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The astronomical confusion started at 2 a.m ET on June 26, 2023.

Scientists using the powerful James Webb Space Telescope sought to observe a planet beyond our solar system (an exoplanet) called Kepler-51d, an unusual "puffy" world with a cotton candy-like density. But it passed into view two hours earlier than expected. That's strange for a planet, as they are usually quite predictable.

It turns out that a previously unknown world, and its potent gravity, altered Kepler-51d's orbit. Now there are four known planets orbiting the sun-like star Kepler-51, located some 2,556 light-years away. And at least three of them are puffy.

"If trying to explain how three super puffs formed in one system wasn’t challenging enough, now we have to explain a fourth planet, whether it’s a super puff or not. And we can’t rule out additional planets in the system either," Jessica Libby-Roberts, an astronomer at Penn State who led the observation, said in a statement.

SEE ALSO: NASA scientist viewed first Voyager images. What he saw gave him chills.

The research was recently published in The Astronomical Journal.

Based on previous observations, the astronomers calculated that the distant world Kepler-51d would pass in front of its star on June 26, 2023, at 2 a.m. It was a valuable opportunity to use starlight shining through the planet's atmosphere to reveal what's transpiring on this mysterious orb. (This starlight passes through the exoplanet's atmosphere, then through space, and ultimately into instruments called spectrographs aboard Webb, a strategy called "transit spectroscopy." They're essentially hi-tech prisms, which separate the light into a rainbow of colors. Certain molecules, like water, in the atmosphere absorb specific types, or colors, of light. If a color doesn't show up for Webb, that means it got absorbed by the exoplanet's atmosphere — revealing its presence.)

But nothing came at 2 a.m. "Thank goodness we started observing a few hours early to set a baseline, because 2 a.m. came, then 3, and we still hadn’t observed a change in the star’s brightness with APO [the Apache Point Observatory also used during these observations]," Libby-Roberts explained.

Their data, however, captured a dip in the star's light around midnight. What could have caused the surprise orbital change? Only the gravitational influence of a large, previously unknown fourth planet, the researchers concluded. It's now earned the name "Kepler-51e."

"We were really puzzled by the early appearance of Kepler-51d, and no amount of fine-tuning the three-planet model could account for such a large discrepancy," Kento Masuda, a study coauthor and associate professor of earth and space science at Osaka University, added. "Only adding a fourth planet explained this difference. This marks the first planet discovered by transit timing variations using JWST."

An illustration showing the three puffy known worlds orbiting in the star system Kepler-51. Credit: NASA / ESA / L. Hustak / J. Olmsted / D. Player / F. Summers (STScI)

It's unknown if Kepler-51e is a puffy world, too. Astronomers will need to gather valuable observations from a transit in front of its star. What's known is that its orbit travels a little wider than Venus' orbit around the sun, and dwells on the edge of its solar system's habitable zone — a temperate region where liquid water could exist on a world's surface.

Any puffy world is a curiosity: They might evolve, for example, into a super-Earth planet. In this star system, scientists already have at least three to continue observing. What will the fourth reveal?

The Webb telescope's powerful abilities

The Webb telescope — a scientific collaboration between NASA, ESA, and the Canadian Space Agency — is designed to peer into the deepest cosmos and reveal new insights about the early universe. But as shown above, it's also examining intriguing planets in our galaxy, along with the planets and moons in our solar system.

Here's how Webb is achieving unparalleled feats, and likely will for decades to come:

- Giant mirror: Webb's mirror, which captures light, is over 21 feet across. That's over two-and-a-half times larger than the Hubble Space Telescope's mirror. Capturing more light allows Webb to see more distant, ancient objects. The telescope is peering at stars and galaxies that formed over 13 billion years ago, just a few hundred million years after the Big Bang. "We're going to see the very first stars and galaxies that ever formed," Jean Creighton, an astronomer and the director of the Manfred Olson Planetarium at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, told Mashable in 2021.

- Infrared view: Unlike Hubble, which largely views light that's visible to us, Webb is primarily an infrared telescope, meaning it views light in the infrared spectrum. This allows us to see far more of the universe. Infrared has longer wavelengths than visible light, so the light waves more efficiently slip through cosmic clouds; the light doesn't as often collide with and get scattered by these densely packed particles. Ultimately, Webb's infrared eyesight can penetrate places Hubble can't.

"It lifts the veil," said Creighton.

- Peering into distant exoplanets: The Webb telescope carries specialized equipment called spectrographs that will revolutionize our understanding of these far-off worlds. The instruments can decipher what molecules (such as water, carbon dioxide, and methane) exist in the atmospheres of distant exoplanets — be they gas giants or smaller rocky worlds. Webb looks at exoplanets in the Milky Way galaxy. Who knows what we'll find?

"We might learn things we never thought about," Mercedes López-Morales, an exoplanet researcher and astrophysicist at the Center for Astrophysics-Harvard & Smithsonian, told Mashable in 2021.

Already, astronomers have successfully found intriguing chemical reactions on a planet 700 light-years away, and have started looking at one of the most anticipated places in the cosmos: the rocky, Earth-sized planets of the TRAPPIST solar system.

