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Grab free audiobooks on Stuff Your Earbuds Day

Mashable - Fri, 11/15/2024 - 10:36

GET FREE AUDIOBOOKS: Stuff Your Earbuds Day is here! Get free audiobooks on Nov. 15 and Nov. 16.

If you thought Stuff Your Kindle Day was exciting, get ready for its audio equivalent: Stuff Your Earbuds Day. This lesser-known shopper’s holiday is the best way to score free audiobooks and treat yourself to a cozy Autumn night in.

Here’s how to make the most of Stuff Your Earbuds Day.

What is Stuff Your Earbuds Day?

Stuff Your Earbuds Day is an annual event hosted by romance author Rebecca Hefner via the Romance Audiobookworms website. During the event, booklovers can snag hundreds of free audiobooks from romance authors across genres, including sci-fi and historical romance.

The deals are live for 48 hours, and there’s no limit to how many you can download.

When is Stuff Your Earbuds Day 2024?

Stuff Your Earbuds Day takes place on Nov. 15 and Nov. 16, 2024. If you want updates and reminders, you can sign up for Romance Audiobookworms’ newsletter via Substack.

Who can participate in Stuff Your Earbuds Day?

Unlike most shopping events, this isn’t a members-only affair. Anyone can participate in Stuff Your Earbuds Day. All you have to do is find the audiobook you want (you can find the list on Hefner’s site) and download it from whatever platform you normally use to listen to audiobooks (e.g., Google Play Books, Apple Books, Spotify, Chirp, Kobo, BookFunnel, and Barnes & Noble Nook). Note: These audiobooks aren’t available on Audible.

Shop Stuff Your Earbuds Day deal Opens in a new window Credit: Kait Nolan Let It Be Me Get Deal Why we like it

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of audiobooks available this Stuff Your Earbuds Day, but if you’re looking for somewhere to start, might we suggest Let It Be Me.

In this story, Emerson Aldridge became a mother very early in life. Once her daughter is old enough to leave for college, Aldridge isn’t sure what to do with herself. Not remembering what life was like before motherhood, she sets out on a journey of self-discovery (which includes canoodling with her firefighting neighbor).

Amazon deal of the day: The very impressive Garmin Venu 3 just hit a record-low price

Mashable - Fri, 11/15/2024 - 10:35
Check out the best Amazon deals of the day as of Nov. 15: OUR TOP PICK Garmin Venu 3 (45mm) $349.99 (save $100) Get Deal BEST OUTDOOR DEAL Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 with stand $195.99 (save $104) Get Deal BEST APPLE DEAL Apple 2024 iMac (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $1,349.99 (save $149.01 with on-page coupon) Get Deal BEST HEADPHONES DEAL Sony WH-1000XM4 noise-cancelling headphones $198 (save $150) Get Deal

Before you head into the weekend, check out some of our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day. Though we still have to wait a week until the mega retailer's official Black Friday sale begins, there are tons of deals already flooding in that are worthy of adding to your cart — including products from top brands like Apple, Garmin, Solo Stove, and Sony.

Here are our top picks from the best Amazon deals of the day on Nov. 15. Be sure to look back at our picks from Nov. 13 and Nov. 14 as well. Many of those are still live, including a 41% price drop on the very impressive Samsung Galaxy Buds FE and a record-low M2 iPad Air.

Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Venu 3 (45mm) $349.99 at Amazon
$449.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal

The latest Garmin Venu checks all the right boxes when it comes to a smartwatch — and then some. It's equipped with an abundance of health metrics and fitness tools, in-depth recovery advice, detailed sleep data, and a battery life that'll outshine even the most expensive Apple Watch. In smartwatch mode, it'll last you up to two weeks before needing a charge (less when tracking workouts). While the smart features aren't quite as bright and shiny as the Apple Watch, the Venu 3 truly stands out for anyone who prioritizes sleep, wellness, fitness, and battery life. It's usually $449.99, but you can slash 22% off and get it for $349.99 at Amazon as of Nov. 15. That's its lowest price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: Solo Stove Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 with stand $195.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $104.00 Get Deal

It's not fall without bonfires. Ahead of Black Friday, Solo Stove dropped the price of its Bonfire 2.0 bundled with a stand down below $200. While the list price at Amazon is a bit inflated (it's really $299.99 on the Solo Stove website), it's still a 35% discount. The Bonfire 2.0 is ideal for intimate gatherings of four to six people and with the smokeless signature 360-degree airflow, nobody should get smoked out while sitting around it. It weighs about 22 pounds and comes with a carrying case to tote it around, making it ideal for backyard hangs or weekend camping trips.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple 2024 iMac (M4, 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $1,349.99 at Amazon
$1,499.00 Save $149.01 with on-page coupon Get Deal

Announced during October's Mac week, the latest iMac boasts Apple's in-house M4 chip, which is allegedly 1.7 times faster than the M1 model. It also features a 24-inch 4.5K display, a 12MP front camera, four USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, Apple Intelligence (of course), and a 16GB starting RAM. Plus, it comes in seven fun colors, including pink! As of Nov. 15, an on-page coupon drops the $1,499 price down to just $1,349.99 for the 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD model. While it's not the biggest discount ever, it's the lowest price we've seen it so far.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-1000XM4 noise-cancelling headphones $198.00 at Amazon
$348.00 Save $150.00 Get Deal

