IT General

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you're good with direction.

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 9, 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: Same-colored

• Green: A pickle

• Blue: Famous musicians

• Purple: Found on a compass

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Things that are red

• Green: Used in metaphors for precarious situations

• Blue: Musical artists minus starting numbers

• Purple: Cardinal directions with first letter changed

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 #943 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Things that are red: 3 BALL, CARDINAL, HEART EMOJI, SOLO CUP

• Used in metaphors for precarious situations: 8 BALL, DEEP END, LIMB, THIN ICE

• Musical artists minus starting numbers: 6 MAFIA, CHAINZ, DIRECTION, NON BLONDES

• Cardinal directions with first letter changed: COUTH, FORTH, LEST, OAST

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 9, 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 love wildlife.

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 9, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for January 9, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: For cubs fans

The words are related to animals.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe large, furry mammals.

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 Bears in Mind.

NYT Strands word list for January 9

• Polar

• Grizzly

• Panda

• Black

• Brown

• Spectacled

• Bears in Mind

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 have a lucky number.

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 9, 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 9, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Before nine.

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 E.

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...

EIGHT

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 9, 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.

What a year it's been for The Pitt! The new HBO Max series, starring and produced by ER alum Noah Wyle, not only became a hit with critics and audiences, but also scored five Emmy wins, two Golden Globe nominations, and three Critics Choice Awards. And now this top-notch hospital drama series is back with Season 2.

Judging by HBO Max's "Top 10 Series Today" ranking on their app, lots of fans have been rewatching Season 1 in anticipation for the second season. The Pitt's been near number two all week, topped only by the internet's newest obsession Heated Rivalry.

Credit: HBO Max

But in case you don't have the time (or emotional bandwidth) to revisit all 15 Season 1 episodes of The Pitt, we're recapping everything you need to know.

How long has passed between Season 1 and Season 2 of The Pitt?

About 10 months has passed between seasons, with Season 2 taking place on July 4. Like last season, each episode of The Pitt Season 2 will be one hour in a day shift at the Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center. This Independence Day setting means that on top of the everyday emergencies coming into the Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center, you can also expect fireworks-related mishaps and other summer heat shenanigans.

But fret not! Attending physician Dr. Robby (Wyle) is working the day shift. He's re-teaming with a bunch of familiar faces from Season 1, including doctors Samira Mohan (Supriya Ganesh), Cassie McKay (Fiona Dourif), Mel King (Taylor Dearden), Trinity Santos (Isa Briones), and Dennis "Huckleberry" Whitaker (Gerran Howell), and student doctor Victoria "Crash" Javadi (Shabana Azeez). And their ability to pull together in the face of a crisis has been so satisfying in a world gone mad that The Pitt fans have described the show "competency porn."

Where's Dr. Collins? Noah Wyle and Tracy Ifeachor lean on each other in "The Pitt," Season 1. Credit: John Johnson / HBO

In Season 1, Tracy Ifeachor played Dr. Heather Collins, a former flame of Dr. Robby's who suffered a miscarriage during her shift. From there, she understandably clocked out early, missing the flood of patients coming for the PittFest massacre. And she won't be seen in Season 2, as Deadline reported last July that Ifeachor would not be returning.

Does Dana come back? Katherine LaNasa as Dana in "The Pitt," Season 2. Credit: Warrick Page / HBO Max

Yes! Last season the charge nurse (Katherine LaNasa) with a heart of a gold and Yinzer accent threatened to quit her job after being attacked by a furious patient. Thankfully, Dana is back.

LeNasa won an Emmy and a Critics' Choice Award for her riveting performance in Season 1, so showrunner R. Scott Gemmill would be mad to write her off. And her return is good news for The Pitt, its fans, and Dr. Robby, who is the heart of the show, but also ever on the verge of bursting. Strong yet sensitive, sometimes raging but always resilient, it's impossible to imagine this place, or this show, without Dana.

Where has Dr. Langdon been? Brandon Mendez Homer and Patrick Ball in "The Pitt," Season 2. Credit: Warrick Page / HBO Max

In Season 2's premiere, The Pitt fans will see Dr. Langdon (Patrick Ball) return after some time away, as demanded by his behavior in Season 1.

