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

Mashable - Fri, 12/06/2024 - 04:37

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.

I write about TVs, and $130 off this Toshiba 43-inch 4K Smart Fire TV is a steal

Mashable - Fri, 12/06/2024 - 04:31

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 on the LG 34-inch UltraWide IPS LED FHD monitor, perfect for multi-tasking

Mashable - Fri, 12/06/2024 - 04:26

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.

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

Mashable - Fri, 12/06/2024 - 04:19

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.

What is Salt Typhoon? Everything you need to know about the worst telecom hack in [U.S.] history

Mashable - Fri, 12/06/2024 - 02:55

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.

How to watch the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix online for free

Mashable - Fri, 12/06/2024 - 00:00

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:

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.

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

Mashable - Thu, 12/05/2024 - 21:36

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.

NYT Strands hints, answers for December 6

Mashable - Thu, 12/05/2024 - 21:28

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.

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 6, 2024

Mashable - Thu, 12/05/2024 - 21:27

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.

Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 6

Mashable - Thu, 12/05/2024 - 21:27

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.

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Hawk Tuah Coin: Why celebrity-backed crypto is a dangerous investment

Mashable - Thu, 12/05/2024 - 19:12

Bitcoin has just hit $100,000.

Buoyed by Donald Trump's reelection and the promise of a pro-cryptocurrency administration, crypto investors are going all in on the digital currency. With the price of Bitcoin rising high, cryptocurrency is seemingly seeping back into the public consciousness after the crypto crashes of 2022.

And, it appears the memecoin fad is having a resurgence right now too. On the same day Bitcoin hit its new six-figure record high, the viral "Hawk Tuah" girl Hailey Welch launched her own cryptocurrency token $HAWK.

SEE ALSO: Who is the 'Hawk Tuah' girl, and what does it mean?

Upon launch, $HAWK jumped to a market cap of $500 million. Within minutes, the token crashed. Its current market cap is around $36 million. Hawk Tuah fans quickly took to social media to share how they lost thousands of dollars.

Things are starting to look a lot like 2021 all over again. 

Celebrity crypto is a scam

During the last crypto rush of 2021, some celebrities and online influencers quickly saw that there was money to be made. Some musicians, reality TV stars, and e-sports names endorsed altcoins or even went ahead and made their own branded memecoins.

Cryptocurrency is a risky investment to begin with. Crypto tokens are a highly volatile speculative asset. There is currently very little governmental oversight or regulation when it comes to the crypto market. Even Bitcoin, seen as the most "safe" bet in the crypto world, has had major ebbs and flows. If you have to sell during one of the down periods, you might lose a chunk of change.

Furthermore, now anyone can create a crypto token. Over the past few years, there have been platforms that have helped make the process very easy. Dogecoin, easily the most popular memecoin, set a standard of success that no other memecoin has been able to replicate.

Yet, the allure of making easy money and getting rich quick through crypto tokens and memecoins have drawn in lots of money from people. 

Back in 2021, memecoins created by celebrities and influencers were all the rage. As Mashable reported then, many turned out to be a scam.

Rug pulls are quite common with memecoins, especially those created by influencers and celebrities. 

Here's what often happens: A famous or notable individual launches a memecoin. Their fans are encouraged to purchase to support their favorite creator while also making money for themselves. However, before the memecoin is officially launched, the memecoin creator puts aside a certain amount of tokens for themselves or their friends. They either give these out freely or provide an unadvertised pre-launch sale at well below the price that the token will go for at launch. When the token does go on sale, the public buys, pushing the value of the memecoin up. But, as soon as that happens, those who received coins at pre-launch dump their holdings for profit, plummeting its value and eventually crashing the memecoin. The celebrity or influencer's fans are often then left holding the bag, their money tied up in a now-worthless token that they will never be able to sell.

