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SAVE $100: As of Nov. 11, the Sony XV500 X-Series Wireless Party Speaker is down to $299.99 at Best Buy as part of Black Friday deals. That’s a saving of 25% off its usual price of $399.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony XV500 X-Series Wireless Party Speaker $299.99 at Best Buy
$399.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal

Ready to bring the party? With the Sony XV500 wireless speaker, you won’t just be playing music but setting the whole vibe. And thanks to Best Buy’s Black Friday deal, you can get it now for $100 off. This speaker doesn’t mess around: it’s built with powerful woofers and front tweeters for rich, punchy bass and crystal-clear vocals, so every beat and lyric comes through loud and clear. Usually priced at $399.99, it’s down to $299.99 right now, giving you 25% off the perfect party accessory.

This isn’t just any speaker — it’s a full-on portable party machine. Got a mic or guitar? Plug it in and give your best performance, whether singing your heart out or riffing a guitar solo. And if you’re ready to dance ‘til dawn, the XV500 has you covered with up to 25 hours of battery life, which means you’ll run out of energy long before it does.

SEE ALSO: Turn up the action with Sony INZONE H9 wireless gaming headphones — now 34% off

And Sony’s X-Balance Speaker Unit isn’t just a fancy name; it’s designed with a unique rectangular diaphragm for maximum sound pressure and bass that’s powerful enough to feel. Got the forecast calling for a bit of rain? No worries — the IPX4 water-resistant rating means your outdoor jam session won’t fizzle if the weather improves.

Plus, this speaker sets the right mood with ambient lighting that adjusts to its surroundings. Need to switch songs or tweak the volume after dark? The illuminated touch panel makes it easy to stay in control without breaking the vibe. You can also manage playlists, sound settings, and Party Connect via the Sony Music Center app directly from your phone. Who has time to walk back to the speaker in the middle of a party?

At a regular price of $399.99, this Black Friday deal drops the Sony XV500 to $299.99, making it a solid steal if you’re looking to throw some serious sound into your next gathering. It’s time to grab this deal from Best Buy and let the good times roll.

SAVE $250: As of Nov. 11, get the De’Longhi Magnifica Evo coffee and espresso machine for $549.95 at Best Buy as part of its Black Friday deals. That’s 31% off its regular price of $799.95.

Opens in a new window Credit: De’Longhi De’Longhi Magnifica Evo Coffee Machine $549.95 at Best Buy
$799.95 Save $250.00 Get Deal

Why brave the coffee shop crowd when you can have a café-level setup in your kitchen? The Black Friday coffee deals have started early.

Best Buy’s giving you a solid reason to make your caffeine fix a little more luxurious. De’Longhi’s Magnifica Evo coffee and espresso machine, usually a splurge at $799.95, is now down to $549.95 — a sweet 31% off. Instead of dropping five bucks on your daily brew, why not invest in a machine that’ll pay you back in lattes, espressos, and iced coffee whenever the mood strikes?

SEE ALSO: Upgrade your morning cup with this discounted De'Longhi coffee machine

So, what makes this machine such a big deal? First, it brings the whole coffee shop experience home with seven customizable drink options. In the mood for a classic cappuccino or a cooling iced coffee? It’s all just a button-press away. And speaking of iced coffee, De’Longhi’s “Over Ice” feature even adjusts the brew strength and temperature so your iced drink won’t end up a sad, watery mess.

Let’s talk coffee quality, too. The Magnifica Evo comes equipped with a conical burr grinder with 13 settings, meaning it’s ready to handle any bean you throw at it. And suppose you like to mix it up with milk or milk alternatives. In that case, the machine’s LatteCrema system delivers perfectly textured foam for your lattes and cappuccinos. You can also pop the milk carafe in the fridge between uses, which means keeping things fresh and cutting down on single-use cups from the coffee shop.

The Magnifica Evo makes cleanup easy for those who dread it (who doesn’t?). The milk carafe and water spout are removable and dishwasher-safe, so you can skip the extra elbow grease in the morning.

This 31% Black Friday discount means you can save $250 and skip the coffee shop line from the comfort of your kitchen. Whether you’re an espresso lover or need a good iced coffee, this is one Black Friday deal worth waking up for.

Best Buy is dropping new doorbusters on select tech every Friday — starting Nov. 8 through Dec. 20. We'll keep an eye out for the best deals in the run up to Black Friday.

Spoilers for the ending of Anora.

Sean Baker's Anora is like Pretty Woman at the harried pace of Uncut Gems — until the ending. 

