Mashable

OpenAI has announced its latest nonprofit ChatGPT collaboration, a free online course to bolster teachers' AI literacy.

The one-hour learning program was co-created and published by Common Sense Media, one of OpenAI's nonprofit partners, and designed for K-12 educators. According to Common Sense Media's description of the nine modules, teachers learn the basics and ethical implications of artificial intelligence, generative AI, and ChatGPT, and are then taught how to "safely and effectively" deploy it in classroom settings.

SEE ALSO: New video-watching guidelines for teens just dropped

According to OpenAI, the course has already been used by educators across “dozens” of schools, including those in Arizona, California, and across the charter school system Challenger Schools. "We're in the early stages of AI adoption in K-12, and it will take all of us — educators, technologists, and organizations — working together to ensure this technology enables teachers and improves learning outcomes for students," said OpenAI general manager of education Leah Belsky.

OpenAI released its first guide for educators in 2023, a hub for educators' FAQs, example classroom prompts, and testimonials to encourage the tech's use to "accelerate student learning."

The latest resource supports the company's push for greater AI applications in classroom settings, following an initial blowback to students' generative AI use after ChatGPT's initial launch. Since then, more tech companies have gotten behind the integration of AI into primary education, including Canva and classroom tech giant Google. In August, Google announced a partnership with nonprofit open education resources publisher OpenStax to train its AI chatbot Google Gemini on peer-reviewed textbooks.

Last month, the Department of Education released its own educators' toolkit designed to help K-12 school districts integrate artificial intelligence in administrative and educational settings.

But many educators and their advocates are still wary of generative AI's widespread use in schools and its data privacy implications, expressing continued concern on its impact on student creativity, reasoning, and mental health. At the same time, generative AI is becoming an increasingly impactful part of adolescence, from the threat of nonconsensual deepfakes to companion chatbots. A recent survey of teens from Common Sense Media found that 70 percent were using generative AI for homework help or to stave off boredom, but only a third had informed their parents that they were using the new tech.

SAVE $205.90: As of Nov. 20, get a pair of refurbished Bose QuietComfort Headphones at Bose for $143.10 with promo code SAVE10. A new pair of these headphones costs $349, so you'll save $205.90 on a like-new product.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Headphones (Refurbished) $143.10 at Bose
$349.00 Save $205.90 with promo code SAVE10 Get Deal

A great pair of headphones can enhance just about any audio-centric experience. Whether you're listening to your favorite songs or enjoying a movie on your own, being able to hear everything clearly and crisply is a boon anyone can appreciate. And while there are tons of great options that you can choose from when it comes to headphones, a few do stand tall above the others, especially if you count Bose's line of quality audio products. Right now, you can save big on one of Bose's best pair of cans — as long as you don't mind that they're refurbished.

As of Nov. 20, get a pair of refurbished Bose QuietComfort Headphones for just $143.10 when you use promo code SAVE10. They're currently discounted to $159 from the normal price of $349 for a new pair, and the promo code knocks some additional bucks off, so you can get these like-new headphones for a great price. You can get the headphones in Black, Cypress Green, and White Smoke.

SEE ALSO: The 9 noise-cancelling headphones that our team recommends picking up during Black Friday

These ultra plush, super comfortable headphones are some of the best the brand has to offer, right behind their souped-up Bose QuietComfort Ultra cousins. They're wireless with excellent noise-cancelling features, so you can block out the world any time you need or want to, or keep aware of what's going on around you with both Quiet and Aware listening modes. Plus, you can customize them to your liking with adjustable EQ settings that let you tweak their sound.

You can listen to them all day thanks to 24 hours of battery per charge, but if you're low on time and need a boost, charging them for 15 minutes gets you 2.5 more hours of listening time. And if you need to connect to multiple devices with the same pair of headphones, this pair can do so easily.

If you don't mind getting a pair of headphones that have been brought back to life with repairs or polishing certified by Bose, this is a fantastic deal. Today is the last day to get them for this price, so get yours quickly.

SAVE $9: As of Nov. 20, you can snag a NASA Lunarscope at Amazon for just $35.99, down from $44.99. That's a 20% discount, or $9 off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Blue Marble Store NASA Lunarscope $35.99 at Amazon
$44.99 Save $9.00 Get Deal

If you’re shopping for kids this holiday season and want to give them something that isn’t screen-based, this NASA Lunarscope tabletop telescope may be the perfect gift. And right now, you can get it at a discounted price.

As of Nov. 20, you can get the NASA Lunarscope tabletop telescope for kids for just $35.99 at Amazon — a 20% discount, or $9 off the listing price. This is the lowest price we’ve seen for this telescope so far.

SEE ALSO: Finding a gift that kids actually like is tricky. This guide will make it easier.