At the start of that shift, Langdon was a respected (albeit arrogant) senior resident, entrusted to introduce second-year resident Mel King to the ways of The Pitt. However, as the shift goes on, he blows up at wannabe maverick Santos, sparking a lecture from Dr. Robby. Then, Santos shares her suspicions that Langdon is stealing benzodiazepines. When Robby confirms this, he is furious and sends Langdon home. However, when Langdon hears about the shooting at PittFest, he returns to help however he can. Robby reluctantly allowed it.

Now in Season 2, he's back and not the cocky bastard we remember. With a sheepish demeanor, in episode 1, Langdon returns from 10 months of "rehab and counseling." Some of the nurses welcome him warmly, while Mel is so elated she almost hugs him in front of everyone. But Robby is less enthused, relegating the returning resident to triage and otherwise trying to avoid him.

Santos is still calling Javadi "Crash"? Shabana Azeez, Isa Briones, Gerran Howell, and Noah Wyle in "The Pitt," Season 2. Credit: Warrick Page / HBO Max

Yep. Within hours of meeting each other in Season 1, Santos had saddled her fellow student doctors with unwanted nicknames. Whitaker was mocked for being a farm boy with "Huckleberry," and Javadi was dubbed "Crash" for passing out during a particularly grisly medical moment. But by the end of Season 1, Javadi proved herself by making it through one hell of a first day, considering the PittFest carnage. She went out for drinks with coworkers in the park (don't tell her mom!) while Santos showed her softer side to Whitaker.

After being a jagoff to her peers all day, she discovered that Whitaker was unhoused and squatting in a closed section of the hospital. She offered him a room at her apartment for free. This was the most kind thing we'd seen her do yet, so there was the possibility Santos would be less of a bully in Season 2. But while Langdon is showing a newfound humility in this season, Santos is as cocky and cavalierly insulting as ever. She's still hyping herself up in front of superiors and undercutting her colleagues with snarky humor and antagonistic monikers. But even in this first episode, we're getting a better idea of why she's so determined to let no one get close.

Wait, where is Dr. Robby going? Noah Wyle as Dr. Robby in "The Pitt." Credit: Warrick Page / HBO Max

Instead of walking to work, as we saw at the start of last season, Dr. Robby rides a motorcycle to the ER. Last season, Dr. Jack Abbott (Shawn Hatosy) did recommend to his stressed friend that a hobby might help him cope with hard days at the hospital. So, the three-month sabbatical Robby promises he's starting at the end of this shift will be a long-distance motorcyle ride far beyond Pittsburgh's iconic yellow bridges to Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump.

"It's an aboriginal UNESCO World Heritage Site in Alberta," Robby tells Langdon. "I've never seen the Badlands."

According to Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump's website, it's a place "that preserves and interprets over 6,000 years of Plains Buffalo culture. Through vast landscapes, exhibits, and diverse programming, learn about the cultural significance of this cliff to the Plains People."

So was Langdon right when he called this trip a "spirit quest?" We'll see.

Who is Louie? Gerran Howell, Lucas Iverson, and Ernest Harden Jr. in "The Pitt." Credit: Warrick Page / HBO Max

While most of the returning cast from The Pitt's first season plays doctors, nurses, or other hospital staff, Ernest Harden Jr. played the lovable alcoholic Louie Cloverfield. Like Earl (Hansford Prince), who liked sandwiches but not egg salad, and Myrna (Jeanette Tondino O'Connor), who liked calling Dr. Robby "fruitcake," Louie is a bit of a regular around this ER. Like Norm from Cheers, except everyone keeps telling him to drink less.

In Season 1, Louie came to the ER twice in 24 hours with issues related to his heavy drinking. Langdon had prescribed him "benzos" to ease alcohol withdrawal, but pocketed several of the pills for his own use. In this new episode for Season 2, the pair are reunited, as Louie comes in with a swollen belly and an infected tooth. Langdon takes the opportunity to come clean, offering a sincere and unvarnished apology. While Louis is shocked, he offers forgiveness. And as was true last time, he may be suffering from his symptoms, but he's a ray of sunshine to all who cross his path.

The Pitt Season 2 premieres Jan. 8 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO Max, with new episodes each Thursday.

There are plenty of things with screens in them that don’t need screens, and now you can add handbags to that list. Created by Richard Peuty, Infinity is a high-end French purse that embeds an OLED display directly into its leather body, turning what is traditionally a static fashion accessory into a glowing, animated statement piece. I saw it up close at CES, where it immediately stood out as one of the show’s more delightfully unnecessary ideas.