Featured Video For You 10 mind-blowing discoveries from the James Webb Telescope

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Opens in a new window Credit: Rosetta Stone Rosetta Stone: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages) $148.97
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TL;DR: Upgrade to Windows 11 Home for just $19.97 (reg. $199) during this Cyber Week sale through December 8 and unlock AI features, faster performance, and enhanced productivity tools.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Windows 11 Home $19.97
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Ready to bring your computer up to speed? For Cyber Week only, you can snag a licensed copy of Windows 11 Home for just $19.97 (reg. $199). This offer is an ideal option for anyone building a new PC, upgrading from an older version of Windows, or looking to modernize their refurbished computer. But act fast, because this price is only available through Dec. 8.

Windows 11 Home combines performance, simplicity, and innovation to deliver a seamless computing experience for personal users. With faster performance, advanced multitasking tools, and a host of new AI-powered features, it’s the ideal operating system for everyday use.

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Opens in a new window Credit: Koofr Koofr Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription (1TB) $109.97
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TL;DR: Get a $1,499 refurbished MacBook Pro on sale for $377.97 for Cyber Week. Sale ends December 8 at 11:59 p.m. PT. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Refurbished Apple MacBook Pro (3.1GHz i5, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $377.97
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Don't be fooled by its nostalgic, romantic title. Fly Me To The Moon is not the winsome, star-led rom-com you might expect. Instead, director Greg Berlanti takes a cheeky premise befitting a bouncy '60s rom-com and burdens it with dreary NASA drama and a half-baked showbiz satire thread. 

Sure, Fly Me to the Moon has Scarlett Johansson, smiling and beguiling as a Mad (wo)Man who's cinched and coiffed like a Hitchcock blonde. It's got a strapping Channing Tatum as the stern Tracy to her beaming Hepburn. The stellar supporting cast, which includes Woody Harrelson, Ray Romano, Jim Rash, and the splendid Anna Garcia, breathes life into one-liners and extravagantly long bits. But overall, Berlanti lacks the creative vision to pull all this off. 

All told, Fly Me to the Moon is a disaster that fails to launch. 

Fly Me to the Moon does too much... and poorly.  Cole Davis (Channing Tatum) and Henry Smalls (Ray Romano) in "Fly Me to the Moon." Credit: Dan McFadden / Sony Pictures

Set in 1969, Fly Me to the Moon follows an enemies-to-lovers plot line that pits the noble ambition of a moon-landing mission against marketing. In the corner of scientific endeavor stands beefy but taciturn NASA launch director Cole Davis (Tatum); in the other corner swishes metropolitan advertising maverick Kelly Jones (Johansson). He is trying to get America on the moon. She's trying to sell America on the moon landing. But shucks! The news of late is super caught up with that Vietnam War! 

There's a jarring disconnect between the movie's would-be winsome romance and its clumsy handling of the era's hard-hitting horrors. The jumbled screenplay from Rose Gilroy doesn’t just have its heroine cynically lament about how this grim war's news cycle distracts from their PR efforts (though she does). Berlanti also douses his sometimes-comedy with reminders of the horrid war. So, anytime his love story might start heating up, real-life carnage hits like a cold shower. The tragedy of the Apollo 1 mission, in which three astronauts were killed, is also a heavy thread, knitting together the life-or-death stakes of Apollo 11 and giving Cole a series of scenes to grieve as that failed launch's haunted director. 

This remorse explains why he has no patience for Kelly's relentlessly can-do attitude, the white lies she employs in the name of "selling," and the persistent distraction she is to his work. (She literally pulls his astronauts away from training for product-placement photo shoots.) However, without her skills at selling NASA to the public, the mission could see its funding pulled. So, selling out is regarded by Fly Me to the Moon as a necessary evil — a point driven home by a climactic kiss that features OMEGA® watches in its cozy close-up of the headlining co-stars. 

The total dissonance of the film might be intentional; perhaps it's meant to reflect the conflict between the idealistic Cole and the jaded Kelly. While that might be clever on paper, on screen it makes for a deadly tedious film. There is absolutely no flow or momentum to the storytelling, as one scene of utter despair leads into one of of light-hearted flirtation, then to one of clumsy comic mayhem. 

Is star power dead?  Kelly Jones (Scarlett Johansson) and Cole Davis (Channing Tatum) in "Fly Me to the Moon." Credit: Dan McFadden / Sony Pictures

Critics have been debating this for years now, and Fly Me to the Moon might be further proof that a eulogy is overdue.

Scarlett Johansson gives a lot to this film, including an arsenal of wheedling accents, a megawatt smile that Julia Roberts would be proud of, and a performance that ranges from plucky punchlines to a tearful monologue about a tragic childhood. Yet she can't dazzle thoroughly through all the shenanigans and tonal turns. Con woman Kelly is so throughly constructed of false fronts that even when she gets to her tender truth, it seems just another scheming schtick — amusing but shallow.  

Tatum is similarly shackled by a script that deflates the himbo allure he perfected in the Magic Mike movies, offering instead a stale archetype of a serious science man. Despite some early antics involving a flaming broom and a black cat, Cole never quite manages to solidify into a compelling fussbudget, molded from the likes of Spencer Tracy, Cary Grant, or Rock Hudson. 