The film's final moments are silent, which is a direct contrast to the chaotic journey Ani (Mikey Madison) has just been on. After a whirlwind marriage to a rich client and son of a Russian oligarch (Vanya, played by Mark Eydelshteyn), she's spent the runtime of the movie chasing her new husband all around New York City with the oligarch's employees, flying to Vegas to annul the marriage at the forced hand of Vanya's parents, before finding herself on the way home to her apartment in a henchman's beat-up car.

SEE ALSO: Top 5 digital security tips from sex workers

Parked outside of Ani's apartment, Igor (said henchman, played by Yura Borisov) gives Ani the ill-fated wedding ring the family forced her to give up. Ani climbs on top of him and they start to have sex in the front seat, but Ani refuses to let Igor kiss her. Instead, she breaks down crying. They say nothing during this exchange, and the film ends.

Sean Baker leaves Anora's ending up to interpretation. Yura Borisov as Igor Credit: NEON

Anora's writer and director Sean Baker told Mashable that the way he wrote the ending left it up to the audience's interpretation — so much so that he didn't want to share his thoughts.

"I'm worried about giving my opinion on it in any way, shape, or form because then it's taking away from…what my intention of the ending was," Baker said in an interview with Mashable.

"We [Madison and I] felt that it was always going to be a disservice to Ani to discuss it publicly," he continued. Ani's mindset at the end of the film isn't spelled out. There's no music to manipulate the audience, no dialogue, no epilogue, and that's on purpose. 

What Baker did share was how the ending came about. "I need to know I have a solid ending before writing a screenplay," he said of his process, and he knew early on that the protagonist and one of her captors were going to gravitate toward each other. 

"Recently, we actually looked back at our first draft, and it is pretty much dead-on from what we have in the final film." The only difference? The last shot originally had small talk. Baker and the actors decided to scrap that in rehearsals.

"It just took away from the moment," Baker explained. "And then we realized, I think especially Mikey and I realized, that this was one of the first times that she's actually communicating with somebody else in the film and being heard. And we thought it would be much more interesting if that was a non-verbal communication, and so we cut all the dialogue out of that last shot."

Sex workers are mixed on Anora's ending. Credit: NEON

Since Baker has spoken about consulting with sex workers when developing the script, we decided to reach out to some folks with real-life experience for their opinions on whether or not Anora rang true to them.

"I thought it was beautiful," said Kaytlin Bailey, host of The Oldest Profession Podcast and founder and executive director of non-profit media organization Old Pros, of the silence at the end of Anora. (Bailey, who's unaffiliated with the film, recently saw and enjoyed the movie.) "I love that he allows the viewer to fill in that space."

"She's talking, self-advocating — at times screaming — arguing the whole film, and they [Ani and Igor] don't need any of that," said Bailey, who's currently touring Whore's Eye View, a show about the history of sex work.

When Ani and Igor first meet, he is literally restraining her in the scene at the family's home. He is also the only man who realizes what she's capable of. But in the final scene, Igor can hold space for Ani for the first time, Bailey said. 

"For him to hold still and allow her to come to him in this deeply, deeply vulnerable moment of exhausted need, it's almost like an extension of the space that you could tell throughout the film that he wanted to be holding for her," Bailey continued. Igor works for this "fucked-up family" and does fucked-up things for them — but in that moment he finally gets to be there for Ani.

Ani is only able to be so vulnerable in that moment because Igor is holding that space for her, said Bailey, who believes this final scene makes the whole film. 

Writer and stripper Reese Piper (who has written for Mashable) thought differently of Anora. Ani's lack of backstory made it hard for Piper to believe how quickly and hard she fell for the fantasy of being married to Vanya. What also stopped Piper from suspending disbelief was Ani's lack of professional persona. 

"She performs under her real name, and at no point do we see the mask she wears to make money," Piper told Mashable over email. "Some dancers perform as themselves, or a version of themselves, but it’s always our job to fake or find something attractive about clients that we may not have necessary feel without money. Ani goes over to his house for paid sex, but at what point does she stop working?"

Piper (who is also unaffiliated with the making of Anora) wasn't sure what Baker was trying to portray in the final scene. "Was [Ani], in an effort to hide from her pain, reaching for her sexualized self (maybe her mask) and then breaking down when Igor kept reaching for intimacy?" 

If so, the ending fell flat for Piper. "We never saw her mask. We never saw stripping as something she used to hide," she said.

