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With the Financial Times' report that Apple is preparing for the post-Tim Cook era, the question arises: who will actually take over one of the most powerful jobs in tech? Cook has led Apple since 2011, growing its valuation from $350 billion to $4 trillion. However, as the company embarks on its next chapter — particularly amid pressure to introduce new, innovative hardware and remain competitive in AI — the shortlist of potential successors is taking shape.

SEE ALSO: Tim Cook’s time at Apple could be coming to an end, report says

And at the top of that list is the person insiders say is the most likely candidate: John Ternus.

John Ternus (the frontrunner)

Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering, has the clearest path to the CEO role. Having joined the company in 2001, he’s overseen engineering for the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and AirPods, and played a major role in the transition to Apple silicon. It is not an exaggeration to say he has literally touched every major Apple device in the modern era. With hardware at the center of Apple’s strategy — and Apple needing someone who understands the product pipeline inside and out — Ternus is widely seen as Cook’s successor, per the Financial Times.

Craig Federighi

Federighi, Apple’s software chief, is the face of macOS and iOS, and one of the company’s most public figures thanks to his keynote presence. While he brings charisma and user-facing credibility, Apple may want to lean towards operations and hardware-minded leadership for the top job, making him a less likely but still notable contender.

Eddy Cue

Cue oversees services including Apple Music, Apple TV+, iCloud, and the App Store. Services are a massive revenue engine for the company, but Cue’s expertise is focused on that specific ecosystem rather than Apple’s core hardware and operations. Still, as one of Apple’s longest-tenured executives, his name inevitably appears in succession chatter.

Katherine Adams

As General Counsel and Senior Vice President of Legal and Global Security, Adams oversees a wide range of responsibilities, including corporate governance, privacy, and global security. Her background at Honeywell and deep experience in legal strategy make her indispensable internally; however, historically, Apple has never pulled a CEO from the legal side of the organization.

Sabih Khan

Apple’s Chief Operating Officer, Khan oversees global operations, supply chain, manufacturing, logistics, and AppleCare. Having been with Apple since 1995 and playing a key role in shipping nearly every major Apple product, he fits the classic Tim Cook mold more than anyone besides Ternus. If Apple wants a steady operations-first leader again, Khan is the alternate pick.

So who’s actually next?

All signs point to Ternus. He represents the product-first vision Apple wants to maintain, he’s already leading the teams behind its most important devices, and insiders say the board is preparing for a transition that prioritizes hardware expertise, according to the Financial Times. Nothing is final — and Apple could still shift direction — but right now, Ternus is the one to watch.

SAVE $151.99: The Sony WH-1000XM5 Noise-Cancelling Headphones are on sale at Amazon for $248, down from the normal price of $399.99. That's a 38% discount and the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-1000XM5 Noise-Cancelling Headphones $248 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $151.99   Get Deal

A good pair of headphones can feel kinda life-changing. Imagine a 10-hour plane journey with noise-cancelling headphones that aren't uncomfortable after watching just one movie. Problem is, the best headphones tend to come with steep prices. But that's all remedied thanks to today's early Black Friday deal at Amazon.

As of Nov. 17, the Sony WH-1000XM5 Noise-Cancelling Headphones are on sale for $248 at Amazon, marked down from the standard price of $399.99. That works out to a 38% discount, shaving a sweet $151.99 off the price. This deal marks the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon on the Sony XM5 headphones.

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The new Sony XM6 headphones are stunning, no doubt, but the older XM5 headphones are still an excellent option, espeically thanks to this new all-time low price. In Mashable's list of the best Sony headphones, the XM5s earn the top spot as the best former flagship.

"Brand enthusiasts who can’t afford the pricier WH-1000XM6, but still want the extravagant Sony listening experience — you won't be disappointed. Very few things separate these two models, besides the big price difference," wrote freelancer Alex Bracetti. Currently, the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones are on sale at Amazon for $429.99 which means the XM5s are nearly $200 cheaper.

SEE ALSO: The JBL Tune Buds are heavily discounted ahead of Black Friday — save $60 with the best-ever price on Amazon

Bracetti also wrote, "The WH-1000XM5s retain many series hallmarks, including ANC, battery life, sound, and special features," so you don't need to worry about a major drop in quality with this previous model.

One of the only major differences between the XM5 and XM6 models is the lack of ear cups that fold up on the older model. But given the almost $200 price difference, that's a sacrifice we're willing to deal with.

Before the chaos of Amazon Black Friday hits this Thursday, snatch up a pair of Sony WH-1000XM5 Noise-Cancelling Headphones for under $250. This new record-low price is a heck of a deal, especially compared to the price of the new XM6 headphones.

The end of an era is coming in 2026 for Apple – maybe?

According to a new report from the Financial Times, Apple is currently making plans for Tim Cook to step down as CEO. And it could be happening next year.

Apple's plans are not related to performance issues or any sort of negative outlook for the company, according to the outlet's sources. In fact, Apple is expecting to break sales records this holiday season.

SEE ALSO: Apple expects record sales for the holidays

Cook has been CEO of Apple for nearly a decade and a half and led the company during one of its most trying times. He took over the position after Apple founder Steve Jobs stepped down as CEO in August 2011 due to medical reasons. Jobs died in October of that year. 