Johansson and Tatum don't share a chemistry that can make this movie work for all its faults. Neither is helped by a plot line that runs in circles of highs and lows rather than a compelling three-act trajectory. As Berlanti has a storied history in television, with credits that include Everwood, Arrow, You, and Legends of Tomorrow, I began to wonder if this premise was originally conceived as a miniseries. This could explain the confounding structure that, at two hours and 10 minutes long, feels agonizing.

Broken up into 30-minute episodes, these jarring tonal shifts might've felt less severe, the quirky comedy bits could have been grounded, the dramatic stings given the space to hit with impact. But Berlanti, who won praise at the helm of romantic dramedies like Love, Simon and The Broken Hearts Club, doesn't have the cinematic vision to pull off all these elements. Instead, he takes a tale of love and lies and space, and creates something that is often astonishingly visually flat and uninspired. The whimsy of '60s comedies and its candy-colored fashion is lost here.

Fly Me to the Moon is nearly saved by its supporting cast.  Ruby Martin (Anna Garcia), Moe Berkus (Woody Harrelson), Kelly Jones (Scarlett Johansson), and Lance Vespertine (Jim Rash) in "Fly Me to the Moon." Credit: Dan McFadden / Sony Pictures

While Johansson and Tatum struggle, the players around them manage to shine. Jim Rash certainly delivers the flashiest performance as Lance Vespertine, a unrepentantly flamboyant and narcissistic commercial director. Rash brings a welcomed chaotic energy to his scenes, issuing outlandish demands and withering remarks with the rapid-fire spray and viciousness of a tommy gun. In him, Fly Me to the Moon scratches at showbiz satire, gleefully mocking the indulgences allowed an arrogant director. But as Rash is used chiefly for breezy comic relief, the finer points of the critique are lost amid the screeching. 

Elsewhere, Ray Romano pops up as a pal of Cole's to deliver exposition dumps and hit plot points with a practiced efficiency and sly oafishness; Romano turns a thankless role into a needed source of heart. Meanwhile, Woody Harrelson strolls into the vaguely threatening authority role he's played across genres, this time as a mysterious yet intimidating government agent called Moe. He's on cruise control here, with a fedora doing half the work. Nonetheless, Harrelson is amusing, especially as he casually threatens Kelly, then erupts into the title song as he saunters away. 

However, the standout amid these big names (and Mr. Scarlett Johansson, Colin Jost, who pops by in a brief yet excruciating cameo) is Anna Garcia, a brilliant comedic actress who plays Kelly's plucky, politically minded assistant.

Plotwise, her Ruby is a confidante to whom Kelly can spill secrets of the fake moon landing, among other ploys. But in execution, Garcia brings a crisp comedy styling that is bright and intoxicating, whatever mess is going on around her. With guest stints on shows like It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, the Party Down reboot, and various DROPOUT productions, Garcia first caught my eye in the interview parody show Very Important People. Here, Garcia played an eccentric Eurotrash pop star so convincingly that I looked for Princess Emily's Spotify artist page. (She was probably an Eurovision contender I missed, right?) In Fly Me to the Moon, she steals scenes with sharp asides and eye-catching reactions. Regrettably, as the film plunges into ham-fisted pathos, radiant Ruby is flung off on a lazy romantic subplot involving a character who can be most kindly written off as Nerd Number Two. 

Berlanti aims for the moon and falls far short.  Kelly Jones (Scarlett Johansson) in "Fly Me to the Moon." Credit: Dan McFadden / Sony Pictures

By taking on a '60s-style romcom, Berlanti stacks himself against the talents of such influential directors as Blake Edwards (Breakfast at Tiffany's), Norman Jewison (Send Me No Flowers), William Wyler (How to Steal A Million), Stanley Donen (Charade, Funny Face) and George Cukor (Adam's Rib, My Fair Lady). By folding in so many earnest elements of space travel drama, he invites comparisons to the celebrated filmmaking of Stanley Kubrick (2001: A Space Odyssey), who is repeatedly name-dropped in the film because of those exhausting conspiracy theories. And in every instance, this clunky dramedy pales in comparison, lacking the visual splendor, the emotional resonance, and the incorrigible wit of those that came before. 

With this genre-blending script, Berlanti has a wide sandbox to play in but no idea what to do with all these toys. In the end, Fly Me to the Moon is not just a misfire but a cataclysmic miscalculation, turning out to be far more tedious than enchanting. 

Fly Me to the Moon is now streaming on Apple TV.

UPDATE: Dec. 5, 2024, 5:37 p.m. EST "Fly Me to the Moon" was reviewed prior to its theatrical release in this article, originally published July 11, 2024. This article has been updated to reflect the latest viewing options.

What if all the hysteria about Y2K was valid? In 1999, as the clocks ticked down to the new millennium, there was a global fear that a computer coding shortcut could result in widespread tech issues, disrupting life as we know. That didn't happen, but Saturday Night Live alum Kyle Mooney's directorial debut Y2K asks the question: What if it did though? 

Studded with young stars like It's Jaeden Martell, Hunt for the Wilderpeople's Julian Dennison, West Side Story's Rachel Zegler, and Stranger Things' Eduardo Franco, sci-fi comedy Y2K's core story is about what a nightmare it is to be a teen with a crush. But is boatloads of nostalgia, goofy gore, and massive amounts of dopey jokes enough to make this comedy come together? 

