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TL;DR: Live stream Kalinskaya vs. Swiatek in the 2026 Australian Open for free on 9Now. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The third round of the 2026 Australian Open includes some huge games between top stars, including Kalinskaya vs. Swiatek.

Iga Swiatek is obviously the favorite here, but she hasn't performed particularly well in this tournament over the course of her illustrious career. Anna Kalinskaya made the quarter finals of this tournament back in 2024, so she'll go into this game believing that she can progress.

If you want to watch Kalinskaya vs. Swiatek in the 2026 Australian Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

How to watch Kalinskaya vs. Swiatek for free

Kalinskaya vs. Swiatek in the 2026 Australian Open is available to live stream for free on 9Now.

9Now is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can unblock 9Now from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2026 Australian Open 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 Australia

4. Visit 9Now

5. Watch the 2026 Australian Open for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading services do tend to offer deals such as free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these deals, you can live stream Kalinskaya vs. Swiatek without actually spending anything. This isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you enough time to watch the Australian Open before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for 9Now?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live tennis on 9Now, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Australia

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $59.88 and includes an extra three months for free — 69% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Kalinskaya vs. Swiatek in the 2026 Australian Open for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Van De Sandschlup vs. Djokovic in the 2026 Australian Open for free on 9Now. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The third round of the 2026 Australian Open showcases some really interesting matchups and storylines, including Van De Sandschlup vs. Djokovic. Of course, all eyes will be on the Serbian legend. Can he wind back the clock and go all the way again? Or is this the last time Melbourne will see Novak?

If you want to watch Van De Sandschlup vs. Djokovic in the 2026 Australian Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

How to watch Van De Sandschlup vs. Djokovic for free

Van De Sandschlup vs. Djokovic in the 2026 Australian Open is available to live stream for free on 9Now.

9Now is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can unblock 9Now from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2026 Australian Open 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 Australia

4. Visit 9Now

5. Watch the 2026 Australian Open for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading services do tend to offer deals such as free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these deals, you can live stream Van De Sandschlup vs. Djokovic without actually spending anything. This isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you enough time to watch the Australian Open before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for 9Now?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live tennis on 9Now, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Australia

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $59.88 and includes an extra three months for free — 69% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Van De Sandschlup vs. Djokovic in the 2026 Australian Open for free with ExpressVPN.

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

Alcohol.

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

ETHYL

Hurdle Word 2 hint

On top.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for January 24, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

ABOVE

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Dangerous.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for January 24 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for January 24, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

RISKY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

To contradict.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

BELIE

Final Hurdle hint

A horseback competition.

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

JOUST

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: Live stream the 2026 Australian Open for free on 9Now. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

It feels like we're inundated with tennis tournaments over the summer months, and then nothing. After the US Open, tennis fans have a painful wait for the next Grand Slam.

But that wait is over. The 2026 Australian Open is finally here, delivering epic contests between the best players in the world. It's the first chance to see the likes of Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka, and Iga Świątek on the biggest stage. And better yet, it's possible to follow all the action from this showpiece event without spending anything.

If you want to watch the 2026 Australian Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the Australian Open?

The Australian Open is a tennis tournament held annually at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia. It's the first of the four Grand Slam tennis events held each year, followed by the French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open.

The current singles champions are Jannik Sinner and Madison Keys.

When is the 2026 Australian Open?

The 2026 Australian Open is the 114th edition of the tournament. This year's event takes place from Jan. 18 to Feb. 1.

How to watch the 2026 Australian Open for free

The 2026 Australian Open is available to live stream for free on 9Now.

9Now is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can unblock 9Now from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2026 Australian Open 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 Australia

4. Visit 9Now

5. Watch the 2026 Australian Open for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 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 free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the 2026 Australian Open before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for 9Now?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on 9Now, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Australia

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $78.18 and includes an extra four months for free — 78% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream the 2026 Australian Open for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for January 24, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Fighter necessities

• Green: Final showdown

• Blue: Shirt features

• Purple: White and fluffy

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Gear for a boxer

• Green: Championship

• Blue: Kinds of necklines

• Purple: Snow ___

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 #958 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Gear for a boxer: GLOVES, MOUTHGUARD, ROBE, SHORTS

• Championship: AWARD, CROWN, CUP, TITLE

• Kinds of necklines: BOAT, CREW, HALTER, SCOOP

• Snow ___: CONE, GLOBE, LEOPARD, PEA

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 24, 2026

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

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

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

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're an art connoisseur.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for January 24, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for January 24, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: A work of art

The words are related to art.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe iconic artworks.