John Ternus, Apple's Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineers, is considered the likely favorite to take over the reins from Cook. However, no final decision of a new Apple CEO has been made. Ternus has been with the company since 2001 and would be the same age, 50, as Cook was when he became CEO 14 years ago. 

Ternus has been more visible as of late at the Apple keynote events, potentially being prepared to eventually step in as CEO. He most recently introduced the new iPhone Air at September's Apple event.

As the Financial Times points out, Cook has previously shared that Apple has “very detailed succession plans." Apple has lost some key executives this year as both Apple's chief financial officer Luca Maestri and Apple's chief operating officer Jeff Williams left the company. Both were considered close to Cook.

Bloomberg's Apple insider Mark Gurman previously reported that Ternus was being looked at as Tim Cook's successor. However, in response to the Financial Times report, Gurman shared that there is nothing on his radar pointing to Cook stepping down anytime soon.

But, if Cook was to step down as Apple CEO next year, don't expect him to do so before the earnings report in January 2026, which would cover how the company did during the holiday season, according to the Financial Times. However, anytime after the earnings report appears to be fair game and an early transition would get the CEO comfortable before Apple's big keynote events, starting with the WWDC in June.

My first exposure to Critical Role wasn't a clip from any of their campaigns, but instead, a GIF set of their animated introduction for Campaign 2. Scrolling past it on Tumblr, I immediately became bewitched by the characters. Who was this joyful blue tiefling fighting foes with glowing lollipops and unicorns? What lay in the past of this clearly traumatized, fire-wielding wizard? And how had this disparate crew of goblins and humans and orcs and more banded together?

SEE ALSO: Critical Role fans, you can watch the first episode of 'The Mighty Nein' on YouTube

With those questions in mind, I set off right down the Critical Role rabbit hole, discovering the adventuring party known as the Mighty Nein. Yet as much as I enjoyed witnessing these characters' stories play out in an improvised Dungeons and Dragons format, I couldn't help but yearn for an expansion on the animated introduction that had exposed me to them in the first place.

Now, that expansion is here in the form of Critical Role's new animated series The Mighty Nein. And it's as glorious as I had hoped.

What's The Mighty Nein about? Credit: Prime Video

The Mighty Nein is Critical Role's second animated series with Prime Video, following in the footsteps of The Legend of Vox Machina. While the latter took a few episodes to nail the balance between bawdy humor and high fantasy, The Mighty Nein hits the ground running, delivering a darker, more mature story right from the get-go.

That story begins with a heist: A strike team of formidable wizards from the Dwendalian Empire steals the powerful Luxon Beacon from the Kryn Dynasty. The sequence plays out almost wordlessly, punctuated by beats of lethal magic and hand-to-hand combat. It's a gripping reintroduction to the world of Exandria, one that sets the stage for a devastating war between nations. It's also a darkly funny choice for The Mighty Nein's starting point, because while the Dwendalian wizards and Kryn soldiers are elite, highly organized forces, our titular heroes are... not.

SEE ALSO: 'The Mighty Nein' trailer: Critical Role's new show teases magic battles and tons of trauma

By the time The Mighty Nein begins, the actual Mighty Nein crew is far from being assembled. Each of the team's members (and despite what the name suggests, there are only six of them) is scattered to the winds, dealing with their own woes. And trust me, The Mighty Nein does not skimp on the traumatic backstories. Dirt-covered wizard Caleb Widogast (voiced by Liam O'Brien) scrounges for magical components while running from his past. Goblin thief Nott the Brave (voiced by Sam Riegel) drowns her sorrows at every waking moment. Cobalt Soul monk Beauregard Lionett (voiced by Marisha Ray) faces derisions from her superiors, who dismiss her detective work based on her hotheadedness.

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Elsewhere, shipwrecked sailor Fjord Stone (voiced by Travis Willingham) awakens with magical powers he didn't ask for and doesn't know how to use, while prankster Jester Lavorre (voiced by Laura Bailey) can't get her patron god (and best friend) to answer her call. Rounding out the group is Mollymauk Tealeaf (voiced by Taliesin Jaffe), a circus ringmaster oozing with charisma, yet plagued with worries about his circus going under (and some unsettling memories).

In short, these six have nothing in common. However, the brewing conflict over the Luxon Beacon will bring these outcasts together in unexpected ways and offer them the chance to prove that maybe, just maybe they can make a difference for the better. Based on the skills shown by both the Dwendalian and Kryn forces in the opening, though, they have their work cut out for them.

The Mighty Nein builds a formidable team. Credit: Prime Video

The Mighty Nein takes no shortcuts when it comes to bringing its team together. There are arguments and in-fighting aplenty in the series, each a perfect showcase of the distinct personalities the show is working with. Yet from these arguments emerge strong bonds of camaraderie, made all the sweeter by the conflict it took to get there.

The Mighty Nein manages to preserve all of the wonderful relationships players crafted at the table during Campaign 2: Nott and Caleb's protection of one another, Jester and Fjord's playful friendship, Beau and Caleb's growing respect and trust, Mollymauk's ability to bring everyone together... I could go on, as the webs The Mighty Nein weaves between its characters are as rich and varied as the characters themselves.

