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I've already covered a lot of trends emerging from CES 2026, but one of the most notable has been smart glasses, in all their various forms. I've tried on numerous pairs of smart glasses over the past five days, ranging from electrochromic sports glasses with customizable tint to the world's first AR gaming glasses featuring a 240 Hz refresh rate. In fact, I'm writing this article on a plane flying from Las Vegas to New York City, and using the Xreal One Pro's ultra-wide spatial computing display as I do.

Full disclosure, I strongly prefer smart glasses without an onboard camera. I dislike the idea of Big Tech brands being able to see and hear everything I do. Removing the cameras also solves the Google Glasshole problem.

SEE ALSO: 10+ gadgets from CES 2026 that you can buy right now: Dell, Xreal, Samsung, more

If I had to pick one smart glasses brand that wowed me the most at CES, it would have to be Xreal. That said, the brand faces steep competition from established brands like Even Realities and TCL, as well as newcomers like MemoMind.

So, check out the best smart glasses of CES 2026, all based on my first-hand experience from the event.

Best in show: ROG Xreal R1 AR gaming glasses and Real 3D The ROG Xreal R1 gaming glasses have a fantastic display. Credit: Xreal

For me, CES is all about those genuine "wow!" moments. I'm looking for products that feel like they've been plucked straight out of a science fiction movie. And that's what Xreal delivered at CES, more so than any other smart glasses demo I saw.

Xreal showcased a wide range of new products at CES 2026. Not only did they debut the new Xreal 1S AR Glasses, which deliver key upgrades and a price drop, but they also have a new pair of gaming glasses with world-first technology. You can buy the Xreal 1S glasses right now, but the real showstopper was the unreleased ROG Xreal R1 AR gaming glasses.

The ROG Xreal R1 glasses feature a stunning AR display. You can project games from a PC, console, or handheld onto a spatial screen up to 171 inches in size. These are also the world's first AR glasses with a 240 Hz refresh rate, thanks to new 1080p micro-OLED panels. I briefly played Elden Ring and Forza Horizon 5, and the graphics looked phenomenal. Even the Apple Vision Pro doesn't go above 120 Hz. I will say, as cool as it is, this is a very niche product, with limited use cases.

Testing the ROG Xreal R1 AR gaming glasses at CES. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable Testing the Real 3D feature on the Xreal One Pro AR glasses. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

On top of that, Xreal is offering a Real 3D conversion feature for the 1S and One Pro glasses as an over-the-air update. This feature instantly transforms 2D displays into 3D displays, allowing you to scroll through your Instagram feed in three dimensions or turn any movie or video game into a 3D experience.

We don't have a confirmed release date for the new gaming glasses, but Xreal promised they're coming in 2026. The bad news? They'll likely land with a hefty price tag.

Best sports glasses: Povec Optics C1 sunglasses

One of my favorite finds at CES is a pair of smart glasses with no camera, no heads-up display, and no speakers. So, what's so smart about them?

The C1 sunglasses from startup Povec Optics are electrochromic, meaning they feature a customizable tint. Simply slide your finger along the side of the glasses, and the tint instantly changes. I've never seen anything like these glasses, and that's what CES is all about, right?

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I love these glasses because they aren't trying to do a dozen different things, a common problem with smart glasses. Plus, they feel a little bit like magic.

The company's founder told me the glasses will be released in 2026. I recommend following Povec Optics on Instagram for updates.

Best for entertainment: TCL RayNeo Air 4 Pro smart glasses Timothy Werth wearing TCL RayNeo Air 4 Pro smart glasses Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable TCL also showed off its RayNeo X3 Pro glasses, released in Dec. 2025. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

TCL has been making smart glasses under its RayNeo line for a while now, but without making much of an impact on the market. I think that's going to change with the imminent launch of the new RayNeo Air 4 Pro smart glasses, which arrive Jan. 25.

These are Xreal-style AR glasses with a floating virtual display. However, they boast a true HDR display that's brighter, more colorful, and crisper than any other smart glasses I've tried so far.