Sure, being the relative who gives “educational gifts” is tough, but a telescope is a genuinely cool gift for the kid obsessed with space (or aliens) in your life — and it supports STEM learning. This telescope features a tabletop tripod and smooth mount system, making it easy for kids to set up and use. It also has a finder scope and low-power (18x) and high-power (90x) eyepieces for viewing different planets and stars.

At $35.99, this beginner telescope is ideal for aspiring astronomers who want to start exploring the night sky.

SAVE 57%: The Cuisinart Indoor Pizza Oven (stainless steel) is down to just $129.95 at Amazon, on sale from its list price at Cuisinart of $299.95. That's a savings of $170 and the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Cuisinart Cuisinart Indoor Pizza Oven $129.95 at Amazon
$299.95 Save $170.00 Get Deal

Enjoying perfectly crisp pizza with your favorite toppings is something magical that often leaves us wondering why we bother eating anything else. If you're shopping for a pizza-lover this holiday season, check out this great deal at Amazon on an indoor pizza oven ahead of Black Friday.

As of Nov. 20, the Cuisinart Indoor Pizza Oven is on sale at Amazon for only $129.95, marked down from the list price at Cuisinart of $299.95. That's an impressive savings of $170 and a 57% discount. It's also the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon. To grab this sale price, select the stainless steel model.

SEE ALSO: Amazon's Black Friday sale hasn't officially started, but early deals are floating around

Achieving the perfect pizza crisp in your home oven is nearly impossible. Many conventional ovens simply don't get hot enough to replicate that great char that comes from visiting the restaurant with a brick oven that's reminiscent of the ones in Italy. The Cuisinart Indoor Pizza Oven, however, can reach up to 700 degrees Fahrenheit, which the brand mentions is the ideal temp for getting that perfect crisp on the crust.

If you have a friend or family member who loves hosting a homemade pizza night, this oven will seriously up their pizza baking skills. It cooks a 12-inch Neapolitan-style pizza in under five minutes. Or they can use the included deep dish pan to create a savory masterpiece.

The oven takes between 20 and 30 minutes to pre-heat to temperature between 350 and 700 degrees, and the large viewing window with interior lighting helps with knowing just the right moment to take the pizza out.

For the pizza-lover in your life, the Cuisinart Indoor Pizza Oven is the perfect holiday gift. At 57% off at Amazon, you can grab the oven for just $129.95, instead of the typical price of $299.95. Plus, gifting this to your friend or family member means you'll likely get to enjoy perfectly crisp pizza. It's a win-win situation.

On Tuesday, Apple released a bunch of security fixes, and we suggest you take them seriously.

The company released updates for macOS Sequoia, Ventura, and Sonoma. Fixes were also released for iOS, iPadOS, and visionOS. Apple also issued a separate fix for its Safari browser.

SEE ALSO: Apple shares the most popular podcasts of 2024

The fixes mostly revolve around two vulnerabilities: one in JavaScriptCore and the other in WebKit. Both vulnerabilities allowed a hacker to maliciously craft web content that could lead to arbitrary code execution. This type of vulnerability is as critical as it gets; if a hacker can run any program on your system, they can take control of it or infect it with a virus.

The update is available for Mac systems running one of the three affected operating systems, as well as iPhone XS and later, iPad Pro 13-inch, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 7th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later.

Apple had no prior knowledge of these bugs; the company credits the discovery of these issues to Clément Lecigne and Benoît Sevens of Google's Threat Analysis Group.

Apple says it's aware of a report that both issues have been actively exploited by hackers, albeit only on Intel-based Mac systems. Nevertheless, if your device hasn't automatically updated to the latest version, we suggest you update as soon as possible.

The biggest shopping day of the year is right around the corner. We’ve compiled a list of the best products to shop on Black Friday.

In 2016, Pokemon Go was about as wholesome as video games got, as it largely involved walking around your neighborhood and meeting up with strangers. In 2024, nothing is allowed to be wholesome, apparently.

Based on a blog post by developer Niantic as well as news reports from the likes of 404 Media and Garbage Day, it is now known that Pokemon Go players, whether they knew it or not, have been helping to train a large geospatial artificial intelligence. Tied into something called the Visual Positioning System (or VPS), Niantic's blog post said the idea is to help AI learn about complex three dimensional spaces, in a way that can be used for future augmented reality or even robotic applications.

The technical details may fly over the head of many who read Niantic's blog post, but the easiest way to think of it is that certain player actions in Pokemon Go have been training this geospatial AI in the same way that written internet content trains things like ChatGPT. In particular, a feature called "Pokemon Playgrounds" that allows users to pin a Pokemon to a real-world location that they will persistently stay in for other players to see is apparently tied into these efforts.

