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SAVE $39.95: As of Oct. 29, you can grab the Beats Studio Buds+ for $129.99 at Amazon. Down from $169.95, this deal saves you 24% on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / Beats Beats Studio Buds+ $129.99 at Amazon
$169.95 Save $39.96 Get Deal

If you’ve been on the lookout for earbuds that do it all, the Beats Studio Buds+ might be what you need. Besides delivering top-notch sound, these buds show off a transparent style that is equal parts sleek and “look at me.” They're packed with all the goodies including noise cancellation, long battery life, and sweat resistance. They’re down to $129.99, so your wallet will thank you, too.

Let’s start with the basics: These earbuds have a custom acoustic platform that lets you sink into your playlists or take calls without missing a beat. With both Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) and Transparency modes, you can switch between tuning out the world or staying in the loop. Got an important call? ANC helps block distractions, while Transparency mode means you won’t get caught off guard by the barista calling out your coffee.

SEE ALSO: AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation: Why is no one talking about how it’s an engineering miracle?

Battery life is another strong point, with up to 36 hours when you include the charging case. Each full charge lasts around 9 hours, so these buds won’t quit before you do. And with an IPX4 rating, the Studio Buds+ can handle sweaty workouts and surprise rain showers without drama.

At $129.99, these sleek, versatile earbuds are a solid deal. They work with both Apple and Android and offer one-touch pairing, which is basically tech-speak for “quick and easy.” With four sizes of silicone tips, you’ll find a snug fit to keep that crystal-clear sound right where it belongs.

If you’re ready for a pair of earbuds that look good, sound great, and play nice with any device, the Beats Studio Buds+ are calling your name. Get them at this price before they disappear.

SAVE $45: The Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen, Kids Edition) is on sale for $54.99 at Amazon. Down from $99.99, this deal saves you 45% on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / Amazon Amazon Echo Show 5 Kids $54.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $45.00 Get Deal

The latest Echo Show 5 for Kids isn’t just a gadget; it’s a learning tool, storytime buddy, and entertainment hub all rolled into one. With this 2023 release, kids can explore music, call family members, get homework help, and even interact with Disney characters in the new “Hey Disney!” mode. Now at just $54.99, it’s a solid deal for any parent looking to blend tech with fun learning.

With its 5-inch screen and vibrant Galaxy design, this device is tailored for children ages 3 to 12. The Echo Show 5 (Kids Edition) brings Alexa into the mix, ready to help with schoolwork, read bedtime stories, and connect kid-safe video calls to family and approved friends. From Amazon Music and Audible to fun Alexa skills and morning routines, there’s plenty here to keep them engaged. Best of all is it all comes wrapped in Amazon’s robust parental controls.

SEE ALSO: The best parental control software for your family

Every device also comes with a year-long subscription to Amazon Kids+, opening up thousands of ad-free songs, Alexa skills, and audiobooks. Plus, Alexa’s kid-friendly mode filters explicit content, so you won’t have to worry about them hearing anything inappropriate. After the first year, Kids+ renews for just $5.99 a month, but you can cancel anytime through the Amazon Parent Dashboard.

At 45% off, this deal is worth catching while it’s live. The Echo Show 5 Kids Edition also includes a two-year worry-free guarantee — meaning if it breaks, Amazon will replace it for free. Add the option to bundle with an Echo Glow nightlight, or Mickey/Minnie stands, and you’ve got extra options for a bit more fun.

For parents seeking a device that entertains, educates and offers peace of mind, this Echo Show is a great pick, especially at this price.

SAVE $135: As of Oct. 29, the Samsung T7 Shield 2TB Portable SSD is on sale at Amazon for $149.99. This deal saves you 47% on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / Samsung Samsung T7 Shield (2TB) $149.99 at Amazon
$284.99 Save $135.00 Get Deal

Photographers, gamers, and content creators know that reliable storage is essential. The Samsung T7 Shield has a rugged build that handles rough days and fast speeds to make file transfers quick. At 47% off, it’s a solid deal for anyone needing dependable storage.

Designed to withstand a bit of adventure, the T7 Shield is IP65-rated, meaning it can handle water and dust and drops up to 9.8 feet without flinching. So whether you’re braving a rainy shoot or loading it into your bag for a flight, this SSD can keep your files safe without weighing you down. Plus, it’s about as compact as they come, making it easy to stash in a pocket or camera bag.

SEE ALSO: Cloud storage sale: Get 1TB of cloud storage, save 85%, and keep it for life

Speed is where the T7 Shield shines. USB 3.2 Gen 2 tech and PCIe NVMe transfers data at up to 1,050 MB/s read and 1,000 MB/s write speeds. It’s twice as fast as its T5 predecessor, so moving large files (even those 4K videos) is a breeze. And if you’re working across devices, you’re set thanks to compatibility with PCs, Macs, tablets, and even the iPhone 15 for those ultra-HD ProRes video files.

This limited-time price drop to $149.99 makes the T7 Shield a smart pick for fast, durable storage. With options from 1TB to 4TB, you can pick a size that fits your needs. Whether you’re after more space for video projects or need a sturdy drive for your travels, the T7 Shield can deliver.

It’s a great moment to invest in a drive built to last. Grab this Samsung SSD before it’s back up to full price.

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 Tuesday, October 29, 2024:

AcrossSacred flower in Hinduism and Buddhism

• The answer is Lotus.

"Sorry, too busy!"

• The answer is Icant.

Backyard border

• The answer is Fence.

Bird known for its sharp eyesight

• The answer is Eagle.

Songwriter Gallagher of Oasis

• The answer is Noel.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 29 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for October 29 DownBoard game with a choice to "Start Career" or "Start College"

• The answer is Life.

