services worker at a university in Jacksonville, Florida, told Mashable. She's one of many fans who has spent over a decade communing over Swift on the platform. Now she's leaving X/Twitter for Bluesky.
SEE ALSO: Swifties for Kamala: How Taylor Swift fans are creating a new blueprint for political organizingFed up with Elon Musk's relationship with President-elect Donald Trump, she joined Bluesky the day after the 2024 presidential election — and hasn't posted to her 25,000 X followers since.
"I couldn't be a part of it anymore. I didn't want to be on a platform that uplifts right-wing propaganda and grifters and makes money for Musk. By staying on the platform, I was contributing to it," she explained.
Stan Twitter, the community of users dedicated to constantly posting about their favorite celebrities and pop culture — of which Swifties are one of its biggest factions — has long been the backbone of the platform. And while fans are still active on X (a Financial Times report estimates the platform to have 251 million global daily active users as of the second quarter of 2024), growth has reportedly been stagnant since Musk acquired the company. More recently, X has been losing users in record numbers. Meanwhile, Bluesky just hit 20 million users. While that remains significantly less than those on X, it also represents a vibe shift that people seem eager to take part in. Swifties moving over may be an essential marker for Bluesky's growth and sustainability.
Stan Twitter, in particular, took a major hit in September when X was banned in Brazil due to a feud between Musk and Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre Moraes. The ban meant that over 20 million people lost access to the app, and fan accounts dedicated to everyone from Harry Styles to Cardi B went silent. Brazilians were pivotal to the development of fan culture on the platform. A testament to their impact is the popularity of the "Come to Brazil" meme, which pokes fun at Brazilians incessantly posting the phrase in response to their faves' tweets.
While X was reinstated in Brazil in October, after Musk surrendered to the Brazilian Supreme Court and paid millions of dollars in fines, the incident signaled that X might no longer be the best home for stan culture; after all, it couldn't be relied on. Bluesky, which promises to be "billionaire proof" and to cultivate a welcoming environment, saw "strong growth," according to the company, in Brazil during this period.
Swifties' rocky relationship with XWhile no fandom is a monolith, it isn't surprising that there's a movement among Swifties to leave X. A coalition of fans organized under Swifties for Kamala to campaign for Vice President Kamala Harris, and X and its owner have repeatedly wronged their idol. Fans dedicated to Swift's success aren't quick to forget those who have mistreated her.
In January, AI-generated, pornographic deepfakes of Swift went viral on X with little recourse. Swifties stepped in as protectors, flooding related tags with positive posts and images and trending #ProtectTaylorSwift on X. Meanwhile, it took days for the platform to disable search for Swift's name.
After the pop star endorsed Harris, Musk took to X to, in the eyes of many, sexually harass Swift. He wrote, "Fine Taylor … you win … I will give you a child and guard your cats with my life."
Tweet may have been deleted"After the election, my whole timeline was either people talking about being upset about the state of the world or [people posting] 'Hey, here's my new account, follow me over there,'" SJ, another Swiftie, told Mashable.
The 22-year-old in Rhode Island first made a Bluesky account 10 months ago, but there wasn't much of a community there, so she posted twice and deleted the app. But since the election, she's back on Bluesky. "I thought if everyone else is going, then there will actually be a community this time," said SJ.
She's hopeful about the Swiftie community on Bluesky. "It's already better, even though it's not been a long time. There's more real people here. Twitter got to a point where you weren't seeing actual community spaces there," she said. She says she's seen way more engagement on her posts and has almost the same following she spent seven years building on X.
But SJ will never delete her X account because she doesn't want to lose nearly a decade of tweets and memories. "Assuming Bluesky keeps growing, and people stay active, I'll just slowly start using Twitter less and less until I become inactive," explained SJ.
SEE ALSO: Every surprise song Taylor Swift has performed on 'The Eras Tour'Like SJ, Noah Levy, a fellow Twitter Swiftie, sees the online community in transition. "It's not like everyone just quit Twitter and moved to Bluesky," the 26-year-old customer support worker in St. Louis, Missouri, told Mashable. "I'm interested to see how long it'll take for everyone to move over there, if that'll even happen, or if we're gonna keep using Twitter too."