And here's the coolest part: They're priced at $299. That's a pretty unbeatable price in this space.

Best audio glasses: Lucyd smart glasses

I'll be honest — I wasn't familiar with Lucyd (pronounced "lucid") prior to CES, but the brand has been making smart glasses for a while. They're really unique glasses in one absolutely critical way: They're priced just like regular glasses. They look and feel just like regular glasses, which I also appreciate.

Lucyd can sell smart glasses for as little as $99 because they aren't trying to do too much. Lucyd frames have speakers built in, which can be helpful for hands-free communication on job sites, listening to music while you work out, getting quick answers from ChatGPT, or taking phone calls on the go.

Trying Lucyd smart glasses at CES 2026. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable Lucyd makes audio glasses for brands like Reebok, Eddie Bauer, and others. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

A Lucyd representative informed me that the company is focused on creating the best possible eyewear at a reasonable price, and I believe that is evident in the product. The glasses had great sound, and the company's sports glasses (part of a partnership with Reebok) are a particular highlight, along with their prescription frames. Lightweight, stylish, and affordable is a rare combination in the smart glasses world, but Lucyd pulls it off.

You can shop for Lucyd smart sports glasses at the brand's website and other online retailers, with prices starting at just $179 for sports glasses. You can also purchase regular Lucyd frames on Amazon, starting at $99.

Best heads-up display: Even Realities G2 The Even G2 Smart Glasses. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

Even Realities had the best display smart glasses I've tried yet, full stop. However, the Even G2 Smart Glasses I tried aren't new for CES. That said, they easily had the best heads-up display I tried at the show, as well as the best live translation. I was able to have a back-and-forth conversation in Italian and English about Formula 1 and Lewis Hamilton, with the glasses display providing a live translation.

Instant, live translation is here. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable Even R1 smart ring. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

I was also impressed by the map and navigation features, the teleprompter mode, and the overall design. Unlike most smart glasses, they have thin frames, so they don't look as clunky on your face. Even Realities also features a smart ring, which allows you to control the glasses using simple touch controls.

The subtle display on the Even G2 glasses. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

You can buy Even Realities G2 glasses directly from the brand's website for $599.

Best newcomer: XGIMI MemoMind AI glasses The Memo One AI Glasses will be available for preorder soon. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

The projector brand XGIMI had a surprise announcement at CES. They're releasing a new line of display smart glasses under the new brand MemoMind. XGIMI incubated the MemoMind startup to release the glasses.

MemoMind will be releasing three smart glasses, although only two have names so far: the Memo One and the Memo Air Display. The latter features a monocular display and offers a more minimalist approach. The Memo One AI glasses feature "integrated speakers with a dual-eye display for both visual and audio AI interaction."

Timothy Werth wearing MemoMind Memo One AI Glasses at CES 2026. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable I liked the style of the Memo One glasses on display at CES. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

I got to try both glasses, and they had a well-rounded feature set, including navigation, live translation, a teleprompter, and AI summaries. The company says that the glasses run on a "multi-LLM hybrid operating system that automatically selects the most suitable AI model for each task — including OpenAI, Azure, and Qwen."

I liked the design of the glasses on display, and they were impressively lightweight. They will also be fully customizable, both in terms of style and prescription. The Memo One will be available for preorder "soon" for $599.

Best Meta Ray-Ban Display alternative: Rokid AI glasses

Rokid is a Chinese company that sells AR glasses on Amazon. However, for CES, this smart glasses brand announced the launch of a new pair of AI display glasses. The built-in camera can see what you see and instantly provide answers, like the Meta Ray-Ban Display. Unlike the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses, which have a starting price of $379, these AI display glasses start at $299.

Testing the upcoming Rokid AI Smart Glasses at CES. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

During a demo, I asked the glasses to describe the crowded CES scene around me, and it did so with a surprising amount of detail and accuracy. That said, the Rokid live translation feature wasn't as good as what I experienced with Even Realities.

