Technology

If you work with strings in your Python scripts and you're writing obscure logic to process them, then you need to look into regex in Python. It lets you describe patterns instead of writing procedural logic. Let's look into some real-world examples where Python’s re module makes scripts smarter.

Are you interested in building an app with AI? I used to think that AI was worthless and dumb, but 2025 was the year I started to fully embrace AI in many aspects of my life. As 2025 came to a close, I ran into AI programming head-first and was actually pleasantly surprised with just how far AI coding has come. Here are things that really impressed me.

What if you could have a massive portable monitor for your PC, phone, tablet, or gaming handheld anywhere? XREAL did that with its augmented reality glasses, and now the company has announced an updated model and optional external hub at CES 2026.

Baseus just revealed a super-thin magnetic power bank, in the same style as the Apple MagSafe Battery. It can attach to the back of a phone with magnets, and you can still use it as a regular USB-C charger for other devices.

There are many USB Type-C laptop docks, but the new Baseus Spacemate RD1 Pro is a bit different. It's a vertical tower with 15 ports, a screen for checking the charging status, and a Qi wireless charger on top.

Jokes about "the Year of the Linux Desktop" seem to have been around almost as long as Linux has. The last few years have seen more developers and desktop users taking Linux seriously. Linux powers many servers, including those that bring you sites like this one, but could it finally break through on the desktop in 2026? Here's what would need to happen for Linux to reach a tipping point.

The annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas just kicked off, and Jackery has all sorts of exciting new tech to share, including a solar-powered gazebo that combines outdoor lounging with energy storage. This isn't your average canopy, and I can't wait to put one in my backyard.

Every so often, a product gets released that's truly excellent, but it doesn't receive a lot of attention. It's easy to forget about streaming boxes when we all have smart TVs, spare streaming dongles everywhere, or an old Google Chromecast in a junk drawer. However, this particular streaming box is over 10 years old, and I still use mine daily.

Are you using an AI browser like ChatGPT Atlas, or Perplexity Comet while logged into all your accounts? Letting an LLM automate your browsing can quietly put everything at risk. Here's how AI browsers are being hacked and why no antivirus can save you.

If you have ever tried crunching large datasets on your laptop, maybe a big CSV converted to NumPy or some scientific data from work, you have probably heard your laptop fan roar like it is about to take off. That is a sure sign it is doing some heavy lifting. Push it a little further, hit run on your Python script, wait, and then everything freezes as out-of-memory errors start flashing.

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 Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026:

AcrossRon Swanson's "number one favorite food," on "Parks and Recreation"

• The answer is Bacon.

It comes in black and green varieties, depending on ripeness

• The answer is Olive.

Paramour

• The answer is Lover.

In bronze medal position

• The answer is Third.

Feeling resentful, in slang

• The answer is Salty.

DownStreaks of lightning

• The answer is Bolts.

Hawaiian greeting

• The answer is Aloha.

The "C" of A.C.L.U.

• The answer is Civil.

In the open

• The answer is Overt.

Knowledgeable, and proud of it

• The answer is Nerdy.

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 the latest Mini Crossword.

TL;DR: Live stream Orlando Magic vs. Indiana Pacers in the NBA for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There are plenty of great NBA games taking place over the first weekend of 2026, including Orlando Magic vs. Indiana Pacers. Sure, the Pacers have been pretty poor this season without Tyrese Haliburton. But the Orland Magic are looking to climb the standings.

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

When is Magic vs. Pacers?

Magic vs. Pacers in the NBA starts at 3 p.m. ET on Jan. 2. This game takes place at the Kia Center.

How to watch Magic vs. Pacers for free

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

This free live stream is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can secure access 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 access free live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.

Stream the NBA for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime (if you're not already a member)

2. Subscribe to a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

4. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

5. Watch the NBA from anywhere in the world on Prime Video

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees or free trials. By leveraging these offers, you can watch NBA live streams without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch select games from the NBA before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing free live streams on platforms like Prime Video, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream the NBA for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Secure 10TB of data securely with end-to-end encryption, thanks to this lifetime subscription to Internxt Cloud Storage, now just $269.97 (reg. $2,900) through Jan. 11.

Opens in a new window Credit: Internxt Internxt Cloud Storage Lifetime Subscription: 10TB Plan $269.97
$2,900 Save $2,630.03   Get Deal

Make 2026 the year you get your digital life in order. If you’ve been meaning to sort out your file storage setup but haven’t found the time, consider this your sign. An Internxt Cloud Storage lifetime subscription gives you 10TB of storage to safeguard your data for life. Right now, it’s available for just $269.97 (reg. $2,900) through Jan. 11.