SEE ALSO: The weirdest, wildest tech we saw at CES 2026

While the Infinity's entry-level Kickstarter tiers start at around $800, the top-end Atelier Edition surpasses $9,000, placing it firmly in the luxury handbag category. That highest tier is less about value and more about exclusivity, with limited production and hand-assembly in France. Such craftsmanship is where Infinity clearly wants to justify itself. The bag is made from full-grain leather sourced and assembled in Europe, with an emphasis on longevity and repairability rather than fast fashion. Peuty positions the OLED panel as something that allows the bag to evolve over time, rather than be replaced, adapting to trends digitally while the physical object remains the same.

Visually, Infinity appears to be a structured, high-end leather handbag at first glance. The OLED panel is flush with the front, framed by clean stitching and metal hardware, so the tech doesn’t overpower the design.

The display can be changed on your phone through the Infinity app. Credit: Chance Townsend / Mashable

The OLED panel sits beneath a textured protective layer designed to feel like leather rather than glass, so you never feel as though you’re touching a screen. The bag supports wireless charging, offers six to eight hours of continuous display time, and connects over Bluetooth Low Energy. The idea is that the technology disappears until you want it, leaving the craftsmanship to do most of the talking.

It’s undeniably a little ridiculous, but it’s also very intentional. It’s aiming at buyers who already spend thousands on handbags and want something no one else at dinner has.

Streaming deals to watch the NFL playoffs in 2026, at a glance: Prime Video $8.99 per month (save $6 compared to full Prime membership) Get Deal Fox One + ESPN Unlimited bundle $39.99 per month (save $9.99 per month) Get Deal Peacock Premium annual plan $109.99 per year (save $21.89) Get Deal Paramount+ Essential annual plan $59.99 per year (until Jan. 15) (save $35.89) Get Deal YouTube TV 21-day free trial, then $59.99 per month for 2 months (save $23 per month) Get Deal

The most unhinged part of the NFL season is here. That's right — it's playoffs time, baby.

Whether your team is in or out, you're probably wondering what kind of streaming madness the NFL has in store for this postseason. The good news is there are no more out of market games to confuse and frustrate viewers. The bad news is if you don't have cable (or a cable replacement), you're going to need a bunch of streaming services. Fear not; I've done the annoying research for you already. It's better than wallowing in self pity because my team didn't make the playoffs (I'm a Ravens fan — IYKYK).

Here are all the details you need to watch the NFL playoffs in 2026, including the tentative schedule, which streaming services you need, which ones offer free trials, and the best streaming deals to save you some money.

What is the 2026 NFL postseason schedule?Wild Card Round

Saturday, Jan. 10

• Rams at Panthers at 4:30 p.m. ET — Fox (stream on Fox One)

• Packers at Bears at 8 p.m. ET — Prime Video

Sunday, Jan. 11

• Bills at Jaguars at 1 p.m. ET — CBS (stream on Paramount+)

• 49ers at Eagles at 4:30 p.m. ET  — Fox (stream on Fox One)

• Chargers at Patriots at 8 p.m. ET — NBC (stream on Peacock)

Monday, Jan. 12

• Texans at Steelers at 8 p.m. ET — ESPN / ABC (stream on ESPN Unlimited)

Divisional Round

The Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos are the No. 1 seeds in their respective divisions, so they earned a first-round bye. In the Divisional Round, the lowest seed remaining in the AFC after the Wild Card weekend will play Denver for a spot in the AFC Championship. The lowest remaining seed in the NFC will face off against Seattle for a spot in the NFC Championship. These games are TBD, but will fall on Jan. 17 and 18.

Saturday, Jan. 17

• AFC or NFC divisional matchup, 4:30 p.m. ET — TBD

• AFC or NFC divisional matchup, 8 p.m. ET — TBD

Sunday, Jan. 18

• AFC or NFC divisional matchup, 3 p.m. ET — TBD

• AFC or NFC divisional matchup, 6:30 p.m. ET — TBD

Championship Round

Sunday, Jan. 25

• AFC Championship at 3:00 p.m. ET — CBS (stream on Paramount+)

• NFC Championship at 6:30 p.m. ET — Fox (stream on Fox One)

Super Bowl

Sunday, Feb. 8

• 2026 Super Bowl at 6:30 p.m. ET — NBC (stream on Peacock)

Which streaming services do you need?