Tweet may have been deleted

While Niantic may be telling the truth about the potential future applications of this technology, it's also worth remembering that AI data can be used for nefarious means, too. As OSINT analyst Elise Thomas pointed out, there's a decent likelihood that this technology also enters military use at some point.

Imagine telling yourself all of this back in 2016.

SAVE OVER $170: As of Nov. 20, the MSI Claw 7-inch Gaming Handheld has dropped to $529 at Target. This is 24% off its $699.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: MSI MSI Claw 7-inch 155Hz Touchscreen Gaming Handheld - Intel Core Ultra - 16GB RAM - 512GB SSD Storage - Windows 11 Home $529.00 at Target
$699.99 Save $170.99 Get Deal

Considering the number of sales that pop up, Black Friday is a great time of year to invest in more expensive pieces of tech that have caught your eye. Gaming consoles, in particular, usually get some very nice discounts during this time. If you've been hoping to pick up a handheld gaming device this year, Target's here to help with an excellent discount right now on the MSI Claw gaming handheld.

The 7-inch MSI Claw with an Intel Core Ultra 7-155H CPU, 512GB SSD, and 16GB RAM, has dropped from its list price of $699.99 to $529 at Target. This marks a 24% discount on the gaming handheld. Considering how costly these portable gaming PCs run, this is a deal that's well worth jumping on.

SEE ALSO: Score $70 off the Apple Magic Keyboard ahead of Black Friday

In our hands-on with the MSI Claw during CES 2024, Mashable's Alex Perry called it "a viable alternative for those who don't want to be locked into Steam." Perry continues on to say that this is where the device truly shines, as "MSI built a simple and clean custom UI that brings all your different libraries together under one roof."

If you've been looking to make the jump into the world of portable gaming PCs, now's a great time. Don't miss out on this early Black Friday deal on the MSI Claw at Target.

There's plenty more Black Friday deals still to come, too. Target's official Black Friday sale kicks off on Nov. 24, and there are sure to be plenty more exciting deals popping up. Walmart, Best Buy, and Amazon are all kicking off sale events towards the end of this week or early next week as well. Have a look at our breakdowns for each to learn more.

A year after launching its handheld gaming device, PlayStation has announced an update to PS Portal.

Announced in a blog post on Wednesday, the company announced a system software update to its remote player, released in Nov. 2023.

The update, which is now available to all users, includes a beta version of cloud streaming support for the Portal. This means if you pay for PlayStation Plus Premium you'll be able to access PS5 games in the catalogue on your Portal device — without having to own a PS5 or lug around your console. (Notably, PS4 and PS3 games are not supported.)

SEE ALSO: The Game Awards 2024 nominations: Which games are up for the gold?

Games on PS Portal stream at up to 1080p/60fps, and incorporate features like haptic feedback in the DualSense wireless controllers on either side of the LCD screen. Plus, with the cloud beta, you can save games using PlayStation Plus Cloud storage up to 100GB (which will sync with your PS5 if you have one).

Mashable reviewed the PS Portal when it released last year, with reporter Alex Perry writing of the device: "One thing that is inherently a hindrance with a game streaming device is latency. There’s just no way around the fact that there's a tiny, almost imperceptible gap between you pressing a button and something happening on-screen with PlayStation Portal. The good news is that, for a lot of games, this doesn’t matter at all."

Perry also noted, "While latency is not a huge problem on Portal, visual hiccups are more prevalent. If a game runs at 60 frames per second on a PS5, it’ll also run that way on Portal, but not all the time. I personally noticed lots of little dips here and there, seemingly having more to do with my WiFi connection than anything happening in the games themselves. Again, for a lot of titles, this isn’t a big deal, but shooters and racing games would be hampered by that."

In the blog post, Hiromi Wakai, Sony Interactive Entertainment's VP of product management, noted the company was "in the beginning stages of publicly testing cloud streaming on PS Portal" and specified that "some features will not be available, such as Game Trials, streaming games purchased on PS Store, system features such as Party voice chat and game invites for select games, Create button, 3D audio, and in-game commerce."

The PS Portal update also includes several audio improvements including a speaker audio output adjustment which lets you make the volume lower than the minimum setting. Plus, users will be able to use the settings on the Portal to adjust settings on PlayStation Link USB devices.

I watch TikTok on mute, and I'm not ashamed to say it.

Yes, I actively avoid a primary feature of TikTok, but you know what, I know I'm not alone. So for everyone else like me, you should proudly unmute your dark secret and be your authentic volume-less selves. 

