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Tea, the platform designed for women to discuss the men they date and potential "red flags," is relaunching today — but it won't be on the App Store.

Tea is part of an online ecosystem of whisper networks for women to find information ("tea") on potential suitors, similar to Are We Dating the Same Guy Facebook groups. Last July, Tea made headlines when two hacks exposed thousands of user images (including selfies and photos of ID cards like drivers' licenses) as well as personal chats and phone numbers. Then, in October, Apple removed Tea from the App Store (as well as its rival app for men, TeaOnHer) for not meeting its content moderation and user privacy requirements.

SEE ALSO: Google reverses key parental control policy

Now, Tea is back as a website: app.teaforwomen.com. 

Asked about how Tea intends on protecting users following the 2025 leaks, Tea's vice president of trust and safety, Jessica Dees, told Mashable, "We have taken meaningful steps to strengthen the platform's safety and security posture, including enhancing internal safeguards, reinforcing access controls, and implementing additional review and monitoring processes designed to protect sensitive information and support responsible participation."

Credit: Tea

Dees went on to say that the relaunch "reflects a deliberate focus on strengthening and expanding access to Tea's safety and verification tools while reinforcing accountability across the platform." Following the incidents, Tea began working with third-party security teams to understand how they occurred and implemented additional security controls.

Screenshots of the website experience shared with Mashable make the website appear Instagram-like, featuring images of men alongside captions about women's (usually negative) experiences with them, complete with comments from other users. You can even react with green or red flags.

As for Android users, Tea remained on Google Play despite the App Store removal and is still available to download. Tea also announced today that the Android app is getting new community features: an "elevated" forum experience with interactive spaces like a virtual speakeasy and an in-app AI dating coach. According to images shared with Mashable, the AI dating coach chats are "private and secure," and an upcoming feature is the ability to use the AI to analyze the vibes of a dating app conversation (like "playful" and "casual").

Credit: Tea Credit: Tea

Online whisper networks, often led by women, have emerged in the dating app era as users encounter bad actors, ranging from scammers to assaulters. They're unlikely to go away, but whether women will come back to Tea following what happened last year remains to be seen.

At a glance

• Many real-world business problems can benefit from optimization, but translating decisions, constraints, and goals from natural language into optimization algorithms is slow.
• OptiMind is a small language model designed to convert business problems described in natural language into the mathematical formulations needed by optimization software.
• OptiMind is trained on a carefully curated, expert-aligned dataset and applies domain-specific hints and self-checks at inference time, improving its accuracy.
• OptiMind matches or exceeds the performance of much larger systems, can run locally to protect sensitive data, produces more reliable formulations, and reduces the time and expertise needed to prepare optimization models.

Enterprises across industries, from energy to finance, use optimization models to plan complex operations like supply chains and logistics. These models work by defining three elements: the choices that can be made (such as production quantities or delivery routes), the rules and limits those choices must follow, and the goal, whether that’s minimizing costs, meeting customer demand, or improving efficiency.

Over the past few decades, many businesses have shifted from judgment-based decision-making to data-driven approaches, leading to major efficiency gains and cost savings. Advances in AI promise to accelerate this shift even further, potentially cutting decision times from days to minutes while delivering better results.

In practice, however, turning real-world business problems into a form that optimization software can understand is challenging. This translation process requires expressing decisions, constraints, and objectives in mathematical terms. The work demands specialized expertise, and it can take anywhere from one day to several weeks to solve complex problems. 

To address this challenge, we’re introducing OptiMind, a small language model designed to convert problems described in plain language into the mathematical formulations that optimization software needs. Built on a 20-billion parameter model, OptiMind is compact by today’s standards yet matches the performance of larger, more complex systems. Its modest size means it can run locally on users’ devices, enabling fast iteration while keeping sensitive business data on users’ devices rather than transmitting it to external servers.

Azure AI Foundry Labs

Get a glimpse of potential future directions for AI, with these experimental technologies from Microsoft Research.

Azure AI Foundry Opens in a new tab How it works

OptiMind incorporates knowledge from optimization experts both during training and when it’s being used to improve formulation accuracy at scale. Three stages enable this: domain-specific hints improve training data quality, the model undergoes fine-tuning, and expert reasoning guides the model as it works.

