Technology

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

To walk confidently.

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

STRUT

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A checkered pattern.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for January 27, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

PLAID

Hurdle Word 3 hint

To regret.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for January 27 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for January 27, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

RUING

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A necktie.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

ASCOT

Final Hurdle hint

Untrue.

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

FALSE

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

FREE BOOKS: The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day takes place on Jan. 27. The Free Romance Book Blast offers romance books in a variety of subgenres for your e-reader.

Stuff Your Kindle Day is very much back for 2026. The year has started off strongly with three events in January. We've already had something for sports fans and mystery lovers, and now the romantics have got their chance to shine.

The Free Romance Book Blast, hosted by Indie Authors, is offering you the chance to download romance books from a variety of subgenres without spending anything. And everything that you download for free is your to keep forever. So have no fear. Add to your backlog of books without judgement or guilt.

SEE ALSO: I tested the best Kindles to help you find the perfect e-reader

Looking to make the most of the latest Stuff Your Kindle Day? We've lined up everything you need to know about this popular event.

When is Stuff Your Kindle Day?

The Free Romance Book Blast takes place on Jan. 27. This free giveaway is only live for 24 hours. That means participants will need to act fast to secure all the free books on their wishlists. You'll need to plan ahead, clear your schedule, and remain focused. This is your time to shine.

Which ebooks are free?

The Free Romance Book Blast has a helpful hub page with everything organized into popular sub-genres:

• Dark Romance and Romantic Suspense

• Erotica and Erotic Romance

• Fantasy Romance

• Historical Romance

• Paranormal Romance

• Romantic Comedy

• Science Fiction

• Small Town Romance

• Sports Romance

• Steamy Romance

• Sweet and Clean

• Young and New Adult

Anyone can participate in Stuff Your Kindle Day. Kindle, Kobo, and Nook readers can download these romance books for free.

Is Stuff Your Kindle Day the same as Amazon Kindle Unlimited?

Everything you download on Stuff Your Kindle Day is yours to keep, and there's no limit on the number of books you can download. Stuff Your Kindle Day downloads don't count towards the 20 books that Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscribers can borrow at the same time.

The best Stuff Your Kindle Day deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle (16GB) + Kindle Unlimited (3 Months) $109.99 at Amazon
  Get Deal Why we like it

These popular e-readers help you take your entire library on the go. With weeks of battery life and an anti-glare display, you can read anywhere and anytime with the Kindle. Plus, you can get three months of Kindle Unlimited for free with your purchase.

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

The 2026 Australian Open quarter finals naturally include some huge matchups, but Gauff vs. Svitolina might be the best of the bunch.

This contest between the third and 12th seeds is particularly difficult to call. Gauff leads their rivalry 2-1, but both players have looked slick moving through the rounds in Melbourne. Svitolina is yet to lose a set in this year's competition. Could this be her moment to win her first Grand Slam?

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

How to watch Gauff vs. Svitolina for free

Gauff vs. Svitolina in the 2026 Australian Open is available to live stream for free on 9Now.

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

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

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia

4. Visit 9Now

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

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading services do tend to offer deals such as free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these deals, you can live stream Gauff vs. Svitolina without actually spending anything. This isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you enough time to watch the Australian Open before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for 9Now?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Australia

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

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

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $59.88 and includes an extra three months for free — 69% off for a limited time. This plan also includes 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 Gauff vs. Svitolina in the 2026 Australian Open for free with ExpressVPN.

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

The 2026 Australian Open is inching towards its dramatic conclusion, and all the biggest names are still in contention for the main prize. In the second quarter-final matchup from the men's draw, Alcaraz takes on de Minaur in what looks like an electric contest. It's the top seed against the home favorite. It doesn't get much bigger than that.

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

How to watch Alcaraz vs. de Minaur for free

Alcaraz vs. de Minaur in the 2026 Australian Open is available to live stream for free on 9Now.

