Technology

NYT Pips hints, answers for February 6, 2026

Mashable - 3 hours 37 min ago

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 February 6, 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 February 5, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 6 Pips

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

Equal (2): Everything in this green space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally; 2-2, placed vertically.

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

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

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

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 5-6, placed horizontally; 3-5, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 6 Pips

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

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically; 2-2, placed vertically; 5-1, placed vertically.

Number (16): Everything in this space must add up to 16. The answer is 5-1, placed vertically; 6-5, placed vertically.

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

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

Number (21): Everything in this space must add up to 21. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally; 5-4, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 6 Pips

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically; 4-5, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 4-5, placed horizontally; 5-1, placed horizontally.

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

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

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically; 6-6, placed vertically.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically; 0-5, placed vertically.

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

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically; 2-5, placed vertically.

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

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

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

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 3-0, placed horizontally; 6-0, 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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 6, 2026

Mashable - 3 hours 37 min ago

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you have a caffeine addiction.

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 February 6, 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: Cup of Joe

  • Green: Patterned

  • Blue: Bugs

  • Purple: Ways to say hello

Here are today's Connections categories

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

  • Yellow: Items at a coffee station

  • Green: Things with stripes

  • Blue: Words before "Fly" in insect names

  • Purple: Homophones of greetings

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 #971 is...

What is the answer to Connections today
  • Items at a coffee station: CUP, LID, STIRRER, STRAW

  • Things with stripes: CANDY CANE, CROSSWALK, REFEREE, TIGER

  • Words before "Fly" in insect names: BUTTER, DRAGON, FIRE, HORSE

  • Homophones of greetings: CHOW, HAY, HIGH, YEOH

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 February 6, 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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Strands hints, answers for February 6, 2026

Mashable - 3 hours 37 min ago

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're good at reading facial expressions.

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 February 6, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 6, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Let's face it

The words are related to the dace.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe unique characteristics.

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 Features

NYT Strands word list for February 6
  • Brows

  • Cheeks

  • Eyes

  • Mouth

  • Features

  • Hairline

  • Forehead

  • Nose

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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 6, 2026

Mashable - 3 hours 37 min ago

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're familiar with the courtroom.

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 February 6, 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 February 6, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A judge uses one.

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 G.

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...

GAVEL

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 February 6, 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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 iconic movies celebrating big anniversaries in February 2026 (and where to stream them)

How-To Geek - 7 hours 37 min ago

Have you heard of the term "Dumpuary?" In Hollywood, Dumpuary refers to the movies released in January and February that studios want nothing to do with anymore. If the movie becomes a hit, even better, but the expectations are low. Streaming movies on services like Netflix has alleviated some Dumpuary symptoms, yet you'll still find a random horror or action pic that makes you question the ethics of filmmaking.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Work smarter on your Mac with this Microsoft Office license

Mashable - 7 hours 37 min ago

TL;DR: Get six powerful Microsoft apps for life for just $49.97 with this Microsoft Office Home and Business for Mac 2021 lifetime license, on sale now through Feb. 22.

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Want a major productivity boost? Then give your powerful Mac the best of Microsoft’s tools with this Microsoft Office Home and Business for Mac 2021 license. It’s an easy way to upgrade your workflow, and right now you can get all six apps for only $49.97 — less than $9 each — until Feb. 22.

From side hustles to schoolwork, Microsoft Office has apps to help you handle whatever life throws your way. And while it used to be reserved for PC users, nowadays Mac lovers can take advantage of these tools too.

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This Microsoft Office Home and Business for Mac 2021 license equips your Apple device with six of the brand’s most powerful tools for life. There are no subscription fees — once you buy them, you own them — and you’ll be able to work offline as needed, since cloud connectivity isn’t required.

Tackle all your document creation needs with Word, build a budget and handle spreadsheets in Excel, and create powerful presentations with PowerPoint. Outlook helps you manage your email correspondence, OneNote elevates your note-taking skills, and Teams makes it easy to connect with your friends, family, and coworkers.

After purchase, you’ll receive an instant delivery and download. Just note that your Mac needs to be running macOS 14 or later.

Get this Microsoft Office Home and Business for Mac 2021 lifetime license, on sale now through Feb. 22.