Home to the first animals on Earth

• The answer is Ocean.

Dance that originated in Buenos Aires

• The answer is Tango.

Mother's brother

• The answer is Uncle.

Buns of ___ (classic workout video)

• The answer is Steel.

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.

SAVE OVER $60: As of Oct. 29, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (44mm) is marked down to $231.95 on Amazon. That's a saving of 23% on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / Samsung Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (40mm) $231.95 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $68.04 Get Deal

So, you want a smartwatch that's more than just a clock on steroids? The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 does a bit of everything, from nudging you to stay active to keeping you in the know about your heart health. Plus, it's pretty good-looking and comes in multiple shades, including a Soft Cream if you're after something understated.

This isn't just about counting steps. With Galaxy AI on board, the Watch 7 offers real-time feedback on your workouts, which can motivate you to beat your personal best. And the new Energy Score feature? Based on yesterday's moves, it calculates how prepared you are to tackle the day ahead. Think of it as a little "you've got this" or "maybe ease up today" message from your wrist.

SEE ALSO: Samsung's Galaxy Watch 7 44mm is at its lowest-ever price at Amazon

Sleep tracking? Yep, and it's no snooze-fest. It'll even keep an eye out for potential sleep apnea, all while analyzing your sleep habits to help you get closer to that elusive, perfect night's rest. Throw in heart rate monitoring, a range of exercise tracking options, and wellness tips for some added guidance, and you've got a lot packed into one watch.

This model is at its cheapest-ever price, so if you're set on Samsung's latest wrist tech, now's a solid time to grab it. Usually priced at $299.99, this limited-time deal gives you over $60 off. With a one-year manufacturer warranty, you're covered on the tech side. If Cream's not your vibe, other color options await.

So, if you're looking to boost your health game or want a cool new gadget, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (40mm) at this price is worth considering. Snap one up before the deal's gone.

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 October 29 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 29 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: You and me

These words are buddies.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

Words that refer to friendships. 

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Togetherness.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for October 29

• Friend

• Companion

• Partner

• Bestie

• Sidekick

• Togetherness

SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 29 SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 29

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.

NASA astronauts will land in an eerie place.

Unlike the Apollo missions of over 50 years ago, which touched down near the lunar equator, the space agency's new moon endeavor will land in the south pole. The reason is clear: That's where the frozen water is.

NASA has released a refined list of the nine potential places astronauts will land, no earlier than September 2026. The craters and areas preserving the ice are home to some of the coldest temperatures in the solar system, requiring moon suits that will allow astronauts to withstand temperatures of minus 334 degrees Fahrenheit. It's a region where the sun barely rises over the lunar hills, creating profoundly long shadows and dim environs.

"The moon’s south pole is a completely different environment than where we landed during the Apollo missions," Sarah Noble, NASA's Artemis lunar science lead, said in a statement. "It offers access to some of the moon’s oldest terrain, as well as cold, shadowed regions that may contain water and other compounds. Any of these landing regions will enable us to do amazing science and make new discoveries."

SEE ALSO: NASA scientist viewed first Voyager images. What he saw gave him chills.

You can see the proposed spots in the image below, a mosaic of images captured by the space agency's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. Many of the craters, as you can see, are deeply shadowed (hence their official designation of "Permanently Shadowed Regions," or PSRs).

The nine candidate landing regions for NASA's Artemis III mission, all located in the lunar South Pole. Credit: NASA Tweet may have been deleted

The ice isn't just integral for the air and water needed to sustain a moon base. It can also be used for rocket fuel (oxygen and hydrogen are primary ingredients in many rocket fuels) and employed as radiation protection (walls of water, or ice, can block dangerous particles from the sun or deep space from impacting human bodies). Though lunar laws are still murky, no one can legally claim any territory or sovereignty on the moon, as directed by the Outer Space Treaty. But nations are free to explore the moon, which will necessitate extracting materials to stay alive and achieve scientific goals.

NASA will now continue to refine the specific landing sites. For example, they must consider what sites have the best scientific potential, access to ice, and opportunities for the forthcoming Lunar Terrain Vehicle, which will allow astronauts "to go farther and conduct more science than ever before," the agency explained.

A major component of the Artemis campaign is to prepare astronauts for deeper space exploration, such as potential journeys to Mars in the late 2030s. But first, they'll have to land on the moon in the coming years — a feat that remains daunting even 55 years after Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin settled down on the chalky lunar ground.

TL;DR: MagellanTV’s two-year documentary streaming subscription delivers ad-free access to 3,000+ hours of content for just $59.99.

If you or someone on your holiday gift list loves diving into history, science, or true crime, the MagellanTV two-year subscription is the perfect find. With over 3,000 hours of documentaries to choose from, this streaming service is packed with content that’ll keep your brain busy for months. Whether you’re into ancient civilizations, wildlife, space exploration, or unsolved mysteries, MagellanTV has something for everyone — and it’s all at your command for $59.99.

The best part? It’s completely ad-free — no annoying interruptions to break the flow of your binge-watch session. You can explore the depths of human history or the mysteries of the universe in stunning 4K, and you’ll feel like you’re part of the story without ever leaving your couch. It’s available on almost any device, from your big-screen TV to your tablet or phone.

What’s even better is the flexibility to watch anywhere, anytime. Whether you're lounging at home or sneaking in a quick episode on the go, MagellanTV is ready to follow you wherever you are. With new content added weekly, the library keeps growing, so you’ll always find something fresh to explore.

