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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. 7'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 8 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: Puck protection

• Green: Yellow flag topics

• Blue: Hoop dreams

• Purple: Different types of this sport

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 - Hockey equipment

• Green - Football penalties

• Blue - Basketball movies

• Purple - ____ Hockey

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 #46 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Hockey equipment: GLOVE, HELMET, SKATES, STICK

• Football penalties: CLIPPING, FACE MASK, HOLDING, OFFSIDE

• Basketball movies: HOOSIERS, HUSTLE, SEMI-PRO, SPACE JAM

• ____ Hockey: AIR, FIELD, FLOOR, ICE

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.

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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Friday, November 8, 2024:

AcrossBoringly dull

• The answer is Blah.

Take a moment to think

• The answer is Pause.

Herb that gives flavor to black jellybeans

• The answer is Anise.

Conducted, as a campaign

• The answer is Waged.

Narrow shape of a cat's pupil

• The answer is Slit.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for November 8 DownBoringly dull

• The answer is Banal.

Video game character with an "L" on his hat

• The answer is Luigi (without the ').

Liability's opposite on a balance sheet

• The answer is Asset.

Obey, as advice

• The answer is Heed.

Cat's feet

• The answer is Paws.

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

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

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

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

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 8 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 8 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: 👋👏🤝🤏✌️☝️✊🙏

These words are literal translations.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

Words for what these hands are doing.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is HandGestures.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for November 8

• Pinch

• Wave

• Fist

• Shake

• Pray

• Peace

• Point

• Clap

• HandGestures

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.

Right from its first episode, Alfonso Cuarón's Disclaimer warned us to "beware of narrative and form." After all, the person telling a story and the way in which they choose to tell it can be just as manipulative or misleading as an outright lie. Now, in Disclaimer's finale, that driving question of narrative manipulation finally comes to a head.

Throughout Disclaimer's first six episodes, we've only heard one side of the story of Jonathan Brigstocke's (Louis Partridge) death, as laid out in a book by his mother Nancy (Lesley Manville). As Nancy writes in The Perfect Stranger, documentarian Catherine Ravenscroft (played in the present by Cate Blanchett, and in the past by Leila George) seduced Jonathan while on vacation in Italy with her young son, Nicholas (Kodi Smit-McPhee). Nancy's evidence? Photos of Catherine in lingerie, then in the nude, that she found while developing film from Jonathan's camera.

SEE ALSO: 'Disclaimer' review: Cate Blanchett and Alfonso Cuarón's thriller series will shatter you

According to The Perfect Stranger, Catherine convinced Jonathan to stay with her an extra day to extend their beachside affair. However, as the two rushed off to have sex, Nicholas went out into the sea on a small boat, unsupervised. Upon returning to the beach, Jonathan saved him, only to drown as lifeguards focused solely on saving Nicholas.

Nancy believes that Catherine made the monstrous choice not to call attention to Jonathan's struggles out at sea because he'd wanted to return to London with her, which would complicate matters with her husband, Robert (Sacha Baron Cohen). She channeled that hatred of Catherine into writing The Perfect Stranger. Upon Nancy's death, her husband, Stephen (Kevin Kline), used that manuscript to steadily tear Catherine's life apart, all without having ever met her.

The two finally come face to face in Disclaimer's finale, and Catherine gets to share her side of the story. While she admits Nancy got some elements of the story right — details of the location, for example, and the fact that Catherine chose to stay silent about Jonathan's drowning — her telling is far from the lusty sexual escapades detailed in The Perfect Stranger. Instead, it's a graphic, devastating account of sexual assault, one that throws all of Disclaimer into a harsh new light. Let's break it down.

SEE ALSO: 'Blitz' review: Steve McQueen's World War II epic dazzles but ultimately disappoints What really happened between Catherine and Jonathan in Disclaimer? Leila George in "Disclaimer." Credit: AppleTV+

As Catherine tells Stephen in Disclaimer's finale, Jonathan broke into her hotel room and forced her at knifepoint to undress. Hoping to protect herself and Nicholas, she complied. He then made her pose for him as he took photos, and raped her throughout the night. Disclaimer shows the traumatic scene in detail, but without any diegetic sound. Instead, all we hear is Catherine's narration, retelling a story she's never told anyone else.

Her narration continues into the next day, when, hoping to maintain an air of normalcy for Nicholas, she took him to the beach. Exhausted and in pain from Jonathan's assault, she falls asleep, at which point Nicholas drifts off to sea. From here, the story plays out similarly to Nancy's conception of it: Jonathan rushes out to save Nicholas; lifeguards bring the boy safely back to shore; and Catherine says nothing about Jonathan. However, Catherine's motivation here is more complicated, as the young man who saved her son's life is her rapist.

SEE ALSO: 'A Real Pain' review: Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin charm as odd-couple cousins

With Jonathan dead, and with everyone believing him to be a hero, Catherine chose to get rid of any evidence she'd collected of the assault, including photos she took of her injuries. "I thought, 'Thank God he's dead. I don't have to prove myself innocent to anyone. I don't have to talk about it if I don't want to. I don't have to relive it if I don't want to,'" she tells Stephen.

Catherine also reveals she learned she was pregnant after the trip and, not knowing whether the father was Robert or Jonathan, terminated the pregnancy. With all physical traces of the assault gone, she hoped to continue her life as if nothing ever happened. But the arrival of The Perfect Stranger re-ignited that trauma, painting her as the villain when she was in fact a victim.

