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Paramount+ has released its February lineup, and tucked amongst all the glowing mid-season TV premieres are new shows and movies worth highlighting. Most notably, the month kicks off with the 68th Annual Grammy Awards and features the series finale of Showtime’s frantically thrilling character study Coldwater.

Tired of your laptop crawling with Windows updates? Considering switching to Linux on your laptop but overwhelmed by hundreds of distro options? Well, here are the three best Linux distros for laptops that promise excellent hardware compatibility and user experience.

I adore books, and not just reading them. I mean, I truly adore the physical nature of books. How they smell, how they feel to read, and I like seeing them on a shelf. It's a promise of knowledge or adventure to come. As I write this, I own a few hundred physical books. Enough to take up three or four moderate bookshelves, and a few boxes on top of that.

I'm always excited to try out a new sort of keyboard, so when the "world's first ceramic keyboard" came around, I couldn't resist reviewing it. Unfortunately, the Keychron Q16 HE 8K is an awful keyboard by even basic metrics, let alone as a new and unique build.

TL;DR: You only have until midnight to score serious savings on a Microsoft Windows 11 Pro license — it’s on sale for $9.97 through tonight (Feb. 1) at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Windows 11 Pro $9.97
$199 Save $189.03   Get Deal

Don’t count your old PC out. You would be surprised how revitalizing a new operating system can be. This Microsoft Windows 11 Pro license totally refreshes your device, and right now you can get it for only $9.97. But you need to act fast, this deal only runs through tonight (Feb. 1) at 11:59 p.m. PT.

It’s time to spoil your old PC with a brand new operating system, Windows 11 Pro. This OS was created for the modern professional, so it can help you get a serious productivity boost with all its new features. It doesn’t matter if you’re an entrepreneur, an artist, or a developer — these tools are ready to work for you.

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From a seamless, easy-to-navigate interface to snap layouts, easy redocking, improved voice typing, and a more powerful search experience, Windows 11 Pro can save you time and make your workday a little easier.

Your Windows 11 Pro license includes a Microsoft Office staple, Microsoft Teams, which can help you stay connected to family, friends, and coworkers. It also gives you access to Copilot, your very own AI-powered assistant. With Copilot on your desktop, you can get answers to your questions and even let it take actions like summarizing web pages, opening apps, or changing your settings.

Windows 11 Pro also takes your cybersecurity more seriously, offering features like biometric logins, encrypted authentication, and enhanced antivirus protection so you can rest easier knowing your data stays private. It also includes Azure AD, Windows Sandbox, and BitLocker device encryption.

Get this Microsoft Windows 11 Pro license for $9.97 through tonight (Feb. 1) at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Get a laptop you can grow with, a 1TB Apple MacBook Pro, on sale now for just $439.99 (reg. $1,999), while supplies last.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Macbook Pro 2020 (Refurbished) $439.99
$1,999 Save $1,559.01   Get Deal

Looking for a laptop that can keep up with your storage needs? With the amount of data we add every day, it’s no surprise that many of us rely on cloud storage or external hard drives to keep everything organized. This MacBook Pro not only offers the power and performance you expect from Apple’s most deluxe laptop, but it also comes with an impressive 1TB SSD.

Right now, you can get this MacBook Pro for only $439.99 (reg. $1,999), while supplies last.

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Tired of getting the dreaded storage is full notification? It might be time to get a device that can keep up with all your data. This MacBook Pro comes with 1TB of SSD storage, so you can keep your important files right on your computer.

Aside from giving you plenty of space, this MacBook Pro also comes with some top-tier Apple features you’d expect — like a 10th Gen Intel Core i5 processor that runs at 2GHz and has turbo boost capabilities up to 3.8GHz. Its 13.3-inch screen has a 2560×1600 native resolution, vibrant colors, and Apple’s True Tone Technology, which helps reduce eye strain by adjusting to your lighting conditions.

