Technology

A docking station or dock is a convenient solution that can save you from the hassle of dealing with multiple adapters and dongles to attach peripherals, monitors, or storage devices to your laptop. Here are our top picks to simplify your setup.

Android Studio’s Emulator is a versatile tool that lets you create virtual devices to simulate real Android phones and tablets. Whether you're testing apps, exploring features, or debugging, it offers a powerful way to work with Android environments directly from your computer.

The LiberLive C1 Stringless Smart Guitar is a revolutionary instrument that transforms the way you play, perform, and create music. Whether you’re a seasoned musician or a complete beginner, this innovative guitar opens up a world of musical possibilities, eliminating the barriers of traditional learning.

Having Bluetooth trouble with your Android device? Whether your earbuds are acting up or your car connection isn't as smooth as it used to be, sometimes the best fix is a fresh start. By removing old paired devices and starting over, you can solve common Bluetooth headaches.

It's natural to wear your smartwatch the same way you would wear any other watch. However, if you're not wearing it the right way, it can interfere with the accuracy of the health sensors.

Even if you don't want to use your carrier's roaming settings, there are still tons of ways to stay connected while traveling abroad. One of the most popular ones is temporary eSIMs–I used one on a recent trip, and here's how it went.

A common joke among Python programmers is that the interactive mode works great as a desk calculator. Here are the reasons this is close to reality.

TL;DR: Live stream Atlanta Hawks vs. Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.

The Atlanta Hawks head to crypto.com Arena to face the Los Angeles Lakers in a non-conference matchup. The Hawks are 18-15, which puts them in seventh place in the Eastern Conference. The Lakers are 18-14, which puts them in seventh place in the Western Conference.

The Hawks are riding a four game-win streak heading to Los Angeles. The Lakers have won three of their last five games, but are coming off a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

When is Atlanta Hawks vs. Los Angeles Lakers?

Atlanta Hawks vs. Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA starts at 10:30 p.m. ET on Jan. 3. This game takes place at crypto.com Arena in L.A.

This game will air on NBA TV.

How to watch Atlanta Hawks vs. Los Angeles Lakers

You need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Hawks vs. Lakers basketball game.

Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV FuboTV Pro plan Get Deal

FuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period. 

FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network. 

Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get Deal

YouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.

Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get Deal

Sling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.

Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.

How to watch Hawks vs. Lakers from anywhere in the world

If you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Atlanta Hawks vs. Los Angeles Lakers for free 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 U.S.

4. Sign in to your favorite streaming app

5. Watch Atlanta Hawks vs. Los Angeles Lakers from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Atlanta Hawks vs. Los Angeles Lakers before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, 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 one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Atlanta Hawks vs. Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Dallas Mavericks in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.

The Cleveland Cavaliers head to the American Airlines Center to face the Dallas Mavericks in a non-conference matchup. The Cavaliers are 29-4 and leading the NBA. The Mavs are 20-14 and in fifth place in the Western Conference.

The Cavaliers have won eight consecutive games. The Mavericks have lost four of their last five games and are coming off three consecutive losses to the Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings, and Portland Trail Blazers.

When is Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Dallas Mavericks?

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Dallas Mavericks in the NBA starts at 8:30 p.m. ET on Jan. 3. This game takes place at American Airlines Center in Dallas.

How to watch Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Dallas Mavericks

You need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Cavaliers vs. Mavericks basketball game.

Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV FuboTV Pro plan Get Deal

FuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period. 

FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network. 

Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get Deal

YouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.

Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get Deal

Sling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.

Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.

How to watch Cavaliers vs. Mavericks from anywhere in the world

If you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Dallas Mavericks for free 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 U.S.

4. Sign in to your favorite streaming app

5. Watch Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Dallas Mavericks from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Dallas Mavericks before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, 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 one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Dallas Mavericks in the NBA with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream New York Knicks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.

The New York Knicks head to the Paycom Center to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in a non-conference matchup. The Knicks are 24-10 and third in the Eastern Conference. The Thunder are 28-5 and are leading the Western Conference.

