Mashable

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

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for November 16 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 16 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: "Oh, you!"

These words are kidding you.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

Words are related to comedy.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is ThatsFunny.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for November 16

• Comic

• Witty

• Droll

• Laughable

• Amusing

• Riotous

• ThatsFunny

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

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

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

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

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for November 16's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

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

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

Tweet may have been deleted

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

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

Tweet may have been deleted

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for November 16 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Keep something out

• Green: Different kinds of caps

• Blue: Football mascots

• Purple: Go

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

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

• Yellow: Things That Prevent Leaks

• Green: Kinds of Hats

• Blue: College Football Team Members

• Purple: Go____

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 #524 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Things That Prevent Leaks: CAP, COVER, PLUG, SEAL

• Kinds of Hats: BERET, DERBY, PILLBOX, SNAPBACK

• College Football Team Members: GATOR, SOONER, VOLUNTEER, WOLVERINE

• Go____: BANANAS, COMMANDO, FIGURE, ROUGE

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for November 15

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

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

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

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

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for November 16's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for November 16 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for November 16 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A stiff brim at the front of a cap.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no reoccurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter V.

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

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

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

VISOR.

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for November 16

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

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

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

Set 10,000 years before the events of Dune, the new series Dune: Prophecy still features a lot of familiar names from Frank Herbert's original novel. House Harkonnen, House Atreides, and House Corrino all pop up in some degree.

One name that's noticeably missing? Bene Gesserit. Which might seem odd, since Dune: Prophecy centers entirely around the origins of the Bene Gesserit, known only as "the Sisterhood" in the show.

SEE ALSO: 'Dune: Prophecy': What does Tiran-Arafel mean?

However, there's a very simple reason for that. "The Sisterhood at its inception is not called the Bene Gesserit," showrunner Alison Schapker told Mashable in an interview.

That's the case in Sisterhood of Dune by Brian Herbert (Frank Herbert's son) and Kevin J. Anderson. The book follows the Sisterhood in its early stages, including its founding by Mother Superior Raquella (Cathy Tyson). Dune: Prophecy takes some liberties with its source material, including adding totally new characters. However, it also draws heavy inspiration from it, including when it comes to not using the name Bene Gesserit quite yet.

"We're using Sisterhood of Dune as a seminal text, and there it's referred to as the Sisterhood," Schapker said.

The knowledge that one day the Sisterhood will take on another name does create fascinating possibilities for Dune: Prophecy going forward, though. "There's the question of, 'Well how did this order go from being the Sisterhood to being almost rebranded as the Bene Gesserit? And why?'" Schapker said. "That's the terrain the series is going to be looking at."

Who knows, maybe the Sisterhood will get a rebrand by the time Season 1 comes to a close.

New episodes of Dune: Prophecy premiere Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max.

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 Nov. 11's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

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

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

Tweet may have been deleted

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

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

Tweet may have been deleted

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for November 16 Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow - The cards you hold

• Green - "Nice" teams

• Blue - Expect games here soon

• Purple - Soccer GOAT squads

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

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

• Yellow - Hands in Poker

• Green - Minnesota Teams

• Blue - Future Olympic Host Countries

• Purple - Teams Lionel Messi Has Played For

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 #53 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Hands in Poker: FLUSH, FULL HOUSE, PAIR, STRAIGHT

• Minnesota Teams: MINNESOTA UNITED, TWINS, VIKINGS, WILD

• Future Olympic Host Countries: AUSTRALIA, FRANCE, ITALY, UNITED STATES

• Teams Lionel Messi Has Played For: ARGENTINA, BARCELONA, INNER MIAMI, PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN 

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.

Christina Milian and Devale Ellis break down what separates Meet Me Next Christmas from other holiday films

The cast and creators of 'Dune: Prophecy' reflect on the elements that inspired them when creating the new HBO original series.

Bluesky, the X competitor that's attracted over three million followers since the U.S. presidential election, doesn't train generative AI models on user data.

In a post on Friday, Bluesky said, "we do not use any of your content to train generative AI, and have no intention of doing so." In a follow up post, it explained that it uses AI to assist in content moderation and in the Discover algorithmic feed, before adding "None of these are Gen AI systems trained on user content."