This model has the Apple Touch Bar, a great addition at the top of the keyboard that serves up quick shortcuts. It’s easy and comfortable to type on with the Apple Magic Keyboard, and the impressive 10-hour battery keeps you from constantly having to charge it.

Curious how you’re saving over $1,500? This model comes with a grade A refurbished status, so it will arrive in near-mint condition, and you’ll enjoy a major discount.

Get a 1TB Apple MacBook Pro for only $439.99 (reg. $1,999).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

The best Peacock streaming deals to watch the Winter Olympics: Peacock Premium yearly subscription $109.99/year (save $21.89) Get Deal Peacock Premium for Students and Young Adults $5.99/month for 12 months (save $5/month) Get Deal Peacock Premium for First Responders and Medical Professionals $6.99/month (save $4/month) Get Deal Best for military personnel Peacock Premium for Active Military and Veterans $6.99/month (save $4/month) Get Deal Peacock Premium for Teachers $6.99/month (save $4/month) Get Deal Peacock Premium annual subscription Free for Instacart+ subscribers (save $109.99/year) Get Deal Peacock Premium Free for Walmart+ subscribers Get Deal

The 2026 Winter Olympics are nearly here! This year marks the fourth time Italy has hosted the Winter Games (the last time was Turin in 2006). There will be plenty of fan-favorite sports and even an entirely new one joining the list — snow mountaineering. Here's hoping it sparks another viral moment like the 2024 Summer Olympics' newest sport.

Things officially kick off with the Opening Ceremony at San Siro Stadium on Feb. 6 (though a few events will begin before that). If you don't want to miss a minute of the action, we've compiled all the essential details you need to know to watch live, including which streaming service you'll need and how to score a deal on it.

Let's go, Team USA!

How to watch the 2026 Olympics with or without cable

No cable? No problem. You'll be able to catch all the action with a Peacock Premium or Premium Plus subscription.

A Peacock subscription gives you access to the full NBC broadcast of the Winter Olympics, including Opening and Closing Ceremonies, plus a livestream of every single sport, competition, and medal ceremony. You'll also get access to always-on Olympics channels, replays, highlights, documentaries, and nonstop commentary. Basically, Peacock is your one-stop shop for everything Olympics.

If you're watching the Olympic Games in the U.S., keep in mind that Eastern time is six hours behind Milan and Cortina. Some broadcasts will be delayed until primetime, depending on the time zone. If you have cable, you'll be able to watch live competitions throughout the day, as well as enhanced showcase events at night on NBC. USA Network and CNBC will also air Olympics coverage.

Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium $10.99 per month Get Deal

A Peacock Premium subscription costs $10.99 per month with ads or $16.99 per month without. There are also a few ways to save some money on a subscription, so keep scrolling for the latest Peacock streaming deals.

When and where are the 2026 Winter Olympics?

The 2026 Winter Olympics will be held in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy from Feb. 6 to 22.

Here are some of the major dates to mark on your calendar:

• Feb. 6: Opening ceremony

• Feb. 7: First gold medal events

• Feb. 8: Gold medal, women's Alpine skiing downhill

• Feb. 13: Gold medal, men's figure skating

• Feb. 18: Gold medal, women's Alpine skiing slalom

• Feb. 19: Gold medal, women's figure skating. Gold medal game, women's ice hockey. First gold medals in ski mountaineering.

• Feb. 22: Gold medal game, men's ice hockey. Closing ceremony.

Which sports are in the Winter Olympics?

Nearly 3,000 athletes will be competing across 16 different sports in the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Categories range from skiing and snowboarding to figure skating and hockey. Below is a full list — for more information on each individual sport, head over to the official Olympics website.