Opening TikTok on full volume is a jarring plunge into the icy cold whims of the algorithm. One second, you're subject to a woman crying in her car to sad lo-fi music, the next you're watching a dog making a mess with the obnoxious chipmunk voiceover. Even TikToks without music or sound effects — like the wellness influencers listing the five toxic brands YOU MUST AVOID OR YOU'LL DIE — often seem to be yelling into the microphone as if screaming for my attention like a spoiled toddler. At least this is what my For You page is like. 

The short-form video format alone is overstimulating by nature. TikToks have a millisecond to capture your attention. So every time I swipe up, I'm inundated with sensory overload turned up to 11 in a video that's been frontloaded with action to compete with every other TikTok doing the same thing.

It turns out there's a neurochemical reason behind my instinct to make all the noises go away. "The way your brain works, it kind of figures out where it wants to spend its resources," said Dr. Michelle Quist Ryder, a social psychologist and CEO of the American Psychological Foundation. 

"When you start introducing the brain to things that are higher stimulus, and you have to go through that kind of adjustment period where all of a sudden you have to process that, and your brain has to realize that it needs to allocate more resources in that direction, that's part of where overstimulation comes from."

And if you're already depleted since you're, say, a tech reporter who spends eight hours a day in front of a screen writing about technical artificial intelligence concepts, mentally sifting through AI hype on X, and scrutinizing the fine print of the latest Big Tech product release, you might exhaust those resources pretty quickly.  

"Watching it on mute is kind of a trade-off, where you're still engaging in the behavior that you're associating with dopamine or serotonin but you're reducing the amount of stimulus that you are feeding your brain, and so you're kind of staying away from that overstimulation," said Quist Ryder. 

The irony of all of this is that when I take a break, I still find myself reaching for my phone and opening up TikTok, when the obvious solution is to avoid any more brain throttling. Why don't I just quit TikTok?

But as Quist Ryder points out, this behavior makes sense. 

"TikTok is a little bit unique in that it makes you change your attention in really quick cuts," she said. "So you can be really excited about this video, and then 30 seconds later be scared about this video, and then 20 seconds after that, feel cuddly." 

That's the overwhelming part. But also, Quist Ryder added, "That can get your brain used to that level of stimuli, so when you are not engaging in that level of stimuli, then you kind of miss it." 

Tweet may have been deleted

To be clear, my home is not The Quiet Place. I live a sound-filled existence with music, podcasts, and a TV lovingly left on in the background. And when it comes to TikTok, it's not like I never unmute. Instead, I start my browsing on mute and turn on the sound if I come across a particularly appealing TikTok. This method functions as a litmus test to gauge whether something is really worth my full attention and protects my mental resources if it's not. 

Quist Ryder compares it to the reason why we love rewatching old shows, which proved especially true during the stressful times of the pandemic. 

"I can still have those emotions, but I don't have to worry that it's gonna be something that I can't take, or something that I don't want to, or even just extend those resources of processing a new thing…you can lessen the amount of of investment you have to put into it by turning off the sound," she said.

SEE ALSO: You should delete your drafts.

And I'm not the only one who browses TikTok in a blissfully volume-less manner. Anecdotally, several Mashable staffers came out of the woodwork to confess their muted habits, sharing how it's simply a good way to ease into the day or tune out unwanted noise. 

There are multiple Reddit posts devoted to how to open TikTok on mute. Amongst several similar posts, one Redditor asked: "Is it common for people to watch social media videos without the volume on, or am I the only one who does this?" They received 150 upvotes and enthusiastic agreement, with one commenting with the "there are dozens of us" Arrested Development GIF. 

Statistically speaking, there are more than dozens of us. A study by Verizon found that 92 percent of U.S. consumers watch videos on mobile with the sound off. Another study from ad tech firm Sharethrough said 75 percent of those surveyed "keep their phone on mute even when a video is playing."

Granted, many people watch videos on mute out of respect for the people they live with or because they don't want to blast the subway with the unpredictable choices of their For You page (although some lawless degenerates have no consideration for social norms). Others may also mute videos on other platforms like Instagram or Facebook, but watch TikTok with the sound on because it is an audio-focused app. But I suspect some of it has to do with keeping the auditory siege at bay for their own mental well-being. 

As I learned from talking to Quist Ryder, some people are simply more sensitive to sound. See: FoodTok and Misophonia. And she says there is definitely a generational component, where younger generations are natively "more used to high stimulus things like TikTok." But it's worth noting that 74 percent of the 16-24 age group in the Sharethrough study said they watch videos on mute, and half of that same age group watch TV with subtitles. So this isn't just curmudgeonly millennials or Gen Xers we're talking about here.  

Now that I've voiced my quiet preferences, it may be time for you to step into your silent power and mute TikTok for all the world to hear. You're not a freak for watching TikTok on mute. Sure, you might be sensitive to noise and mentally overextended, but that's actually pretty normal.