The complexities of these characters and their relationships come through, not just in dialogue but also in The Mighty Nein's jaw-dropping action sequences. The Legend of Vox Machina already set the bar high on how to translate Critical Role's battles into animation, but The Mighty Nein more than meets that bar, even surpassing it when it comes to magic usage.

That's because each magic user in The Mighty Nein has their own unique way of casting. Caleb uses material components to create destructive spells, Jester summons sparkling herds of mini unicorns and candy, Mollymauk wields blood magic that even he seems surprised he has access to, and Fjord sends out watery blasts without quite knowing how. In the case of all four, but especially the latter two, watching them fight means watching them discover enchanting new abilities on the fly. You're seeing heroes grow into themselves in real time — and in spectacular fashion, thanks to dazzling animation from Titmouse.

This sense of discovery turns The Mighty Nein into an unforgettable story of becoming something greater than you ever thought you could be, and of finding belonging you never thought you would. It's the found family trope done to a tee, and honestly, when I dreamed of an animated series based on the Campaign 2 intro all those years ago, never did I expect it to hit as hard as this.

The first three episodes of The Mighty Nein premiere Nov. 19 on Prime Video, with a new episode every Wednesday.

We, as a society, have discovered that perhaps the world isn't ready for a ChatGPT-powered children's toy. Or, rather, ChatGPT isn't ready to safely interact with kids.

Toymaker FoloToy announced it would pull its AI-powered teddy bear called Kumma, which was built on OpenAI's GPT-4o model. The news follows reports of serious safety concerns, including the bear talking about sexual subjects, knives, or lighting matches.

"FoloToy has decided to temporarily suspend sales of the affected product and begin a comprehensive internal safety audit," FoloToy Marketing Director Hugo Wu told The Register in a statement. "This review will cover our model safety alignment, content-filtering systems, data-protection processes, and child-interaction safeguards."

The news follows a report from a consumer watchdog organization called the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) that revealed serious concerns about the toy. The teddy bear reportedly gave detailed instructions for lighting a match, talked about sexual kinks like bondage, and gave tips for "being a good kisser." It even asked if the user would like to explore said kinks.

We've seen time and again that guardrails for AI tools can fail when it comes to young people. It seems like it's a good idea to no longer sell an AI-powered teddy bear so long as that's the case.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

Uh oh, there's a new trend on TikTok, and this one's sad.

The white rabbit TikTok trend is all about your life turning upside down. Think: footage of a ballet dancer followed by them experiencing a horrible accident, or footage of a wedding followed by footage of a divorce, or footage of my cat following a laser pointer across the wall followed by footage of a dead battery.

The videos are usually set to the tune of a clock ticking and some soft piano coming in later. Nearly 180,000 videos have been made using the audio, some with text over the first clip that says, "the day before the rabbit got me," or "48 hours before that stupid rabbit got me," or simply, "that damn white rabbit." Sometimes it's followed by the aftermath; often, it isn't.

It's a reference to the white rabbit in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, whose trickery and general vibe turn everything upside down.

SAVE 35%: As of Nov. 17, the Hisense 100-inch Class QD6 Series QLED 4K Smart Fire TV is on sale for $1,299.99 at Amazon, down from its list price of $1,999.99. That's a 35% discount and $700 in savings.

Hisense 100-inch Class QD6 Series QLED 4K Smart Fire TV $1,299.99 at Amazon
$1,999.99 Save $700   Get Deal at Amazon

Remember when a 100-inch TV was something you'd only see in a millionaire's home theater on MTV Cribs? (Definitely dating myself here, but some of you have to remember this, right?) They were hard to come by and basically cost the same as a used Honda Civic. The fact that you can now get a 100-inch QLED TV for under $1,300 is genuinely wild.

As of Nov. 17, the Hisense 100-inch Class QD6 Series QLED 4K Smart Fire TV is on sale for $1,299.99 at Amazon. That's $700 off its $1,999.99 list price. According to our trusty price tracker, CamelCamelCamel, this is the lowest price it's ever seen. Just last week, it was getting attention for dropping to $1,498, and this new "Limited time deal" beats that by another $200.

SEE ALSO: Amazon Black Friday ad: The best early deals you can buy online

This TV features a QLED panel with Quantum Dot color for over a billion shades, a native 144Hz refresh rate, and AMD FreeSync Premium. For gamers, that means super smooth, lag-free gameplay, which is a high-end feature for this price.

It's also a Fire TV, so the smart interface is built in, and it comes with an Alexa voice remote. It supports both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, too. The main "catch" here isn't a feature; it's the logistics. This is a 100-inch TV. You're going to need help getting it inside, so definitely check the dimensions (and maybe select Amazon's "Room of Choice Delivery").

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Karen Oren, a cofounder of the wedding stationery brand The Ceremony Club, uses ChatGPT for every part of her wedding.

