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Updated: 14 min 35 sec ago

How to watch Western Michigan vs. Kennesaw State online for free

Fri, 12/19/2025 - 05:00
Want to watch college football this season? Here are your best options: BEST FOR ESPN ESPN Unlimited $29.99 per month for 1 year (save $15) Shop Now Best for Fox and Big Ten Fox One 7-day free trial, then $199.99 per year (save $39.89) Shop Now BEST FOR SINGLE GAME FuboTV 7-day free trial, then $54.99/month for 1 month (save $30) Get Deal Best for channels Hulu + Live TV 3-day free trial, then $76.99/month Shop Now Best for affordability Sling Season Pass $329 for 5 months (save $50.95) Shop Now BEST for INTRODUCTORY OFFER YouTube TV 5-day free trial, then $49.99/month for 3 months (save $99) Shop Now

The Myrtle Beach Bowl is a relatively recent addition to the college football postseason, first established in 2020. But it's no less prestigious to either the Western Michigan Broncos or Kennesaw State Owls.

The Broncos have won just two bowl games in their history, the last coming in 2021, while the Owls have never competed in a bowl game until now.

It should be a tough contest. Both teams are their respective conference champion, with Western Michigan winning MAC with 9-4 and Kennesaw State winning Conference USA with 10-3. It's fair to say both programs are on a hot streak and will give it everything they've got in this bowl showdown.

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If you want to watch Western Michigan vs. Kennesaw State for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.

When is Western Michigan vs. Kennesaw State?

Western Michigan vs. Kennesaw State takes place at 11 a.m. ET on Dec. 19. This game takes place at Brooks Stadium in Conway, South Carolina.

Western Michigan vs. Kennesaw State is broadcast on ESPN.

How to watch college football in 2025/26

Fans can live stream college football on a wide range of recommended services, some of which include free trials so you can follow the action without actually spending anything.

ESPN Unlimited (no free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: ESPN ESPN Unlimited $29.99 per month for 1 year Shop Now

Channels: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPN on ABC, ESPN+, ESPN3, SECN+, and ACCNX

ESPN Unlimited provides access to everything that ESPN has to offer. For college football, you get live access to games on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+, SEC Network, SECN+, ACC Network, and ABC. The Unlimited plan will set you back $29.99 per month, but for the first year, new subscribers can secure a bundle with Disney+ and Hulu for the same price.

Fox One (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Fox One Fox One 7-day free trial, then $199.99 per year Shop Now

Channels: Fox, FS1, FS2, Big Ten Network

Fox One provides access to live broadcasts on Fox, Fox Sports, FS1, FS2, and Big Ten Network. It costs $19.99 per month, but you can save $40 by opting for the annual plan at $199.99. You can also start with a seven-day free trial, so you've got the chance to watch select games without spending anything.

FuboTV (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV 7-day free trial, then $54.99/month for 1 month Shop Now

Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, Fox, FS1, FS2, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NBCSN, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network, and The CW

FuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and provides the opportunity to watch on 10 screens at once, if that's your thing. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period. 

Fubo takes sports seriously, and that's something we appreciate. With the Pro subscription, you get access to most college football broadcasts. But hardcore fans may want to consider upgrading to the Elite plan, which unlocks access to ESPNU, SEC Network, Pac-12 Network, and ACC Network. Either way, we suggest you test the waters for seven days before you make any sort of commitment.

Hulu + Live TV (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu + Live TV 3-day free trial, then $76.99/month Shop Now

Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, ESPN U, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, and The CW

Hulu + Live TV is not exactly cheap, but it does offer good bang for your buck. You need to cough up $76.99 per month (after a three-day trial), but you get access to over 95 live TV channels, plus Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ (all with ads). The included access to ESPN+ provides bonus access to even more college football games on top of live TV networks like ABC, FOX, ESPN, The CW, ACC Network, and more. Now that's value.

Sling (no free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Season Pass $329 for 5 months Shop Now

Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN 3, ESPNews, ESPN U, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network

Sling is a comprehensive sporting service that offers a whole host of benefits, but you do need to be careful when selecting a plan. The Orange and Blue packages give you access to FOX, NBC, ABC, ESPN, and more in local markets, but for access to ACC Network, SEC Network, Big Ten Network, and more, you'll need the Sports Extra package. We recommend checking your local market to ensure you get access to the channels you actually need.

