Mashable

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

A leg.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

SHANK

Hurdle Word 2 hint

To dodge.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 30, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

ELUDE

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A hand covering.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 30 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 30, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

GLOVE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A shack.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for December 30 Hurdle Word 4 answer

HOVEL

Final Hurdle hint

Spoken words.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

QUOTE

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

TL;DR: PromptBuilder is an AI tool that creates, refines, and organizes prompts for all sorts of AI tools, and a lifetime subscription is now on sale.

Opens in a new window Credit: PromptBuilder PromptBuilder - AI Prompt Engineer: Lifetime Subscription (Unlimited Plan) $199
$1,764 Save $1,565   Get Deal

Getting useful output from AI tools often depends more on the prompt than the model. PromptBuilder is a browser-based prompt assistant that takes short ideas and turns them into structured prompts for chat and image models, so you spend less time tinkering with wording. With support for 10 AI models, including options like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, it sits in front of the tools you already use instead of replacing them. It’s also only $199 for a lifetime subscription (reg. $1,764) during this limited-time sale.

Using PromptBuilder is easy. First, start by describing what you want in plain language. PromptBuilder turns that into a formatted prompt in seconds, or lets you pick from more than 1,000 templates for writing, coding, marketing, support messages, data work, and more. There’s also a prompt optimizer, so if you already have something that works, you can paste it in and refine it instead of starting from scratch every time.

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Prompts can be organized in a private library with tags, so you can keep separate sets for clients, projects, or channels and reuse them as needed. The same workspace can generate text prompts for chat models, social posts tailored to Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, or TikTok, and detailed image prompts for tools like DALL-E, Midjourney, or Stable Diffusion.

The Unlimited Plan gives lifetime access in a modern browser with no hard cap on prompt generations and a history of what you have created. That suits writers, marketers, developers, and support teams who use AI often and want repeatable results without guessing at phrasing every time.

Stop banging your head against the wall trying to find a prompt that works.

Get a PromptBuilder Lifetime Subscription on sale for $199.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

China is drafting new, stricter AI regulations that could set the country on its way to becoming the first to regulate the emotional repercussions of chatbot companions.

SEE ALSO: ChatGPT is changing the abortion landscape

Detailed in a new draft proposal written by China's Cyberspace Administration and translated by CNBC, the policy would require guardian consent for minors to engage with chatbot companions as well as sweeping age verification. AI chatbots would not be allowed to generate gambling-related, obscene, or violent content, or engage in conversations about suicide, self-harm, or other topics that could harm a user's mental health. In addition, tech "providers" must institute escalation protocols that connect human moderators to users in distress and flag risky conversations to guardians.

Chinese regulators say the aim is to focus not only on content safety but emotional safety, including monitoring chats for emotional dependency and addiction.

It's one of the first set of laws designed to control anthropomorphic AI tools specifically, experts say. To that end, the rules will apply to any AI tool designed to "simulate human personality and engage users emotionally through text, images, audio or video," CNBC reports.

SEE ALSO: Make 2026 the year your kid gets off their device

China's proposed rules mirror several provisions in a recently passed California AI law, known as SB 243, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in October. The law requires stronger content restrictions, reminders to users that they are speaking to a non-human AI, as well as emergency protocols for discussions of suicide. Some experts have critiqued the bill for not going far enough to protect minor users, leaving room for tech companies to dodge oversight.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration has stalled further AI regulation at the state level in favor of a "national framework on AI safety." The executive order withholds federal infrastructure funding from states that strengthen AI oversight. Federal leaders argue that increased regulation of AI will stall domestic innovation and put the U.S. behind China in the perceived global AI race.

If it feels like there's a lot of AI slop on YouTube, that's because there is a lot of AI slop on YouTube.

That's according to new research from video-editing company Kapwing (as reported by the Guardian), which found that more than one in every five videos that the YouTube Shorts algorithm shows new users is low-quality, AI-generated content, also known as AI slop.

SEE ALSO: Merriam-Webster names "slop" the word of the year, and boy was 2025 sloppy

One of the most interesting parts of the Kapwing study is that of the first 500 YouTube Shorts videos in a brand-new, untouched YouTube Shorts algorithm, 104 were AI-generated, and 165 were "brainrot" — a whopping 21 percent and 33 percent, respectfully. (Combined, that's 54% of content in total.) Per Kapwing, brainrot content refers to "nonsensical, low-quality video content that creates the effect of corroding the viewer’s mental or intellectual state." Brainrot content is often AI-generated, too.

Of course, the love of AI slop differs depending on the country. Kapwing found that AI slop channels in Spain have a combined 20.22 million subscribers, more than any other country, but has fewer AI slop channels among its top 100 channels than other countries. The U.S. has nine channels among its top 100 channels, and the third-most slop subscribers at 14.47 million.