"I get advice from ChatGPT sometimes," said Oren, who's getting married next year. While she has a human wedding planner, she still utilizes the LLM — especially after work hours. "Those late-night conversations at 10 p.m., scrolling through Instagram, getting inspiration, I use ChatGPT with [that] inspiration," she told Mashable. An example is inputting wedding dresses she likes and her budget, and asking ChatGPT to find boutiques near her.

SEE ALSO: Couples are using ChatGPT to fight now

"I make it work hard for me," she joked.

Oren isn't alone. Since ChatGPT launched, people have utilized it in their relationships — to write flirty messages, to win fights, and now to plan their nuptials. Across Reddit and Instagram, couples are sharing how they're using ChatGPT and other AI tools for wedding planning. 

From wedding advice to graphics

"There are so many different blogs and Reddit threads and websites that you can go through for advice, and it's kind of nice to have a streamlined version of what you're looking for with links to different pages to kind of like get exactly what you need," said Alessandra, a bride who got married last month. (She requested to be referred to by her first name only.)

In addition to ChatGPT, Alessandra told Mashable she used Gemini search and the image generator Midjourney while planning her wedding. She used a combination of the latter and Canva to make her cocktail menus. She got specific about how she wanted the specialty drinks to look (three espresso beans on an espresso martini, and a Tajín rim on a margarita) and a hand-drawn style. Since she has a paid Midjourney subscription through her job, she figured she'd use the tools she had as opposed to paying someone on Etsy or trying to make it totally herself.

Rachel, the person behind the hand-drawn stationery Etsy business PipiPrintables, told Mashable that while AI is great for many things, she doesn't believe it can replicate artistic talent. 

"It can try to mimic, but it doesn’t have the same authentic look and feel," she said. Understandably, though, cost is a major factor, and some people are willing to forgo the aesthetics of real hand-drawn art. "I think, like most things, there is a place and market for both."

Illustrator and graphic designer Sasa Khalisa echoed the sentiment. AI can help couples who are tight on budget and time, she said. For couples who pay more attention to their wedding aesthetics, she believes they'd steer away from AI images "as it tends to generate generic or flawed images" — known colloquially as "AI slop." 

[AI] can try to mimic, but it doesn’t have the same authentic look and feel - Etsy business PipiPrintables

Khalisa has seen changes in her business since the onset of AI, including the rise of ready-made templates. She's diversified her business in response by selling digital graphic assets on top of custom-made invitations and portraits to adapt to the changes. 

Physical memories in the AI age

Like basically every other industry out there, AI has also impacted other vendors in the wedding industry.

Wedding photographer and planner Lynea D'Aprix told Mashable she believes competition within the industry will get tougher because of AI, but also believes the results will be "better businesses doing a better job supporting couples."

AI can help reduce busywork and save money, D'Aprix continued, but she noted there are large caveats — including formulaic content.

"AI is helpful, but it is still quite outdated when it comes to wedding information, especially, and it is generic," she said. "If couples opt for using AI, I encourage them to double-check their work with a professional. At the end of the day, AI is just a tool."

She believes couples are equally divided in their feelings about using AI. Some are excited, others are concerned about the impacts. "I've noticed the couples that are open to it are already utilizing it for their jobs," she said, "so it's natural to them to use it for their personal life as well."

Featured Video For You New Controls Let Parents Monitor Teen ChatGPT Use, Actors' Union Blasts AI Actress, Digital Safety for Halloween | Tech Today

That's the case with both Alessandra and Oren. Oren and her sister Leore, the other cofounder of The Ceremony Club, also use ChatGPT in their business. Leore called it their third and fourth employee. "We have a lot of work on our plate all the time, so it just helps get things moving," she told Mashable. "We are a small team, so it does really help us." They said they use it for tasks such as resourcing, development, and photo editing.

The Ceremony Club sells physical memorabilia, such as photo albums and keepsake boxes. And while the sisters use ChatGPT in their business and personal lives, they also acknowledge the pull young adults have away from technology.

"We actually notice that people are kind of sick of their phones and sick of technology," Karen said. "So it's nice to have an option that you're not looking at a screen."

"I think that a big inspiration for [wedding photo albums] was kind of bringing back a nostalgic thing that we all had in our homes, which was our parents' photo albums," Leore said. "So I feel like there are certain things that new technology can't really compete with."

The best early Black Friday deals on big-screen TVs: Best TCL Deal TCL 75-inch QM6K Mini LED QLED 4K TV $848 (save $1,151.99) Get Deal Best Samsung Deal Samsung 85-inch QN90F Neo Mini LED QLED 4K TV $2,299.99 (save $2,200) Get Deal Best Hisense Deal Hisense 100-inch QD6 QLED 4K TV $1,299.99 (save $700) Get Deal

Black Friday goes hand in hand with TV deals. Sure, you expect heavy discounts on things like Apple products, robot vacuums, and all those other items you've had on your wishlist for months, but TV deals are usually the stars of the show. And let's be real: When you look at the many price drops over Black Friday, it's the biggest screens with the heaviest discounts that really make their mark.

What can we say? We're a sucker for a massive screen.