YouTube TV (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV 7-day free trial, then $49.99/month for your first 3 months Shop Now

Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, NBCSN, SEC Network, and The CW

YouTube TV provides access to over 100 live channels. Newsflash: that's a lot. This huge list includes most of the channels you actually need to watch live college football, including NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, and ESPN, plus networks like FS1 and SEC Network. YouTube TV also offers that all-important free trial so you can watch select games without spending anything.

How to watch Western Michigan vs. Kennesaw State from anywhere in the world

If you're abroad for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to unblock your favorite streaming service. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the U.S., meaning you can unblock live streams of college football from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Western Michigan vs. Kennesaw State from anywhere in the world by following these simple steps:

  1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

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

  4. Sign in to your favorite streaming service

  5. Watch Western Michigan vs. Kennesaw State from anywhere in the world

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries including the U.S.

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

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

  • Fast connection speeds free from throttling

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

Learn to think like a hacker with ethical hacking courses, now less than $3 each

Fri, 12/19/2025 - 05:00

TL;DR: The All-in-One Super-Sized Ethical Hacking Bundle safely teaches you how the hackers do it, and right now it’s just $39.97 (reg. $1,098) through Dec. 21.

Opens in a new window Credit: StackSocial The All-in-One Super-Sized Ethical Hacking Bundle $39.97
$1,098 Save $1,058.03   Get Deal

Ever wondered how a hacker does it? If you’ve ever been curious and wanted to try your hand at hacking, the All-in-One Super-Sized Ethical Hacking Bundle can help.

This course bundle includes 18 info-packed courses ready to turn you into an ethical hacker, and right now they’re all yours for just $39.97 (reg. $1,098) — less than $3 each — through Dec. 21.

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Want to get inside the brain of a hacker? There is now an online course bundle geared toward showing you how they work. These skills are important for those hoping to get into the cybersecurity field, or for those who are simply curious about the process.

Learn the ins and outs of hacking with these 18 courses packed with over 130 hours of instruction. They include hands-on labs and are great even for total beginners with no cybersecurity background.

Start with a course like Complete Python 3 Ethical Hacking Course: Zero to Mastery. Aleksa Tamburkovski, a penetration tester with over five years’ experience, teaches this eight hour course, where you learn to exploit Windows machines and build an email scraper, among other things. Then learn from Android app developer Amit Huddar as he teaches the Ethical Hacker Certification Course, a seven hour course that shows you how to hack Windows, Linux, Android, and other operating systems.

Once you’ve learned a thing or two about hacking, you can move on to more advanced classes like Hacking Wireless Networks: Theory and Practice. This course, taught by IT Security Academy, and shows you how to prepare your own training environment to practice ethical hacking.

Get the All-in-One Super-Sized Ethical Hacking Bundle for just $39.97 (reg. $1,098) — less than $3 each — through Dec. 21.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Score the Apple Watch Series 11 for its best-ever price at Amazon — save $100 right now

Fri, 12/19/2025 - 04:59

SAVE $100: As of Dec. 19, select colors of the Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) have dropped back to their lowest-ever price of $299 at Amazon. This is a 25% discount that saves you $100.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 11 $299 at Amazon
$399 Save $100   Get Deal

The Apple Watch Series 11 is a smartwatch we consider to be the best Apple upgrade right now. If you've been looking to grab one ahead of the holidays, Amazon has a special seasonal surprise. Select colors of the Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) have returned to their lowest-ever price of $299 at the retailer.

This is a 25% discount that saves you $100 overall. This deal only applies to a couple of different color options, so you can save on the silver aluminum case with a purple fog sport band or the rose gold aluminum case with a light blush sport band. Whichever option you choose will arrive before Christmas, which is good news for last-minute shoppers.

SEE ALSO: The 65 best tech gifts of the year, hand-picked by professional gadget nerds

As mentioned earlier, the Apple Watch Series 11 is one of our top smartwatches of 2025, earning a spot in the roundup as the best Apple upgrade. Our review from Mashable's Stan Schroeder said it, "isn't all that different from last year's model, but it has a significantly longer battery life, and that's a huge deal."

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According to Schroeder, "After nearly a full week of use, I can say that the Apple Watch Series 11 is easily a one-and-a-half-day smartwatch now, and it's possible to extend that to a full weekend if you carefully use Low Power mode." Alongside a hefty battery to keep you going, this smartwatch also boasts a variety of health and fitness features, including hypertension notifications and a Sleep Score.

Now is a great time to grab the Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm) as a gift ahead of the holidays, so act fast to save. Alternatively, if you're looking for other gift ideas, check out our roundup of the 60+ best Christmas gifts for 2025.

NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for December 19, 2025

Fri, 12/19/2025 - 04:55

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 Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Friday, Dec. 19, 2025:

AcrossMelted marshmallow, e.g.
  • The answer is Goo.

Misleading poker bet
  • The answer is Bluff.

New Hampshire's is "Live Free or Die"
  • The answer is Motto.

Something stored in the cloud?
  • The answer is Water.

Shade akin to khaki
  • The answer is Tan.

DownExhibit poor sportsmanship, in a way
  • The answer is Gloat

"Get ___ town!"
  • The answer is Outta.

Much of the time
  • The answer is Often.

High-end German automaker
  • The answer is BMW.

The "F" of FWIW
  • The answer is For.

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

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

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

Rhea Seehorn reacts to that big Pluribus kiss: There is some willful delusion

Fri, 12/19/2025 - 03:00

Pluribus fans, it's official: Just as the Winds of Wycaro's duneship Mercator glides over Wycaro's slipsand, so too has the Carol (Rhea Seehorn) and Zosia (Karolina Wydra) ship set sail.

SEE ALSO: Apple TV announces a huge 'Pluribus' milestone in the most 'Pluribus' way

In episode 8, titled "Charm Offensive," Carol shares a passionate kiss with Zosia. Technically, this means she's also kissing the other 7 billion members of the Pluribus hive mind. If that makes your head hurt, same! But that's the point. Even though the kiss is full of desperate desire, it also comes with a lot of baggage for Carol.

"I think it's super, super complex," Seehorn told Mashable about Carol's mindset during the kiss. "There is some willful delusion. There are some coping mechanisms going on. She's so fragile."

While shooting the scene, episode director Melissa Bernstein and Pluribus showrunner Vince Gilligan reminded Seehorn of the impact the Others' departure from Albuquerque had on her. From episodes 5 through 7, she was almost completely alone, save for some wild coyotes and a brief chat about cannibalism with Mr. Diabaté (Samba Schutte).

"She was really broken by this isolation period that she went through, and not just because of how long she was alone, but [because of] the horrible existential crisis of thinking, 'This will be forever. This will be the rest of your life,'" Seehorn explained.

SEE ALSO: The 10 best TV shows of 2025, and where to stream them now

When confronted with the reality of nonstop isolation, of course the Others and their relentless need to make Carol happy would seem like a soothing balm. That need is on full display in "Charm Offensive," which sees Carol and Zosia playing croquet, getting a couple's massage, and going on a hike together, where they observe a passing train. When Carol reveals she loves the sound of train horns, Zosia uses the hive mind to tell the train conductor to honk the horn at that very moment. If you forget the alien virus of it all, you'd think it was a romantic gesture! The same goes for the Others' reconstruction of Carol's favorite diner, which allows her to relive her best day as a writer.

But even with all the Others' courtship, make no mistake: Carol is still aware that the Others are pulling her strings, even if it's coming from a place of care. (Lest we forget, they chose Zosia as Carol's "chaperone" because her physical similarities to Wycaro's romantic hero Raban would make her seem more desirable.)

"Even the diner scene, she's still aware this is manipulative, but it is also an incredible act of kindness," Seehorn said. "What they do with that diner is one of the first times you see Carol admit to having a joyful memory where she was actually present instead of fault-finding all the time. She's saying what was great about it instead of what was bad about it, and then she's struck by, 'Wait a minute, is this all just for a certain objective?'"

For the actual kissing scene, Seehorn noted that, "Karolina also has the very challenging side of it to play. Are [the Others] being manipulative? Why are they kissing Carol? Are their feelings real? Are they able to disentangle those two things from each other?"

Wydra relished that ambiguity, hoping audiences experience a tug-of-war about whether they should root for Carol and Zosia's romance.

"I want people to think, 'Wait a second, is Zosia finally moving away from the collective, and you start to see her individuality, and she's truly falling for Carol? Are these feelings mutual and they're both having this experience at the same time?'" Wydra told Mashable in a separate video interview. "Or is it that the collective has all the memories of [Carol's late wife] Helen, and they know what Carol likes and what will tickle her and get her excited? The kind of banter that I have with her, it that genuinely what Zosia's personality is, or is it the collective wanting to do anything to make Carol happy?"

The need to make Carol happy resulted in a key decision for the kiss scene: that of who would initiate the kiss.