Figure 1. From problem description to solution 

One of the central challenges in developing OptiMind was the poor quality of existing public datasets for optimization problems. Many examples were incomplete or contained incorrect solutions. To address this, we developed a systematic approach that combines automation with expert review. It organizes problems into well-known categories, such as scheduling or routing, and identifies common error patterns within each. Using these insights, we generated expert-verified “hints” to guide the process, enabling the system to regenerate higher-quality solutions and filter out unsolvable examples (Figure 2). The result is a training dataset that more accurately reflects how optimization experts structure problems.

Figure 2. Process for correcting training data

Using this refined dataset, we applied supervised fine-tuning to the base model. Rather than simply generating code, we trained OptiMind to produce structured mathematical formulations alongside intermediate reasoning steps, helping it avoid the common mistakes found in earlier datasets.

When in use, the model’s reliability further improves. When given a new problem, OptiMind first classifies it into a category, such as scheduling or network design. It then applies expert hints relevant to that type of problem, which act as reminders to check for errors before generating a solution. For particularly challenging problems, the system generates multiple solutions and either selects the most frequently occurring one or uses feedback to refine its response. This approach increases accuracy without requiring a larger model, as illustrated in Figure 3.

Figure 3. OptiMind’s inference process Evaluation

To test the system, we turned to three widely used public benchmarks that represent some of the most complex formulation tasks in the field. On closer inspection, we discovered that 30 to 50 percent of the original test data was flawed. After manually correcting the issues, OptiMind improved accuracy by approximately 10 percent over the base model. Figure 4 and Table 1 show detailed comparisons: OptiMind outperformed other open-source models under 32 billion parameters and, when combined with expert hints and correction strategies, matched or exceeded the performance of current leading models.

Figure 4. Average accuracy percentages over all models. Table 1. Performance of all models on corrected benchmark datasets

OptiMind is more reliable than other models because it learns from higher-quality, domain-aligned data. And by correcting errors and inconsistencies in standard datasets, we significantly reduced the model’s tendency to hallucinate relative to the base and comparison models.

Looking forward

While supervised fine-tuning has provided a strong foundation, we are exploring reinforcement learning to further refine OptiMind’s reasoning capabilities. We’re also investigating automated frameworks that would allow LLMs to generate their own expert hints, enabling continuous autonomous improvement. Additionally, we are working with Microsoft product teams and industry collaborators to expand OptiMind’s utility, adding support for more programming languages and a variety of input formats, including Excel and other widely used tools.

We’re releasing OptiMind as an experimental model to gather community feedback and inform future development. The model is available through Microsoft Foundry (opens in new tab) and Hugging Face (opens in new tab), and we’ve open-sourced the benchmarks and data-processing procedures on GitHub (opens in new tab) to support more reliable evaluation across the field. We welcome feedback through GitHub (opens in new tab), and invite those interested in shaping the future of optimization to apply for one of our open roles.

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The post OptiMind: A small language model with optimization expertise appeared first on Microsoft Research.

Apple's iPhone 17e might be getting a big display upgrade.

The original "e" iPhone — the iPhone 16e, which launched in February 2025 — was an affordable iPhone variant with a powerful chip, but with no MagSafe and a display that featured an old-school cutout instead of Apple's Dynamic Island.

The iPhone 17e, which is rumored to arrive in the next couple of months, will have a significantly upgraded display. According to leaker Digital Chat Station's Weibo post, it will have a 6.1-inch, 60Hz LTPS OLED display with the Dynamic Island. Other improvements include the new A19 chip, and Face ID facial recognition.

SEE ALSO: iOS 26 bug is turning Android photos red in iPhone camera app

Yes, at 60Hz it won't match the displays on the iPhone 17 series, all of which feature a 120Hz display, but at least it will have a similar design and the added convenience of getting notifications and other info via the Dynamic Island.

The same leaker account also posted some predictions about Apple's upcoming iPhone 18 series of phones. According to the report, the screen sizes on the iPhone 18, iPhone Air 2, iPhone 18 Pro, and iPhone 18 Pro Max, will be exactly the same as on their predecessors.