Bluesky uses AI internally to assist in content moderation, which helps us triage posts and shield human moderators from harmful content. We also use AI in the Discover algorithmic feed to serve you posts that we think you’d like. None of these are Gen AI systems trained on user content.

— Bluesky (@bsky.app) November 15, 2024 at 12:17 PM

The announcement coincided with major changes on X and an influx of new users to Bluesky. Recently X changed how its block function worked and modified its privacy policy, allowing its LLM Grok to train on user data. This, plus Elon Musk's vocal support of President Trump appears to have driven an exodus from X — an many are turning to Bluesky.

SEE ALSO: Bluesky hits #1 on the App Store as users continue to flee Elon Musk's X

Bluesky currently has over 17 million users, jumping up from 9 million users as of September. Users have grown to mistrust companies like X, Meta, and Google for using their data to train generative AI models without ways of opting out. Since Bluesky has become perceived as the less toxic version of X, the company's explicit statement about its user data policies is welcome news for users sick of their data being exploited.

That said, Bluesky doesn't currently have any generative AI features, so it's easy for the app to say it isn't training anything. As we know from X's frequent policy updates, all that could change. Bluesky's Terms of Service, which was linked in the post doesn't have any explicit mention of AI model training, so the downside is that a new clause could easily appear. In other words, never say never, but Bluesky users are safe for now.

Best early Xbox Black Friday gaming deals Best Console Deal Xbox Series X (1 TB) $449.99 (Save $50) Get Deal Best Controller Deal Xbox Wireless Controller $49.99 (Save $10) Get Deal Best Game Deal Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred (Free $5 Xbox gift card and Sound of Slaughter DLC) $29.99 (Save $10) Get Deal

Black Friday is almost upon us, and that means it's time to start keeping an eye out for all the deals floating around that you can take advantage of right now. That goes double if you're a big video game fan. The deals come fast and furious for gamers, and this year Xbox is kicking things off early. That means it's time to start seizing the early discounts you can score from the retailer right now.

We've pored over the offerings from Xbox you can land right now as well as the ones unlocking over the next couple of weeks to bring you some of our favorite picks. Whether you're in the market for a new console or you just want to scoop up a new controller, Xbox has you covered with plenty of great options that'll tide you over until the rest of the Black Friday gaming deals commence.

Best console deal Opens in a new window Credit: Xbox Xbox Series X $449.99 at Xbox
$499.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The most powerful Xbox you can get, the Xbox Series X comes packing a hefty 1TB HD so you can store more than a few games – those install sizes are getting bigger all the time. It's $50 off right now through December 2, and serves up graphics at up to 120FPS with crisp visuals and faster load times than the standard Xbox Series S. Alternatively, get the 512GB Xbox Series S for $50 off as well starting November 21 through December 2.

Best controller deal Opens in a new window Credit: Xbox Xbox Wireless Controller $49.99 at Xbox
$59.99 Save $10.00 Get Deal Why we like it

This standard Xbox wireless controller comes in just about any color you could imagine, and it boasts a hybrid D-pad, textured triggers and bumpers, and Bluetooth connectivity. You get one with your console purchase, but if you could use another, you can save $10 off one controller at Xbox starting November 21 through December 2 and December 13 through December 23, on select designs only. If you don't see one you like, head to the Xbox Design Lab to create your own and get free engraving on all controller purchases from November 28 through December 5.

Best game deal Opens in a new window Credit: Xbox Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred $49.99 at Xbox
$59.99 Save $10.00 Free $5 Xbox gift card and Sound of Slaughter bundle with purchase Get Deal Why we like it

This Diablo IV expansion is a massive addition to the core game, set in the new region of the jungle terrain Nahantu. It introduces the new Spiritborn class as well as a new endgame dungeon, additional abilities, items, and other changes. You can pick it up right now for $29.99, but Xbox has sweetened the deal considerably. If you buy now through December 2, you'll get a promotional $5 Xbox gift card and the Sound of Slaughter bundle, which adds a few cosmetic items to your coffers.

It seems Google is about to launch an email feature for users, similar to one Apple already provides via iCloud.

According to a new report from Android Authority, a new feature called Shielded Email has suddenly appeared in the Google Autofill settings menu. 