It may seem obvious that one should not accept financial advice from celebrities. Way back in 2018, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued a stark warning about the speculative machinations of public figures. "Investors should be skeptical of investment advice posted to social media platforms, and should not make decisions based on celebrity endorsements," Enforcement Division Co-Director Steven Peikin wrote in the same statement announcing Floyd Mayweather Jr. and DJ Khaled were charged with illegally touting initial coin offerings. "Social media influencers are often paid promoters, not investment professionals, and the securities they’re touting, regardless of whether they are issued using traditional certificates or on the blockchain, could be frauds."

However, in an age or parasocial relationships, many fans feel like they can trust their favorite influencers. There's a feeling that "they wouldn't scam me." But, time and time again, celebrity memecoins have failed, with insiders making money off of the influencer's fans.

Tweet may have been deleted

Take the aforementioned and recently launched $HAWK. In a X Spaces stream, YouTuber Coffeezilla who investigates cryptocurrency scams, confronts Welch and the developers behind her crypto token about how things played out after the launch. Its a tale we've heard before. The vast majority of the tokens were held by just a few crypto wallets before the public launch. After it launched, according to Coffeezilla, those insiders dumped the token. $HAWK's value plummeted and all of those buyers who got in at launch are left with a significant financial loss.

There is no recourse for those memecoin buyers. There are no refunds, no way for them to get their money back. Most memecoins have zero utility, so there's no use case for the tokens either. The only way they're getting back what they put in is if Welch and her team can somehow convince another group of suckers to put their money into this worthless token.

Hopefully, after reading this, you won't be one of those suckers.

OpenAI announces deal with defense startup to create anti-drone tech

Mashable - Thu, 12/05/2024 - 14:33

OpenAI has entered into its first major defense partnership, a deal that could see the AI giant making its way into the Pentagon.

The joint venture was recently announced by billion-dollar Anduril Industries, a defense startup owned by Oculus VR co-founder Palmer Lucky that sells sentry towers, communications jammers, military drones, and autonomous submarines. The "strategic partnership" will incorporate OpenAI's AI models into Anduril systems to "rapidly synthesize time-sensitive data, reduce the burden on human operators, and improve situational awareness." Anduril already supplies anti-drone tech to the U.S. government. It was recently chosen to develop and test unmanned fighter jets and awarded a $100 million contract with the Pentagon’s Chief Digital and AI Office.

SEE ALSO: Sora reportedly shipping as part of '12 Days of OpenAI' livestream marathon

OpenAI clarified to the Washington Post that the partnership will only cover systems that "defend against pilotless aerial threats" (read: detect and shoot down drones), notably avoiding the explicit association of its technology with human-casualty military applications. Both OpenAI and Anduril say the partnership will keep the U.S. on par with China's AI advancements— a repeated goal that's echoed in the U.S. government's "Manhattan Project"-style investments in AI and "government efficiency."

"OpenAI builds AI to benefit as many people as possible, and supports U.S.-led efforts to ensure the technology upholds democratic values," wrote OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. "Our partnership with Anduril will help ensure OpenAI technology protects U.S. military personnel, and will help the national security community understand and responsibly use this technology to keep our citizens safe and free."

In January, OpenAI quietly removed policy language that banned applications of its technologies that pose high risk of physical harm, including "military and warfare." An OpenAI spokesperson told Mashable at the time: "Our policy does not allow our tools to be used to harm people, develop weapons, for communications surveillance, or to injure others or destroy property. There are, however, national security use cases that align with our mission. For example, we are already working with DARPA to spur the creation of new cybersecurity tools to secure open source software that critical infrastructure and industry depend on. It was not clear whether these beneficial use cases would have been allowed under 'military' in our previous policies."

Over the last year, the company has reportedly been pitching its services in various capacities to the U.S. military and national security offices, backed by a former security officer at software company and government contractor Palantir. And OpenAI isn't the only AI innovator pivoting to military applications. Tech companies Anthropic, makers of Claude, and Palantir recently announced a partnership with Amazon Web Services to sell Anthropic’s AI models to defense and intelligence agencies, advertised as "decision advantage" tools for "classified environments."

