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SAVE $200: As of Nov. 13, save $200 on the iPhone 13 (128GB) when you activate a line with a Silver Unlimited plan or higher, dropping the price from $599 to $399.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPhone 13 (128GB) $399.00 at Straight Talk
$599.00 Save $200.00 Get Deal

If your current phone is starting to feel more “vintage” than “modern tech,” this Black Friday deal on the iPhone 13 might be just the reason you need to finally upgrade. Apple’s 128GB iPhone 13, normally priced at $599, is now down to $399 when you activate it on a new line with a Silver Unlimited plan or higher. That’s $200 in savings to spend on something else.

The iPhone 13 still shines as a powerful, reliable device, and its specs hold up even among Apple’s newer releases. Featuring the A15 Bionic chip (the same one used in the iPhone 14), this device brings serious speed and efficiency to whatever you throw at it. Whether gaming, streaming, or multitasking across apps, the iPhone 13 delivers a smooth and responsive experience without a hitch. iPhone 13 features up to 19 hours of video playback on a single charge, meaning you can binge, stream, or scroll the day away without hitting zero.

SEE ALSO: Apple iPhone 13 and 13 mini review: It's all about the battery life

Apple is known for its camera quality, and the iPhone 13 doesn’t disappoint. With a 12MP dual-camera system featuring wide and ultra-wide lenses, you can capture stunning photos, even in low light, thanks to Night mode. The ultra-wide lens offers a 120-degree field of view, making it ideal for landscapes and group shots. At the same time, 4K Dolby Vision HDR recording lets you capture video with exceptional detail.

Another great thing about the iPhone 13 is its durability. Apple’s Ceramic Shield offers protection against drops and scratches, so you can rest a little easier about life’s inevitable oops moments. Plus, with 5G compatibility, you’re set for superfast downloads and high-quality streaming, even on the go.

You’ll get the iPhone 13 with iOS 15 installed, along with a USB-C to Lightning Cable and documentation, so you’re all set to start using it right out of the box. In short, this is a solid Black Friday deal on a great phone. Suppose you can boost your mobile experience without maxing out your budget. In that case, this iPhone 13 offer is worth a serious look. And let’s be honest: You’d be hard-pressed to find a better excuse to upgrade.

Disney has just released a new four-minute holiday short, with "The Boy & The Octopus" by Taika Waititi available on YouTube.

Where do you go with a TV show that’s already solved its main mystery?

This was the biggest question I had going into Bad Sisters Season 2, the follow-up to Sharon Horgan's excellent 2022 how-dunnit about a family banding together to kill their sister's abusive husband.

Season 2 quickly untangles the neat bow that tied up the show's first season, and initially it seems like its new direction will be just as tense and intriguing. Unfortunately, the momentum doesn't quite last. What starts as a strong story becomes patchy in the middle, before somewhat rescuing itself in the closing episodes.

SEE ALSO: 25 best crime shows on Netflix What's Bad Sisters Season 2 about?

We pick up with the Garvey sisters – Eva (Horgan), Grace (Anne-Marie-Duff), Bibi (Sarah Greene), Becka (Eve Hewson), and Ursula (Eva Birthistle) – in a seemingly happier time. Grace is getting married to new man Ian (Owen McDonnell), and John Paul (Claes Bang) is just a horrible memory. Season 1 tied up the mystery of his death in a seemingly neat bow, and the family seems to be thriving now he's gone. But of course, none of that lasts.

Nervous neighbour Roger (Michael Smiley) is the first thread to unravel, reappearing on the scene with his pious and meddling sister Angelica (Fiona Shaw) and threatening to reveal what he knows about John Paul's death to the police. Angelica's own suspicions quickly become aroused, as do those of new detective Una Houlihan (Thaddea Graham), who's keen to reopen the case alongside Season 1 detective Fergal Loftus (Barry Ward). All of these events conspire to destabilise Grace's newfound happiness and send the sisters spiralling back into crisis mode.

Roger and Angelica cause all sorts of problems in Season 2. Credit: Apple TV+

Without entering spoiler territory, Bad Sisters needed something in Season 2 that would shake up its formula — and this something does indeed come along, quickly and brutally.

It feels like a bit of a risk to take in the script, but it's one that works. At least, until it doesn't.

