Looking for the most recentregular Connections answers? Click here for today's Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.Have you been enjoying the New York Times Connections puzzle? Now there's a new version of the game focusing on sports-related words. It's simply called Connections: Sports Edition, and we have hints and the answers.For now, the game is in beta, which means the Times is testing it out to see if it's popular before adding it to the site's Games app. You can play it daily for the next few weeks for free and then we'll have to see if it sticks around.Read more: NYT Has a Connections Game for Sports Fans. I Tried ItHow to play Connections: Sports EditionThe rules are pretty much the same as the regular game. You're given 16 words and asked to put them into four groups that are somehow connected. The main difference is that all the words and categories have some kind of sports tie-in. Sometimes the categories seem obvious, but the game attempts to trick you by using sports-related words that can fit into more than one group. And the four groups of words have different difficulty levels. Yellow is the easiest and purple the hardest, but you won't know which color group is which until you solve the puzzle.But you don't have to be a sports obsessive to solve Connections: Sports Edition, though it helps to know a little bit about a bunch of different sports and athletes. The words might include player names, team names or sport-related activities.Hints for today's Connections: Sports Edition groupsHere are four hints for the groupings in today's Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.Yellow group hint: Make fun of, hassle.Green group hint:Get your racket.Blue group hint: Duke and Georgia Tech.Purple group hint: Signal callers.Answers for today's Connections: Sports Edition groupsYellow group: Heckle.Green group: Types of tennis courts.Blue group: ACC schools, abbreviated.Purple group:NFL QBs, with a letter removed.Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English WordsWhat are today's Connections: Sports Edition answers? The completed NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for Nov. 24, 2024. NYT/Screenshot by CNETThe yellow words in today's ConnectionsThe theme is heckle. The four answers are boo, hiss, hoot and jeer.The green words in today's ConnectionsThe theme is types of tennis courts. The four answers are carpet, clay, grass and hard.The blue words in today's ConnectionsThe theme is ACC schools, abbreviated. The four answers are BC, Cal, Cuse and Pitt.The purple words in today's ConnectionsThe theme is NFL QBs, with a letter removed. The four answers are Brad, Cousin, Moo and River.

From whiskey and chocolate to candles and Legos, these are the best Advent calendars of 2024. There's something here for all ages and interests, but act fast -- theyre quickly selling out.

November 22, 20245 min readMathematicians Newest Assistants Are Artificially IntelligentAI-human collaboration could possibly achieve superhuman greatness in mathematicsBy Conor Purcell Peter M. Fisher/Getty ImagesMathematicians explore ideas by proposing conjectures and proving them with theorems. For centuries, they built these proofs line by careful line, and most math researchers still work like that today. But artificial intelligence is poised to fundamentally change this process. AI assistants nicknamed co-pilots are beginning to help mathematicians develop proofswith a real possibility this will one day let humans answer some problems that are currently beyond our minds reach.One promising type of AI co-pilot is being developed at the California Institute of Technology. It can automatically propose next steps in a proof and help complete intermediate mathematical goals, helping build the logical connective tissue between larger steps. If Im developing a proof, this new co-pilot gives me multiple suggestions for going forward,says Animashree Anandkumar, a computing and mathematical sciences professor at Caltech. Along with her team, Anandkumar presented the AI co-pilot in a recent preprint paper, which has not yet been peer-reviewed. Crucially, she says, those suggestions will all be correct.The co-pilot is a large language model (LLM), the same kind of machine-learning system behind OpenAIs ChatGPT and Googles Gemini. While its training is different, it is also similar to the technology powering Googles AlphaProof and AlphaGeometry 2both of which generated complex mathematical proofs to a silver medal standard at this years International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) for the worlds best high school students. And although LLMs can generate what is, in a technical sense, bullshit, a co-pilots erroneous suggestions are checked and rejected. In the case of the Caltech co-pilot, thats thanks to the software in which the AI operates, called Lean, which uses rigorous mathematical logic to screen for valid statements.On supporting science journalismIf