Technology

Most Excel sheets are dumb—they contain static text that has no connection to the real world, forcing you to manually update prices and stats by hand. Value tokens change that. These smart pills link your cells directly to live data from the web, turning a boring, stagnant grid into a professional, self-updating dashboard.

So you keep hearing about how Home Assistant is the ultimate smart home platform, but you still feel lost. Here are some burning questions you might need answered before you can take the next step.

Amazon Prime Video is wasting no time ushering in hit flicks. I, for one, appreciate the fresh rotation. This week, we’re closing out January with a wee bit of drama, thrills, and action, and then we’re strolling into February with an easy-going cult classic.

Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and most other major social media sites will feed you content based on how you interact with the site and what the company knows about you. However, I wanted to set up something that was curated to my interests without being algorithmically driven, so I set up my own personal start page.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Monday, Jan. 26, 2026:

AcrossSnappy put-down

• The answer is Zing.

Power a 6-Across, perhaps

• The answer is Pedal.

Vehicle subject to a 15 m.p.h. speed limit in New York City, as of 2025

• The answer is Ebike.

Eco-friendly

• The answer is Green.

Tallies (up)

• The answer is Adds.

DownAnimal found on the last page of an alphabet book

• The answer is Zebra.

"That was so hilarious," hyperbolically

• The answer is I died.

Without clothing

• The answer is Naked.

Secluded valleys

• The answer is Glens.

Square ___ in a round hole

• The answer is Peg.

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

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

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

SAVE $350: As of Jan. 26, the Shark AV2501AE AI robot vacuum is on sale for $299.99 at Amazon. That's a 54% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark AV2501AE AI $299.99 at Amazon
$649.99 Save $350   Get Deal

Robot vacuums are becoming smarter and smarter. They're no longer little devices that pick up light dust and dirt. No, these days they can self-empty, self-clean, and some can even mop your floors.

If you've been searching for a high-tech model, look no further than the Shark AV2501AE AI robot vacuum. As of Jan. 26, this model is down to just $299.99. That's $350 off the list price and better than half price.

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This is a smart robot vacuum, powered by various AI tools to make sure your floors stay spotless. It uses a Matrix Clean Navigation to move around your home in a precise grid, making multiple passes over dirt to make sure everything is picked up. It also uses a 360-degree LiDAR mapping to accurately map your home and avoid obstacles.

It has a bagless design, with a self-emptying base that holds up to 60 days of dirt. It also uses true HEPA filtration to capture 99.97% of dust and allergens, so it's a great choice for homes with pets. The self-cleaning brushroll is great for this task as it can tackle hair as well as dirt and dust.

Get this robot vacuum deal at Amazon now.

We're two episodes in to A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, and it's almost tournament time.

The trailer above for episode 3 teases Dunk (Peter Claffey) and Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell) in the stands watching two knights joust, while Dunk reflects on who his first opponent might be.

While you wait to find out, why not remind yourself of the Targaryen family tree?

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is now streaming on HBO Max, with new episodes Sundays at 10 p.m. ET.

TL;DR: Stop losing your most important things with help from this three-pack of KeySmart SmartCards, now just $69.97 (reg. $119.97) through Jan. 31.

Opens in a new window Credit: KeySmart KeySmart® SmartCard - Works With Apple Find My | Wireless Charging (3-Pack) $69.97
$119.97 Save $50   Get Deal

Want to smarten up your wallet? How about your passport or ID card? Now you can equip them with Apple Find My compatibility thanks to the KeySmart SmartCard. This AirTag alternative eliminates the bulk, offering a sleek, credit-card-sized tracker that can actually slip into small spaces.

Right now, you can secure these items for less than $24 each with a three-pack of KeySmart SmartCards for just $69.97 (reg. $119.97) through Jan. 31.

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Whether you’re forgetful and constantly misplacing your items or you just want a little extra reassurance, a KeySmart SmartCard equips your most important belongings with a tracker that actually fits inside them.

Measuring in at just 2mm thick, the KeySmart SmartCard can slip into wallets and passports. It also includes a lanyard slot that can attach to an ID card or security badge, allowing you to discreetly track and keep tabs on them via the Apple Find My app. Just open the app and see the last known location.

If you misplace an item, the KeySmart SmartCard can emit a sound to help you find it. If you know it was left behind, you can also make it display a message with your contact info for whoever finds it.

Rest easy knowing the KeySmart SmartCard has an IPX8 rating, so it’s waterproof and can actually survive up to an hour in 3.3 feet of water. Its rechargeable battery lasts up to five months on a single charge, and when you need to power it up, it charges on any Qi-enabled wireless charger.