This matchup is between two of the NBA's best this season. The Thunder are riding an eight-game win streak, while the Knicks have won nine straight.

When is New York Knicks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder?

New York Knicks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA starts at 8 p.m. ET on Jan. 3. This game takes place at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.

This game will air on NBA TV.

How to watch New York Knicks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

You need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Knicks vs. Thunder basketball game.

Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV FuboTV Pro plan Get Deal

FuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period. 

FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network. 

Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get Deal

YouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.

Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get Deal

Sling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.

Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.

How to watch Knicks vs. Thunder from anywhere in the world

If you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.

Live stream New York Knicks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder for free 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 U.S.

4. Sign in to your favorite streaming app

5. Watch New York Knicks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream New York Knicks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, 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 one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream New York Knicks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Boston Celtics vs. Houston Rockets in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.

The Boston Celtics head to the Toyota Center to face the Houston Rockets in a non-conference matchup. The Celtics are 25-9, which lands them in second place in the Eastern Conference. The Rockets are 22-11, which lands them in third place in the Western Conference.

The Celtics have won three of their last five games, and are coming off back-to-back wins over the Minnesota Timberwolves and Toronto Raptors. The Rockets have also won three of their last five games and are coming off a win over the Dallas Mavericks.

When is Boston Celtics vs. Houston Rockets?

Boston Celtics vs. Houston Rockets in the NBA starts at 8 p.m. ET on Jan. 3. This game takes place at Toyota Center in Houston.

How to watch Boston Celtics vs. Houston Rockets

You need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Celtics vs. Rockets basketball game.

Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV FuboTV Pro plan Get Deal

FuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period. 

FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network. 

Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get Deal

YouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.

Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get Deal

Sling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.

Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.

How to watch Celtics vs. Rockets from anywhere in the world

If you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Boston Celtics vs. Houston Rockets for free 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 U.S.

4. Sign in to your favorite streaming app

5. Watch Boston Celtics vs. Houston Rockets from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Boston Celtics vs. Houston Rockets before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, 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 one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Boston Celtics vs. Houston Rockets in the NBA with ExpressVPN.

iPhones offer tons of features, but not all of them are useful. You might even want to turn some of them off completely. Here are 10 iOS settings that I always keep disabled on my iPhone 16.

Connections: Sports Edition is a new 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.

Tweet may have been deleted

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.

Tweet may have been deleted

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.

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: Hit by pitch

• Green: Colors you might see in a car race

• Blue: Won four basketball championships together

• Purple: Athletes that share a first name

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Hit batter with a pitch

• Green: Flags in NASCAR

• Blue: Members of Warriors dynasty

• Purple: Steve ______

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 #102 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Hit a batter with a pitch - BEAN, DRILL, HIT, PLUNK

• Flags in NASCAR - CHECKERED, RED, WHITE, YELLOW

• Members of Warriors dynasty- CURRY, GREEN, KERR, THOMPSON

• Steve _______ - CARLTON, MCNAIR, PREFONTAINE, YZERMAN

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.

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.

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands 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 3 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for January 3 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: On auto

These words are outer pieces of a car.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

Words are parts of an automobile.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is CarBody.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for January 3

• Hood

• Mirror

• Trunk

• Windshield

• Door

• Bumper

• Grille

• Car Body

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.

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

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 today: Hints and answers for January 3 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's The Mini crossword answers for January 3, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Opposite of expensive.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no reoccurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter C.

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...

CHEAP.

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 3

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.

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.

Tweet may have been deleted

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.

Tweet may have been deleted

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's The Mini crossword answers for January 3 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: Below the ankle

• Green: A Washington

• Blue: Mario's favorites

• Purple: Same first name

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Parts of a foot

• Green: One dollar

• Blue: Kinds of mushrooms

• Purple: Pot ___

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 #573 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Parts of a foot: ARCH, BALL, HEEL, SOLE

• One dollar: BUCK, CLAM, SINGLE, SMACKER

• Kinds of mushrooms: BUTTON, MOREL, OYSTER, TRUMPET

• Pot ___: BELLY, HOLE, LUCK, STICKER

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 3

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.

