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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: UberThe 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: UberA 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 MashableHere are the clues and answers to Daily Mini Crossword for Wednesday, November 20, 2024:
AcrossOn your smartphoneThe answer is App.
The answer is Lab.
The answer is Larceny.
The answer is Prorate.
The answer is Dad.
The answer is Pluvial.
The answer is License.
The answer is Yet.
The answer is Ski.
The answer is Alp.
The answer is Par.
The answer is Product.
The answer is Leadins.
The answer is Bye.
The answer is Crave.
The answer is Ply.
The answer is Lie.
The answer is Ask.
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 GamesAre 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 NowTarget'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 7It'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 rocksSince 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 / MSSSThere 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 AckerBoxwork 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 hintAnother way to describe cash.
SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for November 20 Hurdle Word 1 answerMONEY
Hurdle Word 2 hintA way of describing someone as unreliable.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for November 20 Hurdle Word 2 AnswerFLAKE
Hurdle Word 3 hintA 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 answerSUGAR
Hurdle Word 4 hintAn alcohol frequently mixed with cranberry.
SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for November 20 Hurdle Word 4 answerVODKA
Final Hurdle hintA space object with a tail.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answerCOMET
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 futureConditions 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 deletedAlthough 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 deletedFor 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 $24.99Finding 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 $169.00Cybersecurity 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.
TL;DR: Connect your devices to 8 ports with the 8-in-1 Laptop and Tablet Docking Stand, on sale now for just $49.97 (reg. $69).
Opens in a new window Credit: UGR Tech 8-in-1 Laptop & Tablet Docking Stand $49.97Finding a thoughtful gift for someone who works from home isn’t always easy. They likely have all the basics covered, but what about a tool that could transform their daily setup?
This 8-in-1 docking station doubles as an adjustable device stand that can completely streamline a WFH space. It’s practical, sleek, and ideal for remote workers who don't know there's a better way to organize their space. Plus, it's on sale for only $49.97 (reg. $69.99).
A much-needed work from home upgradeThis docking station is a major upgrade to any workspace. Connect your laptop or tablet to equip it with eight ports that let you connect a range of peripherals from external hard drives to external displays or wired headphones. And with the 100W power delivery port, you won't have to worry about slow charging times. Plus, with 5Gbps transfer speed, working with large files or switching between devices won’t feel like a waiting game.
What really makes this station stand out is the adjustable tablet stand. Working from home can be tough on the back. Leaning over a screen for 8 hours a day doesn't do wonders for your posture, but this little stand helps there too. The holder tilts up to 180 degrees while the stand adjusts up to 70 degrees, which means it can be tailored for any posture or angle.
Best of all, it folds up when not in use, so it’s easy to stash away or bring along for remote work outside the home.
A great gift for any home officeIt's tough to make working from home comfortable, but your gift can make it happen. Get the 8-in-1 Laptop and Tablet Docking Stand on sale for $49.97, plus free shipping.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
TL;DR: Give your teen a 4K Dual-Camera Drone on sale for $74.99 (reg. $119).
Opens in a new window Credit: RochasDivineMart 4K Dual-Camera Drone for Beginners with Intelligent Obstacle Avoidance $74.99Teenagers are so hard to shop for, but sometimes, that just-right gift practically falls in your lap. And in the case of this 4K dual-camera drone, it could fall from pretty high in the sky.
If you're on the hunt for a gift that lets your teen enjoy the outdoors or create something cool to post on social media, definitely give this 4K quadcopter a look. It's on sale for only $74.99 (reg. $119).
Beginner-friendly funWith its HD 4K front camera, this beginner-friendly drone allows teens to shoot sharp, high-quality images from unique angles. The camera can be adjusted remotely by 90 degrees, giving them flexibility to capture every angle of their surroundings. Plus, a second 120-degree wide-angle bottom camera lets them explore the full view below.
The optical flow positioning even keeps the drone stable in the air, so you don't have to be a master pilot just to snap clear photos.
What really makes this drone perfect for teens is how simple it is to control. Features like gesture control allow them to snap selfies or record video with just a wave of their hand, making it easy to capture moments with friends without needing to mess with settings. With obstacle avoidance, gravity control, and one-key start and stop functions, even a complete beginner can feel like a pro.
And, for an extra dose of fun, this drone can perform 360-degree flips, creating an impressive show for friends. LED lights even make it possible to fly at night. When it’s time to wrap up, the drone folds up easily, ready to slip into a backpack or drawer.