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

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

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia

4. Visit 9Now

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

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading services do tend to offer deals such as free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these deals, you can live stream Alcaraz vs. de Minaur without actually spending anything. This isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you enough time to watch the Australian Open before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for 9Now?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Australia

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

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

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $59.88 and includes an extra three months for free — 69% off for a limited time. This plan also includes 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 Alcaraz vs. de Minaur in the 2026 Australian Open for free with ExpressVPN.

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

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

But that wait is over. The 2026 Australian Open is finally here, delivering epic contests between the best players in the world. It's the first chance to see the likes of Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka, and Iga Świątek on the biggest stage. And better yet, it's possible to follow all the action from this showpiece event without spending anything.

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

What is the Australian Open?

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

The current singles champions are Jannik Sinner and Madison Keys.

When is the 2026 Australian Open?

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

How to watch the 2026 Australian Open for free

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

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

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

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia

4. Visit 9Now

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

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

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

What is the best VPN for 9Now?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Australia

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

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

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $78.18 and includes an extra four months for free — 78% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

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

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you love making people laugh.

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.

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

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for January 27, 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: Class clown

• Green: Hockey players

• Blue: Popular animated characters

• Purple: Sports equipment

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Quite the character

• Green: NHL team members

• Blue: First words of Robin Hood character names

• Purple: Starting with baseball gear

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 #961 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Quite the character: CARD, CHARACTER, CUTUP, JOKER

• NHL team members: DEVIL, FLYER, PENGUIN, RANGER

• First words of Robin Hood character names: FRIAR, MAID, ROBIN, SHERIFF

• Starting with baseball gear: BALLROOM, BASEMENT, BATMOBILE, CAPSTONE

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 27, 2026

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

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

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

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're a dog owner.

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 27, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for January 27, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Canine classics

The words are related to pets.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe common pet names.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Here Boy.

NYT Strands word list for January 27

• Blue

• Champ

• Rover

• Scout

• Here Boy

• Bandit

• Scruffy

• Spot

• Buddy

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 like dark colors.

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 27, 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 27, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Shadowy.

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 D.

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...

DUSKY

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 27, 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.

Social media is rarely as activated as it was this weekend — or as bipartisan in its outrage. Users from a wide swath of the political spectrum shared their horror at the killing of Alex Pretti, 37, an ICU nurse fatally shot on Saturday by a masked federal immigration officer in Minneapolis. 

But in Silicon Valley, a divide began to grow. On one side were top tech CEOs who, as CNBC noted, failed to criticize an administration they've been cozy with since its inauguration. The most conspicuous silence was that of Apple's Tim Cook, who made a point of calling out the "senseless killing" of George Floyd at the WWDC conference in 2020. As his latest X post (celebrating MLK Day) filled with angry replies, Cook was to be found at the White House, attending a screening of the movie Melania.

But that wasn't the whole story. Just below the tier of superstar CEOs, some of the industry's leading technologists and investors (think: Google, Anthropic, OpenAI, a16z) took a stand on social media — including more than one who felt moved to post while declaring that they don't normally talk politics. Here's a representative list:

1. Jeff Dean, chief scientist, Google DeepMind & Google Research This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. 2. Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. 3. Yann LeCun, executive chairman at AMI Labs  This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. 4. Alexis Ohanian, investor and co-founder of Reddit This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. 5. Meredith Whittaker, president of Signal app This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. 6. James Dyett, senior executive at OpenAI This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. 7. Paul Graham, co-founder of Y Combinator This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. 8. Ethan Choi, partner at Khosla Ventures This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. 9. Vinod Khosla, founder of Khosla Ventures This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. 10. Chris Olah, co-founder of Anthropic This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. 11. John O'Farrell, former general partner of a16z This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. 12. Kath Korevec, director of product at Google Labs  This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. 13. Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. 14. Vineeta Agarwala, general partner at a16z This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. 15. Ashley Mayer, co-founder and general partner of Coalition Operators This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. 16. Katie Jacobs Stanton, founder and general partner of Moxxie Ventures This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. 17. Dave McClure, founder of Practical Venture Capital This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. 18. Seth Bannon, founding partner at Fifty Years This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. 19. Josh Miller, CEO of The Browser Company This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Best Samsung TVs on sale ahead of the big game Best OLED TV deal Samsung 65-inch S95F OLED TV $2,299.99 (save $1,000) Get Deal Best QLED TV deal Samsung 75-inch QN90F QLED TV $1,799.99 (save $1,200) Get Deal Best the Frame TV deal Samsung 75-inch The Frame Pro $1,999.99 (save $1,200) Get Deal

Football and Bad Bunny fans alike can agree on the importance of having the best screen possible to view the big game.