SEE ALSO: The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is down to its lowest-ever price — save $25 ahead of Black Friday

So with this in mind, we've gone ahead and checked out all the TV deals on offer right now and picked out the best deals on the biggest screens. Forget those super cheap TVs that you stick in the spare room and never actually use. We're seeking out deals on the absolutely massive TVs that bring the whole family together.

Best early Black Friday TCL TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 75-inch QM6K Mini LED QLED 4K TV $848 at Walmart
$1,999.99 Save $1,151.99   Get Deal Why we like it

A 75-inch screen is more than enough for most people (and probably too much for some), but this is not just a big screen. It has a native refresh rate of 144Hz, making the TCL QM6K a strong choice for watching sports, streaming new shows, and of course, gaming. Mashable's sister site PCMag reviewed this machine and said, "The TCL QM6K is a very good value and a strong performer for the price. While it isn’t the brightest TV available, its mini-LED backlight enables deep black levels for excellent contrast, its colors are wide and accurate, and it's packed with features for streaming and gaming." That's good enough for us, especially at under $900.

Best early Black Friday Samsung TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 85-inch QN90F Neo Mini LED QLED 4K TV $2,299.99 at Best Buy
$4,499.99 Save $2,200   Get Deal Why we like it

This 85-inch beast uses Samsung's most advanced 4K processor for enhanced picture, sound, and "breakthrough TV experiences," whatever that means. Samsung promises that users will get detailed picture and vivid color on a glare free screen for viewing without distraction. To us, that says this massive TV is absolutely perfect for movie night or the big game at the weekend. And with a discount of over $2,000 on list price? You know it makes sense.

Best early Black Friday Hisense TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 100-inch QD6 QLED 4K TV $1,299.99 at Amazon
$1,999.99 Save $700   Get Deal Why we like it

Hisense regularly delivers some of the best deals around Prime Day and Black Friday, and they've started so strongly this year with a number of record-low prices. The Hisense 100-inch QD6 QLED 4K TV has been steadily falling in price over the last week or so, and now it's at its all-time low price of $1,299.99. So if you were waiting to pounce, your patience has been rewarded. Getting a 100-inch TV of this quality for under $1,300 is honestly amazing.

More early Black Friday deals on big-screen TVs

• Insignia 75-inch F50 Series 4K TV — $379.99 $529.99 (save $220)

• Amazon 75-inch Omni 4K Fire TV — $569.99 $839.99 (save $270)

• Samsung 75-inch Q6F QLED 4K TV — $599.99 $899.99 (save $300)

• Hisense 75-inch QD7 Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $617.99 $799.99 (save $182)

• TCL 75-inch QM6K Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $698 $999.99 (save $301.99)

• Amazon 75-inch Omni Mini LED QLED 4K Fire TV — $1,289.99 $1,499.99 (save $210)

• Samsung 75-inch QN90F Neo Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $1,799.99 $2,999.99 (save $1,200)

• LG 77-inch B5 Series OLED 4K TV — $1,499.99 $2,999.99 (save $1,500)

• Samsung 77-inch S90F OLED 4K TV — $1,999.99 $3,499.99 (save $1,500)

• Samsung 85-inch Q6F QLED 4K TV — $1,028.38 $1,297.99 (save $269.61)

• Hisense 85-Inch S7N Canvas QLED 4K TV — $1,947.99 $2,049.99 (save $102)

• Hisense 85-inch U8 Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $1,997.99 $3,499.99 (save $1,502)

• Samsung 85-inch QN90F Neo Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $2,299.99 $4,499.99 (save $2,200)

• TCL 98-inch Q55K Series QLED 4K TV — $999.99 $2,499.99 (save $1,500)

• Hisense 98-inch QD5 QLED 4K TV — $1,399.99 $2,299.99 (save $900)

• Hisense 100-inch QD6 QLED 4K TV — $1,497.99 $1,999.99 (save $502)

Josh O’Connor stands accused of an impossible crime in Rian Johnson's latest Knives Out film, with a new trailer out today.

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery sees dapper detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) on his toughest case yet, following The Glass Onion. In a small town in upstate New York, Monsignor Wicks (Josh Brolin) ends up dead, and it's a locked room mystery worthy of fictional case-crackers from Sherlock Holmes to Jonathan Creek.

The prime suspect? Newcomer priest Jud Duplenticy (O'Connor), who swears he didn't do it. Could it be him? Or one of the star-studded cast? Andrew Scott, Kerry Washington, Daryl McCormack, Glenn Close, Mila Kunis, Cailee Spaeny, Jeremy Renner, and Thomas Haden Church are also on the bill.

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery will open in select cinemas on Nov. 26, then debut on Netflix on Dec. 12.

The best Black Friday deals on Samsung sound systems at a glance: Samsung Q990F 11.1.4ch Q Series Subwoofer + Rear Speaker $967.99 (save 52%) Get Deal Samsung HW-Q900F 7.1.2ch Q-Series Soundbar + Subwoofer $799.99 (save 43%) Get Deal Samsung Q-Series Soundbar HW-QS700F 3.1.2 ch Subwoofer $379.99 (save 46%) Get Deal Samsung Q-Series Soundbar HW Q600F 3.1.2 ch Subwoofer $297.99 (save 57%) Get Deal Samsung HW-B650D 3.1ch Soundbar $199.99 (save 43%) Get Deal

Black Friday usually runs in the latter stages of November., but retailers have been dropping deals earlier and earlier over recent years. This is good news for shoppers looking to score some sweet savings before the holidays. Woot is one such retailer offering excellent discounts right now, including up to 57% off a selection of Samsung sound systems.