YouTube isn't the only social media beast whose content is falling to the depths of AI slop despair, but the Kapwing study makes it clear that AI slop isn't going anywhere. As Mashable's Tim Marcin reported earlier this month, AI slop is taking over our feeds, from fake animals on surveillance tapes to heavy machinery cleaning barnacles off whales.

It seems certain at this point that laptop and smartphone prices are going to go up even more in 2026.

Case in point: modular PC maker Framework just announced yet another price hike on DDR5 RAM components. Framework says that it's charging customers "as close as possible to the actual purchase prices we have with our suppliers," and that it will now be charging roughly $10 per gigabyte.

Why? Demand for memory hardware, as a result of the AI boom, has led to a global memory shortage, which has in turn forced companies like Framework to raise their prices. Earlier this month, we reported that Samsung had warned its manufacturing partners that it was doubling prices on DDRM RAM, and laptop makers like Lenovo, Dell, and HP have all warned of looming price increases in the new year.

The most recent price hike from Framework adds $10 per GB for the 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB options, with prices going up even higher for RAM modules 48GB and up. And, again, this is yet another price increase on top of previous "price adjustments."

The Verge provided some examples of Framework's new memory pricing, with 8GB of RAM increasing from $60 to $80. Consumers will now pay $160 for the 16GB option instead of the previous price of $120. And 32GB of RAM now costs $320, up from $240.

The price increase really becomes substantial when you get to the larger memory options. In June, for example, 48GB of RAM cost $240. Now? A whopping $620. 

And, as Framework itself says, it doesn't look like the memory shortage is getting better next year.

"All indications we’ve received from suppliers is that prices will continue to increase going into early 2026," the company wrote in a blog post on its website. "We have absorbed and continue to absorb some of the price increases to be able to offer this new pricing, but it is very likely we’ll need to adjust module prices again within the next month."

In fact, without a major disruption, the AI industry will continue to affect the global memory supply well into 2027. Unfortunately for laptop and smartphone shoppers, in many cases, these memory-related price increases follow inflation and tariff-related price hikes from earlier in 2025.

So, if you've been wondering when is the best time to buy a new laptop, you probably don't want to wait too long.

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) CEO Dr. Lisa Su will help get CES 2026 underway on Monday, Jan. 5 by delivering a keynote address.

AMD is a major player in the tech world, if perhaps not a household name like Apple or Samsung. It's one of the preeminent chipmakers on the globe, making it increasingly powerful and important in the AI era. OpenAI, in fact, just announced a massive partnership with AMD in an effort to build out AI infrastructure.

AMD wrote on its site that Su will take the "CES stage in Las Vegas to highlight, alongside partners and customers, the AMD vision for delivering future AI solutions – from cloud to enterprise, edge and devices."

You can watch the keynote address on YouTube. It's scheduled to start at 9:30 p.m. ET on Monday, Jan. 5. We've also embedded the livestream below.

Mashable will be on the ground reporting at CES 2026 — make sure to follow our coverage. You can expect lots of news from the big stories to the weird gadgets.

If your pup could talk, what would they tell you? That they want to play fetch 24/7 and love it when you feed her people food? Yes, and yes.

As you’re setting healthy New Year’s resolutions for yourself, maybe it’s time to make some positive changes in your best buddy’s life, too. Right now, you can save 50% off your first box of human-grade The Farmer’s Dog pet food, so that’s a great start. Here’s how a fresh-food diet and healthy lifestyle can help keep their tail wagging for years to come. 

Opens in a new window Credit: The Farmer's Dog The Farmer's Dog Take 50% off your first box of human-grade pet food Get Deal Fresh food vs. processed kibble

While the picture on your go-to bag of dog food might suggest the kibble inside was made with a juicy chicken breast, the reality is likely different. Pet food production in the U.S. is held to alarmingly low quality standards, and even “premium” kibble brands can contain diseased chicken parts and starchy fillers. Yuck.

If that isn’t enough for you to switch from kibble to fresh, a new study from The Farmer’s Dog shows that fresh food can support healthier aging in dogs — and who doesn’t want more good years with their pup? 

What’s in The Farmer’s Dog?

The Farmer’s Dog makes fresh dog food that’s formulated by on-staff, board-certified veterinary nutritionists. Each batch is made from gently cooked, human-grade meats and vegetables, has no added fillers or preservatives, and is quickly frozen to lock in nutrients. 

Unlike bagged kibble that can sit on the shelf for months, The Farmer’s Dog is shipped right to your door while it’s still fresh and nutrient-dense.

Personalized plans and portions

Keeping your pup at a weight that your vet deems healthy is another way to support your dog’s well-being — and The Farmer’s Dog plans can help you with that. Each plan is tailored to meet your pup’s particular needs, based on their weight, body condition, activity level, and other factors. The food is also delivered in pre-portioned packs, so there’s no guesstimating on your part.  