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 Famous Painting.

NYT Strands word list for January 24

• Famous Painting

• Night

• Starry

• Lilies

• Party

• Water

• Boating

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 the latest Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you love beach diving.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for January 24, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for January 24, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

An edge.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter F appears twice.

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...

CLIFF

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 24, 2026

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

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

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

It's day six of the lunar cycle, and the Moon is well in our view now. There's plenty to spot on its surface, so what can you see when you look up?

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Saturday, Jan. 24, the Moon phase is Waxing Crescent. According to NASA's Daily Moon Guide, 32% of the Moon will be lit up tonight.

Don't have any visual aids? Not a problem. Without, you'll still be able to see the Crisum, Serenitatis and Fecunditatis mares. If you have binoculars you'll also be able to catch a glimpse of the Endymion Crater and the Posidonius Crater. If you have a telescope, you can also see the Apollo 11 and 17 landing spots and the Rupes Altai.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will be on Feb. 1. The last full moon was on Jan. 3.

What are Moon phases?

The Moon’s phases are part of a repeating lunar cycle that lasts roughly 29 and a half days, according to NASA. This is the length of time it takes the Moon to orbit Earth once. During this time, the Moon moves through eight separate stages. Although the same face of the Moon is always turned toward Earth, how much of it we see lit up changes as its position shifts around the planet. This changing angle of sunlight is what causes the Moon to look fully illuminated, partly lit, or nearly invisible at different times. The eight phases in the lunar cycle are:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SAVE $350: As of Jan. 23, get the Bluetti AC180 Portable Power Station for $449, down from its usual price of $799. That's a discount of 44% and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Bluetti AC180 Portable Power Station $449 at Amazon
$799 Save $350   Get Deal

A portable power station could be one of the most important purchases you ever make, especially if you find yourself staring down a huge winter storm (like this weekend!). If being prepared for situations where you lose electricity is important to you, you might want to seize this opportunity for being ready for the next time a disaster strikes.

As of Jan. 23, get the Bluetti AC180 Portable Power Station for $449, down from its usual price of $799. That's $350 off and a discount of 44%. It's also the lowest price we've seen.

SEE ALSO: Get the Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 portable power station for nearly half price

This powerhouse packs a 1152Wh LiFePO4 battery to help you charge up all your stuff. It itself can be juiced back up to full capacity in just an hour as well, so you won't be caught waiting too long to use it again when needed. It has an 1800W output and a massive 11 outlets to use as well, so you don't have to swap out items and wait for them to charge. Use the optional solar charge controller and get up to 500W as well when needed.

All of that makes this portable power station a good option for going off-grid, or just powering everything you need if you happen to lose power in, say, a huge winter storm. It's a good idea to have on hand even if you don't need it too, though. So it's a good idea to get it while it's hot, so to speak, and lock yours in before it's gone.

SAVE 50%: As of Jan. 23, the LG 77-inch Class B5 Series OLED AI 4K UHD Smart webOS TV (2025) is on sale for $1,499.99 at Best Buy. That's basically a 50% discount or a $1,500 price cut.

Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 77-inch Class B5 Series OLED AI 4K UHD Smart webOS TV (2025) $1,499.99 at Best Buy
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If you have the wall space for a cinema-sized upgrade, this is one of the best value-for-money TV deals we've seen in a while.

As of Jan. 23, the LG 77-inch Class B5 Series OLED AI 4K UHD Smart webOS TV (2025) is on sale for $1,499.99 at Best Buy. That's basically a 50% discount or a $1,500 price cut.

SEE ALSO: See LG dramatically reveal its new TVs and robots at CES 2026

The B5 Series features LG's Alpha 8 AI Processor, which uses AI to optimize picture and sound quality in real-time. Because it’s an OLED, you get over 8.3 million self-lit pixels delivering perfect blacks and infinite contrast.

For gamers and sports fans, the native 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth motion without blur. It’s also surprisingly future-proofed with four HDMI 2.1 inputs, support for NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium, and a dedicated Game Dashboard to tweak settings on the fly.