If you don't have cable or a digital antenna (more on this below), you'll need quite a few streaming subscriptions to watch the playoffs. It should come as no surprise, considering how many different channels and subscriptions were required to watch the regular season. The good news is you can easily sign up for a single month of each service and then cancel if you don't want to keep paying. Plus, some even offer free trials.

You'll need Fox, NBC, CBS, and ESPN/ABC networks to watch every postseason game, plus Prime Video. Fortunately, all of these channels have streaming counterparts for folks without cable.

For the NFL 2026 playoffs, you'll need the following streaming services:

• Fox One

• Prime Video

• Peacock

• Paramount+

• ESPN Unlimited

Another option, albeit an expensive one, is to sign up for a live TV cable replacement service, like YouTube TV or Fubo, which includes all of the networks you'll need to watch live games (except Prime Video). The monthly cost for these services is higher than paying for all five of the streamers above, but most come with free trials. If you've never signed up for YouTube TV before, for example, you'll get a 21-day free trial. That gets you all the way through the Championship Round. You'd still need to pay separately for a Prime Video subscription for a wildcard game, but this is your best bet to watch the most games for the cheapest price.

Live TV cable replacement options:

• YouTube TV (carries Fox, NBC, CBS, ABC, ESPN)

• Fubo (carries Fox, CBS, ABC, ESPN)

• DirecTV Stream (carries ABC, ESPN, NBC, CBS, Fox in select markets)

• Sling Orange & Blue (carries ESPN, Fox, ABC, and NBC in select markets)

• Hulu + Live TV (carries ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC)

Which streaming services offer free trials?

Of the streaming services and cable replacement options above, here's a breakdown of which ones offer free trials and how long those trials last. Just remember, these trials are only available to new users in most cases (and sometimes returning users).

• Fox One — free 7-day trial

• Prime Video — free 30-day trial

• Paramount+ — free 7-day trial (through Jan. 15)

• YouTube TV — free 21-day trial

• Fubo — free 5-day trial

• DirecTV Stream — free 5-day trial

• Hulu + Live TV — free 3-day trial

Are there any streaming deals for the NFL playoffs?

If you've already exhausted most of the free trial options, fret not. There are some options to save money on select streaming services in time for the playoffs. We've rounded up the best streaming deals for each service below.

Fox One streaming deals

Fox One and ESPN bundle

Opens in a new window Credit: ESPN / Fox One Fox One and ESPN Unlimited bundle $39.99/month (save $9.99/month) Get Deal

Save $10 and kill two birds with one stone by signing up for the ESPN Unlimited and Fox One bundle. You'll get both streamers for just $39.99 per month (rather than $49.98), which will unlock access to three games in the wild card round, likely a game or two in the divisional round, as well as the NFC championship game.

Fox One annual plan

Opens in a new window Credit: Fox One Fox One annual plan $199.99/year (save $39.89) Get Deal

Another way to save on Fox One is by signing up for the entire year upfront for $199.99. Paying monthly adds up to $239.88 across 12 months, so you'll end up saving nearly $40 with an annual plan.

Prime Video streaming deals

Prime Video only

Opens in a new window Credit: Prime Video Prime Video only $8.99/month (save $6/month compared to Prime subscription) Get Deal

If you don't care about being a Prime member, you can save yourself $6 per month by signing up for Prime Video only. You won't get the perks of being a member (like free shipping and Prime Day access), but if you only want to stream sports and other content, this is your best bet.

Of course, Amazon makes it unnecessarily complicated to sign up for Prime Video on its own. When you go to sign up for a subscription, be sure to select the option to "see more plans" or "change plans." Then, navigate to the option for Prime Video on its own. You can still cancel whenever you want, just as you would a full Prime membership.

More Prime Video deals:

• Save 22% on an Amazon Prime annual membership

• Students save $7.50 per month with Prime for Young Adults

Peacock streaming deals

Peacock annual subscription

Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock annual subscription $109.99/year (save $21.89) Get Deal

The best Peacock deal for most people on any given day (when Peacock isn't running any sort of special) is the annual subscription plan. You'll get 12 months for the price of 10 when you pay upfront for the whole year. While a monthly subscription with ads usually costs $10.99 per month, that price drops to $9.17 per month with the annual plan. Live sports include ads regardless of which tier you choose, so you might as well opt for the cheaper Peacock Premium plan for the playoffs. A Peacock subscription grants you access to not only a game during wild card weekend, but also the Super Bowl itself.

