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Xiaomi today launched its new power bank Xiaomi Ultra Slim in India. The power bank is just 10mm thick and weighs only 93g. This compact design makes it easy to carry.

Xiaomi Ultra Slim Power Bank packs a 4900mAh battery and promises a maximum charging output of 20W for both Android and iOS devices. It also supports 18W input for fast recharging with USB Type-C two-way charging. The Type-C port supports both input and output. It also supports multiple charging protocols such as PD3.0, PPS, QC3.5, AFC, and FCP.

It comes with 12 layers of protection for added safety.

The power bank takes 1 hour and 32 minutes in charging with 33W charger and 1 hour and 38 minutes with a 22.5W charger.

Xiaomi Ultra Slim Power Bank Pricing in India

• Crowdfunding price: Rs. 1,799 on mi.com
• Early Bird Crowdfunding (first 1000 units): Rs. 1,499

Crowdfunding starts today and sales beginn on December 13, 2024, at 12 PM.

Strands is a brand new daily puzzle from the New York Times. A trickier take on the classic word search, you’ll need a keen eye to solve this puzzle.

Like Wordle, Connections, and the Mini Crossword, Strands can be a bit difficult to solve some days. There’s no shame in needing a little help from time to time. If you’re stuck and need to know the answers to today’s Strands puzzle, check out the solved puzzle below.

How to play Strands

You start every Strands puzzle with the goal of finding the “theme words” hidden in the grid of letters. Manipulate letters by dragging or tapping to craft words; double-tap the final letter to confirm. If you find the correct word, the letters will be highlighted blue and will no longer be selectable.

If you find a word that isn’t a theme word, it still helps! For every three non-theme words you find that are at least four letters long, you’ll get a hint — the letters of one of the theme words will be revealed and you’ll just have to unscramble it.

Every single letter on the grid is used to spell out the theme words and there is no overlap. Every letter will be used once, and only once.

Each puzzle contains one “spangram,” a special theme word (or words) that describe the puzzle’s theme and touches two opposite sides of the board. When you find the spangram, it will be highlighted yellow.

The goal should be to complete the puzzle quickly without using too many hints.

Hint for today’s Strands puzzle

Today’s theme is “Moonlighting”

Here’s a hint that might help you: how the moon looks.

Today’s Strand answers

Today’s spanagram

We’ll start by giving you the spangram, which might help you figure out the theme and solve the rest of the puzzle on your own:

Today’s Strands answers

• WAXING
• FULL
• WANING
• CRESCENT
• GIBBOUS
• QUARTER

Valve’s Steam platform has once again proven its dominance in the PC gaming market. It has hit an all-time high of over 39.2 million concurrent users on December 8, 2024. Of the total 39 Million concurrent users, over 12 million were actively playing games According to SteamDB, Steam hit the milestone at 13:00 UTC on December 8. The milestone shows the growing user base and an ever-increasing demand for PC gaming.

The milestone can be attributed to recent major game releases such as Marvel Rivals and Path of Exile 2. These games have a massive fan base and are driving millions of players to the platform.

Counter-Strike remains the most popular game on the steam in past 24 hours followed by Data 2, Parth of Exile 2m and Marvel Rivals.

Steam continues to attract players from around the globe and it should certainly hit the 40 million concurrent users milestone soon. Steam remains a cornerstone of PC gaming. This is the reason most developers and publishers choose Steam to distribute their game.

Love crossword puzzles but don’t have all day to sit and solve a full-sized puzzle in your daily newspaper? That’s what The Mini is for!

A bite-sized version of the New York Times’ well-known crossword puzzle, The Mini is a quick and easy way to test your crossword skills daily in a lot less time (the average puzzle takes most players just over a minute to solve). While The Mini is smaller and simpler than a normal crossword, it isn’t always easy. Tripping up on one clue can be the difference between a personal best completion time and an embarrassing solve attempt.

Just like our Wordle hints and Connections hints, we’re here to help with The Mini today if you’re stuck and need a little help.

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Below are the answers for the NYT Mini crossword today.

NYT Mini Crossword answers today

Across

Down

• Wrap one’s mind around – GRASP
• Float like a hummingbird – HOVER
• Upscale Swiss watch that shares its name with a Greek letter – OMEGA
• Truth ___ – SERUM
• Slangy “For sure!” – TOTES

Reddit has unveiled a new AI-driven search feature called Reddit Answers. This tool is designed to deliver summaries of conversations and posts from across the platform in a conversational format. So, users can get direct and relevant answers for different queries.

Reddit Answers provide a chat interface where you can ask questions in plain language. It provides answers directly from real redditors and also include links to posts and comments made in Reddit communities.

Answers is part of Reddit’s broader strategy to stay ahead in AI and content. Most people already appoint “Reddit” to their Google searches for finding community-driven insights on different topics. This is the reason Google has also improved Redit’s visibility in searching giving Reddit millions of additional traffic each month.

At this moment, Reddit has no immediate plans for monetization. However, it will explore revenue opportunities in the future.