TL;DR: Enjoy a lifetime of cloud storage with this 100TB subscription to Internxt Cloud Storage, on sale now for $974.97 through Jan. 25.

Opens in a new window Credit: Internxt Internxt Cloud Storage Lifetime Subscription: 100TB $974.97
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How much would 100TB of cloud storage cost with iCloud? It’s a trick question. The most Apple offers is 12TB, and that will set you back $59.99 a month — that’s $719.88 every single year. Internxt Cloud Storage gives you a better option — own your cloud storage outright for life.

Right now, you can secure a lifetime subscription with 100TB to Internxt Cloud Storage for just $974.97, now through Jan. 25.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

If you want to invest in a cloud storage solution you can use for life, it’s time to meet Internxt. With Internxt Cloud Storage, you can own your storage outright. This lifetime subscription for 100TB gives you plenty of room for life, and you only have to pay once.

Internxt gives you affordable cloud storage while keeping your data private. End-to-end encryption means that not even Internxt itself can access your data, while other companies not only access your data but also make money from it through targeted ads and data sharing. They’re GDPR-compliant, meaning they comply with strict European laws on user privacy and data security, too.

If you’re already established with another cloud storage company, rest easy knowing the transition will be seamless. Internxt offers easy cross-platform compatibility, and you can access it on all of your devices via the desktop app, web browser app, and iOS/Android app. They’re all user-friendly, making it simple to secure your files.

Get this 100TB subscription to Internxt Cloud Storage, on sale now for $974.97 through Jan. 25.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Bring the best of Microsoft to your Mac with this Microsoft Office Home and Business for Mac 2021 lifetime license, on sale now for just $49.97 (reg. $219) through Feb. 22.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021: Lifetime License $49.97
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Apps aren’t cheap these days. In fact, they typically come with endless monthly fees. If you’re looking for some dependable tools for your Mac that won’t set you back a small fortune, you can enjoy the best of Microsoft with this Microsoft Office Home and Business for Mac 2021 lifetime license.

Right now, this suite of six helpful apps can be yours for just $49.97 (reg. $219) — less than $9 each — through Feb. 22.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

If you’re looking for dependable apps to help you tackle both personal and professional tasks, look no further than this Microsoft Office Home and Business for Mac 2021 lifetime license. It’s packed with six essentials ready to give your Mac a serious productivity boost.

This lifetime license allows you to draft your documents in Word, manage your emails in Outlook, design eye-catching presentations in PowerPoint, and create budgets in Excel. You’ll also have Teams to stay connected with family, friends, and coworkers, and OneNote to improve how you take notes.

Make sure your Mac is running macOS 14 or later for compatibility purposes. After your purchase, you’ll receive an instant delivery and download so you can permanently access these six apps on your Mac for life — no subscription fees, and no cloud connectivity needed.

Upgrade your Mac with this Microsoft Office Home and Business for Mac 2021 lifetime license, on sale now for just $49.97 (reg. $219) through Feb. 22.

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When U.S.-based TikTok users opened up the app on the morning of Jan. 23, many were met with a fresh pop-up. It was time to read the app's new Terms of Service (ToS) and there was only one option to continue using the app: Agree.

The prompt came along with a change in the platform's ownership, part of extended TikTok negotiations (brokered by President Trump) that spun out a U.S. TikTok entity with a U.S.-majority ownership instead of the continued exclusivity of Chinese company ByteDance. Most of the refreshed ToS comply with national security demands placed on the new TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC entity, in addition to state privacy obligations, like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and Washington’s My Health My Data Act.

SEE ALSO: TikTok deal adds new U.S. owners. Here's what this means for users.

But some users noticed some concerning language as they reviewed the new document. "NO ONE is talking about Tiktok’s latest update on their terms and services," wrote X user GEEDEE, noting that the terms included tracking immigration status, religious affiliation, race, gender identity, and medical diagnoses. Others spotted language about collecting precise geolocation data.

So what's the deal? Did we all just agree to give more of our personal information to the social media giant as it bows down to its American owners?

TikTok's Privacy Policy

Simple answer: Not really. TikTok's updated Privacy Policy isn't changing the bulk of its existing data collection policies, which previously included collecting data users provide about themselves, including information about sexual and gender orientation, citizenship, and mental health diagnoses. TikTok has reserved the right to scan user-generated content — posts, comments, livestreams, audio messages, and other "virtual items" — to collect this information.