More Peacock deals:

• Free Peacock Premium for eligible Xfinity customers

• Free Peacock Premium for Instacart+ subscribers

• Free Peacock Premium for Walmart+ subscribers

• Students save $8/month on one year of Peacock Premium

• First responders, medical professionals, military personnel, and teachers save $7/month on Peacock Premium

Paramount+ streaming deals

Paramount+ Essential annual subscription

Opens in a new window Credit: Paramount+ Paramount+ Essential annual subscription $59.99/year (save $35.89) Get Deal

Paramount+ is still one of the cheapest streaming services at just $7.99 per month with ads, but the price is about to jump to $8.99 per month come Jan. 15. In order to lock in a deal, we suggest signing up for the annual subscription before that price hike takes place. You'll get an entire year of streaming for only $59.99, which breaks down to just $5 per month. You'll get access to a few different playoff games, including the AFC Championship game, as well as in-network AFC games throughout the regular season.

More Paramount+ deals:

• Students save 50% on Paramount+ (any plan) for 12 months

• Save 17% on Paramount+ Premium annual plan (no ads)

ESPN Unlimited streaming deals

See Fox One bundle above.

ESPN Unlimited annual subscription

Opens in a new window Credit: ESPN ESPN Unlimited annual subscription $299.99/year (save $59.89) Get Deal

If you're a huge sports fan, you can save about $60 by signing up for a full year of ESPN Unlimited instead of paying monthly. It'll cost you $299.99 in total, which breaks down to only $24.99 per month instead of $29.99.

Another way to watch the NFL playoffs

Want to avoid signing up for a million streaming services just to watch the playoffs? I highly recommend getting a digital antenna. I have this cheap one from Amazon, and I'm able to access ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox live for free — no streaming subscription required. Just be sure to check how far the range is for whichever antenna you choose, as well as how far you are from your local broadcast towers. If you're in that range, you should be able to watch live TV for free. Of course, you'll still need that pesky Prime Video subscription, but for the other networks, you're golden.

This weekend, I decided to embark on an international getaway with three shows on Amazon Prime Video, and you’re coming with me. We’re headed around the world with a witty comedy and a dark sci-fi mystery-thriller, then it’s game-on back in the States, psychologically speaking.

TL;DR: Make nice with PDFs forever thanks to this lifetime license to PDF Converter and Editor for just $23.99 (reg. $99.99) with code CONVERT until Jan. 11.

Opens in a new window Credit: Acethinker PDF Converter & Editor: Lifetime License $23.99
$99.99 Save $76   Get Deal

Tired of constantly running into problems with PDFs? There’s now an app ready to help — PDF Converter and Editor. This app provides everything you need to deal with PDFs in just a few taps.

Right now, you can secure a lifetime subscription to PDF Converter and Editor for just $23.99 (reg. $99.99) with code CONVERT until Jan. 11.

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From signing a document to filling out a form, we encounter PDFs pretty regularly in our daily lives. Since they’re not going anywhere anytime soon, it’s time we learn to live with them. That’s where PDF Converter and Editor comes in, offering an easy way to deal with these frustrating files.

When you need to edit a PDF, just pull up this app. It lets you merge, split, rotate, or delete pages as needed. You can also use OCR to edit and extract text, add notes, stamps, text, or a customizable watermark.

PDF Converter and Editor not only lets you work with these files, but it also lets you convert them to another format in just a few taps, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, text, HTML, PNG, and JPG files.

If you have a file in another format that needs to be a PDF, you can easily convert a Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or image file to a PDF. When you convert your files, you don’t have to worry about sacrificing the quality. The original layouts, images, and hyperlinks will all be preserved.

Get this lifetime license to PDF Converter and Editor for just $23.99 (reg. $99.99) with code CONVERT until Jan. 11.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Now that we’re a week into 2026, it’s time to take a look at some more homelab projects to try out this weekend. Instead of complex and complicated projects, I’m focusing more on getting organized and setting myself up for a successful year from the start, so here are three projects to work on over the next few days.

I want to learn something when I watch a documentary or docuseries, but I don't want it to feel like I'm cramming for an exam. Entertaining while enlightening are two traits I look for in a doc, and I think this weekend's Prime Video picks hit that nail right on the head.

