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TL;DR: Live stream Colombia vs. Ecuador in World Cup Qualifiers for free on SBS On Demand. Access this free streaming site from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Colombia lost their last World Cup qualifying fixture against Uruguay, but they are still in third place in the standings. They will be looking to regain momentum against Equador in their next match, but it's not going to be easy. Equador are only three points behind Colombia, and thrashed Bolivia in their last game.

If you want to watch Colombia vs. Ecuador in World Cup Qualifiers for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Colombia vs. Ecuador?

Colombia vs. Ecuador in World Cup Qualifiers kicks off at 6 p.m. ET on Nov. 19. This fixture takes place at the Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez.

How to watch Colombia vs. Ecuador for free

Colombia vs. Ecuador in World Cup Qualifiers is available to live stream for free on SBS On Demand in Australia.

If you're abroad for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to unblock SBS On Demand. VPNs are useful tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can access free live streams on SBS On Demand from anywhere in the world.

Access a free live stream of Colombia vs. Ecuador 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 Australia

4. Visit SBS On Demand

5. Stream Colombia vs. Ecuador 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 watch Colombia vs. Ecuador in World Cup Qualifiers without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select World Cup Qualifiers before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for SBS On Demand?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Australia

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

Stream Colombia vs. Ecuador in World Cup Qualifiers for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Argentina vs. Peru in World Cup Qualifiers for free on SBS On Demand. Access this free streaming site from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Argentina lost their last World Cup qualifying fixture against Paraguay, so they'll be looking to bounce back against Peru and solidify their position at the top of the standings. Peru are struggling near the bottom of the table, so Argentina will be favorites to win this matchup at home.

If you want to watch Argentina vs. Peru in World Cup Qualifiers for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Argentina vs. Peru?

Argentina vs. Peru in World Cup Qualifiers kicks off at 7 p.m. ET on Nov. 19. This fixture takes place at La Bombonera.

How to watch Argentina vs. Peru for free

Argentina vs. Peru in World Cup Qualifiers is available to live stream for free on SBS On Demand in Australia.

If you're abroad for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to unblock SBS On Demand. VPNs are useful tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can access free live streams on SBS On Demand from anywhere in the world.

Access a free live stream of Argentina vs. Peru 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 Australia

4. Visit SBS On Demand

5. Stream Argentina vs. Peru 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 watch Argentina vs. Peru in World Cup Qualifiers without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select World Cup Qualifiers before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for SBS On Demand?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Australia

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

Stream Argentina vs. Peru in World Cup Qualifiers for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Brazil vs. Uruguay in World Cup Qualifiers for free on SBS On Demand. Access this free streaming site from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Brazil were not able to overcome Venezuala in their last World Cup qualifying fixture, with Vinicius Junior missing a penalty. That was a tough result for a team struggling under the weight of expectations.

Uruguay are two points above Brazil after beating Colombia 3-2 in their last game. They'll be confident of taking something away from this huge game.

If you want to watch Brazil vs. Uruguay in World Cup Qualifiers for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Brazil vs. Uruguay?

Brazil vs. Uruguay in World Cup Qualifiers kicks off at 7:45 p.m. ET on Nov. 19. This fixture takes place at the Arena Fonte Nova.

How to watch Brazil vs. Uruguay for free

Brazil vs. Uruguay in World Cup Qualifiers is available to live stream for free on SBS On Demand in Australia.

If you're abroad for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to unblock SBS On Demand. VPNs are useful tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can access free live streams on SBS On Demand from anywhere in the world.

Access a free live stream of Brazil vs. Uruguay 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 Australia

4. Visit SBS On Demand

5. Stream Brazil vs. Uruguay 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 watch Brazil vs. Uruguay in World Cup Qualifiers without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select World Cup Qualifiers before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for SBS On Demand?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Australia

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

Stream Brazil vs. Uruguay in World Cup Qualifiers for free with ExpressVPN.

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

You probably know all about Udemy by this point. It's a popular hub for online courses, covering everything from Python programming to web development. Most of these courses come with a fee, which is fair enough. But there are also a wide range of courses that you can take for free, including some highly-rated ChatGPT courses.