However, if you like the idea of AI glasses that can capture content, answer questions, and provide info via a heads-up display, the new Rokid AI Glasses can do all of the above. Personally, I prefer smart glasses that aren't trying to do too much, but I know some people want all the bells and whistles.

You can preorder the Rokid AI Glasses at the company's website.

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.

NASA will bring four astronauts home from the International Space Station days earlier than planned after one crew member experienced a medical issue that requires further testing. 

In a news conference on Jan. 8, agency leaders said the astronaut is "absolutely stable" but needs a full diagnostic workup that can't be done in the lab orbiting 250 miles above the planet. The return from space marks the first controlled medical evacuation from the station in its 25 years of continuous operations, highlighting the rarity of the situation and the limits of treating complex health problems away from Earth.

New NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said ending the mission a little early is in the best interest of Crew-11. The astronauts — Commander Zena Cardman, pilot Mike Fincke, Japan’s Kimya Yui, and Russia’s Oleg Platonov — will ride SpaceX's Dragon Endeavour capsule back to Earth within days. 

UPDATE: Jan. 12, 2026, 9:40 a.m. EST NASA has released new information on the return of Crew-11, including when the astronauts will disembark from the International Space Station, the targeted splashdown, and live coverage of the event. This story is updated with the details.

Once Dragon departs as early as Wednesday, American astronaut Chris Williams, who arrived on a Russian Soyuz spacecraft in November, will be the only U.S. crew member left. Russian colleagues will help Williams manage systems and experiments until Crew‑12's flight launches, potentially as soon as mid‑February. 

Here's what we know about the unprecedented medical evacuation:

SEE ALSO: New discovery just broke the record for fastest-spinning large asteroid Who is the sick astronaut on the ISS?

NASA is deliberately trying to keep the name of the affected astronaut confidential, citing medical privacy practices. During the Jan. 8 briefing, officials didn't disclose identifying information — not even slipping up with any gendered pronouns in their comments. 

What we do know is that just prior to the announcement of the medical evacuation, NASA had canceled a scheduled spacewalk — a venture outside the space station — specifically because of the medical concern that arose Wednesday afternoon. NASA astronauts Fincke and Cardman were expected to perform that operation, related to an installation of solar panels.

JAXA, NASA's Japanese space counterpart, released a statement that clarified Yui is not the crew member dealing with the health issue, according to Japanese news reports. 

What is the medical condition on the ISS?

Though NASA’s chief health and medical officer J.D. Polk said he wouldn't talk specifics about a diagnosis, he and other officials repeatedly referred to the circumstance as "serious." 

NASA has only confirmed that the astronaut is now "stable," but officials haven't said if there was ever a time when the astronaut was not stable. They declined to provide enough details to infer that. 

When asked whether physical preparations for the spacewalk were involved in the problem, Dr. Polk clarified that it was unrelated to pre-breathing procedures. Before a spacewalk, astronauts breathe pure oxygen for a set period to flush nitrogen out of their bloodstream. 

Inside the space station, air is like Earth's, with a mix of nitrogen and oxygen. In the spacesuit, the pressure is much lower and mostly oxygen. A sudden switch from one to the other could cause the dissolved nitrogen in a person's body to form bubbles and cause the bends, like in scuba diving. Pre-breathing is intended to reduce the risk of decompression sickness. 

"This actually had nothing to do with the operational environment in preparing for a spacewalk at all," Dr. Polk said. "This was totally unrelated to any operations on board."

Dr. Polk also emphasized that the medical issue wasn't an injury in the course of work, though he stopped short of saying whether it was some other kind of injury. 

"It's mostly having a medical issue in the difficult areas of microgravity," he said. 

NASA astronaut Mike Fincke checks communication and power systems in his pressurized spacesuit 10 days before a spacewalk planned for Jan. 8, 2026. Credit: NASA What medical emergencies have happened before? 

Astronauts have handled many medical issues over a quarter-century at the space station, but most fall in the category of urgent-care problems, like toothaches and ear pain. 