Reddit Answers is still in beta and is being rolled out to a limited number of users in the United States on web and iOS platforms. The broader rollout is expected next year.

The phenomenon that was Yellowstone is over, at least for now. The series, which starred Kevin Costner as John Dutton, a Montana rancher who ardently defends his way of life, ran for five seasons and had a tumultuous run, to say the least.

While there’s news about a potential spinoff, as well as several other shows in the same universe, Yellowstone proper has come to an end. If you’re looking for something to fill the void, though, we’ve put together a list of other shows that have a lot in common with Yellowstone. We’ve mostly avoided filling this list with other shows from Taylor Sheridan, Yellowstone‘s creator (although we did fit one on there), and we also didn’t list any other shows about the Duttons. Still, these shows might scratch the same itch:

For more Yellowstone content, check out the 5 best Yellowstone episodes, ranked, where to watch the Yellowstone series finale, and Quentin Tarantino thinks movies are better than Yellowstone.

Hell on Wheels (2011-2016)

One of the less recognized and more underseen AMC series in recent memory, Hell on Wheels tells the story of a former Confederate soldier who is seeking revenge for the murder of his wife by someone in the Union army in the aftermath of the Civil War .

He travels along with the building of the transcontinental railroad, one of many residents of a town called Hell on Wheels that moves as the train continues to be built. An ideal combination of week-by-week stories that are complemented by a more sprawling, overarching narrative, Hell on Wheels has all the momentum that made Yellowstone great at its best.

You can watch Hell on Wheels on Tubi.

Landman (2024-)

Perhaps the closest show to Yellowstone that Taylor Sheridan has made yet that is also not part of that universe, Landman tells the story of an oil tycoon competing with other similarly minded tycoons during an oil boom in west Texas. Starring Billy Bob Thornton, the series has a lot of the same swagger of Yellowstone, especially in the show’s later seasons.

Of course, it also has many of Sheridan’s weaknesses as a writer, including his general dismissal of the inner lives of many of his female characters. Once you get into it, though, Landman can be hard to look away from.

You can watch Landman on Paramount+.

Succession (2018-2023)

Set in an entirely different world from Yellowstone, Succession nonetheless features the same family power struggle dynamic that makes Yellowstone so compelling. The series follows the ultra-wealthy children of a media tycoon as they vie for their daddy’s seat, even as they each prove to be inept in their own ways.

Succession masterfully blends comedy and tragedy, and its four-season run is up there with the best television that HBO has ever produced. There’s a reason this show produced an endless stream of memes, and while it’s a little more cynical than Yellowstone, you might find the soapier elements compelling.

You can watch Succession on Max.

Longmire (2012-2017)

A long-running crime series that has the same Western roots as Yellowstone, Longmire tells the story of a Wyoming sheriff reeling from the recent death of his wife who decides to recommit to his job.

As he deals with case after case, he must balance his commitment to his own moral code with challenges from the people in his life. Longmire is a crime procedural in the truest sense, but it has a real appreciation both for the way the west has changed and the way the views of many of its residents have not.

You can watch Longmire on Netflix.

Godless (2017)

One of the great TV westerns of the past decade, Godless tells the story of a mining town in New Mexico that is run mainly by women. When an outlaw decides to hunt down a man who has come to stay in the town, the women running the town decide to saddle up and defend their home.

Featuring beautiful cinematography, great writing, and a brilliant central performance from Merritt Wever, Godless is a brilliant subversion of the usually male-dominated Western genre, and a reminder of the role women have played at every moment in world history.

You can watch Godless on Netflix.

Need more recommendations? Then check out the best new movies to stream this week, as well as the best shows on Netflix, the best shows on Hulu, the best new shows on Max, the best shows on Amazon Prime Video, and the best shows on Disney+.

Denzel Washington made waves in November when he revealed that he plans to appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe before he retires. While promoting Gladiator II on Australia’s Today show, the two-time Oscar winner surprised everyone by announcing, “[Black Panther director] Ryan Coogler is writing a part for me in the next Black Panther.” The news understandably came as a shock to comic book fans, given that Marvel hasn’t even announced Black Panther 3 yet, let alone whether Coogler will be returning to helm the project.

Now, it looks like Washington’s comment may have come as a bit of a surprise to Coogler himself. During an appearance on the Variety Awards Circuit podcast, Washington revealed that he called the filmmaker recently to apologize for spilling the beans about his involvement in Black Panther 3. “I called him the other day. I forgot what it was about — no, I called him to apologize,” Washington said. “I said, ‘I’m sorry, man.’ He’s like, ‘No, man, it’s all good.’”

The actor went on to admit that he doesn’t know exactly what Coogler has planned for him in Black Panther 3, only that he’s going to be included in the film. “I don’t know what he’s got cooking for me,” Washington explained. “I love Ryan, because he’s like, he won’t say things. ‘You know what I’m saying? Like, you know what I’m saying?’ Well, at least that’s when he talks to me.”