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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Friday, January 3, 2025:

AcrossJust go with it!

• The answer is Flow.

Buenos ___, Argentina

• The answer is Aires.

Group of conspirators

• The answer is Cabal.

"Wicked" star Cynthia

• The answer is Erivo.

Irish ___, dish that might be made with a pint of Guinness

• The answer is Stew.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for January 3 DownConfront, as facts

• The answer is Face.

You can't trust their stories

• The answer is Liars.

Move like a planet

• The answer is Orbit.

Salon job involving hair extensions

• The answer is Weave.

Not busy, business-wise

• The answer is Slow.

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

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The security camera market is saturated, but what makes the Reolink Altas PT Ultra stand out is its easy-to-use app, 4K video, and crystal-clear night vision. It might not be groundbreaking tech but it gave me peace of mind, (almost) no headaches, and operated flawlessly.

CES 2025 officially kicks off in a couple of days (January 7, to be exact), and we know one word will surely be at the center of this year's event: AI.

Being a gadget geek at heart, though, I'm somehow more excited about..well, actual, physical gadgets, and this being CES, we'll probably see a few really cool ones this year (AI-powered or not).

With the biggest announcements just a few days away, we already have a pretty good idea of what's coming, even though most of the news is under embargo. So here's some of the stuff I'm most eager to see at CES this year.

Honda's EVs Cue dreamy saxophone solo. Credit: Honda

The Consumer Electronic Show is not by definition a car event, but car manufacturers often do use it to show off the tech in their new and upcoming vehicles. This year, a few of the big manufacturers are skipping the show, but Honda is going all in, with a number of announcements lined up for CES.

The company already announced it will premiere new 0 Series prototype models on January 7. These are follow-ups to the 0 Series prototypes we've seen at CES 2024, and this year we'll hopefully see updated designs that are closer to finalized, mass-market versions of these cars. The company will also show off a new vehicle operating system that will be running in the 0 Series cars, and we should find out more about Honda's new automated driving tech.

We should also learn the pre-order details on Sony AFEELA at CES 2025. Credit: Sony

That's not all from Honda, though. The company recently teamed up with Sony to build an electric vehicle called AFEELA, and the two companies will show off the latest AFEELA tech at CES, on January 7.

4K and 5K OLED monitors

Sure, OLED monitors have been a thing for a while. They bring rich blacks, incredibly fast pixel response, and massive dynamic range. But it still feels like they're not quite there yet, especially when it comes to gaming, as they don't come in all sizes and resolutions as their LCD brethren.

It bends! Credit: LG

This changes now. Manufacturers including Samsung, Asus, and MSI have announced 27-inch, 4K OLED monitors with 240Hz refresh rates (these are all based on Samsung's QD-OLED panels). And LG will launch new OLED models at CES as well, including a futuristic, bendable 45-inch display with a 5K resolution.

CES in general is the premier event for monitors and TVs of all shapes and sizes, and we definitely expect to see a few surprises, especially from heavyweights such as Samsung and LG. Last year, LG brought a transparent OLED TV to the show, and it was one of the most exciting gadgets we've seen at CES 2024.

Lenovo Legion GO S and GO 2

This is far from a given, but Lenovo is rumored to bring new Lenovo Legion GO gaming handhelds to CES 2025.

This guy is reportedly getting a successor (or three) at CES 2025. Credit: Lenovo

The original Lenovo Legion GO was launched in September 2023, and it was a pretty capable competitor to the likes of Nintendo Switch and Valve's Steam Deck, in particular because of its beautiful, 8.8-inch display.

Now, Lenovo is rumored to follow up with a more affordable model, the Lenovo Legion GO S, and (possibly) an upgraded version of the original handheld, the Lenovo Legion GO 2. A third handheld, the Lenovo Legion GO S Steam Edition, is rumored to arrive with Steam Deck's SteamOS instead of Windows.