Get this three-pack of KeySmart SmartCards, now just $69.97 (reg. $119.97) until Jan. 31.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

SAVE $50: As of Jan. 26, the 11-inch Apple iPad is on sale for $299 in Best Buy's 48-hour flash sale. That's $50 off its list price of $349.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple 11-inch Apple iPad (128GB, A16, WiFi) $299 at Best Buy
$349 Save $50   Get Deal

Best Buy has kicked off a 48-hour flash sale that's filled with great discounts on tech. For Apple users, we've found some nice deals worth exploring, including $50 off the 11-inch iPad (128GB, A16, WiFi).

This discount has dropped the price of the 11-inch iPad from $349 to $299. For what's already our favorite iPad on a budget, this price makes it even more tempting. This flash sale ends on Jan. 28, so you'll want to act fast to grab it at this low price.

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If you're not looking to own a flashy, high-tech tablet, this iPad covers all of the basics. Our roundup of the best iPads — where it lands as the best budget pick — states that "even though its tech is basic compared to the advanced iPad Air and Pro, it's great for someone who wants a portable screen for streaming, playing games, and reading."

It boasts the A16 chip which gives it a boost in performance alongside an 11-inch Liquid Retina display that delivers crisp quality and bright colors. This particular model also comes with 128GB of storage, which is a decent bank to hold all of your favorite apps, photos, and more.

The clock is ticking on this sale, so don't miss out on $50 off the 11-inch iPad at Best Buy.

SAVE $500: As of Jan. 26, the Hisense 65-inch U8 Mini-LED TV is on sale for $997.99 at Amazon. That's a 33% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 65-inch U8 Mini-LED TV $997.99 at Amazon
$1,498 Save $500.01   Get Deal

The gloom of January is still lingering, and if you’re going to be stuck inside, you might as well have a really good TV to watch all your favorite shows and movies. And there's a lot of top sport on the schedule right now, so this could be a truly great moment to upgrade.

If you're in the market for something new, you're in luck, because the Hisense 65-inch U8 Mini-LED TV is on sale at Amazon right now. As of Jan. 26, this huge TV is heavily reduced, bringing the price down to $997.99.

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So, what are you getting for your money? This Hisense TV uses Mini-LED Pro backlighting with up to 5,000 nits of peak brightness to create a seriously high quality viewing experience. Both the picture and sound are handled by the Hi-View AI Engine Pro, which automatically adjusts what you’re watching to make everything look more detailed and natural, without you having to actually touch any settings.

It's a great option for gamers too, thanks to its native 165Hz panel with support for variable refresh rates, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, and low-latency modes. It also has an on-screen Game Bar to adjust performance as you play. And different lightings won't affect anything thanks to the anti-reflection coating on the screen that helps cut down glare.

Get this great TV deal from Amazon now.

SAVE $70: As of Jan. 26, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite is on sale for $279.99 at Amazon. That's a 20% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite $279.99 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $70   Get Deal

If you're looking to upgrade to a new tablet, as of Jan. 26, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite is on sale at Amazon. A great option from Samsung, this model boasts a bright display and all-day battery life, now for $279.99. That's a $70 discount on the list price.

This is a great multi-use tablet thanks to its 10.9-inch display with Vision Booster that automatically adjusts brightness to suit your surroundings.

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The battery is built to last up to 16 hours, and it supports Super Fast Charging so you'll be fully topped-up in around two hours. It comes with an S Pen stylus for taking notes and drawing. Plus, with up to 256GB of built-in storage and the option to expand by up to 2TB using a microSD card, you're not short on space for apps or photos.

It's powered by the Exynos 1380 processor, so it'll handle streaming, multitasking, and flicking between tabs with ease. It even comes with clever AI tools to make everything more slick, such as Circle to Search, note cleanup, and translation.

This deal is only available for a limited time — get it from Amazon now.

SAVE OVER $70: As of Jan. 26, the DJI Mini 4K drone is on sale for $225 at Amazon. That's over $70 off and the lowest-ever price for this drone.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mini 4K Drone $225 at Amazon
$299 Save $74   Get Deal

DJI drones are selling fast. Is this buying frenzy driven by the FCC ban on foreign drones? Or are shoppers simply buying up all these drones because DJI is the top choice of TikTokers, YouTubers, and filmmakers? Both things are probably true.

With interest continuing to spike, we're keeping close tabs on the prices of these drones. Any discount is good right now, but a record-low price? We're all over it. As of Jan. 26, the DJI Mini 4K drone is on sale for $225 at Amazon. That's over $70 off and the lowest-ever price for this drone.