Y2K is Terminator, but stupid. 

Written by Evan Winter, Y2K centers on two high school besties, who are way outside the cool kid clique. But one New Year's Eve, goofball Danny (Dennison) convinces wallflower Eli (Martell) that now is the time to get noticed by crashing a house party. While Eli's fumbling to get the attention of beautiful hacker Laura (Zegler), Danny is karaokeing raucously to Sisqó's "Thong Song" and getting the attention he's long craved. But as the clock strikes midnight, computers rebel as AI goes evil, going on a comedic killing spree in which everything from ceiling fans and microwaves to Tamagotchis can be a weapon. The midnight slaughter sequence is as outrageous as it is hilarious. 

Featured Video For You Why you're wrong about Y2K, 20 years later

The sci-fi logic of the film is basically non-existent, though Zegler's Laura is saddled with a series of hacker exposition dumps that half-heartedly set up some rules. But Y2K refuses to take science-fiction seriously. The premise is an excuse to goof on 2000s culture and chuck some teen archetypes into silly shenanigans. So Eli reluctantly leads a motley band of survivors out of this house of horrors and into a plan to save not just their high school but the whole world. 

Y2K is radiant in '00s nostalgia. 

Much like PEN15, Y2K plunges audiences back into a time where AIM away messages were pretentious poetry, dial-up squawked, T-shirts were worn inexplicably oversized, and burning CDs was a meaningful tool of self-expression. The opening sequence is littered with such nostalgic '00s details, which aptly set the era and earned much laughter and cheers from the SXSW audience at the film's world premiere. Props to Mooney for crafting such a crowd-pleasing beginning, but upon reflection, there's few actual jokes there. It's all about the joy of recognition, which could mean this comedy won't play for Gen Z at all, despite their recent Y2K revival. 

SEE ALSO: The ultimate Y2K gift guide for millennials and teens alike

Other references play a bigger role in the plot, like Danny learning Tae-Bo via Billy Blanks' once unavoidable workout videos and a musician cameo that — while funny and surprising — wears out its welcome by beating the same joke into the ground. Actually, that's a bit of a recurring problem. Mooney doesn't have a great sense of when enough is enough so several bits drag, making the movie feel a bit meandering even at one hour and thirty-three minutes. But the bigger issue is Y2K hangs itself on its least interesting character. 

Julian Dennison outshines Jaeden Martell. 

Winter's script is woefully lazy in developing Martell's Eli as a character. Established as shy and vaguely nerdy (he likes computer games and modifying action figures), Eli is identifiable as the lovestruck nerd archetype. However, he's not weird enough to be interesting in this world where electronics are suddenly transforming into gnarly killing machines. Likewise his crush Laura is regarded as extraordinary because she's pretty, popular, and into computers while being a girl. There's admittedly a self-awareness in other characters pointing out this supposed dissonance, but Y2K doesn't go any deeper into Laura's personality. So the jokes at her expense are more a lampshade of the issue rather than challenging it. 

Where the teen comedy aspect comes alive is in Danny as the charismatic wild card bestie, Franco as a rock-rap-loving bully, and Lachlan Watson as a surly alt chick. But sadly, the script sidelines them for way too much of the movie. While Zegler has undeniable screen presence, Martell offers a blank stare for much of the movie that just squashes its emotional pull. The frantic action and spurts of bright-red blood helps revive the movie's chaotic energy, but you might wish that Dennison had been given more to do here. The New Zealand actor is a dynamo, and it’s a shame to see him shunted to the side in a quirky bestie role. 

As a first watch, Y2K is a lot of fun. Its teen cast overall has terrific energy, and a supporting cast that includes Alicia Silverstone, Tim Heidecker, and Mooney — as a burnout video store clerk — brings welcomed microdoses of weirdness. The celebration of all things '00s is undeniably charming, even if used superficially. Jokes come fast and frantic, so even if some don't land, there's plenty of laughs to be had. But on reflection, the movie suffers under its lack of emotional depth. This is a solid stoner comedy, gleefully dumb and unapologetically wacky. But as a teen comedy, Y2K lacks the emotional awareness of classics like Clueless, the original Mean Girls, or Superbad. 

In short, Y2K is a good time, but falls short of greatness. 

Y2K is now in theaters.

UPDATE: Dec. 5, 2024, 4:40 p.m. EST Y2K was reviewed out of the world premiere at SXSW. This review was first published on March 11, 2024, and has been updated for its theatrical release.

SAVE $50: As of Dec. 6, the Bose New QuietComfort are on sale for $129 at Amazon. This deal saves you 28% on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose New QuietComfort $129.00 at Amazon
$179.00 Save $50.00 Get Deal

We love a good bargain on great sound quality here at Mashable, so we're always on the hunt for deals on some of the best earbuds and headphones. And this latest Amazon discount on the Bose New QuietComfort is not one you'll want to miss. Not only are they on sale for $129 as of Dec. 6, but they are now at their lowest-ever price at Amazon.

These earbuds truly are an excellent choice, especially if you're looking for stellar noise cancellation. The noise cancellation is designed to block out any and all distractions, creating an immersive listening experience. Picture a noisy shop, or loud train journey: these earbuds will block out the annoying chatter, so you don't need to turn up your music.

