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The 2025 TikTok Awards are getting under way Thursday night. The social platform is set to honor its biggest creators for the time in the U.S.

Don't worry: Mashable is covering everything you need to know. We've got staff inside the venue, and we're updating our live blog with all the latest details all night long. We're also looking at the fashion and fun moments as the night plays out.

If you want to tune in yourself, however, it's really easy.

How to watch the 2025 TikTok Awards live

The awards will, of course, stream live on TikTok, over on its own page. You can also tune in for free on Tubi.

You can expect to see some of your favorite creators as well as a performance from Ciara. But you'll have to watch to see all the surprises.

The first-ever U.S. TikTok Awards are happening right now in Los Angeles, but the pink carpet has already provided plenty of entertainment.

A vast array of creators, from Tefi Pessoa to Markell Washington to Trixie Mattel, strutted down a pink carpet at the Hollywood Palladium on Thursday night. It's all part of the TikTok Awards, which will honor the site's top creators.

Check out Mashable's live blog on the awards, find out how to watch, and peruse some of the amazing looks below.

Tefi Pessoa stuns on the TikTok red carpet. Credit: Amy Sussman / Getty Markell Washington was one of the best dressed man at the awards. Credit: Amy Sussman / Getty Mr. Fantasy hams it up. Credit: Kevin Mazur / Getty Ashby Florence wearing Marc Bouwer at the TikTok Awards. Credit: Phillip Faraone/ Getty Julian Sewell cannot wait for the Oscar nominations. Credit: Amy Sussman / Getty Bob goes androgynous on the red carpet. Credit: Amy Sussman / Getty Jools, demure as always. Credit: Phillip Faraone / Getty Landon Barker and Skyler Sanders kill it in black. Credit: Kevin Mazur / Getty Queer Eye star Tan France rocks a deep purple suit. Credit: Phillip Faraone / Getty Reimi was a natural on the red carpet with her S&M-inspired 'fit. Credit: Amy Sussman / Getty Stephanie Valentine channel old school Hollywood. Credit: Amy Sussman / Getty

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you know a lot about ships.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games 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 today'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.

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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.

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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 Pips hints, answers for December 19, 2025 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Stats

• Green: What to eat

• Blue: Government agencies

• Purple: Naval terms

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Findings

• Green: Dinner options

• Blue: U.S. Cabinet departments

• Purple: Homophone of places to park a ship

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 #922 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Findings: DATA, DETAILS, INFORMATION, INTELLIGENCE

• Dinner options: COOK, DELIVERY, GO OUT, LEFTOVERS

• U.S. Cabinet departments: COMMERCE, EDUCATION, ENERGY, LABOR

• Homophone of places to park a ship: BIRTH, DOC, PEER, WORF

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 December 19, 2025

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

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.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're a good cook.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, 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 December 19, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 19, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: On the chopping block

The words are related to cooking.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe ways to cut food.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Immune Boosters.

NYT Strands word list for December 19

• Julienne

• Cube

• Making the Cut

• Slice

• Mince

• Chiffonade

• Dice

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.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you love a good paste.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today'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 hints today: Clues, answers for December 19, 2025 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 Pips hints, answers for December 19, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A minty gum.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter R appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter M.

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...

MYYRH

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 December 19, 2025

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.

The Chinese-owned video app formalized commitments from the software giant Oracle and two investment firms as part of a deal to keep operating in the United States.

The TikTok creator you might know as The Lorax did not rock her usual, bright orange get-up at the TikTok Awards on Thursday. Instead, Ashby — aka @_ashbyflorence_ — wore a red, sequin dress that playfully read "I

Mashable is on the red carpet in Hollywood at the TikTok awards and our reporters loved her look.

Credit: Mashable

To be honest, people do love Ashby — she's been a favorite here at Mashable ever since she broke onto the scene this year. She's even presenting the Live Creator of the Year award on Thursday.

While dictionaries have chosen slop or 6-7 these days, Ashby told Mashable on the red carpet that her word of the year was "conundrum." And, in case you were wondering about her viral meet-up with Lin-Manuel Miranda....well she can't remember much beyond the fact that he smelled amazing. Good for Lin!

Mashable is covering all angles of the TikTok Awards, you can check out our live blog to keep up to date.

Christmas is the most stressful time of year. When you’re planning your festivities or buying your mountain of presents, the last thing you need is to fall prey to a phishing email or online scam. Whether it be the illusion of a good deal or a message from a relative, scammers and hackers prey on your more absent-minded moments to strike gold.

