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Tech updates happen constantly, making it easy to forget the basic foundations that built our current digital society. We're hitting an amazing milestone this year because it's the thirtieth birthday of some truly iconic software. Anyone using tech today should really take a moment to reflect on the anniversary of these revolutionary platforms, which we rely on daily without a second thought.

A brand-new Tacoma starts just over $32K—a number that would have sounded laughable for a Porsche a few years ago. Today, that same cash can get you a used Cayenne E-Hybrid, a luxury plug-in SUV that once topped $80K.

Google Search is not what it was. With the AI overviews, random panels, ads, SEO sludge, and more making the actual search results harder to find than ever, I was ready for a change. Looking for something modern, but more like a classic search engine, I gave Startpage a try. Here's how it went.

There's something relentless about Shrinking to me. It's just so genuine. Without being contrived, with timely jokes, with a knowing Jason Segel smile and... for f***'s sake! Why am I cry-laughing?! Again!?

Over multiple seasons, Shrinking has served up simply superb comedy that punches you in the heart and makes you deeply re-appreciate the people around you, flaws and all. Created by Segel, Bill Lawrence, and Brett Goldstein, Shrinking expertly reflects on the absurdity of grief, makes one hell of an argument for forgiveness, and celebrates the complexity of relationships. It's almost outrageous to see human connection rendered so magnificent, with facetious lines like "f*** you for being emotionally healthy right now" and "playing the Dead Mom Card" delivered with a whole heart. Every episode makes me want to scream and hug someone, which I would do, if I wasn't still sitting on this station bench dumbfounded by the Season 2 finale.

SEE ALSO: How Apple TV+'s 'Shrinking' tackles compassion fatigue, therapy, and grief

Season 3 picks up exactly where we left these now lived-in characters and ponders the courage it takes to move forward — after loss, in a relationship, through illness. And once again, Apple TV's series hits home, and I don't actually think I can handle it.

Shrinking Season 3 is all about the fear of moving forward Jessica Williams and Christa Miller in "Shrinking." Credit: Apple TV

The first season of Shrinking focused on the immediate aftermath of Tia's death and how her nearest each coped with it — especially her husband Jimmy (Segel), daughter Alice (Lukita Maxwell), and best friend Gaby (Jessica Williams). Season 2 moved their raw grief into both anger and forgiveness, bringing Goldstein out of the writers room to play the man whose drunk driving accident killed Tia. Now, Season 3 focuses on a theme of moving forward and the courage it takes to do so, as well as the power of asking for help (in therapy or otherwise) — Shrinking's constant underlying theme.

Probably one of the hardest relationships for audiences to understand will be the family's acceptance of Louis (Goldstein), a connection established in Season 2 in which Alice, Jimmy, and his best friend Brian (Michael Urie) forgave the man who caused their pain. Honestly, such a bond feels like it should be unbelievable, yet the show has spent the time with these characters, developing in them forgiveness through shared trauma. Thanks to Shrinking's impeccable writing and performances from Segel, Maxwell, Urie, and Goldstein, I actually buy it. And without spoiling anything, Season 3 does acknowledge the tension here.

Brett Goldstein and Jason Segel both created and star in "Shrinking." Credit: Apple TV

It's not the only forward motion in the third season; Jimmy considers finding love again, Alice debates college in Connecticut (as "passionate girl dad" Jimmy pretends he's not dying inside about it), Sean (Luke Tennie) enjoys a casual dating life and semi-resolved father issues, Brian and Charlie (Devin Kawaoka) prepare for parenthood with help from the proudly domineering Liz (Christa Miller) and delightful Derek (Ted McGinley).

Featured Video For You Jason Segel and the 'Shirinking' cast reveal their tricks to de-stress

As Shrinking's powerhouse of a cast member, Williams chews up scenes as Gaby yet again, as she leans into an actually healthy relationship with other Derrick (Damon Wayans Jr.) and yearns for patients with higher stakes problems. When Williams enters a scene, her scene partners struggle for my attention, with her flawless delivery and comedic timing one of the show's best elements. Nobody delivers a compliment or a takedown like Jessica Williams.

And then there's Harrison Ford.

Shrinking Season 3 sees Harrison Ford at his best Jason Segel and Harrison Ford in "Shrinking." Credit: Apple TV

Without a doubt, Season 3 sees Ford at his absolute best yet as curmudgeonly genius Paul, as he navigates his increasingly visible tremors and cognitive changes from Parkinson's disease. The show quite literally has Paul saying "Fuck Parkinson's" multiple times, and you can feel it. In episode 1, the show includes a moving cameo by screen legend Michael J. Fox, who uses humour to unpack some of the symptoms of Parkinson's, ones he personally faces in real life.

