IT General

There's a ghost in your Excel spreadsheet. It's that invisible text box you keep accidentally clicking, or the chart that refuses to be selected. Instead of losing your mind, use the Selection Pane, the hidden sidebar that reveals every object on your sheet so you can manage them with ease.

Technically my first true smartphone in the modern sense was a really rather awful Samsung Galaxy Ace, but before that it was my wife's iPod Touch that showed me that the whole full touchscreen thing could work, and finally loosened my grip on my Blackberry.

Neovim is already quite powerful out of the box, but getting the most out of it is less about piling on plugins and more about choosing the right ones. The plugins below are not popular because they are fashionable, but because they solve specific annoyances that show up after you have spent enough time inside the editor (usually longer than you planned).

An iPad today is a thinner, more powerful version of the iPad of 10 years ago. In the Android world, you have the fun novelty of "what will they think of next?" That, more than any other reason, is why I continue buying them instead of iPads. Let's take a moment to appreciate the diversity among Android tablets out there.

Finding a vehicle that blends luxury refinement with real-world efficiency can feel like a balancing act, but one used hybrid has quietly mastered both. For buyers who want the comfort and sophistication typically associated with premium sedans, and significant savings at the pump, this Toyota-based luxury hybrid delivers in a way few others do. With its smooth, composed ride and efficient powertrain, it proves that upscale comfort and fuel economy don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

In a world where everyone complains about everything that’s getting worse (often rightfully so) it can be easy to forget about the things that are getting better. These changes sneak up on you over time, but looking back at where we were five or ten years ago can make the benefits feel massive.

It's that most magical time of the year: The White Lotus casting season.

Season 4 of Mike White's hotel-set anthology series begins production in April of 2026, so casting announcements for the show's next set of ultra-rich guests and exasperated staffers have begun to roll in. Not only that, but the season's sure-to-be gorgeous setting has already been revealed.

SEE ALSO: 2026 TV preview: All the TV shows you need to know, and where to stream them

There's still quite a bit of time before the season's release, so we'll have to wait a while for the next batch of White Lotus memes and discourse to obsess over. But until then, here's everything we know about the upcoming season.

Who is in The White Lotus Season 4?

So far, four cast members have been announced for The White Lotus Season 4. In December 2024, AJ Michalka and Alexander Ludwig became the first actors to join the season.

Michalka is one half of the musical duo Aly & AJ, and she has also starred in movies such as Super 8 and The Lovely Bones, as well as TV shows including ABC's The Goldbergs and its spin-off, Schooled. Ludwig rose to fame as Cato in The Hunger Games and has since starred in series like the History Channel's Vikings and MGM+'s Earth Abides.

SEE ALSO: Carrie Coon gleefully reacts to 'White Lotus' memes of her running

On Jan. 16, Variety reported that Steve Coogan and Caleb Jonte Edwards had also checked into Season 4. Comedian Coogan is known for his work as Alan Partridge, as well as projects like The Trip films and Philomena, for which he was nominated for an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Picture (as a producer). A newcomer, Edwards has previously starred in one episode of the Australian crime drama Black Snow.

Prior seasons have featured returning characters such as Tanya (Jennifer Coolidge), Belinda (Natasha Rothwell), and Greg (Jon Gries). Will White bring back another character this season?

Where does The White Lotus Season 4 take place?

Get ready to brush up on your French, because The White Lotus is heading to the French Riviera. On Jan. 9, Variety reported that the season would shoot at the Château de La Messardière, a 19th-century palace-turned-hotel in Saint-Tropez. According to Variety, some scenes were also filmed at a Paris hotel.

Sources also told Variety that the Cannes Film Festival might figure into the storyline, setting up a more film-focused season. The plot of Season 4 is otherwise under wraps.

When is The White Lotus Season 4 coming out?

Variety reported that The White Lotus Season 4 will shoot from the end of April to the end of October, meaning a 2027 release date is likely.

For comparison, principal photography for Season 3 wrapped in Aug. 2024. The season premiered in Feb. 2025, making for a six-month turnaround. If Season 4 follows a similar pattern, we could be looking at a spring 2027 premiere.

The White Lotus is now streaming on HBO.

Rhea Seehorn has recently been awarded a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a TV Drama Series, as well as a Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series, for her portrayal of Carol Sturka in the Apple TV show Pluribus.

You may be familiar with the most common HTML tags like p, a, and img, but what about progress or details? HTML is a lot more expressive than you might have realized, and the following tags pack plenty of functionality.

Many smart home devices serve a clear purpose. If you want to measure humidity, for example, a humidity sensor fits the bill perfectly. There are some devices, however, that are so strange that it can be a challenge trying to figure out how to use them.

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 17, 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 16, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 17 Pips

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 2-1, placed horizontally.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 2-1, placed horizontally; 6-4, placed horizontally.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 6-4, placed horizontally; 4-0, placed horizontally.

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

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

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 4-3, placed horizontally

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 17 Pips

Less Than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 2-4, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (16): Everything in this space must be greater than 16. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally; 4-6, placed horizontally.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally; 4-6, placed horizontally; 2-3, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 17 Pips

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 2-0, placed vertically; 3-1, placed horizontally.

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 0-6, placed vertically; 6-1, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 3-1, placed horizontally; 1-1, placed vertically; 6-1, placed horizontally.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 6-3, placed vertically; 6-6, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 5-1, placed horizontally; 5-2, placed vertically.

Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 5-2, placed vertically.

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

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 6-2, placed vertically; 2-2, placed vertically; 3-2, placed horizontally.

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

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 3-4, placed horizontally.