Available for just $59.99 for two years, this MagellanTV subscription is a thoughtful gift for anyone with a curious mind or a love for learning.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: MagellanTV MagellanTV Documentary Streaming Service: 2-Year Subscription $59.99
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TL;DR: Get work done and stream your favorite shows with this refurbished HP Stream 11 Laptop, on sale for $119.99 (reg. $195).

• Intel Celeron N4020 processor delivers smooth performance, with speeds ranging from 1.1 GHz up to 2.8 GHz for everyday tasks

• 32GB eMMC storage ensures fast boot-up times and ample space for files and apps, making it great for students or light users

• Compact and lightweight, weighing just 3.75 lbs, with an 11.6-inch anti-glare screen for easy portability

• Long-lasting 14-hour battery life keeps you powered up through work, study, or entertainment all day

• Runs on Windows 10 Home in S Mode, offering security and performance for budget-conscious users, with the option to switch out of S Mode for free

• Given an "A" refurbished rating, meaning it's in near-mint condition with minimal to no signs of use and functions just like new

• Ideal for students, remote workers, or anyone needing a reliable laptop for daily tasks and entertainment

Score a refurbished HP Stream 11 Laptop for only $119.99 — an affordable, lightweight choice.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: HP HP Stream 11" Laptop (2021) Intel N4020 4GB RAM 32GB eMMC (Refurbished) $119.99
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TL;DR: Charge all your devices at once with the Clingomatic Qi2 3-in-1 Charging Station, on sale for $44.99 (reg. $119).

• Qi2 wireless charging with 15W fast-charging power for your iPhone, plus 3W for your Apple Watch and 5W for AirPods

• Compatible with iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods for seamless charging all in one spot

• Features a sleek halo light that provides a soft, ambient glow while charging, perfect for your nightstand or office

• Built-in magnetic alignment ensures your devices snap into place securely every time

• Designed with a 360° rotatable base, so you can adjust the angle to get the perfect view of your device while it charges

• Compact and clutter-free design, making it easy to organize and keep your space looking clean

• Great for anyone who wants an all-in-one solution to charge their essentials without the mess of multiple cables

Keep your devices powered up and organized with the Clingomatic Qi2 3-in-1 Charging Station and Halo Light, now just $44.99 for a limited time.

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Opens in a new window Credit: SafeTouch Clingomatic Qi2 3-in-1 Charging Station with Halo Light $44.99
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An unremarkable real-world thriller, September 5 fails on numerous fronts: both as a film re-telling the 1972 Munich Olympics hostage crisis, and as a journalistic retrospective about TV broadcasting. It arrives with renewed relevance in light of constant, harrowing news from Palestine, but the movie’s narrowed focus — almost entirely confining the plot to the real-time developments within ABC's Munich newsroom — is a blinkered approach that ends up saying little about the events either in retrospect, or as they unfolded in the moment.

Swiss director Tim Fehlbaum brings clockwork proficiency to his screenplay (which he co-wrote with Moritz Binder and Alex David). However, his technical acumen is in service of a mechanical cinematic experience whose political outlook is awkward at best, and status-quo fawning at worst. That the film is now on people's Oscar radar appears to be an outcome of its appearance on one solitary list of predictions, despite it receiving little buzz out of its Venice premiere. Whether September 5 hits with award bodies remains to be seen, but to laud it with trophies would be a severe political miscalculation, an act that — like the film itself — is all bluster, and features little by way of artistic inquiry.

What is September 5 about?

In the early hours of Sept. 5, 1972, eight gunmen from the Palestinian militia Black September took the Israeli Olympic team hostage in their hotel and demanded the release of over 200 Palestinian prisoners — an event depicted in the opening scenes of Steven Spielberg's Munich. Among the first news stories of its kind to be broadcast live around the globe, this armed encounter helped set the stage for such coverage in the future, a self-reflexivity the movie hints toward, as its journalists scramble to bring the story to a worldwide audience. Far from saints, some of its journalist characters are downright opportunistic, which begins to paint an intriguing portrait of the future of TV news. However, Fehlbaum never quite follows this instinct.

On one hand, tethering the film's perspective to ABC's makeshift control center offers unique insight into live broadcasting, a complex technical process seldom explored on screen. In that vein, the film is tantalizingly tactile, with its use of maps, books, and telephones re-jigged to function as radio receivers so the whole team can eavesdrop on German police scanners. On the other hand, the ethics of breakneck TV decision-making, and the media's role in capturing the affair, which took place over 20 hours, while making harmful mistakes — like broadcasting police strategies live on air, so the attackers could get one step ahead— play out in rote fashion.

It’s as though September 5 were obligated to touch on every item on a biopic checklist, more so the logistics of “what” and “who” rather than the more emotionally detailed “how” and “why,” without exploring the broader implications of what’s on screen. Even meeting the movie on its level, within these narrow parameters, yields disappointing drama, since the edit rarely ruminates on the momentary impact of any event or decision. "It's not about details, it's about EMOTIONS," one character argues in a pivotal scene. If only the movie had followed suit. 

However, the issues don't begin and end with how the story is told; they're often tied to what sliver of the larger whole the movie chooses to tell (and all that it leaves to the imagination). John Magaro plays Geoffrey Mason, the spry new producer charged with making real-time editing decisions, while Peter Sarsgaard appears as executive Roone Arledge, a vulture of sorts, but a suit who gets things done against all odds. The tension between them is akin to that of film directors and studio execs battling over an edit — what's right for the story vs. what's best business — only in the case of an armed standoff and hostage negotiation unfolding in real time, that edit happens just seconds before images make it to air.

As the superego to Magaro and Sarsgaard's ego and id, Ben Chaplin's broadcasting overseer Marvin Bader is an occasional voice of reason, though his function is largely to verbalize the movie's ethical conundrums. Few of these are allowed to play out within the drama itself, since the movie is quick to jump from any brief moment of realization or self-reflection toward the next real-world event. 