Bad Sisters Season 2 lacks what made Season 1 so great

There are many good things about Bad Sisters that are still there in Season 2. The characters are just as much fun, the blend of drama and black humour is effective, and the writing is as sharp as ever. The new characters, too, bring a fresh tension to the mix, and there are still plenty of twists that are hard to see coming. If this was a new show, I'd have been pleasantly surprised.

The problem is, it's not. It's a sequel. Season 1 of Bad Sisters was brilliant for all of the above reasons, but also because of the plot and central mystery. How exactly did John Paul die? Who killed him? The writing and the characters complemented these driving question, but the questions themselves still provided the main hook. Season 2, despite a valiant effort to try new things, doesn't have this crucial hook. There are still unanswered questions, but we don't care about the answers as much.

Bad Sisters Season 2 is by no means bad, and after a sluggish middle things do pick up again towards the end. But when compared to its first season — and that comparison is inevitable, despite how different the story is — it can't quite measure up.

Bad Sisters Season 2 is streaming on Apple TV+ from Nov. 13.

President-elect Donald Trump has officially announced that fellow billionaire Elon Musk will head a new U.S. Department of Government Efficiency ("DOGE") under his administration. Musk may not be eligible to run for president, but it seems he'll still get to make decisions as part of the incoming U.S. government.

In a statement posted to Trump's social media network Truth Social on Tuesday, the president-elect revealed that "the Great Elon Musk" would work with pharmaceutical and financial millionaire Vivek Ramaswamy to lead the new department. DOGE will partner with and advise the White House's preexisting Office of Management and Budget to "drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government."

SEE ALSO: Why Elon Musk is the real winner of the 2024 US Presidential election

According to Trump, DOGE's purpose is to "pave the way for [his] Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies — Essential to the 'Save America' Movement.'" DOGE will aim to complete its work by July 4, 2026, resulting in "A smaller Government, with more efficiency and less bureaucracy."

"DOGE will soon begin crowdsourcing examples of government waste, fraud, & and abuse," Ramaswamy posted to X, also announcing his withdrawal from contention for vice president-elect J.D. Vance's imminently vacant Ohio Senate seat. "Americans voted for drastic government reform & they deserve to be part of fixing it."

"This will send shockwaves through the system, and anyone involved in Government waste, which is a lot of people!" Musk claimed in Trump's statement, which he also shared via his X account.

As such, the U.S. may soon see sweeping mass layoffs impacting thousands of government workers. Ramaswamy previously promised "large scale mass layoffs" during his own presidential campaign in 2023, stating that he would cut 75 percent of civilian federal workers — 50 percent within the first year.

His proposed plan would begin by eliminating the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI); the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; the Department of Education; and the Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service.

"I will fire 1 million federal employees in 2025," Ramaswamy posted on X in December last year. "SHUT IT DOWN."

There are approximately 2.25 million civilian federal employees in the U.S. If Ramaswamy, Musk, and Trump execute their vision, around 1.7 million Americans could be out of a job.

Trump and Musk's previous 'efficiency' cuts have not gone well

Theoretically, streamlining bureaucracy sounds like it should be a good thing. Unfortunately, Musk has previously demonstrated an exceedingly poor understanding of what constitutes waste. The billionaire infamously cut almost 90 percent of Twitter's staff after acquiring the social media platform in 2022, with many employees let go within mere days of him taking over. 

Renamed X, the company's value has since tanked by nearly 80 percent, while Musk's mass layoffs quickly spawned multiple lawsuits concerning thousands of unpaid severance cases. One report further found that almost a quarter of users have abandoned the platform since Musk took charge, while advertisers have fled.

Now Musk apparently wants to take a similar hatchet to the U.S. government — a plan the president-elect will likely execute with gusto. Trump previously rolled back numerous regulations during his first term as president, cutting worker safety protections, scrapping rail safety requirements, and loosening rules for banks.

The president-elect further eliminated over 100 environmental regulations, with researchers determining that Trump's deregulation would result in the U.S. emitting an additional 1.8 billion tons of greenhouse gases over 15 years. Another analysis concluded that 22,000 American deaths in 2019 were the result of Trump's removal of environmental protections.

The Department of Government Efficiency's name raises some eyebrows as well, as it was seemingly deliberately constructed so it could be abbreviated to DOGE. "DOGE" is the name of a dog meme that inspired Dogecoin, which Musk has previously said is his favourite cryptocurrency. Musk even briefly changed Twitter's logo to Doge in 2023, a switch which caused Dogecoin's value to soar by 30 percent and sparked a class action lawsuit accusing the billionaire of insider trading and manipulating the cryptocurrency's price.