Here's the language from the previous policy, as recorded by the Wayback Machine on Dec. 1, 2025:

While some of the information that we collect, use, and disclose may constitute sensitive personal information under applicable state privacy laws, such as information from users under the relevant age threshold, information you disclose in survey responses or in your User Content about your racial or ethnic origin, national origin, religious beliefs, mental or physical health diagnosis, sexual life or sexual orientation, status as transgender or nonbinary, citizenship or immigration status, or financial information, we only process such information in order to provide the Platform and within other exemptions under applicable law. For example, we may process your financial information in order to provide you the goods or services you request from us or your driver’s license number in order to verify your identity.

And here is the new language as of Jan. 22, 2026:

Information You Provide may include sensitive personal information, as defined under applicable state privacy laws, such as information from users under the relevant age threshold, information you disclose in survey responses or in your user content about your racial or ethnic origin, national origin, religious beliefs, mental or physical health diagnosis, sexual life or sexual orientation, status as transgender or nonbinary, citizenship or immigration status, or financial information. For example, we may process your financial information in order to provide you the goods or services you request from us or your driver’s license number in order to verify your identity. We may also collect precise location data, depending on your settings and as explained below. We process such sensitive personal information in accordance with applicable law, such as for permitted purposes under the California Consumer Privacy Act.

We've bolded lines where the language is slightly different. The most apparent change in the app's data collection practices is that TikTok is now admitting that it will collect precise location data, unless you've opted out, and it explicitly mentions obligations under the CCPA.

Both versions of the privacy policy include a caveat that TikTok can collect this information from any kind of user-generated content. Previously, TikTok noted that it could "collect a version of your User Content that does not include [an] effect," meaning that if you thought you were fully anonymizing your content with a face or voice filter, TikTok could still see past it.

Under the new privacy policy, this practice also applies to generative AI products. And the content doesn't even need to be published, covering content that is in the "pre-uploading" stage, so while users are creating, importing, or editing — this is how TikTok has been able to recommend trending audios or generate hashtags while you're making a post, for example.

Third party advertising

As the New York Times reported, TikTok U.S. has expanded its advertising policies, with more "sweeping" language that allows for "customized ads and other sponsored content" from third parties based on information collected from TikTok users — that includes ads off the app.

Previously, TikTok's policy only mentioned using data for "tailored" in-app advertising and personalized recommendations.

Generative AI rules

TikTok also added a brand new section for content featuring generative AI, aligning the new tech with its existing Community Guidelines. Under the new policy, users cannot use AI-powered bots or interfere with the app's own generative AI tools, for example, and misleading, unlabeled generative AI content is prohibited.

TikTok instituted AI labelling in 2023, and added additional ways to filter out AI content in November.

Some users online have said they'll be leaving the platform under its new ownership, citing concerns about government surveillance and content moderation, following federal scrutiny of the app for its "foreign influences" and data collection. The concerns aren't entirely off the mark, with TikTok's new leadership already announcing it would be retraining and updating the app's content recommendation algorithm with more U.S.-centric aims.

If you've been on the app for a while and still haven't read through its Terms of Service, maybe now is the time.

TL;DR: Learning the local language makes travel more immersive — and you can learn all 14 of Babbel’s languages for one $159 payment (reg. $646.20) when you use StackSocial’s code LEARN at checkout.

Opens in a new window Credit: Babbel Babbel Language Learning: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages) $159
$646.20 Save $487.20   Get Deal

Anyone who wants to get more out of their travels — whether that’s next month or years down the road — learning the language can change everything.

Being able to order food, ask for directions, or hold a simple conversation instantly makes trips feel more immersive and authentic. That’s how Babbel Language Learning shines.

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Thanks to the StackSocial coupon LEARN, new users in the U.S. can get lifetime access to all 14 Babbel languages for $159 (reg. $646.20). It’s a one-time payment that gives you the freedom to learn now, later, or whenever travel calls.

Babbel is designed around real-life conversation, not endless drills. Lessons are only about 10 to 15 minutes and focus on situations you actually encounter while traveling, like transportation, dining, shopping, and meeting people.

You can use Babbel on your phone, tablet, or desktop, and your progress syncs automatically across devices. Heading somewhere without Wi-Fi? Download lessons ahead of time and keep learning offline.