Want to help your pup feel their best in 2026 and beyond? Start by saving 50% on your first box of The Farmer’s Dog, then give them fresh veggies like mini-carrots as healthy treats, take them on plenty of walks, and always remind them they’re a very good dog.

Samsung has a more sentimental vision for AI in your living room. In a Monday press release, the company announced plans to bring Google Photos to its Samsung AI TV lineup, transforming televisions into oversized digital frames that showcase your most meaningful memories.

The integration, currently slated to begin rolling out in 2026, is positioned as a first-of-its-kind experience. Samsung says its TVs will be the first to support Google Photos’ Memories feature on the big screen, offering curated photo stories organized by people, places, and moments. Instead of digging through your phone to relive a vacation or birthday, those highlights could soon greet you directly from your couch.

SEE ALSO: Samsung debuts smart home speaker that looks like a giant eye

Samsung is framing this partnership less as a utility and more as an emotional upgrade to the TV experience. In the release, Kevin Lee, executive vice president of Samsung’s Visual Display Business, described the goal as helping families "rediscover and relive cherished moments" together — language that leans heavily into nostalgia and togetherness rather than raw specs or performance.

Beyond Memories, Samsung and Google plan to roll out additional features later in 2026. These include AI-powered creation tools that can remix photos, apply stylized templates, or even transform still images into short videos, as well as personalized photo slideshows generated around themes like travel or hobbies.

All of this is designed to be integrated into Samsung’s broader Vision AI Companion system, allowing photos to appear contextually throughout the day rather than being confined to a single app.

Visiting Austin, Texas and planning to hop into a Tesla robotaxi after a night at the bar? Just don't barf inside the autonomous vehicle or that ride may cost you an extra $150.

According to a report from longtime Tesla influencer Sawyer Merritt, Tesla has rolled out a new cleaning fee system for its robotaxi service, which is currently only available in Austin. Basically, if you make a mess in a robotaxi, it's going to cost you a pretty penny.

Merritt reports that Tesla now has two tiers of potential fees for cleaning up a Tesla after a ride. If a rider makes a "moderate mess," which is described as "food spills, significant dirt and minor stains" then they will be charged an extra $50 for their ride.

However, if a rider makes a "severe mess," which is described as "biowaste or smoking in the vehicle," then that charge is bumped up to an extra $150 for the ride.

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"We prioritize maintaining a clean and comfortable environment for all riders and promoting responsible rider behavior," Tesla said in a statement to Merritt. "To address incidents where vehicles require additional cleaning after a trip, we will assess the type and severity of the mess and apply the appropriate fee. Once a fee is assessed, you’ll receive an email notifying you that additional cleaning was required for the vehicle after your trip. An updated ride receipt will also be available under the Ride History section of the Robotaxi app. If you believe a charge was made in error, call the Customer Support team and follow the prompts for option 7."

While fee specifics have not yet been posted by Tesla on their Robotaxi Rider Rules page, it does say that dirtying a vehicle will result in an "additional fee" at "Tesla's discretion."

Gizmodo compared Tesla's robotaxi cleaning fees with other car sharing and car rental services. Waymo, the most comparable autonomous car service to Tesla's, charges $50 for a cleaning if the rider self-reports the mess to the company. If they don't report it, Waymo charges $100 for the first incident and then "up to the cost of cleaning" if there are future cases. Recurring incidents can also affect a user's account with Waymo. The largest fine Gizmodo found was a $400 fee for smoking inside a Hertz vehicle.

Tesla's robotaxi service, although promoted as an autonomous experience, actually very much requires human intervention. Texas requires that Tesla provide a human safety monitor be present inside the robotaxi for certain types of trips. And, while we're on the topic of cleaning fees, you can guarantee that a human is going to have to scrub that vomit out of the robotaxi seat.

SAVE 30%: As of Dec. 29, you can grab TurboTax Desktop Deluxe 2025 (Federal & State) for $55.99, down from $79.99, at Amazon.

TurboTax Desktop Deluxe 2025 (Fed + State Tax Return, Digital Download) $55.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $24.00   Get Deal at Amazon

As a freelancer, tax season is a multi-week dread that starts as soon as the first 1099 hits your inbox. If you’re like me and literally hate everything about tax time, the goal is always the same: get it over with as quickly and painlessly as possible without leaving money on the table.

Right now, you can grab TurboTax Desktop Deluxe 2025 (Federal & State) for $55.99 at Amazon. That’s 30% off the $79.99 list price, which is a solid way to use some holiday gift card balance on something you're actually going to need in a few weeks.

SEE ALSO: How to manage quarterly taxes as a solopreneur

This version is specifically designed for people who need to maximize deductions. It searches for over 375 deductions and credits (including home office expenses and charitable donations) to make sure you're getting your biggest possible refund. It also includes five federal e-files and one state download, and it can import your info from last year's return, so you don't have to manually retype every detail.

Just a heads up for my fellow early birds: while the software is available to download now, some specific tax forms might not be finalized by the IRS until mid-February, so you might see a "pending" message on certain sections if you try to file today.