The half-baked politics of September 5.

Conspicuous by his physical absence through much of the film is a character who makes a fleeting appearance early on: TV journalist Peter Jennings (Benjamin Walker), whose brief dialogue in the newsroom hints at the complex politics involved. Jennings' voice can be heard through archival audio as he narrates the hostage situation live, but any sense that his extensive experience covering the Middle East might come in handy and provide a nuanced perspective is often brushed aside by the film, and by the other characters. For instance, his suggestion that the word "terrorist" be avoided in favor of "guerillas" or "commandos" is practically treated as a punchline.

The term has since become loaded and racialized, and after a single exchange touches on this tension, the conversation quickly falls by the wayside, until the movie—in its closing titles — uses the term as well, rather than taking a more critical approach to the wider conflict between Israel and Palestine, and the way this language is weaponized (as the fictionalized Jennings had feared). No film is beholden to a more balanced view than corporate news media typically presents, but in gesturing toward complexity, September 5 sets a bare minimum target for itself that it fails to hit. It's practically audacious in this misstep, in light of recent asymmetrical coverage of Israel's current bombing campaign of the Gaza strip.

No such wider lens is applied to the movie, and it suffers in the process. The claustrophobia and urgency of a newsroom can make for engaging storytelling, but the film adheres to the very same limitations the reporters were constrained by at the time, as they scrambled to put two and two together. If it has any dramatic irony, it's only toward the nation of Germany, who had hoped to use the '72 games as a peaceful benchmark of how far they'd come since World War II. Dialogue about how German efficiency would quickly solve the crisis — when the police badly dropped the ball in reality, leading to a disastrous airfield shootout — makes it apparent that Fehlbaum and co. are capable of at least winking at the audience and folding, into the movie’s purview, a sense of foresight.

However, this broad cinematic empathy has its limits in September 5, and the movie instead wears nominally progressive notions on its sleeve through isolated newsroom incidents. A local female correspondent, Marianne Gebhardt (Leonie Benesch), is underestimated by her male peers, who learn to value her skills one scene later. A racist character's remark about Arabs is swiftly rebuked by his Algerian coworker, though that’s the entire extent of the film’s perspective on Middle Eastern geopolitics. 

The only thing that matters in September 5 is the newsroom, and even when its newsmen exacerbate the crisis, or struggle with what's right — like whether to keep their cameras trained on potential executions — the camera holds on Magaro, Sarsgaard, and Chaplin's intense performances just long enough to conjure curiosity about their doubts. Then, as it moves on, it simply forgets that these questions were even asked in the first place, or that they matter.

September 5 is aesthetically malformed.

An early scene in September 5 has all the intensity of a CIA control room in one of Paul Greengrass' Bourne films, which is high praise considering how those movies used cinéma vérité to embody the modern surveillance state. Fehlbaum and cinematographer Markus Förderer's camera work in tandem with Hansjörg Weißbrich's editing provide a tightly controlled sequence of up-to-the minute decision making, cut hastily but precisely, and aimed at intimate image-making.

It's a treat to watch, but the only problem is that this scene is about a swimming competition the day before the hostage crisis begins. Nothing in the rest of the film matches this intensity, which is partly owed to the fact that September 5 has an incredibly awkward relationship to time. Where the events of the swim meet unfold over several minutes (condensed to several seconds as the news crew captures personal and national victory), the hostage crisis goes on for a full day. 

However, in capturing its chronology, the film presents little difference between a cut within the same scene and a cut that skips forward several minutes or hours. Unless a character mentions the time on the clock, it's hard to keep track of how much time has elapsed, or how the situation has evolved.

This is also a function of the movie's central narrative choice: to practically never leave the newsroom. If their cameras don't capture it, they don't see it, which often renders the events themselves a mere background fixture, whose impact never seems to land. No new dimensions are revealed to violence, its causes, or its overarching politics, but the movie also provides little insight into the complications (and royal muck-ups) within the newsroom itself. September 5 runs a hair over 90 minutes, but this time is better spent watching Kevin Macdonald's Oscar-winning documentary on the same subject, One Day in September, which is made up of archival footage pulled from numerous sources, rather than locking itself to one perspective that isn't particularly interesting or enlightening to begin with.

September 5 was reviewed out of its Philadelphia Film Festival premiere. It opens in theaters Nov. 29.  

It's a simple truth: Where there’s a Dyson product, there’s a dupe, and that holds especially true for Dyson beauty products.

The brand entered the beauty sphere in 2016 when it released the now-legendary Supersonic, a hair dryer with an innovative design that maximized airflow and minimized hair damage. Eight years later, it remains the most highly-praised hair dryer on the market, making it clear that Dyson's beauty tech bet was more than a success. While it’s an impressive product, it also retails for $429 — a price that you don't need to pay for an exceptional at-home hair dry.

What makes the Dyson Supersonic special? 

The Supersonic first made waves because, in typical Dyson fashion, it brought an upgraded, futuristic design to an everyday product.

Dyson is known for this aesthetic, but the sleek look also has a function. The ring-shaped head ditches the vented and coiled model of the traditional hair dryer and houses the tiny V9 motor in the handle. The combination of the V9 motor and the Air Multiplier technology makes for a dryer that clocks in at only 1.8 pounds, yet still delivers a powerful airflow that’s notably quieter than the roar of a traditional dryer. That extra strong airflow makes this dryer less reliant on heat than standard models. It also keeps hair damage to a minimum.