High altitude, low pricePlay your cards right, and your gift this year could be the high point of the holidays, literally. Pick up a 4K Dual-Camera Drone while they're still on sale for $74.99.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Superman may fly faster than a speeding bullet, but he'd easily lose in a race against a beam of light, the fastest thing we know about in the universe.
Light travels at a rate of 186,000 miles (or 300,000 kilometers) per second in a straight line through the vacuum of space, according to NASA. That means it could zip around Earth about seven times by the time you finished saying "One Mississippi."
The universe is too vast to track distances on the scale of miles, so astronomers use light-years to convey the great lengths between cosmic objects. A light-year is the distance light can travel in one Earth-year. One light-year is about 5.88 trillion miles (or 9.46 trillion kilometers).
SEE ALSO: How a NASA nuclear rocket engine could unleash the solar system Light-years measure distance not timeA common misconception — likely because of the word "year" — is that this unit measures time. But light-years capture how far one object is relative to another. Earth is about eight light-minutes away from the sun, meaning humans always see it not as it is exactly at that moment but how it was eight minutes ago. The next-nearest star is Proxima Centauri, 4.25 light-years away. At that distance, humans see it as it was 4.25 years ago.
In astronomy, looking farther into the cosmos with telescopes automatically translates into observing the past because light and other forms of radiation take time to reach us. The farther a celestial object is, the longer ago in history the observer sees it. When discussing how far things are, time and space are inextricably linked.
Now for a thought exercise to boggle the mind: The farthest detected star is known as Earendel, located 28 billion light-years away. Converted into a road trip, that would put about 168 sextillion miles on the odometer from Earth. (A sextillion, if you were wondering, has 21 zeros.) When astronomers found this ancient star with the Hubble Space Telescope in 2022, they saw it as it was many billions of years ago.
The farthest detected star is known as Earendel, located 28 billion light-years away. Credit: NASA / ESA / CSA Light-years exceeding the universe's ageBut if the universe is estimated to be about 13.8 billion years old, how are astronomers seeing objects more than 13.8 billion light-years away? That can be a fairly complicated cosmology question to answer, but the key concept to remember is that, since the Big Bang, nothing in space has stood still. The universe is expanding, and the speed at which it's moving away from its starting point hasn't stayed constant. Right now, for reasons that aren't yet fully understood, that expansion is accelerating.
The universe is actually estimated to be some 92 billion light-years wide, explains Don Lincoln, senior scientist at Fermilab in Illinois, in the video below.
"Our visible universe has a radius of about 46 billion light-years, even though it's only 13.7 billion years old. But we're not seeing that distant point as it is now, but as it was shortly after the universe began. And the ongoing expansion makes things even worse," he said. "The bottom line is that if we're ever going to try and explore other galaxies, we better get cracking."
Distances to interstellar destinations from EarthNext closest star: Proxima Centauri, 4.25 light-years away
Other famous stars: Barnard's star, 6 light-years away; Vega, 25 light-years away; Betelgeuse, 650 light-years away; Polaris, aka the North Star, 430 light-years
Closest supermassive black hole: Sagittarius A*, aka Sag A*, 26,000 light-years away
Next closest galaxy: Canis Major Dwarf Galaxy, 25,000 light-years away
Nearest large galaxy: Andromeda, 2.3 million light-years away
Farthest detected star: Earendel, 28 billion light-years away
As the holiday season ramps up, so do the schemes of so-called "porch pirates" — and this time, they're alarmingly tech savvy.
The Wall Street Journal reported last month on a wave of thefts involving AT&T iPhones delivered via FedEx, largely attributed to both companies’ lax policies on requiring signatures for high-value deliveries. However, an incident in September has highlighted a disturbing escalation.
SEE ALSO: Apple's new iPhone update is locking law enforcement out of phonesKHOU 11, a station located in Houston, broke the story: Deer Park Police arrested two teenagers for allegedly stealing four iPhone 16 devices in a highly orchestrated operation involving stolen tracking data.
The alleged thieves, who reportedly flew to Texas from Detroit for a weeklong heist spree, were caught red-handed with tracking numbers for multiple deliveries. Armed with this data, they targeted FedEx trucks, tailing them for hours and even confronting a driver with a legitimate tracking number to demand the package.