With just under two weeks to go until the New England Patriots take on the Seattle Seahawks, Samsung is helping with that goal, putting many QLED and OLED TVs on sale, with savings of up to 50%.

SEE ALSO: What to look for when buying a TV, as told through this easy TV specs guide

Below, we've gathered some of the best deals from the sale. Most of the TVs are on sale in multiple sizes (though some have sold out). All that to say, if you like the model but are looking for a smaller or larger size, be sure to click around the available options.

Best OLED TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 65-inch S95F OLED TV $2,299.99 at Samsung
$3,299.99 Save $1,000   Get Deal Why we like it

The S95F is our TV expert's favorite OLED TV for bright rooms overall, thanks to its impressive peak brightness and anti-glare matte screen. If you're a fan of both the big game and gaming in general, you'll also appreciate the 165Hz found on this TV.

If the above sounds appealing, but an anti-glare screen sounds like overkill, you can also go for the S90F OLED — the 77-inch version is on sale for $1,999.99.

Best QLED TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 75-inch QN90F QLED TV $1,799.99 at Samsung
$2,999.99 Save $1,200.00   Get Deal Why we like it

On this TV, you'll find a great color balance, a crystal clear picture, and no glare on the screen. Our sister site PC Mag (also owned by Ziff Davis) wrote in their review for the 65-inch Q90F that it offers a "stunning picture for a very high price." Thanks to this Big Game deal, you get to take $1,200 off that price.

Best the Frame TV deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 75-inch The Frame Pro $2,000.02 at Samsung
$3,199.99 Save $1,199.97   Get Deal Why we like it

Generally speaking, this will be the best art TV you can grab for bright rooms, according to our TV expert. That's especially important for a TV meant to be used as a display piece when not in use. It is worth noting that this TV does have a higher input lag and limited contrast, meaning the picture won't be the best for movie watchers and gamers. Still, if you've had your eye on an art TV and having the best possible picture isn't the highest priority for you, this is a solid deal.

More Samsung TV deals

75-inch+ TVs

• Samsung 75-inch QN90D QLED TV — $1,299.99 $3,299.99 (save $2,000)

• Samsung 75-inch The Frame — $1,699.99 $2,999.99 (save $1,300)

• Samsung 75-inch The Terrace 4K TV — $5,499.99 $6,499.99 (save $1,000)

• Samsung 77-inch S85F OLED TV — $1,599.99 $2,999.99 (save $1,400)

• Samsung 77-inch S95F OLED TV — $3,499.99 $4,499.99 (save $1,000)

85-inch+ TVs

• Samsung 85-inch Q7F QLED TV — $1,199.99 $1,499.99 (save $300)

• Samsung 85-inch QN1EF QLED TV — $1,549.99 $2,899.99 (save $1,350)

• Samsung 85-inch QN80F QLED TV — $2,199.99 $3,499.99 (save $1,300)

• Samsung 85-inch QN900F QLED TV — $3,799.99 $5,499.99 (save $1,700)

• Samsung 85-inch QN990F QLED TV — $5,999.99 $8,499.99 (save $2,500)

98-inch+ TVs

• Samsung 98-inch Q7F QLED TV — $2,199.99 $2,499.99 (save $300)

• Samsung 98-inch QN90F QLED TV — $8,999.99 $14,999.99 (save $6,000)

• Samsung 100-inch QN80F QLED TV — $3,999.99 $5,999.99 (save $2,000)

Sony has announced two new Bluetooth turntables after seven years of radio silence.