As of Nov. 17, Woot (an Amazon-owned online retailer) is offering discounts on five popular Samsung systems. So whether you're looking to drop some cash on a larger setup — like a Samsung soundbar, subwoofer, and rear speaker setup — or a soundbar and subwoofer bundle, Woot has quite a few options to check out right now.

SEE ALSO: Walmart Black Friday ad: The best deals you can buy online now

The Samsung Q-Series soundbar and subwoofer is currently 57% off, dropping its price from $699.99 to $297.99, and the Q-series soundbar HW-Q990F 11.1.4 ch subwoofer and rear speaker is marked down 52%, from $1,999.99 to $967.99. If you've been thinking about upgrading your speaker setup, now is a great opportunity to do it for less.

It's worth keeping in mind that this sale only lasts until Dec. 5 (or until the discounted items have sold out). So, if a system has caught your eye, you'll want to act fast to grab it before it's gone for good.

For more deals like this, check out our breakdown of the 57 best early Black Friday deals.

It's been almost exactly a year since Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo introduced each other via song as part of Wicked's promo tour, and now they're back for another rendition.

In the clip above the two stars are joined by fellow Wicked: For Good cast-mates Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Bowen Yang, Ethan Slater and Marissa Bode for a one-minute Tonight Show bop that reminds you exactly who everyone is.

Wicked: For Good hits cinemas on Nov. 21.

TL;DR: As of Nov. 17, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Booster Bundle is $55.01 at Amazon, which is $6 higher compared to TCGplayer. But if you successfully apply for an Amazon Visa Card, you could grab a $60 gift card and get it for free.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Mega Evolution Booster Bundle $0 at Amazon
$55.01 Save $55.01   Get Deal

This might be one of the best Pokémon TCG deals I've ever found. The Mega Evolution Booster Bundle is $6 more at Amazon compared to TCGPlayer, but you could get it for free with credit to spare if you successfully apply for an Amazon Visa Card at Amazon.

SEE ALSO: Where to buy Pokémon cards in 2025 — avoid overpaying or missing out on new sets

This deal requires some self control, but you don't actually need to use the Amazon Visa store card to make this deal happen. Just apply for the Amazon Visa Card, then if you're successful you'll recieve a $60 gift card credited to your Amazon account instantly. You can then use the gift card to get the Mega Evolutions Booster Bundle for free. It's a sneaky trick, but it works.

Most valuable Mega Evolution Pokémon cards Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

Prices for single Mega Evolution chase cards have been crashing recently, which shows how much better stock availability is for Pokémon TCG compared to the early stages of 2025. In all honesty, it's usually cheaper to just buy the cards you want rather than ripping open booster packs chasing rare cards. Here's where to buy Mega Evolution top chase cards alongside up-to-date market value information:

1. Mega Lucario ex - 188/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $455
   Market price: $487.21
   Most recent sale: $479.79

2. Mega Gardevoir ex - 187/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $317.52
   Market price: $373.08
   Most recent sale: $299.99

3. Mega Gardevoir ex - 178/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $278.20
   Market price: $225.18
   Most recent sale: $262.99

4. Mega Lucario ex - 179/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $219.99
   Market price: $221.40
   Most recent sale: $225

5. Mega Venusaur ex - 177/132
   Near Mint Holofoil: $209.99
   Market price: $162.33
   Most recent sale: $157.22

SAVE $9: As of Nov. 17, the Pokémon TCG Phantasmal Flames Booster Bundle is $59.89 at Amazon, which is $9 more expensive than TCGplayer's current price of $49.50 after its launch weekend.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Phantasmal Flames Booster Bundle $49.50 at TCGPlayer
$59.89 Save $10.39   Get Deal

The first expansion for Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution, Phantasmal Flames, has finally dropped after a hectic launch weekend. If you don't have the cash to splash out on a Booster Box right now, the Booster Bundle is currently $10 cheaper at TCGplayer when stacked against Amazon ($49.50 vs. $59.89). I know where I'm going to buy mine.

Of course, you could go with Amazon if you have AMEX or Discovery cards for up to 50% off, although this special offer hasn't been available for anyone. Failing that, you can get aproved for a Amazon Visa card and recieve an instant $60 gift voucher to get the Phantasmal Booster Bundle for free.

SEE ALSO: Where to buy Pokémon cards in 2025 — avoid overpaying or missing out on new sets

Phantasmal Flames focuses in on Mega Charizard X with a standard ex, Secret Art Rare, and Gold Hyper Rare. Other Mega Pokémon have SIR variants such as Mega Lopunny ex and standard Pokémon such as Rotom ex.