The iPhone 18 will thus reportedly have a 6.27-inch display; iPhone Air will come with a 6.55-inch display, the iPhone 18 Pro will have a 6.27-inch display, and the iPhone 18 Pro Max will have a 6.86-inch display.

Featured Video For You Samsung first look: Go up close with Galaxy Z TriFold, the futuristic foldable only available in Korea

The displays of the Pro models might come with one key difference. The leaker claims that the iPhone 18 and the iPhone Air 2 will have the Dynamic Island display, while the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will have an under-display camera "with new area."

We've heard several rumors about this before, including one that says the Dynamic Island will be completely gone from these devices.

This is one of the wildest stories about the making of a Hollywood film EVER and many of you have probably never heard it before.

In 1984, film librarian Merle Ray Harlin was charged with stealing 419 films. One scrap found in his vast collection was a missing scene from the 1954 film A Star Is Born starring Judy Garland. So many films that could have been lost to history… and so many more that we don’t even know are lost! Unfortunately, that loss still includes 7 minutes of A Star Is Born.

If you try to watch the entire originally screened cut of A Star Is Born now, it’s a pretty odd experience. About 41 minutes into the film, it briefly ceases to be a “motion” picture, instead suddenly consisting of still images like some avant-garde thing your Brooklyn boyfriend would drag you to see. It’s odd.

Only 4 missing minutes from A Star Is Born were recovered from Merle Harlin…there are still 7 minutes of the full cut of the movie that are presumably lost to time forever, resulting in a somewhat incomplete film. So, who stole those last seven minutes? And why does it matter?

A Star is Born (1954) is now streaming.

Spotify Premium is about to become more expensive.

The company announced the change in a blog post Thursday, saying it's updating the price of Spotify Premium in the U.S., Estonia, and Latvia. And when Spotify updates prices, it's typically upwards.

The change, which is going live in February, will soon be announced to Premium subscribers via email.

In short, you'll have to pay one dollar more for Premium in the U.S. Starting in February, the price for Individual Premium plans will go up from $11.99 per month to $12.99 per month, while Student plans are going up from $5.99 to $6.99.

Things won't be anything better for Duo subscribers, as the price of that plan is going up $2, from $16.99 to $18.99, while Family plan is going up from $19.99 to $21.99.

SEE ALSO: Spotify is no longer running ICE recruitment ads

The company didn't list too many reasons for the change, claiming merely it's updating its pricing to "keep delivering a great experience."

Spotify prices have gone up steadily over the past couple of years. Most recently, the company lifted prices in June 2024 in the U.S., which was the second such hike in a year.

We all know the standard copy-paste, but pressing Ctrl+V in Excel often carries lots of baggage—leading to workbook lag and broken data. By mastering Paste as Values, you're activating the safety switch that freezes your results and secures your data. Here's why it's the most important tool you're ignoring.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you have a green thumb.

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 15, 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: Landscaping instruments

• Green: Fixed

• Blue: Small units

• Purple: Male titles

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Gardening tools

• Green: Unmoving

• Blue: Things that come in flakes

• Purple: Words formed by two men's names

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 #949 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Gardening tools: HOSE, RAKE, SHOVEL, SPADE

• Unmoving: FROZEN, STATIC, STATIONARY, STILL

• Things that come in flakes: CEREAL, DANDRUFF, SALT, SNOW

• Words formed by two men's names: JACKAL, LEVITATE, MELTED, PATRON

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 15, 2026

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

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

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

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you have great hearing.

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for January 15, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for January 15, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: The ears have it!

The words are related to a body part.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe parts of your hearing aids.

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 Hear Hear.

NYT Strands word list for January 15

• Stirruo

• Cartilage

• Lobe

• Hammber

• Anvil

• Hear Hear

• Drum

• Canal

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for January 15, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for January 15, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A gorge.

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 C.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

CHASM

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for January 15, 2026

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

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

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

NASA's SpaceX Crew-11 has safely returned to Earth in an unprecedented ISS medical evacuation, splashing down off the Californian coast on Thursday morning.