The big mystery here is how these teens gained access to the tracking numbers for iPhones being shipped in Texas. Neither AT&T nor law enforcement has offered much clarity.
“These are crimes committed by sophisticated criminals that are being investigated by both federal and state law enforcement agencies,” AT&T said in an email statement to Mashable. “Parcel theft is a concern across many businesses, and it is something we take seriously. We work with law enforcement agencies and parcel carriers to protect our deliveries from these sophisticated criminals."
One theory, circulating without confirmation, points to a possible rogue employee inside AT&T funneling tracking data into the black market. Regarding this, AT&T refused to comment on "rumors and speculation."
How to protect yourselfWith the idea that porch pirates may be getting more sophisticated, here are some simple ways to safeguard your deliveries.
1. Require signatures for all packagesOne of the easiest ways to deter package theft is to require a signature for delivery. By adding this extra step, you ensure that your package isn’t left unattended on your porch. Major carriers like FedEx, UPS, and USPS allow you to select this option during checkout or shipping setup.
2. Use an alternate locked delivery boxConsider setting up a secure delivery box outside your home. These locked containers provide a safe spot for couriers to drop off packages and are designed to prevent unauthorized access. Some models even include smart locks that sync with delivery notifications, giving you full control over access. You can also explore delivery services like Amazon Key, which allows packages to be placed inside your garage or another secure area.
3. Invest in a Ring CameraMost porch pirates are looking for quick, easy targets, and the sight of a camera can be enough to make them think twice. Many models, like the popular Ring or Google Nest cameras, offer motion detection, two-way communication, and real-time alerts to your phone, so you can keep an eye on your packages from anywhere.
The standalone sequel to Searching is here, and like its predecessor, Missing weighs in on some hefty topics using social media and technology. Starring Nia Long and Storm Reid as mother-daughter duo Grace and June Allen, Missing follows the twists and turns of Grace's mysterious disappearance as June pieces it all together at home using her laptop and some social media hacking. But while the film will lure you in as a suspenseful thriller with astounding editing and novel visual storytelling, its real appeal stands on the thematic undertones grounding its whirlwind plot.
At a first glance, Missing may seem to be a crime story about the internet's many rabbit holes that undermine our privacy. But the film is actually more concerned with the public's obsession with finding the perfect victim and villain for a news story. It's a fixation that's created and nourished by a seemingly endless wave of true-crime content that sensationalizes real-life tragedies, frequently at the expense of people of color. Missing's real story is about how quick people (and the internet) are to villainize and neglect people of color if it means they get another TikTok hit or Netflix true-crime special.
What happens in Missing? Credit: Sony Pictures "A lot of this film is playing with your biases, and the ways you might misinterpret something."When Grace Allen fails to return from her vacation with her new boyfriend Kevin (Ken Leung) in Colombia, time is of the essence. As the feds drag their heels on investigating her disappearance, June takes things into her own social media-savvy hands to find out what actually happened to her mom. While Missing strings you along for many plot twists, spoiler alert — its big reveal is that Grace never actually left for Colombia; she was kidnapped on her way to the airport by June's father, James (Tim Griffin).
James was dangerously abusive to Grace when June was young. So, Grace fled with June to California years before, changing their names and leaving young June to believe her father was dead. As it turned out, James met Kevin while they were both in prison. It was Kevin who helped him orchestrate this entire heist by hiring actors to play out their Colombia vacation gone wrong. While all eyes and fingers were pointing to Kevin in Colombia, Grace was trapped in a shack in James' ranch the entire time. After a series of trials and tribulations, June manages to save the day and get her mom back home.
SEE ALSO: 'Missing' review: a twisty whodunnit where Gen Z's internet habits save the day What does Missing's ending actually mean? Credit: Sony PicturesMashable hopped on a quick Zoom with the co-directors of Missing, Nick Johnson and Will Merrick, to discuss the subtext of their movie.
"There was one [high-profile] case in particular where it felt like people on TikTok were profiting off of the commentary and theories of this case, that we didn't really love," shared Johnson. "And so we injected that into the movie itself because we saw that happening [in real life]."
When Grace's disappearance makes it to the news, everything about her case quickly becomes internet clickbait, with TikTokkers and Gen Z true-crime aficionados digging into Grace's past and finding out that she has something to hide. The viewer knows Grace changed her name to escape her abuser, but the internet doesn't and is adamant about making her a villain.
