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Many smart home devices serve a clear purpose. If you want to measure humidity, for example, a humidity sensor fits the bill perfectly. There are some devices, however, that are so strange that it can be a challenge trying to figure out how to use them.

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 17, 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 16, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 17 Pips

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 2-1, placed horizontally.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 2-1, placed horizontally; 6-4, placed horizontally.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 6-4, placed horizontally; 4-0, placed horizontally.

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

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

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 17 Pips

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

Greater Than (16): Everything in this space must be greater than 16. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally; 4-6, placed horizontally.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally; 4-6, placed horizontally; 2-3, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 17 Pips

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

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 0-6, placed vertically; 6-1, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 3-1, placed horizontally; 1-1, placed vertically; 6-1, placed horizontally.

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

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 5-1, placed horizontally; 5-2, placed vertically.

Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 5-2, placed vertically.

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

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 6-2, placed vertically; 2-2, placed vertically; 3-2, placed horizontally.

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

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

Picture this: You just experienced Matt Damon and Ben Affleck reuniting in The Rip. The adrenaline is pumping, the heart is racing, and you’re ready to watch another movie. While there’s never a bad time to watch a classic like Good Will Hunting, you’re probably looking for some more action.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you know Italian soccer teams.

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: Winning

• Green: East Coast football

• Blue: Just jeff-ing around

• Purple: We have a problem

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: In No. 1 Position

• Green: AFC East Teams

• Blue: Jeffs

• Purple: Rockets

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 #481 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• In No. 1 Position - FIRST, FRONT, LEAD, POLE

• AFC East Teams - BUFFALO, MIAMI, NEW ENGLAND, NEW YORK

• Jeffs - BAGWELL, KENT, SATURDAY, VAN GUNDY

• Rockets - CLEMENS, HOUSTON, RICHARD, TOLEDO

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 3-2-1 backup rule is the gold standard for data backups. I often recommend it, and so do most experts. But it's hard to overlook the fact that some aspects of this backup approach are growing outdated, and it might be time to rethink them to bolster the security of your data.

This was another busy week in tech, with new updates for Firefox and Obsidian, Verizon's day-long nationwide outage, new hardware for the Raspberry Pi, and much more. Here are the biggest stories you might have missed.

BEST LEGO DEAL: Lego is running make and take events on Jan. 18. A limited quantity of Burger Bike Carts will be available for free at participating stores.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Lego Group Lego Burger Bike Carts: Free Malke and Take Event   Learn More

Lego has been in the news a lot lately.

Preorders for the new Lego Star Wars Smart Play sets have landed alongside preorders for the first-ever Lego Pokémon sets. There's only one downside with these exciting new launches, and that's the wait. These new sets are available for preorder, but what are we all supposed to do until release dates? We can't just sit here reading early-access reviews and angry conversations on Reddit about how Pikachu looks weird. Instead, we should all make plans to attend our nearest Lego store this weekend.

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Visitors to select Lego Stores on Jan. 18 (from 12-2 p.m.) can participate in a Lego Burger Bike Cart make and take event. During this special event, participants can build and bring home this fun model for free. This event is intended for participants aged 6+ years, and the model is available on a first-come-first-serve basis, at participating locations, while supplies last.

It's important to note is that this Lego Burger Bike Cart is not available for purchase. So by taking part in this event, participants can take home something that money literally cannot buy. The only catch is that you're limited to one build per participant, but that seems fair to us.

Head to your nearest Lego store to get the Burger Bike Cart without spending anything.

TL;DR: Live stream Egypt vs. Nigeria 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 has been incredibly entertaining. We're sad that it's almost over, but we're grateful for the goals, passion, and drama.

The AFCON final is scheduled to take place on Jan. 18, with hosts Morocco taking on Senegal. Before we get to the showpiece event, Egypt face Nigeria in the third-place playoff. Neither side really wants to be here. Egypt and Nigeria came so close to making the final, but tournament football is defined by small margins. This game is just a consolation, but it still matters.

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

When is Egypt vs. Nigeria?

Egypt vs. Nigeria in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off at 11 a.m. ET on Jan. 17. This fixture takes place at the Mohammed V Stadium.

How to watch Egypt vs. Nigeria for free

Egypt vs. Nigeria 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 Egypt vs. Nigeria 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 Egypt vs. Nigeria 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 Egypt vs. Nigeria (plus the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final) 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 Egypt vs. Nigeria in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free with ExpressVPN.