Landing in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego at 3:41 a.m. ET / 12:41 a.m. PT, a Dragon capsule saw four astronauts safely returned from the International Space Station after a 167-day mission. NASA's Commander Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, Japan's Kimiya Yui, and Russia's Oleg Platonov landed right on time, according to NASA, and were retrieved by a SpaceX recovery crew waiting nearby.

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You can watch the splashdown on NASA's YouTube livestream (around the 1:30:00 mark).

As the capsule waited for the SpaceX recovery crew, a few cheeky dolphins popped up right beside it:

Cute! Credit: NASA / YouTube

The crew's landing date was brought forward due to medical concerns with one of the crew, the name of whom NASA has kept confidential during all press statements. Mashable space reporter Elisha Sauers took a detailed look at NASA's first medical evacuation from the ISS. According to NASA, the crew member "remains stable," and stated in a press release, "Due to medical privacy, it is not appropriate for NASA to share more details about the crew member."

SEE ALSO: NASA preparing for its first crewed Moon mission in 50 years

After being brought aboard the SpaceX recovery ship, all four astronauts exited the capsule with help from the crew, then were transported immediately to a medical tent on board. According to NASA, they're set to be assessed in a local hospital overnight and then taken to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston for further evaluation.

NASA Commander Zena Cardman emerging from the landed Dragon capsule. Credit: NASA / YouTube

Crew-11 left Earth on Aug. 1, 2025, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, and have since conducted research and experiments designed to prepare for future human exploration of Mars and the moon.

TL;DR: The Samsung 34-inch Odyssey G5 ultra-wide gaming monitor is down to $279.99 at Amazon. This deal saves you $120 off its original $399.99 price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 34-inch Odyssey G5 $279.99 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $120 Get Deal

You don’t need to wait for major sales to score a serious upgrade to your gaming setup. As of Jan. 15, Amazon has the Samsung 34-inch Odyssey G5 ultra-wide gaming monitor on sale for $279.99, down from its original $399.99 list price. This is a sizable 30% discount on one of Samsung’s most immersive displays. 

This version of the Odyssey G5 is built for players who want more screen without jumping into ultra-premium pricing. The 34-inch Ultra-WQHD resolution offers the equivalent of a dual-monitor setup without the bezels, making it ideal for expansive RPGs like Cyberpunk 2077, racing sims like Assetto Corsa Competizione, and multitasking between games and apps. Its aggressive 1,000R curve wraps around your field of vision, pulling you into the action in a way flat panels simply can’t match.

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Pperformance is where this monitor really shines. You’re getting a 165Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and AMD FreeSync Premium, which helps eliminate screen tearing and stutter during fast-paced gameplay. Whether you’re chasing frame-perfect reactions in Fortnite-esque shooters or cruising through open worlds, the experience should consistently be smooth and responsive throughout any session.

At under $300, you’ve got an affordable way to step into high-refresh ultra-wide gaming from a trusted brand.

If you’re also open to a standard display, the 32-inch G50D version of the Samsung Odyssey G5 is on sale. Alternatively, the Asus ROG Strix monitor is on sale for its lowest-ever price at Amazon,

The U.S. is still setting its sights on Greenland, but talks don't seem to be going anywhere — with the country's prime minister making it clear that Greenland does not want to be part of the United States.

"Of course they don't want to be part of the United States right now," Jimmy Kimmel said on his show Wednesday night. "People from the United States don't want to be part of the United States. It's like being cast in a movie that already has Bill Cosby in the lead. People don't want it."

Kimmel goes on to speculate about why President Donald Trump might be so obsessed with Greenland at the moment.

"Maybe he's just focussed on Greenland to take our attention off a different island," says Kimmel. "We are still waiting on those Epstein files."

If you're into long, multi-day sports events, a fitness tracker with a good battery life is essential. And we’re not talking about 11 hours in GPS mode before you’re reaching for the portable charger. We’re talking about days of continuous tracking, through sleep deprivation and all kinds of terrain.

This is where the Coros Apex 4 comes into its own. It's an endurance fitness tracker designed with endurance athletes in mind. It has everything from detailed GPS tracking to advanced heart rate and training metrics, and not to mention, a battery life that will see you through any multi-day event. But, how much of an advantage is battery life really?