Public reports also describe astronauts managing minor injuries and infections, back pain, motion sickness, headaches, and vision changes with telemedicine and the onboard medical kit. They've even dealt with a blood clot in the neck, treating it with injections of a blood-thinning drug and later oral medication, once it arrived on a cargo resupply ship.

"We've had many models … that have said we should have had a medical evacuation approximately every three years in that 25-year history," Dr. Polk said. 

Is the astronaut evacuation an emergency?

Technically speaking, no. NASA describes it as a "controlled expedited return," not an emergency deorbit for the crew. That might seem like semantics, but the difference indicates the situation's perceived level of severity.

An emergency deorbit would mean departing the station as soon as possible, regardless of the landing timing, sea conditions, weather, and other risks, which NASA is capable of doing, Isaacman said. An expedited return, on the other hand, sticks to approved landing zones and mission rules. The latter type of departure indicates the astronaut's life isn't considered in immediate danger.

Despite the crew member remaining stable, NASA wants to bring the person home because the station lacks the full diagnostic hardware normally found in a hospital, officials said.

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 astronauts participate in a water survival demonstration at the Neutral Buoyancy Lab in April 2025. Credit: NASA / James Blair When will the SpaceX Dragon return to Earth?

NASA will attempt to undock the ship at 2 p.m. PT / 5 p.m. ET Jan. 14, pending weather and recovery conditions. That should put the crew on track to splash down off the coast of California at about 12:40 a.m. PT / 3:40 a.m. ET Jan. 15. Live coverage of the hatch closing should begin at noon PT / 3 p.m. ET Jan. 14. After the undocking event, the broadcast will resume with return coverage at 11:15 p.m. PT Jan. 14 / 2:15 a.m. ET Jan. 15. A couple of hours after landing, NASA will hold a news briefing.

The splashdown itself should look pretty standard, according to the agency. NASA intends to use the normal recovery convoy to pick up the crew. Every Dragon ship is outfitted with emergency gear, and flight surgeons are always on the recovery ship for every landing, with contingency hospitals waiting on standby when astronauts return. 

"This is no different in that respect," Dr. Polk said. 

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The NBA games come thick and fast at this time of year as the standings start to take shape. The Timberwolves have really got it together lately after a slow start. The Cavs need a good run of form to move up into the playoff spots. We're expecting an evenly-matched battle when the two teams come together in Cleveland.

If you want to watch Cavaliers vs. Timberwolves in the NBA for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Cavaliers vs. Timberwolves?

Cavaliers vs. Timberwolves in the NBA starts at 1 p.m. ET on Jan. 10. This game takes place at the Rocket Arena.

How to watch Cavaliers vs. Timberwolves for free

Cavaliers vs. Timberwolves in the NBA is available to live stream for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime.

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TL;DR: Live stream Packers vs. Bears for free on TVNZ+. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

As the NFL postseason kicks off with Wild Card Weekend, there are certainly some interesting matchups to keep an eye on. This NFC North clash however, Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears, is a familiar one — the Packers and Bears are divisional rivals who have already faced each twice this season, with a win apiece on their respective home fields.

The Bears have made the playoffs for the first time since 2020 but they're not entering this Wild Card match with the confidence you'd expect. The NFC No. 2 seed have taken two losses on the bounce. The Packers, who enter the playoffs as the No. 7 seed via a Wild Card berth, have performed even worse in recent games. They ended their season with four straight losses.

What that means, however, is that one team is sure to bounce back and fight for a place in the Divisional Round. All-in-all, it's a can't miss game.

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If you want to watch Packers vs. Bears in the NFL playoffs for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.

When is Packers vs. Bears?

Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears takes place at 8 p.m. ET on Jan. 10. This fixture will be played at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois.

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Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears in the NFL is available to live stream for free on TVNZ+.