We've checked out everything on offer from Udemy and lined up a selection of standout ChatGPT courses to get you started. These are the best online ChatGPT courses you can take for free this month on Udemy:

• Artificial Intelligence Bootcamp and ChatGPT

• Become an AI Accelerated Engineer Using ChatGPT

• Become an AI-Powered Engineer: ChatGPT, Github Copilot

• ChatGPT 101: The Complete Beginner's Guide and Masterclass

• ChatGPT For Programmers In 2024

• ChatGPT in 30 Minutes: New Prompt Engineering and AI Skills

• ChatGPT, Midjourney, Firefly, Bard, DALL-E, AI Crash Course

• ChatGPT Prompt Engineering Tutorial

• ChatGPT Quick Guide: Prompt Engineering, Plugins, and More

• ChatGPT Security: Privacy Risks and Data Protection Basics

• Generative AI and Prompt Engineering

• Intro to Manual and Automation Software Testing with ChatGPT

• Mastering ChatGPT 4.0: From Setup to Advanced Interactions

• Midjourney and ChatGPT: Unleash AI for Unique Image Generation

• Prompt Engineering Principles: ChatGPT and DALL-E

• Smart ChatGPT Productivity Hacks for Business Professionals

• The Introduction into ChatGPT Content Creation for Beginners

These free online courses do not offer certificates of completion or direct instructor messaging, but you still get unrestricted access to all the video content. That means you can learn at a pace that suits you, so what's stopping you?

Find the best free ChatGPT courses on Udemy.

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

TL;DR: Watch the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix for free on ORF or ServusTV. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Max Verstappen has almost done enough to secure another F1 title, and nobody can have any complaints after his masterclass in Brazil. It was the performance of a champion, and now Verstappen will clinch his fourth world title in Las Vegas if he finishes the race 60 points or more ahead of Norris in the standings.

Norris must make up at least three points on Verstappen to keep the dream alive. It's all eyes on Las Vegas to see if he can make it happen.

If you're interested in watching the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix?

The 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix takes place over 50 laps of the 6.2-kilometre Las Vegas Strip Circuit in Nevada, USA. The full schedule can be found here:

• Practice 1 — 9:30 to 10:30 p.m. ET on Nov. 21

• Practice 2 — 1 to 2 a.m. ET on Nov. 22

• Practice 3 — 9:30 to 10:30 p.m. ET on Nov. 22

• Qualifying — 1 to 2 a.m. ET on Nov. 23

• Race — 1 a.m. ET on Nov. 24

The good news for fans is that it's possible to live stream the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix without spending anything.

How to watch the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix for free

You can find free live streams of F1 on these platforms:

• Austria — ORF or ServusTV (12 races each)

ORF and ServusTV are geo-restricted to Austria, so you might need to use a VPN to access these free live streams from abroad. VPNs are tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, meaning you can access free live streams of F1 from anywhere in the world.

Unblock free streaming services 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 Austria

4. Connect to ORF or ServusTV

5. Watch the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix from anywhere in the world

Please be aware that Formula 1 take the view that the use of a VPN to watch content from another territory may be a breach of the relevant broadcasters’ terms of service and may constitute copyright infringement. It is your responsibility to ensure that your use of a VPN is legal and Mashable does not encourage any illegal use of a VPN.

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 leading services do tend to offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch F1 live streams without actually spending anything. This is clearly not a long-term solution, but it does mean you can stream the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming F1 live is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for F1?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for live streaming F1 for free, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Austria

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is protected

• Fast streaming speeds

• 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 30-day money-back guarantee.

Watch the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix for free with ExpressVPN.

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 19 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 19 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Pick-ups

These words belong in the kitchen.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

Words are used to eat.

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 Utensils.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for November 19

• Spoon

• Skewer

• Fork

• Spork

• Knife

• Tongs

• Chopsticks

• Utensils

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

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

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

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

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for November 19'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.

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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.

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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 19 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: Expert

• Green: Unlock your phone

• Blue: Types of pasta

• Purple: Involves two things

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: Area of Expertise

• Green: Ways to Unlock A Device

• Blue: Pasta Shapes

• Purple: Double____

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 #526 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Area of Expertise: CONCENTRATION, FIELD, FOCUS, SPECIALTY

• Ways to Unlock A Device: FACE, FINGERPRINT, PASSWORD, PIN

• Pasta Shapes: EAR, ELBOW, RIBBON, WHEEL

• Double____: AGENT, DRIBBLE, JEOPARDY, STANDARD

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 19

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

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

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

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

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for November 19'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 19 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 19 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Departing from one place to another.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There is one letter that appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter G.

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...

GOING.

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 19

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.

