IT General

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're in a tight-knit group.

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 4, 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 4, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A clique.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter S appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter P.

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...

POSSE

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 4, 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 today's Wordle.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

Speed.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

FLASH

Hurdle Word 2 hint

To torture.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for January 4, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

WRACK

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A preserved corpse.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for January 4 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for January 4, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

MUMMY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Unfazed.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for January 4 Hurdle Word 4 answer

STOIC

Final Hurdle hint

To give up.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

FORGO

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: Windows 11 Pro is available for $9.97 (reg. $199), offering a low-cost upgrade now that Windows 10 support has officially ended.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Windows 11 Pro $9.97
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Upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 may not feel urgent until something breaks — but as of October 2025, Windows 10 has officially reached the end of its support cycle. That means no more security updates, bug fixes, or long-term protection from newly discovered threats. If you’re still running Windows 10, upgrading your operating system is now one of the simplest ways to keep your PC secure without replacing perfectly functional hardware. Even better, a Windows 11 Pro license is currently on sale for just $9.97 (regularly $199).

Windows 11 Pro doesn’t just refresh how your PC looks — it improves how it works under the hood, too. The operating system introduces a cleaner, more intuitive interface that makes everyday navigation faster and less cluttered. Features like Snap Layouts help you organize multiple windows more efficiently, while improved voice typing and desktop management tools make multitasking feel smoother.

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Security is one of the biggest reasons to upgrade. Windows 11 Pro includes built-in protections such as TPM 2.0, Smart App Control, and biometric sign-in options, which work together to help prevent unauthorized access and malware attacks. With Windows 10 no longer receiving updates, these protections are especially important for safeguarding your personal files, work documents, and other sensitive data.

For users who also game on their PCs, Windows 11 Pro supports DirectX 12 Ultimate, allowing compatible hardware to deliver improved graphics and performance. And for those using their PC primarily for work, Windows 11 Pro includes advanced features like BitLocker device encryption, Windows Sandbox, Hyper-V, and Azure AD support, which can be useful for remote work, testing environments, and secure file handling.

Instead of investing in new hardware, upgrading your operating system extends the useful life of your current PC. With Windows 10 support already ended, moving to Windows 11 Pro is now more of a practical update than a cosmetic one.

For a limited time, you can upgrade to Windows 11 Pro for $9.97 (reg. $199).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: This refurbished 2017 MacBook Air is on sale for $199.97 (reg. $999), offering a reliable Apple laptop for work, school, and everyday use at a fraction of its original price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air 2017 (Refurbished) $199.97
$999 Save $799.03   Get Deal

Buying a brand-new MacBook Air at full price isn’t always realistic — especially when everyday expenses already feel like they’re doing the most. The good news is that you don’t actually need the latest model to get the familiar Apple experience. Right now, a refurbished MacBook Air is available for $199.97.

If your laptop needs revolve around work, school, streaming, or general day-to-day browsing, this new-to-you MacBook Air still checks a lot of boxes. Sure, it’s a 2017 model, but it remains a dependable machine for common tasks like writing papers, answering emails, attending video calls, and managing spreadsheets.

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It may not have an M-series chip under the hood, but it runs on an Intel Core i5 processor, which still delivers solid performance for multitasking. You can have multiple tabs open, switch between apps, and handle routine workloads without constant lag. Paired with reliable Wi-Fi connectivity, it’s capable of keeping up with both planned work and last-minute tasks.

The 13.3-inch widescreen display offers a 1440×900 native resolution, supported by Intel HD Graphics 6000. That’s perfect for streaming shows and movies, casual photo editing, and even light video work. While it’s not built for heavy creative workloads, it holds up well for your day-to-day.

Storage comes in at 128GB via SSD, which helps the system boot quickly and keeps apps running efficiently. While that number may sound paltry, it’s enough for tens of thousands of photos, thousands of songs, and plenty of documents. If you’re relying largely on cloud storage anyway, it’s more than enough.

The battery life isn’t something to scoff at, either. It can last up to 12 hours on a single charge, making it easy to use throughout the day without constantly hunting for an outlet.

This unit carries a Grade A/B refurbished rating, meaning it may show light cosmetic wear like small scratches or scuffs, but it’s fully functional and tested for reliability.

Grab this chance to take home a MacBook Air for way less. This refurbished unit is on sale for just $199.97 (reg. $999).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

PC gamers want the smoothest experience possible, which usually means investing in top-tier hardware. While graphics cards and CPUs actually make a big difference, there's one component that gets way more attention than it deserves: SSDs.

Microsoft's switch from Windows 10 to Windows 11 left many PCs supposedly obsolete. This is sad news for many PC owners, but good news for you if you're in the market for a NAS or a homelab.

CES is normally a place for big tech news, but this year's show could add a dash of political intrigue to the mix.

At 11 a.m. on Thursday in Las Vegas, the annual Consumer Electronics Show will act as the venue for a "fireside chat" between Consumer Technology Association CEO Gary Shapiro, FCC chairman Brendan Carr, and FTC chairman Andrew Ferguson. Carr's involvement is key here because the FCC recently banned the sale of drones from the Chinese firm DJI, which manufactures a large majority of consumer drones on the market.

