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Grab the AWOL Vision UST 4K projector for $900 off this Black Friday

Mashable - Wed, 11/20/2024 - 04:11

SAVE $900: As of Nov. 20, the AWOL Vision LTV-3000 Pro 4K Projector is on sale for $3,099 (down from $3,999) at Amazon for Black Friday.

Opens in a new window Credit: AWOL AWOL Vision LTV-3000 Pro 4K Projector $3,099.00 at Amazon
$3,999.00 Save $900.00 Get Deal

Let’s face it, a regular TV doesn’t cut it when you’re chasing the ultimate home theater setup. Luckily, the AWOL Vision LTV-3000 Pro 4K ultra-short throw (UST) projector has hit its Black Friday pricing, and it’s a deal worth shouting about. You can snag this cinematic powerhouse for $3,099 at Amazon — $900 off its previous price of $3,999.

If you’ve been on the fence about upgrading your home entertainment, this is your sign to take the leap. Designed to deliver a jaw-dropping 150-inch screen, the LTV-3000 Pro makes every movie night like a red carpet premiere. Its 3,000 peak lumens and Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support ensure brilliant picture quality, whether it’s a sunny day or a pitch-black movie marathon.

SEE ALSO: Black Friday is coming, but we're still waiting on Amazon Echo deals

What sets this projector apart? It’s the world’s first UST projector to double as a center-channel speaker, complete with Dolby Atmos for surround sound that pulls you right into the action. Paired with its ability to reproduce over 1 billion colors and 147% of the DCI-P3 color gamut, the result is a viewing experience so rich you’ll forget you’re at home.

For 3D lovers, this deal gets even better. The projector supports active shutter 3D, and Amazon is offering two free pairs of glasses with your purchase. Since this laser projector uses just a fraction of the energy of traditional TVs, you can enjoy guilt-free binge-watching.

Don’t sleep on this one: Black Friday deals this good don’t last forever. Grab the AWOL Vision LTV-3000 Pro for $3,099 before it’s gone and transform your living room into the theater of your dreams.

SpaceX's sixth Starship test flight successful despite abandoning booster catch

Mashable - Wed, 11/20/2024 - 02:50

SpaceX conducted its sixth Starship test flight on Tuesday, with CEO Elon Musk joined by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to observe from the control room. While the launch went well, SpaceX quickly aborted plans to catch the first-stage Super Heavy booster, instead opting for a standard ocean splashdown.

Starship launched from SpaceX's Starbase launch pad in Brownsville, Texas at 4 p.m. local time (5 p.m. EST / 2 p.m. PST). Building on Starship's fifth test flight early last month, objectives for this week's flight included reigniting its Raptor engine while in space, conducting heat shield experiments, and testing manoeuvring changes for reentry.

SEE ALSO: SpaceX's successful Starship flight grabbed by giant mech arms Tweet may have been deleted

Arguably the most significant goal of this launch was a second test of SpaceX's Mechazilla, Starbase's launch tower. More specifically, this test aimed to use Mechazilla's "chopstick" arms to catch Starship's Super Heavy booster rather than have it splash down. 

However, SpaceX abandoned its attempt to catch the 33-engine booster mere minutes into the test flight, the Super Heavy booster ultimately splashing down in the Gulf of Mexico instead. SpaceX has not specified exactly why the test was aborted, saying only that the necessary criteria for a catch were not met. 

Mechazilla previously caught the booster during its first test of the system in October. SpaceX's ultimate goal is for the Super Heavy booster as well as the rest of the Starship system to be entirely reusable. 

Tweet may have been deleted

Fortunately for SpaceX, its other objectives went better. As the Super Heavy booster detached, Starship fired its six Raptor engines to take it to a coast phase. It then successfully reignited one of these Raptor engines while in space, doing so for the first time.

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

SpaceX then pushed Starship's limits during its final descent, having removed sections of Starship's heat shield tiles since the last test. Employing a more aggressive angle than typical for reentry, Starship was manoeuvred nose down for the descent rather than its usual "belly flop" orientation. This was intended to deliberately stress the Starship's flaps, testing whether they were still able to maintain control and help slow the spacecraft down.

Despite the stress, Starship did not undergo a "rapid unscheduled disassembly," ultimately splashing down intact in the Indian Ocean.

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted

Measuring 397 ft (121 m), SpaceX's Starship aims to eventually carry passengers beyond Earth's orbit to "the Moon, Mars, and beyond." The company claims it will be able to transport 100 passengers on lengthy flights between planets.

New video-watching guidelines for teens just dropped

Mashable - Wed, 11/20/2024 - 00:01

An old public service announcement that once aired before late-night newscasts posed a simple question to parents: "It's 10 p.m. Do you know where your children are?"

A similar prompt for safety-minded 21st century parents might go something like this: "It's 10 p.m. Do you know what your children are watching online?"

Some parents may have long given up on answering that question, even if they grasp that online videos can expose teens to inappropriate content, including bullying, self-harm, disordered eating, and porn.

SEE ALSO: Instagram will let users 'reset' their recommended content

Yet there's no easy way to track or monitor teens' viewing habits, and they can access videos pretty much anywhere — from YouTube to TikTok to parent-approved streaming platforms like Disney+. Even using software to detect certain types of content on their devices doesn't prevent them from watching questionable or off-limits videos on a friend's phone.

The American Psychological Association hopes to help people navigate this challenging dynamic with a new set of guidelines for healthy teen video viewing.

The recommendations offer parents guidance on warning signs related to harmful viewing habits while highlighting key areas of concern, like content that encourages violent or risky behavior, the negative role that influencers can play, and the dangers of AI-generated video material.

Dr. Mitch Prinstein, co-author of the guidelines and chief science officer of the APA, emphasizes that the burden of preventing harm to teens shouldn't fall to parents alone. That's why the guidelines also recommend policies for both politicians and online video-watching platforms to consider.

In the meantime, here are key strategies for parents who want to help their teen develop healthy video-viewing habits but can't wait on policymakers and platforms to improve content standards:

1. Co-watch video content with them.

Prinstein says it's ideal if parents can watch videos with their child, when possible. This content can and should be wide-ranging, inclusive of TV and movies watched together as a family, videos by their favorite influencer, their top TV show, and short-form posts on platforms like TikTok and YouTube.

This might seem overwhelming, but parents needn't commit to a comprehensive weekly or daily co-viewing habit with their teen. Rather, watch what you can with them, and be sure to ask questions about what aspects of the video they like or don't like.

Open-ended conversations about video content can help teens better understand what they're watching. Plus, it offers an opportunity for parents to talk about their own values, preferably without being judgmental or hectoring.

Instead, parents should feel free to point out that a beloved movie from their own childhood doesn't necessarily hold up to modern ideas about beliefs like gender equality.