Archive of Our Own (AO3) is down again, leaving countless fan fiction fans bereft of their much-needed escapism for the second time in two days. They are handling it as well as can be expected.

Reports that popular fan fiction platform AO3 was suffering an outage previously poured in on Sunday evening, as thousands of readers suddenly found themselves cut off from their favourite slow burn enemies to lovers coffee shop AUs. Crowdsourced outage tracker Down Detector (which has the same parent company as Mashable) began receiving reports of the outage from around 5.30 p.m. EST / 2.30 p.m. PST.

SEE ALSO: Archive of Our Own is down, and it could be offline for weeks

AO3 soon acknowledged the outage on its official status update X account, stating that they were "looking into some issues that are causing 503 errors for some folks." The issue was resolved within the hour— though not before many readers have took to social media to yearn for their fics, wondering when their beloved AO3 would return from the war.

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted

Now AO3 has gone down yet again, stranding fan fiction fans in bitter reality once more. Reports of the second outage began pouring in to Down Detector from around 7 p.m. EST / 4 p.m. PST today. AO3 hasn't yet acknowledged the outage, though fans have turned to social media for a communal freak out.

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Fortunately, it seems that Monday's AO3 outage may also be fixed within the hour, with several users since reporting that their stories have now returned to them.

No other fan fiction platform offers quite the same experience as AO3. However, if you need a quick fan fiction fix to tide you over whenever the popular platform goes down, there are a few other options.

UPDATE: Nov. 19, 2024, 11:46 a.m. AEDT This article has been updated to note that Monday's outage appears to have since been fixed.

Perplexity searches are now shoppable with a Perplexity Pro subscription.

Today, the AI-driven search engine unveiled "Buy with Pro," a shopping assistant within Perplexity searches that gives you a one-click shopping experience. If you're researching products, or some kind of shopping-related query, Perplexity includes products in its responses that can be bought on the page — as long as your payment info is saved in the app.

Search results include relevant product info to inform your purchases by comparing prices and features. To sweeten the deal, Perplexity is also offering free shipping.

SEE ALSO: ChatGPT Search is now live. Here's how to use it. How Perplexity compares to Google and OpenAI

Buy with Pro is available with a Perplexity Pro subscription, which costs $20 a month. But notably, Perplexity doesn't earn a commission from purchases like Google Shopping — for now. "We have no concrete plans to introduce affiliate revenue," said Perplexity spokesperson Sara Platnick. "But it's also not off the table." At least for now, it sounds like a way to entice Perplexity users to upgrade to Pro.

Perplexity has gained attention as competitor to Google and OpenAI by offering a combination of AI-generated and real-time responses from the web. It's like a hybrid of Google Gemini and Google's AI overviews or OpenAI's new ChatGPT Search. However, like other generative AI chatbots trained on publicly available content, it has faced accusations of violating copyright and trademark laws. While Perplexity battles infringement lawsuits, it is charging forward with monetizing AI-powered search results.

It's not an AI agent, as in, it doesn't perform multi-step tasks — a feature that's shaping up to be a big theme in the coming year. But shoppable search results could be a stepping stone to this autonomous feature that companies like Google and OpenAI are expected to launch soon.

In conjunction with the AI shopping assistant, Perplexity also announced a Merchant Program for retailers to share product specs with the app. In turn, participating merchants will get an increased chance of product recommendations and purchasing data about their products. Perplexity isn't sharing specific user browsing habits with merchants, Platnick confirmed to Mashable.

Americans increasingly get their news from online influencers, and a new study found those creators are predominantly men and more likely to be conservative.

Pew released a detailed study on Monday that examined news influencers in America. Among the key takeaways was that 21 percent of U.S. adults — and 37 percent of those under the age of 30 — said they regularly got their news from social media influencers. Overall, the study found that news influencers were majority men and more likely to be conservative.

The Pew study found that 63 percent of news influencers — a significant majority — were men. When it came to politics, meanwhile, 27 percent were right-leaning, compared with 21 percent who identified as left-leaning. Forty-eight percent, meanwhile, had "no clear orientation."

The fact that a plurality of news influencers identified as having no political orientation may be related to how Pew defined a news influencer. A news influencer was defined as: "[Individuals] who regularly post about current events and civic issues on social media and have at least 100,000 followers on any of Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter) or YouTube. News influencers can be journalists who are or were affiliated with a news organization or independent content creators, but they must be people and not organizations."

SEE ALSO: Are the 2024 presidential campaigns Too Online?