you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.Proof by CodeOver the past few years Lean has become increasingly popular with a small but growing user base. The open-source software allows mathematicians to enter their mathematics by coding, a process known as formalizing. Whats the advantage? Its never wrong. In Lean and other proof-assistant applications, software automatically checks mathematical statements for accuracy. Thats a world away from traditional, so-called informal mathematics, where reviewers and colleagues painstakingly audit pages of such statements. That process is prone to human error, and mistakes are missed.If you are writing a proof with the help of the Caltech co-pilot, you can click on a button to request new lines of Leans programming language to represent the mathematics you are working with. Several options, which Anandkumar calls tactic suggestions, will appear on the right-hand side of the screen; you then simply choose whichever option looks most appropriate. If your proof is headed in a direction that has obvious or well-known intermediate conclusions, the co-pilot can also suggest how to complete that trajectory.Theres no trust issue with Lean because the software checks the work, says Martin Hairer, a professor of pure mathematics at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne and at Imperial College London. Still, many academics havent adopted it yet. Its hard to use because you have to enter all the mathematics as code, Hairer says. Coding in Lean requires entering details that would be omitted when writing up a paper, he notes, so it might take multiple pages of code to show whats self-evidently true or obvious.But Hairer, who is not involved in the Caltech project, believes AI co-pilots will eventually take all that grunt work away. Once you present a statement which is obvious to most mathematicians, an LLM should then be able to generate the code for it, he says, adding that this faster process could possibly lure a new generation of mathematicians to Lean.Anandkumar, too, predicts more researchers will embrace formal AI-assisted mathematics. Today, when I talk to young mathematicians or even undergrads early in their careers, I see that they are familiar with these AI systems, she says. Theyll do whatever it takes to make the job quicker and easier to gain a competitive edge.Mathematical TransformationsBefore the international mathematics community adopts AI tools in a meaningful way, these platforms will need to get much more powerful. With their silver medal standard at this years IMO, Googles AlphaProof and AlphaGeometry 2 have shown remarkable results. But they havent yet reached the level that research mathematicians need for assistance with complex proofs; humans, in that regard, are still the more capable mathematicians.Yet soon there will be systems which approach that level, says David Silver, vice president of reinforcement learning at Google DeepMind. I think this will essentially lift human mathematicians to a place where they are able to operate, and ponder ideas, at a much higher level. Mathematics is beginning to transform, he says, just like it did when the electronic calculator was invented. In the time before the calculator, there was a wide range of mathematics that were extremely laborious and took a lot of effort, he says. I think were now at that stage with proving, and in the future well see very complex proofs being automatically solved by AI.Collaboration through AIAdopting AI co-pilots will shake up how mathematicians work with one another, too. Typically, they operate alone or in small groups. Trusted colleagues assess their proofs piece by piece. But formal AI assistants could empower larger groups of human collaborators to tackle the biggest problems by breaking them down into subproblems. Each part would be batched out to be solved by different teams of specialist AI-human partnerships. Mathematics is seen as such a lonely endeavour, especially in popular media, but now it looks like AI will become the enabler of collaboration amongst mathematicians, Anandkumar says.Mathematicians are generally optimistic that AI co-pilots will soon give human experts a boost, allowing them to invest their time in more complex and difficult problems. For example, in the coming years AI-human partnerships might try their hand at notoriously difficult Millennium Prize Problemsperhaps even something as challenging as P versus NP, a long-standing question in theoretical computer science that asks whether every problem whose solution can be quickly verified can also be quickly solved.Thats where we're going to find ourselves going quite soon, says Silver, as he considers the notion of solving such questions. Problems as complex as P versus NPor something that difficultare vastly beyond where we are today in terms of even knowing how to start, he says. But I can imagine that, maybe in around three years, we might be on course for something like that.