TVNZ+ is geo-restricted to New Zealand, but you can access this free streaming platform from anywhere by using a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in New Zealand, allowing you to unblock TVNZ+ from anywhere in the world.Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:

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ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, for a number of reasons:

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• Fast connection speeds

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• 30-day money-back guarantee

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Live stream the NFL for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Rams vs. Panthers for free on TVNZ+. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

It's been an exciting and somewhat unexpected NFL season, with big names such as the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens missing out on the playoffs. If there was ever a year in which anything could happen in the postseason, this is it — and it all kicks off with the aptly named Wild Card Weekend, the first of four weekends of playoffs action.

First up are the Los Angeles Rams and Carolina Panthers. The Panthers are the NFC South winners, with a record of 8-9. The Rams, meanwhile, enter the playoffs thanks to a Wild Card berth though they actually scored a better overall record of 12-5 in NFC West.

The Panthers triumphed when they met the Rams back in Week 13, but Carolina are also coming off back-to-back losses, which means the momentum may be with Los Angeles, who are tipped as favorites following a decisive win against Arizona. It's all to play for as both franchises look to open the postseason with a statement win and advance to the Divisional Round.

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If you want to watch Rams vs. Panthers in the NFL playoffs for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.

When is Rams vs. Panthers?

Los Angeles Rams vs. Carolina Panther takes place at 4.30 p.m. ET on Jan. 10. This fixture will be played at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

How to watch Rams vs. Panthers for free

Los Angeles Rams vs. Carolina Panthers in the NFL is available to live stream for free on TVNZ+.

TVNZ+ is geo-restricted to New Zealand, but you can access this free streaming platform from anywhere by using a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in New Zealand, allowing you to unblock TVNZ+ from anywhere in the world.Access free live streams of the NFL 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 a location with free coverage of the NFL

4. Register with TVNZ+

5. Watch the NFL for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming do require a subscription, but the leading VPN services also offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. You can leverage these deals to get access to live streams of the NFL without committing any cash in the long run. This is obviously a short-term fix, but it will give you time to watch Rams vs. Panthers and other NFL fixtures before you reclaim any upfront investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, 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 connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 — a saving of 49% — which includes a bonus three months usage at no extra cost. This plan also includes a year of unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (also with a money-back guarantee).

Live stream the NFL for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Tottenham Hotspur vs. Aston Villa in the FA Cup for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Times are tough for Spurs right now. A last-minute defeat against Bournemouth has piled on the pressure for manager Thomas Frank. They are languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League standings, so the FA Cup might provide a welcome break. Of course, they could easily get dumped out of the competition by Aston Villa. At that point, some fans might argue that a significant change is needed.

If you want to watch Tottenham Hotspur vs. Aston Villa in the FA Cup for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Tottenham Hotspur vs. Aston Villa?

Tottenham Hotspur vs. Aston Villa in the FA Cup kicks off at 5:45 p.m. GMT on Jan. 10. This fixture takes place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

How to watch Tottenham Hotspur vs. Aston Villa for free

Tottenham Hotspur vs. Aston Villa in the FA Cup is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, 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 the UK, meaning you can unblock BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Tottenham Hotspur vs. Aston Villa for free by following these simple steps:

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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

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The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Tottenham Hotspur vs. Aston Villa without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream select fixtures from the FA Cup before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

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

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• 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 $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 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Tottenham Hotspur vs. Aston Villa in the FA Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

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TL;DR: Live stream the 2026 World Cross Country Championships for free on World Athletics. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

We know that a lot of people around the world will be stepping outside to pound the pavement this month. January is a huge month for running. Take a look outside. There's a lot of activity on the streets right now.

If you're in need of any inspiration, there's an event taking place in Tallahassee that should provide the push you need. The World Cross Country Championships is bringing together some of the best runners in the world to compete at Apalachee Regional Park on a course that features sand, water, and mud. It's going to be a lot of fun to watch. To run? Not so much.

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If you want to watch the 2026 World Cross Country Championships for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the World Cross Country Championships?

The World Cross Country Championships is an athletics meeting organized by World Athletics. It's the most important competition in international cross country running.

When is the 2026 World Cross Country Championships?

The 2026 World Cross Country Championships is the 46th edition of the event. This year's event will take place on Jan. 10 at the Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, Florida, United States.