Tapping on the option currently just forwards users to an empty Google account page. However, looking into the latest Google Play Services 24.45.33 update code unveils exactly what Shielded Email will do if Google decides to officially launch it.

What is Shielded Email?

Shielded Email will provide Google users with a service similar to Apple iCloud's Hide My Email.

Basically, the feature allows users to automatically create a randomly generated email alias when they need to sign up for an email list or website. With so many online platforms requiring email addresses nowadays, users have become inundated with spam and other privacy concerns. A feature like Shielded Email lets users sign up for online services, receive and reply to emails — all without revealing their main email address.

The email aliases are also helpful in tracking exactly which signup led to a user's email address being sold to third-parties and spammers.

Apple's Hide My Email requires a paid subscription to iCloud+. It’s unclear whether Google’s Shielded Email will require a paid subscription when it eventually rolls out.

There's now a ChatGPT desktop app for Windows.

OpenAI announced the news on Thursday, sharing how ChatGPT Windows app has Advanced Voice mode, as well as its latest model o1-preview. Windows users can use the Alt + Space shortcut to invoke ChatGPT.

Users can also search the web, share screenshots and upload files and photos to the app. The desktop app is available to Windows 10 and 11 versions.

Tweet may have been deleted What's new with ChatGPT on Mac?

The ChatGPT desktop app for Macs has been out since last May, but it got some updates, too. OpenAI has added integration with developer tools like VS Code, Xcode, Terminal, and iTerm2, so users don't have to manually copy and past code into the chat. Integration with coding tools is available for ChatGPT Plus and Team users, with Enterprise and Edu access coming in the next few weeks. An OpenAI spokesperson said they plan to add access to more apps soon.

Desktop apps with third-party app integration and contextual understanding positions ChatGPT as a more useful tool to compete with Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini. To further complicate things, OpenAI's AI models underpin Copilot and OpenAI also has a partnership with Apple to bring ChatGPT integration to Macs.

Copilot and Gemini still have an edge over the standalone ChatGPT app because they’re deeply integrated into Microsoft and Google’s respective ecosystems, seamlessly connecting to software that users are already familiar with. Copilot works with Windows 10 and 11, Microsoft 365 apps, and Edge. Gemini has various levels of integration with Gmail, Docs, Chrome, and more; the Google AI tool is also housed inside the latest Chromebooks.

As the race for AI dominance barrels ahead, the next phase is shaping up to be all about agents that can perform tasks on the user's behalf. Microsoft already has customizable agents with Copilot Studio, and both Google and OpenAI are rumored to be launching their own AI agents for browsing the web and other tasks. Advancement of desktop apps creates deeper integration into users' daily lives, which might become more useful with agents capable of multi-step reasoning.

Legendary boxer Mike Tyson is set to fight Jake Paul, the influencer turned boxer, in a fight broadcasted live on Friday on Netflix.

Here's the TL;DR: The fight will air on Netflix on Friday, Nov. 15, with coverage beginning at 8 p.m. ET. The exact time of the fight, however, isn't exact because there will be four total fights on the main card, which will affect the start time of the Paul vs. Tyson bout. If you want to watch a lot of boxing, there will also be undercard fights starting at 5:30 p.m. ET.

SEE ALSO: Jake Paul is going to fight Mike Tyson. Yes, really.

The fight between Tyson and Paul is highly anticipated, if not really a true boxing match. Tyson is a legendary boxer, of course, but is also 58 years old. Paul is 27. The entire thing is more of a spectacle than a true bout, but one folks are likely to watch regardless.

There may be some actual bad blood with Tyson slapping Paul during their weigh-in this week — though playful machismo is pretty common at such events. While some boxing purists might see the fight as a spectacle more than a real bout, it will certainly be a widely viewed event.

Several Garmin smartwatch models are already on sale ahead of Black Friday:

The best Garmin smartwatch deals at a glance: BEST OVERALL Garmin Venu 3 $349.99 (save $100) Get Deal BEST DEAL UNDER $200 Garming vívoactive 5 $199.99 (save $100) Get Deal BEST RUNNING WATCH DEAL Garmin Forerunner 955 $399.99 (save $100) Get Deal BEST SPLURGE Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Solar (47mm) $549.99 (save $250) Get Deal

We're still a week away from Amazon's official Black Friday sale kickoff, but deals have been rolling in pretty steadily the whole month of November. From gaming consoles to books to smartwatches, we've been keeping our eyes peeled for early discounts. And as of Nov. 15, Garmin smartwatch deals are definitely standing out.