The wave of true-crime TikToks pouring in and pointing to Grace as the true puppet master behind everything illuminates how quick society is to point fingers at single Black women (or men) instead of looking at the bigger picture. "We definitely thought about the missing white girl syndrome while making this" added Merrick. "A lot of this film is playing with your biases and the ways you might misinterpret something, even you as the audience and not the true-crime people we're criticizing."
In Missing, true-crime content creators don't operate with empathy, never stopping to wonder what might have compelled Grace to change her name in the first place. Instead, they hop on a dangerous media bandwagon for the rush of it all, leaping to scandalizing conclusions. It's a phenomenon Cat Cardenas at Slate Magazine refers to as "true-crime brain," and we can see it every day, onscreen and off.
While Missing is a wild roller coaster with a series of events that may seem out of the ordinary, a lot of the film is grounded in real-life inspirations that guide its characters' actions. The real joy of the film is watching your TikTok FYP page being fed to you on the big screen — a dish out on all things true crime and what it can create.
Missing is now streaming on Hulu.
UPDATE: Nov. 18, 2024, 4:48 p.m. EST This article was originally published on Jan. 22, 2023. It has been updated to include the latest viewing options.
While Missing may be a mystery, it’s more importantly a masterclass in innovative, visual storytelling. The film is a standalone sequel to 2018’s Searching, and like its predecessor, Missing’s plot is entirely mediated through technology.
We see our protagonist June Allen, wonderfully played by Storm Reid, navigate her mother’s disappearance by watching her laptop screen for the majority of the film’s unfoldings. Every Google search, text message notification, or notes app to-do list is how Missing tells its story. It's a wildly intimate visual rollercoaster.
What is Missing about? Credit: Sony PicturesJune Allen is your typical Gen Z teen, ready to party it up all week while her mother, Grace (Nia Long), goes on a vacation to Colombia with her new boyfriend, Kevin (Ken Leung). But things quickly turn dark when Grace doesn’t return from her vacation, leaving June in the epicenter of a dangerous disappearance where she assumes the role of detective, using her laptop and overall tech-savvy skills to hack into emails, security camera footage, and even TaskRabbit to piece together her mother’s whereabouts.
While the film is riddled with one too many plot twists, its big reveal speaks to a more pressing aspect of our news cycle and its vilification of people of color. This makes Missing an important watch beyond the simple merit of a fun, action flick.
The charm of Missing is initially in its editing, but the plot twists become tedious. Credit: Sony PicturesMissing’s editing and choice in telling its story through June’s MacBook is the real fun of the film. It allows the audience to get to know her in a really intimate and innovative way. Yes, we learn about June through her dialogue with other characters throughout Missing, but we also get extremely detailed tidbits on her laptop — like a to-do list that solely consists of “do financial aid thingy” — that are sweet but subtle nods to what a Gen Z teen is actually like. You can tell a lot about a person by how many Google tabs they have open or how messy their desktop is, and Missing acknowledges that fact and invites you into June’s world.
The editing also leaves room for some incredible montages. In the film’s first act, June throws a massive house party that’s mediated through smooth transitions from Snapchat filters to Instagram stories to fire emojis morphing into her home’s fireplace. And when the film’s mystery kick-starts, the editing and sound design catapults its suspense to a whole new level as we see (and hear) June frantically typing and clicking different links to get a single clue as to where her mom is. It all perfectly situates you in her position and realistically follows what anyone one of us would do in the face of dangerous uncertainty: Google what the hell you’re supposed to do.
But Missing slows down in its second act. The ceaseless plot twists, coupled with the lack of seeing June actually move around, kills the suspense. There are only so many FaceTimes you can watch before wanting to actually see your protagonist in action — a feeling that’s most potent in the final act, when we’re exclusively watching almost everything through a security camera as opposed to getting up close to June in her final fight.
Missing acknowledges where we're at with true crime and why it's a problem. Credit: Sony PicturesMissing's incredible editing also comes through in its concluding moments, when we see June's final fight transition to a true crime Netflix special made about her story. June questions why anyone would want to see this “garbage.” The sensationalization of her story was an incredibly smart take from Missing’s creators; it speaks to a moment in entertainment where true crime remains an audience hot topic with no clear ethical boundaries. We’ve seen it play out with Netflix’s Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, where the real-life families involved with the case spoke against the show for rehashing old wounds. Missing’s focus on the internet driving a true crime thirst that overshadows what’s actually at play saves its lackluster final act.
