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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 5 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 5 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: More than just sports

These words are educational.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

Words that refer to extracurriculars. 

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 Afterschool.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for November 5

• Drama

• Debate

• Choir

• Band

• Yearbook

• Afterschool

• Orchestra

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.

SAVE $600: As of Nov. 5, the KEF LS50 Meta Bookshelf Speakers are on sale at Best Buy for $999.99, down from $1,599.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: KEF KEF LS50 Meta Bookshelf Speakers $1,000.00 at Best Buy
$1,599.99 Save $599.99 Get Deal

For those who take their tunes seriously (and we mean seriously), the KEF LS50 Meta Bookshelf Speakers offer an audio experience worth every cent. Thanks to this $600 off deal, these speakers are easier on the wallet, but they pack the power, precision, and style to make any audiophile lose it. With their sleek design and state-of-the-art audio tech, the KEF LS50 Meta speakers easily stand out in the high-end speaker world.

These speakers aren’t just for show, though. Featuring KEF’s 12th-generation Uni-Q driver array, the LS50 Meta brings audio detail usually reserved for concert halls and recording studios. The Uni-Q driver places the tweeter right at the center of the midrange cone, creating a broad, immersive sound field that lets you catch every subtle beat and note. And thanks to KEF’s Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT), which absorbs 99% of high-frequency distortion, you’ll experience crystal-clear audio free of the usual clutter.

SEE ALSO: The best free VPNs for PC users

And yes, that eye-catching curved design isn’t just about aesthetics. The cabinet shape and off-set port are crafted to cut down on unwanted vibrations, ensuring that you only hear pure, uncolored sound. So whether you’re catching up on your favorite album or diving into a movie, you’ll hear everything the way it was meant to be heard.

At $600 off, the KEF LS50 Meta Speakers are an investment that finally feels more reachable. Boasting a 4.8-star rating and rave reviews, they’re ideal for turning any room into a personal sound sanctuary. If you’re ready to elevate your audio game, this KEF pair has the chops to deliver sound and style.

Election Day is finally upon us, with millions of Americans heading to the polls to decide who the next President of the United States will be. For many, today means dropping off your ballot, turning off your phone, and spending as long as you can in blissful ignorance of the results. For others, it's a day for staying glued to their device, fervently checking on every live update as the votes are counted.

SEE ALSO: How to take a mental health day after Election Day

While it's likely to be a turbulent time regardless of your approach, tracking the results of the 2024 U.S. presidential election will at least be a little easier for iPhone users. Apple News is offering real-time election updates on your Home and Lock Screens via its Live Activities feature, allowing users to stay informed without actively camping news websites. Whether this is a blessing or a curse really depends on your point of view.

Apple News' Live Activities feature for the 2024 U.S. election will prominently place a widget on your Lock Screen, showing the real-time electoral count as it's updated so you can keep up with the race without even unlocking your phone. It will also offer such updates on your Home Screen, with Apple Insider reporting that they'll be shown on a Dynamic Island. Apple Insider further reports that the Lock Screen widget will be interactive, taking you straight to the latest election coverage.

Here's how to get Apple News' Live Activities presidential election updates.

Total Time

• 1 min

What You Need

• iPhone 14 Pro or later running at least iOS 16.1
• or iPad running at least iPadOS 17

Step 1: Open the Apple News app.

Credit: Kimberly Gedon / Mashable screenshot: Apple

Step 2: You should see a prominent notification saying, "Follow the election live." Tap the big red "Follow Live" button at the bottom of your phone screen.

If the prompt doesn't appear, you can also activate U.S. election Live Activities by tapping on "Following" in the bottom right corner of the Apple News app, scrolling down to "Special Coverage," and tapping "Election 2024."

Credit: Kimberly Gedon / Mashable screenshot: Apple

Step 3: You'll then be taken to a page with a banner that says "Follow the 2024 election live." Tap it, and you should be good to go.

You can't tap said banner quite yet, though. Apple News' Live Activities will only commence from Election Day, Nov. 5, with Apple Insider reporting that it will start late in the day.

This feature is also only available on devices that support Apple News' Live Activities. Specifically, you'll be able to U.S. election updates via Live Activities if you have either an iPhone 14 Pro or later running at least iOS 16.1, or an iPad that has iPadOS 17 at minimum. You'll only be able to get the Dynamic Island on your phone though, as we're still waiting for this feature to come to iPads. Finally, it's worth noting that Apple News itself is not available in all regions; for a full list of availability per country or region, go here.