November 22, 20243 min readWorld's Oldest Alphabet Found on an Ancient Clay Gift TagA finger-sized clay cylinder from a tomb in northern Syria appears to be the oldest example of writing using an alphabet rather than hieroglyphs or cuneiformBy Stephanie PappasClay objects discovered during a dig at the ancient city of Umm el-Marra were engraved with symbols that may be part of the earliest known alphabet. Glenn Schwartz, Johns Hopkins University (CC by)Researchers may have deciphered the oldest known scrap of alphabetic writing yet discovered, and it may be a nearly 4,500-year-old gift tag.A clay cylinder found in a tomb holding six skeletons in northern Syria bears the word silanu, which may be a name, says Glenn Schwartz, an archaeologist at Johns Hopkins University. Schwartz discovered the finger-sized cylinder, along with three others bearing similar etchings, in a tomb at Tell Umm el-Marra, an ancient city that sits between modern-day Aleppo and the Euphrates River.Alphabets break words into single vowels and consonants and typically require only 20 to 40 characters. That makes alphabetic systems more streamlined and easier to learn than the writing systems that came beforeEgyptian hieroglyphs and Mesopotamian cuneiform. Those systems used hundreds of symbols that mainly represented words and syllables rather than individual sounds. Scientists previously thought that the first alphabet was created around 1900 B.C.E. by people speaking a Semitic language on the Sinai Peninsula in what is now Egypt. That alphabet, called Proto-Sinaitic, is based on hieroglyphic symbols repurposed as letters. The new finding suggests instead that people in farther-flung reaches of the Near East experimented with hieroglyph-derived letters much earlier.On supporting science journalismIf you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.It changes the entire narrative of how the alphabet was introduced, Schwartz says. Small holes drilled into the cylinders could have been used to string them on thread. As such, the clay structures could have served as labels for goods; Sinalu might have been either the recipient or sender of some of the jars of food and beverage placed in the tomb to accompany its occupants into the afterlife, Schwartz says. The tomb likely belonged to a wealthy and powerful family in the city.This finger-sized clay cylinder found in a tomb at Umm el-Marra may hold letters from the earliest known alphabet.Glenn Schwartz, Johns Hopkins University (CC by)Archaeologists first found the cylinders in 2004, and radiocarbon analysis indicated the clay dated back to about 2400 B.C.E. In 2021 Schwartz described the cylinders in an Italian journal called Pasiphae. The research didnt get much attention, in part because Schwartz was cautious in pushing his interpretation of the inscriptions as alphabetic letters. I probably was too timid, he says.He presented a more confident interpretation this week at the annual meeting of the American Society of Overseas Research, held in Boston. Some researchers, who had access to only a few snapshots of the cylinders prior to the talk, said they were looking forward to more evidence that the inscriptions represent an alphabet rather than another type of writing system. When you only have a few very short inscriptions, it can be difficult to tell how many signs the system has, says Philippa Steele, a senior researcher in classics at the University of Cambridge. With so few signs to work from, she says, its hard to be sure that the new etchings really match up with known Proto-Sinaitic writing rather than resemble it by coincidence. I think we have to hope for more finds, she says.Others are convinced. Its an alphabet, says Silvia Ferrara, a researcher in early languages at the University of Bologna in Italy, who was not involved in the work. Its easy-peasy. Im used to much tougher things.The morphology of the letters on the cylinder seals parallels quite nicely that of the existing corpus of early alphabetic writing, adds Christopher Rollston, a professor of biblical and Near Eastern languages and civilizations at George Washington University, who was not involved in the new research but did study under Schwartz as a graduate student.While the developers of the first alphabet were once thought to be living within Egyptian society, Egyptians and Syrians had extensive trade networks, Ferrara says, and many populations around the Middle East were likely familiar with the Egyptian writing system.Its not that surprising, she says, knowing how far and wide these things traveled.