“I’m like, ‘No, I don’t know what you’re saying, Ryan, say it!’” the actor continued. “That’s how he sounds, right? ‘Yeah, you know what I’m saying?’ And I’m like, ‘Man, are you kidding me? Just write it! Whatever you write, I’ll do it.’”

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Fans will likely have to wait a bit to learn more about Coogler and Washington’s Black Panther 3 collaboration. Coogler is currently in the midst of finishing his next film, Sinners, an original horror movie starring Michael B. Jordan and Hailee Steinfeld that’s set to hit theaters in March. Whether or not he chooses Black Panther 3 as his follow-up to that film remains to be seen. Washington, for his part, is next set to appear in Highest 2 Lowest, a remake of Akira Kurosawa’s High and Low that marks a reunion between the actor and director Spike Lee.

OpenAI is finally launching its Test to video generator, Sora, to ChatGPT Pro and Plus subscribers starting today in select countries. However, the feature is notably absent in the European Union (EU). OpenAi has also warned that attempts to use Sora outside supported regions may lead to account bans or suspensions.

OpenAI unveiled Sora back in February, but didn’t release it for general public. The company has been testing this tool with a select number of visual artists, designers, and filmmakers to start until today to improve the tool.

Sora is OpenAI’s AI video generator capable of creating short video clips between 5 and 22 seconds. Uses can generate video in different resolutions, from 480p (SD) to 1080p (HD). They can also customize the dimensions, length, and speed of the video. There is also an option to upload images and ask Sora to turn them into videos.

Sora will only be available for ChatGPT Pro and Plus Users on credits basis. ChatGPT Plus costs $20.00/month and ChatGPT Pro subscription is priced at $200.00/month.

How Sora Credits Work

Subscribers to ChatGPT Pro and Plus plans receive monthly credits for video generation:

• ChatGPT Plus: 1,000 credits
• ChatGPT Pro: 10,000 credits

Credits reset at the end of each billing cycle and do not roll over. Here’s the breakdown of credit usage:

Resolution	Credit Cost (Per Video)
480p	20 to 150 credits
720p	30 to 540 credits
1080p	100 to 2,000 credits

Pro Plan Perks: Pro subscribers can create up to 500 priority videos per month at 1080p and 20 seconds. Additionally, they have access to unlimited “relaxed” videos without watermarks, although these are processed at a lower priority. By default, Sora videos feature a watermark in the lower-right corner unless generated in the Pro plan’s relaxed mode.

Sora offers exciting opportunities for video creation. However, it remains to be seen how many people find it interesting and get the ChatGPT premium subscription for trying this AI video generator.

Even in quieter months, the Public Broadcast Service offers viewers quality original programming from around the world for free. This December, PBS’ gifts are coming early with a big concert event, an unconventional Sherlock Holmes documentary, and the annual Call the Midwife holiday special.

There’s still plenty of time to catch the other new shows on PBS in December. You can even go back and revisit the great PBS shows to watch in November as well. Here are our three recommendations.

When you’re done here, check out the best new movies to stream this week, as well as the best shows on Netflix, the best shows on Hulu, the best new shows on Max, the best shows on Amazon Prime Video, and the best shows on Disney+.

Call the Midwife Holiday Special 2024

Some British dramas require a year or two off between seasons. However, Call the Midwife has been going like clockwork for 12 years, with a Christmas episode every season. This year will be an exception because there won’t be a single Christmas episode. Instead, we’re getting two episodes that chronicle Christmas 1969 for the ladies at Nonnatus House.

These midwives are enjoying the holiday cheer in Poplar, but not everything is perfect for the Christmas season. An escaped prisoner may be on the loose, and rising cases of influenza among the poor families serviced by Nonnatus House may put the midwives’ health at risk as well.

Watch Call the Midwife Holiday Special 2024 on PBS on December 25.

Lucy Worsley’s Holmes vs. Doyle

Even if you don’t love mysteries or detective fiction, almost everyone knows who Sherlock Holmes is. He’s the most famous literary detective of all time. But did you know that the man who created Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, came to hate his iconic character? It’s true. Doyle wanted to move on to other things, but Sherlock’s popularity meant that the public always wanted more. Even killing off Sherlock didn’t help, and Doyle was forced to bring him back.

Lucy Worsley is a self-described lifelong Sherlock Holmes fan, and in this documentary special, Lucy Worsley’s Holmes vs. Doyle, she dives into the unusually antagonistic relationship between the author and his creation.

Watch Lucy Worsley’s Holmes vs. Doyle on PBS.

Violet Femmes 40th Anniversary with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra

Folk punk may sound like a music genre that doesn’t exist, but the Violent Femmes have been living up to that description for the last four decades. The group’s first album, which was also called Violent Femmes, debuted in 1983 and helped establish the band.

Now, the group is celebrating their 40th anniversary with this special concert event that features the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra as the Violent Femmes’ “back-up band.” The combination of symphonic instruments and the Violent Femmes’ signature tunes sounds very intriguing, so there may be something here for both old and new fans alike.

Watch Violet Femmes 40th Anniversary with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra on PBS.