SAVE $10 PER BOOK: Each of the six titles in the Rachel Reid "Game Changers" series which inspired the show "Heated Rivalry" are on sale in Kindle version for $8.99 each, down from the standard print price of $18.99 each. You can also snag all six titles in a set for $53.94.

Opens in a new window Credit: Harlequin Digital Sales Corp. "Heated Rivalry" by Rachel Reid (Kindle version) $8.99 at Amazon
$18.99 Save $10.00   Get Deal

If you don't know how to proceed with life after watching all six episode of "Heated Rivalry" on HBO Max, you're in good company. We're all left with a void in our lives now that season 1 of "Heated Rivalry" is complete and we have no idea how long we'll have to wait until season 2 drops. But in the meantime, you can get back into the wonderful world of Ilya and Shane, and Kip and Scott, among others with this epic deal at Amazon.

As of Dec. 29, all six titles in the Rachel Reid "Game Changers" series are on sale in e-reader format for $8.99 each, marked down from the standard print price of $18.99 each. You can also snag all six titles in a set for $53.94.

If you got a Kindle or a Kobo e-reader for Christmas, it's time to stock up on titles to keep you busy for the winter. The Libby app gives you access to free titles from your local library but the wait times can be lengthy for hot titles. If you're feeling truly lost after the cottage and simply cannot wait the 17-or-whatever weeks until "Heated Rivalry" becomes available for free from your library, you can snag the e-book version for only $8.99 at Amazon.

SEE ALSO: The glorious, easy-to-miss moments in Heated Rivalry's finale

The Rachel Reid series "Game Changers" series features Scott and Kip's storyline in book one, "Game Changer" while the second book, "Heated Rivalry," explores Ilya and Shane's complicated romance. Of course, you need to read both after binging the show. If you still crave more, get all six e-books for under $54. Keep in mind the sixth book, "The Long Game," picks up on Shane and Ilya's story ten years after "Heated Rivalry," so this title is a must-have.

If you have some time set aside week or plan to read more in 2026, today's sale prices at Amazon offer a great opportunity to dive deeper into the Rachel Reid series that we cannot stop thinking about.

We may be in that weird timeframe known to most as “Betwixmas,” but that hasn’t stopped brands from launching new ideas and releasing products just before the new year hits. Just last week, Samsung introduced its 2026 sound device lineup. It’s not available to purchase just yet, so if you’d like to see it in person, you’ll have to go to CES 2026 in Las Vegas (Jan. 6-9).

SEE ALSO: If your Samsung TV sounds underwhelming, it’s because you haven’t applied these cool hacks

The higher-ups are pretty stoked about the newest designs. “For more than a decade, Samsung has shaped the evolution of home audio through advanced acoustics, intelligent features, and thoughtful design,” Hun Lee, Executive Vice President of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics, said in a press release. “We’re continuing that legacy with next-generation sound devices designed to deliver a rich, expressive performance for any space and moment."

Whether these new devices are actually revolutionary remains to be seen, but here’s everything we know so far.

There are two new soundbars

Samsung’s 2026 audio lineup includes two new soundbars: the HW-Q990H and the HW-QS90H.

The first is supposed to deliver Samsung’s most “immersive soundbar experience yet,” with an 11.1.4-channel system, a 7.0.2 main bar, 4.0.2 rear speakers, and a dual eight-inch driver with a built-in compact active subwoofer. This soundbar also features “next-generation AI tuning,” though we’re not entirely sure what that entails just yet. This is the first Samsung soundbar to have “Sound Elevation” technology, which Samsung says “lifts dialogue toward the center of the screen.” This soundbar also debuts Samsung’s “Auto Volume” feature, so there’s consistent volume across channels and content.

The second soundbar (the HW-QS90H) is an all-in-one setup that focuses on “aesthetic versatility.” It’s a 7.1.2-channel system with 13 drivers (including nine wide-range speakers) and a built-in Quad Bass Woofer system, so you shouldn't need a separate subwoofer with this one. It also features a “Convertible Fit” design that gives you the option to mount it on the wall or set it on a table — the built-in gyro sensor auto-adapts based on its orientation.

There are two new WiFi speakers

In addition to the soundbars, Samsung is expanding its portfolio with two WiFi speakers, the “Music Studio 5” and “Music Studio 7." These speakers are designed to fit your decor with what Samsung calls a “timeless dot concept” (designed by Erwan Bouroullec), but they definitely look Pixar-coded — like a giant, sleek eye.

The Music Studio 7 will be available in black. Credit: Samsung

The Music Studio 7 offers 3.1.1-channel spatial audio through left, front, right, and top speakers. There’s also an AI Dynamic Bass Control system that gives you the ability to play high-res audio (up to 24-bit/96kHz) with minimal distortion. It's black (there aren’t any other colorways at the moment) and works as a standalone or can be paired with compatible speakers, soundbars, or TVs.