He posted several times on X asking fellow fans to follow him on Bluesky, but unlike SJ, he hasn't seen his Bluesky account grow to his sizable X following of over 31,000. "[Bluesky] grew really fast when I first made my account because I followed everyone on lists, and a lot of them followed back, but since then, it's been pretty steady," said Levy.
Taylor Nation keeps some Swifties from fully departing XWhile some accounts key to the stan ecosystem, like pop culture news aggregators Pop Base and Discussing Film, have made the leap to Bluesky, others have not, keeping fans tied to Twitter.
Parts of the Swift extended universe have moved to Bluesky — Kayla excitedly DMed me to share that Swift collaborator Maren Morris opened a Bluesky account. Yet Taylor Nation, Taylor Swift's official management account, which engages with fans and coordinates special opportunities for her most dedicated Swifties, has yet to move to the platform (though they do have a Threads account). "It will be tough for everybody to move over because of Taylor Nation," explained Kayla.
While fans may not yet be able to chase a Taylor Nation notice on Bluesky, that hasn’t stopped a community from thriving there. For Kayla, it feels like a return to the early days of being a Swiftie.
She first joined Twitter in 2008, following along with the Fearless, Speak Now, and Red tours on the app. Now, Bluesky evokes those early experiences. "The first night of the Eras Tour on Bluesky was so special; it reminded me of OG Twitter back in 2013, when it was all rainbows, sparkles, and unicorns," Kayla said.
SAVE $51.99: As of Nov. 27, you can get the Microsoft Xbox Series X (1TB, Digital Edition) for just $398 at Walmart. That's $51.99 off the list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Xbox Series X (1TB, Digital Edition) $398.00 at WalmartPlayStation and Nintendo get a lot of attention in the video game console market, but Microsoft's Xbox Series X is still a solid gaming option — and you can get it on sale at Walmart for a smidgen less than other retailers.
As of Nov. 27, you can score a Microsoft Xbox Series X (1TB, Digital Edition) for $398 at Walmart. That’s $1.99 cheaper than the $399.99 price at Best Buy and Target. It’s also $51.99 off the Xbox Series X's usual $449.99 asking price. Note: This is for the digital edition, so you won’t be able to use discs with this console.
SEE ALSO: Game on with these early Black Friday deals from XboxThe Xbox Series X is one of Microsoft’s most powerful models. It features DirectX ray tracing, a custom SSD, and 4K gaming at up to 120 frames per second. And, like the PS5, you can also play older-generation games on the Series X.
With Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (sold separately at $19.99 per month), you can access a huge library of games, play multiplayer online, and receive exclusive member deals and discounts.
From 2011 to 2012, thieves stole $18 million worth of maple syrup from the Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers. Among the most valuable heists in Canadian history (and arguably the most Canadian heist ever), the robbery earned the title of the Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist.
Now, the Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist gets its own TV adaptation with Prime Video's The Sticky. Created by American Housewife team Brian Donovan and Ed Herro, The Sticky stars Margo Martindale, Chris Diamantopoulos, and Guillaume Cyr as an unlikely trio of maple syrup hustlers. The three have incredible chemistry — but in the end, is it enough to counteract The Sticky's long, winding road to the notorious heist that spawned it?
SEE ALSO: 'The Sticky' trailer: Margo Martindale, Jamie Lee Curtis, and the Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist What is The Sticky about? Margo Martindale in "The Sticky." Credit: Jan ThijsThe Sticky may draw inspiration from true events, yet as a title card reminds us at the beginning of each episode, what we're seeing is "absolutely not" the true story. Yes, people will work to steal maple syrup from a governing syrup body in Quebec, but that's basically where the similarities begin and end. Notably, every member of The Sticky's aspiring heist crew is fictional.