Of the 500 popular news influencers included in the study, 23 percent were or had been employed in the news industry. Those current or former journalists proved much more likely to eschew explicit political bias. Most news influencers with no news background said they did lean one way or the other.

The more granular takeaways from the study were interesting as well. For instance, if Facebook seems more conservative, the study would agree. There were three times as many conservative influencers on the platform (39 percent) compared with liberal ones (13 percent). TikTok had the most equitable distribution of news influencers when it came to both politics and gender. Forty-five percent of news influencers on TikTok were women compared to 50 percent men. And 28 percent were liberal compared with 25 percent conservative.

The data from Pew seems to back the reporting and notion that there's a growing ecosystem of right-wing influencers. The 2024 election, after all, seemed to be, in part, proof of that idea.

Black Friday is upon us once again. Though the official shopping holiday is on Nov. 29, Amazon's Black Friday shopping event kicks off Thursday, Nov. 21, and runs through (Cyber) Monday, Dec. 2. Exciting deals await on electronics, toys, kitchen gadgets, and more. In fact, many are already live, as in years past.

Unlike Prime Day, which is exclusively for Prime members, shoppers aren't required to have a Prime membership to enjoy Black Friday deals at Amazon. Of course, it never hurts, though. With Prime, you'll have access to some exclusive savings, free and fast delivery, and access to the Black Friday NFL game on Nov. 29. The Kansas City Chiefs will host the Las Vegas Raiders at 3 p.m. ET in a game exclusive to Prime Video. New discounts on toys, electronics, and apparel will be up for grabs during the game.

Here's how shoppers can sign up for Amazon Prime:

Total Time

• 5 minutes, email address or phone number

What You Need

• Internet access

Step 1: Go to the Amazon Prime sign-up page and click on Start your free 30-day trial.

Head to Amazon Prime's sign-up page.

Step 2: Input your email if you have an existing Amazon account or click on Create Your Amazon account.

A new sign-in page will open up on the website. Input your email or mobile number and password if you have an existing Amazon account or click on Create Your Amazon account. If you make a new account, you'll need to provide some basic information such as name, email, and password.

Step 3: If you're creating a new account, follow the steps to verify your email with a One-Time Password.

If you choose to create a new account, Amazon will send an OTP to your respective email address or mobile number for account verification. If you are using an existing account, skip to Step 5.

Step 4: Input the OTP and click on Verify.

Once the OTP verification page appears on the screen, input the code and click on Verify.

Step 5: Sign up for your free one-month trial or purchase a full subscription.

Now users have two options: sign up for a free one-month trial or purchase a full subscription, though many users might not qualify for a free trial if they have already availed it in the past with the same email or phone number. If you are purchasing a subscription, click on one of these four plans to become a prime member: Monthly Prime Membership — costs $14.99 per month Annual Membership — costs $139 per year or under $12 monthly Student Monthly Membership — costs $7.49 per month; students are eligible for exclusive offers including a 6-month free Prime trial. Prime for government assistance recipients — costs $6.99 per month (must verify eligibility)

When it comes to shopping for the best cheap laptops, you can do a lot with $1,000. (Heck, even $500 cuts some mustard nowadays.) But you'll probably have to make some compromises along the way to stay below that price point.

That doesn't mean you have to settle for a total clunker that doesn't tick any of the boxes on your must-have specs list. It just means you have to shop a little smarter than someone with unlimited funds.

That's where we come in. The Mashable team is constantly reviewing new laptops with different operating systems and use cases, and we recommend several affordable machines that meet most, if not all of our performance and build quality standards.

Our top picks

As of Nov. 2024, we believe the best cheap MacBook is the 13-inch Apple MacBook Air powered by the previous-generation M2 chip. It's speedy enough for most people, it lasts all day, has an excellent keyboard, and it starts at $999 (though it's often on sale for well under $900). What's more, it just got a welcome base configuration bump to 16GB of RAM.

Among Windows PCs, the Lenovo Yoga 7i 14 (Gen 9) is currently the best laptop under $1,000 that we've tried. It has a peppy processor and a good battery life, it doubles as a tablet, and it starts at $899.99.

If you're really into Microsoft machines, look into the Surface Laptop Go 3. The company's current cheapest offering is a super portable notebook with a chic look and a clicky keyboard — though I'd encourage shoppers to find it on sale, given its older CPU. It otherwise starts at $799.99.