Whether you're heading into the holidays hoping to become more active, more mindful, or more rested, a smartwatch from Garmin can assist you in achieving our goals. While the Apple Watch may dominate the market, it's certainly not always the best option. Garmin really makes its case when it comes to health and wellness features. Plus, with these early Black Friday discounts, the prices ain't too shabby either.

Best Garmin smartwatch deal Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Venu 3 (45mm) $349.99 at Amazon
$449.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal

If you're looking for a smartwatch that checks all the boxes — smart features, health features, fitness features, and more — the Garmin Venu 3 is exactly that. It has impressive health metrics and fitness tools, in-depth recovery advice, detailed sleep data, a speaker and microphone for hands-free calls and virtual assistant communication, and a battery life that puts any Apple Watch to shame (up to two weeks). While we haven't had a chance to review the Venu 3, I personally own the original Venu from 2019 (now discontinued) and can't recommend it enough. It still outlasts the Apple Watch in battery life, and it's five years old. The 45mm Venu 3 is usually $449.99, but you can snag it on sale for just $349.99 at Amazon as of Nov. 15. That's 22% off and its lowest price on record. If you prefer a smaller case, the 41mm Venu 3S is on sale for the same price.

Best Garmin smartwatch deal under $200 Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin vívoactive 5 $199.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal

While we haven't had a chance to review the Garmin vívoactive 5, we have tested the previous model and had great things to say. As per our reviewer: "The vívoactive 4 is an excellent smartwatch for active people wanting to be more in tune with their bodies, and for less active individuals who have the desire but need a little nudging to stick to their goals." The newer model, released in 2023, boasts even more fancy features, an upgraded AMOLED display, improved heart rate sensor, upgraded sleep and stress coaching, and over 30 sports apps. It's not quite as advanced as the Venu 3, but it's also $150 cheaper. Snag it on sale at Amazon for just $199.99 as of Nov. 15. That's 33% in savings and its lowest price ever. It beats October's Prime Day price by $50.

More Garmin smartwatch deals

• Garmin Venu Sq 2 — $149.99 $249.99 (save $100)

• Garmin Lily 2 — $249.99 $299.99 (save $50)

• Garmin Venu 3S (41mm) — $349.99 $449.99 (save $100)

• Garmin Forerunner 955 — $399.99 $499.99 (save $100)

• Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Solar (47mm) — $549.99 $799.99 (save $250)

Early Black Friday SSD deals Best Xbox SSD deal Seagate 2TB Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S $199.99 (save $160) Get Deal Best PlayStation SSD deal WD_BLACK 2TB SN850P Internal SSD for PlayStation 5 $179.99 (save $50) Get Deal

Nobody likes playing the "storage shuffle." You know, the dreadful game we have to play when we run out of space on our consoles for new games, so we have to carefully select which ones to delete to make room? Talk about killing your darlings. Luckily, there's a fix for that problem, and it's an SSD — either internal or external.

SEE ALSO: The 50+ best gifts for gamers that they won't already have

These SSD storage expanders are maintaining a big presence in the days leading up to Black Friday 2024, with many of them sitting at deep discounts at the time of this writing. SSDs aren't cheap, and you'll probably need to buy one eventually anyway, so getting one at a price cut is usually your best bet.

Below, take a look at the best SSD deals we could find ahead of Black Friday.

Best Xbox SSD deal Opens in a new window Credit: Seagate Seagate 2TB Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S $199.99 at Best Buy
$359.99 Save $160.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Xbox owners, installing one of Seagate's SSD expansion cards is one simplest things you can do to enhance your gaming experience, and ahead of Black Friday, you can get a two-terabyte version for just $199.99. Now, that's still not cheap, but it's a whole $160 off the original price, so to us, it's a steal.

Best PlayStation SSD deal Opens in a new window Credit: Western Digital WD_BLACK 2TB SN850P Internal SSD for PlayStation 5 $179.99 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Installing an internal SSD in your PlayStation 5 is a bit more of a complicated process compared to other consoles, but it's absolutely worth the effort. Western Digital makes some of the best PS5 SSDs on the market, and their flagship model is $50 off leading up to Black Friday. You'll probably need one eventually, so pick one up while it's discounted.