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.

The wait is almost over. The 2026 Australian Open looms on the horizon, promising 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.

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 will take 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.

We all have a preferred power tool brand, and if you're a fan of Makita, we have some good news. Makita is a popular choice for mechanics, electricians, DIY users, and more thanks to its expansive lineup, and it's about to get even bigger. Makita released some excellent new tools late last year, which are now hitting shelves in 2026.

Sometimes, an update can break an app, get rid of a useful feature, or introduce a redesign that you don't like. The easiest way to fix those problems is to roll back the app to an older version. I'll show you three ways you can do just that.

This was another busy week in the Linux ecosystem, with the arrival of new Raspberry Pi hardware, a Linux Mint release, a premium Linux laptop from Slimbook, and much more. These are the biggest stories you might have missed.

Stop trying to win an Excel Hero award with ten-line formulas. They're impossible to debug and even harder to explain to your coworkers. Using helper columns doesn't mean you're a beginner—it means you're an engineer building a system that actually lasts. Here's why the simplest solution is actually the best.

For many of us, having remote access to our smart homes over the internet is non-negotiable. But is this really necessary? And more to the point, is there anything to be gained from not doing so?

Linux Mint has a reputation for being the distro most enthusiasts recommend to Windows users who want to try Linux. After trying Pop!_OS for a week, my next project was using Linux Mint for work, entertainment, and everything in between. After two weeks of daily driving Mint, I now understand why everyone recommends it as a Windows replacement.

If you’re in the market for a new USB-C hub, then Anker’s Prime Docking Station is a solid choice. Out of all the docks I’ve tested, this has to be one of my favorites. Here’s everything that I love (and the two things I dislike) with Anker’s latest USB-C hub.

What are the best noise-cancelling headphones of 2026?

Even the best value headphones will feel lacking if they don't come equipped with halfway decent noise cancellation. Besides, there are simply too many headphones on the market (our testing pool gets bigger by the month) for you to pay hundreds only to get subpar ANC. So, which brand comes out on top?

For most people, we think the new Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) offer the best overall value, with the ideal blend of comfort, sound quality, and ANC. However, if you're looking for the best active noise-cancellation overall, we have to give it up to the Sony XM6 headphones. Fortunately, there are no bad choices here.

To help you wade through the top options from brands like Apple, Beats, Bose, Sony, and Sonos, Mashable editors and reviewers tested dozens of headphones and earbuds. From flagship models to budget buds, we picked out the best options at every price range.

SEE ALSO: How we test headphones and earbuds How do noise-cancelling headphones actually work?

Even cheap headphones can block some noise from the outside world. And you can always blast your music loud enough to drown out nearby conversations and street noise via passive noise cancellation. However, if you really want to turn the volume of the world down to the limit, then you need headphones with active noise cancellation.

Active noise-cancelling headphones electronically cover up the sounds coming from your surroundings. They use internal microphones to listen to the world around you, then invert the noise and send it to the speakers. The idea is that both the output and the input will cancel out, leaving you with near-silence. The best over-ear headphones also create a tight seal around your ears, providing an extra layer of passive sound blocking.

Testing the Apple AirPods Max headphones, which didn't make the final cut for this guide. Credit: Zlata Ivleva / Mashable Getting up close and personal with Sony WH-1000XM5 noise-cancelling headphones. Credit: Molly Flores / Mashable

If you've tried a pair of noise-cancelling headphones before and haven't been impressed, don't be discouraged, as not all ANC performs equally. For instance, cheaper ANC headphones may have a more noticeable hissing sound that you'll hear when the noise cancellation is turned on, which can be distracting for some folks.

Other headphones may be great at blocking low tones, but more prone to letting in high-pitched tones. Typically, premium headphones will yield better results all around, but we have budget picks below that still do a solid job.

In the past, not many wireless earbuds featured active noise cancellation that was comparable to over-ear headphones, but newer iterations like the AirPods Pro and Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds hold their own in the ANC space. However, even these earbuds can't quite get the same seal (or fit as many mics) that headphones can, so if you're looking for maximum silence, stick with over-ear headphones.

Recent testing updates

• December 2025: We removed the Dyson On-Trac headphones from this guide. While they had unbeatable battery life when they were first released, that's no longer the case.