You’ll have access to 14 languages, including Spanish, French, Italian, German, Portuguese, and more. Babbel also uses speech recognition technology to help fine-tune pronunciation and an AI conversation partner to practice speaking in real time. Both are helpful for building confidence before you arrive.

Developed by more than 100 linguists and backed by academic research, Babbel is built to help you speak and understand languages faster. With lifetime access, you’re not racing a subscription clock — you’re learning on your own timeline, trip by trip.

Get lifetime access to all Babbel languages for just $159 (reg. $646.20) with StackSocial’s exclusive code LEARN for a limited time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

They call it the Friday news dump — companies posting embarrassing news on a day the media is least likely to bother covering it. But Meta just took the Friday news dump to a whole new level with this announcement: It's disabled its AI characters for teen accounts, at least until the characters can behave themselves.

The news wasn't just dropped on Friday — it was dropped in an update to a blog post from last October.

"We’ve started building a new version of AI characters, to give people an even better experience," the note from Adam Mosseri, Head of Instagram and Alexandr Wang, Chief AI Officer, now reads — an upgrade Meta has long promised. Then came the part that would give many kids a very un-Rebecca Black Friday.

"While we focus on developing this new version, we’re temporarily pausing teens' access to existing AI characters globally. Starting in the coming weeks, teens will no longer be able to access AI characters across our apps until the updated experience is ready. This will apply to anyone who has given us a teen birthday, as well as people who claim to be adults but who we suspect are teens based on our age prediction technology."

SEE ALSO: OpenAI launches age prediction for teen safety

The Instagram and Facebook maker wants to stress "it is not abandoning its efforts" on AI characters, according to TechCrunch. Still, this is clearly an admission that something has the potential to go very wrong with the current version of its AI characters, where teen safety and mental health is concerned.

Meta isn't alone in this discovery. Character.AI and Google both settled lawsuits this month, brought by multiple parents of children who died by suicide. One was a 14-year-old boy who was in effect groomed and sexually abused, his mother says, by a chatbot based on the Game of Thrones character Daenerys Targaryen.

Blasted by a report from online safety experts, Character.AI shut down all chats for under-18 users back in October, two months after Meta simply decided to start training its teen chatbots to not "engage with teenage users on self-harm, suicide, disordered eating, or potentially inappropriate romantic conversations." Evidently, that training wasn't enough.

This isn't the first time Meta has had to backtrack on its ambitions for AI character accounts. In 2024, it removed AI personas based on celebrities. In January last year, it took down all its AI character profiles after a backlash over perceived racism.

The teen usage problem isn't a small one, either. More than half of teens 13-17 surveyed by Common Sense Media last year said they used AI companions more than once a month. For now, they'll have to do so somewhere other than Meta.

Lego and Crocs announced the beginning of a new partnership with the launch of the spectacular Lego Brick Clogs ($149.99), which look more like Legos than Crocs.

Described as a "multi-year global partnership," the brands will follow the new limited-edition Crocs with more product launches throughout 2026, starting in the spring. The future products will include "Crocs’ largest licensed assortment of unique Jibbitz charms" and more unspecified products for kids and adults.

“The Lego Group’s boundless imagination makes them the perfect match to Crocs’ wonderfully unordinary spirit,” said Carly Gomez, Chief Marketing Officer at Crocs, in a blog post. “We are both brands that pride ourselves in being built different, in celebrating self-expression, and in fueling creativity. I can’t wait for our fans to see what we’re creating together — we’ve truly broken the mold in a way that we never have before.”

The Lego Brick Clogs truly have to be seen to be believed. They're, dare I say it, brick-tacular.

The new Lego Brick Crocs in all their glory. Credit: Lego / Crocs Left: Enhance... Credit: Lego / Crocs Right: ...enhance! Credit: Lego / Crocs Introducing the Crocs x Lego Brick Clogs

The Lego website describes the Brick Clogs as "a new and imaginative silhouette, constructed with the playfulness of Crocs and the boundless creativity of the Lego brick." Shaped like Lego bricks, they feature four logo-stamped studs, Lego and Crocs branding, and a pivotable heel strap. The product description also states that the clogs are made with an easy-to-clean and quick-dry material.