Disclaimer has been building to this reveal for a while. Kevin Kline and Cate Blanchett in "Disclaimer." Credit: AppleTV+

I'm always conflicted when film and TV use sexual assault as a plot device. Too often, it can feel like hollow shock factor, brutalization for brutalization's sake. That Disclaimer positions Catherine's rape as a twist, especially after six episodes of what feels more like a pulpy thriller, threatens to push the show into shock-factor territory.

However, Disclaimer has been building to Catherine's story for its entire run, planting seeds of doubt in the viewers' minds even as Stephen, Robert, and Nicholas blindly believe the fantasy Nancy has presented. For example, we learn that the suggestive photos Jonathan took of Catherine on the beach were nonconsensual images of her brushing sand from her thighs and chest well before they met. We also learn that the small knife wound Nancy saw on Jonathan's arm at the morgue was self-inflicted as part of his attempts to scare Catherine. And we get a better understanding of why Jonathan's girlfriend, Sasha (Liv Hill), left him in Italy in the first place. It wasn't because her aunt died, as Nancy wrote in The Perfect Stranger. Instead, it's because of a fight the two had that led to her mother making what Nancy called some "extreme" accusations. While we never learn exactly what those are, there's a clear undertone of sexual violence to their parting — one that Stephen and especially Nancy conveniently ignore.

Then, of course, there's the fact that The Perfect Stranger is solely a product of Nancy's speculation, and we know that she has a very rosy outlook on who Jonathan was. (It's an outlook that Cuarón renders literal with the warm, summery glow of any scene lifted from The Perfect Stranger.) Her version of Jonathan is such a perfect, innocent angel that it's impossible to think of him as a real person — he's literally too good to be true.

SEE ALSO: 'Only Murders in the Building' Season 4 finale: Wait, what about those loose ends from Season 1?

Nancy's overprotectiveness of Jonathan's character in death means she offloads flaw after flaw onto her fictionalized version of Catherine, someone she's only seen in suggestive photos. Because of this, she leans hard into the misogynistic trope of the predatory older woman, painting Catherine as a demonic temptress. (Only one of these women has written Kylie Minogue-centric erotica about her son, though.)

Cuarón combats Nancy's characterization of Catherine as a temptress through elements beyond the narrative content of Catherine's encounter with Jonathan. For instance, the paintings on Catherine's hotel room ceiling shift depending on the account. In Nancy's imaginings of Catherine and Jonathan's passionate love affair, the ceiling depicts lovers entwined in a passionate embrace. When Catherine recalls her assault, she remembers the ceiling bearing the image of an ailing woman held up by angels, while the painting above her bed is a woman in a frightened state of undress.

Elsewhere, Catherine wears a red swimsuit the day of Jonathan's death in The Perfect Stranger — the same color she wore when they met. But in Catherine's memory, the swimsuit is black, reminiscent of mourning and the pain she suffered the night before. Of course, the small details in Catherine's telling may not all be objectively "true," as they are a memory. But they inform the tone of her recollection of a great trauma, and because of that, there's far more truth to them than Nancy's fiction — especially since Nancy's only "proof" was a set of photographs. And as Catherine tells Stephen, "photographs are not reality...They are a fragment of reality."

In the end, that's what Disclaimer comes down to: Do you choose to believe shocking fragments of a tale presented out of context? Or do you question them and seek the truth?

Stephen and Robert choose the former, with Stephen using the photos as part of his quest for vengeance, and Robert using them to further fuel his conception of himself as a victim at Catherine's hands. Neither stop to consider what Catherine might say, leading each to ask themselves the same thing about The Perfect Stranger in the finale: "Why did you not question it?" The simplest answer might just be that they never even considered the alternative, so caught up are they in the beleaguered heroism of their own stories.

And that brings us back to Catherine, whose own perspective throughout Disclaimer has been carefully guarded, characterized only by a scolding narrator (voiced by Indira Varma) who picks at her shame. Based on that narration, it could be easy to assume Catherine is guilty of everything Nancy accuses her of. Yet her abject horror at The Perfect Stranger, as well as the many holes in Nancy's story, are more than enough reason to start doubting the story we've been presented about Jonathan. With Catherine's revelation in Disclaimer's finale, the series confirms all these doubts. All along, we haven't been watching a woman hide from a heinous past crime. Instead, we've been watching Catherine as she's forced to re-live her trauma, something she never thought she'd have to do. It's nothing short of gutting, and less of a twist than a vital narrative re-contextualization.

Disclaimer is now streaming on AppleTV+.

If you have experienced sexual abuse, call the free, confidential National Sexual Assault hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), or access the 24-7 help online by visiting online.rainn.org.

TL;DR: Get over 130 hours of expert ethical hacking training across 15 courses for just £30.79 through 21 November at the Mashable Shop.

Opens in a new window Credit: StackCommerce The All-in-One Super-Sized Ethical Hacking Course Bundle £30.79 at the Mashable Shop
£845.85 Save £815.06 Get Deal

If you’ve been eyeing a career in cybersecurity, these ethical hacking courses are a great way to get started. With cyber threats as a growing concern, companies are looking for experts who know how to protect their digital assets.

This online learning package includes over 130 hours of expert ethical hacking training on sale for just £30.79 (reg. £845.85). The online courses cover a diverse range of practical cybersecurity skills, from ethical hacking basics to advanced social engineering tactics, all while ensuring you stay on the white hat side of things.