SEE ALSO: The best laptops of 2024, tested and approved by Mashable staff

The best cheap Chromebook is the $499 HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch, with its big, vibrant display and competent everyday performance. It also supports some useful AI features and multimedia editing apps.

Cheap gaming laptops don't get much better than the Acer Nitro V 15, which combines a cool design with cool Triple-A performance for $999 as tested. (The base model is only $749.) We also now recommend the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE as an even cheaper "cheap gaming laptop" pick — which shouldn't be a huge surprise, given how much we liked its very similar predecessor. It costs the same $649, too.

Other cheap laptops on our radar

We currently have the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 in hand for testing (specifically, the 2023 model with a 12th-generation Intel processor that retails for $399.99). If it feels like a better value than HP's Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch, it could be a new "best cheap Chromebook" contender.

We'll also test the Asus Vivobook S 14, a new Copilot+ PC with a Lunar Lake CPU and an OLED display, as well as the latest Framework Laptop 13, a repairable laptop that seems like a solid long-term value. We were big fans of an older version.

Look for extra-cheap laptops on Black Friday

Tech retailers like Best Buy, Amazon, Walmart, HP, Dell, and Lenovo save the bulk of their year-round lows for Black Friday season. (That's why we've deemed it the best time of year to score a great deal on a laptop.) For the next couple of weeks, we expect our favorite cheap laptops to be even cheaper than usual.

SEE ALSO: The best early Black Friday laptop deals on Apple, HP, Dell, Lenovo, and more

Don't want to scour the myriad listings yourself? Bookmark Mashable's guide to the best Black Friday laptop deals. We'll be updating it constantly throughout the holidays with vetted discounts on MacBooks, gaming laptops, Chromebooks, and more.

Read on for Mashable's in-depth guide to the best cheap laptops of 2024. FYI: We've listed the pricing and specs of our testing units, which may not apply to each laptop's base model.

Apple is reportedly working on an upgraded version of AirTags.

In his latest Power On newsletter for Bloomberg, prominent Apple insider Mark Gurman revealed that the first hardware update for AirTags is expected to arrive in mid-2025.

Apple AirTags debuted in April 2021. While a four-year hardware update might typically promise significant new features, Gurman suggested that this may not be the case for the upcoming revision.

SEE ALSO: Apple makes iPhone 6s Plus and XS Max vintage as obsolete list updated Apple AirTags: Updates to expect in 2025

According to Gurman, the next-generation AirTags will reportedly offer improved range, but the standout feature will be a design tweak making it harder to disable the onboard speaker — a key safeguard for detecting unknown AirTags placed on you. Gurman also said the new AirTags will improve privacy in general, but it's difficult to know right now if there will be other measures beyond protecting the speaker from removal.

Other than that, it sounds like the new AirTags will be a more incremental revision than some might like. The new model will also reportedly look similar to the old ones, so you won't even get a visual upgrade. But at least Apple is fixing the speaker issue.

SAVE UP TO 58%: As of Nov. 18, you can score up to 58% off select board games at Amazon.

Best board game deals as of Nov. 18 Best board game deal overall Operation $12.49 (save $7.50) Get Deal Best runner-up board game deal Twister $10.99 (save $9) Get Deal Best budget board game deal Sorry! $5 (save $6.99) Get Deal

With Thanksgiving coming up in just a week, you might be scrambling to find something for the kids to do (that doesn’t involve a screen) while relatives visit or to keep everyone occupied and entertained as you host friends and family for the upcoming holiday season.

SEE ALSO: The best board games that we played and loved

Luckily, Amazon has a pretty sizeable selection of board games currently on sale — from family-friendly classics to the latest strategy and party games. And as of Nov. 18, you can score up to 58% off popular titles like Catan, Ticket to Ride, and Twister.

Here are the best board game finds that caught our eye:

Best board game deal overall Opens in a new window Credit: Hasbro Operation $12.49 at Amazon
$19.99 Save $7.50 Get Deal Why we like it

Operation is a game of skill and precision that’s fun for kids and adults. In this classic game (which I also had growing up), players use a pair of metal tweezers to carefully remove tiny plastic body parts from the patient's body without touching the sides and setting off the buzzer. Each successful removal earns them a paper $50 or $100, and the player who racks up the most dough by the end of the game wins.

Pro tip: This also makes for a fun drinking game for older crowds!

