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To the surprise of no one, Meta is shutting down its Horizon Workrooms virtual office software.

According to Meta's announcement, Meta Horizon Workrooms is being discontinued as a standalone app on Feb. 16, 2026.

The company spun it as a logical step given that Meta Horizon is now a "social platform that supports a wide range of productivity apps and tools."

SEE ALSO: Meta lays off more than 1,000 employees from metaverse division

But we believe the real reason has to do with the fact that people just don't want to sit in virtual reality meetings.

Launched in August 2021, the Horizon Workrooms is a virtual office that allows people to hold virtual meetings. The fact that it required users to wear an Oculus Quest headset made it impractical for many companies to have company-wide meetings this way, as well as made it more cumbersome for a lot of users.

Case in point: Meta itself gave a Quest to all of its employees for free in 2021, and they still didn't use it very much.

Featured Video For You Your AI soulmate is here! Her name is Ami

The evolution of Meta's virtual reality worlds also came with a number of challenges, at one point including the lack of lags on avatars, which made early Horizon Workrooms meetings a bit awkward.

Meta also announced it would end the sales of enterprise Quest headsets and accompanying services starting February 2026. It appears that the metaverse, from which Meta derives its name, isn't such a great place for work after all.

The shuttering of Horizon Workrooms comes days after Meta laid off more than 1,000 employees from its metaverse division. With AI being every tech company's main preoccupation these days, VR will have to go sit in the back of the class.

January is already flying by, and if your good intentions are still intact, you may be itching to continue improving your smart home. If you have some free time this weekend, here are three Home Assistant projects you might want to try.

Police procedurals have been winning over viewers for over 70 years. From Dragnet and Hill Street Blues to NYPD Blue and NCIS, police-driven TV shows are extremely reliable forms of content. Many of these procedurals have found new audiences thanks to their resurgence on streaming.

Admin night doesn't look like much at first glance. A few friends on a couch. Laptops open. Phones out. Someone lights a candle. Someone else orders takeout. And then, quietly, the work begins: canceling subscriptions, paying overdue bills, booking dentist appointments, opening long-avoided emails, and finally setting up that high-yield savings account you've been meaning to deal with "next week."

On TikTok, admin night is emerging as one of 2026's most relatable low-key hangout trends — a structured, communal way to tackle the invisible labor of adulthood together. Less party, more parallel productivity. And in a cultural moment defined by financial anxiety, burnout, and an appetite for quieter socializing, it makes a surprising amount of sense.

SEE ALSO: How to get help with small tasks when your mental health blocks your way

At its core, admin night reframes productivity as a social activity. Instead of carving out solo time to face overwhelming to-do lists, friends gather with the shared understanding that everyone has life tasks they've been avoiding. The hang isn’t about grinding through work; it's about making those tasks feel finite, survivable, and, crucially, less lonely.

Writing in the Wall Street Journal, journalist Chris Colin framed admin night as a response to "the isolation fanned by our collective overwhelm," arguing that our drift from one another isn't just about screens, but "the endless micro-obligations that keep us tethered to them." In that sense, admin night offers a small but meaningful interruption to that cycle.

The timing isn't accidental. In 2026, low-key hangs have fully replaced nights out as the default social currency. Rising costs, post-burnout fatigue, and a collective reassessment of what "fun" should look like have led people toward gatherings that are more affordable, quieter, and more intentional. Admin night fits neatly into that shift: no reservations, no cover charges, no pressure to perform. Just snacks, companionship, and a shared goal of getting your life slightly more together.

But admin night isn't just about saving money. It's also about emotional relief. Modern adulthood is administratively overwhelming in ways previous generations didn't experience. Subscription creep, fragmented healthcare systems, digital bureaucracy, and financial tools that assume a baseline literacy most people were never taught — all of this creates a constant background hum of stress. Ignoring those tasks can spiral into shame. Facing them alone can feel paralyzing.

Doing them together changes the equation.

There's also a real psychological mechanism at play. Admin night taps into a concept known as "body doubling," a practice that involves completing tasks alongside others to enhance focus and follow-through. Often used by people with ADHD, body doubling reduces task avoidance by providing gentle accountability and lowering the emotional barrier to starting. You don’t need advice or supervision; you just need someone else there, doing their own thing, reminding your nervous system that you're not in this alone.

Friends check in on each other’s progress. Celebrate small wins. Normalize how behind everyone feels. Someone asks, "Did you cancel it yet?" and suddenly the task feels doable.

Admin night also fits into a longer lineage of peer support that challenges the notion that personal worth is tied to productivity. In a 2021 Mashable story by Chase DiBenedetto about mutual aid communities like Extra Spoons, executive skill coach Lisa Joy Tuttle explained how peer support helps de-stigmatize the so-called "inability to adult" — a cycle in which anxiety, depression, or burnout makes everyday tasks feel impossible, and unfinished tasks then amplify shame. The goal of these communities, Tuttle noted, isn't to become a "shinier machine," but to create more space for connection, ease, and a life that feels enjoyable rather than optimized.