• December 2025: We added the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 as the best sports earbuds.

• December 2025: We added the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 headphones as the best splurge.

• September 2025: We replaced the original Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds with the updated second-gen model.

• July 2025: We added the new Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones.

• February 2025: We added the EarFun Air Pro 4 earbuds as our favorite earbuds pick under $100, replacing the Beats Studio Buds+.

• August 2024: With a heavy heart, we said goodbye to the Bose 700 headphones as our recommendation for the best noise-cancelling headphones with adjustable ANC.

If you're a junk journaler (or have one in your life), you probably have a proclivity for swiping a crisp cocktail napkin into your bag when you’re out for drinks or saving a particularly cute flyer from a museum event that you went to. Maybe your first thought is even, “I should grab some for my junk journal” at the sight of confetti exploding over an arena during your favorite artists’ concert or a stray plastic flower petal that blew onto your picnic blanket. Junk journaling can be quite special and meaningful to those who really jive with this creative practice. 

Junk journaling is also an awesome analog activity to take up if you're looking to cut down on screen time and spend less of your day doomscrolling.

What is junk journaling?

“The number one rule of junk journaling is that there are no rules,” Martina Calvi says in her book A Year of Junk Journaling: 52 creative prompts to transform the scraps of your life into art. In case you haven't heard about it, junk journaling is a practice of saving "trash" or ephemera from your daily life and gluing it down in a physical journal. Some folks also have robust digital junk journals and collages on their iPad in programs like Procreate or Freeform. 

“No matter how mundane you think your life is, there are beautiful memories worth preserving, and your future self will thank you for collecting these in a tangible form,” Calvi writes. “The simple joys of sharing a coffee with your friend, walking through the park on your day off, or having dinner with your parents.” 

In her book, Calvi encourages folks to get creative with what they see in their daily life. Fans of junk journaling emphasize that the practice of noticing the meaning behind small objects can have a ripple effect of appreciation for the minutiae of your life. 

For example, junk journalers often commemorate things like a stray grocery receipt from a first Thanksgiving in a new home or a matchbook from a memorably bad date. As opposed to scrapbooking, which often spotlights traditionally important events, anything goes in junk journaling.

Save receipts, stickers, takeout bags, coasters, and whatever other physical "junk" you can collect throughout your day. Credit: Miller Kern / Mashable What are the best gadgets for junk journaling?

Junk journalers on TikTok and Pinterest have a healthy self-awareness that our little hobby can be a bit unusual or extra. It seems like many junk journalers often must find a way to strike a balance between saving memorabilia for our hobby and letting things just go into the trash or recycling. Antics aside, junk journaling can be super fun. Something that makes any crafting practice more fun is snagging the best tools to enhance it. 

You can call me inspector because I truly love a gadget. Picking up a new tool or gadget related to your artistic hobby can be so inspiring. It can renew your love of the practice because you suddenly have new and inventive ways to create. Below, we rounded up some of the absolute best tools and essentials for junk journalers and crafters, et al.

A journal Opens in a new window Credit: Leuchtturm1917 Leuchtturm1917 notebook $25.50 at Amazon
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First and foremost, you need a journal to house all your junk. The blank Leuchtturm1917 notebook is one of the most popular among junk journalers on TikTok. Just note that the pages are a bit see-through, so you'll want to glue them together for each new spread to avoid bleeding.

A Year of Junk Journaling 'A Year of Junk Journaling' by Martina Calvi $23.29 at Amazon
$24.99 Save $1.70   Shop Now at Amazon

This book is such an amazing resource for avid junk journalers or folks who are curious about the art form. It inspired me so much about things I wasn’t even considering for my spreads, like fruit stickers, restaurant matchboxes, receipts, candy wrappers, and handwritten things from loved ones, like grocery lists. The spreads are so colorful and inspiring in this book, too. 

A photo sticker printer Canon Ivy 2 mini photo printer $109.99 at Amazon
$119.99 Save $10   Shop Now at Amazon Kodak Step wireless mini printer $79.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Walmart HP Sprocket 2x3 instant smartphone printer $89.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon HP Sprocket Panorama label and photo printer $129.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $20   Shop Now at Amazon

A mini photo printer is the perfect sidekick for someone who wants to fill their junk journal with pictures to correspond with their spreads. Some of our favorites are the Canon Ivy 2, Kodak Step, HP Sprocket, and HP Sprocket Panorama. Just connect the printers to your smartphone or social media accounts and print photo stickers on demand.