Recent rumors suggest President-elect Donald Trump is eyeing Palantir chief technology officer Shyam Shankir to take over the lead engineering and research spot in the Pentagon. Shankir has previously been critical of the Department of Defense's technology acquisition process, arguing that the government should rely less on major defense contractors and purchase more "commercially available technology."

Your Year in Asana is a reminder of all the work you did (or didn’t do)

Mashable - Thu, 12/05/2024 - 14:17

There are some things that I don't need to know, like how much money I've spent on iced oat milk lattes or the sheer number of pens I’ve purchased this year — and how many of them are already lost. (Where do they all go?) And yet, apps keep finding new ways to quantify our lives, presenting us with data we never asked for.

Enter "Your Year in Asana," a feature that turns your 2024 work habits into a highlight reel — complete with task tallies, collaboration stats, and a subtle reminder that you're either crushing it or teetering on the edge of burnout.

SEE ALSO: Don't fall for the productivity aesthetic. It's a scam.

Imagine my surprise when I opened Asana today (Dec. 5), only to be greeted by this stark reminder of our capitalistic times.

Credit: Asana

"Congrats!" the app says, proudly informing me how many tasks I completed this year (1,914 and counting), how much time I saved (what does that even mean?), and my most frequent collaborators. It felt less like a celebration and more like the kind of progress report you didn’t ask for but can’t ignore—complete with the subtle pressure to do even more next year.

Because, really, do I need a virtual round of applause for checking things off a to-do list? Or a reminder that my "most active day" is Wednesday, as if I need another reason to dread that day of the week? This isn't the first time Asana has launched a year-in-review product, but this year's version looks more like Spotify Wrapped, with sleeker visuals, personalized stats, and a sprinkling of celebratory flair. And the end result feels more like a work report than a playlist of greatest hits.

Credit: Asana

Asana joins apps like Spotify and YouTube that quantify our lives into shareable summaries. But while Spotify Wrapped reminds you of your favorite songs and YouTube tracks your video binges, Your Year in Asana takes a different approach — it turns your work habits into a performance review you didn’t sign up for.

It’s less about what brought you joy and more about what kept you busy, complete with stats that feel maybe a little too revealing.

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted

I didn’t ask for a glowing pat on the back from an algorithm for simply doing my job, but here it is — turning my work life into something shareable, whether I want it to be or not.

Why is TikTok suddenly obsessed with covering Mom Jeans Scott Pilgrim vs. My GPA?

Mashable - Thu, 12/05/2024 - 14:06

There's no real way to predict TikTok trends. If you could, you'd be both fabulously wealthy and an out-of-touch, IRL social pariah incapable of integrating into polite society. It'd be impossible to foresee, for instance, that an emo song I enjoyed in 2016 would resurface on my TikTok FYP in 2024. And yet that's exactly what's been happening with Mom Jeans and their nearly decade-old song "Scott Pilgrim vs. My GPA."

Now if you're unfamiliar with Mom Jeans — the band, not the style of denim slacks — they're an indie, Midwest emo band out of California. I enjoy their music, so my FYP might be a little biased, and I think "Scott Pilgrim vs. My GPA" is a really good song. Here's the studio version of the track, off of the 2016 album Best Buds.

So, yes, the song is good, but why are people covering an eight-year-old track on TikTok? The best reason I can decipher begins with the fact that the song has a quite nostalgic feel to it. It starts primarily with an acoustic guitar and heartfelt lyrics, then layers in a trombone and loud drums. The song also has great sing-along moments and a distinctive style, all while addressing the ideas of moving on and being content with that. Those facts in mind, the song's been used in a number of TikTok edits made to elicit nostalgia like — randomly enough — a compilation of highlights from former NFL star Todd Gurley.

I've covered the trend of indie rock soundtracking sports highlights — it's not a new trend — but the Gurley clip racked up 2.5 million views, which is an unusually high figure. And a number of recent similarly nostalgic viral videos have used "Scott Pilgrim vs. My GPA," so much so that there are videos reacting to the very idea of Mom Jeans being viral. I know, I know, it's all very confusing and snake-eating-its-tail, but such is the internet.