Prinstein says that when parents watch objectionable video content with their kids but don't talk about problematic scenes or themes, it can signal approval of those ideas to the teen. "It's good to say something, speak up, and say, 'That might have been funny in the '80s, but we do not agree with that today,'" Prinstein says.

2. Get familiar with your teen's interests and favorite influencers.

Prinstein recommends periodically asking your teen what they're viewing online. This is particularly important if you hear about a popular show, like the animated YouTube series Skibidi Toiliet, or a concerning trend, like "looksmaxxing," which can promote potentially dangerous body care practices.

If your teen is a fan, try to engage them with questions about what makes it interesting or funny. If they don't know about certain video content, parents can still be curious about their teens' opinions on the topics at hand.

Since influencers can play an outsize role in teens' lives, Prinstein urges parents to closely monitor who they're following. This can be as simple as jotting down the names of the influencers they like, and then searching for more information about those individuals online.

Parents should consider limiting a teen's access to an influencer's content when it promotes unhealthy behavior. At the same time, parents can also encourage teens to engage with influencers who champion positive behavior and attitudes, like standing up to bullying and posting body-positive content.

3. Identify firm boundaries.

The guidelines do not recommend limiting video viewing to a certain number of minutes or hours each day. Instead, they suggest looking for signs of distracted behavior, loneliness, and excessive viewing that can interfere with a teen's sleep, among other negative effects.

Prinstein also says this interference doesn't have to be extreme to warrant creating new boundaries. If video viewing keeps a teen from performing their chores, for example, that's reason enough to consider reducing their access to content and devices.

Parents should also stay mindful of teens' exposure to advertising on video-watching platforms, where they may see products that aren't appropriate or safe for them. Similarly, the rise of content generated by artificial intelligence is likely to steer teens toward harmful video content in ways that parents may not understand, particularly if they're viewing explicit deepfake videos.

Parents can talk to their teens about non-obvious video content that may still be dangerous, and set boundaries related to engaging with that material, such as forbidding the use of software that creates deepfakes.

Prinstein says that parents navigating these challenges in their own household should reach out to other parents of teens. Together, they can both commiserate and think about ways to create standards in their own communities while even possibly pressuring politicians and tech companies to make important changes.

"We're all in this together," Prinstein says. "We are all struggling with this in very similar ways, and we should not feel like we have to take care of this all by ourselves."

Get a 3-year subscription to a top VPN for only £62

Mashable - Wed, 11/20/2024 - 00:00

TL;DR: Protect unlimited devices with a Windscribe VPN 3-Year Pro Plan on sale for £62.26 (reg. £163.13). 

Opens in a new window Credit: Windscribe Windscribe VPN Pro Plan: 3-year subscription £62.26 at the Mashable Shop
£163.13 Save £100.87 Get Deal

Remember when privacy online was easy to come by? Unfortunately, just like MySpace, those days are behind us. Now, if you want to protect your anonymity and get a little taste of the internet without borders, you need a VPN, and a good one, too. 

Windscribe has been around for a while, and there's a good reason for that. With Windscribe, you can browse anonymously on servers spread over 69 countries, break through geo-restrictions, and browse like nobody's watching (because they aren't). It sounds like it should be expensive, but there's actually a sale going on that takes a Windscribe VPN 3-Year Pro Plan down to £62.26 (reg. £163.13). 

What can Windscribe do?

Windscribe takes its protection a step beyond what you'd find with basic VPNs. As both a desktop app and a browser extension, Windscribe protects your entire device and browsing experience, blocking intrusive ads, pesky trackers, and even malware with its signature R.O.B.E.R.T. tool.

R.O.B.E.R.T. acts as a first line of defense, blocking IPs and domains across your devices. Windscribe also boasts top-tier encryption, using AES-256 cipher with SHA512 authentication and a 4096-bit RSA key. This level of encryption, along with a strict no-logging policy and anonymous sign-ups, means you’re surfing in a truly secure bubble.

How many smart devices do you have at home? With Windscribe, you can protect all of them with a single account. Windscribe lets you connect unlimited devices on one plan. Whether it’s your phone, laptop, or even your smart TV, Windscribe has you covered.

And thanks to split tunneling, you can choose which apps need the VPN connection and which ones don’t, allowing flexibility for things like streaming and online gaming. With split tunneling, you can let certain apps access local content while others stay on the VPN, giving you better control without slowing down your experience.

Ready to protect all your devices? Get a Windscribe VPN three-year Pro subscription while it's still on sale for £62.26 (reg. £163.13). 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

Save over 80% and get a free £10 voucher with the best Black Friday Audible deal

Mashable - Wed, 11/20/2024 - 00:00

TL;DR: A three-month subscription to Audible is on sale for £0.99 per month. This Black Friday deal includes a free £10 Audible voucher.

Opens in a new window Credit: Audible Audible Black Friday Deal £0.99 for the first 3 months + £10 Audible voucher Get Deal

Although highly likely, can never count on deals on headphones, speakers, laptops, and tablets during Black Friday. Sure, there will probably be discounts to consider, but you might not find exactly what you're looking for at a low price.

So what can you rely on from Black Friday? Deals on Amazon's range of services, that's what. You know for sure that you're going to get impressive offers on the likes of Amazon Music Unlimited, Kindle Unlimited, and of course, Audible.

SEE ALSO: How to use a Visa gift card on Amazon while Black Friday shopping

A three-month subscription to Audible is on sale for just £0.99 per month, saving you over 80% on list price. This Black Friday deal includes a credit each month to purchase any audiobook from the world's largest selection of material, regardless of price and including the latest best sellers. And better yet, a £10 Audible voucher is also thrown in for you to spend on whatever you want.

This Black Friday deal is not available to current Audible members (or anyone who cancelled their membership within the past month). After the promotional period, the subscription will automatically renew for £7.99 per month. You can cancel this function at anytime though, so there is no pressure to pay anything more than the deal price.

Save over 80% on a three-month subscription to Audible this Black Friday.

2024 Black Friday ads: Best deals from Target, Best Buy, Walmart, Kohls, and more

Mashable - Wed, 11/20/2024 - 00:00

Black Friday is fast approaching, promising big discounts on TVs, laptops, headphones, speakers, and so much more. It's the best time of the year to shop, with deals on offer from all the top retailers.

And it gets seriously competitive between the leading names in the retail game. Every retailer is looking to get ahead of the competition by launching early-access deals, with savings-packed ads that include some really impressive offers. But where are shoppers supposed to start?

SEE ALSO: Gaming deals are going strong ahead of Black Friday 2024

To help you make the most out of this Black Friday, we've checked out all the best deals from the Black Friday ads of Best Buy, Walmart, Kohl's, and Target. You could take some time to check out each individual page, but for those looking for a handy snapshot of the very best deals, this is the place to be.