More early Black Friday SSD deals

• Samsung 990 EVO Internal SSD (1TB) — $69.99 $149.99 (save $80)

• Corsair MP600 Pro LPX Internal SSD (1TB) — $79.99 $109.99 (save $30)

• SanDisk Portable SSD (1TB) — $89.95 $99.99 (save $10.04)

• Samsung 980 Pro Internal SSD (1TB) — $89.99 $164.99 (save $75)

• Seagate Game Drive Internal SSD for PS5 (1TB) — $99 $134.99 (save $35.99)

• Western Digital P40 Game Drive External SSD (1TB) — $119.99 $139.99 (save $20)

• WD_BLACK SN850X Internal SSD (2TB) — $139.99 $189.99 (save $50)

• Seagate FireCuda 530R Internal SSD with Heatsink for PS5 (2TB) — $139.99 $244.99 (save $105)

• WD_BLACK SN850X Internal SSD (2TB) — $139.99 $189.99 (save $50)

• Seagate Game Drive Internal SSD with Heatsink for PS5 (2TB) — $159.99 $259.99 (save $100)

• Samsung 980 Pro Internal SSD (2TB) — $169.99 $206.55 (save $36.56)

• Samsung T7 Shield Portable SSD (2TB) — $169.99 $284.99 (save $115)

• Corsair MP600 Pro Internal SSD with Heatsink for PS5 (2TB) — $169.99 $209.99 (save $40)

• Samsung 990 Pro Internal SSD with Heatsink for PS5 (2TB) — $179.99 $264.99 (save $85)

• Samsung T9 Portable SSD (4TB) — $292.52 $549.99 (save $257.47)

• SanDisk Extreme Pro External SSD (4TB) — $309.99 $477.99 (save $168)

"I feel like I'm a background character in someone else's story."

So goes the internal monologue of Interior Chinatown protagonist Willis Wu (Jimmy O. Yang), who works as a waiter in Chinatown. While Willis' musings about his role in life could just be the result of aimless angst, they are actually 100-percent true.

SEE ALSO: Should you sign up for Hulu? Our film critics weigh in.

That's because this Chinatown is not what it seems. It's part of the fictional town of Port Harbour, which is the setting of the cop show Black & White. Willis and everyone around him in Chinatown are simply bit players in a larger story. They just don't know it.

That tension between Willis' reality and the reality of Black & White drives Interior Chinatown, which showrunner Charles Yu adapts from his National Book Award-winning novel of the same name. Like the novel, Interior Chinatown dissects Asian representation in media, focusing on tropes and archetypes that often relegate Asian stories to the background. The result, which often takes the form of a spot-on pastiche of police procedurals, is one of the most ambitious, meta shows of the year.

What's Interior Chinatown about? Jimmy O. Yang and Chloe Bennet in "Interior Chinatown." Credit: Disney / Mike Taing

Unknowingly trapped within a police procedural, Willis is a devotee of cop shows himself. But he never thought he could be the hero of one. The way he sees it, someone who looks like him is usually a waiter, a witness, or a victim. Very rarely is a Chinatown resident a winner — unless they're his older brother (Chris Pang), whose skills as "Kung Fu Guy" earned him heroic renown. At least, until his disappearance, which remains unsolved.

But when Wilson witnesses a crime himself, he finds himself inching closer and closer to that coveted hero status. He'll join forces with the eternally cool Detective Lana Lee (Chloe Bennet) in order to solve the crime, only to realize something much larger and stranger is going on in Chinatown — and it may all link back to his brother.

SEE ALSO: 'Bad Sisters' Season 2 review: Is it still gripping now the main mystery's solved? Interior Chinatown offers up killer style and substance. Ronny Chieng and Jimmy O. Yang in "Interior Chinatown." Credit: Disney / Mike Taing

Given that it lifts its name from the formatting of screenplay scene headings, it's a given that Interior Chinatown (or Int. Chinatown) takes a deeply meta approach to media. Its fake intro sequence for Black & White — centered on Black detective Turner (Sullivan Jones) and white detective Green (Lisa Gilroy) — is a nearly one-to-one riff on Law & Order SVU. Scenes involving Turner and Green are bathed in a piercing blue light to denote we're in an episode of Black & White. As soon as they head out, Interior Chinatown reverts to a warmer look.