Every member of the heist crew is also down on their luck, and growing more desperate day by day. There's syrup farmer Ruth Landry (Martindale), whose husband Martin lies in a years-long coma, and whose farming land is on the verge of being seized by the corrupt association that governs the local maple syrup supply. Security guard Remy Bouchard (Cyr) is the organization's sole security guard. Overworked, underpaid, and unappreciated by boss Leonard Gauthier (Guy Nadon), Remy takes revenge where he can — by stealing one barrel of syrup a month from the stockpile. Rounding out the team is Bostonian mobster Mike Byrne (Chris Diamantopoulos), who's looking to pull off a job unaffiliated with the U.S. crime family that hounds him.
Pushed together by circumstance, these three decide to take down those who have wronged them by executing the sweetest heist known to mankind. But of course, as we've come to expect from any heist story, things rarely go according to plan, and Ruth, Remy, and Mike are in for a hell of a lot of sticky situations.
SEE ALSO: 'A Man on the Inside' review: Ted Danson and Mike Schur reunite for sweet sitcom gold Margo Martindale, Guillaume Cyr, and Chris Diamantopoulos are a delightful heist crew. Margo Martindale, Chris Diamantopoulos, and Guillaume Cyr in "The Sticky." Credit: Jan ThijsYou may be drawn in by the promise of maple syrup mayhem, but the true heart of The Sticky is just watching Martindale, Cyr, and Diamantopoulos become the most dysfunctional heist crew in all of Canada. The three give delightful performances separately, but put them together, and you get dynamite.
Martindale's Ruth is ferocious as can be, unafraid to storm the association's offices with a downed tree in tow or curse out Leonard in front of his staff. Cyr's Remy becomes a perfect foil for her, not just because of his links to the organization but also because of his mild-mannered demeanor, which can sometimes lead to others taking advantage of him. However, that mildness flies out the door in most of his interactions with the hot-tempered Mike, who tries to assert himself as the dominant cool guy in charge of the operation. But despite all that posturing, Mike's often just as inept as his compatriots. Don't just take my word for it: Feast your eyes on Diamantopoulos' many icy pratfalls, which somehow get funnier over time, no matter how often Mike bites it in the Quebec snow.
SEE ALSO: The best comedies on Prime Video for when you need a good laughThe lead-up to The Sticky's heist gives our trio plenty of time to bond, from planning sessions to car trips to an accomplice's storage unit. It also gives them plenty of opportunities to cross each other, building tension — and some very fun sap-related arguments — along the way. Yet among all The Sticky's many twists and turns, it can sometimes feel like the heist itself has gotten lost in the syrup... er, sauce.
The Sticky's heist feels more like an afterthought. Jamie Lee Curtis in "The Sticky." Credit: Jan ThijsDespite The Sticky's lightning-fast first season (six episodes, each less than 30 minutes), the series can sometimes feel like it's wading through syrup in its efforts to get to the heist proper. Ruth and Remy drop out of the heist at separate points, only to get pulled back in mere moments later. Elsewhere, new wrinkles out of our trio's control keep pushing the planned heist date back. Some, like the arrival of new security guard Gary (Meegwun Fairbrother), spawn riotous side quests. Others, like the intrusion of Mike's Bostonian colleagues — including mobster Bo (Jamie Lee Curtis) — feel like The Sticky stalling for time, or clawing for a great antagonist for a potential second season.
Here's the thing, though: I'm far more interested in the small-town dynamics The Sticky initially sets up than whatever hell Boston has to rain down on Mike. The series briefly explores the solidarity between Ruth and the other syrup farmers and townspeople, including a scene where a diner refuses to give Leonard any syrup with breakfast. But otherwise, it barely fleshes out the rest of them.
By the time The Sticky finally gets to its heist, the season has almost run out of steam, and it shows. Prior iterations of the heist plan play out in snappy, darkly funny sequences of what the crime might look like. Yet that energy dissipates for the real deal, which seems almost grim in comparison to everything that's come before it.
But while the final destination of The Sticky Season 1 may be underwhelming, at least the characters who brought us there are anything but. Martindale, Cyr, and Diamantopoulos have created a trio of lovable, flawed criminals who are fully-fledged right off the bat, and watching their dynamic evolve over the course of the season is a sweet treat all by itself.