These are the best Black Friday deals and doorbusters from Black Friday ads that you can already buy online.

Best deals from Best BuyBest Best Buy deals on Amazon devicesBest Best Buy deals on AppleBest Best Buy deals on camerasBest Best Buy deals on earbudsBest Best Buy deals on gaming essentialsBest Best Buy deals on headphonesBest Best Buy deals on health and fitness devicesBest Best Buy deals on laptopsBest Best Buy deals on phonesBest Best Buy deals on securityBest Best Buy deals on speakersBest Best Buy deals on TVsBest Best Buy deals on vacuumsBest Best Buy deals on video gamesBest deals from Kohl'sBest Kohl's deals on Amazon productsBest Kohl's deals on home audioBest Kohl's deals on headphonesBest Kohl's deals on smartwatchesBest Kohl's deals on tabletsBest deals from TargetBest Target deals on AppleBest Target deals on gaming techBest Target deals on TVsBest Target deals on laptopsBest Target deals on headphonesBest Target deals on smart home techBest Target deals on speakersBest Target deals on smartwatchesBest Target deals on vacuumsBest deals from WalmartBest Walmart deals on AppleBest Walmart deals on dronesBest Walmart deals on gaming techBest Walmart deals on headphonesBest Walmart deals on laptopsBest Walmart deals on TVsBest Walmart deals on vacuums

Best PS5 Black Friday deals: Compare Best Buy, Amazon, Target, and more

Mashable - Wed, 11/20/2024 - 00:00

You can find low prices on TVs, laptops, headphones, speakers, and so much more during Black Friday. It's the busiest time of the year for online shopping, with deals on just about everything.

But what deals come out on top during this busy period? What deals really get the people going?

SEE ALSO: Gaming deals are going strong ahead of Black Friday 2024

You could make the argument that TV deals or Apple deals are the top dogs over Black Friday, but gamers would probably disagree. PS5 Black Friday deals can result in mass panic, but there's no need to lose your cool this year. We've checked out everything on offer ahead of Black Friday and lined up a selection of standout PS5 deals. This includes deals on consoles, accessories, games, and more.

These are the best PS5 deals this Black Friday.

Best deals on PS5 consolesBest deals on PS5 accessoriesBest deals on PS5 games

The best gift ideas for kids in the UK

Mashable - Wed, 11/20/2024 - 00:00

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a U.S. audience and has been adapted for the U.K. audience.

Like everything else when it comes to parenting, finding the perfect gift is an all encompassing job. You have to listen to them closely, keep an eye on heir latest obsessions, and gauge their reactions to the newest toy advertisements. Plus, there's all that modern-day tech to stay in tune with...

Which is all a way of saying that kids can be particular. The things kids like change not just with age, but also with evolving trends from TV shows and new technology... and TikTok. If parents are lucky enough, their kid will provide a long list of the precise items they'd like as gifts — but sometimes, it can be as much of a lucky dip as gifting to someone else's child.

Instead of buying yet another gift card or random stuffed animal, here are some tips on how to gift to children of all ages.

What should you buy for a toddler?

Everyone is familiar with the "terrible twos" rep that the not-a-baby-but-not-yet-an-independent-kid stage of development gets. At this age, kids are bouncing constantly between the desire to explore on their own and the reliance on parents for most basic needs like eating, getting dressed, or going to the bathroom. That's a lot of frustrating emotions to go through in a day. Kitchen play sets, toys that involve different motor skills, and anything with music are gifts that aren't just distractions, but gifts that let the toddler feel in charge without too much assistance from a parent.

What should you get for primary school kids?

Potentially a more daunting phase than the terrible twos: the one where the pressure to be cool is relentless. This is that age. Though "cool" can lend itself to multiple interpretations, gifts that contribute to a kid's evolving critical thinking skills and sense of independence, responsibility, and style are all smart ideas. These could be anything from STEM toys to beginner's makeup tools to a fitness tracker or a pretend pet that encourages routine-making. Anything that involves an app or a tablet is also a guaranteed win.

What should you buy for teenagers?

Finding a gift that a teenager will think is cool (and that will be on-trend for longer than a few months) might be some of the trickiest shopping you'll do all year. They'll probably offer up a few suggestions, but if you're going the surprise route, remember that they care about brands. Thanks to social media influencers promoting products directly to teens on Instagram, Gen Z kids are loyal to very specific brands of tech, accessories, and even water bottles.

These are the best gifts for kids of all ages in 2024.

The best headphones in 2024

Mashable - Wed, 11/20/2024 - 00:00

Need a new pair of headphones? Of course you do. They're one of life’s essentials — like food to eat or a roof over your head. And the thing about life’s essentials is this: It's always time for an upgrade. The good news is, there are hundreds of headphones and earbuds to consider. The bad news, however, is selecting the perfect pair isn't easy.

A good way to start is by asking yourself some key questions. What do you actually need thd headphones for? Working out? Commuting? Listening at home? There are more questions: Do you need a super long battery life or quick and easy charging? What about noise cancellation, so you can drown out the world around you? All headphones fundamentally promise the same thing — to deliver great sound — but some pairs are better tailored to your specific lifestyle.

Sure, you could always visit Amazon and nab the cheapest pair, but that’s never a long term solution. You should always do your research before buying a pair of headphones. Let us get the ball rolling with some helpful headphone information and a selection of the best headphones and earbuds available right now.

Which is better — over-ear headphones or earbuds?

There’s no clear-cut winner. Ultimately, it comes down to personal choice. Some people prefer the old school-feel of over-ear headphones. Others like buds that drill tunes directly into their ears. There are benefits to both. Over-ear headphones tend to have higher-quality sound, and therefore audiophiles should focus largely on over-ear style headphones. Earbuds meanwhile are more compact, portable, and inconspicuous. Generally, earbuds will likely suit anyone who prioritises portability — whether that’s for commuting, air travel, or taking to the gym — and anyone who gets uncomfortable from long, sweaty sessions under padded headphones.

What is true wireless?

This is a term you’ll come across a lot when researching headphones. But wireless is wireless, right? Well, not exactly. Technically there are different types of wireless headphones — particularly when it comes to earbuds. Regular “wireless” means they are independent from the device or stereo — as in, not connected by a wire — but the buds are still wired to each other. “True wireless” means the buds are completely independent and connect via Bluetooth.

Wireless over-ear headphones often aren’t “true wireless” as they might have an optional cable that can be plugged into your device, which is handy for when you run out of juice. Even so, wireless is usually the preference.

What is noise cancellation?

This is another important feature that’s common in the latest headphones. It’s a built-in feature that keeps out or suppresses external noise, allowing you to fully immerse in the music without any distractions. There are two basic types of noise cancellation — passive and active noise cancelling. Passive noise cancellation is achieved by the design of the headphones, which may physically block out noise. Active noise cancellation — or ANC — uses a system of small microphones to pick up incoming sounds and create anti-noise sound waves that cancel them out.