Packed with 15 courses, this bundle kicks off with Python programming so you can create custom penetration testing tools — a skill that’s always in high demand. From there, you’ll dive into WiFi hacking, social engineering, and advanced tools like Metasploit and NMAP, gaining the kind of experience that hiring managers crave. By mastering these techniques, you’re setting yourself up to become a cybersecurity professional capable of protecting networks and outsmarting attackers.

Not only will you learn to crack WiFi passwords, intercept data, and explore the hidden vulnerabilities of networks, but you’ll also discover the world of ethical hacking as a viable career path. The demand for skilled ethical hackers continues to grow, with salaries that reflect the expertise required. With this bundle, you’ll even get hands-on with tools like Burp Suite and BitNinja, which are used by cybersecurity professionals every day.

This training bundle is an investment in a career that could be both personally and financially rewarding.

You can enroll in this ethical hacking course bundle at the Mashable Shop while it's on sale for £30.79 (reg. £845.85) through 21 November.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Live stream Ireland vs. New Zealand in the Autumn Nations Series for free on Virgin Media Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Autumn Nations Series brings together the biggest international sides in the world of rugby. Outside of the World Cup, this series of fixtures offers the best chance of seeing the northern and southern hemispheres battle it out.

The biggest game from the second round of Autumn Internationals is surely Ireland vs. New Zealand. These sides last met in the World Cup quarter final, with the All Blacks coming out on top and crushing the dreams of the pre-tournament favorites. Can the Irish come out on top at the Aviva Stadium?

If you want to watch Ireland vs. New Zealand in the Autumn Nations Series from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Ireland vs. New Zealand?

Ireland vs. New Zealand in the Autumn Nations Series kicks off at 8:10 p.m. GMT on Nov. 8. This fixture takes place at the Aviva Stadium.

How to watch Ireland vs. New Zealand for free

Ireland vs. New Zealand is available to live stream for free on Virgin Media Player in Ireland.

If you're abroad for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to unblock Virgin Media Player. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock Virgin Media Player to stream the Autumn Nations Series for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Ireland vs. New Zealand for free 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 Ireland

4. Visit Virgin Media Player

5. Watch Ireland vs. New Zealand for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Autumn Nations Series without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Ireland vs. New Zealand (plus more Autumn Nations Series fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Virgin Media Player?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Ireland

• 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.

Live stream Ireland vs. New Zealand in the Autumn Nations Series for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: A wide range of Microsoft Excel courses are available to take for free on Udemy.

The online world is full of free resources that can help you build a business, pursue your passions, or simply learn something new.

Online course providers like Udemy host a wide range of lessons on everything from Python programming to ChatGPT. Some of the best examples of these courses can be taken for free, and with unrestricted access to all the video content, learners can tackle the material at your own pace.

A wide range of Microsoft Excel courses are available to take for free on Udemy. We have checked out everything on offer and lined up a selection of standout courses to get you started.

These are the best free Excel courses you can take this month:

• Best Online Excel Training: Best Shortcuts in 30 Minutes

• Boost Your Excel Skills: Crash Course with Downloadable Files

• Excel Data Validation For Beginners

• Easy Excel Basics for Beginners: Get Started with Excel

• Excel for Accountants: Mapping Tables

• Excel Quick Start Tutorial: 36 Minutes to Learn the Basics

• Free Basic Excel Course + Lookup Function

• Introduction to Microsoft Excel 2010

• Learn Excel in 60 Minutes: Using Real Company Data

• Microsoft Excel: Improve your Skills Quickly

• Microsoft Excel: Starter Guide

• MS Excel: From 0 to Working Professional in 1 hour

• Useful Excel for Beginners

• 10 Excel Features Every Analyst Should Know

• 30 MS Excel Tips to Upgrade your Excel Skill

It's important to note that these free online courses do not include certificates of completion or direct instructor messaging, but that's the only catch.

Find the best free Excel courses on Udemy.

Opens in a new window Credit: Udemy Microsoft Excel Courses Free at Udemy Get Deal

TL;DR: Unblock XVideos from anywhere in the world with a VPN. The best VPN for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.

You might feel like you have complete access to the online world, but you're wrong. Your access to porn sites like XVideos will be restricted in many locations around the world, which makes sense. But there is also something to be said for retaining your online freedom.

There are occasions when you simply want to spend some quality time with your favorite sites, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. In those moments when you want to bypass content restrictions to access sites like XVideos, you should consider using a VPN.

If you're looking for the best way to unblock porn sites like XVideos from anywhere in the world, we have the information you need.

How to unblock XVideos for free

VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect to a secure server in another location. This straightforward process bypasses content restrictions so you can access porn sites like XVideos from anywhere in the world.

Access your favorite porn sites by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location that supports access to XVideos

4. Access XVideos from anywhere in the world

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The best VPNs for unblocking porn sites are not free, but most do offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites and then recover your investment at a later date. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it works well if you're temporarily away from home.

What is the best VPN for porn?

ExpressVPN is the top choice when it comes to unblocking porn sites like XVideos, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy

• Fast streaming 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 also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Unblock XVideos for free with ExpressVPN.

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 8'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 8 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 8 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Is prepared.

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 R.

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...

READY.

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 8

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.

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 8'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 8 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: Daring adventure

• Green: Pickles

• Blue: Could be sexually suggestive

• Purple: Sayings for getting rid of something

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: Escapade

• Green: Kinds of Pickles

• Blue: Risqué

• Purple: Cut The___

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 #515 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Escapade: ANTIC, CAPER, EXPLOIT, STUNT

• Kinds of Pickles: DILL, KOSHER, SOUR, SWEET

• Risqué: ADULT, BLUE, SPICY, SUGGESTIVE

• Cut The___: CHEESE, CORD, DECK, MUSTARD

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 5

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

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

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

In the wake of Donald Trump's election victory, numerous Black people across the country reported receiving a racist text message from an unknown sender, according to news accounts and screenshots shared on social media.