While Sony's WH-1000XM5s have now replaced the WH-1000XM4s as our favorites, they're a whole lot more expensive and only offer a slight upgrade over the previous generation. The WH-1000XM4s are still excellent headphones in 2024. They earned the Best of the Year badge of honor in 2020, as well as an Editor's Choice award from our friends at PCMag (which is owned by Mashable's publisher, Ziff Davis). With top-notch noise cancellation, impressive sound quality, customizable EQ, and a cozy fit, you could certainly do worse. While they're usually $348, you can snag them on sale for $198 as of Nov. 15. That's 43% in savings and $130 cheaper than the 1000XM5s.

None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.

Target Black Friday ad: The best deals you can buy online

Mashable - Fri, 11/15/2024 - 08:06

Black Friday is just around the corner, but if you can't wait for the deals to start, we've got good news. A whole host of retailers have already started releasing discounts, meaning you have almost the whole of November to score some great deals.

Walmart and Best Buy are among those that have started the month-long savings, and now so has Target. Enjoy early sales on select products, as well as daily "deals of the day." To help you in your bargain hunting, we've checked out everything from Target's Black Friday ad to find the best early deals on everything from Apple products to high quality headphones.

With so much to browse and so many deals to choose from, here are some of the best deals you can buy online from the Target Deal Days Black Friday ad.

Best deals on AppleBest deals on gaming techBest deals on TVsBest deals on laptopsBest deals on headphonesBest deals on smart home tech

Sony's WH1000XM4 headphones drop to $200 in Best Buy's early Black Friday sale

Mashable - Fri, 11/15/2024 - 07:19

SAVE $150: As of Nov. 15, Sony's WH1000XM4 wireless headphones are on sale for $199.99 as part of Best Buy's early Black Friday sale. This is $150 off their list price of $349.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH1000XM4 Wireless Noise-Cancelling Over-the-Ear Headphones - Black $199.99 at Best Buy
$349.99 Save $150.00 Get Deal

Black Friday has grown into quite the sale event throughout November, with several retailers offering up a variety of deals for shoppers to enjoy in the weeks leading up to the official day. Best Buy's Black Friday plan includes weekly doorbuster deals alongside plenty of early sales, ranging from TVs to gaming consoles to headphones. If you've had your eye on picking up the latter, we've got good news, the retailer's dropped a fantastic discount on Sony WH1000XM4 wireless headphones that's definitely worth checking out.

The sleek Sony WH1000XM4 wireless headphones are currently on sale for $199.99, $150 off their list price of $349.99. That's a fantastic early Black Friday treat for shoppers, especially considering how high-quality these headphones are.

We've ranked these headphones as the best overall in our list of the best wireless headphones. Mashable's Deputy Editor of Shopping and Reviews, Miller Kern, said that the Sony WH1000XM4's "have superior sound quality and noise cancellation. They're comparable to the Sennheiser PXC 550-II headphones, but have a more stylish look in our opinion — the ear cups are less bulky."

SEE ALSO: Best Buy Black Friday ad: The best deals you can buy online

They also offer a nice selection of colors, all of which are on sale right now at Best Buy so you can have your pick of the black headphones, midnight blue, or silver.

Best Buy's Black Friday sales have been the gift that keeps on giving, so don't miss out on this excellent deal on the Sony WH1000XM4 wireless headphones.

If you're looking for even more early Black Friday deals, you're in luck. Both Target and Walmart have their own Black Friday plans going on throughout the month of November, with each offering a wide variety of early discounts for shoppers to enjoy. Other retailers, like Amazon, also have plans set for the Black Friday shopping event, so you can set a reminder for when their biggest deals go live.

Crypto Congress + HBD ChatGPT + What Social Media Platform Should I Be On?

NYT Technology - Fri, 11/15/2024 - 07:00
Cryptocurrency is poised to have a huge year in 2025.

Get a 55-inch 4K QLED TV from TCL for under $300 in early Black Friday sales at Best Buy

Mashable - Fri, 11/15/2024 - 06:51

SAVE $200: As of Nov. 15, the TCL 55-inch Q5 4K QLED Smart Fire TV is on sale for $249.99 at Best Buy as part of its early Black Friday sale. That's $200 off its list price of $449.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 55-inch Class Q5-Series 4K UHD HDR PRO+ QLED Smart Fire TV (2024) $249.99 at Best Buy
$449.99 Save $200.00 Get Deal

Best Buy's Black Friday sales have quite a bit for shoppers to check out, from new doorbuster deals every Friday to a variety of early discounts that have dropped ahead of the big sale event. As part of those early deals there's been a wealth of TVs on sale, and this deal on a TCL 4K TV is one that immediately caught our eye.

If you've been looking to make the jump to a 4K TV but don't want to shell out a ton of cash for it, this is your time to shine. Best Buy's offering a 55-inch TCL Q5 4K UHD HDR PRO+ QLED Smart Fire TV for just $249.99, $200 off its list price of $449.99. Considering the price of other 4K QLED TVs, this is a fantastic discount to take advantage of. Not to mention, this pick is worth every penny.