There are other advanced modes, such as ANC that adapts to surroundings (known as adaptive noise cancellation), or a transparency mode that allows in certain ambient sounds. This is especially useful in you work in an office and need to tune into chats with colleagues, or for listening out for announcements on public transport.

What are the most important headphones features?

Some of the jargon around headphones can be confusing, so we've broken down some of the most important headphone features to help you pick a perfect pair:

  • Bluetooth codecs — These are clever bits of software that encode and decode digital audio signals. The codecs decode at a specific bitrate, which determines whether the headphones have a high or low latency (AKA lag), measured in milliseconds. Look out for headphones with low latency that support Qaulcomm’s aptX codecs, which are usually rated as the best codecs for streaming video content or hooking up to a TV.

  • Closed-back/open-back — Closed back headphones have completely sealed ear cups, which directs sound to your ears and keeps out ambient noise. Open-back headphones let air into the ear cup but can cause sound leakage that goes both ways — in and out. This is sometimes found on very expensive headphones for clearer, more natural sound. Closed-back are a go-to choice for commuting and loud environments.

  • Drivers — These are little cone-shaped gadgets in the ear cups that are responsible for your tunes. They convert electrical signals into sounds. In over-ear headphones they usually measure between 20mm and 50mm in headphones. In earbuds, they measure between 8mm and 15mm.

Keep these features in mind when shopping around for your next pair.

What are the best headphones?

We've checked out just about every set of headphones and earbuds, and taken notes to help you decide. Regardless of your budget or requirements, there's a perfect pair of headphones for your needs. Just pick the pair that, well, sounds best.

These are the best headphones in 2024.

The best antivirus software for staying protected online

Mashable - Tue, 11/19/2024 - 23:51

Getting reliable antivirus software is as essential as a keyboard and a mouse. It’s absolute madness to log on without it, to be quite honest. It doesn't matter what computer you have, there’s always something nasty lurking out there.

Staying safe from viruses, malware, ransomware, and phishing threats is just the start of it. A strong antivirus software package can protect you from much more. It's not so much the hardware that's in danger, but stuff like your private documents, banking details, and personal photos that could be at risk from cyber criminals.

Free antivirus software is an option but, typically, free solutions are limited. Luckily, there are plenty of options out there for securing your PC, though that can make it hard to know which package to purchase. Buying this stuff can be a chore, with so much jargon and impenetrable tech-speak to wade through. That’s why we’re here help point you in the right direction. Here’s some handy need-to-know information.

What is antivirus software?

Antivirus software is a programme designed to detect and remove viruses and other malicious software (or malware, as it’s better known) from your computer. They detect, isolate, and delete viruses, which prevents the malware from damaging your device. Antivirus products update automatically to provide protection against the latest viruses and malware.

What’s the difference between a virus and malware?

They’re different but also kind of the same. Malware is an umbrella term for all kinds of malicious software. Viruses are just one type of malware. Other types include trojans, spyware, ransomware, and scareware.

How do computer viruses work?

A computer virus will replicate itself and spread to devices as widely and quickly as possible (hence the name virus). Computer viruses infect applications and email. They are transmitted via websites, email attachments, storage devices, and even routers. Simple viruses can damage a hard disk or delete files. More sophisticated viruses can cause you to spam or may have clever ways of avoiding detection.

What’s anti-malware software?

Antivirus software detects and removes viruses and some other types of malicious software, while anti-malware is a program that safeguards the system from all sorts of attacks. Anti-malware tends to deal with newer, more sophisticated threats. Antivirus software often comes built into a new PC (don’t let that stop you upgrading to something more sophisticated) while anti-malware is usually an add-on.

What are the best antivirus features?

It’s tricky to pick one antivirus software because each one will suit different people and different types of computer usage. It’s worth remembering that having multiple antivirus software programs installed can cause issues, so it’s best to stick with just one. There are features worth looking out for to help make your choice. For instance, many threats stem from internet browsing so phishing protection can be a vital feature. Spyware and adware are also a problem, so it's worth checking out antivirus software options that can scan for these too. 

Finally, you need software that provides an on-demand malware scan, as well as a vulnerability scan, so that you're always in control of what's going on with your data. Security is a fast-moving field so you want software that keeps on top of new trends, such as the recent growth in ransomware keen to steal your files from under you. 

What's the best antivirus software?

If that all sounds a bit complicated, don't sweat it — we've checked out the best paid antivirus software solutions and we've outlined why they're worth the money. Generally, you get what you pay for, but what price can you put on keeping your computer (and, more importantly, the data on there) safe from potential threats?

These are the best antivirus solutions for every situation in 2024.

NYT Strands hints, answers for November 20

Mashable - Tue, 11/19/2024 - 23:00

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 20 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 20 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: For our furry friends

These words are for a dog or cat.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

Words are things you'd buy for a pet.

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 PetSupplies.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for November 20

  • Ball

  • Bone

  • Collar

  • Kibble

  • Catnip

  • Litter

  • Laser

  • PetSupplies

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 20

Mashable - Tue, 11/19/2024 - 22:00

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 20'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 20 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: Dog noises

  • Green: Ways to view an event

  • Blue: Mixology terms

  • Purple: Corporate organization

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: Sound Like A Dog

  • Green: Broadcast, As Online Media

  • Blue: Cocktail-Making Verbs

  • Purple: Organizational Structures, Metaphorically

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 #528 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

  • Sound Like A Dog: BARK, BAY, HOWL, SNARL

  • Broadcast, As Online Media: AIR, PLAY, RUN, STREAM

  • Cocktail-Making Verbs: GARNISH, MUDDLE, STIR, STRAIN

  • Organizational Structures, Metaphorically: CHAIN, LADDER, PYRAMID, TREE

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 20

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 20

Mashable - Tue, 11/19/2024 - 22:00

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 20'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 20 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 20 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A specialized corner where one truly belongs.

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 N.

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...

NICHE.

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for November 19

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

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

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

Social media's 'LOLCow' trend is curated cruelty

Mashable - Tue, 11/19/2024 - 17:44

When curious minds Google "LOLCow," a phrase making the rounds across TikTok, the first link to populate is to an outdated blog server, its mission preserved only in Google's archived page description: "Anonymously share juicy gossip and candid opinions about foolish and bizarre people, also known as lolcows. Freedom of speech friendly."

Urban Dictionary suggests several similar, but varying, definitions for a LOLCow. A person "who is easy/safe for the majority of people to mock. It's a cash cow but you instead milk 'lols' from it," describes one. Another: "A lolcow is a person you get extensive laughs from, who doesn't know they are being made fun of. They can often think they are admired for what they are doing, but secretly are being laughed at constantly." And, less to the point, "Someone who makes a fool of themselves on the internet over and over. Usually drug spurred." A final one for the sports fans: "A term that can be used to describe a perennial factory of sadness in sports…"

SEE ALSO: Why is the internet 'crashing out?'