The film's ending for Ani is indeed internal, but the viewer isn't privy to her inner thoughts — and this landed for some, but not others. As Baker told Mashable, "It really comes down to the individual audience member to take away what they will from it."

Anora is now in theaters.

Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, 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 Nov. 11'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 Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. 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 11 Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: You play the ones you're dealt

• Green: Moving across the water

• Blue: Armchair quarterbacking

• Purple: Hockey starters

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow - Tennis Grand Slams

• Green - American gold medal-winning gymnasts

• Blue - Famous sports "curses"

• Purple - ____ United

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 Sports Edition #49 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Tennis Grand Slams: AUSTRALIAN, FRENCH, U.S., WIMBLEDON

• American gold medal-winning gymnasts: BILES, DOUGLAS, LEE, LIUKIN

• Famous sports "curses": BAMBINO, BILLY GOAT, DRAKE, SI COVER

• _____ United: ATLANTA, DC, MANCHESTER, NEWCASTLE

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.

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.

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 11 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 11 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: To your health!

These words take insurance.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

Words for health jobs.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is MedicalCareer.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for November 11

• Nurse

• Doctor

• Surgeon

• Dentist

• Pharmacist

• MedicalCareer

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.

11% OFF: On Nov. 11, Lovehoney is offering 11% off all items on the site, including 2024 advent calendars and products in the Black Friday sale.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lovehoney Lovehoney Singles Day Sale 11% Off Sitewide Get Deal

Lovehoney is already running an absolutely massive Black Friday sale, with up to 70% off a wide range of products. But the popular sex toy retailer has just upped the ante by offering a bonus sale for 24 hours.

On Nov. 11, Lovehoney is offering 11% off all items on site, including its super popular advent calendars and products already listed in the Black Friday sale. The advent calendars are not included in the Black Friday sale, so this could be your best chance to save on these products.

SEE ALSO: Buying sex toys on Shein? Read this first.

To redeem this extra discount, shoppers simply need to use the code SINGLE at the checkout.

It's worth checking out everything on the site because it's all included in this promotion, but we've helped to get you started by listing a standout selection of Singles Day deals:

• Amorana Premium Advent Calendar — £266.99 £727.71 (save extra 11%)

• Lovehoney x Womanizer Couple’s 24-Day Advent Calendar — £132.61 £457.75 (save extra 11%)

• Lovehoney Indulge 12 Days of Play Advent Calendar — £88.11 £232.87 (save extra 11%)

• We-Vibe X Lovehoney Sync Go — £62.29 £99.99 (save extra 11%)

• Lovehoney Wild Weekend Mega Couple's Sex Toy Kit — £35.59 £79.99 (save extra 11%)

• Lovehoney High Roller Remote Control Rotating Prostate Massager — £37.37 £69.99 (save extra 11%)

• Blowmotion Warming Vibrating Male Masturbator — £43.38 £74.99 (save extra 11%)

• Womanizer Next Clitoral Suction Stimulator — £135.27 £189.99 (save extra 11%)

Make the most of Singles Day by saving an extra 11% on a wide range of goodies from Lovehoney.

TL;DR: Through 21 November, save a little money by getting the 2019 version of Microsoft Office Professional Plus for Windows. It's on sale for just £20.78 (reg. £176.41) at the Mashable Shop.

If you could use some productivity support, a tried-and-true suite of apps from a big name in software could help. Create, organise, and more with the assistance of Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows. Even better, you can get it on sale for just £20.78 through 21 November.

Get access to tools to help you perform your best, whether professionally or personally. This 2019 version of Office might be slightly older than the most current version on the market, but it still features everything you expect from MS Office.

You'll get Microsoft Word for document creation, Excel to access spreadsheets, PowerPoint to make killer slides, Outlook for email and calendar management, Access to build databases, OneNote to take digital notes, and Publisher for personal publications.

All of these apps combine to help keep you moving more efficiently. However, it should be noted that it does not include Teams. You will also need to be running Windows 10 or 11 to use this software on your device.

Because you only pay a one-time price for this lifetime device license, you won't need to worry about any recurring fees like you would with Microsoft 365. This license is good on one PC and never expires. 

Office Professional Plus 2019 is tailored for enhanced productivity with rich features that provide business users, professionals, and home users alike with most of the functions they need to work at their best.

Don’t miss this opportunity to own Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 at this reduced price, and only for a limited time.

Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows is on sale for just £20.78 (reg. £176.41) until 21 November at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows £20.78 at the Mashable Shop
£176.41 Save £155.63 Get Deal

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

Udemy hosts a massive range of online courses on everything from Microsoft Excel to ChatGPT. And better yet, some of the best examples of these courses can be taken for free. You can learn all about your favorite topic without spending anything.

A wide range of web development courses are available to take for free on Udemy, providing you with the skills to create and maintain websites.

We have checked out everything on offer and lined up a selection of standout courses to get you started. These are the best free web development courses you can take this month:

• Build a Quiz App with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript

• Building a Niche Website For Beginners

• Create Your Own Website In 2 Hours

• Fundamentals of Solace Administration

• Getting Started as a Web Developer

• Introduction to Web Development

• Intro to Node JS and Express

• Learn HTML & CSS From Scratch: The Beginners Guide

• Web Developer Course: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Learn Web Design

• Website Builder / Application Builder

These free online courses do not include certificates of completion or direct instructor messaging, but that's the only catch. You still get unrestricted access to all the course material, so you can learn at a pace that suits you.

Find the best free web development courses on Udemy.

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

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 11'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 11 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: Savory candy brands

• Green: Essence

• Blue: Different styles of support for women

• Purple: Famous "Birds"

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: Chocolate Bars

• Green: Gist

• Blue: Kinds of Bras

• Purple: ___Bird

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 #518 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Chocolate Bars: CRUNCH, DOVE, MARS, PAYDAY

• Gist: CORE, MEAT, SUBSTANCE, THRUST

• Kinds of Bras: DEMI, PUSH-UP, SPORTS, WIRELESS

• ___Bird: BIG, EARLY, LADY, SUE

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 8

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 11'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 11 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 10 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A calm exterior, unaffected by chaos.

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 S.

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...

STOIC.

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 10

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.

Bill Burr's trauma support group goes off the rails in 'SNL' sketch

The 'Saturday Night Live' cold open featured the main cast sarcastically sharing their support for Donald Trump and unveiled a flattering new impression of the Orange One.

Marvel's 'Thunderbolts*' gets a new trailer at D23 Brazil

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Sunday, November 10, 2024:

AcrossOpposite of "shall," in poetry

• The answer is Shant.

Fragrant cabinet wood

• The answer is Cedar.

Kind of green

• The answer is Olive.

Makes a run for it

• The answer is Flees.

Infractions that may lead to yellow cards

• The answer is Fouls.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for November 10 DownSay "Oh, I'm sooo sure …," say

• The answer is Scoff.

"Greetings!"

• The answer is Hello.

"Farewell!"

• The answer is Adieu.

Kind of orange

• The answer is Navel.

Long lock of hair

• The answer is Tress.

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

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

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

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

TL;DR: These binoculars that can record night vision videos are 64% off at the Mashable Shop, making them an excellent early gifting option.

Opens in a new window Credit: Mesay Double Barrel 720p Digital Night Vision Binoculars £104.97 at the Mashable Shop
£297.99 Save £193.02 Get Deal

Our resident outdoorsman said these night vision binoculars are the best hunting tool he’s ever had. Well, besides the obvious.

If you don’t know what to get that hunter, bird watcher, or camper, the gift of better sight and night vision seem as good a place as any to start. Plus, these binoculars have a built-in camera for taking pictures and videos, so they’re really a few gifts in one. You caught them while they’re in stock and on sale: get them for $104.97 (reg. $297.99). Hurry, because only 80 are left at this price.

Good binoculars for day and nighttime use

Picture this: Your giftee is out hunting during the day, but they want a better view of the prairie. Unlike old-school lookers, these digital binoculars allow them to look through a 2.3-inch LED screen — much more comfortable than squinting through eyepieces.

When night falls, they can turn on seven adjustable levels of infrared illumination to get a clear view of what lurks in the darkness. Whether they’re hunting non-game animals or just trying to see what kind of owl’s been hooting in their backyard, these binoculars give them superhero-like powers.

If they spot an owl, raccoon, or some other creature of the night (of, if you're really lucky, Bigfoot), they can use 4x digital zoom to take photos or record an HD video without having to look away in the moment. Later, they can transfer the images over to their computer.

Aren’t sure what to get your favorite outdoorsman? Our team member swears by these digital night vision binoculars, and there are still some left at this price: $104.97 (reg. $297.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Save 74% on a MacBook Pro with a Touch Bar when you buy a refurbished model at the Mashable Shop while supplies last.

