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TL;DR: Live stream Algeria vs. DR Congo in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free on Channel 4. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is slowly creeping towards its dramatic conclusion. The quarter finals beckon for Algeria and DR Congo, but there's not room for both sides. They'll battle it out to progress, and fans can follow all the action without spending anything.

If you want to watch Algeria vs. DR Congo in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Algeria vs. DR Congo?

Algeria vs. DR Congo in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off at 11 a.m. ET on Jan. 6. This fixture takes place at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium.

How to watch Algeria vs. DR Congo for free

Algeria vs. DR Congo in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is available to live stream for free on Channel 4.

Channel 4 is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock Channel 4 to stream AFCON for free from anywhere in the world.

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Live stream Algeria vs. DR Congo for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

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

4. Visit Channel 4

5. Watch Algeria vs. DR Congo 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 most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of AFCON without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Algeria vs. DR Congo (plus more 2025 Africa Cup of Nations fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Channel 4?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Channel 4, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 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).

Watch Algeria vs. DR Congo in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free with ExpressVPN.

Stephen Colbert is back with his first monologue of 2026, and like most of the other late night hosts, his focus is on Donald Trump's U.S. attack on Venezuela and the abduction of President Nicolás Maduro.

"Do you know what this means? Those Epstein files must be crazy," the host says, pretending to flick through some papers before slipping into a Trump impression. "Bomb something! Bomb anything!"

Colbert goes on to break down exactly what happened and the aftermath, including footage of Trump speaking about U.S. plans to "run" Venezuela.

"Evidently when he says America first, he means alphabetically," says Colbert. "That's crazy, he can't run two countries at once! He can't even run."

To finish, Colbert takes a more serious tack.

"Invading a country with a moustachioed dictator and saying, 'Don't worry, their oil will pay for this war,' is kind of where I got on this train 20+ years ago," he says. "It didn't work then, and I doubt it's gonna work now. And I hope that the American people don't fall for this a second time."

SAVE $30: As of Jan. 6, AirPods 4 (without ANC) are on sale for $99 at Amazon. This deal saves you $30 on the list price of $129.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 $99 at Amazon
$129 Save $30   Get Deal

A new pair of earbuds can set you up well at the start of a new year, whether you want them to wear around your home or to have for future travel plans in 2026. Thankfully, even with holiday sales over and done with, there are still some great deals available on various models, including the AirPods 4 (without ANC).

While not as low as they hit during the Black Friday period, the AirPods 4 (without ANC) are on sale right now for $99 at Amazon, which is still a great price for high-quality headphones. This deal saves you $30 in total off their usual price of $129.

SEE ALSO: 5 new gadgets from CES 2026 that you can buy right now

Though these models don't come with noise-canceling features, they boast excellent sound quality and a solid battery life for listening to your favorite tunes. The AirPods 4 are fitted with the H2 chip and also feature Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking that puts you at the center of what you're listening to. And as for their battery life, Apple boasts they can last up to five hours on a single charge or up to 30 hours with the case.

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On top of that, these earbuds are built to last through big workouts or rain as they're IP54 dust, sweat, and water resistant, so there's no need to worry about them being damaged too quickly.

Start the new year off right with the AirPods 4 (without ANC) down to $99 at Amazon. If you're looking for more earbuds worth buying this year, have a look at our breakdown of the best earbuds overall to see some of our top choices.

GET FREE EARBUDS: Through Jan. 8 (or while supplies last), you can get a pair of refurbished Bose Ultra Open earbuds for free ($249 value) at Bose.com when you purchase the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 earbuds.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 earbuds $299
+ Get free Bose Ultra Open earbuds (refurbished) Get Deal

Open earbuds are having a moment — just look at the many announcements at CES 2026 from JBL, Anker Soundcore, and more. But even with all the new kids on the block, we still hold a special place in our hearts for the Bose Ultra Open earbuds. They've earned a top spot on our list of the best open earbuds for a reason. If you're still too skeptical to dish out the money on a pair, Bose is giving away refurbished pairs for free. Let's dive in.