The concept, while fresh in TikTok's vernacular, isn't particularly new, a vestige of early internet days where anonymous accounts gave users the gall to openly harass each other as part of the digital carnival. It's a term integral to the 4Chan lexicon, and many point to Christine Chandler, a former blogger now embattled by online trolls and accusations of both illegal and unethical behavior, as one of the internet's preeminent LOLCows.

What has evolved since the days of accepted online trolling is the general public's access to the LOLCow. New one-stop-shop platforms like TikTok offer creators intense spikes of virality (and money) nearly overnight, often stemming from the algorithm's crowning of a new app obsession.

No longer just fodder for a fleeting meme or an obsessive sub community, these individuals become the star of everyone's FYP. They're flown out to collaborate with big creators, pegged for brand deals, and given the tools to turn their online persona — which, in many cases, stems from the ability to be mocked — into a source of income. An environment rife for manipulation, TikTok obscures the modern LOLCow under the guise of love and fandom. Obsessive posters aren't always following just to be cruel, some believe, at least according to their comments, they are building community with the internet's underdogs.

'Milking' LOLCows: modern bullying or harmless fun?

In a 7-minute long video posted by user @PinkBinz on Aug. 31, TikTok's version of a "LOLCow" is described as the target of "middle school bully" behavior, in which a user is uplifted by disingenuous engagement from viewers. To be more precise, according to the creator, the LOLCow is thinly-veiled cruelty, if not outright ableism. "LOLCows are almost always picked out by the internet because they essentially have disabilities," she says, pointing to the rise of creator Shawty Bae, who has not identified as someone with a disability. "Ninety-nine percent of the time, if these people were never involved in the internet, their life would have been completely different. Most of the things that happen to them in their real life have happened thanks to the impact of people on the internet bullying them."

In a comment liked more than 13,000 times, one viewer added, "lolcows are right wing pipelines to try to make it look like disabled people are dangers to society. It’s diet eugenics." 

Another video, posted in 2023 by @GamerMagee, argues that more attention needs to be paid to the people who are baiting creators. "The level of depravity of the people who are f*cking with them is just mindboggling," he said. Commenters likened the rise of LOLCows to the popularity of TV shows on channels like TLC, parading "unusual" behaviors, appearances, or trauma for ratings. 

Not all watchers feel that way, however, arguing they find these creators relatable or that they only want to "check in" on them out of compassion. "If you are ever wondering why you are drawn to shawtybae, it’s because she doesn’t try to be anyone but herself. In a world that wants perfection, she doesn’t take herself too seriously and she’s incredibly humble despite her fame," wrote one user on a YouTube video featuring Shawty Bae.

"Authentic" is joined by other, less kind phrases used to describe the TikTok creators pegged as new era LOLCows: "easy targets," "gullible," "vulnerable," "memeable." Viewers on @PinkBinz' video chimed in with dozens of examples falling under these categories, each with fervent "fanbases," including viral pages of those like Tophia Chu, trans creator Elphaba Orion Doherty, Daniel Larson, and — one of the most controversial — @WorldOfTshirts. Joshua Block, the face of World of Tshirts, shot to popularity in the pandemic-spawned TikTok boom, known for his daily vlogs around New York City featuring spontaneous performances, verbal assails, and destructive drinking. His account, followed by 3.6 million people, boasts even more millions of views by onlookers who proclaim to obsessively watch his videos out of morbid fascination. 

Block and Chandler are examples of the bleak direction "LOL farming" can head, where incessant goading leads creators down increasingly harmful pathways and often abusive behavior, lobbed toward themselves or others. In some examples, LOLCows are outrightly doxxed or the victims of swatting. In others, they become engagement-getters for other creators, like the relationship between Block and creator Mr. Based NYC, using them to grow their own channels.

LOLing outside of TikTok

There exist more mainstream instances, too: The obsessive coverage of YouTube star Gabbie Hanna's erratic behavior and subsequent manic breakdown, documented in its completeness on her TikTok page. Or the mass consumption and meme-ing of Britney Spears' eccentric social media videos, especially those posted during her fight for independence from her conservatorship, that still continues today. 

Even more complicated: Some of the most popular LOLCows are, in the eyes of the internet (and often the law), "bad" people, the perpetrators of legitimate crimes, threats, or problematic behavior. Others branded with the title are right-wing, or even white supremacist, figureheads. Cancel culture thus collides with LOLCows in a flurry of retaliatory online behavior. 

Off TikTok, there are dedicated subreddits and Discord servers tasked with following the spirals of these creators, including Block, with posts oscillating between concern and mockery. This online voyeurism also includes a 15-year-old Wiki page dedicated to Chandler's movements and an entire host of "snark" pages offering forums for widespread LOLCow discussion. 

TikTok & LOLCows: Made for each other

To many, TikTok is more than a hub for viral humor and recommendations, it's a LOLCow factory farm. 

And where blogs of yore were more up front with their cruelty, the modern notion of a LOLCow is less on-the-nose in its detestation of difference. Instead, people say they engage out of the urge to offer advice or, more commonly, reality checks — take the incessant commentary spawning from the dating blog of lifestyle creator Molly Rutter as example. Others, for all intents and purposes, say they are genuine fans of the creator. Comments like "you know what, hell yeah" or "can't tell the chat I f*ck with this" convey the idea that these human beings are an embarrassing guilty pleasure. But what's even more concerning is how the modern social media landscape exacerbates these urges. Platforms harnessing endless scrolling, pushing e-commerce opportunities, and adding all-encompassing search integrations, keep people locked to their devices, a feedback loop between creator and user that promotes even more obsession.

Will internet culture grow out of LOLing at people?

In the age of online profitability — the possibilities of the creator economy not yet discovered in the early 2000s — this parasocial relationship can lead down unexpected paths. Some of the aforementioned personalities and other ridiculed creators have pivoted to adult content, linking Only Fans pages in their bios to capitalize off of their virality. In the case of ShawtyBae, explicit images taken from her Only Fans account were leaked online without consent, more fuel for the fire. Others lean into money-making ventures through brand deals, celebrity appearances, or product endorsements. Public ridicule becomes inextricably tied to their livelihood. 

At large, more and more people are reckoning with the ethical repercussions of posting on social media, from the generational trauma of family vlogging, to the platforming of people with disabilities by creators, with or without their consent. The revival of the phrase LOLCow in public consciousness, while a concerning continuation, suggests more people are becoming aware of social media's dark side.

Alongside growing self-awareness, and a renewed love of criticism, among users, some are repositioning the phrase as a behavioral check for their peers online: Are you really engaging with a creator out of sympathy, enjoyment, or care…  or are you milking them for "LOLs"?