The big question here is will Carr address the DJI drone ban at CES? It would certainly be an appropriate venue for it, given the tech-focused nature of the event. However, the description of the fireside chat is incredibly vague, promising only "candid conversations on how [the FCC and FTC] are navigating the rapidly changing tech landscape." There's no mention of a Q&A or anything like that, so it's very possible that the topics of conversation will steer clear of anything potentially controversial. We will have to wait and see.

SEE ALSO: How to watch CES 2026 live: Streaming schedule, keynotes, events What is the DJI ban?

In case you haven't been following the news, the momentum towards a total ban on DJI drones in the United States started last year as part of the Trump administration's trade war with China. The government required all Chinese-manufactured drones to undergo a "national security risk assessment" by late December. Unfortunately for DJI, late December came and the ban went into place.

For its part, DJI agreed to take part in audits, but apparently that wasn't enough for the FCC. Again, it's not certain if Carr will or won't address the ban at CES, but in case you're curious how he feels about it, he provided a statement at the time of the ban that might say everything you need to know.

"President Trump has been clear that his Administration will act to secure our airspace and unleash American drone dominance," Carr said.

A decade ago, I didn’t want anything to do with Samsung phones. Now they’ve become the only ones I want to own—and while this may be surprising, there’s a single Samsung app that’s a big part of the reason why.

Apple’s AirPods are so ubiquitous, they’ve become the Kleenex of Bluetooth earbuds. But whether you own an iPhone or an Android, AirPods are hardly the only compelling option. As long as you stay clear of the cheapest budget options you see in checkout lines, Bluetooth earbuds, in general, are all pretty awesome.

Got an old smartwatch collecting dust in a drawer? Wondering if there's anything practical you can do with it besides gathering dust? Well, here are five genuinely useful ways to repurpose it into something that still earns its place in your daily routine.

Lego is all set to show off its wares at CES this year.

The internationally beloved Danish toy company is holding its very first CES press conference in Las Vegas next week. While CES is a tech show that's largely focused on things like computer chips, electric vehicles, and AI, it's hard to guess what, exactly, Lego will announce. Lego's press conference is set for 1 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 5. While there isn't a confirmed livestream link yet, we will update this piece as soon as we have one. If one does not become available, we will report the news out of the press conference as best as we can.

SEE ALSO: CES 2026: The biggest tech trends to watch out for

As for what Lego is going to show off, it's hard to say. The company has its fingers in lots of pies, including some tech-y ones. There's a big new Lego Batman video game coming out soon, as well as a collaboration with F1 to produce a Lego car. I would expect the unexpected here, at any rate.

If nothing else, it should be more fun than the cavalcade of apps that use AI to manage your stock portfolio that get shown off at CES every year.

My iPhone 15 Pro has 256GB of internal storage. The last time I'd checked, I was using about half of that capacity. Imagine my surprise, then, when I discovered that my storage was suddenly almost completely full. The culprit was not what I was expecting.

When you buy a tech product, it usually comes in its own box. Many normal people will throw these boxes away, realizing that they're highly unlikely to ever need them again. Some of us, however, find it harder to say goodbye.

I’ve used just about every “read-it-later” app out there, and none of them stuck. To my surprise, what finally worked wasn’t a read-it-later app at all. It was Obsidian.

If you're a music fan who's never tried a high-quality pair of headphones, you just don't know what you're missing. Audiophile headphones built for Hi-Fi playback can completely transform the way you listen to and appreciate music. Here's what I learned when I first delved into the world of audiophile headphones.

Spotify is the most popular music streaming service of all time, so it's a surprise to no one that it changed the music industry forever, mostly not for the better. It's altered how artists release music and how we listen to it. Yet despite everything wrong with Spotify, I still can’t seem to quit.

For weeks, my Wi-Fi felt unreliable in ways I couldn’t reconcile. My house uses an eero mesh network, coverage is strong everywhere inside my home and even out at the fringes of the property, and speed tests at the router consistently looked fine. Yet my Windows work laptop would randomly crawl. Meetings had video issues, and large downloads would slow to a halt. Walking closer to a node didn’t help. Rebooting the router didn’t fix it. Toggling Wi-Fi off and on barely made a difference. Everything seemed to be pointing to "bad Wi-Fi," but there was no clear smoking gun.

This was a quieter week in the technology space, with CES 2026 just around the corner and everyone celebrating the holidays, but there were still new developments for Pebble smartwatches, Plex servers, Linux, and PC hardware. Here are the biggest stories you might have missed.

American sports cars have always turned heads with their rumbling V8s, bold looks, and a driving experience that’s anything but tame. They’ve built a reputation for raw power, freedom, and straight-line speed—without the sky-high prices of European sports cars.

If I had to cancel every subscription I have except for one, I would keep Apple Music. It gives me access to almost all the music I could ever want and integrates perfectly into the Apple ecosystem. It's not perfect, however, and some of the settings make it worse than it needs to be. If you're an Apple Music subscriber, there are a few settings you might want to change.