On TikTok, the aesthetic reflects that softness. There's no hustle-coded urgency. Admin night videos favor candles over timers, cozy couches over desks, wine or tea over energy drinks. The tone isn't "optimize your life" — it's "let's survive it together." In that way, the trend quietly rejects grind culture's obsession with individual discipline and replaces it with something more humane: shared responsibility.

There’s something subtly radical about that shift. Admin night acknowledges that being "bad at adulthood" isn't a personal failing. In reality, it's a structural one. It treats bureaucratic competence as communal knowledge, not a moral virtue. And it redistributes invisible labor by making space for people to admit what they don’t know without embarrassment.

Admin night won't magically fix your finances or cure burnout. But it does something smaller and maybe more important: It turns the most isolating parts of adult life into a reason to gather. In 2026, when fun increasingly looks like sustainability — and TikTok's own trend forecasting suggests the era of fantasy escapism is giving way to a return to reality — that might be the point.

After all, if adulthood is mostly admin, then admin night is just friendship adapting to reality.

Most people never give a second thought to how their phone connects to a cell tower. It’s something that constantly happens in the background without our input, and therein lies the potential for trouble. What if that tower isn't what it seems? Android can tell you about it—maybe.

Are you looking for useful software to run on your Linux PC? There's never a better time to try some out than the weekend, and I've found a song identifier, a powerful image viewer, and a ping replacement.

If you want to know the path we’ll walk in the future, CES is one of the best places to get a glimpse, and this year, Hypershell literally showed us how we’ll walk in the future.

SUVs are everywhere these days, and it’s easy to see why. Families love the space, comfort, and versatility, and now automakers are sneaking in hybrid powertrains to make these roomy rides a bit kinder on gas.

Last summer, Danny Boyle and Alex Garland brought fresh life to the zombie franchise 28 Days Later with 28 Years Later, a jaw-dropping marvel of a horror movie. So, Candyman director Nia DaCosta had a dizzyingly high bar to hit with this year's 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, a direct sequel that plunges deeper into the curious characters of the ossuary-building Dr. Ian Kelson (Ralph Fiennes), the infected Alpha Samson (Chi Lewis-Parry), and the dynamic cult leader, Jimmy (Jack O'Connell).

Critics have been universally blown away by DaCosta's frightening and fascinating film. In her review for Mashable, Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko cheered, "28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is a phenomenal film. As a sequel, it builds the saga of Spike without retreading its predecessor's steps. As a zombie movie, it delivers scenes of gut-churning violence and haunting loss. As a horror film, it is sublime, gorgeous, rich in visual splendor, surging with feeling, and intoxicating in its unexpected twists. Simply put, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple fucking rules."

So it was with great excitement that Mashable welcomed DaCosta and O'Connell to the Say More couch to celebrate Bone Temple, while shouting out their 2025 work — three of which made our best films of the year list — 28 Years Later, Sinners, and Hedda.

Above is the first five minutes of the conversation between Puchko, O'Connell, and DaCosta, tapping into how they came to be a part of this franchise and the dream that is working with Boyle.

For more from the interview, including insights into Jimmy's perverse cult and that show-stopping Kelson dance number, check out the full episode on YouTube.

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is now in theaters.

Don’t miss out on our latest stories: Add Mashable as a trusted news source in Google.

SAVE $1,400: As of Jan. 16, the Jackery HomePower 3000 is on sale for $1,599 at Amazon. That's a 47% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery HomePower 3000 $1,599 at Amazon
$2,999 Save $1,400   Get Deal

For reliable power in a tricky situation, you can't go wrong with a portable power station. And for something that can power your whole house, the Jackery HomePower 3000 is the natural choice. And as of Jan. 16, this model (inclusive of solar panels and AC cable) is on sale at Amazon. Right now you can get $1,400 off the list price, bringing it down to $1,599. That's almost half off.

This is a seriously powerful unit, designed to keep all your home essentials running during outages. It has a 3,600W output, 7,200W surge, and a 3,072Wh capacity, so it can power big appliances like fridges. It also has a built-in UPS that switches in under 20ms to keep important devices running without interruption.

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It comes with multiple AC, USB-C, USB-A and DC ports, and you can charge several devices at once, including fast charging. You don't need days to prep it either, charging it up takes less than two hours with the AC or hybrid charging.

And like all Jackery devices, it's robust and built to last. It has LiFePO4 batteries that offer 4,000 cycles, all while maintaining 70% capacity, so you're guaranteed a long, reliable performance with this investment.

Get this power station deal from Amazon.

I'll be the first to admit that Netflix cranks out so many documentaries and docuseries that you're bound to click on a title or two that aren't up to muster. I'm happy to report that for this week, that is not the case.

Stuck in a boot loop or missing features after a Windows 11 update? Before you reinstall, try these fixes that usually work.

In the mood for a weekend binge that actually feels like a binge—the kind that grips you early, and before you know it, you're five episodes in? Impressively, Paramount+ is still yielding new and old shows to watch.

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.