Considering the importance of governmental operations, the decision to put Musk in charge of a new department apparently named after a meme is less than reassuring for the country's future. Musk appeared to confirm the connection, sharing a cartoon image of a Department of Government Efficiency logo featuring an orange dog.

Musk spent over $130 million campaigning for Trump during the recent presidential election, including running a $1 million voter "lottery" whose carefully chosen list of winners seem to only consist of Republicans. (He is currently facing his second lawsuit regarding said lottery.) The billionaire's net worth shot up by $15 billion the day after the election, with his companies such as Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralink set to benefit from relaxed regulations as well as government contracts with Trump's administration. It doesn't hurt that Musk seems to have the president-elect's ear either.

Of course, the richest man in the world already appears to be planning ways to monetise his new governmental role.

"Department of Government Efficiency," Musk posted to X. "The merch will be 🔥🔥🔥"

Credit: Mashable screenshot: Truth Social

TL;DR: Give your files a forever home with a 2TB FileJump Lifetime Cloud Storage Subscription, now on sale for 80% off at just £69.82 (reg. £366.34). 

With everyone working, studying, and collaborating online, having secure, accessible cloud storage is no longer optional — it’s essential. But not all storage solutions offer the same level of reliability, ease, and cost savings. FileJump delivers on all three counts with its lifetime 2TB cloud storage plan, and it's only £69.82 at the Mashable Shop. 

A lifetime of cloud storage for a one-time fee

Some cloud storage services have the space, but the UI is so frustrating that it's hardly worth it. FileJump’s drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to upload files directly from your computer or phone. Whether it’s high-resolution photos, videos, or large presentations, the platform can handle it all with a 15GB limit per file.

Built-in previews for images, videos, and PDFs allow you to view your content without needing to download anything, saving you time when working on the go.

Security is a must, especially if all your files are under one roof. With FileJump, your data is encrypted with AES technology, meaning only you and the people you trust can access your files. Whether you’re using the service for personal photo backups or professional projects, your files remain protected. Plus, with its lifetime access plan, you won’t need to worry about running out of storage space or losing access when your subscription ends.

FileJump platform supports mobile, too. So you can upload or manage files from your smartphone or tablet with no problem.

No subscription fees ever

One place and one purchase is all it takes to store your files for life. There's still time to get a FileJump 2TB Lifetime Subscription for £69.82 (reg. £366.34). 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

Opens in a new window Credit: FileJump FileJump 2TB Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription £69.82 at the Mashable Shop
£366.34 Save £296.52 Get Deal

SAVE 70%: A two-year subscription to Proton VPN is on sale for $76.18. This Black Friday deal saves you 70% on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Proton VPN Proton VPN (2-Year Subscription) $76.18 at Proton VPN (with 30-day money-back guarantee) Get Deal

Black Friday is the best time of the year to secure savings on just about everything on your shopping list. And that very much includes VPNs.

The best VPNs tend to drop Black Friday deals a few weeks ahead of the main event, and that's exactly what we're seeing this year. We've already seen the likes of NordVPN and Surfshark release impressive deals, and now it's the turn of Proton VPN. A two-year subscription to Proton VPN is on sale for $76.18, saving you 70% on list price.

SEE ALSO: Get Surfshark VPN for 3 years for just $68 and take your digital privacy global

Proton VPN offers access to over 8,600 servers in over 100 countries around the world, so you should always be able to find a speedy and stable connection for gaming, streaming, or online shopping. Connection speeds are really strong, and you can connect up to 10 devices at the same time.

Save 70% on Proton VPN this Black Friday. And if you're not totally convinced, you can always rely on Proton VPN's generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

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 13'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 13 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: Colors associated with sunshine and summer fruits

• Green: Structures that could be added to a house

• Blue: Oral hygiene concerns

• Purple: Pronunciation that doesn't match the length

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: Things That Are Yellow

• Green: Building Add-Ons

• Blue: Concerns for a Dentist

• Purple: Words That Seem Longer Written Than Spoken

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 #521 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Things That Are Yellow: CANARY, LEMON, MINION, MUSTARD

• Building Add-Ons: ADDITION, ANNEX, EXTENSION, WING

• Concerns for a Dentist: CALCULUS, CAVITY, PLAQUE, TARTAR

• Words That Seem Longer Written Than Spoken: COLONEL, PHARAOH, WEDNESDAY, WORCESTERSHIRE

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 13

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

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

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

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

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for November 13'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 13 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 13 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Making minor adjustments to clothes.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There is one letter that appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter P.