Through Jan. 8, you can get a pair of free Bose Ultra Open earbuds (refurbished) when you buy the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 earbuds (Mashable's favorite noise-cancelling earbuds) at Bose.com. The second-generation QuietComfort Ultra earbuds cost $299, while the refurbished Ultra Open earbuds are a $249 value. That means you'll get two pairs of earbuds valued at $548 total for just $299.

In order to snag the deal, just add a pair of QuietComfort Ultra (2nd gen) earbuds to your cart at the Bose website. Once they're in your cart, you'll have the option to select a pair of free Bose Ultra Open earbuds (refurbished) in black, white smoke, or lunar blue. And that's all, folks — easy peasy.

Choose from black, white smoke, or lunar blue colorways. Credit: Bose

The QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (2nd gen) are a worthy investment for anyone who values noise cancellation above all else. "With spatial audio and some of the best ANC we've encountered, these earbuds deliver immersive sound that envelopes you in your music," Mashable's shopping reporter Bethany Allard writes in her review.

While the Ultra Open earbuds obviously won't compare to the QuietComfort Ultras in terms of blocking out noise, they're the best sounding open-ear headphones on the market. "Though we were skeptical at first, these buds are extremely comfortable and score top marks for battery life, spatial audio, and sound quality," Mashable's reviewer writes.

If you're a noise-cancelling headphones kind of person looking to test the waters of open earbuds, this is a premium opportunity. Just be sure to lock in the deal by Jan. 8 (or sooner).

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolutions Phantasmal Flames Booster Display Box is on sale for $254.67 at Amazon. That's down to market value compared to TCGplayer's listings.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokemon Store Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolutions Phantasmal Flames Booster Display Box $254.67 at Amazon
$299 Save $44.33   Get Deal

The trading card market has exploded in recent years. We're seeing unprecedented interest in Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, One Piece, and a lot of other trading card categories. With the market in a constant state on flux, finding genuinely good deals on Amazon is a tough ask. More often than not, we're content with finding something at market value.

The Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolutions Phantasmal Flames Booster Display Box is on sale for $254.67 at Amazon, down from $299. That's close to market value when compared to listings on TCGplayer, especially when you factor in free shipping and convenience (for Prime members).

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The super popular Phantasmal Flames expansion has over 120 cards to collect and includes new Mega Evolution Pokémon ex. This Phantasmal Flames Booster Display Box comes with 36 booster packs, making it a great option for anyone looking to deep dive into the collection.

Get the Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolutions Phantasmal Flames Booster Display Box for under $260 at Amazon.

If you're just getting back into the swing of things in 2026 and need a news recap, Jimmy Kimmel has got you covered.

In the 13-minute monologue above the host recaps everything Donald Trump has done over the holiday period, from the U.S. president's hundreds of posts on Truth Social and awkward phone calls with children about Santa to the U.S.' surprise attack on Venezuela.

"If you were wondering how bad these Epstein files are for Trump, turns out they're invade Venezuela bad," says Kimmel, talking about the abduction of President Nicolás Maduro. "Yes, he's a criminal and a dictator who's driven his country into financial ruin while he and his family have lined their own pockets, but Maduro is no saint either."

Elsewhere, Seth Meyers and Jon Stewart also had a lot to say about the news.

SAVE $60: As of Jan. 6, the Fitbit Sense 2 has dropped to $189.95 at Amazon. That's $60 off its list price of $249.95.

Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Fitbit Sense 2 $189.95 at Amazon
$249.95 Save $60   Get Deal

If you've set some fitness goals for 2026, a smartwatch or fitness tracker is well worth picking up. Thankfully, you can still save on select models after the holidays at Amazon. The Fitbit Sense 2 is one option on sale right now, receiving a $60 discount at the retailer.

Normally the Fitbit Sense 2 comes with a price tag of $249.95, but for a limited time Amazon has dropped it to $189.95. This saves you $60 overall, and applies to a couple of different colors so you can choose between the lunar white/platinum or blue mist/pale gold. For $10 more, you can also score the shadow grey/graphite model.

SEE ALSO: What to expect at CES 2026

Not only is the Fitbit Sense 2 a great investment for keeping track of workouts — boasting features like a Daily Readiness Score, Active Zone Minutes, all-day activity tracking, and more — it also comes with helpful health features. Some of these include all-day stress detection, irregular heart rhythm notifications, daily sleep stages and a Sleep Score, and more to help you out throughout the day.