With QLED Quantum Dot Technology you're getting richer images for an eye-catching display, no matter if you're watching movies, catching up on a new show, or settling in for a night of gaming. This richness is made even better when paired with crisp 4K resolution. And that's not all. You're also getting features like Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos Audio that help create a truly cinematic experience, and all of this is fitted into a nice 55-inch screen size.

Smart features are also included in this TV, so you can have all of your favorite streaming apps right in the palm of your hand. What's even better is that you can even set up voice control with Amazon Alexa to flick through said apps. What better way to enjoy your favorite entertainment?

If you've been looking to score a new TV, or just get an upgrade, don't miss out on this early Black Friday deal on the TCL 55-inch Q5 4K QLED Smart Fire TV.

Other top retailers are jumping in on the early Black Friday sale action, too. Both Target and Walmart have their own Black Friday plans that include early discounts for shoppers to check out in the lead-up to the big day. Amazon's even revealed when their Black Friday sale event officially kicks off, so keep your eyes out for even more deals in the coming weeks.

Paul Mescal valiantly battles the spice on 'Hot Ones'

Mashable - Fri, 11/15/2024 - 06:36
Paul Mescal took on the mighty wings of "Hot Ones" in a very different battle to "Gladiator II".

Meet 'Daisy' an AI bot that wastes phone scammers' time

Mashable - Fri, 11/15/2024 - 06:26

Scammers beware, there's a new AI ready to waste your time on the phone — and it's intentionally programmed to sound like someone's proud grandma.

Developed by UK provider Virgin Media O2 and announced on Thursday, "Daisy" is an AI-fuelled call answering service that aims to keep scam callers on the line as long as possible, meaning less time spent with potential human victims. It's the same idea we've seen in a fair few time-wasting bots in the past — and it's the signature strategy adopted by scam fighter Scamalot aka James Veitch.

O2 worked on the AI with YouTuber Jim Browning, whose scambusting work has seen him track and expose many a fraudulent scheme using various strategies.

SEE ALSO: 7 of the best robocall blocking apps and tools for avoiding phone spam

Described by the company as "head of scammer relations", the Daisy AI is programmed to give rambling stories to callers — and I'm not going to lie, the details sound a little bit like age-based stereotyping of elderly women but who am I to say what a scammer will believe? According to O2, Daisy has told "meandering stories of her family, talked at length about her passion for knitting and provided exasperated callers with false personal information including made-up bank details." The company claims Daisy "has successfully kept numerous fraudsters on calls for 40 minutes at a time."

According to O2, Daisy is the result of multiple AI models that listen to the caller and make a live transcription. Then, the program generates an appropriate response from its language model, delivered in a human-like voice embedded with Daisy's personality. This is the ad:

Why make the AI sound like the social stereotype of an elderly woman? The prevalence of telephone fraud in the UK is particularly felt by the elderly, with scammers targeting people over the age of 75 — and a huge majority of these scams are conducted by phone. This is not unique to the UK — according to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), impersonation scams caused over $1.3 billion in losses for people in the U.S. in 2023, with call centres targeting older adults — "almost half the complainants report to be over 60 (40 percent), and experience 58 percent of the losses (over $770 million)."

Scam callers use social engineering techniques to try and convince people to hand over their personal details like banking, social security, and other ID details — so having an AI chat right back to them without the risk of losing real money seems like a pretty smart technique.

You won't be able to interact with Daisy yourself (unless you're a scammer). When I reached out to the company for further information, an O2 spokesperson told me, "The purpose of creating Daisy was to both waste scammers time and to create a campaign to educate the public on the danger of scam calls. The tool was purpose built to interact with scammers and so is optimised to do that rather than have general conversations. Opening the tool up to everyone would also require a huge amount of computing power, so right now this isn’t something Daisy is able to do."

In the case that the scammer makes it through to you instead of Daisy, you can forward suspected scam calls and text messages to O2's existing blocking service at 7726.

Unfortunately, the sheer, sinister creativity of scammers has no limit, so companies need to think equally if not more creatively to combat them.

In the meantime, go call your actual grandma and don't dismiss her stories as "waffle". She's not Abe Simpson or an AI bot.

X users are fleeing to BlueSky: Here’s a quick-start guide on how to sign up

Mashable - Fri, 11/15/2024 - 05:30

By now, you've probably heard about users fleeing Elon Musk's X. Yes, there have been a few other moments over the years since Musk acquired then-Twitter when users decided to leave — there was even at least one attempt to create an alternative Twitter before ownership by Musk was even seen as a possibility.

But this time the exodus appears to be significantly bigger. Following the 2024 presidential election results and Musk's support for President-elect Donald Trump, users have been deactivating en masse.

SEE ALSO: Bluesky goes down amid exodus from Elon Musk's X / Twitter

And this time, it appears most everyone has settled on one particular X alternative: Bluesky.

Bluesky has a lot in common with X. It's a similar public town square type microblogging-style platform. In fact, before Musk took over then-Twitter, it received an investment from the company. Twitter co-founder and former CEO Jack Dorsey even sat on Bluesky's board up until earlier this year.