SEE ALSO: Review: Dyson's new headphones have awe-inspiring features and a clunky design

To further minimize damage, the Supersonic also measures the air temp up to 20 times per second and uses a built-in ionizer to minimize static and give hair a sleek finish, which brings us to a quick ionizer science lesson.

Ionizers are pretty common in higher-end air dryers. Why? Most work by blowing negative ions at wet hair to reduce static electricity by sealing the hair cuticle and taking down the power of that positive ionic charge (aka what's causing that annoying frizz). As negative ions make contact with hair, they're also dispersing the positive ions of water, therefore cutting down on your drying time and reducing damage in the process.

Basically, it's one of the reasons the Dyson Supersonic provides such quick and excellent results, and why hair dryers with ionizers will cost you more money — they do more than simply dry the hair.

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

Magnetic attachments designed to easily snap onto the blow dryer round out the futuristic feel of the Supersonic, with five included — a styling concentrator, a flyaway attachment, a diffuser, a gentle air attachment, and a wide tooth comb. It's a nice array of included nozzles even for high-end dryers, which might typically include three to four attachments at the most.

Why is the Dyson Supersonic so expensive?

At $429, the Supersonic is definitely an investment. However, you're paying for a high-end motor that's built to last, multiple heat settings to protect hair, an innovative design, and of course, the ionic tech. Other dryers from popular hot tool brands like T3, ghd, and Harry Josh boast some similar features and run you anywhere from $150 to $350, but none quite capture the complete offerings of the Supersonic.

When I tested the Supersonic myself, I found that it had a luxe feel that still makes it stand out from other hair dryers. Dyson also released an "affordable" version of the Supersonic, called the Supersonic Origin, in 2023 that retails for $399.99.

At only about $30 cheaper, the price-to-feature ratio is actually a much worse value than just going for the regular Supersonic, unless you can grab the Origin on sale. In early 2024, Dyson also released the Supersonic Nural, which retails for $70 more than the standard Supersonic but comes with even more premium features like a scalp protect mode, memory for preferred settings with your attachments, upgraded attachments, and pause detection.

As of October 2024, these are all the available Supersonic models:

• Dyson Supersonic ($429.99): The standard Dyson hair dryer most people think of when they think Supersonic — it comes with five attachments and was the originator of the dryer's iconic design.

• Dyson Supersonic Origin ($399.99): The "budget-friendly" Supersonic that comes with just one attachment, the styling concentrator, but only costs $30 less, meaning it's a much worse value at its full price.

• Dyson Supersonic Nural ($499.99): Dyson's premium Supersonic is for folks who want those nice extras like automatic temperature changing for scalp health and pause detection, but are still at-home users that don't need a professional grade dryer.

• Dyson Supersonic Professional hair dryer ($569.99): As the name suggests, this is the dryer for professional stylists, with a design that makes it easy to blow dry someone else's hair and a longer cord for maneuvering — and it's generally a machine that can withstand much more use than the standard Supersonic.

SEE ALSO: Dyson's cheapest laser vacuum made me feel bad about my dirty floors...in a good way

At the same time, there are dupes that deliver similar features and elements of the performance at a much lower price.

What is the best dupe for the Dyson Supersonic?

There are a lot of options for luxury blow dryers and a lot of dupes that attempt to look like the Dyson but skimp on quality. A good rule of thumb is to try to avoid going for the $40 Amazon knockoff that copies Dyson's signature fuchsia and nickel design from 2016, because I promise you, they won't perform the same.

Instead, I tested a bunch of hair dryers, some that look similar to the Supersonic, and some that look nothing like it, to find the best hair dryers that replicate the Supersonic experience: That is to say, they give a hair dry that feels quick, easy, and at least a little luxurious.

Below, you'll find a deep dive on each of my final picks for the five best Dyson Supersonic dupes and info on where to buy them.

Apple Intelligence has finally launched with the rollout of iOS 18.1 from Monday. Apple has been leading up to this release for months, riding on high interest in artificial intelligence with the the tagline "AI for the rest of us."

Even so, it's still unclear to many people exactly what Apple Intelligence even is. We've broken it down to give you everything you need to know about Apple Intelligence.

SEE ALSO: Apple Intelligence is finally here, but these 5 features won’t be available until December Apple Intelligence is 'the next big step for Apple' Credit: Apple

Apple describes Apple Intelligence as a "personal intelligence system that combines the power of generative models with personal context." Essentially, Apple Intelligence is a suite of AI-powered tools, ones which use your personal data to generate information which is more tailored to your specific circumstances. These tools are embedded directly within Apple's operating system and existing apps, rather than being their own separate, standalone programs.

"It’s personal intelligence, and it's the next big step for Apple," CEO Tim Cook said during Apple Intelligence's announcement in June. 

Available in iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1, Apple Intelligence may draw from data such as "your routine, your relationships, your communications, and more" in order to learn about your personal context and customise its generated results and recommendations to you.

There are understandable privacy concerns regarding giving AI access to all that personal information. Apple has stressed that privacy and security were important considerations when designing Apple Intelligence, with many of its features running entirely on your device. Others use Private Cloud Compute, Apple's cloud computing system dedicated to AI processing.

"When using Private Cloud Compute, users' data is never stored or shared with Apple; it is used only to fulfill their request," Apple said in this week's press release. 

ChatGPT is integrated into some parts of Apple Intelligence, including its Writing Tools and Siri, for which OpenAI's data-use policies apply. However, users can opt out of ChatGPT integration.