• Alpine Skiing

• Biathlon

• Bobsleigh

• Cross-Country Skiing

• Curling

• Figure Skating

• Freestyle Skiing

• Ice Hockey

• Luge

• Nordic Combined

• Short Track Speed Skating

• Skeleton

• Ski Jumping

• Ski Mountaineering

• Snowboard

• Speed Skating

The best Peacock streaming dealsBest Peacock deal: Save 17% on an annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium annual subscription $109.99 per year or $169.99 per year (save 17%) Get Deal

I've said it before and I'll say it again: the best Peacock deal on any given day is the annual subscription plan. It costs $109.99 (with ads) or $169.99 (ad-free) up front, as opposed to the $131.88 or $203.88 you'll pay if you choose a monthly plan. That ultimately ends up getting you about two months for free — a total savings of $21.89 on the Premium plan or $33.89 with the Premium Plus plan.

Best Peacock deal for Xfinity customers: free Peacock Premium for eligible accounts Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock / Xfinity Peacock Premium Free for select Xfinity customers Learn More

If you're an Xfinity customer, we highly recommend checking out the eligibility details below before signing up for Peacock — you might be able to score a subscription for free.

Here's a breakdown of who is eligible to get Peacock for free through Xfinity (head to Xfinity.com for more details):

• Xfinity Internet customers who are Diamond or Platinum Xfinity Rewards members can get Peacock Premium for free by redeeming a reward for it. Sign in at xfinity.com/rewards and choose Peacock as a reward. Then, wait for your email (it may take a few hours) with instructions on activating the offer.

• NOW TV customers can also receive Peacock Premium as part of their service.

• New customers with Xfinity Internet and an X1 TV Box, Flex streaming TV Box, or a Xumo Stream Box from Xfinity can get Peacock Premium for free for six months.

Best Peacock deal for students and young adults: Save $5/month for one year Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for Students $5.99/month for 12 months (save $5/month) Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for young adults $5.99/month for 12 months (save $5/month) Get Deal

Students and young adults can take $5 per month off a Peacock Premium subscription all year long. Just verify your student status via SheerID and retrieve the unique promo code to knock the price down to just $5.99 instead of $10.99. After the promo year is up, you'll be charged full price again unless you cancel.

Best for first responders, medical professionals, military, and teachers: Save $4/month Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for First Responders and Medical Professionals $6.99 per month (save $4 per month) Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for Military $6.99 per month (save $4 per month) Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for Teachers $6.99/month (save $4 per month) Get Deal

First responders, medical professionals, military personnel, and teachers can all secure a Peacock Premium subscription (with ads) for a discounted rate of $6.99 per month. Just verify your professional status via SheerID to retrieve a unique promo code.

Those who continue to meet verification qualifications can renew their subscription at a discounted rate each year — although you may have to go through the verification process each time and receive a new promo code. Rates are also subject to change year to year.

Best for Instacart users: free Peacock Premium for Instacart+ subscribers Opens in a new window Credit: Instacart / Peacock Peacock Premium annual subscription Free for Instacart+ subscribers (save $109.99/year) Get Deal

On top of free grocery delivery, lower fees, and credit back on eligible pickup orders, an Instacart+ membership ($99.99 per year) now unlocks a free Peacock Premium subscription ($109.99 per year value). If you're new to Instacart+, you'll even get a free two-week trial to kick things off. Just be sure to cancel before you're charged the full amount.

Best for Walmart shoppers: free Peacock Premium for Walmart+ members Opens in a new window Credit: Walmart Walmart+ $98 per year Get Deal

Walmart+ members can now choose Peacock Premium (or Paramount+) as a free perk with their membership. The $98 subscription also gives you access to free shipping at Walmart.com (with no order minimums), fuel discounts, a Scan & Go checkout tool, and early access to deals during Walmart's major shopping events. Since Peacock Premium is a $109.99 value, Walmart+ is already a better deal than paying for Peacock on its own. Plus, you'll get many other perks.

Watch the Olympics in theaters

NBC is bringing the 2026 Winter Olympics to the big screen, so you and your friends can watch the world's greatest athletes go for gold in select theaters. The Opening and Closing ceremonies, as well as NBC’s live daytime coverage, will be available to watch live in theaters across the country. Check out AMC Theatres or Fandango for advance tickets.