Last season, an ever-stoic Paul eased into being vulnerable with his friends, family, and partner Julie (Wendie Malick) about his neurological condition, and this season, Ford keeps Paul in the same furious state of disdain toward talking about it. However, he finally (and reluctantly) requests help from Jimmy, asking, "If you see me sinking, pull me up," a request that echoes the show's theme song lyrics

This fear of leaning on others for help remains one of Shrinking's core explorations; Paul is insistent on "not being a self pitying sh*thead." Alice fears leaving her "frighteningly loyal support group" for college on the other side of the country. And Louis finds baffling support in people whose lives he impacted so deeply.

It's this humans-will-surprise-you magic that makes Shrinking so wonderful, a laugh-out-loud comedy that reminds you that asking for support and supporting others in turn is an everyday superpower. An adamant champion of human complexity for three seasons, this show is so good it boggles my brain.

Shrinking Season 3 is now streaming on Apple TV with new episodes Wednesdays.

Whereas SATA SSDs are pretty tame regarding thermals, the latest and greatest SSDs can get scorching hot under strenuous loads, and next-gen SSDs will get even hotter. No worries, though, because your motherboard's built-in SSD heatsink can solve the overheating issue, in most cases.

Stephen Colbert only has four months left of The Late Show, and everyone is wondering what he plans to do next.

In the Late Night video above he speaks to Seth Meyers about the end of his show (the final episode will be aired on May 21), and any bucket list guests he wants to speak to before it finishes (the new Pope), before the conversation turns to rumors of future plans.

Colbert refuses to confirm or deny the various rumors ("I've got to keep my options open," he says), but he does rule out a $13.5 million deal with Netflix.

The reason? "Not enough money."

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you love listening to vinyls.

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 January 28, 2026 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: A copy

• Green: Scrubbers

• Blue: Vinyl parts

• Purple: Extra

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Imitation

• Green: Cleaning supplies

• Blue: Components of a record player

• Purple: Spare ___

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 #962 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Imitation: DUMMY, MOCK, PRETEND, SHAM

• Cleaning supplies: BUCKET, GLOVES, RAG, SOAP

• Components of a record player: MOTOR, NEEDLE, PLATTER, TONEARM

• Spare ___: ME, RIB, TIME, TIRE

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 January 28, 2026

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 always aware.

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 January 28, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for January 28, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Zen state

The words are related to calmness.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe calming down.

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 Mindfulness.

NYT Strands word list for January 28

• Focus

• Meditation

• Notice

• Mindfulness

• Relax

• Listen

• Breathe

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're unkind.

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 January 28, 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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for January 28, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Evil.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter C.

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...

CRUEL

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 January 28, 2026

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.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for January 28, 2026

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for January 28, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 28 Pips

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 2-0, placed horizontally; 5-5, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-1, placed vertically.

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally; 5-1, placed horizontally.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 5-1, placed horizontally; 4-1, placed vertically.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 28 Pips

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically.

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 5-3, placed horizontally; 5-4, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 5-3, placed horizontally.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically; 5-2, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 6-6, placed vertically; 5-2, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 5-4, placed vertically.

Greater Than (5): Everything in this space must be greater than 5. The answer is 6-0, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-1, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 28 Pips

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-1, placed vertically; 0-3, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 0-3, placed horizontally; 2-6, placed vertically.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically; 4-2, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 5-1, placed vertically; 1-1, placed vertically.

Greater Than (10): Everything in this space must be greater than 10. The answer is 2-6, placed vertically; 5-0, placed vertically.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally; 1-1, placed vertically; 0-0, placed horizontally.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 0-0, placed horizontally; 5-0, placed vertically.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

TL;DR: Unblock Pornhub from the UK with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.

The world of porn has been rocked by age-verification laws, requiring individuals to provide proof of age in order to access adult content.

Earlier in 2025, more than a third of U.S. states introduced age verification laws for online adult content. Pornhub responded by blocking users from those locations, and now the same situation is taking place in France.

The same situation is not taking place in the UK, but it's no less frustrating. The UK's age-verification law came into effect on July 25, but in this case, Pornhub is complying with the UK's law. It's nice that there's no total ban, but these age-verification laws still raise serious privacy concerns. The prospect of handing over information to third-party systems and not knowing how these companies are handling or storing that data is naturally concerning to potential users. For these individuals, there is a workaround.

If you want to unblock porn sites like Pornhub for free from the UK, we have all the information you need.