The Lenovo GO S will reportedly come with an 8-inch, 1,920 x 1,200 pixel LED, as well as an AMD Ryzen Z2 Go chip. The Lenovo GO 2 should have the more powerful, AMD Z2 Extreme chip, and a slightly larger, 8.8-inch OLED display with a 2,560 x 1,600 pixel resolution.

Nvidia's new graphics cards

Nvidia's founder and CEO Jensen Huang is holding the central keynote at CES this year, and the company is widely expected to launch a bevy of new graphics cards, including new RTX 50 series GPUs.

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If you're not a gamer (I haven't been one for a while either), you may not care much about gaming hardware. But Nvidia's major graphics cards launches are always huge news, not only because they'll power the beautiful-looking, next-gen games, but because they (typically) set the benchmark for what a graphics card for personal use can do.

Rumors claim the RTX 5090 will offer a 50% performance increase compared to RTX 4090, which is currently the most powerful graphics card you can buy for your PC. If true, this will not only unleash next-level gaming performance, but also pave the way for new AI and scientific applications.

This weird 'emotional-support AI robot' Still can't do the dishes, eh? Credit: Mixi

A company called Mixi is about to show the Romi Lacatan, a cute gadget described as a "palmtop, emotional-support AI robot." Apparently, the little guy can hold a complex conversation in real time, remembering what you've previously said. It goes beyond just talking; the robot will also have gestures (meaning physical rattles and turns" and facial expressions (on the built-in LCD display). Still doesn't sound very robot-y, but it certainly could be one of those gadgets that steal the spotlight at CES.

More than 100,000 people are expected to make their annual trek to Las Vegas in January – and, no, they're not taking the trip to gamble (mostly).

We're, of course, talking about the Consumer Electronics Show, better known as CES. The annual trade show is the largest technology conference of its kind. Every January, some of the biggest and some of the newest tech companies and startups show up to show off their latest products as well as prototypes for potential future technologies.

And CES 2025 will be no exception. So, what should you expect to come out of this CES? Mashable takes a look at some of the latest news, rumors, and announcements to give you a sneak peek at what are likely to be the main events of CES.

New TVs

Televisions are always a showstopper at CES and CES 2025 will likely continue that streak. We'll likely see plenty of new Smart TVs touting AI integration.

Alongside announcements regarding new TV consumer products will be the real headline-stealers that you likely won't find in stores anytime soon.

LG, for example, is already promoting its "World Premiere press conference" at CES on Jan. 6, the day before the show floor opens to the public. It's very possible that they are going to announce a brand new TV product that attendees will be able to experience in-person the very next day. Just last month, LG announced a new stretchable display, the first that's able to expand by 50 percent – from a 12-inch display to an 18-inch one – that LG might have that at the event.

LG stole the show at least year's CES with the world's first 4K wireless transparent TV. It'll be interesting to see what they have in the works for this year's event.

HDMI 2.2

Along with brighter OLED displays and more affordable Mini-LED options, there's another big TV announcement likely coming to CES: HDMI 2.2. 

HDMI Forum will announce a "new HDMI specification release" at CES 2025. It's expected to be HDMI 2.2, which will bring higher resolutions and refresh rates to your TV set. While there have been some minor updates, the latest major release was HDMI 2.1 in 2017. TV technology has certainly improved since then, so HDMI 2.2 will be much talked about at CES.

AI wearables 

There's no doubt about it: AI will be the big buzz word out of CES this year. And it won't just be in TVs. Artificial intelligence products, led by industry leader OpenAI and its hit ChatGPT, will be everywhere at CES and ingrained in every product category imaginable.

For example, at last year's CES, Mashable was able to get hands-on with multiple smartglass products from companies like TCL and XReal. Conversational AI, AI-powered translations, and chatbots could be found in nearly every smartglass wearable that was demoed at the 2024 event.

Yes, some big AI wearable launches have been major flops over the past year, but the AI space as a whole has only grown since then, so expect even more AI-related products looking to improve in areas where others failed at CES.

Next-generation laptops

Speaking of AI, don't be surprised to see new laptop models from basically every PC brand to integrate AI in some way.