Here's the full schedule of the 2026 World Cross Country Championships:

• Mixed Relay — 9:45 a.m. ET on Jan. 10

• U20 Women — 10:20 a.m. ET on Jan. 10

• U20 Men — 10:55 a.m. ET on Jan. 10

• Senior Women — 11:35 a.m. ET on Jan. 10

• Senior Men — 12:20 p.m. ET on Jan. 10

The good news is that fans can follow all the action without spending anything.

How to watch the 2026 World Cross Country Championships for free

The 2026 World Cross Country Championships is available to live stream for free on World Athletics.

This free live stream is available in a number of territories. If it's not available in your location, you can access this free live stream with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another location, meaning you can unblock World Athletics from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2026 World Cross Country Championships 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 a location with access

4. Visit World Athletics

5. Watch the 2026 World Cross Country Championships 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 World Cross Country Championships before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for World Athletics?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on World Athletics, 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 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).

Live stream the 2026 World Cross Country Championships for free with ExpressVPN.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra launched in September 2025, ushering in the next generation of the brand's tablets. The S11 Ultra is a beefy model, one of the largest tablets we've had in our hands. With a 14.6-inch screen, it dwarfs the tablets we're used to, even Apple's 13-inch models.

With its large size, we expected a lot from this device and ultimately wondered if it lives up to the performance and power of elite tablets like Apple's iPad Pro.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra is a mixed bag, offering stellar battery life but with more to be desired in terms of performance. Here's everything you need to know about the device and if it's worth its $1,319.99 price.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra Specs and Price Let's take a closer look at the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra is a pricey model at $1,319.99. In contrast, the more affordable Galaxy Tab S11 with an 11-inch display is available for $979.99.

• Memory: 12GB

• Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

• Processor: Octa-Core

• Cameras: 13.0 MP + 8.0 MP rear camera, 12.0 MP front camera, and UHD 4K video recording.

• Audio: Quad speakers

• Ports: One USB-C

• Display: Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Great displays with split screens With split screens, I can watch a show and color at the same time. Unfortunately, the screenshot blocked out my show. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Since tablets are all screen, it's essential that a device has displays that are actually impressive. The Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra's 14.6-inch display offers ample space for entertainment or work needs. Its resolution is 2960 x 1848, powered by Dynamic AMOLED.

While watching shows on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra, the content looks just as good on the tablet as it does on my Samsung OLED 4K TV, just in a smaller format.

Additionally, it maximizes its surface area. With split-screen capabilities, you can open and view multiple apps at once. For work productivity, this means being able to view documents and work on emails simultaneously. Alternatively, a more enjoyable use is to catch up on shows while playing your favorite mobile games.

It's got some power, but not nearly enough as we want

For its size, I expected the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra to be a powerful unit, rivaling the likes of Apple's iPad Pro. It certainly surprised us, but maybe not in the way we hoped. Don't get it wrong, this is still a robust model. It handled streaming and internet browsing like a pro. Plus, it didn't falter when running multiple applications simultaneously.

Using the tablet's multi-window function, I watched The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City on the Peacock app while playing Subway Surfers. The show streamed in 4K while Subway Surfers ran without a glitch.

But when it comes to actual numbers, we look to the Geekbench 6 test. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra has a multi-core score of 8,797, which is far superior to that of a Chromebook, but can't compare to higher-end laptops. In fact, it can't really compare to Apple's tablets. The iPad Pro scores over 16,000 on its multi-core score, while the iPad Air scores 10,498, meaning the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra doesn't quite measure up. That being said, it does score higher than the basic iPad.

For its price tag, at $1,319.99, it should perform better. You can find a 13-inch iPad with the same specs and a better Geekbench 6 multi-core score for $1,099.

Impressive battery life that goes for days

The standout feature on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra is one you can't see. We conducted Mashable's standard battery life test, looping the 1080p version of "Tears of Steel," a short open-source Blender movie, at 50 percent brightness and 50 percent volume until the tablet ran out. The results astounded us, the battery lasting for 16 hours and 6 minutes, which is about how long we hope the very best laptops run for.