Mashable confirmed with the Federal Bureau of Investigation that the agency had learned of such reports.

"The FBI is aware of the offensive and racist text messages sent to individuals around the country and is in contact with the Justice Department and other federal authorities on the matter," the FBI said in a statement to Mashable.

SEE ALSO: How to take a mental health day after Election Day

The text message, which had slight variations but similar content, told the recipient that they'd been selected to "pick cotton at the nearest plantation." It also directed recipients to be ready with their belongings at a certain time, and to wait for a vehicle to pick them up. One version of the message congratulates the recipient and is signed by a "Trump supporter."

Social media reports indicated that Black students at the University of Alabama, Clemson, and Alabama State received the message. Benjamin Johnson, assistant vice president of media and public relations at The Ohio State University, confirmed to Mashable that students had also received the text message.

Tweet may have been deleted

Johnson said the messages had been reported to the university's Office of Institutional Equity, which handles complaints related to harassment and discrimination. The university has also offered support to students who received the text.

FOX 2 in Detroit reported that Black women in the area had received the text, and FOX 5 in Atlanta received similar reports.

It is unclear at this point who is sending the messages. Following Trump's 2016 election, there was a spike in "hate incidents," according to tracking conducted at the time by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

The FBI told Mashable that it encourages members of the public to report threats of physical violence to local law enforcement authorities.

Apple is in the midst of refreshing its Mac computers. The company announced a brand new Mac Mini M4 just this month and it has a completely new design. However, Apple also announced a new line of MacBook Pro M4 laptops, but those did come with a hardware redesign.

The good news is that Apple does have a redesigned line of MacBooks in the works! Unfortunately, it seems if you're looking to buy one, you'll be waiting quite a while.

SEE ALSO: Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro, 2024) review: Record-breaking performance

According to the outlet The Elec (as picked up by CNET) Apple's redesigned line of MacBooks have been pushed back due to issues with the computers' displays.

The report claims that Apple's new MacBook lines are utilizing "premium display technology," so the pricing of Apple's MacBooks may be drastically increased. However, Apple is concerned about how these price changes could affect consumer purchasing decisions.

Bloomberg's Apple insider Mark Gurman shared that Apple was originally looking to launch a redesigned MacBook Pro in 2025, but because of these issues, the new MacBook Pros that are released next year will likely have the same design as its predecessors. The redesigned MacBook Pros are now slated for 2026.

A redesigned MacBook Air with an OLED display is also in the works, but that appears to have also been pushed back all the way to 2028 due to the same display concerns. As CNET points out, Apple launched an OLED iPad Pro earlier this year with a starting price of $999. Apple initially expected to ship 10 million iPad Pro devices but has since revised the number to between 6 and 7 million.

So, if you're an Apple fan looking for a new MacBook with upgraded performance, Apple has a slew of great new options powered by the M4 chipset. But if you're looking for a new MacBook with a redesigned look, it looks like you're saddled with the current design options for at least a few more years.

New data suggests the world has a new top-selling smartphone — and it’s no surprise which one it is.

According to data released this week by Counterpoint Research, the top spot belongs to —  drumroll please — the iPhone 15, Apple's second-newest handset carried 3.5 percent of global market share in the third quarter of 2024.

In second and third place, respectively, are the iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 15 Pro.

SEE ALSO: Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro, 2024) review: Record-breaking performance

This isn’t exactly shocking, as Apple has led the pack before. According to Counterpoint’s data, the iPhone 14 was in first place last year, with the iPhone 14 Pro Max and iPhone 14 Pro in second and third place.

What is interesting is that iOS, as an operating system, only has about 19 percent of global market share, per data released by Counterpoint earlier this year. According to the same research, 77 percent of global smartphone users are on Android devices, but since there are so many of those, none of them sell as well individually as the iPhone.

The full top 10 is as follows:

1. iPhone 15

2. iPhone 15 Pro Max

3. iPhone 15 Pro

4. Samsung Galaxy A15 4G

5. Samsung Galaxy A15 5G

6. Samsung Galaxy A35 5G

7. Samsung Galaxy A05

8. iPhone 14

9. Xiaomi Redmi 13C 4G

10. Samsung Galaxy S24

There may be more Android phones than iPhones on the list total, but Apple landed in the most important spots in the rankings.

The 2024 election may be over, but its effect on some people's mental health is starting to become clear. Two major crisis hotlines saw huge increases in contact before and after Election Day.

The Trevor Project, which provides free 24/7 crisis services to LGBTQ+ youth ages 13 to 24, told Mashable that conversation topics related to the election surged by 200 percent on Nov. 3 and 4, compared to a few days prior to that timeframe.

SEE ALSO: How to take a mental health day after Election Day

By midnight eastern time of Election Day, calls to The Trevor Project's lifeline and conversations that took place via chat and text collectively increased by 125 percent compared to a normal day for the service. That volume continued into the morning of Nov. 6, and the organization anticipates it will remain steady, or potentially increase.

Crisis Text Line reported a similar trend. Conversations about anxiety and stress began rising the Friday before the election. On Election Day, they'd increased by a third of their normal volume.