With Internxt Cloud Storage, you can pay once and rest easy knowing your files are stored for life. This 10TB plan lets you secure years’ worth of data affordably, while also offering top-tier security.

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Your data is protected with end-to-end encryption, meaning it’s encrypted on the sender’s device and decrypted only by the recipient. Not even Internxt can access your data, unlike other cloud storage competitors who may monetize it through targeted advertising and data sharing.

In addition to letting you own your cloud storage and keep it highly secure, Internxt has taken steps to improve transparency. Internxt keeps its code publicly available under an open-source policy and is GDPR-compliant, adhering to strict European laws that protect user privacy and data security.

If you’re already using a popular platform, don’t worry. Internxt has a user-friendly interface and cross-platform compatibility, making it easy to use and integrate across devices and operating systems.

Secure your own 10 TB lifetime subscription to Internxt Cloud Storage for only $269.97 (reg. $2,900) now through Jan. 11.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

I’ve been testing dating apps for a long time now, and the question my friends ask me most isn't "how does the algorithm work?" but rather "which app is actually the best?"

Lately, as we've all gotten older (and more willing to settle down), eharmony has snuck into the conversation more often than I’d like to admit. It’s known for being the go-to for the over-50 crowd, but its "hip" new commercials suggest the company is desperate to attract a younger user base.

Whatever their marketing strategy, the claim that "every 14 minutes, someone finds love on eharmony" piqued my interest. So, I decided to give it a real college try to see whether its infamous questionnaire and algorithm-based matching system actually work. Below is my detailed experience with eharmony, from sign-up to connecting with other users.

Getting started on eharmony

Once you download the app, you have two choices: “Join now” or “Log in.” There isn't an option to sign in with Facebook or Google on this screen. (Given the app's older demographic, I honestly expected a Facebook login to be front and center.)

Next, you select your country and your gender. You have three options: woman, man, or nonbinary.

After you pick one, a note pops up letting you know you can "update your gender at any time." This is cool considering eharmony’s history of being less-than-welcoming to gay and nonbinary folks. But that feeling of progress evaporates when you’re asked, “Who are you open to meeting?” You can pick women, men, or nonbinary people — but the app doesn't let you make multiple selections. It’s a major downside for queer and bisexual daters who want a wider pool.

If you decide to keep going, you’ll share what you're looking for (casual, serious, or just browsing) and then get smacked in the face with a massive consent pop-up.

The "Your Consent" pop-up that appears during eharmony's sign-up process. Credit: Screenshot: eharmony

I didn't click “accept all,” and it still let me move forward, so at least there’s no gatekeeping there. Finally, the app asks you to sign up with your email address, Apple, or Google account. It’s weird that they bury this step so deep in the onboarding process instead of putting it at the very beginning, but I eventually chose Google — it’s just easier that way.

You’re in. Now what?

After successfully getting through the initial registration, you’ll get a cute little welcome message: “Congrats — you’re taking the first step towards finding someone who gets you. Now, let’s see what’s next for you.”

This is the part we’ve all been complaining about for years. This extensive questionnaire is a hallmark of eharmony, and it’s what the company claims is the "secret sauce" to its matchmaking success. The first screen is just an intro that basically says to find someone right for you, the best place to look is within yourself. (I think this makes total sense.)

Clicking “continue” brings you to a screen with two tips: Spend 10 to 20 minutes taking the quiz, and go with your gut. (I am curious if the upcoming questions are based on whether you chose man, woman, or nonbinary for your gender preference. It would be interesting to see if a male user gets different phrasing than a female or nonbinary user.)

The welcome screen for eharmony's famous Compatibility Quiz, which takes about 20 minutes to complete. Credit: Screenshot: eharmomy

I’m not going to list every single question, but here’s a quick rundown of the first 15 percent:

• Where is your ideal place to live? (Regardless of where you are now.)

• Why do you want a relationship? You can choose three options, including things like “emotional security,” “so I’m not alone,” and “frequent intimacy” (go eharmony for including that one!).

• Why are you single? (First of all, rude. Also, not sure some of you are ready to go down that rabbit hole.)

• Would you sleep in one bed or separate bedrooms?

One thing I didn’t love is that if you change your mind about an answer, there isn’t a “back” button to revise it. Once you click, you’re committed.

Moving on… the next set of questions focuses on specific interests. Some are multiple choice, while others demand "exactly two answers required." It covers the basics like smoking and drinking, plus lifestyle questions like whether you prefer cooking or going out to eat (again, wondering if they ask the guys this, too). I appreciated that you could choose “none” for sports, but it was weird that it asked if I played an instrument, but never asked which one.

Honestly, by this point, I was ready to tap out, but I’m doing this for all of you singletons out there who are ready to find your forever person.