It comes with a nice, lightweight stylus The lightweight S Pen is a dream to write with, emulating the feel of an actual pencil. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

In a world where Apple forces you to buy a stylus to accompany its tablets, Samsung includes a stylus with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra. The S pen has a hexagonal shape, emulating the feel of a classic pencil. It moves easily, and while I'm not an artist, I did love using it to write. It feels practically weightless in your hand, so you can move quickly across the page. It magnetically clings to the tablet, although I wouldn't say it has a particularly strong hold, as it can be easily knocked off.

An oversized screen for professionals, but awkward for everyone else

The biggest drawback of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra is that it's too large. Compared to other tablets, this 14.6-inch model is a behemoth, wider than even my MacBook Pro. Its size makes it awkward to hold, and it would be best used with the keyboard cover, especially if you're planning on working.

For the average user, having that much space is overkill and potentially a hindrance. If you're taking the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra on a plane, it will occupy most of the space on the tray table. On the other hand, for artists, a larger screen means more space to design and illustrate.

SEE ALSO: I'm no professional artist, but the Wacom One 14 makes me feel like one Is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra worth it? It may not look like it, but the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra is a robust tablet — but it might be too big. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra isn't for everyone. If you're a professional or creative individual looking for an Android tablet with ample power, then this is a worthwhile investment. I think it's priced a little too high compared to other tablets with similar specs, but the included S Pen makes it a better value.

However, if you're open to tablets of all operating systems, I think you have better options. For a large tablet with similar specs, Apple's 13-inch iPad Air with M3 chip offers better performance at a lower price of $1,099. If you're looking for a compact, travel-friendly Android tablet, consider the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 instead.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra $1,029.99 at Amazon
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TL;DR: Live stream Egypt vs. Ivory Coast 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 semi finals beckon for Egypt and Ivory Coast. The final quarter final is a mouthwatering prospect, with stars like Mohamed Salah and Amad Diallo set to battle it out. Egypt are the most successful team in the history of this competition, but Ivory Coast are the defending champions.

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

When is Egypt vs. Ivory Coast?

Egypt vs. Ivory Coast in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off at 2 p.m. ET on Jan. 10. This fixture takes place at the Adrar Stadium.

How to watch Egypt vs. Ivory Coast for free

Egypt vs. Ivory Coast 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. Ivory Coast 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. Ivory Coast 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. Ivory Coast (plus more 2025 Africa Cup of Nations fixtures) 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. Ivory Coast in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free with ExpressVPN.

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

A small boat.

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

SKIFF

Hurdle Word 2 hint

To make into small pieces.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for January 10, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

GRATE

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A letter in the Greek alphabet.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for January 10 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for January 10, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

SIGMA

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A trinket.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for January 10 Hurdle Word 4 answer

CURIO

Final Hurdle hint

They're always on the go.

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

NOMAD

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: Live stream Algeria 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 is approaching its dramatic conclusion. Some spots in the semi-final stage are already secured, but Nigeria and Algeria are still to play. The hotly-anticipated matchup features a number of big names including Lookman and Osimhen, but can the star power fire Nigeria into the last four?

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

When is Algeria vs. Nigeria?

Algeria vs. Nigeria in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off at 11 a.m. ET on Jan. 10. This fixture takes place at the Marrakech Stadium.

How to watch Algeria vs. Nigeria for free

Algeria 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 Algeria 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 Algeria 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 Algeria vs. Nigeria (plus more 2025 Africa Cup of Nations fixtures) 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 Algeria vs. Nigeria in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free with ExpressVPN.

The Moon is now in its Third Quarter, which means it’s half-illuminated and half in shadow. There's still lots to see on its surface for the time being, so keep reading to find out what you can spot.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Saturday, Jan. 10, the Moon phase is Third Quarter. According to NASA's Daily Moon Guide, 51% of the Moon will be lit up tonight.

