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Gabby Williams #1 of the Golden State Valkyries celebrates after the victory against the Atlanta Dream in game five of the 2026 WNBA Finals at Chase Center on October 26, 2026 in San Francisco, California.

The Golden State Valkyries could win their first WNBA championship on Thursday morning. Watching them do it might require an awkward conversation with your boss: The WNBA announced Monday that Game 6 of the Finals against the Atlanta Dream will tip off at 12:30 p.m. ET on Oct. 29 — 9:30 a.m. in the Bay Area, where the Valkyries are based.

Valkyries guard Veronica Burton has a suggestion. "Call in sick. I recommend it," she said after Golden State’s Monday-night win, according to reporter Annie Costabile. That victory gave the team a 3–2 series lead and a chance to clinch a title in the franchise’s second season — provided its fans can clear their work calendars to watch.

The issue comes down to two teams needing the same arena. The Dream's usual home, Gateway Center Arena, holds approximately 3,500 spectators. Atlanta hosted Finals Games 3 and 4 at the roughly 17,000-seat State Farm Arena instead, selling out both games. Keeping Game 6 there, however, meant working around the Atlanta Hawks, who were already scheduled to host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday evening.

The solution? A doubleheader. Move the WNBA game from 8 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. and delay the Hawks’ tipoff by an hour, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert thanked the teams, leagues, arena, and broadcaster "for the collaboration and flexibility that made this move possible."

Fans were less enthusiastic about the flexibility now required of them.

"How are we supposed to watch this game in the middle of the workday?? This is so strange to me," one commenter asked on Reddit's r/wnba. Another Atlanta-based commenter said they had planned to attend but now couldn't even watch live. "I’d rather them play at Gateway so at least folks could watch it in real time," they wrote.

Flavor Flav offered fans some help getting the afternoon off, posting a signed permission slip to give their bosses. "Consider it your contribution to gender equality," he wrote in the document.

Commentators across sports offered their own (rather heated) opinions. To Richard Deitsch, host of the Sports Media Podcast, the timing threatened to undercut the moment the season had been building toward. "The prospect of crowning a champion on a Thursday afternoon is just brutal optics (and will be brutal television ratings.)," he wrote on X.

The Ringer founder Bill Simmons sounded similarly exasperated with league leadership, writing, "People want to like this league!"

Their frustration comes after a season of record audience growth for the WNBA. According to the league, 51 regular-season telecasts averaged at least one million viewers, up from 19 last year. Its social accounts generated four billion views, with engagement up 24 percent from 2025. The demand is there, which helps explain why making a potential championship game harder to watch has struck such a nerve.

For some critics, the decision also sends a message about how the players are valued. Former NFL player and commentator Emmanuel Acho called it "high-key disrespectful" to the sport and its athletes.

In the Reddit discussion, some fans also questioned why a women's Finals game had to work around a men's regular-season matchup in the first place, with many finding the whole ordeal wildly "mysoginistic" and exposed a blaring double standard. "If this were a men’s game, this time would never even be considered," one Reddit commenter said. Another commenter in r/WNBATalks wrote, "If society was less misogynistic, it wouldn’t be an issue."

Women's sports creator and podcast host Coach Jackie also questioned the decision in a video posted to Instagram. "Somebody could become a WNBA champion over brunch? During lunch? While you’re in a Teams meeting? Did you think it through?" she asked.

The players, meanwhile, have been more measured. Dream guard Jordin Canada welcomed the chance to play in front of another State Farm Arena crowd, while teammate Allisha Gray kept her focus on what was at stake.

"It’s the Finals, you gotta do what you gotta do," Gray told the San Francisco Chronicle. "We can play at 8 a.m., 10 a.m., midnight, you have a championship to win."



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Collage with different camping gear

Do you know someone who basically lives at the local climbing gym? Are you friends with a person whose only personality trait is taking their dog hiking? Or maybe your partner is obsessed with the idea of living in a van (#vanlife) and traveling the country?

If any of these groups sound like you or someone you know, you've been exposed to the granola lifestyle. Similar to gorpcore, folks who fit the granola aesthetic are typically into camping, hiking, and kayaking, and have probably talked about moving to Colorado one day (guilty). They love to be outdoors, sip craft beer, and of course, wear Patagonia fleece sweaters.