SEE ALSO: The latest Apple AirPods 4 are at their lowest-ever price on Amazon

With these earbuds you'll get up to 8.5 hours of listening time on the go, and with a quick 20-minute top-up charge, you get an extra two hours. Style-wise, like most, these earbuds come with multiple ear tips so they fit comfortably and give you the maximum possible listening ability. Not to mention, a secure fit means they are better for sports such as running or gym workouts.

And one of our top features is the customizable tap controls. Choose whether you want these to adjust the volume, skip tracks, or pause your music. Do this in the Bose QCE app, where you'll also find more personalization options to tweak EQ settings and check battery life.

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SAVE $80: As of Dec. 6, the iPad (9th Gen) is on sale for $249 at Walmart. That's a 24% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad (9th Gen) $249.00 at Walmart
$329.00 Save $80.00 Get Deal

If you're looking for a tablet upgrade and having the latest model isn't high on your priority list, you need to check out this great Walmart deal on the iPad (9th Gen). From Dec. 6, this model is on sale for $249.99, saving you $80 on list price. This deal is specific to the 64GB, WiFi model.

This is an ideal option if you want an iPad that doesn't break the bank. Despite being a slightly older model, the iPad (9th Gen) still offers an impressive performance. It features a bright and colorful 10.2-inch Retina display with True Tone for comfortable viewing and is powered by the A13 Bionic chip, so you get a smooth, quick performance. No buffering or annoying load times when multitasking, gaming, or switching between apps.

SEE ALSO: The latest Apple AirPods 4 are at their lowest-ever price on Amazon

The 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage is a great feature, ensuring you are focused and able to engage in video calls, while the 8MP back camera is great for photos and scanning documents. With up to 256GB of storage, Touch ID for secure access, and compatibility with the Apple Pencil (1st Gen) and Smart Keyboard, it’s an ideal option for both work tasks and entertainment.

Head to Walmart to grab this great deal.

SAVE $50: As of Dec. 6, the JBL Tune 230NC TWS are on sale for $44.95 at Amazon. That's a 50% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Tune 230NC TWS $44.95 at Amazon
$99.95 Save $55.00 Get Deal

If you're looking for a new pair of earbuds but don't want to break the bank, we have just the pair for you. A new pair doesn't need to cost hundreds of dollars, in fact, you can grab a great pair for under $50. And that's what you'll find from this latest Amazon deal on the JBL Tune 230NC TWS.

As of Dec. 6, you can find these earbuds reduced by 55% at Amazon, now just $44.95. This is also their lowest price since July, so you can think of it as a late Black Friday bargain.

SEE ALSO: The latest Apple AirPods 4 are at their lowest-ever price on Amazon

The JBL Tune 230NC TWS earbuds are a great budget option for earbuds that still deliver incredible sound and features. They boast 10mm drivers and JBL’s Pure Bass Sound, making sure every song, podcast, and phonecall sounds perfect. If the fit isn’t quite right, not to worry, they come with several size options to adjust to your needs.

Active Noise Cancelling blocks distractions, while Smart Ambient and TalkThru modes let you stay aware or chat easily without taking them off. You’ll get up to 40 hours of battery life (or 32 hours with noise canceling), plus a quick 10-minute charge gives you two additional hours of playtime. Not to mention, these earbuds are IPX4 water- and sweat-resistant, making them ideal for workouts or rainy days.

Head to Amazon for this great deal.

SAVE $40: As of Dec. 6, AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation are down to $139 on Amazon. That's a saving of $40 off the $179 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 $139.00 at Amazon
$179.00 Save $40.00 Get Deal

The Apple AirPods 4 are here, and they’ve brought some serious upgrades to the table. Apple die-hards and earbud users will all agree that this deal is worth checking out. As of Dec. 6, AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation are down to $139 on Amazon. That saving of $40 off the $179 list price is a solid opportunity to dodge some Apple tax.

Designed for all-day comfort, the AirPods 4 has a refined contour and shorter stems for a better fit. Thanks to an IP54 dust, sweat, and water-resistant rating, they’re perfect for everything from long commutes to intense workouts. Quick-press controls let you toggle between calls, music, and other features without fumbling with your device.

SEE ALSO: Some iPhone 16 owners are experiencing massive battery drain on iOS 18

The H2 chip is AirPods 4 secret weapon, powering an impressive mix of Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive Audio, and Transparency Mode. These modes work together to adjust your audio experience on the fly. For example, conversation awareness will automatically lower the volume when speaking to someone nearby, so there is no need to manually pull out an earbud or change a setting.

Upgrades don’t stop there. The Personalized Spatial Audio feature creates a 360-degree soundscape with dynamic head tracking, making it feel like you’re in a private theater. Binging out your favorite series and checking out the new Killswitch Engage album takes immersion to the next level. Always on the go, the Voice Isolation feature improves call quality by reducing background noise, ensuring your voice is heard clearly, even in loud environments.

The redesigned USB-C Charging Case is the smallest in the industry and has multiple charging options. Apple Watch chargers, Qi-certified pads, and USB-C cables are all fair game. The AirPods 4 offer up to four hours of listening time per charge with ANC enabled and up to 30 hours of total playtime when paired with the case and ANC turned off.