If you look carefully, there should be lots to see tonight. With just your naked eye, you'll be able to catch a glimpse of the Mare Imbrium, Copernicus Crater the Aristarchus Plateau. If you have binoculars, you'll also be able to see the Grimaldi Basin, Alphonsus Crater, and the Mare Humorum. If you have a telescope, set it up and you'll see the Apollo 14 landing spot and the Schiller Crater.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will be on Feb. 1. The last full moon was on Jan. 3.

What are Moon phases?

NASA explains that the Moon takes about 29.5 days to complete a full orbit, a period known as the lunar cycle. As it moves around Earth, the Moon goes through a series of distinct phases. While the same side of the Moon always faces our planet, the sunlight hitting it changes depending on its position in orbit. This is why the Moon can appear fully lit, partially lit, or completely dark at different times. The lunar cycle includes eight main phases:

New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you know west coast schools.

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.

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: Hockey

• Green: For short

• Blue: In brief

• Purple: The beginning

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: A Western Conference NHL player

• Green: NBA player nicknames that are initialisms

• Blue: ACC teams, abbreviated

• Purple: Starts of NFL team names

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 #474 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• A Western Conference NHL player - CANUCK, DUCK, KING, SHARK

• NBA player nicknames that are initialisms - AD, KD, LBJ, SGA

• ACC teams, abbreviated - FSU, ND, UNC, UVA

• Starts of NFL team names - BRON, CHAR, PACK, PANT

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 today's Connections.

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 10, 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 10, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 10 Pips

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

Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally.

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

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

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 1-5, placed vertically; 0-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 3-0, placed horizontally; 0-4, placed horizontally.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 1-5, placed. vertically; 0-4, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 10 Pips

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

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

Greater Than (9): Everything in this space must be greater than 9. The answer is 1-5, placed vertically; 6-0, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 6-0, placed horizontally; 4-3, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 4-3, placed horizontally; 2-0, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-0, placed vertically; 2-0, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 10 Pips

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

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

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally; 3-2, placed vertically.

Equal (4): Everything in this yellow space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed vertically; 4-6, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (9): Everything in this space must be greater than 9. The answer is 4-6, placed horizontally; 4-0, placed vertically.

Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 6-5, placed vertically.

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

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

Less Than (5): Everything in this space must be less than 5. The answer is 2-0, placed horizontally; 4-0, placed vertically.

Greater Than (10): Everything in this yellow space must be greater than 10. The answer is 6-3, placed vertically; 6-1, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically.

Greater Than (2): Everything in this purple space must be greater than 2. The answer is 6-3, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 6-1, placed horizontally; 1-0, placed vertically.

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

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally; 1-0, placed vertically; 0-6, placed vertically.

Less Than (4): Everything in this red space must be less than 4. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically; 0-5, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 0-5, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (9): Everything in this space must be greater than 9. The answer is 6-6, placed vertically.

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

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you're always on the go

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 10, 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: Long and round

• Green: Website views

• Blue: To leave

• Purple: Calculators

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Hollow cylinders

• Green: Software platforms

• Blue: Take off

• Purple: Units of measure

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 #944 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Hollow cylinders: HOSE, PIPE, STRAW, TUBE

• Software platforms: APP, DESKTOP, MOBILE, WEB

• Take off: BOOK, DIP, JET, SPLIT

• Units of measure: BAR, GRAM, MOLE, VOLT

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 10, 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 today's Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're always putting things off.

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 10, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for January 10, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: If not now, when?

The words are related to delays.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe a time in the future.

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 Procrastinator.

NYT Strands word list for January 10

• Later

• Eventually

• Soon

• Shortly

• Tomorrow

• Procrastinator

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 today's Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're hysterical.

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 10, 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 10, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Insane.

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 M.

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...

MANIC

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 10, 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.

IKEA is in the midst of rolling out a new lineup of smart home devices, ditching Zigbee in favor of Matter over Thread. Though the full lineup isn’t available everywhere yet (virtually none of it is available in my local store here in Australia), some users have noticed that some devices aren’t locked to the new Thread protocol.

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