So, with the song on lots of folks' FYPs, it tracks that suddenly there'd be lots of people covering the song. And that's how we got the trend of covering a relatively obscure indie rock song from 2016. But the covers rule. My personal favorite comes from the account @pattakerhasnopats, a kid seemingly playing the song during gym class or at a sporting event while sitting in the bleachers. The background din of other teens really adds a nostalgic haze to what's already a great cover.

That cover from @pattakerhasnopats — who has just over 2,000 followers on TikTok — has racked up nearly half a million views, which is effectively an identical number to the views on Mom Jeans' most popular live version of the song on YouTube. In other words, that cover of the song has become as popular as the song itself. And it's far from the only "Scott Pilgrim vs. My GPA" cover racking up hundreds of thousands of views.

Every TikTok in this article is from the last month or so, and it feels as if the viral moment for the song is hitting its crescendo — basically, the moment the horns come in on "Scott Pilgrim vs. My GPA."

So if you enjoy this kind of music, you might see covers on your FYP for a bit longer. But soon enough, it stands to reason, you'll be looking back on this moment fondly. If only there were a song for that.

I worked as a barista for over 10 years and these are the coffee maker deals worth buying at Amazon this week

Mashable - Thu, 12/05/2024 - 13:28

SAVE UP TO 32%: Espresso machine, coffee grinders, and coffee makers are all on sale at Amazon this week that'll save you up to 32% on premium brands like Breville and OXO.

Best coffee deals at Amazon Best espresso machine deal Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine (BES880BSS, Stainless Steel) $693.15 at Amazon (save $306.80) Get Deal Best coffee maker deal Technivorm Moccamaster Coffee Brewer (40-ounce, Black) $237.30 at Amazon (save $101.70) Get Deal Best coffee grinder deal OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder (Silver) $67.99 at Amazon (save $31.96) Get Deal

My love for coffee began in college. Not only did caffeine fuel my studies, I started working as a barista during my sophomore year. I learned a ton about coffee during my time there because not only did we pull creamy espresso shots all day long, we roasted our own coffee beans. Coffee roasting is pretty magical (and precise) art that led me deep into the world of coffee, flavors, and what makes it taste so good.

While I no longer work at a coffee shop, the lessons remain: good coffee requires good equipment. (You'll also need good beans but that's an entire TED talk). Coffee is a particular thing, and while it might seem that all coffee makers and espresso machines could do the job just fine, that's not really the case. If you're looking to make coffee-house quality drinks at home, these are the deals I recommend buying at Amazon this week.

Best espresso machine deal Opens in a new window Credit: Breville Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine (BES880BSS, Stainless Steel) $693.15 at Amazon
$999.95 Save $306.80 Get Deal Why we like it

The perfect coffee equation has several important elements with two of the top being water temperature at extraction and pressure at extraction. That's where the expertise and reliability of the Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine come into play to help take the pressure off you as an at-home barista. The Breville comes with a simple touch-screen interface so you can select your ideal drink like an Americano, latte, flat white, cappuccino, or espresso. The integrated steam wand works to create perfectly foamed milk which Breville says measures a least a million bubbles per milliliter, but we haven't been able to count that ourselves.

The Breville is currently 31% off at Amazon in the stainless steel finish, coming in at $693.15 which is the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon by a long shot.

Best coffee maker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Moccamaster Technivorm Moccamaster Coffee Brewer (40-ounce, Black) $237.30 at Amazon
$339.00 Save $101.70 Get Deal Why we like it

Coffee is very picky about water temperature which is why many drip coffee makers don't do the beans justice. If you're in the mood for some drip coffee that's full of flavor and neither under or over brewed, Moccamaster makes some of the most impressive machines. Thanks to today's deal at Amazon, the Technivorm Moccamaster Coffee Brewer with a 40-ounce thermal carafe is on sale for $237.30, down from the typical price of $339. That's a 30% discount and the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon on this model.