In general, the nonprofit observed the start of a spike in volume on Sunday. During election week in 2020, Crisis Text Line saw a prominent uptick in conversations related to LGBTQ+ stress, a trend that continued this year. Starting last Friday, Crisis Text Line observed a surge from LGBTQ+ texters that rose by 56 percent by Election Day.

This election appeared to be especially hard on LGBTQ+ youth. In a recent survey of LGBTQ+ youth, 90 percent of respondents said politics had negatively affected their well-being.

President-elect Donald Trump frequently attacked transgender rights on the campaign trail and made anti-trans ads a centerpiece of his campaign. Project 2025, a far-right playbook of conservative initiatives championed by some of Trump's closest advisors, also targets LGBTQ+ rights, according to Accountable.us, a non-partisan watchdog group.

The playbook recommends that the Department of Justice defend the First Amendment right of people to discriminate against LGBTQ+ individuals, undo the Department of Health and Human Service's focus of "LGBTQ+ equity," and reverse the Department of Defense's policy allowing transgender people to serve in the military.

"Young people are wondering if they have a place in the future," Kevin Wong, senior vice president of marketing, communications, and content for The Trevor Project, told Mashable.

"Young people are wondering if they have a place in the future." - Kevin Wong, The Trevor Project

Wong recommended that youth feeling overwhelmed or distressed by the election results take a few basic steps to improve their well-being, some of which are outlined in a new Trevor Project guide on the topic.

Wong says youth may benefit from pausing and taking a moment to do something they enjoy, like listening to their favorite album, cooking, or moving their body. (The Trevor Project offers its own visual breathing exercise.)

While he understands the desire to stay informed right now, Wong also suggests taking deliberate breaks from reading the news and engaging with social media. This can be particularly important before bed, to help process the day's events.

Cultivating a sense of hope is also critical, Wong says. This can mean learning about organizations advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and freedoms, and finding community at local LGBTQ+ centers.

For young people who feel they need to urgently learn about the different types of discrimination they might face, Wong says it's important to remember that state and federal policies will not change overnight. As a result, youth can spend the coming weeks taking care of themselves and considering how to protect their rights.

Finally, Wong says that caring adults can help youth navigate this uncertain time by making it clear where they stand. If an adult knows an out LGBTQ+ young person, reaching out directly to offer their support may help alleviate their anxiety.

But adults should also consider that some teens may not yet openly identify as LGBTQ+. So public gestures of support, like sharing mental health resources for LGBTQ+ youth on social media or making affirmative comments during a conversation, offer positive indications.

"Signaling that you are an ally... can do wonders for feeling accepted for LGBTQ+ young people," Wong says.

If you're feeling suicidal or experiencing a mental health crisis, please talk to somebody. You can reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988; the Trans Lifeline at 877-565-8860; or the Trevor Project at 866-488-7386. Text "START" to Crisis Text Line at 741-741. Contact the NAMI HelpLine at 1-800-950-NAMI, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. ET, or email info@nami.org. If you don't like the phone, consider using the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Chat at crisischat.org. Here is a list of international resources.

Best iPad deals ahead of Black Friday Best iPad mini deal Apple iPad mini, 8.3-inch (A17 Pro, WiFi, 256GB) $499.99 (Save $89.01 with on-page coupon) Get Deal Best standard iPad deal Apple iPad, 10.2-inch (9th generation, WiFi, 64GB) $199.99 (Save $129.01) Get Deal Best iPad Air deal Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M2, WiFi, 128GB) $549 (Save $50) Get Deal

iPads can hit some of their lowest prices of the year during Black Friday, but if you're not a fan of how hectic it can get, you can still score solid deals if you shop early.

With retailers like Best Buy and Walmart starting their sales on Nov. 8 and Nov. 11 respectively, deals on hot ticket items like tablets start to roll in early. Plus, Amazon marks down Apple's iPads year round, so even though they haven't officially announced their Black Friday plans yet, there are plenty of iPad deals on our list below from the mega-retailer.

SEE ALSO: When do Black Friday sales start? Be on the lookout for early holiday deals.

As for whether you'll score significantly better prices during Black Friday, it's hard to say. We predict that the iPad Air will likely drop lower than a $50 discount, while the ninth-generation iPad could drop lower (but it's an older model already priced to move). In any case, if there's an iPad deal worth checking out, we'll keep our list updated to reflect that.

Best iPad deal ahead of Black Friday Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad mini, 8.3-inch (A17 Pro, WiFi, 256GB) $499.99 at Amazon
$599.00 Save $99.01 Get Deal Why we like it

We'll be honest, the best iPad deal is going to be the one on the model that most meets your needs — maybe that feels obvious, but considering that there are four different kinds of iPads on sale at the moment, it's worth a reminder. That said, we were surprised to see the A17 Pro iPad mini on sale, considering Apple quietly dropped it on the market just a few weeks ago. Mashable Senior Editor Stan Schroeder reviewed the tablet and deemed it the best tablet out there for anyone who wants something compact. Compared to the last generation, it comes packed with a faster chip and compatibility with Apple Intelligence.

Speaking of the previous generation mini (which this tablet resembles almost exactly in design), Mashable Shopping Reporter Sam Mangino deemed the mini the best iPad for reading, thanks to its size, and versatility to still be a great tablet for streaming shows.