Microsoft is now rolling out Visual Studio Code version 1.108, also known as the December 2025 update. It some great terminal improvements, more Git features, new capabilities for AI agents, and other changes.

Smart home technology has made it possible to add features to your home that once cost thousands of dollars. You can now recreate many of those features for very little cost, or even for free if you already own the right smart home tech.

Prime Video's hit Fallout TV series is now driving speculation about the future of the Fallout video game series.

As spotted by PC Gamer and other outlets, the home page for the Fallout show on Amazon's website features an intriguing Easter egg that has piqued the interest of fans of the games. It's done up in the style of the in-game maps in the last few Fallout games, with each icon hiding behind-the-scenes info about the second season of the show. If you scroll to the upper right corner of the map, there's a mysterious countdown timer that ends on Feb. 4, the day that the final episode of Season 2 airs. Of course, everyone is wondering what will happen when that timer expires.

SEE ALSO: 'Fallout' Season 2 review: Our introduction to New Vegas is a blast, and more relevant than ever

Occam's razor suggests it will either be a tease for the already confirmed Season 3 of the Amazon show or a behind-the-scenes featurette on the finale of Season 2.

However, it's been a decade since the last proper Fallout game came out, so fans of the games are speculating on Reddit and elsewhere that there could be a remaster of 2008's Fallout 3 and/or 2010's Fallout: New Vegas in the works, to be announced when the timer goes up.

SEE ALSO: 'Fallout' Season 2, episode 1 includes an iconic 'New Vegas' needle drop

While that may seem like wishful thinking by fans who have been dying to return to post-apocalyptic America in video game form, there is a tiny bit of hope here. Leaked documents suggested the existence of a Fallout 3 remaster a couple of years ago, and those same documents proved correct regarding an Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion remaster that was eventually released in 2025.

Additionally, Windows Central reported this week that remasters of Fallout 3 and New Vegas will eventually be released, but the Amazon countdown timer has no connection to these releases.

So, in short, fans may be half-right. Those two games could definitely come back in some form in the near-ish future, but this countdown timer may have nothing to do with that. It's only a few weeks until someone is proven right or wrong, in any case.

The typical reaction to many of Netflix's best documentaries and series that I've watched (and I watch a lot of them) is, "wait, what?!" That can be a good thing or a bad thing, but if you're in the mood for something shocking, illuminating, or just a train-wreck you can't turn away from, shake a stick, and you'll hit something with Netflix's selection of docs.

Unsurprisingly, AI is everywhere at CES 2026 and they usually come in the form of wearables.

However, AI PCs, computers built to handle all types of Large Language Models (LLMs) are also having a moment at CES.

One of those products making its debut at CES, the Tiiny AI Pocket Lab, has created a portable AI supercomputer that's not quite a wearable, but its so tiny that you can fit it in your pocket.

Tiiny AI Pocket Lab Credit: Mashable

Tiiny AI's AI supercomputer, called the Tiiny AI Pocket Lab or Tiiny for short, was first shown to media at the Pepcom event at CES this week. Mashable was able to get a hands-on and try out Tiiny's capabilities and also observe just how tiny it is.

SEE ALSO: CES 2026 live updates: See the latest news, surprises, and strange tech from LG, Samsung, Lego, and new startups

The first thing we noticed at the Tiiny AI booth was its Guinness World Records certificate naming the Tiiny AI Pocket Lab the official "world's smallest mini PC."

Tiiny AI booth at CES Credit: Mashable

At first glance, Tiiny AI could be confused for a portable power bank. It's rectangular in shape and looks a bit brick-like. It's so small that it fits in the palm of your hand. It's also extremely light.

Again, we're talking about a computer here. Tiiny AI has managed to pack in a whopping 80GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage into this miniature device in order for it to actually be able to handle intensive AI processing. 

Why would you need a high-performance PC for AI? Tiiny AI does all of its AI processing right on the device. Nothing leaves this mini supercomputer. If you're privacy-minded and don't want all of your data uploaded to the cloud or just don't want to pay for any more subscriptions, an AI computer is what you want. Tiiny AI wants to provide the most portable solution.

Tiiny AI has also built a corresponding desktop app to work with Tiiny so you don't have to be an AI developer or programmer to know how to run AI models on your device. Tiiny's app provides simple use for dozens of different models, including generative AI models that create images and video.