This Apple AirPods 4 deal is best for the newest model. If you’ve been holding out for a price drop, now’s your chance to snag them for $139 on Amazon. With features like these, your ears (and wallet) will thank you.

SAVE $130: As of Dec. 6, the Toshiba 43-inch Class C350 Series Smart Fire TV is available for $149.99 at Best Buy. That’s a $130 discount off its usual $279.99 price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Toshiba Toshiba 43-Inch Class C350 TV $149.99 at Best Buy
$279.99 Save $130.00 Get Deal

Looking for a budget-friendly way to enjoy your favorite shows, movies, and games in 4K? This Toshiba Smart Fire TV deal is an absolute steal. The Toshiba 43-inch Class C350 Series 4K UHD Smart Fire TV is available for just $149.99 at Best Buy. That's $130 off its regular $279.99 price, a discount almost as sharp as its display.

The C350 is a smart TV powerhouse, combining a sleek bezel-less design with solid features like 4K Ultra HD resolution and Dolby Vision HDR. Thanks to Toshiba's Regza Engine 4K, you can expect stunning picture quality with vibrant, lifelike colors and crisp details. That includes streaming the latest blockbuster or enjoying a nostalgic rewatch.

SEE ALSO: This TCL Q5 65-inch Smart Fire TV is $150 off for a limited time

Audio buffs will also appreciate the inclusion of DTS Virtual:X, which delivers immersive surround sound to elevate your entertainment experience. Pair that with Dolby Atmos, and you'll feel like you've brought the cinema home (minus the overpriced popcorn.)

Gamers will appreciate that the C350 includes an auto-low latency game mode, reducing input lag and keeping button punches responsive. This makes it a great TV for current-gen consoles like the PS5 or Xbox Series X. With support for Apple AirPlay, you can easily share content from your iPhone or iPad to the big screen.

Navigating the TV is a breeze thanks to Fire TV integration, which includes Alexa Voice Remote. Alexa lets you switch inputs, search for content, and even control your smart home devices with your voice. Fire TV provides access to over 1 million streaming titles, including favorites from apps like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and more.

At just $149.99, the Toshiba 43-inch Class C350 Series Smart Fire TV offers incredible value for anyone looking to upgrade their home entertainment setup without splurging. Movie buffs, gamers, or someone who wants a beautiful screen will all agree that this deal is hard to beat.

SAVE $120: As of Dec. 6, LG 34-inch UltraWide IPS LED FHD monitor is on sale for $209.99 at Best Buy. That’s $120 off its usual price of $329.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 34-Inch UltraWide IPS LED FHD Monitor $209.99 at Best Buy
$329.99 Save $120.00 Get Deal

If your desk setup has been feeling a little cramped, an LG UltraWide monitor deal is what you need. The LG 34-inch UltraWide IPS LED FHD monitor is available for just $209.99 at Best Buy. That's $120 off its regular $329.99 price, making it a stellar deal for gamers, multitaskers, and anyone looking to upgrade their screen real estate.

LG 34WQ500-B features a massive 34-inch IPS display with a wide 21:9 aspect ratio. This means solid visuals for everything from Netflix binges to gaming marathons. The WFHD resolution (2560 x 1080) ensures sharp clarity, while VESA DisplayHDR 400 support delivers vivid, true-to-life colors. Working on color-sensitive creative projects or enjoying your favorite shows? This monitor's 99% sRGB color gamut shows solid accuracy and vibrancy.

SEE ALSO: I love budget gaming monitors, and this impressive Samsung 4K monitor is a steal at $130 off

If you're a gamer, this monitor has you covered with AMD FreeSync compatibility. This feature eliminates annoying screen tearing and stuttering for a buttery-smooth experience, even in fast-paced games. The 100Hz refresh rate and 5ms response time further enhance motion clarity, keeping you immersed in the action. Add in the virtually borderless design, and losing yourself in your game or movie is easy.

Beyond gaming, the LG UltraWide is a multitasker's dream. It has enough room to keep multiple windows open side-by-side, making it easier for video editing, coding, or juggling spreadsheets. Having everything you need accessible on one screen makes this monitor a productivity powerhouse. Need to connect multiple devices? The HDMI and DisplayPort inputs make it easy to hook up your PC, gaming console, or peripherals with minimal hassle.

At just $209.99, this is one of the best prices we've seen for this model. Typically retailing at $329.99, this $120 discount makes it a must-buy for anyone in the market for an UltraWide monitor. This monitor will improve your standard screen experience without breaking the bank.

This LG UltraWide monitor deal is available now at Best Buy, but like all good things, it won't last forever. If you've been eyeing an upgrade, now's the time to grab it.

SAVE $150: As of Dec. 6, the TCL 65-inch Q5-Series 4K UHD HDR PRO+ QLED Smart Fire TV is on sale for $399.99 at Best Buy. That's a $150 saving off its usual $549.99 price.

Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 65-inch Q5-Series $399.99 at Best Buy
$549.99 Save $150.00 Get Deal

If you're shopping for a TV upgrade that blends premium features with an accessible price tag, the TCL Q5 65-inch Smart Fire TV is a strong contender. I've tested plenty of budget-friendly TVs, and this one consistently punches above its weight. Right now, it's available for $399.99 at Best Buy. That's a full $150 off its regular price of $549.99. This is a solid opportunity to snag a high-performance QLED for under $400.

Let's be real: not all TVs in this price range are created equal. Some give you flat colors and clunky interfaces, but the TCL Q5 throws a party on your screen. With its QLED display powered by Quantum Dot technology, this TV serves up vibrant colors and strong brightness that makes everything from rom-coms to Marvel marathons feel like a front-row experience. Dolby Vision and HDR PRO+ tech ensure every scene gets the love it deserves.

SEE ALSO: New consumer protection rules would block data brokers from selling Americans' sensitive info

Game Accelerator 120 ensures your refresh rate is as smooth as your skills (or as close as it gets). Auto Game Mode (ALLM) automatically optimizes your setup for a lag-free experience. Gunning for leaderboard glory or getting absolutely wrecked in Call of Duty? This TV won't slow you down. And thanks to Motion Rate 240, action sequences and fast-moving sports look buttery smooth instead of blurry messes.

The TCL Q5's sound game is no slouch either. Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X deliver quality audio. Feel like keeping it to yourself? Bluetooth Personal Audio lets you hook up your favorite headphones so you can binge your guilty-pleasure reality shows without judgment.

Fire TV is baked right in, giving you instant access to all the big streaming apps. Alexa voice controls make it even easier. It even works with Apple AirPlay 2, so you can stream videos, photos, and TikToks (we won't judge) directly from your iPhone.

Wrapped in a sleek, bezel-less design, this TV looks as good off as it does on. At $399.99, you're not just saving $150, you're getting a deal that feels almost criminal. Sales like this never last long; do pull the trigger if you've been waiting for an affordable living room beast.

In today's age of digital everything, it seems hardly a day goes by without news of a new cybersecurity threat. Unfortunately, the ongoing Salt Typhoon hack is much larger and more serious than your average breach. Senate Intelligence Committee chairman Senator Mark R. Warner even labelled the Salt Typhoon attack the "worst telecom hack in [U.S.] history by far," the hackers gaining access to numerous Americans' data and monitoring political targets' communications for years.

Here's everything you need to know about the 2024 Salt Typhoon hack.

SEE ALSO: Hackers are now sending scam QR codes via physical mail — and they can steal your passwords What is Salt Typhoon?

Salt Typhoon is a hacking group which is reportedly sponsored by the Chinese government. Active since 2020, the group has carried out attacks against targets in the U.S. as well as globally.

The group typically uses advanced persistent threat (APT) attacks, covertly gaining access to targeted networks and remaining there undetected for a lengthy period of time. Such methods allow attackers to gather extensive information about their targeted organisation.

Though commonly referred to as Salt Typhoon, the group has also been dubbed GhostEmperor, FamousSparrow, Earth Estries, and UNC2286. The name "Salt Typhoon" was given to it by Microsoft, which uses "Typhoon" to label all nation-state threat actors from China.

What is the Salt Typhoon telecom hack?

On Wednesday, the U.S. government disclosed that at least eight telecommunications companies have been infiltrated by Salt Typhoon's hackers, following reports emerging earlier this year of a state-sponsored Chinese cyberattack on internet service providers.

The 2024 Salt Typhoon hack is believed to have actually been ongoing for one or two years, and remains active even now, with Salt Typhoon allegedly still able to access many telecommunication systems. While officials are working on ridding systems of the intruders, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has said it is "impossible" to tell when all the hackers will be completely evicted.

According to U.S. officials, the Salt Typhoon hack is an espionage campaign sponsored by Chinese authorities. The Chinese government has denied any involvement in the cyberattacks.

"The U.S. needs to stop its own cyberattacks against other countries and refrain from using cyber security to smear and slander China," a spokesperson from China's embassy in Washington said in a statement to the Associated Press.

Which U.S. telecoms are impacted by the Salt Typhoon hack?

A full list of organisations impacted by the Salt Typhoon hack has not been released, however we do know that the campaign targeted telecommunications companies across the globe. Anne Neuberger, U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Tech, stated on Wednesday that "dozens of countries" have been affected, with the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand all confirmed targets.

In the U.S., Salt Typhoon allegedly breached at least eight telecommunications companies. The Wall Street Journal reports that this list includes:

• Verizon

• AT&T

• T-Mobile

• Lumen Technologies

Am I impacted by the Salt Typhoon hack?

U.S. officials stated that while they believe the Salt Typhoon hack did not affect every American, it has impacted "a large number" of people, most of whom were located in the greater Washington area. The hackers reportedly accessed these individuals' metadata, such as records of numbers which had contacted each other, but not the content of such communications.

On its own merit, most of this compromised metadata appears to be of little interest to Salt Typhoon. Instead, the hackers are believed to have used such information to identify the communications of particular targeted individuals. Salt Typhoon is alleged to have been searching for corporate intellectual property as well as specific government and political targets, which reportedly included Donald Trump, Senator J.D. Vance, and people from within both Trump and Kamala Harris' presidential campaigns.