More iPad deals

iPad

• Apple iPad, 10.2-inch (9th generation, WiFi, 64GB) — $199.99 $329 (save $129.01)

• Apple iPad, 10.9-inch (10th generation, WiFi, 64GB) — $299 $349 (save $50)

• Apple iPad, 10.2-inch (9th generation, WiFi, 256GB) — $349.99 $479 (save $129.01)

iPad Air

• Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M2, WiFi, 128GB) — $549 $599 (save $50)

• Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M2, WiFi, 128GB) — $699.99 $799 (save $99.01 with on-page coupon)

• Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M2, WiFi, 512GB) — $799.99 $899 (save $99.01 with on-page coupon)

• Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M2, WiFi, 1TB) — $998 $1,099 (save $101)

• Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M2, WiFi, 512GB) — $949 $1,099 (save $150)

iPad mini

• Apple iPad mini, 8.3-inch (A15 Bionic, WiFi, 64GB) — $349.99 $499 (save $149.01)

• Apple iPad mini, 8.3-inch (A15 Bionic, WiFi, 256GB) — $459.99 $649 (save $189.01 with on-page coupon)

• Apple iPad mini, 8.3-inch (A17 Pro, WiFi, 512GB) — $699.99 $799 (save $99.01 with on-page coupon)

iPad Pro

• Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M4, WiFi, 2TB) — $1,999 $2,299 (save $300)

If you were wondering why Elon Musk suddenly decided to plunge more than $130 million supporting Donald Trump in the 2024 U.S. election, the first answer arrived on Wednesday — when Musk's net worth increased by a whopping $15 billion. Which, if you do the math, comes out to a 11,538 percent return on investment.

And that's not all Musk and his companies are likely to get out of the election result.

First a quick recap: Musk's support for Trump was far from inevitable. Indeed, back in July 2022, when he was finalizing his Twitter takeover, Musk tweeted that Trump should "hang up his hat and sail into the sunset." This was in response to Trump calling Musk "another bullshit artist." After the sunset comment, Trump hit back by recounting Musk's requests for government subsidies in his first term: "I could have said 'drop to your knees and beg' and he would have done it," Trump wrote.

The two had been feuding on and off since Musk was appointed to Trump's advisory councils in 2017, then resigned when Trump withdrew the U.S. from the Paris climate accords. Musk's politics appear to have been drifting rightwards for years, but initially he supported Florida governor Ron DeSantis over Trump in the GOP primaries — to the point of hosting DeSantis' campaign launch in a disastrous Twitter Spaces stream in 2023.

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk's $1 million election giveaway has provoked a second lawsuit

Two years after the "bullshit artist" feud, and six months after DeSantis dropped out, Musk officially endorsed Trump. Still, the world's richest man took a few more months to fully open the floodgates of his fortune. His America PAC spent around $30 million in August and September, then ramped up to an estimated $130 million total in the final months of the campaign. That includes the infamous $1 million-a-day voter "lottery" that Musk's own lawyers admitted wasn't actually a lottery.

Musk began coordinating with the Trump campaign, and went full "dark MAGA" at his first Trump rally less than a month before the election. His midriff-baring X-shaped leaps on stage led to one of the more memorable lines of the campaign, when VP candidate Tim Walz described Musk "skipping like a dipshit."

Whether Musk's bizarre appearances actually helped the Trump campaign is an open question, but evidently the billionaire's cash infusion didn't hurt. What we don't know, and may never know is what Musk and Trump discussed off-stage.

We do know, however, that Musk has at least 20 reasons to be looking for leniency from the next administration.

The Musk-Trump axis

The tech mogul needs the president-elect because Musk's companies face a total of "at least 20" federal probes, according to a New York Times report. It matters greatly to Musk who Trump picks to lead the Departments of Justice, Labor, and Transportation, on top of any new appointees to the Securities and Exchange Commission and Federal Trade Commission, because all those agencies are investigating potential violations at Tesla, SpaceX, NeuraLink, and Twitter/X. All four companies, not to mention Musk himself, could face major fines. Or the investigations could be quietly quashed.

And on the positive side of the ledger, there is much, much more that Musk could gain from a second Trump administration. Not just the extension of those EV subsidies and tax credits that Musk wanted in Trump's first term, but also government contracts galore. Musk has won $16 billion in contracts over the last decade — the vast majority of it via SpaceX, on which NASA is increasingly reliant. (Trump will also get to appoint a new NASA administrator.)

Roughly $3 billion of that landed in Musk's coffers over the last year, so the tax-dollars-to-Musk pipeline is only getting larger. His Starlink satellite internet service, which Musk recently claimed he would offer for free to Hurricane Helene victims (it turned out to be a 30-day free trial), will likely earn him billions more in contracts under Trump, according to a Washington Post investigation.

And then there's the still-vague notion Trump has floated, of Musk actually running a significant chunk of the federal government himself. There's no word yet on plans for a "Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)," which Musk named for one of his favorite memes. Asked at Trump's Madison Square Garden rally how much this department could cut from the annual federal budget, Musk said $2 trillion.

Given that the government's entire discretionary budget is just $1.7 trillion, Musk could only reach this number by slashing mandatory spending — Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, in other words. Politicians traditionally shy away from cutting these hugely popular programs. Musk, of course, is no politician, and will never have to face the voters himself.

What Trump has to fear from Musk

Who has the upper hand in this relationship — the most powerful world leader or the world's richest man?

Though his bravado would never allow him to say so openly, Trump has much to fear from Musk. If the two fell out again — a distinct possibility, given the vast array of former Trump officials who feuded with their boss in his first term — Musk has plenty of avenues for revenge.

First up, Musk has total control over Trump's precious, the @realdonaldtrump handle that propelled him to power back in 2016. In 2021, the account was "permanently" suspended after Trump encouraged the January 6 insurrection. When Musk took over, he initially said he'd rely on a "content moderation council" to make the restoration decision. A month later Musk did it via Twitter poll, in which the pro-Trump side won by a hair, with 51.8% of the vote.