Tiiny AI is no bigger than a power bank Credit: Mashable

Testing out the Tiiny AI Pocket Lab's capabilities, it responded to prompts quite quickly and generated content just as fast, if not faster, than many popular cloud AI services. The Tiiny device I used had been running throughout the day and, surprisingly, it wasn't hot at all. It wasn't even that warm. This is interesting because a common feature for full-sized AI PCs is the ability to handle the high temperatures these computers can reach due to the intrusive AI processing. For a mini computer to be able to pull this off is pretty impressive. 

The Tiiny AI Pocket Lab will be launched on Kickstarter within the next few months and will retail for $1,399 – pricey for a mini-computer, but in the more affordable range when it comes to AI computers. 

I've spent years watching people move data in Microsoft Excel by cutting, inserting blank rows, pasting, and then deleting the old empty space. Most people don't realize there's a right-click-drag menu that handles all of that in one motion.

Microsoft Word is rolling out a small quality-of-life update that fundamentally changes how you add hyperlinks to your documents. This update, which is already available in Word for the web, lets you instantly turn selected text into a link simply by pasting the URL directly over it.

Luxury SUVs are typically known for comfort, refinement, and capability, but not for efficiency. Many non-hybrid luxury crossovers prioritize power and prestige over fuel economy, making impressive mileage a bonus rather than an expectation. Yet in 2025, one non-hybrid luxury SUV quietly outpaces nearly all of its rivals in real-world efficiency, proving that premium driving doesn’t have to come with premium fuel bills.

Dell's modern Alienware gaming laptops are powerful and cool-looking machines, but they have a reputation of being hefty and expensive. That may soon change. At CES 2026 Monday, the American tech company teased its forthcoming ultra-slim and entry-level gaming laptops set for release later this year.

Mashable saw prototypes of both devices in Dell's private showroom this week, so I can tell you that they exist. However, we couldn't photograph them and we can't disclose any design details beyond what Dell revealed in its announcement blog post.

Neither laptop's category is currently represented in the Alienware lineup. Existing models include the 16-inch Aurora 16 and 16X, two sleek mid-range options, and the 16- and 18-inch Area-51s, Dell's glitzy flagship machines. They start at $1,100 to $2,670, respectively; weigh 5.5 to 7.5 pounds; and measure at least 0.89 inches thick.

The new Alienware 16X Aurora (left) and 16 Area-51 will feature anti-glare OLED displays. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

The 16X Aurora and 16 Area-51 are getting updated with anti-glare OLED displays for 2026. The 16X Aurora and both sizes of the Area-51 will have new Intel Core Ultra 200HX processors with Nvidia GeForce RTX 50 series graphics.

The new ultra-slim Alienware laptop will have a more understated look compared to other Alienware models, and it'll be available in 14- and 16-inch sizes, according to the blog post from Dell's PC gaming lead Matt McGowan. It will come in around 0.67 inches thick, making it as thin as last year's 16-inch Apple MacBook Pro.

Dell's new ultra-slim Alienware gaming laptop will come in 14- and 16-inch sizes. Credit: Dell

McGowan said the 16-inch version of the ultra-slim Alienware laptop will be "nearly 50% smaller in volume than our current 16-inch Area-51." Its portability comes at the cost of some power, but it "still delivers serious gaming capability with Nvidia discrete graphics and new highly efficient CPUs," he said. Dell provided one photo of it that appears to reveal an RGB keyboard and a microSD card slot. That's all we're working with right now.

In theory, this model sounds like a direct competitor to the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 and G16, which are popular picks for gamers and creatives who prioritize mobility. Lightweight and aesthetically subtle, they're often likened to MacBook Pros themselves.

The new entry-level Alienware gaming laptop looks pretty thin, too. Credit: Dell

Dell has revealed even less about its mysterious entry-level Alienware gaming laptop. All we really know for sure is that it will be cheaper than any other model in the Alienware lineup. Per McGowarn's blog post, it "delivers strong gaming performance in a clean design at our most accessible price point yet." Given the price of Dell's existing gaming laptops, it'll probably start well under $1,000.

Head to the Mashable CES 2026 hub for the latest news and live updates from the biggest show in tech, where Mashable journalists are reporting live.

We were supposed to be holidaying on the moon, driving hover cars, and passing our chores off to humanoid robot helpers by now. Though robotic helpers are closer than ever, the path forward is fraught with doubt, challenges, and serious privacy considerations.