How to unblock Pornhub for free in the UK

VPNs are useful tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other locations. This straightforward process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can access sites like Pornhub from anywhere in the world.

Unblock Pornhub by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location that supports access to Pornhub

4. Visit Pornhub

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for unblocking porn sites are not free, but most do offer free-trial peiods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites like Pornhub without actually spending anything. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you the opportunity to temporarily retain access to Pornhub before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to sites like Pornhub, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for bypassing content restrictions is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for Pornhub?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking porn sites like Pornhub, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (including money-back guarantee).

Unblock Pornhub for free in the UK with ExpressVPN.

Open Microsoft Word, move an image 2mm to the left, and the whole document explodes. Open Excel, however, and you're met with a rigid, unbreakable grid. It tells you exactly where the data goes before you even have a plan, so you can start dumping your brains into the boxes right away.

While Donald Trump and his administration continue doubling down on spin and rhetoric after the second fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen by federal immigration officers in Minnesota, the White House is also heavily promoting the upcoming Melania doc.

The Amazon-produced documentary is the first film directed by Brett Ratner since multiple women accused him of sexual harassment or misconduct in 2017, and follows the First Lady in the days before Trump's second presidential inauguration in Jan. 2025.

"It's a real peek behind the curtain at a woman picking out curtains," Stephen Colbert quipped on The Late Show on Tuesday night.

SEE ALSO: Jimmy Kimmel trolls Melania Trump over her new documentary

The host then took aim at Amazon MGM Studios for the colossal amount of money the Jeff Bezos-owned company reportedly dropped on the documentary.

"Amazon bribed a whopping $40 million for the movie and an additional $35 million for marketing, promotion and distribution," said Colbert. "So big box office, right? Wrong, social media has been flooded with images of theatres in major cities that haven't sold a single seat."

Is everyone hitting Send Help instead this weekend or...

Melania Trump's Amazon MGM Studios documentary is nearing release, and the First Lady has kick-started her promotional tour with an interview on Fox. But apparently all is not well behind the scenes.

"According to the writer Michael Wolff, Melania is bigly upset that the murders in Minneapolis are overshadowing the release of the $75 million bribe, I mean documentary, that Amazon made for her," says Jimmy Kimmel in the clip above. "Alex Pretti was killed on Saturday, the same day they had the VIP screening of the movie at the White House, and now, while she's promoting her film, she has to answer questions about it."

SEE ALSO: Stephen Colbert drops truths about the 'Melania' doc

Kimmel goes on to play footage of Melania speaking on Fox, confirming that both the president and her son Barron apparently liked the movie.

"Her son and her husband liked it," says Kimmel. "All the people in the movie are giving it rave reviews. That's enough for me. It is not, however, getting a positive response for some of the people who worked on the film. According to Rolling Stone, two thirds of the New York crew asked to have their names removed from the credits. Two is a lot of thirds."

TL;DR: Pokémon TCG: Prismatic Evolutions Booster Packs have dropped to just $12.96 at Amazon. That's a 32% discount on their usual $18.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG: Scarlet and Violet Prismatic Evolutions Booster Pack $12.96 at Amazon
$18.99 Save $6.03   Get Deal

Get ready to build your binder with Eeveelution pulls for less than usual, because Amazon has dropped the price on boosters for one of Pokémon’s rarest expansions. As of Jan. 28, Pokémon TCG: Scarlet and Violet Prismatic Evolutions Booster Packs are down to $12.96 at Amazon, marking a 32% discount on their $18.99 list price. For one of the most in-demand sets of the Scarlet and Violet era, that’s a solid price cut indeed.

Like those for other expansions, each Prismatic Evolutions booster pack includes 10 cards, with chances to pull rare, ultra-rare, and special variant cards from a set that’s become especially popular thanks to its Eevee and Eeveelution focus. Pack artwork is randomized, and all cards are tournament-legal, making these boosters a good fit for both collectors and players looking to freshen up a deck.

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What really makes this deal stand out is how these packs of trading cards stack up elsewhere. On TCGplayer, individual Prismatic Evolutions booster packs are typically listed for more, and once seller fees and shipping are factored in, the total often ends up well above Amazon’s current asking price. Walmart listings also trend higher when packs are actually in stock, making Amazon the clear value pick right now.

Prismatic Evolutions has been tough to grab at a reasonable price thanks to high demand and frequent sell-outs. Single booster packs are a must-buy if you’re hoping to grab that valuable Special Illustration Rare Umbreon. 