What can Apple Intelligence do? Credit: Apple

You won't be seeing a shiny new Apple Intelligence app pop up on your Home Screen. Instead, Apple Intelligence will show up as new tools and features added to your devices' existing apps and operations. At launch, this includes:

• Writing Tools. Apple intelligence can proofread and rewrite text for you, automatically changing wording and adjusting its tone between professional, concise, or friendly. It can also transcribe audio recordings in the Notes or Phone apps (recording calls now being something that you can do), and generate summaries of text content. Writing Tools is available in "nearly everywhere you write," including Mail, Messages, and third-party apps.

• Clean Up in Photos. Users can edit images in the Photos app to completely erase unwanted elements with ease, allowing you to remove your ex from that otherwise perfect holiday snap.

• Create a Memory movie in Photos. Currently only available on iPhone and iPad, the Photos' app Memories feature will now allow users to type a description of the video they want. Apple Intelligence will then put together a "Memory Movie" using your text as a prompt, pulling photos and videos to match it. Apple claims the resulting clip will have a storyline, "chapters based on themes identified from the photos," and even a narrative arc. It will be interesting to see the plotline Apple Intelligence generates in response to prompts such as "everything we ate in Italy."

• Natural language search in Photos. Users have had the ability to search for images in their Photos app by typing in words for a while. These were restricted to simple, direct words such as dates, places, and objects. Apple Intelligence has upgraded this function by allowing you to use more natural language and describe what you're searching for, such as "John cooking in a blue jumper." You can also search for events that occurred in videos, and jump right to them.

• Notification summaries. Long and stacked notifications will now be summarised on your Lock Screen, courtesy of Apple Intelligence. On one hand, this may save you scrolling through 100 new messages after the group chat blows up. On the other, getting dumped through an AI-generated summary of breakup texts does feel pretty dystopian. Fortunately, you can turn Apple Intelligence's Message summaries off in Settings.

• Reduce Interruptions Focus. Apple Intelligence will now look at the content of your notifications when you're in the new Reduce Interruptions Focus mode, and show them to you anyway if they require immediate attention. Apple provided the example of a text telling you to pick up your child — a timely message that it's important not to miss.

• Priority messages in Mail. A new Priority Messages section at the top of your Mail inbox will now show you your most urgent emails, with Apple Intelligence surfacing important messages such as boarding passes and requests that require an immediate response.

• Smart Reply in Mail and Messages. Auto-generated responses have been around for a while. However, Apple Intelligence's Smart Reply will not only provide suggestions for response, but identify any questions in the message you're replying to so that all of them are answered.

• Summaries in Mail and Messages. Apple Intelligence will let you summarise emails and text messages without even needing to open them, including condensing down long threads.

In addition to all of this, Apple Intelligence has added several enhancements to Apple's digital assistant Siri. These include the ability to type to Siri, a more natural voice, and "more resilient request handling."

Apple does intend to add more Apple Intelligence features in the future, with a significant update currently planned for December. This will include Priority Notifications, onscreen awareness for Siri, and AI-generated emoji. Still, Apple Intelligence's current features should be more than enough for Apple fans to explore until then.

Which devices have Apple Intelligence? Credit: Apple

At launch, Apple Intelligence is available on all iPhone 16 models, as well as a couple of the more souped up iPhone 15 phones. Specifically, you can get Apple Intelligence on:

• iPhone 16

• iPhone 16 Plus

• iPhone 16 Pro Max

• iPhone 16 Pro

• iPhone 15 Pro Max

• iPhone 15 Pro

Apple Intelligence is also available on several of Apple's tablet and laptop devices. In order to get it, Apple devices must have an M1 chip or later (or an A17 Pro chip in the case of the iPad mini):

• iPad Pro

• iPad Air

• iPad mini

• MacBook Air

• MacBook Pro

• iMac

• Mac mini

• Mac Studio

• Mac Pro

Where is Apple Intelligence available? Credit: Apple

Apple Intelligence is available in most regions, the primary exceptions being the EU (though they can get it on Mac) and China. However, only US English is supported, meaning users outside the US will have to change their device and Siri's language if they want to play around with Apple Intelligence now.

The company will be adding English-language support for more regions in December, specifically for Australian, Canadian, Irish, Kiwi, South African, and UK English.

Indian and Singaporean English will have to wait longer, with Apple looking to add them as it expands to more languages over the next year. Other languages it will be adding include Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, and Vietnamese. 

How to get Apple Intelligence Credit: Apple

If you decide you do want to try Apple Intelligence out, getting it is relatively easy. First, check that you have a compatible device. If you do, make sure it's set to US English, and switch it over if it isn't. You can do this by going to "Settings," "General," "Language & Region," "Add Language…," then selecting "English (US)." 

You'll also have to make sure you have at least 4GB of storage. Apple Intelligence's storage requirements will increase as more features are added in the future, so you'll probably want to make sure there's a bit of leeway.

Once those requirements are confirmed:

1. Update your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, or macOS Sequoia 15.1.

2. Go to "Settings."

3. Tap or click "Apple Intelligence & Siri."

4. Tap or click "Join Apple Intelligence Waitlist."

This doesn't mean you can immediately dive into Apple Intelligence, as following these steps will only put you on the waitlist. Apple states that while waitlist times vary, Apple Intelligence will usually be available within a few hours.  You'll receive a notification letting you know that you can activate Apple Intelligence once it's available.

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

A home should be safe and secure. That's all part of what makes it a home. And in the 21st Century, being safe and secure home means upgrading your home the latest and greatest smart tech. In other words, you need a smart security camera.

Security cameras are not only a great deterrent for break-ins and unwanted visitors, they're also an excellent means of monitoring what's happening around your home. It's little wonder that smart security cameras have become increasingly popular, which is evidenced by the rapidly advancing technology and the numerous models available.