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 deploys new patch, offers advice for players experiencing "stability issues"A hard day's flight.Image credit: Microsoft News by Vikki Blake Contributor Published on Nov. 23, 2024 Developer Asobo has advised Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 players to "move your community packages" if they experience persistent stability issues or long loading times.In a notice appended to the 1.1.9.0 Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 release notes, Asobo noted that outdated packages in the Community Folder could adversely impact performance, adding that relocating the packages to another folder and relaunching the game should help.Developer Launch Day Update | Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.Watch on YouTube"If you are playing on PC, outdated packages in your Community Folder may have an unexpected impact on the titles performance and behaviour," the statement said. "If you suffer from stability issues or long loading times, move your Community package(s) to another folder before relaunching the title."The patch itself also addresses a crash when you select "As Arrival" in the EFB, a crash that could occur when "closing and invoking the Camera menu after changing the Drone focus mode option to a value other than undefined", as well as "various" other crashes across the title". To see this content please enable targeting cookies.A few other "general" bug fixes have also been resolved, including the missing cursor on Xbox Live sign-in popup, a problem where you could lose focus when creating a new input profile, and a bug wherein the aircraft selection is accessible via the control menu, but can only be changed from the home page.It also fixes an issue where you could get stuck when accessing the menu bar from any help page.Earlier this week, the Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 team apologised to its community for the game's less than perfect debut, admitting, "this is not the launch experience we want for our players", admitting it vastly underestimated how many of us would be looking to take to the skies in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 at launch.In related news, we recently learned that Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 borrowed all its animals from Planet Zoo."I called my friend, the CEO. His name is Jonny [Watts], and I said, 'Hey, Jonny, I'm working on Flight Sim, can I have your animals from Planet Zoo?' And he's like, 'Yeah, why not?'," said Flight Simulator boss Jorg Neumann.

Star Citizen is running another free play event which features a tutorial for "new and returning players"Star Cry.Image credit: Cloud Imperium Games News by Vikki Blake Contributor Published on Nov. 23, 2024 Star Citizen's annual Intergalactic Aerospace Expo event is now live, and as part of the celebrations, Star Citizen is free to play from now until 5th December, complete with a new IAE Academy system designed to provide "a tutorial for new and returning players".Developer Cloud Imperium says the event "presents a perfect opportunity to test out new ships, refresh on the basics of survival in space, and prepare to boldly explore a new frontier".Star Citizen: Crusader Intrepid.Watch on YouTube"Once players have completed the new player experience in their utilitarian Drake Cutter loaner ship they can rent any of the available ships to take on a series of missions including a bounty hunt, cargo hauling, mining, and visiting the IAE show floor themselves, to earn in-game UEC, IAE clothing, and an armour and weapon kit to jump-start their new life in space," the team added.New ships include the Terrapin Medic - "a welcome sight to any injured explorer or soldier" - whilst the F7C Mk II line expands with the F7C-R and the F7C-S, known as the "Ghost". CIG says "theres never been a better time to fly in Star Citizen".Star Citizen has raised an astonishing $700m in crowdfunding. Cloud Imperium recently shared an extended gameplay reveal of its upcoming Star Citizen spin-off, Squadron 42, which will release in 2026.