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The start of a brand new year is a great time to start smashing your workout goals, so why wait to grab the Fitbit Sense 2? Looking for even more recommendations worth buying? Have a look at our roundups of the best smartwatches and the best fitness trackers to see more of our top picks.

TL;DR: The Magic: The Gathering Lorwyn Eclipsed Play Booster Box is available to pre-order for under $150 on Amazon. Pre-order now to secure Amazon's pre-order price guarantee.

Opens in a new window Credit: Magic: The Gathering Magic: The Gathering Lorwyn Eclipsed Play Booster Box $147.26 at Amazon
$164.70 Save $17.44   Get Deal

Interest in Magic: The Gathering continues to climb. Has it reached Pokémania levels yet? Probably not, but we're getting there slowly.

With interest spiking, you can expect new products to sell quickly. That's why it can pay to pre-order a product before release and a potential jump in price as stock vanishes from shelves. The Magic: The Gathering Lorwyn Eclipsed Play Booster Box is a prime example. This set is going to be released on Jan. 23. Sure, you could wait for the release to buy. But with Amazon's pre-order price guarantee, you might as well lock in the best price.

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Whenever you pre-order a product with Amazon's pre-order price guarantee, the price Amazon charges when it ships to you will be the lowest price offered between the time you placed your order and the end of the day on the release date. Everyone knows that feeling when you see a lower price after you've already bought something. There's no chance of that here.

The Magic: The Gathering Lorwyn Eclipsed Play Booster Box is available to pre-order for under $150 on Amazon. That's around market value compared to the listing on TCGplayer, which is somewhat rare for Amazon.

Secure Amazon's best price on the Magic: The Gathering Lorwyn Eclipsed Play Booster Box before its Jan. 23 launch.

The late night shows are all returning after the holidays, and there's a lot of stuff to catch up on — with the U.S. attack on Venezuela and abduction of President Nicolás Maduro top of the list.

"Look, no-one knows how this operation is going to work out, but based on the United States' track record, my guess is we're going to be really happy about this for a couple of weeks, and then 30 years from now there will be a Venezuelan leftist revolution, and the new government will point to this moment as the reason our embassy there is on fire — and it will absolutely ruin a Democrat's presidency," reacts Jon Stewart in the Daily Show clip above. "Generally that's how this shit works. And remember the reason MAGA was so high on Donald Trump was that he was the guy who wasn't going to get involved in this kind of shit any more."

Cue a montage of Trump saying "we do not seek regime change" and "we don't wanna be the world's policeman," before more footage of Trump talking about rebuilding Venezuela's infrastructure and running the country.

And as for the motive behind the attack? Stewart has yet more clips of Trump repeatedly talking about the country's oil.

"We can't even be conspiracy theorists now!" says Stewart. "I think they did it for the oil! 'Yeah, no, I did it for the oil.'"

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you love gambling.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for January 6, 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: Living space

• Green: A nice voice

• Blue: Card game terms

• Purple: Creature

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Apartment

• Green: Sonorous

• Blue: Poker hands, familiarly

• Purple: ___ animal

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 #940 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Apartment: DIGS, FLAT, PAD, QUARTERS

• Sonorous: CLEAR, DEEP, FLAT, RICH

• Poker hands, familiarly: BOAT, FLUSH, QUADS, STRAIGHT

• ___ animal: BALLOON, PACK, PARTY, STUFFED

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 6, 2026

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

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

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

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're not afraid of heights.

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 6, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for January 6, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Look up!

The words are related to flight.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe things that fly.

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 Defying Gravity.

NYT Strands word list for January 6

• Balloon

• Drone

• Defying Gravity

• Kite

• Bird

• Airplane

• Rocket

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

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

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

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're full of energy.

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 6, 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 6, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Pizzazz.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter O appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter O.

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...