Best runner-up board game deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hasbro Twister $10.99 at Amazon
$19.99 Save $9.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Twister is a party game that ties you up in knots (literally!). To play, you spin the wheel and twist your body to put your hands and feet on whatever color it lands on. It's perfect for rainy days, family game nights, or any time you need a good laugh and a bit of a stretch, and with up to four players, it’s ideal for small groups or a double date. It’s also portable and 45% off right now, so you can’t lose (monetarily, at least).

Best budget board game deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hasbro Sorry! $5.00 at Amazon
$11.99 Save $6.99 Get Deal Why we like it

For just $5, you and your friends or family can get in on Sorry! — a classic that teaches strategy, planning, and friendly competition. This game board includes 12 pawns, 44 cards, and instructions. Just be warned: If you can’t take a joke or are a sore loser, this might not be the game for you.

More board game deals

• Candy Land Kingdom Of Sweet Adventures — $8.99 $11.99 (save $3)

• Guess Who? — $10.49 $16.99 (save $6.50)

• Monopoly (Token Vote Edition) — $14.97 $21.99 (save $7.02)

• the Uzzle — $49.99 $70.99 (save $21)

Black Friday is back, babes.

This year, Amazon is hosting a "Black Friday Week" savings event that kicks off on Thursday, Nov. 21, and runs through Friday, Nov. 29 — aka Black Friday proper. Later that day, the mega-retailer will shift into Cyber Monday mode, which will run through Monday, Dec. 2. Expect to see "millions of deals across more than 35 categories" throughout the event, including all-time low prices on brands like Yeti, Beats, and Ninja.

Of course, it's Amazon, so plenty of early deals are already live. And there's a chance that thing you've been eyeing is already on sale. If you want to ensure you score the best deals on your must-have items this Black Friday season, we've got a shopping hack for you: Create a wishlist.

Curating your personal list of must-have items and setting price alerts can help you stay on track and avoid adding things to your cart just because they were on sale.

Get your scroll on and find out how to create an Amazon wishlist for Black Friday.

SEE ALSO: Black Friday vs. Cyber Monday: Which day is better for shopping? Tip No. 1: Organize your Amazon wishlist

If it’s news to you that Amazon even offers such a feature, here’s how it works:

Every product page on the retail giant’s website has a little “Add to List” button right near “Add to Cart.” Click on the list button and you can add said product to your personal Amazon wishlist, or any other saved list that you’ve created on your profile.

Do this with all of those items that you've been eyeing, but can't seem to make a move on unless they're on sale. Then, you can view your definitive list at a glance, or even rank each item based on how badly you want it.

Then — and here's the important part — be sure to check back on your wishlist when Black Friday 2024 kicks into high gear. You’ll be able to see which products have gone on sale and snatch them up before they’re gone.

WARNING: Only add the necessities to your wishlist or risk critical failure and end up with mass shipments of stuff you don’t need, never needed, and will never need.

Tip No. 2: Turn on wishlist alerts

That’s not where the perks of "wishlisting" cap out. If you download Amazon’s mobile companion app, you’ll be granted the added benefit of "wishlist alerts."

These alerts notify you when an item on your wishlist becomes a “lightning deal,” as well as when a sold-out item on your wishlist goes back in stock.

This isn’t a notification setting that's turned on by default, so you’ll have to go in and check it off yourself. All you have to do is open up the Amazon app, go into your settings, then to your notifications, and click on “your watched and waitlisted deals.”

It's this one. Credit: Screenshot: Amazon Tip No. 3: Turn on Alexa's advanced deal alerts

As it turns out, newer Echo smart speakers are good for more than just bumping out your playlists. They can also notify you of a sale on an item in your wishlist, shopping cart, or "saved for later" queue up to 24 hours before it even goes live.

• Open up the Alexa mobile app to turn on the advanced deal alerts feature. You'll find it under More > Settings > Notifications > Amazon Shopping

• Once you're there, click Shopping Recommendations and then Deal Recommendations. Since you already have your wishlist organized and ready to go, that's all there is to it.

• You'll see a pop-up alert or a yellow ring light on your Echo device whenever Alexa finds out about an upcoming deal on products in your wishlist. Ask, "Alexa, what are my notifications?" to get the scoop.

You can either have Alexa let you know once the deal is live or even give her the go-ahead to order it for you ("Alexa, buy it for me"). Your default payment and delivery address on file will be used automatically.

Voilà — now you’ll never miss a deal for something you want. Your Amazon wishlist is one of the most useful tools that you have at your disposal to ensure a successful shopping experience.