Most valuable Mega Evolution Pokémon cards Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

I'm tracking some big crashes with Charizard ex cards from Phantasmal Flames over its launch weekend, so if you're after that SIR or Gold Hyper Rare, it might be a good time to just buy the card now instead of trying to pull your favorite chase cards in endless boosters. Here's the top chase cards of Phantasmal Flames right now, complete with links to buy them on TCGplayer and up-to-date market values:

1. Mega Charizard X ex - 125/094
   Near Mint Holofoil: $809.99
   Market price: $783.68
   Most recent sale: $750

2. Mega Charizard X ex - 130/094
   Near Mint Holofoil: $649.95
   Market price: $641.73
   Most recent sale: $625

3. Mega Charizard X ex - 109/094
   Near Mint Holofoil: $84
   Market price: $55.40
   Most recent sale: $54.98

4. Mega Lopunny ex - 128/094
   Near Mint Holofoil: $58.02
   Market price: $44.58
   Most recent sale: $42.19

5. Mega Sharpedo ex - 127/094
   Near Mint Holofoil: $88.99
   Market price: $44.65
   Most recent sale: $41.23

BELOW MARKET VALUE: As of Nov. 17, the Pokémon TCG Phantasmal Flames Booster Box is $299.99 at Amazon, which is still below the market value of $309.81 at TCGplayer after its launch weekend.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Phantasmal Flames Booster Box $299.99 at Amazon
$309.81 Save $9.82   Get Deal

The first expansion for Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution, Phantasmal Flames, has finally dropped after a hectic launch weekend. Thank goodness we're getting good deals off the shelf right now, although we still need to see the general market return to MSRP pricing outside of preorders and limited restocks.

With print runs going harder than ever before, we're hopefully going to see Scarlet and Violet / Mega Evolution era Pokémon TCG reprinted into oblivion. In turn this means we'll see scalpers move on and big box retailer pricing go down, which means better deals for trainers like you.

The Phantasmal Flames Booster Box is currently below market value on Amazon at $299.99, compared to TCGplayer's current market value of $309.81. It's still over MSRP, but getting products below market value right now is the best we're going to get outside of aforementioned preorders.

SEE ALSO: Where to buy Pokémon cards in 2025 — avoid overpaying or missing out on new sets

Phantasmal Flames focuses in on Mega Charizard X with a standard ex, Secret Art Rare, and Gold Hyper Rare. Other Mega Pokémon have made the SIR cut such as Mega Lopunny ex and normal Pokémon such as Rotom ex. It's off to a flying start thanks to people getting good pull rates and seeing more stock availability than in the Scarlet and Violet era

Most valuable Mega Evolution Pokémon cards Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

With Phantasmal Flames out in the wild, single cards are already on sale. If you've already ripped open your preorders and are still looking for the cards below, it's probably going to save you money long term just buying the cards you need. Here's the current market values and where you can buy them right now:

1. Mega Charizard X ex - 125/094
   Near Mint Holofoil: $809.99
   Market price: $783.68
   Most recent sale: $750

2. Mega Charizard X ex - 130/094
   Near Mint Holofoil: $649.95
   Market price: $641.73
   Most recent sale: $625

3. Mega Charizard X ex - 109/094
   Near Mint Holofoil: $84
   Market price: $55.40
   Most recent sale: $54.98

4. Mega Lopunny ex - 128/094
   Near Mint Holofoil: $58.02
   Market price: $44.58
   Most recent sale: $42.19

5. Mega Sharpedo ex - 127/094
   Near Mint Holofoil: $88.99
   Market price: $44.65
   Most recent sale: $41.23

SAVE $50: As of Nov. 17, the Fire TV Cube is on sale for $89.99 at Amazon. This marks a return to its lowest-ever price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Cube $89.99 at Amazon
$139.99 Save $50.00   Get Deal

Amazon has been offering plenty of exciting early Black Friday deals throughout November, and if you've been looking to upgrade your streaming setup ahead of the holidays, the retailer's own streaming devices have seen some very nice price drops. In particular, the Fire TV Cube has dropped back to its lowest-ever price of $89.99.

After hanging around $99.99 for a while, this is a great discount to see on the Fire TV Cube before Black Friday even kicks off. It's $50 off its usual list price of $139.99, and can set you up with 4K Ultra HD streaming quality as the winter weather comes in.

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

Along with supporting 4K Ultra HD picture quality, the Fire TV Cube also supports Dolby Vision and HDR to further enhance the visual quality of your favorite shows and movies, and Dolby Atmos audio so you can enjoy every detailed sound that comes on screen as well. This device also features WiFi 6E support, which will make sure what you're watching on streaming services comes across in smooth quality.

On top of all that, it even boasts an octa-core 2.0 GHz processor that can boot up your favorite apps quickly and easily. Why wait to grab it if it's been on your shopping list? Now's your chance to score the Fire TV Cube back at its lowest price at Amazon.

There's plenty more where this deal came from. Amazon is full of exciting deals right now. Check out our breakdown of the best early Black Friday deals at Amazon to see even more that have caught our eye.