A glimpse at the "personality" section of the eharmony quiz, which includes abstract shape preferences and situational questions to gauge your reactions. Credit: Screenshot: eharmony

The next section is picture-based and starts to feel a little like a Rorschach test. It gives you two shapes and asks which appeals to you more. Once that’s over, you get an encouraging pop-up: “Halfway there — keep it up!” Then, more pictures — this time of homes, flowers, and nature scenes.

The most interesting part of this section was a question about your “immediate reaction” if someone close to you upsets you. When I picked my first choice, I got a little pop-up scolding me: “Most people tend to pick this answer because it seems the most logical. Please take a moment and make sure you are picking the right answer that applies to you.” OK, eharmony.

It randomly hits you with a climate change question, and then things get serious. However, the marriage question didn’t sit right with me. Not because of what it asked (“What do you think about marriage as an institution?”) but because of the answers it didn’t offer. It felt limited. It also places a question about whether “sex sells” right underneath a question about set mealtimes, which is... a choice.

Once you finally finish, you’re met with a congratulations screen. You made it.

Even more details, if you can believe it

OK, so you’ve made it this far — congrats! Now, you have to fill out your full name, birthday, occupation, height, education level, annual income, whether you have children, religion, and ethnicity. I literally felt like I was filling out a loan application.

They also ask for your marital status. The only options are single, separated, divorced, and widowed. At first, I thought this was weird for a "forever love" app, but then it clicked. Since so many eharmony users are older, knowing if someone is divorced or widowed is actually helpful context. (That said, bad news for the poly crowd: there is absolutely no option for ethical non-monogamy here.)

Next, you choose two required prompts to answer (500 characters max) and write a short bio. Then comes the photo section. Wildly enough, eharmony lets you “skip” this step entirely. If you try, a pop-up gently nudges you to reconsider because you’ll "stand out more," but you can proceed without a face. For a site this serious, that feels like a loophole for catfish.

eharmony is notorious for being pricey, so when a “Welcome Gift” screen popped up, I braced myself for what was to come. Sure enough, clicking “unwrap gift” reveals a 50% off premium subscription offer.

The "Welcome Gift" screen that appears at the end of the sign-up process — spoiler: it's a discount on a paid subscription. Credit: Screenshot: eharmomy

Warning: If you click "Next" on this screen, it immediately asks for payment info. It looks like a paywall, but don’t be fooled — you can hit the “back” button to bypass it and get to the free version. Don't let them trick you.

How much will dating on eharmony cost you?

While you can sign up for eharmony for free, the app really pushes you to get a paid subscription. (The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has actually sued the company for auto-renewals people didn’t consent to, so... proceed with caution.)

Anyway, here's the pricing structure I was offered. Note that yours may differ depending on where you live, when you sign up, etc.

Premium light: $14.90 per month

• Unlimited messaging with 15 matches monthly

• See one photo of each profile

• Unique personality profile

• Search near you

Premium plus: $16.90 per month

• Unlimited messaging with 30 matches monthly

• See all photos

• Unique personality profile

• Search near you

• See who’s seen you

Premium unlimited: $18.90 per month

• Unlimited messaging with all matches

• See all photos

• Unique personality profile

• Search near you

• See who’s seen you

• Filter new members first

The matching process (finally!)

After all that data entry and the predatory subscription BS, the app tells you it's finally ready to show you your “featured profiles” — basically three members you’re supposed to rate. You can skip this section, but I moved forward so I could tell you what happens.

Clicking “Let’s go” brought me to my first profile. I couldn't even view her photo; tapping it immediately triggered a request for payment.

Then I looked at the details. She was a solid two hours and 30 minutes away from me. She was also seven years younger than me (weird, since the app never asked for my age preference earlier). The only good thing? It said she was "online yesterday," which suggests she’s an active user — if she’s real.

The profile did show some info, like height, sports, and our "common trait" (we both "seek comfort when things go wrong," apparently). You get the option to "Like" or "Skip." If you click "Like," it lets you send a message, and I assume it notifies them. My other two "featured" options were also over an hour away, despite the app knowing my zip code.

Once you get through that, it says “See who’s here” and dumps you into a feed of BLURRED PHOTOS. There’s also a bright orange banner at the top, constantly trying to force you into buying a subscription. It feels aggressive.

Is eharmony worth the download?

To be blunt, I think you should try literally any of our other top-recommended apps before considering eharmony. Yes, I often rate it as the "best for marriage," but that’s almost entirely because of the sheer volume of data it collects. (Even after "finishing" the quiz, I found there were still 24 more questions waiting for me in my profile, plus tons of sections to add interests.)