Finding unique Valentine's Day gifts for your boyfriend or your husband is no easy feat when most gift guides out there define "unique" with whiskey stones and beard oil. Doomscroll on Google no longer — we've curated a list of 30+ genuinely thoughtful Valentine's Day gift ideas that encapsulate how much he means to you.

This diverse list has romantic gifts, fun gifts that'll speak to his interests, and practical gifts that'll make his life easier. The one overarching theme? All are gifts that prove you've been listening. Based on intel gathered across social media and our own personal lives, here are the best Valentine's Day gift ideas for men in 2026:

TL;DR: Live stream the 2026 Winter Olympics for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

This is shaping up to be an absolutely huge year for sport. Sure, the World Cup is probably the biggest event on the calendar. But there are so many other massive moments to get excited about. And there's really no need to wait, because the action starts early in 2026.

The 2026 Winter Olympics is kicking things off in February with a host of top events including alpine skiing, ice hockey, bobsleigh, snowboarding, and so much more. You can stay warm and dry whilst the best of the best compete for medals in the cold. And better yet, you can follow all the action from Lombardy without spending anything.

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

What is the Winter Olympics?

The Winter Olympics is a major international event held once every four years for sports practiced on snow and ice. Eight sports and 15 disciplines will feature on the programme for the 2026 Winter Olympics: Biathlon, Bobsleigh (Skeleton, Bobsleigh), Curling, Ice Hockey, Luge, Skating (Figure Skating, Speed Skating, Short Track Speed Skating), Ski Mountaineering, and Skiing (Alpine Skiing, Cross-Country Skiing, Ski Jumping, Nordic Combined, Freestyle Skiing, Snowboard).

Norway leads the all-time medal record for the Winter Olympics.

When is the 2026 Winter Olympics?

The 2026 Winter Olympics is the 25th edition of the famous event. This year's event will take place on Feb. 6-22 at sites across Lombardy and Northeast Italy.

How to watch the 2026 Winter Olympics for free

The 2026 Winter Olympics is available to live stream for free on a number of services:

• Australia — 9Now

• Austria — ORF

• Canada — CBC Gem

• France — France TV

• Germany — ARD

• Ireland — RTÉ Player

• Italy — RAI

• Spain — RTVE

• UK — BBC iPlayer

These free live streams are geo-restricted, but anyone can bypass these restrictions with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another location, meaning you can acvcess free live streams of the 2026 Winter Olympics from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2026 Winter Olympics 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 a location with free access

4. Watch the 2026 Winter Olympics 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 Winter Olympics before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the 2026 Winter Olympics?

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

• Servers in 105 countries

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

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

• Fast connection speeds

• 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).

Live stream the 2026 Winter Olympics for free with ExpressVPN.

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

The 2026 Australian Open has delivered a number of incredible games, but the semi-final stage of the men's draw went absolutely wild. Carlos Alcaraz overcame Alexander Zverev in an epic five-set match, followed by Novak Djokovic's astonishing five-set victory over defending champion Jannik Sinner.

That has set up a mouth-watering final between the top seed and arguably the best player of all time. Alcaraz will be the favorite to lift the trophy, but Djokovic's semi-final triumph just goes to show that you can never count him out. Djokovic will be gunning for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam. Alcaraz will be aiming to become the youngest player to complete a career Grand Slam. It's all set to be something special.

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

How to watch Alcaraz vs. Djokovic for free

Alcaraz vs. Djokovic in the 2026 Australian Open final 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 Alcaraz 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 two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% 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 Alcaraz vs. Djokovic in the 2026 Australian Open final 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

To play again.

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

RERUN

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Short.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 1, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

STOUT

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Tiny.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 1 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 1, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

SMALL

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Flinched.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

SHIED

Final Hurdle hint

Unfortunately.