Throughout the film, we also see June's close friend Veena (Megan Suri) regularly reference different true crime shows in an attempt to help June figure out what to do next — it's an extra dimension to the film's reflection of Gen Z culture, while simultaneously addressing the same audience hunger that drives true crime entertainment in the first place. Couple that with the flood of viral TikToks in the film about Grace's disappearance, and Missing is, at its core, commentary on how true crime can eclipse real-life scenarios and bolster an environment where nothing is really at stake if it reads like a fun, true crime doc.
Missing may drag on, but its decision to speak on cultural issues, including true crime, racism, and the internet, gives its twisty plot real substance. If you power through its hefty second act, there’s great reward in its finale and some fun along the way.
Missing is now streaming on Hulu.
UPDATE: Nov. 18, 2024, 4:27 p.m. EST This article was originally published on Jan. 13, 2023, and has been updated to include the latest viewing options.
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 deletedEach 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 deletedPlayers 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 November 20 Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow - Over the net
Green - NFL group
Blue - College group
Purple - Schools with the same second name
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow - Volleyball terms
Green - AFC South teams
Blue - Big East schools
Purple - ____ Tech
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 #58 is...
What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition todayVolleyball terms: DIG, SERVE, SET, SPIKE
AFC South teams: HOUSTON, INDIANAPOLIS, JACKSONVILLE, TENNESSEE
Big East schools: BUTLER, CREIGHTON, MARQUETTE, XAVIER
____ Tech: GEORGIA, LOUISIANA, TEXAS, VIRGINIA
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.
SAVE $76: As of Nov. 20, this refurbished Kindle Scribe is on sale for $233.99 at Amazon. That's a 25% saving on list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Scribe (Refurbished) $233.99 at AmazonThe Kindle Scribe is the latest hot product for book lovers. Released earlier this year, the Amazon product combines reading and notetaking in one handy device.
And as of Nov. 20, you can grab a deal on an Amazon-certified refurbished model for just $233.99, a saving of 25% on list price. According to Amazon, a refurbed product is refurbished, tested, and certified to look and work like new and it comes with the same limited warranty as a new device, so you have peace of mind that the device is fit for purpose.
SEE ALSO: Stock your digital library ahead of Black Friday with these Kindle book dealsThis Kindle Scribe deal also comes with the Premium Pen so you can jot down notes and convert them to text as easily as writing in a notebook. Unlike the basic pen, this model comes with an eraser at the top so you can quickly remove mistakes just by flipping the pen. It is also battery-free, as it works through a special power source embedded in the Kindle Scribe, so no need to charge it.
Besides its note-taking abilities, it has a 10.2-inch 300 ppi Paperwhite display, glare and ink-free. Like the original Kindle model, it's perfect for sitting outside in the sun or in harsh lighting.
This is a limited-time deal at Amazon, so don't miss out.
SAVE $30: As of Nov 20, the JBL Clip 5 is on sale for $49.95 at Amazon. That's a 38% discount on list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Clip 5 $49.95 at AmazonIf you're looking for a robust Bluetooth speaker for on-the-go listening, we've found an incredible early Black Friday deal for under $50.
As of Nov. 20, the JBL Clip 5 is on sale at Amazon for $49.95. This deal is available in all color options, including purple, pink, squad, white, and sand.
SEE ALSO: Grab the Sennheiser Accentum headphones for just $80 this Black FridayThis tiny speaker is not one to be underestimated, it packs a serious audio punch. The powerful driver and passive radiator give you a bigger, better, and of course, louder JBL Pro Sound. Plus, the handy clip design makes this speaker perfect for listening on the go. Simply clip it onto your backpack, belt loop, or whatever you want, and make the most of the 12-hour battery life.
It's also IP67-rated, meaning it’s both waterproof and dustproof, so it’s able to cope with outdoor adventures and beach days. Plus, with JBL’s Auracast feature, you can connect multiple JBL speakers to expand your sound for an even bigger, louder listening experience.
Head over to Amazon to grab this great deal.
The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.
With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.
So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableHere are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Wednesday, November 20, 2024:
AcrossWith 8-Across, knock-knock joke response before the punchline "Don't cry!"The answer is Boo.
The answer is Chord.
The answer is Rinse.
The answer is Eggos.
The answer is Who.
The answer is Bongo.
The answer is Orso.
The answer is Odes.
The answer is Crew.
The answer is High.
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 GamesAre 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.
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