Bluesky has gained more than 100,000 new sign ups per day since the U.S. election on Nov. 5. It now has over 15 million users. It's enjoyed a prolonged stay on the very top of Apple's App Store charts as well.

Ready to join? Here's how to get started on Bluesky:

How to sign up for Bluesky

Not too long ago, Bluesky was invite-only. New users could only join the platform if they received an invitation from an existing user.

That's not the case anymore. Anyone can sign up for Bluesky.

Credit: Bluesky

To sign up, simply go to bsky.app and click the Sign Up button. You'll notice that all the usual input fields found when signing up for any other social media platform are there such as email, password, and birthday.

Credit: Bluesky

However, there is one thing that's different: Hosting provider. Basically, Bluesky allows those who are more tech-savvy to host their own version of Bluesky, much like how alternative social media platform Mastodon has "instances." However, most users just don't have to worry about this. It will not affect their experience at all. Just keep Bluesky Social as your hosting provider.

Credit: Bluesky

On the next page, users will be able to pick their username. Choose any available name and Bluesky will then add ".bsky.social" to the end of it. Why? Because Bluesky allows users to use their own website domain as their handle. For example, if you own YourName.com, your Bluesky handle could be "@YourName.com" on the platform. Once again, this is not necessary to get the full Bluesky experience. Most users will just go by @YourName.bsky.social.

From there, Bluesky will give you the option to upload an avatar and pick topics of interest so that the platform can best suggest accounts to follow.

How to get started on Bluesky

Congratulations, you're in. Your Bluesky account is all setup and now you can get started.

You'll notice that Bluesky looks a lot like Elon Musk's X, formerly known as Twitter. There's a Discover feed which is basically the For You feed with suggested posts and content. There's a Following feed, which only includes posts from other Bluesky users that you follow.

Credit: Bluesky

On the left hand side menu, there's a Profile tab for your own account and a Notifications tab that shows who interacted and replied to your posts. The Chat tab is basically the equivalent of Direct Messages.

Since you're new to Bluesky, you're going to want to start off by following some accounts. Using the Search tab, you can find Suggested accounts recommended by the platform based on your interests. You can also search for specific people to see if they're also on Bluesky. If you're coming from Musk's X, there's a third-party Chrome extension called Sky Follower Bridge that can help you locate the accounts you follow on that platform that also have an account on Bluesky.

Probably the most unique aspect of Bluesky is the pair of related features: Lists and Feeds. You might be thinking that Bluesky's Lists feature is a bit like Twitter Lists, however, the Lists feature is much more integral to how Bluesky works than that. 

Lists are a collection of accounts that can be followed, muted, or blocked in bulk. For example, users can create a list of Bluesky users that they think all other users interested in a certain topic or hobby should follow. Other users can then easily follow that entire list of users. On the flip side, Bluesky users have also compiled lists of accounts that post hateful or extremist content. Users can easily block all the users on that List and not see any of those account's content show up on their feed.

Credit: Bluesky

Feeds on the other hand are not lists of accounts, but curated feeds. Think of Feeds as customized For You pages. There are Feeds for just certain topics like Science or Art, there are feeds with content just for specific types of accounts, and then there are algorithmically based custom feeds that depend on what's currently popular on the site. By following a feed, you add a brand new tab on your main timeline to keep up with alongside your Discover and Following feed.

Credit: Bluesky

But, it gets even easier actually. Bluesky recently launched a new feature called "Starter Packs" which basically recommends users and feeds so you can get started. Other users can also curate their own Starter Packs to help their new followers find additional accounts to follow too. Just go to your account's profile page and click the Starter Packs tab to get started.

Ready to post

This may all sound a bit much, but it's really not. Just remember, you had to get started somewhere on X and other social media platforms to. And if you've made it this far, you're ready to post. This is the part that's really reminiscent of Twitter.

Credit: Bluesky

Posts on Bluesky are limited to 300 characters. Users can post photos and .gifs as well. Bluesky also recently added video, which can be posted as long as the clip is 60 seconds or less.

Users can like content by clicking the heart icon. They can also repost content as well as quote posts.

And there you go. That's all the Bluesky basics. Now there's no excuse to not give an alternative to Musk's X a try.

NYT Strands hints, answers for November 15

Mashable - Fri, 11/15/2024 - 05:24

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 15 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 15 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Dress for lunch

These words make for a healthier meal.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

Words are types of vegetables.

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 SaladGreens.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for November 15

  • Romaine

  • Kale

  • Iceberg

  • Watercress

  • Radicchio

  • SaladGreens

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.

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 15

Mashable - Fri, 11/15/2024 - 05:21

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

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

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

Tweet may have been deleted

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

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

Tweet may have been deleted

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for November 15 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: Openings that let something loose

  • Green: Used to construct text

  • Blue: Produces sound when used

  • Purple: Ways we perceive or use time

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: Fissure

  • Green: Elements of Writing

  • Blue: Instruments You Blow Into

  • Purple: ___ of Time

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 #523 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

  • Fissure: CRACK, HOLE, LEAK, PUNCTURE

  • Elements of writing: LETTER, PHRASE, SENTENCE, WORD

  • Instruments You Blow Into: JUG, PIPE, RECORDER, WHISTLE

  • ___ of time: NICK, PASSAGE, SANDS, WASTE

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

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

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

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

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

Wordle today: Answer, hints for November 15

Mashable - Fri, 11/15/2024 - 05:16

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 15'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 15 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 15 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Something that seems in poor taste.