Can battery life give you a competitive advantage?

There are many ways in which having a strong battery life can help you during training and racing. For one, many ultra events now require you to have the race route downloaded into your watch maps (not to mention, if it's an off-road route you'll really need this). By having a watch battery that lasts for days, you not only meet race requirements but also avoid the interruptions and stress of mid-event charging.

Navigation truly is a biggie. Losing track of your route, whether in training or on race day, can cost you hours. It can also be unsafe if you don't know exactly where you are. With a watch that can stay on for days, you can keep your maps loaded the whole time, following the course or your planned route. Strong battery life means you're less likely to take a wrong turn or miss a checkpoint or aid station. And after miles of cycling or running, you do not want to miss out on your boiled potatoes.

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The long battery life also means you can leave your watch on during your training sessions, so every run or ride is fully tracked. You can monitor your progress over the hours of training. In a race environment, especially a multi-day event, this can help you to adjust your effort without worrying about running out of juice halfway through. The continuous data can help you practice sustainable pacing strategies.

Multi-day events are seriously tough on your body. Keeping your watch on for days at a time allows you to track heart rate trends and early signs of fatigue, letting you adjust your strategy based on your body's response.

And the Apex 4 more than meets the requirements for a reliable battery life. This watch can run for up to 65 hours in full GPS mode. According to Coros, this is long enough to cover races like the Grand Traverse or a full loop around Mont Blanc.

Other great features of the Coros Apex 4

Battery life isn't the only thing that makes this Coros watch a great choice for endurance athletes. It has built-in dual-frequency GPS with advanced vertical algorithms, meaning you'll get super accurate positioning even when you're in dense forests or surrounded by mountains. So, you can always trust your pace and route no matter how remote or rugged the conditions.

It also has a built-in microphone and speaker, letting you record voice pins to capture notes on the route or reminders for yourself during a long run. The speaker also lets you take hands-free calls or hear activity alerts out loud.

Sports tracking is impressive too, and it has all the usual you'd expect from a fitness tracker, with some added extras for trail running, ski touring, alpine climbing, and steep vertical training.

Where to buy the Coros Apex 4

The Coros Apex 4 is available to buy from Amazon. The 46mm watch is priced at $479, whereas the 42mm option is $429. Both are available in colors black or white.

Coros Apex 4 $479 at Amazon
  See It at Amazon

Dearest gentle reader, it's nearing time for another season of courting and conviviality in Netflix and Shondaland's Bridgerton.

We've spent the last three seasons relishing in the lustful long games of the Bridgerton family: the Duke of Hastings and Daphne, then Kate Sharma and Anthony, then Penelope Featherington and Colin — as well as a spinoff season on Queen Charlotte and her beloved King George. This time, based on the third novel in Julia Quinn's series, An Offer from a Gentleman, showrunner Jess Brownell shifts focus to another Bridgerton: the rakish Benedict (Luke Thompson).

SEE ALSO: 'Bridgerton' Season 4 trailer unveils Benedict’s masquerade mystery

But what happened again last season? Here's everything you need to remember from Season 3 of Bridgerton before you watch Season 4. Who married whom? What went down at that final ball? And what became of Lady Whistledown?

Penelope was unmasked as Lady Whistledown. Credit: Liam Daniel / Netflix

Members of the Ton, this was the big one in Season 3: Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) was revealed as the formidable writer behind Lady Whistledown's influential Society Papers.

Pen was first found out by her best friend Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie) in the Season 2 finale, which meant the pair spent most of Season 3 in a stand-off. Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) confronted his new wife Penelope (more on that below) at the printers, and that went as well as you'd expect, considering how much she's written about him and the Bridgertons. Plus, Cressida Cowper (Jessica Madsen) figured out who Lady Whistledown was by checking every printer in the Ton (smart!), then falsely claiming to be the writer and blackmailing Penelope (she failed and was sadly taken away by her mean Aunt Joanna).