Hey folks, Spotify would like you to know that its Spotify Wrapped feature, which showcases your favorite songs, albums and artists of the year, is coming soon.
Not yet, though. If you open Spotify on your phone, you'll be greeted with a teaser for Spotify Wrapped, reminding you to check your top songs of 2023, as well as your favorite songs of 2022.
It's time...to wait a few more days for Spotify Wrapped. Credit: SpotifySo when's Spotify Wrapped going to be available? We don't know. According to Spotify, "the best time of the year is right around the corner." They also said that about Spotify's HiFi tier, back in February 2021, and it still hasn't launched. Just sayin'.
All we can do at this point, aside from falling into desperation, is remember that last year, Spotify Wrapped launched on November 29, a day after Thanksgiving, so it's reasonable to expect the feature to show up on the date this year, too. If you want to take speculation a step further, Reddit has a thread in which people post various clues on when Spotify Wrapped may happen this year.
SEE ALSO: Everything you need to know about Spotify Wrapped 2024In any case, this pre-announcement gives you a couple more days to repeatedly play Slayer's seminal 1990 album, "Seasons in the Abyss", so that it shows higher on your personal top list.
If you're meeting up with friends or heading home, sharing your location through DMs can be a wildly useful feature — and safety method for all ages. It's a tool that's been long available on Google Maps, Snapchat, and pretty much all of the messaging apps out there, and finally, Instagram has added location sharing.
As of Nov. 25, Instagram now lets you send your current whereabouts to your friends for up to an hour, or share a pin so you can see how far you and your mates are from the meeting point — there will be no more "I'm almost there" shenanigans afoot.
SEE ALSO: When do you stop sharing your location with someone?Your live location can be shared and unshared to either a solo or group chat, and those you've shared to can't forward this to other chats. And remember, you should never share your location with someone you don't know, whatever age you are.
Importantly, if you're under 13 you can't set up a Instagram account at all. Instagram's recently launched Teen Accounts (for users aged 13 to 17) are automatically set to only receive messages from accounts they follow or have previously connected with. Plus, teens under 16 will need a parent's permission to change any of those strict automatic protections. According to Meta, "Location sharing is off for minors by default. When either an adult or minor turns on location sharing, we include a consistent indicator as a reminder that they're sharing their location."
The feature is available through the Instagram app on iOS and Android in select countries, and is turned off by default. But how do you turn it on? Here's how.
How to share your live location on Instagram Total TimeStep 1: Open Instagram.
Step 2: Go to your Messages.
Tap the minimalist paper airplane icon in the top right.
Step 3: Open a chat.
Either a solo or group chat works with this feature.
Step 4: Tap the + button at the bottom of the screen.
Step 5: Tap "Location".
Step 6: Tap "Share your location" to drop it in the chat.
Remember, you can stop sharing your location at any time, and it's a good idea to keep in mind that you'll still be sharing it for an hour after you activate it — even when you've arrived at your destination.
Why can't I share my location on Instagram?If you can't see the option to share your live location in Instagram, the feature may not have launched in your country yet.
Alternatively, you may need to check if your phone is allowing location sharing. For iPhone users, you'll need to go to Settings, tap Privacy and security, scroll down to Instagram and toggle the switch on. You'll be prompted to select when Instagram is allowed to use your location; select either Never, Always, or While using the app, depending on your preference.
SAVE $170: As of Nov. 27, the 44mm Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is on sale for $159.99 in Amazon's Black Friday sale. That saves you 52% off its list price of $329.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 $159.99 at AmazonBlack Friday is one of the best times of year to invest in the tech you've had your eye on. If you've been on the hunt for a smartwatch, whether to gift yourself or someone you know, Amazon's got a fantastic deal on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 that's definitely worth taking advantage of right now.
As part of Amazon's Black Friday sale event, you can score the 44mm Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 at its lowest-ever price of $159.99. This is over 50% off its list price of $329.99 and an all-time low price for the watch according to price tracker camelcamelcamel. There's truly no better time to grab it.