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games hereThe release of the next Fortnite Battle Pass is around the corner. This time, Epic Games will release two seasonal passes, as well as passes for Festival and LEGO modes. Interestingly, all of these will be included with the Crew subscription, which will keep the same price. However, the cost of the next Battle Pass will change, the Fortnite creator revealed.This will be the first time the pass changed the price in seven years. The price of the 25-level bundle will also change and will receive another discount.Fortnite Battle Pass will cost more starting in December 2024For more than 30 seasons, the price of the Battle Pass was 950 V-Bucks. However, that will change. Epic announced a price increase on the games blog, revealing that it would cost 1,000 V-Bucks starting December 1. This is certainly not a significant increase, especially since the smaller bundle of V-Bucks includes 1,000 of them.Interestingly, the 25-level bundle will be 50 V-Bucks cheaper. Its usual price is 1,850, but starting with Chapter 6, you will be able to buy it for 1,800. Whats even more surprising is that Fortnite Crew will include all four passes at the same price. Furthermore, the streamlined leveling system will allow you to level up in all of them at the same time.Fortnite Crew will get a massive upgrade with the next season. Image by VideoGamerEpic Games is also adding the OG Pass next month. This pass will likely contain remixed skins from Chapter 1 Season 1 and will launch on December 6. The company hasnt revealed many details about it yet, but we expect more information before its launch. This will be a separate seasonal pass, although it will be included with the purchase of Fortnite Crew.The next Fortnite season will launch on December 1, while the OG mode will go live five days after. FortnitePlatform(s):Android, iOS, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/XGenre(s):Action, Massively Multiplayer, Shooter9VideoGamerSubscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games hereVideo game collaborations are quite rare in Fortnite but when they happen, it sends the community into a frenzy as they celebrate their fandom for other titles on the Battle Royale island. In the past, popular games like Halo, God of War, Borderlands, and Metal Gear Solid have collaborated with Fortnite, bringing iconic characters as in-game skins.However, some games which are widely popular and highly requested by the community such as Five Nights at Freddys and Cyberpunk 2077 havent been added yet, until now. One of these games is now rumored to join hands with Epic in an exclusive collab with Fortnite which will be added pretty soon in the game.Cyberpunk 2077 and Fortnite to collab in latest leak for Rocket LeagueIn the latest Rocket League Season 17 teaser, a logo of Quadra, Cyberpunk 2077s vehicle was spotted which led to further speculations by leakers such as SamLeaks that the collab will also arrive in Fortnite.Cyberpunk 2077s Quadra will soon be a vehicle in Fortnite. Image by VideoGamer.In their latest post, Sam wrote, CONFIRMED: We will be getting a Cyberpunk Vehicle in the Rocket League and Fortnite Collab .Quadra can be seen in the new RL Season 17 Teaser, which is a popular car brand from the game. It might be the Quadra Type-66 Avenger, as a leaked car texture lines up with this.Usually, every vehicle that gets added to Rocket League makes an appearance in Fortnite, like the latest Porsche 911 and the upcoming Lightning McQueen. Hence the speculation ties up perfectly with the fact that Quadra will soon become a vehicle in Rocket Racing and Fortnite Battle Royale.However, fans who wish the collab brought more had their own thoughts. One such fan said, My baby. My V8 goodness. Gimme my Type-66. Another one wrote, Will there be cyberpunk skins in Fortnite? A third user shared a GIF of Johnny Silverhand and said theyd want this to be a goal explosion in Rocket League.While a collab featuring characters seems quite far-fetched, adding some cool vehicles from Night City would be ideal given the upcoming Chapter 6 will be centered around the Japanese theme which may be as futuristic as Mega City from Chapter 2. FortnitePlatform(s):Android, iOS, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/XGenre(s):Action, Massively Multiplayer, Shooter9VideoGamerSubscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share