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The DJI Mini 4K really is a perfect partner for content creation. It offers crystal-clear 4K resolution and thanks to the three-axis gimbal, you can get cinematic-quality footage of all your adventures. The brushless motors enhance power and get you into the air at altitudes of up to 4,000 meters. You're probably not going to be climbing that high, but it's nice to know that you have the option.

This popular drone also has one-tap takeoff and landing, a simple return-to-home button, and an Intelligent QuickShots feature that automatically shoots professional-level videos. It's a sensible pick for drone newbies with a bunch of beginner-friendly features.

We don't expect stock at this record-low price to last long. Act fast to score the DJI Mini 4K drone on sale for $225 at Amazon.

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.

TL;DR: Live stream the third season of Love Island: All Stars for free on ITVX. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

We should all be seeking as little drama as possible in our private lives. There's a lot of joy to be found in a peaceful existence. That being said, there's also a great deal of joy to be found in watching other people's messy lives play out. And that's exactly what Love Island provides.

The hit show delivers weeks of flirting, breakups, and passionate debate between fame-hungry singles. It's exactly what we all need to get through these bleak winter months. And the only thing better than Love Island is Love Island: All Stars. Someone came up with the great idea to invite some of the best Love Island contestants back for a second (or third) chance at finding love.

They're looking for love, OK? They're not heading back for a quick paycheck. How dare you even suggest that.

If you're interested in watching Love Island: All Stars for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Love Island: All Stars in 2026?

The third season of Love Island: All Stars starts on Jan. 15. This latest season is expected to run for six weeks.

How to watch Love Island: All Stars for free in 2026

The third season of Love Island: All Stars is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone from around the world 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 ITVX to watch Love Island: All Stars from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Love Island: All Stars for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for 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 ITVX

5. Stream Love Island: All Stars 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 unblocking streaming sites are not free, but they do tend to offer free trials and money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Love Island: All Stars without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you time to watch a large chunk of the season before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming services from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for accessing free live streams on ITVX, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• Easy-to-use apps for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, as well as platforms like Linux, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, and routers

• Strict no-logging policy

• 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 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month subscription for just $12.95 (including money-back guarantee).

Live stream Love Island: All Stars for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

SAVE $29.01: As of Jan. 26, the Apple AirTag four-pack is on sale for $69.99 at Amazon. That's a 29% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirTag 4-Pack $69.99 at Amazon
$99 Save $29.01   Get Deal

Apple's AirTags are back on sale at Amazon, and if you're a habitual loser of your stuff, this is the perfect excuse to buy. As of Jan. 26, the pack of four is reduced to $69.99, a saving of $29.01 on list price. That works out at around $17.50 per AirTag.

If you're not familiar with AirTags, these are little tracking devices that let you keep tabs on everyday stuff like your wallet, keys, or luggage. The setup is easy: just attach it to whatever you want to track and it connects to your iPhone or iPad.

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You can even play a sound from the built-in speaker to help track something that's nearby but you can't see. If something’s further away, the wider Find My network of Apple devices can help locate it, and Lost Mode will notify you if it’s detected. You can even share the location of an AirTag with an airline if your bag goes missing. And there's no need to worry about the battery life, it's designed to last over a year and can be replaced with a CR2032 coin cell battery.

Get this AirTag deal from Amazon now.

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 26, 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 26, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 26 Pips

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 5-1, placed horizontally.

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

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

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 5-4, placed vertically.

Number (30): Everything in this space must add up to 30. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally; 5-1, placed horizontally; 5-5, placed vertically; 5-6, placed horizontally; 5-3, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 26 Pips

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

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

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally; 5-0, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this purple space must add up to 10. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally; 4-4, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically; 2-6, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this purple space must add up to 10. The answer is 4-4, placed vertically; 2-6, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 26 Pips

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

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally; 6-1, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this purple space must add up to 5. The answer is 6-1, placed horizontally; 4-4, placed vertically.

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

Number (6): Everything in this purple space must add up to 6. The answer is 2-2, placed horizontally; 5-4, placed horizontally.

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

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 1-4, placed horizontally.

Number (9): Everything in this purple space must add up to 9. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally; 6-4, placed horizontally.

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

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 0-1, placed horizontally.