The Music Studio 5 (model LS50H) is a smaller, “gallery-inspired” design for more compact spaces. It features a four-inch woofer and dual tweeters with a built-in waveguide for balanced sound. This speaker also includes the AI Dynamic Bass Control and supports WiFi casting, streaming services, and Bluetooth connectivity.

A more connected ecosystem

While each of these devices is designed to stand on its own, the real goal here seems to be total integration. Samsung is leaning heavily into Q-Symphony, the tech that allows your TV speakers and external audio gear play at the same time rather than fighting for control. For this new lineup, they’ve bumped the limit to allow up to five sound devices to pair with a single TV at once. The system also uses AI to map out your room and calibrate the sound based on where you’ve actually placed the speakers, which should theoretically make that "eye" on your bookshelf and the bar under your TV feel like parts of the same immersive setup.

SAVE $30: The Soundcore Sleep A30 earbuds are on sale at Amazon for $199.99, down from the list price of $229.99. That's a 13% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore Soundcore Sleep A30 earbuds $199.99 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $30   Get Deal

Now that we're almost to New Year's, some of us are considering resolutions for the upcoming year. Sure, getting 10,000 steps everyday or going to the gym a few times per week is great for overall health, but how are you sleeping? If your sleep is not great, it can have negative repercussions on almost every other aspect of life. Instead of suffering through noisy sleep interruptions, check out these sleep earbuds that are on sale at Amazon.

As of Dec. 29, the Soundcore Sleep A30 earbuds are on sale at Amazon for $199.99, marked down from the usual price of $229.99. That's a rare 13% discount for these earbuds.

Anker designed the Soundcore Sleep A30 earbuds to be comfortable enough to wear all night while sleeping, even for side sleepers. But equally important, they can help mask any noises that might wake up in the middle of the night. They'll help you sleep soundly despite a snoring partner, the cat running around the house, or noisy neighbors.

SEE ALSO: The cult-favorite Loftie alarm helped me kick my nighttime phone habit

The Soundcore Sleep A30 earbuds came out earlier this year, replacing the previous A20 model. The Sleep A30 earbuds are the first to offer noise cancellation and in Mashable's testing, Lead Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard found the Sleep A30 earbuds to be even more comfortable compared to the A20 earbuds. Plus, Anker says you can get up to 45 hours of playtime before you'll need to recharge. Assuming you sleep about eight hours each night, you'll only need to plug them in about ever sixth day.

In Mashable's review of the best sleep earbuds, the Soundcore Sleep A30 earn the spot as the best noise-cancelling option. Allard wrote, "Sometimes, the sleep situation demands more than passive noise cancellation and good white noise, and that's where the Sleep A30 earbuds come in. As the only pair of sleep earbuds on the market with ANC, the A30s have a clear advantage."

Allard's review goes on to mention sleepers get three types of soundscapes to help with falling and staying asleep: AI audio brainwave, snore masking, and white noise. She also found the app to have a nice layout.

If your sleep quality is suffering due to noise disruptions, consider the Soundcore Sleep A30 earbuds a necessary form of self-care. Snag them while they're on sale at Amazon for under $200 and make 2026 the year you finally get restorative sleep.

If you have an embarrassing or outdated Gmail address, you may soon be able to change that — without losing all your files and records.

The tech site 9to5Google reported that it appears Google may be rolling out the ability to change the address of your gmail.com email without losing all your files.

9to5Google reported that the change was discovered on a Hindi-language support forum page but that the ability was "gradually rolling out to all users." Read the translated forum page:

"The email address associated with your Google Account is the address you use to sign in to Google services. This email address helps you and others identify your account. If you’d like, you can change your Google Account email address that ends in gmail.com to a new email address that ends in gmail.com."

Obviously, the change has not been confirmed just yet. In fact, the English-language version of the support page still reads, "if your account's email address ends in @gmail.com, you usually can't change it."

So if your Gmail address is from middle school and a little embarrassing, you might be able to change it soon. But it's not quite guaranteed.

Best outdoor deals at Amazon Best overall deal Garmin inReach Messenger $165.50 (save $134.49) Get Deal Best portable power station deal Anker Solix C300 $169.99 (save $130) Get Deal Best fitness tracker deal Whoop 5.0 Peak $199 (save $40) Get Deal Best backyard deal Govee Smart Outdoor String Lights 2 (144 feet) $109.98 (save $70.01) Get Deal Best camping deal Stanley Perfect Brew Pour Over Set $32.93 (save $12.07) Get Deal

Not everyone thinks of winter as the ideal time for outdoor activities, but it might actually be the best time of the year if you don't love crowds. It's also a great time to restock your outdoor gear during the off-season, like snagging a portable power station. And since we're heading into a new year, it's also a nice opportunity to grab items that'll help you with fitness goals like the Whoop 5.0.