Outdoorsy folk have taken to TikTok with the hashtags #granolagirl, #granolaboy, and #granolacheck over the last few years to show off their adventurous, outdoor-oriented lifestyles. For many, getting into nature was a direct response to feeling cooped up during the lockdowns of the early pandemic. But that trend is here to stay.

How to shop for an outdoorsy gift

For people who are unsure about adventure gear themselves but still want to find the perfect granola gift this holiday season, we chatted with outdoor expert and REI soft goods Lead and Virtual Outfitter Mike Kreis for some outdoor gear shopping tips.

SEE ALSO: The best camping gear for dogs: We've tried (and loved) these 8 products

Kreis suggests that you consider how long your giftee has been into their activity, whether it's hiking, skiing, camping, or climbing. "The longer they have been doing the activity, the more gear they will have," he says.

If your gift recipient already owns some gear, Kreis says it's best to go for nonessentials. "I always like to go with items that aren't necessarily needed for the activity, as they most likely have that," he says. So opt for a portable charger, a cozy outdoor blanket, or extra camp cooking gadgets. Really, anything that can make outdoor life more comfortable will make a great gift.

If you find yourself shopping for the outdoorsy person in your life, look no further. We've rounded up 30 of the best presents out there, whether their version of adventure is having a picnic in the park or roughing it in the back country.



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Apple Store staff show the new iPhone Duo to customers

After days of viral reports about the iPhone Duo's inner screen, Apple has publicly acknowledged the problem.

In a statement provided to Mashable, the company said it is aware of an issue affecting the inner display on a "small number" of units.

"The response to iPhone Duo from early users has been incredibly positive, and we are seeing exciting things from developers who are rapidly updating their apps to take advantage of its unique form factor,” Apple said. “We are aware of an issue impacting the inner display on a small number of iPhone Duo units. If users experience issues with their iPhone Duo display, they should contact AppleCare for a replacement."

The statement doesn’t say what’s causing the problem, how many units are affected, or whether Apple plans a broader fix. Apple appears to have sent the same statement to several other outlets covering the reports. Still, it’s the company’s first public acknowledgment of the problem.

The Duo has drawn plenty of attention as Apple’s first foldable iPhone. It sold out almost immediately when pre-orders opened Oct. 16, with some delivery estimates stretching into January 2027. But early owners have found that it’s very much a first-generation device, and the display reports are just one of several complaints.

Beyond durability, users have flagged a few other issues, as reported by Mashable Senior Editor Stan Schroeder. First, as JerryRigsEverything points out, the protective matte screen on the foldable dulls its color and vibrance, and it picks up heavy glare. The FaceTime camera, as Schroeder notes, is bad for photos, with Apple leaning heavily on AI processing that can leave selfies looking plasticky and smudged. Finally, many apps aren’t yet optimized for the Duo’s inner display, including Apple’s own App Store — though Schroeder reported that he expects app developers to catch up within the next month.

Durability concerns had been building before the display reports went viral. YouTuber Tim Pan ran the Duo through 10,000 folds in a folding machine, plus another 1,000 at -4 degrees Fahrenheit. Before-and-after images from the test spread online, appearing to show a much deeper crease.

Samsung seems to be enjoying this. While the Korean tech giant hasn’t taken any direct shots at the Duo, at least not officially, its Samsung Mobile US account has been playing reply guy under iPhone Duo posts on X. One reply simply read "mogged. respectfully."

Cringe looks-maxxing speak aside, Samsung is getting plenty of free marketing out of the Duo’s rocky start. The company is now on its eighth-generation Galaxy Z Fold. Although its foldables went through their own early durability problems, Samsung has had years to refine the hinge, crease, and display that Apple is only attempting for the first time. Every viral post about a cracked Duo screen is, in effect, an ad for the competition.

If your Duo’s inner display is showing problems, Apple recommends contacting AppleCare for a replacement.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters or get Mashable push alerts today. 



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Samsung TVs

If you own a Samsung TV without a built-in microphone, it might still be listening to you, according to a researcher who shared his findings this week.

On the social media platform X, cybersecurity researcher @log4j shared that an investigation into Samsung smart TVs found that televisions without a mic will scan for connected devices that are equipped with a microphone. The smart TV will then utilize the audio data collected from the soundbar or other connected Bluetooth devices.

"This is pretty evil and clever," @log4j said about their discovery.

The researcher recently gained administrator root access to their own 2025 Samsung smart TV and has been sharing their findings in a series of posts on X.