The problem with falling for one of these online scams is that you can’t easily remove this lump of coal from your stocking. Once a scammer has hold of your personal information, it’s not as easy as you’d think to get it back. Thankfully, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. We at PCMag have some tricks up our sleeves to help you avoid any holiday scams that come your way.

How to spot a scam

Scams are the chameleon of the online world. They come in many forms, such as texts from family or friends, or links and attachments from businesses and government organisations. Though you might think your eagle eye can tell a legitimate email from a fake, you may not have the tools you need to spot them right away. Before you click on something you don’t fully trust, here are a couple of things to look out for:

• Suspicious links or attachments: Scammers love a good ruse, and the best way to gain access to someone's personal data is often through deceptive links that trick victims into giving up their information. These attacks often feature strange URLs with hidden add-ons you wouldn’t be familiar with. When sent an email with an attachment you’re unsure about, the safest policy is to never click.

• Unrecognisable email address or website: Have you received a message or text from a name or number you don’t immediately recognise? The chances are high you’re about to be scammed. These messages may promise an unmissable opportunity or deal in exchange for your personal information.

• Requests for personal details (such a bank or PayID): The promise of money is a classic manipulation tactic for scammers. They’ll try to entice you into giving up your BSB or bank details in exchange for ‘free money’ or ‘surprise winnings’. When receiving these kinds of messages or emails, it is a safe bet they’re a scam. Nothing ever comes that easy.

• Threatening or urgent wording: Nothing motivates better than fear. When scammers are attempting to get their way, they may resort to aggressive language or explicit threats to get their point across. If you’re facing threats of account closure, fines, or legal action (from MyGov, your bank, or the taxation office) in exchange for clicking unverified links, you know you have a scam on your hands.

How to prevent a scam

Preventing scams and hacks before they happen is the best form of online protection. This can be through setting up anti-virus software to spot and block malware or Trojan’s before they take hold or through using AI-powered assistants to run suspicious emails and links through before clicking. If you need extra protection to keep your devices safe, Bitdefender has suite of security products and services to keep you covered.

• Bitdefender Total Security: Staying on top of your cybersecurity should be number one on your priority list. Bitdefender Total Security will keep you completely protected with real-time data defense and regular insights into your device’s defences. It will even alert you to any vulnerabilities located across Windows, masOS, IOS and Android, ensuring they are patched up before any lurker is the wiser.

• Bitdefender Premium Security: If you fear hidden spyware setting up shop on your devices, Bitdefender Premium Security will ease your mind. With an unlimited VPN and AI-powered protection (including Anti-Tracker, Microphone Monitor, and Webcam Protection), you can rest easy knowing nobody will be watching your online activity.

• Bitdefender Ultimate Security: As the top-of-the-line option for all-around digital protection, Bitdefender Ultimate Security features some of the strongest malware defence you can find. With built-in Fraud Protection, a powerful privacy firewall, and dark web monitoring, your online identity will be under tight lock and key.

• Bitdefender Scamio: Has a potential scam hit your inbox? Instead of ignoring it and hoping it disappears, Bitdefender Scamio will verify its legitimacy for you. Simply send any suspicious messages, links, emails or QR codes to this AI-powered scam detector, and you’ll know if you’re dealing with a dangerous security threat.

Stay safe this holiday season

As the holiday season intensifies, your online security needs may be the last thing on your mind. But before you fall prey to any ‘one-of-a-kind deals’ or messages from long lost family members asking for holiday money, Bitdefender has everything you need to secure your online data.

After years of ban threats, deadline extensions, and geopolitical brinkmanship, TikTok’s long-running U.S. saga may finally be nearing its end. TikTok has signed an agreement to divest its U.S. operations to a joint venture controlled by American investors, according to an internal memo first reported by Axios and later confirmed by CNN on Dec. 18.

The deal, reportedly outlined in a memo sent to employees by TikTok CEO Shou Chew, is expected to close on Jan. 22 and represents a major step toward resolving a years-long standoff over the app's ownership and national security concerns. While the transaction is not yet finalized, it would bring TikTok closer to complying with a U.S. law requiring its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell the app's American business or face a ban from U.S. app stores.