Everything you need to know about Spotify Wrapped 2024

Mashable - Tue, 11/19/2024 - 17:02

Get ready to see just how much everyone was streaming brat and The Tortured Poets Department. That's right, Spotify Wrapped, the day when everyone shamelessly shares their music taste, is just around the corner.

If you're completely lost or desperately trying to secure your most-streamed artist for Wrapped, here's everything you need to know.

SEE ALSO: Take your Spotify playlists to the next level with custom playlist art What is Spotify Wrapped?

Spotify Wrapped is when the music giant packages your past year's listening habits into brightly colored, sharable infographics. It reveals your top songs, artists, and genres, as well as a couple of gimmicks that vary from year to year. Additionally, you get a playlist of your top 100 songs of the year.

When is Spotify Wrapped?

The exact date is a surprise, but it typically comes out the week after Thanksgiving.

When does Spotify Wrapped's tracking period end?

The company has kept tight-lipped about when the tracking period ends but insists that it's after Halloween — the internet's speculative end date of the tracking period.

At a press preview of Wrapped in 2022, Spotify's vice president of product development, Babar Zafar, further explained, "The Wrapped personalized experience covers streaming for 2022, so beginning in January and ending a few weeks prior to the launch on November 30. We aim to leave the cut-off date as late as possible to really create a truly personalized experience for the millions of listeners around the world."

SEE ALSO: 13 best websites to analyze your Spotify data Can you see your previous Spotify Wrapped?

You can no longer access the interactive playback of past years' Spotify Wrapped, but you can listen to the playlists from previous years. These playlists are compiled of your top 100 songs of each year.

How to remove music from your taste profile

Freaking out about how embarrassing your Spotify Wrapped will be? You're in luck...for next year. You can remove a playlist from your "Taste Profile" and how the company defines your taste. Once you remove a playlist, it will take 48 hours to be removed. If you exclude a playlist from your Taste Profile today, it won't be reflected in your Wrapped for this year.

To remove a playlist from your Taste Profile, open Spotify and navigate to the playlist you want to exclude. Then tap the three gray dots and select "exclude from your taste profile."

Elon Musk's X suing Amazon-owned Twitch for not advertising on the platform

Mashable - Tue, 11/19/2024 - 16:50

Elon Musk’s X has expanded its legal battle, now targeting Amazon-owned livestreaming platform Twitch as part of its lawsuit against former advertisers.

On Monday, Twitch was added to X's ongoing lawsuit against brand members of the now-defunct Global Alliance of Responsible Media (GARM), as first reported by Business Insider. X claims in its lawsuit that members of GARM illegally conspired to boycott the platform formerly known as Twitter in late 2022, shortly after Musk acquired the company. 

According to the lawsuit, X says that Twitch has not advertised on the platform in the U.S. since November 2022. As Business Insider reports, X cites a GARM document in its lawsuit that mentions an "executive endorsement" from Twitch regarding GARM's brand safety standards.

X originally filed the lawsuit back in August. Since then, the World Federation of Advertisers (WFA) disbanded the coalition of advertisers known as GARM. In addition, X removed Unilever from the lawsuit after reaching an undisclosed agreement with the company.

Regardless of the closure of the GARM initiative, WFA says it intends to fight the allegations in court.

X is still hurting thanks to declining ad revenue

X's lawsuit against GARM came shortly after the coalition chose to bring X back into the fold. One month before filing the suit, X touted that GARM had reinstated X back into the initiative.

Making matters worse for X, the company still hasn't been able to fix its advertiser failings.

According to official X documents obtained by Bloomberg in June 2024, X's revenue fell by nearly 40 percent in the first half of 2023, a period of time entirely under Musk's leadership. This was before Musk infamously told advertisers to "go f*** yourself" in November 2023. Musk said this after a number of major brands like Disney and Apple stopped advertising in response to Musk's endorsement of an antisemitic conspiracy theory and a report revealing ads being displayed alongside Nazi content on the platform.

Some advertisers have recently returned to X, seeking to curry favor with Musk following Donald Trump's election win. However, the advertising spend from these brands fell significantly compared to previous levels. According to analytics firm Sensor Tower, the ad spend from X's top 100 advertisers was only one percent more than it was from this time last year, which was around the same time as the aforementioned advertiser boycott.

Furthermore, ad spend from X's top advertisers is still down a whopping 64 percent, according to Sensor Tower, when compared to this time in 2022. That would mean that X's ad revenue is doing worse now than it was in the same time period that X claims GARM conspired to boycott the company.

Things don't seem to me improving over X either. In September, multiple reports found that X was facing a declining daily active user base in some of its top markets like the U.S., UK, and EU. Following Musk's involvement in Trump's reelection, X has also been facing a mass user exodus. X competitors Bluesky and Threads have seen millions of new users as a result. 

Regardless how X's lawsuit against Twitch, Mars, CVS Health, and other former coalition members of GARM unfolds, Musk's company faces numerous ad revenue challenges in the months ahead.

Physicist Who Made Superconductor Claims Exits University of Rochester

NYT Technology - Tue, 11/19/2024 - 16:40
Journals had retracted papers on superconductors that worked at room temperature and materials science that involved Ranga Dias.

How to use Apple Pay on Amazon for Black Friday shopping in 2024

Mashable - Tue, 11/19/2024 - 15:29

It's no secret that Amazon is one of the go-to retailers for Black Friday savings. This year, the mega retailer's Black Friday shopping event kicks off on Nov. 21 and runs through Dec. 2 — and as in previous years, deals started pouring in on Apple products, smartwatches, TVs, and much more days (weeks, even) prior.

Avid shoppers keeping their eyes on exclusive Black Friday deals can enjoy a breezy shopping experience while they benefit from major deals this season, thanks to Amazon's flexible payment options. Customers are no longer limited to debit and credit cards, or Amazon gift cards. If you're an Apple loyalist, you can also use Apple Pay to make purchases on Amazon.

SEE ALSO: How to use a Visa gift card on Amazon

Apple Pay is compatible with most — but not all — vendors on Amazon, making it even easier to secure deals in just a few taps. You can use it in place of a traditional card payment whenever possible by following the steps below.

How to use Apple Pay on Amazon

Step 1: Set up Apple Pay on iPhone. If you haven't already, add your debit or credit card to your iPhone's digital wallet to set up Apple Pay on your mobile device.

Step 2: Open the Amazon app.

Step 3: Add items to your cart and go to checkout. If your vendor accepts Apple Pay, you'll see it under payment options (you can use the method only if you have linked a card to your iPhone's Wallet app); select Apple Pay.

Step 4: Confirm your address and payment details.

Step 5: Once Apple Pay's payment authenticator pops up on your screen, use your Face ID or Touch ID to authenticate the purchase.