"By the time we did the kiss, we played with who's leaning into whom," Seehorn said. "In the end, they had Zosia lean towards me, partially because she can see the pain and the desperation that Carol feels, and how alone she feels. Whether or not it's also manipulative, that's definitely open to interpretation for the audience."

Pluribus is now streaming on Apple TV. The Season 1 finale airs Dec. 26.

Keith Lee is TikToks Creator of the Year at the 2025 TikTok Awards

Fri, 12/19/2025 - 00:27

Social media personality and food critic Keith Lee took home the highest honor of the 2025 TikTok Awards after he was named Creator of the Year at the inaugural ceremony.

Lee, a popular food reviewer who highlights small businesses, was visibly choked up in his acceptance speech after being handed the award by presenter Paris Hilton.

"When people say they didn’t think they were going to win, that’s not an understatement," Lee said. "I never in a million years thought I would be standing on this stage."

The former MMA fighter spoke about TikTok changing his life — imbuing him with a confidence he previously didn't possess.

"I couldn’t talk. I couldn't be in rooms with people. I doubted myself. I still doubt myself to this day," Lee said. "TikTok allows people to spotlight the underdog."

The TikTok award show showcased a diverse range of creators, including beauty influencers, musicians, and more. You can check out all the details on Mashable's live blog of the event. We also have a list of all the winners, including Lee.

Who is Keith Lee?

Lee is perhaps the preeminent food reviewer online. His influence in that world earned him a spot on Mashable's list of the 101 most influential creators of 2025. In our profile, we wrote that he "has the power to single-handedly save a business with a positive food review — and he's done it."

With over 17 million followers on TikTok, Lee's reach is massive.

Lee became known for a trademark delivery style, which is a mix of deadpan and staccato. It's instantly recognizable when Lee delivers his catchphrase, "I got it, let’s try it, and rate it 1-10." His brother, Kevin Lee, a professional MMA fighter, occasionally appears in his videos.

Lee also clearly cares about food and the people who make it. He's made it a point to highlight the places that maybe get overlooked. As a part of the award, TikTok announced it would donate $50,000 to Feeding America in Lee's honor, which feels like a fitting tribute.

Hurdle hints and answers for December 19, 2025

Fri, 12/19/2025 - 00:00

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

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

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

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

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

Perky.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

PLUMP

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Useful.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 19, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

NIFTY

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A grey-haired animal native to Australia.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 19 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 19, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

KOALA

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Found in a cemetery.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for December 19 Hurdle Word 4 answer

GRAVE

Final Hurdle hint

Rock.

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

SHALE

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

Moon phase today: What the moon will look like on December 19

Fri, 12/19/2025 - 00:00

In the U.S., the New Moon occurs tonight, Dec. 19, when the Moon is nearly invisible in the night sky, ending the waning crescent phase and beginning a new lunar cycle. However, in other parts of the world, depending on time zone, the New Moon may fall on Dec. 20.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Friday, Dec. 19, the moon phase is New Moon (if you're in the U.S). This means 0% of the moon is lit up tonight, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Jan. 3. The last full moon was on Dec. 4.

What are moon phases?

According to NASA, the Moon takes around 29.5 days to complete one full cycle. During this time, it passes through a series of phases as it orbits Earth. Although the same side of the Moon always faces us, the amount of sunlight reflecting off its surface changes, which is why it can appear fully illuminated, partly lit, or completely invisible at different points in the cycle. This process is divided into eight main lunar phases:

New Moon - The moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

TikTok Awards 2025: Full list of winners, updated live

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 22:12

The inaugural TikTok Awards became a reality on Thursday, Dec. 18 — passing out hardware to the most important folks on the incredibly popular platform.

Mashable's covering the event in-depth — we're on the red carpet and inside the venue — eagerly awaiting to see who took home trophies. The biggest award is, of course, Creator of the Year, with huge names like Alix Earle and Keith Lee up for the honors.

We're tracking the winners of the major awards and will update our list live. Check in as the night plays out!

Creator of the Year

Nominees

Video of the Year

Nominees:

Rising Star of the Year

Nominees:

Breakthrough Artist of the Year

Nominees:

Storyteller of the Year

Nominees:

Muse of the Year

Nominees:

TikTok for Good Award

Nominees:

My Show is On Award [Film & TV]

Nominees:

MVP of the Year [Sports]

Nominees:

Okay Slay Award [Fashion/Beauty]

Nominees:

I Was Today Years Old Award [Learning]

Nominees:

Immediately Added To Cart Award (presented by TikTok Shop)

Nominees:

CapCut Creator of the Year

Nominees:

TikTok LIVE Creator of the Year

Nominees:

This story is developing and will be updated as necessary...