Upon identifying them, the hackers focused on accessing these individuals' communications, reading texts and listening in to audio calls. As of November, approximately 150 individual targets had been identified and notified, most of them within the Washington, D.C. area.

"The actors stole a large volume of records, including data on where, when, and with whom individuals were communicating," a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) official told the Washington Post.

Salt Typhoon's hackers reportedly also accessed the U.S. law enforcement's system for requesting wiretaps. Though officials told the Washington Post that there's no evidence the hackers were able to listen in on the network, they may have been able to identify individuals the U.S. government is investigating.

The full scope of the Salt Typhoon hack still isn't entirely clear. Fortunately, Neuberger has stated that no classified information is believed to have been compromised.

How is the U.S. government responding to the Salt Typhoon hack? Tweet may have been deleted

Following nows of the Salt Typhoon cyberattack, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has said it is "taking decisive steps to address vulnerabilities in U.S. telecommunications network." 

Specifically, the FCC has proposed clarifying laws which require telecommunications companies to secure their networks against hackers. This would make clear that such security measures not only include equipment, but also how the telecommunications carriers manage their networks.

The FCC has also proposed a new annual certification requirement for telecommunications companies, including certified compliance with new cybersecurity risk management plans.

"While the Commission’s counterparts in the intelligence community are determining the scope and impact of the Salt Typhoon attack, we need to put in place a modern framework to help companies secure their networks and better prevent and respond to cyberattacks in the future," said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.

A Senate Commerce subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Salt Typhoon hack on Dec. 11 to examine security threats and protective measures.

TL;DR: Watch the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for free on ORF or ServusTV. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Max Verstappen has secured the F1 title, but there is still a lot to fight for in the last race of the season. The constructors' crown is still up for grabs in the season finale, so every team will be doing everything they can to influence the result. It's going to be a fascinating battle to end the season.

If you're interested in watching the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix?

The 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix takes place over 58 laps of the 5.281-kilometre Yas Marina Circuit on Yas Island. The full schedule can be found here:

• Practice 1 — 4:30 to 5:30 a.m. ET on Dec. 6

• Practice 2 — 8 to 9 a.m. ET on Dec. 6

• Practice 3 — 5:30 to 6:30 a.m. ET on Dec. 7

• Qualifying — 9 to 10 a.m. ET on Dec. 7

• Race — 8 a.m. ET on Dec. 8

The good news for fans is that it's possible to live stream the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix without spending anything.

How to watch the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for free

You can find free live streams of F1 on these platforms:

• Austria — ORF or ServusTV (12 races each)

ORF and ServusTV are geo-restricted to Austria, so you might need to use a VPN to access these free live streams from abroad. VPNs are tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, meaning you can access free live streams of F1 from anywhere in the world.

Unblock free streaming services by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Austria

4. Connect to ORF or ServusTV

5. Watch the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix from anywhere in the world

Please be aware that Formula 1 take the view that the use of a VPN to watch content from another territory may be a breach of the relevant broadcasters’ terms of service and may constitute copyright infringement. It is your responsibility to ensure that your use of a VPN is legal and Mashable does not encourage any illegal use of a VPN.

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading services do tend to offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch F1 live streams without actually spending anything. This is clearly not a long-term solution, but it does mean you can stream the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming F1 live is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for F1?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for live streaming F1 for free, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Austria

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is protected

• Fast streaming speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Watch the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for free with ExpressVPN.

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

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

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

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

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

Tweet may have been deleted

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

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

Tweet may have been deleted

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for December 6 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: Ways to describe being good at sports

• Green: Singular talents

• Blue: Professional speeders

• Purple: You'd find these teams on the pitch

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

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

• Yellow: Synonyms for athletic

• Green: MLB teams in singular form

• Blue: NASCAR Cup Series champions

• Purple: Last words of Premier League clubs

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 #74 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Synonyms for athletic - ENERGETIC, MUSCULAR, POWERFUL, STRONG

• MLB teams in singular form - ATHLETIC, MARLIN, ROYAL, TWIN

• NASCAR Cup Series champions - EARNHARDT, GORDON, JOHNSON, PETTY

• Last words of Premier League clubs: ALBION, FOREST, HAM, PALACE

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

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

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

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

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on 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 December 6 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 6 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Find your people

These words describe a group of people.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

Words are different types of social groups.

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 Fellowship.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for December 6

• Club

• Clique

• Group

• Circle

• Bunch

• Society

• Crowd

• Fellowship

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tweet may have been deleted

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

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

Tweet may have been deleted

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for December 4 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: To confuse

• Green: A spell with harmful intent

• Blue: Iconic Pixar toys by nickname

• Purple: Informal endings that trend in slang

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

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

• Yellow: Baffle

• Green: Curse

• Blue: Toy Story Characters, Familiarly

• Purple: Colloquial Suffixes

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 #544 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Baffle: PERPLEX, PUZZLE, STUMP, VEX

• Curse: HEX, JINX, POX, SPELL

• Toy Story Characters, Familiarly: BUZZ, HAMM, REX, SKINNY

• Colloquial Suffixes: CORE, GATE, MANIA, PILLED

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 5

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.

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for December 6 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for December 6 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

To push forcefully or roughly.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no reoccurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.

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

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

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

SHOVE.

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 6

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.