Credit: Liam Daniel / Netflix

Finally, it all came out at the Dankworth-Finch ball during the season finale. Bored in their marriages, Prudence (Bessie Carter) and Philippa (Harriet Cains) hosted a maximalist ball, paid for by their lucrative sister Penelope and attended by none other than Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel). Having spent the last three seasons j'accusing everyone of being Lady Whistledown, the Queen came face to face with her social rival.

In front of the ball, Penelope gave one hell of a speech about why she became Lady Whistledown as a means of finally being listened to and the result of being "captivated" by the members of the Ton. She asked the Queen permission to continue writing "responsibly" — it was a solid yes. Penelope finally introduced herself to her readers as Penelope Bridgerton in a new Whistledown column.

Plus, Pen got her mother, Lady Portia Featherington (Polly Walker), off the financial hook the whole thing with Jack Featherington and his fraudulent activities in Season 2, by convincing a prying crown solicitor the money they extorted was in fact her Lady Whistledown earnings.

Featured Video For You ‘Bridgerton’ Season 3 has the internet upset for all the wrong reasons Penelope and Colin got married. Credit: Liam Daniel / Netflix

Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton were married after three seasons of lusting from afar, but not before their best friendship moved into a carriage of pre-marital steam (Pitbull will never be the same).

The whole Whistledown discovery put a spanner into their very new marriage, as a betrayed Colin shut Pen out emotionally and physically — and served up a huge dollop of writer's envy over her being a published author. However, Colin eventually accepted Penelope and Lady Whistledown as "one voice," admitted his jealousy, and declared his love once more. In the final moments of Season 3, we see Pen and Colin have had a baby boy, and Philippa and Prudence have had daughters (meaning Pen and Colin's son is the new Lord Featherington).

Alice and Will Mondrich levelled up. Credit: Liam Daniel / Netflix

In Season 3, married couple Alice Mondrich (Emma Naomi) and Will Mondrich (Martins Imhangbe) found themselves in a prominent social position — and strangely sleeping in different bedrooms thanks to a dramatically prudish housekeeper. Alice's great-aunt died and left Will and Alice's eldest (but still very young) son Nicky an estate and a title: Baron of Kent. This all meant the Mondrichs' standing in society was wildly changed from Will's former life as a boxer and gentlemen's club owner — they're now seriously influential in the Ton.

Benedict had a steamy poly relationship. Credit: Liam Daniel / Netflix

A member of the Ton's outsider artist circles, Benedict has long dabbled with polyamory since Season 1, from his dalliance with artist Lord Granville's wife Lucy and Genevieve Delacroix, but he's spent much of Bridgerton suppressing his bisexuality. In Season 3, Benedict delved into a secret polyamorous relationship with widow Lady Tilley Arnold (Hannah New) and Paul Suarez (Lucas Aurelio). However, their bond became strained as Tilley fell hard for Benedict, who finds consensual non-monogamy preferable, so they parted ways.

SEE ALSO: 'Bridgerton' Season 3 characters, ranked by crush-worthiness

Unfortunately for Benedict, our Season 2 lovers Viscount Anthony (Jonathan Bailey) and Viscountess Kate (Simone Ashley) left for India in Season 3, meaning he's the main administrator for the Bridgerton family now — and the next on the marriage mart, if his mother has anything to say about it.

Mega-chillers Francesca and John got married, but then... Credit: Liam Daniel / Netflix

After a very quiet courtship, Francesca Bridgerton (Hannah Dodd) was married to John Stirling (Victor Alli) in the Bridgerton drawing room and prepared to leave for John's primary estate in the Scottish Highlands.

After reluctantly attempting to join the Ton's marriage mart, Eloise decided instead to see the world, asking to accompany Francesca and John to Scotland. Also suddenly joining them was John's cousin Michaela Stirling (Masali Baduza), whose introduction right at the end of the Season 3 finale caused Francesca to get seriously tongue-tied and flustered. Giiiiirl.

Lady Bridgerton and Lord Anderson crushed hard on each other. Credit: Liam Daniel / Netflix

Lady Agatha Danbury's (Adjoa Andoh) brother Lord Marcus Anderson (Daniel Francis) and her best friend Lady Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell) were eyeing each other up all season, but before anything untoward happened, Violet asked her friend's permission. Here, there was a throwback to a reveal from Queen Charlotte, that Lady Danbury had once had an affair with Violet's father, Lord Ledger, after his wife's death. (That's best friend + dad, so best friend + brother seems chill.)