And if this sounds good to you, my parting words are actually a bit of advice: You can easily change your playback settings to automatically open TikTok on mute. Simply open Settings > Playback and toggle on "Open TikTok on mute."

Now take a deep breath and enjoy the sound of silence.

SAVE $70: As of Nov. 20, the Apple Magic Keyboard for the 13-inch iPad Air is on sale for $279.99 at Target. That's 20% off its list price of $349.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Air 13‑inch (M2) $279.99 at Target
$349.99 Save $70.00 Get Deal

Black Friday is right around the corner, but Target is already offering plenty of incredible early deals for shoppers to get a taste of seasonal savings ahead of the big shopping event. In particular, the retailer has had quite a few Apple discounts popping up over the past few weeks. If you've been itching to get an Apple Magic Keyboard to go with your iPad Air, Target's got a great deal for you.

The Apple Magic Keyboard for the 13-inch iPad Air (M2), in colors black and white, has dropped to $279.99 from its list price of $349.99. That saves you 20% overall, which is an excellent deal to upgrade your tablet into a nice little laptop setup.

SEE ALSO: Home Depot is giving away free cordless tools for Black Friday

And it's an upgrade that's worth it, as the Apple Magic Keyboard sets up your iPad with a backlit keyboard and responsive keys, a trackpad, and a USB-C port to make charging simple and easy. This is all made better by its slim design that can be easily packed up to take on the go whenever you need it.

If you're looking to pick up the iPad to go with this as well, you're in luck. The iPad Air is currently discounted $100 at Target, making it one of our favorite iPad deals ahead of Black Friday. What better time to invest in some new Apple products?

Don't miss out on this Apple Magic Keyboard deal ahead of Black Friday at Target.

This is just the beginning of Target's big deals drop, though. The company's official Black Friday sale kicks off on Nov. 24 and runs until Nov. 30. Several more retailers are also starting up their sale events soon. Have a look at our breakdowns of Walmart, Best Buy, and Amazon's Black Friday sale events to learn more.

With the holidays right around the corner, Uber rolled out a new size option called "UberXXL," a new option to share Ubers from the airport, and new features for Uber Reserve — all features aimed at making traveling to and from the airport a little easier.

As you may have guessed, UberXXL accommodates riders with lots of baggage, which can come in handy for people traveling home for the holidays or going on vacation. UberXXL provides bigger cars with access to more trunk space and enough room left over for all of the travelers in your group, so you're not stuck holding your suitcase on your lap. To access UberXXL, riders must be Uber One subscribers, which costs $10 a month. Uber One also eliminates Uber Eats delivery fees and includes other perks. UberXXL is available in 60 airports worldwide, with 40 of those in the U.S.

For when you've got a big family and just as much luggage. Credit: Uber

The popular UberX Share now has expanded access to airports. So if you get to your destination late, you can worry less about whether to take public transport or an expensive ride. UberX Share works by matching you with a co-rider with a similar destination and costs less than a fully private ride. Riders can save up to 25 percent of the normal price of an Uber by taking UberX Share. Plus, even if they don't match with a co-rider, users who choose the option still get the savings. UberX Share for airports is launching in the U.S. in Austin, Denver, Newark, Dulles (Washington DC), Miami, New Orleans, Phoenix, San Francisco and internationally in Amsterdam and Madrid, with more airports to come.

Now you can share rides from the airport and share the cost. Credit: Uber

A critical feature for early morning flights is Uber Reserve, which lets you book rides ahead of time. As of today, riders can add their flight details when reserving a ride, which gives them a recommended best time to leave. Additionally, the feature can track flights and ask riders if they want to update their reservation if a flight is delayed.

Last but not least, you can now book multi-stop rides with Uber Reserve. This might come in handy if you're picking up family members or need to grab something on your way to the airport.

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for November 20 SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

Here are the clues and answers to Daily Mini Crossword for Wednesday, November 20, 2024:

AcrossOn your smartphone

• The answer is App.

Rat's place

• The answer is Lab.

Theft

• The answer is Larceny.

Apportion

• The answer is Prorate.

Family man

• The answer is Dad.

Related to rainfall

• The answer is Pluvial.

Permit

• The answer is License.

Thus far

• The answer is Yet.

Hit the slopes

• The answer is Ski.

DownYodeler's perch

• The answer is Alp.

Golfer's goal

• The answer is Par.

____s and services

• The answer is Product.

Starting segue

• The answer is Leadins.

Departure announcement

• The answer is Bye.

Hunger for

• The answer is Crave.

TP layers

• The answer is Ply.

Deception

• The answer is Lie.

Query

• The answer is Ask.