What Musk giveth, Musk can also take away — and he has plenty of reasons to do so. Trump has been convicted, and may yet be sentenced, on 34 counts of business fraud. In a separate civil fraud case, he has been ordered to pay an already-reduced $175 million penalty. He still stands accused in multiple cases of attempting to overthrow the 2020 election results, not to mention the charges of unlawfully keeping classified documents at Mar-a-Lago.

Musk doesn't even have to go so far as to remove Trump's account again; there are many ways to keep the administration and its scandal-plagued leader in line. The X algorithm has already been tweaked to favor Trump. It would be child's play to tweak it again, de-platforming any Republican politician or appointee who stands up to Musk. Removing his government contracts would pose little threat, given how much the government is reliant on them.

Musk has also said his America PAC will keep going through the 2026 midterm elections. If Trump doesn't want to face a Democratic Congress — one that will likely have even more reasons to impeach him for a third time — the president-elect and his team will have to keep Musk on their side.

It's early days yet, and there may be many more twists to this tale of two highly mercurial billionaires. But the relationship could easily become as imbalanced as their relative fortunes. (Musk is worth $292 billion and rising, according to the Forbes list; Trump can muster between $4 to 8 billion net worth depending on the value of his media company, which just erased all of its post-election gains.) So much so, in fact, that Musk could soon earn himself a new unofficial title: shadow president.

ROSÉ felt the heat during 'Hot Ones' but found a great coping strategy: a stress ball.

Robert Downey Jr plays an acclaimed novelist with an unhealthy relationship with Artificial Intelligence in 'McNeal'. Projectionist and designer, Jake Barton, was tasked in creating the visually immersive element of the play to not only harness the essence of AI, but utilize it within the art itself.

The best deals to watch 'Deadpool & Wolverine' at a glance: BEST FOR MOST PEOPLE Disney+ Premium annual subscription (no ads) $159.99 per year (save 17%) Get Deal BEST BUNDLE DEAL Disney Bundle Duo Basic (Hulu and Disney+ with ads) $10.99 per month (save 44%) Get Deal BEST FOR FIOS CUSTOMERS Disney+ Premium (no ads) Free for 6 or 12 months with eligible Fios internet accounts (save up to $159.99) Get Deal BEST FOR VERIZON WIRELESS CUSTOMERS Disney Bundle: Disney+ Premium (no ads), Hulu, and ESPN (with ads) $10 per month for Verizon customers with myPlan (save $11.99 per month) Get Deal BEST WAY TO GET DISNEY+ FOR FREE Disney+ Premium (no ads) Free with the Total by Verizon $60 plan (save $15.99 per month) Get Deal BEST NON-STREAMING OPTION Buy 'Deadpool & Wolverine' on Prime Video $19.99 Get Deal

Marvel Studios' Deadpool & Wolverine reunited the star power of Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman this summer, attempting to save us from chronic superhero fatigue. It quickly became the highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time — and now it's headed to the small screen.

If you missed out on Marvel's most outrageous superhero's latest shenanigans in the theater, now's your chance to catch the movie from the comfort of your couch. Here's everything you need to know about how to watch Deadpool & Wolverine at home.

What is Deadpool & Wolverine about?

Directed by Shawn Levy, (Free Guy, Night at the Museum), Deadpool & Wolverine uses a bit of reconning to situate its narrative after the events of Deadpool, Deadpool 2, and Logan. It follows Wade Wilson, aka Deadpool (Reynolds), whose existence is threatened when the Time Variance Authority interferes with his life. To save his universe, he hijacks the TVA to call upon a non-dead Wolverine (Jackman) for help. But, as Mashable's Film Editor Kristy Puchko wrote it in her review, "things go from team-up to trouble when Deadpool and his kidnapped Wolverine are pitched into the TVA's wasteland."

Get a sneak peek in the trailer below.

Is Deadpool & Wolverine worth watching?

Second to only Disney-Pixar's Inside Out 2, Deadpool & Wolverine's domestic, international, and worldwide box office numbers make it the biggest theatrical release of the year. But, as you probably know, numbers don't always tell the whole story. In this case, audiences not only showed up for the film, but came out of the theaters loving it. On Rotten Tomatoes, it's currently sitting at a 94 percent audience score. Critics, on the other hand, are slightly less enthused. The sequel has just a 78 percent critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Our own reviewer criticized the Disney-fying of Marvel's most outrageous superhero, writing, "It seems without a big studio franchise to fight against or parody, Deadpool becomes another cog in the Marvel machine." However, she also adds that "Levy and his team pack so much entertainment into this chaotic movie that it's easy to overlook its rough bits as you're watching."

Is it going to save superhero movies? Probably not. But as Puchko noted, "It's just really fucking fun."

Read our full review of Deadpool & Wolverine.

How to watch Deadpool & Wolverine at home Credit: 20th Century Studios / MARVEL

A little over two months after Deadpool & Wolverine's explosive theatrical debut, it became available to watch at home via video-on-demand sites like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home (Vudu). You can purchase the film for your digital library for $19.99. It will also be available to rent at a later date. If you'd rather stream Deadpool & Wolverine, keep scrolling to learn more.

As of Oct. 1, you can purchase the film at the following retailers:

• Prime Video — buy for $19.99

• Apple TV — buy for $19.99

• Fandango at Home (Vudu) — buy for $19.99

• YouTube — buy for $19.99

• Google Play — buy for $19.99

When is Deadpool & Wolverine streaming?