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

SADLY

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

It's the Full Moon tonight, and in February, this is typically known as the Snow Moon. Keep scrolling to find out what you can see on the moon tonight.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Sunday, Feb. 1, the Moon phase is Full Moon. According to NASA's Daily Moon Guide, 100% of the Moon will be lit up tonight.

The Moon is big and bright in our skies tonight. If you take a closer look, what features can you spot on it's surface? Without any visual aids, the Kepler Crater, Aristarchus Plateau, and the Mare Serenitatis are all visible. Want to see more? Pull out the binoculars to see the Posidonius Crater and Apennine Mountains too. Finally, with a telescope, you'll see all this and the Linne Crater, Rima Ariadaeus, and the Fra Mauro Highlands.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will be on March 3.

What are Moon phases?

According to NASA, the lunar cycle lasts around 29.5 days. This is how long the Moon takes to travel once around Earth. Over that period, it passes through eight recognised phases. The same side of the Moon always faces our planet, however the portion that appears lit changes as the Moon moves along its orbit. The amount of sunlight reaching the Moon is what makes it appear full, partially illuminated, or almost invisible at different points in the cycle. The eight lunar phases 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.

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 February 1, 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 February 1, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 1 Pips

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

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 0-5, placed horizontally.

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

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

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

Equal (0): Everything in this purple space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-4, placed horizontally.

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 1 Pips

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 5-3, placed horizontally.

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

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

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 0-0, placed horizontally.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 2-3, placed horizontally; 6-4, placed horizontally; 5-5, placed horizontally.

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 1 Pips

Less Than (9): Everything in this space must be less than 9. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally; 1-0, placed horizontally.

Less Than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 1-1, placed horizontally; 1-0, placed horizontally.

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

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

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

Less Than (20): Everything in this space must be less than 20. The answer is 4-3, placed horizontally; 4-5, placed horizontally; 5-5, placed vertically.

Less Than (7): Everything in this space must be less than 7. The answer is 4-3, placed horizontally; 3-6, placed vertically.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally; 6-1, placed horizontally; 0-0, 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.

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

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.

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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.

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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: Water sports

• Green: Fast

• Blue: Collect them all

• Purple: Might be a Grand Slam champion

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Aquatic Sports Verbs

• Green: Speed

• Blue: Sports Card Brands

• Purple: Tennis Grand Slam Winners, Minus A Letter

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

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

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections: Sports Edition #496 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Aquatic Sports Verbs - KAYAK, ROW, SAIL, SWIM

• Speed - MUSTARD, POP, VELOCITY, ZIP

• Sports Card Brands - LEAF, PANINI, TOPPS, UPPER DECK

• Tennis Grand Slam Winners, Minus A Letter - ASH, KIN, NADA, WILLIAM

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 yesterday's Connections.

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.

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 February 1, 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: To highlight

• Green: Worn on the feet

• Blue: A hit

• Purple: Played by musicians

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Publicize

• Green: Kinds of shoes

• Blue: Anthem

• Purple: Musical instruments plus starting letter

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

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

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #966 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Publicize: BOOST, HYPE, PITCH, PLUG

• Kinds of shoes: CLOG, FLAT, MULE, WEDGE

• Anthem: BANGER, BOP, HEATER, JAM

• Musical instruments plus starting letter: GLUTE, MORGAN, SHARP, THORN

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 February 1, 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 yesterday's Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're a giver.

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 February 1, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 1, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: It's a gift

The words are related to giving.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe ways to give.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Generosity

NYT Strands word list for February 1

• Bonus

• Grant

• Present

• Generosity

• Donation

• Award

• Offering

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 yesterday's Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you like textured things.

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 February 1, 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 February 1, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Prickly.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.

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...

SPINY

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 February 1, 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 yesterday's Wordle.

When you first gain access to a 3D printer, you might be tempted to print everything and anything you can. This urge can be amplified by the number of models available online and the passion of the 3D printing community.

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