Technology
The luxury cars owners keep for years because they rarely need repairs
When people think “reliable car,” Japanese brands usually come to mind first—and for good reason. Honda, Toyota, and Nissan have spent decades building vehicles that just keep going, even on the luxury side with Acura and Lexus.
Our favorite budget Beats headphones are $70 off at Amazon
SAVE 35%: As of Jan. 2, you can get the Beats Solo 4 for $129.95, down from $199.95. That's a 35% discount or $70 in savings.
Beats Solo 4 $129.95 at Amazon$199.95 Save $70 See It at Amazon See It at Best Buy See It at Walmart
Whether you’ve actually started going to the gym (on Jan 2?! Good on you!) or you just need a way to block out the world so you can focus on your first deadlines of the year, a solid pair of headphones is basically a self-care requirement at this point.
SEE ALSO: We tested the best headphones and earbuds for working outAs of Jan. 2, the Beats Solo 4 are on sale for $129.95, down from $199.95, at Amazon. That's a 35% discount or a $70 price cut. While this isn't an all-time low (we saw them priced at $99.99 during Black Friday), $70 is still a decent discount on a top-notch pair of headphones. Even without the discount, the Beats Solo 4 are our favorite budget Beats headphones for their balance of performance and value.
The Beats Solo 4 are built for a more immersive listening experience; thanks to their re-engineered 40mm transducers and Personalized Spatial Audio, you should feel like your music is surrounding you rather than just blending into a single baseline. You'll get up to 50 hours of listening time on a single charge, which is literally double the battery life of the much more expensive AirPods Max. If you're heading out and realize you're low on power, a quick 10-minute charge will give you an additional five hours of playback. They're also ultra-lightweight and have plush ear cushions, so they won't feel like they're crushing your skull during a long work session.
The Pebble Round smartwatch is back, and it has incredible improvements
2025 marked the return of one of the original modern indie tech brands, and Pebble is continuing its resurgence in the new year. One of the most stylish—and thinnest—smartwatches of the past decade is making a comeback: meet the Pebble Round 2.
7 alternatives that can replace default Linux CLI tools
When trying to save a website for offline use, your first instinct might be to hit the 'save webpage' button in your browser. That works great, but only for single web pages. If you try to save the entire website, you'll have to open every single webpage, save it manually, and then (when you need to access the website) look for individual HTML files and open them one by one. There's a better way to do this.
Run to Amazon to snag the Garmin Instinct 2X Solar for a major 44% discount
SAVE $196.39: The Garmin Instinct 2X Solar (Graphite) is on sale at Amazon for $253.60, down from the usual price of $449.99. That's a 44% discount and a record-low price at Amazon. But act quick, as this is a limited-time Lightning Deal.
Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Instinct 2X Solar (Graphite) $253.60 at Amazon$449.99 Save $196.39 Get Deal
Now that we're officially in 2026, some people are thinking about resolutions. Fitness goals are always some of the most popular, and if you fall into that category, you probably want a fitness tracker to keep better tabs on your progress. Garmin makes some of the most versatile models, and there's a massive discount today at Amazon.
As of Jan. 2, the Garmin Instinct 2X Solar (Graphite) is on sale for $253.60 at Amazon, marked down from the standard price of $449.99. That's a major 44% discount that takes $196.39 off the price. It's also a new record-low price at Amazon.
Some tech advancements make so much sense that it feels silly we went without them for so long. In this example, I'm talking about a watch face that serves as a way to recharge via solar. It just makes so much sense. Garmin claims that the Instinct 2X Solar produces 50 percent more energy through the Power Glass lens compared to its predecessor. When exposed to three hours of sunlight each day, you'll be in line for never-ending battery life.
SEE ALSO: 5 fitness apps to help with your 2026 New Year’s resolutionsThe Garmin Instinct 2X Solar will help top up the battery while you're outside on a run, dog walk, or simply out running errands. But more than that, it's a tough and durable fitness tracker that's ready to accompany you on adventures.
Garmin packed the Instinct 2X Solar with features you'll want on the trail, like 24/7 health tracking, a three-axis compass, a barometric altimeter, a built-in flashlight, and even an SOS strobe mode. Of course, you also get more standard features like heart-rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and a pulse oximeter.
Keep in mind this is an Amazon Lightning Deal, and at the time of writing, it was 89 percent claimed. If the sale on the Graphite colorway sells out before you get to it, toggle over to the Whitestone colorway option, which is also on a nice 36% discount. It's not quite the 44% discount on the Graphite, but it's still well worth it.
Before your 2026 trail runs, swims, or off-grid hikes kick into full throttle, upgrade to the Garmin Instinct 2X Solar while it's on sale for a record-low price at Amazon.