TikTok Awards 2025 live: Stream the show now

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 22:11

The 2025 TikTok Awards are getting under way Thursday night. The social platform is set to honor its biggest creators for the time in the U.S.

Don't worry: Mashable is covering everything you need to know. We've got staff inside the venue, and we're updating our live blog with all the latest details all night long. We're also looking at the fashion and fun moments as the night plays out.

If you want to tune in yourself, however, it's really easy.

How to watch the 2025 TikTok Awards live

The awards will, of course, stream live on TikTok, over on its own page. You can also tune in for free on Tubi.

You can expect to see some of your favorite creators as well as a performance from Ciara. But you'll have to watch to see all the surprises.

TikTok Awards fashion : Sexy, glam, and a little weird

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 22:02

The first-ever U.S. TikTok Awards are happening right now in Los Angeles, but the pink carpet has already provided plenty of entertainment.

A vast array of creators, from Tefi Pessoa to Markell Washington to Trixie Mattel, strutted down a pink carpet at the Hollywood Palladium on Thursday night. It's all part of the TikTok Awards, which will honor the site's top creators.

Check out Mashable's live blog on the awards, find out how to watch, and peruse some of the amazing looks below.

Tefi Pessoa stuns on the TikTok red carpet. Credit: Amy Sussman / Getty Markell Washington was one of the best dressed man at the awards. Credit: Amy Sussman / Getty Mr. Fantasy hams it up. Credit: Kevin Mazur / Getty Ashby Florence wearing Marc Bouwer at the TikTok Awards. Credit: Phillip Faraone/ Getty Julian Sewell cannot wait for the Oscar nominations. Credit: Amy Sussman / Getty Bob goes androgynous on the red carpet. Credit: Amy Sussman / Getty Jools, demure as always. Credit: Phillip Faraone / Getty Landon Barker and Skyler Sanders kill it in black. Credit: Kevin Mazur / Getty Queer Eye star Tan France rocks a deep purple suit. Credit: Phillip Faraone / Getty Reimi was a natural on the red carpet with her S&M-inspired 'fit. Credit: Amy Sussman / Getty Stephanie Valentine channel old school Hollywood. Credit: Amy Sussman / Getty

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 19, 2025

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 22:00

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you know a lot about ships.

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

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

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

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

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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 Pips hints, answers for December 19, 2025 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

  • Yellow: Stats

  • Green: What to eat

  • Blue: Government agencies

  • Purple: Naval terms

Here are today's Connections categories

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

  • Yellow: Findings

  • Green: Dinner options

  • Blue: U.S. Cabinet departments

  • Purple: Homophone of places to park a ship

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 #922 is...

What is the answer to Connections today
  • Findings: DATA, DETAILS, INFORMATION, INTELLIGENCE

  • Dinner options: COOK, DELIVERY, GO OUT, LEFTOVERS

  • U.S. Cabinet departments: COMMERCE, EDUCATION, ENERGY, LABOR

  • Homophone of places to park a ship: BIRTH, DOC, PEER, WORF

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 19, 2025

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

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

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

NYT Strands hints, answers for December 19, 2025

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 22:00

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're a good cook.

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 19, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 19, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: On the chopping block

The words are related to cooking.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe ways to cut food.

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 Immune Boosters.

NYT Strands word list for December 19
  • Julienne

  • Cube

  • Making the Cut

  • Slice

  • Mince

  • Chiffonade

  • Dice

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.

Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 19, 2025

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 22:00

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you love a good paste.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 19, 2025 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 Pips hints, answers for December 19, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A minty gum.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter R appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter M.

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...

MYYRH

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 19, 2025

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.

No, Ashby didnt rock her famous Lorax costume at the TikTok Awards

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 20:42

The TikTok creator you might know as The Lorax did not rock her usual, bright orange get-up at the TikTok Awards on Thursday. Instead, Ashby — aka @_ashbyflorence_ — wore a red, sequin dress that playfully read "I

Mashable is on the red carpet in Hollywood at the TikTok awards and our reporters loved her look.

Credit: Mashable

To be honest, people do love Ashby — she's been a favorite here at Mashable ever since she broke onto the scene this year. She's even presenting the Live Creator of the Year award on Thursday.