Amazon hasn't forgotten about us outdoor-lovers with this week's deals and there's an especially noteworthy one if you'll be heading out on adventures this winter. Check out the details for keeping in touch while staying safe.

Best Amazon outdoor deal Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin inReach Messenger $165.50 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $134.49   Get Deal Why we like it

Communication has come a long way from the days of not getting cell service while sitting in your own home. But while out in the backcountry, you might still run into connectivity issues. That's not the best for staying safe and keeping family up to date with your whereabouts. The Garmin inReach Messenger solves the issue of having no cell service. Thanks to its satellite network, you can keep in touch with two-way messages no matter where you are. Once you download the Garmin app and sign up for a satellite subscription, you'll have access to global two-way messaging, even when you're without cell service.

SEE ALSO: The 4 best power stations for camping keep you both online and off-grid

The Garmin inReach Messenger is lightweight and compact, clocking in at about four ounces. Open the Garmin app on your phone, and you can text contacts directly from the app. Garmin even lets you send group messages, so you won't have to individually text each friend who's waiting for an update. Of course, it comes with an SOS function, too.

Before you take off on winter adventures this year, be sure you have a way to stay in touch thanks to the Garmin inReach Messenger. It's on sale at Amazon for an enormous 45% off which is a new record-low price.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! 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 December 29, 2025

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 December 28, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 29 Pips

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

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

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

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

Equal (4): Everything in this red space must be equal to 4. The answer is 6-4, placed horizontally.

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 29 Pips

Greater Than (0): Everything in this space must be greater than 0. The answer is 1-5, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this dark blue space must add up to 10. The answer is 1-5, placed horizontally; 5-0, placed vertically.

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

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

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

Number (10): Everything in this light blue space must add up to 10. The answer is 5-2, placed vertically; 4-3, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 29 Pips

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

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

Number (12): Everything in this green space must add up to 12. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally; 6-3, placed vertically.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally.

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

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

Equal (3): Everything in this green space must be equal to 3. The answer is 6-3, placed vertically; 3-1, placed horizontally; 3-4, placed horizontally; 3-3, placed horizontally.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally; 0-5, placed vertically; 1-6, placed vertically.

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

Number (20): Everything in this space must add up to 20. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically; 5-5, placed horizontally; 5-6, placed vertically.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 4-6, placed vertically.

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 4-6, placed vertically; 5-6, placed vertically.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 4-2, placed horizontally; 1-5, 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.

SAVE 28%: As of Dec. 29, you can get the 27-inch HP All-in-One Touch (AMD Ryzen 7 7730U, 16GB RAM, 1 TB SSD) for $809.99, down from $1,129.99, at Best Buy. That's a 28% discount or $320 in savings.

Opens in a new window Credit: HP 27-inch HP All-in-One Touch (AMD Ryzen 7 7730U, 16GB RAM, 1 TB SSD) $809.99 at Best Buy
$1,129.99 Save $320   Get Deal

If you're officially tired of staring at a cluttered desk filled with wires and tower units, you may want to look into an all-in-one desktop.

Right now, you can get the 27-inch HP All-in-One Touch (AMD Ryzen 7 7730U, 16GB RAM, 1 TB SSD) for $809.99, down from $1,129.99, at Best Buy. That's a 28% discount or a $320 price cut.

It’s powered by an AMD Ryzen 7 7730U processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD, so it’s fast enough to handle multitasking or creative projects and shouldn't freeze up if you try to do more than two things at once. The 27-inch Full HD touchscreen is ideal for anyone who usually keeps multiple tabs open, and it even includes a pop-up privacy camera for video calls. Plus, it comes with a wireless keyboard and mouse in the box, so you can literally plug it in and start working immediately.

Among the most difficult parenting tasks, there are few as dreaded as asking a child to put down the device that's just absorbed their attention for hours.

As a parent, you feel guilty that it got this far. You're also gearing up for a potential fight, should that child throw a toddler, tween, or teen tantrum. As they say, nobody wants this.

While setting new boundaries on screen time might feel daunting, experts want you to know that a reset is possible. The new year, with its fresh beginnings and renewed optimism, is a great time to make such a move.

Think of it not as a battle, says Catherine Price, co-author of the new book The Amazing Generation: Your Guide to Fun and Freedom in a Screen-Filled World. Instead, remember that you're working toward a shared goal frequently thwarted by social media and excessive screen time.

"In reality, we really should be on the same side, because what do we want for ourselves and our kids?" says Price. "We want to have meaningful and fun lives, with strong relationships."

With that in mind, follow these four strategies to help your child reclaim their time from digital screens:

1. Don't lecture about screen time rules

Parents keen on curbing screen use often make the mistake of lecturing their child on the topic. Price says it's more effective to start a family conversation about how screen time makes each person feel, whether it's their own or yours.

This part is important, and an oft-missing ingredient in efforts to recalibrate device use, because parents must reckon with their own habits.