SEE ALSO: Every potential TikTok buyer we know about

Under the agreement, the U.S. entity — to be called "TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC" — will be jointly owned by a group of American investors and ByteDance. Oracle, Silver Lake, and Abu Dhabi-based MGX will collectively hold a 45 percent stake in the company. Affiliates of existing ByteDance investors will own nearly one-third, while ByteDance itself will retain just under 20 percent.

Mashable will be live on the ground covering the first U.S. TikTok Awards tonight, so stay locked to mashable.com and our socials for the awards livestream and updates, starting at 8 p.m. EST.

According to the memo, as reported by Axios, the newly formed joint venture will take over responsibility for U.S. data protection, algorithm security, content moderation, and software assurance. The memo also says TikTok’s content recommendation algorithm will be retrained using U.S. user data, a step intended to ensure the platform’s feed is "free from outside manipulation."

The most recent extension pushes the effective deadline to Jan. 23, giving TikTok additional time to complete the divestiture. Trump said in a September executive order that a plan had been presented to him for a "qualified divestiture" of TikTok’s U.S. operations, justifying another 120-day delay.

Negotiations over a sale have been marked by uncertainty and geopolitical tension, with the Chinese government expressing opposition to a forced divestment and signaling it could block a deal. Still, Axios reported that the White House and Chinese officials reached a deal in principle in September for a U.S.-controlled joint venture led by investors including Andreessen Horowitz, Silver Lake, and Oracle.

The move would end a saga that began in 2020, when Trump first issued an executive order seeking to force ByteDance to sell TikTok’s U.S. business over national security concerns.

Best ways to watch the 'Now You See Me' films at a glance: Stream 'Now You See Me' and 'Now You See Me 2' on MovieSphere+ (Prime Video add-on) Free 7-day trial, then $4.99/month Learn More Stream 'Now You See Me: Now You Don't' on Starz at a later date $11.99/year for your first year (save $58) Get Deal Buy all 3 films at Prime Video $34.99 (save $5.98) Get Deal

It's been a dozen years since Now You See Me hit theaters and nearly a decade since the sequel. In other words, with the release of the third film, Now You See Me: Now You Don't, it's a good time to revisit the originals and queue up a marathon. Or, maybe even watch them all for the first time.

The films feature a star-studded cast including Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, and Dave Franco as the Four Horsemen, Morgan Freeman as master magician Thaddeus Bradley, Mark Ruffalo as FBI agent Dylan Rhodes, and more. The whole gang returns in Now You See Me 3, plus some newbies join the mix. So it's essential to get caught up with the characters and lore of the films before diving into the newest film.

Here's everything you need to know about how to watch Now You See Me, Now You See Me 2, and Now You See Me: Now You Don't.

How many Now You See Me movies are there?

The fall release of Now You See Me: Now You Don't marks the third film in the Four Horsemen trilogy. The first film, Now You See Me, arrived in 2013 as a surprise hit. It grossed over $350 million at the worldwide box office. The sequel, Now You See Me 2, hit theaters in 2016 and brought in over $334 million.

When does Now You See Me: Now You Don't come out?

The third film in the Now You See Me franchise arrived in theaters on Nov. 14, 2025. That's nearly 12.5 years to the day since the original film made its mark at the box office. In a time when cinema is struggling, Now You See Me: Now You Don't has still been largely successful at the box office. It didn't quite live up to its predecessors, but still raked in $213.6 million worldwide so far on a $90 million budget. It's still in select theaters and is now officially available to watch at home as of Dec. 16, 2025 (more on that below).

Check out the official trailer below:

How to watch all of the Now You See Me movies online Credit: Lionsgate Films

There are a few different ways you can watch Now You See Me, Now You See Me 2, and Now You See Me: Now You Don't at home. We've broken down all the details below.

Buy or rent on digital

To watch Now You See Me 1, 2, and 3 individually without signing up for a streaming service, you can rent or purchase them at digital-on-demand retailers. Make note that if you choose to rent, you'll only get 30 days to watch the film and just 48 hours to finish it once you start. If you choose to buy it, then it's yours to keep. Here are some quick links to rent or purchase the films at the main digital retailers.

Now You See Me:

• Prime Video — $3.99 to rent, $7.99 to buy

• Fandango at Home — $3.99 to rent, $7.99 to buy

• Apple TV — $3.99 to rent, $7.99 to buy

• Google Play — $3.99 to rent, $14.99 to buy

Now You See Me 2:

• Prime Video — $3.99 to rent, $7.99 to buy

• Fandango at Home — $3.99 to rent, $7.99 to buy

• Apple TV — $3.99 to rent, $7.99 to buy

• Google Play — $3.99 to rent, $14.99 to buy

Bundle the first two films for just $15.98 at Prime Video.