While dictionaries have chosen slop or 6-7 these days, Ashby told Mashable on the red carpet that her word of the year was "conundrum." And, in case you were wondering about her viral meet-up with Lin-Manuel Miranda....well she can't remember much beyond the fact that he smelled amazing. Good for Lin!

Mashable is covering all angles of the TikTok Awards, you can check out our live blog to keep up to date.

Don’t get scrooged: Your essential guide to spotting and stopping holiday scams

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 20:29

Christmas is the most stressful time of year. When you’re planning your festivities or buying your mountain of presents, the last thing you need is to fall prey to a phishing email or online scam. Whether it be the illusion of a good deal or a message from a relative, scammers and hackers prey on your more absent-minded moments to strike gold.

The problem with falling for one of these online scams is that you can’t easily remove this lump of coal from your stocking. Once a scammer has hold of your personal information, it’s not as easy as you’d think to get it back. Thankfully, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. We at PCMag have some tricks up our sleeves to help you avoid any holiday scams that come your way.

How to spot a scam

Scams are the chameleon of the online world. They come in many forms, such as texts from family or friends, or links and attachments from businesses and government organisations. Though you might think your eagle eye can tell a legitimate email from a fake, you may not have the tools you need to spot them right away. Before you click on something you don’t fully trust, here are a couple of things to look out for:

  • Suspicious links or attachments: Scammers love a good ruse, and the best way to gain access to someone's personal data is often through deceptive links that trick victims into giving up their information. These attacks often feature strange URLs with hidden add-ons you wouldn’t be familiar with. When sent an email with an attachment you’re unsure about, the safest policy is to never click.

  • Unrecognisable email address or website: Have you received a message or text from a name or number you don’t immediately recognise? The chances are high you’re about to be scammed. These messages may promise an unmissable opportunity or deal in exchange for your personal information.

  • Requests for personal details (such a bank or PayID): The promise of money is a classic manipulation tactic for scammers. They’ll try to entice you into giving up your BSB or bank details in exchange for ‘free money’ or ‘surprise winnings’. When receiving these kinds of messages or emails, it is a safe bet they’re a scam. Nothing ever comes that easy.

  • Threatening or urgent wording: Nothing motivates better than fear. When scammers are attempting to get their way, they may resort to aggressive language or explicit threats to get their point across. If you’re facing threats of account closure, fines, or legal action (from MyGov, your bank, or the taxation office) in exchange for clicking unverified links, you know you have a scam on your hands.

How to prevent a scam

Preventing scams and hacks before they happen is the best form of online protection. This can be through setting up anti-virus software to spot and block malware or Trojan’s before they take hold or through using AI-powered assistants to run suspicious emails and links through before clicking. If you need extra protection to keep your devices safe, Bitdefender has suite of security products and services to keep you covered.

  • Bitdefender Total Security: Staying on top of your cybersecurity should be number one on your priority list. Bitdefender Total Security will keep you completely protected with real-time data defense and regular insights into your device’s defences. It will even alert you to any vulnerabilities located across Windows, masOS, IOS and Android, ensuring they are patched up before any lurker is the wiser.

  • Bitdefender Premium Security: If you fear hidden spyware setting up shop on your devices, Bitdefender Premium Security will ease your mind. With an unlimited VPN and AI-powered protection (including Anti-Tracker, Microphone Monitor, and Webcam Protection), you can rest easy knowing nobody will be watching your online activity.

  • Bitdefender Ultimate Security: As the top-of-the-line option for all-around digital protection, Bitdefender Ultimate Security features some of the strongest malware defence you can find. With built-in Fraud Protection, a powerful privacy firewall, and dark web monitoring, your online identity will be under tight lock and key.

  • Bitdefender Scamio: Has a potential scam hit your inbox? Instead of ignoring it and hoping it disappears, Bitdefender Scamio will verify its legitimacy for you. Simply send any suspicious messages, links, emails or QR codes to this AI-powered scam detector, and you’ll know if you’re dealing with a dangerous security threat.

Stay safe this holiday season

As the holiday season intensifies, your online security needs may be the last thing on your mind. But before you fall prey to any ‘one-of-a-kind deals’ or messages from long lost family members asking for holiday money, Bitdefender has everything you need to secure your online data.

TikTok signs deal to sell its U.S. operations after years of uncertainty

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 19:41

After years of ban threats, deadline extensions, and geopolitical brinkmanship, TikTok’s long-running U.S. saga may finally be nearing its end. TikTok has signed an agreement to divest its U.S. operations to a joint venture controlled by American investors, according to an internal memo first reported by Axios and later confirmed by CNN on Dec. 18.