In fact, if you want a look into what to expect at CES, just look at what the newest Innovation Award honorees showcase. Yes, CES has already issued awards for 2025. And award-winning laptops like the HP OmniBook 14" Ultra Flip and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition are both winners that highlight AI capabilities. So, look forward to plenty of new laptops accentuating their AI capabilities and Microsoft Copilot integrations.

As always, expect a few next generation laptops that introduce something new to the space. For example, one 2025 Innovation Award winner to keep an eye out for is the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid. There are plenty of tablets out there that you can connect a keyboard accessory to and touch-screen laptops are also a growing market as well. So what's unique about this? Well, for one, the "hybrid" part of this laptop isn't that it's a laptop and tablet. The innovative aspect here is  that the computer is both a Windows and Android device.

Gaming computers and laptops should also make their mark at this year's CES for a very specific reason, which brings me to the next likely big CES 2025 announcement.

Nvidia RTX 50-series

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is delivering a keynote at CES 2025 and rumors are spreading that the company is planning to use the big event to launch its latest GPUs, specifically the GeForce RTX 5090.

Nvidia's products have been very successful and in-demand thanks to AI. But, don't forget that gamers have been a reliable consumer base for the company too. The Nvidia RTX 50-series will be the first powered by the company's new powerful Blackwell architecture. 

At the point, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 is expected to be the big announcement as part of Huang CES keynote on Jan. 6, 2025. So, while CES officially starts on Jan. 7, it seems the party will get started a day before the show floor opens to the public.

Gaming monitors

Like we said, TVs are usually a big hit at CES. However, this year, partly thanks to GPU innovations like the previously mentioned Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090, CES 2025 will likely be a big event for gaming monitors too.

Computer gamers will have a lot to look forward to as LG just unveiled the first bendable 5K2K gaming monitor. The LG UltraGear OLED Bendable Gaming Monitor is a 45", 21:9 monitor with an insane 5K2K, or 5,120 x 2,160, resolution. The screen can be flat monitor or bent with up to a 900R curvature, depending on the user's preference.

To show just how competitive the gaming monitor space will be at CES 2025, three companies – Samsung, Asus, and MSI – just announced 27" 4K OLED 240Hz gaming monitors ahead of the big show with each claiming to be the "world's first."

AI appliances

Home items like refrigerators may not seem exciting, but the innovations displayed at CES always leave attendees with at least one thing they'd never expect to find in their appliances.

Samsung, for example, has already shared the theme for its CES 2025: "AI for All: Everyday, Everywhere." Brand new AI and touch screen-enhanced home appliances will be showcased by the company. Samsung has already announced that it's new fridges with AI Hybrid Cooling technology that can anticipate temperature changes from everyday use and adjust accordingly will be featured at the event. In addition to that, Samsung will have its Bespoke Wall Oven with an AI-powered recipe feature on display. Samsung's Bespoke AI Washer and Dryer will also debut, showing off its wash cycle and energy monitoring capabilities.

An interesting CES for EVs

Electric vehicles always steal at least some of the headlines at CES. Aptera Motors, for example, is going to debut its solar-powered EV at CES 2025.

But, the conversation around EVs at CES will likely be something that can't be showcased: The incoming Trump administration's hostile policies regarding electric vehicles. Trump will likely look to end the EV tax credits, which would hurt many EV companies, especially startup EV manufacturers like the ones that attend CES. Combine that with a global slowdown of EV sales in general and the EV news coming out of this CES may not be all about what new technology was unveiled, but who isn't there this year.

Toyota's Woven City

While some automative companies may be sitting out CES 2025, that just means others will steal the spotlight.

Toyota, for example, has already published a CES 2025 teaser video called "Welcome to Woven City." The company seems poised to share some major progress with its "living laboratory" fully-connected prototype city powered by hydrogen cells.

CES 2025 in Las Vegas opens to the public on Jan. 7. Mashable will be there live at the show floor and at the media days before the public opening covering all the latest news from the event.

UPDATE: Jan. 2, 2025, 1:35 p.m. EST This piece was updated to include the latest news on what to expect at CES 2025.