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...

PRIMP.

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 13

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.

Christmas movies can be a balm to the soul during dark, dark times. At their best, they remind us of the kindness that lies in the hearts of humankind. And at their worst, they're still pretty unflappably joyous. Now, I won't promise you Hot Frosty — a new Netflix release about a snowman who becomes a real, human man — is on par with holiday classics like A Christmas Story, Home Alone, Elf, Love Actually, or even Gremlins. However, I will assure you it's a delightful treat that's sure to enchant for 90 minutes of seasonal bliss. 

Yes, yes, there are hordes of Hallmark movies to choose from, and Netflix has their own panoply of Yuletide viewing — including footage of a cozy fireplace. But trust me, Hot Frosty should be your go-to when you need a break from the worry, stress, and general panic of being alive in this very intense moment in time. Just let this be the mental massage of silliness and sweetness to work out those knots in your muscles and wrinkles in your brain. 

SEE ALSO: Everything Christmas-y coming to Netflix in 2024

So, if you could use a break from your brain or the world, give yourself over to Hot Frosty.

Yes, Hot Frosty is about a hunky snowman come to life.  Meet Jack the snowman. And his nipples. Credit: Screenshot / YouTube

Written by Russell Hainline, Hot Frosty plays to the holiday rom-com cliches that fans have come to hold dear. Having scripted a slew of festive films (In Merry Measure andThe Santa Summit, plus the upcoming movies Three Wiser Men and a Baby, The Santa Class, and Christmas Under The Lights), Hainline is no stranger to these traditions, and he honors them with both a keen awareness and a sense of playfulness. As such, Hot Frosty is set in a picturesque small town called Hope Springs, the kind of place where everyone knows the kind-hearted widow, Kathy (Mean Girls' Lacey Chabert), a diner owner who does her best to feed and care for her neighbors — and bare-chested snowmen. 

Amid a festive holiday fair festooned with red-and-green decorations and alive with holiday R&B, an unconventional snowman is carved with long locks of hair, a bare chest, pert nipples, and chiseled abs. Of course, caring Kathy bestows on him a long red scarf, to buffer him from the cold and give him some sense of dignity from the waist down. Well, there must have been some magic in that long red scarf she found, for when she placed it on his neck, he began to turn... into a flesh-and-blood man named Jack (Schitt's Creek's beloved vet Dustin Milligan). 

Naturally, after some comic misunderstandings, he finds his way to Kathy and, soon enough, into her heart, mending her mourning through plenty of Golden Retriever energy. He is hunky, handy, and hot: masculine in a strictly non-toxic sense. For Jack, being a real man means helping others, like the gaggle of older ladies who could use a handyman (and a cheap thrill) courtesy of a handsome, giving stranger. Jack's caring nature, along with his willingness to share his loving feelings — not to mention those ripped arms — make him a great pick for cuffing season. Also, he revels in making Christmas cookies, understands the joys of cold pizza, gives her a place to express her grief, and is often shirtless! What's not to love?

Terminator is the source of Hot Frosty's central conflict.  Credit: Netflix

Props to Hainline and director Jerry Ciccoritti for making the most of Jack's transformation scene. It's not that the visual effects are awe-inspiring so much as the kookiness that follows, which is a mix of Austin Powers humor and Terminator plot points. When Jack comes to life, he's wearing only that long red scarf, making for a scene that's a bit spicy as that generous knitwear conveniently covers his crotch no matter how he moves. Much like the newly arrived Terminator in James Cameron's 1984 sci-fi classic (which has influenced untold holiday tales), Jack arrives naked in this world, and in urgent need of clothes. So he turns to crime!

After accidentally streaking in front of a surprised elderly couple, he doesn't beat up a biker for attire. Instead, Jack breaks into the local thrift shop, Reclaimed Rags, to snatch some duds. Specifically, he takes some boots and a denim jumpsuit missing its sleeves, a perfect showcase for Jack's buff biceps. So, public indecency, breaking and entering, and theft — this is the closest thing this charming town has ever had to a crime spree. The Office's Craig Robinson brings an amusing intensity as the sheriff on the case, while Joe Lo Truglio hearkens back to his Brooklyn Nine-Nine days as the bumbling partner/sidekick, who, of course, gives Jack love advice. But whether it's getting close to Kathy or getting locked up in the local jail, Jack is at risk, as he melts when things get hot. 