The deal, reportedly outlined in a memo sent to employees by TikTok CEO Shou Chew, is expected to close on Jan. 22 and represents a major step toward resolving a years-long standoff over the app's ownership and national security concerns. While the transaction is not yet finalized, it would bring TikTok closer to complying with a U.S. law requiring its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell the app's American business or face a ban from U.S. app stores.

SEE ALSO: Every potential TikTok buyer we know about

Under the agreement, the U.S. entity — to be called "TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC" — will be jointly owned by a group of American investors and ByteDance. Oracle, Silver Lake, and Abu Dhabi-based MGX will collectively hold a 45 percent stake in the company. Affiliates of existing ByteDance investors will own nearly one-third, while ByteDance itself will retain just under 20 percent.

Mashable will be live on the ground covering the first U.S. TikTok Awards tonight, so stay locked to mashable.com and our socials for the awards livestream and updates, starting at 8 p.m. EST.

According to the memo, as reported by Axios, the newly formed joint venture will take over responsibility for U.S. data protection, algorithm security, content moderation, and software assurance. The memo also says TikTok’s content recommendation algorithm will be retrained using U.S. user data, a step intended to ensure the platform’s feed is "free from outside manipulation."

The most recent extension pushes the effective deadline to Jan. 23, giving TikTok additional time to complete the divestiture. Trump said in a September executive order that a plan had been presented to him for a "qualified divestiture" of TikTok’s U.S. operations, justifying another 120-day delay.

Negotiations over a sale have been marked by uncertainty and geopolitical tension, with the Chinese government expressing opposition to a forced divestment and signaling it could block a deal. Still, Axios reported that the White House and Chinese officials reached a deal in principle in September for a U.S.-controlled joint venture led by investors including Andreessen Horowitz, Silver Lake, and Oracle.

The move would end a saga that began in 2020, when Trump first issued an executive order seeking to force ByteDance to sell TikTok’s U.S. business over national security concerns.

How to watch the Now You See Me franchise at home: The newest movie is now streaming

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 19:28
Best ways to watch the 'Now You See Me' films at a glance: Stream 'Now You See Me' and 'Now You See Me 2' on MovieSphere+ (Prime Video add-on) Free 7-day trial, then $4.99/month Learn More Stream 'Now You See Me: Now You Don't' on Starz at a later date $11.99/year for your first year (save $58) Get Deal Buy all 3 films at Prime Video $34.99 (save $5.98) Get Deal

It's been a dozen years since Now You See Me hit theaters and nearly a decade since the sequel. In other words, with the release of the third film, Now You See Me: Now You Don't, it's a good time to revisit the originals and queue up a marathon. Or, maybe even watch them all for the first time.

The films feature a star-studded cast including Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, and Dave Franco as the Four Horsemen, Morgan Freeman as master magician Thaddeus Bradley, Mark Ruffalo as FBI agent Dylan Rhodes, and more. The whole gang returns in Now You See Me 3, plus some newbies join the mix. So it's essential to get caught up with the characters and lore of the films before diving into the newest film.

Here's everything you need to know about how to watch Now You See Me, Now You See Me 2, and Now You See Me: Now You Don't.

How many Now You See Me movies are there?

The fall release of Now You See Me: Now You Don't marks the third film in the Four Horsemen trilogy. The first film, Now You See Me, arrived in 2013 as a surprise hit. It grossed over $350 million at the worldwide box office. The sequel, Now You See Me 2, hit theaters in 2016 and brought in over $334 million.

When does Now You See Me: Now You Don't come out?

The third film in the Now You See Me franchise arrived in theaters on Nov. 14, 2025. That's nearly 12.5 years to the day since the original film made its mark at the box office. In a time when cinema is struggling, Now You See Me: Now You Don't has still been largely successful at the box office. It didn't quite live up to its predecessors, but still raked in $213.6 million worldwide so far on a $90 million budget. It's still in select theaters and is now officially available to watch at home as of Dec. 16, 2025 (more on that below).

Check out the official trailer below:

How to watch all of the Now You See Me movies online Credit: Lionsgate Films

There are a few different ways you can watch Now You See Me, Now You See Me 2, and Now You See Me: Now You Don't at home. We've broken down all the details below.