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

Picture this: You just experienced Matt Damon and Ben Affleck reuniting in The Rip. The adrenaline is pumping, the heart is racing, and you’re ready to watch another movie. While there’s never a bad time to watch a classic like Good Will Hunting, you’re probably looking for some more action.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you know Italian soccer teams.

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.

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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: 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: Winning

• Green: East Coast football

• Blue: Just jeff-ing around

• Purple: We have a problem

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: In No. 1 Position

• Green: AFC East Teams

• Blue: Jeffs

• Purple: Rockets

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 #481 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• In No. 1 Position - FIRST, FRONT, LEAD, POLE

• AFC East Teams - BUFFALO, MIAMI, NEW ENGLAND, NEW YORK

• Jeffs - BAGWELL, KENT, SATURDAY, VAN GUNDY

• Rockets - CLEMENS, HOUSTON, RICHARD, TOLEDO

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.

The 3-2-1 backup rule is the gold standard for data backups. I often recommend it, and so do most experts. But it's hard to overlook the fact that some aspects of this backup approach are growing outdated, and it might be time to rethink them to bolster the security of your data.

This was another busy week in tech, with new updates for Firefox and Obsidian, Verizon's day-long nationwide outage, new hardware for the Raspberry Pi, and much more. Here are the biggest stories you might have missed.

BEST LEGO DEAL: Lego is running make and take events on Jan. 18. A limited quantity of Burger Bike Carts will be available for free at participating stores.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Lego Group Lego Burger Bike Carts: Free Malke and Take Event   Learn More

Lego has been in the news a lot lately.

Preorders for the new Lego Star Wars Smart Play sets have landed alongside preorders for the first-ever Lego Pokémon sets. There's only one downside with these exciting new launches, and that's the wait. These new sets are available for preorder, but what are we all supposed to do until release dates? We can't just sit here reading early-access reviews and angry conversations on Reddit about how Pikachu looks weird. Instead, we should all make plans to attend our nearest Lego store this weekend.

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Visitors to select Lego Stores on Jan. 18 (from 12-2 p.m.) can participate in a Lego Burger Bike Cart make and take event. During this special event, participants can build and bring home this fun model for free. This event is intended for participants aged 6+ years, and the model is available on a first-come-first-serve basis, at participating locations, while supplies last.

It's important to note is that this Lego Burger Bike Cart is not available for purchase. So by taking part in this event, participants can take home something that money literally cannot buy. The only catch is that you're limited to one build per participant, but that seems fair to us.

Head to your nearest Lego store to get the Burger Bike Cart without spending anything.

TL;DR: Live stream Egypt vs. Nigeria in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free on Channel 4. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has been incredibly entertaining. We're sad that it's almost over, but we're grateful for the goals, passion, and drama.

The AFCON final is scheduled to take place on Jan. 18, with hosts Morocco taking on Senegal. Before we get to the showpiece event, Egypt face Nigeria in the third-place playoff. Neither side really wants to be here. Egypt and Nigeria came so close to making the final, but tournament football is defined by small margins. This game is just a consolation, but it still matters.

If you want to watch Egypt vs. Nigeria in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Egypt vs. Nigeria?

Egypt vs. Nigeria in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off at 11 a.m. ET on Jan. 17. This fixture takes place at the Mohammed V Stadium.

How to watch Egypt vs. Nigeria for free

Egypt vs. Nigeria in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is available to live stream for free on Channel 4.

Channel 4 is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock Channel 4 to stream AFCON for free from anywhere in the world.

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Live stream Egypt vs. Nigeria for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly 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 the UK

4. Visit Channel 4

5. Watch Egypt vs. Nigeria for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of AFCON without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Egypt vs. Nigeria (plus the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Channel 4?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Channel 4, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $78.18 and includes an extra four months for free — 78% off for a limited time. This plan 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 $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Watch Egypt vs. Nigeria in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream the 2026 Australian Open for free on 9Now. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

It feels like we're inundated with tennis tournaments over the summer months, and then nothing. After the US Open, tennis fans have a painful wait for the next Grand Slam.

The wait is almost over. The 2026 Australian Open looms on the horizon, promising epic contests between the best players in the world. It's the first chance to see the likes of Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka, and Iga Świątek on the biggest stage.

If you want to watch the 2026 Australian Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the Australian Open?

The Australian Open is a tennis tournament held annually at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia. It's the first of the four Grand Slam tennis events held each year, followed by the French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open.

The current singles champions are Jannik Sinner and Madison Keys.

When is the 2026 Australian Open?

The 2026 Australian Open is the 114th edition of the tournament. This year's event will take place from Jan. 18 to Feb. 1.

How to watch the 2026 Australian Open for free

The 2026 Australian Open is available to live stream for free on 9Now.

9Now is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can unblock 9Now from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2026 Australian Open by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly 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 Australia

4. Visit 9Now

5. Watch the 2026 Australian Open for free from anywhere in the world

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 streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the 2026 Australian Open before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for 9Now?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on 9Now, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Australia

• 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 connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $78.18 and includes an extra four months for free — 78% off for a limited time. This plan 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 $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream the 2026 Australian Open for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

We all have a preferred power tool brand, and if you're a fan of Makita, we have some good news. Makita is a popular choice for mechanics, electricians, DIY users, and more thanks to its expansive lineup, and it's about to get even bigger. Makita released some excellent new tools late last year, which are now hitting shelves in 2026.

Sometimes, an update can break an app, get rid of a useful feature, or introduce a redesign that you don't like. The easiest way to fix those problems is to roll back the app to an older version. I'll show you three ways you can do just that.