Step 6: Confirm payment to finish the process.

How to use an Apple Card to make payments on Amazon

If you choose to make a purchase from a third-party vendor that doesn't accept Apple Pay, you can work around it by using your Apple Card instead. The process is fairly straightforward.

Step 1: Make sure you add your Apple Card to the Wallet app on your iPhone by clicking on the + symbol.

Step 2: Now, go to the Amazon app.

Step 3: You'll find four clickable options at the bottom of the home screen. Start the process by clicking on the Account icon which is right next to the homepage icon.

Step 4: A new app page will appear. Tap on Your Account to access account details.

Step 5: Scroll down on the page until you see the Payments section and click on Your Payments.

Step 6: Another page with all your linked cards and bank accounts will appear on the app. Go to the Wallet tab and press +Add.

Step 7: Click on Add a credit or debit card and input your Apple card details.

Step 8: Finally, click on Add and continue to finish the process. Now, you can use your Apple Card to make purchases on Amazon.

Black Friday vs. Cyber Monday: Which day is better for shopping?

Mashable - Tue, 11/19/2024 - 15:25

UPDATE: Nov. 19, 2024, 1:15 p.m. EST This post has been updated with information about Black Friday and Cyber Monday in 2024.

Once two distinct deal shopping days, Black Friday and Cyber Monday have basically merged into one massive shopping extravaganza. The lines really began to blur when the world shut down in 2020 and brick-and-mortar stores hosted online sales in lieu of in-person Black Friday events. In 2024, those lines are practically nonexistent. We certainly can't see them.

While major retailers have been running holiday sales throughout all of November, savvy shoppers know that Black Friday, Cyber Monday, (and the few days surrounding them) still remain two of the absolute biggest shopping days of the year for their ability to reliably trigger record-low prices on big-ticket items (like TVs, Apple devices, robot vacuums, headphones, and video games). That includes discounts that beat Amazon's massively-hyped October Prime Day deals.

Black Friday vs. Cyber Monday — what's the difference?

Way back in the age of MySpace and AIM — aka 2005 — the National Retail Federation debuted the term "Cyber Monday" after realizing that the Monday after Thanksgiving saw a flood of online sales. This was likely due to shoppers using their faster internet connections at work on Monday morning to snag deals, or at least that's what they credited it to. That, of course, and the fact that online retailers wanted some of that holiday shopping bread, too. Thus, two distinct deal shopping days were born: Black Friday, for those who wanted to shop in stores the day after Thanksgiving, and Cyber Monday, for those who liked shopping from the comfort of their homes.

These days, there's little — if any — real difference between the two due to the alleged "death of retail." Everyone and everything is online, so why wouldn't Black Friday be? Based on our years of experience covering both, we can truly say neither is a "better" day to shop. It really comes down to what you're looking for and how much demand there is for it.

Are there better deals on Black Friday or Cyber Monday?

If you see a solid deal, grab it, no matter which sale title it falls under. There's not a tremendous amount of distinction anymore in terms of discounts on particular products as there has been in previous years. However, there are still rules to follow in some product categories: TV deals tend to be more dramatic and widespread for Black Friday with a higher likelihood of selling out before the clock even turns to Cyber Monday, while waiting for Cyber Monday to double-check that there's not a new, better laptop deal is often wise.

But with the blurred lines of Cyber Week, many of these deals will cross over. As noted at BlackFriday.com, "Some TV deals will feature flashy discounts during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but they might not have the specs you're after." TL;DR: The deals will be great for both shopping days, but it all depends on what you're looking for. If you see the specs you like listed under a product sitting at a price that you like, grab it to be safe. Also, as a best practice, check camelcamelcamel.com for price history details from Amazon.

How long is Black Friday?

It's honestly silly at this point to even call it Black Friday. It's no longer just on Friday — it's a month-long affair. Walmart and Target started dropping official Black Friday deals in early November and will continue until the end of the Friday following Thanksgiving. Meanwhile, Amazon and Best Buy kick off their Black Friday sales on Nov. 21 and run through Black Friday proper, which falls unusually late this year on Nov. 29.

Once the clock strikes midnight at the close of Friday, it's officially Cyber Monday (yes, even though it's actually Saturday). We don't make the rules. The deals won't change too much, but the search terms and official site banners will.

When do Cyber Monday deals start?

Officially, Cyber Monday starts on Monday, Dec. 2 in 2024. Unofficially, it basically starts the second Black Friday ends, with retailers coining sales as "Cyber Monday" deals as early as Saturday, Nov. 30. So basically, semantics — and it's easier to just think of the Cyber Week language as interchangeable.

'Wicked' review: Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo aspire for movie musical magic

Mashable - Tue, 11/19/2024 - 15:00

Wicked is easily one of the most anticipated films of 2024, as it's bringing to the big screen a three-time Tony Award–winning musical that defined a generation of theater kids, with a Hollywood-scale spectacle of song, dance, and star power. As the Wicked Witch's origin story told from a place of empathy, it's a movie meant to make us believe in magic again. But even with a cast that boasts two-time Academy Award nominee Cynthia Erivo, pop star Ariana Grande, Bridgerton dreamboat Jonathan Bailey, Academy Award–winner Michelle Yeoh, and the one and only Jeff Goldblum, can director Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians, In the Heights) meet the high, high bar fans will have in mind for such a sweeping adaptation? Especially when he's only tackling half of it in Wicked: Part 1?

Despite enthusiasm from fans of the theatrical production, online criticism has plagued the film from the first images and footage that Universal Pictures released. Complaints were made that Chu's vision of Oz was washed out, with colors far duller than we've come to expect from past media inspired by L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, including 1939's Wizard of Oz, 1978's The Wiz, and the vibrant Broadway production based on Gregory Maguire's contrarian perspective, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. Then, when the first teaser hit, offering a hint as to what kind of performance Erivo would give as the eponymous witch Elphaba, social media was rife with worries over how she hit one particular note. With the bold choice to split the musical into two films, Chu drew more eyebrows into a knit. So, how does all this pan out? Were the fans right to worry? Frankly, yes. 

While the performances in the film are sensational overall, Chu makes a series of downright confounding choices that undercut the rapturous flow of the Broadway production and even the perspective of the story he aims to exalt. 

Where does Wicked: Part 1 end?  Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba in "Wicked." Credit: Universal Pictures

As the trailers suggest, this first Wicked movie ends with "Defying Gravity," a rousing anthem that plays as a dynamic climax to the first act of the theatrical production. This means much of Wicked: Part 1 takes place in Shiz University, where the future wicked witch Elphaba (Erivo) and good witch Glinda (Grande) first meet. However, the screenplay from Dana Fox and Wicked's book writer Winnie Holzman holds true to its stage source, kicking off the film with news that the Wicked Witch is dead. After the munchkins revel with a song of schadenfreude ("No One Mourns The Wicked"), Glinda reflects on the childhood of her friend, Elphaba, transporting the film to a flashback of a torrid one-night stand and the green child who was the much-bullied result of it. From there, their time at Shiz becomes the focus.