These are definitely collectibles more than practical footwear, and a description on the Crocs website clearly states they're "not intended for all-day wear."

My favorite detail? The new Lego Crocs come with a Lego Minifigure — who is wearing his own pair of Lego Crocs. In fact, the Minifigure comes with mini Lego Crocs of his own in four different colors.

Swap out your Minifigure's mini Crocs. Credit: Lego / Crocs They're not practical, but we're here for them. Credit: Lego / Crocs

Crocs is known for its cross-brand collaborations and unique, limited-edition designs. The iconic ugly footwear brand has partnered with everyone from General Mills Cereal and 7/11 to Balenciaga. But this might be my favorite yet.

How to buy the Crocs x Lego Brick Clogs

The shoes are online now at both the Lego and Crocs websites, but they're listed as unavailable in all sizes. A "Coming Soon" notice says the shoes will be available Feb. 16. In the meantime, you can sign up for email notifications. The Lego announcement blog post also teases a second drop in the spring.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego / Crocs Crocs Lego Brick Clogs $149.99 at Lego
  Learn More Opens in a new window Credit: Lego / Crocs Crocs Lego Brick Clogs $149.99 at Crocs
  Learn More

Just think, if you get your hands on these once-in-a-lifetime Crocs clogs, you too could look this cool:

Credit: Lego / Crocs

Once upon a time, there was an online video platform called Vimeo that internet users knew as the high-brow alternative to YouTube. If YouTube was known for its vloggers and amateur comedy skits, Vimeo was known as the place for well-produced short films by actual indie filmmakers. It had its own version of YouTube Premium, produced its own originals, and even received an Emmy nomination.

While Vimeo still technically exists, that version of Vimeo no longer does. Last September, Vimeo was acquired by the Italian tech company Bending Spoons. And now Bending Spoons has just laid off a significant number of Vimeo's employees.

Bending Spoons has confirmed the layoffs to TechCrunch but did not disclose just how many employees would lose their job. However, a former senior Vimeo engineer who left the company last month after 13 years, according to his LinkedIn, says the layoffs have nearly cleared out Vimeo entirely.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

"Reviving this account to say: Almost everyone at Vimeo was laid off yesterday, including the entire video team," Derek Buitenhuis posted to his account on social media platform X. "If you're looking for talented engineers, there are a few on the market."

"Sucks to see something I built killed by private equity in a technology company skin suit," Buitenhuis continued.

Vimeo’s now-former VP of Global Brand and Creative, Dave Brown, also confirmed on LinkedIn that they were part of the layoffs and a "large portion of the company" was impacted.

Vimeo was founded in 2004, and while it never quite reached YouTube's levels of success, it carved out a respectable position as the number two video platform by focusing on artists and the art of filmmaking. However, as TechCrunch points out, in recent years, Vimeo attempted to pivot into artificial intelligence, offering new AI tools to screenwriters and video editors.

In September 2025, Vimeo announced that it was being acquired by Bending Spoons for $1.38 billion.

The name Bending Spoons may sound familiar to you. In 2024, a Bloomberg article described the company as "private equity hipsters" for the app store generation. The company has been on a buying spree over the past few years, acquiring legacy tech brands like AOL, Evernote, MeetUp, and WeTransfer. The company has also acquired other video platforms like StreamYard and Brightcover, too. By now, Bending Spoons is known in the tech industry for buying up underperforming legacy brands, firing employees, hiring cheaper labor, and raising prices, a familiar private equity playbook.

Vimeo as a service continues to exist, providing paid video hosting subscriptions for ad-free uploads. As of now, it's unclear what changes Bending Spoons has in store for the platform.

You might have a dangerous browser extension monitoring your browser history and not even know it.

As the good folks at Lifehacker reported, cybersecurity researchers with LayerX identified 17 malicious browser extensions across Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, with some active for up to five years. (Disclosure: Lifehacker is owned by Ziff Davis, the same parent company as Mashable.) These malware-infected browser extensions are part of the GhostPoster campaign, first identified in December by Koi Security.

The Koi Security researchers originally identified 17 malicious browser add-ons, for a total of 34 dangerous extensions. The extensions are no longer available, but if you've already downloaded them, they remain active and must be manually deleted as soon as possible.