Hear me out: someone should make these 5 Magsafe (Qi2) accessories
Are you frustrated with the limitations of current MagSafe (Qi2) accessories? Tired of seeing the same boring magnetic charging stands and wallets? Me too—and here are five Qi2 accessories that desperately need to exist for people like us.
The most important thing to know about Dating Sunday
Dating Sunday is almost here.
Landing in the sweet spot between the winter holiday season and Valentine's Day, Dating Sunday — typically the first Sunday of the year — is when eager singles emerge from hibernation to swipe on dating apps in droves. The term traces back to 2016, when apps took notice of the post-New Year's Day frenzy. In 2020, Match's chief dating expert Rachel DeAlto went so far as to call the day the "Super Bowl of dating apps."
When is Dating Sunday this year?With this kind of marketing, it's easy to have high expectations for Dating Sunday, which falls on Jan. 4, 2026. As a seasoned veteran of both the day and dating apps in general, however, I'm here to tell you that those hopes may not be met. You may not find the love of your life on Dating Sunday — and that's OK.
SEE ALSO: Our 5 predictions for dating in 2026To the apps' credit, there are stats behind the hoopla: OkCupid typically sees a 70 percent increase in user activity on Dating Sunday. Tinder estimates that 10 percent of all January swipes occur on that date as well.
The reasoning behind it also makes sense. People may take time off dating during the holidays to focus on family, yet the time can remind us of our singleness; December is "proposal season," after all. Plus, January is often seen as a "fresh start," and daters may have newfound optimism to go out and find a partner. Throw in the close proximity to Valentine's Day, and it's totally logical that our thumbs are a-swiping.
One day — or even a month — of swiping won't determine what the rest of the year will be like.Liubomyr Pivtorak, chief product officer at Hily dating app, says Dating Sunday isn't just about an increase in traffic to the apps. "We see a sharp increase in matches and conversations, with people replying faster and sustaining longer exchanges than usual," says Pivtorak. "It's the moment when motivation is still high and everyone’s giving dating a real try, right before that drop-off kicks in.”
I understand why Dating Sunday falls when it does, but I believe starting out the year with it could be detrimental. If you fail to find a match on Dating Sunday, you may think it's somehow a sign of what's to come during this year, that 2026 is doomed to be like last year and the year before.
This isn't true. One day — or even a month — of swiping won't determine what the rest of the year will be like. The most popular apps (like Tinder and Bumble) have millions of users, and they'll be active well beyond Dating Sunday. There will be more opportunities beyond the first two Sundays of the year. Perhaps the days in between may be lucrative too! Or the days, weeks, and months afterwards.
The danger is treating it like a sprint, when dating is really a marathon."If you’re not careful, you can burn out before you’ve even started," says Sylvia Linzalone, dating expert at UK-based dating app Wisp. "The danger is treating it like a sprint, when dating is really a marathon."
SEE ALSO: 5 ways dating changed in 2025"Dating Sunday isn’t about finding ‘the one’ in 24 hours," Linzalone says. "It’s about starting the year with clarity. Use the energy of the day to set better habits – whether that’s messaging with more intention, meeting sooner, or being clearer about what you want."
Remember: How Dating Sunday shakes out won't be a predictor for the rest of the year. Don't participate if you don't want to; you can find love another time. Those excited singles won't vanish when Monday rolls around.
You want a potential match that puts in the effort, so you should do so too.If you do want to put your best foot forward, however, by all means do it. On Dating Sunday, experts recommend that you complete your bio and include at least three photos of yourself. You want a potential match that puts in the effort, so you should do so too.
I'm sure I'm preaching to the choir in terms of managing expectations. Just remember what Linzalone says: it's a marathon, not a sprint.
This article was first published in 2022 and republished in 2026.
3 legitimately useful Linux apps to try this weekend (January 2 - 4)
After taking a break for the holidays, I'm back with another set of Linux applications I think are worth installing. This weekend, consider a way to concatenate desktops, a duplicate file cleaner, and a replacement for ls.
7 weird Excel facts you probably didn’t know (including the 1900 leap-year lie)
You likely use it every day for "boring" data, but Excel is hiding a fascinating history. From secret video games to a leap-year lie that Microsoft refuses to fix, here are seven weird facts that prove the popular spreadsheet software is stranger than you think.
10 common PC habits that waste time every day (and what to do instead)
Are you confident you're using your PC as efficiently as possible? Most people aren't. From typing techniques to shut down procedures, we've all picked up habits that waste time without us even noticing. Here are 10 common PC habits that are wasting your time—and how to fix them.