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Categories: IT General, Technology

Raspberry Pi projects to try this weekend (February 6 - 8)

How-To Geek - Thu, 02/05/2026 - 23:00

Are you ready for a handful of new Raspberry Pi projects to try this weekend? Keep reading to check out an IPMI replacement that works on any computer, a way to trap hackers on your network, and how you can meal prep for the week with ease.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Simplify your AI workflow with this one powerful Chrome extension

Mashable - Thu, 02/05/2026 - 23:00

TL;DR: Make AI even more efficient with this lifetime subscription to the ChatPlayground AI Unlimited Plan, on sale now for just $79.

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AI is supposed to make our lives easier, but it can be hard to keep up with all the different models and their individual strengths. If you want to simplify the way you’re working with AI on a daily basis, it’s time to check out ChatPlayground AI. This handy tool lets you see results from over 25 AI models in one single window, so you can stop wasting time.

Right now, you can get a lifetime subscription to the ChatPlayground AI Unlimited Plan for only $79.

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Work smarter with AI, not harder, thanks to ChatPlayground AI. This tool changes the way you use this powerful technology, letting you access over 25 models in one place — from ChatGPT to Gemini and Llama. It displays the results from the different models side by side, so you can pick the one that works best.

ChatPlayground AI works as a Chrome extension, so it’s easy to access whenever you need it. If you need help with your prompt, there’s prompt engineering available to help you get the best response, and you can also upload PDFs or images to get context-aware answers.

Not only is there no more tab-hopping, but you won’t have to pay multiple subscription fees either. ChatPlayground AI saves all your chat history, too, so it’s easy to reference past conversations.

This lifetime subscription gives you access to unlimited monthly messages and priority access to new features and future models. If you run into any issues, you’ll also receive faster assistance from our priority customer support team.

Get this lifetime subscription to the ChatPlayground AI Unlimited Plan for only $79.

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Categories: IT General, Technology

OpenAI releases GPT-5.3-Codex, a coding model that helped build itself

Mashable - Thu, 02/05/2026 - 22:25

OpenAI released a new coding model today, GPT-5.3-Codex. The company said the new model has improved "reasoning and professional knowledge capabilities" and will operate 25 percent faster than its predecessor.

Anthropic, one of OpenAI's chief rivals, also released a new coding model today, Claude Opus 4.6. Earlier this week, OpenAI also launched the Codex app for macOS, a new app interface for managing multiple AI agents at once.

Crucially, OpenAI says that the new GPT-5.3-Codex model is its "first model that was instrumental in creating itself." Anthropic said something similar about Clade Cowork recently, and engineers at OpenAI and Anthropic say almost all their coding is now done by AI.

In a blog post announcing GPT-5.3-Codex, OpenAI wrote, "The Codex team used early versions to debug its own training, manage its own deployment, and diagnose test results and evaluations — our team was blown away by how much Codex was able to accelerate its own development."

SEE ALSO: Anthropic Super Bowl LX ads mock ChatGPT

Why does it matter if an AI model helped create itself?

People who believe in the technological singularity, or "the singularity," talk about a tipping point at which technology becomes self-improving, leading to an uncontrolled explosion of technological advancement. And now we have some real-world examples of AI improving itself. (At least, according to the AI companies behind the announcements.)

We don't know exactly how much GPT-5.3-Codex was involved in its own development, but the news does reveal just how advanced frontier AI models have become, particularly in writing code.

"With GPT‑5.3-Codex, Codex goes from an agent that can write and review code to an agent that can do nearly anything developers and professionals can do on a computer," the OpenAI blog post reads.

SEE ALSO: Sam Altman's outrageous 'Singularity' blog perfectly sums up AI in 2025

GPT-5.3-Codex is available now in the Codex app.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I'm still using 27-year-old Ethernet, and you probably should too

How-To Geek - Thu, 02/05/2026 - 22:00

Gigabit Ethernet was introduced in 1999, which is why it sometimes gets a lot of flak. But just because it’s a 27-year-old standard doesn’t mean it’s outdated or obsolete. For most people, there’s little need for 2.5-gigabit Ethernet. Here’s why.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Just in time for V-Day — the best dating apps for serious relationships

Mashable - Thu, 02/05/2026 - 22:00

Gone are the days when people balk at you if you say you met your partner online. Dating apps have irrevocably changed the way we date — much as social media platforms have changed how we interact with each other. With so many apps, from Bumble to eharmony, it can be challenging to determine which ones to invest in, especially if you're looking for that special someone.