As Koi Security found, the extensions hide "a multi-stage malware payload that monitors everything you browse, strips away your browser's security protections, and opens a backdoor for remote code execution." LaxerX further reports that the malware can weaken websites’ security measures, hijack affiliate traffic, inject iframes and scripts that track users, and inject malicious scripts onto a user’s device.

Here's the full list of extensions, via LayerX and Lifehacker:

• Google Translate in Right Click

• Translate Selected Text with Google

• Ads Block Ultimate

• Floating Player – PiP Mode

• Convert Everything

• Youtube Download

• One Key Translate

• AdBlocker

• Save Image to Pinterest on Right Click

• Instagram Downloader

• RSS Feed

• Cool Cursor

• Full Page Screenshot

• Amazon Price History

• Color Enhancer

• Translate Selected Text with Right Click

• Page Screenshot Clipper

Some of these were quite popular extensions. Google Translate in Right Click, for instance, had more than half a million installs, according to LayerX researchers.

The malware in the extensions is known as GhostPoster, which hides malicious code in the extension's PNG logo. The researchers say the malware campaign relied on sophisticated methods that let it evade detection for years. So if you've downloaded any of these extensions, it's best to delete them right away.

Read more about the GhostPoster campaign at Lifehacker.

"Isn't it wonderful to be back in the theater and giving people what they truly want: moi?" So asks Miss Piggy in the trailer for The Muppet Show, which returns for a special episode on Disney+ and ABC this February.

SEE ALSO: 'The Muppet Show' teaser: Kermit returns to the Muppet Theatre for new Disney special

The one-night event revives the beloved Muppets variety series, which originally ran for five seasons from 1976 to 1981. All your favorites are back, from Kermit the Frog and Fozzie Bear to Gonzo and Statler and Waldorf. Plus, they'll be greeting new guests like Maya Rudolph, Seth Rogen (who also executive produces), and Sabrina Carpenter.

Carpenter already has history with the Muppets — specifically, with Miss Piggy herself. On the final stop of her Short n' Sweet tour, Miss Piggy was the Grammy winner's "Juno" arrest, which means that Carpenter was arresting her for being "too hot." We're sure that was music to Miss Piggy's ears.

You know what's not music to Miss Piggy's ears? What Carpenter tells her in the trailer: that her grandparents used to watch The Muppet Show. Maybe just stick to telling her she's hot!

For more of Carpenter and Miss Piggy's glamorous get-together (as well as more general Muppet chaos), check out the full trailer above.

The Muppet Show will also see the return of veteran Muppet performers Bill Barretta, Dave Goelz, Eric Jacobson, Peter Linz, David Rudman, and Matt Vogel.

The Muppet Show premieres Feb. 4 on Disney+ and ABC.

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SAVE $1,500: As of Jan. 23, the 65-inch TCL QM9K Mini LED QLED TV is on sale for $1,499.99 at Best Buy — a full 50% drop from its usual $2,999.99. All other sizes have significant discounts as well.

Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 65-inch QM9K Mini LED QLED 4K TV $1,499.99 at Best Buy
$2,999.99 Save $1,500.00   Get Deal

TCL has already generated some serious buzz in 2026. The TCL X11L was one of the most talked about CES 2026 TVs, and as of Jan. 20, Sony has handed its TV business to TCL. But there was one big TCL announcement from the fall that may have slipped under your radar: TCL quietly released a new mini LED flagship TV, the QM9K, in Sept. 2025. Every single size is at least 40% off at Best Buy now, including a full 50% discount on the 65-inch TCL QM9K. That $1,499.99 price tag looks so much better than the original $2,999.99.

SEE ALSO: What's new to streaming this week? (Jan. 23, 2026)

The QM9K is a slight step up from the TCL QM8K, which is also seeing a jaw-dropping discount (60% off) at Best Buy. As our current pick for the best QLED TV for most people, the QM8K clearly gets plenty bright enough for most situations. Yet the QM9K manages to outshine even that, with peak brightness beaming up to 6,500 nits compared to the QM8K's 5,000.

The other big jump happens between the number of dimming zones: The QM9K packs up to 6,000 dimming zones (depending on how big the screen is), while even the largest QM8K maxes out at 3,800 dimming zones. The QM9K also features Bang & Olufsen audio. All of these tweaks add up to quite the immersive HDR and graphically-demanding gaming experience.

The other QM9K sizes on sale include 75, 85, and 98 inches.