Additional reporting by Kimberly Gedon.

TL;DR: A lifetime subscription to AdGuard Family Plan is on sale for just £14.64 (reg. £61.72) and protects your family's online experience across up to nine devices.

Opens in a new window Credit: AdGuard Software AdGuard Family Plan: Lifetime Subscription £14.64 at the Mashable Shop
£61.72 Save £47.08 Get Deal

Ensuring online safety has never been more important — especially when it comes to protecting our families. As children spend more time online for both education and entertainment, the need for a reliable solution to safeguard them from the pitfalls of the web has become paramount.

AdGuard is a powerful tool designed to provide peace of mind for parents while offering a seamless browsing experience for the entire family. A lifetime subscription to the AdGuard Family Plan covers up to nine devices and is on sale for just £14.64 (reg. £61.72). That's 76% off.

With its advanced ad-blocking module, AdGuard eliminates the constant barrage of annoying banners, intrusive pop-ups, and disruptive video ads that clutter your browsing experience. But AdGuard goes beyond just blocking ads; it also shields your family from harmful malware and phishing websites, acting as a fortress for your digital life.

For parents, AdGuard’s parental control feature is a game-changer. It allows you to restrict access to inappropriate and adult content, so your children can explore the internet in a safe and secure environment. Whether they are doing schoolwork or watching videos, you can rest easier knowing that they are more protected from the dangers lurking online.

It's designed to work across all your devices, from smartphones to tablets, covering both Android and iOS operating systems. And this lifetime subscription includes continuous updates and new features.

Jump on this chance to protect your entire family for life with the AdGuard Family Plan for just £14.64 (reg. £61.72) through 10 November at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: A wide range of online courses from Harvard University are available for free on edX.

edX is a popular platform that hosts a large bank of free online courses from some of the top educational institutions in the world, including Harvard University. Yep, you could become a student of this famous school without ever stepping foot outside.

You can find online courses on a wide range of topics, including Python programming, AI, cybersecurity, and much more. We have checked out everything on offer and lined up a standout selection to get you started. We're nice like that.

These are the best free online courses from Harvard University this month:

• American Government: Constitutional Foundations

• Ancient Masterpieces of World Literature

• Applications of TinyML

• Building Personal Resilience: Managing Anxiety and Mental Health

• Calculus Applied

• Cell Biology: Mitochondria

• Child Protection: Children's Rights in Theory and Practice

• CitiesX: The Past, Present and Future of Urban Life

• CS50's Computer Science for Business Professionals

• CS50's Computer Science for Lawyers

• CS50's Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python

• CS50's Introduction to Computer Science

• CS50's Introduction to Cybersecurity

• CS50's Introduction to Game Development

• CS50's Introduction to Programming with Python

• CS50's Introduction to Programming with R

• CS50's Introduction to Programming with Scratch

• CS50's Understanding Technology

• CS50's Web Programming with Python and JavaScript

• Data Science: Capstone

• Data Science: Inference and Modelling

• Data Science: Machine Learning

• Data Science: Productivity Tools

• Data Science: R Basics

• Data Science: Visualization

• Deploying TinyML

• Electrochemistry

• Energy and Thermodynamics

• Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies

• Exercising Leadership: Foundational Principles

• Fat Chance: Probability from the Ground Up

• Fundamentals of Neuroscience Part 1

• Fundamentals of TinyML

• High-Dimensional Data Analysis

• Human Anatomy: Musculoskeletal Cases

• Humanitarian Response to Conflict and Disaster

• Improving Your Business Through a Culture of Health

• Introduction to Data Science with Python

• Introduction to Digital Humanities

• Introduction to Probability

• Islam Through Its Scriptures

• Justice

• Justice Today: Money, Markets, and Morals

• Leadership: Creating Public Value

• Leaders of Learning

• Machine Learning and AI with Python

• Managing Happiness

• Masterpieces of World Literature

• MLOps for Scaling TinyML

• Modern Masterpieces of World Literature

• Pyramids of Giza: Ancient Egyptian Art and Archaeology

• Remote Work Revolution for Everyone

• Rhetoric: The Art of Persuasive Writing and Public Speaking

• Shakespeare's Life and Work

• Statistics and R

• Super-Earths and Life

• Technology Entrepreneurship: Lab to Market

• The Architectural Imagination

• The Path to Happiness: What Chinese Philosophy Teaches us about the Good Life

• Using Python for Research

The only catch is that these free courses don't include a certificate of completion. Students can still enroll at any time and start learning at their own pace, so what's stopping you from trying out these online courses for yourself?