Now You See Me: Now You Don't:

• Prime Video — $19.99 to rent, $24.99 to buy

• Fandango at Home — $19.99 to rent, $24.99 to buy

• Apple TV — $19.99 to rent, $24.99 to buy

• YouTube — $19.99 to rent, $24.99 to buy

Bundle all three films for just $34.99 at Prime Video.

Are the Now You See Me movies streaming anywhere?

Both Now You See Me and Now You See Me 2 were streaming on Netflix this fall, but left the streamer as of Sept. 30. At the time of writing, none of the major streaming services have the films in their libraries — a huge bummer. However, we did spot both the first two films on MovieSphere+, a Prime Video add-on service that costs $4.99 per month. You'll also get a free seven-day trial, which means you can watch both movies for free. The only catch? You must be a Prime Video subscriber or Prime member to get the add-on.

Opens in a new window Credit: MovieSphere+ MovieSphere+ (Prime Video add-on) free 7-day trial, then $4.99/month Get Deal

As for the third installment, Now You See Me: Now You Don't, we're still waiting on an announcement for its official streaming date. As a Lionsgate film, we expect that it will make its streaming debut on Starz. Based on the streaming trajectory of previous Lionsgate films, we expect a March 2026 streaming date. We'll update this if and when Lionsgate announces new streaming information.

It's worth mentioning that Starz is running a holiday deal where you can get an entire year of streaming for just $11.99. If you secure that deal now, you'll have access to Now You See Me: Now You Don't when it arrives on Starz, as well as future theatrical releases like The Housemaid and The Long Walk. Once the promotion ends, the price will jump back to $69.99 per year unless you cancel. There's no end date listed, but since it's branded as a holiday deal, we expect it to disappear in early 2026.

Opens in a new window Credit: Starz Starz annual plan $11.99/year for your first year (save $58) Get Deal

Welcome to the internet’s biggest night. The 2025 TikTok Awards are officially underway, transforming the platform's endlessly scrolling For You Page into a live, IRL spectacle.

Tonight, the creators, artists, memes, and moments that defined the past year online are stepping out of our phones and onto one stage — and Mashable is on the ground, covering the show live from the red carpet and inside the Hollywood venue with real-time updates as the night unfolds.

This marks the first-ever U.S. TikTok Awards, and fittingly, it feels less like a traditional ceremony and more like a feed brought to life. That's because it is one: You can stream the show live on TikTok and on Tubi.

The night brings together some of the platform's biggest stars and breakout creators, with Ciara headlining the show and a lineup that spans viral icons, rising talents, and culture-shaping voices from across the app.

Mashable will be updating this live blog throughout the night with winners, standout looks, must-see performances, and the blink-and-you-miss-it moments already destined to dominate your feed tomorrow.

TL;DR: Give a PC an affordable upgrade with this Microsoft Windows 11 Home license, now just $9.97 (reg. $139).

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Windows 11 Home $9.97
$139 Save $129.03   Get Deal

When was the last time you updated your Windows OS? If you’d like to show your old PC a little TLC, this Microsoft Windows 11 Home license should do the trick. It gives your device a serious upgrade, and it’s on sale now for just $9.97 (reg. $139).

Whether you’re in the market for a new computer or your old one is just feeling a little sluggish, Microsoft Windows 11 Home can breathe new life into a PC. It brings a user-friendly interface and some serious enhancements that will make everyone’s lives a little easier — from students to gamers to professionals.

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If you’re in need of a productivity boost, features like snap layouts and seamless redocking can help streamline your workflow. You’ll also have access to Microsoft Teams, so it’s easier to connect with coworkers, friends, or family members.

You’ll have access to Copilot right on your desktop, an AI-powered assistant that is ready to answer all your questions. It can even take actions for you, like changing settings, summarizing a web page, or opening an app.

If you’re a gamer, the DirectX 12 Ultimate life-life graphics takes your gaming to the next level. And everyone will benefit from the improved cybersecurity features. With biometric logins, encrypted authentication, and advanced antivirus defenses, you’ll stay safer online.

Before you purchase this license, make sure your device meets the minimum system requirements for Windows 11.