It's worse than you might expect. Take, for example, a recent nationally representative Girl Scouts survey of 1,000 5-to-13-year-olds which found that 52 percent struggled to get their parents' attention because they were on their own phones.

"What are you modeling currently for your kids?" says Price, who was not involved in the survey. "Because you can't expect your kids to follow your instructions if you're not following those habits yourself."

"What are you modeling currently for your kids?" - Catherine Price, co-author of "The Amazing Generation"

You might rely on your own memory, but that's unlikely to offer a full picture of what your kids experience. Instead, look at any screen time reports created by your personal devices.

Price recommends drilling down to time spent using specific apps. A road trip might give the impression that you spent eight hours glued to your phone when it was just using a maps app. But several hours of regular daily use on an app like TikTok or WhatsApp should be a wakeup call for parents about their own habits, and one they might not recognize without objective data.

Price also suggests treating the conversation about household screen time rules as a mini science experiment wherein both kids and parents get to track what they observe, then talk about it together. The point is to identify what aspects of parent or child screen time lead to unpleasant experiences like negative or hurt feelings and limited socializing.

Parents might also be surprised by their child's interest or curiosity in spending less time online. The Amazing Generation, co-written with Dr. Jonathan Haidt, is a middle school-aged companion book to his best-seller The Anxious Generation. Presented with graphic novel elements, it also includes regretful anecdotes from young adults who wished their childhood and adolescence hadn't been dominated by social media and screen time.

Relatedly, the Girl Scouts survey similarly found that 46 percent of girls felt pressure to be online, even if they weren't enjoying it.

2. Set and stick to rules for screen time

Dr. Jean Twenge, a psychologist and author of 10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World: How Parents Can Stop Smartphones, Social Media, and Gaming from Taking Over Their Children's Lives, says parents should create new household screen time guidelines based on conversations with their kids, or return to enforcing existing rules. For help with this task, parents can consult the American Academy of Pediatrics' customizable resource for creating a family media plan.

Twenge, a mother of three teens who's conducted extensive academic research on screen time, recommends setting the same standards for every child in the household. This might include no smartphones and social media until age 16, time limits on specific devices, and prohibiting certain apps or websites. Parents should follow household expectations as well, like device-free mealtimes.

Even if the plan goes well at first, there will be moments you feel like relenting, because of inconvenience, crisis, or peer pressure. Twenge suggests having a plan for these times.

Airplane rides, for example, might be the exception to your thoughtful rules, when the 10-year-old gets unlimited time on their favorite gaming platform. It's important to be transparent about these exceptions to avoid confusion and backtracking.

Twenge also encourages parents to substitute TV time for device use at home if they really need to occupy a child. You'll know what they're watching, compared to how they might spend time on a tablet or phone, and the content is probably higher quality than watching short videos on social media.

Along with the rules you set, Twenge urges parents to use parental controls or even a third-party monitoring system. Even if your child has limited screen time, you still want to prevent them from discovering or engaging with harmful content.

Twenge says she's come to the "reluctant conclusion" that device and app-specific parental controls are so difficult to use that third-party software, like Bark or Aura, may be necessary to ensure they're staying safe and following the rules you've set.

3. Coach kids through the downsides of less screen time

Even if a child likes the idea of spending less time online, the very real tradeoffs to them can include boredom and social exclusion.

Sarah Keating, vice president of Girl Scout Experience for the Girl Scouts, says parents play an important role in coaching kids through these concerns. First, she says adults need to be comfortable with the idea of their children being bored.

To make this less painful for everyone, Keating recommends offering screen-free alternatives that help satisfy the tactile sensory experience of picking up a phone or tablet. For younger children, these could be blocks or markers. Older children might enjoy an activity book like Mad Libs or doing something with their hands, such as crocheting.

Twenge suggests asking a tween or teen to make a list of activities they can do instead of scrolling or posting. You might also discuss how screen time can worsen their boredom, a phenomenon that research suggests is real.

It's also helpful to remind teens of what they still have, Twenge says, particularly if you've given them a "dumb" phone or voice over internet protocol (VoIP) phone to communicate with friends.

Keating acknowledges that kids use technology and internet culture to create cliques that exclude others. She says it's critical to talk with your child about this dynamic and help them create a script they can use in such situation. Instead of feeling rejected, for example, the child might ask their friend with curiosity about a meme they've referenced.

4. Encourage real-world freedom over screen time

Price likes to flip the concern about missing out on its head by pointing out what offline opportunities kids will lose if they spend so much time online.

In this regard, she hopes that parents trying to set new screen time norms for their kids also offer real-world freedom that helps build confidence and independence.

"It's not just about restriction," Price says. "It's about actually making life more fun and enjoyable."

Tweens and teens might get opportunities to walk to the store or a friend's house by themselves. While younger children might need a different approach, parents can focus on ensuring they're playing with friends or at the park instead of sitting at home on a screen.