Yes! The only downside of this guileless guy is he's cold to the touch and melts in warm weather. (Look, the song warned us.) This means Jack must frequently frolic in snow to maintain his physique, and that sex with this snowman would be at best chilly for Kathy and at worst deadly for Jack. But don't dwell on that. For one thing, these Yuletide lovers aren't moving fast enough for that to matter just yet, and for another, this is a Netflix movie. Such questions are better suited to our own horny musings than to Hainline's cheerful holiday script. 

Hot Frosty is a himbo story that's good for you.  Credit: Netflix

This Netflix Christmas movie presents the pillars audiences expect: festive setting, charming could-be lovers, seasonal music, holiday hijinks, and a happy ending. But Hainline puts a bow on his gift of goofy joy by peopling Hope Springs with lovable weirdos who are all too willing to believe the inexplicably hot snowman from the town square Christmas display is a real live man, now offering to help them fix their homes, put up glass paneling, or save the lovely young widow from her grief. 

For instance, there's sassy doctor Dottie, who after taking his temperature (30 degrees!), is quick to say, "Look, everything about Christmas: Santa, elves, flying reindeer — the scientist in me knows they shouldn't exist. But wouldn't the world be a little bit better if they did?" She then argues that Jack being a snowman come to life is the "simplest explanation" to why he is a hot guy whose skin is ice cold. It's just science, the film suggests; just go with it. And yes, do that. There's a sincere pleasure in slipping down the ludicrous slide that is Hot Frosty's premise, in which a hot, naive, but very sweet man is the perfect Christmas wish — for Kathy and for any of us who may need a bit of comfort from a cold, cold world. 

How to watch: Hot Frosty is now streaming on Netflix.

The Social Security Administration announced last month that it’s implementing Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA) for the agency’s 72.5 million beneficiaries and Supplemental Security Income recipients. With the 2.5% bump expected in January and informational letters going out next month, scammers are already trying to take advantage of the change, according to SSA officials.

"Be wary of any communication that asks you to take extra steps or provide personal details for this increase, as it’s likely a scammer attempting to steal your identity or financial assets," said Acting Inspector General for the Social Security Administration Hannibal "Mike" Ware, in a statement. "Our office is dedicated to protecting the public and deterring these criminals from exploiting honest, hardworking people."

SEE ALSO: Guarding against fraud: Practical tips for recognising and avoiding scams

The COLA will automatically hit bank accounts, and be reflected in mailed checks, with no action needed by recipients. 

However, Ware had warned that you should not hand over personal information to anyone claiming they’re a representative of the SSA who needs your social security number or bank account to move forward with the COLA. Report any suspected fraud to the SSA’s Office of the Inspector General via their website (https://oig.ssa.gov/report/).

SSA officials warn all recipients to be on the lookout for "fake calls, texts, emails, websites, messages on social media, or letters in the mail."

While the agency typically contacts people via mail regarding updates and questions, they will call people on occasion, according to the SSA anti-scam site, especially if they "recently applied for a Social Security benefit, are already receiving payments and require an update to their record, or have requested a phone call from the agency."

The agency produced a video about SSA agency imposters who will call recipients and tell them of armed marshals or sheriffs’ deputies on their way to arrest them for some supposed malfeasance. One SSA recipient described being told by scammers to purchase Google Play cards to avoid arrest. When receiving a call purportedly from the SSA where threats or demands of money are made — or prizes offered — get off the phone, talk to someone you trust, and do a search on the internet.

“SSA will not threaten you, demand your personal information or instant payment, email or text you pictures or documents, or use a real government official’s name to gain your trust,” according to another anti-scam video from the agency. “Social Security does not accept payments by gift card, pre-paid debit card, internet currency, or by mailing cash.”

See more information on SSA-related scams here and check out other online resources here.

When asked about whether President-elect Donald Trump would prevent a TikTok ban in the United States, a spokeswoman told The New York Times: “He will deliver.”

AI PCs have jumped to the top of holiday wishlists, and it’s no shock to learn why. For efficient productivity and access to new frontiers of creativity, these computers — powered by an Intel Core Ultra chip — offer a major leap forward in nearly all categories. They’re even more secure, with smart defense against data cyberthieves among the many functions enabled by an NPU (neural processing unit).