Find the best free online courses from Harvard University with edX.

Opens in a new window Credit: Harvard University Harvard University Courses Free at edX Get Deal

TL;DR: Live stream Celtic vs. RB Leipzig in the Champions League for free on Virgin Media Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Celtic have been inconsistent in this year's Champions League, but they remain very much in contention for a place in the playoffs. RB Leipzig have lost three games out of three this season, so the German outfit will be desperate to take some points from Celtic Park. It's going to be a really interesting contest, and fans can watch without spending anything.

If you want to watch Celtic vs. RB Leipzig in the Champions League from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Celtic vs. RB Leipzig?

Celtic vs. RB Leipzig in the Champions League kicks off at 8 p.m. GMT on Nov. 5. This fixture takes place at Celtic Park.

How to watch Celtic vs. RB Leipzig for free

Celtic vs. RB Leipzig is available to live stream for free on Virgin Media Player in Ireland.

If you're abroad for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to access Virgin Media Player. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock Virgin Media Player to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Celtic vs. RB Leipzig for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Ireland

4. Visit Virgin Media Player

5. Watch Celtic vs. RB Leipzig for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Celtic vs. RB Leipzig (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.

If you travel frequently but don't want to miss out on select Champions League fixtures, you will need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for Virgin Media Player?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Virgin Media Player, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Ireland

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Celtic vs. RB Leipzig in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream PSV vs. Girona in the Champions League for free on Virgin Media Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The fourth round of Champions League fixtures has lined up some exciting matchups, including PSV vs. Girona. Neither side has really impressed in this year's competition, but there is still time to turn things around and attempt to make it into the knockout rounds.

This game really matters for both teams. A win means everything is possible. A defeat means an early exit is almost inevitable.

If you want to watch PSV vs. Girona in the Champions League from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is PSV vs. Girona?

PSV vs. Girona in the Champions League kicks off at 5:45 p.m. GMT on Nov. 5. This fixture takes place at the Philips Stadion.

How to watch PSV vs. Girona for free

PSV vs. Girona is available to live stream for free on Virgin Media Player in Ireland.

If you're abroad for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to access Virgin Media Player. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock Virgin Media Player to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream PSV vs. Girona for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Ireland

4. Visit Virgin Media Player

5. Watch PSV vs. Girona for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream PSV vs. Girona (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.

If you travel frequently but don't want to miss out on the Champions League, you will need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for Virgin Media Player?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Virgin Media Player, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Ireland

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream PSV vs. Girona in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Liverpool vs. Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League for free with a 30-day trial of Prime Video. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Champions League is back this week with some really intriguing matchups, including Liverpool vs. Bayer Leverkusen.

Liverpool are flying high this season. They top the Premier League standings and have won every Champions League game so far this season. Can Xabi Alonso stop Arne Slot's side? Bayer Leverkusen are also unbeaten in this year's competition, so they'll be confident of taking something from this battle at Anfield.

If you want to watch Liverpool vs. Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Liverpool vs. Bayer Leverkusen?

Liverpool vs. Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League starts at 8 p.m. GMT on Nov. 5. This fixture takes place at Anfield.

How to watch Liverpool vs. Bayer Leverkusen for free

Liverpool vs. Bayer Leverkusen is available to live stream on Prime Video in the UK, but you don't need to be subscribed to Amazon Prime to watch this fixture. Instead, you can watch Liverpool vs. Bayer Leverkusen (plus more Champions League fixtures) for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime.

If you're abroad for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to watch the Champions League for free on Prime Video. This process is straightforward:

1. Sign up for a 30-day Amazon Prime trial (if you're not already a member)

2. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

3. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

4. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

5. Watch Liverpool vs. Bayer Leverkusen for free from anywhere in the world on Prime Video

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Liverpool vs. Bayer Leverkusen on Prime Video without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select Champions League fixtures before recovering your investment.

If you travel regularly and want to retain permanent access to your favorite streaming services, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for Prime Video?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Prime Video, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Stream Liverpool vs. Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Unblock your favorite porn sites with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites like Xnxx is ExpressVPN.