3 Prime Video shows you have to watch this weekend (January 2 - 4)
Happy new year, everyone! I hope your annual late-night celebration was fabulous enough to wear you out to the point that all you want to do this weekend is vegetate and binge-watch some good TV shows. If that's the case, I’m here to take the guesswork out of that equation with the first recommendations of 2026.
How to show a live clock in your Linux terminal (3 easy methods)
I spend a lot of time in the CLI, and when an exciting project captures my attention and gets me into a flow state, I tend to lose track of time; before I know it, hours have passed.
3 great shows to watch on Netflix this weekend (January 2 - 4)
It's a new year and so much has changed. Okay, perhaps not a lot has changed really, including the fact that I'm here every weekend to offer up three fantastic shows that deserve your attention on Netflix.
I made GNOME feel like the 2000s again with these 3D extensions
Software used to be fun and full of little quirks and gimmicks. If you've experienced the Frutiger Aero era of design, you know exactly what I'm talking about. That was before flat, sterile, 'clean' designs without any trace of personality took over. Still, I miss when software used to be fun, and I'd like to bring it back where I can. If you're using the GNOME desktop environment, here are four extensions you can install right now to make your computer fun again.
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for January 2, 2026
The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you're a healthy eater.
Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for January 2, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: To notate
Green: A skit
Blue: A guideline
Purple: Greens
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Write
Green: Shtick
Blue: Benchmark
Purple: Vegetable minus 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 #936 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayWrite: JOT, LOG, NOTE, RECORD
Shtick: BIT, GAG, NUMBER, ROUTINE
Benchmark: BAR, EXAMPLE, METRIC, STANDARD
Vegetable minus starting letter: ALE, EEK, HIVE, QUASH
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 2, 2026Are 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.
NYT Strands hints, answers for January 2, 2026
Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you hate the cold.
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 MashableBy 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 2, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for January 2, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Home is where the hearth isThe words are related to coziness.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedThese words describe ways to heat up.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.
NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is Stay Warm.
NYT Strands word list for January 2Blanket
Slippers
Cocoa
Stay Warm
Robe
Fireplace
Cuddles
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.
Wordle today: Answer, hints for January 2, 2026
Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you love true crime.
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 2, 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 2, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:Evidence.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?The letter O 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...
PROOF
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 2, 2026Reporting 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.
NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for January 2, 2026
Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you know hockey.
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 categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Hype
Green: Casino moves
Blue: Robin Hood
Purple: Almost hockey
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Full of energy
Green: Actions with a deck of playing cards
Blue: Archery terms
Purple: NHL teams, with the last letter changed
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 #466 is...
What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?Full of energy - FRESH, INVIGORATED, RESTED, RESTORED
Actions with a deck of playing cards - CUT, DEAL, DRAW, SHUFFLE
Archery terms - ARROW, BULLSEYE, NOCK, QUIVER
NHL teams, with the last letter changed - BLUEY, DUCKY, START, WILT
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.
NYT Pips hints, answers for January 2, 2026
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 PipsIf 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 2, 2026The 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 2, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 2 PipsGreater Than (5): Everything in this space must be greater than 5. The answer is 6-5, placed vertically.
Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically.
Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically.
Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 6-5, placed vertically; 0-5, placed vertically; 5-2, placed horizontally.
Equal (0): Everything in this dark blue space must be equal to 0. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically; 0-0, placed horizontally.
Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally.
Medium difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 2 PipsNumber (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally.
Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally; 6-2, placed vertically.
Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 5-5, placed vertically.
Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 6-2, placed vertically; 4-0, placed horizontally.
Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally; 6-5, placed vertically; 6-3, placed vertically.
Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-3 placed vertically; 5-3, placed horizontally.
Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 4-0, placed horizontally.
Equal (5): Everything in this red space must be equal to 5. The answer is 6-5, placed vertically; 5-3, placed horizontally.
Hard difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 2 PipsNumber (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 0-0, placed horizontally; 2-6, placed horizontally.
Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 2-6, placed horizontally; 4-5, placed horizontally.
Greater Than (9): Everything in this space must be greater than 9. The answer is 4-5, placed horizontally; 3-5, placed horizontally.
Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally; 6-3, placed horizontally.
Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 6-3, placed horizontally; 6-6, placed horizontally; 0-6, placed horizontally.
Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally.
Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally; 4-4, placed horizontally.
Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally; 0-1, placed horizontally.
Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 0-1, placed horizontally; 2-2, 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.
NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for January 2, 2026
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 gameHere are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Friday, Jan. 2, 2026:
AcrossFill in the ___The answer is Blank.
The answer is Ounce.
The answer is Untag.
The answer is NASA.
The answer is Dry.
The answer is Hop.
The answer is Lunar.
The answer is Antsy.
The answer is NCAA.
The answer is Keg.
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 today's Mini Crossword.