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...

TACKY.

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 15

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.

Mini crossword answers for November 15

Mashable - Fri, 11/15/2024 - 05:16

The Daily Mini Crossword is one of the many popular daily word games available on Mashable. Powered by Arkadium, the mini crossword offers a speed round of puzzle fun with clues that are sure to challenge experienced crossword enthusiasts.

But there's no need to let the challenge get in the way of your enjoyment! If moments are turning to minutes after getting stuck on a clue, find the answers you need to progress right here.

And when you're done, check out the many other word games you can play on Mashable, including a full-size crossword.

Also, if you get stuck on any other daily word games, such as Wordle, Connections, or Strands — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for November 15 SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

Here are the clues and answers to Daily Mini Crossword for Friday, November 15, 2024:

Across____ on the side of caution

  • The answer is Err.

Protect

  • The answer is Guard.

Not affiliated with a major company

  • The answer is Indie.

Motionless

  • The answer is Still.

Under the weather

  • The answer is Ill.

DownEmblematic of Zeus and Athena

  • The answer is Egis.

Litter's littlest

  • The answer is Runt.

Pie cuts, essentially

  • The answer is Radii.

Small stream

  • The answer is Rill.

Farmer's place, in song

  • The answer is Dell.

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.

Score $400 off an ASUS TUF 15.6-inch gaming laptop in early Black Friday sales at Best Buy

Mashable - Fri, 11/15/2024 - 05:10

SAVE $400: As of Nov. 15, the ASUS TUF 15.6-inch gaming laptop - fitted with 16GB RAM, RTX 4070 graphics, and a 1TB SSD - is on sale for $999.99 in Best Buy's early Black Friday sale. This is $400 off its list price of $1,399.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: ASUS ASUS TUF 15.6-inch Gaming Laptop - Intel Core i7 with 16GB Memory - NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 - 1TB SSD - Mecha Grey $999.99 at Best Buy
$1,399.99 Save $400.00 Get Deal

While the official day isn't until November 29, Black Friday deals have been dropping left and right at top retailers over the past few weeks in anticipation of the sale event. Best Buy, in particular, has plenty available already, from doorbuster deals every Friday to a selection of early Black Friday offerings. Included in their early deals is a fantastic discount on the ASUS TUF gaming laptop, which is worth checking out if you've been looking to make the jump into PC gaming.

Best Buy currently has the ASUS TUF 15.6-inch gaming laptop marked down to $999.99 as part of its early Black Friday deals. This saves you $400 off its list price of $1,399.99, which is a fantastic discount. It's even more worth it given the specs of this laptop.

SEE ALSO: Best Buy Black Friday ad: The best deals you can buy online

This gaming laptop comes fitted with an Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB RAM, a massive 1TB SSD, and a powerful NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card to tackle your favorite games with ease. Its large 15.6-inch display also offers 1920x1080 Full HD resolution with a 144Hz refresh rate. And all of this is packed into a sleek design that's perfect for taking on the go.

Deals like this don't come around very often, so don't miss out on this early Black Friday deal on the ASUS TUF 15.6-inch gaming laptop at Best Buy.

Best Buy's not the only place offering some early Black Friday discounts. Walmart and Target are holding their own sales throughout the month in the lead-up to the big shopping event that are worth checking out. Even Amazon has plenty planned for Black Friday, as they recently revealed when their big sales kick off this month. Make sure to mark your calendar so you don't miss out on this season of savings.

The best Windows laptops we've tested: Our No. 1 pick beats M4 MacBook Pros

Mashable - Fri, 11/15/2024 - 05:00

The best Windows laptops run an impressive gamut, from Qualcomm-powered workhorses that refuse to die to dual-display stunners and subtle gaming stations. (Some of them, dare we say, will tempt even the most devoted Apple Macbook disciples.) Users who need a new laptop for everyday productivity, creativity, or entertainment have no shortage of options. And that's for better or worse.

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

To help you pick out your next PC from the crowded Windows market, we've broken out our best laptops rundown into this separate guide to the best Windows machines of 2024. All of these laptops have been thoroughly hands-on tested by members of the Mashable team for performance and build quality, and we stand by their value — or at least think they're worth finding on sale.

Our top picks

As of Nov. 2024, Mashable's favorite Windows laptop is the 13-inch Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, an elegant workhorse powered by the impressive Snapdragon X Elite processor. It's got high-end power, a premium design, interesting AI features, and an incredible battery life. It's still the longest-lasting laptop we've ever reviewed: Even the brand-new M4 MacBooks can't keep up.

For almost as much Snapdragon oomph at a lower price point, opt for the HP Omnibook X 14, the best mid-range Windows laptop. It's not much to look at, but it's plenty power-efficient and equipped with a great keyboard. It also comes with the same AI tools as the Surface Laptop 7. Those on an even tighter budget should look into the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3, a pretty ultraportable for everyday tasks.