Make your PC feel new again with this Microsoft Windows 11 Home license, now just $9.97 (reg. $139).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Former President Barack Obama dropped his annual Best Of list for 2025 — his top movies, music, and books — and the internet, of course, was ready to react.

In case you missed it, Obama posted the year-end list to social media.

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Personally, I appreciate the inclusion of Jay Som, Laufey, and Jason Isbell — but "Ordinary"...come on. Anyway, the internet, of course, was quick to respond to all of Obama's choices.

Including Drake and Kendrick is very funny.

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People mentioned the now-infamous tweet from Boygenius member Lucy Dacus from 2023.

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Naturally, the K-pop fans jumped in.

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Gaga fans celebrated her inclusion.

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People also generally weighed in on his picks.

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Some people loved Obama's picks, while others...not so much. If you want other recommendations, however, you can check out all of Mashable's Best of 2025 coverage.

ChatGPT has launched its app directory — meaning you can now connect to some of your favorite services without leaving the OpenAI platform.

The idea is that moving forward, the chatbot can suggest apps or you can easily access them (using the @ command) during a conversation. For instance, if you connect Adobe Photoshop to your account, you will then be able to utilize Photoshop tools when making image requests. In our testing, this works even if you don't have an existing Photoshop account.

You can now integrate third-party apps directly into your ChatGPT experience. Credit: Screenshot: Timothy Werth / OpenAI

"Apps extend ChatGPT conversations by bringing in new context and letting users take actions like order groceries, turn an outline into a slide deck, or search for an apartment," wrote OpenAI in an announcement for the app directory.

In addition, app developers will be able to create experiences within ChatGPT.

"Developers can use the Apps SDK — now in beta — to build chat-native experiences that bring context and action directly into ChatGPT," OpenAI explained.

While some commentators have referred to the new Apps beta as a ChatGPT app store, at this time, it's more of an app directory. However, in the "Looking Ahead" section of its announcement post, OpenAI does note that this tool could eventually "expand the ways developers can reach users and monetize their work."

Apps will, of course, be added over time. But here's a look at some of the apps you can now access right in ChatGPT. You can also check out the directory at chatgpt.com/apps.

1. Spotify

The idea is that you can talk with ChatGPT and it'll use Spotify to fire up the correct music for your long run, dinner party, or whatever the mood might be.

2. Apple Music

Well...the idea is pretty much the same as Spotify.

3. DoorDash

Say you're using ChatGPT to discover recipes, the thought is that DoorDash can then have the exact ingredients delivered.

4. Instacart

So...pretty much what we said about DoorDash.

5. Tripadvisor

If you're using ChatGPT to help plan a vacation or travel, then you can book through TripAdvisor right on the OpenAI platform.

6. Expedia

So, again...see Tripadvisor above. Oh, and the Booking.com app is available, too.

7. Target

This might prove dangerous for the impulse buyers out there, but Target is integrated into ChatGPT. So if, say, ChatGPT recommends a product, you can then buy it via Target.

8. Zillow

Finding the right place to live isn't easy. If you use ChatGPT for help, then you can use the Zillow app right on the platform to schedule tours, see photos, and more.

It appears that more and more major apps will be integrated into ChatGPT moving forward. It'll be interesting to see how the integration experience goes for users — and if it becomes a part of their daily life.

To see the full list of apps included in the new ChatGPT Apps beta, head to the ChatGPT app directory.

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.

Meta AI glasses are getting a software update designed to help wearers hear the person they're talking to in noisy environments.

The "conversation focus" feature, which Meta announced on Wednesday, amplifies the sound of another person's voice when there's competing noises, such as chatter in a restaurant or the auditory chaos of a public transit commute.

The amplified voice will be slightly louder, and wearers can adjust the level through the glasses' device settings or by swiping the right temple of the glasses.

SEE ALSO: Buy the Meta Quest 3S and get a free $50 Amazon credit

The software update is first available to those enrolled in the product's Early Access Program in the United States and Canada.

Last year, Meta partnered with the accessibility service provider Be My Eyes to give glasses wearers who are blind or low vision access to live support.

OpenAI has faced enormous pressure in recent months to address concerns that its flagship product, ChatGPT, is unsafe for teens.

The AI chatbot is at the heart of multiple wrongful death lawsuits alleging that it coached teens to take their own lives or didn't appropriately respond to their suicidal feelings. A public service announcement recently depicted some of these exchanges, imagining the chatbots as creepy humans that harm kids. OpenAI has denied the allegations in one case — the suicide death of 16-year-old Adam Raine.