Bench organizer Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Bench Organizer for Art Supplies Tools $68.56 at Amazon
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This is the perfect addition to a junk journaler’s desk. There are so many compartments for organizing postcards, pencils, pens, stickers, scissors, and notebooks. Junk journaling can get pretty chaotic and disorganized with all of the random scraps that you save.

Epson EcoTank printer Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Wireless Cartridge-Free Printer $199.99 at Amazon
$239.99 Save $40   Shop Now at Amazon

For serious crafters and junk journalers who want to print to their hearts' content, the Epson Ecotank series is a complete game-changer. At varying price points, Epson has revolutionized printing in color. The EcoTank printer comes with bottles of ink that barely run out after printing many pages of full, vibrant color.

Chompsaw Opens in a new window Credit: Chompsaw ChompSaw: The Ultimate Kid-Safe Power Tool for Cutting Cardboard $249.99 at Amazon
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The Chompsaw is an exciting new invention directed primarily at children, but the brand emphasizes that it's safe for ages 3 to 103 for a reason. The Chompsaw acts like a “bench saw” for cardboard and thicker paper products. Intended to be completely safe for tiny and adult fingers, it allows folks to get really creative with their trash. 

Toddler digital instant camera Opens in a new window Credit: Dylanto Dylanto Kids Camera Instant Print $31.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $8.00   Shop Now

This might sound so bananas, but this toddler digital camera with instant print capability is an amazing tool for junk journalers because the cameras use thermal printing, meaning the film is not as precious as Instax or Polaroid (though those are super fun to use as well). While some instant print cameras that use film cost around $16 for a box of 20 photos, rolls of paper for these cameras cost around $10 for six rolls. Each roll for these “toddler” cameras can print 70 photos. The photos are only in black and white, but can add a fun pop of creativity to your junk journaling spreads. 

Pen hot glue gun Opens in a new window Credit: Dremel Dremel Pen Hot Glue Gun Cordless $47.99 at Amazon
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This cordless pen glue gun from Dremel is seriously innovative with its easy-squeeze trigger. The glue gun is designed to be held like a pen for easier maneuvering and grip strength. This is awesome for junk journalers who like to include unique and hard-to-glue-down objects like fake flowers, pennies, and other truly random treasures. Eschew the annoying features of the classic glue gun with its limiting cord, constant tipping over, and clunky application design.

Dremel electric scissors  Opens in a new window Credit: Dremel Dremel Electric Scissors $64.99 at Amazon
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For folks who work with many different materials, from fabric to cardboard, these electric scissors from Dremel might come in super handy. Cut through tons of material for your junk journal spread without tiring out your hands.

Kodak nice digital camera  Kodak PIXPRO FZ55-BK 16MP CMOS Sensor Digital Camera $159.95 at Amazon
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A friend to many junk journalers is the classic digital camera. Yes, many, if not most, of us have phones that can take pictures. However, having a digital camera can offer a different texture and aesthetic to the photos that you’re snapping. 

Polaroid camera  Polaroid Now 3rd Generation I-Type Instant Camera + Film Bundle $144.99 at Amazon
$159.99 Save $15   Shop Now at Amazon

For folks who want higher-quality photos in their spreads, a classic Polaroid camera can’t steer you wrong. This Polaroid Now 3rd-generation I-type instant camera also comes with two packs of eight film sheets. Add that classic nostalgic touch to your junk journal spreads with vivid snaps of your favorite places, people, or things.

Portable scanner Portable Document Scanner $60.99 at Amazon
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This portable scanner tool is so cool. It is specified for documents, but many folks will use it on surfaces, signs, posters, and textures they see when out and about. Scan textures you see on your travels or in your neighborhood and save them for your next digital or IRL collage. Graphic designers rave about the scanner’s ability to capture texture more than a simple smartphone photo. 

Artist and content creator lamp Opens in a new window Credit: Canvas Canvas Lamp $172.99 at Canvas
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If content creation is an essential part of your creative or artistic practice, artists have raved in the avalanche of positive reviews for this lamp. The lamp clamps onto your desk and can move around and change its brightness level. It also has a convenient mount for placing your phone in and recording your crafting session.