Whether you're choosing an employee of the month, picking giveaway winners, or assigning tasks, Excel is the perfect tool for a bias-free draw. These simple formulas allow you to generate a single result or a full list of unique selections in just a few steps.

SAVE OVER $10: As of Jan. 16, the Lego Art Love set has dropped to its lowest-ever price of $63.99 at Amazon. This is $16 off its list price of $79.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Art Love Collectible Building Set (31214) $63.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $16.00   Get Deal

Valentine's Day is a little under a month away, and if you're looking for fun gift ideas, Lego sets are always a great choice. Some sets are perfect for the occasion as well, like the brick-built Lego Art Love set that recreates Robert Indiana’s LOVE sculpture. As of Jan. 16, it has even hit its lowest-ever price at Amazon.

Usually, the Lego Art Love set comes with a price of $79.99, but for a limited time it's dropped to $63.99. This saves you $16 and, again, marks its lowest price yet. If you've had your eye on it, now is a great time to make a move on it.

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Recommended for adult Lego fans, the Lego Art Love set comes with 791 pieces that build up a small recreation of the sculpture with all of its red, blue, and green colors. It even comes with two building instructions so you can piece it together alongside someone else, if you want.

Limited-time deals like this don't tend to last very long. Don't miss out on the Lego Art Love set while it's down to its lowest-ever price at Amazon. Looking for more Lego sets to gift for Valentine's Day this year? Our roundup of the best Lego sets for Valentine’s Day features plenty of other options we think are worth picking up.

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG Masks of Ogerpon Premium Collection is on sale for under $70 at Amazon. That's down to market value vs. TCGplayer.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Masks of Ogerpon Premium Collection $69.89 at Amazon
$74.99 Save $5.10 Get Deal

The world of Pokémon TCG is still going absolutely wild. Interest is continuing to climb, stock is often in short supply, and prices are usually inflated with leading retailers like Amazon. It's still possible to find value for money, but you've got to put in the work. Or alternatively, you could let us find the opportunities for you.

The Pokémon TCG Masks of Ogerpon Premium Collection is on sale for under $70 at Amazon. It's only a few dollars off its list price, but that brings it down to market value vs. TCGplayer. When you factor in shipping and convenience, shopping with Amazon in this case makes a lot of sense.

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The Pokémon TCG Masks of Ogerpon Premium Collection includes one foil card featuring Hearthflame Mask Ogerpon ex, one foil card featuring Wellspring Mask Ogerpon ex, one oversize foil card featuring Hearthflame Mask Ogerpon ex, 10 Pokémon TCG booster packs, and a code for Pokémon TCG Live.

You get a lot for your cash, which is often the case with these collections. If you're just starting out on your trading card journey, these collections are a great way to get going for less.

Get the Pokémon TCG Masks of Ogerpon Premium Collection for around market value at Amazon.

Forget your "one episode, then bed," declaration—you're not fooling anyone. Netflix has had a good run lately with all kinds of bingable shows that you keep just clicking "Next Episode" on.

SAVE $70: As of Jan. 16, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 has dropped to $329.99 at Amazon. This is $70 off its list price of $399.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (2025) $329.99 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $70   Get Deal

The start of a new year is a great opportunity to grab a smartwatch, especially if you're hoping to keep a better eye on your health or fitness goals for 2026. Some models are even on sale right now, so it's truly a great time to buy. Over at Amazon, our favorite Samsung smartwatch, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8, is down to just $329.99.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 is usually listed for $399.99, so this deal saves you $70 for a limited time. What's even better is both the silver and graphite models are on sale at this price, so you can choose your favorite between the two.

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This smartwatch boasts some great health and fitness features as well, including Advanced Sleep Coaching, Vascular Load monitoring, a Running Coach, and more. It certainly seems to have earned its place in our roundup of the best smartwatches, with Mashable's Timothy Beck Werth noting it "has a well-rounded feature set that offers everything you need in a smartwatch, fitness tracker, and sleep tracker." Plus, we find the squircle design to be quite fun.

Our review also found a lot to love, though it does note that the battery life is simply "fine". Writer Adam Doud still recommends the device, saying, "I really like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8, despite the battery life. I love the classy look, the software is really tight, and the Google Gemini integration is a big perk." So if it's caught your eye, why wait? Don't miss out on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 on sale at Amazon.

Alternatively, if you're curious which other smartwatches we'd recommend, have a look at our full breakdown of the best smartwatches to see some more of our top picks.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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: NYT Pips hints, answers for January 16, 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: Head accessories

• Green: Sleep preparation

• Blue: Bands

• Purple: Large

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Kinds of hats

• Green: Components of a kid's bedtime routine

• Blue: Musical acts with "A" as the only vowel

• Purple: Grand ___

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 #950 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Kinds of hats: DERBY, FEDORA, PANAMA, PORKPIE

• Components of a kid's bedtime routine: BATH, BRUSHING, PAJAMAS, STORY

• Musical acts with "A" as the only vowel: ALABAMA, BANANARAMA, KANSAS, SANTANA

• Grand ___: BAHAMA, CANYON, PIANO, SLAM

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 16, 2026

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

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

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