But which one to choose? Here’s a closer look at what you can expect from a top machine at varying price points, all equipped with Intel’s powerful chip:

Under $1,000  Opens in a new window Credit: ASUS ASUS Vivobook S 14 $749.99 at Best Buy
$949.99 Save $200.00 Get Deal

Even at the modest end of the scale, an AI PC should pack a processor that’s ready for serious usage. With the ability to hit 40 TOPS (that’s trillions of operations per second, an important AI metric), ASUS Vivobook S 14’s Intel Core Ultra 5 Series 2 processor provides strong performance in a sleek, lightweight package. Microsoft’s Copilot AI can be summoned with the press of a button, so web searches and creative tasks get an AI boost.

From $1,000 to $1,500 Opens in a new window Credit: ASUS ASUS Zenbook S 14 $1,149.99 at Best Buy
$1,399.99 Save $250.00 Get Deal

In the midrange, higher expectations deserve expanded possibilities. Here, the ASUS Zenbook S 14, which boasts an Intel Core Ultra 7 Series 2 processor capable of up to 47 TOPS, stands out even before users see additional features like Harmon/Kardon speakers and an OLED touchscreen. Power users will appreciate this Zenbook’s all-day 72Wh battery, plus the onboard Copilot AI helps with complex tasks, image and text generation, and a multitude of other creative endeavors. 

$1,500 and above Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 $1,699.99 at Best Buy
Shop Now

At the most premium tier, you’ll find maximal features that deliver on every need — even some you didn’t know you had. In the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360, an Intel Core Ultra 7 Series 2 processor powers a multitude of AI experiences such as Microsoft Copilot and Samsung Galaxy AI. 

Creatives will appreciate a folding screen that lets the laptop function like a tablet, so AI-infused work can get done using the included S Pen on the AMOLED touchscreen. Plus, Galaxy phone and tablet users will find added value in connective features like Quick Share and Multi Control that allow multiple devices to easily function as one.

T-Mobile customers were in for an unwelcome surprise on Tuesday afternoon as the carrier experienced a widespread service outage, leaving many unable to make calls, send texts, or access data.

According to DownDetector (a sister site of Mashable), the blackout has affected major cities across the U.S., sparking a wave of complaints on social media from frustrated users, including customers of Mint Mobile, T-Mobile’s prepaid subsidiary.

SEE ALSO: Is T-Mobile down? Users report widespread outages

Mint Mobile customers in Utah were hit particularly hard according to outage maps, so here's a look at the states hit hardest by the outage, according to DownDetector:

Outage map: States affected by T-Mobile / Mint Mobile network issues T-Mobile outage map Credit: DownDetector.com T-Mobile:

• Arizona

• California

• Florida

• Georgia

• Illinois

• Indiana

• Kentucky

• Lousiana

• Maryland

• Massachusetts

• Michigan

• Minnesota

• Missouri

• Mississippi

• New Jersey

• New Mexico

• New York

• North Carolina

• Ohio

• Pennsylvania

• Texas

• Virginia

• Washington

Mint Mobile Mint Mobile outage map Credit: DownDetector

• Arizona

• California

• Colorado (minor activity visible)

• Florida

• Georgia

• Idaho (small activity visible)

• Illinois

• Indiana (minor activity visible)

• Kansas (small activity visible)

• Maryland

• Massachusetts

• Michigan

• Minnesota

• Missouri

• Montana (small activity visible)

• Nebraska (small activity visible)

• Nevada

• New Jersey

• New York

• North Carolina

• Ohio (minor activity visible)

• Pennsylvania

• South Carolina

• Texas

• Utah

• Virginia

• Washington

• Wisconsin

As of this writing, however, reports of the T-Mobile and Mint outage appear to be dissipating.

Editorial Disclaimer: Ziff Davis, the parent company of Mashable, owns DownDetector

Typically, after a presidential election in the U.S., search queries about leaving the country spike as supporters of the losing candidate consider what to do next.

While physically moving out of the country may be a bit complicated, finding a new social media home is a much simpler task. And it appears that hundreds of thousands of people have decided to flee Elon Musk's X in the wake of the U.S. election results.

According to Bsky Stats, a website that tracks Bluesky signups, posts, and other analytics, the platform now has more than 14.6 million users. Bluesky user Jaz, who runs the stats website, says that Bluesky has seen more than 100,000 new user signups every day since the U.S. presidential election on Nov. 5th.