Letter stamps 36-piece small wooden rubber stamps $9.99 at Amazon
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If your handwriting looks better in your head than it does on paper, you might have fun with an alphabet stamp set. Create cohesive titles for your spreads or stamp out words and numbers that fit the theme of your junk.

iPad Apple iPad (128GB, A16 chip, 11-inch) $329 at Walmart
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For folks who vibe with the concept of junk journaling but not with the mess of scissors, tape, paper, and glue, you can still be a junk journaler! Celebrate those photos that just sit in your camera roll by giving them another life in a digital collage with Procreate or Freeform. 

Apple Pencil Pro Apple Pencil Pro $94.99 at Amazon
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Digital junk journalers all over TikTok are rarely seen without an Apple Pencil. This stylus is so compatible with iPads, it can allow you to digitally collage, illustrate, and junk journal to your heart’s content.

Band.do stickers Ban.do sticker booklet $12.95 at Amazon
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Sticker lovers can rejoice with this booklet from Ban.do. The brand has tons of different artists contribute to each booklet it releases. Stickers can always be a fun addition to junk journaling, even though they’re not “found objects.” 

Flow, the Book for Paper Lovers 'Flow, the Book for Paper Lovers' $29.99 at Amazon
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Sometimes you just don't have enough junk to fill up all of the white space in your journal — or you simply want some fun paper as the backdrop for your spread. Flow is an awesome book full of paper, stickers, illustrations, and even journaling ideas.

Double-sided tape dispenser Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Double-sided tape dispenser $24.95 at Amazon
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Double-sided tape dispensers can make your junk journaling session go super smoothly. This set comes with two dispensers and eight refills, so you can get a lot of stuff taped down.

Fiskars circle cutter Opens in a new window Credit: Fiskars Fiskars circle cutter $26.19 at Amazon
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This Fiskars circle cutter can punch out precise circles from various materials. Cut out different sizes of circles with this cutter that comes with three separate replacement blades. 

Funky scissors Mr. Pen craft scissors $6.85 at Amazon
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Give your junk a fun, decorative edge with this set of six scrapbooking scissors.

Mini embosser kit Sizzix Sidekick Starter Kit $64.99 at Amazon
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This mini embosser machine is something that could elevate or add a dash of creativity to your practice. Roll paper through this machine to emboss the material with unique shapes, patterns, or words. The opportunities for creativity are pretty much endless.

X-Acto knife set  Opens in a new window Credit: DIYSELF DIYSELF Exacto Knife  $6.99 at Amazon
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This scrapbooking knife set speaks for itself when it comes to junk journaling. It’s an excellent tool for isolating certain images in a pamphlet or paper that you want to cut out with more precision than the average pair of household scissors.

Heated ribbon cutter Memory keepers heated ribbon cutter $19.99 at Amazon
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This tool is super helpful for cutting ribbon or other materials that are likely to fray. It seals the end of the cut material with heat.

Label printer Phomemo D30 Label Maker Machine $16.19 at Amazon
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Label printers are such an unsung hero of the junk journaling game. Instantly print labels for your spreads that can indicate any info you’d like. Print out labels for the date of your spread, explain an inside joke, or even decoratively incorporate song lyrics or lines from your favorite poem.

Thermal laminator Scotch TL901X Thermal Laminator $26.97 at Walmart
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A laminator might be a great score for someone who wants to junk journal in a more practical sense. Make bookmarks or reusable calendars out of your junk journaling spreads by creating your masterpiece and feeding it through the laminator for enhanced permanence.

Accordion file folder Opens in a new window Credit: Sooez Sooez Expanding Accordion Organizer $14.99 at Amazon
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This accordion file folder on Amazon is perfect for the junk journalers who are running out of room for storing all their unused ephemera. It’s expandable, so it can grow and shrink with the ebbs and flows of your collection of things. 

Phone app limiter Opens in a new window Credit: Brick Brick $59 at Brick
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This might be a surprising inclusion on this list, but the Brick phone-locking device could be a really helpful tool for your creativity. Tap your phone against the Brick to lock your access to the apps of your choosing and fully focus on your artistic project. (Many of our staff members use and love the Brick.)

NASA’s mega moon rocket will begin a slow trek to its Florida launchpad early Saturday, marking a major milestone for Artemis II, the agency’s first crewed lunar mission in over 50 years.