In the Season 3 finale, Marcus asked Violet for a dance at the ball. Cute.

Bridgerton Season 4 Part 1 debuts on Netflix Jan. 29 and Part 2 on Feb. 26.

TL;DR: The Fall 2025 edition of the Pokémon TCG Collector chest is now only $37.10 at Amazon. That's 36% off its $57.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG: Collector Chest Fall 2025 $37.10 at Amazon
$57.99 Save $20.89 Get Deal

Pokémon TCG’s inflated pricing due to short supply is not going anywhere, so sometimes the best bargains come from collections you wouldn’t expect. In this case, it’s the latest Collector Chest becoming more affordable. As of Jan. 15, you can buy the Pokémon TCG’s Fall 2025 Collector Chest for just $37.10 at Amazon, with $20.89 chopped off its price of $57.99. That brings it to just $2.50 over its current market price on TCGplayer.

The Collector Chest contains the following: 

• A mixture of six booster packs — three Mega Evolution, two of Journey Together, and one Destined Rivals

• Three foil promo cards of Ralts, Kirlia, and Riolu

• One Mega Lucario Pokémon coin

• Four sticker sheets

• A mini portfolio to store your cards in

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In a market where you currently need to pay upwards of $50 for a booster bundle containing six packs of in-demand Pokémon trading card expansions, like Phantasmal Flames — $37 for the same amount plus promo cards, a coin, and a mini portfolio and tin to store them all in is an amazing deal by comparison. 

Granted, the six boosters are a mixture of three different expansions rather than one, but if you’re like most Pokémon TCG collectors who are trying to complete multiple sets, this is a must-buy. 

Speaking of Pokémon TCG deals, you can also grab the Lugia ex and Latias ex Premium Collection for $30 off. If ETBs are what you’re seeking, you can also find both Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution Elite Trainer Boxes at around market price at Amazon. 

TL;DR: Hit RPG Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is down to $39.97 at Amazon. This deal saves you $20 on its usual $59.99 price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Deep Silver Kingdom Come: Deliverance II $39.97 at Amazon
$59.96 Save $19.99 Get Deal

If you’ve been waiting to jump into KCD2, one of the most talked-about RPGs of the year, now’s the perfect time to do so. As of Jan. 15, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II has dropped to $39.97 at Amazon. That's down from its usual $59.99 price tag: a solid $20 discount on what many are calling the most overlooked contender in the 'Game of the Year' category at the 2025 Game Awards. 

Made by Warhorse Studios, this sequel doubles down on everything fans loved about the original, delivering a gritty, historically grounded RPG set in 15th-century Bohemia. You once again step into the muddy boots of Henry, navigating a brutal medieval world shaped by political turmoil, personal revenge, and your own moral choices. Combat is still demanding, exploration is deeply immersive, and the game’s commitment to realism remains largely unmatched in the genre.

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Released early in 2025 and going up against some of the other amazing games released later that year and also nominated for GOTY at The Game Awards — Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (the winner), Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Donkey Kong Bananza, Hades II, and Hollow Knight: Silksong — it's no surprise that KCD2 lost out on some well-deserved recognition. 

That said, it’s still a fantastic RPG in its own right, enough to also get nominated for ‘Best Narrative’ and ‘Best Role Playing Game’ at the Game Awards. That’s along with a plethora of other nominations at other awards, winning ‘Best PC Game’ at 2024 Gamescom.

Even at its full $60 price, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is a great deal with dozens (if not hundreds) of hours of high-quality RPG fun. At $40 for PlayStation 5, it’s a no-brainer. 

Amazon has been going hard on game deals, with the retailer restocking its sale on Star Wars Outlaws and the Silent Hill 2 remake.

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG: Mega Lucario ex Figure Collection is now only $58.99 at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG: Mega Lucario ex Figure Collection $58.99 at Amazon
$67.99 Save $9.00 Get Deal

If Mega Lucario is your Pokémon of choice and you’ve been missing out on the latest TCG expansions, Amazon just dropped a solid deal that’s worth a look. 