According to 2023 findings from the Pew Research Center, one in ten partnered adults (married, living with a partner, or in a committed relationship) met their partner on a dating app or site. If you're a younger adult and/or LGBTQ, you're more likely to have met your significant other online: one in five adults under 30 and nearly one in four for LGBTQ adults.

SEE ALSO: The best sexting apps for discreet NSFW chats

The same study found that almost half (44 percent) of dating app users said a major reason for using them was to meet a long-term partner. So, if that's you, you're certainly not alone, despite what you might see people lament on TikTok. 

The discourse on dating app culture can be unrelenting. In 2025, singles told Mashable they'd rather meet a potential partner in person, but they're begrudgingly on the apps. Some, like Tinder, have seen their revenue decrease in recent quarters, while Hinge is growing. Even then, though, daters bemoan even the most popular of apps. A Kinsey scientist even recently told Mashable where daters are going wrong; he said to use dating apps as a tool, not to let them run the show — and stop self-optimizing, already.

Despite the frustration over The Apps™, it's undeniable that if you want to date from the comfort and safety of your home, they're the way to do it. If you're, say, introverted or have difficulty approaching someone in person, an app does have its uses.

What is the #1 best dating app?

Considering the variation in experiences on all the dating apps, it's difficult to quantify which ones are the "best." Some people find their spouses on Tinder, while others are disappointed that their matches are only looking for hookups. 

That being said, if you're looking for something serious, your best bet is likely an app with a large user base, options for you to indicate what you're looking for in your bio, and filters to weed out who you really want to partner with. There are also apps whose branding is geared towards finding one's ultimate match — like eharmony and Match, both decades-old sites with reputations for helping users find their spouse. Hinge, Bumble, and Coffee Meets Bagel also have a reputation for more "serious" connections.

Depending on the type of relationship you're seeking, you may also benefit from a more niche app. Take one app on our list, SilverSingles, for people over 50. Sure, there are older adults on apps like Tinder and Bumble as well, but you may have more luck finding someone age-appropriate if you're in a space meant just for you.

Which dating site is best for serious relationships?

Mashable has researched to pick out a few from the plethora of dating sites (and apps) out there. These options are available for both Android and Apple users, so the type of phone you have won't determine your options. In terms of monetary investment, you can use some of these for free (like Tinder and Bumble), while others are more pay-to-play. We've also included some "niche" options, like the aforementioned SilverSingles and Elite Singles, so you have more than the standard buffet of dating apps.

Here are the best dating apps for serious relationships:

Categories: IT General, Technology

These are the cheapest luxury cars you can buy in 2026

How-To Geek - Thu, 02/05/2026 - 21:30

Luxury cars in 2026 don’t have to come with six-figure prices. A handful of models now sit at surprisingly accessible price points, making premium comfort and advanced features attainable for buyers on a budget. Thanks to market shifts and strong used-car demand, you can find vehicles with refined interiors, smooth rides, and upscale technology without paying top-tier sticker prices.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Google reveals Pixel 10a with one subtle change

Mashable - Thu, 02/05/2026 - 21:02

Google just randomly dropped a Pixel 10a reveal on YouTube, and there's at least one noticeable change to the phone's design.

The video itself is very brief, just showing the phone from a few different angles in a sort of light blue color. No new features or software of any kind are shown, though that's to be expected with a budget version of last year's Pixel 10. The one really noteworthy thing we can glean from this video is that the rear camera now appears to be totally flush with the body of the device, rather then protruding in any way.

SEE ALSO: Google Maps adds Gemini to a major feature in new test

That's a mild divergence from last year's Pixel 9a. That phone ditched the signature Pixel horizontal camera bar, but the lens itself still stuck out a bit when viewed from the side. Aside from that, again, we really can't divine anything from this video about the phone itself. Its specs and features will have to wait until Google feels like sharing more.