SEE ALSO: Hulu's Black Friday deal is back. Get a whole year for just $0.99 per month.Samsung's Galaxy Watch 6 has plenty of features to make it worth the investment, including fitness tracking features, a heart rate monitor, and sleep tracking. Writer Alex Perry called it the, "king of the Android smartwatch mountain for now, thanks to a nice display, ease of use, and more features than the competition" in our Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 review. It also made our list of the best smartwatches as the top pick for Android users, in case you're in need of a little extra convincing before hitting that 'buy' button.
Don't miss out on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 at its lowest-ever price for Black Friday.
There are plenty more tech deals worth exploring this Black Friday. Other top retailers like Best Buy, Target, and Walmart are dropping delightful deals each day in the lead-up to Black Friday proper, so have a look at our breakdowns for each to see if any more offers catch your eye.
Daniel Craig and Drew Starkey give us a behind-the-scenes look at how Luca Guadagnino approached filming the ayahuasca scene in Queer. They also give an in depth look at the relationship between the two lead characters in the film.
Queer opens November 27th in NY & LA, in theaters everywhere December 13.
TL;DR: Stay connected abroad with an eSIM that comes with $50 in credit to spend on affordable data — now only $25 ahead of Black Friday.
Opens in a new window Credit: Affinity Click aloSIM Traveler's Mobile Data Plan: Pay $25 for $50 Credit $24.97Whether you’re flying home for the holidays or checking off a bucket list destination, planning an international getaway is extremely exciting. And stressful. And expensive. Especially when it comes to getting a SIM card and mobile data.
Instead of getting the usual physical SIM card from your provider and succumbing to international data costs while you're traipsing through Paris or Tokyo, why not try aloSIM? There's no need to wait for Black Friday to save — this eSIM is your key to international connectivity and arrives with $50 in data credits for only $24.97 (reg. $50) through December 1.
A lifelong eSIM for all your travelsA digital SIM card is essentially mobile data, so you don’t have to worry about getting a physical SIM card through your mobile carrier—or deal with overpriced roaming charges when you return. Check out how easy it is to use aloSIM:
Download aloSIM to your phone, tablet, or computer. You can only use this eSIM on only one device.
Select a data package for the location and duration of your trip. aloSIM works in over 175 countries and has plans starting at seven days long and as low as $4.50.
Activate the data package when you arrive at your destination. Setting up your eSIM before you arrive at the airport is recommended so you don't have to deal with extra stress or spotty WiFi.
One important thing to remember is that data packages expire at the time stated at redemption, even if you have remaining data. This means leftover data will not carry over for future use, though aloSIM is yours for life.
Your digital SIM comes with HushedIn addition to your eSIM and data credits, you'll get a free Hushed phone number. This might be helpful if you need to leave a number for your dinner or tour reservation but don't want to put down your actual number.
Don't wait for Black Friday to save on this travel hack. Get your aloSIM for life and $50 of credit to spend on data for just $24.97 (reg. $50) through December 1 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Act while supplies last.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
SAVE UP TO 50%: Get up to 50% off matresses in the DreamCloud Black Friday sale. Plus, spend $1,000 and save an extra $100 at the checkout.
Opens in a new window Credit: DreamCloud DreamCloud Black Friday Sale Get DealBlack Friday provides an awesome opportunity to save on popular products like robot vacuums, headphones, laptops, and much more. The focus is definitely on tech during these major shopping events, but there is value to be found elsewhere.
If you're looking to improve your sleep and secure a saving over this busy shopping period, you can find a number of Black Friday mattress sales. We're not going to pick a favorite from the bunch, but the DreamCloud Black Friday sale has got our attention. You can save up to 50% on matresses in the DreamCloud Black Friday sale. Plus, spend $1,000 and save an extra $100 at the checkout.
SEE ALSO: PSA: You can get a new mattress now without dealing with the Black Friday chaosWith this big Black Friday discount applied, you can pick up the DreamCloud Memory Foam mattress for $299, the DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress for $419, the DreamCloud Premier Memory Foam mattress for $749, and the DreamCloud Premier Rest Hybrid mattress for $949. You can also save on bed frames, pillows, mattress protectors, and other important sleep accessories.
Save up to 50% with the DreamCloud Black Friday sale.
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