Your smart TV is likely listening to you. At this point, that shouldn't be a surprise. Many televisions advertise this functionality, since your TV has to be listening to you to take voice commands and interact with other smart home devices.

However, other unadvertised and concerning privacy issues are arising from the device's ability to listen in.

For example, @log4j started looking into their TV after receiving oddly specific advertisements and found that their television was logging things like "dog barking" and "baby crying" under an event called EV201/SOUNDSENSOR_ON.

As NotebookCheck.net points out, while Samsung 2025 Vision AI TVs advertise that the devices detect barking dogs and crying babies and send alerts through the company's SmartThings app, Samsung does not advertise that this data is also sent back to the company.

Researcher @log4j also found that Samsung TVs track what happens inside specific apps. For example, the TV monitors what a user does in the YouTube app and even logs data such as the ads a user skips.

Mashable has reached out to Samsung for more information about the reports from @log4j and will update this piece when we hear back.

These privacy issues are not unique to Samsung TVs either. Last month, Mashable covered a report from YouTuber Gamers Nexus, which claimed to find that LG TVs were secretly recording users even when the televisions were turned off. LG later responded, denying some but not all the claims.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters or get Mashable push alerts today. 



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Wordle game on a smartphone

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're a bit of a nerd.

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 October 26, 2026

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.

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

A patchy clothing item.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter E appears twice.

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter G.

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...

GEEKY

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.

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

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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.



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Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License

TL;DR: Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows is $27.97 (reg. $219.99) through Nov. 1.

Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License
Credit: Microsoft

This is your last chance to ditch Microsoft 365’s subscription fees for good. Until tomorrow, Nov. 16, at midnight, you can grab a lifetime license to Microsoft Office 2021 for way less than its usual retail price. Simply pay once, download the full software suite, and never worry about renewals again.

We know what you’re thinking, but rest assured, this isn’t some stripped-down lite version either. It’s the real deal. Whether you’re writing reports, crunching numbers, building presentations, managing emails, or wrangling databases, the lifetime version of Microsoft Office has you covered.

It’s a one-time download for one Windows PC, so once it’s yours, it’s yours. The full pro-level toolkit, minus the stress of a subscription. Plus, with instant license delivery and free customer support, getting started is as painless as your new spreadsheet workflow.

No more “trial expired” pop-ups. No more surprise charges. Just the latest versions of Microsoft’s best apps, ready to support all of your work and personal needs.

Download Microsoft Office for Windows while it’s on sale for $27.97 until Nov. 1 at 11:59 p.m. PT (reg. $219.99). No coupon is needed.

StackSocial prices subject to change.



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Classical marble building facade with justice scales emblem and glowing pink pixel AI blocks inside symbolizing integration of artificial intelligence into law and institutions - stock photo

Across the nation, there appears to be growing frustration with the explosion of AI-generated advertising plaguing small-business storefronts and restaurant interiors. Last Thursday, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed the Artificial Intelligence Deceptive Advertising Act into law, mandating that all ads, from million-dollar television commercials to printed flyers passed out on the street, contain a disclosure label in the same format as the ad itself.

SEE ALSO: Hackers find a way to turn users' own AI agents and Downloads folders against them

The purpose of the bill is to combat false or misleading advertising, which is much easier to engage in with the help of AI-generated content. The bill, as introduced, states:

"An advertiser may not create and disseminate or cause to be created and disseminated an advertisement that uses synthetic content in a manner that creates a false consumer perception about the nature, origin or authenticity of the goods or services being advertised, without clear and conspicuous disclosure. A disclosure under this section must state that the advertisement contains content that was modified or generated using artificial intelligence."

And because it applies to all advertising shown in Pennsylvania, it will impact, for example, television commercials created in other states or advertisements made in other countries, so the consequences of this bill will be far-reaching. 

According to reporting by The Verge, though, critics of the bill wonder how effective it will be, given the imprecise nature of some of the language used. As The Verge notes, language like "significantly modified" is subjective and open to wide ranges of interpretation, while extensive exceptions made for "parody, satire, commentary, or criticism" offer advertisers legal wiggle room. 

Whatever the ultimate impacts of the bill or the future interpretations by the court system, it represents another attempt by elected representatives to respond to the overwhelming will of voters to bring artificial intelligence under legislative control, so we expect this bill to initiate a trend.



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