It was once the darling of Apple innovation, but the Touch Bar was tragically cast aside, deemed unworthy of a place in the latest MacBooks. Why? Some loved having a narrow touchscreen with quick-access, customizable controls, and some hated it. Others never got to try it — the closest MacBooks ever got to touchscreens.

Want a bite of this forbidden Apple laptop? Though they’ve been discontinued for years, you can get a refurbished 2017 MacBook Pro for $379.99 that features the infamous Touch Bar (reg. $1,499). Orders yours now if you’re interested — we have less than 75 available. 

With a grade “A” refurbished rating, the MacBook will arrive in near-mint condition with only light cosmetic imperfections. 

Here’s why you want the Touch Bar

Unlike regular laptops, MacBooks with Touch Bars have a changing row of functions at the top of their keyboards. At the top right, you have a control strip to change volume and brightness or use Siri. 

But in the middle, the buttons will vary depending on the app you have open. You might be texting in Messages and get typing suggestions, designing in Photoshop and find a rainbow color picker, or trying to perform shortcuts and see function keys appear.

What else can this MacBook Pro do?

You can expect a little extra performance when you’re getting a MacBook Pro vs. an Air. Check out your new-to-you laptop’s specs that make it suitable for everyday tasks and a little beyond:

• 13.3-inch Retina display with 2560x1600 resolution

• 3.1GHz Intel Core i5 with 8GB of RAM

• 512GB storage

• Backlit keyboard with Force Touch trackpad

• 4x Thunderbolt 3 ports

Order ASAP if you’re interested because these refurbished MacBooks could sell out fast: $379.99 (reg. $1,499) with less than 75 in stock.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro 13" Touchbar (2017) 3.1GHz i5 8GB RAM 512GB SSD Space Gray (Refurbished) $379.99 at the Mashable Shop
$1,499.00 Save $1,119.01 Get Deal

Technology and loneliness are interlinked, researchers have found, stoked by the ways we interact with social media, text messaging and binge-watching.

The best self-emptying robot vacuums have one huge perk past the obvious act of vacuuming the floor for you. (Hint: It's in the name.)

When you outsource vacuuming to a robot, your floors get cleaned way more often. The only downside of this extra attention? More debris off the floor means a dust bin that fills up faster, and emptying a vacuum's dust bin by hand is arguably the worst part of the chore.

SEE ALSO: Why Eufy's X10 Pro Omni is the most surprising robot vacuum I've tested all year

Enter self-emptying robot vacuums. These vacs do your vacuuming and emptying for you for a few weeks at a time, storing the debris the robot vacuum collects on each trip in a larger compartment that's located in the charging dock.

Are self-emptying robot vacuums worth it?

Not having to lift a finger when it comes to floor maintenance is well worth it for anyone who just doesn’t have the time — or the interest — in wrestling an upright vacuum out of the closet every few days. The next question is whether you want the true set-it-and-forget solution that only automatic emptying can provide, and if you're willing to pay more for it.

Automatic emptying quickly proves its worth in households where the layer of pet fur would otherwise have you dumping the vacuum's tiny dust bin after just a few rooms. The best self-emptying robot vacuum cleaners let you off the hook for months at a time. (Many brands claim to have capacities averaging between six to eight weeks, but almost every self-emptying dock I've experienced lasted much longer.) And when it actually is time to empty the bigger dust bin, most self-empty docks trap dust inside a disposable bag, meaning you won't have to see or touch the nasty stuff at all.

SEE ALSO: How to choose a robot vacuum in 2024: Consider these 5 features before buying

For people with allergies, auto-emptying also spares you from inhaling the inevitable puff of dust that emerges when dumping a dustbin into the trash.

Speaking of avoiding the grosser parts of the job, if you want a robot vacuum that mops, many self-emptying docks also take it upon themselves to deal with dirty mopping pads after the job is done. The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024 ushered in a new wave of flagship robot vacuums that self-wash and self-dry the soggy mopping pads in the same dock where debris is held. Looking ahead into 2025 and beyond, we expect to see more models with self-dispensing detergent and front-loading water tanks, which free up the dock's surface to be used like a side table. Only a few currently have these features.

Is Black Friday a good time to buy a robot vacuum?

Yep, it is. Not only does every top robot vacuum go on sale for Black Friday, but those robot vacuums are incredibly likely to drop to new record-low pricing throughout November. The opportunity to shave a few hundred dollars off of a robot vacuum comes in particularly handy if you're set on a robot vacuum with a self-emptying dock, which are naturally more expensive than their standalone counterparts.