For those keen on the upcoming expansion, you can pre-order the Pokémon TCG’s Ascended Heroes Tech Sticker Collections at their lowest-ever price on Amazon. Meanwhile, you can still grab the Pokémon TCG: Mega Venusaur ex Premium Collection Box for almost $22 off. 

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you know your hockey.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, 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 the latest 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: Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Tale of tape

• Green: Platforms

• Blue: Old homes

• Purple: Name included

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Player bio information

• Green: Sports streamers

• Blue: Former MLB ballparks

• Purple: Ends in a Hall of Fame QB

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: Sports Edition #492 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Player bio information - ALMA MATER, HEIGHT, NUMBER, POSITION

• Sports streamers - NETFLIX, PARAMOUNT, PEACOCK, PRIME

• Former MLB ballparks - EBBETS, KINGDOME, THREE RIVERS, TIGER

• Ends in a Hall of Fame QB - FOREWARNER, HARBAUGH, HONEYMOON, OUTMANNING

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new sports Connections 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.

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.

LCD picture frames look more like static computer monitors than photos. Fortunately, there is a new crop of E-Ink-based frames that are closer to the mark. SwitchBot’s AI Art Frame may have a gimmick baked into the name, but slop aside, I’m a fan of what this product has to offer—it’s just not quite good enough for an easy recommendation.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026:

AcrossRemove from a position of power

• The answer is Oust.

Not cool

• The answer is Unhip.

"Fine, see if ___!"

• The answer is I care.

Kind of bored

• The answer is Jaded.

Primatologist's subjects

• The answer is Apes.

DownKind of board

• The answer is Ouija.

Prepare to use, as a pen

• The answer is Uncap.

Desirable place to sit on a hot day

• The answer is Shade.

Pair on a bicycle

• The answer is Tires.

___ Xing (street sign)

• The answer is Ped.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Mini Crossword.

SAVE OVER $300: As of Jan. 28, the Roborock Qrevo S5V robot vacuum and mop is on sale for $549.99 at Amazon. This 39% discount saves you $350 off its list price of $899.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock Qrevo S5V Robot Vacuum and Mop $549.99 at Amazon
$899.99 Save $350   Get Deal

If you've been thinking about buying a robot vacuum to help with cleaning around the house, now is a good time to shop because there are some great discounts available at Amazon. Better yet, if you've been looking for an option that also mops, the Roborock Qrevo S5V is something that deserves your attention.

As of Jan. 28, the Roborock Qrevo S5V robot vacuum and mop is marked down to $549.99 for a limited time at Amazon. It's usually listed for $899.99, so this deal saves you $350 overall. Featuring 12,000Pa suction and dual spinning mops, it's ready to tackle all the floors in your home.

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Thanks to its 12,000Pa suction, the Roborock Qrevo S5V can clear up bits of dirt, dust, or crumbs that have dropped on your floor. There's no need to worry about hair getting tangled up inside of it, either, as it features a rubberized floating main brush (and arc-shaped side brush for corners) that resists tangles while it cleans. And when it comes to mopping, it even features an extendable mop arm for cleaning in corners.

On top of that, the Roborock Qrevo S5V also comes with PreciSense LiDAR Navigation that helps it plot the most efficient route for cleaning in your home. If it checks all the boxes of what you've been looking for, now is your chance to grab the Roborock Qrevo S5V robot vacuum and mop for $549.99 at Amazon.

If you're curious to see what else is out there, check out our roundup of the best robot vacuums for our favorite recommendations.

SAVE $384: As of Jan. 28, the Samsung 49-inch Odyssey G93SC Series is on sale for $899.99 at Amazon. That's a 30% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 49-inch Odyssey G93SC Series $899.99 at Amazon
$1,283 Save $383.01   Get Deal

If your gaming setup is in need of an upgrade, this Samsung 49-inch Odyssey G93SC Series deal at Amazon will improve your visuals and save you some money. As of Jan. 28, this gaming monitor is more than $300 off, down to $899.99 from $1,283. It's a great addition to any setup, with a curved screen and seriously impressive graphics.

The two-quad-wide screen also gives you more than enough space and sharp detail, so every game feels far more immersive. The QD-OLED technology makes things pop, giving you truer colors and strong contrasts. And all of this is supported by DisplayHDR True Black 400 which makes sure dark scenes are exactly that.

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Performance-wise, it’s built for fast performance, with a 240Hz refresh rate, 0.03ms GtG response time, HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort, plus G-Sync compatibility, so there's less tearing and stutter. Other practical features include Auto Source Switch Plus, Picture-by-Picture for running two inputs side by side at native resolution, and a USB hub as well as multiple other input options.

This gaming monitor deal is only available for a limited time, so head to Amazon now to save big.