The ever-changing cinematography — which bears shades of other genre-switching shows like The Afterparty and Kevin Can F**k Himself — isn't the only way Interior Chinatown signals which storytelling mode we're in. Willis tends to be front and center when Turner and Green aren't in the picture. But as soon as they pop up, they become the focus. Willis is either pushed far to the back or rendered completely invisible. Turner and Green will have full discussions while Willis is next to them, all without noticing him once.

SEE ALSO: 'Dune: Prophecy' review: The Bene Gesserit shine in this sci-fi showstopper

Here, and throughout the show, Yu gestures to the ways in which Asian stories are flattened or pushed aside in American media and real life. Willis has to fight his way into the narrative of Black & White after the doors to the police precinct mysteriously shut him — and only him — out. The only way in is to assume stereotypical roles, going from "Generic Asian Man" to "Delivery Man" to "Tech Guy." To live in Black & White's Chinatown is to be an archetype. Embody the "right" one and you may find yourself assimilating.

Willis isn't the only person in Interior Chinatown to struggle with the roles they've been conditioned to inhabit. As the only Asian American detective on the police force, Lana is tokenized as the "Chinatown expert," even though she knows very little about the neighborhood. Willis' friend and fellow waiter Fatty Choi (Ronny Chieng) learns that his anger at white customers can be commodified and celebrated as authenticity by those same customers. Meanwhile, Willis' mother Lily (Diana Lin) hopes to accomplish her dreams of becoming a successful real estate agent, even though everyone around her is doubtful.

In the first five episodes sent to critics, these latter two subplots occasionally threaten to bloat Interior Chinatown and drag focus away from its central mysteries. However, they also do the very opposite of what Black & White does, which is create space for its Asian side characters as more than just props.

Interior Chinatown is a blast. Jimmy O. Yang in "Interior Chinatown." Credit: Disney / Mike Taing

That audiences already know the "twist" of Interior Chinatown — that it's all in a TV show — doesn't detract from the show's wild ride. The characters aren't aware that their reality is a curated fantasy, so watching them try to put the pieces together adds an extra layer of fun. Plus, there are more mysteries for the audience to unravel, like what happened to Willis' brother, and what's going on with the mysterious street gang known as the Painted Faces.

Interior Chinatown also finds plenty of fun in satirizing cop shows and the TV landscape at large. Everything from corny detective one-liners to extras' background movements (why are they always moving boxes?) gets sent up.

Between these parodies and its musings on identity, Interior Chinatown already proves that it's a sharply constructed show with a lot to say. But with the help of its dizzying genre switch-ups and some dynamic direction from episode directors like Taika Waititi, Alice Wu (The Half of It), and more, the show jumps into the realm of fearlessly unique, making a place all for itself.

All episodes of Interior Chinatown premiere Nov. 19 on Hulu.

On Nov. 1, 2024, Amazon launched a Virtual Holiday Shop, a virtual showroom where Amazon shoppers can browse some of the retailer’s best gifts, decorations, and other festive items.

SEE ALSO: 60+ of the absolute best stocking stuffers for 2024

Here’s more info on what Amazon's Virtual Holiday Shop offers and how it can help you check off your holiday shopping list.

What is the Amazon Virtual Holiday Shop?

The Amazon Virtual Holiday Shop is a digital showroom that uses 3D technology to make you feel like you’re in a real store. (It’s giving Macy’s of Herald Square circa 2015 vibes.)

When the page opens, you’ll hear cheerful music and see virtual displays of the latest holiday products and gift ideas, each separated by category (e.g., beauty, tech, etc.).

How does it work?

To actually shop the virtual showroom, move your mouse or use your touchscreen to go from section to section. You can click on individual items to see more details and add them to your cart as you browse.

SEE ALSO: Gift a virtual winter wonderland — no shoveling required

“We're always innovating to enhance the shopping experience and empower customers to discover products in easy and fun ways," Carmen Nestares Pleguezuelo, vice president of North America Marketing & Prime Tech, said in a press release. "With the Virtual Holiday Shop, we are excited to transport shoppers into a new immersive experience where they can browse over 300 of the most coveted gifts and toys of the season."