With an impressive 40-ounce brewing capacity, the Moccamaster takes as little as four minutes to brew into the thermal stainless steel carafe. That means if you wake up an hour after someone brewed coffee, you'll still be treated to a hot cup.

The Moccamaster excels when it comes to precise water temperature, using a copper boiling element that heats water to a temperature between 196 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit. Plus, it automatically shuts off once the water reservoir is empty.

Moccamaster also uses a unique method of coffee extraction that's similar to what you'd get with a pour-over coffee method, which includes an initial blooming of the ground coffee for a better flavor.

Best coffee grinder deal Opens in a new window Credit: OXO OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder (Silver) $67.99 at Amazon
$99.95 Save $31.96 Get Deal Why we like it

Great coffee beans call for using a great coffee grinder. It's likely the one in your grocery store's coffee aisle isn't all that great. Instead, you'll want a reliable burr grinder which is where the OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder comes in handy. While the grinder usually costs $99.95, it's on sale at Amazon for just $67.99 which comes within $3 of the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon. To get this sale price, select the silver colorway.

With 15 grind settings and additional micro-settings, the OXO burr grinder is capable of giving you perfectly ground fresh coffee each day. Go super fine for pulling espresso shots or opt for a coarse grind for the French press. Whichever route you go, the OXO has a large-capacity hopper that can hold 16 ounces of beans. The hopper's UV-blocking tint is also designed to help keep your coffee beans fresh because light is an enemy of roasted coffee beans.

Inside, stainless steel conical burrs work hard to give you a perfect grind that's uniform in size. The one-touch timer ranges from 1 to 30 seconds, which means you can grind the exact amount you'll need.

More coffee deals that are worth your money at Amazon:

OpenAI announces ChatGPT Pro with a $200 monthly price tag

Mashable - Thu, 12/05/2024 - 13:24

On the first day of launches, OpenAI gave to thee: ChatGPT Pro for hefty fees.

The new ChatGPT Pro subscription tier, available now, costs $200 a month.

On Thursday, OpenAI announced the new subscription tier as part of its "12 Days of OpenAI" extravaganza. ChatGPT Pro comes with unlimited access to its models, 4o, Advanced Voice Mode, and the full version of o1 also released today.

OpenAI also unveiled o1 Pro Mode, which is a special feature for ChatGPT Pro that can handle more compute for complex math, programming, and writing problem. ChatGPT Pro is built for "power users," said CEO Sam Altman.

As previously mentioned, o1 also got a full release today. The reasoning model was available as o1 preview for free users and o1 mini for ChatGPT Plus users. Now, ChatGPT Plus and ChatGPT Pro will have full access to o1.

OpenAI says the o1 model is 50 percent faster than o1 preview and supports multimodal input.

Hold up, this Playstation 5 controller deal is $20 off

Mashable - Thu, 12/05/2024 - 13:16

GET $20 OFF: As of Dec. 5, you can get a PlayStation 5 DualSense Wireless Controller for just $54.99. That's 27% off the original price or $20 off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Playstation PlayStation 5 DualSense Wireless Controller $54.99 at Best Buy
$74.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal

Skill at console gaming is all about controller mastery: When you know your controller you succeed, when you don't you fail. The PlayStation 5 DualSense Wireless Controller is advanced in every way. Right now you can get it for $20 off at this late Cyber Week Best Buy deal.

No matter if you're a PlayStation fan shopping for yourself, or you're looking for a present for a loved one who's a little game-obsessed, this is a deal you won't want to miss.

SEE ALSO: Give the gift of gaming with three months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for under $50

PlayStation is a storied system that's home to great unique games like the modern classic AstroBot, as well as cross platform hits. Whether you're into absolute immersion in the most sprawling of RPGs, or you're the teammate always reviving a fallen buddy in twitchy co-op shooters, PlayStation has games for you.

The PlayStation 5 DualSense Wireless Controller can handle it all. With two joy pads, adaptive triggers that alter their tension based on in-game actions, and advanced haptics including a gyroscope and accelerometer, this controller bridges the gap between you and the gameplay.