SEE ALSO: I've tested over 59 laptops: this is the best laptop of 2024

The Lenovo Yoga 9i (Gen 9) is the best 2-in-1 laptop we've tried, earning praise from our reviewer for its gorgeous 2.8K OLED touchscreen, its peppy (albeit piping-hot) CPU, and its clear Bowers & Wilkins soundbar. For a twist on the hybrid form factor, we also highly recommend the beautiful Asus Zenbook Duo. We've got additional picks for specialty users — the Alienware m16 R2 is the best gaming laptop we've tested thus far, and the Acer Swift X 14 is our go-to Windows laptop for photo and video editing.

Where to find Black Friday deals on Windows laptops

Black Friday is the best time to buy a new laptop if you don't want to pay full price. Tons of machines will drop to new or year-round lows ahead of the holidays (and the Consumer Electronics Show in January, when manufacturers introduce their next-gen hardware).

Black Friday is unusually late in 2024 (Nov. 29), so brands like HP, Lenovo, and Dell are killing time with extended sales that wannabe upgraders should follow closely throughout the month. Sometimes, shopping smart means not waiting until Black Friday proper to peruse your options — and taking advantage of holiday price-match policies if need be.

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

Among major retailers, expect Best Buy to offer deals on the widest variety of Windows laptops this season. (If we're lucky, that includes its huge lineup of Copilot+ PCs.) Amazon tends to stick to deals on mid-range laptops from brands like LG and Samsung and gaming PCs by Asus, Acer, and MSI, while Walmart is the go-to for bargains on previous-gen gaming laptops.

That's a lot to keep track of, so be sure to bookmark our guide to the best Black Friday laptop deals if you don't have the bandwidth to pore over every markdown yourself. In the meantime, read on to learn more about the best Windows models that should make your shopping shortlist.

FYI: We've listed the pricing and specs of our testing units, which may not apply to each laptop's base model.

Rock once forgotten in a drawer plays key part in dating water on Mars

Mashable - Fri, 11/15/2024 - 05:00

It's a tale as old as time: Scientist finds a random rock in a drawer; a century later, it helps humanity figure out when liquid water was on Mars.

Sarcasm aside, the strange history of the Lafayette meteorite, a space rock at Purdue University, may be as fascinating as the new research it has helped produce. Within the meteorite are minerals known to have formed through interactions with water. Geologists have now dated those minerals to just 742 million years ago — much more recently than many estimates of when oceans and rivers flowed on the Red Planet. 

"We have demonstrated a robust way to date alteration minerals in meteorites that can be applied to other meteorites and planetary bodies to understand when liquid water might have been present," said Marissa Tremblay, an assistant professor at Purdue, in a statement. 

SEE ALSO: Past life on Mars? Here's what new NASA evidence points to. An artist interprets what Gale crater on Mars might have looked like during one of its ancient, wet periods. Credit: NASA illustration

Despite the team's success in dating the water-rock interaction, the researchers don't think Mars was teeming with water at that time in history. Rather, they suspect the water came from permafrost melt, perhaps caused by molten rock moving through the planet's crust. The study appears in the Geochemical Perspectives Letters.

This isn't the first time scientists have theorized such a climate scenario for ancient Mars. Computer modeling of the planet, based on the presence of certain minerals and rock formations, has led scientists down this path before, and NASA announced findings just last month that further bolstered the idea: The Curiosity rover on Mars, which is exploring long-dried rivers and gullies, took isotope measurements from rocks that suggest they probably formed in transient liquid water — that is, water that comes from melted ice. 

Earth's inventory of meteorites from Mars is tiny: Less than 400 are known to hail from the Red Planet. Even smaller is the number of nakhlites, one of the three categories of Martian meteorites, of which there are only 32 recognized samples, according to The Meteoritical Society. The Lafayette meteorite is one of those precious 32. 

NASA's Curiosity rover snaps a selfie image on lower Mount Sharp in Gale crater in August 2015. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / MSSS

Scientists think nakhlites like Lafayette are bits of rubble that ensued from a massive collision on Mars about 11 million years ago. Chunks of Mars then blasted into space, with some eventually reaching Earth. 

But researchers aren't just analyzing the rock for clues about Martian history. They're also trying to crack the case of how Lafayette wound up in a drawer at Purdue University in the first place. 

A separate recent study used imaginative forensics to narrow down when the rock landed in Indiana and who could have discovered it more than 100 years ago. Áine O'Brien, a researcher at the University of Glasgow in the United Kingdom, had crushed a tiny sample of the meteorite in 2019, hoping to find organic molecules.

Among her findings was an odd Earthly contaminant, deoxynivalenol, aka vomitoxin. This metabolite is found in a fungus that sometimes overtakes grain crops. It's especially known for making pigs puke.

After consulting with Purdue botanists, O'Brien learned that the area had two bouts of the crop disease in 1919 and 1927, a few years before the rock was rediscovered at the university in 1931. 