There's a kinetic energy in all this, reflecting Grande's boundless energy throughout the film. But here's where Chu's choices begin to get bizarre. While this is a story about Elphaba, it's told from the perspective of her deeply girly, proudly ridiculous, and very vibrant best friend. Glinda's view on the world is clear through her costumes, which are pronounced pink, ultra-femme, flouncy, and always on the boundary of too much. Yet Chu coats her pinks and Elphaba's greens in a yellowy-gray cast. Perhaps this is meant to telegraph how Glinda's perspective on Oz will become sullied over the course of this story, but it also makes the movie astonishingly dull in comparison to all of the other movies set in Oz. 

This grayness intrudes most intensely on the incredible sets built for Shiz. Designed like a cross between Hogwarts and BarbieLand, Shiz University should be a majestic, magical place, where possibilities feel boundless. And yet, despite its thoughtful and gorgeous set design, a pale palette and cinematography that feels almost claustrophobic turns it into a stifling location. This conflicts with the perspective of Glinda, who swans into the role of Queen Bee with ease, and even with Elphaba, who swiftly embraces this space as a path to finally finding her place ("The Wizard and I").

This grim overcast likewise saps verve from what would otherwise be astounding musical numbers, deadening the dazzle through its drudgery. In "Dancing Through Life," a dashing prince Fiyero (a pitch-perfect Bailey) sings of his devil-may-care philosophy in a library filled with parkouring students on human-sized hamster wheels of bookshelves. And that is undoubtedly fun, yet this visual pall scoffs at his pronouncements, undermining their whimsy even as we enjoy them. 

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo are unevenly matched.  Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda in "Wicked." Credit: Universal Pictures

It's no easy task to step into the role of these two iconic characters, as each actress might be compared to every Elphaba and Glinda who've come before, reaching all the way back to The Wizard of Oz's Margaret "and your little dog too!" Hamilton and Billie Burke, not to mention Wicked's defining stars Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth. Arguably, the bar is even higher for Grande, who is better known for her catchy pop songs than her acting chops or her Broadway stint in 13 at age 15. And yet, she is a fantastic force to be reckoned with in Wicked. 

As she teased during her Saturday Night Live gig last month, she is absolutely hilarious as the self-obsessed girly pop Glinda. There are echoes of Chenoweth's Glinda in Grande's broad comedic approach. But this pop star's Glinda is more poised, making the outrageous moments — like her splendidly silly hair toss — all the more comically sharp. Grande has embraced a portrayal of this mean girl/good witch that edges into drag queen theatricality, supported by her smizing sidekicks in snark, hysterically portrayed by Bowen Yang and Bronwyn James. Glinda's reads are delivered by Grande with a radiant smile that makes them all the more cutting. Her dancing is deranged while determined. Her "Popular" — one of the show's most beloved numbers — is charismatically chaotic and finally, finally as brightly realized as Wicked demands. 

Erivo, on the other hand, approaches Wicked as if it were a prestige drama. Traditionally, Wicked's Elphaba was written with a bit of teen-misfit snark, and masterfully so, as Holzman's prior claim to fame creating the exceptional teen drama series My So-Called Life. While the dialogue is often the same in this adaptation, Erivo pulls her punchlines. Where previous stage versions of Elphaba might have used a slightly self-righteous sense of wit as armor against her bullies, this Elphaba is much more nakedly vulnerable, speaking in a dejected near-whisper or a strained shout.

It's a daring choice, but one that throws off Glinda and Elphaba's dynamic. Like Daria and Quinn Morgendorffer or Wednesday Addams and Enid Sinclair, they are foils, gloom and sunshine, anti-social asides and "dumb blonde" bounciness — but this Elphaba has been defanged. A sullen expression of a slight frown and downcast eyes makes up much of Elphaba's non-singing screentime for Act 1, which might not have been a problem if Chu had included Act II in Wicked. But as it is, Erivo's Elphaba doesn't come fully alive until she and Glinda reach the Emerald City ("One Short Day"). This means pivotal moments like the scene in the Ozdust Ballroom, where Elphaba and Glinda finally bond, feel achingly inert and long. 

Wicked: Part 1 is wonky, but at times wonderful.  Bronwyn James and Bowen Yang as Glinda's friends in "Wicked." Credit: Universal Pictures

Chu's decision to turn Act 1 into a teen musical is marred by his dingy color palette, the crowded cinematography of Shiz (thankfully, things open up in the Emerald City), and directing his leading lady to play the titular witch as chiefly woeful. A show heralded for its high-energy song numbers, stage spectacle, and smirking sense of humor, Wicked is malformed by these choices. Yet, some sections are sure to have audiences cheering. 

Beyond Erivo's riveting performance of the final number and Grande giddily making a meal out of every moment on-screen, Bailey — who had Bridgerton fans swooning as Anthony in Season 2 — has a jolly time parodying a decadently flirtatious playboy in Part 1. His spotlight is "Dancing Through Life," but even his meaningful glances to his crush and flirty banter with any Shiz student who crosses his pansexual path are enchanting. As Madame Morrible, Yeoh is given little do but look majestic, but she does that with aplomb. Marissa Bode and Ethan Slater — as Elphaba's sister Nessarose and her boyfriend Boq — solidly match the screen presence of the famous names around them. Goldblum clearly relishes playing the wizard, and does so with a smarmy charm that's dizzyingly unnerving and alluring. James and Yang are superbly cast as Glinda's social-climbing toadies, who love gossip as much as they do improvising wild one-liners. They're so funny, you'll catch yourself scanning the crowd for them, hungry for more.

The musical numbers are hit-and-miss. "Popular" and "Defying Gravity" are rightful standouts for enthralling vocals and staging that embraces the cinematic form, employing cheeky close-ups, playful cutaways, or high-flying stunts as suits. But others feel oddly out of place, like "The Wizard and I" shot amid a CG setting that feels achingly empty and fake, undercutting the optimism of the song. Overall, Wicked is an overlong journey, dragged down by Chu's more confounding choices. Upon reflection, a movie that could have been defined by its sense of hope, following a powerful and accomplished woman of color as she defies a tyrannical con man, feels instead tainted by gray disillusionment, telegraphing the film's climactic reveals. So, it's hard to watch Wicked play out and not wish for something more dynamic that allows us a safe space to dream for something better.

Still, even the lowest lows can't make the film's highest highs less dazzling. Indulgent and unwieldy as it is, Wicked is a thrill, at times wildly funny, heart-soaring, and ultimately inspirational in spite of itself.

Wicked opens in theaters Nov. 22.

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