The original Sony PS-LX310BT developed a cult following in that time as one of the few worthwhile beginner-friendly Bluetooth record players (along with the Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT-USB). Now, instead of scouring Reddit for budget Bluetooth record player recommendations, those cautiously looking to replace their old Sony PS-LX310BT have two direct successors as an upgrade option: The $399.99 Sony PS-LX3BT (available to pre-order now) or the slightly more premium $499.99 Sony PS-LX5BT (coming this spring).

Unfortunately, the new record players come with a higher price than the original. For reference, the 2019 PS-LX310BT costs $448, but it was available for $199.99 for many years.

SEE ALSO: Sony’s new LinkBuds Clip open earbuds embrace pastel colors and a clip style design

The relatively random announcement came just days after Sony announced that it was handing its home entertainment business (TVs, home audio gear) to TCL. The news didn't sound overly promising for anyone holding on to hope that Sony would ever make a new turntable. False alarm — the best Sony headphones aren't the only way to appreciate Sony's hi-fi expertise in 2026. Here's what to expect.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony PS-LX3BT Full Auto Playback Turntable with Bluetooth $399.99 at Sony
  Pre-order Here Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony PS-LX5BT Full Auto Playback Turntable with Bluetooth $499.99 at Sony
  Learn More What's different about the new Sony Bluetooth turntables

As well as the beloved PS-LX310BT has aged, the technology is still creeping up on a decade old. The upgraded playback tech in the 2026 models includes expanded support for Bluetooth codecs like aptX and aptX-Adaptive, minimizing the amount of crucial sound details that are lost over a standard wireless connection. Both support 33⅓ records and 45s and feature built-in phono preamps to connect directly to a speaker system.

The PS-LX3BT comes in a dark gray finish. Credit: Sony The PS-LX5BT comes in black. Credit: Sony

The PS-LX5BT features a Moving Magnet cartridge, more precise stylus pressure, and a gold-plated audio jack that's said to elevate wired connections. This is clearly the option geared more toward stricter audiophiles, while the PS-LX3BT would be a great record player for beginners.

What's not different about the new Sony Bluetooth turntables

What hasn't changed in either is the fact the PS-LX3BT and PS-LX5BT are still both fully automatic, belt-drive turntables. That might be a bummer for some vinyl purists — the lowering of the needle by hand and nostalgic pre-track crackling play just as much of a role in the overall turntable experience as the quality of the sound itself.

However, as analog media makes a comeback, there's definitely room in the market for simpler automatic record players, especially ones with Bluetooth features. With these Bluetooth record players, you can enjoy the classic sound of vinyl records beamed directly to your favorite wireless headphones. And if you already have Sony headphones, connecting should be even easier.

TL;DR: Finally get through your TBR stack with this lifetime subscription to book summary app Headway Premium, on sale now for just $39.99 with coupon code SUMMARY20 through Jan. 31, the best price online.

Opens in a new window Credit: Headway Headway Premium: Lifetime Subscription $39.99
$299.95 Save $259.96   Get Deal

Got a long list of books you’d like to read, but life keeps getting in the way? It’s time to meet Headway Premium. This app gives you 15-minute summaries of the world’s best nonfiction books, which you can read or listen to in your spare time.

Right now, a lifetime subscription to Headway Premium can be yours for only $39.99 with code SUMMARY20 through Jan. 31.

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No matter how busy your schedule is, you probably have a free 15 minutes. Headway Premium can fill that time by learning the key concepts and ideas from some acclaimed nonfiction books. Choose from topics ranging from personal development and health and wellness to business strategies.

Headway offers two types of concise summaries — audio or written. You can either read or listen to professionally narrated audio. There are already over 2,000 summaries on the app, with new ones added each month.

Set goals and take advantage of the app’s gamified learning process, which tracks your progress and incentivizes continued learning. You can also test yourself with quizzes and trivia, and highlight and save your favorite insights and turn them into interactive flashcards.

Join more than 15 million people already learning with Headway. Though it doesn’t replace reading the entire book, it is a great way to learn about new topics and discover things you’d like to investigate further.

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

The 2026 Australian Open quarter finals are all about huge matchups between the world's best players. The good news for tennis fans is that most of the best players have made it through to this late stage.