Floral necklace

• The answer is Lei.

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

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

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

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

BOOK BOGO DEAL: As of Nov. 20, Target's Deal of the Day features a buy one, get one 50% off deal for Target Circle members on books.

Opens in a new window Credit: Target Target Circle Members: Buy One Book, Get One 50% Off Shop Now

Target's been offering up some excellent deals in the lead-up to Black Friday. In particular, the retailer's been dropping discounts as part of its Deal of the Day program throughout this month, which features a selection of sales each day on different items for shoppers and exclusives for its Target Circle members. The latest is worth your time if you've been hoping to pick up some new books ahead of the holidays.

On Nov. 20, Target Circle members can take advantage of a Buy One, Get One 50% off deal on books. This offer applies to a fantastic selection of books as well, whether you're looking to invest in a massive box set like the fancy leather-cloth A Game of Thrones collection or want to pick up a beloved book like The Wild Robot, there are so many different options to choose from.

SEE ALSO: The best early Black Friday laptop deals: Score record lows on the M4 MacBook Pro and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7

It's also not the only Target Circle deal available to members right now. The retailer's offering a BOGO deal on board games that's well worth checking out ahead of the holidays, especially if you're planning some big gatherings. And if you've yet to sign up for Target's free Circle program, it's worth it for exclusive discounts like these.

Don't miss out on this one-day-only BOGO deal on books for Target Circle members.

Target's official big Black Friday sale kicks off on Nov. 24, and runs all the way through Nov. 30. If you're curious about what other retailers have planned, it's worth having a look at our breakdowns of Walmart, Best Buy, and Amazon's Black Friday events to learn more.

After a year of exploring a mysterious valley on Mars, NASA's intrepid Curiosity rover is headed to a new destination with its own intrigue. 

The Mini Cooper-sized robotic lab will study an unusual landscape, called a "boxwork," that likely necessitated warm groundwater to form eons ago on the Red Planet. And where there's water, there's potential for life — at least the kind scientists know about. Researchers wonder if the boxwork could have hosted ancient single-celled microorganisms.

"Early Earth microbes could have survived in a similar environment," said Kirsten Siebach, a rover scientist based in Houston, in a statement. "That makes this an exciting place to explore."

SEE ALSO: NASA's Mars rovers had a gangbusters summer of rocks

Since the mission launched in 2011, Curiosity has traveled about 372 million miles: some 352 million whizzing through space and another 20 rumbling over the Martian terrain. 

At its most recent site, known as Gediz Vallis, the rover literally stumbled upon pure sulfur, its wheels crushing the material to expose a bed of yellow crystals. It turns out there was a whole beach-like field of these rocks. Curiosity is surrounded by plenty of rubble that contains sulfur combined with other materials, but unadulterated sulfur is something special.

When pure sulfur is made naturally on Earth, the element is usually associated with superheated volcanic gasses and hot springs. Another way it can form is through interactions with bacteria — a.k.a. life.

The Curiosity rover stumbled upon pure sulfur, its wheels crushing the material to expose a bed of yellow crystals. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / MSSS

"We don't think we're anywhere near a volcano where the rover is," Abigail Fraeman, deputy project scientist on the Curiosity mission, told Mashable in September, "so that is a puzzling feature to find in this particular location." 

The next leg of the rover's journey will take a few months to drive. But scientists are eager to investigate the boxwork region at the foot of Mount Sharp because of what clues it could hold about Mars' ancient history. 

From Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter images, the land feature looks like a spiderweb of ridges, spanning several miles. Dark sand fills the hollowed spaces among the lattice of ridges.

Before departing for the boxwork region, Curiosity takes a wide-view image of the field of sulfur stones, which appear white on the outside. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / MSSS

There are several kinds of landscapes on Mars that appear as interconnected ridges, though they're not all created in the same way. Near the Red Planet's south pole, for instance, is a labyrinthine feature nicknamed "Inca City," which may have formed after a meteor impact. The collision could have led to fault lines in the ground that were then backfilled with bubbling magma.

"Early Earth microbes could have survived in a similar environment."

Scientists believe this particular boxwork in Mount Sharp's foothills may have formed when minerals in the last trickles of water seeped into surface rock cracks and hardened. As the rocks weathered over the ages, minerals that had cemented into those fractures remained, leaving behind the boxwork. 

A boxwork has formed on the ceiling of the Elk's Room, part of Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota. Credit: National Park Service / Kim Acker

Boxwork formations occur on Earth, but they're usually made with groundwater on cliffsides and in caves. The peculiar thing about the example at Mount Sharp is that it must have formed when water was vanishing. Geologists also aren't sure why this Martian feature is so vast, covering an area of six to 12 miles. 