Buy or rent on digital

To watch Now You See Me 1, 2, and 3 individually without signing up for a streaming service, you can rent or purchase them at digital-on-demand retailers. Make note that if you choose to rent, you'll only get 30 days to watch the film and just 48 hours to finish it once you start. If you choose to buy it, then it's yours to keep. Here are some quick links to rent or purchase the films at the main digital retailers.

Now You See Me:

Now You See Me 2:

Bundle the first two films for just $15.98 at Prime Video.

Now You See Me: Now You Don't:

Bundle all three films for just $34.99 at Prime Video.

Are the Now You See Me movies streaming anywhere?

Both Now You See Me and Now You See Me 2 were streaming on Netflix this fall, but left the streamer as of Sept. 30. At the time of writing, none of the major streaming services have the films in their libraries — a huge bummer. However, we did spot both the first two films on MovieSphere+, a Prime Video add-on service that costs $4.99 per month. You'll also get a free seven-day trial, which means you can watch both movies for free. The only catch? You must be a Prime Video subscriber or Prime member to get the add-on.

Opens in a new window Credit: MovieSphere+ MovieSphere+ (Prime Video add-on) free 7-day trial, then $4.99/month Get Deal

As for the third installment, Now You See Me: Now You Don't, we're still waiting on an announcement for its official streaming date. As a Lionsgate film, we expect that it will make its streaming debut on Starz. Based on the streaming trajectory of previous Lionsgate films, we expect a March 2026 streaming date. We'll update this if and when Lionsgate announces new streaming information.

It's worth mentioning that Starz is running a holiday deal where you can get an entire year of streaming for just $11.99. If you secure that deal now, you'll have access to Now You See Me: Now You Don't when it arrives on Starz, as well as future theatrical releases like The Housemaid and The Long Walk. Once the promotion ends, the price will jump back to $69.99 per year unless you cancel. There's no end date listed, but since it's branded as a holiday deal, we expect it to disappear in early 2026.

Opens in a new window Credit: Starz Starz annual plan $11.99/year for your first year (save $58) Get Deal

TikTok Awards 2025: Live updates from the red carpet and beyond

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 19:10

Welcome to the internet’s biggest night. The 2025 TikTok Awards are officially underway, transforming the platform's endlessly scrolling For You Page into a live, IRL spectacle.

Tonight, the creators, artists, memes, and moments that defined the past year online are stepping out of our phones and onto one stage — and Mashable is on the ground, covering the show live from the red carpet and inside the Hollywood venue with real-time updates as the night unfolds.

This marks the first-ever U.S. TikTok Awards, and fittingly, it feels less like a traditional ceremony and more like a feed brought to life. That's because it is one: You can stream the show live on TikTok and on Tubi.

The night brings together some of the platform's biggest stars and breakout creators, with Ciara headlining the show and a lineup that spans viral icons, rising talents, and culture-shaping voices from across the app.

Mashable will be updating this live blog throughout the night with winners, standout looks, must-see performances, and the blink-and-you-miss-it moments already destined to dominate your feed tomorrow.

Give your old PC new lease on life for just $10

Thu, 12/18/2025 - 18:00

TL;DR: Give a PC an affordable upgrade with this Microsoft Windows 11 Home license, now just $9.97 (reg. $139).

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Windows 11 Home $9.97
$139 Save $129.03   Get Deal

When was the last time you updated your Windows OS? If you’d like to show your old PC a little TLC, this Microsoft Windows 11 Home license should do the trick. It gives your device a serious upgrade, and it’s on sale now for just $9.97 (reg. $139).

Whether you’re in the market for a new computer or your old one is just feeling a little sluggish, Microsoft Windows 11 Home can breathe new life into a PC. It brings a user-friendly interface and some serious enhancements that will make everyone’s lives a little easier — from students to gamers to professionals.

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If you’re in need of a productivity boost, features like snap layouts and seamless redocking can help streamline your workflow. You’ll also have access to Microsoft Teams, so it’s easier to connect with coworkers, friends, or family members.

You’ll have access to Copilot right on your desktop, an AI-powered assistant that is ready to answer all your questions. It can even take actions for you, like changing settings, summarizing a web page, or opening an app.

If you’re a gamer, the DirectX 12 Ultimate life-life graphics takes your gaming to the next level. And everyone will benefit from the improved cybersecurity features. With biometric logins, encrypted authentication, and advanced antivirus defenses, you’ll stay safer online.

Before you purchase this license, make sure your device meets the minimum system requirements for Windows 11.

Make your PC feel new again with this Microsoft Windows 11 Home license, now just $9.97 (reg. $139).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

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