But how do you know which home security camera is the best for you and your family? Selecting any technology for your home is hard. It's easy to get blindsided by specifications, added to the fact that everyone's home and routine is different. But don't fret: We're here to help secure your home with some helpful information and a roundup of the best security cameras currently available.

What is a smart security camera?

A smart security camera connects to an app or to your WiFi. They tend to stream live video directly to your smart device (such as a phone or tablet) and will generally have features that can be controlled remotely or via a voice assistant, They may even be powered by AI technology, with features such as automatic motion detection. You don't have to choose a smart security camera, of course, though all of the cameras on this roundup have smart technology. It's pretty much the standard now.

What’s the difference between indoor and outdoor security cameras?

Outdoor cameras must be robust enough to withstand changes in temperature and a variety of weather conditions. And when it comes to indoor cameras, most people prefer devices that easily blend into their home/decor. You don’t want anyone to be aware that they’re being recorded. After all, intruders are notoriously camera shy!

Are wireless security cameras reliable?

It’s important to consider what kind of “juice” a camera needs to operate. Does it rely on batteries or does it require a power source? You might face constraints as to where you can place a camera that needs a power source. Conversely, batteries obviously have a limited life. We can say with a moderate degree of confidence that a dead camera isn’t incredibly useful. It’s not a case of which is best, but which type better suits you.

Do security cameras have audio?

Some cameras do indeed offer audio surveillance as well as imagery. Some options will simply have a microphone that allows them to capture sound. Others can both capture and emit sound, turning them into a sort-of intercom with two-way audio.

Do security cameras require WiFi?

Like the vast majority of technology today, many security cameras available have WiFi capability. This is great for a handful of reasons including the fact that it's harder to disable them. Moreover, most cameras with WiFi allow you to turn your house into a smart home. They can integrate with Amazon and Google and even potentially let you remotely lock your door, control your lights, as well as sending you texts/alerts.

How do you access your video footage?

Though some cameras come with microSD cards, many models don’t store their footage themselves. Instead, they rely on cloud services for storage and offer you remote access. Keep in mind that not all storage is alike. Some might save footage for a month, others only a week. Additionally, you may have to pay a subscription fee for the cloud service. It’s important to consider that when pricing your options. 

What is the best security camera?

It’s all about which security camera suits you and your home. Your lifestyle or comings and goings may require a part spec. What you need are options. That’s why we’ve done the research for you and pulled together some top picks.

These are the best security cameras in 2024.

TL;DR: For a limited time at the Mashable Shop, a Microsoft Office 2019 for Mac lifetime license is on sale for £19.25 (reg. £176.53) through 3 November.

If you're struggling to be productive at work or school, then we've got a deal that might help. Right now, Microsoft Office Home & Business 2019 for Mac is on sale for £19.25, an 89% discount that won't last long.

If you use a Mac for work or personal projects, consider giving yourself the gift of enhanced productivity. Even though it’s a slightly older version of Office (the most recent version is the 2021 edition), it still packs a punch with reliable features and well-loved apps. 

Office 2019 for Mac includes essential applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. These tools are designed to meet various needs, whether you're drafting important documents, managing work or home finances, creating presentations, or organising your email and calendar.

It also includes other favourite apps, including OneNote, for amplified note-taking in one central place. It also comes with Teams Classic 2019. 

One of the best aspects of MS Office 2019 is that it’s a one-time purchase. For under £20, you get lifetime access to the suite without the need for recurring subscription fees, like you would with Microsoft 365. The license covers one Mac device, and it lasts as long as your device does.

Give yourself a productivity boost at a price point that won't stress you out.

Microsoft Office Home & Business 2019 for Mac is on sale for £19.25 (reg. £176.53) until 3 November at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Retail King Microsoft Office Home & Business 2019 for Mac £19.25 at the Mashable Shop
£176.53 Save £157.28 Get Deal

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 October 29'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 October 29 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 October 29 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A loose garment worn by the ancient Greeks.

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 T.

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...

TUNIC.

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 October 29

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 October 29'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 October 29 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: Brand new

• Green: Jobs at a hospital

• Blue: Parts of a Julius Cesar quote

• Purple: Types of squares

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: In Pristine Condition

• Green: Medical Roles

• Blue: Singular Noun in a Famous "Julius Caesar" Line

• Purple: ___Square

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 #506 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• In Pristine Condition: MINT, NEW, ORIGINAL, UNUSED

• Medical Roles: ATTENDING, FELLOW, INTERN, RESIDENT

• Singular Noun in a Famous "Julius Caesar" Line: COUNTRYMAN, EAR, FRIEND, ROMAN

• ___Square: PERFECT, POCKET, TIMES, TOWN

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 October 28

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.

A close election is all about uncertainty. So it's not surprising that many Americans are relying on polls to offer comfort, or warning. Not all polls are created equal, however — and election experts caution that some are more impartial than others.

Not only that, pollsters vary wildly in their level of outreach, and how much they adhere to industry norms regarding data accuracy.

Take this poll released Wednesday by Quinnipiac University, which says Vice President Kamala Harris was ahead of former President Donald Trump by three percentage points in the battleground state of Michigan. On Twitter/X, the improved result for Harris buoyed her supporters, while Trump fans challenged the poll’s veracity.

Tweet may have been deleted

 

Samara Klar, Ph.D., a political science professor at the University of Arizona’s School of Government and Public Policy, stresses transparency when it comes to deciding what polls to give credence to. 

“A poll consumer should be able to clearly see how the data were collected, when it was administered, how many people are in the sample, and demographics of who they are,” Klar tells Mashable. 

A weighty matter

Pay attention to whether a poll’s results are weighted, Klar adds, referring to the statistical technique done to data after collection. Weighting aims to correct sampling errors by measuring certain responses differently to account for the poll's underrepresented groups.