OOMPH

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 6, 2026

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

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

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

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

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier — so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

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

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

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Adjust course

• Green: Hoops

• Blue: Current hurlers

• Purple: Words all begin the same way

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Change direction

• Green: Basketball shot types

• Blue: Active MLB pitchers

• Purple: Back____

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections: Sports Edition #470 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Change direction - PIVOT, TURN, VEER, ZIG

• Basketball shot types - ALLEY-OOP, FADEAWAY, FLOATER, LAYUP

• Active MLB pitchers - CEASE, CROCHET, WHEELER, WOO

• BACK____ - BOARD, FIELD, STOP, STRETCH

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

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

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

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

SAVE OVER $50: As of Jan. 6, Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are on sale for $199.95 at Amazon. This is 20% off their list price of $249.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 $199.95 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $50.04   Get Deal

If you're starting the new year off with new workout goals, a solid pair of earbuds is help keep you entertained when you're sweating. The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are our favorite earbuds for working out, and they're currently on sale for under $200 at Amazon.

For a limited time, the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 have been marked down to $199.95 at Amazon. This is 20% off their retail price of $249.99, saving you just over $50. Every color is on sale as well, so you can have your pick of the hyper purple, electric orange, quick sand, or jet black earbuds.

SEE ALSO: The top 6 CES 2026 trends I expect to see at tech's biggest show

There are a few reasons why the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 have landed on both our lists of the best workout earbuds and the best earbuds overall. Their secure-fit earhooks make sure they stay in place as you power through workouts, and they even offer up to 45 hours of battery life (with the charging case), so you don't have to think about frequent recharges. Pair that with great sound quality, noise-canceling features such as Active Noise Cancelling and Transparency mode, and Heart Rate Monitoring sensors, and they're ready to help you tackle the day.

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Our review from writer Alex Bracetti had plenty of praise for these earbuds, noting that "the secure fit, heart-rate monitoring, and stellar battery life are unbeatable." However, he does mention that the noise-cancellation features leave something to be desired, saying "they lack the AirPods Pro 2’s prime listening modes and resilient ANC."

Don't miss out on the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 for under $200 at Amazon.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026:

AcrossWhen pigs fly

• The answer is Never.

Courtroom excuse

• The answer is Alibi.

"That's a ___!" ("Seems unlikely!")

• The answer is Big if.

Cash register compartment

• The answer is Till.

She, in French

• The answer is Elle.

DownCatch, as a crook

• The answer is Nab.

Designation for prolific Yelp reviewers

• The answer is Elite.

Candlelight ___ (solemn observance)

• The answer is Vigil.

Online invoice

• The answer is Ebill.

Piece of equipment in a Winter Olympics biathlon

• The answer is Rifle.

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

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

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

SAVE $60: As of Jan. 6, the Fitbit Charge 6 is on sale for $99.95 at Amazon. That's a 38% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Fitbit Charge 6 $99.95 at Amazon
$159.95 Save $60.00   Get Deal

Sticking to your fitness goals is a lot easier when you can actually see your progress. That’s where a fitness tracker comes in. These handy devices turn your hard work into readable stats, and what could be more motivating than that? And if you’re looking for a model that can give you this, but for under $100, check out this new Amazon deal on the Fitbit Charge 6.

As of Jan. 6, this fitness tracker is down to $99.95, giving you a saving of $60. According to camelcamelcamel, it’s never been cheaper than this. 

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Despite the low price, you’re still getting an impressive amount of stats that are bound to keep you motivated all year. It has over 40 exercise modes, including running, swimming, and yoga. You’ll also get a range of workout-related stats (heart rate, Active Zone Minutes, and daily activity).

It has built-in GPS, so your outdoor runs will be mapped and your pace tracked more accurately. You can even leave your phone at home if you want to enjoy a switched-off run. You’ll also be able to track lifestyle metrics like your sleep and stress, and you’ll get personalized insights into what your sleep actually looks like.  

On top of fitness, it functions as a smartwatch, letting you receive calls, messages, and notifications, make contactless payments, use voice assistants, and enjoy a battery life that lasts up to seven days.

Find this great Fitbit deal at Amazon now.

SAVE $80: As of Jan. 6, the Fitbit Versa 4 is on sale for $119.95 at Amazon. That's a 40% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Fitbit Fitbit Versa 4 $119.95 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $80.00   Get Deal

Nothing helps you hit your fitness goals quite like a fancy new gadget to keep you motivated. And if you’re trying to be a bit more consistent this year, having a fitness tracker on your wrist that nudges you along can make a real difference. It doesn’t need to be a super advanced, overly expensive model either, if you just want something affordable to keep you accountable, check out this latest deal on the Fitbit Versa 4.