Harvey Nininger, who identified the rock as a Martian meteorite, published a paper in Popular Astronomy in 1935, discussing the rock's unclear provenance. He recounted an anecdote that a Black man had witnessed the fall from a few feet away while fishing at a pond. The man scooped it out of the mud and later brought it to the university, where he was a student. Nininger, however, did not know who he was and had no way to substantiate the story. 

It's possible diseased crop dust from nearby farms could have made it into the water where the rock had plopped. O'Brien's team then checked records on fireball sightings, finding reports from northern Indiana on Nov. 26, 1919, and another in 1927, when the Tilden meteorite dropped in Illinois. 

One of these four Black students may have discovered the Lafayette meteorite. Clockwise from top left: Hermanze Edwin Fauntleroy, Clinton Edward Shaw, Julius Lee Morgan, and Clyde Silance. Credit: Purdue University

As for who the mystery student was, O'Brien's team narrowed the possible suspects to four people, based on Black student enrollment from those two years: Julius Lee Morgan, Clinton Edward Shaw, Hermanze Edwin Fauntleroy, and Clyde Silance.

Whoever found this rare specimen deserves gratitude, scientists say. Meteorites quickly lose their research value after exposure to Earth's environment. It doesn't take long before nature wears away the rock's fusion crust. The Lafayette meteorite must have been found and protected immediately, given its pristine condition. 

"I'm proud that, a century after it reached Earth, we're finally able to reconstruct the circumstances of its landing," O'Brien said in a statement, "and get closer than we've ever been to giving credit to the Black student who found it."

Walmart's first wave of Black Friday TV deals goes extremely hard

Mashable - Fri, 11/15/2024 - 05:00

TVs being on sale for Black Friday isn't unique to any one retailer. Sure, that's news to no one. The less-known intel is that, while there will be a handful of price-matched deals on identical models at all of the big competing stores, each store also has a certain type of TV that they seem to really hone in on when it comes to Black Friday discounts.

Walmart's wheelhouse is simply the cheapest 4K TV possible at any given size between 50 inches and 75 inches. If you see Amazon and Best Buy plateauing at a certain sale price for a certain size (for instance, maybe the cheapest they're seemingly able to go for a 50-incher is $199.99), it's pretty safe to assume that Walmart will have an option that slightly beats both of those sale prices. This highly competitive vibe is the main reason why TV deals are typically better on Black Friday than on Amazon Prime Day.

SEE ALSO: Just announced: Amazon finally dropped its Black Friday sale dates

Because Walmart likes to release its most jaw-dropping TV deals as a handful of pre-meditated doorbusters, more shoppers will be waiting in the wings for the clock to strike a certain time (rather than calmly perusing several pages of TV deals) — which means TVs selling out is more likely and time is of the essence.

One way to make sure you get first dibs on any of Walmart's big Black Friday drops is by becoming a Walmart+ member. Paid Walmart+ members get early access to Walmart deals, often for several hours before the sale officially goes live to the public. Through Dec. 2, new, expired, monthly, and current Walmart+ trial members can sign up for an annual Walmart+ membership for $49 — 50% off the regular $98 a year that Walmart+ typically costs.

Along with this early access, Walmart+ members also get perks like a free Paramount+ subscription; 10 cents per gallon fuel savings at Exxon, Mobil, Walmart, and Murphy; Walmart Cash through Expedia; free shipping from your store; free online shipping with no order minimum; and more.

We're tracking all of Walmart's best TV deals throughout the Black Friday season below and will update the list as new ones drop — or as models sell out. On top of the ultra budget-friendly options we gushed about earlier, Walmart also has some good deals on premium models from Samsung and LG.

Note: Occasionally, a Walmart TV doorbuster will come in the form of a TV that's making its debut at a sale price rather than appearing as a clear-cut dollar discount off of an MSRP. Walmart will tag these drops as a "Special Buy" so shoppers know this is still a great price even if there's no previous list price crossed out to indicate a sale. To get an idea of what that size of TV is going for at other retailers, check out our general coverage of Black Friday TV deals which includes Amazon and Best Buy.

Best early Black Friday TV deal at Walmart Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Our pick: Hisense 50-inch R6 4K TV $138.00 at Walmart
$238.00 Save $100.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Exhibit A showcasing Walmart's ability to offer the cheapest version of pretty much any size TV. A $138 50-inch 4K TV may or may not sound like a good deal to the average person who doesn't memorize TV prices for a living, but the only context you need is, well, the TV deals at other retailers. The cheapest 50-inch TVs at Amazon and Best Buy as of mid-November are $199.99 (a Roku model and a Pioneer model), so Walmart having this 50-inch Hisense model for an extra $60 less than those speaks for itself.

More early Black Friday TV deals at Walmart

Get an app to support you through Dry January and beyond for just $60

Mashable - Fri, 11/15/2024 - 05:00

TL;DR: Sobero connects you with community support and tools to reduce or eliminate drinking. Get lifetime access on sale for $59.99 (reg. $149).

Opens in a new window Credit: KWIT Sobero Drinking Control App: Premium Lifetime Subscription $59.99
$149.99 Save $90.00 Get Deal

So, you’re thinking about cutting back on alcohol in the new year, or maybe even making it a permanent lifestyle shift. But going it alone can be a real challenge.