The person who should be on this app is Charlotte York, in every sense. She’s focused on finding her knight in shining armor, she lives in NYC (so she’d have way more options than I do in a small Virginia town), and she has disposable income.

If you fit that profile, then cool — this might actually be the best place to find your soulmate, provided you can dodge the aggressive ads for a premium subscription (though if you’re Charlotte, you can afford it).

But if you’re not willing to shell out any cash and you know you’re not looking for anything serious, I’d say it’s probably fine if you never download the eharmony app.

Opens in a new window Credit: eharmony eharmony Plans start at $14.90 per month Learn More

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you know team colors.

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.

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: 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: Color-specific

• Green: NFL team

• Blue: Basketball team

• Purple: Same colors

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Things that are yellow

• Green: Associated with the Green Day Packers

• Blue: Associated with the Duke Blue Devils

• Purple: Teams that wear purple

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 #468 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Things that are yellow - FOUL POLE, GEORGIA TECH, SOFTBALL, TOUR DE FRANCE LEADER

• Associated with the Green Bay Packers - CHEESEHEAD, FROZEN TUNDRA, LAMBEAU, TITLETOWN

• Associated with the Duke Blue Devils - CAMERON, KRZYZEWSKIVILLE, THE SHOT, TOBACCO ROAD

• Teams that wear purple - NORTHWESTERN, RAVENS, ROCKIES, VIKINGS

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

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

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

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

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for January 4, 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 4, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 4 Pips

Less Than (1): Everything in this space must be less than 1. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally.

Equal (6): Everything in this red space must be equal to 6. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally; 6-1, placed horizontally.

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

Equal (4): Everything in this yellow space must be equal to 4. The answer is 2-4, placed horizontally; 4-3, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 4-3, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 4 Pips

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

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

Equal (1): Everything in this light blue space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-1, placed vertically; 1-3, placed vertically.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 2-1, placed vertically; 0-2, placed vertically.

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

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

Less Than (1): Everything in this green space must be less than 1. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically; 0-0, placed vertically.

Greater Than (2): Everything in this red space must be greater than 2. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically.

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 4 Pips

Greater Than (4): Everything in this purple space must be greater than 4. The answer is 6-5, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Everything in this red space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-5, placed vertically; 3-3, placed horizontally; 3-4, placed vertically.

Equal (5): Everything in this light blue space must be equal to 5. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically; 6-5, placed vertically; 3-5, placed vertically; 5-5, placed horizontally; 5-1, placed vertically.

Number (12): Everything in this yellow space must add up to 12. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally.

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

Equal (1): Everything in this green space must be equal to 1. The answer is 5-1, placed vertically; 3-1, placed vertically; 1-1, placed vertically; 6-1, placed vertically.

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

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

Less Than (4): Everything in this light blue space must be less than 4. The answer is 2-6, placed vertically.

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

Number (12): Everything in this dark blue space must add up to 12. The answer is 2-6, placed vertically; 6-1, placed horizontally.

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

Now that we've passed the Full Moon phase, the Moon will be getting smaller each night as we move towards the New Moon. This marks the beginning of the waning phase.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Sunday, Jan. 4, the moon phase is Waning Gibbous. According to The Sky Live, 98.6% of the moon will be lit up tonight.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Feb. 1.

What are moon phases?

According to NASA, the Moon takes roughly 29.5 days to complete a full cycle. This cycle is known as the lunar cycle. Throughout this period, the Moon moves through a series of phases as it orbits the Earth. While the same side of the Moon always faces our planet, the amount of sunlight illuminating its surface changes over time. This is why the Moon appears fully lit, partially illuminated, or not visible at all at different stages of the cycle. The lunar cycle is divided into eight main phases:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you're a football fan.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

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

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

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for January 4, 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: A journalistic piece

• Green: Spindle

• Blue: NFL moves

• Purple: Rearend

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Paper publications

• Green: Spool

• Blue: Things a defensive football player does

• Purple: Synonyms for butt plus starting letter

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 #938 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Paper publications: COPY, EDITION, ISSUE, PRINT

• Spool: COIL, CRANK, REEL, WIND

• Things a defensive football player does: BLITZ, BLOCK, SACK, TACKLE

• Synonyms for butt plus starting letter: DREAR, ETAIL, GRUMP, SCAN

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 4, 2026

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

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

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

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're intuitive.

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 4, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for January 4, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: I just know...

The words are related to intuition.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe supernatural abilities.

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 Sixth Sense.

NYT Strands word list for January 4

• Medium

• Oracle

• Clairvoyant

• Sixth Sense

• Psychic

• Telepath

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Strands.

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

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for January 4, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for January 4, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A clique.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter S appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter P.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

POSSE

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for January 4, 2026

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Wordle.