Tate Moderns Electric Dreams celebrates digital art before the internet

Mashable - Thu, 12/05/2024 - 12:05

A new exhibition at London's Tate Modern, titled "Electric Dreams", looks at the period between WWII and the invention of the internet to explore the relationship between digital art and technology.

In this Mashable Original, we speak to assistant curator Odessa Warren about how artists in 20th century played with the new, cutting-edge tools that society at the time often feared.

"Electric Dreams: Art and Technology Before the Internet" is showing at Tate Modern until June 1 2025.

Microsoft Copilot Vision will browse the internet with you and chat about it

Mashable - Thu, 12/05/2024 - 12:00

Internet browsing is a "lonely experience," says Microsoft. Copilot Vision is your AI companion that can visually process what you're browsing and help you out along the way.

On Thursday, Microsoft announced a preview version of Copilot Vision for Copilot Pro subscribers. Microsoft introduced Vision in October as a solution to the problem that users have to explain what they're seeing to Copilot.

SEE ALSO: Microsoft Copilot can talk now: 3 new features that make it more like ChatGPT and Google Gemini

Vision sits on the bottom of your Microsoft Edge browser and, when enabled, "it sees the page you're on, it reads along with you, and you can talk through the problem you're facing together."

Vision is one of the first features to debut in Copilot Labs, its testing ground for AI projects. Labs, which has a noticeably softer and warmer look is Microsoft's way of sharing "works-in-progress" geared towards helping users with everyday tasks.

One demo shows Copilot Vision helping a user find the right place to stay, another helps a user make sense of photos of their grandmother's handwritten recipes. It can also help you out in a Minecraft game or with holiday shopping by pointing out the right products on the page.

How Copilot Vision handles privacy

If Copilot Vision reminds you of Windows Recall, Microsoft's "privacy nightmare" tool that consistently takes screenshots of your computer screen, there are several key differences. First, Vision is opt-in, so you can choose if you want to use it. Second, as soon as you end the session, you Copilot conversation is deleted. That said, "only Copilot’s responses are logged to improve our safety systems," read the announcement.

Microsoft has also thought through some of the sticky issues of web browsing when it comes to paywalled and sensitive information. Vision only works with a select set of websites for now, and it is programmed to "to not provide responses based on paywalled content," according to its FAQs page.

Crucially, Microsoft says Copilot Vision does not store or use any publisher content to train its models. Microsoft also says Vision "honors website controls for usage of their content by Copilot," which presumably means sites with robots.txt code that block web crawlers. Mashable has reached out to Microsoft for further clarification of Vision's data controls and will update this story with a response.

Starting today, Copilot Vision is rolling out to a limited set of Copilot Pro subscribers. A Copilot Pro subscription costs $20 a month.

You didnt miss it! This Xbox Series X deal is still live

Mashable - Thu, 12/05/2024 - 11:41

GET $50 OFF: As of Dec. 5th, you can get an Xbox Series X 1TB All-digital console for $399.99. That's 12% off the original price, or $50 off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Xbox Xbox Series X 1TB All-digital Console $399.99 at Best Buy
$449.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal

Cyber Monday might be coming to a close, but its not too late to blast some digital cyborgs on your dream console. The Xbox Series X 1TB All-digital is still on sale. Order now and get it for $50 off.

The Xbox Series X offers some of the best game experiences out now. Through the Xbox Store you'll be able to load up on modern classics like Cyberpunk 2077, or subscribe to Xbox Game Pass and run through unlimited titles with your friends online.

SEE ALSO: My favorite LG TV is still on sale after Cyber Monday

Whether you're into deep single-player RPGs from studios like Bethesda or online co-op titles like Warhammer 40,000: Darktide, Xbox Series X is packed with content for all ages and play styles.

The All-digital edition downloads titles over your internet connection, however, the 1TB edition should have more than enough space to get started building a game library. If you need more space there are plenty of options for adding storage.

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