If you're wondering how things have been going at the Posting Factory Over 100k new users per day since November 5th and no sign of slowing. ~10M follows per day (+400%) ~18M likes per day (+46%) ~3M posts per day (+30%) Firehose traffic regularly over 500 evt/sec for most of the day now.

[image or embed]

— Jaz (@jaz.bsky.social) November 10, 2024 at 3:08 PM

Bluesky has officially confirmed to outlets like The Guardian and The Verge that the platform has seen more than 700,000 new signups in the past week.

Bluesky continues to grow

Bluesky has quickly become the alternative social media platform of choice for users looking to flee Elon Musk's X. While Meta’s Threads still leads among X alternatives with 275 million users, much of that user base is due to the platform’s close integration with Instagram. Bluesky isn’t backed by any Big Tech company, yet it has managed to grow organically. It currently ranks as the third most popular microblogging platform, following X and Threads.

Bluesky's growth spurts seems directly linked tied to decisions Musk has made regarding X.

In September, millions of users in Brazil flocked to Bluesky after the country's Supreme Court banned X due to Musk's refusal to follow Brazilian law. X has since played ball and paid a hefty fine, resulting in the platform being unbanned. However, Bluesky was able to enjoy a 50 percent growth in its user base as a result of the ordeal.

Just last month, Bluesky saw another surge in user growth after X officially announced it was changing how the block function worked on its platform. Within 24 hours of X's announcement, more than 500,000 new users joined Bluesky.

Social media researcher Axel Bruns speculates that Bluesky's user growth is sparked by X users seeking refuge in a new social media platform "without all the far-right activism, the misinformation, the hate speech, the bots and everything else." He added that the liberal side of the Twitter community have escaped and moved "en masse" to Bluesky.

Musk was a significant supporter and financial backer of Donald Trump’s campaign. While Bluesky’s recent user boost is smaller than past surges — like when Brazil banned X or when X changed its blocking feature — the platform may continue to grow as Musk is expected to be an influential figure in Trump’s administration.

The new agreement builds on an earlier announcement in which the German automaker said it would invest up to $5 billion in Rivian, a maker of electric vehicles. The new venture brings them closer.

Tuesday afternoon wasn't a great time to be a T-Mobile customer.

Users of the self-proclaimed "un-carrier" reported widespread outages for both the main T-Mobile network and Mint Mobile, its subsidiary that focuses primarily on prepaid phones. According to DownDetector (a sister site of Mashable), both T-Mobile and Mint started malfunctioning for customers at around 2 p.m. ET on Tuesday.

SEE ALSO: 'iPhone 17 Air' plans may be on thin ice — here's why

That said, at the time of writing, the number of reports had decreased dramatically on the T-Mobile side of things, roughly 90 minutes after users started reporting the outage. According to DownDetector, at its peak, the outage was at its most potent in places like Chicago and Atlanta. Strangely, both T-Mobile and Mint had big outages specifically in Utah.

As of 3:50 p.m. ET, the reports are continuing to decline. This parabolic drop reveals that reports are still coming in, but they’re not as frequent as they were earlier in the day.

T-Mobile outage graph within last 24 hours Credit: DownDetector

You can call yourself the "un-carrier," but blackouts come for us all eventually.

This story is developing ...

Apple Intelligence has officially launched with the latest updates for iPhones, iPads, and Macs. While the AI-powered features on iPhone with the iOS 18 update is getting the most buzz because — let's be real — new smartphone features are arguably one of the most impactful in our daily lives,

However, Apple Intelligence on Mac deserves some attention, too. With the macOS Sequoia 15.1 update, Macs with an M1 chip or higher got a bunch of AI-powered features you can try out today.

SEE ALSO: What is Apple Intelligence? Apple Intelligence on Mac: 5 features you can use now

Some of the flashier features won't be available until the macOS Sequoia 15.2 update or later, but here are meaningful updates worth looking into.

1. Writing Tools to clean up Notes (and Messages, Mail, and Pages)

If you're a Notes app devotee like me, you might find Writing Tools worth playing around with. With Apple Intelligence, you can proofread, rewrite, summarize, and organize text into lists and tables by clicking the Apple Intelligence icon in the toolbar at the top of the app.