An announcement will probably be soon, given that the pre-order date is set for Feb. 18.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 things I hate about audiobooks (and you probably do too)

How-To Geek - Thu, 02/05/2026 - 21:00

I'm fairly late to the audiobook world. I have always been someone who enjoys reading the written word, so the idea of listening to someone else reading a book wasn't too appealing. However, once I got a free Audible trial, which included a permanent free copy of a book I'd been looking forward to, I finally experienced what everyone else had been raving about for years.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Avoid the "Porsche Tax" and keep maintenance costs under control with these tips

How-To Geek - Thu, 02/05/2026 - 20:30

Buying a used Porsche is a lot like buying a ticket to Walt Disney World. That ticket gets you through the gate and unlocks an incredible experience, but it’s not the only expense. Food, drinks, merchandise, and special attractions all add up. Porsche ownership works much the same way. The car gets you in, but maintenance, parts, and upkeep are part of the deal.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Homelab projects to try this weekend (February 6 - 8)

How-To Geek - Thu, 02/05/2026 - 20:00

It’s that time of the week again! From building your own YouTube to accessing your systems through a web browser and finally ditching Tailscale for a more secure (self-hosted) version, here are your three homelab projects to try this weekend.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to make your Linux laptop more secure in 7 steps

How-To Geek - Thu, 02/05/2026 - 20:00

Chances are that part of the reason you broke away from Microsoft and switched to Linux is the open-source OS's reputation for greater security. That doesn’t mean your Linux distro is impenetrable, though, and certainly not out of the box. Here are seven steps you can take to make your Linux laptop more secure.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch the 2026 Six Nations online for free

Mashable - Thu, 02/05/2026 - 19:55

TL;DR: Stream the 2026 Six Nations for free on BBC iPlayer and ITVX. Access these free streaming services from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Six Nations is a special competition. Want to see incredible speed and skill from supremely talented athletes? Check out the Six Nations. Want to experience intense passion from heated rivalries? The Six Nations offers that in abundance. Enjoy the sight of absolutely huge men smashing into each other at speed? Yep, the Six Nations is for you.

It's a tournament like no other, and fans can follow all the action from the latest edition without spending anything. If you want to watch the 2026 Six Nations for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the Six Nations?

The Six Nations Championship is an annual international men's rugby union competition between England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales. Each team plays every other team once, with home ground advantage alternating from one year to the next.

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The current champions are France. England and Wales have won the competition most often (39 titles).

When is the 2026 Six Nations?

The 2026 Six Nations Championship is the 132nd edition of the competition. This year's competition will take place from Feb. 5 to March 14. Here's the full schedule of games:

  • France vs. Ireland — 8:10 p.m. GMT on Feb. 5 (ITV)

  • Italy vs. Scotland — 2:10 p.m. GMT on Feb. 7 (BBC)

  • England vs. Wales — 4:40 p.m. GMT on Feb. 7 (ITV)

  • Ireland vs. Italy — 2:10 p.m. GMT on Feb. 14 (ITV)

  • Scotland vs. England — 4:40 p.m. GMT on Feb. 14 (ITV)

  • Wales vs. France — 3:10 p.m. GMT on Feb. 15 (BBC)

  • England vs. Ireland — 2:10 p.m. GMT on Feb. 21 (ITV)

  • Wales vs. Scotland — 4:40 p.m. GMT on Feb. 21 (BBC)

  • France vs. Italy — 3:10 p.m. GMT on Feb. 22 (ITV)

  • Ireland vs. Wales — 8:10 p.m. GMT on March 6 (ITV)

  • Scotland vs. France — 2:10 p.m. GMT on March 7 (BBC)

  • Italy vs. England — 4:40 p.m. GMT on March 7 (ITV)

  • Ireland vs. Scotland — 2:10 p.m. GMT on March 14 (ITV)

  • Wales vs. Italy — 4:40 p.m. GMT on March 14 (BBC)

  • France vs. England — 8:10 p.m. GMT on March 14 (ITV)

Fans can watch every game from the 2026 Six Nations without spending anything.

How to watch the 2026 Six Nations for free

The 2026 Six Nations is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer and ITVX.

BBC iPlayer and ITVX are both geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access these free streaming platforms with a VPN. These tools can hide your digital location and connect you to a secure server in the UK. This quick and easy action makes it look like you're connecting from the UK, so you can stream on BBC iPlayer and ITVX from anywhere in the world.