Lets be real: Searching for the best Amazon furniture finds can feel a lot like looking for a needle in a haystack. So in order to save you copious amounts of scrolling and money, weve taken the time to curate the best design finds the retailer has to offer, from foolproof light fixtures to attractive shelving options. Some of our picks were suggested by AD staffers and others come highly recommended from happy reviewers. Plus, you can score many of these furniture finds at a huge markdown now during Amazons Black Friday sale.Since you wont be able to see them before buying in person la more traditional furniture stores, lots have flexible return policies and warranties. Scroll down to find our picks for the best Amazon has to offer, broken up by price points, so you can shop easily, whatever your budget may be.Under $100Solaround Clear Acrylic End Table 2-Tier Bedside NightstandThough this retro acrylic end table is available in both black and clear options, we like that the orange makes it a statement piece.Adowes Floating NightstandIf youre fighting for floor space, this floating nightstand is a smart (and cost effective!) solution to use as a bedside fixture or a handy wall-mounted shelf anywhere else.Oceanstar Contemporary Wooden Magazine RackAnyone whos all about organization will want this handsome curved magazine rack to store all their favorite listicles and coffee-table books.Grand Patio Steel Patio Side Table, Weather Resistant Outdoor Round End Table, Square Feet-Rose DawnNearly 6,000 reviewers have given this multipurpose table a positive review. Use it outdoors as an end table or indoors as living room furniture, and choose from any one of the 21 shapes and shades to complete the look.Stonebriar Black Metal Hanging MirrorIn case you want to check yourself out one more time before leaving the house, hang this round mirror near your entryway. Consider it a last defense against flyaway hairs and smeared lipstick.BSOD Mushroom LampBecause fungi-inspired furniture and decor is always a fun idea.Bamworld Rattan Side Table Boho Night StandA touch of rattan gives this side table an airy feel. Falling under $100, it definitely qualifies as one of the best Amazon furniture steals weve seen.Globe Electric Novogratz Globe Table LampA handsome globe light for your nightstand or living room is never a bad idea. We recommend this black-and-gold design thats 25% off right now.Tangkula Glass Coffee TableNo one will be the wiser that you snagged this expensive-looking tableavailable in black and clear colorwaysfor under $100.LEYAOYAO Cube Bookshelf 3 Tier Mid-Century Modern Bookcase with LegsProudly display your favorite coffee table books and prized tchotchkes on this sturdy wood shelf with a midcentury vibe. At $100 a pop, we might even consider grabbing two for double the storage space.Square Dining Table Space Saving Dinner Room TableIf your space is lacking in square footage, we think this dining table designed for small homes is a smart pick. After all, you can even use it as a makeshift desk during the day or an extra prep surface when youre cooking up a storm.Vogue Furniture Direct 24" Black Backless Metal Bar StoolsA pair of sleek metal stools will help dress up your breakfast bar or serve as extra seating for guests. The best part? This design comes in 16 different colors for you to choose from.Joveco Foot Stool Small Round OttomanAnd heres a fashionable linen footstool thats available in 12 colors and patterns like blue, orange, gray, and this pop of red.ELUCHANG Mid-Century Modern Accent ChairsSinking into this airy-looking chair will feel like a treat after a long day. Its available in neutral beige, blue, and gray to complement any color palette.Convenience Concepts French Country Bookshelf LadderIf paperbacks and knickknacks are accumulating at rapid speeds, a ladder shelf like this one from Convenience Concepts wont take up too much space, or it can easily be tucked into any corner.ZINUS Van 16 Inch Metal Platform Bed FrameWe may not be able to convince you this platform bed frame is worth a look, but hopefully over 40,000 five-star customer reviews might sway your opinion.Under $250Pemberly Row Metal Rectangular Glass Top Sofa TableHeres a glass-and-MDF console table to take your entryway from plain to minimally chic. Use it as a home base for your keys and wallet or to create more interest in your entryway.Outsunny 3 PCS Rattan Wicker Bistro SetFoldable chairs, foldable coffee table, easy-to-stomach price: this set has everything you need to quickly spruce up your outdoor space without taking up a huge amount of real estate on your teeny porch.Kartell Componibili Drawers by Anna Castelli FerrieriA classic Componibli is an ideal choice for bedside storage. The hidden compartments make it especially easy to tuck away any messy wires or your stash of nighttime skin care products.IRONCK Triple Wide Six-Tier BookshelfHeres an Amazon bestseller that features 17 open shelves and a sturdy metal construction. Youve got space for all of your favorite books and decor with its functionality that can double as a storage cabinet, plus adjustable feet and X-shaped brackets for stability.Flexispot OC3B ChairOne of our favorite office chairs, the OC3B perfectly straddles the line between comfort and price point, according to our reviewer Terri Williams. She loved the multiple adjustment points and breathable mesh material.Armen Living Jaguar Dining ChairFor all the midcentury modern lovers out there, heres a sturdy dining chair thats understatedly stylish.Convenience Concepts Soho BookcaseThis modern bookcase comes in five acrylic color variations to seamlessly blend in with your existing decor. Slanted shelves perfectly accommodate even the heaviest hardcovers, and the flat top can be used to display anything from decorative vases to more books.Versanora Arquer Arc Floor LampWe think this best-selling hanging lamp that has over 600 five-star reviews is an especially bright idea if youre updating your light fixtures.Convenience Concepts Oslo Bean Shaped Coffee TableAnd this playful coffee table from Convenience Concepts is just the thing to liven up the living room.Aheaplus Lift Top Coffee Table with StorageTheres nothing more trusty than a coffee table with built-in storage. This one from Harmati even does double duty as a makeshift desk.Nathan James Telos Home Office Computer Desk with DrawerYou may think you dont have room for a computer desk, but a slim design like this one from Nathan James is just right for small spaces (and would work just as well as a vanity with a nice mirror).Winsome Wood Studio Home OfficeAnother small-desk option for furnishing even the tiniest of studio apartments.Solid Wood Rope Woven Entr

Pottery Barn: You can take as much as half off at Pottery Barn for Black Friday, and that sounds like a pretty sweet deal to us.Wayfair: Yes, you read the sale banner right. Up to 80% savings are already on the table way before the Turkey is done, thanks to Wayfair.SleepIf the goal for new year's is to upgrade your sleep, it's time to start thinking ahead. Discounts on everything from mattresses to sheets, comforters, and pajamas are plentiful at the moment.Tekla Gingham BlanketParachute Down Duvet InsertBrooklinen Classic Percale Core Sheet SetSerena & Lily Albion Mohair ThrowSaatva Classic MattressBuffy Breeze ComforterBuffy: Buffy sales come and go but the Black Friday bundle deals are where its at if you want to upgrade a whole suite of bedding at once.Brooklinen: 25% off (Brooklinens best sale of the year) on some new beddingpractically sells itself. Look forward to crisp percale-cotton sheet sets, breathable linen duvet covers, and super plush bath towels and robes in the mix (all of which, we might add, would make excellent holiday gifts).Parachute: Parachuting into the sales section to let you know that the 30% off deals, from the brands cozy duvets to its cooling sheets, are pretty great.Saatva: Some of our favorite mattresses of all time are marked-down through the Black Friday weekend, and we even wrote a full breakdown of the best Saatva Black Friday deals out there.Serena & Lily: Throw pillows, duvets, and shams on clearance: music to our editors ears.SSENSE: Come for the clothes, stay for the home goods in the Elsewhere tab at SSENSE. Thats our mantra at least. Find Tekla bedding and bath items, along with some sleek blankets in the ever-growing sale section.Smart Home Tech & ElectronicsYou already know that anything smart-home is going to be on sale at places like Amazon, Target, and Walmart. The deals include laptops, video doorbells, Amazon Fire TV sticks, and pretty much any other device you can dream up. We rounded up the best of the best in tech for you to kick off the holiday shopping season with ease.Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen)Sonos Premium Surround Set with Arc UltraHisense 65-Inch Class QLED 4K S7N CanvasTVCanon PIXMA TR4722 All-in-One Wireless InkJet PrinterSony HT-AX7 Portable Theater SystemBang & Olufsen Beolit 20 Portable Wireless Bluetooth SpeakerAmazon: Two words: Amazon Prime. Not only are the deals on tech devices always superlative at the online warehouse that is The Everything Store, but also you might even be able to get your picks in a matter of days thanks to its quick-shipping policy.