To generate more ideas, parents can ask their children what they're interested in trying or learning and then figure out ways for them to do that independently.

The way Price thinks about it, recalibrating screen time isn't just about getting kids offline, it's about bringing "kids back to life."

Nineties boyband fans rejoice: a new Take That documentary series will be landing in the new year, launching globally on Netflix on 27 Jan. 2026.

This three-part limited series, directed by David Soutar, will tell the story of Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Mark Owen, Jason Orange, and Robbie Williams and their experiences in one of the UK's most successful bands.

Expect archive, previously unseen footage, along with interviews with Gary, Howard, and Mark as the series explores the highs and lows of the iconic band which sold over 45 million records worldwide.

All episodes of TAKE THAT will be available on Netflix from 27 Jan. 2026.

Sure, we've already taken stock of the best overall smartphones in 2025, but that doesn't mean we can't give them a little more shine.

Specifically, it's time to talk cameras. Apple, Samsung, Google, and others released some excellent handsets in the past calendar year, but there's a lot that goes into deciding whether or not a phone is good. Processing power, battery life, AI features, and a bunch of other little odds and ends factor into our reviews, but for a lot of people, all of those things are secondary to the cameras.

So, with that in mind, let's focus on cameras as we close out 2025. Here are our favorite smartphone cameras of the year.

SEE ALSO: The best smartphones of 2025 include some surprises Best overall: iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max Big surprise here. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

It almost feels like a cop-out to give this award to the highest-end iPhone released in 2025, but the fact of the matter is that we didn't test out any phone cameras in 2025 that impressed us more than the iPhone 17 Pro models. If you don't trust me, listen to what our reviewer Stan Schroeder had to say about it.

"The triple 48-megapixel camera system on this phone is the best I’ve ever tried. The main sensor captures rich and detailed photos," Schroeder wrote. "Low light photography is so good that you can snap a shot in near-total darkness and get a photo that looks like it was taken during the day."

The low light photography is impressive. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Schroeder said the iPhone 17 Pro Max was capable of taking good shots under a lot of different conditions. Low light photography was impressive, in particular, as were the zoom capabilities. He said that photos taken at up to 8x zoom looked crisp, which is no small feat. Apple always brings its A-game when it comes to cameras, and the iPhone 17 Pro is no different.

Looks good! Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable Best cheap Android camera: Google Pixel 9a No bump this time, though. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

Google's Pixel phones have always delivered on the camera front, and the Pixel 9a is no exception, especially considering its lean $500 price point. As I noted in my Pixel 9a review, it's now the budget smartphone to beat in 2025, thanks in large part to the competent camera array.

By the numbers, it's nothing spectacular. The rear camera array consists of a 48MP wide lens and a 13MP ultra-wide lens, which are fairly standard smartphone megapixel counts, and come in below what you'd get on a more expensive Pixel 9. Still, thanks to Google's software wizardry and some smart feature inclusions, the Pixel 9a can produce plenty of gorgeous shots with vibrant, bright colors.

Hard to tell this came from a cheap phone. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

I'd also like to shout out Google for including Macro Focus in the Pixel 9a, which wasn't in the previous Pixel A-series phones. This feature lets you place the lens just an inch or two away from your subject and capture fine details. It's a really nice thing to have on a $500 phone.

This is what Macro Focus can do. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable Google Pixel 9a $499 at Google Store
  Shop Now at Google Store Best cheap iOS camera: Apple iPhone 16e Just one lens. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

There hasn't been a flagship iPhone release in 2025 yet (wait for September), so the only Apple product we can give any props to right now is the iPhone 16e.

Apple's $600 budget-minded handset has just one solitary camera lens on the back, measuring in at 48MP. However, don't let that description sell it short. As our reviewer Stan Schroeder demonstrated, it can take very nice-looking shots with clear details and natural colors.

Ahoy. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Schroeder also shouted out its competent low-light photography, which isn't incredible, but gets the job done for a phone of that price.

Looks good. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable Apple iPhone 16e $599 at Apple.com
  Shop Now at Apple.com Best affordable flagship camera: OnePlus 15 Kinda generic looking, but that's not the point. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

At $899, the OnePlus 15's affordability is definitely relative. This is not a Pixel 9a in terms of price, or even an iPhone 16e. That said, for less than $1,000, you get a trio of 50MP lenses on the back with 7x optical-quality zoom. That's shockingly close to the iPhone 17 Pro in terms of specs, and the results are also pretty satisfactory.

Nice. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable

Colors are vivid, image clarity is sharp, and you've got pretty much all of the modes you'd want, including a nice macro photography option. OnePlus has a habit of making phones that just...do what you want a phone to do, without asking for too much in return. I would say the OnePlus 15's camera array fits that description pretty well, to the point where there isn't much else to say about it.

Macro is great. Credit: Alex Perry/Mashable