What can you find in the Virtual Holiday Shop?

Amazon’s Virtual Holiday Shop features the retailer’s Top 100 Holiday Gifts, including electronics, toys, home goods, and more.

While most items are still at full price, there are a few deals amongst the glitter and pizzaz.

Here’s a short list of what’s on sale as of Nov. 15:

• Dash Mini Waffle Maker (DMWP001OR) — $11.99 $14.99 (save $3)

• Roku Express — $19.99 $29.99 (save $10)

• Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K — $21.99 $49.99 (save $28)

• Solo Stove Mesa XL Tabletop Fire Pit — $89.99 $99.99 (save $10)

• Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ — $99 $129 (save $30)

• Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) — $189 $249 (save $60)

• bev by BLACK+DECKER Cocktail Maker Machine — $239.99 $299.99 (save $30)

• Oura Ring Gen3 Horizon — $449 $499 (save $50)

There’s also a Virtual Toy Shop

The Virtual Toy Shop is separate from the Amazon Virtual Holiday Shop but is accessible through the same landing page (just look for the waving owl).

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

Here, you’ll find a wide selection of gift ideas from Lego, Disney, and other top toy brands. If you’re looking for something specific, you can visit other brand-specific showrooms. For example, the Lego Virtual Showroom displays the latest Lego sets and gift ideas.

The company says it’ll be updating the Amazon Virtual Holiday Shop regularly throughout the holiday season, so be sure to check back often for new deals and gift ideas. We’ll also be covering new deals and product launches on the page.

Apple upgraded the newest MacBook Pro's display without telling anyone.

That's according to prominent display analyst Ross Young, anyway. Young took to X on Thursday to point out that Apple has adopted a "quantum dot" display for the M4 MacBook Pro.

The hardcore technical details are that Apple replaced the red KSF phosphor film it had used on previous MacBook displays with quantum dot film. But Young's post also makes it clear, in layman's terms, what this means for you, the user.

SEE ALSO: Apple Intelligence on Mac: 5 AI-powered features you can test right now Tweet may have been deleted What is a 'quantum dot' display?

As Young put it, quantum dot technology gives Apple equal — or perhaps even better — color output than the old method, as well as more responsive motion performance.

Young highlighted that the latest quantum dot films are not only highly efficient—they’re also cadmium-free. Apple had previously been wary of going to quantum dot displays because they used cadmium, which is a carcinogen, according to the World Health Organization.

These aren't massive upgrades, but they are noteworthy enough that it's odd that Apple chose not to market this change at all. One way to think about it, perhaps, is that you got even more than what you paid for.

UPDATE: Nov. 15, 2024, 11:45 a.m. EST In less than 10 minutes after dropping at 11 a.m. ET, the Ninja Slushi has already sold out at Best Buy. If it happens to get a restock at Best Buy or anywhere else, we'll let you know.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Slushi $299.99 at Best Buy
Shop Now

Finally, some good news: The Ninja Slushi is back in stock.

Technically, this "restock" is the Best Buy Drop of the day for Friday, Nov. 15. Best Buy Drops is a tab in the Best Buy mobile app that features a running list of items dropping that week, which are often high-profile items at record-low sale prices or, in this case, a restock of a high-profile item that's hard to get your hands on.

Once a Drop goes live (this is always at 11 a.m. ET), a status bar will pop up above the item to show how much inventory has been claimed — indicating how quickly you need to make your move. (Once the inventory for that Drop has all been claimed, it's gone.) Given the number of times the Ninja Slushi has sold out since it came out in July, it wouldn't be surprising for the Slushi stock at Best Buy will dwindle within an hour or two.

And coming from someone who has been using the Slushi on a regular basis since the summer, I'm here to let you know that you won't regret taking advantage of this Drop and having Slushi opportunities at your fingertips whenever you want.

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

Hear me out: Little treats are more crucial than ever in Times Like These (whatever that means to you). But as we know all too well, the whole "it gets dark at 5 p.m. now" thing makes leaving the house the last thing on Earth that we want to do, even if a fun drink or milkshake is waiting on the other side.