When you're done curating your list, you can even share it with your friends. You can also view wishlists created by other Prime members. Just click the "Invite" button in your wishlist or click over to the "Your Friends" tab in your profile.

Bonus tip: Get ready for Black Friday 2024 with Mashable

We like to think we're just as on top of tracking deals on the stuff you care about as a wishlist is. Follow along with our Black Friday and Cyber Monday coverage (which has already started!), where we'll be highlighting all of the most important intel from the sale, from record-low price alerts to any invite-only deals for Prime members that may pop up to giant lists of the best deals in categories like TVs, Apple stuff, robot vacuums, headphones, and kitchen gear.

Meta announced yet another pair of smart glasses back in September — and now we have an idea of what researchers are doing with it before it's ready for consumers.

As part of its research-focused Project Aria initiative, Meta released a list of research projects that are being performed with its Orion smart glasses that were revealed at Meta Connect a couple of months ago. Orion isn't even close to being available to the public yet, but when it is, there are a few things that it might be able to do to help you out in daily life.

Here are four of the most interesting research projects being done with Orion right now via Project Aria.

SEE ALSO: Meta Quest 3S vs. Meta Quest 3: What are the differences? Meta Project Aria: Four futuristic things Orion might be able to do

This will encompass pretty much everything Meta talked about in its project list, but they're all worth knowing about.

Driving assistance

Researchers at IIIT Hyderabad in India are using machine learning and Orion to help people ideally become better drivers. For example, they are able to use the glasses to detect what the user is and isn't looking at. What this means is that the glasses could potentially be able to warn you before you take a right turn into a pedestrian you didn't see.

Help for the visually impaired

Investigators at Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute have also done some work with Project Aria. What they showcased in Meta's post is tech that can help those with visual impairments navigate complex indoor spaces using audio cues. The example given was that they were able to create a 3D indoor map of Pittsburgh's airport — and someone wearing the Orion glasses would theoretically be able to get around and find where they're going, thanks to the onboard audio assistant.

Help for those with hearing loss

At the University of Iowa, Orion research is seemingly a little more straightforward, but no less useful in everyday life for some people.

Researchers in Hawkeye country have come up with a way to use the Orion glasses to provide visual cues for those with hearing loss. For instance, if a noise is made, the glasses could use their HUD to show the user which direction the noise came from. It's not the most complicated or out-of-this-world application of Orion technology, but it's one that could easily become important for some users — if it's done properly.

Help with performing complex tasks

Finally, researchers at the University of Bristol have captured data from "highly skilled people" (think chefs and mechanics), which can be used to help the less-skilled among us perform complex tasks with visual aid. For example, in the future, Orion could guide you step-by-step on which components to install, the order to install them, and their exact placement.

Currently, Orion is just a prototype, so don’t expect a consumer version anytime soon. If it’s any consolation, a market-ready version should be available by 2030 at the latest.

Get $200 off: As of Nov. 18, This 75” Samsung Smart TV Black Friday deal is available for $549.99. Get it now to take 27% off the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 75” Class DU6950 Series Crystal UHD 4K Smart Tizen TV $549.99 at Best Buy
$749.99 Save $200.00 Get Deal

At Best Buy, Black Friday has basically already begun. No need to wait — this Smart TV deal was registered to go live on Thursday, November 28th as a Black Friday doorbuster, but the sale price is already available three days early. Be quick and get this sneaky deal on a behemoth TV.

If you’re looking for an exceptional screen for a once-a-year price this UHD 75” smart TV packs all the visual juice your eyes crave. With 4K resolution, it delivers the crispness you expect in 2024, and even upscales content to 4K so that you can take advantage of its Crystal detail on older, lower resolution content.

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

HDR 10+ pairs with a wide color gamut to ensure that video looks striking in all light conditions. For those who play games, the TV delivers 60Hz screen refresh times, ensuring it can keep up with the action.

Get the Samsung 75” Class DU6950 Series Crystal UHD 4K Smart Tizen TV now for $549.99 and take advantage of early Black Friday sale pricing for $200 off.

A Tizen operating system lives within, giving you access to apps, games, and streaming services natively. This smart TV has two speakers built-in, but uses virtual surround sound to create atmosphere. It’s optimized for connection to Samsung sound bars for more immersive sound.

Trump is running down his list of administration appointees, landing this week on Brendan Carr as the new pick for Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair.