The rover team hopes to figure out whether microbes could have lived in that environment long ago. 

"These ridges will include minerals that crystallized underground, where it would have been warmer, with salty liquid water flowing through," Siebach said.

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

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

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

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

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

Another way to describe cash.

SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for November 20 Hurdle Word 1 answer

MONEY

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A way of describing someone as unreliable.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for November 20 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

FLAKE

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A sweetener.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for November 20 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 20 Hurdle Word 3 answer

SUGAR

Hurdle Word 4 hint

An alcohol frequently mixed with cranberry.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for November 20 Hurdle Word 4 answer

VODKA

Final Hurdle hint

A space object with a tail.

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

COMET

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

Whether you work from home, find yourself on an airplane more often than not, or simply want to turn down the volume of the outside world, noise-cancelling headphones are exactly the tool you need.

Even the best value headphones will feel lacking if they don't come equipped with halfway decent noise cancellation. Besides, there are simply too many headphones on the market (our testing pool gets bigger month by month) for you to pay hundreds only to get subpar ANC — especially during Black Friday season.

SEE ALSO: When do Black Friday sales start? Early holiday deals are already here.

The biggest shopping holiday of the year brings deals on most major and minor headphones brands. A couple weeks out from the official day of Black Friday on Nov. 29, we've already seen deals on our picks below, including $100 markdowns on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones and Sony WH-1000XM5s.

To help you wade through all the options you're likely to encounter, Mashable editors and reviewers tested dozens of headphones and earbuds and picked out the best noise-cancelling headphones of 2024. Plus, we've added some buying advice on each of the picks below, all based on our collective deals expertise.

Do noise-cancelling headphones actually work?

There's a big difference between outside noise being blocked and music simply being loud enough to drown it out. If you're looking for the maximum amount of noise cancellation, you want to go for headphones that have active noise cancellation.

Active noise-cancelling headphones electronically cover up the sounds coming from your surroundings by using internal microphones that listen to what's happening in the world around you, then invert the noise and send it to the speakers. The idea is that both the output and the input will cancel out, leaving you with near-silence. Over-ear headphones also create a tight seal around your ears that adds another layer of sound blocking.

If you've tried a pair of noise-cancelling headphones before and haven't been impressed, don't be discouraged. It's partially about finding the headphones that match your preferences, as not all ANC performs equally. For instance, cheaper ANC headphones may have a more noticeable hissing sound that you'll hear when the noise cancellation is turned on, which can be distracting for some folks.

Other headphones may be great at blocking at low tones, but more prone to letting high-pitched tones in. Typically, more premium headphones will yield better results, but we have budget picks below that still do a solid job.

In the past, not many earbuds featured active noise cancellation that was comparable to over-ear headphones, but newer iterations like the AirPods Pro and Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds hold their own in the ANC space. However, even these earbuds can't quite get the same seal that headphones can, so if you're looking for maximum silence, you might be happier with over-ear headphones. However, if you want to cut down on the bulk, earbuds make for great alternatives.

What are the best noise-cancelling headphones to buy?

Bose and Sony are both top names when it comes to any type of audio, but especially when it comes to noise cancellation. Both brands feature industry-leading ANC on top of superb sound quality. There are also some other brands and models worth checking out, so if you want to tune out ambient sound, we've laid everything out for you below, from your more premium options to your budget picks.

A formidable bomb cyclone is churning off the Western U.S.

The comma-shaped storm is a suped-up mid-latitude cyclone, which is quite different than the tropical cyclones (like hurricanes) that form near the equator and are fueled by extremely warm waters. Instead, mid-latitude cyclones are much larger (some 900 to over 3,000 miles in diameter) than tropical cyclones, and form near the boundaries of the frigid poles and the warmer air of the mid-latitudes. These converging air masses create counter-clockwise circulating motions that can induce whirlpool-like movement. Add in the energy from some typical atmospheric instability to the mix (like rising and sinking air), and you've got a robust, spinning storm.

In this case, the storm is experiencing a rapid drop in pressure at its center, which stokes a potent cyclonic flow as winds blow toward the low pressure.

"It's a rapidly intensifying low," Joe Wegman, a National Weather Service meteorologist, told Mashable.

SEE ALSO: Why it's impossible to forecast the weather too far into the future

Conditions for a "bomb cyclone," or "bombogenesis," occur when a storm's central pressure drops by at least 24 millibars in 24 hours. In this case, meteorologists are measuring pressure drops of seven millibars per hour, which if sustained over six hours, would be an all-time record for an extratropical storm (which is a storm created from the temperature contrast between warm and cold air masses).

"The system is deepening rapidly...possibly record setting!" Jeff Weber, a research meteorologist at the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, emailed Mashable as he observed the storm's evolution.