On Thursday, OpenAI published a blog post on its escalating safety efforts and committed "to put teen safety first, even when it may conflict with other goals."

The post introduced an update to its Model Spec, which guides how its AI models should behave. A new set of principles for under-18 users will particularly inform how the models react in high-stakes situations.

SEE ALSO: 5 strategies to avoid ChatGPT dependency

OpenAI said that ChatGPT update should provide a "safe, age-appropriate experience" for users between the ages of 13 and 17 by prioritizing prevention, transparency, and early intervention.

"This means teens should encounter stronger guardrails, safer alternatives, and encouragement to seek trusted offline support when conversations move into higher-risk territory," the post said. ChatGPT is designed to urge teens to contact emergency services or crisis resources when demonstrating imminent risk.

When users sign in as under-18, safeguards should make ChatGPT take extra care when discussing topics like self-harm, suicide, romantic or sexualized role play, or keeping secrets about dangerous behavior, according to the company.

The American Psychological Association provided OpenAI with feedback on an early draft of the under-18 principles, according to the post.

"Children and adolescents might benefit from AI tools if they are balanced with human interactions that science shows are critical for social, psychological, behavioral, and even biological development," Dr. Arthur C. Evans Jr., CEO of the American Psychological Association, said in the post.

OpenAI is also offering teens and parents two new expert-vetted AI literacy guides. The company said it's in the early stages of implementing an age-prediction model for users with ChatGPT consumer plans.

Child safety and mental health experts recently declared AI chatbots as unsafe for teen discussions about their mental health. Last week, OpenAI announced that its latest model, ChatGPT-5.2, is "safer" for mental health.

If you're feeling suicidal or experiencing a mental health crisis, please talk to somebody. You can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. You can reach the Trans Lifeline by calling 877-565-8860 or the Trevor Project at 866-488-7386. Text "START" to Crisis Text Line at 741-741. Contact the NAMI HelpLine at 1-800-950-NAMI, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. ET, or email info@nami.org. If you don't like the phone, consider using the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Chat. Here is a list of international resources.

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.

Apple's next public iOS beta is here.

That would be the public beta for iOS 26.3, to be more specific. It launched this week, shortly after the launch of iOS 26.2 to the public, and with the expectation that the full release of the update will happen in early 2026. The new beta brings with it a few small (but still noteworthy) new features, and you can try them out for yourself. Here's how.

SEE ALSO: Apple's new iOS feature is huge for people with non-Apple smartwatches How to download the iOS 26.3 public beta

Apple makes its public betas available for anyone with an iPhone to test out. All you have to do is sign up for the beta program. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to get the iOS 26.3 public beta on your iPhone:

1. Go to Apple's beta website

2. Sign up for the beta program with your Apple ID

3. Log in and click "Enroll your iOS device"

4. On your iPhone, open Settings, then go to General, then Software Update

5. Select the iOS Public Beta and install it

iOS 26.3 public beta new features

Once you've done that, you can start looking at the new stuff Apple added to iOS 26.3. Be warned, though, that there aren't any game-changing everyday adjustments here for most Apple users. There is, however, one notable update for Apple users who prefer non-Apple smartwatches or fitness trackers.

For starters, Apple has slightly rearranged the Wallpapers page, putting Weather and Astronomy into their own distinct sections instead of bundling them together. There are also a few new Weather wallpapers to choose from, but otherwise, everything else is the same.

On top of that, you can also choose to have your notifications forwarded to a third-party wearable device instead of an Apple Watch. This should make life easier for folks who prefer other wearables but still want to get every notification that their iPhone gets without looking at the phone. The only problem is that this is only available to users in the European Union at the moment, and there's no telling when (or even if) U.S.-based iPhone owners will get this feature. As we reported earlier today, Apple was forced to make this change by the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA).

Lastly and most significantly, Apple and Google worked together to make switching from an iPhone to an Android device (or vice versa) easier than it used to be. You'll be able to place your iPhone next to a new Android device and wirelessly transfer messages, notes, photos, apps, and even your phone number between devices. This sounds easier than the old way of doing things, which largely involved downloading an app on either side of the equation.

SAVE $50: As of Dec. 18, the JBL Flip 7 portable Bluetooth speaker is on sale for just $99.95 at Amazon. That's a savings of 33% and marks its lowest price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Flip 7 $99.95 at Amazon
$149.95 Save $50.00   Get Deal

Looking for a last-minute gift under $100? JBL's iconic Flip 7 portable Bluetooth speaker just dropped below that threshold for the first time.