Carr, current FCC commissioner and its top Republican member, was nominated for the FCC by Trump in 2017 after serving as general counsel and as an advisor to former Chair Ajit Pai. His term has since been extended to 2029, and in the seven years he's served on the commission, Carr has been a vocal, partisan opponent to Net Neutrality and the Biden Administration's tentpole broadband subsidies.

Carr is also the author behind the controversial Project 2025 mandates for the FCC, focused heavily on Communication Act's Section 230 and content moderation online — he's also buddies with leader of the new "Department of Government Efficiency" Elon Musk.

SEE ALSO: PSA: Your Twitter/X account is about to change forever

Calling Carr a "warrior for Free Speech" in a battle against "regulatory Lawfare" — a phrase used by Carr to refer to the revocation of a $885 million FCC grant to Musk's Starlink — Trump applauded the commissioner's plan for a revamped FCC landscape. "He will end the regulatory onslaught that has been crippling America’s Job Creators and Innovators, and ensure that the FCC delivers for rural America," the president-elect wrote.

Tweet may have been deleted

So where does the new Chair stand on the big issues?

Net Neutrality and Section 230

The new Trump appointee was a central opponent to the FCC's restoration of landmark Net Neutrality laws, previously repealed during Trump's first administration and former chair Pai. Carr argued at the time that such regulations would have a negative impact on rural areas, increasing rates and slowing down infrastructure builds. The increasingly partisan issue has drawn clear lines between Republican and Democrat FCC members, and as the fate of Net Neutrality gets batted back and forth in court, many proponents of an "Open Internet" fear a Republican-controlled FCC could doom its fate.

Carr has also taken a hard line against the immunities included in Section 230. Included among a list of Project 2025 recommendations, the commissioner wrote, "The FCC should work with Congress on more fundamental Section 230 reforms that go beyond interpreting its current terms. Congress should do so by ensuring that Internet companies no longer have carte blanche to censor protected speech while maintaining their Section 230 protections. Reforms that prohibit discrimination against core political viewpoints are one way to do this... [Congress] could focus legislation on dominant, general-use platforms rather than specialized ones. This could include excluding comment sections in online publications, specialized message boards, or communities within larger platforms that self-moderate."

Carr singled out tech giants like Facebook, Google, Apple, and Microsoft as a "censorship cartel," pledging to take them on under a new administration. Additionally, Carr has backed a total federal ban on TikTok.

Free speech, diversity, and accessibility

Shortly after the announcement, Carr posted to X that he would end its promotion of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, the agency's "second-highest strategic goal" outlined in its recent budget proposal. "When it comes to the FCC's promotion of DEI, I have just one thing to say: Afuera!" added Carr.

Tweet may have been deleted

Carr has previously echoed Trump's stance against "political bias" and moderation within "mainstream media." After the announcement, Carr posted: "We must dismantle the censorship cartel and restore free speech rights for everyday Americans."

One potential hit? Broadcast media's use of public airwaves. In yet another X post, Carr wrote, "Broadcast media have had the privilege of using a scarce and valuable public resource—our airwaves. In turn, they are required by law to operate in the public interest. When the transition is complete, the FCC will enforce this public interest obligation."

The commissioner has publicly aligned himself with Trump's desire to slash regulations, revoke licenses, and punish media networks for publishing with "bias."

Tweet may have been deleted

Garmin might have just spilled the beans on its next project, which is big news for outdoor enthusiasts.

A leak from Garmin Spain’s website has unveiled key details about the Instinct 3, the latest addition to its lineup of adventure-ready smartwatches.

SEE ALSO: The Garmin fēnix 7 Pro is at its lowest-ever price at Amazon

The Instinct series has long been a favorite for hikers, climbers, and survivalists. It combines durability with Garmin’s knack for hardcore outdoor tech. If the leaked repair codes are anything to go by, the Instinct 3 will have the following trio of features: a 45mm case, a solar-charging option, and a classic black design.

As reported by Fitness Tracker Test, this marks the second Instinct 3 leak in just a matter of days. The earlier leak hinted at a significant new feature: support for rucking, a growing fitness trend where participants hike with weighted backpacks. It also teased a potential release timeline, suggesting the Instinct 3 might hit shelves before the end of this year.

With Instinct 2 celebrating its two-year anniversary, it wouldn’t be surprising if these rumors were on point. Garmin seems poised to refresh its lineup. If these leaks are accurate, the Instinct 3 could bring some serious upgrades for outdoor and fitness enthusiasts alike.