The Ninja Slushi is literally a little treat machine, and the mere variety of its menu is the thing I love most about it. The five settings on the Ninja Slushi are slush, spiked slush, frappé, milkshake, and frozen juice, so the possibilities are pretty endless. You can whip up a frozen version of the orange juice you drink every morning or the protein drink you have after your workouts, recreate a fancy drink you got on vacation that one time, bring to life a collection of ingredients that you think would go well together, or literally just pour in soda and make a Coke slushie. The Slushi takes around an hour to take stuff from liquid to frozen, but it can then keep your mix at that consistency for several hours afterward.

SEE ALSO: TikTok is in love with the Ninja Creami, but am I?

Yes, you can pour soda, juice, or wine directly into the Slushi with no other ingredients. The fine print there is that sugar is the main fuel that makes the Slushi slush — so slushing a diet soda or seltzer with no sugar requires having simple syrup or agave on hand. No, the Slushi can't make ice cream exactly like the Ninja Creami, though the milkshake setting is kind of close. Compared to the Creami that is sitting right beside the Slushi on my counter, the Slushi is much quieter and requires much less prep work.

Admittedly, my Slushi usage slowed down for a hot second after prime frozen margarita weather waned off — but usage picked right back up when all of the chilly weather cozy concoction recipes started flowing. Most recently, my friend and I made frozen apple cider mimosas, and next up is a sugar cookie martini. Most frozen dessert-like recipes are pretty much possible with the Ninja Creami, so if you'd rather grab that than wait for another Slushi restock, it's on sale at Best Buy for $219.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Creami Deluxe $219.99 at Best Buy
$249.99 Save $30.00 Get Deal

'Cobra Kai' creators Jon Hurwitz Josh Heald and Hayden Schlossberg break down the arcs of Johnny, Kreese and Tory heading into the 2nd installment of the hit series' final season.

There's definitely something to be said for the crisp handheld control of a powerful cordless Dyson. But if you're not one to classify cleaning as cathartic, why not outsource that tedious task to one of the best robot vacuums?

Are Roombas the best robot vacuums?

Though Roombas are really good robot vacuums, they aren't the only good robot vacuums.

iRobot dominated the robot vacuum realm from the early 2000s up until a few years ago, so it's no surprise that much of the general public forgets that "Roomba" isn't simply a generic term for any robotic vacuum.

But Roombas officially aren't in a league of their own anymore: You can't even Google "Roomba" without a question involving Shark robot vacuums popping up, and other brands like Roborock and Eufy have entered the chat with a fury. And I'm here to put some respect on their names.

SEE ALSO: As a Dyson stan, I wouldn't tell anyone to buy the Dyson 360 Vis Nav robot vacuum

I'm regularly testing the top robot vacuums at multiple price points and comparing them to top performers from previous years, with all of my evaluations taking place in my own home on various rugs, tile, and hardwood floors. During the testing of each robot vacuum, I keep notes on how they stack up based on criteria like overall suction power and scrubbing efficiency (if that robot vacuum is one that also mops, which is seen more often than not nowadays), self-maintenance features like self-emptying or self-washing and -drying mopping pads, smart mapping to specific rooms and navigation around obstacles, and the overall experience of having that robot vacuum live in my home.

Do robot vacuums go on sale for Black Friday?

Big time. If you're strict about not dropping more than a few hundred dollars on a robot vacuum, your chances of buying a nicer model without going over budget just went up. Alternatively, if you're heavily considering taking the plunge on a fancy, expensive model (like the self-cleaning ones mentioned above), grabbing it on sale during the Black Friday season will make you feel a bit better about your splurge.

As a staple category of any Amazon sale event, you can expect every major robot vacuum brand to throw in some serious Black Friday deals. We wouldn't be surprised if the more premium models in our list beat their own record-low pricing from October Prime Day. I'm tracking all of those Black Friday robot vacuum deals and will give a special heads up if any hit a new all-time low sale price throughout Cyber Week. (Note: The price listed for each of the robot vacuums below is their MSRP, not their sale price — so don't be surprised to see several hundred dollars shaved off once you click on the product.)

With so many options on sale, though, your decision fatigue may be worse than it was outside of sale season. I've narrowed down your shopping list to five top options, all of which I've put to the test in my own home. Here are the best robot vacuums for every home and budget in 2024: