TechRadar’s weekly crossword puzzle #11 has arrived, giving tech enthusiasts a fresh brainteaser for Friday, November 6, 2026. The latest installment comes from Senior Deals Editor James Pickard, who admits that a busy week of Black Friday coverage and intense reader interest in a certain Nintendo Switch 2 special edition has cut into his crossword time.
Despite those distractions, Pickard has delivered another puzzle. He describes this week’s offering as slightly smaller than usual, but still enjoyable and challenging enough to occupy a few minutes—whether you’re solving it in bed before sleep or alongside your morning coffee.
A Smaller Puzzle with the Same Spirit
The reduced size doesn’t mean a reduced commitment to the series. Pickard frames puzzle #11 as a compact but satisfying diversion, and he promises to return with another crossword next week—assuming he isn’t buried even deeper in deals coverage. That caveat reflects the reality of a packed sales calendar: Black Friday is drawing nearer, and the editorial team is fully immersed in tracking the latest offers.
For readers who have missed earlier installments, TechRadar maintains a crossword archive where every previous puzzle can be played. The archive offers a way to catch up on the series or revisit favorites while waiting for the next weekly challenge.
Why the Delay? Black Friday and a Zelda Switch 2
Pickard’s introduction sheds light on what has been keeping him occupied. He notes that Black Friday sales have been consuming more of his time as the big day approaches. He also mentions a huge level of interest in a specific Zelda special edition of the Nintendo Switch 2, which saw a small restock this week. Those two developments—ongoing sales coverage and the restock of a highly sought-after console bundle—have been intruding on his usual crossword routine.
The mention of the Zelda-themed Switch 2 is brief but telling. Even a small restock generated significant attention, which in turn added to the workload for a deals editor already navigating the busiest shopping season of the year. It’s a familiar tension for anyone covering consumer tech: the news doesn’t pause, and neither do the deals.
How to Keep Up with the Series
TechRadar encourages puzzle fans to follow its coverage through Google News and to add the site as a preferred source, ensuring that expert news, reviews, and opinion appear in their feeds. The publication also offers a newsletter that delivers breaking news, reviews, top tech deals, and more directly to subscribers’ inboxes.
For those who prefer to work through the back catalog, the crossword archive remains the central hub. Each weekly puzzle is preserved there, making it easy to find puzzle #11 or any earlier edition. The series has been running since at least August, with puzzles numbered in sequence—#3 appeared on Friday, August 14, #5 on Friday, September 4, #6 on Friday, September 11, #8 on Friday, September 25, #9 on Friday, October 23, and #10 on Friday, October 30. Puzzle #11 continues that regular Friday cadence.
A Weekly Ritual for Tech Fans
The crossword has become a recurring feature for readers who enjoy a light mental workout tied to the tech world. Pickard’s casual, self-deprecating tone—acknowledging that work has encroached on his puzzle time—adds a personal touch to the series. It also underscores that the puzzles are produced by someone deeply embedded in the daily churn of tech deals and product news.
With puzzle #11 now available, solvers can expect a slightly shorter but still engaging challenge. And if the pattern holds, another crossword will follow next Friday—barring any further surges in Black Friday activity or surprise restocks that demand Pickard’s attention.