For example, if few respondents of a poll are Gen Z, or female, that pollster may give more weight to younger women’s responses than older, male participants.

"If the data are weighted, it is helpful to know the criteria upon which the weighting was done," says Klar.

Ideally, she adds, polls should have sample sizes close to 1,000 respondents, "as this allows for smaller margins of error and closer estimates."

SEE ALSO: Why Elon Musk is skipping around on stage for Donald Trump

A margin of error — typically around 3% for 1,000 respondents — is a caveat, acknowledging a sample can never provide a full picture. The American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) describes error margins as “the range that [a respondent’s] answer likely falls between if we had talked to everyone instead of just a sample.

"For example, if a statewide survey of adults with a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points finds that 58% of the public approve of the job their governor is doing, we would be confident that the true value would lie somewhere between 55% and 61% if we had surveyed to the whole adult population in the state."

'No way to be sure a poll is reliable'

Even accounting for ideal sample sizes, weighted data, and margins of error, David Wasserman, senior editor and elections analyst at the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, paints a less rosy picture of polling accuracy.

"There is no way to be sure a poll is reliable because response rates are very low these days," Wasserman says. "Every pollster is making a different assumption about who will turn out and vote that may or may not turn out to be accurate. You can give the same raw data set to 10 different pollsters and you might get seven or eight different top-line results of a survey based on how the pollsters assume each cohort of voters are going to comprise the electorate."

If it seems like random polls are popping up everywhere lately — not just the ones from established pollsters like YouGov or The New York Times/Siena College — well, that's because they are. "There are plenty of newer pollsters with no track record or very limited track record this cycle, as there were in 2022," Wasserman says. "Democrats are fond of pointing to Republicans flooding the zone with Republican-leaning surveys."

"There is obviously an effort by mainstream and other pollsters to correct the under-sampling of Trump’s base of support in 2016 and 2020. Pollsters are going about that in different ways but one of the most common ways is to weight their sample by how voters recall voting in the 2020 election."

The weighting of so-called "recall votes" aims to correct the hesitation of some voters to admit they voted for a past presidential loser. So pollsters weighting recall votes this cycle would give more emphasis to those admitting to voting for Trump in 2020. 

One thing that unites all good pollsters, according to both Klar and Wasserman, is adherence to standards set by the AAPOR. Members of the organization, which includes the most respected pollsters, agree to abide by the organization’s Code of Professional Ethics and Practices. That includes standards on training, transparency, sampling methods, and weighting.

Reaching voters in the modern age

The dearth of responses to most polls requires careful consideration regarding weighting, Wasserman says. While the idea that pollsters are ringing up landlines is outdated, Wasserman says, even contacting people through cell phones, texts, or online panels is a challenge.

Many pollsters have also started utilizing mail to reach respondents, according to the New York Times — often with an offer of a financial incentive to take an online poll, referred to as a probability panel. The new methodology is a way to counter the low response rates of randomly calling potential voters, which is something only one notable pollster, Quinnipiac, still does.

"It's common for telephone polls, even if they’re overwhelmingly cell phone samples, to wield less than 1% completed responses," Wasserman says. "For every 100 phone calls you’re making, you might get one completed survey, sometimes it’s less than that.

"Text to web modality is reaching younger voters. But it’s difficult to reach 18-34-year-old voters no matter what mode you’re using, so what ends up happening is pollsters up-weight the respondents they do get in that age bucket to reflect their expected share of their electorate. But pollsters have to make a judgment call about what share they expect."

The Cook Political Report features a national polling average on its website, culling the latest data from a range of respected and diverse pollsters, like Fox News and ABC News/Washington Post. Three times this year, Cook conducted their own battleground state polls with a large online panel.

“We can’t be positive that our numbers reflect the true state of play, but we made our best effort to come up with an approach that our polling partners, a Democratic firm and a Republican firm, both felt comfortable with,” Wasserman says.

While imperfect, polls still serve an important purpose, Klar insists.

"Polls are great at showing us a snapshot in time: what do people think now," she says. "Forecasting requires that polls predict the future: Who will actually show up to vote weeks, or months, or sometimes years, from now? Will people change their minds between now and then? If you're interested in learning what people think today, then polls are tremendously valuable."

On the other hand, "if you're looking for a crystal ball to predict the future, you have to take poll results with a grain of salt."

Trends among teen girls are an ever-changing hellscape. Even millennials — people who are not that old, thank you very much — can have trouble navigating the world that's ruled by TikTok trends and whatever else high-school-aged girls can't seem to stop raving about.

Funneling those trends into a gift that she’ll like and use for longer than a month seems nearly impossible. But you know who does get teenage girls? Other teenage girls. We asked our families, polled our staff, and scoured the internet to find out exactly what teenage girls actually want. 

The same items popping up over and over again each year is a constant reminder that, though the VSCO girl lifestyle meme may have ended in 2019, a few overarching concepts remain alive and well. Gen Z girls are loyal to a defined handful of brands and have very specific aesthetic goals. They don't just want workout gear, they want Lululemon yoga pants. They don't just want skincare products, they want serums from The Ordinary. They don't just want a reusable water bottle, they want the (weirdly specific) Stanley Quencher H2.0 tumbler. You get it.

To make it easier for you to shop for a teen girl — when you're not a teen girl yourself (we get it, it's hard) — we've rounded up the very best gifts for the demographic in this easy-to-browse gift guide that's in the process of being updated for 2024.

Trailer for "A Man on the Inside," the latest sitcom from "The Good Place" creator Mike Schur, starring Ted Danson, is coming soon to Netflix.