Access to your favorite porn sites is not always guaranteed. There are many locations around the world that will restrict your access to porn sites, which makes sense. However, there is something to be said for online freedom.

When the time is right, you'll want to be able to secure access to your favorite porn sites without hassle. Fortunately, there is a simple hack that can bypass geo-restrictions to unblock porn sites like Xnxx from anywhere in the world.

If you're looking for the best way to unblock sites like Xnxx from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

How to unblock Xnxx for free

VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other locations. This simple process means you can bypass geo-restrictions to access porn sites like Xnxx from anywhere in the world.

Follow these simple steps to unblock porn sites like Xnxx:

1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location that supports access to Xnxx

4. Access Xnxx from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for bypassing content restrictions are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites like Xnxx without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can retain access to porn sites when temporarily away from home.

What is the best VPN for porn?

ExpressVPN is the best service for fast and reliable unblocking of porn sites like Xnxx, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy

• Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Unblock Xnxx for free with ExpressVPN.

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 5'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 4 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 4 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Group of eight.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter T appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter O.

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...

OCTET.

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 3

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

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

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

Connections is the latest New York Times word game that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for November 5'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 5 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: Has fuzz

• Green: Hard-shelled

• Blue: Shrek characters

• Purple: Magic things

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

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

• Yellow: Things that are Fuzzy

• Green: Things with Shells

• Blue: Figures in Shrek

• Purple: Magic___

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 #512 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Things that are Fuzzy: CATERPILLAR, FLEECE, PEACH, PIPE CLEANER

• Things with Shells: CLAM, EGG, NUT, TURTLE

• Figures in Shrek: DONKEY, DRAGON, OGRE, PRINCESS

• Magic___: CARPET, KINGDOM, MARKER, MUSHROOM

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 5

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.

The shift in policy, covering government agencies and contractors working on national security, is intended to promote “responsible and ethical” innovations, the company said.

The political action committee set up by X owner Elon Musk to deliver the presidency to Donald Trump will be allowed to keep awarding swing state voters millions of dollars, the Associated Press reports.

Responding to a civil case brought by Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, Common Pleas Court Judge Angelo Foglietta ruled on Monday in Philadelphia that America PAC can continue giving away the money since the remaining two winners don't live in the Pennsylvania, but rather other swing states. Krasner has blasted the PAC payouts, testifying in court on Monday that they’re a "grift" and "political marketing masquerading as a lottery."

The sweepstakes became available to people who signed a petition — that included releasing their personal data —  stating they support free speech and gun rights. Over a million people across all seven swing states have registered for America PAC's giveaways.

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

In court, America PAC director and treasurer Chris Young said the million dollar winners weren't picked randomly but vetted ahead of time to ensure "they were someone whose values aligned" with the political effort. The sweepstakes' first three recipients (winning on Oct. 19, 20, and 21) all hailed from Pennsylvania — that state's voter registration deadline was Oct. 21. All the winning recipients were made to sign nondisclosure agreements. Krasner is still considering filing criminal charges against Musk and America PAC for allegedly influencing the election illegally.

Musk, also the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla and one of the world's richest individuals, has gone all in on Trump, bankrolling America PAC to the tune of nearly $120 million, Forbes reports. 

On Monday, Apple announced the second developer beta of iOS 18.2 with more Apple Intelligence features. And now users can upgrade to ChatGPT Plus directly within Settings.

The first round of Apple Intelligence features with the free ChatGPT version launched with the first beta of iOS 18.2. Now, iOS 18.2 developer beta 2 offers even more Apple Intelligence features like Genmoji, Image Playground, Image Wand, and Visual Intelligence. Plus, today's iOS 18.2 beta 2 launch lets users upgrade directly to ChatGPT Plus, 9to5Mac reported,

How to upgrade to ChatGPT Plus-based Apple Intelligence

You must, of course, update to the latest iOS 18.2 developer beta. Next, go to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri > ChatGPT and you'll see the option to upgrade to ChatGPT Plus. With the new ChatGPT Plus upgrade option, users have discovered that the free version of ChatGPT now has a daily usage limit, which can be tracked in Settings.

The terms of Apple and OpenAI's partnership bringing ChatGPT to iPhones, iPads, and Macs was a little hazy at first. Reports said Apple paid zero dollars for its OpenAI partnership. Plus, there were conflicting rumors about whether Apple Intelligence would have some kind of subscription fee. Now, the details of the integration are coming into focus: iOS 18's Apple Intelligence has some free ChatGPT features, but other more advanced features require a paid subscription. This may indicate some kind of revenue sharing agreement between the two tech companies.