Sabalenka vs. Jovic is the first quarter-final matchup. Sabalenka is the favorite in pretty much every game she plays, but 29th seed Iva Jovic will believe that she can pull off a shock. The 18-year-old is clearly talented, but this will be a seriously tough test for the teenager.

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

How to watch Sabalenka vs. Jovic for free

Sabalenka vs. Jovic in the 2026 Australian Open is available to live stream for free on 9Now.

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

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

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia

4. Visit 9Now

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

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading services do tend to offer deals such as free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these deals, you can live stream Sabalenka vs. Jovic without actually spending anything. This isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you enough time to watch the Australian Open before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for 9Now?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Australia

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

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

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $59.88 and includes an extra three months for free — 69% off for a limited time. This plan also includes 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 Sabalenka vs. Jovic in the 2026 Australian Open for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Listen to music, take a call, or hear real-time AI translation of more than 50 languages with these Mymanu Orb Open-Ear AI Translation Earbuds, now on sale for just $139.99 (reg. $179.99).

Opens in a new window Credit: manu Mymanu Orb Open-Ear AI Translation Earbuds $139.99
$179.99 Save $40   Get Deal

We’re all multi-tasking the day away, so it’s only natural to expect more from our gear. If you’re looking for headphones that do more than just play music, it’s time to check out the Mymanu Orb Open-Ear AI Translation Earbuds. These earbuds combine comfort with numerous features — including real-time language translation — and they’re on sale for $139.99 (reg. $179.99).

When was the last time your earbuds wowed you? The Mymanu Orb was featured at CES 2026 thanks to its advanced AI-powered features, making it perfect for everyone, from professionals on their morning commute to travelers spending time abroad.

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The Mymanu Orb earbuds come packed with impressive AI that offers real-time translation in more than 50 languages — from German to Thai to Arabic. Instantly translate phone calls, audio content, or even in-person conversations, and know exactly what’s happening around you live.

If serving as your own personal translator weren’t enough, the Mymanu Orb also provides stunning sound in a comfortable open-ear design. That feature lets you enjoy your content while staying alert to your surroundings and remaining hands-free. They’re super lightweight, but offer a movement-friendly design so you can rest easy knowing they’ll stay put even on a run.

If you’d like to just listen to music or take a phone call, you can also use the Mymanu Orb without the translation feature. It’s there only when you need it.

Get these Mymanu Orb Open-Ear AI Translation Earbuds, on sale now for just $139.99 (reg. $179.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Get ahold of your spending with a lifetime subscription to Spendify’s Solo Plan, now for only $59.99 (reg. $324).

Opens in a new window Credit: Spendify Spendify: Lifetime Subscription (Solo Plan) $59.99
$324 Save $264.01   Get Deal

Need a little help in the personal finance department? There’s now an AI-powered app for that — Spendify. This handy tool automates expense tracking, so you can see exactly where your money is going and start taking control of your spending.

Right now, you can take advantage of this help forever when you secure a lifetime subscription to Spendify’s Solo Plan for just $59.99 (reg. $324).

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Tired of stressing over bills at the end of the month? With Spendify, you can make better decisions thanks to its AI-powered insights. They’ll check out your spending patterns and discover actionable ways you can support smarter financial goals.

Spendify lets you visualize your finances with clear charts and graphs, so you can see exactly where your money is going. Smart categorization automatically organizes your expenses. You’ll also get personalized insights based on how you spend money and what you’re saving for, as your financial health is scored and tracked over time.

With Spendify, you can discover subscriptions you’ve been paying for that you may have forgotten about and get AI-powered suggestions to help you reduce those costs. Curious what you’re spending at a certain place? Merchant intelligence even lets you deep dive into specific merchants and vendors. It also provides a payment calendar to help you stay on top of payments.

Aside from analyzing your money and helping you come up with budgets and plans, Spendify also uses the power of AI to help you generate professional invoices.

Rest easy knowing Spendify has enterprise-grade security, so your financial information is well protected. Your Solo Plan allows you to upload 100 statements, ask 10 queries to the AI financial advisor, and get 6 AI smart insights each month, plus many more perks.