As of Jan. 6, this smartwatch is on sale for $80 off. That brings the price down to $119.95, its best-ever price. You can choose from all color options too, giving you the choice of pink sand, black, and waterfall blue. 

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And it has plenty of features to keep you motivated, including built-in GPS, all-day activity tracking, 40+ exercise modes, and 24/7 heart rate monitoring. It also tracks lifestyle and health metrics, with detailed sleep stats (including sleep stages, scores, and smart wake) as well as tools for managing stress, SpO2 tracking, and even more. 

It’s not all work and no play with the Versa 4, as you’ll also get social features that support calls, texts, notifications, contactless payments, and voice assistants. And all this comes with a battery life of over six days. 

Kick the new year off with a bang and grab this Fitbit deal from Amazon now.

SAVE $140: As of Jan. 6, the Kindle Scribe is on sale for $309.99 at Amazon. That's a discount of 31% on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Scribe $309.99 at Amazon
$449.99 Save $140   Get Deal

If reading more is one of your New Year’s resolutions, this might help: the Kindle Scribe is currently on sale. Not only that, but it's down to its lowest-ever price at Amazon. As of Jan. 6, this popular Kindle model is down to $309.99, saving you $140. This price is for the 64GB model in the colors metallic jade or tungsten.

This Kindle is a popular one, designed not just for reading, but writing too. This e-reader lets you read, write, and annotate documents on a large, paper-like display. It even includes built-in AI tools that can tidy up your notes, summarize them, or adjust the length and tone.

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It also comes with the Premium Pen, a stylus designed to feel like writing on paper. It doesn’t need charging either, it uses electromagnetic technology to connect to the device. With this, you can import and mark up documents and PDFs, and write directly on book pages with expandable margins.

Battery life is designed to last for months, too. So you'll get long periods of reading and weeks of writing on just a single charge.

Find this great Kindle deal at Amazon now.

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

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

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

How to play Pips

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for January 6, 2026

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for January 6, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 6 Pips

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-0, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 1-0, placed horizontally; 4-3, placed horizontally.

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

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

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 6 Pips

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 4-5, placed horizontally; 2-6, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-2, placed vertically; 2-6, placed horizontally; 2-4, placed vertically; 2-5, placed horizontally.

Less Than (6): Everything in this space must be less than 6. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 3-1, placed horizontally; 1-2, placed horizontally.

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 6 Pips

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

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

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 3-2, placed horizontally; 3-5, placed vertically.

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

Equal (4): Everything in this yellow space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically; 4-4, placed horizontally; 4-5, placed horizontally; 3-4, placed horizontally; 4-6, placed vertically.

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 4-5, placed horizontally; 5-5, placed horizontally; 0-5, placed vertically; 3-5, placed vertically; 2-5, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 3-0, placed horizontally.

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

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

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 3-0, placed horizontally; 2-1, placed horizontally.

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

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 3-6, placed vertically; 4-6, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 2-1, placed horizontally; 3-1, 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 $80: As of Jan. 6, the Jackery Explorer 300 is on sale for $178.99 at Amazon. That's a 31% savings on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery Explorer 300 $178.99 at Amazon
$259 Save $80.01   Get Deal

Jackery is one of the most recognizable names when it comes to portable power stations. The brand offers everything from power banks ideal for charging your phone to powerhouse units that can power your whole house for days. But if you're looking for something in between, you'll love this new Amazon deal on the Jackery Explorer 300.

This model is a compact portable power station with a 293Wh battery, designed for light home backup and outdoor use. It's ideal for keeping electronics powered during a camping trip, for example. It can recharge up to 80% in around two hours using a wall outlet and USB-C at the same time, or be topped up via a car outlet.

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You'll get up to 300W through two pure sine wave AC outlets, and you'll be able to charge up to six devices at once, including USB-C, USB-A, and a car port. It weighs just over 7 pounds, so it's compact and easy to carry around too, ideal if you're camping off-grid.

And as of Jan. 6, it's on sale. Right now you can take home this model for $178.99, a saving of over $80 on list price. According to camelcamelcamel, this is also the lowest-ever price for this model.

Pick up this portable power station deal from Amazon.