What do you get with the ChatGPT Plus upgrade?

If you're a regular ChatGPT user, upgrading to the paid version, which costs $19.99, might be worth it. With a ChatGPT Plus subscription, you get certain perks like early access to new models and features and higher usage limits. Here's what else ChatGPT Plus currently offers over the free version:

If you decide to upgrade Apple Intelligence to ChatGPT Plus, you'll get the following perks, according to 9to5Mac:

• Send up to 5 times more messages on GPT-4 and unlock access to even more sophisticated models.

• Increased limits for uploading photos and files, creating images, and browsing the web.

• Enjoy smoother, real-time conversations with ChatGPT’s enhanced voice feature. Access to OpenAI o1-preview, OpenAI o1-mini

The public version of iOS 18.2 is expected in early December, with "major improvements to Apple Intelligence" according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

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Until then you can join in on the fun of stress-testing the iOS 18.2 beta 2. Just make sure you do a backup first.

Reddit

Google has reportedly removed voting scam ads that showed up in past elections, according a new report from the Tech Transparency Project.

TTP, a research initiative of the watchdog organization Campaign for Accountability, recently tested numerous voting-related terms in Google's search engine to determine whether those inquiries led users to scam ads. The top phrases included "how to vote," "how to register to vote," "early voting," and "when is voting."

SEE ALSO: How to know if you are registered to vote

In the 2020 and 2022 elections, searches for the same terms yielded scam ads, including ones that charged people fraudulent fees to register to vote or served up "a muddle of useless information," according to the report. Other ads sent users to websites that harvested their data for marketing and installed "browser hijackers" that forced users to visit ad-filled sites.

When TTP conducted its testing from Oct. 1 to 10, 2024, its researchers found none of the scam ads that had previously surfaced. Most of the ads promoted legitimate voter education sites and organizations.

The testing was performed on a "clean" version of the Google Chrome browser, that had been logged out and contained no prior browsing history. Additionally, the researchers used virtual private networks, in order to determine whether searches varied based on location. TTP evaluated a total of 198 ads.

Google did not respond to TTP's request for comment, according to the initiative's blog post.

Google spokesperson Michael Aciman told Mashable that, "We have strict policies to protect people from scams or misleading information about voting procedures and our teams work tirelessly to enforce them."

TTP argued in its blog post that Google can effectively scrub scam ads from search results: "The findings suggest that Google is capable of enforcing its advertising policies and preventing unscrupulous actors from taking advantage of would-be voters during the run-up to an election."

UPDATE: Nov. 4, 2024, 3:08 p.m. PST This story was updated to include a statement from Google that was received after publication.

Buying gifts for the special women in your life can be tricky. What do you buy a person who has everything? What should you gift to someone who's picky about their products?

Our advice is to curate a gift according to her interests and personality. A gift for the lady in your life should be just that: A gift for her. Specifically.

If you don't know enough about the lady you're buying for to purchase an ultra-curated gift, go for something useful from a popular brand. Think: a nice set of towels from Brooklinen, or a tasty-smelling candle from Homesick. Skip the kitschy gift this year and opt for something high-quality that she'll actually use.

SEE ALSO: The best gifts for teenage girls, according to teenage girls

We’ve put together a comprehensive guide to get you started on your important mission: Finding the gift of all gifts for the lady in your life, filled with classics that will be useful for years to come, and viral products that will keep her on-trend. From tech products to beauty must-haves, there's a gift for every lady on this list.

Whatever the occasion that has you looking for dad gifts (Father's Day, the winters holidays, for example), stay far away from clichés like whiskey stones and pocket knives and try to think outside the box. Unless your dad is an avid tie collector and seriously *lives* for ties, then avoid this played-out gift. Instead, get him something that says, “I see your hobbies and I respect them."

Even if your dad says he doesn't need anything, he deserves something cool and special, like a new gadget, a subscription box, or something that will keep him looking ageless for years to come. That’s why we've rounded up plenty of ideas for all types of dads, whether he has a green thumb, an affinity for craft beer, a massive music collection, or a deep appreciation for learning new skills and hobbies.

It appears that Elon Musk's X was undeterred from all of the criticism leveled at its announcement concerning changes to the block feature.