Deadpool & Wolverine is set to make its streaming debut on Nov. 12 on Disney+. It's a bit surprising that an R-rated film will join the library on the family-friendly streamer instead of Hulu (where most R and PG-13 films produced by Disney subsidiaries appear), but since Disney+ is the home to all the other films and shows in the MCU, it only makes sense that Deadpool & Wolverine join them.

Not yet a Disney+ subscriber? Subscriptions start at $9.99 after a price hike last month, but we've rounded up a few of the best ways you can save some money on the streaming service below.

The best Disney+ streaming dealsBest Disney+ deal for most people Opens in a new window Credit: Disney+ Disney+ Premium annual subscription (no ads) $159.99/year (save 17%) Watch Now

Disney+ recently hiked its prices up from $7.99 to $9.99 with ads and $13.99 to $15.99 without ads, which is a mega bummer. Fortunately, though, you can still save some money on a subscription by signing up for a year upfront. With an annual plan without ads, you'll pay $159.99 per year, which breaks down to just $13.33 per month. That's about 17% in savings each month.

Best Disney+ bundle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu / Disney+ Disney Bundle Duo Basic (Hulu and Disney+ with ads) $10.99 per month (save 44%) Watch Now

If you already subscribe to Hulu and you don't mind a few ads here and there, you can bundle Hulu with Disney+ for just $10.99 per month. That's basically like getting Disney+ for just $1 per month, saving you 44% compared to paying for each separately. You can also take things a step further and add Max (with ads) into the mix for a grand total of $16.99 per month. Or, if you're more into sports, sub Max for ESPN+ for just $14.99 per month for all three. Even though you have to deal with ads, it's a hard deal to beat. To watch without ads, you'll have to pay an extra $9 per month for the Disney+ and Hulu bundle and an extra $13 per month for the trio bundle with Max.

Best Disney+ trial Opens in a new window Credit: Verizon Disney+ Premium (no ads) Free for 6 or 12 months with eligible Fios internet accounts (save up to $159.99) Watch Now

Verizon Fios home internet users on the 2 Gig Streaming or 2 Gig Complete package can score a free year of Disney+ Premium (no ads), while those on the 1 Gig Streaming or 1 Gig Complete package can sign up for six free months. Check your plan and read about eligibility terms over on the Verizon website to activate the offer. Either way, your trial should give you plenty of time to stream Deadpool & Wolverine for free.

Best Disney+ deal for Verizon Wireless customers Opens in a new window Credit: Verizon / Disney+ Disney Bundle: Disney+ Premium (no ads), Hulu, and ESPN (with ads) $10 per month for Verizon customers with myPlan (save $11.99 per month) Watch Now

Verizon Wireless customers can get a stellar deal on Disney+ through Verizon myPlan. Just add a Disney Bundle to your account through myPlan, which includes Disney+ Premium (no ads), Hulu (with ads), and ESPN (with ads). All three would usually cost you $37.97 per months separately, but by signing up through this myPlan deal, you'll only pay $10 per month. With the recent price increase of all three streamers, the Verizon myPlan deal hasn't changed, making it an even better deal.

Best way to get Disney+ for free Opens in a new window Credit: Total by Verizon Disney+ Premium (no ads) Free with the Total by Verizon $60 plan (save $15.99 per month) Watch Now

If you're a Total Wireless customer on the $60/month prepaid unlimited plan, you get Disney+ Premium (no ads) for free. No terms or trial periods. Just keep your account in good standing and you get Disney+ included with your account. If you cancel or switch your plan, your subscription will end as well. If you're on the $50/month prepaid unlimited plan, you can also score six free months of Disney+, which is plenty of time to watch Deadpool & Wolverine. Want to extend your trial? Just upgrade to the $60/month plan.

Microsoft's veteran Notepad app is getting the generative AI treatment. On Wednesday, Microsoft announced a new feature for Notepad called Rewrite, which lets users edit their text using an AI model. With Rewrite, users can adjust the tone, rephrase, and modify the length of their text.

Windows Notepad has been around since 1983 as a text editor for users to jot down notes and create simple text documents. Being the barebones application that it is, Notepad hasn't received much attention until recently. Just last March, Microsoft added spellcheck and autocorrect, which made us wonder why it took so long. But integrating generative AI editing and summarization skills is a fitting and more timely upgrade for the text editor.

SEE ALSO: Windows 11 replicates Apple's 'handoff' feature How to use the Notepad Rewrite tool

To use Rewrite for Notepad, highlight the text you want to change, right-click and select Rewrite. A window will pop up, giving you options to change the length, tone, or format of the text. Make your selections and click Replace. Rewrite will generate three options.

You can also copy the text, refine the results, or cancel your selection. Previous versions are saved, so you can easily revert back if you want to. Rewrite can also be disabled in your app settings.

The barebones Notepad app can now edit text with generative AI. Credit: Microsoft

To access Rewrite for Notepad, you'll have to be signed in to your Microsoft account since it runs in the cloud.

In the same announcement, Microsoft also introduced new generative AI features for another OG app, Paint. With the latest Windows 11 update, users can use generative fill to expand or edit an image — and generative erase to remove certain objects.

Rewrite for Notepad is launching in preview to Windows 11 users in United States, France, UK, Canada, Italy, and Germany. Generative Fill is initially available to Windows Insiders testers with Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs, and Generative Erase is available to all Windows 11 PCs.