The rollout of the Space Launch System and Orion spaceship to a Cape Canaveral launchpad will kick off the final series of ground tests before NASA attempts to send four astronauts — Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen — on a 10-day flight into deep space. 

The journey begins at 7 a.m. ET Jan. 17, which you can watch live below, with the stacked rocket exiting the Vehicle Assembly Building on a giant crawler-transporter. And they don't call it a "crawl" for nothing. 

"We'll be at a cruising speed of just under 1 mph," said launch director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson at a Friday briefing. "It'll be a little slower around the turns and up the hill, and that journey will take us about eight to 10 hours to get there." 

Once at the pad, teams will hook the rocket and capsule to ground systems and swing the crew access arm into place. If the fueling dress rehearsal goes smoothly, NASA could target launch opportunities as early as February. 

Here’s what to know about NASA’s towering moon rocket.

SEE ALSO: NASA says Artemis II can fly without its big, broken deep space antenna 1. SLS is powerful, but no longer the most powerful

SLS generates about 8.8 million pounds of thrust, roughly the output of 160,000 Corvette engines. SpaceX’s Starship now exceeds that, producing an estimated 16 to 17 million pounds.

NASA's rocket claimed the power crown during its Artemis I debut, but Starship has since flown multiple tests in space. That distinction comes with caveats, though: SLS is flight-ready for astronauts, while Starship has yet to even carry cargo. 

With Artemis II, SLS could become the most powerful rocket ever to launch humans. Its four main engines burn roughly 700,000 gallons of ultra-cold fuel, producing enough oomph to keep eight Boeing 747s aloft. Future versions of SLS, if they come to fruition, could deliver even greater power.

Size tells a similar story. SLS stands 322 feet tall, higher than the Statue of Liberty and Big Ben. It tops the Space Shuttle stack — a stack is the fully assembled, vertical version of a space rocket — but still trails Saturn V, NASA’s Apollo-era moon rocket. Starship, again, looms largest, rising more than 80 feet above SLS.

Watch NASA's livestream of the SLS rollout in the video above, beginning at 7 a.m. ET Jan. 17.

2. SLS is the only rocket built to fly Orion

Right now, SLS is the sole vehicle capable of sending Orion to the moon and beyond. The capsule, renamed Integrity by the crew, serves as both spacecraft and living quarters, providing its astronauts a snug space to work, eat, and sleep on long missions.

For Artemis II, Orion will fly about 5,000 miles past the moon's far side, potentially setting a new distance record for human spaceflight. When it returns, the spaceship will splash down in the Pacific Ocean.

3. SLS is made with retro hardware

The mega moon rocket is literally built on the Space Shuttle’s legacy. NASA carried forward major shuttle hardware into the new rocket, drawing on a program that flew from 1981 to 2011.

Engineers replaced the winged orbiter with Orion, while stretching the shuttle’s orange external tank into the rocket’s core stage. Four former shuttle main engines power that core.

Unlike before, those engines will not be reused. NASA plans to discard them after flight. Two shuttle-derived solid rocket boosters flank the core and provide about 75 percent of the thrust at liftoff. NASA modernized key systems and manufacturing methods, though Congress barred a clean-sheet design.

NASA's crawler-transporter leaves crushed rocks in its wake as it carries the Space Launch System to its launchpad on Nov. 4, 2022. Credit: NASA / Joel Kowsky 4. SLS sacrifices reusability for reach

Keeping in mind that SLS relies on Space Shuttle hardware, it demanded major changes to reach the moon. After all, the shuttle was originally designed for short trips to the International Space Station, about 250 miles above Earth. By contrast, the moon is roughly 239,000 miles away.

To make that leap, engineers stripped out reusable features such as parachutes, reserve fuel, and landing sensors. The changes freed about 2,000 pounds of payload capacity, helping Orion reach roughly 24,500 mph, the speed needed for a moonbound trajectory. The cost of that performance is disposability: SLS uses new boosters and engines for every mission.

Its exhaust is relatively clean, though. The engines burn liquid hydrogen and oxygen, producing superheated water vapor. NASA also replaced asbestos insulation on the boosters with rubber-based materials.

5. SLS is often called the most expensive

Many at NASA and on Capitol Hill have called SLS "America’s rocket," treating it as a national asset akin to a custom-built aircraft carrier for the military. Cost control was never the top priority. 