"We’re starting to launch the block function update," an official X account posted on Sunday.

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X, formerly known as Twitter, previously announced its intention to change how the block feature works on the social media platform. The decision faced widespread criticism at the time, and the majority of responses to this latest announcement remain unfavorable.

"F***ing morons," one of the top replies on the X post reads.

However, as of Sunday, some users have reported already seeing the changes to the block function rolled out to their account.

How X has changed the ‘block’ feature

Previously, blocking on X meant that barred users could not view anything related to blocked accounts while logged in.

A user's profile page, posts, following and follower lists, and even their replies to other public posts, were all removed from view for the blocked account. The blocked user also could not interact nor direct message an account that blocked them.

Now, with the new changes to the block function, X is letting blocked users view the posts and profile page of the user that blocked them. However, blocked users still can’t follow, direct message, interact with, nor reply to those users.

The block feature change has caused concern over the fact that bad actors can now continue to stalk or harass their victims, even after they are blocked, because they can now continue to follow their posts and updates.

Before this change, if a blocked user wanted to view posts from an account that blocked them, they had to go through extra steps of creating a new account and switching to it every time they wanted to see the blocked content. Now, a blocked user won't have any tedious obstacles. They can keep tabs on people who blocked them quite easily.

The best early Black Friday Apple deals Best MacBook deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $749 at Amazon (Save $250) Get Deal Best iPad deal Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M2, WiFi, 128GB) $498 at Amazon (Save $101) Get Deal Best Apple Watch deal Apple Watch Series 10 (42mm, GPS) $355.28 at Amazon (Save $43.72) Get Deal Best AirPods deal Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen) $189.99 at Amazon (Save $59.01) Get Deal

It's the beginning of November, which means we're already in the thick of Black Friday season, even for Apple products.

If you're shopping straight from the Apple Store, you will likely have to wait until Nov. 29 (the actual day of Black Friday) for its annual gift card promotion, which gives customers gift cards for future use alongside their purchase of an iPhone, MacBook, or iPad at full price.

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

However, shopping from retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart can often net you more savings — and all of those retailers have started to roll out early Black Friday-worthy deals on Apple products, with their official early Black Friday sales starting weeks ahead of the actual day.

As of Nov. 4, that means we're seeing up to $100 off the iPad Air, up to $200 off the M3 MacBook Air, and one of the best prices we've seen on the AirPods Pro. While these deals can be found year-round, it can be harder to find multiple categories boasting great deals at the same time, making the early Black Friday season one of the best times to catch the Apple item on your list on sale, with less of the chaos of the actual shopping holiday.

iMac and MacBook deals ahead of Black Friday Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $749.00 at Amazon
$999.00 Save $250.00 Get Deal Why we like it

If you're interested in an ultra-fast M4 MacBook Pro, this probably isn't the deal for you. However, if you're looking for a laptop that can handle everyday tasks with ease, and you're tired of your old laptop sounding like it's about to blast off every time you have more than three tabs open, this M2 MacBook Air is a solid option. Sure, it's not the newest chipset, but it's still incredibly fast, especially if your main use for your laptop is browsing the web. At $749, you're still getting a MacBook that is by no means outdated, but still is firmly below $1,000.

More MacBook and Mac deals

MacBook Air

• Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M1, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $649 $899 (save $250)

• Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $749 $999 (save $250)

• Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M3, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $899 $1,099 (save $200)

• Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M2, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $949 $1,199 (save $150)

• Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M3, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,099.99 $1,299 (save $199.01 with on-page coupon)

• Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M3, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $1,089 $1,299 (save $210)

• Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M3, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,291 $1,499 (save $208)

• Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M3, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) — $1,399 $1,499 (save $100)

MacBook Pro

• Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M3, 8GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — $1,499 $1,799 (save $300)

Mac

• Apple Mac mini (M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — $499 $599 (save $100)

iPad deals ahead of Black Friday Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M2, WiFi, 128GB) $498.00 at Amazon
$599.00 Save $101.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Though Apple deals can be found year-round, the iPad Air usually only drops about $50, even during shopping holidays. Ahead of Black Friday, Amazon upped the ante by dropping this iPad down to $498, marking a new record-low for the tablet. We recommend the iPad Air as the best tablet for most people, thanks to its comparatively lower price point that makes it a solid option for casual users, and its M2 chip, 13-hour battery life, and display that makes it plenty functional for creatives.