SEE ALSO: Amazon Prime Day vs. Black Friday: When are the deals better?

Black Friday robot vacuum sales also widen your options to score a nicer self-emptying robot vacuum without maxing out your budget. For example, if you've known for months that you didn't want to stray far from the $500 point, you'll have many more self-emptying options (maybe even with self-washing and drying mopping pads) near that price during Black Friday season than non-Black Friday season.

It's also worth noting that Black Friday falls less than two months before CES, where many robot vacuum brands debut their new flagship models for the year. Black Friday could be a brand's last big chance to get rid of some older models.

I've been testing the latest and greatest self-emptying robot vacuums released in 2024 against my old favorites from 2023 and 2022. Here are the best self-emptiers to consider for your home.

TL;DR: Get Microsoft Office 2021 Professional and Windows 11 Pro in one lifetime bundle for just $52.97 (reg. $438). You get all the essential tools for your work with no recurring fees.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft The Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License + Windows 11 Pro Bundle $52.97
$438.00 Save $385.03 Get Deal

If you're tired of recurring subscription fees, this lifetime bundle of Microsoft Office 2021 Professional and Windows 11 Pro is exactly what you need to streamline your workflow without breaking the bank.

With a one-time payment of $52.97, you'll get lifelong access to essential productivity tools and a powerful operating system built for today’s professionals.

Microsoft Office 2021 Professional comes packed with all the tools that serious work demands. Word allows you to create polished documents, Excel manages large datasets, and PowerPoint helps you build impressive presentations. For communication, Outlook and Teams make connecting with colleagues a breeze. You’ll also have Access for data management and Publisher for design projects. With a ribbon-based interface that’s easy to navigate, Office 2021 lets you customize layouts, fonts, and other formatting without hassle.

Alongside Office, Windows 11 Pro provides a sleek and secure OS with standout features for boosting productivity. Its integrated Copilot AI assistant is your digital right-hand, ready to help with tasks like summarizing documents, answering questions, or even generating code. Just a quick tap on the Copilot icon, and you have instant access to an AI-driven assistant that integrates seamlessly with apps like GitHub, streamlining your workflow.

Windows 11 Pro also prioritizes security with biometrics and TPM 2.0, while its snap layouts and multiple desktops help you multitask efficiently. For creatives and gamers, DirectX 12 Ultimate delivers high-quality graphics performance.

This bundle is a one-stop solution for professionals, creatives, and entrepreneurs alike, with a lifetime license that keeps your tools up-to-date.

Enjoy premium software without the subscription fees, making it easier than ever to stay productive and secure. Get a lifetime license to Microsoft Office 2021 and Windows 11 Pro on sale for $52.97.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Through Nov. 10, get a Hushed private phone line lifetime subscription for $19.99 with code HOLIDAY20 at checkout.

Opens in a new window Credit: Affinity Click Hushed Private Phone Line: Lifetime Virtual Number Subscription $19.99
$150.00 Save $130.01 with code HOLIDAY20 Get Deal

How many times has your phone buzzed in the evenings or on the weekends, just to find out it’s your boss "just checking in" on that so-called urgent project? Sometimes duty calls, but so does your work-life balance.

If you’re always thinking about getting a separate phone for work but ultimately don’t want the hassle and expense of separate devices, just get Hushed. It’s a second phone number app that keeps your work and personal lives separate. Use code HOLIDAY20 at checkout to get a lifetime subscription for $19.99 (reg. $150) through Nov. 10.

The app that lets you clock out even when your boss doesn’t

Start by telling your boss and coworkers you got a new phone number so they know where to reach you — and so they stop blowing up your real number. You’ll even get to choose the area code of your Hushed number and record a custom voicemail.

Just open the Hushed app on your iPhone or Android to text or make phone calls. This is also where you’ll chat with your nosey boss or coworkers when they try bugging you outside of work.

This lifetime phone plan includes 6,000 SMS or 1,000 phone minutes per year. While that’s hopefully enough for your after-hours work, plans with higher limits are also available.

Unlike purchasing a separate phone contract, using the Hushed app on your phone simply uses your existing mobile data or WiFi — no extra fees are needed. This means Hushed could work well as a travel phone number for your next international trip.

Plus, if you’re ever in another situation where you don’t want to give out your real number — like when selling something online or meeting someone at a bar — just give them your Hushed number. It’s so handy. 

Get a second phone number with Hushed while they’re only $19.99 with code HOLIDAY20 at checkout (reg. $150) until November 10 at 11:59 p.m. PT. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.