Unblock BBC iPlayer and ITVX 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 BBC iPlayer or ITVX

  5. Stream the 2026 Six Nations 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 VPNs tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to BBC iPlayer or ITVX without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to stream most of the 2026 Six Nations before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to all your favorite free streaming platforms, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for the Six Nations?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream sport for free, 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 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 $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% 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 Six Nations for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch France vs. Ireland online for free

Mashable - Thu, 02/05/2026 - 19:35

TL;DR: Live stream France vs. Ireland in the 2026 Six Nations for free on ITVX. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Six Nations is all about unpredictable games between huge rivals. Any team could win any game — that's the beauty of this famous competition. That being said, the opening game between France and Ireland feels like a final. You expect these sides to be battling it out at the top of the standings come the final round, so the winner here will put themselves in a very strong position.

The likes of Antoine Dupont and Louis Bielle-Biarrey will lead the way for the hosts. Ireland will need to rely on the talents of Tadhg Beirne, Dan Sheehan, and Jamison Gibson-Park if they want to secure a massive win under the lights in Paris. It's going to be tough for Andy Farrell's side, but they possess the quality to beat anyone.

If you want to watch France vs. Ireland in the 2026 Six Nations for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is France vs. Ireland?

France vs. Ireland in the 2026 Six Nations starts at 8:10 p.m. GMT on Feb. 5. This fixture takes place at the Stade de France.

How to watch France vs. Ireland for free

France vs. Ireland in the 2026 Six Nations is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

ITVX 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 ITVX from anywhere in the world.

Live stream France vs. Ireland from anywhere in the world 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 ITVX

  5. Live stream France vs. Ireland 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 watch France vs. Ireland without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream most of the 2026 Six Nations before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming services to watch the Winter Olympics, the T20 World Cup, and more from anywhere in the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for the 2026 Six Nations?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, 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 $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% 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 France vs. Ireland in the 2026 Six Nations for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Tesla driver’s chilling 911 call transcript: ‘It’s on fire. Help please.’

Mashable - Thu, 02/05/2026 - 19:34

A new lawsuit has shed a terrifying light on a Tesla driver's death in October 2025.

Bloomberg reported on the wrongful death lawsuit, which is centered around 20-year-old Samuel Tremblett, a driver who passed away after a collision involving a Tesla Model Y SUV in October of last year.

According to the lawsuit, Tremblett was driving a 2021 Tesla Model Y outside Boston when he left the road and struck a tree. He survived the initial impact but was apparently unable to exit the vehicle due to an alleged failure of Tesla's signature electric door system. He eventually died as a result of smoke inhalation and thermal injuries. Before he died, Tremblett called 911, but first responders were not able to rescue him in time.

SEE ALSO: End of an era: Tesla discontinues Model S and Model X

The most chilling part of this whole story comes from 911 call transcripts found in the lawsuit.

"It's on fire. Please help," Tremblett said, according to the transcript. "I am going to die."

The lawsuit states that police officers arrived quickly to the scene, but were unable to put out the fire or remove Tremblett in time. The lawsuit says it ultimately took firefighters four hours to extinguish the crashed Model Y.

As the fire burned, Tremblett stayed on the phone with the 911 dispatcher:

I’m stuck in a car crash… I can’t get out, please help me… I can’t breathe… It’s on fire, it’s on fire. Help please… I am going to die… I’m dying. Help. I’m dying… Help… Help.

Last year, a Bloomberg report found 15 deaths related to Tesla's electronic door system, part of a wider investigation into the safety of Tesla doors. According to Bloomberg, there is a low-voltage battery in each Tesla vehicle that governs components such as doors, while a higher voltage battery is responsible for propelling the car forward. If the low-voltage battery is disabled for any reason, the doors will not open in their normal fashion.

There is a mechanical release for the doors, but per Bloomberg, many drivers are not aware of this or how to operate it. In addition, panicked drivers in a life-or-death situation may struggle to recall the proper opening procedure.

The lawsuit accuses Tesla of selling vehicles with a “defective and unreasonably dangerous automated door handles.” It further states that “Tesla owed a duty to provide adequate warnings, instructions, and information with the Subject Vehicle before placing it into the stream of commerce” and that “Tesla knew or should have known of the defective and unreasonably dangerous condition of the 2021 Model Y.”

For its part, Tesla said last year that it would update its vehicles so that doors would automatically unlock after a "serious collision." However, the company only reached that conclusion after multiple deaths allegedly involving door failures.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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