More iPad deals

iPad (10th gen)

• Apple iPad (WiFi, 64GB) — $297 $349 (save $52)

iPad Air

• Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M2, WiFi, 128GB) — $498 $599 (save $101)

• Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M2, WiFi, 256GB) — $596 $699 (save $103)

• Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M2, WiFi, 128GB) — $691 $799 (save $108)

• Apple iPad Air, 11-inch (M2, WiFi, 512GB) — $790 $899 (save $109)

• Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M2, WiFi, 256GB) — $827 $899 (save $72)

• Apple iPad Air, 13-inch (M2, WiFi, 512GB) — $1,011 $1,099 (save $88)

iPad Pro

• Apple iPad Pro, 11-inch (M4, WiFi, 256GB) — $949 $999 (save $50)

Apple Watch deals ahead of Black Friday Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Series 10 (42mm, GPS) $355.28 at Amazon
$399.00 Save $43.72 Get Deal Why we like it

Read more from Mashable about the Apple Watch Series 10.

'Tis the season for new record lows: Just two months after its release, the Series 10 has hit a new one. Granted, it's not the biggest markdown ever, but again, this smartwatch is only two months old. Plus, seeing it down to $355 gives us hope that we'll see more colorways down to the $349 as we near Black Friday, as we've seen historically after a fall Apple Watch release.

More Apple Watch deals

Series 10

• Apple Watch Series 10 (42mm, GPS) — $355.28 $399 (save $43.72)

• Apple Watch Series 10 (46mm, GPS) — $402.99 $429 (save $26.01)

Series 9

• Apple Watch Series 9 (45mm, GPS) — $329 $429 (save $100)

SE

• Apple Watch SE (40mm, GPS) — $189 $249 (save $60)

• Apple Watch SE (44mm, GPS) — $219 $279 (save $60)

• Apple Watch SE (40mm, GPS + cellular) — $239 $299 (save $60)

• Apple Watch SE (44mm, GPS + cellular) — $269 $329 (save $60)

AirPods deals ahead of Black Friday Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen) $189.99 at Amazon
$249.00 Save $59.01 Get Deal Why we like it

Check out our full review of the AirPods Pro.

Whether you're a frequent flyer or someone who simply appreciates quality noise-cancelling headphones, we're betting you'd be a fan of the AirPods Pro. Though $189.99 isn't their lowest price ever — these earbuds dropped all the way to $168.99 over October Prime Day — it's still nearly $60 off earbuds that we think are worth it at full price (though they drop down in price to $199 enough that we recommend waiting to grab them on sale). Alongside top-notch ANC, you'll get six hours of battery life per charge, balanced sound, and of course, a seamless integration into the Apple ecosystem, making these earbuds some of our favorite headphones, period.

More AirPods deals

• Apple AirPods 4 (with Active Noise Cancellation) — $167.99 $179 (save $11.01)

• Apple AirPods Max (Lightning) — $449 $549 (save $100)

More Apple deals ahead of Black Friday

• Apple Pencil Pro — $91.99 $129 at Amazon (save $37.01)

TL;DR: Get a pro-level clean and fresher breath for the holidays with the ToothShower Sonic Toothbrush, on sale for just $19.99 (reg. $29).

The holidays are around the corner, and with treats galore — candy canes, cookie swaps, chocolate, oh my — fresh breath and strong pearly whites are more important than ever. Enter the ToothShower Sonic Toothbrush for just $19.99, a modern gadget that keeps your mouth feeling fresh and ready for all those holiday selfies and family dinners. This brush is designed to work wonders with sonic technology, giving your teeth a deep clean without harsh scrubbing.

Equipped with two replaceable brush heads, this toothbrush is ready for daily use to keep up with even the busiest routines. Its sonic action pulses at an impressive rate, helping lift plaque while keeping gum care in mind. Ideal for people who love a clean feeling after every brush, the sonic vibrations tackle hard-to-reach spots, keeping your whole mouth feeling fresh without the fuss.

The ToothShower Sonic Toothbrush is also super portable, making it a great travel buddy for those who are always on the move. It's an affordable way to give yourself — or a lucky friend — the gift of dental hygiene.

From holiday parties to everyday commutes, the ToothShower Sonic Toothbrush for $19.99 can keep you confidently flashing that clean, bright smile.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: ToothShower ToothShower Sonic Toothbrush $19.99
$29.99 Save $10.00 Get Deal