Get a lifetime subscription to Spendify’s Solo Plan now for only $59.99 (reg. $324).

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

The 2026 Australian Open quarter finals are here, and just about all the biggest names have reached this late stage of the competition.

The first quarter final from the men's draw sees last year's finalist Zverev take on 25th seed Tien. The American has never made it this far in a Grand Slam. Can the 20-year-old progress to the next round? It's difficult to predict this matchup, but we're expecting an explosive matchup between two talented players.

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

How to watch Zverev vs. Tien for free

Zverev vs. Tien in the 2026 Australian Open is available to live stream for free on 9Now.

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

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

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia

4. Visit 9Now

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

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading services do tend to offer deals such as free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these deals, you can live stream Zverev vs. Tien without actually spending anything. This isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you enough time to watch the Australian Open before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for 9Now?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Australia

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

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

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $59.88 and includes an extra three months for free — 69% off for a limited time. This plan also includes 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 Zverev vs. Tien in the 2026 Australian Open for free with ExpressVPN.

Mozilla is starting to test a split view mode for Firefox, allowing you to have two pages open at the same time without two browser windows. The browser is also getting editable notes for your tabs.

It sucks to have your favorite NFL team get bounced before the Super Bowl — but it's an unfortunate fact of life for 30 fanbases. (Editor's note: Go Bills.) But in the vacuum that inevitably follows defeat, certain sects of NFL fans love to gin up a conspiracy theory that proves, actually, their favorite team was wronged rather than fairly beaten.

Such fans this week have latched onto a new version of the "script" meme — the idea that the NFL is rigged and, for some reason, doling out clues about its conspiracy — via an illustration that was posted by the league before the season began. If you zoom in on the image, you can see QBs Sam Darnold and Drake Maye at the very front of a group of players staring down the NFL's Lombardi Trophy, given to the winner of the Super Bowl.

Darnold and Maye play for the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots, respectively, which are — you guessed it — the teams who'll face off in Super Bowl LX on Feb. 8. The odds of correctly guessing the teams that would appear in the Super Bowl are 0.39 percent, so it is quite the coincidence that those two players just happened to be placed together.

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The illustration has gone viral since the Super Bowl matchup was decided over the past weekend. To be clear, lots of folks are joking about the "script" — it has become a meme after all — while a smaller number appear to genuinely believe this is evidence that the league is fixed.

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So many people posted about the image that NFL VP of Communications Brian McCarthy responded, writing on X, "Re: the 'controversy' over this image - no."

Jokes and silly allegations of the NFL being rigged have been around for a while. The NFL itself has joked about fans claiming there's a "script," running an ad in 2023 where players do a table read of the next season. Despite the NFL itself making fun of the "script" theories, it's an idea that refuses to go away. Theorists, for instance, developed a whole hypothesis that the NFL was previewing the Super Bowl teams via the colors in each year's logo for the big game.

In 2024, meanwhile, people were convinced the NFL was rigging results for the Kansas City Chiefs because, of all things, Taylor Swift was dating Travis Kelce. As I wrote at the time, the NFL is not capable of pulling that off and, even if it were, would never risk its billions of dollars in profits for something so trivial. (Editor's note: Again, go Bills.)

So, no, that image from September is not evidence that the NFL is rigged. Hell, if you look at the image closely, Tampa Bay's Baker Mayfield and New York's Malik Nabers both appear to be closer or just as close to the trophy. Neither of those teams even made the playoffs.

Saquon Barkley of the Philadelphia Eagles — my favorite team — is the furthest away from the trophy, however, which is definitive proof that the NFL was rigging the season against Philly so they couldn't repeat as champions.

The verdict is in: The Rip is a hit. People have been loving the cop thriller starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. The movie is still occupying the top spot on the streamer as we speak.

I only started creating a smart home last year, so nearly all of my devices communicate via Matter. For the most part, things have just worked. As I try out different smart home hubs and troubleshoot the occasional issue, there’s only one simple thing I wish I did from the beginning that would have saved me a lot of frustration—write down my Matter pairing codes.