A 2010 spending law ordered NASA to build the rocket and spelled out its design, contractors, and business model. Passed during the Great Recession, it aimed in part to protect jobs. Today, about 3,800 suppliers across all 50 states support SLS and Orion.

SLS is often cited as the most expensive rocket ever built. In 2022, NASA’s inspector general estimated each Artemis launch would cost $4.1 billion, with about half tied to SLS alone.

It was a refreshing experience to demo the Even Realities G2 smart glasses at CES 2026, which was filled with Meta Ray-Ban knockoffs. As someone who’s been using last-gen G1 glasses as my daily specs, I was stoked to try the G2 glasses. And they didn’t disappoint. Even Realities doubled down on its best features and polished the rough edges. They’re the closest a pair of smart glasses has come to traditional specs, thanks to the minimalist feature set that felt just right.

Like their predecessor, the Even Realities G2 smart glasses feature a display in each lens. But there are big upgrades lying under the hood. These screens are 75 percent larger this year, and the difference was apparent as soon as I wore them.

SEE ALSO: The best smart glasses of CES 2026 Even Realities G2 smart glasses: First impressions The G2 smart glasses look like regular prescription frames at first glance. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

First, I was greeted by a sharper, brighter, and more stable display during movement. The company is calling it Even HAO 2.0 (Holistic Adaptive Optics), and it combines mini micro-LED projectors, gradient wavelengths, and hi-def lenses to deliver the upgraded experience.

Second, I could feel the difference in weight instantly. I’ve been wearing the G1s (with my prescription) for the past few months, and I get nosepad marks consistently. However, that could change with the G2 glasses.

While my demo was too short to talk about long-term comfort, the new Even Realities glasses are lighter (36 versus 44 grams without prescription) and more comfortable than the previous generation. They’re made with a similar mix of titanium and magnesium alloy, but the stem is stronger, which should instill more confidence in day-to-day use. I like the fit and finish better this time.

What I liked about the Even Realities G2 smart glasses Mashable Tech Editor Timothy Werth testing the new Even Realities G2 smart glasses at CES 2026. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

Once you put on the G2 glasses, you’re welcomed to a Dashboard. It can be customized to your liking from the app. You can navigate the UI either by gestures (using the touch sensors located on the back of the stems) or via the new R1 smart ring. In my demo, I played around with the UI in both ways to try different functions.

I loved the Translation feature, which is one of the best I’ve tried on a wearable. The words were clearly visible on my screen, and seeing it happen in real time was close to sci-fi. Teleprompt benefits from the bigger screen area, too. Plus, you can now control the flow by swiping on your R1 smart ring.

I’ve mostly used my G1s to take quick notes by long-pressing the back of the right stem, and I’m glad to report that action is now less finicky and more reliable. I like how swipes flow more naturally now. I didn’t have to fiddle with the gestures (unlike my G1s).

You can control the dashboard using the new R1 smart ring. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable The G2 smart glasses have a very impressive live translation feature. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

There’s a new Conversate feature, which didn’t work properly in my demo (I’ll test it on my unit soon), most likely due to WiFi problems, which are common on the CES showroom floor. Theoretically, Conversate inserts contextual talking points on the glasses' display in real-time as you’re having a conversation with someone. For instance, a person can name a famous personality or place, and the glasses will show me related information about those topics.

You also get Navigation with a built-in geomagnetic sensor, so directions can adapt as you turn your head. However, it’s not compatible with Google Maps yet, and you have to use the company’s own navigation system. Similarly, health monitoring data in Dashboard and within the app is limited to the R1 smart ring. I’d love for it to show my Apple Health data via the Apple Watch, but it is not possible as of now.

The bottom line: The G2 are a worthy upgrade The heads-up display is powered by mini micro-LED projectors. Credit: Timothy Werth / Mashable

The Even Realities G2 are the most subtle pair of smart glasses you can purchase right now. I’ve set up my unit and will report back on how they function in daily wear, especially compared to the G1s. You can buy them in two styles — panto and rectangular — in gray, brown, or green color options. Prices start at $599 and, like the last generation, you can add clip-on sunglasses and prescription.

Opens in a new window Credit: Even Realities Even Realities G2 smart glasses $599 at Even Realities
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