That’s where Sobero’s Premium Plan steps in. For a one-time payment of $59.99, this app to help you work on your relationship with alcohol gives you not just tracking tools but a whole community of people on the same path.

Whether you’re aiming to reduce your intake or ditch drinking altogether, Sobero’s got your back with support, real insights, and practical help.

The Sobero Drinking Control App isn’t just another drinking tracker. Sure, it lets you monitor your intake and moods, but it’s really about building self-awareness and understanding your habits. Track how you feel with or without a drink, uncover patterns, and start making choices that align with your goals. It’s like a roadmap for your drinking habits, helping you see what’s working — and what might need a shift.

And let’s talk community, because that’s where Sobero really shines. You’re joining a support group of people who are also navigating this journey, sharing tips, struggles, and little victories. Think of it as a judgment-free zone where you can get and give encouragement, making the whole process feel a lot less isolating. Plus, Sobero’s experts are always around to answer questions and offer insights, so you’re never left guessing.

Regularly $149, pay just $59.99 for a lifetime subscription to Sobero Drinking Control App Premium — a great way to stay connected, find accountability, and finally feel like you’re not doing this alone.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Boundaries matter — gift a $25 second phone line for the holidays

Mashable - Fri, 11/15/2024 - 05:00

TL;DR: Give the gift an extra layer of privacy with a lifetime virtual phone number with Hushed for $24.99 (reg. $150).

Just because we want to find that perfect gift doesn't mean we have to spend a ton of time searching or emptying our bank accounts to do so. Since the holidays are a time to give meaningful gifts, what could be more thoughtful than the gift of personal privacy?

A second phone line with the Hushed Private Phone Line Lifetime Virtual Number Subscription lets anyone keep their real number secure while enjoying the freedom to make calls and send texts. Ideal for those with busy lives, side hustles, clients, or online dating profiles, this $24.99 gift (reg. $150) offers a lifetime of safe, separate communication without a monthly bill.

You'll be able to hand out a phone number for work without worrying about receiving late-night calls on your personal line. Or perhaps you know someone navigating the world of online dating who’d love the extra security a second number brings. With Hushed, they can create boundaries and connect safely, all through a simple, easy-to-use app.

This holiday season, give them control over how and when they communicate. With Hushed, users choose from hundreds of area codes, customize voicemail, and access up to 6,000 texts or 1,000 minutes each year. Plus, it uses Wi-Fi or data for calls and texts, meaning no additional charges. It’s a thoughtful, practical gift for professionals, friends, and anyone who’d love an extra layer of privacy.

Let them ring in the new year with the confidence that their private life stays private, all with the simplicity of an app.

At $24.99 (reg. $150) through November 21, lifetime access to a Hushed virtual private phone number is a gift that’s unique, useful, and undeniably thoughtful.

Hushed Private Phone Line: Lifetime Virtual Number Subscription - $24.99

Get It Here

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Affinity Click Hushed Private Phone Line: Lifetime Virtual Number Subscription $24.99
$150.00 Save $125.01 Get Deal

Get a refurbished MacBook Air with Microsoft Office on sale for just $290

Mashable - Fri, 11/15/2024 - 05:00

TL;DR: Bundle a refurbished Apple MacBook Air (Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) and a lifetime license for Microsoft Office Home & Business 2019 for Mac for just $289.97 (reg. $1,228) while supplies last.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Refurbished Apple MacBook Air (Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) + Microsoft Office Home & Business 2019 for Mac Bundle $289.97
$1,228.00 Save $938.03 13.3-inch, silver Get Deal

If you're searching for a new laptop, you don't necessarily need to pay the new-product price.

Check out this deal for a MacBook Air bundled with a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Home and Business 2019 for Mac instead. Work, edit, and stream on this MacBook's 13.3-inch display, and enjoy lifelong access to Microsoft Apps like Word and Teams for only $289.97 through Nov. 17.

The standout of the deal is the refurbished MacBook Air. But don't fear: this laptop arrives at your doorstep in near-mint condition, thanks to its Grade "A" rating. Here are a few of the specs you can expect with this device:

  • Intel Core i5 and 8GB of RAM: for light multitasking, browsing, and streaming.

  • 13.3-inch display with Intel HD Graphics 6000: for crisp photos, videos, and visuals.

  • 128GB of storage: to make your files and photos highly accessible.

  • 12-hour battery life: to power through an entire day of work without needing to be tethered to an outlet.

  • A 90-day parts and labor warranty: in case you run into issues with your MacBook Air.

Once you've set up your MacBook, you can install your Microsoft Home and Business 2019 license on it. You'll get a lifetime of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and Teams Classic on your device, minus the pesky recurring fees or subscription costs.

While this is the 2019 version of these apps (not the 2024 edition or the version in Microsoft 365), they'll help you accomplish your daily goals. You may find this download pairs better with your refurbished MacBook Air as well.

There are less than 80 units left, so get this near-mint MacBook Air and a Microsoft Office 2019 lifetime license for $289.97 (reg. $1,228) while you can. This offer ends in two days on November 17 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

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