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

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you remember your childhood games.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier — so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections: Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Positions

• Green: Defense

• Blue: Leaders of the Midwest

• Purple: Ways to watch ESPN

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Basketball Positions, Abbreviated

• Green: Baseball Defensive Terms

• Blue: Big Ten Men's Basketball Coaches

• Purple: ESPN____

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 #489 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Basketball Positions, Abbreviated - C, PF, PG, SG

• Baseball Defensive Terms - CUTOFF, PITCHOUT, RELAY, SHIFT

• Big Ten Men's Basketball Coaches - GARD, IZZO, MAY, PAINTER

• ESPN__ - +, 2, EWS, U

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new sports Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

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

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

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 pretty girl.

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BELLE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

To explode.

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BURST

Hurdle Word 3 hint

To see eye-to-eye.

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AGREE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Extra.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

BONUS

Final Hurdle hint

A gathering area.

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FOYER

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

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is already bucking Game of Thrones' tradition in several big ways.

Unlike its predecessors, Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms doesn't feature dragons or scheming for the Iron Throne. As episode 2 reveals, it's also missing another Game of Thrones series staple: an elaborate title sequence.

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Where Game of Thrones has its clockwork map, and where House of the Dragon has its Targaryen family tree and historical tapestries, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms simply has a title card. It's just white text on a black background, all without Ramin Djawadi's epic Game of Thrones theme to accompany it. (While A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms occasionally interpolates Djawadi's theme, the show's score is composed by Dan Romer.)

The difference between opening sequences is starker than Ned, especially since House of the Dragon's titles so clearly ape those of Game of Thrones. So, why the big switch-up for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms?

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For showrunner Ira Parker, the decision stems from A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' central character, Ser Duncan "Dunk" the Tall (Peter Claffey).

"All decisions came down to Dunk, trying to channel the type of person he is into every aspect of this show, even the title sequence," showrunner Ira Parker told Entertainment Weekly in an October 2025 story.

He continued: "The title sequences on the original [Game of Thrones] and House of Dragon are big and epic and incredible. Ramin Djawadi's score is orchestral and large and beautiful. That's not really Dunk's M.O. He's plain and he's simple and he's to-the-point. He doesn't have a lot of flash to him."

Dunk's lack of flashiness is central to George R.R. Martin's Dunk and Egg novellas, upon which A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is based. These are not epic tales of Westeros-wide war. Instead, they're ground-level stories about the Seven Kingdoms' smallfolk. With that in mind, a smaller scale requires a smaller title sequence.

The title card also has the added benefit of setting A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms apart from other Westeros-set shows, allowing it to forge its own identity and prove that there's room for stories of all scales in the Seven Kingdoms.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is now streaming on HBO Max, with new episodes Sundays at 10 p.m. ET.

While the Game of Thrones universe has always had moments of comedy thrown in amongst the betrayal, incest, and murder, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms takes Westeros' comic streak into uncharted territory.

Episode 1 had that gloriously disgusting phlegm scene, and while there are many amusing moments in episode 2, a conversation between Dunk (Peter Claffey) and Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell) is probably the thing that made us laugh most — while also acting as the perfect representation of their relationship as a whole.

Let's recap.

SEE ALSO: 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' Targaryen family tree: How everyone connects What's the conversation between Dunk and Egg?

The conversation takes place after Dunk's floundering attempt to talk to Tanselle (Tanzyn Crawford), a puppeteer working at the Ashford tourney who agrees to paint a new sigil on his shield.

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After attempting to console Dunk, who is worried the conversation was "ill-handled," Egg changes the subject to knighthood. We've copied the resulting, hilarious exchange below, in full:

Egg: "Do you think I'll ever make a knight one day?"

Dunk: "Sure. Why not? You're a likely lad."

Egg: "I'm a bit puny."

Dunk: "You'll grow."

Egg: "Even for my age. Everyone's always told me so."

Dunk: "Everyone's always told me I was stupid."

[Massive pause while Dunk sips his drink, not saying anything else.]

Egg: "And?"

Dunk: "Hm?"

Egg: "Hm, what?"

Dunk: "What?"

Egg: "What did you do when people said you were stupid, ser?"

Dunk: "What business is that of yours? My problems are my own."

Egg: "I thought... Aren't you trying to help me?"

Dunk: "Help you what? Grow?"

It's an absolutely beat-perfect exchange, from Egg's exasperated "And?" to Dunk's complete confusion that follows it. This kind of conversation is also why the show, and Dunk and Egg as characters, are so deeply lovable — we will never tire of seeing a small child growing increasingly frustrated with his giant, well-meaning companion's total lack of understanding.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is streaming on HBO Max, with new episodes dropping Sundays at 10 p.m. ET.