As of Jan. 15, you can grab the Pokémon TCG: Mega Lucario ex Figure Collection for $58.99 at Amazon. While still over market value, it still massively undercuts what’s available on TCGplayer right now. Altogether, $58.99 is a great price considering what you get in the Pokémon TCG’s Mega Lucario ex Figure Collection: 

• Mega Lucario ex figure

• Mega Lucario ex foil promo card

• Five Pokémon TCG booster packs — two Destined Rivals, two Mega Evolution, and one Journey Together

• Oversized Mega Lucario ex foil promo card

• Code card for Pokémon TCG Live

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Each booster pack from the included expansions usually go for $10-$15, so you’ll essentially get the Mega Lucario ex promo card, figure, and oversized card for the same price as buying them on their own.  

For more Pokémon TCG deals, the Charizard ex Special Collection is also on sale at Amazon right now. What’s more, the Fall 2025 edition of the Pokémon TCG: Collector Chest is 36% off for a limied time.

Leonardo DiCaprio's viral commercial break conversation at the Golden Globes became one of the main talking points after Sunday's event. Many speculated that the One Battle After Another actor was talking to his Globe-winning co-star Teyana Taylor about her confusion over K-pop.

Alas, the speculation was incorrect. On Wednesday, Taylor appeared on The Tonight Show and confirmed to Jimmy Fallon that it wasn't her DiCaprio was speaking to. "My kid's favorite song is 'Golden'," Taylor explains, saying she already knows all about K-pop — Netflix's KPop Demon Hunters won two Golden Globes on Sunday. And as for who DiCaprio was mouthing at?

"He don't even remember who he was talking to," Taylor says. "He was like, 'I don't even know.'"

The mystery continues.

SAVE $15: As of Jan. 15, the Amazon Fire Stick 4K Plus is on sale for $34.99 at Amazon. That's a 30% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire Stick 4K Plus $34.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $15   Get Deal

Amazon’s Fire Stick 4K has had a rebrand. It's still the same device we know and love, but now it's called the Amazon Fire Stick 4K Plus. The name was changed to differentiate it from a new model in the 4K range, the Fire TV Stick 4K Select. And as of Jan. 15, the Plus is on sale for the first time this year, bringing the price down to $34.99.

This streaming device was designed for a better performance on 4K TVs. It has support for WiFi 6, lets you stream Xbox games through Xbox Game Pass using cloud gaming, and gives you access to over 1.8 million movies and TV episodes across services like Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Max and more.

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Picture and sound can be enjoyed in 4K Ultra HD with support for Dolby Vision, HDR10+ and Dolby Atmos. It even has Alexa built-in to make it easy to search or answer all your burning questions.

It's easy to set up too. Just plug the streaming stick into your TV's HDMI port, and then attach the power cable to a wall outlet. When you turn on your TV you'll be prompted to set up your Amazon account, and that's it. All your favorite shows, movies, and apps will now be in one easy-to-access place.

Get this Fire TV Stick deal from Amazon now.

SAVE $140: As of Jan. 15, the Kindle Scribe is on sale for $309.99 at Amazon. That's a discount of 31% on the list price.

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

The Kindle Scribe is exactly what you need to reach your reading goal in 2026. And if you're a writer as well as a reader, this model lets you take notes on your favorite books. As of Jan. 15, this e-reader down to its lowest-ever price of $309.99, saving you $140 on the list price.

It's time to say goodbye to a never ending cycle of notebooks. This Kindle is designed to be your new go-to place for writing, reading, and editing. It works as a digital notebook with built-in AI tools that can turn handwritten notes into typed text, summarize them, or adjust their length and tone. And writing feels close to pen on paper using the Premium Pen. This stylus comes with the device, and doesn't need charging or setting up. It works seamlessly with your Scribe.

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You can even import documents and PDFs via Send to Kindle and mark them up directly. And do this anywhere, at any time, thanks to the 10.2-inch glare-free, 300 ppi front-lit display which is comfortable to use in any light.

Get this Kindle deal from Amazon now.