"The system is deepening rapidly...possibly record setting!"

The cyclone will have major impacts. There will be high winds and heavy mountain snow in the Northwest. But, as the images below show, the cyclone is also dragging along an atmospheric river — a formidable band of moisture (sometimes dubbed a "river in the sky") tending to stream over the Pacific Ocean — that will douse Northern California by Wednesday. That means extreme rain. Some areas of Northern California and Oregon will receive in excess of 12 inches of rain, Weber said.

A view from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's GOES-West satellite on Nov. 19, 2024 shows the comma-shaped bomb cyclone on upper left, and the atmospheric river (horizontal band of clouds) below. Credit: NOAA Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted

Although atmospheric rivers are a crucial part of California's water supply, scientists have found that they're becoming more intense, meaning more billion-dollar flooding disasters. The key factor driving more intense atmospheric rivers is the physics of a warming globe. More heat on the planet means more water vapor in the air. The resulting deluges are especially amplified in the case of already strong atmospheric rivers, which deliver a colossal amount of water, many times the average flow of water through the vast mouth of the Mississippi River.

Tweet may have been deleted

For those in California and the Northwest, heed warnings from local officials and the National Weather Service. This storm means business.

TL;DR: GoCable is an 8-in-1 charger that's on sale for just $24.99 (reg. $44) for a limited time.

Opens in a new window Credit: Mutant Design Lab GoCable: The Ultimate 8-in-1 EDC Charger $24.99
$44.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal

Finding the perfect holiday gift for the techie (or even an older teenager) who seems to have it all can feel impossible. But here’s something that might make you the holiday hero: the GoCable, an 8-in-1 EDC Charger.

For just $24.99 (originally $44), this all-in-one charging gadget is small enough to fit on a keyring but mighty enough to power everything from phones to laptops, thanks to its impressive 100W output.

The GoCable isn’t just a charger — it’s an everyday carry (EDC) gadget packed with hidden features that make life on the go a whole lot easier. Give the gift of a sleek keyring that not only charges any device but also comes equipped with a built-in bottle opener, a safe-proof cutter for opening packages, and a carabiner clip to secure it anywhere. Plus, you can say goodbye to tangled cords because of its magnetic cable wrap, which keeps everything neat and ready when you need it.

The universal compatibility makes it ideal for just about anyone — no more carrying around separate chargers for each device. GoCable has type-C and Apple Lightning-compatible connectors, along with an LED power display to keep you updated on the charging status. Whether it’s for a friend who’s constantly on their phone or a family member who’s always working on the go, GoCable makes charging simple, kind of cool, and surprisingly fun.

Give the gift of ultimate convenience this holiday season with GoCable. 

Get the GoCable 8-in-1 charger while it's on sale for just $24.99 (reg. $44) for a limited time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Ahead of Black Friday, enjoy an extra 22% discount on this VPN travel router that protects your connection anytime, anywhere. Get it for just $169.

Opens in a new window Credit: Deeper Connect Deeper Connect Air Portable VPN Travel Router $169.00
$219.00 Save $50.00 Get Deal

Cybersecurity experts have all talked our ears off of the risks that can come with connecting to free WiFi networks in cafes, airports, hotels, and pretty much anywhere that isn't your house. Normally, a VPN does the trick — but those come with fees, and the best ones usually cost more than a Netflix subscription.

If you're looking to trim down those digital expenses without sacrificing top-notch protection, consider investing in the Deeper Connect Air instead. It's a physical portable VPN router offering encrypted browsing, ad blocking, parental controls, and more. The best part? It's a one-time purchase. No more monthly fees, and you don't need to wait for Black Friday to save — grab it for $169 (reg. $219) for one more day with free shipping.

See how it works:

This VPN router keeps your sensitive data secure, shields you on public WiFi, and even lets you dodge those pesky geo-restrictions to access content from around the globe. It uses military-grade encryption to protect your data anywhere you are in the world, and with its 80,000+ nodes scattered worldwide, it means you'll have high-speed access to any geographic region. Plus, it auto-switches nodes based on your internet usage for a seamless connection every single time.

While the device may not look like much (it clocks in at only 26 grams), you can connect up to five devices simultaneously for shared secure browsing, and you can trust that your connection speed will remain uncompromised. Stream away at up to 300 Mbps, no problem.

Tired of ads ruining your YouTube marathons? This device blocks them. And if you're using it at home, turn on the parental controls to keep your kids safe online, even when they're glued to Roblox.

Enjoy secure browsing anywhere you are in the world without the hefty fees with the Deeper Connect Air, now available for just $169 (reg. $219) with free shipping while supplies last. This early Black Friday deal ends tomorrow, November 21, at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.