SAVE $150: As of Nov. 17, the Garmin Forerunner 265 is on sale for $299.99 at Amazon. This is 33% off its list price of $449.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Forerunner 265 $299.99 at Amazon
$449.99 Save $150   Get Deal

Since the start of November, the early Black Friday deals have been popping up all over the place. If a smartwatch has been on your shopping list, we've already seen quite a few with some excellent discounts ahead of the shopping event. The Garmin Forerunner 265 smartwatch is one that's already dropped to its best-ever price at Amazon.

The Garmin Forerunner 265 usually comes with a price tag of $449.99, but it's on sale for $299.99 as of Nov. 17. This is a whopping $150 off, which is an excellent discount to take advantage of ahead of Black Friday. And considering it's at its lowest-ever price, why wait to grab it?

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

If you're a runner, the Garmin Forerunner 265 is a great smartwatch companion as it boasts a training readiness score and personalized daily suggested workouts that can help you with the race or course you have planned. It even provides a morning report that details your sleep from the night before, recovery, and training outlook for the day.

On top of that, it features up to 13 days of battery life in smartwatch mode, or up to 20 hours in GPS mode, and a bright AMOLED touchscreen display for you to view everything on. If you've been looking for a smartwatch to kickstart the new year, don't miss out on this deal on the Garmin Forerunner 265 at Amazon.

Curious what else Amazon is offering ahead of Black Friday? Check out our breakdown of the best early Black Friday deals at Amazon to see even more discounts that have caught our eye recently.

SAVE $1,501: As of Nov. 17, the Jackery HomePower 3000 is on sale for $1,498 at Amazon. That's a 50% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery HomePower 3000 $1,498 at Amazon
$2,999 Save $1,501   Get Deal

We're just three days away from Amazon's Black Friday sale officially kicking off (Nov. 20), but if you're itching for a bargain right now, there's plenty of early deals for you to browse. And if you've been in the market for a portable power station, the Jackery HomePower 3000 currently has a hefty discount we can't ignore.

As of Nov. 17, the Jackery HomePower 3000 is down to $1,498 at Amazon. That's a saving of over $1,500 and its lowest-ever price. This deal is for the power station with two solar panels.

SEE ALSO: I found 15+ early Black Friday deals on power stations: Shop Jackery, Anker, Bluetti, and more

This is definitely the right unit if you've been looking for something that can give you whole home backup in emergency situations. It has a 3,600W output (7,200W surge) and a 3,072Wh capacity, meaning it can power things like your fridge, fan, WiFi router, lights, and more for hours. According to Jackery, it can keep a refrigerator running for one to two days during power outages. You can also charge multiple devices at once, with the AC, USB-C, USB-A, and DC ports, including dual 100W PD ports for phones, tablets, and drones, plus a TT-30 RV port for plug-and-play power.

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Using the hybrid AC/DC setup, the HomePower 3000 can fully recharge in just 1.7 hours, or 2.2 hours using AC alone. Pair it with two SolarSaga 200W panels, and you can reach up to 80% charge in about nine hours. On top of that, ChargeShield 2.0 technology with AI algorithms helps speed up charging while protecting the battery and extending its lifespan. The durable LiFePO4 batteries can handle 4,000 cycles and still retain 70% of their capacity.

Pick up this early Black Friday power station deal from Amazon now.

SAVE $25: As of Nov. 17, the Amazon Fire Stick 4K Plus is on sale for $24.99 at Amazon. That's a 50% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire Stick 4K Plus $24.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $25.00   Get Deal

Amazon’s Fire Stick 4K has a new name — it’s now the Fire Stick 4K Plus. It’s not actually a new device, but the rename makes room for a new, simpler model called the Fire Stick 4K Select.

As of Nov. 17, the Amazon Fire Stick 4K Plus is on sale for $24.99, its best-ever price. This is exactly the kind of Black Friday deal we had hoped to see, so even a few days early, Amazon is meeting expectations.

SEE ALSO: Amazon Black Friday ad: The best early deals you can buy online

Amazon's Fire TV Sticks are so easy to set up and get going. You simply plug the device into your TV's HDMI port, plug it into a socket, and that's it. The included remote then becomes the one device needed to control your TV, so there's no need to have multiple remotes for controlling channels or volume levels.

This streaming stick is perfect for 4K compatible TVs. Enjoy all your favorite movies and shows in beautiful 4K Ultra HD with support for Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and immersive Dolby Atmos audio. You can even play Xbox games with no console required. The Fire Stick lets you stream Forza Motorsport, Starfield, Palworld, and hundreds of other high-quality games with Xbox Game Pass via cloud gaming.

Pick up this early Black Friday deal on the Amazon Fire Stick 4K Plus now.

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 SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Monday, Nov. 17, 2025:

AcrossTaylor Swift's ___ Tour

• The answer is Eras.

Counterpart of "found"

• The answer is Lost.

Difficult thing to achieve in a noisy office

• The answer is Focus.

India's prime minister since 2014

• The answer is Modi.

River of the underworld, in Greek myth

• The answer is Styx.

DownWill Ferrell holiday movie

• The answer is Elf.

Buckingham Palace has 775 of these

• The answer is Rooms.

Fancy necktie

• The answer is Ascot.

What's found next to the Hall and Library on a Clue board

• The answer is Study.

Carbon's atomic number

• The answer is Six.

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

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.