As of Dec. 18, you can pick up the JBL Flip 7 speaker for just $99.95 at Amazon in any colorway. That's 33% off its list price of $149.95 and its lowest price to date. This deal even beats its Black Friday price by $10.

While it's not quite as good as our favorite Blueooth speaker, the JBL Charge 6, the Flip 7 is a force to be reckoned with. It's practically indestructible (waterproof, dustproof, drop-proof), can pump out massive sound in a water bottle-sized package, and will last for up to 16 hours on a charge (thanks to a new Playtime Boost mode). The latest edition features a new tweeter dome design that delivers powerful, clearer bass and crisper, higher frequencies. It also now features AI Sound Boost, which can analyze and boost sound in real time. JBL calls it "an audio genie."

It comes in a variety of fun colors and includes a new PushLock system with interchangeable accessories. Choose from a carabiner or a loop or keep it attachment-free. My personal favorite perk of the Flip speakers (I have the Flip 5) is that they fit into cup holders and water bottle cages. I pop mine into the cage on my bike for on-the-move tuneage.

Usually $150, you can pick up the JBL Flip 7 for its best-ever price of $99.95 ahead of the holidays.

SAVE $70: As of Dec. 18, get the DJI Power 1000 V2 portable power station for $399, down from its usual price of $469. That's a discount of 15%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon DJI Power 1000 V2 portable power station $399 at Amazon
$469 Save $70   Get Deal

Winter weather is here for most of the country, and that means potential power outages, bad signal, and other frustrating ways to mess up your day. If you don't particularly enjoy being without electricity, there are ways to overcome that problem: a portable power station, for one. And you can get a great one right now at a special discount.

As of Dec. 18, get the DJI Power 1000 V2 portable power station for $399, down from its usual price of $469. That's $70 off and a discount of 15%.

SEE ALSO: The Anker Solix C1000 power station is over $100 off at Amazon

This portable power station boasts 1,024Wh of output though it retains its compact size. It has 2600W of electricity available for all your smaller devices: your phone, tablet, smaller items from your kitchen, and more. So if you end up needing emergency power, you'll want to take advantage of it for just about all the everyday things you use. And when it's used up, you can go from 0 to 80% charge in just 37 minutes.

All of this is housed in a sturdy, flame-retardant exterior, with sub-nano coating and multiple outlets to not only make sure you're safe, but to make charging up as efficient and useful as possible. It also promises quiet operation, running as low as 26 dB for quiet nights so you can actually get some shut-eye whether you're dealing with a long night of power issues or just hanging out off-grid.

Now's a good time to make sure you're prepared with a power generator if necessary, so snag this one while it's on sale.

SAVE $600: As of Dec. 18, get the Ecovacs Deebot X11 for $899.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,499.99. That's a discount of 40% and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Ecovacs Deebot X11 $899.99 at Amazon
$1,499.99 Save $600   Get Deal

A robot vacuum is a quick and easy way to solve a big problem for the holidays: keeping everything clean. If you're looking for something to help you tackle the big messes in your home that you routinely face before and after holiday gatherings, it might be time to invest in one, and we've found a discounted model you won't want to miss out on.

As of Dec. 18, get the Ecovacs Deebot X11 for $899.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,499.99. That's $600 off and a discount of 40%. It's also the lowest price we've seen.

SEE ALSO: 7 gadgets to help keep your home clean, from robot vacuums to electric scrubbers

This model means business. It can both vacuum and mop, so no matter what mess you're dealing with, it can tackle it with ease. It uses the Ozmo Roller 2.0 to work on stubborn stains, with TruEdge 3.0 tech to handle those nooks and crannies where dirt and debris hides on the vacuuming side. It boasts 19,500Pa of suction to handle all the dust and particles, with ZeroTangle 3.0 tech to handle pet and human hair and keep it from tangling.

It has a lengthy battery life to keep in operation long after you might suspect it should head back to base. When it needs to charge, it can get back up to an operational 6% in three minutes as it cleans its mop pads. With a bagless setup, you don't even have to empty anything. The base will wash, refill, and dry when it mops as well so you just get to enjoy a clean floor with no extra labor.

It's time to let the robots handle all the dirty work this year, so let them with this heavily discounted robot vacuum and mop. You'll be glad that you did.