How does Apple Intelligence do summarizing the Apple Intelligence announcement? Credit: Screenshot: Mashable / Apple If you need a TL;DR for a big block of text, Apple Intelligence is your friend. Credit: Screenshot: Mashable / Apple

This is helpful for organizing a haphazard to-do list or reworking the draft of a message or email. Speaking of texts and emails, you can also use Writing Tools in Messages, Mail, and Pages for editing documents.

2. Transcribe audio in the Notes app 

Another useful Notes feature with Apple Intelligence is automated audio transcriptions. You do this by importing an audio file or recording directly within Notes. Note: if you import the file, I've found that you have to play the file in order to get the transcription, so it's best used for recording directly. Once you have your recording, you can tap the Apple Intelligence icon to summarize the text.

The Notes can automatically transcribe audio and give you a summary of the transcript. Credit: Screenshot: Mashable / Apple 3. Siri on Mac is marginally better

The big announcement with the Apple Intelligence launch is a new-and-improved Siri. Poor Siri languished for years without much attention, making it the subject of ridicule for not being very useful. But with a generative AI boost, Apple says Siri will be more conversational, intelligent, and better able to understand context. Unfortunately, Siri on macOS Sequoia 15.1 is only marginally improved.

The latest update shows a new interface with the Apple Intelligence icon in the Menu bar, which invokes Siri. You can type with Siri or use audio. Siri is slightly better with surfacing information and is more responsive to changes as you type. It can answer basic questions like "what to make for a dinner party for eight people" by providing web search results.

But some users have noted that it fails at more complex tasks like briefing a person on their daily schedule.

Reddit

But we weren't expecting any mind-blowing improvements to Siri just yet. Major Siri updates aren't slated until sometime next year.

4. Clean Up tool in Photos to remove unwanted objects 

Removing unwanted objects in photos has been around for a while as a feature for Google devices and apps, but Apple finally launched this for the Photos app with the Clean Up tool.

The Clean Up tool in Photos removes unwanted objects... Credit: Screenshot: Mashable / Apple ... but it sometimes leaves weird shadows and artifacts behind. Credit: Screenshot: Mashable / Apple

You can access this by opening edit mode on a photo and choosing Clean Up from the options above the photo. From here you can click, circle, or brush over the object you want to remove and within a few seconds, it's gone. This is a useful tool, but be warned, it sometimes leaves weird shadows or artifacts. You can brush over the area with the Clean Up tool to fix it, but hopefully this is something that will be improved with future updates.

5. Email summaries in Mail

For Mail users, Apple Intelligence can help you parse through your inbox by providing brief summaries of what each email is about without having to click on it.

My inbox doesn't currently contain the most exciting batch up emails, but it helps to see which emails are worth reading versus ignoring. Credit: Screenshot: Mashable / Apple

Enabling Show Priority in the View menu allows Apple Intelligence to highlight emails it deems important, providing a quick one-liner summary of each. Admittedly, I'm not a big Mail user, but could see this as a useful tool for working your way through your inbox.

A supersmart musical about making a connection arrives on Broadway in a joyful, heartbreaking, cutting-edge production.

"Nutcrackers," starring Ben Stiller and Linda Cardellini, hits Hulu Nov. 29.

Every day, tech and fast food push us into stranger territory. Pizza Hut’s latest creation — the PIZZAWRMR — might just be the most absurd yet.

The PIZZAWRMR is a 3D-printed add-on that harnesses the heat exhaust of Sony’s PlayStation 5 to keep your pizza and cheese sticks warm. Yes, really.

SEE ALSO: There's a new Deadpool Xbox controller — and it has butt cheeks

This is not a retail product; you won’t find it in stores. Instead, the blueprints for this novelty contraption are available on Pizza Hut Canada's website, where pizza and gaming enthusiasts can download the specs and print their own.

View this post on Instagram

The PIZZAWRMR works by covering the PS5's vent, which, on an already notoriously heat-sensitive console, only amps up the risk of overheating. It’s clear that the PIZZAWRMR is riffing off the PS5’s reputation for running hot, but let’s face it — this design seems like a serious oversight.

Pizza Hut isn’t the first food brand to try some weird marketing in the video game space to go viral. There’s the infamous KFConsole — KFC’s custom gaming PC with a built-in “Chicken Chamber” to keep fried chicken warm using the heat from its components. Or, if you go back a little further, the Coca-Cola Game Gear: a limited edition Sega handheld console from the ‘90s bundled with Coca-Cola Kid, a platformer featuring the brand’s Japanese mascot.